Draft Day 2 Recap
By: Joshua Hayes @ EVRD
Winners
Cincinnati Bengals - Tee Higgins was selected 33th overall by the Cincinnati Bengals.
The Bengals knew talent would remain at wide receiver into day 2, and they drafted a strong downfield playmaker for new quarterback Joe Burrow with the selection of Tee Higgins of Clemson. Tee Higgins boasts elite body control in a 6’4” frame that creates a large target for quarterbacks. It would appear that Higgins is the succession plan for a post-A.J. Green Bengals receiving group. Getting talent like Higgins at the start of the second round is a great value play for the Bengals.
New England Patriots - Kyle Dugger was selected 37th overall by the New England Patriots.
The first pick for the Patriots in the post-Brady era is classic Belichick. Defense will be the focal point moving forward, and the plethora of draft picks that Patriots are using this year will be replacing talent that left this offseason. Dugger is a Division II safety with extremely rare size and explosiveness out of Lenoir-Rhyne. Dugger was measured at 6’1” and 217 pounds at the combine. This is elite-level size, that Dugger combines with elite level explosiveness shown from his 4.49 forty yard dash time, and 42 inch vertical. Questions of consistency from Dugger will need to be answered at the next level, but this combination of size and explosiveness is extremely rare coming from a power 5 school, let alone a division II school like Lenoir-Rhyne.
Indianapolis Colts - Jonathan Taylor was selected 41st overall by the Indianapolis Colts.
The Indianapolis Colts add another strong offensive player to their team, with arguably the best running back prospect of the draft. A strong runner, the Colts moved up three slots in order to take the ultra productive Taylor. In terms of height, weight, speed, and durability, Taylor has the typical NFL build. Taylor does have concerns with pass catching ability, and with fumbles. The Colts already had a decent talent in Marlon Mack, but felt the need to be prepared for the last year of his contract by drafting young talent in Taylor. Combined with Phillip Rivers, and the strong offensive line, the Colts should be a dynamic offense to watch this year.
New York Jets - Denzel Mims was selected 59th overall by the New York Jets.
Mims is a receiver with excellent size, speed, and an upper-level catch-radius. Concerns are present about Mims route running, and how he uses his size when catching, but the Baylor product is strong at adjusting to throws and locating the ball out of the air. Sam Darnold gets much needed help at wide receiver, especially after losing Roby Anderson in free agency.
Perplexing Moves ?_?
Philadelphia Eagles - Jalen Hurts was selected 53rd overall by the Philadelphia Eagles.
The Eagles have the franchise quarterback in Carson Wentz, but felt the need to draft Jalen Hurts in the second round. The Eagles had positional needs at receiver, defensive back, and interior offensive line, but instead drafted a backup quarterback. While Wentz’ injury concerns are always present, there are many more positional needs than a backup quarterback and potential gadget player in Hurts. Hurts is a proven winner and his work ethic cannot be understated, but this pick doesn’t make complete sense if you look at what the Eagles need on both sides of the ball.
Green Bay Packers - AJ Dillon was selected 62nd overall by the Green Bay Packers.
Green Bay continues to make questionable moves for a team which had offensive talent in the running game from backs Aaron Jones and Jamaal Williams. A second round pick that does not address concerns at receiver, linebacker, cornerback and offensive tackle makes you question the front office on this pick. Head Coach Matt LeFleur has shown that he will prioritize the run game over passing, but this pick appears to be too early and does not support the franchise talent that you have in Aaron Rodgers.