I picked out my 10 favorite fits — the prospects who landed on teams that fit them perfectly, factoring in scheme, tendencies and coaching.
Why he is a perfect fit: In the Jets’ defined coverage schemes, Gardner is a seamless fit as a boundary corner who can play a difference-making role as a both a man and zone defender.
The zone eyes are there, too, when Gardner pedals off the ball in three-deep coverage.
That’s where Burks can get loose after the catch, using his ball carrier vision, play speed and powerful frame at 6-foot-2, 225 pounds to beat defenders in space.
Why he is a perfect fit: Thibodeaux has the traits to generate disruption as an edge player against the run, and the straight-line juice he showed on his college tape will allow the rookie to hunt down ball carriers as the backside pursuit defender.
And don’t be surprised if Martindale bumps Thibodeaux down in some passing situations as a defensive tackle or standup 3-technique to create a matchup with an offensive guard in protection.
Why he is a perfect fit: Cook can be deployed like Alvin Kamara in the pass game for new Bills playcaller Ken Dorsey this season.
But the rookie will also make a difference as a perimeter runner, with the north/south acceleration to slice through the second level of the defense.
He will stack, shed and engulf ball carriers, and he can also plug gaps and command a double-team at the point of contact.
Why he is a perfect fit: With new coordinator Mike Macdonald in Baltimore, expect Hamilton to be deployed as a disruptive force at multiple levels of the defense.
With his rare combination of size and quickness, Hamilton can play top down for Baltimore in split-safety alignments or drop as a hook-curl defender to patrol the second level.
Why he is a perfect fit: New Jags defensive coordinator Mike Caldwell coached the linebackers last season under Todd Bowles in Tampa, and we saw how the Bucs deployed their second-level defenders both in coverage and as blitzers.
He has the physical tools to beat running backs in protection, and I see the second-level range necessary to make plays as a coverage defender, too.
Why he is a perfect fit: Pierce is a boundary X target for quarterback Matt Ryan who can also shift inside to create matchups out of slot or trips sets, making him a really good fit for Frank Reich’s offense.
With his foot quickness and play strength, Pierce can set up press coverage, and we know he can be a primary option for Ryan inside the red zone.
Why he is a perfect fit: In Steve Spagnuolo’s scheme — which features a mix of man pressure and two-deep zone — McDuffie has the traits to play sticky man coverage or sink with backfield vision as a zone defender.
With a smooth pedal, split-field range and easy transition ability, Brisker can drive downhill on the ball from the deep half or match vertically in Quarters.
A pace thrower who can generate velocity when needed, Ridder will benefit from the play-action elements in Arthur Smith’s offense.
The Florida product isn’t going to be featured in the pass game, but he has the receiving ability to catch the ball out of the backfield as an underneath target.
He gets a jump off the ball to attack the high side of offensive tackles in protection, with the ability to bend and flatten to the quarterback.
Kolar doesn’t have high-end third-level stretch ability, but the Iowa State product wins with his 6-foot-6 frame and leverage to separate as a middle-of-the-field chain-mover.
With pro coaching and more technical refinement, he has tremendous upside as a press/zone corner in the Seahawks’ defensive system.
