The NFL draft is first and foremost about talent. For all the talk about draft picks and order, they really are just polling position to give teams the best chance to land top talent.
But talent means nothing without context. In the world of agnostic big boards and national draft analysts, the part of the draft that goes forgotten is that its all about fit. At every position, each team eyes different traits as key indicators for success based on their scheme. No two draft boards look alike. For example, while Arizona might want hyper-athletic corners who excels in man coverage, a few hundred miles north in Seattle they are looking for lean, physical zone corners for their vaunted Cover 2.
This is why it is so important for the coaching staff and front office to be on the same page. One hand needs to wash the other. Just because Leonard Fournette is one of the best talents in the class doesn’t mean he’s the best talent for every team. Let’s look at some of the top players on the defensive side of the ball and where they might fit best.
Marlon Humphrey: The Indianapolis Colts
Humphrey is a feisty cover corner who excels in press man coverage. He has excellent athleticism and might have the best hand usage at the line of anyone in this class. His issues come on deep balls, where he’s stiff in his transitions and can be beat by top tier receivers. Indianapolis runs a predominantly man coverage based scheme and plays a ton of 2-man coverage. With Vontae Davis already in the fold, the two could bring their rugged physicality to knock receivers off schedule and give a stagnant pass rush time to get home.
Solomon Thomas: The Jacksonville Jaguars
While completely passed over by the national media, Dave Caldwell has one of the most loaded defenses in the AFC. With the talents of Jalen Ramsey and AJ Bouye in the back and Telvin Smith and Calais Campbell up front, they have playmakers at every level. They just need a more sustained pass rush. Dante Fowler has yet to live up to his draft billing. Enter Solomon Thomas. The former Stanford star isn’t a true edge bender, but he brings an explosive first step and excellent versatility to the table. With the equally diverse behemoth in Campbell inked, they’ll be able to have headache inducing flexibility in the front four.
Kevin King: The Seattle Seahawks
The Richard Sherman rumors appear to have some legs. With as transparent as John Schneider has been, we could see the top corner of the last five years in a new uniform in 2017. It’s near impossible to keep such a star-studded defense together for too long. Kevin King fits the bill as the star of the next generation. He’s a long, lanky zone corner who makes his living knocking receivers off their spot. The knock on him has always been his lack of speed. With rangy safeties and sideline to sideline backers, Seattle doesn’t need world class athletes in their Cover 3. After all, Sherman only posted a 4.56 back in 2011.
Reuben Foster To The Buffalo Bills
A few years ago, analysts lamented what could be if the Bills found a quarterback with all of the talent up front. Now they’ve watched the ravages of time, free agency, and poor behavior pick apart the once dominant unit. Swapping out Rex Ryan for Sean McDermott, they’ll be transitioning to a predominantly zone based Cover 2 attack. McDermott made a living with a punishing front 7 headlined by buzzing backers Luke Kuechly and Thomas Davis. He doesn’t have anyone like that in Buffalo. Reuben Foster would give him a building block piece to start with. Foster brings the pain when he arrives downhill like he was shot out of a cannon. He possesses tremendous instincts and the prowess to run with backs and tight ends down the field.