Sorry , but not using the WFT “new” nickname ’cause I hate it. “” sounds like something a House of Representatives committee came up with and sent to DANIEL SNYDER. That’s a personal hangup so just slide past me calling them the WFT, please.
RON RIVERA and his troops surprised most folks with a better than expected .500-ish record in 2022. They head into this Draft with neither of their top two 2022 starting QB (WENTZ/HEINICKE) on their roster. Instead their 2022 Drafted QB SAM HOWELL has the job to lose, and his back-up is seasoned vet JACOBY BRISSETT. Are they in the hunt for a QB in this Draft? I don’t really think so. HOWELL had a solid career at UNC, and I truly believe they intend to give him a legit chance to prove he has what it takes to play QB on an NFL team. So, with that in mind let’s get drafting…
Round 1, Pick 16 PARIS JOHNSON OT Ohio St 6’6/315 The team added VFA Andrew Wylie (Chiefs) but their top 3 OT are all in their 30’s. JOHNSON has the size and athleticism to plug and play for a long time, IMO. Nice security blanket for Mr. Howell.
Round 2, Pick 47 JACK CAMPBELL LB Iowa 6’5/250 Despite the signing of VFA Cody Barton from Seattle the team’s LB group has not distinguished itself at the pro level… yet. CAMPBELL is a surprisingly athletic guy for his size. If former 1st Rounder JAMIN DAVIS doesn’t step up his game CAMPBELL may win a starting job in short order.
Round 3, Pick 97 TREY PALMER WR/RS Nebraska 6’/195 Palmer can certainly fit into their WR rotation, but the real attraction here is his role as a Return Specialist. PALMER had the fastest 40-time (4.33) of any wideout at the Combine, and did some stellar return work at Nebraska after transferring there from LSU. Note to self, that’s 3 in a row from Big Ten)
Round 4, Pick 118 TANK BGISBY RB Auburn 6’/210 I am thinking they liked what they saw from SEC-Bred MICHAEL ROBINSON last season that they would like another guy with similar traits in their RB room. BIGSBY is a tough between-the-Tackles runner.
Round 5, Pick 150 HUNTER LUEPKE FB/TE North Dakota St 6’1/235 A RIVERA team carries a FB on their roster and LUEPKE is a surprisingly good athlete with position versatility. He’ll be an integral member of their Special Teams crew and a pile driving blocker as a FB. He’s also capable as a TE despite his lack of ideal height.
Round 6, Pick 193 TRE HODGES-TOMLINSON CB TCU 5’8/180 Certainly an outlier for an NFL DB, but his heart may be the biggest aspect of his physical stature, or lack thereof. His gene pool is solid and his effort is elite. Go watch the game tape and you quickly ignore his small stature. Nickel back, and a ball hawk.
Round 6, Pick 215 SPENCER ANDERSON OG Maryland 6’5/310 By Rounds 6/7 I am looking for guys who might have little to no attention overall, but bang the bell with their RAS (Relative Athletic Score). ANDERSON will earn a slot on their roster if he really wants it badly enough.
Round 7, Pick 233 DEE WINTERS LB TCU 5’11/225 Once again you have to look past the size and watch tape of a TCU game to see how he impacts a game. His 4.49/40 time is legit and he plays at that speed. Flourishes in run blitz situations, by shooting gaps and knowing where the ball is going.
Not much fancy stuff here, but reflective of hard working and hard minded players who fit the Ron Rivera player profile. This group of Picks would clearly fill some roster holes.
Pigskin
