The playoffs continue to rage on, but there are 26 teams sitting at home with nothing to do but twiddle their thumbs, watch the Conference Finals, and wait for next season to start.
For their sake, we wanted to look ahead with the next edition of the OFFSEASON BLUEPRINT series. In each, we'll preview some big decisions and make some recommendations for plans of attack along the way. Today, we're looking at the Detroit Pistons.
step one: weave a new narrative
Some teams are good, some teams are bad -- but almost all of them have a general direction. Are you a young team on the rise? Or a veteran team trying to squeeze out as many wins as possible?
Right now, the Detroit Pistons are in a wonky grey area. They're missing an identity. When they tried to make the playoffs, they were fairly mediocre (records of 37-45, 39-43, 41-41). When injuries hit this past season, they plummeted down to 20-46. While that generally suggests a young and rebuilding team, the roster doesn't reflect that yet. Their marquee players are Blake Griffin (age 31) and Derrick Rose (age 31.) They also have a veteran coach in Dwane Casey who's more accustomed to competing than rebuilding. All in all, they feel like a confused, forgotten franchise.
Fortunately, there's a new sheriff in town. The team hired a new GM in Troy Weaver, who had been Sam Presti's right-hand man in Oklahoma City. Weaver's been on the verge of a GM job for several years now, and his hire represents something of a coup for this embattled organization.
Going forward, the franchise needs to hold the keys over to Weaver and allow him free reign to do whatever he wants. Back in OKC, he had experience with a variety of makeups: with a rebuilding team, with a contending team, with a rebuilding-wait-whoops-we're-accidentally-pretty-darn-good team. It's up to him to look at this roster and this payroll and determine the best path forward from here.
step two: hold a garage sale for your old homeowner's property
Presumably, Troy Weaver will treat this project as more of a teardown than a remodel. Mainstay center Andre Drummond is already out of the door, and the other veterans may join him on the bus out of Detroit.
Unfortunately, that may be easier said than done. It makes a lot of sense to trade star PF Blake Griffin to a veteran team, but his injuries and his contract ($37M + $39M player option) would make that difficult from a logistical perspective.
There's a chance that a desperate team may be willing to roll the dice on Griffin. Throughout his career, he's been one of the more misunderstood players in the league. People want to treat him as an athlete-dunker only, but he's actually a skilled ballhandler and passer. In his last healthy season in 2018-19, he averaged 24.5 points, 7.5 rebounds, and 5.4 assists, and even showcased an improved three-point shot (36.2% on 7.0 attempts per game.) If healthy, he'd be a major difference maker to a team like Portland.
Still, teams aren't going to give up major assets for Blake Griffin until he proves that he is healthy. From Detroit's perspective, it makes more sense to wait to trade him. They need him to come back, put up some good stats, and then float him in offers. Right now, you'd be trading Griffin for 20 cents on the dollar.
In contrast, Derrick Rose's stock may be at a high. He put up good raw numbers this year (18.1 points, 5.6 assists), and he's on a reasonable $7.5M expiring contract. He'd be a positive addition to a playoff team, best served as a Sixth Man scorer. The Pistons and their fans like Rose (and he likes playing here), but it'd be irresponsible for them to not consider trade options. If they get any decent offers, they have to pull the trigger. If the offers are weak -- R2 picks or so -- then the team can keep him around as a veteran leader and placeholder starter.
step three: don't let your breakout break out
As bad as the Pistons were, they had a few bright spots. Derrick Rose played better than expected. Luke Kennard looks on track to be a rising starter. And, most surprising of all, rando Christian Wood broke out as a legitimate NBA player. As a starter, Wood averaged 21.9 points and 9.4 rebounds per game. Wood is a springy, energetic player who also has an improving range (40% from three as a starter.)
You can read a longer deep dive about Christian Wood here, but to sum it up. A) His production looks legitimate, as he's been putting up numbers in virtually every stop as a pro. But B) His breakout may be poorly timed for the Pistons, because he's slated for free agency and about to get more expensive. He's a 24 year old whose best days should be ahead of him.
Based purely on his stats and scouting profile, you could talk yourself into a contract closing in on $15M a year for Wood. However, players with his "pedigree" (undrafted, limited sample size) rarely get that type of contract right away. To me, paying him somewhere in the range of 3 years, $36M would be a fair deal on both sides. There's too much uncertainty to justify much more of a commitment.
Of course, the Pistons should know better than any of us whether to trust Wood. Prior to this year, he had a mixed reputation in terms of his basketball IQ and work habits. If Coach Casey can sign off on Wood's character, then the team can feel more comfortable with him as a building block. If there are still red flags, perhaps it's better not to get too attached. The Pistons have more cap room than most teams this offseason, so the money shouldn't be a major deterrent to this decision. It should be entirely about Wood as a person and a player. If you believe that he's the real deal, then you keep him around.
step four: find your next field general
Christian Wood is a solid young player -- Luke Kennard is a solid young player -- but these aren't franchise players. They're secondary scorers and members of a supporting cast. To truly advance to the promised land, the Detroit Pistons are going to need to find transcendent talent, somehow and some way.
Unfortunately, the NBA Draft Lottery didn't help. The Pistons slipped down from the # 5 slot to the # 7 pick, making it unlikely that they'll land a future star.
On the bright side, the "supply and demand" may be on their side. This draft class happens to be heavy with point guards. There's LaMelo Ball (the # 1 prospect on ESPN), Killian Hayes (the # 1 prospect on The Ringer), and Tyrese Haliburton (one of the safer picks in the class.) If any of them slip down to # 7, the Pistons should strongly consider them. It usually takes a point guard a year or two to find their footing, but they can sit behind Derrick Rose for a year and then get unleashed in 2021. From a personality standpoint, Rose isn't going to mentor and educate like Aristotle, but he's capable of soaking up 25 minutes and allowing the next PG some time to develop.
If those top guards are not available (and they are unlikely to be), the Pistons may have to take some chances. One name I'm intrigued by is R.J. Hampton.
On face value, that'd be a "reach." Like LaMelo Ball, Hampton was a top high school prospect who went off to play in the Australian league. Unlike Ball, his NBA stock suffered as a result. While Ball put up numbers (17-8-7), Hampton put up weak stats -- 8.8 points, 2.4 assists on 41-30-68 shooting splits. As a result, Ball is now locked into top 3 pick status, and Hampton is seeing his name ranked around the 10-20 range in mock drafts.
However, I'd defend Hampton to some degree. We have to consider the context here. LaMelo Ball joined a struggling team called Illawarra. With Ball, the team went 3-9 (and finished 5-23.) When you're playing on a bad team like that, you can be the "star" and jack up as many shots as you want. In contrast, Hampton joined the New Zealand Breakers, a better team that relegated him to 20.6 minutes a night and a more limited role. His raw stats may not do him justice.
No doubt, Hampton has a long way to go, especially as a shooter. At the same time, he's a big lead guard (6'4" with a 6'7" wingspan) who flashes a lot of explosive scoring ability when he's getting downhill to the hoop. He's also a smart kid and allegedly a good worker. There's some legitimate "star" potential here, even if it's a narrow bull's eye. Hampton doesn't have the same athleticism as Russell Westbrook (hardly anyone does) but maybe there's a parallel here. After all, Weaver and OKC selected Westbrook after he'd been a little under the radar after playing off the ball at UCLA.
To be clear, I'm not urging Detroit to take R.J. Hampton at # 7. I'm not endorsing him as a future star like Westbrook. I don't know enough to do that; I don't sit around and splice up tape of New Zealand basketball. Still, the point is, the Pistons should be looking at upside players in that vein, knowing that they're going to need to hit a home run in the future.
step five: keep one hand on the detonator
The Detroit Pistons only have $68M committed on the books for next season, which means they could be players in free agency even if they re-sign Christian Wood.
If the team decided to go "all in" in a desperate attempt to compete, then you could maybe talk yourself into retaining Blake Griffin, handing out a big contract for Fred VanVleet, and shooting for the playoffs. That may work. But to what end...? The 7th seed? The 8th seed? Is that the end goal here?
More realistically, the team should (as discussed) try to get Blake Griffin back and fully healthy in order to showcase him for a trade. After that, they'd then dive into a full rebuild.
Presuming that's going to be the ultimate destination, then the Pistons may as well get a jump on that with free agency. With their remaining cap space, they can take on a toxic asset that comes attached with future picks, or take some fliers on young and promising players. Among my favorite gamblers of this offseason may include PG Kris Dunn (CHI), SG Denzel Valentine (CHI), SF Josh Jackson (MEM), and C Harry Giles (SAC.) None of them should draw huge money offers, making them reasonable purchases and lottery tickets.
If the Pistons end up blowing it up, then they should play their younger players over the course of the season. That should mean a lot of Sekou Doumbouya (entering Year 2) and even some Thon Maker (entering Year 42). If that means you only win 25-30 games, that's all right. It'll only help your odds for next year's lottery.
I've mentioned this before with some potential tankers (CLE, CHA, etc), but next year's draft could be quite strong. The group is headlined by point forward Cade Cunningham (heading to Oklahoma State) and scoring swingman Jalen Green (heading to the G-League), but there are about 4-5 other players who have the potential to join the # 1 pick conversation in time. The Detroit Pistons aren't likely to be bad enough to get a top 3 pick on their own, but the flattened lottery odds make it possible for the 7th or 8th worst team to leapfrog into that territory.
Of course, before Weaver and the Pistons officially press the detonator and go into full-blown rebuild/tank mode, they need to have a heart to heart with Coach Casey. He's 63 years old already, and entering the third year of a five-year deal. Is he going to embrace the rebuild? Is he going to be the scapegoat if they rack up losses? They need to get on the same page, out of fairness to Casey and out of fairness to this franchise. A reasonable solution would be to promise Casey that, if he does tank like a good soldier, he'll still be retained for next season. Rome wasn't built in a day, and neither will chrome.
previous offseason blueprints
ATL, CHA, CHI, CLE, DAL, IND, GS, LAC, MIL, MIN, NYK, POR, SA, SAC, UTA

Draft order was from tankathon
1 - New York Jets - Trevor Lawrence, QB, Clemson - There’s not really much I can say here that hasn't been said. Lawrence is an absolute lock for #1. Dont fuck this up, Jets.
2 - Jacksonville Jaguars - Justin Fields, QB, Ohio State - Fields had a REALLY ugly game against Indiana, but he’s still pretty clearly QB2 in the class, and I still feel like he’s closer to Lawrence than the rest of the field.
3 - Cincinnati Bengals - Penei Sewell, OT, Oregon - Holy shit please protect Burrow. His injury just looks worse and worse. Cincy’s probably going to lose out and that means they’ll have a near guaranteed shot at Sewell, but if they somehow drop out of the top 3, IMO they NEED to take BPA OT. I dont care how good Parsons, Chase, etc might end up being, because Burrow is their franchise savior, and they must 1000% protect him with everything they got. Hell, draft an entire offensive line this year. This class is solid enough to where it might be possible. Also, hire a better OL coach.
4 - Dallas Cowboys - Patrick Surtain II, CB, Alabama - Last time Dallas picked this high, they had to make a hard choice between a game changing RB and the best DB prospect in recent memory. This year, there’s no game changing RB on the level of Zeke, so the choice is pretty easy, especially with how bad the Cowboys secondary is. Outside of the injured Diggs, who else is really a building block for the future? Surtain should give them a solid once.
5 - Washington Football Team - Trey Lance, QB, NDSU - There’s been a lot of hype around Zach Wilson recently, and I won't disagree that Wilson has been fantastic, but Lance is still my QB3 for this class. Some things you just cant teach, like arm strength, and if the success of guys like Josh Allen or Lamar Jackson have shown, its that teams can build around these game breaking QBs successfully. Yes, Wilson might be more of a finished product, but why the hell would Washington want a more pro-ready guy? They aren't even close to contending right now, and sitting Lance behind Alex Smith for a year ala Mahomes could allow for deja vu, or at least Lance to become a pretty good QB once Washington is ready to contend again.
6 - Chicago Bears (via LAC - Sends 1.16, 3.80, 2022 CHI 1st, 2022 CHI 2nd for 1.08, 2022 LAC 4th) - Zach Wilson, QB, BYU - At this point, I think Zach Wilson has raised his stock enough to where it’s very unlikely he’s falling out of the top 10, and that means the really QB needy teams are going to have to pay through the nose to move up to get him. Chicago might not end up being the team that picks him, but I think they’re currently by far the most desperate, for good reason. They’re a contender level team hamstrung by terrible QB and OL play, and Wilson might be the panacea they need for their offensive woes. His reckless brilliance has been exciting to watch at BYU, and if Chicago can hit here, they’ll blow their Super Bowl window right back open.
7 - New York Giants - Ja’Marr Chase, WR, LSU - When you’re a team that’s as bad as the Giants, just take BPA. And BPA here is arguably the single best WR prospect in recent memory. Darius Slayton is a solid WR, but he’s a better fit at WR2 than the main guy, and the rest of the Giants WR corps isnt really worth talking about. With Daniel Jones showing off enough potential to earn another year and all 4 of the top QBs gone, New York grabs themselves a guy who should be an absolute monster coming into the league, considering he was better than current stud and MIN WR Justin Jefferson.
8 - Atlanta Falcons - Gregory Rousseau, EDGE, Miami - Is the third time a charm for Atlanta? Atlanta loves their raw, athletic EDGE, but the last two guys in Vic Beasley and Takk McKinley have not panned out great, to put it lightly. Rousseau is a different beast than them though. Someone who lined up all over the Miami D line, he’s got the versatility to be a great chess piece while possessing enough speed and motor to be a consistent force on the EDGE. There is still some rawness to his technique, but this is a pass rusher who doesnt stop until he’s gotten into the backfield, with an extremely high ceiling. He’d be an integral part of the defense if Atlanta ever wants to return to the SB with Matt Ryan and Julio Jones.
9 - Miami Dolphins - DeVonta Smith, WR, Alabama - I honestly think DeVonta Smith is significantly closer to Chase than the rest of the WR group, enough to where he’s almost WR1B to Chase’s WR1A. And what better spot than back with his old college QB who he dominated with? Dont forget on a loaded roster with 3 other first round WRs including Jerry Jeudy, Henry Ruggs, and near lock R1 pick Jaylen Waddle, it was DeVonta Smith who led the team in yards and TDs. With excellent separation, hands as soft as that Minnesota - Purdue OPI call, and great route running along with an established connection to Tua, Smith might help out the Dolphin’s franchise QB by giving him a security blanket.
10 - Carolina Panthers - Micah Parsons, LB, Penn State - And the best LB in the class drops to the Panthers, who just lost Luke Kuechly. It must be fate, I guess. Personally, I’d try to look for a new QB, but Bridgewater is good enough to where no QB available is an immediate improvement, and Parsons is so good to where it’s a perfect fit of BPA and need. He should be the new Kuechly for Carolina for the next decade or so.
11 - Detroit Lions - Jaylen Waddle, WR, Alabama - The Lions CBs havent been great but Amani O and Okudah still have promise, and there’s not really an LB I’d pick this high, barring JOK getting an even more meteoric rise. So onto the last big need, WR. Golladay is a WR1, but Jones is clearly past his prime, and all 3 of the Lions top WRs are free agents this offseason. They need at the very last a new WR2, and Jaylen Waddle is good enough to be both an interesting complement to Golladay, or his own WR1. He’s an electric WR who can stretch the field and pull defenses apart the way the best deep threats can, and even has bonus functionality as a kick/punt returner. Golladay, if he’s back, and Waddle would make for an electric WR duo for Stafford to play with.
12 - Minnesota Vikings - Wyatt Davis, OG, Ohio State - Kirk Cousins has shown that he still has some juice, and although he’s not a Mahomes/Brady type QB who can lead to the SB, he’s certainly good enough to be a QB who wont cost you the SB trip. But if the Vikings want to keep Kirk consistently at his best, they need the OL, and especially the interior OL, to be as good as possible. Thats why they cant pass up on Davis here, who has almost no flaws and might be the best iOL prospect since Quenton Nelson. With Dozier’s return uncertain due to cap issues and Cleveland possibly moving to LT, there are holes in the interior that must be addressed. Worst comes to worst, the Vikings have two great OGs on their team. That’s a problem most teams would kill for.
13 - Arizona Cardinals (via NE - sends 1.20, 3.84, 2022 ARI 2nd for 1.13) - Caleb Fairley, CB, Virginia Tech - The Cardinals have an elite offense with Murray, Hopkins, and Kingsbury calling the shots, but man that pass defense is ugly. With Patrick Peterson aging every day and his contract expiring, they need a replacement for him ASAP. So Steve Keim, who’s no stranger to bold moves, mortgages a bit of the future to grab arguably the second best CB in the class, Caleb Farley. Farley is an outstanding press corner in the same mold as Peterson, someone who mirrors well and sticks to receivers like glue. He should seamlessly replace PPat if they choose to move on from the All-Pro this offseason, or learn greatly next to him if they bring him back.
14 - San Francisco 49ers - Creed Humphrey, C, Oklahoma - The lifeblood of the 49ers is their run game, built on the zone blocking scheme of Kyle Shanahan. Thats why the center position is so important to the 49ers. And its been a bit of an issue the last 2 seasons. Weston Richburg is oft injured and cant be relied on, and I’d be hesitant to rely on Daniel Bruskill for anything more than being a solid replacement iOL. Creed Humphrey here fit the 49ers scheme like a glove, having played a ton in Lincoln Riley’s zone blocking offense. He’d be an instant starter and with his high IQ as well as excellent leadership, should be a great fit for a young, hungry 49ers team that might be losing Richard Sherman this offseason.
15 - Denver Broncos - Shaun Wade, CB, Ohio State - With QB off the table here, the Broncos still really need a better CB1. AJ Bouye is mediocre on the field when he isnt injured. Bryce Callahan has been good but he was injured recently and might not be back this offseason to make room for Bolles and Simmons extensions. Michael Ojemudia showed promise to start the year but was snubbed completely vs the Raiders and Dolphins. There’s no Talib or CHJr anymore in Denver, a CB1 that Denver can rely on to erase opposing WRs. But Shaun Wade could be that. A great slot corner who also can move outside and defend the run at a high level (run defense ala Trae Waynes), he could be the lockdown CB that helps the Broncos defense return to their former glory once Von Miller returns.
16 - Los Angeles Chargers (Via CHI) - Christian Darrisaw, OT, Virginia Tech - The Chargers should heed the Burrow injury as a serious warning of what might happen to their young franchise QB if they don't protect him. So, they grab the rising Christian Darrisaw out of VT, a massive mauling tackle who knows how to use his hands and possesses an excellent anchor. There are still some technique issues he needs to hone out, mainly his footwork, but once those are cleaned up, he can easily be an utterly dominant force on the OL for the chargers.
17 - Miami Dolphins - Jeremiah Owusu-Koramah, LB, Notre Dame - Miami doesnt go Parsons, but they get the next best thing in the class, a stud who's also exploded up the draft boards recently. JOK's ascent reminds me a lot of Devin Bush’s, who also went from a fringe R1-R2 player to a mid first lock. He’s small at 6’1, 215, but utterly explosive and flies around the field in both run stopping and pass coverage. With the Miami defense looking for playmakers, JOK can be that guy who establishes himself as the QB of the defense, and a swarming pest for any offense.
18 - Baltimore Ravens - Alex Leatherwood, OG/OT, Alabama - The Baltimore offense looks almost nothing like it did a year ago. The playcalling has gotten stale, the WRs cant catch and Lamar seems to have regressed, but the biggest problem is the significant step back the OL has taken after the loss of Marshall Yanda. Alex Leatherwood might be an OT at the college level, but he has the ability and anchor to be a mauling guard, something which the Ravens would love for their run game heavy offense.
19 - Philadelphia Eagles - Jaycee Horn, CB, South Carolina - The Eagles secondary has been a thorn in their side for so long now. They just cant seem to get their CBs to play well for some reason, and with WR hopefully fixed after the emergence of Fulgham and the addition of Reagor, CB needs to be addressed. A physical aggressive corner who knows how to properly use his size as leverage against opposing WRs, Jaycee Horn would hopefully shore up CB2 for the Eagles alongside Darius Slay, and be a building block that the Eagles can build around for the future.
20 - New England Patriots (via ARI) - Kyle Pitts, TE, Florida - If there’s two things BB loves, its trading down and versatile players. Well, Pitts is one of the most versatile TEs when it comes to receiving, able to line up all over the field for a team with one of the single worst receiving corps in the league. He’ll be a super versatile weapon for the Patriots, and if anyone knows how to get the best out of a freak TE, its gotta be Belicheck.
21 - Las Vegas Raiders - Kwity Paye, EDGE, Michigan - Paye somehow falls to the Raiders here, and they better run to the stage for this pick. For a team that still needs pass rush inside and out, Paye would be a perfect fit, able to play both DE/EDGE and slide inside to cause problems if necessary. He’s excellent at causing pressure, and Im sure Gruden would love this Gruden Grinder beast of an EDGE.
22 - Tampa Bay Buccaneers - Samuel Cosmi, OT, Texas - Donovan Smith is not the long term answer at LT. And even if Brady leaves/retires this offseason, they still need to bolster the offensive line. Samuel Cosmi is an athletic specimen of an OT who moves well all over, someone who is smart enough to plan out his attack and possesses a huge mean streak. He should be a great fit at either LT or RT, cementing himself and Wirfs as a great pair of bookends.
23 - Indianapolis Colts - Rashod Bateman, WR, Minnesota - TY Hilton is very done, and although Pittman has shown flashes of promise so far, 2 excellent WRs are almost necessary nowadays in the NFL. Bateman would fit great here as a big play machine and YAC beast, especially if the Colts keep Phillip Rivers for another season.
24 - Cleveland Browns - Jayson Oweh, EDGE, Penn State - Myles Garrett might be a beast, but he cant do it all by himself. The Browns need to find a better compliment to him, someone who can also put pressure on the QB so the opposing offense cant just focus on him. Jayson Oweh could be that. A freak athlete who’s been rising up the draft rankings recently, Oweh has all the tools to be a monster EDGE in the NFL. He does need polishing on his technique, but this is a high ceiling guy who could give the Browns their dominant EDGE duo of the future.
25 - New York Jets (Via SEA) - Terrace Marshall Jr, WR, LSU - Now that the Jets have their QB of the future, they should probably give him better weapons than the Jets currently have. Mims has promise, and Crowder is a solid WR, but it’s hard to picture either becoming the WR1 for New York right now. Terrace Marshall Jr could be that, however. He’s been a monster for LSU after they lost both Justin Jefferson and Ja’Marr Chase, and with how bad LSU has been, thats a serious accomplishment. There’s all the physical traits to be elite, and with his ability to break press coverage and grab contested balls, he’ll could be the guy that Lawrence develops an excellent bond with in the future.
26 - Green Bay Packers - Jay Tufele, DT, USC - The Packers have a stud in Kenny Clark and a decent DT in Keke Kingsley, but outside of that, the DT depth is pretty dire. And with the best DT prospect in the class dropping right into their laps, its too hard to pass up Tufele here. Jay Tufele can be a dominant force when he’s on, almost completely unblockable at times, and can play both the 1/3T, allowing for Clark to be able to move around if needed for better matchups. WIth his explosiveness and powerful hands, a defensive line of Clark, Keke, and Tufele could be an absolute nightmare for the OLines of the NFC North.
27 - Tennessee Titans - Joseph Ossai, EDGE, Texas - The Titans pass rush has been anemic, and it’s certainly not going to get better after the likely loss of Jadeveon Clowney this offseason. They need someone to pair with Harold Landry, and Joseph Ossai could be the answer here. A quick trigger pass rusher who has plenty of room for improvement, Ossai presents a tantalizing option for Tennessee as someone who has the ability to become a very dominant pass rusher. He’d be a great fit in the Titans hybrid defense, and could grow into a cornerstone alongside Simmons and Landry on the DL.
28 - Buffalo Bills - Eric Stokes, CB, Georgia - There’s a huge hole in the Bills defense opposite of Tre White, something that has caused their defense to go from elite to horrid in one year. They need someone to help out White, and Eric Stokes could be that guy. No stranger to being paired up with great CBs, Stokes has actually outplayed his more hyped partner in Tyson Campbell this year, and with his excellent agility and great instincts, can be a smothering corner who can lock down WR1s with the help of his FS.
29 - Jacksonville Jaguars (via LAR) - Liam Eichenburg, OT, Notre Dame - As I mentioned before, if you have a young franchise QB, you need to protect him. With serious problems on their OL and Justin Fields coming in as their new savior, the Jaguars look to protect their investment by solidifying one of the tackle spots on the OL. Liam Eichenburg is another product of the Notre Dame OL machine, with an excellent build and great strength to thrive in power blocking schemes. He’s especially effective at clearing the way, which is not only great for James Robinson and the run game, but mobile QBs like Fields if they need to scramble outside the pocket. Whether he’s at LT or RT, Eichenburg should be a solid and well-coached OT for the Jaguars.
30 - Kansas City Chiefs - Dylan Moses, LB, Alabama - The Chiefs overall have been elite once again this year, but there’s one clear flaw in their team, the run defense, which ranks in the bottom 5 in the league. Good thing Dylan Moses is available here. He’s an elite athlete with plenty of range and can hit like a truck. He also knows when to wrap up and is generally a sure tackler, which is a rather underappreciated trait. He does need to improve his ability to diagnose plays and shed blocks, but overall, he’s a force at ILB, and would greatly help out Chiefs ailing run defense.
31 - New Orleans Saints - Paris Ford, S, Pittsburgh - The Saints are hilariously over the cap next year, needs to cut about $95 million in order to become cap compliant. That means that S Marcus Williams is probably gone, as the Saints simply wont have the money to replace him, which leads to a big hole in the NO secondary. Paris Ford should be a seamless replacement for him. With the ability to play anything from single high to a role closer to the LOS, Ford is an instant starter, who excels especially in pass coverage. Interestingly enough, he also seems to try to become a missile too much of the time and needs improvement on his tackling form, so hopefully the Saints teach this safety how to wrap up properly.
32 - Pittsburgh Steelers - Travis Etienne, RB, Clemson - The Steelers dont have a ton of needs, and OT is probably the safest pick here, but James Conner is an FA after this year and there are questions if the Steelers should pay him big money. Travis Etienne is also the best RB in the class and easily BPA here. Etienne is an elite RB, who can break off huge chunks of yardage at a time and rip defenses apart with his burst. He’s also improved his catching ability to where he can be a every down RB. With Pittsburgh still a SB contender for the near future and possibly question marks on James Connor’s future, Etienne seems like a great fit here to both replace Connor’s production and keep Pittsburgh in title contention for the near future.

Draft order was from tankathon
1 - New York Jets - Trevor Lawrence, QB, Clemson - The Jets are terrible in every faucet, but Sam Darnold certainly hasnt inspired any confidence he can be the QBOTF this season even once Adam Gase is removed. Trevor Lawrence has been QB1 for this draft ever since his first game for Clemson and I dont see this changing any time soon.
2 - Atlanta Falcons (via New York Giants - Trades 1.06, 2.37, 2022 2nd for 1.02) - Justin Fields, QB, Ohio State - This move will likely be a bit of a shocker, but I truly believe the Falcons need a reset. Matt Ryan might be a great QB, but he’s 35 at this point, and there isnt much future left in Atlanta. Justin Fields has been electric at Ohio State, and plopping him down into a team with a decent OL and fantastic receivers will make the somewhat murky future of the Falcons that much brighter. Is this a steep price? Yes. Is it worth every penny? Also yes.
3 - Miami Dolphins (via Jacksonville Jaguars - Trades 1.04, 2.49, 4.113 for 1.03, 3.67) - Penei Sewell, OT, Oregon - Assuming Tua is the franchise QB for the Dolphins, the Phins NEED to protect him, especially considering his reputation for frailty. So they offer the Jaguars an offer they can refuse in order to grab Penei Sewell, who might be the best OT prospect since Joe Thomas came out of Wisconsin. Sewell should be an immediate rock at RT for Tua, and fill the hole that Tunsil left when he was traded.
4 - Jacksonville Jaguars (via Miami Dolphins via Houston Texans) - Patrick Surtain II, CB, Alabama - The Jaguars have needs everywhere. The WR corps is good but lacks a true star, the EDGE group has been toothless following Josh Allen’s injury, and Schobert has been atrocious after signing that big contract. But the CB most of all has needed help, considering the Jaguars defense has been torched through the air. Surtain is an elite cover corner in every way, and should provide a nice young CB tandem for the Jaguars to replace the one they lost.
5 - Dallas Cowboys - Gregory Rousseau, EDGE, Miami - Demarcus Lawrence is still pretty good, but Aldon Smith is not a long term solution at EDGE. Rousseau, however, can be. He’s a fantastic athlete with an array of moves, and with Surtain off the board here, Rousseau is my pick for the player who will help beef up the Cowboys defense the most.
6 - New York Giants (via Atlanta Falcons) - Jamarr Chase, WR, LSU - This was a close one here. The Giants really need an inside linebacker and Darius Slayton has been a great player for them. But Jamarr Chase is just that good. And the rest of the Giants receivers outside of Slayton dont exactly inspire any confidence. Daniel Jones might or might not still be the Giants QB of the future, but Jamarr Chase should absolutely be their WR1 going forward.
7 - Washington Football Team - Trey Lance, QB, NDSU - Haskins is probably done. I dont foresee any sort of happy conclusion to his time in Washington, and thus Ron Riveria is probably going to look to install his own guy at QB. Trey Lance might not be a near finished product the top 2 QBs are, but he has gobs of potential and has a ceiling that might even surpass Fields or Lawrence. Will Trey Lance end up being Mahomes/Josh Allen or just another big armed bust? That’ll be up to the Washington coaching staff, but he’s a fantastic prospect for Washington to figure out.
8 - Los Angeles Chargers - Alex Leatherwood, OG/T, Alabama - Herbert looks like a franchise QB so far, so the Chargers look to fix the most glaring issue on their team, their offensive line. Leatherwood has been a starter on the Alabama OL ever since he got on campus, and he’s got plenty of experience protecting Tua, Mac Jones, and all those Bama QBs. He should be a day 1 starter at RT, and if Bulaga and Turner both come back and play at high levels, he can still contribute by sliding inside to RG or LG.
9 - New England Patriots - DeVonta Smith, WR, Alabama - The Patriots desperately need a QB of the future, but even if they did draft one, who exactly would he be throwing to? The receiving corps is more barren than the Sahara, especially thanks to some brutal misses at WR. stares at N’keal Harry. Enter DeVonta Smith, who’s surpassed his teammate Waddle as the #2 WR on my big board. Any concerns he had last year are all gone now, especially with Waddle out. It’s been the DeVonta showdown at Alabama, punctuated with a 200+ yard 4 TD performance against Mississippi State. Smith has Charmin soft hands and fantastic route running, and most importantly, gets fantastic separation. He’s a bit thin at only 175, but his frame should fill out nicely once he gets to the NFL. He should easily be the best receiver on the Patriots, and could be their best WR since Randy Moss and Wes Welker still play for New England.
10 - Minnesota Vikings - Wyatt Davis, iOL, Ohio State - Kirk Cousins isnt the answer in Minnesota, but throwing a rookie QB behind that O-line might as well be throwing them to the wolves. So, the Vikings grab the best iOL prospect in the class and beef up their interior with Wyatt Davis. Davis is an absolute bulldozer up front, and will run over almost anyone in his way. There's very few flaws with his game, and he should be a plug and play guy from day 1. Count this pick as killing 3 birds with one stone. Helping Cousins, helping Dalvin Cook and the run game, and protecting whoever the Vikings pick as the QB of the future.
11 - Chicago Bears (Via Cincinnati Bengals - Sends 1.18, 3.82, 2022 CHI first for 1.11) - Zach Wilson, QB, BYU - Trubisky isn't it, and the Bears pretty much threw away a 4th and cap space trading for Foles. The Bears need an answer at QB, and with the Panthers looking to pounce on the very last of the top tier QB prospects in my eyes, the Bears bite the bullet. With an aging defense and their Super Bowl window closing fast, they jump just over Carolina to draft Zach Wilson. Wilson has been flying up the draft boards recently, torching defenses on his possible Heisman campaign. He’s got great mobility, especially when it comes to extending plays, and solid pocket presence. Most of all, there’s a bit of reckless brilliance that reminds me a little of guys like Stafford, Mahomes and Allen. Its a fine line to balance and Wilson does have his flaws - such as too much aggressiveness and concerns about his shoulder’s durability, but if the Bears can keep Allen Robinson, then I can foresee a very fruitful connection in the future between the two, as well as a chance for Wilson to be the best QB in Bears history (Yes, its that bad).
12 - Carolina Panthers - Micah Parsons, LB, Penn State - Every few years or so, there’s a blue chip prospect that drops too far. Guys like Ceedee Lamb, Derwin James, or Marshon Lattimore that fall out of the top 10 due to no fault of their own, but the needs of the teams before them. This year, that guy is Micah Parsons, who falls into the waiting laps of the ecstatic Panthers. Parsons is a special linebacker, athletic, versatile, rangy and smart. He’s disruptive everywhere, and his ability to slip blocks and penetrate the offensive line definitely shows his background as a defensive end. Outside of perhaps not being the most consistent run defender, something thats barely an issue, the only flaws are nitpicky. A year after losing Luke Kuechly, Carolina has their replacement.
13 - Detroit Lions - Dylan Moses, LB, Alabama - The Lions really need some interior help on the defensive line, but in all honesty, I dont really like much of this iDL class. The #1 guy on my board is only there because everyone above him dropped like a rock. So, I have the Lions addressing another need at Linebacker with Dylan Moses. While it is unfortunate that Parsons didnt drop one more pick, Moses is certainly no consolation prize. He’s a fantastic linebacker in his own right, He’s an elite athlete with plenty of range and can hit like a truck. He also knows when to wrap up and is generally a sure tackler, which is a rather underappreciated trait. He does need to improve his ability to diagnose plays and shed blocks, but overall, he’s a force at ILB, and would be a great replacement for both the uninspiring. Jarrad Davis or Jahlani Tavai.
14 - Denver Broncos - Shaun Wade, CB, Ohio State - From what Ive seen of the Broncos, Drew Lock has shown plenty of promise, and Garrett Bolles has actually been playing at a near elite level all season. That leaves one last problem for the Broncos, their secondary. Bryce Callahan has been fantastic all year and I've heard some praise for Michael Ojemudia, but AJ Bouye has been a disappointment, and that's when he’s on the field. Shaun Wade should be able to be that final piece in the Broncos secondary they need. It was close between Farley and Wade, but with the season the Broncos have had, Wade’s ability to stay on the field was the tiebreaker. Of course, that's only a bonus to Wade’s fantastic coverage ability, especially from the slot, and his run defense reminds me of Trae Waynes’s ability to stop the run at corner. With how complex NFL offenses are now, Wade’s ability to be both a slot and outside corner means he can follow a #1 WR wherever they go, which is surely should help him become an elite CB at the next level.
15 - San Francisco 49ers - Creed Humphrey, iOL, Oklahoma - The 49ers offense depends on their run game, and their run game depends heavily on their offensive line. And although the 49ers OL isn't as bad as it was early in the season, it's still comfortably in the bottom half of the league. Not to mention with Trent Williams becoming an FA as well as almost all their corners, C Weston Richburg is probably gone, and possibly the rest of the interior OL as well. So, the 49ers grab the first replacement in Creed Humphrey. Shanahan has historically run a zone blocking scheme for his OL, and that makes center an extremely important position for the 49ers to address. With plenty of experience in Oklahoma’s zone blocking scheme, Humphrey and the 49ers should be a match made in heaven. Thats not even mentioning his football smarts or his leadership. Humphrey should be a centerpiece in the 49ers offensive line for years to come.
16 - Miami Dolphins - Jaylen Waddle, WR, Alabama - Although EDGE is definitely a more pressing need for the Dolphins, how can anyone pass up reuniting Tua and his old college buddy? Of course, Waddle isnt just Tua’s former WR. He’s an explosive receiver who shreds the turf just like his former teammate Henry Ruggs III, a player with a great catch radius and the ability to dart to the holes in coverages, and a great kick/punt returner. Adding a burner like Waddle who can stretch the field should only help Tua, Parker, Williams, and the rest of the Miami offense.
17 - Las Vegas Raiders - Azeez Ojulari, EDGE, Georgia - The Raiders EDGE corps isnt barren the way it was two years ago, but Maxx Crosby hasnt lived up to the hype he had after a stellar rookie season, and although Clelin Ferrell is an elite run defender, he’s nowhere near as good of a pass rusher. They need to add someone who can GET after the QB, and although there are better EDGEs left, I think Ojulari is the best pure pass rusher on the board. He’s got fantastic hand usage and his low center of gravity lets him bend the corner through contact really well. There’s some work to be done on run defense, but Ojulari does give me flashes of Ngakoue at times, and his versatility would allow for Ferrell to slide inside and be a mismatch there. This might be a little high on his currently, but I dont think Ojulari is someone who will end up rising on draft boards in the future.
18 - Cincinnati Bengals (via Chicago Bears) - Dillion Radunz, OT, NDSU - The Bengals offensive line is injured to hell, but even when they were healthy, it was pretty obvious they were not protecting Joe Burrow all that well. When losing Bobby Hart is an actual problem, then you know the OL is terrible. Thats why I have the Bengals selecting OT Dillion Radunz out of NDSU. There are some question marks about athleticism and competition level, but Radunz’s technique is elite, and his toughness is unquestionable. He should be a welcome addition to the Bengals offensive line, and will provide solid protection for Burrow.
19 - Philadelphia Eagles - Caleb Farley, CB, Virginia Tech - The Eagles WR situation was looking dire, but thanks to the emergence of second year WR Travis Fulgham, they can look to shore up another issue. The Eagles secondary has been pretty terrible for a few years now, and they need to find a solid answer. Farley can be that. He’s an outstanding press corner, and mirrors opposing receivers so well that he might as well be running their routes. He’s long, physical, and impressively sticky. He should be able to lock down the #1 CB position for the Eagles that they have sorely missed.
20 - Cleveland Browns - Kwity Paye, EDGE, Michigan - Myles Garrett is having a DPOY level season, but once again he’s missing someone disruptive on the opposite side of him. Oliver Vernon is gone soon, and Clayborn is no long term solution. They need to grab the compliment to Garrett, who although is a one-man wrecking ball, is still one man. Kwity Paye is a very strong power rusher who can uses his bull rush well to set the LOS. He’s a tank with fantastic explosiveness and a pretty high ceiling, and his ability to cause problems against the opposing offensive line should be welcome on the Browns defense.
21 - Jacksonville Jaguars (Via Los Angeles Rams) - Kyle Pitts, TE, Florida - The Jaguars TE group is pretty weak right now, and Pitts talent should place him much higher than here. He’s an extremely versatile weapon in the way that most modern TEs are, able to line up all over and cause issues for the opposing defense. He’s not an elite blocker, but the effort is there and it's just simply an issue of fixing his technique and making him stronger. As a receiver, he’s a fantastic route runner with soft hands and a huge catch radius, just as good as any TE or even some WRs. Pitts should be a fantastic weapon for Minshew or whoever the Jaguars decide their QBOTF is.
22 - Arizona Cardinals - Jay Tufele, iDL, USC - The Cardinals passing defense is pretty terrible, and corner is a definite need. However, there’s more ways to improve a passing defense than just adding corners, and Tufele is too much value to pass up here for the Cardinals. Tufele can be a dominant force at 1 or 3T, with his explosiveness and powerful hands, which allows him to be utterly unblockable at times. And adding such an interior force would boost the Cardinals pass rush even more, which could also help improve their defense. If Tufele can become more consistent, there’s no good reason why the Cardinals defensive line can’t become one of the best in the NFL.
23 - Indianapolis Colts - Jaycee Horn, CB, South Carolina - Xavier Rhodes has had a resurgence for the Colts, but its hard to say how long that will last, and there have been issues with the other corners getting torched. Jaycee Horn should help with that problem. A physical aggressive corner who knows how to properly use his size as leverage against opposing WRs, Horn would benefit greatly from Rhodes, and could be a great compliment alongside him as well.
24 - Baltimore Ravens - Trey Smith, iOL, Tennessee - With the retirement of Marshall Yanda, the Ravens have had a huge hole at LG that they still haven't been able to fill. And with their offense becoming more and more run heavy due to the addition of JK Dobbins and Lamar Jackson’s rushing abilities, one guy came to mind here. Trey Smith, the OG out of Tennessee, seemed like the natural fit. Smith is an absolute road grader in the run game, absolutely flattening whatever defensive players who are unfortunately enough to get into his way. He’s solid enough in pass protection, but more importantly, his fantastic run blocking paired alongside Orlando Brown Jr should lend itself to an absolutely terrifying run game from the Ravens.
25 - New Orleans Saints - Rashod Bateman, WR, Minnesota - Emmanuel Sanders is a fine WR2, but there’s definitely room for improvement, and with Michael Thomas becoming more erratic in his behavior, it wouldn't hurt to pick up an insurance policy here. Thats why Ive got New Orleans picking Bateman, as he’d provide a great compliment to Thomas, while also being good enough to be a star WR in his own right. Bateman’s a big play machine, someone who not only runs great routes, but gobbles up YAC once he has the ball. He should be a fantastic addition to the potent Saints offense, and would be a great 3rd option after Thomas and Kamara.
26 - Tennessee Titans - Joseph Ossai, EDGE, Texas - The Titans went up against a Bengals Oline that was starting 3rd stringers and recorded 0 sacks. Thats all I need to say about how terrible the Titans pass rush is. Landry is still pretty promising, but at this point Clowney is neither an answer to the pass rush woes nor is he likely staying long term in Tennessee. Joseph Ossai could be the answer to both, though. A quick trigger pass rusher who has plenty of room for improvement, Ossai presents a tantalizing option for Tennessee as someone who has the ability to become a very dominant pass rusher. He’d be a great fit in the Titans hybrid defense, and could grow into a cornerstone alongside Simmons and Landry on the DL.
27 - Green Bay Packers - Travis Etienne, RB, Clemson - Yes, I know the Packers have Aaron Jones and Jamaal Williams and that they picked an RB in the second last year. But the thing is that David Bahktiari is also a free agent this year, and considering he’s going to demand a market resetting deal, cuts will need to be made somewhere. And that's not even mentioning Davante Adam’s contract is expiring a year later. With those two thoughts in mind, I dont think either Jones nor Williams will be back due to cap issues. But with Rodgers still wanting to win now, a stud like Etienne will be a great replacement, if not more. Etienne is an elite RB, who can break off huge chunks of yardage at a time and rip defenses apart with his burst. He’s also improved his catching ability to where he can be a every down RB. With Green Bay still a SB contender for the near future, Etienne can be that thing that pushes them into Super Bowl winners.
28 - Jacksonville Jaguars (via Buffalo Bills - sends 2.36, 4.116 for 1.28) - Samuel Cosmi, OT, Texas - With so much drat capital at their hands, the Jaguars part a little with their haul in order to jump into the first round and secure a quality OT. Cosmi is an intriguing prospect with tons of athleticism and excellent smarts, someone who wins via brains and technique rather than pure brawn. With enough practice and proper coaching, Cosmi can be a stonewall OT for whoever the Jaguars decide to ride with in the future.
29 - Tampa Bay Buccaneers - Quincy Roche, EDGE, Miami - The Buccaneers defensive overall has been absolutely elite this year, but there are some question marks on the future of their defensive line. Both Suh and Barrett are on one year deals, and Gholston certainly isnt the future at EDGE/DE. Grabbing someone young for the future is a definite need, someone like Quincy Roche. Roche is a fluid, explosive and long EDGE with great hands and a ton of moves. He’s got the ability to play both EDGE and rush LB, although he does need to bulk up a little bit at the NFL level. Still, overall Roche should be a great successor on the EDGE position for Tampa Bay.
30 - Kansas City Chiefs - Terrane Marshall Jr, WR, LSU - The Chiefs do have a ton of needs everywhere else, but sometimes talent is just way too much to pass up. Marshall has been fantastic at LSU with Chase out - which is more impressive with how bad LSU has been, and he’s got all the physical traits to be an elite WR. He rarely gets caught in press coverage and with his ball skills and frame, excels in contested catch situations. With a very deep iOL class and Watkins very likely gone in a season or two, adding Marshall Jr to that already deadly Chiefs offense will make nightmare fuel for opposing defensive coordinators.
31 - New York Jets - Josh Myers, iOL, Ohio State - The Jets interior offensive line has been a serious issue for the last few years, which has hamstring the run game and severely hurt their QBs. Replacing one of their iOL with Josh Myers is a good first step to fixing that issue. Myers is a very mobile iOL who is a great anchor and provides stability in both the pass and run game. With Trevor Lawrence now on the team, protecting him should be priority 1, and Myers can be his Jeff Saturday.
32 - Pittsburgh Steelers - Daniel Faalele, OT, Minnesota - Steelers LT Villanueva’s contract will expire soon, and although the Steelers have some great prospect that could replace him, neither is really a sure thing. Adding another OT could better mitigate that risk, just in case Villanueva leaves and neither Banner nor Okorafor end up panning out. Faalele is a very risky but high upside OT, who’s an absolute dancing bear. He might be huge, but his mobility is insane for his size, and he possesses excellent feet as well as a strong anchor against power rushers. There’s definitely technique issues here that need to be ironed out, but Faalele has the tools to be an absolutely dominant OT, and with how good the steelers have been historically at coaching up offensive line, he should definitely become a stalwart on the OL.

Hey everyone. Warning this is a massive post, but im sure that's normal here!
Decided to do an early mock and prospect analysis. I operate a 49ers blog and Slack server, and had done this with them, but I decided to share it here. fortheniners.com is my website if you want to check it out for more stuff, but it's mostly 49ers oriented. Give me some feedback, would love to hear it from you guys.
I created a custom order based on the rest of the season and i simulated the rest. Some picks might be switched in the 2nd round and 3rd due to the reordering of picks, but mostly it should be OK. I felt this order fit how I think the NFL will shake out by the end of season. I can't get the picks to number for some reason correctly.

Positional Rankings

QB:

1. Trevor Lawrence, QB, Clemson
2. Justin Fields, QB, Ohio State
3. Zach Wilson, QB, BYU
4. Trey Lance, QB, North Dakota State
5. Mac Jones, QB, Alabama
6. Kyle Trask, QB, Florida
7. D’Eriq King, QB, Miami
8. Desmond Ridder, QB, Cincinnati
9. Kellen Mond, QB, Texas A&M
10. Brock Purdy, QB, Iowa State

RB:

1. Travis Etienne, RB, Clemson
2. Najee Harris, RB, Alabama
3. Kylin Hill, RB, Mississippi State
4. Chuba Hubbard, RB, Oklahoma State
5. Kenneth Gainwell, RB, Memphis

TE:

1. Kyle Pitts, TE, Florida
2. Pat Friermuth, TE, Penn State
3. Brevin Jordan, TE, Miami
4. Hunter Long, TE, Iowa State
5. Grant Calcaterra, TE, Oklahoma

WR:

1. Jaylen Waddle, WR, Alabama
2. Ja’Marr Chase, WR, LSU
3. Devonta Smith, WR, Alabama
4. Rashod Bateman, WR, Minnesota
5. Rondale Moore, WR, Purdue

OT:

1. Penei Sewell, OT, Oregon
2. Alex Leatherwood, OT, Alabama
3. Samuel Cosmi, OT, Texas
4. Jackson Carman, OT, Clemson
5. Daniel Faalele, OT, Minnesota

OG/OC:

1. Wyatt Davis, OG, Ohio State
2. Creed Humphrey, OC, Oklahoma
3. Trey Smith, OG, Tennessee
4. Deonte Brown, OG, Alabama
5. Josh Myers, OG, Ohio State

DT:

1. Marvin Wilson, DT, Florida State
2. Jay Tufele, DT, USC
3. Jaylen Twyman, DT, Pittsburgh
4. Christian Barmore, DT, Alabama
5. Tyler Shelvin, DT, LSU

DE:

1. Gregory Rousseau, DE, Miami
2. Kwity Paye, DE, Michigan
3. Quincy Roche, DE, Miami
4. Carlos Basham Jr, DE, Wake Forest
5. Aidan Hutchinson, DE, Michigan

LB:

1. Micah Parsons, LB, Penn State
2. Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah, LB, Notre Dame
3. Dylan Moses, LB, Alabama
4. Cameron McGrone, LB, Michigan
5. Chazz Surratt, LB, North Carolina

CB:

1. Patrick Surtain Jr, CB, Alabama
2. Caleb Farley, CB, Virgina
3. Shaun Wade, CB, Ohio State
4. Tyson Campbell, CB, Georgia
5. Jaycee Horn, CB, South Carolina

S:

1. Jevon Holland, FS, Oregon
2. Paris Ford, SS, Pittsburgh
3. Hamsah Nasirlideen, SS, Florida State
4. Caden Sterns, FS, Texas
5. Andre Cisco, S, Syracuse

3 ROUND MOCK

1st Round

NYJ - Trevor Lawrence, QB, Clemson

• Maybe the best QB prospect… ever. Lawrence brings what the Jets have lacked for a very long time. “It”. Lawrence is almost a flawless QB prospect, complete with elite physical tools, mental tools, experience in big games, and the football IQ to be one of the best QBs ever.

JAX - Justin Fields, QB, Ohio State

• Make no mistake. Justin Fields is not a consolation prize. The Ohio State product is one of the best QB prospects in recent memory as well, with exceptional arm talent, elite ability to make throws on the run, athleticism, leadership, and good decision making. Gifted with a strong arm and a very good deep ball, he will do well on a team that can build around him. He’s also part of the new generation of mobile QBs - Fields is expected to run in the 4.4s.

WAS - Zach Wilson, QB, BYU

• Wilson is an interesting prospect. The eye-test shows a mega-talented QB with a knack for big plays, but reading in between the lines, his prospects become murky. Playing against a low level of competition, Wilson has never been truly under pressure from a pass rush during a game. Regardless, Wilson might be the most naturally gifted playmaker in this class - his ability to make throws on the run and extend plays is reminiscent of Aaron Rodgers, Russell Wilson, and more, and his arm talent fits that category. One year wonder, sure, but Wilson can be a superstar.

NYG - Gregory Rousseau, DE, Miami

• Passing on the best tackle prospect in recent memory is probably a bad idea. Unfortunately, Dave Gettleman has a penchant for that. Rousseau is a very raw albeit extremely talented pass rusher from Miami. Despite being underdeveloped as a pass rusher, his physical gifts alone made him a top pass rusher last season, trailing only Chase Young as the best pass rusher in college. The Giants add another big man to a talented DL, along with Leonard Williams and Dexter Lawrence. Rousseau is oozing with potential, and with his length, burst, and strength, can become a force that will terrorize the NFC East. Rousseau is going to test very well at the combine as well.

CIN - Penei Sewell, OT, Oregon

• Joe Burrow is screaming for joy. Sewell is the best OT prospect, arguably since Joe Thomas, or Trent Williams - he has everything. This is almost a cant-miss pick for Cincinatti, and it gives them two young, bookend tackles in Sewell and 2019 1st round pick Jonah Williams to protect the Heisman award winning QB.

DAL - Patrick Surtain Jr, CB, Alabama

• Dallas is not as bad as this pick slot indicates, but regardless, they pick due to their injury concerns. Drafting on the defense has to be the priority here, and why not reunite Surtain Jr with his former Alabama teammate, and fellow DB in Trevon Diggs? It fills a need and is arguably the BPA at this spot.

LAC - Alex Leatherwood, OT, Alabama

• While they missed out on Sewell, longtime blindside protector for Justin Herbert, Leatherwood is a great prospect in his own right. A well rounded OL with experience in a tough conference like the SEC, Leatherwood is a stalwart that can start at guard or tackle, giving the Chargers a piece they can put anywhere on the line to protect Herbert, and he is NFL-ready on Day 1.

DET - Jaylen Waddle, WR, Alabama

• Passing on Micah Parsons! How? Last time they picked a LB in the first round, it was Jarrad Davis, and they were burned, badly. Instead, they opt for the explosive WR out of Alabama, marking 3 straight picks from Tuscaloosa. Waddle is a game-breaker, stirring up comparisons to Tyreek Hill - and rightfully so. His speed is incredible, and his hands and route running are right up there as well, and he brings rare instincts and elusiveness. Waddle was the best WR in college before getting injured this season. Waddle adds the last piece to the Detroit offense, giving them a great group around Matthew Stafford who is entering the twilight of his career - with Waddle, Golladay, Jones Jr, Swift, and Hockenson, the Lions have the makings of a very good offense.

MIA - Micah Parsons, LB, Penn State

• Brian Flores would sprint to the podium to pick up Parsons if this was the scenario. The former LB coach grabs one of the most gifted LB prospects in a long time, and he fits the Dolphins at one of their biggest positions of need, with Raekwon McMillan gone. Parsons forms a fearsome LB duo next to Jerome Baker, and brings rare instincts, speed, and physicality to Miami.

DEN - Samuel Cosmi, OT, Texas

• Denver was hoping that Parsons would fall one more pick, but alas, they have to settle. Cosmi is one of the most physically talented OTs in the draft, and although he is raw, he’s got plenty of ability and potential. John Elway grabs his hopeful franchise LT to protect Drew Lock.

ATL - Kwity Paye, DE, Michigan

• One of the fastest risers in the draft, Paye is physically dominant as an EDGE rusher and has the production to back it up. Atlanta could have taken a QB here, but considering that they have Julio Jones and Calvin Ridley both in their primes at the moment, they decide to stick with Matt Ryan - for the short term, instead of spending a massive asset on a rookie QB and waiting on him. Paye can become one of the best DL in the league, and replaces Takkarist McKinley.

MIN - Wyatt Davis, IOL, Ohio State

• Another team that could have taken a QB - Minnesota passes on the hometown kid, Lance, in favor for an interior lineman. While QB would be ideal here, Kirk Cousins’ contract is a behemoth, and it does not afford the Vikings a real opportunity to get off that contract - Minnesota would be better off shoring up the rest of their team, and looking for a new QB in the future, while sticking with Cousins short-term.

SF - Trey Lance, QB, North Dakota State

• The Garoppolo era is over - and the new era of Trey Lance begins in San Francisco. Lance is the only QB of the “big four” who exclusively works in a pro-style offense, and under center. His big arm, mobility, and IQ on the football field will be a welcome sight for 49ers fans who have seen none of those under the last couple years with Garoppolo at the helm. Lance, although in a weak conference, has showcased both elite ability as a pocket passer and a runner, with exceptional touch on deep balls. He can stand in the pocket, deliver while taking a hit, and Kyle Shanahan will like all of that. Great decision maker, and he limits turnovers.

NE - Kyle Pitts, TE, Florida

• Bill Belichick misses out on the last remaining big QB. He instead opts for the premier offensive weapon in the class, Kyle Pitts. Pitts is in the running for the Heisman. As a TE. Yeah. Belichick adds Pitts to a weakened Patriots offense in desperate need for a big weapon like Pitts, and he steps into the 6 foot 6 inch, 265 pound gap left by Rob Gronkowski in Foxborough.

CAR - Caleb Farley, CB, Virginia Tech

• With Teddy playing very well, Carolina likely opts to reinforce their defense, after doing so already last season. Their offense is all but set, with stars like McCaffrey, DJ Moore, and Curtis Samuel already in the mix - but the biggest problem is the defense. While they could go LB to replace Kuechly, why not provide one more big time player in the secondary. With Donte Jackson, Caleb Farley, Jeremy Chinn, and more, Carolina has the makings of a great defense.

LV - Marvin Wilson, IDL, Florida State

• They will go DL and the BPA in that case is FSU’s Marvin Wilson. The big man has been one of the best interior DL in college for a very long time and will continue to do so in Vegas, and provides a physical presence next to Maurice Hurst, Clelin Ferrell, and Maxx Crosby. This is a reach, but the Raiders bet that Wilson can recapture his previous level of play in an NFL program.

CLE - Dylan Moses, LB, Alabama

• Moses, physically, is one of the most talented LB prospects in the draft. A thumper at LB, Moses has seen everything coming from the long list of star Alabama LBs in recent years - but there are question marks. Before his ACL injury, Moses was supposed to go top 10, but after, his play level, and instincts have declined and he looks a step slow. Still, Cleveland opts to grab Moses and place him next to Mack Wilson, giving the Cleveland defense the leader and MIKE LB they need and that they had lost in Joe Schobert.

JAX - Pat Friermuth, TE, Penn State

• Friermuth has drawn Gronk comparisons as a big, bulky target over the middle with blocking capability and red-zone dominance. While he may never reach that level, this is a no-brainer at 18 - Jacksonville gets Justin Fields his safety blanket for the next 5 years or more, and fills one of their biggest needs on the offensive end of the ball.

PHI - JaMarr Chase, WR, LSU

• Philly fans are likely screaming in joy. Arguably the best WR in the draft drops all the way to 19, and right into the lap of Doug Peterson. Carson Wentz finally gets his #1 WR, and it’s a good one. Next to Jalen Reagor, Chase forms a lethal duo and both complement each other perfectly. He has everything a WR needs, and although he is not exceptionally fast, his hands, route running, ball skills, and physicality more than make up for it. He drops partly due to his speed not being amazing and recency bias favoring Jaylen Waddle.

TEN - Jay Tufele, DT, USC

• Tufele is a gifted defensive tackle - with good athleticism, technique, and all-around ability, and young as well, he is nowhere near his ceiling both as a pass rusher and run defender. He can be a 3 down player and can start day one, and for a contender like Tennessee, that makes perfect sense. They shore up the DL again, with three pieces set in stone - Harold Landry, Jeffery Simmons, and now, Tufele.

MIA - Devonta Smith, WR, Alabama

• With Preston Williams, DeVante Parker, and Jakeem Grant, the Dolphins have a good WR corps. But they need that final piece, the #1 - and Smith is exactly that. Tua gets his favorite target back, as Smith follows in the footsteps of the Alabama route-runners before him in Jerry Jeudy, Calvin Ridley, and Amari Cooper. He is thin, but strong at the same time, showcasing good speed, elite route running, elusiveness, and hands, giving Tua the target he needs.

CHI - Mac Jones, QB, Alabama

• The SAVIOR! The Trubisky saga is over, and Nick Foles time is short lived in Chicago as well. Chicago opts for Mac Jones, the signal caller from Alabama. Jones is an experienced QB - but the sample size of him playing well is small. Armed with an elite deep ball, a good arm, and functional mobility, Jones works in a pro-style system and is one of the few QBs that could start Day 1 in the NFL. With great decision making and ability to read the field, while playing tough defenses in the SEC - Jones opens up the entire playbook for Chicago because he can throw to any part of the field. They could take Kyle Trask, but instead opt for the higher ceiling in Mac Jones.

NO - Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah, LB, Notre Dame

• A WR would also be a fit here next to Michael Thomas, but with Mac Jones gone, the Saints opt to add another LB next to the aging DeMario Davis and questionable Kwon Alexander. J.O.K. is a talented LB who can lineup at anywhere from MIKE, to S, to OLB, and do it at a high level. Great in coverage, and can play against TEs and occasionally WRs in the slot. He’s a defensive weapon for Sean Payton.

BUF - Shaun Wade, CB, Ohio State

• Tre White gets a partner in crime. Wade falls all the way to 24, where Sean McDermott picks up the best fit at corner for his scheme. Wade is exceptional both in press and in zone, and is an explosive and fast athlete with some swagger when tackling. He can work both outside or in the slot, and while he has some issues against taller and bigger WRs, it’s nothing that cannot be ironed out. The Bills form an elite, top 3 defense with Wade in the fold.

IND - Jevon Holland, S, Oregon

• A QB could make sense here, but Trask once again falls as Indianpolis decides to stick with one of the three in Rivers, Brissett, or the Uber-talented rookie in Jacob Eason. Instead, they grab the best safety in the class in Jevon Holland. Holland is a do-it-all safety with great coverage ability, and a lot of range - and he gives the Colts a player they can plug and play at either FS or SS. Malik Hooker simply has not worked out for the Colts due to health reasons, so the Colts grab a long term starter at S.

ARI - Creed Humphrey, IOL, Oklahoma

• Kyler Murray gets his old friend from Oklahoma. Humphrey is a plug-and-play center or guard prospect in the NFL and gives Murray some much needed familiarity - and at a big position of need. Arizona’s biggest focus should be protecting Murray, and Humphrey is a strong, technical stalwart in the interior, which is key against the NFC West’s talent like Aaron Donald, Arik Armstead, Nick Bosa, and more.

GB - Rondale Moore, WR, Purdue

• Aaron Rodgers will riot if this pick is not another weapon. Despite the defensive short comings for the Packers, they have to take WR here - it’s holding back their offense. They opt for Rondale Moore, the explosive WR from Purdue. Moore is a game-changer with the ball in his hands, a YAC machine who will destroy you in the open field. And that is a perfect compliment to Davante Adams, as Moore can lineup anywhere, from RB, to the SLOT, to outside WR. Aaron Rodgers has clearly missed Jordy Nelson and Randall Cobb - but Moore brings what Cobb also brought to the table.

BAL - Rashod Bateman, WR, Minnesota

• The speed demon in Marquise Brown is already there - but the Ravens need a true #1. Bateman brings a physical, big presence at WR, something Lamar has not had since college, and something he really needs. Bateman’s sure hands, body control, contested catch ability, and explosiveness is exactly what the Ravens need - as the final piece in a juggernaut of an offense being created. With Mark Andrews, JK Dobbins, Marquise Brown, Jackson, and now Bateman in the fold, Jackson’s full ability as a passer can be unleashed and the Ravens offense with that.

TB - Christian Barmore, DT, Alabama

• When in doubt, take the Bama player. In all seriousness, there are plenty of options the Buccaneers can go with here - but clearly, reinforcing the DL is the most popular way of doing so. Barmore next to Vita Vea gives the Buccaneers a great duo, with Barmore a perfect candidate to play the 3-tech. He’s raw but plenty of growing room.

PIT - Kyle Trask, QB, Florida

• Trask finally comes off the board, and to arguably the perfect team. Trask is not ready to start in the NFL day one - but he can be that guy in the future. Although he does not possess an amazing arm, he has all the intangibles, accuracy, and decision making to become the QBOTF in Pittsburgh. Trask’s biggest issue is his footwork - if he can fix that, everything else will fall into place. He possesses the physical attributes to be a star, tall, built strong, and he is fearless in the pocket. The throwing motion is good, but the overall mechanics in combination with the footwork need improvement. Fortunately, he will have time to do so under Ben Roethlisberger in Pittsburgh.

KC - Carlos Basham, DE, Wake Forest

• Basically any pick is a luxury pick for Kansas City, but they opt for Basham here. Basham is a sure-thing, he won’t be a superstar, but he will be a very good defensive end. He is strong, big, and possesses both good burst and good technique - and forms a great duo across from Frank Clark.

NYJ - Jackson Carman, OT, Clemson

• While they could take Etienne here, instead of the next pick right after, they take Carman first - for the 5th round option. RBs are usually easy to keep, but that 5th year option if Carman pans out will be massive. The Jets grab Trevor Lawrence two familiar faces back to back, in order to appease their new franchise QB, who may not have been enthusiastic to be drafted by NY.

2nd round:

NYJ - Travis Etienne, RB, Clemson

• Jets grab another familiar face, this time in the best RB in the draft. Lawrence feeling at home. Etienne has incredible speed, acceleration, and is a complete RB, being able to play on 3rd down. The Jets get a dynamic weapon, a stark contrast to the slow and steady Le’Veon Bell.

JAX - Trey Smith, OT/OG, Tennessee

• If Justin Fields is going to succeed, the Jaguars need to step it up everywhere. They’ve addressed TE, now they address the OL, with Smith. Rock-solid lineman with versatility, Smith is one of the best pass protectors in the draft.

WAS - Sage Surratt, WR, Wake Forest

• First step in Washington with new management in the fold is building a new culture. Support players - and Surratt is squeaky clean off the field with academic awards and more. But really, this is about football - Surratt is a very good possession WR and fits next to McLaurin well, giving Zach Wilson a big target with soft hands and good speed.

NYG - Jalen Mayfield, OT, Michigan

• Passing on Sewell hurts - but Mayfield makes up for it. A very high potential player at OT, Mayfield can play at RT or LT, depending on where the Giants shift the struggling Andrew Thomas. Saquon Barkley breathes a sigh of relief.

CIN - Terence Marshall Jr, WR, LSU

• Familiar target? Check. AJ Green is likely out of Cincinnati after this season, and Marshall can perfectly fit in as a height-weight-speed freak with production. Marshall can be the #1 WR in Cincy.

DAL - Caden Sterns, S, Texas

• Strengthening this defense is key - and the next step is at safety. Sterns fits the bill as a playmaking coverage safety who can play in man or zone, helping this Cowboys pass defense take the next step.

LAC - Walker Little, OT, Stanford

• Two tackles in a row? With a QB like Herbert, you need it. With Trai Turner, Leatherwood, Little, and Lamp on the OL, Herbert will have good protection and for a long time with two new bookend tackles. Little is a great fit at RT, with Leatherwood slotting on the left. Good technique, great size, and great length.

DET - Cameron McGrone, LB, Michigan

• Taking the Ann Arbor product, McGrone has sky-high potential as a three down LB with sideline to sideline speed. Detroit gets the chosen one at their biggest need.

MIA - Quincy Roche, DE, Miami

• Besides the Miami connection, this is a no-brainer. Roche drops to the 2nd, where Brian Flores picks him up to reinforce a pass rush in need of a speedy, bendy edge rusher like Roche. Big time pick up, as Miami is nailing the draft.

DEN - Jaylen Twyman, DT, Pittsburgh

• Von Miller and Jurrell Casey should return next season, giving the Broncos a fearsome trio combined with Bradley Chubb. Twyman is the final piece and gives them a longterm solution. An explosive, undersized DL, Twyman is already an elite pass rusher on the interior with room to grow.

ATL - Tyler Shelvin, DT, LSU

• Narrowly missing on Twyman, they settle for Shelvin, the behemoth DT from LSU - a great fit next to Grady Jarrett, Dante Fowler, and now Kwity Paye. Shelvin can swallow up double teams.

JAX - Paris Ford, S, Pittsburgh

• Fields is in the fold, but that does not mean Jacksonville ignores the defense. They get a good safety in Paris Ford, a guy who is always around the ball. With Josh Allen, Chaisson, Myles Jack, CJ Henderson, and now Ford, they have high potential guys on every level of the ball.

SF - Jayson Oweh, EDGE, Penn State

• Dee Ford is likely gone… so the 49ers need a speed rusher, an athletic one for DL coach Kris Kocurek to mold. While very raw, Oweh is a physical freak with speed, a quick first step, strength, and bend. He is not a finished product, and will be limited to pass rush duties in his first years, but once he develops, watch out.

NE - Joseph Ossai, EDGE/LB, Texas

• Bill Belichick runs to the podium for this pick. Home run for NE, as they grab the perfect player they need at LB and the DL - someone who can fill the position that Jamie Collins left years ago. Ossai is very raw but Bill Belichick will savor getting a LB that he can mold in whatever way he wants for his defense. This is a perfect fit.

CAR - Jabril Cox, LB, LSU

• A smart, fast and instinctive LB, Cox will not replace Luke Kuechly, but he can help. Next to Shaq Thompson, the Panthers have filled a lot of their holes already - and it’s still the 2nd round.

LV - Andre Cisco, S, Syracuse

• Cisco gives the Raiders a nice, young, and talented safety duo in their secondary with Abram as well. Raiders continue to strengthen the defense. Cisco is coming off a torn ACL but is talented and was a 1st round prospect, arguably, until his injury.

CLE - Amon-Ra St. Brown, WR, USC

• Odell Beckham Jr is likely done - and either way, Baker Mayfield needs a new target, preferable one that can play in the slot or outside. St. Brown has great hands, great route running, and good speed. Cleveland has a big need at EDGE, but they opt to get their young QB one more target in hopes of a breakout season.

LAR - Josh Myers, OG, Ohio State

• They could take a LB here, but Myers dropping this low is a no-brainer. The Rams add another athletic and polished OL. Myers is a good fit for the zone scheme that Sean McVay runs, and fill one of their most pressing needs. Jared Goff is not Jared Goff under pressure - this is the way to keep this offense chugging… investing in the OL, especially in the brutal NFC West.

PHI - Hamsah Nasirlideen, LB/S, Florida State

• Perfect fit. Nasirlideen can play at safety or LB, and is physically incredible. Knack for forcing turnovers and he is a sure tackler, and although he has some coverage issues, he is still good vs. TEs and slot WRs at times. Philly gets a tone-setter at LB, their biggest need, or at S, arguably the 2nd biggest need.

TEN - Deonte Brown, OG, Alabama

• The battle is won in the trenches. The Titans don’t have many needs, but strengthening the OL is always a good idea.

MIA - Daniel Faalele, OT, Minnesota

• Miami is nailing the draft. Faalele is the most physically impressive prospect in this class, with great athleticism despite being 6 foot 9 inches and nearly 400 pounds. He’s a freak, and a perfect candidate to play at RT and protect Tua Tagovailoa’s blind side. Tua is very happy right now!

CHI - Alijah Vera-Tucker, OG, USC

• Grabbing another athletic, and technically sound OL - Vera-Tucker fits Chicago’s needs well, especially with long-time starter Kyle Long retired.

NO - Kadarius Toney, WR, Florida

• New Orleans needs a true #2 WR next to Michael Thomas, and Emmanuel Sanders is the short-term for that. Toney is the long-term solution. Explosive YAC threat, Toney is a perfect fit in the West Coast offense that Sean Payton runs, and is seemingly uncatchable in the open field - and he comes with versatility, as a former QB; we know Sean Payton likes that.

BUF - Patrick Jones II, DE, Pittsburgh

• The Bills need more from their DL to take their defense to the next level. Jerry Hughes is already 32, and by taking Jones, an explosive pass rusher with good technique and great size. Across from AJ Epenesa, Buffalo has two good EDGE rushers to anchor a DL and give Ed Oliver some help.

IND - Aidan Hutchinson, DE, Michigan

• He does not have very much burst or an elite first step, but Hutchinson’s pursuit ability, motor, and strength are up there with the best. He’s inexperienced but he has a good assortment of pass rush moves, and offers versatility too - he is 280 pounds. IND gets a guy that they can play 3-4 DE, 4-3 DE, the three tech, or even 3-4 OLB if needed.

ARI - Tyson Campbell, CB, Georgia

• Crazy talented athlete, Campbell is raw but he has a ton of potential. Great hips, great recovery speed, and he can run with anyone. Good size, he’s a player that can play in most if not all schemes, with the ability to play bump and run, press, zone, or man.

GB - Brevin Jordan, TE, Miami

• Adding two explosive weapons to an offense that already had Aaron Rodgers and Davante Adams is stupid. That’s exactly what happens here - Green Bay grabs their TE of the future, in Jordan. Jordan is a gifted athlete with a lot of speed and explosiveness, built in the molds of the new wave of TEs like George Kittle, Noah Fant, and more. Green Bay now has weapons everywhere and are poised for the short-term with Rodgers, and the long term with Love.

BAL - Chazz Surratt, LB, North Carolina

• They took Patrick Queen last year, but they still need one more guy on that defense. While they have a pressing need at safety, Surratt’s potential is too much to pass up. Super talented with instincts, Surratt is a former QB and inexperienced, yet he has shown massive ability. High character and the leader the Ravens need on defense.

TB - Alec Lindstrom, OG, Boston College

• Always pick the OL when unsure. Lindstrom is polished and although he does not possess a high ceiling, he should be a good starter in the NFL for a long time. Protect Brady.

PIT - Jaycee Horn, CB, South Carolina

• Joe Haden is aging and Pittsburgh needs a boost of youth in the secondary to match Minkah Fitzpatrick. Horn has been one of the breakout stars this college season, and it’s a wonder he even dropped this far.

KC - Dillon Radunz, OT, North Dakota State

• LDT’s status is unclear beyond this season, and besides, the Chiefs have needed a boost in the OL for a while. This is a trend - contending teams without weaknesses will almost always opt to strengthen the trenches.

SEA - Joe Tryon, DE, Washington

• Tryon is far from a finished product but would represent the most hope Seattle has had at pass rush in a very long time. He is big, lengthy, has good burst, and good hand placement, and has a very high ceiling. The UW product stays in Seattle.

3rd round:

NYJ - Eric Stokes, CB, Georgia

• If the CB class was not so stacked this year, Stokes would have had a shot to go in the 1st. Either way, the Jets grab a talented, twitchy corner from Georgia with a knack for forcing turnovers. Stokes can be a #1 CB if developed correctly. Great in press coverage especially.

JAX - Chris Olave, WR, Ohio State

• Justin Fields’ favorite target joins him in Jacksonville. He is really polished in everything a WR needs - great route runner, great hands, and he can contort his body to make some tough catches. He is limited physically, that frame is not going to be able to take an NFL season. He is going to have to bulk up, but Fields gets a classic #2 WR who can play in the slot or outside.

WAS - Rashawn Slater, OT, Northwestern

• Scheme-versatile, athletic, physical. He checks most boxes - he needs work on his technique, specifically when he comes out of his stance, but moving him to guard would eliminate that need. He can anchor himself well too.

NYG - Seth Williams, WR, Auburn

• Prototypical X WR that fits well next to Darius Slayton. Williams cannot separate much, but with his hands and body control, is a great possession WR who will consistently make contested catches. Red-zone threat with upside.

CIN - Jordan Davis, DT, Georgia

• Two-down run defender with upside. He’s got a lot of athleticism and improving technique, but outside of the run-game, he can’t do much right now. Good fit, both for Cincinnati’s needs and also scheme.

DAL - Derion Kendrick, CB, Clemson

• Weird prospect. He switched from WR to CB in college, so he is still clearly learning the nuances of being a corner, but you can see what he can be vs. what he is now. Kendrick is not going to wow anyone for a while, but if Dallas can develop him right, he can be very good. Very much a long-term pickup.

LAC - Asante Samuel Jr, CB, Florida State

• He is really good with the play in front of him, classic slot corner. Good acceleration and he is a good tackler. He’s scheme-versatile, and with good hips, he can play off-man and press if needed. Good and easy replacement for Desmond King in the slot for the Chargers, especially with the aging Chris Harris. Samuel can get bullied by bigger WRs so DCs need to be careful with matchups, at least til he can get stronger.

DET - Trevon Moehrig, S, TCU

• Quandre Diggs being traded last season left a gaping hole in their secondary. Moehrig is a very good centerfield type safety with ball hawking ability and really good instincts. He’s got issues tackling, but most deep safeties have the same issues. Big time potential.

HOU - Alaric Jackson, OG, Iowa

• Protecting DeShaun Watson needs to be the goal - Jackson is a good fit for Houston. Strong with good athleticism, Jackson has played at tackle for a long time at Iowa, but his flexibility and length limit him. He will move to guard - but that’s exactly what Houston needs.

DEN - Monty Rice, LB, Georgia

• A tough inside LB with good closing speed and size, Rice is a good candidate as a WILL LB with coverage skills as well. He is a step late on some plays while diagnosing - which along with his size prevents him from playing at midde linebacker.

ATL - D’Eriq King, QB, Miami

• Surprise! Well, not really. I expect Atlanta to hire a modern OC, and that means a modern QB is needed. King fits the bill as a dual-threat QB with a great arm. I really like his feel for the game, his arm talent, his improving accuracy, and anticipation, and the natural ability to extend plays and make throws on the run or scramble is great too. King may be undersized, but he makes up for it with his elusiveness and build. Kyler Murray and Russell Wilson succeeded, King can as well. Why not pick Trey Lance in the 1st? No matter what, the QB they pick will be a project. It would be better to invest in other positions early, and still grab the QB of the future late. He’s not Quinton Flowers, or JT Barrett - he’s much more. Great anticipation, strong arm, and he makes plays.

MIN - Azeez Ojulari, DE, Georgia

• Really good bend and speed off the EDGE. He is another raw EDGE rusher, which is plentiful in this draft - but Minnesota needs a guy they can develop, just as they did with Danielle Hunter.

WAS - Grant Calcaterra, TE, Oklahoma

• Weapons, weapons, weapons. Wilson needs all he can get, and now he has two talented WRs in Surratt and McLaurin, and Calcaterra joins that group. There are massive injury concerns with Calcaterra - he retired due to concussions and then returned earlier this season - but when he was healthy, he was considered a top TE in College Football. This is very much a bet for Washington, but it could pay off massive dividends.

NE - VOIDED by NFL
CAR - Liam Eichenberg, OT, Notre Dame

• NFL-ready frame and he’s got really good length. He can hold his own against most pass rushers, speed or power. Athleticism is average though - he is better off in a power-scheme more than anything else.

LV - Cade Mays, OG, Tennessee

• Nasty and strong, especially in the run game. Jon Gruden will love this guy, but he needs to get more disciplined especially with his footwork and stance - when he maintains his leverage, he is elite. Needs to get more polished but the potential is there.

CLE - Richard LeCounte III, S, Georgia

• Size is an issue with LeCounte, but his ball skills and instincts are great, as is his football IQ. He will be able to start Day One in the NFL - and with Grant Delpit at SS, LeCounte is a nice pairing at FS. Browns strengthen the defense again.

LAR - Nick Bolton, LB, Missouri

• Rams biggest need is probably LB - but they wait til the 3rd to grab one. Bolton is a monster in the run-game, super hard hitter and he’s got good instincts to guess the gap and go. He’s limited in the passing game, but once again - he’s got plenty of time and potential to iron that out. Better in zone, as most LBs are.

PHI - Kary Vincent Jr, CB, LSU

• Really good slot corner. Super twitchy with really quick feet - he can mirror anyone in the slot. The problem is with his size - but in general, this guy can play. He needs work on his tackling and hand fighting at the line but as a man-coverage type, Philly can’t get much better at this point in the draft.

TEN - Hunter Long, TE, Boston College

• He’s just good at everything. Not a game-changing playmaker at TE, but he gets the job done and can do anything asked of a TE. Tennessee will love his blocking and good athleticism.

MIA - Najee Harris, RB, Alabama

• As if Miami wasn’t already nailing this draft, this puts the cherry on top. Harris in the 3rd is incredible value - he’s physical, fast, elusive, and does everything a RB is supposed to do. Every-down RB. TD machine and he will always fall forward - he’s the alpha they need at RB, and a good compliment to Myles Gaskin. Another familiar face for Tua Tagovailoa.

CHI - Anthony Schwartz, WR, Auburn

• The Bears need that extra #2 WR, Schwartz brings exactly that. Anthony Miller is better off in the slot, and while Allen Robinson is awesome, both Miller and Robinson cannot take the top off a defense like Schwartz can. He’s dangerous with the ball in his hands and is still improving. His frame is very flimsy however, and he’s got some issues blocking - but you can see his role in Matt Nagy’s offense.

CLE - Levi Onwuzurike, DT, Washington

• They need a space eater next to Myles Garrett. Onwuzurike brings that and more to the table.

BUF - Dazz Newsome, WR, North Carolina

• Gabriel Davis and Stefan Diggs are great, but Buffalo lacks a threat at slot WR - John Brown and Cole Beasley are again. Newsome is explosive, lightning quick, and has very good route running and elusiveness in the open field.

IND - Shaka Toney, DE, Penn State

• Another DE? Justin Houston is aging, and if Indianapolis wants to keep building their defense, this is necessary to give DeForest Buckner some help. Toney is not ready to be an every-down player, but as most Penn State products are - he is gifted as an athlete. He’s got plenty of potential as a pass rusher.

ARI - Darius Stills, DT, West Virginia

• There are questions about his run defense and is not disciplined as a DT should be. He more than makes up for it with his disruptiveness as a pass rusher. Rare get-off for a DT, and his size lends hm and advantage because he is so powerful and fast with good leverage.

GB - Jack Sanborn, LB, Wisconsin

• Hard hitter with ball production tends to work out in the NFL. He’s a fine athlete and is a quick diagnosed of plays, and while his run defense is great, his coverage skills are better. Not often does a LB log multiple interceptions in one season, but Sanborn did just that. Do-it-all LB for the Packers, although he has some limitations.

MIN - Marquez Stevenson, WR, Houston

• Versatile weapon with a ton of speed and elusiveness. The production matches the skillset, and he brings the presence the Vikings need next to Justin Jefferson and Adam Thielen for the next couple of years.

TB - Kolby Harvell-Peel, S, Oklahoma State

• He isn’t much of a coverage safety, but Harvell-Peel is a fantastic run defender and tackler at safety. He’s not a liability, but he is not someone you want covering the back-end on third down either way. Harvell-Peel gives Bruce Arians a piece that he can shift anywhere, from LB to SS to slot CB if necessary, and he can get physical in the trenches and hold his own.

PIT - Jeremy Ruckert, TE, Ohio State

• Ruckert is a smooth athlete at TE and a very good blocker too. Despite not having much opportunity at OSU, Ruckert made the most of it - he’s got great hands as well. Pittsburgh grabs the future safety blanket for Kyle Trask… and forms a duo with Eric Ebron.

KC - Paulson Adebo, CB, Stanford

• Reinforcing this defense again. Adebo is a good zone and press corner. He’s got limitations, but he’s still developing and could be very good in the future.

NYJ - Justyn Ross, WR, Clemson

• If you ain’t noticed a trend by now, I don’t know what to say. But really, the Jets know that they aren’t exactly enticing for Lawrence. Making it feel like home for him is very important, both for his development and also for the future. They’ve alienated their defensive savant in Jamal Adams, they can’t have this happen again. Ross is mega-talented, but his neck injury last season caused him to drop from a 1st round prospect to a late 3rd prospect. Regardless, if the Jets can get Denzel Mims, Justyn Ross, Travis Etienne, plus two bookend tackles in Mekhi Becton and Jackson Carman - Trevor Lawrence has something he can work with. Ross is a prototypical #1 WR, with height-weight-speed measurements perfect and the production to back it up.

Draft order was from tankathon
1 - New York Jets - Trevor Lawrence, QB, Clemson - Jets are still winless? Yup. I think its pretty clear at this point that Darnold isnt the future and Trevor Lawrence is the best QB prospect since Andrew Luck. Honestly, it really doesnt matter what team picks here, because I'm near 100% sure Lawrence should go 1. Jets land themselves a franchise QB. Lets hope Adam Gase isnt around to ruin him as well.
2 - Jacksonville Jaguars - Justin Fields, QB, Ohio State - Losing is winning for Jacksonville right now, with both Minshew and Luton looking like capable near starters but neither being THE guy for the Jaguars. Those problems should be set to rest with the arrival of Justin Fields, however. Fields has been utterly electric this year for the Buckeyes and would be a nice shot in the arm for a Jacksonville passing attack that has been pretty poor this decade.
3 - Dallas Cowboys - Penei Sewell, OT, Oregon - The Great Wall of Dallas must be a distant memory at this point for the Cowboys, with the current line a shadow of its former self. Tyron Smith’s contract is also up soon getting older, and with Dak likely demanding a huge payday as well as Smith, C Tyler Biasdiaz and RT La’el Collins coming off injuries, there’s a lot of uncertainty around the Dallas OLine right now. Penei Sewell would go a long way of addressing those concerns. The best OT prospect to come out of college since Joe Thomas, Sewell would be an immediate starter on either side of the line, and should be a rock on either side of Dak.
4 - New York Giants - Ja’marr Chase, WR, LSU - This was a close one here. The Giants really need an inside linebacker and Darius Slayton has been a great player for them. But Jamarr Chase is just that good. And the rest of the Giants receivers outside of Slayton dont exactly inspire any confidence. Daniel Jones might or might not still be the Giants QB of the future, but Jamarr Chase should absolutely be their WR1 going forward.
5 - Washington Football Team - Trey Lance, QB, NDSU - Haskins is probably done. I dont foresee any sort of happy conclusion to his time in Washington, and thus Ron Riveria is probably going to look to install his own guy at QB, with Alex Smith obviously not having it and Kyle Allen having peaked at handing off to CMC. Trey Lance might not be a near finished product the top 2 QBs are, but he has gobs of potential and has a ceiling that might even surpass Fields or Lawrence. Will Trey Lance end up being Mahomes/Josh Allen or just another big armed bust? That’ll be up to the Washington coaching staff, but he’s a fantastic prospect for Washington to figure out.
6 - Chicago Bears (Via Los Angeles Chargers - Sends 1.16, 3.80, 2022 CHI 1st, 2022 CHI Second for 1.06, 2022 LAC 3rd) - Zach WIlson, QB, BYU - After watching that horrid display of the Chicago offense on Sunday, I think it's clear the Bears NEED a different QB if they want to win it all. They were anemic against a pretty horrid Titans defense and with 3 of the top 4 QB prospects off the board, the Bears bite the bullet. With an aging defense and their Super Bowl window closing fast, they jump up high to draft Zach Wilson. Wilson has been flying up the draft boards recently, torching defenses on his possible Heisman campaign. He’s got great mobility, especially when it comes to extending plays, and solid pocket presence. Most of all, there’s a bit of reckless brilliance that reminds me a little of guys like Stafford, Mahomes and Allen. Its a fine line to balance and Wilson does have his flaws - such as too much aggressiveness and concerns about his shoulder’s durability, but if the Bears can keep Allen Robinson, then I can foresee a very fruitful connection in the future between the two, as well as a chance for Wilson to be the best QB in Bears history (Yes, its that bad).
7 - Miami (Via Houston Texans) - Gregory Rousseau, EDGE, Miami - Miami’s pass rush wasnt as anemic as it was last year, but it certainly still isnt good. They need help there, and Rousseau could be the replacement they have been looking for ever since they lost Robert Quinn and Cam Wake. Rousseau is still very raw, but the potential here is sky high and his punch is elite. If he can develop his this repertoire some more, he could be as scary as someone like Chase Young, who he was able to keep up with in 2019.
8 - Cincinnati Bengals - Alex Leatherwood, OT/OG, Alabama - Parsons and Surtain are tempting here, but when you just drafted a franchise QB #1 overall, protecting him should be priority 1, 2, and 3, especially after how many hits Joe Burrow took to begin the year. The Bengals need line help everywhere, especially on the right side, and Leatherwood is a 4 year starter who can excel at both OT and OG. He should be an immediate upgrade to either Bobby Hart or Trey Hopkins/Alex Redmond/whoever the hell starts at RG for the Bengals and hopefully significantly improve the protection of Burrow.
9 - Carolina Panthers - Micah Parsons, LB, Penn State - Miach Parsons is a special linebacker, athletic, versatile, rangy and smart. He’s disruptive everywhere, and his ability to slip blocks and penetrate the offensive line definitely shows his background as a defensive end. Outside of perhaps not being the most consistent run defender, something that's barely an issue, the only flaws are nitpicky. There isnt much else to say about this pick. A year after losing Luke Kuechly, Carolina has their replacement.
10 - Atlanta Falcons - Patrick Surtain II, CB, Alabama - Pretty easy pick here. Surtain II is an elite cover corner in every way and should be a lock down guy day 1 for whatever team he starts on, which is a boon for the Falcons. With Matt Ryan and Julio Jones both aging and their title window almost nailed shut, Surtain II might be able to pry it open just enough to where the Falcons can go for one last shot at a ring.
11 - Detroit Lions - DeVonta Smith, WR, Alabama - There’s been a lot of rumblings about Kenny Golloday’s unhappiness in Detroit, and although I do think they ought to pay him, if they cant come to an agreement and franchise tag him, they’ll likely need a replacement. And thats not even mentioning both Marvin Jones Jr and Danny Amendola are also free agents at the end of this year. That makes WR a pretty big need for the Lions. Enter DeVonta Smith, who’s surpassed his teammate Waddle as the #2 WR on my big board. Any concerns he had last year are all gone now, especially with Waddle out. It’s been the DeVonta showdown at Alabama, punctuated with a 200+ yard 4 TD performance against Mississippi State. Smith has Charmin soft hands and fantastic route running, and most importantly, gets fantastic separation. He’s a bit thin at only 175, but his frame should fill out nicely once he gets to the NFL. Whether he’s the Lions new #1 or a #2, either way he should be an elite weapon for Stafford to play with.
12 - Minnesota Vikings - Wyatt Davis, OG, Ohio State - The Vikings OL has two possible building blocks of the future in Ezra Cleveland and Brian O’Neil as well as an OK starter in Garrett Bradbury, but that leaves two rather large holes on the offensive line. Dakota Dozier’s a free agent at the end of this year, Cleveland might end up moving to OT, Pat Eiflen hasnt shown much to be excited about and I think the only time Vikings fans want to see Dru Samia on the field is if he’s starting for the opponents. Wyatt Davis is the last of the truly elite prospects in this class, an elite guard prospect who will run over anyone in his way and a plug, play and forget guy from Day 1. Count this pick as killing 3 birds with one stone. Helping Cousins, helping Dalvin Cook and the run game, and protecting whoever the Vikings pick as the QB of the future.
13 - Jacksonville Jaguars (Via New England Patriots via San Francisco 49ers - Sends 1.22, 3.66 for 1.13) - Dillion Radunz, OT, NDSU - After drafting their QBOTF in Justin Fields, the Jaguars now need to protect him. And with so much draft capital on their hands, they part ways with some of it in order to move up and grab the last OT I could consider a possible day 1 starter, OT Dillion Radunz out of NDSU. There are some question marks about athleticism and competition level, but Radunz’s technique is elite, and his toughness is unquestionable. He should be a welcome addition to the Jaguars offensive line, and will provide solid protection for Fields.
14 - Denver Broncos - Shaun Wade, CB, Ohio State - From what Ive seen of the Broncos, Drew Lock has shown plenty of promise, and Garrett Bolles has actually been playing at a near elite level all season. That leaves one last problem for the Broncos, their secondary. Bryce Callahan has been fantastic all year and I've heard some praise for Michael Ojemudia, but AJ Bouye has been a disappointment, and that's when he’s on the field. Shaun Wade should be able to be that final piece in the Broncos secondary they need. It was close between Farley and Wade, but with the season the Broncos have had, Wade’s ability to stay on the field was the tiebreaker. Of course, that's only a bonus to Wade’s fantastic coverage ability, especially from the slot, and his run defense reminds me of Trae Waynes’s ability to stop the run at corner. With how complex NFL offenses are now, Wade’s ability to be both a slot and outside corner means he can follow a #1 WR wherever they go, which is surely should help him become an elite CB at the next level.
15 - San Francisco 49ers - Caleb Farley, CB, Virginia Tech - The 49ers have 0 total CBs under contract in 2022. Yes, ZERO. That makes CB a huge huge need for them. Fortunately, Caleb Farley has dropped into their laps. He’s an outstanding press corner, and mirrors opposing receivers so well that he might as well be running their routes. He’s long, physical, and impressively sticky, and should be an elite outside corner for the 49ers. Grabbing Farley would allow for the 49ers to more easily part ways with Sherman or Verrett, as the #1 CB spot should not be an issue for them anymore.
16 - Los Angeles Chargers (Via Chicago Bears) - Creed Humphrey, iOL, Oklahoma - Herbert looks like a franchise QB so far, so the Chargers look to fix the most glaring issue on their team, their offensive line. With plenty of experience in Oklahoma’s zone blocking scheme and having protected both Kyler Murray and Spencer Rattler, Humphrey should slot into the Charger’s ZBS scheme perfectly. Thats not even mentioning his football smarts or his leadership, both of which would be huge boons for the Chargers offense. Humphrey should be a centerpiece in the Chargers offensive line for years to come.
17 - Miami Dolphins (via Cleveland Browns - sends 1.21, 3.87 for 1.17, 4.114) - Jaylen Waddle, WR, Alabama - How can anyone pass up reuniting Tua and his old college buddy? Of course, Waddle isnt just Tua’s former WR. He’s an explosive receiver who shreds the turf just like his former teammate Henry Ruggs III, a player with a great catch radius and the ability to dart to the holes in coverages, and a great kick/punt returner. Adding a burner like Waddle who can stretch the field should only help Tua, Parker, Williams, and the rest of the Miami offense.
18 - Indianapolis Colts - Jaycee Horn, CB, - Xavier Rhodes has had a resurgence for the Colts, but it's hard to say how long that will last, and there have been issues with the other corners getting torched. Jaycee Horn should help with that problem. A physical aggressive corner who knows how to properly use his size as leverage against opposing WRs, Horn would benefit greatly from Rhodes, and could be a great compliment alongside him as well. You want to see him at his best? Watch his game against Auburn and think of the ceiling.
19 - Philadelphia Eagles - Tyson Campbell, CB, Georgia - The Eagles WR situation was looking dire, but thanks to the emergence of second year WR Travis Fulgham, they can look to shore up another issue. The Eagles secondary has been pretty terrible for a few years now, and they need to find a solid answer. Tyson Campbell has been excellent at Georgia. He’s a bit thin at 6-2 185, but possesses outstanding athleticism and has very loose hips as well as great agility, making him an extremely interesting prospect. He is a bit raw and would need some development, but if the Eagles can properly develop him, Campbell can be an island in the NFL.
20 - Arizona Cardinals - Jay Tufele, iDL, USC - The Cardinals passing defense is pretty terrible, and corner is a definite need. However, there’s more ways to improve a passing defense than just adding corners, and Tufele is too much value to pass up here for the Cardinals. Tufele can be a dominant force at 1 or 3T, with his explosiveness and powerful hands, which allows him to be utterly unblockable at times. And adding such an interior force would boost the Cardinals pass rush even more, which could also help improve their defense. If Tufele can become more consistent, there’s no good reason why the Cardinals defensive line can’t become one of the best in the NFL.
21 - Cleveland Browns (Via Miami Dolphins) - Kwity Paye, Michigan, EDGE -Myles Garrett is having a DPOY level season, but once again he’s missing someone disruptive on the opposite side of him. Oliver Vernon is gone soon, and Clayborn is no long term solution. They need to grab the compliment to Garrett, who although is a one-man wrecking ball, is still one man. Kwity Paye is a very strong power rusher who can uses his bull rush well to set the LOS. He’s a tank with fantastic explosiveness and a pretty high ceiling, and his ability to cause problems against the opposing offensive line should be welcome on the Browns defense.
22 - New England Patriots (Via Jacksonville Jaguars via Los Angeles Rams) - Kyle Pitts, TE, Florida - TEs and the Patriots, name a more iconic duo. BB cant ignore BPA here any longer, and grabs the stud TE out of Florida in Kyle Pitts. He isnt in the same mold as the traditionally favored type the Patriots like, but he’s at least a willing blocker and can be coached up in that area. More importantly, He’s an extremely versatile weapon in the way that most modern TEs are with fantastic routes, soft hands, a huge catch radius and an excellent understanding of how to beat zone, able to line up all over and cause issues for the opposing defense. With the receiving corps is more barren than the Sahara, especially thanks to some brutal misses at WR Cough N’Keal Harry Cough, Pitts should be a great weapon for BB to play around with, and can carry the mantle of excellent Patriots tight ends that have been held by Gronkowski, Hernandez and Coates.
23 - Las Vegas Raiders - Azeez Ojulari, EDGE, Georgia - The Raiders EDGE corps isnt barren the way it was two years ago, but Maxx Crosby hasnt lived up to the hype he had after a stellar rookie season, and although Clelin Ferrell is an elite run defender, he’s nowhere near as good of a pass rusher. They need to add someone who can GET after the QB, and although there are better EDGEs left, I think Ojulari is the best pure pass rusher on the board. He’s got fantastic hand usage and his low center of gravity lets him bend the corner through contact really well. There’s some work to be done on run defense, but Ojulari does give me flashes of Ngakoue at times, and his versatility would allow for Ferrell to slide inside and be a mismatch there. This might be a little high on his currently, but I dont think Ojulari is someone who will end up rising on draft boards in the future
24 - Baltimore Ravens (Via Tennessee Titans - sends 1.27, 4.112 for 1.24) - Trey Smith, OG, Tennessee - With the retirement of Marshall Yanda, the Ravens have had a huge hole at LG that they still haven't been able to fill. And with their offense becoming more and more run heavy due to the addition of JK Dobbins and Lamar Jackson’s rushing abilities, one guy came to mind here. Trey Smith, the OG out of Tennessee, seemed like the natural fit. Smith is an absolute road grader in the run game, absolutely flattening whatever defensive players who are unfortunately enough to get into his way. He’s solid enough in pass protection, but more importantly, his fantastic run blocking paired alongside Orlando Brown Jr should lend itself to an absolutely terrifying run game from the Ravens.
25 - Tampa Bay Buccaneers - Samuel Cosmi, OT, Texas - The Buccaneers OL was absolutely dominated by the Saints, and Donovan Smith really isnt the answer at LT. osmi is an intriguing prospect with tons of athleticism and excellent smarts, someone who wins via brains and technique rather than pure brawn. With enough practice and proper coaching, Cosmi and Wirfs can be excellent bookends for the Buccaneers in the future.
26 - New York Jets (Via Seattle Seahawks) - Rashod Bateman, WR, Minnesota - Trevor Lawrence is now in New York, but he needs weapons if they want him to succeed. Denzel Mims is still a prospect, and although Jamison Crowder has been good, I dont think he’s anyone’s idea of a #1 WR. Thats why Ive got New York picking Bateman. Bateman’s a big play machine, someone who not only runs great routes, but gobbles up YAC once he has the ball. He should be a fantastic addition to the Jets offense, as a reliable target for Lawrence, and could build a fantastic rapport with him.
27 - Tennessee Titans (Via Baltimore Ravens) - Joseph Ossai, EDGE, Texas - The Titans went up against a Bengals Oline that was starting 3rd stringers and recorded 0 sacks. Thats all I need to say about how terrible the Titans pass rush is. Landry is still pretty promising, but at this point Clowney is neither an answer to the pass rush woes nor is he likely staying long term in Tennessee, and Derick Roberson has had 1 good game against a terrible Bears OL. Joseph Ossai could be the answer here, though. A quick trigger pass rusher who has plenty of room for improvement, Ossai presents a tantalizing option for Tennessee as someone who has the ability to become a very dominant pass rusher. He’d be a great fit in the Titans hybrid defense, and could grow into a cornerstone alongside Simmons and Landry on the DL.
28 - Buffalo Bills - Josh Myers, iOL, Ohio State - The Bills have been carried by the brilliance of Josh Allen, Stefon Diggs, and the pass attack, but the rushing attack has been terrible this year, ranking in the bottom third. Replacing one of their iOL with Josh Myers is a good first step to fixing that issue. Myers is a very mobile iOL who is a great anchor and provides stability in both the pass and run game. He was an integral part of helping JK Dobbins dominate at Ohio State, and would hopefully allow the flagging run game to pick up potency once again, as well as being a stalwart on the line.
29 - Green Bay Packers - Terrace Marshall Jr, WR, LSU - Davante Adams might be the best WR in the league, but there’s a reason why he gets so many targets from Aaron Rodgers. The rest of the Packers WR corps doesnt inspire that much confidence. Not to mention that the talent is too much here to pass up. Marshall has been fantastic at LSU with Chase out - which is more impressive with how bad LSU has been, and he’s got all the physical traits to be an elite WR. He rarely gets caught in press coverage and with his ball skills and frame, excels in contested catch situations. He’ll be a fantastic addition alongside Adams for the Packers offense, as someone who is good enough to be a WR#1 himself, someone who should be a complete mismatch going against CB2s.
30 - Kansas City Chiefs - Dylan Moses, LB, Alabama - The Chiefs overall have been elite once again this year, but there’s one clear flaw in their team, the run defense, which ranks in the bottom 5 in the league. Good thing Dylan Moses is available here. He’s an elite athlete with plenty of range and can hit like a truck. He also knows when to wrap up and is generally a sure tackler, which is a rather underappreciated trait. He does need to improve his ability to diagnose plays and shed blocks, but overall, he’s a force at ILB, and would greatly help out Chiefs ailing run defense.
31 - Carolina Panthers (via New Orleans Saints - sends 2.42, 4.106, 2022 3rd for 1.31) - Kyle Trask, QB, Florida - Teddy Bridgewater is a good stopgap, but the Panthers need a long term solution at QB if they dont want to waste CMC’s career. So, they trade up for Kyle Trask in a move reminiscent of the Ravens trade for Lamar Jackson in 2018 to secure the 5th year option. Trask is still very raw, but he’s been excellent at Florida, and has especially excellent in short routes and RPO plays. He’s also quite good at extending plays, and his ability to manipulate the defense with his eyes is very advanced. With CMC as a safety valve, Trask should be able to be a very nice fit for Joe Brady’s offense, which has excelled with Bridgewater and Burrow, both of whom are very accurate passers the same way Trask is.
32 - Pittsburgh Steelers - Travis Etienne, RB, Clemson - The Steelers dont have a ton of needs, and OT is probably the safest pick here, but James Conner is an FA after this year and there are questions if the Steelers should pay him big money. Travis Etienne is also the best RB in the class and easily BPA here. Etienne is an elite RB, who can break off huge chunks of yardage at a time and rip defenses apart with his burst. He’s also improved his catching ability to where he can be a every down RB. With Pittsburgh still a SB contender for the near future and possibly question marks on James Connor’s future, Etienne seems like a great fit here to both replace Connor’s production and keep Pittsburgh in title contention for the near future.

Hey everyone! I hope you are well.
I'm a UK NFL fan, and love the draft. I've stayed up for the 1st round for the last 3 drafts (they start at 1AM, so it's difficult!). This year, I've decided to try my hand at evaluating players for the first time.
I started with the wide receiver group of 2021, and ended up with the rankings that I'm about to give. I don't have a lot of access to College Football games in the UK, so my evaluation has been based on what I can find on Youtube.
Please let me know what you think- I'll try to explain my reasoning behind the rankings, but it would be great to have some discussion with you guys about your opinions too. Let's do it!
​

1. DeVonta Smith (Alabama)- Starting off with perhaps a bit of a hot take? Smith is my number 1. I just love everything he does. The best route runner in the class, surefire hands, shifty with the ball in his hands. I note I took from watching him was "is he just always open?". He has enough speed to maintain a threat deep, too. His slight frame may be a concern to some, and I think that concern has some basis, but against highly rated Derek Stingley of LSU, Smith put on a clinic- winning against press coverage, both inside and outside.
2. Ja'Marr Chase (LSU)- Smith being number 1 is not a slight on Chase, who to me is still a close second. I'm just not quite as high on Chase as most. He's still an excellent receiver, one that rightly will probably be picked in the top 10. He has a tendency to win against the corner at the line of scrimmage, and straight up worked corners against lesser opposition- using soft coverage to rapidly cut inside and out, then winning against press. His route running is excellent, and at the catch point, Chase can do most of the things you want him to- get vertical, play through contact, high point balls. He plays bigger than his size and is a magnificent prospect.
3. Jaylen Waddle (Alabama)- Waddle had the chance to rise up boards before injury took him out for 2020. It leaves him in a strange spot for me- a tier of his own, below the top 2 but comfortably above the rest of the pack. He's a home run hitter, a threat to take the ball to the house every time he touches it. He has high-end speed, not Henry Ruggs level, but he's hardly a slouch! His smooth footwork allows him to execute double moves at speed, keeping the opponent guessing. He can be a day 1 contributor, too- as a return man. His return skills were excellent, he was patient, waited for holes to appear and had great vision. He can put his foot to the accelerator in be gone in a flash. In 2020, I wanted to see him in a more featured role on the outside, playing against press coverage, but that obviously will not happen now, so that ability is a question mark on his game. Waddle may slide down boards due to the injury- if he gets into the 20s, he's an absolute steal.
4. Rondale Moore (Purdue)- Moore's game against Ohio State as a freshman was the most fun I had watching any WR prospect so far. When you talk about a guy you'd pay money to watch, Moore is that kind of player. He's electric. His speed off the line and through cuts is exceptional- he's a "blink and you'll miss him" athlete, who must be a nightmare to cover. Considering his size, he's an incredibly tough runner as well. In 2018, he broke 37 tackles in 13 games- more than anyone in college football. My feeling for Moore is that he'll probably have to be a slot guy in the NFL, because of his size and style, which is why I can't put him higher than 4. But he'll be so easy to incorporate into an offense- put the ball into his hands and let him go!
5. Rashod Bateman (Minnesota)- A polished route runner with great ability after the catch, Bateman certainly has the chance to push his name into contention for WR4 (or higher) in 2020. He runs a beautiful double move down the field, and because he has nice footwork too, corners can never tell if Bateman is coming or going. He can make almost every catch imaginable, and great hands is never a bad tool for a wideout! I have him in a lower tier currently, because Bateman feels like a player who needs to go to a team with a scheme that suits him- perhaps vertical based, instead of a West Coast. He does not have elite level speed or an explosive burst, and perhaps lacks the tools to separate regularly. This means he leans on his physicality to win, which may not pass as well at the next level.
6. Tylan Wallace (Oklahoma State)- Wallace is an after-the-catch machine. Although he isn't an elite separator, I noted that whenever I watched him, he always found a way to get open. He has legitimate speed that makes him a serious deep threat, and he can breeze past corners with ease. His contested catch ability is freakish as well. There were 2 separate games I watched where he went over 100 receiving yards, and I still felt there were yards left on the field through either sub-par quarterback play, or pass interference (because corners just couldn't deal with him). He does rely almost entirely on speed releases, which is a concern. Against Tulsa in 2019, there were some reps where he just ran straight past a corner, and some where a corner was able to jam him at the line and force him out of bounds. Wallace feels like a boom-or-bust prospect to me- with the right quarterback play, he could be a monster.
7. Terrace Marshall Jr. (LSU)- Marshall isn't the fastest runner in the class. He isn't the best route runner in the class. But what I absolutely love about him, is how well he understands his own game. He knows he isn't the quickest, or the smoothest route runner, but he has impeccable technique and wonderful release. He was the best player that I saw in terms of mixing up releases to win at the line. Combine that with a beautiful mix of speed, strength and size, and Marshall has serious potential. He tracks balls well, contact isn't a issue and he can control his frame excellently to make a catch. With the stars of 2019 now departed, Marshall has to step to the fore and show that he is more than just a downfield, possession guy as he was. If he can continue in the vein he has started in, and continue to be reliable both vertically and in the intermediate, he may just rise further and further as we approach April.
8. Amon-Ra St. Brown (USC)- Hot take- out of all of the receivers in this draft, St. Brown has the highest ceiling. Sounds crazy, given he's 8th in my rankings, but I think there's a lot of untapped potential in his game. Working from the slot, he had one of the sharpest (if not the sharpest) change of direction out of any prospect. He is a dynamic athlete, with an explosive burst. My problem with St. Brown is I felt his route tree was a bit limited at USC. However, this is the reason I think he has incredible potential- his tools will allow him to expand that route tree by so much. His change of direction makes me feel like he could run any route. He tracked deep balls immaculately, and yet in the games I watched, he hardly was given a shot to make that play? In his mainly intermediate role, he was always able to find a soft spot in the defense and be open. I didn't feel the best was made of his ability- with the right coaching at the right landing spot, I think St. Brown has serious potential to be an excellent player.
9. Chris Olave (Ohio State)- Players like Olave are the primary reason I think teams may hold back on wideouts in the 1st round this year. Go somewhere else in the 1st, and you can still have players like him waiting for you, possibly even in the late 2nd. He runs a diverse route tree, and like DeVonta Smith, has a knack for being open. Rapid footwork means that gaining separation for him isn't a difficult task. He has a nice burst off of the line, which makes him mighty effective against off coverage. He is a great intermediate game threat for an offense to have. There are a few question marks for me regarding Olave- firstly, given his size, you'd need to question how well he could play against press coverage, as he may not be able to use his cuts as proficiently. Something that doesn't jump off on the highlights, but does on the statline, is what role Olave would play in an NFL offense. His measurables suggest slot, but for someone who projects to be a volume receiver, he averaged just 3.69 catches per game in 2019, with a high of 7 and not another game above 5.
10. Seth Williams (Auburn)- Williams is a classic big-bodied receiver. Imagine the typical traits you'd expect from someone who was 6'3" and 224 pounds- that's who Williams is. With great hands, and a huge catch radius, he makes a quarterback's life so much easier- throw it in the right zip code and you've got a shot! I love how Williams adjusts to make a catch, whether it's flipping his shoulder, or going back shoulder, he can do it. You can sum up Williams by looking at 1 of his game tapes- Alabama in 2019. Against players like Trevon Diggs, Xavier McKinney and Patrick Surtain, all of whom either were or will be early picks, he showed upside and downside. The upside? A one-handed against perfect Surtain coverage, and a back shoulder against great Diggs coverage. The downside? That was almost all he had. Surtain had a pass breakup downfield on him with textbook coverage. I worry that Williams may struggle to separate at the next level. He needs to add another string to his bow- coaching could give him a killer double-move, or better physicality.

Order taken from tankathon. Seems like there were a LOT less trades this time.
1 - New York Jets - Trevor Lawrence, QB, Clemson - Another week another loss. The Jets are currently undefeated in the Tank for Trevor sweepstakes, leading the way with a pristine 0-9 record. It’ll be interesting to see how Lawrence plays after his bout with COVID, but realistically, no matter who ends up picking first, the choice should be Lawrence. He’s the best QB prospect since Andrew Luck, and should be the centerpiece for the Jets for the rest of the decade.
2 - Jacksonville Jaguars - Justin Fields, QB, Ohio State - The Jaguars manage to pull out a very close loss against the Packers, ensuring that they stay in the coveted second spot position to keep their dreams of a new franchise QB still alive. And although both Minshew and Luton would make great backups and ok starters, neither have the ceiling that Fields has shown off this year in an electric Ohio State offense. There are concerns on how much of his play is from the system and his WR and how much of it is from himself, but I think most people have seen more than enough to crown him the clear second best QB prospect in this class behind Lawrence.
3 - San Diego Chargers (via WFT - Sends 1.05, 3.67, 2022 SDC 2nd for 1.3) - Penei Sewell, OT, Oregon - Right now the Chargers plan A-Z should be about protecting Herbert, because he’s looked like an elite QB so far. Penei Sewell is the best QB prospect since Joe Thomas decided to declare out of Wisconsin, and he should be able to man either side of Herbert at an All-Pro level for the next decade.
4 - Dallas Cowboys - Patrick Surtain II, CB, Alabama - The Cowboys defense has been atrocious to say the least. Half their defensive backs are also free agents and who knows how many will return? The only true building block in the secondary currently is the currently injured Trevon Diggs. So here comes another Alabama CB to complete the pair. Surtain II should be an elite cover corner from day 1, someone who can lock down an opponent’s #1 WR and should hopefully help the Cowboys become a playoff contender again once Dak returns.
5 - Washington Football Team(Via SDC) - Trey Lance, QB, NDSU - Haskins is probably done. I dont foresee any sort of happy conclusion to his time in Washington, and thus Ron Riveria is probably going to look to install his own guy at QB. Will it be Trey Lance or the rapidly rising Zach Wilson? Who knows, but I currently think Lance will be the slightly more tantalizing prospect. Trey Lance might not be a near finished product the top 2 QBs are, but he has gobs of potential and has a ceiling that might even surpass Fields or Lawrence. Will Trey Lance end up being Mahomes/Josh Allen or just another big armed bust? That’ll be up to the Washington coaching staff, but he’s a fantastic prospect for Washington to figure out.
6 - Miami (Via Houston Texans) - Jamarr Chase, WR, LSU - Its Tua time in Miami, and although DeVante Parker is the dude in Miami, having 2 alpha receivers is becoming more and more popular. Chase is the best WR prospect in this class, an elite route runner who can also get plenty of yards after the catch. He dominated in 2019 as the clear best WR in the league, and honestly reminds me a bit of Titans star WR AJ Brown as a WR who isnt necessarily the biggest or most athletic, but excels when it comes to situations after the catch. He needs to be a bit better when it comes to his short/med routes, but his ability to separate vertically or snag balls and take it for a home run should be a great boon to the Miami offense.
7 - Cincinnati Bengals - Alex Leatherwood, OT/OG, Alabama - Parsons and Surtain are tempting here, but when you just drafted a franchise QB #1 overall, protecting him should be priority 1, 2, and 3, especially after how many hits Joe Burrow took to begin the year. The Bengals need line help everywhere, especially on the right side, and Leatherwood is a 4 year starter who can excel at both OT and OG. He should be an immediate upgrade to either Bobby Hart or Trey Hopkins/Alex Redmond/whoever the hell starts at RG for the Bengals and hopefully significantly improve the protection of Burrow. Wyatt Davis was also a serious consideration here, but I believe Leatherwood is good enough to where his ability to play RT outweighs the gap in talent.
8 - Chicago Bears (via NYG - Sends 1.16, 3.80, 2022 CHI 1st, 2022 CHI 2nd for 1.08, 2022 NYG 4th) - Zach Wilson, QB, BYU - The Giants incite a bidding war between SF and Chicago, and the Bears end up offering an offer NYG cant refuse. And theres good reason for why Chicago goes all in. They were anemic against a pretty horrid Titans defense and with 3 of the top 4 QB prospects off the board, the Bears bite the bullet. With an aging defense and their Super Bowl window closing fast, they jump up high to draft Zach Wilson. Wilson has been flying up the draft boards recently, torching defenses on his possible Heisman campaign. He’s got great mobility, especially when it comes to extending plays, and solid pocket presence. Most of all, there’s a bit of reckless brilliance that reminds me a little of guys like Stafford, Mahomes and Allen. Its a fine line to balance and Wilson does have his flaws - such as too much aggressiveness and concerns about his shoulder’s durability, but if the Bears can keep Allen Robinson, then I can foresee a very fruitful connection in the future between the two, as well as a chance for Wilson to be the best QB in Bears history (Yes, its that bad).
9 - Carolina Panthers - Micah Parsons, LB, Penn State - Micah Parsons is a special linebacker, athletic, versatile, rangy and blah blah blah. Im sure you all have read it before. Micah Parsons is really fucking good. There’s not much else to say here.
10 - Atlanta Falcons - Gregory Rousseau, EDGE, Miami - The Falcons historically have had a type at EDGE, elite athletic EDGE who are still a little raw technique wise. Well, Rousseau fits that type to a T. The potential here is sky high and his punch is elite. If he can develop his this repertoire some more, he could be as scary as someone like Chase Young, who he was able to keep up with in 2019. With both Matt Ryan and Julio Jones aging, Rousseau might be able to revitalize their defense enough to where the Falcons can try to go for one last deep run.
11 - Denver Broncos - Shaun Wade, CB, Ohio State - Lock has been unstable but with such an injured Denver team, he probably deserves another season, and Garrett Bolles has actually been playing at a near elite level all season. That leaves one last problem for the Broncos, their secondary. Bryce Callahan has been fantastic all year and I've heard some praise for Michael Ojemudia, but AJ Bouye has been a disappointment, and that's when he’s on the field. Shaun Wade should be able to be that final piece in the Broncos secondary they need. It was close between Farley and Wade, but with the season the Broncos have had, Wade’s ability to stay on the field was the tiebreaker. Of course, that's only a bonus to Wade’s fantastic coverage ability, especially from the slot, and his run defense reminds me of Trae Waynes’s ability to stop the run at corner. With how complex NFL offenses are now, Wade’s ability to be both a slot and outside corner means he can follow a #1 WR wherever they go, which is surely should help him become an elite CB at the next level.
12 - San Francisco 49ers - Caleb Fairley, CB, Virginia Tech - The 49ers have 0 total CBs under contract in 2022. Yes, ZERO. That makes CB a huge huge need for them. Fortunately, Caleb Farley has dropped into their laps. He’s an outstanding press corner, and mirrors opposing receivers so well that he might as well be running their routes. He’s long, physical, and impressively sticky, and should be an elite outside corner for the 49ers. Grabbing Farley would allow for the 49ers to more easily part ways with Sherman or Verrett, as the #1 CB spot should not be an issue for them anymore. Wyatt Davis was considered here, but Shanahan has not historically valued guards highly, mostly focusing on OT and C.
13 - Detroit Lions - DeVonta Smith, WR, Alabama - There’s been a lot of rumblings about Kenny Golloday’s unhappiness in Detroit, and although I do think they ought to pay him, if they cant come to an agreement and franchise tag him, they’ll likely need a replacement. And thats not even mentioning both Marvin Jones Jr and Danny Amendola are also free agents at the end of this year. That makes WR a pretty big need for the Lions. Enter DeVonta Smith, who’s surpassed his teammate Waddle as the #2 WR on my big board. Any concerns he had last year are all gone now, especially with Waddle out. It’s been the DeVonta showdown at Alabama, punctuated with a 200+ yard 4 TD performance against Mississippi State. Smith has Charmin soft hands and fantastic route running, and most importantly, gets fantastic separation. He’s a bit thin at only 175, but his frame should fill out nicely once he gets to the NFL. Whether he’s the Lions new #1 or a #2, either way he should be an elite weapon for Stafford to play with.
14 - Minnesota Vikings - Wyatt Davis, OG, Ohio State - The Vikings OL has two possible building blocks of the future in Ezra Cleveland and Brian O’Neil as well as an OK starter in Garrett Bradbury, but that leaves two rather large holes on the offensive line. Dakota Dozier’s a free agent at the end of this year, Cleveland might end up moving to OT, Pat Eiflen hasnt shown much to be excited about and I think the only time Vikings fans want to see Dru Samia on the field is if he’s starting for the opponents. Wyatt Davis is the last of the truly elite prospects in this class, an elite guard prospect who will run over anyone in his way and a plug, play and forget guy from Day 1. Count this pick as killing 3 birds with one stone. Helping Cousins, helping Dalvin Cook and the run game, and protecting whoever the Vikings pick as the QB of the future.
15 - New England Patriots - Jaylen Waddle, WR, Alabama - The Patriots receiving corps seems to have 1 saving light right now in Jakobi Myers, but that doesnt mean the rest of the receiving corps isnt absolutely putrid. With no QB really worth the pick here, Waddle is the clear best fit, an electric speed demon who can take the top off of defenses, a player with a great catch radius and the ability to dart to the holes in coverages, and a great kick/punt returner. Adding a burner like Waddle who can stretch the field should only help the Patriots offense and might allow Harry to finally be productive, as he excelled at ASU when paired up with a speed demon as well.
16 - New York Giants (via CHI) - Jaycee Horn, CB, South Carolina - The Giants land an absolute haul, and still managed to grab a fantastic player in Jaycee Horn. A physical aggressive corner who knows how to properly use his size as leverage against opposing WRs, Horn would short up the CB2 position for the Giants, and could become the CB1 in. You want to see him at his best? Watch his game against Auburn and think of the ceiling.
17 - Cleveland Browns - Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah, LB, Notre Dame - Outside of Zach Wilson, no player has boosted his draft stock as much as JOK has. His ascent reminds me a lot of Devin Bush’s, who also went from a fringe R1-R2 player to a mid first lock. He’s small at 6’1, 215, but utterly explosive and flies around the field in both run stopping and pass coverage. With the Browns LB play this year being pretty horrid after the loss of Joe Schobert, JOK should be able to become the immediate QB of the defense.
18 - Tennessee Titans - Kwity Paye, EDGE, Michigan - The Titans went up against a Bengals Oline that was starting 3rd stringers and recorded 0 sacks. Thats all I need to say about how terrible the Titans pass rush is. Landry is still pretty promising, but at this point Clowney is neither an answer to the pass rush woes nor is he likely staying long term in Tennessee, and Derick Roberson has had 1 good game against a terrible Bears OL. Kwity Paye could be though, as one of the very few bright spots in a horrid season for Michigan. He is a very strong power rusher who can uses his bull rush well to set the LOS. He’s a tank with fantastic explosiveness and a pretty high ceiling, and his ability to cause problems against the opposing offensive line should be welcome on the Titans defense alongside Harold Landry.
19 - Philadelphia Eagles - Rashod Bateman, WR, Minnesota - Fulgham is a great WR, and Reagor has a ton of potential, but I dont think the Eagles can really pass up on Bateman here. Bateman’s a big play machine, someone who not only runs great routes, but gobbles up YAC once he has the ball. He should be a fantastic addition to the Eagles offense as a compliment with both Fulgham and Reagor.
20 - Arizona Cardinals - Creed Humphrey, C, Oklahoma - Kyler Murray is reunited with his old college center. What a story. Aside from that, the Cardinals zone-blocking scheme puts a heavy emphasis on center play, and Humphrey is the best center in the class. Humphrey should slot into the Cardinals ZBS scheme perfectly. Thats not even mentioning his football smarts or his leadership, both of which would be huge boons for the offense. Humphrey should be a centerpiece in the Cards offensive line for years to come, the Jeff Saturday to Murray’s Peyton Manning.
21 - New York Jets (Via SEA) - Kyle Pitts, TE, Florida - With Lawrence on the roster, the Jets need to get him some receiving weapons, and Pitts is easily the best receiving weapon left on the board. He’s an extremely versatile weapon in the way that most modern TEs are with fantastic routes, soft hands, a huge catch radius and an excellent understanding of how to beat zone, able to line up all over and cause issues for the opposing defense. He might not be a WR, but with a very deep WR class in R2 and Pitt’s ability to play everywhere on the field, he’ll be an awesome addition to a pretty terrible Jets offense.
22 - Miami Dolphins - Joseph Ossai, EDGE, Texas - The Dolphins have added an offensive playmaker with their first pick in Ja’Marr Chase, so its time they add a defensive playmaker with their second first. A quick trigger pass rusher who has plenty of room for improvement, Ossai presents a tantalizing option for Miami as someone who has the ability to become a very dominant pass rusher. He’d be a great fit in the Miami defense, and could grow into the EDGE the Dolphins have lacked since losing Cam Wake and Robert Quinn.
23 - Indianapolis Colts - Terrace Marshall Jr, WR, LSU - T.Y. Hilton is done, Parris Campbell can't seem to stay healthy enough to play, and although MIchael Pittman Jr is good, he still needs a lot more games to prove himself to be the WR1. Its a perfect opportunity for Terrace Marshall Jr to take over here. Marshall has been fantastic at LSU with Chase out - which is more impressive with how bad LSU has been, and he’s got all the physical traits to be an elite WR. He rarely gets caught in press coverage and with his ball skills and frame, excels in contested catch situations. He’ll be a fantastic addition for the Colts offense, and could usher in a new era for the Colts.
24 - Baltimore Ravens - Trey Smith, iOL, Tennessee - With the retirement of Marshall Yanda, the Ravens have had a huge hole at LG that they still haven't been able to fill. And with their offense becoming more and more run heavy due to the addition of JK Dobbins and Lamar Jackson’s rushing abilities, one guy came to mind here. Trey Smith, the OG out of Tennessee, seemed like the natural fit. Smith is an absolute road grader in the run game, absolutely flattening whatever defensive players who are unfortunately enough to get into his way. He’s solid enough in pass protection, but more importantly, his fantastic run blocking paired alongside Orlando Brown Jr should lend itself to an absolutely terrifying run game from the Ravens.
25 - Jacksonville Jaguars (via LAR) - Dillion Radunz, OT, NDSU - After drafting their QBOTF in Justin Fields, the Jaguars now need to protect him. And with so much draft capital on their hands, they part ways with some of it in order to move up and grab the last OT I could consider a possible day 1 starter, OT Dillion Radunz out of NDSU. There are some question marks about athleticism and competition level, but Radunz’s technique is elite, and his toughness is unquestionable. He should be a welcome addition to the Jaguars offensive line, and will provide solid protection for Fields.
26 - Las Vegas Raiders - Jay Tufele, DT, USC - The Raiders need pass rush help badly along their DL. Maxx Crosby hasnt lived up to the hype he had after a stellar rookie season, and although Clelin Ferrell is an elite run defender, he’s nowhere near as good of a pass rusher. They need to add someone who can GET after the QB, and Jay Tufele is too much talent to pass up on here.T ufele can be a dominant force at 1 or 3T, with his explosiveness and powerful hands, which allows him to be utterly unblockable at times. And adding such an interior force would boost the Raiders pass rush, as Tufele should be the shot in the arm the Raiders DL needed.
27 - Tampa Bay Buccaneers - Christian Darrisaw, OT, Virginia Tech - The Buccaneers OL was absolutely dominated by the Saints, and Donovan Smith really isnt the long term answer at LT. Christian Darrisaw is an interesting OT prospect who has bee flying up the big boards recently, as a massive mauling tackle who knows how to use his hands and possesses an excellent anchor. There are still some technique issues he needs to hone out, mainly his footwork, but once those are cleaned up, he can easily be an utterly dominant force on the OL.
28 - Buffalo Bills - Tyson Campbell, CB, Georgia - The Bills have had serious issues this year at CB2, which has been a huge factor in the regression of the Bills defense from elite last year to absolutely horrid this year. Tyson Campbell has had some issues this year, but he’s still a very tantalizing prospect overall. He’s a bit thin at 6-2 185, but possesses outstanding athleticism and has very loose hips as well as great agility. Although he is a bit raw and would need some development, if McDermott and the Bills can properly develop him, Campbell can be an island in the NFL.
29 - Green Bay Packers - Azeez Ojulari, EDGE, Georgia - The Packers pass rush was supposed to be a strength this year, but it's been mostly a weakness. They did show some signs of life against Jacksonville, but that's just one game and the Jaguars OL is near the bottom of the league. Plus, you can never have too much pass rush. Azeez Ojulari is a player who can GET after the QB, and I think Ojulari is the best pure pass rusher on the board. He’s got fantastic hand usage and his low center of gravity lets him bend the corner through contact really well. There’s some work to be done on run defense, but Ojulari does give me flashes of Ngakoue at times, and could be a great fit either alongside Gary or with him if the Packers move Gary to DE for a few snaps.
30 - Kansas City Chiefs - Dylan Moses, LB, Alabama - The Chiefs overall have been elite once again this year, but there’s one clear flaw in their team, the run defense, which ranks in the bottom 5 in the league. Good thing Dylan Moses is available here. He’s an elite athlete with plenty of range and can hit like a truck. He also knows when to wrap up and is generally a sure tackler, which is a rather underappreciated trait. He does need to improve his ability to diagnose plays and shed blocks, but overall, he’s a force at ILB, and would greatly help out Chiefs ailing run defense.
31 - New Orleans Saints - Paris Ford, S, Pittsburgh - The Saints are hilariously over the cap next year, needs to cut about $95 million in order to become cap compliant. That means that S Marcus Williams is probably gone, as the Saints simply wont have the money to replace him, which leads to a big hole in the NO secondary. Paris Ford should be a seamless replacement for him. With the ability to play anything from single high to a role closer to the LOS, Ford is an instant starter, who excels especially in pass coverage. Interestingly enough, he also seems to try to become a missile too much of the time and needs improvement on his tackling form, so hopefully the Saints teach this safety how to wrap up properly.
32 - Pittsburgh Steelers - Travis Etienne, RB, Clemson - The Steelers dont have a ton of needs, and OT is probably the safest pick here, but James Conner is an FA after this year and there are questions if the Steelers should pay him big money. Travis Etienne is also the best RB in the class and easily BPA here. Etienne is an elite RB, who can break off huge chunks of yardage at a time and rip defenses apart with his burst. He’s also improved his catching ability to where he can be a every down RB. With Pittsburgh still a SB contender for the near future and possibly question marks on James Connor’s future, Etienne seems like a great fit here to both replace Connor’s production and keep Pittsburgh in title contention for the near future.