Dallas Cowboys
(24) Tyler Smith OL Tulsa
(56) Sam Williams DL Mississippi
(88) Jalen Tolbert WR South Alabama
(129) Jake Ferguson TE Wisconsin
(155) Matt Waletzko OL North Dakota
(167) DaRon Bland CB Fresno St.
(176) Damone Clark LB LSU
(178) John Ridgeway DT Arkansas
(193) Devin Harper LB Oklahoma St.

Immediate Impact: OG Tyler Smith
The Cowboys lost Connor Williams in free agency and they weren’t exactly teeming with talent on the interior of the offensive line. Enter Tyler Smith from Tulsa. He’s a small school prospect who played OT in college but he translates well to LG for them. He has the added bonus of being a guy who could move out to OT in a couple of years once Tyron Smith is done. For now, he starts next to Tyron Smith at LG.

Best Value: WR Jalen Tolbert
The Cowboys traded away Amari Cooper, they lost Cedric Wilson in free agency, and Michael Gallup is coming back from injury. It’s basically CeeDee Lamb or bust at this point for Dak Prescott. Tolbert isn’t going to wow anyone with routes but he’s faster than he looks and he can go get a deep ball. At this point he only has to beat out Steelers castoff James Washington and he’s basically getting starters snaps. That’s good value in round three.

Sleeper: DT John Ridgeway
The Cowboys took some guys with question marks, some on the field and some off. Ridgeway is a guy with one big answer, he’s a run stuffer in the middle. He’s 6’6 320 lbs. and brings the type of size the Cowboys don’t have at DT. I think he has a chance to make this roster and be big part of their run defense on first and second down.

Overall Analysis
Tyler Smith is a well-regarded prospect but he’s stepping up in competition so the transition could be a little bumpy. DE Sam Williams is an intriguing prospect with a whole lot of questions off the field. The Cowboys have said they thoroughly vetted him but call me skeptical given their history. He’s a talent but he may not be worth the headache. The Tolbert pick might end up being their best one next year, he can play. Jake Ferguson is the rare Wisconsin TE who doesn’t block but he gives them a nice backup pass catcher at the position. OT Matt Waletzko is a tall, lean guy who is going to need an NFL weight program to get his strength to a place where he can compete. He’s a solid bet on potential.

They spent their last four picks on some defensive players. CB DaRon Bland might seem like a longshot until you look at the Cowboys CB depth chart, he’s not their worst option. LB Damone Clark would have been taken earlier but he had spinal fusion surgery and there’s no guarantee he ever plays. He’s not going to play this season but they can hope he plays someday, he’s a talented guy. Ridgeway can play, he can make this team. Devin Harper might be a special team’s guy.

New York Giants
(5) Kayvon Thibodeaux OLB Oregon
(7) Evan Neal OT Alabama
(43) Wan’Dale Robinson WR Kentucky
(67) Joshua Ezeudu OL North Carolina
(81) Cordale Flott S LSU
(112) Daniel Bellinger TE San Diego St.
(114) Dane Belton S Iowa
(146) Micah McFadden LB Notre Dame
(147) DJ Davidson DL Arizona St.
(173) Marcus McKethan OL North Carolina
(182) Darrian Beavers LB Cincinnati

Immediate Impact: OLB Kayvon Thibodeaux, OT Evan Neal
When your make two picks in the top seven you expect they will contribute right away, these two will. Thibodeaux is the kind of pass rusher they have been looking for since Michael Strahan basically. Thibodeaux has the talent to be one of the elite rushers in the NFL, as long as he stays focused on the football. He’ll start opposite Azeez Ojulari and the two of them can wreak havoc in Wink Martindale’s defense. Neal should be the RT to bookend with Andrew Thomas for the next decade. The offensive line has been a problem for years for the Giants but Neal is one huge solution, literally, he’s 6’7 350 lbs. Daniel Jones and the Giants can’t blame the offensive line for their ineptitude anymore

Best Value: S Dane Belton
This isn’t even a homer pick just because he comes from Iowa. Belton is a little underrated by draft analysts but NFL teams know better. Belton played a hybrid position at Iowa as a LB/S yet he still had five picks last year. He’s a good tackler, he’s good in coverage and he has excellent ball skills. He doesn’t have one elite trait; he has a lot of very good ones. He’s going to play for the Giants because he’s good and they need his help. They only had two safeties on the depth chart going into the draft and now Belton’s versatility means he can be the third guy and actually play. He can cover in the slot, he can cover a TE or RB, and he can come up and tackle.

Sleeper: OG Joshua Ezeudu
Third round guards don’t get talked about a lot but Ezeudu deserves a little credit. He played multiple positions on the UNC offensive line, sometimes different positions on the same drive. He should settle in at guard for the Giants and they need the help. They signed Mark Glowinski at RG but at center and LG they only have guys like Jon Feliciano, Max Garcia, and Shane Lemieux, it’s not a murderer’s row to compete with. If he’s starting by week six, I won’t be surprised.

Overall Analysis
I may not have liked Evan Neal as much as Ikem Ekwonu or even Charles Cross but he’s a legitimate starting NFL OT with upside to be a Pro Bowler eventually. He solves the RT spot quite well. Thibodeaux has his detractors but I think it’s overblown that he doesn’t care enough about football, the guy’s a star pass rusher when he rolls out of bed. I understand the Wan’Dale Robinson has some playmaking ability but taking him 43rd overall when there were plenty of other WRs on the board feels like a reach. He’s really undersized, he has short arms, and even if they dump Kadarius Toney, he’s at best, the fourth WR on the team. Maybe they like him as a RB but that’s an even bigger reach. Their two third round picks were Ezeudu and DB Cordale Flott. Flott is a CB/S hybrid who can be a big slot corner and can match up inside with anyone. If they can find a defined role for him, he’s a solid addition to a secondary that needs some help.

TE Daniel Bellinger is a project but with the exception of Ricky Seals-Jones, they don’t have much at the position. I like Belton, Belton is going to play for this team. They drafted two LBs in the fifth and sixth rounds, Micah McFadden and Darrian Beavers. They’re depth pieces at best. DJ Davidson is a gigantic DT that might be able to help at NT and considering Justin Ellis will be 32 this year, he’s a solid addition. They also picked up another UNC offensive lineman Marcus McKethan, he’s a developmental guy at best.

Philadelphia Eagles
(13) Jordan Davis DT Georgia
(51) Cam Jurgens C Nebraska
(83) Nakobe Dean LB Georgia
(181) Kyron Johnson LB Kansas
(198) Grant Calcaterra TE SMU

Immediate Impact: WR AJ Brown, DT Jordan Davis
The Eagles traded one of their first-round picks to Tennessee for AJ Brown and signed him to a $100 million deal. It’s a lot of money but he’s a legitimate #1 WR to pair with Devonta Smith and they needed him. It means there’s no excuse for Jalen Hurts to struggle and they will find out if he’s their QB of the future or if they need to make a move next year for someone new. Davis is a beast at DT and he’s exactly what they need up front. A young, athletic freak to take the pressure off Fletcher Cox. He should be excellent in Philly.

Best Value: LB Nakobe Dean
Dean is an undersized LB with some injury concerns and that’s why he fell to the third round of the draft. I doubt either of those things will stop him from being an absolute menace on the Philly defense. He’s too good to not be a star. It’s possible his career doesn’t last as long as some guys because he might wear down, but he’s going to be a bright shining light for the next five years at least. He also gets to keep playing behind his personal protector Jordan Davis, that’s good for any LB.

Sleeper: TE Grant Calcaterra
They had a small draft class because of some trading so there’s not a lot of guys to choose from, so I’m picking Calcaterra. He once retired from football because of concussions and then transferred to SMU to restart his career. He has some nice skills and the Eagles don’t have a lot behind Dallas Goedert so he has a chance to stick around. If he stays healthy, he could be a solid addition.

Overall Analysis
The Eagles took the three first-round picks they started with and turned them into a move up for Jordan Davis, a first-round pick next year, and AJ Brown, that’s a good draft on its own. Then they drafted Cam Jurgens, the heir apparent to Jason Kelce, and stole Nakobe Dean in the third round. This draft weekend couldn’t have gone better unless someone in the draft room won the Powerball. Kyron Johnson is a speedy LB they could use in sub packages and I like Calcaterra. Good draft, all around.

Washington Commanders
(16) Jahan Dotson WR Penn St.
(47) Phidarian Mathis DT Alabama
(98) Brian Robinson Jr. RB Alabama
(113) Percy Butler S Louisiana
(144) Sam Howell QB North Carolina
(149) Cole Turner TE Nevada
(230) Chris Paul OL Tulsa
(240) Christian Holmes CB Oklahoma St.

Immediate Impact: WR Jahan Dotson, RB Brian Robinson Jr.
Dotson may have been drafted a bit too early but the run on WRs was in full force and the Commanders didn’t want to miss out. He isn’t the biggest WR you’ll find but he plays bigger and he’s used to making great catches. Dotson’s ability to reach out and grab a poorly thrown pass will come in handy with his new QB. Robinson isn’t one of the big name RBs in this draft but he is one of the big backs at 6’1 228 lbs. Washington has two smaller backs in Antonio Gibson and JD McKissic, Robinson will find a role as the guy between the tackles and in short yardage pretty quickly.

Best Value: QB Sam Howell
A year ago, Howell was in the conversation as one of the QBs to watch out for as the potential #1 pick in the 2022 draft. Well, they got him with the first pick alright, in the fifth round. Howell isn’t very big and he doesn’t have elite arm strength, however, he’s got guts and now he has a giant chip on his shoulder. Carson Wentz is far from a sure thing at QB and in 2020 when Howell actually had good talent around him at UNC, he was lights out. If Wentz falls apart, the Commanders would be wise to at least give Howell a shot and not just turn back to Taylor Heinicke.

Sleeper: Robinson
I said he’ll be the between the tackles and short yardage guy pretty quickly but he could be more than that. He’s a talented RB who runs hard, has patience, and they have no other back like him. I could see him becoming their starting tailback and them using Gibson differently. I like how he plays and with Wentz as their QB, they should run the ball more.

Overall Analysis
For now, forget the fact he went 16th overall, Dotson’s a player, he’ll be good. DT Phidarian Mathis was chosen not because of what he can be today but because he’s a great hedge against losing Da’Ron Payne when they can’t afford to pay him. Mathis was trained at Alabama just like Payne (and Johnathan Allen) and he will be ready to play when they need him. I like Robinson, that was a good pick. S Percy Butler has some holes in his game and he’s stepping up in competition but one look at the Washington secondary depth chart and I’m not counting him out.

Howell was well worth a fifth-round flyer and he could pay dividends sooner rather than later. Things have gone south with Wentz quickly on two different teams and I’m not sure Washington is the environment to bring out his best. TE Cole Turner is also a guy I would question until you look at the roster and see TE is basically Logan Thomas or bust, and Thomas has had some injury issues. Chris Paul isn’t the most famous Chris Paul and he’s wasn’t even the best offensive lineman from Tulsa, that was Tyler Smith who went in round one to Dallas. He’s got a long road ahead of him to make this team. CB Christian Holmes is a guy that lacks fluidity and likes to get handsy, that’s a tough combination to overcome.

Denver Broncos
(64) Nik Bonitto OLB Oklahoma
(80) Greg Dulcich TE UCLA
(115) Damarri Mathis S Pitt
(116) Eyioma Uwazurike DL Iowa St.
(152) Delarrin Turner-Yell S Oklahoma
(162) Montrell Washington WR Samford
(171) Luke Wattenberg OL Washington
(206) Matt Henningsen DL Wisconsin
(232) Faion Hicks CB Wisconsin

Immediate Impact: QB Russell Wilson
They traded multiple picks to finally solve their QB issue and one way or the other Russell Wilson will have an immediate impact on the Broncos’ fortunes. The rest of this draft class probably isn’t making much of an immediate impact.

Best Value: OLB Nik Bonitto
The Broncos didn’t have their own first or second round picks so their first one was the one they got in the Von Miller trade last year from the Rams. They got Bonitto with the last pick of the second round. He wasn’t necessarily valued a lot higher than that but he had potential to go early in round two. Bonitto will be a pass rush specialist behind Bradley Chubb, Randy Gregory, and Malik Willis. Chubb and Gregory have been known to miss time so depth is nice. Bonitto will flash in a designated pass rusher role.

Sleeper: DL Eyioma Uwazurike
The Broncos traded away Shelby Harris in the Russell Wilson deal and they don’t have a lot of depth or size on the defensive line. DT DJ Jones is the only really big guy and beyond Dre’Mont Jones and McTelvin Agim, they don’t have much else. Mike Purcell is the only backup and he’s 31. Uwazurike played multiple positions at Iowa St and he’s 6’6 320 lbs. He should be able to find some snaps to show he belongs and he has a chance to stick around and contribute.

Overall Analysis
You can’t evaluate the Broncos draft without considering the Russell Wilson trade. They gave up multiple draft picks and players to get him but he’s the first real answer they have had at QB since Peyton Manning retired. Wilson didn’t have a great year in Seattle but that offensive line was a disaster and he should have better protection in Denver. He also has some good offensive players around him. This draft class isn’t going to change their fortunes, only Wilson can do that.

Bonitto and Greg Dulcich are good depth pieces. Dulcich won’t unseat Albert O as the starting TE but they traded away Noah Fant and they don’t have any depth. Damarri Mathis and Delarrin Turner-Yell are undersized safeties who are going to find snaps hard to come by in the secondary and CB Hicks isn’t making this roster. Uwazurike has a shot to contribute. Henningsen is a good athlete but he feels like a practice squad guy. The interior of the Broncos line has been underwhelming at times so Luke Wattenberg has a chance to stick around. He’s not a starter but he’ll make Lloyd Cushenberry a little less comfortable.

Kansas City Chiefs
(21) Trent McDuffie CB Washington
(30) George Karlaftis DE Purdue
(54) Skyy Moore WR Western Michigan
(62) Bryan Cook S Cincinnati
(103) Leo Chenal LB Wisconsin
(135) Joshua Williams CB Fayetteville St.
(145) Darian Kinnard OL Kentucky
(243) Jaylen Watson CB Washington St
(251) Isaih Pacheco RB Rutgers
(259) Nazeeh Johnson S Marshall

Immediate Impact: CB Trent McDuffie, DE George Karlaftis, WR Skyy Moore
The Chiefs defense had some holes to fill and they filled them alright. McDuffie was one of the better cover corners in the draft. The only knock on him was he doesn’t have elite size. That doesn’t matter when you cover like he does. He may start quickly but if he doesn’t, he’ll at least be the nickel corner and there’s a chance the Chiefs use him a little bit like they used Tyrann Mathieu. The team has Frank Clark and not much else at DE and they should avoid moving Chris Jones back outside, he’s better at DT. Enter George Karlaftis. He may not have the athletic ceiling of guys like Travon Walker or David Ojabo, but he can start right now and his pass rush skills translate immediately. He’s a power end who’s going to make life hell for opposing offenses. WR Skyy Moore isn’t a Tyreek Hill replacement but he adds another piece to the WR puzzle. I wasn’t as high on him as some of the pre-draft hype but he went 54th overall, he was the 13th WR drafted and he’ll be playing with Patrick Mahomes. He’s in the early consideration for offensive rookie of the year.

Best Value: Moore
Look at what I just wrote. 54th overall and the 13th WR taken, that’s a steal. The team has Marquez Valdes-Scantling on the outside, JuJu Smith-Schuster in the slot and Mecole Hardman. I’ll actually take Moore over Hardman’s inconsistency. Moore can play in the slot or at the Z receiver and mix and match with Smith-Schuster and I think he’ll be more consistent for Mahomes than Hardman has been. The pre-draft hype got a little out of control but this was a value spot for him, he’s better than the 13th WR in this draft class.

Sleeper: OL Darrian Kinnard
Kinnard is not the most refined player to watch, that’s the nice way of saying he wins ugly, which is the nice way of saying he’s sloppy. His technique is all over the place and he doesn’t do things consistently. That said, the guy is a beast and he wins, a lot. Just because it isn’t pretty doesn’t mean it doesn’t work. Now the question is, how good can he be if a coach can clean up his technique? Andy Reid has had some experience coaching up offensive linemen. Kinnard played OT at Kentucky and most think he has to move inside in the NFL, not so fast. I think for now, he can become a backup all over in Kansas City and I wouldn’t count him out as a future RT. Let’s see what Reid can do with him. If I were RT Lucas Niang, I wouldn’t feel great right now.

Overall Analysis
This is a good draft that has a chance to be elite. The two first-round picks can start on day one. Skyy Moore was a steal and he puts Mecole Hardman on notice, it’s now or never to reach his potential. Bryan Cook was a good safety at Cincinnati. He’s athletically limited but he’s smart and he doesn’t get beat. He’s basically the good version of Daniel Sorenson. Leo Chenal is a tank at LB. He tested better athletically than he plays, but he plays like a madman and no one is running on him.

Joshua Williams and Jaylen Watson are two 6’3 CBs who are great athletes and are pretty raw as corners. Steve Spagnuolo is the defensive coordinator and he needed more corner help and he likes long corners so they got him two. They also drafted another safety in round seven, Nazeeh Johnson, who is very experienced but he’s thin as a rail. Kinnard is a bet on the coaching skills of Reid and his offensive staff, solid bet. RB Isaih Pacheco runs faster on a track than he does on the field and I have my doubts he sticks on this roster.

Las Vegas Raiders
(90) Dylan Parham OL Memphis
(122) Zamir White RB Georgia
(126) Neil Farrell Jr. DL LSU
(175) Matthew Butler DL Tennessee
(238) Thayer Munford OL Ohio St.
(250) Brittain Brown RB UCLA

Immediate Impact: WR Devante Adams
The Raiders traded their first and second round picks to get Adams and he’s the best WR on the team since…Tim Brown? I may be missing someone but don’t say Randy Moss because he was terrible for his short stint there. They aren’t going to get a lot from this draft class immediately, but Adams is arguably the best WR in the NFL.

Best Value: RB Zamir White
White is one of the better RBs in this draft and the Raiders got him in the fourth round, that’s solid value. They declined the fifth-year option on RB Josh Jacobs contract making this his last year before free agency and White is a good hedge against him leaving. He’s a legitimate potential starting RB. This is what teams should do, draft a RB in the middle rounds to replace a guy you really don’t want to give a second contract to.

Sleeper: OL Thayer Mumford
Mumford started at LT at Ohio St until they needed his versatility to move inside because Nicholas Petit-Frere couldn’t play anywhere but LT. He’s not a natural at guard so he didn’t have a great year. If the Raiders focus on developing his technique at OT and working on his functional strength a bit, he could be a future starting OT. I like his upside there better than their first-round pick from last season Alex Leatherwood.

Overall Analysis
The Raiders took some big swings this off season but none bigger than trading for Devante Adams and giving him huge money. He’s part of the calculus to this draft class because they gave up two picks for him. He’s arguably the best WR in football and they are in win now mode with him and Derek Carr having new expensive contracts. They spent big money in free agency so they don’t need this draft class to add too much but they got a few solid pieces here.

OL Dylan Parham is a bit undersized but he can be a mauler inside. Many teams think he can move to center and he may eventually do that for the Raiders, for now he will compete at OG. White may have to wait his turn with the Raiders having Josh Jacobs, Kenyan Drake, Brandon Bolden (a coaching staff favorite) and even Ameer Abdullah around, but 2023 might be his year. I actually think Josh McDaniels and that staff will use White, maybe more than Drake. Neil Ferrell Jr is a big-bodied NT type they can develop behind Jonathan Hankins who is over 30. Matthew Butler is the quicker penetrating DT; they can use that too. Mumford is nice OL depth with upside. RB Brittain Brown? I have no idea why they drafted him; he’s not making this roster.

Los Angeles Chargers
(17) Zion Johnson OG Boston College
(79) JT Woods S Baylor
(123) Isaiah Spiller RB Texas A&M
(160) Otito Ogbonnia DL UCLA
(195) Jamaree Salyer OL Georgia
(214) Ja’Sir Taylor CB Wake Forest
(236) Deane Leonard CB Mississippi
(260) Zander Horvath RB Purdue

Immediate Impact: OG Zion Johnson
The Chargers need help on the offensive line and Johnson is just the guy to do it. He has versatility to play OG or OT and some think he could eventually move to center. However, Johnson didn’t enjoy his time at OT and the Chargers have a center so they can just plug him in at guard and leave him there for the next decade. Justin Herbert says thank you.

Best Value: RB Isaiah Spiller
Austin Ekeler has a couple years left on his contract but he has a tendency to get banged up during the season. Joshua Kelley and Larry Roundtree III are nice players but they aren’t the guys to eventually replace Ekeler. Spiller is arguably the best all-around back in this draft and he could be their eventual starting RB. A fourth-round pick on a RB as talented as him when your starter has issues staying healthy, that’s value.

Sleeper: OL Jamaree Salyer
Salyer was the starting LT at Georgia last season. He isn’t your prototypical OT for the NFL and he probably has to move inside but I wouldn’t count on that just yet. The Chargers solved one OG spot with Zion Johnson but they need a RT also. Salyer could potential start out trying RT and I’m pretty sure he would be better than Storm Norton pretty quickly, that’s a low bar to clear. He does also give them the option of playing him at OG and moving LG Matt Feiler to RT, he’s played the position before. Either way, I think Salyer could end up a starter on the offensive line and he was somehow a sixth-round pick.

Overall Analysis
There are a few things to love about this draft. Zion Johnson has Pro Bowl potential at OG and I really like the pick-up of Salyer. RB Isaiah Spiller is a steal and he has starter potential at some point. They drafted safety JT Woods in round two and he gives Brandon Staley a third safety that I could see him using in sub packages. Woods can play deep while they move Nassir Adderley up and let Derwin James roam around. DT Otito Ogbonnia is a solid choice in round five. The Chargers signed a couple of DTs to help improve their run defense but Ogbonnia is a really tough run defender and he gives them some more depth inside. Teams ran on the Chargers defense at will last year, that’s going to be much tougher to do this year.

The last three picks aren’t as easy to like. You can certainly make the case the Chargers need more depth at CB but I’m not sure Ja’Sir Taylor and Deane Leonard are going to be that depth. Taylor is undersized and Leonard is underdeveloped in coverage. Taylor may bring some returner value but that’s it. RB Zander Horvath is one big RB, he’s built like a FB, he just doesn’t block like one. I don’t think Horvath is going to make this team as a RB, maybe they want him to play TE or special teams.

Chicago Bears
(39) Kyler Gordon CB Washington
(48) Jaquan Brisker S Penn St.
(71) Velus Jones Jr. WR Tennessee
(168) Braxton Jones OT Southern Utah
(174) Dominique Robinson DL Miami (OH)
(186) Zachary Thomas OL San Diego St.
(203) Trestan Ebner RB Baylor
(207) Doug Kramer OL Illinois
(226) Ja’Tyre Carter OL Southern
(254) Elijah Hicks S California
(255) Trenton Gill P North Carolina St.

Immediate Impact: CB Kyler Gordon, S Jaquan Brisker
Gordon wasn’t a favorite of mine but he’s solid CB prospect and he only has to be better than Kindle Vildor and Thomas Graham to earn the starting job opposite Jaylon Johnson, he’s at least that good. He’s tough, he’s physical and he’s athletic. Brisker is a guy I like quite a bit. He’s a freak athletically and he’s one of the most complete safeties in the draft. He does everything well and he does it well consistently. I would be shocked if he’s not starting opposite Eddie Jackson in week one.

Best Value: Gordon and Brisker
Getting two starters in the secondary in round two is very good value, especially when you don’t have a first-round pick. They made the most of that extra pick they got in the Khalil Mack trade.

Sleeper: OT Braxton Jones
This is one of my favorite project OTs in the draft. Small school guy with great length and instincts. He has all the makings of an elite offensive tackle he just needs an NFL caliber weight program and some coaching. His upside is high and he would be a perfect fit in the Bears new offense. I wouldn’t be the least bit surprised if he’s the starting LT in a couple of years, maybe sooner if Teven Jenkins and Larry Borom can’t hold him off or stay healthy.

Overall Analysis
So many teams reach to fill needs early in the draft, teams with as many needs as the Bears, just take good players and let them win the job. The secondary wasn’t as big of a need as some of the other positions but Gordon and Brisker were too good to pass up. Then the Bears reached for Velus Jones Jr, a WR who’s a good return man but leaves a lot to be desired as a receiver. He’s also about to turn 25 years old after spending an extra year in college (for reference he’s older than AJ Brown, DK Metcalf and Mecole Hardman). I don’t like that pick. DL Dominique Robinson was a solid investment in getting an edge rusher on day three. They drafted RB Trestan Ebner who adds help on special teams and maybe becomes a Tarik Cohen replacement, if they’re lucky, feels like a wasted pick. S Elijah Hicks probably ends up on the practice squad as he’s coming off a foot injury and he’s a little undersized. They took a punter in round seven, not a terrible idea on your 11th pick in a draft.

In addition to OT Braxton Jones, the Bears hit the offensive line hard on day three, my main complaint would be they waited until day three. Zachary Thomas, Doug Kramer, and Ja’Tyre Carter were added as depth. Thomas could end up at either OT or OG, Kramer is insurance behind new center Lucas Patrick and Carter has versatility and athleticism to play about anywhere. When your line is as bad as the Bears line is, take as many shots as you can, I’m just not sure so many of them being on day three is helpful. All four of these guys could make the roster. Braxton Jones has potential to be a starter for sure but I could see Thomas pushing Dakota Dozier for a guard spot and Kramer can make the roster because of his intelligence and experience at center. Overall, a solid draft with a few whiffs, I think Velus Jones Jr is a wasted pick (there were better WRs available and even other better players at other positions), but I don’t hate the draft class overall.

Detroit Lions
(2) Aidan Hutchinson DE Michigan
(12) Jameson Williams WR Alabama
(46) Josh Paschal DE Kentucky
(97) Kerby Joseph S Illinois
(177) James Mitchell TE Virginia Tech
(188) Malcolm Rodriguez LB Oklahoma St.
(217) James Houston LB Jackson St.
(237) Chase Lucas CB Arizona St.

Immediate Impact: DE Aidan Hutchinson
Hutchinson is not only going to start on day one, he’s going to lead this team in sacks next season. That’s not setting the bar all that high but that’s still good for a rookie. The Lions drafted him not only for his ability to get to the QB but also because he will set the tone. He’s all football, all the time and he won’t let anyone slack off. Dan Campbell and GM Brad Holmes are trying to build a culture, Hutchinson lives it every day.

Best Value: WR Jameson Williams
It’s not so much that he was more valuable than the 12th pick, it’s the fact he was the fourth WR taken. Drake London went eight, and then Garrett Wilson and Chris Olave went with the two picks ahead of Williams. Detroit traded up to get into the middle of the WR run that was happening. He was the fourth WR off the board but he could very easily be the best WR in this class. He may not see any action this season, the Lions don’t have to rush him back from his knee injury, so it could take time. However, when he gets back, he could easily outshine this entire draft class.

Sleeper: LB Malcolm Rodriguez
The Lions are just teeming with mediocre LBs like Alex Anzalone, Jarrad Davis, and Shaun Dion-Hamilton. They need a legit playmaker and Rodriguez can be that guy. He’s undersized at 5’11 but he’s fast and has superior instincts. He will bring a special element to the Lions’ defense and he can be a nice chess piece for Campbell and defensive coordinator Aaron Glenn to unleash. I can’t believe they stole him in the sixth round.

Overall Analysis
The Lions took almost a nanosecond to turn in the card for Aidan Hutchinson after the Jaguars passed on him. I’m not sure Hutchinson ever gets 16 sacks in a season but I would pencil him in for 12 a year for the next decade. They traded up to get Jameson Williams, it cost a bit to move from 32nd to 12th but Williams is worth it. He needs patience to recover from his knee injury and that’s fine, the Lions don’t have the QB to use his elite deep speed anyway. He has star potential once the Lions draft their QB of the future in 2023. I really like Josh Paschal as the DE opposite Hutchinson eventually. They do have Charles Harris and Romeo Okwara so Paschal will be a rotational guy for now but he was worth the second round pick they spent on him.

They took a rangy cover safety in round three, Kerby Joseph, he can help. They aren’t deep at safety and Joseph has good deep coverage skills. Aaron Glenn will find a way to use him.
In the back half of the draft, they took a TE who can play some H-back. They have no depth behind TJ Hockenson so James Mitchell could stick. Love the Rodriguez pick, he’s a keeper. Then they took James Houston from Jackson St, I know nothing about him except he basically looks like a small designated pass rusher type. Chase Lucas is a small CB from Arizona St. that they took in round seven. If you’re taking a shot in round seven, you might as well take an athletic guy like Lucas.

Green Bay Packers
(22) Quay Walker LB Georgia
(28) Devonte Wyatt DT Georgia
(34) Christian Watson WR North Dakota St
(92) Sean Rhyan OL UCLA
(132) Romeo Doubs WR Nebraska
(140) Zach Tom OL Wake Forest
(179) Kingsley Enagbare DE/OLB South Carolina
(228) Tariq Carpenter S/LB Georgia Tech
(234) Jonathan Ford DL Miami
(249) Rasheed Walker OT Penn St.
(258) Samori Toure WR Nebraska

Immediate Impact: LB Quay Walker, DL Devonte Wyatt
Quay Walker is a long, tall, rangy LB with some impressive athletic skills. He could easily find himself starting at ILB next to De’Vondre Campbell and the two of them will present problems for opposing offenses. Wyatt comes in to a situation where the Packers don’t have a lot of depth on the defensive line. They signed Jarran Reed but he’s bounced around a bit lately and he’s pushing 30. Kenny Clark is really good and Dean Lowry is solid but they need more help. Wyatt can play anywhere on their front line so he’s perfect for depth initially and he’ll earn a starting spot sooner rather than later.

Best Value: DE/OLB Kingsley Enagbare
At one time Enagbare was a potential first or second round pick. He certainly looks the part with his elite frame and size. He never quite translated it to the field and he often leaves you wanting more, but there is more there to get. Enagbare doesn’t show great power but he has some moves, he doesn’t have great speed, but there’s something there. If the Packers can unlock some of the potential he shows at times, he’s a steal in the fifth round.

Sleeper: OT Rasheed Walker
This is a prospect who went into last season with the potential to be a high round pick. Walker has some things to clean up from a technique standpoint but he’s big, long, and physical. You can’t teach a guy to be his size and have his athleticism. The Packers took a couple of offensive linemen before Walker who also have a chance to play on this team but Walker has enormous upside.

Overall Analysis
The Packers missed out on a WR in round one because the run on the top six WRs happened before their pick and they weren’t able to move up to get one there they liked. They pivoted and took two really good defensive players who can help them a lot on that side of the ball. Taking Quay Walker and Devonte Wyatt instead of reaching for WR was a smart move. Then in round two they were afraid they wouldn’t get a WR at all so they traded two late second round picks to move up and take Christian Watson. I understand the infatuation with Watson’s speed/size combination and his deep ball prowess but I’m not sold on him as the answer to their needs at WR. Watson isn’t a Devante Adams replacement; he’s the Marquez Valdes-Scantling replacement and I think that may disappoint some people. He runs a limited route tree and they are going to have to manufacture ways to get him the ball.

The Packers didn’t do much on defense after round one. Kingsley Enagbare has a chance to contribute as an edge rusher but Tariq Carpenter and Jonathan Ford are longshots for the roster. Carpenter is a safety/linebacker hybrid who’s only chance to make it is on special teams. Ford is a massive NT who is pretty raw and probably ends up on the practice squad. They did add some nice pieces to the offensive line. Sean Rhyan was a tackle in college but is probably a guard in Green Bay and they could use some more options inside. Zach Tom and Rasheed Walker are really good developmental tackles. With David Bakhtiari’s injury history and their lack of depth at the position, these two could get pressed into duty sooner than the team would like. They also drafted two more WRs; Romeo Doubs and Samori Toure. Weirdly, these two are also deep ball guys that probably replace Marquez Valdes-Scantling’s skill set more than anything. Apparently, the Packers’ passing offense is just going to be Aaron Rodgers chucking it deep. I actually think I like Doubs a little more than Watson if I’m being honest.

Minnesota Vikings
(32) Lewis Cine S Georgia
(42) Andrew Booth Jr. CB Clemson
(59) Ed Ingram OG LSU
(66) Brian Asamoah LB Oklahoma
(118) Akayleb Evans CB Missouri
(165) Esezi Otomewo DL Minnesota
(169) Ty Chandler RB North Carolina
(184) Vederian Lowe OL Illinois
(191) Jalen Nailor WR Michigan St.
(227) Nick Muse TE South Carolina

Immediate Impact: S Lewis Cine, CB Andrew Booth Jr.
The Vikings traded back in round one and ended up with the last pick and took Cine. He’s a very versatile safety who will start immediately next to Harrison Smith and he can eventually replace Smith as the leader of the secondary. Booth slipped a bit because of some injury issues but he’s a top-notch cover man and with Patrick Peterson aging and not much else at CB besides Cam Dantzler, Booth should play early and often.

Best Value: CB Andrew Booth Jr
Like I said, he has some injury concerns but the team expects him to be ready to play. He had a double hernia surgery and has some other stuff that made teams downgrade him on their boards. From a talent perspective he’s a first-round caliber guy and they got him 42nd overall, that’s good value. He has a really high ceiling for a guy they got in round two.

Sleeper: RB Ty Chandler
The Vikings have Dalvin Cook and he’s their guy for the next few years. Alexander Mattison is a fantastic backup who’s entering the last year of his contract and he’ll probably price himself out of Minnesota (you can’t pay two RBs a lot of money). Chandler transferred from Tennessee to North Carolina for his last year and had a good season. He has a great skill set and can fill in for Cook quite nicely. He’s a cost control option for the next four years and he can be a really good back for them.

Overall Analysis
The Vikings pulled off one of the stranger things I’ve ever seen in the draft, every single one of their picks they traded for, both up and down, every pick was traded in some way. Cine and Booth were excellent picks who will come in and help immediately and could be long time starters for the franchise. I was a little surprised by their two offensive line choices, not that they took offensive linemen, they needed the help, just who they took. Ed Ingram is a big power guard with less-than-ideal movement skills and while sixth round pick Vederian Lowe is a nice prospect, he doesn’t fit either. Unless new head coach Kevin O’Connell is changing the offensive scheme a lot, neither guy fits the mold of the Vikings scheme. I like Lowe as a developmental tackle but it’s tough to see the fit. Ingram brings power they don’t really have at guard but he’s not a zone blocker and does this mean they are giving up on Wyatt Davis or Ezra Cleveland already?

LB Brian Asamoah and CB Akayleb Evans are great athletes who need a lot of refinement at their positions. They are NFL caliber athletes but they have a long way to go to really help on defense. Esezi Otomewo is at best, a low end defensive line depth. Chandler is a useful piece now and moving forward. Even as a bad fit, I can see Lowe sticking around because they have no depth behind starting OTs Christian Darrisaw and Brian O’Neill. WR Jalen Nailor is facing a steep climb to make this roster, they have plenty of WRs. TE Nick Muse may not have as much competition but he also lacks any particular skill that will stand out.

So after sleeping on it I have some more thoughts on the first round of the NFL Draft so I thought I’d write them down.

• The Jaguars taking Travon Walker is still just a massive swing for the fences. He has no real pass rush moves and they don’t have a great track record of developing players. They also traded up back into the end of round one to take Devin Lloyd. I love Lloyd as a player but they paid a steep price to move up a few spots when there were a number of good LBs that could have still been there at pick 33. This first round once again proved the Jaguars still don’t really get it and having Trent Baalke as your GM is a bad idea.
• The Lions set a land speed record in turning in the card to pick Aidan Hutchinson, hey, when you know, you know. Trading up from 32 to 12 for WR Jameson Williams is a ballsy move. It’s great for them, they need playmakers, and it’s great for Williams. The Lions won’t rush his recovery. They don’t care if he plays this year at all. He’s an investment in the future. They may have paid a lot to move up, but when you have sucked as long as they have sucked, a bold move is often needed.
• I love Derek Stingley Jr and I’m glad he didn’t fall in the draft but I think that choice has a deeper meaning. Texans GM Nick Caserio took a CB that doesn’t really fit Lovie Smith’s preferred scheme, I think that says a lot about Caserio’s plans for the future and means Lovie is a short term coaching solution. Caserio just took the best player to improve the team roster, not the guy who fits the current coach. I think Caserio settled for Lovie during the coaching search and he’ll get his guy once he has a better roster to sell to a potential coach.
• The Jets took a cornerstone corner in Ahmad Gardner, a perfect fit WR Garrett Wilson, and then traded back into the first round to grab the biggest steal DE Jermaine Johnson. Gardner gives them a legit #1 CB and makes free agent DJ Reed a #2, like he should be. Wilson is the perfect Z receiver to complement Corey Davis (the big X) and their slot guy Elijah Moore. Jermaine Johnson is going to be a menace under the tutelage of Robert Saleh. As a Patriots fan, I couldn’t hate this draft more. That’s a good sign for the Jets.
• The Giants got an elite pass rusher in Kayvon Thibodeaux and a legit OT in Even Neal. Thibodeaux can be a star as long as he doesn’t let the glitz and glamour of New York consume him. I don’t like Neal as much as others but he’s a real starting NFL OT and he solves their RT problem for good. He’s not always as dominant of a run blocker as you might want but he will make Daniel Jones’ life a lot safer.
• Carolina and Seattle did the smart thing by both grabbing starting LTs. The Panthers got Ekwonu, he’s a rising star and he’ll start for them from day one and probably for the next decade. He’s a running game beast so if they can keep Christian McCaffrey healthy, the run game can improve. Charles Cross goes to Seattle and he’s the best LT they have had since…Walter Jones? Maybe I’m not giving Russell Okung and Duane Brown enough credit but it’s been a while. Cross wasn’t asked to run block much in college but he’s a pass blocking savant.
• There were six WRs drafted between picks 8-18, and they all went to places were they can excel. I’m not a Drake London fan but he’s immediately the #1 WR in Atlanta and Marcus Mariota can’t throw every pass to Kyle Pitts, so London will get plenty of chances. Garrett Wilson is perfect for the Jets’ needs. The Saints traded up for Chris Olave, he’s a great complement to Michael Thomas and his precision in being where he is supposed to be will give Jameis Winston his best chance to be successful. Jameson Williams needs time to heal and the Lions don’t need to rush him. Jahan Dotson was probably over drafted at 16 overall but there was a run happening and Washington didn’t want to miss out. He would be miscast as a true #1 immediately but with Terry McLaurin there he can ease in. He’s also a potential replacement if McLaurin becomes too expensive and Washington decides to move on. Finally, the Titans traded AJ Brown for a pick and then immediately drafted his exact replacement in Treylon Burks. Burks is a raw version of Brown and needs some work but the Titans will find ways to get the ball to him and let him make plays in mean time.
• Speaking of WRs. There were two big WR trades that went down. The first, AJ Brown going to the Eagles is huge. The Eagles have drafted a number of WRs over the past few years who haven’t worked out (Jalen Reagor, JJ Arcega-Whitside, etc.) so they just traded for a very good 24 year old guy. Also, Brown is a great complement to Devonta Smith, the one WR they actually may have hit on. Brown is big, physical and thick as opposed to Smith who is a string bean. The Titans went for the cheaper option, the Eagles are trying to win. I’m not sure this helps Jalen Hurts. Brown is a master of playing the game over the middle of the field and Hurts is pretty bad at throwing over the middle, it may be the thing that exposed Hurts as not the guy moving forward.
• The second WR trade was the head scratcher. The Cardinals traded the 23rd pick to the Ravens for Marquis “Hollywood” Brown. Hollywood is a small stature, one-trick pony. He’s fast, that’s it. The one thing he has going for him in Arizona is he is close friends with Kyler Murray. Once again, Steve Keim has no idea what he’s doing. The Ravens dumped Brown because they don’t want to pay him in another year and don’t care to pick up his fifth year option. Smart decision. Keim gave up a premium pick for on one dimensional WR he’s going to have to pay up for in a couple of years. WR wasn’t really a glaring need for the Cardinals and they gave up a pick that ended up being Kaiir Elam, a guy they could have really used, or Jermaine Johnson, George Karlaftis, Devonte Wyatt, or Daxton Hill, all guys they could have used. I’m not a Hollywood Brown fan so Steve Keim liking him is not a surprise. Brown is the third best WR on the Cardinals, at best.
• The Ravens ended up with the best safety in the draft Kyle Hamilton, and the best center in draft Tyler Linderbaum. The lesson, as always, draft like you’re the Ravens, it usually goes well. They turned Hollywood Brown into Tyler Linderbaum and an extra pick from Buffalo.
• The Chargers got one of the best offensive lineman in Zion Johnson, they may have to sign a veteran RT since Johnson is best at OG but they could even consider moving Matt Feiler from LG to RT and put Johnson at LG. Either way, he upgrades the line protecting Justin Herbert, win.
• The Saints not only got Chris Olave but they got Trevor Penning to fill their LT need. He’s not as polished as the first three guys (Ekwonu, Neal and Cross) but he’s starter worthy and he has a high upside.
• The Steelers took Kenny Pickett. The Rooney family has never gotten over passing on Dan Marino out of Pitt almost 40 years ago, they just couldn’t help themselves this time.
• The Packers took two Georgia defenders. That will improve their defense but how did they not move up for a WR or trade for one of the Browns (AJ and Marquise, not the Cleveland kind). That’s a whiff.
• The Patriots spent a first-round pick on a guy who was a third-team All-American guard…in the FCS. If they had picked him with their 2nd round pick (54th overall), I would have been fine with it, that would have been a small reach for a potential starter. They didn’t have to take him here, even if he would have been gone before 54th, I can name five interior offensive linemen they could probably get at 54th that could start (Sean Rhyan, Dylan Parham, Ed Ingram, Darrian Kinnard, and Jamaree Salyer, I said I could name five). I’m starting to think Belichick got lucky with last year’s draft because this has been his usual for the past several years. With Nick Caserio and now Dave Ziegler gone, they need someone to challenge Belichick a bit when it comes to the draft. Matt Groh took over as Director of Player Personnel after Ziegler left but he came up in the Patriots organization. I wish they would empower someone with at least some outside perspective, like Eliot Wolf, to challenge the draft decisions of Belichick. Cole Strange may end up being a good player but he would still end up a good player if he had been drafted in round two or three and the Patriots could have him and a LB like Nakobe Dean, a pass rusher like George Karlaftis, a CB like Andrew Booth Jr or Roger McCreary, I could go on. I already hate this draft for the Patriots, if he takes WR Christian Watson at 54, I’m going to lose my mind.
• The Chiefs kind of killed it. They moved up to grab a CB they need in Trent McDuffie, he’s really good and he can start for them either outside or in the slot. He upgrades the secondary a lot. Then they stayed put at 30 and had DE George Karlaftis fall in their laps. He’s an excellent pass rusher, he’s strong as an ox and if he outplays Frank Clark next year, I won’t be even a little shocked. They really improved their defense in round one. A good organization making smart picks because they have a smart GM they listen to who isn’t their head coach, novel approach.
• Finally, the two safeties that went at the end of the round. Daxton Hill is more than a safety and Bengals defense is going to love having him around. He can do a lot of things well and they need that in back end. Lewis Cine is the type of modern safety the NFL loves and now the Vikings have a guy who can play with Harrison Smith now and be his replacement eventually.

I’m going to do a running Live Draft Diary again like I did last year. We will see how it goes, hopefully everyone enjoys. Draft starts at 7pm (central time). See you then.

This draft has been roundly criticized for being pretty weak overall. I would agree with that assessment overall. I think once you get past the top 50 (or so) players, the quality starts to drop off. With that said, there are guys I like and guys I don’t. Here’s a quick list.

Guys I like. QB Desmond Ridder, WRs Garrett Wilson, Jahan Dotson, Treylon Burks, David Bell, RB Breece Hall (begrudgingly). Offensive Linemen, Tyler Linderbaum (he’s going to be an All-Pro on the right team), Ickey Ekwonu, Zion Johnson. On defense, DEs Aidan Hutchinson, Jermaine Johnson, LBs Nakobe Dean, Devin Lloyd, Christian Harris. Safeties, Kyle Hamilton, Daxton Hill, Dane Belton (that’s not just a homer pick). CBs Derek Stingley Jr., Ahmad Gardner, Roger McCreary and Tariq Woolen (not sure why).

Guys I don’t like so much. All the other QBs (my second favorite to Ridder is probably Sam Howell). WRs Drake London (I’m just not feeling it). The rest of the RBs but maybe James Cook pretty late. All the TEs. Offensive Lineman, Evan Neal (he’s better than Cam Robinson and Alex Leatherwood but I’m avoiding him). DEs Travon Walker (if he’s a top two pick). LB Quay Walker (I just know Belichick’s going to take him in round one. CB Andrew Booth Jr (he grabs a lot), Kyler Gordon (if he’s a 1st round pick).

Here we go!

1. Jacksonville Jaguars: Travon Walker DE Georgia

This is the Trent Baalke crazy train taking off. Taking an edge rusher who doesn’t have any pass rushing moves is quite scary. The Jaguars take an athletic freak but I really think he could be a huge bust with this organization. It’s Doug Pederson’s job now to not only fix Trevor Lawrence but make sure Walker doesn’t turn into the usual Jaguars pick.

2. Detroit Lions: Aidan Hutchinson DE Michigan

The Lions took a whole nanosecond to take Hutchinson. They win this. He’s far more athletic than he is getting credit for. He’s a stud, they love him and he’s a perfect fit, they need him.

3. Houston Texans: Derek Stingley Jr CB LSU

My favorite CB. He had quite the yo-yo draft season. He was up, he was down, now he’s back up. He’s an elite CB, great instincts, he’s fantastic. Hopefully the Texans don’t screw him up. Don’t blow this Lovie.

I think this is Kayvon Thibodeaux at 4.

4. New York Jets: Ahmad Gardner CB Cincinnati

They go with Gardner. They definitely need a CB. DJ Reed can only cover one side. I like Gardner for sure. I like this pick over Thibodeaux I just didn’t think they would actually go CB over the defensive line.

5. New York Giants: Kayvon Thibodeaux DE Oregon

The Giants have to have pass rusher and there’s a drop off after Thibodeaux. He will pair well with Azeez Ojulari and now they have some edge rushing.

Just an FYI, for the first time ever I’m not watching the draft on ESPN or the NFL Network. I’m watching The Athletic Football show on YouTube. It’s basically three guys talking about the players and not all the fluff. The best draft evaluators aren’t at ESPN or the NFL Network. It’s the guys at The Athletic and the guys at The Ringer. Dane Brugler, Nate Tice, Ben Solak and Danny Kelly are my favorites.

6. Carolina Panthers: Ikem Ekwonu OT North Carolina St.

I would have passed on a QB too. Ekwonu is the best OT in this class and they just got him at 6. They actually need a LT more than they need a QB. Sam Darnold is a better QB than Cam Irving is a LT. He’s a beast. Love the pick.

7. New York Giants: Evan Neal OT Alabama

The Giants got themselves a new RT. Sorry, Matt Peart but you never took the job. No more excuses for Daniel Jones.

8. Atlanta Falcons: Drake London WR USC

Not my favorite guy but I can’t fault the Falcons. They NEED a WR more than anyone. Big WRs without great speed like London can either turn into Michael Thomas or N’Keal Harry, I have Harry PTSD so that’s probably why I don’t like him so much. It’s probably not going to help him that his QB will likely be Marcus Mariota this year.

9. Seattle Seahawks: Charles Cross OT Mississippi St.

Hey, the Seahawks traded Russell Wilson and now they finally get a LT. He’s the starter right now, and he’s the best offensive lineman on the team. This was a no brainer.

10. New York Jets: Garrett Wilson WR Ohio St.

Good WR and now they have the Wilson to Wilson connection. He’s better than Corey Davis and he could help unlock Elijah Moore a bit. Wilson, Davis and Moore are actually good complementary players at receiver.

11. New Orleans Saints (TRADE): Chris Olave WR Ohio St.

The Saints make a move up to get the WR to play opposite Michael Thomas. Olave runs routes like a seasoned pro and he starts on day one. He has speed too. Trading up for a WR is a little strange but they have needed another WR for years.

12. Detroit Lions (TRADE): Jameson Williams WR Alabama

Major move for the Lions. They get the best deep speed WR in this draft. Now they just have to get a QB who can throw to him. That’s an aggressive more. Good for them.

TRADES GALORE. Philly is moving up here. It’s getting Crazy!

13. Philadelphia Eagles (TRADE): Jordan Davis DT Georgia

The scariest human on the planet. He’s gigantic, fast, and he’s a freak at his size/athleticism combo. They need to get younger at DT, good call and they didn’t pay too high of a price to move up.

14. Baltimore Ravens: Kyle Hamilton S Notre Dame

Great value. They took the best player on the board. He isn’t a natural fit after they just signed Marcus Williams and they have Chuck Clark but Eric DeCosta doesn’t go against his board.

15. Houston Texans: Kenyon Green OL Texas A&M

They need help up front and Green could be an OG or he could start at RT. He’s good but this might be a little high.

16. Washington Commanders: Jahan Dotson WR Penn St.

Wow, the WR run is taking over. I like Dotson but at 16 seems high. He’s a little small but I do love what he does. He’s a playmaker, unfortunately now he plays with Carson Wentz.

17. Los Angeles Chargers: Zion Johnson OL Boston College

Johnson is a beast. He starts immediately at RG but maybe he’s a RT if needed, he’s better inside. They still need a real RT but Johnson is great.

18. Tennessee Titans (TRADE): Treylon Burks WR Arkansas

The Titans traded AJ Brown to Philly for this pick, that’s a huge move. Brown and DeVonta Smith in Philly is awesome together. Then the Titans took their AJ Brown replacement in Burks. I like Burks and he’s perfect for their offense, clearly, since he’s just like Brown.

19. New Orleans Saints: Trevor Penning OT Northern Iowa

The Saints got their LT. Penning is a small school guy but he’s 6’7 325 lbs. and he’s got a nasty demeanor. They once turned Terron Armstead into a stud quite quickly, now it’s Penning’s turn.

Is this the QB? Which QB if it is? Willis? Ridder? If it’s not a QB here, one may not go in round one.

20. Pittsburgh Steelers: Kenny Pickett QB Pittsburgh

Well, I guess Mike Tomlin’s love affair with Malik Willis didn’t win out. Mitchell Trubisky may not be the starter in Pittsburgh right away. Pickett literally gets to stay at the same stadium and same workout facility. He can start right away but his ceiling is limited. Solid choice, not great.

Now the Patriots get to disappoint me. Yep, just traded back.

21. Kansas City (TRADE): Trent McDuffie CB Washington

They needed a CB so they moved up and got the 3rd best guy in the draft. He can play any scheme and he can start right away. Like the pick, love the value.

22. Green Bay Packers: Quay Walker LB Georgia

Thank you Green Bay for taking Walker, he’s good but I didn’t want the Patriots trading back to wait for him. The WRs are gone so they get a LB they need.

23. Buffalo Bills (TRADE): Kaiir Elam CB Florida

They needed a CB and now they have one. Elam is a top-notch athlete and he completes that defense. He’s big, physical and he won’t back down from anyone. Like his fit here.

24. Dallas Cowboys: Tyler Smith OL Tulsa

This guy is a project. They wanted Zion Johnson, Kenyon Green or WR Treylon Burks and all of them were gone. Smith can start at LG this year and they can hope he either excels there and then he progresses to be a LT to replace Tyron Smith eventually. It’s going to be a process but he has raw talent.

25. Baltimore Ravens: Tyler Linderbaum C Iowa

The Ravens need a center and Linderbaum will step in as a starter immediately. It seems like a weird fit scheme wise but they will find a way to use him and he will be a stud. The Ravens last Iowa interior was Marshall Yanda, that worked out.

26. New York Jets (TRADE): Jermaine Johnson DE Florida St.

I can’t believe Johnson fell this far and the Jets moved back in to the first round and got him. Three first round picks for the Jets and all three are good. As a Patriots fan, I hate this.

27. Jacksonville Jaguars (TRADE): Devin Lloyd LB Utah

Damn it Jags. They move up and take Lloyd, the guy I would have loved for the Patriots to take. They definitely need another LB so this makes a ton of sense. Lloyd is a three-down LB and he’ll start right away in Jacksonville.

The Patriots are probably going to trade back again now. The least shocking thing that could happen in a minute.

28. Green Bay Packers: Devonte Wyatt DL Georgia

So that’s two Georgia defenders for the Packers and no WRs for Aaron Rodgers. There isn’t a WR worth taking after the run came so early but it’s just funny to see. He has the versatility to really help the defensive line and give Kenny Clark some help.

29. New England Patriots: Cole Strange OL Tennessee-Chattanooga

Oh seriously? They reach for an interior offensive lineman. Nakobe Dean would have been a far better choice. They need an OG but they could get one later. I hate this pick. He can start next year but really?

30. Kansas City: George Karlaftis DE Purdue

Great choice by the Chiefs. Karlaftis can really help them next season and fills a huge need. He’s a power rusher so he’s a complement to Frank Clark.

31. Cincinnati Bengals: Daxton Hill S Michigan

Really like Hill, he can play in the slot and he could play outside at CB if they need him. They don’t have any long-term guys at safety with Jessie Bates on the franchise tag.

32. Minnesota Vikings: Lewis Cine S Georgia

The Vikings need help in the secondary. He can play with Harrison Smith and really upgrade the backend of the defense. Good choice.

I’m going to start drinking again because of the Patriots reaching for an OG. Damn it Belichick.