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.

Round 2

33. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Logan Hall, Edge / DL, Houston

Hall (6-foot-6, 283) could line up at the defensive end in base downs, but his value will probably come as a rush inside. This is something that every team is looking for and it is difficult to find. Hall had 6.5 bags and 13.5 tackles for defeat last season and lined up at different points along the front of Houston. His athleticism will have to spring up against the domestic attacking players in the NFL. Adding all the rush makes perfect sense for the Bucs. Grade: B +

34. Green Bay Packers: Christian Watson, WR, North Dakota State

The Packers sent the Vikings 53rd and 59th pick to move up to 34. Watson (6-foot-4, 208) has an impressive size / speed profile (ran 4.36). He caught 43 balls for 801 yards and seven touchdowns last year and averaged 20.4 yards per slot in his career. He was tested as the top athlete in this category of wide receivers. But there are some blows against Watson. He underwent several knee surgeries during the 2019 off-season and missed three games last year due to a hamstring injury. All of Watson’s games came against FCS competition. And per PFF, he had a high 13.3% drop in his career. There are obvious tools to work with, but Watson will be a 23-year-old rookie and will likely take some time to develop into a quality vertical threat in the NFL. The Packers might have been better off holding on to both options and throwing a few darts at the wide receiver. Watson is far from certain. Grade: C +

35. Tennessee Titans: Roger McCreary, CB, Auburn

McCreery (5-feet-11, 190) has had an impressive college career with 37 saves and six blocks in the last three seasons (35 games). It is sticky in coverage and competitive. But McCreary ran 4.5 and was tested as an below average athlete. The hands of the 28 7/8 inches would be one of the closest for a corner in the NFL. McCreary is a classic anti-measurable film. I think this is a sensible choice. Degree: B

36. New York Jets: Breece Hall, RB, State of Iowa

The Jets abandoned the option of the fifth round to move up two places. Hall (5-foot-11, 217) is a complete back who did it all for the state of Iowa. He took 718 times for 3,941 yards (5.5 YPC) and 50 touchdowns in three seasons. Hall also caught 82 balls for 734 yards and six touchdowns. According to The Athletic’s Dane Brugler, he searched only once for every 200 touches, and Hall was forced to have the highest tackle loss rate in the country, per Sports Info Solutions (SIS). Hall is a great prospect, but given the state of the Jets roster, I’m not sure they needed to spend so much choice on a run. Degree: C

37. Houston Texans: Jalen Pitre, S, Baylor

Pitre (5-foot-11, 198) is another fun safety prospect from this year’s class. He started 32 games at Baylor and filled the statistics sheet last year – 76 tackles (18 for defeat), three dismissals, three forced tests, nine defensive passes and two blocks. Petre executed zero penalties in 431 coverage moments. By SIS, it lined up in the slot or box in 96% of its snaps. Pitre is a hybrid full-back who plays with a dynamic personality. I like this move about Houston. Grade: B +

38. Atlanta Falcons: Arnold Ebiketie, Edge, Penn State

The Falcons abandoned an option in the fourth round to move up five places. Ebiketie (6-foot-2, 250) transferred from Temple to Penn State last year, creating 9.5 bags and 17 tackles for a loss in 12 starts. He has 34 1/8 inch arms and was tested as a top five athlete among defenders in this draft category. Ebiketie ranked in the top 10 both in terms of fast pressure (how often a player produces pressure in 2.5 seconds or less) and actual pressure (how often a player produces pressure in a straight drop), per SIS. He is projected as someone who could start his career as a rush-breaker before finally becoming a key player. Falcons desperately need rush. I do not mind them becoming a little aggressive here. Degree: B

39. Chicago Bears: Kyler Gordon, CB, Washington

Gordon (6 feet, 194) started 17 games for Washington and ended his career with 14 saves and two blocks. He played both abroad and on the slot machine. Gordon was ranked fifth in yards per allowed instance of coverage per SIS. But he played only 69 real man cover shots per PFF. Gordon looked explosive on the pitch, but ran just 4.52 and was tested as a mediocre athlete for a corner. It’s fair to wonder when / how the Bears plan to put support pieces around Justin Fields. But they only need good players in premium positions. This is a good use of resources. Degree: B Kyler Gordon (Jeff Halstead / Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)

40. Seattle Seahawks: Boye Mafe, Edge, Minnesota

Mafe (6-foot-4, 261) came in strong last year with seven bags and 10 tackles to lose. He started just 13 games in college, but there is reason to believe that Mafe is an up-and-coming player. He was tested as a five-a-side athlete among defenders in this year’s category. Seahawks need quality starters in premium positions. The Drafting Mafe makes perfect sense. Degree: B

41. Seattle Seahawks: Kenneth Walker III, RB, Michigan State

Walker (5-foot-9, 211) was the leader in Brugler’s ranking. He did 480 times for 2,794 yards (5.8 YPC) and 35 touchdowns in 32 games (12 starts). Walker’s 46 tracks of 10+ yards were second in the country last year. In SIS, he finished second in yards after contact per attempt (3.8) and had just one hit in 2021. Let’s be clear: Walker is a good prospect and a fun player. But the Seahawks continue to show complete indifference to place value. They pay Rashaad Penny $ 5.75 million and have huge holes up and down the roster in premium positions (including the general!). It is impossible to believe that spending a high second run of choice for another run is the best use of their resources. Degree: D

42. Minnesota Vikings: Andrew Booth, CB, Clemson

The Vikings climbed 11 places and exchanged options with the Colts. In addition, they abandoned options 77 (third round) and 192 (sixth round). Minnesota also got 122 (fourth round) in return. Booth (6 feet, 194) started 15 games for Clemson and performed well (14 assists, five blocks). He was only called up for a penalty in 35 games in college. Booth is a natural, competitive corner that should be able to play in any shape. What is required is endurance. He did not participate in pre-draft athletic trials due to a quadruple and double hernia. And according to Brugler, he lost time with a hamstring injury and a spur last year. Booth had previously undergone surgery to repair a rupture in his patellar tendon and had tendonitis in his knee in high school. If Booth can stay healthy, this could be an option for the home. But this is obviously a big if. I do not mind getting a crib upside down here. Degree: B

43. New York Giants: Wan’Dale Robinson, WR, Kentucky

Robinson (5-foot-8, 178) began his career in Nebraska before moving to Kentucky. He was amazing last year, catching 104 balls for 1,334 yards and seven touchdowns. Robinson ran 4.44. It is hard, slippery and explosive. That said, Brugler had Robinson as his 105th player overall. Taking it so high is like it’s enough. My head tells me to give the Giants a bad grade, but Robinson is just such an exciting player and he has so much juice. I can not crush them because they fell in love here. Grade: B-

44. Houston Texans: John Metchie III, WR, Alabama

The Texans climbed 24 places here, leaving options 68 (third round), 108 (fourth round) and 124 (fourth round) in return. Metchie (5-foot-11, 187) was extremely productive last year – 96 catches for 1,142 yards and eight touchdowns – before suffering a torn ACL in December. He does not have impressive measurable data and will probably not contribute immediately, given the injury, but Metchie is an excellent track runner who plays with toughness and energy. It should be able to line up outside or inside the slot. Metchie is a good prospect, but I’m not sure he has the ceiling to justify an aggressive rise by the Texans, especially considering all the holes in their roster. Degree: C John Metchie III (Mickey Welsh / The Montgomery Advertiser via USA TODAY Sports)

45. Baltimore Ravens: David Ojabo, Edge, Michigan

Ojabo (6-feet-4, 250) was well on his way to being the first round of qualifying, but tore his Achilles during his Michigan professional day. He came in strong last year with 11 dismissals, 12 tackles for defeat and five forced errors in 14 games. He had the highest dismissal rate (3.8%) of any attacker in this category. But Ojabo had only played 26 defensive shots before last season, and is now facing a difficult recovery from a serious injury. The Ravens are the right team to take this bet. They have an information advantage, as Ojabo’s Michigan defense coordinator Mike Macdonald is now in Baltimore. And because the Ravens are pulling the volume, they can afford to take these types of swings upside down. Grade A-

46. ​​Detroit Lions: Josh Paschal, Edge, Kentucky

Paschal (6-foot-3, 268) has an amazing story. According to Brugler, Paschal was diagnosed with a deadly form of skin cancer in 2018 and had a tumor removed. He returned to start 35 games over the next three seasons and was a three-time leader. Pascal had 5.5 sacks …