Another NFL Draft has come and gone with another exciting group of prospects finding NFL homes. Much of the attention has focused on the premier players, so I found it worthwhile to focus some attention on a player selected in each round with noteworthy value and/or fit.
Trying to pin down a singular favorite in each round is a strenuous exercise when you evaluate upwards of a dozen prospects, so I’ll sprinkle in a few other noteworthy players throughout.
1st Round: RB Bijan Robinson, Texas (8th overall to the Atlanta Falcons)
The Bijan Robinson pick may draw some scoffs because of the conversation around positional value, but that’s not what this exercise encapsulates. It is worth noting Robinson ranks 13th in running back cap hit for 2023. He has the skill set to play his way into a top-13 running back.
Pairing the dual-threat back with emerging pass-catchers, a second-year starting quarterback, and a creative play-caller can create more opportunities in the passing game similar to what Christian McCaffrey’s presence did for Brock Purdy and company.
2nd Round: SAF Brian Branch, Alabama (46th overall to the Detroit Lions)
This pick primarily focuses on its value: having a player of Branch’s caliber fall to 46 is a slam dunk. It’s safe to assume Branch fell out of the first round due to his underwhelming athletic testing numbers. Neither his size nor athleticism were notable detractors on film. His range and instincts were the catalyst for high numbers of stops behind the LOS and plays on the ball, two key predictors of success at the safety position.
3rd Round: LB Drew Sanders, Arkansas (67th overall to the Denver Broncos)
It was hard not to go with Hendon Hooker here as an experienced collegiate passer with notable traits and no real need to play immediately. Instead, I opted for one of my draft favorites. The athletic Sanders handled various duties successfully at Alabama and Arkansas in a manner that suggests his impactful versatility will transfer to Sundays. His type of skill set and athletic profile in Vance Joseph’s system as a moveable defender should yield immediate dividends.
4th Round: CB Clark Phillips, Utah (114th overall to the Atlanta Falcons)
Two other personal favorites of mine in Dawand Jones and Adetomiwa Adebawore were potential options here, but not opting for a ball-hawking corner proved too difficult.
Despite his underwhelming physical and athletic profiles, Phillips was steadily one of college football’s top corners the past two seasons with four of his nine career interceptions resulting in touchdowns. Guys that generate turnovers in college tend to do it at the next level, so bet on Phillips carving out a productive role in Year 1.
5th round: CB Darius Rush, South Carolina (138th overall to the Indianapolis Colts)
Quarterbacks Jaren Hall and Clayton Tune were intriguing options as later-round selections with skillsets beyond their draft slots. Rush, however, has a better opportunity to see consistent playing time in that Indianapolis secondary. He’s a triangle-traits corner with the length to frustrate receivers before and at the catch point, all of which should help him parlay his best collegiate season into turnovers at the next level.
6th Round: CB Tre Hawkins, Old Dominion (209th overall to the New York Giants)
Expectations for sixth-rounders are inherently kept low, so trying to create a baseline level of success doesn’t take much. For most of these guys, it’s just making it to the final 53. But Hawkins’ athletic profile, on a team where the level of play from the secondary left more to be desired, hints at more room for potential. The sixth round is the perfect place to bet on a moldable player with ample athletic traits and sufficient skills/ Hawkins is the ideal candidate having made big strides in 2022.
7th Round: TE Zack Kuntz, Old Dominion (220th overall to the New York Jets) / RB DeWayne McBride, UAB (222nd overall to the Minnesota Vikings)
If you’ve wondered what an elite athletic profile resembles, you’re in luck: Kuntz is in possession of one. It’s no surprise either when you consider his track and field background, so why the draft-day slide? A five-year career led to minimal receiving production. He played sparingly for three seasons with Penn State before transferring to Old Dominion. Even then, he played just 17 games after a dislocated knee cap cut his 2022 campaign short. All of that pushed him down boards. Additionally, he has glaring weaknesses as a run and pass protector.
New York’s tight end room is deep, but Kuntz’s athletic potential at an athletically-driven position in the NFL is too superior to ignore.
This brings us to McBride as a guy who, despite lacking the same caliber of athletic profile, has a production edge on Kuntz after a program record and FBS-leading 1,713 rushing yards in 2022. McBride’s slide can most likely be attributed to a lack of projectable third-down value and a higher fumble rate at the collegiate level. However, his traits fit Minnesota’s system well. A system that let their lead back walk and potentially opened the door for McBride to cut into the share of the carries.
Tampa Two 