Chicago Bears
(39) Kyler Gordon CB Washington
(48) Jaquan Brisker S Penn St.
(71) Velus Jones Jr. WR Tennessee
(168) Braxton Jones OT Southern Utah
(174) Dominique Robinson DL Miami (OH)
(186) Zachary Thomas OL San Diego St.
(203) Trestan Ebner RB Baylor
(207) Doug Kramer OL Illinois
(226) Ja’Tyre Carter OL Southern
(254) Elijah Hicks S California
(255) Trenton Gill P North Carolina St.
Immediate Impact: CB Kyler Gordon, S Jaquan Brisker
Gordon wasn’t a favorite of mine but he’s solid CB prospect and he only has to be better than Kindle Vildor and Thomas Graham to earn the starting job opposite Jaylon Johnson, he’s at least that good. He’s tough, he’s physical and he’s athletic. Brisker is a guy I like quite a bit. He’s a freak athletically and he’s one of the most complete safeties in the draft. He does everything well and he does it well consistently. I would be shocked if he’s not starting opposite Eddie Jackson in week one.
Best Value: Gordon and Brisker
Getting two starters in the secondary in round two is very good value, especially when you don’t have a first-round pick. They made the most of that extra pick they got in the Khalil Mack trade.
Sleeper: OT Braxton Jones
This is one of my favorite project OTs in the draft. Small school guy with great length and instincts. He has all the makings of an elite offensive tackle he just needs an NFL caliber weight program and some coaching. His upside is high and he would be a perfect fit in the Bears new offense. I wouldn’t be the least bit surprised if he’s the starting LT in a couple of years, maybe sooner if Teven Jenkins and Larry Borom can’t hold him off or stay healthy.
Overall Analysis
So many teams reach to fill needs early in the draft, teams with as many needs as the Bears, just take good players and let them win the job. The secondary wasn’t as big of a need as some of the other positions but Gordon and Brisker were too good to pass up. Then the Bears reached for Velus Jones Jr, a WR who’s a good return man but leaves a lot to be desired as a receiver. He’s also about to turn 25 years old after spending an extra year in college (for reference he’s older than AJ Brown, DK Metcalf and Mecole Hardman). I don’t like that pick. DL Dominique Robinson was a solid investment in getting an edge rusher on day three. They drafted RB Trestan Ebner who adds help on special teams and maybe becomes a Tarik Cohen replacement, if they’re lucky, feels like a wasted pick. S Elijah Hicks probably ends up on the practice squad as he’s coming off a foot injury and he’s a little undersized. They took a punter in round seven, not a terrible idea on your 11th pick in a draft.
In addition to OT Braxton Jones, the Bears hit the offensive line hard on day three, my main complaint would be they waited until day three. Zachary Thomas, Doug Kramer, and Ja’Tyre Carter were added as depth. Thomas could end up at either OT or OG, Kramer is insurance behind new center Lucas Patrick and Carter has versatility and athleticism to play about anywhere. When your line is as bad as the Bears line is, take as many shots as you can, I’m just not sure so many of them being on day three is helpful. All four of these guys could make the roster. Braxton Jones has potential to be a starter for sure but I could see Thomas pushing Dakota Dozier for a guard spot and Kramer can make the roster because of his intelligence and experience at center. Overall, a solid draft with a few whiffs, I think Velus Jones Jr is a wasted pick (there were better WRs available and even other better players at other positions), but I don’t hate the draft class overall.
Detroit Lions
(2) Aidan Hutchinson DE Michigan
(12) Jameson Williams WR Alabama
(46) Josh Paschal DE Kentucky
(97) Kerby Joseph S Illinois
(177) James Mitchell TE Virginia Tech
(188) Malcolm Rodriguez LB Oklahoma St.
(217) James Houston LB Jackson St.
(237) Chase Lucas CB Arizona St.
Immediate Impact: DE Aidan Hutchinson
Hutchinson is not only going to start on day one, he’s going to lead this team in sacks next season. That’s not setting the bar all that high but that’s still good for a rookie. The Lions drafted him not only for his ability to get to the QB but also because he will set the tone. He’s all football, all the time and he won’t let anyone slack off. Dan Campbell and GM Brad Holmes are trying to build a culture, Hutchinson lives it every day.
Best Value: WR Jameson Williams
It’s not so much that he was more valuable than the 12th pick, it’s the fact he was the fourth WR taken. Drake London went eight, and then Garrett Wilson and Chris Olave went with the two picks ahead of Williams. Detroit traded up to get into the middle of the WR run that was happening. He was the fourth WR off the board but he could very easily be the best WR in this class. He may not see any action this season, the Lions don’t have to rush him back from his knee injury, so it could take time. However, when he gets back, he could easily outshine this entire draft class.
Sleeper: LB Malcolm Rodriguez
The Lions are just teeming with mediocre LBs like Alex Anzalone, Jarrad Davis, and Shaun Dion-Hamilton. They need a legit playmaker and Rodriguez can be that guy. He’s undersized at 5’11 but he’s fast and has superior instincts. He will bring a special element to the Lions’ defense and he can be a nice chess piece for Campbell and defensive coordinator Aaron Glenn to unleash. I can’t believe they stole him in the sixth round.
Overall Analysis
The Lions took almost a nanosecond to turn in the card for Aidan Hutchinson after the Jaguars passed on him. I’m not sure Hutchinson ever gets 16 sacks in a season but I would pencil him in for 12 a year for the next decade. They traded up to get Jameson Williams, it cost a bit to move from 32nd to 12th but Williams is worth it. He needs patience to recover from his knee injury and that’s fine, the Lions don’t have the QB to use his elite deep speed anyway. He has star potential once the Lions draft their QB of the future in 2023. I really like Josh Paschal as the DE opposite Hutchinson eventually. They do have Charles Harris and Romeo Okwara so Paschal will be a rotational guy for now but he was worth the second round pick they spent on him.
They took a rangy cover safety in round three, Kerby Joseph, he can help. They aren’t deep at safety and Joseph has good deep coverage skills. Aaron Glenn will find a way to use him.
In the back half of the draft, they took a TE who can play some H-back. They have no depth behind TJ Hockenson so James Mitchell could stick. Love the Rodriguez pick, he’s a keeper. Then they took James Houston from Jackson St, I know nothing about him except he basically looks like a small designated pass rusher type. Chase Lucas is a small CB from Arizona St. that they took in round seven. If you’re taking a shot in round seven, you might as well take an athletic guy like Lucas.
Green Bay Packers
(22) Quay Walker LB Georgia
(28) Devonte Wyatt DT Georgia
(34) Christian Watson WR North Dakota St
(92) Sean Rhyan OL UCLA
(132) Romeo Doubs WR Nebraska
(140) Zach Tom OL Wake Forest
(179) Kingsley Enagbare DE/OLB South Carolina
(228) Tariq Carpenter S/LB Georgia Tech
(234) Jonathan Ford DL Miami
(249) Rasheed Walker OT Penn St.
(258) Samori Toure WR Nebraska
Immediate Impact: LB Quay Walker, DL Devonte Wyatt
Quay Walker is a long, tall, rangy LB with some impressive athletic skills. He could easily find himself starting at ILB next to De’Vondre Campbell and the two of them will present problems for opposing offenses. Wyatt comes in to a situation where the Packers don’t have a lot of depth on the defensive line. They signed Jarran Reed but he’s bounced around a bit lately and he’s pushing 30. Kenny Clark is really good and Dean Lowry is solid but they need more help. Wyatt can play anywhere on their front line so he’s perfect for depth initially and he’ll earn a starting spot sooner rather than later.
Best Value: DE/OLB Kingsley Enagbare
At one time Enagbare was a potential first or second round pick. He certainly looks the part with his elite frame and size. He never quite translated it to the field and he often leaves you wanting more, but there is more there to get. Enagbare doesn’t show great power but he has some moves, he doesn’t have great speed, but there’s something there. If the Packers can unlock some of the potential he shows at times, he’s a steal in the fifth round.
Sleeper: OT Rasheed Walker
This is a prospect who went into last season with the potential to be a high round pick. Walker has some things to clean up from a technique standpoint but he’s big, long, and physical. You can’t teach a guy to be his size and have his athleticism. The Packers took a couple of offensive linemen before Walker who also have a chance to play on this team but Walker has enormous upside.
Overall Analysis
The Packers missed out on a WR in round one because the run on the top six WRs happened before their pick and they weren’t able to move up to get one there they liked. They pivoted and took two really good defensive players who can help them a lot on that side of the ball. Taking Quay Walker and Devonte Wyatt instead of reaching for WR was a smart move. Then in round two they were afraid they wouldn’t get a WR at all so they traded two late second round picks to move up and take Christian Watson. I understand the infatuation with Watson’s speed/size combination and his deep ball prowess but I’m not sold on him as the answer to their needs at WR. Watson isn’t a Devante Adams replacement; he’s the Marquez Valdes-Scantling replacement and I think that may disappoint some people. He runs a limited route tree and they are going to have to manufacture ways to get him the ball.
The Packers didn’t do much on defense after round one. Kingsley Enagbare has a chance to contribute as an edge rusher but Tariq Carpenter and Jonathan Ford are longshots for the roster. Carpenter is a safety/linebacker hybrid who’s only chance to make it is on special teams. Ford is a massive NT who is pretty raw and probably ends up on the practice squad. They did add some nice pieces to the offensive line. Sean Rhyan was a tackle in college but is probably a guard in Green Bay and they could use some more options inside. Zach Tom and Rasheed Walker are really good developmental tackles. With David Bakhtiari’s injury history and their lack of depth at the position, these two could get pressed into duty sooner than the team would like. They also drafted two more WRs; Romeo Doubs and Samori Toure. Weirdly, these two are also deep ball guys that probably replace Marquez Valdes-Scantling’s skill set more than anything. Apparently, the Packers’ passing offense is just going to be Aaron Rodgers chucking it deep. I actually think I like Doubs a little more than Watson if I’m being honest.
Minnesota Vikings
(32) Lewis Cine S Georgia
(42) Andrew Booth Jr. CB Clemson
(59) Ed Ingram OG LSU
(66) Brian Asamoah LB Oklahoma
(118) Akayleb Evans CB Missouri
(165) Esezi Otomewo DL Minnesota
(169) Ty Chandler RB North Carolina
(184) Vederian Lowe OL Illinois
(191) Jalen Nailor WR Michigan St.
(227) Nick Muse TE South Carolina
Immediate Impact: S Lewis Cine, CB Andrew Booth Jr.
The Vikings traded back in round one and ended up with the last pick and took Cine. He’s a very versatile safety who will start immediately next to Harrison Smith and he can eventually replace Smith as the leader of the secondary. Booth slipped a bit because of some injury issues but he’s a top-notch cover man and with Patrick Peterson aging and not much else at CB besides Cam Dantzler, Booth should play early and often.
Best Value: CB Andrew Booth Jr
Like I said, he has some injury concerns but the team expects him to be ready to play. He had a double hernia surgery and has some other stuff that made teams downgrade him on their boards. From a talent perspective he’s a first-round caliber guy and they got him 42nd overall, that’s good value. He has a really high ceiling for a guy they got in round two.
Sleeper: RB Ty Chandler
The Vikings have Dalvin Cook and he’s their guy for the next few years. Alexander Mattison is a fantastic backup who’s entering the last year of his contract and he’ll probably price himself out of Minnesota (you can’t pay two RBs a lot of money). Chandler transferred from Tennessee to North Carolina for his last year and had a good season. He has a great skill set and can fill in for Cook quite nicely. He’s a cost control option for the next four years and he can be a really good back for them.
Overall Analysis
The Vikings pulled off one of the stranger things I’ve ever seen in the draft, every single one of their picks they traded for, both up and down, every pick was traded in some way. Cine and Booth were excellent picks who will come in and help immediately and could be long time starters for the franchise. I was a little surprised by their two offensive line choices, not that they took offensive linemen, they needed the help, just who they took. Ed Ingram is a big power guard with less-than-ideal movement skills and while sixth round pick Vederian Lowe is a nice prospect, he doesn’t fit either. Unless new head coach Kevin O’Connell is changing the offensive scheme a lot, neither guy fits the mold of the Vikings scheme. I like Lowe as a developmental tackle but it’s tough to see the fit. Ingram brings power they don’t really have at guard but he’s not a zone blocker and does this mean they are giving up on Wyatt Davis or Ezra Cleveland already?
LB Brian Asamoah and CB Akayleb Evans are great athletes who need a lot of refinement at their positions. They are NFL caliber athletes but they have a long way to go to really help on defense. Esezi Otomewo is at best, a low end defensive line depth. Chandler is a useful piece now and moving forward. Even as a bad fit, I can see Lowe sticking around because they have no depth behind starting OTs Christian Darrisaw and Brian O’Neill. WR Jalen Nailor is facing a steep climb to make this roster, they have plenty of WRs. TE Nick Muse may not have as much competition but he also lacks any particular skill that will stand out.
The Hott Read 