The war room fell hard for Khalid Duke, and it showed at the Round 7 slot: 62 picks ahead of a board that had other ideas. No fireworks, but a solid B-.
For all the activity, quarterback went untouched, which is hard to explain. With quarterback, wide receiver and other spots unsolved, spending premium capital on safety is the choice that costs them.
Edge rusher was the priority and it is no longer a question, which is most of the job. A fair-value weekend of trading, no edge to be found.
All told, a solid class that does its job everywhere but quarterback.
Pick-by-Pick
R2.5
· Pick 37
· Payton Wilson
· LB
· rank 39
Payton Wilson in the 37th overall pick is fair value, right on his grade. Useful body for a position without much behind the starter.
R2.9
· Pick 41
· Kris Jenkins
· DL-EDGE
· rank 49
The board had cheaper options than Kris Jenkins at Round 2, Pick 9, and it noticed. They walked in needing this and walked out with it.
R2.26
· Pick 58
· Jaden Hicks
· S
· rank 62
They paid sticker price for Jaden Hicks in the Round 2 slot, and that is fine. A minor itch, scratched.
R3.5
· Pick 69
· Kiran Amegadjie
· OT
· rank 63
Kiran Amegadjie in pick No. 69 is fine work, a shade of surplus and no downside. One more legitimate question on the roster, answered.
R3.25
· Pick 88
· Cole Bishop
· S
· rank 92
A surprising call. With quarterback, wide receiver and other spots still to address, they spent the 88th pick on Cole Bishop, a safety they were not short of.
R3.28
· Pick 91
· Patrick Paul
· OT
· rank 85
Fair-plus on Patrick Paul, a quiet win that adds up over a draft. A sensible fit that makes the depth chart a little sturdier.
R4.26
· Pick 126
· Myles Cole
· DE-EDGE
· rank 157
They left a pile of value on the table to take Myles Cole this early at pick No. 126. A must-fix position, and they treated it like one.
R5.33
· Pick 169
· Dylan Laube
· RB
· rank 171
Dylan Laube at slot 169 is right where the board had him, plain and simple. A glaring weakness, addressed head on.
R6.27
· Pick 202
· Deantre Prince
· CB
· rank 257
This one needs a full-page explanation: Deantre Prince in the 202nd pick, miles early. The one spot they could not leave alone, and did not.
R6.44
· Pick 219
· Tyrice Knight
· LB
· rank 213
Nothing to complain about; Tyrice Knight went a shade earlier than his grade, which is fine. It is more luxury than necessity; they were already set here.
R7.25
· Pick 245
· Khalid Duke
· DE-EDGE
· rank 307
Khalid Duke at No. 245 is the pick scouts circle, and not in a good way. It also answers one of the loudest questions on the roster.