NFL Draft Day 2 Analysis
Arizona Cardinals
RD2: Byron Murphy CB/Washington
Andy Isabella WR/UMASS
RD3: Zach Allen DE/Boston College
I think this was a good day for Arizona. Byron Murphy was my top rated corner and constantly makes big plays. Andy Isabella was drafted with a pick received in the Josh Rosen trade with Miami. While it may have been a slight reach, he’s got incredible speed, and I’m excited to see him play in the Kingsbury Air-Raid system. Allen is a solid defensive end. Currently, he’s a better run defender but has the ability to develop as a pass rusher.
Indianapolis Colts
RD2: Rock Ya-Sin CB/Temple
Parris Campbell WR/Ohio State
Ben Banogu OLB/TCU
RD3: Bobby Okereke LB/Stanford
The Colts continued to add to the secondary. Ya-Sin has some ability but may never be better than an average corner. He doesn’t really locate the ball. I’ve seen comparisons to Nevin Lawson, who has always had good coverage, but has 0 interceptions in 5 NFL seasons. Campbell is one of the fastest receivers in this class. He and Isabella actually had the same 40 time at the combine. He’s a good route runner, and I like him on intermediate routes. Banogu is a guy who can rush the passer either standing up or with his hand in the ground in a three point stance. (He also played high school in the town I live in). I thought Okereke would last a little longer, but I think he was a good pick. Also, Pat McAfee’s a legend.
Jacksonville Jaguars
RD2: Jawaan Taylor OT/Florida
RD3: Josh Oliver TE/San Jose St
Quincy Williams LB/Murray St
Taylor is a guy some projected Jacksonville would take 7th overall, so they should be happy to get him here. The question is if he plays left or right tackle. The Jags needed to build up their passing game and added one of the perfect tight ends available to do that. Oliver is a big redzone target whose best asset is his receiving ability. Williams is the first player drafted this year I’ve never heard of, but he’s apparently the brother of Jets first rounder Quinnen Williams.
San Francisco 49ers
RD2; Deebo Samuel WR/South Carolina
RD3: Jalen Hurd WR/Baylor
San Francisco clearly wants to add weapons for Jimmy G. Samuel is an electric receiver. When healthy, he’s as productive as they get. He’ll run by you or make you miss in the open field. Good replacement for Pierre Garcon. Hurd is a bit of a wild card. He was originally an every-down running back at Tennessee, but he later transferred to Baylor and became a receiver. He’s powerful and athletic, so we’ll see if it translates.
Carolina Panthers
RD2: Greg Little OT/Ole Miss
RD3: Will Grier QB/West Virginia
Little should help shore up the offensive line as nothing worse than a rotational guy. Carolina needed someone to step in for Matt Kalil, who left for Houston. Grier is a winner and a leader. He makes some questionable decisions sometimes, but he’s got the talent. If nothing else, he’s a good insurance policy to have behind Cam Newton.
Buffalo Bills
RD2: Cody Ford OL/Oklahoma
RD3: Devin Singletary RB/Florida Atlantic
Dawson Knox TE/Ole Miss
Buffalo has spent much of its resources this off-season building the offensive line. Ford may project better as a guard than a tackle, but is a first round talent. Singletary put up the numbers in college under Lane Kiffin. I haven’t really seen him play, so I can’t say much more. Knox may have been overshadowed by his receiver teammates. He’s got the frame of an NFL tight end, but the lack of production worries me.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
RD2: Sean Bunting CB/Central Michigan
RD3: Jamel Dean CB/Auburn
Mike Edwards S/Kentucky
Tampa had the worst secondary in the league last year, so it’s no surprise that they chose to invest heavily in it. They double-dipped at corner and took a promising safety. Bunting has that NFL corner build and the production, but played in a small conference. However, the MAC does turn out some good players. Dean is questionable for me. He showed how explosive he is during workouts, but he’s had multiple ACL injuries. Edwards is a popular sleeper pick. Several people had him rising fast, but no one had him going before Deionte Thompson and Chauncey Gardner-Johnson (who are both still available as we enter Day 3).
Oakland Raiders
RD2: Trayvon Mullen CB/Clemson
The Raiders used their only pick of the night on a corner I don’t like very much. Mullen has the size, sure, and, yes, he was the defensive MVP of the National Championship, but he just doesn’t jump out when you watch Clemson. I don’t see him as a NFL starting corner.
Denver Broncos
RD2: Dalton Risner OL/Kansas State
Drew Lock QB/Missouri
Denver used its picks on offense again. Risner can be a starter at either guard or tackle. Lock has a big arm and is the future after Joe Flacco. Elway hasn’t had good luck drafting quarterbacks. Hopefully, this one works.
Detroit Lions
RD2: Jahlani Tavai LB/Hawaii
RD3: Will Harris S/Boston College
I had at least heard of Tavai through my mock draft research, but he was never a player I felt that I needed to watch. I’ll save my opinion on him until after I actually see him play. He does have the size Patricia’s system covets in a linebacker. Apparently, he’s a tackling machine, who some other teams wanted, including the Patriots. I do think there was a chance he’d be available later. Harris, on the other hand, is a guy I like. He hits hard, has speed, and makes plays. I think he’ll be a good NFL player. I do have 2 issues with this selection though. There were safeties I liked better still available, and I think it was unnecessary to trade up for him. He most likely would’ve still been there at 88 or possibly even during Day 3.
Green Bay Packers
RD2: Elgton Jenkins OL/Mississippi State
RD3: Jace Sternberger TE/Texas A&M
Just what every NFC North fan wanted to see: The Packers are finally trying to give Aaron Rodgers some help. They add a very good interior offensive lineman who can play guard or center. The also give Rodgers a young, athletic tight end, something they haven’t really had since Jermichael Finley. (I know they’ve had Jimmy Graham, Jared Cook, and Mercedes Lewis, but my point is they haven’t really developed one themselves). Sternberger is the perfect receiving tight end and should add another element to this offense.
New England Patriots
RD2: JoeJuan Williams CB/Vanderbilt
RD3: Chase Winovich DE/Michigan
Damien Harris RB/Alabama
Yodny Cajuste OT/ West Virginia
As usual, the later we get in the draft, the more picks the Patriots have. They drafted a 6’3″ corner to help shore up the secondary. I haven’t watched much of Williams, but I’ve heard great things. Winovich is great fit. He’s a hard-working, high-motor guy who I believe can thrive under Belichick. As we know, New England uses a plethora of running backs, and Harris will add to that. Cajuste will probably play guard in the NFL, and Dante Scarnecchia is a fantastic developer of offensive lineman.
Cleveland Browns
RD2: Greedy Williams CB/LSU
RD3: Sione Takitaki LB/BYU
I’ve covered much of what I think of Greedy Williams the past couple of days, so I’ll just talk about Takitaki. Sione was taken in the middle of the third round, right about where I thought he could start going. He will make some good plays but needs to be coached up a bit. If he gets the right coaching, he’ll have good value. If not, he could struggle.
Seattle Seahawks
RD2: Marquise Blair S/Utah
DK Metcalf WR/Ole Miss
RD3: Cody Barton LB/Utah
Seattle seems to be building a new “Legion of Boom.” They also appear to like themselves some Utah defenders. I had both Blair and Barton as 3rd or 4th round picks. Blair is a physical safety, and I think Seattle is a really good spot for him. Barton can be a good depth linebacker, but I don’t think he’s an NFL starter. He should be a productive backup or rotational guy. DK Metcalf had to wait a long time to hear his name called, but he ends up in a perfect situation. There are reports that Doug Baldwin may never play again, and Tyler Lockett is there only legitimate receiving threat. Good luck to opposing defenses trying to stop these two AND Russell Wilson.
New Orleans Saints
RD2: Erik McCoy C/Texas A&M
New Orleans used their only pick so far on a promising center they desperately needed after Max Unger retired. McCoy could’ve been a first round pick and brings a lot to like to the Saints.
Minnesota Vikings
RD2: Irv Smith Jr TE/Alabama
RD3: Alexander Mattison RB/Boise State
Smith has shown that he can make an impact in the passing game and is an ok blocker. However, I think he’s too small for an NFL tight end. Mattison was drafted earlier than I expected. He runs downhill, which I always like in a RB, and could push for a bigger role.
Tennessee Titans
RD2: AJ Brown WR/Ole Miss
RD3: Nate Davis G/Charlotte
Brown was overshadowed by Metcalf a bit, but was a 1000 yard receiver last season. Davis is less heralded than most guards but could be a day one starter. I thought he’d go in the 4th round.
Cincinnati Bengals
RD2: Drew Sample TE/Washington
RD3: Germain Pratt LB/NC State
The Bengals have shown that if they like a player, they aren’t afraid to go get him and get him early. They did that twice here. I really like both these players, but expected both to get drafted in the 4th round or later. Pratt brings athleticism and speed to the linebacker position, something Cincinnati’s linebackers have lacked. Sample is a great blocker. He wasn’t used as a receiver much but has shown great hands when called upon.
Philadelphia Eagles
RD2: Miles Sanders RB/Penn State
JJ Arcega-Whiteside WR/Stanford
I covered both guys in my Day 2 preview yesterday, and I like the fits. Philly uses several backs and has seen how injuries can come into play in recent years. Sanders not only provides that insurance but has a complete skillset for the position. Arcega-Whiteside is a deep ball and redzone receiver. His big frame and basketball background make him difficult to defend. He’s much more physical than most receivers.
Houston Texans
RD2: Lonnie Johnson CB/Kentucky
Max Scharping OT/Northern Illinois
RD3: Kahale Warring TE/San Diego State
I think this was a solid day for Houston. Warring is my favorite pick for them. He brings the ideal NFL tight end frame and athleticism. He was asked to block frequently in college, and has untapped potential as a receiver. Scharping went earlier than I expected, but he can develop into a starter, and Deshaun Watson must love getting more help. Johsnon is questionable to me. I get he’s got the measurables, but he doesn’t have much else from what I see.
Kansas City Chiefs
RD2: Mecole Hardman WR/Georgia
Juan Thornhill S/Virginia
RD3: Khalen Saunders DT/Western Illinois
News came out yesterday that Tyreek Hill’s case was being re-opened and the Chiefs had told him to stay away from the team. So, the Chiefs used their first Day 2 pick on Mecole Hardman, who is eerily similar to Hill on the field. There are no similarities off the field from what I know. Thornhill will provide depth on the back end for one of the worst secondaries in the league and could eventually become a starter. Saunders adds depth and potential to a defensive front that already includes Frank Clark and Chris Jones.
Dallas Cowboys
RD2: Trysten Hill DT/UCF
RD 3: Connor McGovern G/Penn State
Jane Slater of the NFL Network reported that the Cowboys were interested in taking Hill in the second round. I was shocked when hearing her report. I like Hill’s ability but thought that was a little early. He will be a good contributor on the defensive front for Dallas, allowing those linebackers to flow freely. The offensive line struggled on the interior last season. Haven’t seen much of McGovern, but it makes sense.
LA Chargers
RD2: Nasir Adderley S/Delaware
RD3: Trey Pipkins OT/Sioux Falls
LA is having a good draft. There were many safeties to like in this draft, and Adderley was near the top of that list. You may not have heard of Pipkins, but he showed great potential at the college all-star games. At worst, he should be a rotational tackle with starter possibilities, but he will need development, so be patient.
LA Rams
RD2: Taylor Rapp S/Washington
RD3: Darrell Henderson RB/Memphis
David Long CB/Michigan
Bobby Evans OT/Oklahoma
Taylor Rapp is the physical, nasty type of safety that fits this defense. With the loss of CJ Anderson, Darrell Henderson provides depth in case Todd Gurley or Malcolm Brown get injured again. Long is an under-the-radar player because of all the guys he played with at Michigan, but he can cover and tackle. Bobby Evans is an average starter on the offensive line. Could be an eventual replacement for Andrew Whitworth.
Pittsburgh Steelers
RD3: Diontae Johnson WR/Toledo
Justin Layne CB/Michigan State
Johnson was a reach on day 3 guy, but Pittsburgh has been a good developer of MAC players. I love the Layne pick. He lasted longer than he should have and will be a steal. Everything about his game screams Steelers. He’s as physical they come and has the speed and ball skills to be a great corner. He’ll also be good defending the run on the edge.
New York Jets
RD3: Jachai Polite OLB/Florida
Don’t like this pick. Polite was once a first rounder but has fallen off. He’s gained wait and lost speed. I don’t expect much from him. Hard pass.
Chicago Bears
RD3: David Montgomery RB/Iowa State
Here’s your Jordan Howard replacement. A similar type of player on a cheaper contract. Should for a good tandem with Tarik Cohen.
Washington Redskins
Rd3: Terry McLaurin WR/Ohio State
Didn’t really get noticed until late last season an during the off-season. Good slot receiver, but let’s see if he becomes productive at the next level.
Miami Dolphins
RD3: Michael Deiter G/Wisconsin
Deiter is a good third round value. He has a good base and powerful hands. He can be a mauler and is a good fit for a rebuilding team.
Baltimore Ravens
RD3: Jaylon Ferguson DE/Louisiana Tech
Miles Boykin WR/Notre Dame
Baltimore takes a shot at a productive pass rusher who had a forgettable off-season workout circuit. We’ll see if the workouts or tapes prevail. Boykin is a big body receiver that should compliment Marquise Brown well, but again will he be productive?
New York Giants
RD3: Oshane Ximines Edge/Old Dominion
Not high on Ximines. Haven’t seen much, but what I have has underwhelmed me.