17. Dallas (8-8) — Cole Kmet, TE, Notre Dame
It feels like a good tight end is hard to find. There’s George Kittle, Travis Kelce and Zach Ertz — and everyone else. Perhaps the Cowboys can change that by bringing Kmet into their offense. He’s complete tight end, who should be able to contribute as a blocker and pass-catcher immediately (he’s 6-foot-5, 250 pounds). Washington’s Hunter Bryant is another impressive tight end, but doesn’t have the size (6-foot-2, 240 pounds) that the Cowboys will want if they keep hammering the ball with running back Ezekiel Elliott.
18. Miami from Pittsburgh (8-8) — Grant Delpit, S, LSU
Delpit is a player may are pegging as a good fit for Dallas, which is also in need of a safety. But because Dallas was busy getting Dak Prescott another playmaker, Miami’s secondary plays beneficiary. The Dolphins badly need an upgrade (everywhere) — Delpit will be a day-one starter, who can help Miami improve their takeaway margin.
19. Las Vegas from Chicago (8-8) — Alabama, CB, Xavier McKinney
The Raiders still have holes all over their secondary, so why not get a player who can do it all? McKinney is versatile, talented and an every-down complication for opposing quarterbacks. That’s exactly what this ailing secondary needs. His selection kicks off a run of cornerbacks.
20. Jacksonville from L.A. Rams (9-7) — Trevon Diggs, CB, Alabama
Another SEC cornerback who excelled in 2019. Diggs looks like a prototypical No. 1 cornerback the making, with no shortage of good film in 2019, even if an injury shortened his 2018 season. Diggs is not Jalen Ramsey, but the Jaguars would get a unique corner with good length at 6-foot-2.
21. Philadelphia (9-7) — Kristian Fulton, CB, LSU
He’s a Pro Football Focus favorite as the best cornerback in the SEC in 2019. He’ll help the Eagles secondary in a big way. His national championship performance wasn’t exactly indicative of what he can be. He has the potential to be the best cornerback in this draft.
22. Buffalo (10-6) — Tee Higgins, WR, Clemson
Receiver John Brown was brilliant and tight end Dawson Knox exceeded expectations. Running back Devin Singletary looked electric. But Cole Beasley wasn’t a reliable source of production. If Buffalo and quarterback Josh Allen are going to keep trending upward, the Bills make need to keep surrounding their quarterback with weapons.
23. New England (12-4) — Jake Fromm, QB, Georgia
No quarterback suffered more from the “devaluation period” in 2019. Signal-callers like Fromm, Tagovailoa and Herbert deserved to declare for the draft in 2019 and their value has each taken a hit. But with Fromm, it has felt dramatic. Some consider him a mid-round pick. In an NFL where everyone is looking for the next Patrick Mahomes, Fromm is clearly not it. Fromm’s arm isn’t strong — his speed will underwhelm.
Still, he’s calm in the pocket. He’s very accurate, he’s a good decision-maker, he’s cerebral and he’s a hard worker. The Patriots have long valued those qualities more than athletic and freakish upside. Much has been made of Bill Belichick’s relationship with Nick Saban, but the Patriots took two Bulldogs in the first round of the 2018 draft. New England deeply trusts what Georgia coach Kirby Smart is doing, too.
24. New Orleans (13-3) — Laviska Shenault, Jr., WR, Colorado
Michael Thomas proved he can carry a passing offense. But the Saints may want to find a complement for him for fear of overloading him in a second consecutive season. Shenault is big and physical, and he managed solid production in an underwhelming offense. Because he dealt with injuries in 2019, his 2018 season is the best representation of his potential: 86 catches, 1,011 yards, six touchdowns.