RADIO
Now that the RotoBaller staff has finished their three-round mock draft, it's time to take a look at which team addressed the majority of its biggest needs. We asked each drafter to comment on the relative success of the three-round haul.
As a reminder, we decided to prevent any trades and there is a short rationale for each pick as well as the Twitter handle of the drafter so you can tell them how amazing their picks and insights were.
You can check out other NFL mock drafts from our RotoBaller staff as well. Now let's see how round three went down.
Editor's Note: Our incredible team of writers won two writing awards and received 12 award nominations by the Fantasy Sports Writers Association. A big congrats to our very own Byron Lindeque (Golf) and Jordan McAbee (NASCAR) for both winning Writer Of The Year awards! Be sure to follow RotoBaller's analysis and advice all year long, and win more. Win More With RotoBaller!
Arizona Cardinals (@GbridgfordNFL)
Jedrick Wills, OT Alabama
Jonathan Greenard, EDGE Florida
With two draft picks, the Arizona Cardinals addressed their top two needs with right tackle Jedrick Wills and pass rusher Jonathan Greenard. Wills has the ability to start on day one at right tackle to give them a pair of bookends in front of Kyler Murray. In Greenard, they get a complement to All-Pro Chandler Jones. He has some room to grow, but he has a good ceiling ahead of him.
Atlanta Falcons (@_PhilClark)
C.J. Henderson, CB Florida
Jaylon Johnson, CB Utah
Clyde Edwards-Helaire, RB LSU
The Falcons might aggressively pursue a trade that vaults them near the top of Round 1. But Atlanta addressed their deficiencies at cornerback in this draft by selecting C.J. Henderson and Jaylon Johnson. Clyde Edwards-Helaire should provide an immediate impact as a third-down weapon while presenting Matt Ryan with another dynamic receiving option.
Baltimore Ravens (@RotoSurgeon)
Kenneth Murray, LB Oklahoma
Jonah Jackson, OG Ohio State
Josh Uche, DE/OLB Michigan
Bryan Edwards, WR South Carolina
Tyler Biadasz, C Wisconsin
The Ravens have been built on their defensive identity for a long time, and the selections of Murray and Uche will help to continue that esteemed tradition. The running game gets support with Jackson and Biadasz, and Edwards should help round out a young wide receiver corps that is being built around Lamar Jackson.
Buffalo Bills (@SamskiNYC)
Lloyd Cushenberry III, IOL LSU
Donovan Peoples-Jones, WR Michigan
The Bills are satisfied but maybe not over-the-moon with their selections. They would ideally have liked to add juice off the edge or an S/CB hybrid but the board didn't fall right. As such, they still landed two talented players that can help the team as depth this year and possible starters in the future years.
Carolina Panthers (@DennisMClausen)
Jeffrey Okudah, CB Ohio State
Xavier McKinney, S Alabama
Trey Adams, OT Washington
Carolina seems set at wide receiver and running back and appears to be moving forward with Teddy Bridgewater at QB, so this draft was all about improving the defense. Okudah and McKinney should go a long way towards shoring up the secondary, and Adams is a solid depth piece at tackle; although, there is still work to do on that offensive line.
Chicago Bears (@davithius)
Noah Igbinoghebe, CB Auburn
Isaiah Wilson, OT Georgia
With only a couple picks in the draft, and none in the first round, it will be hard for the Bears to find immediate impact players. However, they're able to add athletic youth which they hope the coaches will bring along in order to fill holes.
Cincinnati Bengals (@DennisMClausen)
Joe Burrow, QB LSU
Cole Kmet, TE Notre Dame
Ben Bartch, OT St. Johns
Bengals get what they want simply as a result of nabbing Burrow. The rest is all icing on the cake. Kmet may have gone a little early, but he fills a major need and Bartch is an intriguing developmental prospect for an offensive line that can desperately use some help.
Cleveland Browns (@SamskiNYC)
Andrew Thomas, OT Georgia
Antoine Winfield Jr., S Minnesota
Malik Harrison, ILB Ohio State
Robert Hunt, OG Louisiana
The Browns come out of the draft with two potential starters on defense, interior offensive line depth, and a tackle to pair with Jack Conklin. I think they're enthusiastic about the outcome since their dynamic weapons on offense still remain. This draft should enable them to be a more well-rounded team.
Dallas Cowboys (@juscarts)
K'Lavon Chaisson, LB LSU
Ashtyn Davis, S California
Rashard Lawrence, DT LSU
The Cowboys need an influx of talent on defense, and this draft goes a long way towards scratching that itch. Chaisson will give the Cowboys a bit of juice for an oft-injured linebacker corps, and Davis should give them insurance in the secondary that they need. It's not going to be the most exciting draft, but it would be a win for the team.
Denver Broncos (@RotoSuperstar)
Henry Ruggs III, WR Alabama
Terrell Lewis, DE Alabama
Troy Pride, CB Notre Dame
Calvin Throckmorton, OG Oregon
James Lynch, DT Baylor
It was quite a haul of picks for the Broncos. It was clear they wanted to get back to their elite defensive ways, and they did so by adding two strong prospects in Lewis and Pride. Throckmorton is solid offensive line depth, and good value in the third round, but the class will be decided on whether Ruggs can develop like many suspect. A combination of him and Courtland Sutton could be scary for defenses.
Detroit Lions (@CoachRiggall)
Chase Young, DE Ohio State
Damien Lewis, OG LSU
J.K. Dobbins, RB Ohio State
Jake Fromm, QB Georgia
The Lions need to get better on both their offensive and defensive lines and they accomplished that. J.K. Dobbins would provide solid running back depth alongside Kerryon Johnson and with Matthew Stafford getting older, the Lions need to start thinking about their next quarterback.
Green Bay Packers (@GbridgfordNFL)
Jalen Reagor, WR TCU
Ross Blacklock, DT TCU
Matt Peart, OT UCONN
In the first round, Green Bay grabs a high-ceiling receiver in Jalen Reagor. If he had a good quarterback last year, he'd be the WR4 at worst in this class. In the second, Kenny Clark, Za'Darius Smith, and Preston Smith get a running mate in another TCU Horned Frog Ross Blacklock. His motor doesn't stop, and he gets good penetration. Quarterbacks won't have many places to run against this defensive front. We round out our selections with a developmental tackle in Matt Peart from UCONN. He's not ready to start in year one which makes him a perfect player for Green Bay with Ricky Wagner in as a stop-gap. He's big and long with plenty of power.
Houston Texans (@Envisionff)
Brandon Aiyuk, WR Arizona State (pick made before trade for Brandin Cooks)
Willie Day Jr., LB Mississippi State
The trade for Brandin Cooks changes the reaction to this draft a bit, but Aiyuk would be an exciting option for Deshaun Watson. Willie Day brings a bunch of talent to the team, but also another headache that Bill O'Brien might not be able to handle.
Indianapolis Colts (@GbridgfordNFL)
Laviska Shenault Jr., WR Colorado
Jeff Gladney, CB TCU
Neville Gallimore, DT Oklahoma
Neville Gallimore, Laviska Shenault Jr., and Jeff Gladney is one hell of a haul considering Indianapolis doesn't have a first-round pick. Shenault has some major question marks surrounding his injury concerns, but he's expected to be fully cleared soon. His athleticism and offensive ability will fit perfectly with the offensive mind of Frank Reich. Add in a bowling ball defensive tackle like Neville Gallimore, and opposing guards will have their hands full between him and DeForest Buckner. Round out the group with another tough-nosed cornerback, and this is one of the best hauls of this mock.
Jacksonville Jaguars (@Roto_Chef)
Derrick Brown, DT Auburn
Trevon Diggs, CB Alabama
Jeremy Chinn, S/LB Southern Illinois
Jonathan Greenard, EDGE Florida
The Jaguars had a plan here. A once-dominant defense took them to the brink of a Super Bowl appearance and then seemed to fall off almost as quickly as it arrived. The team has seemed to be gutting what's left and trying to rebuild; this draft will go a long way towards making that happen. Brown is perhaps the second-best defender in the entire draft, Diggs can develop into a solid cover corner, Chinn brings unique versatility, and Greenard has some real pass-rushing chops. Running back could be an option, but for now Fournette is still on the roster, so the position is likely to be addressed later rather than sooner.
Kansas City Chiefs (@juscarts)
Damon Arnette, CB Ohio State
Jordyn Brooks, LB Texas Techs
Prince Tega-Wanogho, OT Auburn
The Super Bowl Champions added an intriguing collection of talent here. Without one true need, they were able to load up on strong athletes with high ceilings. All of these guys can learn without much pressure, and even if one of them hits, the ceiling is high enough that this could be a truly strong draft for Andy Reid and Co.
Las Vegas Raiders (@_PhilClark)
Jerry Jeudy, WR Alabama
A.J. Terrell, CB Clemson
Leki Fotu, DT Utah
Chase Claypool, WR Notre Dame
Amik Robertson, CB Louisiana Tech
Las Vegas addressed a mammoth talent deficiency at wide receiver through the selection of Jerry Jeudy while Claypool will provide Jon Gruden with another prospective weapon at the position. The Raiders also continued the process of rebuilding a vulnerable defense by adding two cornerbacks (A.J. Terrell/Amik Robertson) and tackle Leki Fotu to the eight players that were secured during free agency.
Los Angeles Chargers (@_PhilClark)
Mekhi Becton, OT Louisville
Jalen Hurts, QB Oklahoma
Raekwon Davis, DT Alabama
The selection of three quarterbacks among the first five picks presented a challenge for Los Angeles, as trading was not an option. But the Chargers addressed a definite need at tackle (Mekhi Becton), secured Jalen Hurts as their future signal-caller, and can blend the versatility of Raekwon Davis into their rotation along the defensive line.
Los Angeles Rams (@steverebeiro)
Denzel Mims, WR Baylor
Julian Okwara, DE/LB Notre Dame
Akeem Davis-Gaither, LB Appalachian State
Nick Harris, OL Washington
The Rams need their roster to get younger and cheaper, so they needed to hit on long-term assets here. While none of these prospects will knock your socks off, they should provide a high floor for the Rams and give them depth and talent at a wide array of positions.
Miami Dolphins (@Roto_Chef)
Justin Herbert, QB Oregon
Josh Jones, OT Houston
Jonathan Taylor, RB Wisconsin
Grant Delpit, S LSU
Curtis Weaver, DE/LB Boise State
K.J. Hamler, WR Penn State
Miami needs an injection of talent everywhere, so this draft would be a major win for them. They'd likely have preferred if Tua was on the board (depending who you believe), but they get their QB of the future nonetheless without having to trade up to do so. They also secure a top offensive lineman to protect him in Jones and strong weapons in Taylor and Hamler. Then, Brian Flores adds proven leaders to his defense. Strong work overall.
Minnesota Vikings (@Envisionff)
Kristian Fulton, CB LSU
Tee Higgins, WR Clemson
Cameron Dantzler, CB Mississippi State
Marlon Davidson, DE Auburn
Bryce Hall, CB Virginia
Do you think the Vikings wanted the change the cornerback room? Yes, this may be a little aggressive, but the Vikings saw a weakness and attacked it. They injected a bunch of talent onto their defense and gave themselves a dynamic option to replace Stefon Diggs. Overall, it's a success.
New England Patriots (@scotteTheKing)
Jordan Love, QB Utah State
Troy Dye, LB Oregon
Adam Trautman, TE Dayton
Jordan Elliott, DT Missouri
As New England retools to begin the post-Brady era, they tab a possible successor in Love and also address the TE void. Plus, they attempted to shore up the run defense.
New Orleans Saints (@Envisionff)
Patrick Queen, LB LSU
Tyler Johnson, WR Minnesota
The Saints only had a couple of picks, but they drafted unique talents with both, which is the type of thing that well-coached teams with depth can do. Queen should be an immediate starter on defense and Tyler Johnson could emerge as a high-level wide receiver in a couple of years with the right coaching.
New York Giants (@SamskiNYC)
Isaiah Simmons, LB Clemson
Zack Baun, DE Wisconsin
Matt Hennessey, IOL Temple
It's not sexy, but the Giants are happy with this draft. They made real strides to improve their defense and also give themself more consistent play from the offensive line. That's crucial for the team's success going forward.
New York Jets (@RotoSurgeon)
Tristan Wirfs, OT Iowa
Michael Pittman Jr., WR USC
Jabari Zuniga, DE Florida
Justin Madubuike, DT Texas A&M
Wirfs is an ideal first-round pick fo the Jets, and they are able to snag some high-end defensive talent with their last two picks. Pittman is a solid receiver, but he won't replace the deep speed lost when Robby Anderson bolted for Carolina. Overall, it's a solid draft for the Jets, but perhaps still leaves them behind Buffalo and New England in the AFC East pecking order.
Philadelphia Eagles (@Envisionff)
Justin Jefferson, WR LSU
Kyle Duggar, S Lenoir-Rhine
Antonio Gandy-Golden, WR Liberty
The first two picks are picture-perfect for the Eagles. Jefferson fits their offensive needs and could be a long-time starter in the league, and Duggar is a versatile and dynamic defensive weapon for the modern NFL. Gandy-Golden may have been a bit of a reach, especially with team needs, but their receiving corps was pretty dreadful last year and J.J. Arcega-Whiteside never showed up, so maybe the Eagles decided to overhaul early on here.
Pittsburgh Steelers (@SamskiNYC)
D'Andre Swift, RB Georgia
Darrell Taylor, EDGE Tennessee
Of course, the Steelers are happy with this draft. They got arguably the best RB in the draft and then they were also able to snag some raw talent at DE they can mold. A solid day(s) at the office.
San Francisco 49ers
Ceedee Lamb, WR Oklahoma
Cesar Ruiz, C Michigan
The 49ers only have two picks on the first two days of the draft, but they certainly knocked it out of the park with those selections. Lamb flashes elite upside and can give the passing offense a dynamic combination with Deebo Samuel for years to come. Meanwhile, Ruiz provides stability on the interior of the line.
Seattle Seahawks (@scotteTheKing)
Yetur Gross-Matos, DE Penn State
Ezra Cleveland, OT Boise State
A.J. Green, CB Oklahoma State
A.J. Dillon, RB Boston College
Plugging holes on the defense was a priority in Seattle, and the Seahawks achieved that with two strong prospects in Gross-Matos and Green. Ezra Cleveland was great value for them in the second round and they were also addressing their need for RB depth. As a result, they come away happy with the way things turned out for them.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers (@RotoSuperstar)
Javon Kinlaw, DL South Carolina
Austin Jackson, OT USC
Netane Muti, OG Fresno State
The Bucs need to win now with Tom Brady in town, so they tried to fix the defense right off the bat. Kinlaw is an elite prospect; although, not really at a major position of immediate need. Future need, for sure. The Bucs then went to work on the offensive line to keep defenders out of Brady's face, which he will appreciate. As the draft continues, the Bucs would likely need an extra emphasis on defense, in particular their secondary.
Tennessee Titans (@CoachRiggall)
A.J. Epenesa, DE Iowa
Lucas Niang, OT TCU
Zack Moss, RB Utah
The Titans are built to run the ball and defend the run. They lost some key pieces from their offensive and defensive lines this offseason, and the picks of Epenesa and Niang will go a long way to helping solidify their fronts. Moss is a good value pick that gives them insurance for the identity.
Washington Redskins (@Envisionff)
Tua Tagovailoa, QB Alabama
Cam Akers, RB Florida State
The Redskins only had two picks, but they swung for the fences on both of them. This would be a confusing but exciting result for the fanbase, seeing as how the team already has young options at the same positions as their new draft picks. In truth, Dwayne Haskins Jr. didn't look great last year and Derrius Guice can't seem to stay healthy. If the new regime wants to start fresh, this would be a dynamic way to do so.
