#17 Pick – Dallas Cowboys select TE Khalil Dinkins
Pre DDT Grade: C+
Pre DDT Analysis: In a relatively weak TE class, the Cowboys were the only team to take a TE in the first 63 picks. They bite on the Mackey award winner to fill a need on their roster and pray for a dev. But if they don’t get the dev, this was a slight reach.
#18 Pick – Pittsburgh Steelers select SS DQ Smith
Pre DDT Grade: B+
Analysis: Curt is perhaps PML’s most underrated GM when it comes to drafting. The Steelers got themselves a nice Sub LB [once he gets +2 awareness] with great catching and coverage out the gate.
#19 Pick – Dallas Cowboys select DE Suntarine Perkins
Pre DDT Grade: F
Analysis: His “beating blocks” ratings are fine. 86 speed is cool. But even as an edge I’m really worried about his 225 pound frame with 84 strength and very worrisome 70 impact block. Any smart offensive coordinator will direct runs this guy’s way if he’s on the field. Also the next pick…
#20 Pick – Cleveland Browns select DE Peter Woods
Pre DDT Grade: A++
Analysis: You’re telling me the Cowboys, Bills, and Ravens didnt take this guy instead? The Nagurski award winner is a tank with 90 block shed, 85 power move, and 87 finesse move out the gate with a great chance at a great dev trait. He should not have fallen out of the top 10 for sure, and the Browns having to be thanking their lucky stars that GMs ahead of them got caught sleeping at the wheel.
#21 Pick – Dallas Cowboys select HB CJ Baxter
Pre DDT Grade: B-
Pre DDT Analysis: A key piece of the defending CFB champ Longhorns will be staying in Texas to continue his football career. Baxter should be a great pro right away. He also has a good shot at SS or XF dev.
#22 Pick – Las Vegas Raiders select WR Brandon Inniss
Pre DDT Grade: C+
Pre DDT Analysis: The Raiders got their Davante Adams replacement. Maybe their Devante Adams wannabe. 99 catch may inflate his overall, but his route running is legit. A very safe pick at 22 to be a safety blanket for the rookie Arch Manning.
#23 Pick – Denver Broncos select CB Upton Scout
Pre DDT Grade: D+
Pre DDT Grade: If DK were actually in the country to scout, he wouldn’t have taken Scout. In season 4, it’s not worth taking a guy like this with a first round pick.
#24 Pick – New Orleans Saints select Keyshawn Burgos
Pre DDT Grade: A
Pre DDT Analysis: If you’re catching a trend, the DE/Edge position had a lot of great talent if you could find it. The Saints found a gem who is definitely day 1 ready to set the edge with a sweet combination of speed and power.
#25 Pick – Miami Dolphins select CB William Lee II
Pre DDT Grade: C-
Pre DDT Analysis: I don’t know why Deebo ever has multiple first round picks. He should just trade all his first round picks away when he’s [got his CPU] drafting like this. His 6’3 height is enticing, and his coverage ratings are actually pretty good. But I promise you no one else had a day 1 grade on this guy.
#26 Pick – Chicago Bears select MLB Harrison Taggert
Pre DDT Grade: B
Pre DDT Analysis: I’m a bit conflicted with this pick. Not because of his OVR, but because of his stature. Can a 215 pound and 70 strength MLB play every down? Ultimately that might not matter as much if this is Jefe’s user defender. And Taggert makes one heck of a user defender which ultimately makes me lean towards feeling great about this pick over feeling conflicted. But we shall see once he plays meaningful snaps.
#27 Pick – New England Patriots select QB Gavin Wimmsatt
Pre DDT Grade: A-
Pre DDT Analysis: Cousin Wimmy has the tools to be great, and he landed at the perfect team. With Dot’s ability to pass the ball, Wimmsatt has the capability of being a franchise QB. It might take a few weeks of growing pains for him to reach that potential though.
#28 Pick – Seattle Seahawks select WR Jared Brown
Pre DDT Grade: A+
Pre DDT Analysis: Besides the DE steals, this wins my best value pick of round 1 for sure. Brown’s route running is best in class. I’m sure Z had a “pinch me I must be dreaming” moment when realizing he got Brown as the 5th WR off the board all the way down at pick 28 to join DK and JSN in a loaded WR room.
#29 Pick – New York Giants select SS Zyrus Fiaseu
Pre DDT Grade: B+
Pre DDT Analysis: I feel like I’m beating a drum complimenting a team for getting a solid Sub LB with good coverage ratings. But yea, that’s what what we got once again here folks. After trading away Isaiah Simmons last season, this should help fill a void in the Giants defense.
#30 Pick – Green Bay Packers select WR Trayvon Rudolph
Pre DDT Grade: C
Pre DDT Analysis: The Packers only had 3 WRs on the roster entering the draft with no cap space, including 71 OVR Bo Melton. So to say this was a need would be an understatement. Rudolph is a solid player with a chance to excel immediately, as he assumes a starting role with the team with last year’s leader in passing yards Jordan Love.
#31 – Los Angeles Rams select HB CJ Donaldson
Pre DDT Grade: B-
Pre DDT Analysis: It’s safe to say 257 pound HBs with 92 speed, 91 juke, and 94 trucking do not grow on trees. Donaldson was a wild card as Round 1 was concluding, and the Rams decided to bite. The one rating to watch is 74 carrying, which could affect Donaldson’s ability to stay on the field more than all the eye popping physicals.
#32 Jacksonville Jaguars select RG Geno VanDeMark
Pre DDT Grade: B-
Pre DDT Analysis: Hey, we finally get our second big ugly off the board. Geno’s got solid ratings and will be starting on Day 1 to hopefully help the worst offensive line unit in the league take a step up.
