NFC SOUTH
Jun 11, 2021 16:49:18 GMT -5
Cincinnati Bengals (Chris), Seattle Seahawks (Cecil), and 2 more like this
Post by Jacksonville Jaguars (Jordan) on Jun 11, 2021 16:49:18 GMT -5
Atlanta Falcons (Ryan)
Grade: C+
In terms of draft capital, D’wayne Eskridge was a solid value pick for ATL at 1.29. He was, after all, the 8th WR off the board in the NFL Draft, going at pick 56 to the Seahawks. The question mark comes with his role. DK Metcalf and Tyler Lockett are locked into pecking order as one of the top duos in the league, so targets may not be easy to come by anytime soon. DK still has 2 years remaining on his rookie, and Lockett just signed a massive extension. Reading the tea leaves from Pete Carroll, it appears that Eskridge could be the primary return man this year, and the Seahawks will utilize him more as a gadget player early on, designing a handful of plays each game with an attempt to get him in space and utilize his YAC ability. There was nothing flashy from ATL for the rest of his draft, but he did land 2 1st round pass rushers in Payton Turner and Joe Tryon. Finally, he added Jacob Harris in the 3rd round, an intriguing developmental prospect who is transitioning from WR to TE under Sean McVay and the Rams.
Carolina Panthers (Justin)
Grade: B
CAR could have stayed at 22 and bolstered his LB room, taken a lesser WR, etc., but he knew the guy he wanted and went to get him. He moved from 22 to 8, and even tried to move up further to ensure he got his guy: Philadelphia WR Devonta Smith. The QB market that hurt some teams was a benefit to CAR, as he saw 3 QBs go in the top 7, pushing every WR except Ja’Marr Chase down the board. This was his only pick of the draft, but he got the player that mattered to him, and isn’t that what we all hope for?
New Orleans Saints (Alex)
Grade: N/A
No picks in 2021, but according to sources close to the organization, he would’ve traded in to take Falcons UDFA RB Javian Hawkins, but it wasn’t allowed.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers (Caleb)
Grade: C+
With no 1st Round pick, TB was tasked with making the most of his early 2nd as well as a late 3rd. With the 2nd, Caleb went with former Virginia Tech Safety Divine Deablo. Now a Raider, he’ll apparently be moving to Linebacker, hopefully succeeding where 2020 3rd Rounder Tanner Muse did not. Deablo has garnered comparisons to Kam Chancellor (same school, same number, same position), and now he joins Defensive Coordinator Gus Bradley, who coached Kam Chancellor and the rest of the Seahawks’ Legion of Boom. Hopefully these comparisons ring true, and Deablo’s career mirrors that of Chancellor, but with the position change, it’s certainly too early to tell. With his 3rd Round selection, TB took Jalen Camp, who looks to earn a roster spot in a crowded Jacksonville WR room.
Grade: C+
In terms of draft capital, D’wayne Eskridge was a solid value pick for ATL at 1.29. He was, after all, the 8th WR off the board in the NFL Draft, going at pick 56 to the Seahawks. The question mark comes with his role. DK Metcalf and Tyler Lockett are locked into pecking order as one of the top duos in the league, so targets may not be easy to come by anytime soon. DK still has 2 years remaining on his rookie, and Lockett just signed a massive extension. Reading the tea leaves from Pete Carroll, it appears that Eskridge could be the primary return man this year, and the Seahawks will utilize him more as a gadget player early on, designing a handful of plays each game with an attempt to get him in space and utilize his YAC ability. There was nothing flashy from ATL for the rest of his draft, but he did land 2 1st round pass rushers in Payton Turner and Joe Tryon. Finally, he added Jacob Harris in the 3rd round, an intriguing developmental prospect who is transitioning from WR to TE under Sean McVay and the Rams.
Carolina Panthers (Justin)
Grade: B
CAR could have stayed at 22 and bolstered his LB room, taken a lesser WR, etc., but he knew the guy he wanted and went to get him. He moved from 22 to 8, and even tried to move up further to ensure he got his guy: Philadelphia WR Devonta Smith. The QB market that hurt some teams was a benefit to CAR, as he saw 3 QBs go in the top 7, pushing every WR except Ja’Marr Chase down the board. This was his only pick of the draft, but he got the player that mattered to him, and isn’t that what we all hope for?
New Orleans Saints (Alex)
Grade: N/A
No picks in 2021, but according to sources close to the organization, he would’ve traded in to take Falcons UDFA RB Javian Hawkins, but it wasn’t allowed.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers (Caleb)
Grade: C+
With no 1st Round pick, TB was tasked with making the most of his early 2nd as well as a late 3rd. With the 2nd, Caleb went with former Virginia Tech Safety Divine Deablo. Now a Raider, he’ll apparently be moving to Linebacker, hopefully succeeding where 2020 3rd Rounder Tanner Muse did not. Deablo has garnered comparisons to Kam Chancellor (same school, same number, same position), and now he joins Defensive Coordinator Gus Bradley, who coached Kam Chancellor and the rest of the Seahawks’ Legion of Boom. Hopefully these comparisons ring true, and Deablo’s career mirrors that of Chancellor, but with the position change, it’s certainly too early to tell. With his 3rd Round selection, TB took Jalen Camp, who looks to earn a roster spot in a crowded Jacksonville WR room.
