Minnesota Vikings
Give Rick Spielman a ton of credit. He worked the draft board in the right way and picked two players at 22 and 31 that many, myself included, believed would be in play for them at 22 and 25. Justin Jefferson and Jeff Gladney are terrific additions to the Vikings’ roster.
Their good fortune continued into Day Two, as they added Ezra Cleveland to their offensive line at pick 58. Cleveland showed great athleticism at the Combine and caught some first-round buzz, but slid perhaps due to the level of competition he faced playing for Boise State. Another thing he does very well is move in the zone blocking game, thanks to his athleticism, which is a huge plus given what Minnesota does offensively.
Then in the third round they added another cornerback, Cameron Dantzler from Mississippi State. Dantzler had a rough Combine which saw his draft stock plunge, as he posted just a 4.64 40-yard dash. But that does not match what he showed on tape, which is the ability to be a lockdown man coverage corner who also makes plays in off coverage or even in zone. If you trust the tape, you will like what you see.
Grade: A
New England Patriots
Death, taxes and Bill Belichick trading out of the first round.
After shipping the 23rd overall pick to the Los Angeles Chargers for picks 37 and 71, Belichick called it an night and went to relax outside his home on Nantucket. At least, that’s what I’m picturing in my mind. But with now five picks coming into the second day of the draft, it was time for the Hoodie to go to work.
He opened things up with Kyle Dugger, a Division II safety from Lenoir-Rhyne. He was dominant at this level, and tested extremely well at the Combine. Dugger has the size of a linebacker and the athleticism of a safety, and is probably a replacement plan for Patrick Chung. It might seem like a reach, but Belichick does things his own way.
Then the Patriots moved up a bit, packaging their picks at 71 and 98 in a deal with the Baltimore Ravens to slide up to 60 and select Josh Uche, an outside linebacker from Michigan. Uche has the athleticism to be disruptive off the edge while also being able to contribute in pass coverage, and is likely viewed as a Kyle Van Noy replacement. In the third round they added another potential replacement on the second level of their defense, with Anfernee Jennings from Alabama. Jennings is a good defender against the run, and is assignment-sound in how he sets the edge. He might not flash as a pass rusher, but he could fill the roll vacated by the departure of Jamie Collins. Plus, that Nick Saban to Bill Belichick pipeline lives on.
Then they added Devin Asiasi, a tight end from UCLA. This was a position of dire need for the Patriots, and Asiasi might be one of the more complete options at the position. He can handle the blocking parts of the job, but is a more than functional receiver off the line or when detached. Asiasi has just one year of solid production, but is a good selection given their needs. Capping the night off they added Dalton Keene, another tight end, from Virginia Tech. He is a versatile tight end who aligned everywhere for the Hokies, and now the Patriots have a pair of young options at what was a position of weakness.
Grade: B+
New Orleans Saints
On the first night of the draft the New Orleans Saints addressed the interior of their offensive line. Perhaps a bit of a surprise, given the early pick of Erik McCoy last year, but Cesar Ruiz can play both guard and center as he did at Michigan.
Then they dipped back into the Big Ten, trading up in the third round to draft Zach Baun, the linebacker from Wisconsin. Baun was pegged as perhaps a first-rounder coming out of the Combine, due to his versatility and athleticism, but perhaps his hybrid nature made the scheme fit difficult. In New Orleans he can contribute early as a pass rusher, and develop into more of a pure linebacker role over time. Adam Trautman, the small school tight end from Dayton, is a potential complete package at the position who was dominant on film against FCS competition.
Grade: B+
New York Giants
Dave Gettleman told us at the Combine that you need to protect the passer, and that is exactly what he did. The Giants passed on super defender Isaiah Simmons and drafted Andrew Thomas, one of the “Big Four” offensive tackles at the fourth spot in the draft.
Many expected that Gettleman would switch gears and target the defense at the top of the second round, and they were correct. Albeit, not at the position many thought he would focus upon. Rather than adding a pass rusher, Gettleman added a safety, making Xavier McKinney the first safety drafted in the 2020 NFL Draft. McKinney is NFL-ready coming from a Nick Saban system and played all over the field for the Crimson Tide, including at free safety, down in the box and in the slot. He can be for Joe Judge what the former Patriots’ coach saw in New England with Devin McCourty.
In the back of the third round, the Giants added Matt Peart, an offensive tackle from Connecticut. He is a very experienced player, a four-year starter for the Huskies, and has spent time at both right and left tackle. He could be a potential swing tackle option behind Nate Solder and Thomas.
Grade: B+