You’ll hear media draft experts hedge their bets and their evaluations on prospects all the time with the caveat: “his success may depend on where he lands.” And that’s certainly true. But a prospect’s “fit” with an organization is multi-faceted. It depends on team need, of course, the coaching staff and their system, and (an underrated aspect in my mind) the team leadership, particularly in his position group.
I’m going to try to wade through the positions and give my favorite fit, but I’ll be curious to hear yours in the comments below.
DE Myles Garrett, Texas A&M
There may be some last-minute drama about Mitchell Trubisky at #1, but the general consensus still appears to link Myles Garrett to that spot instead.
Obviously, Garrett is the #1 ranked player on the board, but let’s take a moment to appreciate just how well he fits in with the #1 drafting team, the Cleveland Browns.
The Browns are making a defensive scheme change, going from Ray Horton’s traditional 3-4 defense to Gregg Williams’ attacking 4-3, a move that demands a lot of transition on the defensive line. Being able to a big end with pass-rushing juice like Garrett (to pair with another big end in Emmanuel Obgah) is a godsend for them.
DT Jonathan Allen, Alabama
Originally considered a no brainer top 3 pick, Jonathan Allen’s stock may be more volatile than that. He’s been through the wear and tear at Alabama, and may have shoulder injuries that could limit his career (or at least, the amount of snaps he should play per game.)
Given that, I’d like to see Allen fall to a team with a strong defensive line, where he can be part of a dominant rotation (like he was at Alabama). The Jacksonville Jaguars at #4 make sense, as do the L.A. Chargers at #7.
The Chargers wouldn’t need Jon Allen to be the focal point of their d-line — they already have that in Joey Bosa. Bosa, plus Melvin Ingram, plus Corey Liuget, PLUS Jon Allen? New defensive coordinator Gus Bradley is licking his chops over that possibility.
DE Derek Barnett, Tennessee
Barnett happens to be one of my favorite prospects in the draft. He tested like an average athlete, but he’s been a productive pass rusher ever since he stepped foot on campus (racking up 10 sacks as a true freshman.)
I happen to like his potential fit with Cincinnati at #9 the most. The Bengals had a pair of mammoth ends in Carlos Dunlap and Michael Johnson, but neither of the two (particular Johnson) is as skilled a rusher in terms of hand movement or motor as Barnett is. Johnson is also 30 years old, meaning his days as a starting may be winding down anyway.
But imagine the Bengals’ pass rush on sub packages, when you can kick Michael Johnson inside: Barnett, Dunlap, Johnson, and some dude named Geno Atkins. That’d be a bear to block on 3rd downs.
DE Solomon Thomas, Stanford
Solo Thomas is a difficult projection because he played inside the line at Stanford quite a bit. Personally, I prefer the 270-pounder as a LE who kicks inside on passing downs — sort of like a Michael Bennett (SEA) type player.
Given that, he’d make quite a bit of sense on San Francisco. New coordinator Robert Saleh wants to remodel their 3-4 into a Seahawks-like 4-3, and Thomas can be his version of Bennett in that system.
Thomas may be a reach at #2 overall, but if the 49ers do trade down a few spots (as rumored), the fit makes even more sense.
DE Charles Harris, Missouri
When I watched Charles Harris on tape, he may have been my favorite pass-rusher. He looked explosive, ferocious, and quick-twitch. He didn’t test nearly as well as I thought he may, which makes me doubt myself to some degree. Still, I believe he can be an effective edge rusher for some teams (and I’d prefer him as a DE than a OLB personally.)
Depending on how you value him and his stock, Tampa Bay at #19 would be a good landing spot for Harris. The Bucs have been snakebitten with their DE draft picks over the last decade, so hopefully, someone like Harris can change their luck at an area of need.
DT Caleb Brantley, Florida
Brantley hasn’t been a hot name in the draft process, mostly because he projects as a big run plugger inside. Not the most exciting pick in the world. Chances are, he won’t be a “star.”
But players like Brantley help make stars better. Oakland rushers Khalil Mack and Bruce Irvin can provide the explosiveness on the edge, but Brantley (and Mario Edwards) can help occupy space and blockers in the interior. Picking at #24, it’s a little high for Brantley, but the fit makes sense.
DE Carl Lawson, Auburn
A hot name in college turned the semi-forgotten man in the draft process — Lawson is an explosive pass rusher with a history of durability questions. That natural risk probably will cause him to slip out of the first round and land somewhere in R2.
If he falls far enough, I love the fit with him on Atlanta. The Falcons desperately need a secondary edge rusher to pair with Vic Beasley. Lawson is a natural risk given his injury issues, but this is a team with a chance to “win now.” If Lawson can provide that immediate jolt of pass rushing pressure, that may put the Falcons over the top again in the NFC. The same can be said for Dallas, a team on the verge of the title who could use DE help.
Other fits
There are a boatload of d-linemen prospects and I couldn’t hit on them all, but if you have opinions on the best fit for players like DeMarcus Walker or Malik McDowell, feel free to add your two cents on them or anyone else.
