McShay's best pick for each team - ESPN Insider

[iowajerms]

McShay: Best draft pick for all 32 teams

The article is by alphabetical order by city, I will do it by division.

AFC EAST

Buffalo Bills
Reggie Ragland, ILB, Alabama (No. 41 pick)

Ezekiel Elliott dead in his tracks and drop him backward. This was a great value and a big upgrade for the Bills, who saw Preston Brown really struggle last season. I also love the Shaq Lawson pick at No. 19 overall. He plays with a junkyard-dog mentality that's tough to stifle for 60 minutes. Lawson and Ragland will bring immediate energy and toughness to the Bills' defense.

Miami Dolphins
Laremy Tunsil, OT, Mississippi (No. 13 pick)

video that surfaced on his Twitter account right before the draft started, showing him smoking from a bong. I understand the risks, but it's one I would've taken at the same point in the draft. The Dolphins need to better protect QB Ryan Tannehill, and they landed the best pass-blocker in this class. RB Kenyan Drake is a good complement for Jay Ajayi, and WRs Leonte Carroo and Thomas Duarte are both underrated pass-catchers.

New England Patriots
Cyrus Jones, CB, Alabama (No. 60 pick)

The Patriots needed an upgrade at nickel cornerback, and in Jones they found an instinctive, smart player who is used to playing in complex coverage schemes under Nick Saban at Alabama. Jones doesn't have prototypical measurables (he stands just 5-foot-10), but he has great toughness and brings added value with his return ability (four punt returns for TDs in 2015, tops in the FBS). New England also got an impact player in WR Malcolm Mitchell, who comes with some durability concerns but has the ability to line up inside and outside in the Patriots' scheme.

New York Jets
Darron Lee, OLB, Ohio State (No. 20 pick)

In today's NFL, teams are playing their sub-package defenses around two-thirds of the time. That's where Lee shines. Because of his rare athleticism (4.47 40, 4.20 short shuttle), Lee has the ability to cover running backs and tight ends one-on-one and is comfortable playing in space. The Jets needed to get more athletic at the second level, and they accomplished that with Lee. He's not a finished product, but I think coach Todd Bowles will get the most out of him.

 

[iowajerms]

AFC NORTH

Baltimore Ravens
Every fourth-round selection

Tavon Young, who can be a really good nickel corner. They got WR Chris Moore, the No. 46 player on my board and a true vertical threat for big-armed QB Joe Flacco. They got OT Alex Lewis, who can develop into a starting right tackle. They got DT Willie Henry, an elite run defender. And, finally, they got RB Kenneth Dixon, who runs with good power/balance and has some versatility in the passing game. General manager Ozzie Newsome killed it on Saturday.

Cincinnati Bengals
Tyler Boyd, WR, Pittsburgh (No. 55 pick)

A.J. Green. Boyd doesn't have great top-end speed (4.5 range), but he's a silky-smooth route runner with the savvy to find holes in zone coverage. Cincy also got DT Andrew Billings, my No. 45 overall player, in the fourth round. I like him more than many people in the league. He has the quickness and strength to develop into a good rotational player. Add in Christian Westerman, a fifth-rounder who I graded as a third, and this was a good three days for Bengals fans.

Cleveland Browns
Corey Coleman, WR, Baylor (No. 15 pick)

Robert Griffin III throws a good deep ball, so after losing speedy WR Travis Benjamin in free agency, it made sense for the Browns to target a player like Coleman, who's the best vertical threat in this class. Yes, he's a raw route-runner, but Coleman is a true home run threat. He's lethal in the open field and adds value as a return specialist. I also like pairing Coleman with fifth-round WR Jordan Payton, who has great hands and can work the underneath routes.

Pittsburgh Steelers
Javon Hargrave, DT, South Carolina State (No. 89 pick)

Cameron Heyward and Stephon Tuitt up front, and Hargrave has the first-step quickness and power to push the pocket from the interior. I've seen a few flashes of Geno Atkins in his game. I also liked what the Steelers did in Round 7, getting good value with WR Demarcus Ayers and ILB Tyler Matakevich.

 

[iowajerms]

AFC NORTH

Houston Texans
Will Fuller, WR, Notre Dame (No. 21 pick)

DeAndre Hopkins, and QB Brock Osweiler has to be thrilled with the selection of Fuller. The Notre Dame product didn't just tie for the fastest 40 at the combine (4.32) -- he popped off the screen with his game-breaking ability. Fuller had an issue with drops in college, but he was highly productive for the Irish, averaging 20.3 yards per catch and scoring 14 touchdowns in his final season. The Texans did a great job of continuing to add more help for Osweiler in the mid-rounds, too, with the additions of C/G Nick Martin, WR Braxton Miller and RB Tyler Ervin.

Indianapolis Colts
Hassan Ridgeway, DT, Texas (No. 116 pick)

This could be a really good pick if the Colts can get the most out of him. Ridgeway is big, thick and country strong, but he has a lot of work to do technically. He's a second-round talent who they found in the fourth, so the value is there. If they're able to develop his raw ability, this could end up being a steal. The other pick that stands out for Indy? First-round center Ryan Kelly, who has a really high floor and should help keep QB Andrew Luck upright. The Colts couldn't keep ignoring their issues along the offensive line.

Jacksonville Jaguars
Jalen Ramsey, CB, Florida State (No. 5 pick)

The Jaguars gave me a lot to choose from here, but Ramsey has to be the choice here. Coach Gus Bradley finally found a big, physical cornerback. Yes, Ramsey needs to work on his technique, but he will thrive in Bradley's press-zone scheme. He has the length and quick hands to re-route wide receivers at the line of scrimmage. In addition, the Jaguars added OLB Myles Jack, the No. 8 player on my board, with the 36th pick. Jack, Ramsey and redshirted rookie Dante Fowler Jr. (ACL) give Jacksonville some serious athleticism to work with on defense. And I'd be remiss if I didn't mention the selection of Sheldon Day, one of my favorite players in this draft, in the fifth round. Bradley will love his motor and toughness.

Tennessee Titans
Best pick: Jack Conklin, OT, Michigan State (No. 8 pick)

If I said it once, I said it 100 times: I loved the Titans' trade down from No. 1 to No. 15, as they collected a haul of picks from the Rams. But Tennessee had to make sure it left the draft with one of the top-three offensive tackle prospects in this draft. The only way the Titans were going to do that was by trading up from No. 15, which is exactly what they did to select Conklin with the eighth pick. Keeping QB Marcus Mariota on the field and healthy has to be this franchise's No. 1 priority. A plug-and-play right tackle, Conklin is one of the safest picks in this draft. He has upside as a pass-blocker and shows great toughness in the run game.

 

[iowajerms]

AFC WEST

Denver Broncos
Adam Gotsis, DE, Georgia Tech (No. 63 pick)

The Broncos knew they had to add a defensive end with versatility after losing Malik Jackson in free agency. They did that with Gotsis, who is a perfect fit for Wade Phillips' system with his ability to penetrate as an inside rusher and set the edge as a 5-technique. When I first watched his tape, I remember thinking This might be Malik Jackson. Gotsis has a lot of upside within this system. So does third-round safety Justin Simmons. He's a good man-to-man cover safety with the athleticism to improve within the structure of an elite defense.

Kansas City Chiefs
Chris Jones, DT, Mississippi State (No. 37 pick)

I know this pick comes with a little risk due to Jones' inconsistent motor, but you don't see many 6-foot-6, 310-pound players who have his combination of length, strength and athleticism. He's an outstanding run defender, with the long arms and upper-body power to keep blockers off his pads. And despite posting only 8.5 sacks in 39 games, he's a far more disruptive pass-rusher than his stats indicate. Jones has the highest upside of any defensive tackle in this class. The Chiefs could've justified taking Jones with their first-round pick (No. 28), but they traded down to No. 37 and got an extra fourth-rounder in exchange. That's smart draft management. They also did well to get QB Kevin Hogan in the fifth round. He got better and better throughout his college career, and I wouldn't be shocked if he beat out Aaron Murray for the No. 2 job.

Oakland Raiders
Karl Joseph, S, West Virginia (No. 14 pick)

The Raiders needed to add another safety to the fold at some point to complement Reggie Nelson. Joseph covers a good amount of ground in coverage, and he's an absolute hammer against the run. He's one of the more violent and efficient tacklers we've studied at the position in the past five years. GM Reggie McKenzie also did well to add DE Jihad Ward and QB Connor Cook. They want to be multiple along their defensive line, and Ward has that ability, while Cook gives them a quality backup behind Derek Carr. You can never assume your quarterback will stay healthy in this league.

San Diego Chargers
Joey Bosa, DE, Ohio State (No. 3 pick)

I give the Chargers a lot of credit for forgetting about finding a perfect scheme fit and pulling the trigger on Bosa. He has the size, power and versatility to make an impact all over the place in the Chargers' 3-4 scheme. San Diego also found good value in the second round with the selection of TE Hunter Henry. Standing 6-foot-5 with 4.6 speed, the Arkansas product can stretch the seam for QB Philip Rivers and learn from one of the best ever in Antonio Gates. Another name that stood out for me: fifth-round OLB Jatavis Brown, who fits perfectly with the Chargers. They're looking for another pass-rusher, and he has an explosive burst off the edge. Brown could be one of the steals of the draft.

 

[iowajerms]

NFC EAST

Dallas Cowboys
Best pick: Ezekiel Elliott, RB, Ohio State (No. 4 pick)

Playing behind the best offensive line in football, Elliott has a great chance to have the biggest impact of any rookie. A Day 1 starter and true three-down back, Elliott is the best blocking running back I've ever studied. That's good news for Cowboys fans, who saw QB Tony Romo break his collarbone twice last season. Adding a trustworthy running back in pass protection will help there. And don't forget: The Cowboys went 12-4 in 2014 relying on a dominant run game and an elite offensive line to take pressure off Romo. Elliott has the skill set to help Dallas return to that form. This is a great example of knowing who you are as a team and finding elite players who can help get you over the top.

New York Giants
B.J. Goodson, ILB, Clemson (No. 109)

This team needed linebackers badly, and they found a good one in the fourth round. Whenever I'd watch Clemson -- and I saw a lot of the Tigers in 2015 -- he always seemed to be around the ball. Assuming Goodson stays healthy (he had some durability issues earlier in his career), I'd be surprised if he isn't a starter in the next two years. Overall, GM Jerry Reese had a really strong Day 3. He found RB Paul Perkins, who's one of the hardest guys to tackle in space in this draft, in the fifth and TE Jerell Adams in the sixth. Adams will give QB Eli Manning a big-play threat down the seam.

Philadelphia Eagles
Carson Wentz, QB, North Dakota (No. 2 pick)

This was a slam-dunk pick. Wentz is an absolute stud, and now he goes to Philadelphia, where he'll learn from quarterback guru Doug Pederson. Wentz has the football intelligence to quickly absorb the playbook and the intricacies of the position at the NFL level. On tape, he shows the best anticipatory accuracy of any quarterback in this class. Plus, he has ideal measurables for the position (6-foot-5, 237 pounds, 10-inch hands). Assuming the Eagles don't trade QB Sam Bradford, Wentz will have the luxury of being developed properly.

Washington Redskins
Josh Doctson, WR, TCU (No. 22 pick)

This was the perfect pick for QB Kirk Cousins, who gives his receivers opportunities to make plays on the ball. Doctson is the best wide receiver in this class at playing the ball in the air, and because of his size and leaping ability, he's a matchup problem for any secondary down the field. A season after DeSean Jackson missed seven games due to injury, the Redskins needed to find a reliable No. 1 receiver. They did that with Doctson, who doesn't have many weaknesses.

 

[beardown07]

thanks jerms!

 

[iowajerms]

NFC NORTH

Chicago Bears
Leonard Floyd, OLB, Georgia (No. 9 pick)

The Bears had a great draft, so I had a lot to choose from here. I considered highlighting G Cody Whitehair (No. 56 pick) and ILB Nick Kwiatkoski (No. 113 pick), who both have a chance to be Day 1 contributors. But I ultimately went with Floyd because the Bears needed speed off the edge in the worst way, and they traded ahead of the Giants to get their guy at No. 9. Floyd has a really high ceiling as a pass-rusher, along with the versatility to drop into coverage. In the late rounds, RB Jordan Howard, S Deandre Houston-Carson and WR Daniel Braverman were all drafted at least two rounds later than I thought they should be. GM Ryan Pace did a masterful job managing the board this weekend.

Detroit Lions
Taylor Decker, OT, Ohio State (No. 16 pick)

QB Matthew Stafford was sacked 89 times the past two seasons, fourth most in the league, so the Lions needed to address their offensive line. While the top three left tackle prospects were off the board by the time Detroit picked at No. 16, they did well to snag Decker, who has one of the highest floors of any player in this draft class. A highly effective run blocker, Decker shows great toughness on the field. I also liked the addition of fifth-round G Joe Dahl, who has the football intelligence to play all five positions up front.

Green Bay Packers
Blake Martinez, ILB, Stanford (No. 131 pick)

This is more about the big picture. The Packers have made it clear they're going to move pass-rusher Clay Matthews back to outside linebacker, where he's far more valuable. So they needed to find a guy like Martinez, who could compete for the starting job at inside linebacker. A highly productive two-year starter at Stanford, Martinez is laterally quick and a very solid tackler.

Minnesota Vikings
Laquon Treadwell, WR, Mississippi (No. 23 pick)

Treadwell isn't a burner by any stretch, but he doesn't need to be in the Vikings' offense. Offensive coordinator Norv Turner will work Treadwell on short-to-intermediate routes, playing to his strengths. Treadwell has a big catch radius and great ball skills, consistently plucking the ball away from his frame. He gives QB Teddy Bridgewater a legitimate No. 1 outside receiver, with the ability to navigate the sideline effortlessly and make plays in the red zone.

 

[Stomp]

Wouldn't mind seeing Kipers draft grades when you're done if you have the time

 

[iowajerms]

NFC SOUTH

Atlanta Falcons
Austin Hooper, TE, Stanford (No. 81 pick)

The Falcons needed to find a tight end who can stretch the seam for QB Matt Ryan. Hooper has the speed (4.72 40) to get vertical in a hurry and the size (6-foot-4) to go up and get the ball. He isn't a great route runner and he needs to continue to add weight and strength, but for a team in major need of some pass-catchers with upside, Hooper is a good fit in Atlanta. Ryan can't have enough weapons.

Carolina Panthers
Vernon Butler, DT, Louisiana Tech (No. 30 pick)

The best teams address needs before they're gaping holes, and that's what the Panthers did here. Instead of reaching for a cornerback at the end of Round 1, GM Dave Gettleman opted for Butler, who can learn from Kawann Short and Star Lotulelei and step in as a starter if either leave in free agency in 2016. Butler is an exceptional run defender, with explosive upper-body power and the ability to play multiple positions along the defensive line.

New Orleans Saints
Vonn Bell, S, Ohio State (No. 61 pick)

The Saints had limited draft capital, but I thought they did a nice job navigating their first three picks. I considered highlighting DT Sheldon Rankins and WR Michael Thomas here because they both fill major needs and are great scheme fits. But I gave Bell the nod because of value. I had a fringe first-round grade on Bell, and the Saints got him toward the end of the second round. Bell is the best cover safety in the draft; he should help their secondary improve after it allowed 4,544 passing yards last season, second most in the NFL.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Vernon Hargreaves III, CB, Florida (No. 11 pick)

One of the worst-kept secrets in the draft was that the Bucs loved Hargreaves. And while I would've taken Leonard Floyd or Sheldon Rankins at No. 9, I liked the fact that they traded down to No. 11, recouping a fourth-rounder from Chicago in the process, and still got their guy. Hargreaves has outstanding instincts and ball skills, intercepting 10 passes over three seasons. The Bucs badly need help in the secondary after ranking 32st in opponent-completion percentage (70.0), 31st in passer rating (102.5) and tied for 25th in TD passes allowed (31).

 

[iowajerms]

NFC WEST

Arizona Cardinals
Harlan Miller, CB, Southeastern Louisiana (No. 205 pick)

I thought about putting Robert Nkemdiche here. I get why they took him in the first round, and as an organization, they've been good at handling players with baggage. But one thing that scares me off: Chandler Jones has had issues with synthetic marijuana, and now he'll be in the same meeting room with Nkemdiche, who has had his own off-field problems. So I went with Miller, on whom we had a fourth-round grade -- the Cardinals got him in the sixth. His combine performance scared off a lot of teams (4.65-second 40; 4.43 short shuttle), but some guys are better players than testers. With Tyrann Mathieu coming off injury and some other unanswered questions in the secondary, Miller is capable of making the roster and contributing, which is great for a sixth-rounder.

Los Angeles Rams
Pharoh Cooper, WR, South Carolina (No. 117 pick)

I also love the selection of QB Jared Goff, and I think he has a chance to be a really good player. But that one is obvious, so I wanted to highlight Cooper, who brings great value as a fourth-rounder. The South Carolina product comes with terrific intangibles -- his grandfather, dad and brother are all Marines -- and he shows up every day ready to work. Cooper made a lot plays for an offense that had a terrible quarterback situation. He has the ability to make tough catches in traffic and will become a safety valve for Goff. Overall, the Rams did a nice job of stockpiling weapons for their new quarterback. In addition to Cooper, they drafted high-upside pass-catchers like TE Tyler Higbee, WR Michael Thomas (Southern Miss) and TE Temarrick Hemingway.

San Francisco 49ers
Ronald Blair, DT, Appalachian State (No. 142 pick)

I had Blair in the top 100 and gave him a third-round grade; the 49ers got him in the fifth. At 6-foot-2, 284 pounds, Blair is a disruptive pass-rusher who has the versatility to play 5-technique in a 3-4. He likely fell a little bit because of his poor combine performance, but something was clearly off in Indianapolis because he showed drastic improvement in his measurables at Appalachian State's pro day. The more we watched Blair's tape, the more we liked it, which is always a good sign. San Francisco also snagged two good players in the sixth round -- RB Kelvin Taylor and WR Aaron Burbridge. I wouldn't be surprised if one or both wound up being contributors for the 49ers.

Seattle Seahawks
Jarran Reed, DT, Alabama (No. 49 pick)

Reed was the No. 19 player on my board, but he fell to the second round, likely over concerns about his ability to produce on passing downs. Make no mistake, though, Reed has some upside as a pass-rusher, and he is the best interior run defender in this class. And with the departure of DT Brandon Mebane, the Seahawks had a hole to fill at defensive tackle. The Seahawks also did well to select RB C.J. Prosise and TE Nick Vannett late in the third round. Those were two good value picks.