2017 AFC East Draft Review

Buffalo Bills

• Tre’Davious White   CB   LSU
• Zay Jones   WR   East Carolina
• Dion Dawkins   OT   Temple
• Matt Milano   OLB   Boston College
• Nathan Peterman   QB   Pittsburgh
• Tanner Vallejo   OLB   Boise St.

Immediate Impact:  CB Tre’Davious White, WR Zay Jones, OT Dion Dawkins

The Bills lost Stephon Gilmore in the off season and they need a CB to play opposite Ronald Darby, White should fill that gap nicely.  Their WR corps was decimated by free agency as they lost Robert Woods, Marquise Goodwin and Justin Hunter and Zay Jones is a high volume WR who will bring major production opposite Sammy Watkins.  The Bills desperately need a RT and while most thought Dawkins would slide inside to OG in the NFL I think in the short-term he’ll fill the RT need for the team.

Best Value:  OT Dion Dawkins

The Bills got Dawkins at the end of the second round and he’ll likely slide right into their RT spot.  Getting a starting offensive lineman at #63 is solid value.

Sleeper:  QB Nathan Peterman

I could have made Peterman my choice as the best value pick but it may take a little time for him to actually pay off.  I like Peterman but I’m not as in love with him as a lot of people seem to be, he has talent but he’ll need some time to transition.  I do think he becomes Tyrod Taylor’s backup this year and gives the Bills an opportunity next off season to move on from Taylor if he doesn’t progress.

Overall Analysis

The team got three immediate starters in White, Jones and Dawkins so that’s always a very good start.  The best move they made was trading down in the round 1 and picking up Kansas City’s 1^st rounder next season.  It’s unlikely to be a high 1^st rounder since Kansas City is pretty good but having two 1^st round picks is never a bad thing.  Perhaps if the Bills struggle this year and are looking to move on completely at QB next season they will have the ammunition to move up and get the guy they want.  Zay Jones is one of my favorite unknown prospects in the draft and he will catch 80 balls next year, count on it.  Dawkins may eventually have to move inside to OG but for now he’s a major upgrade over anyone the Bills could line up at RT.  Milano and Vallejo are more likely to be core special teamers than major contributors at LB but the Bills could use depth for sure.  Peterman is a solid roll of the dice in the fifth round and he could become an NFL starter.  If Taylor struggles they could go to Peterman this year as I think he easily overtakes Cardale Jones as the backup, let’s just say I think Peterman is more cerebral than Jones.

Miami Dolphins

• Charles Harris   DE   Missouri
• Raekwon McMillan   ILB   Ohio St.
• Cordrea Tankersley   CB   Clemson
• Isaac Asiata   OG   Utah
• Davon Godchaux   DT   LSU
• Vincent Taylor   DT   Oklahoma St.
• Isaiah Ford   WR   Virginia Tech

Immediate Impact:  DE Charles Harris, LB Raekwon McMillan

The Mario Williams signing last year was a bust at DE and he’s been jettisoned and while the Dolphins brought in William Hayes from the Rams he’s not exactly known as a great pass rusher.  Cameron Wake is still a highly productive DE but he needs someone to take the pressure off of him as he ages and eventually he’ll need to be replaced, enter Charles Harris.  He’s slightly undersized but he’s a speed rusher and that’s all they need him to do right now.  McMillan gives the Dolphins a legitimate NFL LB besides Kiko Alonso that is still on the right side of 30.  Newly signed Lawrence Timmons and holdover Koa Misi are both aging rapidly.

Best Value:  OG Isaac Asiata

With Laremy Tunsil sliding outside to his natural LT spot the Dolphins can use a replacement at OG and Asiata isn’t a big name at OG but he can be a starter.  When you can pick up a potential starting offensive lineman in the fifth round that’s pretty good value.

Sleeper:  WR Isaiah Ford

The Dolphins seem pretty set at WR with Jarvis Landry, DeVante Parker, Kenny Stills, Leonte Carroo and Jakeem Grant but for some reason I can see Ford making some noise.  Carroo and Grant might want to be careful.  Ford doesn’t win with speed but he knows how to get open, the best way to describe his game is savvy.

Overall Analysis

The Dolphins focused mostly on defense and Harris and McMillan should pay immediate dividends.  CB Cordrea Tankersley could also prove useful early.  Last year’s rookie Xavien Howard had his growing pains but he looks like a keeper but Byron Maxwell is inconsistent and could open the door for Tankersley to play.  He’s not a flashy CB but he’s pretty solid.  DTs Godchaux and Taylor aren’t going to transform the Dolphins’ defense but they add depth at a position that doesn’t have much behind starters Ndamukong Suh and Jordan Phillips.  Finally, whatever you do, don’t count out Ford.  If you do he’ll prove you wrong.

New England Patriots

• Derek Rivers   DE   Youngstown St.
• Antonio Garcia   OT   Troy
• Deatrich Wise Jr.   DE   Arkansas
• Conor McDermott   OT   UCLA

Immediate Impact:  WR Brandin Cooks, DE Kony Ealy

The Patriots actually draft picks are unlikely to make any difference this year at all.  This team is built to win now and with Tom Brady rapidly approaching 40 Bill Belichick isn’t going to wait around for some draft picks to come around.  The Patriots traded their 1^st rounder for Cooks and their 2^nd rounder for Ealy.  Cooks is going to be the deep speed complement to Julian Edelman the team hasn’t seen since Randy Moss.  Ealy is going to fill in at DE where the team took some major off season losses like Chris Long and Jabaal Sheard.  These two are far better equipped to keep the Patriots fighting for the Super Bowl than any draft pick would be.

Best Value: WR Brandin Cooks

Considering the top 3 WRs in this draft went in the top 9 picks the fact that the Patriots only gave up #32 overall to get a legitimate, well-established WR like Cooks is a freaking steal.  Cooks will start on the outside and Tom Brady will use his deep speed well.  Just when you thought the Patriots offense couldn’t get any better, here comes another weapon.

Sleeper:  OT Antonio Garcia

With Nate Solder and Marcus Cannon established at OT Garcia will only provide depth this season unless there is an injury but Solder will be a free agent next year.  The Patriots will be counting on offensive line guru Dante Scarnecchia to mold Garcia into Solder eventual replacement, and no one should ever bet against Scarnecchia.

Overall Analysis

You can’t evaluate the Patriots’ draft without including Cooks and Ealy and both of them fill major needs.  Ealy looked like a budding star two years ago in the Super Bowl against the Broncos and then he regressed last year.  The team has a history of taking guys like that and reigniting their careers, just ask Jabaal Sheard.  The trades left the Patriots with only four picks and they took two DEs and two OTs.  Garcia could be a future starter and Conor McDermott is an experienced player that adds great depth.  Derek Rivers is a good-looking pass rushing prospect while Wise Jr. has some nice versatility on the defensive line.  The Patriots just keep chugging along and as long as Brady and Belichick are around they will be in the Super Bowl conversation.

New York Jets

• Jamal Adams   SS   LSU
• Marcus Maye   FS   Florida
• ArDarius Stewart   WR   Alabama
• Chad Hansen   WR   California
• Jordan Leggett   TE   Clemson
• Dylan Donahue   OLB   West Georgia
• Elijah McGuire   RB   UL Lafayette
• Jeremy Clark   CB   Michigan
• Derrick Jones   CB   Ole Miss

Immediate Impact:  SS Jamal Adams

Considering the state of the Jets roster there are quite a few players here that could play a lot of snaps.  Adams should make a huge impact since the secondary was a major problem last year.  The Jets made their intentions clear by drafting Adams and not picking up the fifth-year option on former top draft pick Calvin Pryor who has been a disappointment so far.  Adams will come in, start at SS and become the new leader of the secondary as the Jets make wholesale changes.

Best Value:  TE Jordan Leggett

The Jets TE position has been a disaster for quite some time but Leggett has the talent to turn that around.  He should slide right into the starting spot and give whomever is playing QB a reliable target over the middle.  It was a deep TE class and getting a guy like Leggett in the round 5 certainly proves it.

Sleepers: WR ArDarius Stewart, WR Chad Hansen

The Jets sent Brandon Marshall packing and Eric Decker is coming off a shoulder injury and he could be gone once he’s healthy enough to pass a physical.  That leaves Quincy Enunwa as the most accomplished WR on the roster.  Stewart is the smaller, shiftier guy that could excel in the slot while Hansen would be the bigger outside WR.  Both of these guys are going to make this team and they could become the top two WRs this season for the Jets.

Overall Analysis

The Jets couldn’t go too wrong in this draft considering their massive needs and they got one of the best players in this draft in Adams.  It was a bit curious that they then grabbed a FS, Marcus Maye, in the second round because there were better prospects available.  The two WR picks fill in a huge hole in the roster right now.  Leggett becomes an immediate starter at TE so that was a solid choice.  OLB Dylan Donahue adds depth and perhaps some special team’s value.  RB Elijah McGuire was an accomplished back in college and maybe his skill set helps take some of the load off of the aging Matt Forte but he’s not much more than a backup.  The Jets then rolled the dice on a couple of big defensive backs Jeremy Clark and Derrick Jones and hope to strike gold with one of them.  If nothing else they add depth to the roster.

 

2017 AFC West Draft Review

Denver Broncos

• Garett Bolles   OT   Utah
• DeMarcus Walker   DE   Florida St.
• Carlos Henderson   WR   Louisiana Tech
• Brendan Langley   CB   Lamar
• Jake Butt   TE   Michigan
• Isaiah McKenzie   WR   Georgia
• De’Angelo Henderson   RB   Costal Carolina
• Chad Kelly   QB   Ole Miss

Immediate Impact:  LT Garett Bolles

The Broncos have been looking for an answer at LT since Ryan Clady was a healthy oh so many years ago.  Bolles wasn’t my favorite prospect but he’s better than anyone they currently have at OT.  Donald Stephenson and Menelik Watson can battle it out for the RT spot once Bolles is on board.  If he’s not the starting LT on day one of the season than this is a major miss by the team.

Best Value:  DE DeMarcus Walker

He’s not flashy and he isn’t going to set the world on fire rushing the passer but he’s perfect for the Broncos 3-4 defense.  If I’m Jared Crick I’m not feeling too comfortable at the moment because Walker is coming for my job.  He’ll eat up blockers to free up OLBs Von Miller and Shane Ray and that’s exactly what he’s supposed to do.  That’s good value at #51.

Sleeper:  TE Jake Butt

Butt is in the same boat as Sidney Jones as he is unlikely to play this season after tearing his ACL in Michigan’s bowl game but he’s going to be a star when he returns.  The Broncos have been looking for a TE since they let Julius Thomas walk a couple of years ago and while they will have to wait another year Butt will be a future starter for them.

Overall Analysis

Bolles and Walker fill immediate needs and should be major contributors this season.  Butt is a future valuable asset.  Carlos Henderson might have a chance to unseat the underwhelming Cody Latimer as the 3^rd WR and that isn’t a herculean task.  The other WR, Isaiah McKenzie, is small and shifty and brings a different dimension to the team.  Langley and De’Angelo Henderson are long-term prospects that will maybe be stashed on the practice squad.  Mr. Irrelevant (the last pick of the draft) was QB Chad Kelly and he’s an interesting prospect.  He has loads of talent but he’s got serious character questions.  He could potentially compete with Trevor Simien and Paxton Lynch but he needs to get his act together rather quickly.

Kansas City Chiefs

• Patrick Mahomes   QB   Texas Tech
• Tanoh Kpassagnon   DE   Villanova
• Kareem Hunt   RB   Toledo
• Jehu Chesson   WR   Michigan
• Ukeme Eligwe   OLB   Georgia Southern
• Leon McQuay III   FS   Southern California

Immediate Impact: ???

The Chiefs traded way up to get a QB that probably isn’t going to play for a year or two.  I have a hard time seeing any of these draft picks helping the team much in 2017.

Best Value:  RB Kareem Hunt

Hunt is a really talented RB and taking him in the third round was good value.  The only downside is that with Spencer Ware, Charcandrick West and CJ Spiller on the roster Hunt is going to have a hard time finding playing time.

Sleeper: DE Tanoh Kpassagnon

It’s tough to call a second round pick a sleeper but that’s because the Chiefs reached a little bit here.  Kpassagnon is a freakish athlete with a huge frame at 6’7 280 lbs. and he fits the Chiefs 3-4 defense perfectly at DE.  The problem is he is as raw as they come because he hasn’t been playing football that long and he played at Villanova so his level of competition is low.  He could become a stud for them but it’s going to take some time.

Overall Analysis

I suppose when you go 12-4, make the playoffs and don’t have any major gaping holes you can afford to spend future draft capital and draft for the future.  Patrick Mahomes is going to get his shot to replace Alex Smith as the Chiefs franchise QB but that’s not going to happen this year and it might not happen next year.  Andy Reid clearly saw something he liked and thinks with time he can make Mahomes the type of QB he wants.  Kpassagnon has potential and the Chiefs do need help at DE but he’s got a long way to go to really make a difference.  I like Hunt I just don’t know where he’s going to find carries unless he can beat out West as the backup RB.  Jehu Chesson is a fast but raw WR prospect and with Jeremy Maclin, Tyreek Hill, Chris Conley and Albert Wilson around Chesson is going to have to be more valuable than De’Anthony Thomas on special teams to make this roster.  Eligwe and McQuay can hope to make the practice squad.

Los Angeles Chargers

• Mike Williams   WR   Clemson
• Forrest Lamp   G/T   Western Kentucky
• Dan Feeney   OG   Indiana
• Rayshawn Jenkins   FS   Miami
• Desmond King   FS   Iowa
• Sam Tevi   OT   Utah
• Isaac Rochell   DE   Notre Dame

Immediate Impact:  WR Mike Williams, G/T Forrest Lamp, OG Dan Feeney

The Chargers WR group has been a MASH unit for years and Williams can hopefully stay healthy and team with Keenan Allen to be dangerous pair for Phillip Rivers.  Williams is the type of big-bodied physical WR Rivers had back in Vincent Jackson’s heyday and Rivers is going to love Williams.  Pay no attention to the people who say Williams doesn’t get enough separation, he doesn’t need to he can out catch anyone.  The team realized that there wasn’t great value at OT so they grabbed two of the best linemen in the draft in Lamp and Feeney and both will start next year, the only question will be where.

Best Value:  FS/CB Desmond King

Are you kidding me?  The BIGGEST steal of the draft was getting King in round 5.  I cannot believe he lasted that long.  I should have included him in the immediate impact section too because I firmly believe King will break camp with the Chargers as their starting FS.  He will be joining an improving defense and a very good secondary.

Sleeper:  DE Isaac Rochell

Rochell isn’t going to be a starter anytime soon but he has potential as a situational pass rusher right now and into the future.  Joey Bosa and Melvin Ingram are the primary pass rushers on this team but every team needs a third on passing downs and Rochell could be that guy.

Overall Analysis

This is one of my favorite drafts of 2017 and not just because they stole Desmond King.  Williams fills a huge need and gives Phillip Rivers a really good weapon on offense.  Forrest Lamp and Dan Feeney give Rivers the protection he has been lacking for quite some time.  Feeney is an immediate starter at OG and Lamp would be too unless they decide to play him at RT.  He is potentially an All-Pro at OG but he might be their best option at RT too, at least in the short term.  Either way these two probably spell the end of Orlando Franklin’s time with the Chargers.  I think King is a superior player to Jenkins but Jenkins brings size and athleticism to the secondary and he and King could eventually be the starting safety tandem.  The other pick in the draft was OT Sam Tevi and while he doesn’t project as a starter right now he adds valuable depth to team that was awful on the offensive line last year.  This draft class could have the biggest impact on its team of any class this year.  Williams, Lamp and Feeney help the offense while King, Jenkins and Rochell fill needs on defense.

Oakland Raiders

• Gareon Conley   CB   Ohio St.
• Obi Melifonwu   SS   UConn
• Eddie Vanderdoes   DT   UCLA
• David Sharpe   OT   Florida
• Marquel Lee   OLB   Wake Forest
• Shalom Luani   SS   Washington St.
• Jylan Ware   OT   Alabama St.
• Elijah Hood   RB   North Carolina
• Treyvon Hester   DT   Toledo

Immediate Impact:  CB Gareon Conley, DB Obi Melifonwu

The Raiders have CBs David Amerson and Sean Smith and safeties Reggie Nelson and Karl Joseph so it seems strange to think these two will contribute so quickly.  However, Amerson struggled a bit last year, Nelson will be 34-years old and Smith will turn 30 during the season and there is little to no depth behind these four.  Conley could supplant Amerson or will be the third CB.  Melifonwu is a superior athlete that can play safety or CB and they will find a way to use him.

Best Value:  Melifonwu

At 6’4 219 lbs. Melifonwu is a freak of nature and brings serious skills to the secondary.  In a division where Antonio Gates is still a problem and Travis Kelce is an emerging star having a big, physical safety with coverage skills is going to come in handy.  There were some, myself included, that thought Melifonwu could have been a 1^st round pick.  At #56 he’s a steal.

Sleeper:  RB Elijah Hood

The Raiders are bringing Marshawn Lynch out of retirement but how is he going to be after a year off.  Hood has some issues and he had a better 2015 than 2016 but he’s a beast at 6’0 220 lbs. and he’s a good bet to make this roster.  He would be a better backup to take carries from Lynch than the two smaller backs already on the roster (DeAndre Washington and Jalen Richard).

Overall Analysis

Conley comes with some risk as he has a rape allegation hanging over him but clearly the Raiders felt comfortable enough with the situation to take him in the 1^st round.  One note on Conley is that he has never had any sort of off-the-field incident that anybody was worried about and was considered a good character prospect before the allegation.  Melifonwu and Conley address a huge need in the Raiders secondary so they should improve the defense.  Third rounder Eddie Vanderdoes comes with a lot of talent that needs to be motivated.  He has huge potential and with the recent release of DT Dan Williams Vanderdoes is going to have every opportunity to show how good he can be.  OT David Sharpe could add nice depth at tackle but I’m not sure he’s ever more than a backup.  The Raiders only drafted one LB, Marquel Lee, and he’s unlikely to make a major difference so that was curious.  They really needed help at ILB.  Luani, Ware and Hester are unlikely to make the roster but they can bring competition to camp.

 

2017 NFC East Draft Review

Dallas Cowboys

• Taco Charlton DE Michigan
• Chidobe Awuzie CB Colorado
• Jourdan Lewis CB Michigan
• Ryan Switzer WR North Carolina
• Xavier Woods SS Louisiana Tech
• Marquez White CB Florida St.
• Joey Ivie DT Florida
• Noah Brown WR Ohio St.
• Jordan Carrell DT Colorado

Immediate Impact:  DE Taco Charlton, CB Chidobe Awuzie, CB Jourdan Lewis

The Cowboys desperately needed help at DE and CB and they wasted no time addressing those needs.  Charlton is a big, powerful DE who can get to the QB and play the run and I think he’ll end up a starter in short order.  Awuzie should also grab a starting spot at CB considering the Cowboys lost Morris Claiborne and Brandon Carr in the off season.  Lewis is going to make an impact because he’s the perfect slot corner and the Cowboys need all the help they can get.

Best Value:  CB Chidobe Awuzie

At one point Awuzie looked like he might slip into the first round of the draft but the Cowboys get him late in the second thanks to the depth at the position.

Sleeper: SS Xavier Woods

The Cowboys lost starting SS Barry Church and third safety JJ Wilcox in free agency and they need someone to step up alongside FS Byron Jones.  Woods started for four years at La Tech and he could come in and take that starting job just due to his playing experience.  One of the most underrated aspects to a safety’s game is intelligence and understanding and a guy that has four years of starting experience has plenty of that.

Overall Analysis

Charlton, Awuzie, Lewis and Woods have a legitimate chance to come in and become starters (Lewis would be a nickel corner but that like a starting job in the NFL nowadays).  The Cowboys needed to solidify a defense that took some major hits in the offseason and they did that early and often in this draft.  WR Ryan Switzer is an interesting player and his NFL comparison is current Cowboy Cole Beasley, if I were Beasley I wouldn’t get too comfortable.  Switzer is a speedy, shifty WR that could excel in the slot and give Dak Prescott another weapon.  White has a chance to stick because the Cowboys secondary is a bit decimated and a young athletic CB can be nice depth and a good special team’s contributor.  WR Noah Brown is a wasted pick and I would have rather seen the Cowboys grab a guy like KD Cannon.  Ivie and Carrell will provide some depth for camp and some competition at DT but probably won’t make much of an impact.  The only curious decision was that in a draft full of really good TEs the Cowboys didn’t try to find someone to eventually replace Jason Witten, I mean he can’t play forever.

New York Giants

• Evan Engram TE Ole Miss
• Dalvin Tomlinson DT Alabama
• Davis Webb QB California
• Wayne Gallman RB Clemson
• Avery Moss DE Youngstown St.
• Adam Bisnowaty OT Pittsburgh

Immediate Impact:  TE Evan Engram

Two things, Engram barely qualifies as a TE he’s more like a jacked up WR and I wholeheartedly disagree with this pick.  Engram will make an impact because the Giants have virtually nothing at TE and Engram can line up inside and stretch the seam and make the Giants passing game potentially devastating.  That might be mitigated if Eli Manning spends all day on his back.

Best Value:  RB Wayne Gallman

He’s not flashy and he didn’t stand out in a group of RBs that’s pretty talented but Gallman has a chance to be a starter in New York.  His competition is Paul Perkins who has a tendency to get beat up.  Gallman is a power back by nature and he would be a superior complement to Shane Vereen.  In short yardage, he’s considerably better than Perkins will be.

Sleeper:  QB Davis Webb

He has a legitimate chance to be Eli’s successor especially considering the offensive line Eli will be playing behind for the near future.  They may want to get Webb up to speed quickly because Eli may get beat up a lot.  Webb is a talented QB with a great arm and this situation should allow him some time to adjust to a pro-style offense.

Overall Analysis

I hate the Evan Engram pick not because of Engram but because the Giants had their pick of any of the offensive linemen in the draft not named Garrett Bolles (he went three picks before their pick) and they passed on all of them.  Their offensive line is atrocious and another season of Ereck Flowers at LT could spell the end of Eli Manning’s career (you think I’m joking, I’m not).  The new, improved passing game with Brandon Marshall and Evan Engram added to Odell Beckham and Sterling Shepard won’t go very far with Eli either laying on the ground or having the play called back on Flowers’ holding penalties.  Cam Robinson, Ryan Ramczyk and Forrest Lamp were all available and would have make better choices.  Their second pick of Dalvin Tomlinson is spectacular especially with the free agent loss of Jonathan Hankins.  Tomlinson was the unsung hero of Alabama’s defensive line and he will end up starting next to Damon Harrison.  DE Avery Moss has a troubled background but it’s hard to bet against a DE the Giants picked.  OT Adam Bisnowaty is a solid offensive line prospect but he’s not the solution to their problems.  However, if I were the Giants I might give him a shot at LT in training camp just to see how it goes.

Philadelphia Eagles

• Derek Barnett DE Tennessee
• Sidney Jones CB Washington
• Rasul Douglas CB West Virginia
• Mack Hollins WR North Carolina
• Donnel Pumphrey RB San Diego St.
• Shelton Gibson WR West Virginia
• Nathan Gerry SS Nebraska
• Elijah Qualls DT Washington

Immediate Impact:  DE Derek Barnett

The Eagles signed Chris Long who is closer to the end of his career than the beginning and Vinny Curry disappointed last season with 2.5 sacks.  Brandon Graham and Marcus Smith could be fighting for their roster spots this season if Long looks good and Barnett is ready to contribute.  Barnett is relentless and while he isn’t a guy that wows with his athleticism, he has a quick first step and never quits.

Best Value:  CB Sidney Jones

There is a bit of a caveat to this, Jones isn’t likely to play this year at all.  He tore his Achilles tendon at his pro day and needs to rehab but when he’s healthy he’s arguably the best CB in this draft.  In 2018, I expect a healthy Jones to be a starting CB for the Eagles.  Even if they have to wait a year getting him at #43 in this draft was a steal.

Sleeper:  RB Donnel Pumphrey

Pumphrey is small but he’s also the all-time leading rusher in FBS history and you don’t achieve that by accident.  Asking him to be a workhorse back at 5’7 176 lbs. would be stupid but this is a team that has used Darren Sproles to the best of his abilities for years.  They will find the best possible way to use Pumphrey and yes that may include taking some of the carries away from Ryan Mathews.  Of course, that’s pretty easy to do with as often as he gets hurt.

Overall Analysis

Barnett and Jones are future building blocks of the defense and I really like the Pumphrey pick.  While they wait for Jones to be ready they drafted another CB Rasul Douglas, he’s a big CB that should contribute quickly.  The two WRs, Hollis and Gibson, add depth and maybe some special teams value.  SS Nathan Gerry is going to have to clean up his act and be a special team’s demon to make this squad.  DT Elijah Qualls has an opportunity to make some noise on this defense.  Fletcher Cox is a star but the Eagles traded for underachieving DT Tim Jernigan from Baltimore because they needed help inside.  Jernigan is undersized and hasn’t exactly been lighting it up so far in his career.  Qualls can be an anchor in the middle of the line with his size and athleticism that would free up Cox to wreak havoc.

Washington Redskins

• Jonathan Allen DL Alabama
• Ryan Anderson OLB Alabama
• Fabian Moreau CB UCLA
• Samaje Perine RB Oklahoma
• Monte Nicholson SS Michigan St.
• Jeremy Sprinkle TE Arkansas
• Chase Roullier C Wyoming
• Robert Davis WR Georgia St.
• Josh Harvey-Clemons FS Louisville
• Joshua Holsey CB Auburn

Immediate Impact:  DL Jonathan Allen, RB Samaje Perine

Jonathan Allen was the steal of the first round.  He has top 5 talent and he’s an immediate upgrade at DE for the Redskins and their 3-4 defense.  Simply by showing up at practice he’s the best defensive lineman on the team.  Perine is a more talented version of last year’s top Redskin’s rusher Rob Kelley.  Kelley outplayed Matt Jones and took over as the starter because unlike Jones, Kelley is a big back who likes to hand out punishment when he runs.  Well Perine is better than both of them and I think he’ll take that job over quickly.

Best Value:  Allen, CB Fabian Moreau

Like I said Allen is the steal of the first round.  Getting him at 17 is highway robbery.  Moreau was a potential 1^st round CB they got in round 3 because he tore a pectoral muscle during a workout after the season.  Unlike Sidney Jones’ injury Moreau will make a recovery and play this year.  He’s good enough to bump Bashaud Breeland off his starting spot if given the chance.

Sleeper:  OLB Ryan Anderson

OLB Preston Smith took a step back last year after a good rookie campaign leaving Ryan Kerrigan as the only real pass rusher on the defense.  Smith should bounce back but Anderson will be there to push him and be a situational pass rusher.  Anderson played all over Alabama’s front seven and wreaked havoc repeatedly.  He should do the same in Washington.

Overall Analysis

Allen, Anderson, Moreau and Perine will all contribute this year without question.  I’m not a fan of the Monte Nicholson pick, he simply doesn’t excel at either run support or coverage, there were far better safety prospects available when he was chosen.  TE Jeremy Sprinkle brings a different dimension than Vernon Davis and Jordan Reed at the position as he can be a very good blocker so that’s a nice pickup.  Roullier brings nice versatility as a backup interior offensive lineman and Davis could be nice depth at WR.  Harvey-Clemons is a talented athlete at safety and the Redskins could use some upgrades there he just has to stay out of trouble.  Holsey can fight for a spot at the end of the roster.

 

 

 

I don’t give out grades on drafts the week after it’s over because that’s just silly and there are plenty of guys out there doing that, if you want a grade check out the many articles online.  I’ll give my thoughts and analysis for each team and it’s broken down by division.  I’m starting with the NFC North because I have a number of readers who are fans of the Bears and Packers so here you go.

2017 NFC North Draft Review

Chicago Bears

• Mitchell Trubisky QB North Carolina
• Adam Shaheen TE Ashland
• Eddie Jackson SS Alabama
• Tarik Cohen RB North Carolina A&T
• Jordan Morgan OG Kutztown

Immediate Impact:  ??????

Shaheen is the only one with half a chance to make a difference and he’s pretty raw.

Best Value:  ???????

Yeah, I got nothing.

Sleeper: SS Eddie Jackson

I really like Jackson as a potential starter but he’s had two years of injuries to overcome.  He could legitimately become the starting SS for the Bears this year and I wouldn’t be surprised but that’s no sure thing.  His injury history makes him a question mark which is why he was a 4^th round pick not a 2^nd round pick.

Overall Analysis

I hope whoever takes over as the next coach and GM of the Bears likes Trubisky as much as Ryan Pace apparently did.  The ridiculous overpay to move up one spot is only half the problem; the other half is that Trubisky is no sure thing.  Add in the fact that the Bears spent money on Glennon and have said he’s the starter next season makes the whole situation mindboggling.  Shaheen has potential but he needs some time to adjust coming from Ashland to the NFL.  This draft isn’t going to help turn around the fortunes of the Bears fast enough to save Pace and Fox when things go really bad next season.  Waiting until their last pick to grab an offensive lineman that isn’t likely to help much right away is also a seriously questionable move.  Glennon isn’t exactly what you would call “fleet-of-foot” and with Charles Leno set to be his LT Trubisky may play sooner than you think.

Detroit Lions

• Jarrad Davis ILB Florida
• Teez Tabor CB Florida
• Kenny Golladay WR Northern Illinois
• Jalen Reeves-Maybin OLB Tennessee
• Michael Roberts TE Toledo
• Jamal Agnew CB San Diego
• Jeremiah Ledbetter DT Arkansas
• Brad Kaaya QB Miami
• Pat O’Connor DE Eastern Michigan

Immediate Impact:  LB Jarrad Davis

All of the top interior LBs in this draft came with question marks and the Lions decided to go with the guy with the health issues instead of going with Reuben Foster the guy with the character issues.  If Davis stays healthy he’s arguably the best LB on the Lions’ roster.  He can team with Tahir Whitehead as the three-down LBs but he’s a bit of a gamble health wise.

Best Value:  QB Brad Kaaya

Kaaya has plenty of holes in his game but he’s got the stature and the physical ability to be a starter in the NFL and they got him in the sixth round.  He’s not going to threaten Matthew Stafford’s job but if they can develop him he could be a very good backup QB and potentially a trade chip in the future.

Sleeper:  TE Michael Roberts

Roberts only played one season of football at Toledo because he was a basketball player before that, sound familiar?  He had 16 TDs last year in his one year so I think he’s filled with potential.  Eric Ebron has been solid but he’s coming up on free agency and the Lions may not want to spend a lot to keep him.  Roberts could certainly become a major red zone threat and Stafford has experience using big, physical receivers in the red zone before.

Overall Analysis

The Davis pick scares me simply because he gets hurt a lot and the Lions just dumped a talented LB DeAndre Levy because he got hurt a lot.  Reuben Foster has character questions but he would have been a more dynamic pick.  Teez Tabor is the CB who couldn’t run, he was slow at the combine and then even slower at his pro day workout.  Sometimes you can discount that if you see field speed on tape but the one major question on Tabor’s tape is his speed.  The one thing you don’t want to do when facing Aaron Rodgers is have a slow CB trying to cover his WRs.  The five guys in the middle of this class; Golladay, Reeves-Maybin, Roberts, Agnew and Ledbetter can all add depth and have potential to contribute but none are pushing the Lions past the Packers.  Kaaya was too good of value to pass up in round six and O’Connor is solid roll of the dice on a guy that could be a nice situational pass rusher.

Green Bay Packers

• Kevin King CB Washington
• Josh Jones SS North Carolina St.
• Montravius Adams DT Auburn
• Vince Biegel OLB Wisconsin
• Jamaal Williams RB BYU
• DeAngelo Yancey WR Purdue
• Aaron Jones RB Texas-El Paso
• Kofi Amichia OG South Florida
• Devante Mays RB Utah St.
• Malachi Dupre WR LSU

Immediate Impact:  CB Kevin King, DT Montravius Adams

King is a tall, rangy CB prospect that was overshadowed at Washington by CB Sidney Jones and S Budda Baker in his own secondary.  King shouldn’t have a problem overtaking guys like Damarious Randall and Devon House to become a starter right out of the gate.  Adams is going to get playing time out of need because he can play the NT position that is pretty thin at the moment.  He won’t be a flashy player but he will make the lives of the guys around him a lot easier.  Adams is a beast of a man and Dom Capers should be just the coach to motivate him.

Best Value:  LB Vince Biegel

Biegel is a good looking OLB prospect that fills a need for Packers after losing Datone Jones and Julius Peppers in free agency.  Biegel isn’t a “wow” athlete but he’s better than you think when he’s on the field.  He will contribute a lot next season and that’s pretty good considering he was a 4^th round pick.

Sleeper:  RB Jamaal Williams

The RB class was deep which is why an accomplished guy like Williams was available in the 4^th round.  He’s BYU’s all-time leading rusher and he’s a well-built back at 6’0 212 lbs.  No offense to Ty Montgomery and the job he did last year after moving from WR to RB but Williams is a RB by trade and I think he can win the starting RB job coming out of camp.

Overall Analysis

King, Adams, Biegel and Williams will all play big roles for this team next season.  SS Josh Jones may have to wait a year until Morgan Burnett is a free agent but he gives the Packers a reason to not re-sign Burnett.  He’s a talented prospect who should fill in some of what Micah Hyde did as the third safety last year before he left in free agency.  Clearly the Packers aren’t all that happy with their RB depth chart as they not only grabbed Williams but they took two other RBs, Aaron Jones and Devante Mays.  Neither of these two are going to push for the starting job but they add depth to a position that was sorely lacking it.  I like the fact they added a couple of athletic WRs to the mix in DeAngelo Yancey and Malachi Dupre, maybe neither one makes the team but they will increase the competition at the bottom of the WR depth chart.  I’m not going to pretend to know who Kofi Amichia is but maybe he adds depth behind newly signed old man Jahri Evans.

Minnesota Vikings

• Dalvin Cook RB Florida St.
• Pat Elflein G/C Ohio St.
• Jaleel Johnson DT Iowa
• Ben Gedeon ILB Michigan
• Rodney Adams WR South Florida
• Danny Isidora OG Miami
• Bucky Hodges TE Virginia Tech
• Stacy Coley WR Miami
• Ifeadi Odenigbo DE Northwestern
• Elijah Lee OLB Kansas St.
• Jack Tocho CB North Carolina St.

Immediate Impact:  RB Dalvin Cook, G/C Pat Elflein, DT Jaleel Johnson

No offense to holdover Jerick McKinnon or newly signed Latavius Murray but it’s only a matter of time before Cook takes over the starting RB job.  And that time may come during training camp.  Murray is injury prone and McKinnon is a change-of-pace type of guy, Cook is a special talent.  He was only available because of some maturity and off-the-field concerns.  The interior of the Vikings offensive line was just put on notice, Elflein is a versatile interior OL and he will be starting at one the spots.  My guess is he takes the center job right away because he’s more talented than any center on the roster.  Jaleel Johnson slides into a position of need.  Sharrif Floyd had a major knee injury last season that could end his career and the Vikings need someone to slot in next to Linval Joseph.  Johnson is beast who can eat up blockers as well as disrupt the pocket, it will be hard to keep him off the field.

Best Value:  RB Dalvin Cook

I’m simply amazed Cook fell to the second round.  He’s a supreme talent and the future of the position for the Vikings, oh and he’s probably the present for the position too.

Sleeper:  TE Bucky Hodges

The Vikings have Kyle Rudolph at TE but that’s about it.  They are also not exactly teeming with talent at WR outside of Stefon Diggs.  Hodges isn’t your in-line blocking TE but he can stretch the field in the passing game and is a very good athlete.  He will add a dimension to the offense in two-TE sets and give Sam Bradford another weapon in the middle of the field.

Overall Analysis

For a team that traded away its first-round draft pick last year for Sam Bradford the Vikings had a heck of a draft.  Cook is a first-round talent they got in the second round.  Elflein and Johnson fill in major areas of need on the lines.  LB Ben Gedeon is a nice addition that helps replace retired LB Chad Greenway and don’t be surprised if he’s starting alongside Eric Kendricks and Anthony Barr.  Rodney Adams has a chance to be what Cordarrelle Patterson was supposed to be as a gadget-play receiver and returner.  Hodges has a chance to really add to the offense.  OG Danny Isidora can add depth to an interior offensive line that can use it.  Coley, Odenigbo, Lee and Tocho will have to make their mark on special teams to make the Vikings roster.

 

Well I really don’t have time to do another mock draft before the 2017 NFL Draft kicks off on Thursday night so here are some of my quick thoughts on what’s going to happen this weekend.

• I’m going to watch at least some of the first round on Thursday night on ESPN because Trey Wingo is replacing Chris Berman as the host of first night so now I can enjoy ESPN’s coverage again.  Mel Kiper and Todd McShay aren’t Mike Mayock so I’ll catch some of NFL Network’s coverage too but ESPN also has Adam Schefter, he’s the best in the business.
• If Cleveland takes a QB at #1 instead of Miles Garrett that’s pretty much the kiss of death for that guy (likely Mitchell Trubisky).  Of course if they somehow trade for the #22 overall pick and pick a QB there every Cleveland Browns fan is going to jump into Lake Erie and hope to end their misery.  Seriously, Johnny Manziel, Brandon Weeden and Brady Quinn were all taken #22 overall by the Browns, yikes.
• The 49ers are bluffing so hard about taking a QB at #2 John Lynch’s head is going to explode.  They want to trade out of that spot and pick up picks, don’t buy anything they say this week.  If John Lynch or Kyle Shananhan try to tell you the sky is blue and water is wet, don’t believe them.
• There is a real chance Cleveland trades back up into the top 5 to grab Trubisky after taking Garrett #1.  However, the analytical front won’t overpay to do so, they are smarter than previous Cleveland front offices.  If they take Trubisky #1 overall forget everything I just said, this would be a clear sign it doesn’t matter who’s running the Browns, being a Browns executive makes you stupid.
• There are always prospects I kind of fall in love with and prospects I generally hate come draft time.  Here’s a look at a few.
• Jonathan Allen DL Alabama- Allen is a stud no matter where he plays.  He’s best as a DE in a 3-4 defense but he’ll work in any defense.  He won’t be flashy but he’ll be a fantastic defender for 10 years.
• Corey Davis WR Western Michigan- Western Michigan wasn’t good just because PJ Fleck was their coach.  Davis is a legitimate #1 WR in the NFL.  He’s big, fast and physical, think Demaryius Thomas.  Depending on where he goes he could be the Offensive Rookie of the Year.
• Desmond King DB Iowa- Call me a homer, I don’t care.  King is going to go in the second round as a FS for someone and then be a 10-year pro and be fantastic.  There are some things you just can’t measure and being an superior football player is one of them.  Call him too slow, call him too short and call him stiff in the hips, I don’t care, he’s better than most of the top rated DBs in this draft.
• Sidney Jones CB Washington- You won’t here his named called early like it should have been because he tore his Achilles tendon at his pro day but if he gets healthy he’s a future star.  By the way, two of my previous CB favorites in the past few years were Desmond Trufant and Marcus Peters, I don’t usually toot my own horn but I’m pretty good at picking out the good CBs.
• Like most executives that aren’t blinded by the need to get a QB I’m not impressed by this QB class.  Trubisky, Deshaun Watson, DeShone Kizer, Patrick Mahomes and Davis Webb are the 5 top rated players at the position but I would gladly take Nathan Peterman or CJ Beathard a couple of rounds later and give them a shot.  Some people like Josh Dobbs from Tennessee (I’m looking at you Todd McShay) but he’s not the next Dak Prescott, he’s the next Trevon Boykin.
• Here’s how I see the QBs coming off the board.  Trubisky first (probably top 10), Mahomes second with Watson third (both somewhere between 12-25 in round 1).  Webb goes early second round and Peterman mid-second round.  Kizer goes front half of the third round with Dobbs and Beathard going somewhere in the fourth round.
• I really don’t like Malik McDowell out of Michigan St.  He’s a tweener (not fast enough to play DE, too tall to be an effective DT).  He needs to be a DE in a 3-4 defense but I still think he’s missing the fire it takes to be a dominant force.
• If there is a late riser that could make his way into the top 10 and nobody is talking about him, it’s Hassan Reddick.  The LB out of Temple was a pass rushing DE making a transition to ILB most likely and he’s got the athleticism to pull it off.  If you think that can’t work, ask Tedy Bruschi.
• Florida ILB Jarrad Davis is moving up the draft board late because he’s a talented prospect but I would still have concerns because he has a hard time staying healthy.  Ohio St. ILB Raekwon McMillan isn’t getting enough credit and he may be a bit limited but he’s a better bet than Davis.
• There are two safeties I like that are likely to go somewhere between the 2nd and 4th rounds.  Alabama SS Eddie Jackson, he missed this last season with an injury but he’s a good bet to start for someone sooner rather than later.  Texas A&M SS Justin Evans is also a good bet to go in the middle rounds and probably be a rookie starter.
• Mike Williams, Corey Davis and John Ross have gotten the lion’s share of the coverage at WR and rightfully so but there is one other guy I really like.  East Carolina’s Zay Jones is a really good prospect.  Depending on where he goes he could be a dark horse for Rookie of the Year. He’s got great size, good speed and he was the definition of productive.  He had 158 catches last year.
• A guy who should go higher than he will is Washington S Budda Baker.  He’s a difference maker.
• I hate this OT class even more than the QB class.  The OT class doesn’t even have anyone I like late in the draft.  The best sleeper prospect is Julie’n Davenport out of Bucknell, yep, it’s bad.
• Good luck to the Hawkeyes hoping to get drafted.  I see Beathard, King, George Kittle and Jaleel Johnson getting drafted.  I hope LeShun Daniels is picked but RB is a crap shoot.  CB Greg Mabin will get a shot in camp with someone and maybe Riley McCarron convinces someone he can be a camp body.  I don’t know if Cole Croston will get a shot, no offense but I wouldn’t spend the time on him.