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With the 2019 NFL Draft in the books, it is only fair to dish out some awards for a job well done by a number of teams across the NFL. It also doesn’t hurt to look at which teams may have made regrettable picks.
Pass along your thoughts on these awards and the 2019 NFL Draft. I may put together a mail bag that answers questions/comments sent via email [email protected] or on Twitter @draftcampbell.
Top Draft Newcomer:
Oakland Raiders: Mike MayockFirst to be clear, this award is more about who made a splash in their first draft as a general manager. I’m not saying they did a great job. Many don’t realize how tough of a job it is for a new general manager to take over a team’s front office in January, make a decision on the coaching staff while typically hiring new coaches, work free agency with the pro scouting and contract side of the team, and then work the final three months of a draft process with an entire new set of scouts and a new roster to get familiar with. Thus, many general managers have better drafts in their second and third years with a team than in their first season.
There were no other options for newcomer, but even if there were, Mayock would be a legit top candidate after making the jump from TV analyst to general manager of a NFL team. Mayock and the Raiders put together a solid draft. They reached on Clelin Ferrell with the fourth-overall pick, but after him, they selected good values later in the first round with running back Josh Jacobs and safety Johnathan Abram. Ferrell is a safe pick to be a solid edge rusher, but probably won’t set the league on fire. Jacobs and Abram, on the other hand, were the top consensus players at their positions. In the second round, Oakland landed a size/speed specimen at corner with Trayvon Mullen, who has poor technique, but a lot of upside. During the third day of the 2019 NFL Draft, the Raiders found some solid depth with defensive end Maxx Crosby, tight end Foster Moreau and wide receiver Hunter Renfrow.
The theme for Mayock’s first draft class was clean players, as he avoided taking any with off-the-field concerns, poor football character, and significant medical red flags. It will be interesting to see Mayock succeeds as a NFL general manager, but his 2019 draft is very intriguing as to whether it can lay a foundation of success for the Raiders.
2018 Winner: Doug Williams, Redskins
2017 Winner: John Lynch, 49ers
2016 Winner: Jon Robinson, Titans
2015 Winner: Mike Maccagnan, Jets
2014 Winner: Ray Farmer, Browns
2013 Winner: John Idzik, Jets
2012 Winner: Ryan Grigson, Colts
Once again, pass along your thoughts on these awards and the 2019 NFL Draft. I may together a mail bag that answers questions/comments sent via email [email protected] or on Twitter @draftcampbell.
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