As we await the much anticipated Draft Report Card by the esteemed
writers at http://tbhague.blogspot.com/,
the staff at 3GML headquarters will run through our Best & Worst draft
picks for each of the 3GML franchises.
BUFFALO
BILLS
Best
Pick: It
would be easy to list the #1 player taken in the draft, DE Myles Garrett, but
the best pick for the defending Super Bowl champions was FS Budda Baker
(Washington). Although Garrett 'checks all the boxes' and is an elite
athlete, Baker is a true playmaker and will bring passion to
the Bills defense. Garrett, at times, took plays off in college. Baker, not so
much. The safety flies around the field and will require all his teammates to
raise their intensity level to match his.
Worst
Pick: DT
Malik McDowell (Michigan State) is another player (like Garrett) with
'off-the-chart' measurable(s) and potential but with a questionable motor. The
Bills coaching staff will need to motivate him to reach that ceiling (which
they no doubt can do). Veteran Geno Atkins will be a huge asset for McDowell's
growth if the rookie can match the work ethic and drive demonstrated by his
All-Pro line-mate.
MIAMI
DOLPHINS
Best
Pick: Talk
about plug and play. SS Jamal Adams (LSU) makes this top
ranked defense even better. The Dolphins are known for preferring
fast hard hitting safeties and Adams is just that. Teams are going
to have to think twice about keeping a back in for pass protection because just
the thought of Adams coming on the blitz has to terrify offensive coordinators.
Worst
Pick: QB Josh
Dobbs (Tennessee) is a long term project. This team needs
quarterback help now. Teddy Bridgewater may not be healthy enough to play
next season and Jacoby Brissett is a serviceable backup, but not the answer. The
Dolphins ranked dead last in passing yards last year and after the run
game failed them in a 13-9 loss to the Bills in the Divisional Round, you had
to think they would grab a QB earlier.
NEW
ENGLAND PATRIOTS
Best
Pick: The
Patriots came in with a pretty big hole in their linebacking core and
immediately addressed it with the addition of MLB Reuben Foster (Alabama).
This is top 5 talent on a team ready to break through in the AFC East.
Worst
Pick: Talk
about a guy that doesn’t fit into the Patriot Way. FS Nathan Gerry
(Nebraska) was suspended twice at Nebraska for academic reasons, which
makes you question if the Patriots did their research on this one. Put
together the limitation in his coverage and you have a blemish in an otherwise
pretty strong draft.
NEW
YORK JETS
Best
Pick: What
to shop for when you are the team who has everything? How about the draft's
best at a pair of critical positions: TE OJ Howard (Alabama) & G
Forrest Lamp (Western Kentucky). Although the scouting and drafting
successes by the league's best front office have yet to yield championship
results, you could easily proclaim many more players as the best for
the 2017 New York Jets draft class. But Howard & Lamp each fill areas of
need for the Jets and will be instant contributors right away for a team with
Super Bowl aspirations.
Worst
Pick:
Although their trade (with Miami) to move back into the 2nd and 3rd rounds to
pick up Obi Melinfonwu, Nathan Peterman and Fabian Moreau yielded the team
amazing value, giving up the 2018 1st rounder to their bitter rivals may end up
being a tough pill to swallow if the Dolphins end up with a top QB in next
year's loaded class. From a value standpoint: Home run again for the Jets. From
a rivalry standpoint: To be determined.
