Recap From Rounds 2 and 3
Favorite Picks:
Tee Higgins to the Bengals
The Bengals drafted Joe Burrow first overall and they are surrounding him with talent. Tee Higgins will get to go on his journey with Joe Burrow so they can have this connection. Burrow and Higgins have been training together this offseason and it's important to have that connection. The Bengals receiving core is now: Tee Higgins, AJ Green, Tyler Boyd, John Ross, and Auden Tate. Those are some nice shiny weapons for Mr. Burrow.
Chase Claypool to the Steelers
Chase Claypool was born to be a Steeler. He just fits that mold. I thought he was a perfect fit and is going to be a true number two receiver (with potential to be a number one if JuJu's not in). He's going to be the iso receiver with JuJu and Diontae on the other side. Once Pittsburgh learns how to use him, Claypool is going to explode on to the scene for the Steelers.
Van Jefferson to the Rams
A lot of people thought the Rams might have reached for Jefferson on this pick, but that is where I had him valued. Jefferson is one of the smoothest players in the draft and with the Rams losing Brandin Cooks, they get a guy who can be their number three receiver. I expect Jefferson to be an instant impact guy and compliment Cooper Kupp and Robert Woods well.
Perfect Fits:
Michael Pittman to the Colts
By no means is Phillip Rivers in year 16, the most accurate quarterback. Michael Pittman is a high character guy with a huge catch radius. He can be Rivers' "Mike Williams". There is a possibility for him to take over TY Hilton's spot as the number one receiver. Pittman was my fifth rated receiver in this draft and I had a first round grade on him. The Colts got him early on day two and I think this was a perfect fit.
Zack Moss to the Bills
If there was one running back who fits perfectly with the Bills it would be Zack Moss. He is an extremely physical runner, but is also patient. He is the perfect compliment to Devin Singletary. He's great with cutting back and has elite change of direction. This was a perfect fit for the Bills.
Lynn Bowden to the Raiders
Bowden is one of my favorite players in this entire draft and Jon Gruden is going to turn him into a star. I think he can be the next Taysom Hill and Gruden is going to be able to find him a huge role in their offense. This is an A+ pick for the Raiders, without a doubt and they're going to be able to use him on jet sweeps and screens.
Most Interesting Picks:
Jalen Hurts to the Eagles
Jalen Hurts fits the culture of Philadelphia and he was my third rated quarterback in this draft. That being said, the Eagles didn't need a quarterback. Doug Pederson said they want to make him like a Taysom Hill, but I think Hurts is a quarterback. I believe Hurts' ceiling could be Russell Wilson, but I love Carson Wentz. This just wasn't a fit in my opinion. I don't want to see Hurts be a weapon, I want to see him be a quarterback. He fits the culture, doesn't fit the system.
Jonathan Taylor to the Colts
Jonathan Taylor is a top five rated running back in this class and the Colts have bigger needs. That being said, you see the type of football Frank Reich wants to play. He wants to play bully ball. He wants to out-physical you, and Jonathan Taylor is going to be able to split the rock with Marlon Mack. Chris Ballard understands the value of veteran running backs, and now the Colts have four guys who can run the ball. Phillip Rivers has to be happy with all of his new weapons.
D'Andre Swift to the Lions
D'Andre Swift is my number two running back in this draft and the Lions already have their franchise running back. Kerryon Johnson is a top ten RB when healthy, so I think it's interesting that they went with Swift over actual needs. It seems like the NFL is following the Kyle Shanahan mindset with multiple players who can carry the ball. Running back is one of the most important positions in the NFL, but it seems like they are expendable. Swift has the best vision in the draft and you can't deny that is an interesting fit in Detroit.
Biggest Steals:
Devin Duvernay to the Ravens
Devin Duvernay is one of my favorite receivers in the entire draft and he fell into the perfect situation. Duvernay reminds me a lot of a thicker Tyler Lockett. Duvernay's ability to track the ball is better than any receiver I've seen coming out of school. Lamar Jackson doesn't have that reliable slot receiver yet, and he gets one here with Duvernay. Duvernay had one drop, and he is a 100 meter track champion. He grew up in Texas then went to UT Austin. He was somewhat of a legend in his hometown and now he is going to be a third round steal for the Ravens.
Darrynton Evans to the Titans
Darrynton Evans was my favorite sleeper running back in this draft and he is a perfect outside zone running back. Fortunately for him, he is now going to be playing for Arthur Smith. Evans is going to compliment Derrick Henry and be a receiver out of the backfield. Evans is also great on special teams and is overall just a stud player. You can check out my film breakdown on Darrynton Evans on my instagram @BetweenTheTackles.
Kristian Fulton to the Titans
I had Kristian Fulton being drafted to the Titans in the first round of my mock draft, but the Titans got him late in the second! Kristian Fulton reminds me a lot of Malcolm Butler and now he gets to play behind him. I expect Fulton to push Adoree Jackson and Malcolm Butler. This was a steal for Tennessee.
Favorite Draft:
Baltimore Ravens
I love what the Ravens have done in the first two days. Trading back and getting Patrick Queen was a steal in day one and they got my number one running back in the draft as well as my sleeper receiver. Patrick Queen was all over the field at LSU. He was a guy who stood out on film in every game that I watched and he is always around the ball. Devin Duvernay is going to be an amazing slot receiver and JK Dobbins fits the physical scheme that the Ravens want to play. Eric Decosta seems to always draft my favorite players and they are killing this draft.
Least Favorite Draft:
Green Bay Packers
Jordan Love was my number five QB in this draft and I had a second round grade on him. AJ Dillon was one of my sleeper running backs, but he's not a second round guy. The Packers also have a great running back duo in Aaron Jones and Jamaal Williams. I don't understand the pick. Josiah Deguara was over drafted as well. He wasn't a top 5 tight end in this draft and that's where he got drafted. Not a fan of what Gutekunst is doing here.
