Best 2019 NFL late-round draft pick for all 32 teams, what’s next
The 2020 NFL draft is less than two weeks away.
We have taken a look back at how each 2019 first-round pick and second-round pick performed in his rookie season. Today we take a look at the third round and beyond.
Which player picked in Rounds 3-7 of the 2019 draft had the biggest impact for each team?
With the draft coming up on April 23-25 (ABC, ESPN, ESPN App and NFL Network), prospects across the country should keep in mind that it’s not where you get drafted, but what you do after your name is called.
NFL Nation reporters assess how their top late-round pick did in his first season and then project what 2020 will bring on this scale:
He’s a star
On his way
He’s a starter
Has a lot to prove
Devin Singletary, running back
College: Florida Atlantic
Round selected: Third
Analysis: The third-round pick was somewhat of a luxury given the presence of LeSean McCoy and Frank Gore on the Bills’ roster but he quickly made it clear that he was the premier back in Buffalo. An almost guarantee to break at least one tackle every time he touches the ball, Singletary was one of the most productive runners in the NFL toward the end of his rookie season and could hit stardom with a heavier workload in 2020.
Rating: On his way. — Marcel Louis-Jacques
Michael Deiter, guard
College: Wisconsin
Round selected: Third
Analysis: Deiter was a starter for much of the 2019 season at left guard, though it was partly out of necessity. He figures to have a chance to compete for a starting interior offensive line spot again this summer. A starting spot won’t be guaranteed, though, as Miami has added more talent, including left guard Ereck Flowers and center Ted Karras, with more likely to come via the draft. Deiter may have to beat out a rookie or veteran Jesse Davis to win the starting right guard spot in 2020.
Rating: Has a lot to prove. — Cameron Wolfe
Chase Winovich, outside linebacker
College: Michigan
Round selected: Third
Analysis: When ESPN.com went through a 2019 re-draft, the Patriots’ third-round choice from Michigan (No. 77 overall) went No. 27 to the Raiders. That’s a high compliment to Winovich, who was utilized as a sub-package specific player as a rookie but now is a top candidate to replace Kyle Van Noy as a starter. Winovich played 291 defensive snaps and 256 special-teams snaps as a rookie, finishing with 26 tackles and 5.5 sacks. That sets the foundation for what the Patriots hope are bigger things ahead.
Rating: He’s a starter. — Mike Reiss
Blessuan Austin, cornerback
College: Rutgers
Round selected: Sixth
Analysis: Due to injuries at the position, the sixth-round pick wound up starting six games and playing 38% of the defensive snaps — not bad, considering he sat out training camp and the first half of the season because of a second ACL surgery from college. He wound up getting benched for the final game because of a blown assignment, but he will compete for a starting job in 2020 because he showed enough promise during his run as a starter. His technique needs a lot of polish, but say this for Austin: He plays with a swagger, which is important at the cornerback position. If he stays healthy and listens to his coaches, he has a chance to be a good one.
Rating: Has a lot to prove. — Rich Cimini
Jaylon Ferguson, outside linebacker
College: Louisiana Tech
Round selected: Third
Analysis: The third-round pick was a pleasant surprise, stepping up to fill the void left by veteran Pernell McPhee, who suffered a season-ending triceps injury in Week 7. It initially looked like Ferguson would be a reserve as a rookie because of the learning curve going from Louisiana Tech to the NFL. But Ferguson, whose nickname is “Sack Daddy,” started nine games, finishing with 31 tackles and 2.5 sacks. The Ravens are hoping to get even more quarterback pressures from Ferguson in his second season.
Rating: He’s a starter. — Jamison Hensley
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Michael Jordan, guard
College: Ohio State
Round selected: Fourth
Analysis: Jordan stepped into a starting guard position in 2019. While he had his share of shaky moments as a rookie, the coaching staff liked what they saw and believe he has the potential to continue to solidify a starting role in 2020 and beyond. Aside from Jordan and fellow fourth-round pick Ryan Finley, the Bengals received little production from their late-round picks in 2019. If Jordan continues to develop, he could help solidify an offensive line that will likely be blocking for a rookie quarterback next season.
Rating: He’s a starter. — Ben Baby
Mack Wilson, linebacker
College: Alabama
Round selected: Fifth
Analysis: Wilson’s emergence after Christian Kirksey‘s season-ending pectoral injury in Week 2 made it easier for the Browns to cut ties with Kirksey this offseason. Wilson had the usual ups and downs for a rookie defender. But he’s already shown that he can develop into a quality starter in the NFL.
Rating: He’s a starter. — Jake Trotter
Benny Snell Jr., running back
College: Kentucky
Round selected: Fourth
Analysis: Snell benefited from injuries to James Conner and Jaylen Samuels to get a decent amount of playing time in his rookie season and finish with 426 yards and two touchdowns on 108 carries. In both of his starts — coming against Cincinnati and Baltimore — Snell had at least 90 rushing yards, and he scored a touchdown in the Week 17 finale against the Ravens. Most of the time, though, Snell was the team’s closer, used in the fourth quarter to eat up clock after the Steelers secured a lead. Snell’s ability as a bruising, downhill runner got him on the field late in games, but he needs to improve his pass protection to be an every-down back.
Rating: On his way. — Brooke Pryor
Charles Omenihu, defensive end
College: Texas
Round selected: Fifth
Analysis: Omenihu played 41% of the Texans’ defensive snaps last season, but his 27 pressures ranked fourth on the team. Late last season, Omenihu said most of his success had come as an inside rusher and that he wanted to “work on my outside game.” The Texans’ defense struggled because of a lack of pass rush in 2019, so coach Bill O’Brien and defensive coordinator Anthony Weaver are hoping Omenihu plays a bigger role next season.
Rating: On his way. — Sarah Barshop
Bobby Okereke, linebacker
College: Stanford
Round selected: Third
Analysis: It was tough choosing between Okereke and safety Khari Willis, whom the Colts gave up two fourth-round picks to move up and draft. Okereke started half of the 16 games he played, giving the Colts another solid linebacker to go alongside Anthony Walker and Pro Bowler Darius Leonard. Okereke, who can play all three linebacker positions, was a stat machine as a rookie, with 65 tackles, two forced fumbles, a fumble recovery and a sack. The addition of DeForest Buckner in the middle of the defensive line to go with defensive end Justin Houston should open up more lanes for Okereke to pursue the ball next season.
Rating: He’s a starter. — Mike Wells
Gardner Minshew, quarterback
College: Washington State
Round selected: Sixth
Analysis: Minshew struggled so much in the preseason that the Jags considered adding a veteran quarterback. But he turned it around in the regular season in place of an injured Nick Foles. Minshew had the best passer rating and fewest interceptions of any rookie last season. The Jags dumped Foles this offseason (traded to Chicago) and they’re going with the sixth-round pick out of Washington State in 2020. Now the priority is getting Minshew some additional playmakers, which began with the addition of tight end Tyler Eifert in free agency, so the QB can (they hope) begin to flourish.
Rating: He’s a starter. — Michael DiRocco
Amani Hooker, defensive back
College: Iowa
Round selected: Fourth
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Analysis: Hooker’s ability to digest and understand the defense quickly earned him the trust of the Titans coaching staff. He was working with the first-team nickel package in minicamp. Hooker is capable of matching up with move tight ends and bigger receivers in the slot. Even though he was stuck behind Kevin Byard and Kenny Vaccaro, Hooker played 30% of the Titans’ defensive snaps. Hooker won’t start in front of Vaccaro and Byard, but he will be a key part of the Titans’ sub-packages, especially when they want to defend the run.
Rating: On his way. — Turron Davenport
Dre’Mont Jones, defensive end
College: Ohio State
Round selected: Third
Analysis: Jones had 2.5 sacks in the Broncos’ Week 16 win over the Detroit Lions and started in the season finale a week later. He played 31% of the defensive snaps last season, but given his athleticism and consistent work in the pass rush, as well as the departure of Derek Wolfe in free agency, his snap count figures to rise. Playing alongside five-time Pro Bowl selection Jurrell Casey should allow him to flourish.
Rating: On his way. — Jeff Legwold
Rashad Fenton, cornerback
College: South Carolina
Round selected: Sixth
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Analysis: The sixth-round draft pick was getting playing time as the slot cornerback by midseason and held his own. He had a fourth-quarter interception against Philip Rivers that helped the Chiefs hold off the Chargers in Week 11 and had a sack in the divisional-round playoff win over the Texans. Fenton may never be more than a part-time and special-teams player but the Chiefs should be OK with that given where he was drafted.
Rating: Has a lot to prove. — Adam Teicher
Drue Tranquill, linebacker
College: Notre Dame
Round selected: Fourth
Analysis: A fourth-round pick, Tranquill was a regular contributor on special teams and grew his role on the defense throughout the season. In 15 games, Tranquill had 75 tackles, including four for a loss. Next season, Tranquill has the opportunity to land a starting job as a middle or weakside linebacker. “One of the most impressive things about Drew is, coming in as a rookie, he gave us the versatility to play [middle] and [weakside] when different guys went down,” Chargers coach Anthony Lynn said. “We plugged him in a lot of different places and he did a heck of a job.”
Rating: He’s a starter. — Lindsey Thiry
Maxx Crosby, defensive end
College: Eastern Michigan
Round selected: Fourth
Analysis: Taken No. 106 overall, Crosby finished second in NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year voting after getting 10 sacks, 14 quarterback hits, 47 tackles, four forced fumbles, four passes defensed and 11 stuffs. The “Salt” to fellow rookie edge rusher Clelin Ferrell‘s “Pepa,” Crosby had four sacks against the Bengals in Week 11, after becoming a full-time starter in Week 9. Crosby has already become a fan favorite as well as a regular on his home stadium DJ’s playlist, “Push It” by Salt-N-Pepa spinning whenever he, or Ferrell, gets a sack. Expect more airtime, then, in Las Vegas. At least, that’s the hope for the Raiders going forward for this third-day selection.
Rating: On his way. — Paul Gutierrez
Tony Pollard, running back
College: Memphis
Round selected: Fourth
Analysis: With Ezekiel Elliott on the roster, Pollard will not get a lot of work. But he could be a multifaceted player in coach Mike McCarthy’s offense who could compare to Ty Montgomery. Montgomery was a receiver who moved to running back. Perhaps Pollard can do the reverse, as he played receiver at Memphis. As a fourth-round rookie, he had two 100-yard rushing games, finishing with 455 yards on 86 carries with two touchdowns. He caught 15 passes for 107 yards and a touchdown. He has a versatile skill set that could find him getting touches in different ways than as a rookie.
Rating: On his way. — Todd Archer
Darius Slayton posters”>Darius Slayton, wide receiver
College: Auburn
Round selected: Fifth
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Analysis: Picked 171st overall, Slayton led the Giants in receiving yards and touchdowns. He looks like a late-round gem, something the Giants haven’t had many of in recent years. His role should only expand this season as perhaps the Giants’ best perimeter receiver. It’s Slayton, Golden Tate and Sterling Shepard as their clear-cut top three receivers.
Rating: On his way. — Jordan Raanan
Shareef Miller, defensive end
College: Penn State
Round selected: Fourth
Analysis: The Eagles selected only two players in the third round and beyond: Miller and quarterback Clayton Thorson, who was cut in August following a rocky preseason. Miller was a game-day inactive for most of the year and did not play any snaps on defense. The Eagles knew the Penn State product needed time to develop when they picked him, so his quiet rookie season wasn’t a huge surprise. Now that he’s in Year 2, he needs to show significant signs of improvement. Philadelphia could really use a boost to its pass-rush rotation.
Rating: Has a lot to prove. — Tim McManus
Terry McLaurin, wide receiver
College: Ohio State
Round selected: Third
Analysis: McLaurin surprised even the Redskins, who figured his role would be mostly on special teams. Instead, he became a standout receiver and, with better quarterback play, could have easily topped 1,000 yards. McLaurin’s speed and desire to master the nuances of playing receiver in the NFL should help him build on his success. He finished with 919 receiving yards and seven touchdowns in 14 games. No one else had more than 378 receiving yards. McLaurin showed he could win multiple ways and faced a variety of top corners, such as Darius Slay and Byron Jones, with success.
Rating: On his way. — John Keim
David Montgomery, running back
College: Iowa State
Round selected: Third
Analysis: Montgomery led the team with 889 rushing yards and six touchdowns. However, Chicago never truly committed to running the football. Montgomery had 20-plus carries in four games as the Bears ranked near the bottom of the league in rushing offense. The onus is on Bears coach Matt Nagy to better utilize Montgomery in 2020 because Chicago cannot be one-dimensional on offense and expect to reach the playoffs.
Rating: He’s a starter. — Jeff Dickerson
Amani Oruwariye, cornerback
College: Penn State
Round selected: Fifth
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Analysis: The fifth-round pick began the season as an afterthought and by the end of it was pushing Rashaan Melvin for his starting position. Oruwariye has good length, speed and instincts and intercepted two passes as a rookie in limited snaps (19% of defensive reps). With Darius Slay traded to Philadelphia and Rashaan Melvin moving on in free agency, there is a clear path to a starting spot for Oruwariye opposite now-No. 1 corner Desmond Trufant. He may get competition in the draft, especially if Detroit selects Ohio State’s Jeff Okudah in the first round, but Oruwariye has put himself in a position to compete for a starting job or to be the first corner off the bench. This Lions staff likes him, but he has a ways to go.
Rating: On his way. — Michael Rothstein
Jace Sternberger, tight end
College: Texas A&M
Round selected: Third
Analysis: He’s going to get a chance to prove he’s worthy of the third-round pick (No. 75 overall) that GM Brian Gutekunst spent on him. Injuries ruined the early portion of his 2019 season and hindered his development after he played only one year of major college football. But by the end of the season, he found a role in coach Matt LaFleur’s offense both as an H-back type of blocker and a receiving threat. “Jace in time has a chance to be the kind of guy that can be a mismatch for us,” Gutekunst said this offseason. “He has some dynamic ability in the passing game.” He caught his first NFL touchdown pass in the NFC Championship Game, and with Jimmy Graham gone, Sternberger will get his shot to be the No. 1 tight end.
Rating: Has a lot to prove. — Rob Demovsky
Bisi Johnson, wide receiver
College: Colorado State
Round selected: Seventh
Analysis: The Vikings had been searching for a No. 3 receiver for years by the time they drafted Johnson out of Colorado State in the seventh round. Minnesota had nine wideouts in training camp not named Stefon Diggs or Adam Thielen. By the end of the preseason, Johnson was the only rookie left standing. In the two months Thielen missed due to injury, Johnson assumed a starter’s role and finished the season third in receiving among his position group. “He didn’t need much teaching, he did everything he was asked and he prepared the right way,” Diggs said. “I always have respect for guys who come in late [in the draft], but being a professional, he does his job. You can appreciate that more as a man than a player.”
Rating: On his way. — Courtney Cronin
Kendall Sheffield, cornerback
College: Ohio State
Round selected: Fourth
Analysis: Sheffield, who had some injury issues at the combine, impressed the Falcons during their private meetings before the draft. The fourth-rounder proclaimed himself a first-round talent upon joining the team. Then he went out and used his blazing speed and playmaking ability in a starting role, as the team saw vet Desmond Trufant go down to injury. With Trufant out, Sheffield, who can play inside in nickel or outside in base, is destined to take that next step.
Rating: On his way.– Vaughn McClure
Dennis Daley, offensive tackle
College: South Carolina
Round selected: Sixth
Analysis: Injuries thrust the sixth-round pick into the starting lineup mostly at left tackle. He allowed seven sacks, but had only four penalties and was a decent run-blocker. Daley’s best effort came in his second start, when he held then-NFL sack leader Shaquil Barrett (Tampa Bay) to one hit and received the highest rating for left tackles by Pro Football Focus that week. He earned a final grade of 58.3 from PFF. That was average but second among Carolina’s four tackles. He needs refining but has plenty of upside. He won’t be forced to start this year, as the Panthers brought in veteran Russell Okung to anchor the left side. Daley should be a future starter and could get a shot at guard.
Rating: On his way. — David Newton
C.J. Gardner-Johnson, safety
College: Florida
Round selected: Fourth
Analysis: The Saints traded up to snag Gardner-Johnson and he didn’t disappoint. He will be part of a three-man rotation at safety with starters Malcolm Jenkins and Marcus Williams this year. Gardner-Johnson played about 70% of the Saints’ defensive snaps from Week 7 on last year in a similar role. The 5-foot-11, 210-pounder spent a lot of time playing inside the box, but he lined up in a variety of positions, including deep safety and the slot. He started eight of the Saints’ final 11 games, including the playoffs. And during that 11-game span he tallied 46 tackles, one interception, nine pass defenses and a game-changing forced fumble in a Week 16 win at Tennessee.
Rating: On his way. — Mike Triplett
Jamel Dean, cornerback
College: Auburn
Round selected: Third
Analysis: After surrendering three touchdowns in an overtime loss to the Seattle Seahawks in Week 9, Dean redeemed himself by making a game-winning interception the following week against the Arizona Cardinals. He finished the season with 10 pass breakups — the most among all NFL rookies. “I feel like it was more about learning how to be a pro, understanding like how to actually watch film and what it takes to prepare week in and week out,” said Dean, who, along with the Bucs’ other rookie defensive backs, started coming into the facility at 5:30 a.m. for extra film work with defensive coordinator Todd Bowles. The Bucs believe Dean’s combination of 4.3 speed and size (6-foot-1 and 212 pounds) is rare and are excited about the future as he learns to put it all together.
Rating: He’s a starter. — Jenna Laine
KeeSean Johnson, wide receiver
College: Fresno State
Round selected: Sixth
Analysis: Johnson finished the season with five straight inactives — but he was still the best late-round pick by the Cardinals in 2019. Johnson had a great preseason but didn’t shine as much during the regular season. He finished with 21 catches for 187 yards and a touchdown. The expectation is he takes that proverbial second-year leap after figuring out how to adjust to playing in the NFL. He has one of the best mentors in the league in Larry Fitzgerald and the experience of an entire season. But with the addition of DeAndre Hopkins to the receivers’ room, Johnson’s snaps could see a decline in 2020 regardless of how much progress he makes.
Rating: Has a lot to prove. — Josh Weinfuss
Darrell Henderson, running back
College: Memphis
Round selected: Third
Analysis: Henderson played sparingly last season. He rushed for 147 yards on 39 carries and caught four passes for 37 yards, and finished the season on injured reserve after suffering a high ankle sprain in Week 16. Henderson did demonstrate flashes of his potential in Week 6, as he broke away for explosive 22- and 14-yard runs on consecutive carries; however, he also suffered a rookie woe in that 20-7 loss, when he botched a pitch from Jared Goff to start the second half. This season, Henderson will have a chance to become a breakout star following the Rams’ decision to cut Todd Gurley.
Rating: He’s a starter. — Lindsey Thiry
Dre Greenlaw, linebacker
College: Arkansas
Round selected: Fifth
Analysis: The fifth-round pick proved to the coaching staff he could contribute after a strong offseason program and that momentum carried into training camp. Greenlaw became the starting strong-side linebacker and was a solid special-teams contributor before moving to the weak side in place of injured starter Kwon Alexander. Greenlaw would go on to make one of the biggest plays of the season, stopping tight end Jacob Hollister inches short of the goal line in the final seconds of a huge Week 17 win against Seattle. Greenlaw will have to continue to develop in a lesser role with Alexander expected to return. Still, Greenlaw has the athleticism and instincts to be an impact player.
Rating: On his way. — Nick Wagoner
Cody Barton, linebacker
College: Utah
Round selected: Third
Analysis: Barton impressed Seattle’s coaches and veteran linebackers with how quickly he picked up the playbook. He led the Seahawks in special-teams snaps and made four starts at strong-side linebacker for Mychal Kendricks. As promising of a player as Barton appears to be, his path to a full-time starting role in 2020 isn’t clear. At 237 pounds, he’s better suited to play on the weak side, where K.J. Wright is in line to start for at least another year after Seattle paid him a $1 million roster bonus in March. The Seahawks see free-agent pickup Bruce Irvin as a strong-side linebacker on early downs and they’re set in the middle with All-Pro Bobby Wagner.
Rating; Has a lot to prove. — Brady Henderson