Five Favorite NFC Drafts

In no particular order, here are five of my favorite NFC draft classes.

Minnesota Vikings
1. Garrett Bradbury, C, North Carolina State
2. Irv Smith Jr., TE, Alabama
3. Alexander Mattison, RB, Boise State
4. Dru Samia, OG, Oklahoma
5. Cameron Smith, LB, USC
6. Armon Watts, DT, Arkansas
6. Marcus Epps, S, Wyoming
6. Olisaemeka Udoh, OT, Elon
7. Kris Boyd, CB, Texas
7. Dillon Mitchell, WR, Oregon
7. Olabisi Johnson, WR, Colorado State
7. Austin Cutting, LS, Air Force

Offense with the first four picks. That was a fresh change from previous drafts. It's way too early to make roster predictions but it's inevitable that fans do so after the draft. Despite having a talented roster, I can find reasons for all but both receivers making the Vikings final 53-man roster. I really don't see two 7th-round receivers making it. Garrett Bradbury, Dru Samia, and Olisaemeka Udoh could future cornerstones of the Vikings offensive line. There is no doubt that Bradbury is an immediate, and long-term, fixture of the group. The offensive line has been terrible and in one pick things seem brighter. Irv Smith Jr. is the sort of tight end that the Vikings have never had and have been trying to find for a while. He can play all over the formation to create mismatches. The Vikings offense offense got much more versatile. Alexander Mattison is a powerful runner that should compliment Dalvin Cook. Cameron Smith, Armon Watts, Marcus Epps, and Kris Boyd should compete for depth positions and contribute on special teams. Boyd could provide more immediate help as Mike Hughes is returning from a torn ACL and Holton Hill (Boyd's college teammate) will start the season with a four-game suspension. I watched Dillon Mitchell rip up Pac-12 defenses enough to think that he has a shot to stick. After Stefon Diggs and Adam Thielen the receiver spots are wide open. One or both of Mitchell and Olabisi Johnson have a legitimate opportunity. A long snapper isn't drafted to not make the roster. Unless military obligations keep Austin Cutting away from the Vikings for any time, incumbent long snapper Kevin McDermott had better come to camp prepared.

Green Bay Packers
1. Rashan Gary, DE, Michigan
1. Darnell Savage, S, Maryland
2. Elgton Jenkins, C, Mississippi State
3. Jace Sternberger, TE, Texas A&M
5. Kingsley Keke, DT, Texas A&M
6. Ka'dar Hollman, CB, Toledo
6. Dexter Williams, RB, Notre Dame
7. Ty Summers, LB, TCU

As much as I hate to see it the Green Bay Packers look like they got a nice draft haul. I really like their first five picks, Darnell Savage, Elgton Jenkins and Jace Sternberger in particular. The biggest question I have with their picks is with their first pick. Rashan Gary is a tremendous talent. If his play can match that talent, the Packers defense got a lot better.

Los Angeles Rams
2. Taylor Rapp, S, Washington
3. Darrell Henderson, RB, Memphis
3. David Long, CB, Michigan
3. Bobby Evans, OT, Oklahoma
4. Greg Gaines, DT, Washington
5. David Edwards, OT, Wisconsin
7. Nick Scott, S, Penn State
7. Dakota Allen, LB, Texas Tech

For much of the early portion of the draft it felt like the Rams were reluctant to take part in it. When they finally did start making picks I liked what they did. Taylor Rapp was one of my favorite players in the draft. Darrell Henderson should help Todd Gurley finish a season more like he starts it. Unless Andrew Whitworth can play forever, the Rams will need a tackle soon. They found two good ones in Bobby Evans and David Edwards. Greg Gaines just has effective snaps.

Detroit Lions
1. T.J. Hockenson, TE, Iowa
2. Jahlani Tavai, LB, Hawaii
3. Will Harris, S, Boston College
4. Austin Bryant, DE, Clemson
5. Amani Oruwariye, CB, Penn State
6. Travis Fulgham, WR, Old Dominion
6. Ty Johnson, RB, Maryland
7. Isaac Nauta, TE, Georgia
7. P.J. Johnson, DT, Arizona

I like the Lions draft simply because it seemed like they were getting a real solid player with every pick. T.J. Hockenson was one of the best and cleanest players in the draft. I can see nearly every player picked by the Lions making an early impact.

San Francisco 49ers
1. Nick Bosa, DE, Ohio State
2. Deebo Samuel, WR, South Carolina
3. Jalen Hurd, WR, Baylor
4. Mitch Wishnowsky, P, Utah
5. Dre Greenlaw, LB, Arkansas
6. Kaden Smith, TE, Stanford
6. Justin Skule, OT, Vanderbilt
6. Tim Harris, CB, Virginia

I like the 49ers draft mostly for their first three players and Kaden Smith. Some might scoff at a punter in the fourth but it could pay off big. Look at Seattle last year. Jalen Hurd was my favorite receiver in the draft. He has the potential to be a big Percy Harvin. Tight end wasn't really a need but Smith could provide nice options for Kyle Shanahan when paired with George Kittle.