NFL draft: best fits between draft prospects and teams

Los Angeles Rams – Austin Jackson, OT, USC

While this might not be the most glaring departure for casual NFL fans, when I look at all the roster there are few holes that stand out to me more than what the Rams will potentially have at left tackle. Even with reports that he will postpone retirement for another year, L.A. needs a long-term replacement for Andrew Whitworth. The Rams O-line took a huge step back in 2019 with Rodger Saffold headed to Tennesse and injuries playing their part. The front-five got a lot better once they inserted their two rookies, they are hoping for other day two picks to pay off down the line. Joseph Noteboom is the only one on that roster that I feel would be suited to play left tackle, but he missed almost all of 2019 with an injury already. Instead, they might go with another promising lineman early in the second round by trading up for Jackson, who will be a hot commodity if someone doesn’t pick him up opening night. While I don’t love what I see from the USC tackle right now, he has the tools to physical develop into a very good player. Jackson could start out at left guard and immediately improve the O-line, even if his best days are still ahead of him. Plus, he could learn from one of the game’s best potentially, if they decide to not put him out there right away.

Florida v Kentucky

Green Bay Packers – Van Jefferson, WR, Florida

While that demolition by the 49ers in the NFC Championship game has left a bitter taste in the mouths of Packers fans, they took a huge step forward last season. Aaron Jones became a superstar dual-threat back, they have become one of the best pass-rushing teams in the league and they finally took some pressure off number 12 by putting an offense around him that gives him more easy completions off bootlegs and different screen passes. What they still need is a consistent number two receiver to go along with Davante Adams. Geronimo Allison, Allan Lazard and others have stepped up in some spots for them, but none of them have contributed for them in the necessary capacity on a weekly basis. Jefferson is a very-well developed route-runner as a coach’s son, who would fit that role perfectly. While he never quite reached the 700-yard mark for the Gators, the four-year receiver always came through when called upon for an offense that could rarely rely on their passing game. After wrapping up his collegiate career, Jefferson completely dominated pretty much every matchup he faced during Senior Bowl week, showing the ability to attack the leverage of DBs, snapping off his route with authority and attacking the ball in the air. In a wide receiver class that is absolutely loaded with talented, you can find values throughout the draft and I think Jefferson could be a great target for Green Bay in the middle of day two.