Let’s take a look at what I think the best draft pick by each team was. Then I will give a favorite for the divisions and two sleepers for the conference.
AFC EAST
New England Patriots: Damien Harris RB Alabama (Round 3 Pick 87)
I really like this pick because I think he can fit in with the organization and “the patriot way.” He went to Alabama where I like to see it as the New England of college football and he has the discipline and work ethic installed already.
Miami Dolphins: Christian Wilkins DT Clemson (Round 1 Pick 13)
This is a dude that can play some football. He went to Clemson, so he has the track record of big games and showing up. My only question is how productive can he be in his rookie season on a team that is going to win no more than 7 games.
Buffalo Bills: Cody Ford G Oklahoma (Round 2 Pick 38)
Josh Allen QB for the Bills was sacked 28 times last season. He threw completions 52.8% of the time. This is not as great indicator of a productive quarterback. This adds protection to that offensive line that plays in the freezing cold city of Buffalo when November comes. The weather will be an interesting factor to deal with late in the season and this may be a team on the rise.
New York Jets: Quinnen Williams DT Alabama (Round 1 Pick 3)
Another Alabama player, I know. He could have been the number one pick and I think he wants to prove that he could have been. Although he will never say it or admit to it he has a chance to be a top five defensive lineman in his first five years.
Favorite to win division: New England Patriots
This is almost too easy of a question to ask. Will the Patriots ever not be the favorite to win this division, yes. As long as Brady and Belichick are in Foxborough expect to see them with at least one home playoff game in January.
NFC East
Dallas Cowboys: Trysten Hill DT Central Florida (Round 2 Pick 58)
They did not have a first-round pick because of the Amari Cooper trade to Oakland. This is a solid pick because the quarterbacks in this division are all established except for Washington. It adds to the Dallas defense that will chase around Eli Manning/Daniel Jones, Carson Wentz, and whoever the Redskins start this season.
Philadelphia Eagles: Andre Dillard OT Washington State (Round 1 Pick 22)
I watched a few Washington State games this past season and saw this guy play. He can absolutely move. His combine on-field drills were electric and one of the best out there on the offensive line day. I think this is a solid pick because Wentz has gone down with some nasty injuries the past two seasons and Dillard can add protection Wentz’s long-term value.
Washington Redskins: Dwayne Haskins QB Ohio State (Round 1 Pick 15) This is the easiest choice on this list. The main reason is the fact that Washington started a quarterback who was signed to play in the Alliance of American Football last season with Josh Johnson. Alex Smith went down last season and who knows when he is coming back. I expect Haskins to start week one.
New York Giants: Daniel Jones QB Duke (Round 1 Pick 6)
What if I told you an entire fan base was mad at the organization for passing on a hometown prospect in Dwayne Haskins? This could be the opening line to a 30 for 30 one day on Daniel Jones. Is it a great pick to pass on Dwayne Haskins? No. Is it a position they need? Yes. If you’re reading this as a Giants fan, give the guy a chance, once Eli leaves. This pick was made to replace Eli for years to come, not to replace him right now.
Favorite to win division: Philadelphia Eagles
The Cowboys won the division last season, but the Eagles loaded up in the offseason. They picked up Jordan Howard and brought back Desean Jackson. That gives Wentz two explosive options, especially with Jackson. Look for Philadelphia in the divisional round of the playoffs.
AFC South
Houston Texans: Tytus Howard OT Alabama State (Round 1 Pick 23)
I think this was a pick that was influenced by what happened above them at 22. I believe the Texans were going to go with Andre Dillard, but the Eagles drafted him, so Houston settled. I do think this is a solid pick to protect Deshaun Watson. Watson last season was beat up so bad at one point that he had to ride a bus to Jacksonville for a road game because he could not fly. Even if they settled this is a small school guy that has something to prove, that he was worthy of a first-round pick.
Indianapolis Colts: Rock Ya-Sin CB Temple (Round 2 Pick 34)
The Colts general manager Chris Ballard is a genius trading out of the first round to acquire picks in round two and three. They did not pick in round one, but they got a first-round talent in round two. This can be a great addition in a division that now has Nick Foles as well as Deshaun Watson and Marcus Mariota.
Tennessee Titans: Jeffrey Simmons DT Mississippi State (Round 1 Pick 19)
First thing to note when this name came up was the incident he was involved in in high school. I am not going to start explaining it because this is a sports blog, not a blog that tries to be political. I will say is that it is a frightening video and if you want to see it, just a warning that it is NSFW and contains violence. All that aside this is a solid pickup who can get after the QB and with three really great quarterbacks inside the division it is a great pick.
Jacksonville Jaguars: Josh Allen LB Kentucky (Round 1 Pick 7)
How this guy falls to pick 7 I have no clue. Either way Jacksonville got a dude who can play. He played for a Kentucky team that won 10 games last season. That does not happen at Kentucky a whole lot, but he’s a great pass rusher and will thrive in the Jacksonville defense.
Favorite to win division: Indianapolis Colts
Andrew Luck is back and 100% healthy and this team was a game away from winning this division last season. I expect a competitive race between the Colts and Texans, but I expect the Colts to pull it out.
NFC South
New Orleans Saints: Erik McCoy C Texas A&M (Round 2 Pick 48)
Max Unger retired and that will be a big hole to fill on the offensive line. McCoy is young but should translate well by playing with quarterback Drew Brees.
Atlanta Falcons: Kaleb McGary OT Washington (Round 1 Pick 31)
Atlanta gave up 42 sacks last season. This is a solid second round pick taken in the late part of the first round. He will be an anchor on an offensive line that could become the first line ever to start five first round draft picks in one game.
Carolina Panthers: Brian Burns DE Florida State (Round 1 Pick 16)
In a division that features two of the top 10 quarterbacks in the league, defensive linemen are a must have. Thomas Davis retired and playing beside Luke Kuechly should mean instant production and success for Burns.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Devin White LB LSU (Round 1 Pick 5)
Kwon Alexander left in free agency, meaning White should start day one. He went to LSU which produces great NFL talent and should be a key piece of the Tampa Bay rebuild.
Favorite to win division: Atlanta Falcons
This division is always competitive and comes down to the last few weeks of the season. Atlanta does not play a game outdoors until week 11. They also play five straight division games from week 10 to week 14. That stretch of games could decide the division.
AFC North
Baltimore Ravens: Marquise Brown WR Oklahoma (Round 1 Pick 25)
We all know that Lamar Jackson should be the starter after trading Joe Flacco. If he is going to start he needs that electric weapon that can get down the field. That weapon is named Marquise Brown. He has a chance to breakout this season as Jackson becomes the established starting quarterback.
Pittsburgh Steelers: Benny Snell RB Kentucky (Round 4 Pick 122)
Le'veon Bell essentially left last season and it was James Conner and running back by committee was the game plan in Pittsburgh. Benny Snell was a great college running back and in a division that is heavy on the run game he should fit right in.
Cleveland Browns: Greedy Williams CB LSU (Round 2 Pick 46)
Cleveland for the first time in a while did not necessarily have to draft for a true need. This is a top 20 talent that fell to 46. He went to LSU which produces defensive players every year. He will be a key piece of the rise of the Cleveland Browns.
Cincinnati Bengals: Ryan Finley QB North Carolina State (Round 4 Pick 104)
Andy Dalton had a great start to his career. Then 2016 happened and he went downhill. I expect a short leash for Dalton with Finley sitting behind him. This is going to be a competitive division for years to come and they cannot afford to re-build while the other three are fighting for a division title.
Favorite to win division: Baltimore Ravens
The Ravens are the most complete team in this division. The Browns are a year away. The Steelers are dysfunctional at the moment. The Bengals are at the bottom and re-building. This all adds up to Baltimore winning the division by at least two or three games.
NFC North
Chicago Bears: Riley Ridley WR Georgia (Round 4 Pick 126)
This is going to be a steal of a pick in the fourth round, if he is half the player his brother was last season. He can be a great weapon and deep threat for Mitchell Trubisky. This is a team that rose to the occasion last season and he should help continue this rise.
Minnesota Vikings: Irv Smith Jr. TE Alabama (Round 2 Pick 50)
The Vikings needed a wide receiver, in today’s game a tight end can be a receiver. A guy that had a breakout season last year in college should translate well to the Vikings. Kirk Cousins is a great quarterback who can distribute the ball. The only issue with this pick is Kyle Rudolph as the Vikings tight end means that the position was not a true need, but Smith may be moved to the slot.
Green Bay Packers: Jace Sternberger TE Texas A&M (Round 3 Pick 75)
The Packers have struggled since the start of the 2017 season, due to Aaron Rodgers being out and not 100% last season. This is a great player to get because Rodgers loves the tight end position to target. Sternberger played in the SEC with the big boys and should have little trouble translating his game to the next level.
Detroit Lions: T.J Hockenson TE Iowa (Round 1 Pick 8)
Detroit has needed a tight end since Eric Ebron left. This guy had a great career at Iowa and with Matthew Stafford as quarterback he should be a great player immediately.
Favorite to win division: Chicago Bears
This is a tough choice to make because the Vikings and Packers can very easily win this division as well. The Bears just have a lot more weapons right now and seem to be on their way to a deep playoff run. If that playoff run goes through Chicago, then they may be in Miami for Super Bowl LIV.
AFC West
Kansas City Chiefs: Mecole Hardman WR Georgia (Round 2 Pick 56)
The Tyreek Hill incident looms over this team for the time being. If there was a perfect time for all of the details to come out it was during the draft, where they can go and get a potential replacement. Hardman played at Georgia and was a deep ball threat, that can translate very well into Head Coach Andy Reid’s system. All of this hinges on Hill’s availability, either way it is a great pickup for quarterback Patrick Mahomes.
Los Angeles Chargers: Jerry Tillery DT Notre Dame (Round 1 Pick 28)
The Chargers are only a few pieces away from a potential Super Bowl berth and this is one of the few pieces they have added to that potential. He will join a defensive line with a top five pass rusher in Joey Bosa and should fit right in with the culture.
Denver Broncos: Noah Fant TE Iowa (Round 1 Pick 20)
Denver has not had a consistent starting tight end in years, due to injuries and other factors. Joe Flacco at quarterback gives him a proven quarterback to give him opportunities down the field.
Oakland Raiders: Josh Jacobs RB Alabama (Round 1 Pick 24)
He will replace Marshawn Lynch who retired right before the draft. A team that is weak in so many areas, but he adds to the offensive weaponry for Derek Carr.
Favorite to win division: Kansas City Chiefs
This division is not strong as it has been in years past. The Chargers have a chance to dethrone the Chiefs, but that is it. Kansas City should win eleven or twelve games and run away with the division.
NFC West
Los Angeles Rams: Bobby Evans OT Oklahoma (Round 3 Pick 97) He may not start this season, but as a third round pick he may get reps this season. This is a long-term pick to protect Jared Goff when the current offensive tackle Andrew Whitworth retires.
Seattle Seahawks: D.K. Metcalf WR Mississippi (Round 2 Pick 64)
When the Doug Baldwin news came out on draft weekend this teams draft outlook changed because they drafted three wide receivers in the last six rounds. D.K. is a great talent, he will need to become more flexible, but for being an athletic freak he has got that covered.
San Francisco 49ers: Nick Bosa DE Ohio State (Round 1 Pick 2)
He could have and maybe should have went number one overall. He went second instead, but they are building something in San Francisco and they seem to have a lot of potential.
Arizona Cardinals: Kyler Murray QB Oklahoma (Round 1 Pick 1)
Once Arizona traded Josh Rosen, it was clear that Kyler will start day one. This pick was influenced by the head coach Kliff Kingsbury after a quote he made a few years ago. He said, “if he had the number one pick he would take Kyler Murray.”
Favorite to win division: Los Angeles Rams
This is going to be their division to lose. They are leaps and bounds above the other three teams in this division. You can expect eleven wins at least and a third straight division championship for the Rams.
Sleepers
Now that we have seen each team’s best pick and division favorites, let’s look at sleepers for each conference. The sleepers do not have to be bad teams from last season.
AFC
Cleveland Browns: While I think this team is a year away from a division championship, they can for sure be a wild card team and make the playoffs. They have the talent to get to the playoffs If they make it the question will become “can they win a game?” Lack of experience could crush this team in the playoffs if they matchup with a Houston or Baltimore style team who has guys that have been in more big-time games.
Los Angeles Chargers: This is a Super Bowl sleeper pick. They got destroyed by New England last season in the playoffs. Phillip Rivers is on his last few laps of his career and time is ticking for this franchise to get him a championship. They need to strike while the iron is hot and go all in for the Super Bowl this season.
NFC
New Orleans Saints: This team was a few yards and one bad missed call from playing in the Super Bowl last season. They had two solid veterans leave in the offseason in Max Unger and Mark Ingram. These two players will be tough to replace, but with Drew Brees as quarterback you can expect the Saints to be in the conversation again this season
Dallas Cowboys: Dak Prescott is still on his rookie contract and the Cowboys seem to be in a win now mode because of that reason. They do not have to pay him just yet, if they are going to make a deep run then now would be a great time. They can add almost anyone they want to without having to pay Prescott. Dallas should be fighting with Philadelphia for the division anyways.
These are not my final projections for how this season will happen. Although this is a really good indicator of where each team is at and who needs to improve. Until then, this is Zack Pounders saying have a great rest of your day and SEE YA! Real Soon.