You could see the war room lean forward. Payton Wilson at pick 88 is the sort of fall that does not happen, except it just did.
They will answer for taking linebacker early while quarterback, wide receiver and other spots went begging. A whole weekend of picks and quarterback is somehow still a want. Every board in the league had Colson lower, and that gap is the story.
In sum, a sturdy weekend with one asterisk, the quarterback spot they never got to.
Pick-by-Pick
R1.27
· Pick 27
· Graham Barton
· OT
· rank 28
In pick No. 27 they get a blindside protector at fair value. A clean fit for the roster.
R2.9
· Pick 41
· Junior Colson
· LB
· rank 49
A reach on Junior Colson in the 41st overall pick; the board had better options right there. Useful body for a position without much behind the starter.
R2.26
· Pick 58
· T.J. Tampa
· CB
· rank 48
They stopped a slide they were happy to see, landing T.J. Tampa in the Round 2 slot. They walked in needing this and walked out with it.
R3.25
· Pick 88
· Payton Wilson
· LB
· rank 53
Of all the spots to shop, they chose linebacker. Payton Wilson in Round 3, Pick 25 leaves quarterback, wide receiver and other spots for later.
R3.27
· Pick 90
· Gabriel Murphy
· DL-EDGE
· rank 84
Good price on Gabriel Murphy in slot 90, a hair ahead of his grade with no real quibbles. It answers the question that was keeping the coaches up at night.
R3.28
· Pick 91
· DJ James
· CB
· rank 85
DJ James in No. 91 lands just on the right side of the ledger. The one spot they could not leave alone, and did not.
R4.27
· Pick 127
· James Williams
· S
· rank 118
James Williams slid further than he should have, and pick 127 is lovely value for the safety. It adds depth where they could use a little.
R5.32
· Pick 168
· Kitan Oladapo
· S
· rank 155
A tidy bit of business in the 168th pick, where Kitan Oladapo graded well above the range. Nice player, but the depth chart did not need him here.
R6.29
· Pick 204
· Caedan Wallace
· OT
· rank 180
Caedan Wallace at the 204th pick is a first-round grade at a bargain-bin price, no notes. A sensible fit that makes the depth chart a little sturdier.
R6.41
· Pick 216
· Daijun Edwards
· RB
· rank 204
Daijun Edwards is a better player than the Round 6 slot suggests; smart patience, rewarded. A glaring weakness, addressed head on.
R7.23
· Pick 243
· Frank Gore Jr.
· RB
· rank 223
Steal is underselling it; Frank Gore Jr. at pick 243 is a heist with the alarm still ringing. That was the need underlined and circled, and now it is checked off.
R7.31
· Pick 251
· LaDarius Henderson
· OT
· rank 244
A reasonable price with a little left over, LaDarius Henderson in Round 7, Pick 31. A sensible fit for a spot that needed help.