For those of you who think we should wait a few years before scoring options, we disagree. NFL teams have to make decisions under uncertainty. So we have to evaluate them based on what we know at the time of selection. The following scores will reflect not only the quality of the prospects but also the process – in other words, if it is a prudent use of resources given the franchise situation. That said, do not hesitate to mention me at the Old Takes Exposur in a few years, when they seem silly. The statistics are courtesy of The Beast or Pro Football Focus, unless otherwise noted.
1. Jaguar Jacksonville: Travon Walker, Edge, Georgia
There is no doubt that Walker is positive. It is 6-foot-5, 272 with 35½ inch arms. He ran 4.51 and is the best athlete among the defenders in this category. Walker has the tools to dominate the run. The question is how it will evolve as a rush to the edge pass. Walker had a total of 9.5 dismissals in 36 games (15 starts) and the advanced statistics were rude. It is fair to challenge the Jaguar process here. Their No. 1 goal this off-season should be to place Trevor Lawrence for success. They could very easily spend that option on a high-ceilinged left-leaning tackle to protect Lawrence for the next four to five years. Instead, they decided to keep Cam Robinson, who was on average below average, by signing him to a three-year, $ 54 million deal. If Walker hits, it’s easy to see him move on to become one of the NFL’s top defenders. But given the lack of pass-rush production and the fact that it did not appear as a pure advantage in college, there are more questions about it than we usually see with the number 1 options. As usual, Jaguar made this more complicated than it should have been. This degree has more to do with their process than with Walker’s potential as a prospect. Degree: C
2. Detroit Lions: Aidan Hutchinson, Edge, Michigan
The Lions may not have expected him to be there at No. 2, but when the Jaguar went with Walker, it was probably an easy decision. Hutchinson (6-foot-7, 260), a Michigan native, was a very productive college player with 14 dismissals and 16.5 tackles for defeat last season. He is projected as someone who should be able to line up in different places and rush the passer, while at the same time being annoying in running. Hutchinson may not be as angry as some of the extremists who usually fall into drafts so high, but given his athleticism, it is probably wrong to suggest he has a low ceiling. His time with three cones in the combination was ranked 99th for rushing edges. This is a great result for the Lions. They just need blue-chip players. Hutchinson plays a premium position and covers a large area of need for them. Grade: B +
3. Houston Texans: Derek Stingley Jr., CB, LSU
Stingley (6 feet, 190) made 25 starts for the Tigers, although he was limited to just three games last year due to a Lisfranc injury. He received a total of 26 defensive passes and six blocks, and the opposing generals completed just 41.1% of their passes when they aimed at him. The Athletic Diante Lee made a strong case for Stingley at the top of the draft. He has elite covers and is not even 21 years old. The Texans are another team that just needs blue chip players. They should not draw up a plan for Lovy Smith’s plan because, let’s be honest, there are no guarantees beyond 2022 for Smith. Drafting Stingley carries some risks, as it did not go well last year. But I have no problem swinging for a home in a premium position here. Degree: B
4. New York Jets: Ahmad “Sauce” Gardner, CB, Cincinnati
The Jets could have gone in many different directions – offensive tackle, tip, corner. Eventually, they settled in Gardner (6-foot-3, 190). He started 28 games in three seasons for the Bearcats. Rival generals rarely made their way, and when they did, Gardner made them pay. He had nine blocks and 27 passes defended and never allowed a touchdown! According to Sports Info Solutions (SIS), Gardner allowed 0.1 yards per shot last season – by far the best score in the country. Gardner has size, speed, competitiveness and production. He has the opportunity to emerge as one of the best players in this draft category. This is a great choice from the Jets and covers a significant need in a premium position. Grade: B +
5. New York Giants: Kayvon Thibodeaux, Edge, Oregon
Tibondo (6-feet-4, 254) was a productive player in college with 19 dismissals and 35.5 tackles for defeat in 32 games. He is also an athlete and was the leader of the team last year. The SIS monitors the fast pressure rate (how often a rusher pass produces pressure in 2.5 seconds or less) and the actual pressure rate (how often a rusher pass generates pressure in straight drops). The Thibodeaux were in the top five in both categories last year and ranked higher than Hutchinson and Walker. During the pre-design process, there were vague references to groups excluded from Thibodeaux’s personality. But coaches do not have the qualifications to be psychologists. Their job is to train. This is a great sign that the new regime of the Giants understands this. The best version of Thibodeaux is probably a mix of Khalil Mack and Jadeveon Clowney. There are no guarantees, but it has the tools to evolve into a real shipwreck. At No. 5, the Giants have a prospect with high ceilings in a premium position that could easily have gone to No. 1. Grade A.
6. Carolina Panthers: Ikem Ekwonu, OT, NC State
Ekwonu (6-foot-4, 310) started 31 games – 27 on the left tackle and four on the left guard – during his three student seasons. He is playing with a bad streak and should be a great blocker from day one. Ekwonu needs to clear up some pass protection issues (the PFF charged him with 10 sacks allowed for the last two seasons), but there is no doubt about his good. Ekwonu should have the flexibility to play guard or tackle. This does not solve the Panthers general’s problem, but left-leaning tackling has been a disaster for them for years. Ekwonu is a tone controller and plays a premium position. The Panthers still have a lot to understand, but Ekwonu is a good choice. Grade: B +
7. New York Giants: Evan Neal, OT, Alabama
Neil (6-foot-8, 337) started 40 games for Nick Saban – 15 on the left tackle, 13 on the left guard and 12 on the right tackle. He was resilient (lost only one game, due to COVID-19) and reliable. Per The Athletic Dane Brugler, Neal was called up for just one penalty last year. And it only allowed two sacks in 650 stops. The Giants can start Andrew Thomas from one tackle and Neal from the other. Neal has proven how flexible he can be and has the good fortune of being an All-Pro. With Thibodeaux and Neal, this could not work much better for the Giants. Grade A.
8. Atlanta Falcons: Drake London, WR, USC
The size of London (6-feet-4, 219) sets it apart from the other top receivers in this category. A favorite of his The Athletic Nate Tice of London caught 88 balls for 1,084 yards and seven touchdowns last year. The question is whether London will be able to stand out consistently from the corners of the NFL and whether it is capable of producing explosive games. London did not run in the ramp or on the USC Pro day. He averaged 12.3 YPR pedestrians last season. London is a polarizing perspective. Given how young he is (he closes on July 21), there is definitely room for improvement. London may appear as a version of Mike Williams or Allen Robinson. But if I get a wide receiver in the first round, I want to be sold in speed and separation. I’m not there with London. This could be something that makes me look silly on the street, but I would prefer Jameson Williams or Garrett Wilson here if the Falcons wanted a wide shot. Grade: C-
9. Seattle Seahawks: Charles Cross, OT, Mississippi State
Cross (6-foot-5, 307) started 22 games on the left tackle the last two seasons in Mike Leach’s plan with heavy passes. According to Brugler, 78.9% of Cross photos in college were card-blocking games. Last year, Cross allowed only two sacks and no QB hits in 719 breaks blocking pass-blocking. Although Cross did not run much blocks, he seemed capable of evolving there. The Seahawks entered the draft with arguably the worst tackling situation in the NFL. Here, they have a good prospect of playing a premium position. They have a lot of work to do, but this is a step in the right direction. Degree: B
10. New York Jets: Garrett Wilson, WR, Ohio
Wilson (6 feet, 183) caught 70 balls for 1,058 yards and 12 touchdowns last year. He ran a 4.38 40 and averaged 15.4 YPR during his college career. Wilson has two characteristics that will help him succeed: He can create separation and he can run. Brugler compared him to CeeDee Lamb, while others have shown Stefon Diggs. Part of the Jets’ goal in this draft was to keep putting pieces around Zach Wilson. Gareth Wilson is now paired with Corey Davis and Eliza Moore on the wide receiver. They are a nice team. I like both Jets options in the first round. Grade: B +
11. New Orleans Saints: Chris Olave, WR, Ohio
The Saints abandoned a third-round pick (No. 98) and a fourth-round pick (No. 120) to move up from 16 to 11 to take on Olave. Olave (6 feet, 187) has been consistently productive for the Buckeyes for the past three years. In 47 career games (25 starts), he collected 176 catches for 2,711 yards and 35 touchdowns. Olave has two things: He can run and he can break up. Olave is considered one of the most refined racers in this year. He’s not going to do much after the catch (just nine broken tackles in his entire career, per PFF), but Olave can make big games outside. Promotes as one of the wide …
