Round 11. Cleveland Browns OLB/DE Myles Garrett - Texas A&M Tempted to list everything under team needs although interior offensive line was addressed more than adequately in free agency. Stealing a 2018 second rounder from the Texans to absorb guaranteed money owed bust Brock Osweiler into their enormous cap space was an astute move. Analytic driven front office reportedly has had an astronomical grade on Garrett from the start of the process. His display of explosive athleticism at the combine only solidified his ranking as the top talent in this draft. After resigning Jamie Collins adding another play maker in Garrett would go a long way to reshaping the defense.
2. San Francisco 49ers DE Solomon Thomas - Stanford Another team that basically needs everything. John Lynch has publicly declared his desire to trade this pick. Finding someone that wants to move up for Mitch Trubisky or anyone else in this deep draft may not be easy. Thomas is considered a bit of a tweener that may not be perfectly suited either inside or outside in a four man front, lacking the length to be a 5-technique in odd man fronts. His non-stop motor and play making ability can't be denied. New coordinator Robert Saleh is a disciple of Gus Bradley, an edge pass rusher that doesn't need to be able to drop into coverage is an integral part of the new scheme. The last two first rounders DeForest Buckner and Arik Armstead will likely fill the 3-technique and strong side 5-technique roles in the base defense rotating inside in pass rushing situations.
3. Chicago Bears DE/DT Jonathan Allen, Alabama Allen is an experienced, natural 5-technique with the ability to add value in passing downs as an interior pass rusher. A perfect fit for John Fox's 3-4 defensive scheme. Allen missed no time the last three seasons, but there are reportedly concerns over moderate arthritis in both his shoulders.
4. Jacksonville Jaguars RB Leonard Fournette - LSU Worst case scenario with three edge players coming off the board at the top of the draft. Fournette is a bruising every down back with the ability to break a big play at any time. His presence should take some pressure off Blake Bortles and by helping to control the clock also take pressure off the defense.
5. Tennessee Titans (from LA Rams) CB Marshon Lattimore - Ohio St Until Trubisky comes off the board anyone could legitimately trade down. Lattimore started only his red-shirt sophomore season previously battling hamstring issues before coming out early. Incredible athleticism has vaulted him far-and-away to the top of the CB class. Signing Logan Ryan was a start to improving the secondary. Journeyman Brice McCain is currently the next best corner on the roster after fading Jason McCourty was released to free up cap space.
6. New York Jets QB Mitch Trubisky - North Carolina Starting over with what might be less talent than the Browns or 49ers. Failed in the 2009 draft with the fifth pick taking Dirty butt fumbleSanchez after he had started only 13 games in college. Have also spent a pair of second rounders on Geno Smith and Christian Hackenberg plus a fourth rounder on Brice Petty in the past several seasons. All already seem like busts with Smith heading across the hallway at the Meadowlands (OK, MetLife Stadium) to backup Eli Manning. Trubisky started only 15 games in Chapel Hill and might be better off with less pressure than he will receive in the Big Apple (or swamps of Jersey anyway).
7. Los Angeles Chargers S Malik Hooker - Ohio St Never replaced Eric Weddle after letting him leave as a free agent before last season. Hooker is an instinctive, athletic ball hawking safety that should step in immediately next to Jahleel Addae. Tempted to have the slightly higher rated Jamal Adams being taken here, Hooker just seems like a better fit.
8. Carolina Panthers S Jamal Adams - LSU Adams is a hard hitting in the box safety with the speed and agility to also be an asset in coverage. This is more of a value than strict need pick given that the adequate yet not difference making Kurt Coleman was signed to a 3 year extension before last season.
9. Cincinnati Bengals DE/OLB Derek Barnett - Tennessee Let a lot of talent leave in the last several years without adequate replacements. Finished 19th in sacks with only 33 after signing Michael Johnson as a stop gap opposite Carlos Dunlap. The ultra-productive Barnett started as a true freshman and was all-SEC for three straight seasons. A lack of prototypical length and an explosive first step drops him out of the top five.
10. Buffalo Bills TE OJ Howard - Alabama Under-utilized in Tuscaloosa, Howard is a physical freak with the size, athleticism and speed to create major mismatches. He is also an accomplished in-line blocker. A weapon is needed in the passing game to compliment injury prone Sammy Watkins. Howard is simply the best available regardless of position.
11. New Orleans Saints M/OLB Rueben Foster - Alabama Foster is an every down difference maker. A physical sideline-to-sideline run defender with elite agility also making him an asset in coverage. Could play in the middle or on the weak side of Dennis Allen's defense.
12. Cleveland Browns (from Philadelphia) QB Deshaun Watson - Clemson Not necessarily sold on them taking a signal caller before the second round. The staff is reportedly high on Davis Webb after coaching him in the Senior Bowl. In this scenario just didn't particularly feel like there was a better option. Watson is a proven leader and winner that seems to fit the analytic over scouting bent of the front office. He will need the offensive scheme tailored somewhat to his specific skill set.
13. Arizona Cardinals QB Patrick Mahomes - Texas Tech Carson Palmer's play has deteriorated rapidly, a long term replacement must be found sooner rather than later. Mahomes has flown up draft boards because of his arm skills and mobility. On the field he is an ultra-confident gunslinger that sometimes tries to do too much. Pure air raid offense QBs don't have a record of success at the next level. Having Bruce Arians as a teacher could only help. Mahomes is the son of a former major league pitcher of the same name.
14. Philadelphia Eagles (from Minnesota) RB Dalvin Cook - Florida St Cook is a game breaker. A fluid, versatile runner with the ability to succeed in any scheme. Better on the edge than between the tackles, Cook is never the less a productive red zone runner that always fights hard to get into the end zone. Fumbles have been an issue. Inconsistent albeit explosive in the passing game, lack of pass protection skills could keep him off the field on third downs early in his career. Several run ins with the law of which he was eventually cleared could affect status.
15. Indianapolis Colts I/OLB Haason Reddick - Temple Ryan Grigson was finally fired, replaced by Chris Ballard formerly of the Chiefs so doing something that makes sense is no longer out of the realm of possibilities. Reddick provides much needed speed for the defense. He is scheme and position versatile. Against the run Reddick is a big hitter with sideline-to-sideline range. Versus the pass he is both an asset dropping into coverage and blitzing off the edge.
16. Baltimore Ravens WR Mike Williams - Clemson Williams has prototypical size and speed with an incredible catch radius. He excels at short, intermediate and deep routes providing an excellent complement to Mike Wallace (and perhaps eventually Breshad Perriman). Williams needs to work on his focus in both catching the ball and route running after getting by on pure physical skill in college. A neck injury cost him the 2015 season.
17. Washington Redskins RB Christian McCaffrey - Stanford Dysfunctional front office has alienated Kirk Cousins and is currently operating without a GM. McCaffrey while perhaps a luxury item with this pick would provide the offense with a different dimension. Rob Kelly and Matt Jones are pedestrian between the tackles bangers. Chris Thompson a replacement level third down back. McCaffery, the son of former wideout Ed, uses his vision and elusiveness to make plays in the running, passing and return games.
18. Tennessee Titans WR Corey Davis - Western Michigan Davis is the all time leader in FBS receiving yards, totaling 52 TDs in his four years at Kalamazoo. A focused, fierce competitor that consistently dominated at his level of competition. Marcus Mariota hasn't had a true number one receiver to count on in Tennessee. Davis has the experience and skill set to fill the role immediately.
19. Tampa Bay Buccaneers TE David Njoku - Miami (FL) A work in progress, Njoku has elite athleticism and speed with the frame to add bulk. Experienced in-line, in the slot and as an outside receiver. His blocking is still a work in progress, but he has proven willing to work on that aspect of his game. Play making ability in the passing game is what gets him drafted this high anyway. Adding Njoku to Mike Evans and newly signed Desean Jackson would provide franchise QB Jameis Winston with a dizzying array of weapons.
20. Denver Broncos OT Ryan Ramczyk - Wisconsin Ramczyk has the athleticism to stick on the left side. He broke out in his single year as a starter in the Big 10 after beginning his career with Wisconsin-Stevens Point (his hometown). He didn't really come out of nowhere, originally turning down multiple division I scholarship offers including one from current Wisconsin head coach Paul Chryst when he was at Pitt. Ramczyk had arthroscopic surgery on a torn labrum in his hip suffered in the bowl game.
21. Detroit Lions WR John Ross - Washington A weapon for Matt Stafford to take the top off of defenses. Ross broke the combine 40 record set by CJ2K. He scored 23 touchdowns in only 112 touches at Washington coming back strong from a torn ACL early in the 2015 season. The diminutive Ross would provide a big play element immediately in the slot and as a returner.
22. Miami Dolphins OG Forrest Lamp - Western Kentucky Need interior offensive lineman that can step in immediately and Lamp fits the bill perfectly. Four year starter at left tackle in Conference USA. Lacks the length and frame to stick outside full time at the next level. Has all the tools to succeed at guard. Handled top talent on the edge in matchups against SEC opponents including Alabama and LSU.
23. New York Giants OT Garrett Bolles - Utah Desperately need to find an athletic, pure left tackle to allow Ereck Flowers to move either inside or to the right. Bolles is an overage prospect that was All Pac-12 in his only season at the FBS level. He took an unusual path to the draft enrolling at Snow Jr. College at 22 after a troubled early life. Bolles has the quickest feet of the offensive linemen in the draft to counter speed rushers and the movement skills to get to the second level in the running game.
24. Oakland Raiders DT Malik McDowell - Michigan St Despite presence of dynamic Khalil Mack and Bruce Irvin on the edge they finished dead last in the league in sacks. McDowell has just scratched the surface. He has the length, flexibility, explosiveness and raw power to dominate if he develops better technique. Could play 5-technique or 3-technique in the base scheme while providing a much needed inside presence against the passing game.
25. Houston Texans OT/G Cam Robinson - Alabama Cut ties with Brock Osweiler at the cost of a second round pick, then were unable to procure the services of Tony Romo or any other veteran. Not sure if they are still hoping Romo ends his retirement leaving the broadcast booth. While Tom Savage and Brandon Weeden may not be measurably worse than Osweiler, a talented roster is being wasted because of horrific QB play. Moving up in this scenario may prove cost prohibitive so a later round pick would have to be used to address the position. Robinson was a top recruit and three year starter at the highest level of college football. Dominant at the point of attack with the ability to get to the second level in the run game. Lacks consistency in pass protection. May be best suited to the right side or inside which would be fine for the Texans given their needs.
26. Seattle Seahawks CB Marlon Humphrey - Alabama Four linemen coming off the board in the six picks directly before them is a tough pill to swallow given the pathetic state of the offensive front. Trading up a few picks after the start of the run makes some sense. Humphrey does provide value at this spot as the second corner off the board. Humphrey is the son of former Alabama and NFL RB Bobby. After redshirting he started for two seasons before coming out early. He has the prototypical physical skill set of a shut down corner. Problems playing the ball in the air and a tendency to rely too much on his physical skills over technique cause him to drop. Should Richard Sherman actually be traded this pick is infinitely more possible.
27. Kansas City Chiefs CB Gareon Conley - Ohio St Looking for a bookend to play with Marcus Peters. Conley has good size with long arms and a wide base. He has the skills to play man coverage outside which fits the scheme. Conley needs to improve in run support.
28. Dallas Cowboys DE Taco Charlton - Michigan Off the field issues derailed the career of suspended Randy Gregory. Demarcus Lawrence was also suspended last year for 4 games and has been hampered by back issues. Greg Hardy was a complete bust. The defense has been able to pressure the QB from the middle of the line, but need a lot of help on the edge. Charlton is the perfect physical specimen. While his play has improved every season in Ann Arbor, he remains maddeningly inconsistent. Coordinator Rod Marinelli has the experience to get the most out of him.
29. Green Bay Packers CB Tre'Davious White - LSU Sam Shields was released after his play deteriorated last season. Slot corner Micah Hyde left via free agency. The young corners have not developed as hoped. The league's 31st ranked passing offense obviously needs improvement. White started as a freshman in a deep and talented secondary known for producing pro talent. Experienced on the border and in the slot. Combines quick feet and burst with intelligence and instincts. Accomplished punt returner. Lack of length and slim frame can limit him in the slot against explosive TEs.
30. Pittsburgh Steelers S/OLB/RB Jabrill Peppers - Michigan Peppers could legitimately go as high as the tenth pick. The inability to decide how his incredible athleticism and versatility fits into a scheme along with a lack of turnovers produced could cause him to fall more than expected. Peppers is not a true strong safety although that will likely be his position in a base sets. In sub-packages he can cover slot receivers, drop into coverage from inside backer and blitz off the edge. Also is a dynamic returner that got some playing time on offense at running back and receiver. Some teams wanted to work him out on offense in the post season. Instincts have been questioned. Might have been better off not moving around so much in college.
31. Atlanta Falcons OLB/DE Takkarist McKinley - UCLA Another pass rusher for the edge in Dan Quinn's defense to pair with 2015 first rounder Vic Beasley. McKinley has a high motor and never quits on a play. An ascending player just coming into his own thanks to speed, agility and effort. Long arms despite lack of prototypical height. He is still raw with extensive upside.
32. New Orleans Saints (from New England) DE Charles Harris - Missouri Need all the talent they can get for the defense. Harris has a quick first step and plays until the whistle blows. Better against the pass than the run. Needs to learn not to get engulfed by bigger blockers. He clashed somewhat with a new coaching staff last season not particularly fitting the scheme after breaking out the previous year.
Round 233. Cleveland Browns - S Obi Melifonwu - UConn Speed for the back end of the defense. 34. San Francisco 49ers - OLB Zach Cunningham - Vanderbilt New scheme requires two linebackers to flank Bowman. 35. Jacksonville Jaguars - OLB/DE TJ Watt - Wisconsin Have to be worried Fowler won't develop as originally expected. 36. Chicago Bears - CB Kevin King - Washington Tall press corner and former safety that ran faster than expected at combine. 37. Los Angeles Rams TE Evan Engram - Mississippi Released Lance Kendricks coming off a 50 catch season. Depth chart after him is not awe inspiring. Engram is more weapon than pure tight end. A fast, explosive receiver that can serve as an outlet or stretch the field. Lack of size means he will never be an in-line blocker.
38. Los Angeles Chargers - OLB Tyus Bowser, Houston Ascending edge prospect most think was poorly utilized at Houston. 39. New York Jets - RT/G Taylor Moton - Western Michigan Much needed immediate starter on right side for sub-par offensive line. 40. Carolina Panthers - DE/OLB Carl Lawson - Auburn Newly signed 37 year old Peppers a short term stopgap at best. 41. Cincinnati Bengals - OG Dion Dawkins - Temple Looking to replace free agent departure Zeitler. 42. New Orleans Saints - CB Chidobe Awuzie - Colorado Experienced outside or in slot. Ability to blitz from the slot adds another dimension. 43. Philadelphia Eagles - CB Adoree' Jackson - USC High upside athlete with limited experience on defense. 44. Buffalo Bills - CB Cordrea Tankersley - Clemson Gilmore departed as a free agent to the division rival Patriots. 45. Arizona Cardinals - S/CB Budda Baker - Washington Explosive, highly competitive albeit undersized free safety and slot corner. 46. Indianapolis Colts - OG Dan Feeney - Indiana New GM gets Luck some protection, something old GM should have done several years ago. 47. Baltimore Ravens - OLB/DE Tarrell Basham, - Ohio Unlikely to bring Dumervil back, Suggs not getting any younger. 48. Minnesota Vikings OG Dorian Johnson - Pitt Arguably have the worst offensive line in the NFL. At least brought in journeymen Riley Reiff and Mike Remmers as placeholders at tackle. Johnson was a top recruit talked into moving inside to guard by the Pitt coaching staff. Toughness, intelligence and athleticism should make him a long time starter at the next level.
49. Washington Redskins - I/OLB Jarrad Davis - Florida High character, hard working team leader fills immediate need. 50. Tampa Bay Buccaneers - DE Jordan Willis - Kansas St Continue to search for a disruptive presence on the edge. 51. Denver Broncos - ILB Raekwon McMillan - Ohio St Didn't adequately replace Trevathan before last season. 52. Cleveland Browns (from Tenn) - CB Quincy Wilson - Florida Declining Haden can't stay healthy. 53. Detroit Lions - DE Derek Rivers - Youngstown St Fast riser. Rumors have him going as high as 31 to the Falcons. 54. Miami Dolphins - DT Caleb Brantley - Florida Slightly undersized 3-technique should be good compliment to powerful Suh. 55. New York Giants - QB DeShone Kizer - Notre Dame Time to start searching for Eli's replacement. 56. Oakland Raiders - OLB/DE Tim Williams - Alabama This draft is all about improving the pass rush. 57. Houston Texans - QB Davis Webb - California Fast riser with top arm skills. His coming from a pure air raid scheme is a concern. 58. Seattle Seahawks - DT Larry Ogunjobi - UNC Charlotte Son of Nigerian immigrants. Started every game in his fledgling college program's history. 59. Kansas City Chiefs - WR/RB Curtis Samuel - Ohio St The kind of RB/WR tweener that Reid seems to gravitate towards. 60. Dallas Cowboys - WR Chris Godwin - Penn St Looking for upgrade over Williams opposite Bryant. 61. Green Bay Packers - RB Alvin Kamara - Tennessee Potential every down back to add to extremely thin RB corps. 62. Pittsburgh Steelers RB Joe Mixon - Oklahoma Could this even be possible? Mixon's off the field issues are well documented. Post season workouts have confirmed based purely on talent he could be the top back in this class. Steelers RB coach James Saxon attended and worked Mixon out individually at his pro day. LeVeon Bell is obviously not a saint having been suspended twice. Bell also suffered season ending injuries in '14 and '15 making the backup RB position a priority.
63. Atlanta Falcons - S Josh Jones - Florida Combines size and aggressive mindset to play in the box with speed to cover deep. 64. Carolina Panthers (from NE) - CB Fabian Moreau - UCLA Drops after suffering torn pectoral muscle at pro day workout. |