Disclaimer: There is something everyone needs to know about this draft. Somewhere around the middle of round five this draft took a serious dive in quality. There were somewhere around 150-160 good prospects in this draft and then there was a cliff. Some teams reached before the 150th pick so the depth goes a little farther but by the time rounds six and seven came around, it got pretty bleak. There were a few contributing factors. One is the covid year has given players the opportunity to stay in college for an extra year and plenty of guys are taking that opportunity. Second is the name, image, and likeness (NIL) opportunities for guys to make money in college. Being a late round pick isn’t as attractive if you can get paid to be a good player in college. Finally, the transfer portal (coupled with NIL) means guys don’t have to go pro to cash in. If another school wants you more than the one you’re at (this is especially true for small school guys), just transfer somewhere and take the payday. There are usually between 100-130 early entry candidates for the draft, this year, there were less than 60 and it showed.

Dallas Cowboys

(29) Tyler Guyton OT Oklahoma
(56) Marshawn Kneeland DE Western Michigan
(73) Cooper Beebe OL Kansas St.
(87) Marist Liufau LB Notre Dame
(174) Caelen Carson CB Wake Forest
(216) Ryan Flournoy WR SE Missouri St.
(233) Nathan Thomas OL Louisiana
(244) Justin Rogers DT Auburn

Immediate Impact: OT Tyler Guyton, C/G Cooper Beebe

The Cowboys had a couple of major areas of concern with offensive line being the biggest and they went to work. Tyler Guyton is a young, underdeveloped tackle with serious physical talent and he will be the LT. His presence means Tyler Smith can stay at LG where he’s been really good and that should help Guyton develop. Beebe started for years at Kansas St. and has played basically everywhere except center, the Cowboys are going to make him a center. His lack of length makes him a better fit inside and his power should help him in the pivot. He has said while he never played center in a game, he has practiced there. If center doesn’t work out, worst case scenario, he’s Zack Martin’s eventual replacement at RG.

Best Value: C/G Cooper Beebe

I don’t care that Beebe has short arms, this dude is a player. They’re going to ask him to play center, a position he’s never played, and he’ll be good at it because he’s just a good lineman. He’ll start on day one at a very important position and they got him in the third round, great value.

Sleeper: WR Ryan Flournoy

I don’t know much about this guy but I’ve seen some clips and he’s got the size to be an NFL receiver and Dallas isn’t teeming with great options there. After CeeDee Lamb and Brandin Cooks this WR corps is wide open.

Overall Analysis
The Tyler Guyton pick was one that almost everyone had mocked before the draft for the Cowboys and they traded down and still got him. He’s going to take some time but he’s a worthy project and he could be their starting LT for the next decade. Marshawn Kneeland is a small school DE who should fit well in their defense. He gives them a guy to play opposite Demarcus Lawrence on the end so they can move Micah Parsons around on the defense to find the best matchup. Love the Beebe pick. He’s just going to be a good solid interior lineman for a long time, can’t ask much more from a third-round pick.

The fourth round went off the board with LB Marist Liufau. He was not considered that level of prospect so he was a bit of a reach. They definitely need help at LB but they could have done better in round four. CB Caelen Carson has a chance to make the roster, they have three good CBs and then it’s pretty open. If you told me Flournoy ends up as the third WR on this team, I won’t be shocked. The last two picks were two big dudes. Nathan Thomas at OT is probably a practice squad project for now. Justin Rogers is a huge NT and they need help there so he could back up Mazi Smith.

New York Giants

(6) Malik Nabers WR LSU
(47) Tyler Nubin S Minnesota
(70) Andru Phillips CB Kentucky
(107) Theo Johnson TE Penn St.
(166) Tyrone Tracy Jr. RB Purdue
(183) Darius Muasau LB UCLA

Immediate Impact: WR Malik Nabers, S Tyler Nubin, CB Andru Phillips

While Nabers was my third WR I can’t fault the Giants for taking a playmaker like him. Nabers changes the dynamic of this WR corps, he’s the game breaker they just haven’t had. It remains to be seen if Daniel Jones or Drew Lock will know what to do with Nabers’ immense talent but he’s a legitimate WR1 and this team hasn’t had that since Odell Beckham’s heyday. This team lost it’s best safety when Xavier McKinney left for Green Bay, Nubin might be their new best safety. He’s not the most athletic player but I’ll trade some athleticism for smarts at safety any day and Nubin is a smart football player. Phillips should finally fill the nickel back role the Giants have been trying to fill for years with Darnay Holmes and Cor’Dale Flott. Phillips is better than either one.

Best Value: CB Andru Phillips

Everyone plays a ton of nickel coverage these days and the Giants just haven’t had a guy they could truly count on at that spot. He’s not only perfectly built for it with the exact physical tools, he will bring an attitude to the CB spot this team needs more of. He won’t back down from anyone and he’s just a tough player on the field.

Sleeper: RB Tyrone Tracy Jr.

It took Tracy five years in college to figure out he was a RB and not a WR. He turned down scholarships to certain schools and initially chose Iowa because they wanted him as a WR and not a RB. Eventually he transferred to Purdue and for his last year, he finally moved to RB full-time and got drafted. The team signed Devin Singletary to replace Saquan Barkley and they like Eric Gray but there’s a place for Tracy on this roster and at RB, anything is possible. He’s just scratching the surface of what he can be as a RB because his instincts aren’t developed when it comes to reading where the hole is and how best to get there. As he gets more reps, he should only get better. For now, he can stick on the roster as RB depth, a return man, and a special team’s coverage guy.

Overall Analysis
This was a small draft class with only six picks but they did a really good job of supplementing what they did in free agency and filling some holes. Nabers has superstar potential at WR even if he makes some of their current WRs redundant, he’s the upgraded version of those guys. They needed help in the secondary and they drafted two potential starters in Nubin and Phillips, also upgrades of the guys they have.

There was a chance Theo Johnson was going to get over drafted because of his physical traits but the Giants took him in an appropriate spot in round four. Johnson isn’t going to become Jimmy Graham but with Darren Waller contemplating retirement after another year with some injuries, Johnson is a solid choice. He gives them options with Daniel Bellinger to replace some of Waller’s production. Love the Tracy pick in round five, he’s making this roster and probably a useful player in a couple of ways. The last pick is a LB who will have to make the team on special teams if at all.

Philadelphia Eagles

(22) Quinyon Mitchell CB Toledo
(40) Cooper DeJean DB Iowa
(94) Jalyx Hunt LB Houston-Baptist
(127) Will Shipley RB Clemson
(152) Ainias Smith WR Texas A&M
(155) Jeremiah Trotter LB Clemson
(172) Trevor Keegan OL Michigan
(185) Johnny Wilson WR Florida St.
(190) Dylan McMahon OL North Carolina St.

Immediate Impact: CB Quinyon Mitchell, DB Cooper DeJean

The secondary was a mess last year and Howie Roseman got lucky twice in the first two rounds with guys falling in the draft and filling huge needs for the Eagles. Mitchell was my CB1 and he’s going to make James Bradberry expendable. Both Bradberry and Darius Slay are aging and while Slay is older, Bradberry fell off a cliff last season. Mitchell takes the outside spot opposite Slay right away. I listed DeJean as a DB and not CB because he’ll play all over in Vic Fangio’s defense. In the simplest terms, he’ll become the nickel corner over Avonte Maddox. His versatility will be utilized by playing him there in conjunction with CJ Gardner-Johnson who is also like a Swiss-army knife. Fangio will mix and match with these two to get the best matchups. Covering slot receivers, TEs, RBs, blitzing, you name it, these two can do it. DeJean could eventually move to the outside CB spot and replace Slay but for now, he’s a chess piece inside.

Best Value: DB Cooper DeJean

Some might say DeJean’s value at this pick was diminished for Philly because they traded some assets to move up and take hin after he fell all the way to 40th. The thing people aren’t accounting for is DeJean doesn’t just fill one position. He’s the nickel back, he can play outside CB, he can play LB in certain alignments, he’s an electric punt returner, an amazing gunner on special teams, and with the new kickoff rules, you have to give him a chance there. Oh, and it you don’t think that’s enough, give him a whirl at receiver, he’s dynamic with the ball in his hands.

Sleeper: WR Ainias Smith

This team has two elite WRs in AJ Brown and DeVonta Smith but after those two they are counting on DeVante Parker or Parris Campbell to be the next guy, yikes. Smith is only 5’9 190 lbs. but he plays with more power than you would think and he’s good in the slot. He can also be a gadget guy which would work in this offense with Jalen Hurts just looking to get the ball to his playmakers. Parker is my least favorite WR in the NFL and the only thing you can count on from Campbell is that he won’t be healthy all season. Smith was missing a little explosion in his game last year after breaking his leg the year before, I think he can find that again. If I were a betting man, I would bet he plays more snaps than Campbell and catches as many passes as Parker.

Overall Analysis
Howie Roseman had another good draft, which he does regularly. He was gifted Mitchell in round one as the defensive players got pushed down the board and then he made an aggressive move to get DeJean when he was falling down the board. He knew he had to get ahead of Green Bay in round two to do so and he made the deal, smart choice. The Jalyx Hunt pick is one for the future. Hunt is coming from a small school where his athletic traits were on full display but he needs to time to hone his skills as a pass rusher. The team has Bryce Huff, Josh Sweat, Brandon Graham, and Nolan Smith ahead of him, he’ll get the time he needs.

RB Will Shipley is an interesting pick. They signed Saquon Barkley to be the workhorse and they still have Kenneth Gainwell, who they like. Shipley is a finesse runner with homerun potential but the pick felt a bit too soon and I’m just not sure what he is in the pros. I love the Smith pick, that was a good bet, especially in round five. The Jeremiah Trotter Jr. pick took some criticism because some thought it was a sentimental pick because he’s father is a beloved former Eagle. That’s nonsense. The fifth round was about his value and while the team finally invested a little bit in LB signing Devin White and Oren Burks, they are still counting on Nakobe Dean at MLB and he came into the NFL with injury concerns and then missed most of last season with an injury. Trotter was a value pick and might be needed this season.

Two of their last three picks were interior linemen and with Jason Kelce retiring and Tyler Steen penciled in to start at RG, it wasn’t a bad idea to get some options. If offensive line coach Jeff Stoutland signed off on these two guys as guys he can work with, that’s good enough for me. WR Johnny Wilson came in between the two linemen. He’s an interesting player as he’s 6’7 237 lbs. and seems resistant to the move to TE. He’s going to end up a hybrid WR/TE at some point, whether he sticks around in Philly will end up being about the backup options to Dallas Goedert at TE and what they think of DeVante Parker and Joseph Ngata as their “big” WR options.

Washington Commanders

(2) Jayden Daniels QB LSU
(36) Johnny Newton DT Illinois
(50) Mike Sainristil CB Michigan
(53) Ben Sinnott TE Kansas St.
(67) Brandon Coleman OT TCU
(100) Luke McCaffrey WR Rice
(139) Jordan Magee LB Temple
(161) Dominique Hampton S Washington
(222) Javonte Jean-Baptiste DE Notre Dame

Immediate Impact: QB Jayden Daniels, DT Johnny Newton, CB Mike Sanristil, WR Luke McCaffrey

Daniels’ impact is both on the field and off. He’s the day one starting QB and he’s the face of the franchise. His impact will be felt on so many levels and the only thing that will limit his impact on the field is his horrendous offensive line. Last season at LSU he’s starting OTs were Will Campbell and Emory Jones Jr., those two are better than every OT on this roster. He may be the first QB with 2000 yards rushing in a season simply because he’s running for his life.

Newton is a beast at DT. His impact won’t be quite as great because Jonathan Allen and Deron Payne are the starters, but Newton will make the most of his opportunities. I do worry a bit as he’s having surgery on his left foot after having surgery on his right foot before the draft. I don’t like it when big guys have foot issues. Sainristil steps in as the nickel corner, he’s too good not to win that job. He’s undersized but you’ll never know it, the way he plays. He will also bring leadership and attitude to this secondary. McCaffrey can easily be the third WR on this team and start in the slot behind Terry McLaurin and Jahan Dotson. I don’t think beating out Olamide Zaccheaus or Dax Milne is going to be all that difficult.

Best Value: DT Johnny Newton

An early second round pick on one of the most disruptive DTs you’ll find is a total steal. Newton had a foot injury that kept him mostly out of the pre-draft process and that had to have had something to do with his fall because it wasn’t his play on the field. He’s a monster and it probably means Jonathan Allen will be playing somewhere else by 2025, if not sooner.

Sleeper: OT Brandon Coleman

Coleman was a three-year starter at LT at TCU and most people expect he’ll slide inside to guard in the NFL. That might be his eventual spot and with Nick Allegretti and Sam Cosmi penciled in now it could be sooner rather than later. Just one problem, this team has no real options at LT. Cornelius Lucas is the starter on the depth chart right now and he’ll get Jayden Daniels killed by week one. There are rumors they will try moving Sam Cosmi there, he played there in college but he’s mostly been a guard in Washington. I think there’s a chance Coleman is their best option at LT this season. It won’t be pretty at times but he has plenty of experience and I think he might be the best option, I would give him a real shot.

Overall Analysis
This roster needs plenty of help and this draft did a nice job of getting some guys who can help now. Daniels is the headliner and his success or failure will determine the success of this class overall, that’s just how it works. However, Newton has bright future. Sainristil is going to be a very good nickel corner for a long time even if that’s all he ever is. TE Ben Sinnott could have been my sleeper pick because I don’t think Zack Ertz is going to be the guy at TE, he’s washed. Coleman might have to play LT and if he doesn’t, I think he could beat out Allegretti at LG. McCaffrey has an open lane to be the starting slot receiver, he just has to take it.

The last three guys are just depth pieces who have to make the team on special teams but Jordan MaGee is a nice player at LB who could develop into a player. Dominique Hampton is a big safety worth the pick. And if you’re going to take a shot on a pass rusher late in the draft, you can do worse than Javonte Jean-Baptiste.

Disclaimer: There is something everyone needs to know about this draft. Somewhere around the middle of round five this draft took a serious dive in quality. There were somewhere around 150-160 good prospects in this draft and then there was a cliff. Some teams reached before the 150th pick so the depth goes a little farther but by the time rounds six and seven came around, it got pretty bleak. There were a few contributing factors. One is the covid year has given players the opportunity to stay in college for an extra year and plenty of guys are taking that opportunity. Second is the name, image, and likeness (NIL) opportunities for guys to make money in college. Being a late round pick isn’t as attractive if you can get paid to be a good player in college. Finally, the transfer portal (coupled with NIL) means guys don’t have to go pro to cash in. If another school wants you more than the one you’re at (this is especially true for small school guys), just transfer somewhere and take the payday. There are usually between 100-130 early entry candidates for the draft, this year, there were less than 60 and it showed.

Buffalo Bills

(33) Keon Coleman WR Florida St.
(60) Cole Bishop S Utah
(95) DeWayne Carter DT Duke
(128) Ray Davis RB Kentucky
(141) Sedrick Van Pran-Granger C Georgia
(160) Edefuan Ulofoshio LB Washington
(168) Javon Solomon LB Troy
(204) Tylan Grable OT Central Florida
(219) Daequan Hardy CB Penn St.
(221) Travis Clayton OL England

Immediate Impact: WR Keon Coleman, S Cole Bishop

The Bills spoiled the Patriots plans to take Keon Coleman by taking him with the first pick of round two and he’s immediately the best WR on the team. Josh Allen is going to love this guy. There has been a lot said about his “inability” to separate, well his QB last season was Jordan Travis who wasn’t a great passer and often led him into traffic, Allen won’t do that. Coleman is going to be good. Bishop fills a huge need at safety and he should relegate Mike Adams to being the third safety pretty quickly.

Best Value: WR Keon Coleman

They got a legitimate #1 WR with the first pick in round two, that’s ridiculously valuable. Plus, they got Carolina to give them an asset just to move up one spot and take a WR the Bills didn’t even want.

Sleepers: RB Ray Davis, C Sedrick Van Pran-Granger

I love these picks from rounds four and five. James Cook was very good once Joe Brady took over play calling last season and the team ran the ball more, one thing he didn’t do well, score. Ray Davis had 21 TDs at Kentucky last year (14 rushing, 7 receiving). He’s going to be a useful player because he knows what to do with the ball once he gets it. Van Pran-Granger will be a better center than Connor McGovern, the guy they are planning to start at center. Van Pran-Granger was a multi-year starter at Georgia, he can get it done in the NFL.

Overall Analysis
The team needs some rookies to contribute this year and I think the first five guys have a chance to do that. Coleman and Bishop are instant starters and Coleman will be a difference maker. Their third pick was DT DeWayne Carter and while he’s got some developing to do, he’s good depth behind Ed Oliver, DaQuan Jones, and Austin Johnson. Jones is 32 and Johnson will be 30 this year so another body to rotate in helps tremendously. Davis and Van Pran-Granger are mid round picks who can be very helpful.
The last five picks don’t excite me too much. Ulofoshio is an older prospect who is going to find the depth chart hard to crack at LB. Solomon could be a good designated pass rusher but he’s undersized and a little raw, maybe he can learn from Von Miller. Hardy is a speedy, undersized CB who is going to also be buried on the depth chart and find it hard to make the roster. They took two tall, long developmental OTs in Tylan Grable and the English rugby player Travis Clayton, those guys aren’t helping anytime soon.

Miami Dolphins

(21) Chop Robinson Edge Penn St.
(55) Patrick Paul OT Houston
(129) Jaylen Wright RB Tennessee
(158) Mohamed Kamara Edge Colorado St.
(184) Malik Washington WR Virginia
(198) Patrick McMorris S California
(241) Tahj Washington WR USC

Immediate Impact: WR Malik Washington

I don’t have much faith in their first four picks having much of an effect early on. If Jaelan Phillips and Bradley Chubb are healthy and Shaq Barrett is ready to go, Chop Robinson and Mohamed Kamara are going to be deep bench guys. Patrick Paul is going to need some development and Jaylen Wright has Raheem Moster, De’Von Achane, and Jeff Wilson ahead of him. Washington has a chance to be a contributor and I could see him being the third WR just behind Tyreek Hill and Jaylen Waddle. Not sure what Mike McDaniel has against tall WRs but Washington fits his profile of being short and good at going over the middle. He doesn’t have the elite speed of Hill and Waddle but he’s a tough cover because of his route running.

Best Value: WR Malik Washington

At 5’8 194 lbs. Washington is short but thick and his change of direction movement is better than his linear speed. He gives the Dolphins another option at WR and I think he’s better than Braxton Berrios and they need someone other than Hill and Waddle.

Sleeper: RB Jaylen Wright

The Dolphins have Mostert, Achane, and Wilson but all three of those guys are prone to injury. Wright is the same type of runner as those guys and he has elite speed too. Mostert is an aging player and Achane isn’t really built to be a workhorse so Wright is the future here. It might take a year or two but he feels like the eventual starter with Achane working as the complementary back.

Overall Analysis
I hated the Chop Robinson pick from the start because I question if he’s that good of a pass rusher to be a designated pass rusher. With so many veterans ahead of him his usage is going to be limited unless there are injuries. Patrick Paul is a solid developmental OT but he’s a strange fit in the Dolphins’ offense. He’s a gigantic human who is really long but doesn’t move all that well and the offense usually likes more mobile linemen. I like Wright and maybe he makes the team move off Jeff Wilson this year but McDaniel trusts Mostert and Achane isn’t going anywhere.
If I were a betting man, I would say Mohamed Kamara will have a faster impact than Robinson. Kamara is an older prospect with a far more impressive array of pass rush moves than Robinson and he can play quickly. Usually, a sixth-round safety, McMorris, who isn’t a great athlete isn’t a good bet to even make a roster but the Dolphins safety position isn’t stacked. WR Tahj Washington continues Mike McDaniel’s obsession with WRs under 6’0 tall but he’s a longshot for this roster.

New England Patriots

(3) Drake Maye QB North Carolina
(37) Ja’Lynn Polk WR Washington
(68) Caedan Wallace OT Penn St.
(103) Layden Robinson OG Texas A&M
(110) Javon Baker WR Central Florida
(180) Marcellas Dial CB South Carolina
(193) Joe Milton III QB Tennessee
(231) Jaheim Bell TE Florida St.

Immediate Impact: QB Drake Maye, WR Ja’Lynn Polk, WR Javon Baker, OT Caeden Wallace

The Patriots took their QB of the future and while a lot of people think Maye needs to sit and learn, I disagree. They don’t have an overly talented group of skill position guys but they do have some solid players. They need a guy to elevate that group and Maye is the guy to do that, not Jacoby Brissett. They only spot where they are really bad right now is at LT, that’s an important spot and I’m not confident Caeden Wallace is the answer. He was the best of the bad choices left when they picked him but I would disagree with the idea he has the athleticism to move to LT. I fully expect the Patriots to look for a veteran stop-gap LT.

The two WRs are really going to improve the passing game. Polk is a ball winner and he will make Maye look good when he bails him out on a bad throw a couple of times a game. He probably isn’t a #1 WR but he’ll have to play one on TV next season. He’s a better option than Kendrick Bourne to fill that role. Baker is a really good deep ball receiver and Maye is going to love him. He has good size and while he didn’t have great timed speed, he’s got great game speed. He has the ability to get deep without just having the speed to outrun guys. Baker will be the type of deep threat the team thought they were getting when they drafted Tyquan Thornton. Hopefully he’s the reason Thornton is playing somewhere else next year.

Best Value: WR Javon Baker

The more I watch this guy the more I like him. He has legitimate WR skills that will translate to the NFL. He has a knack for finding separation and getting open. At the very least he’s a useful NFL WR which is more than I can say for JuJu Smith-Schuster, Tyquan Thornton, Kayshon Boutte, and Jaelen Reagor, so he has that going for him.

Sleeper: CB Marcellas Dial

The one defensive player the Patriots drafted has a chance to stick around. He has solid CB size, he fits the scheme well, and he’s a good tackler. Jonathan Jones is going to be 31 this year and Marcus Jones never stays healthy so Dial could be useful. At worst his good depth at the position and maybe he ends up being the guy opposite Christian Gonzalez.

Overall Analysis
This was a very offense heavy draft and considering the offense was awful and the defense was good last year, that made sense. Also, this was an offense heavy draft class. It will all be judged by what Drake Maye does but that’s what you get taking a QB in the top of the draft. I think the two WRs will end up being very good players and probably sooner rather than later. They drafted Joe Milton III in round six which seemed like a strange pick. Howeve, he’s closer to the same type of QB as Maye than Bailey Zappe and anything that gets Zappe off the roster is a good idea. This draft was largely about moving on from previous offensive draft mistakes and Maye and Milton were a large part of that.

I’m not as sure about the offensive line picks but at least they didn’t waste a first-round pick on a middling LG who might lose his job in year three (yes, that’s a shot at Bill Belichick and Cole Strange). Wallace has the ability to play OT in the NFL I just don’t think he’s a LT. He would get a shot at RT if they hadn’t already signed Michael Onwenu to be the RT. They will give Wallace a shot at LT but he may also end up just being a guard. Speaking of guards, Layden Robinson is a nasty interior mauler they took in round four. The strange thing is they have drafted Cole Strange, Sidy Sow, Atoni Mafi, and Jake Andrews, all interior offensive linemen, in the last two years. David Andrews is still the center but clearly, they don’t like some of these guys. The last pick, Jaheim Bell, is an intriguing player who doesn’t have a defined position. He’s been a TE, an H-back, a WR, a RB, he’s like Taysom Hill if Taysom Hill didn’t think he was a QB. Hopefully Alex Van Pelt finds a creative way to use him, he could be a fun weapon.

New York Jets

(11) Olu Fashanu OT Penn St.
(65) Malachi Corley WR Western Kentucky
(134) Braelon Allen RB Wisconsin
(171) Jordan Travis QB Florida St.
(173) Isaiah Davis RB South Dakota St.
(176) Qwan’tez Stiggers CB Toronto-CFL
(257) Jaylen Key S Alabama

Immediate Impact: OT Olu Fashanu, WR Malachi Corley

They can tell you that Fashanu will be a backup this year with Tyron Smith starting at LT and then I’m going to point out the fact that Smith hasn’t stayed healthy for a full season for so long people have to google it because they can’t remember back that far. Fashanu is going to start plenty of games at LT and Aaron Rodgers is going to be happy to have him. Corley wasn’t my favorite WR in the draft but he was the 12th overall receiver taken and went in round three so he was a value choice. He also has a nice set of complementary skills to Garrett Wilson and Mike Williams. If Aaron Rodgers can find a way to trust a rookie to be his third WR, he’ll be a solid addition to a passing game that needs a little more help.

Best Value: RB Braelon Allen

You really need to look at Allen from two years ago as he wasn’t a good fit in the new Wisconsin offense last season. He’s a talented back and I think he can help this team. Breece Hall is the unquestioned starter but they need some depth behind him and Allen can earn playing time because he’s a good pass blocking back. That skill will endear him to his coaches and Rodgers and should help him get on the field. I don’t think he’ll be a superstar RB but he’s going to be a useful player.

Sleeper: CB Qwan’tez Stiggers

I have no idea if Stiggers is good, I don’t watch a lot of CFL football but I’m cheering for this guy. He dropped out of college before ever playing a game because his father died. His mom ended up encouraging him to try out for the Fan Controlled Football League and he made it. He turned that into a shot in the CFL where he was apparently pretty good. I’m not betting against this guy. The Jets have Sauce Gardner, DJ Reed, and Michael Carter II but they could use some depth. Reed might get too expensive once they have to pay Gardner so if Stiggers can stick around, he might be a player. I generally don’t root for Jets’ players; I’m rooting for this guy.

Overall Analysis
Fashanu was the right choice over other players like Brock Bowers or Brian Thomas Jr. Taking care of the LT spot with a top prospect is never a bad idea. I like the Corley pick for them, he fits. I think Allen gives them the depth they need. QB Jordan Travis in round five was smart move. Travis lacks some of the top physical QB skills but the kid can play. I don’t like using the word gamer, but he’s a gamer. He’s at least a solid backup once he’s completely healed from his injury last season. RB Isaiah Davis is a skilled player but he’s coming from South Dakota St. and that’s a major move up, I don’t expect too much from him just yet. S Jaylen Key is a bet on a good athlete from a big program but he’s a longshot to make a roster.

Disclaimer: There is something everyone needs to know about this draft. Somewhere around the middle of round five this draft took a serious dive in quality. There were somewhere around 150-160 good prospects in this draft and then there was a cliff. Some teams reached before the 150th pick so the depth goes a little farther but by the time rounds six and seven came around, it got pretty bleak. There were a few contributing factors. One is the covid year has given players the opportunity to stay in college for an extra year and plenty of guys are taking that opportunity. Second is the name, image, and likeness (NIL) opportunities for guys to make money in college. Being a late round pick isn’t as attractive if you can get paid to be a good player in college. Finally, the transfer portal (coupled with NIL) means guys don’t have to go pro to cash in. If another school wants you more than the one you’re at (this is especially true for small school guys), just transfer somewhere and take the payday. There are usually between 100-130 early entry candidates for the draft, this year, there were less than 60 and it showed.

Baltimore Ravens

(30) Nate Wiggins CB Clemson
(62) Roger Rosengarter OT Washington
(93) Adisa Isaac Edge Penn St.
(113) Devontez Walker WR North Carolina
(130) TJ Tampa CB Iowa St.
(165) Rasheen Ali RB Marshall
(218) Devin Leary QB Kentucky
(228) Nick Samac OL Michigan St.
(250) Sanoussi Kane S Purdue

Immediate Impact: CB Nate Wiggins, OT Roger Rosengarten

The Ravens have Marlon Humphrey and Brandon Stephens at CB but their depth isn’t great and everybody uses a third CB plenty. Humphrey and Stephens both have versatility so Wiggins can come in and play the outside CB spot while Humphrey moves to the slot or Stephens plays more like a safety. He will be used a lot and he’s an excellent outside cover guy even if he isn’t great against the run game. Rosengarten is pretty light for a RT at 6’6 300 lbs. so that’s a change from Morgan Moses who was over 330 lbs. He was a good player at Washington who was overshadowed by higher profile teammates but he’s a worthy day one starter with this team.

Best Value: OT Roger Rosengarten

He wasn’t just overshadowed at Washington; he was also underappreciated in this draft class including by me. He’s not flashy but he’s a solid starting RT and to get him at 62nd overall was huge for this team. The Ravens offensive line was decimated in the off season and they needed to find help in the draft. Getting a starting RT late in round two was a steal.

Sleepers: WR Devontez Walker, CB TJ Tampa

Walker has some deficiencies, he’s a little stiff and not real fluid in his movements and he prefers to cradle the catch instead of snatching out of the air with his hands, which leads to drops. That said, he’s got electric downfield ability and knows how to beat guys deep. He’s a younger and slightly upgraded version of Nelson Agholor, Lamar Jackson may find him useful. I almost went with Tampa as my Best Value but there’s a few guys ahead of him and he’s going to have to fight his way onto the field. However, if you told me four years from now the team was re-signing Tampa as one of their starting CBs and letting Wiggins walk, I won’t be surprised. He brings all the physicality to the position the Ravens like and Wiggins lacks. Wiggins has the speed and coverage ability; Tampa is the tougher player.

Overall Analysis
The Ravens always do very well in the draft overall. Their lack of getting some help at interior offensive line (only took one late on day 3) was a little concerning but good overall. Wiggins and Rosengarten are a good start and were value picks. Adisa Isaac is another athletic pass rusher with an underdeveloped game and I guess the Ravens are just going to keep picking guys like this until one finally hits. He was a solid value in round three so I can’t complain. Walker and Tampa were amazing value as fourth round picks, I have no idea how they both feel that far.
RB Rasheen Ali and QB Devin Leary were the fifth and sixth round picks and they are both talented guys who are just depth pieces. The Ravens lost Gus Edwards and JK Dobbins in free agency and added Derrick Henry. That still leaves them with Henry, Keaton Mitchell, and Justice Hill but injuries have ravaged their RB room before so Ali is a good pick. Leary is a better bet than you might think to make this team. Josh Johnson is the backup at the moment and he’s going to be 38 and has played on 157 different teams (that number might be off slightly). Malik Cunningham is the other QB and he couldn’t make the Patriots active roster last year at QB, that doesn’t bode well for him. Leary had a rough year at Kentucky last season but if he’s healthy he’s the most talented backup QB they have. Nick Samac might make the roster because their interior o-line is pretty weak. I don’t think Kane makes the roster.

Cincinnati Bengals

(18) Amarius Mims OT Georgia
(49) Kris Jenkins DT Michigan
(80) Jermaine Burton WR Alabama
(97) McKinnley Jackson DT Texas A&M
(115) Erick All TE Iowa
(149) Josh Newton CB TCU
(194) Tanner McLachlan TE Arizona
(214) Cedric Johnson Edge Mississippi
(224) Daijahn Anthony S Mississippi
(237) Matt Lee OL Miami

Immediate Impact: OT Amarius Mims

The roster doesn’t have major holes but if anyone thinks Trent Brown is going to hold up at RT, you haven’t been paying attention. As a guy who watched Brown go in and out of the Patriots lineup the last few years, I know Mims will end up the starter. He’s a massive human being and he’s inexperienced, but he’s truly talented. I think he starts pretty quickly at RT and he may be the eventual replacement for Orlando Brown Jr. at LT.

Best Value: DT Kris Jenkins

Jenkins isn’t a pass rushing DT but the Bengals got Sheldon Rankins to do that. Rankins is 30 and BJ Hill is 29 and this team needs depth. Jenkins is also arguably the best run stuffing DT in this draft class, something this team sorely needs after losing DJ Reader. They got him at 49th overall and while he may not technically be a starter, he’s going to play starting level snaps at a premium position.

Sleeper: OL Matt Lee

I could have picked WR Jermaine Burton, TEs Erick All or Tanner McLachlan, or CB Josh Newton but I’m going with the seventh rounder Matt Lee. Lee played center at Miami and Ted Karras is 31. They also have Trey Hill backing up Karras but I think Lee has a chance to be Karras’ eventually replacement. Lee is a little taller for a center at 6’4 and he needs some refinement but there’s talent there and give him a few years of NFL coaching, I think he has starter quality traits.

Overall Analysis
This is quietly one of the better drafts that is getting overlooked a bit because there were a couple of dice rolls that could kill it. Mims is a special physical talent but he played eight games in college and needs plenty of reps if he’s going to fulfill his potential. The Jenkins picks was as solid as they come, he’s a starting NFL DT for 7-10 years. The Jermain Burton pick is another massive dice roll. Burton is one of the truly gifted WRs in the draft but he also might be a total headcase. He has a reputation as being un-coachable both from his time at Georgia and at Alabama. If they can get him to buy-in, he’s a legitimate talent who could replace Tee Higgins when he leaves. DT McKinney Jackson is the big body type more so than Jenkins and can replace DJ Reader as the nose tackle.

They took TEs Erick All and Tanner McLachlan in rounds four and six because they basically only have Mike Gesicki at the position. All has every tool you want as a three-down TE but he has an injury history that is concerning. McLachlan is an older player who looks like he can threaten defenses over the middle. These two should actually work well together moving forward and this team needed TE help. Sandwiched between them was CB Josh Newton. He’s not the most fluid or explosive CB but he’s a competitor and he’s a tough press man cover guy. Cam Taylor-Britt and DJ Turner haven’t exactly established themselves as unquestioned starters so Newton can compete. Johnson and Anthony are depth pieces at edge and safety.

Cleveland Browns

(54) Michael Hall Jr. DT Ohio St.
(85) Zak Zinter OL Michigan
(156) Jamari Thrash WR Louisville
(206) Nathaniel Watson LB Mississippi St.
(227) Myles Harden CB South Dakota
(243) Jowon Briggs DL Cincinnati

Immediate Impact: None

The Browns’ lineup is pretty stacked with veterans and what they need is for those veterans to get healthy and stay healthy. RB Nick Chubb has to come back from his knee injury and the offensive line needs to get better. Of course, none of this will matters at all unless Deshaun Watson gets healthy and actually starts to play like he once did in Houston. That proposition becomes less and less likely the farther away from that time we get.

Best Value: DT Michael Hall Jr.

Hall has a lot of fans in the scouting world. He’s an undersized penetrating tackle with great athleticism who isn’t as great against the run. He’s going to play in the tackle rotation because he brings a different skillset than most of the other players they have. He can be the eventual replacement for Shelby Harris but since the team is trying to win now, they will still rely on the veteran.

Sleeper: OG Zak Zinter

He’s not really a sleeper as most teams like him but I don’t like the rest of the class so I’ll spotlight Zinter. He’s very experienced and he was the leader of Michigan’s offensive line and a major team leader. He’s coming off a late season leg injury that’s going to set his timeline back but the Browns have Joel Bitonio and Wyatt Teller so he’s not needed right away if they’re healthy. Zinter is the future at the position though, Bitonio and Teller will be 33 and 30 respectively this next season.

Overall Analysis
This is the least consequential draft class this year. They traded away picks for veterans like Jerry Jeudy and they are still paying off the Watson trade, that’s finally done. This is a make-or-break year for them and they won’t be counting on rookies to get them where they want to be. Hall will help as a rotational DT and Zinter will basically take a redshirt year. The other guys will be lucky to make this roster. WR Jamari Thrash might have a chance to make the roster behind Amari Cooper, Elijah Moore, and Jeudy but he’s going to have to beat out guys like Cedric Tillman, David Bell, and James Proche II. It’s a tough road ahead. Watson, Harden, and Briggs face even longer odds.

Pittsburgh Steelers

(20) Troy Fautanu OT Washington
(51) Zach Frazier C West Virginia
(84) Roman Wilson WR Michigan
(98) Payton Wilson WR North Carolina St.
(119) Mason McCormick OL South Dakota St.
(178) Logan Lee DT Iowa
(195) Ryan Watts CB Texas

Immediate Impact: OT Troy Fautanu, C Zach Frazier, WR Roman Wilson

The Steelers needed to address their offensive line and they did that quite well. Fautanu has versatility and could end up at either OT spot. For now, I think he takes the left side and they leave Broderick Jones on the right where he started to play better by the end of last season. They may feel otherwise during training camp and flip Jones to the left but Fautanu gives them options. Zach Frazier steps in immediately as the starting center and he continues the legacy of Steelers centers like Mike Webster, Dermontti Dawson, and Maurkice Pouncey. WR Roman Wilson gets to step into the role vacated by the trade of Diontae Johnson. No offense to the other guys on the roster but Wilson is immediately the second-best weapon behind George Pickens and he’s a natural fit in Johnson’s old role. Imagine having a Johnson-like weapon without the headaches.

Best Value: WR Roman Wilson

This guy is going to get lots of targets next year assuming one of the QBs is remotely adequate. He’s a high character guy with a great work ethic and he’s going to slot right into the offense. The Steelers are going to be a run heavy team but they will need someone to move the sticks and Wilson will excel at that.

Sleeper: OG Mason McCormick

The Steelers didn’t just address their offensive line needs in the present. Isaac Seumalo will be 31 this year and he offers a chance for some cap savings next off season. McCormick is a small school player with a lot of playing experience who may need little time to adjust to the NFL and if he’s ready in a year, he could be a readymade replacement at LG.

Overall Analysis
This is a really good class overall as they addressed current needs and found some solid developmental pieces. Fautanu, Frazier, and Roman Wilson will start immediately but that’s not all the help they got. LB Payton Wilson was a star in college who played a lot of football and had a lot of injuries. He may have a short career but it may still make an impact. He’s very fast, very smart, and an excellent coverage LB. The team signed Patrick Queen to increase their team speed at ILB and Wilson does the same. Also, Queen was better in Baltimore once Roquan Smith showed up and became the play caller on defense. Wilson has enough experience that he could be that same type of partner for Queen.
Mason McCormick, DT Logan Lee, and CB Ryan Watts are all picks for the future. Okay, Watts might find playing time sooner. McCormick can be the future at one guard spot but that isn’t the only aging position on this team. The defensive line has Cameron Heyward, he’s 35, Larry Ogunjobi, he’ll be 30, and Dean Lowry, he’ll also be 30. They need some youth and Logan Lee can play DE in their 3-man front. He’s a better athlete than he gets credit for and he has the size to hold up at that spot. Watts is a tall CB with length and might give the secondary another option over Darius Rush. He could play outside, opposite Joey Porter Jr. and let Donte Jackson play inside the slot.

Disclaimer: There is something everyone needs to know about this draft. Somewhere around the middle of round five this draft took a serious dive in quality. There were somewhere around 150-160 good prospects in this draft and then there was a cliff. Some teams reached before the 150th pick so the depth goes a little farther but by the time rounds six and seven came around, it got pretty bleak. There were a few contributing factors. One is the covid year has given players the opportunity to stay in college for an extra year and plenty of guys are taking that opportunity. Second is the name, image, and likeness (NIL) opportunities for guys to make money in college. Being a late round pick isn’t as attractive if you can get paid to be a good player in college. Finally, the transfer portal (coupled with NIL) means guys don’t have to go pro to cash in. If another school wants you more than the one you’re at (this is especially true for small school guys), just transfer somewhere and take the payday. There are usually between 100-130 early entry candidates for the draft, this year, there were less than 60 and it showed.

Denver Broncos

(12) Bo Nix QB Oregon
(76) Jonah Elliss Edge Utah
(102) Troy Franklin WR Oregon
(145) Kris Abrams-Draine CB Missouri
(147) Audric Estime RB Notre Dame
(235) Devaughn Vele WR Utah
(256) Nick Gargiulo OL South Carolina

Immediate Impact: QB Bo Nix, WR Troy Franklin

For better or for worse Bo Nix is going to have an immediate impact in Denver. They may have Jarrett Stidham on the roster but you don’t take Nix 12th overall to sit him behind Stidham. Sean Payton clearly believes Nix is a starter and he’s going with him. Grabbing Troy Franklin in round four was smart choice. They need WR help and he and Nix were a dynamic pair at Oregon. Franklin isn’t a perfect prospect but he can play and he gives this Broncos’ offense a nice deep threat, he’s going to play.

Best Value: CB Kris Abrams-Draine

I’m not a huge fan of Abrams-Draine but the Broncos need CB help. He may not earn a starting job but he can earn playing time and finding a useful CB in round five, that’s pretty good. He’s a bit undersized but he plays tough and that will help him.

Sleeper: RB Audric Estime

The team had Samaje Perine backing up Javonte Williams last year but they barely used him. Estime isn’t fast by any means but the man is 225 lbs. of pure power. He will be reliable backup they can count on to give Williams some rest he will punish defenses with his downhill running.

Overall Analysis
This draft will be defined by the success or failure of Bo Nix, that’s just what happens when you draft a QB 12th overall and most people think you reached for him. Nix might be the next Drew Brees but there’s probably a better chance he’s the next Christian Ponder. DE Jonah Elliss is a solid pick up in round three and they definitely need some pass rush help but he’s a third pass rusher at best this year. I like the Franklin pick but I was a bit higher on him than most. I see his limitations but he’s a playmaker and this team needs more of those.
Abrams-Draine has a chance to help a secondary that isn’t teeming with talent beyond Patrick Surtain II. Estime also has a chance to be a useful piece on the offense. Devaughn Vele is a big WR at 6’5 210 lbs. but even with a less than great WR corps here, he’s going to struggle to make this roster. The interior of the Broncos offensive line probably needed more help than late seventh rounder Nick Gargiulo.

Kansas City Chiefs

(28) Xavier Worthy WR Texas
(63) Kingsley Suamataia OT BYU
(131) Jared Wiley TE TCU
(133) Jaden Hicks S Washington St.
(159) Hunter Nourzad OL Penn St.
(211) Kamal Hadden CB Tennessee
(248) CJ Hanson OL Holy Cross

Immediate Impact: WR Xavier Worthy, OT Kingsley Suamataia

It feels like Worthy is redundant after they signed Marquis Brown but the Chiefs traded up to get him so Andy Reid has a plan to use him. He has elite speed but the rest of his receiver skills need some work. Suamataia is a raw prospect too but he has less competition to take the LT spot. The Chiefs might like Wayna Morris a little but they also traded up to get Suamataia, that says something.

Best Value: S Jaden Hicks

Hicks has starter ability and Chiefs have been excellent at taking mid to late round draft picks in the secondary and getting the best out of them, Hicks is next. Justin Reid and Bryan Cook are the starters but Cook got banged up a bit last year and Hicks will be ready to go if they need a guy. His skillset will also be useful as a third safety if they want to use that scheme a bit.

Sleeper: TE Jared Wiley

Wiley is a big target at TE at 6’7 and he’s got a huge catch radius. He’s a smooth athlete and he’s more pass catcher than blocker, that shouldn’t be an issue in KC. He’s not going to step in right away and take snaps from Travis Kelce or Noah Gray but he’s a nice investment in the future of the position.

Overall Analysis
I’m not a fan of the Worthy pick, I’ve made that clear, but Andy Reid must see something he thinks he can use. The idea that Worthy is going to be the next Tyreek Hill seems like fantasy to me because he’s not the same type of player. Suamataia is worth the gamble that he could be the future LT the team needs. They will give him every chance to win the job next season and hold it down for the foreseeable future. He has all the physical skills and measurables you like for the spot and he can’t be worse than Donovan Smith was last year.
TE Jared Wiley and S Jaden Hicks were great fourth round picks and the Chiefs have been good at getting value in the middle rounds of the draft. These guys are investments in the future for when Kelce retires and when they don’t want to pay Justin Reid at safety anymore. I like the Hunter Nourzad pick too. He’s also an investment in the future. He can play any of the interior spots of the o-line and Joe Thuney is getting older and is expensive and the team might have to choose between C Creed Humphrey and RG Trey Smith about which one to pay. Nourzad might be a starter in a year or two. The last two picks aren’t guys they will count on but add depth at CB and o-line.

Las Vegas Raiders

(13) Brock Bowers TE Georgia
(44) Jackson Powers-Johnson OL Oregon
(77) Delmar Glaze OT Maryland
(112) Decamerion Richardson CB Mississippi St.
(148) Tommy Eichenberg LB Ohio St.
(208) Dylan Laube RB New Hampshire
(223) Trey Taylor S Air Force
(229) MJ Devonshire CB Pittsburgh

Immediate Impact: TE Brock Bowers, G Jackson Powers-Johnson

The Raiders are being criticized a bit for drafting Brock Bowers in round one a year after drafting Michael Mayer in round two at TE. That’s an uninformed opinion of Bowers. Certainly, they had bigger needs than TE but Bowers isn’t you’re typical TE and he was the best player on the board. He’s essentially going to replace Hunter Renfrow as their slot receiver and do even more in the offense. Jackson Powers-Johnson is going to fill a huge hole at guard since they just re-signed Andre James at center and he was a steal in round two.

Best Value: OG Jackson Powers-Johnson

He’s not your typical center prospect where he’s a guy who’s too small to play guard so he plays center, he’s 6’3 323 lbs., he’s plenty big. The Raiders were looking at starting Cody Whitehair at one guard spot because they had no one else. Powers-Johnson is the perfect guy to start out at guard and let him get reps, he hasn’t been an offensive lineman all that long.

Sleeper: OT Delmar Glaze

Glaze was a guy who gave up some pressures regularly at Maryland but it mostly has to do with his technique, that what coaching is for. He only measured 6’4 at the combine but he has 35-inch arms with a wingspan of nearly seven feet. That means he has the length to stay at OT and the Raiders need a RT. If Glaze beats out Thayer Mumford for the starting RT job, it won’t be all that surprising. If he doesn’t work out at OT he can move inside to guard and that’s not a bad thing for them either.

Overall Analysis
The Raiders didn’t get a QB in this draft so they did the next best thing, they tried to set up the offense in a better place to get one next year. Gardner Minshew and Aidan O’Connell will hold the spot down for the year and I applaud them for not making a Michael Penix Jr. or Bo Nix move considering where those two went in the draft. Bowers, Powers-Johnson, and Glaze give them three guys who can start on the offense and actual upgrade the talent. I hope Luke Getsy and the new offensive staff in Las Vegas can come up with creative ways to use Bowers. They also took a shot on a small school back, Dylan Laube, who brings some juice to the backfield. He’s basically the newer version of Ameer Abdullah and Abdullah is 30 so Laube comes at the right time.
They didn’t do anything early to help their defense and that might haunt them a little. They took CB Decamerion Richardson in round four and I usually won’t give a tall, skinny CB that late much credence but this secondary is rough so Richardson could find playing time. LB Tommy Eichenberg was taken in round five, he’s not a dynamic player but he’s a steady one and I’m not betting against a guy who played LB at Ohio St. as effectively as he did. The last two picks were S Trey Taylor and CB MJ Devonshire, I’m not writing them off either, like I said, this secondary is bad. Both guys have shot to make the roster and Devonshire has potential at nickel corner.

Los Angeles Chargers

(5) Joe Alt OT Notre Dame
(34) Ladd McConkey WR Georgia
(69) Junior Colson LB Michigan
(105) Justin Eboigbe DL Alabama
(137) Tarheeb Still CB Maryland
(140) Cam Hart CB Notre Dame
(181) Kimani Vidal RB Troy
(225) Brenden Rice WR USC
(253) Cornelius Johnson WR Michigan

Immediate Impact: RT Joe Alt, WR Ladd McConkey, LB Junior Colson

The long national nightmare of the Chargers trying to make Trey Pipkins their RT is finally over, welcome Joe Alt. Alt will make the move from LT to RT but he’s a good athlete who shouldn’t have a problem doing so. The team needed a replacement for Keenan Allen who was a Justin Herbert favorite because he was a route running savant and was always where he was supposed to be, welcome Ladd McConkey. McConkey is the best route running WR in this class can he steps right in. The defense has been trying to find a good MLB for years, welcome Junior Colson. He’s a tackling machine and he comes with the added bonus that he played for Jim Harbaugh and Jesse Minter at Michigan and can call this defense in his sleep. First three picks, three instant starters and guys who can be difference makers.

Best Value: LB Junior Colson

Getting Colson in round three is highway robbery. He’s the best LB in the class and he’s going to the perfect situation where he steps in and will actually be ahead of his teammates in knowing the defense. That’s a rarity for a rookie and for the MLB to be able to come in as a rookie and help the new defensive coordinator install his defense is invaluable. I don’t know how the rest of the league let this happen.

Sleeper: WR Brenden Rice

It’s weird to call the son of the greatest WR ever a sleeper but Brenden Rice has never made anyone really think of his father with his play. He’s been a good WR but he’s never been great and he has a different game than Jerry had. In this case, it’s a good thing. He’s a big bodied WR at 6’3 210 lbs. and he play physical football. He doesn’t have great speed but he’s a deep ball guy who somehow gets open and Herbert has the arm to use him down the field. This offense is trying to also replace Mike Williams who was another big downfield guy without great speed. Rice looks like a more natural replacement in that role than Joshua Palmer has proven to be and Quentin Johnston isn’t that guy at all, that’s just not his game. Rice might be that guy.

Overall Analysis
The top three picks were right on point and fill three big holes immediately, that’s how you do it. They took DT Justin Eboigbe after that and while he doesn’t solve a problem on the defensive line, if you’re taking a shot on a defensive lineman, take one that played at Alabama for Nick Saban. In round five they took two CBs, Tarheeb Still and Cam Hart. These two probably aren’t the answer to the issues at CB but they took two swings on solid prospects, maybe one of them hits.
Harbaugh clearly wants to run the ball and was clearly unhappy with the RB room he had so he added Gus Edwards and JK Dobbins from Baltimore. You can’t rely on those guys to stay healthy all year so they took Kamani Vidal a RB out of Troy. Interesting prospect who can run between the tackles and doesn’t have elite speed, he’s perfect for Harbaugh’s offense. The last two picks were Rice, who I really like as a seventh-round pick. Then Harbaugh had to have one more Wolverine so he took WR Cornelius Johnson. Johnson isn’t spectacular but he’ll know the offense. With McConkey, Rice, and Johnson around, I wouldn’t feel all that comfortable if I were the incumbent WR group. Even Quentin Johnston, last year’s first-round pick should be feeling the heat, he needs to be a lot better than he was last year.

Disclaimer: There is something everyone needs to know about this draft. Somewhere around the middle of round five this draft took a serious dive in quality. There were somewhere around 150-160 good prospects in this draft and then there was a cliff. Some teams reached before the 150th pick so the depth goes a little farther but by the time rounds six and seven came around, it got pretty bleak. There were a few contributing factors. One is the covid year has given players the opportunity to stay in college for an extra year and plenty of guys are taking that opportunity. Second is the name, image, and likeness (NIL) opportunities for guys to make money in college. Being a late round pick isn’t as attractive if you can get paid to be a good player in college. Finally, the transfer portal (coupled with NIL) means guys don’t have to go pro to cash in. If another school wants you more than the one you’re at (this is especially true for small school guys), just transfer somewhere and take the payday. There are usually between 100-130 early entry candidates for the draft, this year, there were less than 60 and it showed.

Chicago Bears

(1) Caleb Williams QB USC
(9) Rome Odunze WR Washington
(75) Kiran Amegadjie OT Yale
(122) Tory Taylor P Iowa
(144) Austin Booker DE Kansas

Immediate Impact: QB Caleb Williams, WR Rome Odunze, P Tory Taylor
I don’t think I have to explain the fact that Williams will have an immediate impact. The Bears have built a readymade offense for him to step into and this franchise wants to win now, they have been waiting awhile. Odunze might only be the third WR with DJ Moore and Keenan Allen bringing more experience but Odunze will make his mark. Taylor steps in as the starting punter and just like he did for Iowa’s defense, he’ll make the Bears defense better by pinning their opponents deep. I’m not sure if the Bears will have a gunner like Iowa’s Cooper DeJean, who had a unique connection with Taylor, but for their sake, they should hope he finds one.

Best Value: WR Rome Odunze

He may have been the ninth overall pick but his ceiling is being one of the top five WRs in the NFL. He’s not likely to get there in the next year or two while Moore and Allen are around but he will eventually be one of the elite receivers in the league.

Sleeper: DE Austin Booker

The Bears were out of picks after the Taylor pick in round four and then they traded picks in next year’s draft to get into the fifth round to take Booker as he fell. Booker has great length for a DE at 6’6 but he’s a bit light and plays too upright. Teams are intrigued by his physical profile and athleticism. Booker isn’t going to come in and start and probably isn’t going to play much initially, at best he’s a situational rusher. However, with some time in the weight room and some real coaching of his technique, he has a chance to be a good DE.

Overall Analysis

This draft class was small and it will be judged by Caleb Williams’ career, there’s no getting around that. Odunze is going to be great, not good, great. Taking a chance on Yale OT Kiran Amegadjie was a solid choice. He has all the measurables of a starting LT, he just isn’t ready for NFL competition. With Braxton Jones at LT, Amegadjie is an investment in the future. I’m a fan of Jones but if he doesn’t work out in a year or two, Amegadjie might be an option to replace him. Most people don’t like teams taking a punter in round four but Taylor is the exception, the Bears defense just got better, he’s a field position weapon. Booker is raw but moldable, he’s a solid choice in round five.

Detroit Lions

(24) Terrion Arnold CB Alabama
(61) Ennis Rakestraw CB Missouri
(126) Giovanni Manu OT British Columbia
(132) Sione Vaki S/RB Utah
(189) Mekhi Wingo DT LSU
(210) Christian Mahogany OG Boston College

Immediate Impact: CB Terrion Arnold

The Lions roster is in pretty good shape except for in the secondary. Arnold was a gift at 24th overall after defensive players got pushed down by the run of offensive players to start the draft. Arnold should start opposite Carlton Davis III as the other outside CB. He’s the perfect fit for the Detroit defense and he’s the exact personality Dan Campbell wants on his team. Arnold should ascend to be the CB1 over Davis pretty quickly in Detroit.

Best Value: CB Terrion Arnold

The offensive player run to start the draft pushed really good defensive players down the board and Arnold was one of many defenders who ended up as great value picks towards the end of round one.

Sleeper: OG Christian Mahogany

Mahogany was probably a higher rated prospect going into the year and then his play was a little up and down this season. He’s still a talented interior blocker and has starter potential. The Lions re-signed Graham Glasgow and signed Kevin Zeitler to fill the holes at OG so Mahogany will be a backup this season. Zeitler is already 34 and Glasgow will be 32 so Mahogany won’t have to sit too long before he has a chance to take a job and I think he can be a long-term starter in the league.

Overall Analysis
Arnold was a huge pick for a team in desperate need to overhaul its CB group this off season. Between that pick and the Davis trade, they made some serious upgrades. I haven’t been a big Ennis Rakestraw fan but as a guy who will only be asked to be the fourth or fifth CB on this roster (depending on Emmanual Mosely’s health), that’s a good place for him. He upgrades the overall talent in the secondary. OT Giovanni Manu was a bit of a reach even in round four. He’s an international prospect that is going to take a while to become anything. However, he is 6’8 350 lbs. so there is something there to work with. The Lions just lost Matt Nelson, a guy who played DT at Iowa who they developed over several years into a legitimate swing tackle so they should have a plan for Manu.

Sione Vaki is an interesting prospect because he played both ways at Utah. He is a safety who’s a bit limited overall but he also played RB and was actually pretty good. The Lions have plenty of depth at RB so he’s probably going to have a better shot at safety but I think initially he’s on special teams and just a versatile player they can use anywhere. DT Mekhi Wingo is a slightly undersized penetrating tackle who will be a deep backup they hope to develop behind Alim McNeil.

Green Bay Packers

(25) Jordan Morgan OT Arizona
(45) Edgerrin Cooper LB Texas A&M
(58) Javon Bullard S Georgia
(88) MarShawn Lloyd RB USC
(91) Ty’Ron Hopper LB Missouri
(111) Evan Williams S Oregon
(163) Jacob Monk OL Duke
(169) Kitan Oladapo CB Oregon St.
(202) Travis Glover OT Georgia St.
(245) Michael Pratt QB Tulane
(255) Kalen King CB Penn St.

Immediate Impact: OT Jordan Morgan, S Javon Bullard

Morgan was a multiple year starter at LT at Arizona and while most teams had him pegged to be a guard, in Green Bay’s offense he could play tackle. I think it’s more likely he plays RT and they move Zach Tom inside but Morgan could replace Rasheed Wallace at LT potentially. The good thing about Morgan is he could play four different positions so he will allow the Packers to find their best combination of five blockers up front. Bullard is a bit undersized and was a late second-round pick but he’s a stud safety. He can team with Xavier McKinney and be the starter immediately given the competition at the position.

Best Value: S Javon Bullard, RB MarShawn Lloyd

Bullard may be a bit small but he’s just a tough football player and he’s going to be a starter. Lloyd is a very talented RB and if Josh Jacobs gets injured or just nicked up, it could be Lloyd and not AJ Dillon who ends up as the replacement back. He has some nice long-term potential as the starter once Jacobs is gone.

Sleeper: QB Michael Pratt

Pratt isn’t a threat to Jordan Love but if I’m Sean Clifford I’m not feeling so great. I’ve never understood what Green Bay sees in Clifford but Pratt is a good player. I can see Pratt replacing Clifford and if for any reason the Packers need someone to stand in for Love, Pratt could show he’s a pretty good. I think he could also do that in the preseason and eventually be a guy a team takes a chance on.

Overall Analysis
The Packers have a big draft class with 11 players and there is no way that many guys are making the roster. Morgan will be a starter somewhere on the line. Edgerrin Cooper is a plus athlete but he’s raw and undisciplined and needs some coaching. They can find a place to use him but he’ll take a little time. Bullard can start and excel. Lloyd will prove to be a valuable RB for the team. LB Ty’Ron Hopper gives the Packers some depth and I would guess he’ll be a special teams player.
The end of the draft wasn’t great for anyone so the Packers just took players at positions where they need help. S Evan Williams, CB Kitan Oladapo, and CB Kalen King are dice rolls. King was a guy who was highly thought of early in his career and then fell off a cliff with his play. Jacob Monk and Travis Glover are offensive linemen who should be competition for depth on the roster but probably not guys you want to count on. I like Pratt, he has a chance.

Minnesota Vikings

(10) JJ McCarthy QB Michigan
(17) Dallas Turner Edge Alabama
(108) Khyree Jackson CB Oregon
(177) Walter Rouse OT Oklahoma
(203) Will Reichard K Alabama
(230) Michael Jurgens OL Wake Forest
(232) Levi Drake Rodriguez DL Texas A&M Commerce

Immediate Impact: QB JJ McCarthy, Edge Dallas Turner

They can talk all they want about Sam Darnold but they took McCarthy 10th overall, he’s not backing up Sam Darnold. McCarthy is in an elite situation for a rookie QB with arguably the best WR in football, a really good WR2, and one of the best TEs in the game. His offensive line is solid and his head coach’s offensive system is built for his skillset. Turner may not initially start with the team signing Jonathan Greenard and Andrew Van Ginkel but he’s going to play a lot. Turner has the versatility Brian Flores loves and he’ll be a big part of the defense.

Best Value: Edge Dallas Turner

Turner might be the best pass rusher in this draft and because of how it fell he went 17th overall. He’s a perfect fit for the scheme and he’s going to outplay being the 17th overall player in this draft.

Sleeper: CB Khyree Jackson

He may have been a fourth-round pick but this guy is a player. He’s a long CB at 6’4 with excellent speed for a guy his size (4.5 in the 40). His size works against his technique because he doesn’t sink his hips as well and isn’t smooth turning and maintaining coverage. That said, this CB group in Minnesota isn’t great so he can earn some playing time. He needs reps and with a defensive mind like Brian Flores coaching him, he’ll get the best out of him.

Overall Analysis
Vikings GM Kwesi Adofo-Mensah did some wheeling and dealing to end up with his QB at ten and then an awesome edge rusher at 17. McCarthy fits this offense well and he’ll be pretty good. Turner is going to shine in this defense. They waited a long time after the first round to pick but I like Jackson and he can fill a need for this team. OT Walter Rouse was a solid investment for team that could use a good backup OT. Drafting kickers can be tricky but Will Reichard steps in immediately and he’s kicked in big games for Alabama, I expect him to be solid. Jurgens and Rodriguez are late round flyers on guys who might add depth on the line, never bad idea.