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Dream Picks for Each NFL Team

Jacksonville Jaguars: Ikem Ekwonu

This dream draft pick doesn't matter for the Jaguars as they hold the #1 overall pick but if they were to make a choice that bests puts this team on a path to win it would be Ikem Ekwonu. Ekwonu is the drafts best offensive lineman and is perennial pro bowler waiting to happen and I can't imagine a better pick for a rebuilding Jacksonville team than the most versatile offensive lineman available.

Tennessee Titans: Treylon Burks

The Tennessee Titans cut ties with Julio Jones in 2022 this offseason and getting A.J. Brown a playmaking receiver opposite him is crucial for the success of this team and Treylon Burks is the best playmaker in the draft. Burks is talented receiver with a thick and muscular build and athleticism to go with it and Tennessee desperately needs another receiver that can take the short passes to the house. If Burks is available at the 26th pick, this team should wait long to turn his card in.

Houston Texans: Aidan Hutchinson

The Houston Texans will be in a draft for value state of mind when Day 1 comes and this team would love nothing more than for the bets NFL draft prospect Aidan Hutchinson to fall to them at the 3rd overall pick. Hutchinson has the highest floor in the NFL draft and plays one of the most important positions in pro football outside of the quarterback position. The Texans need all the help they can get and if Hutchinson miraculously fell to them, it will go down as the steal of the night and give Texans fans hope for next season.

Indianapolis Colts: Boye Mafe

The Indianapolis Colts made a mistake by trading for Carson Wentz giving up their first round pick in a monstrous edge rusher class and decided to trade him away anyways for some 3rd round picks but with the 47th pick in the draft the Colts should hope the Boye Mafe is available for them to chose. Mafe has been one of the fastest rising edge rusher prospects in the draft after an exceptional Senior Bowl and NFL combine performance and he would pair very nicely with defensive Kwity Paye and could form a menacing pass rush in the AFC South.

Denver Broncos: Leo Chenal

The Denver Broncos traded for Russell Wilson this offseason in the offseason move of the decade and while it certainly cost them a boat load of picks and players, they still have the 64th overall pick and finding help in their linebacking corps should be their goal and getting a Leo Chenal would certainly get Bronco fans excited. Chenal is a phenomenal athletic specimen that was a terror as an inside blitzing linebacker and with Randy Gregory and Bradley Chubb commanding the attention offensive lineman Chenal can have easy lanes to rush through and wreak potential havoc in AFC West backfields.

Los Angeles Chargers: Jordan Davis

The Los Angeles Chargers have huge hole in the interior of the defensive line and at the 17th pick in the draft Chargers have to be hoping they have shot at the most athletic human being to ever enter the draft in Jordan Davis. Jordan Davis is the perfect player for the Chargers as he's one man wrecking crew in the run game and eats blocks like a grizzly eats salmon and he would open up holes in the trenches. The Chargers have Joey Bosa and now Khalil Mack rushing off the edge and giving them Davis in the middle of the line will help give them 1-on-1 matchups to rush the passer.

Las Vegas Raiders: Phidarian Mathis

The Las Vegas Raiders had a receiver issue during free agency but shored that up by trading for Davante Adams with their 1st and 2nd round picks but still have a need in the interior of the defensive line and with 86th pick in the draft, they'll have to hope that somebody falls to them and the guy that could be a plug-n-play player would be Phidarian Mathis. Mathis is prototypical run stuffer that can eat up blocks and give pass rushers room to attack the backfield and with Maxx Crosby and Chandler Jones on the roster, giving them some room to make plays becomes crucial in the AFC West, the most competitive division in football

Kanas City Chiefs: Chris Olave

The Chiefs traded away Tyreek Hill this offseason after contract talks fell through and got quite the haul for him but that leaves the wide receiver position with a huge hole to fill and the guy that this team hopefully falls to them is Chris Olave out of Ohio State. Olave is the drafts best route-runner in the draft and is the safest receiver pick available and if combined with the live wire arm of Patrick Mahomes throwing him passes Olave can at the vert least give the Chiefs a highly reliable outside option at receiver.

Cincinnati Bengals: Zion Johnson

The Cincinnati Bengals biggest need in 2022 is fixing the offensive line and with the signings of La'el Collins and Alex Cappa to shore some holes in the unit, the best player to help finish the rebuild is Zion Johnson out of Boston College. Johnson is regarded as close 2nd in the title for drafts best guard prospect and his performances at the Senior Bowl and NFL combine have seen draft stock skyrocket. He's a sure-fire impact player in the interior of the defensive line and his selection would drastically improve the odds of repeat appearance in the Super Bowl.

Cleveland Browns: Travis Jones

The Cleveland Browns hold the 44th pick in the NFL draft and need interior defensive line help badly after losing Larry Ogunjobi in free agency and if their was a player the Browns would be hoping fall to them to fill that role it would be Travis Jones. Jones is a freak athlete of an interior defensive lineman that can both stuff the run with efficiency and collapse the pocket allowing Myles Garrett and company to make plays in the backfield.

Baltimore Ravens: Drake London

The Baltimore Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson didn't have a great season in 2021 even before his injuries and a lot of that in my opinion had to do his receivers lacking ability to catch tough passes in their direction but if Drake London is available for the Ravens to snag at the 14th pick, they should jump on the chance to. London is the drafts best contested catch receiver and has all the physical traits and tools to quickly give Jackson a capable outside receiver threat and certainly would boost the redzone efficiency in the passing game.

Pittsburgh Steelers: Kenyon Green

The Pittsburgh Steelers might want one of the quarterbacks to fall in the draft, whomever that may be, but the player at the top of their wish list could be Kenyon Green out of Texas A&M whose regarded as the #1 guard in the draft and certainly the best run blocker among interior lineman. The rock solid interior offensive line of the Pittsburgh has crumbled with David Decastro and Maurkice Pouncey retiring and finding someone that can help bolster the interior might be a bigger need than drafting quarterback. Kenyon Green is an immediate impact player if chosen by the Steelers and certainly be a major upgrade in the run game.

New York Jets: Kayvon Thibodeaux

The New York Jets need to find an edge rusher that can wreak havoc in the backfield and change games for them as the AFC East gets more competitive and with Aidan Hutchinson likely to be gone in the top 3 picks the draft, the best player they can hope for to fall to them is Kayvon Thibodeaux. Thibodeaux is an elite athletics specimen and has the highest ceiling among edge rushers in the draft and having him play alongside budding star defensive lineman Quinnen Williams could give Thibodeaux the best chance for NFL superstardom.

Buffalo Bills: Andrew Booth Jr.

The Buffalo Bills need to upgrade the cornerback position after being literally a play away from getting to the AFC championship and the hope they probably have is that one of the top 3 cornerbacks start to tumble and the most likely to fall could be Andrew Booth Jr. out of Clemson. Booth Jr. is one of the best man cover corners in the draft with exceptional athleticism and technique and if the Bills find themselves in a position to grab him they shouldn't hesitate to turn his card in.

Miami Dolphins: Brandon Smith

The Miami Dolphins first pick in the draft is 102nd in the very back end of Day 2 so they'll probably be looking for the best player available but with linebacker being the most pressing need to improve, getting a guy like Brandon Smith would be a phenomenal selection to cap off Day 2. He's exceptional athlete that can make an impact as a blitzer and potential in pass coverage and has the size to be versatile chess piece in their defense.

New England Patriots: Jahan Dotson

Although their are two better receiver prospects ahead of Jahan Dotson in Drake London and Treylon Burks, Dotson is the perfect player for Patriots offense as his style of play and skillset meshes with the current Patriots offense seamlessly. Dotson is a phenomenal route-runner with elite hands and has experience producing at high level in a run based offense like the Patriots run and you can be sure that with time and reps at the receiver position Dotson will be one of the best route-runners in the NFL.

Atlanta Falcons: Travon Walker

The Atlanta Falcons don't have a quarterback on the roster that will make Atlanta fans rush to by seats after jettisoning Matt Ryan in the hopes of trading for Deshaun Watson and while I think they'll grab the home town kid in Malik Willis at the 8th overall pick, I wouldn't be shocked in the least if the Falcons took edge rusher Travon Walker over their quarterback need. Walker is a menacing edge rusher fresh off of a College Football Championship lead by one of the best defenses in college football history and bringing in a Georgia Bulldog with his level of talent could allow the Falcons to be forgiven by fans until 2023. Walker is a game-wrecker on the edge and the Falcons for too long have lacked a defensive star on the team and getting one could be a huge boost for the organization.

Carolina Panthers: Evan Neal

The Carolina Panthers have lots of needs on the roster and could be a candidate to trade back but if their is a player that they would pull the trigger on in the NFL draft at 6th overall it would be Evan Neal. Neal is the drafts best pure offensive tackle prospect and whoever is quarterbacking the Carolina Panthers in 2022 would be safe and sound from blindside edge rushers with this mountain of a man mauling them with consistency. He's a potentially generational prospect at the offensive tackle position and the Panthers need one of those on their line.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Zion Johnson

The Buccaneers lost Jason Pierre-Paul, Ali Marpet, and Alex Cappa this offseason and while edge rusher is a pressing need for them, shoring up the interior of the offensive line for Tom Brady is the highest priority in the draft and if Zion Johnson found a way to fall to the 27th pick in the draft, the Bucs front office would likely jump on him. He's been the most impressive offensive line prospect in the draft in my opinion as he has outperformed many of the expectations put upon him. Johnson would be a sure-fire impact player in the middle of the Bucs line and put them back in the Super Bowl hunt.

New Orlean Saints: Malik Willis

The quarterback class in the 2022 NFL draft isn't awe-inspiring and whether teams are going to clamor for them out of pure necessity or avoid them all together has been debated for months now this offseason however after the Saints failed to trade for Deshaun Watson despite having Jameis Winston I feel that the Saints would go head over heels if Malik Willis was available at the 18th pick in the draft and pull the trigger on him. He's a poor man's version of a Michael Vick and Deshaun Watson and while I don't think he's an immediate impact player in the passing game, he can make highlight plays in an instant and would give Saints some hope for the future.

Arizona Cardinals: Jermaine Johnson II

The Arizona Cardinals decided against retaining superstar pass rusher Chandler Jones and finding his replacement in the NFL draft becomes their top priority and Jermaine Johnson is probably on the Cardinals wish list in the 2022 draft at the 23rd pick. Johnson II was a dominant edge rusher for Florida State and has aced every test the NFL has given him throughout the daft process and his ability to wreak havoc off the edge for Arizona would certainly make the loss Jones rather painless

Los Angeles Rams: Sam Williams

With the 104th pick in the draft, the Los Angeles truly could care less about need in the draft as they always go for value when on the clock but if there is a player that the Rams might want to be available at the end of Day 2 it would be Sam Williams. Williams showed at the combine that he's an elite athletic specimen at the edge rusher position and with the right coaching he could be a reliable pass rusher in the NFL and with the loss of Von Miller in free agency, shoring up the position with Williams would be a tremendous move.

Seattle Seahawks: Charles Cross

The Seahawks may be in the quarterback market in the 2022 NFL draft but if there is a player that would make this team rethink picking rookie passer it would be offensive tackle Charles Cross whose regarded as the best pass protector by many scouts in the draft and certainly has shown his ceiling as a prospect with an exceptional combine. Drafting Charles Cross may cost them a potential leadoff pick for quarterbacks but it at the very least gives the current and next quarterback of the team highly reliable blindside blocker for decade.

San Francisco 49ers: Roger McCreary

It's tough for the 49ers in this draft to have a dream draft pick with their first pick in the draft being the 61st but if their is a player of need and value that this team hopes will fall to them it would be Roger McCreary out of Auburn. McCreary is the cutoff on my big board for starter level cornerbacks in the NFL draft and the 49ers downfall, outside of quarterback play, was due to poor pass defense and McCreary certainly could make an early impact for this team as a starter on the outside.

Chicago Bears: George Pickens

The Chicago Bears don't have a 1st round pick in the 2022 NFL draft but this is such a talented class that they can get a good player still by their 39th pick and if Georgia wide receiver George Pickens is available to them in the 2nd round they should jump on him. Pickens has been plagued by injuries and a lack of game tape but every game he's played in he's made an impact on the outside for his team and that's exactly what the Bears need for quarterback Justin Fields. Fields needs a reliable receiver on the outside to meet his potential as a quarterback and Pickens, when healthy, can be that guy Fields.

Detroit Lions: Aidan Hutchinson

The Detroit Lions have the 2nd overall pick in the draft and assuming the Jacksonville Jaguars don't take the best player in the NFL draft, Hutchinson should be on the wish list of the Detroit Lions come late April. Hutchinson would change life in Detroit not just as a pass rusher but also as a leader and I can't imagine the Detroit Lions let the homegrown Michigan Wolverine leave his home state.

Minnesota Vikings: Derek Stingley Jr.

The Minnesota Vikings some how found a way to fit everybody under their cap in 2022 and even signed Za'Darius Smith to given star edge rusher Danielle Hunter a good tag team partner opposite him however the Minnesota Vikings secondary needs to be bolstered and upgraded and while I think top corner Ahmad Gardner will be off the board by the 12th pick, the perfect player for them would be Derek Stingley Jr. out of LSU. He's an elite shutdown cornerback prospect like Gardner but he has fallen a but because of a lack recency throughout the draft process. He's bookend cornerback that will give the Minnesota Vikings a much more competitive pass defense.

Green Bay Packers: Drake London

The Green Bay Packers traded away Davante Adams this offseason and getting his replacement is the highest priority in the NFL draft and with the 22nd and 28th picks they'll probably find somebody to fill the void and that somebody they hope falls to them could be Drake London. London has the size, athleticism, and playmaking ability to take the NFL by storm and with Aaron Rodgers throwing him passes, he could be that a star in his rookie year.

Washington Commanders: Ahmad Gardner

The Washington Commanders front seven, when healthy, is a beast of a unit and getting that unit support in the secondary could be the move that puts this team back into the playoffs in 2022 and Ahmad Gardner, if he fell to them, is that piece. He's an elite shutdown cornerback prospect with all the traits and intangibles needed to be a great NFL player and if he fell to the 11th pick the Commanders need to be hustling to the podium to turn his card in. He shores half the field and will force quarterbacks to make potentially dangerous throws to the opposite side of him and with the front seven rampaging the offense, this side of the football becomes a complete unit.

New York Giants: Ikem Ekwonu

The New York Giants need offensive line help in the worst way and have needs both on the outside as well as in the interior and while they have the 5th and 7th overall pick and certainly are the most likely spot for offensive tackle Evan Neal, the offensive tackle that want to fall to them is Ikem Ekwonu. Ikem Ekwonu isn't just an elite offensive tackle prospect but he can also play guard at an elite level as well and the New York Giants sure could use that versatility on their offensive line as they continue to rebuild it.

Philadelphia Eagles: Kyle Hamilton

The Philadelphia Eagles have three 1st round picks in the NFL draft at 15th, 16th, and 19th and while Eagles fans are likely to go away happy with whom ever their team picks, the dream pick they want is Kyle Hamilton out of Notre Dame. Hamilton is the unicorn of this NFL draft with size, athleticism, and football IQ very rarely seen in one NFL prospect and with the Eagles rebuilding the defense primarily at the top of 2022 draft, their isn't a better defensive player than Hamilton. I doubt he falls to them at the 15th pick but crazier things have happened in the NFL draft.

Dallas Cowboys: George Karlaftis

The Dallas Cowboys have needs at edge rusher, wide receiver, as well as interior offensive and while I doubt he becomes available given the heavy need in the draft at edge rusher, George Karlaftis would be the perfect pick for the Dallas Cowboys. Karlaftis is a powerful defensive end prospect that has phenomenal pass rush technique and excellent versatility and he would be a plug and play rookie on their defensive and could potentially fill the hole left behind Randy Gregory.

Draft Stock Exchange
Risers and Fallers at each position

The NFL combine concluded Sunday afternoon and the prospects involved in the event certainly didn't disappoint as it was reported to be the fastest groups of NFL prospects in NFL history with almost every single position group setting records in the 40 yard dash as a whole as well as other events and many players from this draft class made their case to not only be selected but to potentially make more money than they were anticipating come April.

Quarterback
- Stock Up: Malik Willis
  - Malik Willis may not have performed in any testing drills or showed off his athleticism but he won the NFL combine in every other way possible by showing off phenomenal arm strength in throwing drills, absolutely crushed in interviews, and gave fans a tremendous feel good moment when he helped a homeless man while on his way to the NFL combine which boosted his draft stock among NFL owners in need of a franchise quarterback that's likable and trustworthy. He's likely locked up being the first quarterback off the board and now with Seattle trading away Russell Wilson and getting the 10th overall pick, I can guarantee that Seattle is doing their due diligence.
- Stock Down: Kenny Pickett
  - Kenny Pickett suffered from what I like to call "Combine Fixation" which is no matter what you test at the combine the NFL scouts will focus on one thing in particular and unfortunately for him it's his tiny hands at 8.5 inches and the story of Day 1 of the combine, outside of a faulty 40 yard dash timer, was that no quarterback has ever started in the NFL with his hand size. His hand size was never a factor throwing in cold and rainy Pittsburgh, it was never an issue for him when taking off and running for yardage with his 4.73 speed that was quite impressive now that teams can view him as a mobile quarterback, and although he had fumbling issues in college his 2021 season didn't have any amount that would scare team heading into the draft. Pickett I think is the 2nd quarterback off the board in April in my opinion and I am confident that the 32nd overall pick, the quarterback starving Detroit Lions pick, in the draft is certainly his floor when it comes to his draft projection.
Running Back
- Stock Up: Breece Hall-
  - Breece Hall fell out of my top 100 because of my concern over how tread is on his tires coming into the NFL but after posting a 4.39 second 40 yard dash and 41 inch vertical showcasing both his speed and explosiveness he has firmly cemented himself as a top 2 running back prospect in the draft. He's built like an NFL running back at 5'11" and 217 lbs. and he certainly showcased his ability both in college and at the NFL combine and he probably has at least one team falling in love with his potential come day 2 of the draft.
- Stock Down: Kyren Williams
  - Kyren Williams came into the NFL combine with the expectation that at 5'9" and 195 lbs. he would run a test very well in drills that would showcase his speed and agility but unfortunately for him he tested rather poorly for a man of his size and skillset with a 4.7 sec 40 yard dash as well as finishing near the bottom of all drills he competed in and while the NFL combine shouldn't surpass game tape, which is impressive for Kyren Williams, it will scare teams off if he doesn't improve at his pro day.
Wide Receiver
- Stock Up: Calvin Austin III
  - Calvin Austin III was a receiver that NFL scouts wanted to keep their eyes on in the combine because coming out Memphis he flashed elite speed and agility to make plays from anywhere on the field and he certainly didn't disappoint scouts with a 4.32 second 40 yard dash as well as placing himself in the top 3 of every single test he did and scouts who were skeptical of him as a prospect now are trying to figure how they can grab in the 2nd round. His tape shows an outrageous playmaker and his combine confirmed that the speed on tape is no mirage and I expect a creative offensive coordinator to be high on him come Day 2.
- Stock Down: Treylon Burks
  - Treylon Burks didn't have a bad combine by any means but he was advertised as a freak of nature based on his film and the scouting reports that were written about him and his numbers at the combine were merely average. If you're a coach you simply watch the tape and make your decision from there because he's still a tremendous prospect but his lock as a top 15 pick is now questionable. A great pro day however could certainly change that and bring him back into the fold of being the first receiver off the board.
Tight End
- Stock Up: Jelani Woods
  - The tight end group in 2022 is certainly not what it has been the last couple years but Jelani Woods certainly put on a show that NFL scouts are going to have to admire come draft day with a 4.61 sec 40 yard dash and 24 reps on the bench at 6'7" and 260 lbs. with 34 inch arms. Woods has been a rising prospect on my big board because of his freakish size and athleticism for the position and the combine confirmed what I saw on tape which is a big man that has big play potential.
- Stock Down: Cole Turner
  - The tight ends as a whole did pretty well at the combine but if there was a name that may have done himself no favors was Cole Turner who at 6'6" and 240 lbs. ran a 4.76 40 yard dash and finished at near the bottom in every category. Turner flashed some athleticism on tape and certainly has swayed me from not drafting in the top 100 of the draft but he'll need a good pro day to get back into the good graces of most NFL teams.
Offensive Tackle
- Stock Up: Ikem Ekwonu
  - Ikem Ekwonu was already a guaranteed top 5 pick in the 2022 NFL but, for now, he's overtaken Evan Neal as the best offensive lineman in the draft and Jacksonville probably has him at the top of their board come draft day. Ikem Ekwonu put on an absolute show at the combine by showing off his exceptional athleticism with his 4.93 40 yard dash as well as his tremendous build at 6'4" and 310 lbs. with 34 inch arms. Jacksonville by all accounts is looking to protect their young quarterback and Ikem Ekwonu is certainly benefitting from recency bias.
- Stock Down: Thayer Munford
  - Thayer Munford was moved to guard in 2021 after some disappointing performances at the left tackle position and NFL teams wanted to move him outside in the NFL once again but after testing poorly in every facet at the combine it puts his ability to play outside in doubt and considering that his guard play was relatively average he may have cost himself a pick in Day 2. He'll need a drastic change in his pro day to get drafted in the top 100 and certainly could find himself in the undrafted free agent market if he doesn't improve his numbers.
Offensive Guard
- Stock up: Zion Johnson
  - Zion Johnson has been the biggest riser up draft boards since the beginning of the draft process after a stellar senior bowl performance and after testing very well at the combine I would be shocked to see him drafted outside of the top 15 picks of the draft.
- Stock Down: Kenyon Green
  - Kenyon Green may have lost spot as the top guard prospect in the draft after a relatively average combine performance as well as Zion Johnson's excellent performances throughout the draft process. He's still a guaranteed Day 1 selection in 2022 but his status as top 20 pick is questionable at this point.
Center
- Stock Up: Zach Tom
  - Zach Tom was a relatively unknown prospect to me but his combine performance was exceptional and he may have earned himself a draft selection in the 2022 NFL draft. He was among the top athletes among the centers available in the NFL draft and teams early in Day 3, potentially Day 2, could draft in hopes that he can develop into a starting center.
- Stock Down: Dohnovan West
  - Dohnovan West had a relatively average combine performance for an interior lineman as I rarely expect freakish numbers from guards or centers but he had a chance to test himself into Day 2 as teams are still trying to figure out who is the 2nd best center in the NFL draft. If he has a great pro day he certainly can jump up draft boards and find himself getting selected in the middle of Day 2 or perhaps find himself in the top 50.
Defensive Tackle
- `Stock Up: Jordan Davis
  - Jordan Davis went from a falling first round pick because of his massive size and lacking positional flexibility to being a potential top 10 pick after putting in the best NFL combine performance in the history of the NFL. He absolutely blew the sports world away with his athleticism which has put the imagination of NFL scouts into overdrive because 6'6" and 341 lbs. humans aren't supposed to run 4.78 in the 40 yard dash, have a 32" vertical, or have a 10'3" broad jump. This is athleticism the NFL has never seen before on the defensive line and he truly is one of a kind and NFL teams that thought he was just a space eater in the middle of the defensive line now have to wonder to themselves where does his ceiling stop at the pro level.
- Stock Down: DeMarvin Leal
  - DeMarvin Leal needed a great combine in my opinion to stay in the first round of the NFL draft but lackluster performance in my opinion potentially cost a day 1 selection. Many had Leal pegged as one of elite athletes in this draft but unfortunately he showed himself to be closer to average than many anticipated at 6'4" and 283 lbs. as he ran a 5 sec 40 yard dash, had 27 1/2 inch vertical, and a 8'10" broad jump. He did redeem himself a bit with his 4.49 sec 20 yard shuffle but it's not enough to guarantee his first round status and I would expect him to fall out of Day 1 if he doesn't improve his numbers at his pro day.
Edge Rusher
- Stock Up: Boye Mafe
  - It was a toss up between Travon Walker and Boye Mafe but I went with Mafe because Walker has been climbing NFL draft boards since the season ended and it was expected that Travon Walker would destroy the measurements and athletics tests but Mafe needed a great combine to go along with his exceptional Senior Bowl week and game and his performance was tremendous, so tremendous that I think he may have squeezed himself into Day 1 late in the draft. At 6'4" and 264 lbs. he ran a 4.53 40 yard dash, had a 38" vertical and 10'5'' broad jump all of which were in the top 5 of his position group that collectively is one of the most athletic to come out of college football in a very long time. He's done enough in my mind to earn a back half Day 1 selection and I would be shocked to see him fall out of the top 50 picks.
- Stock Down: Myjai Sanders
  - Myjai Sanders was somebody who left many scouts scratching their heads when he measured in at 6'5" and 228 lbs. as an edge with skinny frame and relatively shorter arms than expected and it took many, including myself by surprise because he's listed at a bigger size and certainly looked to play at a bigger size. It also didn't help that he ran 4.67 40 yard dash and finished near the bottom in all of his drills and this potential Top 50-75 pick may have tested himself out of the Top 100. Sanders will need to show up and show out at his pro day if he wants to jump the draft board because his numbers look relatively poor next to his fellow edge rushers in his class and certainly has fallen down draft boards with the rise of everyone else.
Linebacker
- Stock Up: Troy Anderson
  - Troy Anderson was a name after the Senior Bowl that scouts kept mentioning as a potential linebacker to watch at the combine and he put on an excellent performance for NFL scouts. At 6'4" and 243 lbs., the "do-it-all" prospect as he's nicknamed had a 4.41 sec 40 yard dash, a 36" vertical, and 10'8" broad jump showing that the Montana State product is an elite athlete at the position. He's being shooting draft boards for the last few weeks as his tape kept getting spread around and his combine is only going to entice teams even further. I think he may have earned himself a Top 100 selection due to his potential and I would be stunned if he didn't impress scouts further at his pro day when he finishes his drills.
- Stock Down: Jesse Luketa
  - Jesse Luketa was a player that teams were hoping could continue the 4 year tradition of Penn State athletes coming into the combine and ripping it up but unfortunately he couldn't live up the hype of his predecessors and at 6'3" and 253 lbs. had a 4.89 40 yard dash which was dead last among his fellow linebacker class. It didn't cost him a draft selection in my opinion because he plays with his head far more than with his body and helped coordinate the Penn State defense in 2021 as basically a defensive quarterback. He'll likely find himself getting picked in the 3rd or 4th round of the draft but an improved pro day could certainly rocket him higher.
Cornerback
- Stock Up: Ahmad Gardner
  - Ahmad Gardner, for now, should be considered the best cornerback prospect in the draft after questions about his size and athleticism were certainly answered emphatically. Gardner measured in at an elite 6'3" and 190 lbs. and has a 4.41 40 yard dash and called it a day which is pretty much all the scouts needed to see. Recency has a role to play as Andrew Booth Jr. and Derek Stingley didn't participate at the combine opting to workout at their pro days and much to the benefit of Gardner he showed up and showed out. I would be shocked to see him fall out of the top 15 of the draft and it would surprise me to see him go in the top 10.
- Stock Down: Kyler Gordon-
  - To be fair all the cornerbacks in this draft class balled at the combine and those who didn't were expected not to but the one guy I thought underwhelmed in his combine performance was Kyler Gordon because everyone was expecting him to put up tremendous numbers and he only had a decent combine. Gordon came in at 5'11" 1/2 and 194 lbs. and ran a 4.52 sec 40 yard dash and his decision to not run any more drills to try and give scouts more to look at was a bit odd in my opinion. He's still a potential Day 1 selection but he's more likely a player that finds himself getting selected in the Top 50.
Safety
- Stock Up: Nick Cross-
  - Nick Cross was a fringe Top 100 selection before the NFL combine but after showing off elite level athleticism he's potentially shot up draft boards into the Top 75. Nick Cross measured in at 6' and 212 lbs. and ran a 4.34 sec in the 40 yard dash, had a 37" vertical, and 10'10" broad jump. His tape in 2021 shows a player that's very fast and powerful at the safety position and his combine simply confirmed what I saw and teams looking for safety help at the back end of Day 2 would be happy to grab this guy.
- Stock Down: Kyle Hamilton
  - Let me explain my reasoning for saying this because he's by far the best safety prospect to come out of college football in well over a decade and while I think he'll be a top 10 pick in the draft I think that he may be out of the hunt for a top 5 selection. He was a freaky specimen at 6'4" and 220 lbs. but a 4.59 40 yard dash may have cost him a little bit even though he placed in the top 5 of every other drill he competed in.. He's still a guaranteed top 15 pick in the NFL draft and I doubt he falls that far because of his rare physical traits for the position and if he improves his 40 yard dash at the Notre Dame pro day he certainly can improve his draft stock enough to hear his name called in the top 5.

It's time for Jerry Jones to fire Mike McCarthy

01/17/2021

Mike McCarthy has worn out his welcome in Dallas after taking the Dallas Cowboys to the playoffs and losing in horrible fashion and I don't think I have ever seen a more unified stance against a head coach in my life and not just from Dallas Cowboy fans but fans from across the league as well. This 12-5 team had two potential DPOY's on the roster in Micah Parsons, defensive rookie of the year, and Trevon Diggs, the interception king of the NFL, as well as one of the most explosive offenses in the NFL and somehow America's team find themselves at home watching the playoffs again.

He never fixed the teams issues during the season: This team came out of the gate like a freight train to his credit going 6-0 after barely losing to the Super Bowl Champion Tampa Bay Buccaneers but this team had major issues with penalties throughout the season and as a matter of fact lead the league in penalties and while no expected the team to stop causing penalties altogether, his inability to correct said mistakes is what made this team so hard to watch on some Sunday's. This teams sloppiness came to a head in a playoff game against the red hot San Francisco 49ers that every eye on earth was glued to this teams consistency at shooting their own feet came to ahead for a playoff record 14 penalties against a team in the Niners that seemed to want to give the game in the 2nd half.

His decision making and clock management was horrible despite that literally being his only job: If fans were wondering what Mike McCarthy's job was head coach of the Dallas Cowboys it literally clock management and decision making and that's it. He wasn't in charge of the defense, he wasn't in charge of the offense, he didn't call plays, and he didn't coordinate special teams until the playoffs. Mike McCarthy literally was a head coach in name only and it showed on the field as his lacking clock management reared it's ugly head all season as he would either take too much time off the clock before using timeouts, make bad decisions in crunch time, and signed off on terrible play calls that the rest of the football world found themselves scratching their heads on. And again, these stupid decisions came up in the playoffs against the Niners where a bad special teams mishap that cost Dallas Cowboys momentum and 5 yards and his coup-de-grâce was the unbelievable quarterback sneak with 14 seconds left in the game that literally ran out the clock for his own team after some mishap by the ref when the Dallas Cowboy's were rushing to the line. This play should be his last in the NFL despite his 12-5 record and if the Dallas Cowboys want to be more than just NFC East Champs which seems like a participation trophy in the NFL, they need a coach that strikes fear into his team and opponents when they step onto the field and ensure that this team doesn't have to be put into a position for stupid play calls.

He's unable to motivate men: Mike McCarthy has never been a motivator of men in his career and unfortunately for Dallas he certainly didn't do much to change that title in 2021. The Dallas Cowboys beat up on weak teams throughout the season and when they had to face a team with prowess and prestige like the Kansas City Chiefs, the Las Vegas Raiders, the Arizona Cardinals, and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers the Dallas Cowboys played sloppy mistake filled football. This team would get punched in the mouth and quit by the above teams and it often took miracles to keep them in games. And when this team needed a boost in the playoffs as Mike McCarthy said in the post game press conference that his team was nervous, their were crickets from the head coach when there shouldn't have been. NFL teams need motivational men or smart men at the head coach position and Mike McCarthy proved to the world that he is neither.

He lied to the Jerry Jones and Dallas Cowboys nation: This man came in to the head coaching position preaching of analytics and numbers and how he watched every single Dallas Cowboys game in detail and after getting the job he would later admit that he wasn't speaking entirely truthfully, in short he lied to get the job. Although you can blame Jerry Jones for falling for the okie doke but this head coach in Mike McCarthy clearly lied about his time away from the game. This was evident when he hired the clown and his former coaching partner in Mike Nolan whose defense in 2020 was the worst in Dallas Cowboys history and this is evident now with his collapse in the playoffs and if this team wants to finally go in the right direction they have to cut ties.

These reason are why Mike McCarthy needs to be on the outs in Dallas and while I don't think he does get fired because it would have happened by now as of 01/26/2022, Jerry Jones has to let him know that it's Super Bowl or bust in 2022 and if he busts for his team, he'll be on the street because Dallas Cowboy fans are losing their patience, including myself.

Top 10 NFL Head Coaching Candidates for 2022

01/14/2021

#10. Vic Fangio-Former Denver Broncos Head Coach

Vic Fangio's tenure at Denver has come to an end and while he needed to go it wasn't because of his inability to coach, run a defense which is his specialty, or because he causes issues within but rather his time in the organization just ran its course and a fresh start for both parties was needed. Fangio is an energetic defensive coach that has made fools of some of the best offensive minds in the NFL and while his Denver defense was great, this is a quarterbacks league and if you don't have one, your chances of winning drop considerably. Fangio has a great eye for talent, he does a phenomenal job of developing defenders, and he amps his team up considerably for every game and you never leave a Broncos matchup think they didn't give their all. If Fangio goes to a team with a good offense and veteran quarterback, he could be a great head coach for a team and with his defensive prowess you can at least feel safe as an organization that the defensive side of the ball will be very stout.

Best Fit: Minnesota Vikings

#9. Rich Bisaccia-Interim Las Vegas Raiders Head Coach

Although I don't think Rich Bisaccia should be or will be on the market after the season it's worth putting him on the list after somehow some way taking his team to the playoffs after one of the most controversial NFL season in recent memory. His former head coach in John Gruden had to leave due to his political, racial, and misogynistic beliefs which turned the Las Vegas Raiders into a clown show for about a week and later in the season they would lose their star receiver in Henry Ruggs after he ended his football career by killing a woman while driving intoxicated. Somehow Bisaccia and other members of the team were able to rally together, steady the ship, and punch their ticket to a wild card playoff game. Bisaccia ability to keep this team a float through tragedies is something movies are made about and if the Raiders don't resign him as their head coach, I can almost guarantee somebody will. Bisaccia is a special teams coach so he's not coming into an NFL organization with much in the way calling plays but a team looking for a head coach that doesn't get in the way of the teams success and maintains order should have Bisaccia high on their list. He's the perfect to come into a team that just needs to stable presence at the top but I doubt he leaves or doesn't get resigned by his team.

Best Fit: Las Vegas Raiders

#8. Nathaniel Hackett-Green Bay Packers Offensive Coordinator

The Green Packers are Aaron Rodgers team and it seems now that every decision made in the organization has to be approved by Aaron Rodgers and the one person he loves more than anyone on his coaching staff is his offensive coordinator in Nathaniel Hackett. Hackett has done a great job of developing talent and one of the biggest reasons for Nathaniel Hackett's interest as well as is many believe that where he goes Aaron will go and Hackett could easily become the most desired coaching candidate in the NFL if theirs life in that rumor. My only question about Hackett is if he runs the offense or does his head coach in Matt LaFleur and his quarterback run it because while he's proven to able to develop talent, he needs to be able to run a team if he wants to be a head coach. Depending on if Aaron hitches his wagon to him, Nathaniel Hackett would benefit from going to a team in complete and total rebuild mode with a young quarterback and pieces on both sides of the ball that could help create a foundation.

Best Fit: Chicago Bears

#7. Todd Downing-Tennessee Titans Offensive Coordinator

The Tennessee Titans under Mike Vrabel in 2021 went from potential disaster after losing Derrick Henry early in the season to the AFC's #1 seed without him by playing tough smart football and while Vrabel clearly had a hand in keeping the ship steady, Todd Downing handling of the offense minus Henry was nothing short of remarkable. Downing has been working his way up the NFL coaching ladder slowly but surely and he's proven to be an asset at every rung and with his handling of the Titans offense that everyone would say lost their best player it's hard not to come away highly impressed with his ability. Downing is a relatively unknown name among NFL owners likely because his head coach in Mike Vrabel gets a majority of the credit for keeping his team alive but Downing was a certainly the one that had put the pieces together for this team. He'll need to go to a team with a good defensive foundation with his run heavy offense and if he does find that team, he's capable of turning things around for them.

Best Fit: Miami Dolphins

#6 Kellen Moore-Dallas Cowboys Offensive Coordinator

Kellen "Wonder Boy" Moore has been a Dallas Cowboys staple for the past few seasons and with the success of Dallas Cowboys offense his reputation as a creative offensive mind has only grown. Kellen Moore is by far the youngest head coaching candidate on this list and young coaching candidates have been very hit or miss in the NFL but every team in the NFL has been looking for the next Kyle Shanahan or Sean McVay since they have taken both of their teams to the Super Bowl who came into their positions with "disadvantage" of being young. Kellen Moore is the all-time wins leader in college football at the quarterback position when he played at Boise State and if he didn't get injured in 2016 and replaced by Dak Prescott, Moore would likely have been an NFL: quarterback. Moore needs potent offensive weapons to get his scheme to work since he's relatively unproven as talent developer but when players buy into his scheme and play calling great things have happened.

Best Fit: Minnesota Vikings

#5. Dan Quinn-Dallas Cowboys Defensive COordinator

What Dan Quinn did for the Dallas defense by turning them from a laughing stock into the prolific turnover defense in the NFL with only a Covid ridden offseason to do so has not only resurrected his head coaching career but made him one of the hottest coaching hires in the NFL. The former Atlanta Falcons head coach does have Super Bowl appearance on his resume despite it being the largest comeback in Super Bowl history and he did have a winning record when he left Atlanta despite how it turned out his final year there. Dan Quinn is an energetic coach that knows how to amp up his players to ensure he gets the best out of them and he also has an eye for defensive talent and development and although I think he needs to veteran quarterback to get him far in a season, going to a team with cap room to spend and solid defensive foundation could be jsut what he needs to succeed early.

Best Fit: Denver Broncos

#4. Byron LeftWich-Tampa Bay Buccaneers Offensive Coordinator

Byron Leftwich has enjoyed quite the run as the Buccaneers offensive coordinator under Bruce Arians and has done a remarkable job of helping Tom Brady to another Super Bowl as well as maintaining a level of consistency on offense despite the horrendous turmoil that has befallen the organization as of late. Leftwich is a former NFL quarterback that has seen a lot and learned behind some of the best in the game and his experiences in other classy organizations like Pittsburgh and Tampa Bay could be just what the doctor ordered for an NFL franchise looking to turn things around quickly. Yes it's easy to look competent when the G.O.A.T. Tom Brady is your quarterback on the field but I can't imagine Leftwich doesn't get a say in what play gets called on offense. Pairing him with a young quarterback could be challenging for him but with his experience playing and coaching the game I doubt the task will prove itself to be too much for him.

Best Fit: Jacksonville Jaguars

#3. Brian FLores-Former Miami Dolphins Head Coach

The firing of Brian Flores in Miami shocked just about everyone in the NFL because not did Flores take a 1-7 team nearly into the playoffs but he did nearly twice in his three seasons with the organization that featured a tumultuous quarterback rotation that was a mixture of Ryan Fitzpatrick and Tua Tagovailoa, both of whom aren't necessarily playoff material. And with reports coming out that Flores wanted Justin Herbert over Tua and the owner didn't see eye to eye with him on that selection, I can imagine that creates communication issues and animosity very quickly. Brian Flores is a phenomenal defensive coach and excellent motivator and heading to a football team with veteran quarterback with pieces on defense to build around could be just what Flores needs to get him and his team into the playoffs.

Best Fit: Las Vegas Raiders

#2. Eric Bieniemy-Kansas City Chiefs Offensive Coordinator

If I see Eric Bieniemy on an NFL head coaching candidate list one more year I might lose my mind. Bienemy is easily one of the best offensive minds in the sport and what he's done with Patrick Mahomes and company is truly remarkable and should get him whatever job he wants in the NFL. He's been a hot candidate since Mahomes won the Super Bowl two years ago and maybe it's a Josh McDaniels with Bill Belichick situation where Bieniemy will take over for Andy Ried when he eventually retires but I am not sure. For all I know Bieniemy is turning down jobs from organizations because the potential for this succession to happen and who better to keep Kansas City in the spotlight than the man who coached up Mahomes and has been a mainstay in the organization for nearly a decade.

Best Fit: Jacksonville Jaguars

#1. Jim Harbaugh-University of Michigan Head Coach

I know college coaches now have a reputation in the NFL of completely crash landing upon arrival after Urban Meyer turned the Jacksonville Jaguars into a Clown show but Jim Harbaugh has found success both in the NFL and in college twice and after his playoff berth in 2021 only to be trounced by the eventual College Football Champions in the Georgia Bull Dogs, Harbaugh has been rumored to been potentially considering another run in the NFL. Harbaughs 49ers were easily one of the most memorable teams of the 2010's and he brought to the Super Bowl where they would eventually lose to the Ravens on the final play of the game. Harbaugh is a very smart head coach who knows how to develop talent, galvanize a team to achieve their goals, and can put together a very solid and structured team that can beat anybody. An NFL Super Bowl on his resume would make him easily one of the best coaches in sports and I could easily see a team handing him the keys to the franchise with the hopes that he could turn it around quickly.

Best Fit: New York Giants

2021 Draft Grades: Post Season

By Casey Butulia -01/06/2021

#1 Jacksonville Jaguars-Trevor Lawrence: ?

It's very rare for a rookie quarterback to play the entire season and for me to not know how to grade his performance after the dumpster fire that became of his head coach in Urban Meyer whose decisions for an NFL head coach border insanity and how badly he mismanaged Trevor Lawrence's rookie year kind of excludes it in my opinion, his second year in the league with a new head coach that's not going to just leave him to the wolves like Urban did will likely dramatically turnaround his career. His stats in 2021 don't reflect his ability and potential in the NFL and it's shame that his rookie year came with one of the worst rookie head coaches to ever step on a professional field.

#2 New York Jets-Zach Wilson: C-

The New York Jets reached for a quarterback in the 2021 draft in my opinion with the selection of Zach Wilson and the "second coming of Aaron Rodgers" that many proclaimed him to be was far from true. He showed in his rookie year that he takes too many risks, that he doesn't sense pocket pressure very well, and that he's potentially injury prone after going down midseason with an injury that kept him out for a good portion of the season. That being said, there were flashes of potential in games with some nice laser throws , good athleticism for a quarterback, and many would consider it an okay year given the injuries that plagued the Jets early on. He needs heavy coaching and tempering as a second year pro and getting him an experienced quarterback coach will be crucial to his development.

#3 San Francisco 49ers-Trey Lance: N/A

Just as it was planned before the season, Trey Lance would likely sit his rookie year to watch, learn, and develop for his second year when he would make his official debut as the starting quarterback for the Niners, he did play some in 2021 but not enough for me to feel comfortable to give him a grade. Next years performance will be crucial for his future.

#4 Atlanta Falcons-Kyle Pitts: B+

This is the classic case of the right guy going to the wrong team as Kyle Pitts went to the Atlanta Falcons, a team that didn't need a tight end and had other major issues elsewhere. However, Kyle Pitts dominated in his rookie as he put together one of the best rookie tight end seasons we have ever seen and while they desperately needed to hit on a prospect which is why they went with best player available in Pitts, his selection didn't translate very well in the win column. He's going to be a remarkable weapon for the next quarterback of the Atlanta Falcons assuming that they eventually let go of Matt Ryan and draft another quarterback and Kyle Pitt's could very well be a staple on highlight reels for the next decade, whether translates into wins is a whole other matter entirely.

#5 Cincinnati Bengals-Ja'Marr Chase: A+

I said it before the draft that it would be wise for the Bengals to draft Ja'Marr Chase and reunite him with his former college quarterback in Joe Burrow and boy did they wreck the league together all the way to AFC North title and a chance at the playoffs. Ja'Marr Chase's elite athleticism and route-running embarrassed very good NFL corners and he helped propel the Bengals into playoff contention as well as make them a potential Super Bowl contender. The Burrow-Chase duo is going to be a major problem for defenses for likely the next decade could give Cincinnati hope as an organization once again.

#6 Miami Dolphins-Jaylen Waddle: B

Jaylen Waddle's rookie year looked to be relatively average until December happened when he and his quarterback Tua Tagovailoa got on the same wave length which then helped Waddle scorch defenses with big plays, showing that electric homerun ability that made him such a dangerous player in the SEC. His speed was highly regarded coming out college and for it to take three quarters of the season to see him use it fully is a mark against the offense of the Dolphins.

#7 Detroit Lions-Penei Sewell: B+

Although his start in the NFL looked rocky in the beginning, Penei Sewell got his game back together to become one of the better offensive lineman in the NFL and I am expecting him to develop into a pro bowler in year 2. His team finishing at the bottom of the league isn't his fault considering that his job is to provide his team time capitalize on opportunities and he did his part very well. If he played the way he's playing towards the end of the season in the beginning, he'd be a pro bowl tackle and I would've give him an A.

#8 Carolina Panthers-Jaycee Horn: N/A

Jaycee Horn to Carolina was the first shocking pick of the draft and after only being able to play 3 games of his rookie year due to a season ending knee injury. He did play well in those games but playing less than a quarter of an NFL season doesn't give me enough to give him a grade

#9 Denver Broncos-Patrick Surtain II: A

Patrick Surtain II was the highest graded corner I have seen since Jalen Ramsey came into the league and he didn't disappoint in his NFL rookie year as he was one of the best cover corners in the NFL. He blanketed receivers throughout the NFL season and made the Denver pass defense one to be feared in the AFC. He as one can't miss prospects in the NFL draft and it was a shame that he did not get an invite to the pro bowl.

# 10 Philadelphia Eagles (Via Cowboys)-Devonta Smith: B+

In the shock of the night, the Philadelphia Eagles traded with there arch rival in the Dallas Cowboy's to move up ahead of their other arch rival in New York Giants to select Devonta Smith who has done a great job of giving Jalen Hurts the reliable route-running target that he so desperately needed. Smith's numbers are good but don't jump off the sheet but he was a very clutch receiver for the Eagles and probably the biggest reason for their playoff berth in the NFL.

# 11 Chicago Bears (Giants)-Justin Fields: c

The Bears traded up for Justin Fields which was regarded as the best move of the night in my opinion to grab a player they so desperately needed and while his rookie year has been less than expected, his bad coaching staff, bad offensive line, and questionable offense as a whole didn't help him in that regard. He showed flashes of greatness in his rookie year with his electric athleticism and howitzer arm strength but he has a ways to go as a quarterback if he wants to find success in the NFL and his organization's total rebuild needs to involve getting him the coaching he desperately needs.

#12 Dallas Cowboys (Via Eagles)-Micah Parsons: A+

The Dallas Cowboy's after missing out on Patrick Surtain II traded back in a desperate move to gather picks and regroup and when Micah Parsons was on the board their wasn't a doubt in anyone's mind that he'd be wearing a star on his helmet and OMG did he deliver for the Dallas Cowboys. His ungodly production as rookie middle linebacker in every stat column not only locked up defensive rookie of the year for him but likely made him 2nd in the defensive player of the year voting. He's directly responsible for the Dallas Cowboy's going from worst to first in the NFC East and his production for an inside linebacker this season is second to none, as a rookie mind you. He's the best player in this draft, which was a very good one, and I honestly don't know how high his ceiling is as a player based on his rookie year production.

# 13 Los Angeles Chargers-Rashawn Slater: A+

Many had Rashawn Slater pegged as the best offensive lineman in the draft by some and he fall in the draft was shocking but there's always one or two players that suffer in a talented rookie class but he turned into one of the biggest steals in the draft and one of the best left tackles in the NFL. He's been a godsend for Justin Herbert with his protection on the edge and he has allowed Herbert to throw the football without worry. He's indirectly responsible for the Chargers playoff opportunity and he should be a perennial pro bowler on the outside on of the best young offenses in the NFL.

#14 New York Jets (Via Vikings)-Alijah Vera-Tucker: B

The New York Jets had another disappointing season but one of the brighter spots on the team was Alijah Vera-Tucker who showed himself to be a quality offensive guard for a Jet offense that can't put the ball in the end zone. Guards rarely have ever had an adverse effect on games, rookie or not, but his individual performance showed a player whose on the right track as an NFL pro. If he continues to improve, he could be a stalwart on the Jets offensive line for years.

#15 New England Patriots-Mac Jones: A+

Of all the rookie quarterbacks in the draft, I thought Mac Jones was the lesser prospect with the lowest ceiling of all of them but after the Patriots picked him in the draft, I just new that he'd be a great addition and potential rookie of the year considering the situation he was going to is the best a young quarterback could ask for. His accuracy and command of the offense is very rare for a rookie and he's only going to get better. Watch out for the New England patriots in the playoffs

#16 Arizona Cardinals-Zaven Collins: D

Zaven Collins hasn't seen the field much in his rookie year as a defensive player and while that normally can get you pass when you're a quarterback but when your a middle linebacker, it usually means that the team doesn't fully trust you to start which is a tough pill to swallow for an organization that picked him in the first round. Hopefully he can show he can contribute in his second year with Arizona.

#17 Las Vegas Raiders-Alex Leatherwood: D

The Las Vegas Raiders under, now former, Head Coach John Gruden have made some head scratching moves during the NFL draft with some of there worst being offensive lineman and unfortunately Alabama left tackle Alex Leatherwood didn't do much to convince anyone that he's a the right guy on the edge. He's struggled mightily from a technical stand point this season and is going to need heavy coaching to get him to a reliable level at the position. It's his rookie year and the Raiders basically made him sink or swim in the NFL and while that has proven to be a high risk high reward venture, it's up Leatherwood to learn from his mistakes and develop accordingly.

#18 Miami Dolphins-Jaelan Phillips: A-

Jaelen Phillips has been an excellent addition to the Miami Dolphins pass rush with his double-digit rookie sack season and helping the Dolphins do a complete turn around mid-season. He looks to be a fearsome pass rusher in the AFC East for years to come and helps complete the Miami defense considering the one piece they were lacking on defense was an effective edge rusher. He has to become a more consistent run defender but I'll take his pass rush ability as a rookie over run defense on any Sunday.

#19 Washington Football Team-Jamin Davis: F

One rookie who has seriously struggled this season is Jamin Davis out of Kentucky who was a huge reach to begin with at pick #19 and has proven to be much more of a project at linebacker than Washington thought he was. He was supposed a great coverage linebacker with excellent instincts and athleticism and while the athleticism is still there, the coverage skills and instincts that he was supposed to have clearly are not and his ability to defend the run and tackle players is also a huge issue. It's going to take a major offseason trunaround for him to become a productive and reliable linebacker because his head coach in Ron Rivera, a notorious defensive head coach, doesn't suffer fools in his linebacker unit.

#20 New York Giants (Via Bears)-Kadarius Toney: C

Kadarius Toney after a rocky start to his career during the offseason Kadarius Toney has flash talent that the Giants were counting when they traded back for him in the draft and what he has done really well is show case the YAC plays and elusiveness that made him such a dangerous offensive weapon in college. However, he was hit with injury bug in his rookie year and outside of some garbage time yards in Dallas, he has struggled some in the NFL. He's also apparently has some maturity issues that have cost him snaps for the Giants. He'll need to be much more consistent in year 2 but the potential for an exciting player.

#21 Indianapolis Colts-Kwity Paye: B

Kwity Paye has been one of the quieter draft successes in the NFL as he's been productive off the stat sheet with bringing great pressure off the edge and contributing in the run game. He was one of the more raw prospects in this draft and to see him steadily improve shows how good of a prospect he was in the draft and why many teams had him high on their draft boards. He's got all the tools to be a monster off the edge, he just needs to keep chipping and sculpting his game.

#22 Tennessee Titans-Caleb Farley: N/A

The injury bug hit Farley pretty hard in his rookie year which was disappointing considering that was the big knock on him during the draft. He's not gradable with his limited availability but in the games he was able to play, he looked less than impressive.

#23 Minnesota Vikings (Via Jets)-Christian Darrisaw: B+

The Minnesota Vikings played the NFL draft like a fiddle trading back with the New York Jets while also drafting one of the better tackles in the draft at a pick that many couldn't believe he fell to. Darrisaw has been a very good offensive tackle in his rookie year in the NFL playing on left side of the line. He's had his ups and downs in his rookie year but mostly positive and if he continues his trajectory for the Vikings, he could be a pro bowl offensive tackle in his career.

#24 Pittsburgh Steelers-Najee Harris: B

Pittsburgh Steeler fans had mixed feelings when the Steelers drafted Najee Harris in the first round and after a rocky start with the offense, Harris eventually got his feet under him and started making things happen for the offense. His bruising yet elusive running style helped the Steelers tremendously with Big Ben on the way out and it was made even more impressive considering how poorly his line played.

#25 Jacksonville Jaguars-Travis Etienne: N/A

He injured his knee in the offseason and never stepped on the field. Probably for the best considering that Urban Meyer probably would have misused him.

#26 Cleveland Browns-Greg Newsome II: B

Greg Newsome II has been a good pickup for the Cleveland Browns in the first round whose coverage skills and consistent play that he was highly regarded for in the draft process came to fruition in the NFL. He helped solidify the opposite side of the defense with Denzel Ward manning the other and the formed a good duo that's only going to get better. I would have like to see more interceptions in in his rookie year but his overall play should leave the Browns organization happy and optimistic.

#27 Baltimore Ravens-Rashod Bateman: B-

Rashod Bateman missed the first half if the season however when he played he did flash potential. He's had issues with consistency which isn't entirely his fault considering the quarterbacking nightmare that was Baltimore this year and he struggled to get into the end zone in his rookie year. He was a reach in the draft in my opinion but his production considering the time he lost this season does show a positive for his development.

#28 New Orleans Saints-Payton Turner: D+

Payton Turner was easily the biggest reach of the NFL draft and his play in his rookie season backs up why I and others felt this pick was one of the, to be nice, "iffiest" picks in the NFL draft. Payton Turner is athletic and he did show that at least but as an overall prospect, he has a way to go before he becomes a reliable defensive lineman in the NFL. Injuries this season shortened his playing time which also doesn't help but I saw enough to come away with a grade.

#29 Green Bay Packers-Eric Stokes: B+

Eric Stokes one of the better picks towards the end of the draft and he showed in Green Bay this that his elite athleticism and length at the cornerback does transfer well in to the NFL. He's been one of the best additions to the Green Bay Packers after Jaire Alexander went down with injury. He's been a major reason for the Packers success on defense this year and when Jaire Alexander returns this year, the two will be a great duo in the playoffs.

#30 Buffalo Bills-Gregory Rousseau: B-

Gregory Rousseau I thought was the best pick of the draft because I had such high hopes for him coming out of college and while he hasn't blown me away in his rookie, he's been pretty decent. His size, length, and athleticism have proven to a difficult match up on occasion and he's gotten better with every game. He's overall production on the stat sheet won't show his impact but he does make one for the Bills and if he can play with more finesse and consistency.

#31 Baltimore Ravens (Via Chiefs)-Odafe Jayson Oweh: A-

This was one draft pick that I was proven very wrong on and I commend the Ravens for seeing the forest through the trees. He's been a great edge presence for the Ravens who were in trouble after losing Matt Judon in the offseason. Oweh showed incredible ability to dislodge the football from ball carriers and his sack production off the edge was unprecedented for a player who didn't have a sack in 2020. He's still super raw as a prospect but his progress from where he was coming out college is very optimistic.

#32 Tampa Bay Buccaneers-Joe Tryon-Shoyinka: C+

Joe Tryon-Shoyinka was a reach at the end of the draft but when you are a Super Champ, it's all about grabbing depth for the roster and with pass rushers of the Buccaneers potentially leaving or retiring Joe Tryon-Shoyinka is a good pick just based off of fit, however he's been average at best as a rookie. He's been productive in a rotational role but his game must improve for him to be a reliable starter on the Bucs defense.