OTAs and minicamp are over, and we are now in the dark period of the NFL calendar before training camp. The 2019 NFL Draft has come and gone, and now it’s time to get in to the picks. I dig in to the selections and analyze if the team made the right picks, addressed their needs, ignored their needs, reached for a player, etc. I get in to all that and much more in this series. Let’s continue with the NFC West.
Arizona Cardinals
Selections: Round 1: QB Kyler Murray; Round 2: CB Byron Murphy, WR Andy Isabella; Round 3: DE Zach Allen; Round 4: WR Hakeem Butler; Round 5: Deionte Thompson; Round 6: WR KeeSean Johnson, C Lamont Gaillard; Round 7: OT Joshua Miles, DE Michael Dogbe, TE Caleb Wilson (Mr. Irrelevant)
Analysis: The Arizona Cardinals have taken a plunge since their playoff run in 2015, and have been trying to get back ever since. After finishing with the worst record in the league under now former head coach Steve Wilks, the Cardinals ended up with the first selection in the draft. Holding the first overall pick, the Cardinals had a huge decision to make for the future of the franchise, take Kyler Murray under new head coach Kliff Kingsbury’s desires and give up on Josh Rosen, or pass on Murray, take a top defensive player, and keep Rosen as the franchise quarterback. The went with the former, and had what may have been my favorite draft of 2019.
As I just mentioned, Kyler Murray was selected first overall, and will pair with new head coach Kliff Kingsbury, a young offensive innovator, to create something the NFL has not seen. Murray is an incredible athlete who can make any throw, but the knock on him was his height and whether he’ll survive in the NFL. That remains to be seen, but Cards fans should be excited about this kid. This offense is hoping to be very explosive with their established veterans in Larry Fitzgerald and David Johnson and their several new weapons, including three new receivers in the draft.
After taking Kyler Murray, the question surrounding the draft from that point was what was going to happen to Josh Rosen. He was eventually traded to the Dolphins for a second round pick, and with that pick they got a speedy playmaker in Andy Isabella. Running a stunning 4.31s 40-time, Isabella can run all the routes and can play in the slot and run deep on the outside, not to mention return punts. He’ll be a nice tool for Kingsbury and will allow him to grow with Murray.
Isabella wasn’t the only receiver taken, as the Cardinals led off the third day of the draft with Hakeem Butler. Projected as a second-rounder, they got an absolute steal with him in the fourth round, and figures to be the big red zone jump ball threat to compliment Fitzgerald, Isabella, Christian Kirk, and the other rookie receiver, sixth rounder KeeSean Johnson.
On the defensive side of the ball, the Cardinals got possibly the best corner in the draft with Byron Murphy to lead off the second day of the draft. There was really no consensus top corner in the draft, but Murphy was definitely up there, and eventually became the second corner taken in the draft. The Cardinals have struggled for years now to find a capable starting corner opposite perennial All-Pro Patrick Peterson, and they believe they finally addressed the issue. Now with Peterson suspended six games, Murphy will need to step up and prove himself in P2’s absence, and will pair alongside former Falcon Robert Alford in the starting lineup.
Some other notable defensive selections are third-round pass rusher Zach Allen and fifth-round safety Deionte Thompson. The team signed former Raven Terrell Suggs to come off the edge alongside Chandler Jones, but they need a young rusher to groom after losing Markus Golden in free agency, and that’s where Allen will come in. Thompson is an interesting prospect out of Alabama. Projected as a third-rounder, Thompson is your prototypical free safety and will likely start out as a backup to D.J. Swearinger, but be ready for this guy to take the starting job as soon as he can because this guy is a raw ball-hawking playmaker, and he and Budda Baker could be the future of this secondary.
Conclusion: This was one of, if not my favorite draft of 2019. They got their new quarterback, a ton of new offensive weapons, and difference makers on defense. What was one of the worst receiving cores in the NFL last year, actually may not have enough room for all the talent they’ve acquired this offseason. Atop the depth chart is Larry Fitz and Christian Kirk, followed by the three rookies. Let’s not forget they brought in former Bears top 10 pick Kevin White along with former Rams returnman Pharoh Cooper and 2017 third-rounder Chad Williams. I thought they should have addressed the offensive line better in the draft, as they had one of the worst and injury-riddle lines in 2018. I was curious to see what they were going to do atop of the second round, with guys like Jawaan Taylor and Cody Ford still available, but they went with another position of need at cornerback.
With all the new acquisitions, via free agency and the draft, expect the Cardinals to turn it around in 2018. It’s a new era in Arizona, and it’s something the NFL may not be ready for. Kingsbury is an offensive innovator and plans to use Kyler Murray in a unique way. Although fans may not be prepared for what’s in store, it should be very exciting, I know I am, and may actually make the Cardinals an exciting team to watch again.
Los Angeles Rams
Selections: Round 2: S Taylor Rapp; Round 3: RB Darrell Henderson, CB David Long, OT Bobby Evans; Round 4: DT Greg Gaines; Round 5: OT David Edwards; Round 7: S Nick Scott, LB Dakota Allen
Analysis: The Rams have not had a first round pick since 2016, as they’ve been very active in the trade market in order to build a championship roster of veterans. They came so close last year, coming up just short of a ring. With their starters almost set, they turned to the draft in order to rebuild and replenish the back end of the roster.
After trading back three times, the Rams finally made a selection at 61st overall with safety Taylor Rapp. Rapp is a versatile do-it-all type of safety, similar to Minnesota’s Harrison Smith, and figures to be the team’s third safety behind veteran Eric Weddle and John Johnson.
With their next pick, the Rams got some much needed depth at running back with Darrell Henderson in the third round. The story at the end of last season and in to the playoffs was the health of star running back Todd Gurley. He has since been diagnosed with arthritis in his knee, so the Rams know they have to limit his workload to protect their franchise player. Henderson is a speedy scat back who’s a big play threat. He’s a bit smaller than normal backs, so that makes his a perfect complimentary player and will spell Gurley throughout the duration of games.
Conclusion: The Rams draft itself was one of the most boring, but it addressed some issues on the back end of the roster. Their starters are among the elite, but the depth behind them was one of the worst, and was exposed when guys went down with injury. I’m a bit surprised they traded out of the first round, as their biggest need in my opinion was offensive line. They lost guard Rodger Saffold and center John Sullivan, and their projected replacements are last year’s top two draft picks Joseph Noteboom (third round) and Brian Allen (fourth round). They must believe in those guys as starters, otherwise they would’ve stayed pat in the first round. Other than that, their starters are basically set, mainly with free agent and trade acquisitions and only a few homegrown talents. You could say general manager Les Snead is better on the open market than in the draft, but that’s just my observation.
After falling just short of a title, the Rams had to work to build up their roster depth. They got a future starting safety, a complimentary running back, and several backup players throughout the roster. Their issue last year was their depth, and this draft was focused primarily on building that depth. With most of their starting roster returning from a year ago, the NFC West crown is the Rams to lose.
San Francisco 49ers
Selections: Round 1: DE Nick Bosa; Round 2: WR Deebo Samuel; Round 3: WR Jalen Hurd; Round 4: P Mitch Wishnowsky; Round 5: LB Dre Greenlaw; Round 6: TE Kaden Smith, OT Justin Skule, CB Tim Harris
Analysis: After what was hyped up to be a great season for the 49ers, was the exact opposite in 2018, finishing 4-12 and ending up with the second pick of the draft. They made several big moves in free agency and a strong draft to follow it up. They got some new starters on both sides of the ball, and got some real exciting players.
Holding the second overall pick, the 49ers were in perfect position to take a top defensive player in the draft, and they likely got the best one in pass rusher Nick Bosa. The brother of Joey, Bosa is a one-man wrecking crew and joins a defensive line littered with first round picks in Arik Armstead (2015), DeForest Buckner (2016), and Solomon Thomas (2017). Only Buckner has lived up to that billing, and there should be no reason this isn’t one of the best lines in football.
With their next two picks, in the second and third rounds, the 49ers double-dipped on wide receivers in Deebo Samuel and Jalen Hurd. Samuel is a shorter, compact, more powerful receiver who is an excellent returner and has a running back mentality with the ball in his hands. Hurd is a former running back who is 6′-5″ with excellent jump ball skills and has rare speed for his size. They both will compliment Dante Pettis and Marquise Goodwin with Trent Taylor in the slot to form a well-rounded diverse receiving core.
Conclusion: The hype surrounding the 49ers last year was deserving, but fell drastically short of expectations, largely due to the loss of Jimmy Garoppolo. Well he’s healthy now with a whole new receiving core, headlined by All-Pro tight end George Kittle. With a revamped receiving core with rookies Samuel and Hurd, along with a nice collection of running backs in Matt Breida, Tevin Coleman, and Jerick McKinnon, the 49ers should have a bounce back offense in 2019.
The defense has the tools to be good, starting up front with their heavily-invested defensive line of homegrown talent and former Chief Dee Ford. The linebacking group is improved with former Buc Kwon Alexander with Fred Warner, Malcolm Smith, and fifth-rounder Dre Greenlaw. They have one of the youngest secondaries in the NFL that only produced just two interceptions in 2018 as a team, headlined by veteran Richard Sherman at cornerback with former Charger Jason Verrett, Ahkello Witherspoon, and K’Waun Williams. That group along with safeties Adrian Colbert, Jimmie Ward, and Jaquiski Tartt need to improve under their veteran leadership to give the line up front time to get to the quarterback.
The 49ers may still be a ways away from their expectations set at the end of 2017, but they are definitely on the right track. The combination of head coach Kyle Shanahan and GM John Lynch is on its way, but if they don’t start seeing results soon, it could be kudos to one if not both of them.
Seattle Seahawks
Selections: Round 1: DE L.J. Collier; Round 2: S Marquise Blair, WR D.K. Metcalf; Round 3: LB Cody Barton; Round 4: WR Gary Jennings Jr., G Phil Haynes, S Ugo Amadi; Round 5: LB Ben Burr-Kirven; Round 6: RB Travis Homer, DT Demarcus Christmas; Round 7: WR John Ursua
Analysis: The Seahawks went in to the 2019 draft with just five selections, including two first rounders, and ended up making 11 selections, now that’s what I call moving around and manipulating the draft board. This Seahawks roster looks drastically different than their championship roster a few years ago, with several franchise players off the team and new young up-and-comers taking their place as the future. The Seahawks have always been great drafters, finding gems in the late rounds while making smart selections in the early rounds. They continued that trend in 2019, getting both starters and depth players at critical positions of need.
After acquiring a second first-round pick after trading Frank Clark to the Chiefs, they traded back twice in the first round, acquiring an additional four picks, then trading some of those picks to get more picks, so on and so forth. Anyway, after making all those trades, the Seahawks selected defensive end L.J. Collier with the 29th pick. To be honest, I didn’t really hear much about Collier before the draft, but pass rush was one of their top needs after trading Clark, and Collier provides that. He’s a shorter power rusher who lacks athleticism, but will earn a starting role with little to no one in front of him. Originally holding the 21st pick before trading back with the Packers, the Seahawks could’ve gotten Montez Sweat, who went 26th to the Redskins. That would’ve been my pick if I was them, but there’s a reason why they get paid the big bucks while I just sit on my couch and blog.
Also on the defensive side of the ball in the secondary, the Seahawks drafted safeties Marquise Blair and Ugo Amadi. The Seahawks were once known for their elite secondary, but all members of the Legion of Boom are gone, so now the next wave of Seahawk defensive backs are ready to step up. With only a few starters set, spots on the depth chart are up for grabs, and these rookies will have a chance to earn playing time.
Let’s also not forget the other unit on defense, because the Seahawks certainly didn’t with the selections of linebackers Cody Barton and Ben Burr-Kirven. The Seahawks have the best linebacker in the NFL in Bobby Wagner, but need young depth behind him besides veterans K.J. Wright and Barkevious Mingo. Both rookies have similar play styles as instinctual tackling machines who lack in size. They’ll likely start out as special teams players who will carve out rotational roles on defense.
Now to the offensive side with one of the most exciting players from the combine in D.K. Metcalf. After Metcalf ran a 4.33 40-time, many believed he could be a top 10 pick as the draft’s first receiver off the board. However his stock dropped due to his college injury history and his lack in change of direction and can really only run in a straight line, albeit at elite speed. Following the retirement of Doug Baldwin, the Seahawks really needed some new pass catchers for Russell Wilson behind Tyler Lockett. Metcalf will join fourth-rounder Gary Jennings in that group.
Conclusion: This isn’t the Seahawks of old anymore. They’re young and talented under veteran leadership, and should remain threats in the NFC. Their offense is built around their ground game with Chris Carson and Rashaad Penny and the mobility of Russell Wilson. The speed of Lockett and Metcalf will be able to stretch the field, however they will miss the slot play of Baldwin, and the other receivers on the roster aren’t the greatest, so that aforementioned ground game will be heavily relied upon.
The defense is young and rebuilding, with Wagner as the leader. The line, which was once one of the best, is now a weak spot on the team. No longer does the team have Frank Clark, Michael Bennett, and Cliff Avril, now they’re stuck with Collier, Cassius Marsh, and an oft-injured former Lion in Ziggy Ansah. The interior is even worse now that they’re without Jarran Reed for six games due to suspension, so the starters are Poona Ford and Earl Mitchell, not great. Their secondary is young and talented with Shaquill Griffin and Tre Flowers at corner with safeties Bradley McDougald, Tedric Thompson, and Delano Hill.
The Seahawks are in a bit of rebuild right now, but their strong coaching staff and veteran leadership are keeping them afloat and remain a playoff team. This ain’t your grandpappy’s Seattle Seahawks anymore, they’re young and hungry and ready to take back the NFC West crown.
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