Houston Texans

• Justin Reid (68^th, 4^th)   S   Stanford
• Martinas Rankin (80^th, 3^rd)   OL   Mississippi
• Jordan Akins (98^th, 3^rd)   TE   Central Florida
• Keke Coutee (103^rd, 4^th)   WR   Texas Tech
• Duke Ejiofor (177^th, 6^th)   DE   Wake Forest
• Jordan Thomas (211^th, 6^th)   TE   Mississippi St.
• Peter Kalambayi (214^th, 6^th)   OLB   Stanford
• Jermaine Kelly (222^nd, 7^th)   DB   San Jose St.

Immediate Impact:  OL Martinas Rankin

The Texans are a pretty solid looking team in many respects but their offensive line leaves a lot to be desired.  Rankin played OT in college but most assumed he would move inside, perhaps to center, in the NFL.  Not so fast, the state of the Texans OTs means Rankin will have a shot there.  Julie’n Davenport is slated to start at LT, he has some developing to do.  Seantrel Henderson, a castoff from Buffalo, is set for the RT job.  Anyone the Bills discarded on the offensive line is suspect.  Rankins will start somewhere, probably not at center if Nick Martin is healthy, but any of the other four positions could be had.

Best Value:  S Justin Reid

I’m not sure if Reid will beat out Andre Hal for the starting spot opposite Tyrann Mathieu but it’s possible.  Reid was talked about by some as a first-round prospect, I thought second-round was more plausible, which means getting him early in the third was good value.

Sleeper:  DE Duke Ejiofor

Not a household name because he played at Wake Forest but he’s classically built for the Texans 3-man line.  With JJ Watt’s injury history and the fact, he’s 29 years old the team has needs.  They aren’t exactly deep on the defensive line so Ejiofor should find some playing time and he can play.  He’s a power player that could become a future starter.

Overall Analysis

This analysis isn’t complete without noting the fact the team didn’t have a first-round pick this year because they traded it last season to move up to take Deshaun Watson.  Watson looked great once he took over last season and before he got hurt.  The biggest concern right now is he may be running for his life behind a terrible offensive line.  Getting a mobile QB killed because of a bad o-line is a bad strategy, a lesson the team should have learned from the RG3 years in Washington.  Reid was great value in the third and so was Rankin. TEs Jordan Akins and Jordan Thomas were necessary due to a lack of any depth after the early retirement of CJ Fiedorowicz due to concussions.  WR Keke Coutee has some work to do to overcome his size limitations but is speed is intriguing and since the rest of the WR corps has problems staying healthy he could stick around.  LB Kalambayi and DB Kelly are probably not making the roster.

Indianapolis Colts

• Quenton Nelson (6^th, 1^st)   OG Notre Dame
• Darius Leonard (36^th, 2^nd)   OLB   South Carolina St.
• Braden Smith (37^th, 2^nd )   OG   Auburn
• Kemoko Turay (52^nd, 2^nd)   DE   Rutgers
• Tyquon Lewis (64^th, 2^nd)   DE   Ohio St.
• Nyheim Hines (104^th, 4^th)   RB   North Carolina St.
• Daurice Fountain (159^th, 5^th)   WR   Northern Iowa
• Jordan Wilkins (169^th, 5^th)   RB   Mississippi
• Deon Cain (185^th, 6^th)   WR   Clemson
• Matthew Adams (221^st, 7^th)   LB   Houston
• Zaire Franklin (235^th, 7^th)   LB   Syracuse

Immediate Impact:  OG Quenton Nelson, OG Braden Smith, LB Darius Leonard

Clearly, GM Chris Ballard prioritized protecting Andrew Luck above all else.  The offensive line has been a problem but Nelson is the best OG prospect in 15 years and he’s an immediate starter.  Smith played OT at Auburn but he is expected to shift inside to OG in the pros.  The team could take a look at him, Jack Mewhort and Joe Haeg and figure out who is the best option at RT and who should play OG.

Best Value:  WR Deon Cain

I thought about making him my sleeper pick but he’s actually sort of a big name.  Cain looks the part of a top WR but for some reason just never reached the level of being a superstar like previous Clemson WRs (Sammy Watkins, DeAndre Hopkins, Mike Williams, etc., it’s an impressive list).  Cain was supposed to be that level but his hands are inconsistent and he just never dominates his opponent.  He has the tools, if the Colts unlock his potential he’s a monster pick in the 6^th round.

Sleeper:  WR Daurice Fountain

The Colts have a new coaching staff and new WR coach Keven Patullo has his work cut out for him.  Besides TY Hilton the team is pretty poor at WR.  Fountain has the physical tools you look for; height, weight, speed, agility and vertical leap but he lacks technique and fundamentals.  He beat his competition at UNI with his physical gifts, in the NFL that won’t work so well.  If he can fix his technical issues he could be a star.

Overall Analysis

GM Chris Ballard knew what he wanted to do and that was rebuild the offensive line and the defensive front seven.  I can’t say I like all his picks but I understand his decision.  Nelson and Smith help a great deal on the offensive line and Nelson will especially improve the run game, tell Marlon Mack to get behind him and go.  The team took 5 players in the defensive front seven, LB Darius Leonard should start immediately.  Leonard is a bit undersized but he should bring speed and tackling to a defense lacking in both.  The defense is in transition from the previous 3-4 alignment to more of a 4-3 look so DEs Kemoko Turay and Tyquan Lewis should get some playing time for sure.  Adams and Franklin, the two 7^th round LBs, may not seem like they are going to contribute but, on this defense, don’t count anyone out.  The two WRs could prove to be important weapons for Andrew Luck.  The team also took two RBs, Nyheim Hines is the small scatback who should play on third down and Jordan Wilkins is the bigger back you can use between the tackles.  With Marlon Mack and Robert Turbin, the likely top two backs, there is playing time to be had here.  This was a draft that is meant to build a foundation, it wasn’t flashy but it should help this team get better.

Jacksonville Jaguars

• Taven Bryan (29^th, 1^st)   DT   Florida
• DJ Chark (61^st, 2^nd)   WR   LSU
• Ronnie Harrison (93^rd, 3^rd)   S   Alabama
• Will Richardson (129^th, 4^th)   OT   North Carolina St.
• Tanner Lee (203^rd, 6^th)   QB   Nebraska
• Leon Jacobs (230^th, 7^th)   OLB   Wisconsin
• Logan Cooke (247^th, 7^th)   P   Mississippi St.

Immediate Impact:  P Logan Cooke

The Jaguars made the AFC title game last year because of the depth of their team and their strength on defense, it will be hard for any rookie to make an impact.  That is unless of course the team doesn’t have someone at your position.  On a team that has a suspect offense and a great defense a punter can actually make a difference because of field position.  I don’t know if Cooke is going to be great but the Jags don’t have a punter so it’s his job.

Best Value:  DT Taven Bryan

The Jags defense doesn’t need any help but Bryan was too good to pass up at 29^th overall.  He’s a versatile player who can play DT or DE and with Malik Jackson being very expensive and Calais Campbell being 31 years old Bryan is a nice investment for the future.  For now, he’s really good depth.

Sleeper:  OT Will Richardson

Richardson is a big guy with plenty of power and good pass blocking skills.  The Jags RT is Jeremy Parnell who is 31 so Richardson could be developed to eventually take his place.

Overall Analysis

The team split their seven draft picks three on offense, three on defense and one on special teams, that what a team that played in the AFC Championship game should do.  Second-round pick WR DJ Chark brings size and speed to a unit that lost Allen Robinson and Allen Hurns.  Chark wasn’t especially productive but that was probably as much about playing at LSU with their less than impressive cast of QBs.  He’s not a natural hands catcher but with Marqise Lee, Donte Moncrief, Keelan Cole and Dede Westbrook ahead of him he has time to work on it.  S Ronnie Harrison is either an in-the-box safety or a small LB but on this team he’s a special team’s guy and a backup.  In my opinion the Tanner Lee pick was a waste, even in the 6^th round he wasn’t worth a pick.  He’s the only QB pick in the draft worse than the Patriots taking Danny Etling.  LB Leon Jacobs might make the team as a backup but this defense is pretty solid.  P Logan Cooke has the job by default unless the Jags sign a veteran as competition before the season starts.  Cheap rookie punters are a nice luxury though when the rest of your team is expensive.

Tennessee Titans

• Rashaan Evans (22^nd, 1^st)   LB   Alabama
• Harold Landry (41^st, 2^nd)   OLB   Boston College
• Dane Cruikshank (152^nd, 5^th)   S   Arizona
• Luke Falk (199^th, 6^th)   QB   Washington St.

Immediate Impact:  LB Rashaan Evans

The team lost Avery Williamson in free agency and needed to get a tackler to replace him and they certainly did that.  Evans was a standout on Alabama’s defense and that’s saying something.  He immediately starts inside next to Wesley Woodyard and he brings youth and speed they need.

Best Value:  OLB Harold Landry

There were some who thought Landry could go in round one but his injury from last year slowed his progress and the Titans took advantage.  For this year he’ll be a nice pass rush specialist and back up Brian Orakpo and Derrick Morgan.  Next year he’s likely a starter as Orakpo is aging and both are free agents.

Sleeper: ????????

When you only have four draft picks there is no sleeper.

Overall Analysis

The smallest draft class of the year with only four picks actually came up with two good prospects at two need positions in Evans and Landry.  I’m sure the team would like to find someone to replace Jonathan Cyprien at SS but I don’t think 5^th round pick Dane Cruikshank is that guy but who knows I could be wrong.  QB Luke Falk put up huge numbers at Washington St. in Mike Leach’s Air Raid offense but he’s not much like starter Marcus Mariota so if the offense is designed for Mariota’s strengths that probably isn’t good for Falk.  What is good for Falk is that his competition to be the backup is Blaine Gabbert, although Gabbert has shown to be a solid backup QB at his last two stops Arizona and San Francisco.

Arizona Cardinals

• Josh Rosen (10^th, 1^st)   QB   UCLA
• Christian Kirk (47^th, 2^nd)   WR   Texas A&M
• Mason Cole (97^th, 3^rd)   C   Michigan
• Chase Edmonds (134^th, 4^th)   RB   Fordham
• Chris Campbell (182^nd, 6^th)   CB   Penn St.
• Korey Cunningham (254^th, 7^th)   OT   Cincinnati

Immediate Impact:  QB Josh Rosen, WR Christian Kirk

The Cardinals signed Sam Bradford and Mike Glennon as free agents but this will be Rosen’s team and I’m betting that happens sooner rather than later.  Bradford is injury prone and the offensive line isn’t great, that’s a bad combination.  Kirk is a speedy receiver who will be a fantastic complement to Larry Fitzgerald and become a Rosen favorite.

Best Value:  C Mason Cole

Cole is going to have to beat out veteran C AQ Shipley but I think he will.  He has experience at both OT and C and while the team needs help everywhere on the line he should become the rock in front of Rosen.  A good QB/C combination can really help an offense.

Sleeper:  OT Korey Cunningham

If you’re going to take a shot late in the draft on an offensive tackle grabbing a 6’6 318 lbs. guy with good athleticism and solid footwork is the way to go.  The team is counting on DJ Humphries at LT and Andre Smith at RT, not a great plan, Cunningham could end up being needed.

Overall Analysis

Rosen, Kirk and Cole should all be long time starters for the Cardinals.  Rosen was my favorite QB in this draft and getting him at #10 means the they didn’t overpay and they got a guy with a chip on his shoulder now.  Rosen was pissed he was the fourth QB taken and only went 10^th overall, that’s called motivation.  RB Chase Edmonds is undersized and given David Johnson’s skill set Edmonds might not see a lot of time.   Both CB Chris Campbell and OT Korey Cunningham are very good athletes that the team took fliers on hoping to strike gold at positions of need.

Los Angeles Rams

• Joseph Noteboom (89^th, 3^rd)   OT   TCU
• Brian Allen (111^th, 4^th)   C   Michigan St.
• John Franklin-Myers (135^th, 4^th)   DE   Stephen F. Austin
• Micah Kiser (147^th, 5^th)   LB   Virginia
• Ogbonnia Okoronkwo (160^th, 5^th)   OLB   Oklahoma
• John Kelly (176^th, 6^th)   RB   Tennessee
• Jamil Demby (192^nd, 6^th)   OG   Maine
• Sebastian Joseph (195^th, 6^th)   DT   Rutgers
• Trevon Young (205^th, 6^th)   OLB   Louisville
• Travin Howard (231^st, 7^th)   LB   TCU
• Justin Lawler (244^th, 7^th)   DE   SMU

Immediate Impact:  OLB Ogbonnia Okoronkwo

The Rams traded away their best pass rusher Robert Quinn because he didn’t really fit their scheme.  Okoronkwo should fit Wade Phillips 3-4 defense perfectly and he should excel.  He had first round pass rushing talent and other than Bradley Chubb and Marcus Davenport (two first-rounders) he was arguably the next best pass rusher in the draft.

Best Value: Okoronkwo

Seriously, the guy should be a day one starter and they got him in the fifth round.  Wade Phillips will turn him into an elite pass rusher.

Sleepers:  LB Micah Kiser, RB John Kelly

Kiser is a tackling machine but he’s seen as a two-down run stopping LB so he dropped in the draft.  The Rams have overhauled their LB corps and Kiser has a shot at one of the ILB spots and I wouldn’t be shocked to see him lining up inside flanked by Okoronkwo outside of him.  The team has Todd Gurley entrenched at RB but he doesn’t have much help in the backfield.  Kelly isn’t the player Alvin Kamara is but much like Kamara he might be better once he’s used properly.  Kelly should be a really nice complement to take a little pressure off of Gurley.

Overall Analysis

The Rams invested their first two picks in WRs, the first-rounder was traded for Brandin Cooks while the second-round pick was traded last year for Sammy Watkins.  The team spent 3 picks on developmental offensive lineman, Joseph Noteboom, Brian Allen and Jamil Demby.  None of these guys are expected to be major contributors this year but next season they have age and free agency to worry about.  Noteboom could be a potential replacement for Andrew Whitworth while Allen will almost certainly be counted on to replace John Sullivan.  The team has a really good defensive line with Michael Brockers, Ndamukong Suh and Aaron Donald but they got some bodies that might become depth.  Okoronkwo should be a starter but Trevon Young might also become a pass rusher they can use, under Wade Phillips tutelage he might really develop.

San Francisco 49ers

• Mike McGlinchey (9^th, 1^st)   OT   Notre Dame
• Dante Pettis (44^th, 2^nd)   WR   Washington
• Fred Warner (70^th, 3^rd)   LB   BYU
• Tarvarius Moore (95^th, 3^rd)   DB   Southern Miss
• Kentavius Street (128^th, 4^th)   DE   North Carolina St.
• DJ Reed (142^nd, 5^th)   CB   Kansas St.
• Marcell Harris (184^th, 6^th)   S   Florida
• Jullian Taylor (223^rd, 7^th)   DT   Temple
• Richie James (240^th, 7^th)   WR   Middle Tennessee St.

Immediate Impact:  OT Mike McGlinchey

The 49ers are looking to build around Jimmy Garoppolo and having a steady offensive line is a good place to start.  McGlinchey comes in and replaces the traded Trent Brown at RT and he fits Kyle Shanahan’s preferred offensive line type better than Brown did.  He can hold down the right side and is a potential replacement for Joe Staley down the line.

Best Value:  LB Fred Warner

Warner is a versatile LB and the team may need him in multiple spots.  Depending on what happens with Reuben Foster’s legal situation Warner may need to step in at MLB.  If Foster is around Warner might have a chance to beat out Malcolm Smith on the strongside.  If that doesn’t happen he could be a complement to Eli Harold on the weakside.  That’s good value in the third round.

Sleeper:  CB DJ Reed

The 49ers have Ahkello Witherspoon and Richard Sherman slated to start at CB but they are not deep and they could use a good nickel corner.  Reed is short at 5’9 but he’s quick and athletic and he’s perfectly suited to play the slot.  They are turning Tarvarius Moore into a CB from safety but he’s a bigger guy and it will take some time for him to make the transition.  Reed can be the slot guy immediately.

Overall Analysis

McGlinchey isn’t a star but he’s a quality OT and he should be just fine at RT.  Getting their offensive line in order was a priority and he goes a long way towards that goal.  WR Dante Pettis isn’t flashy but he’ll be productive.  He’ll run good routes and give Jimmy G a reliable target.  He’s also a top return man so he adds value.  Warner, Moore and Reed add depth on defense and that is well worth the middle round picks they used even if none of them become starters.  Marcell Harris is a hard-hitting safety but is going to have to make his name on special teams.  Not too sure Julian Taylor or Richie James make the roster but maybe practice squad guys.

Seattle Seahawks

• Rashaad Penny (27^th, 1^st)   RB   San Diego St.
• Rasheem Green (79^th, 3^rd)   DE   USC
• Will Dissly (120^th, 4^th)   TE   Washington
• Shaquem Griffin (141^st, 5^th)   OLB   Central Florida
• Tre Flowers (146^th, 5^th)   S   Oklahoma St.
• Michael Dickerson (149^th, 5^th)   P   Texas
• Jamarco Jones (186^th, 6^th)   OT   Ohio St.
• Jake Martin (186^th, 6^th)   DE   Temple
• Alex McGough (220^th, 7^th)   QB   Florida International

Immediate Impact:  RB Rashaad Penny

I have to say up front I didn’t like this pick, I like the player but not at 27^th overall.  Penny is the definition of productive and he is a powerful runner but he wasn’t the best back on the board and the Seahawks have much bigger needs.  Running back was on the list of needs but offensive line and tight end were bigger needs and that’s just on offense.  Penny could beat out Chris Carson as the starter but he isn’t that much better than someone they could have taken in the 3^rd round.

Best Value:  OT Jamarco Jones

They waited until the 6^th round and then they got lucky that a player like Jones was still available.  He doesn’t wow you with his ability but he is a solid OT.  For now, he’s penciled in as the backup to Duane Brown at LT but he could give Germaine Ifedi a run at RT.  He is the heir apparent to Brown who is aging.

Sleeper:  DE Rasheem Green

The team has lost Michael Bennett and Cliff Avril at DE and right now they are counting on reclamation project Dion Jordan to line up opposite the volatile Frank Clark.  Green isn’t flashy but he’s a pretty good DE and he has starter potential.  He’s also more reliable than Jordan or Clark for my money.  He could really give the Seahawks a nice DE they need.

Overall Analysis

Penny is a good player but for him to be the second RB off the board and go 27^th overall was a stretch.  For a team with much bigger issues this pick just seems odd.  Love the Green pick, great value at a need position.  TE Will Dissly is a blocker and while they can use him both in the run game and to help the offensive line pass block they may have reached for him even in round 4.  OLB Shaquem Griffin was the story of the draft and it’s a great story, him getting to go play with his twin brother and making the NFL with just one hand.  However, the better story is him going to a team that will actually understand how to use him.  There is no better team for him and Pete Carroll and new defensive coordinator Ken Norton, Jr. will find ways to use Griffin’s particular skill set.  Tre Flowers is a big DB they are potentially making into a CB.  Jones has starting potential early.  Not sure they needed a punter but they got a good one in Dickerson.  Martin and McGough are practice squad material.

 

Baltimore Ravens

• Hayden Hurst (25^th, 1^st)   TE   South Carolina
• Lamar Jackson (32^nd, 1^st)   QB   Louisville
• Orlando Brown (83^rd, 3^rd)   OT   Oklahoma
• Mark Andrews (86^th, 3^rd)   TE   Oklahoma
• Anthony Averett (118^th, 4^th)   CB   Alabama
• Kenny Young (122^nd, 4^th)   LB   UCLA
• Jaleel Scott (132^nd, 4^th)   WR   New Mexico St.
• Jordan Lasley (162^nd, 5^th)   WR   UCLA
• Deshon Elliott (190^th, 6^th)   S   Texas
• Greg Senat (212^th, 6^th)   OT   Wagner
• Bradley Bozeman (215^th, 6^th)   C   Alabama
• Zach Sieler (238^th, 7^th)   DE   Ferris St.

Immediate Impact:  TE Hayden Hurst, OT Orlando Brown

The Ravens need playmakers on offense and while no one is going to confuse Hayden Hurst for Gronk he’s a major upgrade over what they have.  He’s the best all-around TE in the draft and he’ll give Joe Flacco (and eventually Lamar Jackson) a nice target in the middle of the field.  Brown doesn’t play pretty but it’s effective.  In Baltimore he’ll be their RT and as the old saying goes “it’s a $20 cab ride just to get around him”.  His combine performance was a mess but he’s an effective blocker and he’ll start early.

Best Value:  Brown

He has first round talent and terrible athleticism.  They stole a starting RT in round 3.

Sleeper:  C Bradley Bozeman

Bozeman has great size and lacks athleticism (there is a theme with the Ravens offensive line picks).  He started for Alabama and his competition for the starting C job is Matt Skura, when he beats him out no one should be shocked.

Overall Analysis

Ozzie Newsome is retiring after the season so this was his last draft.  He set the team up pretty well for the future by making a move up to get QB Lamar Jackson.  Joe Flacco has been average to below average every since his incredible playoff performance that led the Ravens to a Super Bowl title and him to a massive contract.  This is the last season before the Ravens can get out from under Flacco’s contract so Lamar Jackson gets a one-year apprenticeship and then this is his team.  The team’s TE group was terrible so they got Hurst and then Newsome doubled up with Mark Andrews.  Andrews is basically a jacked-up WR but that’s fine because the Ravens passing game is weak.  Andrews will be very valuable.  This draft brought potential starters in Brown, Hurst, Bozeman and eventually Jackson along with a role player like Andrews.  CB Anthony Averett is solid depth.  The team’s WR group isn’t great so Scott and Lasley have a chance if they can bring some playmaking.  OT Greg Senat was a basketball player and brings a nice developmental OT to bring along behind LT Ronnie Stanley and Orlando Brown.  LB Kenny Young, S Deshon Elliott and DE Zach Sieler will compete for backup spots and special teams.  This was a big draft class, they won’t all stick around.

Cincinnati Bengals

• Billy Price (21^st, 1^st)   C   Ohio St.
• Jessie Bates (54^th, 2^nd)   S   Wake Forest
• Sam Hubbard (77^th, 3^rd)   DE   Ohio St.
• Malik Jefferson (78^th, 3^rd)   LB   Texas
• Mark Walton (112^th, 4^th)   RB   Miami
• Davontae Harris (151^st, 5^th)   CB   Illinois St.
• Andrew Brown (158^th, 5^th)   DT   Virginia
• Darius Phillips (170^th, 5^th)   CB   Western Michigan
• Logan Woodside (249^th, 7^th)   QB   Toledo
• Rod Taylor (252^nd, 7^th)   OG   Mississippi
• Auden Tate (253^rd, 7^th)   WR   Florida St.

Immediate Impact:  C Billy Price, LB Malik Jefferson

The Bengals offensive line was a mess going into the offseason and Price will be an immediate starter at C.  He should stabilize the line once he returns from his pectoral injury which they expect to happen in time for training camp.  Jefferson has always been more hype than production but the Bengals LB corps leaves a lot to be desired.  They brought in Preston Brown to man the middle but Vontaze Burfict is suspended for the first four games and Nick Vigil is coming off an injury.  Jefferson will move up the depth chart quickly.

Best Value:  DE Sam Hubbard

Hubbard isn’t flashy but he plays hard and the team needs some youth at DE.  Hubbard will get playing time early even if it’s just as a pass rush specialist.  His hard work and attitude should rub off on others too.

Sleeper:  WR Auden Tate

He plays better than he works out and at 6’5 225 lbs. he’s got the physical stature to be a playmaker.  The Bengals rely far too much on AJ Green and Brandon LaFell is 31 years old.  John Ross can be a deep threat if he gets healthy but there is room on the depth chart if Tate can take advantage.

Overall Analysis

The Bengals got a starter in Price and potentially Jefferson.  S Jessie Bates brings depth and is likely the eventual replacement for Shawn Williams.  RB Mark Walton had some injury issues but he has skills to be useful in the NFL.  He is clearly positioned to replace Giovani Bernard as the complement to Joe Mixon whether it’s this season or next.  Harris and Phillips are two CB prospects that will battle it out to stick on a roster with three former 1^st rounders at the top (William Jackson, Dre Kirkpatrick, Darqueze Dennard).  I’m a little surprised that outside of Price the only other offensive lineman was a developmental 7^th round OG Rod Taylor.  QB Logan Woodside has some upside as a backup but he isn’t going to push Andy Dalton.

Cleveland Browns

• Baker Mayfield (1^st, 1^st)   QB   Oklahoma
• Denzel Ward (4^th, 1^st)   CB   Ohio St.
• Austin Corbett (33^rd, 2^nd)   OL   Nevada
• Nick Chubb (35^th, 2^nd)   RB   Georgia
• Chad Thomas (67^th, 3^rd)   DE   Miami
• Antonio Gallaway (105^th, 4^th)   WR   Florida
• Genard Avery (150^th, 5^th)   LB   Memphis
• Damion Ratley (175^th, 6^th)   WR   Texas A&M
• Simeon Thomas (188^th, 6^th)   DB   Louisiana-Lafayette

Immediate Impact:  CB Denzel Ward, RB Nick Chubb

I don’t agree with passing on Bradley Chubb and taking Ward but I understand it.  The Browns secondary is atrocious and Ward immediately becomes the #1 CB.  In a division where he has to face guys like AJ Green and now Michael Crabtree his lack of height might hurt him but he’s going to have to rise to the occasion.  I love Nick Chubb.  He’s a well-built, well-balanced RB who runs with power and the only knock on him is he has had knee injuries.  The team signed Carlos Hyde but I don’t think he can be counted on which means Chubb will get a chance to play.

Best Value:  Chubb

Drafting a starting RB in the second round is the right thing to do and while Chubb’s knees may not hold up long-term anyone counting on a RB for more than 4-5 years is crazy anyway.

Sleeper:  WR Antonio Callaway

To say this kid has off the field red flags is the understatement of the year.  His scouting report looks like a military cemetery on Memorial Day.  If he can figure out how not to be a complete screw up off the field he’s a fantastic talent on it.  He might actually be the WR the Browns have been hoping Corey Coleman would turn into.

Overall Analysis

I’m not a Baker Mayfield fan because I really wonder about his fit in the NFL.  He isn’t Drew Brees and he’s not Russell Wilson and if you’re going to succeed at QB at 6’0 tall you really need to be like one of those guys.  Hue Jackson would be wise to stick to his plan to start Tyrod Taylor all year long but I’m betting if he does he’ll be fired midseason and replaced by someone who will start Mayfield.  I already said I disagree with the Ward pick but he’ll be an immediate upgrade in the secondary.  The Austin Corbett pick is interesting because everyone seems to project him at OG but the team doesn’t need an OG they need a LT to replace Joe Thomas.  Corbett may not seem like a great choice but he’s just as good an option as Shon Coleman, he deserves a shot at the job.  Love Nick Chubb, he’ll be starting by week 3.  DE Chad Thomas was a very solid addition on the defensive line and he should make for a nice rotational player.  Gallaway is a lottery ticket, he could pay off huge or he’s completely worthless.  The last three guys are unlikely to make the team although DB Simeon Thomas is coming into the weakest unit on a team that didn’t win a game last year so all bets are off on that one.

Pittsburgh Steelers

• Terrell Edmunds (28^th, 1^st)   S   Virginia Tech
• James Washington (60^th, 2^nd)   WR   Oklahoma
• Mason Rudolph (76^th, 3^rd)   QB   Oklahoma St.
• Chukwuma Okorafor (92^nd, 3^rd)   OT   Western Michigan
• Marcus Allen (148^th, 5^th)   S   Penn St.
• Jaylen Samuels (165^th, 5^th)   RB/H-Back   North Carolina St.
• Joshua Frazier (246^th, 7^th)   DT   Alabama

Immediate Impact:  WR James Washington

This team is unlikely to have any rookies contribute in a major way this year but Washington has a chance to make some noise.  The Steelers traded away Martavis Bryant because he was becoming a headache.  Antonio Brown and JuJu Smith-Schuster will handle the lion’s share of the receptions but the team still needs a legitimate deep threat like Bryant was.  That just so happens to be Washington’s specialty.  He plays faster than he runs and he tracks the deep ball as well as anyone, if you don’t believe me just ask his former college QB Mason Rudolph, he’ll vouch for him.

Best Value:  QB Mason Rudolph

He comes from a pass happy offense and maybe that turned some teams off but he has the skills to be an effective NFL starter.  Getting him in the 3^rd round is highway robbery.  I don’t know if he’ll be Big Ben’s eventual replacement but he could be and he should be an upgrade over Landry Jones as the backup.

Sleeper:  OT Chukwuma Okorafor

He’s raw but he has all the tools you need to be a starting OT in the league.  RT Marcus Gilbert is 30 and coming off of a concussion so developing Okorafor as quickly as possible seems like a good idea.  He could be a 10-year NFL starter.

Overall Analysis

S Terrell Edmunds is a nice story, he and his brother Tremaine were both first round draft picks, but it wasn’t a pressing need for the Steelers.  They signed Morgan Burnett and they have Sean Davis, they needed a LB more than a S.  Washington, Rudolph and Okorafor were really good midround draft picks.  All of them should become eventual contributors.  S Marcus Allen is limited skill-wise but he’s not a bad addition in the 5^th round.  Jaylen Samuels is either a really versatile player or a guy without a position.  He could be a RB, FB, TE, H-back, or he’s the water boy, we shall see if their new offensive coordinator can come up with creative ways to use him.  DT Joshua Frazier isn’t great but grabbing a 6’4 315 lbs. guy that could give you depth at NT isn’t a bad choice.

 

 

 

 

 

Dallas Cowboys

• Leighton Vander Esch (19^th, 1^st)   LB   Boise St.
• Connor Williams (50^th, 2^nd)   OL   Texas
• Michael Gallup (81^st, 3^rd)   WR   Colorado St.
• Dorance Armstrong (116^th, 4^th)   DE   Kansas
• Dalton Schultz (137^th, 4^th)   TE   Stanford
• Mike White (171^st, 5^th)   QB   Western Kentucky
• Chris Covington (193^rd, 6^th)   LB   Indiana
• Cedrick Wilson (208^th, 6^th)   WR   Boise St.
• Bo Scarbrough (236^th, 7^th)   RB   Alabama

Immediate Impact:  LB Leighton Vander Esch, OL Connor Williams

The Cowboys lost jack-of-all-trades LB Anthony Hitchens and with Sean Lee’s age and health history they needed some new blood, Vander Esch is an exceptional athlete who is still developing at LB.  He’ll add a really good element to the defense.  Williams is a very good prospect and I think he’ll end up at RT and they will move La’el Collins back inside to LG.

Best Value:  Williams

If Williams hadn’t been injured last season he probably would have been a first round pick.  He won’t be asked to play LT since the Cowboys are covered there but he can play RT or inside at LG depending on what the team thinks is the best lineup.  He’s a good talent and getting him at 50^th overall is great value.

Sleeper:  DE Dorance Armstrong

Armstrong played out of position on a terrible Kansas team.  He lined up as a DE in a 3-4 but he’s best as a pass rushing DE in a 4-3.  The Cowboys need someone to help Demarcus Lawrence bring some pressure and Armstrong should start out as a really nice pass rushing specialist and he should only earn more and more playing time over the season.

Overall Analysis

Vander Esch and Williams should be starters right away, it’s possible Williams isn’t but I think he’ll win a job.  WR Michael Gallup could make some noise considering the top WRs on the team are Terrance Williams and Allen Hurns. Gallup brings a playmaking element they don’t really have.  I love the Armstrong pick.  TE Dalton Schultz, WR Cedrick Wilson and RB Bo Scarbrough could all add depth at those positions while none of them are likely to make a major difference.  QB Mike White adds some competition for the backup job and considering his only competition is Cooper Rush he very well could be Dak Prescott’s backup on opening week.  The team could have used a little help in the secondary and the retirement of Jason Witten hurts and Schultz isn’t replacing Witten’s production.

New York Giants

• Saquon Barkley (2^nd, 1^st)   RB   Penn St.
• Will Hernandez (34^th, 2^nd)   OG   UTEP
• Lorenzo Carter (66^th, 3^rd)   OLB   Georgia
• BJ Hill (69^th, 3^rd)   DT   North Carolina St.
• Kyle Lauletta (108^th, 4^th)   QB   Richmond
• RJ McIntosh (139^th, 5^th)   DT   Miami

Immediate Impact:  RB Saquon Barkley, OG Will Hernandez

Barkley is the best player in this draft.  Forget about the value of the RB position because he changes the game.  He will make Eli Manning better and improve the offense all by himself.  Hernandez is a mauler at OG and he will start immediately.  The team’s o-line has been a problem they are now trying to solve with the addition of LT Nate Solder and now Hernandez.

Best Value:  OLB Lorenzo Carter

The Giants are moving to more of a 3-4 defensive alignment under new defensive coordinator James Bettcher and that fits Carter just fine.  The team will be using converted DE Olivier Vernon at one OLB spot and likely Kareem Martin at the other.  Carter is a more natural fit at OLB so he should see plenty of playing time and I think he’ll beat out Martin eventually.

Sleeper:  QB Kyle Lauletta

After the top six QBs in this draft most people didn’t pay attention to rest of the group.  They should have because Lauletta has a chance to eventually be a starter in the NFL.  For now, he’ll battle Davis Webb to be Eli’s backup but eventually he’ll battle Webb to be Manning’s replacement.  He may lose those battles but it will be because Davis rises up and wins them not because he can’t play.

Overall Analysis

The Giants only made six picks but they made the most of them.  Barkley, Hernandez and Carter should all eventually start.  DT BJ Hill adds nice depth on the defensive line and he’s a pretty solid athlete for a guy who is 310 lbs.  They also took DT RJ McIntosh late and he fits the 3-4 line well.  Lauletta was a very smart pick and could pay dividends down the road, either he could be the guy or he could push Davis Webb to show he’s the guy down the road.  Or they both fail and the team has to pick Eli’s replacement in a later draft.

Philadelphia Eagles

• Dallas Goedert (49^th, 2^nd)   TE   South Dakota St.
• Avonte Maddox (125^th, 4^th)   CB   Pittsburgh
• Josh Sweat (130^th, 4^th)   DE   Florida St.
• Matt Pryor (206^th, 6^th)   OT   TCU
• Jordan Mailata (233^rd, 7^th)   OT  Rugby Player

Immediate Impact:  TE Dallas Goedert

The Super Bowl winning team rarely needs a rookie to make an impact and the Eagles don’t need one but Goedert should make one.  They lost Trey Burton in free agency and they like to run two-TE sets and now they have a guy who can run with Zach Ertz.  It didn’t hurt that they jumped in front of the Cowboys to steal Goedert in round 2.

Best Value:  Goedert

He was a potential 1^st round pick that fell to 49^th, he may have had more value to a team like the Cowboys but he’s plenty valuable in Philly.

Sleeper:  DE Josh Sweat

Sweat is a freakish athlete that played out of position for the Seminoles.  He has had injury issues and he never lived up to his high school recruiting hype but he has all the physical traits to be dominant.  He won’t get a lot of opportunities in Philly right away given the depth of their front seven but Michael Bennett, Chris Long and Brandon Graham are all over 30 so Sweat could eventually team with Derek Barnett for the Eagles.

Overall Analysis

A team with the depth like the Eagles have were drafting for the future.  Goedert helps now and for when they don’t want to pay Ertz in the future.  CB Avonte Maddox can be a nickel guy if they team decides to move on from Jalen Mills or Ronald Darby and moves Sidney Jones outside.  Sweat is a hedge against the aging DE unit while Pryor and Mailata are offensive line projects.  Mailata is really a project as he’s a rugby player that has never played football. Both guys have massive size and need plenty of work.

Washington Redskins

• Da’Ron Payne (13^th, 1^st)   DT   Alabama
• Derrius Guice (59^th, 2^nd)   RB   LSU
• Geron Christian (74^th, 3^rd)   OT   Louisville
• Troy Apke (109^th, 4^th)   S   Penn St.
• Tim Settle (163^rd, 5^th)   DT   Virginia Tech
• Shaun Dion Hamilton (197^th, 6^th)   LB   Alabama
• Greg Stroman (241^st, 7^th)   CB   Virginia Tech
• Trey Quinn (256^th, 7^th)   WR   SMU

Immediate Impact:  DT Da’Ron Payne, RB Derrius Guice

Payne is an absolute beast and he should fit in well on the Redskins 3-man defensive line.  He could play the nose but he’s likely to play end opposite last year’s 1^st round Alabama DE Jonathan Allen.  He’s a force against the run and he can collapse the pocket on passing downs.  Both Chris Thompson and Semaje Perine have useful skills at RB but neither one is the overall talent Guice is.  The knock on Guice is some vague off the field issues, if his head is on straight he will win the starting RB job in training camp, he’s that good.

Best Value:  Guice

He has first round talent and I’m not sure why he fell to the end of round two and he certainly shouldn’t have been the seventh RB off the board.

Sleeper:  DT Tim Settle

Settle could end up stealing the starting NT job very quickly.  He has the size for sure and he’s a good athlete.  Ziggy Hood is undersized and aging so at the very least he’ll cede some playing time to Settle pretty quickly.

Overall Analysis

This is a very good draft. Payne and Guice add immediate talent at positions of need and they were fantastic value.  OT Geron Christian adds good value given the fact Trent Williams and Morgan Moses both missed time with injury last season and the team didn’t have any depth.  S Troy Apke is more athlete than football player and they should have considered a CB instead at that spot.  Settle was a smart investment.  Shaun Dion Hamilton was a starter at Alabama before an injury and he adds nice depth the Redskins don’t have.  Washington isn’t stacked at CB or WR so both Stroman and Quinn have a shot to stick, at least a better shot than they might elsewhere.

 

Buffalo Bills

• Josh Allen (7^th, 1^st)   QB   Wyoming
• Tremaine Edmunds (16^th, 1^st)   LB   Virginia Tech
• Harrison Phillips (96^th, 3^rd)   DT   Stanford
• Taron Johnson (121^st, 4^th)   CB   Weber St.
• Siran Neal (154^th, 5^th)   S   Jacksonville St.
• Wyatt Teller (166^th, 5^th)   OG   Virginia Tech
• Ray-ray McCloud (187^th, 6^th)   WR   Clemson
• Austin Proehl (255^th, 7^th)   WR   North Carolina

Immediate Impact:  QB Josh Allen, LB Tremaine Edmunds

The Bills signed QB AJ McCarron but they are going to give Josh Allen every chance to win this job.  Allen is a work in progress and he has to get his accuracy corrected or he’ll be of no use to anyone.  Tremaine Edmunds is young but uber-talented and by far the best choice they have at MLB.  They didn’t trade up for these two to let them watch.

Best Value:  DT Harrison Phillips

Some people aren’t huge fans of Phillips but I like him.  He’s not flashy but he’s a worker and he’ll be a great replacement for Kyle Williams eventually.  Williams won’t be around too much longer and Phillips would work well next to new free agent DT Star Lotulelei.  He’ll be a nice rotation player for now.

Sleeper:  CB Taron Johnson

The Bills don’t have much at CB outside of starters Tre’Davious White and Vontae Davis.  Johnson profiles as a nickel corner and he could fill that role quickly.  A small school prospect who has only played CB since his freshman year in college could develop into a solid player.

Overall Analysis

I really like the Edmunds, Phillips and Johnson picks and I completely understand the Allen pick.  Allen’s arm strength could be a huge advantage in the Buffalo weather.  S Siran Neal might add depth in the secondary and should help on special teams.  I’m a little surprised that the team waited until their last three picks to address offensive line and wide receiver.  Those two spots could have used far more help and McCloud and Proehl are unlikely to make a difference for the offense.

Miami Dolphins  

• Minkah Fitzpatrick (11^th, 1^st)   DB   Alabama
• Mike Gesicki (42^nd, 2^nd)   TE   Penn St.
• Jerome Baker (73^rd, 3^rd)   OLB   Ohio St.
• Durham Smythe (123^rd, 4^th)  TE   Notre Dame
• Kalen Ballage (131^st, 4^th)   RB   Arizona St.
• Cornell Armstrong (209^th, 6^th)   DB   Southern Miss
• Quentin Poling (227^th, 7^th)   LB   Ohio
• Jason Sanders (229^th, 7^th)   K   New Mexico

Immediate Impact:  DB Minkah Fitzpatrick, TE Mike Gesicki

Fitzpatrick will likely start at strong safety and team with Reshad Jones to give the Dolphins a pretty good safety duo.  He’s a playmaker in the secondary and he has CB like coverage skills so he’s a great weapon to have on that defense.  Gesicki becomes the most dynamic TE on the Dolphins in quite some time.  He’s a fantastic athlete that should give returning QB Ryan Tannehill a nice safety net over the middle and down the seam.

Best Value:  LB Jerome Baker

Baker is underrated because he’s a bit undersized.  He’s got great speed and I could see him replacing Kiko Alonso at strongside LB sooner rather than later.  Between getting Raekwon McMillan back to take over MLB and bringing in Baker the Dolphins LB corps should be seriously upgraded.

Sleeper:  RB Kalen Ballage

Ballage looks the part of a freakish RB at 6’2 228 lbs. but his production didn’t match the package.  He’s inconsistent but if someone, like say head coach Adam Gase, can unlock his potential he could be incredible.  Ballage is indecisive and dances too much for a guy his size.  If a coach can get him to pick a hole and run through it every time he’s a beast to take down.  Kenyan Drake was pretty solid last season after Jay Ajayi was traded but he needs a running buddy.  The free agent signing of Frank Gore does not count.

Overall Analysis

Fitzpatrick, Gesicki, Baker and Ballage are all really good choices and good value picks.  The other guy I like is Durham Smythe the TE from Notre Dame.  Gesicki is going to be the playmaker and get all the pub but Smythe will do all the dirty work and make the offense, especially the running game, better.  Smythe is the blocker that Gesicki isn’t so they make a good team.  If the team gets five solid contributors from one draft that’s a pretty solid haul.

New England Patriots

• Isaiah Wynn (23^rd, 1^st)   OL   Georgia
• Sony Michel (31^st, 1^st)   RB   Georgia
• Duke Dawson (56^th, 2^nd)   CB   Florida
• Ja’Whaun Bentley (143^rd, 5^th)   LB   Purdue
• Christian Sam (178^th, 6^th)   LB   Arizona St.
• Braxton Berrios (210^th, 6^th)   WR   Miami
• Danny Etling (219^th, 7^th)   QB   LSU
• Keion Crossen (243^rd, 7^th)   CB   Western Carolina
• Ryan Izzo (250^th, 7^th)   TE   Florida St.

Immediate Impact:  RB Sony Michel, CB Duke Dawson

The Patriots lost Dion Lewis in the offseason and Rex Burkhead and James White are not really suited to be every down backs.  They signed Jeremy Hill from the Bengals but if he doesn’t resurrect his career in New England they hedged their bets by drafting Michel in round one.  He has a great chance to make a major impact early and often.  My Dawson pick for immediate impact is as much wishful thinking as anything.  The Patriots signed Jason McCourty to play one CB opposite Stephon Gilmore but that meant Eric Rowe would still be the nickel guy, Dawson is built to be a nickel corner.  After the Super Bowl anyone playing ahead of Rowe is a good thing.  I hope Dawson can step in immediately.

Best Value:  WR Braxton Berrios

Berrios probably wouldn’t be a best value on any other team in the league but in New England they probably just drafted a future Pro Bowler in the 6^th round.  He isn’t your typical WR prospect but he fits the mold of Wes Welker, Danny Amendola and Julian Edelman.  It might take Berrios some time to break through but I’m not betting against a small, scrappy slot receiver in New England.

Sleeper:  Berrios

Clearly, he fits the sleeper designation too.

Overall Analysis

1^st round draft pick Isaiah Wynn could play a number of positions along the line and it looked like he might end up at LT despite his lack of classic OT size and length.  However, the Patriots made a trade for the 49ers OT Trent Brown which makes Wynn’s position a little murky.  He might replace someone at OG or he could fight Brown and Marcus Cannon to be one of the OTs.  At worst he is likely Joe Thuney’s replacement in 2019.  Michel and Dawson should contribute early even though there is depth at their positions.  Only the Patriots would draft two thick-built LBs who don’t run very well in the middle rounds, Bentley and Sam, they’ll make it work.  QB Danny Etling was a wasted draft pick as far as I’m concerned, the Patriots have Brian Hoyer as a backup and Etling will be lucky to stick on anything other than the practice squad, he’s certainly not a legitimate candidate as Brady’s eventual replacement. TE Ryan Izzo might make the team if he can excel on special team’s units.

New York Jets

• Sam Darnold (3^rd, 1^st)   QB   USC
• Nathan Shepherd (72^nd, 3^rd)   DL   Fort Hays St.
• Chris Herndon (107^th, 4^th)   TE   Miami
• Parry Nickerson (179^th, 6^th)   CB   Tulane
• Foley Fatukasi (180^th, 6^th)   DT   UConn
• Trenton Cannon (204^th, 6^th)   RB   Virginia St.

Immediate Impact:  TE Chris Herndon

The Jets traded away a number of picks to move up from #6 to #3 so they didn’t have a ton of picks and the one they used on Sam Darnold probably isn’t going to pay off immediately.  Herndon is a solid TE who is going into a bad TE situation so he could make some noise.  The Jets could use any help in the pass catching department so Herndon is the guy.

Best Value:  DL Nathan Shepherd

The Jets use a three-man defensive line and in the last few years they have lost Damon Harrison, Sheldon Richardson and Muhammed Wilkerson.  That has left Leonard Williams feeling like the last man standing.  Shepherd is a small school prospect but he’s one big dude.  At 6’5 315 lbs. he brings the right profile for a 3-4 lineman.  Once he adjusts from playing at Fort Hays St. he could be a pretty solid player, for now he’s a rotational guy.

Sleeper:  Herndon

On a team that is led at WR by the constantly in trouble Robby Anderson, the disappointing Terrell Pryor and the underwhelming Jermaine Kearse whomever lines up at QB is going to need someone to throw to.  The TE corps is even worse, Herndon might put up some big numbers.

Overall Analysis

This draft class isn’t likely to turn the tide for the Jets this season but they made a bold move up before the draft to get a QB and ended up with Darnold.  If they have more luck with him than they had with their last top 5 USC QB pick it might just work out.  Darnold will start at some point this season but with Josh McCown and Teddy Bridgewater on the roster he won’t be forced to play before he’s ready.  Some defensive line depth in the form of Shepherd and Fatukasi will help this team out.  CB Parry Nickerson should add some speed to the secondary as Morris Claiborne, Trumaine Johnson and Buster Skrine push 30.  Herndon should be a big help but Cannon will struggle to make the roster.