DEN – 108 Overall
Jonah Coleman – Washington RB
While the Broncos just used the 60th pick in last years draft to take a RB in RJ Harvey I believe Coleman, who was selected 48 picks later in this years draft, may carve out a bigger role within this offense. Harvey was always meant to be the “lightning” or more explosive complement to a more well rounded back in HC Sean Payton’s offense, just as he had in Nee Orleans time in time again with backs like Mark Ingram and Alvin Kamara or Pierre Thomas and Reggie Bush. Coleman fits into that Ingram or Thomas role perfectly as a heavier more well rounded back that offers solid hands in the passing game and more importantly consistency from a pass blocking perspective. While Coleman may not have a significant role immediately headed into the season I believe as the year goes on you’ll see him gain more and more trust from that coaching staff and will find success when given the opportunity as a reliable and versatile RB for years to come in this offense.
BAL – 115 Overall
Elijah Sarratt – Indiana WR
The biggest thing for me with this pick for the Ravens was that they were finally able to add a well polished big body receiver for Lamar to find on crucial downs. While Mark Andrews has been that in the past I personally think Andrews has taken a significant step back the last few seasons. While I believe he’ll still be effective within this new look Ravens offense under Declan Doyle, Sarratt will provide them more of a versatile piece as he can inside and out at WR. Along with being a safe pair of hands and consistent target due to his polish as a young WR Sarratt’s ability to win 50/50 balls on back shoulders despite lacking the athleticism and separation skills at times should also add another piece to this offense so long as him and Lamar can build a connection. On top of the receiving skills Sarratt possesses his toughness and willingness to stick his nose in as a blocker will be a perfect fit within this offense, assuming OC Declan Doyle carries over some of what he ran along side/under Ben Johnson.
TB – 116 Overall
Keionte Scott – Miami S / NCB
For me this was phenomenal value for Scott as I had him ranked around the late 70s-early 80s. Aside from just value and having him ranked well above this spot Scott’s versatility as S/Nickel player will fit in perfectly with the Buccaneers secondary. Being able sit behind and also play alongside Tykee Smith, Antoine Winfield Jr, and the rest of that talented group in Tampa Scott should flourish as he adds a unique skillset with his plus physicality at his size and incredible ability to get home consistently on blitzes. Along with that his ability to play above his weight and frame is incredible and he even comes “ready out of the box” as a special teams player as he played on the punt coverage unit in all four seasons of college. Just flat out great value for Tampa who now has a unique ability to be incredibly versatile on the backend of their defense.
NO – 136 Overall
Bryce Lance – NDSU WR
The Saints absolutely stole Lance by getting him all the way down the board at 136, phenomenal value. While Lance isn’t a well rounded or polished receiver at that moment his frame (6’3 204lbs) and undeniable ability to stretch the field with 4.34 speed will absolute allow him to carve out a role within this Saints questionable WR room. Speaking of that WR room, adding Jordan Tyson in the 1st Round and then Bryce Lance down the board at 136 instantly creates one of the most fun and explosive WR rooms in the league which is a drastic and important change for the Saints as they had little to hope in that room outside of Chris Olave. Not only does the Tyson and Lance picks help improve upon this room that desperately needed it but more importantly it helps build around their young promising QB in Tyler Shough.
GB – 153 Overall
Jager Burton – Kentucky IOL / Mainly C
While this wasn’t some outstanding pick from a value standpoint I feel that the importance of the Packers adding someone that has real experience at both C and G was incredibly important. Burton also drops into the Matt LaFleur offense as a great scheme fit which only benefit him and his development. While Burton may not solve GB’s issues along IOL right away I believe his flexibility will make him a key backup for them in his rookie year and a very interesting piece moving forward. I believe that his character as a player on and off the field will allow him to grow into a starting C or G at some point within his rookie deal and if you’re able to get a player that starts games for you along the OL at 153 that’s a phenomenal pick.
NYJ – 228 Overall
VJ Payne – Kansas State S / NCB
I have no clue how Payne fell into the 7th Round. Whether it was a character or injury issue that I didn’t know about or simply teams being lower on him than I was I thought Payne would absolutely be drafted by the end of the 5th Round. What makes Payne such a talented and intriguing prospect is his frame (6’3 206lbs) and the athlete that he is (4.4 40yd Dash, 10’7 Broad Jump, 6.94 3 Cone). While he may not fit into a specific role between S or NCB I believe he has the talent to overcome that and simply be a matchup player at the NFL level, so long as he can develop. One thing that Payne will absolutely have to improve upon or rather show that he can do at all is contribute on Special Teams. While I believe he’ll find a role in the league due to the athlete he is and from all accounts being a hard worker, Payne has to be able to contribute as a 7th Round Pick if he wants to earn the chance to develop.
PIT – 230 Overall
Eli Heidenreich – Navy RB / WR
While I don’t expect Heidenreich to be a starting level player at either RB or WR I do believe he will carve out a role as a unique weapon that can contribute mainly on special teams and as a complementary option on offense. While I wouldn’t be excited for Pittsburgh fans if there were to be a Rodgers return I do believe Heidenreich could offer a consistent pair of hands and safe option for Rodgers just as Kenneth Gainwell was last season.
PHI – 244 Overall
Cole Wisniewski – Texas Tech S
While I didn’t expect Wisniewski to go much higher than this I do believe he’ll be a solid rotational S at the next level. While the obvious comparison is former Eagle, Reed Blankenship, as a fellow late round/UDFA S I have a hard time saying he’ll be as good as Blankenship was. Blankenship was more trustworthy as a single high S for me and while I do believe Wisniewski can do some of that in a pinch I feel much better if he’s closer to the LOS and playing in the box. I absolutely expect Wisniewski to carve out a role as a consistent and steady Special Teams player along with providing some rotational S play on defense.
KC – 249 Overall
Garrett Nussmeier – LSU QB
The injury obviously seems to be a bigger issue than I figured here as I viewed Nussmeier more as 3rd/4th Round Pick. While there’s clear and obvious reasons to doubt Nussmeier being able to get back to the 2024 version of himself due to the injury and clear lack of optimism around the league with it, the pick will be a home run if he’s able to. Taking a shot on a player that has shown as good of play as Nussmeier has in the past regardless of concern around injury at 249 is absolutely worth it.
