Chicago Bears: B
3.) David Montgomery, RB, Iowa St.
4.) Riley Ridley, WR, Georgia
6.) Duke Shelley, CB, Kansas St.
7.) Kerrith Whyte, RB, Florida Atlantic
7b.) Stephen Denmark, CB, Valdosta St.
The reason the Bears didn’t pick until Round 3 was due to the Khalil Mack trade last year, and ya know what? That is totally okay. Mack, was already regarded as a Top 5 player in the league and all he did last year was dominate to the tune of 12.5 sacks in 14 games. That’s worth a 1st and 2nd Round pick every time.
Once on the clock, the Bears made good use of what was left. They traded away veteran running back Jordan Howard to Philly and needed someone to run between tackles. Montgomery is just that. Now, he had a lot of work in college (624 carries in three years), but he should work well in tandem with Tarik Cohen.
Ridley, in Round 4, is another quality addition. After years of having injury ravaged receivers and little depth, the Bears finally have a quality receieving corps. Ridley, has to develop his game more, but working as a part of an arsenal with Allen Robinson, Anthony Miller, and Taylor Gabriel will give him time.
Detroit Lions: B
1.) T.J. Hockenson, TE, Iowa
2.) Jahlani Tavai, LB, Hawai’i
3.) Will Harris, S, Boston College
4.) Austin Bryant, DE, Clemson
5.) Amani Oruwariye, CB, Penn St.
6.) Travis Fulgham, WR, Old Dominion
6b.) Ty Johnson, RB, Maryland
7.) Isaac Nauta, TE, Georgia
7b.) P.J. Johnson, DT, Arizona
Last year the Lions focused drafting tough players. Clearly head coach Matt Patricia has a type, because he went out and drafted more of the same. Hockenson, is a classic grinder. He can play inline as a blocker and provide a passing threat. He’s as solid a prospect as you can kind entering the draft. He’ll have an immediate impact.
Harris and Oruwariye, are needed pieces to the secondary. Harris is the thumper that opposing receivers will be weary of as they cross the center of the field. Oruwariye, has notable ball skills with 27 pass-breakups and seven interceptions over the past two years. They need someone to play opposite Darius Slay and that might be Oruwariye.
Tavai and Bryant are two more prospects to watch. Tavai, seemed to be a reach, but he reads the field well and makes the stop. He missed a couple games last year and may surprise some people. Bryant, posted good numbers at Clemson, but were those his or the product of the talent around him? Detroit will find out.
Green Bay Packers: A
1.) Rashan Gary, DE, Michigan
1b.) Darnell Savage, S, Maryland
2.) Elgton Jenkins, C, Mississippi St.
3.) Jace Sternberger, TE, Texas A&M
5.) Kingsley Keke, DT, Texas A&M
6.) Ka’dar Hollman, CB, Toledo
6b.) Dexter Williams, RB, Notre Dame
7.) Ty Summer, LB, TCU
The Packers absolutely crushed this draft. Every pick has the potential to provide early and often in 2019. Armed with an extra first-round pick thanks to New Orleans’ eagerness for Marcus Davenport, the Packers double-dipped on defense. Gary, has some bust potential, but in Green Bay he has the potential to wreak havoc from the five-technique. Savage, is the safe and proven prospect the Packers have been looking for in the secondary. Able to play safety or corner, Savage will mix it up in run sport too.
On the offensive side of things, Jenkins and Sternberger can be Day One starter’s for the team. Granted, Sternberger will likely spell veteran Jimmy Graham, but he will have an impact. Sternberger exploited the seams at A&M and had 10 touchdowns last year. Jenkins, has the versatile to play center or guard. With Corey Linsley already established at the pivot, Jenkins might plug the gap at right guard.
Williams, is an intriguing late addition. He has all the talent to be a feature back, but had trouble staying on the field for the Golden Domers. He got things together (sort of) in 2018 and amassed 995 yards and 12 touchdowns. The Packers could use a power back, if Williams can keep it together, he could be a valuable asset.
Minnesota Vikings: B+
1.) Garrett Bradbury, C, NC State
2.) Irv Smith Jr., TE, Alabama
3.) Alexander Mattison, RB, Boise St.
4.) Dru Samia, OG, Oklahoma
5.) Cameron Smith, LB, USC
6.) Armon Watts, DT, Arkansas
6b.) Marcus Epps, S, Wyoming
6c.) Oli Udoh, OT, Elon
7.) Kris Boyd, CB, Texas
7b.) Dillon Mitchell, WR, Oregon
7c.) Olabisi Johnson, WR, Colorado St.
7d.) Austin Cutting, LS, Air Force
The Vikings really only had weak spot on their roster and they addressed it with one of the best prospects in the draft. By adding Bradbury, the Vikings landed a 10-year starter and allows them to utilize Pat Elflein’s versatility and shift him over to guard. Suddenly, the Viks’ lack luster line looks awfully strong.
Clearly the plan was to build things up around Kirk Cousins, because four of their next five picks were on the offensive side of the ball. Samia, adds grit to the interior of the line and he has starter upside. Smith, is a complimentary piece to starter Kyle Rudolph. He runs good routes. Mattison, is key to watch. Starter Dalvin Cook has had trouble staying healthy and lost their insurance policy in Latavius Murray. Mattison was very productive and can help preserve Cook.
On defense, Smith is a classic linebacker in coach Mike Zimmer’s scheme. He tallied over 350 tackles in four years. Even if he can’t crack the depth chart at linebacker, he is the reliable tackling to be a special teams ace for years. Epps and Boyd, prove that Zimmer can’t go a single year without drafting a defensive back.
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