With the NFL Draft fast approaching, Technician is breaking down the draft picks of the entire first round. After chronicling the bottom feeders of the NFL last year, it’s time to break down the teams that were close, but not close enough to the playoffs.
No. 11. Chicago Bears – Leonard Floyd, Outside Linebacker, Georgia
The Bears take one of the best pure athletes in the draft in the hopes that he can bolster their weak pass rush. The Bears 3-4 scheme is the same system he played in at Georgia and in year one he can make an impact as an edge rusher for the Bears.
No. 12. New Orleans Saints – A’Shawn Robinson, Defensive Tackle, Alabama
Over the last two years, the Saints defense has been, to put it lightly, a dumpster fire. Getting some pressure from the front seven should help solidify that. Robinson has the potential to be an All-Pro for years, but he needs to get off the blocks faster before he can be a superstar.
No. 13. Miami Dolphins – Ezekiel Elliott, Running Back, Ohio State
There’s been no question that the Dolphins have been drooling over Elliott, if he falls to the Dolphins, it immediately gives the them a workhorse running back that can be used in any situation to take pressure off of Ryan Tannehill in the pocket. Elliott is more than capable of replacing the departed Lamar Miller and eventually can become a solid asset in the passing game.
No. 14. Oakland Raiders – Reggie Ragland, ILB, Alabama
The Raiders took a big leap forward last season and Khalil Mack proved that he is going to be a potential Hall of Fame player. With Malcolm Smith on the roster as well, this will give Ragland an opportunity to build on to a budding linebacking core by the bay.
No. 15. Tennessee Titans (from St. Louis) – Taylor Decker, Tackle, Ohio State
The Titans trade out of the top overall pick and still get a starter on the offensive line to protect franchise quarterback Marcus Mariota. There are many options here for the Titans and with the wealth of picks they received from the Rams it is entirely possible they will trade back into the Top 10. But for now, they take a plug and play tackle in Decker.
No. 16. Detroit Lions – Eli Apple, Cornerback, Ohio State
The Lions desperately need a cornerback who can make plays in the secondary and take the ball away. Apple has the size and ability to be a lockdown corner in the NFL and will help to improve a Lions secondary that was tied for 26th in interceptions last season.
No. 17. Atlanta Falcons – Shaq Lawson, Defensive End, Clemson
Who better to pair with Vic Beasley than the guy that backed him up two season prior to becoming a starter at Clemson? After being a rotational guy on the line his first two seasons, Lawson put together an All-American caliber performance in his first and only season as a starter for the Tigers. He may have average athleticism, but his frame makes him a good fit for both 4-3 and 3-4 defenses.
No. 18. Indianapolis – Cody Whitehair, Tackle/Guard, Kansas State
The left side of the line seems to be intact and functional for the Colts, but the right side was abysmal, much of which played into Andrew Luck’s injury-laden season. Whitehair has played both left guard and right tackle during his time in college, giving the Colts a safe bet for the right side of their line.
No. 19. Buffalo Bills – Jack Conklin, Offensive Tackle, Michigan State
Cordy Glenn is firmly anchored on the left side of the line, but the right side of the line is still a major question mark in protecting Tyrod Taylor. Conklin has been known for having a very nasty attitude and physicality on the field, which is always the player that Rex Ryan is trying to add to his team.
No. 20. New York Jets – Paxton Lynch, Quarterback, Memphis
The trade the Rams made last week affected multiple teams with quarterback issues in this draft, including the Jets. With Ryan Fitzpatrick’s future with the team up in the air, the Jets may need to pull the trigger on a guy who arguably has the best arm in the draft.
