| Houston Texans | Notable picks: Howard and Johnson both ranked in our Top 50 and represent potential starting players in Year 1. Scharping is as technically advanced as any OL in the draft and Warring could be a factor in two tight end sets. The signing of Matt Kalil ensures the team goes into training camp with competition at the offensive tackle spot. Of the team’s Day 3 draft picks, Omenihu may be asked to adjust right away from a need perspective. Will Fuller’s injury history could leave the team depending on backups again late in the year. | |||
| Round,
Selection, |
Player | School | DN Big Board
Rank/ Grade |
‘Nasty’ Take: |
| 1 (23) | Tytus Howard | OT/Alabama State | 41/2nd Round | The former high school quarterback often talked about the task of gaining weight and has gotten up to the 322-pound range. His quick-footed nature could become a fit on the right side for the Texans. |
| 2 (54) | Lonnie Johnson | CB/ | 47/2nd Round | Johnson’s occasional pass interference penalty sometimes comes from not using his length to disrupt the wide receiver’s release. When he does, it is tough for the wide receiver to get off the line. On the plus side, his tackling technique and hip flexibility make for a unique combination at 6’2, 213 pounds. |
| 2 (55) | Max
Scharping |
OT/Northern Illinois | 81/2nd Round | We talked about how Scharping’s NFL Combine performance alleviated some of the concerns about pure quickness heading into the draft. The Texans went into this year’s draft hoping to cure some of the ills along its offensive line and this selection continues to work in that direction. |
| 3 (88) | Kahale
Warring |
TE/San Diego State | 57/2nd Round | Warring uses his foot speed to get on top of opponents as a receiver. He still needs refinement in terms of sustaining blocks, but his best football is ahead of him. |
| 5 (161) | Charles Omenihu | DE/Texas | 122/3rd Round | Omenihu’s 36 1/2-inch arms continued to aid him in his development while in school. The Big 12 Defensive Lineman of the Year began to display increased pass rush acumen as a senior when it came to counters. He is a solid run defender and will compete with Carlos Watkins, who has largely been disappointing. |
| 6 (195) | Xavier Crawford | CB/Central Michigan, Oregon State | 300/4th Round | After missing seven games at Oregon State in 2017 due to a back injury, the first-team All-MAC corner defended 13 passes in 2018. He competes on routes outside the numbers. |
| 7 (220) | Cullen Gillaspia | FB/Texas A&M | N/A | Texas A&M’s 12th man was a special teams stalwart and team captain. The former walk-on posted nine tackles in 2016. |
| Indianapolis Colts | Notable picks: General manager Chris Ballard continues to add positive pieces to one of the better young rosters in the NFL. Ya-Sin and Banogu have a chance to add an element of speed and toughness that the defense continues to expand. Okereke and Willis will be special teams contributors in Year 1 with the expectation that they can challenge for bigger roles early. Tell III may be asked to move to cornerback, where his smooth change of direction could perhaps shine. Campbell has the speed to stretch defenses vertically to take some of the pressure off of stud WR T.Y. Hilton, but his potential contributions in the kick return game should not be underestimated. Patterson will compete to backup all three interior line spots. | |||
| Round,
Selection, |
Player | School | DN Big Board
Rank/ Grade |
‘Nasty’ Take: |
| 2 (34) | Rock Ya-Sin | CB/Temple, Presbyterian | 63/2nd Round | The first-team All-AAC selection has a background that includes a stint as an All-Big South corner for the Blue Hose. Watching him play puts you in the mind frame of viewing a 6-foot-2 corner (he is nearly 6'0) because he plays bigger than even his size would indicate. |
| 2 (49) | Ben Banogu | DE-OLB/TCU | 44/2nd Round | Banogu moved around so much in school and with so much effectiveness, he shouldn’t have been pigeon-holed as a Rush outside linebacker. His loose nature gives him options, but the team is expected to start him with his hand in the dirt. |
| 2 (59) | Parris Campbell | All-Purpose/ | 39/2nd Round | Campbell’s speed was used more going sideways in school, but he did work the middle of the field on deep crossing patterns and square-ins.The team has a number of targets already efficient in those roles, so how he is incorporated will be interesting to observe. He may be a dynamo as a kickoff returner early. |
| 3 (89) | Bobby
Okereke |
LB/Stanford | 162/3rd Round | Okereke’s speed would seem to be a match for the type of scheme the Colts run. His size/speed/weight ratio is in line with 2018 Defensive Rookie of the Year Darius Leonard and fellow LB Anthony Walker. He will start off as a special teams contributor. |
| 4 (109)
Acquired from Oakland via Jacksonville |
Khari Willis | S/Michigan State | 87/3rd Round | Willis’ high football IQ and overall steady nature earned him praise through the draft process. His ability to cover tight ends at 213 pounds also adds to his value. He gives the Colts unique depth at the safety spot. |
| 5 (144)
Acquired from Cleveland via Jacksonville |
Marvell Tell III | DB/USC | 387/5th Round | We speculated that a team would look at Tell’s physical profile and project him to cornerback. He may in fact get an opportunity to show off his cover skills outside in training camp. |
| 5 (164) | EJ Speed | LB/Tarleton State | N/A | Speed overcame some off the field and injury concerns to get into the draft after totaling 106 tackles, 5 QB sacks and 12.5 TFLs in 2018. |
| 6 (199) | Gerri Green | OLB/ | 210/4th Round | Green appeared in 52 games during school and has made starts at both DE and OLB. He will likely become an exchange linebacker, where he has been pretty good at sliding and shuffling despite weighting in the 250-pound range. Versatile performer. |
| 7 (240) | Jackson Barton | OT/Utah | 341/5th Round | Barton’s lateral kick-slide won to a spot on many occasions in pass pro. He is a decent athlete with questionable leverage. There are possibilities for him to compete with Joe Haeg and Le’Raven Clark for a backup spot outside. |
| 7 (246)
Acquired from Philadelphia via New England |
Javon
Patterson |
OL/Ole Miss | 404/5th Round | The former five-star recruit has to overcome small hands that make it difficult to latch. On the positive side, he is an effective pulling option and cuts off on angles with efficiency as a run blocker. The fact that he has started at OG and OC could him stick in Indy. |
| Jacksonville Jaguars | Notable picks: It will be interesting to see DC Todd Wash intends to use Allen. He got up to around the 262-pound mark prior to the draft, but he has played in the 240-pound range in the past. He has enough flexibility to be at least serviceable in coverage, but they drafted him to rush the passer. The selection of Taylor would seem to add positive depth to an offensive line always in search of physical players. Williams and Armstead will increase the team’s speed on special teams. This was a solid, if unspectacular, draft haul that produced a number of players who fit the personality and make-up of the current roster. | |||
| Round,
Selection, |
Player | School | DN Big Board
Rank/ Grade |
‘Nasty’ Take: |
| 1 (7) | Josh Allen | Kentucky | 6/1st Round | Allen will get an opportunity to build on what was a breakout senior year. He finished his career with 41 tackles for losses and 11 forced fumbles. His activity in school was his biggest strength. Look for the team to make him a wild card type of player tough to identify. |
| 2 (35) | Jawaan
Taylor |
OT/Florida | 7/1st Round | There may have been some concerns about Taylor’s health, but he is in line with what the Jaguars want to do when it comes to running the ball. Taylor has quality footwork that shines when he is in optimum condition. |
| 3 (69) | Josh Oliver | TE/San Jose State | 107/3rd Round | Oliver’s foot speed, ball skills and ability to flex add an element perhaps missing from the team’s offense prior to the draft. He and free agent acquisition Geoff Swaim could potentially form a solid one-two punch at the position. |
| 3 (98) | Quincy Williams | LB/Murray State | 339/5th Round | Quinnen Williams’ older brother found a way to sneak into the third round due to his speed and explosiveness. The former safety was frequently walked-out in an overhang position for the Racers, and there is work to be done when it comes to key-and-diagnose from the exchange LB spot. |
| 5 (140) | Ryquell Armstead | RB/Temple | 153/3rd Round | Armstead’s downhill running style closely mirrors many of the running backs he will compete with for a roster spot. The difference? His 4.45 speed overcomes a bit of a rigid nature and he played a few snaps on defense in 2018 for the Owls. |
| 6 (178) | Gardner Minshew | QB/
ECU |
372/5th Round | Minshew carries similar traits to current Jaguars backup Cody Kessler when it comes to hand size, height and weight. He was a bit of a gambler at ECU, but he played at a faster pace under Mike Leach while at Washington State. |
| 7 (235)
Acquired from Oakland via Seattle |
Dontavius Russell | DT/Auburn | 183/3rd Round | Russell kind of got lost in the shuffle in what proved to be a deep defensive tackle class. We felt he had underrated strength, particularly when aligned in an inside shade of an offensive guard or center. If he earns a roster spot, it will be to take some of the snaps off of the team’s starters. |
| Tennessee Titans | Notable picks: Simmons may not be available for action until 2020, which requires this draft class to drift into somewhat of a wait-and-see proposition. Brown, however, will have his slot evaluated early on. The same can be said for both Davis and Hooker. Hooker brings a lot of desirable traits to a defensive backfield full of capable playmakers. Walker’s inability to perform until late in the process caused him to slide, but he was at his best against the best competition. There are not many drafts that allow you to draft a conference’s Defensive Player of the Year in the sixth round, but the Titans picked one up from the Big 12 in Long, Jr. | |||
| Round,
Selection, |
Player | School | DN Big Board
Rank/ Grade |
‘Nasty’ Take: |
| 1 (19) | Jeffery
Simmons |
DT/
Mississippi State |
5/1stRound | With Brian Orakpo’s retirement, the onus falls on Harold Landry -last year’s second-round pick- to take the next step. Although Simmons may redshirt in 2019, he could become a Pro Bowler if he can return to full health after suffering an ACL tear while training for pre-draft workouts. |
| 2 (51) | A.J. Brown | WR/Ole Miss | 16/1st Round | Brown’s strong run after the catch skills make him a tough tackle for any defensive back at 226 pounds. He displayed the ability to go outside against Vanderbilt, but he primarily worked from the slot on his Pro Day. |
| 3 (82) | Nate Davis | OG/
Charlotte |
92/3rd Round | Despite playing right tackle in 2018, he was outstanding with his quick-set technique as a LG. We were most impressed with his vision, but he needs work on preventing his frame from getting overextended. He will compete for the right guard position in training camp. |
| 4 (116) | Amani Hooker | DB/Iowa | 34/2nd Round | The Big Ten Defensive Back of the Year may have been hurt by the fact that he covered the slot in school. He will have to prove that he can get off the hash in coverage, which he has done effectively on occasion. He is at his best reading and passing off underneath routes. |
| 5 (168)
Acquired from N.Y. Jets via New Orleans |
D’Andre Walker | OLB/Georgia | 85/2nd Round | Walker received one of final second round grades and the Titans were able to pick him up in the fifth round. We liked his ability to work from either a two-point or three-point stance effectively. This team needed more pass rushers and he can play from either side. |
| 6 (188)
Acquired from Miami |
David Long, Jr. | LB/ | 115/3rd Round | Long was nicked for his size and lack of length. He was also unable to complete a full workout until late in the process. The Big 12 Defensive Player of the Year routinely attacks the action and consistently trusts what he sees in front of him. He will have to shine on special teams to earn a roster spot. |
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