NFC NORTH
Jun 9, 2021 15:02:47 GMT -5
Cincinnati Bengals (Chris), Carolina Panthers (Justin), and 3 more like this
Post by Jacksonville Jaguars (Jordan) on Jun 9, 2021 15:02:47 GMT -5
Chicago Bears (Miller)
Grade: D+
Miller came away with all Day 3 guys except for Odafe Oweh, who may be nerfed because of the LB designation. Only 2 5th round or later safeties have ever been selected in CDFL, and both were taken by CHI in this draft (Sherwood, Hufanga). Jamien Sherwood may convert to LB, but that would still be a reach by historical standards, as only 2 5th Round LBs have gone in the 2nd Round of CDFL (Mack Wilson and Blake Cashman in 2019). Finally Larry Rountree enters the league as a 6th round pick in a crowded backfield, but near the end of the 3rd, it’s only a dart throw, so can’t fault him there. Overall, Miller has done a great job of being active and has improved the Chicago club exponentially from where it was at the end of 2020 (and for the past 6 years), but his 2021 draft didn’t do much toward that improvement.
Detroit Lions (Christian)
Grade: A-
Any analysis for DET has to begin with his trade with KC in mid-April. Christian traded down from the #1 Overall Pick along with a future 2nd and ‘21 3rd and received the following:
1.05 (Travis Etienne)
2.13 (Brevin Jordan)
2.21 (Andre Cisco)
UFA 1.05 (Matt Ryan)
This results in 3 likely immediate contributors for the Lions. Brevin Jordan, however, was a bit of a reach, marking only the second time a 5th Round TE has been selected in the 2nd Round of the CDFL (Jordan Leggett 2017). Pre-draft, he was the TE3 in most rankings, so his fall was a bit of a surprise. Perhaps he gets an opportunity in a truly desperate Texans offense, but I wouldn’t be banking on early production. Finally, DET landed Rondale Moore, a result of trading down from 1.07 to 1.12 and picking up an extra 2022 1st in the process. Moore should have an immediate impact on a Cardinals team that runs the most 4-wide sets of any team in the league. Overall, Christian’s draft was a tutorial on the benefits of trading down, acquiring assets, and still filling needs. Not perfect, but certainly a very solid draft.
Green Bay Packers (Jaxon)
Grade: B+
Anytime you have 7 total selections, including 3 1st Round Picks, you should expect to come away with some quality dynasty assets, and GB has done just that. Jaxon started his draft with Jaylen Waddle at 1.11, who should quickly become the top target for Tua (his former teammate) in Miami. Trading out of 1.13, Jaxon acquired both 1.25 and 1.26, turning those into yet another WR in Amari Rodgers who looks to fill the WR2 void Green Bay has had for several years, as well as Nick Bolton, who projects to pair with Willie Gay as the top LBs in Kansas City for years to come. Outside of the 1st Round, GB adds Bills 1st Round DL Gregory Rousseau, who should earn immediate playing time, as well as a few luxury picks in developmental players Kyle Trask, Joseph Ossai, and Nick Niemann. With another strong draft, GB adds to his young core of CeeDee Lamb, Noah Fant, and Antoine Winfield, Jr.
Minnesota Vikings (Matt)
Grade: N/A
No picks in this draft, but worth noting, MIN used his 2021 picks to move up for Justin Herbert in the 2020 Draft. Some questioned the move at the time, but in hindsight Herbert seems to be well worth the price. I’m not saying Matt bribed the the Chargers’ medical staff to puncture Tyrod Taylor’s lung, but I’m not NOT saying that.
Grade: D+
Miller came away with all Day 3 guys except for Odafe Oweh, who may be nerfed because of the LB designation. Only 2 5th round or later safeties have ever been selected in CDFL, and both were taken by CHI in this draft (Sherwood, Hufanga). Jamien Sherwood may convert to LB, but that would still be a reach by historical standards, as only 2 5th Round LBs have gone in the 2nd Round of CDFL (Mack Wilson and Blake Cashman in 2019). Finally Larry Rountree enters the league as a 6th round pick in a crowded backfield, but near the end of the 3rd, it’s only a dart throw, so can’t fault him there. Overall, Miller has done a great job of being active and has improved the Chicago club exponentially from where it was at the end of 2020 (and for the past 6 years), but his 2021 draft didn’t do much toward that improvement.
Detroit Lions (Christian)
Grade: A-
Any analysis for DET has to begin with his trade with KC in mid-April. Christian traded down from the #1 Overall Pick along with a future 2nd and ‘21 3rd and received the following:
1.05 (Travis Etienne)
2.13 (Brevin Jordan)
2.21 (Andre Cisco)
UFA 1.05 (Matt Ryan)
This results in 3 likely immediate contributors for the Lions. Brevin Jordan, however, was a bit of a reach, marking only the second time a 5th Round TE has been selected in the 2nd Round of the CDFL (Jordan Leggett 2017). Pre-draft, he was the TE3 in most rankings, so his fall was a bit of a surprise. Perhaps he gets an opportunity in a truly desperate Texans offense, but I wouldn’t be banking on early production. Finally, DET landed Rondale Moore, a result of trading down from 1.07 to 1.12 and picking up an extra 2022 1st in the process. Moore should have an immediate impact on a Cardinals team that runs the most 4-wide sets of any team in the league. Overall, Christian’s draft was a tutorial on the benefits of trading down, acquiring assets, and still filling needs. Not perfect, but certainly a very solid draft.
Green Bay Packers (Jaxon)
Grade: B+
Anytime you have 7 total selections, including 3 1st Round Picks, you should expect to come away with some quality dynasty assets, and GB has done just that. Jaxon started his draft with Jaylen Waddle at 1.11, who should quickly become the top target for Tua (his former teammate) in Miami. Trading out of 1.13, Jaxon acquired both 1.25 and 1.26, turning those into yet another WR in Amari Rodgers who looks to fill the WR2 void Green Bay has had for several years, as well as Nick Bolton, who projects to pair with Willie Gay as the top LBs in Kansas City for years to come. Outside of the 1st Round, GB adds Bills 1st Round DL Gregory Rousseau, who should earn immediate playing time, as well as a few luxury picks in developmental players Kyle Trask, Joseph Ossai, and Nick Niemann. With another strong draft, GB adds to his young core of CeeDee Lamb, Noah Fant, and Antoine Winfield, Jr.
Minnesota Vikings (Matt)
Grade: N/A
No picks in this draft, but worth noting, MIN used his 2021 picks to move up for Justin Herbert in the 2020 Draft. Some questioned the move at the time, but in hindsight Herbert seems to be well worth the price. I’m not saying Matt bribed the the Chargers’ medical staff to puncture Tyrod Taylor’s lung, but I’m not NOT saying that.
