This year’s NFL draft was all about bold, smart picks. These selections are set to radically change the fortunes of a number of franchises this summer. Many prospects have found themselves in perfect spots. While numerous factors went into their new cornucopia of placements, all of them match beautifully with their respective skill sets and the systems of their new coaches. This article will take a deeper look at these early-round draft picks and how they’re faring within their respective teams.
In San Francisco’s 4-3 defense, defensive tackle Javon Kinlaw is one of their most impactful players. He has the opportunity to flourish in Robert Saleh’s new 40 front defense. The fact that he can play as a three-down defender will help the 49ers’ defensive line to an elite level. Meanwhile, Johnson‘s skill set aligns seamlessly with Arthur Smith’s offense in Atlanta. Perhaps the most interesting thing about Johnson is how great he is in the outside zone game—the bread-and-butter of Smith’s offensive philosophy.
McMillan, another excellent draft pick with a great upside, provides some versatility in how he could be used. He can effectively operate as a Z receiver alongside the tight end but is best suited to excel as the boundary X receiver in Dave Canales’ system. This specific quality from each of these players makes their teams utterly more dynamic and dangerous on the offensive and defensive ends of the floor, respectively.
Defensive Talents Making an Impact
On the defensive side of the ball, it was the best draft pick after best draft pick that impressed Starks and Green continues to shine. Starks, who played at Georgia, was one of the most impressive defensive players in all of college football last season, recording six interceptions and 15 pass breakups. His aggressive play style with an eye of an instinctive hawk will serve him well even more so as he makes that transition to the NFL.
Johnson caught the eye for his ball-hawking skills, highly-explosive nature and boom-or-bust style in the secondary. He can read through a play as fast as anyone and respond just as quickly. This trait will be a huge boon for any team looking to bolster its DB corps.
Offensive Weapons Ready to Shine
On the offensive side, a number of players showed legitimate star potential that could translate well to their new team fits. Harvey, who was drafted by Denver, has the dual-threat abilities that Sean Payton covets within his offense. His versatility opens up multiple avenues of play-calling, making Brooks a dynamic asset.
Johnson stood out in college with an impressive statistic: he recorded 21 rushes of 20 or more yards in 2024, ranking second nationally. This explosive running ability is set to be a huge factor in how Atlanta’s new offense under Smith looks.
Loveland developed into a nuanced route runner who could play a variety of roles in the passing game. His movement skills give him the ability to play in-line, move around as a joker/European player, transition into the slot or shift over the backside of 3×1 sets. This versatility deepens Ben Johnson’s preferred positionless offensive strategy and gives the team a plethora of alignment possibilities.
Building Cohesive Systems
Every drafted player is a standout with All-Pro level solo ability. They’re great at providing the types of systems—cohesive, flowing, rhythm-based systems—that their coaches prescribe. Projected Fit: Royals should thrive in Andy Reid’s system as a solid intermediate target for QB Patrick Mahomes. His dependable mitts and precision route-running will move chains and create runs at more explosive plays vertically.
McMillan’s dynamic skill set makes him a quick go-to option for Bryce Young from multiple alignments. The rapport and chemistry between Young and McMillan should be very important to developing an explosive downfield-passing game.
Williams’ potential as a vertical threat certainly seems like a match made in heaven with rookie quarterback Drake Maye. And his ability to stretch defenses and accelerate after the catch is key in drawing up scoring opportunities.
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