All the good picks that have been made and all the money that has been shelled out but there remain dire needs at a host of positions for the Purple. If you're reading this, you probably know what they are already but just for review - Cornerback, Offensive Line, Safety and Defensive Line are all much thinner than they should be right now. With the trade of Diggs, wide receiver also joins the fray but I would rather them spray & pray in the later rounds than use one of the top picks on a pass-catcher
So with the four positions jockeying for top need, they will be able to sit back and still have a great chance to pick the "best" player on the board while addressing a need with both of their first-round picks. Cornerback & Offensive Line should remain the prohibitive favorites but I expect all four will be addressed by the end of day 2.
I don't spin my wheels trying to project trades but a move down in the first round would not shock me either. They'll want to keep the fifth-year option but to add another late-round pick I would not be surprised if they move into the 30s with one of their first-day choices.
As a refresher, here are all the choices they have 1 month from the event:
Round 1 (No. 22) from Buffalo
Round 1 (No. 25)
Round 2 (No. 58)
Round 3 (No. 89)
Round 3 (No. 105) comp.
Round 4 (No. 132)
Round 5 (No. 155) from Buffalo
Round 6 (No. 201) from Buffalo
Round 6 (No. 205)
Round 7 (No. 219)
Round 7 (No. 249) comp.
Round 7 (No. 253) comp.
So with CB & OL getting called first, 58 would still have plenty of intrigues. The dream scenario would be finding a second Danielle but the odds of hitting on another guy that has a chance to finish as one of the best ever is low. They did it once so it's possible but even for mock talk, want to be somewhat realistic. As for a name, Alabama's Terrell Lewis may be in the play around the time the Purple go on the clock.
Which leaves the Safety position. Considering the tenuous situation with Anthony Harris, the team would be wise to look for a long-term option that could slide in next to Smith as soon as this year or next season. That may be why the position is addressed earlier but the economics of the situation could be a reason why it gets delayed. For my purposes, Ashtyn Davis out of Cal is a name to watch for in the third round.
But there is still the compensatory pick before day-two concludes. Quarterback. Kirk Cousins has been a model of health during his pro-career but that could change on any given play. So, with the free-roll of the dice, trying to make some magic happen is appealing. Both Jalen Hurts and James Morgan are estimated to have third-round ceilings so maybe they could be acquired on day three but it's a free-roll. The team should take the swing and feel good about it. Considering that they have two very different skill-sets, Hurts would be more a wrinkle for the offense while Morgan would be a true understudy to Cousins. That's not splitting hairs but I would welcome either one into the Skol covenant.
The Saturday flurry of activity may start with more trades to add to their current stock-pile of seven selections but they may have handed off a few Thursday or Friday to maneuver the board. It's all going to be must-see-tv for fans of the club but the bang that I'll project them to start with is adding someone to go with Thielen & Olabisi Johnson. Fortunately, this is a deep receiver year so guys that may have been second or third round picks some years will be available on day three. There's a litany of players who will be available and no one stands from the rest enough for me to give a name. It'll come down to what type of receiver the team wants, a big outside threat or a slot option. There are a plethora of each.
In the fifth round, it's back to the lines. Adding a guard may prove to be the right choice but with the inexperience of the corners on the roster, having a pass-rush will be as important as ever. Getting a guy at this point who could join the rotation in his rookie year would be a coup.
For the final five picks, here's some rapid-fire:
No. 201 - Cornerback, Keith Washington WVU
No. 205 - Guard, Tremayne Anchrum Clemson
No. 219 - Receiver, Juwan Johnson Oregon
No. 249 - Defensive Tackle, Kevin Thurmon Arkansas State
No. 253 - Cornerback, Javaris Davis Auburn
Merely some names to watch for in the later portion of the draft. 12 picks is already moderately glutinous but depending on how Rick moves around on draft weekend this year I think the number could reach 15 and then they'll have the undrafted guys again. So the roster is going to look as different from one year to the next as it ever has. That's what it takes to try and retool on the fly. Hopefully they're able to accomplish the feat but until then, what did you think of the layout of the positions for the draft?
What approach would you take with the picks? Comment with your mock!
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