Biggest Steal and Reach of Each Round of the 2019 NFL Draft
STEAL: New England Patriots – Chase Winovich, DE, Michigan (Pick 77)
Chase Winovich had the production that everybody wished Rashan Gary had while at Michigan.
He racked up 18.5 sacks in 3 years as a defensive end and had more tackles for a loss in the last two seasons than anybody in the Big 10 with 34 ½. Winovich then went on to crush the combine, running a 4.59 40 and looked excellent in position drills.
He has the size, speed, and power to play both a 4-3 end as well as an edge in a 3-4, and he’s the definition of a high motor player.
So how he was still on the board in the middle of the third round is beyond me; and who was the team lucky enough to have him fall right into their hands? The New England Patriots, of course.
After losing Trey Flowers in free agency, the Pats desperately need help on the edge, so Winovich is going to get an opportunity to contribute early on.
He’s a great fit and he plays with an attitude and energy that’s reminiscent of former Patriots Mike Vrabel and Rob Ninkovich. I believe he’ll make an immediate impact and prove to be one of the bigger defensive steals in the draft.
HONORABLE MENTION: Jace Sternberger, TE, Texas A&M (Pick 75)
REACH: Jacksonville Jaguars – Quincy Williams, LB, Murray State (Pick 98)
In all fairness to Quincy Williams, this is more a reach due to his lack of name recognition than anything else. He was the first “stump the truck” guy of the draft, as Daniel Jeremiah said on NFL Network. “400 players that I worked on…Quincy Williams was not one of them.”
Jaguars GM Dave Caldwell was asked about the surprising pick at the team’s press conference after day 2 and he responded with “I can’t help that you guys didn’t do your homework.”
He also told the media that the team considered trading back into the fourth to get him (did not have a fourth-round pick) but could not find a suiter.
While some around the league insist that the brother of Quinnen Williams was rated high on a lot of boards, the value isn’t even close to being there for a guy who admitted to being prepared to be an UDFA.