Scouting Blog
First Round Analysis
By: Ed Hunt
#1: Arizona Cardinals: Kyler Murray, QB, Oklahoma
Kyler Murray is the first pick in the draft after a lot of speculation. He does have decent accuracy and he can make plays with his legs. There are some things that he needs to clear up, but he is the guy that fits Kliff Kingsbury’s offense.
#2: San Francisco 49ers: Nick Bosa, DE, Ohio State
Nick Bosa is probably the most complete prospect in this draft. He is athletic on the line and has a few good moves to get to the quarterback. He will stay at defensive end in the 49ers 4-3 scheme. This may be the end of Solomon Thomas, but the 49ers will be able to get plenty of pressure off the edge.
#3: New York Jets: Quinnen Williams, DE/DT, Alabama
Although I think he would fit better in a 4-3 scheme, it looks like the Jets reload at defensive end. Williams is a one-year wonder, but he is strong in both the pass rush and run defending department. The Jets looked like they were going to trade out of this spot, but they do have a pick worthy of a #3 selection. Defensive line was not a huge need though.
#4: Oakland Raiders: Clelin Ferrell, DE, Clemson
This is a bit of a surprise, but not a bad pick. Ferrell is a persistent pass rusher and will fit into the Raiders 4-3 scheme. It was also reported that Ferrell interviewed well and that probably figured into the decision. Ferrell was the best of a very good Clemson defensive line.
#5: Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Devin White, ILB, LSU
Well, this pick was commonly mocked, but I still question it. Devin White is a very good run defender, but my questions are his coverage. He is a great athlete and ran a 4.4 40 at the combine. Still, I haven’t seen him be reliable in coverage on tape and that’s why I question this pick.
#6: New York Giants: Daniel Jones, QB, Duke
This is a questionable pick. I think the Giants needed to draft a quarterback, but I question which quarterback they drafted. Daniel Jones has NFL size, but he lacks the athleticism, consistency with accuracy and arm that you want in a franchise quarterback. I also worry that he can’t make the deep throws that you need to stretch the defense.
#7: Jacksonville Jaguars: Josh Allen, OLB, Kentucky
Josh Allen slipped and he honestly deserved to. He lacks a full arsenal of pass rush moves despite having all the other tools to be a good linebacker. I expected the Jaguars to go offense with their strength being their defense, but it looks like they went best player available. It will be interesting to see if they use him as a will linebacker or a defensive end.
#8: Detroit Lions: T.J. Hockenson, TE, Iowa
Matt Patricia gets his tight end. This is very much in the Patriot mold to get a top tight end. This may be the best tight end prospect of the last two years. His speed, receiving ability and blocking make him worthy of a Top 10 pick as a tight end.
#9: Buffalo Bills: Ed Oliver, DT, Houston
This is a steal. He is being overlooked for his size, but he has the best tape of any defensive lineman I have seen. Teams slept on Aaron Donald and now they are sleeping on Ed Oliver. Good pick for the Bills.
#10: Pittsburgh Steelers: Devin Bush, ILB, Michigan
The Steelers traded up for a replacement for Ryan Shazier. Bush ran well at the combine and was a good linebacker at Michigan. I still have some questions about him in coverage, but his speed at the combine is why the Steelers made this pick. They had to get this pick because the Bengals were probably interested in Devin Bush.
#11: Cincinnati Bengals: Jonah Williams, T/G, Alabama
Jonah Williams is a monster as a run blocker, but probably needs better lateral movement. He will find a home on the Bengals offensive line who need help on the interior. This is a good value pick and the Bengals needed the help on the offensive line.
#12: Green Bay Packers: Rashan Gary, DE, Michigan
This is the right scheme for Rashan Gary, but I worry it might be too early to take him. He is a workout warrior and that is why he got picked here. I just don’t think he is a good enough pass rusher to be picked this high. He is solid against the run though.
#13: Miami Dolphins: Christian Wilkins, DT, Clemson
This is a good pick. He can play Day One for the Dolphins and be a good plugger in the middle of the field. I like him both as a run defender and a pass rusher. I think he was the best defensive tackle on the Clemson team.
#14: Atlanta Falcons: Chris Lindstrom, OG, Boston College
Some people might be surprised by this pick, but I am not. Lindstrom has good tape in the run game and the pass game. He also had a very good offseason featuring in the Senior Bowl. There are a lot of teams that need a guard and so it wasn’t too early to take him.
#15: Washington Redskins: Dwayne Haskins, QB, Ohio State
Chalk this up as a win for the Redskins. It’s hard to predict quarterbacks, but it’s a win if this is the guy they like. They need a quarterback as they can’t go the whole season with Case Keenum and so Haskins is worth the risk. Haskins’ accuracy is average, but he can make all the throws.
#16: Carolina Panthers: Brian Burns, DE, Florida State
Brian Burns had a good combine and that is why he went this high. His tape as a pass rusher is not as strong and that’s why I am not a fan of this pick. I do understand trying to bolster your pass rush though.
#17: New York Giants: Dexter Lawrence, DT, Clemson
A third Clemson defensive lineman comes off the board as the Giants took Dexter Lawrence with their second pick of the first round. Lawrence is a big body, but I worry that he doesn’t have the athleticism to be a two-gap defensive tackle.
#18: Minnesota Vikings: Garrett Bradbury, C, NC State
The Vikings really needed to improve the interior of the offensive line. They got a strong center who had an excellent combine. He made a name for himself at the Senior Bowl. I like this pick even, though I like Erik McCoy better here.
#19: Tennessee Titans: Jeffery Simmons, DT, Mississippi State
This is an interesting pick by the Titans. Simmons has great tape and has a great reputation among peers. However, he has a history of striking a woman and a torn ACL. It seems he interviewed well enough to be taken here. It also appears his ACL is recovering well.
#20: Denver Broncos: Noah Fant, TE, Iowa
I like this pick. Iowa had two outstanding tight ends. Fant is a move tight end who can help in the blocking department. He isn’t as good of a blocker as Hockenson, but he is a capable in-line blocker.
#21: Green Bay Packers: Darnell Savage, FS, Maryland
This is good pick and worth trading up for. Savage is the best safety in this draft, and the Packers needed a free safety with HaHa Clinton-Dix gone. Savage is a good run supporter and centerfielder.
#22: Philadelphia Eagles: Andre Dillard, OT, Washington State
This is a good pick for most teams at #22, but I question taking a tackle. The Eagles have two solid bookends. I do respect the way the Eagles value the game at the line of scrimmage.
#23: Houston Texans: Tytus Howard, OT, Alabama State
I’m not surprised by the position here, but I am surprised by the name. Tytus Howard was probably more of a second-round value, but he probably got picked here because he could play with the big boys at the Senior Bowl. I credit the Texans for trying to protect Deshaun Watson.
#24: Oakland Raiders: Josh Jacobs, RB, Alabama
I expected Jacobs to go about here, but I think he is the most overrated runner in this draft. He wasn’t even a starter at Alabama. The upside of him is that he doesn’t have a lot of tread on his tires.
#25: Baltimore Ravens: Marquise Brown, WR, Oklahoma
Brown is an elite slot receiver and the Ravens need a receiver. I thought Hollywood Brown would be a second rounder with his injury. He is both a speedy route runner and a deep threat.
#26: Washington Redskins: Montez Sweat, DE, Mississippi State
Montez Sweat is an athletic freak and will make for a good edge rusher. I like his potential. There are now reports that he was misdiagnosed for a heart condition. This is good value at 26.
#27: Oakland Raiders: Jonathan Abram, S, Mississippi State
The Raiders missed with this pick. Sure, he is an in-the-box safety, but can he do anything in coverage? The Raiders have not had a good draft so far with the only player I like being Clelin Ferrell. My concern here is that this way too early.
#28: Los Angeles Chargers: Jerry Tillery, DT, Notre Dame
This is a good pick here. Jerry Tillery has great athleticism to go with his size. There is some talk that he is a bad teammate, but his play on the field speaks for itself. The interviews with peers is probably what set him this far back in the draft.
#29: Seattle Seahawks: LJ Collier, DE, TCU
I think a lot of people thought Collier would be a second-round pick, but I will say that I think this is a good pick. Collier has some good tape and was underrated.
#30: New York Giants: Deandre Baker, CB, Georgia
I am surprised that Baker fell this far down and I am surprised it took this long for a cornerback to come off the board. Baker is a pure cover corner and that is why he is valuable to the Giants. Dave Gettleman redeemed himself with this pick.
#31: Atlanta Falcons: Kaleb McGary, OT, Washington
This is another player that has been underrated by the media. McGary plays with a lot of energy and physicality. He is a competent pass blocker and run blocker. I see a first rounder on tape.
#32: New England Patriots: N’Keal Harry, WR, Arizona State
This pick surprised me. I’m not high on N’Keal Harry because of his college production. I do think his size is the reason he got drafted so high. This is not the type of receiver that the Patriots usually take as they like smaller and faster receivers.
