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Atlanta Falcons
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(26) Takkarist McKinley DE, UCLA
(75) Duke Riley LB, LSU
(136) Sean Harlow, OG, Oregon St.
(149) Damontae Kazee CB, San Diego St.
(156) Brian Hill, RB, Wyoming
(174) Eric Saubert TE, Drake
UDFA
QB Alex Torgersen, Pennsylvania
FB Tyler Renew, Citadel
WR Josh Magee, South Alabama
OG Deante Burton, Kansas State
C Cam Keizur, Portland State
OT Andreas Knappe, Connecticut
OT Robert Leff, Auburn
OG Travis Averill, Boise State
OL Will Freeman, Southern Miss
DE J.T. Jones, Miami Ohio
DE Chris Odom, Arkansas State
DE Darius English,South Carolina
DE Gary Thompson Jr. Marshall
LB Christian Tago, San Jose State
LB Jermaine Grace, Miami
CB Marcelis Branch,Robert Morris
S Deron Washington, Pittsburg St.
S Quincy Mauger, Georgia
CB Taylor Reynolds, James Madison
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Falcons wanted a bigger presence from their front 7 and traded up to take UCLA edge defender (Attack) Takk. McKinley had a breakout senior year and showed raw athleticism and a big motor. Expectations may be limited though due to a shoulder surgery post combine and there’s some concern he may start the season on the pup. For a guy that lacks a lot of polish a slow start doesn’t bode well. Dimitroff attempted to shore up the Falcons middle coverage and overall speed by grabbing LSU OLB Riley in the 3rd. He’s an undersized speed backer lacking strength but he’s expected to upgrade the coverage..I’m skeptical.
Falcons had a significant need at OG and tabbed OG Harlow to fill it. Most had Harlow graded significantly lower but time will tell. CB Kazee was a great mid round pick. He’s an undersized ballhawk that will tackle. If he can avoid penalties he’ll be a good contributor. RB Hill and TE Saubert were rock solid later round picks. If both quickly digest the offense they’ll contribute as rookies. Overall I thought the Falcons could’ve really used an interior plugger considering the number of guys on the last year of their contract upfront but passed.
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Carolina Panthers
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(8) Christian McCaffrey, RB, Stanford
(40) Curtis Samuel WR, Ohio St.
(64) Taylor Moton, OG, Western Michigan
(77) Daeshon Hall DE Texas A&M
(152) Corn Elder CB, Miami
(192) Alex Armah, FB West Georgia
(233) Harrison Butker K, Georgia Tech
UDFA
LB Ben Boulware, Clemson
WR Fred Ross, Mississippi State
DT Bryan Cox Jr.,Florida
CB Cole Luke, Notre Dame
LS Danny Dillon, Cardinals/Campbell
DT Drew Iddings, Raiders/South Dakota
C Austin Stephens, Utah State
WR Austin Duke, Charlotte
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Panthers priorities this offseason were too somehow protect Newton better and improve the pass rush. The OT market was thin in FA and the draft so not much headway was made there but adding a Darren Sproles dynamic to the offense in Stanford RB McCaffrey should take some heat off Cam. They doubled down on this by taking WR/RB Samuel next. A reach, imo, but he’s another guy that adds a checkdown, chunk play dynamic and possibly prevents teams from keying on McCaffrey. Both guys could create easy yards and take some of the weight off Newton’s back.
Moton was a solid OL selection. He’s insurance inside if Turner continues his downward trend but he might be able to hold up outside at RT as well. DE Hall continues to get bigger but retain his speed and quickness. He could end up a solid RDE. CB Elder is a good candidate to be a better pro the college player. He’s physical for his size and has adequate speed and quickness. FB Armah and K Butkicker are solid late gets at their positions and should contribute if the Panthers were right on them. I really liked the UDFA adds of LB Boulware, WR Ross and CB Luke. I won’t be surprised if all three make the squad.
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New Orleans Saints
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(11) Marshon Lattimore, CB, Ohio St.
(32) Ryan Ramczyk OT, Wisconsin
(42) Marcus Williams, S Utah
(67) Alvin Kamara, RB, Tennessee
(76) Alex Anzalone, LB Florida
(103) Trey Hendrickson, OLB, Florida Atlantic
(196) Al-Quadin Muhammad, DE, Miami
UDFA
WR Travin Dural, LSU
WR Ahmad Fulwood, Florida
FB John Robinson-Woodgett, Massachusetts
LB Sae Tautu, BYU
CB Arthur Maulet, Memphis
DT Devaroe Lawrence, Auburn
G Cameron Lee, G, Illinois State
OT Clint Van Horn, OL, Marshall
C Cameron Tom, C, Southern Miss
OT Andrew Lauderale, T, New Hampshire
OT Collin Buchanan, T Miami of Ohio
LS Chase Dominguez, Utah
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Saints got good value on most of their picks and took guys that should contribute early and often. I wasn’t the biggest fan of Lattimore because of the injury history and just one year starting, but he was the consensus top CB and hits arguably the Saints biggest need. OT Ramczyk if 100 should eventually assume a starting spot somewhere along the line. Again not a huge fan of DB Williams, but he graded out well, tested impressively, and likely assumes the nickel DB spot.
RB Kamara was sort of a luxury pick but the Saints have been sorely missing a Sproles since they let him walk. Anzalone’s similar to Ramczyk, if he’s 100, he’ll upgrade the coverage from the WLB spot. DE/OLB Hendrickson is a try hard pass rusher that finds a way to pressure. They took a flier on an athletic pass rusher late in Muhammad. He’s a buyer beware but probably worthwhile in the 6th. I thought UDFA C Cam Tom was a sure draft pick.
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Tampa Bay Buccaneers
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(19) O.J. Howard, TE, Alabama
(50) Justin Evans, S, Texas A&M
(84) Chris Godwin, WR, Penn St.
(107) Kendell Beckwith, ILB, LSU
(162) Jeremy McNichols, RB, Boise St.
(223) Stevie Tu'ikolovatu NT, USC
UDFA
LB Paul Magloire, Arizona
TE Antony Auclair, Laval (Canada)
DB Maurice Fleming, West Virginia
LB Riley Bullough, Michigan State
DE Darnell Leslie, Monmouth
QB Sifo Liufau, Colorado
OL Korren Kirven, Alabama
CB Jonathan Moxey, Boise State
WR Thomas Sperbeck, Boise State
LB Christian Kuntz, Duquesne
WR Jesus “Bobo” Wilson, FSU
CB Greg Mabin, Iowa
WR Cole Freytag, UTEP
LS Drew WIlliams, South Carolina
DT Darious Cummings, Florida
CB Tyquwan Glass, Fresno State
S Alex Gray, Appalachian State
LB Richie Brown, Michigan State
DE Jamichael Winston, Arkansas
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Bucs gave all the indications they were looking to add skill position weapons in this draft despite their shaky OL. Given this weak OL class it’s understandable they’d look past that need and hit on better value. That said, there are always guys every year that can help a team upfront and I think the Bucs needed to find them. I’ll wager their OL will be a decisive weakness this season.
However, TE Howard was a no brainer in the 1st and helps out both the passing and running game, filling a clear hole. S Evans also potentially covers a hole. I think it was a reach but he has the tools to be a starter and eventually could grow into a more reliable/durable tackler. While I recognize the desire to add another skill position playmaker, I think an OL or edge player would’ve been a much better choice in the 3rd. I think WR Godwin is overrated. He doesn’t play to his testing numbers and is inconsistent at the catch point.
LB Beckwith and RB McNichols were great value pick ups. I think both will outplay their draft positions. Tu'ikolovatu had some fans and was a solid late round get.
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