The NFL Draft signifies hope. For all 32 teams in the NFL, the draft has a chance to vault them into playoff contention if they make the right pick. If they fail to do so, it could set back the trajectory of a franchise multiple years. At first glance, some teams failed to address some needs or just picked a player who wasn’t worth a first-round pick.
Cincinnati Bengals: Shemar Stewart EDGE Texas A&M
After a year in which the Bengals struggled on defense, they attempted to try and improve on their defensive line. Their selection of Shemar Stewart didn’t quite make sense though. Stewart showed out at the NFL Combine in February with a 4.59 second 40-yard dash and a 40-inch vertical. Stewart has all of the raw talent to be a successful NFL player, but the production wasn’t quite there in college. At Texas A&M, Stewart only tallied 4.5 sacks in 37 games. If he can’t produce sacks in college, how could he produce at the highest level?
The Bengals could have gone with other defensive options on the board such as Alabama linebacker Jihaad Campbell, Marshall EDGE rusher Mike Green, Texas cornerback Jahdae Barron and Michigan cornerback Will Johnson.
Miami Dolphins: Kenneth Grant DT Michiga
This pick isn’t necessarily about the player. Kenneth Grant is a fine defensive tackle, but he shouldn’t have been picked 13th overall. Grant accels in run support, but has a limited pass rushing ceiling. At times for Michigan, Grant failed to use his 334-pound frame to be disruptive in the run game. He will be a two-tech lineman or a nose tackle for Miami. However, a defensive lineman who only accels at one thing isn’t a top 15 selection.
With other defensive tackles like Walter Nolen and Derrick Harmon still on the board, the Dolphins had better options available to them. The Dolphins could have also used an offensive lineman, which had a lot of options at pick 13.
Cleveland Browns: Mason Graham DT Michigan
Cleveland pulled off the first trade of the night when they sent the second selection to the Jaguars. In return, they got the fifth pick, and they used it on Mason Graham. Graham was really good on Michigan’s championship defensive line, but he doesn’t have the traits that would suggest he will be a Pro Bowl defensive tackle.
At 6′ 3, 296 pounds, Graham doesn’t have the size to overcome the bigger centers and guards that he will inevitably face in the NFL. In a league where most guards are 300 plus pounds, Graham is going to have a tough time getting to the quarterback. With his 32-inch arms, Graham also doesn’t have long arms that are needed at defensive tackle.
Graham doesn’t quite make sense for a team that still has Myles Garrett on their defensive line. The Browns also had the worst offense in the NFL last season, so I would have like to see them grab someone who could elevate the offensive group.
Pittsburgh Steelers: Derrick Harmon DT Oregon
Who is going to play quarterback for the Pittsburgh Steelers? At pick 21, the Steelers had the perfect opportunity to pick Jaxson Dart or Shedeur Sanders, but instead they went with Derrick Harmon.
As of now, the Steelers have Skylar Thompson and Mason Rudolph on their roster, both of which have been career backups. Are the Steelers going to be held hostage by a 41-year old Aaron Rodgers? Even though the production wasn’t always there for Dart and Sanders, the potential of both had to be worth the risk for Pittsburgh, who has zero proven quarterbacks currently. If the Steelers are waiting for Aaron Rodgers, then they will be vying for a spot on the top ten next draft.
