Falcons fixing defense in top-10
The Falcons’ are in a “prove it” year all around. Dan Quinn has to produce a playoff-caliber team deeper than a 7-9 season while Thomas Dimitroff has to start seeing his draft picks and free-agent signings become stars once more.
The 20th ranked defense will need help all around, leading to the potential of Atlanta trading up into the top 10. According to NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport, the Falcons will “make some noise” come Thursday night.
PFN’s Benjamin Allbright stated that the Falcons could be trading into the top-10 to select South Carolina’s Javon Kinlaw. The former Gamecock saw his stock rise into top 15 status with a dominant outing at the Senior Bowl earlier this year. The Falcons also need to pair Grady Jarrett with a serviceable running mate in the trenches.
Javon Kinlaw DT @GamecockFB 6-5, 324. 34 7/8” arms. Did not run at Combine. DT in 43, NT & DE in 34. Strong and quick. Disruptive player. See as mid 1st value. Could go higher @NFLDraft @nflnetwork pic.twitter.com/YqmE3vPtLS
— Charley Casserly (@CharleyCasserly) April 19, 2020
The team also will need to find their franchise cornerback following the departure of Desmond Trufant. Multiple sources have confirmed the franchise has met with Florida’s CJ Henderson, who began to garner top-10 buzz early last week. Outside of Ohio State’s Jeffery Okudah, the former Gator posses standout skills in man and zone coverage that could help him transition into a top-tier defender.
Dimitroff addressed the need for running back by signing Todd Gurley. Hopefully, the addition of Dante Fowler Jr. is enough got the 29th ranked pass rush to improve. Still, there are a plethora of defensive holes all over the unit. If both players are at the top of the big board, Atlanta might have to cave and jump ahead Thursday evening.
The last time Dimitroff traded up into the top-10 was 2011. They selected Julio Jones sixth overall; look how that turned out for them.
Verdict: Buy
Giants trading down?
Make fun of Dave Gettleman all you want, but the man has tricks up his sleeve with this technology stuff. The one knock on the Giants’ GM is the fact he really can’t keep a secret of what he’s doing. ESPN’s Jordan Raanan reported last week that Gettleman would consider moving down from the fourth overall pick on Thursday night. Even more so, New York’s GM said it himself that he’s willing to “entertain the idea” with the Giants holding just two picks in the top-90.
#Bills’ GM Brandon Beane on #Giants GM Dave Gettleman: 👀 pic.twitter.com/MlVBikjmFY
— Scout Kelley (@ScoutKelley) April 18, 2020
This could be a situation very similar to the likes of Mitchell Trubisky in 2017, where closer teams swap spots. The 49ers moved back for three picks, including a 2017 third-rounder while Chicago is now stuck with the Trubisky trembles in the Windy City. Should Los Angeles be sold on drafting Oregon’s Justin Herbert, perhaps something similar between the two parties could make it a done deal.
#Giants GM Dave Gettleman says he will seriously consider trading down from No. 4.
— NFL Update (@MySportsUpdate) April 17, 2020
“We’re sitting there with the fourth pick of the draft. It’s going to happen pretty soon,” Gettleman said. “I’m going to make calls and anybody that wants to move up, I’m going to say, ‘Listen, we don’t have much time. We can’t fool around. I’d like to get the parameters of a deal in place before we get on the clock.’ That would be the best thing.”
The top two positions of need for New York are linebacker and tackle. More than likely, both Clemson’s Isaiah Simmons and at least three of the top four tackles should still be available somewhere inside the top-10. The Giants won’t get much back for such a small move, but adding a few mid-round selections could allow them to address dire needs later.
Gettleman is screaming he wants out of the top five. Someone is going to bite.
Verdict: Buy
SEC OT taken first?
Ask 100 people to rank the top four pass protectors and get ready for chaos. In the end, the four names expected to be called on the first-round will become high-quality players during their rookie years.
Then again, when you play in the minor league system that is the SEC, you’re going to be regarded a bit more within the scouting community.
The New York Daily News’ Pat Leonard reported the Giants could be in play to select Georgia tackle Andrew Thomas with their first selection. The former Bulldog was a three-year starter at either left or right tackle, eventually taking over and holding the line for now Patriots’ tackle Isaiah Wynn. Georgia’s offense allowed 15 total sacks during Thomas’ final year in Athens, the second-lowest number in the conference behind only Alabama.
While teams could love the upside of Mekhi Becton or Iowa’s Tristian Wirfs, Thomas is the legit top left tackle prospect. Any organization needing a blindside protector should be doing their homework on him and placing the 6-foot-5 tackle near the top of their big boards. Still, other teams could like the potential of a player who could play both sides and even move inside should they struggle.
All of Andrew Thomas' meaningful pass-blocking snaps against LSU's K'Lavon Chaisson (2019)
— Austin Gayle (@PFF_AustinGayle) April 19, 2020
If the Giants take a tackle, Thomas would likely be the first one gone. If they go defense with say Simmons, he’ll probably fall outside the top-10. Overall, New York loves the Clemson defender, making him the likely fourth overall pick or a little bit later with a trade back.
Verdict: Sell
Denver jumping for Jeudy
The Denver Broncos have made to clear they will be looking for a wide receiver. With three teams ahead of them all with pass-catcher needs, perhaps John Elway will need to make the jump back inside the top-10.
According to Woody Paige of the Colorado Springs Gazette, that’s exactly what they’ll be doing come Thursday. However, don’t expect it to be Alabama’s Henry Ruggs on the card, but rather the other Bama product.
Paige suggested the team would be looking at Jerry Jeudy to compliment Pat Shurmur’s new offense. The junior excelled in three seasons with the Crimson Tide, blowing away the SEC corners as the team’s top target. Perhaps best known for his route-running, Jeudy complied 77 catches for 1,163 yards and 10 touchdowns in his final season.
Thread on Jerry Jeudy pic.twitter.com/bt0zTEVKew
— NFL Film Review (@NFLFilmReview) April 14, 2020
Perhaps this is real, but if Denver is trading up, why not for Ruggs? The speedster fits the need for Drew Lock and would pair well with 1,000-yard star Courtland Sutton and Noah Fant. This could be a move to have another select Jeudy early, thus making it easier for them to justifiably take Ruggs.
Both Jeudy and Ruggs are excellent options in the “Mile High” for years to come. Still, Ruggs just seems to be the option that everyone has been mocking him at.
Verdict: Sell