Ballard’s draft record

[Kray007]

A theme amongst Ballard’s detractors has seemed to have emerged…that he doesn’t draft well. Let’s look at that.

2018
Quenton Nelson
Shaq Leonard
Braden Smith
Zaire Franklin
Tyquan Lewis

Nelson will be in the Hall Of Fame. Leonard would have been. Braden Smith has been a bookend RT from the day he stepped onto the field. Zaire Franklin was a tackling machine and a pro bowler. Tyquan was serviceable.

2019
Rock Ya Sin
Parris Campbell
Bobby Okereke
EJ Speed

Rock is starting for the Lions. Campbell had all the talent in the world. Bobby is starting for the Giants. Speed for the hated Texans.

2020
Michael Pittman Jr
Jonathan Taylor

Pittman is a upper echelon Receiver. Taylor is the best Running Back in the league.

2021
Will Fries

2021 was slim pickings. Ballard seemed determined to find an edge guy, so he rolled the dice with Paye and Odeyingbo. A small amount of redemption came in round 7 when he found Will Fries.

2022
Alec Pierce
Jelani Woods
Bernhard Raimann
Nick Cross

If 2021 was a bad year, ‘22 was a home run. In Pierce, he found a home run hitter who has developed into one of the best receivers in the league. Jelani gets mentioned because of the immense talent short circuited by injury. Bernard is a bookend Left Tackle. Cross is a stalwart in the back end.

2023
Anthony Richardson
JuJu Brents
Josh Downs

Richardson was a roll of the dice at Quarterback. He still has time, but the sands are running out. JuJu makes the list because saying Juju makes me happy. And Downs is the consummate slot receiver.

2024
Laiatu Latu
Adonai Mitchell
Matt Goncalves
Tanor Bortoloni
Jaylon Carlies

Latu is one of PFF’s top 10 edge players, racking up 11 sacks and 61 pressures. Adonai has all pro tools wrapped up in a fool’s head. He single handedly cost us a win. Goncalves and Bortoloni are cornerstones on the line. Carlies might be an answer at Linebacker.


2025
Tyler Warren
Justin Walley
Jalen Travis
Riley Leonard

Tyler is emerging into an elite TE. Walley looks legit at Corner. Travis might be a bookend RT forbthe next decade. And Riley Leonard opened a few eyes on Sunday.

After a decade on the job, Ballard has built a roster with only two holes…DE and cover Linebacker. This year’s draft is reportedly rich at Linebacker, so given his track record at the position, I expect him to fill the spot in round 2. At Defensive End, i suspect that the Irsay girls will slice off a chunk of money and give Ballard the latitude to sign the top guy on his wish lisy at DE.