2 rounds. Each team in the division takes their pick at 1 player per time slot. Although I might make the last division to have a go have their 1st and 2nd picks to be made in the same half hour window.
Falcons draft haul = all defense 1) Montez Sweat, DE 2) Dexter Lawrence, run-plugging DT 3) Joejuan Williams, CB 4) Marquise Blair, S 5) Jahlani Tavai, LB added extra 2020 third round selection Sweat and Lawrence see heavy action right away. The others are developmental candidates to replace next year's departing free agents. Offense = free agency. I signed the players the real team signed BUT also kept or resigned players they released for cap reasons or let slip away. Net result is much better OL depth this year, with former starters now providing depth as key reserves. The other position groups are already complete. Noteworthy is that the real team says free agent TE Luke Stocker will spend time in the backfield as a hybrid TE/FB. Defense = draft and also free agency, generally following a "sign one AND draft one" approach. For the pass rush, drafted Montez Sweat, signed Kerry Hyder and resigned Bruce Irvin. Drafted Dexter Lawrence for the interior and signed Shamar Stephen and Darius Philon. Resigned Brian Poole at CB and drafted Joejuan Williams. Getting both starting safeties back from IR and also drafted Marquise Blair for developmental depth. Shifting DE/LB Vic Beasley to pass rush LB role and drafted Jahlani Tavai to develop for the LB group.
Redskins 1(15) D.K. Metcalf - WR - Ole Miss 2 (8) Daniel Jones - QB - Duke 3(12) Darnell Savage Jr - S - Maryland 3(33) Beau Benzschawel - G - Wisconsin 5(33) Ryan Finley - QB - North Carolina State 7(11) Drew Sample - TE - Washington 7(18) Tyler Roemer - OT - San Diego State 7(23) Porter Gustin - OLB - USC ** Acquired a 2020 5th round pick (Giants) My goal with Washington was, obviously find a Quarterback. And secondly, put talent around him, as well as add some speed to the defense. That said, my two biggest FA moves were signing ILB Cory Littleton (LAR) to a *long-term deal and acquiring Case Keenum via trade (copied real life). I actually think I did an excellent job for them. Their biggest issues last year were a lack of speed on D, injuries at QB, and injuries up and down the O-line. Also possibly not enough talent at WR. I addressed QB as though it were the most important task, trading for one, and drafting two others (which obviously Washington has famously done in the past). 2019 might be a bit in flux, but by 2020 I think my strategy will have them in good position going forward. To help the new starter I spent a good portion of FA and the draft adding weapons and protection for the position. Of the four teams I handled things for in this exercise, in the end I think I might be most impressed with how I handled the Skins. If there's an area I possibly could have helped more it would be the CB group. But the value just never felt right for me. Had I reached for one it would have probably been instead of drafting Ryan Finley. But I stand by that. For those Daniel Jones detractors, it is possible he flops (playing RGIII here) and Finley proves a capable starter with some seasoning (our Kirk Cousins in this scenario), by 2020 or 2021. Only time and development would truly tell. The cherry on top is adding a 5th rounder in 2020 from a trade-back in the 5th round. I always love the idea of adding draft capital in the future between rounds 1-5. Every opportunity helps. Or it's trade ammo. Either way, it helps down the road. Also signed Demaryius Thomas, A.J. Cann (starting LG), and Cedric Ogbuehi (backup developmental OT) in FA.
Cowboys 2(26) Jaylon Ferguson - DE - Louisiana Tech 3(26) Chuma Edoga - OT - Southern Cal 4(26) Blace Brown - CB - Troy 4(34) Trysten Hill - DT- Central Florida 5(27) Penny Hart - WR - Georgia Southern 7(27) Sam Mustipher - C - Notre Dame The Cowboys offseason was the easiest of my four. I think they believe they're ready for a superbowl run. And if they are lucky enough to all stay healthy next year, who am I to argue? I swung for the "missing piece" in free agency, making a big splash for all-pro FS Earl Thomas. At that point I think they have a top 5 defense on paper. Just have to execute. And if C Travis Frederick is healthy enough to play again in 2019 they have a top 8 (probably top 4) O-line. I added health insurance for them by signing RT/RG Mike Remmers (like him more at tackle). Then I drafted OT Chuma Edoga and C/G Sam Mustipher. Just depth/insurance, unless someone surprises in camp. Best case scenario is Edoga or Remmers looks good enough in camp to steal the RT job from Lael Collins, who can go back inside to guard. After that I just tried to add BPA largely. Signed low-key free agent WR John Brown to play the speed guy. Drafted Ferguson as a value pick, because let's be honest, pass-rush is right up there in degree of importance positions in today's NFL. Edoga would hopefully take the reigns at LT from Tyron Smith 1 or 2 years from now. Blace Brown is a depth CB who I happen to like. Trysten Hill was an upside swing. Needs some development but has some athletic ability that could result in great value if a coach teaches him to out-technique his opponents and he bulks up a bit. Penny Hart was basically uncoverable at the East-West Shrine game and practices. Obvious mismatch weapon in the slot. I think overall my strategy at least gives the 'Boys fans reason to believe that 2019 is their year. I had some fun with them.
Colts1(26) Byron Murphy - CB - Washington 2 (6) Jerry Tillery - DT - Notre Dame 2(27) Tytus Howard - OT - South Alabama 4 (7) Joe Jackson - DE - Miami 4(27) Isaac Nauta - TE - Georgia 5(17) Jakobi Meyers - WR - North Carolina State 5(26) Hjalte Froholdt - G - Arkansas 6(16) Corey Ballentine - CB - Washburn 7(26) Tyre Brady - WR - Marshall **Acquired 2020 3rd round pick (Browns) The Colts had a fairly magical run, or at least second half, in 2018. So I tried to find a way to methodically make us better. To do that, I tried to make the bigger splash during the draft. That seems to be how Chris Ballard largely wants to build the team. And I agree with that. My biggest FA moves, despite having the most cap space, were adding DT Malcom Brown to be a run-plugger, signing Alex Okafor to a short deal as pass rush depth, signing Nick Easton as interior OL depth, and largely bringing back our own guys from 2018(Desir, Margus Hunt, Dontrelle Inman). I tried to just watch the draft unfold and let talent fall to me. Mixed results if I'm being honest. I definitely think the combo at the top of Byron Murphy and the interior disruption Tillery is capable of bringing would help our pass defense. Widely considered our biggest issues, I double dipped at both CB and WR. Everyone has heard of T.Y. Hilton...but the Colts don't have much else. And to be honest, even though it hasn't worked to this point I kind of like what I think Ballard is doing to help Hilton. He's taking late shots, but multiple shots, at bigger guys who might be able to develop into good players and late gems. He took Daurice Fountain and Deon Cain last year. I grab insurance in the back half by doubling down with Jakobi Meyers and Tyre Brady. My personal belief is between those two I drafted and Deon Cain coming back healthy for what will amount to his rookie season in 2019 somebody is going to be a damn good #2. It might take some patience, but I like our chances. I grabbed Nauta and Froholdt as developmental guys who can help us down the road. Both have enough talent to be contributors in this league. It will be up to their position coaches to help them reach their potential. Just as with my Skins draft, I added future draft capital. This time grabbing a 3rd rounder in 2020 from Oakland (hopefully top 10) in a move back from the 3rd round. In real life, this draft would be a very much time-will-tell draft. Got some good players, but not many without their risks. Kinda swung for the fences I think with players like Jerry Tillery Tytus Howard, and Hjalte Froholdt. They will either make me a genius or a goat in three years.
DRAFT SUMMARY My first thought after digging in on the Raiders roster was, why did I pick this team? In my estimation, it was a complete train wreck. A lot of high priced players that simply were not cutting it. So in typical fashion I went ultra aggressive in the free agency period. I signed re-inforcements on every level of the football team. Some expensive, some moderate and some absolute steals. So I thought, along with the trade for Antonio Brown that happened just as we were getting started, this Oakland roster was looking pretty good heading into the draft. At this point, I'm looking at 3 first rounders and a high 2nd, and I immediately remembered why I wanted Oakland in this event. 1.4 - DWAYNE HASKINS, QB - OHIO STATE Some thought this was the first shocker of the draft, but I thought it was Arizona not taking Kyler Murray. I never really expected Haskins to be available at #4. My plan was to pick a top defensive player, and perhaps address QB later in the round. It's no secret that I'm not sold on Derek Carr as a "franchise QB". I think he's good, but when I got the opportunity to upgrade the position, I felt I had to take it. Especially with my three top defensive prospects already off the board. 1.19- RASHAN GARY, EDGE - MICHIGAN My personal #9 overall prospect. I took note when he slipped past #12. I started sniffing for trade opportunities when he got past #15. The Titans came OTC at pick #19, and I struck a deal to move up five spots. Cost me my 4th rounder, but I felt it was time to make the move. Very happy with the selection, that xinik made seem contoversial, though I felt was a steal. lol! Just teasing xinik....I'll be the first to admit that he's kind of in the boat with Metcalf, as far as production matching his draft selection. The shoulder injury played a major factor. But he did play through it. Obviously, I don't hold grudges. Gary originally committed to Ohio State as the #1 recruit in the nation...Love this pick! The plan was to use one of my first rounders to recoup the picks lost in the AB trade, but the plan changed in a hurry when Gary slid down... 1.27 ANDRE DILLARD, OT - WASHINGTON STATE The nice thing is, this wrapped up my first round with THREE cornerstone pieces (QB, OT, DE). What more could an NFL team ask for? The fact that this was my #10 overall prospect, is just icing on the cake. Walking away with three prospects that were ranked in my top 10 is exciting. I couldn't be much happier with the way this round worked out. The only thing was, after my next pick at 2.35, I had nothing until late rounders...Not such an awful thing though when you have three in the first. 2.14 DEEBO SAMUEL, WR - SOUTH CAROLINA This was my target all the way. Spent a lot of time researching receivers this off season and Deebo was among my favorites. Pick started at 2.3, but I wanted to get to somewhere in middle of the round. Two small trades down, and I snag my guy at #47 (I think)...Anyway, it was ideal in my mind. Antonio Brown, Deebo and Perriman can be a dangerous trio for Oakland. Love Samuel's ability as an open field runner... 4.15 KADEN SMITH, TE - STANFORD I had to work my way up to this pick. Actually cost me a future 3rd, that was acquired in deal involving Kahlil Mack. So I had the resources to make this move without losing any picks in this draft, and I'd still possess a 3rd rounder next year, so I pulled the trigger. Kaden has outstanding hands. Great high pointer of the football, and knows how to use his big frame to shield off defenders... 4.19 DAWSON KNOX, TE - MISSISSIPPI Wasn't necessarily planning to take two TE's in the same round, but I wanted to make the move for Knox, because I think he has the higher ceiling. After waiving a couple high priced veteran TE's, I was planning to add another one to the mix anyway. Knox was barely a factor at Ole Miss, but I'm not holding that against him, as we discussed earlier in the thread. Dawson might be real gem, and a steal in the 4th rd. 5.2 EVAN WORTHINGTON, S - COLORADO This guy tracks the ball and makes plays. Sometimes spectacular plays. He's just very smooth and natural in his movements, and he stood out to me at the Combine. He has some speed, but it was the way he plays the ball in the air that I like....Very high on this one. 6.17 JORDAN BRAILFORD, EDGE - OKLAHOMA STATE I confess that I don't know much about him at all. He stood out to me in the Shrine game, and I just remembered that name as we got into the late rounds. Pretty good size. Real max effort guy... 6.33 MIKE WEBER, RB - OHIO STATE Pretty amazing that you can acquire a talent like this, very late in round 6, but it was a no brainer for me. We added Gio and the Crow, and I think with Weber in that mix, the Oakland running game can come back to life. This pick made me as happy as any. Thought about Rodney Anderson for a minute, but his injury history was just too much. That's a shame too. A couple years ago, I thought both these RB's would go much higher on draft day.
I like the way you immediately started to re-shape the roster in FA. Love the Dillard and Weber picks, and the double-dip at TE. Especially to give a young QB the safety outlets. Deebo should fit in pretty good with AB.
Here's what the rest of the draft looks like 7-27: Cowboys - Sam Mustipher, C - Notre Dame 7-28: Chargers - Tyrel Dodson, LB - Texas A&M 7-29: Patriots - Jordan Miller, CB - Washington 7-30: Saints - 7-31: Giants - 6:00pm 7-32: Patriots - 6:30pm 7-33: Vikings - 7:00pm 7-34: Cardinals - 7:30pm 7-35: Cardinals - 8:00pm 7-36: Vikings - 8:30pm 7-37: Rams - 9:00pm 7-38: Patriots - 9:30pm 7-39: Giants (via WAS) - 10:00pm 7-40: Cardinals - 10:30pm
UDFA AFC South - 10am AFC North - 10:30am NFC East - 11am AFC East - 11:30am NFC South - 12pm NFC North - 12:30pm NFC West - 1pm AFC West - 1:30pm AFC West - 2pm NFC West - 2:30pm NFC North - 3pm NFC South - 3:30pm AFC East - 4pm NFC East - 4:30pm AFC North - 5pm AFC South - 5:30pm
I'm a big advocate for teams doing this, even if they spend a high pick at QB. If the value isn't there, it is what it is, but if you believe another serviceable arm is available (and your QB room is scant of talent) you go get it. Even with the Browns taking Mayfield #1 overall last season. If they had another QB with a solid grade available to them in the 4th and they snagged him I would have agreed with that move (someone like Lauletta or White).
