This week I take a look at part 2 of the NFL draft and my
second set of teams.
Dallas : The big offseason news was the release of WR
Dez Bryant and trade of Ryan Switzer. Jason Witten has also retired to join
Monday Night Football broadcast. The
Cowboys picked 19th in the first round and took LB Leighton Vander
Esch from Boise State. The Cowboys
wanted Vander Esch from the start to
fill the loss of Anthony Hitchens to free agency.
Detroit : The
Lions only drafted six players, but their top was 20th in the first
round and it was center Frank Ragnow of Arkansas. The Lions set out to solve some of their
interior line issues and this was a big start toward that goal. Ragnow could fit in right away at the guard
position. The fact that the Lions have
not had a 100-yard rusher in four years weighs heavy on new OL coach Jeff
Davidson. He will have to find the right spots for his new draft picks and make
this line work. If the can find a running game to help Stafford with the
passing, this offense should be much better.
Green Bay : The
Packers had to play too much of the time without QB Aaron Rodgers. He’s back
and ready to go. Will he have the same
arm strength this year? That’s yet to be seen. The Packers drafted CB Jaire
Alexander with the 18th pick in the draft. The top CB on many draft boards, Alexander
will fill a huge need at corner. If
Rodgers can stay healthy and his arm is still as strong, this team will go far
this year.
Houston: The biggest anticipation from this 4-12 club
is the return of Deshaun Watson at QB and DE JJ Watt. Injuries plagued this team last year and a
poor offensive line contributed to their overall decline. Look for the OL to have new starters to
protect Watson. The Texans didn’t draft first until the 3rd round
(68th overall). They picked
Justin Reid a safety from Stanford. This
pick was to improve a poor secondary last season. The Texans also got OL
Martinas Rankin from Mississippi State to help with their offensive line
woes. I only see this team improving
for this season.
Indianapolis: The
Colts had that disappointing 2018 campaign and didn’t have QB Andrew Luck the
entire season. So they received the sixth pick in the draft and went for G
Quenton Nelson of Notre Dame. Nelson has
great size and power and should step right into the line with little
adjustment. The Colts also signed T
Austin Howard from Baltimore, who started all 16 games. This could be one of
the best offensive lines the Colts have ever had and with Luck returning,
that’s good news for him.
Jacksonville: The Jags drafted 29th in the first
round and took DT Taven Bryan from Florida.
Bryan had a great combine and while he was only a one year starter at
Florida, looks to be a very explosive player.
The Jags looking to build on their excellent season from last year.
LA Chargers: They
added a power house defense to their arsenal. With their first pick they
drafted Derwin James, a safety out of Florida State. Along with a running
game, they have e a seasoned QB in Rivers. The AFC West is theirs for the
taking in my opinion.
Seattle Seahawks: not a popular team in the betting markets at
this time. The attrition started when they had to pay Russell Wilson the big bucks
and it has continued. I have not liked the moves Pete Carrol has made in recent
years.
Minnesota Vikings: No reason for me not to like this club.
Almost went all the way last year and did nothing but make themselves better in
the off season. They drafted late in the first round and picked CB Mike Hughes
of Central Florida. Minnesota already has good corners in Trae Williams and
Xavier Rhodes. However, they need a good nickel back and Hughes will fill this
spot nicely.
NY Giants: Did a great job getting Saquan Barkley with
the number two pick in the draft. This was a very smart move. They also got a
steal with Richmond QB Kyle Lauletta in the fourth round. This guy could be the
sleeper of the draft. Eli can still play but needs help on the OL. This team
should be much better though with the addition of Barkley in the backfield.
I’ll
be back next week with my next batch of teams for review.
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