Goldfish's Way Too Early Draft Rankings 2019 - Cardinals at 1

[JaireAlex]

19 hours ago, Ozzy said:

I think they could be kicking themselves for not drawing Nasir Adderley in the 1st or 2nd round.  Could say the same thing for Jonathan Adram who is a better player than Savage I feel.  I agree with Jace, that kid has star potential at TE.  Amazing route runner and just came on so strong this past year, big time talent who can really make plays from the TE position.

 

Keke was a great pickup for that system, he can get after it and has the size to play 3/4 DE, and Summers is a fine pickup late.  Has ILB and OLB ability, rushed the passer this past year on TCU and did ok.  Could be a fine ILB and will have time to develop as well as a backup.  Their front 7 is greatly improve compared to what it was last season no question.

GB graded him as potential Thomas or Nick Collins. Both Gute and MLF mentioned it in the presser. No way they move up otherwise. Just how they graded him. Gary is Pettine's boy. Gonna be interesting if they can get it out of him.

Edited May 4, 2019 by JaireAlex

[Ozzy]

4 minutes ago, y*so*blu said:

I wouldn't have put the Vikings this high myself, but maybe GFW's perspective (goldfishwars, not Global Force Wrestling) will shed some light on it. Having to pass on good players is the nature of the draft, either because they're not scheme fits or Spielman, Zim, and our revamped offensive coaching staff saw qualities they like more in other guys. I don't think the d-line was a major need compared to the o-line or the departure of Murray, so hopefully taking Watts in the 6th, bringing back Shamar Stephen, and getting Odenigbo in UDFA will suffice.

True depends on how much they live Odenigbo who I am glad they brought back, helps they have Bowser and Weatherly as well.  Jaleel maybe can play but will see and glad Stephen was brought back as well.  I see Griffen potentially declining fast but hopefully not.  

 

I have no problem them picking Bradbury 1st but I think potentially Ford, Jawaan Taylor heck even Greg Little might be better players but will see.  Vikings did not need a tackle though but I would have liked the tackle guard versatility of Ford and Risner.  Bradbury is a safe pick though and fits the scheme they want to run.  Smith is decent as well but I really liked Zach Allen and they passed on him, same with Adderley who could be a star safety.  

In the 1st they could have got Simmons or Sweat and in the 2nd got Max Scharping and they were only a few picks away from McCoy as a center or could have traded up a little in the 2nd.  McCoy I think is just as good as Bradbury and has more upside arguably.  Guess it is just what they are comfortable with, I personally would like to see an improved DL, and they could have done that with Zach Allen no doubt and still got Bradbury.  

 

Not to mention in that 3rd round pick if they did not trade down they could have got Jaylon Ferguson, or Khalen Saunders who could be a great DT or Kahale Warring who has a ton of upside and size as a TE.  And again maybe could have got Mattison in the 4th.  

 

They could have stole CJ Conrad late in the draft instead of the WRs they picked, and instead of Watts could have got Gerald Willis who I feel is a far better player but does have a little injury history, and Conrad had medical things in the pre draft work but if he did not he could have been a mid round draft pick.  The WR list of guys instead of the ones they took late is pretty long I think.  Shocking they passed on these guys and took the ones they did, that is probably the biggest issues I have with their draft, and they clearly did not sign great UDFA either and could have signed any of these guys and did not.

 

Anthony Johnson
Stanley Morgan
David Sills
Jamal Custis
Felton Davis
Penny Hart
Cody Thompson
Preston Williams
Jakobi Meyers
Antoine Wesley
Ryan Davis
TJ Rahming
Jazz Ferguson
Tyron Johnson
Johnnie Dixon

 

Will see how it all plays out, could be over thinking it but depends on what their board looks like in terms of top prospects obviously.  Not sure I would grade it an above average draft by them but that could be just me.  

 

[jetskid007]

Pretty much spot on with your Jets analysis. I think their best picks were Williams, Edoga, and Wesco. Edoga and Wesco are sneaky good picks; they should do well in their roles and as you alluded to, will help the offense in a number of ways. 

I want to like Polite more, and I get why they took the risk, but he needs to prove it to me. I really hope that he is a better athlete than his tests indicated and that the hamstring was a real issue. 

While there were other directions I would’ve gone with the last two picks, I can’t fault them for trying to swing for the fences by taking two oft-injured players with good tape and potential. Cashman could be a steal if he stays healthy. 

[Daniel]

Polite was a tough pick to grade.  On the one hand, potentially a huuuuge steal, on the other, he was so bad looking post-season I didn't want the Titans to touch him.  He just looks soooo likely to bust.

I still can't believe the Pats were so low.

[goldfishwars]

12. Indianapolis Colts

Selections
34. Indianapolis Colts - Rock Ya-Sin  [ CB ] Temple
49. Indianapolis Colts - Ben Banogu  [ EDGE ] TCU
59. Indianapolis Colts - Parris Campbell  [ WR ] Ohio State
89. Indianapolis Colts - Bobby Okereke  [ LB ] Stanford
109. Indianapolis Colts - Khari Willis  [ S ] Michigan State
144. Indianapolis Colts - Marvell Tell III  [ S ] USC
164. Indianapolis Colts - E. J. Speed  [ LB ] Tarleton State
199. Indianapolis Colts - Gerri Green  [ DE ] Mississippi State
240. Indianapolis Colts - Jackson Barton  [ OT ] Utah
246. Indianapolis Colts - Javon Patterson  [ C ] Ole Miss
Indianapolis Colts - 2020 2nd Round Pick -   Washington Redskins

Picks Heading In
26.
34.
59.
89.
129.
135.
164.
199.
240.

Favorite Pick 

Parris Campbell – I think landing spot for Campbell was crucial because of his quirky usage at Ohio State which probably wouldn’t be replicable in the NFL. Whilst he produced at an impressive rate as a catch and run specialist with an absurdly low average depth per target, his athletic profile is almost unmatched even in a class of special athletes at the receiver position. He did really show some potential running routes at the combine and as a deeper receiver who could track the football. Whilst that’s running around in shorts, he’s still only 21 and has smart offensive head coach who will no doubt see him as a nice compliment to their perennial deep threat in TY Hilton and Devin Funchess who can win in the big game. 

With a thin roster at receiver last season, the Colts should be happy with what they have going forward. Especially as they have Deon Cain returning who flashed in last year’s pre-season and the fact they added Penny Hart as an undrafted free agent after a dominant week at the Senior Bowl. Luck could end up having a lot of mouths to feed. 

Overview
Another GM firmly hitting his stride, heading into the draft with 9 picks under his belt and a much-improved roster after his haul last year. He emerged from the end of day three with 10 selections and a 2nd round pick to pop away for next year. It is weird how GMs cherish their draft picks when it comes to trades to players, but throw them away like confetti come draft time. Not Ballard, he won’t fall in love – even if Montez Sweat and Jerry Tillery are still available. He seems to have an innate understanding of how to manipulate the board and he’s more than happy to take two bites of a cherry if it increases his chances of landing a good player. Especially if those bites turn out to give him two good players instead of one.  

Rock Ya-Sin was getting a bit first round hype before the Colts picked him up at 34 after trading back out of the first round. I would probably suggest Colts fans avoid watching what Deebo Samuel did to him at the Senior Bowl, but he was a physical and competitive leader at Temple. It makes sense to invest at a position where they got way above expected play last year. That probably wouldn’t have lasted into the 2019 season and now they have a corner who gives them the flexibility to be a little more multidimensional in their coverages.  
Ben Banogu at 49 was possibly a little rich for me, but he’s an incredible athlete who looks a little unrefined as a pass-rusher. He’s got to find a way to translate some of that athleticism into developing as an outside threat, but there’s space to grow. NFL Teams seemed to really like Banogu, so he must have showed them something in the 900 workouts he seemed to clock up. Bobby Okereke in the third is a similar prospect to Darius Leonard, in that he’ll run and chase all day long and lands on a defense which will allow him to do that. 

Khari Willis was a bit of a forgotten safety prospect at the draft approached, but he was a big team leader at Michigan State and can do a bit of everything. His ability to man up on tight ends might prove to be important. Marvel Tell III was highly recruited out of High School and was restricted to a deep-half safety for most of his career at USC. He’s another big-time athlete and that big testing performance put him back on the draft map. The Colts announced his selection as a corner so there might be a transition to a new spot, or they might see him as a versatile db to move around going forward.  

I don’t know a huge amount about EJ Speed, other than the organised criminal links in his past which came to light quickly and were a little eye-opening to hear. He might be on a short leash because of that, but the Colts are obviously taking a shot on his athletic prowess at linebacker. Of the three remaining picks, I think I like the Jackson Barton selection the most. Green and Patterson’s versatility give the team potential depth at key spots, but Barton at 6’7 and 310 pounds is a powerful bear of a tackle with some rough edges who might stick around. It’s kind of wild that he and Cody are brothers, there seems to be a few unlikely siblings in this year’s class. 

[Ozzy]

3 hours ago, Daniel said:

Polite was a tough pick to grade.  On the one hand, potentially a huuuuge steal, on the other, he was so bad looking post-season I didn't want the Titans to touch him.  He just looks soooo likely to bust.

I still can't believe the Pats were so low.

Yeah Polite if he hits makes their draft really good but I was never into the 1st round hype he was getting.  People said he was a great athlete and Sutton Smith was not, turns out after the combine Sutton Smith was by far the better athlete.  Polite got drafted where he should be, still does have potential but I do not like him against the run but if in just pass rush situations on 3rd down he could be a force maybe if he gets his head right.

 

 

I agree the Patriots had a great draft.  Harry was a steal and Brady will love his ability to go up and get the football, and his personal character is outstanding, kid should be a stud.  Williams is a nice pick, could play safety or corner.  Winovich provides much needed pass rush, Harris is a do it all back who can block and catch the football.  Then have two potential starters on the OL with Cajuste and Froholdt who is very solid.  Stidham is a steal where they got him and Cowart needs to produce because the lack of DT help but he is a decent player.  Webster is a late get, nothing great but had his moments at Ole Miss.

Then the UDFA group, Terez Hall I had as a late 7th rounder, can play ILB or OLB and has rush end abilities.  Jakobi Meyers is tall and smooth out there, he has a lot of upside as doe Ubosi who I thought would be drafted at WR, he is physically strong and impressive.  Andrew Beck I had as one of the best blocking TEs in the draft so that is a good get.  Ryan Davis is a fine return man with big time speed and quickness.  I thought St. Louis would have been drafted at OT, he has decent feet and had a good season and Nick Brossette is a long shot but played well with his time this past year at LSU.  So yeah fine draft for the Patriots and easily a top 5 draft compared to all the NFL teams out there.

[goldfishwars]

11. Los Angeles Chargers

Selections
28. Los Angeles Chargers - Jerry Tillery  [ DT ] Notre Dame
60. Los Angeles Chargers - Nasir Adderley  [ S ] Delaware
91. Los Angeles Chargers - Trey Pipkins  [ OT ] Sioux Falls
130. Los Angeles Chargers - Drue Tranquill  [ LB ] Notre Dame
166. Los Angeles Chargers - Easton Stick  [ QB ] North Dakota State
200. Los Angeles Chargers - Emeke Egbule  [ LB ] Houston
242. Los Angeles Chargers - Cortez Broughton  [ DT ] Cincinnati

Picks Heading In
28.
60.
91.
130.
166.
200.
242.

Favorite Pick 
Jerry Tillery – A really interesting guy off the field, I ended up watching a lot of Tillery expecting him to be in play for the Patriots at the end of round 1. I hadn’t considered that he might be an option for the Chargers until right before they were about to pick and thought ‘man, he would be a great fit here,’ especially considering the players they have lost on the interior. This pick-up gives the Chargers length there as well as deceptive power and an ability to be another constant disrupter up front. That’s going to be a tough front to deal with next year and the Chargers will want to use him in an attacking role, which is what he should be doing. 

Overview
There are plenty of ways to play the draft and still get it done. The Chargers went into Round 1 with seven picks in each round heading into the draft, seven selections were made and there were zero trades in any direction. Tom Telesco was all about business throughout all seven rounds, sweeping up the quality players who had fallen to them in each round, sweeping up guys who fit their schemes. Mild surprises are the lack of investment at receiver with Tyrell Williams out of town and at guard where they’re trying to figure things out. 

Nasir Adderley at the bottom of the 2nd was excellent value for a player who was getting a lot of first round attention. He’s a covert to safety from corner and it’s easy to see that wide range in his game when he plays over the top. He can hit hard too when he comes down into the box, there are very few concerns about his physicality. I cannot wait to see him line-up alongside Derwin, because that is a beautiful meshing of skills on paper. Trey Pipkins was a mildly surprising pick-up in the third with the likes of Yodny Cajuste, Chuma Edoga and Bobby Evans all on the board. The Chargers need tackle hep and there’s not a lot film out there on Pipkins due to his tiny school. He was called up to the Shrine Game which put him on the map and he showed off his length and easy movement. Scouts rave about his character too, so it’ll be interesting to see how he gets worked in.  

Drue Tranquill gives the team a coverage asset from the linebacker position given his prowess in affecting passing lines and also adept at tracking running backs. He’s another big-time athletic tester, but the advanced age two ACL tears in his history are concerns to be aware of. I like the Easton Stick selection at 166. A succession plan for Rivers needs to start gaining traction and a shot on a late round quarterback with high-end athletic ability is a decent start as a shot to nothing. Assuming he’s not converting positions, he’ll have to beat out Cardale Jones to get nail the 3rd spot behind Tyrod. 

Emeke Egbule and Cortez Broughton round off the draft in nice fashion and both are talented enough to make the team. Egbule kind of fits that hybrid rusher/off-ball linebacker the Chargers have coveted in recent seasons and he’s an intriguing player. Broughton could be a bargain at pick 242, he’s got burst off the line and some natural power to his game. He wouldn’t have been a fit on some teams, but his skill-set finds a really landing spot here where so-called ‘tweeners’ are embraced. I think there’s some real upside potential with him. 

[Blackstar12]

18 hours ago, goldfishwars said:

12. Indianapolis Colts

Selections
34. Indianapolis Colts - Rock Ya-Sin  [ CB ] Temple
49. Indianapolis Colts - Ben Banogu  [ EDGE ] TCU
59. Indianapolis Colts - Parris Campbell  [ WR ] Ohio State
89. Indianapolis Colts - Bobby Okereke  [ LB ] Stanford
109. Indianapolis Colts - Khari Willis  [ S ] Michigan State
144. Indianapolis Colts - Marvell Tell III  [ S ] USC
164. Indianapolis Colts - E. J. Speed  [ LB ] Tarleton State
199. Indianapolis Colts - Gerri Green  [ DE ] Mississippi State
240. Indianapolis Colts - Jackson Barton  [ OT ] Utah
246. Indianapolis Colts - Javon Patterson  [ C ] Ole Miss
Indianapolis Colts - 2020 2nd Round Pick -   Washington Redskins

Picks Heading In
26.
34.
59.
89.
129.
135.
164.
199.
240.

Favorite Pick 

Parris Campbell – I think landing spot for Campbell was crucial because of his quirky usage at Ohio State which probably wouldn’t be replicable in the NFL. Whilst he produced at an impressive rate as a catch and run specialist with an absurdly low average depth per target, his athletic profile is almost unmatched even in a class of special athletes at the receiver position. He did really show some potential running routes at the combine and as a deeper receiver who could track the football. Whilst that’s running around in shorts, he’s still only 21 and has smart offensive head coach who will no doubt see him as a nice compliment to their perennial deep threat in TY Hilton and Devin Funchess who can win in the big game. 

With a thin roster at receiver last season, the Colts should be happy with what they have going forward. Especially as they have Deon Cain returning who flashed in last year’s pre-season and the fact they added Penny Hart as an undrafted free agent after a dominant week at the Senior Bowl. Luck could end up having a lot of mouths to feed. 

Overview
Another GM firmly hitting his stride, heading into the draft with 9 picks under his belt and a much-improved roster after his haul last year. He emerged from the end of day three with 10 selections and a 2nd round pick to pop away for next year. It is weird how GMs cherish their draft picks when it comes to trades to players, but throw them away like confetti come draft time. Not Ballard, he won’t fall in love – even if Montez Sweat and Jerry Tillery are still available. He seems to have an innate understanding of how to manipulate the board and he’s more than happy to take two bites of a cherry if it increases his chances of landing a good player. Especially if those bites turn out to give him two good players instead of one.  

Rock Ya-Sin was getting a bit first round hype before the Colts picked him up at 34 after trading back out of the first round. I would probably suggest Colts fans avoid watching what Deebo Samuel did to him at the Senior Bowl, but he was a physical and competitive leader at Temple. It makes sense to invest at a position where they got way above expected play last year. That probably wouldn’t have lasted into the 2019 season and now they have a corner who gives them the flexibility to be a little more multidimensional in their coverages.  
Ben Banogu at 49 was possibly a little rich for me, but he’s an incredible athlete who looks a little unrefined as a pass-rusher. He’s got to find a way to translate some of that athleticism into developing as an outside threat, but there’s space to grow. NFL Teams seemed to really like Banogu, so he must have showed them something in the 900 workouts he seemed to clock up. Bobby Okereke in the third is a similar prospect to Darius Leonard, in that he’ll run and chase all day long and lands on a defense which will allow him to do that. 

Khari Willis was a bit of a forgotten safety prospect at the draft approached, but he was a big team leader at Michigan State and can do a bit of everything. His ability to man up on tight ends might prove to be important. Marvel Tell III was highly recruited out of High School and was restricted to a deep-half safety for most of his career at USC. He’s another big-time athlete and that big testing performance put him back on the draft map. The Colts announced his selection as a corner so there might be a transition to a new spot, or they might see him as a versatile db to move around going forward.  

I don’t know a huge amount about EJ Speed, other than the organised criminal links in his past which came to light quickly and were a little eye-opening to hear. He might be on a short leash because of that, but the Colts are obviously taking a shot on his athletic prowess at linebacker. Of the three remaining picks, I think I like the Jackson Barton selection the most. Green and Patterson’s versatility give the team potential depth at key spots, but Barton at 6’7 and 310 pounds is a powerful bear of a tackle with some rough edges who might stick around. It’s kind of wild that he and Cody are brothers, there seems to be a few unlikely siblings in this year’s class. 

Great post about the Colts draft the only thing I wish Ballard tried to improve on is DT depth.

Edited May 5, 2019 by Blackstar12

[onejayhawk]

If there are ten teams better than the Colts and Chargers, I don't see them. For a couple it's just a quibble because they are at least comparable, but at least one of the remaining teams deserves #13 or lower.

J

 

[Duffman57]

18 hours ago, goldfishwars said:

11. Los Angeles Chargers

Selections
28. Los Angeles Chargers - Jerry Tillery  [ DT ] Notre Dame
60. Los Angeles Chargers - Nasir Adderley  [ S ] Delaware
91. Los Angeles Chargers - Trey Pipkins  [ OT ] Sioux Falls
130. Los Angeles Chargers - Drue Tranquill  [ LB ] Notre Dame
166. Los Angeles Chargers - Easton Stick  [ QB ] North Dakota State
200. Los Angeles Chargers - Emeke Egbule  [ LB ] Houston
242. Los Angeles Chargers - Cortez Broughton  [ DT ] Cincinnati

Picks Heading In
28.
60.
91.
130.
166.
200.
242.

Favorite Pick 
Jerry Tillery – A really interesting guy off the field, I ended up watching a lot of Tillery expecting him to be in play for the Patriots at the end of round 1. I hadn’t considered that he might be an option for the Chargers until right before they were about to pick and thought ‘man, he would be a great fit here,’ especially considering the players they have lost on the interior. This pick-up gives the Chargers length there as well as deceptive power and an ability to be another constant disrupter up front. That’s going to be a tough front to deal with next year and the Chargers will want to use him in an attacking role, which is what he should be doing. 

Overview
There are plenty of ways to play the draft and still get it done. The Chargers went into Round 1 with seven picks in each round heading into the draft, seven selections were made and there were zero trades in any direction. Tom Telesco was all about business throughout all seven rounds, sweeping up the quality players who had fallen to them in each round, sweeping up guys who fit their schemes. Mild surprises are the lack of investment at receiver with Tyrell Williams out of town and at guard where they’re trying to figure things out. 

Nasir Adderley at the bottom of the 2nd was excellent value for a player who was getting a lot of first round attention. He’s a covert to safety from corner and it’s easy to see that wide range in his game when he plays over the top. He can hit hard too when he comes down into the box, there are very few concerns about his physicality. I cannot wait to see him line-up alongside Derwin, because that is a beautiful meshing of skills on paper. Trey Pipkins was a mildly surprising pick-up in the third with the likes of Yodny Cajuste, Chuma Edoga and Bobby Evans all on the board. The Chargers need tackle hep and there’s not a lot film out there on Pipkins due to his tiny school. He was called up to the Shrine Game which put him on the map and he showed off his length and easy movement. Scouts rave about his character too, so it’ll be interesting to see how he gets worked in.  

Drue Tranquill gives the team a coverage asset from the linebacker position given his prowess in affecting passing lines and also adept at tracking running backs. He’s another big-time athletic tester, but the advanced age two ACL tears in his history are concerns to be aware of. I like the Easton Stick selection at 166. A succession plan for Rivers needs to start gaining traction and a shot on a late round quarterback with high-end athletic ability is a decent start as a shot to nothing. Assuming he’s not converting positions, he’ll have to beat out Cardale Jones to get nail the 3rd spot behind Tyrod. 

Emeke Egbule and Cortez Broughton round off the draft in nice fashion and both are talented enough to make the team. Egbule kind of fits that hybrid rusher/off-ball linebacker the Chargers have coveted in recent seasons and he’s an intriguing player. Broughton could be a bargain at pick 242, he’s got burst off the line and some natural power to his game. He wouldn’t have been a fit on some teams, but his skill-set finds a really landing spot here where so-called ‘tweeners’ are embraced. I think there’s some real upside potential with him. 

A couple of things, from "inside sources" apparently they had 3 OT's considered in the 3rd and it came down to the regional scout that had a lot of pull banging the table for Pipkins. 

As for WR, they're still 3 deep with Allen, Mike Dub, and Benjamin, and they were really high on Dillon Cantrell last year before he was injured, and have always really liked Geremy Davis.  They have a propensity for developing UDFA WR's.  So I'm not too worried about that.

OG is pretty well set up, Feeney gets ripped on way too much for his early struggles while he actually fixed a lot of problems in his game later in the year. Strugges with length and strength guys and faced a lot of elite ones early (Buckner, Suh, Chris Jones).  Lamp coming back fixes a lot, but I don't think he was able to transistion as quick as we had wanted with the repeated knee injuries. So we'll start out with Feeney/Lamp, and have Quessenberry, Toner (who the team really likes it seems) and Schoefield to back them up.

[Teen Girl Squad]

1 hour ago, onejayhawk said:

If there are ten teams better than the Colts and Chargers, I don't see them. For a couple it's just a quibble because they are at least comparable, but at least one of the remaining teams deserves #13 or lower.

 

I mentioned this was a rare draft where teams could rank anywhere because few teams had "bad drafts" but I thought the Chargers were up there with Redskins as one of the few teams that clearly "won" the draft. Then again, I thought the Packers were one of the few that clearly "lost" but these things are all rather subjective so I can't fault the placement. It really comes down to how you value certain prospects and how much you are willing to reward/punish teams for taking/passing your guys(or taking players you didn't like).

[JaguarCrazy2832]

Remember when the Colts sucked at drafting? I miss those days 

Like yea our Qb is running for his life, sometimes hobbled and our defense sucks but there’s this WR we like so let’s take him 

[goldfishwars]

10. Pittsburgh Steelers

Selections
10. Pittsburgh Steelers - Devin Bush  [ LB ] Michigan
66. Pittsburgh Steelers - Diontae Johnson  [ WR ] Toledo
83. Pittsburgh Steelers - Justin Layne  [ CB ] Michigan State
122. Pittsburgh Steelers - Benny Snell Jr.  [ RB ] Kentucky
141. Pittsburgh Steelers - Zach Gentry  [ TE ] Michigan
175. Pittsburgh Steelers - Sutton Smith  [ DE ] Northern Illinois
192. Pittsburgh Steelers - Isaiah Buggs  [ DT ] Alabama
207. Pittsburgh Steelers - Ulysees Gilbert III  [ LB ] Akron
219. Pittsburgh Steelers - Derwin Gray  [ OT ] Maryland

Picks Heading In
20.
52.
66.
83.
122.
141.
175.
192.
207.
219.

 

Favorite Pick 
Devin Bush – Probably one of the most important picks of the first round given how he could fill in such a crucial and troublesome spot on that Pittsburgh defense. The Steelers have really missed Shazier’s speed since his injury and Bush brings that back into the inside linebacker spot. He is the epitome of the modern day linebacker, a unique athlete who thrives in space and plays with a physicality and aggression which belies his listed size. 

Overview
I’ve seen a few baffling poor reviews about this draft and I really don’t get it, those first three picks in particular could be transformative for this franchise. Normally I don’t like non-QB trades up, but for this to only cost them a 2019 2nd and a 3rd was a great piece of business for Pittsburgh who have been outmanoeuvred too often in recent drafts. The Steelers could absolutely not risk leaving the first round without one of the Devins, so it was huge for them to be able to go up and get Bush in front of their rivals. Whilst it was nice to get payback for William Jackson two years ago, it completes a missing piece of their defense. 

The Diontae Johnson pick was intriguing because it seemed like he could get lost in the shuffle after down junior year in which suffered from poor quarterback play at Toledo. He was a big-time playmaker in 2017 as a receiver and return man with dynamic skill with the ball in his hands. There are shades of Antonio Brown both physically and as a route-runner, so I can see why he would appeal to the Steelers who rarely miss on receiver prospects. Justin Layne in the 3rd was another piece of good business after he drew 1st round attention for periods heading into the draft. At 6’2, he’s got more than ideal length and the excellent ball-skills from his time as a receiver. He’s probably a better fit in press, so this selection might be further proof Pittsburgh want to move away from zone heavy coverages. 

The Steelers needed another running back after losing James Conner to injuries for periods last year and probably don’t view Jaylen Samuels as someone who can step in as a full-time runner if that happens again. Snell is a really hard-nosed running back prospect, who like Conner won’t wow anyone with his athleticism, but can be the type of chain-moving runner who can catch the football that has thrived in Pittsbugh’s ground game of late. Zach Gentry is okay, again not a high level athlete, but was a massive target for Michigan over the middle. I’m not sure he’ll be anything more than that in the NFL. 

Sutton Smith was incredibly productive as a pass-rusher for Norther Illinois, but isn’t built to succeed in that role. He did test well enough to think he play some off-ball linebacker and Tomlin alluded to that in a post-draft interview. Isaiah Buggs at 192 is a weird prospect as someone with a poor athletic profile and tweener size. But, this is a nice landing spot for a team who could harness his natural power and toughness. Of the last two picks, Gray is a fairly solid power blocker at guard or tackle, but Gilbert III is the more intriguing as another speedy off-ball linebacker. He had a good week at the Shrine game and could excel at special teams as a potential route to the starting team.  

[jebrick]

Devon Bush is the 1st Steeler draft choice in the top 10 since 2000 ( Plaxico Burress)

 

This draft was about speed and ST.  Sutton Smith and Grant will improve the play on ST a great deal.  Johnson will be the kick returner from day 1.  Layne could be a boom bust depending on how well he can pick up his assignments.  Artie Burns could be cut in training camp as they have no confidence in him playing anything other than press man and even that is not done well.  Then we might see Cameron Sutton take over the out side or Layne but I think Layne needs some time to learn his craft.

 

My least favorite pick is Buggs.  I will be surprised if he makes the practice squad.

Edited May 6, 2019 by jebrick

[goldfishwars]

9. Carolina Panthers

Selections

16. Carolina Panthers - Brian Burns  [ DE ] Florida State

37. Carolina Panthers - Greg Little  [ OT ] Ole Miss

100. Carolina Panthers - Will Grier  [ QB ] West Virginia

115. Carolina Panthers - Christian Miller  [ DE ] Alabama

154. Carolina Panthers - Jordan Scarlett  [ RB ] Florida

212. Carolina Panthers - Dennis Daley  [ OT ] South Carolina

237. Carolina Panthers - Terry Godwin  [ WR ] Georgia

 

Picks Heading In

16.

47.

77.

100.

115.

154.

187.

 

Favorite Pick

Brian Burns - The selection at 16 is obviously the headline act and he had a pretty wide ranging set of opinions about him, some saying he was a bona fide top five talent in this draft and others bought up legitimate concerns about his lack of weight and physicality at the POC. I'd say he landed in about the right spot, bang in the middle of the first round. What he does have in his locker right now, is a naturally explosive first step and an ability to flex and bend around the corner. Those are untrainable physical traits which should hold him in good stead going forward if he can keep some weight on his frame. There are rumors of the Panthers switching defensive schemes after the Bruce Irvin addition, to play a less rigid front four. Rushing from a standing stance probably suits his skill-set a little better and those concerns about a body type that has seen few successes of late go away a little. 

Overview

Marty Hurney in his second stint as Carolina GM might have delivered his best draft class to date with a string of sensible selections against a pretty tricky shopping list to navigate his way through. They absolutely had to bring in help at pass-rusher after departures, needed help on the offensive line and needed to not head into 2019 with the current Plan B at quarterback if Cam Newton isn’t ready to play opening week.

The Panthers had to come out of this draft with an offensive tackle who was ready to play and that’s what they should get with Greg Little after trading up for him in the 2nd round when the run on tackles looked like it was coming to an end. He’s got a hulking frame at 6’6, 325 pounds and over 35 inch arms, and moves extremely well for a man of his size. There is a bit of strength and technique refinement to add to his game, but the Panthers have a history of getting the most out of their offensive line picks and have turned far less promising talents than Little into functional NFL starters before.

Peaking of players who drew a wide ranging amount of opinions, Will Grier at 100 is really intriguing because he might have to play as a rookie and that’s why they drafted him. The short-term prognosis on Cam Newton isn’t looking great right now and Grier was a PFF darling who loved his throwing accuracy. He didn’t have a good Senior Bowl and comes out of that quirky West Virginia offense, so we might see what we have there very soon. I love the shot at Christian Miller in the 4th round which was lower than his talent deserves, but kinda understandable given his past health. Like Burns, he’s got natural turn the corner ability to get after the quarterback and if those injuries are in the rear mirror – that’s two speedy pass-rushers teams won’t want to deal with.

Jordan Scarlett at 154 gives the team a power rusher on a team that was getting by with finesse at the position. He’s never been a feature back, so tyre tread is pretty low but he seems violent runner who generates a bit of pop as an inside runner and gives the Panthers are nice alternative at the position. Dennis Daley is the second dip at offensive tackle, a low end yet powerful athlete who held his own against a murderers row of pass-rusher this year. He could slide inside, or offer a swing option on the outside. Finally Terry Godwin who had a down year with a lot of mouths to feed in Georgia, but bounced back by being the class of the receiver field at the Shrine Game. He’s a crisp and shifty route-runner, a different receiver to the bigs and YAC guys they’ve had there.