1 (26). UCLA DE Takkarist McKinley
3 (75). LSU LB Duke Riley
4 (136). Oregon State T/G Sean Harlow
5 (149). San Diego State CB Damontae Kazee
5 (156). Wyoming RB Brian Hill
5 (174). Drake TE Eric Saubert
Good Move - A balanced draft in terms of offense and defensive mix which addressed positions of need on both sides of the ball. The Falcons remained consistent with their template of fast, aggressive defensive players and looked to add depth on offense. Their best move was arguably the first round trade up to ensure they obtained one of the remaining edge rushers with first round grades once pass rushers began to fall from the board. Takk McKinley is raw but improved each year. He potentially forms a fearsome pass rush tandem on the edge opposite Vic Beasley.
Bargain Pick - Demontae Kazee has ball skills far higher than the 5th round, with 43 passes defensed and 16 interceptions during his last 3 years in college. He probably lacks the size or top end speed to play outside so has been muted as a possible nickel corner by scouts. I think he could also be viewed as a potential free safety in Atlanta's system. Under Quinn's guidance he could prove a steal.
Risk / Reward Gamble - Duke Riley is a one year starter in college who replaced Deion Jones (Atlanta's 2016 second round pick) at LSU. Riley's inexperienced and seems more suited as an inside fit like Jones, but he fits the Atlanta template of fast and aggressive at LB.
Tell Me Why Again - Why didn't the Falcons run the ball more in the second half of Superbowl? Hard to question the picks as they all addressed specific areas of need and after smashing the last few drafts who are we to argue? From a personal perspective I felt that the O-line could have been addressed earlier. Riley will likely play a rotational role in 2017 whereas Atlanta needs a full time starter at guard to replace the retired Chris Chester.
1 (8). Stanford RB Christian McCaffrey
2 (40). Ohio State WR/RB Curtis Samuel
2 (64). Western Michigan OT Taylor Moton
3 (77). Texas A&M DE Daeshon Hall
5 (152). Miami (FL) CB Corn Elder
6 (192). West Georgia FB Alexander Armah
7 (233). Georgia Tech K Harrison Butker
Good Move - Prioritising the top end of the draft to help out Cam Newton. McCaffrey is the most versatile back in the draft and Curtis Samuel should provide a nice foil and insurance option. As well as the skill positions they also added Taylor Moton to help protect Newton and the Panthers will hope he works his way into the starting o-line at either Right Tackle or Guard by opening day.
Bargain Pick - Corn Elder is undersized corner but has the skills and smarts to make the teams nickel packages and should be a valuable contributor on special teams. Good value in the 5th.
Risk / Reward Gamble - Myles Garrett's college sidekick Daeshon Hall is very raw with limited experience on the D-line but plenty of potential. The D-line is a position of strength in Carolina, so this could either give Hall valuable time to develop or worst case stunt his development by limiting his opportunities for valuable game time.
Tell Me Why Again - Why do the Panthers keep double dipping? Last years draft class saw them take 3 corners, this year both their top 40 picks were spent on running backs. I get it that not all draftees are going to make it, so is this clever insurance or lack of confidence in the scouting dept?
1 (11). Ohio State CB Marshon Lattimore
1 (32). Wisconsin OT Ryan Ramczyk
2 (42). Utah FS Marcus Williams
3 (67). Tennessee RB Alvin Kamara
3 (76). Florida LB Alex Anzalone
3 (103). Florida Atlantic DE Trey Hendrickson
6 (196). Miami (FL) DE Al-Quadin Muhammad
Good Move - Despite only one year as a starter, Marshon Lattimore was arguably the best cornerback in the draft. I doubt the Saints expected him to be available outside of the top 10 but the run on QB's fell favourably for New Orleans. There's some injury concerns over Lattimore's hamstring but he has the tools to be a potential lock-down corner in a pass heavy division.
Bargain Pick - Trey Hendrickson was ultra productive in college and whilst we hear the "short arms / average height" comments from the scouting community, if you prefer game tape to measurables you'd say he has a real chance to contribute
Risk / Reward Gamble - Alex Anzalone is a gifted athlete with potential to become an every down linebacker in New Orleans. This has to be weighed up against repeated shoulder/arm injuries at Florida which raise long-term durability questions.
Tell Me Why Again - Why didn't the Saints address the pass-rush as an earlier priority? I also question the move for Alvin Kamara but Sean Payton loved him. The Saints sacrificed their 2018 second rounder in addition to the 67th pick used to take Kamara. Now I like him as a back and he'll provide some versatility but there seemed to be more pressing needs on a consistently poor defense than adding to a backfield already consisting of Mark Ingram and now Adrian Peterson.
1 (19). Alabama TE O.J. Howard
2 (50). Texas A&M S Justin Evans
3 (84). Penn State WR Chris Godwin
3 (107). LSU ILB Kendell Beckwith
5 (162). Boise State RB Jeremy McNichols
7 (223). USC DT Stevie Tu’ikolovatu
Good Move - NFC South take note of the targets GM Jason Licht is providing Jameis Winston. Desean Jackson was added in free agency, O.J Howard, Chris Godwin and Jeremy McNicols added in the draft class. All should contribute to the passing game in 2017.
Bargain Pick - It's a reach to suggest O.J Howard is a bargain at #19 maybe - but did anyone expect him to fall to Tampa? He can block, he can catch and he has speed to stretch defensive seams. Day one starter at a position of need. Was a great win for Tampa early in the draft.
Risk / Reward Gamble - Beckwith is solely an inside linebacker but was a good one on a strong LSU defense. Likely restricted to a 2-down LB role, he tore his ACL at the back-end of his final season on campus which affected his draft stock.
Tell Me Why Again - I expected O-line depth to be addressed but this was completely ignored. I figured RB to also be a priority due to off-field issues surrounding Doug Martin. Instead McNichols was taken at #162 who is a decent receiver but similar to back-up Jacquizz Rodgers, and not the bell-cow inside rusher that would appear to be needed as insurance. Tampa has to be confident that Doug Martin is good to go in 2017.
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