Pickin’ Bolts: NFL Draft Review – Two-Sentence Reviews for Every Team

My two-sentence draft summary for every team:

AFC

Baltimore Ravens: The Ravens were all set to draft Laremy Tunsil but passed on him and settled on Ronnie Stanley (OT) because of the pot-smoking video that emerged on Twitter as the draft began. After that Ozzie Newsome and company resumed their demonstration of how to kill it on draft day by getting talent at value slots: Kamalei Correa (OLB) in the 2^nd, Bronson Kaufusi (DE/DT) in the 3^rd, Kenny Dixon (RB) in the 4^th, Matt Judon (OLB) in the 5^th, and Keenan Reynolds (WR/RB) in the 6^th.

Buffalo Bills: You gotta love a defensive minded coach being handed shiny new toys to play with; Shaq Lawson (DE/OLB), Reggie Ragland (ILB), and Adolphus Washington (DT/DE). But I can’t help but wonder if Cardale Jones wishes he was elsewhere; name the last successful QB that developed under Rex Ryan.

Cincinnati Bengals: The Bengals had a solid if unspectacular draft by doing what they always do, draft a 1^st round CB, William Jackson III. And they addressed WR in the 2^nd with Tyler Boyd and got some DL and OL value by drafting Andrew Billings (DT) in the 4^th and Christian Westerman (G) in the 5^th.

Cleveland Browns: After multiple trades, the Browns ended up with 13 picks. And it looks like they ended up with several potential starters: Cory Coleman (WR) in the 1^st, Emmanuel Ogbah (DE) in the 2^nd, Carl Nassib (DE) and Shon Coleman (OT) in the 3^rd, Spencer Drango (G) and Rashard Higgins (WR) in the 5^th, and Scooby Wright III in the 7^th.

Denver Broncos: Most experts laud the Broncos’ pick of Paxton Lynch, and I think it was the right pick, but no one knows if he’ll actually develop into the frontline starter they need him to. The rest of their draft – Adam Gotsis (DT/DE), Juston Simmons (S), Devontae Booker (RB), etc. – was quite solid.

Houston Texans: A lot of people love the first round Will Fuller (WR) pick but I cringe any time a supposed top WR has issues actually catching the ball. The rest of the draft; Nick Martin (C), Braxton Miller (WR), Tyler Ervin (RB), K.J, Dillon (S), and D.J. Reader (NT) was very solid.

Indianapolis Colts: Colts GM Ryan Grigson has talked about the need to protect Andrew Luck for years, this year he actually did something about it by drafting the best Center in the draft, Ryan Kelly, in the first round. He also grabbed T.J. Green (S), La’Raven Clark (OT), Hassan Ridgeway (DT/NT), Antonio Morrison (LB), Joe Haeg (OT) and a couple of others.

Jacksonville Jaguars: The Jags are generally regarded as having the best draft, but what they really got was the highest upside draft by getting two top-five players in Jalen Ramsey (CB/S) and Myles Jack (LB/S). They also Yannick Ngakoue (OLB/DE), Sheldon Day (DT), and Tyrone Holmes (OLB/DE) to further bolster their defense.

Kansas City Chiefs: The Chiefs had a very unflashy draft starting with Chris Jones (DT/DE) who should have been a 1^st round pick. They added more quality and depth with KeiVarae Russell (CB), Parker Ehinger (G) and Demarcus Robinson (WR).

Miami Dolphins: The Dolphins drafted arguably the best talent in the entire draft, Laremy Tunsil (LT), after a video of him smoking pot emerged just as the draft begun causing him to slide to 13. The rest of their draft was okay but not exactly impressive.

New England Patriots: Despite picking at the end of the rounds and not having a first round pick, Bill Belichick and company still drafted a bunch of guys – Cyrus Jones (CB), Joe Thuney (OT/G), Malcolm Mitchell (WR), etc. – that will have other teams wondering why they passed on them. Lots of contributors.

New York Jets: Fans and media types will rate a draft almost exclusively on the first three picks. I liked the Jets 3^rd, 4^th, and 5^th round picks – Jordan Jenkins (OLB/DE), Juston Burris (CB), and Brandon Shell (OT/G) more than I did their 1^st and 2^nd round picks, Darron Lee (LB) and Christian Hackenberg (QB). Hackenberg, in particular, seems like a wasted pick – they needed a QB – but that one?

Oakland Raiders: Most experts didn’t love Oakland’s draft thinking they reached on Karl Joseph (S), but he was the best true safety in the draft. Interestingly, if Shilique Calhoun (DE/OLB) and Jihad Ward (DE/DT) would have been drafted in each other’s draft slots, fewer experts would have complained – all in all another solid draft by Reggie McKenzie.

Pittsburgh Steelers: The Steelers drafted Artie Burns Jr. (CB) (whose story is both tragic and inspiring) in the 1^st, which may have been a slight reach but he’s athletic and ideally sized. After that Pittsburgh really just drafted a bunch of guys, though 3^rd round pick, Javon Hargrave (DT/DE) may turn out to be a gem.

San Diego Chargers: if the draft had taken place the day after the college football season ended Joey Bosa (DE) would have been the consensus #1 player on peoples’ boards. The Chargers got the best DE, the best TE in Hunter Henry, the best punter in Drew Kaser as well as two solid linebackers (Joshua Perry and Jatavis Brown); a very solid draft.

Tennessee Titans: Trading the #1 overall pick to Los Angeles left the Titans with six early picks and they added quality players in Jack Conklin (OT), Kevin Dodd (DE), Austin Johnson (DT), and Derrick Henry (RB). The rest of their draft wasn’t as impressive though I do really like Sebastian Tretola (G).

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Peter Friberg

Believer, husband, father, friend, football fan, car nut…