It’s been a couple of days since the NFL Draft concluded. I was able to dig into the final numbers and insights.

NFL Draft 2019 By the Numbers

In the first 3 Rounds (which I chart since most of the NFL is comprised of these players), you have Position breakdowns (note there were 102 picks in the 3 Rounds with Compensatory picks):

  • Wide Receivers – 13 (10 in 2018)
  • Cornerbacks – 12 (10)
  • Edge – 11 (18 – big difference)
  • Defensive Tackles – 11 (11)
  • Offensive Tackles – 11 (10)
  • Guard/Centers – 9 (10)
  • Inside Linebackers – 8 (3 – big uptick here)
  • Tight Ends – 8 (5 – a hot position in the NFL)
  • Running Backs – 7 (8)
  • Safeties – 7 (9)
  • Quarterbacks – 5 (6)

So, the big differences year over year were at Edge (which this draft was not as deep as last year) and Linebackers, which is a bit of a surprise. The increase in Tight Ends is fitting of the league and the value of the position.

Overall numbers (note, I’ve charted 252 picks):

  • Wide Receivers – 29 (33 in 2018)
  • Defensive Tackles – 29 (22 – speaks to depth of this class)
  • Cornerbacks – 28 (26)
  • Inside Linebackers – 28 (22 – interesting increase)
  • Running Backs – 24 (22)
  • Safeties – 22 (19)
  • Edge – 21 (39 huge decrease)
  • Guard/Centers – 21 (21)
  • Offensive Tackles – 19 (17)
  • Tight Ends – 16 (15)
  • Quarterbacks – 10 (13 – big decrease relatively)
  • Special Teams – 5 (not charted)

What does this tell us? Well, this class was much deeper at Linebacker and Defensive Tackle than pure Edge rush defenders. Plus, as I may have stated before, the QB class was not good. Only 10 selected and 5 in the first 3 rounds. The other positions were fairly stable.

Draft Grades – Evaluation

Most experts will give you a Draft Grade or even do so on a pick by pick basis. I tend to stay away from grading the draft. The truth is the Draft can be graded, but after 3 seasons. Successful teams will be made up of their Top 3 Rounds on their roster. How many of the players on their team now turn into starters within those 3 years?

I will take a look at who I believe had a “good” draft. The evaluation to me is looking at players that were drafted either at a value and/or addressed their needs. I’ll give my 3 Best and 3 Worst.

3 Best Drafts:

Was Sweat a Steal?
  • Washington: The Redskins drafted their QB of the future in Dwayne Haskins (Ohio State) at #15 and didn’t have to trade to do it. I think Montez Sweat (Mississippi State) will be a beast, and they traded back into the 1st to get him as he feel to #26. They addressed WR with Terry McLaurin from Ohio State (Haskins top target) and later with Kelvin Harmon from NC State. They also invested in their O-line with 2 guards – Wes Martin (Indiana) and Ross Pierschbacker (Alabama). Finally, they added Bryce Love at RB, who may miss 2019, but in the 4th Round, that is good value.
  • Jacksonville: I really like what the Jags did in this Draft. They got a gift getting the 2nd best Edge player at #7 with Josh Allen from Kentucky. Their 2nd Round pick was OT Jawaan Taylor (Florida) who feel out of the 1st round with a potential injury, but he could have been Top 10. I like TE Josh Oliver from San Jose State (one of my smaller school guys to watch), who is a really good WR and QB Nick Foles knows how to use the TE. I don’t know about the Murray State guy, Quincy Williams (S), but Gardner Minshew (Washington State) is a capable back up QB.
  • New England: I’m not sure how they do it, but the Patriots can really dominate a draft from the back end. At #32, N’Keal Harry is a really good player and much needed WR. Joejuan Williams, the CB from Vandy is a very solid selection. Chas Winovich the Edge rusher from Michigan is a total Patriots guy – undervalued, but super productive and in the 3rd who was a 2nd round grade. RB Damien Harris is another great 3rd Round guy who I had rated 2nd among RBs, but he went much later. Finally Yodny Cajuste the Tackle from West Virginia was a potential 2nd round guy, but NE got him later 3rd Round. Plus, they picked up another 5 players – including Jarrett Stidham as a back up QB for TB12.

3 Worst Drafts:

Yep, Same Pick – Daniel Jones Is Not Good
  • NY Giants: The Giants were by far the worst in this Draft. The debacle at #6 with Daniel Jones, QB out of Duke was not smart. However, I don’t really like the other 2 first round picks with Dexter Lawrence, DT, Clemson, a solid selection but too early for him, plus Deandre Baker, CB, Georgia was not the next best CB on the Board. The Giants moved up to get Baker, too. The Julian Love (CB, Notre Dame) selection in the 4th Round was a good one, but no one jumps out late here, and the 1st Round guys were not great.
  • Detroit: The Lions fizzled after their 1st pick – TJ Hockenson, TE, Iowa. In the 2nd Round, Jahlani Tavai at LB was not very highly rated, and not sure LB is a huge need for the Lions. Will Harris out of BC at Safety was not on my list at all, so I can’t get behind that selection, especially in the 3rd round. I think waiting until the 4th to get an Edge Player in Austin Bryant was not what they needed. It’s going to be another long year in Detroit.
  • Miami: The Dolphins didn’t have a lot to work with, but outside of Christian Wilkins, DT, Clemson – I still think a QB would have been better. The only move they made was trading for QB Josh Rosen from the Cardinals. That move left them devoid of picks – no 2nd Rounder, and picking Michael Deiter, OG, Wisconsin was a yawn move. Myles Gaskin, RB, Washington could be a bright spot, but Miami looks like a team that wants to lose. Not sure why you trade for Rosen if you are tanking.

Undrafted Free Agents (UFA)

A few guys who I had on my lists, but they fell out of the Draft have to run the gauntlet of the UFA route. In some ways, the UFA route is better than being drafted in the 6th or 7th Round. Here are some guys to watch:

Can Elijah Make It Happen as a UFA?
  • Tyree Jackson, QB, Buffalo – I was surprised he didn’t get selected by someone. He signs with the Buffalo Bills, and he may be more of a Taysom Hill player in the early part of his career. With Josh Allen ahead of him, his development will be from the sidelines.
  • Anthony Johnson, WR, Buffalo – On my small school list, I like this guy for a team needing a versatile WR with good hands, but he remains unsigned at this time.
  • Elijah Holyfield, RB, Georgia – Georgia is a RB hotbed and Elijah’s the son of former Heavyweight Champ, Evander Holyfield. He is fast and versatile. He signed with Carolina.
  • Gerald Willis, DT, Miami – I had him going as high a the 3rd Round. So, likely an off the field issue here hurt his draft stock. He lands in Baltimore who will mold this young man in to a player.
  • Terrell Hanks, ILB, New Mexico State – A classic small school guy who gets overlooked. He will be a special teamer for some NFL team this year, but remains unsigned at this point.

With the Draft process complete, we have a bit of time off from the NFL. There are mini-camps, but July will be the big month to dig into these teams again to see who will be ready to compete in September.

So, until then, we will cover other sports – Horse Racing, NBA Finals, Tennis and Golf.

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.