Pick 1.19
Expectation: Smael Mondon Jr
Reality: Smael Mondon Jr
What Happened: Trading back from 14 to 19 was a no-brainer but then I started stressing because I always wanted Smael and I was worried someone would s***** him from me and the trade back would be a disaster. This went so far as for private workouts I only looked at backup plans looking into other linebackers, none of which impressed me. Luckily, we did get Smael and because of that lack of scouting I was worried he could be truly awful if a LB that fast made it to 19 but I was wrong. He came in at a 74 and is already up to 76. He has the speed, coverages, and gap filling ability I wanted and hopefully he can get star. The trade back was one of the best moves I’ve ever done.
Pick 1.28
Expectation: Troy Franklin/Rome Odunze
Reality: Johnny Wilson
What Happened: Wide receivers flew off the board more than I expected. I was hoping for Troy but was more than expecting him to get taken but I was expecting Rome to go under the radar as a guy with no chance at a dev but He went as early as a player with his size, skill, and speed should. I was looking for a steal and I didn’t get one, although I do like Johnny Wilson. His size is the best it could be, his speed isn’t terrible at all, and he has 95 spec catch and 93 jumping. He wasn’t my first, second, or third choice, but this was a good backup pick as we needed a wr in this deep class and we got someone unique instead of settling for Egbuka.
Pick 2.1
Expectation: Donovan Jackson
Reality: JaTavion Sanders
What Happened: Donovan Jackson didn’t make it to this pick, but there were plenty of good offensive lineman I would have taken, this was more shock that Sanders made it this far. I got Juwan Johnson to superstar and didn’t need or even want a tight end outside of later in the draft for depth, but Sanders to me was a can’t miss pick here. Alongside Johnny Wilson, it makes the receiving room deeper and better and coming out of Texas should get him star hopefully. This pivot was a result of capitalizing on Sanders availability more than Jackson being gone. Once again, the trade back from 14 to 19 but up from 46 to 33 comes in clutch and secures me a high impact player.
Pick 3.19
Expectation: Alfred Collins/Barryn Sorrell
Reality: Alfred Collins
What Happened: I’d be lying if I said I wanted Collins over Sorrell but I knew I was waiting for this pick to take one of them and Sorrell went a full 31 picks before this pick. Collins was an excellent backup plan as he came out as a higher overall than Sorrell, but just doesn’t have as much speed, strength, and acceleration I’d want in an edge rusher. He did make some plays though and coming out of Texas could get a dev and become the starter opposite Foskey ahead of Paschal. This pick was exactly what I was hoping for, high end depth at worst, starter at best.
Pick 3.28
Expectation: Jaylan Ford
Reality: Junior Colson
What Happened: Ford was gone and it was a blessing in disguise as Colson came in just 1 overall higher, but 4 speed better and pretty similar run stopping ability which is Colson’s main job as my LB3 in a 4-3. He won’t be in nickel packages unless of injury or fatigue. He’ll fill the spot that got Jaylon Smith a dev upgrade last season and as a player coming out of Michigan, it’s possible he starts at star despite Ford being the better ddt player. I am very content with this pick going not to plan.
Pick 4.16
Expectation: Cade Stover
Reality: Graham Barton
What Happened: It’s pretty simple what happened, I got Sanders at 2.1 and had to pivot to taking an offensive lineman at this pick. Barton seemed like the guy with great pass blocking and I’m not upset about the pick at all. There were better offensive lineman that I unfortunately passed on but I am in no way disappointed in a 71 in the middle of the fourth round when we had 3 offensive lineman taken in the second round equal or worse than Barton. He will get some AR help run blocking and is my 5th best lineman, I can afford him to not be amazing, even at RT.
Pick 5.28
Expectation: Jaylon Carlies
Reality: Jaylon Carlies
What Happened: Carlies was nothing special as a safety as a 67 but as a cornerback he is a beast up to 71 overall at 6’3 and 90 speed. He has no shot at a dev but he’s here to collect his AR and be a great slot CB who can blitz and run support. The New Orleans Slot CB last season was a 71 overall nobody and produced 5 interceptions and 3.5 sacks so some of that production for the rookie who is going to have much better attributes is all we are asking. Just a late 5th rounder with hopes he can be a great backup and a good rotational piece, it’s looking that way so far.
Pick 6.17
Expectation: Dontae Manning
Reality: Andru Phillips
What Happened: Manning went 4 picks before and ruined the pretty perfect draft I had going. I didn’t have a backup plan to Manning at this point and Phillips only saving grace is that he is a good return specialist but I was looking for depth at corner and Manning has potential to be a starter one day, Phillips does not. Great steal by Tampa Bay as they find a steal who can start in the slot or the outside as my guy Phillips won’t see the field outside of special teams.
Pick 6.28
Expectation: Sam Hartman
Reality: Jalon Daniels
What Happened: I’m honestly not sure what went on in my mind during this pick to change my pre-draft plan because Hartman was available and the only quarterback left on my board at this pick. I decided to take Daniels instead for his speed and age I’m guessing and it was the wrong decision. Hartman has a solid 80 speed compared to Daniels 86 and Daniels only has one more throw power at 89 to Hartman’s 89. Those are Daniels advantages and probably what led to me picking him but the accuracies are all Hartman as he comes in as a 70 overall compared to Daniels 62 (now 64 but still much lower than Hartman). Luckily, I don’t think this will matter to me too much as I don’t see Hartman as a QB of the future but he would be a better backup than Daniels and that’s what this pick was for.
