The 2019 NFL Draft is underway in Nashville, and FTW’s lead NFL writer Steven Ruiz is grading picks and offering analysis on how each player will fit with his new team.
No. 1: Daniel Jones, QB Duke
Analysis: I like Daniel Jones. I really do. He’s a smart quarterback who’s poised in the pocket and — wait for it — he’s sneaky athletic. At the very least, he’ll be a decent NFL starter. But his ceiling isn’t much higher than that, and if you’re using a top pick on a quarterback, you want a guy with top-10 talent. I’m not sure Jones has it. I would have been more impressed with this pick at 17. I would have been FAR more impressed with a trade for Josh Rosen, who is a far better prospect.
GRADE: C
No. 17: Dexter Lawrence, DT Clemson
Analysis: I mean, I guess this pick is on-brand for Dave Gettleman, who seems to be obsessed with building a team that can win the NFC East in 1993. Dexter Lawrence is a good player, but he’s a run-stuffer (a very good one) and that just isn’t a valuable skill. Look at it this way: The Giants traded Damon Harrison, the best run defender in the NFL, for a fifth-round pick. Then, essentially, traded Odell Beckham for a player they hope will turn into Harrison one day.
GRADE: F
30 (from SEA): Deandre Baker, CB Georgia
Analysis: Let’s hear it for Dave Gettleman. No, not because he did a good job on Thursday night. He didn’t. But he did provide us with some genuine LOL moments. First, he over-drafted Daniel Jones. Then he took a nose tackle with his second first-rounder. And then, for his grand finale, he traded up to draft a zone corner with Greedy Williams, the best man corner in the class, still on the board. I’ll let Mike Zimmer take it from here…
