The NFL drafts players in rounds. In Round 1, the Super Bowl champion receives the 32nd pick. The strength of schedule breaks ties. If two teams have the same record, the one with the better record drafts the player after them. For example, the Texans draft two defensive tackles and one cornerback and the New England Patriots draft two running backs. The Super Bowl champion drafts a defensive tackle and a running back in Round 2.
Texans draft two offensive tackles
The Texans reportedly considered Aiden Hutchinson and Devin Cross, both of Alabama, but ultimately decided to go with Stingley and Cross. Stingley’s versatility and ability to play both tackle and guard makes him a top pick in the middle of the first round. But scouts also believe that he has pass protection skills. Stingley was also the top-rated player in the final Mock Draft Tracker, and the Texans opted to go with him. LSU’s Derek Stingley Jr. was selected third overall.
The Texans’ draft board is stacked with mediocre offensive linemen. The Texans need to find a way to protect quarterback Davis Mills. Green will play inside, while Tytus Howard and Laremy Tunsil will likely move to the right tackle and left tackle positions, respectively. The Houston Texans’ offensive line ranks 27th in pass block rate. They will need a new offensive tackle, as their current line is ranked 27th overall in pass blocking.
In order to get Stingley, the Texans will have to trade picks. But if they can get Metchie and Green, they should draft them early. But they may regret trading up for Green, who he likens to a Honey Badger. Metchie, meanwhile, is coming off of an ACL injury and will need to regain his fitness. If the Texans are smart, they can find two starters in the first round.
Browns draft two defensive tackles
The Browns could wait until the second round to address the need at defensive tackle, but a couple of players with NFL upside are still available. Aside from Nixon, another player of interest could be Louisiana Tech’s Milton Williams or Southern California’s Jay Tufele. Nixon was an All-American last season and is considered a potential disrupter. As an aside, there is also a cornerback need for Cleveland.
The offensive line needs a pass-catcher to complement Deshaun Watson, and Bell has the talent to fit that need. The Purdue Boilermakers haven’t had a single player in the top 50 in receptions since 2015. Bell will compliment No. 1 WR Amari Cooper. The Browns also added a defensive tackle from Oklahoma, Perrion Winfrey. Both players have impressive college records.
While the defensive tackle position is a less important position than defensive end, it has become a valuable position for the Browns to address. They haven’t made much of a push to draft defensive tackles, and have shifted their focus to run-stoppers and interior linemen instead. Nonetheless, they’re still evaluating the value of both types of players, and the Browns should be able to find a pair of players who can fill both roles.
Perrion Winfrey, a former JUCO transfer from Iowa Western, was the 108th pick in the 2022 NFL Draft. In his last two college seasons, Winfrey totaled six sacks and 42 tackles and was the MVP of the Reese’s Senior Bowl. He’s a native of Maywood, Illinois, and started his college career at Iowa Western Community College before transferring to the Big 12. However, despite his lack of starting experience, Winfrey has the traits needed to be an impactful player in the NFL.
Texans draft two cornerbacks
In the first round of the 2020 NFL Draft, the Texans selected Tariq Woolen and Derek Stingley Jr., two cornerbacks with prototypical size and speed. Woolen measured in at 6-foot-4 and 205 pounds with 34-inch arms and ran 4.26 seconds in the 40-yard dash. His vertical jump was also 42 inches, making him a rare athlete. Although he has not played professionally yet, he should contribute to the Texans’ pass rush.
Both Stingley and Gardner were top cornerbacks during the draft, but selecting between them was difficult. You could have 500 people say either of these two was the best cornerback in the class, but getting the best at a position is always a high priority, regardless of the team’s current state. Luckily, the Texans chose Stingley, who should serve them well in the future. In terms of upside, Stingley is probably the best cornerback in the draft, but the Texans will need a strong safety to protect their quarterback in the second half.
The Houston Texans selected former LSU Tiger Derek Stingley Jr. with the third overall pick of the 2020 NFL Draft. A two-time All-SEC player and Louisiana’s Mr. Football, Stingley was a dominant player in college, starting in every game and totaling 73 tackles. He only missed three games of the 2020 season due to injury, but he did have an impact on the LSU defense during his freshman year.
New England drafts two running backs
There were many intriguing picks in the Patriots draft, but two of the most intriguing are Marcus Strong and Tyquan Thornton. The Patriots picked Thornton, who is considered the fastest wide receiver in the draft, in the second round and 50th overall. They also picked Marcus Strong, who was rated the top running back in the draft. We graded these players below. Read on to find out how they stack up against the other rookies in the draft.
While Damien Harris and James White are still on the team, the Patriots may be looking elsewhere to upgrade their running game. Damien Harris has an off-field issue that could cost the team a playoff spot, and White hasn’t been cleared to play this year. The Patriots may have preferred to prioritize the offensive line. Regardless of which back is picked, they’ll likely struggle to get enough carries for either.
The Patriots also picked up two running backs on Day three of the draft. The Patriots needed an upgrade at linebacker, and took Pierre Strong Jr. from South Dakota State with the 127th overall pick. However, the running back position in New England is already crowded. In addition to Strong, the Patriots also added a new competition for Damien Harris and Rhamondre Stevenson.
Green Bay selects two offensive tackles
In addition to choosing two defensive tackles, the Packers also chose a wide receiver and a punt returner in the draft. Both players are experienced at the position and Doubs has experience playing wide receiver in the NFL. Doubs has a stellar track record at Nevada, catching 66% of his targets for 14.9 yards per catch and catching 26 touchdown passes. He also has punt return experience and can play both guard and tackle.
In addition to McElroy, the Packers also drafted UCLA’s Zach Tom. Both players are listed at 304 pounds and are versatile, although neither can play both guard and left tackle. Both players are considered to have great athleticism and developmental upside. As a result, the Packers should pick one of these two players in the draft. Considering their skill sets, they could get good value for their money.
The Packers have had trouble filling offensive tackle positions in the past, but they have been investing heavily in the position this offseason. Last year, the Packers spent three picks on offensive linemen. Jenkins will join the battle at right guard and the team also needs depth at tackle. In addition to the offensive line, the Packers also added a defensive tackle in the fifth round, T.J. Slaton.
Seahawks draft two offensive tackles
The Seahawks took two offensive tackles in this year’s draft, including a potential first-round pick. Penning has tremendous athleticism, a massive mean streak, and a well-rounded skill set. He’s also a former University of Minnesota standout with experience at left tackle and right tackle. However, he’ll need to improve his pad level and his play against wide-speed rushers before he can be considered a starter.
Seattle wanted to add some depth to its offensive line, especially after the draft ended with only three offensive tackles on the roster. Cross and Neal fill a massive need, as both players are small. The Seahawks forced 18 turnovers last season, which was the fewest in franchise history. Cross and Neal both had a strong draft stock, but were left on the board due to injuries. Cross is expected to be a solid fit for Seattle, and he’ll help the team’s pass rush.
The Seahawks have a need at offensive tackle and could potentially find a starter on both days of the draft. While there’s no guarantee the Seahawks will find another player of this caliber in the draft, they could find swing tackles and a solid starter within three years. While they’re not guaranteed to start, they’ll likely find a starting quarterback in the first round in the 2020 draft.
