It’s the most wonderful time of the year: NFL Draft season. One of my favorite exercises is pairing every team with a perfect prospect in this year's draft based on fit & need. We’re excluding obvious first rounders, Trevor Lawrence would be perfect for every team basically.
AFC EAST
Buffalo Bills: Camryn Bynum, Cornerback (California)
Buffalo has a good secondary, but not to the point where they shouldn’t try and add playmakers at cornerback. Bynum is a scheme versatile man cornerback who could fit well alongside stud corner Tre’Davious White. Adding Bynum in the middle rounds to an already good secondary would be the perfect move for a team trying to get past Kansas City in the AFC.
Miami Dolphins: James Hudson, Offensive Tackle (Cincinnati)
Hudson is an athletic tackle prospect who excelled at Cincinnati, but is still a bit raw in terms of technical aspects of tackle. Miami needs to improve the offensive line immediately to give Tua a better chance to develop in 2021. Even if the Dolphins draft Oregon tackle Penei Sewell with their first pick, Hudson is someone they can get in the third/fourth round who could contribute as a rookie. He’ll be able to play left tackle in the NFL, but as a rookie can start at right tackle or guard while he’s still developing.
New England Patriots: Kenny Yeboah, Tight End (Ole Miss)
The Patriots desperately need someone who can catch the ball; they have the worst receiving corps in the league. Yeboah is a freaky athletic tight end who the Patriots can most likely snag on day three, allowing them to address wide receiver early. They did draft two tight ends in last year's draft, but Yeboah’s athleticism can create nightmare matchup scenarios for opposing defenses.
New York Jets: Kylin Hill, Running Back (Mississippi State)
The Jets are desperate for playmakers on offense. They could draft Travis Etienne from Clemson or Najee Harris from Alabama in the first round, but why not draft Kylin Hill in the fifth instead? Playing in Mike Leach’s air raid offense he just spent a whole year in pass protection and catching passes out of the backfield. He hits holes quickly and has a great combination of speed and burst that can turn every run into an explosive play. He’s one of the most creative players in space in the draft at any position, and can be an every down back in the NFL.
AFC SOUTH
Houston Texans: Hamsah Nasirildeen, Safety (Florida State)
Every position can qualify as a need for Houston, they just need to get as many playmakers at important positions as they can and try to develop them. Nasirildeen mostly lined up at safety, but can play in the slot as well. He’s physical, instinctive, and his versatility would allow Houston to find roles for him early while he’s developing.
Indianapolis Colts: Nico Collins, Receiver (Michigan)
The Colts are in the “accumulate weapons” phase for new quarterback Carson Wentz. T.Y. Hilton (who’s first name is Eugene apparently) will turn thirty-two this season, so at most only has a few more years of being a true number one receiver. Collins is a smooth receiver who can beat man coverage, create separation in the middle of the field, and win downfield. He opted out of the 2020 season, but had a solid week in the Senior Bowl despite not having seen live action for about a year and a half. Along with Hilton and Michael Pittman Jr, Collins would give the Colts a truly deep receiving corps.
Jacksonville Jaguars: Divine Deablo, Safety (Virginia Tech)
Deablo lined up all over the field at Virginia Tech. A lot of times he acted as a strong safety/weakside linebacker hybrid; but he also lined up single high or in press coverage in the slot. He’s a physical tackler who can get off blocks, and has the ball skills to be more than simply a box safety in the NFL. Jacksonville needs to revamp their defensive backfield (really their whole team) and a player like Deablo who can cover, create turnovers, and tackle can make an impact as a rookie.
Tennessee Titans: Larry Borom, Offensive Tackle (Missouri)
Boron is an athletic tackle who can get to the second level quickly. He played right tackle at Missouri, but is athletic enough to play anywhere along the offensive line. The Titans tried to address the offensive line in the first round last year with Isaiah Wilson from Georgia, but that’s not working out like they hoped. Borom is a high-ceiling prospect worth taking a mid-round swing on for a team that sees itself as a contender, like Tennessee.
AFC NORTH
Baltimore Ravens: Elijah Molden, Cornerback (Washington)
Molden is one of the most versatile defensive backs in the NFL this year. Baltimore has been the pioneer for “positionless defense” and adding Molden to an already loaded secondary would help them keep pace with the offensive firepower of Kansas City, Buffalo, and Pittsburgh in the AFC. I think Molden could play outside in the NFL, but realistically his best position is that slot/safety hybrid where he can be moved all over the field.
Cincinnati Bengals: Greg Newsome II, Cornerback (Northwestern)
Newsome II can go to a lot of teams and be a great fit, and I had him on about seven teams before ultimately deciding I want to see him go to the Bengals. I watched some of his games without having heard too much about the type of player he was, and was surprised at his blend of smoothness and physicality. He excels at press coverage, which is the most important trait for an NFL cornerback to have. There’s a chance that Newsome II won’t be available by the time the Bengals are drafting at the top of the second round, but if he is they should run the card up to take him.
Cleveland Browns: Chazz Surratt, Linebacker (North Carolina)
Surratt is the best blitzing linebacker in the draft this year. As recently as 2018 he was the starting quarterback for North Carolina, then moved to linebacker with the new coaching staff and current quarterback Sam Howell coming onto campus. In 2019 Surratt flashed, but it was obvious he was still learning the position. His improvement from 2019 to his 2020 season was remarkable, and points to continued improvement in the NFL as he continues to learn the position. He’s a gifted natural athlete, he almost ended up playing basketball as well at UNC before deciding to focus on football. Surratt could help Cleveland create more pressure, and has the athleticism to be a three-down linebacker in the NFL.
Pittsburgh Steelers: Kellen Mond, Quarterback (Texas A&M)
Ben Roethlisberger is realistically only going to play one more season. The Steelers aren’t drafting high enough to get one of the top-tier quarterbacks in the draft. Grabbing Mond in the third or fourth round allows them to take a shot on a quarterback who’s improved unbelievably during his time at Texas A&M, maybe the most improved player in the country over the last few years. Mond would get some time to develop, and the Steelers could address another need in the first round before maybe going quarterback in the first next year.
AFC WEST
Denver Broncos: Paulson Adebo, Cornerback (Stanford)
Adebo is a big, physical corner who can play in any NFL scheme. He can really jam receivers up at the line of scrimmage, and is fluid enough to shadow receivers once they’re into their route. Last year Denver went heavy on offensive weapons in the draft, and should have the same philosophy with the defensive backfield this year. Using the ninth overall pick on a corner like Caleb Fairley (Virginia Tech) or Patrick Surtain II (Alabama) and drafting Adebo in the third/fourth round would go miles (get it) in shoring up the back end of their defense.
Kansas City Chiefs: Cade Johnson, Receiver (South Dakota State)
It’d be easy for the Chiefs to skip on drafting a wide receiver this year considering the weapons they already have, butttacking a strength and adding a player like Johnson is exactly what they should do to maintain the most feared offense in the league. At SDSU Johnson played both outside and in the slot, can beat press coverage and make people miss with the ball in his hands. Spending a third/fourth round pick on a player like Johnson would add another inventive playmaker to Patrick Mahomes’ disposal, and he could see the field right away.
Las Vegas Raiders: Cameron Sample, Edge (Tulane)
Sample is a strong edge defender who can play multiple spots along the defensive line. New Raiders defensive coordinator Gus Bradley is bringing the Seahawk’s cover three scheme to Las Vegas. In order for that scheme to work, you need a powerful defensive line who can consistently create pressure with four. Sample is a mid-round prospect who played well at Tulane and had a great week at the Senior Bowl. He can play on the edge and kick inside on passing downs so he never has to leave the field. The Raiders really need to boost the defensive line, and high-upside players like Sample are exactly who they need to target.
Los Angeles Chargers: Dyami Brown, Receiver (North Carolina)
Keenan Allen is an elite route runner & true number one receiver, but the rest of the Chargers receiving corps doesn’t excite me. Dyami Brown is a deep threat in every sense of the word that the Chargers can get on day two of the draft. Brown has a sixth sense for how to use body leverage to get in the defenders blind spot and create space going down the field. He’s a complete receiver who can run every route, but is the best true deep threat in the draft.
NFC EAST
Dallas Cowboys: Andre Cisco, Free Safety (Syracuse)
The Cowboys secondary is a mess, why they extended Zeke Elliot over Byron Jones is beyond me. Like Las Vegas, new defensive coordinator Dan Quinn is going to bring the Seahawk’s cover three scheme to Dallas, and it’s not going to work unless they have playmakers on the backend. Cisco is the best centerfield free safety in the draft, and someone the Cowboys can get in the second round.
New York Giants: Deonte Brown, Guard (Alabama)
Dave Gettleman has a type, more so than any general manager in the league. Gettleman likes to build from the inside out; and he believes in big, physical lineman who can dominate the line of scrimmage. Brown is a mammoth of a man, who was a big part of Alabama winning the award for best offensive line in the country. Interior offensive line has been an issue for the Giants, and Brown is a mid-round guy who could provide a cheap upgrade from the get-go.
Philadelphia Eagles: K.J. Britt, Linebacker (Auburn)
The Eagles had probably the worst linebacker corps in the league last season. Micah Parsons, the best linebacker prospect this year, will probably be available when the Eagles are drafting at sixth overall this year. They should use that pick to grab a receiver or corner, though, and attack linebackers later in the draft. Britt is an instinctive player who can play down hill, and sideline to sideline. He’s physical, sheds blocks well, and can cover well enough to stay on the field. Even with rookie growing pains, he’d be an immediate upgrade for the Eagles.
Washington: Jamie Newman, Quarterback (Wake Forest)
Washington isn’t in a position to get one of the top four quarterbacks without a massive trade into the top of the first round. Alabama quarterback Mac Jones will probably be on the board when Washington is picking in the first round, but Newman has an even higher upside and will likely be on the board until the third round. Newman can run but likes to keep his eyes downfield, unless it’s a designed quarterback run play. Newman won’t be forced into starting week one with Washington, but can develop into a quality NFL starter.
NFC South
Atlanta Falcons: Tylan Wallace, Receiver (Oklahoma State)
The Falcons are one of the few teams who have a true number one receiver (Julio Jones) as well as a true number two receiver (Calvin Ridley). They’re in a position where they’re not forced to typecast specific receiver roles, but rather they can just get the best available player and add them to the offense. Wallace is a threat to score anytime he touches the ball, and Oklahoma State gave him the ball all over the field. He routinely breaks tackles on receiver screens, bullies defensive backs who try and press him, and is a nuanced route runner with a great understanding of how to leverage defenders.
Carolina Panthers: Brevin Jordan, Tight End (Miami)
In the 2020 draft first year head coach Matt Rhule drafted exclusively defensive players. Carolina is also the team that is most likely to either pull off a trade for Deshaun Watson, or trade up for one of the top quarterbacks in this year’s class. Either way, Carolina might not have a ton of picks at their disposal and needs to ensure the picks they do have are worthwhile. I’m lower on Carolina’s overall receiving corps than basically everyone I read or talk to. No matter how highly you think of the guys they currently have, you can never stop trying to find offensive playmakers. Jordan is an ultra-athletic UCLA transfer who can develop into a real headache for opposing defenses. He needs to be a bit more consistent, but can become one of the better tight ends in the league for whoever is the future quarterback of the Panthers.
New Orleans Saints: James Wiggins, Safety (Cincinnati)
Wiggins played all over the field for Cincinnati. He played his best lined up as a cover two split safety, but also played in a single high role and as a box safety near the line of scrimmage. Current Saints Safety Marcus Williams is a free agent, and because of the Saint’s awful cap situation they almost certainly won’t be able to re-sign him. Wiggins is a cheap replacement at safety who the Saints can target with one of their third round picks (they currently have two). Wiggins also has return ability and can see the field on special teams as well. Finding versatile playmakers on cheap rookie contracts is the fastest way for New Orleans to get out of salary cap purgatory.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers: D’Wayne Eskridge, Receiver (Western Michigan)
Eskridge averaged 23.3 yards per reception this season, which is insane. For context, Devonta Smith averaged 16.8 yards per reception in probably the best season ever by a receiver. The biggest question for any player coming from a smaller school is how will they handle the jump in competition. Eskridge tore up the Senior Bowl before sitting out the last couple of days for precautionary reasons. Tampa has a good roster top to bottom, but needs to continue adding weapons on both sides of the ball.
NFC NORTH
Chicago Bears: Demetric Felton, Running Back/Receiver (UCLA)
Felton was a receiver in high school who played running back at UCLA, who will likely go back to receiver in the NFL. The Bears offense is at its best when head coach Matt Nagy is creative with his offensive personnel and creates mismatches. Felton can line up literally anywhere on the field and be a plus player. No matter what you think of the Bears quarterback situation, versatile playmakers can only help a team that ranked in the bottom third in offensive efficiency in 2020.
Detroit Lions: Daviyon Nixon, Defensive Tackle (Iowa)
The Lions were the hardest team to nail down a specific prospect for, I’ve never had to look for knee-cap eaters when watching college players before. If Lions head coach Dan Campbell and I are on the same page, Daviyon Nixon is Campbell’s man. Nixon is built like a freight train, and is maybe the highest-effort player I’ve watched in the draft this year. He can play multiple spots along the defensive line, and take on multiple blockers as well.
Green Bay Packers: Anthony Schwartz, Receiver (Auburn)
Schwartz played football and ran track at Auburn, and could be a professional in either sport. He actually set the youth world record for the 100m dash in high school (10.15 seconds). Heaven knows the Packers won’t draft a receiver in the first round, but they need to get more weapons for Aaron Rodgers. Schwartz is dangerous with the ball, and Auburn made getting him the ball in space a focus of their offense. He can stretch defenses both horizontally and vertically, and can help the Packers add another dimension to their offense next season.
Minnesota Vikings: Creed Humphrey, Center (Oklahoma)
The Vikings are most likely going to focus on both the offensive and defensive lines in the draft this year. Humphrey is an interior offensive line target they can most likely get in the third round while going after edge with their first round pick. Humphrey played well at the Senior Bowl and was a multi-year starter at Oklahoma. He’s probably my favorite interior offensive line prospect in the draft, and would be a steal in the third round.
NFC WEST
Arizona Cardinals: Benjamin St-Juste, Cornerback (Minnesota)
St-Juste is a massive cornerback (6’3”!) who played almost exclusively press coverage at Minnesota. He’s patient in coverage, and does a great job of finishing plays through the receiver creating a lot of pass break-ups. He also does a great job of not letting sweep plays get outside of him and forcing the ball back into the defense. Even if Patrick Peterson was staying, corner would be a position the Cardinals should be targeting. Especially since Peterson is most likely not returning the Cardinals should be drafting two or three defensive backs. St-Juste is someone they can get on day two who should be a quality NFL starter.
Los Angeles Rams: Dylan Moses, Linebacker (Alabama)
Moses did a little bit of everything at Alabama, and he does everything well. He has the speed and instincts to perform well in coverage, meaning he can stay on the field for all three downs. Playing in a division with Russell Wilson and Kyler Murray, it’s important to have closing speed all over the defense. Moses showed he can play downhill, and chase down players in open space. He’s a sound tackler, and there’s no obvious holes in his game. As of this writing the Rams have two third round picks, Moses would be a perfect fit at that spot.
San Francisco 49ers: Tre’ McKitty, Tight End (Georgia)
McKitty is the sixth round version of Florida tight end Kyle Pitts. McKitty’s production doesn’t match his athleticism or highlight tape, which is why he’ll likely be drafted lower than he should be. He can line up both in-line and as an H-back, is a smooth route runner, and is dynamic with the ball in his hands. 49ers head coach Kyle Shannahan is obsessed with players who can generate yards after the catch like McKitty. Having another quality tight end next to Kittle would allow the 49ers to keep two tight ends on the field, and line up with two in-line tight ends or go four wide without substituting, which would create matchup nightmares for defenses.
Seattle Seahawks: Trey Smith, Guard (Tennessee)
Quarterback Russell Wilson has publicly voiced that he’d really prefer to get hit a bit less often if possible. Unless the Seahawks trade up, their first pick in the draft isn’t until the 55th pick, so they’re not going to be able to get one of the top offensive tackle prospects in the draft. Smith is a guard who would fit in well with Seattle’s run-heavy/play action offensive style, and should be available when Seattle starts participating in the draft. Without a first round pick it’s critical to get players with a high floor you know can contribute, and Smith is a high-floor type of player who can be a solid NFL starter.
-By Jake Cowden
Photo: UCLA Football twitter