2019 NFL Draft: Grading every pick on Day 2
After an eventful opening night at the 2019 NFL Draft, we’re back to grade and analyze all of the picks in rounds 2 and 3. Picks will be graded on a number of factors, including value, need and scheme fit.
While you’re here, check out our grades for all of the picks in the first round.
Now, let’s grade some picks…
33. Cardinals: Byron Murphy, CB Washington
Analysis: Tremendous value for the Cardinals, who got the best quarterback on night one and the best zone cornerback at the top of the second round. Murphy lacks the long speed to be a true lockdown corner, but he has a nose for the ball and will cause turnovers. If Arizona holds onto Patrick Peterson (and they should) teams will no longer be able to pick on the Cardinals’ No. 2 corner. They’re getting good value here, but Greedy Williams would’ve been a better pick.
GRADE: B
34. Colts: Rock Ya-Sin, CB Temple
Analysis: Not sure about the scheme fit here. The Colts run a lot of zone coverage and Rock Ya-Sin is more of a man corner. But maybe Indy is planning on manning up more often in 2019. If that’s the case, this is a solid pick. Though, again, Greedy Williams may have been a better option, but the Colts want their corners to tackle and that’s not Williams’ strength.
Grade: B
35. Jaguars (from OAK): Jawaan Taylor, OT Florida
Analysis: A lot of draft experts had Jawaan Taylor mocked to the Jaguars in the top-10. They got him in the second. There are medical concerns, but Taylor is a powerful run blocker with enough athleticism to develop into a dominant pass protector. Just what the Jags wanted and needed.
Grade: A-
36. 49ers: Deebo Samuel, WR South Carolina
Analysis: I love the player, but I’m not so high on the value. Especially with a number of good receiver prospects, including D.K. Metcalf, on the board. But the 49ers are getting a good route runner with contested catch ability who also offers YAC and return ability. Kyle Shanahan is going to turn him into a star. I just wonder if San Francisco could have traded down and still landed him.
Grade: B
37. Panthers: Greg Little, OT Ole Miss
Analysis: The Panthers had to get some protection for Cam Newton, but the price for trading up 10 spots (a third-rounder) to get Greg Little was a bit steep. Greg Little is a good mover with ideal size. He’ll either be a dominant tackle or a massive disappointment. There is no in between.
Grade: C+
38. Bills (from OAK): Cody Ford, OT Oklahoma
Analysis: Man, I love what the Bills are doing. That’s a sentence I didn’t expect to be typing this weekend, but here we are. After landing a top-five value in Ed Oliver on Thursday night, they go and get a first-round talent on the second day. Cody Ford is a nasty run-blocker who has no issues in pass protection. Buffalo drafted him as a tackle, but he can kick inside to guard depending on their needs.
Grade: A
39. Buccaneers: Sean Bunting, CB Central Michigan
Analysis: I’m at a loss. It’s not just that the Bucs passed on the draft’s best man cover corner (Greedy Williams), but they also passed on several other cornerback prospects with better film against better competition in order to draft Sean Bunting. He’s a great athlete with good coverage skills, but this is a bad value. A trade down would have been a smarter move. This cornerback group is deep.
Grade: D+
40. Raiders: Trayvon Mullen, CB Clemson
Analysis: The run on corners continues! Trayvon Mullen’s game needs some polishing, but he profiles as a good cover corner. I just think these coaches are putting too much stock in how these corners tackle, which explains Greedy Williams’ fall. Mullen will tackle, that’s for sure.
Grade: C
41. Broncos: Dalton Risner, OT Kansas State
Analysis: No-brainer pick for a team that needed offensive line help. Dalton Risner can play tackle or guard. Wherever he plays, he’s going to punish defensive players who enter his crosshairs. He’ll start from Day 1, and won’t come out of the lineup for the next decade. John Elway also gets credit for not taking Drew Lock, who has bust written all over him.
Grade: A
42. Broncos (from CIN): Drew Lock, QB Missouri
Analysis: Whoops. Spoke too soon. I suppose the Broncos think they’re getting good value here because a lot of people did expect Drew Lock to go in the first round. Lock is a mess in the pocket, he makes reckless decisions and he isn’t very accurate. In other words, he’s the perfect John Elway pick.
Grade: D
43. Lions: Jahlani Tavai, LB Hawaii
Analysis: I get that Matt Patricia wants versatile defenders on his defense, and Jahlani Tavai is certainly that. But you have to think the Lions could’ve moved down and still picked up the Hawaii product. Run-first linebackers aren’t exactly a hot commodity. Like the fit; I’m not so sure about the value.
Grade: C-
43. Packers: Elgton Jenkins, G Mississippi State
Analysis: Elgton Jenkins was announced as a guard, which is interesting because he played center in college. A position change is coming, but Jenkins can handle it. He’s at his best in pass protection, which will make Aaron Rodgers a happy man.
Grade: B+
45. Patriots (from LAR): JoeJuan Williams, CB Vanderbilt
Analysis: Joejuan Williams needs to be coached up, but what a better place to land than New England? Bill Belichick will make sure the big, physical corner will play a role he’s comfortable in. His man/zone versatility will be a game-planning asset, which we know Belichick appreciates.
Grade: B
46. Browns (from IND): Greedy Williams, CB LSU
Analysis: NFL teams seem dead-set on helping the Browns build a dominant roster. First, the Giants give them Odell Beckham Jr. for peanuts, and now these teams let Greedy Williams fall in their laps. Williams isn’t a tackler, but he’s the best cover corner in the class, which is really the only thing that matters for corners. Crazy thought, I know. Williams has the tools to develop into an elite cover man. He has long speed, fluid hips and good instincts.
Grade: A+
47. Seahawks: Marquis Blair, S Utah
Analysis: This is an ideal defensive back for Pete Carroll. He’s big and he has good speed. He’s not Earl Thomas — so don’t expect him to be a centerfield type — but the Seahawks have been deviating from their staple Cover 3 coverages, so that’s not a huge concern. And he does have range, plus a physical play style. He’ll make Seattle’s defense better.
Grade: B+
48. Saints (from MIA): Erik McCoy, C Texas A&M
Analysis: The Saints didn’t have a first-round pick but still ended up with a first-round talent. McCoy is a big center with good movement skills. He’ll be a key figure in the Saints’ screen game, which we know Sean Payton loves. He’ll occupy the void left by Max Unger’s retirement.
Grade: B+
49. Colts: Ben Banogu, Edge TCU
Analysis: Had Ben Banogu been a better run defender, he may have been a first-round pick after blowing up the combine. But who cares about run defense in 2019? Today’s NFL is about stopping the pass, and the explosive Banogu will help the Colts do that. Another smart pickup for Chris Ballard.
Grade: B+
50. Vikings: Irv Smith Jr., TE Alabama
Analysis: I don’t know how you’re going to cover the Vikings. Irv Smith Jr., a slick route-runner with ball tracking skills, joins Stefon Diggs and Adam Thielen in a loaded receiving corps. On top of that, drafting Smith allows Minnesota to move on from free-agent-to-be Kyle Rudolph.
Grade: A-
51. Titans: A.J. Brown, WR Ole Miss
Analysis: A steal.The Titans needed a receiver who could get open consistently, and there isn’t a better route-runner in the draft. And A.J. Brown can make plays downfield, as well, so he’s not your typical slot guy.
Grade: A
52. Bengals: Drew Sample, TE Washington
Analysis: New Bengals coach Zac Taylor, one of the million Sean McVay disciples out there now, needs a good blocking tight end to run his scheme at a high level. Drew Sample will give him that, but are we really using second-round picks on blocking tight ends? Maybe Sample will prove me wrong and develop into an impact pass-catcher, which he’ll have to do for this pick to make sense, but it’s a longshot.
Grade: C-
53. Eagles: Miles Sanders, RB Penn State
Analysis: He’s not Saquon Barkley, but Miles Sanders is a strong runner with good testing numbers. I’m not sure he’s the best compliment to Jordan Howard — I would have preferred more of a receiving threat — but Sanders can play on third downs because of his pass blocking skills.
Grade: C+
54. Texans: Lonnie Johnson, CB Kentucky
Analysis: Lonnie Johnson has all the tools to be a good NFL cornerback, but his tape is … not great. There are some embarrassing reps on all over it. Maybe the Texans coaching staff will unlock his potential but this was a risky pick.
Grade: D+
55: Texans: Max Scharping, OT Northern Illinois
Analysis: I actually like this pick more than Houston’s first-round pick. The Texans needed to address the offensive line, and they’ve done so in the first two picks. My only concern is that both Tytus Howard and Max Scharping are projects, and Deshaun Watson needs more protection now.
Grade: B-
56. Chiefs: Mecole Hardman, WR Georgia
Analysis: After losing Chris Conley and what is happening with Tyreek Hill right now, the Chiefs needed to replenish the speed in their receiving corps. Mecole Hardman isn’t Hill, but he has a similar skill-set. That will help Kansas City move on from the troubled receiver. Still, you have to wonder if the Chiefs really needed to trade up to land a receiver.
Grade: B-
57. Eagles: J.J. Arcega-Whiteside
Analysis: This is a better pick than the Eagles’ last one. Before the draft, I compared J.J. Arcega-Whiteside to Alshon Jeffery, so this is obviously a good fit and one that will help the Eagles’ cap situation down the road. Philadelphia is officially the most difficult team to defend in the red zone with Arcega-Whiteside., Zach Ertz, Dallas Goedert and Jeffrey on the roster.