NFL Draft Fun
First of all, congrats to all 10 of the Wolverines who got drafted or signed on NFL teams free agents. Best of luck to you in the NFL. You are helping Jim Harbuagh realize his goal that he clearly spelled out for everybody five years ago.
Notable Draft Classes:
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Look, the Bucs had one glaring weakness in their starting lineup at right tackle. In a twist of fate, Iowa offensive tackle Tristin Wirfs, who was arguably the best overall line prospect in the entire draft, slipped all the way down to #13. The Bucs couldn't even wait any longer and negotiated the swapping of a fourth round pick for a seventh to move up and bag him. He should help shore up what should be a very good line that can help move the chains in the run game and help take pressure off Brady. They probably won't be asked to pass block for very long as Brady loves the short to intermediate game, so expect sacks and turnovers to go down even if the team doesn't throw for 5,000 yards again. In fact, I would not be surprised to see the team only throw for 4,000 yards this year. TD's will go up slightly and INT's will go down drastically. There is very little doubt in my mind. They are going to be hard to stop.
Coach Bruce Arians and GM Jason Licht then went out in the second round and drafted Minnesota safety Antoine Winfield Jr., who was probably the best "nickel" safety prospect in the entire draft. He should play right away. I was a huge fan of his father's and their style of play is very similar. He is a very good tackler in the run game and had seven INT's in the Big Ten last season if that tells you anything about his versatility. The only real knock on him is that he is 5'9", but I really don't give a fuck about his height. He is a playmaker and was awarded as the Best DB in the Big Ten. He will lineup all over the place in the Bucs' secondary, including some corner, and he might remind a lot of fans of former Buc great Ronde Barber. Just watch.
The best pick of the weekend for the Bucs, however, may have come in the sixth round. That is where they took their second Golden Gopher of the day in receiver Tyler Johnson, who was arguably the best route-runner in the Big Ten the last two seasons. He was considered to be a second round talent at one time or another, but he got lost in the shuffle in a year that was loaded with receiver talent that had all the desirable measurables. He has been knocked as being relatively slow but he did run a 4.45 forty. That is plenty fast enough to work in the NFL. The other knock was the six drops he had his senior year. He is a route-running dynamo and a redzone threat though, having led all Power Five schools in redzone receptions. He works well in confined spaces and knows how to find openings in tight coverage - which is ultimately the most important characteristic in a receiver prospect, IMO. He could be the steal of the weekend considering where he was taken and how high he could've gone. Brady might fall in love with him quickly if teams try to double up on the Evans, Godwin, and Gronk show, which could also make him a fantasy sleeper steal as well. Because if any QB in the league knows how to take advantage of a mismatch it's Tom Brady.
Those picks alone make this class exactly what the doctor ordered for this franchise. Adding a pair of running backs, including third round pick Ke'Shawn Vaughn out of Vanderbilt, and a little depth in the front seven of the defense really was the icing on the cake. Defensive lineman Kalil Davis (Nebraska), linebacker Chapelle Russell (Tulane), and running back Raymond Calais (Louisiana) all have sleeper potential. Vaughn and Calais should both compete for carries right away. Russell could make an early impact on special teams.
Baltimore Ravens
Jimmy's brother Jon and GM Eric Decosta knocked it our of the dam park. I'm not necessarily a fan of first round pick Patrick Queen. He's a pretty nice pick that fills a need and all, and he should find a role quickly on that defense, but most of the real work was done later in the draft.
Ohio State running back J.K. Dobbins, a second round pick, is a highlight reel-type of back that should bring an entirely new dimension to the offense. He can and will do damage as a runner and receiver. Michigan fans that actually watched The Game the last two years should know. As an obvious Wolverine fan myself I can't say I'm not glad to see him move on. He and Lamar Jackson could form what amounts to be a huge headache for AFC East rivals immediately.
Guard Ben Bredeson doesn't really have a high ceiling but he should be a capable starter in the NFL for a while. He might even be ready to play right away, just like he was as a freshman at Michigan. In his four seasons he started 46 games at left guard for the Wolverines and played for two different offensive line coaches in two different offensive systems. He's a quick learner who got a lot of experience that should help him out at the next level.
SMU receiver James Proche and Iowa safety Geno Stone both should get nominations for being the steal of the draft after getting selected at numbers 201 and 219 respectively. Stone was one of my favorite Day 3 prospects. The dude can cover and play special teams. He just didn't test well at the combine.
Overall, it was a draft that probably added three instant impact players. In a few years fans might see five or six players from this draft getting significant playing time.
Minnesota Vikings
GM Rick Spielman hit all the needs hard in the first three rounds. First, adding LSU receiver Justin Jefferson at #22 should help ease the loss of Stephon Diggs on the field while elevating the team attitude level on the sideline. Overall, this was a great move on the Viking's part. Trading back for more picks is usually a move worth taking in my book, and still getting corner Jeff Gladney at #31 was perfect. The TCU product might've been a bit underrated by most publications. Both of these first rounders could start right away. At any rate, when you can draft a couple players that fill your two biggest needs (without reaching) and still add more picks all before the first round is over, then you are winning. It's not even debatable.
Boise State offensive tackle Ezra Cleveland was taken in the second round and will be thrown into the competition on the line. There is a chance that he could end up winning the job on the left side. He has the raw tools and showed them at the combine.
Dipping back into the cornerback pool, Minnesota then took Mississippi State DB Cameron Dantzler in the third. He could very well be playing a lot this fall too. At the very least he helps bring competition to a position badly in need of it.
The Vikings then went on to draft 11 more players to fill up the depth chart, play special teams, and develop with an eye towards the future. Some notable picks include Oregon linebacker Troy Dye (#132), Temple corner Harrison Hand (##169), Michigan safety Josh Metellus (#205), Iowa quarterback Nate Stanley (#244), Mississippi State safety Brian Cole II (#249), and Washburn offensive guard Kyle Hinton (#253). All will have great opportunities to immediately carve out a niche for themselves with the Vikings after being late round selections.
Denver Broncos
The Broncos seem to be building up a solid roster of players through the draft. They put together quite a class last year that probably yielded them solid starters at quarterback, tight end, guard, and defensive tackle. This year they may have acquired several more at various positions, particularly receiver.
First of all, taking Jerry Juedy and K.J. Hamler in the first and second rounds was an easy move. The team needed targets for young passer Drew Lock. It ended up with the most precise route-runner in the draft in Juedy and arguably the guy with the most separation ability downfield in Hamler. In other words, they got a true possession receiver and a true deep threat. Both of which could be future pro-bowlers. Hopefully they can work with last year's top pick, tight end Noah Fant, to make Lock a pro-bowler. That would be the best thing for the Broncos.
After that, the team took Iowa corner Michael Ojemudia, LSU center Lloyd Cushenberry, Arkansas defensive tackle McTelvin Agim, and Missouri tight end Albert Okweugbunam all before the end of the fourth round.
In all, Denver added 10 draftees that should help pad the depth chart for years to come. Two of them will put a lot of points on the score board.
Dallas Cowboys
Yep, Jerry Jones did pretty good here while selecting players from his yacht. Of course, CeeDee Lamb slipping all the way down to #17 was a move that just cannot be orchestrated. They just got lucky while being able to get the top receiver on their board without having to give up a bunch to move up in order to get him. Lamb could instantly make the offense more explosive.
The 'Boys needed some competition out at corner too. They got a couple good ones to throw in the mix. Alabama corner Trevon Diggs, the team's second round pick, could compete for reps right away. Fourth round pick Reggie Robinson II out of Tulsa could be a solid backup and special teams player. Way to potentially shore up a sore spot Jerry!
Neville Gallimore, a defensive tackle from Oklahoma, might be able to fill in along the two-deep and develop into a starter eventually. He definitely has the speed (4.8 forty) and enough size (6'2"/304lbs) to compete. He just wasn't all that productive for a guy with his measurables. He was worth a shot in the third round though.
In the fifth round Jerry took two guys that could also be competing for reps right away. Wisconsin interior lineman Tyler Biadasz could help ease the loss of the retired Travis Frederick, who just happened to be another former Badger. Bradlee Anae, Utah's all-time sack leader, could add some depth to the edge of the front seven. I would not be shocked to see him end up as a starter some day too. He is not super athletic or uber fast. He's just good and never takes off a play.
James Madison QB Ben DiNucci is an obvious developmental pick. They could throw him on the sidelines for a year and see if he develops at all. He is a longshot to make the team though and is the worst pick in the 'Boys' draft.
Honorable Mention:
Arizona Cardinals
Getting at least one playmaker on defense in Clemson linebacker/safety Isaiah Simmons was a nice choice in the first round and loading up on a pair of defensive linemen later on to pad the depth chart was also a nice move. Nabbing offensive tackle Josh Jones out of Houston in the third round might end up being a steal if he can start right away. He should at least be a top backup. Sixth round linebacker Curtis Weaver (Cal) and seventh round running back Eno Benjamin (ASU) both might be able to compete right away too, even if they are still developing. Overall, a solid draft for a team having a great offseason. Oh yeah, I forgot to mention that the Cardinals didn't have a second round pick due to the trade for DeAndre Hopkins. So, in essence, the team got one of the best receivers already in the league, upgraded the overall talent on the defense, and possibly got a starting tackle in this draft. That is good.
Notable Draft Classes:
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Look, the Bucs had one glaring weakness in their starting lineup at right tackle. In a twist of fate, Iowa offensive tackle Tristin Wirfs, who was arguably the best overall line prospect in the entire draft, slipped all the way down to #13. The Bucs couldn't even wait any longer and negotiated the swapping of a fourth round pick for a seventh to move up and bag him. He should help shore up what should be a very good line that can help move the chains in the run game and help take pressure off Brady. They probably won't be asked to pass block for very long as Brady loves the short to intermediate game, so expect sacks and turnovers to go down even if the team doesn't throw for 5,000 yards again. In fact, I would not be surprised to see the team only throw for 4,000 yards this year. TD's will go up slightly and INT's will go down drastically. There is very little doubt in my mind. They are going to be hard to stop.
Coach Bruce Arians and GM Jason Licht then went out in the second round and drafted Minnesota safety Antoine Winfield Jr., who was probably the best "nickel" safety prospect in the entire draft. He should play right away. I was a huge fan of his father's and their style of play is very similar. He is a very good tackler in the run game and had seven INT's in the Big Ten last season if that tells you anything about his versatility. The only real knock on him is that he is 5'9", but I really don't give a fuck about his height. He is a playmaker and was awarded as the Best DB in the Big Ten. He will lineup all over the place in the Bucs' secondary, including some corner, and he might remind a lot of fans of former Buc great Ronde Barber. Just watch.
The best pick of the weekend for the Bucs, however, may have come in the sixth round. That is where they took their second Golden Gopher of the day in receiver Tyler Johnson, who was arguably the best route-runner in the Big Ten the last two seasons. He was considered to be a second round talent at one time or another, but he got lost in the shuffle in a year that was loaded with receiver talent that had all the desirable measurables. He has been knocked as being relatively slow but he did run a 4.45 forty. That is plenty fast enough to work in the NFL. The other knock was the six drops he had his senior year. He is a route-running dynamo and a redzone threat though, having led all Power Five schools in redzone receptions. He works well in confined spaces and knows how to find openings in tight coverage - which is ultimately the most important characteristic in a receiver prospect, IMO. He could be the steal of the weekend considering where he was taken and how high he could've gone. Brady might fall in love with him quickly if teams try to double up on the Evans, Godwin, and Gronk show, which could also make him a fantasy sleeper steal as well. Because if any QB in the league knows how to take advantage of a mismatch it's Tom Brady.
Those picks alone make this class exactly what the doctor ordered for this franchise. Adding a pair of running backs, including third round pick Ke'Shawn Vaughn out of Vanderbilt, and a little depth in the front seven of the defense really was the icing on the cake. Defensive lineman Kalil Davis (Nebraska), linebacker Chapelle Russell (Tulane), and running back Raymond Calais (Louisiana) all have sleeper potential. Vaughn and Calais should both compete for carries right away. Russell could make an early impact on special teams.
Baltimore Ravens
Jimmy's brother Jon and GM Eric Decosta knocked it our of the dam park. I'm not necessarily a fan of first round pick Patrick Queen. He's a pretty nice pick that fills a need and all, and he should find a role quickly on that defense, but most of the real work was done later in the draft.
Ohio State running back J.K. Dobbins, a second round pick, is a highlight reel-type of back that should bring an entirely new dimension to the offense. He can and will do damage as a runner and receiver. Michigan fans that actually watched The Game the last two years should know. As an obvious Wolverine fan myself I can't say I'm not glad to see him move on. He and Lamar Jackson could form what amounts to be a huge headache for AFC East rivals immediately.
Guard Ben Bredeson doesn't really have a high ceiling but he should be a capable starter in the NFL for a while. He might even be ready to play right away, just like he was as a freshman at Michigan. In his four seasons he started 46 games at left guard for the Wolverines and played for two different offensive line coaches in two different offensive systems. He's a quick learner who got a lot of experience that should help him out at the next level.
SMU receiver James Proche and Iowa safety Geno Stone both should get nominations for being the steal of the draft after getting selected at numbers 201 and 219 respectively. Stone was one of my favorite Day 3 prospects. The dude can cover and play special teams. He just didn't test well at the combine.
Overall, it was a draft that probably added three instant impact players. In a few years fans might see five or six players from this draft getting significant playing time.
Minnesota Vikings
GM Rick Spielman hit all the needs hard in the first three rounds. First, adding LSU receiver Justin Jefferson at #22 should help ease the loss of Stephon Diggs on the field while elevating the team attitude level on the sideline. Overall, this was a great move on the Viking's part. Trading back for more picks is usually a move worth taking in my book, and still getting corner Jeff Gladney at #31 was perfect. The TCU product might've been a bit underrated by most publications. Both of these first rounders could start right away. At any rate, when you can draft a couple players that fill your two biggest needs (without reaching) and still add more picks all before the first round is over, then you are winning. It's not even debatable.
Boise State offensive tackle Ezra Cleveland was taken in the second round and will be thrown into the competition on the line. There is a chance that he could end up winning the job on the left side. He has the raw tools and showed them at the combine.
Dipping back into the cornerback pool, Minnesota then took Mississippi State DB Cameron Dantzler in the third. He could very well be playing a lot this fall too. At the very least he helps bring competition to a position badly in need of it.
The Vikings then went on to draft 11 more players to fill up the depth chart, play special teams, and develop with an eye towards the future. Some notable picks include Oregon linebacker Troy Dye (#132), Temple corner Harrison Hand (##169), Michigan safety Josh Metellus (#205), Iowa quarterback Nate Stanley (#244), Mississippi State safety Brian Cole II (#249), and Washburn offensive guard Kyle Hinton (#253). All will have great opportunities to immediately carve out a niche for themselves with the Vikings after being late round selections.
Denver Broncos
The Broncos seem to be building up a solid roster of players through the draft. They put together quite a class last year that probably yielded them solid starters at quarterback, tight end, guard, and defensive tackle. This year they may have acquired several more at various positions, particularly receiver.
First of all, taking Jerry Juedy and K.J. Hamler in the first and second rounds was an easy move. The team needed targets for young passer Drew Lock. It ended up with the most precise route-runner in the draft in Juedy and arguably the guy with the most separation ability downfield in Hamler. In other words, they got a true possession receiver and a true deep threat. Both of which could be future pro-bowlers. Hopefully they can work with last year's top pick, tight end Noah Fant, to make Lock a pro-bowler. That would be the best thing for the Broncos.
After that, the team took Iowa corner Michael Ojemudia, LSU center Lloyd Cushenberry, Arkansas defensive tackle McTelvin Agim, and Missouri tight end Albert Okweugbunam all before the end of the fourth round.
In all, Denver added 10 draftees that should help pad the depth chart for years to come. Two of them will put a lot of points on the score board.
Dallas Cowboys
Yep, Jerry Jones did pretty good here while selecting players from his yacht. Of course, CeeDee Lamb slipping all the way down to #17 was a move that just cannot be orchestrated. They just got lucky while being able to get the top receiver on their board without having to give up a bunch to move up in order to get him. Lamb could instantly make the offense more explosive.
The 'Boys needed some competition out at corner too. They got a couple good ones to throw in the mix. Alabama corner Trevon Diggs, the team's second round pick, could compete for reps right away. Fourth round pick Reggie Robinson II out of Tulsa could be a solid backup and special teams player. Way to potentially shore up a sore spot Jerry!
Neville Gallimore, a defensive tackle from Oklahoma, might be able to fill in along the two-deep and develop into a starter eventually. He definitely has the speed (4.8 forty) and enough size (6'2"/304lbs) to compete. He just wasn't all that productive for a guy with his measurables. He was worth a shot in the third round though.
In the fifth round Jerry took two guys that could also be competing for reps right away. Wisconsin interior lineman Tyler Biadasz could help ease the loss of the retired Travis Frederick, who just happened to be another former Badger. Bradlee Anae, Utah's all-time sack leader, could add some depth to the edge of the front seven. I would not be shocked to see him end up as a starter some day too. He is not super athletic or uber fast. He's just good and never takes off a play.
James Madison QB Ben DiNucci is an obvious developmental pick. They could throw him on the sidelines for a year and see if he develops at all. He is a longshot to make the team though and is the worst pick in the 'Boys' draft.
Honorable Mention:
Arizona Cardinals
Getting at least one playmaker on defense in Clemson linebacker/safety Isaiah Simmons was a nice choice in the first round and loading up on a pair of defensive linemen later on to pad the depth chart was also a nice move. Nabbing offensive tackle Josh Jones out of Houston in the third round might end up being a steal if he can start right away. He should at least be a top backup. Sixth round linebacker Curtis Weaver (Cal) and seventh round running back Eno Benjamin (ASU) both might be able to compete right away too, even if they are still developing. Overall, a solid draft for a team having a great offseason. Oh yeah, I forgot to mention that the Cardinals didn't have a second round pick due to the trade for DeAndre Hopkins. So, in essence, the team got one of the best receivers already in the league, upgraded the overall talent on the defense, and possibly got a starting tackle in this draft. That is good.
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