27th Pick: Kansas City Chiefs- Marlon Humphery (CB) – Alabama
Terrance Mitchel showed potential as a number two cornerback next to Marcus Peters. But that does not justify not taking a cornerback here as cornerbacks are always needed and versatile ones could be even more pivotal in what you could do with him in a defensive gameplan. Marlon Humphery out of Alabama could be the physical big time cornerback they need next to Peters to complete the secondary. Now with the recent re-signing of Eric Berry, they can fill a need that can make their defense overall better. Humphrey is an athletic cornerback but could play next to Berry in certain schemes. He is a tone-setter at cornerback with his big hits but is not the best in coverage due to the fact that Alabama teaches a different technique that is not really used in the NFL. He also is better as a zone corner and struggles with man coverage, especially on the deep ball. But if he can learn the traditional techniques well and improve his footwork and awareness, he could be part of a young tandem as a number two cornerback with Peters to be troublesome to throw on.
28th Pick: Dallas Cowboys- Takkarist McKinley (EDGE) – California Los Angeles
Takk McKinley out of UCLA is a great fit and can provide an edge rusher with bend and speed. His shoulder injury might drop his stock some but I think he is an athletic freak that can fit as a 3-4 outside linebacker or prototypical 4-3 defensive end and had 10 sacks to end 2016. Some think Takk does not have pass rush moves and just uses his speed to get off the line around the edge. But if his pass rushing moves are more developed and polished at the next level, his speed-size combination would a recipe for success. With Randy Gregory having inconsistencies staying on the field due to off-field issues and Demarcus Lawrence having a down year after coming back from suspension, a pass rusher on defense is needed. Takk would create a nice pass rushing duo with Lawrence and a clean rotation adding Gregory would help the defense so much more overall and the secondary.
29th Pick: Green Bay Packers- Charles Harris (EDGE) – Missouri
With a plethora of pass rushers in the NFL, Mizzou has produced many productive pass rushers and the next on the line is Charles Harris. The Packers need pass rush opposite of Clay Matthews. Nick Perry is pending free agent and the pass rush has to be improved to help a young secondary on defense. Matthews had a down year and more production has to go to that position. Harris only had 9 sacks in 2016 but their defensive line coach misplaced him and did not get the production he could get if he placed his true position as an edge rusher. As a shorter pass rusher, he fits nicely in a 3-4 as an outside linebacker and has a low center of gravity to get the bend needed to get to the quarterback. Harris would be a nice complement to Matthews and he is a natural bender but may not be good at run stopping. But if he can just get to the opposing quarterbacks, that would be a good option regardless for the Cheeseheads.
30th Pick: Pittsburgh Steelers- Tim Williams (EDGE) – Alabama
The Steelers need pass rush as Jarvis Jones will be a pending free agent and a replacement for James Harrison is eventually needed. With his baggage off the field, Tim Williams fits here as an outside linebacker in a 3-4 and would fit the theme of some of the players they have on the roster that are dealing with off-field issues. The Steelers have to do their due diligence with Williams but he would be able to do the one thing he was good at as an athletic edge rusher; getting to the quarterback. In 2015 he had 9.5 sacks and followed up with 9 sacks in 2016. Some might see him as a one-trick pony but a duo with him and Bud Dupree would help the defense significantly moving forward.