Alright folks. For those that have been diligently awaiting the reveal of this draft's top 10, your time is now. Below you will find the teams that I ranked as having the ten best drafts this past weekend.
For those that are grabbing this article first, read this to understand more about how the scoring system works, and which teams earned the bottom rankings. Then check this out to see which teams were in the middle of the pack, and just missed the top ten.
Now, take a look below and see who the offseason draft champion was.
10. Tennessee Titans (C+)
1.02 - Marcus Mariota, QB, Oregon (C)
2.08 - Dorial Beckham Green, WR, Missouri (B+)
3.02 - Jeremiah Poutasi, OT, Utah (D)
4.01 - Angelo Blackson, DT, Auburn (D+)
4.09 - Jalston Fowler, FB, Alabama (B-)
5.02 - David Cobb, RB, Minnesota (B-)
6.01 - Deiontrez Mount, LB, Louisville (C-)
6.32 - Andy Gallick, C, Boston College (B-)
7.28 - Tre McBride, WR, William & Mary (C)
The Titans were a terrible football team a year ago, and they used this opportunity to pull of a top ten haul, which can be a foundation for a future resurgence. Ironically, it was their top selection, number two overall, that were among their worst picks, and I really like Mariota.
As I mentioned in my ratings piece, system fit is a really important part of the overall grade. If Philly selected Mariota at 2, this pick is an A or better. With Tennesse it is a C at best because he simply doesn't fit this offense, and I don't believe that Kenny Wisenhunt has any intention of reworking his offense for Marcus. Poutasi and Blackson were tow other picks I really didn't care for as I felt both were reaches.
Still they pulled off a top ten draft on the strength of the rest of their selection. I love the Beckham Green pick here. He is an absolute first round talent, and if his troubles saty in his past, he joins Justin Hunter and Kendall Wright to make a scary 1-2-3 set for their new signal caller. Andy Gallick could be an impact player from day 1, and they got him in round 6. David Cobb will be an awesome complimentary back to the faster yet smaller Bishop Sankey, and with Jalston Fowler running in front of these guys, there will be some room.
Trading out of the two spot and collecting more assets could have turned this top ten draft into a top 5.
9. Detroit Lions (C+)
1.28 - Laken Tomlinson, OG, Duke (A-)
2.22 - Ameer Abdullah, RB, Nebraska (B+)
3.16 - Alex Carter, CB, Stanford (C-)
4.14 - Gabe Wright, NT, Auburn (C+)
5.32 - Michael Burton, FB, Rutgers (C)
6.24 - Quandre Diggs, CB, Texas (C-)
7.23 - Corey Robinson, OT, South Carolina (F)
The Lions cam into this draft with 7 picks, and went home with 7 picks. Not all were special, but enough were special enough to place this team in the top ten.
I fully expected the Lions would look at DT early, specifically Eddie Goldman, because it was such a need. Instead, they stayed true to their board, and grabbed Tomlinson, who also happens to fill a position of need, on the offensive side of the ball. Tomlinson will pair with the young Warford to give Detroit an excellent pair of interior studs for this line. Then they grabbed Abdullah to fill the role vacated by the departure of Reggie Bush, a role which he will excel at. They also still managed to address their need in the front of their D-line when they added the big boy, Gabe Wright in round 4. They still need to do more, but Wright is a start. I also like the pair of corners in Carter and Diggs. Not sure either will start right away, but both should make this team, and contribute.
Well done by Detroit to capitalize on 5 of their 7 selections.
8. Pittsburgh Steelers (B-)
1.22 - Bud Dupree, LB, Kentucky (B+)
2.24 - Senquez Golson, CB, Ole Miss (C)
3.23 - Sammie Coates, WR, Auburn (C)
4.22 - Doran Grant, CB, Ohio State (B+)
5.24 - Jesse James, TE, Penn State (C)
6.23 - Leterrius Walton, NT, Central Michigan (B)
6.36 - Anthony Chickillo, DE, Miami (C)
7.22 - Gerod Holliman, S, Louisville (C+)
So how good were the drafts for the AFC North teams? Well Pittsburgh comes in at number 7 overall, and they had the LOWEST grade of any team in the division. Kind of scary.
The Steelers are quite possibly the most consistent team when it comes to the draft. They are not creative. They don't trade around a lot. They simply sit tight and take they guy with the best grade on their board. Period. Every time. That is exactly what led this team to adding Bud Dupree in the first. Sure he is a pass rushing linebacker, just like Jarvis Jones (2-yrs ago) and Ryan Shazier (last year). But he was the best on their board, and he was available. And Mike Tomlin and his staff will find ways to use him, and his knack at getting after opposing QBs. They didn't reach for a corner or safety in round 1, but instead landed 3 new pieces to their secondary in Golson, Grant, and Holliman. All three of these guys have a nose for the ball as they combined for 29 take-aways last year. Since this is something the Steelers want to do more of, each will be a welcome addition. My favorite pick for this team though was 6th rounder Leterrius Walton. I had a 4th round grade on him, and speculated he would be a great fit for Pittsburgh. He place the Nose hard, and he has a blue collar mentality that will quickly make him a fan favorite.
Really good job by Kevin Colbert, yet again.
7. Cleveland Browns (B-)
1.12 - Danny Shelton, NT, Washington (B+)
1.19 - Cam Erving, OL, Florida State (A)
2.19 - Nate Orchard, DE, Utah (C+)
3.13 - Duke Johnson, RB, Miami (C+)
3.32 - Xavier Cooper, DT, Washington State (B+)
4.16 - Ibraheim Campbell, S, Northwestern (C+)
4.24 - Vince Mayle, WR, Washington State (C-)
6.13 - Charlie Gaines, CB, Louisville (C)
6.19 - Malcolm Johnson, TE, Mississippi State (D)
6.22 - Randall Telfer, TE, USC (D)
7.02 - Haynes Pullard, LB, USC (C)
7.24 - Iko Ekpre-Olomu, CB, Oregon (C)
The Browns? A top ten draft? Really? Yes. Absolutely. Ray Farmer and company had 12 picks going into this draft, and when you make smart picks with the first 6, you are going to have a top ten class. In fact, if not for all the extra picks (and the law of averages kicking in) the Browns could have landed even higher on this list.
The started the draft strong with the Shelton / Erving selections, and they now have young anchors for both of their lines. Erving also provides insurance should Alex Mack bolt after this year. Xavier Cooper was an excellent choice at the end of the third to fill their 5-technique role, as he is cut from a similar cloth as Haloti Ngata. Nate Orchard will fill the pass rushing LB spot for this team, Campbell could push for playing time in that secondary early, and Duke Johnson helps this running game. Even Charlie Gaines, Haynes Pullard, and Ikp Ekpre-Olomu could make this roster this year.
As I already mentioned, if not for a pair of questionable TEs, and a WR in Mayle who I am not that fond of, this was an excellent draft for the Browns. Now, about that QB situation...
6. Miami Dolphins (B)
1.14 - Devante Parker, WR, Louisville (B)
2.20 - Jordan Phillips, DT, Oklahoma (C-)
4.15 - Jamil Douglas, OG, Arizona State (C+)
5.09 - Bobby McCain, CB, Memphis (C)
5.13 - Jay Ajayi, RB, Bosie State (B+)
5.14 - Cedric Thompson, S, Minnesota (B)
5.20 - Tony Lippet, WR, Michigan State (C)
So how does a team who doesn't draft a sing player with a A grade crack the top 10? Simple. Land an average grade or better with every one of your seven picks. No outstanding individual picks, but overall a very good draft because each piece fits.
With all of the hype going to Amari Cooper (deservedly) and Kevin White (less deservedly), Devante Parker was overlooked a bit, and that is a shame. He is an excellent route runner who has a knack for separation. Add a good pair of hand to it and you have the makings of an excellent pro wide out. He still needs to hit the weight room a bit, but bulk and strength can be added. Jamil Douglas will compete immediately for a starting OG position, Bobby McCain is an undersized, scrappy corner, who reminds me a lot of the Chargers Jason Verrett. Scares about an overblown injury allowed for the Phins to grab a huge upside play at RB in Jay Ajayi and Cedric Thompson is one of my favorite Safeties in this draft.
They only pick I was even a little weary of was the selection of Jordan Phillips. He was hurt in college, and adding another d-lineman, with a real need at pass rushing LB (and good players still available) was the only decision I can question.
5. Minnesota Vikings (B)
1.11 - Trae Waynes, CB, Michigan State (B-)
2.13 - Eric Kendricks, LB, UCLA (B)
3.24 - Danielle Hunter, DE, LSU (B+)
4.11 - TJ Clemmings, OT, Pittsburgh (A)
5.07 - MyCole Pruitt, TE, Southern Illinois (C-)
5.10 - Stefon Diggs, WR, Maryland (C)
6.09 - Tyrus Thompson, OT, Oklahoma (C-)
6.17 - BJ Dubose, DT, Louisville (F)
7.11 - Austin Shepherd, OT, Alabama (C)
7.15 - Edmond Robinson, LB, Newberry (F)
In a draft awfully similar to Cleveland's, Minnesota used their plethora of picks well, especially at the top, adding contributor after contributor for 5 of their first 6 picks. It all started with the selection of Waynes, who will be a great addition to this secondary, pushing the incumbents to either play up, or move out. Kendricks will pair with his former college teammate, last year's top selection, Anthony Barr, to create an excellent pair of young, ball-carrier seeking missiles. Danielle Hunter can definitely bend the edge, and TJ Clemmings will be a future stud at OT, once he fully adapts to the position. Even Stefon Diggs could be called on to contribute with his excellent speed, although it will likely be in a special teams capacity early on.
Outside of BJ Dubose, there was no other picks which I would deem throw-aways, and that leads Minnesota to an easy top ten draft, and a future to be excited about.
4. Baltimore Ravens (B+)
1.26 - Breshad Perriman, WR, Central Florida (B+)
2.23 - Maxx Williams, TE, Minnesota (B-)
3.26 - Carl Davis, DT, Iowa (A-)
4.23 - ZaDarius Smith, LB, Kentucky (A-)
4.26 - Buck Allen, RB, Southern Cal (C-)
4.37 - Trey Walker, CB, Texas Southern (C)
5.35 - Nick Boyle, TE, Delaware (F)
5.40 - Robert Meyers, OG, Tennessee State (C-)
6.28 - Darren Waller, WR, Georgia Tech (C)
Year in and year out, Ravens GM Ozzie Newsome, continues to impress me with his management of his board, and the way he moves with the flow of the draft. He knows when to move up, when to move down, and when to stay put to get the guy who he is targeting.
This year is no different, and again, Ozzie lands a top ten haul. Perriman in the first was the exact right call to immediately, and completely replace Torrey Smith. He is legit fast, and has size and pedigree to go along with it. But best of all, he is a "hand-snatcher" at the receiver position, meaning he makes the grabs by attacking the ball with his hands rather than waiting for it to come into his body. Maxx Williams will be a great fit in this system and should relieve some of the pressure on the oft injured Dennis Pitta. Carl Davis and ZaDarius Smith are my two favorites from this class for this team though. Davis will asked to fill the void left by Ngata. That will be hard, but he has the skill set and potential to do it. Smith will have the opportunity to learn under Suggs for a few years before he eventually replaces him. He is an outstanding play chaser, and he has some underrated pass rush moves now. Wait until he studies under Sizzle.
This was an excellent draft all around for the Ravens, which has become commonplace for this team.
3. Cincinnati Bengals (A-)
1.21 - Cedric Ogbuehi, OT, TAMU (C-)
2.21 - Jake Fisher, OT, Oregon (B+)
3.21 - Tyler Croft, TE, Rutgers (C)
3.35 - Paul Dawson, LB, Texas Christian (A)
4.21 - Josh Shaw, CB, Southern Cal (C+)
4.36 - Marcus Hardison, DE, Arizona State (C+)
5.21 - CJ Uzmoah, TE, Auburn (C-)
6.21 - Derron Smith, S, Fresno State (A-)
7.21 - Mario Alford, WR, West Virginia (F)
How good is this Bengals roster? Well, they used their first two picks of this draft to select offensive tackles, neither of who will start this year, and none of the draft experts are giving them any heat for it. Now that is a stacked roster.
Considering they added great talent throughout this draft to continue to build depth really made this a special draft for Cincy. Jake Fisher is an awesomely athletic OT, who can absolutely play on the left side in this league. Tyler Croft will pair with Tyler Eifert to give Andy Dalton a pair of athletic TEs who can stretch the seam. Paul Dawson and Derron Smith were both crazy good selections though. Dawson simply jumps off the tape at you when you watch him, and he becomes a perfect fit in this defense. Derron Smith should have gone off the board 4 rounds earlier, and for him to be there for the Bengals so late was just a gift. Don't be surprised to see him as a starting Safety for this team in the 2016 season.
I understand the Ogbuehi pick, but I don't love it. I think he is a bit limited to begin with, and coming off an injury hurts too. Sure he will have the time, as he is essentially going to be able to redshirt this season, and maybe he develops into something more, but that is the one pick I really question.
Despite that, this was another fantastic draft for the perennial playoff participant, Cincinnati Bengals.
2. Jacksonville Jaguars (A)
1.03 - Dante Fowler Jr, LB, Florida (A+)
2.04 - TJ Yeldon, RB, Alabama (B-)
3.03 - AJ Cann, OG, South Carolina (B+)
4.05 - James Sample, S, Louisville (C+)
5.03 - Rashad Green, WR, Florida State (C+)
6.04 - Michael Bennett, DT, Ohio State (C+)
7.03 - Neal Sterling, WR, Monmouth (D)
7.12 - Ben Koyak, TE, Notre Dame (C+)
For the last two season, the Jags have been stockpiling talent, and this year's class was the best yet. Having landed their offensive centerpiece last year at the 3rd overall selection (Blake Bortles), this year they add their defensive leader of the future in Dante Fowler. Fowler is the perfect fit for Gus Bradley's Leo role, and will be terrorizing opposing QBs for years. Fowler was one of the two highest single player grades in this whole draft (Leonard Williams was the only one higher), and Jacksonville needed this centerpiece.
To also add TJ Yeldon to be their new primary ball carrier, AJ Cann to the o-line, and other talents like Green (one of the most productive Seminole receivers in school history), Sample (top five safety on my board), Bennett (a fourth round grade who want in the 6th), and Koyak (a 4th round grade who went in the 7th), the Jags simply added great talent at great value all the way through.
I am very happy to see the Jags add a superb class here. Hopefully for GM Dave Caldwell and HC Gus Bradley, it does not wind up being a great class for the next coach and GM.
1. Atlanta Falcons (A+)
1.08 - Vic Beasley, LB, Clemson (A)
2.10 - Jalen Collins, CB, LSU (A)
3.09 - Tevin Coleman, RB, Indiana (A-)
4.08 - Justin Hardy, WR, East Carolina (B-)
5.01 - Grady Jarrett, NT, Clemson (A-)
7.08 - Jake Rodgers, OT, Eastern Washington (F)
7.32 - Akeem King, DB, San Jose State (D)
How do you win the best draft overall? Make 4 of your first 5 selections "A" range picks. Atlanta simply hit it out of the park with this draft. There were a lot of other tams that had nice drafts, but in this draft, Atlanta is the smart kid who sits up front, and completely ruins the curve for everyone else.
Atlanta needed to do a better job of getting after the QB. They spent their top pick on the second best pass rusher from this class. Mission accomplished. They needed to do a better job of shutting down opponents downfield attack. They added Jalen Collins in the second round who should have been off the board in the first. He has tremendous speed, and can cover well too. He projects to be a number 1 corner in the league. Mission accomplished. The needed a more consistent threat carrying the ball, to take pressure off Matt Ryan and the passing game. Tevin Coleman was one of the top RBs in the nation last year, and he did it on a broken foot. Now he is healthy. Mission accomplished.
Add into the mix Justin Hardy, who has blazing speed, and Grady Jarrett who is stout as stout can be at the point of attack against the run, and you have the best first 5 selections in this draft, by a substantial margin.
My only knock against the Falcons, is they did not add any valuable pieces to the o-line. I still see this as an opportunity for this team, but they were not going to leap into the Super Bowl discussion with 1 draft. Just wait for another year or two though, and watch out for those Birds.
Submit a design or vote in the Fantasy Fanalytics Logo Contest.
Follow us on Twitter for even more Starts and Sits: @EZandtheGinny
No comments:
Post a Comment