Live 2019 NFL Draft Grades: Round 5

These Live 2019 NFL Draft Grades will be posted minutes after each pick in the 2019 NFL Draft. Follow @walterfootball for updates.

2019 NFL Draft Grades - Round: Picks 1-16 | Picks 17-32 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | NFL Draft Team Grades | Supplemental

Arizona Cardinals: Deionte Thompson, S, Alabama A- Grade
Remember when we thought Deionte Thompson could be a first-round prospect? He had an amazing start to his 2018 campaign, but fell off as the year progressed. He was constantly torched toward the end, looking utterly helpless. He has good upside though, so I like this gamble atop Round 5.
Jacksonville Jaguars: Ryquell Armstead, RB, Temple B Grade
The Jaguars needed a viable backup behind Leonard Fournette, given Fournette’s injuries last year and Carlos Hyde’s struggles. Ryquell Armstead is a tough runner with limited upside, but he can pass protect well, making him a possible third-down back in the pros.
Pittsburgh Steelers: Zach Gentry, TE, Michigan C- Grade
I didn’t think there was a good chance Zach Gentry would be drafted. I had him slotted in the seventh round in the end, but I excluded him from my mock at times. He’s a raw player with poor athleticism, so he offers a low ceiling and a low floor. This isn’t a very good pick.

Seattle Seahawks: Ben Burr-Kirven, LB, Washington B+ Grade
Ben Burr-Kirven is small, but has solid athleticism and positive instincts. He could’ve been chosen a round earlier than this without any criticism, so I think the Seahawks are getting solid value. They needed linebacker depth, and Burr-Kirven should be able to help in that regard.
New York Giants: Ryan Connelly, LB, Wisconsin B+ Grade
Ryan Connelly was a walk-on at Wisconsin, but he worked hard to become a starter in 2018. He has good instincts and will give the Giants 100-percent effort. At the very least, he should emerge as a standout special-teamer, but given his effort and mind, he could end up seeing defensive snaps.

Indianapolis Colts: Marvell Tell, S, USC A- Grade
Marvell Tell has great size (6-2, 198) and athleticism. He was a 3-year starter at USC, but needs to get stronger for the NFL. If he works hard, he has the potential to emerge as a starting safety for the Colts, filling a big need for the team.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Matt Gay, K, Utah D Grade
I’d say not that there’s anything wrong with Matt Gay being the pick here, but there’s definitely something wrong with it. How many selections are the Buccaneers going to waste on kickers? They should add players who actually affect the first three downs of a game.

Detroit Lions: Amani Oruwariye, CB, Penn State A Grade
The NFL needs to slow the draft down to give the prospects the attention they deserve. NFL Network didn’t even mention Amani Oruwariye, who was a solid pick by the Lions. Oruwariye doesn’t have very good speed, which is why he fell to Day 3, but I consider him a steal because he’s a smart cornerback with nice length. He could definitely end up starting and playing well for Detroit.
Buffalo Bills: Vosean Joseph, LB, Florida A- Grade
Charlie Campbell reported that Vosean Joseph would fall into Day 3, and here we are. Still, I think this is a great bargain for the Bills, as Joseph is a very instinctive linebacker who can blitz well. There are some concerns with his ability in coverage, but he could end up being a contributor in Buffalo’s defense at some point.

San Francisco 49ers: Dre Greenlaw, LB, Arkansas C- Grade
I had Dre Greenlaw as a fringe draftable prospect, mocking him in the seventh round. Greenlaw has great instincts, so it’s a shame that he’s small and very unathletic. Greenlaw will have to work hard to make the 53-man roster. Perhaps he can help on special teams.
Oakland Raiders: Hunter Renfrow, WR, Clemson B Grade
Analytics people will hate Hunter Renfrow because he was one of the worst testers at the combine, and he’s “only” a slot receiver. However, Hunter Renfrow could be the latest “too small, too slow” receivers who ends up overachieving in the slot. I think this is a fine pick in the fifth round.

Green Bay Packers: Kingsley Keke, DE/DT, Texas A&M B+ Grade
Kingsley Keke makes sense in the range as a Round 4-5 prospect. He needs to improve his strength, and he’ll certainly try hard in doing so. Keke is a high-character prospect who gave it his all for Texas A&M. I’d expect the same effort for the Packeers.
Miami Dolphins: Andrew Van Ginkel, DE/OLB, Wisconsin C Grade
Andrew Van Ginkel was just a 1-year starter at Wisconsin, but made a name for himself by testing very well at the combine. This boosted him a couple of rounds, as I had Van Ginkel pegged in the seventh frame. This is a bit of a reach, but not an egregious one. He could end up helping a poor pass rush.

Atlanta Falcons: Qadree Ollison, RB, Pittsburgh D Grade
Qadree Ollison is a tough runner, but offers very limited athleticism and upside. I didn’t think Ollison would be drafted, so this is a reach. The Falcons needed a backup running back after losing Tevin Coleman, but they could’ve done better.
Washington Redskins: Ross Pierschbacher, C/G, Alabama B- Grade
Ross Pierschbacher isn’t athletic, and he needs to get stronger, but he’s a smart offensive lineman who played guard and center very well at Alabama. He figures to be a solid, versatile backup blocker in the NFL.

Carolina Panthers: Jordan Scarlett, RB, Florida D Grade
I can’t say I’m a fan of this pick. Jordan Scarlett was a mediocre producer at Florida and didn’t test well athletically. Furthermore, he had multiple off-the-field issues, including a situation in which he got into trouble for credit card fraud. I didn’t think there was a good chance the Scarlett running back would be drafted.
Cleveland Browns: Mack Wilson, LB, Alabama A- Grade
I’ve had Mack Wilson in the second or third round of my mock drafts, so I absolutely love this value. Wilson performed at a high level for Alabama early this past season. He struggled as the year progressed, but the potential was certainly there. However, Wilson tested poorly at the combine, and questions emerged about his instincts. It wasn’t a surprise to see him drop, but the Browns are getting a high-potential player in the middle of Round 5.
Denver Broncos: Justin Hollins, DE/OLB, Oregon A Grade
It makes sense that the Broncos would select a solid backup to play behind Von Miller and Bradley Chubb. Justin Hollins can also play inside linebacker, so the Broncos obviously like his versatility. Hollins’ upside is very apparent as well, given his great athleticism. Hollins needs to add some weight, but the potential is certainly there. Hollins has great character traits, so I believe he’ll give Denver his all and become a solid player for them. This is a terrific choice.
New York Jets: Blake Cashman, LB, Minnesota A Grade
This is another terrific linebacker pick. We’ll see what happens with Darron Lee in the future, and I could envision Blake Cashman eventually starting for the Jets. He’s small (6-1, 237) and doesn’t have much experience, but his instincts and athleticism are at a high level. He has great potential and probably should’ve been chosen a whole round earlier.
Dallas Cowboys: Michael Jackson, CB, Miami A Grade
I wouldn’t exactly say the Cowboys are starting something with this pick, but Michael Jackson was a fine choice in the fifth round. That was his range entering the draft, and he could fill a need, so this is a logical selection. Jackson has good upside because of his size (6-1, 210) and solid athleticism, but he needs to be coached up, as he gets mentally lost sometimes.
New England Patriots: Byron Cowart, DT, Maryland C- Grade
Byron Cowart is a fringe draftable prospect, so the Patriots could’ve done better in the fifth round. Cowart lacks experience and good athleticism. He wasn’t productive at Maryland. He doesn’t strike me as a smart football player. I’m not exactly sure what he does well outside of holding up well in run support.

Baltimore Ravens: Daylon Mack, DT, Texas A&M B- Grade
Daylon Mack was highly recruited out of high school, but barely did anything at Texas A&M prior to 2018. Mack admitted that he struggled with depression, but turned his life around this past season. He clogged running lanes very well, and that should continue in the NFL if Mack remains mentally upbeat. There’s concern with Mack’s lack of positive experience, but the upside is there.
Houston Texans: Charles Omenihu, DE/DT, Texas B Grade
Charles Omenihu has immense potential to fill out his large frame (6-5, 280). He was highly productive in 2018, so we’ll see if that continues. The Texans needed another defensive lineman, and Omenihu makes sense at the range.
Minnesota Vikings: Cameron Smith, LB, USC C Grade
I don’t understand this pick. The Vikings have struggled to cover in space for quite some time, so they needed to find a linebacker who could help them solve that problem. Instead, they drafted a player who struggles to cover in space. Cameron Smith is a tough run defender who can play well on the first two downs of a game, but he doesn’t solve any of Minnesota’s issues.

New England Patriots: Jake Bailey, P, Stanford GENE SMITH Grade
Not only did the Patriots waste a fifth-round pick on a punter; they traded up for a punter! THERE’S NO REASON TO TRADE UP FOR A PUNTER, EVER, UNLESS HE CAN BLAST 100-YARD PUNTS WITH A BIONIC LEG!!!
Indianapolis Colts: E.J. Speed, LB, Tarleton State D- Grade
WHO THE FOOK IS THAT GUY!? I’ve never heard of E.J. Speed. I never once considered putting him into the top 500 database. I looked around quickly, and none of the other scouting services have him ranked either. I’m not even convinced he’s a real person. Why didn’t the Colts just sign him as a UDFA?
Dallas Cowboys: Joe Jackson, DE, Miami B Grade
Joe Jackson was very productive at Miami, and there could’ve been an argument for him to be selected a round earlier than this. However, I’m not sure if his production will translate to the NFL because of his limited athleticism and upside. Still, I think this is a fine pick because Jackson could develop into a decent rotational lineman.
Los Angeles Chargers: Easton Stick, QB, North Dakota State B Grade
The Chargers had to find a quarterback to develop behind Philip Rivers, but they took the wrong quarterback. Easton Stick, however, is not a bad pick. He’s a smart, mobile quarterback with decent accuracy. However, he lacks the arm strength to be a viable starter in the NFL. Stick should become a solid No. 2 signal-caller.
Philadelphia Eagles: Clayton Thorson, QB, Northwestern A+ Grade
Here’s the quarterback the Chargers should’ve drafted because Clayton Thorson has good potential to become a solid starting quarterback in the NFL. Clayton Thorson is very smart and has great intangibles and solid arm strength. Thorson fell to the fifth round because he struggled at times at Northwestern, but only because he was surrounded with the worst supporting cast of any quarterback in this class. Had Thorson been complemented by capable athletes, he may have been chosen in the second round. This is a steal.

Tennessee Titans: D’Andre Walker, DE/OLB, Georgia A+ Grade
I don’t understand why D’Andre Walker fell to the fifth round, and if the NFL Network would stop showing promos of NFL100, we may have been told why. Walker was a terrific player over the past two years at Georgia. He can rush the passer well, hold up against the run and drop into coverage. The Titans had a big need at outside linebacker, and Walker should be able to fill it.
Los Angeles Rams: David Edwards, OT, Wisconsin C Grade
David Edwards was a human turnstile for the Badgers this past season. He was once considered a second-round prospect by some, but the tape crushed his draft stock, and rightfully so. I actually think this is still a bit too high for him.
Cleveland Browns: Austin Seibert, K, Oklahoma D- Grade
Stop it with these kickers, already, and draft players who will make it so you don’t need to use a kicker! It makes no sense to draft a kicker before Round 7 unless he can blast 65-yard field goals with ease.

New York Giants: Darius Slayton, WR, Auburn B+ Grade
The Giants found their replacement for Odell Beckham Jr.! OK, maybe not. Darius Slayton dropped way too many passes at Auburn and had trouble staying healthy. However, Slayton has tremendous upside because of his great speed and athleticism. He’s definitely worth a choice late in the fifth round.
Atlanta Falcons: Jordan Miller, CB, Washington B Grade
Jordan Miller is a long cornerback (6-1, 186) with above-average athleticism, so there’s some potential with him. However, he needs to be developed. He lacks strength, gets injured too often and misses way too many tackles. This is an OK choice at the end of Round 5.
Washington Redskins: Cole Holcomb, LB, North Carolina B+ Grade
Cole Holcomb has immense upside, so I like this pick. Holcomb tested extremely well in pre-draft workouts, putting himself on the map. He needs to be developed, as his instincts and tackling aren’t ideal, but he certainly has potential.