Primetime Football Articles

Pre-skew: 71 AWR, 87 THP, 86 THA

After skew: 67 AWR, 89 THP, 86 THA

I had zero doubts about this pick. It was Alex Smith from the moment the Jets were on the clock. The AWR drop hurts, but the key is that THA held steady and THP actually went up. In this league, accuracy is the foundation. You can win games early with a strong arm, but you build a franchise with consistent throws that do not sail into coverage. The +2 THP is also not just a cosmetic boost. It gives you more life on deep outs, more zip on seam throws, and more margin in bad weather games.

The Jets also drafted the right type of QB for a long plan. Smith is young, already has respectable baseline traits, and his improvement path is clear. Early investment into AWR makes him safer, and once the AWR rises, the rest of the offense becomes easier to develop because your QB stops forcing turnovers. Clean pick, clean process.

Grade: A
My Mock: 1.01
AVG Mock: 1.03

Pre-skew: 63 AWR, 95 THP, 80 THA

After skew: NA

I know his after-skew numbers were mentioned on the radio show, but I cannot remember the exact split. I believe his THP dipped a little while THA improved, which is actually a fine outcome. At QB, I will always take accuracy gains. THP is important, but you can win with a slightly weaker arm if your QB is precise and does not throw gifts to linebackers.

This is also a very logical decision when you look at the alternatives. Derek Anderson is talented, but being 24 years old makes him a different type of gamble. Rodgers is younger, has elite arm talent, and even if he needs early AWR work, the Bears have time to do it properly. If they build around him with protection and a reliable chain mover, this can be a franchise QB selection for many seasons.

Grade: A
My Mock: 1.18
AVG Mock: 1.10

Pre-skew: 92 SPD, 47 STR, 69 AWR, 90 AGI, 95 ACC, 88 CTH

After skew: 93 SPD, 54 STR, 65 AWR, 94 AGI, 95 ACC, 86 CTH

The best WR in the class. No debate from me. 6'3" with 93 SPD and 95 ACC is already elite, and the after-skew made him even scarier in the areas that matter for winning routes. The +7 STR is huge. It turns him from a fast receiver into a fast receiver who wins through contact and can finish catches in traffic. AWR dropped a bit, but 65 is still playable, and you can always build AWR. You cannot build this combination of size and speed from scratch.

Washington gets an immediate impact player and a long-term WR1. You can simplify his routes early, feed him targets, and he will still produce. Then, as the AWR rises, he becomes a complete weapon who beats man coverage and punishes zones. This is a premium pick done correctly.

Grade: A
My Mock: 1.02
AVG Mock: 1.03

Pre-skew: 90 SPD, 66 STR, 61 AWR, 95 AGI, 96 ACC, 80 CTH

After skew: 93 SPD, 62 STR, 59 AWR, 92 AGI, 93 ACC, 77 CTH

The speed boost is the story here. Getting to 93 SPD changes how defenses have to play you. Yes, several supporting traits dipped, but this is still the second best WR in the class and a perfectly defensible pick at 1.04. Even with 59 AWR, he can contribute immediately because his physical profile forces favorable matchups. If the Chargers keep his early route tree simple and invest into AWR, he is going to turn into a weekly mismatch.

Long term, the nice part is that you are not chasing upside from a weak baseline. The baseline is already strong. This pick is about polishing, not rescuing. Solid selection and good value at this spot.

Grade: A
My Mock: 1.04
AVG Mock: 1.05

Pre-skew: 91 SPD, 66 STR, 47 AWR, 96 AGI, 94 ACC, 79 CTH

After skew: 91 SPD, 60 STR, 45 AWR, 94 AGI, 90 ACC, 76 CTH

Player quality is not the issue. The question is roster context. With SS Antrel Rolle still on the board and the Saints needing a starting strong safety, I expected defense here. That said, you cannot teach height, and you cannot progress 6'6". Matt Jones is a unique archetype: a tall receiver with legit speed who can win jump balls and punish single coverage downfield.

The AWR is the big project. At 45 AWR, he will have rookie moments and will not run a full route tree cleanly. The Saints are basically committing their first development wave into AWR, and that is fine if they accept the timeline. If they do it right, he becomes a matchup nightmare in the red zone and a high leverage third-down target.

Grade: B+
My Mock: 1.06
AVG Mock: 1.08

Pre-skew: 99 SPD, 66 STR, 65 AWR, 89 AGI, 96 ACC, 65 CTH, 73 TAK

After skew: NA

The Jets start the draft with the best QB and then grab the best overall player on the board. That is how you set up a rebuild to succeed quickly. Even without the after-skew, the baseline traits are outrageous. 99 SPD and 96 ACC from the secondary is game changing. Add 73 TAK and decent STR, and he is not just a track athlete. He will actually finish plays.

The most valuable part is flexibility. He can play SS, FS, nickel, and even CB in certain looks. That versatility lets you disguise coverages and cover for weak spots elsewhere. At 1.06, this is a franchise defense piece. I cannot grade it anything lower than elite value.

Grade: A+
My Mock: 1.05
AVG Mock: 1.05

Pre-skew: 61 SPD, 97 STR, 75 AWR, 52 AGI, 66 ACC, 92 PBK, 93 RBK

After skew: 64 SPD, 95 STR, 72 AWR, 54 AGI, 68 ACC, 90 PBK, 93 RBK

This is a legitimate OT1 case, and I understand why Miami went here. Brown is ready to start immediately, and his profile is what I like in offensive linemen: high AWR relative to the class, elite strength, and both PBK and RBK at starter quality already. Yes, PBK dipped slightly, but 90 PBK and 93 RBK is still excellent, especially paired with 72 AWR.

You also mentioned the bigger point: the progressable timeline. Reaching maximum progressable abilities by 27 is incredible value. It means you are getting the finished product while the player is still in his prime. With Training Camp boosts, the athletic traits can be supported over time too. Strong selection and a safe cornerstone for the offense.

Grade: A
My Mock: 1.13
AVG Mock: 1.15

Pre-skew: 93 SPD, 41 STR, 41 AWR, 89 AGI, 93 ACC, 68 CTH

After skew: 91 SPD, 46 STR, 44 AWR, 92 AGI, 92 ACC, 70 CTH

This is a pure upside selection. 6'5" with 91 SPD and 92 ACC is the kind of physical profile that makes defensive coordinators adjust. The downside is obvious: he is raw. However, the after-skew did help him where it matters for development. STR increased, AWR increased, and the hands improved. That is enough to justify the gamble in the top 10.

If Atlanta is patient and invests early into AWR, Brackins becomes a serious WR2 quickly and can grow into a WR1 if he hits his ceiling. The key is giving him meaningful snaps. These tall speed receivers develop best when they are actually part of the offense, not hidden on the depth chart.

Grade: A
My Mock: 1.11
AVG Mock: 1.13

Pre-skew: 85 SPD, 82 STR, 60 AWR, 90 AGI, 92 ACC, 73 TAK

After skew: 87 SPD, 78 STR, 61 AWR, 88 AGI, 88 ACC, 80 TAK

Fincher is a great “build it right” MLB. The after-skew bumped his tackling up to 80, which is the immediate playability threshold for many teams. The SPD also improved, and 87 SPD at MLB is exactly what you want in this engine. The ACC dropping is not ideal, but 88 is still very strong for the position. With proper AWR investment, he is going to become a high impact defender fast.

The projection is the best part. In a couple of seasons, he can be sitting near elite speed for the position while his AWR pushes toward the 75 to 80 territory. Once that happens, he stops being a good athlete and becomes the QB of the defense. The Giants needed a leader in the middle, and this is a strong way to get one.

Grade: A
My Mock: 1.07
AVG Mock: 1.08

Pre-skew: 63 SPD, 91 STR, 68 AWR, 76 AGI, 88 ACC, 95 PBK, 85 RBK

After skew: 68 SPD, 93 STR, 67 AWR, 74 AGI, 80 ACC, 91 PBK, 86 RBK

Great value at 1.10. Roos is immediately ready to start and provide stable pass protection. The after-skew gave him a helpful speed bump and a strength bump, and even with ACC reduced to 80, he remains athletic for a tackle. PBK dropped to 91, but 91 PBK with 67 AWR is still starter quality from day one.

This is the kind of pick that will not generate headlines, but it wins games. Buffalo needed dependable line play, and Roos brings that without requiring a long development runway. Give him steady snaps, add some AWR, and you have a long-term LT solution.

Grade: A
My Mock: 1.08
AVG Mock: 1.10

Pre-skew: 82 SPD, 70 STR, 64 AWR, 94 AGI, 87 ACC, 79 TAK

After skew: 86 SPD, 70 STR, 64 AWR, 87 AGI, 87 ACC, 75 TAK

This was the player I personally wanted badly. The speed increase to 86 is exactly why he does not fall into the mid-teens. Even after losing some agility and tackling, the core remains excellent. 64 AWR is already playable for a rookie OLB, and his physical profile is built for impact plays. This is the type of defender who can change third downs quickly when developed correctly.

Kansas gets a long-term edge player with immediate usage. Early development should be focused on AWR and TAK to round him out, but even without it he can pressure QBs and chase plays down from the backside. Great pick, and I hate that it was not mine.

Grade: A
My Mock: 1.14
AVG Mock: 1.19

Pre-skew: 79 SPD, 95 STR, 50 AWR, 71 AGI, 82 ACC, 81 PBK, 84 RBK

After skew: 70 SPD, 94 STR, 54 AWR, 73 AGI, 74 ACC, 77 PBK, 80 RBK

This is a patience pick. Terry took a hit in athletic traits, but gained where the development path actually starts: AWR. Going from 50 to 54 matters, because it reduces the early penalty of being raw. He is also only 21, which is the big selling point. With two seasons of steady playing time and smart point allocation, this can become a reliable starting tackle.

The 49ers are betting that the age and strength foundation will pay off. If they can keep his development consistent, he will not stay a question mark for long.

Grade: A
My Mock: 1.12
AVG Mock: 1.15

Pre-skew: 87 SPD, 49 STR, 57 AWR, 92 AGI, 86 ACC, 61 CTH, 66 TAK

After skew: 88 SPD, 58 STR, 57 AWR, 86 AGI, 89 ACC, 64 CTH, 63 TAK

This was a surprise selection compared to most mocks. I expected OL here, but with the top options gone, the Giants pivoted to the secondary. Rhodes is not easy to grade because he was not widely projected, but the traits are strong. He is tall for the position and will be a very fast safety within two seasons. The STR bump to 58 is also meaningful because it helps him finish tackles and not get bullied by bigger receivers and tight ends.

The AWR staying at 57 is the only long-term concern, but that is solvable. If Mendez commits early points into AWR, Rhodes becomes a very strong coverage safety with enough speed to erase mistakes. It is not a pick I predicted, but it is a pick that can work.

Grade: A
My Mock: NA
AVG Mock: NA

Pre-skew: 82 SPD, 76 STR, 64 AWR, 88 AGI, 83 ACC, 78 TAK

After skew: 82 SPD, 76 STR, 65 AWR, 86 AGI, 81 ACC, 76 TAK

My heart sank when Derrick Johnson went off the board. I still wanted an OLB here, not BPA, and I decided to stick to the plan. Merriman is a very different type of player. He has the size, the strength, and a solid athletic baseline. The after-skew was slightly negative in ACC and TAK, but the AWR bump is useful and keeps the player from being a total awareness project.

This is a pick with a clear direction: he can either remain an OLB and be developed into a complete defender, or he can be converted into a DE where his size profile becomes even more valuable. The upside is real, but the pick is less clean than the top OLB option. I still believe it fits what Baltimore is trying to build, but I also accept that it was not the perfect scenario.

Grade: B+
My Mock: 1.26
AVG Mock: 1.21

Pre-skew: 82 SPD, 82 STR, 62 AWR, 85 AGI, 86 ACC, 80 TAK

After skew: 86 SPD, 79 STR, 65 AWR, 85 AGI, 85 ACC, 80 TAK

This is a great example of how one skew can change draft value. The speed moving to 86 is a big deal for MLB. Suddenly he is not just solid, he is fast enough to close gaps and cover more ground in zone. The AWR bump to 65 also pushes him into “start right away” territory without being a liability in coverage reads.

Tatupu is ready to contribute immediately, and Buffalo gets a linebacker who can develop into a centerpiece. If they focus development on AWR first, then polish STR and ACC as needed, he becomes a high-end starter quickly. Very good pick at 1.15.

Grade: A
My Mock: 1.15
AVG Mock: 1.18

Pre-skew: 85 SPD, 49 STR, 56 AWR, 97 AGI, 89 ACC, 72 CTH, 71 JMP

After skew: 85 SPD, 53 STR, 56 AWR, 88 AGI, 87 ACC, 76 CTH, 80 JMP

I did not expect him to be the first CB taken. I cannot blame anyone for falling in love with 6'4" at corner, though. That is extremely rare, and height has real value when you face tall receivers. The after-skew helped his STR and JMP, and even improved his hands, which is nice for ball production. The downside is the AGI drop, and that can show up when he has to mirror quick routes.

The big question is how he survives early against fast, polished receivers. 85 SPD can be enough if the scheme protects him and he is used correctly, but if he is left on an island every snap against 92 SPD and 70+ AWR, it can get ugly. Still, long-term this can work if developed smartly and if he gets a little SPD help through Training Camp and progression.

Grade: B+
My Mock: 1.29
AVG Mock: 1.23

Pre-skew: 95 SPD, 67 STR, 63 AWR, 91 AGI, 99 ACC, 80 CAR, 80 BTK

After skew: NA

I do not have his workout sheet here, so I cannot speak with certainty on the skew. On paper, the baseline is very strong. 99 ACC and 95 SPD makes him explosive, and 80 CAR plus 80 BTK is a great starting point. The only personal knock for me is weight. 212 lbs is a bit light for how I like to build HBs, because I prefer more durability and more power through contact. Still, with those traits, he can be an instant starter and a big play threat.

If Chicago uses him in space and commits to protecting the ball, Gore can deliver immediately. The ceiling depends on how much AWR and BTK get invested into over time. If those rise, he becomes more than just a speed back.

Grade: B+
My Mock: NA
AVG Mock: 1.31 (Only Rod mocked him into the first round.)

Pre-skew: 55 AWR, 88 THP, 87 THA

After skew: 59 AWR, 91 THP, 83 THA

Still not Anderson, and I understand why. Walter is younger and has a very attractive long-term profile if you believe in building QBs through awareness growth. The skew was interesting: big wins in THP and AWR, but a notable drop in THA. That makes him a slightly longer project because 83 THA can lead to inconsistent throws early on, especially if the offense asks him to throw tight window routes.

That said, the Panthers likely did private workouts and saw the full picture. If Walter has more progressable upside than Anderson, and he is two years younger, the long-term value is real. If they protect him and develop him patiently, Walter can become a very strong starter. This is a pick that can look excellent in two seasons if the coaching is disciplined.

Grade: A
My Mock: 1.19
AVG Mock: 1.20

Pre-skew: 65 AWR, 92 THP, 93 THA

After skew: 61 AWR, 88 THP, 90 THA

Anderson finally comes off the board. Now that we see the skew, the slide makes more sense. Losing AWR, THP, and THA is not ideal, and it immediately increases the development workload. Still, the baseline was so strong that even after a negative skew, he remains a very good QB prospect. 90 THA is still solid, and the arm is still good enough to make all throws.

At 1.19, this is still a steal. The Raiders can afford to invest heavy into AWR early and simplify reads. If they do that, Anderson can rebound into a high-end starter quickly. I mocked him top 3 for a reason: the talent is real. The skew just made him less “plug and play” than some expected.

Grade: A+
My Mock: 1.03
AVG Mock: 1.02

Pre-skew: 74 SPD, 98 STR, 64 AWR, 46 AGI, 73 ACC, 85 PBK, 86 RBK

After skew: 66 SPD, 97 STR, 68 AWR, 49 AGI, 64 ACC, 87 PBK, 87 RBK

Best center in the class and ready to start immediately. The after-skew is a trade: athletic traits down, awareness and blocking up. For a center, I will take that every time. 68 AWR with 87 PBK and 87 RBK is a strong starter profile, and the STR staying elite keeps him from getting bullied inside.

Yes, the SPD and ACC drop hurts in the run game and on second level blocks, but this is exactly where Training Camp can help over time. The foundation is what matters, and Seattle gets that foundation. Great pick at 1.20 and a smart way to stabilize an offense.

Grade: A
My Mock: 1.16
AVG Mock: 1.19

Pre-skew: 95 SPD, 71 STR, 53 AWR, 94 AGI, 95 ACC, 61 CTH, 90 JMP

After skew: 95 SPD, 63 STR, 54 AWR, 93 AGI, 94 ACC, 76 CTH, 87 JMP

This is a very good CB pick at the right area of the round. Hawkins has the physical profile you want: 6'1", 95 SPD, and strong acceleration. He also has excellent jumping for his size, which matters when the ball is in the air. The after-skew improved his hands significantly, and 76 CTH on a CB is dangerous. That leads to more picks, not just deflections.

The rookie CB experience will still be painful at times because AWR is low, but the ceiling is high. If Carolina invests early points into AWR, Hawkins can become a shutdown type CB within a couple of seasons. This is a pick that will look better as he develops.

Grade: A
My Mock: 1.21
AVG Mock: 1.14

Pre-skew: 87 SPD, 35 STR, 71 AWR, 83 AGI, 84 ACC, 71 CTH, 77 JMP

After skew: 88 SPD, 44 STR, 69 AWR, 87 AGI, 87 ACC, 71 CTH, 86 JMP

No point grading this player in my system, because he was picked by the Jaguars. For a 5'10" CB, I want elite speed and acceleration to justify the height. His baseline is simply not in that tier. That said, the skew helped him a lot in STR and jumping, and those are real improvements. If Jacksonville plays him correctly, he can still contribute, but I would not personally spend a first round pick on this specific profile.

If the Jaguars are confident in their development plan and want a tougher CB who can compete at the catch point, then fine. But it is not a player I would target at this spot, especially given other options that remained on the board.

Grade: NA
My Mock: NA
AVG Mock: 1.18

Pre-skew: 95 SPD, 45 STR, 43 AWR, 97 AGI, 97 ACC, 66 CTH

After skew: 99 SPD, 49 STR, 45 AWR, 99 AGI, 99 ACC, 63 CTH

I feel ashamed for myself and for most of the community for missing this. Only Tom projected him into the first round, and Tom was also the one who pulled the trigger. Yes, he is raw, but the physicals are completely absurd. 99 SPD, 99 AGI, 99 ACC is not normal. That is a cheat code type athlete. Even if the hands dipped slightly, you can build CTH. You cannot build this level of movement.

If Buffalo gives him snaps and commits to AWR early, he can become terrifying quickly. Two seasons of development and he can be sitting in the mid-60s AWR range while his CTH climbs into the low 70s. At that point, you have a receiver who is basically uncovered unless the defense sits in deep shells all game. This is a massive upside pick, and the value at 1.23 is incredible.

Grade: A+
My Mock: NA
AVG Mock: NA

Pre-skew: 92 SPD, 59 STR, 64 AWR, 98 AGI, 99 ACC, 83 CAR, 81 BTK

After skew: 96 SPD, 63 STR, 64 AWR, 97 AGI, 97 ACC, 84 CAR, 77 BTK

This is an excellent skew overall. The biggest gain is the speed moving to 96, because it changes the type of runs that become house calls. The +4 STR is also very helpful for a back who will take contact in this division. CAR improved as well, which matters more than people admit. The only negative is BTK dropping, but 77 is still playable, and you can push it up with development if that is part of your identity.

Denver gets an immediate starter with a very high ceiling. Ronnie Brown can be a three-down back in this league because his profile is not just speed. He has enough strength, enough ball security, and enough awareness to grow into a complete runner if managed correctly.

Grade: A
My Mock: 1.31
AVG Mock: 1.27

Pre-skew: 94 SPD, 51 STR, 51 AWR, 94 AGI, 94 ACC, 60 CTH, 96 JMP

After skew: 94 SPD, 52 STR, 54 AWR, 94 AGI, 93 ACC, 56 CTH, 92 JMP

This is the CB who I thought should have been taken earlier. The physicals are exactly what you want: 6'0", 94 SPD, 93 ACC, 94 AGI. He can run with receivers immediately, and that is half the battle. The after-skew improved his AWR, which is the most important part for avoiding rookie disasters. Yes, he lost some jumping and hands, but those are not deal breakers when the movement skills are elite.

At 1.25, I think this is a steal. If the Eagles develop him properly, he can become a shutdown type CB. This pick can be a major win in hindsight, especially when we look back in two seasons and see him matching up with top WRs without safety help.

Grade: A+
My Mock: 1.10
AVG Mock: 1.13

Pre-skew: 96 SPD, 63 STR, 57 AWR, 96 AGI, 90 ACC, 74 CTH

After skew: 94 SPD, 55 STR, 53 AWR, 92 AGI, 93 ACC, 73 CTH

Unfortunately for me, he will be playing in the AFC North. The skew was mostly negative, but the ACC bump is a real positive, and he is still a very fast receiver. The bigger issue is that he remains raw, and the after-skew pushed him further into “needs AWR first” territory. 53 AWR means he is going to run like a rookie and will not consistently separate on complex routes early.

Still, in the late first round, this is a strong value pick. Pittsburgh can develop WRs, and if they feed him early playing time, he will improve quickly. For now he is a vertical threat who can stretch defenses and punish single coverage. Once AWR rises, he becomes a lot more than a straight-line runner.

Grade: A
My Mock: 1.27
AVG Mock: 1.15

Pre-skew: 69 SPD, 89 STR, 53 AWR, 70 AGI, 68 ACC, 85 PBK, 75 RBK

After skew: 71 SPD, 90 STR, 49 AWR, 72 AGI, 74 ACC, 81 PBK, 76 RBK

Only Will mocked him in the first round, but the profile explains why a team would take the chance. Good size, solid strength, and improved athletic traits after skew. The concern is AWR dropping under 50. That means he is not ready to be trusted early, especially in pass protection against elite edge rushers.

If Tampa is drafting for the future and can hide him for a season while they pump AWR, then this can work. Once AWR reaches the mid-60s, his athletic traits and strength can carry him into a solid starting tackle. It is a risk, but late first is where some teams take these swings.

Grade: A-
My Mock: NA
AVG Mock: NA

Pre-skew: 93 SPD, 50 STR, 49 AWR, 92 AGI, 93 ACC, 70 CTH

After skew: 94 SPD, 56 STR, 49 AWR, 92 AGI, 93 ACC, 72 CTH

Rod was the only person mocking him into the first round, but Dallas clearly liked the profile. The skew helped STR and hands, and the speed bump is always welcome. The problem is still AWR. At 49, he is raw, and at 23 years old, he is not the youngest development project. That does not mean he cannot be good, it just means the timeline is shorter and the margin for wasted seasons is smaller.

If Dallas gives him immediate snaps and focuses on AWR early, Tab Perry can become a productive receiver quickly. With his athletic traits, he can win downfield and in open space. This is a good late first pick if the Cowboys commit to development and do not stash him on the bench.

Grade: A-
My Mock: NA
AVG Mock: NA

Pre-skew: 83 SPD, 81 STR, 65 AWR, 72 AGI, 75 ACC, 79 CTH, 40 RBK

After skew: 84 SPD, 79 STR, 63 AWR, 80 AGI, 82 ACC, 80 CTH, 44 RBK

Great skew. This is one of my favorite late first round picks in the entire class. He got faster in the areas that matter for a TE: agility and acceleration. Going to 80 AGI and 82 ACC makes him a better route runner immediately, and the hands are already strong. Yes, AWR dipped a bit, but 63 is still workable, and a TE with this athletic profile can be productive even before he is fully developed.

He is also 6'5" and only 22 years old. That combination is exactly what you want at TE. He can contribute as a receiver right away and improve into a complete weapon with AWR investment. The RBK is low, but it improved, and you can choose whether you want him to be a pure receiving TE or a balanced one. Fantastic value at 1.29.

Grade: A+
My Mock: NA
AVG Mock: NA

Pre-skew: 79 SPD, 76 STR, 54 AWR, 82 AGI, 89 ACC, 70 TAK

After skew: 86 SPD, 75 STR, 58 AWR, 84 AGI, 87 ACC, 69 TAK

No one mocked him in the first round, but the skew explains why he jumped. Going from 79 SPD to 86 SPD is massive for an OLB. That is the difference between “solid” and “impact.” His AWR also improved, which is very important because it reduces the early learning curve. The ACC dip is not ideal, but 87 ACC is still very strong.

He is only 6'1", which likely made people hesitate, but in this engine speed often matters more than height for OLB play. With a couple of seasons of development, he can become a serious edge presence. This is a great example of a late first round pick being justified by the after-skew information.

Grade: A
My Mock: NA
AVG Mock: NA

Pre-skew: 97 SPD, 52 STR, 57 AWR, 99 AGI, 95 ACC, 78 CTH

After skew: NA

I understand why someone would take him in the first round, but he is not a first round profile in my personal mold because he is 5'11". That said, he is a very real player. 97 SPD with 99 AGI and strong acceleration makes him dangerous any time he touches the ball. He can also be a special teams monster, and that matters more than people want to admit.

If the Jets use him as a weapon and not just a depth receiver, he will produce. He needs AWR work like most speed WRs, but he is not starting from the basement. This is a pick that depends on usage. If he becomes a gadget and return game centerpiece, it is great value. If he is buried, it is a wasted opportunity.

Grade: B+
My Mock: NA
AVG Mock: 1.18

Pre-skew: 86 SPD, 42 STR, 65 AWR, 92 AGI, 91 ACC, 62 CTH, 81 JMP

After skew: 90 SPD, 47 STR, 61 AWR, 91 AGI, 91 ACC, 64 CTH, 89 JMP

He needed a friendly skew in speed, and he got exactly that. Going to 90 SPD changes the entire pick. Add the STR bump and the big jump in JMP, and he becomes a much more competitive CB at the catch point. The AWR dip is not ideal, but it is still in a workable range for development, and the physical profile is now much stronger than it was pre-skew.

Dallas gets a solid late first round CB who can compete physically and has enough athleticism to survive early. If they invest into AWR and keep him in a scheme that protects him at first, he can become a reliable starter. Strong way to close out the first round.

Grade: A
My Mock: NA
AVG Mock: 1.23