Dallas – A.J. Epenesa, Iowa DE – Jerry likes to draft players high close to the line of scrimmage. Robert Quinn, defensive end who totaled 11.5 sacks for Dallas in ’19, will likely not be back as Dallas tries to find a way to pay Dak Prescott, Amari Cooper, and several other free agents. Epenesa sacked the QB 11.5 times in ’19, forced 4 fumbles, and even defended three passes. Epenesa has great measurables, is a great value pick at 17, and meets an important need for Dallas.
Miami – Mekhi Becton, Louisville OT – The Dolphins offensive line is maybe the worst in football. Daniel Jeremiah has Becton as a potential top five pick. If available here, Chris Grier would have to seriously consider him as their top option.
Las Vegas – Jaylon Johnson, Utah CB – Gruden and Mayock have shown a willingness to invest in the secondary with the signing of Lamarcus Joyner and drafting Jonathan Abram and Trayvon Mullen early in the ’19 draft. The team declined the fifth year on safety Karl Joseph and is likely losing Daryl Worley at CB in free agency. Jaylon Johnson has allowed 3 touchdowns in his last two season at Utah. They could also go with a linebacker here, or OL Netane Muti as Gruden likes to establish the run.
Jacksonville – Trevon Diggs, Alabama CB – Jacksonville traded away starting cornerback Jalen Ramsey for draft picks and are likely to cut ties with starting cornerback A.J. Bouye in an attempt to pay their more ‘high priority’ players. The Jaguars have a need at cornerback. Diggs is one of the bigger corners in the game and faced plenty of NFL-caliber competition while starting for Alabama.
Philadelphia – Grant Delpit, LSU Safety – Delpit is maybe the best safety in this draft class. The Eagles need serious help at wide receiver and defensive back. Delpit would be a value pick at 21 who the Eagles desperately need. The Eagles could also draft yet another wide receiver, Tee Higgins or Michael Pittman.
Buffalo – Tee Higgins, Clemson WR – The Bills don’t often target wide receivers early. Josh Allen has no recognizable names in the huddle to throw to. Higgins made the most of his involvement at Clemson. He moves quickly and has a giant wingspan. Talent evaluators have been high on K’Lavon Chaisson, and Buffalo’s edge rushers are getting up there in edge, so Chaisson may go here as well.
New England – Jalen Reagor, TCU WR – The Patriots usually draft a defensive back or a linebacker in the first round. They have NO receivers or tight ends on the roster. Reagor is diverse getting involved in special teams, the quick pass, and the deep ball, which Belichick will like. Reagor can move like a legitimate deep threat as well.
New Orleans – Laviska Shenault, Colorado WR – Michael Thomas is the only receiving threat on this roster. Shenault specializes in gadget, quick pass plays the Saints have been running with Brees at 40+ years old.
Minnesota – C.J. Henderson, Florida CB – The Vikings really struggle to put competitive cornerbacks on the field. While Henderson is not the mouthy, trash talking stereotype of a cornerback like Richard Sherman or Cortland Finnegan, Henderson had an impressive 2018 season and shows a willingness to get involved with stopping the run.
Miami – Xavier McKinney, Alabama Safety – Flores is a defensive coach and will push Chris Grier to draft defensive talent. McKinney is a versatile defender, recording two sacks against LSU’s Joe Burrow. Flores had high level secondary play with the McCourty brothers and Stephon Gilmore. McKinney brings versatility and top coverage ability to Miami to help replace the departed Minkah Fitzpatrick.
Seattle – Cameron Dantzler, Mississippi State CB – Seattle’s back four (or five) really needs help. Dantzler’s taller and VERY physical which reminds me of Richard Sherman’s and Brandon Browner’s play style in the early days of the Legion of Boom.
Baltimore – Troy Dye, Oregon LB – Dye stops the run consistently and covers well. The Ravens will have a substantial need at linebacker, and are unlikely to be able to retain all of their free agents in the front seven set to leave in the off-season. Dye could afford to gain some weight, but demonstrates correct instincts and has proven to be a play-maker at Oregon.
Tennessee – Bryce Hall, Virginia CB – The Titans are losing two cornerbacks in free agency, Logan Ryan and Tramaine Brock. Hall’s been a high performing cornerback for some time, his draft stock’s fallen due to an injury-shortened 2019. GM Jon Robinson shown a willingness to draft injured players with the Jeffery Simmons selection. Hall’s a technician at corner who can start right away if needs be.
Green Bay – Brandon Aiyuk, ASU WR – The Packers are all around a relatively well stocked team. They have Davante Adams and a bunch of number 3/4s at wide receiver. Aiyuk is a YAC specialist, and while no one in Green Bay wants to admit it, Rodgers is entering THAT stage of his career.
San Francisco – Ashtyn Davis, Cal Safety – San Francisco’s secondary got exposed by lesser athletes like Sammy Watkins. They also may not be able to retain Jimmie Ward who could go get paid a high dollar contract in free agency after a career year. Davis is not a sexy defensive back in terms of turnovers or big hits, but he covers well and moves quickly across the field when he needs to. Davis walked on to the Cal track team and competed well in the Hurdles.
Kansas City – Jordan Elliott, Missouri – The Chiefs may not be able to afford Chris Jones if he wants to sign a record breaking contract somewhere else. Elliott is a favorite of the PFF crowd and a local kid as well. Lance Zierlein, NFL.com writer compared Elliott to Kawann Short (one of the league’s better DT’s) and praised Elliott’s handwork as a defensive tackle.
Gridiron Seasonal 