You know, when you have a newborn and don't sleep... everything becomes kind of fast and furious. Everything becomes "off the cuff" and stream of consciousness. And that's exactly what I'm going to be doing, here... whatever comes to mind on the NFL Draft thus far!
1. Trevor Lawrence, QB, Jaguars: The no-brainer. Not really much to add, here. It was funny watching the coverage for 10 minutes during the Jags' selection... what else is there to say? Jacksonville is all-in. The Lawrence/Urban Meyer era is officially underway. We wish them the best of luck. It's not the best division to be in because Mike Vrabel and Frank Reich are both excellent head coaches. It will be a grind for Jax, even with the additions.
2. Zach Wilson, QB, Jets: I'm finally (a little bit) excited about my Jets! It's all about the trio of Wilson, head coach Robert Saleh and offensive coordinator Mike LaFleur. Wilson is gutsier than Sam Darnold. Wilson is better than Sam Darnold. Saleh is lightyears better than Adam Gase. LaFleur is better than any offensive coordinator I can remember with my Jets. This is the trio. This is the time to really start building, and GM Joe Douglas seems to be pretty savvy. I don't think playoffs this season; but maybe the year after?
3. Trey Lance, QB, 49ers: This was the big decision. A lot of us were on the edge of our seat for this one. It ultimately came down to Lance and Mac Jones, but let's get real - Justin Fields was #2 to Trevor Lawrence at some point. Months of deliberation were hanging in the balance, here. Look, we are splitting hairs between these three young quarterbacks. In the end, Kyle Shanahan makes good things happen. But I dunno... Jimmy G is a winner when healthy. It isn't always pretty, but teammates rally for "The Greek God". Lance is going to have his work cut out for him. Shanahan and the boys will coach him up, but Garoppolo certainly won't be stepping aside easily.
4. Kyle Pitts, TE, Falcons: Right away, everyone was talking about "Julio Jones, Calvin Ridley and Pitts." Hmm. I'm not so sure about that. Could easily see the Falcons trading Julio away for future assets, with Ridley and Pitts as their new playmaking centerpieces. Anyway, I already tweeted that Pitts might be the 4th-best fantasy tight end already. I go Kelce, Waller then Kittle. Could Pitts already be that No. 4 guy? We'll have to see how he does with the playbook and getting acclimated at the professional level. Regardless, he might be the most gifted player in this particular draft class.
5. Ja'Marr Chase, WR, Bengals: The gang is back together! Joe Burrow and his WR1 Chase are reunited, now both with the Bengals. Hopefully Joe B. comes back healthy and strong. Chase - a superb all around-route runner - joins Tee Higgins and Tyler Boyd in a strong Cincinnati receiving corps. Will they ever get any stops, defensively? I guess they aren't really worried about that right now. Young head coach Zac Taylor is gonna spread it out and Cincy is gonna try to outscore you. Chase should be an immediate fantasy asset.
6. Jaylen Waddle, WR, Dolphins: Hmm, hmm, hmm... I dunno, man. Doesn't he feel a bit like this year's Henry Ruggs? Sure, I'm totally willing to give the kid a chance, but I think DeVonta Smith might be a better fit for Tua's particular skillset. I would have liked Waddle better for Ryan Fitzpatrick if the latter was still with Miami. I don't write anybody off this early, but I'm not sure about the match here between Waddle, Tua and the Dolphins organization.
7. Penei Sewell, OT, Lions: Did you see Dan Campbell's reaction to this pick? The Lions know they have an absolute stud, here. Gotta like his mean streak. He's looking to absolutely maul people up front. Finally a savvy maneuver by the Detroit Lions organization. Swift is gonna like running behind this big fella.
10. DeVonta Smith, WR, Eagles: Is this deja vu, all over again? This feels like the Henry Ruggs vs. Jerry Jeudy discussion, no? Look, Waddle is the big-play guy between the two. Smith is a more possession-type receiver, grinding it out and getting you some key first downs and timely plays. Who is to say who is better at this point? My worry is this: I think the Eagles missed on Jalen Reagor. Do they really know how to evaluate this particular position?
11. Justin Fields, QB, Bears: Shout to my podcast partner, @Loafinit Wes Easley! Speaking of deja vu all over again... it seems like Wes thinks we have a Mitchell Trubisky situation on our hands, here. He certainly does not trust Pace's ability to evaluate the quarterback position. Still, I look at it this way: Fields was considered the No. 2 QB in this class for quite some time. To me, this is the opposite of the Trubisky situation - the Bears reached for Trubisky - with an obvious pick like Watson on the table - whereas this time they are getting the value play. Fields has dropped from initial stock. My fingers are crossed for Wes and Bears Nation. Getting a true prospect outside of the top 10, here.
13. Rashawn Slater, OT, Chargers: Plain and simple, Justin Herbert needs the help up front. This was a must for the Chargers. They can only hope Slater pans out. I can't knock this pick at all; it's working on necessity.
14. Alijah Vera-Tucker, OL, Jets: Joe Douglas knows offensive linemen. Mekhi Becton is an absolute beast. Things are coming together for the Jets with Douglas at the helm. Becton and Tucker are looking to become Nick Mangold and D'Brickashaw Ferguson, relatively speaking. My Jets are building from the inside-out. Hopefully the foresight leads to future success. Fingers crossed.
15. Mac Jones, QB, Patriots: Are you kidding me with this? When is it gonna end with these Patriots?? For awhile, this was Kyle Shanahan's guy. Mac was looking like the possible No. 3 overall pick in the draft to the San Francisco 49ers. And now he drops to freakin' Belichick and McDaniels at 15? Just another nightmare in the AFC East. I'm sure Belichick and McDaniels will coach him up good and proper. Still... he could be the 4th-best QB in the division long term behind Josh Allen, Zach Wilson and Tua. Maybe Tua is actually the weakest of the 4?
20. Kadarius Toney, WR, Giants: Initially the "prevailing thought" was that the Giants were going WR at 11. I talked about this yesterday on Twitter, actually. Of course, after the trade they go to No. 20 and go WR anyway. I just don't know with Dave Gettleman. You're talking about a team that already has Kenny Golladay, Darius Slayton, Sterling Shepard, John Ross, Evan Engram and Saquon Barkley. Is this really necessary? I personally like stockpiling playmakers, but the Giants have so many other positions to address. I can't really say I'm on board, here. More than anything... is Daniel Jones really the answer, anyway? I'd rather see a better all-around quarterback with these particular weapons.
24. Najee Harris, RB, Steelers: James Conner was never really the answer. He's a nice No. 2 RB, I guess. He's not a bellcow to me. Not a workhorse. I'm behind Mike Tomlin and his Steelers on this selection. Najee should step in as an immediate fantasy force. One situation I keep bringing up is Aaron Jones vs. A.J. Dillon with the Packers last season - the fantasy world got tricked by Dillon's Twitter posts showcasing insane muscles. He became a "sexy" pick. A fresh name and fresh player to gush over. But Aaron Jones wasn't going anywhere. He's one of the best all-around running backs in the NFL. Well, that isn't the situation here with the Steelers. Conner needs to step aside and we can safely draft Najee in all formats.
25. Travis Etienne, RB, Jaguars: Whoaaaa, nelly! The Twitterverse is ablaze with this one. What happened to our fantasy darling, James Robinson? He's already the hottest topic of discussion on fantasy Twitter today. Etienne comes in and we gotta be looking at a Josh Jacobs/Kenyan Drake situation here, no? At least that's the way I feel. None of the 4 can be a true fantasy RB1. Robinson and Jacobs still look like the RB2s to me, while Drake spells Jacobs and Etienne finds his footing at this level. I'm not abandoning J-Rob yet, no way. Najee Harris has alot more fantasy value than Etienne right now.
27. Rashod Bateman, WR, Ravens: I don't think anyone is particularly impressed by Miles Boykin or Devin Duvernay. Bateman really has a shot to emerge here, but I dunno if we can trust the Ravens evaluating wide receivers. I trust them with rough-and-tough guys in the trenches - also obviously with running backs - but something always seems to fall short with the finesse players. Still, Bateman will get every opportunity. We have to give him a real shot in Dynasty leagues.
Hopefully I'll have more coming soon!
