16. New England Patriots
Previous ranking: 14
Draft picks: S Kyle Dugger, OLB Josh Uche, OLB Anfernee Jennings, TE Devin Asiasi, TE Dalton Keene, K Justin Rohrwasser, G Michael Onwenu, OT Justin Herron, LB Cassh Maluia, C Dustin Woodard
Touchdown Wire draft grade: C
You are going to be seeing a lot of this photo over the coming weeks and months, dear reader and friend, so get used to it.
Was this not the quintessential Bill Belichick draft? As many expected, he traded out of the 23rd spot and picked up two Day Two picks along the way. Then, well:
Belichick when the Pats draft some random safety at 23: pic.twitter.com/a0RP0DLoxF
— Mark Schofield (@MarkSchofield) April 17, 2020
Only he did it at 37, drafting Kyle Dugger from Lenoir-Rhyne, a Division II program. Dugger is certainly athletic, and tested very well at the Combine, but…yeah. A Belichick move for sure. Then they double-dipped at both outside linebacker and tight end (a move at TE many were clamoring them to do in 2019’s draft). Then Belichick drafted a kicker in the fifth round who immediately needed to answer for some tattoos, begging the question of whether anyone had ever done a Google search before drafting him, and they closed things out by ignoring the wide receiver position over all three days.
What we know is this. First, this is now Jarrett Stidham’s job to lose. Yes, they added an undrafted rookie free agent in J’Mar Smith, a three-year starter for Louisiana Tech who has a live arm and some mobility in and outside of the pocket. But despite rumors that they could trade up for either Tua Tagovailoa or Justin Herbert, or that they would draft Jordan Love at 23, Stidham is their guy now. Second, Belichick does things his way, and that will certainly never change. With the loss of Tom Brady in free agency and the moves made around the division and conference, the Patriots might be sliding now, but how long are you going to count the Hoodie out?
15. Los Angeles Chargers
Previous ranking: 13
Draft picks: QB Justin Herbert, LB Kenneth Murray, RB Joshua Kelley, WR Joe Reed, S Alohi Gilman, WR K.J. Hill
Touchdown Wire draft grade: C
If you liked Justin Herbert as a prospect, you loved this draft. If you are a bit lukewarm – or worse – then you have questions.
Herbert is something of a polarizing prospect. He checks the “big arm ball go far fast” box, as well as the size and athleticism boxes, but the offense he ran at Oregon did not do him any favors from an evaluation standpoint. When he was in Mobile for the Senior Bowl he looked better when he was asked to make more “NFL throws,” such as attacking the middle of the field, but on film when he was tasked with attacking that area of the field he seemed to struggle, despite his level of experience.
Then the Chargers traded back into the first round with the New England Patriots (and let’s be honest, when Bill Belichick is on the other end of a trade call with you, your Spidey Sense should be tingling) and drafted Kenneth Murray. If Murray is allowed to be a “see ball kill ball” type of player, he can thrive, but his role will be very critical to how he develops. Running back Joshua Kelley, their pick at the start of Day Three, is a player to watch. He could carve out a very big role in the Chargers’ offense as a rookie.
But ultimately this draft – and the next five years of the franchise – rests on the right arm of Herbert.
14. Seattle Seahawks
Previous ranking: 11
Draft picks: LB Jordyn Brooks, DE Darrell Taylor, G Damien Lewis, TE Colby Parkinson, RB DeeJay Dallas, DE Alton Robinson, WR Freddie Swain, TE Stephen Sullivan
Touchdown Wire draft grade: C-
Like the New England Patriots, the Seattle Seahawks do things their own way. John Schneider and Pete Carroll made some…interesting selections at the start of the draft. They selected Texas Tech linebacker Jordyn Brooks 27th overall, a player with a consensus ranking according to Arif Hasan from The Athletic – Minnesota of 84. They then drafted Darrell Taylor at 48 overall, interesting given his consensus ranking of 92 overall. Damien Lewis, the bruising guard from LSU, was perhaps their nicest pick of the draft in the 69th spot, given his consensus ranking of 94 overall and his ability to finish blocks through the whistle.
The pick that might merit watching from Day Three is Stephen Sullivan from LSU. He was a wide receiver originally who transitioned to tight end, but found himself on the outside looking in due to the Tigers’ talented options in front of him. But he can be a mismatch player that NFL offensive coordinators love to build around. However, it is hard to get that jazzed about the player you picked at 251.
Brooks is likely an immediate fit given how often the Seahawks implement three-linebacker sets, and could be the future heart of the defense. Yet, this draft seems underwhelming in the moment. Having Russell Wilson sure helps ease that feeling, however.
13. Philadelphia Eagles
Previous ranking: 10
Draft picks: WR Jalen Reagor, QB Jalen Hurts, LB Davion Taylor, S K’Von Wallace, OT Jack Driscoll, WR John Hightower, LB Shaun Bradley, WR Quez Watkins, OT Prince Tega Wanogho, LB Casey Toohill
Touchdown Wire draft grade: D
Welcome to the QB Factory.
Jalen Reagor is an almost ideal fit for the Philadelphia Eagles’ offense, but we can be honest here, we are among friends. The takeaway from this draft class is the selection of Jalen Hurts at 53 overall. As someone how co-hosts an Eagles’ podcast focused on the quarterback position (formerly the QB Scho Show, now rebranded as the QB Factory thanks to Howie Roseman’s post-draft comments) I can assure you that the selection of Hurts in this spot is not going over well in the City of Brotherly Love.
Two things can be true (a phrase you will hear again when we get to the Green Bay Packers): Jalen Hurts was worthy of a second-round selection, but he was also a poor pick for the Eagles. Hurts is a “see it, throw it” passer who last year averaged 3.08 seconds snap-to-throw. That would be dead last in the NFL. His style of play, coupled with the long and loopy mechanics he showed on film – mechanics that were improved at the Combine but we’ve seen that before *glaring in the general direction of Blake Bortles* – is not a fit for a West Coast offense. Before the second round I mocked Hurts to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at 45 overall, because a downfield offense is ideal for him. This fit..this fit is questionable.
But beyond that, what does this pick say about your current starter Carson Wentz? Turn on Philadelphia sports radio right now and you will get your answer.
With this pick, the Eagles’ front office did not just stir up a hornet’s nest, they kicked it over and waited around to see what happens next.
Then they drafted Davion Taylor, a project of a player at outside linebacker. He has great athleticism, will need some development. Also, his middle name? Jalen. So their first three picks all come with the name Jalen. People often joke about life in the year 2020 being a simulation, but this almost algorithmic set of picks is a little on the nose.
12. Minnesota Vikings
Previous ranking: 16
Draft picks: WR Justin Jefferson, CB Jeff Gladney, OT Ezra Cleveland, CB Cameron Dantzler, EDGE D.J. Wonnum, DT James Lynch, LB Troy Dye, CB Harrison Hand, WR K.J. Osborn, OT Blake Brandel, S Josh Metellus, EDGE Kenny Willekes, QB Nate Stanley, LB Brian Cole, C Kyle Hinton
Touchdown Wire draft grade: A
Hold on, I need to catch my breath after typing out that draft class.
Okay I’m ready.
This was a gargantuan haul for the Minnesota Vikings. Looking at those first four selections, you see four prospects that at one point or another were considered first-round selections. Cameron Dantzler fell out of the first because of some poor testing and size concerns, but has film to back up an earlier pick. Justin Jefferson is an ideal receiver for their offense, given his ability to work over the middle and find space against zones, and how that translates to the Minnesota boot-action passing game.
The three defenders picked in the fourth round could all carve out roles early. James Lynch was considered a dark horse for an early pick along the defensive line, and leaves Baylor as the school’s all-time leader in sacks. Troy Dye is a modern NFL linebacker, with coverage chops to run with tight ends and slot receivers but the willingness to play between the tackles.
Finally, do not sleep on quarterback Nate Stanley, added late in the draft. He has an NFL arm and is a great fit in Minnesota’s offense. He has a legitimate shot to leave training camp as the Vikings’ backup quarterback.
This was an outstanding draft for the Vikings, and with the pieces already in place, they are in good shape heading into the start of the season.
11. Dallas Cowboys
Previous ranking: 15
Draft picks: WR CeeDee Lamb, CB Trevon Diggs, DT Neville Gallimore, CB Reggie Robinson, C Tyler Biadasz, EDGE Bradlee Anae, QB Ben DiNucci
Touchdown Wire draft grade: A-
This was a great draft for the Dallas Cowboys.
Having CeeDee Lamb fall to them in the first round was a two-fold coup. First, pairing him with Amari Cooper and Michael Gallup gives Dak Prescott a trio of talented receivers that will make his life easier. Second, it crushed the dreams of Philadelphia Eagles’ fans who were watching and hoping that somehow Lamb would get to them at either the 21st spot in the draft, or within a reasonable trade-up range. The draft might be a win for this pick alone.
On Day Two they made some selections that I personally graded poorly (which resulted in some brushback on Twitter) but can work if used correctly. Alabama cornerback Trevon Diggs does one thing extremely well: Press coverage. If he is used in that role this will be a home run of a pick, as he was someone viewed earlier in the process as a first-rounder that came off the board at 51 overall. The usage is critical to the success of the pick. Then at 82 they drafted Neville Gallimore, who has some technical things to improve but yes, represents great value at that point in the draft.
Beyond that, Reggie Robinson was identified as a sleeper here at Touchdown Wire and will immediately contribute on special teams. Bradlee Anae can get after the passer, and is a potential steal in the fifth round. Even Tyler Biadasz, also identified here at Touchdown Wire as a sleeper due to his slide down the draft board, is as steady as sit gets for a center. In all, a great draft, probably made sweeter for Dallas fans given what they saw Philadelphia do.
10. Arizona Cardinals
Previous ranking: 12
Draft picks: D Isaiah Simmons, OT Josh Jones, DT Leki Fotu, DT Rashard Lawrence, LB Evan Weaver, RB Eno Benjamin
Touchdown Wire draft grade: A+
Such an incredible flex.
Kliff Kingsbury certainly looked relaxed in his James Bond-style living space, termed that by the brilliant Nora Princiotti of the Boston Globe. But he had reason to be. The Arizona Cardinals became one of the most athletic and versatile defenses in the league when they added Isaiah Simmons to their roster. Listed as a linebacker for NFL purposes, the Clemson defender can play in a variety of roles and probably projects best as a safety. Then the Cardinals pounced and grabbed tackle Josh Jones in the third round, despite projections that had him coming off the board in the first.
Day Three of the draft was almost as productive. Utah’s Leki Fotu could be a player that will thrive in the NFL, as he was used primarily as a run stopper in college but he can get after the passer when given the chance. He’ll have more chances in the NFL, especially with players like Chandler Jones and potentially even Simmons coming off the outside. Eno Benjamin was a tremendous pick for them in the seventh round.
Oh, and remember when they added DeAndre Hopkins this offseason? Pepperidge Farms remembers.
9. Indianapolis Colts
Previous ranking: 9
Draft picks: WR Michael Pittman Jr., RB Jonathan Tyalor, S Julian Blackmon, QB Jacob Eason, G Danny Pinter, DT Robert Windsor, CB Isaiah Rodgers, WR Dezmon Patmon, LB Jordan Glasgow
Touchdown Wire draft grade: B
The Indianapolis Colts were viewed as one of the free agency winners, adding Philip Rivers to solidify their quarterback position and trading for DeForest Buckner to bolster their interior defensive line. Their draft additions were solid as well, beginning with their two picks at the start of the first round. Michael Pittman Jr. can be a great asset for Rivers, with his ability along the boundary, ball skills and penchant for attacking the football at the catch point. Jonathan Taylor is a potential home run hitter of a back, with track speed and the experience in a versatile running attack like Wisconsin’s.
Quietly, the Jacob Eason pick is definitely one to track. Eason has a live arm and experience in a more traditional offense during his time at Washington. He can learn behind Rivers and more importantly joins a head coach in Frank Reich who has a track record of quarterback development, given how he was part of the room developing Carson Wentz in Philadelphia. Dezmon Patmon is a nice addition, another bigger receiver on the outside, and safety Julian Blackmon is a versatile player with potential in both zone and man coverage settings.