No. 24: Oakland Raiders – Jeffery Simmons, DT, Mississippi State
Jeffery Simmons tore his ACL right before the NFL Scouting Combine, or he would have been a top 15 pick in this draft. Jon Gruden won’t mind waiting until Simmons gets healthy, as the Silver and Black are in full blown rebuild mode, especially after the blockbuster Khalil Mack trade.
No. 23: Houston Texans – Noah Fant, TE, Iowa
The Texans always appear in the state of flux, even if they have talent on offense and defense. Fant is more a receiver than blocker, and he gives DeShaun Watson another target in the red zone. If one of the top offensive linemen slip, that route may also be an option for the Texans.
No. 22: Baltimore Ravens – D.K. Metcalf, WR, Mississippi
Pure need selection here for the Ravens, so if D.K. Metcalf is gone, then teammate A.J. Brown might get the call. He’s a big guy (6-3, 225 lbs.) with blazing speed, yet something gives you the inkling that he’ll be a perennial “project” in the NFL.
No. 21: Seattle Seahawks – Greedy Williams, CB, LSU
Seattle would be jumping the gun grabbing a safety with this selection, so the Seahawks go for the first cornerback in this draft. It would not be shocking to see Pete Carroll grab tight end Noah Fant in this slot, but at the end of the day, a defensive upgrade wins out.