9: Las Vegas Raiders: Marvin Wilson, DL, Florida State
If the Las Vegas Raiders are indeed picking this high again in 2021, you would think quarterback is in play. However, with the top three players off the board, and a bit of a dropoff from Lawrence/Fields/Lance to the next tier of passers, the Raiders look elsewhere.
They do not need to look long, as they can find the top interior defensive linemen falling into their lap. Interior defensive tackles might not be a highly-coveted position, but players like Marvin Wilson do not come around every draft cycle. Wilson can both stop the run on the inside while still attacking the pocket with an array of pass-rushing moves that some edge defenders would love to have in their arsenal. Las Vegas has some talent on the edges, with Clelin Ferrell and Maxx Crosby, and adding Wilson to the front would make their defensive line much more formidable.
10. Miami Dolphins (via Houston Texans): Gregory Rousseau, EDGE, Miami
Again, the Miami Dolphins are in position to have a couple of first round picks at their disposal, and are on the clock again as part of the Laremy Tunsil trade.
Provided things fall they way they have in this draft, the opportunity to address pass rush is too good a value to pass up. There are some intriguing options at that position for the Dolphins at this point, but they stay with an EDGE player from down the street, Gregory Rousseau from Miami. Rousseau tallied 15.5 sacks in 2019 for the Hurricanes, and has the hand quickness and speed-to-power skills you need off the edge to succeed in the NFL. Brian Flores has put his stamp on the Miami defense, adding talent in the secondary and at linebacker. Now he gets the pass rusher to attack opposing QBs.
11. Denver Broncos: Tyson Campbell, CB, Georgia
The Denver Broncos added A.J. Bouye this off-season in a trade with the Jacksonville Jaguars, but having lost Chris Harris Jr. in free agency, they still need to add depth and talent to their cornerback room.
Tyson Campbell might not be the top cornerback on many boards right now, but he moves well in space and has the length and speed to handle the routes he will face – and the receivers he’ll be asked to cover – in the professional game. Eye discipline might be an issue to watch in 2020, but he has the traits you want in a first-rounder at the position.
12. Atlanta Falcons: Quincy Roche, EDGE, Miami
You can never have enough pass rush in today’s NFL, and the Atlanta Falcons could use another defender to come off the edge. Quincy Roche turned in a tremendous campaign last season for the Temple Owls, notching 13 sacks and finishing the year being named as the American Athletic Conference Defensive Player of the Year.
He transferred to Miami over the winter as a graduate, and now gets to align up front with Gregory Rousseau on the opposite edge. That should give him some one-on-one chances, where he does some of his best work. Explosive, powerful and with an array of pass-rushing moves, he should put together another great season and truly boost his draft stock.
13. Chicago Bears: Jaylen Waddle, WR, Alabama
Last season with the Crimson Tide, Jaylen Waddle was perhaps the fourth option for Tua Tagovailoa in the passing game, after Jerry Jeudy, Henry Ruggs III and DeVonta Smith. But Waddle was given chances on some designed plays, such as bubble screens, slants off of run/pass option designs, and shallow crossing routes.
Does that sound like what Matt Nagy has in place with his offense?
Provided Nagy has another season in Chicago, Waddle would be a perfect fit in his offense. His ability after the catch is tailor-made for a West Coast system, and while his teammate Smith might be the better all-around receiver, Waddle is ideal for Chicago.
Now if they can just figure out the quarterback position…
14. Jacksonville Jaguars (via Los Angeles Rams): Pat Freiermuth, TE, Penn State
Tight end might not be the most coveted position early in the draft, but with a second first-rounder the Jacksonville Jaguars have a chance to take advantage and grab a player who can be a focal point of their offense for the next few seasons.
Nicknamed “Baby Gronk,” Freiermuth looks the part of a true NFL tight end, in the vein of George Kittle. He handles the blocking responsibilities of the job well, but can be a true weapon as a receiver. Penn State would use him in some Y-Iso alignments, getting him on the boundary against linebackers in space which is a very favorable matchup for him. If you are going to build around a young quarterback in Trevor Lawrence, having a tight end like this is a huge boost to the development process for the QB.
15. Cleveland Browns: Dylan Moses, LB, Alabama
If there is an issue on the defensive side of the ball for the Cleveland Browns, it is likely at the second level. The organization added Jacob Phillips in the third round of the 2020 NFL Draft, and have two players from the 2019 draft in Sione Takitaki and Mack Wilson slated in as starters currently.
But Moses is another stout linebacker who can be a three-down defender in the NFL. He has the athleticism to fly around the field and make plays along the boundaries, and can also stick on receivers in man coverage situations. He is a sure tackler who rarely misses, whether in traffic or outside in space.
16. Arizona Cardinals: Wyatt Davis, G, Ohio State
The Arizona Cardinals have done a great job assembling skill players on the offensive side of the football the past few seasons. As they head into 2020 they can roll out a 10 personnel package of Larry Fitzgerald, DeAndre Hopkins, Christian Kirk and someone from the Hakeem Butler/Andy Isabella/KeeSean Johnson trio. With Kyler Murray pulling the strings and Kenyan Drake in the backfield, this is a potent group.
Obviously wide receiver could be a need still in 2021, if Fitzgerald hangs up the cleats or they cannot find a fourth member of the group from that above triumvirate. But if they can address other needs, the interior of the offensive line would be a place to start. That leads us to Davis, an athletic blocker who does a great job on zone designs and moving into space. That would be an ideal fit for Kliff Kingsbury’s offense.