16. Los Angeles Chargers
Previous ranking: 15
(Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports)If you liked Justin Herbert as a prospect, you loved where the Los Angeles Chargers are right now. 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.
Locking up Joey Bosa, their talented pass rusher, was a wise move for the team, and getting Derwin James back healthy will give this defense – which might be called upon with a new quarterback under center – a boost.
15. New England Patriots
Previous ranking: 16
The big change here is at the biggest position: Quarterback.
In our last rankings, the New England Patriots were looking at a new future with Jarrett Stidham at the helm. Now? Now they have a former MVP in the mix, as Cam Newton signed with the team on a veteran minimum, incentive-laden contract.
Will he recapture his magic from 2015, or even 2017? Perhaps. Perhaps not. But the Patriots’ offense does look better on paper with Newton listed as the starting quarterback.
What was a strength, however, might now be a weakness on the defensive side of the ball. In addition to the players lost in free agency, New England now has to replace Dont’a Hightower and Patrick Chung, two players who decided to opt-out due to COVID-19 concerns. But as he showed with the quarterback position, the Hoodie always has a plan….
14. Philadelphia Eagles
Previous ranking: 13
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. Although in recent days, Wentz showed up to training camp looking quite healthy, which has quelled some of the concern over his status heading into the season.
13. Seattle Seahawks
Previous ranking: 14
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.
What also helps? Jamal Adams. The dynamic safety was acquired by the Seahawks recently in a trade with the New York Jets, and while the organization paid a heavy price, Adams is worth it for a team looking to win a Super Bowl now.
12. Minnesota Vikings
Previous ranking: 12
The Minnesota Vikings added a ton of players in this draft cycle, including Justin Jefferson, a talented wide receiver who should be a perfect fit in the Minnesota passing game. He was recently placed on the COVID-19 list, but should be ready to go for the season.
The Vikings also have one of the best safety tandems in the NFL, with Harrison Smith and Anthony Harris. They can also rely on playmakers up front, such as Eric Kendricks and Danielle Hunter. In short, this is a team talented on both sides of the football. There are issues about Dalvin Cook’s contract status, but they even have an option behind him in Alexander Mattison.
Then there is the quarterback. Despite conventional wisdom, Cousins is one of the better QBs in the game. In all, this is a solid roster with visions on a title.
11. Dallas Cowboys
Previous ranking: 11
This was a solid offseason 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.
Of course the biggest question mark is the status of quarterback Dak Prescott. He will be playing under the franchise tag in 2020, but with the weapons around him, he should be in position for a huge season.
10. Arizona Cardinals
Previous ranking: 12
(Matt Kartozian-USA TODAY Sports)
Kliff Kingsbury certainly looked relaxed in his James Bond-style living space, termed that by the brilliant Nora Princiotti of the Boston Globe, during the recent draft. 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.
There are reasons many expect the Cardinals to take a big step forward in 2020.
9. Green Bay Packers
Previous ranking: 8
The question that one takes away from this draft class is this: How does this group of players – particularly those at the top – help the 2020 Green Bay Packers? A team that was one game away from the Super Bowl.
This is something that was crystallized in recent comments from quarterback Aaron Rodgers, who said in an interview that he “poured four fingers of tequila” when the Packers passed on a wide receiver. Any who has ever sampled tequila knows what that feels like…
Making matters worse, Devin Funches just decided to opt-out, raising more questions about the wide receiver room. The Packers have a solid defense, and 12 is still 12 friends, he can still sling it, but there are questions heading into training camp.