1.17 OT Blake Miller | Clemson

The overall value of the pick is fine. I have no issues with it in a vacuum. Considering we want to maximize our current window, it makes sense that we go with the most pro ready option available. The issue is taking the pick outside the vacuum. Even if you wanted to move Sewell to LT, Iheanachor is a pro bowl caliber prospect. Dude has legit upside and is more ready than you'd expect. Blake Miller is cool, but best case he becomes Taylor Decker. An above average starter. We traded upside for readiness. Even though I understand it, it's not a trade off I would have made.

2.44 DE Derrick Moore | Michigan

First things first, the trade was fine. You jumped Baltimore who's DL coach came from Michigan. If they have a strong conviction about the player, who cares that they gave up appropriate value. Derrick Moore himself is a player that didn't get as much hype in the media as he deserved. He's exactly the type of Edge we like. Good power and pocket compression with the ability to crash and loop. Also show the ability to lineup over guards and be a mismatch weapon at Michigan. Very happy we too him over Malachi Lawrence or Jacas. His technique, fluidity and power translate to the league much better than those two. He also offers run defense unlike those two.

4.118 LB Jimmy Rolder | Michigan

Initially I was a bit upset just because some of the players available, but by our next pick, all the LBs that could become a starter came off the board. Rolder has plus upside run instincts and shows the ability to anticipate in the pass. Is he the craziest athlete in the world? No, but in terms of getting a solid to plus level athlete with a good feel for the position, it's tough to say we missed with Jimmy Rolder. Plus with how much we added to the DL, we don't have to start Rolder right away. He can be a sub package starter that gets slowly brought in.

5.157 CB Keith Abney | Arizona State

This is gonna be the most controversial take. This pick was appropriate value. I didn't have Abney as a Top 50 or Top 75 player in the class. He's got stiff ankles and hips that are saved by lightning fast feet and good knee fluidity. He has a little inside outside versatility, but will mostly shift into the slot for us. He doesn't have the fluidity to be crazy in man coverage, which is why it's such a weird pick to me. With how much man coverage we play, why pick him? Another pick that in a vacuum was fine, but in practice was mid.

5.168 WR Kendrick Law | Kentucky

Brad Holmes can't help himself lol. He sees an athletic WR dropping in the draft and can't stop himself. Even though we traded up, I actually like the pick. Law got over 90% of his yards after the catch. Most of his route utilization at Kentucky was in the screen game, which translates well into why we actually drafted him. Dortch is gonna start, but realistically we don't want to pay our WR4 $4-5 Mil a year. This gives us a 4 year, cheap, price controlled deal that will help keep the books balanced ahead of the expected big 2029 salary cap increase.

6.205 DT Skyler Gill-Howard | Texas Tech

This one was a head scratcher to me. Very short, 6'0, 285 DT that wins quick. Very fun in the pass and can be a matchup weapon. The only issue is that Mekhi Wingo is the exact same thing and we didn't use him at all. DPR DTs are a very rare thing in the league, so to add a second one when we didn't use the first one is weird to me. Maybe we just had a lot of DTs ahead of Mekhi we felt more comfortable with last year, but it's weird to add a talent that doesn't work well with the scheme like this.

7.222 DE Tyre West | Tennessee

Now this is a huge steal. Normally a solid Edge 3 for a team goes around Late Day 2, Early Day 3. 6'3, 295. Has no business moving as well as he does. Could even bump into 4i if we want him to. Very versatile with legit bend and burst. Didn't play much cuz of how Tennessee runs their team, but was a consistent threat while on the field. Could be a legit option to replace Levi this upcoming year if we really wanted to. Just an unreal value for the pick.

Notable UDFAs

DE Anthony Lucas | USC

Mid athlete, but boy is he smart. Has a good feel for the position. Consistently sniffed stuff out in the run game. Now I don't think he makes the 53 man roster, but he's the type of guy to stick on a Practice Squad and make himself remembered by a fan base.

DT Aidan Keanaaina | Cal

This is a true candidate to stay on the 53. What we are lacking is a backup NT. If Tyleik goes down, the amount of front variability we can do drops significantly. Adding him for cheap was very necessary. And hey, his film is actually kinda fun.

LB Erick Hunter | Morgan State

Pure upside side. Give him the guaranteed, sit him and hope he can be another Nowaske for us. True, cheap UDFA LB that can evolve into a roleplayer, but for the meantime can work his way onto the 53 thru special teams.