We are ten weeks into the second season of PML and the draft strategy for some teams was spot on but it was a disaster for other teams. We are going to take a look at how well the draft picks for each team are doing so far this season and if they have helped their team find success.
New York Giants – DE Kayvon Thibodeaux: 9 tackles and 5 sacks.
The Giants drafted the best player in the draft and he was off to a rookie of the year like season but he was injured against the Eagles in week 5. Thibodeaux had five sacks in four games but with a 2-6 record, you have to question if the Giants should have addressed the elephant in the room ( their quarterback play.)
Cleveland Browns – QB Desmond Ridder: 113/173, 1,529 yards, 8 touchdowns, and 24 interceptions.
The Cleveland Browns are in a downward spiral. They have benched their first round rookie in favor of other veteran quarterbacks, but at 3-6, Desmond Ridder is not the answer for this franchise.
New York Jets – CB Derek Stingley: 24 tackles, 2 interceptions, and 1 forced fumble.
This was the right move for the Jets and Stingley was the best corner in the draft, but statistically, he hasn’t made a dent in helping his team get victories on the field.
Pittsburgh Steelers – DT Jordan Davis: 7 tackles and 1 sack.
A highly scrutinized draft pick that turned out to be a superstar player. You can argue that a superstar player is better than a normal dev player, but a defensive tackle who isn’t producing on the field isn’t going to help the Steelers win their division.
Washington Football Team – QB Malik Willis: 140/195 2,158 yards, 14 touchdowns and 17 interceptions. 29 carries, 184 rushing yards and 6 touchdowns.
Malik Willis should have been drafted by the Cleveland Browns. His raw talent is off the charts but the Football team is struggling this season to find their identity. Willis is so dynamic when he scrambles and his 6 rushing touchdowns are a testament to that.
New York Jets – FS Kyle Hamilton: 54 tackles, 2 interceptions, 3 forced fumbles, and 1 fumble recovery.
Hamilton has been the best player on the Jets this season. He is leading his team in tackles, but when your safety leads the team in tackles, it will never bode well for your overall record.
Atlanta Falcons – LT Evan Neal: 9 games played, 500 downs played, 1 sack allowed.
The Falcons addressed a need with Neal and he turned out to be the best offensive linemen in the draft. He was given ‘secure protector’ which is one of the best abilities for offensive linemen and he has contributed to the Falcons having a top 5 passing attack this season.
Houston Texans – LOLB Drake Jackson: 13 tackles, 5 sacks, and 2 forced fumbles.
The Texans hoped that they’d have a better record this point in the season, but Jackson has been balling out for them and he leads the team in sacks.
Cincinnati Bengals – LE Aidan Hutchinson: 8 tackles, 5 sacks, and 3 forced fumbles.
The Bengals haven’t done a lot right this season, but drafting Hutchinson was top notch. He leads the team in sacks and has rejuvenated Cincy’s pass rush.
Houston Texans – WR Chris Olave: 44 receptions, 515 yards, and 1 touchdown.
A crucial part of this balanced offense, Olave is second in receptions for the Texans. He’s a perfect compliment to Christian Kirk on the other side of the field.
Carolina Panthers – LE Zach Harrison: 3 tackles and .5 sack.
Harrison went higher in the draft than most expected but he has superstar development. The Panthers struck gold with their young pass rusher, unfortunately his superstar status hasn’t produced much on the field.
Washington Football Team – TE Jalen Wydermyer: 16 receptions, 208 yards, and 3 touchdowns.
The Football Team drafted Wydermyer to give Malik Willis a safety blanket, but after only averaging 13 receiving yards a game so far this season, it’s obvious this offense goes through Antonio Gibson and Terry Mclaurin.
Pittsburgh Steelers – CB Ahmad Gardner: 25 tackles and 1 interception.
Gardner’s 40 yard dash time was scrutinized before the draft, but the Steelers didn’t sway from grabbing him. He turned out to be a superstar x-factor and while both of their draft picks haven’t contributed much, they should develop much faster than most of the selections from this draft.
Minnesota Vikings – LG Ikem Ekwonu: 3 games played, 95 downs played, and 0 sacks allowed.
Ekwonu is a solid offensive guard but this was a bust pick for the Vikings. They only have 1 win on the season and this pick should have been for a quarterback, not a backup offensive linemen.
New England Patriots – DT Demarvin Leal: 15 tackles, 6.5 sacks, and 1 fumble recovery.
This was a ‘Madden selection’ and it has benefited the Patriots. He is their best defensive tackle and he is the second highest
Philadelphia Eagles – CB Andrew Booth Jr: 16 tackles and 6 interceptions.
The Eagles lead the league in interceptions and on a team full of superstars, Booth has made his presence known. He has the second most interceptions amongst rookies in the league.
Houston Texans – RG Kenyon Green: 6 games played, 331 downs played, and 2 sacks allowed.
Green was the second best linemen in the draft but he’s missed three games this season. The Texans were hoping for more out of Green, but if he can stay healthy, the Texans can develop him into one of the better guards in the league.
Jacksonville Jaguars – TE Jahleel Billingsley: 26 receptions, 462 yards, and 2 touchdowns.
The Jaguars are a heavy passing offense and Billingsley has the fourth highest catches for the team. He may not be Trevor Lawrence’s go to, but he has the size and speed to be an outlet for him when they need to convert on a set of downs.
New Orleans Saints – QB Spencer Rattler: 177/269, 2,183 yards, 12 touchdowns, and 24 interceptions. 17 carries, 44 rushing yards, and 1 touchdown.
Spencer Rattler was a steal at this spot in the draft, but unfortunately for the Saints, his talent hasn’t come to fruition. He is struggling this season to accurately place the ball in a position where his receivers can make a play on the ball and that’s the reason his interceptions are twice as high as his touchdowns.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers – C Tyler Linderbaum: 431 downs played, 8 games played, 0 sacks allowed.
Drew Lock is not the answer in Tampa Bay but Linderbaum has protected his quarterback to the best of his ability. He’s going to be a raw and developing talent for the next quarterback that the Buccaneers bring in.
Kansas City Chiefs – SS Jordan Battle: 22 tackles and 2 interceptions.
At the time of the draft, this was a puzzling selection for the Chiefs. However, Battle turned out to have X-factor development and he will be Tyrann Mathieu’s successor. The Chiefs have found a way to get him involved, but he hasn’t made quite the impact that he could have if developed a bit more.
Dallas Cowboys – CB Kaiir Elam: 20 tackles, 3 interceptions, and 1 forced fumble.
Elam was originally drafted as a corner but Dallas moved him to a FS. He has 74 hitpower, so he has the ability to cover and play in the box. He has the third highest amount of tackles on the team and he’s given his team another ball hawk in the secondary.
Detroit Lions – WR Garrett Wilson: 30 receptions, 611 yards, and 7 touchdowns. 2 carries, 45 rushing yards, and 1 touchdown.
The Lions desperately needed a playmaker on their offense and Wilson hasn’t let them down. He’s tied with Tyler Boyd for a team high of 7 touchdowns and with more consistent quarterback play, he could be an early favorite to win the NFC rookie of the year award.
Miami Dolphins – MLB Christan Harris: 12 tackles and 1 interception.
The Miami Dolphins witnessed multiple players drafted a few selections before them and Christian Harris was left on their draft board. Harris is lacking speed, but he has all the intangibles to be a dynamic piece of Miamis’ defense. Harris is a part-time player, but if given a full time role, he could flourish. Miami had better luck later in the draft, but only time will tell if Harris can produce like a first round selection should.
Los Angeles Chargers – RT Charles Cross: 359 downs played, 8 games played, and 0 sacks allowed.
The Chargers addressed a must have and while Cross wasn’t a flashy selection, he’s been available every game and he hasn’t given up a sack all season long.
Carolina Panthers – MLB Owen Pappoe: 22 tackles, 1 sack, and 2 forced fumbles.
There’s a lot to like about Pappoe, but outside of his size and speed, he lacks the ability to play in coverage. He’s a lower rated player but he was awarded star development, so that should help the Panthers build him into a starting linebacker.
Washington Football Team – LT Jaxson Kirkland: 410 downs played, 8 games played, and 2 sacks allowed.
Malik Willis needed a blindside protector and the Football Team asked Kirkland to move to RT whereas Charles Leno Jr has given up 8 sacks this season as a LT. The Football team may want to reevaluate swapping the two in the off-season.
Denver Broncos – LOLB DeAngelo Malone: 15 tackles and 1 interception.
The Broncos drafted Malone for his 6’4” frame and his speed. This was a busted selection outside of the organization but Denver has shown that he’s just one of the players needed for them to contend for their division. Malone has the second most tackles on the team but with just one tackle for loss, he’s not very quick to the ball carrier.
Tennessee Titans – CB Josh Jobe: 14 tackles.
Jobe was another player who didn’t have a flashy 40 yard time, but the Titans took a flier on him because he was from Alabama and how quickly he accelerates. He was awarded with Superstar development, but so far this season, he hasn’t produced much against the pass.
Carolina Panthers – CB Tariq Woolen: 2 tackles.
The Carolina Panthers drafted Woolen because of his intangibles and solely to develop him. He is not ready to play, even as a slot corner. He is 6’5” with 92 speed and 96 acceleration and while this isn’t the ideal pick in the first round, it’s possible the Panthers will have him ready to start by next season.
Green Bay Packers – LE George Karlaftis: 14 tackles and 2 sacks
Karlaftis is the best defensive end on the team, but with two superstar edge rushers in Smith and Gary, he hasn’t had as much opportunity to showcase his skills as he might like. He was a great selection this late in the draft and should be the team’s best pass rusher in a couple seasons.
San Francisco 49ers – RT Rasheed Walker: 459 downs played, 9 games played, and sacks allowed.
Rasheed Walker was the rawest offensive linemen drafted in the first round, but he was rewarded with star development. He will need some content pumped into him, but he has been a reliable player for the 49ers.
