2018 NFL Supplemental Draft: Best landing spots for top two prospects
Sam Beal
There’s nothing not to like about a prospect who has been considered a first-round talent by Bleacher Report’s Matt Miller. Beal looked every bit of the sensational talent at his Pro Day. The 6-1, 185-pound corner ran between 4.4-4.5 seconds in the 40-yard dash and looked excellent in on field drills.
Scouting reports praise his physicality at the line, length, ball skill and ability to cover man-to-man. There will be no shortage of teams looking to draft Beal, but these would be the best overall fits.
Cleveland Browns
The Browns as a franchise have a history of taking elite talent in the supplemental draft, most notably with Josh Gordon. While the front office and coaching staff aren’t the same, there’s no reason why the Browns should pass up on an elite talent like Beal.
In the first round of the 2018 draft, they shocked the world by selecting Denzel Ward No. 4 overall. Why not take a flyer on the best corner prospect of 2019? Pair him with Ward and E.J. Gaines, and instantly the Browns have the best secondary in the AFC North.
Houston Texans
The Texans have the talent of a team ready to contend. Who knows what would have happened if DeShaun Watson had stayed healthy as a rookie. Again, the Texans has to rely on their defense. Why not continue to ride that wave?
Adding Beal to their secondary would put them on par Jacksonville, the team that stole A.J. Bouye from them a year ago. Beal’s ability to line up man-to-man gives them a replacement for the aging Jonathan Joseph and Kareem Jackson. Beal could line up outside or in the slot, giving the Texans a much needed boost in the secondary.
Minnesota Vikings
The Vikings defense is why they are Super Bowl contenders. However, they have a huge potential void inside at nickel corner. Terrance Newman was brought back, but he’s on borrowed time. They can take Beal as a future starter who can compete right away for playing time. Beal will give them an even more dynamic secondary with Trae Waynes, Xavier Rhodes and Harrison Smith.
Miami Dolphins
In the 2018 NFL Draft, the Dolphins selected Minkah Fitzpatrick to help with their secondary. He’s a hybrid safety who will fill in at nickel corner if need be. But they can get a full time nickel and run three safeties to slow down teams passing attack with Beal on the roster. He’s a higher graded prospect than their 2016 first-round pick Xavien Howard. Beal could come in right away and take the No.3 corner spot — if not the No. 1.
New England Patriots
Duke Dawson won’t be enough to make for the lack of production from the cornerback spot in New England. The Patriots have the ammunition to draft Beal as high as the second-round since they have five Day 2 picks for 2019. Beal has the skill-set to play off-man, press-man and zone coverages. He’s the utility player Belichick likes and there is arguably no better place for Beal than the Patriots.
Next: 2019 NFL Mock Draft: Way too early projection for next year
San Francisco 49ers
In the NFC West, it’s all about defense and that’s where the Niners should focus on getting better now that they added pieces to their offense. The 49ers brought in Richard Sherman to help Ahkello Witherspoon, giving he Niners two big corners for the boundary. Jimmie Ward is expected to stay at the nickel spot, but he’s better used as a safety. Sam Beal would come in and alleviate Ward of his nickel duties and give the 49ers a shutdown corner on the inside.