–1. Cleveland Browns — Sam Darnold, QB, USC
The Browns’ search for a long-term answer at quarterback continues. Darnold’s turnovers stand out, but so do his intangibles, passing instincts and ability to move the pocket and create plays.
–2. Buffalo Bills (PROJECTED TRADE WITH NYG) — Josh Allen, QB, Wyoming
The most likely scenario is for the Bills to trade into the top-five picks for a quarterback, and the Giants might be open for business. Hopefully for Buffalo fans, Allen is the long-term answer at quarterback.
–3. New York Jets (from Indianapolis) — Josh Rosen, QB, UCLA
What we know: The Jets traded a king’s ransom for this pick to draft a quarterback. What we don’t know: Which quarterbacks will be left for them? Josh Rosen can handle the New York vibe and is ready to play now.
–4. Cleveland Browns (from Houston) — Bradley Chubb, DE, N.C. State
If the Browns hold onto this pick — which is a big “if” — Chubb (paired with last year’s No. 1 overall pick Myles Garrett) would give Cleveland one of the best pass rush tandems in the NFL.
–5. Denver Broncos — Baker Mayfield, QB, Oklahoma
The Broncos signed Case Keenum to be the short-term starter, but Mayfield could be the long-term answer. The former Sooner sitting behind a veteran would help his development and maturity.
Chiefs selections:
Spoiler!
54. Kansas City Chiefs — Anthony Averett, CB, Alabama
Brugler says: “A physical, press player, Averett is the type of cornerback the Chiefs want for their defense.”
The pick: Averett is a 5’11, 183 lb. cornerback who has played at the highest level of college football with Nick Saban and the Crimson Tide as a starter the last two years. He has 16 passes defended, 1 interception, 3 sacks and 98 total tackles for Bama over the last two years.
The fit: Averett might not be the sort of high-ceiling corner that some of his teammates might be on the Bama defense, but his experience and skill set should make him a candidate to start instantly at the next level, especially given that defenses employ nickel packages more often than not these days.
78. KANSAS CITY CHIEFS (via REDSKINS): Rasheem Green, DL, USC
The pick: Rasheem Green is universally acknowledged as a project, but just how much is in the eye of the beholder. Some analysts worry about whether or not Green will ever live up to his potential at the pro level, while others see more of a sure thing given enough time.
That said, no one should expect much in the way of instant results from the defensive lineman from the University of Southern California. Green decided to declare himself eligible for the NFL Draft after a junior year during which he put up 10 sacks, 4 passes defended and a forced fumble, He showed up off the potential to disrupt straight off the line but another year of experience as well as further weight room training would do him a world of good.
The fit: Defensive line is yet another position that the Chiefs could most certainly use another young body with a considerable ceiling to go with the thin rotation of talent they already have in place. Chris Jones is the anchor, surrounded by Allen Bailey, Jarvis Jenkins, Rakeem Nunez-Roches and the newly signed Xavier Williams. Bailey, Jenkins and Nunez-Roches could all be gone in 2018, which means the only commitments (and guarantees) moving forward are Jones and Williams. That’s a disconcerting reality.
Grabbing Green would offer some depth for 2018 while positioning the Chiefs to have a potentially devastating tandem at defensive end in their base defense, since Jones is already such a disruptive force up front. If Green can grow and live up to his billing, the line could become a truly fearsome one—something the Chiefs haven’t really had in a very long time.
86. KANSAS CITY CHIEFS: Shaquem Griffin, LB, UCF
The pick: There are instant, obvious questions that arise—well, mainly just one—when you first start to discuss Shaquem Griffin, but the Central Florida has done nothing but answer questions concerning having one hand his entire football career. Concerns still linger about his ability to answer them at the highest level, but he’s never been proven wrong yet—and does anyone really want to bet against Griffin at this point?
Griffin has been a highly productive defender wherever he’s gone and no matter what’s been asked of him. Over the last two seasons, he’s had 18.5 sacks, 10 passes defended, 2 interceptions, 4 forced fumbles, 33.5 tackles for loss, and 166 total tackles. Those numbers show off just how well-rounded Griffin is and how hard he works to stand out.
The fit: Griffin projects as a linebacker/safety hybrid, which is ideal for the Chiefs in an NFL shifting to more and more versatile players all over the field on defense. Griffin worked out for scouts doing both defensive back drills and linebacker drills, which shows just how coachable this kid is—that he’s willing to do whatever is asked.
Griffin would be an instant star on special teams and could provide playmaking depth at a few positions until the Chiefs figure out the best way to employ him. Could he really be an answer at free safety? The experience is not there among other questions he’ll have to answer, so it’s too early to project fit, but any team would love to have Griffin around and the Chiefs would not doubt figure out the best methods to employ him for the best results. Not to mention the number of jerseys that would sell overnight knowing Griffin’s story.
04-08-2018, 08:09 AM
Threaded Mode