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- Feb 14, 2019
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We killed it
You do know that no one here acknowledges you as a Raven fan right?We killed it
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Los Angeles Chargers: B
Top needs: QB, OL, LB, CB
Coach Anthony Lynn and general manager Tom Telesco have said all the right things about the quarterback position since they decided to part ways with Philip Rivers, who started 224 consecutive games for the Chargers from 2006 through 2019. They were happy with Tyrod Taylor, and Taylor was the front-runner to be the 2020 starter. No one really was quite sure whether they would take a quarterback at No. 6. They needed an offensive tackle, but would they really pass on Justin Herbert or Tua Tagovailoa there?
The answer turned out to be no, and the 6-foot-6 Herbert can now become the face of the franchise, though it might not be immediately. After an inconsistent 2019 season, Herbert nailed the pre-draft process, and there were several teams that had him rated above Tagovailoa. He's a big-time physical talent who could flourish in an L.A. offense that already has solid weapons. I'm a fan of what he can do when he gets coached up, and so I like this pick for the long term.
The Chargers also chose to move up in the first round, trading away both of their Day 2 picks to get Kenneth Murray (23), a run-and-hit middle linebacker who should slot right in as the starter. They also added help at running back on Day 3, taking Joshua Kelley (112), who could play the Melvin Gordon role next to Austin Ekeler, who is likely to get more snaps this season. I had down safety Alohi Gilman (186) as more likely to be a special-teams contributor, but he could play in sub packages. K.J. Hill (220) is a dart throw on a potential slot target.
For a team that went 5-11, the Chargers acted like a team that was only two players away from a title on Thursday, but I really like both of their first-rounders. L.A. has some talent on both sides of the ball, and it could challenge in the AFC wild-card race in 2020. There's still a hole at left tackle, but maybe the Chargers can find a veteran free agent to plug in there for a year.
Miami Dolphins: B
Top needs: QB, OL, DL, RB
With extra first-round selections from the trades of Minkah Fitzpatrick and Laremy Tunsil, the Dolphins came into this draft with three picks on Day 1 and two more in the second round. They had to get their quarterback of the future. I also thought they needed to get their blindside protector for their quarterback, along with help at running back, with those five picks.
That they ended up with Tua Tagovailoa (5) is outstanding. As I wrote on Thursday night, he's an elite talent when he's healthy, but his injury history is worrisome. I said on air Thursday that Miami should try to redshirt him, just to get his body right. It's not as if the Dolphins are going to compete for a playoff spot. Tagovailoa is a pick for the long term, so they should wait it out and make sure he's good to go.
The Dolphins get their quarterback as they take Tua Tagovailoa with the fifth pick.
Miami took its left tackle with its next pick, but Austin Jackson (1 is a little inconsistent for me. I can't get over watching him get beaten by AJ Epenesa when USC played Iowa. He's going to need some time. Cornerback Noah Igbinoghene is also a developmental player, but he has the raw physical tools that make coaches drool. The upside here is that as I mentioned, Miami can afford to take developmental players with priority picks, just because of where it is in its rebuild.
Guard Robert Hunt (39) is going to be an immediate upgrade, and safety Brandon Jones (70) has some versatility as a potential slot defender. I wasn't as high on edge rushers Jason Strowbridge (154) and Curtis Weaver (164), but I don't mind them in Round 5. This is a good class that is going to be remembered for how Tagovailoa ends up, but it could swing to a C or A based on the players picked after the left-handed signal-caller.
New York Giants: B
Top needs: OT, Edge, DB, WR
Eli Manning is gone, and rookie quarterback Daniel Jones showed flashes of his potential last season, though he has to take care of the football; he fumbled a league-high 18 times and threw 12 interceptions. It's clear that general manager Dave Gettleman and new coach Joe Judge are trying to help their quarterback and star running back Saquon Barkley, with two of their first three picks going to offensive tackles. "We want to fix this offensive line once and for all," Gettleman said on Thursday night.
I would have gone with Jedrick Wills Jr. or Tristan Wirfs at No. 4, but Andrew Thomas fits what Gettleman wants in his hog mollies. Thomas is an experienced, athletic, smart player who doesn't commit penalties. He played left tackle at Georgia but could play right tackle in New York with Nate Solder on the left side. Third-round pick Matt Peart (99) started 48 games for UConn and has the potential to start down the road. There's no question the Giants' offensive line is better now.
I loved the value of safety Xavier McKinney (36) early on Day 2. There were teams looking at him in the 20s, but he lasted until the second round. He's a good fit next to Jabrill Peppers. Darnay Holmes (110) is a really solid slot corner. Guard Shane Lemieux (150) could be a future starter. The Giants had four seventh-round picks, and I'm intrigued by what linebacker Carter Coughlin (21 turns into after he develops more in the NFL.
With a new coach in Judge, I'm not sure what to expect from New York in 2020, but I do think this is a good start to fixing the offensive line issues that Gettleman mentioned, and McKinney has Pro Bowl potential.
New York Jets: B
Top needs: WR, OL, Edge, CB
The Jets hired a new general manager after the draft last year, so this is Joe Douglas' first time in charge of a draft board, and I thought he had a good first two days, particularly without premium picks. Adam Gase's team had a strong end to 2019, finishing 7-9, which pushed it outside of the top 10 picks. That meant playing the waiting game. And with huge voids along the offensive line and at wide receiver -- Robby Anderson is gone, and the Jets don't have a true top guy -- the Jets got lucky that this class was deep with premium tackles and wideouts.
You can argue about whether they should have gone with a wide receiver at No. 11, but they ended up with offensive tackle Mekhi Becton, a 6-foot-7, 364-pound mountain of a man who should be an instant starter. There aren't many guys that athletic at that size anywhere. Douglas and Gase then addressed the hole at WR in Round 2, and Denzel Mims (59) went 20 spots lower than I had him rated. Can he be the Jets' No. 1 right away? No. But with 4.38 40-yard dash speed and a 6-foot-3 frame, the tools are there long term. Sam Darnold needs Mims to be good.
The Jets traded down twice on Day 2, adding extra picks. I liked safety Ashtyn Davis (6 early in Round 3; the former Pac-12 hurdling champion worked his way from walk-on to starter, and he's a great athlete. Safety doesn't look like a clear hole, but teams always need extra defensive backs in today's NFL. Edge rusher Jabari Zuniga (79) played only six games last season, but he has some upside.
On Day 3, La'Mical Perine (120) was a reach early -- he was my No. 12 running back. James Morgan (125) is an interesting, toolsy quarterback, but the Jets had needs in other spots, and Jake Fromm was still available. I do like offensive tackle Cameron Clark (129), who plays with good technique and whom I called a potential sleeper last week. Braden Mann (191) is my top-ranked punter. The Jets also added a 2021 sixth-round pick when the Patriots traded up on Day 2.
This is a B class because New York was able to get starters at its top two needs early.
Seattle Seahawks: B
Top needs: Edge, OL, WR, DT
The Seahawks were 11-5 last season, but they won a whopping 10 one-score games, and they were carried by their offense, a stark difference from previous years of Pete Carroll's tenure with the team. Even with Jadeveon Clowney, they struggled to get to quarterbacks as the defense ranked 30th in pressure rate. First-round pick L.J. Collier barely played. They needed some help in the front seven in this draft.
So it should be no surprise that they went defense with their first two picks, taking inside linebacker Jordyn Brooks (27) in Round 1 and defensive end Darrell Taylor (4 in Round 2. Brooks really popped on the Texas Tech tape, and I had him No. 32 overall in my rankings. Bobby Wagner and K.J. Wright aren't on rookie contracts anymore, so I like the pick to get a young sideline-to-sideline defender and tackling machine. As for Taylor, I thought this was a reach, but he has some solid bend off the edge. He was a late riser on many teams' boards and had surgery on a stress fracture in his shin in January. He certainly fits the Seahawks' type, though, as I wrote on Friday night.
Damien Lewis (69) should compete at one of the guard spots, and DeeJay Dallas (144) is an intriguing running back prospect and a solid Day 3 pick. I could see him cutting into Rashaad Penny's snaps. Alton Robinson (14 is an up-and-down edge rusher. Tight end Colby Parkinson (133) underachieved, but at 6-foot-7 he has intriguing physical attributes.
I'll stick with the same grade I gave the Seahawks last year, though I like their first pick more than I did in 2019.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers: B
Top needs: OT, RB, Edge, DT
If you look at the Bucs' depth chart, it's remarkably similar to the 2019 team. They have had very little turnover ... except for two massive additions at quarterback and tight end. So for a 7-9 team that thinks it is now a Super Bowl contender, the draft was extremely important. General manager Jason Licht and coach Bruce Arians needed to find instant-impact players with their first two picks. The result? Two prospects I really like, one who will help protect Tom Brady (and allow Rob Gronkowski to run a few more routes) and another who could be a Swiss Army knife in the secondary.
Tampa traded up one spot to make sure it got offensive tackle Tristan Wirfs (13) -- it had to throw in a fourth-rounder to move -- and I love the fit. Wirfs played both left and right tackle at Iowa, and I expect him to have a long career. This was the biggest hole on the roster, and don't forget that Brady, who turns 43 in August, really struggled under pressure last season, completing just 32% of his passes under duress, which ranked 30th in the NFL. Safety Antoine Winfield Jr. (45) is only 5-foot-9, but he just makes plays. Defensive coordinator Todd Bowles can use him as a deep safety, as a slot corner or even down closer to the line of scrimmage.
I had running back as a need for the Bucs, and they picked up Ke'Shawn Vaughn (76), but I liked Zack Moss more. Tyler Johnson (161) is an inconsistent wide receiver, and I don't see how he helps them anytime soon.
The Bucs have missed the playoffs in 12 consecutive seasons, the second-longest active drought in the NFL. They didn't have much depth here, but they got two good players at the top.
Los Angeles Rams: B-
Top needs: OL, RB, DL
Todd Gurley and Brandin Cooks are gone from the Rams' offense. On defense, Dante Fowler, Cory Littleton, Clay Matthews, Nickell Robey-Coleman, Eric Weddle and even defensive coordinator Wade Phillips are elsewhere. L.A. went 9-7, but this team is going to look very different in 2020, and coach Sean McVay even brought in an offensive coordinator in Kevin O'Connell.
The Rams' cap issues are well known at this point, and they had to clear space for a looming mega contract extension for cornerback Jalen Ramsey and get younger (and cheaper) at other positions. And they had to do it without a first-round pick, which they gave up to get Ramsey (and still owe another in 2021). That means they have to hit on their Day 2 picks, of which they had two extras, thanks to the Cooks trade with Houston and a comp pick.
Running back Cam Akers (52) got very little help from his offensive line at Florida State, but he has big-play ability. Yes, Gurley is gone, but the Rams spent a Day 2 pick on Darrell Henderson just last year. That's a strong, young tandem, but this team has a bigger need along the O-line. Wide receiver Van Jefferson (57) is one of the best route runners in this class; he just knows how to get open. Edge rusher Terrell Lewis (84) had some injury issues, but he's a good fit in this 3-4 defense. Safety Terrell Burgess (104) is a converted wide receiver and cornerback who could play alongside Taylor Rapp in the secondary.
I didn't have high grades on any of L.A.'s Day 3 picks, and I'm pretty surprised the Rams took only one offensive lineman late, particularly with a 38-year-old starting left tackle. That seems like a clear miss here, even if I'm a fan of the first three picks.
Philadelphia Eagles: B-
Top needs: WR, DB, LB, G/C
So what do you want to talk about with this Eagles class? The Day 3 guys? OK, fine, let's talk through the Jalen Hurts (53) pick some more. I wrote about it on Friday night, including it among my head-scratching picks, and I want to give a couple of more stats to back that up, with some help from my friends at ESPN Stats & Information. The first:
Health is a big issue for Wentz. He hasn't been able to stay on the field, and the Eagles are covering their bases in taking a quarterback in Round 2. Hurts could legitimately get a start or two in 2020. At the same time, though ...
- The Eagles have made the playoffs three consecutive seasons. Carson Wentz has thrown a total of four passes in the playoffs.
That's why it's not realistic to think that Hurts is going be used as some sort of Taysom Hill-type weapon on offense, at least on a consistent basis. Hurts isn't the same kind of athlete. He's a quarterback with running skills, but he's not going to play receiver. He's not going to cover kicks.
- According to NFL Next Gen Stats data, the Saints ran 206 plays last season with at least two quarterbacks on the field. The rest of the NFL ran 10 combined.
Ultimately that's why I can like the range in which Hurts was selected but not like the fit in Philadelphia, which just gave Wentz a huge contract extension. This isn't even close to the same as what the Packers did in drafting Jordan Love to learn from Aaron Rodgers. Rodgers is 36 and declining; Wentz is 27 and should be ascending. And yes, the Eagles are a contender in the NFC East, but they're not without roster holes. There were defensive backs on the board who could have helped right away. I would love to see Doug Pederson get Hurts involved on run-pass options a few snaps per game, and he's creative enough to do it, but Wentz is still the guy.
The Eagles make an intriguing pick in former Oklahoma quarterback Jalen Hurts, and the Hurts family shows its excitement.
In non-Hurts Eagles picks, they did get some help for Wentz in Round 1 with Jalen Reagor (21), an explosive receiver whom some teams coveted in the first round and others saw as more of a mid-second-rounder. I had him at No. 41 overall on my Big Board. Wide receiver was a clear need, so they must expect him to contribute early and often. They also traded with the 49ers to take a flier on veteran wideout Marquise Goodwin on the cheap.
Linebacker Davion Taylor (103) is extremely raw and built like a safety, but he has some potential. John Hightower (16 isn't consistent on film, but he has some fans inside the league. Offensive tackle Prince Tega Wanogho (210) and defensive end Casey Toohill (233) are solid Day 3 dart throws.
This Philadelphia class is going to be remembered for Hurts, but if Reagor develops into a star and Wentz gets healthy, we might never see the former Oklahoma and Alabama quarterback at his full potential in Pederson's offense.
Pittsburgh Steelers: B-
Top needs: RB, CB, QB, DL
The Steelers haven't had a losing season in any of the 13 years that Mike Tomlin has been in charge, but they have missed the playoffs two years in a row. You can chalk up 2019 to losing Ben Roethlisberger early and some resulting poor quarterback play, but this organization isn't used to staying home in January. And really, they have a playoff-caliber defense already; if Roethlisberger is back to full strength, they should challenge the Ravens in the AFC North. And after they traded their first-round pick for safety Minkah Fitzpatrick in September -- he looked to be worth it; he was named first-team All-Pro -- they didn't have a pick until the middle of the second round in this draft.
I would have loved to have seen Pittsburgh take Jalen Hurts to sit behind the 38-year-old Roethlisberger and take over in a couple of years, but it went the opposite route of the Packers and drafted a wide receiver to help Big Ben and the offense. Chase Claypool (49) is a 6-foot-4 physical specimen who was inconsistent at Notre Dame, but he has some slot experience, and there were a few teams that thought he'd move permanently to tight end. I don't see that in Pittsburgh, which brought in Eric Ebron in free agency, but Claypool has the speed and physicality to move around the offense. He's just a little enigmatic for my taste.
Outside linebacker Alex Highsmith (102) is a great fit as an outside linebacker in the Steelers' 3-4 defense, and they even took two Maryland guys in running back Anthony McFarland Jr. (124) and safety Antoine Brooks Jr. (19. McFarland has some durability issues but stellar straight-line speed, and he'll fit a need if he can stay on the field.
All in all, Fitzpatrick saves this class from a C.
San Francisco 49ers: B-
Top needs: CB, WR, OL, DT
With just five selections, this 49ers class is difficult to evaluate. But for a team that played in the Super Bowl and has mostly kept its team intact, apart from trading defensive tackle DeForest Buckner for a first-round pick and losing wideout Emmanuel Sanders in free agency, it does have two defined needs. Credit general manager John Lynch and coach Kyle Shanahan for doing all they could to fill those needs on Day 1.
San Francisco scooped up interior penetrator Javon Kinlaw (14), and he'll be a Buckner fill-in. He's cheaper than Buckner, of course, but does he have Buckner's ceiling? Then the 49ers traded into the 25th pick to get wideout Brandon Aiyuk, a fantastic athlete who dominated in the Pac-12 last season. Shanahan is already fired up about how he'll use Aiyuk, and quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo will love him.
After that, though? I don't see much. Offensive tackle Colton McKivitz (153), tight end Charlie Woerner (190) and wide receiver Jauan Jennings (217) are all NFL backups. What keeps this in the B range is that the 49ers were able to use picks to get left tackle Trent Williams in a trade with Washington, and it cost them only a fifth-rounder this year and next year's third-rounder.
Chicago Bears: C+
Top needs: WR, OT, TE, CB
I'll admit, this one is tough for me. How do we grade the draft for a team that has no picks in Rounds 1, 3 or 4? Luckily it had an extra second-rounder from the Khalil Mack trade. And it gets credit for using one of those picks on quarterback Nick Foles, even if the Bears have to eat his hefty contract.
The Bears are trying to win now, bringing in Foles and veterans Jimmy Graham and Robert Quinn. But do they have the roster to win now? How good is this team really? Coming off an 8-8 season and big-time regression from former No. 2 overall pick Mitchell Trubisky, the Chicago defense still has a ton of talent. If the quarterback doesn't turn the ball over, it could try to ride the defense to the playoffs again, but the NFC North is really tough, and Foles and Trubisky haven't shown that they can consistently play at more than an average level.
So with limited draft capital, I do like the two second-round picks. Cole Kmet (43) is the clear best tight end in this class, and he will help Foles or Trubisky in the passing game and has the potential to develop into a solid blocker in the run game. Yes, the Bears brought in Graham, but they had zero tight ends gain 100 yards last season. And I thought cornerback Jaylon Johnson (50) had a chance to be picked at the end of Round 1, but a shoulder injury hampered his 2019 season and hurt his evaluations. Still, this could be two starters for Chicago.
After that, Trevis Gipson (155) is a part-time outside linebacker in a 3-4 defense, and the Bears reached way down the board at the end of Day 3. So this is another case of two decent players by value on my board, but little else after that.
Denver Broncos: C+
Top needs: WR, OT, CB, DL, LB
All along, I leaned wide receiver for the Broncos at No. 15. It just made too much sense to get some help on the other side of Courtland Sutton, who had a breakout 2019 season, accounting for 33% of the Broncos' receiving yards. And if Denver is all-in on giving the reins to second-year quarterback Drew Lock, it needs to give him more weapons to get a fuller evaluation. That's why one of my favorite picks was Jerry Jeudy falling into the laps of the Broncos at No. 15. He is my top-ranked wideout, a big-play machine, a smooth route runner and a plug-and-play starter. He's exactly what this team needs.
My problem with this class is what happens afterward. The Broncos added another wideout with their second-round pick: KJ Hamler (46), a 5-foot-9 speedster who has gotten compared to DeSean Jackson. I like Hamler, and he could serve a role as the third wideout here, but he has a high range of boom-or-bust possibilities. I probably would have gone with an offensive tackle -- I had an early second-round grade on Josh Jones, who was available -- but again, this is about Lock and making sure he has tools to help him succeed.
With three third-round picks, Denver also added help at cornerback (Michael Ojemudia, 77), interior offensive line (Lloyd Cushenberry III, 83) and defensive tackle (McTelvin Agim, 95). None is a clear starter as a rookie, but they're going to compete. Agim, in particular, has a higher ceiling than most Day 2 DTs, but this is high on my board. The Broncos added Lock's former teammate in tight end Albert Okwuegbunam (11, but his tape was poor last season. Guard Netane Muti (181) is powerful, but he hasn't been able to stay healthy.
This class has too much bust potential for my liking, with Ojemudia, Hamler and Okwuegbunam as low-floor prospects. So while I love the Jeudy fit in Round 1, I'm going to knock the rest.
Houston Texans: C+
Top needs: CB, WR, OL, Edge
Bill O'Brien has been aggressive with trades in his short time in charge of the front office. Two first-round picks to Miami to get Laremy Tunsil and Kenny Stills. DeAndre Hopkins to the Cardinals for a second-round pick and David Johnson. A second-round pick to the Rams for Brandin Cooks. And that's not all. But that left the Texans' 2020 draft stock depleted, and that's tough, particularly for a defense that declined noticeably in 2019. Houston could have used one of the defensive backs on the board at No. 26.
As for what the Texans got this weekend, Ross Blacklock (40) is a defensive tackle whom Todd McShay really liked, but there were mixed opinions around the league. He played as a nose tackle often for TCU, but he has some pass-rush ability. Could he could slide out to end in this 3-4 defense and get after passers, or is he going to be a nose tackle? At the very least, he's going to be stout against the run.
Outside linebacker Jonathan Greenard (90) had 9.5 sacks and 15.5 tackles for loss last season, but he didn't crack my top 100. Isaiah Coulter (171) is a 6-foot-2 wide receiver who was at his best against good competition. I had a fourth-round grade on him, and he lasted until the end of Round 5.
This isn't a special class, and you have to factor in O'Brien's worth on trades as well, which is why it gets a C-plus from me.
Kansas City Chiefs: C+
Top needs: CB, RB, G/C, DL
The Super Bowl champs entered this draft with only five picks, tied for the fewest in the NFL, and haven't had much turnover this offseason. Kendall Fuller, Emmanuel Ogbah and Reggie Ragland are gone from the defense, but the stellar offense is almost entirely intact for another run. So while cornerback could have been addressed at the final pick in Round 1, I have predicted the Chiefs would take the first running back off the board there for the past few weeks. It made too much sense to get Patrick Mahomes another premier playmaker. And it turns out I just went with the wrong back.
Kansas City clearly liked Clyde Edwards-Helaire (32) over the other backs in this class, and I had the top four all rated within 20 spots on my Big Board. The 5-foot-7 Edwards-Helaire, the first back taken by the Chiefs in Round 1 since Larry Johnson in 2003, is a weapon in the passing game (he had 55 catches last season) and a powerful runner. He's a perfect fit for Andy Reid's offense, which will be scary again in 2020.
Linebacker Willie Gay Jr. (63) is a stellar athlete with some positional flexibility, but he had some off-field issues in college that caused him to drop. Could he be Kansas City's starting middle linebacker, or will he be forced outside? Developmental offensive tackle Lucas Niang (96) had a hip injury that cut short his 2019 season, but I know there were some scouts who saw him as a potential starter in a couple of years. Kansas City took two defensive backs on Day 3, but I wasn't particularly high on either and I'm surprised it didn't take a corner earlier than the seventh round.
Edwards-Helaire is going to get a lot of snaps as a rookie, but I don't see early contributors after that.
New England Patriots: C+
Top needs: QB, TE, LB, WR, OL
It's a new era in New England, and it's not just Tom Brady who is no longer on the roster. The defense, which carried the Patriots last season, has seen Danny Shelton, Kyle Van Noy, Jamie Collins, Elandon Roberts and Duron Harmon all leave. This roster is more depleted than I can remember. Bill Belichick loves a challenge, of course, and had 12 picks entering the draft, including three in Round 3, to try to fill some holes. So what did Belichick do with the No. 23 pick on Thursday night? He traded back.
Yes, the Patriots picked up the second-round pick they lost when they traded for Mohamed Sanu at midseason, as the Chargers traded their second- and third-rounders to get back into Round 1. Then the Pats loaded up on Day 2 picks, taking safety Kyle Dugger (37), linebackers Josh Uche (60) and Anfernee Jennings (87) and tight ends Devin Asiasi (91) and Dalton Keene (101). Dugger dominated at the Division II level, then ran a 4.49 40-yard dash at the combine. He could be a versatile player for the New England defense. Uche and Jennings have some edge rushing upside. I was lower on the tight ends -- I wrote about it after Day 2 -- but it is a clear need area with the offense struggling sans Gronk in 2019. I just had better ones available in my rankings.
My biggest issue with this class is no quarterback; the Patriots passed on Jalen Hurts, Jacob Eason and Jake Fromm throughout. I'm not sold that 2019 fourth-rounder Jarrett Stidham should be the unquestioned starter. I could look silly in a couple of weeks when the Pats trade for Andy Dalton or sign Cam Newton, but this is a whiff for me.
New Orleans Saints: C+
Top needs: CB, LB, WR, Edge, QB
The Saints treat drafts differently than every other team. Not worse, just differently. They're totally fine trading future picks to move up to get the guy they want. They did it for Alvin Kamara a few years ago, dealing a 2018 second-round pick to get into the third round in 2017. They did it in 2018, too, trading a 2019 first-rounder to get pass-rusher Marcus Davenport in the top half of Round 1. And they entered this draft with only five picks, tied for fewest in the league, because of other trades. How did they fare? Well, they ended up with only four total picks because of more maneuvering.
I'm high on center Cesar Ruiz (24), whom I ranked as the clear top interior offensive lineman in this class, and he has some experience at guard. He could end up there with last year's second-round pick, Erik McCoy, playing so well at center as a rookie. One thing that bothers shorter quarterbacks like Drew Brees is interior pressure, and New Orleans is trying to shore that up as it goes all-in for 2020. I have other needs higher for the Saints -- particularly wide receiver -- but I do like Ruiz.
The Saints used trades for their other three picks, including adding next year's third-rounder, to move up to get outside linebacker Zack Baun (74) and tight end Adam Trautman (105). Baun is an interesting fit in Dennis Allen's defense; is he a defensive end or a versatile linebacker? I thought he'd be great as an OLB in a 3-4. Either way, it's good value for Baun, who is my No. 31 overall player. The 6-foot-5 Trautman, my second-ranked tight end, caught 70 passes last season and is really just a jumbo wide receiver at this point, but that could be useful in Sean Payton's offense.
It appears the Saints will try to use quarterback Tommy Stevens (240) in some sort of Taysom Hill role, but he is my 18th-ranked quarterback. I'll believe he gets on the field when I see it. New Orleans tried for quality over quantity here, but it's tough for a class with four picks to break into the B range.
Tennessee Titans: C+
Top needs: Edge, CB, DT, OT, RB
The Titans made a surprise run to the AFC title game last season, taking down the Patriots and Ravens on the way, and they did it with an efficient quarterback, bruising running game and steady but unspectacular defense. Well, their first-round pick is clearly designed to continue that offensive trend in 2020. Offensive tackle Isaiah Wilson (29) was a little bit of a reach, but I see the traits that put him at the end of Round 1, even if I question whether he could start right away over Dennis Kelly and replace Jack Conklin at right tackle. At 6-foot-6, 350 pounds, Wilson is a project, and he needs to clean up his technique, but that could come with NFL coaching.
Opinions on cornerback Kristian Fulton (61) were all over the map inside the league, but it's decent value getting him at the end of Round 2. He is my eighth-ranked corner, just after A.J. Terrell, who went No. 16 overall. It's a little risky, though, just because of his inconsistencies. Darrynton Evans (93) opened up some eyes at the combine with a 4.41 40-yard dash, and he could be the favorite to spell Derrick Henry as the No. 2 running back. On Day 3, Larrell Murchison (174) is just a rotational defensive tackle, and quarterback Cole McDonald (224) has a loooong delivery and will need time to fix that and adjust to the speed of the NFL. But he could be a decent backup.
I was surprised the Titans didn't take an edge rusher, and Wilson was a reach on my board.
Washington ********: C+
Top needs: Edge, OT, TE, WR
With a new coach (and 3-13 season) comes roster turnover, and Ron Rivera has worked hard this offseason to bring in veterans to help the team on both sides of the ball. And with no second-round pick after the old regime traded back into Round 1 last year to take Montez Sweat, Rivera & Co. were left with only the No. 2 overall pick in the first two rounds.
So you shouldn't be surprised when I say I like that Washington got my top-ranked overall prospect in edge rusher Chase Young, one of the most NFL-ready pass-rushers to come out of college in the past decade. Yes, this team has now drafted a defensive lineman in the first round in each of the past four years (Young, Sweat, Daron Payne and Jonathan Allen), but it couldn't afford to pass on Young, who has All-Pro talent. Rivera is a defensive coach, and he has a really good front seven to build around. "It would have been very, very hard to convince me that somebody else would be as impactful as the guy that we drafted," Rivera said on Thursday night. I agree, though really Young fell into their laps.
The ******** also got an interesting running back/wide receiver prospect with Antonio Gibson (66), who caught 44 passes and also averaged 11.2 yards per carry on 33 rushes last season. A smart playcaller will get him 10 touches a game. Antonio Gandy-Golden (142) is a 6-foot-4 raw wideout with a massive 77-inch wingspan. He attacks the ball in the air, though he'll need some time to develop. Saahdiq Charles (10 looks like a starting-caliber NFL offensive tackle, but the tape didn't match his talent.
Young was a bit of a gimme pick at No. 2, and without a second-rounder I'll stick with a C-plus for Washington.
Atlanta Falcons: C
Top needs: CB, Edge, RB, DT
The pick that stunned me the most on Day 1 was Atlanta taking cornerback A.J. Terrell at No. 16. It's one of the biggest reaches of the past few years. Think of it this way: At No. 16, many teams can get a top-10 player on their own board. The Cowboys did that at No. 17 with CeeDee Lamb. Instead, Atlanta forced a pick for a position of need. Sorry, Falcons, but you're not a cornerback away from the Super Bowl.
I have said for the past few weeks that there were likely to be a couple of Round 1 reaches for cornerbacks; it's a priority position, there was a drop-off after the top two guys, and teams want to make sure they get their guy. But Terrell was the No. 7 corner on my board (No. 61 prospect overall), and Noah Igbinoghene, Jeff Gladney and Jaylon Johnson were still available. Those are all better prospects than Terrell. This is just way too high.
Marlon Davidson (47) is a solid pick, and he could move inside to defensive tackle, and interior offensive lineman Matt Hennessy has some versatility. Linebacker Mykal Walker (119) went almost 100 spots before I had him in my rankings.
This comes down to a big-time reach in Round 1, and I just don't see Terrell as worth it.
Green Bay Packers: C
Top needs: WR, TE, OL, LB, DL
I didn't expect the Packers to take a quarterback in Round 1. I don't think many did. But I applaud the team's long-term thinking here, as I wrote Thursday night. Aaron Rodgers is 36 and isn't going to be around much longer. Why not go and make sure you have a contingency plan for after he's gone? Matt LaFleur was enamored with Jordan Love (26), and now the young coach gets a young signal-caller to groom. Love also gets the stability he really needs to thrive. He played for three different offensive coordinators in college, and he needs to be coached up. He has elite potential but needs time, and he should be able to get that time with Rodgers still around.
What I do have a problem with is Green Bay not getting a wide receiver on Day 2. In an extremely deep wide receiver class, how can you not take one? Rodgers has a reason to be upset about that. Instead, the Packers went with running back AJ Dillon (62) and tight end/H-back Josiah Deguara (94). Though Dillon is OK, this team has Aaron Jones as its main back; how many snaps per game is Dillon going to play? As for Deguara, I had a late fourth-round grade on him, and I don't see him as an impact pass-catcher in 2020.
Green Bay also gave up its fourth-round pick in the move to get Love, so it didn't have much capital to get help on Day 3, and I don't love any of these late picks. Packers fans are probably not happy with this class, and I can see why.
Let's look back on this group in a couple of years and see where Love and Rodgers are; this is a tough class to grade at the moment. But I'm just left shaking my head with the Packers adding only Devin Funchess at wide receiver this offseason. Really? You just made the NFC Championship Game. I don't get it.
Being quarantined with Cutler sounds like a nightmare. He was probably *****ing about any little thing.
Alright after looking at the Jets depth chart I’m gonna have to say they’re my top contender next to the Jags to get the top pick in next year’s draft. The Skins offense looks atrocious but their defense looks like it has potential. They may be in the mix for that top spot as well though being that I think Dwayne Haskins is probably the worst starting QB in the league. The Giants and Panthers are both gonna have awful defenses but their offenses should be able to put up some points. They may be right after the Skins, Jags and Jets.
I have no idea what the Jets are doing with Leveon on that roster with the amount of money he’s making along with the fact Gase didn’t even want the guy. They need to figure something out with him cause no parties involved are gonna be happy this year with him not being able to find any space once again and them losing a ton of games again.
Being quarantined with Cutler sounds like a nightmare. He was probably *****ing about any little thing.
History about to re-write Bill Polian quickly
I just really can't entertain this slander. I want to, but I refuse.
Not saying we are going to win the East but the fact that you say the Skins defense looks like it has potential and fail to mention the strength being the Jets defense.....
I mean are we serious here...?
Quinnen Williams, for as lovable of a personality he is, wasn’t very great last year. The rest of your defense outside of Jamal Adams (who doesn’t wanna be there) and CJ Mosley (coming off groin surgery, basically didn’t play all last year) your starting defense consists of Steve McLendon, Harvey Langi, Henry Anderson, Blake Cashman, Jordan Jenkins, Arthur Maulette, Brian Poole (who the **** even are any of these dudes?), Pierre Desir (Colts, a probable playoff team, released him exactly a year after they gave him a 3 year extension) and Marcus Maye, who’s been mediocre at best.
The Skins defense has Chase Young, Ryan Kerrigan, Montez Sweat, Jonathan Allen and Thomas Davis in its front 7. That basically cancels out any argument of your defense being better than theirs.
Like I said though, I think both teams are gonna be bad this year. So I’m definitely not trying to hype up any part of the Skins. Their offense should be awful and probably will keep their D on the field way too often.