Atlanta Falcons
(8) Bijan Robinson RB Texas
(38) Matthew Bergeron OL Syracuse
(75) Zach Harrison Edge Ohio St.
(113) Clark Phillips III CB Utah
(224) DeMarcco Hellams S Alabama
(225) Jovaughn Gwyn OG South Carolina
Immediate Impact: RB Bijan Robinson, OL Matthew Bergeron
The Falcons are trying to build an offense of interchangeable parts. It started with Kyle Pitts, then it was Drake London, and now it’s Bijan Robinson. Robinson is an exceptional back and while taking a back in the top ten is a gamble, Robinson is worth it. He has the chance to be one of the top five RBs in the NFL. Bergeron was drafted to help make that happen. The Falcons had four offensive line spots settled but they need a LG. Bergeron played LT at Syracuse and while he might eventually be Jake Matthews replacement at LT, he’ll start his career next to him inside at LG.
Best Value: CB Clark Phillips III
Mike Hughes is set to be the Falcons nickel corner this year with AJ Terrell and Jeff Okudah on the outside but watch out for Phillips. He’s a natural slot corner and he’s feisty as hell. He doesn’t back down and if Hughes stumbles at all, Phillips will take his job. He has long-term potential as a top nickel corner and somehow, they got him in round four.
Sleeper: Edge Zach Harrison
Harrison is a long, powerful edge rusher who started at Ohio St. but never really blossomed as an elite pass rusher. He doesn’t have one elite skill like an incredible first step or elite bend, he’s a try hard guy who gets by on his high motor. There are worse things than being a guy who just never quits. Harrison can last a long time in the NFL and even though he may never be a star, he’s a valuable player on any team.
Overall Analysis
Robinson and Bergeron were picks meant to fill specific roles to try to complete the offense Arthur Smith is trying to build. They will help the team determine if Desmond Ridder is a worthwhile QB or whether they need to move on. Robinson is an elite playmaker and he makes their offense better no matter what. Bergeron completes the offensive line starting group.
Harrison and Phillips are great depth players for a defense that made some veteran additions they hope change their fortunes on that side. I like both players as rotational guys now and guys who can help in the future. DeMarcco Hellams is an Alabama trained safety, there are worse things than to take a defensive back who learned from Nick Saban. Gwyn is a developmental interior offensive lineman, probably a practice squad guy.
Carolina Panthers
(1) Bryce Young QB Alabama
(39) Jonathan Mingo WR Mississippi
(80) DJ Johnson Edge Oregon
(114) Chandler Zavala OG North Carolina St.
(145) Jammie Robinson S Florida St.
Immediate Impact: QB Bryce Young
This team has been searching for a QB since the Cam Newton heyday came to an end. Young is the ultimate outlier, he’s incredibly small and it’s a concern. What isn’t a concern is when he starts, it’s day one. He’s a truly talented player, especially when the play breaks down, but the question is how long will he hold up? Young gives the Panthers hope, and they have an offensive line to protect him, so that should help.
Best Value: OG Chandler Zavala
The Panthers offensive line played well last season and part of that was RG Austin Corbett. Unfortunately, Corbett tore his ACL in the regular season finale and it seems unlikely he’ll be ready to start the season. Zavala is an older prospect who played along side LT Ikem Ekwonu in college and he has NFL starter ability. He’s not the best at anything but he’s solid all around and I think he ends up a starter at guard to start the season unless Corbett makes a miraculous recovery.
Sleeper: OG Chandler Zavala
A fourth round OG is the definition of a sleeper, a prospect not too many people know. He can be a long-term starter.
Overall Analysis
The Panthers were swinging for the fences with this draft. First, they traded a whole lot of draft capital and DJ Moore to move up to the first pick, then they took the biggest swing they could, on the smallest QB. Young is the new face of the franchise; the question is can last long enough to get a second contract? Then they grabbed Jonathan Mingo as the fifth WR off the board. There was very little consensus on the WRs but Mingo wasn’t a highly regarded prospect by a ton of teams. He could be a star but he has bust potential too.
Then they traded even more capital to move up and take DJ Johnson, an edge rusher from Oregon, no one had going in round three. Johnson doesn’t look like a classic 3-4 edge rusher at 270 lbs., he does have athleticism but it feels like he’s not going to help right away. Zavala was a good pick in round four and he can start. Jammie Robinson is an undersized safety who should give them a different skill set look than Vonn Bell and Jeremy Chinn.
New Orleans Saints
(29) Bryan Bresee DT Clemson
(40) Isaiah Foskey DE Notre Dame
(71) Kendre Miller RB TCU
(103) Nick Saldiveri G/T Old Dominion
(127) Jake Haener QB Fresno St.
(146) Jordan Howden S Minnesota
(195) AT Perry WR Wake Forest
Immediate Impact: DT Bryan Bresee
Bresee is a guy I want to cheer for and while I’m not sold on him being some superstar interior defensive lineman, he’s a day one starter in New Orleans. They took some hits on the defensive line and the guys they signed in free agency as replacements, are not as good as Bresee can be. He went through a lot at Clemson and if he can get back to a place of playing and loving football, he’s going to be a good player.
Best Value: WR AT Perry
I’m not sure what it was that caused Perry to drop to round six but I’m absolutely certain it wasn’t his talent. At 6’5 205 lbs. Perry is a tall, skinny receiver who can win on the outside with his length and add to a team’s passing game. When Michael Thomas gets hurt next season, Perry is a better player to put in than running Tre’Quan Smith out there again.
Sleeper: G/T Nick Saldiveri
Saldiveri is a big, nasty RT out of Old Dominion who was somehow available in round four. The Saints don’t need a starting offensive lineman right now but some of their guys are going to start getting expensive and are older (I’m looking at Andrus Peat). For now, Saldiveri is a very versatile backup guard/tackle who could fill in at many spots. Next year, he might just be starting at guard. He has the size and demeanor to excel in the NFL.
Overall Analysis
The Saints didn’t take a lot of major swings, they basically just looked to get some solid players. Bresee has immense talent and if he can tap back into it, he can be a really good interior defensive lineman. I’m less sold on Isaiah Foskey. Foskey is the classic “looks good getting of the bus guy” but he doesn’t look as great on the field. He has athleticism and size but he doesn’t play up to it on the field. There were guys with higher upside that I would have preferred that early in round two.
RB Kendre Miller was the fourth RB off the board, that was a little rich. He’s a solid player and I understand the fit next to Alvin Kamara but the third round was high. Miller is a power back type the Saints want to take pressure off of Kamara but there were others available later. With Kamara and Jamaal Williams at RB, a RB in round three seemed like a luxury. I love the Saldiveri pick, he was well worth his draft slot.
QB Jake Haener might be a career backup but if you want to bet on a QB in the middle to late rounds of this draft, Haener is a solid choice. He’s the type of personality you want on your team as a leader and a guy who’s willing to fill his role. S Jordan Howden wasn’t household name but he’s a player. In a draft without great safety talent, he was worth the pick. The Saints starting safeties are Tyrann Mathieu and Marcus Maye, they are 31 and 30 respectively. The only other backup safety of note is Jonathan Abram, the former first round bust from the Raiders. Howden will get playing time. I like the AT Perry pick late, he’s good value.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
(19) Calijah Kancey DT Pittsburgh
(48) Cody Mauch OL North Dakota St.
(82) YaYa Diaby Edge Louisville
(153) SirVocea Dennis LB Pittsburgh
(171) Payne Durham TE Purdue
(181) Josh Hayes S Kansas St.
(191) Trey Palmer WR Nebraska
(196) Jose Ramirez Edge Eastern Michigan
Immediate Impact: DT Calijah Kancey, OL Cody Mauch
I wasn’t on the Calijah Kancey bandwagon but if he’s going to succeed in the NFL, he needs to play on a line with a huge DT next to him to eat up blockers, hello Vita Vea. He’s going to be playing next to the biggest and best nose tackle possible, if he can’t succeed here, he’s not going to stick in the NFL. Mauch is a small school offensive lineman but he’s ready to compete. He has versatility but for now he probably steps in at RG to replace Shaq Mason. The Bucs offensive line will be in flux going into training camp and Mauch gives them options, that’s all they can ask for.
Best Value: OL Cody Mauch
Mauch played LT at North Dakota St. and then went to the Senior Bowl and acquitted himself quite well playing both center and guard. He could end up playing RT with Tristan Wirfs most likely being moved to LT to replace Donovan Smith. Mauch isn’t really long enough or strong enough at this point to be an NFL tackle but he could be the best option. More likely he starts at RG and they just let him find his way at that spot.
Sleeper: TE Payne Durham
Durham has excellent hands, he knows how to find the open space on the field, and he’s pretty good after the catch. The Bucs top TEs right now are Cade Otten and Ko Kieft, Durham is a more impressive target than either of those guys in the passing game.
Overall Analysis
This team is in a weird spot. They have veteran talent that makes you think they should be playing to win now but their QBs are Baker Mayfield and Kyle Trask. This draft class clearly sets them up for building for the future, Kancey and Mauch (the top two picks), are going to need time to adjust to the NFL. Edge rusher YaYa Diaby also is nowhere near helping his team win now. The Bucs love themselves a undersized LB who can run which is why they drafted SirVocea Dennis, he’s not starting any time soon.
Payne Durham can contribute quickly and whichever QB plays will be happy to have him around. Josh Hayes is an undersized safety who might only be a slot guy. Todd Bowles loves a good defensive back project but if this team is terrible, Bowles won’t be around long enough for it to matter. Trey Palmer looks the part of a good WR, he just isn’t all that good. He will be fine running go routes that neither Mayfield or Trask can hit, when Mike Evans needs a rest. Ramirez might be able to contribute at edge faster than Diaby, he just has less upside.
The Hott Read 