Atlanta Falcons

Still, contenders are made from the teams that build the best 53-man rosters and not those with the best 22 starters, which means value can never be ignored like this when you’ve got guys like CeeDee Lamb and K’Lavon Chaisson on the board. However, the Falcons turned the tables in the middle rounds. I predicted Davidson to Atlanta in my final two-round mock draft, and he is going to be an excellent fit as a versatile defensive lineman that can play a number of spots on the front. Alex Mack is set to turn 35 this season, making the Hennessy pick a smart one. He is a technically sound player that could allow the Falcons to save $8M in cap space by moving on from the veteran, or Hennessy could learn behind the former-Pro Bowl center for a year before taking over.

Walker has a skillset that Dan Quinn likes as an undersized linebacker that can fly around the field. Hawkins adds depth and special-teams ability to the safety position. The Falcons also appear to seek competition for Ryan Allen, who is the final year of his deal, which would be why they brought in Hofrichter.

Baltimore Ravens

Having said that, this draft firmly puts the Ravens as one of the most talented rosters in football. I wrestled with what Baltimore would do in round one because I didn’t think Queen or Kenneth Murray would get to them, yet Queen fell in their lap. He is also the better fit of the two, considering Baltimore likes beef on their defensive front so their linebackers can roam free. That’s when Queen is at his best. Dobbins is tailor-made for this zone-read offense, with the ability to grind out tough yards between the tackles and the speed to get into the secondary in a hurry if teams focus too much on Jackson. I’m not in love with Madubuike fitting in their scheme, as I feel he’s best served shooting gaps and getting up the field. However, neither Brandon Williams or Derek Wolf offer much in the nickel, where Madubuike could shine as a pass-rush specialist.

Duvernay was just behind Dobbins for my favorite pick of this class. He joins Marquise Brown as a deep threat that is going to make it tough on teams to keep an extra safety in the box. Tyre Phillips and Ben Bredeson could both push for jobs at guard, giving this offense line valued depth, and Phillips has the arm-length and upside to possibly fill the role of a swing tackle. Washington is a similar case to Madubuike, where I question the scheme fit, but his character and team-first mentality are something every coach wants on the roster.

Proche gives them another versatile option in the slot, and while Baltimore may struggle to find a place for him in their improved receiver corps, the value on this one was a steal, as I thought he’d be off the board in round four. Stone is another good value as a guy that can bring toughness to the secondary, and immediately have an impact on special teams.

Buffalo Bills

Moss, on the other hand, is a perfect fit for the back they are looking to pair with Devin Singletary. While Singletary is a player that thrives in space, Moss has the power and vision to make a living between the tackles in a zone-scheme. While I loved the addition of Diggs in the trade, I still believed this group of wide receivers lacked size, and that is something both Davis and Hodgins offer. Neither is a lock to be a top-three target of Buffalo, but they will have a chance to make the roster where they can be an option for Josh Allen.

As for Fromm, this pick scares me because he is the polar opposite of Allen. He’s a physically limited player with an outstanding ability to process the game mentally. The reason I worry is that if Allen continues to have mixed results in some of the areas Fromm excels in, then it could create tension in that locker room. Don’t get me wrong, if the Bills are continuing to climb up the ranks, that won’t be an issue. However, if they get stagnant and can’t get to that point where they are competing at the level of other Super Bowl contenders, the fan base and some guys in the locker room could start to call for Fromm.

Bass was my top kicker in this class, and I love the way he relishes the opportunity to kick in the big moment, he could allow them to get cheaper at the position with a good training camp. Jackson will need to carve out a role on special teams to make this roster, but if he does, he has the potential to grow into a sub-package corner for this defense.

Carolina Panthers

Gross-Matos has a lot of upside coming off the edge but will need to develop better technique to take advantage of his length. Chinn was another excellent value as a guy with an intriguing blend of size and athleticism for a safety. That will be a pick to keep your eye on because if they hit on him, it could speed up the transition of this defense. Pride is a corner with terrific make-up speed that can compete to help in the sub-packages from day one.

Robinson adds good depth in the secondary, along with a touch of professional experience thanks to the XFL. Matt Rhule knows precisely what he is getting in Roy, as he coached him at Baylor. Adding another potential run-stuffer could go a long way to keeping Kawann Short fresh on obvious passing downs. Thomas-Oliver does have some upside, but this is where I thought they’d break from their run on defenders. This offense has gotten better in the offseason, but there are still secondary roles that could use another possible suitor in the mix. There were some receivers on the board that could have pushed to make this roster, and the guy I was big on here went one pick later in Eno Benjamin. He’s a tough runner on the interior with a low center of gravity that could have pushed for snaps to spell Christian McCaffrey in year one.

Chicago Bears

Fortunately, they were able to snag Johnson at 50 after a run that saw teams reaching for corners throughout the top 50 picks. For Bears fans that loved the days of Chris Tillman, and the feisty demeanor he played with, you’re going to like Johnson. He is a competitor that played most of last season with a torn labrum. If he is full-go when training camp hits, I expect him to be the front-runner to start across from Kyle Fuller. Gipson was great value in the fifth round, and he is what I consider a luxury pick. The Bears are set at outside linebacker with Khalil Mack and Robert Quinn, but the former-Golden Hurricane is good enough to push for snaps that allow the pair to stay fresh when they are on the field.

Vildor has the upside to help in sub-packages once he is polished up a bit, and Mooney could be an intriguing option that can bring big-play ability as a gadget player like Tarik Cohen did to earn a spot on the roster in back in 2017. With Hambright and Simmons, both have the potential to grow into more than just depth players, which is what they will start out as if they make the roster. However, Hambright has impressive mobility for his size, while Simmons offers exceptional length that gives them both upside to eventually push for a starting role.

Cincinnati Bengals

I would have prioritized the Davis-Gaither over Wilson, but they were fortunate enough to get them both, which is good considering how much they needed to improve at linebacker. Wilson is likely to be far more limited on passing downs where Davis-Gaither should thrive, but both will need to develop more strength and bulk on their frame to hold up as starters. Kareem is a technically-sound overachiever that teams love to add to the back end of their defensive line rotation.

Adeniji will likely be better suited to play guard in the NFL but has some raw potential that could be unmasked with good coaching. Bailey is the wild card, as injuries probably prevented him from going much higher. Still, he is the most physically ready to play of the linebackers Cincinnati drafted and may have the best instincts and ability to finish in that group as well.

Cleveland Browns

Delpit slid out of the first round for obvious reasons. He’s an undisciplined tackler that lunges and fails to wrap up far too often, and his pursuit angles were off once he moved further away from the line of scrimmage in 2019. Still, those are teachable areas of improvement, and you can’t teach the fact that none of the top safeties in this class have better range or ability in coverage. Elliott is a great pickup because he needs time to develop, and the Browns can be patient with him. Both Sheldon Richardson and Larry Ogunjobi are versatile enough to play the under-tackle position, but long-term, Elliott has Geno Atkins-like upside.

Phillips is a linebacker who is solid across the board, but may not have one trait that sets him apart. He will likely take the same path to former-Brown, Joe Schobert, who had a similar skillset and started as a versatile backup before latching on to a starting role. Bryant was a terrific value on day three and could have an instant impact considering we are going to see a lot of formations with multiple tight ends under Mike Stefanski. I pegged Harris as my least favorite pick, but let me point out that I still like this pick. He fits Stefanski’s offensive scheme well and should provide quality depth behind J.C. Tretter. However, there were some guards still available that I felt had a chance to be part of a competition for the right guard spot, like Michigan’s Michael Onwenu.

I was secretly wondering if Cleveland would take a chance on Jake Fromm there. He has a lot of similarities to Kirk Cousins, who Stefanski worked well with in Minnesota, and Fromm has a high football-IQ, making him ideal as a backup option to Baker Mayfield. Peoples-Jones drop shocked me, but there is likely more to the story than just his talent. I consistently had his name on my list of top options for Cleveland because he provides the size and play-strength that the Browns lack at the position. If he can play up to his potential in Cleveland, Peoples-Jones can be a day-one contributor that turns out to be one of the biggest steals in this draft.

Dallas Cowboys

Diggs is a versatile option that many felt would land in the latter parts of day one. Instead, the Cowboys got tremendous value again by bringing in the younger brother of Stefon Diggs. He’s got an exceptional combination of size and athleticism that could make him a stud on the perimeter as he continues to develop as a defender. It should go to tell you how could this bunch is when I’ve got Gallimore as my least favorite despite him being the 44th-ranked player on my board that the Cowboys grabbed at 82. My only question is the scheme fit. Dallas is moving to a two-gap strategy up front, where technique is prevalent to success. Gallimore currently gets by with his outstanding physical gifts and tenacity, but there is room to grow as a technician.

Robinson comes in a similar, albeit slightly less athletic package as Diggs, which tells me this team is going to crowd the line of scrimmage on the perimeter. With Chidobe Awuzie and Jourdan Lewis both entering their final year under contract, and Byron Jones having left for Miami, I thought there was a strong chance that Dallas could double-up at corner. While this was one of only two of the Cowboys’ picks that I didn’t see as being great value, I was in the minority among those I correspond with, in ranking Robinson at 133 on my overall board. The selection of Biadasz was nearly the pick for my favorite, but I’ll caution Cowboys fans that he is not a lock to be a day-one starter. There are flaws that he needs to clean up, most notably with his pad-level and balance. However, he is similar to Frederick in his football-IQ, and his best tape was as good as any center’s in this class.

Count Anae as another player that nearly pushed Lamb for my favorite selection. The guy is one of the most technically sound players in this draft, and he gave offenses fits throughout his time at Utah. In fact, go watch how he consistently beat Austin Jackson last year, who was the 18th player selected in this draft. Even if the lack of ideal athleticism and shorter arms are deterrent to him being a similar disruptor in the NFL, his desire and work ethic will get him on the field in a rotation. DiNucci is a player the Cowboys weren’t comfortable allowing to get into the free-agency process, so they secured his services by drafting him late. Dallas needs someone to develop behind Prescott, and DiNucci has some similarities to Prescott’s game.

Denver Broncos

Hamler will be a player that should quickly become a safety valve for Drew Lock. He is lightning quick and can turn quick throws into big chunks of yardage. Also, it helps that that player I wanted them to take at 46 was Cushenberry. How in the world he fell to the third round, I’ll never know? He is tailor-made for this offense as a pivot with excellent mobility. After Denver has seen their starting center walk in each of the last two offseasons, they got that position sured-up moving forward.

I wasn’t the biggest fan of the selection of Ojemudia based on him being a bit more of a project. Still, the Broncos have the luxury of being patient with him, considering they have veteran options like A.J. Bouye and Bryce Callahan in the fold. Ojemudia does fit what Vic Fangio likes with his size and make-up speed that makes him capable of succeeding in a variety of coverages. In a year, we could see him push Callahan back into his nickel role. Agim is another talented yet technically-raw prospect that will need time to develop. However, the potential is there for him to become a starter early in his career as well.

Okwuegbunam was a steal and should have Lock thrilled to have his former-Missouri Tiger back in the huddle with him. He was rarely used properly during his time at Missouri and should thrive in an offense that takes advantage of his skillset. He and Noah Fant should form one of the most dangerous tight end duos in football if Pat Shurmur can make the most of their unique athleticism at the position. The selection of Muti was a swing for the fence in the sixth round. His injury history was obviously too much for teams to ignore, as he had the skills to be the first guard drafted in this class. If he can stay healthy, it just pads what I believe was one of the top five draft classes this year. Cleveland and Tuszka can both push to make this roster, but it will likely be a result of their ability to help on special teams.

Detroit Lions

I thought Detroit reached on Okwara, but the upside is there for this to be a great pick. It was frustrating that he didn’t get more out of his physical gifts while at Notre Dame, but with his older brother Romeo already in Detroit, the classic overachiever may be able to help Julian reach his potential. The selection of Jackson and Stenberg were both great picks on their own, but I’m not sure I would have doubled-up on the position. Both should have a chance to push to make the roster. One could even win a starting job, but if that is not the case, I’m not sure they will have a roster spot for each.

Cephus and Huntly will both need to prove their worth on special teams to make this roster, although Huntly is an intriguing receiving option that could carve out a role on passing downs to spell Swift. Penisini and Cornell should both compete to add depth on the defensive line. While Penisini is a bit more one-dimensional as a run-stuffing nose tackle, Cornell has position-flex and the ability to have success on any down.

Green Bay Packers

As for the next two picks, I thought Green Bay really reached. Dillion was my 12th-ranked running back and had a mid-day three grade. I understand LaFleur has had success with a big back during his time in Tennessee with Derrick Henry, and while Dillion comes in a similar package, I’m not sure he has that kind of upside. I had a borderline seventh-round grade on Deguara, who they selected at 92. He did catch a lot of passes at Cincinnati, but I’ve got questions about that translates at the next level, considering he has below-average size and athleticism. With Jace Sternberger in place, I thought they’d target a more traditional tight end to pair with him.

On the positive side, I love the picks of Martin and Garvin that add depth at the linebacker position. Martin could even push for a starting job if he can improve his abilities in coverage. Runyan, Hanson, and Stepaniak all have the position flexibility that will be valued at the end of the roster, but I’m not sure there is room for all three unless one of them earns a starting job. Scott also offers position-flex in the secondary, as well as the ability to have an impact on special teams.

Houston Texans

Greenard is another strong selection as I had him ranked just barely outside of my top 100. He may not be a day one starter, but long-term, they may have found the player that lines up across from Whitney Mercilus. Heck gives them a developmental project that can eventually fill the role of a swing tackle. However, they lost me after that. Houston took a flyer on both Reid and Coulter, and I thought we would see less of that with the limitations of working these guys out in the pre-draft process. In the sixth or seventh round, I can understand reaching on a player without a draftable grade, but these were fourth and fifth-round selections, and I’m not sure if either of these guys has a chance to make the team, much less improve the end roster better.

Indianapolis Colts

As for the Eason pick, I don’t get it, and here is why. I had the Colts taking him in the second round because of his exceptional physical tools. However, there were genuine concerns about his commitment to getting better, and whether or not he’d ever make the most of his potential. We got our answer on the Colts’ feelings towards those concerns when they passed on three-separate times. Now, I’m not saying you don’t draft, but early in the fourth round, I still had players with top-100 grades available. The Colts clearly had concerns about Eason, meaning you have to exhaust every opportunity to take a player that you believe can be an impact player early before reconsidering him. I just don’t think that was the case at 122. However, I am a fan of the additions of Pinter and Windsor, who can add quality depth in the trenches, and Rodgers, Patmon, and Glasgow can push to improve the end of that roster.

Jacksonville Jaguars

Shenault was a steal in my eyes. I understand an injury during the pre-draft process dropped his stock a bit, and that he isn’t a fit for every offensive coordinator, but I expect Jay Gruden to take full advantage of this versatile playmaker. Hamilton is another solid pick, as a player they can plug into the middle of that defense early in his career. I didn’t necessarily care for the pick of Bartch because I still had players with top-100 grades on my board that could help this team early on, and he is going to need some time to develop. However, players like Scott, Quarterman, and Thomas can add quality depth immediately to that defense, while Johnson gives them a guy that can compete for snaps at receiver. Still, it’s likely to be an uphill battle to make the roster for Luton, Davis, and Claybrook.

Kansas City Chiefs

Once again, the selection of Willie Gay was a head-scratcher. This wasn’t an overly-talented group of linebackers, so you knew there would be teams reaching on a few. Still, Gay has some character concerns, and at this point, he is a much better athlete than a football player. My favorite pick in this bunch is Niang, who has the size and ability to be a starting tackle in this league. Mitchell Schwartz is 30 while Eric Fisher will be too in the next year, and neither played particularly well in the Chiefs’ Super Bowl victory. Niang is massive and would have likely gone higher if not for an injury in 2019.

I thought the selection of Sneed was the biggest reach of the bunch. The straight-line speed is impressive, but he isn’t the most fluid athlete on the perimeter. He does have experience at safety, but he’s also not the most physical player. While he can improve the end of the roster, I felt there were players that could push for playing time still on the board. Danna is an effort guy that could possibly play a linebacker role for Kansas City, and Keyes is a project with good physical tools to work with on the perimeter. If he can clean up his footwork during training camp, he could jump Sneed on the depth chart.

Los Angeles Chargers

The selection of Murray was my favorite for the Chargers. There’s no doubt in my mind that the Saints were selecting him at 24, but Los Angeles jumped ahead of them to fill one of their most significant needs with the best linebacker this class has to offer. Murray still has room to grow instinctually, but he has terrific athleticism and leadership that should help elevate this defense.

I thought they might address running back earlier than this, but Kelley has a chance to have an instant impact in a committee approach with Austin Ekeler and Justin Jackson. I’m also quite fond of their other three day-three picks. All three have a chance to add quality depth to this roster. To say Reed is my least favorite of the bunch is more a sign that I liked each pick made, but the Chargers will have to be creative with how they use him.

Los Angeles Rams

The selection of Lewis is one with tremendous upside, but as I watched him fall, it became clear that teams were not thrilled with what they saw in his medical checks. That’s why it’s my least favorite. If his injury history is a long-term concern, then using a top-100 pick on him is foolish, in my opinion, no matter the upside. Burgess and Fuller should both sure up the depth at safety, and could even push for playtime across from Taylor Rapp. I also think Hopkins has a chance to push for meaningful snaps in an offense that likes to use a variety of different personnel groupings. Sloman gives them another option in their kicking competition, but Johnston and Anchrum will each have an uphill battle at making the roster. Still, there is room for competition for one of the final spots on that offensive line in the case of Anchrum, and Johnston could win a job due to his effort on special teams.

Las Vegas Raiders

As for Arnette, I like his skillset, as he is one of the more complete corners in this class capable of playing in zone or man coverage. However, 19 was way too high for a player that is a good-not-great athlete. I know Atlanta started a panic by reaching on A.J. Terrell, but the Raiders had plenty of others areas they could have improved this roster. Don’t get me wrong, I think both can be day-one starters. However, they could have moved down in both instances and still gotten ahold of each, in my opinion.

Bowden gives them another player like Ruggs who is a playmaker with the ball in his hands. While not as fast as Ruggs, he has a versatile skillset that can see him lineup all over the field, including the backfield. Edwards could end up being their most reliable receiver out of this class with the size and play strength to consistently beat physical coverage. Muse is a special teams ace that can push for a starting role at linebacker, although his playing speed is far less impressive than his combine numbers suggest. Simpson and Robertson are both great picks on day four, as I could see them each pushing for playing time early in their career.

Miami Dolphins

With that in mind, I like the picks of Jackson, Igbinoghene, and Hunt. None of those three are going to be ready to start on day one, but each has the upside to be stars at the next level. Jackson has the size and athleticism to be a starting left tackle with some refining. Igbinoghene is still figuring things out on the defensive side of the ball, but he has the kind of athleticism teams covet at cornerback. Hunt is a physically imposing player that can play at tackle or guard. I like him best on the inside, but either way, he has to get better with his pad-level and balance.

Davis and Strowbridge can line up in a variety of spots on the defensive front, which is something Brian Flores craves on that side of the ball. I’m not a huge fan of Kindley, who not only has some of the same issues as Hunt but also has weight concerns. Still, he moves surprisingly well for his size, and with better discipline, he can push for a starting role early in his career. The fall of Weaver was probably the biggest shock for me in this draft, as he is a talented edge rusher. He doesn’t have the ideal build for the position, but I’m excited to see how they use him, and I won’t be shocked if he is playing meaningful snaps as a rookie. Ferguson and Perry should improve the special teams units, while Perry could also force them to find a role for him on offense thanks to his ability with the ball in his hands.

Minnesota Vikings

After three significant losses to their cornerback ranks over the past few months, getting Gladney and Dantzler reinforces that position with two talented, yet diverse players. I thought Ezra Cleveland might slip into the latter parts of the first round with his unique blend of size and athleticism. Cleveland can be a future starter at left tackle with continued development in his hand and footwork. I have my questions about the scheme fit of both Wonnum and Lynch, but both are versatile players that could ease those concerns if they can get after the quarterback.

Dye is a player that I like a lot, as he brings intensity and versatility to their linebacker room. He, as well as Hand, Metellus, Willekes, and Cole, can all push to add quality depth to this defense. Osborn has talent but was inconsistent during his time in college. However, special teams could be his ticket to a roster spot. Both Brandal and Hinton are good fits for their zone-heavy scheme but may have an uphill battle to make the roster. As for Stanley, he’s got some similarities to current backup Sean Mannion, and if Gary Kubiak can improve his decision-making, he could make this team.

New England Patriots

Uche is a similar player as an edge rusher with incredible arm length on his linebacker build. I look forward to seeing what he can do with a staff that makes the most of his abilities. However, the addition of another edge-rushing linebacker like Jennings was a bit perplexing to me. A year ago, they brought in Chase Winovich, who also fits that mold, and I’m not sure how they make the most of all three. I thought New England would target a tight end or two in this draft, and I am quite impressed with the pair of Asiasi and Keene. Asiasi is much more of a “move” tight end with the athleticism to take advantage of linebackers and safeties in coverage, while Keene is more of a blue-collar player that thrives with his toughness. Both should play early and often in New England.

This roster needed a kicker and targeted Rohrwasser at 159. They’ve also fallen victim to the injury bug on their offensive line quite a bit in recent years, and Onwenu, Herron, and Woodard are all candidates to add depth to this roster. Maluia can be an instant contributor on special teams but will have an uphill battle to make this roster if he can’t provide the kind of versatility Belichick covets in his defenders.

New Orleans Saints

However, I am a big fan of their first three picks. Cesar Ruiz is a versatile player that could allow them to shop Larry Warford, or just replace him. Baun is a versatile linebacker with a nose for the ball that I felt had a chance to go late on day one. Maybe there is more to the diluted test sample than we know, but I was shocked to see him fall this far. Trautman is my favorite player of this group, thanks to his imposing size and surprising athleticism. He’s got the makings of a Pro Bowl tight end once he catches up to the speed of the NFL.

To say Stevens was my least favorite is simple because I really like the other three picks. He’s got an intriguing set of skills for the quarterback position, and while he may not have a strong chance at making the roster, he could be a developmental project that can learn on the practice squad.

New York Giants

I did not expect McKinney to fall into the second round, and by doing so, the Giants were able to grab a versatile safety that Joe Judge can move all over the defense. McKinney was one of the surest tacklers in this class, and he can really get moving when he finds the football. There may be some limitations in coverage, but the value was too good to pass up at 36. Matt Peart was just outside of my top 100, and I like the Giants grabbing him at 99. If Nate Solder sticks around, it will allow them to be patient with a player that has plenty of upside but is also a long way away from being a finished product. Still, you can’t coach being nearly six feet, seven inches with a wingspan of over 86 inches.

Holmes has a chance to have an immediate impact as a slot corner. He is a dynamite athlete with tons of confidence, and if he were three inches taller, we’d have been talking about him as a first-round pick. The addition of Lemieux should send a signal to Giants fans that Dave Gettleman is no longer interested in this unit being the weak link of the offense. The Oregon-product will add quality depth to that group and could push Will Hernandez if his issues in pass protection don’t improve.

Between Brown and Coughlin, I like the former-Gopher better in that scheme. Brown may look like an edge rusher, but he has minimal experience doing it and may be better suited inside. Coughlin was a menace in opposing backfields throughout his career, and while he may not have the desired athleticism, he can provide good depth at outside linebacker. Brunson and Crowder will provide depth as more traditional linebackers on the inside and will need to prove capable on special teams to give themselves the edge, as will Williamson.

New York Jets

Davis has terrific range to be a deep safety, and while he still needs to become more instinctual at the position, he’s got the upside of a future starter. I don’t dislike the pick of Zuniga, but I still had more than a few players with top-100 grades available at 79, and he wasn’t one of them. Still, I like his motor and overall athleticism, and I do think he can stand up at linebacker. Him being my least favorite is a product of how much I like this group. Perine is a tough runner, and should instantly push to spell Le’Veon Bell as a complementary back. Morgan is a guy that has a lot of upside, and considering Sam Darnold is set as New York’s starter, the former-Panther can continue to develop behind him.

Clark is another one of my favorites as a guy with a nasty demeanor, and he and Becton are going to set the standard for that offensive line. While many have Clark projected as a tackle, I think he could push to start at guard from day one. Hall is the wild card of the bunch. He fell to day three because of an injury in 2019, but when healthy, he is a guy that can push for a starting job. He is long, with good make-up speed, and gets his hands on a lot of passes. Mann was my top punter in this class, and I have no doubt that the job is his for the taking heading into training camp.

Philadelphia Eagles

While I’m a big fan of Reagor, there are two issues I have with this pick. The first is that the former-Horned Frog has a very similar skillset to DeSean Jackson, and I’m not sure how they get the most out of both. The other is that Philadelphia had a major issue with dropped passes in 2019, and Reagor comes with similar concerns. I love Hurts as a player and person, and I’ll be interested to see what they do with him. Is he going to play a Taysom Hill role, or are they looking to develop him as a passer? Doug Pederson is clever enough to do both, but it will take years of patience, and this is a second-round pick. Taylor and Bradley are a pair of rangy linebackers that can both compete for snaps early in their career.

The Wallace pick is a bit of a head-scratcher for me because I felt there were better defensive backs available at the time. Still, he brings the energy and intensity that the Eagles like on that side of the ball. Driscoll can push for playing time right away as a guard, and I wouldn’t be shocked if he is starting games at some point in 2020. He has great mobility and plays with very good awareness on the field. Hightower has the skills to earn a job as well. He has a great combination of size and speed and judging by the addition of Reagor, Hightower, and Watkins, it appears the Eagles want to get faster on the perimeter.

I love the Wanogho pick because I think his best football is ahead of him. He makes up for slightly less-than-ideal arm-length with outstanding mobility and could be groomed into a future swing tackle. Toohill is a versatile player that could line up at linebacker, while also rushing the passer in the nickel. However, special teams will earn his ticket to the roster.

Pittsburgh Steelers

I don’t care for the selection of Claypool that high. He’s a productive receiver thanks to his big frame and play strength, but the athleticism he showed at the combine is not indicative of what we see on tape. The Steelers are stacking up top-100 picks at receiver, and they are missing far more often than they are getting them right. Highsmith is a player that can push for playing time immediately and may allow them to move on from Bud Dupree. It’s not that I don’t like Dupree, but I am always hesitant when it comes to paying players who have a breakout season in their contract year. Highsmith is a balanced defender who can be just as disruptive against the run as he can the pass, which was never more evident than 2019 when he had 21.5 tackles for loss and 15 sacks.

McFarland can also have an immediate impact as a big-play running back that may remind Steeler fans of Willie Parker. His straight-line speed is an element that this offense sorely needs coming out of the backfield. Dotson has the look of a future-starter, with his size and desire to put his opponents on their backs. He needs to become more technically sound, but this could be a steal in a year or two. Brooks sand Davis both bring solid physical traits that could help them add valued depth to this defense, and will push for roster spots.

San Francisco 49ers

Now, I don’t dislike the pick of Kinlaw, as he was ranked 11th on my board. However, the whole scenario of that defensive line is confusing. A year ago, they brought in Dee Ford and Nick Bosa because Arik Armstead hadn’t worked out. He has a breakout year, creating a surplus of wealth on the defensive line that was the driving force to a Super Bowl. They decide to pay him a hefty contract but dip into their surplus by sending DeForest Buckner to Indianapolis for a pick that they use to grab Kinlaw. I get wanting to get cheaper and younger on the defensive line, so why bring back Armstead instead of paying Buckner. At least in that scenario, you keep a player better suited on the interior, where they were they had less depth in 2019. In the end, Kinlaw is going to be a great player, and that defensive line is going to continue to be a strength. It just seemed like the 49ers took an unconventional path that included them burning that first pick.

After that, they had to reach on Aiyuk to satisfy their need for another playmaker, and while I do like his upside, he still needs a lot of work getting open. Also, where is the help for a secondary that got shredded by Patrick Mahomes despite the fact that this defensive line had him running for his life most of the night? McKivitz has the ability to develop into a swing tackle. Woerner is a versatile option at tight end that can compete to improve the back end of this roster. I also like Jennings as a big target that can make this team, but there are some serious character concerns that come with him that would have kept him off my draft board completely.

Seattle Seahawks

Taylor was 112 on my board, and while that is not as big of a reach, it’s still not good value. He has the ability to play that hybrid linebacker role in Seattle and also gives them a player that can get after the quarterback in the nickel. There are some focus issues, but I could see him pushing Bruce Irvin for snaps. The best pick, by far, in this draft was that of Lewis. I’ve continuously voiced my concerns about their play on the offensive line, and not only is this great value, but he should be a day-one starter.

The Seahawks like to play several tight ends, and it’s clear they wanted to add a tall, more-mobile target to that group. Parkinson and Sullivan should compete to fill that void, while Sullivan could even slim down and help at receiver as more of a Devin Funchess-type. I’m a big fan of Dallas, who can help in a variety of ways. He has big-play ability as a runner, and while he’s not a finished product in the passing game, he is ahead of the curb thanks to his history as a receiver. Robinson has the ability off the edge to earn a spot in that defensive end rotation, and while Swain is not the most polished-receiver, his speed should give him a chance to find a place on that roster.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers

However, I’m a huge fan of Vaughn, and fantasy football fanatics should keep their eye on him. He is instantly the best running back on that roster and can take the heat off of Brady with the way impact he can have on the ground. Tyler Johnson is also a steal as a player that could immediately step into the role of a slot receiver. That is a position that Brady loves to depend on, and Johnson could quickly become a trusted target for him. Davis is a better athlete than football player at this point but has some intriguing physical gifts to develop as a defensive lineman. Russell will need to win a spot due to this play on special teams, as will Calais as a return man that can offer big-play ability in a gadget role.

Tennessee Titans

I live Evans, as well as the fact that the Titans targeted someone to complement Derrick Henry, but 93 was a little rich for me, considering some of the players that were still available that could have helped on the defensive line. They found that help in Murchison, who may not have the ideal length to fit their scheme, but he gives them an interior pass-rush presence that Tennessee lost when they traded Jurrell Casey. McDonald is a nice developmental player that they can try and groom at the quarterback position, while Jackson may need to prove his worth on special teams to snag a job.

Washington Redskins

After trading Trent Williams, I figured they’d target a tackle, but Ezra Cleveland fell all the way to 58, which was more than close enough for them to move up to, and Josh Jones was still on the board. Charles has good athleticism for the position, but his arm-length is concerning, and consistency was an issue throughout his career. Gandy-Golden can push for meaningful snaps from day one, as the Redskins need a receiver with size in their offense. Ismael is also someone who could push for a starting job. I thought he’d be valued toward the top of day three, so to get him in the fifth round was a steal. The Redskins finished strong with the additions of Hudson, Curl, Smith-Williams, who can all bring valued depth to the roster, and each can help on special teams as well.