Five thoughts on the draft:

1. 2019 Salary Cap - I believe that this draft was highly influenced by our 2019 salary cap situation.  We are over and will need to find ways to save money.  If Bryan (1st), Harrison (3rd) and Richardson (4th) can take over as starters in 2019, it will save the team $11 million, $6 million and $6 million or a combined $23 million in cap space.  That's huge.  In regards to Chark (2nd), we have a presumed starter in Moncrief who is not signed in 2019.  If Chark can be a legitimate starter, it prevents us from having to sign a free agent (which we can't afford) in 2019 to replace Moncrief.  If Cooke (7th) can win the punting competition, that's also a quick almost $2 million saved in 2019.  Not bad for a late seventh rounder.

2.  Lack of 2018 Needs Drafted - Ok, this highly relates to #1.  Because we focused on 2019, we didn't focus so much on 2018.  I went into the draft with right guard, tight end and linebacker to replace Poz as our three biggest needs.  We didn't draft a tight end at all.  We didn't draft a linebacker until the seventh round.  We didn't specifically draft a guard, although our fourth round tackle could potentially be converted to guard.  Even if so, that's still much later than I would have projected.  I thought we would go guard in round one.

3.  Anti-Gene Smith:  Our former GM was known for drafting small school players.  Not this GM.  College teams in order of being drafted were:  Florida, LSU, Alabama, NC State, Nebraska, Wisconsin and Mississippi State.  I would also note the emphasis on SEC teams.

4.  Athletes:  The draft picks clearly emphasized players with physical tools over college production and stats.  They obviously believe they can "coach up" players who have size and speed but maybe didn't produce as much as one would like on the field.  I'm seeing some conflicting reports on heights, but if you go by CBS Sports, it's interesting to note that all seven of our draft picks are 6'3" or taller.  Chark was the fastest wide receiver at the combine.

5. Diversity of Positions:  It's almost hard to be more diverse.  There were 3 offense, 3 defense and 1 special teams.  Even with that, there was diversity.  Offense included quarterback, wide receiver and offensive line.  Defense included defensive line, linebacker and defensive back.  They definitely spread it around.

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