From the notebook of Pirate owner/coach Jason Enright.
There were two guys I wanted to come away with in this draft—Derrius Guice and Ronald Jones. At one point I owned the 1.02, 1.06 and 1.09 picks, and figured myself very likely to do so (assuming Jones fell to 1.06). However, the opportunity to acquire Melvin Gordon arose and I felt that it was worth it to take the gamble, even though it cost me the 1.02 and thus, Guice.
1.03—Derrius Guice, RB, WAS
However, on draft day, Jeppsen went through with his claim to take Royce Freeman at 1.02, opening the door for me to still get Guice at 1.03. I had been in previous discussions with Franssen for this pick, should this opportunity arise. I had hoped to get more in return, but settled for trading the 1.06/1.09 straight up for the 1.03—and drafted Derrius Guice.
1.05—Ronald Jones, RB, TBB
Now it was all on Tom Rothfus, coach of the North Point Chitons. Who would he take? Would he spoil my plans? No, no he wouldn’t.
3.03—Darius Leonard, LB, IND
What can I say, I like the name Derrius/Darius in all its forms. In all actuality, I had my eye on a LB for my 3rd pick. After trading the 1.09, where I hoped to get Roquan Smith, I had quite the wait. Smith went at 1.11, Edmunds went at 1.13, and even Evans went at 2.07. It was at this point I switched my choice to getting Kalen Ballage, RB, MIA, figuring I’d handcuff Kenyon Drake. No dice—Jesse Garcia and Linn County ninja’d that dream only 1 pick before me. Basically I debated between Leonard and Leighton Vander Esch. Vander Esch is probably the safer pick, but it seems to me that the Colts suck and Leonard has a really good path to a ton of tackles at the MLB position.
3.12—Tre’Quan Smith, WR, NO
I literally tried to trade up to every pick between 3.03 and this one, trying to get Smith. Either it didn’t work out, or they already had their pre-draft selection made. Didn’t matter as I got the player I wanted. I consider this a steal at 3.12 and it would not surprise me if he was starting opposite Michael Thomas sooner than later. Probably my favorite non-round 1 pick of the draft.
3.13—Terrell Edmunds, S, PIT
REACH. That’s what the world thought when Pittsburgh selected this guy. Personally, I don’t know but he hopefully has a good chance of either replacing Burnett (who I have) or at least getting a bunch of snaps in the near future as a LB/S hybrid. First round pedigree will hopefully give him a long leash to get on the field. Almost took Antonio Callaway here.
4.01—Keke Coutee, WR, HOU
Again, I was desperate for wide receiver depth and Keke is a name that people have been getting excited about. Given I base a lot of my opinion on other people’s opinions, this in turn made me excited about him. Small guy, but there are people thinking he could start in the slot with Hopkins and Fuller. I don’t know for sure, but with a healthy Watson at QB and no good RB, I like the situation. Worth the gamble.
4.03—Sam Darnold, QB, NYJ
Wanted to take a QB at some point in this draft and regretting passing on Wentz two years ago when I tried to wait until round 5. With Linn County drafting one at 4.02, that forced my hand. With Brady and Brees on the roster, there is no hurry.
5.03—Ito Smith, RB, ATL
So glad he fell to me here. With Tevin Coleman almost assuredly leaving after this season to (hopefully) be a starter somewhere else, I have to assume Ito was drafted to be the next Tevin. Considering Tevin is a top 20 back every year despite being a backup, this is a guy I wanted really bad.
5.08—Kemoko Turay, DE, IND
Total 100% flier here. Seems like he has a lot of upside and, like Leonard, was drafted in the 2nd round with a legit chance to start and make some noise. He’s just got to beat out some goofy looking 31 year old guy named Margus Hunt—seems doable.
© 2018, Jason Enright. All rights reserved.
Roquan Smith went 10th, mfer. I was two seconds from drafting him when the call from Cleveland came in.