The Daily Briefing Friday, April 24, 2020
AROUND THE NFLDaily Briefing |
It was great to have a live event to watch and the telecast was fine for the most part.
But not much happened early in a draft which followed the script of the first Mock Drafts from back in January. Burrow to Cincy, Young to the Skins, the Lions couldn’t trade and took a corner, the Giants with a tackle, Tua, Herbert to the Chargers, etc. About the only excitement was how the tackles would come off the board and with the Giants taking Andrew Thomas it was largely in reverse order of what had been projected. The trades started in the second half of the draft, the most interesting being the Packers moving up to draft QB JORDAN LOVE (someone who the Patriots had passed on and New Orleans and Pittsburgh, with QBs on shorter shelf lives, did not pursue). So on to Rounds 2 and 3 tonight. Kristopher Knox of Bleacher Report takes a look at the names still remaining: 2020 NFL Mock Draft, Round 2
33. Cincinnati Bengals: Zack Baun, LB, Wisconsin
34. Indianapolis Colts (from Washington); Denzel Mims, WR, Baylor
35. Detroit Lions: Ross Blacklock, DT, TCU
36. New York Giants: Yetur Gross-Matos, Edge, Penn State
37. New England Patriots (from Chargers): Jalen Hurts, QB, Oklahoma
38. Carolina Panthers: A.J. Epenesa, Edge, Iowa
39. Miami Dolphins: D’Andre Swift, RB, Georgia
40. Houston Texans (from Arizona): Tee Higgins, WR, Clemson
41. Cleveland Browns: Xavier McKinney, S, Alabama
42. Jacksonville Jaguars: Josh Uche, Edge, Michigan
43. Chicago Bears (from Las Vegas); Lloyd Cushenberry III, C, LSU
44. Indianapolis Colts: Grant Delpit, S, LSU
45. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Jonathan Taylor, RB, Wisconsin
46. Denver Broncos: Trevon Diggs, CB, Alabama
47. Atlanta Falcons: Antoine Winfield Jr., S, Minnesota
48. New York Jets: Ezra Cleveland, OT, Boise State
49. Pittsburgh Steelers: Jacob Eason, QB, Washington
50. Chicago Bears: Jeremy Chinn, S, Southern Illinois
51. Dallas Cowboys: Jaylon Johnson, CB, Utah
52. Los Angeles Rams: K.J. Hamler, WR, Penn State
53. Philadelphia Eagles: Cameron Dantzler, CB, Mississippi State
54. Buffalo Bills: Darrell Taylor, Edge, Tennessee
55. Baltimore Ravens (from New England via Atlanta): Chase Claypool, WR, Notre Dame
56. Miami Dolphins (from New Orleans); Julian Okwara, Edge, Notre Dame
57. Los Angeles Rams (from Houston): J.K. Dobbin, RB, Ohio State
58. Minnesota Vikings: Terrell Burgess, CB, Utah
59. Seattle Seahawks: Alton Robinson, Edge, Syracuse
60. Baltimore Ravens: Justin Madubuike, DT, Texas A&M
61. Tennessee Titans: Jordan Elliott, DT, Missouri
62. Green Bay Packers: Michael Pittman Jr., WR, USC
63. Kansas City Chiefs (from San Francisco): Bryce Hall, CB, Virginia
64. Seattle Seahawks (from Kansas City): Lucas Niang, OT, TCU
D’Andre Swift, RB, Georgia The Kansas City Chiefs ensured that a running back would go in Round 1, taking Clyde Edwards-Helaire with the final pick of opening night. Other running-back-needy teams may be disappointed to have the LSU star off the board, but they’ll be happy to have Georgia’s D’Andre Swift still available.
Swift was the top running back on Bleacher Report draft analyst Matt Miller’s big board and his 15th overall selection. He represents tremendous value even at the top of Round 2, and quite a few teams should be interested.
The Miami Dolphins will likely be chief among them, and it wouldn’t be a surprise to see them trade up a few spots to secure the 21-year-old. With rookie quarterback Tua Tagovailoa and rookie offensive tackle Austin Jackson on board, Swift would be a tremendous addition to the future offense.
“A Dolphins official has been telling people how much the team likes Georgia’s D’Andre Swift, and Miami planned to bring him to team headquarters this month before the NFL banned such visits, according to a source with direct knowledge,” Barry Jackson of the Miami Herald wrote.
Xavier McKinney, S, Alabama While there was a run on cornerbacks in Round 1, the safety position was largely ignored—aside from safety-linebacker hybrid Isaiah Simmons, of course. Alabama’s Xavier McKinney remains on the board as a result.
The 22nd overall prospect on Miller’s big board, the 21-year-old has the potential to be a high-end free safety at the next level.
“He can sit in center field all day if needed, and he’s an adequate open-field tackler but has room for improvement in that area,” NFL Media’s Lance Zierlein wrote. “McKinney represents the new breed of versatile, matchup safety with high upside as an early starter.”
McKinney is a guy the Cleveland Browns could trade up for at the top of Round 2. They signed Andrew Sendejo in free agency, but he is likely a short-term option only.
Jalen Hurts, QB, Oklahoma Oklahoma signal-caller Jalen Hurts didn’t make the top 50 of Miller’s big board, but he is his top remaining quarterback. He and Washington’s Jacob Eason could be trade targets for quarterback-needy teams at the top of the second round.
The New England Patriots are a team to watch when it comes to Hurts. They need a quarterback after losing Tom Brady in free agency, and they traded out of the first round—possibly with a specific target in mind.
Now armed with a top-five pick on Day 2, the Patriots could be prepared to pounce on Hurts. ESPN draft analyst Mel Kiper linked the 21-year-old to New England last week.
“There’s talk they could look at Jalen Hurts. I’m not buying 23, but if they move out of the first round, could they look at Jalen Hurts in the second round?” Kiper said on WEEI’s Ordway, Merloni and Fauria.
With New England now sitting in Round 2, Hurts could indeed be the pick. – – – Here is another look at Round 2 from Steve Muench of ESPN.com: How will Round 2 play out on Friday night? It’s full of unpredictability, so this is a projection of what could happen if every team drafts based purely on fit:
33. Cincinnati Bengals Tee Higgins, WR, Clemson A.J. Green turns 32 in July, he missed the 2019 season with torn ankle ligaments and he has missed 29 games over the past four years. He also was given the franchise tag this offseason. Higgins would be a good long-term complement to Tyler Boyd.
34. Indianapolis Colts (from WSH) Michael Pittman Jr., WR, USC The Colts parted ways with Devin Funchess and Chester Rogers. Meanwhile, T.Y. Hilton turns 31 this year and he’s coming off his worst season statistically, with a calf injury playing a big role. Pittman gives free-agent signing Philip Rivers a much-needed playmaker.
35. Detroit Lions A.J. Epenesa, DE, Iowa Adding corner Jeff Okudah in the first round and Epenesa here could go a long way to improving a Detroit defense that regressed last year. While Epenesa isn’t an explosive pass-rusher, he knows how to get to the quarterback and he’d be a good complement to Trey Flowers.
36. New York Giants Xavier McKinney, S, Alabama McKinney is an excellent value at this point in the draft, and he fills a need for New York. The Giants declined Antoine Bethea’s option, and Jabrill Peppers is coming off a season-ending injury and it’s unclear if they’ll pick up his fifth-year option.
37. New England Patriots (from LAC) Antoine Winfield Jr., S, Minnesota Winfield is the No. 29 player on our board, making him a good value here. Devin McCourty and Patrick Chung turn 33 in August. New England signed Adrian Phillips but traded Duron Harmon to the Lions.
38. Carolina Panthers Trevon Diggs, CB, Alabama James Bradberry signed with the Giants, and Donte Jackson struggled last year. Diggs is the No. 3 corner on our board and the No. 39 player overall, so this is a good value for a team rebuilding its secondary.
39. Miami Dolphins D’Andre Swift, RB, Georgia Swift is the No. 18 player on our board and a steal at this point in the draft. Miami signed Jordan Howard to a two-year deal and his physical running style would complement Swift’s speed and ability to create.
40. Houston Texans (from ARI) J.K. Dobbins, RB, Ohio State The Texans acquired David Johnson in the DeAndre Hopkins trade, but he has been beset by injuries and inconsistency since leading the league with 2,118 scrimmage yards in 2016. Carlos Hyde and Lamar Miller, the latter of whom tore his ACL last preseason, are unsigned.
41. Cleveland Browns Denzel Mims, WR, Baylor Baker Mayfield ranked 31st in completion percentage and passer rating last year. Odell Beckham Jr. and Jarvis Landry both went over 1,000 yards, but no other receiver had more than 12 catches, and Landry is coming off hip surgery.
42. Jacksonville Jaguars Ross Blacklock, DT, TCU The Jaguars didn’t pick up Marcell Dareus’ option, and 2018 first-round pick Taven Bryan hasn’t played up to expectations. Blacklock is a first-round value. Adding him to corner C.J. Henderson and edge rusher K’Lavon Chaisson could give the Jaguars three rookie defensive starters with above-average upside.
43. Chicago Bears (from LV) Grant Delpit, S, LSU Ha Ha Clinton-Dix signed with Dallas, so the Bears need a safety who can step into the starting spot opposite Eddie Jackson. Delpit misses too many tackles, but his 2018 tape is better than his 2019 tape and he’ll turn into an excellent value pick if he’s able to regain his form.
44. Indianapolis Colts Yetur Gross-Matos, DE, Penn State Justin Houston is 31 years old and going into a contract year. Kemoko Turay and Ben Banogu are undersized edge defenders. Gross-Matos has the strength to set the edge against the run, and he’s an above-average interior pass-rusher when he kicks inside.
45. Tampa Bay Buccaneers Jeremy Chinn, S, Southern Illinois Justin Evans missed the 2019 season after undergoing two foot surgeries, and Jordan Whitehead is coming off a season-ending hamstring injury. Mike Edwards and Andrew Adams rotated at the other safety spot. Chinn is a smart investment at this position.
46. Denver Broncos Ezra Cleveland, OT, Boise State Left tackle Garett Bolles’ 34 holding calls over the past three years are 15 more than any other player in NFL, and improving the pass protection would obviously help quarterback Drew Lock in his first full season as a starter.
47. Atlanta Falcons Zack Baun, OLB, Wisconsin Atlanta tied for the second-fewest sacks in the league last year. Baun is an effective pass-rusher who also could push for a starting outside linebacker spot as a rookie.
48. New York Jets Jaylon Johnson, CB, Utah Trumaine Johnson and Darryl Roberts were both cap casualties. Pierre Desir signed a one-year deal. Johnson projects as a rookie starter, and is a good value pick at this point in the draft.
49. Pittsburgh Steelers Jonathan Taylor, RB, Wisconsin James Conner is coming off a disappointing season. Knee, shoulder and thigh injuries factored into a drop from 1,470 scrimmage yards in 2018 to 715 in 2019. Taylor needs to develop as a receiver and pass-blocker, but he’s the best pure runner in this class.
50. Chicago Bears Robert Hunt, G, Louisiana Kyle Long’s retirement creates a need at right guard. Hunt is the top guard prospect in the draft, and the Bears won’t be able to land him if they wait until their next pick, which is in the fifth round (unless they make a trade).
51. Dallas Cowboys Kyle Dugger, S, Lenoir-Rhyne Dallas tied for an NFL-low seven interceptions and got just five from defensive backs last year. Clinton-Dix signed a one-year deal and Xavier Woods is in a contract year. Dugger is a playmaker with excellent upside.
52. Los Angeles Rams Terrell Lewis, OLB, Alabama New defensive coordinator Brandon Staley said there will be lot of carryover from the 3-4 scheme he learned under mentor Vic Fangio. Lewis is a perfect fit for that, and the Rams have a need. Dante Fowler Jr. signed with Atlanta, and the Rams made Clay Matthews a cap casualty.
53. Philadelphia Eagles Logan Wilson, MLB, Wyoming The Eagles declined Nigel Bradham’s option, so there’s a need for a linebacker in Philly. Wilson is a three-down player who projects as a rookie starter.
54. Buffalo Bills Marlon Davidson, DE, Auburn The Bills signed Mario Addison this offseason, but Shaq Lawson signed with Miami and 31-year-old Jerry Hughes had offseason wrist and groin surgeries. Davidson is a good value at this point.
55. Baltimore Ravens (from ATL/NE) Darrell Taylor, DE, Tennessee Taylor is a good fit for the Ravens’ 3-4 scheme, and he could improve a pass rush that ranked 21st in the league last year. Matthew Judon, who led team with 9.5 sacks, was given the franchise tag, and a question remains whether the Ravens will sign him to a long-term deal or trade him. Tyus Bowser had five sacks and rookie Jaylon Ferguson added 2.5.
56. Miami Dolphins (from NO) Jordan Elliott, DT, Missouri Davon Godchaux is in a contract year, the Dolphins need to add depth along the defensive line, and Elliott is the 41st-ranked player on our board. It all lines up here.
57. Los Angeles Rams (from HOU) Chase Claypool, WR, Notre Dame The Rams don’t have great size at receiver, and they traded Brandin Cooks to Houston. Claypool is a big target, with the speed to stretch the field and create space for Cooper Kupp and Robert Woods underneath.
58. Minnesota Vikings Josh Jones, OT, Houston Left tackle Riley Reiff is 31 and has a cap hit over $13 million in each of the next two years. There is speculation he could move to guard if the Vikings draft a left tackle. Jones is a steal at this point.
59. Seattle Seahawks Justin Madubuike, DT, Texas A&M Defensive tackle is one of the Seahawks’ top three needs, and Seattle would do well to get Madubuike this late in the second. He has great upside and would complement Jarran Reed well.
60. Baltimore Ravens Lloyd Cushenberry III, C, LSU Center Matt Skura tore his ACL in November and might not be ready for camp. Cushenberry is capable of stepping in at center, and he’s versatile enough to push Ben Powers for the starting right guard spot — vacated by Marshal Yanda — when Skura returns to the lineup.
61. Tennessee Titans Cole Kmet, TE, Notre Dame The Titans made Delanie Walker a cap casualty, and Jonnu Smith is entering a contract year. Kmet is the top tight end on our board and a good fit for Tennessee’s offense.
62. Green Bay Packers Devin Duvernay, WR, Texas The Packers need to get Aaron Rodgers more playmakers, and Duvernay has the skill set to make an immediate impact as a slot receiver.
63. Kansas City Chiefs (from SF) Amik Robertson, CB, Louisiana Tech Nickelback Kendall Fuller returned to the Redskins in free agency. Robertson is a ball hawk with the cover skills and toughness to quickly develop into an above-average nickel.
64. Seattle Seahawks (from KC) Julian Okwara, DE, Notre Dame Jadeveon Clowney’s future remains a mystery. The Seahawks brought back Bruce Irvin, but at 32 years old, he’s not the long-term answer. Okwara’s versatility and athletic ability make him a perfect fit at the Leo position in Seattle’s scheme. |
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NFC NORTH | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
DETROIT Somehow, multiple conversations failed to produce a “firm offer” for Detroit’s number 3 pick. Dave Birkett in the Detroit Free Press: Bob Quinn tried to warn us.
But when the smoke started wafting 24 hours before the 2020 NFL draft – first the Dolphins, then the Giants, then the Chargers, then, somehow, the Jaguars, were interested in coming up – no one cared to remember the siren Quinn sounded last week.
Trading down from the No. 3 pick in this year’s draft never was going to be easy for the Detroit Lions, and the fact Quinn wasn’t able to swing a deal to get extra picks and still get his man, Ohio State cornerback Jeff Okudah, should not be seen as a fail.
It’s not that Quinn’s asking price was too high, or his love for Okudah too deep.
No one else was interested in paying the cost to come up.
“We had a lot of conversations,” Quinn said in a video conference after Thursday’s first round. “We never got a firm offer. No team put anything on the table. Had multiple conversations with multiple teams. They were kind of fishing around and we were open for business as you guys know, and nothing was ever put out in front of us to evaluate.”
Quarterbacks Tua Tagovailoa and Justin Herbert went 5-6 in the draft, but the fact that neither experienced the slide some predicted doesn’t mean the quarterback market was hot.
Tagovailoa had a long injury history that made him persona non grata for some teams, there was a wide range of thoughts on Herbert’s future as a pro, and there weren’t enough teams near the top of the draft angling for quarterbacks to generate trade interest.
The Dolphins felt comfortable they could get Tagovailoa, and hold onto their plethora of draft capital, because of his medical warts, and the Chargers always seemed content to take whichever quarterback Miami did not. |
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GREEN BAY Is the DB wrong to think there must be some underlying problem in the relationship between QB AARON RODGERS and the Packers? Jordan Dajani of CBSSports.com lays out what most are thinking: The Green Bay Packers made the most surprising move of the 2020 NFL Draft when they selected former Utah State quarterback Jordan Love with the No. 26 overall pick. Not only did they draft a backup quarterback in the first round, but they also traded up to do so. Naturally, the decision to draft a new signal-caller drew the ire of fans in Green Bay, even though it brought back some memories of exactly what the Packers did when they selected Aaron Rodgers with the No. 24 overall pick in the 2005 NFL Draft.
Late Thursday night, Packers general manager Brian Gutekunst sat down on a conference call with reporters to explain how he thought the first round went and why he was interested in drafting Love.
“Had a good opportunity to take Jordan Love, the quarterback from Utah State,” Gutekunst said. “Excited about a player we take and develop at the most important position in football.”
Immediately, Gutekunst was asked if he had spoken to Rodgers about this decision to take a quarterback in the first round. He responded by saying that he had not.
“I haven’t connected with Aaron yet,” Gutekunst said. “He’s obviously been through this and he’s a pro and I think it’s something that’s a long-term decision. I think that when you go through kind of the way things went tonight, you weigh the short-term and the long-term and the way the board went, this was just the best decision for the Packers. Obviously Aaron has been around a long time and he knows what we’re playing for right now, so that’s what’s most important right now.”
Gutekunst said selecting Love had a lot to do with how the board fell — even though Green Bay traded up to get him. He said Love does have a lot to learn but he truly believes that the Packers are a good fit for him as he develops. Gutekunst said Rodgers is still the best quarterback in the league and they plan on having him for several more years while they continue to compete for championships.
Rodgers, who turned 36 in December, is coming off of a season in which he threw for 4,002 yards, 26 touchdowns and just four interceptions. The Packers won the NFC North with a 13-3 record and came just one game away from Super Bowl LIV in Matt LaFleur’s first year as coach.
Even if Love is the future under center for the Packers whenever Rodgers decides to retire, the decision to take a backup quarterback in the first round instead of another player who could come in and make an immediate impact when a team is so close to acquiring a Lombardi trophy is a questionable one. Love has to be your starter by Year 3 for this move to make any sense. And even then, when you consider the opportunity lost to upgrade a team that went to the NFC Championship Game,that is questionable. The Packers must believe that Love is extremely likely to play at a high NFL level. Most people think Love has a chance, but is he extremely likely after what we saw at Utah State? Rodgers has four years left on his contract. Field Yates tweets: @FieldYates A look at the remainder of Aaron Rodgers’ contract: 2020: $1.55M salary, ($19.5M roster bonus already paid) 2021: $14.7M salary, $6.5M roster bonus (non-guaranteed) 2022: $25M salary (non-guaranteed) 2023: $25M salary (non-guaranteed)
He has an annual $500K workout bonus too. We don’t profess to understand the cap implications of a trade, but if possible, we would do it sooner rather than later. Reggie Bush made a quick connection recounted here by Brian London of NESN.com: Reggie Bush seems to believe Aaron Rodgers’ days in Green Bay are numbered. The Packers made a whole lot of noise Thursday night by selecting Utah State quarterback Jordan Love. Green Bay traded up four spots to land Love, who theoretically was brought on to be Rodgers’ successor. Bush, like many others, couldn’t help but wonder what the Love pick means for Rodgers.
After posing the question on Twitter, the former running back expressed belief that the eight-time Pro Bowl selection eventually will end up with the New England Patriots.
While you might initially want to brush this hypothetical off, maybe we shouldn’t entirely rule out the possibility of Rodgers ending up in Foxboro. The Packers at some point will want to see what they have in Love, and even if that’s not for a few more years, there’s no reason to believe Rodgers will be incapable of playing at a high level by that point.
The likes of Tom Brady and Drew Brees are redefining the twilight years of a quarterback, and it’s easy to see Rodgers following in their footsteps. That said, the Patriots, of course, aren’t going to sit around and wait to see what happens with Rodgers in Green Bay. Locking down the starting quarterback position surely is among New England’s top priorities in wake of Brady’s departure. The DB could see AARON RODGERS with the Buccaneers in 2022 after two years of TOM BRADY. Pete Daugherty of Gannett’s Packers News: Credit Brian Gutekunst for having the courage of his convictions.
The Green Bay Packers general manager pulled off a stunner Thursday night when he traded up from pick No. 30 to No. 26 in the NFL draft’s first round to select Aaron Rodgers’ possible successor.
That’s right, Gutekunst didn’t just sit and take Jordan Love at 30, which would have jolted the franchise as it was. He spent an extra fourth-round pick to move up four spots to get him. Wow.
The move shows Gutekunst wasn’t blowing smoke in this offseason when he declared he was open to drafting a quarterback in the first round even though the 36-year-old Rodgers has been adamant he wants to play at least four more years.
Gutekunst has worked for the Packers’ since 1999, so he’s had a front-row seat as they’ve been one of the league’s winningest franchises while going from one Pro Football Hall of Fame quarterback (Brett Favre) to another future Hall of Famer (Rodgers).
He saw one of his mentors, Ted Thompson, do the exact same thing 15 years ago by picking Rodgers at No. 24 overall even though Favre was only 35 on that draft day. You can only imagine the stark impression it made on Gutekunst watching Thompson ride out that storm while Rodgers sat for three years and then enjoying the fruits of a quarterback who has won a Super Bowl, 65 percent of his starts and kept the Packers in title contention for most of the last decade.
“We know how important that position is,” Gutekunst said in a conference call a couple hours after making the pick.
Did Gutekunst make the right call? On that, nobody knows, and it probably will be a while before we find out. Love could end up sitting three years, just as Rodgers did. Then he’ll need a year to prove himself.
But you won’t find any knee-jerk criticism of the pick here. Yes, the Packers should be doing their all to win a Super Bowl now with Rodgers, and Love won’t help in that quest. But the quarterback position is just too important in this league, and Gutekunst clearly doesn’t want to get caught without one. I don’t blame him for a second for taking one if he thinks Love has a decent shot at being a winning starter in this league. The GM is looking out for the franchise long term. Mark Murphy, the team’s president, should be happy knowing that.
No doubt part of the team’s fan base is apoplectic. But they either have short memories or weren’t around when Thompson drafted Rodgers in ’05. It took five years to find out that move paid off, but is anybody going to try to argue now it wasn’t brilliant?
To be clear, that doesn’t mean the pick will end up being a good one. Love easily could bust – most quarterbacks, even first-rounders, do. But Gutekunst is paid to make hard decisions like this, and if he’s convinced Love can win a lot of games in this league, then he did what he had to do. If Gutekunst was understated in his praise of Love on Thursday, we should judge the GM by what he did, not what he said.
“We did draft him in the first round, so we like a lot about him,” Gutekunst said. “We think he has a very good upside to become a starter in the National Football League.”
The scouting community seemed very much split on Love going into this draft. Everyone acknowledged his exceptional arm talent and above-average athleticism, but his 17 interceptions last season while playing for a new coaching staff and with depleted offensive talent around him was a deal breaker for some evaluators.
“Overrated,” one high-ranking scout told me last week. “He can’t see it. He’s a big dude and he can throw the ball. I don’t think he has any understanding of the position.”
But we obviously can count Gutekunst in the camp of thinking there’s more there than just physical talent. The Packers GM wasn’t alone.
“To me it all comes back to how good they think Love is,” another high-ranking scout said when musing over whether the Packers should take Love if they got the chance. “I watched Love a lot (in 2018) and really liked him. He was not as good this year, particularly early on. But he can still do everything you need. I think Green Bay would be a great place for him. He needs to sit for a couple years.”
As for Rodgers, well, I’m no Skip Bayless fan, but the talk-show pundit was on the money when he tweeted out right after the pick that Rodgers “just choked on his Scotch.” Did he ever. You can guarantee Rodgers is ticked. I would be, too. What good does it do him to draft his successor now?
But Gutekunst can’t worry about that. He also can’t worry about any coaches or veterans in the locker room grumbling about not adding immediate help. (If you don’t think there’s some of that, just go to YouTube and find the clip of former Packers executive Andrew Brandt telling of sitting exactly in the middle, with Thompson and his scouts on one side and coach Mike Sherman and his assistants on the other, when Thompson picked Rodgers). Here are the 21 QBs drafted between 16 and 32 since 1989. How many were worthwhile picks? We count three sure-fire good picks (in yellow below). A generous grader would add Chad Pennington, Rex Grossman and Teddy Bridgewater.
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NFC EAST | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
NEW YORK GIANTS GM Dave Gettleman on the face mask that came on and off during the virtual first round. Chris Bengel of CBSSports.com: The 2020 NFL Draft was done entirely in virtual fashion due to the coronavirus pandemic. Even though head coaches and general managers were in their own homes, New York Giants general manager Dave Gettleman still ending up taking precautions. He wore a mask, many on the internet wondered why.
Gettleman explained after the first that he had a member of the Giants’ football operations and data analytics department working alongside him at his home and was taking the necessary precautions to stay healthy.
“Well, I have a young IT fellow over here with me,” Gettleman said, according to ESPN. “And we’re social distancing. Part of it is the mask. I’m fine.”
Gettleman is also a cancer survivor who beat lymphoma two years ago.
Ty Siam, the IT person in Gettleman’s home, was there to make sure that the GM’s computer setup and wifi didn’t have any issues during the draft. – – – Now, on to the pick of T ANDREW THOMAS at #4. He usually was not the first tackle off the board in most Mock Drafts, but after Gettleman took him a good amount of love emerged. Longtime Giants scribe Ralph Vacchiano, now at SNY.TV: Dave Gettleman said it all when he explained why he picked Georgia OT Andrew Thomas.
“We wanted to fix this offensive line once and for all,” he said. He’s been talking about it since his first day as the Giants general manager, and this might have been his most significant step.
In the 6-5, 315-pound Thomas they get a guy they believe will be their left tackle for the next 5-10 years – even if he ends up as the starting right tackle as a rookie. A three-year starter at Georgia, he has every physical trait needed in an anchor tackle, and the necessary experience in the SEC.
Yes, he wasn’t the tackle that everyone expected. Iowa’s super-athletic Tristan Wirfs seemed to be the Giants’ favorite for a long time, and Alabama’s Jedrick Wills seemed to be in the mix late. But all along, scouts and executives have said the Big Four tackles were virtually interchangeable and the order they were ranked in depended on who you would ask. For a team that needed a tackle, it was hard to go wrong with any of them. Tom Rock at Newsday: A year after selecting Daniel Jones as their quarterback of the future, the Giants selected his bodyguard of the present.
With the fourth overall pick in the NFL Draft on Thursday night, they chose Georgia offensive tackle Andrew Thomas, who they hope will allow their young quarterback and the entire offense to flourish.
“I’ve always kind of gotten a chuckle out of people who say you draft a quarterback and then have to draft him weapons,” general manager Dave Gettleman said after making the selection. “No. After you draft a quarterback, you have to draft people who can help him stay upright.”
Thomas should be able to do that, having gone up against some of the premier edge rushers in the nation as a three-year starter in the SEC. In fact, Gettleman said, it was the scouting of those edge rushers and watching their film where Thomas truly stood out. Gettleman said he even went back to last year’s film to watch him against former Kentucky edge rusher Josh Allen . . . the very player Gettleman passed on to select Jones. It was that film that convinced Gettleman that Thomas was his guy.
“He’s big, he’s long, he’s strong, he can bend, he can anchor in pass protection and is very athletic in the open field,” Gettleman said.
“I think this is a tremendous move to help Daniel play more confidently,” coach Joe Judge said. “He can sit back there and be more protected . . . We’ve got to add to our run blocking as well.’’
It is the fourth straight year the Giants used their top pick in the draft for an offensive player. They have drafted offense first in eight of the last nine drafts. Three of those nine picks were spent on tackles, with the Giants selecting Justin Pugh in 2013 and Ereck Flowers in 2015.
It may have been the most predictable pick of Gettleman’s career. Despite stating the Giants’ desire to trade back, he continued his streak of never doing so.
“We had conversations, but everybody was touchy-feely,” he said. “There were no firm offers anywhere. There was nothing that made me look at [co-owner] John Mara and Joe and say, ‘Let’s trade back and get some more picks.’ ” |
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AFC NORTH | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
BALTIMORE QB LAMAR JACKSON liked the pick of LB PATRICK QUEEN. Jamison Hensley ofESPN.com: Lamar Jackson placed high expectations on Patrick Queen on Thursday night, when the reigning NFL MVP connected the Baltimore Ravens’ first-round pick with one of the greatest middle linebackers to ever play.
After the Ravens used the No. 28 overall pick on Queen, Jackson shouted, “Ray Lewis Jr.!” on Instagram Live. |
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AFC SOUTH | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
JACKSONVILLE GM David Caldwell on the lack of a suitable market for DE YANNICK NGAKOUE per John Reid of the Florida Times-Union: Jaguars general manager Dave Caldwell said they will welcome defensive end Yannick Ngakoue back with open arms even though he continues to demand a trade.
Caldwell acknowledged after Thursday night’s NFL Draft they have not been able to get a trade deal for Ngakoue because no teams have made an offer.
″Truth be told we exercised the franchise tender and we weren’t able to get a trade,″ Caldwell said. ″Actually, we weren’t able to get an offer. So I think his options are very limited at this point. ″We will welcome him back with open arms when he’s ready to come back and we will look forward to it.″
Caldwell said reports earlier on Thursday before the draft that the Jaguars were close to finalizing a trade with the Las Vegas Raiders for Ngakoue were not accurate.
Ngakoue got into a nasty Twitter feud earlier this week with team executive Tony Khan, the son of Jaguars owner Shad Khan, because of the stalemate toward getting a trade deal completed.
Ngakoue called Tony Khan spoiled and tweeted a clown face. Tony Khan replied that Ngakoue’s approach is not going to lead to getting a deal completed any faster.
With their 20th pick in the first round, the Jaguars selected LSU defensive end/outside linebacker K’Lavon Chaisson, who could eventually turn out to be Ngakoue’s replacement.
″We’ll play him probably in a two-point stance and then he’ll be a rusher opposite of Josh [Allen] and Yannick and we’ll go from there,″ Caldwell said.
Ngakoue has yet to sign the $17.8 million non-exclusive franchise tag the Jaguars designated on March 13. He could refuse to sign the tag and sit out the season. But the Jaguars would still have the leverage because they can designate Ngakoue with the franchise tag again in 2021.
Ngakoue considers himself one of the top three pass rushers in the league. He also pushed for a contract that would pay him at least $22 million per season, which would be among the highest contracts for a defensive end. However, no teams appear to be willing at this point to pay that kind of salary.
″He’s a tremendous player, a tremendous person and he’s always been first class in everything he’s done here,″ Caldwell said.″But through the first four years of his contract, he feels like things have not gone the way he’d wanted. In some aspects, he may have a point, but we put our best foot forward, not once but twice. I hope he sees the light that Jacksonville is a good spot and at the end of the day it could be his only option.″ |
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THIS AND THAT |
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PETE PRISCO’s FIRST ROUND GRADES Prisco annoys folks every year with his snap grades: 1. Bengals: QB Joe Burrow, LSU Grade: A. He will be a star. This kid has all the tools to be a big-time NFL quarterback. The Bengals will be winners soon.
2. Redskins: EDGE Chase Young, Ohio State Grade: A. The power, the speed, reminds me of Julius Peppers. He’s an exceptional athlete. It’s a passer and pass rushers league. Last year they got their passer and this year they got the pass rusher.
3. Lions: CB Jeff Okudah, Ohio State Grade: B. I think they should have taken Derrick Brown. When in doubt, take the big guy. I don’t think you can pass on big people that play like Derrick Brown.
4. Giants: OT Andrew Thomas, Georgia Grade: B+. He’s the best tackle in this draft class. I think he’s the cleanest tackle. This kid’s going to be a longtime starter on the left side. This year he’ll start on the right.
5. Dolphins: QB Tua Tagovailoa, Alabama Grade: B. I understand why they picked him. The tape is good at times. There’s also a lot of bad on that tape. He’s not a big guy, he’s a little brittle. To dismiss the medicals is ridiculous.
6. Chargers: QB Justin Herbert, Oregon Grade: B. This kid has all the tools. Give him a little time and he can develop into a big-time quarterback. There’s a lot to work with there. Yeah, he’s got some mechanical issues but he can get those fixed.
7. Panthers, DT Derrick Brown, Auburn Grade: A+. I love this pick. I love this player. I think Derrick Brown will be a force in the NFL. Plays with such power. Reminds me of the late Jerome Brown.
8. Cardinals, LB Isaiah Simmons, Clemson Grade: B-. I’m not in love with this kid as a player. The range is phenomenal, but where does he play? Is he a safety? Is he a linebacker? Is he a hybrid? This kid to me is a safety. I don’t think he’s physical enough to play near the line of scrimmage.
9. Jaguars, CB CJ Henderson, Florida Grade: B+. I love him because he can cover. There are so many guys in the NFL that I talked to leading up to the draft that thought he was better than Okudah.
10. Browns, OT Jedrick Wills, Alabama Grade: B. There’s better upside from the other two tackles available. This kid is clearly a right tackle, but has the body of a guard. I think there will be a transition for him moving over to the left side if indeed that’s where they play him.
11. Jets, OT Mekhi Becton, Louisville Grade: B. Here’s the thing on Becton, he’s a freak athletically. He has a tendency to get really heavy and that’s a concern. If he can keep his weight in check and be dedicated to his craft, he’s going to be a good football player.
12. Raiders, WR Henry Ruggs III, Alabama Grade: A. You can’t teach speed. This kid can take the top off. He’s tough. He’ll be able to handle press coverage in the NFL.
13. Buccaneers, OT Tristan Wirfs, Iowa Grade: B. I think it’s a solid pick. I don’t think there’s much difference between the top four tackles. I had Thomas as my top tackle, but not by much.
14. 49ers, DT Javon Kinlaw, South Carolina Grade: B-. It’s not that I don’t like Kinlaw. He has the potential to be a dominant player like Chris Jones of the Chiefs. But is he a better player than DeForest Buckner who they traded for to get the Colts pick? Essentially they replaced Buckner with Kinlaw.
15. Broncos, WR Jerry Jeudy, Alabama Grade: B. I like Jeudy a lot. He’s the best route runner in this draft. One concern I have with him is he’s really thin. Will he be able to hold up to press coverage?
16. Falcons, CB A.J. Terrell, Clemson Grade: C+. I don’t love this pick. I think desperation forced this pick because they have issues at corner. They saw the first two corners go off the board and stood pat and went corner. There were pass rushers available.
17. Cowboys, WR CeeDee Lamb, Oklahoma Grade: B+. This is a classic case of a team not expecting the player to be there. The didn’t necessarily need a WR, but he was there. I think they would have picked a pass rusher here had Lamb not fallen to them. If you are true to your board and have a great grade on the guy, you have to take him.
18. Dolphins, OT, Austin Jackson, USC Grade: C-. I would have gone with Ezra Cleveland. Austin Jackson is a project. It might take a year or two for him to become the player people think he can become. I’m concerned about this pick for Miami.
19. Raiders, CB Damon Arnette, Ohio State Grade: B. He was on my Better-Than-Team. I didn’t think he would go this high, but I guess he was on the Raiders Better-Than-Team. He’s a little grabby in his technique. I think he’s a South Florida kid with an attitude. I don’t think there’s a significant difference between him and Okudah.
20. Jaguars, EDGE K’Lavon Chaisson, LSU Grade: B+. This is a guy that has to stay on the field. When he was on the field he was productive, but he had some injury issues. He has to show that he can hold up against the run at 254 pounds.
21. Eagles, WR Jalen Reagor, TCU Grade: B. I love Reagor. He didn’t run a very good 40 at the combine. The night after that run his agent told me he put on some water weight. A couple days before they had him timed much faster. He’s got good speed.
22. Vikings, WR Justin Jefferson, LSU Grade: A. I love this pick. He’s not (Stefon) Diggs, but he’s also not going to complain every play like Diggs did. I thought he would go before this.
23. Chargers, LB Kenneth Murray, Oklahoma Grade: B. They gave up a bunch to go get him, but he’s a big-time playmaker.
24. Saints, C Cesar Ruiz, Michigan Grade: A. I love this player. Would go to the Pro Bowl for seven or eight years as a center. But where is he going to play for the Saints? I thought he’d be a great center, but he’ll probably play right guard for them. Good player, but strange pick by the Saints.
25. 49ers, WR Brandon Aiyuk, Arizona St. Grade: B+. I love this kid. In this offense he’s going to be phenomenal. He’s only scratching the surface. When he catches the ball, boom he’s gone. He will be an effective player in that offense.
26. Packers, QB Jordan Love, Utah State Grade: D. Terrible move by the Green Bay Packers. Aaron Rodgers told me last summer he wants to play until he’s 40. They needed a receiver. They needed defensive help. Sitting behind Rodgers will do Love well, but not going to do the Packers well. You’re on the cusp of getting to a Super Bowl, get Rodgers some help.
27. Seahawks, LB Jordyn Brooks, Texas Tech Grade: C+. I like Brooks. The issue is this is a pick for the future for a team that should be picking to win right now. They have other issues like pass rusher. Yetur Gross-Matos was sitting there, I would have taken him.
28. Ravens, LB Patrick Queen, LSU Grade: B. I love this pick. I think Queen is going to be a star in this defense. I think this kid’s range is outstanding. He can go sideline to sideline.
29. Titans, OT Isaiah Wilson, Georgia Grade: B+. I think this is a good pick. This is a massive right tackle on a team that needs a massive right tackle. This kid is a mauler in the run game and he’s perfect for what the Titans want to do.
30. Dolphins, CB Noah Igbinoghene, Auburn Grade: A+. The captain of my Better-Than-Team. I think this pick is outstanding. He’s a great press man guy. He tackled 10 times better than I expected from a track guy.
31. Vikings, CB Jeff Gladney, TCU Grade: B. It’s a need pick, no question about it. I like the player. There are some character concerns, that’s something they’ll have to address. Mike Zimmer loves to draft corners. This pick makes sense.
32. Chiefs, RB Clyde Edwards-Helaire, LSU Grade: B-. I’m not a big fan of taking running backs in the first round, but when you have Patrick Mahomes it’s OK to take a running back like this in the first round. Reminds me of Maurice Jones-Drew. Before we get too excited, here are some Prisco takes from last year’s QBs: Arizona Cardinals Kyler Murray, QB, Oklahoma He’s an intriguing prospect. I like the way he can throw the football, but he did it in an offense with five guys that are gonna get drafted, in front of him. There is a lot to like, but he has bust potential written all over him. I don’t like quarterbacks that stand 5-10. Grade: C-
New York Giants Daniel Jones, QB, Duke I wanted to give this pick an ‘F.’ I like Daniel Jones, but I just don’t like him in this spot. They must have gotten intelligence that another team was going to take him before 17. I like him, but not at No. 6. It’s a strange pick this early. Grade: D Washington Redskins Dwayne Haskins, QB, Ohio State I think he’s the best quarterback in this draft and it’s a great pick for the Redskins. Getting a cheap quarterback to come in and push to start right away is a great move. Love this pick by the Redskins. Like Kyler Murray he’s a one-year wonder, but there’s a lot of potential here. Grade: A |
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GRADES FROM CHAD REUTER of NFL.COM: Chad Reuter of NFL.com offers his grades, which we’ve edited slightly for space: These grades were submitted immediately after the draft. As my analysis continues over the weekend, the grades may be adjusted.
Arizona Cardinals Draft pick: Clemson LB Isaiah Simmons (No. 8 overall) Day 1 grade and analysis: A Isaiah Simmons is a game-changer…The sky’s the limit.
Atlanta Falcons Draft pick: Clemson CB A.J. Terrell (No. 16 overall) Day 1 grade and analysis: B The question is: Was Terrell’s rough national championship game performance against LSU star receiver Ja’Marr Chase an aberration or a harbinger? He has other tape that’s quite good.
Baltimore Ravens
Draft pick: LSU LB Patrick Queen (No. 28 overall) Day 1 grade and analysis: A Baltimore had a major need at inside linebacker. The Ravens stayed put at 28 and let their guy Queen fall to them, in typical Eric DeCosta fashion. Queen plugs right into the starting lineup, will fly into holes and to the sideline to attack ball-carriers.
Buffalo Bills Draft pick: None Day 1 grade and analysis: A Buffalo traded its first-round pick to Minnesota in the deal for receiver Stefon Diggs, who is only 26 years old and is under contract for four more seasons. The Bills could have drafted a less expensive receiver in the first round, but it is less than certain he would be as productive as Diggs.
Carolina Panthers Draft pick: Auburn DT Derrick Brown (No. 7 overall) Day 1 grade and analysis: A I love Derrick Brown. A lot of people don’t. His detractors say his big frame won’t allow him to affect the passing game. While I don’t think he’ll be an elite pass rusher at the next level, SEC quarterbacks would argue that they had to know where Brown was on every play. He physically dominated his opponents on a regular basis. He’s a dude. Sign me up.
Chicago Bears Draft pick: None Day 1 grade and analysis: Incomplete In the Bears’ trade for Pro Bowl pass rusher Khalil Mack a year and a half ago, they included their 2020 first-round pick in the deal but acquired the Raiders’ 2020 second-round pick, effectively moving down 24 spots in total this year. The grade of that deal is dependent on how they use that second-round pick (No. 43 overall).
Cincinnati Bengals Draft pick: LSU QB Joe Burrow (No. 1 overall) Day 1 grade and analysis: A Was Joe Burrow simply a product of former LSU passing game coordinator Joe Brady’s scheme? I don’t think so.
Cleveland Browns Draft pick: Alabama OT Jedrick Wills (No. 10 overall) Day 1 grade and analysis: A Cleveland had a choice between OTs Mekhi Becton, Jedrick Wills and Tristan Wirfs at No. 10 overall. They went with Wills, who played right tackle at Alabama, but will likely make the shift to the left side with veteran right tackle Jack Conklin in the fold. Wills has the quickness and nastiness to play anywhere, and he really improved over the last year.
Dallas Cowboys Draft pick: Oklahoma WR CeeDee Lamb (No. 17 overall) Day 1 grade and analysis: A I don’t think Cowboys owner Jerry Jones has a sheepish grin in his arsenal, but he should after getting Lamb — the best receiver in the draft — with the 17th overall pick. Lamb’s body control is ridiculous. He catches everything.
Denver Broncos Draft pick: Alabama WR Jerry Jeudy (No. 15 overall) Day 1 grade and analysis: A Denver needed another receiver to complement Courtland Sutton. Jeudy’s routes are amazing, and he fits as either a slot guy or on the outside across from Sutton
Detroit Lions Draft pick: Ohio State CB Jeff Okudah (No. 3 overall) Day 1 grade and analysis: A Detroit’s Matt Patricia coached reigning Defensive Player of the Year Stephon Gilmore in New England, and I’m sure he sees the potential for Odukah to make a similar impact.
Green Bay Packers Draft pick: Utah State QB Jordan Love (No. 26 overall) Day 1 grade and analysis: A- I thought Jordan Love was worth a first-round selection. The Packers did, as well. In a mirror reflection of the 2005 draft, the Packers pick a first-round quarterback to learn behind Aaron Rodgers just as they picked Rodgers to groom behind Brett Favre.
I believe Rodgers has at least a few more years of high-level performance in him — should they have selected someone to help Rodgers excel during that time? Some Packers fans will think so. However, Love could help Green Bay win games over that span if Rodgers gets hurt again…They found value at the game’s most important position.
Houston Texans Draft pick: None Day 1 grade and analysis: B Offensive tackle Laremy Tunsil is the Texans’ first-round pick in 2020 and 2021.
Indianapolis Colts Draft pick: None Day 1 grade and analysis: B Indianapolis acquired a known commodity in former 49ers defensive lineman DeForest Buckner when it traded the 13th overall pick for him earlier this offseason. However, the Colts could have kept their pick and selected interior defensive lineman Javon Kinlaw to be a similar difference-maker at that spot — at a much lower price.
Jacksonville Jaguars Draft picks: Florida CB CJ Henderson (No. 9 overall); LSU LB K’Lavon Chaisson (No. 20 overall) Day 1 grade and analysis: A Jacksonville grabbed a 2020 first-round pick (plus a first and fourth next year) from the Rams for cornerback Jalen Ramsey. Despite Ramsey’s immense talent, it’s hard for me to fault them for that trade, especially given his stormy relationship with the Jaguars. They selected a player to replace Ramsey at No. 9 overall. Henderson’s not as physical as Ramsey but is a smooth mover who will be an effective cover man. Chaisson at 20 is a steal. He has the elite bend, length, get-off and strength to be a sack-master for the Jags. Getting the draft’s second-best edge rusher at No. 20 does not happen very often.
Kansas City Chiefs Draft pick: LSU RB Clyde Edwards-Helaire (No. 32 overall) Day 1 grade and analysis: A- I love Clyde Edwards-Helaire as a football player. He is tough, quick and strong. While not as fast as Jonathan Taylor or D’Andre Swift, he has the low center of gravity and power to be a truly effective NFL back.
Las Vegas Raiders Draft picks: Alabama WR Henry Ruggs (No. 12 overall); Ohio State CB Damon Arnette (No. 19 overall) Day 1 grade and analysis: C- Ruggs is a speedy receiver who’s able to take short throws and make them long gains. He can also take the top off of a defense, pushing safeties upfield to free up space underneath for his teammates. The Raiders hope he can be the elite playmaker that they were looking for when they traded for Antonio Brown last offseason. I believe a player Las Vegas passed on, CeeDee Lamb, is the best receiver in the draft, though.
The Raiders also held the Bears’ first-round pick, via the Khalil Mack deal, which gave them a chance to land another player from the top end of the talent pool. However, with that pick, they selected Arnette, who I would not include as part of the consensus top-rated pool. He competes, and GM Mike Mayock loves those guys. So the team met its top two needs, but the Arnette pick certainly did not match the consensus value. Mayock and Gruden may prove to be right in the end, but these are the sort of picks that make taking a historical snapshot worthwhile.
Los Angeles Chargers Draft picks: Oregon QB Justin Herbert (No. 6 overall); Oklahoma LB Kenneth Murray (No. 23 overall) Day 1 grade and analysis: A Herbert wasn’t always exceptional as a passer at Oregon, but he lacked great weapons in the receiving corps. He presents the size, arm and intelligence needed to be a good NFL starter. Plus, the team does not have to rush him on the field with Tyrod Taylor available. This is a smart pick, the right pick no matter how Herbert’s career unfolds. Plus, Kenneth Murray will be a star football player and leader on defense — I can’t blame the Chargers for moving up to get him. Giving up a second- and third-round pick in the trade is not ideal but getting a top-15 player at No. 23 makes it worth the price.
Los Angeles Rams Draft pick: None Day 1 grade and analysis: A- Jalen Ramsey is the Rams’ first-round pick this year, as well as in 2021. He is certainly better than any player they would have been able to select at No. 20 — their spot in the order this year — and we might be saying the same thing next year, if they have any kind of success in 2020. He might be the exception to the rule that two players are better than one, but he must play at an elite level to make that so.
Miami Dolphins Draft picks: Alabama QB Tua Tagovailoa (No. 5 overall); USC OT Austin Jackson (No. 18 overall); Auburn CB Noah Igbinoghene (No. 30 overall) Day 1 grade and analysis: A Tagovailoa’s injury history might have caused him to drop a couple of spots, but teams will regret not moving up to get him.
With Pittsburgh’s pick, they got their new left tackle to replace Tunsil in Jackson. He’s an athletic tackle and while he might not ever be as good of a player as Tunsil, he was the best of the second-tier linemen and will get stronger as he grows into his frame.
Miami traded down with Green Bay, picking up a fourth-round selection in the deal before landing a talented cornerback in Igbinoghene. Though a bit raw as a former receiver, his quick feet are tough to ignore.
Minnesota Vikings Draft picks: LSU WR Justin Jefferson (No. 22 overall); TCU CB Jeff Gladney (No. 31 overall) Day 1 grade and analysis: A They acquired a first-round pick in the trade with the Bills for receiver Stefon Diggs and chose LSU’s Justin Jefferson with the selection. They could not have hoped for much more. Jefferson will be the outside threat that they needed. He can win jump balls and work over the middle. That’s a solid selection without having to move up. The team’s other big need was cornerback, and they found a feisty corner in Gladney after trading back with the Niners, picking up fourth- and fifth-round selections to drop only six slots. He’s a solid value at an important position.
New England Patriots Draft pick: None Day 1 grade and analysis: Incomplete I’m giving the Patriots an incomplete because they traded out of the first round. I’m pretty sure this is going to turn into an A though, because they stayed in the top 40 (moved down to No. 37) while adding another Friday pick (No. 71). Typical move for Bill Belichick.
New Orleans Saints Draft pick: Michigan C Cesar Ruiz (No. 24 overall) Day 1 grade and analysis: A- One year after taking Erik McCoy in the second round, they take Ruiz in the first. McCoy has position versatility, so I’m guessing he would make the move to guard.
New York Giants Draft pick: Georgia OT Andrew Thomas (No. 4 overall) Day 1 grade and analysis: B Thomas was the first tackle off the board. However, he was not the consensus top tackle in the draft; time will tell us whether he, Jedrick Wills, Tristan Wirfs or Mekhi Becton should have been the selection. Linebacker Isaiah Simmons’ career will also have to be reviewed to see if he should have been the selection.
New York Jets Draft pick: Louisville OT Mekhi Becton (No. 11 overall) Day 1 grade and analysis: A Becton is a people-mover. Guys weighing over 360 pounds should not bend and move like he does. If Lamar Jackson was still in Louisville, everyone would have been slobbering over Becton all year long.
Philadelphia Eagles Draft pick: TCU WR Jalen Reagor (No. 21 overall) Day 1 grade and analysis: B Reagor has a chance to be a good NFL receiver. He’s competitive and explosive. The Eagles needed help at the position, so that box is checked. But his career will be compared to another receiver that some considered the lock selection in this spot: Justin Jefferson, who went one pick later to the Vikings. Will Jefferson’s size and speed make him a Davante Adams-type playmaker, making the Eagles regret this pick? Can Reagor outrun guys after the catch as he did in college? How good are his hands, really? We shall see.
Pittsburgh Steelers Draft pick: None Day 1 grade and analysis: A GM Kevin Colbert traded the team’s first-round pick to Miami for safety Minkah Fitzpatrick last fall. If the Steelers had kept the pick, they probably would have been looking for … a playmaking safety in Round 1. They also moved up from pick 154 to 135 in the deal, which is icing on the cake.
San Francisco 49ers Draft picks: South Carolina DT Javon Kinlaw (No. 14 overall); Arizona State WR Brandon Aiyuk (No. 25 overall) Day 1 grade and analysis: B The team traded veteran DeForest Buckner to the Colts for the 13th overall selection this offseason. On Thursday, they traded down one spot with the Buccaneers, picking up a fourth-round pick and giving up a seventh-rounder in the process. Then they pick Buckner’s replacement in Kinlaw. They granted themselves some salary-cap flexibility in the future by not signing Buckner to a big extension like the Colts did. However, the team already has depth on the defensive line and could have picked up an excellent receiver in Jerry Jeudy or CeeDee Lamb with the 14th pick. GM John Lynch had a plan, though, using the fourth-round pick and another Saturday selection to move up in the first to get Aiyuk, an outside receiver to complement Deebo Samuel. In the end, the final grade on the 49ers’ class will be determined by whether the team is better off with Kinlaw and Aiyuk than it would have been with Lamb or Jeudy and the three players it could have selected at picks 31, 117, and 156 (sent to the Vikings in the Aiyuk trade).
Seattle Seahawks Draft pick: Texas Tech LB Jordyn Brooks (No. 27 overall) Day 1 grade and analysis: B Seattle made a pick at its original draft slot for the first time since 2012, selecting an excellent football player in Brooks at No. 27 overall… Brooks’ career will be compared with LSU star Patrick Queen’s, who the Ravens selected with the very next pick. The Seahawks could have used an offensive tackle like Joshua Jones or a defensive lineman like Ross Blacklock, but I really like Brooks as an explosive, heady defensive leader.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers Draft pick: Iowa OT Tristan Wirfs (No. 13 overall) Day 1 grade and analysis: A It’s possible the 49ers told the Buccaneers that other teams were interested in moving up for Wirfs, explaining Tampa Bay’s decision to trade up one slot one to secure the offensive lineman. (Sound familiar?) Tampa Bay could not go into the next two seasons without attempting to put together the best offensive line possible to help veteran quarterback Tom Brady. Wirfs has a nasty streak, athleticism, a wrestling background (a big deal to scouts), and the work ethic worthy of an Iowa lineman. Excellent pick. They had to make this move.
Tennessee Titans Draft pick: Georgia OT Isaiah Wilson (No. 29 overall) Day 1 grade and analysis: B- I did not have Wilson as a value in the first round. I had Joshua Jones and others rated ahead of Wilson — as did other teams in the league.
Washington Redskins Draft pick: Ohio State edge rusher Chase Young (No. 2 overall) Day 1 grade and analysis: A- Look, Young is the best defender in the class and will be a fantastic pro. However, I am a strong believer in former Alabama quarterback Tua Tagovailoa and believe he should have been the pick. Given Tua’s injury history, though, I don’t blame them for taking Young instead, so I’m giving them a strong grade. If Dwayne Haskins becomes a standout quarterback and Young, well, chases opponents’ quarterbacks to lead the team to the playoffs on a regular basis — then I’ll be wrong. And Washington fans will be very happy that I was. |