The 2021 NFL draft has finally come to a close, with 259 exciting prospects joining NFL franchises over three days. For the most part, I was impressed with how teams went about the process this year, and there were a lot of savvy selections, especially on the first two days. In all, 86 of my top 100 prospects were drafted in the first 100 picks. Five teams in need landed a franchise QB on Day 1. And I liked a bunch of Day 3 steals at multiple positions. It wasn't an easy year to scout for these franchises, but they put together some intriguing individual classes.
I'll leave the team grades to my guy Mel Kiper Jr., but I really liked what the Jets, Dolphins, Vikings and Giants did at the draft. The Jets got their QB in Zach Wilson and then surrounded him with talent, including some playmaking steals in Rounds 2 through 4. The Dolphins loaded up with five top-60 prospects on Thursday and Friday. And then the Vikings and Giants each got good value on trades and attacked multiple needs.
But what was the best pick for every team? I'll highlight one selection for all 32 franchises that I thought was excellent and really stood out. But to be clear, "best pick" does not necessarily mean "best player." Team needs, the value a player presented in comparison to my board, scheme fit and any trades related to the pick all factor in here. In other words, each team's top-ranked or earliest selection doesn't automatically translate to their best selection.
Let's get into it, starting with the reloading AFC East, but you can jump to any team below and see its aced pick.
Jump to:
ARI | ATL | BAL | BUF | CAR | CHI | CIN
CLE | DAL | DEN | DET | GB | HOU | IND
JAX | KC | LAC | LAR | LV | MIA | MIN
NE | NO | NYG | NYJ | PHI | PIT | SF
SEA | TB | TEN | WSH
AFC EAST
Buffalo Bills
Carlos Basham Jr., DE, Wake Forest (Round 2, No. 61 overall)
The Bills didn't come in with a ton of holes, but their edge rushing unit needed some revamping. Jerry Hughes will turn 33 years old before the 2021 season starts, and no Buffalo player had more than five sacks last season. But the Bills dove in on the pass-rushing class, taking Miami's Gregory Rousseau at the end of Round 1, before getting Basham on Friday night. I like both players, but I'm going with the better value in Basham. I actually had Basham ranked a little higher than Rousseau at No. 43 overall, but Buffalo really needs both to be productive to improve its pressure.
Basham has a ton of power and quickness, and I was impressed with how often he was disruptive in college despite drawing a lot of attention from opposing blockers. Against the run, Basham has the foot speed and hands to slip blocks to make plays in the backfield, but gap discipline is a little inconsistent. For me, though, his versatility is key. He can kick inside on obvious passing downs, and while he can get home on the QB from there, he also does a really nice job getting his hands in passing lanes. Rousseau also is versatile enough to line up inside, and that duo will allow defensive coordinator Leslie Frazier to do a lot of different things up front.
Miami Dolphins
Jaylen Waddle, WR, Alabama (Round 1, No. 6 overall)
I'm not sure there was a tougher team to pick a favorite for than the Dolphins. As I mentioned above, Miami's first five picks over the course of three rounds were all guys who I had ranked in my top 60. It was a masterful Thursday and Friday for general manager Chris Grier. But ultimately, I went with the Dolphins' first pick. I love DeVonta Smith, but if you are good with Waddle's medical reports, then Waddle has every bit of an argument as the better receiver in terms of NFL potential.
Waddle is the most elusive player in the class, with the lateral movement, explosion and vision to chew up turf after the catch and the deep-ball tracking and elite speed to make vertical plays downfield. Those are two areas where Dolphins QB Tua Tagovailoa excels. Tagovailoa likes to distribute the ball out of run-pass options and quick-game throws, but he also has the touch to hit deep. And I expect this duo to dominate in those areas. Need proof? Turn on the 2018-19 tape from Alabama, when Tagovailoa and Waddle connected for 48 catches, 798 yards and seven scores -- including 15 completions for at least 20 yards.
Miami edge rusher Jaelan Phillips and Boston College tight end Hunter Long also were under consideration. Phillips has a lot of power, long arms and versatility, while Long makes a ton of contested catches. I think Long could end up being a steal in Round 3; he is a complete player who has great hands and is tough after the catch.
New England Patriots
Mac Jones, QB, Alabama (Round 1, No. 15 overall)
First and foremost, the Patriots checked off a big box on the needs list. The post-Tom Brady era has been bumpy, with Cam Newton, Brian Hoyer and Jarrett Stidham all seeing time under center last season. In 2020, the Patriots were No. 27 in Total QBR, ranked in the bottom three in completion percentage and joined the Broncos as the only two NFL teams with more interceptions than passing touchdowns (14 to 12).
There was thought that the Patriots would have to move up the board in order to get a first-round QB, potentially even dealing a future first-rounder to jump into the top 10. But as players came off the board, and Jones and Justin Fields dropped to No. 10 and then 11, it suddenly seemed like they wouldn't have to move at all. What a bold move from Bill Belichick, standing pat and waiting. And it paid off, with Jones falling to them at No. 15.
Jones' accuracy pops on tape, especially on short to intermediate throws. He times the delivery well and anticipates, leading his receivers into bonus yardage. He gets it out quickly and can layer the ball too. And I really like the way he maneuvers in the pocket and reads the field. No, don't expect him to run the ball a bunch, and he isn't going to drop the deep ball in as well as some of the other QB prospects in this class, but I think he can be a high-level starter -- especially under Belichick's coaching.
With Newton back on a one-year deal, Jones doesn't have to be the guy in Week 1. But knowing his competitiveness and the way he refused to give up the Alabama starting job to five-star recruit Bryce Young last offseason, I think Jones is going to compete right out of the gate.
New York Jets
Zach Wilson, QB, BYU (Round 1, No. 2 overall)
I mentioned earlier that I loved the Jets' strategy. They used a deep stockpile of draft picks to move up and get USC's Alijah Vera-Tucker, my top-ranked interior lineman in the class, to block for their new franchise quarterback. Ole Miss slot receiver Elijah Moore was a steal in the early stages of Round 2 -- he separates from coverage and is a playmaker after the catch -- and UNC running back Michael Carter (Round 4) has acceleration as a scatback. But you can't commit to building around a franchise QB if you don't have one, and that's why Wilson is my choice here.
By now, you've heard about Wilson's off-platform ability. He extends plays with high-end instincts and agility and can make throws at different arm angles. But I also love the way he processes the game, reading the defense and understanding different schematic looks. That combined with excellent arm talent and great touch allow Wilson to throw his receivers open. He has a very high ceiling and will be the centerpiece of New York's continued rebuild.
But I'll mention it again. This one was tough, and I really almost went with Moore. That's how much I liked the second-round value.
AFC NORTH
Baltimore Ravens
Tylan Wallace, WR, Oklahoma State (Round 4, No. 131 overall)
The Ravens have taken eight wide receivers over the past four drafts, including Marquise Brown in Round 1 in 2019 and Miles Boykin and Devin Duvernay in the third round of 2019 and 2020, respectively. Will this year's duo of Wallace and first-rounder Rashod Bateman (Minnesota) finally help break open the Ravens' passing game outside the numbers? They were far and away the worst in the NFL when targeting wide receivers last season, totaling just 1,729 yards when looking that way. Simply put, if Baltimore wants to take the next step with Lamar Jackson, it needs to load up on pass-catchers.
Wallace is 5-foot-11, but he plays like he's 6-foot-3. He is physical and uses his body to pick up yards after the catch. Wallace isn't afraid of doing the dirty work in the middle of the field, but he also shows the speed to get downfield. He is a really smooth route runner with good acceleration and the versatility to line up in the slot or outside. Baltimore got what I consider a Day 2 wide receiver at No. 131 overall. That's great value.
Cincinnati Bengals
Chris Evans, RB, Michigan (Round 6, No. 202 overall)
Obviously, LSU wide receiver Ja'Marr Chase is a great pick. He's going to be a star. But I just really like the Bengals' pick of Evans late on Day 3. He is probably going to be the steal of Round 6. And with Joe Mixon's injury history, Cincinnati definitely needed a little running back depth.
Evans is instinctive between the tackles, has quick feet and shows burst hitting the hole. He'll make defenders miss in the open field with good contact balance. But he also is very capable catching the ball, and Michigan even lined him up out in the slot a bit early in his career. He is really smooth transitioning upfield and is dangerous after the catch. He only saw 16 carries in 2020, and he served a suspension in 2019 that kept him off the field, but he was very productive from 2016 to 2018. He averaged at least 5 yards per carry in each of those seasons and caught double-digit passes in two of them.
Cleveland Browns
Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah, ILB, Notre Dame (Round 2, No. 52 overall)
I had Owusu-Koramoah at No. 12 on my final board and thought he could go somewhere in the middle of the first round. So while I do like Greg Newsome II as Cleveland's Day 1 selection -- he is a long and speedy press corner with No. 1 CB upside -- I had to go with the value that the Browns got with Owusu-Koramoah outside the top 50 picks.
There are questions about what position he will play because he is a little undersized as a traditional inside linebacker, but that, to me, is an advantage. He is one of the most versatile players in the class, able to play weakside linebacker, the overhang and even over the slot. Owusu-Koramoah is instinctive and fast, and he shows really strong recognition skills. He's always around the ball, showing speed and smoothness in coverage and suddenness as an occasional pass-rusher.
Cleveland defensive coordinator Joe Woods is going to have some fun moving him around alignments and throwing a lot of different looks at opponents.
Pittsburgh Steelers
Najee Harris, RB, Alabama (Round 1, No. 24 overall)
A lot of things contributed to the Steelers' turn from 11-0 and sailing to 12-4 and exiting the playoffs early. Injuries on defense weakened an excellent unit, and drops from receivers stalled drives. But the run game was a massive flaw, as the team averaged a league-worst 3.6 yards per carry and scored just 12 rushing TDs. James Conner, last year's lead back, didn't re-sign, and Benny Snell Jr. was atop the depth chart until Thursday night despite averaging 3.3 yards per carry. Enter Harris.
The Alabama star rushed for 1,466 yards and 26 touchdowns in 2020, and he added 43 catches for 425 yards and another four end zone trips. He has the power, speed, size and decisiveness to make a big impact as a three-down back in the NFL. He is slippery between the tackles and gets in and out of his breaks very fast. He can pass protect, and as those pass-game numbers suggest, he can make things happen catching the ball. Harris is going to add a whole new element to the Steelers' offense. He changes everything for them.
AFC SOUTH
Houston Texans
Davis Mills, QB, Stanford (Round 3, No. 67 overall)
The Texans made five total picks and weren't on the clock until the second half of Day 2. But I thought they did pretty well considering the limited opportunities and the situation with Deshaun Watson, who is facing lawsuits alleging inappropriate conduct and sexual assault and has potentially played his final snap in Houston. That undoubtedly played a part in the Texans' decision to take Mills in Round 3.
I really thought Mills was going to go in Round 2, and I like the way he layers the ball with touch and accuracy. He has solid arm strength, and he flashed the ability to get through his progressions in the Stanford pro-style offense. But there are concerns here. First, he only played 11 games and doesn't have much of a catalog. Second, he has durability issues, dealing with injuries in 2018 and 2019. And third, his mechanics are inconsistent, and he occasionally makes iffy decisions with the football.
Still, I like this pick based on when the Texans got him and their need for some depth at the position. If they develop him, he has the chance to be a good starter.
The two others to watch: Michigan's Nico Collins accelerates better than any other tall wide receiver in the draft, and Miami's Brevin Jordan is arguably the most overlooked tight end of the class.
Indianapolis Colts
Kwity Paye, DE, Michigan (Round 1, No. 21 overall)
Another nice draft class for GM Chris Ballard. But Paye was the prize, considering his talent and the Colts' massive need for edge rushers. With Justin Houston and Denico Autry not returning, Paye will likely slide right into a starting role. I really like the fit; he's the kind of guy you can turn loose upfield and let him disrupt. The sack production didn't match the traits I saw on tape, but the numbers will come. Paye has a high, high ceiling and will only get better with more experience and technique refining.
Paye has speed and short-area quickness, he closes with burst and he has fast eyes. As a run-stopper, he has really good range and can slip blocks to make plays. His versatility should be noted too, as he can move around the defense a little.
Jacksonville Jaguars
Trevor Lawrence, QB, Clemson (Round 1, No. 1 overall)
There isn't much left to say about Lawrence's game. We've known he was going to be the No. 1 pick for months -- coach Urban Meyer says the Jags' internal decision was made in February -- and he is the best quarterback prospect I've seen in a decade. Lawrence has the 6-foot-6 frame. He has the elite arm talent. He has the strong decision-making skills. He has the touch, timing and anticipation on his throws. He has the quick release and throw velocity. And he has the mobility needed in today's game, both in and out of the pocket. Lawrence is the complete package.
Meyer told me he really likes the way Lawrence gets the ball out quickly to playmakers. It's a staple in his offenses, and Lawrence is sudden with the way he delivers the ball. The Jaguars supplied him with some extra weapons later in the draft, taking his Clemson teammate Travis Etienne to split carries at running back with James Robinson and then Walker Little to shore up the line. Etienne's versatility is going to be a big plus for the Jags.
And though they were on the other side of ball, Georgia corner Tyson Campbell and Syracuse safety Andre Cisco deserve some recognition too. Cisco is the definition of ball hawk. Good draft for Jacksonville.
Tennessee Titans
Elijah Molden, CB, Washington (Round 3, No. 100 overall)
The Titans lost Adoree' Jackson, Malcolm Butler and Desmond King II in free agency, and the coverage left some to be desired last season, so we knew they'd be targeting corners in this draft. Caleb Farley was the team's first-rounder, but I'm going to pull out the Molden selection at the end of Round 3 here. He's a nickelback with great balance, body control and instincts. He plays through the receiver's hands and will make plays on the ball.
Molden only played four games in 2020, but his 2019 numbers popped: 79 tackles, 13 passes broken up, four interceptions and three forced fumbles. He's a tough player, and I think he is going to be a real difference-maker covering the slot.
AFC WEST
Denver Broncos
Javonte Williams, RB, North Carolina (Round 2, No. 35 overall)
Alabama's Pat Surtain II is probably the best press corner in the class, Wisconsin-Whitewater's Quinn Meinerz is a powerful guard with good value late on Day 2 and Indiana's Jamar Johnson has a lot of versatility at safety. But I love Williams as a player, and I think he is going to be a big part of what Denver does offensively. He's the kind of running back you can lean on.
The Broncos opted not to draft a quarterback, and unless something else comes together, Teddy Bridgewater or Drew Lock will be the starter. Neither is a top-tier option, and when you have middling QB play, you absolutely have to be able to run the ball. That's even more true when you are playing each of Patrick Mahomes, Derek Carr and Justin Herbert twice a year. Melvin Gordon III lacks explosion, and Phillip Lindsay didn't return. So expect Williams to factor in plenty.
Williams is a tightly packed running back with great acceleration and burst, and he breaks tackle after tackle. The contact balance is really something. He is a physical back who hits the hole hard but can also make defenders miss in space.
Kansas City Chiefs
Nick Bolton, ILB, Missouri (Round 2, No. 58 overall)
Bolton plays angry and hits like a Mack truck. I love, love, love his tape. If you watched the ABC broadcast on Friday, you heard us talk about the goal-line hit he put on Tennessee's Jauan Jennings. It's my favorite example of the punch Bolton has when he tackles.
The Chiefs need that at linebacker. They haven't had someone with Bolton's speed, instincts and open-field tackling ability in a while. He flies all over the field, he diagnoses in a flash and he shoots gaps really well. In coverage, he has range underneath, and as a pass-rusher, he flashes burst. But his value will be as an off-the-ball linebacker who makes plays on ball carriers. Bolton had 202 tackles over his past two seasons, and he led the SEC both of those years.
I also liked the second-round pick of Oklahoma center Creed Humphrey to continue building up the line and protect the team's most important player (Patrick Mahomes), and I think wideout Cornell Powell's play speed is going to be valuable in the Chiefs' offense.
Las Vegas Raiders
Trevon Moehrig, S, TCU (Round 2, No. 43 overall)
Moehrig was No. 17 on my board, and he is a nice mix of value, talent and need for the Raiders. When I think about his game, I see explosion, speed and ball skills. Over the past two seasons, he has six interceptions and 20 pass breakups. That will be welcomed on Las Vegas' defense, which ranked in the bottom third of the league last season with 10 interceptions. TCU's Cover 4-heavy scheme put him in a lot of one-on-one matchups with slot receivers, and he showed great timing when breaking on the ball and excellent recovery speed. But I also really like the range Moehrig shows in run support and the way he finishes open-field tackles.
I love the prospect -- Moehrig was my top safety -- but the value really stands out. I expected him to come off the board late in the first round, but Las Vegas capitalized when he slid. We spent Thursday night wondering why the Raiders reached for Alabama lineman Alex Leatherwood in Round 1, but I wouldn't have had an issue with their picks had they flipped Leatherwood and Moehrig. This could be a Day 2 steal, and I expect Moehrig to ultimately step in alongside Johnathan Abram on the back end.
I'll also mention Malcolm Koonce here. The Buffalo edge rusher was a big riser, and he will boost the team's sack production after it finished 29th in the NFL last season (21).
Los Angeles Chargers
Asante Samuel Jr., CB, Florida State (Round 2, No. 47 overall)
Northwestern tackle Rashawn Slater was a significant draft choice with his talent and the big need, but Samuel is the real deal and could be a steal at No. 47. I don't care about his 5-foot-10 size. I don't care about his straight-line speed. I'm looking strictly at the way he plays the game, and I think he's a starter in the NFL for a long time.
In my opinion, Samuel could contend with any other cornerback in the class when it comes to instincts, balance and body control. He is technically sound and changes direction well. Look, I get it: He might struggle at times against bigger receivers. But he plays bigger than his size against the run, he has versatility to play inside or out, and his ball skills are solid. And it's worth noting that cornerback Chris Harris Jr. will be turning 32 years old and playing the 2021 season on an expiring contract.
NFC EAST
Dallas Cowboys
Micah Parsons, ILB, Penn State (Round 1, No. 12 overall)
Let's talk about how the Cowboys got here. Everyone thought they'd be able to land a top-two corner in Round 1, whether it be Pat Surtain II or Jaycee Horn. But both were gone by the time Dallas was on the clock. No problem. Team owner/GM Jerry Jones moved back to No. 12 in a deal with a division rival, picked up an additional third-round pick and landed whom I consider the top defensive prospect in the entire class. That's pretty good!
Parsons has range and is very disruptive. He will shoot gaps as a run defender. He will hang with running backs and tight ends in man coverage. He will close on the QB as a pass-rusher. And he is an excellent tackler. Look at this stat line from 2019: 109 tackles, 14 tackles for loss, five sacks, five passes broken up and four forced fumbles. Parsons does it all.
The Cowboys went back to the inside linebacker well in the fourth round and landed LSU's Jabril Cox, who just might be the best cover LB in this draft. And they nabbed a corner in Round 2 with Kelvin Joseph (Kentucky). It was a solid defensive draft for Dallas.
New York Giants
Azeez Ojulari, OLB, Georgia (Round 2, No. 50 overall)
I haven't agreed with most of the moves that GM Dave Gettleman has made, especially when it comes to the draft. I questioned his selection of Daniel Jones in 2019, and Gettleman took Andrew Thomas -- my fourth-ranked tackle last year -- at No. 4 in 2020, with Jedrick Wills Jr., Mekhi Becton and Tristan Wirfs all available. But I have to say that I really liked his draft class this year. He traded back twice in the first two rounds for more draft capital and still landed impact players. Florida wide receiver Kadarius Toney is going to be a versatile offensive weapon, but I think Ojulari, the second-rounder and my No. 31 prospect, was the best pick of the Giants' class.
New York badly needed edge help. It was middle of the pack last season with 40 sacks, but much of that was thanks to Leonard Williams, who tallied 11.5. No other player had more than four. And when we are talking about pure pass-rushers, few have the ability of Ojulari. He has good bend, size, speed and burst, and his instincts when pursing the QB are elite. Watch his dip-and-rip move; it's extremely effective.
Ojulari can help in coverage, and he has range against the run, but this pick is all about the edge rushing. And that's fine. It's exactly what the Giants needed.
Philadelphia Eagles
Landon Dickerson, C/G, Alabama (Round 2, No. 37 overall)
DeVonta Smith is going to be a difference-maker -- I've compared his game to that of Marvin Harrison -- but I have to factor in the trade up to get him. It cost the Eagles a third-rounder to get Smith, and while it was the right move for them, the need to trade there slides Smith behind Dickerson as the Eagles' top pick.
And as much as Philadelphia had to get a wide receiver, the offensive line was perhaps a bigger concern. The Eagles allowed 65 sacks last season. Sixty-five. Let's put that in context. The Giants, the Texans and Washington tied for second with 50, 15 fewer than Philadelphia. It was the most sacks allowed by a team since the Browns gave up 66 in 2016, and that team won one game. As the Eagles prepare to evaluate Jalen Hurts as their starting QB, the line needs to be repaired.
Dickerson has dealt with various injuries, and he struggled to stay on the field, but when he's healthy, he shows great power and awareness. That power and his 6-foot-6 size are great advantages on the interior, where he can play center or guard. Over two seasons at Alabama after transferring from Florida State, he was attributed zero sacks and only eight pressures allowed in 751 offensive snaps. Dickerson lacks quickness, but he takes good angles as a run defender. His leadership is also something teams liked, and he could quickly become the leader of that line.
Washington Football Team
Dyami Brown, WR, North Carolina (Round 3, No. 82 overall)
Kentucky linebacker Jamin Davis is one of my favorite players in the class, but the value that Washington got on Brown is fantastic. I thought Brown might go earlier, and he is going to be another weapon for Ryan Fitzpatrick alongside Terry McLaurin, Curtis Samuel and Antonio Gibson. Brown is great when the ball is in the air, tracking and adjusting to it really well, especially on deep throws.
Brown ran a limited route tree in college, and he can still develop there, but body control is something you either have or you don't. Brown has it. He does a nice job plucking the ball on the run and transitioning upfield, and he has pretty good top-end speed. Over 2019-20, he posted back-to-back 1,000-plus-yard seasons, averaged more than 20 yards per catch each year and combined for 20 TDs.
NFC NORTH
Chicago Bears
Justin Fields, QB, Ohio State (Round 1, No. 11 overall)
Leading up to the draft, I didn't think there was much of a chance for Chicago to land one of the top five quarterbacks. There were too many teams that needed one, and the Bears were just too far back at No. 20 to make it happen, via a slide or a trade. But then the top 10 cleared, and Fields and Mac Jones were still out there. As I said on Friday morning, the Bears did a great job seeing the board come together and reacting, moving up nine spots to get my No. 4-ranked QB. Chicago finished No. 25 and No. 27 in QBR in 2020 and 2019, respectively. It tried to land Russell Wilson, but it wasn't in the cards, and free-agent acquisition Andy Dalton wasn't calming the QB concern as the consolation prize. The Bears had to figure something out.
Fields can certainly be the answer. He is extremely accurate, drives the ball with velocity and gets the ball out quickly with a snap of the wrist. And I love his physically and how tough he is in the pocket, using his mobility and strength to break tackles and extend plays. Through it all, Fields keeps his eyes downfield and can frequently hit receivers as they come open late. My knock on Fields is that he often wants to see the receiver come open, though, and he needs to work on his anticipation. But it will come, and the Bears landed themselves a potential top-tier NFL starter.
This one was tougher than you might think, though. That's because Chicago also landed Oklahoma State tackle Teven Jenkins in Round 2 at good value. He's a powerful run-blocker with some versatility.
Detroit Lions
Penei Sewell, OT, Oregon (Round 1, No. 7 overall)
There was a lot of clamoring for a wide receiver at No. 7, and for good reason. The current WR room is headlined by Tyrell Williams and Breshad Perriman, which isn't enough to contend in a receiver-loaded NFC North. But for a rebuilding organization with a new coaching staff, landing a foundational tackle is a game-changer. The Lions allowed 42 sacks last season, and Sewell is the top lineman in the class. His upside is immense.
I keep saying that it's a $20 cab ride to get around Sewell when rushing the passer because of his length, and he shows really good hand placement on his initial punch in pass protection. But he also will make an impact as a run-blocker, with elite foot speed as a zone blocker and power to move defenders off the ball. Last year's second-rounder. D'Andre Swift, is going to love taking handoffs and following Sewell for big gains.
One thing I do wonder about: How will Sewell adjust to the right tackle position? The Lions are sliding him over with Taylor Decker occupying the left side. But I'm not too worried about it; Sewell is a problem for defenders no matter where you put him.
And for those who are still asking about WR, the Lions did grab USC wideout Amon-Ra St. Brown in the fourth round. He has great hands and will come down with 50-50 balls.
Green Bay Packers
Amari Rodgers, WR, Clemson (Round 3, No. 85 overall)
Too little, too late? How the Aaron Rodgers situation plays out is still up in the air, but the Packers did land a really good and super versatile wideout in Amari Rodgers. Clemson graduated Tee Higgins after the 2019 season, and Justyn Ross missed 2020 with a neck injury. That meant a bigger role for Rodgers, and he essentially learned all of the wide receiver positions. But he thinks about the game in an advanced way and picks things up quickly with schemes and route trees.
Without or without Aaron Rodgers, the Packers needed to target a receiver. They passed in Rounds 1 and 2, which might worry some fans. But Amari Rodgers has a lot of potential, and I think Aaron Rodgers would really appreciate the way he understands different routes and finds holes in the defense.
The Clemson product is built like a running back and is very tough after the catch. But his best trait is his ability to adjust to the ball, showing great focus as a pass-catcher and controlling his body through the catch.
Minnesota Vikings
Chazz Surratt, ILB, North Carolina (Round 3, No. 78 overall)
Surratt has sideline-to-sideline range, fast eyes and great instincts. He is a former QB who has good recognition and the closing burst to make plays. There is a lot of upside when it comes to coverage, and he shows the ability to stay with running backs and tight ends. There's some nickel linebacker potential there.
Minnesota has Eric Kendricks and Anthony Barr at the second level, but Eric Wilson signed with Philadelphia. Surratt provides depth there. He was my No. 51 prospect, and the Vikes did a nice job landing him in the third round. He packs more power than you'd expect from a former quarterback, and I think he will play a big role for Minnesota down the road.
A few real quick mentions: I think Minnesota did a great job moving back in Round 1 and still getting Virginia Tech tackle Christian Darrisaw. Texas A&M's Kellen Mond is an interesting developmental QB, and Ohio State guard Wyatt Davis will further help the pass protection. A really good draft for GM Rick Spielman.
NFC SOUTH
Atlanta Falcons
Kyle Pitts, TE, Florida (Round 1, No. 4 overall)
Anyone getting tired of hearing the phrase "matchup nightmare" when talking about Pitts? Atlanta fans shouldn't be. He is the highest drafted tight end in the common draft era, but I don't even like calling him a tight end. He's so much more than that. Pitts is going to be used all over the place in new coach Arthur Smith's offense and cause headaches for opposing defensive coordinators.
How do you cover the guy? He has a 6-foot-6 frame and extremely long arms. He has 4.44 speed to separate and threaten downfield, and he's an excellent route runner. And he catches anything thrown in his direction. He's too big for cornerbacks to cover, and he's too fast for linebackers to cover. Quarterback Matt Ryan will love going through his progressions and seeing a trio of Pitts, Julio Jones and Calvin Ridley running the routes. But Pitts also offers the cap-strapped Falcons some big-target security in case they are forced to move Jones this offseason.
Atlanta could have looked to QB at No. 4 -- Justin Fields and Mac Jones were on the board -- but ultimately, it opted for a playmaker. Pitts was my No. 2 overall prospect in the class, and I can't argue with the decision. He's special.
Carolina Panthers
Tommy Tremble, TE, Notre Dame (Round 3, No. 83 overall)
South Carolina corner Jaycee Horn is the best player in the Panthers' class, and LSU's Terrace Marshall Jr. is going to be a receiving weapon for Sam Darnold; but I think Tremble has a great game to him. He isn't a great pass-catcher, but he has some speed getting downfield. I just love his versatility, blocking ability and attitude. Tremble loves the game and has a great mentality.
Carolina can move him around a bit and maybe try to get him more involved in the pass game than Notre Dame did. The speed is an asset there, though I saw a few too many focus drops on tape. But Tremble was one of the nation's best blocking tight ends, and he excels there on the move. He will be Christian McCaffrey's best friend and will help provide extra protection for Darnold.
New Orleans Saints
Pete Werner, ILB, Ohio State (Round 2, No. 60 overall)
Werner's instincts are unbelievable. His tape is excellent, and I see adequate length, recognition skills and explosion for him to hold up in coverage against running backs and tight ends. He has a good motor as a pass-rusher, and he is a tough striker as a run defender. He's a fiery leader who could be a big part of the defense for the Saints. I see him sliding in eventually next to Demario Davis and Zack Baun.
I felt that the Saints' first-round selection of Houston defensive end Payton Turner was a little risky and a reach, but the second-round pick of Werner brings them talent and addresses a need.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Kyle Trask, QB, Florida (Round 2, No. 64 overall)
Look, when you win the Super Bowl, return all 22 starters and then have to pick at No. 32 in the draft, there isn't too much urgency. Tampa Bay could afford to be patient, and it was. Washington defensive end Joe Tryon will give the Bucs edge rushing depth, but I'm going to be keeping my eye on Trask, Tampa's second-round pick, and how he develops. I heard that the team was considering him in the first round, but it waited it out and got him at No. 64 overall. Will he be a starter? Is he the Bucs' heir to Tom Brady? Or is he a backup? It remains to be seen. Regardless, the Buccaneers can develop Trask and see what they got without too much risk.
And is there a better place for a quarterback to develop than under Brady's tutelage? The way Trask plays the game is similar to that of Brady: Trask is accurate and processes well, and he is at his best when distributing from the pocket. He is going to learn so much in Tampa Bay.
Trask takes some chances, but when he has time, he has good ball placement and can move an offense downfield. He leads receivers into the catch and shows pretty good touch downfield despite mediocre arm strength.
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Arizona Cardinals
Rondale Moore, WR, Purdue (Round 2, No. 49 overall)
Man, Kyler Murray is going to have fun getting Moore the ball in space. He is undersized at 5-foot-7, but he has wheels and serious burst. He is elusive with the ball in his hands and can really do damage after the catch. Moore clocked in at 4.29 seconds in his pro day 40-yard dash, and he tracks the ball well enough to make downfield plays despite his frame. And he is an above-average route runner who can separate.
Arizona can use him out of the slot -- with DeAndre Hopkins and A.J. Green on the outside -- to cause issues for defenses. Injuries limited him over the past two seasons, but Moore posted 1,258 yards and 12 scores in 2018. He will be yet another weapon for an offense that is going to be hard to stop.
I'll also quickly mention UCF cornerback Tay Gowan. He's a taller corner with pretty good ball skills, but his value is what sticks out. I ranked him at No. 85, and he fell to the Cardinals at No. 223. That could pay off.
Los Angeles Rams
Tutu Atwell, WR, Louisville (Round 2, No. 57 overall)
New QB Matthew Stafford is going to love Atwell out of the slot. He is tiny at 5-foot-9 and 155 pounds, making him the lightest player drafted into the NFL since at least 2006. But he is explosive and a threat to pull away anytime you give him the football. He separates, and Stafford is going to take advantage of that. He isn't a real problem downfield, and he has a small catch radius, but NFL offenses are creative these days, and Atwell can be a weapon.
Atwell excels on screens, where 40 of his 140 career catches have come. The Rams' offense utilized screen routes at the fifth-highest rate last season, so expect to see plenty of that with Atwell. Between Robert Woods, Cooper Kupp, DeSean Jackson, Van Jefferson and Atwell, the Los Angeles receiving group is going to be pretty solid.
San Francisco 49ers
Trey Lance, QB, North Dakota State (Round 1, No. 3 overall)
The Niners kept us guessing on their quarterback preference for a month after moving up to No. 3, but I love the pick. Lance has an excellent build for the position, fantastic arm strength and fast eyes. He does a nice job getting through his progressions, and he can create when forced to go off schedule. And that sometimes means tucking the ball and taking off -- and he can be a bruising runner with good speed.
The fit also makes sense. Lance is very good dropping from center and selling the play-action, which, of course, is in line with what coach Kyle Shanahan likes to do in San Francisco. And while the résumé raises some concerns -- 17 starts, including just one in 2020, and only FCS competition -- the 49ers don't have to start him out of the gate. Jimmy Garoppolo is still in town and offers a smooth transition for Lance from the Missouri Valley Conference to the NFL.
That development time is needed too, as Lance's ball placement is inconsistent. It shows up even more on short to intermediate throws. (Interestingly, the downfield touch is pretty good.) Lance wasn't asked to make many anticipatory throws in college, so he just needs some work there. But again, the 49ers can let him learn behind Garoppolo for a bit. My comp for Lance is Josh Allen, another QB with a huge arm and bruising running style -- and some early-career accuracy concerns that needed to be improved. A lot of potential here for the Niners' new signal-caller.
Seattle Seahawks
D'Wayne Eskridge, WR, Western Michigan (Round 2, No. 56 overall)
The Seahawks faced an uphill battle. They had just three picks and only one on the first two days of the draft; though I'm sure Seattle is OK with sacrificing its first-rounder to land Jamal Adams in its secondary. Like two other NFC West teams, the Seahawks' best pick was an elusive wide receiver.
With Eskridge, the Seahawks get burst, speed, hands and body control. He averaged 23.1 yards per catch in 2020 (fourth in the FBS), his third straight season breaking the 20-yard mark. He can threaten deep, but his real value comes after the catch. His second gear causes problems for defensive backs, and he does a nice job slipping press coverage to get open. He is still developing as a route runner, but he's getting there. Just watch him gear down on hitches and create separation on crossers. And if that isn't enough, Eskridge also returns kicks and will be an asset there.
Wide receiver wasn't a big need for Seattle, but the Seahawks need to give Russell Wilson some help. Two of the picks went toward offense, with seventh-round tackle Stone Forsythe out of Florida also joining the mix.