2019 NFC North Team Grades
Detroit Lions
1-8 T.J. Hockenson, TE, Iowa
2-43 Jahlani Tavai, LB, Hawaii
3-81 Will Harris, DB, Boston College
4-117 Austin Bryant, DE, Clemson
5-146 Amani Oruwariye, CB, Penn State
6-184 Travis Fulgham, WR, Old Dominion
6-186 Ty Johnson, RB, Maryland
7-224 Isaac Nauta, TE, Georgia
7-229 PJ Johnson, DT, Arizona
Analysis:
TJ Hockensen was a good pick in the first round. He is an excellent blocker and has the tools to be a good receiver. Jahlani Tavai is guy who will be asked to start right away, but this pick really came out of nowhere. Will Harris is a good deep safety who can cover. I think he is a system player for Matt Patricia. Austin Bryant could make for a nice situational pass rusher for the Lions. Amani Oruwariye was a steal in that he has good coverage skills as a corner. His speed is the reason he dropped to the fifth. Travis Fulgham is a tough in the middle of the field but is only an average route runner. PJ Johnson is an interesting player as he is a big body who is more competent rushing the passer. Maybe he is also used as a situational player.
Grade: B
Green Bay Packers
1-12 Rashan Gary, DE, Michigan
1-21 Darnell Savage, FS, Maryland
2-44 Elgton Jenkins, OL, Mississippi State
3-75 Jace Sternberger, TE, Texas A&M
5-150 Kingsley Keke, DL, Texas A&M
6-185 Ka’dar Hollman, CB, Toledo
6-194 Dexter Williams, RB, Notre Dame
7-226 Ty Summers, LB, TCU
Analysis:
I’m not a huge fan of the Rashan Gary pick. I think he will be able to play some different roles on the defense, but his Michigan tape just doesn’t cut it for me. Darnell Savage was a nice pick as he can slide in and be a great all-around free safety. Elgton Jenkins is some work on technique away being a starting NFL interior lineman. Jace Sternberger was one of my favorite day two picks as he is capable of being a two-way tight end. Kingsley Keke is a good player but needs to build up his core strength a bit. Dexter Williams was a great pick in the sixth round as he has good vision, can be explosive and is a tough runner after contact. Ty Summers is an average linebacker who just needs to be a more sure tackler.
Grade B-
Minnesota Vikings
1-18 Garrett Bradbury, C, North Carolina State
2-50 Irv Smith Jr., TE Alabama
3-102 Alexander Mattison, RB, Boise State
4-114 Dru Samia, OL, Oklahoma
5-162 Cameron Smith, LB, USC
6-190 Armon Watts, DT, Arkansas
6-191 Marcus Epps, S, Wyoming
6-193 Olisaemeka Udoh, OL, Elon
7-217 Kris Boyd, DB, Texas
7-239 Dillon Mitchell, WR, Oregon
7-247 Olabisi Johnson, WR, Colorado State
7-250 Austin Cutting, LS, Air Force
Analysis:
Garrett Bradbury is a good pick as he can step in a be the new center. The Vikings have needed help on the interior of their offensive line. Irv Smith is another good pick as he is a very good route runner for a tight end. Alexander Mattison is a questionable pick in the third round as he doesn’t have the vision you want in a back going that high. Dru Samia was a miss for the Vikings as he gets overpowered when pass blocking and is hit and miss when run blocking. Cameron Smith is a solid outside linebacker but I think he will need to work on his blitzing. Oli Udoh is a guy with a big frame who can pass block but needs to work on his run blocking technique. Kris Boyd is more of a zone corner who needs to be more physical at the line of scrimmage and in coverage. Dillon Mitchell needs to get in and out of his breaks better and doesn’t come up with 50-50 balls on tape. He is a good open field runner though. Olabisi Johnson is a nice selection in the seventh round with good route running ability and confident personality. The last pick was a long snapper, Austin Cutting, and that means he will have to win the job in camp to make the pick worth it.
Grade: B-
Chicago Bears
3-73 David Montgomery, RB, Iowa State
4-24 Riley Ridley, WR, Georgia
6-205 Duke Shelley, CB, Kansas State
7-222 Kerrith Whyte Jr, RB, Florida Atlantic
7-238 Stephen Denmark, CB, Valdosta State
Analysis:
The Bears didn’t pick until the third round but got a lead back in David Montgomery. He will be able to contribute to Matt Nagy’s passing attack. Riley Ridley is a deep threat who can get off the line of scrimmage. I would have liked to see a full route tree from him though. Kerrith Whyte played behind Devin Singletary at Florida Atlantic but was a good runner when given the chance. He has good burst and is a patient runner with good vision who could break tackles. Stephen Denmark is a raw cornerback with good measurables.
Grade: B-
