11 of NFL Teams’ Smart Choices of 2019

2019’s team rosters include plenty of new picks, transfers, trades and  free-agent signings. Every decision is up for analysis by pros and amateurs alike.  Observers say that this year’s draft has seen some mobile jackpot  wise moves that should propel two of these teams into the Super Bowl.

Jalen Hurt, Athlete, San Francisco 49ers

Jalen Hurd, the versatile 226-pound, 6’5″ athlete whose wide receiver and  running back skills are the abilities of a defense coach’s dreams, will be able to bounce from out wide to the backfield as an “offensive weapon” to the slot for the 49ers. He could even be called in to fill in as a tight end, giving the 49ers a player who can take the team as far as it can go this season.

Devin Bush, LB, Pittsburgh Steelers

Devin Bush seems to be the answer to coach Mike Tomlin and general manager Kevin Colbert’s prayers.  Their search for a sideline-to-sideline playmaker at linebacker has consumed their energies for almost 2 year, following Ryan Shazier’s spinal injury of 2017. As a run-stopper, Bush displays spectacular athleticism. In addition, he is a superb pass rusher who gets home on blitzes.  Bush also displays defensive back-like cover skills in space, giving the Steelers a force with which to be reckoned with in the LB position.

Le’Veon Bell, Running Back, New York Jets

The 2018 season saw Bell sitting out the season and forefitting$14.5 million in a bid to preserve his health.  Now he’s signed with the Jets in free agency which will net him $28.5 million over the next two seasons.  The Jets will bring new challenges and Bell will no longer have veteran quarterback Ben Roethlisberger, above-average guard Ramon Foster, or an offensive line with top-notch players such as center MaurkicePouncey and guard David DeCastro.

Basically, with the Jets, Bell’s supporting cast will be weaker and he will have to contend with head coach Adam Gase who was not impressed with his $28.5 million price tag.  However, Bell’s patient running style should make up for what he might lack in his blocking abilities and that could be just what the Jets need to push ahead this year.

Taylor Rapp, Safety, Los Angeles Rams

Rapp is widely believed to be one of the best football players in the 2019 NFL Draft. Based on his production and performance between the lines he’s acknowledged to be a versatile defender with outstanding instincts, ball skills and awareness. Agents saw Rapp as an impact player who would have the capacity to create turnovers near the line of scrimmage or between the hashes in his capacity as a box-area defender due to his explosive blitzing skills. That makes him a perfect match for his new Rams, especially if he develops a good relationship with his new Rams teammate (and two-time All-Pro safety) Eric Weddle.

David Montgomery, Running Back, Chicago Bears

Montgomery comes to the Bears straight from Iowa State afterCoach Matt Nagy snagged Montgomery with a third-round pick. The Bears will know exactly how to play the crafty three-down back who has demonstrated outstanding balance, stop-start quickness and body control. Montgomery’s exceptional receiving skills out of the backfield and route-running will make him a dangerous weapon in a Bears offense.

Jason Witten, Tight End, Dallas Cowboys

Witten has returned to the Cowboys to fill in the tight end spot which was lacking in the 2018 season.  Witten is superior to Dallas’s other options at tight end, which include Geoff Swaim, Rico Gathers, Dalton Schultz and Blake Jarwin. Before he retired and spent a season in the Monday Night Football booth, Witten had a few lackadaisical seasons but the Cowboys are banking on Witten having some charge left on his battery in 2019.

Even though his yardage fell in those last 4 years, Witten didn’t miss a game since his rookie year in 2003, an astounding streak for a tight end. Now that he’s had a year to heal his injuries, the Cowboys are hoping and expecting that his sabbatical will allow him to shine in the upcoming season.

Greedy Williams, Center Back, Cleveland Browns

Williams slid into second round due to concerns about his tackling and toughness but he was once a LSU standout and that could propel him back into the game as a standout defensive player with some help from Steve Wilks. Wilks believes that the185-pound ballhawk has the athleticism,  length, instincts and strength  to be a star cover corner and could well emerge as a top-five player at his position in an aggressive scheme.

Hakeem Butler, Wide Receiver, Arizona Cardinals

Hakeem Butler was widely regarded as one of the best wide receiver prospects in the 2019 NFL draft and the Arizona Cardinals snapped him up in the first pick of the fourth round. The Cardinals are now looking at a no-lose situation as they anticipate the opportunities that the big-bodied pass-catcher can open to them. He will be a player that balls out next year when he returns from the injured reserve.

Marquise Brown Wide Receiver, Baltimore Ravens

Now that the Ravens are looking at an option-based offense program, they’ll need a lot of one-on-one coverage on the outside for pass catchers. They are counting on Brown, with speed in the sub-4.4 second range, to fill that opening. Brown’s playmaking ability could allow him to average 20-plus yards per catch, especially in a passing game on deep throws coming off play-action.

Dwayne Haskins, QuarterBack, Washington Redskins

Dwayne Haskins from Ohio State fell to the Redskins in the middle of the first round to gift the team with a classic drop-back passer who displays superb arm talent and throwing action that rely on timing, touch and anticipation. Haskins’ skills are expected to test the reaction, speed and discipline skills of the opposing defenses.

Trysten Hill, Defensive Tackle, Dallas Cowboys

The marriage between defensive coordinator Rod Marinelli and Trysten Hill is a match made in heaven. The defensive tackle is known for his relentless approach and his non-stop motor which suits Marinelli to a T.  Prior to the draft, Hill signed a “work ethic contract” in which he agreed to bring that same effort to the NFL. Marinelli is banking on the combination of his hard-working defensive linemen and Hill’s natural talents to move the Cowboys’ frontline forward.