By Lenn Robbins
The most important three days of the offseason have arrived. The NFL Draft can make or break a franchise’s short term – if not long-term future. Consider:
The Eagles used the second pick in the 2016 draft on QB Carson Wentz, yet won the Super Bowl with Nick Foles. Mitch Trubisky was the second pick in 2017 and the Bears hope Caleb Williams can finally suture that wound. And Johnny Manziel, the 22nd pick in 2014 by the Browns, was last seen playing in the Fan Controlled League.
The Tennessee Titans own the first pick in this year’s draft and have a desperate need at quarterback. Former Miami and Washington State QB Cam Ward is considered the best of this year’s paltry QB draft class.
Now imagine walking in Titans Mike Borgonzi GM’s cleats. Tennessee has the first pick in Thursday night’s first round. Does he take Ward and being remembered in the same draft disaster chapter as Wentz, Trubisky and Manziel?
That type of uncertainly pervades this year’s draft. There’s no true consensus on who is the top player, no less the top three corners or offensive linemen. With in mind, look for a number of trades and at least one truly surprising Top 10 pick.
With that in mind, let the games begin.
- Titans – Cam Ward, QB, Miami – The sign on Tennessee’s QB room reads Backup’s Room. Not a great QB year to be a QB-starving team with the No.1 pick. But QB always gets the nod.
- Browns – Travis Hunter, WR/DB, Colorado – Cleveland a reason for Browns’ fans to buy tickets. Will they ever recover from the Manziel draft/Deshaun Watson contract fiascos? Immediately becomes the team’s top playmaker.
- Giants – Abdul Carter, Edge, Penn State – I profusely apologize to Big Blue fans. The defense will have to carry this team, while the QB-challenged offense finds itself. If it ever does. But the pass rush should be relentless.
- Patriots – Will Campbell, OT, LSU – New England spent a lot of $$ on defense. Mike Vrabel will handle that side. They better spend a lot of draft capital on protecting QB Drake Maye.
- Jaguars – Tyler Warren, TE, Penn State – Remember we said one surprise pick. TE has become a valuable commodity. Warren is a special player and Jax must give Trevor Lawrence more weapons. He can help in the pass and run game.
- Raiders – Ashton Jeanty, RB, Boise State – Pete Carroll believes in running the ball. Geno Smith, with his limitations, needs a very good run game. The rebirth of the RB in the NFL continues.
- Jets – Armand Membou, OT, Missouri – Aaron Glenn wants to develop a physical culture. And with two top unquestioned RB’s but a questionable QB, Gang Green better hold the ball.
- Panthers – Mason Graham, DT, Michigan – Reminds me a little of the Micah Parsons draft when he slid to Dallas at 12. Graham is a wrecker, and Panthers (5.2 yards per carry allowed) got wrecked last season.
- Saints – Shedeur Sanders, QB, Colorado – Not sure this would happen if Derek Carr’s shoulder didn’t look like spaghetti. Polarizing pick for sure. We don’t think he’ll be a polarizing player. And he’s been preparing for this since Day 1.
- Bears – Colston Loveland, TE, Michigan – This is all about QB Caleb Williams. Cole Kmet is a pedestrian TE. Loveland can by dynamic. Young QB’s love a quality target across the middle.
- 49ers – Jalon Walker, Hybrid LB, Georgia – Nick Bosa should be thrilled by this. 49ers DL is a shell of what it once was. Walker is the prototype SEC LB. He pillow fights with bricks and throws them from all across the front seven.
- Cowboys – Tetairoa McMillan, WR, Arizona – CeeDee Lamb (and Dak Prescott) should be thrilled by this. Don’t be duped by his relative lack of speed (4.48). He suffered a leg injury in the spring that required a minor procedure. Plays faster.
- Dolphins – Mike Green, Edge, Marshall – Fish need help at OL, LB and DB. So why Green? Anyone see what Jared Verse did last season? Green plays with an edge. Sure hope Miami has mechanisms in place to deal with his, uh, anger issues.
- Colts – Kelvin Banks, OT, Texas – Would have loved to give Indy a TE but the two best went. A trade up or down very possible. If not, got to give Anthony Richardson (or Daniel Jones) a chance and Jonathan Taylor more lanes.
- Falcons – Shemar Stewart, Edge, Texas A&M – Guess who was second-to-last in sacks? Guess who was the Combine King? Stewart is one of this year’s athletic freaks.
- Cardinals – Jahde Barron, CB, Texas – Cardinals were tied for fifth worst in picks (nine). Longhorns challenging Bulldogs as Draft Kings.
- Bengals – Walter Nolan, DT, Ole Miss – This came down to Nolan and Oregon’s Derrick Harmon. What wasn’t up for debate? Cincy needs DL help, especially if Trey Hendrickson remains underappreciated and in limbo.
- Seahawks – Matthew Golden, WR, Texas – This could be a “steal,” for a few reasons: Seahawks held a fire sale in the WR room. Golden ran the second fastest time at the combine (4.29) and got better as the season progressed.
- Buccaneers – Nick Emmanwori, S, South Carolina – Antoine Winford Jr. was our fave defensive player in the 2020 draft. But the way he plays, injury is a snap away. Emmanwori is the other freak, and Todd Bowles is a defensive guy.
- Broncos – Omarion Hampton, RB, North Carolina – Imagine how much Bo Nix can improve with a power running game? Hampton is a power runner. Let the play action pass become more of a feature.
- Steelers – Derrick Harmon, DT, Oregon – Of course, the story in Pittsburgh is QB. Here’s hoping it isn’t Aaron Rodgers, who now tarnishes everything he touches. Steelers might trade down.
- Chargers – Grey Zabel, C/G North Dakota State – When in doubt, Jim Harbaugh is going to go with a physical player. And a deep O-Line. Plus, is Mekhi Becton to be trusted? Ask Jets fans.
- Packers – Will Johnson, CB, Michigan – Yes, the Packers signed Nate Hall. But they lost Eric Stokes and Corey Ballantine, and Jaire Alexander might be traded.
- Vikings – Malaki Starks, S, Georgia – S Harrison Smith has been a great fixture and should be a HOFer the day after he retires. But he’s 36. Starks is an ideal replacement.
- Texans – Josh Simmons, OT, Ohio State – Every move in Houston needs to focus on how to help C.J. Stroud, who was sacked 52 times, continue to evolve. Buckeyes block for Buckeyes.
- Rams – Josh Conerly Jr., IOL, Oregon – Old guys need protection, too. Conerly has the flexibility and smarts to keep Matt Stafford clean.
- Ravens – Kenneth Grant, DT, Michigan – We marvel at how John Harbaugh and Eric DeCostra continue to put a physical, nasty defense on the field. Here’s how.
- Lions – Donovan Ezeiruaku, DE, Boston College – Dan Campbell is all-in on living on the edge. Ezeiruaku is undersized, but his motor and IQ are in overdrive.
- Commanders – Jihaad Campbell, ILB, Alabama – Bobby Wagner, who could be fitted for a gold jacket now, hasn’t slowed down – yet. He’ll be 35 at the season’s start with 1,838 tackles on those tires.
- Bills – Maxwell Hairston, CB, Kentucky – CB has been a perennial issue. Injuries derailed former No.1 pick Tre’Davious White, 30, who returned on a one-year deal. Hairston had the fastest 40 (4.28) in the combo.
- Chiefs – Tyler Booker, G, Alabama – If you watched the Super Bowl you know the Chiefs got pounded up front. Pounded, Booker isn’t an athletic freak but is a high-IQ, leader.
- Eagles – Nik Scourton, DE, Texas A&M – The rich get richer. The first play he takes off will be the first play he’s ever taken off. Eagles lost DE Josh Sweat and penetrating DT Milton Williams. Scourton steps in.
Bonus – Favorite Probable Non-First Rounder
Offense
Luther Burden III, WR, Missouri – His combination of acceleration, powerful hands and ball tracking make him a big-play threat every time he touches the ball. Extra credit for helping Missouri return to prominence.
Andrew Mukuba, S, Texas – Football instincts are in his DNA. Seems to know where the play is going and definitely knows what to do the to offensive player when he gets there. Playmaker!
