The Brian Ferentz era begins

The biggest questions about the Iowa Hawkeyes this year come on the offensive side of the ball.  It starts with replacing CJ Beathard at QB and that is still technically an open question.  Sophomore Nathan Stanley and Junior Tyler Wiegers have been battling since the spring and while both Kirk and Brian Ferentz have maintained it’s an open competition there does seem to be a bit of a lean towards Stanley.  The only question as pressing as the QB position is who is going to play WR besides Matt VandeBerg?  There are a number of choices; JUCO walk-on Nick Easley, New Mexico grad transfer Matt Quarells, junior Adrian Falconer, sophomore Devonte Young or one of three true freshmen Ihmir Smith-Marsette, Brandon Smith or Max Cooper.  As I mentioned it’s a new era as Greg Davis is finally gone and Brian Ferentz is in charge of the offense.  He has said he won’t stray too far from Iowa’s identity and with this year’s offensive line and RB group that’s probably a smart move.  My one sincere hope is that Brian Ferentz is a better game planner and play caller than Greg Davis ever was and he understands how to use the weapons available to him.

Let’s look at each position.

Quarterbacks

Starter: Nathan Stanley (Soph)             Backup: Tyler Wiegers (Jr)

It isn’t official but I would be shocked if Stanley isn’t under center to start the season against Wyoming.  He’s got all the tools you could want in a QB, he’s 6’5 235 lbs. with a cannon for an arm and good athleticism.  His two biggest question marks are his comfort running the offense and his leadership.  Stanley is a true sophomore with virtually no experience so those are questions to be expected.  Wiegers simply doesn’t have the ceiling Stanley has so it seems the coaches are giving Stanley every chance to win the job.  Wiegers gives the coaches some stability if Stanley falters but it would have to be a substantial problem for the coaches to pull the plug.  Sophomore Ryan Boyle has gone back and forth between QB and WR over the last year or so but with Drew Cook moving to TE this spring Boyle has settled in as the #3 QB…for now.

Future: Peyton Mansell

True freshman Mansell is a good athlete with talent but not much has been said about him in camp so far.  The fact that the coaches are keeping Boyle at QB means they have no intention of putting Mansell on the field this year and he’ll take a redshirt.

Running Backs

Starters: Akrum Wadley (Sr)                  James Butler (Sr)

Akrum Wadley is clearly the top offensive weapon for Brian Ferentz’s offense this year.  After being a 1000-yard rusher last season and a top contributor in the passing game Wadley is the game breaker this offense needs. He has speed and shiftiness that make him a matchup nightmare for opponents and Iowa has to find a way to get the ball in his hands 25 times a game minimum.  The arrival of Nevada graduate transfer James Butler means that Wadley won’t have to shoulder the load in the backfield alone.  He was great in tandem with LeShun Daniels last season and Butler should bring a similar power back style.  Butler can take the between the tackles runs so Wadley doesn’t have to take that punishment.  He can also catch so Wadley and Butler give Brian Ferentz plenty of options out of the backfield.  Butler ran for over 1300 yards twice while at Nevada so he’s an accomplished college RB.

The Depth: Toren Young (RS Freshman)          Toks Akinribade (Soph)

Toks Akinribade stepped up last season as a true freshman to be the third RB behind Wadley and Daniels when Derrick Mitchell got injured.  His emergence meant Toren Young redshirted but things changed in the spring.  During spring practice, before James Butler transferred in, Young looked like the guy ready to replace Daniels as the power back.  Young’s time may have to wait a year until Wadley and Butler graduate.  Akinribade seems to have slipped a bit after falling behind Young in the spring and now incoming true freshman Ivory Kelly-Martin is getting some notice.

The Future:  With Wadley, Butler, Young and Akinribade it certainly seems like Ivory Kelly-Martin and fellow freshman Kyshaun Bryan should be able to redshirt.  However, keep an eye on Kelly-Martin, he has some impressive high school tape and he may be impressing the coaches enough now to make his case for playing time.  Bryan is basically assured of redshirting unless some serious injury issues arise (that is not an attempt to awaken the curse).

Fullbacks

Starter: Drake Kulick (Sr)          Backup: Brady Ross (Soph)

As always, the Iowa fullbacks are the unsung heroes and in this case Kulick, Ross and junior Austin Kelly look like they were all built in the same fullback production facility.  I believe the football program owns the patent.  The FB spot is in good hands, no need to worry.  Iowa’s run game is always better with effective FB play, that shouldn’t be a problem this year.

Tight Ends

Starters: Noah Fant (Soph)      Backup: TJ Hockenson (RS Freshman)

Fant is clearly the starter and he will be one of the more important offensive weapons on the team this season.  He’s big, athletic and can be a dynamic playmaker.  Those are in short supply for the Hawkeyes so they should move Fant all over the field to create mismatches and get him open.  Technically the Hawkeyes list two starting TEs and Hockenson is the other one opposite Fant.  As a redshirt freshman, we haven’t seen him on the field but he was an accomplished receiver in high school and he could be a weapon in the passing game.  He’ll probably leave the blocking up to some of the older, more physically mature guys for now but he’ll get there.  For now, he just needs to be a playmaker in the passing game.

The Depth/The Future:

Nate Wieting is currently listed as a backup but there are a number of TEs that will see playing time.  Senior Jon Wisnieski will attempt to finally be healthy this season but that seems unlikely.  Senior Peter Pekar proved to be a valuable blocker and can catch a pass when needed. Redshirt freshman Shaun Beyer has playmaker potential.  Sophomore Nate Vejvoda, QB turned TE Drew Cook and true freshman Jacob Coons are all looking to develop and be options in the future.

Offensive Line

Considering this group returns 4 full-time starters and one part-time starter on a unit that was named the top offensive line in the nation there may still be some shuffling of this group.  Boone Myers is listed as the starting LT but the coaches flipped some things around for the Kid’s Day practice and there may be some changes possible.  So, here’s where things are right now and where they might go.

Left Tackle

Boone Myers (Sr) is listed as the starter but he played left guard during the open practice and he may be better suited inside where his power would be better utilized.  With Myers playing left guard Ike Boettger (Sr) moved over to LT and he has some length and athleticism that might come in handy at LT.  This may be just an experiment but it helps to have multiple guys trained at such an important spot.  Speaking of training, don’t be surprised if redshirt freshman Alaric Jackson (listed as the backup) sees some time here.  He’s really impressed the coaches and it’s his job to lose next year.  He’s a fantastic athlete and could be Iowa’s next great offensive tackle.

Left Guard

Keegan Render (Jr) stepped in and started a few games last season at guard due to some injuries and he played pretty well.  He isn’t the most dynamic athlete or devastating blocker but he knows his assignments and gets the job done.  Myers might be better suited inside if the Hawkeyes can find someone they think can handle LT and he is a devastating blocker inside at guard.  Ross Reynolds (Jr) is listed as the backup but he has cross trained at multiple positions so he could end up anywhere.

Center

James Daniels (Jr) is the only player on the line that is certain to start at his specified position.  Daniels is a star in the making at center and he is a dominating presence on the line.  He is a future NFL early round draft pick and he will lead this line from the pivot.  He has a real shot at winning the Rimington Award for the best center in college football this season.  Two redshirt freshmen are listed as his backup; Spencer Williams and Cole Banwart.  I hope these two have to wait two years to duke it out to replace Daniels but he could be an NFL draft pick in 2018.

Right Guard

This is Sean Welsh’s (Sr) position unless the coaches decide they need him to start at RT or somewhere else.  Welsh is an impressive RG and he’ll make his NFL money inside but he can play RT and do so well enough to be the starter if that’s what the Hawkeye’s need.  In a pinch, I wouldn’t doubt Welsh’s ability to start at any of the five offensive line positions.  He’s an All-Big Ten player and potential All-American.  Levi Paulsen (Soph) is listed as Welsh’s backup and there are plenty of options as backup interior linemen including his twin brother Landon.  The Paulsens could play a variety of positions but at the moment they are simply blocked by superior talent.

Right Tackle

Ike Boettger (Sr) has mostly started at RT during his career and the coaches have taken the fact that he is so experienced at the position to cross train him at LT just in case of emergency.  It’s possible they find him playing LT gives them the best combination but I think if they decide to move Boone Myers inside to LG it will be because Alaric Jackson proves he’s earned a shot at LT.  Boettger makes a dominant right side of the line with Welsh and they pave the way for the running game.  Lucas LeGrand (Jr) is a guy that has been listed all over the line including some time at center but now he’s Boettger’s backup.  In truth, he’s probably the fourth OT behind Myers, Boettger and Jackson and late word out of camp is that true freshman Tristan Wirfs is potentially going to play this year and not redshirt.  That means he’s likely the fourth OT.

The Future:  After some slim years in recruiting (especially at OT) the tide has turned and the Hawkeyes have some really impressive young talent on the offensive line.  Inside they have redshirt freshmen Spencer Williams and Cole Banwart who have already made the depth chart at center.  Fellow redshirt freshman OT Alaric Jackson is also in the two-deeps and he looks like a star.  The freshman class looks even more impressive.  True freshman OT Tristan Wirfs is the type of physical specimen Iowa rarely gets at offensive line and he could play this year.  He’s a freakish athlete and a future starter at OT, and it’s not that far into the future.  Mark Kallenberger is no slouch and while he may be talented enough to play early he’s likely going to redshirt since the Hawkeyes have plenty of depth.  Coy Kirkpatrick is another guy that just needs some time to grow into his frame and then he will be looking to make a move up the depth chart.  Iowa’s future on the offensive line looks pretty secure with this group.

Wide Receiver

Starters: Matt VandeBerg (Sr)               Nick Easley (Jr)

VandeBerg is the only known commodity among an uncertain group at WR.  He’s a fifth-year senior and is only back because he missed most of last season with a foot injury and was granted a medical redshirt year.  He broke that foot again and missed spring practice so suffice it to say the coaches are being pretty careful with him in fall camp.  He needs some time to mesh with whomever starts at QB but since he’s the best WR the Hawkeyes have he’s going to be a major part of the offense.  If this wasn’t the internet and I could pencil in Nick Easley’s name I would.  He was the most consistent guy in spring practice after transferring in from JUCO last January but that’s not really setting the bar very high.  Easley may be best suited to play the slot but that’s also where VandeBerg does most of his damage.  The Hawkeyes need some outside receivers to step up.  Easley may start week 1 but his hold on the position may be tentative.

The Rest of the WR

I could call this the depth or the future but the depth is the future and no one knows what they have here and we won’t until they get out on the field and play a real game.  Junior Matt Quarells graduated from New Mexico in three years and transferred to Iowa with two years of eligibility left.  He’s the only WR not named VandeBerg to have caught a pass in a FBS game in his career.  He wasn’t a prolific pass catcher but that was more a function of New Mexico’s option offense than his skill.  He has size and speed and the coaches are hoping he picks the offense up quickly and can contribute soon.  Adrian Falconer (Jr) is listed as the backup to VandeBerg and it would be great if he would step up and contribute but he’s a Bobby Kennedy guy so I’m not sure we should expect much.  DeVonte Young (Jr) is Easley’s backup on the depth chart and hopefully his one year under Kennedy can be overcome by some superior coaching.  Young has looked solid and he could be the type of outside WR the Hawks need. There are three true freshmen pushing to move up the depth chart and are expected to play.  Ihmir Smith-Marsette (Fr) is a bit skinny at 6’2 175 lbs. but he has the type of deep speed the Hawkeyes need to push the defense off the line and open up the running game.  In addition to his speed he tracks the deep ball well and can actually catch it.  Brandon Smith (Fr) is the freshman that looks physically ready to contribute to a Big Ten team.  He’s 6’3 205 lbs. and has fantastic athleticism and the type of vertical that will help him come down with jump balls and hopefully be a weapon in the red zone.  Max Cooper (Fr) may end up being the Matt VandeBerg clone and be a top weapon from the slot.  For now, he’s just going to mimic VandeBerg’s freshman year when he was the guy that emerged from a large WR class and didn’t redshirt.  Cooper may have to fight through a few more bodies because he doesn’t bring a specific skill like deep speed (Smith-Marsette) or size (Smith) he’s just a good all-around WR prospect that can make a play when needed. True freshman Henry Marchese is almost assuredly going to redshirt and two other prospects, Trey Creamer and Cam Harrell are guys that have been talked about (Creamer) or actually worked at (Harrell) WR but are not exactly certain in their position.  For now, they look like they will both add depth to the defensive backfield but that could change if need be.

Overall

Brian Ferentz has some work to do settling on and developing a QB, finding the best combination at offensive line, and figuring out who is going to be the guys that really step up at WR.  He isn’t without playmakers with Akrum Wadley, James Butler, Matt VandeBerg, Noah Fant, TJ Hockenson and the potential of young WRs DeVonte Young, Ihmir Smith-Marsette and Brandon Smith.  My sincere hope is that Brian Ferentz isn’t beholden to some antiquated system and simply chooses to find ways to use the weapons he has.  Yes, that is a direct shot at Greg Davis and his refusal to adjust his terrible offensive scheme to use the guys Iowa had.  And no adding the jet sweep for Jonathan Parker to run every time he was on the field doesn’t count.  My confidence in Brian comes from the fact that his other influence in coaching besides his dad is Bill Belichick.  Belichick has had Patriot offenses that revolved around big physical RBs (Corey Dillon, Antwoine Smith, LaGarrette Blount), one tall speed WR and a small slot receiver (Randy Moss, Wes Welker), two dominant TEs (Rob Gronkowski and the felon), and multiple small receivers (Julian Edelman, Danny Amendola, James White, Dion Lewis).  Now all he needs is for Nathan Stanley to become Tom Brady, I’m sure that’s the easy part.

 

 

 

 

 

 

2017 AFC South Draft Review

Houston Texans

• Deshaun Watson QB Clemson
• Zach Cunningham LB Vanderbilt
• D’Onta Foreman RB Texas
• Julie’n Davenport OT Bucknell
• Carlos Watkins DT Clemson
• Treston Decoud CB Oregon St.
• Kyle Fuller C Baylor

Immediate Impact:  QB Deshaun Watson, LB Zach Cunningham

There are plenty of people that think Watson will sit behind Tom Savage and learn this year but I don’t think that’s the case.  I like Savage more than most but this team was pretty good last year even with terrible QB play and they didn’t move up to get Watson so he could sit.  Watson will play and this team will go as far as he takes them.  Cunningham should slip into an ILB role on the 3-4 defense and he may be the end of Brian Cushing’s time with the Texans.

Best Value:  LB Zach Cunningham

Cunningham had first round talent and the Texans got him late in round 2.  He’s a guy that can be an immediate starter and impact player and getting him at #57 overall is a massive steal.

Sleeper:  OT Julie’n Davenport

This kid is long and talented but he needs to add some functional strength.  He may take a little time to gain that strength and get used to the competition level in the NFL but he’s loaded with potential.  He could play RT soon out of necessity but he may also be the eventual replacement for 32-year old LT Duane Brown.

Overall Analysis

It’s unfortunate that this draft will eventually be measured almost exclusively by the success or failure of Deshaun Watson because it’s a pretty solid draft.  I’m skeptical about Watson’s fit in Bill O’Brien’s offense but if he can adjust the offense to suit Watson’s abilities there is no telling where Watson can take them.  Cunningham is a star and he will lead this team in tackles next season and probably for the next 8-10 years.  Foreman is a power back that will take a lot of pressure off of Lamar Miller and make their running game a whole lot better.  This wasn’t a good offensive line draft and the Texans took the one OT prospect I think has a lot of potential as long as he isn’t thrown to the wolves immediately.  Davenport has a lot of the things you need to be a successful OT.  Watkins is joining a team that needs depth behind his former Clemson teammate DJ Reader at NT because of the loss of Vince Wilfork.  Watkins also has the versatility to fill in at DE if JJ Watt’s back acts up again.  Decoud is a big, raw CB prospect with a sketchy history so that may not work out so well.  Fuller adds depth to an offensive line that had too many injuries last year.  As a three-year starter at Baylor Fuller is probably better equipped to help out immediately than Davenport he just doesn’t have Davenport’s upside.

Indianapolis Colts

• Malik Hooker FS Ohio St.
• Quincy Wilson CB Florida
• Tarell Basham DE Ohio
• Zach Banner OG Southern California
• Marlon Mack RB South Florida
• Grover Stewart DT Albany St.
• Nate Hairston CB Temple
• Anthony Walker Jr. ILB Northwestern

Immediate Impact:  FS Malik Hooker, CB Quincy Wilson

The Colts secondary needs a major overhaul and Hooker and Wilson are a very good start to improving the talent.  Hooker will become the Ed Reed-like figure in Chuck Pagano’s defense and Wilson can take the starting CB job opposite Vontae Davis.  The Colts were in the bottom five in pass defense last season so these two are welcome additions.

Best Value:  LB Anthony Walker Jr.

I am clearly higher on Walker than teams were considering he fell to round 5 but he has starting ability and given the state of the Colts ILB group I think Walker can grab a starting job immediately.  Antonio Morrison and Sean Spence are just guys and Walker is a tackling machine.

Sleeper: OLB Tarell Basham

The Colts knew they needed to overhaul their OLB group so they brought in Jabaal Sheard, John Simon and are even taking a chance on Barkevious Mingo but Sheard is really the only one with a chance to be a good pass rusher.  Basham was a menace off the edge at Ohio as a DE and he’s perfectly suited to make the move to OLB.  He might start the year as the designated pass rusher but he has a higher upside than any of these other guys.

Overall Analysis

The Colts clearly understand that they have to fix their defense and Hooker, Wilson, Basham and Walker should all contribute heavily to doing so.  Stewart is a developmental prospect from a Div. II school but you can’t teach a guy to be 6’4 347 lbs. so he’s worth taking a chance on, the fourth round was a little high to take him considering there were other prospects at that point that could have helped sooner but to each his own.  CB Nate Hairston is also a raw prospect because he’s only been a CB for a year.  The two offensive players they took could help out, OG Zach Banner is a gigantic human being at 6’8 353 lbs. Banner adds depth on the offensive line and RB Marlon Mack can help out the running game.  Their running game was in the bottom half of the league and Frank Gore isn’t getting any younger and Robert Turbin scares no one.  Mack has a chance to at least earn some playing time.

Jacksonville Jaguars 

• Leonard Fournette RB LSU
• Cam Robinson OT Alabama
• Dawuane Smoot DE Illinois
• Dede Westbrook WR Oklahoma
• Blair Brown ILB Ohio
• Jalen Myrick CB Minnesota
• Marquez Williams FB Miami

Immediate Impact: RB Leonard Fournette, OT Cam Robinson

The Jaguars decided to make this draft about helping Blake Bortles not replacing him.  I’m admittedly not the biggest Fournette fan but he’s a far better player than TJ Yeldon and Chris Ivory combined.  Having a legitimate running game will go a long way toward making Bortles life easier.  The team traded for veteran LT Branden Albert from Miami but when he gets hurt, and he will get hurt, Robinson will be the best alternative to step in at LT and he will be fine.

Best Value:  CB Jalen Myrick

The Jaguars defense was good last year and they even added CB AJ Bouye to the secondary giving them two good CBs with him and Jalen Ramsey.  What they don’t have is a great nickel corner and Myrick is a speedy undersized guy that would excel in that position and they got him in the seventh round.

Sleeper:  DE Dawuane Smoot

Dante Fowler Jr. hasn’t been the pass rushing star the team was hoping they drafted two years ago.  Last year they did pretty well with an undersized DE out of a Big Ten school with Yannick Ngakoue so they are trying it again.  Smoot will be a pass rushing specialist and he should help them get pressure on the QB more often.

Overall Analysis

Fournette is the major addition to the offense at a need position.  Robinson might start the year either playing OG or maybe RT but he has a shot to be the eventual LT, maybe sooner rather than later.  Both of these guys were added to help Blake Bortles play better.  WR Dede Westbrook is not a major need because WR is the one offensive position the Jags have covered pretty well.  He’s a talented, deep speed WR so he has an added dimension to his game but Westbrook is also a serious character question.  There were a few WR available when they took Westbrook that would have been less of a headache and the real question is why didn’t they grab a TE in round 4 instead given that is a much bigger need.  Smoot and Myrick will add some nice depth to a defense that was in the top 10 last year so that’s pretty good.  ILB Blair Brown is undersized but he adds depth considering Myles Jack has had knee issues in the past and Paul Posluszny is 32-years old.  Brown will also help on special teams and perhaps that is where the Jaguars expect a 280 lbs. FB, Marquez Williams, to help out too.

Tennessee Titans

• Corey Davis WR Western Michigan
• Adoree’ Jackson CB Southern California
• Taywan Taylor WR Western Kentucky
• Jonnu Smith TE Florida International
• Jayon Brown OLB UCLA
• Corey Levin OG Chattanooga
• Josh Carraway DE  TCU
• Brad Seaton OT Villanova
• Khalfani Muhammad RB California

Immediate Impact:  WR Corey Davis, CB Adoree’ Jackson

The Titans have been putting together a pretty solid offense but there was one major missing piece and that was a #1 WR and they filled that hole with the best WR in the Corey Davis.  Davis checks all the boxes and he’ll be a big time big play WR for Marcus Mariota to grow old with.  The team’s secondary was terrible last year and even with the signing of CB Logan Ryan and SS Jonathan Cyprien they needed more help.  Adoree’ Jackson is still a better athlete than CB but he’s never concentrated solely on football until now, he could be outstanding in a short period of time.

Best Value: TE Jonnu Smith

Smith was underrated in this really talented TE class but he can be very nice addition to Titans.  Mariota has shown he knows how to use a TE because he’s relied on Delanie Walker to be his top target for the past two years.  Walker will still be a favorite but he’s 32-years old so planning for the future at the position is quite smart.  Smith can be a second TE for now and grow into the top role over the next couple of years.

Sleeper:  WR Taywan Taylor

If I’m Harry Douglas I’m feeling a little heat at the moment.  Taylor can be a top slot receiver for this offense and he could push Douglas out of a job.  He comes from a small school, Western Kentucky, so it may take him a little bit to adjust but he’s a talented player.

Overall Analysis

The Titans have been drafting well for a few years now and building their offense around Marcus Mariota.  They have a good offensive line in place and a good running game with Demarco Murray and Derrick Henry, this draft was about supplementing the passing game for Mariota.  Davis, Taylor and Smith upgrade the talent Mariota has around him.  It’s a bit strange that Jackson was the only player the Titans grabbed for their secondary considering they still need help.  Jayon Brown has a solid skill set and could make this team as a sub package LB.  Leven and Seaton might provide depth for the offensive line but there are not many snaps to go around behind the starters.  Carraway and Muhammad are special teams guys at best.

 

 

2017 NFC South Draft Review

Atlanta Falcons

• Takkarist McKinley DE/OLB UCLA
• Duke Riley OLB LSU
• Sean Harlow OG Oregon St.
• Damontae Kazee CB San Diego St.
• Brian Hill RB Wyoming
• Eric Saubert TE Drake

Immediate Impact:  DE/OLB Takkarist McKinley, OG Sean Harlow

Last season the Falcons counted on Dwight Freeney to bring pressure opposite Vic Beasley, yes, the same Dwight Freeney from Peyton Manning’s heyday with the Colts.  Needless to say, the Falcons needed a new pass rusher and they got one in McKinley.  He’s quick and athletic and while he won’t line up on every down he’ll line up on the passing downs that matter.  The Falcons have a pretty gaping hole at RG and Harlow will have every opportunity to fill it.

Best Value:  CB Damontae Kazee

Kazee is a small CB that should excel covering the slot.  With the return of top CB Desmond Trufant the Falcons have good group including Robert Alford and Jalen Collins but Kazee has a different skill set and you can never have too many good CBs.  For a fifth round pick he’s a pretty solid choice.

Sleeper:  RB Brian Hill

The Falcons have an elite duo at RB in Davonta Freeman and Tevin Coleman but they don’t have a lot behind those guys.  Both Freeman and Coleman are perfect for the running game they employ but neither one is really a power back.  Hill has a little more size than either one and will make for a really solid backup and change-of-pace back.

Overall Analysis

McKinley fills a major need and Harlow might fill a smaller one.  The team did exceptionally well drafting speedy LBs Deion Jones and De’Vondre Campbell last year so they went that route again with Duke Riley.  Kazee and Hill should fill in some nice depth where the Falcons need it.  TE Eric Saubert is a project but he could give them a pass catching TE to use while he works on his blocking.

Carolina Panthers

• Christian McCaffrey RB Stanford
• Curtis Samuel WR Ohio St.
• Taylor Moton OT Western Michigan
• Daeshon Hall DE Texas A&M
• Corn Elder CB Miami
• Alex Armah DE West Georgia
• Harrison Butker K Georgia Tech

Immediate Impact:  RB Christian McCaffrey, WR Curtis Samuel

The Panthers went for playmakers early in the draft and McCaffrey is the top one.  He isn’t going to be a 20-25 carry back battering his way up the middle of the field.  They will get him in space and let him make plays.  The same thing can be said for Samuel.  He played RB and WR at Ohio St. and he looks like a slot receiver too.  It will be interesting how the team deploys two very similar players.

Best Value:  DE Daeshon Hall

Hall was overshadowed at Texas A&M by some guy names Myles Garrett but he’s a pretty solid prospect himself.  The Panthers brought back Charles Johnson, re-signed Mario Addison and brought home Julius Peppers but none of those guys are spring chickens anymore so Hall has a chance to lend a hand without getting thrown to the wolves right away.

Sleeper:  OT Taylor Moton

The Panthers brought in LT Matt Kalil and they plan to play either Daryl Williams or Michael Oher at RT but don’t count out Moton.  He played at Western Michigan but he played well in the Senior Bowl and he can play with the big boys.  None of the OTs on the roster are elite guys so Moton could make a move in training camp.

Overall Analysis

McCaffrey is the type of player that can change an entire offense and make Cam Newton that much more dangerous.  I question the wisdom of drafting Samuel when he duplicates so many of McCaffrey’s skills and you need more help on the offensive line and defensive backfield.  Moton and Hall have potential to be major contributors down the line and maybe to a certain extent this season.  CB Corn Elder gives them another body to try and he may be better than what they have right now at nickel corner.  Armah is a lottery ticket that is unlikely to pay off.  Taking a kicker in the 7^th round when you don’t have a reliable kicker is understandable.

New Orleans Saints

• Marshon Lattimore CB Ohio St.
• Ryan Ramczyk OT Wisconsin
• Marcus Williams FS Utah
• Alvin Kamara RB Tennessee
• Alex Anzalone OLB Florida
• Trey Hendrickson DE Florida Atlantic
• Al-Quadin Muhammad DE Miami

Immediate Impact: CB Marshon Lattimore, OT Ryan Ramczyk

The Saints have been searching for an answer at CB for years and Lattimore fell into their lap because three QBs and three WRs went in the top nine picks of this draft.  Lattimore has to stay healthy and he needs some experience but he’s a huge talent and is far better than and CB on the Saints roster.  The Ramczyk pick was panned a bit because no one really saw it coming.  It’s true the Saints don’t have an obvious need but RT Zach Strief is 34-years old and he’s never been a top-notch OT.  If Ramczyk is recovered from his hip injury, and it looks like he will be, he could take that job away from Strief and help protect Drew Brees a little better.

Best Value:  RB Alvin Kamara

There were plenty of people who thought Kamara was a potential 1^st round draft pick and the Saints stole him in the 3^rd round.  He’ll bring a different dimension to the offense than their current RBs and maybe give them a little bit of what they once had in Reggie Bush and Darren Sproles.

Sleeper:  LB Alex Anzalone

The Saints defense needs help at every level and Anzalone is a really good player that fell because he has some injury history.  If he can stay healthy he could push Dannelle Ellerbe out of a job.  Anzalone has a solid skill set the Saints could really use.

Overall Analysis

Lattimore and Ramczyk were fantastic 1^st round picks and should be a major part of the Saints next year and for the foreseeable future.  FS Marcus Williams is a fantastic talent and worthy of the 42^nd pick the only problem is that the one spot on the Saints defense that looks pretty set is at safety with Vonn Bell and Kenny Vaccaro.  Williams is fantastic depth but perhaps a pass rusher would have been more prudent (Tyus Bowser, Ryan Anderson and DeMarcus Walker were all still available).  I’m starting to think the Saints don’t like Mark Ingram anymore with the signing of Adrian Peterson and now the drafting of Alvin Kamara.  Kamara was too good to pass up but it certainly seems like they don’t have much faith in Mark Ingram.  DE Trey Hendrickson is a potential pass rushing specialist but Al-Quadin Muhammad is a major character risk and I don’t know if he was worth the trouble.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers

• OJ Howard TE Alabama
• Justin Evans SS Texas A&M
• Chris Godwin WR Penn St.
• Kendall Beckwith ILB LSU
• Jeremy McNichols RB Boise St.
• Steve Tu’ikolovatu DT Southern California

Immediate Impact: TE OJ Howard, SS Justin Evans

Cameron Brate had a pretty solid year at TE for the Bucs last season but OJ Howard will make them a two-TE set team with a dominant pair of pass catching TEs.  The Bucs need safety help and while the signing of free agent JJ Wilcox helps Justin Evans has a really good chance to take the starting SS job immediately.  He likes to hit more than he likes to tackle but they can work on that, he’s far better than anyone else on the roster.

Best Value: TE OJ Howard

He was thought to be a potential top 10 pick and the Bucs stayed put and he fell into their lap.  He can be a dynamic playmaker and he’ll become a favorite target of Jameis Winston.

Sleeper:  RB Jeremy McNichols

Doug Martin will miss the beginning of the season with a suspension, Charles Sims can’t stay healthy and hasn’t proven to be reliable and Jacquizz Rodgers is not built to be an every down back.  McNichols isn’t tall but he’s well-built and he carried the load at Boise St. just fine.  He could be a real steal out of the fifth round.

Overall Analysis

Howard joins Brate, WR Mike Evans and newly signed WR DeSean Jackson as major offensive weapons for Jameis Winston.  Evans fills a major need in the secondary at safety.  The choice of Godwin is a little strange since he really wasn’t an elite player and the Bucs had bigger needs like offensive line and in the secondary.  LB Kendall Beckwith is a big, physical LB coming off an injury but if he is healthy he gives their LB corps a different look from the smaller speedy LBs Kwon Alexander and Lavonte David.  He would be the run stuffer in the middle of the defense on running downs.  The USC DT who’s name I cannot pronounce and refuse to try to spell again might add some depth at DT but he’s just as likely to end up cut.

 

2017 NFC West Draft Review

Arizona Cardinals

•  Haason Reddick   LB   Temple
• Budda Baker   FS   Washington
• Chad Williams   WR   Grambling
• Dorian Johnson   OG   Pittsburgh
• Will Holden   OT   Vanderbilt
• TJ Logan   RB   North Carolina
• Jonathan Ford   FS   Auburn

Immediate Impact:  LB Haason Reddick, FS Budda Baker

The Cardinals lost a number of free agents in the off season and two of the important ones were ILB Kevin Minter and SS Tony Jefferson.  Reddick is a versatile LB who can fill the ILB of Minter while adding a nice blitzer to the position.  Baker is one of my favorite players and while he’ll have to compete with free agent signee Antoine Bethea for SS job I believe it will be his sooner rather than later.

Best Value: FS Budda Baker

Budda Baker is a tone setter for a defense.  He isn’t the biggest guy on the field but he will be one of the most feared.  He will pair with Tyrann Mathieu to be an incredible set of safeties.  He could have been a first-round pick and while he didn’t last long into round 2 he is a very valuable pick up.

Sleeper:  OG Dorian Johnson

The Cardinals need some help on the interior offensive line.  Johnson isn’t going to set the world on fire but he’s an experienced player with the ability to play both OT and OG.  The team seems set at OT but they could use another OG and they aren’t great at C.  With his experience, I think they will give Johnson a shot at RG but don’t discount the possibility they try to turn him into a center.

Overall Analysis

The Cardinals win big with just Reddick and Baker but I like what they did otherwise too.  WR Chad Williams has some character issues but he could turn out to be pretty good if he learns some life lessons from Larry Fitzgerald.  If nothing else Johnson and Holden offer really good depth on the offensive line.  TJ Logan could end up being a really solid complement to star RB David Johnson.  S Jonathan Ford could provide some depth and valuable athlete on special teams.

Los Angeles Rams

Gerald Everett   TE   South Alabama

• Cooper Kupp   WR   Eastern Washington
• John Johnson   FS   Boston College
•  Josh Reynolds   WR   Texas A&M
• Samson Ebukam   OLB   Eastern Washington
• Tanzel Smart   DT   Tulane
• Sam Rogers   FB   Virginia Tech
• Ejuan Price   OLB   Pittsburgh

Immediate Impact:  TE Gerald Everett, WR Cooper Kupp

The team needs to get Jared Goff some weapons if they want to give him a legitimate chance to succeed.  They didn’t have a first-round pick because of their trade up for Goff last year so they started off in round 2.  TE Gerald Everett will have a chance to play because the Rams aren’t exactly loaded at TE.  WR Cooper Kupp has the same opportunity because while the Rams signed free agent WR Robert Woods and they have Tavon Austin those guys don’t really scare anyone.  Kupp doesn’t have elite speed and he’s not a superior athlete but he’s a reliable WR that can get open and will catch everything, that’s more than you can say about the rest of the WR corps.

Best Value:  WR Cooper Kupp

He was an early 3^rd round selection and that’s pretty good for a guy that could easily start on the outside opposite Woods.

Sleeper:  WR Josh Reynolds

Reynolds has height and deep speed the rest of the team lacks at WR.  He’s pretty skinny at 6’3 197 lbs. so he struggles if CBs get physical with him but if he can get off the line he could be a dangerous downfield weapon for Goff.  Given the state of the rest of the WR corps Reynolds should make the team.

Overall Analysis

I’m not fan of this draft overall.  TE Gerald Everett was an okay pick but the team should have looked to add protection up front for Goff, Everett isn’t a noticeable upgrade over the guys on the roster right now.  Kupp was a good pick and FS John Johnson might have a chance to play because the team needs help in the deep middle on defense.  I’m not sure an undersized DT like Tanzel Smart fits their new 3-4 defense under Wade Phillips and they already have the best one in football in Aaron Donald.  OLB Ebukam and Price should be better schematic fits as pass rushing OLBs but Ebukam is really raw and Price has a problem staying healthy.  Sam Rogers is a fine football player and I assume he’ll be core special teams guy because the FB position isn’t used much by anyone anymore, at least the Rams have one if they need one.  The team did sign LT Andrew Whitworth from Cincinnati but he only plugs one hole on an otherwise weak offensive line.  Not drafting any offensive lineman seems negligent on the part of the Rams front office and I don’t think this draft is going to enhance Jared Goff’s development much if at all.

San Francisco 49ers

• Solomon Thomas   DE   Stanford
• Reuben Foster   ILB   Alabama
• Ahkello Witherspoon   CB   Colorado
• CJ Beathard   QB   Iowa
• Joe Williams   RB   Utah
• George Kittle   TE   Iowa
• Trent Taylor   WR   Louisiana Tech
• DJ Jones   DT   Ole Miss
• Pita Taumoepenu   OLB   Utah
• Adrian Colbert   CB   Miami

Immediate Impact:  DE Solomon Thomas, ILB Reuben Foster

There will be plenty of contributors for the 49ers from this draft class so I just picked out the top two.  The team is transitioning their defense from a 3-4 to a 4-3 and Thomas gives them really good versatility playing inside or outside.  He should team with previous 1^st round picks Arik Armstead and DeForest Bruckner to give the defense multiple looks up front.  Foster will be a tone setter.  The defense has been missing its edge since Patrick Willis retired and Navarro Bowman got injured, Foster will bring back that edge.

Best Value:  ILB Reuben Foster, TE George Kittle

Foster was an absolute steal at #31 as long as he keeps himself on the straight and narrow.  He’s got an attitude off the field and the team will put up with it as long as he brings his attitude on the field.  Kittle is going to show up and leap to the front of the TE position for this team.  I think he comes out of camp as the starting TE.  He’s a fantastic athlete and a phenomenal blocker and Kyle Shanahan is going to love him.  A starting TE in the fifth round is great value.

Sleeper:  QB CJ Beathard, RB Joe Williams

If you read Peter King’s Monday Morning QB column on Sports Illustrated website you’ll know just how much the coaching staff thinks of these two.  Beathard has all the tools to be an NFL starter and he has a coach that seems willing to give him a shot.  Brian Hoyer and Matt Barkley may be veterans but neither one of them is a major roadblock if Beathard plays well in camp.  Williams is a guy with an incredible story (seriously, go read Peter King’s column) and while Carlos Hyde is a solid RB his style gets him banged up a lot.  The depth chart behind Hyde isn’t stellar so Williams can play himself into a role

Overall Analysis

John Lynch did look like a rookie GM on draft day.  He fleeced the Bears GM Ryan Pace for two extra 3^rd round picks and a 4^th rounder and still ended up with the player he wanted in Thomas.  Then he moved back into the 1^st round to grab his next favorite player, Reuben Foster, when he fell towards the end of the first round.  That’s two guys that will absolutely define the 49ers defensive turnaround over the next several years.  CB Ahkello Witherspoon didn’t get a lot of love in the pre-draft process but he’s a solid investment in the third round.  Beathard and Williams were value picks no matter what anyone says.  Kittle was a steal and WR Trent Taylor will push both Jeremy Kerley and Marquise Goodwin as a slot receiver.  Jones, Taumoepenu and Colbert might normally be considered camp fodder but with the state of the 49ers roster and the change in defensive scheme don’t count these guys out.

Seattle Seahawks

• Malik McDowell DT Michigan St.
• Ethan Pocic OL LSU
• Shaquill Griffin CB UCF
• Delano Hill FS Michigan
• Nazair Jones DT  North Carolina
• Amara Darboh WR Michigan
• Tedric Thompson SS Colorado
• Mike Tyson FS Cincinnati
• Justin Senior OT Mississippi St.
• David Moore WR East Central
• Chris Carson RB Oklahoma St.

Immediate Impact:  OL Ethan Pocic

I’m not sure the Seahawks got anyone that will make a major impact but Pocic has the best chance.  He mostly played C in college but the team already has Justin Britt there and he’s their best lineman.  Pocic also saw time at OT and it’s possible they could try him at RT.  It could be a case of deciding the best combination for the right side, Germain Ifedi is the current RG but he could be a RT too.  So, they may try Pocic and Ifedi on the right side at both spots to see what works best.

Best Value:  DT Malik McDowell

I’ve made no secret I don’t like McDowell but that is not because of his talent it’s because of his inconsistent effort.  Whether you love or hate Pete Carroll you cannot deny he is one of the best motivational coaches in the game.  If he can get McDowell to play up to his considerable potential then he just stole a top 10 talent with the 35^th pick, that’s value.

Sleeper:  WR Amara Darboh

Doug Baldwin is a very good WR, the rest of the WR corps leaves a lot to be desired.  Tyler Lockett is coming off and injury and like Baldwin he is a smaller receiver.  Jermaine Kearse and Paul Richardson are a little bigger but neither has established themselves yet.  Darboh has great size at 6’2 215 lbs. and he brings a dimension not currently on the roster.  He wasn’t a superstar at Michigan but he’s a solid guy and he could draw some coverage off of Baldwin.

Overall Analysis

Even if Carroll can motivate McDowell he’s the third DT at best behind Ahtyba Rubin and Jarran Reed.  Pocic might start but he could easily just be a backup.  The team seems to be putting the current Legion of Boom on notice with CB Shaquill Griffin, FS Delano Hill, SS Tedric Thompson and FS Mike Tyson.  Perhaps Griffin steals the CB spot opposite Richard Sherman but the safeties are taking over just yet.  Nazair Jones adds depth at DT and if he outplays McDowell I won’t be shocked.  WR David Moore and RB Chris Carson are practice squad guys at best.  I’m really surprised that the team only drafted Pocic and Mississippi St. OT Justin Senior on the offensive line.  Senior looks like just a guy for depth and he’s not really going to push to improve the offensive line any time soon.

 

 

 

 

2017 AFC North Draft Review

Baltimore Ravens

• Marlon Humphrey CB Alabama
• Tyus Bowser OLB Houston
• Chris Wormley DT Michigan
• Tim Williams OLB Alabama
• Nico Siragusa OG San Diego St.
• Jermaine Eluemunor OG Texas A&M
• Chuck Clark FS Virginia Tech

Immediate Impact:  CB Marlon Humphrey, DT Chris Wormley

The Ravens signed Brandon Carr in the off season at CB but he’s 30-years old and he might be better suited to be third CB and with Jimmy Smith and Marlon Humphrey around that’s exactly where he’ll be.  Wormley is a DT/DE tweener which is perfect because it means he can play DE in the Ravens 3-4 defense and he will excel at it.

Best Value:  OLB Tim Williams

Are you kidding me?  The Ravens get arguably the second best pure pass rusher in the entire draft at #78 overall.  How do they always get so lucky?  Williams has a few holes in his game and he has character questions but he couldn’t be going to a better place to handle those issues.  GM Ozzie Newsome will get him on the right path and Williams could become a major pass rushing threat.

Sleeper:  OLB Tyus Bowser

Yes, he’s a second-round pick but not a lot of people know who he is so he’s a bit of a sleeper.  The Ravens let Elvis Dumervil go this off season and Terrell Suggs isn’t getting any younger so they need reinforcements at OLB.  Bowser is going to team with Tim Williams to be the next generation of pass rushing OLBs for the Ravens.

Overall Analysis

Ozzie Newsome is some sort of wizard and somehow, he ended up with three potential starters for this year (Humphrey, Bowser and Wormley) and a pass rushing specialist that can spell Terrell Suggs (Tim Williams).  There is nobody else that consistently pulls out great drafts like Newsome and the Ravens front office.  Siragusa and Eluemunor add depth on the offensive line where the Ravens have lost some players in free agency the last couple of years.  I don’t know much about Chuck Clark but he’ll probably at least be a special team’s ace or something.

Cincinnati Bengals

• John Ross WR Washington
• Joe Mixon RB Oklahoma
• Jordan Willis DE Kansas St.
• Carl Lawson DE Auburn
• Josh Malone WR Tennessee
• Ryan Glasgow DT Michigan
• Jake Elliott K Memphis
• JJ Dielman OT Utah
• Jordan Evans OLB Oklahoma
• Brandon Wilson CB Houston
• Mason Schreck TE Buffalo

Immediate Impact:  WR John Ross, RB Joe Mixon, DE Jordan Willis

John Ross is the definition of a deep threat and he will take the top off of every defense in the league.  He should open things up for AJ Green because he’ll be touchdown waiting to happen.  He gives them a dynamic offensive weapon. Now Bengals fans just have to hope Andy Dalton has the arm strength to get it to him deep.  Mixon is the most divisive prospect in the draft for non-football reasons (I’ll get to that later).  However, he is a supremely talented RB and with Gio Bernard out with a knee injury and unlikely to be ready to play any time soon Mixon has a chance to play a big role.  Jeremy Hill hasn’t been the most consistent RB so Mixon will have a shot at the job.  Willis is a pass rusher that the Bengals desperately need opposite Carlos Dunlop.

Best Value: DE Jordan Willis

Getting a potential starting DE in round three is fantastic value.  Willis has the size and all-around game to replace Michael Johnson and be a pretty good player.

Sleeper:  DE Carl Lawson

The Bengals didn’t skimp on trying to improve their pass rush after taking Willis they grabbed Lawson.  He’s not the long, lanky pass rusher teams usually want but he knows how to get to the QB.  Lawson’s biggest issue was staying healthy at Auburn and if the Bengals deploy him correctly as a pass rushing specialist it should help him stay healthy.

Overall Analysis

The Bengals gambled multiple times in this draft for various reasons and this draft class will be defined by how those gambles pay off.  John Ross is a speed demon at WR who also has legitimate receiver skills, he’s not just a fast guy.  However, he has a slight build and he’s had injuries and if those become issues and he can’t suit up his skills are of no use.  Mixon is the most polarizing prospect in the draft because he’s supremely talented but has the most significant off-the-field incident in his past and it’s of the level of Ray Rice.  Mixon was always going to get a second chance from the NFL and it’s up to him to change the story of his life.  If he’s a model citizen and Pro Bowl caliber RB it won’t make people forget his past but he’ll be a good redemption story.  Lawson is another injury gamble that could pay off big or blow up in their face.  The Bengals drafted a kicker so that’s not usually a good thing.  They only added one offensive lineman after losing two of their better guys, Andrew Whitworth and Kevin Zeitler, so they have to hope previously drafted linemen step up.  They drafted quite a few guys and the later picks will have a tough time making a pretty solid roster.

Cleveland Browns

• Myles Garrett DE Texas A&M
• Jabrill Peppers SS Michigan
• David Njoku TE Miami
• DeShone Kizer QB Notre Dame
• Larry Ogunjobi DT Charlotte
• Howard Wilson CB Houston
• Roderick Johnson OT Florida St.
• Caleb Brantley DT Florida
• Zane Gonzalez K Arizona St.
• Matthew Dayes RB North Carolina St.

Immediate Impact:  DE Myles Garrett, SS Jabrill Peppers, TE David Njoku

Garrett is a special talent and with the Browns making a move to Greg Williams as their defensive coordinator he will count on Garrett to be his star pass rusher.  There seems to be a lot of people that don’t like the Jabrill Peppers pick and it comes down to them thinking he doesn’t have a position, to me that’s his strength.  Peppers will line up at SS but Williams will use him to come up into the box on running downs, cover TEs and RBs over the middle and when necessary he can cover guys out of slot.  NFL offenses are no longer traditional so defenders don’t need to be either.  After they drafted Njoku the Browns cut incumbent TE Gary Barnidge meaning they will be counting heavily on Njoku to be a major part of the offense.

Best Value:  OT Roderick Johnson

The Browns currently have former Seminole Cam Erving penciled in at RT since he was replaced at C by free agent signee JC Tretter but Erving hasn’t really worked out at either position so far.  Johnson is a big man at 6’7 300 lbs. and he played LT at Florida St. but he’s better suited for the right side.  After adding Tretter and OG Kevin Zeitler to LT Joe Thomas and LG Joel Bitonio Johnson would be the last piece to their overhauled offensive line.

Sleeper:  DT Larry Ogunjobi

Garrett may be the headliner here but if Greg Williams is going to transition this defense from a 3-4 to a 4-3 Ogunjobi is going to be an important piece to the puzzle.  The team doesn’t have an abundance of DT talent and this guy has a chance to make a major difference.  He’s a smaller school player that showed up big at the Senior Bowl and while he’s a bit raw he’ll plug up the middle really well.

Overall Analysis

I really like this draft class overall.  Garrett is a future defensive start, Peppers is a swiss army knife in the secondary and Njoku is a talented TE.  Ogunjobi and Johnson will either be starters or major contributors right away.  CB Howard Wilson was a nice pick up who could give them nice depth and a potential starter at CB at some point.  In the seventh round they drafted a kicker, which they need, and a potential third down back, which they also need.  This class will largely be defined by their three first round picks but there are two others that could make this draft incredible.  The Browns finally pulled the trigger on a QB in round two with DeShone Kizer.  I’m not a fan of Kizer but the Browns didn’t reach here they grabbed him where is value was appropriate.  Kizer is a physically gifted player that needs plenty of work on the mental side of things and from a maturity and leadership perspective.  Taking him #52 overall and hoping that Hue Jackson can work his magic on him is a completely understandable plan.  This doesn’t preclude the Browns from grabbing one of the top prospects next season if they think Kizer isn’t going to work out.  Also, if he flames out during the season or isn’t good enough during training camp to win the job from Cody Kessler or Brock Osweiler then he’s just a second-round pick that became a backup QB, no harm no foul.  The other “lottery ticket” pick the Browns took was DT Caleb Brantley in the sixth round.  Brantley has 1^st round type talent but he’s currently under investigation for assault and in his case his background as a character risk before these issues really made him drop.  Browns GM Sashi Brown already said that if something comes from this investigation the team has no problem cutting Brantley, that’s much easier to do with a 6^th round pick than if he had been taken in the 2^nd round like a lot of people thought he would.  If Brantley is cleared he has starter potential and would be a major disruptive force on the Browns new defense.  There is a legitimate chance this draft turns around the fortunes of the entire franchise and it isn’t even dependent on the QB they took.  Garrett, Peppers, Ogunjobi, Wilson and maybe Brantley could all become major pieces to an outstanding defense in the near future.

Pittsburgh Steelers

• TJ Watt OLB Wisconsin
• JuJu Smith-Schuster WR Southern California
• Cameron Sutton CB Tennessee
• James Connor RB Pittsburgh
• Joshua Dobbs QB Tennessee
• Brian Allen CB Utah
• Colin Holbach LS Louisville
• Keion Adams DE Western Michigan

Immediate Impact:   OLB TJ Watt, CB Cameron Sutton

The Steelers are currently counting on Bud Dupree, who missed more than half of last season with an injury, and James Harrison, who is about to turn 39, at OLB so Watt will find plenty of playing time.  He’s still a bit raw since he hasn’t always played defense and yet he shows loads of potential and he fits the Steelers scheme like a glove.  Sutton is one of the more underrated CBs in this draft and the Steelers need help.  Artie Burns was solid last year but if I were Ross Cockrell I would be afraid of Sutton.  Even if Sutton can’t beat out Cockrell he should at least be the nickel corner for Steelers.  Either way he’ll play a lot this year.

Best Value:  CB Cameron Sutton

He could be the starting CB in place of Cockrell or he could be the nickel back instead or he could be Mike Mitchell’s eventual replacement at FS.  That gives Sutton many paths to success in the NFL and getting that at the end of round 3 is pretty good value.

Sleeper:  WR JuJu Smith-Schuster

I know, another 2^nd round “sleeper”.  Here’s why.  Smith-Schuster is the opposite of Antonio Brown and Eli Rogers, he’s big, physical and doesn’t have elite speed.  The Steelers really missed Martavis Bryant while he was suspended last year for failing drug tests and while he’s been reinstated I don’t think the Steelers want to take the chance of not having that skill set around again.  Bryant is on thin ice and if he doesn’t come back looking great he may find himself looking for work elsewhere.  Smith-Schuster should also make veteran Darrius Hayward-Bey very nervous about his roster spot.

Overall Analysis

Watt, Smith-Schuster and Sutton will all play pivotal roles this season for the Steelers and that makes this draft pretty solid.  Another player that could really help this season is RB James Connor.  He’s not just a great story because he beat cancer just to get to this point he’s a really good RB too.  Obviously, the Steelers have LeVeon Bell so they don’t need a RB to take over but they let DeAngelo Williams go and they need someone to complement Bell.  Connor is a power back that could take some of the short-yardage carries off of Bell’s shoulders and keep him healthy.  Also, if Bell does get banged up, and he has in the past, Connor can step in a be a pretty solid runner.  The Steelers are taking shot on QB Josh Dobbs, I don’t know that Dobbs can be Ben Roethlisberger’s eventual replacement but he’s worth the investment.  Dobbs needs time and regardless of what Big Ben says I don’t think he’ll retire all that soon (he’s got at least a good 3-4 years left).  The Steelers took a shot on a CB too in Utah’s Brian Allen and if you’re going to take a shot you might as well take it on a CB that is 6’3 215 lbs. especially when most of your CBs are 6’0 or less.  Taking a long snapper isn’t usually a great draft pick but it’s not like the Steelers roster is full of holes so if they think he has a legitimate shot to take the job I understand it.  Their final pick probably ends up cut or on the practice squad.