New York Jets
The New York Jets could have gone in one of two directions in the first round. They could have added one of the top receivers in the draft, and they had their choice as all three were on the board, or they could have addressed offensive tackle. They went with the big guy up front, and we mean big, drafting Mekhi Becton out of Louisville. Mount Becton is already copyrighted we believe. If not…hit us up Team Becton.
Then at 59 they ended one of the more surprising slides of the draft, picking Baylor wide receiver Denzel Mims. The wideout was moving up draft boards thanks to a strong Senior Bowl week as well as a great performance at the Combine, but a limited route tree coupled with some issues at the catch point saw him slide. With the loss of Robby Anderson, even with his limited route tree he can be a vertical threat that the offense needs.
Then at 68 they added Ashtyn Davis, a rangy safety from California. Davis is perhaps the best pure center fielder in the class, with the sideline-to-sideline ability you want from a free safety in a heavy single-high system. He might not have the versatility of other safeties in this class, but in that kind of role he can thrive. There is also discussion of moving him to cornerback, given his athleticism, and that merits watching given the Jamal Adams situation.
In the third round the Jets drafted Jabari Zungia, a high-motor edge rusher from Florida. He has good quickness off the line, some power behind his hands, and the ability to collapse pockets running the arc. A good value selection for the Jets.
Grade: A-
Philadelphia Eagles
As the first round wore on, Philadelphia Eagles fans had dreams of CeeDee Lamb falling to them dancing in their heads. At the last moment, in a Hitchcockian twist, the hated Dallas Cowboys stepped in and drafted the Oklahoma receiver. Down but not out, Howie Roseman selected TCU receiver Jalen Reagor, who is a solid fit for their offense.
Someone who is more of a questionable fit for their offense is their pick at 53 overall, quarterback Jalen Hurts. It should be no surprise that Hurts came off the board in the second round, given the draft process he has put together. But his fit in Philadelphia is questionable. Hurts right now is more of a “see it, throw it” passer and his snap-to-throw time of 3.08 seconds would have been dead last in the NFL in 2019. The Eagles’ offense is rooted heavily in West Coast elements, where quick decisions are the name of the game. Investing a premium pick on a quarterback, after giving Carson Wentz an extension and bringing back Nate Sudfeld, is a head-scratcher.
Then they drafted Davion Taylor, a raw but athletic outside linebacker from Colorado. Taylor made Touchdown Wire’s list of the Top 11 linebackers, and played in Colorado’s overhang role the past two seasons. However, he is very much a project.
Grade: C
Pittsburgh Steelers
The Pittsburgh Steelers were another team lacking a first round pick, having sent that to Miami in exchange for safety Minkah Fitzpatrick. But the second night gave them some options, and with positions like running back and defensive line in play, there were certainly some potential fits. Instead, the Steelers went in a different direction, calling on Chase Claypool, a wide receiver from Notre Dame. Claypool tested extremely well at the Combine, and could be a position switch candidate for a move to tight end. That would fill a need for the Steelers provided he can get up to speed, and if that is even the plan.
At the end of the third round, Pittsburgh added Alex Highsmith, an EDGE defender from Charlotte. Highsmith was dominant on film against lower level competition, notching 16 sacks last season, but half of those came against Old Dominion and Gardner-Webb. He has some intriguing skills and good agility off the edge, but like Claypool he might be a bit of a project ultimately.
Grade: C+
San Francisco 49ers
Come on back tomorrow, ya hear?
Seattle Seahawks
I’m still wondering how a scene from “1917” leads one to drafting a linebacker out of Texas Tech. Especially a clip titled “Schofield Run.” I’m waiting for your call, Coach Carroll…
The head-scratching moves continued on the second night of the draft. At 48 overall the Seahawks drafted Darrell Taylor, a defensive end out of Tennessee. Arif Hasan, who tabulates a consensus draft board as part of this work at The Athletic – Minnesota, pointed out that Taylor was the 92nd player on the consensus board, just a few spots behind Jordyn Brooks at 84.
Now perhaps they righted the ship in the third round, when they drafted LSU offensive guard at the 69th spot. Lewis is a feisty finisher on the inside, who blocks through the whistle in the run game and is always scanning for targets in pass protection. He has some minor technique issues to clean up, most notably with hand placement, but he is a solid pick for the Seattle offensive line.
Grade: C+
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
It is hard to point to a team that has done more to reinvent itself this offseason, and no the Chargers’ uniforms do not count. The Tampa Bay Buccaneers added arguably the greatest quarterback of all-time and then coaxed perhaps one of the best tight ends of all-time out of retirement to play with him. Then they added Tristan Wirfs at 13 on night one of the draft. Provided they can keep Tom Brady from walking into the wrong house again, they’re in good shape for 2020.
But they obviously were not done. At the 45th pick of the draft they selected Antonie Winfield Jr., the 10th overall player on the Touchdown Wire top 50. Winfield is a smart, rangy safety who can play both as a high defender in zone but also down in the box. He has some injury woes from his past, but when healthy he is a ball-hawking difference maker. A great pick for Tampa Bay. They also needed to add a running back, and while they missed out on some potential top flight options Ke’Shawn Vaughn from Vanderbilt was a solid pick in the third round. He has good balance and can contribute out of the backfield.
Grade: B+
Tennessee Titans
Despite the interesting background behind head coach Mike Vrabel, the Tennessee Titans addressed a need on Thursday night, selecting offensive tackle Isaiah Wilson out of Georgia. The big right tackle can slot into a spot recently vacated by Jack Conklin during free agency.
Then at the back of the second round, the Titans added LSU cornerback Kristian Fulton into the fold. Fulton was graded by many – Touchdown Wire included – as one of the top cornerbacks in the class. But perhaps his average size and lack of production saw him fall down boards. The Titans do have a need at cornerback, and his ability to disrupt at the catch point – Fulton had 25 pass breakups over the past few seasons – represents great value at the end of the second.
Near the end of the third round, the Titans added Darrynton Evans, an explosive running back who is dangerous in the open field and out of the backfield. While at Appalachian State he was used at times as a receiver, and can run a pretty complete route tree and is tough to take down after the catch. This seems like more of a Dion Lewis replacement than a potential replacement for Derrick Henry.
Grade: B
Washington Redskins
The Washington Redskins made the second-overall selection of the 2020 NFL Draft, picking EDGE Chase Young from Ohio State, but when night two began there was a long wait ahead of them, as they lacked a second round selection. But they made their pick in the third round count, selecting versatile RB/WR Antonio Gibson from Memphis. Gibson is a true offensive weapon, with the ability to function as a downfield threat but also the patience of a pure running back with the football in his hands. Provided Washington uses him more like the Cordarrelle Patterson we saw in New England (offensive weapon) and not the Patterson we saw in Minnesota (pure receiver) this could be a steal for the Redskins.
Grade: B+