Life got a little busy there yesterday, so no post, but I’m back on.  Monday, we looked at Picks 1-10 of the 1st Round.  There are several scenarios possible for the Top 10, and mainly it is guessing 2 elements – which QBs does each team like and if Buffalo/Miami/Arizona jump into the Top 10 to pick a QB.  I speculated Buffalo would jump up to #2 to take a QB.  With that said, the next 10 picks are much more difficult to predict.  Trading is much more common in this section and the next section of the Draft.  So, I will do my best prognosticating, but maybe more important information is the Team Needs and Player Traits.

Same format here: Team Needs for each Team, Highest Rated Players and their Traits, and finally, possible scenarios for each pick.

Miami Dolphins – 11th Pick Overall

  • Team Needs: Miami is actually trying to do a rebuild on the fly with the same coach, Adam Gase.  In the off season, the Dolphins have gotten rid of WR Jarvis Landry, their top target, Ndamukong Suh, the talented but troubled DT, and some other pieces.  So, Miami needs players all over the field.  QB is definitely a priority, as well, since starter Ryan Tannehill has missed the better part of 2 seasons.
  • Top Players and Traits:  The Dolphins have been linked to Heisman Trophy winning QB, Baker Mayfield from Oklahoma.  Mayfield is undersized at the position, but his accuracy (68.6% completion), production (129 TD to 29 INTs) and passion for the game are evident.  The main evaluation besides height is his off the field questions.  Still, Miami may just jump in there.  Other considerations here would be going with Vita Vea with the Suh departure.
  • Possible Scenarios: The Dolphins were in the playoffs 2 years ago, and now they are trying to change the face of their team.  I can see them trading up if they thought Mayfield was going earlier, too.  Prediction:  Dolphins will take Baker Mayfield, QB, OU.

Buffalo Bills – 12th Pick Overall

  • Team Needs:  The Bills made the playoffs last year with a strong running game, improved defense and safe play at QB under Tyrod Taylor.  Taylor is in Cleveland now, so a QB is definitely a high priority.  WR is also a big hole on this team with the last year departures of Sammy Watkins and Robert Woods.  Last year’s 2nd round draft pick, Zay Jones underperformed.  So, that is another possibility.  Finally, Richie Incognito has indicated his desire to retire, but will report to camp.  So, Offensive Line is another need.
  • Top Players and Traits:  Bills have been linked to Josh Allen out of Wyoming since he is a strong armed QB in a place where the weather matters.  Left on the Board are CB Denzel Ward and Vita Vea from a value standpoint.  However, if the Bills want to meet their needs outside of QB, then they could target the best OT in the Draft, Mike McGlinchey out of Notre Dame.  McGlinchey is 6’8″ and 312 lbs, so he is a rangy, athletic player who needs to get stronger.  However, his technique has been said to be very good.  OT is typically a premium position, but this draft does not have a very good group.  McGlinchey is the best one, though.
  • Possible Scenarios:  Buffalo will likely trade up to grab a QB depending on who is selected in the early picks.  They have another pick at #22, so they have the firepower to do so.  Prediction:  Buffalo trades up to #2 to select Allen, and the Giants here will pick Mike McGlinchey, OT, Notre Dame.

Washington Redskins – 13th Overall Pick

  • Team Needs:  With a shake up a QB and some new players at WR, the offense really is only missing one piece a quality RB.  Last year, Samaje Perine was decent, but a playmaker here may make sense.  The Redskins run defense was terrible, ranking last in the NFL.  So, a run stopper makes a lot of sense here.
  • Top Players and Traits:  Vita Vea is the clear choice given the scenario with his size and agility.  Other players they may consider there would be Ward at CB.
  • Possible Scenarios:  If the Board falls the way I have it laid out, then Vea is the guy.  Washington may consider trading back with Arizona if one of the 5 QBs I show are not taken.  Then, they could take Vea or another DT at Pick 15.  Prediction:  Washington will pick Vita Vea, DT, Washington.

Green Bay Packers – 14th Overall Pick

  • Team Needs:  The Packers like the Dolphins are turning over their roster quite a bit.  However, they are set at QB with former MVP Aaron Rodgers.  The Pack have let WR Jordy Nelson go, though.  So, WR may come into play, but the Packer defense is not good.  They need more players, especially upfront to rush the passer.
  • Top Players and Traits:  Denzel Ward CB still sits out there.  He’s probably too talented to fall this far, and the Pack need help on defense.  Green Bay has been linked to 2 top pass rushers, though – Harold Landry, DE from Boston College a smooth and accomplished pass rusher with pro-level moves and Marcus Davenport, DE UT-San Antonio a physical specimen with raw speed and power, but lacking the technique of Landry.
  • Possible Scenarios:  It looks like Green Bay will select who they like better between Landry and Davenport.  I don’t see them trading up or down at this point.  Prediction:  Packers will pick Marcus Davenport, DE, UTSA.

Arizona Cardinals – 15th Overall Pick

  • Team Needs:  The Cardinals with the retirement of Carson Palmer have acquired Sam Bradford and Mike Glennon to fill the QB spot.  Given both their histories, neither provide a long term solution.  Besides QB, Larry Fitzgerald, All Pro WR, is probably in his final season.  Plus the departure of WR John Brown, make WR a high priority for the team.  Finally, the losses on defense of Calais Campbell last year and in the secondary including Tyrann Mathieu give the Cardinals plenty of needs.
  • Top Players and Traits:  Again, Ward is the highest rated player on the Board.  Other CBs that could come into play here are Joshua Jackson from Iowa and Jaire Alexander from Louisville.  Jackson is a long, athletic player (6’1″, 192 lbs, 4.56 40 and 38 in vertical) with good ball skills, while Alexander (5’11”, 192 lbs, 4.38 40) is a fast and explosive athlete.  If they go defense, then one of these players is in play.  Cardinals have been linked to super athlete and former Heisman Winning QB Lamar Jackson from Louisville.  Lamar Jackson is a walking highlight reel with Michael Vick like speed and elusiveness.  However, Jackson is undersized and not a prototypical QB in most measures (6’3″, 200 lbs, and inaccurate 57% completions).
  • Possible Scenarios:  Cardinals may be looking towards the future and picking Jackson to change the face of the franchise.  The safer pick would be to go defense and pick one of the CBs.  Prediction:  Cardinals will pick Denzel Ward, CB, Ohio State.

Baltimore Ravens – 16th Overall Pick

  • Team Needs:  The Ravens were a playoff caliber team that blew their chance in the final minute of their final game.  So, they are close, but the team is still very dependent on their strong defense.  QB Joe Flacco has been good, not great.  So, the Ravens may consider a later round QB.  The WR corps of the Ravens has struggled in recent years, but the acquisition of former Raider Michael Crabtree should bolster that group.  Still another quality WR be a priority.
  • Top Players and Traits:  Quality defensive players will still be on the Board here with Jackson and Alexander at CB and Harold Landry at DE.  The Ravens may consider going WR here, and Calvin Ridley WR from Alabama is the best of the group.  Ridley did not blow out the explosive tests at the Combine, but he was productive, a good route runner with solid straight line speed (4.43 in the 40).
  • Possible Scenarios:  I think the Ravens stay in the this spot and go with a guy like Landry to keep their defense top notch or address WR need.  Prediction:  Ravens will pick Calvin Ridley, WR, Alabama.

Los Angeles Chargers – 17th Overall Pick

  • Team Needs:  The Chargers have really upgraded their defense over the past few drafts.  The only problem is they could not stop the run very well, so Vea would have been a natural fit here.  On offense, QB Philip Rivers will retire sometime soon, so a QB is definitely possible.  The WR, TE and OL groups are pretty strong.
  • Top Players and Traits:  Again, the top players are CBs Jackson and Alexander with Landry at DE.  However, none of these guys address stopping the run.  The 2 DTs that come to mind with Vea gone are Da’Ron Payne from Alabama and Taven Bryan from Florida.  Payne is 6’2″ at 311 lbs with good quickness shown in the short shuttle (4.71 s).  Payne also can be pretty explosive on tape to do more than run stop.  Bryan is 6’4″ and 291 lbs, but even quicker with a 4.48 short shuttle.  Bryan may profile as a more gap player given his size than a run stuffer.
  • Possible Scenarios:  Chargers will likely stick to the need here and not get cute.  Prediction:  Chargers will pick Da’Ron Payne, DT, Alabama.

Seattle Seahawks – 18th Overall Pick

  • Team Needs:  There have been a lot of departures in the off season on both sides of the ball.  CB Richard Sherman has left the team for new opportunities, as has Michael Bennett at DE, Jimmy Graham at TE.  The Seahawks Offensive Line has been terrible for a while now, so that is always a need.  The team needs to have a good draft to stay competitive in the rapidly improving NFC West.
  • Top Players and Traits:  The 2 CBs may make sense here with Jackson fitting more in the mold of the Seattle version of long, athletic corners, but Alexander is going to be a good CB, too.  Harold Landry may be a natural replacement for Michael Bennett at DE in this defense.
  • Possible Scenarios:  Seattle needs an impact player to stay competitive.  With the offensive line talent being not great, I think it makes sense to pick the best player at a position of need.  Prediction:  Seahawks will pick Harold Landry, DE, Boston College.

Dallas Cowboys – 19th Overall Pick

  • Team Needs:  The Cowboys need to replace WR Dez Bryant who they cut last week.  Dallas always struggles at Linebacker and on defense, in general.  Yet, the Offensive Line is so essential to what this team does.  So, I wouldn’t be surprised if they put another 1st Rounder on the OL.
  • Top Players and Traits:  Dallas went heavy in the secondary last draft, so Alexander or Jackson probably are not a priority.  Landry would have been a great fit here, but not available in this projection.  Taven Bryan may be a good selection to help that defense.  At WR, a potential target could be the explosive DJ Moore out of Maryland.  Moore at 6’0″, 210 lbs. has size, but his 4.42 40 speed along with 39.5 in vertical and sub 7 second 3 cone show he has the athleticism to excel on the next level.
  • Possible Scenarios:  It’s always difficult to predict where Jerry Jones’ head is come Draft Day.  The safe pick is Bryan to help the D-Line, but I think the Cowboys go WR here.  Prediction:  Cowboys will pick DJ Moore, WR, Maryland.

Detroit Lions – 20th Overall Pick

  • Team Needs:  The Lions are set at QB and WR, but they have yet to hit on a feature RB.  Detroit did pick up RB LeGarrette Blount from the Patriots, which should help new Coach Matt Patricia’s run game.  However, Blount is not a long term solution and not versatile like the other NE backs.  Detroit also said good bye to their 1st round TE Eric Ebron who underperformed for the most part.  So, TE is a possible pick.  Finally, the Lions really could use more help on the defensive front.
  • Top Players and Traits:  Jackson and Alexander at CB are still there, but probably unlikely.  Bryan is probably the lead possibility.  If the Lions want a RB, then 2 RBs are possible here – Sony Michel (5’11” and 220 lbs.) out of Georgia who is fast (4.54 40) and versatile and Derrius Guice (5’10” and 212 lbs.) another all purpose back with good speed (4.49 40).
  • Possible Scenarios:  Lions should stay put and make the pick.  Again, Taven Bryan is a safe pick here, but Michel will not last into the 2nd round for Detroit.  Prediction:  Lions will pick Sony Michel, RB, Georgia.

There you have it.  The next 10.  So much harder than predicting the 1st 10.  Let me know who you like for your team and if you disagree with any or all picks.

Until tomorrow.

Wegs

About the author

I'm a 49 year old, twice divorced guy with a 20 year old. The blog has morphed a bit lately. Not just sports or dating, social commentary and now some stories from my past experience.