[h=3]Round 1
Offense[/h]
Brandin Cooks, WR, New Orleans Saints
The Saints moved up aggressively to get Cooks at No. 20, and I think that probably changed the plans of at least one other team. The Eagles would have taken Cooks if he had been there at No. 22, I believe, and they immediately moved down after he came off the board. (In fact, Green Bay at No. 21 was an option, too.)
With great respect to Marques Colston, Cooks immediately becomes the most talented and explosive wideout on the Saints. Lance Moore and Darren Sproles are gone, which removes 108 catches from last year's offense. Kenny Stills is around, and clearly Jimmy Graham will get his, but Cooks should catch 70-plus passes in this offense.
Eric Ebron, TE, Detroit Lions
Are there enough passes to go around? In Detroit, yes. Golden Tate has arrived, but Ebron will be on the field because he's essentially a needed third wide receiver and will be split out, where he could become the more enticing jump-ball option for Matthew Stafford.
With Calvin Johnson routinely bracketed or double-teamed in some form, Ebron could benefit. Stafford likes to let his guys go up and get it. Ebron will.
Ja'Wuan James, OT, Miami Dolphins
I'm not overstating this. Ryan Tannehill got sacked 58 times last year, so the Dolphins desperately needed a steady option at right tackle. That's exactly what they get here.
This isn't a sexy pick, but James is one of the most obvious draft-and-plug picks in the entire draft.
More:
• Sammy Watkins is an immediate starter, but his impact depends on some improvement at quarterback. His presence will help.
• Mike Evans could struggle a little early as he works on his route running, but the presence ofVincent Jackson should aid in matchups.
• Kelvin Benjamin seems like an obvious choice given the depth chart in Carolina, but he needs work as a route runner. Will he create space? At least his size advantage will lead to Cam Newton throwing his way.
ROUND 2-3
[h=3]Offense[/h]Marqise Lee and Allen Robinson, WR, Jacksonville Jaguars
Jaguars quarterbacks had a league-worst 45.4 Total QBR targeting wide receivers last year. Don't assume these two will be effective because they'll be catching passes from rookie QBBlake Bortles. I'd bet they're impactful because Chad Henne is getting them the ball. Although I wouldn't expect big numbers, what you can expect is that, on a depth chart that includes Cecil Shorts and Ace Sanders as the top options before the draft, these guys will both challenge to start early.
Joel Bitonio, OT/G, Cleveland Browns
It's not an accident that Cleveland went with Bitonio here even while WR was a clear need. Not only could he slide in at left guard and form what would be a fantastic left side next to Joe Thomas but the Browns also have some questions on the right side. Versatile Bitonio also could end up at right tackle or guard. The bottom line: He's going to make one of those positions better, and will play.
[+] Enlarge
Jace Amaro, TE, New York Jets
He's not your father's tight end: Ninety-seven of Amaro's 106 receptions came when he lined up in the slot or a wide receiver position last season. I expect him to be effective not because he'll start over Jeff Cumberland but because they can both be on the field at the same time, which could help Amaro find space.
Bishop Sankey, RB, Tennessee Titans
Last year, Shonn Greene carried the ball just 77 times for a 3.8-yard average. Sankey is clearly the more explosive option in Tennessee and is good as a pass-catcher out of the backfield (67 receptions at Washington). The Titans don't consider an RB in this range of the draft unless he's the immediate future.
Carlos Hyde, RB, San Francisco 49ers
Hyde might start the year behind Frank Gore on the depth chart, but he's the most explosive runner on that roster and will get his touches. Importantly, he can pass block.
More
• Jarvis Landry is going to become a favorite target for Ryan Tannehill in Miami, although Brian Hartline and Mike Wallace will get their share, so the impact could be later.
• I'd be surprised if Weston Richburg isn't the starter at center (over J.D. Walton) or in a guard slot in Week 1 for the Giants.
• Xavier Su'a-Filo doesn't go at No. 33 unless the Texans are looking to become more physical in the run game right away. I expect him to start.
• Brandon Linder should start right away in Jacksonville. Offensive coordinator Jedd Fisch knows him from Miami, and they had a big need at guard.
• Morgan Moses has real flaws in his game, but the Redskins have no decent option at right tackle and could go to Moses early.
• Jordan Matthews and Josh Huff will both see action for the Eagles, and I expect Matthews to have the bigger early impact, although the targets can be spread around in Chip Kelly's system.
• Jack Mewhort will be needed, but also will be converting inside for Indianapolis.
ROUNDS 4-7
[h=3]Defense[/h]Bashaud Breeland, CB, Washington
The Redskins had coverage and tackling issues in the secondary last year. Breeland has the talent profile of a much higher pick, but he opted to leave school early. He's the kind of player who, given what else they have, could look a lot more competitive against the vets than most rookies in camp.
Brock Vereen, S, Chicago
All you need to know about the Bears' safety situation is that they allowed a completion percentage of 55.3 percent on throws of 15-plus yards downfield last season. The Raiders were next closest at 49.3 percent. No job is safe at safety in Chicago.
Carl Bradford, LB, Green Bay
The Packers had the third-lowest pressure rate in the NFL last season (22.5 percent), and Bradford is a high-effort outside linebacker. I think he could move around some, but if he shows he can get after it as a rusher, he has a chance to play.
Nevin Lawson, CB, Detroit
The Lions needed to add talent to the secondary at both corner and safety, and Lawson is the only player they drafted at either position. Lawson is slight but strong and has the versatility to get on the field early.
Telvin Smith (LB) and Chris Smith (DE), Jacksonville
An undersized weakside linebacker, Telvin Smith plays at under 220 pounds and is something of a poor man's Lavonte David. But linebackers who can run are in vogue, and Smith can chase and make plays. Chris Smith can be overmatched against good tackles (hide the Auburn tape from 2013), but he provides rotational depth in a weak area on this team. They need pass-rushers.
More
• Walt Aikens has a chance to help out in Miami. He has good size and athleticism for a CB drafted in Round 4. I thought he could have gone earlier.
• Aaron Colvin is an early-Round 2 talent available in Round 4 because of an ACL injury at the Senior Bowl. I wouldn't count him out for later in the season in Jacksonville.
• Lamin Barrow has a chance to break through what is a pretty so-so interior linebacker depth chart in Denver.
• Safeties on the current Dallas roster: Barry Church, J.J. Wilcox, Jeff Heath, Matt Johnson andJakar Hamilton. I'd say Ahmad Dixon has a shot, even as a late seventh-rounder.
• The Falcons need pass-rush help, and I don't think they would have drafted Prince Shembowhere they did if they don't think he can help relatively soon.
• Ed Reynolds could have gone a few rounds higher had he stayed at Stanford for another year. But his talent and instincts against the pass could get him on the field in Philadelphia early in his career.
Offense[/h]
Brandin Cooks, WR, New Orleans Saints
The Saints moved up aggressively to get Cooks at No. 20, and I think that probably changed the plans of at least one other team. The Eagles would have taken Cooks if he had been there at No. 22, I believe, and they immediately moved down after he came off the board. (In fact, Green Bay at No. 21 was an option, too.)
With great respect to Marques Colston, Cooks immediately becomes the most talented and explosive wideout on the Saints. Lance Moore and Darren Sproles are gone, which removes 108 catches from last year's offense. Kenny Stills is around, and clearly Jimmy Graham will get his, but Cooks should catch 70-plus passes in this offense.
Eric Ebron, TE, Detroit Lions
Are there enough passes to go around? In Detroit, yes. Golden Tate has arrived, but Ebron will be on the field because he's essentially a needed third wide receiver and will be split out, where he could become the more enticing jump-ball option for Matthew Stafford.
With Calvin Johnson routinely bracketed or double-teamed in some form, Ebron could benefit. Stafford likes to let his guys go up and get it. Ebron will.
Ja'Wuan James, OT, Miami Dolphins
I'm not overstating this. Ryan Tannehill got sacked 58 times last year, so the Dolphins desperately needed a steady option at right tackle. That's exactly what they get here.
This isn't a sexy pick, but James is one of the most obvious draft-and-plug picks in the entire draft.
More:
• Sammy Watkins is an immediate starter, but his impact depends on some improvement at quarterback. His presence will help.
• Mike Evans could struggle a little early as he works on his route running, but the presence ofVincent Jackson should aid in matchups.
• Kelvin Benjamin seems like an obvious choice given the depth chart in Carolina, but he needs work as a route runner. Will he create space? At least his size advantage will lead to Cam Newton throwing his way.
ROUND 2-3
[h=3]Offense[/h]Marqise Lee and Allen Robinson, WR, Jacksonville Jaguars
Jaguars quarterbacks had a league-worst 45.4 Total QBR targeting wide receivers last year. Don't assume these two will be effective because they'll be catching passes from rookie QBBlake Bortles. I'd bet they're impactful because Chad Henne is getting them the ball. Although I wouldn't expect big numbers, what you can expect is that, on a depth chart that includes Cecil Shorts and Ace Sanders as the top options before the draft, these guys will both challenge to start early.
Joel Bitonio, OT/G, Cleveland Browns
It's not an accident that Cleveland went with Bitonio here even while WR was a clear need. Not only could he slide in at left guard and form what would be a fantastic left side next to Joe Thomas but the Browns also have some questions on the right side. Versatile Bitonio also could end up at right tackle or guard. The bottom line: He's going to make one of those positions better, and will play.
[+] Enlarge
Jace Amaro, TE, New York Jets
He's not your father's tight end: Ninety-seven of Amaro's 106 receptions came when he lined up in the slot or a wide receiver position last season. I expect him to be effective not because he'll start over Jeff Cumberland but because they can both be on the field at the same time, which could help Amaro find space.
Bishop Sankey, RB, Tennessee Titans
Last year, Shonn Greene carried the ball just 77 times for a 3.8-yard average. Sankey is clearly the more explosive option in Tennessee and is good as a pass-catcher out of the backfield (67 receptions at Washington). The Titans don't consider an RB in this range of the draft unless he's the immediate future.
Carlos Hyde, RB, San Francisco 49ers
Hyde might start the year behind Frank Gore on the depth chart, but he's the most explosive runner on that roster and will get his touches. Importantly, he can pass block.
More
• Jarvis Landry is going to become a favorite target for Ryan Tannehill in Miami, although Brian Hartline and Mike Wallace will get their share, so the impact could be later.
• I'd be surprised if Weston Richburg isn't the starter at center (over J.D. Walton) or in a guard slot in Week 1 for the Giants.
• Xavier Su'a-Filo doesn't go at No. 33 unless the Texans are looking to become more physical in the run game right away. I expect him to start.
• Brandon Linder should start right away in Jacksonville. Offensive coordinator Jedd Fisch knows him from Miami, and they had a big need at guard.
• Morgan Moses has real flaws in his game, but the Redskins have no decent option at right tackle and could go to Moses early.
• Jordan Matthews and Josh Huff will both see action for the Eagles, and I expect Matthews to have the bigger early impact, although the targets can be spread around in Chip Kelly's system.
• Jack Mewhort will be needed, but also will be converting inside for Indianapolis.
ROUNDS 4-7
[h=3]Defense[/h]Bashaud Breeland, CB, Washington
The Redskins had coverage and tackling issues in the secondary last year. Breeland has the talent profile of a much higher pick, but he opted to leave school early. He's the kind of player who, given what else they have, could look a lot more competitive against the vets than most rookies in camp.
Brock Vereen, S, Chicago
All you need to know about the Bears' safety situation is that they allowed a completion percentage of 55.3 percent on throws of 15-plus yards downfield last season. The Raiders were next closest at 49.3 percent. No job is safe at safety in Chicago.
Carl Bradford, LB, Green Bay
The Packers had the third-lowest pressure rate in the NFL last season (22.5 percent), and Bradford is a high-effort outside linebacker. I think he could move around some, but if he shows he can get after it as a rusher, he has a chance to play.
Nevin Lawson, CB, Detroit
The Lions needed to add talent to the secondary at both corner and safety, and Lawson is the only player they drafted at either position. Lawson is slight but strong and has the versatility to get on the field early.
Telvin Smith (LB) and Chris Smith (DE), Jacksonville
An undersized weakside linebacker, Telvin Smith plays at under 220 pounds and is something of a poor man's Lavonte David. But linebackers who can run are in vogue, and Smith can chase and make plays. Chris Smith can be overmatched against good tackles (hide the Auburn tape from 2013), but he provides rotational depth in a weak area on this team. They need pass-rushers.
More
• Walt Aikens has a chance to help out in Miami. He has good size and athleticism for a CB drafted in Round 4. I thought he could have gone earlier.
• Aaron Colvin is an early-Round 2 talent available in Round 4 because of an ACL injury at the Senior Bowl. I wouldn't count him out for later in the season in Jacksonville.
• Lamin Barrow has a chance to break through what is a pretty so-so interior linebacker depth chart in Denver.
• Safeties on the current Dallas roster: Barry Church, J.J. Wilcox, Jeff Heath, Matt Johnson andJakar Hamilton. I'd say Ahmad Dixon has a shot, even as a late seventh-rounder.
• The Falcons need pass-rush help, and I don't think they would have drafted Prince Shembowhere they did if they don't think he can help relatively soon.
• Ed Reynolds could have gone a few rounds higher had he stayed at Stanford for another year. But his talent and instincts against the pass could get him on the field in Philadelphia early in his career.
