I paused my YouTubeTV subscription for a couple of months because I really haven’t used it since the 2024 draft and now, I find myself with some time.  I’m working on some thoughts on the Iowa football team but there’s a lot of questions on the new offense and almost zero questions on the defense so I’m still working on it.  Instead, I’m going for a way-too-soon mock draft for next year’s NFL draft.  There is no clear-cut top player, the QB group is a work in progress, and the top prospect might be a guy that teams aren’t sure whether he’s a CB or a WR.  This is a fool’s errand but I find it fun.

Unlike most dumb mock drafts at this time of year, I’m not using some betting site’s odds for the Super Bowl to determine the draft order.  I simply made a list of the teams by how good I think they will be.  The teams I think are going to struggle are teams with QB questions, teams with young QBs, teams with major roster holes, and teams that are usually bad.  Some teams fall into more than one of these categories.  This is simply a fun exercise and I haven’t watched a lot of film of some of these prospects so, don’t take it too seriously.

1. Las Vegas Raiders: Carson Beck     QB     Georgia

If you’re looking for a team that could be pretty bad next year, the team with Aidan O’Connell and Gardner Minshew at QB, an unproven head coach, a very questionable offensive coordinator, a lot of turnover on the offensive line, and a pretty suspect defensive backfield is a solid place to start.  Beck looks the part of a top QB prospect, he’s 6’4 220 lbs. and he’ll be a multi-year starter in the SEC.  He’s the best bet to be the breakout QB prospect this season and Raiders will be hunting for a future star.  Pairing him with his old reliable buddy Brock Bowers would be make a nice transition to the pros. 

2. Washington Commanders:  Will Campbell     OT     LSU

Another reuniting of former teammates as Campbell was Jayden Daniels LT at LSU and he would fill a huge need on the Commanders offensive line.  If Daniels survives the season behind Washington’s current group, more power to him.  However, I’m certain he would embrace Campbell’s presence covering his blindside.  Campbell could end up the top pick in the draft if no QB breaks through and one of the teams that recently took a QB ends up with the first pick.  Campbell is big, athletic, and technically sound and he’s a pretty safe bet to be a really good LT in the NFL if his development continues. 

3. Carolina Panthers:  James Pearce Jr.     Edge     Tennessee

If Bryce Young fails again, a QB becomes a real possibility.  If Ikem Ekwonu fails at LT, a LT becomes a possibility.  If Diontae Johnson leaves in free agency, they may have to take a WR I the first round again after trading up for Xavier Legette this year.  Even if all of those things happen it’s still possible, they take an edge rusher since they traded Brian Burns and the don’t have a long-term plan at the position.  Pearce is still a bit of a projection but he has the size, speed, and skill you look for in a top pass rush prospect and if he has a big year at Tennessee, he could end up the #1 overall pick in this draft. 

4. Denver Broncos:  Kelvin Banks Jr.     OT     Texas

The Broncos could go a lot of different directions.  If Troy Franklin isn’t as good as they hope he’ll be playing with his college QB Bo Nix, they could look for a WR.  If they decide trading Patrick Surtain II for a draft haul is a better strategy to rebuild than paying him, CB becomes a massive need, hello Travis Hunter.  Assuming those things don’t happen, LT Garrett Boles is in the last year of his contract, he’s 32 years old, and he’s had an inconsistent career.  Banks would be a young LT who can grow with Bo Nix or whoever the Broncos end up drafting in 2026 to replace him.  Banks and Campbell will duke it out for who’s the top OT in this class but you can’t go wrong with either one. 

5. Pittsburgh Steelers: Travis Hunter     CB     Colorado

I know, putting the Steelers in the top five is crazy but I have no faith that Russell Wilson has anything left, the WR group is led by George Pickens who isn’t going to be happy if Wilson sucks.  I like the additions on the offensive line but they will be young with Broderick Jones, Troy Fautanu and Zach Frazier starting.  The defensive line is aging and the secondary scares me after Minkah Fitzpatrick and Joey Porter Jr.  If another QB breaks out, this team should grab him but I don’t think Shaduer Sanders is a Steelers’ kind of pick and I’m not sold on Quinn Ewers yet.  Hunter has elite CB skills and would be a great complement to Porter and this team could even use him as a WR since they have very little behind Pickens. 

6. New Orleans Saints:  Luther Burden III     WR      Missouri

The Saints could conceivably draft a QB if they like someone here but they are pot committed to Derek Carr probably through the 2025 season.  Klink Kubiak is coming in from the 49ers and they are hoping he can turn Carr into a functional QB but it would help if they had more than Chris Olave at WR.  Assuming Dennis Allen isn’t fired and Kubiak has more than one year there, Burden would be a nice fit in the 49ers-like scheme.  Burden is only 5’11 but he’s 208 lbs. and he’s excellent after the catch.  He gives them a nice weapon for their QB of the future, whoever that is.

7. Tennessee Titans:  Will Johnson     CB     Michigan

The Titans traded for L’Jarius Snead, signed him to a big contract, and signed Chidobe Awuzie to be the other CB.  Clearly, they had need at the position.  Snead is a long-term play but Awuzie is a 29-year-old CB who has had some injury issues and is likely just a stop-gap solution.  Johnson is a CB with length and cover skills who would pair quite nicely with Snead long-term and maybe give the Titans the young CB they were hoping they would get when they gambled on the injured Caleb Farley in the 2021 draft.  Farley has never been the guy they were hoping he would be. 

8. New York Giants:  Shadeur Sanders     QB    Colorado

This is a projection but I’m going to have to be convinced he’s worth the trouble.  Sanders flashy attitude is going to turn some people off and this is where I think a team like the Giants might balk at taking him.  Making him the face of the franchise in New York is a gamble.  However, the Giants will be looking for a new QB and Sanders has talent.  I don’t think his father is doing him a lot of favors with the constant turnover of the roster at Colorado and the offensive coaching changes.  Shedeur needs to show consistency, not just the flash plays here and there. His offensive line was not good last season and he needs more help, hopefully he’ll get it this year. 

9. New England Patriots:  Mykel Williams     Edge     Georgia

This one is really a projection.  Williams is a young player on Georgia’s defense and they have a lot of talent.  He makes splashy plays and he’s a great athlete.  He has great size with that athleticism and can play in a multitude of formations, that will fit New England just fine.  Matt Judon is in the last year of his deal, he’s 32, and he’s coming off an injury.  Josh Uche only signed a one-year deal, leaving Anfernee Jennings as the only edge guy they have past 2024.  This assumes their young WRs (Ja’Lynn Polk, Javon Baker, and Demario Douglas) show enough promise they don’t feel they need to take one and Caedan Wallace isn’t a disaster at LT.  Otherwise, I say trade up to get Campbell or Banks to solve the LT issue for good. 

10. Arizona Cardinals:  Mason Graham     DT     Michigan

The Cardinals added Darius Robinson in this last draft to the defensive front but they need to keep adding talent there. Graham is one of the best DTs in college football and he’s just scratching the surface.  If Hunter or Johnson are here at CB that should be the pick but with both off the board the Cardinals take Graham over Benjamin Morrison, the next best CB.  Adding talent to this defense is a must.

11. Jacksonville Jaguars:  Malaki Starks     S     Georgia

This will be the most Belichick pick in history when he takes over the Jaguars next year.  They need help at OT, they need help at CB, and Bill takes a safety. They do need help at safety too but OT and CB are far more valuable positions but Starks would help Belichick and Matt Patricia install their defense.  Sorry Jaguars fans, it’s just mean of me to include Patricia.  Wait…are there Jaguars fans? 

12. Indianapolis Colts:  Benjamin Morrison     CB     Notre Dame

The Jaguars passing on Morrison is a huge win for the Colts since they completely passed up any CB help in the 2024 draft, they get a good one here.  Morrison is a good cover man with solid size, top speed, and some toughness to his game.  The Colts hope JuJu Brents can be their CB1 but I think he’s probably better off as a CB2 and Morrison has the upside to be a CB1. 

13. Seattle Seahawks:  Quinn Ewers     QB     Texas

Ewers still needs to put some polish on his game and while he could be a break out player this year, I think he’ll be solid and someone will take a shot on his talent.  The Seahawks have Geno Smith and Sam Howell for now, betting on Ewers upside is worth the risk to get out of QB purgatory. 

14. Minnesota Vikings:  Denzel Burke     CB    Ohio St.

The Vikings best CB is Byron Murphy Jr. who will be a free agent after the season and they are so desperate at the position they signed Shaq Griffin, a guy who’s been released by multiple teams in the last year.  Burke isn’t the flashiest player but he’s a good CB who hold his own against top competition and has been practicing against top competition his entire career at Ohio St.    

15. Miami Dolphins:  Tyler Booker     OG     Alabama

The Dolphins’ offense covers up for a lot of issues on the offensive line because it’s a quick strike offense but they ignored the interior of the line in free agency and draft in 2024, they might regret that.  When they are struggling because Isaiah Wynn is hurt and Robert Jones isn’t Robert Hunt, they will realize they need talent inside.  Booker is a big, physical presence on Alabama’s offensive line and he would be a plug-and-play starter. 

16. Los Angeles Chargers:  Deone Walker      DT    Kentucky

Jim Harbaugh is going to continue to build his team in the trenches first and foremost and his defensive line needs some beef.  Walker is 6’6 345 lbs. of raw power and strength who can step in at NT.  The Chargers drafted Junior Colson at LB to help them finally stop the run, Walker would make Colson that much better by keeping him clean. 

17. Chicago Bears:  JT Tuimoloau     DE     Ohio St.

The Bears didn’t do anything at DE opposite Montez Sweat this off season so it will be a big priority next year.  Tuimoloau had a chance to come out this season and he would have been a fairly high draft pick but he went back to Ohio St because he had some unfinished business.  I think the extra year of development will do him a lot of good and he should be a good pro.

18. Atlanta Falcons:  Harold Perkins Jr.     LB    LSU

This may be way too low for Perkins, he’s a menace on the field.  He is a missile to the ball and he has impressive pass rush instincts. The problem is he’s about 6’1 220 lbs. so while he may play a bit like Micah Parsons running all over the field, he’s two inches shorter and about 25 lbs. lighter than Parsons.  He’s got speed and instincts you can’t teach so I wouldn’t bet against him.  The Falcons could use a defensive playmaker like Perkins.

19. New York Jets: Emory Jones     OT     LSU

The Jets signed Tyron Smith and Morgan Moses to be their starting OTs this season and then drafted Olu Fashanu for the future.  Fashanu can take Smith’s LT job but that still leaves the RT job for someone and Jones has been quite good at RT for LSU.  Getting Fashanu and Jones in back-to-back drafts as your starting OTs for the next five years is a smart investment. 

20. Tampa Bay Buccaneers:  Quinshon Judkins     RB     Ohio St.

The Buccaneers’ running game was bad last season and while adding Graham Barton at center is a nice start, I don’t think he’s enough to turn it around on is own.  Rachaad White is good player but he’s not a workhorse style RB.  Judkins is exactly that.  He’s 5’11 210 lbs. and he has speed, power, and the contact balance you want in a between-the-tackles runner.  He could have a big year after transferring to Ohio St. and go even higher than this but he’s easily worth a first-round pick. 

21. Dallas Cowboys:  Tetairoa McMillan     WR     Arizona

The Cowboys are going to have plenty to worry about over the next year trying to sign CeeDee Lamb and Micah Parsons to contract extensions and deciding if they are sticking with Dak Prescott at QB.  One thing is clear no matter what happens with Lamb and Prescott, they need more WR help.  McMillan might be gone before this because at 6’5 he has elite size as an outside receiver.  Lamb can line up at any WR spot so having a guy like McMillan to put outside and just let him play there would work just fine. 

22. Philadelphia Eagles:  Colston Loveland     TE     Michigan

Howie Roseman is known for drafting guys a year before he needs them.  Dallas Goedert will be 30 during the 2025 season and he’s going to start getting expensive.  With two very expensive WRs they need to look at saving money and a rookie TE replacing Goedert would work.  Loveland is a great athlete with all the skills you want in a TE. 

23. Cleveland Browns:  Nic Scourton     DE     Texas A&M

The Browns re-signed Za’Darius Smith at end after he played well opposite Myles Garrett last year, but he’s 32 already.  They need to get younger on the defensive line and Scourton would be a solid choice.  He just transferred to Texas A&M after being a top sack guy at Purdue.  He has great size and is a natural pass rusher.  They need someone to help them keep Garrett clean as they try to take advantage of Garrett’s best years. 

24. Buffalo Bills:  Emeka Egbuka     WR     Ohio St.

Egbuka is coming off a lost year after dealing with an injury most of last year but he returned to Ohio St. to rebuild his draft stock.  He’s an elite mover, he gets in and out of his breaks well and runs good routes.  The Bills drafted Keon Coleman as their big outside WR and Egbuka would be the perfect complementary piece.  Rebuilding Josh Allen’s WR group should be priority if they want to get the best out of their offense. 

25. Baltimore Ravens:  Princely Umanmielen      Edge     Mississippi

The Ravens re-signed Kyle Van Noy again because they just don’t know if they can count on their young edge rushers yet.  They need Odafe Oweh, David Ojabo, or Adisa Isaac to prove they can consistently pressure the QB.  If those guys don’t figure it out, they will have to draft another edge guy.  Umanmielen has been a solid pass rusher at Florida and now he’ll try one more time at Ole Miss this season. 

26. Los Angeles Rams:  Tacario Davis     CB     Arizona

Davis is long and lean but he’s stronger than he looks and the Rams need some help at CB.  They signed veterans Tre’Davious White and Darious Williams and neither is a long-term solution.  They did as much as could reasonably be asked on defense for this upcoming season but they aren’t done remaking the unit.  Davis would be a nice start in redoing the CB position. 

27. Green Bay Packers:  Jabbar Muhammad     CB     Oregon

The Packers have to decide what they are doing with Eric Stokes as he comes towards the end of his rookie deal.  Jaire Alexander is pretty expensive for guy who misses time with injuries.  They like Carrington Valentine and Keisen Nixon but there are question marks all over their CB spot.  Muhammad is a tough cover guy who is transferring to Oregon after being a starter at Washington and he has the requisite skills to be an NFL starter, even if he isn’t the biggest CB. 

28. Cincinnati Bengals:  Abdul Carter     Edge     Penn St.

The Bengals need some juice off the edge and while Carter is more of a LB than a DE, he has the speed and athleticism this team is lacking on the edge.  They could look at a more traditional DE like Jack Sawyer but he’s basically just Sam Hubbard 2.0 and they need to do better.  Carter is a freaky athlete and would probably be a designated pass rusher to start, they need that. 

29. Houston Texans:  Kenneth Grant     DT     Michigan

The Texans signed several veteran free agents on defense and that included Foley Fatukasi and Denico Autry at DT.  Neither of those two are young guys and they could use some youth on the d-line.  Grant is a mammoth 6’3 340 lbs. DT who would help take the pressure off Danielle Hunter and Will Anderson outside.  The other possibility here is going with WR Evan Stewart if they decide not to bring Stefon Diggs back in 2025. 

30. Detroit Lions:  Evan Stewart     WR     Oregon

If Jameson Williams fails to impress this season, it will be time for the team to look for a new deep threat.  They are counting on Williams to finally live up to his first-round billing and be the complement to Amon-Ra St. Brown.  If not, Stewart could be that deep threat.  He’s not a big outside player but he has versatility and downfield speed. 

31. San Francisco 49ers:  Jack Sawyer     DE     Ohio St.

The 49ers redid their DE depth chart behind Nick Bosa with a couple of free agent deals for Leonard Floyd and Yetur Gross-Matos.  Those deals are essentially one-year deals so if they don’t work out they move on.  Sawyer isn’t the dynamic pass rusher Bosa is but he has a quick first step and some real power in his bull rush, he’s a tough player.  Unless Drake Jackso takes a dramatic step forward this team could use some long-term help at DE opposite Bosa. 

32. Kansas City Chiefs:  Walter Nolen     DT     Mississippi

Chris Jones has a big contract now but he is almost 30 and the other starter at DT, Derrick Nnadi is in the last year of his contract.  Backup Mike Pennel is 33 and there isn’t any proven depth beyond them.  Nolen is big, athletic, and might have a chance to take over for Jones eventually and complement him for now. 

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.

Atlanta Falcons

(8) Michael Penix Jr QB Washington
(35) Ruke Orhorhoro DT Clemson
(74) Bralen Trice Edge Washington
(109) Brandon Dorlus DL Oregon
(143) JD Bertrand LB Notre Dame
(186) Jase McClellan RB Alabama
(187) Casey Washington WR Illinois
(197) Zion Logue DL Georgia

Immediate Impact: None (I almost just put a laughing emoji, except it’s not that funny)

This team signed Kirk Cousins because they want to compete right now, then they drafted no one of consequence. Weird strategy. Are we sure Bill Belichick didn’t run this draft?

Best Value: Edge Bralen Trice

Trice is a quality pass rusher who lacks ideal speed and quickness but he wins with relentlessness and intelligence. He understands pass rush moves and how to use them. He’s a quality player and with only Arnold Ebiketie and Lorenzo Carter ahead of him, he’ll get used by the Falcons.

Sleeper: DL Brandon Dorlus

Dorlus is like the larger version of Trice, he’ll play up front on the d-line instead of at OLB like Trice but he’s a solid player who lacks elite athleticism. He has size and power to play multiple spots on the defensive line and give Raheem Morris and Jimmy Lake some options up front. He’s not going to overwhelm anyone but he’s going to be a solid player.

Overall Analysis
This is probably the only draft I like less than the Jaguars draft, at least the Jaguars got someone in round one I like. This draft will be defined by the Michael Penix Jr. pick but not just because he’s a QB and it was a truly baffling pick. The rest of this draft is just underwhelming players with what feels like a lot of low ceilings. The Penix pick has been dissected to hell. The process of paying Kirk Cousins $100 million in guaranteed money and then drafting a soon-to-be 24-year-old rookie QB is just bad team building. Because of the eventual dead money on Cousins’ contract if you want out in two years, you never reap the benefits of a rookie QB contract before you would have to pay Penix. They followed that pick up with more head scratchers.

DT Ruke Orhorhoro is a raw interior defensive lineman who’s a little light against the run and really raw as a pass rusher. He’s not going to help a team looking to win this year very much. Also, they traded up to get him when they already have their starting defensive linemen and if they really wanted a defensive lineman, why not draft Johnny Newton? Again, bad process and a suspect prospect. Bralen Trice and Brandon Dorlus are solid additions to the front seven but this team needs difference makers, especially pass rushers, and none of the three guys (Orhorhoro, Trice, or Dorlus) fill that need. LB JD Bertrand is depth piece at LB. Sixth round RB Jase McClellan is maybe the fourth RB on the depth chart, if he makes the roster. WR Casey Washington might make the roster but that says more about the depth after their top three guys than it does about him. DL Zion Logue is fighting an uphill battle against a veteran starting group and the two defensive linemen they took before him.

Carolina Panthers

(32) Xavier Legette WR South Carolina
(46) Jonathan Brooks RB Texas
(72) Trevin Wallace LB Kentucky
(101) Ja’Tavion Sanders TE Texas
(157) Chau Smith-Wade CB Washington St.
(200) Jaden Crumedy DL Mississippi St.
(240) Michael Barrett LB Michigan

Immediate Impact: WR Xavier Legette

The Panthers remade their WR group with trade for Diontae Johnson from Pittsburgh and the slight move up into round one to get Xavier Legette. Legette was a one-year wonder at South Carolina last season but it was a big year. He’s a big, physical WR with elite speed, it’s his understanding of the position that might slow him down. With Johnson and the returning Adam Theilen, Bryce Young won’t have to rely on Legette in critical situations but they need him to be playmaker in this offense, they don’t have many big-play guys.

Best Value: TE Ja’Tavion Sanders

I liked Sanders as a second-round pick and he went in round 4. The Panthers aren’t great at TE and Sanders can take the job from Tommy Tremble. Young isn’t a great over-the-middle passer but Sanders will be a better target than the other TEs they have so that might improve. Sanders isn’t the most athletic TE but neither was Sam LaPorta in last year’s draft and that worked out just fine.

Sleeper: CB Chau Smith-Wade

The team has Jaycee Horn who they are counting on to be the CB1. They signed veteran Dane Jackson for the other outside spot. Troy Hill is penciled in as the nickel back but he’ll be 33 this year and has bounced around a bit. Smith-Wade is a little undersized which is why he will move inside to slot corner and his toughness and attitude will serve him well. I think he will beat out Hill and he has a chance to be a good nickel corner.

Overall Analysis
The Young trade is still hanging over this team and now Young’s presence is dictating more moves to try to make him better. The Johnson trade was to get Young a dependable pass catcher and then they traded up a spot to get Legette to give Young an outside playmaker. Taking draft picks to give your young QB some help is fine but when you’re doing it trying to fix him, that’s not a great place to be. RB Jonathan Brooks is a very talented RB who will eventually be the starter here but it will take some time. He had knee injury late last season at Texas so he won’t be 100% to start the year. They shouldn’t rush him back, this team isn’t ready to compete anyway, make sure he’s fully healthy before he’s given a big workload. He has a huge upside if they do it right.

LB Trevin Wallace is a superb athlete who relies too heavily on his athleticism to get him out of trouble and gets blocked a little to easily. He’ll sit behind Shaq Thompson and Josey Jewell and hopefully pick up some tricks of the trade from those two very talented veterans. Sanders can be very useful and he was a value pick for sure in round four. Smith-Wade was nice pickup for the defense too, he can play. The last two guys are depth pieces at best, like I said, this wasn’t a great draft late.

New Orleans Saints

(14) Taliese Fuaga OT Oregon St.
(41) Kool-Aid McKinstry CB Alabama
(150) Spencer Rattler QB South Carolina
(170) Bub Means WR Pittsburgh
(175) Jaylan Ford LB Texas
(199) Khristian Boyd DL Northern Iowa
(239) Josiah Ezirim OL Eastern Kentucky

Immediate Impact: OT Taliese Fuaga

The Saints offensive line was a mess last year with Trevor Penning failing pretty spectacularly at LT and Ryan Ramczyk’s knee injury at RT. They need help and Fuaga is the guy. He’s likely to start at LT for now unless Penning miraculously figures it out there, then they could move Fuaga to the right side. I would guess they might try Penning at RT instead.

Best Value: CB Kool-Aid McKinstry

He didn’t have the season people were expecting last year at Alabama but he was still pretty good. He has all the skills you look for in starting CB and while he’s unlikely to start this year with Marshon Lattimore and Paulson Adebo in front of him, he’s a future starting CB. He fell a bit just like so many other defensive players so he was a value pick in round two.

Sleeper: QB Spencer Rattler

I was never on the Spencer Rattler hype train especially when he was the guy people were talking about as a potential #1 overall pick before the season where he ended up getting benched for Caleb Williams at Oklahoma. That said, he has a chance here. Jake Haener is the only guy he has to beat out for the backup job so that’s not too hard. Derek Carr’s contract makes him entrenched on the roster but Klint Kubiak, the new offensive coordinator, is going to have his work cut out for him making Carr any good. Rattler has the arm talent to win over coaches and the confidence to win over the locker room.

Overall Analysis
This team had a first-round pick who’s an instant starter, a second-round pick who’s an eventual starter and then they didn’t pick again until the fifth round. I like Fuaga and McKinstry and I completely understand taking a shot on Rattler. He’s never been my cup of tea but he was well worth a fifth-round pick. WR Bub Means feels like about 10 previous mid to late round WRs the Saints have drafted over the years. He’ll be depth but not much else for a couple of years and then he turns into Tre’Quan Smith. LB Jaylan Ford is a long LB with some athleticism, he’s not contributing unless it’s on special teams. DT Khristian Boyd is a big body who adds some depth, he can’t be worse than the last guy they drafted from Northern Iowa (Penning). It would be nice if they found a diamond in the rough at OT in round seven but it’s a long shot.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers

(26) Graham Barton C Duke
(57) Chris Braswell Edge Alabama
(89) Tykee Smith S Georgia
(92) Jalen McMillan WR Washington
(125) Bucky Irving RB Oregon
(220) Elijah Klein OL UTEP
(246) Devin Culp TE Washington

Immediate Impact: C Graham Barton, DB Tykee Smith

Barton got lost a bit amongst all the OTs that were first round picks because even though he played LT at Duke, he’s moving all the way inside to center. He’ll be an immediate starter for the Bucs and that will allow them to move Robert Hainsey out to guard which will improve two positions and make their offensive line much better. Barton is going to be very good as a center. Tykee Smith was more of a safety at Georgia but his best position in the NFL is at nickel corner. That happens to be a place the Bucs need someone and he looks like a good bet there.

Best Value: WR Jalen McMillan

I love the Washington WRs and McMillan is going to be a really good pro. He was banged up last year and he still impressed me when he played. The Bucs have Mike Evans and Chris Godwin but Evans will be 31 this year and Godwin is getting expensive and has had some injury issues. The only other young WR they have is Trey Palmer and he and McMillan have complementary skill sets so these two could be the future. McMillan was a steal as a late third round pick.

Sleeper: RB Bucky Irving

He’s undersized and doesn’t have the explosiveness you look for in an elite back but he runs hard and he never gives up on getting an extra yard. The Bucs have Rachaad White and Chase Edmonds, the depth chart isn’t all that intimidating. I could see Irving carving out a role and finding some success behind and improved offensive line. He’s undersized and not fast, that’s what they said about Kyren Williams too.

Overall Analysis
This draft plugged a couple of holes and got this team some depth. Barton fills a need to make the interior of the offensive line better, he does, in a real way. The Chris Braswell pick gives them some depth at edge rusher after losing Shaq Barrett. He’s not a sure thing but as a third or fourth rusher in sub packages, he’s a solid addition. Tykee Smith’s ability to cover the slot can be very useful on this team. The McMillan pick slightly edges out the Barton pick as my favorite in this draft.

Irving isn’t an overwhelming physical talent but he can be useful NFL RB. OL Elijah Klein might make this team as interior offensive line depth, that’s probably his ceiling. TE Devin Culp will have an uphill climb to make this TE roster, it’s not great but there are plenty of veteran bodies ahead of him.

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.

Houston Texans

(42) Kamari Lassiter CB Georgia
(59) Blake Fisher OT Notre Dame
(78) Calen Bullock S USC
(123) Cade Stover TE Ohio St.
(188) Jamal Hill LB Oregon
(205) Jawhar Jordan RB Louisville
(238) Solomon Byrd DL USC
(247) Marcus Harris DL Auburn
(249) LaDarius Henderson OL Michigan

Immediate Impact: None

This roster is built around quite a few veterans and the team spent money in free agency to fill their biggest needs. Lassiter and Fisher are two guys who will give them competition at nickel back and right tackle but this team is trying to win right now and they will likely stick with the veterans.

Best Value: OT Blake Fisher

Fisher was the “other” Notre Dame OT by the time this draft rolled around but there was a time he was the guy. He was originally the starting LT early on in his career before an injury opened the door for Joe Alt and Alt took the job. Fisher hasn’t progressed like Alt did but he has plenty of ability. He’s a perfect fit in Bobby Slowik’s Shanahan style offense and Tytus Howard isn’t exactly an entrenched starter at RT. Howard, along with most of the Texans offensive line, had injury issues last year. The difference this year is that if Howard misses time, he’s going to lose his starting job to Fisher. Fisher still has some development ahead but his ceiling is higher than Howards. He also has the versatility to swing over to the left side if Laremy Tunsil has injury issues.

Sleeper: S Callen Bullock

Bullock is a long, skinny safety prospect who can’t tackle. That doesn’t seem like a great bet to be good but he has the athleticism to be good and he’s a good deep safety. Some of his tackling issues are poor angles and fundamentals, that’s something good coaching can help. He didn’t get good fundamental defensive coaching at USC, DeMeco Ryans and his staff will do better and can make Bullock a player.

Overall Analysis
This draft class isn’t going to be the thing that helps the Texans over the hump in the AFC. They accelerated their timeline because CJ Stroud was so good last season that they went and got veterans in trades and free agency to compete now. CB Kamari Lassiter is a good football player with bad measurables they hope can help at nickel corner but they still have Desmond King and they signed Myles Bryant so Lassiter won’t be counted on. Laremy Tunsil and Tytus Howard are the starting OTs unless they get hurt, then maybe Blake Fisher gets a chance. Calen Bullock will only start if Jimmie Ward gets hurt. Now, Jimmie Ward never plays every game in a season so Bullock will get to play but he’s also not their only backup option.

TE Cade Stover will be a useful player behind Dalton Schultz, he’s a good blocker and is a solid pass catcher. However, the team has Nico Collins, Stefon Diggs, Tank Dell, Dalton Schultz, Joe Mixon, and probably one or two backup WRs who will get more volume in the passing game so he’s not going to move the needle. The rest of this draft is very deep depth and practice squad players. GM Nick Caserio quickly remade this roster over the last several years and this team is trying to be more than just a playoff participant.

Indianapolis Colts

(15) Laiatu Latu Edge UCLA
(52) Adonai Mitchell WR Texas
(79) Matt Goncalves OT Pittsburgh
(117) Tanor Bortolini C/G Wisconsin
(142) Anthony Gould WR Oregon St.
(151) Jaylon Carlies S Missouri
(164) Jaylin Simpson S Auburn
(201) Micah Abraham CB Marshall
(234) Jonah Laulu Edge Oklahoma

Immediate Impact: DE Laiatu Latu, WR Adonai Mitchell

Latu is pro-ready and he’s going to end up as a starter by the end of the season. Kwity Paye and Samson Ebukam are solid pros but Latu is a better pass rusher than either and he can be better against the run. He’ll factor in immediately as a rotational player but neither Paye or Ebukam had double digit sacks last year, Latu can do that. Mitchell is going to the perfect situation. The on the field issues have to do with work ethic and technique, the off the field issues are about attitude and maturity. Michael Pittman Jr. and Josh Downs are the top two WRs on this team and those two are all about work ethic, technique, and attitude. These are professional men who will set the best example. Also, Mitchell is the perfect complementary piece to Pittman’s intermediate game and Downs’ slot precision. He’s the deep threat Anthony Richardson needs but won’t have to solely rely on.

Best Value: C/G Tanor Bortolini

Bortolini isn’t your typical Wisconsin behemoth lineman, he’s actually extremely athletic and moves really well. He’s not overly powerful, which can get him into trouble but he uses his athleticism to make up for some of that. The Colts offensive line played much better last year but RG Will Fries is still replaceable. Also, Ryan Kelly is a little older at center and even as a fourth-round pick, Bortolini could end up starting at RG now and replacing Kelly eventually.

Sleeper: WR Anthony Gould

Gould is undersized but he has electric speed. He timed 4.39 but when you watch him play, he seems even faster. His frame may mean he has to play in the slot, Josh Downs’ role, but he has a way different skillset to work with. He’s a deep speed guy instead of the quick over-the-middle target Downs is. If they find a way to use his skills in conjunction with Downs, he gives the team another deep threat and he’s a top return man.

Overall Analysis
Latu and Mitchell have clear roles for this team and should contribute early. OT Matt Goncalves is a solid player who can be a nice swing tackle and give them some depth. Adding Goncalves and Bortolini are good moves that give this team more offensive line options and depth. Gould might just be another small speedy guy who never amounts to much or he could end up being a skinnier version of Brandin Cooks.

They took some shots late on some big athletic guys, or as we call them in the draft world, Chris Ballard types. Ballard likes big athletic dudes he thinks he can turn into something. Carlies and Laulu were those types of guys at safety and defensive end. They don’t always mean much but sometimes they hit. Micah Abraham and Jaylin Simpson were more draft picks in the secondary, Ballard was going for the dartboard approach, throw a lot of darts at it and see it you hit anything.

Jacksonville Jaguars

(23) Brian Thomas Jr. WR LSU
(48) Maason Smith DT LSU
(96) Jarrian Jones DB Florida St.
(114) Javon Foster OL Missouri
(116) Jordan Jefferson DT LSU
(153) Deantre Prince CB Mississippi
(167) Keilan Robinson RB Texas
(212) Cam Little K Arkansas
(236) Myles Cole LB Texas Tech

Immediate Impact: WR Brian Thomas Jr.

The Jaguars wanted to keep Calvin Ridley around but he chose to leave for Tennessee so they end up drafting a bigger, faster, more explosive replacement and they may have just found the #1 WR Trevor Lawrence has been looking for since he entered the league. Thomas isn’t a finished product but he’s better than Gabe Davis and he’s a legitimate threat in the passing game.

Best Value: WR Brian Thomas Jr.

The Jaguars traded down from the 17th pick and still got the guy they probably would have taken there at 23. He isn’t a sure thing like the top three receivers in this draft seem to be but he’s well worth this pick.

Sleeper: OL Javon Foster

The team re-signed Ezra Cleveland and restructured Brandon Scherff’s contract so they should be set at the guard spots. However, this offensive line was not good last year and as great as Scherff has been in his career, he’s going to be 33 and costs way more than he’s worth. Foster was a college tackle that will move inside to guard in the pros, that’s exactly what Scherff and Cleveland did. Foster has the size and power to be a really good guard and while he isn’t set to be a starter this year, Scherff has missed plenty of time to injury before and Foster should eventually be a starter inside.

Overall Analysis
Trent Baalke had me fooled on night one of the draft, he traded back and still got Brian Thomas Jr. and that was a job well done. Then the rest of the draft happened and he went back to being bad at this. DT Maason Smith was a high-level recruit out of high school but he never lived up to that billing and he simply wasn’t a second-round talent. DB Jarrian Jones was a reach, they certainly have a need at CB but Jones isn’t going to be a high impact player. Foster was a good choice in round four but then he followed that up by drafting the other LSU DT, Jordan Jefferson, too high. He clearly watched a lot of LSU last season.
Fifth rounder Deantre Prince has as much of a chance at helping at CB as Jones does from the third round. They drafted RB Keilan Robinson in round five and he’s going to be buried on the depth chart. K Cam Little might have a leg up on Riley Patterson since they spent a pick on him but there’s no guarantee he beats him out. Myles Cole is a really long edge rusher who has plenty of work to do to make a roster. This doesn’t feel like a draft that’s going to save Trent Baalke and Doug Pederson’s jobs.

Tennessee Titans

(7) JC Latham OT Alabama
(38) T’Vondre Sweat DT Texas
(106) Cedric Gray LB North Carolina
(146) Jarvis Brownlee Jr. CB Louisville
(182) Jha’Quan Jackson WR Tulane
(242) James Williams S Miami
(252) Jaylen Harrell LB Michigan

Immediate Impact: OT JC Latham, DT T’Vondre Sweat

The Titans have a new head coach in Brian Callahan and their new offensive line coach is his dad Bill Callahan, there is no more Bill Callahan offensive lineman than Latham. He’s essentially a huge bowling ball, the problem is he only played RT at Alabama and the Titans need him to play LT. If anyone can turn him into a LT, Bill Callahan can. T’Vondre Sweat is a bigger gamble. He’s going to have a major impact I’m just not sure it’s going to be a good impact or a bad one. Sweat is a walking red flag. He has off the field issues like his DUI just weeks before the draft and the fact that his weight is an issue too. He has the ability to be a very disruptive force but he has to get out of his own way.

Best Value: LB Cedric Gray

Gray is an instinctive LB prospect with good athleticism, long arms, and is a solid tackler. The Titans are counting on Jack Gibbens and Kenneth Murray at ILB so there’s a chance Gray gets in the lineup quickly. Neither of those two are established starters and Gray has the type of ability you want in a LB. They got him in round four and it’s possible he ends up a starter in Tennessee.

Sleeper: S James Williams

Williams is a big safety at 6’5 215 lbs. and there’s a chance the Titans plan on making him into a LB. He has the athleticism to do that and more but he has to work on his tackling. When he gets to the ball, he can lower the boom but sometimes he misses the tackle all together going for the big shot. He certainly looks the part of a top-flight NFL defender but he doesn’t always play like it.

Overall Analysis
The team went heavy on the defensive side of the ball with only sixth round WR Jha’Quan Jackson joining Latham on the offensive side. I wouldn’t count on Jackson making a big impact, he’s going to struggle to make the roster. They needed help on the defensive side of the ball after changing from the Mike Vrabel/Shane Bowen scheme to a more Baltimore Ravens scheme brought on by new coordinator Dennard Wilson. If Williams ends up a LB that would put three in this group with Gray and seventh rounder Jayden Harrell. Harrell would be an outside pass rusher while Williams and Gray play inside. Harrell has a little juice off the edge and was a nice pick late in the draft. Jarvis Brownlee Jr. gives them another body at CB but he’s way down the depth chart. This draft will be judged by Latham and Sweat because they have the potential to fill major holes on the team and yet both are a bit of a gamble. Latham isn’t a LT by trade and Sweat could be out of the league in two years if he doesn’t get his life squared away.

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.

Arizona Cardinals

(4) Marvin Harrison Jr. WR Ohio St.
(27) Darius Robinson DL Missouri
(43) Max Melton CB Rutgers
(66) Trey Benson RB Florida St.
(71) Isaiah Adams OG Illinois
(82) Tip Reiman TE Illinois
(90) Elijah Jones CB Boston College
(104) Dadrion Taylor-Demerson S Texas Tech
(138) Xavier Thomas DL Clemson
(162) Christian Jones OT Texas
(191) Tejhaun Palmer WR UAB
(226) Jaden Davis CB Miami

Immediate Impact: WR Marvin Harrison Jr., DL Darius Robinson, CB Max Melton, G Isaiah Adams

The Cardinals had lots of picks and they needed to get some impact players, they did. These four will have and immediate impact but there are others who can be contributors too. WR Marvin Harrison Jr is going to be awesome and he’s going to make Kyler Murray very happy. Drew Petzing is the offensive coordinator and he’s going to use Harrison early and often. Also on offense, OG Isaiah Adams comes in from Illinois and there’s no chance he doesn’t beat out Elijah Wilkinson at LG. He immediately helps this offensive line.

On defense they needed even more help and Darius Robinson is just the type of big, powerful DE they can use in their front. They can mix and match him with various fronts and move him inside or out and he gives them a power rusher who can come from multiple spots. Max Melton is a very athletic CB who wasn’t considered one of the top CB prospects but still a good one. He isn’t a true #1 CB but he might have to play one for this team for at least a year. He’ll be one of the better CBs they have had in a few years.

Best Value: RB Trey Benson

The running game has been highly dependent on James Connor the past few years and they needed more help. Benson might be the best RB in this draft and they got him in round three. He’ll be a perfect complement to Connor for now and if Connor gets banged up, he’s ready to step in. Also, as Connor gets a little older, Benson will be the guy to step in as the starter.

Sleeper: OT Christian Jones

The team cut DJ Humphries and signed Jonah Williams from Cincinnati and apparently plan to play him as their LT. That seems odd since they drafted Paris Johnson Jr. last year and he would be a better LT and Williams played RT last year for the Bengals. I also think Jones might be a better long-term solution at RT than Williams who isn’t special at either spot. I think Jones could end up with the RT job with Johnson on the left.

Overall Analysis
This is a huge draft class with a dozen players. This team needed talent and depth and Monti Ossenfort did a fantastic job. Harrison becomes their top playmaker. Darius Robinson is their most talented defensive lineman. Max Melton is arguably their best CB. Trey Benson is a dynamic running back. Isaiah Adams is a starting level guard. The first five picks are going to help this team. TE Tip Reiman is a huge prospect who is a top-level blocker immediately at the position which makes him the perfect partner for Trey McBride who is the playmaking TE.

CB Elijah Jones isn’t a perfect prospect but in this secondary, he’s got a chance to earn a spot. The same is true for Dadrion Taylor-Demerson at safety. DE Xavier Thomas and OT Christian Jones were top recruits going into college and they offer good value late in the draft. The team just signed Zay Jones after the draft and with him and Marvin Harrison Jr. added to the corps it’s going to be harder for Tejhaun Palmer to make the roster. Jaden Davis may be an undersized seventh-round pick at CB but this team needs all the help they can get.

Los Angeles Rams

(19) Jared Verse Edge Florida St.
(39) Braden Fiske DT Florida St.
(83) Blake Corum RB Michigan
(99) Kamren Kinchens S Miami
(154) Brennan Jackson LB Washington St.
(196) Tyler Davis DL Clemson
(209) Joshua Karty K Stanford
(213) Jordan Whittington WR Texas
(217) Beaux Limmer C/G Arkansas
(254) KT Leveston OT Kansas St.

Immediate Impact: DE Jared Verse, DT Braden Fiske

The Rams are losing Aaron Donald to retirement and they knew they couldn’t replace him with just one player. They have decided to bring in multiple reinforcements on the defense line to get more pass rush and make up the difference that way. Verse fills a huge need as an edge rusher, something they needed even if Donald had returned. They also traded up in round two to get his Florida St. teammate Fiske. These two are used to working together and the team hopes that gives them a leg up so they can pay immediate dividends.

Best Value: DE Jared Verse

Verse was arguably the best overall edge player in the draft and because of the run on offense to start he fell to 19th overall. The Rams didn’t even have to move up to get a guy they really liked who fills a huge need.

Sleeper: S Kamren Kinchens

The Rams signed Kamren Curl in free agency and then drafted Kamren Kinchens and this could end up being their starting safety duo. Kinchens looks good when he’s playing football but he looked terrible when he worked out. He’s not a top athlete but when it comes to safety, intelligence and instincts can make up for a lack of athleticism. I would not have liked him as much in round two but he’s worth the round three pick they used on him.

Overall Analysis
It’s hard to argue with Rams strategy when they went defense with four of their first five picks, they needed help on that side of the ball. It’s also hard to argue with the players they took after how good their draft was on defense last year, they found some real bargains. Verse, Fiske, and Kinchens are starters or potential starters. LB Brennan Jackson gives them even more depth as a rusher and they needed that. I could argue they went a little early on Blake Corum but he’s almost a clone of Kyren Williams physically and stylistically and Williams was great when healthy last season. Now, if Williams gets hurt, they have a guy they can put in who’s style they know works in what they do.

DT Tyler Davis gives them more depth on the front line, they need that. They drafted a kicker which isn’t always a good idea but when you have this many picks, take a shot on one. Jordan Whittington is a big-bodied WR, if anyone makes him work, it’s Sean McVay. The last two offensive linemen are depth pieces. Limmer might have a future at center somewhere but they just moved Steve Avila there so he probably backs up at guard. KT Levenston was a tackle in college and he probably moves to guard. With Jonah Jackson’s health history, taking a couple of shots at interior offensive line isn’t a bad idea.

San Francisco 49ers

(31) Ricky Pearsall WR Florida
(64) Renardo Green CB Florida St.
(86) Dominick Puni OL Kansas
(124) Malik Mustapha S Wake Forest
(129) Isaac Guerendo RB Louisville
(135) Jacob Cowing WR Arizona
(215) Jarrett Kingston OL USC
(251) Tatum Bethune LB Florida St.

Immediate Impact: CB Renardo Green, OL Dominick Puni

The 49ers have a need at outside CB with Charvarius Ward holding down one spot and Deommodore Lenoir being better suited inside. I’m not the biggest Green fan but he’s an upgrade over Ambrey Thomas and his skillset fits the 49ers defense. He should start. Puni has a chance to earn a starting spot at either RG over Jon Feliciano or possibly at RT over Colton McKivitz. He should fit Kyle Shanahan’s scheme quite well.

Best Value: OL Dominick Puni

If Puni can win a starting job out of training camp, he’s a major value. He’s an upgrade for the offensive line at either position on the right side. Shanahan took him for a reason and it wasn’t to be a backup.

Sleeper: WR Jacob Cowing

Small and speedy but he’s good after the catch which makes him a good fit here. The team has questions after Deebo Samuel and Brandon Aiyuk at WR which is why they took Ricky Pearsall in round one. They went back to the well with Cowing later because they need depth. If they trade one of Aiyuk or Samuel than Pearsall steps up but they still need Cowing. He can work in this offense.

Overall Analysis
Ricky Pearsall is a solid WR prospect but his impact will be minimal unless this team trades Samuel or Aiyuk. With those two plus George Kittle and Christian McCaffrey as playmakers, the third WR in this offense is the fifth option at best, assuming he’s ahead of Kyle Jusczcyk. Green and Puni have starting spots available if they beat out middling talent ahead of them. Fourth round pick Malik Mustapha is a good safety prospect who could be their answer to losing Jimmie Ward last year. He’s small but mighty.

Shanahan then took a RB in round four, Isaac Guerendo, which shocks absolutely no one. Guerendo brings some serious speed to the position and he’s a big guy for having so much speed. He wasn’t a starter in college so he’s probably just a complementary back. I think Cowing can be a solid player if he gets a chance. OL Jarrett Kingston is a versatile player, never count out a lineman Kyle Shanahan drafted. The seventh round LB is probably not making the roster.

Seattle Seahawks

(16) Byron Murphy II DT Texas
(81) Christian Haynes OG UConn
(118) Tyrice Knight LB UTEP
(121) AJ Barner TE Michigan
(136) Nehemiah Prichett CB Auburn
(179) Sataoa Laumea OL Utah
(192) DJ James CB Auburn
(207) Mike Jerrell OT Findlay

Immediate Impact: DT Byron Murphy II, OG Christian Haynes

I don’t particularly care that Dre’Mont Jones, Leonard Williams, and Jarran Reed are the likely starters on the defensive line, Murphy is going to wreak havoc when he’s on the field. Mike Macdonald came from Baltimore where Justin Madubuike just had a huge year, Murphy is that type of disruptor. Haynes will start at RG with Laken Tomlinson at LG. Maybe he didn’t have as good of a year as some thought he would but watch him for any length of time and he’s clearly as starting NFL guard, good thing too because the Seahawks needed one.

Best Value: OG Christian Haynes

I don’t want to put too big of expectations on this guy but he’s really good. His awareness and instincts are just top-notch. I really thought he’d go higher so the Seahawks stole a good one.

Sleeper: CB DJ James

The Seahawks took his teammate Nehemiah Prichett almost 60 picks earlier than him but I like James a little more. He doesn’t show great speed on film and he’s a little skinny but Seattle has Riq Woolen and Devon Witherspoon to take on the bigger guys. I think James can stick around, find a spot as nickel corner when Witherspoon lines up outside and his CB skills will shine through.

Overall Analysis
This team stuck at #16 overall and Byron Murphy II fell into their laps, sometimes it’s better to be lucky than good. The Christian Haynes picks was also great since they desperately needed a starting OG and one of the best ones was still available in round three. LB Tyrice Knight is a guy I know little about since he played at UTEP but this team needs some depth at ILB so don’t count him out. TE AJ Barner is a good pickup because he’s a dirty work sort of player and should pair nicely with Noah Fant.

While I like James more than Prichett at CB both of these guys could help out. After Woolen and Witherspoon it’s not exactly a who’s who on the CB depth chart. These two can both make the roster and play especially if Coby Bryant is moved to safety. The two sixth round picks sandwiched around James were offensive linemen. This team has a lot of veteran players as backups on the offensive line so it’s going to be hard for two late round guys to make the 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.

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.