Some draft picks are steals. Some represent outstanding value. Others are simply the perfect match between the prospect and their new team’s scheme. We’ve already covered the best player-team fits from the first round. Here are four more players from day two who fit their new team like a glove.
Devon Achane to the Dolphins
Since the arrival of Mike McDaniel last summer, there has been one word that defines the Dolphins’ offensive philosophy – speed. In Tyreek Hill and Jaylen Waddle they have two of the most explosive receivers in the NFL. They also have Raheem Mostert who has legitimate game-breaking speed in the backfield. WIth the addition of Achane they get a player whose game bears a lot of similarities to Mostert’s.
Achane was a member of Texas A&M’s track and field team, with a blazing 10.14 100m time under his belt. His explosiveness popped off the tape in college, with his 36 breakaway carries over the last two seasons tied for fourth amongst all Power Five backs alongside Bijan Robinson. At 5’9″ and 188 lbs he might not have the size to be a reliable between the tackles runner, but that cut-and-go speed makes him a perfect fit for Mike McDaniel’s zone-heavy offense
Steve Avila to the Rams
If you watched any of the Rams’ games last season it was painfully apparent that this team needed help on the offensive line. They were all over the place in pass protection and they struggled to create any real movement in the running game. Avila is a hugely talented prospect who should help to remedy both of these issues from day one.
He also fits what the Rams are looking to do schematically. The Rams might have a reputation as a zone rushing offense, but as the 2022 season went on this began to change. They incorporated a range of gap scheme concepts which accounted for 48.5% of their attempts last season, up from just 28.7% the year prior. Avila played in a diverse rushing attack at TCU and possesses the combination of quickness and power to be a versatile lineman in the NFL.
DeMarvion Overshown to the Cowboys
The Cowboys defense has been excellent since Dan Quinn arrived in 2021. A key of part of this has been their creativity, particularly when it comes to their defensive front. I wrote last season about how their willingness to vary fronts and personnel caused problems for opposing offenses and they will no doubt be trying to repeat that feat in 2023.
Getting a player like Overshown helps them do just that. The former Longhorn linebacker started his career at safety and he has the coverage skills you might expect. The fit is particularly promising given his ability to contribute as a blitzer though. Overshown plays like a banshee when he’s asked to get downhill and racked up an impressive 52 pressures on just 201 pass rushing snaps in college. His playstyle actually compares nicely to Keanu Neal, who Quinn used to great effect during his time in Atlanta.
Siaki Ika to the Browns
Watching the Browns defense attempt to stop the run last season was painful. It was no doubt a key reason that Cleveland decided to part ways with former defensive coordinator Joe Woods and bring in Jim Schwartz. Schwartz’s first job will be to remedy that problem and there aren’t many better ways of doing it that drafting Ika.
Ika gives Cleveland a dependable starter who can hold their ground and plug gaps against the run. At 6’3″ and 335, he is a behemoth of a defensive lineman, with great play strength and the heavy hands to plough through opponents. He also has the anchor strength to withstand drive blocks in the running game and control his gaps. This fit could not be more perfect from a schematic perspective.
