Ferguson, pictured, totaled 26 tackles for losses in 2018 while also posting 17 quarterback sacks. He ended his career as the FBS’ all-time sack leader.
Baltimore Ravens
Notable picks: First-year GM Eric DeCosta did a very good job of adding layers to the Baltimore offense.Brown’s challenge will be to hold his weight at the 175-pound mark while not losing his decisive speed.Ferguson has more pressure to produce than most third-rounders because of the loss of Terrell Suggs in free agency. Boykin will compete with holdovers Jaleel Scott, Chris Moore, and Jordan Lasley for playing time.Powers helps improve the depth of the interior line.Will Marshall move to safety? The addition of Hill provides the team with a home run threat at the running back position.He will, however, have to fight for playing time.
Round,
Selection,
Player
School
DN Big Board
Rank/
Grade
‘Nasty’ Take:
1 (25)
Acquired this pick from the Philadelphia Eagles for its 22nd overall pick
Brown has a chance to become dynamic in the Ravens offense in a different type of way than he was at Oklahoma.Expect to see him used on fly sweeps, seam routes, shallow crossers, nine routes and post patterns.Will he be a fit with fellow Florida native Lamar Jackson? Physical cornerbacks have competed well against him in the past.
After a subpar postseason, Ferguson saw his stock slide despite breaking former Ravens’ OLB Terrell Suggs’ all-time NCAA sack record.Ferguson plays even longer than his size would indicate and he may have to bully tackles early on. He has a 10-yard burst.
3 (93)
Miles Boykin
WR/Notre Dame
48/2nd Round
Boykin is an upside pick after just one year of high-level production, but he did draw as many pass interference calls as any receiver in this year’s draft.Can he build on his breakout final year in school?
Hill has the burst to slip-and-slide in-between the tackles on gut runs.His 4.4 speed is aided by an underrated ability to at least compete in pass protection.
If Powers can sustain blocks with more efficiency, then his ability to gain position can be effective in the NFL.He excels with hand placement initially and passes off line games well. His experience gives the team comfort he can translate to the next level.
It is hard to find cornerbacks who have started 48 games in school.The Ravens found Marshall, who is physical enough to perhaps transition to the safety spot.In a crowded cornerback room, he may be asked to shift to the safety spot in nickel/dime packages.
5 (160)
Daylon Mack
DT/Texas A&M
185/3rd Round
The former five-star recruit’s big knock didn’t revolve around power or explosion at 330-plus pounds.It basically comes down to endurance.We think he can give the team a solid 20 snaps a game if needed and those snaps can be impactful.
6 (197)
Trace
McSorley
QB/Penn State
101/3rd Round
We felt McSorley was one of the better quarterbacks in this year’s draft, but his final year at Penn State included a knee injury that affected his accuracy.While most expect him to play a variety of roles for the team, we think he can be productive under center in at least a backup capacity.
Finley’s experience includes stints at two different schools. He led the ACC in completion percentage (67.4%) in 2018.
Cincinnati Bengals
Notable picks: The Bengals were fixated on finding more competition along its offensive line and Williams will be asked to move back to his original spot in college, right tackle.Sample is underrated as a receiver, but his true value comes as a blocker for a team intent on running the ball effectively.Pratt’s foot speed will give him an opportunity to compete for a spot in DC Lou Anarumo’s schemes. Can Finley’s experience and maturity actually challenge Andy Dalton?
Sample amplified his draft stock when he ran in the low 4.7-range at 255 pounds.He is getting better at the little things when it comes to running routes (sinking his weight, using his size, etc..).He can play multiple spots.
If Pratt -a former safety- can improve his stack-and-shed, we think he can compete early for a spot.He has had some shoulder issues in the past, but is a fine blitz threat with good ball skills to finish interception opportunities.
Finley’s accurate and flexible nature is demonstrated with a quick release when his feet stay quiet in the pocket.His playing style could fit well in Zac Taylor’s offensive schemes.
4 (125)
Acquired from Denver via Houston
Renell Wren
DT/Arizona State
280/4th Round
Wren played his best football late in his career but was quietly productive over a two-year stretch.He gives the teams options in terms of moving their defensive fronts.
Jordan will get the opportunity to move back to the guard spot and play alongside former Buckeye teammate and Bengals center Billy Price.It could prove to be a winning combination for the Bengals.
6 (182)
Trayveon Williams
RB/
Texas A&M
71/2nd Round
It is hard to find players who rush for over 1,700 yards available in the sixth round, but there were questions surrounding Williams’ true change of direction after ordinary postseason workouts.A closer look reveals a back capable of slipping in-and-out of tight quarters with burst and power packed into a 206-pound frame.
6 (210)
Deshaun Davis
LB/Auburn
150/3rd Round
Davis is an instinctive linebacker who fits, wraps and seeks to inflict pain on opponents.He got knocked for a bit of stiffness in pass coverage.He finished his career with 266 tackles and 29 tackles for losses.
6 (211)
Rodney
Anderson
RB/
Oklahoma
246/4th Round
Anderson’s talent has never been in question, but his injury history is concerning.He is a pick that could reap major rewards if he is able to stay unscathed over the next year and a half.The former Sooner has soft hands and is good in pass protection.
For the team to pick up one of the draft’s better cornerbacks in terms of size and footwork is a potential heist.Brown, an FCS All-American, trusts his instincts, tackles well enough and may be able to play multiple spots on the backend.
Redwine (No. 22 pictured), a former cornerback, impressed teams with 4.44 speed, a 39-inch vertical jump, 10-foot-10-inch broad jump and 4.14 20-yard short shuttle at the 2019 NFL Combine.
Cleveland Browns
Notable picks: Williams and Takitaki both have question marks surrounding different aspects of their games.Redwine has a load of talent and the former cornerback should be able to operate effectively in man coverage versus tight ends.Mack Wilson’s eye control will determine his ultimate place on the roster, but his kickoff coverage ability will be a bonus while he develops.An uncertain kicking situation led to the pick of Seibert, who hasn’t had a number of pressure-packed kicks on his resume’.Forbes’ selection indicates the team is still looking for competition on the flanks of its offensive line.
Although his space tackling is an issue, he did improve in pass coverage slightly as a senior.The Browns linebacker corps features a ton of speed, hard hitters and undervalued prospects coming out of the college ranks.Takitaki fits the bill, but his discipline in pass coverage will ultimately determine whether he can find a role.
The former CB has the hip flexibility to cover most tight ends and occasionally matches up with slot WRs effectively (UNC ’18).His skill-set is very similar to current Browns safety Damarious Randall.
Despite starring in pass coverage in 2017, Wilson’s inconsistent eye control caused a precipitous fall on draft weekend.His pad level needs to improve stacking-and-shedding OL (see SEC Champ ’18).We think he is one of the best kickoff cover guys in the entire 2019 NFL Draft class.
5 (170)
Acquired from New England
Austin Seibert
PK/
Oklahoma
596/6th Round
Seibert carries a slight right-to-left drift on some of his shorter field goals in the NFL’s extra point range (33-yd GW FG miss, Army ’18).In addition, he has left some returnable kickoff opportunities for opponents (TCU ’18).On the plus side, he connected on 80-percent of his career field goal attempts, has range up to about 60 yards and can even be an effective punter in a pinch.He placed 65 punts inside the 20-yard line during school.
6 (189)
Drew Forbes
OG/
SE Missouri State
N/A
Forbes ran in the 4.9-range, pumped out 28 reps at 225 pounds, and posted a 30 1/2-inch vertical jump on his Pro Day.His footwork may give him an opportunity to play the tackle spot, the position he played at in school.
7 (221)
Acquired from
Jacksonville
Donnie Lewis
CB-Nickel/Tulane
158/3rd Round
Lewis was one of the more active cornerbacks in the AAC over the last two seasons.He routinely challenged WRs in man coverage. Postseason injury issues caused him to fall in the draft. He also has experience covering in the slot.
Snell, the Steelers fourth-round selection, was a major factor for Kentucky in the fourth quarters of games. His style fits the personality of the AFC North.
Pittsburgh Steelers
Notable picks: GM Kevin Colbert and his scouting department apparently came into this draft looking to increase the team’s speed at the linebacker spot and on special teams.Bush, Gilbert and Smith go a long way towards reaching that goal. For the second straight year, the team drafted an Alabama defensive lineman on Day 3 of the draft process.Justin Layne adds a long corner to a group really devoid of size on the edges.If Johnson can duplicate former WR Antonio Brown’s younger years as a punt return specialist, it could amplify his role within the offense.
Round,
Selection,
Player
School
DN Big Board
Rank/
Grade
‘Nasty’ Take:
1 (20)
Acquired in a trade from the Denver Broncos that sent them the 20th overall pick in the first round
Devin Bush
LB/Michigan
11/1st Round
Bush, our top-ranked linebacker, brings 4.43 speed and plenty of explosion to the Steelers defense.The Big Ten Defensive Player of the Year’s mentality brings a tone-setting edge to the team’s defense.
3 (66)
Acquired from Oakland
Diontae
Johnson
All-Purpose/Toledo
189/3rd Round
Johnson’s instant nature gives the team the hope that they may have found yet another gem from the MAC.We think he offers major upside in the return game.The 2018 MAC Special Teams Player of the Year averaged 18.5 yards per punt return as a junior and 20.2 yards per punt return in his career (2 TDs).He also returned two kickoffs for scores while in school.
Layne is a smooth bail-and-run corner with decent fluidity.The former WR got better as his career went along, but his sense of urgency has to improve when playing off of wideouts.
The fourth quarter finisher will compete with James Connor to finish off games. Snell’s attitude and energetic style will be a complement to the team’s running back by committee-approach.He finished his career with 48 touchdowns. Controlling his emotions will be a big key.
5 (141)
Acquired from Oakland
Zach Gentry
TE/Michigan
448/5th Round
The former New Mexico high school four-star QB recruit didn’t develop into a prized signal-caller, but he did become one of the best tight ends in the Big Ten working from the inside-out on pass patterns. Ordinary workouts likely caused a bit of a slide, but he averaged 16.1 yards per reception for the Wolverines in 2018.
6 (175)
Acquired from Oakland
Sutton Smith
LB/Northern Illinois
143/3rd Round
Smith’s impressive work in terms of flexibility gives the team hope that he can develop into an exchange linebacker.With such a knack for rushing the passer off the edge, the hope for the Steelers is his knack for timing can develop from a number of spots.He finished his career with 30 QB sacks and 58 tackles for losses in just 39 games.
6 (192)
Isaiah Buggs
DL/Alabama
319/4th Round
Buggs is an intense two-gap defender who relies on power, but he is actually more efficient with his angles as a pass rusher.He could line up as a three-technique in some of their fronts or the inside shade defensive end in others.He has value at this spot in the draft.
6 (207)
Compensatory pick acquired from Arizona
Ulysees Gilbert
LB/Akron
313/4th Round
The Zips playmaker finished with 112 tackles in a breakout junior campaign but took a bit of a step back in 2018.He runs in the high 4.4-to-low 4.5-range and will get plenty of opportunities as a core special teams player.
Gray has shown that he can sit in the chair and he often plays with an offensive guard’s demeanor.He possesses adequate length to remain on the edge, but he has to stay healthy.
In what proved to be a competitive day for both the East and West squads, DraftNasty dove even deeper into the action. Find out which players either continued to make an impact or stood out for the first time on Day 2 of 2019 East-West Shrine practices.
On Day 2, Georgia's Terry Godwin was challenged by James Madison CB Jimmy Moreland (No. 15 pictured), one of the better cover guys in attendance. Godwin's ability to roll his hips off of one step was evident on this out route during a one-on-one period. Moreland's eyes ventured into the backfield slightly out of his break as Godwin's ball skills continued to shine.
One of the most impressive aspects in Godwin's week was his attention to detail during the team's wide receiver individual drills. On this repetition, he sinks his hips at a sharp 45-degree angle on a cone drill.
Syracuse wide receiver Jamal Custis used this pull-through maneuver throughout the week to get on top of defensive backs. Miami (Fla.) cornerback Michael Jackson (6'1, 207) was a physical presence at the line of scrimmage, but even he couldn't handle Custis on this rep.
Custis, pictured, used his 82-inch wingspan to snag this high pass during a one-on-one drill versus Jackson.
Even though Jackson (No. 28 pictured) would lock his hips by jamming with his outside arm, he was able to handle Ole Miss' DaMarkus Lodge on this one-on-one rep. Lodge, perhaps the least heralded of the Rebels trio entering the 2019 NFL Draft, displayed good quickness in-and-out of his intermediate patterns during the week.
Tennessee DL Kyle Phillips (No. 92 pictured going through bag drills) did an excellent job of bowing back tight ends with his six-inch punch during the week of practice. In addition, he re-traced his steps to the ball in pursuit. His biggest issue was establishing effective counters once his first move was taken away (at either DE or the three-technique DT).
North Dakota State's Easton Stick throws a quick screen to Fresno State's KeeSean Johnson during a team drill. Stick was effective on bootlegs going to his left and demonstrated decisiveness throwing in-between the hash marks. Some of his comeback patterns tended to die before reaching their final destinations.
SMU cornerback Jordan Wyatt celebrates with Troy cornerback Blace Brown after picking off a slant and returning it for a touchdown during a team period. Wyatt got his hands on a number of passes during the week as he continues to round back into form following a 2017 late season injury.
Pittsburgh running back Darrin Hall's instincts shined on draw concepts and gap-schemed runs. He also displayed solid hands to track the ball out of the backfield. A tendency to turn to the side was a bit of a surprise in his pass pro drills.
Wyoming safety Andrew Wingard picked off this pass late in practice and took it to the house. It shouldn't have come as a surprise. He picked off 10 passes during school. While he didn't have success in one-on-one drills covering wideouts, the former Cowboy was far from shy in challenging any receiver in attendance.
Colorado's Evan Worthington (No. 35 pictured) broke on an out route thrown to Old Dominion's Jonathan Duhart. Worthington took full advantage of his second chance in school and his effort stands out. He rounded back into form during the week after missing three of the team's last four games.
Angelo State's Markus Jones, pictured, works through bag drills with a level of intensity that signifies his overall approach. The Lone Star Conference Player of the Year posted an unbelievable 36.5 tackles for loss in 2018. His power showed up in the Day 1 one-on-one pass rush sessions, when he powered Missouri offensive tackle Paul Adams to the ground with a speed-to-power bull rush.
In a true SEC battle, Missouri's Paul Adams (No. 57 pictured from top-to-bottom) initially had control of Texas A&M's Landis Durham. Despite an 85-inch wingspan and 63-pound weight advantage over Durham, Adams allowed the former Aggie to win the leverage battle. He got his hands inside of Adams' jersey and used a snatch maneuver to reach the bottom of the pocket. Durham's 17 sacks and 22.5 tackles for losses the last two seasons lay credence to his quickness off the snap.
San Diego State OT Ryan Pope was also one of the longer offensive tackles in attendance, but this battle came down to quickness. Oregon OLB Justin Hollins used a swipe move (see fourth picture on bottom) to clear Pope and easily turn the corner.
In a battle of perhaps two of the strongest offensive or defensive linemen in attendance, Texas A&M's Daylon Mack initially forced Louisiana Tech's O'Shea Dugas to cross his feet. However, as the down progressed, Dugas was able to re-corral his frame and sit down versus Mack's power step.
Colorado School of Mines wide receiver Brody Oliver (pictured getting the toe-tap grab down during an individual drill) caught 224 passes for 4,010 yards and 59 touchdowns during school. During the week, he impressed with his body control and flexibility.
