NFL: Draft Steals and Reaches: With your foot in the door

As every year, the value of some picks and the strategy that led to the decision are discussed diligently after the end of the drag. Players were allegedly hired above value, others below. But as Antonio Brown, the former pick no. 195 of the 2010 drag, said to the long awaiting players before the draft: “Remember: It’s important to get your foot in the door”. SPOX presents the Reaches and Steals of this year’s Drafts.

Disclaimer: The top 10 picks were not taken into account, as the classification of these picks already existed immediately after day 1 of the drag. This way!

It was an open secret that the Redskins in 13th place of the drag were very confident to get their dream player in Nose Tackle Vita Vea. After a down-trade, however, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers surprised with the choice of Vea and against a much-anticipated decision for a defensive back.

Washington decided to take the next best defensive tackle. In Da’Ron Payne, however, a player was chosen who would probably have been available much later in the draft. Payne, who (still?) has his strengths in run defense, collected just 3 sacks and 5 tackles in his college career in Alabama. Moreover, Payne only really convinced in the games against Florida State and Georgia, his engine is a bigger question mark.

The Saints had a need they filled. She allegedly also got the player they wanted. However, the decision to pay two first-round picks and one in round five to sign UTSA defensive final Marcus Davenport. One of the most discussed decisions around the draft.

The Saints seem to have had one of the best drafts of all time last season, but now it’s hard to criticise them – but in this case the franchise from Louisiana doesn’t understand what they’re doing. Davenport has great measurements and is an explosive end that could collect 21.5 sacks and 37.5 tackles at college. However, these came about against linemen that do not have NFL quality.

Accordingly, there are many questions about when Davenport can really help the Saints. It is incomprehensible to invest in a pick of the future that could have been used to sign a successor for Drew Brees.

The Raiders moved in 15th place after agreeing on a deal with the Cardinals to get an additional third and fifth round pick in exchange for pick number 10. Apparently they realized that the desired player was also available five spots below.

Kolton Miller, however, would have been much later. The tackle from UCLA had not even been considered as a first-round pick until the Combine. Miller was part of the offensive line, which had trouble keeping Josh Rosen’s pocket clean. It is more of a project than a Day 1 starter, whose athleticism first needs to be transformed into good tackle play.

Wait a minute now. Didn’t the Seahawks have the big problem that they couldn’t protect Russell Wilson or create a running game due to horrendous offensive line problems? And who did they invest their first-round pick for? Running Back Rashaad Penny?

This decision will not only be discussed because the seahawks ignored their biggest need positions at the top of the drag. It will also be discussed because Penny was hardly anyone’s first-round pick in the forecast. This running back class had enough potential that Seattle could have secured backfield support in a later round.

After the four best linebackers had already left the board, the Steelers were expected to choose a defensive back. But it was a big surprise that the second Edmunds brother left the board in the first round.

Edmunds is considered a great athlete and physical player. But he is still very raw and will first need time to deliver starter performances on the next level. Very few of them had Edwards as their first lap pick on the screen. Stanford’s Justin Reid, for example, was usually rated higher.

With their numerous picks, the Browns had the great opportunity to give their squad with playmakers a new face. Baker Mayfield, Denzel Ward and Nick Chubb certainly have the potential. But why Nevada’s Austin Corbett was chosen for the first pick in the second round is incomprehensible.

The Browns not only have good players on the two Guard positions in Kevin Zeitler and Joel Bitonio, but they are also among the best paid players in the league. This suggests that Corbett should play tackle for the Browns – whether he can do that at the level expected from an early second-round pick remains to be seen.

The Colts had four picks in round two and decided to go with the 36th pick of the drag with linebacker Darius Leonard from South Carolina State. He is considered a great project and it will take a lot until Leonard can perform at NFL level. The Colts see him as an outside linebacker in their new 4-3 scheme. Leonard would probably have been available much later. However, a premium running back was waived until round 4.

Michael Dickson had a great college season in Texas. The Australian scored in 2017 for an average length of 47.4 yards. Of his 84 points, 41 landed within the opposing 20 yards and only 8 ended up as touchback. And yet: to sign a punter after an up-trade into the fifth round? At least that’s something to discuss…

Page 1: Reaches – Davenport, Edmunds, Penny, Miller

Page 2: Steals – James, Hurst, St. Brown, Jackson