Luckett's NFL Draft Takeaways: NFC

The end of the NFL Draft means the beginning of the dog days of summer before football arrives on Labor Day weekend, but we aren’t focusing on that yet. For now, it’s time to react to the rosters that are now in place for the 2022 season.

On Monday, we touched on the AFC, and now we’re shifting over to the NFC. Let’s ride.

49ers have reached with no premium picks

• 2 (61): Drake Jackson (EDGE, USC)
• 3 (93): Tyrion Davis Price (RB, LSU)
• 3 (105): Danny Gray (WR, SMU)
• 4 (134): Spencer Burford (T, UTSA)
• 5 (172): Samuel Womack (CB, Toledo)
• 6 (187): Nick Zakelj (T, Fordham)
• 6 (220): Kalia Davis (iDL, UCF)
• 6 (221): Tariq Castro-Fields (CB, Penn State0
• 7 (262): Brock Purdy (QB, Iowa State)

Due to the trade made to acquire Trey Lance last year, the 49ers entered this draft behind the eight-ball. After the work was done, it was hard to get too excited about this haul. Drake Jackson is an intriguing talent who was a top-50 recruit out of high school but was a bit of a tweener at USC. Tyrion Davis-Price does not appear to be a wide zone scheme fit. The late rounds appeared to be stretches. San Francisco is entering a huge transition season.

Bears miss the mark under new regime

• 2 (39): Kyler Gordon (CB, Washington)
• 2 (48): Jaquan Brisker (S, Penn State)
• 3 (71): Velus Jones Jr. (WR/KR, Tennessee)
• 5 (168): Braxton Jones (T, Southern Utah)
• 5 (174): Dominique Robinson (EDGE, Miami Ohio)
• 6 (186): Zachary Thomas (T, San Diego State)
• 6 (203): Trestan Ebner (RB, Baylor)
• 6 (207): Doug Kramer (C, Illinois)
• 7 (226): Ja’Tyre Carter (iOL, Southern)
• 7 (254): Elijah Hicks (S, California)
• 7 (255): Trenton Gill (P, NC State)

Last season, the Bears spent a future first-round pick to move up and draft Justin Fields. From that point, the franchise needed to commit every resource possible to make sure the face of the franchise succeeded. That has not happened in Chicago. After replacing Matt Nagy with defensive-minded Matt Eberflus, new general manager Ryan Pole went defense-heavy in the draft. Year two will be ugly for Fields, but Kyler Gordon and Jaquan Brisker are two good-looking secondary prospects. It’s always defense first in Chicago.

Bucs add quality depth to Super Bowl roster

• 2 (33): Logan Hall (DL, Houston)
• 2 (57): Luke Goedeke (iOL, Central Michigan)
• 3 (91): Rachaad White (RB, Arizona State)
• 4 (106): Cade Otton (TE, Washington)
• 4 (133): Jake Camarda (P, Georgia)
• 5 (157): Zyon McCollum (CB, Sam Houston State)
• 6 (218): Ko Kieft (TE, Minnesota)
• 7 (248): Andre Anthony (EDGE, LSU)

The Bucs traded out of the first round to add more draft capital and that turned out to be a good thing. Logan Hall is a pass rusher who can play both inside and out. Luke Goedeke has multi-positional versatility and can play immediately. Rachaad White is an explosive tailback that will contribute immediately. Jake Camarda should start at punter, and both Cade Otton and Ko Kieft bring two unique skillsets at tight end. Tom Brady is back as the Bucs will have a roster capable of winning the Super Bowl.

Cardinals do not upgrade roster

• 2 (55): Trey McBride (TE, Colorado State)
• 3 (87): Cameron Thomas (EDGE, San Diego State)
• 3 (100): Myjai Sanders (EDGE, Cincinnati)
• 6 (201): Keontay Ingram (RB, USC)
• 6 (215): Lecitus Smith (iOL, Virginia Tech)
• 7 (244): Christian Matthew (DB, Valdosta State)
• 7 (256): Jesse Luketa (LB, Penn State)
• 7 (257): Marquis Hayes (iOL, Oklahoma)

Things are getting interesting in Arizona, and the Cardinals got weird on draft day. The trade for Hollywood Brown makes more sense following the six-game suspension for DeAndre Hopkins, but the NFC West franchise did not add a starter in the draft. Trey McBride will be behind Zach Ertz without a clear avenue for playing time with both Cameron Thomas and Myjai Sanders needing some development. Arizona did not seem to get much better in the draft.

Commanders add some intriguing weapons

• 1 (16): Jahan Dotson (WR, Penn State)
• 2 (47): Phidarian Mathis (iDL, Alabama)
• 3 (98): Brian Robinson Jr. (RB, Alabama)
• 4 (113): Percy Butler (S, Louisiana)
• 5 (144): Sam Howell (QB, North Carolina)
• 5 (149): Cole Turner (TE, Nevada)
• 7 (230): Chris Paul (iOL, Tulsa)
• 7 (240): Christian Holmes (CB, Oklahoma State)

The Commanders are in win-now mode, and the franchise is rolling the dice with Carson Wentz. A former first-round pick, Washington is committing assets to the quarterback. Jahan Dotson gives the offense a receiver to complement Terry McLaurin as a vertical threat.

Hey @Commanders, here are just a *couple* @JahanDotson highlights to hold you over till football season 👀#WeAre | #NFLDraft pic.twitter.com/n9KoXkd4e3

— Penn State Football (@PennStateFball) April 29, 2022

Brian Robinson Jr. will be a quality tailback. Cole Turner can be a flex tight end that can cause matchup issues. The Commanders have a roster good enough to get to the playoffs, and this franchise got better in the draft. If Wentz can’t get it done, don’t be surprised if Sam Howell starts games as a rookie.

Cowboys roll the dice early

• 1 (24): Tyler Smith (G/T, Tulsa)
• 2 (56): Sam Williams (EDGE, Ole Miss)
• 3 (88): Jalen Tolbert (WR, South Alabama)
• 4 (129): Jake Ferguson (TE, Wisconsin)
• 5 (155): Matt Waletzko (T, North Dakota)
• 5 (167): Daron Bland (CB, Fresno State)
• 5 (176): Damone Clark (LB, LSU)
• 5 (178): John Ridgeway (iDL, Arkansas)
• 6 (193): Devin Harper (LB, Oklahoma State)

The Cowboys are not afraid to take some risks in the draft. That played out in 2022. Tyler Smith and Sam Williams are both raw prospects, but each has star upside if flaws in their game can be developed. Jalen Tolbert was a big-time producer in the Sun Belt and was an intriguing addition. Jerry Jones does not draft with caution and Dallas could have another boom or bust class.

Eagles have case for No. 1 class

• 1 (13): Jordan Davis (iDL, Georgia)
• 2 (51): Cam Jurgens (C, Nebraska)
• 3 (83): Nakobe Dean (LB, Georgia)
• 6 (181): Kyron Johnson (LB/EDGE, Kansas)
• 6 (198): Grant Calcaterra (TE, SMU)

The trade for A.J. Brown will get most of the attention, but general manager Howie Roseman also had a great draft. Jordan Davis gives the defense a much-needed space-eater to control the middle. Cam Jurgens is a clear succession plan for whenever Jason Kelce decides to retire. Philadelphia was the winner of the Nakobe Dean fall, and if all the medicals check out the Eagles have added their middle linebacker of the future. Meanwhile, late picks Grant Calcaterra and Kyron Johnson can both play. After resetting following the Doug Pederson/Carson Wentz era, the Birds are back to being contenders.

Giants rebuild is off to a good start

• 1 (5): Kayvon Thibodeaux (EDGE, Oregon)
• 1 (7): Evan Neal (T, Alabama)
• 2 (43): Wan’Dale Robinson (Slot, Kentucky)
• 3 (67): Joshua Ezeudu (iOL, North Carolina)
• 3 (81): Cordale Flott (Nickel, LSU)
• 4 (112): Daniel Bellinger (TE, San Diego State)
• 4 (114): Dane Belton (S, Iowa)
• 5 (146): Micah McFadden (LB, Indiana)
• 5 (147): D.J. Davidson (iDL, Arizona State)
• 5 (173): Marcus McKethan (iOL, North Carolina)
• 6 (182): Darrian Beavers (LB, Cincinnati)

General manager Joe Schoen checked some needed boxes for the rebuilding Giants in his first draft. The franchise addressed both sides of the line of scrimmage with top-10 picks as Evan Neal, and Kayvon Thibodeaux each have star potential. Slot-heavy wideout Wan’Dale Robinson is a good fit for head coach Brian Daboll. Day three picks Darrian Beavers, Daniel Bellinger, Dane Belton, and Micah McFadden all have upside. The latter is a great fit as a blitzer in Wink Martindale’s pressure-heavy scheme. New York made a step in the right direction.

Falcons still have a long way to go

• 1 (8): Drake London (WR, USC)
• 2 (38): Arnold Ebikete (EDGE, Penn State)
• 2 (58): Troy Andersen (LB, Montana State)
• 3 (74): Desmond Ridder (QB, Cincinnati)
• 3 (82): DeAngelo Malone (EDGE, WKU)
• 5 (151): Tyler Allgeier (RB, BYU)
• 6 (190): Justin Shaffer (iOL, Georgia)
• 6 (213): John FitzPatrick (TE, Georgia)

Selecting Drake London as the first wide receiver off the board didn’t seem wise, but the size and ability to use in multiple ways was likely attractive for Arthur Smith’s outside zone attack that uses condensed formations heavily. Arnold Ebikete was one of the best pure pass rushers in this class, and Troy Andersen has a ton of athleticism. Desmond Ridder could be a good fit for this scheme as he plays behind Marcus Mariota. Tyler Allgeier could be a sneaky rookie contributor as a physical outside zone rusher.

Lions are a rising franchise

• 1 (2): Aidan Hutchinson (EDGE, Michigan)
• 1 (12): Jameson Williams (WR, Alabama)
• 2 (46): Josh Paschal (EDGE, Kentucky)
• 3 (97): Kerby Joseph (S, Illinois)
• 5 (177): James Mitchell (TE, Virginia Tech)
• 6 (188): Malcolm Rodriguez (LB, Oklahoma State)
• 6 (217): James Houston IV (LB, Jackson State)
• 7 (237): Chase Lucas (CB, Arizona State)

For the second year in a row, the Lions started at the line of scrimmage and added Aidan Hutchinson to be a cornerstone of the defense. Meanwhile, top-50 pick Josh Paschal is a great compliment to him as a 3-4 defensive end in Detroit’s hybrid front. Kerby Joseph was one of the better safeties in this class. On offense, general manager Brad Holmes traded up to get Jameson Williams who could end up being the top wideout in this class thanks to elite speed and vertical playmaking ability. Detroit continues to get better. A big quarterback addition next offseason will put this team in the hunt in 2023.

Packers have well-rounded draft

• 1 (22): Quay Walker (LB, Georgia)
• 1 (28): Devonte Wyatt (iDL, Georgia)
• 2 (34): Christian Watson (WR, North Dakota State)
• 3 (92): Sean Rhyan (T, UCLA)
• 4 (132): Romeo Doubs (WR, Nevada)
• 4 (140): Zach Tom (iOL, Wake Forest)
• 5 (179): Kingsley Enagbare (EDGE, South Carolina)
• 7 (228): Tariq Carpenter (LB, Georgia Tech)
• 7 (234): Jonathan Ford (iDL, Miami)
• 7 (249): Rasheed Walker (T, Penn State)
• 7 (258): Samori Toure (WR, Nebraska)

The low-hanging fruit is that this franchise refuses to give Aaron Rodgers a first-round talent at wide receiver, but it’s hard to see this as a bad draft for the Packers. Both Devonte Wyatt and Quay Walker will bring physicality to the Green Bay front seven and could start as rookies. Romeo Doubs and Christian Watson can get vertical to help stretch the field. Zach Tom has five-position versatility on the line and will be a great fit for Matt LaFleur’s wide zone scheme.

Most catches by Mountain West WRs since 2020:

1. Romeo Doubs – 140
2. Khalil Shakir – 129pic.twitter.com/tvqEB8990I

— PFF Draft (@PFF_College) April 4, 2022

Panthers have long way to go

• 1 (6): Ikem Ekwonu (T, NC State)
• 3 (94): Matt Corral (QB, Ole Miss)
• 4 (120): Brandon Smith (LB, Penn State)
• 6 (189): Amare Barno (EDGE, Virginia Tech)
• 6 (199): Cade Mays (iOL, Tennessee)
• 7 (242): Kalon Barnes (CB, Baylor)

The writing appears to be on the wall for Matt Rhule in Carolina as the Panthers did not have much draft capital for a roster that has plenty of needs. Ikem Ekwonu should be an instant starter on the line, and Matt Corral will serve as a backup to Sam Darnold. Carolina hopes they’ll get a surprise contributor from one of the late picks but it could be a long season in the NFC South.

Rams take a bunch of day three swings

• 3 (104): Logan Bruss (iOL, Wisconsin)
• 4 (142): Decobie Durant (CB, South Carolina State)
• 5 (164): Kyren Williams (RB, Notre Dame)
• 6 (211): Quentin Lake (S, UCLA)
• 6 (212): Derion Kendrick (CB, Georgia)
• 7 (235): Daniel Hardy (LB, Montana State)
• 7 (253): Russ Yeast (S, Kansas State)
• 7 (261): AJ Arcuri (T, Michigan State)

The defending Super Bowl champs are not afraid to trade away draft capital to upgrade their roster. Therefore, the Rams did not have any top-100 picks. The draft will likely be defined by the development of Logan Bruss as the franchise needs the Wisconsin product to contribute. If one of the day three finds can develop into a starter that would be icing on the cake. Derion Kendrick looks the part as a former blue-chip recruit that played at a high level for both Clemson and Georgia.

Feels like the Saints could have done better

• 1 (11): Chris Olave (WR, Ohio State)
• 1 (19): Trevor Penning (T, Northern Iowa)
• 2 (49): Alontae Taylor (CB/S, Tennessee)
• 5 (161): D’Marco Jackson (LB, App State)
• 6 (194): Jordan Jackson (iDL, Air Force)

With three top-50 picks, expectations were going to be high for the Saints. After the result, it’s time to take a wait-and-see approach. Chris Olave will be a good pro, but No. 11 overall felt early. There is some boom or bust to Trevor Penning, and Alontae Taylor is a tweener. Not exactly what you would prefer to have with those picks. Getting D’Marco Jackson in the fifth round is good value as the App State product has NFL starter potential.

Seahawks draft good blend of high floor and upside

• 1 (9): Charles Cross (T, Mississippi State)
• 2 (40): Boye Mafe (EDGE, Minnesota)
• 2 (41): Kenneth Walker III (RB, Michigan State)
• 3 (72): Abraham Lucas (T, Washington State)
• 4 (109): Coby Bryant (CB, Cincinnati)
• 5 (153): Tariq Woolen (CB, UTSA)
• 5 (158): Tyreke Smith (EDGE, Ohio State)
• 7 (229): Bo Melton (WR, Rutgers)
• 7 (233): Dareke Young (WR, Lenoir-Rhyne)

Seattle is rebuilding following the departure of Russell Wilson, and the franchise got off to a good start in the draft. Charles Cross has the highest ceiling of any offensive tackle in the class. Boye Mafe has a ton of room to grow at defensive end. Kenneth Walker III is a great fit for the wide zone scheme installed by offensive coordinator Shane Waldron and should be an immediate contributor. At cornerback, Coby Bryant provides a high floor, and Tariq Woolen oozes with potential. Abraham Lucas was a solid tackle find in the third round. The Seahawks improved their roster.

Vikings load up in the secondary

• 1 (32): Lewis Cine (S, Georgia)
• 2 (42): Andrew Booth Jr. (CB, Clemson)
• 2 (59): Ed Ingram (iOL, LSU)
• 3 (66): Brian Asamoah (LB, Oklahoma)
• 4 (118): Akayleb Evans (CB, Missouri)
• 5 (165): Esezi Otomewo (EDGE, Minnesota)
• 5 (169): Ty Chandler (RB, North Carolina)
• 6 (184): Vederian Lowe (T, Illinois)
• 6 (191): Jalen Nailor (WR, Michigan State)
• 7 (227): Nick Muse (TE, South Carolina)

New general manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah entered the draft with a plan to address the Vikings secondary and landed a couple of starters. The NFC North franchise made a couple of trades back and was able to land both Lewis Cine and Andrew Booth. Each will have a great shot at starting as a rookie. However, the franchise also addressed cornerback depth by taking Akayleb Evans in the fourth round. Brian Asamoah will push for time at linebacker. Jalen Nailor felt like a sneaky good sixth-round selection and could play as a rookie.