When the story of this class is written, it opens with Nathan Pickering at the 254th overall pick, a reach of 114 spots that the board flatly disagrees with. Solid and sensible more than spectacular: a B-.
Bo Nix is the bet, and the class will be judged on how it pays off. The edge rusher spot stays a question, and it was the one they most needed an answer at. If one pick saves this weekend, it is Jones.
All told, a draft that does its job without fuss, and there is real value in that.
Pick-by-Pick
R1.25
· Pick 25
· Bo Nix
· QB
· rank 23
In Round 1, Pick 25 they get a long-term answer under center at fair value. It fills the loudest need on the roster.
R2.9
· Pick 41
· Devontez Walker
· WR
· rank 45
No edge and no loss on Devontez Walker in the 41st pick; it is a wash and a sensible one. A sensible fit that makes the depth chart a little sturdier.
R2.25
· Pick 57
· T'Vondre Sweat
· DT
· rank 58
They paid sticker price for T'Vondre Sweat in the 57th overall pick, and that is fine. One more legitimate question on the roster, answered.
R3.25
· Pick 88
· Zak Zinter
· OG
· rank 94
A market-rate offensive lineman, with the board and the slot shaking hands on Zak Zinter. It fills a real need, too.
R3.28
· Pick 91
· Blake Fisher
· OT
· rank 99
Blake Fisher at the Round 3 slot is a clear overpay, with better names still on the board. It shores up a spot that genuinely needed the help.
R4.26
· Pick 126
· Jarrian Jones
· CB
· rank 124
Jarrian Jones in pick No. 126 is fair value, right on his grade. That was the need underlined and circled, and now it is checked off.
R5.32
· Pick 168
· Ty'Ron Hopper
· LB
· rank 157
Value with a capital V on Ty'Ron Hopper in No. 168, a genuine coup. Not urgent, but hardly pointless.
R6.28
· Pick 203
· Jase McClellan
· RB
· rank 232
Jase McClellan at Round 6, Pick 28 is a steep price for a hunch, hard to square with any board. It also answers one of the loudest questions on the roster.
R6.41
· Pick 216
· Jalen Green
· S
· rank 228
They paid a round early for Jalen Green in pick No. 216, more than the board wanted. A quiet depth add at a thin-ish spot.
R7.23
· Pick 243
· Myles Jones
· CB
· rank 229
Good things come to war rooms that wait, and Myles Jones at slot 243 is the proof. This was priority one on the needs board, and now it is handled.
R7.34
· Pick 254
· Nathan Pickering
· DT
· rank 368
A big swing on Nathan Pickering at the 254th pick, well ahead of any board in the building. A need, and now a little less of one.
R7.39
· Pick 257
· Mark Perry
· S
· rank 263
By-the-book stuff, Mark Perry at the 257th overall pick squarely in line with his ranking. A want more than a need, though you can never have too many.