[Rain Man]

Okay, I studied this all day and I'm making my picks.

This draft was brutal. Every position of need for me seemed to get drafted before I could get my picks, and then there would be a big dropoff. I hate trading down, but I had no choice this year.

First, we are trading down with the Buffalo Bills. We are trading our #23 pick (760 points, discounted to 494) for their #44 pick (460 points), #153 pick (30.2 points), and #221 pick (3 points).

I did not make the Alex Smith trade, so I keep my #56, and I didn't have Edgar Jones to trade, so I don't move up at the bottom of the round. My picks are:

44
56
87
124
153
163
200
221
238

And without further ado, my draft is ...

#44 - Cyrus Kouandjio, OT (Bills)


With Branden Albert and Geoff Schwartz leaving, and with Eric Winston currently without a team, the only tackle on my roster is Menelik Watson. Kouandjio seems to have a good chance at being a starter if his medical stuff works out.

Other players considered: Xavier Su'a-Filo (G), Dee Ford (DE/OLB), or Teddy Bridgewater (QB) if no trade down. The first two would've filled big needs but I decided I could get a better return on investment with later picks.

#56 - Morgan Moses, OT (Redskins)


Yeah, two tackles with my first two picks. I've had problems replenishing this position over the years, so it's time to stock up.

Others considered: Kony Ealy (DE), C.J. Fiedorowicz (TE), Terrance Brooks (FS). Three more areas of need, but Moses seemed like the best value. I also pondered Gabe Jackson (G) and Louis Nix (NT).

#87 - Donte Moncrief, WR (Colts).


This pick was very difficult. I really wanted to fill one of my major needs areas, but couldn't find a pick that seemed worth the price. WR is a bit of a luxury here, though I could use some depth and competition.

Others considered: Crockett Gilmore (TE) was on my board almost the whole time as a need pick since Tony Gonzalez retired on me, but I eventually decided that I could get by with Fasano and Travis Kelce and see how they do. That let me go with the player that I think has the higher upside.

If we were allowed two trade-downs, I would've traded down out of this pick and taken Carl Bradford (OLB) and some lower picks. But since I couldn't trade down, Moncrief seemed like the better risk.

#124 - David Yankey, G (Vikings).


With Brian Waters' career in doubt and Wade Smith getting cut, my once-deep guard position was suddenly shaky. Yankey seemed like a really good value pick here who can potentially fill a need.

Others considered: None, really. Yankey was way above my other choices. I looked at G Dakota Dozier and OLB Telvin Smith, along with FS Nate Berhe.

#153 - Ed Reynolds, FS (Eagles)


I really need a free safety, and the top ones went before my first-round pick. Ed Reynolds can be competitive for the starting position with Quentin Demps on my roster. Screw Kendrick Lewis. I may cut him even if I don't have any other safeties.

Others considered: I really wanted DE Chris Smith as well, but couldn't find a way to get both. It came down to Smith or Reynolds.

#163 - Ronald Powell, OLB (Saints).


He's a medical risk that I'm hoping pays off, because I'm very shallow at OLB right now.

Others considered: Lots of good choices here. I really struggled between OLB Jordan Tripp versus Powell, so hopefully I made the right decision. I also strongly considered the two QBs (Aaron Murray and A.J. McCarren), along with FS Vinnie Sunseri.

#200 - Daniel McCullers, NT (Steelers).


I invested heavily in the DT position last year with three draft picks, but only one of them had a good year. McCullers seems like a cheap backup with notable upside.

Others considered: OT Laurent Duvernay-Tardif and DT Shamar Stephen. I've already drafted two OTs, though, and liked McCullers on the nose. He's huge. I also pondered FB Jay Prosch, but figured I'd wait on that position.

#221 - Trevor Reilly, OLB (Jets).


I think he slipped a lot due to his age (Mormon mission), but if I can get a good player cheap for a few years, he's definitely worth a late pick.

Others considered: None, really. He was my guy in this slot.

#238 - Trey Millard, FB (49ers).


I need a fullback. He's a fullback. Let's hope he sticks on the Niners' roster.

Others considered: There were a few others that I liked, including OLB Tyler Starr, ILB Yawin Smallwood, and WR Tevin Reese. But they were all depth at this point and I had no fullback on the roster.

In summary, my draft is:

#44 - Cyrus Kouandjio, OT (Bills)
#56 - Morgan Moses, OT (Redskins)
#87 - Donte Moncrief, WR (Colts)
#124 - David Yankey, G (Vikings).
#153 - Ed Reynolds, FS (Eagles)
#163 - Ronald Powell, OLB (Saints).
#200 - Daniel McCullers, NT (Steelers).
#221 - Trevor Reilly, OLB (Jets).
#238 - Trey Millard, FB (49ers).