With the 1st round of the draft kicking off this Thursday, each team’s General Manager is starting to feel the pressure of making that first pick. The pick that could potentially set the team up for a decade of success or the less fortunate outcome of setting the team back several years. That is the beauty of the draft and what makes it so enjoyable to watch for us fans! It is such an imperfect science that you are bound to make a mistake and reach on kid that all signs point to him being a huge success and for whatever reason he’s out of the league 3 years later. On the other hand, just as often you see a guy that was a relative no name coming out college all the sudden turn into a house hold one at the next level. With that being said, there are a handful of teams going into Thursday night that I am watching closely to see which direction they go for a multitude of reasons!
1. Minnesota Vikings
The Vikings are coming off arguably the most disappointing season
of all 32 teams in 2018. They bolster a defense that is as star studded as we
have seen since the 2012 Seahawks and an offense that has a Pro Bowl QB in Kirk
Cousins, a top 3 WR duo in the NFL and an emerging young Dalvin Cook at RB. Going
into Thursday night, there should only be 2 words on Rick Speilman’s mind. Offensive
Line, Offensive Line and Offensive Line. If they draft anything but Offensive
Line the Viking fanbase should march out to Eagan and demand answers. I know
some people out there are thinking that they potentially could go DL because of
the departure of Sheldon Richardson but in a defense heavy draft the value you’ll
get from a mid-round D-Lineman more than likely will outweigh that of a mid-round
O-Lineman. Also, the defense in Minnesota is ready to win right now, the offensive
line is not.
Projected Pick: Garrett Bradburry C, NCST
With the Vikings holding the 18th overall pick,
chances are slim that a top tackle like Jonah Williams or Jawaan Taylor are
still on the board which should make the Vikings choice easy. Garrett Bradburry
IMO is the best offensive lineman in the draft, but Centers aren’t valued like
Tackles and Guards so he should be available later in the 1st round.
In picking Bradburry you can move Elflein to Guard where he spent the majority
of college career and you get a perennial pro-bowler at Center. If the Vikings
offensive line plays even slightly above average, Minnesota is a legitimate Super
Bowl contender going into 2019.
2. Oakland Raiders
Viva Las Vegas!!! Of all the personnel changes the Raiders made
this off-season, I think the best pick up they made was bringing in General
Manager, Mike Mayock. In Mayock you get a guy that knows Jon Gruden extremely
well and I think for the first time in a long time you have a Head Coach and GM
in Oakland that have a shared vision for the organization. With the trade of
Khalil Mack the Raiders picked up an additional two 1st rounders in up
coming draft so they have plenty of picks to work with. The addition of Antonio
Brown brings some much-needed fire power to the offense and should allow Mayock
and Gruden to go to work on the defensive side of the ball in a draft that has potential
stars all over the place.
Project Picks: (4) Josh Allen Edge, UK (24) Deandre Baker CB, UGA (27) Josh Jacobs RB, Bama
I think Josh Allen brings a much-needed edge pass rusher to
help replace some of that production they lost when they traded Mack. In a division
that forces you to face Phil Rivers and Patrick Mahomes twice a year its nice
to get pressure on the QB. It’s also nice to be able to cover WR’s down the
field. The addition of Baker would give the Raiders a promising young duo in
the secondary with Gareon Conley being the counterpart. Lastly, Josh Jacobs brings
explosiveness to a backfield that as of right now has Isaiah Crowell listed as
RB1. I the Raiders are in a position where all decisions are being made with
one thing in mind. Las Vegas. They are working to piece together a team that is
as flashy as the Vegas Strip and the first piece of that puzzle was AB. I look
to see that trend continue which ultimately leaves Derek Carr playing in
something other than Black and Silver.
3. New York Jets
3. New York Jets
The Jets come into the new season with a new Head Coach, new
ugly uniforms, and a new All-Pro Running Back. Le’veon Bell is exactly was the
Jets needed offensively as he immediately takes pressure off of sophomore QB
Sam Darnold who struggle a little bit in his rookie campaign. The Jets also
went out and picked up Quincy Enunwa to pair with Robby Anderson and Jamison
Crowder to form a very solid WR corp that could end up being an underrated
group in the NFL if Darnold progresses the way we expect him to. Defensively, the
Jets made a huge splash by signing LB CJ Mosley to add to a defense that already
features Jamaal Adams and Leonard Williams. With that being said, I think the statement
was made that Mike Maccagnan is not satisfied on Defense after losing out on Anthony
Barr who got cold feet and ultimately backed out of the verbal agreement with
the Jets to resign with the Vikings so that’s where I look for them to target.
Projected Pick: (3) Quinnen Williams DL, Bama
In a draft that is loaded with defensive talent, Williams is
the cream of the crop. Williams was an absolute monster during his RS Sophomore
year for Nick Saban’s Alabama team and he would give the Jets an immediate boost
in the interior defensive line. Week 1 Quinnen Williams would help solidify a
run defense that has been lacking the past few years while also providing a much-needed
interior pass rush presence. Maybe most importantly, the addition of Quinnen
Williams would free up free agent signee Cj Mosley to do what they paid him
handsomely to do; go tackle the guy with the ball. With an aging Tom Brady and
Gronk retiring, this year could mark a changing of the tides in the AFC East
and I think the Jet’s have the fire power to potentially take the throne.
4. Pittsburgh Steelers
If the Vikings had the most disappointing 2018 season, the Steelers
have had the most disappointing 2019 off season. In the past 3 months the
Steelers have lost over 17,000 yards of total offense, over 100 career touchdowns
and 6x 1st team All Pro Awards with the departures of Le’veon Bell
and Antonio Brown. Many people are claiming this is addition by subtraction but
the subtraction of that much production over the last 5+ years leaves the Steelers
in a position where they better start doing some addition somewhere before Big
Ben runs out of time. Offensively I think the Steelers are still good enough to
win. With JuJu and James Connor taking the reins from Bell and Brown I think
the Steelers will stay competitive as long as the OL, that has been as good as
any the past few years, stays healthy. Where the Steelers need to get better in
a hurry is at Linebacker and Defensive back. The loss of Ryan Shazier to a
spinal injury has left a void in the middle of the defense that is yet to be
filled. Vinny Williams had very good season last year in that spot but he needs
help and its clear that the help needed is not located on the roster currently.
Also, all signs point to former 1st rounder Artie Burns being a bust
so the Steelers could also go that route and continue to plug and play guys at
LB until they can find a long-term solution. I personally think the latter is
the way the Steelers go by selecting a DB in the 1st round and if
they find their guy and can piece together a formidable defense the Steelers
could contend in the AFC.
Project Pick: Byron Murphy CB, Wash
In division that just added Odell Beckham Jr., you better be
able to cover the pass. The Steelers have been top 5 in sacks the past 2 years
but in the bottom 3rd in interceptions. They need playmakers on the
back end and Byron Murphy fits the bill. Murphy has my favorite quality in a
defensive player; he finds the ball. If you are ever looking for him on film,
find the ball because I guarantee you that’s where he is. If Bryon Murphy can
show up and be a solid player for the Steelers the back half of the season then
they could be a team to watch going into the post season.
