I’m going to do a running Live Draft Diary again like I did last year. We will see how it goes, hopefully everyone enjoys. Draft starts at 7pm (central time). See you then.
This draft has been roundly criticized for being pretty weak overall. I would agree with that assessment overall. I think once you get past the top 50 (or so) players, the quality starts to drop off. With that said, there are guys I like and guys I don’t. Here’s a quick list.
Guys I like. QB Desmond Ridder, WRs Garrett Wilson, Jahan Dotson, Treylon Burks, David Bell, RB Breece Hall (begrudgingly). Offensive Linemen, Tyler Linderbaum (he’s going to be an All-Pro on the right team), Ickey Ekwonu, Zion Johnson. On defense, DEs Aidan Hutchinson, Jermaine Johnson, LBs Nakobe Dean, Devin Lloyd, Christian Harris. Safeties, Kyle Hamilton, Daxton Hill, Dane Belton (that’s not just a homer pick). CBs Derek Stingley Jr., Ahmad Gardner, Roger McCreary and Tariq Woolen (not sure why).
Guys I don’t like so much. All the other QBs (my second favorite to Ridder is probably Sam Howell). WRs Drake London (I’m just not feeling it). The rest of the RBs but maybe James Cook pretty late. All the TEs. Offensive Lineman, Evan Neal (he’s better than Cam Robinson and Alex Leatherwood but I’m avoiding him). DEs Travon Walker (if he’s a top two pick). LB Quay Walker (I just know Belichick’s going to take him in round one. CB Andrew Booth Jr (he grabs a lot), Kyler Gordon (if he’s a 1st round pick).
Here we go!
- Jacksonville Jaguars: Travon Walker DE Georgia
This is the Trent Baalke crazy train taking off. Taking an edge rusher who doesn’t have any pass rushing moves is quite scary. The Jaguars take an athletic freak but I really think he could be a huge bust with this organization. It’s Doug Pederson’s job now to not only fix Trevor Lawrence but make sure Walker doesn’t turn into the usual Jaguars pick.
2. Detroit Lions: Aidan Hutchinson DE Michigan
The Lions took a whole nanosecond to take Hutchinson. They win this. He’s far more athletic than he is getting credit for. He’s a stud, they love him and he’s a perfect fit, they need him.
3. Houston Texans: Derek Stingley Jr CB LSU
My favorite CB. He had quite the yo-yo draft season. He was up, he was down, now he’s back up. He’s an elite CB, great instincts, he’s fantastic. Hopefully the Texans don’t screw him up. Don’t blow this Lovie.
I think this is Kayvon Thibodeaux at 4.
4. New York Jets: Ahmad Gardner CB Cincinnati
They go with Gardner. They definitely need a CB. DJ Reed can only cover one side. I like Gardner for sure. I like this pick over Thibodeaux I just didn’t think they would actually go CB over the defensive line.
5. New York Giants: Kayvon Thibodeaux DE Oregon
The Giants have to have pass rusher and there’s a drop off after Thibodeaux. He will pair well with Azeez Ojulari and now they have some edge rushing.
Just an FYI, for the first time ever I’m not watching the draft on ESPN or the NFL Network. I’m watching The Athletic Football show on YouTube. It’s basically three guys talking about the players and not all the fluff. The best draft evaluators aren’t at ESPN or the NFL Network. It’s the guys at The Athletic and the guys at The Ringer. Dane Brugler, Nate Tice, Ben Solak and Danny Kelly are my favorites.
6. Carolina Panthers: Ikem Ekwonu OT North Carolina St.
I would have passed on a QB too. Ekwonu is the best OT in this class and they just got him at 6. They actually need a LT more than they need a QB. Sam Darnold is a better QB than Cam Irving is a LT. He’s a beast. Love the pick.
7. New York Giants: Evan Neal OT Alabama
The Giants got themselves a new RT. Sorry, Matt Peart but you never took the job. No more excuses for Daniel Jones.
8. Atlanta Falcons: Drake London WR USC
Not my favorite guy but I can’t fault the Falcons. They NEED a WR more than anyone. Big WRs without great speed like London can either turn into Michael Thomas or N’Keal Harry, I have Harry PTSD so that’s probably why I don’t like him so much. It’s probably not going to help him that his QB will likely be Marcus Mariota this year.
9. Seattle Seahawks: Charles Cross OT Mississippi St.
Hey, the Seahawks traded Russell Wilson and now they finally get a LT. He’s the starter right now, and he’s the best offensive lineman on the team. This was a no brainer.
10. New York Jets: Garrett Wilson WR Ohio St.
Good WR and now they have the Wilson to Wilson connection. He’s better than Corey Davis and he could help unlock Elijah Moore a bit. Wilson, Davis and Moore are actually good complementary players at receiver.
11. New Orleans Saints (TRADE): Chris Olave WR Ohio St.
The Saints make a move up to get the WR to play opposite Michael Thomas. Olave runs routes like a seasoned pro and he starts on day one. He has speed too. Trading up for a WR is a little strange but they have needed another WR for years.
12. Detroit Lions (TRADE): Jameson Williams WR Alabama
Major move for the Lions. They get the best deep speed WR in this draft. Now they just have to get a QB who can throw to him. That’s an aggressive more. Good for them.
TRADES GALORE. Philly is moving up here. It’s getting Crazy!
13. Philadelphia Eagles (TRADE): Jordan Davis DT Georgia
The scariest human on the planet. He’s gigantic, fast, and he’s a freak at his size/athleticism combo. They need to get younger at DT, good call and they didn’t pay too high of a price to move up.
14. Baltimore Ravens: Kyle Hamilton S Notre Dame
Great value. They took the best player on the board. He isn’t a natural fit after they just signed Marcus Williams and they have Chuck Clark but Eric DeCosta doesn’t go against his board.
15. Houston Texans: Kenyon Green OL Texas A&M
They need help up front and Green could be an OG or he could start at RT. He’s good but this might be a little high.
16. Washington Commanders: Jahan Dotson WR Penn St.
Wow, the WR run is taking over. I like Dotson but at 16 seems high. He’s a little small but I do love what he does. He’s a playmaker, unfortunately now he plays with Carson Wentz.
17. Los Angeles Chargers: Zion Johnson OL Boston College
Johnson is a beast. He starts immediately at RG but maybe he’s a RT if needed, he’s better inside. They still need a real RT but Johnson is great.
18. Tennessee Titans (TRADE): Treylon Burks WR Arkansas
The Titans traded AJ Brown to Philly for this pick, that’s a huge move. Brown and DeVonta Smith in Philly is awesome together. Then the Titans took their AJ Brown replacement in Burks. I like Burks and he’s perfect for their offense, clearly, since he’s just like Brown.
19. New Orleans Saints: Trevor Penning OT Northern Iowa
The Saints got their LT. Penning is a small school guy but he’s 6’7 325 lbs. and he’s got a nasty demeanor. They once turned Terron Armstead into a stud quite quickly, now it’s Penning’s turn.
Is this the QB? Which QB if it is? Willis? Ridder? If it’s not a QB here, one may not go in round one.
20. Pittsburgh Steelers: Kenny Pickett QB Pittsburgh
Well, I guess Mike Tomlin’s love affair with Malik Willis didn’t win out. Mitchell Trubisky may not be the starter in Pittsburgh right away. Pickett literally gets to stay at the same stadium and same workout facility. He can start right away but his ceiling is limited. Solid choice, not great.
Now the Patriots get to disappoint me. Yep, just traded back.
21. Kansas City (TRADE): Trent McDuffie CB Washington
They needed a CB so they moved up and got the 3rd best guy in the draft. He can play any scheme and he can start right away. Like the pick, love the value.
22. Green Bay Packers: Quay Walker LB Georgia
Thank you Green Bay for taking Walker, he’s good but I didn’t want the Patriots trading back to wait for him. The WRs are gone so they get a LB they need.
23. Buffalo Bills (TRADE): Kaiir Elam CB Florida
They needed a CB and now they have one. Elam is a top-notch athlete and he completes that defense. He’s big, physical and he won’t back down from anyone. Like his fit here.
24. Dallas Cowboys: Tyler Smith OL Tulsa
This guy is a project. They wanted Zion Johnson, Kenyon Green or WR Treylon Burks and all of them were gone. Smith can start at LG this year and they can hope he either excels there and then he progresses to be a LT to replace Tyron Smith eventually. It’s going to be a process but he has raw talent.
25. Baltimore Ravens: Tyler Linderbaum C Iowa
The Ravens need a center and Linderbaum will step in as a starter immediately. It seems like a weird fit scheme wise but they will find a way to use him and he will be a stud. The Ravens last Iowa interior was Marshall Yanda, that worked out.
26. New York Jets (TRADE): Jermaine Johnson DE Florida St.
I can’t believe Johnson fell this far and the Jets moved back in to the first round and got him. Three first round picks for the Jets and all three are good. As a Patriots fan, I hate this.
27. Jacksonville Jaguars (TRADE): Devin Lloyd LB Utah
Damn it Jags. They move up and take Lloyd, the guy I would have loved for the Patriots to take. They definitely need another LB so this makes a ton of sense. Lloyd is a three-down LB and he’ll start right away in Jacksonville.
The Patriots are probably going to trade back again now. The least shocking thing that could happen in a minute.
28. Green Bay Packers: Devonte Wyatt DL Georgia
So that’s two Georgia defenders for the Packers and no WRs for Aaron Rodgers. There isn’t a WR worth taking after the run came so early but it’s just funny to see. He has the versatility to really help the defensive line and give Kenny Clark some help.
29. New England Patriots: Cole Strange OL Tennessee-Chattanooga
Oh seriously? They reach for an interior offensive lineman. Nakobe Dean would have been a far better choice. They need an OG but they could get one later. I hate this pick. He can start next year but really?
30. Kansas City: George Karlaftis DE Purdue
Great choice by the Chiefs. Karlaftis can really help them next season and fills a huge need. He’s a power rusher so he’s a complement to Frank Clark.
31. Cincinnati Bengals: Daxton Hill S Michigan
Really like Hill, he can play in the slot and he could play outside at CB if they need him. They don’t have any long-term guys at safety with Jessie Bates on the franchise tag.
32. Minnesota Vikings: Lewis Cine S Georgia
The Vikings need help in the secondary. He can play with Harrison Smith and really upgrade the backend of the defense. Good choice.
I’m going to start drinking again because of the Patriots reaching for an OG. Damn it Belichick.
The Hott Read 