The 2019 NFL Draft is now in the books, and rookies are reporting to mini-camps in hopes of making a good first impression on their new teams. With a number of retirements, trades and free agent signings this offseason a number of teams had glaring holes entering draft night. Here are the teams that filled some of their needs for the 2019 season.
Washington Redskins
Washington thought they had traded for their quarterback of the future when they acquired Alex Smith from Kansas City the last offseason. A good fit for Matt Cavanaugh’s offense, the Redskins were excited for the Smith until he went down in week 11 with a gruesome leg injury. With no word on if the quarterback can return to play, the Redskins were faced with a question at the quarterback spot once again. Slotted at the 15th pick in the first round Washington was unsure which of the top quarterbacks might fall to them. After a few questionable picks the Redskins found Ohio State signal-caller Dwayne Haskins still on the clock. With no hesitation the team selected Haskins filling a major need at the QB position. One of the best pure pocket passers in the class, Haskins offers the ability to play right away for Washington. In one year as the starter for the Buckeyes Haskins passed for 4,831 yards and 50 touchdowns, both Big Ten records. It is already rumored that the rookie is impressing early at mini-camp with throws like this:
The Redskins didn’t stop there as they traded back into the first round to select Montez Sweat who slid down boards due to a rumored heart issue. Washington’s defense needed speed on the edge and Sweat will bring that clocking in a 4.41 40-yard dash at the combine and totaling 12 sacks this past season at Mississippi State.
Los Angeles Chargers
The Chargers have been one of the best drafting teams in the league the past few years. 2019 was no exception for the General Manager Tom Telesco as he added to a roster rich with talent on both sides of the ball. Last season the team stole the draft when Derwin James fell into their hands at the 17th pick. James earned himself a First-Team All-Pro selection and established himself as one of the best safeties in the league. However, the Chargers still needed a ball-hawking safety to pair alongside James, and they found that in Nasir Adderley from Delaware. Adderley is a force in the run game totaling 86 tackles last season for the Hens. But its Adderley’s 22 pass breakups and 11 interceptions at Delaware that will be a game changer for a defense that struggled in pass defense last season. The Chargers also added defensive tackle Jerry Tillery from Notre Dame in the first round. With Brandon Mebane as the only returning interior lineman with considerable playing time last season, the Chargers needed a player who could step in right away. At 6’7″, 295 pounds Tillery possesses great size to create havoc up front, as well as get to the quarterback. One of the best defenses in football just got better with two players who will make impacts on day one.
Carolina Panthers
Just a few short seasons ago Carolina had one of the best front sevens in football. That narrative isn’t quite the same in 2019 as the Panthers ranked 27th in the league with only 35 sacks last season. That lack of production up front hurt their young secondary for much of the season. This offseason the team let defensive leader Thomas Davis go, and Julius Peppers called it quits after 17 seasons. The biggest question heading into the offseason was about the lack of depth and production now at the edge position with Peppers retiring. Mario Addison is under contract for one more season, but he is on the wrong side of 30 now. The Panthers did sign Bruce Irvin to a one-year deal but he has never registered more than 8 sacks in his career. Insert Brian Burns from Florida State, a pure pass rusher with great intangibles. The Panthers could have gone a number of directions with a class loaded with defensive talent, but Burns is the perfect fit for Carolina. He measures in at 6’5″ and 249 pounds with a long frame used to elude defenders.
At the combine, Burns clocked in a 4.53 40-yard dash, third fastest among EDGE rushers which shows the ends blazing speed which should help in a division with Matt Ryan and Drew Brees at quarterback. The Panthers didn’t stop there as they also added Christian Miller from Alabama in the fourth round as well. Miller is another long defender with great ball instincts and ability to get to the quarterback. Most likely Miller will fill Davis’ absence at OLB but can move down to be an EDGE rusher as well. The Panthers hope to have filled their pass rushing struggles with two NFL ready talents.
Denver Broncos
Denver’s investment in journeyman quarterback Case Keenum did not go as planned, as the Broncos missed the playoffs for the third straight season since winning Super Bowl 50. With the 10th pick in the draft, GM John Elway could have chosen to fill one of the teams many needs. But instead, he moved back in a trade with the Steelers, securing the 20th pick and the 52nd pick, along with a future third-rounder. Elway turned that 20th pick into Tight End Noah Fant from Iowa. Fant is a big and physical tight end, who ran a 4.5-second 40-yard dash which was fastest among his position. The Broncos have lacked consistency at the position since Julius Thomas but may have found their pass catcher of the future. It’s no secret that quarterback Joe Flacco likes athletic tight ends, and Fant should be a perfect fit with the veteran. But Elway’s moves didn’t stop there as he flipped the 52nd pick and two later picks for Cincinnati’s second-round pick. Elway used that pick to draft Missouri quarterback Drew Lock. Flacco is the 5th starting quarterback in four years for the Broncos as they have struggled to find the right signal caller since Peyton Manning’s retirement. Lock was rumored to be a first-round pick but slipped during the draft. Elway gets great value selecting Lock with a second round pick, and with a year of development Lock could be the franchise quarterback the Broncos have been looking for. Lock has great size at 6’4″, with a strong arm and the ability to extend the pocket to make plays. Elway has come under some criticism for his moves in recent seasons, but his draft day trades helped fill a number of needs for the Broncos this next season.
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