With the 2017 NFL Draft now in the books, I will break down every team's draft and grade them based on their round by round performance, starting with the teams in the NFC West. Here are my final grades for these four teams:
Arizona Cardinals
1(13) LB Haason Reddick, Temple (B)
2(36) S Budda Baker, Washington (A)
3(98) WR Chad Williams, Grambling (C)
4(115) OG Dorian Johnson, Pittsburgh (F)
5(157) OT Will Holden, Vanderbilt (B)
5(179) RB TJ Logan, North Carolina (F)
6(208) S Rudy Ford, Auburn (B)
Final Score: 2.14 (C-)
This was a strange draft for the Cardinals. Several teams had Reddick moving up the draft order in the days leading up to the draft, but what you have is a guy who has never played LB before, and will have to learn as he goes. Baker was the best pick in the draft for the Cardinals, and they got him at a good value spot. Williams is an off-field risk, and they reached by at least two rounds to get him. Johnson was not on any major boards in the days leading up to the draft, which was also the issue with the Logan pick. Holden and Ford were both good value picks, with Ford falling into their laps in the sixth round. Reddick and Baker will likely work out long term, but the rest of this group, overall, looks like a major hit and miss to me. Not a great go.
Los Angeles Rams
2(44) TE Gerald Everett, South Alabama (A)
3(69) WR Cooper Kupp, Eastern Washington (A)
3(91) S John Johnson, Boston College (C)
4(117) WR Josh Reynolds, Texas A&M (B)
4(125) LB Samson Ebukam, Eastern Washington (F)
6(189) DT Tanzel Smart, Tulane (A)
6(206) FB Sam Rogers, Virginia Tech (F)
7(234) DE Ejuan Price, Pittsburgh (B)
Final Score: 2.5 (C)
The Rams took too many risks in 2017, and sometimes tried to look like the smartest guys in the war rooms over the three day period. Drafting John Johnson in the 3rd was a reach by two rounds, while they could have had both Ebukam and Rogers as UDFAs. Things started out well enough with the picks of Everett, as potential star in the making, and Kupp, who was the greatest receiver in FCS history not named Jerry Rice. Reynolds was solid value in the fourth, and adds another potential offensive weapon, and Smart fit perfectly where he was drafted, and could be a player. Price fit in the later rounds, and could help the line rotation on defense, if he makes the roster. Still, this draft got disjointed at times for the Rams, and lacked an overall flow to it.
San Francisco 49ers
1(3) DE Solomon Thomas, Stanford (A)
1(31) LB Reuben Foster, Alabama (C)
3(66) CB Ahkello Witherspoon, Colorado (A)
3(104) QB CJ Beathard, Iowa (F)
4(121) RB Joe Williams, Utah (C)
5(146) TE George Kittle, Iowa (F)
5(177) WR Trent Taylor, Louisiana Tech (D)
6(198) DT DJ Jones, Ole Miss (F)
6(202) OLB Pita Taumoepenu, Utah (F)
7 (229) DB Adrian Colbert, Miami (F)
Final Grade: 1.1 (D-)
When the Niners took the Bears to the bank to move down one spot, and still get exactly who they wanted at the top of the first, I was settling in for what I though was going to be a great weekend for John Lynch. What transpired after Saturday was a sloppy mess of missed opportunity and a total lack of understanding as it regards to the process. Ahkello Witherspoon was a good get in the third round, but the Niners zeroed in on Foster despite his many red flags and still took him when not many teams left wanted him. The Beathard pick was a massive head scratcher, as he all but disappeared last season at Iowa, and was likely, at best, a late round pick, if he would have been drafted at all. Williams is a guy who quit on football before Utah begged him to come back. Does he even like this game? Kittles was not on anyone's radar, Taylor could have been a UDFA, and the final three picks of this draft were all guys who could have been had as free agents. There was insanely little to like here.
Seattle Seahawks
2(35) DT Malik McDowell, Michigan State (B)
2(58) C Ethan Poncic, LSU (A)
3(90) CB Shaq Griffin, UCF (C)
3(95) S Delano Hill, Michigan (F)
3(102) DT Nazair Jones, North Carolina (F)
3(106) WR Amara Darboh, Michigan (C)
4(111) S Tedric Thompson, Colorado (B)
6(187) Michael Tyson, Cincinnati (F)
6(210) OT Justin Senior, Mississippi State (B)
7(226) David Moore, East Central (F)
7(249) RB Chris Carson, Oklahoma State (F)
Final Grade: 1.7 (D+)
Starting pretty early on, it was evident that Pete Carroll was playing a game of "pin the tail on the tiger", as he started blindly sticking darts into his board. McDowell is a high risk/reward type who does not have a self motivating part of his personality. Poncic was a score, because the line was horrid last season, and he may step in start right away. Griffin could have been had in the 5th or 6th round of this draft, and Carroll really does not know where he fits just yet. Thompson fits in at safety, and Senior had good value where he was selected, and may be asked to give more than he is ready to at this point. Hill was not on any major scouting service rankings list in the top seven rounds, as could be said for Tyson, Moore, and Carson. Darboh is just kind of a "meh" receiver.
Final Thoughts: Not one team made a major shift towards making a serious run at a title with this draft. Of course, this is not all that deep a draft to begin with, so keep that in mind. The Rams seemed to do the best job overall in this division, but even then, it was not a great run this weekend. The Niners and Seahawks looked as if they had no plan whatsoever, and the Cardinals only marginally so. Not a great weekend for any of these teams.
Sunday, April 30, 2017
Thursday, April 27, 2017
2017 NFL Draft First Round Recap
The first round is now in the bag for the 2017 NFL Draft, and as always, there were hits and misses. Here is my recap, by pick, with analysis:
1. Cleveland Browns: Myles Garrett, DE, Texas A&M
Any talk of the Browns dealing this pick was pure bull, and everyone knew it. This pick was likely locked into place as long as two weeks ago according to multiple sources. As I had said a week ago, if the Browns traded this pick away, they should shut down the franchise. There was no other player that should have gone here. Garrett was the top overall rated player across the board.
Grade: A+ (Meets a team top three need at DE)
2. Chicago Bears (via San Francisco): Mitch Trubisky, QB, North Carolina
The Bears gave up a huge bounty to acquire the rights to Trubisky, as they dealt away four total picks between the 2017 and 2018 draft to make this pick to get a guy that they could have had at number three, which is where they started. San Francisco was never going anywhere other than who they picked at three anyway, so this deal made zero sense.
Trubisky now has to be a franchise QB for the Bears, who already invested a ton of money into Mike Glennon. At least with the Glennon deal, the contract shows an out after the 2017 season,but still, this is far from a home run pick, and they gave up a ton to get it. Stupid.
Grade: D (Met a team top three need, but they did not need to take out a mortgage to get him)
3. San Francisco 49ers (via Chicago): Solomon Thomas, DE, Stanford
This was always going to be the guy that the Niners were going after, and I had that mocked out weeks ago. Thomas fits the persona of what John Lynch is looking for, and the Niners needed someone to create havoc up front on defense. They get the guy they wanted, and found a sucker who gave them a haul to move down one spot and get their guy anyway. Lynch hit a homer with his first draft deal as GM.
Grade: A+ (Did not meet top three listed need, but was too good to pass up)
4. Jacksonville Jaguars: Leonard Fournette, RB, LSU
I had reported this on Twitter last night. The Jags were set on Fournette if the Bears passed on him, which they did. Fournette finally gives the Jags the first solid back they have had since the premier years of Maurice Jones-Drew, and may end up being the best back in team history if he is all in. He certainly has the skill, but he has not played a full season since 2015.
Grade: A (Not a top three need, but they need everything and he was the best available player)
5. Tennessee Titans: Corey Davis, WR, Western Michigan
I talked about Davis on the Mitch and Pritch show last week, and when asked about him, I thought that he was one of the two best receivers available in this draft along with Mike Williams of Clemson. While I thought both would go sometime after 15, this is a bit high for Davis, but I still like the pick. He is coming off of an ankle injury suffered after last season, but will be ready to go at 100% soon. Once he is full speed, he becomes a best friend for Marcus Mariota.
Grade: A (Replaces Kendall Wright, and upgrades the position)
6. New York Jets: Jamal Adams, SS, LSU
Adams was one of my favorite players in this draft, and he ends up somewhere in the ball park of where I thought he would, but I never thought that the Jets would show restraint and make a solid pick like this. I figured they'd go nuts and over value one of the QBs available, but they let others make that mistake, and they select a guy who could be a staple in their secondary for the next decade. Solid move here.
Grade: A+ (The secondary was a wreck last season. He starts immediately)
7. Los Angeles Chargers: Mike Williams, WR, Clemson
The second of the two best receivers was taken off the board at number seven, and Phillip Rivers has a very solid target to get the football to in the new home of the Chargers. Williams is a dynamic talent who makes all of the acrobatic catches that you can ask for, and this pick makes perfect sense for me. He gives the Chargers a young star on an aging team in a new city.
Grade: A (Keenan Allen cannot stay healthy, so Williams takes pressure off of him)
8. Carolina Panthers: Christian McCaffrey, RB, Stanford
This was the worst kept secret of the draft in 2017, as almost everyone knew that this is where McCaffrey would end up for about a week now. He gives the offense some dimension, and he can line up in the slot as a receiver as well as return punts and kicks. The Panthers need his enrgy, but will his body hold up in the NFL? That's a question that needs answering.
Grade: A (A huge top three team need, but the Panthers need OL help to make this work)
9. Cincinnati Bengals: John Ross, WR, Washington
Ross broke the all-time combine 40 time record at 4.22 seconds this spring. On top of that, he is a credible threat to go deep on any play and burn you. Andy Dalton has to love this pick, and it is a pick that makes perfect sense for the Bengals.
Grade: A (Brandon LaFell is average, and Ross is a huge upgrade)
10. Kansas City Chiefs: Patrick Mahomes II, QB, Texas Tech
With so many other needs on offense, this pick makes little sense to me. Why waste a first round pick on a guy who may be as much as two years away from totally contributing, if he ever does? Mahomes is a mess with his technique, and like Brett Hundley, he will have to be stripped down and rebuilt. This is a senseless move for a team that did not need this player right now.
Grade: F (No way he starts over Smith or Foles, so why make the pick?)
11. New Orleans Saints: Marshawn Lattimore, CB, Ohio State
The Saints have been shopping for a corner all off-season, with Malcolm Butler of the Patriots being the target. They may not need to shop anymore after landing one of the top corners in this class. Lattimore should get a shot to start from day one, and could give the Saints a lock down corner they so coveted.
Grade: A (Saints were dead last against the pass last season, so this was a top need)
12. Houston Texans (via Cleveland): Deshaun Watson, QB, Clemson
I am not entirely sold on the playerm but I understand the need here. You cannot go into the 2017 NFL season with Tom Savage as your top option at QB. That is nuts to think it. Watson will give the team someone that they feel like they can hang their hat on, even if he is not entirely ready. He has to cut down on turnovers to be effective in this league, as he will not get away with a 17 pick season as a pro. This is a tough one for me, as I would have waited on a QB, but I get it from their perspective.
Grade: B- (This was more a move to tack down a coming revolt with fan base than anything)
13. Arizona Cardinals: Haason Reddick, OLB, Temple
I am not actually certain that I understand the approach here. The Cardinals have needs everywhere, but this player is not who most people would have considered here. He is a developmental prospect with some upside, but I am not certain as to why he flew up so many draft boards, especially because he has never played a down of LB in his life, and he is undersized to boot. Weird pick for me.
Grade: D (With Chandler Jones and Markus Golden entrenched, this makes no sense)
Note: Jones may be franchise tagged.
14. Philadelphia Eagles: Derek Barnett, DE, Tennessee
Here's a secret for you. I actually like Barnett better than Garrett. Hands down. Barnett is one of the most productive Ends to play at Tennessee in years, and reminds me of a young Reggie White. He is aggressive and nasty, and he will fit right in with that Philadelphia grit. I love this pick for so many reasons!
Grade: A+ (Edge rusher was a top three team need, and Barnett fills that need well)
15. Indianapolis Colts: Malik Hooker, S, Ohio State
Hooker will be limited to the free side where he can play on the ball, because he sure does not fit on the strong side. A terrible tackler with only one year of experience as a starter and an injury history to boot, Hooker made virtually no sense for me here, as they needed to work on their offensive line woes. With Ryan Ramczyk and Garrett Bolles both available here, it is no wonder that the Colts front office is a train wreck these days.
Grade: D (The need was on the line, CB, and LB, so what's the deal?)
16. Baltimore Ravens: Marlon Humphery, CB, Alabama
Every mock up basically showed the Ravens going receiver here, as those receivers figured to fall to this point,. When that did not happen, the Ravens were forced to switch philosophy here, and went defense with Humphrey. It makes sense with John Ross heading to division rival Cincinnati. The only thing that I cannot figure is how much effort did the Ravens make at trying to move up to get the receiver they coveted?
Grade: C+
17. Washington Redskins: Jonathon Allen, DE, Alabama
Allen was graded in the top five of this draft, yet fell like a rock to 17. I a not certain as to why this actually happened, but the Redskins got a steal here. Allen is a dominant 4-3 end who can also give you work at DT if you need him to. This was a great get and a gift from above for Washington.
Grade: A (This was a primary need position for the Skins, and was a gift this late)
18. Tennessee Titans: Adoree' Jackson, CB, USC
I have been saying for about a month now that Jackson would be a deal anywhere from 15 on down, even though most services saw him as a second round pick. He does everything, and he does it better than Michigan's Jabrill Peppers by a long shot. He is a game changer in the return game, can play receiver or CB, and is a guy other teams have to plan for. One of my favorite players here, and a solid character contribution as well.
Grade: A+ (Titans crushed a primary need with this pick, and got a great player)
19. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: OJ Howard, TE, Alabama
The Alabama players fell, and Howard is a gift to an already solid set of skill players on the Bucs offense. Jameis Winston is going to love having a star TE like Howard who can do it all. This, again, was one of my favorite players in this draft.
Grade: A+ (With DeSean Jackson signed as a FA, Bucs get major upgrade at TE)
20. Denver Broncos: Garrett Bolles, OT, Utah
Teams questioned a low wunderlich score, but I am not worried about that test. Hell, Jake Plummer damned near failed the thing back in the day. Bolles is a machine at tackle, and the Broncos got one of the two best linemen in the draft.
Grade: A (Okung got settled at LT late in season, but need was big at RT)
21. Detroit Lions: Jarrad Davis, LB, Florida
I really believe that the Lions did not need this player here, and I also believe that they reached for him. Detroit had needs, but the LB class was weak enough that they could have grabbed on in the second or third round, and if you needed one here, why not Zach Cunningham?
Grade: D (LB was a primary need, but Cunningham was a better fit for me)
22. Miami Dolphins: Charles Harris, DE, Missouri
Harris is a little bit small to play a down DE in a 4-3, and I am not sure that his film holds up on the next level as that player. I had him graded as an early second round selection, so this was a bit of a reach for me here, but the Dolphins wanted him bad enough to do so.
Grade: B- (Unless the plan is to move him to OLB, the pick did not fill a need)
23. New York Giants: Evan Engram, TE, Ole Miss
Whenever you can grab a TE who plays with wideout skills, you have to go out and get him, and the Giants did so with Engram. He ran a sub 4.42 40 this off season, and he can certainly fly. Eli will love this guy.
Grade: A (Engram is a major upgrade over Will Tye, so this is a home run)
24. Oakland Raiders: Gareon Conley, CB, Ohio State
Oh boy. Mark Davis has always shied away from guys who may be tied up with violence against women cases. Conley has not been charged in a rape accusation, but it is a cloud, and the team will have a tough time selling this, especially with other corners available here. This could get ugly if he is eventually charged.
Grade: F (Raiders needed a corner, but there were better options given the circumstances)
25. Cleveland Browns: Jabrill Peppers, SS, Michigan
Peppers is one of my most overrated players in this draft, and one of my top ten players with bust potential. He had a second round grade, and played his best season as a LB for Michigan. His contribution to the Wolverines is very much oversold. I really thought that the Browns were getting smarter than this.
Grade: D- (Needed help at Safety, but again, there were better options available)
26. Atlanta Falcons: Takkarist McKinley, DE, UCLA
One of the few bright spots for the Bruins last season, McKinley is a guy who just hates QBs, and wants to destroy everyone he comes in contact with. Atlanta will ove his energy, and you will be hard pressed to find a more driven player in this draft.
Grade: A (Pairing McKinley with Vic Beasley seems like a dream scenario come true)
27. Buffalo Bills: Tre'Davious White, CB, LSU
He is solid, but not fancy. In other words, he fits Buffalo like a glove. Seriously, why did the Raiders not explore this option instead of Conley?
Grade: A (With the loss of Stephon Gilmore to the Patriots, this became a huge opening)
28. Dallas Cowboys: DE Taco Charlton
One of the finest sack masters in college ball last season. Charlton will give the Cowboys a burst off the edge that they were missing last season. Solid player.
Grade: A (This position was slowly becoming a wasteland for Dallas, and they fixed it)
29. Cleveland Browns (via Green Bay): David Njoku, TE, Miami
The Browns came back to their senses. He graded ahead of Engram, and is one of the best receiving TEs in a class of good ones in this draft.
Grade: A (This is a huge upgrade over Gary Barnidge, who scored just twice in 2016)
30. Pittsburgh Steelers: TJ Watt, LB, Wisconsin
In a stronger draft class, he was a third rounder. This was not a strong class for linebackers. Watt may need to be a rotational guy for a bit with the Steelers, but I am not certain where else they could have gone with this pick.
Grade: B- (Watt will get some time to learn before becoming a starter)
31. San Francisco 49ers (via SEA, ATL): Reuben Foster, LB, Alabama
Diluted sample at the combine...check. Questionable injury issue...check. Questionable character...check. Undersized for the position in the NFL...check. Probably severely overrated and over valued by the Niners front office...check, check, check. Nobody else had the value on this guy like John Lynch did, and he did not have to trade up to get him, at least not this high. Wasting resources kills drafts.
Grade: F (ILB is a team need, but there is no way that Foster holds up at his size there)
32. New Orleans Saints (via New England): Ryan Ramczyk, OT, Wisconsin
By far the best lineman in the draft, the Saints must have had to pinch themselves when he fell to them at 32. Ramczyk is game ready, and could be an anchor on this line for the next decade. I can't believe that he fell this far, so this is a steal pick for New Orleans.
Grade: A+ (OT was a huge need for Saints after Zach Streif departed, and this was a gift)
Rounds two and three take place tomorrow in Philadelphia, with Cleveland having the first pick of the second round. Teams are already contacting the Browns about trading into the 33rd pick, so stay tuned for more movement tomorrow.
1. Cleveland Browns: Myles Garrett, DE, Texas A&M
Any talk of the Browns dealing this pick was pure bull, and everyone knew it. This pick was likely locked into place as long as two weeks ago according to multiple sources. As I had said a week ago, if the Browns traded this pick away, they should shut down the franchise. There was no other player that should have gone here. Garrett was the top overall rated player across the board.
Grade: A+ (Meets a team top three need at DE)
2. Chicago Bears (via San Francisco): Mitch Trubisky, QB, North Carolina
The Bears gave up a huge bounty to acquire the rights to Trubisky, as they dealt away four total picks between the 2017 and 2018 draft to make this pick to get a guy that they could have had at number three, which is where they started. San Francisco was never going anywhere other than who they picked at three anyway, so this deal made zero sense.
Trubisky now has to be a franchise QB for the Bears, who already invested a ton of money into Mike Glennon. At least with the Glennon deal, the contract shows an out after the 2017 season,but still, this is far from a home run pick, and they gave up a ton to get it. Stupid.
Grade: D (Met a team top three need, but they did not need to take out a mortgage to get him)
3. San Francisco 49ers (via Chicago): Solomon Thomas, DE, Stanford
This was always going to be the guy that the Niners were going after, and I had that mocked out weeks ago. Thomas fits the persona of what John Lynch is looking for, and the Niners needed someone to create havoc up front on defense. They get the guy they wanted, and found a sucker who gave them a haul to move down one spot and get their guy anyway. Lynch hit a homer with his first draft deal as GM.
Grade: A+ (Did not meet top three listed need, but was too good to pass up)
4. Jacksonville Jaguars: Leonard Fournette, RB, LSU
I had reported this on Twitter last night. The Jags were set on Fournette if the Bears passed on him, which they did. Fournette finally gives the Jags the first solid back they have had since the premier years of Maurice Jones-Drew, and may end up being the best back in team history if he is all in. He certainly has the skill, but he has not played a full season since 2015.
Grade: A (Not a top three need, but they need everything and he was the best available player)
5. Tennessee Titans: Corey Davis, WR, Western Michigan
I talked about Davis on the Mitch and Pritch show last week, and when asked about him, I thought that he was one of the two best receivers available in this draft along with Mike Williams of Clemson. While I thought both would go sometime after 15, this is a bit high for Davis, but I still like the pick. He is coming off of an ankle injury suffered after last season, but will be ready to go at 100% soon. Once he is full speed, he becomes a best friend for Marcus Mariota.
Grade: A (Replaces Kendall Wright, and upgrades the position)
6. New York Jets: Jamal Adams, SS, LSU
Adams was one of my favorite players in this draft, and he ends up somewhere in the ball park of where I thought he would, but I never thought that the Jets would show restraint and make a solid pick like this. I figured they'd go nuts and over value one of the QBs available, but they let others make that mistake, and they select a guy who could be a staple in their secondary for the next decade. Solid move here.
Grade: A+ (The secondary was a wreck last season. He starts immediately)
7. Los Angeles Chargers: Mike Williams, WR, Clemson
The second of the two best receivers was taken off the board at number seven, and Phillip Rivers has a very solid target to get the football to in the new home of the Chargers. Williams is a dynamic talent who makes all of the acrobatic catches that you can ask for, and this pick makes perfect sense for me. He gives the Chargers a young star on an aging team in a new city.
Grade: A (Keenan Allen cannot stay healthy, so Williams takes pressure off of him)
8. Carolina Panthers: Christian McCaffrey, RB, Stanford
This was the worst kept secret of the draft in 2017, as almost everyone knew that this is where McCaffrey would end up for about a week now. He gives the offense some dimension, and he can line up in the slot as a receiver as well as return punts and kicks. The Panthers need his enrgy, but will his body hold up in the NFL? That's a question that needs answering.
Grade: A (A huge top three team need, but the Panthers need OL help to make this work)
9. Cincinnati Bengals: John Ross, WR, Washington
Ross broke the all-time combine 40 time record at 4.22 seconds this spring. On top of that, he is a credible threat to go deep on any play and burn you. Andy Dalton has to love this pick, and it is a pick that makes perfect sense for the Bengals.
Grade: A (Brandon LaFell is average, and Ross is a huge upgrade)
10. Kansas City Chiefs: Patrick Mahomes II, QB, Texas Tech
With so many other needs on offense, this pick makes little sense to me. Why waste a first round pick on a guy who may be as much as two years away from totally contributing, if he ever does? Mahomes is a mess with his technique, and like Brett Hundley, he will have to be stripped down and rebuilt. This is a senseless move for a team that did not need this player right now.
Grade: F (No way he starts over Smith or Foles, so why make the pick?)
11. New Orleans Saints: Marshawn Lattimore, CB, Ohio State
The Saints have been shopping for a corner all off-season, with Malcolm Butler of the Patriots being the target. They may not need to shop anymore after landing one of the top corners in this class. Lattimore should get a shot to start from day one, and could give the Saints a lock down corner they so coveted.
Grade: A (Saints were dead last against the pass last season, so this was a top need)
12. Houston Texans (via Cleveland): Deshaun Watson, QB, Clemson
I am not entirely sold on the playerm but I understand the need here. You cannot go into the 2017 NFL season with Tom Savage as your top option at QB. That is nuts to think it. Watson will give the team someone that they feel like they can hang their hat on, even if he is not entirely ready. He has to cut down on turnovers to be effective in this league, as he will not get away with a 17 pick season as a pro. This is a tough one for me, as I would have waited on a QB, but I get it from their perspective.
Grade: B- (This was more a move to tack down a coming revolt with fan base than anything)
13. Arizona Cardinals: Haason Reddick, OLB, Temple
I am not actually certain that I understand the approach here. The Cardinals have needs everywhere, but this player is not who most people would have considered here. He is a developmental prospect with some upside, but I am not certain as to why he flew up so many draft boards, especially because he has never played a down of LB in his life, and he is undersized to boot. Weird pick for me.
Grade: D (With Chandler Jones and Markus Golden entrenched, this makes no sense)
Note: Jones may be franchise tagged.
14. Philadelphia Eagles: Derek Barnett, DE, Tennessee
Here's a secret for you. I actually like Barnett better than Garrett. Hands down. Barnett is one of the most productive Ends to play at Tennessee in years, and reminds me of a young Reggie White. He is aggressive and nasty, and he will fit right in with that Philadelphia grit. I love this pick for so many reasons!
Grade: A+ (Edge rusher was a top three team need, and Barnett fills that need well)
15. Indianapolis Colts: Malik Hooker, S, Ohio State
Hooker will be limited to the free side where he can play on the ball, because he sure does not fit on the strong side. A terrible tackler with only one year of experience as a starter and an injury history to boot, Hooker made virtually no sense for me here, as they needed to work on their offensive line woes. With Ryan Ramczyk and Garrett Bolles both available here, it is no wonder that the Colts front office is a train wreck these days.
Grade: D (The need was on the line, CB, and LB, so what's the deal?)
16. Baltimore Ravens: Marlon Humphery, CB, Alabama
Every mock up basically showed the Ravens going receiver here, as those receivers figured to fall to this point,. When that did not happen, the Ravens were forced to switch philosophy here, and went defense with Humphrey. It makes sense with John Ross heading to division rival Cincinnati. The only thing that I cannot figure is how much effort did the Ravens make at trying to move up to get the receiver they coveted?
Grade: C+
17. Washington Redskins: Jonathon Allen, DE, Alabama
Allen was graded in the top five of this draft, yet fell like a rock to 17. I a not certain as to why this actually happened, but the Redskins got a steal here. Allen is a dominant 4-3 end who can also give you work at DT if you need him to. This was a great get and a gift from above for Washington.
Grade: A (This was a primary need position for the Skins, and was a gift this late)
18. Tennessee Titans: Adoree' Jackson, CB, USC
I have been saying for about a month now that Jackson would be a deal anywhere from 15 on down, even though most services saw him as a second round pick. He does everything, and he does it better than Michigan's Jabrill Peppers by a long shot. He is a game changer in the return game, can play receiver or CB, and is a guy other teams have to plan for. One of my favorite players here, and a solid character contribution as well.
Grade: A+ (Titans crushed a primary need with this pick, and got a great player)
19. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: OJ Howard, TE, Alabama
The Alabama players fell, and Howard is a gift to an already solid set of skill players on the Bucs offense. Jameis Winston is going to love having a star TE like Howard who can do it all. This, again, was one of my favorite players in this draft.
Grade: A+ (With DeSean Jackson signed as a FA, Bucs get major upgrade at TE)
20. Denver Broncos: Garrett Bolles, OT, Utah
Teams questioned a low wunderlich score, but I am not worried about that test. Hell, Jake Plummer damned near failed the thing back in the day. Bolles is a machine at tackle, and the Broncos got one of the two best linemen in the draft.
Grade: A (Okung got settled at LT late in season, but need was big at RT)
21. Detroit Lions: Jarrad Davis, LB, Florida
I really believe that the Lions did not need this player here, and I also believe that they reached for him. Detroit had needs, but the LB class was weak enough that they could have grabbed on in the second or third round, and if you needed one here, why not Zach Cunningham?
Grade: D (LB was a primary need, but Cunningham was a better fit for me)
22. Miami Dolphins: Charles Harris, DE, Missouri
Harris is a little bit small to play a down DE in a 4-3, and I am not sure that his film holds up on the next level as that player. I had him graded as an early second round selection, so this was a bit of a reach for me here, but the Dolphins wanted him bad enough to do so.
Grade: B- (Unless the plan is to move him to OLB, the pick did not fill a need)
23. New York Giants: Evan Engram, TE, Ole Miss
Whenever you can grab a TE who plays with wideout skills, you have to go out and get him, and the Giants did so with Engram. He ran a sub 4.42 40 this off season, and he can certainly fly. Eli will love this guy.
Grade: A (Engram is a major upgrade over Will Tye, so this is a home run)
24. Oakland Raiders: Gareon Conley, CB, Ohio State
Oh boy. Mark Davis has always shied away from guys who may be tied up with violence against women cases. Conley has not been charged in a rape accusation, but it is a cloud, and the team will have a tough time selling this, especially with other corners available here. This could get ugly if he is eventually charged.
Grade: F (Raiders needed a corner, but there were better options given the circumstances)
25. Cleveland Browns: Jabrill Peppers, SS, Michigan
Peppers is one of my most overrated players in this draft, and one of my top ten players with bust potential. He had a second round grade, and played his best season as a LB for Michigan. His contribution to the Wolverines is very much oversold. I really thought that the Browns were getting smarter than this.
Grade: D- (Needed help at Safety, but again, there were better options available)
26. Atlanta Falcons: Takkarist McKinley, DE, UCLA
One of the few bright spots for the Bruins last season, McKinley is a guy who just hates QBs, and wants to destroy everyone he comes in contact with. Atlanta will ove his energy, and you will be hard pressed to find a more driven player in this draft.
Grade: A (Pairing McKinley with Vic Beasley seems like a dream scenario come true)
27. Buffalo Bills: Tre'Davious White, CB, LSU
He is solid, but not fancy. In other words, he fits Buffalo like a glove. Seriously, why did the Raiders not explore this option instead of Conley?
Grade: A (With the loss of Stephon Gilmore to the Patriots, this became a huge opening)
28. Dallas Cowboys: DE Taco Charlton
One of the finest sack masters in college ball last season. Charlton will give the Cowboys a burst off the edge that they were missing last season. Solid player.
Grade: A (This position was slowly becoming a wasteland for Dallas, and they fixed it)
29. Cleveland Browns (via Green Bay): David Njoku, TE, Miami
The Browns came back to their senses. He graded ahead of Engram, and is one of the best receiving TEs in a class of good ones in this draft.
Grade: A (This is a huge upgrade over Gary Barnidge, who scored just twice in 2016)
30. Pittsburgh Steelers: TJ Watt, LB, Wisconsin
In a stronger draft class, he was a third rounder. This was not a strong class for linebackers. Watt may need to be a rotational guy for a bit with the Steelers, but I am not certain where else they could have gone with this pick.
Grade: B- (Watt will get some time to learn before becoming a starter)
31. San Francisco 49ers (via SEA, ATL): Reuben Foster, LB, Alabama
Diluted sample at the combine...check. Questionable injury issue...check. Questionable character...check. Undersized for the position in the NFL...check. Probably severely overrated and over valued by the Niners front office...check, check, check. Nobody else had the value on this guy like John Lynch did, and he did not have to trade up to get him, at least not this high. Wasting resources kills drafts.
Grade: F (ILB is a team need, but there is no way that Foster holds up at his size there)
32. New Orleans Saints (via New England): Ryan Ramczyk, OT, Wisconsin
By far the best lineman in the draft, the Saints must have had to pinch themselves when he fell to them at 32. Ramczyk is game ready, and could be an anchor on this line for the next decade. I can't believe that he fell this far, so this is a steal pick for New Orleans.
Grade: A+ (OT was a huge need for Saints after Zach Streif departed, and this was a gift)
Rounds two and three take place tomorrow in Philadelphia, with Cleveland having the first pick of the second round. Teams are already contacting the Browns about trading into the 33rd pick, so stay tuned for more movement tomorrow.
Bilo College Football's Buy/Sell Report 2017: Big 10
The Big Ten as a whole has finished a proper spring football season, despite the ridiculous Michigan trip to Italy that is more garnered towards a pathetic cry for attention than anything else. Michigan is Michigan, and should be sold as such. Jim Harbaugh does not need gimicky carnival tricks to sell his program, and that is all that this is.
With everything wrapped up as far as I can see until fall, here is who I am buying in on, and who I am selling in the Big 10 as we head into the summer break:
The Buy List (At least eight wins in 2017)
Michigan: The Wolverines are coming back with a ton of talent under their belt, and that includes QB Wilton Speight, who really had some shining moments last season. If he stays healthy, Michigan has a real shot at pushing the Buckeyes and Penn State in the East in 2017. Focus from week to week will be a priority here, and Michigan lost some when Speight got hurt. Losing Jabrill Peppers on defense is not as big a deal as anyone thinks.
Minnesota: I actually believe that the loss of Tracy Claes was addition by subtraction. Claeys was an adequate coach, but not a dynamic coach, and he was part of a culture problem that the Gopher program has had in both football and basketball for some time. PJ Fleck is the real deal, and brings a dynamic energy to Minnesota that can be built off of. He is a big personality without being over the top, like Herman can be. I love the row the boat mentality, and Minnesota will become a cohesive team that will have to toe the line. Fleck will accept nothing less, and the program will flourish because of it.
Northwestern: Picking the Wildcats as a buy is against my better judgement, because this is one of the most inconsistent programs in the Big 10 over the last decade. Pat Fitzgerald gets more credit than he is due a lot of the time, but for some reason, something in my gut is telling me to buy in on the Wildcats this season. There is a good deal of talent, but getting off to a fast start is a must. Early losses to Western Michigan and Illinois Sate cannot be repeated against the upcoming schedule.
Ohio State: The Buckeyes are losing a ton of talent once again, but at the end of the day, who cares? The Buckeyes just reload under Urban Meyer, and they will once again be pushing for an Eastern Division title and a final four appearance at the end of December. I currently have the Buckeyes a fraction ahead of Oklahoma at fourth in the nation out of spring ball.
Penn State: I love what James Franklin did with a team that looked lost early in the season last fall. Penn State came storming back from a slow start and won the East, pushing Ohio State around to win the division in OT. The core of that team returns in 2017, and for that reason, I am placing my bets that Penn State is going to make another major run this fall.
Wisconsin: I am not the biggest believer in Paul Chryst as head coach of the Badgers, but Wisconsin made a very nice run last fall despite that, and I would be a fool to not believe that they are not the absolute favorites in what should be a very weak West division once again. The Badgers just have more than anyone else in the West, and I don't see them getting back to the conference title game as being a problem.
The Sell List (Seven wins or fewer in 2017)
Illinois: There were stories that Lovie Smith was already becoming bored with this college football thing this off-season, and that has me concerned. The Illini program is a mess, and is not getting any better at this point. I fail to see how a possibly non-committal coach and a lagging program is going to suddenly leap to the hierarchy. Not happening.
Indiana: Kevin Wilson was fired in a whirlwind event surrounding stories of player mistreatment, but one has to wonder if any of that was even remotely true. Not eager to be dealing with another Bobby Knight situation, the administration chose to move on from Wilson and promote Tom Allen, who nobody has even heard of, to the head job. He was the DC last season of a unit that gave up 21 more points than the offense scored, so there's that.
Iowa: This is another major gut feeling event for me. I really feel like Iowa is about to have a collapse in 2017, and it is a very strong feeling. The Hawkeyes massively under produced last season, as the offense was a complete train wreck. They now do not have CJ Beathard to beat around, so a new QB must be found, and some kind of scoring has to be identified. I just feel a huge mess coming up.
Maryland: I really liked the hiring of DJ Durkin last year, and he did manage to bring a new swagger to a very vanilla program that had not had any swagger since the days of Ralph Friedgen. I still fail to see the Terps as a true contender in the Big 10, but better days are ahead. Those better days just may not appear in 2017.
Michigan State: I don't know what is going on in East Lansing in the last 12 months, but I know I do not like it. The mix of off-field issues of a very disturbing kind, and the complete overall collapse last season where star players (looking at you, Malik McDowell) looked like they could have given a crap less about the program and winning was a combination to make me no longer believe in this program for the time being. Something went sideways, and it has to get back on track.
Nebraska: One step forward, two steps back. That seems to be the tale for the Huskers, and making things worse, I believe in coach Mike Riley not one bit. He was all the wrong kind of hire for this program, and I feel like the program is back in the Bill Callahan days. The Husker bounced back last season, but only to the nine wins that Bo Pelini was fired over, and it is not enough. Now, th Huskers are starting over again at QB, and this team looks nothing like the days of old under Tom Osborn.
Purdue: The Boilermakers finally rectified the Darrell Hazell mistake hire, but the hire they made was equally as puzzling to me. The stamp of any successful team in Big 10 history was always defense. Defense wins Big 10 titles at the end of the day, so why would they hire Jeff Brohm, who, while successful enough at Western Kentucky, never really coached a team that played much, if any, defense? He may make Purdue slightly more relevant over time, but not right away, and not by not playing defense.
Rutgers: The conference hierarchy would love to find a way to rectify the mistake of taking Rutgers into the conference in the first place. Rutgers has been, in all areas, a disaster as a member of the conference, and they have done nothing to raise the profile of the league in the New York/New Jersey metro market any higher than it was already. The Scarlet Knights were a big time disaster in the conference in year one under Chris Ash, and the talent is not there to change that issue now. It's going to be another very long go in New Jersey.
With everything wrapped up as far as I can see until fall, here is who I am buying in on, and who I am selling in the Big 10 as we head into the summer break:
The Buy List (At least eight wins in 2017)
Michigan: The Wolverines are coming back with a ton of talent under their belt, and that includes QB Wilton Speight, who really had some shining moments last season. If he stays healthy, Michigan has a real shot at pushing the Buckeyes and Penn State in the East in 2017. Focus from week to week will be a priority here, and Michigan lost some when Speight got hurt. Losing Jabrill Peppers on defense is not as big a deal as anyone thinks.
Minnesota: I actually believe that the loss of Tracy Claes was addition by subtraction. Claeys was an adequate coach, but not a dynamic coach, and he was part of a culture problem that the Gopher program has had in both football and basketball for some time. PJ Fleck is the real deal, and brings a dynamic energy to Minnesota that can be built off of. He is a big personality without being over the top, like Herman can be. I love the row the boat mentality, and Minnesota will become a cohesive team that will have to toe the line. Fleck will accept nothing less, and the program will flourish because of it.
Northwestern: Picking the Wildcats as a buy is against my better judgement, because this is one of the most inconsistent programs in the Big 10 over the last decade. Pat Fitzgerald gets more credit than he is due a lot of the time, but for some reason, something in my gut is telling me to buy in on the Wildcats this season. There is a good deal of talent, but getting off to a fast start is a must. Early losses to Western Michigan and Illinois Sate cannot be repeated against the upcoming schedule.
Ohio State: The Buckeyes are losing a ton of talent once again, but at the end of the day, who cares? The Buckeyes just reload under Urban Meyer, and they will once again be pushing for an Eastern Division title and a final four appearance at the end of December. I currently have the Buckeyes a fraction ahead of Oklahoma at fourth in the nation out of spring ball.
Penn State: I love what James Franklin did with a team that looked lost early in the season last fall. Penn State came storming back from a slow start and won the East, pushing Ohio State around to win the division in OT. The core of that team returns in 2017, and for that reason, I am placing my bets that Penn State is going to make another major run this fall.
Wisconsin: I am not the biggest believer in Paul Chryst as head coach of the Badgers, but Wisconsin made a very nice run last fall despite that, and I would be a fool to not believe that they are not the absolute favorites in what should be a very weak West division once again. The Badgers just have more than anyone else in the West, and I don't see them getting back to the conference title game as being a problem.
The Sell List (Seven wins or fewer in 2017)
Illinois: There were stories that Lovie Smith was already becoming bored with this college football thing this off-season, and that has me concerned. The Illini program is a mess, and is not getting any better at this point. I fail to see how a possibly non-committal coach and a lagging program is going to suddenly leap to the hierarchy. Not happening.
Indiana: Kevin Wilson was fired in a whirlwind event surrounding stories of player mistreatment, but one has to wonder if any of that was even remotely true. Not eager to be dealing with another Bobby Knight situation, the administration chose to move on from Wilson and promote Tom Allen, who nobody has even heard of, to the head job. He was the DC last season of a unit that gave up 21 more points than the offense scored, so there's that.
Iowa: This is another major gut feeling event for me. I really feel like Iowa is about to have a collapse in 2017, and it is a very strong feeling. The Hawkeyes massively under produced last season, as the offense was a complete train wreck. They now do not have CJ Beathard to beat around, so a new QB must be found, and some kind of scoring has to be identified. I just feel a huge mess coming up.
Maryland: I really liked the hiring of DJ Durkin last year, and he did manage to bring a new swagger to a very vanilla program that had not had any swagger since the days of Ralph Friedgen. I still fail to see the Terps as a true contender in the Big 10, but better days are ahead. Those better days just may not appear in 2017.
Michigan State: I don't know what is going on in East Lansing in the last 12 months, but I know I do not like it. The mix of off-field issues of a very disturbing kind, and the complete overall collapse last season where star players (looking at you, Malik McDowell) looked like they could have given a crap less about the program and winning was a combination to make me no longer believe in this program for the time being. Something went sideways, and it has to get back on track.
Nebraska: One step forward, two steps back. That seems to be the tale for the Huskers, and making things worse, I believe in coach Mike Riley not one bit. He was all the wrong kind of hire for this program, and I feel like the program is back in the Bill Callahan days. The Husker bounced back last season, but only to the nine wins that Bo Pelini was fired over, and it is not enough. Now, th Huskers are starting over again at QB, and this team looks nothing like the days of old under Tom Osborn.
Purdue: The Boilermakers finally rectified the Darrell Hazell mistake hire, but the hire they made was equally as puzzling to me. The stamp of any successful team in Big 10 history was always defense. Defense wins Big 10 titles at the end of the day, so why would they hire Jeff Brohm, who, while successful enough at Western Kentucky, never really coached a team that played much, if any, defense? He may make Purdue slightly more relevant over time, but not right away, and not by not playing defense.
Rutgers: The conference hierarchy would love to find a way to rectify the mistake of taking Rutgers into the conference in the first place. Rutgers has been, in all areas, a disaster as a member of the conference, and they have done nothing to raise the profile of the league in the New York/New Jersey metro market any higher than it was already. The Scarlet Knights were a big time disaster in the conference in year one under Chris Ash, and the talent is not there to change that issue now. It's going to be another very long go in New Jersey.
Bilo's College Football 2017 Buy/Sell Report: Big 12
The Big 12 Spring season ended last week with Bayor and Kansas State completing their spring practices, so I now have a general idea of what I am expecting to see as we head into fall camp in August for the 2017 season in this conference. Here are the teams that I am buying in on, and who I am selling off:
The Buy List (At least eight wins in 2017)
Kansas State: We are getting close to the end of the Bill Snyder era at Kansas State, as he had a significant health issue this off-season. He will be back coaching the Wildcats in 2017, but is this going to be his final run at K State? That remains to be seen, but as long as he is running the show, you can expect the Wildcats to play above their talent base. Kansas State may be the fourth best team in the league, and will not likely push the leaders, but they are good enough to grab another eight wins in 2017 and head to a decent bowl.
Oklahoma: Despite losing Samaje Perine and Joe Mixon, as well as DeDe Westbrook to the NFL, they still have Baker Mayfield fresh off of his off-field shenanigans this spring. If he can get himself back to being focused, Oklahoma can reload from their losses and compete for a national title and a Big 12 championship. If the focus is not there, they could slide, but I believe that OU is the fifth best team in the nation heading into fall camp.
Oklahoma State: The best news ever for Cowboys fans was that both Mason Rudolph and James Washington are returning to form one of the most dynamic pass/catch duos in the nation. This is one of the most talented teams in Stillwater in the last decade, and they have every shot at pushing Oklahoma for a Big 12 title, and if they do that, they could be in for a final four run themselves.
TCU: The Horned Frogs were on the verge of being a sell for me in 2017, but I believe in Gary Patterson and his staff just enough to believe that last season was a blip on the radar in Fort Worth, and I have to believe that they get back to at least eight win territory in 2017. I may be expecting just a bit too much, but I am shooting high on the Frogs.
West Virginia: As much as a I ragged on the Big 12 last season, the top three teams in the league could be as tough as any other top three teams in the Power Five conferences in 2017. West Virginia made a major, and necessary turn last fall, and they get a transfer QB in Will Grier that may light it up for the Mountaineers. This team could push both Oklahoma State and the Sooners for the Big 12 title in 2017, and should they come out on top, it could be them that challenges for a national playoff spot.
The Sell List (Seven wins or less in 2017)
Baylor: I don't have to go on about what a mess this program is, as we all know the stories all too well by now. Matt Rhule was a very strange hire for this program. Not that I don't believe in him, and he has hired a Texas experienced staff, but he has to sell this program as a leader, and he personally has no experience in the state. That will be an issue at the end of the day. The mess in Waco is going to get worse before it gets better.
Iowa State: I saw a lot to like from Matt Campbell's squad in 2016, despite the record. This team played with grit and determination, and fell just short of what would have been some very nice wins. This may be the last year I sell on the Cyclones, as I feel that Campbell is getting very close to making this team into one that will scare the entire league in a year or two.
Kansas: As hyped as I am about the future of Iowa State, there is nothing that has me, or anyone outside of Lawrence, buzzing about this program. I still feel that the David Beaty hire was a mess, and he is now just 1-18 in Big 12 play. This era is no better than the Turner Gill era, or the Charlie Weis era for that matter, and I do not see where the energy is going to come from. Kansas is better than this as a university, and they have the resources to do something about it, but they aren't.
Texas: I will be the first one to say it out loud. I am not overly sold on Tom Herman. I think he is a ton of talk, and a whole lot of hype right now. Maybe Texas needs some energy, but I would have come in a bit more grounded. Houston was a complete disappointment last season in his final season there, and even though there is talent on the roster, I want to know how last season's lack of focus at Houston translates to what will happen in Austin with this program. I need to see a lot less talk and a lot more action before I buy in to the Horns here.
Texas Tech: Why Kliff Kingsbury is still the coach in Lubbock is well beyond my ability to understand. This program has never turned a corner under his guidance, and as a matter of fact, it hit a wall and is reeling backwards. He had Patrick Mahomes III last season and still could not get it done. There is no run game, and they have one of the worst defenses that I have ever seen, and I have been around a long time. There is no way that this program gets it done, and Kingsbury should be shown the door. What he calls coaching football is an insult to the game.
The Buy List (At least eight wins in 2017)
Kansas State: We are getting close to the end of the Bill Snyder era at Kansas State, as he had a significant health issue this off-season. He will be back coaching the Wildcats in 2017, but is this going to be his final run at K State? That remains to be seen, but as long as he is running the show, you can expect the Wildcats to play above their talent base. Kansas State may be the fourth best team in the league, and will not likely push the leaders, but they are good enough to grab another eight wins in 2017 and head to a decent bowl.
Oklahoma: Despite losing Samaje Perine and Joe Mixon, as well as DeDe Westbrook to the NFL, they still have Baker Mayfield fresh off of his off-field shenanigans this spring. If he can get himself back to being focused, Oklahoma can reload from their losses and compete for a national title and a Big 12 championship. If the focus is not there, they could slide, but I believe that OU is the fifth best team in the nation heading into fall camp.
Oklahoma State: The best news ever for Cowboys fans was that both Mason Rudolph and James Washington are returning to form one of the most dynamic pass/catch duos in the nation. This is one of the most talented teams in Stillwater in the last decade, and they have every shot at pushing Oklahoma for a Big 12 title, and if they do that, they could be in for a final four run themselves.
TCU: The Horned Frogs were on the verge of being a sell for me in 2017, but I believe in Gary Patterson and his staff just enough to believe that last season was a blip on the radar in Fort Worth, and I have to believe that they get back to at least eight win territory in 2017. I may be expecting just a bit too much, but I am shooting high on the Frogs.
West Virginia: As much as a I ragged on the Big 12 last season, the top three teams in the league could be as tough as any other top three teams in the Power Five conferences in 2017. West Virginia made a major, and necessary turn last fall, and they get a transfer QB in Will Grier that may light it up for the Mountaineers. This team could push both Oklahoma State and the Sooners for the Big 12 title in 2017, and should they come out on top, it could be them that challenges for a national playoff spot.
The Sell List (Seven wins or less in 2017)
Baylor: I don't have to go on about what a mess this program is, as we all know the stories all too well by now. Matt Rhule was a very strange hire for this program. Not that I don't believe in him, and he has hired a Texas experienced staff, but he has to sell this program as a leader, and he personally has no experience in the state. That will be an issue at the end of the day. The mess in Waco is going to get worse before it gets better.
Iowa State: I saw a lot to like from Matt Campbell's squad in 2016, despite the record. This team played with grit and determination, and fell just short of what would have been some very nice wins. This may be the last year I sell on the Cyclones, as I feel that Campbell is getting very close to making this team into one that will scare the entire league in a year or two.
Kansas: As hyped as I am about the future of Iowa State, there is nothing that has me, or anyone outside of Lawrence, buzzing about this program. I still feel that the David Beaty hire was a mess, and he is now just 1-18 in Big 12 play. This era is no better than the Turner Gill era, or the Charlie Weis era for that matter, and I do not see where the energy is going to come from. Kansas is better than this as a university, and they have the resources to do something about it, but they aren't.
Texas: I will be the first one to say it out loud. I am not overly sold on Tom Herman. I think he is a ton of talk, and a whole lot of hype right now. Maybe Texas needs some energy, but I would have come in a bit more grounded. Houston was a complete disappointment last season in his final season there, and even though there is talent on the roster, I want to know how last season's lack of focus at Houston translates to what will happen in Austin with this program. I need to see a lot less talk and a lot more action before I buy in to the Horns here.
Texas Tech: Why Kliff Kingsbury is still the coach in Lubbock is well beyond my ability to understand. This program has never turned a corner under his guidance, and as a matter of fact, it hit a wall and is reeling backwards. He had Patrick Mahomes III last season and still could not get it done. There is no run game, and they have one of the worst defenses that I have ever seen, and I have been around a long time. There is no way that this program gets it done, and Kingsbury should be shown the door. What he calls coaching football is an insult to the game.
Bilo College Football's Buy Sell Report 2017: Atlantic Coast Conference
With Virginia wrapping up the 2017 Spring Football season in the ACC, it's time for me to start taking a look at who I am buying into, and who I am selling on in the ACC for the 2017 season. There is certainly going to be some change at the top of the conference in 2017, with 2016 national champ Clemson graduating a majority of the stars that drove them to the title. Opportunities abound in both divisions. Here is my list on who I am buying, and who I am selling for the 2017 ACC college football season:
The Buy List (Will have at least 8 wins in 2017)
Florida State: Why not buy in on the Seminoles for 2017? They are currently my number two team in the nation heading out of spring, right behind Alabama, who they play in the opener. I figure the Seminoles as a dog against Bama in the opener, but there is always a shot that they can pull off what would be a minor upset in my book. Either way, I do not see an opportunity for a loss the rest of the way, with the exception of a huge revenge date with Louisville. Florida State looks like a strong contender for the 2017 final four.
Georgia Tech: Call me crazy, but I have a very good feeling about the Yellow Jackets in 2017. Tech looked flashy at times in 2016, but I feel that they can go all out and make a run at a very good bowl spot this fall. They certainly don't win the ACC, but they are going to be a nasty out in league play.
Louisville: They return the Heisman trophy winner in Lamar Jackson, and he may not even be the best QB in the league in 2017 (DeAndre Francois). The Cardinals do return a ton of talent across the roster from the team that flamed out at the end of last season with losses to Kentucky and LSU, and they got hosed out of a win over Clemson. Louisville is the only team in the conference that could be poised to push Florida State.
Virginia Tech: I am buying in on the Hokies solely based on the fact that I am a believer in Justin Fuentes. I do not necessarily like much else about this football team in 2016, but with Fuentes as the coach, and Bud Foster still running the defense, I believe that the Hoies will once again perform above their station.
Clemson: I almost sold on Clemson based on the fact that they have lost so much, especially with every starter on offense at a skill position being gone, and a chunk more on defense. Clemson is not Alabama. They have never reloaded well after these kinds of losses, and although I believe that Dabo Swinney can coach, there is a ot to be concerned about coming into 2017. I am still buying the Tigers for now, but only barely.
The Sell List (Will win 7 games or less in 2017)
Boston College: I spent enough time around this campus and program to realize that there is never any major buzz around this program, but there is zero buzz right now. There is a new AD coming to town, and BC is running off of a two year ACC record of 2-14, despite making it to a meaningless bowl last season. I am not a believer in Steve Addazio as head coach of the Eagles, so for all of those reasons, I am out on the Eagles.
Duke: What David Cutliffe gets out of the Blue Devils in any given year is simply amazing. The problem have is that the program lost Thomas Sirk to injury right before the season started, and they never recovered. I do not think that they have enough talent to make a dent in the ACC race in 2017. I am out.
Miami: The Canes have been a joke of a program ever since landing in the ACC. Mark Richt got more than he should have last season out of this mess of a roster with QB Brad Kaaya, but he is gone, and there is no telling out of spring ball as to who takes over. I think that the Canes will disappoint, again.
NC State: This program has turned into a revolving door of average coaches and average talent. Dave Doeren was solid at Northern Illinois, but there has been no magic in Raleigh since he arrived. The natives are getting restless, and unrealistic expectations are being bandied about by the fan base. I am not high on my personal expectations, obviously.
North Carolina: I am not a big Larry Fedora guy. This program has long been under performing, and should have won their division last season, but instead found some magical way to lose four games instead. Mitch Trubisky is gone, and they are starting over again at QB, and the rest of the talent is not great. I don't have a good feeling about this.
Pittsburgh: The Panthers lose both Nathan Peterman and James Conner, among others, and that is a load of talent to replace for the Panthers, and they still failed to get close to competing for a division title. With so much talent gone, I don't see improvement as an option.
Syracuse: The Orange goes on one run every 20 years or so, and they are in the middle of a horrific rut. Dino Babers is trying to instill some sense of pride in the Carrier Dome, but still, they won just four games in 2016. Don't look for miracles where there are none.
Virginia: We are in just year two of the rebuilding project under Bronco Mendenhall, who still makes zero sense to me as coach of the Cavaliers. The program has been mired in losing for much of the last decade, and there is no such end in sight for 2017.
Wake Forest: The Demon Deacons looked way ahead of schedule last season under Dave Clawson, but I think that where they finished last season is again the expectation. I do not see a team that is ready to win five or six games in league play and compete hard in and out of conference. The talent is just not there for me yet
Note: I can change my mind between now and the first week of the season, based on happenings in fall camps. I will update this piece at that time.
The Buy List (Will have at least 8 wins in 2017)
Florida State: Why not buy in on the Seminoles for 2017? They are currently my number two team in the nation heading out of spring, right behind Alabama, who they play in the opener. I figure the Seminoles as a dog against Bama in the opener, but there is always a shot that they can pull off what would be a minor upset in my book. Either way, I do not see an opportunity for a loss the rest of the way, with the exception of a huge revenge date with Louisville. Florida State looks like a strong contender for the 2017 final four.
Georgia Tech: Call me crazy, but I have a very good feeling about the Yellow Jackets in 2017. Tech looked flashy at times in 2016, but I feel that they can go all out and make a run at a very good bowl spot this fall. They certainly don't win the ACC, but they are going to be a nasty out in league play.
Louisville: They return the Heisman trophy winner in Lamar Jackson, and he may not even be the best QB in the league in 2017 (DeAndre Francois). The Cardinals do return a ton of talent across the roster from the team that flamed out at the end of last season with losses to Kentucky and LSU, and they got hosed out of a win over Clemson. Louisville is the only team in the conference that could be poised to push Florida State.
Virginia Tech: I am buying in on the Hokies solely based on the fact that I am a believer in Justin Fuentes. I do not necessarily like much else about this football team in 2016, but with Fuentes as the coach, and Bud Foster still running the defense, I believe that the Hoies will once again perform above their station.
Clemson: I almost sold on Clemson based on the fact that they have lost so much, especially with every starter on offense at a skill position being gone, and a chunk more on defense. Clemson is not Alabama. They have never reloaded well after these kinds of losses, and although I believe that Dabo Swinney can coach, there is a ot to be concerned about coming into 2017. I am still buying the Tigers for now, but only barely.
The Sell List (Will win 7 games or less in 2017)
Boston College: I spent enough time around this campus and program to realize that there is never any major buzz around this program, but there is zero buzz right now. There is a new AD coming to town, and BC is running off of a two year ACC record of 2-14, despite making it to a meaningless bowl last season. I am not a believer in Steve Addazio as head coach of the Eagles, so for all of those reasons, I am out on the Eagles.
Duke: What David Cutliffe gets out of the Blue Devils in any given year is simply amazing. The problem have is that the program lost Thomas Sirk to injury right before the season started, and they never recovered. I do not think that they have enough talent to make a dent in the ACC race in 2017. I am out.
Miami: The Canes have been a joke of a program ever since landing in the ACC. Mark Richt got more than he should have last season out of this mess of a roster with QB Brad Kaaya, but he is gone, and there is no telling out of spring ball as to who takes over. I think that the Canes will disappoint, again.
NC State: This program has turned into a revolving door of average coaches and average talent. Dave Doeren was solid at Northern Illinois, but there has been no magic in Raleigh since he arrived. The natives are getting restless, and unrealistic expectations are being bandied about by the fan base. I am not high on my personal expectations, obviously.
North Carolina: I am not a big Larry Fedora guy. This program has long been under performing, and should have won their division last season, but instead found some magical way to lose four games instead. Mitch Trubisky is gone, and they are starting over again at QB, and the rest of the talent is not great. I don't have a good feeling about this.
Pittsburgh: The Panthers lose both Nathan Peterman and James Conner, among others, and that is a load of talent to replace for the Panthers, and they still failed to get close to competing for a division title. With so much talent gone, I don't see improvement as an option.
Syracuse: The Orange goes on one run every 20 years or so, and they are in the middle of a horrific rut. Dino Babers is trying to instill some sense of pride in the Carrier Dome, but still, they won just four games in 2016. Don't look for miracles where there are none.
Virginia: We are in just year two of the rebuilding project under Bronco Mendenhall, who still makes zero sense to me as coach of the Cavaliers. The program has been mired in losing for much of the last decade, and there is no such end in sight for 2017.
Wake Forest: The Demon Deacons looked way ahead of schedule last season under Dave Clawson, but I think that where they finished last season is again the expectation. I do not see a team that is ready to win five or six games in league play and compete hard in and out of conference. The talent is just not there for me yet
Note: I can change my mind between now and the first week of the season, based on happenings in fall camps. I will update this piece at that time.
Tuesday, April 25, 2017
2017 NFL Draft Prospectus: The Complete Edition
The Bilo College Football Report is back in the NFL Draft game with our 2017 Edition of the "NFL Draft Prospectus". I will be releasing this guide and breakdown once again by positions, and of course we begin with the Quarterback position.
I have painstakingly analyzed every QB on the list once again this year, and has been the case for the last couple of years, if you are an NFL franchise in need of a front line QB, you are in a great deal of trouble here.
There is very little depth in this class, and as was the case in 2016, there are few that will be able to produce in year one, and few who would be able to play at all in 2017 for any franchise. With the college transition to shotgun spread offenses, QBs coming out of the college game are less and less prepared for the style of NFL play. More are the players coming out of college like Jared Goff last season, and Brett Hundley the year before, where these QBs need to be broken down to their core and rebuilt from the ground up. Once that project was completed for Brett Hundley, he became a different player altogether, and the jury is still way out on Goff after what was a mess of a rookie season. Here are my final grades on the 2017 QB class, 1st by draft order, followed by my analysis and breakdown.
1st Round (4.5-5 points)
Mitch Trubusky, North Carolina
2nd Round (3.7-4.5)
DeShone Kizer, Notre Dame
3rd Round (3.0-3.7)
Patrick Mahomes III, Texas Tech
DeShaun Watson, Clemson
4th Round (2.5-3.0)
Davis Webb, California
Brad Kayya, Miami
5th Round (2.0-2.5)
Nate Peterman, Pittsburgh
Josh Dobbs, Tennessee
6th Round (1.5-2.0)
Chad Kelly, Ole Miss
7th Round (1.0-1.5)
Jerod Evans, Virginia Tech
Alec Torgersen, Penn
UFA (0-1.0)
Antonio Pipkin, Tiffin
Seth Russell, Baylor
Tyler Stewart, Nevada
Taysom Hill, BYU
Patrick Towles, Boston College
CJ Beathard, Iowa
Mitch Leidner, Minnesota
Sefo Liufau, Colorado
Gunner Kiel, Cincinnati
Greg Ward, Jr., Houston
Ryan Higgins, Louisiana Tech
Nick Mullens, Southern Mississippi
Cooper Rush, Central Michigan
Phillip Nelson, East Carolina
Dane Evans, Tulsa
Zach Terrell, Western Michigan
Skyler Howard, West Virginia
Tyler Rogers, New Mexico State
Phillip Walker, Temple
Trevor Knight, Texas A&M
David Washington, Old Dominion
Kenny Potter, San Jose State
Small School Prospects
Austin Gahafer, Morehead State
KD Humphries, Murray State
Brady Gustafson, Montana
Kevin Anderson, Fordham
Kyle Sloter, Northern Colorado
Justin Dvorak, Colorado Mines
Kyle Zimmerman, NW Missouri State
Garrett Fugate, Central Missouri
Jeff Ziemba, Shepherd (WV)
The Breakdown
Mitch Trubisky, North Carolina
6-3, 220
Trubisky, in my opinion, is the only QB in this class that I would approach taking in the first round of the 2017 NFL draft. Had he returned to play for the Tar Heels in 2017, he would probably be perceived as a top 5 pick if he had played to potential. As is, I would not draft Trubisky inside the top 10, but rather somewhere between 11-15.
Trubisky was the full time starter at UNC for one full season. He completed 304/477 passes for 3748 yards and 30 TDs to just 6 INTs on the season. He completed 68% of his passes, and attempted 34.4 passes per game.
The Good: He has solid size for an NFL QB, and looks the part. He has exceptional accuracy and can make all of the throws, and has played under center as well as in shotgun. He has the best NFL mindset as far as the ability to run an offense of anyone in this class, by far. He threw for 400 yards in 3 straight games without a pick, and threw 11 TD passes in those games, which were all wins for UNC. He threw for 250 yards or more in 10 games during the 2016 season.
The Bad
Trubisky only has one season to grade him by as a starter. During his sophomore season, he only attempted 47 passes, but completed 40 of them, so the sample size on him is not great. UNC finished the season just 1-3, and he tossed 4 of his 6 picks on the season in those 3 losses. In games that he threw multiple picks ( he tossed 2 in 3 games), UNC lost all three of those games. When he failed to throw a TD pass, UNC went 0-2. In 5 losses in 2016, he tossed 8 TDs to 6 Picks. In their 8 wins, he tossed 22 TDs to zero picks.
Final Overview
Trubisky is graded anywhere from mid 2nd round to early 1st, depending on who you talked to or when that conversation took place. As we get closer to draft day, the consensus is swinging to early 1st, and that information is based strictly on how teams are getting desperate to find competent passers, which happens to be a majority of the NFL these days. Trubisky has a small sample size to grade from, and that is a problem, because he has not fully developed. I think most people would have liked to see him stay in school for one more season, but as weak as the draft class is at QB, he stands to make a killing, ready or not. He will not be ready to start from day one, but could effectively develop into a very solid starter with the right staff behind him.
DeShone Kizer, Notre Dame
6-4, 230
Kizer has a ton of hit or miss challenges to deal with, as he is, like Trubisky, an early entry. Nobody is completely sold on Kizer, and most wanted to see another season in college. As a junior in 2016, the team completely fell apart around him, making him a man on an island during a 4-8 campaign. He passed for 2925 yards, with 26 TDs and 9 picks. As a sophomore, he came out of nowhere to take over and lead the Irish to a strong season in which he passed for 2880 yards, 21 TDs, and 10 picks. He rushed for 520 yards and 10 scores as a sophomore, and 472 yards and 8 scores as a junior.
The Good
Kizer has an NFL build, and is a very fluid athlete, as was evident by his total 992 yards rushing and 18 scores in 2 seasons with the Irish. He can scramble well within the pocket and make all of the throws on the run going to his strong side. If he keeps to the pocket, with adequate protection, he can throw the deep ball with considerable accuracy once he plants himself and throws. Once he established himself as a sophomore, Kizer took over like a guy who had been the leader all of the time, and really showed very few deficiencies until late in the season, with exception to turnovers, where he threw picks in 5 of 6 games. He is solid at reading defenses and knowing where he has the advantage in the secondary, and knows when to pick up and run when he doesn't have one. He wastes very few reps. He threw 47 TDs in 2 seasons.
The Bad
There was regression in accuracy in 2016, as he dipped almost 4 full points in completion percentage. Of course, the entire team imploded around him, and one cannot blame it all on his play. He did increase TD passes by 5, while dropping his pick total by 1, but he still managed to throw 19 picks in 23 games, which is hardly an indicator of being a great decision maker all of the time. Like most Notre Dame QBs under Brian Kelly, he played with a great deal of pressure, as Kelly was known to yell and scream all of the time. He often tried to take too much on as a result. His QBR also dropped by almost 5 full points in 2016 as the team struggled from weak to weak.
Final Overview
Almost everyone in the business was unhappy with Kizer's decision to not go back to school in 2017. He is an incomplete player who has work to do, and could be looked at as nothing more than an early round developmental pick, as he would likely be destroyed as a rookie trying to play significant minutes in 2017.
He has to work hard on improving his reads, and has to make better decisions with the football, as he is a turnover machine of sorts. When he is on, he may be the best overall QB in this class, but when he doesn't have his head right, he can be a mess and make poor decisions. He may just be the most frustrating QB in this class, as he is the epitome of the saying "some days are diamond, some days are stone".
He has not put everything together yet, and has not won enough to make me a believer, as Notre Dame is just 14-11 during his 2 seasons. I can easily see a second round grade for him, but it may be that someone will reach higher, and that would be a huge mistake. He will need time to ripen on the vine under a dedicated QB coach to get him ready.
Patrick Mahomes III, Texas Tech
6-3, 219
Mahomes is a polarizing player across the board. He spent two and a half seasons as the starter for the Red Raiders, playing in a primarily pass happy offense. He is 12-13 in two full seasons as a starter, and shared half a season with Davis Webb as a freshman before Webb transferred to California. As a freshman, playing part time, Mahomes completed 56.8% of his passes, and passed for 1547 yards with 16 TDs and four INTs. As a sophomore, Mahomes was the full time starter, and passed for 4653 yards, with 36 TDs and 15 INTs. He completed 63.5% of his passes on 44.1 attempts per game, and averaged 357.9 yards per game. As a junior, He passed for 5052 yards, 41 TDs, and 10 INTs. He averaged 49.3 attempts per game, and completed a career high 65.7% of his passes. He added a career high 12 rushing TDs as well.
The Good
Mahomes has the size that scouts seem to value. He can use his size to hang tough in the pocket and make the great throws, as he is able to do, or he has the athleticism to move out of the pocket and deliver on the run. He really came around as a runner in his junior season, when he ran for 12 scores. He sells play action very well, and uses his eyes to draw off defenders.
His accuracy improved each season, and he seemingly grew much more confident every season. He has a leading man swagger, but is not arrogant. He understands how to put touch on a football, or fire it like a cannon when hitting tight zone creases.
He seems to have a solid understanding of the game.
The Bad
Mahomes is the epitome of a "system guy". It's hard to translate where he will be as a rookie, because his entire understanding of the game is about to change. He is a shotgun only passer who has never had to work from under center, and needs to learn how to run in a huddle up system that balances out between pass and run. He has always played in a no huddle, hyper fast tempo, and has never had to really manage a game beyond quick decision passing.
He is also not a winner. He won just 12 games while losing 13 as a full time starter, and the team got worse around him as time wore on.
Although he shows an understanding of what is happening around him, he is too prone to going for the big fish and huge play rather than allowing the game to flow around him, and seems prone to breaking down into a playground mentality., as the offense he comes from tends to do.
He will also take off too soon, as he is trying to show his running skills, even if he does not have to.
As a former pitcher, he winds up a bit too much when making throws, which telegraphs intent to toss deep. This bad habit also allows more balls to sail on him.
He has also never developed a throwing angle that he goes to consistently. He is all over the place with his delivery.
Final Overview
Mahomes is simply a very raw, very unrefined QB in a refined league when it comes to expectations from QBs. He is simply not ready to be a front line starter in this league, and grades are all over the place on him, depending on whom you speak with. He comes from Texas Tech, a school familiar with big number QBs, but which is also familiar with their QBs flaming out as pros before they ever get their feet on the ground. Not one Tech QB in the modern era has ever made it in the league, and that is saying something. Unless he gets some serious coaching, like Brett Hundley did at Green Bay, he is not going to make it.
DeShaun Watson, Clemson
6-3, 215
Watson is yet another player that most people in the football business are highly split on. He took Clemson from an average ACC program to an elite unit over the last two seasons, as the Tigers were national semifinalists in 2015, and national champs in 2016. He played in eight games as a freshman in 2014, passing for 1466 yards, 14 TDs, and two INTs. He added five rushing scores as well. As a sophomore, he took Clemson to a national title game appearance. He passed for 4104 yards, 35 TDs, and 13 INTs. He added another 1105 yards and 12 more TDs on the ground. Clemson won the national title his junior season in 2016. He passed for 4593 yards, 42 TDs, and tossed 17 INTs, and averaged 306.2 yards per game passing. He completed between 68 and 69% of his passes each of his three seasons. He added nine more scores as a runner in 2016, and finished with 629 yards on the ground.
The Good
He certainly knows how to win. He finished as a finalist for the Heisman twice, and played in two national title games, winning one. In that title win for the 2016 season a couple of months ago, Watson led a wild 4th quarter rally to deliver the title win.
Over his last 1181 pass attempts, he has been sacked just 32 times. He can move the pocket easily, and does not get shifty with his run ability too soon. He will stick in the pocket and deliver throws under pressure, rather than break down and take off when he does not have to. He became more of a passer in 2016, and less of a runner, but still ran when necessary with success.
He has solid size for an NFL QB.
He seems to stand up the tallest against the toughest competition, and does not get derailed in tough games against big time opponents. Very confident. High character guy who can lead a locker room by example.
The Bad
Watson tends to make some concerning decisions in critical moments at times. He has tossed 30 INTs in the last two seasons, which averages out to 15 per season. That is a high number for a guy who had a gifted roster around him to make plays in. He was only hurried 42 times in two seasons, and tossed 30 picks. Do the math there, but it is not good.
He tends to have Danny Wuerffel syndrome at times, where he just chucks the ball up and hopes his receivers can get to it. And sometimes can be known to misread what defenses are doing.
He is still having a tough time reading through progressions, and this is something that he should have dealt with a while ago. He locks onto his favorite targets and does not always do a good job of looking them off.
He is another "system guy" who works in a playground like no huddle, shotgun offense. He will have to learn how to lead from a huddle, and will have to be taught to work from under center, meaning that he cannot be ready to be a starter for at least two seasons, maybe three.
His numbers will not translate to the NFL, and his game will have to change dramatically to succeed.
He did have an ACL injury in 2014, and although it has not given him problems, it needs to be addressed.
Final Overview
Watson is not ready to be a front line starting QB in the NFL right out of school, and some teams may be dumb enough to try to make him one, which could destroy his career. He is a system QB, and played in a strictly college offense that does not translate to the next level. If he tries too hard to be a dual threat guy in the NFL, he will get hurt badly. His turnover numbers are big, and that is concerning as well. I see too many bad traits despite his winning in college. He is the kind of QB in this league that you pass on and let the other guy take the chance and the developmental time that it will take to get him NFL ready.
Davis Webb, California
6-4, 229
Webb is another big number passer in the tradition of both Texas Tech and California Quarterbacks in the last 20 years. He started out at Texas Tech in 2013, and passed for 2718 yards, and tossed 20 TDs to nine picks. He was limited to eight games in 2014, and passed for 2539 yards and 24 TDs, to 13 INTs. He lost the job to Patrick Mahomes III in 2015 and transferred to California after nearly signing with Colorado. He did play in five games before transferring, passing for just 300 yards and two scores. At California, in 2016, he passed for 4295 yards and 37 scores to 12 INTs.
The Good
He has plenty of arm strength to make the requisite throws. He has awesome size for an NFL type QB, which helps out a great deal.
He is strong in the pocket, and will hang in to make passes under pressure, but there are some issues here I will discuss later.
He has solid touch on his passes, and knows how to adjust his speeds in different situations well enough.
He has mobility and can move a pocket under pressure, and can score on his feet as well, as he did six times at Cal.
He has raw ability, and seems coachable.
The Bad
Webb is another system guy who ran a pass happy, minimal read offense at both Texas Tech and California. He was not a big winner at either school, finishing just 5-7 at California.
I have a real issue that he lost the job at Texas Tech to Mahomes, and then transferred out rather than fighting through it. When he had an opportunity to transfer, he stuck with a pass happy scheme rather than going to a program where he could play in a more pro set offense to show what he had in that environment.
He has virtually zero experience running huddles or playing under center, which is a recurring theme here.
He has thrown a high number of picks in limited experience.
He has a lock on attitude towards his receivers, and does not progress his reads well, and that is a bad habit based on the offense he has played in.
He will throw a pass to his number one option, whether the pass is there to be made or not, and will toss into traffic when he does not have to.
He does not stand in to pressure well enough, and will try to make something happen that is not there, Tends to get his foot work jumbled up as he can start to think run too early in progressions. His footwork basically needs a complete overhaul.
When pressured, his accuracy falls sharply, so playing behind an average or bad line will highly effect productivity from this player.
Final Overview
Webb has plenty of natural, raw talent, to get by, but his mental approach to the game has been soured by playing in those pass happy systems, where one read is all you get. He has the arm to make it work, but has too many bad habits, and is not ready to be tasked with running an NFL offense on the field. He will have to be broken down and rebooted to have any chance in this league, and at best, may translate to a career backup even then, if he is lucky. He is worth the developmental time, but only if you have someone credible in front of him for the next three years.
Brad Kaaya, Miami
6-4, 209
Kaaya was a three year starter for the Hurricanes and enters the draft after his junior season. He probably has the best sample size of any QB in the 2017 draft as a result. As a freshman in 2014, he passed for 3198 yards and 26 TDs to 12 INTs. He completed just 58.5% of his passes in an up and down season, while attempting 29.1 passes per game. As a sophomore in 2015, Kaaya passed for 3238 yards and 16 TDs against five INTs. He completed 61.2% of his passes, and attempted 32.4 passes per game, and played in 12 games. As a junior in 2016, Kaaya passed for 3532 yards, with 27 TDs and just seven INTs in 13 games. He completed 62% of his passes on 32.4 attempts per contest.
The Good
Solid NFL size and arm strength is a plus.
Played in a more pro set offense, and knows the system better than almost anyone at QB in the draft class. He has shown flash and ability to make the tough throws he will have to make in the NFL.
He has a very nice deep ball, and shows considerable touch on his passes when necessary. When he has the time, he probably has one of the better throwing motions in the college game, and understands progressions.
The Bad
Although he has some very good physical attributes, his mental approach can be sloppy. He has never really gotten out of the low 60% range in completion percentage, and only plays at his best when he has a clean pocket and is in perfect conditions to make plays. He really breaks down under pressure, and will keep his eyes on the pass rush rather than on what is unfolding in the passing game downfield.
He is a Drew Bledoe type in that he grows roots in the pocket, and does not move well at all. If the sack is coming, he will not be able to avoid it.
He needs some work in recognizing packages, and must continue to improve at his base package reading, where he made some strides in 2016.
Final Overview
Kaaya probably has the best long term future, if a team will invest in him in the short term, but he is strictly a hit or miss prospect. He will need time to develop and progress as a pro, so someone taking him will have to show patience and attack his shortcomings right away, He seems to be coachable, and if he gets the right staff around him, he could really bloom. He came into Miami with a huge amount of pressure on him as a can't miss prospect, but he never truly had great talent around him to help him recognize those expectations. I like him as a long term prospect, but he certainly needs some work. If you can get him in the mid to late rounds, he could be a developmental steal based on his experience in a more pro set offense than almost any of his piers in this class.
Nate Peterman, Pittsburgh
6-2, 225
Peterman was a two year starter for the Pitt Panthers, starting both his junior and senior seasons in the ACC. He passed for 2287 yards and 20 TDs to eight picks in his first season as a starter. He completed 61.5% of his passes on 24.2 attempts per game.
As a senior in 2016, Peterman passed for 2855 yards, with 27 scores and seven picks. He completed 60.5% of his passes on 23.5 passes per game.
The Good
He threw 47 TD passes over two seasons, with just 15 INTs, which is just over a 3:1 ratio.
Knows how to control a game, and is a solid game manager.
Times his passes well, has some good zip on the ball in tight windows, and avoids making crucial errors.
He is solid at reading his progressions, which is a rare skill in this class.
He works the pocket very well, and can move and shift the pocket at will. Will step up and deliver a big throw under pressure.
He may have the best timing of any QB in this class, and anticipates very well.
Very accurate on deep balls.
Beat Clemson in 2016.
The Bad
He has an inconsistent release, which allows him to lose control and sail some passes.
He is supremely confident, which is good, but he can get a bit arrogant with his skills, and makes some dumb things happen on occasion.
His overall accuracy is not great, as his completion percentage hovered in the extremely low 60% range.
He is a little on the shorter range than scouts like.
He is more a game manager than a game controller. He showed some game changing flash against Clemson by tossing five TDs against a tough defense, but that flash was just a glimpse, and it was rarely seen again.
While he has worked in a pro set offense, he still needs more work on mechanics and understanding on some basic concepts and logistics.
Final Overview
Peterman is kind of like vanilla ice cream. It will do the trick, but you won't write home about it. He is more a game manager, in the shape of a Greg McElroy, than a game changer. He is solid, but not spectacular. There are things to like, but overall, I do not see him as a starter in this league at this stage. There just is not enough there for my liking, but that's not to say I hate him. There just is not enough there for me.
Josh Dobbs, Tennessee
6-3, 216
Dobbs was probably one of the most disappointing overall prospects in college football during his time a Tennessee, as he never seemingly lived up to his billing.
Dobbs did not start regularly until his junior season, even though he had the label of four year starter stamped on him out of high school. As a freshman, he passed for 695 yards with two TDs and six INTs, and completed 59.5% of his passes. He ran for 189 yards and one score. As a sophomore, he played in six games, passing for 1206 yards and nine scores to six INTs. He added 469 yards rushing and eight more scores on the ground.
As a junior, He passed for 2291 yards and 15 TDs to just five picks. He averaged 26.5 pass attempts per game, and completed 59.6% of his passes. He added 671 yards rushing and 11 more scores. As a senior, he passed for 2946 yards and 27 scores to 12 INTs, and added a career high 891 yards rushing and 12 TDs. He completed a career high 63% of his passes on 27.5 attempts per game.
The Good
Dobbs has a quick release when passing, and can read through progressions rather easily.
Has solid deep ball skills, with 14 TD passes of 21 yards or more.
He has solid rushing ability, and can make players miss who over pursue.
Can throw well on the run, and make big plays when needed.
The Bad
Is too much of a runner, not enough of a passer, despite showing more passing ability in 2016 than any other season.
His best value is in a wildcat package.
Completion percentage never got out of the low 60s as a career high.
Inconsistent decision making, mental approach is all over the place.
He crumbles under pressure.
Never lived up to advanced billing coming into the college game, and never won on a high level.
Highly questionable when it comes to reading defenses.
Makes up his mind too early as to where he will throw the ball, and then throws it whether the play is there or not.
Final Overview
I will admit that I am not a fan. I would simply not draft Dobbs based on a lack of ever living up to expectations, and never having won an SEC East title in his four years. The fact that it took him two full years to win the starting QB job is ludicrous to me. His overall skill set makes him a decent college QB in an average program, but he is not nearly great, and to be a QB in the NFL, one must display some level of greatness. Dobbs is not that guy.
Chad Kelly, Ole Miss
6-2, 215
Kelly started his career at Clemson, but was kicked out of school due to disciplinary issues, and transferred to famed JC East Mississippi before ending up at Ole Miss.
Kelly blew onto the scene at Ole Miss like a hurricane off of the gulf in 2015, passing for 4042 yards and 31 scores, but he did toss 13 INTs. He attempted 35.2 passes per game, and completed 65.1% of his passes.
He injured his ACL in 2016, which ended his season early. He played in just nine games, passing for 2758 yards with 19 TDs and nine INTs. He completed 62.5% of his passes on 36.4 attempts per game.
The Good
Has a big arm, and loves to use it.
Believes in himself above all other things.
Is fun to watch and makes a myriad of plays.
The Bad
I have him as a 6th rounder currently, but he could go undrafted.
He is an off-field nightmare, and his temper gets the best of him. He had a ton of issues at Clemson involving fights, and getting into it with the staff, and was kicked out of the school.
He seemed to get himself together at East Mississippi, but there is an arrogance there that gives an impression that he doesn't care what people think. He had another issue last season where he ran onto the field during his brother's high school game during a fight.
As bad as his head is off-field, his on field play can be described as erratic, even if he can show some excitement at times. He makes terrible decisions with the football, which was evident in losses to Alabama and Florida State, where Ole Miss blew huge leads to lose.
Does not appear to be coachable, and is more loose cannon than anything else.
He has raw talent, but at this point, that's all he will seemingly ever have.
Was uninvited to the combine.
Was not healthy enough to run all drills at combine, even if he had appeared.
Too risky a pick.
Final Overview
Teams are running away from low character guys these days, and Kelly absolutely qualifies as low character. His hotheadedness just spins off into supernova land, and there is no getting him down from that tree. He has probably already fallen off of most boards, and he needs to figure out how to get them back. He showed a willingness to go to the combine, but the league shut him out, and has not profiled him, making him an extreme long shot, at best.
Jerod Evans, Virginia Tech
6-4, 230
Evans started his career at Air Force, but a torn ACL led him to transfer to the JC route at Trinity Valley. He was heavily recruited out of Trinity Vally by Texas A&M, but chose Virginia Tech instead for a chance to be the undisputed starter. He started just one season at Virginia Tech, and that was 2016.
Evans passed for 3552 yards and 29 TDs against just eight picks for the Hokies. He completed 63.5% of his passes on 30.1 attempts per game.
The Good
Evans likely climbed into the late rounds with a solid combine. He has the perfect size for a prospect at QB for the league, and has a cannon arm. He came into Tech and helped turn the offense around in his one season under center. He finished 10-4 as a starter, and started his first month with 14 TDs to just one pick.
The Bad
Evans has a massively limited sample size, as he played only one full season of major college football. His accuracy was not great, and he diminished as the season progressed. He had that 14:1 ratio for TD to INT to start the season, but he tossed six picks in his final five games, and the team was a barely average 3-2 during that time. He was horrible in a 17-7 loss to North Carolina, where he only completed 7/17 passes for just 73 yards.
Final Overview
There just is not enough on tape to really look at Evans as anything other than a developmental prospect. I am not certain as to where his head is with him coming out after just one year at Virginia Tech, and I also question his dedication after he took one injury and left Air Force. It seems that he believes in himself a bit too much at this point, and is lacking a humility factor. Due to his size, and raw skill set, I may use a 7th rounder on him and develop him long term, but that is about it. I would not be surprised if he even goes undrafted.
Alec Torgersen, Penn
6-3, 230
Torgersen enters the draft as one of the most decorated Ivy League QBs ever in the modern era. In his last two seasons, he passed for 36 TDs and just seven INTs after a bumpy first couple of seasons for the Quakers. He tossed 11 INTs in one season as a sophomore, more than his final two seasons combined. He completed 69% of his passes as a junior, which was second in FCS football. He also rushed for 18 scores for his career.
The Good
He is a three year starter at Penn.
He is a student of the game who used film after his sophomore season to help him develop his game.
Has excellent ball handling skills when reading defenses pre-pass.
He is highly accurate and has nice touch on deep passes, and has excellent zip on short and mid range passes.
Shows solid touch on deep balls. Can get out of trouble with his feet, and can move the pocket.
Very accurate passer, and has confidence throwing in the middle of the field as well.
The Bad
Came from a zone read option offense at Penn.
Did not play against top flight competition.
He has not had to make too many decisions, as plays and checks are called in from the sideline.
Comes from a one read offense, and has to do some work in reading progressions, and has to develop into an NFL offense.
Hangs onto the ball too long at times.
Has an inconsistent throwing angle.
Final Overview
Torgersen is a small school prospect that has value in the late rounds, and could even climb a bit if teams fall in love with the potential here. Think Jon Kitna of sorts. He has long range potential with development, but he has a lot of work to do, which again, is a recurring theme with this class.
He could be a three to four year prospect.
The Rest of the Class
Antonio Pipkin, Tiffin: High accuracy, dual threat type who could be a developmental prospect.
Seth Russell, Baylor: system guy with good numbers, but has an injury history.
Tyler Stewart, Nevada: Has a decent arm, but offense limited him as a true passer.
Taysom Hill, BYU: More legend now than actual prospect, derailed by injuries.
Patrick Towles, Boston College: Has size, but numbers were never great. Kentucky transfer.
CJ Beathard, Iowa: Really fell off the grid as a passer in 2016, was intriguing before that.
Mitch Leidner, Minnesota: Game manager type who can run. May be worth a UFA look.
Sefu Liufau, Colorado: Had a bad off season after big year, has injury history.
Gunner Kiel, Cincinnati: Was never coached correctly, fell into dog house in 2016.
Greg Ward, Jr., Houston: Dynamic athlete, may move to WR in NFL.
Ryan Higgins, Louisiana Tech: Gunslinger from a QB school, would pick him up right away.
Nick Mullens, Southern Miss: Injuries derailed 2016 season, still has some skill.
Cooper Rush, Central Michigan: Dual threat type could have big future in CFL.
Phillip Nelson, East Carolina: Injury history, went to ECU and removed his leash, solid passer.
Dane Evans, Tulsa: 7600 yards passing over last two seasons. Should get camp invite.
Zach Terrell, Western Michigan: Completed just shy of 70% of his passes in 2016, 33 TDs.
Skyler Howard, West Virginia: All over the place throughout his career, but had some big games.
Tyler Rogers, New Mexico State: Despite numbers, a decent QB who had little help.
Phillip Walker, Temple: Started out as a running QB, left as a passer.
Trevor Knight, Texas A&M: Tough as nails, but probably didn't do enough to get drafted.
David Washington, Old Dominion: Had a huge 2016, and maybe landed himself a camp invite.
Kenny Potter, San Jose State: Played in a losing program, but is not a bad player.
Best of the Small School QBs
Austin Gahafer, Morehead State; KD Humphries, Murray State; Brady Gustafson, Montana; Kevin Anderson, Fordham; Kyle Sloter, Northern Colorado; Justin Dvorak, Colorado Mines; Kyle Zimmerman, NW Missouri State; Garrett Fugate, Central Missouri; Jeff Ziemba, Shepherd
Running Backs
Round 1
Leonard Fournette, LSU
Dalvin Cook, Florida State
Christian McCaffrey, Stanford
Round 2
D'Onta Foreman, Texas
Curtis Samuel, Ohio State
Jeremy McNichols, Boise State
Round 3
Brian Hill, Wyoming
Wayne Gallman, Clemson
Samaje Perine, Oklahoma
Kareem Hunt, Toledo
Jamaal Williams, BYU
Round 4
Joe Mixon, Oklahoma
De'Veon Smith, Michigan
Corey Clement, Wisconsin
Marlon Mack, USF
Round 5
Matt Dayes, NC State
James Conner, Pittsburgh
Donnel Pumphrey, San Diego State
Round 6
Aaron Jones, UTEP
Round 7
Elijah McGuire, UL Lafayette
UFA
Alvin Kamara, Tennessee
Joe Yearby, Miami
Jahad Thomas, Temple
Darius Victor, Towson
Trey Edmunds, Maryland
Barry Sanders, Oklahoma State
Elijah Hood, North Carolina
Boom Williams, Kentucky
Shock Linwood, Baylor
Justin Davis, USC
Torean Folston, Notre Dame
Other Prospects
Khalid Abdullah, James Madison
Lenard Tillery, Southern
Tarik Cohen, North Carolina A&T
Jonah Hodges, San Diego
Lorenzo Long, Wofford
Jody Webb, Youngstown State
Austin Ekeler, Western State
Michael Anderson, West Virginia Wesleyan
William Stanback, Virginia Union
Bilo's Profile's
Leonard Fournett, LSU
6-0, 240
Fournette was one of the most impressive backs in the nation for most of his second season at LSU, after largely having a quiet freshman season despite solid output. His junior season was a mess of injuries and conspiracy as to whether or not he was all in with this draft on the horizon.
As a freshman, he rushed for 1034 yards and 10 scores, and averaged 5.53 yards per carry. During his breakout sophomore campaign, he rushed for 1953 yards and 22 scores, while averaging 6.51 yards per carry. He fell off considerably in 2016, as a junior. He had a rash of injury issues, and never seemed fully invested in the season. He ran for a career low 843 yards in just seven games, and scored eith times. He still managed to average 6.53 yards per carry, but was far outperformed by Darrius Guice.
The Good
During parts of the 2015 season, he was the best back I have ever seen since Bo Jackson at Auburn. He ran for over 200 yards in three of the first four games of the 2015 season, but then came a game against Alabama in which he was slammed shut for just 31 yards on 19 carries, and it took him a full four games to get back to speed. He did finish that season strong with a 212 yard performance against Texas Tech that came with four rushing scores.
He runs with amazing burst from scrimmage, and is very powerful. He may be the strongest runner in the draft in terms of how much power he generates. Once he hits the hole, he blasts through it with an amazing speed gear changer that takes a fraction of a second to hit. Loves to create contact, and hits defenders with power.
He has excellent foot work, and keeps on driving through hits. Solid upper body strength allows for him to deliver rock solid straight arms. He can be a full three down back, and is powerful enough in goal line situations to score more than not. He has some ability as a receiver as well.
The Bad
He has too much excitement when it comes to creating contact. Doe snot do enough to make tacklers miss and would rather run through them. He tends to lack IQ when it comes to creativity, and runs where he is supposed to, and does not spend too much time worrying about being creative in space.
He tends to out run his blocking, and does not use his speed change ability with finesse. He just jumps from one speed to another because he thinks he should, not because he should in a particular scenario.
He is not a great blocker in the passing game. May need to be removed from the field on obvious passing plays.
BY taking too many hits, he is an injury risk, and was hurt for a considerable part of 2016. It appeared at times that he was not entirely invested at LSU, and there was some chatter that he would sit out 2016. His inury, which cost him five games was a rather interesting coincidence given that pre-season chatter. He also sat out his bowl game to prepare for the draft after the 2016 season, making me question his dedication to the larger team rather than just himself, and he had a rather lame explanation for it after the fact, claiming that he had no say in the matter, which I just do not believe.
Final Overview
Fournette is exactly what you want on paper in an NFL back, but he needs to develop some pieces to his game, which is why it was such a waste to lose five games in 2016. He will need to be coached up on being more elusive, and he needs to work himself up to being more of an asset in the passing game as both a blocker and as a top flight out of the backfield receiver.
If he is on his A game, and he is invested, there is not a better back in this draft, and he is a top five player. If he is not fully invested, he's not worth the risk. Which version of him shows up on the next level is a complete mystery right now.
Dalvin Cook, Florida State
5-10, 210
Cook was a three year starter for the Seminoles, and is an early entry after coming out post his junior season. As a freshman, Cook rushed for 1008 yards and eight scores, and averaged 5.93 yards per carry on 170 total carries. As a sophomore, Cook rushed for 1691 yards and 19 TDs on 229 carries in 13 games. As a junior, his final season, Cook rushed for a career high 1765 yards and 19 more scores, bringing his three year total to 46 TDs. He averaged 6.13 yards per carry in his final season on a career high 288 carries.
The Good
His footwork is A+ material, as he keeps moving his feet in traffic and during contact.
He was the first Florida State back to rush for 1000 yards or more for three straight seasons.
He has experience in zone, gap, and power schemes, showing value for a number of different schemes and teams.
He reads his blocks like a pro, and knows how to use fluctuating and fluid situations in space.
Unlike Fournette, he is able to use quick chopping movements to elude hits and defenders and create more room to run.
He always plays his best against the best, and is not easily intimidated.
He is a solid receiver at times, and is able to create in the field.
The Bad
He has a red flag when it comes to past character flaws. Has been in trouble with the law on multiple occasions dating back to high school.
He does not run with as much power as Fournette, and tends to be more of a finesse back, and tends to favor running outside rather than hitting hard between the tackles. He goes down to tackle quickly rather than powering through them.
He does not have a great stiff arm ability, and lets plays die on the vine rather than seeking another lane or gear.
He has a fumbling issue, and has also experienced drop streaks in the passing game, which is a shame, because when he is on, he is a decent receiver.
May only be a two down back, as he is not a great blocker, and has those drop issues as a receiver.
Final Overview
As a player elevator, I tend to avoid red flag guys. Cook is a serious red flag risk, and if he goes to the wrong team, with not enough high character guys to mentor him, he will fail in this league, because he seems to be a trouble magnet. I am not a fan of players who hang out in bars during their college years, because it is too much about having a good time, and not enough about focus, and he has that issue as well.
He has a ton of talent running the football, and because of that, he will get drafted highly by a team that can overlook the off field issues, but I would let someone ese take that risk, and wait until the 3rd or 4th round to get a quality back at a steal of a price.
Christian McCaffrey, Stanford
5-11, 202
Over the last two seasons, one would be hard pressed to find a more dynamic college athlete than McCaffrey anywhere on the field. He enters the draft after three years at Stanford, two as a starter.
In 2014, he rushed for 300 yards on 42 carries, and did not score, and was a second option on kick and punt returns.
In 2015, he took over as a full time starter, and rushed for a whopping 2019 yards and eight scores, and averaged 5.99 yards per carry and 24.07 carries per game (337 total carries). He also added 1070 yards on kick returns, averaging 28.92 yards per return, and scored once. He averaged 8.67 yards per punt return, and also scored once in that area.
In 2016, McCaffrey suffered some injuries early on, but still managed to rush for 1603 yards and 13 TDs. He averaged 6.34 yards per carry, and averaged 23 carries per game (253 total carries). He added 318 yards on kick returns, and averaged 9.6 yards per return on punts.
The Good
He runs with a long smooth stride, and is very creative in the open field. Reads blocks effectively and shows first rate anticipation. Runs well in traffic, with first rate footwork.
Excellent protector of the football in traffic, and has shockingly solid upper body strength.
He is a very elusive and creative runner, and knows how to avoid tacklers.
He played in a pro set formation at Stanford, and is NFL ready.
Changes gears like a pro already, and has very good speed, especially in the open field.
Excellent as a receiver, and has top notch skills as a return man, giving him excellent value for the team drafting him.
Very well coached, and is a sponge when it comes to learning and improving.
The Bad
He has well over 500 carries the last two seasons, and is coming off an injury plagued season, although he played through it like a warrior.
He does not have excellent size, and looks smaller in person than he probable is.
He is not a super powerful runner, and once he is hit, he tends to give up the play quickly. Will not run through anyone.
He is not a great pass blocker, and is strictly a receiver on passing downs. Does not sell out on blocks.
Final Overview
With his multifaceted value as a runner, receiver, and kick return man, McCaffrey becomes valuable in the 1st round, but if you grade him strictly on his value of any one individually, he probably looks more like a second or early third rounder. With his kind of value and ability al around, he is a very nice addition to anyone who needs a gutty player who can do it all.
D'Onta Foreman, Texas
6-0, 233
Foreman entered Texas as the lessor of the two most prized recruits with his brother out of high school, but as these things tend to happen, D'Onta became the prize eventually. He only started one full season for the Horns, but worked his way into the starting job slowly.
As a freshman, Foreman rushed for just 74 yards on 16 carries. As a sophomore, he rushed for a team leading 681 yards on a bad football team. He carried the ball just 95 times, and scored five times.
As a junior, he exploded onto the scene nationally, rushing for 2028 yards and 15 scores. He carried the rock 323 times and averaged 6.28 yards per carry, and over 184 yards per game.
The Good
He is a very hard worker, and was patient coming up through the system, waiting on his turn to shine.
For a man his size, he is very fluid as a runner, and is very athletic.
Smooth finesse runner who sees the field well, and knows to wait for plays to develop.
Excellent hip movement, makes tacklers miss.
Excellent hurdler, avoiding leg tacklers.
If you don't wrap him up, he will shake you.
Uses his size in contact to bounce off bad tackles.
He is always running north/south, and avoids losing yards.
He is excellent in short yardage conversion, and has adequate power to churn through goal line plays.
Was never over used at Texas, and has plenty of miles left on him.
The Bad
He does not have great hands, and has a tendency to fumble at times.
Despite his solid size, he does not use it enough, and tries to be more a finesse back than a power back.
He does not possess multiple gears for speed, and can be one dimensional, and is still a bit raw in technique.
Kind of like Lawrence Maroney of the Patriots back in the day in that he is not a creator. He runs through the proscribed hole, whether the play is there or not.
He looks like an albatross in pass blocking, and is just not good at it, making him a two down back only.
Final Overview
Foreman is a back that could have benefited from another year in school based on his extremely small sample size. He was not a premier runner until 2016, so there is no telling if this was the real player, or just a fluke.
Based on his size and raw ability, I project him as a second rounder, but would not be surprised to see him slip based on him being such a mystery, and for being as raw as he is. The good news is that he has the patience to wait and learn, and work his way into a role, and likely will not pout during the process. I like his potential, but he needs some work.
Curtis Samuel, Ohio State
5-11, 186
Samuel has never been a full time starter at running back, and may still be a player that translates better as a receiver in the NFL. He played both positions for the Buckeyes. As a freshman, Samuel rushed for 383 yards and six scores. He averaged 6.6 yards per carry on 58 carries. As a sophomore, he ran for just 132 yards and one score, but averaged 7.72 yards per carry. As a junior, he ran for 771 yards on 97 carries, and scored eight times, and averaged 7.95 yards per carry. As a receiver, he posted 11-95-0 as a freshman, 22-289-2 as a sophomore, and he led the team in 2016 as a junior by posting 74-865-7.
The Good
Has first rate speed, and is a match up nightmare in the slot.
Can lineup anywhere on the field on the offensive side.
Has a quick change of direction while running routes.
Creates excellent separation as a receiver.
He can really fly in top gear, and changes gears without much effort.
Has experience in return game, adding some value as an athlete.
Can be explosive out of the backfield with great blocking.
The Bad
If he gets matched up properly, he can get jammed at the line.
He is not as fluid as you would expect, and is more a straight line guy.
He tends to make body catches rather than using his hands properly.
Played in a system offense, and really does not have a natural position.
Is not entirely athletic as a receiver, and does not adjust to the ball well.
Cannot block at all, and has never been asked to.
Final Overview
Samuel is a man without a real position. He is not a natural running back, but is not a natural WR either. He is an athlete that is a nice fit for now as a slot receiver, because that is how he translates with his skill set. He wil either be drafted in the higher rounds based on athletic potential, or he could go undrafted, and that is as wide as the opinions on him flow in the scouting community.
Jeremy McNichols, Boise State
5-9, 214
McNichols is a very nice all-purpose back who is as strong a receiver as he is as a runner. He also has value in the kick return game. As a freshman, he had his redshirt removed in game six for the Broncos. He rushed for 159 yards and a score, and averaged 9.35 yards per carry. He added 15 recepttions for 155 yards and a score, and returned 19 kicks for 393 yards. As a sophomore in 2015, he rushed for a team leading 1337 yards and 20 scores, while averaging 5.57 yards per carry on 240 total carries. He also caught 51 passes for 460 yards and six scores. He returned only five kicks for 79 yards. As a junior in 2016, McNichols carried the ball 314 times for 1709 yards and 23 scores. He also caught 37 passes for 474 yards and four scores. He returned only four kicks for 72 yards.
The Good
Fluid athlete with smooth transitional running ability in traffic. Can change direction on a dime, and has fluid hip movement for evasion.
Excellent vision and running IQ, waits for plays to develop in front of him and reads well. Follows hi blocks like a pro, and make his own space when necessary.
Is solid between the tackles, and doesn't mind some contact.
Is very good at shrinking himself in space, and does not run upright.
Excellent body control. If you don't wrap him up, you lose him.
Excellent receiver out of the backfield, and can be used in motion to line up wide.
Very productive player with solid value across the board.
The Bad
He is more fluid and athletic than powerful, and may need to add some power in his lower body to be an every down back in the NFL. Is not as physical as other backs can be.
His speed is one dimensional, and he is not a great gear changer.
Does not make much after first contact, and when you usually tackle him properly, he does not shake very well, and will let the play die with that hit.
Once he is in the second level of play, he does not create much. Can be caught.
He has had some fumble issues.
He is not a great pass blocker, so he may translate to a two down or rotational back in the NFL.
Final Overview
McNichols has a ton of value as a runer and as a receiver, but he has his limits as well. Still, if you can use him in a two back rotation, he could be quite effective. I see him succeeding on the next level based on his ability to produce, and he has a strong work ethic. By year or two in the league, he should be very good.
Brian Hill, Wyoming
6-1, 219
Hill was a three year starter for the Cowboys, and led them in rushing all three years. He has rushed for over 3400 yards the last two seasons, and was one of the most productive players in the nation, albeit quietly, as he did not receive a ton of exposure playing for the Cowboys.
As a freshman, Hill rushed for 796 yards on 145 carries, and scored seven times while averaging 5.49 yards per carry. As a sophmore, Hill exploded for 1631 yards on 281 carries, and scored six times. He averaged 5.8 yards per carry. As a junior, Hill ran for 1860 yards and scored a career high 22 times, while averaging 5.33 yards per carry.
The Good
Solid worker between the tackles, and does not go down easily.
Excellent pass blocker, and will commit. Has solid hands and keeps his head up at contact.
He can be an excellent receiver, but Wyoming did not use him much. When he does work as a receiver, he has solid skill and soft hands.
Extremely productive the last two seasons.
Solid character guy.
The Bad
Does not have burner speed, or much of a change of gear. Is a straight ahead runner.
He will need a top flight O line to give hi room to work, as he does not do well when trying to create something out of nothing.
He will hesitate before hitting the line if nothing is there, and he will lose yardage.
Is not enough of a north/south runner.
He is a bit on the thin side, and lacks power because of it. A little long for a RB.
Final Overview
Although he has several drawbacks, one cannot ignore that Hill was a super productive back the last two seasons, and was a major key component in the resurgence of the Wyoming football program, specifically in 2016. Hill is the kind of back that when he puts it all together, could be a game changing kind of player. If drafted in the right spot, by the right team, with the right staff in place, Hill could very well flourish on the next level.
Wayne Gallman, Clemson
6-0, 215
Gallman was the third fiddle in the Clemson offense, specifically in 2016, behind DeShaun Watson and Mike Williams, but he still managed to finish All-ACC the last two seasons running. He took over as a starter for nine games as a freshman, and led the team with 769 yards rushing. He scored four times, and averaged 4.78 yards per carry on 161 carries. He also caught 24 passes that season for 108 yards.
As a sophomore, Gallman broke loose for 1527 yards and 13 scores, while averaging 5.4 yards per carry on 283 carries, as he became a work horse in the Clemson running game. He added 21 receptions for 233 yards and one score as a receiver.
His overall carries reduced in 2016 as a junior to 232. He still managed to run for 1133 yards and 17 scores, but saw his average per carry drop to 4.88. He caught 20 passes out of the backfield as well.
The Good
Runs physically to the point where arm tackles will not work against him, and he uses a good burst getting to the second level.
He keeps moving his feet after contact, and has solid footwork fundamentals.
Knows how to lower the pads and deliver punishment to tacklers.
He has enough speed to jump out and burst around the edge, and has enough hip work to make tacklers miss while accelerating.
Confident in short yardage and red zone play. A total package four down back.
Has some ability as a receiver out of the backfield on safety routes.
The Bad
His running style makes him sloppy at short cuts, and he lacks complete body control.
Gets gummed up sometimes running between the tackles.
Has good burst and speed, but is not explosive.
He can be indecisive and will not break down blocking quickly. Misses lanes, and takes to much time setting up a play. Will outrun his blockers.
Does not run with finesse, and can be a bit all over the place.
He is not a long yardage runner, as he finished under five yards per carry in two of three seasons at Clemson.
He can run too upright at times.
Is not adept at pass blocking, making him a two down back.
Final Overview
Gallman has never been one of my favorite backs, and I think that despite being overshadowed by Watson, he still could have done much more. He lacks a burst of excitement, and you feel rather blah watching him run at times. He could be a decent rotation back one day, but overall, I am really flat on him.
Samaje Perine, Oklahoma
5-11, 233
Perine, despite standing out in any one way, is a back that has scouts excited across the board, as he was amazingly productive at Oklahoma. He exploded onto the national scene as a freshman, rushing for 1713 yards and 21 scores, while averaging 6.51 yards per carry, on 20.23 carries per game. He lowered his carries as a sophomore, and ran for 1349 yards and another 16 TDs, averaging 5.97 yards per carry on 17.38 carries per game. As a junior in 2016, Perine rushed for 1060 yards and 12 scores, while averaging 5.41 yards per carry. He averaged 19.6 carries per game, splitting time with Joe Mixon.
The Good
He is built like a human wrecking ball, and is naturally low to the ground. He can slip through seems in between the tackles and come out the other side with ease. He has a powerful lower body that he keeps constantly churning.
He cannot be arm tackles, as he runs with authority. He is quite punishing as a runner.
Excellent pad leverage, and rarely allows defenders to get under.
He is very efficient with his running style, and is not at all wasteful with his movement.
Excellent field vision, and high IQ runner.
He is solid as a receiver, and has top shelf hands.
Broke the single game college rushing record as a freshman with 437 yards against Kansas.
A scoring machine. He scored 49 TDs in three seasons.
The Bad
Can run too powerfully at times, and can lack finesse.
Ran a 4.65 40 at the combine, so his speed and gear changing ability are in question.
He is more of a front line runner, and lacks edge speed.
He has had ankle injury concerns, and his production decreased each season at Oklahoma.
Final Overview
Perine is not for everyone, but if you need a power back who runs with abandon, he is your guy. He will never wow you with his speed, but if you have a top flight O line, this guy could be special running behind it. He will have to learn a little more finesse, but he is a smart player with a ton of confidence, and is a high character guy who could be a solid locker room presence, and he can be coached. He is a hard worker that should have excellent value in the 3rd round of this draft.
Kareem Hunt, Toledo
5-10, 216
Hunt was a rare four year player at Toledo, and will go down as one of the greatest Rocket backs in school history. As a freshman, Hunt shared the load with David Fluellen. He rushed for 866 yards and six scores, and averaged 6.32 yards per carry, on 11.42 carries per game. As a sophomore, he became the lead back, and ran for 1631 yards and 16 scores despite missing two games. He averaged 7.96 yards per carry on 20.5 carries per game. As a junior, Hunt missed three games, and still managed to rush for 973 yards and scored 12 times. He averaged 5.47 yards per carry on 19.78 carries per game.
Hunt played in all 13 games as a senior, and rushed for 1475 yards and 10 scores, and averaged 5.63 yards per carry. He averaged 20.15 carries per game.
Hunt exploded as a receiver as a senior as well, catching 41 passes for 403 yards and a score.
The Good
He has a powerful body and compact frame that is perfect for the position.
Instinctual runner with solid field vision, knows when to make the right cuts.
Can bounce outside from a straight line run, and knows how to read his blocks.
He became a solid receiver, and has solid hands in the passing game.
The Bad
He is not a great accelerator. Does not change gears effectively, and lacks burst speed. A one dimensional runner.
He is an evasive runner, and does not do the contact thing all that well.
He is not all that creative in space, and the run dies when he tends to get hit.
Although he learned how to be a receiver, he is not great as a pass blocker, and will not sell out for a block.
Was suspended during his junior season for rules violations.
Has had a history of ankle injuries that could be concerning.
Is best in a zone run game, but not a lot more.
Final Overview
Hunt is a back that is best served in a zone run scheme, and really has very little experience doing anything else. He follows the script, but is not overly creative. He could have been more productive in college, and die to injuries and suspension, he missed some really good opportunities. He won't be for everyone, but can find a place in a system that uses rotational backs.
Jamaal Williams, BYU
6-0, 212
Williams was a four year player at BYU, but missed all of 2015 due to personal reasons. He has also missed parts of seasons with injury issues.
He led the team in rushing as a freshman with 775 yards and 12 scores, and averaged 4.75 yards per carry on 12.77 carries per game. He played in all 13 games that season.
As a sophomore, he carried 217 times with 1233 yards from the effort, and he scored seven times. He averaged 5.68 yards per carry, and averaged 18.08 carries per game.
As a junior, Williams finished with 515 yards in just eight games, and averaged 4.68 yards per carry on 13.75 carries per game. He lost games to a knee injury and a suspension for underage drinking.
He missed all of 2015, and then returned in 2016, and rushed for 1375 yards and 12 scores on 23.4 carries per game, and had a five score game against Toledo in a shootout win over the Rockets.
The Good
Williams is a punishing runner who was very difficult to bring down during his senior season. The year off had him looking refreshed.
He looks bigger than he is on paper. Has a powerful build in person, and looks the part.
A go for it runner. Once he sees the hole, he hits it and keeps on going.
Has a few tricks as a runner to make tacklers miss, and delivers a powerful stiff arm.
Has a powerful lower body, and can drive through tacklers. If you don't wrap him, you lose him.
Solid hands, and does not turn the ball over.
The Bad
He has a tendency to run like a bull, and lacks finesse at times.
Will outrun his blockers on occasion.
Does not have top level speed, and can be a one dimensional runner.
More of a full head of steam runner rather than a creator at times. This improved in his senior season, as he was highly productive without having a great line in front of him.
Does not always have the best body control in traffic. Runs with one stance, and does not shrink up very well.
Injury history in a big way between knee and ankles. Concerning.
Final Overview
Williams, to me, is a pure power back who can beat you down while running north/south. He does not have top flight speed, but he does remind me of LeGerrette Blount in that regard, and Blount has plenty of value. If you get him in a rotation on the next level, he could have incredible value, but I would hesitate to make him an every down back. You also have to consider his injury history, and he showed a lack of maturity as late as his junior year with alcohol being a factor.
Joe Mixon, Oklahoma
6-1, 226
Mixon is the most controversial player in the draft in 2017. He was redshirted in 2014 as a means of a suspension for punching a woman in a deli the previous year. For that reason, he was not invited to the 2017 NFL combine.
Mixon rushed for 753 yards as a RS freshman in 2015, averaging 6.7 yards per carry on 8.69 carries per game. He caught 28 passes for 356 yards and four scores as well.
Mixon became the leading rusher for the Sooners in 2016, running for 1274 yards on 187 carries. He averaged 6.81 yards per carry on 15.58 carries per game. He added 37 receptions for 538 yards and five scores. Mixon returned 21 kicks for 494 yards and a score, and returned four punts as well.
The Good
Explosive runner who picks up huge chunks of yardage.
Multi-purpose back who is a solud runner and receiver, and can return kicks as well.
Powerful build, and looks the part.
Shows enough speed and fluidity to make players miss on tackles.
He has very high football IQ as a runner, and has excellent field vision, and waits for his blockers to set up plays.
Excellent pad work, and finishes runs strong.
Has soft hands as a receiver, and runs strong routes as well, making him a real weapon in the passing game.
The Bad
Good, but not elite level speed. He gets to the next gear, but there is not another one beyond that.
Although he can have solid hands as a receiver, he does not always take care of the ball as a runner, and can get careless with ball handling.
He can be known to run a bit upright, leaving him open for big hits.
Does not grade out well as a pass blocker, but you have to have his receiving skills on the field in late down situations.
Final Overview
Getting by his off-field issues with the assault on a woman, no matter if he has improved his behavior since then or not, will be difficult to get by for many teams, and several teams will not consider him on their board for that reason. He has all of the tools, minus elite speed, of a very special player, but the character red flag can be seen for miles, and that is going to cost him big time. He will be in the league, most likely, but he has a very small window, and fewer fits.
De'Veon Smith, Michigan
5-11, 223
Smith was a four year player at Michigan. As a freshman, he carried 26 times for 117 yards, and averaged 4.5 yards per carry. As a sophomore, he carried the ball 108 times for 519 yards, and scored six times. He averaged 4.81 yards per carry. He led the team once again as a junior with 753 yards on 180 carries. He averaged 4.18 yards per carry. He rushed for 846 yards and scored a career high 10 times as a senior.
The Good
Smith is a power back who is solid between the tackles.
He runs with vision, and a feel for opening lanes.
He plots a direction and sticks with it, runs with conviction.
Arm tackles won't work against him, and he finishes runs strong. Legs keep churning after contact.
The Bad
Never rushed for 1000 yards in a season through four years at Michigan.
Does not have enough speed to hit the edge, and does not have breakaway speed in open field situations.
His lack of quick movement allows tacklers to catch up to him.
He is not very creative.
Needs solid blockers ahead of him, or he is going down.
Final Overview
Smith is not a high number back, and had average production at Michigan. He lacks great breakaway speed, and is limited to two down duty. He has no value as a receiver or a pass blocker, so he is limited to power football situations. He earns a grade of a 4th round pick by the scouts, but I feel he is better valued in the later rounds.
Corey Clement, Wisconsin
5-10, 220
Clement has largely had an inconsistent career at Wisconsin, and only fully grabbed the reins of the RB job during his senior season. He played in 11 games as a freshman, and ran for 547 yards and eight TDs as a backup to Melvin Gordon. He continued in the backup role as a sophomore, and moved up from third to second in rushing with 949 yards and nine scores. He averaged 8.16 yards per carry as a freshman, and 6.46 per carry as a sophomore.
As a junior, Clement came off the rails. He played in only four games, as he lost time to a sports hernia, and then hand a hand injury that was the result of him punching someone during an altercation in an elevator, and incident that he was not truthful about with the staff initially. In those four games, Clement rushed for just 221 yards, and saw his per carry average plummet to 4.6. He also only scored five times, and averaged just 55.25 yards per game.
He returned stronger as a senior, and led the team with a career high 1375 yards and 15 TDs, but his YPC averaged continued to drop like a rock to just 4.38. He did, however, finish with another career high with over 24 carries per game.
The Good
He has a built frame, and runs with severe lower power, and cannot be arm tackles or torpedoed from flying DBs.
Has very good short range cut ability, and is athletic enough to power through his moves.
He has excellent foot work traits, and can turn a few moves into a long run by evasion.
Very difficult to bring down in the open field, and can show enough burst to break free.
The Bad
The word on Clement is that he shows very poor leadership traits, and thinks that certain rules or policies do not apply to him.
While he shows solid burst, his overall speed level is not great. He generally displays one dimensional speed.
On film, he can look somewhat smaller than he is.
He is an indecisive runner at times, and get taken down because of it.
Does not hit the hole between the tackles with authority at all times.
Does not follow blockers as well as he should, and is impatient waiting for lanes to open.
Is not a creator, and is a bull in a china shop. Shows no finesse as a runner.
Will not be useful on passing downs, and will be limited to a two down role.
Only proved to be the man in one of four years, and got a big head when he finally had his shot.
His stats in year four are reminiscent of someone on a free agent year, finally stringing it together only because everything was on the line to get paid.
Final Overview
Scouts around the NFL are tagging Clement as a bit of a character issue guy. Think Brent Moss as a comparison, but not quite that bad, just bad enough.
His overall production is spotty at best, and he seems to be too self centered to make it work on the next level. He has raw talent, and that will have someone taking a flyer on him in the middle rounds, but if you don't expect too much of him, you might not be let down.
Marlon Mack, South Florida
5-11, 213
Mack was a three year player for the Bulls, and started all three seasons. He was also first team all-conference in each of his seasons in Tampa, and finished as the USF all-time leading rusher.
Mack stepped right into the dominant starting role as a freshman, and carried 202 times for 1041 yards and nine scores. He averaged 16.83 carries per game, and 5.15 YPC. As a sophomore, Mack continued to impress, as he ran 210 times for 1381 yards and eight scores, while averaging 17.5 carries per game. He averaged 6.58 YPC that season. As a junior in 2016, Mack ran for 1187 yards on 174 carries, as he shared more carries in the offense with QB Quinton Flowers. He averaged 14.5 carries per game, and finished with a career high 6.82 YPC.
The Good
Excellent foot work and has his hips in a swivel. He has first rate moves, and is top shelf at evasion.
His foot work is a thing of beauty, and he has amazing ability to kick runs outside and pop from gap to gap.
Runs with excellent pad placement, and can run like a battering ram. Shrinks himself up into a bowling ball when he has to.
He has very good open field speed, and once he hits open land, he is gone.
Has shown a willingness to work in the passing game, has decent hands as a receiver.
The Bad
Is more of a speed runner than a power runner, and does not use enough physicality. He does not finish runs strongly, and can be brought down, as he is inconsistent when trying to be more physical.
Spends too much time trying to hit the home run rather than taking what is given, relying too much on his open field ability.
Can be indecisive between the tackles.
Tries to take plays wide rather than seeing a hole on sweeps and punching through.
Questionable ball security, as he has a reputation as a fumbler.
Probably needs to add some bulk to his frame, but the concern is that it would take away from his speed game.
Final Overview
I like Mack a ton, but he is a system back, and will not fit every offense across the board. He may need some time in a committee approach, and may always need to be in that role. He became more effective the less he was used in any given season, and finished behind his QB in rushing yards in 2016. All of these things take him down a couple of rounds in most books, but his rare talent is undeniable, he just needs to be more confident as a power back, and has to spend more time learning how to balance his speed/finesse game with a developing power game. I would draft him in the middle rounds, but he needs some coaching up to play in an NFL system. He's worth the development in my book.
Matt Dayes, NC State
5-9, 205
Dayes was a four year player at NC State. As a freshman, he gained 252 yards on 63 carries, averaging 5.73 carries per game, and four YPC. As a sophomore, he got more involved, and rushed for 573 yards on 104 carries, averaging eight carries per game. He scored eight times, and averaged 5.51 YPC. As a junior, Dayes became the leader, as he rushed for 865 yards ans 12 scores, averaging 16.75 carries per game and 6.46 YPC. He did miss five games in 2015 with a turf toe injury.
Dayes came back strong in 2016, and exploded for 1166 yards on 249 carries. He scored ten times, and averaged a career high 19.15 carries per game, and averaged 4.68 YPC.
The Good
Multidimensional player who is serviceable as a receiver and return man as well. Seemed to improve most areas of his game with each passing season. A worker.
Patent runner that allows plays to develop.
Excellent vision downfield, and gets a step ahead in development of plays.
Body control in a phone booth is top flight. Play well in tight space.
Can make a few moves to extend plays.
The Bad
Can play tight at times, and lacks top shelf physicality.
Is small, so he really depends on his finesse game.
An easy tackle. You hit him, he is going down.
Average speed. Depends on shifty moves to evade, and has a hard time breaking the long run.
Final Overview
Dayes looks like a career backup with some special value as a 3rd down back, and on special teams. which is why I gave him a 5th round grade. He could be a very nice value pick in the later rounds for someone who needs an athlete, and not a specific positional need at RB.
James Conner, Pittsburgh
6-1, 233
Conner was a full four year player at Pitt, despite missing all but one game in 2015 as he was battling health issues related to leukemia. He started as a freshman, and led the team in rushing with 799 yards and eight scores on 146 carries. He averaged 12.17 carries per game, and 5.47 YPC. As a sophomore, Conner lit up the world with a star performance. He led the team once again with 1765 yards rushing on 298 carries, and he scored an amazing 26 rushing TDs. He averaged 22.92 carries per game, and 5.92 YPC, and he became a household name in the college football world.
His junior season was all but erased, as he was diagnosed with leukemia, and played in just one game as a result. He carried eight times for 77 yards and scored twice, as was typical of his standard efforts.
As a senior, Conner returned healthy, and came back to rush for 1092 yards on 216 carries. He scored 16 times, and averaged 16.62 carries per game, and averaged 5.06 YPC.
The Good
Hard, physical runner who can use his physicality to grind out extra yardage.
Hard worker, and team leader. Supremely high character level.
Returned from illness physically stronger.
Has perfected pad level, and knows how to use them.
The epitome of powerful runner. Uses nasty stiff arm and brute strength to his advantage.
Lower body is a power plant.
Solid body control, and he can make his own holes.
Knows how to find the end zone with regularity.
A go to guy on the goal line and in the red zone.
Solid pass blocker, and will sell out for blocks.
Excellent receiver on passing downs.
The Bad
Conner does not have elite speed, and depends often on his physical style of running to make things happen.
He is not a creator in the run game, and when he tries to be, it is detrimental.
Purely a power back, and plays with zero finesse. Bull in a china shop.
He does not have excellent field vision, and often just goes for it without seeing the whole picture.
The medical issues are always going to be in the background for him, and will concern some teams, which is why he is not graded out higher.
Final Overview
If not for his illness in 2015, Conner would likely be graded out as a 2nd round pick, but he rates as a 5th rounder here. He is a pure power back who can punch the ball into the end zone, and he is a natural when it comes to high character, which is important, or at least should be. If you are looking for a short yardage specialist and goal line threat, Conner is your guy, but he can do more as well. He just needs the right break with the right staff.
Donnel Pumphrey, San Diego State
5-8, 176
Pumphrey finished his career as the all-time rushing leader in FBS history for the Aztecs, eclipsing Ron Dayne's mark in the Las Vegas Bowl win over Houston in December.
Pumphery was a four year player for the Aztecs, and was a starter for three of those seasons. As a freshman, he backed up Adam Muema, and rushed for 752 yards and eight scores, while averaging 9.62 carries per game, and 6.02 YPC. As a sophomore, he became the starter, and rushed for 1873 yards and 20 scores, and averaged 21.31 carries and 6.76 YPC on 277 carries in 13 games. He continued strong as a junior, and ran for 1653 yards and 17 scores. He carries the football 309 times, and averaged 22.07 carries per game, and 5.35 YPC.
As a senior, Pumphrey finished strong, rushing for a whopping 2133 yards on 349 carries. He scored 17 more TDs, and averaged 6.11 YPC, and 24.93 carries per game.
The Good
Super productive in every way. One of the best players in the nation in the college game over the last three seasons.
Very fast on the scale of things, as he ran a 4.48 40.
Has excellent field vision and knows when to make his moves.
Runs well in traffic, keeps solid body control in tight spaces.
Good enough at kicking outside, but does not fear tucking up inside between the tackles.
Very shifty, seriously strong at stringing moves together.
Has another gear in the open field, and is tough to catch.
Has receiving skills, with route running ability of a wide out.
The Bad
Lacks necessary size. Warrick Dunn size.
Is not powerful, and uses finesse and is mostly dependent on it.
Does not have size and power enough to bounce off of tackles. Hit him and he goes down.
Will not be able to block on passing downs.
Very much like former Aztec back Ronnie Hillman, but with more skill.
Final Overview
Pumphrey was one of the most dynamic players in college football, but was underexposed nationally. He did not receive near the media attention that former Aztec Marshall Faulk received, but he was more productive by the numbers. Pumphrey is a bit undersized, but you cannot deny that he has ability. He gets drafted in the later rounds, but he is a diamond in the rough. Use him wisely, and he is a home run. Probably the highest value back that will get drafted later than he should.
Aaron Jones, UTEP
5-9, 208
Jones was one of the all-time greats in El Paso during his four year stay, despite missed time due to injury in two separate seasons. As a freshman, Jones led the team with 811 yards rushing and four scores. He averaged 17.22 carries per game, and 5.23 yards per carry in nine games. As a sophomore, Jones rushed for 1321 yards and 11 scores on 242 carries. He averaged 20.17 carries and 5.46 YPC. His junior year fell of the rails, as he missed 10 games with a ruptured ankle ligament, and finished with 209 yards on just 39 carries. He averaged 16 carries per game, and 6.53 yards per carry, which was a career high up to that point. As a senior, he blew up to rush for 1773 yards and 17 scores, while averaging 19.08 carries per game (229 total carries). He averaged a new career high 7.74 YPC.
As a sophomore, Jones was second on the team with 30 receptions for 293 yards and three scores. He had caught 9 passes for 106 yards and a score before the injury ended his junior season, and as a senior, he caught 28 balls for 233 yards and three scores.
The Good
A seriously productive back when healthy.
Low body build gives him some power to move through tackles, and he is difficult to arm tackle.
Was seriously under recruited out of high school and worked his way up.
Was All-CUSA as a sophomore and a senior, and likely would have been as a junior as well, if not for the injury.
Has enough moves to string together to break a long run here and there.
Is a decent safety valve out of the backfield on passing downs.
The Bad
Good, but not blazing speed for his size. Lacks a second and third gear.
Has never played for a winner, and has no experience playing in that role.
Maxed out in carries per game as a sophomore, and has never had to carry a seriously heavy workload.
May be best suited as a rotational back, maybe specializing as a 3rd down back.
Works best in zone schemes, and needs blockers to line up perfectly.
Adds no value as a kick return man, with limited special teams ability.
Final Overview
Jones figures to be a late round grab, but has some upside moving forward with the right coaching. He is a decent back for passing downs, but I do not see him as an every down back at the next level, and the injury can be a concern moving forward. He has late draft value, and is worth a risk for the right team.
Elijah McGuire, Louisiana-Lafayette
5-10, 214
McGuire was a four year player for the Ragin' Cajuns. As a freshman, he was the second leading rusher on the team with 863 yards and eight TDs on 103 carries. He averaged 7.92 carries per game, and 8.38 yards per carry. He also added 22 receptions for 384 yards and three scores as a receiver, making him the third best receiver on the team.
As a sophomore, McGuire finished with 1264 yards as the rushing leader on the team. He scored 14 times on 166 carries, and averaged 7.61 yards per carry on just 12.61 carries per game. He was the second leading receiver on the team with 45 catches for 468 yards and two scores.
As a junior, McGuire ran for 1047 yards on 209 carries, and scored 13 times. He averaged 17.42 carries per game, a career high, but dropped to 5.01 YPC. He fell to fourth on the team in receiving, with a line of 34-304-3.
As a senior, McGuire was hampered by a foot injury, and rushed for 1127 yards on 232 carries. He scored just seven times, and averaged 17.85 carries per game, with a career low 4.86 YPC. He finished fourth on the team once again as a receiver, with a line of 29-238-2.
The Good
Finished with over 4000 yards rushing.
Sun Belt freshman of the year.
Conference player of the year as a sophomore.
Highly productive back who is also a very good receiver out of the backfield.
Can return punts.
Solid ball security guy who limits turnovers.
Thick lower body with power to churn away.
Excellent cut back ability.
Can line up in the slot, and is a solid route runner as a receiver.
The Bad
Does not have excellent body control at all times.
Field vision is average, and eyes are not always in the right place.
Will not allow blockers to set up, and will outrun his blocks.
Solid receiver, but poor pass blocker.
Will not break tackles easily, and does not run with a ton of power.
Good speed, but not great, and does not possess multiple gears.
Seems to be more productive the less he is used.
There is a lingering concern over a foot injury that may have hampered him as a senior.
Final Overview
McGuire is a back that lacks a complete package on any given level. It seems that the more that is asked of him, the more he drops off in play. He is best utilized as a special teams guy, rather than being identified as a running back that can crack a starting lineup. He is worth a shot, but he is going to have to do some work on the next level. Definite late round pick, but I would not be shocked to see him fall off the board into UFA territory.
UFA
Alvin Kamara, Tennessee: Getting some love after workouts, but never produced at a high level.
Joe Yearby, Miami: Lost starting job as a senior, but has some athletic skill. Not draftable.
Jahad Thomas, Temple: Had one solid season as a producer, and it was not in 2016.
Darius Victor, Towson: Small school power runner should get shot in camp.
Barry Sanders, Oklahoma State: Junior transferred from Stanford, has family lineage.
Elijah Hood, North Carolina: Under productive, had one solid season at UNC.
Boom Williams, Kentucky: Scat back with some speed, but does nothing great.
Shock Linwood, Baylor: Left school before bowl to prep for draft, likely won't be drafted.
Justin Davis, USC: Not a special runner from a RB school.
Torean Folston, Notre Dame: Led the team in rushing as a sophomore, then disappeared for two years.
Tight Ends
1st Round
OJ Howard, Alabama
David Njoku, Miami
2nd Round
Gerald Everett, South Alabama
Evan Engram, Mississippi
3rd Round
Adam Shaheen, Ashland
Jordan Leggett, Clemson
4th Round
Jake Butt, Michigan
Bucky Hodges, Virginia Tech
Jonnu Smith, Florida International
Michael Roberts, Toledo
Cole Hikutini, Louisville
5th Round
Jeremy Sprinkle, Arkansas
Blake Jarwin, Oklahoma State
6th Round
Eric Saubert, Drake
7th Round
Anthony Auclair, Laval (Canada)
UFA
Taylor McNamara, USC
Pharoah Brown, Oregon
Johnny Mundt, Oregon
Evan Bayliss, Oregon
Billy Freeman, San Jose State
Connor Cella, Rice
Josiah Price, Michigan State
Sean Culkin, Missouri
Tyrone Swoopes, Texas
OJ Howard, Alabama
6-6, 251
Howard was a four year player at Alabama, although he could have gone to the draft a year ago. As a freshman, he put up a line of 14-269-2, and averaged 19.21 yards per reception.
As a sophomore, He caught 17-260-0, and averaged 15.29 YPR. He came in as a junior and doubled his production, posting 38-602-2, averaging 15.84 YPR on the season.
As a senior, He posted 45-595-3, and averaged 13.22 YPR.
The Good
One of the most athletic players in the draft, and probably better than some of his early numbers may suggest. He is a rare first round lock for a TE, and is one of those immediate impact types of players.
Very fast for a TE, with first rate hands, and has length to go get most passes.
Tracks the ball like a WR.
Cannot be defended in the passing game by a LB, and DBs have match up issues with him.
Very creative in space, and can break a long gain on any given play.
Excellent body control, and can readjust on bad throws high or low.
Rare pass catching TE who can also block like a pro.
The real deal.
The Bad
He is a pretty straightforward receiver, and does not string many moves together.
Can lack aggressiveness at times.
Needs more reps on the field, as Alabama under used him in 2016.
Some question his competitive nature.
Final Overview
I don't get how anyone would question his overall competitive nature, but I will say that Lane Kiffin rarely used him properly. Howard is an absolute first round talent who can be one of the best in the league once he gets his bearings. He is probably one of the prospects in this draft that I am personally most excited about.
David Njoku, Miami
6-4, 246
Njoku played just two seasons at Miami after redshirting as a freshman to transition from WR to TE As a freshman, he posted 21-362-1, and averaged 17.24 YPR in 13 games. As a RS Sophomore in 2016, he dropped a line of 43-698-8, and averaged 16.23 YPR.
The Good
Despite his overall size, he can still play outside at WR when needed.
Has room on his frame to bulk up further, which could improve his overall game as a blocker.
Very precise, sharp cuts on routes.
Creates separation easily, and creates major mismatches.
A major creator in the open field, and excels in YAC.
Major leaping ability to go get after the high throw.
Knows where the seams are against zones and finds the soft spot, will camp out there.
First rate hands.
He can line up anywhere on the field and excel.
Plus blocker.
The Bad
Severely limited sample size, as he only started in nine games in two years.
Still learning how to play TE, and thinks like a WR too much.
Footwork on blocking is still a work in progress, and may be a better receiving option than straight up blocker.
He can lose focus on some plays, leading to drops.
Still learning route tree from TE perspective.
Lacks lower body explosion, needs more on his frame.
More raw than anything else, depends on being a freakish athlete over knowledge of what he is doing.
Final Overview
As a pass catching TE, I think that Njoku, despite his lack of overall experience, could be a nice, late first round addition for anyone needing a TE who is not the best as a pure blocker in the trenches. Get him wide, and let him run, and allow him to block downfield as a decoy, because that is where he will excel right now. He will learn the rest later, but he has amazing talent potential, and could develop into being a star.
Gerald Everett, South Alabama
6-3, 239
Everett is a former high school basketball player who only picked up football as a senior in high school. He attended Hutchinson CC to further learn the game, and then transferred to UAB, but was focred out when the Blazers cut their program, which eventually landed him at South Alabama, a program that has had luck with traditional TEs in their short history.
Everett was the leading receiver for the Jaguars in 2015, as he posted a line of 41-575-8, with an average of 14.02 YPR. As a senior in 2016, he posted 49-717-4, with an average of 14.63 YPR.
The Good
Very athletic with solid bust off of the line.
Can get deep and past safeties who are sitting in zone coverage, and gets good separation off of the snap. He can run for a big guy.
Creates easy mismatches with his size and athletic ability, and demands DB coverage. LBs cannot cover him well.
Works well over the middle and against zone schemes.
Has first rate hands, and turns several catches into longer gains.
Solid blocker on screen pass plays.
Solid moves, and can create in the open field. Hard to tackle.
Very aggressive player.
The Bad
Inexperience is still an issue. Has not played the game for very long.
He does not run routes well, and just tends to roam into position.
Despite his size and burst, he still gets jammed sometimes.
Final Overview
If you are looking for overall value, and cannot get Howard or Njoku, this is your guy. He will need some coaching, but the physical traits are there. He runs like a pro, can catch the ball, and blocks like an angry beast. Any of the mental parts that may be missing are only due to inexperience, so he just needs to be coached and to get on the field. He has success written all over him.
Evan Engram, Mississippi
6-3, 234
Engram was a rare four year player at Ole Miss, and was one of the most productive players in the nation during his time with the Rebels.
As a freshman, he missed a month with an ankle injury, but still managed to post a line of 21-268-3, averaging 12.76 YPR. As a sophomore, he put up a line of 38-662-2, averaging 17.42 YPR. His numbers dipped a bit as a junior, as he posted 38-464-2, with a 12.21 YPR average, but returned for his senior season, when he exploded for a line of 65-926-8, with a YPR of 14.25.
The Good
Freakish athlete with a major explosion off of the snap. Incredibly fast.
Efficient runner with very little in the way of wasted movement.
Very good footwork while running.
Excellent body control, and gets to the ball everywhere.
Will kill in the seams, and can get deep.
LBs will not be able to cover him due to his speed and athleticism.
Can line up in the slot and go to work.
Has immediate impact written all over him.
The Bad
Is not a first rate receiver against the zone, and does not know where to find the soft spot against it just yet. Has to be hit on the move, and does not have first rate ability in reading of defenses.
Does not do a solid job of protecting the ball with his body.
Smallish for a TE, and is kind of a tweener.
Has had focus issues, and has been known to have some drops.
Does not always get to the ball with his hands, and sometimes uses his body too much.
Is not a first rate blocker.
Final Overview
As far as pass catching TEs go, Engram is pretty solid, and is part of a loaded upper half of the draft at this position. He is not, however, a complete package end who can do it all. He is not a blocker, and you have to use him as a motion TE to get out and run routes. If you can afford a pass catch only TE, he could be the guy you want.
Adam Shaheen, Ashland
6-6, 278
Shaheen was a former basketball prospect who attended Pitt-Johnstown out of high school to play hoops. After one season, he transferred to D2 Ashland to play football. As a sophomore, he was the third string end, and posted 2-85-0. As a junior, he broke the all time D2 record for the TE position by posting 70-803-10. He posted 57-867-16 as a senior in 2016.
He is a two time AFCA D2 All-American.\
The Good
The obvious is his size. He is built like a moving mountain, but does not look over sized.
Displays good footwork, which comes from having played hoops.
Excellent moves, and cuts very well.
His speed defies his size.
Smart player who wastes little unnecessary movement.
Has played all over the field.
Solid body control, and was a red zone threat.
Reads defenses quite well pre snap.
The Bad
Still learning as a run blocker, and has not mastered it yet.
Level of competition may be a factor in his success.
Despite his size, he can still get jammed at the line.
Is more mechanical than natural at times.
Is still learning to work in space as a runner.
Final Overview
Right now, he is a super sized pass catcher with some amazing traits, especially in the red zone. He will get coached up in terms of blocking. In terms of what he brings to the table right now, I ignore any shortcomings and will wait until he gets to work with an NFL staff, and I will take the chance. He just has too many intangibles to be ignored.
Jordan Leggett, Clemson
6-5, 258
Leggett was a four year player and starter for the Tigers, and has appeared in two national title games, winning one. As a freshman, he posted a line of 12-176-2, and averaged 14.67 YPR. As a sophomore, he posted 14-161-1, averaging 11.5 YPR. He started a total of nine games his first two seasons.
As a junior, he started in all 15 games, and posted 40-525-8, and averaged 13.13 YPR. He was part of the national championship team of 2016, and posted 46-736-7, with a YPR average of 16.
He was an All-ACC selection and Mackey award finalist in 2016.
The Good
His size is the thing of legends when it comes to the TE position.
Has lined up all over the field.
Dependable receiver, has not had drop issues in college.
Solid body control, works very well in tight space, and knows how to find the seams in zone coverage.
Works well over the middle of the field as a receiver.
Can break the big play on occasion, and plays his best against the best competition.
The Bad
Will not sell out as a blocker, and effort is not always there.
Has called himself lazy in the past.
Does not always give consistent effort from one game to the next, and does not turn it on for the smaller games.
Is not a great route runner, and seems mechanical when asked to work in a specific role.
System guy, and may not see the same numbers on the next level in a traditional set.
Despite having decent speed, he lacks explosion off of the snap.
Gets knocked off routes easily, and can get jammed with lack of effort.
Will not get to every football, so you had better get it in the right spot on the pass.
Poor ball security after the catch.
Shows limited to zero aggression.
Final Overview
Leggett is a pass catch only TE who is completely useless as a blocker. He has a hero/big play syndrome, where he only shows all effort when he is the center of the play. He has had some solid production, but he has got to get it together in the pros, or he will be eaten alive quickly. He will need some coaching up, and he also needs a good boot in his ass to get his head where it should be. He has all of the intangibles, but nobody is sure about the head. If he wakes up, he will be a steal. If he continues to loaf, he will flame out quickly.
Jake Butt, Michigan
6-5, 246
Butt was a four year player for the Wolverines, and finished as a second team All-American two times.
As a freshman, he played behind Devin Funchess, and posted 20-235-2, and averaged 11.75 YPR. As a sophomore, Butt became the number one TE, and finished with a line of 21-211-2, with a YPR average of 10.05.
As a junior, Butt really started finding his way, as he posted a line of 51-654-3, and he finished with 12.82 YPR. He continued his strong play as a senior, posting 46-546-4, with a YPR of 11.47.
He ended up finishing his senior season with a torn ACL against Florida State in the Citrus Bowl.
The Good
Has the requisite size for an NFL TE, and has the hands to go along with it.
Tough working in traffic and over the middle. Will move the chains.
Protects the ball well in traffic, and uses his body as a shield while catching it.
Works hard to get off the snap cleanly, and has several moves to help him get free.
Expert zone reader, and finds the seams and soft spots.
Very aggressive runner after the catch, runs with a purpose.
The Bad
Not very athletic, and can look a bit lumbering in his routes. Not a fluid athlete.
Not very fast in the open field. Hits first gear and gets stuck there.
Will not force mismatches on the field in the passing game, as he is strictly traditional.
Slow to kick out in blocking against faster edge rushers.
Is a good, but not great blocker.
Will have to be coached up in run blocking in the NFL.
Final Overview
The combined scouting services average him out as a fourth round pick, but had he not torn up the knee in the bowl game, he would have probably received a second round grade. Butt is a high character guy who will work his tail off for anyone who takes the chance on him in the draft. If you like traditional, bull in a china shop typed ends, this guy is your guy. He will not let you down, but don't expect a super athlete, because he is not that guy.
Bucky Hodges, Virginia Tech
6-6, 257
Hodges was a three year player for the Hokies, and started all three seasons as well after making a move from QB.
Hodges started as a freshman, and finished with a line of 45-526-7, and had an average of 11.69 YPR. He finished second on the team in receiving that season.
As a sophomore, he posted 40-530-6, and averaged 13.25 YPR. He finished third on the team in receiving that season.
He came back as a junior in 2016, and posted 48-691-7, and averaged a career high 14.4 YPR, and again finished third on the team in receiving.
The Good
Solid size/speed combo, and plays more like a WR than a TE. Competes with first rate game speed.
Excellent leaping ability as a receiver, and can get to the high throws.
Can line up outside, and also excels across the middle of the field.
Will be able to be used all over the field as a receiver on the next level.
Deep play threat, and can beat LBs in coverage with ease. Gets to the next level against safeties.
Solid moves, and excellent tracker on long throws. Can break the big play.
Excellent downfield blocker.
Understands defenses, and knows how to read them.
The Bad
Is still learning the position, as he has only played TE for three years.
Can get jammed at the line.
Does not run crisp routes, and can get lost in traffic.
He lets the ball get to his body too often, and does not extend for the catch enough.
Does not extend plays after the catch well, and is easy to bring down.
Is not aggressive or powerful enough to be a dependable blocker at the point of contact just yet.
Final Overview
Hodges is another super athlete at the TE position who can excel as a receiver, but is still very raw as a blocker. Some teams prefer this kind of player here, but that is only on teams who use the spread. Hodges is coachable, and is a smart athlete who will pick things up in time, so if you have the ability to get him in the mid rounds, take a shot. He should develop nicely down the line.
Jonnu Smith, Florida International
6-3, 248
Smith was a four year starter at TE for the Panthers, and was the team's leading receiver for his first two seasons.
As a freshman, he finished with a line of 39-388-2, with an average of 9.95 YPR. As a sophomore, he finished with 61-710-8, with a YPR average of 11.64.
He missed four games as a junior as a result of a knee sprain. He managed to post a line of 36-397-4, with a YPR average of 11.03. He played in just eight games that season.
He recovered from his injuries to return as a senior, as he posted 42-506-4, with a YPR average of 12.06. He missed one game that season due to a domestic incident where his girlfriend doused him with a pot of boiling water because " he was not spending enough time with her".
The Good
Smith is a solid pass catching Tight End who plays with aggression and burst.
He can hit the seams and get open on the second level when covered by LBs.
Plays with solid game speed.
Overall speed is good.
Will gain YAC and make short gains longer with solid moves.
Solid strength as a blocker.
The Bad
Has had some drop issues, and can be a body catcher.
Does not do a good job of coming back to the football.
Needs work when shielding the football on receptions.
Is not a great route runner, just kind of roams into pass routes.
Is maxed out on frame size.
May not be big enough to be an in line blocker.
Final Overview
Smith, overall, is a decent pass catching option, but will never be a front line blocker. He may be more suited for H-Back work rather than being a traditional TE, and he definitely needs work on route trees, progressions, and his hand work. He has some intriguing tools, but is not a lock down instant impact player based on the issue for finding a place to have him work comfortably on the next level. He has enough to get drafted, but he is not for every system or scheme.
Michael Roberts, Toledo
6-4, 270
Roberts was a four year player for the Rockets, but really only developed into a front line starter as a senior in 2016. Roberts grew up with several issues but overcame his problems to eventually work his own way into Toledo without a scholarship, and he eventually earned one.
He played as a freshman, but did not record a reception.
As a sophomore, he posted some numbers with a line of 4-65-2.
He got more involved as a junior, posting a line of 21-234-4, and he averaged 11.14 YPR.
As a senior, he really exploded onto the scene to be named first team All-MAC. He posted a line of 45-533-16, and averaged 11.84 YPR.
The Good
Nothing has ever been handed to this guy. He has worked for everything he has.
Over 80% of his career receptions have gone for 1st downs, and 35% of his receptions in 2016 went for scores.
Has a wide net for catching the football, and decent body control for a big guy.
Has excellent red zone skills, and became a favorite target in that area in 2016.
Excellent lower body power.
Works zone defenses very nicely.
The Bad
Has only one real season of major production in college.
Not a great runner, and lacks top flight speed for a TE.
Sloppy blocker. Will over pursue on blocks and whiff. Edge rushers can beat him. He does not adjust well, and needs targets right in front of him to win the blocking game with consistency.
Final Overview
Roberts came out of nowhere in 2016 to have a major season for the Rockets, but that means we have a limited sample size to gauge what he can be. On paper, he shows all of the necessary credentials to do well on the next level, and his blocking issues tend to be his areas of most needed attention. If that can be ironed out, he could be on his way to eventually working his way into a starting job in a couple of seasons, but he needs some work to get there. Once he gets a shot, he should do just fine. This kid has been through some things, and he knows how to work through them. This should be no different.
Prospects Rounds 5-7
Jeremy Sprinkle, Arkansas: A developmental target who is good in the red zone, and underneath against the zone. Was popped for shoplifting at a Belk department store, and was suspended for the bowl game in 2016. Good at a lot of things, but not really great at any.
Blake Jarwin, Oklahoma State: Can be used anywhere, but finding a spot for him will be tough as he played a hybrid position in college. More of an H-Back multi-tool than a standard Y TE in the NFL.
Eric Saubert, Drake: Two time All-American on FCS level, with 17 TD receptions in last two seasons. Solid NFL build, with serious red zone skill. Still has focus issues, and will drop the football. A real developmental prospect that needs some serious work.
Anthony Auclair, Laval (Montreal): A top prospect out of Canada, he showed excellent skill at the East West Shrine Game, and checks all the boxes for the position. He is a real diamond in the rough, and may be a huge surprise on the next level.
UFA Prospects
Taylor McNamara, USC: Numbers were not great in college, and he has a long way to go.
Pharoah Brown, Oregon: Off-field incidents and on field injuries derailed apromising career.
Johnny Mundt, Oregon: Never saw much time until his senior season.
Evan Bayliss, Oregon: Has some skills, but saw limited action with Ducks.
Billy Freeman, San Jose State: Had one eye popping season as a junior, then disappeared as a senior.
Connor Cella, Rice: 44 receptions over final two seasons as an Owl.
Josiah Price, Michigan State: Solid blocker, has 11 scores over last two seasons.
Sean Culkin, Missouri: Mainly a blocking option as an H Back, does not score.
Tyrone Swoopes, Texas: Former QB moving to TE for NFL shot. Athletic, but very raw.
Offensive Linemen
Tackles
1st Round
Cam Robinson, Alabama
Ryan Ramcyzk, Wisconsin
2nd Round
Garrett Bolles, Utah
3rd Round
Antonio Garcia, Troy
4th Round
Julie'n Davenport, Bucknell
David Sharpe, Florida
Roderick Johnson, Florida State
5th-7th Round
Javarius Leamon, South Carolina State
Will Holden, Vanderbilt
Adam Bisnowaty, Pittsburgh
Zach Banner, USC
Justin Senior, Mississippi State
Dan Skipper, Arkansas
Conor McDermott, UCLA
Offensive Guard
1st Round
Forrest Lamp, Western Kentucky
2nd Round
Dion Dawkins, Temple
Dan Feeney, Indiana
3rd Round
Taylor Moton, Western Michigan
Jordan Morgan, Kutztown
4th Round
Danny Isidora, Miami
Isaac Asiata, Utah
5th-7th Round
Erik Magnuson, Michigan
Greg Pyke, Georgia
Kyle Kalis, Michigan
Jessamen Dunker, Tennessee State
Nico Siragusa, San Diego State
Ethan Cooper, Indiana (PA)
Center
1st Round
None
2nd Round
Ethan Pocic, LSU
3rd Round
None
4th Round
Pat Elfein, Ohio State
Jon Toth, Kentucky
Kyle Fuller, Baylor
Tyler Orlosky, West Virginia
5th-7th Round
Chad Wheeler, USC
Cameron Tom, Southern Mississippi
Deyshawn Bond, Cincinnati
Tackles
Cam Robinson, Alabama
6-6, 322
Robinson was a three year starter for the Tide, and was a five star high school All-American, and was a top five recruit coming out of high school during his recruitment period. Robinson was a freshman all-american in his first season with the Tide, and was then a consensus All-American as a junior, and was first team All-SEC twice. He played in two national title games in three years, winning one, and losing the other this past season.
The Good
Robinson has a perfect frame for the position, and has functional power and pop off of the snap and explodes into his blocks.
He meets aggression with aggression on every snap, and blows gap holes open between tackle and guard like a pro.
Can progress from block to block very well, and does not get zeroed in on one opponent in any given play. Can take on multiple defenders in layers.
Has very skilled footwork, and gets past the point of attack. A real hunter/killer on the second level and beyond.
Solid arm extension.
Works very well on edge rushers and can kick out to meet the charge.
Works all the way through a play until the whistle blows.
The Bad
Does not always play with good balance, and has some technique issues still where he will lean into a block, or lunge into one, which loses the advantage.
Seems anxious to lay down a hit in a bock and move onto another defender rather than finishing one off before moving on.
Because of lunges, he ends up on the ground too much.
Does not always do a great job on reading the edges/blitzes.
Commits early on certain plays, and misses nuances because of it.
Final Overview
Robinson is one of the most athletic players in this draft, but he still has some work to do when it comes to technique. Playing in Lane Kiffin's offense was probably not a helpful thing for Robinson, because he did not get a ton of training for a pro offense. He may best fit early in his career at left guard or right tackle before kicking over to finish his career as a franchise left tackle, as he learns some basic pro offense nuances. That being said, if he does the work, and gets good coaching, he should be a franchise offensive tackle for years to come in the big picture.
Ryan Ramcyzk, Wisconsin
6-6, 310
Ramcyzk turned down FBS and FCS offers out of high school to attend a technical college in his hometown. After a year of that, he returned to college to play at Wisconsin-Stevens Point, where he earned all-conference for two seasons at the D3 school. He then transferred to Wisconsin, and after a required redshirt season, he exploded onto the scene for the Badgers and earned All-Big 10 honors in his only season with the Badgers. He did have hip surgery after the bowl game.
The Good
Ramcyzk is a power blocker, who explodes off of the snap with excellent pad levels and athleticism to keep himself on a pivot at the hips to change course in the process of blocking.
Excellent fundamental blocker, and plays smart.
Very fluid athlete with top shelf body control, glides nicely for a big man.
Foot work in run game is impressive. Uses his feet to gain leverage and drives forward.
Knows how to use his hands in punch mode, and can slide in zone blocking schemes, with hands always at the ready.
Does not commit too early, or lunge on blocks, and keeps his back and head level.
Reads blitzes well, knows how to react.
Has been coached very well along the way. He knows what he is doing.
The Bad
Does not have excellent arm length, and uses his hand work to make up for it.
He is a little thin for a power left tackle.
Can be a bit stiff or over-technique in his approach, and can be more cerebral than aggressive.
Narrow base limits his slide protect and kick outs.
Has not worked out since the bowl game, as he recovers from a torn labrum in his hip.
Final Overview
Ramcyzk may very well be the most pro ready in the tackle group, and may have slightly more value than Robinson based on the offense he has played in at Wisconsin, and because he received what was obviously top flight coaching. His football IQ seems higher at this point than Robinson, but both have some major qualities to bring to the table. I would draft Ramcyzk early in the first round without missing a beat. He shows amazing promise, and looks NFL ready right now.
Garrett Bolles, Utah
6-5, 297
Bolles was a troubled teen in high school, and managed to turn himself around to enroll at Snow College (JC) in Utah, where he became a two time all-conference selection. He then transferred to Utah as a junior, and earned All-PAC 12 honors.
The Good
Serious athlete with excellent footwork.
Hard worker, has come to appreciate his ability.
Flows through blocking progressions. Hits the point of attack and moves downfield.
Athletic enough for slide blocks and can kick out quickly to pull as well.
Excels going against edge rushers, and quick enough to meet them head on.
Has the ability to add bulk to his frame.
Aggressive and powerful, and has a serious nasty streak.
The Bad
Does not have explosive lower body power, and will absolutely need to add bulk.
Does not have the best physical technique right now, gets too high on blocks, and does not have pad level mastered as of yet.
Still needs work with his hands, does not have the best punch power just yet.
Older prospect, will be 25 on opening day.
Final Overview
Bolles is a first rate tackle coming out of college, but he still has some work to do, and may have to open his career on the right side until he masters more techniques and learns to become a better overall player. He could be a left tackle in about three years, reasonably speaking. With that in mind, his potential is only limited by his advanced age coming into the draft. There is no luxury of time in his development. Big picture, he could be a very solid starter for the right team.
Antonio Garcia, Troy
6-6, 302
Garcia was a four year player for Troy, and started 36/37 games at LT for the Trojans. He missed half of his RS freshman season to a knee injury, but never seemed to suffer because of it long term. He was an honorable mention All-Sun Belt pick as a junior, and made first team All-Sun Belt as a senior. He was under recruited coming out of high school.
The Good
Very good athlete. Quick and mobile for a big guy.
Played basketball in high school, and still uses those footwork skills now.
Quick enough to meet edge rushers head on, very fast to kick out to meet an outside blitz.
Stays in front of blockers, very difficult to move around or flank him.
Keeps his feet set, will not get pushed off a block.
Works well in the phone booth.
Uses his physicality to overwhelm opponents.
Fluid and can get from block to block with ease.
The Bad
Plays too high at times, and does not get his pads down.
Looks a little wiry sometimes.
Does not have explosive lower body strength.
Sometimes has to battle to stay on blocks and constantly readjust to them rather than dominating from the outset.
Still needs work with his hands.
Can get beat when he lunges at blocks.
Needs bulk, but frame is iffy as to whether he can carry more weight. Has always played on the lighter side.
Final Overview
On film, Garcia often looks like the real deal, but there are concerns. His frame may not be able to carry much more in terms of bulk without slowing him down. He lacks functional lower body strength and can get pushed around, but he is a scrapper who stays in the fight every down. He does tend to hold at times as he gets pushed around, but that is just him fighting through his deficiencies. With some work, I see Garcia as a rotational tackle, but his overall lack of bulk could scare some people off. One other thing is that he ran out of a college offense system, and he may need work in a more traditional offensive set.
Julie'n Davenport, Bucknell
6-7, 318
Davenport was a seriously under recruited prospect out of high school who did not receive a single FBS offer. He started all 44 games for the Bison at LT, and earned All-Patriot League honors all four years, and was named to several All-American teams on the FCS level.
The Good
Excellent arm length, and knows how to use them.
Has mastered hand work, and uses hands and arms effectively.
Athletic and will kick out to meet edge rushers head on.
Can kick out on pulls and screen protect with ease.
High character guy, was team captain for two seasons.
The Bad
Lower level of competition will concern some teams,
Footwork needs some help, plods rather than glides at times.
Will lean or lunge when blocking, causing him to lose some blocks.
Can plant his feet rather than churn them to keep block active.
Does not always move to the next level with ease.
Plays with his pads too high at times.
Final Overview
Davenport is a special kind of project. He has all of the physical traits necessary on this level, but he needs some work on technique, and will need an adjustment period to get used to the level of play, as it is a long jump from the Patriot League to the NFL. He needs work on his feet, and his overall blocking technique, but he is a smart kid, is coachable, and has high character, so he can be molded fairly quickly. I see him as an immediate backup with long term starting potential. He is the requisite diamond in the rough.
David Sharpe, Florida
6-6, 343
Sharpe was a three year player at Florida, and started the last 26/27 games at LT for the Gators. He played in nine games as a freshman as a backup at tackle. Sharpe was a high school basketball star, but chose football after graduating from high school in the Jacksonville area.
The Good
Built like a brick wall of a mountain.
Long arms that do not get lost in his bulk.
Thick, powerful legs that can drive.
Solid length that belies his actual size.
Solid hand work, hands are powerful.
Knows how to stay within the frame of a defender to drive them back.
A real mauler, can destroy oncoming rushers.
Solid pull blocker for a guy his size.
The Bad
Not very flexible. More of a straight line mauler than an athletic, fluid blocker.
Does not get his pads down, can get cut under by defenders.
Bends at the waist, not at the knees.
Does not get up the field very well. Stops at the point of attack.
Footwork is not the greatest.
Final Overview
Sharpe is a pure maul blocker who is one hit and done. He will not get up the field, and isnot much on the perimeter on kick out or bubble screen blocking. I see him more suited to playing inside at guard, but he has no experience there. I would say that best case scenario is as a rotational blocker who can maul at the point of attack, but doesn't have much more in the basket. He's your guy on short yardage.
Roderick Johnson, Florida State
6-7, 298
Johnson was a three year star at LT for the Seminoles, and was ACC Lineman of the Year all three seasons. He has been the starter every game since midway through his freshman season.
The Good
Exceptional, tall build, with long arms that he uses to great skill.
Very good at kicking out to meet edge rushers.
Also very good at run blocking, and has decent explosive power at the point of attack.
Works well in space, makes all adjustments necessary.
Has high awareness, knows how to read a defense.
Good hand work.
The Bad
Technique needs work, plays with his upper body out in front of him, and is a leaner and lunger.
Lacks first rate body control, and gets all over the place.
Footwork is sometimes sloppy, and he can trip over his own feet it seems.
Seems to be sloppy with his blocking angles.
Does not always play with the athleticism that he has.
Final Overview
Johnson is a bit of an enigma. He has exceptional athletic ability, but yet he does not display that at all times on the field. When he is good, he is great, but it sometimes seems as if his athleticism has a switch, and when it goes to the off position, he becomes a total mess. It would seem that there is sometimes a mental block that does not allow him to be the best that he can be, but yet the effort is there. He seems like a mid range prospect with some decent pedigree right now, but he definitely will need some work.
5th-7th Round
Javarius Leamon, South Carolina State: Has some ability, but technique, hand and footowrk need work. Developmental prospect who needs a year or two before being ready to go.
Will Holden, Vanderbilt: Three year starter with short arms and lacking lateral quickness. Will likely be a right side guy, but has some upside and value.
Adam Bisnowaty, Pittsburgh: Injury history and lack of overall athleticism will plague him. Play really dropped after a back injury, and he was a shell in 2016. Pure mauler, but that's it.
Zach Banner, USC: Will likely have to kick into playing RG in the NFL. Body is huge, and he has lost control of it at times. Lacks pure athleticism.
Justin Senior, Mississippi State: Strong hands and upper body, but lacking lower body power and footwork is a mess. Got destroyed in post season workouts.
Dan Skipper, Arkansas: Has played both tackle spots. The tallest tackle in the draft (6-10), but that could cost him physical leverage on the next level. Has a future as a backup swing tackle, but that is where it may end.
Conor McDermott, UCLA: A soft player with a general lack of aggression. Nothing stands out on film, and played on a team that finished next to last in the FBS in run production in 2016. Not strong enough for next level play, but size gets him drafted more than likely.
Offensive Guards
Forrest Lamp, Western Kentucky
6-4, 309
Lamp has played both LG and LT for WKU, and is equally as impressive at both spots. He earned All-CUSA honorable mention as a freshman and as a sophomore, and finished as an All-Conference election for both his junior and senior seasons. As a senior, he was named as a third team AP All-American.
The Good
Solid build, and very athletic. Scored a TD in his final game at WKU.
Uses solid footwork techniques, and can block outside while shifting back inside to handle up the middle rushers.
Stays low, and his technique seems solid. Keeps his pads low, hips bent, and head in right spot.
Hand work in pass protection is solid, using decent punch power.
Solid reader of defenses.
The Bad
His frame is maxed out, so adding bulk is unlikely.
Arms tend to be on the shorter side.
Has not blocked in a pro style offense.
Is not as adept as a power blocker in the run game. Really limited to pass blocking duties mostly.
While hand work is mostly productive, defenders can get to his frame first, and he has to readjust to get reset.
Final Overview
Lamp is a very smart, very efficient blocker who has experience at tackle and guard. I can see him playing either side of the line, inside or out, as his career continues. He has a ton of value in the first round, and his ability to play almost anywhere on the line defines him as having some of the best value of any offensive lineman in the draft. His deficiencies are mostly coachable items, so I see very little risk here.
Dion Dawkins, Temple
6-4, 314
Dawkins got some limited starting experience as a freshman, and then played solidly as a starter in his sophomore year, but that season was cut short by a foot injury. He was charged with assault in a nightclub incident, served in a diversionary program, and then had all charges dropped, and never served a suspension in the process. He finished All-AAC as a junior and a senior.
The Good
Powerful upper body and lower legs.
Is not easily bull rushed.
Quick from his set into his stance. Uses solid footwork to get into his base, and does not get too wide or narrow.
Shows skill in both pass protection and run blocking.
Started for three seasons at LT, giving him some versatility.
The Bad
Does not have solid hand technique, and can get caught holding and grabbing.
Does not always have perfect leverage off the snap, and can depend too much on core strength alone.
Head level is often too low.
Has some lack of athleticism issues, such as being stiff in the hips.
Blocking angles can be sloppy.
Final Overview
Dawkins has a career on the left side in college, but because of some of his lacking technique, I see him on the right side heading into the NFL: He has some qualities that show he can be coached, but he has got some work to do before he ever sees the left side. He has versatility at guard or tackle, but guard is something that will be fairly new, being he played mostly tackle in college. Playing him inside will help bury some of his deficiencies until he works those out.
Dan Feeney, Indiana
6-4, 305
Feeney has seen work at both RG and RT at Indiana, including a chunk of time at RT as a senior due to injuries on the IU line.
Feeney redshirted his second season in Bloomington due to injury, but the injury has not become a long term issue.
He was All-Big 10 honorable mention as a freshman, all conference as a sophomore and junior, and made first team All-America as a senior.
The Good
Solid interior pass protector, who gets good leverage and has solid arm length for a guard.
Has a very solid nasty streak.
Footwork is very good working inside or out.
Very aware of what defenses are doing, cannot easily be fooled.
Solid and powerful punch move.
Will fit in perfectly with zone blocking schemes.
First rate pulling guard.
Patient, and does not over commit to contact.
Solid blocker on screen plays.
Very smart.
The Bad
Plays a bit too upright, and has a slim lower body.
Can get knocked off balance by frame being too narrow at his base, and plays with a poor pad level.
Does not get a solid push off of the snap.
Has had some concussion issues that may need to be reviewed.
Final Overview
Feeney is a rock solid character prospect who has been a four year starter on a team that has generated a solid running game reputation. The question with him is as to whether or not he can evolve beyond a zone only guard, because if he cannot, he certainly falls in the draft. He has some very good versatility, but I see him as a right side guy for his career, without much left side up sell. Still, he is skilled enough to become an eventual starter on the right side at either guard or tackle.
Taylor Moton, Western Michigan
6-5, 319
Moton was a first team All-Michigan player coming out of high school. He redshirted in 2012, and started every game at RT for the next two seasons. He played RG as a junior, and then moved back to RT as a senior, earning 3rd team All-MAC.
The Good
Moton has a huge, solid frame, and plays like it. Has long arms and big hands.
Plays with solid pad level and hip bend off of the snap.
Drives his blocks to the next level.
Works hard and plays his best against the best competition.
Cannot be bull rushed.
The Bad
Played three years at RT, but is a stronger prospect at RG, where he played just one year.
Hand work is solid, but he is more of a mauler than a puncher.
Footwork is not great. Does not keep feet chopping under him during blocks.
Base width is all over the place. Reacts slowly to blocks at an angle. Needs target right in front of him to get it right from the snap.
Can get fooled by what a defense is throwing at him.
Not overly athletic.
Final Overview
When you look at his deficiencies, you get concerned about how much work he needs. That said, if you look at him playing guard in 2015 as compared to playing tackle, most of those deficiencies appear aimed at him playing tackle. He is much more suited to playing right guard in a power scheme, and could be a backup tackle. His future, however, is aimed inside, as compared to how he stood up to Ohio State in 2015, where he controlled the line in his area. This guy can play, and he does need some work, but I see him as a developmental prospect for about a year before rolling into a starting job in year two or three.
Jordan Morgan, Kutztown
6-3, 309
As a LT, Morgan was named PSAC offensive athlete of the year in 2016, which is incredibly rare for an non skill position player.
Morgan was named All-PSAC as a sophomore, and then was named to the small school All-American teams as a junior and a senior, and was a finalist for the Gen Upshaw D2 OL of the Year award as a senior.
The Good
Body type is perfect for the NFL. Long arms are a plus.
Technique seems solid out of the snap, and his footwork is top shelf.
Under recruited out of high school in Philadelphia, and should not be penalized for playing D2 football.
Works well in space, and can drive to the next level.
Nasty streak is at a desired level.
Solid punch power with arm extension, keeps defenders out of his frame.
The Bad
Does not always play with good balance, and ducks his head at times.
Can be seen in film lunge blocking.
He normally did not play against players with great size, and may need an adjustment to that in the NFL.
Needs to play with consistency between pass block and run block. Technique shifts between the two, and not always in a good way.
Final Overview
Morgan's main concerns are his lunge blocking and his overall technique between the run and pass. He will need some time to get used to playing bigger defenders off the snap, and that will take some time. He will likely shift into guard as he gets used to the size across from him, but do not be shocked to see him back at tackle in a few seasons. He is an intriguing prospect as of now.
Danny Isidora, Miami
6-3, 306
After burning a redshirt season, Isidora missed 10 games as a freshman with a foot injury. He returned as a RS sophomore, and started for three solid years at RG. He was named second team All-ACC as a senior in 2016.
The Good
Exact frame NFL teams look for when it comes to the interior line.
Long arms are a plus.
Very agile, and can be a leader on pull blocks.
Can block into the second level, and seems to always be thinking a step ahead.
Solid pass protector.
Footwork is adequate.
The Bad
Plays with a wide base, which takes away from his power, and makes him vulnerable to a solid bull rush.
Gets walled up, and sometimes has a problem getting a good push off of the snap. A bit of a mauler.
Body control needs some work, especially in space.
Not a first rate run blocker, as he can get walled off and fights too much to push through.
Final Overview
If Isidora can get his base narrowed up, he may play right into a need as a pass blocking guard with plus agility. If he fails to narrow up his base and maximize his strength, he will struggle on the next level. It all comes down to that. He shows some skills to be a plus OG in the league, but he has some technical issues to iron out first.
Isaac Asiata, Utah
6-3, 323
He is the cousin of Matt Asiata, formerly of the Utes and currently of the Minnesota Vikings. He served a two year Morman Church mission, returning to football in 2013, and was a part time starter that season.
Asiata started every game from 2014-2016, mostly at LG, but played seven games at RG as well.
He was named second team ALL-PAC12 as a senior.
The Good
Massive frame that swallows defenders whole.
Versatile, as he can play both sides at guard, and can also play center.
Will out work everyone on the field.
Has a solid nasty streak.
Solid pad effort, and is very powerful.
Solid quickness, and makes good reads on defenses.
The Bad
Aggression gets to be to much at times.
Did not receive as many accolades as his peers in this class.
Hand work is all over the place.
Can be shown to lunge at times, and loses balance. Needs better body control.
Needs to be more disciplined and honed in.
Final Overview
Simply put, he needs to calm down some on the field. His nastiness is a good thing, but he needs to control it better. He played his best games against strong opponents in college, and has some very interesting skills, but overall, he just needs to get better focus and body control. If he can do these things, he has a bright future. He just needs some zen to go with his nasty.
5th-7th Round Guard Prospects
Erik Magnuson, Michigan: Zone blocker who lacks top end power. Could fit for a zone scheme team inside.
Greg Pyke, Georgia: Massive mauler who played some tackle. Needs better technique and discipline on next level.
Kyle Kalis, Michigan: Smart, with size and some ability, but lacks athleticism needed. Could be falling as we speak.
Jessamen Dunker, Tennessee State: Small school guy who started out at Florida, but was arrested and transferred out. Character concerns, but is an intriguing athlete who needs to get it all together.
Nico Siragusa, San Diego State: Phone booth blocker who lacks the ability to kick outside. Not much on pass blocking.
Ethan Cooper, Indiana (PA): Under recruited out of high school because of lacking academics. Changed his work ethic at IUP and things picked up. Massive prospect, but is a developmental guy right now. May drop out of draft as a UDFA, but someone will give him a shot.
Centers
Ethan Pocic, LSU
6-6, 310
Pocic played in six games as a freshman for LSU after enrolling the previous spring, and started nine of those games.
He started nine games as a sophomore, splitting time between guard and center, and was named second team All-SEC as a junior. He was named as an All-American and 1st team All-SEC pick as a senior.
The Good
He can play anywhere on the line with equal ability.
Hard worker with excellent aggression.
Smart.
Excellent hand work, and adjusts very well.
Has excellent ability as a solid blocker, and reds defenses very well. Knows when to help his teammates out.
Can get to the second level after finishing at point of contact.
Excellent leverage as a pass blocker.
Does not over commit. Very patient.
Excellent control in space, and works well on pull blocks.
Calls the plays from center.
The Bad
Does not have top flight strength, and is a bot tall for center, and may have to move to guard.
Plays with poor pad level, and stays too upright at times.
Can get bull rushed.
Lacks in upper body strength.
Defenders tend to get by him off his edges.
Final Overview
Pocic is the requisite smart player who can start at Center and call plays from the line. He also adds value as a utility lineman, as he has experience across the line. He has some issues with his overall core strength right now, but that can get worked out at the next level with a strong strength coach. Overall, if you need a center, he is by far the best available in this draft class, and with a little work, he could be a starter for years to come.
Pat Elflein, Ohio State
6-3, 303
Elflein was a five year player for the Buckeyes, with a redshirt year being spent in 2012. He did not play much in 2013, with only one appearance.
He played both right and left guard in 2014, and earned All-Big Ten honors, and repeated as All-Big Ten as a junior and a senior. He also earned second team All-American honors in 2015 as a guard, and moved to Center in 2016, and earned first team All-American honors there.
The Good
High character guy with an outstanding work ethic. Was named team captain.
Calls out blocking assignments, and is an excellent reader of defenses.
Very patient blocker, and is excellent on pull plays.
Has experience across the interior line, and has excelled in every spot.
Has a wrestling background, and uses that experience to provide excellent hand work.
Always drives his feet while blocking.
Anchors against bull rush very well.
Has been a winner for his entire career.
The Bad
His footwork is good, but still needs some work, as he can get a little sloppy at times.
Can be a good run blocker, but he is more a point of attack blocker that does not get to the next level very well.
Does not always play with a good pad level. Gets too upright on occasion.
Does not fend off hand attacks as he should.
Defenders can get around him on the edge.
Final Overview
Elflein is a solid character guy who has worked in a winning environment for his entire college career. He is whip smart, and his understanding of his job is as top flight as they could come. His drawbacks are in pass protection and footwork. If he can solve his footwork issue, he could likely solve his pass block issues. I see them as being hand in hand. He gets good coaching, and he is the steal of this draft.
Jon Toth, Kentucky
6-5, 307
Toth was a five year player at Kentucky, who redshirted his first season in Lexington. He started for parts of his freshman campaign, and was named to the All-SEC freshman team. He then started 48 straight games for the Wildcats at Center, and earned first team All-SEC honors as a senior.
The Good
Attacks his blocks with good leverage, and plays with solid body control in space.
Rock solid at opening up running lanes.
Good power in his legs, can drive a block home.
Seems to play his best against the best competition.
Very good hand work.
Solid anchor, cannot be bull rushed.
Hard worker, will get the job done.
The Bad
Not a great athlete overall, and lacks any kind of functional quickness.
Footwork needs some help.
Is a better run blocker than a pass blocker.
Quicker defenders can get by him with good burst off the snap.
Does not redirect well, and is a bit too straight line.
Point of attack blocker, does not get to the next level very well at all.
Can be caught lunge blocking.
Final Overview
If you need a guy for a solid run push on short yardage, this is your guy, but his lack of athleticism does not scream every down lineman. He does not seem to have a lot of the traits that Elflein or Poncic possess, and giving him a 4th round grade feels a little high. I can see him slipping down the order.
Kyle Fuller, Baylor
6-5, 307
Fuller was a four year player in the Baylor system, including a redshirt season in 2013. He earned honorable mention as a RS freshman in 2014, second team All-Big 12 as a sophomore, and first team All-Big 12 as a senior. He played in 39 straight games at Center, and was considered to be the leader on the line for the Bears offense.
The Good
He has the bulk and length that you look for in a Center. He also has the requisite arms length to play inside.
Solid getting into pass protection off of the snap, and can take on blocks from point of snap with ease.
Has a solid anchor, and displays top shelf hand work.
The Bad
Not an exceptional athlete. Plays stiff and shows limited flexibility.
Not quick, and is a point of impact only blocker.
Scheme/system guy who will need work understanding an NFL offense.
Is not very flexible in space, and lacks solid body control.
His technique is all over the place, and nothing about him seems put together when isolated on film.
Final Overview
Fuller is a total scheme guy who had his deficiencies hidden in the Baylor offense. He will get no such cover ups in the NFL. He is a guy who was a rock in the middle of the line for Baylor, and while he does have some point of contact skills, he seems to be very rough around the edges for a guy with so much starting experience, leading me to believe that he has never had solid coaching. He has some technique issues that can be fixed with coaching, but he just is not very athletic, and you cannot be coached out of that.
Tyler Orlosky, West Virginia
6-3, 298
Orlosky was a five year player for West Virginia, and spent a redshirt year in 2013. He worked in as a guard, but was quickly moved to Center. He was named second team All-Big 12 as a junior, and was named first team All-Big 12 as a senior.
The Good
Solid character guy who was named as a team captain three straight years.
Very well conditioned, a workout warrior.
Rock solid nasty streak you like to see in the interior line.
Solid body control, rather fluid for a big guy.
Hands are top shelf.
Has solid lower body power to drive his blocks.
The Bad
Not very athletic if not moving straight line. Labors to work in lateral movement.
Footwork is not a thing of beauty.
Target needs to be right in front of him to attack.
Will not get to the next level on blocks all that easily.
Not a great pass protector. Lacks instinct in recognizing defenses.
Final Overview
Orlosky seems to be sticking to the theme among the centers in this draft class as a scrappy straight line blocker with limited agility and athleticism. He is more of a run block specialist, rather than an every down center, and that will severely limit him on the next level to likely special teams guy. What bothers me the most about this prospect is that he is a center who understands run zone blocking better than pass protection, and that just should not be.
5th-7th Round
Chad Wheeler, USC: May have to move out of Center position to have a shot in the NFL. Lacks core strength and quickness, and injuries have been a big problem the last three seasons.
Cameron Tom, Southern Mississippi: Will end up fighting for a roster spot, because he lacks first rate run blocking technique. Exceptionally smart, and a solid leader, but could be falling because nobody knows where to play him on their line.
Deyshawn Bond, Cincinnati: Smallish Center who plays bigger than he is. Has some skills, but his frame may be maxed out, and that could hurt him. Still has a fighting chance because of effort and energy.
Defensive Linemen
Defensive Ends
1st Round
Myles Garrett, Texas A&M
Taco Charlton, Michigan
Derek Barnett, Tennessee
Solomon Thomas, Stanford
Dawuane Smoot, Illinois
2nd Round
Charles Harris, Missouri
Chris Wormley, Michigan
Takkarist McKinley, UCLA
DeMarcus Walker, Florida State
Tim Williams, Alabama
3rd Round
Tanoh Kpassagnon, Villanova
Jordan Willis, Kansas State
Carroll Phillips, Illinois
4th Round
Daeshon Hall, Texas A&M
Carl Lawson, Auburn
Trey Hendrickson, Florida Atlantic
5th-7th Round
Tarell Basham, Ohio
Deatrich Wise, Arkansas
Josh Callaway, TCU
Keionta Davis, Chattanooga
Derek Rivers, Youngstown State
Avery Moss, Youngstown State
Dylan Donahue, West Georgia
Garrett Sickles, Penn State
Ejuan Price, Pittsburgh
Ken Ekanem, Virginia Tech
Defensive Tackles
1st Round
Jonathon Allen, Alabama
Caleb Brantley, Florida
Malik McDowell, Michigan State
2nd Round
Montravius Adams, Auburn
Jaleel Johnson, Iowa
Jarron Jones, Notre Dame
Charles Walker, Oklahoma
3rd Round
Carlos Watkins, Clemson
Davon GodChaux, LSU
4th Round
Vincent Taylor, Oklahoma State
Eddie Vanderdoes, UCLA
Dalvin Tomlinson, Alabama
Elijah Qualls, Washington
Tanzell Smart, Tulane
Larry Ogunjobi, Charlotte
5th-7th Round
Isaac Rochelle, Notre Dame
Ryan Glasgow, Michigan
Chunky Clements, Illinois
Josh Augusta, Missouri
Defensive Ends
Myles Garrett, Texas A&M
6-4, 272
Garrett was a three year player with the Aggies who departed after his junior season. He started as a freshman in 2014, and finished by being named freshman All-American, and was also named second team All-SEC that same year. He finished with 53 tackles, 14 TFLs, and 11.5 sacks that season.
Garrett was a finalist for both the Lombardi and Hendricks awards as a sophomore. He finished that season with 59 tackles, 19.5 TFLs, 12.5 sacks, 10 QB hurries, and five forced fumbles.
Garrett entered his junior season suffering from the effects of a knee injury, and was held to nine starts. He finished with 33 tackles, 15 TFLs, 8.5 sacks, and 10 QB hurries.
The Good
Freakish athlete who plays both bigger and more compact than he actually is.
Absolutely explodes off of the snap.
Very quick around the edge, and gets into the backfield with regularity.
He can fight off blocks around the edge and keeps on moving.
Amazingly crafty first steps into his rush.
First rate pro spin move.
Has played first tier offensive tackles his entire career.
Can play down or up.
Fast enough to make a difference in the open field.
He does not miss tackles. Once his hands are on you, you are going down.
Can play on either side, and be just as disruptive.
Excellent body control, even in space.
The Bad
As good as he can be, he is still very raw in some regards.
Has not been given the best coaching in college, and still has some work to do as far as technique.
Can depend on his raw athleticism too much at times.
Has been known to take some plays off, and gets fatigued.
Does not have first rate hand moves.
Can be blocked when linemen get into his body, and if that happens, he tends to give up.
He may not have given a full effort in 2016, as his mind was already on the draft.
Final Overview
Garrett is a consensus overall number one pick in the upcoming NFL draft. His athleticism and his production are just too much to ignore at this point, and he will get paid. He may very well be the finest defender out there when it comes to his overall potential. The one thing that has to be remembered is that he did not always go full out with the Aggies, and that is concerning about what his mindset may be. He has to be able to go full steam on every play, but he also has shown some conditioning deficiencies, and was never able to play more than 70% of total team snaps on defense while in college. Is he an every down player? That remains to be seen.
Taco Charlton, Michigan
6-6, 277
Charlton was a rare four year player that was high profile during his college career. He was a special teams player as a freshman, and collected just two tackles.
He became a rotational player as a sophomore, and finished with 19 tackles, 5.5 TFLs, and 3.5 sacks. He also added three QB hurries that season.
As a junior, Charlton really picked up steam, as he finished with 30 tackles, 8.5 TFLs, 5.5 sacks, and three QB hurries.
He finished with his best season as a senior, when he totaled 42 tackles, 13.5 TFLs, 10.5 sacks, twp PBUs, and eight QB hurries.
He finished as a first team All-Big 10 player as a senior.
The Good
CPure combo sized player with seriously decent athletic traits.
Rock solid lower body power.
Has room to add to his frame on the next level.
Explodes off of the snap and can get by the first layer of blocks cleanly.
Solid body control, and can get push against big tackles.
If he gets an early lead on the edge, he is gone.
Can fight off blocks and move on.
Already has a pro spin move.
Has the ability to cut down a back trying to pop outside, and is solid in pursuit.
Is just coming into his own and has room to grow.
Very coachable.
The Bad
He has yet to have that explosive season in college.
He is getting a high grade based on athletic ability and potential, not on production.
Does not give it on every play, and takes a few off.
Still very raw, has some things to learn.
Never started full time until his final year.
Still on the thinner side. Needs some bulk on his frame to be fully effective.
Can be redirected on his rushes.
Needs some nastiness in his game.
Footwork is all over the place.
Does not always play with enough quickness.
Gets caught leaning.
Final Overview
The pieces are there for Charlton, he just needs to put it all together. He needs some consistency, and hopefully, can learn some as a pro from veterans and coaches alike. Charlton is still a very raw, but very talented athlete who seems to be on the way up, and someone will pay a first round pick to get his services.
Derek Barnett, Tennessee
6-3, 259
Barnett was a three year player for the Tennessee Volunteers, and was the first freshman to ever start on a Vol defensive line. He was named All-SEC all three years he played at Tennessee, and was a first team All-American as a junior in his final season.
As a freshman, Barnett wrecked the opposition by totaling 72 tackles, 20.5 TFLs, and 10 sacks. He added eight QB hurries as well.
As a sophomore, He saw some stats dip a bit. He totaled 69 tackles, but finished with just 12.5 TFLs and 10 sacks. He added seven QB hurries to the totals in 13 games.
As a junior, he finished with 56 tackles, again, a dip, and added 19.5 TFLs to go with 13 sacks, five PBUs, 16 QB hurries, and two forced fumbles.
The Good
Barnett is another freakish athlete, with all of the tangibles you require, including lightning fast hands.
Technique off the edge is incredible, and uses swim move very effectively.
Knows how to get around a blocker and get to the flank to get rid of him.
He is an attacker who keeps working until he gets to his target.
Equally as effective against the run as he is at getting to the QB.
If you do not get a body on hi, he will destroy your play.
Destroys with his tackles, hits with severe violence.
Reads offenses like a pro already, and knows how to adjust himself.
Can drop back into zone if needed.
The Bad
Can be a bit wild and undisciplined on the field, and will cost you some penalties.
Guesses more than thinks at times.
Takes some time to warm up through the season, and has rarely been ready to go full effort on week one. Needs motivation.
Like a train, once he gets moving, he is not easy to readjust, and a scrambling QB with good presence can elude him.
Footwork is opposite of hand work, and needs some serious work.
Can be shoved around if he cannot immediately get separation from blockers.
Does not give you a lot of length.
Is a bit undersized for DE at the NFL level, and may have to learn to play edge rush OLB in a 3-4 defense.
Still needs to develop a move inside, and does not have a patented spin move down yet.
Not as strong as he is nasty and violent on the field.
Final Overview
Barnett is just plain nasty on film. He is one of the most productive college ends in the last 20 years, and that is where his bread is buttered. He does not match up to all of the measurables, and may have to work harder on the next level than a player like Garrett, but I happen t like him as much as I like Garrett, for production alone. He has some bad habits to break, and did not do great at the Senior Bowl or Combine but I think that those events are largely overrated. The proof is in the film. He has what it takes.
Solomon Thomas, Stanford
6-3, 273
Thomas was a three year player at Stanford, which included a redshirt season as a true freshman. Thomas was a top 25 recruit coming out of high school, and ended up at Stanford. He was named honorable mention All-PAC 12 as a rs freshman, and then was named first team All-American as a sophomore, and was named PAC-12 defensive player of the year.
As a freshman, he recorded 39 tackles, 10.5 TFLs, and 3.5 sacks to go with five QB hurries.
As a sophomore, he finished with 62 tackles, 15 TFLs, eight sacks, and seven QB hurries.
The Good
Excellent frame for the position, and comes from a family of athletes.
Very aggressive player who has lined up across the line.
Very good hand work, uses combos to get out of blocks quickly.
Uses excellent power/speed combo.
Strings moves together, and has solid body control moving from spot to spot.
Solid swim moves.
Already has mastered his spin move inside or out.
Will not glue himself to a blocker. Gets free and makes the play.
Rangy play maker. Can get all over the place in a hurry.
Plays very well in space.
The Bad
Only played two seasons of college football.
Tends to be maxed out on his current frame. May play smaller on next level.
Can play too upright, and his pads tend to stay lifted up rather than playing down.
Does not play as strong as he could. Needs more size and power.
Plays finesse at times rather than letting the violence rip.
Big, physical tackles can win battles against him.
Guesses too much and creates penalties.
Final Overview
Thomas started flying up the boards with an excellent game against North Carolina in the Sun Bowl, and he also had solid appearances in the post season that raised his stock. Again, I am not one to consider one game, or post season workouts, or for that matter, all star games. What you see on film is generally what you get. I still think that Thomas is a first round caliber player, but he has more work to do than anyone else earning a first round grade. He has only two yeas of major college football under his belt, and that has to be considered. Thomas will need to do some work on the next level, but with that said, there is no dismissing the fact that he has loads of potential, and could one day end up being considered as one of the better players to come out of this class.
Dawuane Smoot, Illinois
6-3, 264
Smoot was a four year player for the Illini, and played as a 215 pound end as a freshman. He was a hurdler and was a junior Olympian in high school.
As a freshman, Smoot eight tackles, with one TFL and one sack. As a sophomore, he started to bulk up, and finished with 33 tackles, 7.5 TFLs, and 2.5 sacks. He added two PBUs, and three QB hurries.
As a junior, Smoot finished with 40 tackles, 15 TFLs, eight sacks, two PBUs, three QB hurries, and three forced fumbles.
As a senior, Smoot recorded 56 tackles, 15 TFLs, five sacks, 10 QB hurries, and two forced fumbles.
The Good
Once past the point of attack, he kicks into a second gear to get at QBs and RBs who are on the move.
Can close off a pocket by shutting down the edge.
Excellent athlete who was a hurdler in high school.
Can work the gaps as well as close off the edge.
Has lateral ability, and works down the line very well.
Can play up or down, depending on scheme.
Has the ability to knock a ball loose.
The Bad
Overall numbers were better in year two than year three. Did not seem as focused in his final season.
Has never played on a winning team, and doesn't know how to win on a high level just yet.
Does not explode off of the snap like you would like.
Hand work is average, and he can get redirected off of his course.
Does not possess many moves, or the ability to string together what little he has in the way of moves.
Lacks solid control, and his mindset towards the game does not appear to be focused.
Does not always bring it week to week.
Final Overview
If you look at his film as a junior, Smoot looked like pretty much everything you would need at the DE position, but it is the film from 2016 that should have many concerned. He throttled back in his senior season, almost as if he did not want to give too much and get hurt as he was already thinking ahead to the NFL draft this year. Illinois was losing, and that may have effected his mindset, but it does not thrill me that no matter what was going on with the team, that it appeared that he mailed it in a bit. A stellar athlete brings it no matter what. Teams will likely take a chance on Smoot in the late first round based on his junior film, but I believe that it is buyer beware on this one.
Charles Harris, Missouri
6-3, 253
Harris spent four years at Missouri, including a redshirt year during his true freshman campaign. He came back as a RS freshman, and recorded 19 tackles, four TFLs, two sacks, two PBUs, four QB hurries, and a forced fumble.
As a sophomore, he totaled 56 tackles, 18.5 TFLs, seven sacks, 10 QB hurries, and two forced fumbles.
As a rs junior, Harris racked up 61 tackles, 12 TFLs, nine sacks, two PBUs, 10 QB hurries, and two forced fumbles.
Harris was named second team All-SEC as a sophomore, and did so again as a junior.
Harris did not play football until his junior year of high school.
The Good
Excellent run defender who knows how to work a gap.
Pops out of the snap and works with solid explosiveness.
Solid athleticism helps him work down the line in pursuit.
Can cover on screen passes, has enough ability to kick out in pursuit, keeps level with his target.
Shows patience, does not bite easily on play action.
Very quick off the edge.
Plugs his way through double teams.
Wrap tackler who does not throw his body around.
Excellent body control in space, works through traffic, sticks with his objectives.
Will blow up plays in the backfield if your tackle does not adjust to him quickly.
Does not seem to take plays off, motor is constantly churning.
The Bad
Dips his head too often when making tackles.
Looks smaller than you would like on film, and measures the same in reality. May need to kick out to OLB in a 3-4 set.
Looks like his frame is maxed out.
Lunges his way into tackles rather than keeping balance and smashing the tackle.
His approach to the QB is very wide and arcing.
Does not get rid of blocks quick enough, will ride the wave.
Edge rush is based on quickness and athleticism, but everything else looks pretty basic with him.
If he gets tied up by a blocker, he likely will not win the fight.
Did not react well to change in scheme as a junior, and his numbers dipped.
Still very raw at times.
Final Overview
Harris has earned a second round grade, but interest in him in recent weeks is on the upswing. He has all of the tools that he needs, but he will need some technique work on the next level, and he needs to be moved out to OLB to be able to find some space to play in, as he is limited in size to be able to up head to head against the mammoths that are NFL OTs. If you can get him in open space and allow him to be creative, you have a high motor athlete who will make a ton of plays. He has loads of potential for the right team and coaching staff, and I can see him sneaking his way into the first round on draft day.
Chris Wormley, Michigan
6-5, 298
Wormley came to Michigan from Toledo, Ohio, where he was voted as the Ohio Division One High School Player of the Year. He ended up being a five year player for Michigan, including his redshirt season as a true freshman.
In his first year on the field, he recorded 19 tackles, 4.5 TFLs, 2.5 sacks, and one PBU. For his second season, he recorded 21 tackles, five TFLs, and three sacks, and added two QB hurries.
As a junior, Wormley doubled his tackle totals to 43, and added 14.5 TFLs, 6.5 sacks, one PBU, two QB hurries, and a forced fumble.
As a senior, he recorded 39 tackles, 8.5 TFLs, 5.5 sacks, and five QB hurries. He also added three blocked kicks to his resume.
He was named third team All-Big 10 in 2015, and first team in 2016.
The Good
Intimidating frame that matches with tackles.
Very good length, and can also switch up and play inside.
Arm length lends to skill as a kick blocker. He blocked three kicks last season.
Has enough power to collapse the middle of the line, or collapse the edge in a hurry.
Patient tackler that does not bite on play fakes.
Can play up or down.
Strong pursuit speed, does not give up on the play.
Power in lower body will drive back blockers.
Uses arms to create separation from blockers.
Has the ability to bust through gaps.
Keeps working in traffic and does not lose sight of the objective.
Very good in pursuit, and will work across the field to make a play.
Doesn't get knocked down, even in traffic. Amazing balance for someone his size.
Plays with his brain.
The Bad
Slow to redirect himself when he gets knocked off course.
Looks average athletically on film.
Straight up bull rusher who can get stonewalled at the point of attack.
Hand moves are average.
Does not pop off the blocker, and will ride the wave.
His feet look sluggish to me, and his game is more power than technique.
His numbers are not eye popping on any level.
Final Overview
Wormley is a player who coaches tend to love. He will do all of the little things, and will basically play wherever you want him to. He does not flash excellent athleticism all of the time, but there is enough there to warrant consideration. I see him more as a second rounder due to his versatility, as he can play inside or out, and can be used in the middle as a kick blocker on special teams. Some teams may like him enough to reach into the first round, but I would not do that myself. He is a high character guy, which will help his case.
Takkarist McKinley, UCLA
6-2, 250
McKinley was an original California commit, but failed to gain entry based on academic performance out of high school. He attended Contra Costa JC, and was named all conference in his lone season there, and then transferred to UCLA once his academic issues were solved. He spent three seasons with the Bruins.
As a sophomore, he recorded five tackles,3.5 TFLs, and 2.5 sacks. As a junior, he became a main stream player, and recorded 35 tackles, 7.5 TFLs, 4.5 sacks, four PBUs, and two forced fumbles.
As a senior, he racked up 61 tackles, 18 TFLs, 10 sacks, six PBUs, three QB hurries, and three forced fumbles.
He was named first team All-PAC 12 as a senior.
The Good
High motor player, always working in the field to make the play. Does not take plays off.
Bounces around and still goes after the play.
Not a biter on play fakes.
Pure speed and power combo with solid foot churn.
Works quickly off of the edge.
Solid ball raking skills, always reaching for the football.
Solid balance, and does not see the ground much.
His first step is lightning, especially from upright position off of the snap.
Legs are always churning.
Collapses a pocket very quickly, and will push bigger lockers back.
Can also play inside or outside at LB.
The Bad
does not always get his arms extended to create separation.
Takes the long raod into the backfield sometimes with a wide ranging arc to the ball.
Does not always separate from blockers, and will ride the wave all the way in.
His arms are all over the place at times, with some seriously wasted movements.
Undersized for the DE position, and will almost certainly have to kick to playing LB.
Needs to add some bulk to the frame that he does have.
Still shows some rawness in technique.
Final Overview
McKinley is a high motor and effort player who needs to add bulk and overall technique to his game. He is a speed edge guy who needs to add some complimentary moves to his game and shorten his approach to the backfield. He had one very exciting season at UCLA, but he still has some work to do long term to become a serious starter in the league. He has the talent and athletic ability, now he needs to be refined. If that can happen, and I think that it can, he could be a very nice edge rush specialist in the NFL.
DeMarcus Walker, Florida State
6-4, 280
Walker was a four year player for the Seminoles, and had been a verbal commit to Alabama before flipping to Florida State out of high school. He was a consensus top 50 national player out of the high school ranks.
He played in 11 games as a freshman (he was an early enrollee), and recorded 18 tackles, two TFLs, and a sack.
As a sophomore, he played in 14 games for the national championship team, and recorded 38 tackles, six TFLs, had one sack, and four QB hurries.
He returned as a junior, and totaled 58 tackles, 15.5 TFLs, 10.5 sacks, five PBUs, three QB hurries, and four forced fumbles. He also added a blocked kick.
Walker decided to return for his senior season, and recorded 68 tackles, 21.5 TFLs, 16 sacks, two PBUs, four QB hurries, and three forced fumbles.
He was named third team All-ACC as a junior, and was named 1st team All-ACC and 1st team All-American as a senior.
The Good
Super productive once he had the leash removed from the coaching staff. Should have stated before he got the chance.
Massive first step, and excellent swim move combo helps him shirk blockers quickly.
Gets into the backfield with lightning speed.
Sack specialist the last two seasons. Very disruptive in the backfield.
Constantly works to find a way to the play.
Very smart player on the field.
Gets his arms in the air on pass plays, an has enough reach to knock passes down.
Still has enough room on his frame to bulk up some.
Collects blockers to enable teammates to get to the ball.
Rarely leaves the field, and wants in on the action.
Sure tackler who levels pads and makes the hit.
The Bad
Does not possess solid pursuit speed/ability. Players can pull away from him in open space.
Does not have good flow speed when working down the line.
Does not always get good arm extension at point of attack, and can be redirected, or even taken out of the play.
Footwork is not always first rate.
Allows himself the ability to get worn out, and may not be a full three down player in the NFL.
Final Overview
Walker is a high effort guy that will give you everything he has on the field, even if it is, at times, to his detriment. One cannot question his desire to play, and his motor and ambition are what you want, but sometimes a staff will have to limit him to get everything that he has that is good out of him. He is one of the most productive players in this draft, and he could find his way into the late first round, but a second round pick would be suitable for one of his skill set. He is simply just too productive to ignore.
Tim Williams, Alabama
6-3, 244
Williams was a four year player at Alabama, and jilted his hometown LSU Tigers in favor of playing for the Tide.
He played in seven games as a freshman, and recorded three tackles and had one TFL.
As a sophomore, he played in 12 games as a reserve, and recorded five tackles, 1.5 TFLs, 1.5 sacks, and finished with three QB hurries.
He played a ton more as a junior, and played in a total of 15 games. He finished with 19 tackles, 12.5 TFLs, and 10.5 sacks. He also added four QB hurries.
He finished with 31 tackles as a senior, and also added 16 TFLs, nine sacks, two PBUs, 12 QB hurries, and forced two fumbles.
The Good
Fires off of the snap with explosiveness and swiftness.
Pass rush specialist who takes a solidly direct approach to the target.
Equally as adept at getting into position coming from the edge or inside.
Takes advantage on the edge and can get around a blocker with decent shoulder leverage.
Has real speed for an End/OLB.
Can drop into coverage on zone plays.
The Bad
Serious character concerns. It was reported that he had failed multiple drug tests at Alabama, and missed part of a game for a misdemeanor gun charge. Huge red flags, and was under disciplined.
Is not very cerebral to his approach. Needs to have things simplified to succeed.
He will bite on play fakes, and gets fooled quite easily.
Way to thin to play DE in the NFL. Will have to be a pass rush specialist, limiting him to third downs, or long yardage downs.
Will give you limited success on running plays.
Can get knocked around.
Numbers are not really that impressive over his career.
Does not read offenses well.
Hand work is sloppy and rather weak.
Not very athletic, will not get to plays that are away from him.
Small tackle radius.
Final Overview
NFL scouts and execs love players who can get into the backfield, and Williams can do that, but he really is limited to that role overall. He will get a second round grade because of this special skill set, and someone will likely take him there. In my opinion, he has too many off field issues for me to consider seriously, so I would not sacrifice an early round pick on this particular prospect. He is a suspension waiting to happen, and I do not trust where his head is at, and I certainly do not trust his focus ability, and there are questions about his on field IQ. I would pass on this guy, because the defensive end position is the richest in this draft class.
Tannoh Kpassagnon, Villanova
6-7, 289
Kpassagnon was a bit of a late bloomer, and was a four year player for the Wildcats. He played sparingly as a rs freshman, and finished with 15 tackles and one sack.
He missed eight games with a torn MCL, but still finished with 12 tackles, five TFLs and 3.5 sacks.
He returned healthy as a junior, and finished with 9.5 TFLs and 6.5 sacks. As a senior, He blew up with 21.5 TFLs and 10.5 sacks.
He was named All-CAA as a junior, and repeated as All-CAA along with FCS All-American honors as a senior..
The Good
Very good frame, with excellent length, and the frame has the ability to add more bulk.
Very good core strength with some powerful ability to move blockers out of his way.
Can slip through gaps and have an impact in the backfield.
Really started coming into his own in the pass rush as a senior, with huge numbers.
Very smart off the field.
Can get to plays that kick outside and has a nice range.
Solid kick blocker.
The Bad
Takes the long arcing road to the QB.
Not very explosive with consistency.
Lacks lower body power, and plays too narrow at his base.
Rides the wave with the blocker and does not separate.
Does not always know where the ball is.
Very upright player, and does not have a good concept of pad level or leverage.
Very raw in his ability.
Final Overview
Kpassagnon is a very raw player with a ton of potential and a very good brain that is ready to learn. I see him as being a three year developmental player with a ton of potential, but he has a lot to still learn. He has some serious tools to work with, and has the ambition to learn, and that will aid him in the process. If I had the ability to draft a developmental prospect with a high ceiling in the third round, I would seriously consider him.
Jordan Willis, Kansas State
6-4, 255
Willis was a four year player at Kansas State, and was a favorite among his coaches. He came to Kansas State as a Kansas City All-Metro pick out of high school.
As a freshman, Willis recorded One tackle, which was a sack. As a sophomore, he recorded 26 tackles, seven TFLs, four sacks, and one PBU.
As a junior, his numbers began to pick up, as he finished with 35 tackles, 15 TFLs, 9.5 sacks, three PBUs, two QB hurries, and four forced fumbles. He also blocked one kick.
As a senior, he became one of the omst productive and disruptive players in the nation. He finished with 52 tackles, 17.5 TFLs, 11.5 sacks, three PBUs, four QB hurries, and three forced fumbles.
He was named as the Big 12 Defensive player of the year in 2016, and was named as a third team All-American.
The Good
Breaks down what he is seeing with skill. Does not take the bate on misdirection.
Strong tackler, finishes what he starts.
Quick to change direction when needed.
Very strong hand work, some o the best at this position in this class.
Plays with decent balance in space.
Has excellent combo moves, including a devastating swim move that he uses with skill.
Very disruptive in the backfield against the run.
The Bad
One track mind as a pass rusher, and uses his moves early and leaves the tank empty for the end of the play.
Does not possess a second gear in terms of speed or quickness.
Can get knocked off his path by aggressive blockers who are willing to meet him at the point of attack.
Does not always meet tackles head on, and gets caught working from bad angles.
May not have enough to make it at DE in the NFL, and may require work as an OLB in a 3-4 system.
Final Overview
Willis really came on during his last two seasons at K State, as he finished with over 32 TFLs. He has a knack for getting into the backfield, but he may be limited athletically to take on the DE job in the NFL. He may be a developmental project at this point with a necessary position change coming up, as he does not possess the frame or the moves to play at end on the next level. Still, h was productive enough to give a shot in the coming draft.
Carroll Phillips, Illinois
6-3, 242
Phillips is the nephew of former Miami Hurricane Luther Campbell. He attended Cincinnati out of high school, and did not play during his freshman season. He transferred to Copiah-Lincoln JC, and finished with 49 tackles and four sacks as a sophomore. He then transferred to Illinois as a junior.
He started three games for the Illini as a junior, and finished with 26 tackles, 4.5 sacks, and two sacks.
As a senior, Phillips exploded, as he finished the year with 56 tackles, 20 TFLs, nine sacks, and three QB hurries.
He was named first team All-Big 10 as a senior.
The Good
Very disruptive in the backfield against the run, and works well with stunts.
Works for the tackle, and is solid in pursuit. Does not give up on the play.
Solid tackler who gets his guy.
A grade agility, moves fluidly.
Plays very well in space.
Possesses second gear to close in on tackles.
Solid pass rush attributes, knows how to get to the pocket and make a play on the QB.
The Bad
Very raw as a starter, with just one full season of experience in major college football.
Size is a limit, and he may have to kick out to play OLB.
Lacks lower body power, very thin legs with not much drive.
Gets knocked off course due to lack of core strength and anchor.
Poor hands.
Arms are all over the place, and he appears to be often out of sync.
Plays too high, does not use good pad level.
Straight line rusher who has one good shot to make the play, or he fails.
Final Overview
It is my belief that we were just starting to see the best of Phillips in 2016. He will slide down to the late third or early fourth round because of a lacking sample size on what he is mad eup of, and he also will likely need a position change. He could use some time as a developmental prospect to get some bulk on his frame, but he may be limited on the next level until he makes some changes to his technique. He is known as the "Wild Man", and plays wild sometimes, which is not always a good thing. If he slides to the fourth round, grab him for development, but do not reach early on this prospect.
Daeshon Hall, Texas A&M
6-5, 266
Hall was a four year player for the Aggies who had the benefit of lining up opposite Myles Garrett, the consensus number one pick in this draft. He had been playing at OLB before his frame filed out and he moved down to the line.
As a freshman, he finished with 29 tackles, three TFLs, three QB hurries, and an INT. As a sophomore, he totaled 29 tackles, six TFLs, 4.5 sacks, an five QB hurries.
As a junior, Hall played in 13 games, and totaled 54 tackles, 14.5 TFLs, and seven sacks. He also added two PBUs, four QB hurries, and two forced fumbles.
He returned for his senior season, and finished with 50 tackles, 13 TFLs, and 4.5 sacks to go with one PBU, 12 QB hurries, and two forced fumbles.
The Good
Has a long frame that can handle adding more bulk.
Versatile, and can line up all over the place.
Solid run defender who gets behind the line to make plays.
Has the ability to get through double teams.
Strong motor, never quits on plays.
Gives max effort.
The Bad
Still very raw, and has only played at DE for one season, and does not project well at OLB.
Does not have rock solid core strength and can get bounced around.
Plays too high, and does not yet understand pad level for playing on line.
Still learning how to use his hands, and has limited moves down low.
Has added some bulk, and it has slowed him down.
Still learning, and may need some developmental time on the next level.
Has not become a stellar pass rusher, but does get behind the line to make plays in the run game.
May be limited to a two down DE until he has developed more.
Final Overview
Hall is heavy on potential, but he is very raw at this point, and the trap would be to draft him on a reach because of the potential alone. He is a make it or bust player, who has the motor and drive to succeed, but he has a very long way to go to become a major starter on a good football team as a pro. He will likely have to have his entire game worked over to become ready, so expecting much of him in year one would be a major mistake.
Carl Lawson, Auburn
6-2, 261
Lawson played in 14 games as a freshman, and was named as a freshman All-American after collecting 20 tackles, 7.5 TFLs, four sacks, seven QB hurries, and two forced fumbles.
He missed his entire sophomore campaign after he tore a knee ligament in the spring.
He returned the following season, with expectations that he would be healthy and functional, but again, he missed several games with a hip injury. He recorded just 17 tackles, three TFLs, and one sack in seven games played.
He returned last season, and managed to stay healthy for 13 games. He finished with 30 tackles, 13.5 TFLs, nine sacks, 24 QB hurries, and one forced fumble.
The Good
Works with solid arm extension to push his way around the edge.
Solid work with his hands.
Can aggressively pursue kick out plays to the sideline.
Can play up or down.
Very explosive off of the snap and aggressive.
Takes the narrow direct path to the QB in the pocket, does not get pushed outside.
Has very intriguing power/speed combo.
Has played inside at DT and at ILB as well.
The Bad
He has missed a ton of games in college.
May be to oshort to play at DE, and lacks requisite size to play inside at DT. May have to move to LB.
Tends to get tied up by blockers with size.
Will not shed tackles. Rides the wave.
More powerful in his upper half than his lower.
Does not change direction quickly, and can get taken out of a play.
Tends to apply pressure to QBs, but rarely finished the play with a sack.
Not a great tackler.
Not exactly the most athletic guy on the field, and plays tight.
Final Overview
Lawson is a guy who is all potential and not enough production. He has lost a lot of time to injuries during his college career, and really never gelled as an athlete. He is lacking enough size to play down line on defense, and lacks enough athleticism to move to ILB, which is where he would generally translate to. Without really knowing what you would do with him, I would take a pass on him in this draft.
Trey Hendrickson, Florida Atlantic
6-4, 266
Hendrickson was a four year player for the Owls, with his last two seasons being very productive in terms of what you are looking for.
As a freshman, he finished with six tackles and 1.5 sacks. As a sophomore, he finished with 30 tackles, 9.5 TFLs, and five sacks.
He really started to bloom as a junior, as he finished with 39 tackles, 15 TFLs, and 13.5 sacks. He also added five forced fumbles to his resume.
As a senior, Hendrickson totaled a career high 50 tackles, 15 TFLs, and 9.5 sacks. He added two PBUs as well.
Hendrickson was third team All-Florida out of high school, and finished first team All-CUSA as a junior and as a senior.
The Good
Uses his hands as a weapon while working off of the edge.
Gets good speed coming off the edge and can throw some punch behind it as well.
Solid arm extension into blockers.
Footwork is a plus, and adds an excellent spin move to his cache of weapons.
Excellent ability to force fumbles and get at the ball.
kick blocking specialist who blocked four total kicks in his senior season.
The Bad
Not a great run defender, mainly a late down or long yardage backup type guy for the next level.
Does not think quickly, waits for plays to develop rather than attacking off of the snap.
Plays too high. Does not exhibit good pad level.
Can get bounced around when he does not get a good first step.
Can get beaten by lessor athletes.
Does not always get a straight line to the QB, and can be forced wide. Has to go through layers to get to his target.
Final Overview
Hendrickson will serve a team well as a pass rush backup DE and special teams demon who can get to the football with athleticism and decent speed. He does not look like a first two downs end, and wil lhave to develop into that role on the next level. I can see him sliding into the third day of the draft, while teams find a role for him, but he is not a lock to make a roster out of this draft. He is going to have to work for his spot and show value in roles.
5th-7th Round
Tarell Basham, Ohio: Freshman All-American, and MAC Defensive POY in 2016. Will need to develop some kind of pass rush to be worthy of a job in a few years.
Deatrich Wise, Arkansas: Was not great in 2016. Pure power player with a lack of athleticism or finesse.
Josh Callaway, TCU: Pass rush specialist who lacks a nasty streak. May have to be an edge LB on the next level as he lacks bulk to be a down lineman.
Keionta Davis, Chattanooga: A small school tweener who lacks skills to play DE in standard defense. Not sure where he fits.
Derek Rivers, Youngstown State: Three time All-Missouri Valley Conference pick. Dominant on FCS level, but may need to kick out to OLB or find a level of specialty to stick. Solid diamond in the rough.
Avery Moss, Youngstown State: Had some character concerns and got kicked off Nebraska football team. He has all of the skills necessary to compete, and production to boot. If he can get himself together, he has a shot.
Garrett Sickles, Penn State: Lacks physicality at point of attack, but finds a way to the backfield. Could be a cndidate for a move to LB on the next level, but his motor is unquestionable.
Ejuan Price, Pittsburgh: Has a worrisome injury history, but when he is healthy, he is very hard to stop. Could be a little bit on the short side to play DE in the NFL.
Ken Ekanem, Virginia Tech: Not the most athletic or physical prospect in the bunch, but has a solid motor, smarts, and hand work to make it somewhere. He is a developmental project at this point, but we may have already seen everything he has to give.
Defensive Tackles
Jonathon Allen, Alabama
6-3, 286
Allen was a four year player at Alabama who won the Chuck Bednarik Award and the Nogurski Award in 2016. He was the Gatorade Defensive Player of the Year coming out of high school in Virginia.
As a freshman, he totaled 15 Tackles, three TFLs, 0.5 sacks, a QB hurry, and a forced fumble. As a sophomore, Allen recorded 32 tackles, 11 TFLs, five sacks, one PBU, and seven QB hurries.
As a junior, he finished with 36 tackles, 14.5 TFLs, 12 sacks, four PBUs, six QB hurries, and two forced fumbles.
He returned for his senior season, and finished with 69 tackles, 16 TFLs, 10.5 sacks, two PBUs, 15 QB hurries, and two TDs on fumble returns.
The Good
Has been well coached, and receives said coaching like a pro.
Can line up at DE as well as DT, and could start at either spot.
Explodes of the snap and uses excellent hand work to get past the point of attack quickly.
Has an apartment in opposing backfields.
He can come at you with a wide range of weapons.
Very disciplined player, and high football IQ.
Numbers improved every season in college.
As strong against the run as he is against the pass.
Feet are always churning.
A real team leader. Like having an extra coach on the field.
Plays with violence and a nice nasty streak.
The Bad
Lack of supreme height may limit him at end, and he may be forced full time to tackle.
He may have to increase bulk to play inside.
Limited against double teams.
Does not have great pursuit speed, and can get left behind.
40 time is really not good.
Had his deficiencies buried and hidden by being surrounded by great talent all of the time.
Final Overview
Allen is a sure fire first round draft pick, but he does not come without warts. He will need to bulk up and play DT on the next level, because he lacks certain intangibles to play at DE. He is a super productive, high motor player, who leads by example, and is not afraid to get loud on the practice field. If I am an NFL GM, I find a use for him, and make the pick.
Caleb Brantley, Florida
6-3, 307
Brantley was a former first team All-Florida selection out of high school. He spent three years in the Gators program before declaring early.
As a freshman, he collected 21 tackles, four TFLs, and three QB hurries to go with two forced fumbles.
As a sophomore, he finished with 29 tackles, 6.5 TFLs, and three sacks. He also added two QB hurries.
He finished his career after a junior year in which he totaled 31 tackles, 9.5 TFLs, and 2.5 sacks. He also added three QB hurries and one forced fumble.
The Good
Powerful player with a spark plug frame.
Has a motor, and plays with a fire in his belly.
Has had success against double teams, and is very difficult to move.
Has quickness off of the snap, and can blow up a play up the middle.
Solid body control, and plays with decent leverage at times.
Good hand usage.
The Bad
He takes a straight line to plays, and it doesn't always work out.
Confidence borders on arrogance and ignorance.
Very slow in the open field, and shows general lack of athleticism.
Numbers in college do not jump off the page.
Sack and hurry numbers are very pedestrian.
All power and violence, with very little finesse. Lacks combo moves. One trick pony.
Can get drawn off sides.
Was more of a rotation guy than a full timer.
Narrow tackle radius.
Final Overview
Brantley is a solid middle man in the field, but he has never had to go three downs in his college career. The numbers are really very limited for me, and I am thinking he could have used another year in school. His grades show him as a first round talent, but effectively, you could probably wait until later and get better value. He is very confident in himself to the point of myopia, and that is a bad thing. For what he does, there is just better value out there.
Malik McDowell, Michigan State
6-6, 295
McDowell was a three year player for the Spartans, and was a top 50 high school recruit out of the Detroit Metro area. He was named second team All-Big 10 for both of his final two seasons in East Lansing.
As a freshman, he finished with 15 tackles, 4.5 TFLs, 1.5 sacks, and two QB hurries.
As a sophomore, he totaled 41 tackles, 13 TFLs, 4.5 sacks, eight QB hurries, two forced fumbles, a blocked kick, and an INT that was returned for a score.
As a senior, he wrapped his career by totaling 34 tackles, seven TFLs, 1.5 sacks, and five QB hurries. He played in just nine games due to an ankle injury.
The Good
Solid frame with good arm length.
Can be very athletic when he wants to be.
Very strong lower body, helps power through blocks.
Hands are quick and to the point.
Has a decent swim move.
Has enough athletic ability to chase and pursue.
Very good tackle radius.
Has worked at End as well as DT.
The Bad
Footwork is a mess.
He can play very much out of control at times.
Has been considered as being lazy at times.
Fairly new as a tackle, will need time to learn.
Can get beat up by double teams.
Needs better pad level.
Plays too upright at times.
Stays with the blocker, rides the wave.
Has not been a vocal leader, just does his thing and goes home.
Final Overview
McDowell is a frustrating player in that he has dominant traits, and has the ability to be a big time player, but he doesn't always give the effort. He needs to be constantly motivated, and that could get old for a coaching staff. He has to decide whether he is going to be a star one day, or just a complete wash out. There is no gray for him when it comes to this.
Montravius Adams, Auburn
6-4, 304
Adams was a top five national Defensive Tackle recruit out of high school in Georgia before attending Auburn. He earned third team All-SEC as a junior, and was named second team All-SEC as a senior. He spent four years with the Tigers.
As a freshman, he played in 13 games and recorded 20 tackles, 1.5 TFLs, and one sack. He also added seven QB hurries.
As a sophomore, He totaled 43 tackles, eight TFLs, three sacks, 12 QB hurries, and intercepted one pass.
As a junior, he finished with 44 tackles, three TFLs, 2.5 sacks, one PBU, six QB hurries, and two forced fumbles.
As a senior, he recorded 44 tackles, 8.5 TFLs, 4.5 sacks, two PBUs, 15 QB hurries, one forced fumble, and two blocked kicks. He also returned an INT for a score, and returned a fumble for a score as well.
The Good
Very quick and explosive off of the snap.
Busts the gap with ease.
Very disruptive, and forces QBs to make mistakes.
Very powerful lower half.
Has enough quickness to be effective in pursuit.
Plays with solid pad level, uses pads as a battering ram off of the snap.
The Bad
Has not always played with a consistent motor. Seems to turn it on and off.
Junior year was a real letdown.
Comes into contact with his head down too often.
Hand work is not good enough at this level.
Does not always use his arm extension, lets blockers get into his body.
Rides the wave too often, and is slow to disengage.
Final Overview
Adams is another frustrating player that does not always play to his potential. He tried to coast through his junior season, and it blew up in his face, and he did not flip the switch again because he wanted to, but because he had to. Still, he is a disruptive enough force to be able to make some plays at the next level, but he has to stay motivated, and coaches do not like players that they constantly have to get a fire under. Either he will want it and succeed, or he won't and he will fail.
Jaleel Johnson, Iowa
6-3, 316
Johnson was a five year player in the Iowa program, including a redshirt year in 2012.
As a freshman, he collected just one tackle in seven games. As a sophomore, he finished with 11 tackles, 2.5 TFLs, and a sack.
As a junior, Johnson really got into a starting role, and finished with 45 tackles, 5.5 TFLs, 3.5 sacks, one PBU, and six QB hurries.
As a senior, he finished with 55 tackles, 10 TFLs, 7.5 sacks, two PBUs, and five QB hurries.
The Good
Johnson has good short range quickness, and can explode off of the snap at times.
Has plenty of power at the point of attack when taking on first wave blockers.
Solid bull rush artist, with solid arm extension as a weapon.
Disengages blocks quickly.
Solid technique and decent body control in space.
Smart player, uses his brain as much as his body to make plays.
Has a nasty streak, and charges with violence.
Has very good change of direction ability for a guy his size.
The Bad
Plays too upright, and has uneven pad level.
Can get blocked out of a play when he does not get that first step down.
If he gets hit head on, he is out of the play.
Lacks expected core strength, and does not play up to his size at all times.
Does not put up a ton of numbers, and could get mitigated to NT, where he is responsible for moving bodies, not necessarily making plays.
Does not always show good understanding of what an offense is doing.
Good quickness in short bursts, but slow on longer plays, and does not have solid pursuit ability. A little bit plodding at times.
Final Overview
Johnson is a solid candidate to be placed at NT in the NFL, but do not expect him to make a ton of plays behind the line. It is largely his job at this point to move blockers out of the way, clearing a path for his teammates to make big plays. He is a little bit plodding at times, and although his motor never gives out, he just is not going to give you much in terms of outright play making ability. Services have graded him in the second round based on what people believe he can do, not necessarily on what he actually has done.
Jarron Jones, Notre Dame
6-6, 315
Jones was a high school offensive tackle while in high school in the Miami area, but moved to defense once he arrived at Notre Dame. Jones redshirted in 2012, and then missed two games as a sophomore to a foot injury. He missed the entire regular season in 2015 with an MCL tear. He played in 12 games as a senior, but started only six games total.
As a rs freshman, he collected 20 tackles, with one sack, one QB hurry, one forced fumble, and two blocked kicks.
He finished with 40 tackles as a sophomore, and added 7.5 TFLs, and 1.5 sacks. He also added seven QB hurries, and two more blocked kicks.
He missed his junior season, and as a senior, he recorded 45 tackles, 11 TFLs, two sacks, three PBUs, and blocked another two kicks.
The Good
Played basketball in high school, and has retained that athleticism.
Plays with a solid burst in space, and displays solid body control.
Long arms gets him into position to block kicks on special teams.
Can get past the point of attack with a good deal of quickness.
Can play NT, or either DT spot in the gap technique.
The Bad
Plays with poor pad level, and is upright too often.
Hands are not a finished product just yet.
The injury history has to be a concern. Once he returned as a senior, he had basically lost his full time starting job.
Very raw in some areas.
Does not always seem to be aware of what the offense is doing.
Has a limited work ethic during the season and during the off-season.
Not a real leader, and tends to loaf.
Has to ask himself if he wants this.
Will have to constantly be motivated.
Final Overview
He has displayed enough in short bursts, but long term, he just does not seem to want to be doing this. He has some serious skills when he applies himself, but the question is about whether or not he will stay self motivated, and so far it seems that he is not. He does not condition well during the off-season, and that could be a major problem down the road. He has enough raw ability that someone will not do their homework and pick him in the mid rounds, and he could really end up disappointing someone.
Charles Walker, Oklahoma
6-2, 310
Johnson left the Sooners midway through the 2016 season while recovering from his third concussion of his career. He left the team to "prepare for the draft".
Walker was only in the program for three seasons, and left only four games into his junior season.
As a rs freshman, he finished with 10 tackles and one TFL. He missed five games with a knee injury.
As a sophomore, he finished with 36 tackles, 10 TFLs, and six sacks. He did not start a game, and missed one game.
He only played in four games as a junior, and totaled just seven tackles.
The Good
Can get at the point of attack quickly, and works through gaps with ease, when he plays.
Solid upper body power to get a good push.
Shows agility and athleticism in the open field.
Solid pursuit speed.
Excellent tackle radius.
Balanced player, with good hand/foot coordination.
The Bad
The injury history is too much to ignore.
Really jilted the Oklahoma program by leaving when and how he did.
Three concussions already, and you know there will be more.
His effort is on a switch.
Questionable character, and really disrespected his coaches.
Did nothing on the field in 2016.
Will ride the wave on blockers, and will not disengage in a timely manner.
Already has a child, meaning that his focus has not always been where it should be at this stage of his life.
Final Overview
I am still questioning how the scouting services have basically given this guy a blind second round grade. He showed one season of decent play, but there are several more deserving players in this class than him. He showed no loyalty to the Oklahoma program, showed limited effort, and really has flashed nothing that says that he will be a first rate impact player at all. I just do not understand, and he has three concussions and a knee injury already to boot. I would steer very clear from this player at any point in the draft, and it would not shock me one bit to see him fall completely out of the draft when all was said and done. Of course, there are fools born every minute, so someone may very well take him based on potential, but I just don't see it.
Carlos Watkins, Clemson
6-3, 309
Watkins was a five year player for the Clemson Tigers, having received a medical redshirt for the 2013 season after he was involved in a massive one car wreck that killed his cousin, who happened to be the driver.
As a freshman, he played in nine games, and recorded 13 tackles and one TFL. He also added two QB hurries.
As a sophomore, in 2013, he played in three games before the injuries, and recorded five tackles, with 1.5 TFLs.
He returned as a rs sophomore in 2014, and played in 11 games. He finished with Eight tackles and two TFLs.
He was finally handed a starting job as a junior, and collected 34 tackles, 7.5 TFLs, and 3.5 sacks.He added three PBUs, and two QB hurries. He also picked off a pass and returned it for a score.
He could have left after his junior season and was given a second round grade, He chose instead to return and try to win a national title, showing great selflessness and commitment to something bigger than himself. He finished with 50 tackles, 13.5 TFLs, 10.5 sacks, four PBUs, four QB hurries, and a blocked kick.
The Good
Watkins has a solid build, and actually has room to add to his frame.
Explosive off of the snap.
Works very well in space, and is very fluid.
Has the ability to generate power from his legs.
Plays with solid balance.
Handles double teams well.
Has the ability to pick up pace in pursuit.
The Bad
Has had limited development, and never really blew up until his senior season.
Plays too high at times, and fails to regulate pad level.
Lunges for tackles too often, even though he knows better.
Stays with his blocker too long, rides the wave.
Does not excel in pass rush.
Final Overview
Watkins looks like a rotational tackle right now, as he needs more time for development. He fits in either a 4-3 front or a 3-4 as a nose tackle, but he is still lacking in some fundamentals to be impactful right away. He did show some major loyalty by returning for his senior season when he did not have to, and that is to be commended. He has enough skill to be a solid rotational guy with potential long term starter potential. He will likely go in the late second to early third round.
Davon Godchaux, LSU
6-4, 299
Godchaux missed all but one game of his senior season in high school, and still LSU kept by their offer. He ended up being a three year player in their program.
As a freshman, he recorded 42 tackles, 1.5 TFLs, three QB hurries, and a forced fumble.
As a sophomore, he totaled 41 tackles, nine TFLs, six sacks, one PBU, four QB hurries, and one forced fumble.
He finished his career after a junior season in which he totaled 62 tackles, 8.5 TFLs, 6.5 sacks, one PBU, and three QB hurries.
The Good
Explodes out of the snap and starts work immediately.
Gets his pads down and plows into people.
Extends arms early, and uses hands to work off blockers.
Eagerly takes on double teams to create plays for his teammates.
Excellent swim move.
He can sniff out screens, and has decent pursuit ability in lateral plays.
The Bad
Does not play every snap, and may be limited to two down duty, or being a third down specialist.
Limited ability as a pass rusher.
Seems to play more in a physical role than a mental role. Does not seem to be able to read blocking schemes well.
Stays with the blocker too long.
Had his better games against lesser competition.
Final Overview
Godchaux is a solid run defender who lacks overall skills as a pass rusher. He may be limited to two down duty as a rotational tackle, and that may be what some teams are looking for. He already received his degree from LSU, so that is an excellent reason to leave after three seasons. Godchaux has been through a lot, but it seems like brighter days are ahead of him. Look for him to go in the mid to late third round, but he has a solid shot on the next level, as his issues can be coached up.
Vincent Taylor, Oklahoma State
6-3, 304
Taylor and his family were victims of Hurricane Katrina, and relocated to San Antonio, where football became an outlet for him. He graduated as a first team All-Texas selection, which is huge.
As a freshman, he finished with 13 tackles and one TFL. As a sophomore, he totaled 48 tackles, 8.5 TFLs, and five sacks, to go along with one PBU, one QB hurry, and one blocked kick.
As a junior, he finished with 51 tackles, 13 TFLs, and seven sacks. He added one PBU, two QB hurries, and two forced fumbles.
The Good
Fires off the snap, and wins the battle in the trenches.
Solid upper body strenght, which allows him to create a push into the backfield.
Plays well in the gap, and slides through to the backfield.
Long arms, and gets extension.
Can get to the QB.
The Bad
Does not have a ton of lower body power.
Has short area speed bursts, but long game is limited.
Can get knocked off his route to the play with a narrow base.
Plays too high, needs to level pads better.
Does not play with any real lateral ability.
Final Overview
Taylor does not have a ton of balance or anchor in the middle of the line, which is tough for him. He plays with a narrow base, and does not push as much as he could. He played well as a college player, but it is doubtful if he can be more than a rotational or back end guy on the next level.
Eddie Vanderdoes, UCLA
6-3, 305
Vanderdoes began his college career by committing to Notre Dame before changing his mind after enrollment, and he then transferred to UCLA because of a desire to be somewhat closer to home and family.
He began his career at UCLA by being named freshman All-American after collecting 37 tackles, 4.5 TFLs, a rushing score, and an 18 yard reception on offense.
As a sophomore, He collected 50 tackles, 5.5 TFLs, two sacks, and another rushing score.
As a junior, Vanderdoes was injured in his first game, and played most of that game with a serious knee injury before realizing how hurt he was. He collected eight tackles and two TFLs, most of which came after he had gotten hurt.
He was given a medical redshirt, and returned in 2016 to collect 27 Tackles and 1.5 sacks, but was a shell of his former self.
The Good
He looks very much bigger than he measures, but was extremely athletic before the injury in 2015.
Plays with solid, churning feet, and has lateral quickness. Displays solid change of direction.
Can play at the nose, or either tackle spot.
Powerful first punch, and he gets rid of blockers rather quickly.
Hungers for double teams, and works through them.
Very tough, and has a nasty streak.
Bull rush ability is solid.
Smart. Worked with the staff while injured to help better understand coaching and how to better read film.
The Bad
Seemed to have lost some steam after he came back from injury.
Looks a little flabby sometimes.
Does not explode off of the snap at all times, and can play a little slow.
Did not post great numbers in either TFL or sack categories.
Pad levels are inconsistent.
May only be able to play as a first two down tackle, and does not show the conditioning to be an every down guy.
May have been a first round pick before injury, but has slid due to concerns.
Final Overview
Vanderdoes has some serious ability that was firmly on display before his injury. After the injury, he was not the same guy, and still has work to do to fully return to being himself. He came back heavier, and it worked against him. If he can drop his weight back down, he can be a real talent, and because he has fallen to possible 4th round or later, he may present solid value if he is anywhere near the talent that he was before being injured.
Dalvin Tomlinson, Alabama
6-3, 310
Tomlinson was a four year player for the Crimson Tide, and was yet another player poached by the staff from the State of Georgia
He redshirted his first season at Alabama, as he had torn his ACL while playing soccer his senior season of high school.
He played in one game as a rs freshman, and totaled four tackles in that effort.
As a sophomore, he finished with 22 tackles, 4.5 TFLs, a sack, and two QB hurries.
As a junior, he finished with 34 tackles, six PBUs, and four QB hurries.
He blew up a bit as a senior, with 62 tackles, 5.5 TFLs, three sacks, four PBUs, and seven QB hurries.
The Good
Super smart young man with excellent academics.
Has been through adversity, as both of his parents have passed away. This is what drives him to succeed.
Solid arm length, which he uses to his advantage.
Eats up double teams.
Sheds blocks quickly.
Finds the ball and targets the carrier very efficiently.
Knows how to read an offense, and is not fooled by misdirection.
Has played inside and out.
High motor guy, Wants in on the action.
Solid hand work, and can get to balls in the air.
The Bad
Only had one season where he was used as a full time starter.
Does not always explode off of the snap.
Does not possess a ton of moves, and is fairly straight forward.
Does not have a history of getting to the QB. May be a first two down run tackle.
Final Overview
While not the most athletic guy out there, Tomlinson has a major brain for the game and for life, and will be an instant character guy for your locker room. He is one of the smartest players in the draft, and will always get after the play, and his motor should carry him a long way. He is extremely coachable, and do whatever it takes, and the league has plenty of room for guys like this. He is a solid get in the mid rounds of this draft.
Elijah Qualls, Washington
6-1, 313
Qualls was a three year player for the Huskies, and was actually a RB in high school. He was a five star prospect out of the California high school ranks and escaped the state to head to the northwest and play for Washington.
As a freshman, he finished with 13 tackles, two TFLs, and a QB hurry.
As a sophomore, he missed three games with an ankle injury, but finished with 26 tackles and 4.5 sacks. He added two QB hurries.
As a junior, he wrapped up his career with 38 tackles, five TFLs, and three sacks. He also added another three QB hurries.
The Good
Plays with enough leverage to control the point of attack and work into the gaps.
Has solid power in upper body, and gets his hands working right away.
Very athletic for a guy his size, as he is a former FB.
Pursuit speed is top shelf, and he finishes his tackles with a good deal of violence.
Body control in space is excellent.
The Bad
Has played with excess weight, which limits his play.
Very stubby for a defensive lineman.
He will not not make many big plays, and is better suited for eating blocks rather than being a part of the play.
Will never beat the edge.
Rides the wave and does not shed blocks well.
Takes plays and games off.
Does not necessarily display any special traits that make him stand out on film.
Final Overview
Qualls is a guy who used to be a better athlete than he is now, and probably could have used another season at Washington to get into better shape and really blow up on the scene. As of now, he is a guy who looks like a former athlete that has physically just given up. His work ethic has been questioned, and his weight is getting out of control for his frame. Had he taken that extra year to get better prepared, he would have made himself some money, but all he is now is a two down run specialist.
Tanzel Smart, Tulane
6-1, 296
Smart was from Baton Rouge, and was first team All Louisiana in high school, but was under recruited and ended up at Tulane.
As a freshman, he collected 14 tackles, a PBU, and a QB hurry.
As a sophomore, he finished with 47 tackles, 6.5 TFLs, two sacks, a PBU, and a forced fumble.
As a junior, he wrapped with 62 tackles, 15 TFLs, two sacks, a QB hurry and a forced fumble,
As a senior, he finished with a career high 67 tackles, 18.5 TFLs, 5.5 sacks, two QB hurries, and a forced fumble.
The Good
Very productive player, and is a first rate run stuffer.
Loves the game, and is hungry to be on the field and in the action.
Knows how to time the hard count and jump the snap.
Sheds blocks efficiently, works well with his hands and tracks the ball from point of attack.
Smart player with enough athleticism to react to screen plays.
Excellent pad level, and gets into the frame of a blocker to move past quickly,
The Bad
A bit stubby. Short and stocky.
Does not possess enough talent when it comes to changing direction.
Very narrow tackle radius.
Is more quick and finesse than powerful.
Can be pushed out of the way and knocked off course.
Final Overview
Smart has enough tenacity and the numbers to garner a solid look on day three. He could be a very nice diamond in the rough find for a team with a staff that is willing to work with him and find a scheme that he fits into as a player. I like him late in the draft as a developmental run stop guy with some extra pass rush skill. If a team can get a little more out of him in the right scheme, we may have a late draft steal here.
Larry Ogunjobi, Charlotte
6-3, 305
Ogunjobi is the son of Nigerian immigrants who did not pick up football until his sophomore year of high school. He showed enough in a short time to earn a shot at a new program at Charlotte.
He had a big season in year one as an FBS member, as he collected 62 tackles, 14.5 TFLs, 2.5 sacks, three QB hurries, and a blocked kick.
In 2016, he finished with 65 tackles, 13.5 TFLs, three sacks, two PBUs, and 10 QB hurries.
The Good
Very good power through his middle body.
Quick hands, and he gets them into a blocker like lightning.
Fores out of the snap impressively.
Solid athletic ability, and gets to the ball quickly.
Very disruptive in the backfield.
Tackles well and with violence.
Gets to the QB at an increasing rate through his career.
Plays with leverage, and stays on his feet.
Gets solid power in his bull rush technique.
Very smart player and person, strong academically.
The Bad
Still raw and is still learning parts of the game.
May be better off moving to DE, as he may not have enough bulk for the middle as a pro.
Does not have the required arm length.
Has been known to over pursue the runner at times.
Can get knocked off his path.
Needs better control.
Final Overview
Ogunjobi is a rock solid project with smarts and solid athleticism, but he needs more time on the vine to ripen. With solid coaching, he can be worked into a rotation on raw athletic ability alone, but he definitely needs more discipline to play more within himself. He is doing good things, and that should continue, as he has high intelligence, and high character marks. He is a let draft steal, who can work himself into being a very good player down the line.
5th-7th Round
Isaac Rochelle, Notre Dame: Long, thin DT who cannot play DE, and is not much use as a pass rusher. Will be a two down tackle, if his work effort carries him to that point.
Ryan Glasgow, Michigan: Run stop specialist who provides no value as a pass rush guy. Will be a third day draft pick based on toughness and ability to compete.
Chunky Clements, Illinois: Short on technique and overall size. Has some value as a pass rush specialist, but little else at this point.
Josh Augusta, Missouri: Last started in 2015, but has some intriguing traits. If he can slim down and speed up, he may have value for someone as a run stop specialist.
Linebackers
Outside Linebackers
1st Round
TJ Watt, Wisconsin
Jarrad Davis, Florida
2nd Round
Haasan Reddick, Temple
Ryan Anderson, Alabama
3rd Round
None
4th Round
Alex Anzalone, Florida
Duke Riley, LSU
5th-7th Round
Anthony Walker, Northwestern
Steven Taylor, Houston
DeVonte Fields, Louisville
Tyus Bowser, Houston
Connor Harris, Lindenwood
Jordan Herdman, Simon Fraser
Vince Biegel, Wisconsin
Hardy Nickerson, Illinois
Brooks Ellis, Arkansas
Inside Linebackers
1st Round
Reuben Foster, Alabama
Zach Cunningham, Vanderbilt
2nd Round
None
3rd Round
Raekwon McMillian, Ohio State
Kendell Beckwith, LSU
4th Round
None
5th-7th Round
Elijah Lee, Kansas State
Ben Boulware, Clemson
Ben Gedeon, Michigan
Harvey Langi, BYU
Riley Bullough, Michigan State
Keith Kelsey, Louisville
Outside Linebackers
TJ Watt, Wisconsin,
6-4, 252
Watt is the youngest brother of NFL players JJ and Derek Watt. He came to Wisconsin as a TE, and redshirted in 2013. He then missed all of 2014 with a knee injury. He finally saw the field in 2015 as a LB.
In 2015, he finished with just eight tackles, 1.5 TFLs, three PBUs, four, and four QB hurries. 2016 was his only season as a full time starter, and he finished with 63 tackles, 15.5 TFLs, 11.5 sacks, four PBUs, 13 QB hurries, two forced fumbles, and a pick six.
He finished as a second team All-American and first team All-Big Ten pick in 2016.
The Good
Solid frame with room to add more muscle as a pro.
Uses solid arm extension to get under blocker pads, and can move a blocker down the lane of attack until he makes his jump.
Has excellent hands.
Knows how to disrupt a passing lane in a hurry.
Keeps his head up, and is always in hunter/killer mode for the ball.
Knows how to use his feet in traffic.
Has lateral pursuit speed.
Solid technique tackler, which is rare these days.
Smart player, looks like he has been on the field more than he has.
The Bad
Very limited sample size for him. Although his pedigree is solid he is still learning the job as he came to Wisconsin as a TE.
Lost a season to a knee injury, which cost him solid development.
Does not have amazing speed for what he does. Looks slow on tape sometimes.
More of a pure violence player, but not very athletic.
Does not have a ton of power at the point of attack. Will need to add that bulk as a pro.
Has to ride the wave with blockers, as he does not have enough pure power to get away once he is engaged and stuck there.
Final Overview
Watt certainly has two solid players for older brothers who may be in his ear all the time, which is a benefit. He'll certainly know what to expect on the next level. The issue I have with Watt is that there is simply too small a plate in which to see what he really is all about. He came out as a junior, and that was ill advised for him in my opinion. It certainly helps that this is an insanely weak class at LB, and he will certainly benefit from that as well.
He has some definite qualities at the position, but he is still very raw, and whichever team drafts him will have to work that out. He grades out as a first round pick here, but in a stronger class, he would be a second day pick.
Jarrad Davis, Florida
6-1, 238
Davis was a four year player at Florida, and is praised as being one of the high character players that NFL scouts love.
He played in every game as a freshman, including on special teams. He finished that season with 24 tackles, two TFLs, one PBU, and one forced fumble.
As a sophomore, he played in just nine games, as he missed three games with injury. He finished that season with 23 tackles, one TFL, and three QB hurries.
He was a full time starter in 2015, and recorded 98 tackles, 11 TFLs, 3.5 sacks, four PBUs, seven QB hurries, a forced fumble, and an INT.
He missed significant time again in 2016 with a lower leg injury, playing in just nine games. He finished the season with 60 tackles, six TFLs, two sacks, four PBUs, and five QB hurries.
He finished 2016 as a second team ALL-SEC pick despite the missed time.
The Good
Well built, with long arms.
Plays with excellent body control and ability.
Plays with excellent pursuit speed, and is a rangy player, with the ability to get all over the field.
Known as a real team leader on and off of the field.
Explodes out of the snap, and keeps his pads low and his head high.
Punishes blockers in contact.
Has a severe nasty streak on the field.
Has excellent approach technique to the tackle, and does not take on strange angles.
Turns on another gear on a flip of the switch.
One of the better run defenders available.
Disruptive in the gaps.
Can cover the TE in the passing game.
The Bad
Lost two significant parts of seasons due to injury. Tried to play through it last season, and got hurt again.
Can get lost in traffic, and will sometimes over pursue the target.
Can come at blockers occasionally high, and will trust his power too much at times.
Does not always read an offense as well as he can.
Hand work must improve at next level.
Gets tied up to often by blockers.
Final Overview
In some ways, I like him better than Watt, but not in all ways, and so he slides to my second spot among the OLBs in this class. He is a high character guy, which sells big, and it should. He will be a vocal team leader on and off of the field, and that is awesome.
Davis needs to do a better job in the film room to become a better identifier of information on the field of play, and he needs to learn how to play with more physical control. He reminds me of a young Brian Cox or Junior Seau, two massively talented LBs who tended to play a bit too wild early in their careers. They ironed it out, and so will Davis.
Haasan Reddick, Temple
6-1, 237
Reddick played a small DE for Temple, but was a RB and Safety in high school before becoming an Owl. He played for four years in the Temple program.
As a freshman, he finished with 14 tackles, four TFLs, one sack, and a PBU.
As a sophomore, he finished with 24 tackles, 7.5 TFLs, two sacks, and a PBU in 10 games played.
As a junior, he finished with 46 tackles, 12.5 TFLs, five sacks, one PBU, five QB hurries, and a forced fumble.
As a senior, he wrapped his career with 65 tackles, 22.5 TFLs, 10.5 sacks, three PBUs, three QB hurries, three forced fumbles, and an INT.
He finished as an AAC All-American honorable mention in 2015, and was named first team All-AAC as a senior.
He was involved in a brawl in a Philadelphia area nightclub in 2015, and was arrested, and never served a suspension for the incident.
The Good
Very explosive off of the snap, and has first rate speed for being a college DE.
Changes direction on a dime, and can get up and fly around the edge.
Big time play maker, especially in space and open field.
Can get sideline to sideline in a hurry.
Keeps his head up while in contact and is always searching out the football.
Knows how to work his feet.
Has experience in pass coverage as a former DB.
Gets into the gaps, and can get through on twists.
Does not take a wide angle to ge to the backfield.
The Bad
Was an undersized end, and may be a bit undersized at LB.
Lack of size allows large athletic linemen to take him out of the play.
Does not have the hand work down yet.
Lacks power, which is another size issue.
Does not shed blockers with ease. Wave rider.
Relies on speed and finesse, which will get mitigated on the next level.
Is not a wrap tackler which is a huge red flag for me.
Tackling technique overall is a sloppy mess.
Final Overview
Many people have gotten fired up about the athletic ability that Reddick possesses. That's nice and all, but at some point one has to get real. Athletic ability alone does not buy you a roster spot in the NFL. Reddick will be playing his fourth position since high school in the NFL. He was just coming into his own as a rush end in his senior season, and now he will be forced out to LB because of lack of size. He does have some pass cover skills, and he is solid against the run, but where do you use him on an NFL team? He lacks the bulk to be a rush edge backer in a 3-4 scheme, and you cannot really play him straight up in a 4-3 yet. I see him as a pass cover package player with some long term starting ability in the right scheme, but his starting days should be at least two years off at this point. His tackling skills are a mess, and then there is that nightclub fight arrest just two years ago. Is his focus in the right place? Why was he not suspended?
Ryan Anderson, Alabama
6-2, 253
Anderson was a rare five year player at Alabama, which included a redshirt season in 2012. He played as a reserve in 2013, and recorded five tackles, 1.5 sacks, and one QB hurry.
As a sophomore, he finished with 25 tackles, eight TFLs, three sacks, and nine QB hurries.
He played more as a junior, and recorded 37 tackles, 11.5 TFLs, six sacks, 10 QB hurries, and forced two fumbles.
He was a full time starter in 2015, and totaled 61 tackles, 19 TFLs, nine sacks, three PBUs, 10 QB hurries, four forced fumbles, a fumble recovery, and an INT. He scored once as well.
The media picked him as first team All-SEC in 2016.
The Good
Solid upper body power with bowling ball shoulders.
Hard worker. Does everything that he is asked to do. A coaching dream.
Hand work is top shelf and pro ready.
Sets an edge up on blockers and moves around it swiftly.
Can work in a 3-4 as a pass rush LB. Gets into the backfield as a regular guest.
Herds RBs with ease.
Wrap tackler.
Rakes at the football constantly, and creates turnovers.
High character player.
The Bad
Not the best athlete on the field. Can look plodding on tape.
Speed is limited, and runners can get away from him. Has to make plays that are right in front of him to succeed.
Not much good in coverage.
Can be known to take looping arcs to the QB on blitz calls.
Allows blockers to get inside his frame.
With rush ability, and limited pass coverage value, could be limited to a two down backer.
Final Overview
Nobody can ever question Anderson's dedication to the team or his work ethic. He took the long road to becoming a star at Alabama, and almost left early on, but stuck it out and became a team first guy.
Anderson is limited somewhat athletically speaking, but he makes up for it with intensity and drive, and his motor never stops working. He is a tremendous run stuffer who can also make life miserable for pocket QBs at times. I see second round value here, as Anderson will likely work his way into a starting role in the next two seasons.
Alex Anzalone, Florida
6-3, 241
Anzalone was a two way player out of high school who settled in at LB for the Gators. He was a four year player in the program.
As a freshman, he finished with just two tackles as a reserve, and missed time with a shoulder injury.
As a sophomore, he played a full season as a reserve and finished with 14 tackles and one TFL.
He got the starting job as a junior, but played in only two games as he injured his shoulder again. He was limited to just six tackles that season.
As a senior, he came back to post 53 tackles, four TFLs, three sacks, two PBUs, and six QB hurries, but again missed six games with a broken arm.
The Good
Size and athleticism are a plus. Has been a two way player in high school.
Gets to the sideline quick and limits cutback opportunities.
Can play well in coverage against running backs running routes.
Has played every LB spot across the board.
Can be very disruptive in gap space.
The Bad
Three of four years of his career were derailed to shoulder and arm injuries.
Does not create turnovers, and is pretty much a "what you see is what you get" player.
Does not play with great footwork or balance in traffic. A little bit all over the place.
Can get taken out of the play easily when not engaging early.
Rides the wave with blockers and gets tied up.
Does not have great football vision. Gets faked out easily.
Always looks busier than he is.
Final Overview
Anzalone got a fourth round average grade by several scouting services rounded up. I do not see him as a solid prospect. His injury history is a mess, and he just doesn't do anything special on film for me. I think there is value in other areas of the LB position than what he offers, and with several DEs moving to LB for this draft, he could get lost in the shuffle. I would not be shocked to see him fall to the third day, or out of the draft at this point.
Duke Riley, LSU
6-0, 232
Riley was a four year player in the LSU program, but did not start until his senior season. As a freshman, he collected Seven tackles and a half sack.
As a sophomore, he continued to languish as a reserve, and finished with 20 tackles. As a junior, he finished with 24 tackles and a half sack.
He finally got a starting nod as a senior, when he finished with 93 tackles, nine TFLs, 1.5 sacks, one PBU, three QB hurries, and one INT.
The Good
Very patient. Waited almost four years for a starting nod.
Had one of his biggest games as a senior against his strongest opponent.
Takes the time to learn and progress.
Showed some serious flash as a senior.
Very active in the field.
High end technique tackler, does the job like it is supposed to be done.
Has solid speed for the position, and is solid in pursuit.
Covers well in zone scheme.
Has an eyeball for breaking down the offense.
The Bad
Never rose to the top until he was a senior. Never broke through prior.
Small for the role of edge LB, and will get over powered.
Not aggressive enough.
Not a great player in tight spaces.
Does not always take a direct path to his target.
Footwork needs some serious work.
Does not show much of a knack as a pass rusher.
Final Overview
Riley is an interesting day three prospect who never started or played all that much until he was a senior. That is much too small a sample size for me to get excited about, and unless you are a team with a throw away pick that has time for a project, this is not your guy. He may be limited as a two down backer, or even a career special teams guy for his career, and he will definitely have to get intimately involved with special teams in the NFL, because that is where his check gets written right now. I just do not see much to get overwhelmed by here enough to make the pick.
5th-7th Round
Anthony Walker, Northwestern: SAcouts felt that he played heavy in 2016, and they also are concerned about a lack of overall athleticism. These are not good things.
Steven Taylor, Houston: Has been productive, but very much undersized, and will have to make his mark on special teams to make the cut.
DeVonte Fields, Louisville: Focus is crap. Has been in trouble off of the field mutliple times, including for domestic violence. Got run out of TCU, and was never productive or healthy enough after the fact. A clear avoid tag should be applied.
Tyus Bowser, Houston: Not productive enough in college, and came to the game late. Has missed time for foolish fight with a teammate that resulted in a broken orbital socket. Focus just does not seem to be there.
Connor Harris, Lindenwood: 633 career tackles at Lindenwood. A D1 talent, who was under recruited. He should be a day three pick, and may surprise some people. A real dark horse.
Jordan Herdman, Simon Fraser: May not get drafted at all, and is undersized. Still, productivity was hard to ignore at D2 school. May get a shot on special teams.
Vince Biegel, Wisconsin: Solid team first guy with high character, but has a foot injury history, and limited play strengths.
Hardy Nickerson, Illinois: His father was a legend, but his film is all over the place. May not have the physical skill/discipline combo that is needed on the next level.
Brooks Ellis, Arkansas: Does not possess much in the athleticism/speed area of the game. Was productive enough, but he may just be one of those guys who was a solid college player, and not much else.
Defensive Backs
Cornerbacks
Round 1
Marshon Lattimore, Ohio State
Marlon Humphery, Alabama
Gareon Conley, Ohio State
Round 2
Teez Tabor, Florida
Adoree' Jackson, USC
Kevin King, Washington
Tre'Davious White, LSU
Quincy Wilson, Florida
Round 3
Fabian Moreau, UCLA
Ahkello Witherspoon, Colorado
Cordea Tankersley, Clemson
Jourdan Lewis, Michigan
Howard Wilson, Houston
Cameron Sutton, Tennessee
Sidney Jones, Washington
Damontae Kazee, San Diego State
Round 4
Brendan Langley, Lamar
Rasul Douglas, West Virginia
Round 5-7
Shaq Griffin, UCF
Ezra Robinson, Tennessee State
Corn Elder, Miami
Chidobe Awuzie, Colorado
Jalen Myrick, Minnesota
Nate Hairston, Temple
Marquez White, Florida State
Sojourn Shelton, Wisconsin
Des Lawrence, North Carolina
Tony Bridges, Ole Miss
Safeties
Round 1
Malik Hooker, Ohio State
Jamal Adams, LSU
Jabrill Peppers, Michigan
Obi Melifonwu, U Conn
Round 2
Marcus Williams, Utah
Justin Evans, Texas A&M
Marcus Maye, Florida
Budda Baker, Washington
Round 3
Josh Jones, NC State
Round 4
Lorenzo Jerome, St. Francis (PA)
Rudy Ford, Auburn
Eddie Jackson, Alabama
Fish Smithson, Kansas
Round 5-7
Orion Stewart, Baylor
Nate Gerry, Nebraska
Tedric Thomson, Colorado
Jordan Sterns, Oklahoma State
Josh Harvey-Clemons, Louisville
Rayshawn Jenkins, Miami
John Johnson, Boston College
Jadar Johnson, Clemson
Randall Goforth, UCLA
Cornerbacks
Marshon Lattimore, Ohio State
6-0, 193
Lattimore was plagued by hamstring injuries during his first two seasons at Ohio State, and missed his freshman season as a result. He then was limited to just seven games as a sophomore because of the hamstring injury once again. He left for the draft after his redshirt sophomore season with the Buckeyes.
As a rs freshman, he finished with five tackles and three PBUs. as a sophomore, he finished with 41 tackles, one TFL, nine PBUs, four INTs, and one score.
The Good
Very athletic with the ability to turn his hips on a dime and match the receiver off of the snap.
Plays well in press, and times his turn perfectly.
Extremely instinctual.
Blazing speed in the open field and in pursuit.
Can play in man or zone coverage.
High end technique tackler.
Well coached, and is a quick learner.
Gets to the football and makes plays.
The Bad
Severely limited sample size, as he only really played for one season.
Receivers can fool him and he struggles to maintain himself on cut in plays underneath him.
Still lacks some technique in pass coverage, and fails to get his head turned quickly on balls in the air.
Although he has speed to burn, he does not play overly well against speed receivers.
Will have to make major adjustments in the pro game, as his college experience was limited.
Could have used another season in school.
Just four picks in two full seasons.
Final Overview
Long term, Lattimore could be a very good pro bowl caliber corner. He certainly has that kind of raw talent, but in my book, he is still very raw, and I would not see him as being an impact guy to the level I would like in an early first round pick. He simply has too much to learn right now. There is no better talent in the corner pool in this draft as it pertains to long term potential, but he hs some work to do.
Marlon Humphery, Alabama
6-0, 197
The son of former Alabama RB Bobby Humphrey, Marlon was an All-American High School player out of famed Hoover High School. He was also a state champion sprinter and hurdler on the track team. He ended up redshirting in 2014 as a freshman, and left after his redshirt sophomore season.
As a freshman, he finished with 45 tackles, 3.5 TFLs, eight PBUs, two forced fumbles, and three INTs.
As a sophomore, he totaled 36 tackles, three TFLs, five PBUs, a forced fumble, and two INTs.
The Good
Very fast, and quick in coverage.
Has been coached up in both multiple zone and man coverage.
Intelligent, and understands his various roles in coverage.
Gets into the passing lane and is able to disrupt flow.
Very athletic.
Extremely effective when jamming receivers off of the snap.
Squeezes the receiver out of the play against the sideline.
Sheds blockers with ease and aggression.
Rakes for the ball during the initial tackle, makes turnovers happen.
The Bad
Footwork is still not first rate, and he gets turned around often.
Technique in coverage breaks down from impatience to make plays.
Plays too out of control at times, and can be undisciplined.
Skills are more raw potential right now rather than refined gifts.
Can get taken on play fakes, and is prone to giving up big plays.
Is not a prototypical ball hawk.
Final Overview
Humphrey is a very raw, young player with enormous potential, but he lacks a refined quality about his play that belies his youth and general inexperience a this point. He only spent two functional seasons playing college football, so he still has a long way to go in terms of development and getting good coaching. He certainly had a decent start at Alabama on a major power program, but he needs some serious refinement before he can be expected to take on a major impact role. His coverage skills are his biggest concern right now, as he gives up too many big plays by not being able to recognize play fake and misdirection issues. If he can get the coaching and refinement he needs, he could be a major pro bowl corner down the line, but that is probably a year or two away, at least.
Gareon Conley, Ohio State
6-0, 195
Conley was a four year player in the Ohio State program, and that included one year as a redshirt. He left after his RS junior season. He was honorable mention All-Big Ten as a sophomore, and was named as a second team All-Big Ten selection as a junior.
As a reserve during his freshman year, he finished with 16 tackles and two PBUs. He played big minutes against Michigan State that season and got torched leading to his being benched.
As a sophomore, he finished with 49 tackles, one TFL, five PBUs, and two INTs.
As a junior, he totaled 26 tackles, eight PBUs, and four INTs.
The Good
Plays at his best when trapping a receiver between himself and the sideline.
Rarely allows a clear path of the ball from the QB to the WR.
Gave up just 37% completions in balls thrown against him.
Solid man press corner.
Can play zone coverage.
Has a fiery demeanor in the field.
Fights his way off of crossing route picks.
Technique in coverage is solid. Does not get lost in traffic,
Rocket fast in straight line speed, has quickness to adjust.
Solid hands.
A real sense first ball hawk. Feels the ball coming and turns head at the right moment.
The Bad
When things start going wrong, he tends to break down in his technique, and starts making adjustment mistakes. Can get wound up.
Does not always play to the ball skill that he possesses.
Does not always read the play right coming off of the snap.
Is not a great tackler.
Overall college numbers are simply average.
Does not fight off blocks well, and can get eaten alive on run plays.
Final Overview
Conley certainly has physical skills to succeed, and has some mental traits that you like to see as well, but it seems as if he does not always believe in his own ability on the field. He gets panicked in games where things are going wrong, and all of his abilities seem to fade away and he gets lost in the action. He needs to keep his mental track right, because he can play this game. The other concerns are his overall numbers in college. He did not possess top flight coverage numbers, and his tackle numbers were purely pedestrian. He gets a first round averaged out grade by the services based solely on what he can do, not what he has done. I see him more as a second or early third round pick, and I feel that a first round grab on him would be a reach.
Teez Tabor, Florida
6-0, 199
Tabor came to the Gators as a Mr. Washington DC player of the Year. He was named Freshman All-American, and was named as first team All-SEC as a sophomore. He was once again named as first team All-SEC and third team All-American as a junior. He was a three year player in the Gator program.
As a freshman, he finished with 31 tackles, four TFLs, two sacks, eight PBUs, one forced fumble, and one INT.
As a sophomore, he finished with 40 tackles, four TFLs, one sack, 14 PBUs, and four INTs.
As a junior, he finished with 33 tackles, two TFLs, one sack, six PBUs, and four INTs.
The Good
Athletic player with spring loaded legs.
Matches receivers stride for stride in route coverage.
Disciplined enough in zone coverage.
Has broken up 28 passes in three seasons.
Very good hands, and solid eyes as well.
Will deliver a knock out blow when fighting for the ball.
The Bad
Character, character, character, and it is all bad. Has several marijuana related arrests, and has been in a fight with a teammate. Has served suspensions, and seems to have learned very little in the way of humility.
Believes in himself to the point of arrogance.
His best coverage skills are in short to mid range patterns. Does not do the speed thing, and has to play speed receivers in deep off coverage, leaving him vulnerable.
Does not always get his feet under him right in traffic.
Gets caught holding too often.
Looks small on film.
Undisciplined, and often loses track of what an offense is doing.
Has absolutely zero physicality in his game.
Terrible tackling skills, and looks afraid to make the initial hit on a tackle.
Played better as a sophomore than he did as a junior.
May not have been as committed as a junior.
Head is all screwed up, and lacks focus off of the field.
Final Overview
While Tabor has some serious ball hawk abilities, his character concerns and his overall arrogant demeanor make me want to run as far away from this player as I can. He is his own best cheerleader, and seems to have learned nothing of humility from his transgressions, and that scares the hell out of me if I am a GM or owner getting ready to dump some serious cash on him. He could have been a star in the league, but his stock is falling hard, and he may eventually lack the necessary physicality to be an impact corner in the NFL. If he does not improve upon his tackling ability and his overall persona, he will be at best a nickle/dime package defender. He is one of my bust picks in this draft.
Adoree' Jackson, USC
5-10, 186
Jackson was drawn out west from Illinois out of high school to help resurrect a Trojan team coming out of the dark days of the post-Pete Carroll era. He certainly gave the Trojans all they asked for, as he played both offense and defense, and on special teams during his three years in the Cardinal and Gold. He was named as a freshman All-American in his first season, as well as rookie of the year in the PAC-12 for defense. He was named first team All-PAC 12 as a sophomore, and was also a finalist for the Hornung award. He won the Thorpe award as a junior, and was named first team All-American and first team All-PAC 12 as a junior.
As a freshman, he finished with 49 tackles, four TFLs, nine PBUs, and a forced fumble on defense. As a receiver, he finished with a line of 10-138-3, and returned 23 kicks for 684 yards and two scores. He averaged 29.74 yards per return.
As a sophomore, he finished with 35 tackles, eight PBUs, a forced fumble, and an INT. As a receiver, he finished with a line of 27-414-2, and rushed for 36 yards on seven carries. As a punt return man, he finished with a line of 24-251-2, and averaged 10.46 yards per return. On kick returns, he posted a line of 30-690-0, and averaged 23 yards per return.
As a junior, he finished with 55 tackles, two TFLs, 11 PBUs, one recovered fumble, and five INTs. He caught just two passes as a receiver for 76 yards, and finished with a line of 7-51-0 as a rusher. He finished with a line of 20-315-2 as a punt returner, averaging 15.75 yards per return, and put up a line of 26-767-2 as a kick returner, averaging 29.5 yards per return there.
He also earned All-American honors on the track team.
The Good
Learned more than perhaps any other defender in the nation over the last three seasons. Hard worker and team guy.
Maintains coverage, and has emerged as a solid reader of offenses.
Can play and fit in any coverage package.
Will stay on the field as long as yo need him to.
Incredibly fast, and is one of the best overall athletes you will find in this draft.
Serious ball hawk, with 28 PBUs in three seasons.
Shows good feel for when to make a play on the ball, or when to defend the receiver. Does not get caught in PI very often.
Solid tackler, and emerged as one of the better tackling corners around as a junior.
Finishes his plays, and lets very few to get away from him.
Eight career return scores. He will be a superstar in the return game.
The Bad
Probably would have liked to have seen him turn more of those PBUs into picks, but he was emerging in that area as a junior.
Does not have great size for an outside corner.
Bigger receivers can go over him to get the ball.
He may get aimed at in the run game because of his lack of size.
Final Overview
IN a particularly weak draft class overall, the corner class is fairly deep, and in my opinion, Jackson may be the best of the bunch overall for all of the things that he can do. He currently averages out to an early second round draft grade, but if I have a pick in the bottom half of the first round, I am going after him. His abilities in the return game alone are game changing, and he is emerging as a rock solid defender who may just be coming into his own. You can use him on offense as well as an extra wrinkle. If a team that gets him knows how to take of the leash and let him fly in every aspect of the game, you could be looking at one of the ten best football players in this draft. For me, he is a lock.
Kevin King, Washington
6-3, 200
Kevin King was a four year player for the Huskies out of famed Bishop O'Dowd High School in Oakland, California, where he played for NFL and Cal Golden Bear legend Hardy Nickerson.
King came to the Huskies as a Safety before converting to Corner the last two seasons. He missed six total games in his career to injury or illness.
He played in ten games as a freshman, and finished with 17 tackles and one PBU.
As a sophomore, he played in 13 games, and finished with 65 tackles, three PBUs, one forced fumble, and one INT.
As a junior, he played in 11 games, and finished with 39 tackles, 4.5 TFLs, five PBUs, one forced fumble, and three INTs.
As a senior, he finished with 44 tackles, 3.5 TFLs, 13 PBUs, and two INTs.
The Good
A big corner, which is what NFL coaches love to have.
Closes off real estate between the hash marks and the sidelines.
Solid checker off of the snap, and gets his jams in to take receivers out of plays early.
He will battle at the high point for the football.
Knows when to look for the football.
Gave up just one TD in 101 target attempts against him.
Nice hands, with 22 PBUs over his career.
Solidly aggressive against the run, and sheds blockers well down field.
Has played every spot in the secondary, and plays in multiple coverage packages.
The Bad
At times, has had a hard time reacting when a receiver gets by him off of the snap. He has to get the first pop in or else he fights to maintain pace.
Does not have great upper body strength, and can look a little lanky in film.
Does not change direction as well as you would hope, and lacks overall elite athleticism.
Combine 40 time was a huge surprise, as he does not play to that speed (4.43).
Tackling technique is sloppy.
Overall footwork needs some help.
Final Overview
King is a prototypical big corner who excels in man press coverage, but he needs to get the first pop in the chops in because he lacks the elite athleticism to keep up with speedy, shifty receivers in open space. He timed in the 40 at the combine very well, but that was not a norm for him, so it is a confusing number. The bets in the field are that he may have to move to free safety to cover up some instinctual issues, but his tackling technique is not quite where it should be for that position either. He is a bit of an enigma, because he looks the part, but doesn't always play to his skills. If he could put it all together, he is a great value player, but if he cannot, he could be a bust.
Tre'Davious White, LSU
5-11, 192
A four year player at LSU, White was a freshman All-SEC pick, and was also a first team All-American and SEC pick as a senior.
As a freshman, White finished with 55 tackles, 2.5 TFLs, seven PBUs, a forced fumble, and two INTs.
As a sophomore, he finished with 33 tackles, three TFLs, one sack, six PBUs, one QB hurry, and two INTs. He added a punt return line of 25-273-1, and averaged 10.92 yards per return.
As a junior, he finished with 44 tackles, 1.5 TFLs, and seven PBUs. He also added a punt return line of 20-229-1, with an average of 11.45 yards per return.
As a senior, he finished with 35 tackles, four TFLs, 14 PBUs, two INTs, and one fumble recovery.
The Good
Excellent coverage ability as a slot guy.
Footwork is a major plus.
Excellent press work, stays with the receiver off of the snap.
Very good recovery speed.
Understands the receiver route tree, and does his homework. Knows when to jump the route.
Works well in traffic, doesn't get lost often.
Always on the top receiver from the opposition.
Will gut up against the run.
Solid character guy, was a team captain.
Will work on special teams, and is a plus punt return man, and works on coverage as a gunner as well.
The Bad
Plays with more finesse than power.
Lacks quality size, and gets muscled out by bigger receivers.
Will get to the tackle if it comes to him, but does not seek it out.
Not a terrific ball hawk, and really did not get great at pass breakups until his final season.
Plays best when he can play over the receiver, but not great on verticals.
Can be seen as being soft by some scouts.
Final Overview
When in man coverage, he is at his best, but he doesn't do a ton in zone coverage because of his lack of aggression when it comes to making tackles. he is not a ton of use for a team that implements zone packages. Where he earns his money is on man cover packages and on special teams, where he has more than proven his worth as a premier punt return man. All in all, he was considered a first round pick by some, but he falls more into the range of late second round for me based on his lack of overall aggression in the field.
Quincy Wilson, Florida
6-1, 211
Wilson was a three year player at Florida, and started just 11 games as a freshman and sophomore combined before being named a full time starter as a junior. He did not receive any major awards while at Florida.
As a freshman, he finished with 22 tackles, one TFL, three PBUs, a forced fumble, and one INT.
As a sophomore, he finished with 29 tackles, five PBUs, and two INTs.
As a senior, he finished with 33 tackles, 3.5 TFLs, a sack, six PBUs, a QB hurry, and three INTs.
The Good
Has the size you are looking for in the secondary.
Has generally been assigned to the best the opposition has to offer at receiver.
Plays with solid strength.
Gets into a receivers face off of the snap, and jams like a pro. Very physical.
Good understanding of a route tree, and takes plays away.
Doesn't bite much on play action.
Sheds blocks well on run plays.
Will get after a back as a run defender.
The Bad
40 time is average, and is not the most athletic guy on the field.
Is more physical than most, but has to be.
Footwork is not the best.
Gets to being grabby one a receiver starts to get by him.
Doesn't have good technique off of the snap, and plays tall.
May have to be moved to safety to cover has lack of general athleticism in coverage.
Is not a traditional ball hawk. Just six picks in three years, which is not nearly an elite cover man number.
Final Overview
Wilson could have used another year in school in my opinion, but nobody believes in him like he does, so here we are. He is an arrogant individual who lets his mouth get the best of him at times, and he really believes that he is better than he is, which some have bought into. I am not one of those people. In general, I find Wilson to be a fairly average corner when it comes to ball hawk ability, and nothing he does really jumps off of the film for me. He never won an All-SEC or All-American selection, so others know where I am coming from. In short, he will end up at safety, where he will be a dime a dozen player, but gets a low second round grade average based on hype that he himself has perpetuated.
3rd and 4th Round Prospects
Fabian Moreau, UCLA
6-0, 206
Final Overview
A former running back out of high school, Moreau's transition to defense has been broken up somewhat due to a major lisfranc injury suffered in 2015. He is an explosive athlete who has the requisite size you could ask for in any DB. He is still learning how to play the position, so there are some concerns over breakdowns when he gets lost in the play, as he has been penalized a ton with PI and holding calls. That is a show of inexperience. He has the ability to be a solid tackler, and will get after the play, but he needs some time to develop further. He has long game potential for a team that has time to develop him and let him come into his own. He may be damaged a bit in this draft, as he suffered a torn pectoral muscle during his pro day that may take some time to heal. Injury history could be a red flag for some.
Ahkello Witherspoon, Colorado
6-3, 198
Final Overview
He was a transfer from Sacramento City College, and was a pre med major. He exploded as a junior with 21 PBUs, and decided to move on to the NFL after a major breakthrough season for Colorado. He played just one season of high school football, so he is still learning technique and generally how to play the game, and likely could have used one more season of college ball before making the jump. He is tall and a bit gangly, and may have to play some safety before being moved to corner once he has things down. If you need instant impact, he may not be able to give that just yet, but he is a diamond in thr rough in the long term, and may just be coming into himself as a football player.
Cordea Tankersley, Clemson
6-1, 199
Final Overview
Tankersley is a lock down ball hawking corner who makes plays off the snap, but may struggle to cover fluidly in man packages down the line. He has 20 PBUs and nine picks in the last two seasons, but he has also been plagued by penalties, which makes one wonder if he has the athleticism to keep up, especially on vertical and comeback routes. He needs more discipline, and needs to upgrade his ability to read film and break down live plays at the next level.
Jourdan Lewis, Michigan
5-10, 188
Final Overview
Lewis has 37 PBUs in four seasons, and averaged over 25 yards per kick return for his career at Michigan. He is sliding upward on several lists due to his ball hawk abilities and extra value on kick returns. The downside on him is his size, which limits him in certain coverage packages, and he is virtually limited against the run as bigger, more physical receivers can take him out up field. Look for him to be a first rate slot cover guy who will get after the ball. Could slide up from third round to early second round, but I think that some outlets that have him in the late first are looking at reach potential there.
Howard Wilson, Houston
6-1, 184
Final Overview
Wilson is another late riser who is getting some extended looks from a few teams. He has been a major play maker at Houston, but what draws him back is a knee injury that forced him to miss most of 2015, and most personnel people felt that he should have returned to Houston in 2017 to make up for the lost developmental time. He is a work in progress with a solid upside, but he will need some developmental time before anything serious is asked of him. Another knock on him is that he needs to add some muscle to his frame. On a bright note, he will tackle a ton for a corner, and is always looking to make plays on the ball. He will likely stick to a 3rd round draft grade, but had he come out for the 2018 draft, he may have been a first rounder then.
Cameron Sutton, Tennessee
5-11, 188
Final Overview
Sutton is another smallish corner who may get muscled around my larger, more physical receivers off of the snap. He will only work for teams that run man coverage, as he is fairly weak in zone coverage packages. His numbers have plummeted the last two seasons, and that is an issue that should concern an interested team. He does have some skills in the punt return game, but other than that, I am not impressed with what he brings to the table. Overall, this is a fairly average to below average value for risk in the early to middle rounds. I am not a buyer here.
Sydney Jones, Washington
6-0, 186
Final Overview
Jones is a gambler in pass defense, and has made several plays during his three year stay at Washington. He falls sharply i this draft, as he tore his Achilles at his pro day, and that may severely cost him, as he will likely not be available for the 2017 NFL season. Expect to see him as a "rookie" no sooner than 2018. With such a rich position group, especially in the middle rounds, it's hard to see a relevant team take the risk with him until the late rounds on day three after the injury.
Damontae Kazee, San Diego State
5-10, 184
Final Overview
Kazee is one of my most underrated players in this draft. He was a super ball hawk with the Aztecs, but got little national notice playing in the Mountain West, so he has not had a ton of exposure. He has been one of the leaders in INTs nationally for two seasons now. The only knock on him is his lack of size, and he does not possess top flight speed. You cannot, however, look past his production levels, with his ability to take the ball away, and his willingness to tackle. Someone will get a steal in this player.
Brendan Langley, Lamar
6-0, 201
Final Overview
Langley signed with Georgia out of high school as a top 25 national CB recruit. He was asked to switch to receiver at Georgia, but eventually moved back to corner, and saw limited starting duties there in his first two seasons. He eventually left for more playing time at FCS level Lamar. Due to his lost time at receiver, he still has much to learn at CB, but he has long potential and upside. He also has serious ability in punt returns and could get his big break there. He needs some developmental time, but he has all of the smarts, size, and athleticism you want in a corner, and after some coaching up, he could wind up being a big time steal.
Rasul Douglas, West Virginia
6-2, 209
Final Overview
Douglas came to West Virginia from Nassau Community College in New York, and really had to work his way into a rotation there after redshirting his first season. He ble wup as a sophomore at Nassau and got several big time offers before settling on finishing his collegiate career at West Virginia. He finished with 70 tackles an eight picks as a senior at WVU, and that got him noticed in a hurry. He has a solid size package for what you want in the corner position, but he is lacking in speed in a big way. If you can settle on him either as a deep safety, or a zone only corner, you get exactly what you need from him. He's not for everyone, and could prove to be an enigma as to where exactly to play him.
5th to 7th Round Prospects
Shaq Griffin, UCF: Has track speed, but may be limited to man coverage options in dime and nickle packages, as he tends to get smoked by more talented receivers. Has some upside, but technique needs work.
Ezra Robinson, Tennessee State: Started his career at Michigan State before transferring to FCS Tigers. Useless against the run, and may be limited to zone coverage on the next level. Does not bring aggressiveness to the field as one would like.
Corn Elder, Miami: Lacks requisite size for the NFL. Will not be able to play straight up outside, so he is leveraged to just playing in dime packages as an extra DB. Will get beat up in run support.
Chidobe Awuzie, Colorado: Can play outside or against the slot, and has solid size/speed combo solidity. Lacking technique as a tackler is what hurts him on draft day. Has value on special teams as a gunner, and that is where he punches his ticket early on.
Jalen Myrick, Minnesota: Lacks overall first rate ball skills, and ball hawk numbers are pedestrian. May provide value as a slot cover guy, but overall, I am seeing a fairly average prospect here.
Nate Hairston, Temple: Spent three seasons at receiver before moving to defense for lack of playing time. Very raw, but flashed just enough to show that he can play. A developmental guy with some upside.
Marquez White, Florida State: Ball hawk numbers are minimal, and is otherwise a marginal talent that didn't get on the field for two seasons with any regularity. He has the size you want, but I don't see where he does enough else to make him interesting in this class. Got some attention from scouting services to average out as a last day pick, but I would not waste the pick, personally.
Sojourn Shelton, Wisconsin: Penalty ridden, undersized back who works out only in passing down packages as a dime back. Ellis Hobbs sized player with half the ability and potential for next level success.
Des Lawrence, North Carolina: Inconsistent cover guy who really lacks functional athleticism to play in anything but zone coverage. Maybe you take a look in the 7th round, or maybe you don't. Either way, his play has been far too inconsistent for me to take even a flyer on him late.
Tony Bridges, Ole Miss: A transfer from Mississippi Gulf Coast College, he was an Auburn commit before flipping to Ole Miss. Not a great tackler, and will be limited to being a zone only corner. His issues are far too deep for me to want to spend the time ironing out, even on a late round pick.
Safeties
Malik Hooker, Ohio State
6-1, 206
Hooker was a four year player for the Buckeyes, including a redshirt year, but did not play as a starter until his final season in the program in 2016.
In 2015, he finished with just ten tackles. In 2016, he was named as a starter, and finished with 74 tackles, 5.5 TFLs, four PBUs, and seven INTs. He returned three of those INTs for scores.
He was named first team All-Big Ten, and first team All-American in his lone season as a starter.
The Good
Super athlete, who was an all-state basketball player with a state title in high school.
Very fast, and functionally so.
Plays with enormous burst and control.
Had a huge ball hawk season in 2016.
Able to jump like a rabbit. Gets to the high point and will battle for balls up top.
Long arms, large hands.
Reads offenses very well.
Excellent timing and precision when breaking on the football.
Can break the score going the other way.
Very stout tackler.
Cleans up messes.
Can work as a gunner on special teams.
The Bad
Limited sample size, as he really only played one full season in college.
Inexperienced, and is still learning.
Does not take a direct pursuit angle to the tackle.
Still needs to learn how to wrap up on tackles.
Can get faked out on play action.
Gets caught guessing at times.
Has missed most of this off season after surgeries for torn labrum, hernia.
Final Overview
What he did as a starter for one season at Ohio State was impressive, but I think we all would have liked to have seen more. Hooker definitely could have used one more season at Ohio State, but he followed the cash. He will get paid, but he is not game ready for the NFL just yet, and will need some serious development and coaching on the next level to make up for his lack of overall experience. Athletically, he is there, mentally, he needs some work. That said, he is still one of the best Safeties in this class, but maybe not better than Adams of LSU, in my opinion.
Jamal Adams, LSU
6-0, 214
Adams was a three year player in the LSU program. He earned second team ALL-SEC as a sophomore, and was named second team All-SEC as a junior. He was named first team All-American as a junior as well.
As a freshman, he recorded 66 tackles, five TFLs, one sack, and five PBUs. He started twice that season.
As a sophomore, he finished with 67 tackles, five TFLs, six PBUs, one QB hurry, one forced fumble, and four INTs.
As a junior, he totaled 76 tackles, 7.5 TFLs, one sack, four PBUs, one QB hurry, one forced fumble, a fumble recovery, and one INT.
The Good
High character player who leads on and off the field.
Compact build, looks like a tank on film.
Massive hitter, makes contact with extreme violence.
Awesome in run support.
Bounces off attempts to block him.
Very good tackle radius.
He is the leader of the defense, and understands offenses like a pro.
Cannot be fooled on play fakes.
Screen buster with solid work behind the line of scrimmage.
Can get after the ball and create turnovers.
Has an NFL pedigree from his father George.
Special teams gunner who thrives and hungers for action.
The Bad
Speed is marginal, and sometimes uses his hands as a way to make up for it downfield.
Change of direction is a bit slow.
Hands are not always what they should be, and will drop some sure picks.
Is not as rangy from sideline to sideline as one would like.
Can be over aggressive at times.
Final Overview
Adams is a first rate starting caliber safety who basically checks all of the boxes one would want, with the exception of speed. Minus speed, he is a massive hitter that creates turnovers and problems in coverage for offenses, and that is saying something. Adams may be one of my favorite players in this draft, and if having to choose between drafting him or drafting Adoree' Jackson in the mid to late first round, I'd be lost trying to make that call. Adams has all-pro and Hall of Fame written all over his playing style.
Jabrill Peppers, Michigan
5-11, 213
Peppers was a three year player for the Wolverines who saw time on offense, defense, and on special teams. He has played in the secondary and at LB, and has also seen time as a RB and as a WR.
He was first team All-Big 10 in 2015 and in 2016, and was named the Big Ten LB of the Year last fall as well.
As a freshman, he recorded eight tackles, and returned one punt for six yards, but his season was cut short due to a leg injury.
As a sophomore, he finished with 45 tackles, 5.5 TFLs, 10 PBUs, rushed for 72 yards on 18 carries, posted a line of 8-79-0 as a receiver, returned 17 punts for 194 yards (11.41 per return), and returned eight kicks for 223 yards (27.88 per return).
As a junior in 2016, he finished with 71 tackles, 15 TFLs, 3.5 sacks, seven QB hurries, one forced fumble, and on offense, he rushed for 167 yards on 27 carries with three TDs, he caught two passes for three yards, returned 21 punts for 310 yards and a score (14.76 per return), and returned 10 kicks for 260 yards (26 per return).
The Good
Super athletic type who has played just about everywhere.
Rock solid against the run, and will sell out to make the play.
Can fit into multiple uses in multiple coverage packages. You can use him wherever.
Hits with a good deal of violence.
Gets from sideline to sideline very nicely.
Very disruptive defender in the opposing backfield.
Can cover TEs or receivers, or hang back to take on backs on passing routes.
Gets a good pop on receivers to disrupt routes out of the snap.
Game changer as a return man.
Can line up anywhere on offense, and could be a huge red zone multi-use weapon.
The Bad
Ball hawk numbers are negligible as a defender in the secondary.
Does not have a solid understanding of what offenses are doing, and is slow to react.
Does not play center field well in coverage, and reacts poorly to the ball.
Played his best at LB in college, and will never be a LB in the league.
Gets screwed up on play action.
Does not seem to be an intelligent defender at all, and is all physical and minimal mental about the game.
Terrible technique on tackles, and will miss many with the way he hits rather than wraps.
Seems too raw wherever you can line him up, and does not fit where he is best qualified to play.
Seems to be a special teams guy rather than an every down anything.
Final Overview
Peppers is sliding in this draft because of the fear that many teams have with him, which is simply in regards as to where he fits. He is a square peg in a round hole kind of player, and he may be one of these guys who was a very decent college player who just does not translate to the pros. I don't think that the Michigan staff did him any favors by bouncing him all over the field rather than just honing in his talents where it mattered. He is a developmental prospect right now wherever he ends up, and I just would not spend an early round draft pick on him, and that is starting to be a sentiment echoed around scouting circles.
Obi Melifonwu, U Conn
6-4, 224
Melifonwu was a rare five year player at U Conn, which included him redshirting his freshman year as he came on campus out of the MA high school ranks. He was named first team All-AAC in 2016, and was a four year starter for the Huskies.
As a freshman, he totaled 70 tackles, three TFLs, five PBUs, one QB hurry, and two forced fumbles. He also added two INTs.
As a sophomore, he finished with 75 tackles, 3.5 TFLs, and three PBUs.
As a junior, he finished with 88 tackles, two TFLs, five PBUs, and two INTs.
As a senior, he finished with 118 tackles, 2.5 TFLs, three PBUs, a fumble recovery, and four INTs.
The Good
Super athletic/speed combo with this guy.
Dedicated player who stayed for five years including a redshirt.
Focused and determined.
Excellent eye skills when ball is in the air, and adjusts well to the play.
Has played some corner, and can cover TEs and slot receivers.
Takes away the seam routes, forces receivers to go outside.
Tackling machine...loves the contact and has a massive tackle radius for a safety.
Seems to have gotten more and more disciplined with every passing year.
A model in consistency.
The Bad
Slow to recognize what offenses are doing at times, and is forced into reacting.
Can get busted up by play action.
Does not always take the most direct route to the ball.
May have had inflated tackle numbers based on how bad the offense at U Conn has been.
Has seen a massive amount of minutes on the field over four years.
Has never played for a real winner of a team.
Final Overview
Melifonwu is a guy who is rocketing up the big boards right now, and that is unlikely to change at any point. He is as productive as they get, and is consistent and coachable. He has freakish size and athleticism for the position, and that sells. He will likely only get better on the next level, and could be a starter down the line for years to come. He is streaking into the first round, and in my opinion, is one of the two best safeties in this draft with Adams from LSU.
Marcus Williams, Utah
6-1, 202
Williams was a three year starter for the Utes, and was a member of the California to Salt Lake City pipeline.. He was an Academic All-PAC 12 pick as a sophomore, and was named first team All-PAC 12 that season. He was named second team All-PAC 12 as a junior.
He finished high school with a 4.0 GPA.
As a freshman, he started six games on the season, and finished with 59 tackles, one TFL, two forced fumbles, and an INT.
As a sophomore, he finished with 66 tackles, two TFLs, five PBUs, and five INTs.
He missed two games as a junior, and finished with 64 tackles, one TFL, three PBUs, one QB hurry, two forced fumbles, and five INTs.
The Good
Dependable center fielder type, who plays best on the free side.
Very athletic.
Incredibly smart.
Understands what a QB is thinking, and knows where an offense is flowing to.
Very good leaping ability, will get to the high point and take balls away.
10 INTs in last two seasons.
Consistent tackler with solid technique.
Eliminates cut backs, and herds carriers to the sidelines.
Solid tackle radius.
The Bad
A finesse player. He lacks the violence in his hits to make a first rate free safety at this point.
Man to an tackling is not his thing. Needs to be a finisher, not a hit starter.
Does not bring his guy down right away.
Can be duped by play action at times.
Does not possess elite speed.
Final Overview
Williams is an enigma in that he does not possess that hunter/killer mindset as a safety. The mental part is all there, and his ball skills are solid, but he just lacks that hammer to make him a first round pick. Had he possessed that violence in his game, he would have been considered a first round prospect, but he fits more towards the middle part of the second round now. Still, all things considered, a guy who makes plays on the ball as he does has value on the next level, so get what you get, and be happy with it. He should start for someone.
Justin Evans, Texas A&M
6-0, 199
Evans was just a two year player with the Aggies, and barely participated at the NFL combine. He was a pitcher, basketball playr, and DB out of high school in Mississippi.
In 2015, he finished with 78 tackles, one TFL, three PBUs, an INT, and he returned two kicks for 46 yards.
As a senior in 2016, he finished with 87 tackles, five TFLs, eight PBUs, and four INTs, and also returned 15 kicks for 428 yards (28.53 per return).
The Good
Explosively athletic multi-sport athlete.
Excellent foot and hip work.
Loves to play the game.
Solid jumper who gets to the high point and will make plays on the football.
Long arms, and has excellent hand skills.
Takes away the inside part of the field.
Ball skills are decent.
Hard hitter, brings the hammer.
A tackling machine. 165 over two seasons.
Solid wrap tackler with sound technique.
Real hunter/killer mentality in the secondary.
The Bad
Does not possess great focus on the ball on all plays. Can get lost in coverage on occasion.
Takes a late track on RBs on the second level.
Can be overly aggressive, and get duped on play action.
Better playing up close to the line than deep in the field.
Does not always break down plays pre snap with authority.
Can get blocked out of plays easily.
Rides the wave when blockers make contact.
Tackling technique needs some work. As many as he has made, he has missed a ton.
Final Overview
Evans is a hard hitting mercenary kind of player, but he gets overly aggressive and gets lost in his violence on the field. He needs more mental discipline, and if he can bring the mental and the physical together at the same time, he could be dangerous down the road. The right secondary coach will get to this guy and make him a star in a few years. It could be fun watching him develop, as he has loads of long term potential if he can shore up his deficiencies. Could be a diamond in the class.
Marcus Maye, Florida
6-0, 210
Maye was a four year player for the Gators, and was named as a first team All-American as a junior. He was a four star prospect out of high school in Melbourne.
As a freshman, he finished with 16 tackles, one TFL, and one INT.
As a sophomore, he finished with 62 tackles, three TFLs, five PBUs, two QB hurries, two forced fumbles, and an INT.
As a junior, he finished with 82 tackles, 1.5 TFLs, six PBUs, three QB hurries, five forced fumbles, and two INTs.
As a senior, he finished with 50 tackles, 1.5 TFLs, one sack, six PBUs, and an INT.
The Good
Compact and athletic.
Fires up field to support in run defense.
Difficult to block.
Uses and extra burst when closing in on the ball.
Solid tackle radius.
Hard hitter who brings the hammer.
Creates turnovers with violent hits.
The Bad
Highly pedestrian ball hawk numbers.
Average cover man who is better suited in strict zones.
Guesses more than knows.
Gives up the big play, while making others. All or nothing.
Penalty prone, because he gets his arms out in front of him and into the face of opposing receivers.
Gambles on opportunities with the ball in the air, and can have it goo wrong.
Broke his arm last November. Will need to get it checked.
Final Overview
Maye is a solid force in run stopping, but is not a great pass defender. He will need to be a safety in the box, and will maybe be a two down safety, and could be removed from the field on long passing downs. That's not a great combo. He picked off just four passes in three years, and broke up just 17 passes during his career. If you are looking for a run stuffing safety, he's your guy, but I look for more in a safety for the NFL.
Budda Baker, Washington
5-10, 195
Baker was a three year player with the Huskies, and was a starter from day one. He won the 100 meter state championship in high school, and also won three state titles in football. He was named honorable mention All-PAC 12 as a freshman, and was first team as a sophomore and junior.
As a freshman, he finished with 80 tackles, two TFLs, one sack, six PBUs, one QB hurry, and two forced fumbles. He also finished with one INT.
As a sophomore, he finished with 49 tackles, 1.5 TFLs, seven PBUs, one blocked kick, and two INTs.
As a junior, he finished with 71 tackles, 10 TFLs, three sacks, six PBUs, one QB hurry, one forced fumble, and two INTs.
The Good
Incredibly athletic, with elite speed and range.
Solid ability in man coverage.
Changes direction on a dime.
Crunches down on plays in front of him.
Improved a great deal as a junior when it came to making plays behind the line.
Energetic team leader.
The Bad
Is on the smaller side for safety, and has no room to bulk up.
Can be overly aggressive, and will whiff at times.
Lacks a large tackle radius, and short arms cause him to miss on INT attempts.
Ball numbers are low for an elite prospect in the secondary.
Not a great zone defender.
Final Overview
Baker was the guy that everyone in the PAC-12 wanted coming out of high school, and he certainly did several things to make the Huskies relevant again. In order for him to succeed as an undersized safety on the next level, he will have to play more center field in deep coverage to hide his size deficiencies, and he will have to avoid mismatches against TEs and bigger receivers. I see him as being a passing down defender early, but he may be able to work his way into a starting lineup eventually, depending on the team drafting him.
Round 3 and 4 Safety Prospects
Josh Jones, NC State
6-2, 215
Jones was an underexposed prospect at NC State that has the rare size/speed combo package that teams look for in the position. He is going have great value in the box as a run support safety, but can drop deep on verticals on passing downs as well with his ability to run. He is a violent hitter that teams will love to have, but he has to get under control, because he has been known to be a bit undisciplined at times with his aggression. If teams can hone him in, he has great value in the middle rounds of this draft.
Lorenzo Jerome, St. Francis (PA)
5-10, 202
Jerome was a first rate talent at tiny St. Francis from the Northeast Conference in FCS football. He was one of the most productive players in the nation, and is a first rate ball hawk when it comes to knocking balls down. He is lacking, however, when it comes to having elite, or even average speed for the position, and he lacks the requisite height as well. He could find some value on special teams, where he excelled in college, but if you want to play him at deep safety, and let his ball skills take over in zone coverage, he could work there as well.
Rudy Ford, Auburn
5-11, 200
Ford was a productive tackling machine at Auburn, and will make an excellent in the box safety on the next level, but he is severely limited as a cover man, which could relegate him to bench work or special teams. He will likely slide down deep in the fourth round where a team can afford to take a shot at an athletically limited player with special teams abilities.
Eddie Jackson, Alabama
6-0, 194
Jackson will likely get exposed on the next level as a deep safety cherry picker who cleans up garbage that other in front of him miss. He has some nice ball skills if he can camp out and wait for plays to come for him, but he is not aggressive enough as a tackler, or as a guy who seeks out the action. Looked better on film than he was, and will slide accordingly.
Fish Smithson, Kansas
5-10, 197
A very small safety prospect, but teams will love his football IQ and on field production. He may be available at the bottom of the fourth round, and that would be a great spot to grab him. He may not look the part, but certainly plays it. He will have to develop as a tackler to ever see the field, but he is coachable, and has enough ball skills to get a look.
Round 5-7 Safety Prospects
Orion Stewart, Baylor: May fall out of the draft based on lacking tackling numbers, and lacks speed.
Nate Gerry, Nebraska: Could fit special teams role, and will add value in zone coverage only.
Tedric Thomson, Colorado: Long term developmental fit, has starter quality on man coverage team.
Jordan Sterns, Oklahoma State: Strong character guy who is a tackling machine. Natural leader.
Josh Harvey-Clemons, Louisville: Multiple drug suspensions should scare some teams off.
Rayshawn Jenkins, Miami: Needs to be coached up, but checks size/speed boxes.
John Johnson, Boston College: Solid ball hawk, but lacking as a tackler, but should see a shot.
Jadar Johnson, Clemson: Only started for one season. Solid ball skills, needs work on tackling.
Randall Goforth, UCLA: Small, and inconsistent across the board, but still flashes now and again.
I have painstakingly analyzed every QB on the list once again this year, and has been the case for the last couple of years, if you are an NFL franchise in need of a front line QB, you are in a great deal of trouble here.
There is very little depth in this class, and as was the case in 2016, there are few that will be able to produce in year one, and few who would be able to play at all in 2017 for any franchise. With the college transition to shotgun spread offenses, QBs coming out of the college game are less and less prepared for the style of NFL play. More are the players coming out of college like Jared Goff last season, and Brett Hundley the year before, where these QBs need to be broken down to their core and rebuilt from the ground up. Once that project was completed for Brett Hundley, he became a different player altogether, and the jury is still way out on Goff after what was a mess of a rookie season. Here are my final grades on the 2017 QB class, 1st by draft order, followed by my analysis and breakdown.
1st Round (4.5-5 points)
Mitch Trubusky, North Carolina
2nd Round (3.7-4.5)
DeShone Kizer, Notre Dame
3rd Round (3.0-3.7)
Patrick Mahomes III, Texas Tech
DeShaun Watson, Clemson
4th Round (2.5-3.0)
Davis Webb, California
Brad Kayya, Miami
5th Round (2.0-2.5)
Nate Peterman, Pittsburgh
Josh Dobbs, Tennessee
6th Round (1.5-2.0)
Chad Kelly, Ole Miss
7th Round (1.0-1.5)
Jerod Evans, Virginia Tech
Alec Torgersen, Penn
UFA (0-1.0)
Antonio Pipkin, Tiffin
Seth Russell, Baylor
Tyler Stewart, Nevada
Taysom Hill, BYU
Patrick Towles, Boston College
CJ Beathard, Iowa
Mitch Leidner, Minnesota
Sefo Liufau, Colorado
Gunner Kiel, Cincinnati
Greg Ward, Jr., Houston
Ryan Higgins, Louisiana Tech
Nick Mullens, Southern Mississippi
Cooper Rush, Central Michigan
Phillip Nelson, East Carolina
Dane Evans, Tulsa
Zach Terrell, Western Michigan
Skyler Howard, West Virginia
Tyler Rogers, New Mexico State
Phillip Walker, Temple
Trevor Knight, Texas A&M
David Washington, Old Dominion
Kenny Potter, San Jose State
Small School Prospects
Austin Gahafer, Morehead State
KD Humphries, Murray State
Brady Gustafson, Montana
Kevin Anderson, Fordham
Kyle Sloter, Northern Colorado
Justin Dvorak, Colorado Mines
Kyle Zimmerman, NW Missouri State
Garrett Fugate, Central Missouri
Jeff Ziemba, Shepherd (WV)
The Breakdown
Mitch Trubisky, North Carolina
6-3, 220
Trubisky, in my opinion, is the only QB in this class that I would approach taking in the first round of the 2017 NFL draft. Had he returned to play for the Tar Heels in 2017, he would probably be perceived as a top 5 pick if he had played to potential. As is, I would not draft Trubisky inside the top 10, but rather somewhere between 11-15.
Trubisky was the full time starter at UNC for one full season. He completed 304/477 passes for 3748 yards and 30 TDs to just 6 INTs on the season. He completed 68% of his passes, and attempted 34.4 passes per game.
The Good: He has solid size for an NFL QB, and looks the part. He has exceptional accuracy and can make all of the throws, and has played under center as well as in shotgun. He has the best NFL mindset as far as the ability to run an offense of anyone in this class, by far. He threw for 400 yards in 3 straight games without a pick, and threw 11 TD passes in those games, which were all wins for UNC. He threw for 250 yards or more in 10 games during the 2016 season.
The Bad
Trubisky only has one season to grade him by as a starter. During his sophomore season, he only attempted 47 passes, but completed 40 of them, so the sample size on him is not great. UNC finished the season just 1-3, and he tossed 4 of his 6 picks on the season in those 3 losses. In games that he threw multiple picks ( he tossed 2 in 3 games), UNC lost all three of those games. When he failed to throw a TD pass, UNC went 0-2. In 5 losses in 2016, he tossed 8 TDs to 6 Picks. In their 8 wins, he tossed 22 TDs to zero picks.
Final Overview
Trubisky is graded anywhere from mid 2nd round to early 1st, depending on who you talked to or when that conversation took place. As we get closer to draft day, the consensus is swinging to early 1st, and that information is based strictly on how teams are getting desperate to find competent passers, which happens to be a majority of the NFL these days. Trubisky has a small sample size to grade from, and that is a problem, because he has not fully developed. I think most people would have liked to see him stay in school for one more season, but as weak as the draft class is at QB, he stands to make a killing, ready or not. He will not be ready to start from day one, but could effectively develop into a very solid starter with the right staff behind him.
DeShone Kizer, Notre Dame
6-4, 230
Kizer has a ton of hit or miss challenges to deal with, as he is, like Trubisky, an early entry. Nobody is completely sold on Kizer, and most wanted to see another season in college. As a junior in 2016, the team completely fell apart around him, making him a man on an island during a 4-8 campaign. He passed for 2925 yards, with 26 TDs and 9 picks. As a sophomore, he came out of nowhere to take over and lead the Irish to a strong season in which he passed for 2880 yards, 21 TDs, and 10 picks. He rushed for 520 yards and 10 scores as a sophomore, and 472 yards and 8 scores as a junior.
The Good
Kizer has an NFL build, and is a very fluid athlete, as was evident by his total 992 yards rushing and 18 scores in 2 seasons with the Irish. He can scramble well within the pocket and make all of the throws on the run going to his strong side. If he keeps to the pocket, with adequate protection, he can throw the deep ball with considerable accuracy once he plants himself and throws. Once he established himself as a sophomore, Kizer took over like a guy who had been the leader all of the time, and really showed very few deficiencies until late in the season, with exception to turnovers, where he threw picks in 5 of 6 games. He is solid at reading defenses and knowing where he has the advantage in the secondary, and knows when to pick up and run when he doesn't have one. He wastes very few reps. He threw 47 TDs in 2 seasons.
The Bad
There was regression in accuracy in 2016, as he dipped almost 4 full points in completion percentage. Of course, the entire team imploded around him, and one cannot blame it all on his play. He did increase TD passes by 5, while dropping his pick total by 1, but he still managed to throw 19 picks in 23 games, which is hardly an indicator of being a great decision maker all of the time. Like most Notre Dame QBs under Brian Kelly, he played with a great deal of pressure, as Kelly was known to yell and scream all of the time. He often tried to take too much on as a result. His QBR also dropped by almost 5 full points in 2016 as the team struggled from weak to weak.
Final Overview
Almost everyone in the business was unhappy with Kizer's decision to not go back to school in 2017. He is an incomplete player who has work to do, and could be looked at as nothing more than an early round developmental pick, as he would likely be destroyed as a rookie trying to play significant minutes in 2017.
He has to work hard on improving his reads, and has to make better decisions with the football, as he is a turnover machine of sorts. When he is on, he may be the best overall QB in this class, but when he doesn't have his head right, he can be a mess and make poor decisions. He may just be the most frustrating QB in this class, as he is the epitome of the saying "some days are diamond, some days are stone".
He has not put everything together yet, and has not won enough to make me a believer, as Notre Dame is just 14-11 during his 2 seasons. I can easily see a second round grade for him, but it may be that someone will reach higher, and that would be a huge mistake. He will need time to ripen on the vine under a dedicated QB coach to get him ready.
Patrick Mahomes III, Texas Tech
6-3, 219
Mahomes is a polarizing player across the board. He spent two and a half seasons as the starter for the Red Raiders, playing in a primarily pass happy offense. He is 12-13 in two full seasons as a starter, and shared half a season with Davis Webb as a freshman before Webb transferred to California. As a freshman, playing part time, Mahomes completed 56.8% of his passes, and passed for 1547 yards with 16 TDs and four INTs. As a sophomore, Mahomes was the full time starter, and passed for 4653 yards, with 36 TDs and 15 INTs. He completed 63.5% of his passes on 44.1 attempts per game, and averaged 357.9 yards per game. As a junior, He passed for 5052 yards, 41 TDs, and 10 INTs. He averaged 49.3 attempts per game, and completed a career high 65.7% of his passes. He added a career high 12 rushing TDs as well.
The Good
Mahomes has the size that scouts seem to value. He can use his size to hang tough in the pocket and make the great throws, as he is able to do, or he has the athleticism to move out of the pocket and deliver on the run. He really came around as a runner in his junior season, when he ran for 12 scores. He sells play action very well, and uses his eyes to draw off defenders.
His accuracy improved each season, and he seemingly grew much more confident every season. He has a leading man swagger, but is not arrogant. He understands how to put touch on a football, or fire it like a cannon when hitting tight zone creases.
He seems to have a solid understanding of the game.
The Bad
Mahomes is the epitome of a "system guy". It's hard to translate where he will be as a rookie, because his entire understanding of the game is about to change. He is a shotgun only passer who has never had to work from under center, and needs to learn how to run in a huddle up system that balances out between pass and run. He has always played in a no huddle, hyper fast tempo, and has never had to really manage a game beyond quick decision passing.
He is also not a winner. He won just 12 games while losing 13 as a full time starter, and the team got worse around him as time wore on.
Although he shows an understanding of what is happening around him, he is too prone to going for the big fish and huge play rather than allowing the game to flow around him, and seems prone to breaking down into a playground mentality., as the offense he comes from tends to do.
He will also take off too soon, as he is trying to show his running skills, even if he does not have to.
As a former pitcher, he winds up a bit too much when making throws, which telegraphs intent to toss deep. This bad habit also allows more balls to sail on him.
He has also never developed a throwing angle that he goes to consistently. He is all over the place with his delivery.
Final Overview
Mahomes is simply a very raw, very unrefined QB in a refined league when it comes to expectations from QBs. He is simply not ready to be a front line starter in this league, and grades are all over the place on him, depending on whom you speak with. He comes from Texas Tech, a school familiar with big number QBs, but which is also familiar with their QBs flaming out as pros before they ever get their feet on the ground. Not one Tech QB in the modern era has ever made it in the league, and that is saying something. Unless he gets some serious coaching, like Brett Hundley did at Green Bay, he is not going to make it.
DeShaun Watson, Clemson
6-3, 215
Watson is yet another player that most people in the football business are highly split on. He took Clemson from an average ACC program to an elite unit over the last two seasons, as the Tigers were national semifinalists in 2015, and national champs in 2016. He played in eight games as a freshman in 2014, passing for 1466 yards, 14 TDs, and two INTs. He added five rushing scores as well. As a sophomore, he took Clemson to a national title game appearance. He passed for 4104 yards, 35 TDs, and 13 INTs. He added another 1105 yards and 12 more TDs on the ground. Clemson won the national title his junior season in 2016. He passed for 4593 yards, 42 TDs, and tossed 17 INTs, and averaged 306.2 yards per game passing. He completed between 68 and 69% of his passes each of his three seasons. He added nine more scores as a runner in 2016, and finished with 629 yards on the ground.
The Good
He certainly knows how to win. He finished as a finalist for the Heisman twice, and played in two national title games, winning one. In that title win for the 2016 season a couple of months ago, Watson led a wild 4th quarter rally to deliver the title win.
Over his last 1181 pass attempts, he has been sacked just 32 times. He can move the pocket easily, and does not get shifty with his run ability too soon. He will stick in the pocket and deliver throws under pressure, rather than break down and take off when he does not have to. He became more of a passer in 2016, and less of a runner, but still ran when necessary with success.
He has solid size for an NFL QB.
He seems to stand up the tallest against the toughest competition, and does not get derailed in tough games against big time opponents. Very confident. High character guy who can lead a locker room by example.
The Bad
Watson tends to make some concerning decisions in critical moments at times. He has tossed 30 INTs in the last two seasons, which averages out to 15 per season. That is a high number for a guy who had a gifted roster around him to make plays in. He was only hurried 42 times in two seasons, and tossed 30 picks. Do the math there, but it is not good.
He tends to have Danny Wuerffel syndrome at times, where he just chucks the ball up and hopes his receivers can get to it. And sometimes can be known to misread what defenses are doing.
He is still having a tough time reading through progressions, and this is something that he should have dealt with a while ago. He locks onto his favorite targets and does not always do a good job of looking them off.
He is another "system guy" who works in a playground like no huddle, shotgun offense. He will have to learn how to lead from a huddle, and will have to be taught to work from under center, meaning that he cannot be ready to be a starter for at least two seasons, maybe three.
His numbers will not translate to the NFL, and his game will have to change dramatically to succeed.
He did have an ACL injury in 2014, and although it has not given him problems, it needs to be addressed.
Final Overview
Watson is not ready to be a front line starting QB in the NFL right out of school, and some teams may be dumb enough to try to make him one, which could destroy his career. He is a system QB, and played in a strictly college offense that does not translate to the next level. If he tries too hard to be a dual threat guy in the NFL, he will get hurt badly. His turnover numbers are big, and that is concerning as well. I see too many bad traits despite his winning in college. He is the kind of QB in this league that you pass on and let the other guy take the chance and the developmental time that it will take to get him NFL ready.
Davis Webb, California
6-4, 229
Webb is another big number passer in the tradition of both Texas Tech and California Quarterbacks in the last 20 years. He started out at Texas Tech in 2013, and passed for 2718 yards, and tossed 20 TDs to nine picks. He was limited to eight games in 2014, and passed for 2539 yards and 24 TDs, to 13 INTs. He lost the job to Patrick Mahomes III in 2015 and transferred to California after nearly signing with Colorado. He did play in five games before transferring, passing for just 300 yards and two scores. At California, in 2016, he passed for 4295 yards and 37 scores to 12 INTs.
The Good
He has plenty of arm strength to make the requisite throws. He has awesome size for an NFL type QB, which helps out a great deal.
He is strong in the pocket, and will hang in to make passes under pressure, but there are some issues here I will discuss later.
He has solid touch on his passes, and knows how to adjust his speeds in different situations well enough.
He has mobility and can move a pocket under pressure, and can score on his feet as well, as he did six times at Cal.
He has raw ability, and seems coachable.
The Bad
Webb is another system guy who ran a pass happy, minimal read offense at both Texas Tech and California. He was not a big winner at either school, finishing just 5-7 at California.
I have a real issue that he lost the job at Texas Tech to Mahomes, and then transferred out rather than fighting through it. When he had an opportunity to transfer, he stuck with a pass happy scheme rather than going to a program where he could play in a more pro set offense to show what he had in that environment.
He has virtually zero experience running huddles or playing under center, which is a recurring theme here.
He has thrown a high number of picks in limited experience.
He has a lock on attitude towards his receivers, and does not progress his reads well, and that is a bad habit based on the offense he has played in.
He will throw a pass to his number one option, whether the pass is there to be made or not, and will toss into traffic when he does not have to.
He does not stand in to pressure well enough, and will try to make something happen that is not there, Tends to get his foot work jumbled up as he can start to think run too early in progressions. His footwork basically needs a complete overhaul.
When pressured, his accuracy falls sharply, so playing behind an average or bad line will highly effect productivity from this player.
Final Overview
Webb has plenty of natural, raw talent, to get by, but his mental approach to the game has been soured by playing in those pass happy systems, where one read is all you get. He has the arm to make it work, but has too many bad habits, and is not ready to be tasked with running an NFL offense on the field. He will have to be broken down and rebooted to have any chance in this league, and at best, may translate to a career backup even then, if he is lucky. He is worth the developmental time, but only if you have someone credible in front of him for the next three years.
Brad Kaaya, Miami
6-4, 209
Kaaya was a three year starter for the Hurricanes and enters the draft after his junior season. He probably has the best sample size of any QB in the 2017 draft as a result. As a freshman in 2014, he passed for 3198 yards and 26 TDs to 12 INTs. He completed just 58.5% of his passes in an up and down season, while attempting 29.1 passes per game. As a sophomore in 2015, Kaaya passed for 3238 yards and 16 TDs against five INTs. He completed 61.2% of his passes, and attempted 32.4 passes per game, and played in 12 games. As a junior in 2016, Kaaya passed for 3532 yards, with 27 TDs and just seven INTs in 13 games. He completed 62% of his passes on 32.4 attempts per contest.
The Good
Solid NFL size and arm strength is a plus.
Played in a more pro set offense, and knows the system better than almost anyone at QB in the draft class. He has shown flash and ability to make the tough throws he will have to make in the NFL.
He has a very nice deep ball, and shows considerable touch on his passes when necessary. When he has the time, he probably has one of the better throwing motions in the college game, and understands progressions.
The Bad
Although he has some very good physical attributes, his mental approach can be sloppy. He has never really gotten out of the low 60% range in completion percentage, and only plays at his best when he has a clean pocket and is in perfect conditions to make plays. He really breaks down under pressure, and will keep his eyes on the pass rush rather than on what is unfolding in the passing game downfield.
He is a Drew Bledoe type in that he grows roots in the pocket, and does not move well at all. If the sack is coming, he will not be able to avoid it.
He needs some work in recognizing packages, and must continue to improve at his base package reading, where he made some strides in 2016.
Final Overview
Kaaya probably has the best long term future, if a team will invest in him in the short term, but he is strictly a hit or miss prospect. He will need time to develop and progress as a pro, so someone taking him will have to show patience and attack his shortcomings right away, He seems to be coachable, and if he gets the right staff around him, he could really bloom. He came into Miami with a huge amount of pressure on him as a can't miss prospect, but he never truly had great talent around him to help him recognize those expectations. I like him as a long term prospect, but he certainly needs some work. If you can get him in the mid to late rounds, he could be a developmental steal based on his experience in a more pro set offense than almost any of his piers in this class.
Nate Peterman, Pittsburgh
6-2, 225
Peterman was a two year starter for the Pitt Panthers, starting both his junior and senior seasons in the ACC. He passed for 2287 yards and 20 TDs to eight picks in his first season as a starter. He completed 61.5% of his passes on 24.2 attempts per game.
As a senior in 2016, Peterman passed for 2855 yards, with 27 scores and seven picks. He completed 60.5% of his passes on 23.5 passes per game.
The Good
He threw 47 TD passes over two seasons, with just 15 INTs, which is just over a 3:1 ratio.
Knows how to control a game, and is a solid game manager.
Times his passes well, has some good zip on the ball in tight windows, and avoids making crucial errors.
He is solid at reading his progressions, which is a rare skill in this class.
He works the pocket very well, and can move and shift the pocket at will. Will step up and deliver a big throw under pressure.
He may have the best timing of any QB in this class, and anticipates very well.
Very accurate on deep balls.
Beat Clemson in 2016.
The Bad
He has an inconsistent release, which allows him to lose control and sail some passes.
He is supremely confident, which is good, but he can get a bit arrogant with his skills, and makes some dumb things happen on occasion.
His overall accuracy is not great, as his completion percentage hovered in the extremely low 60% range.
He is a little on the shorter range than scouts like.
He is more a game manager than a game controller. He showed some game changing flash against Clemson by tossing five TDs against a tough defense, but that flash was just a glimpse, and it was rarely seen again.
While he has worked in a pro set offense, he still needs more work on mechanics and understanding on some basic concepts and logistics.
Final Overview
Peterman is kind of like vanilla ice cream. It will do the trick, but you won't write home about it. He is more a game manager, in the shape of a Greg McElroy, than a game changer. He is solid, but not spectacular. There are things to like, but overall, I do not see him as a starter in this league at this stage. There just is not enough there for my liking, but that's not to say I hate him. There just is not enough there for me.
Josh Dobbs, Tennessee
6-3, 216
Dobbs was probably one of the most disappointing overall prospects in college football during his time a Tennessee, as he never seemingly lived up to his billing.
Dobbs did not start regularly until his junior season, even though he had the label of four year starter stamped on him out of high school. As a freshman, he passed for 695 yards with two TDs and six INTs, and completed 59.5% of his passes. He ran for 189 yards and one score. As a sophomore, he played in six games, passing for 1206 yards and nine scores to six INTs. He added 469 yards rushing and eight more scores on the ground.
As a junior, He passed for 2291 yards and 15 TDs to just five picks. He averaged 26.5 pass attempts per game, and completed 59.6% of his passes. He added 671 yards rushing and 11 more scores. As a senior, he passed for 2946 yards and 27 scores to 12 INTs, and added a career high 891 yards rushing and 12 TDs. He completed a career high 63% of his passes on 27.5 attempts per game.
The Good
Dobbs has a quick release when passing, and can read through progressions rather easily.
Has solid deep ball skills, with 14 TD passes of 21 yards or more.
He has solid rushing ability, and can make players miss who over pursue.
Can throw well on the run, and make big plays when needed.
The Bad
Is too much of a runner, not enough of a passer, despite showing more passing ability in 2016 than any other season.
His best value is in a wildcat package.
Completion percentage never got out of the low 60s as a career high.
Inconsistent decision making, mental approach is all over the place.
He crumbles under pressure.
Never lived up to advanced billing coming into the college game, and never won on a high level.
Highly questionable when it comes to reading defenses.
Makes up his mind too early as to where he will throw the ball, and then throws it whether the play is there or not.
Final Overview
I will admit that I am not a fan. I would simply not draft Dobbs based on a lack of ever living up to expectations, and never having won an SEC East title in his four years. The fact that it took him two full years to win the starting QB job is ludicrous to me. His overall skill set makes him a decent college QB in an average program, but he is not nearly great, and to be a QB in the NFL, one must display some level of greatness. Dobbs is not that guy.
Chad Kelly, Ole Miss
6-2, 215
Kelly started his career at Clemson, but was kicked out of school due to disciplinary issues, and transferred to famed JC East Mississippi before ending up at Ole Miss.
Kelly blew onto the scene at Ole Miss like a hurricane off of the gulf in 2015, passing for 4042 yards and 31 scores, but he did toss 13 INTs. He attempted 35.2 passes per game, and completed 65.1% of his passes.
He injured his ACL in 2016, which ended his season early. He played in just nine games, passing for 2758 yards with 19 TDs and nine INTs. He completed 62.5% of his passes on 36.4 attempts per game.
The Good
Has a big arm, and loves to use it.
Believes in himself above all other things.
Is fun to watch and makes a myriad of plays.
The Bad
I have him as a 6th rounder currently, but he could go undrafted.
He is an off-field nightmare, and his temper gets the best of him. He had a ton of issues at Clemson involving fights, and getting into it with the staff, and was kicked out of the school.
He seemed to get himself together at East Mississippi, but there is an arrogance there that gives an impression that he doesn't care what people think. He had another issue last season where he ran onto the field during his brother's high school game during a fight.
As bad as his head is off-field, his on field play can be described as erratic, even if he can show some excitement at times. He makes terrible decisions with the football, which was evident in losses to Alabama and Florida State, where Ole Miss blew huge leads to lose.
Does not appear to be coachable, and is more loose cannon than anything else.
He has raw talent, but at this point, that's all he will seemingly ever have.
Was uninvited to the combine.
Was not healthy enough to run all drills at combine, even if he had appeared.
Too risky a pick.
Final Overview
Teams are running away from low character guys these days, and Kelly absolutely qualifies as low character. His hotheadedness just spins off into supernova land, and there is no getting him down from that tree. He has probably already fallen off of most boards, and he needs to figure out how to get them back. He showed a willingness to go to the combine, but the league shut him out, and has not profiled him, making him an extreme long shot, at best.
Jerod Evans, Virginia Tech
6-4, 230
Evans started his career at Air Force, but a torn ACL led him to transfer to the JC route at Trinity Valley. He was heavily recruited out of Trinity Vally by Texas A&M, but chose Virginia Tech instead for a chance to be the undisputed starter. He started just one season at Virginia Tech, and that was 2016.
Evans passed for 3552 yards and 29 TDs against just eight picks for the Hokies. He completed 63.5% of his passes on 30.1 attempts per game.
The Good
Evans likely climbed into the late rounds with a solid combine. He has the perfect size for a prospect at QB for the league, and has a cannon arm. He came into Tech and helped turn the offense around in his one season under center. He finished 10-4 as a starter, and started his first month with 14 TDs to just one pick.
The Bad
Evans has a massively limited sample size, as he played only one full season of major college football. His accuracy was not great, and he diminished as the season progressed. He had that 14:1 ratio for TD to INT to start the season, but he tossed six picks in his final five games, and the team was a barely average 3-2 during that time. He was horrible in a 17-7 loss to North Carolina, where he only completed 7/17 passes for just 73 yards.
Final Overview
There just is not enough on tape to really look at Evans as anything other than a developmental prospect. I am not certain as to where his head is with him coming out after just one year at Virginia Tech, and I also question his dedication after he took one injury and left Air Force. It seems that he believes in himself a bit too much at this point, and is lacking a humility factor. Due to his size, and raw skill set, I may use a 7th rounder on him and develop him long term, but that is about it. I would not be surprised if he even goes undrafted.
Alec Torgersen, Penn
6-3, 230
Torgersen enters the draft as one of the most decorated Ivy League QBs ever in the modern era. In his last two seasons, he passed for 36 TDs and just seven INTs after a bumpy first couple of seasons for the Quakers. He tossed 11 INTs in one season as a sophomore, more than his final two seasons combined. He completed 69% of his passes as a junior, which was second in FCS football. He also rushed for 18 scores for his career.
The Good
He is a three year starter at Penn.
He is a student of the game who used film after his sophomore season to help him develop his game.
Has excellent ball handling skills when reading defenses pre-pass.
He is highly accurate and has nice touch on deep passes, and has excellent zip on short and mid range passes.
Shows solid touch on deep balls. Can get out of trouble with his feet, and can move the pocket.
Very accurate passer, and has confidence throwing in the middle of the field as well.
The Bad
Came from a zone read option offense at Penn.
Did not play against top flight competition.
He has not had to make too many decisions, as plays and checks are called in from the sideline.
Comes from a one read offense, and has to do some work in reading progressions, and has to develop into an NFL offense.
Hangs onto the ball too long at times.
Has an inconsistent throwing angle.
Final Overview
Torgersen is a small school prospect that has value in the late rounds, and could even climb a bit if teams fall in love with the potential here. Think Jon Kitna of sorts. He has long range potential with development, but he has a lot of work to do, which again, is a recurring theme with this class.
He could be a three to four year prospect.
The Rest of the Class
Antonio Pipkin, Tiffin: High accuracy, dual threat type who could be a developmental prospect.
Seth Russell, Baylor: system guy with good numbers, but has an injury history.
Tyler Stewart, Nevada: Has a decent arm, but offense limited him as a true passer.
Taysom Hill, BYU: More legend now than actual prospect, derailed by injuries.
Patrick Towles, Boston College: Has size, but numbers were never great. Kentucky transfer.
CJ Beathard, Iowa: Really fell off the grid as a passer in 2016, was intriguing before that.
Mitch Leidner, Minnesota: Game manager type who can run. May be worth a UFA look.
Sefu Liufau, Colorado: Had a bad off season after big year, has injury history.
Gunner Kiel, Cincinnati: Was never coached correctly, fell into dog house in 2016.
Greg Ward, Jr., Houston: Dynamic athlete, may move to WR in NFL.
Ryan Higgins, Louisiana Tech: Gunslinger from a QB school, would pick him up right away.
Nick Mullens, Southern Miss: Injuries derailed 2016 season, still has some skill.
Cooper Rush, Central Michigan: Dual threat type could have big future in CFL.
Phillip Nelson, East Carolina: Injury history, went to ECU and removed his leash, solid passer.
Dane Evans, Tulsa: 7600 yards passing over last two seasons. Should get camp invite.
Zach Terrell, Western Michigan: Completed just shy of 70% of his passes in 2016, 33 TDs.
Skyler Howard, West Virginia: All over the place throughout his career, but had some big games.
Tyler Rogers, New Mexico State: Despite numbers, a decent QB who had little help.
Phillip Walker, Temple: Started out as a running QB, left as a passer.
Trevor Knight, Texas A&M: Tough as nails, but probably didn't do enough to get drafted.
David Washington, Old Dominion: Had a huge 2016, and maybe landed himself a camp invite.
Kenny Potter, San Jose State: Played in a losing program, but is not a bad player.
Best of the Small School QBs
Austin Gahafer, Morehead State; KD Humphries, Murray State; Brady Gustafson, Montana; Kevin Anderson, Fordham; Kyle Sloter, Northern Colorado; Justin Dvorak, Colorado Mines; Kyle Zimmerman, NW Missouri State; Garrett Fugate, Central Missouri; Jeff Ziemba, Shepherd
Running Backs
Round 1
Leonard Fournette, LSU
Dalvin Cook, Florida State
Christian McCaffrey, Stanford
Round 2
D'Onta Foreman, Texas
Curtis Samuel, Ohio State
Jeremy McNichols, Boise State
Round 3
Brian Hill, Wyoming
Wayne Gallman, Clemson
Samaje Perine, Oklahoma
Kareem Hunt, Toledo
Jamaal Williams, BYU
Round 4
Joe Mixon, Oklahoma
De'Veon Smith, Michigan
Corey Clement, Wisconsin
Marlon Mack, USF
Round 5
Matt Dayes, NC State
James Conner, Pittsburgh
Donnel Pumphrey, San Diego State
Round 6
Aaron Jones, UTEP
Round 7
Elijah McGuire, UL Lafayette
UFA
Alvin Kamara, Tennessee
Joe Yearby, Miami
Jahad Thomas, Temple
Darius Victor, Towson
Trey Edmunds, Maryland
Barry Sanders, Oklahoma State
Elijah Hood, North Carolina
Boom Williams, Kentucky
Shock Linwood, Baylor
Justin Davis, USC
Torean Folston, Notre Dame
Other Prospects
Khalid Abdullah, James Madison
Lenard Tillery, Southern
Tarik Cohen, North Carolina A&T
Jonah Hodges, San Diego
Lorenzo Long, Wofford
Jody Webb, Youngstown State
Austin Ekeler, Western State
Michael Anderson, West Virginia Wesleyan
William Stanback, Virginia Union
Bilo's Profile's
Leonard Fournett, LSU
6-0, 240
Fournette was one of the most impressive backs in the nation for most of his second season at LSU, after largely having a quiet freshman season despite solid output. His junior season was a mess of injuries and conspiracy as to whether or not he was all in with this draft on the horizon.
As a freshman, he rushed for 1034 yards and 10 scores, and averaged 5.53 yards per carry. During his breakout sophomore campaign, he rushed for 1953 yards and 22 scores, while averaging 6.51 yards per carry. He fell off considerably in 2016, as a junior. He had a rash of injury issues, and never seemed fully invested in the season. He ran for a career low 843 yards in just seven games, and scored eith times. He still managed to average 6.53 yards per carry, but was far outperformed by Darrius Guice.
The Good
During parts of the 2015 season, he was the best back I have ever seen since Bo Jackson at Auburn. He ran for over 200 yards in three of the first four games of the 2015 season, but then came a game against Alabama in which he was slammed shut for just 31 yards on 19 carries, and it took him a full four games to get back to speed. He did finish that season strong with a 212 yard performance against Texas Tech that came with four rushing scores.
He runs with amazing burst from scrimmage, and is very powerful. He may be the strongest runner in the draft in terms of how much power he generates. Once he hits the hole, he blasts through it with an amazing speed gear changer that takes a fraction of a second to hit. Loves to create contact, and hits defenders with power.
He has excellent foot work, and keeps on driving through hits. Solid upper body strength allows for him to deliver rock solid straight arms. He can be a full three down back, and is powerful enough in goal line situations to score more than not. He has some ability as a receiver as well.
The Bad
He has too much excitement when it comes to creating contact. Doe snot do enough to make tacklers miss and would rather run through them. He tends to lack IQ when it comes to creativity, and runs where he is supposed to, and does not spend too much time worrying about being creative in space.
He tends to out run his blocking, and does not use his speed change ability with finesse. He just jumps from one speed to another because he thinks he should, not because he should in a particular scenario.
He is not a great blocker in the passing game. May need to be removed from the field on obvious passing plays.
BY taking too many hits, he is an injury risk, and was hurt for a considerable part of 2016. It appeared at times that he was not entirely invested at LSU, and there was some chatter that he would sit out 2016. His inury, which cost him five games was a rather interesting coincidence given that pre-season chatter. He also sat out his bowl game to prepare for the draft after the 2016 season, making me question his dedication to the larger team rather than just himself, and he had a rather lame explanation for it after the fact, claiming that he had no say in the matter, which I just do not believe.
Final Overview
Fournette is exactly what you want on paper in an NFL back, but he needs to develop some pieces to his game, which is why it was such a waste to lose five games in 2016. He will need to be coached up on being more elusive, and he needs to work himself up to being more of an asset in the passing game as both a blocker and as a top flight out of the backfield receiver.
If he is on his A game, and he is invested, there is not a better back in this draft, and he is a top five player. If he is not fully invested, he's not worth the risk. Which version of him shows up on the next level is a complete mystery right now.
Dalvin Cook, Florida State
5-10, 210
Cook was a three year starter for the Seminoles, and is an early entry after coming out post his junior season. As a freshman, Cook rushed for 1008 yards and eight scores, and averaged 5.93 yards per carry on 170 total carries. As a sophomore, Cook rushed for 1691 yards and 19 TDs on 229 carries in 13 games. As a junior, his final season, Cook rushed for a career high 1765 yards and 19 more scores, bringing his three year total to 46 TDs. He averaged 6.13 yards per carry in his final season on a career high 288 carries.
The Good
His footwork is A+ material, as he keeps moving his feet in traffic and during contact.
He was the first Florida State back to rush for 1000 yards or more for three straight seasons.
He has experience in zone, gap, and power schemes, showing value for a number of different schemes and teams.
He reads his blocks like a pro, and knows how to use fluctuating and fluid situations in space.
Unlike Fournette, he is able to use quick chopping movements to elude hits and defenders and create more room to run.
He always plays his best against the best, and is not easily intimidated.
He is a solid receiver at times, and is able to create in the field.
The Bad
He has a red flag when it comes to past character flaws. Has been in trouble with the law on multiple occasions dating back to high school.
He does not run with as much power as Fournette, and tends to be more of a finesse back, and tends to favor running outside rather than hitting hard between the tackles. He goes down to tackle quickly rather than powering through them.
He does not have a great stiff arm ability, and lets plays die on the vine rather than seeking another lane or gear.
He has a fumbling issue, and has also experienced drop streaks in the passing game, which is a shame, because when he is on, he is a decent receiver.
May only be a two down back, as he is not a great blocker, and has those drop issues as a receiver.
Final Overview
As a player elevator, I tend to avoid red flag guys. Cook is a serious red flag risk, and if he goes to the wrong team, with not enough high character guys to mentor him, he will fail in this league, because he seems to be a trouble magnet. I am not a fan of players who hang out in bars during their college years, because it is too much about having a good time, and not enough about focus, and he has that issue as well.
He has a ton of talent running the football, and because of that, he will get drafted highly by a team that can overlook the off field issues, but I would let someone ese take that risk, and wait until the 3rd or 4th round to get a quality back at a steal of a price.
Christian McCaffrey, Stanford
5-11, 202
Over the last two seasons, one would be hard pressed to find a more dynamic college athlete than McCaffrey anywhere on the field. He enters the draft after three years at Stanford, two as a starter.
In 2014, he rushed for 300 yards on 42 carries, and did not score, and was a second option on kick and punt returns.
In 2015, he took over as a full time starter, and rushed for a whopping 2019 yards and eight scores, and averaged 5.99 yards per carry and 24.07 carries per game (337 total carries). He also added 1070 yards on kick returns, averaging 28.92 yards per return, and scored once. He averaged 8.67 yards per punt return, and also scored once in that area.
In 2016, McCaffrey suffered some injuries early on, but still managed to rush for 1603 yards and 13 TDs. He averaged 6.34 yards per carry, and averaged 23 carries per game (253 total carries). He added 318 yards on kick returns, and averaged 9.6 yards per return on punts.
The Good
He runs with a long smooth stride, and is very creative in the open field. Reads blocks effectively and shows first rate anticipation. Runs well in traffic, with first rate footwork.
Excellent protector of the football in traffic, and has shockingly solid upper body strength.
He is a very elusive and creative runner, and knows how to avoid tacklers.
He played in a pro set formation at Stanford, and is NFL ready.
Changes gears like a pro already, and has very good speed, especially in the open field.
Excellent as a receiver, and has top notch skills as a return man, giving him excellent value for the team drafting him.
Very well coached, and is a sponge when it comes to learning and improving.
The Bad
He has well over 500 carries the last two seasons, and is coming off an injury plagued season, although he played through it like a warrior.
He does not have excellent size, and looks smaller in person than he probable is.
He is not a super powerful runner, and once he is hit, he tends to give up the play quickly. Will not run through anyone.
He is not a great pass blocker, and is strictly a receiver on passing downs. Does not sell out on blocks.
Final Overview
With his multifaceted value as a runner, receiver, and kick return man, McCaffrey becomes valuable in the 1st round, but if you grade him strictly on his value of any one individually, he probably looks more like a second or early third rounder. With his kind of value and ability al around, he is a very nice addition to anyone who needs a gutty player who can do it all.
D'Onta Foreman, Texas
6-0, 233
Foreman entered Texas as the lessor of the two most prized recruits with his brother out of high school, but as these things tend to happen, D'Onta became the prize eventually. He only started one full season for the Horns, but worked his way into the starting job slowly.
As a freshman, Foreman rushed for just 74 yards on 16 carries. As a sophomore, he rushed for a team leading 681 yards on a bad football team. He carried the ball just 95 times, and scored five times.
As a junior, he exploded onto the scene nationally, rushing for 2028 yards and 15 scores. He carried the rock 323 times and averaged 6.28 yards per carry, and over 184 yards per game.
The Good
He is a very hard worker, and was patient coming up through the system, waiting on his turn to shine.
For a man his size, he is very fluid as a runner, and is very athletic.
Smooth finesse runner who sees the field well, and knows to wait for plays to develop.
Excellent hip movement, makes tacklers miss.
Excellent hurdler, avoiding leg tacklers.
If you don't wrap him up, he will shake you.
Uses his size in contact to bounce off bad tackles.
He is always running north/south, and avoids losing yards.
He is excellent in short yardage conversion, and has adequate power to churn through goal line plays.
Was never over used at Texas, and has plenty of miles left on him.
The Bad
He does not have great hands, and has a tendency to fumble at times.
Despite his solid size, he does not use it enough, and tries to be more a finesse back than a power back.
He does not possess multiple gears for speed, and can be one dimensional, and is still a bit raw in technique.
Kind of like Lawrence Maroney of the Patriots back in the day in that he is not a creator. He runs through the proscribed hole, whether the play is there or not.
He looks like an albatross in pass blocking, and is just not good at it, making him a two down back only.
Final Overview
Foreman is a back that could have benefited from another year in school based on his extremely small sample size. He was not a premier runner until 2016, so there is no telling if this was the real player, or just a fluke.
Based on his size and raw ability, I project him as a second rounder, but would not be surprised to see him slip based on him being such a mystery, and for being as raw as he is. The good news is that he has the patience to wait and learn, and work his way into a role, and likely will not pout during the process. I like his potential, but he needs some work.
Curtis Samuel, Ohio State
5-11, 186
Samuel has never been a full time starter at running back, and may still be a player that translates better as a receiver in the NFL. He played both positions for the Buckeyes. As a freshman, Samuel rushed for 383 yards and six scores. He averaged 6.6 yards per carry on 58 carries. As a sophomore, he ran for just 132 yards and one score, but averaged 7.72 yards per carry. As a junior, he ran for 771 yards on 97 carries, and scored eight times, and averaged 7.95 yards per carry. As a receiver, he posted 11-95-0 as a freshman, 22-289-2 as a sophomore, and he led the team in 2016 as a junior by posting 74-865-7.
The Good
Has first rate speed, and is a match up nightmare in the slot.
Can lineup anywhere on the field on the offensive side.
Has a quick change of direction while running routes.
Creates excellent separation as a receiver.
He can really fly in top gear, and changes gears without much effort.
Has experience in return game, adding some value as an athlete.
Can be explosive out of the backfield with great blocking.
The Bad
If he gets matched up properly, he can get jammed at the line.
He is not as fluid as you would expect, and is more a straight line guy.
He tends to make body catches rather than using his hands properly.
Played in a system offense, and really does not have a natural position.
Is not entirely athletic as a receiver, and does not adjust to the ball well.
Cannot block at all, and has never been asked to.
Final Overview
Samuel is a man without a real position. He is not a natural running back, but is not a natural WR either. He is an athlete that is a nice fit for now as a slot receiver, because that is how he translates with his skill set. He wil either be drafted in the higher rounds based on athletic potential, or he could go undrafted, and that is as wide as the opinions on him flow in the scouting community.
Jeremy McNichols, Boise State
5-9, 214
McNichols is a very nice all-purpose back who is as strong a receiver as he is as a runner. He also has value in the kick return game. As a freshman, he had his redshirt removed in game six for the Broncos. He rushed for 159 yards and a score, and averaged 9.35 yards per carry. He added 15 recepttions for 155 yards and a score, and returned 19 kicks for 393 yards. As a sophomore in 2015, he rushed for a team leading 1337 yards and 20 scores, while averaging 5.57 yards per carry on 240 total carries. He also caught 51 passes for 460 yards and six scores. He returned only five kicks for 79 yards. As a junior in 2016, McNichols carried the ball 314 times for 1709 yards and 23 scores. He also caught 37 passes for 474 yards and four scores. He returned only four kicks for 72 yards.
The Good
Fluid athlete with smooth transitional running ability in traffic. Can change direction on a dime, and has fluid hip movement for evasion.
Excellent vision and running IQ, waits for plays to develop in front of him and reads well. Follows hi blocks like a pro, and make his own space when necessary.
Is solid between the tackles, and doesn't mind some contact.
Is very good at shrinking himself in space, and does not run upright.
Excellent body control. If you don't wrap him up, you lose him.
Excellent receiver out of the backfield, and can be used in motion to line up wide.
Very productive player with solid value across the board.
The Bad
He is more fluid and athletic than powerful, and may need to add some power in his lower body to be an every down back in the NFL. Is not as physical as other backs can be.
His speed is one dimensional, and he is not a great gear changer.
Does not make much after first contact, and when you usually tackle him properly, he does not shake very well, and will let the play die with that hit.
Once he is in the second level of play, he does not create much. Can be caught.
He has had some fumble issues.
He is not a great pass blocker, so he may translate to a two down or rotational back in the NFL.
Final Overview
McNichols has a ton of value as a runer and as a receiver, but he has his limits as well. Still, if you can use him in a two back rotation, he could be quite effective. I see him succeeding on the next level based on his ability to produce, and he has a strong work ethic. By year or two in the league, he should be very good.
Brian Hill, Wyoming
6-1, 219
Hill was a three year starter for the Cowboys, and led them in rushing all three years. He has rushed for over 3400 yards the last two seasons, and was one of the most productive players in the nation, albeit quietly, as he did not receive a ton of exposure playing for the Cowboys.
As a freshman, Hill rushed for 796 yards on 145 carries, and scored seven times while averaging 5.49 yards per carry. As a sophmore, Hill exploded for 1631 yards on 281 carries, and scored six times. He averaged 5.8 yards per carry. As a junior, Hill ran for 1860 yards and scored a career high 22 times, while averaging 5.33 yards per carry.
The Good
Solid worker between the tackles, and does not go down easily.
Excellent pass blocker, and will commit. Has solid hands and keeps his head up at contact.
He can be an excellent receiver, but Wyoming did not use him much. When he does work as a receiver, he has solid skill and soft hands.
Extremely productive the last two seasons.
Solid character guy.
The Bad
Does not have burner speed, or much of a change of gear. Is a straight ahead runner.
He will need a top flight O line to give hi room to work, as he does not do well when trying to create something out of nothing.
He will hesitate before hitting the line if nothing is there, and he will lose yardage.
Is not enough of a north/south runner.
He is a bit on the thin side, and lacks power because of it. A little long for a RB.
Final Overview
Although he has several drawbacks, one cannot ignore that Hill was a super productive back the last two seasons, and was a major key component in the resurgence of the Wyoming football program, specifically in 2016. Hill is the kind of back that when he puts it all together, could be a game changing kind of player. If drafted in the right spot, by the right team, with the right staff in place, Hill could very well flourish on the next level.
Wayne Gallman, Clemson
6-0, 215
Gallman was the third fiddle in the Clemson offense, specifically in 2016, behind DeShaun Watson and Mike Williams, but he still managed to finish All-ACC the last two seasons running. He took over as a starter for nine games as a freshman, and led the team with 769 yards rushing. He scored four times, and averaged 4.78 yards per carry on 161 carries. He also caught 24 passes that season for 108 yards.
As a sophomore, Gallman broke loose for 1527 yards and 13 scores, while averaging 5.4 yards per carry on 283 carries, as he became a work horse in the Clemson running game. He added 21 receptions for 233 yards and one score as a receiver.
His overall carries reduced in 2016 as a junior to 232. He still managed to run for 1133 yards and 17 scores, but saw his average per carry drop to 4.88. He caught 20 passes out of the backfield as well.
The Good
Runs physically to the point where arm tackles will not work against him, and he uses a good burst getting to the second level.
He keeps moving his feet after contact, and has solid footwork fundamentals.
Knows how to lower the pads and deliver punishment to tacklers.
He has enough speed to jump out and burst around the edge, and has enough hip work to make tacklers miss while accelerating.
Confident in short yardage and red zone play. A total package four down back.
Has some ability as a receiver out of the backfield on safety routes.
The Bad
His running style makes him sloppy at short cuts, and he lacks complete body control.
Gets gummed up sometimes running between the tackles.
Has good burst and speed, but is not explosive.
He can be indecisive and will not break down blocking quickly. Misses lanes, and takes to much time setting up a play. Will outrun his blockers.
Does not run with finesse, and can be a bit all over the place.
He is not a long yardage runner, as he finished under five yards per carry in two of three seasons at Clemson.
He can run too upright at times.
Is not adept at pass blocking, making him a two down back.
Final Overview
Gallman has never been one of my favorite backs, and I think that despite being overshadowed by Watson, he still could have done much more. He lacks a burst of excitement, and you feel rather blah watching him run at times. He could be a decent rotation back one day, but overall, I am really flat on him.
Samaje Perine, Oklahoma
5-11, 233
Perine, despite standing out in any one way, is a back that has scouts excited across the board, as he was amazingly productive at Oklahoma. He exploded onto the national scene as a freshman, rushing for 1713 yards and 21 scores, while averaging 6.51 yards per carry, on 20.23 carries per game. He lowered his carries as a sophomore, and ran for 1349 yards and another 16 TDs, averaging 5.97 yards per carry on 17.38 carries per game. As a junior in 2016, Perine rushed for 1060 yards and 12 scores, while averaging 5.41 yards per carry. He averaged 19.6 carries per game, splitting time with Joe Mixon.
The Good
He is built like a human wrecking ball, and is naturally low to the ground. He can slip through seems in between the tackles and come out the other side with ease. He has a powerful lower body that he keeps constantly churning.
He cannot be arm tackles, as he runs with authority. He is quite punishing as a runner.
Excellent pad leverage, and rarely allows defenders to get under.
He is very efficient with his running style, and is not at all wasteful with his movement.
Excellent field vision, and high IQ runner.
He is solid as a receiver, and has top shelf hands.
Broke the single game college rushing record as a freshman with 437 yards against Kansas.
A scoring machine. He scored 49 TDs in three seasons.
The Bad
Can run too powerfully at times, and can lack finesse.
Ran a 4.65 40 at the combine, so his speed and gear changing ability are in question.
He is more of a front line runner, and lacks edge speed.
He has had ankle injury concerns, and his production decreased each season at Oklahoma.
Final Overview
Perine is not for everyone, but if you need a power back who runs with abandon, he is your guy. He will never wow you with his speed, but if you have a top flight O line, this guy could be special running behind it. He will have to learn a little more finesse, but he is a smart player with a ton of confidence, and is a high character guy who could be a solid locker room presence, and he can be coached. He is a hard worker that should have excellent value in the 3rd round of this draft.
Kareem Hunt, Toledo
5-10, 216
Hunt was a rare four year player at Toledo, and will go down as one of the greatest Rocket backs in school history. As a freshman, Hunt shared the load with David Fluellen. He rushed for 866 yards and six scores, and averaged 6.32 yards per carry, on 11.42 carries per game. As a sophomore, he became the lead back, and ran for 1631 yards and 16 scores despite missing two games. He averaged 7.96 yards per carry on 20.5 carries per game. As a junior, Hunt missed three games, and still managed to rush for 973 yards and scored 12 times. He averaged 5.47 yards per carry on 19.78 carries per game.
Hunt played in all 13 games as a senior, and rushed for 1475 yards and 10 scores, and averaged 5.63 yards per carry. He averaged 20.15 carries per game.
Hunt exploded as a receiver as a senior as well, catching 41 passes for 403 yards and a score.
The Good
He has a powerful body and compact frame that is perfect for the position.
Instinctual runner with solid field vision, knows when to make the right cuts.
Can bounce outside from a straight line run, and knows how to read his blocks.
He became a solid receiver, and has solid hands in the passing game.
The Bad
He is not a great accelerator. Does not change gears effectively, and lacks burst speed. A one dimensional runner.
He is an evasive runner, and does not do the contact thing all that well.
He is not all that creative in space, and the run dies when he tends to get hit.
Although he learned how to be a receiver, he is not great as a pass blocker, and will not sell out for a block.
Was suspended during his junior season for rules violations.
Has had a history of ankle injuries that could be concerning.
Is best in a zone run game, but not a lot more.
Final Overview
Hunt is a back that is best served in a zone run scheme, and really has very little experience doing anything else. He follows the script, but is not overly creative. He could have been more productive in college, and die to injuries and suspension, he missed some really good opportunities. He won't be for everyone, but can find a place in a system that uses rotational backs.
Jamaal Williams, BYU
6-0, 212
Williams was a four year player at BYU, but missed all of 2015 due to personal reasons. He has also missed parts of seasons with injury issues.
He led the team in rushing as a freshman with 775 yards and 12 scores, and averaged 4.75 yards per carry on 12.77 carries per game. He played in all 13 games that season.
As a sophomore, he carried 217 times with 1233 yards from the effort, and he scored seven times. He averaged 5.68 yards per carry, and averaged 18.08 carries per game.
As a junior, Williams finished with 515 yards in just eight games, and averaged 4.68 yards per carry on 13.75 carries per game. He lost games to a knee injury and a suspension for underage drinking.
He missed all of 2015, and then returned in 2016, and rushed for 1375 yards and 12 scores on 23.4 carries per game, and had a five score game against Toledo in a shootout win over the Rockets.
The Good
Williams is a punishing runner who was very difficult to bring down during his senior season. The year off had him looking refreshed.
He looks bigger than he is on paper. Has a powerful build in person, and looks the part.
A go for it runner. Once he sees the hole, he hits it and keeps on going.
Has a few tricks as a runner to make tacklers miss, and delivers a powerful stiff arm.
Has a powerful lower body, and can drive through tacklers. If you don't wrap him, you lose him.
Solid hands, and does not turn the ball over.
The Bad
He has a tendency to run like a bull, and lacks finesse at times.
Will outrun his blockers on occasion.
Does not have top level speed, and can be a one dimensional runner.
More of a full head of steam runner rather than a creator at times. This improved in his senior season, as he was highly productive without having a great line in front of him.
Does not always have the best body control in traffic. Runs with one stance, and does not shrink up very well.
Injury history in a big way between knee and ankles. Concerning.
Final Overview
Williams, to me, is a pure power back who can beat you down while running north/south. He does not have top flight speed, but he does remind me of LeGerrette Blount in that regard, and Blount has plenty of value. If you get him in a rotation on the next level, he could have incredible value, but I would hesitate to make him an every down back. You also have to consider his injury history, and he showed a lack of maturity as late as his junior year with alcohol being a factor.
Joe Mixon, Oklahoma
6-1, 226
Mixon is the most controversial player in the draft in 2017. He was redshirted in 2014 as a means of a suspension for punching a woman in a deli the previous year. For that reason, he was not invited to the 2017 NFL combine.
Mixon rushed for 753 yards as a RS freshman in 2015, averaging 6.7 yards per carry on 8.69 carries per game. He caught 28 passes for 356 yards and four scores as well.
Mixon became the leading rusher for the Sooners in 2016, running for 1274 yards on 187 carries. He averaged 6.81 yards per carry on 15.58 carries per game. He added 37 receptions for 538 yards and five scores. Mixon returned 21 kicks for 494 yards and a score, and returned four punts as well.
The Good
Explosive runner who picks up huge chunks of yardage.
Multi-purpose back who is a solud runner and receiver, and can return kicks as well.
Powerful build, and looks the part.
Shows enough speed and fluidity to make players miss on tackles.
He has very high football IQ as a runner, and has excellent field vision, and waits for his blockers to set up plays.
Excellent pad work, and finishes runs strong.
Has soft hands as a receiver, and runs strong routes as well, making him a real weapon in the passing game.
The Bad
Good, but not elite level speed. He gets to the next gear, but there is not another one beyond that.
Although he can have solid hands as a receiver, he does not always take care of the ball as a runner, and can get careless with ball handling.
He can be known to run a bit upright, leaving him open for big hits.
Does not grade out well as a pass blocker, but you have to have his receiving skills on the field in late down situations.
Final Overview
Getting by his off-field issues with the assault on a woman, no matter if he has improved his behavior since then or not, will be difficult to get by for many teams, and several teams will not consider him on their board for that reason. He has all of the tools, minus elite speed, of a very special player, but the character red flag can be seen for miles, and that is going to cost him big time. He will be in the league, most likely, but he has a very small window, and fewer fits.
De'Veon Smith, Michigan
5-11, 223
Smith was a four year player at Michigan. As a freshman, he carried 26 times for 117 yards, and averaged 4.5 yards per carry. As a sophomore, he carried the ball 108 times for 519 yards, and scored six times. He averaged 4.81 yards per carry. He led the team once again as a junior with 753 yards on 180 carries. He averaged 4.18 yards per carry. He rushed for 846 yards and scored a career high 10 times as a senior.
The Good
Smith is a power back who is solid between the tackles.
He runs with vision, and a feel for opening lanes.
He plots a direction and sticks with it, runs with conviction.
Arm tackles won't work against him, and he finishes runs strong. Legs keep churning after contact.
The Bad
Never rushed for 1000 yards in a season through four years at Michigan.
Does not have enough speed to hit the edge, and does not have breakaway speed in open field situations.
His lack of quick movement allows tacklers to catch up to him.
He is not very creative.
Needs solid blockers ahead of him, or he is going down.
Final Overview
Smith is not a high number back, and had average production at Michigan. He lacks great breakaway speed, and is limited to two down duty. He has no value as a receiver or a pass blocker, so he is limited to power football situations. He earns a grade of a 4th round pick by the scouts, but I feel he is better valued in the later rounds.
Corey Clement, Wisconsin
5-10, 220
Clement has largely had an inconsistent career at Wisconsin, and only fully grabbed the reins of the RB job during his senior season. He played in 11 games as a freshman, and ran for 547 yards and eight TDs as a backup to Melvin Gordon. He continued in the backup role as a sophomore, and moved up from third to second in rushing with 949 yards and nine scores. He averaged 8.16 yards per carry as a freshman, and 6.46 per carry as a sophomore.
As a junior, Clement came off the rails. He played in only four games, as he lost time to a sports hernia, and then hand a hand injury that was the result of him punching someone during an altercation in an elevator, and incident that he was not truthful about with the staff initially. In those four games, Clement rushed for just 221 yards, and saw his per carry average plummet to 4.6. He also only scored five times, and averaged just 55.25 yards per game.
He returned stronger as a senior, and led the team with a career high 1375 yards and 15 TDs, but his YPC averaged continued to drop like a rock to just 4.38. He did, however, finish with another career high with over 24 carries per game.
The Good
He has a built frame, and runs with severe lower power, and cannot be arm tackles or torpedoed from flying DBs.
Has very good short range cut ability, and is athletic enough to power through his moves.
He has excellent foot work traits, and can turn a few moves into a long run by evasion.
Very difficult to bring down in the open field, and can show enough burst to break free.
The Bad
The word on Clement is that he shows very poor leadership traits, and thinks that certain rules or policies do not apply to him.
While he shows solid burst, his overall speed level is not great. He generally displays one dimensional speed.
On film, he can look somewhat smaller than he is.
He is an indecisive runner at times, and get taken down because of it.
Does not hit the hole between the tackles with authority at all times.
Does not follow blockers as well as he should, and is impatient waiting for lanes to open.
Is not a creator, and is a bull in a china shop. Shows no finesse as a runner.
Will not be useful on passing downs, and will be limited to a two down role.
Only proved to be the man in one of four years, and got a big head when he finally had his shot.
His stats in year four are reminiscent of someone on a free agent year, finally stringing it together only because everything was on the line to get paid.
Final Overview
Scouts around the NFL are tagging Clement as a bit of a character issue guy. Think Brent Moss as a comparison, but not quite that bad, just bad enough.
His overall production is spotty at best, and he seems to be too self centered to make it work on the next level. He has raw talent, and that will have someone taking a flyer on him in the middle rounds, but if you don't expect too much of him, you might not be let down.
Marlon Mack, South Florida
5-11, 213
Mack was a three year player for the Bulls, and started all three seasons. He was also first team all-conference in each of his seasons in Tampa, and finished as the USF all-time leading rusher.
Mack stepped right into the dominant starting role as a freshman, and carried 202 times for 1041 yards and nine scores. He averaged 16.83 carries per game, and 5.15 YPC. As a sophomore, Mack continued to impress, as he ran 210 times for 1381 yards and eight scores, while averaging 17.5 carries per game. He averaged 6.58 YPC that season. As a junior in 2016, Mack ran for 1187 yards on 174 carries, as he shared more carries in the offense with QB Quinton Flowers. He averaged 14.5 carries per game, and finished with a career high 6.82 YPC.
The Good
Excellent foot work and has his hips in a swivel. He has first rate moves, and is top shelf at evasion.
His foot work is a thing of beauty, and he has amazing ability to kick runs outside and pop from gap to gap.
Runs with excellent pad placement, and can run like a battering ram. Shrinks himself up into a bowling ball when he has to.
He has very good open field speed, and once he hits open land, he is gone.
Has shown a willingness to work in the passing game, has decent hands as a receiver.
The Bad
Is more of a speed runner than a power runner, and does not use enough physicality. He does not finish runs strongly, and can be brought down, as he is inconsistent when trying to be more physical.
Spends too much time trying to hit the home run rather than taking what is given, relying too much on his open field ability.
Can be indecisive between the tackles.
Tries to take plays wide rather than seeing a hole on sweeps and punching through.
Questionable ball security, as he has a reputation as a fumbler.
Probably needs to add some bulk to his frame, but the concern is that it would take away from his speed game.
Final Overview
I like Mack a ton, but he is a system back, and will not fit every offense across the board. He may need some time in a committee approach, and may always need to be in that role. He became more effective the less he was used in any given season, and finished behind his QB in rushing yards in 2016. All of these things take him down a couple of rounds in most books, but his rare talent is undeniable, he just needs to be more confident as a power back, and has to spend more time learning how to balance his speed/finesse game with a developing power game. I would draft him in the middle rounds, but he needs some coaching up to play in an NFL system. He's worth the development in my book.
Matt Dayes, NC State
5-9, 205
Dayes was a four year player at NC State. As a freshman, he gained 252 yards on 63 carries, averaging 5.73 carries per game, and four YPC. As a sophomore, he got more involved, and rushed for 573 yards on 104 carries, averaging eight carries per game. He scored eight times, and averaged 5.51 YPC. As a junior, Dayes became the leader, as he rushed for 865 yards ans 12 scores, averaging 16.75 carries per game and 6.46 YPC. He did miss five games in 2015 with a turf toe injury.
Dayes came back strong in 2016, and exploded for 1166 yards on 249 carries. He scored ten times, and averaged a career high 19.15 carries per game, and averaged 4.68 YPC.
The Good
Multidimensional player who is serviceable as a receiver and return man as well. Seemed to improve most areas of his game with each passing season. A worker.
Patent runner that allows plays to develop.
Excellent vision downfield, and gets a step ahead in development of plays.
Body control in a phone booth is top flight. Play well in tight space.
Can make a few moves to extend plays.
The Bad
Can play tight at times, and lacks top shelf physicality.
Is small, so he really depends on his finesse game.
An easy tackle. You hit him, he is going down.
Average speed. Depends on shifty moves to evade, and has a hard time breaking the long run.
Final Overview
Dayes looks like a career backup with some special value as a 3rd down back, and on special teams. which is why I gave him a 5th round grade. He could be a very nice value pick in the later rounds for someone who needs an athlete, and not a specific positional need at RB.
James Conner, Pittsburgh
6-1, 233
Conner was a full four year player at Pitt, despite missing all but one game in 2015 as he was battling health issues related to leukemia. He started as a freshman, and led the team in rushing with 799 yards and eight scores on 146 carries. He averaged 12.17 carries per game, and 5.47 YPC. As a sophomore, Conner lit up the world with a star performance. He led the team once again with 1765 yards rushing on 298 carries, and he scored an amazing 26 rushing TDs. He averaged 22.92 carries per game, and 5.92 YPC, and he became a household name in the college football world.
His junior season was all but erased, as he was diagnosed with leukemia, and played in just one game as a result. He carried eight times for 77 yards and scored twice, as was typical of his standard efforts.
As a senior, Conner returned healthy, and came back to rush for 1092 yards on 216 carries. He scored 16 times, and averaged 16.62 carries per game, and averaged 5.06 YPC.
The Good
Hard, physical runner who can use his physicality to grind out extra yardage.
Hard worker, and team leader. Supremely high character level.
Returned from illness physically stronger.
Has perfected pad level, and knows how to use them.
The epitome of powerful runner. Uses nasty stiff arm and brute strength to his advantage.
Lower body is a power plant.
Solid body control, and he can make his own holes.
Knows how to find the end zone with regularity.
A go to guy on the goal line and in the red zone.
Solid pass blocker, and will sell out for blocks.
Excellent receiver on passing downs.
The Bad
Conner does not have elite speed, and depends often on his physical style of running to make things happen.
He is not a creator in the run game, and when he tries to be, it is detrimental.
Purely a power back, and plays with zero finesse. Bull in a china shop.
He does not have excellent field vision, and often just goes for it without seeing the whole picture.
The medical issues are always going to be in the background for him, and will concern some teams, which is why he is not graded out higher.
Final Overview
If not for his illness in 2015, Conner would likely be graded out as a 2nd round pick, but he rates as a 5th rounder here. He is a pure power back who can punch the ball into the end zone, and he is a natural when it comes to high character, which is important, or at least should be. If you are looking for a short yardage specialist and goal line threat, Conner is your guy, but he can do more as well. He just needs the right break with the right staff.
Donnel Pumphrey, San Diego State
5-8, 176
Pumphrey finished his career as the all-time rushing leader in FBS history for the Aztecs, eclipsing Ron Dayne's mark in the Las Vegas Bowl win over Houston in December.
Pumphery was a four year player for the Aztecs, and was a starter for three of those seasons. As a freshman, he backed up Adam Muema, and rushed for 752 yards and eight scores, while averaging 9.62 carries per game, and 6.02 YPC. As a sophomore, he became the starter, and rushed for 1873 yards and 20 scores, and averaged 21.31 carries and 6.76 YPC on 277 carries in 13 games. He continued strong as a junior, and ran for 1653 yards and 17 scores. He carries the football 309 times, and averaged 22.07 carries per game, and 5.35 YPC.
As a senior, Pumphrey finished strong, rushing for a whopping 2133 yards on 349 carries. He scored 17 more TDs, and averaged 6.11 YPC, and 24.93 carries per game.
The Good
Super productive in every way. One of the best players in the nation in the college game over the last three seasons.
Very fast on the scale of things, as he ran a 4.48 40.
Has excellent field vision and knows when to make his moves.
Runs well in traffic, keeps solid body control in tight spaces.
Good enough at kicking outside, but does not fear tucking up inside between the tackles.
Very shifty, seriously strong at stringing moves together.
Has another gear in the open field, and is tough to catch.
Has receiving skills, with route running ability of a wide out.
The Bad
Lacks necessary size. Warrick Dunn size.
Is not powerful, and uses finesse and is mostly dependent on it.
Does not have size and power enough to bounce off of tackles. Hit him and he goes down.
Will not be able to block on passing downs.
Very much like former Aztec back Ronnie Hillman, but with more skill.
Final Overview
Pumphrey was one of the most dynamic players in college football, but was underexposed nationally. He did not receive near the media attention that former Aztec Marshall Faulk received, but he was more productive by the numbers. Pumphrey is a bit undersized, but you cannot deny that he has ability. He gets drafted in the later rounds, but he is a diamond in the rough. Use him wisely, and he is a home run. Probably the highest value back that will get drafted later than he should.
Aaron Jones, UTEP
5-9, 208
Jones was one of the all-time greats in El Paso during his four year stay, despite missed time due to injury in two separate seasons. As a freshman, Jones led the team with 811 yards rushing and four scores. He averaged 17.22 carries per game, and 5.23 yards per carry in nine games. As a sophomore, Jones rushed for 1321 yards and 11 scores on 242 carries. He averaged 20.17 carries and 5.46 YPC. His junior year fell of the rails, as he missed 10 games with a ruptured ankle ligament, and finished with 209 yards on just 39 carries. He averaged 16 carries per game, and 6.53 yards per carry, which was a career high up to that point. As a senior, he blew up to rush for 1773 yards and 17 scores, while averaging 19.08 carries per game (229 total carries). He averaged a new career high 7.74 YPC.
As a sophomore, Jones was second on the team with 30 receptions for 293 yards and three scores. He had caught 9 passes for 106 yards and a score before the injury ended his junior season, and as a senior, he caught 28 balls for 233 yards and three scores.
The Good
A seriously productive back when healthy.
Low body build gives him some power to move through tackles, and he is difficult to arm tackle.
Was seriously under recruited out of high school and worked his way up.
Was All-CUSA as a sophomore and a senior, and likely would have been as a junior as well, if not for the injury.
Has enough moves to string together to break a long run here and there.
Is a decent safety valve out of the backfield on passing downs.
The Bad
Good, but not blazing speed for his size. Lacks a second and third gear.
Has never played for a winner, and has no experience playing in that role.
Maxed out in carries per game as a sophomore, and has never had to carry a seriously heavy workload.
May be best suited as a rotational back, maybe specializing as a 3rd down back.
Works best in zone schemes, and needs blockers to line up perfectly.
Adds no value as a kick return man, with limited special teams ability.
Final Overview
Jones figures to be a late round grab, but has some upside moving forward with the right coaching. He is a decent back for passing downs, but I do not see him as an every down back at the next level, and the injury can be a concern moving forward. He has late draft value, and is worth a risk for the right team.
Elijah McGuire, Louisiana-Lafayette
5-10, 214
McGuire was a four year player for the Ragin' Cajuns. As a freshman, he was the second leading rusher on the team with 863 yards and eight TDs on 103 carries. He averaged 7.92 carries per game, and 8.38 yards per carry. He also added 22 receptions for 384 yards and three scores as a receiver, making him the third best receiver on the team.
As a sophomore, McGuire finished with 1264 yards as the rushing leader on the team. He scored 14 times on 166 carries, and averaged 7.61 yards per carry on just 12.61 carries per game. He was the second leading receiver on the team with 45 catches for 468 yards and two scores.
As a junior, McGuire ran for 1047 yards on 209 carries, and scored 13 times. He averaged 17.42 carries per game, a career high, but dropped to 5.01 YPC. He fell to fourth on the team in receiving, with a line of 34-304-3.
As a senior, McGuire was hampered by a foot injury, and rushed for 1127 yards on 232 carries. He scored just seven times, and averaged 17.85 carries per game, with a career low 4.86 YPC. He finished fourth on the team once again as a receiver, with a line of 29-238-2.
The Good
Finished with over 4000 yards rushing.
Sun Belt freshman of the year.
Conference player of the year as a sophomore.
Highly productive back who is also a very good receiver out of the backfield.
Can return punts.
Solid ball security guy who limits turnovers.
Thick lower body with power to churn away.
Excellent cut back ability.
Can line up in the slot, and is a solid route runner as a receiver.
The Bad
Does not have excellent body control at all times.
Field vision is average, and eyes are not always in the right place.
Will not allow blockers to set up, and will outrun his blocks.
Solid receiver, but poor pass blocker.
Will not break tackles easily, and does not run with a ton of power.
Good speed, but not great, and does not possess multiple gears.
Seems to be more productive the less he is used.
There is a lingering concern over a foot injury that may have hampered him as a senior.
Final Overview
McGuire is a back that lacks a complete package on any given level. It seems that the more that is asked of him, the more he drops off in play. He is best utilized as a special teams guy, rather than being identified as a running back that can crack a starting lineup. He is worth a shot, but he is going to have to do some work on the next level. Definite late round pick, but I would not be shocked to see him fall off the board into UFA territory.
UFA
Alvin Kamara, Tennessee: Getting some love after workouts, but never produced at a high level.
Joe Yearby, Miami: Lost starting job as a senior, but has some athletic skill. Not draftable.
Jahad Thomas, Temple: Had one solid season as a producer, and it was not in 2016.
Darius Victor, Towson: Small school power runner should get shot in camp.
Barry Sanders, Oklahoma State: Junior transferred from Stanford, has family lineage.
Elijah Hood, North Carolina: Under productive, had one solid season at UNC.
Boom Williams, Kentucky: Scat back with some speed, but does nothing great.
Shock Linwood, Baylor: Left school before bowl to prep for draft, likely won't be drafted.
Justin Davis, USC: Not a special runner from a RB school.
Torean Folston, Notre Dame: Led the team in rushing as a sophomore, then disappeared for two years.
Wide Receivers
1st Round
Mike Williams, Clemson
John Ross, Washington
Corey Davis, Western Michigan
JuJu Smith Schuster, USC
2nd Round
Curtis Samuel, Ohio State* (Written up as a RB)
Zay Jones, East Carolina
Malachi Dupre, LSU
DeDe Westbrook, Oklahoma
Cooper Cupp, Eastern Washington
3rd Round
ArDarius Stewart, Alabama
Noah Brown, Ohio State
Damore'ea Stringfellow, Mississippi
Josh Reynolds, Texas A&M
Chris Godwin, Penn State
KD Cannon, Baylor
4th Round
Chad Hansen, California
Isaiah Ford, Virginia Tech
Travin Dural, LSU
Artavis Scott, Clemson
Carlos Henderson, Louisiana Tech
Gabe Marks, Washington State
5th Round
Chad Williams, Grambling
Travis Rudolph, Florida State
Fred Ross, Mississippi State
Amara Darboh, Michigan
Zach Pascal, Old Dominion
Stacey Coley, Miami
Josh Malone, Tennessee
6th Round
Jalen Robinette, Air Force
Ricky Seals-Jones, Texas A&M
Amba Etta-Tawo, Syracuse
Jehu Chesson, Michigan
Taywan Taylor, Western Kentucky
Jerome Lane, Akron
7th Round
Jamari Staples, Louisville
Keevan Lucas, Tulsa
Ryan Switzer, North Carolina
UFA
Michael Clark, Marshall
Speedy Noil, Texas A&M
Trent Taylor, Louisiana Tech
Dontre Wilson, Ohio State
Chance Allen, Houston
Mike Williams, Clemson
6-4, 218
Williams is one of the most productive receivers in the nation over the last decade in the college game, and should be a clear top five pick in the 2017 NFL Draft. He was a three year player at Clemson, and never caught fewer than 57 passes in a season with the Tigers. That season was his freshman year, as Williams posted a line of 57-1030-6, averaging 18.07 yards per catch.
As a sophomore, Williams sustained a neck injury that limited him to just one game. He caught two passes for 20 yards and a score before the injury, and this season really cannot be counted against or for anything.
Williams returned from his neck injury in 2016 as a junior, and exploded out of the gate. He posted a line of 98-1361-11, and averaged 13.89 YPC.
The Good
Absolutely looks the part, with size, hands and speed to get to the football.
He sells to vertical route well to separate from corners to be able to then cut back to the ball, creates space very well.
Will fight for the football at the high point, and take the ball down.
Has excellent leaping ability to go get the high ball.
Has an eye for the ball, and tracks like a pro.
First rate set of hands, and will not let the ball get to his body.
Top flight concentration in traffic.
Excellent body control, and can get to under thrown footballs.
Just as good running down the sidelines as he is as a receiver in the middle of the field.
Excellent foot work and post catch moves.
The Bad
While he is an excellent hands guy, he did suddenly run into drop issues the second half of junior season.
Does not always run clean routes, and sometimes depends on raw ability to get to the football.
Can be sloppy on his cuts, and sometimes needs to be crisper off the line.
Depends too much on his physical ability at times.
Can get jammed up by press corners off the line, kind of like Randy Moss at Marshall back in the day.
Neck injury looks good now, but could still be cause for concern down the line.
Final Overview
Williams could step in and be a number one receiver for most teams in football right now. He has the ability to become a QBs best friend right out of the gate, His negatives are things that can be coached and worked on, so I would not be too concerned. He has enough ability right now that I would pick him anywhere in the top five right now and run with him.
John Ross, Washington
5-11, 188
Ross was a four year player at Washington, but one of those seasons (2015) was lost to an ACL tear that was suffered in spring ball. As a freshman, Ross posted 16-208-1, averaging 13 yards per grab. He returned 31 kicks for 720 yards and a score, averaging 23.23 yards per return.
As a sophomore, Ross posted 17-371-4, and averaged 21.82 yards per reception. He added 38-938-2 on kick returns, and averaged 24.68 yards per return.
He lost all of 2015, and then returned in 2016 to post 81-1150-17, averaging 14.2 yards per reception. He also posted 17-411-1 on kick returns, with an average of 24.18 yards per return, and showed no lingering issues from his knee injury.
The Good
Major league speed guy, broke the all-time 40 record at the combine at 4.22 seconds.
His speed is a first rate diversion as it demands respect, and that opens up receivers underneath on shorter routes, as his speed alone creates soft spots.
Excellent foot work.
Works through several different gears, and cannot be caught in top gear in the open field.
Hand eye coordination is top shelf.
Excellent tracking skills from any angle.
Can catch the ball in tight spaces, and works well in traffic.
Very elusive, and is very good at tackle evasion.
Can work outside or in the slot.
Top flight kick return man who is capable of breaking off a home run on every return.
The Bad
He is not the biggest or the strongest receiver in the class.
Can get muscled by bigger corners.
Sometimes is sloppy getting into routes, depending more on speed than technique.
His cuts are also sloppy at times, and he sometimes lags in getting back to the football.
He has had major injury to both knees, and although it has not affected his speed, it can down the line with more wear.
Can pout when things do not go his way, and let's emotions get the best of him at times.
Looks more like a speed guy in the slot than a true outside threat in the NFL game.
Final Overview
I am not as personally sold on Ross as some scouts are, but it is easy to fall in love with his speed game. He can be coached up in other areas, but I do not find him to be nearly as complete as Williams is, and is not nearly the lock. THat being said, he has enough talent to warrant a first round discussion, but he will need some coaching up, and will need to be receptive to that.
Corey Davis, Western Michigan
6-3, 209
Davis was the MAC player of the year in 2016, and was a four year starter for the Broncos, and finished his career as the all-time leader in receiving yardage in NCAA history.
He had a rough background coming out of high school, and was an academic reclamation project that worked out. He led WMU in receiving all four years he was there.
As a freshman, Davis broke out with a line of 67-941-6, and averaged 14.04 yards per catch. He upped his game as a sophomore, and posted 78-1408-15, while averaging 18.05 yards per grab.
As a junior, Davis was big again, as he increased his work load once again by posting 90-1436-12, while averaging 15.96 yards per reception.
He broke the all-time receiving record in 2016, and posted 97-1500-19, with an average of 15.46 yards per catch.
The Good
Huge production, and caught 52 total TD passes during his career.
Always wants the ball, and does not tire out.
Will carry a unit, and put the pressure on himself.
Knows how to play a corner, and tracks with exceptional skill.
Can open up the field with his long game, and has solid second gear to get there.
Hard worker, and always is trying to get better, as is shown with a yearly increase in receptions.
Works well in traffic.
Red zone master, and will fight for every ball.
Excellent leaping ability, and will get the high ball.
Very physical receiver.
The Bad
Does not always cut with finesse, and can get sloppy.
Is not as seasoned working out of a slot, and can get messy working inside at that spot of the field.
Does not always flash his speed, and tends to stride rather than sprint.
Has had some drop tendencies.
Can be jammed up by physical corners when he gets lazy off the snap.
Final Overview
I am a big believer in production, and Davis has it in spades. He is simply NFL ready, and his issues that he does have to the negative are issues that can be worked out as a rookie with a first rate coach. I like him over Ross in the first round, and he will be a QBs best friend, if he can stop the simple drops that make people crazy. He will work hard and get better, and with his skills, that is all one can ask. A certain 1st rounder.
Juju Smith-Schuster, USC
6-1, 215
Smith-Schuster was a three year player for the Trojans. He finished second on the team in receiving as a freshman, posting a line of 54-724-5, and averaged 13.41 yards per reception. He played in 14 games as a sophomore, and was the team's leading receiver by posting 89-1454-10, and averaged 16.34 yards per reception, which led all Trojan receivers who finished with 20 or more receptions on the season.
Smith-Schuster was bothered by a litany of injuries as a junior, and saw his production drop somewhat. He posted 70-914-10, and averaged 13.06 yards per grab.
The Good
He has solid size, and will use it to work in traffic.
Will go over the middle for the hard catches.
Will fight for every football, and has excellent movement coming back to the ball.
Knows how to find the soft spot in any zone defense, and will set up camp there.
Solid hands, and will catch the ball away from his body with consistency.
Excellent awareness on sideline grabs, always knows where his feet are against the sideline.
Plus field vision, and follows natural lanes with efficiency.
Good blocker downfield, and blocks with exceptional sell out and power.
Runs like a bigger player in the open field, and can take some hits.
The Bad
Is not always exceptional when breaking on routes, and can get taken off his route by physical DBs.
Does not explode off the snap, and lacks big time speed to create natural separation. Lacks a second gear.
Can get jammed at the line, and does not have any real burst.
Scores in chunks, and is not a consistent scoring threat.
Long strides, but not a great runner, and routes can get sloppy.
Better fit for a slot receiver rather than an outside threat.
Will never really be more than a solid possession receiver, will not be much of a big play guy.
Got banged up at USC...a lot.
Final Overview
Smith-Schuster has enough size and ball skills to rate as a first rounder, but I would not be shocked to see him drop to a second rounder on draft day, or even later because of some perceived short comings. His physical style of play will lend to injury concerns, and he lacks top shelf speed that is expected of high impact early round receivers. He is solid enough, and in the right spot, I would not hesitate to take him. I believe that he will be highly productive in the right situation, but he also has to stay healthy to get there.
Zay Jones, East Carolina
6-2, 201
Jones is the son of former Dallas Cowboys LB Robert Jones, and is the nephew of Jeff Blake. He broke the NCAA record for career receptions with 399, and broke the single season record with 158 receptions. As a freshman, Jones posted 62-604-5, and averaged 9.74 yards per catch. He added 4 kick returns for 98 yards
As a sophomore, he posted a line of 81-830-5, averaging 10.25 yards per catch. He also returned 24 kicks for 477 yards.
As a junior, Jones led the team with a line of 98-1099-5, and he averaged 11.21 yards per grab, a career high at that time. He only returned one kick that season.
He returned for his senior season in 2016, and posted a whopping line of 158-1746-8, and averaged 11.05 yards per reception.
The Good
Highly productive, averaging 99.75 receptions over four seasons.
Solid hands, will catch the ball away from his body with consistency.
Excellent body control in traffic, and protects the football well.
Will sell out his body for a tough grab, plays with abandon.
Big time leaper, will get after the high ball and win the battles up top.
Solid focus, hard worker.
Top shelf foot work.
Workout warrior, a champ in the weight room.
High football IQ, even higher character.
Has experience returning kicks, and has worked in the slot as well.
The Bad
Played in a pass happy offense in college, so numbers may seem inflated.
He does not have a second gear, and speed overall is average.
Never averaged higher than 11.21 yards per reception in college, meaning he is not a deep threat guy.
Never scored in double figures. Scored just 23 times in four years as a receiver.
Lacks solid size, looks thin, and struggles against physical corners who can muscle him around.
He will get what is there for yards, and nothing more, will not work to create.
Has minimal experience as a run blocker due to the ECU offensive system.
Final Overview
There is enough there with Jones to have me peg him as a second round guy, but he will have to fit a system, rather than going somewhere where the system does not fit the player. He would be perfect with the Patriots or someone like the Texans. He is simply just not a one size fits all kind of receiver.
He has the pedigree to succeed in the league, but even better, he is a sought after character type who will be solid. In short, draft him if he fits your style of play, and he will be just fine, but he will never be explosive.
Malachi Dupre, LSU
6-2, 196
Dupre was a three year player at LSU who's stats were completed downplayed due to poor QB play with the Tigers during his time there. Dupre is an underrated super athlete, who is solid in several track events as well.
As a freshman, Dupre finished second on the team in receiving with a line of 14-318-5, and averaged an eye popping 22.71 yards per catch. Dupre led the Tigers in receiving as a sophomore with a line of 43-698-6, and averaged 16.23 yards per reception.
Dupre wrapped up his college career at LSU in 2016 as a junior, and posted a line of 41-593-3, and averaged 14.93 yards per grab.
The Good
A solid athlete with experience all over the field as a receiver. Can play either side or in the slot.
Production was muted by average to bad QB play, not because of his overall ability.
Plays with excellent body control, and tracks the ball like a pro on deep throws. Can readjust to get to under thrown balls and low throws.
Is always thinking a step ahead, and turns and runs well after the catch.
Gets under tacklers to lunge forward after the hit.
Solid deep play potential.
The Bad
Limited sample size because he played with really bad QBs for three seasons.
May be more athletic than football savvy.
Will never burn anyone with his speed.
He is not a great route runner. He seems to need some work on the nuances of the game as a receiver and does not always play with a high football IQ.
Slow off of the snap at times, and does not pop into his routes.
More a raw block of clay than a finished product.
Not a solid blocker on run plays.
Final Overview
Dupre has some ability, that much is certain, but at this point of his career, he is more a raw block of clay than a finished product by far. He is an intriguing developmental type with athleticism to burn, but you cannot expect too much too soon, or else you will be let down. His raw ability alone is intriguing enough that someone will go relatively early on him, and then try to find a way to develop him further into what he can be.
DeDe Westbrook, Oklahoma
6-0, 178
Westbrook was a three star prospect out of high school who originally committed to Texas State, but never went. He ended up at Blinn JC and blew up there out of the gate before transferring to Oklahoma.
As a junior at Oklahoma, he finished second on the team in receiving with a line of 46-743-4, and averaged 16.15 yards per grab. He exploded to lead the team in receiving as a senior in 2016, and posted a line of 80-1524-17, and averaged 19.05 yards per catch.
He also returned nine kicks as a senior for 277 yards, averaging 27.11 yards per return, and returned five punts for 81 yards and a score, averaging 16.2 yards per return there.
The Good
Plays with first rate footwork, and excels playing underneath coverage, which is good being that he may be moved to slot in the NFL.
Has speed to burn, and has moves on top of that to get free and clear in the open field. Hard to catch once he gets going.
Solid route runner, and plays with intelligence.
Has solid hands, and not much gets by him.
He is a creator in the field when plays break down for a QB. He will find a way to get open and make a play where none exists.
Does solid work on CBs lining up inside of him. Knows how to work them to the middle before cutting out to the side.
Has massive big play potential, and is an excellent tracker.
He added value as a kick and punt return man his senior season.
Not a perfect blocker, but will give it a go.
Plays bigger than he is.
The Bad
Undersized and skinny, and has measured below expectations physically.
Very thin legs, looks fragile.
He does not give it an all go on every play, and will take plays off where his head isn't into it.
His size lends to getting jammed by physical corners and safeties.
College teams did not defend him as hard as they could have based on the fact that OU did not always play physically tough defenses.
Has been accused of domestic violence, and already has two children, meaning his focus and character are not where they should be.
According to sources, he interviewed with scouts poorly, and did not attend the combine. He has already fallen off of many draft boards because of his domestic violence issues (was never convicted...shockingly), but his character concerns, like those of Joe Mixon, will affect his draft stock.
Final Overview
Not interviewing with scouts well, and having a domestic violence shadow hanging over you can really gut your career before it takes off. A lot of teams are not interested despite Westbrooks' proven talent. If not for the negatives, he may be one of the better receivers in the draft, but those character deals are off limits to so many teams, as it should be. If he can keep himself behaving, and someone spends a pick on him, he is high risk/high reward. Someone just has to want to take the risk.
Cooper Kupp, Eastern Washington
6-2, 204
Kupp finished his career at EWU as the most prolific receiver in FCS (1-AA) football history. He has won every award available for him to win on that level, and his production levels are elite for any level of football.
As a freshman, Kupp finished with a line of 93-1691-23, and averaged 18.2 yards per catch, and 112.7 yards per game. He was strong again as a sophomore, posting 104-1431-16, and averaged 13.8 YPC and 110.1 YPG as he fought through ankle injury issues.
As a junior, Kupp finished with another 114 receptions for 1642 yards and 19 scores. He averaged 14.4 YPC and a career high 149.3 YPG.
As a senior, he finished strong by posting a career high 117 receptions for 1700 yards and 17 scores. He averaged 14.5 YPC and 130.8 YPG.
The Good
His production numbers were off of the charts, and he finished as the all-time leading receiver in FCS history with 428 receptions, 6464 yards, and 73 TDs.
Deep NFL family lineage, as his father played in the league, and his grandfather (Jake Kupp) is in the Hall of Fame as an offensive lineman.
His hands are deep vacuums, where nothing escapes, and he has idolized Larry Fitzgerald.
Changes gears on a dime, and knows how to create plays in the field.
He wants the football and will compete and work.
Ball tracking pro.
Excellent body control and will sell out his body for the catch. Will get to anything you get near him.
Has first rate moves and fakes.
The Bad
Although he can change gears, he is not overly fast.
Does not always run with leverage on routes, and can stand a bit tall.
Does not have burst off of the snap, and can be slow to get back to footballs.
Lower level of competition could be a problem for some.
Final Overview
Depending on who you talk to, Kupp could go anywhere from the first to the third round. Some scouts love him, some are not sold, but at the end of the day, you cannot ignore his production and his talents. I like him personally much earlier than mid or late third round, and would take a flier in the first if I did not have other massively pressing needs. I believe that he is starter quality in the league, and while he worked a ton in the slot at EWU, I do not doubt that he can work outside. I see an Ed McCaffrey type player once he is fully developed, and that is saying something.
ArDarius Stewart, Alabama
5-11, 204
Stewart was a three year player for Alabama, not including one year as a redshirt. As a RS freshman, he posted 12-149-0, averaging 12.42 YPC. As a sophomore, he climbed the ladder to finish second on the team in receiving, with a line of 63-700-4. He averaged 11.11 YPC. As a junior, his final season, he posted 54-864-8, with an average of 16 YPC. He returned 8 kicks for 161 yards as a junior, averaging 20.13 yards per return, and has been used on run plays out of the jet sweep as well.
The Good
Stewart is a multifaceted football player, and has been used at WR, RB, and on kick returns throughout his career.
Is a good downfield run blocker, and will sell out for those blocks.
Solid field vision, and can make plays after the catch.
Will make spectacular grabs, and will give up his body to make the catch.
The Bad
Is not much good on screen plays as a blocker.
More athletic than solid as a receiver.
Does not run great routes, and is raw.
Former RB still learning to play receiver.
Has some drop issues, mostly out of a lack of concentration.
Tries to get too shifty in the open field, and it will often cost him.
Scored 138 TDs in high school, but never showed a major scoring flash in college.
Final Overview
Stewart is a freak of an athlete, but is still very raw as he is still trying to learn the job of being a full time receiver. He is a prototypical player who never should have come out of school early, and is coming out for all the wrong reasons. He already has two kids (lacks focus in the right areas of his life), and is trying to take care of his extended family, which never ends well for the player. Stewart has some flashing ability, and has some skills, but he is a reach at the grade given, and I would let someone else bare the risk here. He has something, but not enough of something for me.
Noah Brown, Ohio State
6-2, 222
Brown left Ohio State after his RS sophomore season, and has very limited experience and sample size. As a freshman, He caught just one pass for nine yards. He missed the entire 2015 season after breaking his leg in spring ball. He returned as a RS sophomore in 2016, and posted a limited line of 32-402-7.
The Good
Solid size, and fits the build. He uses his body to frame the catch and defend the ball from encroaching defenders.
Works well in traffic and can take a hit.
Very physical receiver, and will sell out for a big catch.
Hard to jam at the line due to his physical nature of play.
First rate run blocker down field, and likes the contact.
The Bad
Severely limited sample size of production with just 33 career receptions at Ohio State.
Broken leg cost him an entire season, and that is concerning.
He is leaving way too soon, which makes me question his dedication and focus.
Does not play with great speed, and depends way too much on being physical.
He will never beat anyone deep, as he lacks top shelf speed.
Still learning how to run routes, and lacks a deeper understanding of the nuances of the position.
Does not have solid hands at this point.
Final Overview
There is no explanation as to why Brown thinks that he is ready to come out at this point. He is very far from a finished project, and the only reason he attains a third round grade is because of buzz about how good he looked in the spring before his injury. That's not nearly enough for me. At best he will be a rotational possession receiver, at worst, a complete bust and flame out. There is no easy way to project in the gray area for this prospect. It is all hit or miss.
Damore'ea Stringfellow, Mississippi
6-2, 211
Stringfellow was a two year producer for the Rebels after transferring from Washington after legal issues in Seattle.
As a freshman at Washington, he posted 20-259-1. He transferred to Ole Miss as a sophomore, and posted 36-503-5, and averaged 13.97 YPC. As a junior, his final season, he posted 46-716-6, and averaged 15.57 YPC.
The Good
Has the size you are looking for in a receiver.
Has plus body control, and is able to sell out for the amazing catch and will get low for the gopher balls into the ground.
Can track balls with ease on the long throws, but also knows how to find seams in the zone and plant there.
The Bad
He has a fairly limited sample size, and was only a full time starter for one season.
Dos not pop off of the line, and lacks top shelf speed.
Easily jammed off of the line.
Sloppy route runner, and can get taken off routes easily.
His footwork is lacking, and he looks plodding at times.
He does not possess first rate hands.
Terrible run blocker.
Showed real maturity issues at Washington, leading to his transfer.
Final Overview
I think people are still trying to come to grips with the fact that Stringfellow was a five star athlete out of high school and are still banking on that. He has never lived up to that hype. He got into a post Super Bowl brawl at Washington, and was basically forced to leave, and he never lived up to much at Ole Miss, and was never a stat leader anywhere. He has some physical skill, but is still very raw, and I would have to pass on this prospect. Someone, however, will not.
Josh Reynolds, Texas A&M
6-3, 194
Reynolds was a lightly recruited receiver and hurdler out of high school, and ended up playing at Tyler JC as a freshman as a result after several schools passed on him in the process.
He transferred to Texas A&M as a sophomore.
As a sophomore, he posted a line of 52-842-13, averaging 16.19 YPC. He returned as a junior and posted 51-907-5, and averaged 17.78 YPC. As a senior, he posted his best season, going for 61-1039-12, and averaged 17.03 YPC.
The Good
Tall outside receiver who is a solid ball tracker on long throws.
Excellent body control, and knows how to shift himself into second gear wasting little in the way of physical inefficiency.
Consistent scoring threat who averaged 10 scores per season with the Aggies.
Big time threat in red zone, and works hard in traffic.
Leaping ability is first rate.
Aggressive blocker, and sells out to do so.
The Bad
He can look a little thin, and his lower half is equally as thin. Lacks power as a result. Cannot bulk up.
Can get jammed at the line, will have to learn how to work through that.
Hands are a plus, but footwork can get sloppy, and due to functional strength, he can get knocked around easily.
Better worker outside, does not work well underneath.
Is a better body control player when balls are high, but not so great in the low throw.
Final Overview
Reynolds is a better vertical threat than every down mid range guy. He has the overall height you need, but he is lacking in other areas, and may be a better rotational receiver than every down guy, plus one thing I did not mention is that his speed is limited. He is more quick than openly fast, but will be fairly useless in the short game. If you can afford a guy for deep threat possibilities that doesn't do a lot else great, he could be your guy.
Chris Godwin, Penn State
6-1, 209
Godwin came to Penn State as the Delaware high school player of the year, and played his best games in the biggest match ups of his career.
As a freshman, he posted 26-338-2, averaging 13 yards per reception, which was good for fourth on the team in receiving.
As a sophomore, Godwin shifted to becoming the leader in receiving as he posted 69-1101-5. He averaged 15.96 yards per catch.
Godwin wrapped his Penn State career after his junior season, as he posted a final tally of 59-982-11, and he averaged 16.64 yards per reception.
He was named All-Big 10 for both his sophomore and junior seasons.
The Good
Godwin is a very dependable front line receiver who took over as the leader in receiving at Penn State by his sophomore season.
He has solid posted speed at 4.42 in the 40.
Crafty and shifty in traffic.
Played his biggest games in bowls as both a sophomore and a junior, with 15 combined catches in two bowls, including nine against USC (2 TDs).
Is not afraid of contact, and will fight for yardage.
The Bad
Has never played with a top flight QB.
Penn State offense is a bit of a hybrid, and it is hard to tell where he fits in.
A bit too much dependent on his speed, and can get jammed at times or even knocked off routes.
Looks small on film, and does not necessarily play up to his measurables.
Could have used another season at Penn State, and may have come out a bit early.
Final Overview
Godwin is an emerging talent, and although he could have used another year at Penn State, he certainly is intriguing. He has rock solid speed, but is raw in other areas still, and will need some coaching up. If you can get him in the early middle rounds, he could be a long term steal, as long as you have someone on the staff, or a solid veteran core that can show him the ropes. Could be a big picture steal.
KD Cannon, Baylor
5-11, 182
Cannon was a three year player for the Bears, starting all three. As a freshman, he finished second on the team in receiving with a line of 58-1030-8, and averaged 17.76 yards per reception. He finished second on the team in receiving again as a sophomore, posting a reduced overall number with a line of 50-868-6, but he still managed to average 17.36 yards per reception. Cannon became the receiving leader for the Bears as a junior, posting 87-1215-13, and averaged a career low 13.97 yards per reception.
The Good
Extremely athletically talented football player, with first rate leaping ability.
Speed is first rate, as he recorded a 4.41 40 at the combine.
Has several gears, and uses them all.
Knows how to play corners off the ball on deep throws.
Excellent tracker on deep balls.
The Bad
Lacks strength to muscle through traffic.
He is more of a vertical receiver than a route runner. Speed guy mainly.
Played in a college system that does not translate to the NFL game.
Terrible pad level, always runs upright even in traffic.
His overall body control is all over the place, and he can be downright sloppy.
Does not have great hands, and is mostly a body catcher. Will not snatch balls away from his frame with regularity. Has drop issues because of this.
Will rarely come back to the ball.
Will get jammed and muscled around the field, and will never be an outside receiver. He best fits in a slot role, but he is going to have to unlearn some bad habits, and relearn how to become a standard slot receiver.
Final Overview
I understand how some teams will fall for Cannon's speed game, but he has a long way to go before he will be a viable NFL receiver. He is a system guy who really has limited understanding of routes, and is dependent on his speed game above all else right now. Someone will get him in the middle rounds based on his speed, but he is a developmental project at this stage for the next level.
Chad Hansen, California
6-2, 202
Hansen spent one season at Idaho State before transferring to California. Redshirted one season, and then played as a sophomore for the Bears, but finished just seventh on the team with 10-249-1, with an average of 13.11 yards per reception. Blew up as a junior in 2016, as he led the team with a line of 92-1249-11, with an average 13.58 yards per catch.
The Good
Hansen is a solid route runner who can work his way through traffic and get to the football. He came out of nowhere in 2016, and finished third in FBS with 9.2 receptions per game.
He gets off the snap cleanly, and can work to the middle or outside, and has excellent awareness when working the sides.
He can play with physical strength and is hard to jam off the line, and gets to work right away. Does not waste any time getting into his groove on any given play.
Body control is solid, and he is a first rate ball tracker.
Solid hands.
Works the middle like a natural.
Tough minded receiver.
Solid run blocking skills.
The Bad
Limited sample size, as he only really had one solid year at Cal after transferring from Idaho State. Never really showed up in high school until he was a senior.
He can be an upright runner, and has trouble shrinking down.
Worked in a pass happy system at Cal, where routes are very simplistic.
Does not use his body well as a shield.
Good, but not great speed. May be more of a possession guy than anything else.
Final Overview
The main question about Hansen in 2016 was "where did he come from?" Hansen was a guy who came out of nowhere in 2016 as a junior after three mostly lost seasons to become an All-PAC 12 performer. That worries me on some levels, because almost anyone can put together one great season, but does this guy have longevity? That is a huge question for me. I really liked what I saw of him in 2016, but it's not quite enough for me to invest in long term.
Isaiah Ford, Virginia Tech
6-1, 104
Ford was a major top flight basketball star in high school who averaged 37 points per game, but instead chose to play college football. He starred immediately as a freshman, as he led the Hokies in receiving with a line of 56-709-6, and he averaged 12.66 YPR.
As a sophomore, Ford once again led the team with a line of 75-1164-11, and increased his YPR to 15.52.
He returned for his final college season as a junior in 2016, and posted 79-1094-7, averaging 13.85 YPR.
The Good
Very athletic, and his basketball ability translates onto the football field.
Plays faster than he really is, and can surge off of the snap, using exceptional lower body drive.
Gets good separation, and can make a window for himself in passing lanes.
Solid moves, and uses them with skill to throw off defenders.
Really good body control, and solid, able hands.
The Bad
Speed is not great overall, as he timed a 4.61 40 at the combine, plays faster than he really is.
If bigger corners get under him, he can be jammed and thrown of his routes.
Does not use his body as a shield for the ball with enough consistency.
He can get a little sloppy at times, and sometimes comes off on film as a little bit slow or lazy.
Will not evade many tackles, and cannot create after the catch.
Can be really good physically, but does not yet have the mental part down.
Not a great downfield blocker.
Final Overview
One cannot take his productivity away from him, as he has been a receiving leader for the Hokies all three of his seasons in the program. The issue that I have is that Ford reads like a guy who was a great college football player, but will not translate to that greatness in the NFL. Virginia Tech is not a great passing program right now, and although Ford did a ton to dispel that notion, he still shows as someone having a ton of work to do on the next level, and may have to be rebuilt from square one.
Travin Dural, LSU
6-1, 202
Dural was a redshirt player and stayed at LSU for four years. He missed his freshman season as a RS when he injured his knee in camp. He returned for his RS freshman season, and posted just 7-145-2, and averaged over 20 yards per reception.
He returned as a sophomore and led the team by posting 37-758-7, and he averaged 20.49 YPR.
As a junior, he posted 28-533-3, and averaged 19.04 YPR, but missed a game with a hamstring injury.
He returned as a senior in 2016, and posted 28-280-1, averaging 10 YPR. He missed one game with a shoulder injury.
The Good
He looks longer than he is, and plays bigger than he is.
Good rangy running motion makes him look faster than he is.
Has excellent concentration on throws in double coverage.
Knows how to get by a corner to the outside and turn on a second gear.
He can work to the outside, or slant over the middle and catch the ball well on the run.
Has the ability to turn a medium play into a home run with solid open field moves.
Has decent balance after contact.
His number do not read into who he is as a receiver, as he played for some very bad QBs at LSU.
Has a solid base on downfield blocking, and will sell himself out for the block.
Aggressive, and can get open after a play breaks down.
The Bad
He has really been banged up, as he has lost time to knee, hamstring, and shoulder issues.
He either hits the home run, or he drops out. He is a big play guy, but doesn't always make the small plays.
Looks faster on film than he really is, and is more of a strider than a burner.
Many of his highlights on film are against weaker competition.
Always seems to have corner draping on his hip, and has to make too many challenged receptions.
His routes look wide angled at times, and he does not do the quick cut stuff very well.
Final Overview
It's really hard to tell what you have in this guy. His film looks great, but then you realize who the opponent is in some of that film, and you have to take it with a grain of salt. He has never had the benefit of having a top flight QB at LSU, so you have to wonder if he can improve with a better QB throwing to him, but then you realize that there just are not many great QBs in the NFL, and then you worry about him with another bad one. There are some traits there for Dural to succeed, but it's a high risk situation with him. He is either a diamond in the rough, or a complete bust waiting to happen.
Artavis Scott, Clemson
5-10, 193
Scott was a true junior upon leaving Clemson for the draft, but did receive a degree in communications studies in just 2.5 years.
As a freshman, He posted a line of 73-965-8, and averaged 12.7 YPR.
He expanded duties to the return game in 2015 as a sophomore. As a receiver, he posted 93-901-6, and averaged 9.69 YPR. His receiving line led the team. As a return man, he returned 15 kicks for 371 yards, and averaged 24.73 yards per return. He also returned 13 punts for 55 yards, averaging 4.23 yards per return.
He finished second in receptions in 2016, but only 4th in yardage with a line of 76-614-5, and averaged just 8.08 YPR. On kick returns, he posted 23-535, and averaged 23.26 yards per return. On punt returns, he finished with 9-59, but was largely replaced by Ray-Ray McLoud.
The Good
Has solid body control, and will use his body to shield the catch from defenders.
Will study linebacker movement, and will cut under if he thinks the LB will move on the ball.
Solid use of his hands, and will catch balls away from his frame.
Has some solid evasion technique after the catch.
Excellent use of his pads, and will get low for contact and drive through.
Very good on kick returns.
The Bad
Low yardage guy, only finished in double figures in YPR once in three seasons. More of an underneath route guy, or a bubble screen type.
Lacks top shelf speed, as he only recorded a 4.61 40 at the combine.
Lost the punt return job as a junior.
Does not get separation, and gets contested often on receptions.
Lazy route runner most of the time, gets very wide and sloppy on route running.
Built for the slot, stats are built for the slot, but is not fast enough or skilled enough for the slot, and will never be much of an outside threat.
Final Overview
Scott is not a top flight receiver, and his role in the NFL, if he makes it in the league, will be as a return man, but his main skill is on kick returns, as he never really flourished on punt returns. He grades out by the services as a 4th round pick, but I think he scores lower than that in my opinion. I absolutely believe that there is more value in waiting for a different guy at receiver in this area of the draft.
Carlos Henderson, Louisiana Tech
5-11, 199
Henderson was named both offensive and special teams player of the year in Conference USA in 2016 as a junior. He was a three year player for the Bulldogs.
As a freshman, he posted 29-569-4 as a receiver, and averaged 19.62 YPR. He returned 33 kicks for 826 yards and a score, and averaged 25.03 yards as a return man on kickoffs. As a sophomore, he posted 36-774-5 as a receiver and averaged 21.5 YPR. As a kick returner, he posted 21-463-0, and averaged 22.05 yards per return. In 2016, his final season, he posted 82-1535-19, and averaged 18.72 YPR. He added 25-805-2 as a kick return man, and averaged 32.2 yards per return.
The Good
One of the best return men in this draft. Exceptional speed helps, as he ran a 4.46 40 at the combine, and plays faster than that.
Very productive season in 2016, even after three years of playing second fiddle to Trent Taylor.
Quick cutter, and wastes almost nothing in his movements.
Can get behind defenders very easily on zone coverage.
He has some first rate moves off of the snap.
Solid control, and gets to the low balls as well.
Will catch balls away from his frame.
Plays with constructive aggression and power.
The Bad
Played against mostly poor competition, and was not really challenged much in a defensively deficient CUSA.
Finesse player who sometimes will depend too much on speed alone.
Played in a pass happy system, and still has work to do in learning about a route tree.
Lacking in basic fundamentals and is very raw.
Not a great tracker on long balls, and misses as many as he gets to.
Does not come back to the football.
Has some drop issues to work on.
Final Overview
I love him as a return man, and some of his deficiencies are based in coaching. If he gets to the next level, and has a solid WR coach to work with, he can really be a diamond in the rough long term. If you have the patience, and are willing to let him work through his field issues, he could be a steal, and could have immediate impact on kick returns as well, which is a bonus. I would take a flyer on him in the fourth round and wait him out to see what happens in a few years. There is potential here.
Gabe Marks, Washington State
5-11, 189
Marks is a rare five year college player, who redshirted right in the middle of his career, which was a decision that Mike Leach made for him after several off-field run ins with local police. This move was to instill some maturity in Marks, and the move worked.
As a freshman, Marks posted 49-560-2, and averaged 11.42 YPR. As a sophomore, He posted 74-807-7, and averaged 10.91 YPR. He redshirted in 2014, and returned as a junior in 2015 to post a line of 104-1192-15, and he averaged 11.46 YPR, and better yet, he stayed out of trouble.
As a senior in 2016, he posted 89-894-13, and averaged 10.04 YPR.
The Good
One of the hardest working players in the college game. A real gamer who is tough on the field.
Plays with a chip on his shoulder from not being offered by UCLA and USC in his home town of LA.
When getting off the snap clean, he is one of the better route runners around, and will work inside and out.
Good tracker on the ball, and will work to the ball with aggression, and reroutes himself well when his QB has to scramble. A solid creator.
Solid footwork, and works well against the sideline.
The Bad
He isn't the biggest guy on the field, and he can get jammed and rerouted by big, physical DBs.
Decent speed, but not great speed. He will not be much of a deep field threat.
Numbers have to be adjusted for having played in a pass happy system of offense.
He can get knocked around in traffic, and does not always track the ball great in a crowd.
He is more finesse than physical.
Can sometimes be prone to fumbles or drops.
Final Overview
Despite some deficiencies here and there, Marks has been one of my favorite receivers in the nation for some time now. He will never kill you with flash or glitz, but he is a hard worker who just wants to succeed and win. Time and again in the PAC-12, he played against what were supposed to be better athletes than himself, and he came out on top more often than not. I have a solid does of respect for this player, and in the right spot, he could be a steal as a slot receiver on underneath routes on the next level. I am really pulling for this kid.
5th through 7th Round Prospects
5th Round
Chad Williams, Grambling: Tough kid with solid size, but is very raw from a small school.
Travis Rudolph, Florida State: Skinny player with skill, could be immediate backup, with starter potential.
Fred Ross, Mississippi State: Will never be a down field burner, but adds value as a possession receiver with punt return ability.
Amara Darboh, Michigan: He has solid size/speed for a receiver, and is tough, but he lacks attention and drops balls. If you can fix him, he may be a steal late.
Zach Pascal, Old Dominion: Consistent stats guy and has kick return skills, which could be his ticket. Has intriguing size, but his fundamentals are a mixed bag. Very raw.
Stacey Coley, Miami: He has skills as a slot man, and very good speed, but there are questions as to whether or not he really loves to play, and that could drop him.
Josh Malone, Tennessee: Considering that he was a five star former player of the year in Tennessee out of high school, Malone, like many in the Vols program, never lived up to his hype. Really could have used another year in school.
6th Round
Jalen Robinette, Air Force: Will porbably need time to adjust to the pro game after living in an option attack, but his skills and potential are through the roof, may also have to deal with Air Force commitment out of the academy.
Ricky Seals-Jones, Texas A&M: Another highly hyped high school kid that never fully lived up to the hype. He is a huge guy who may need to move to TE in the NFL, but that will take some work.
Amba Etta-Tawo, Syracuse: A developmental prospect who really exploded in his final year. Limited sample size guy who lacks a body of work, solid fundamentals, and is very raw, but there is enough there to intrigue some people.
Jehu Chesson, Michigan: Really fell off in 2016, and saw his confidence drop some. He has the size/speed combo that teams want, but he has to show he wants this.
Taywan Taylor, Western Kentucky: System player with video game numbers. He still has some bery high potential levels as a first rate slot receiver, and should get some solid looks on day three. I would definitely take a look with a pick here.
Jerome Lane, Akron: Former LB turned into receiver and flourished. Tough and strong, and a hard worker. Will need some time to fully develop, as he has not played the position long. Still, his potential is very good.
7th Round
Jamari Staples, Louisville: He is far more talented than his numbers would suggest, but that is an issue that he can only explain. He has talent, and physical skills, but is far too raw at this point. A real developmental project.
Keevan Lucas, Tulsa: A higly productive player in college, but that may be all he will ever be. A real developmental type who had great production, but lacks fundamental skills in a set base offense.
Ryan Switzer, North Carolina: Probably one of the better prospects in the late rounds in the draft at receiver, but his money will be made as a punt return man. Poor man's Wes Welker.
UFA
Michael Clark, Marshall: Intriguing candidate because of his size (6'-7"), but played just one year of college ball.
Speedy Noil, Texas A&M: Extreme chracter issues have taken him off of many boards, and he does not appear to be focused enough to make money as a pro player. Total head case, lack of production, despite high end physical potential. A real waste. Uncoachable.
Trent Taylor, Louisiana Tech: High end college player who may not work out as a pro due to lacking speed and explosiveness as a punt return man.
Dontre Wilson, Ohio State: Switched from RB to WR, but really has never produced at either.
Chance Allen, Houston: Oregon transfer who finished second in receiving both seasons for the Cougars. A solid UFA prospect as a slot guy.
1st Round
Mike Williams, Clemson
John Ross, Washington
Corey Davis, Western Michigan
JuJu Smith Schuster, USC
2nd Round
Curtis Samuel, Ohio State* (Written up as a RB)
Zay Jones, East Carolina
Malachi Dupre, LSU
DeDe Westbrook, Oklahoma
Cooper Cupp, Eastern Washington
3rd Round
ArDarius Stewart, Alabama
Noah Brown, Ohio State
Damore'ea Stringfellow, Mississippi
Josh Reynolds, Texas A&M
Chris Godwin, Penn State
KD Cannon, Baylor
4th Round
Chad Hansen, California
Isaiah Ford, Virginia Tech
Travin Dural, LSU
Artavis Scott, Clemson
Carlos Henderson, Louisiana Tech
Gabe Marks, Washington State
5th Round
Chad Williams, Grambling
Travis Rudolph, Florida State
Fred Ross, Mississippi State
Amara Darboh, Michigan
Zach Pascal, Old Dominion
Stacey Coley, Miami
Josh Malone, Tennessee
6th Round
Jalen Robinette, Air Force
Ricky Seals-Jones, Texas A&M
Amba Etta-Tawo, Syracuse
Jehu Chesson, Michigan
Taywan Taylor, Western Kentucky
Jerome Lane, Akron
7th Round
Jamari Staples, Louisville
Keevan Lucas, Tulsa
Ryan Switzer, North Carolina
UFA
Michael Clark, Marshall
Speedy Noil, Texas A&M
Trent Taylor, Louisiana Tech
Dontre Wilson, Ohio State
Chance Allen, Houston
Mike Williams, Clemson
6-4, 218
Williams is one of the most productive receivers in the nation over the last decade in the college game, and should be a clear top five pick in the 2017 NFL Draft. He was a three year player at Clemson, and never caught fewer than 57 passes in a season with the Tigers. That season was his freshman year, as Williams posted a line of 57-1030-6, averaging 18.07 yards per catch.
As a sophomore, Williams sustained a neck injury that limited him to just one game. He caught two passes for 20 yards and a score before the injury, and this season really cannot be counted against or for anything.
Williams returned from his neck injury in 2016 as a junior, and exploded out of the gate. He posted a line of 98-1361-11, and averaged 13.89 YPC.
The Good
Absolutely looks the part, with size, hands and speed to get to the football.
He sells to vertical route well to separate from corners to be able to then cut back to the ball, creates space very well.
Will fight for the football at the high point, and take the ball down.
Has excellent leaping ability to go get the high ball.
Has an eye for the ball, and tracks like a pro.
First rate set of hands, and will not let the ball get to his body.
Top flight concentration in traffic.
Excellent body control, and can get to under thrown footballs.
Just as good running down the sidelines as he is as a receiver in the middle of the field.
Excellent foot work and post catch moves.
The Bad
While he is an excellent hands guy, he did suddenly run into drop issues the second half of junior season.
Does not always run clean routes, and sometimes depends on raw ability to get to the football.
Can be sloppy on his cuts, and sometimes needs to be crisper off the line.
Depends too much on his physical ability at times.
Can get jammed up by press corners off the line, kind of like Randy Moss at Marshall back in the day.
Neck injury looks good now, but could still be cause for concern down the line.
Final Overview
Williams could step in and be a number one receiver for most teams in football right now. He has the ability to become a QBs best friend right out of the gate, His negatives are things that can be coached and worked on, so I would not be too concerned. He has enough ability right now that I would pick him anywhere in the top five right now and run with him.
John Ross, Washington
5-11, 188
Ross was a four year player at Washington, but one of those seasons (2015) was lost to an ACL tear that was suffered in spring ball. As a freshman, Ross posted 16-208-1, averaging 13 yards per grab. He returned 31 kicks for 720 yards and a score, averaging 23.23 yards per return.
As a sophomore, Ross posted 17-371-4, and averaged 21.82 yards per reception. He added 38-938-2 on kick returns, and averaged 24.68 yards per return.
He lost all of 2015, and then returned in 2016 to post 81-1150-17, averaging 14.2 yards per reception. He also posted 17-411-1 on kick returns, with an average of 24.18 yards per return, and showed no lingering issues from his knee injury.
The Good
Major league speed guy, broke the all-time 40 record at the combine at 4.22 seconds.
His speed is a first rate diversion as it demands respect, and that opens up receivers underneath on shorter routes, as his speed alone creates soft spots.
Excellent foot work.
Works through several different gears, and cannot be caught in top gear in the open field.
Hand eye coordination is top shelf.
Excellent tracking skills from any angle.
Can catch the ball in tight spaces, and works well in traffic.
Very elusive, and is very good at tackle evasion.
Can work outside or in the slot.
Top flight kick return man who is capable of breaking off a home run on every return.
The Bad
He is not the biggest or the strongest receiver in the class.
Can get muscled by bigger corners.
Sometimes is sloppy getting into routes, depending more on speed than technique.
His cuts are also sloppy at times, and he sometimes lags in getting back to the football.
He has had major injury to both knees, and although it has not affected his speed, it can down the line with more wear.
Can pout when things do not go his way, and let's emotions get the best of him at times.
Looks more like a speed guy in the slot than a true outside threat in the NFL game.
Final Overview
I am not as personally sold on Ross as some scouts are, but it is easy to fall in love with his speed game. He can be coached up in other areas, but I do not find him to be nearly as complete as Williams is, and is not nearly the lock. THat being said, he has enough talent to warrant a first round discussion, but he will need some coaching up, and will need to be receptive to that.
Corey Davis, Western Michigan
6-3, 209
Davis was the MAC player of the year in 2016, and was a four year starter for the Broncos, and finished his career as the all-time leader in receiving yardage in NCAA history.
He had a rough background coming out of high school, and was an academic reclamation project that worked out. He led WMU in receiving all four years he was there.
As a freshman, Davis broke out with a line of 67-941-6, and averaged 14.04 yards per catch. He upped his game as a sophomore, and posted 78-1408-15, while averaging 18.05 yards per grab.
As a junior, Davis was big again, as he increased his work load once again by posting 90-1436-12, while averaging 15.96 yards per reception.
He broke the all-time receiving record in 2016, and posted 97-1500-19, with an average of 15.46 yards per catch.
The Good
Huge production, and caught 52 total TD passes during his career.
Always wants the ball, and does not tire out.
Will carry a unit, and put the pressure on himself.
Knows how to play a corner, and tracks with exceptional skill.
Can open up the field with his long game, and has solid second gear to get there.
Hard worker, and always is trying to get better, as is shown with a yearly increase in receptions.
Works well in traffic.
Red zone master, and will fight for every ball.
Excellent leaping ability, and will get the high ball.
Very physical receiver.
The Bad
Does not always cut with finesse, and can get sloppy.
Is not as seasoned working out of a slot, and can get messy working inside at that spot of the field.
Does not always flash his speed, and tends to stride rather than sprint.
Has had some drop tendencies.
Can be jammed up by physical corners when he gets lazy off the snap.
Final Overview
I am a big believer in production, and Davis has it in spades. He is simply NFL ready, and his issues that he does have to the negative are issues that can be worked out as a rookie with a first rate coach. I like him over Ross in the first round, and he will be a QBs best friend, if he can stop the simple drops that make people crazy. He will work hard and get better, and with his skills, that is all one can ask. A certain 1st rounder.
Juju Smith-Schuster, USC
6-1, 215
Smith-Schuster was a three year player for the Trojans. He finished second on the team in receiving as a freshman, posting a line of 54-724-5, and averaged 13.41 yards per reception. He played in 14 games as a sophomore, and was the team's leading receiver by posting 89-1454-10, and averaged 16.34 yards per reception, which led all Trojan receivers who finished with 20 or more receptions on the season.
Smith-Schuster was bothered by a litany of injuries as a junior, and saw his production drop somewhat. He posted 70-914-10, and averaged 13.06 yards per grab.
The Good
He has solid size, and will use it to work in traffic.
Will go over the middle for the hard catches.
Will fight for every football, and has excellent movement coming back to the ball.
Knows how to find the soft spot in any zone defense, and will set up camp there.
Solid hands, and will catch the ball away from his body with consistency.
Excellent awareness on sideline grabs, always knows where his feet are against the sideline.
Plus field vision, and follows natural lanes with efficiency.
Good blocker downfield, and blocks with exceptional sell out and power.
Runs like a bigger player in the open field, and can take some hits.
The Bad
Is not always exceptional when breaking on routes, and can get taken off his route by physical DBs.
Does not explode off the snap, and lacks big time speed to create natural separation. Lacks a second gear.
Can get jammed at the line, and does not have any real burst.
Scores in chunks, and is not a consistent scoring threat.
Long strides, but not a great runner, and routes can get sloppy.
Better fit for a slot receiver rather than an outside threat.
Will never really be more than a solid possession receiver, will not be much of a big play guy.
Got banged up at USC...a lot.
Final Overview
Smith-Schuster has enough size and ball skills to rate as a first rounder, but I would not be shocked to see him drop to a second rounder on draft day, or even later because of some perceived short comings. His physical style of play will lend to injury concerns, and he lacks top shelf speed that is expected of high impact early round receivers. He is solid enough, and in the right spot, I would not hesitate to take him. I believe that he will be highly productive in the right situation, but he also has to stay healthy to get there.
Zay Jones, East Carolina
6-2, 201
Jones is the son of former Dallas Cowboys LB Robert Jones, and is the nephew of Jeff Blake. He broke the NCAA record for career receptions with 399, and broke the single season record with 158 receptions. As a freshman, Jones posted 62-604-5, and averaged 9.74 yards per catch. He added 4 kick returns for 98 yards
As a sophomore, he posted a line of 81-830-5, averaging 10.25 yards per catch. He also returned 24 kicks for 477 yards.
As a junior, Jones led the team with a line of 98-1099-5, and he averaged 11.21 yards per grab, a career high at that time. He only returned one kick that season.
He returned for his senior season in 2016, and posted a whopping line of 158-1746-8, and averaged 11.05 yards per reception.
The Good
Highly productive, averaging 99.75 receptions over four seasons.
Solid hands, will catch the ball away from his body with consistency.
Excellent body control in traffic, and protects the football well.
Will sell out his body for a tough grab, plays with abandon.
Big time leaper, will get after the high ball and win the battles up top.
Solid focus, hard worker.
Top shelf foot work.
Workout warrior, a champ in the weight room.
High football IQ, even higher character.
Has experience returning kicks, and has worked in the slot as well.
The Bad
Played in a pass happy offense in college, so numbers may seem inflated.
He does not have a second gear, and speed overall is average.
Never averaged higher than 11.21 yards per reception in college, meaning he is not a deep threat guy.
Never scored in double figures. Scored just 23 times in four years as a receiver.
Lacks solid size, looks thin, and struggles against physical corners who can muscle him around.
He will get what is there for yards, and nothing more, will not work to create.
Has minimal experience as a run blocker due to the ECU offensive system.
Final Overview
There is enough there with Jones to have me peg him as a second round guy, but he will have to fit a system, rather than going somewhere where the system does not fit the player. He would be perfect with the Patriots or someone like the Texans. He is simply just not a one size fits all kind of receiver.
He has the pedigree to succeed in the league, but even better, he is a sought after character type who will be solid. In short, draft him if he fits your style of play, and he will be just fine, but he will never be explosive.
Malachi Dupre, LSU
6-2, 196
Dupre was a three year player at LSU who's stats were completed downplayed due to poor QB play with the Tigers during his time there. Dupre is an underrated super athlete, who is solid in several track events as well.
As a freshman, Dupre finished second on the team in receiving with a line of 14-318-5, and averaged an eye popping 22.71 yards per catch. Dupre led the Tigers in receiving as a sophomore with a line of 43-698-6, and averaged 16.23 yards per reception.
Dupre wrapped up his college career at LSU in 2016 as a junior, and posted a line of 41-593-3, and averaged 14.93 yards per grab.
The Good
A solid athlete with experience all over the field as a receiver. Can play either side or in the slot.
Production was muted by average to bad QB play, not because of his overall ability.
Plays with excellent body control, and tracks the ball like a pro on deep throws. Can readjust to get to under thrown balls and low throws.
Is always thinking a step ahead, and turns and runs well after the catch.
Gets under tacklers to lunge forward after the hit.
Solid deep play potential.
The Bad
Limited sample size because he played with really bad QBs for three seasons.
May be more athletic than football savvy.
Will never burn anyone with his speed.
He is not a great route runner. He seems to need some work on the nuances of the game as a receiver and does not always play with a high football IQ.
Slow off of the snap at times, and does not pop into his routes.
More a raw block of clay than a finished product.
Not a solid blocker on run plays.
Final Overview
Dupre has some ability, that much is certain, but at this point of his career, he is more a raw block of clay than a finished product by far. He is an intriguing developmental type with athleticism to burn, but you cannot expect too much too soon, or else you will be let down. His raw ability alone is intriguing enough that someone will go relatively early on him, and then try to find a way to develop him further into what he can be.
DeDe Westbrook, Oklahoma
6-0, 178
Westbrook was a three star prospect out of high school who originally committed to Texas State, but never went. He ended up at Blinn JC and blew up there out of the gate before transferring to Oklahoma.
As a junior at Oklahoma, he finished second on the team in receiving with a line of 46-743-4, and averaged 16.15 yards per grab. He exploded to lead the team in receiving as a senior in 2016, and posted a line of 80-1524-17, and averaged 19.05 yards per catch.
He also returned nine kicks as a senior for 277 yards, averaging 27.11 yards per return, and returned five punts for 81 yards and a score, averaging 16.2 yards per return there.
The Good
Plays with first rate footwork, and excels playing underneath coverage, which is good being that he may be moved to slot in the NFL.
Has speed to burn, and has moves on top of that to get free and clear in the open field. Hard to catch once he gets going.
Solid route runner, and plays with intelligence.
Has solid hands, and not much gets by him.
He is a creator in the field when plays break down for a QB. He will find a way to get open and make a play where none exists.
Does solid work on CBs lining up inside of him. Knows how to work them to the middle before cutting out to the side.
Has massive big play potential, and is an excellent tracker.
He added value as a kick and punt return man his senior season.
Not a perfect blocker, but will give it a go.
Plays bigger than he is.
The Bad
Undersized and skinny, and has measured below expectations physically.
Very thin legs, looks fragile.
He does not give it an all go on every play, and will take plays off where his head isn't into it.
His size lends to getting jammed by physical corners and safeties.
College teams did not defend him as hard as they could have based on the fact that OU did not always play physically tough defenses.
Has been accused of domestic violence, and already has two children, meaning his focus and character are not where they should be.
According to sources, he interviewed with scouts poorly, and did not attend the combine. He has already fallen off of many draft boards because of his domestic violence issues (was never convicted...shockingly), but his character concerns, like those of Joe Mixon, will affect his draft stock.
Final Overview
Not interviewing with scouts well, and having a domestic violence shadow hanging over you can really gut your career before it takes off. A lot of teams are not interested despite Westbrooks' proven talent. If not for the negatives, he may be one of the better receivers in the draft, but those character deals are off limits to so many teams, as it should be. If he can keep himself behaving, and someone spends a pick on him, he is high risk/high reward. Someone just has to want to take the risk.
Cooper Kupp, Eastern Washington
6-2, 204
Kupp finished his career at EWU as the most prolific receiver in FCS (1-AA) football history. He has won every award available for him to win on that level, and his production levels are elite for any level of football.
As a freshman, Kupp finished with a line of 93-1691-23, and averaged 18.2 yards per catch, and 112.7 yards per game. He was strong again as a sophomore, posting 104-1431-16, and averaged 13.8 YPC and 110.1 YPG as he fought through ankle injury issues.
As a junior, Kupp finished with another 114 receptions for 1642 yards and 19 scores. He averaged 14.4 YPC and a career high 149.3 YPG.
As a senior, he finished strong by posting a career high 117 receptions for 1700 yards and 17 scores. He averaged 14.5 YPC and 130.8 YPG.
The Good
His production numbers were off of the charts, and he finished as the all-time leading receiver in FCS history with 428 receptions, 6464 yards, and 73 TDs.
Deep NFL family lineage, as his father played in the league, and his grandfather (Jake Kupp) is in the Hall of Fame as an offensive lineman.
His hands are deep vacuums, where nothing escapes, and he has idolized Larry Fitzgerald.
Changes gears on a dime, and knows how to create plays in the field.
He wants the football and will compete and work.
Ball tracking pro.
Excellent body control and will sell out his body for the catch. Will get to anything you get near him.
Has first rate moves and fakes.
The Bad
Although he can change gears, he is not overly fast.
Does not always run with leverage on routes, and can stand a bit tall.
Does not have burst off of the snap, and can be slow to get back to footballs.
Lower level of competition could be a problem for some.
Final Overview
Depending on who you talk to, Kupp could go anywhere from the first to the third round. Some scouts love him, some are not sold, but at the end of the day, you cannot ignore his production and his talents. I like him personally much earlier than mid or late third round, and would take a flier in the first if I did not have other massively pressing needs. I believe that he is starter quality in the league, and while he worked a ton in the slot at EWU, I do not doubt that he can work outside. I see an Ed McCaffrey type player once he is fully developed, and that is saying something.
ArDarius Stewart, Alabama
5-11, 204
Stewart was a three year player for Alabama, not including one year as a redshirt. As a RS freshman, he posted 12-149-0, averaging 12.42 YPC. As a sophomore, he climbed the ladder to finish second on the team in receiving, with a line of 63-700-4. He averaged 11.11 YPC. As a junior, his final season, he posted 54-864-8, with an average of 16 YPC. He returned 8 kicks for 161 yards as a junior, averaging 20.13 yards per return, and has been used on run plays out of the jet sweep as well.
The Good
Stewart is a multifaceted football player, and has been used at WR, RB, and on kick returns throughout his career.
Is a good downfield run blocker, and will sell out for those blocks.
Solid field vision, and can make plays after the catch.
Will make spectacular grabs, and will give up his body to make the catch.
The Bad
Is not much good on screen plays as a blocker.
More athletic than solid as a receiver.
Does not run great routes, and is raw.
Former RB still learning to play receiver.
Has some drop issues, mostly out of a lack of concentration.
Tries to get too shifty in the open field, and it will often cost him.
Scored 138 TDs in high school, but never showed a major scoring flash in college.
Final Overview
Stewart is a freak of an athlete, but is still very raw as he is still trying to learn the job of being a full time receiver. He is a prototypical player who never should have come out of school early, and is coming out for all the wrong reasons. He already has two kids (lacks focus in the right areas of his life), and is trying to take care of his extended family, which never ends well for the player. Stewart has some flashing ability, and has some skills, but he is a reach at the grade given, and I would let someone else bare the risk here. He has something, but not enough of something for me.
Noah Brown, Ohio State
6-2, 222
Brown left Ohio State after his RS sophomore season, and has very limited experience and sample size. As a freshman, He caught just one pass for nine yards. He missed the entire 2015 season after breaking his leg in spring ball. He returned as a RS sophomore in 2016, and posted a limited line of 32-402-7.
The Good
Solid size, and fits the build. He uses his body to frame the catch and defend the ball from encroaching defenders.
Works well in traffic and can take a hit.
Very physical receiver, and will sell out for a big catch.
Hard to jam at the line due to his physical nature of play.
First rate run blocker down field, and likes the contact.
The Bad
Severely limited sample size of production with just 33 career receptions at Ohio State.
Broken leg cost him an entire season, and that is concerning.
He is leaving way too soon, which makes me question his dedication and focus.
Does not play with great speed, and depends way too much on being physical.
He will never beat anyone deep, as he lacks top shelf speed.
Still learning how to run routes, and lacks a deeper understanding of the nuances of the position.
Does not have solid hands at this point.
Final Overview
There is no explanation as to why Brown thinks that he is ready to come out at this point. He is very far from a finished project, and the only reason he attains a third round grade is because of buzz about how good he looked in the spring before his injury. That's not nearly enough for me. At best he will be a rotational possession receiver, at worst, a complete bust and flame out. There is no easy way to project in the gray area for this prospect. It is all hit or miss.
Damore'ea Stringfellow, Mississippi
6-2, 211
Stringfellow was a two year producer for the Rebels after transferring from Washington after legal issues in Seattle.
As a freshman at Washington, he posted 20-259-1. He transferred to Ole Miss as a sophomore, and posted 36-503-5, and averaged 13.97 YPC. As a junior, his final season, he posted 46-716-6, and averaged 15.57 YPC.
The Good
Has the size you are looking for in a receiver.
Has plus body control, and is able to sell out for the amazing catch and will get low for the gopher balls into the ground.
Can track balls with ease on the long throws, but also knows how to find seams in the zone and plant there.
The Bad
He has a fairly limited sample size, and was only a full time starter for one season.
Dos not pop off of the line, and lacks top shelf speed.
Easily jammed off of the line.
Sloppy route runner, and can get taken off routes easily.
His footwork is lacking, and he looks plodding at times.
He does not possess first rate hands.
Terrible run blocker.
Showed real maturity issues at Washington, leading to his transfer.
Final Overview
I think people are still trying to come to grips with the fact that Stringfellow was a five star athlete out of high school and are still banking on that. He has never lived up to that hype. He got into a post Super Bowl brawl at Washington, and was basically forced to leave, and he never lived up to much at Ole Miss, and was never a stat leader anywhere. He has some physical skill, but is still very raw, and I would have to pass on this prospect. Someone, however, will not.
Josh Reynolds, Texas A&M
6-3, 194
Reynolds was a lightly recruited receiver and hurdler out of high school, and ended up playing at Tyler JC as a freshman as a result after several schools passed on him in the process.
He transferred to Texas A&M as a sophomore.
As a sophomore, he posted a line of 52-842-13, averaging 16.19 YPC. He returned as a junior and posted 51-907-5, and averaged 17.78 YPC. As a senior, he posted his best season, going for 61-1039-12, and averaged 17.03 YPC.
The Good
Tall outside receiver who is a solid ball tracker on long throws.
Excellent body control, and knows how to shift himself into second gear wasting little in the way of physical inefficiency.
Consistent scoring threat who averaged 10 scores per season with the Aggies.
Big time threat in red zone, and works hard in traffic.
Leaping ability is first rate.
Aggressive blocker, and sells out to do so.
The Bad
He can look a little thin, and his lower half is equally as thin. Lacks power as a result. Cannot bulk up.
Can get jammed at the line, will have to learn how to work through that.
Hands are a plus, but footwork can get sloppy, and due to functional strength, he can get knocked around easily.
Better worker outside, does not work well underneath.
Is a better body control player when balls are high, but not so great in the low throw.
Final Overview
Reynolds is a better vertical threat than every down mid range guy. He has the overall height you need, but he is lacking in other areas, and may be a better rotational receiver than every down guy, plus one thing I did not mention is that his speed is limited. He is more quick than openly fast, but will be fairly useless in the short game. If you can afford a guy for deep threat possibilities that doesn't do a lot else great, he could be your guy.
Chris Godwin, Penn State
6-1, 209
Godwin came to Penn State as the Delaware high school player of the year, and played his best games in the biggest match ups of his career.
As a freshman, he posted 26-338-2, averaging 13 yards per reception, which was good for fourth on the team in receiving.
As a sophomore, Godwin shifted to becoming the leader in receiving as he posted 69-1101-5. He averaged 15.96 yards per catch.
Godwin wrapped his Penn State career after his junior season, as he posted a final tally of 59-982-11, and he averaged 16.64 yards per reception.
He was named All-Big 10 for both his sophomore and junior seasons.
The Good
Godwin is a very dependable front line receiver who took over as the leader in receiving at Penn State by his sophomore season.
He has solid posted speed at 4.42 in the 40.
Crafty and shifty in traffic.
Played his biggest games in bowls as both a sophomore and a junior, with 15 combined catches in two bowls, including nine against USC (2 TDs).
Is not afraid of contact, and will fight for yardage.
The Bad
Has never played with a top flight QB.
Penn State offense is a bit of a hybrid, and it is hard to tell where he fits in.
A bit too much dependent on his speed, and can get jammed at times or even knocked off routes.
Looks small on film, and does not necessarily play up to his measurables.
Could have used another season at Penn State, and may have come out a bit early.
Final Overview
Godwin is an emerging talent, and although he could have used another year at Penn State, he certainly is intriguing. He has rock solid speed, but is raw in other areas still, and will need some coaching up. If you can get him in the early middle rounds, he could be a long term steal, as long as you have someone on the staff, or a solid veteran core that can show him the ropes. Could be a big picture steal.
KD Cannon, Baylor
5-11, 182
Cannon was a three year player for the Bears, starting all three. As a freshman, he finished second on the team in receiving with a line of 58-1030-8, and averaged 17.76 yards per reception. He finished second on the team in receiving again as a sophomore, posting a reduced overall number with a line of 50-868-6, but he still managed to average 17.36 yards per reception. Cannon became the receiving leader for the Bears as a junior, posting 87-1215-13, and averaged a career low 13.97 yards per reception.
The Good
Extremely athletically talented football player, with first rate leaping ability.
Speed is first rate, as he recorded a 4.41 40 at the combine.
Has several gears, and uses them all.
Knows how to play corners off the ball on deep throws.
Excellent tracker on deep balls.
The Bad
Lacks strength to muscle through traffic.
He is more of a vertical receiver than a route runner. Speed guy mainly.
Played in a college system that does not translate to the NFL game.
Terrible pad level, always runs upright even in traffic.
His overall body control is all over the place, and he can be downright sloppy.
Does not have great hands, and is mostly a body catcher. Will not snatch balls away from his frame with regularity. Has drop issues because of this.
Will rarely come back to the ball.
Will get jammed and muscled around the field, and will never be an outside receiver. He best fits in a slot role, but he is going to have to unlearn some bad habits, and relearn how to become a standard slot receiver.
Final Overview
I understand how some teams will fall for Cannon's speed game, but he has a long way to go before he will be a viable NFL receiver. He is a system guy who really has limited understanding of routes, and is dependent on his speed game above all else right now. Someone will get him in the middle rounds based on his speed, but he is a developmental project at this stage for the next level.
Chad Hansen, California
6-2, 202
Hansen spent one season at Idaho State before transferring to California. Redshirted one season, and then played as a sophomore for the Bears, but finished just seventh on the team with 10-249-1, with an average of 13.11 yards per reception. Blew up as a junior in 2016, as he led the team with a line of 92-1249-11, with an average 13.58 yards per catch.
The Good
Hansen is a solid route runner who can work his way through traffic and get to the football. He came out of nowhere in 2016, and finished third in FBS with 9.2 receptions per game.
He gets off the snap cleanly, and can work to the middle or outside, and has excellent awareness when working the sides.
He can play with physical strength and is hard to jam off the line, and gets to work right away. Does not waste any time getting into his groove on any given play.
Body control is solid, and he is a first rate ball tracker.
Solid hands.
Works the middle like a natural.
Tough minded receiver.
Solid run blocking skills.
The Bad
Limited sample size, as he only really had one solid year at Cal after transferring from Idaho State. Never really showed up in high school until he was a senior.
He can be an upright runner, and has trouble shrinking down.
Worked in a pass happy system at Cal, where routes are very simplistic.
Does not use his body well as a shield.
Good, but not great speed. May be more of a possession guy than anything else.
Final Overview
The main question about Hansen in 2016 was "where did he come from?" Hansen was a guy who came out of nowhere in 2016 as a junior after three mostly lost seasons to become an All-PAC 12 performer. That worries me on some levels, because almost anyone can put together one great season, but does this guy have longevity? That is a huge question for me. I really liked what I saw of him in 2016, but it's not quite enough for me to invest in long term.
Isaiah Ford, Virginia Tech
6-1, 104
Ford was a major top flight basketball star in high school who averaged 37 points per game, but instead chose to play college football. He starred immediately as a freshman, as he led the Hokies in receiving with a line of 56-709-6, and he averaged 12.66 YPR.
As a sophomore, Ford once again led the team with a line of 75-1164-11, and increased his YPR to 15.52.
He returned for his final college season as a junior in 2016, and posted 79-1094-7, averaging 13.85 YPR.
The Good
Very athletic, and his basketball ability translates onto the football field.
Plays faster than he really is, and can surge off of the snap, using exceptional lower body drive.
Gets good separation, and can make a window for himself in passing lanes.
Solid moves, and uses them with skill to throw off defenders.
Really good body control, and solid, able hands.
The Bad
Speed is not great overall, as he timed a 4.61 40 at the combine, plays faster than he really is.
If bigger corners get under him, he can be jammed and thrown of his routes.
Does not use his body as a shield for the ball with enough consistency.
He can get a little sloppy at times, and sometimes comes off on film as a little bit slow or lazy.
Will not evade many tackles, and cannot create after the catch.
Can be really good physically, but does not yet have the mental part down.
Not a great downfield blocker.
Final Overview
One cannot take his productivity away from him, as he has been a receiving leader for the Hokies all three of his seasons in the program. The issue that I have is that Ford reads like a guy who was a great college football player, but will not translate to that greatness in the NFL. Virginia Tech is not a great passing program right now, and although Ford did a ton to dispel that notion, he still shows as someone having a ton of work to do on the next level, and may have to be rebuilt from square one.
Travin Dural, LSU
6-1, 202
Dural was a redshirt player and stayed at LSU for four years. He missed his freshman season as a RS when he injured his knee in camp. He returned for his RS freshman season, and posted just 7-145-2, and averaged over 20 yards per reception.
He returned as a sophomore and led the team by posting 37-758-7, and he averaged 20.49 YPR.
As a junior, he posted 28-533-3, and averaged 19.04 YPR, but missed a game with a hamstring injury.
He returned as a senior in 2016, and posted 28-280-1, averaging 10 YPR. He missed one game with a shoulder injury.
The Good
He looks longer than he is, and plays bigger than he is.
Good rangy running motion makes him look faster than he is.
Has excellent concentration on throws in double coverage.
Knows how to get by a corner to the outside and turn on a second gear.
He can work to the outside, or slant over the middle and catch the ball well on the run.
Has the ability to turn a medium play into a home run with solid open field moves.
Has decent balance after contact.
His number do not read into who he is as a receiver, as he played for some very bad QBs at LSU.
Has a solid base on downfield blocking, and will sell himself out for the block.
Aggressive, and can get open after a play breaks down.
The Bad
He has really been banged up, as he has lost time to knee, hamstring, and shoulder issues.
He either hits the home run, or he drops out. He is a big play guy, but doesn't always make the small plays.
Looks faster on film than he really is, and is more of a strider than a burner.
Many of his highlights on film are against weaker competition.
Always seems to have corner draping on his hip, and has to make too many challenged receptions.
His routes look wide angled at times, and he does not do the quick cut stuff very well.
Final Overview
It's really hard to tell what you have in this guy. His film looks great, but then you realize who the opponent is in some of that film, and you have to take it with a grain of salt. He has never had the benefit of having a top flight QB at LSU, so you have to wonder if he can improve with a better QB throwing to him, but then you realize that there just are not many great QBs in the NFL, and then you worry about him with another bad one. There are some traits there for Dural to succeed, but it's a high risk situation with him. He is either a diamond in the rough, or a complete bust waiting to happen.
Artavis Scott, Clemson
5-10, 193
Scott was a true junior upon leaving Clemson for the draft, but did receive a degree in communications studies in just 2.5 years.
As a freshman, He posted a line of 73-965-8, and averaged 12.7 YPR.
He expanded duties to the return game in 2015 as a sophomore. As a receiver, he posted 93-901-6, and averaged 9.69 YPR. His receiving line led the team. As a return man, he returned 15 kicks for 371 yards, and averaged 24.73 yards per return. He also returned 13 punts for 55 yards, averaging 4.23 yards per return.
He finished second in receptions in 2016, but only 4th in yardage with a line of 76-614-5, and averaged just 8.08 YPR. On kick returns, he posted 23-535, and averaged 23.26 yards per return. On punt returns, he finished with 9-59, but was largely replaced by Ray-Ray McLoud.
The Good
Has solid body control, and will use his body to shield the catch from defenders.
Will study linebacker movement, and will cut under if he thinks the LB will move on the ball.
Solid use of his hands, and will catch balls away from his frame.
Has some solid evasion technique after the catch.
Excellent use of his pads, and will get low for contact and drive through.
Very good on kick returns.
The Bad
Low yardage guy, only finished in double figures in YPR once in three seasons. More of an underneath route guy, or a bubble screen type.
Lacks top shelf speed, as he only recorded a 4.61 40 at the combine.
Lost the punt return job as a junior.
Does not get separation, and gets contested often on receptions.
Lazy route runner most of the time, gets very wide and sloppy on route running.
Built for the slot, stats are built for the slot, but is not fast enough or skilled enough for the slot, and will never be much of an outside threat.
Final Overview
Scott is not a top flight receiver, and his role in the NFL, if he makes it in the league, will be as a return man, but his main skill is on kick returns, as he never really flourished on punt returns. He grades out by the services as a 4th round pick, but I think he scores lower than that in my opinion. I absolutely believe that there is more value in waiting for a different guy at receiver in this area of the draft.
Carlos Henderson, Louisiana Tech
5-11, 199
Henderson was named both offensive and special teams player of the year in Conference USA in 2016 as a junior. He was a three year player for the Bulldogs.
As a freshman, he posted 29-569-4 as a receiver, and averaged 19.62 YPR. He returned 33 kicks for 826 yards and a score, and averaged 25.03 yards as a return man on kickoffs. As a sophomore, he posted 36-774-5 as a receiver and averaged 21.5 YPR. As a kick returner, he posted 21-463-0, and averaged 22.05 yards per return. In 2016, his final season, he posted 82-1535-19, and averaged 18.72 YPR. He added 25-805-2 as a kick return man, and averaged 32.2 yards per return.
The Good
One of the best return men in this draft. Exceptional speed helps, as he ran a 4.46 40 at the combine, and plays faster than that.
Very productive season in 2016, even after three years of playing second fiddle to Trent Taylor.
Quick cutter, and wastes almost nothing in his movements.
Can get behind defenders very easily on zone coverage.
He has some first rate moves off of the snap.
Solid control, and gets to the low balls as well.
Will catch balls away from his frame.
Plays with constructive aggression and power.
The Bad
Played against mostly poor competition, and was not really challenged much in a defensively deficient CUSA.
Finesse player who sometimes will depend too much on speed alone.
Played in a pass happy system, and still has work to do in learning about a route tree.
Lacking in basic fundamentals and is very raw.
Not a great tracker on long balls, and misses as many as he gets to.
Does not come back to the football.
Has some drop issues to work on.
Final Overview
I love him as a return man, and some of his deficiencies are based in coaching. If he gets to the next level, and has a solid WR coach to work with, he can really be a diamond in the rough long term. If you have the patience, and are willing to let him work through his field issues, he could be a steal, and could have immediate impact on kick returns as well, which is a bonus. I would take a flyer on him in the fourth round and wait him out to see what happens in a few years. There is potential here.
Gabe Marks, Washington State
5-11, 189
Marks is a rare five year college player, who redshirted right in the middle of his career, which was a decision that Mike Leach made for him after several off-field run ins with local police. This move was to instill some maturity in Marks, and the move worked.
As a freshman, Marks posted 49-560-2, and averaged 11.42 YPR. As a sophomore, He posted 74-807-7, and averaged 10.91 YPR. He redshirted in 2014, and returned as a junior in 2015 to post a line of 104-1192-15, and he averaged 11.46 YPR, and better yet, he stayed out of trouble.
As a senior in 2016, he posted 89-894-13, and averaged 10.04 YPR.
The Good
One of the hardest working players in the college game. A real gamer who is tough on the field.
Plays with a chip on his shoulder from not being offered by UCLA and USC in his home town of LA.
When getting off the snap clean, he is one of the better route runners around, and will work inside and out.
Good tracker on the ball, and will work to the ball with aggression, and reroutes himself well when his QB has to scramble. A solid creator.
Solid footwork, and works well against the sideline.
The Bad
He isn't the biggest guy on the field, and he can get jammed and rerouted by big, physical DBs.
Decent speed, but not great speed. He will not be much of a deep field threat.
Numbers have to be adjusted for having played in a pass happy system of offense.
He can get knocked around in traffic, and does not always track the ball great in a crowd.
He is more finesse than physical.
Can sometimes be prone to fumbles or drops.
Final Overview
Despite some deficiencies here and there, Marks has been one of my favorite receivers in the nation for some time now. He will never kill you with flash or glitz, but he is a hard worker who just wants to succeed and win. Time and again in the PAC-12, he played against what were supposed to be better athletes than himself, and he came out on top more often than not. I have a solid does of respect for this player, and in the right spot, he could be a steal as a slot receiver on underneath routes on the next level. I am really pulling for this kid.
5th through 7th Round Prospects
5th Round
Chad Williams, Grambling: Tough kid with solid size, but is very raw from a small school.
Travis Rudolph, Florida State: Skinny player with skill, could be immediate backup, with starter potential.
Fred Ross, Mississippi State: Will never be a down field burner, but adds value as a possession receiver with punt return ability.
Amara Darboh, Michigan: He has solid size/speed for a receiver, and is tough, but he lacks attention and drops balls. If you can fix him, he may be a steal late.
Zach Pascal, Old Dominion: Consistent stats guy and has kick return skills, which could be his ticket. Has intriguing size, but his fundamentals are a mixed bag. Very raw.
Stacey Coley, Miami: He has skills as a slot man, and very good speed, but there are questions as to whether or not he really loves to play, and that could drop him.
Josh Malone, Tennessee: Considering that he was a five star former player of the year in Tennessee out of high school, Malone, like many in the Vols program, never lived up to his hype. Really could have used another year in school.
6th Round
Jalen Robinette, Air Force: Will porbably need time to adjust to the pro game after living in an option attack, but his skills and potential are through the roof, may also have to deal with Air Force commitment out of the academy.
Ricky Seals-Jones, Texas A&M: Another highly hyped high school kid that never fully lived up to the hype. He is a huge guy who may need to move to TE in the NFL, but that will take some work.
Amba Etta-Tawo, Syracuse: A developmental prospect who really exploded in his final year. Limited sample size guy who lacks a body of work, solid fundamentals, and is very raw, but there is enough there to intrigue some people.
Jehu Chesson, Michigan: Really fell off in 2016, and saw his confidence drop some. He has the size/speed combo that teams want, but he has to show he wants this.
Taywan Taylor, Western Kentucky: System player with video game numbers. He still has some bery high potential levels as a first rate slot receiver, and should get some solid looks on day three. I would definitely take a look with a pick here.
Jerome Lane, Akron: Former LB turned into receiver and flourished. Tough and strong, and a hard worker. Will need some time to fully develop, as he has not played the position long. Still, his potential is very good.
7th Round
Jamari Staples, Louisville: He is far more talented than his numbers would suggest, but that is an issue that he can only explain. He has talent, and physical skills, but is far too raw at this point. A real developmental project.
Keevan Lucas, Tulsa: A higly productive player in college, but that may be all he will ever be. A real developmental type who had great production, but lacks fundamental skills in a set base offense.
Ryan Switzer, North Carolina: Probably one of the better prospects in the late rounds in the draft at receiver, but his money will be made as a punt return man. Poor man's Wes Welker.
UFA
Michael Clark, Marshall: Intriguing candidate because of his size (6'-7"), but played just one year of college ball.
Speedy Noil, Texas A&M: Extreme chracter issues have taken him off of many boards, and he does not appear to be focused enough to make money as a pro player. Total head case, lack of production, despite high end physical potential. A real waste. Uncoachable.
Trent Taylor, Louisiana Tech: High end college player who may not work out as a pro due to lacking speed and explosiveness as a punt return man.
Dontre Wilson, Ohio State: Switched from RB to WR, but really has never produced at either.
Chance Allen, Houston: Oregon transfer who finished second in receiving both seasons for the Cougars. A solid UFA prospect as a slot guy.
Tight Ends
1st Round
OJ Howard, Alabama
David Njoku, Miami
2nd Round
Gerald Everett, South Alabama
Evan Engram, Mississippi
3rd Round
Adam Shaheen, Ashland
Jordan Leggett, Clemson
4th Round
Jake Butt, Michigan
Bucky Hodges, Virginia Tech
Jonnu Smith, Florida International
Michael Roberts, Toledo
Cole Hikutini, Louisville
5th Round
Jeremy Sprinkle, Arkansas
Blake Jarwin, Oklahoma State
6th Round
Eric Saubert, Drake
7th Round
Anthony Auclair, Laval (Canada)
UFA
Taylor McNamara, USC
Pharoah Brown, Oregon
Johnny Mundt, Oregon
Evan Bayliss, Oregon
Billy Freeman, San Jose State
Connor Cella, Rice
Josiah Price, Michigan State
Sean Culkin, Missouri
Tyrone Swoopes, Texas
OJ Howard, Alabama
6-6, 251
Howard was a four year player at Alabama, although he could have gone to the draft a year ago. As a freshman, he put up a line of 14-269-2, and averaged 19.21 yards per reception.
As a sophomore, He caught 17-260-0, and averaged 15.29 YPR. He came in as a junior and doubled his production, posting 38-602-2, averaging 15.84 YPR on the season.
As a senior, He posted 45-595-3, and averaged 13.22 YPR.
The Good
One of the most athletic players in the draft, and probably better than some of his early numbers may suggest. He is a rare first round lock for a TE, and is one of those immediate impact types of players.
Very fast for a TE, with first rate hands, and has length to go get most passes.
Tracks the ball like a WR.
Cannot be defended in the passing game by a LB, and DBs have match up issues with him.
Very creative in space, and can break a long gain on any given play.
Excellent body control, and can readjust on bad throws high or low.
Rare pass catching TE who can also block like a pro.
The real deal.
The Bad
He is a pretty straightforward receiver, and does not string many moves together.
Can lack aggressiveness at times.
Needs more reps on the field, as Alabama under used him in 2016.
Some question his competitive nature.
Final Overview
I don't get how anyone would question his overall competitive nature, but I will say that Lane Kiffin rarely used him properly. Howard is an absolute first round talent who can be one of the best in the league once he gets his bearings. He is probably one of the prospects in this draft that I am personally most excited about.
David Njoku, Miami
6-4, 246
Njoku played just two seasons at Miami after redshirting as a freshman to transition from WR to TE As a freshman, he posted 21-362-1, and averaged 17.24 YPR in 13 games. As a RS Sophomore in 2016, he dropped a line of 43-698-8, and averaged 16.23 YPR.
The Good
Despite his overall size, he can still play outside at WR when needed.
Has room on his frame to bulk up further, which could improve his overall game as a blocker.
Very precise, sharp cuts on routes.
Creates separation easily, and creates major mismatches.
A major creator in the open field, and excels in YAC.
Major leaping ability to go get after the high throw.
Knows where the seams are against zones and finds the soft spot, will camp out there.
First rate hands.
He can line up anywhere on the field and excel.
Plus blocker.
The Bad
Severely limited sample size, as he only started in nine games in two years.
Still learning how to play TE, and thinks like a WR too much.
Footwork on blocking is still a work in progress, and may be a better receiving option than straight up blocker.
He can lose focus on some plays, leading to drops.
Still learning route tree from TE perspective.
Lacks lower body explosion, needs more on his frame.
More raw than anything else, depends on being a freakish athlete over knowledge of what he is doing.
Final Overview
As a pass catching TE, I think that Njoku, despite his lack of overall experience, could be a nice, late first round addition for anyone needing a TE who is not the best as a pure blocker in the trenches. Get him wide, and let him run, and allow him to block downfield as a decoy, because that is where he will excel right now. He will learn the rest later, but he has amazing talent potential, and could develop into being a star.
Gerald Everett, South Alabama
6-3, 239
Everett is a former high school basketball player who only picked up football as a senior in high school. He attended Hutchinson CC to further learn the game, and then transferred to UAB, but was focred out when the Blazers cut their program, which eventually landed him at South Alabama, a program that has had luck with traditional TEs in their short history.
Everett was the leading receiver for the Jaguars in 2015, as he posted a line of 41-575-8, with an average of 14.02 YPR. As a senior in 2016, he posted 49-717-4, with an average of 14.63 YPR.
The Good
Very athletic with solid bust off of the line.
Can get deep and past safeties who are sitting in zone coverage, and gets good separation off of the snap. He can run for a big guy.
Creates easy mismatches with his size and athletic ability, and demands DB coverage. LBs cannot cover him well.
Works well over the middle and against zone schemes.
Has first rate hands, and turns several catches into longer gains.
Solid blocker on screen pass plays.
Solid moves, and can create in the open field. Hard to tackle.
Very aggressive player.
The Bad
Inexperience is still an issue. Has not played the game for very long.
He does not run routes well, and just tends to roam into position.
Despite his size and burst, he still gets jammed sometimes.
Final Overview
If you are looking for overall value, and cannot get Howard or Njoku, this is your guy. He will need some coaching, but the physical traits are there. He runs like a pro, can catch the ball, and blocks like an angry beast. Any of the mental parts that may be missing are only due to inexperience, so he just needs to be coached and to get on the field. He has success written all over him.
Evan Engram, Mississippi
6-3, 234
Engram was a rare four year player at Ole Miss, and was one of the most productive players in the nation during his time with the Rebels.
As a freshman, he missed a month with an ankle injury, but still managed to post a line of 21-268-3, averaging 12.76 YPR. As a sophomore, he put up a line of 38-662-2, averaging 17.42 YPR. His numbers dipped a bit as a junior, as he posted 38-464-2, with a 12.21 YPR average, but returned for his senior season, when he exploded for a line of 65-926-8, with a YPR of 14.25.
The Good
Freakish athlete with a major explosion off of the snap. Incredibly fast.
Efficient runner with very little in the way of wasted movement.
Very good footwork while running.
Excellent body control, and gets to the ball everywhere.
Will kill in the seams, and can get deep.
LBs will not be able to cover him due to his speed and athleticism.
Can line up in the slot and go to work.
Has immediate impact written all over him.
The Bad
Is not a first rate receiver against the zone, and does not know where to find the soft spot against it just yet. Has to be hit on the move, and does not have first rate ability in reading of defenses.
Does not do a solid job of protecting the ball with his body.
Smallish for a TE, and is kind of a tweener.
Has had focus issues, and has been known to have some drops.
Does not always get to the ball with his hands, and sometimes uses his body too much.
Is not a first rate blocker.
Final Overview
As far as pass catching TEs go, Engram is pretty solid, and is part of a loaded upper half of the draft at this position. He is not, however, a complete package end who can do it all. He is not a blocker, and you have to use him as a motion TE to get out and run routes. If you can afford a pass catch only TE, he could be the guy you want.
Adam Shaheen, Ashland
6-6, 278
Shaheen was a former basketball prospect who attended Pitt-Johnstown out of high school to play hoops. After one season, he transferred to D2 Ashland to play football. As a sophomore, he was the third string end, and posted 2-85-0. As a junior, he broke the all time D2 record for the TE position by posting 70-803-10. He posted 57-867-16 as a senior in 2016.
He is a two time AFCA D2 All-American.\
The Good
The obvious is his size. He is built like a moving mountain, but does not look over sized.
Displays good footwork, which comes from having played hoops.
Excellent moves, and cuts very well.
His speed defies his size.
Smart player who wastes little unnecessary movement.
Has played all over the field.
Solid body control, and was a red zone threat.
Reads defenses quite well pre snap.
The Bad
Still learning as a run blocker, and has not mastered it yet.
Level of competition may be a factor in his success.
Despite his size, he can still get jammed at the line.
Is more mechanical than natural at times.
Is still learning to work in space as a runner.
Final Overview
Right now, he is a super sized pass catcher with some amazing traits, especially in the red zone. He will get coached up in terms of blocking. In terms of what he brings to the table right now, I ignore any shortcomings and will wait until he gets to work with an NFL staff, and I will take the chance. He just has too many intangibles to be ignored.
Jordan Leggett, Clemson
6-5, 258
Leggett was a four year player and starter for the Tigers, and has appeared in two national title games, winning one. As a freshman, he posted a line of 12-176-2, and averaged 14.67 YPR. As a sophomore, he posted 14-161-1, averaging 11.5 YPR. He started a total of nine games his first two seasons.
As a junior, he started in all 15 games, and posted 40-525-8, and averaged 13.13 YPR. He was part of the national championship team of 2016, and posted 46-736-7, with a YPR average of 16.
He was an All-ACC selection and Mackey award finalist in 2016.
The Good
His size is the thing of legends when it comes to the TE position.
Has lined up all over the field.
Dependable receiver, has not had drop issues in college.
Solid body control, works very well in tight space, and knows how to find the seams in zone coverage.
Works well over the middle of the field as a receiver.
Can break the big play on occasion, and plays his best against the best competition.
The Bad
Will not sell out as a blocker, and effort is not always there.
Has called himself lazy in the past.
Does not always give consistent effort from one game to the next, and does not turn it on for the smaller games.
Is not a great route runner, and seems mechanical when asked to work in a specific role.
System guy, and may not see the same numbers on the next level in a traditional set.
Despite having decent speed, he lacks explosion off of the snap.
Gets knocked off routes easily, and can get jammed with lack of effort.
Will not get to every football, so you had better get it in the right spot on the pass.
Poor ball security after the catch.
Shows limited to zero aggression.
Final Overview
Leggett is a pass catch only TE who is completely useless as a blocker. He has a hero/big play syndrome, where he only shows all effort when he is the center of the play. He has had some solid production, but he has got to get it together in the pros, or he will be eaten alive quickly. He will need some coaching up, and he also needs a good boot in his ass to get his head where it should be. He has all of the intangibles, but nobody is sure about the head. If he wakes up, he will be a steal. If he continues to loaf, he will flame out quickly.
Jake Butt, Michigan
6-5, 246
Butt was a four year player for the Wolverines, and finished as a second team All-American two times.
As a freshman, he played behind Devin Funchess, and posted 20-235-2, and averaged 11.75 YPR. As a sophomore, Butt became the number one TE, and finished with a line of 21-211-2, with a YPR average of 10.05.
As a junior, Butt really started finding his way, as he posted a line of 51-654-3, and he finished with 12.82 YPR. He continued his strong play as a senior, posting 46-546-4, with a YPR of 11.47.
He ended up finishing his senior season with a torn ACL against Florida State in the Citrus Bowl.
The Good
Has the requisite size for an NFL TE, and has the hands to go along with it.
Tough working in traffic and over the middle. Will move the chains.
Protects the ball well in traffic, and uses his body as a shield while catching it.
Works hard to get off the snap cleanly, and has several moves to help him get free.
Expert zone reader, and finds the seams and soft spots.
Very aggressive runner after the catch, runs with a purpose.
The Bad
Not very athletic, and can look a bit lumbering in his routes. Not a fluid athlete.
Not very fast in the open field. Hits first gear and gets stuck there.
Will not force mismatches on the field in the passing game, as he is strictly traditional.
Slow to kick out in blocking against faster edge rushers.
Is a good, but not great blocker.
Will have to be coached up in run blocking in the NFL.
Final Overview
The combined scouting services average him out as a fourth round pick, but had he not torn up the knee in the bowl game, he would have probably received a second round grade. Butt is a high character guy who will work his tail off for anyone who takes the chance on him in the draft. If you like traditional, bull in a china shop typed ends, this guy is your guy. He will not let you down, but don't expect a super athlete, because he is not that guy.
Bucky Hodges, Virginia Tech
6-6, 257
Hodges was a three year player for the Hokies, and started all three seasons as well after making a move from QB.
Hodges started as a freshman, and finished with a line of 45-526-7, and had an average of 11.69 YPR. He finished second on the team in receiving that season.
As a sophomore, he posted 40-530-6, and averaged 13.25 YPR. He finished third on the team in receiving that season.
He came back as a junior in 2016, and posted 48-691-7, and averaged a career high 14.4 YPR, and again finished third on the team in receiving.
The Good
Solid size/speed combo, and plays more like a WR than a TE. Competes with first rate game speed.
Excellent leaping ability as a receiver, and can get to the high throws.
Can line up outside, and also excels across the middle of the field.
Will be able to be used all over the field as a receiver on the next level.
Deep play threat, and can beat LBs in coverage with ease. Gets to the next level against safeties.
Solid moves, and excellent tracker on long throws. Can break the big play.
Excellent downfield blocker.
Understands defenses, and knows how to read them.
The Bad
Is still learning the position, as he has only played TE for three years.
Can get jammed at the line.
Does not run crisp routes, and can get lost in traffic.
He lets the ball get to his body too often, and does not extend for the catch enough.
Does not extend plays after the catch well, and is easy to bring down.
Is not aggressive or powerful enough to be a dependable blocker at the point of contact just yet.
Final Overview
Hodges is another super athlete at the TE position who can excel as a receiver, but is still very raw as a blocker. Some teams prefer this kind of player here, but that is only on teams who use the spread. Hodges is coachable, and is a smart athlete who will pick things up in time, so if you have the ability to get him in the mid rounds, take a shot. He should develop nicely down the line.
Jonnu Smith, Florida International
6-3, 248
Smith was a four year starter at TE for the Panthers, and was the team's leading receiver for his first two seasons.
As a freshman, he finished with a line of 39-388-2, with an average of 9.95 YPR. As a sophomore, he finished with 61-710-8, with a YPR average of 11.64.
He missed four games as a junior as a result of a knee sprain. He managed to post a line of 36-397-4, with a YPR average of 11.03. He played in just eight games that season.
He recovered from his injuries to return as a senior, as he posted 42-506-4, with a YPR average of 12.06. He missed one game that season due to a domestic incident where his girlfriend doused him with a pot of boiling water because " he was not spending enough time with her".
The Good
Smith is a solid pass catching Tight End who plays with aggression and burst.
He can hit the seams and get open on the second level when covered by LBs.
Plays with solid game speed.
Overall speed is good.
Will gain YAC and make short gains longer with solid moves.
Solid strength as a blocker.
The Bad
Has had some drop issues, and can be a body catcher.
Does not do a good job of coming back to the football.
Needs work when shielding the football on receptions.
Is not a great route runner, just kind of roams into pass routes.
Is maxed out on frame size.
May not be big enough to be an in line blocker.
Final Overview
Smith, overall, is a decent pass catching option, but will never be a front line blocker. He may be more suited for H-Back work rather than being a traditional TE, and he definitely needs work on route trees, progressions, and his hand work. He has some intriguing tools, but is not a lock down instant impact player based on the issue for finding a place to have him work comfortably on the next level. He has enough to get drafted, but he is not for every system or scheme.
Michael Roberts, Toledo
6-4, 270
Roberts was a four year player for the Rockets, but really only developed into a front line starter as a senior in 2016. Roberts grew up with several issues but overcame his problems to eventually work his own way into Toledo without a scholarship, and he eventually earned one.
He played as a freshman, but did not record a reception.
As a sophomore, he posted some numbers with a line of 4-65-2.
He got more involved as a junior, posting a line of 21-234-4, and he averaged 11.14 YPR.
As a senior, he really exploded onto the scene to be named first team All-MAC. He posted a line of 45-533-16, and averaged 11.84 YPR.
The Good
Nothing has ever been handed to this guy. He has worked for everything he has.
Over 80% of his career receptions have gone for 1st downs, and 35% of his receptions in 2016 went for scores.
Has a wide net for catching the football, and decent body control for a big guy.
Has excellent red zone skills, and became a favorite target in that area in 2016.
Excellent lower body power.
Works zone defenses very nicely.
The Bad
Has only one real season of major production in college.
Not a great runner, and lacks top flight speed for a TE.
Sloppy blocker. Will over pursue on blocks and whiff. Edge rushers can beat him. He does not adjust well, and needs targets right in front of him to win the blocking game with consistency.
Final Overview
Roberts came out of nowhere in 2016 to have a major season for the Rockets, but that means we have a limited sample size to gauge what he can be. On paper, he shows all of the necessary credentials to do well on the next level, and his blocking issues tend to be his areas of most needed attention. If that can be ironed out, he could be on his way to eventually working his way into a starting job in a couple of seasons, but he needs some work to get there. Once he gets a shot, he should do just fine. This kid has been through some things, and he knows how to work through them. This should be no different.
Prospects Rounds 5-7
Jeremy Sprinkle, Arkansas: A developmental target who is good in the red zone, and underneath against the zone. Was popped for shoplifting at a Belk department store, and was suspended for the bowl game in 2016. Good at a lot of things, but not really great at any.
Blake Jarwin, Oklahoma State: Can be used anywhere, but finding a spot for him will be tough as he played a hybrid position in college. More of an H-Back multi-tool than a standard Y TE in the NFL.
Eric Saubert, Drake: Two time All-American on FCS level, with 17 TD receptions in last two seasons. Solid NFL build, with serious red zone skill. Still has focus issues, and will drop the football. A real developmental prospect that needs some serious work.
Anthony Auclair, Laval (Montreal): A top prospect out of Canada, he showed excellent skill at the East West Shrine Game, and checks all the boxes for the position. He is a real diamond in the rough, and may be a huge surprise on the next level.
UFA Prospects
Taylor McNamara, USC: Numbers were not great in college, and he has a long way to go.
Pharoah Brown, Oregon: Off-field incidents and on field injuries derailed apromising career.
Johnny Mundt, Oregon: Never saw much time until his senior season.
Evan Bayliss, Oregon: Has some skills, but saw limited action with Ducks.
Billy Freeman, San Jose State: Had one eye popping season as a junior, then disappeared as a senior.
Connor Cella, Rice: 44 receptions over final two seasons as an Owl.
Josiah Price, Michigan State: Solid blocker, has 11 scores over last two seasons.
Sean Culkin, Missouri: Mainly a blocking option as an H Back, does not score.
Tyrone Swoopes, Texas: Former QB moving to TE for NFL shot. Athletic, but very raw.
Offensive Linemen
Tackles
1st Round
Cam Robinson, Alabama
Ryan Ramcyzk, Wisconsin
2nd Round
Garrett Bolles, Utah
3rd Round
Antonio Garcia, Troy
4th Round
Julie'n Davenport, Bucknell
David Sharpe, Florida
Roderick Johnson, Florida State
5th-7th Round
Javarius Leamon, South Carolina State
Will Holden, Vanderbilt
Adam Bisnowaty, Pittsburgh
Zach Banner, USC
Justin Senior, Mississippi State
Dan Skipper, Arkansas
Conor McDermott, UCLA
Offensive Guard
1st Round
Forrest Lamp, Western Kentucky
2nd Round
Dion Dawkins, Temple
Dan Feeney, Indiana
3rd Round
Taylor Moton, Western Michigan
Jordan Morgan, Kutztown
4th Round
Danny Isidora, Miami
Isaac Asiata, Utah
5th-7th Round
Erik Magnuson, Michigan
Greg Pyke, Georgia
Kyle Kalis, Michigan
Jessamen Dunker, Tennessee State
Nico Siragusa, San Diego State
Ethan Cooper, Indiana (PA)
Center
1st Round
None
2nd Round
Ethan Pocic, LSU
3rd Round
None
4th Round
Pat Elfein, Ohio State
Jon Toth, Kentucky
Kyle Fuller, Baylor
Tyler Orlosky, West Virginia
5th-7th Round
Chad Wheeler, USC
Cameron Tom, Southern Mississippi
Deyshawn Bond, Cincinnati
Tackles
Cam Robinson, Alabama
6-6, 322
Robinson was a three year starter for the Tide, and was a five star high school All-American, and was a top five recruit coming out of high school during his recruitment period. Robinson was a freshman all-american in his first season with the Tide, and was then a consensus All-American as a junior, and was first team All-SEC twice. He played in two national title games in three years, winning one, and losing the other this past season.
The Good
Robinson has a perfect frame for the position, and has functional power and pop off of the snap and explodes into his blocks.
He meets aggression with aggression on every snap, and blows gap holes open between tackle and guard like a pro.
Can progress from block to block very well, and does not get zeroed in on one opponent in any given play. Can take on multiple defenders in layers.
Has very skilled footwork, and gets past the point of attack. A real hunter/killer on the second level and beyond.
Solid arm extension.
Works very well on edge rushers and can kick out to meet the charge.
Works all the way through a play until the whistle blows.
The Bad
Does not always play with good balance, and has some technique issues still where he will lean into a block, or lunge into one, which loses the advantage.
Seems anxious to lay down a hit in a bock and move onto another defender rather than finishing one off before moving on.
Because of lunges, he ends up on the ground too much.
Does not always do a great job on reading the edges/blitzes.
Commits early on certain plays, and misses nuances because of it.
Final Overview
Robinson is one of the most athletic players in this draft, but he still has some work to do when it comes to technique. Playing in Lane Kiffin's offense was probably not a helpful thing for Robinson, because he did not get a ton of training for a pro offense. He may best fit early in his career at left guard or right tackle before kicking over to finish his career as a franchise left tackle, as he learns some basic pro offense nuances. That being said, if he does the work, and gets good coaching, he should be a franchise offensive tackle for years to come in the big picture.
Ryan Ramcyzk, Wisconsin
6-6, 310
Ramcyzk turned down FBS and FCS offers out of high school to attend a technical college in his hometown. After a year of that, he returned to college to play at Wisconsin-Stevens Point, where he earned all-conference for two seasons at the D3 school. He then transferred to Wisconsin, and after a required redshirt season, he exploded onto the scene for the Badgers and earned All-Big 10 honors in his only season with the Badgers. He did have hip surgery after the bowl game.
The Good
Ramcyzk is a power blocker, who explodes off of the snap with excellent pad levels and athleticism to keep himself on a pivot at the hips to change course in the process of blocking.
Excellent fundamental blocker, and plays smart.
Very fluid athlete with top shelf body control, glides nicely for a big man.
Foot work in run game is impressive. Uses his feet to gain leverage and drives forward.
Knows how to use his hands in punch mode, and can slide in zone blocking schemes, with hands always at the ready.
Does not commit too early, or lunge on blocks, and keeps his back and head level.
Reads blitzes well, knows how to react.
Has been coached very well along the way. He knows what he is doing.
The Bad
Does not have excellent arm length, and uses his hand work to make up for it.
He is a little thin for a power left tackle.
Can be a bit stiff or over-technique in his approach, and can be more cerebral than aggressive.
Narrow base limits his slide protect and kick outs.
Has not worked out since the bowl game, as he recovers from a torn labrum in his hip.
Final Overview
Ramcyzk may very well be the most pro ready in the tackle group, and may have slightly more value than Robinson based on the offense he has played in at Wisconsin, and because he received what was obviously top flight coaching. His football IQ seems higher at this point than Robinson, but both have some major qualities to bring to the table. I would draft Ramcyzk early in the first round without missing a beat. He shows amazing promise, and looks NFL ready right now.
Garrett Bolles, Utah
6-5, 297
Bolles was a troubled teen in high school, and managed to turn himself around to enroll at Snow College (JC) in Utah, where he became a two time all-conference selection. He then transferred to Utah as a junior, and earned All-PAC 12 honors.
The Good
Serious athlete with excellent footwork.
Hard worker, has come to appreciate his ability.
Flows through blocking progressions. Hits the point of attack and moves downfield.
Athletic enough for slide blocks and can kick out quickly to pull as well.
Excels going against edge rushers, and quick enough to meet them head on.
Has the ability to add bulk to his frame.
Aggressive and powerful, and has a serious nasty streak.
The Bad
Does not have explosive lower body power, and will absolutely need to add bulk.
Does not have the best physical technique right now, gets too high on blocks, and does not have pad level mastered as of yet.
Still needs work with his hands, does not have the best punch power just yet.
Older prospect, will be 25 on opening day.
Final Overview
Bolles is a first rate tackle coming out of college, but he still has some work to do, and may have to open his career on the right side until he masters more techniques and learns to become a better overall player. He could be a left tackle in about three years, reasonably speaking. With that in mind, his potential is only limited by his advanced age coming into the draft. There is no luxury of time in his development. Big picture, he could be a very solid starter for the right team.
Antonio Garcia, Troy
6-6, 302
Garcia was a four year player for Troy, and started 36/37 games at LT for the Trojans. He missed half of his RS freshman season to a knee injury, but never seemed to suffer because of it long term. He was an honorable mention All-Sun Belt pick as a junior, and made first team All-Sun Belt as a senior. He was under recruited coming out of high school.
The Good
Very good athlete. Quick and mobile for a big guy.
Played basketball in high school, and still uses those footwork skills now.
Quick enough to meet edge rushers head on, very fast to kick out to meet an outside blitz.
Stays in front of blockers, very difficult to move around or flank him.
Keeps his feet set, will not get pushed off a block.
Works well in the phone booth.
Uses his physicality to overwhelm opponents.
Fluid and can get from block to block with ease.
The Bad
Plays too high at times, and does not get his pads down.
Looks a little wiry sometimes.
Does not have explosive lower body strength.
Sometimes has to battle to stay on blocks and constantly readjust to them rather than dominating from the outset.
Still needs work with his hands.
Can get beat when he lunges at blocks.
Needs bulk, but frame is iffy as to whether he can carry more weight. Has always played on the lighter side.
Final Overview
On film, Garcia often looks like the real deal, but there are concerns. His frame may not be able to carry much more in terms of bulk without slowing him down. He lacks functional lower body strength and can get pushed around, but he is a scrapper who stays in the fight every down. He does tend to hold at times as he gets pushed around, but that is just him fighting through his deficiencies. With some work, I see Garcia as a rotational tackle, but his overall lack of bulk could scare some people off. One other thing is that he ran out of a college offense system, and he may need work in a more traditional offensive set.
Julie'n Davenport, Bucknell
6-7, 318
Davenport was a seriously under recruited prospect out of high school who did not receive a single FBS offer. He started all 44 games for the Bison at LT, and earned All-Patriot League honors all four years, and was named to several All-American teams on the FCS level.
The Good
Excellent arm length, and knows how to use them.
Has mastered hand work, and uses hands and arms effectively.
Athletic and will kick out to meet edge rushers head on.
Can kick out on pulls and screen protect with ease.
High character guy, was team captain for two seasons.
The Bad
Lower level of competition will concern some teams,
Footwork needs some help, plods rather than glides at times.
Will lean or lunge when blocking, causing him to lose some blocks.
Can plant his feet rather than churn them to keep block active.
Does not always move to the next level with ease.
Plays with his pads too high at times.
Final Overview
Davenport is a special kind of project. He has all of the physical traits necessary on this level, but he needs some work on technique, and will need an adjustment period to get used to the level of play, as it is a long jump from the Patriot League to the NFL. He needs work on his feet, and his overall blocking technique, but he is a smart kid, is coachable, and has high character, so he can be molded fairly quickly. I see him as an immediate backup with long term starting potential. He is the requisite diamond in the rough.
David Sharpe, Florida
6-6, 343
Sharpe was a three year player at Florida, and started the last 26/27 games at LT for the Gators. He played in nine games as a freshman as a backup at tackle. Sharpe was a high school basketball star, but chose football after graduating from high school in the Jacksonville area.
The Good
Built like a brick wall of a mountain.
Long arms that do not get lost in his bulk.
Thick, powerful legs that can drive.
Solid length that belies his actual size.
Solid hand work, hands are powerful.
Knows how to stay within the frame of a defender to drive them back.
A real mauler, can destroy oncoming rushers.
Solid pull blocker for a guy his size.
The Bad
Not very flexible. More of a straight line mauler than an athletic, fluid blocker.
Does not get his pads down, can get cut under by defenders.
Bends at the waist, not at the knees.
Does not get up the field very well. Stops at the point of attack.
Footwork is not the greatest.
Final Overview
Sharpe is a pure maul blocker who is one hit and done. He will not get up the field, and isnot much on the perimeter on kick out or bubble screen blocking. I see him more suited to playing inside at guard, but he has no experience there. I would say that best case scenario is as a rotational blocker who can maul at the point of attack, but doesn't have much more in the basket. He's your guy on short yardage.
Roderick Johnson, Florida State
6-7, 298
Johnson was a three year star at LT for the Seminoles, and was ACC Lineman of the Year all three seasons. He has been the starter every game since midway through his freshman season.
The Good
Exceptional, tall build, with long arms that he uses to great skill.
Very good at kicking out to meet edge rushers.
Also very good at run blocking, and has decent explosive power at the point of attack.
Works well in space, makes all adjustments necessary.
Has high awareness, knows how to read a defense.
Good hand work.
The Bad
Technique needs work, plays with his upper body out in front of him, and is a leaner and lunger.
Lacks first rate body control, and gets all over the place.
Footwork is sometimes sloppy, and he can trip over his own feet it seems.
Seems to be sloppy with his blocking angles.
Does not always play with the athleticism that he has.
Final Overview
Johnson is a bit of an enigma. He has exceptional athletic ability, but yet he does not display that at all times on the field. When he is good, he is great, but it sometimes seems as if his athleticism has a switch, and when it goes to the off position, he becomes a total mess. It would seem that there is sometimes a mental block that does not allow him to be the best that he can be, but yet the effort is there. He seems like a mid range prospect with some decent pedigree right now, but he definitely will need some work.
5th-7th Round
Javarius Leamon, South Carolina State: Has some ability, but technique, hand and footowrk need work. Developmental prospect who needs a year or two before being ready to go.
Will Holden, Vanderbilt: Three year starter with short arms and lacking lateral quickness. Will likely be a right side guy, but has some upside and value.
Adam Bisnowaty, Pittsburgh: Injury history and lack of overall athleticism will plague him. Play really dropped after a back injury, and he was a shell in 2016. Pure mauler, but that's it.
Zach Banner, USC: Will likely have to kick into playing RG in the NFL. Body is huge, and he has lost control of it at times. Lacks pure athleticism.
Justin Senior, Mississippi State: Strong hands and upper body, but lacking lower body power and footwork is a mess. Got destroyed in post season workouts.
Dan Skipper, Arkansas: Has played both tackle spots. The tallest tackle in the draft (6-10), but that could cost him physical leverage on the next level. Has a future as a backup swing tackle, but that is where it may end.
Conor McDermott, UCLA: A soft player with a general lack of aggression. Nothing stands out on film, and played on a team that finished next to last in the FBS in run production in 2016. Not strong enough for next level play, but size gets him drafted more than likely.
Offensive Guards
Forrest Lamp, Western Kentucky
6-4, 309
Lamp has played both LG and LT for WKU, and is equally as impressive at both spots. He earned All-CUSA honorable mention as a freshman and as a sophomore, and finished as an All-Conference election for both his junior and senior seasons. As a senior, he was named as a third team AP All-American.
The Good
Solid build, and very athletic. Scored a TD in his final game at WKU.
Uses solid footwork techniques, and can block outside while shifting back inside to handle up the middle rushers.
Stays low, and his technique seems solid. Keeps his pads low, hips bent, and head in right spot.
Hand work in pass protection is solid, using decent punch power.
Solid reader of defenses.
The Bad
His frame is maxed out, so adding bulk is unlikely.
Arms tend to be on the shorter side.
Has not blocked in a pro style offense.
Is not as adept as a power blocker in the run game. Really limited to pass blocking duties mostly.
While hand work is mostly productive, defenders can get to his frame first, and he has to readjust to get reset.
Final Overview
Lamp is a very smart, very efficient blocker who has experience at tackle and guard. I can see him playing either side of the line, inside or out, as his career continues. He has a ton of value in the first round, and his ability to play almost anywhere on the line defines him as having some of the best value of any offensive lineman in the draft. His deficiencies are mostly coachable items, so I see very little risk here.
Dion Dawkins, Temple
6-4, 314
Dawkins got some limited starting experience as a freshman, and then played solidly as a starter in his sophomore year, but that season was cut short by a foot injury. He was charged with assault in a nightclub incident, served in a diversionary program, and then had all charges dropped, and never served a suspension in the process. He finished All-AAC as a junior and a senior.
The Good
Powerful upper body and lower legs.
Is not easily bull rushed.
Quick from his set into his stance. Uses solid footwork to get into his base, and does not get too wide or narrow.
Shows skill in both pass protection and run blocking.
Started for three seasons at LT, giving him some versatility.
The Bad
Does not have solid hand technique, and can get caught holding and grabbing.
Does not always have perfect leverage off the snap, and can depend too much on core strength alone.
Head level is often too low.
Has some lack of athleticism issues, such as being stiff in the hips.
Blocking angles can be sloppy.
Final Overview
Dawkins has a career on the left side in college, but because of some of his lacking technique, I see him on the right side heading into the NFL: He has some qualities that show he can be coached, but he has got some work to do before he ever sees the left side. He has versatility at guard or tackle, but guard is something that will be fairly new, being he played mostly tackle in college. Playing him inside will help bury some of his deficiencies until he works those out.
Dan Feeney, Indiana
6-4, 305
Feeney has seen work at both RG and RT at Indiana, including a chunk of time at RT as a senior due to injuries on the IU line.
Feeney redshirted his second season in Bloomington due to injury, but the injury has not become a long term issue.
He was All-Big 10 honorable mention as a freshman, all conference as a sophomore and junior, and made first team All-America as a senior.
The Good
Solid interior pass protector, who gets good leverage and has solid arm length for a guard.
Has a very solid nasty streak.
Footwork is very good working inside or out.
Very aware of what defenses are doing, cannot easily be fooled.
Solid and powerful punch move.
Will fit in perfectly with zone blocking schemes.
First rate pulling guard.
Patient, and does not over commit to contact.
Solid blocker on screen plays.
Very smart.
The Bad
Plays a bit too upright, and has a slim lower body.
Can get knocked off balance by frame being too narrow at his base, and plays with a poor pad level.
Does not get a solid push off of the snap.
Has had some concussion issues that may need to be reviewed.
Final Overview
Feeney is a rock solid character prospect who has been a four year starter on a team that has generated a solid running game reputation. The question with him is as to whether or not he can evolve beyond a zone only guard, because if he cannot, he certainly falls in the draft. He has some very good versatility, but I see him as a right side guy for his career, without much left side up sell. Still, he is skilled enough to become an eventual starter on the right side at either guard or tackle.
Taylor Moton, Western Michigan
6-5, 319
Moton was a first team All-Michigan player coming out of high school. He redshirted in 2012, and started every game at RT for the next two seasons. He played RG as a junior, and then moved back to RT as a senior, earning 3rd team All-MAC.
The Good
Moton has a huge, solid frame, and plays like it. Has long arms and big hands.
Plays with solid pad level and hip bend off of the snap.
Drives his blocks to the next level.
Works hard and plays his best against the best competition.
Cannot be bull rushed.
The Bad
Played three years at RT, but is a stronger prospect at RG, where he played just one year.
Hand work is solid, but he is more of a mauler than a puncher.
Footwork is not great. Does not keep feet chopping under him during blocks.
Base width is all over the place. Reacts slowly to blocks at an angle. Needs target right in front of him to get it right from the snap.
Can get fooled by what a defense is throwing at him.
Not overly athletic.
Final Overview
When you look at his deficiencies, you get concerned about how much work he needs. That said, if you look at him playing guard in 2015 as compared to playing tackle, most of those deficiencies appear aimed at him playing tackle. He is much more suited to playing right guard in a power scheme, and could be a backup tackle. His future, however, is aimed inside, as compared to how he stood up to Ohio State in 2015, where he controlled the line in his area. This guy can play, and he does need some work, but I see him as a developmental prospect for about a year before rolling into a starting job in year two or three.
Jordan Morgan, Kutztown
6-3, 309
As a LT, Morgan was named PSAC offensive athlete of the year in 2016, which is incredibly rare for an non skill position player.
Morgan was named All-PSAC as a sophomore, and then was named to the small school All-American teams as a junior and a senior, and was a finalist for the Gen Upshaw D2 OL of the Year award as a senior.
The Good
Body type is perfect for the NFL. Long arms are a plus.
Technique seems solid out of the snap, and his footwork is top shelf.
Under recruited out of high school in Philadelphia, and should not be penalized for playing D2 football.
Works well in space, and can drive to the next level.
Nasty streak is at a desired level.
Solid punch power with arm extension, keeps defenders out of his frame.
The Bad
Does not always play with good balance, and ducks his head at times.
Can be seen in film lunge blocking.
He normally did not play against players with great size, and may need an adjustment to that in the NFL.
Needs to play with consistency between pass block and run block. Technique shifts between the two, and not always in a good way.
Final Overview
Morgan's main concerns are his lunge blocking and his overall technique between the run and pass. He will need some time to get used to playing bigger defenders off the snap, and that will take some time. He will likely shift into guard as he gets used to the size across from him, but do not be shocked to see him back at tackle in a few seasons. He is an intriguing prospect as of now.
Danny Isidora, Miami
6-3, 306
After burning a redshirt season, Isidora missed 10 games as a freshman with a foot injury. He returned as a RS sophomore, and started for three solid years at RG. He was named second team All-ACC as a senior in 2016.
The Good
Exact frame NFL teams look for when it comes to the interior line.
Long arms are a plus.
Very agile, and can be a leader on pull blocks.
Can block into the second level, and seems to always be thinking a step ahead.
Solid pass protector.
Footwork is adequate.
The Bad
Plays with a wide base, which takes away from his power, and makes him vulnerable to a solid bull rush.
Gets walled up, and sometimes has a problem getting a good push off of the snap. A bit of a mauler.
Body control needs some work, especially in space.
Not a first rate run blocker, as he can get walled off and fights too much to push through.
Final Overview
If Isidora can get his base narrowed up, he may play right into a need as a pass blocking guard with plus agility. If he fails to narrow up his base and maximize his strength, he will struggle on the next level. It all comes down to that. He shows some skills to be a plus OG in the league, but he has some technical issues to iron out first.
Isaac Asiata, Utah
6-3, 323
He is the cousin of Matt Asiata, formerly of the Utes and currently of the Minnesota Vikings. He served a two year Morman Church mission, returning to football in 2013, and was a part time starter that season.
Asiata started every game from 2014-2016, mostly at LG, but played seven games at RG as well.
He was named second team ALL-PAC12 as a senior.
The Good
Massive frame that swallows defenders whole.
Versatile, as he can play both sides at guard, and can also play center.
Will out work everyone on the field.
Has a solid nasty streak.
Solid pad effort, and is very powerful.
Solid quickness, and makes good reads on defenses.
The Bad
Aggression gets to be to much at times.
Did not receive as many accolades as his peers in this class.
Hand work is all over the place.
Can be shown to lunge at times, and loses balance. Needs better body control.
Needs to be more disciplined and honed in.
Final Overview
Simply put, he needs to calm down some on the field. His nastiness is a good thing, but he needs to control it better. He played his best games against strong opponents in college, and has some very interesting skills, but overall, he just needs to get better focus and body control. If he can do these things, he has a bright future. He just needs some zen to go with his nasty.
5th-7th Round Guard Prospects
Erik Magnuson, Michigan: Zone blocker who lacks top end power. Could fit for a zone scheme team inside.
Greg Pyke, Georgia: Massive mauler who played some tackle. Needs better technique and discipline on next level.
Kyle Kalis, Michigan: Smart, with size and some ability, but lacks athleticism needed. Could be falling as we speak.
Jessamen Dunker, Tennessee State: Small school guy who started out at Florida, but was arrested and transferred out. Character concerns, but is an intriguing athlete who needs to get it all together.
Nico Siragusa, San Diego State: Phone booth blocker who lacks the ability to kick outside. Not much on pass blocking.
Ethan Cooper, Indiana (PA): Under recruited out of high school because of lacking academics. Changed his work ethic at IUP and things picked up. Massive prospect, but is a developmental guy right now. May drop out of draft as a UDFA, but someone will give him a shot.
Centers
Ethan Pocic, LSU
6-6, 310
Pocic played in six games as a freshman for LSU after enrolling the previous spring, and started nine of those games.
He started nine games as a sophomore, splitting time between guard and center, and was named second team All-SEC as a junior. He was named as an All-American and 1st team All-SEC pick as a senior.
The Good
He can play anywhere on the line with equal ability.
Hard worker with excellent aggression.
Smart.
Excellent hand work, and adjusts very well.
Has excellent ability as a solid blocker, and reds defenses very well. Knows when to help his teammates out.
Can get to the second level after finishing at point of contact.
Excellent leverage as a pass blocker.
Does not over commit. Very patient.
Excellent control in space, and works well on pull blocks.
Calls the plays from center.
The Bad
Does not have top flight strength, and is a bot tall for center, and may have to move to guard.
Plays with poor pad level, and stays too upright at times.
Can get bull rushed.
Lacks in upper body strength.
Defenders tend to get by him off his edges.
Final Overview
Pocic is the requisite smart player who can start at Center and call plays from the line. He also adds value as a utility lineman, as he has experience across the line. He has some issues with his overall core strength right now, but that can get worked out at the next level with a strong strength coach. Overall, if you need a center, he is by far the best available in this draft class, and with a little work, he could be a starter for years to come.
Pat Elflein, Ohio State
6-3, 303
Elflein was a five year player for the Buckeyes, with a redshirt year being spent in 2012. He did not play much in 2013, with only one appearance.
He played both right and left guard in 2014, and earned All-Big Ten honors, and repeated as All-Big Ten as a junior and a senior. He also earned second team All-American honors in 2015 as a guard, and moved to Center in 2016, and earned first team All-American honors there.
The Good
High character guy with an outstanding work ethic. Was named team captain.
Calls out blocking assignments, and is an excellent reader of defenses.
Very patient blocker, and is excellent on pull plays.
Has experience across the interior line, and has excelled in every spot.
Has a wrestling background, and uses that experience to provide excellent hand work.
Always drives his feet while blocking.
Anchors against bull rush very well.
Has been a winner for his entire career.
The Bad
His footwork is good, but still needs some work, as he can get a little sloppy at times.
Can be a good run blocker, but he is more a point of attack blocker that does not get to the next level very well.
Does not always play with a good pad level. Gets too upright on occasion.
Does not fend off hand attacks as he should.
Defenders can get around him on the edge.
Final Overview
Elflein is a solid character guy who has worked in a winning environment for his entire college career. He is whip smart, and his understanding of his job is as top flight as they could come. His drawbacks are in pass protection and footwork. If he can solve his footwork issue, he could likely solve his pass block issues. I see them as being hand in hand. He gets good coaching, and he is the steal of this draft.
Jon Toth, Kentucky
6-5, 307
Toth was a five year player at Kentucky, who redshirted his first season in Lexington. He started for parts of his freshman campaign, and was named to the All-SEC freshman team. He then started 48 straight games for the Wildcats at Center, and earned first team All-SEC honors as a senior.
The Good
Attacks his blocks with good leverage, and plays with solid body control in space.
Rock solid at opening up running lanes.
Good power in his legs, can drive a block home.
Seems to play his best against the best competition.
Very good hand work.
Solid anchor, cannot be bull rushed.
Hard worker, will get the job done.
The Bad
Not a great athlete overall, and lacks any kind of functional quickness.
Footwork needs some help.
Is a better run blocker than a pass blocker.
Quicker defenders can get by him with good burst off the snap.
Does not redirect well, and is a bit too straight line.
Point of attack blocker, does not get to the next level very well at all.
Can be caught lunge blocking.
Final Overview
If you need a guy for a solid run push on short yardage, this is your guy, but his lack of athleticism does not scream every down lineman. He does not seem to have a lot of the traits that Elflein or Poncic possess, and giving him a 4th round grade feels a little high. I can see him slipping down the order.
Kyle Fuller, Baylor
6-5, 307
Fuller was a four year player in the Baylor system, including a redshirt season in 2013. He earned honorable mention as a RS freshman in 2014, second team All-Big 12 as a sophomore, and first team All-Big 12 as a senior. He played in 39 straight games at Center, and was considered to be the leader on the line for the Bears offense.
The Good
He has the bulk and length that you look for in a Center. He also has the requisite arms length to play inside.
Solid getting into pass protection off of the snap, and can take on blocks from point of snap with ease.
Has a solid anchor, and displays top shelf hand work.
The Bad
Not an exceptional athlete. Plays stiff and shows limited flexibility.
Not quick, and is a point of impact only blocker.
Scheme/system guy who will need work understanding an NFL offense.
Is not very flexible in space, and lacks solid body control.
His technique is all over the place, and nothing about him seems put together when isolated on film.
Final Overview
Fuller is a total scheme guy who had his deficiencies hidden in the Baylor offense. He will get no such cover ups in the NFL. He is a guy who was a rock in the middle of the line for Baylor, and while he does have some point of contact skills, he seems to be very rough around the edges for a guy with so much starting experience, leading me to believe that he has never had solid coaching. He has some technique issues that can be fixed with coaching, but he just is not very athletic, and you cannot be coached out of that.
Tyler Orlosky, West Virginia
6-3, 298
Orlosky was a five year player for West Virginia, and spent a redshirt year in 2013. He worked in as a guard, but was quickly moved to Center. He was named second team All-Big 12 as a junior, and was named first team All-Big 12 as a senior.
The Good
Solid character guy who was named as a team captain three straight years.
Very well conditioned, a workout warrior.
Rock solid nasty streak you like to see in the interior line.
Solid body control, rather fluid for a big guy.
Hands are top shelf.
Has solid lower body power to drive his blocks.
The Bad
Not very athletic if not moving straight line. Labors to work in lateral movement.
Footwork is not a thing of beauty.
Target needs to be right in front of him to attack.
Will not get to the next level on blocks all that easily.
Not a great pass protector. Lacks instinct in recognizing defenses.
Final Overview
Orlosky seems to be sticking to the theme among the centers in this draft class as a scrappy straight line blocker with limited agility and athleticism. He is more of a run block specialist, rather than an every down center, and that will severely limit him on the next level to likely special teams guy. What bothers me the most about this prospect is that he is a center who understands run zone blocking better than pass protection, and that just should not be.
5th-7th Round
Chad Wheeler, USC: May have to move out of Center position to have a shot in the NFL. Lacks core strength and quickness, and injuries have been a big problem the last three seasons.
Cameron Tom, Southern Mississippi: Will end up fighting for a roster spot, because he lacks first rate run blocking technique. Exceptionally smart, and a solid leader, but could be falling because nobody knows where to play him on their line.
Deyshawn Bond, Cincinnati: Smallish Center who plays bigger than he is. Has some skills, but his frame may be maxed out, and that could hurt him. Still has a fighting chance because of effort and energy.
Defensive Linemen
Defensive Ends
1st Round
Myles Garrett, Texas A&M
Taco Charlton, Michigan
Derek Barnett, Tennessee
Solomon Thomas, Stanford
Dawuane Smoot, Illinois
2nd Round
Charles Harris, Missouri
Chris Wormley, Michigan
Takkarist McKinley, UCLA
DeMarcus Walker, Florida State
Tim Williams, Alabama
3rd Round
Tanoh Kpassagnon, Villanova
Jordan Willis, Kansas State
Carroll Phillips, Illinois
4th Round
Daeshon Hall, Texas A&M
Carl Lawson, Auburn
Trey Hendrickson, Florida Atlantic
5th-7th Round
Tarell Basham, Ohio
Deatrich Wise, Arkansas
Josh Callaway, TCU
Keionta Davis, Chattanooga
Derek Rivers, Youngstown State
Avery Moss, Youngstown State
Dylan Donahue, West Georgia
Garrett Sickles, Penn State
Ejuan Price, Pittsburgh
Ken Ekanem, Virginia Tech
Defensive Tackles
1st Round
Jonathon Allen, Alabama
Caleb Brantley, Florida
Malik McDowell, Michigan State
2nd Round
Montravius Adams, Auburn
Jaleel Johnson, Iowa
Jarron Jones, Notre Dame
Charles Walker, Oklahoma
3rd Round
Carlos Watkins, Clemson
Davon GodChaux, LSU
4th Round
Vincent Taylor, Oklahoma State
Eddie Vanderdoes, UCLA
Dalvin Tomlinson, Alabama
Elijah Qualls, Washington
Tanzell Smart, Tulane
Larry Ogunjobi, Charlotte
5th-7th Round
Isaac Rochelle, Notre Dame
Ryan Glasgow, Michigan
Chunky Clements, Illinois
Josh Augusta, Missouri
Defensive Ends
Myles Garrett, Texas A&M
6-4, 272
Garrett was a three year player with the Aggies who departed after his junior season. He started as a freshman in 2014, and finished by being named freshman All-American, and was also named second team All-SEC that same year. He finished with 53 tackles, 14 TFLs, and 11.5 sacks that season.
Garrett was a finalist for both the Lombardi and Hendricks awards as a sophomore. He finished that season with 59 tackles, 19.5 TFLs, 12.5 sacks, 10 QB hurries, and five forced fumbles.
Garrett entered his junior season suffering from the effects of a knee injury, and was held to nine starts. He finished with 33 tackles, 15 TFLs, 8.5 sacks, and 10 QB hurries.
The Good
Freakish athlete who plays both bigger and more compact than he actually is.
Absolutely explodes off of the snap.
Very quick around the edge, and gets into the backfield with regularity.
He can fight off blocks around the edge and keeps on moving.
Amazingly crafty first steps into his rush.
First rate pro spin move.
Has played first tier offensive tackles his entire career.
Can play down or up.
Fast enough to make a difference in the open field.
He does not miss tackles. Once his hands are on you, you are going down.
Can play on either side, and be just as disruptive.
Excellent body control, even in space.
The Bad
As good as he can be, he is still very raw in some regards.
Has not been given the best coaching in college, and still has some work to do as far as technique.
Can depend on his raw athleticism too much at times.
Has been known to take some plays off, and gets fatigued.
Does not have first rate hand moves.
Can be blocked when linemen get into his body, and if that happens, he tends to give up.
He may not have given a full effort in 2016, as his mind was already on the draft.
Final Overview
Garrett is a consensus overall number one pick in the upcoming NFL draft. His athleticism and his production are just too much to ignore at this point, and he will get paid. He may very well be the finest defender out there when it comes to his overall potential. The one thing that has to be remembered is that he did not always go full out with the Aggies, and that is concerning about what his mindset may be. He has to be able to go full steam on every play, but he also has shown some conditioning deficiencies, and was never able to play more than 70% of total team snaps on defense while in college. Is he an every down player? That remains to be seen.
Taco Charlton, Michigan
6-6, 277
Charlton was a rare four year player that was high profile during his college career. He was a special teams player as a freshman, and collected just two tackles.
He became a rotational player as a sophomore, and finished with 19 tackles, 5.5 TFLs, and 3.5 sacks. He also added three QB hurries that season.
As a junior, Charlton really picked up steam, as he finished with 30 tackles, 8.5 TFLs, 5.5 sacks, and three QB hurries.
He finished with his best season as a senior, when he totaled 42 tackles, 13.5 TFLs, 10.5 sacks, twp PBUs, and eight QB hurries.
He finished as a first team All-Big 10 player as a senior.
The Good
CPure combo sized player with seriously decent athletic traits.
Rock solid lower body power.
Has room to add to his frame on the next level.
Explodes off of the snap and can get by the first layer of blocks cleanly.
Solid body control, and can get push against big tackles.
If he gets an early lead on the edge, he is gone.
Can fight off blocks and move on.
Already has a pro spin move.
Has the ability to cut down a back trying to pop outside, and is solid in pursuit.
Is just coming into his own and has room to grow.
Very coachable.
The Bad
He has yet to have that explosive season in college.
He is getting a high grade based on athletic ability and potential, not on production.
Does not give it on every play, and takes a few off.
Still very raw, has some things to learn.
Never started full time until his final year.
Still on the thinner side. Needs some bulk on his frame to be fully effective.
Can be redirected on his rushes.
Needs some nastiness in his game.
Footwork is all over the place.
Does not always play with enough quickness.
Gets caught leaning.
Final Overview
The pieces are there for Charlton, he just needs to put it all together. He needs some consistency, and hopefully, can learn some as a pro from veterans and coaches alike. Charlton is still a very raw, but very talented athlete who seems to be on the way up, and someone will pay a first round pick to get his services.
Derek Barnett, Tennessee
6-3, 259
Barnett was a three year player for the Tennessee Volunteers, and was the first freshman to ever start on a Vol defensive line. He was named All-SEC all three years he played at Tennessee, and was a first team All-American as a junior in his final season.
As a freshman, Barnett wrecked the opposition by totaling 72 tackles, 20.5 TFLs, and 10 sacks. He added eight QB hurries as well.
As a sophomore, He saw some stats dip a bit. He totaled 69 tackles, but finished with just 12.5 TFLs and 10 sacks. He added seven QB hurries to the totals in 13 games.
As a junior, he finished with 56 tackles, again, a dip, and added 19.5 TFLs to go with 13 sacks, five PBUs, 16 QB hurries, and two forced fumbles.
The Good
Barnett is another freakish athlete, with all of the tangibles you require, including lightning fast hands.
Technique off the edge is incredible, and uses swim move very effectively.
Knows how to get around a blocker and get to the flank to get rid of him.
He is an attacker who keeps working until he gets to his target.
Equally as effective against the run as he is at getting to the QB.
If you do not get a body on hi, he will destroy your play.
Destroys with his tackles, hits with severe violence.
Reads offenses like a pro already, and knows how to adjust himself.
Can drop back into zone if needed.
The Bad
Can be a bit wild and undisciplined on the field, and will cost you some penalties.
Guesses more than thinks at times.
Takes some time to warm up through the season, and has rarely been ready to go full effort on week one. Needs motivation.
Like a train, once he gets moving, he is not easy to readjust, and a scrambling QB with good presence can elude him.
Footwork is opposite of hand work, and needs some serious work.
Can be shoved around if he cannot immediately get separation from blockers.
Does not give you a lot of length.
Is a bit undersized for DE at the NFL level, and may have to learn to play edge rush OLB in a 3-4 defense.
Still needs to develop a move inside, and does not have a patented spin move down yet.
Not as strong as he is nasty and violent on the field.
Final Overview
Barnett is just plain nasty on film. He is one of the most productive college ends in the last 20 years, and that is where his bread is buttered. He does not match up to all of the measurables, and may have to work harder on the next level than a player like Garrett, but I happen t like him as much as I like Garrett, for production alone. He has some bad habits to break, and did not do great at the Senior Bowl or Combine but I think that those events are largely overrated. The proof is in the film. He has what it takes.
Solomon Thomas, Stanford
6-3, 273
Thomas was a three year player at Stanford, which included a redshirt season as a true freshman. Thomas was a top 25 recruit coming out of high school, and ended up at Stanford. He was named honorable mention All-PAC 12 as a rs freshman, and then was named first team All-American as a sophomore, and was named PAC-12 defensive player of the year.
As a freshman, he recorded 39 tackles, 10.5 TFLs, and 3.5 sacks to go with five QB hurries.
As a sophomore, he finished with 62 tackles, 15 TFLs, eight sacks, and seven QB hurries.
The Good
Excellent frame for the position, and comes from a family of athletes.
Very aggressive player who has lined up across the line.
Very good hand work, uses combos to get out of blocks quickly.
Uses excellent power/speed combo.
Strings moves together, and has solid body control moving from spot to spot.
Solid swim moves.
Already has mastered his spin move inside or out.
Will not glue himself to a blocker. Gets free and makes the play.
Rangy play maker. Can get all over the place in a hurry.
Plays very well in space.
The Bad
Only played two seasons of college football.
Tends to be maxed out on his current frame. May play smaller on next level.
Can play too upright, and his pads tend to stay lifted up rather than playing down.
Does not play as strong as he could. Needs more size and power.
Plays finesse at times rather than letting the violence rip.
Big, physical tackles can win battles against him.
Guesses too much and creates penalties.
Final Overview
Thomas started flying up the boards with an excellent game against North Carolina in the Sun Bowl, and he also had solid appearances in the post season that raised his stock. Again, I am not one to consider one game, or post season workouts, or for that matter, all star games. What you see on film is generally what you get. I still think that Thomas is a first round caliber player, but he has more work to do than anyone else earning a first round grade. He has only two yeas of major college football under his belt, and that has to be considered. Thomas will need to do some work on the next level, but with that said, there is no dismissing the fact that he has loads of potential, and could one day end up being considered as one of the better players to come out of this class.
Dawuane Smoot, Illinois
6-3, 264
Smoot was a four year player for the Illini, and played as a 215 pound end as a freshman. He was a hurdler and was a junior Olympian in high school.
As a freshman, Smoot eight tackles, with one TFL and one sack. As a sophomore, he started to bulk up, and finished with 33 tackles, 7.5 TFLs, and 2.5 sacks. He added two PBUs, and three QB hurries.
As a junior, Smoot finished with 40 tackles, 15 TFLs, eight sacks, two PBUs, three QB hurries, and three forced fumbles.
As a senior, Smoot recorded 56 tackles, 15 TFLs, five sacks, 10 QB hurries, and two forced fumbles.
The Good
Once past the point of attack, he kicks into a second gear to get at QBs and RBs who are on the move.
Can close off a pocket by shutting down the edge.
Excellent athlete who was a hurdler in high school.
Can work the gaps as well as close off the edge.
Has lateral ability, and works down the line very well.
Can play up or down, depending on scheme.
Has the ability to knock a ball loose.
The Bad
Overall numbers were better in year two than year three. Did not seem as focused in his final season.
Has never played on a winning team, and doesn't know how to win on a high level just yet.
Does not explode off of the snap like you would like.
Hand work is average, and he can get redirected off of his course.
Does not possess many moves, or the ability to string together what little he has in the way of moves.
Lacks solid control, and his mindset towards the game does not appear to be focused.
Does not always bring it week to week.
Final Overview
If you look at his film as a junior, Smoot looked like pretty much everything you would need at the DE position, but it is the film from 2016 that should have many concerned. He throttled back in his senior season, almost as if he did not want to give too much and get hurt as he was already thinking ahead to the NFL draft this year. Illinois was losing, and that may have effected his mindset, but it does not thrill me that no matter what was going on with the team, that it appeared that he mailed it in a bit. A stellar athlete brings it no matter what. Teams will likely take a chance on Smoot in the late first round based on his junior film, but I believe that it is buyer beware on this one.
Charles Harris, Missouri
6-3, 253
Harris spent four years at Missouri, including a redshirt year during his true freshman campaign. He came back as a RS freshman, and recorded 19 tackles, four TFLs, two sacks, two PBUs, four QB hurries, and a forced fumble.
As a sophomore, he totaled 56 tackles, 18.5 TFLs, seven sacks, 10 QB hurries, and two forced fumbles.
As a rs junior, Harris racked up 61 tackles, 12 TFLs, nine sacks, two PBUs, 10 QB hurries, and two forced fumbles.
Harris was named second team All-SEC as a sophomore, and did so again as a junior.
Harris did not play football until his junior year of high school.
The Good
Excellent run defender who knows how to work a gap.
Pops out of the snap and works with solid explosiveness.
Solid athleticism helps him work down the line in pursuit.
Can cover on screen passes, has enough ability to kick out in pursuit, keeps level with his target.
Shows patience, does not bite easily on play action.
Very quick off the edge.
Plugs his way through double teams.
Wrap tackler who does not throw his body around.
Excellent body control in space, works through traffic, sticks with his objectives.
Will blow up plays in the backfield if your tackle does not adjust to him quickly.
Does not seem to take plays off, motor is constantly churning.
The Bad
Dips his head too often when making tackles.
Looks smaller than you would like on film, and measures the same in reality. May need to kick out to OLB in a 3-4 set.
Looks like his frame is maxed out.
Lunges his way into tackles rather than keeping balance and smashing the tackle.
His approach to the QB is very wide and arcing.
Does not get rid of blocks quick enough, will ride the wave.
Edge rush is based on quickness and athleticism, but everything else looks pretty basic with him.
If he gets tied up by a blocker, he likely will not win the fight.
Did not react well to change in scheme as a junior, and his numbers dipped.
Still very raw at times.
Final Overview
Harris has earned a second round grade, but interest in him in recent weeks is on the upswing. He has all of the tools that he needs, but he will need some technique work on the next level, and he needs to be moved out to OLB to be able to find some space to play in, as he is limited in size to be able to up head to head against the mammoths that are NFL OTs. If you can get him in open space and allow him to be creative, you have a high motor athlete who will make a ton of plays. He has loads of potential for the right team and coaching staff, and I can see him sneaking his way into the first round on draft day.
Chris Wormley, Michigan
6-5, 298
Wormley came to Michigan from Toledo, Ohio, where he was voted as the Ohio Division One High School Player of the Year. He ended up being a five year player for Michigan, including his redshirt season as a true freshman.
In his first year on the field, he recorded 19 tackles, 4.5 TFLs, 2.5 sacks, and one PBU. For his second season, he recorded 21 tackles, five TFLs, and three sacks, and added two QB hurries.
As a junior, Wormley doubled his tackle totals to 43, and added 14.5 TFLs, 6.5 sacks, one PBU, two QB hurries, and a forced fumble.
As a senior, he recorded 39 tackles, 8.5 TFLs, 5.5 sacks, and five QB hurries. He also added three blocked kicks to his resume.
He was named third team All-Big 10 in 2015, and first team in 2016.
The Good
Intimidating frame that matches with tackles.
Very good length, and can also switch up and play inside.
Arm length lends to skill as a kick blocker. He blocked three kicks last season.
Has enough power to collapse the middle of the line, or collapse the edge in a hurry.
Patient tackler that does not bite on play fakes.
Can play up or down.
Strong pursuit speed, does not give up on the play.
Power in lower body will drive back blockers.
Uses arms to create separation from blockers.
Has the ability to bust through gaps.
Keeps working in traffic and does not lose sight of the objective.
Very good in pursuit, and will work across the field to make a play.
Doesn't get knocked down, even in traffic. Amazing balance for someone his size.
Plays with his brain.
The Bad
Slow to redirect himself when he gets knocked off course.
Looks average athletically on film.
Straight up bull rusher who can get stonewalled at the point of attack.
Hand moves are average.
Does not pop off the blocker, and will ride the wave.
His feet look sluggish to me, and his game is more power than technique.
His numbers are not eye popping on any level.
Final Overview
Wormley is a player who coaches tend to love. He will do all of the little things, and will basically play wherever you want him to. He does not flash excellent athleticism all of the time, but there is enough there to warrant consideration. I see him more as a second rounder due to his versatility, as he can play inside or out, and can be used in the middle as a kick blocker on special teams. Some teams may like him enough to reach into the first round, but I would not do that myself. He is a high character guy, which will help his case.
Takkarist McKinley, UCLA
6-2, 250
McKinley was an original California commit, but failed to gain entry based on academic performance out of high school. He attended Contra Costa JC, and was named all conference in his lone season there, and then transferred to UCLA once his academic issues were solved. He spent three seasons with the Bruins.
As a sophomore, he recorded five tackles,3.5 TFLs, and 2.5 sacks. As a junior, he became a main stream player, and recorded 35 tackles, 7.5 TFLs, 4.5 sacks, four PBUs, and two forced fumbles.
As a senior, he racked up 61 tackles, 18 TFLs, 10 sacks, six PBUs, three QB hurries, and three forced fumbles.
He was named first team All-PAC 12 as a senior.
The Good
High motor player, always working in the field to make the play. Does not take plays off.
Bounces around and still goes after the play.
Not a biter on play fakes.
Pure speed and power combo with solid foot churn.
Works quickly off of the edge.
Solid ball raking skills, always reaching for the football.
Solid balance, and does not see the ground much.
His first step is lightning, especially from upright position off of the snap.
Legs are always churning.
Collapses a pocket very quickly, and will push bigger lockers back.
Can also play inside or outside at LB.
The Bad
does not always get his arms extended to create separation.
Takes the long raod into the backfield sometimes with a wide ranging arc to the ball.
Does not always separate from blockers, and will ride the wave all the way in.
His arms are all over the place at times, with some seriously wasted movements.
Undersized for the DE position, and will almost certainly have to kick to playing LB.
Needs to add some bulk to the frame that he does have.
Still shows some rawness in technique.
Final Overview
McKinley is a high motor and effort player who needs to add bulk and overall technique to his game. He is a speed edge guy who needs to add some complimentary moves to his game and shorten his approach to the backfield. He had one very exciting season at UCLA, but he still has some work to do long term to become a serious starter in the league. He has the talent and athletic ability, now he needs to be refined. If that can happen, and I think that it can, he could be a very nice edge rush specialist in the NFL.
DeMarcus Walker, Florida State
6-4, 280
Walker was a four year player for the Seminoles, and had been a verbal commit to Alabama before flipping to Florida State out of high school. He was a consensus top 50 national player out of the high school ranks.
He played in 11 games as a freshman (he was an early enrollee), and recorded 18 tackles, two TFLs, and a sack.
As a sophomore, he played in 14 games for the national championship team, and recorded 38 tackles, six TFLs, had one sack, and four QB hurries.
He returned as a junior, and totaled 58 tackles, 15.5 TFLs, 10.5 sacks, five PBUs, three QB hurries, and four forced fumbles. He also added a blocked kick.
Walker decided to return for his senior season, and recorded 68 tackles, 21.5 TFLs, 16 sacks, two PBUs, four QB hurries, and three forced fumbles.
He was named third team All-ACC as a junior, and was named 1st team All-ACC and 1st team All-American as a senior.
The Good
Super productive once he had the leash removed from the coaching staff. Should have stated before he got the chance.
Massive first step, and excellent swim move combo helps him shirk blockers quickly.
Gets into the backfield with lightning speed.
Sack specialist the last two seasons. Very disruptive in the backfield.
Constantly works to find a way to the play.
Very smart player on the field.
Gets his arms in the air on pass plays, an has enough reach to knock passes down.
Still has enough room on his frame to bulk up some.
Collects blockers to enable teammates to get to the ball.
Rarely leaves the field, and wants in on the action.
Sure tackler who levels pads and makes the hit.
The Bad
Does not possess solid pursuit speed/ability. Players can pull away from him in open space.
Does not have good flow speed when working down the line.
Does not always get good arm extension at point of attack, and can be redirected, or even taken out of the play.
Footwork is not always first rate.
Allows himself the ability to get worn out, and may not be a full three down player in the NFL.
Final Overview
Walker is a high effort guy that will give you everything he has on the field, even if it is, at times, to his detriment. One cannot question his desire to play, and his motor and ambition are what you want, but sometimes a staff will have to limit him to get everything that he has that is good out of him. He is one of the most productive players in this draft, and he could find his way into the late first round, but a second round pick would be suitable for one of his skill set. He is simply just too productive to ignore.
Tim Williams, Alabama
6-3, 244
Williams was a four year player at Alabama, and jilted his hometown LSU Tigers in favor of playing for the Tide.
He played in seven games as a freshman, and recorded three tackles and had one TFL.
As a sophomore, he played in 12 games as a reserve, and recorded five tackles, 1.5 TFLs, 1.5 sacks, and finished with three QB hurries.
He played a ton more as a junior, and played in a total of 15 games. He finished with 19 tackles, 12.5 TFLs, and 10.5 sacks. He also added four QB hurries.
He finished with 31 tackles as a senior, and also added 16 TFLs, nine sacks, two PBUs, 12 QB hurries, and forced two fumbles.
The Good
Fires off of the snap with explosiveness and swiftness.
Pass rush specialist who takes a solidly direct approach to the target.
Equally as adept at getting into position coming from the edge or inside.
Takes advantage on the edge and can get around a blocker with decent shoulder leverage.
Has real speed for an End/OLB.
Can drop into coverage on zone plays.
The Bad
Serious character concerns. It was reported that he had failed multiple drug tests at Alabama, and missed part of a game for a misdemeanor gun charge. Huge red flags, and was under disciplined.
Is not very cerebral to his approach. Needs to have things simplified to succeed.
He will bite on play fakes, and gets fooled quite easily.
Way to thin to play DE in the NFL. Will have to be a pass rush specialist, limiting him to third downs, or long yardage downs.
Will give you limited success on running plays.
Can get knocked around.
Numbers are not really that impressive over his career.
Does not read offenses well.
Hand work is sloppy and rather weak.
Not very athletic, will not get to plays that are away from him.
Small tackle radius.
Final Overview
NFL scouts and execs love players who can get into the backfield, and Williams can do that, but he really is limited to that role overall. He will get a second round grade because of this special skill set, and someone will likely take him there. In my opinion, he has too many off field issues for me to consider seriously, so I would not sacrifice an early round pick on this particular prospect. He is a suspension waiting to happen, and I do not trust where his head is at, and I certainly do not trust his focus ability, and there are questions about his on field IQ. I would pass on this guy, because the defensive end position is the richest in this draft class.
Tannoh Kpassagnon, Villanova
6-7, 289
Kpassagnon was a bit of a late bloomer, and was a four year player for the Wildcats. He played sparingly as a rs freshman, and finished with 15 tackles and one sack.
He missed eight games with a torn MCL, but still finished with 12 tackles, five TFLs and 3.5 sacks.
He returned healthy as a junior, and finished with 9.5 TFLs and 6.5 sacks. As a senior, He blew up with 21.5 TFLs and 10.5 sacks.
He was named All-CAA as a junior, and repeated as All-CAA along with FCS All-American honors as a senior..
The Good
Very good frame, with excellent length, and the frame has the ability to add more bulk.
Very good core strength with some powerful ability to move blockers out of his way.
Can slip through gaps and have an impact in the backfield.
Really started coming into his own in the pass rush as a senior, with huge numbers.
Very smart off the field.
Can get to plays that kick outside and has a nice range.
Solid kick blocker.
The Bad
Takes the long arcing road to the QB.
Not very explosive with consistency.
Lacks lower body power, and plays too narrow at his base.
Rides the wave with the blocker and does not separate.
Does not always know where the ball is.
Very upright player, and does not have a good concept of pad level or leverage.
Very raw in his ability.
Final Overview
Kpassagnon is a very raw player with a ton of potential and a very good brain that is ready to learn. I see him as being a three year developmental player with a ton of potential, but he has a lot to still learn. He has some serious tools to work with, and has the ambition to learn, and that will aid him in the process. If I had the ability to draft a developmental prospect with a high ceiling in the third round, I would seriously consider him.
Jordan Willis, Kansas State
6-4, 255
Willis was a four year player at Kansas State, and was a favorite among his coaches. He came to Kansas State as a Kansas City All-Metro pick out of high school.
As a freshman, Willis recorded One tackle, which was a sack. As a sophomore, he recorded 26 tackles, seven TFLs, four sacks, and one PBU.
As a junior, his numbers began to pick up, as he finished with 35 tackles, 15 TFLs, 9.5 sacks, three PBUs, two QB hurries, and four forced fumbles. He also blocked one kick.
As a senior, he became one of the omst productive and disruptive players in the nation. He finished with 52 tackles, 17.5 TFLs, 11.5 sacks, three PBUs, four QB hurries, and three forced fumbles.
He was named as the Big 12 Defensive player of the year in 2016, and was named as a third team All-American.
The Good
Breaks down what he is seeing with skill. Does not take the bate on misdirection.
Strong tackler, finishes what he starts.
Quick to change direction when needed.
Very strong hand work, some o the best at this position in this class.
Plays with decent balance in space.
Has excellent combo moves, including a devastating swim move that he uses with skill.
Very disruptive in the backfield against the run.
The Bad
One track mind as a pass rusher, and uses his moves early and leaves the tank empty for the end of the play.
Does not possess a second gear in terms of speed or quickness.
Can get knocked off his path by aggressive blockers who are willing to meet him at the point of attack.
Does not always meet tackles head on, and gets caught working from bad angles.
May not have enough to make it at DE in the NFL, and may require work as an OLB in a 3-4 system.
Final Overview
Willis really came on during his last two seasons at K State, as he finished with over 32 TFLs. He has a knack for getting into the backfield, but he may be limited athletically to take on the DE job in the NFL. He may be a developmental project at this point with a necessary position change coming up, as he does not possess the frame or the moves to play at end on the next level. Still, h was productive enough to give a shot in the coming draft.
Carroll Phillips, Illinois
6-3, 242
Phillips is the nephew of former Miami Hurricane Luther Campbell. He attended Cincinnati out of high school, and did not play during his freshman season. He transferred to Copiah-Lincoln JC, and finished with 49 tackles and four sacks as a sophomore. He then transferred to Illinois as a junior.
He started three games for the Illini as a junior, and finished with 26 tackles, 4.5 sacks, and two sacks.
As a senior, Phillips exploded, as he finished the year with 56 tackles, 20 TFLs, nine sacks, and three QB hurries.
He was named first team All-Big 10 as a senior.
The Good
Very disruptive in the backfield against the run, and works well with stunts.
Works for the tackle, and is solid in pursuit. Does not give up on the play.
Solid tackler who gets his guy.
A grade agility, moves fluidly.
Plays very well in space.
Possesses second gear to close in on tackles.
Solid pass rush attributes, knows how to get to the pocket and make a play on the QB.
The Bad
Very raw as a starter, with just one full season of experience in major college football.
Size is a limit, and he may have to kick out to play OLB.
Lacks lower body power, very thin legs with not much drive.
Gets knocked off course due to lack of core strength and anchor.
Poor hands.
Arms are all over the place, and he appears to be often out of sync.
Plays too high, does not use good pad level.
Straight line rusher who has one good shot to make the play, or he fails.
Final Overview
It is my belief that we were just starting to see the best of Phillips in 2016. He will slide down to the late third or early fourth round because of a lacking sample size on what he is mad eup of, and he also will likely need a position change. He could use some time as a developmental prospect to get some bulk on his frame, but he may be limited on the next level until he makes some changes to his technique. He is known as the "Wild Man", and plays wild sometimes, which is not always a good thing. If he slides to the fourth round, grab him for development, but do not reach early on this prospect.
Daeshon Hall, Texas A&M
6-5, 266
Hall was a four year player for the Aggies who had the benefit of lining up opposite Myles Garrett, the consensus number one pick in this draft. He had been playing at OLB before his frame filed out and he moved down to the line.
As a freshman, he finished with 29 tackles, three TFLs, three QB hurries, and an INT. As a sophomore, he totaled 29 tackles, six TFLs, 4.5 sacks, an five QB hurries.
As a junior, Hall played in 13 games, and totaled 54 tackles, 14.5 TFLs, and seven sacks. He also added two PBUs, four QB hurries, and two forced fumbles.
He returned for his senior season, and finished with 50 tackles, 13 TFLs, and 4.5 sacks to go with one PBU, 12 QB hurries, and two forced fumbles.
The Good
Has a long frame that can handle adding more bulk.
Versatile, and can line up all over the place.
Solid run defender who gets behind the line to make plays.
Has the ability to get through double teams.
Strong motor, never quits on plays.
Gives max effort.
The Bad
Still very raw, and has only played at DE for one season, and does not project well at OLB.
Does not have rock solid core strength and can get bounced around.
Plays too high, and does not yet understand pad level for playing on line.
Still learning how to use his hands, and has limited moves down low.
Has added some bulk, and it has slowed him down.
Still learning, and may need some developmental time on the next level.
Has not become a stellar pass rusher, but does get behind the line to make plays in the run game.
May be limited to a two down DE until he has developed more.
Final Overview
Hall is heavy on potential, but he is very raw at this point, and the trap would be to draft him on a reach because of the potential alone. He is a make it or bust player, who has the motor and drive to succeed, but he has a very long way to go to become a major starter on a good football team as a pro. He will likely have to have his entire game worked over to become ready, so expecting much of him in year one would be a major mistake.
Carl Lawson, Auburn
6-2, 261
Lawson played in 14 games as a freshman, and was named as a freshman All-American after collecting 20 tackles, 7.5 TFLs, four sacks, seven QB hurries, and two forced fumbles.
He missed his entire sophomore campaign after he tore a knee ligament in the spring.
He returned the following season, with expectations that he would be healthy and functional, but again, he missed several games with a hip injury. He recorded just 17 tackles, three TFLs, and one sack in seven games played.
He returned last season, and managed to stay healthy for 13 games. He finished with 30 tackles, 13.5 TFLs, nine sacks, 24 QB hurries, and one forced fumble.
The Good
Works with solid arm extension to push his way around the edge.
Solid work with his hands.
Can aggressively pursue kick out plays to the sideline.
Can play up or down.
Very explosive off of the snap and aggressive.
Takes the narrow direct path to the QB in the pocket, does not get pushed outside.
Has very intriguing power/speed combo.
Has played inside at DT and at ILB as well.
The Bad
He has missed a ton of games in college.
May be to oshort to play at DE, and lacks requisite size to play inside at DT. May have to move to LB.
Tends to get tied up by blockers with size.
Will not shed tackles. Rides the wave.
More powerful in his upper half than his lower.
Does not change direction quickly, and can get taken out of a play.
Tends to apply pressure to QBs, but rarely finished the play with a sack.
Not a great tackler.
Not exactly the most athletic guy on the field, and plays tight.
Final Overview
Lawson is a guy who is all potential and not enough production. He has lost a lot of time to injuries during his college career, and really never gelled as an athlete. He is lacking enough size to play down line on defense, and lacks enough athleticism to move to ILB, which is where he would generally translate to. Without really knowing what you would do with him, I would take a pass on him in this draft.
Trey Hendrickson, Florida Atlantic
6-4, 266
Hendrickson was a four year player for the Owls, with his last two seasons being very productive in terms of what you are looking for.
As a freshman, he finished with six tackles and 1.5 sacks. As a sophomore, he finished with 30 tackles, 9.5 TFLs, and five sacks.
He really started to bloom as a junior, as he finished with 39 tackles, 15 TFLs, and 13.5 sacks. He also added five forced fumbles to his resume.
As a senior, Hendrickson totaled a career high 50 tackles, 15 TFLs, and 9.5 sacks. He added two PBUs as well.
Hendrickson was third team All-Florida out of high school, and finished first team All-CUSA as a junior and as a senior.
The Good
Uses his hands as a weapon while working off of the edge.
Gets good speed coming off the edge and can throw some punch behind it as well.
Solid arm extension into blockers.
Footwork is a plus, and adds an excellent spin move to his cache of weapons.
Excellent ability to force fumbles and get at the ball.
kick blocking specialist who blocked four total kicks in his senior season.
The Bad
Not a great run defender, mainly a late down or long yardage backup type guy for the next level.
Does not think quickly, waits for plays to develop rather than attacking off of the snap.
Plays too high. Does not exhibit good pad level.
Can get bounced around when he does not get a good first step.
Can get beaten by lessor athletes.
Does not always get a straight line to the QB, and can be forced wide. Has to go through layers to get to his target.
Final Overview
Hendrickson will serve a team well as a pass rush backup DE and special teams demon who can get to the football with athleticism and decent speed. He does not look like a first two downs end, and wil lhave to develop into that role on the next level. I can see him sliding into the third day of the draft, while teams find a role for him, but he is not a lock to make a roster out of this draft. He is going to have to work for his spot and show value in roles.
5th-7th Round
Tarell Basham, Ohio: Freshman All-American, and MAC Defensive POY in 2016. Will need to develop some kind of pass rush to be worthy of a job in a few years.
Deatrich Wise, Arkansas: Was not great in 2016. Pure power player with a lack of athleticism or finesse.
Josh Callaway, TCU: Pass rush specialist who lacks a nasty streak. May have to be an edge LB on the next level as he lacks bulk to be a down lineman.
Keionta Davis, Chattanooga: A small school tweener who lacks skills to play DE in standard defense. Not sure where he fits.
Derek Rivers, Youngstown State: Three time All-Missouri Valley Conference pick. Dominant on FCS level, but may need to kick out to OLB or find a level of specialty to stick. Solid diamond in the rough.
Avery Moss, Youngstown State: Had some character concerns and got kicked off Nebraska football team. He has all of the skills necessary to compete, and production to boot. If he can get himself together, he has a shot.
Garrett Sickles, Penn State: Lacks physicality at point of attack, but finds a way to the backfield. Could be a cndidate for a move to LB on the next level, but his motor is unquestionable.
Ejuan Price, Pittsburgh: Has a worrisome injury history, but when he is healthy, he is very hard to stop. Could be a little bit on the short side to play DE in the NFL.
Ken Ekanem, Virginia Tech: Not the most athletic or physical prospect in the bunch, but has a solid motor, smarts, and hand work to make it somewhere. He is a developmental project at this point, but we may have already seen everything he has to give.
Defensive Tackles
Jonathon Allen, Alabama
6-3, 286
Allen was a four year player at Alabama who won the Chuck Bednarik Award and the Nogurski Award in 2016. He was the Gatorade Defensive Player of the Year coming out of high school in Virginia.
As a freshman, he totaled 15 Tackles, three TFLs, 0.5 sacks, a QB hurry, and a forced fumble. As a sophomore, Allen recorded 32 tackles, 11 TFLs, five sacks, one PBU, and seven QB hurries.
As a junior, he finished with 36 tackles, 14.5 TFLs, 12 sacks, four PBUs, six QB hurries, and two forced fumbles.
He returned for his senior season, and finished with 69 tackles, 16 TFLs, 10.5 sacks, two PBUs, 15 QB hurries, and two TDs on fumble returns.
The Good
Has been well coached, and receives said coaching like a pro.
Can line up at DE as well as DT, and could start at either spot.
Explodes of the snap and uses excellent hand work to get past the point of attack quickly.
Has an apartment in opposing backfields.
He can come at you with a wide range of weapons.
Very disciplined player, and high football IQ.
Numbers improved every season in college.
As strong against the run as he is against the pass.
Feet are always churning.
A real team leader. Like having an extra coach on the field.
Plays with violence and a nice nasty streak.
The Bad
Lack of supreme height may limit him at end, and he may be forced full time to tackle.
He may have to increase bulk to play inside.
Limited against double teams.
Does not have great pursuit speed, and can get left behind.
40 time is really not good.
Had his deficiencies buried and hidden by being surrounded by great talent all of the time.
Final Overview
Allen is a sure fire first round draft pick, but he does not come without warts. He will need to bulk up and play DT on the next level, because he lacks certain intangibles to play at DE. He is a super productive, high motor player, who leads by example, and is not afraid to get loud on the practice field. If I am an NFL GM, I find a use for him, and make the pick.
Caleb Brantley, Florida
6-3, 307
Brantley was a former first team All-Florida selection out of high school. He spent three years in the Gators program before declaring early.
As a freshman, he collected 21 tackles, four TFLs, and three QB hurries to go with two forced fumbles.
As a sophomore, he finished with 29 tackles, 6.5 TFLs, and three sacks. He also added two QB hurries.
He finished his career after a junior year in which he totaled 31 tackles, 9.5 TFLs, and 2.5 sacks. He also added three QB hurries and one forced fumble.
The Good
Powerful player with a spark plug frame.
Has a motor, and plays with a fire in his belly.
Has had success against double teams, and is very difficult to move.
Has quickness off of the snap, and can blow up a play up the middle.
Solid body control, and plays with decent leverage at times.
Good hand usage.
The Bad
He takes a straight line to plays, and it doesn't always work out.
Confidence borders on arrogance and ignorance.
Very slow in the open field, and shows general lack of athleticism.
Numbers in college do not jump off the page.
Sack and hurry numbers are very pedestrian.
All power and violence, with very little finesse. Lacks combo moves. One trick pony.
Can get drawn off sides.
Was more of a rotation guy than a full timer.
Narrow tackle radius.
Final Overview
Brantley is a solid middle man in the field, but he has never had to go three downs in his college career. The numbers are really very limited for me, and I am thinking he could have used another year in school. His grades show him as a first round talent, but effectively, you could probably wait until later and get better value. He is very confident in himself to the point of myopia, and that is a bad thing. For what he does, there is just better value out there.
Malik McDowell, Michigan State
6-6, 295
McDowell was a three year player for the Spartans, and was a top 50 high school recruit out of the Detroit Metro area. He was named second team All-Big 10 for both of his final two seasons in East Lansing.
As a freshman, he finished with 15 tackles, 4.5 TFLs, 1.5 sacks, and two QB hurries.
As a sophomore, he totaled 41 tackles, 13 TFLs, 4.5 sacks, eight QB hurries, two forced fumbles, a blocked kick, and an INT that was returned for a score.
As a senior, he wrapped his career by totaling 34 tackles, seven TFLs, 1.5 sacks, and five QB hurries. He played in just nine games due to an ankle injury.
The Good
Solid frame with good arm length.
Can be very athletic when he wants to be.
Very strong lower body, helps power through blocks.
Hands are quick and to the point.
Has a decent swim move.
Has enough athletic ability to chase and pursue.
Very good tackle radius.
Has worked at End as well as DT.
The Bad
Footwork is a mess.
He can play very much out of control at times.
Has been considered as being lazy at times.
Fairly new as a tackle, will need time to learn.
Can get beat up by double teams.
Needs better pad level.
Plays too upright at times.
Stays with the blocker, rides the wave.
Has not been a vocal leader, just does his thing and goes home.
Final Overview
McDowell is a frustrating player in that he has dominant traits, and has the ability to be a big time player, but he doesn't always give the effort. He needs to be constantly motivated, and that could get old for a coaching staff. He has to decide whether he is going to be a star one day, or just a complete wash out. There is no gray for him when it comes to this.
Montravius Adams, Auburn
6-4, 304
Adams was a top five national Defensive Tackle recruit out of high school in Georgia before attending Auburn. He earned third team All-SEC as a junior, and was named second team All-SEC as a senior. He spent four years with the Tigers.
As a freshman, he played in 13 games and recorded 20 tackles, 1.5 TFLs, and one sack. He also added seven QB hurries.
As a sophomore, He totaled 43 tackles, eight TFLs, three sacks, 12 QB hurries, and intercepted one pass.
As a junior, he finished with 44 tackles, three TFLs, 2.5 sacks, one PBU, six QB hurries, and two forced fumbles.
As a senior, he recorded 44 tackles, 8.5 TFLs, 4.5 sacks, two PBUs, 15 QB hurries, one forced fumble, and two blocked kicks. He also returned an INT for a score, and returned a fumble for a score as well.
The Good
Very quick and explosive off of the snap.
Busts the gap with ease.
Very disruptive, and forces QBs to make mistakes.
Very powerful lower half.
Has enough quickness to be effective in pursuit.
Plays with solid pad level, uses pads as a battering ram off of the snap.
The Bad
Has not always played with a consistent motor. Seems to turn it on and off.
Junior year was a real letdown.
Comes into contact with his head down too often.
Hand work is not good enough at this level.
Does not always use his arm extension, lets blockers get into his body.
Rides the wave too often, and is slow to disengage.
Final Overview
Adams is another frustrating player that does not always play to his potential. He tried to coast through his junior season, and it blew up in his face, and he did not flip the switch again because he wanted to, but because he had to. Still, he is a disruptive enough force to be able to make some plays at the next level, but he has to stay motivated, and coaches do not like players that they constantly have to get a fire under. Either he will want it and succeed, or he won't and he will fail.
Jaleel Johnson, Iowa
6-3, 316
Johnson was a five year player in the Iowa program, including a redshirt year in 2012.
As a freshman, he collected just one tackle in seven games. As a sophomore, he finished with 11 tackles, 2.5 TFLs, and a sack.
As a junior, Johnson really got into a starting role, and finished with 45 tackles, 5.5 TFLs, 3.5 sacks, one PBU, and six QB hurries.
As a senior, he finished with 55 tackles, 10 TFLs, 7.5 sacks, two PBUs, and five QB hurries.
The Good
Johnson has good short range quickness, and can explode off of the snap at times.
Has plenty of power at the point of attack when taking on first wave blockers.
Solid bull rush artist, with solid arm extension as a weapon.
Disengages blocks quickly.
Solid technique and decent body control in space.
Smart player, uses his brain as much as his body to make plays.
Has a nasty streak, and charges with violence.
Has very good change of direction ability for a guy his size.
The Bad
Plays too upright, and has uneven pad level.
Can get blocked out of a play when he does not get that first step down.
If he gets hit head on, he is out of the play.
Lacks expected core strength, and does not play up to his size at all times.
Does not put up a ton of numbers, and could get mitigated to NT, where he is responsible for moving bodies, not necessarily making plays.
Does not always show good understanding of what an offense is doing.
Good quickness in short bursts, but slow on longer plays, and does not have solid pursuit ability. A little bit plodding at times.
Final Overview
Johnson is a solid candidate to be placed at NT in the NFL, but do not expect him to make a ton of plays behind the line. It is largely his job at this point to move blockers out of the way, clearing a path for his teammates to make big plays. He is a little bit plodding at times, and although his motor never gives out, he just is not going to give you much in terms of outright play making ability. Services have graded him in the second round based on what people believe he can do, not necessarily on what he actually has done.
Jarron Jones, Notre Dame
6-6, 315
Jones was a high school offensive tackle while in high school in the Miami area, but moved to defense once he arrived at Notre Dame. Jones redshirted in 2012, and then missed two games as a sophomore to a foot injury. He missed the entire regular season in 2015 with an MCL tear. He played in 12 games as a senior, but started only six games total.
As a rs freshman, he collected 20 tackles, with one sack, one QB hurry, one forced fumble, and two blocked kicks.
He finished with 40 tackles as a sophomore, and added 7.5 TFLs, and 1.5 sacks. He also added seven QB hurries, and two more blocked kicks.
He missed his junior season, and as a senior, he recorded 45 tackles, 11 TFLs, two sacks, three PBUs, and blocked another two kicks.
The Good
Played basketball in high school, and has retained that athleticism.
Plays with a solid burst in space, and displays solid body control.
Long arms gets him into position to block kicks on special teams.
Can get past the point of attack with a good deal of quickness.
Can play NT, or either DT spot in the gap technique.
The Bad
Plays with poor pad level, and is upright too often.
Hands are not a finished product just yet.
The injury history has to be a concern. Once he returned as a senior, he had basically lost his full time starting job.
Very raw in some areas.
Does not always seem to be aware of what the offense is doing.
Has a limited work ethic during the season and during the off-season.
Not a real leader, and tends to loaf.
Has to ask himself if he wants this.
Will have to constantly be motivated.
Final Overview
He has displayed enough in short bursts, but long term, he just does not seem to want to be doing this. He has some serious skills when he applies himself, but the question is about whether or not he will stay self motivated, and so far it seems that he is not. He does not condition well during the off-season, and that could be a major problem down the road. He has enough raw ability that someone will not do their homework and pick him in the mid rounds, and he could really end up disappointing someone.
Charles Walker, Oklahoma
6-2, 310
Johnson left the Sooners midway through the 2016 season while recovering from his third concussion of his career. He left the team to "prepare for the draft".
Walker was only in the program for three seasons, and left only four games into his junior season.
As a rs freshman, he finished with 10 tackles and one TFL. He missed five games with a knee injury.
As a sophomore, he finished with 36 tackles, 10 TFLs, and six sacks. He did not start a game, and missed one game.
He only played in four games as a junior, and totaled just seven tackles.
The Good
Can get at the point of attack quickly, and works through gaps with ease, when he plays.
Solid upper body power to get a good push.
Shows agility and athleticism in the open field.
Solid pursuit speed.
Excellent tackle radius.
Balanced player, with good hand/foot coordination.
The Bad
The injury history is too much to ignore.
Really jilted the Oklahoma program by leaving when and how he did.
Three concussions already, and you know there will be more.
His effort is on a switch.
Questionable character, and really disrespected his coaches.
Did nothing on the field in 2016.
Will ride the wave on blockers, and will not disengage in a timely manner.
Already has a child, meaning that his focus has not always been where it should be at this stage of his life.
Final Overview
I am still questioning how the scouting services have basically given this guy a blind second round grade. He showed one season of decent play, but there are several more deserving players in this class than him. He showed no loyalty to the Oklahoma program, showed limited effort, and really has flashed nothing that says that he will be a first rate impact player at all. I just do not understand, and he has three concussions and a knee injury already to boot. I would steer very clear from this player at any point in the draft, and it would not shock me one bit to see him fall completely out of the draft when all was said and done. Of course, there are fools born every minute, so someone may very well take him based on potential, but I just don't see it.
Carlos Watkins, Clemson
6-3, 309
Watkins was a five year player for the Clemson Tigers, having received a medical redshirt for the 2013 season after he was involved in a massive one car wreck that killed his cousin, who happened to be the driver.
As a freshman, he played in nine games, and recorded 13 tackles and one TFL. He also added two QB hurries.
As a sophomore, in 2013, he played in three games before the injuries, and recorded five tackles, with 1.5 TFLs.
He returned as a rs sophomore in 2014, and played in 11 games. He finished with Eight tackles and two TFLs.
He was finally handed a starting job as a junior, and collected 34 tackles, 7.5 TFLs, and 3.5 sacks.He added three PBUs, and two QB hurries. He also picked off a pass and returned it for a score.
He could have left after his junior season and was given a second round grade, He chose instead to return and try to win a national title, showing great selflessness and commitment to something bigger than himself. He finished with 50 tackles, 13.5 TFLs, 10.5 sacks, four PBUs, four QB hurries, and a blocked kick.
The Good
Watkins has a solid build, and actually has room to add to his frame.
Explosive off of the snap.
Works very well in space, and is very fluid.
Has the ability to generate power from his legs.
Plays with solid balance.
Handles double teams well.
Has the ability to pick up pace in pursuit.
The Bad
Has had limited development, and never really blew up until his senior season.
Plays too high at times, and fails to regulate pad level.
Lunges for tackles too often, even though he knows better.
Stays with his blocker too long, rides the wave.
Does not excel in pass rush.
Final Overview
Watkins looks like a rotational tackle right now, as he needs more time for development. He fits in either a 4-3 front or a 3-4 as a nose tackle, but he is still lacking in some fundamentals to be impactful right away. He did show some major loyalty by returning for his senior season when he did not have to, and that is to be commended. He has enough skill to be a solid rotational guy with potential long term starter potential. He will likely go in the late second to early third round.
Davon Godchaux, LSU
6-4, 299
Godchaux missed all but one game of his senior season in high school, and still LSU kept by their offer. He ended up being a three year player in their program.
As a freshman, he recorded 42 tackles, 1.5 TFLs, three QB hurries, and a forced fumble.
As a sophomore, he totaled 41 tackles, nine TFLs, six sacks, one PBU, four QB hurries, and one forced fumble.
He finished his career after a junior season in which he totaled 62 tackles, 8.5 TFLs, 6.5 sacks, one PBU, and three QB hurries.
The Good
Explodes out of the snap and starts work immediately.
Gets his pads down and plows into people.
Extends arms early, and uses hands to work off blockers.
Eagerly takes on double teams to create plays for his teammates.
Excellent swim move.
He can sniff out screens, and has decent pursuit ability in lateral plays.
The Bad
Does not play every snap, and may be limited to two down duty, or being a third down specialist.
Limited ability as a pass rusher.
Seems to play more in a physical role than a mental role. Does not seem to be able to read blocking schemes well.
Stays with the blocker too long.
Had his better games against lesser competition.
Final Overview
Godchaux is a solid run defender who lacks overall skills as a pass rusher. He may be limited to two down duty as a rotational tackle, and that may be what some teams are looking for. He already received his degree from LSU, so that is an excellent reason to leave after three seasons. Godchaux has been through a lot, but it seems like brighter days are ahead of him. Look for him to go in the mid to late third round, but he has a solid shot on the next level, as his issues can be coached up.
Vincent Taylor, Oklahoma State
6-3, 304
Taylor and his family were victims of Hurricane Katrina, and relocated to San Antonio, where football became an outlet for him. He graduated as a first team All-Texas selection, which is huge.
As a freshman, he finished with 13 tackles and one TFL. As a sophomore, he totaled 48 tackles, 8.5 TFLs, and five sacks, to go along with one PBU, one QB hurry, and one blocked kick.
As a junior, he finished with 51 tackles, 13 TFLs, and seven sacks. He added one PBU, two QB hurries, and two forced fumbles.
The Good
Fires off the snap, and wins the battle in the trenches.
Solid upper body strenght, which allows him to create a push into the backfield.
Plays well in the gap, and slides through to the backfield.
Long arms, and gets extension.
Can get to the QB.
The Bad
Does not have a ton of lower body power.
Has short area speed bursts, but long game is limited.
Can get knocked off his route to the play with a narrow base.
Plays too high, needs to level pads better.
Does not play with any real lateral ability.
Final Overview
Taylor does not have a ton of balance or anchor in the middle of the line, which is tough for him. He plays with a narrow base, and does not push as much as he could. He played well as a college player, but it is doubtful if he can be more than a rotational or back end guy on the next level.
Eddie Vanderdoes, UCLA
6-3, 305
Vanderdoes began his college career by committing to Notre Dame before changing his mind after enrollment, and he then transferred to UCLA because of a desire to be somewhat closer to home and family.
He began his career at UCLA by being named freshman All-American after collecting 37 tackles, 4.5 TFLs, a rushing score, and an 18 yard reception on offense.
As a sophomore, He collected 50 tackles, 5.5 TFLs, two sacks, and another rushing score.
As a junior, Vanderdoes was injured in his first game, and played most of that game with a serious knee injury before realizing how hurt he was. He collected eight tackles and two TFLs, most of which came after he had gotten hurt.
He was given a medical redshirt, and returned in 2016 to collect 27 Tackles and 1.5 sacks, but was a shell of his former self.
The Good
He looks very much bigger than he measures, but was extremely athletic before the injury in 2015.
Plays with solid, churning feet, and has lateral quickness. Displays solid change of direction.
Can play at the nose, or either tackle spot.
Powerful first punch, and he gets rid of blockers rather quickly.
Hungers for double teams, and works through them.
Very tough, and has a nasty streak.
Bull rush ability is solid.
Smart. Worked with the staff while injured to help better understand coaching and how to better read film.
The Bad
Seemed to have lost some steam after he came back from injury.
Looks a little flabby sometimes.
Does not explode off of the snap at all times, and can play a little slow.
Did not post great numbers in either TFL or sack categories.
Pad levels are inconsistent.
May only be able to play as a first two down tackle, and does not show the conditioning to be an every down guy.
May have been a first round pick before injury, but has slid due to concerns.
Final Overview
Vanderdoes has some serious ability that was firmly on display before his injury. After the injury, he was not the same guy, and still has work to do to fully return to being himself. He came back heavier, and it worked against him. If he can drop his weight back down, he can be a real talent, and because he has fallen to possible 4th round or later, he may present solid value if he is anywhere near the talent that he was before being injured.
Dalvin Tomlinson, Alabama
6-3, 310
Tomlinson was a four year player for the Crimson Tide, and was yet another player poached by the staff from the State of Georgia
He redshirted his first season at Alabama, as he had torn his ACL while playing soccer his senior season of high school.
He played in one game as a rs freshman, and totaled four tackles in that effort.
As a sophomore, he finished with 22 tackles, 4.5 TFLs, a sack, and two QB hurries.
As a junior, he finished with 34 tackles, six PBUs, and four QB hurries.
He blew up a bit as a senior, with 62 tackles, 5.5 TFLs, three sacks, four PBUs, and seven QB hurries.
The Good
Super smart young man with excellent academics.
Has been through adversity, as both of his parents have passed away. This is what drives him to succeed.
Solid arm length, which he uses to his advantage.
Eats up double teams.
Sheds blocks quickly.
Finds the ball and targets the carrier very efficiently.
Knows how to read an offense, and is not fooled by misdirection.
Has played inside and out.
High motor guy, Wants in on the action.
Solid hand work, and can get to balls in the air.
The Bad
Only had one season where he was used as a full time starter.
Does not always explode off of the snap.
Does not possess a ton of moves, and is fairly straight forward.
Does not have a history of getting to the QB. May be a first two down run tackle.
Final Overview
While not the most athletic guy out there, Tomlinson has a major brain for the game and for life, and will be an instant character guy for your locker room. He is one of the smartest players in the draft, and will always get after the play, and his motor should carry him a long way. He is extremely coachable, and do whatever it takes, and the league has plenty of room for guys like this. He is a solid get in the mid rounds of this draft.
Elijah Qualls, Washington
6-1, 313
Qualls was a three year player for the Huskies, and was actually a RB in high school. He was a five star prospect out of the California high school ranks and escaped the state to head to the northwest and play for Washington.
As a freshman, he finished with 13 tackles, two TFLs, and a QB hurry.
As a sophomore, he missed three games with an ankle injury, but finished with 26 tackles and 4.5 sacks. He added two QB hurries.
As a junior, he wrapped up his career with 38 tackles, five TFLs, and three sacks. He also added another three QB hurries.
The Good
Plays with enough leverage to control the point of attack and work into the gaps.
Has solid power in upper body, and gets his hands working right away.
Very athletic for a guy his size, as he is a former FB.
Pursuit speed is top shelf, and he finishes his tackles with a good deal of violence.
Body control in space is excellent.
The Bad
Has played with excess weight, which limits his play.
Very stubby for a defensive lineman.
He will not not make many big plays, and is better suited for eating blocks rather than being a part of the play.
Will never beat the edge.
Rides the wave and does not shed blocks well.
Takes plays and games off.
Does not necessarily display any special traits that make him stand out on film.
Final Overview
Qualls is a guy who used to be a better athlete than he is now, and probably could have used another season at Washington to get into better shape and really blow up on the scene. As of now, he is a guy who looks like a former athlete that has physically just given up. His work ethic has been questioned, and his weight is getting out of control for his frame. Had he taken that extra year to get better prepared, he would have made himself some money, but all he is now is a two down run specialist.
Tanzel Smart, Tulane
6-1, 296
Smart was from Baton Rouge, and was first team All Louisiana in high school, but was under recruited and ended up at Tulane.
As a freshman, he collected 14 tackles, a PBU, and a QB hurry.
As a sophomore, he finished with 47 tackles, 6.5 TFLs, two sacks, a PBU, and a forced fumble.
As a junior, he wrapped with 62 tackles, 15 TFLs, two sacks, a QB hurry and a forced fumble,
As a senior, he finished with a career high 67 tackles, 18.5 TFLs, 5.5 sacks, two QB hurries, and a forced fumble.
The Good
Very productive player, and is a first rate run stuffer.
Loves the game, and is hungry to be on the field and in the action.
Knows how to time the hard count and jump the snap.
Sheds blocks efficiently, works well with his hands and tracks the ball from point of attack.
Smart player with enough athleticism to react to screen plays.
Excellent pad level, and gets into the frame of a blocker to move past quickly,
The Bad
A bit stubby. Short and stocky.
Does not possess enough talent when it comes to changing direction.
Very narrow tackle radius.
Is more quick and finesse than powerful.
Can be pushed out of the way and knocked off course.
Final Overview
Smart has enough tenacity and the numbers to garner a solid look on day three. He could be a very nice diamond in the rough find for a team with a staff that is willing to work with him and find a scheme that he fits into as a player. I like him late in the draft as a developmental run stop guy with some extra pass rush skill. If a team can get a little more out of him in the right scheme, we may have a late draft steal here.
Larry Ogunjobi, Charlotte
6-3, 305
Ogunjobi is the son of Nigerian immigrants who did not pick up football until his sophomore year of high school. He showed enough in a short time to earn a shot at a new program at Charlotte.
He had a big season in year one as an FBS member, as he collected 62 tackles, 14.5 TFLs, 2.5 sacks, three QB hurries, and a blocked kick.
In 2016, he finished with 65 tackles, 13.5 TFLs, three sacks, two PBUs, and 10 QB hurries.
The Good
Very good power through his middle body.
Quick hands, and he gets them into a blocker like lightning.
Fores out of the snap impressively.
Solid athletic ability, and gets to the ball quickly.
Very disruptive in the backfield.
Tackles well and with violence.
Gets to the QB at an increasing rate through his career.
Plays with leverage, and stays on his feet.
Gets solid power in his bull rush technique.
Very smart player and person, strong academically.
The Bad
Still raw and is still learning parts of the game.
May be better off moving to DE, as he may not have enough bulk for the middle as a pro.
Does not have the required arm length.
Has been known to over pursue the runner at times.
Can get knocked off his path.
Needs better control.
Final Overview
Ogunjobi is a rock solid project with smarts and solid athleticism, but he needs more time on the vine to ripen. With solid coaching, he can be worked into a rotation on raw athletic ability alone, but he definitely needs more discipline to play more within himself. He is doing good things, and that should continue, as he has high intelligence, and high character marks. He is a let draft steal, who can work himself into being a very good player down the line.
5th-7th Round
Isaac Rochelle, Notre Dame: Long, thin DT who cannot play DE, and is not much use as a pass rusher. Will be a two down tackle, if his work effort carries him to that point.
Ryan Glasgow, Michigan: Run stop specialist who provides no value as a pass rush guy. Will be a third day draft pick based on toughness and ability to compete.
Chunky Clements, Illinois: Short on technique and overall size. Has some value as a pass rush specialist, but little else at this point.
Josh Augusta, Missouri: Last started in 2015, but has some intriguing traits. If he can slim down and speed up, he may have value for someone as a run stop specialist.
Linebackers
Outside Linebackers
1st Round
TJ Watt, Wisconsin
Jarrad Davis, Florida
2nd Round
Haasan Reddick, Temple
Ryan Anderson, Alabama
3rd Round
None
4th Round
Alex Anzalone, Florida
Duke Riley, LSU
5th-7th Round
Anthony Walker, Northwestern
Steven Taylor, Houston
DeVonte Fields, Louisville
Tyus Bowser, Houston
Connor Harris, Lindenwood
Jordan Herdman, Simon Fraser
Vince Biegel, Wisconsin
Hardy Nickerson, Illinois
Brooks Ellis, Arkansas
Inside Linebackers
1st Round
Reuben Foster, Alabama
Zach Cunningham, Vanderbilt
2nd Round
None
3rd Round
Raekwon McMillian, Ohio State
Kendell Beckwith, LSU
4th Round
None
5th-7th Round
Elijah Lee, Kansas State
Ben Boulware, Clemson
Ben Gedeon, Michigan
Harvey Langi, BYU
Riley Bullough, Michigan State
Keith Kelsey, Louisville
Outside Linebackers
TJ Watt, Wisconsin,
6-4, 252
Watt is the youngest brother of NFL players JJ and Derek Watt. He came to Wisconsin as a TE, and redshirted in 2013. He then missed all of 2014 with a knee injury. He finally saw the field in 2015 as a LB.
In 2015, he finished with just eight tackles, 1.5 TFLs, three PBUs, four, and four QB hurries. 2016 was his only season as a full time starter, and he finished with 63 tackles, 15.5 TFLs, 11.5 sacks, four PBUs, 13 QB hurries, two forced fumbles, and a pick six.
He finished as a second team All-American and first team All-Big Ten pick in 2016.
The Good
Solid frame with room to add more muscle as a pro.
Uses solid arm extension to get under blocker pads, and can move a blocker down the lane of attack until he makes his jump.
Has excellent hands.
Knows how to disrupt a passing lane in a hurry.
Keeps his head up, and is always in hunter/killer mode for the ball.
Knows how to use his feet in traffic.
Has lateral pursuit speed.
Solid technique tackler, which is rare these days.
Smart player, looks like he has been on the field more than he has.
The Bad
Very limited sample size for him. Although his pedigree is solid he is still learning the job as he came to Wisconsin as a TE.
Lost a season to a knee injury, which cost him solid development.
Does not have amazing speed for what he does. Looks slow on tape sometimes.
More of a pure violence player, but not very athletic.
Does not have a ton of power at the point of attack. Will need to add that bulk as a pro.
Has to ride the wave with blockers, as he does not have enough pure power to get away once he is engaged and stuck there.
Final Overview
Watt certainly has two solid players for older brothers who may be in his ear all the time, which is a benefit. He'll certainly know what to expect on the next level. The issue I have with Watt is that there is simply too small a plate in which to see what he really is all about. He came out as a junior, and that was ill advised for him in my opinion. It certainly helps that this is an insanely weak class at LB, and he will certainly benefit from that as well.
He has some definite qualities at the position, but he is still very raw, and whichever team drafts him will have to work that out. He grades out as a first round pick here, but in a stronger class, he would be a second day pick.
Jarrad Davis, Florida
6-1, 238
Davis was a four year player at Florida, and is praised as being one of the high character players that NFL scouts love.
He played in every game as a freshman, including on special teams. He finished that season with 24 tackles, two TFLs, one PBU, and one forced fumble.
As a sophomore, he played in just nine games, as he missed three games with injury. He finished that season with 23 tackles, one TFL, and three QB hurries.
He was a full time starter in 2015, and recorded 98 tackles, 11 TFLs, 3.5 sacks, four PBUs, seven QB hurries, a forced fumble, and an INT.
He missed significant time again in 2016 with a lower leg injury, playing in just nine games. He finished the season with 60 tackles, six TFLs, two sacks, four PBUs, and five QB hurries.
He finished 2016 as a second team ALL-SEC pick despite the missed time.
The Good
Well built, with long arms.
Plays with excellent body control and ability.
Plays with excellent pursuit speed, and is a rangy player, with the ability to get all over the field.
Known as a real team leader on and off of the field.
Explodes out of the snap, and keeps his pads low and his head high.
Punishes blockers in contact.
Has a severe nasty streak on the field.
Has excellent approach technique to the tackle, and does not take on strange angles.
Turns on another gear on a flip of the switch.
One of the better run defenders available.
Disruptive in the gaps.
Can cover the TE in the passing game.
The Bad
Lost two significant parts of seasons due to injury. Tried to play through it last season, and got hurt again.
Can get lost in traffic, and will sometimes over pursue the target.
Can come at blockers occasionally high, and will trust his power too much at times.
Does not always read an offense as well as he can.
Hand work must improve at next level.
Gets tied up to often by blockers.
Final Overview
In some ways, I like him better than Watt, but not in all ways, and so he slides to my second spot among the OLBs in this class. He is a high character guy, which sells big, and it should. He will be a vocal team leader on and off of the field, and that is awesome.
Davis needs to do a better job in the film room to become a better identifier of information on the field of play, and he needs to learn how to play with more physical control. He reminds me of a young Brian Cox or Junior Seau, two massively talented LBs who tended to play a bit too wild early in their careers. They ironed it out, and so will Davis.
Haasan Reddick, Temple
6-1, 237
Reddick played a small DE for Temple, but was a RB and Safety in high school before becoming an Owl. He played for four years in the Temple program.
As a freshman, he finished with 14 tackles, four TFLs, one sack, and a PBU.
As a sophomore, he finished with 24 tackles, 7.5 TFLs, two sacks, and a PBU in 10 games played.
As a junior, he finished with 46 tackles, 12.5 TFLs, five sacks, one PBU, five QB hurries, and a forced fumble.
As a senior, he wrapped his career with 65 tackles, 22.5 TFLs, 10.5 sacks, three PBUs, three QB hurries, three forced fumbles, and an INT.
He finished as an AAC All-American honorable mention in 2015, and was named first team All-AAC as a senior.
He was involved in a brawl in a Philadelphia area nightclub in 2015, and was arrested, and never served a suspension for the incident.
The Good
Very explosive off of the snap, and has first rate speed for being a college DE.
Changes direction on a dime, and can get up and fly around the edge.
Big time play maker, especially in space and open field.
Can get sideline to sideline in a hurry.
Keeps his head up while in contact and is always searching out the football.
Knows how to work his feet.
Has experience in pass coverage as a former DB.
Gets into the gaps, and can get through on twists.
Does not take a wide angle to ge to the backfield.
The Bad
Was an undersized end, and may be a bit undersized at LB.
Lack of size allows large athletic linemen to take him out of the play.
Does not have the hand work down yet.
Lacks power, which is another size issue.
Does not shed blockers with ease. Wave rider.
Relies on speed and finesse, which will get mitigated on the next level.
Is not a wrap tackler which is a huge red flag for me.
Tackling technique overall is a sloppy mess.
Final Overview
Many people have gotten fired up about the athletic ability that Reddick possesses. That's nice and all, but at some point one has to get real. Athletic ability alone does not buy you a roster spot in the NFL. Reddick will be playing his fourth position since high school in the NFL. He was just coming into his own as a rush end in his senior season, and now he will be forced out to LB because of lack of size. He does have some pass cover skills, and he is solid against the run, but where do you use him on an NFL team? He lacks the bulk to be a rush edge backer in a 3-4 scheme, and you cannot really play him straight up in a 4-3 yet. I see him as a pass cover package player with some long term starting ability in the right scheme, but his starting days should be at least two years off at this point. His tackling skills are a mess, and then there is that nightclub fight arrest just two years ago. Is his focus in the right place? Why was he not suspended?
Ryan Anderson, Alabama
6-2, 253
Anderson was a rare five year player at Alabama, which included a redshirt season in 2012. He played as a reserve in 2013, and recorded five tackles, 1.5 sacks, and one QB hurry.
As a sophomore, he finished with 25 tackles, eight TFLs, three sacks, and nine QB hurries.
He played more as a junior, and recorded 37 tackles, 11.5 TFLs, six sacks, 10 QB hurries, and forced two fumbles.
He was a full time starter in 2015, and totaled 61 tackles, 19 TFLs, nine sacks, three PBUs, 10 QB hurries, four forced fumbles, a fumble recovery, and an INT. He scored once as well.
The media picked him as first team All-SEC in 2016.
The Good
Solid upper body power with bowling ball shoulders.
Hard worker. Does everything that he is asked to do. A coaching dream.
Hand work is top shelf and pro ready.
Sets an edge up on blockers and moves around it swiftly.
Can work in a 3-4 as a pass rush LB. Gets into the backfield as a regular guest.
Herds RBs with ease.
Wrap tackler.
Rakes at the football constantly, and creates turnovers.
High character player.
The Bad
Not the best athlete on the field. Can look plodding on tape.
Speed is limited, and runners can get away from him. Has to make plays that are right in front of him to succeed.
Not much good in coverage.
Can be known to take looping arcs to the QB on blitz calls.
Allows blockers to get inside his frame.
With rush ability, and limited pass coverage value, could be limited to a two down backer.
Final Overview
Nobody can ever question Anderson's dedication to the team or his work ethic. He took the long road to becoming a star at Alabama, and almost left early on, but stuck it out and became a team first guy.
Anderson is limited somewhat athletically speaking, but he makes up for it with intensity and drive, and his motor never stops working. He is a tremendous run stuffer who can also make life miserable for pocket QBs at times. I see second round value here, as Anderson will likely work his way into a starting role in the next two seasons.
Alex Anzalone, Florida
6-3, 241
Anzalone was a two way player out of high school who settled in at LB for the Gators. He was a four year player in the program.
As a freshman, he finished with just two tackles as a reserve, and missed time with a shoulder injury.
As a sophomore, he played a full season as a reserve and finished with 14 tackles and one TFL.
He got the starting job as a junior, but played in only two games as he injured his shoulder again. He was limited to just six tackles that season.
As a senior, he came back to post 53 tackles, four TFLs, three sacks, two PBUs, and six QB hurries, but again missed six games with a broken arm.
The Good
Size and athleticism are a plus. Has been a two way player in high school.
Gets to the sideline quick and limits cutback opportunities.
Can play well in coverage against running backs running routes.
Has played every LB spot across the board.
Can be very disruptive in gap space.
The Bad
Three of four years of his career were derailed to shoulder and arm injuries.
Does not create turnovers, and is pretty much a "what you see is what you get" player.
Does not play with great footwork or balance in traffic. A little bit all over the place.
Can get taken out of the play easily when not engaging early.
Rides the wave with blockers and gets tied up.
Does not have great football vision. Gets faked out easily.
Always looks busier than he is.
Final Overview
Anzalone got a fourth round average grade by several scouting services rounded up. I do not see him as a solid prospect. His injury history is a mess, and he just doesn't do anything special on film for me. I think there is value in other areas of the LB position than what he offers, and with several DEs moving to LB for this draft, he could get lost in the shuffle. I would not be shocked to see him fall to the third day, or out of the draft at this point.
Duke Riley, LSU
6-0, 232
Riley was a four year player in the LSU program, but did not start until his senior season. As a freshman, he collected Seven tackles and a half sack.
As a sophomore, he continued to languish as a reserve, and finished with 20 tackles. As a junior, he finished with 24 tackles and a half sack.
He finally got a starting nod as a senior, when he finished with 93 tackles, nine TFLs, 1.5 sacks, one PBU, three QB hurries, and one INT.
The Good
Very patient. Waited almost four years for a starting nod.
Had one of his biggest games as a senior against his strongest opponent.
Takes the time to learn and progress.
Showed some serious flash as a senior.
Very active in the field.
High end technique tackler, does the job like it is supposed to be done.
Has solid speed for the position, and is solid in pursuit.
Covers well in zone scheme.
Has an eyeball for breaking down the offense.
The Bad
Never rose to the top until he was a senior. Never broke through prior.
Small for the role of edge LB, and will get over powered.
Not aggressive enough.
Not a great player in tight spaces.
Does not always take a direct path to his target.
Footwork needs some serious work.
Does not show much of a knack as a pass rusher.
Final Overview
Riley is an interesting day three prospect who never started or played all that much until he was a senior. That is much too small a sample size for me to get excited about, and unless you are a team with a throw away pick that has time for a project, this is not your guy. He may be limited as a two down backer, or even a career special teams guy for his career, and he will definitely have to get intimately involved with special teams in the NFL, because that is where his check gets written right now. I just do not see much to get overwhelmed by here enough to make the pick.
5th-7th Round
Anthony Walker, Northwestern: SAcouts felt that he played heavy in 2016, and they also are concerned about a lack of overall athleticism. These are not good things.
Steven Taylor, Houston: Has been productive, but very much undersized, and will have to make his mark on special teams to make the cut.
DeVonte Fields, Louisville: Focus is crap. Has been in trouble off of the field mutliple times, including for domestic violence. Got run out of TCU, and was never productive or healthy enough after the fact. A clear avoid tag should be applied.
Tyus Bowser, Houston: Not productive enough in college, and came to the game late. Has missed time for foolish fight with a teammate that resulted in a broken orbital socket. Focus just does not seem to be there.
Connor Harris, Lindenwood: 633 career tackles at Lindenwood. A D1 talent, who was under recruited. He should be a day three pick, and may surprise some people. A real dark horse.
Jordan Herdman, Simon Fraser: May not get drafted at all, and is undersized. Still, productivity was hard to ignore at D2 school. May get a shot on special teams.
Vince Biegel, Wisconsin: Solid team first guy with high character, but has a foot injury history, and limited play strengths.
Hardy Nickerson, Illinois: His father was a legend, but his film is all over the place. May not have the physical skill/discipline combo that is needed on the next level.
Brooks Ellis, Arkansas: Does not possess much in the athleticism/speed area of the game. Was productive enough, but he may just be one of those guys who was a solid college player, and not much else.
Inside Linebackers
Reuben Foster, Alabama
6-0, 229
Foster was a four year player at Alabama. He won the Butkus Award as a senior, and was a finalist for the Bednarik Award. He has had some neck stinger injuries during his career, which led to an incident at the combine. While he was awaiting medical attention for an assessment, he became impatient with NFL medical staff, and created a scene. He was asked to leave the combine as a result.
As a freshman, he finished with 12 tackles and one TFL.
As a sophomore, he finished with 23 tackles, two TFLs, and one sack.
As a junior, he finished with 73 tackles, eight TFLs, and one sack, while also adding nine PBUs and three QB hurries.
As a senior, he finished with 115 Tackles, 13 TLFs, five sacks, two PBUs, and eight QB hurries.
The Good
Had very solid production as a junior and as a senior.
Violent hitting style.
Has solid speed and explosiveness.
Excellent in pursuit.
Very rangy, and can get from sideline to sideline in a hurry.
Fearless in the gaps, and makes big plays.
Can cover in drop back, and can cover backs in the flat.
The Bad
Body tackler, with poor overall technique. He is working on becoming a better wrap up guy, but he should know how to do that by now.
All violence, no subtlety.
Does not play with solid instinct or grasp of what an offense is doing with consistency. His mentality is more "Hulk smash" than is necessary.
Plays with pure and raw physical intensity, and lacks a mental part to his game.
Plays out of control at times.
Rides the wave with blockers.
Drops his head too often, and has gotten injured because of it.
Plays at his best at current weight, but that is simply too small to make a difference on the next level, and his play suffers when he bulks back up.
Final Overview
Many scouts and services are impressed with this guy. The simple fact is that I am not. I see a wildly out of control player who will get exposed on the next level if he does not get his head together. His behavior at the combine, due to the fact that he was tired of waiting, was completely unacceptable.
He will likely get drafted fairly early in the process because of his raw athleticism, but I would not be the personnel guy buying into his act. He gets drafted high because this is a weak class, not because he is the next Lawrence Taylor.
Zach Cunningham, Vanderbilt
6-3, 234
Cunningham was a Division 5A State player of the year in Alabama in high school as a DE, but Alabama and Auburn let him get away, and Vanderbilt landed a star after he transitioned to LB in college.
Cunningham ended up being a three year star for the Commodore program, and left after his junior season to make some serious money as a pro.
He was named first team All-America as a junior in 2016.
As a freshman, he totaled 67 tackles, 6.5 TFLs, 1.5 sacks, two PBUs, one QB hurry, and one forced fumble.
As a sophomore, he racked up 103 tackles, 16.5 TFLs, 4.5 sacks, three PBUs, and four forced fumbles.
As a junior, he finished with 125 tackles, 16.5 TFLs, three PBUs, one QB hurry, and two forced fumbles.
The Good
Major production in all three years at Vanderbilt.
Loves to get in on the action, and can fly all over the field.
Has taken on the mantle of leadership on the field.
Very intelligent football player who breaks things down quickly and attacks.
Hits gaps like a pro, and is very disruptive to runners in the backfield.
Blockers have a tough time honing in on him.
Creates turnovers like crazy. Always raking at the football.
gets side to side on the field with ease.
Seriously large tackling radius.
As tough as they come, and had very little help.
Can cover backs and ends.
Doesn't allow much when it comes to yards after the catch.
The Bad
Lacks lower body bulk, and carries all of his weight high.
Has been known to ride the wave when blockers get on him.
Needs to keep his pads level at all times.
High tackler who allows runners to slip away from him resulting in several missed tackles.
Not much at getting to the QB, and is more of a run stuffer.
Final Overview
Despite the missed tackles issue, Cunningham is , by far, my favorite LB in this draft class. He is a smart, focused, and driven tackling machine who makes plays all over the field, and is super disruptive. Had he played at a better football school, he would be getting much more consideration as a top ten pick based on his production. Cunningham is a terminator like machine who can get to the football and make things happen, and his head will stay focused as well. His issues that he does have can mostly be coached out, so there should be few concerns there. Wind him up and let him go, and you have one of the better players in this draft.
Raekwon McMillan, Ohio State
6-2, 240
McMillon was a three year player for the Buckeyes, and was a finalist for the Butkus award in 2015 as the nation's best linebacker. He won the same award at the high school level in 2013 as a senior.
As a freshman at Ohio State, McMillan totaled 54 tackles, 6.5 TFLs, 2.5 sacks, a PBU, and one INT which was returned for a score.
As a sophomore, he collected an amazing 119 tackles, four TFLs, 1.5 sacks, four PBUs, and five QB hurries.
As a junior, which was his final season, he recorded 102 tackles, seven TFLs, two sacks, four PBUs, two QB hurries, and two forced fumbles. He was named second team All-American and first team All-Big Ten as a junior. He was named second team All-Big Ten as a sophomore.
The Good
Tackle machine with 221 tackles in a two year span.
On the attack the moment the ball is snapped.
Has enough speed to beat outside plays to the point of attack, and avoid getting hammered by the pull blockers.
Reads offenses very well, and understands his assignments.
Beats runners to the gaps.
Arm extension is solid on blockers. Sheds blocks well when his arms get fully out in front of him.
Solid zone pass defender, and understands what the QB is thinking.
The Bad
Can get redirected by large, physical blockers.
Has such an early jump on the snap that he can end up guessing wrong at times and get to the wrong spot.
When he does not get arm extension on blockers, he ends up riding the wave with the blocker to the target.
A little limited when it comes to athleticism and change of direction speed.
Will never be good in man coverage against backs or ends.
Severely limited as a pass rusher.
Final Overview
McMillan simply cannot be overlooked because of his rock solid production at Ohio State. He was a defensive leader for the Buckeyes who made a ton of tackles inside of a two year span. The problem that I have with him, and the problem that others have as well, is that he doesn't do much else with any real flash. He is not a guy who makes a ton of plays behind the line, and he has basically been negligible when it comes to collecting sacks. He is a decent zone pass defender as an ILB, but does nothing in man coverage worth speaking of. Tacklers are great, but they are a dime a dozen these days, and McMillan does not do anything special enough outside of that to warrant anything higher than day three consideration.
Kendell Beckwith, LSU
6-2, 243
Beckwith was a four year player with LSU after staying in state out of the high school ranks, and was named first team All-SEC as a senior in 2016.
As a freshman, he recorded 11 tackles, a sack, and a forced fumble in reserve duty.
He started seven games as a sophomore, and totaled 77 tackles, 7.5 TFLs, two sacks, three PBUs, two QB hurries, and a pick six.
As a junior, he finished with 84 tackles, 10 TFLs, 3.5 sacks, a PBU, a QB hurry, and two forced fumbles.
He had a shortened year as a senior, when he finished with 91 tackles, six TFLs, a sack, four PBUs, and a QB hurry. He tore an ACL against Florida, and missed two games.
The Good
Progressed as a tackler all four years in college.
Has played in both 3-4 and 4-3 fronts.
Plays well within control as it pertains to his job.
Brings the fight to blockers rather than the other way around.
Makes good use of his hands.
Good pursuit and perimeter speed.
Knows how to read what the offense is doing.
Plays well in space and maintains good body control.
Decent in zone coverage.
The Bad
Coming off of a major ACL injury, which will drop him.
Not the most athletic player on the field before the injury.
Tackling technique is sloppy.
Not as rangy as one would like.
Pad level is often a mess, and he gets stood up by blockers as a result.
Not a man cover guy, and will not be able to run with backs and ends.
Final Overview
Beckwith is basically a very good college LB who brings very little in the way of something special to an NFL roster. He is a technique nightmare who throws himself at tacklers rather than wrapping up and using sound ability. I felt he was basically average before the ACL injury, but since that happened, his stock is dropping like a rock. I look for someone to grab him on day 3, because of his experience in that nasty LSU defense, but all in all, I would not expect a ton from him.
5th-7th Round
Elijah Lee, Kansas State: Plays too upright with his pad level, but speed and pass coverage ability could get him in as a nickle or dime LB.
Ben Boulware, Clemson: Lacks overall size/speed/athleticism combo for the position, but makes up for it with attitude and motor. Should get a shot somewhere.
Ben Gedeon, Michigan: Has some skills, but missed tackle numbers are high, and he is not the most athletic guy in the bunch. Special teams may be his ticket.
Harvey Langi, BYU: Former RB is raw to playing LB, and BYU never used him right as an edge guy. Should be stuck in the middle. Will need time to develop, and needs better instincts, but there is talent here.
Riley Bullough, Michigan State: Severely limited by size and athleticism issues. May have a tough time cracking a roster.
Keith Kelsey, Louisville: Decent run stopper who lacks intangibles for the position. Would be limited to a two down role, as he is useless in pass coverage.
Reuben Foster, Alabama
6-0, 229
Foster was a four year player at Alabama. He won the Butkus Award as a senior, and was a finalist for the Bednarik Award. He has had some neck stinger injuries during his career, which led to an incident at the combine. While he was awaiting medical attention for an assessment, he became impatient with NFL medical staff, and created a scene. He was asked to leave the combine as a result.
As a freshman, he finished with 12 tackles and one TFL.
As a sophomore, he finished with 23 tackles, two TFLs, and one sack.
As a junior, he finished with 73 tackles, eight TFLs, and one sack, while also adding nine PBUs and three QB hurries.
As a senior, he finished with 115 Tackles, 13 TLFs, five sacks, two PBUs, and eight QB hurries.
The Good
Had very solid production as a junior and as a senior.
Violent hitting style.
Has solid speed and explosiveness.
Excellent in pursuit.
Very rangy, and can get from sideline to sideline in a hurry.
Fearless in the gaps, and makes big plays.
Can cover in drop back, and can cover backs in the flat.
The Bad
Body tackler, with poor overall technique. He is working on becoming a better wrap up guy, but he should know how to do that by now.
All violence, no subtlety.
Does not play with solid instinct or grasp of what an offense is doing with consistency. His mentality is more "Hulk smash" than is necessary.
Plays with pure and raw physical intensity, and lacks a mental part to his game.
Plays out of control at times.
Rides the wave with blockers.
Drops his head too often, and has gotten injured because of it.
Plays at his best at current weight, but that is simply too small to make a difference on the next level, and his play suffers when he bulks back up.
Final Overview
Many scouts and services are impressed with this guy. The simple fact is that I am not. I see a wildly out of control player who will get exposed on the next level if he does not get his head together. His behavior at the combine, due to the fact that he was tired of waiting, was completely unacceptable.
He will likely get drafted fairly early in the process because of his raw athleticism, but I would not be the personnel guy buying into his act. He gets drafted high because this is a weak class, not because he is the next Lawrence Taylor.
Zach Cunningham, Vanderbilt
6-3, 234
Cunningham was a Division 5A State player of the year in Alabama in high school as a DE, but Alabama and Auburn let him get away, and Vanderbilt landed a star after he transitioned to LB in college.
Cunningham ended up being a three year star for the Commodore program, and left after his junior season to make some serious money as a pro.
He was named first team All-America as a junior in 2016.
As a freshman, he totaled 67 tackles, 6.5 TFLs, 1.5 sacks, two PBUs, one QB hurry, and one forced fumble.
As a sophomore, he racked up 103 tackles, 16.5 TFLs, 4.5 sacks, three PBUs, and four forced fumbles.
As a junior, he finished with 125 tackles, 16.5 TFLs, three PBUs, one QB hurry, and two forced fumbles.
The Good
Major production in all three years at Vanderbilt.
Loves to get in on the action, and can fly all over the field.
Has taken on the mantle of leadership on the field.
Very intelligent football player who breaks things down quickly and attacks.
Hits gaps like a pro, and is very disruptive to runners in the backfield.
Blockers have a tough time honing in on him.
Creates turnovers like crazy. Always raking at the football.
gets side to side on the field with ease.
Seriously large tackling radius.
As tough as they come, and had very little help.
Can cover backs and ends.
Doesn't allow much when it comes to yards after the catch.
The Bad
Lacks lower body bulk, and carries all of his weight high.
Has been known to ride the wave when blockers get on him.
Needs to keep his pads level at all times.
High tackler who allows runners to slip away from him resulting in several missed tackles.
Not much at getting to the QB, and is more of a run stuffer.
Final Overview
Despite the missed tackles issue, Cunningham is , by far, my favorite LB in this draft class. He is a smart, focused, and driven tackling machine who makes plays all over the field, and is super disruptive. Had he played at a better football school, he would be getting much more consideration as a top ten pick based on his production. Cunningham is a terminator like machine who can get to the football and make things happen, and his head will stay focused as well. His issues that he does have can mostly be coached out, so there should be few concerns there. Wind him up and let him go, and you have one of the better players in this draft.
Raekwon McMillan, Ohio State
6-2, 240
McMillon was a three year player for the Buckeyes, and was a finalist for the Butkus award in 2015 as the nation's best linebacker. He won the same award at the high school level in 2013 as a senior.
As a freshman at Ohio State, McMillan totaled 54 tackles, 6.5 TFLs, 2.5 sacks, a PBU, and one INT which was returned for a score.
As a sophomore, he collected an amazing 119 tackles, four TFLs, 1.5 sacks, four PBUs, and five QB hurries.
As a junior, which was his final season, he recorded 102 tackles, seven TFLs, two sacks, four PBUs, two QB hurries, and two forced fumbles. He was named second team All-American and first team All-Big Ten as a junior. He was named second team All-Big Ten as a sophomore.
The Good
Tackle machine with 221 tackles in a two year span.
On the attack the moment the ball is snapped.
Has enough speed to beat outside plays to the point of attack, and avoid getting hammered by the pull blockers.
Reads offenses very well, and understands his assignments.
Beats runners to the gaps.
Arm extension is solid on blockers. Sheds blocks well when his arms get fully out in front of him.
Solid zone pass defender, and understands what the QB is thinking.
The Bad
Can get redirected by large, physical blockers.
Has such an early jump on the snap that he can end up guessing wrong at times and get to the wrong spot.
When he does not get arm extension on blockers, he ends up riding the wave with the blocker to the target.
A little limited when it comes to athleticism and change of direction speed.
Will never be good in man coverage against backs or ends.
Severely limited as a pass rusher.
Final Overview
McMillan simply cannot be overlooked because of his rock solid production at Ohio State. He was a defensive leader for the Buckeyes who made a ton of tackles inside of a two year span. The problem that I have with him, and the problem that others have as well, is that he doesn't do much else with any real flash. He is not a guy who makes a ton of plays behind the line, and he has basically been negligible when it comes to collecting sacks. He is a decent zone pass defender as an ILB, but does nothing in man coverage worth speaking of. Tacklers are great, but they are a dime a dozen these days, and McMillan does not do anything special enough outside of that to warrant anything higher than day three consideration.
Kendell Beckwith, LSU
6-2, 243
Beckwith was a four year player with LSU after staying in state out of the high school ranks, and was named first team All-SEC as a senior in 2016.
As a freshman, he recorded 11 tackles, a sack, and a forced fumble in reserve duty.
He started seven games as a sophomore, and totaled 77 tackles, 7.5 TFLs, two sacks, three PBUs, two QB hurries, and a pick six.
As a junior, he finished with 84 tackles, 10 TFLs, 3.5 sacks, a PBU, a QB hurry, and two forced fumbles.
He had a shortened year as a senior, when he finished with 91 tackles, six TFLs, a sack, four PBUs, and a QB hurry. He tore an ACL against Florida, and missed two games.
The Good
Progressed as a tackler all four years in college.
Has played in both 3-4 and 4-3 fronts.
Plays well within control as it pertains to his job.
Brings the fight to blockers rather than the other way around.
Makes good use of his hands.
Good pursuit and perimeter speed.
Knows how to read what the offense is doing.
Plays well in space and maintains good body control.
Decent in zone coverage.
The Bad
Coming off of a major ACL injury, which will drop him.
Not the most athletic player on the field before the injury.
Tackling technique is sloppy.
Not as rangy as one would like.
Pad level is often a mess, and he gets stood up by blockers as a result.
Not a man cover guy, and will not be able to run with backs and ends.
Final Overview
Beckwith is basically a very good college LB who brings very little in the way of something special to an NFL roster. He is a technique nightmare who throws himself at tacklers rather than wrapping up and using sound ability. I felt he was basically average before the ACL injury, but since that happened, his stock is dropping like a rock. I look for someone to grab him on day 3, because of his experience in that nasty LSU defense, but all in all, I would not expect a ton from him.
5th-7th Round
Elijah Lee, Kansas State: Plays too upright with his pad level, but speed and pass coverage ability could get him in as a nickle or dime LB.
Ben Boulware, Clemson: Lacks overall size/speed/athleticism combo for the position, but makes up for it with attitude and motor. Should get a shot somewhere.
Ben Gedeon, Michigan: Has some skills, but missed tackle numbers are high, and he is not the most athletic guy in the bunch. Special teams may be his ticket.
Harvey Langi, BYU: Former RB is raw to playing LB, and BYU never used him right as an edge guy. Should be stuck in the middle. Will need time to develop, and needs better instincts, but there is talent here.
Riley Bullough, Michigan State: Severely limited by size and athleticism issues. May have a tough time cracking a roster.
Keith Kelsey, Louisville: Decent run stopper who lacks intangibles for the position. Would be limited to a two down role, as he is useless in pass coverage.
Defensive Backs
Cornerbacks
Round 1
Marshon Lattimore, Ohio State
Marlon Humphery, Alabama
Gareon Conley, Ohio State
Round 2
Teez Tabor, Florida
Adoree' Jackson, USC
Kevin King, Washington
Tre'Davious White, LSU
Quincy Wilson, Florida
Round 3
Fabian Moreau, UCLA
Ahkello Witherspoon, Colorado
Cordea Tankersley, Clemson
Jourdan Lewis, Michigan
Howard Wilson, Houston
Cameron Sutton, Tennessee
Sidney Jones, Washington
Damontae Kazee, San Diego State
Round 4
Brendan Langley, Lamar
Rasul Douglas, West Virginia
Round 5-7
Shaq Griffin, UCF
Ezra Robinson, Tennessee State
Corn Elder, Miami
Chidobe Awuzie, Colorado
Jalen Myrick, Minnesota
Nate Hairston, Temple
Marquez White, Florida State
Sojourn Shelton, Wisconsin
Des Lawrence, North Carolina
Tony Bridges, Ole Miss
Safeties
Round 1
Malik Hooker, Ohio State
Jamal Adams, LSU
Jabrill Peppers, Michigan
Obi Melifonwu, U Conn
Round 2
Marcus Williams, Utah
Justin Evans, Texas A&M
Marcus Maye, Florida
Budda Baker, Washington
Round 3
Josh Jones, NC State
Round 4
Lorenzo Jerome, St. Francis (PA)
Rudy Ford, Auburn
Eddie Jackson, Alabama
Fish Smithson, Kansas
Round 5-7
Orion Stewart, Baylor
Nate Gerry, Nebraska
Tedric Thomson, Colorado
Jordan Sterns, Oklahoma State
Josh Harvey-Clemons, Louisville
Rayshawn Jenkins, Miami
John Johnson, Boston College
Jadar Johnson, Clemson
Randall Goforth, UCLA
Cornerbacks
Marshon Lattimore, Ohio State
6-0, 193
Lattimore was plagued by hamstring injuries during his first two seasons at Ohio State, and missed his freshman season as a result. He then was limited to just seven games as a sophomore because of the hamstring injury once again. He left for the draft after his redshirt sophomore season with the Buckeyes.
As a rs freshman, he finished with five tackles and three PBUs. as a sophomore, he finished with 41 tackles, one TFL, nine PBUs, four INTs, and one score.
The Good
Very athletic with the ability to turn his hips on a dime and match the receiver off of the snap.
Plays well in press, and times his turn perfectly.
Extremely instinctual.
Blazing speed in the open field and in pursuit.
Can play in man or zone coverage.
High end technique tackler.
Well coached, and is a quick learner.
Gets to the football and makes plays.
The Bad
Severely limited sample size, as he only really played for one season.
Receivers can fool him and he struggles to maintain himself on cut in plays underneath him.
Still lacks some technique in pass coverage, and fails to get his head turned quickly on balls in the air.
Although he has speed to burn, he does not play overly well against speed receivers.
Will have to make major adjustments in the pro game, as his college experience was limited.
Could have used another season in school.
Just four picks in two full seasons.
Final Overview
Long term, Lattimore could be a very good pro bowl caliber corner. He certainly has that kind of raw talent, but in my book, he is still very raw, and I would not see him as being an impact guy to the level I would like in an early first round pick. He simply has too much to learn right now. There is no better talent in the corner pool in this draft as it pertains to long term potential, but he hs some work to do.
Marlon Humphery, Alabama
6-0, 197
The son of former Alabama RB Bobby Humphrey, Marlon was an All-American High School player out of famed Hoover High School. He was also a state champion sprinter and hurdler on the track team. He ended up redshirting in 2014 as a freshman, and left after his redshirt sophomore season.
As a freshman, he finished with 45 tackles, 3.5 TFLs, eight PBUs, two forced fumbles, and three INTs.
As a sophomore, he totaled 36 tackles, three TFLs, five PBUs, a forced fumble, and two INTs.
The Good
Very fast, and quick in coverage.
Has been coached up in both multiple zone and man coverage.
Intelligent, and understands his various roles in coverage.
Gets into the passing lane and is able to disrupt flow.
Very athletic.
Extremely effective when jamming receivers off of the snap.
Squeezes the receiver out of the play against the sideline.
Sheds blockers with ease and aggression.
Rakes for the ball during the initial tackle, makes turnovers happen.
The Bad
Footwork is still not first rate, and he gets turned around often.
Technique in coverage breaks down from impatience to make plays.
Plays too out of control at times, and can be undisciplined.
Skills are more raw potential right now rather than refined gifts.
Can get taken on play fakes, and is prone to giving up big plays.
Is not a prototypical ball hawk.
Final Overview
Humphrey is a very raw, young player with enormous potential, but he lacks a refined quality about his play that belies his youth and general inexperience a this point. He only spent two functional seasons playing college football, so he still has a long way to go in terms of development and getting good coaching. He certainly had a decent start at Alabama on a major power program, but he needs some serious refinement before he can be expected to take on a major impact role. His coverage skills are his biggest concern right now, as he gives up too many big plays by not being able to recognize play fake and misdirection issues. If he can get the coaching and refinement he needs, he could be a major pro bowl corner down the line, but that is probably a year or two away, at least.
Gareon Conley, Ohio State
6-0, 195
Conley was a four year player in the Ohio State program, and that included one year as a redshirt. He left after his RS junior season. He was honorable mention All-Big Ten as a sophomore, and was named as a second team All-Big Ten selection as a junior.
As a reserve during his freshman year, he finished with 16 tackles and two PBUs. He played big minutes against Michigan State that season and got torched leading to his being benched.
As a sophomore, he finished with 49 tackles, one TFL, five PBUs, and two INTs.
As a junior, he totaled 26 tackles, eight PBUs, and four INTs.
The Good
Plays at his best when trapping a receiver between himself and the sideline.
Rarely allows a clear path of the ball from the QB to the WR.
Gave up just 37% completions in balls thrown against him.
Solid man press corner.
Can play zone coverage.
Has a fiery demeanor in the field.
Fights his way off of crossing route picks.
Technique in coverage is solid. Does not get lost in traffic,
Rocket fast in straight line speed, has quickness to adjust.
Solid hands.
A real sense first ball hawk. Feels the ball coming and turns head at the right moment.
The Bad
When things start going wrong, he tends to break down in his technique, and starts making adjustment mistakes. Can get wound up.
Does not always play to the ball skill that he possesses.
Does not always read the play right coming off of the snap.
Is not a great tackler.
Overall college numbers are simply average.
Does not fight off blocks well, and can get eaten alive on run plays.
Final Overview
Conley certainly has physical skills to succeed, and has some mental traits that you like to see as well, but it seems as if he does not always believe in his own ability on the field. He gets panicked in games where things are going wrong, and all of his abilities seem to fade away and he gets lost in the action. He needs to keep his mental track right, because he can play this game. The other concerns are his overall numbers in college. He did not possess top flight coverage numbers, and his tackle numbers were purely pedestrian. He gets a first round averaged out grade by the services based solely on what he can do, not what he has done. I see him more as a second or early third round pick, and I feel that a first round grab on him would be a reach.
Teez Tabor, Florida
6-0, 199
Tabor came to the Gators as a Mr. Washington DC player of the Year. He was named Freshman All-American, and was named as first team All-SEC as a sophomore. He was once again named as first team All-SEC and third team All-American as a junior. He was a three year player in the Gator program.
As a freshman, he finished with 31 tackles, four TFLs, two sacks, eight PBUs, one forced fumble, and one INT.
As a sophomore, he finished with 40 tackles, four TFLs, one sack, 14 PBUs, and four INTs.
As a junior, he finished with 33 tackles, two TFLs, one sack, six PBUs, and four INTs.
The Good
Athletic player with spring loaded legs.
Matches receivers stride for stride in route coverage.
Disciplined enough in zone coverage.
Has broken up 28 passes in three seasons.
Very good hands, and solid eyes as well.
Will deliver a knock out blow when fighting for the ball.
The Bad
Character, character, character, and it is all bad. Has several marijuana related arrests, and has been in a fight with a teammate. Has served suspensions, and seems to have learned very little in the way of humility.
Believes in himself to the point of arrogance.
His best coverage skills are in short to mid range patterns. Does not do the speed thing, and has to play speed receivers in deep off coverage, leaving him vulnerable.
Does not always get his feet under him right in traffic.
Gets caught holding too often.
Looks small on film.
Undisciplined, and often loses track of what an offense is doing.
Has absolutely zero physicality in his game.
Terrible tackling skills, and looks afraid to make the initial hit on a tackle.
Played better as a sophomore than he did as a junior.
May not have been as committed as a junior.
Head is all screwed up, and lacks focus off of the field.
Final Overview
While Tabor has some serious ball hawk abilities, his character concerns and his overall arrogant demeanor make me want to run as far away from this player as I can. He is his own best cheerleader, and seems to have learned nothing of humility from his transgressions, and that scares the hell out of me if I am a GM or owner getting ready to dump some serious cash on him. He could have been a star in the league, but his stock is falling hard, and he may eventually lack the necessary physicality to be an impact corner in the NFL. If he does not improve upon his tackling ability and his overall persona, he will be at best a nickle/dime package defender. He is one of my bust picks in this draft.
Adoree' Jackson, USC
5-10, 186
Jackson was drawn out west from Illinois out of high school to help resurrect a Trojan team coming out of the dark days of the post-Pete Carroll era. He certainly gave the Trojans all they asked for, as he played both offense and defense, and on special teams during his three years in the Cardinal and Gold. He was named as a freshman All-American in his first season, as well as rookie of the year in the PAC-12 for defense. He was named first team All-PAC 12 as a sophomore, and was also a finalist for the Hornung award. He won the Thorpe award as a junior, and was named first team All-American and first team All-PAC 12 as a junior.
As a freshman, he finished with 49 tackles, four TFLs, nine PBUs, and a forced fumble on defense. As a receiver, he finished with a line of 10-138-3, and returned 23 kicks for 684 yards and two scores. He averaged 29.74 yards per return.
As a sophomore, he finished with 35 tackles, eight PBUs, a forced fumble, and an INT. As a receiver, he finished with a line of 27-414-2, and rushed for 36 yards on seven carries. As a punt return man, he finished with a line of 24-251-2, and averaged 10.46 yards per return. On kick returns, he posted a line of 30-690-0, and averaged 23 yards per return.
As a junior, he finished with 55 tackles, two TFLs, 11 PBUs, one recovered fumble, and five INTs. He caught just two passes as a receiver for 76 yards, and finished with a line of 7-51-0 as a rusher. He finished with a line of 20-315-2 as a punt returner, averaging 15.75 yards per return, and put up a line of 26-767-2 as a kick returner, averaging 29.5 yards per return there.
He also earned All-American honors on the track team.
The Good
Learned more than perhaps any other defender in the nation over the last three seasons. Hard worker and team guy.
Maintains coverage, and has emerged as a solid reader of offenses.
Can play and fit in any coverage package.
Will stay on the field as long as yo need him to.
Incredibly fast, and is one of the best overall athletes you will find in this draft.
Serious ball hawk, with 28 PBUs in three seasons.
Shows good feel for when to make a play on the ball, or when to defend the receiver. Does not get caught in PI very often.
Solid tackler, and emerged as one of the better tackling corners around as a junior.
Finishes his plays, and lets very few to get away from him.
Eight career return scores. He will be a superstar in the return game.
The Bad
Probably would have liked to have seen him turn more of those PBUs into picks, but he was emerging in that area as a junior.
Does not have great size for an outside corner.
Bigger receivers can go over him to get the ball.
He may get aimed at in the run game because of his lack of size.
Final Overview
IN a particularly weak draft class overall, the corner class is fairly deep, and in my opinion, Jackson may be the best of the bunch overall for all of the things that he can do. He currently averages out to an early second round draft grade, but if I have a pick in the bottom half of the first round, I am going after him. His abilities in the return game alone are game changing, and he is emerging as a rock solid defender who may just be coming into his own. You can use him on offense as well as an extra wrinkle. If a team that gets him knows how to take of the leash and let him fly in every aspect of the game, you could be looking at one of the ten best football players in this draft. For me, he is a lock.
Kevin King, Washington
6-3, 200
Kevin King was a four year player for the Huskies out of famed Bishop O'Dowd High School in Oakland, California, where he played for NFL and Cal Golden Bear legend Hardy Nickerson.
King came to the Huskies as a Safety before converting to Corner the last two seasons. He missed six total games in his career to injury or illness.
He played in ten games as a freshman, and finished with 17 tackles and one PBU.
As a sophomore, he played in 13 games, and finished with 65 tackles, three PBUs, one forced fumble, and one INT.
As a junior, he played in 11 games, and finished with 39 tackles, 4.5 TFLs, five PBUs, one forced fumble, and three INTs.
As a senior, he finished with 44 tackles, 3.5 TFLs, 13 PBUs, and two INTs.
The Good
A big corner, which is what NFL coaches love to have.
Closes off real estate between the hash marks and the sidelines.
Solid checker off of the snap, and gets his jams in to take receivers out of plays early.
He will battle at the high point for the football.
Knows when to look for the football.
Gave up just one TD in 101 target attempts against him.
Nice hands, with 22 PBUs over his career.
Solidly aggressive against the run, and sheds blockers well down field.
Has played every spot in the secondary, and plays in multiple coverage packages.
The Bad
At times, has had a hard time reacting when a receiver gets by him off of the snap. He has to get the first pop in or else he fights to maintain pace.
Does not have great upper body strength, and can look a little lanky in film.
Does not change direction as well as you would hope, and lacks overall elite athleticism.
Combine 40 time was a huge surprise, as he does not play to that speed (4.43).
Tackling technique is sloppy.
Overall footwork needs some help.
Final Overview
King is a prototypical big corner who excels in man press coverage, but he needs to get the first pop in the chops in because he lacks the elite athleticism to keep up with speedy, shifty receivers in open space. He timed in the 40 at the combine very well, but that was not a norm for him, so it is a confusing number. The bets in the field are that he may have to move to free safety to cover up some instinctual issues, but his tackling technique is not quite where it should be for that position either. He is a bit of an enigma, because he looks the part, but doesn't always play to his skills. If he could put it all together, he is a great value player, but if he cannot, he could be a bust.
Tre'Davious White, LSU
5-11, 192
A four year player at LSU, White was a freshman All-SEC pick, and was also a first team All-American and SEC pick as a senior.
As a freshman, White finished with 55 tackles, 2.5 TFLs, seven PBUs, a forced fumble, and two INTs.
As a sophomore, he finished with 33 tackles, three TFLs, one sack, six PBUs, one QB hurry, and two INTs. He added a punt return line of 25-273-1, and averaged 10.92 yards per return.
As a junior, he finished with 44 tackles, 1.5 TFLs, and seven PBUs. He also added a punt return line of 20-229-1, with an average of 11.45 yards per return.
As a senior, he finished with 35 tackles, four TFLs, 14 PBUs, two INTs, and one fumble recovery.
The Good
Excellent coverage ability as a slot guy.
Footwork is a major plus.
Excellent press work, stays with the receiver off of the snap.
Very good recovery speed.
Understands the receiver route tree, and does his homework. Knows when to jump the route.
Works well in traffic, doesn't get lost often.
Always on the top receiver from the opposition.
Will gut up against the run.
Solid character guy, was a team captain.
Will work on special teams, and is a plus punt return man, and works on coverage as a gunner as well.
The Bad
Plays with more finesse than power.
Lacks quality size, and gets muscled out by bigger receivers.
Will get to the tackle if it comes to him, but does not seek it out.
Not a terrific ball hawk, and really did not get great at pass breakups until his final season.
Plays best when he can play over the receiver, but not great on verticals.
Can be seen as being soft by some scouts.
Final Overview
When in man coverage, he is at his best, but he doesn't do a ton in zone coverage because of his lack of aggression when it comes to making tackles. he is not a ton of use for a team that implements zone packages. Where he earns his money is on man cover packages and on special teams, where he has more than proven his worth as a premier punt return man. All in all, he was considered a first round pick by some, but he falls more into the range of late second round for me based on his lack of overall aggression in the field.
Quincy Wilson, Florida
6-1, 211
Wilson was a three year player at Florida, and started just 11 games as a freshman and sophomore combined before being named a full time starter as a junior. He did not receive any major awards while at Florida.
As a freshman, he finished with 22 tackles, one TFL, three PBUs, a forced fumble, and one INT.
As a sophomore, he finished with 29 tackles, five PBUs, and two INTs.
As a senior, he finished with 33 tackles, 3.5 TFLs, a sack, six PBUs, a QB hurry, and three INTs.
The Good
Has the size you are looking for in the secondary.
Has generally been assigned to the best the opposition has to offer at receiver.
Plays with solid strength.
Gets into a receivers face off of the snap, and jams like a pro. Very physical.
Good understanding of a route tree, and takes plays away.
Doesn't bite much on play action.
Sheds blocks well on run plays.
Will get after a back as a run defender.
The Bad
40 time is average, and is not the most athletic guy on the field.
Is more physical than most, but has to be.
Footwork is not the best.
Gets to being grabby one a receiver starts to get by him.
Doesn't have good technique off of the snap, and plays tall.
May have to be moved to safety to cover has lack of general athleticism in coverage.
Is not a traditional ball hawk. Just six picks in three years, which is not nearly an elite cover man number.
Final Overview
Wilson could have used another year in school in my opinion, but nobody believes in him like he does, so here we are. He is an arrogant individual who lets his mouth get the best of him at times, and he really believes that he is better than he is, which some have bought into. I am not one of those people. In general, I find Wilson to be a fairly average corner when it comes to ball hawk ability, and nothing he does really jumps off of the film for me. He never won an All-SEC or All-American selection, so others know where I am coming from. In short, he will end up at safety, where he will be a dime a dozen player, but gets a low second round grade average based on hype that he himself has perpetuated.
3rd and 4th Round Prospects
Fabian Moreau, UCLA
6-0, 206
Final Overview
A former running back out of high school, Moreau's transition to defense has been broken up somewhat due to a major lisfranc injury suffered in 2015. He is an explosive athlete who has the requisite size you could ask for in any DB. He is still learning how to play the position, so there are some concerns over breakdowns when he gets lost in the play, as he has been penalized a ton with PI and holding calls. That is a show of inexperience. He has the ability to be a solid tackler, and will get after the play, but he needs some time to develop further. He has long game potential for a team that has time to develop him and let him come into his own. He may be damaged a bit in this draft, as he suffered a torn pectoral muscle during his pro day that may take some time to heal. Injury history could be a red flag for some.
Ahkello Witherspoon, Colorado
6-3, 198
Final Overview
He was a transfer from Sacramento City College, and was a pre med major. He exploded as a junior with 21 PBUs, and decided to move on to the NFL after a major breakthrough season for Colorado. He played just one season of high school football, so he is still learning technique and generally how to play the game, and likely could have used one more season of college ball before making the jump. He is tall and a bit gangly, and may have to play some safety before being moved to corner once he has things down. If you need instant impact, he may not be able to give that just yet, but he is a diamond in thr rough in the long term, and may just be coming into himself as a football player.
Cordea Tankersley, Clemson
6-1, 199
Final Overview
Tankersley is a lock down ball hawking corner who makes plays off the snap, but may struggle to cover fluidly in man packages down the line. He has 20 PBUs and nine picks in the last two seasons, but he has also been plagued by penalties, which makes one wonder if he has the athleticism to keep up, especially on vertical and comeback routes. He needs more discipline, and needs to upgrade his ability to read film and break down live plays at the next level.
Jourdan Lewis, Michigan
5-10, 188
Final Overview
Lewis has 37 PBUs in four seasons, and averaged over 25 yards per kick return for his career at Michigan. He is sliding upward on several lists due to his ball hawk abilities and extra value on kick returns. The downside on him is his size, which limits him in certain coverage packages, and he is virtually limited against the run as bigger, more physical receivers can take him out up field. Look for him to be a first rate slot cover guy who will get after the ball. Could slide up from third round to early second round, but I think that some outlets that have him in the late first are looking at reach potential there.
Howard Wilson, Houston
6-1, 184
Final Overview
Wilson is another late riser who is getting some extended looks from a few teams. He has been a major play maker at Houston, but what draws him back is a knee injury that forced him to miss most of 2015, and most personnel people felt that he should have returned to Houston in 2017 to make up for the lost developmental time. He is a work in progress with a solid upside, but he will need some developmental time before anything serious is asked of him. Another knock on him is that he needs to add some muscle to his frame. On a bright note, he will tackle a ton for a corner, and is always looking to make plays on the ball. He will likely stick to a 3rd round draft grade, but had he come out for the 2018 draft, he may have been a first rounder then.
Cameron Sutton, Tennessee
5-11, 188
Final Overview
Sutton is another smallish corner who may get muscled around my larger, more physical receivers off of the snap. He will only work for teams that run man coverage, as he is fairly weak in zone coverage packages. His numbers have plummeted the last two seasons, and that is an issue that should concern an interested team. He does have some skills in the punt return game, but other than that, I am not impressed with what he brings to the table. Overall, this is a fairly average to below average value for risk in the early to middle rounds. I am not a buyer here.
Sydney Jones, Washington
6-0, 186
Final Overview
Jones is a gambler in pass defense, and has made several plays during his three year stay at Washington. He falls sharply i this draft, as he tore his Achilles at his pro day, and that may severely cost him, as he will likely not be available for the 2017 NFL season. Expect to see him as a "rookie" no sooner than 2018. With such a rich position group, especially in the middle rounds, it's hard to see a relevant team take the risk with him until the late rounds on day three after the injury.
Damontae Kazee, San Diego State
5-10, 184
Final Overview
Kazee is one of my most underrated players in this draft. He was a super ball hawk with the Aztecs, but got little national notice playing in the Mountain West, so he has not had a ton of exposure. He has been one of the leaders in INTs nationally for two seasons now. The only knock on him is his lack of size, and he does not possess top flight speed. You cannot, however, look past his production levels, with his ability to take the ball away, and his willingness to tackle. Someone will get a steal in this player.
Brendan Langley, Lamar
6-0, 201
Final Overview
Langley signed with Georgia out of high school as a top 25 national CB recruit. He was asked to switch to receiver at Georgia, but eventually moved back to corner, and saw limited starting duties there in his first two seasons. He eventually left for more playing time at FCS level Lamar. Due to his lost time at receiver, he still has much to learn at CB, but he has long potential and upside. He also has serious ability in punt returns and could get his big break there. He needs some developmental time, but he has all of the smarts, size, and athleticism you want in a corner, and after some coaching up, he could wind up being a big time steal.
Rasul Douglas, West Virginia
6-2, 209
Final Overview
Douglas came to West Virginia from Nassau Community College in New York, and really had to work his way into a rotation there after redshirting his first season. He ble wup as a sophomore at Nassau and got several big time offers before settling on finishing his collegiate career at West Virginia. He finished with 70 tackles an eight picks as a senior at WVU, and that got him noticed in a hurry. He has a solid size package for what you want in the corner position, but he is lacking in speed in a big way. If you can settle on him either as a deep safety, or a zone only corner, you get exactly what you need from him. He's not for everyone, and could prove to be an enigma as to where exactly to play him.
5th to 7th Round Prospects
Shaq Griffin, UCF: Has track speed, but may be limited to man coverage options in dime and nickle packages, as he tends to get smoked by more talented receivers. Has some upside, but technique needs work.
Ezra Robinson, Tennessee State: Started his career at Michigan State before transferring to FCS Tigers. Useless against the run, and may be limited to zone coverage on the next level. Does not bring aggressiveness to the field as one would like.
Corn Elder, Miami: Lacks requisite size for the NFL. Will not be able to play straight up outside, so he is leveraged to just playing in dime packages as an extra DB. Will get beat up in run support.
Chidobe Awuzie, Colorado: Can play outside or against the slot, and has solid size/speed combo solidity. Lacking technique as a tackler is what hurts him on draft day. Has value on special teams as a gunner, and that is where he punches his ticket early on.
Jalen Myrick, Minnesota: Lacks overall first rate ball skills, and ball hawk numbers are pedestrian. May provide value as a slot cover guy, but overall, I am seeing a fairly average prospect here.
Nate Hairston, Temple: Spent three seasons at receiver before moving to defense for lack of playing time. Very raw, but flashed just enough to show that he can play. A developmental guy with some upside.
Marquez White, Florida State: Ball hawk numbers are minimal, and is otherwise a marginal talent that didn't get on the field for two seasons with any regularity. He has the size you want, but I don't see where he does enough else to make him interesting in this class. Got some attention from scouting services to average out as a last day pick, but I would not waste the pick, personally.
Sojourn Shelton, Wisconsin: Penalty ridden, undersized back who works out only in passing down packages as a dime back. Ellis Hobbs sized player with half the ability and potential for next level success.
Des Lawrence, North Carolina: Inconsistent cover guy who really lacks functional athleticism to play in anything but zone coverage. Maybe you take a look in the 7th round, or maybe you don't. Either way, his play has been far too inconsistent for me to take even a flyer on him late.
Tony Bridges, Ole Miss: A transfer from Mississippi Gulf Coast College, he was an Auburn commit before flipping to Ole Miss. Not a great tackler, and will be limited to being a zone only corner. His issues are far too deep for me to want to spend the time ironing out, even on a late round pick.
Safeties
Malik Hooker, Ohio State
6-1, 206
Hooker was a four year player for the Buckeyes, including a redshirt year, but did not play as a starter until his final season in the program in 2016.
In 2015, he finished with just ten tackles. In 2016, he was named as a starter, and finished with 74 tackles, 5.5 TFLs, four PBUs, and seven INTs. He returned three of those INTs for scores.
He was named first team All-Big Ten, and first team All-American in his lone season as a starter.
The Good
Super athlete, who was an all-state basketball player with a state title in high school.
Very fast, and functionally so.
Plays with enormous burst and control.
Had a huge ball hawk season in 2016.
Able to jump like a rabbit. Gets to the high point and will battle for balls up top.
Long arms, large hands.
Reads offenses very well.
Excellent timing and precision when breaking on the football.
Can break the score going the other way.
Very stout tackler.
Cleans up messes.
Can work as a gunner on special teams.
The Bad
Limited sample size, as he really only played one full season in college.
Inexperienced, and is still learning.
Does not take a direct pursuit angle to the tackle.
Still needs to learn how to wrap up on tackles.
Can get faked out on play action.
Gets caught guessing at times.
Has missed most of this off season after surgeries for torn labrum, hernia.
Final Overview
What he did as a starter for one season at Ohio State was impressive, but I think we all would have liked to have seen more. Hooker definitely could have used one more season at Ohio State, but he followed the cash. He will get paid, but he is not game ready for the NFL just yet, and will need some serious development and coaching on the next level to make up for his lack of overall experience. Athletically, he is there, mentally, he needs some work. That said, he is still one of the best Safeties in this class, but maybe not better than Adams of LSU, in my opinion.
Jamal Adams, LSU
6-0, 214
Adams was a three year player in the LSU program. He earned second team ALL-SEC as a sophomore, and was named second team All-SEC as a junior. He was named first team All-American as a junior as well.
As a freshman, he recorded 66 tackles, five TFLs, one sack, and five PBUs. He started twice that season.
As a sophomore, he finished with 67 tackles, five TFLs, six PBUs, one QB hurry, one forced fumble, and four INTs.
As a junior, he totaled 76 tackles, 7.5 TFLs, one sack, four PBUs, one QB hurry, one forced fumble, a fumble recovery, and one INT.
The Good
High character player who leads on and off the field.
Compact build, looks like a tank on film.
Massive hitter, makes contact with extreme violence.
Awesome in run support.
Bounces off attempts to block him.
Very good tackle radius.
He is the leader of the defense, and understands offenses like a pro.
Cannot be fooled on play fakes.
Screen buster with solid work behind the line of scrimmage.
Can get after the ball and create turnovers.
Has an NFL pedigree from his father George.
Special teams gunner who thrives and hungers for action.
The Bad
Speed is marginal, and sometimes uses his hands as a way to make up for it downfield.
Change of direction is a bit slow.
Hands are not always what they should be, and will drop some sure picks.
Is not as rangy from sideline to sideline as one would like.
Can be over aggressive at times.
Final Overview
Adams is a first rate starting caliber safety who basically checks all of the boxes one would want, with the exception of speed. Minus speed, he is a massive hitter that creates turnovers and problems in coverage for offenses, and that is saying something. Adams may be one of my favorite players in this draft, and if having to choose between drafting him or drafting Adoree' Jackson in the mid to late first round, I'd be lost trying to make that call. Adams has all-pro and Hall of Fame written all over his playing style.
Jabrill Peppers, Michigan
5-11, 213
Peppers was a three year player for the Wolverines who saw time on offense, defense, and on special teams. He has played in the secondary and at LB, and has also seen time as a RB and as a WR.
He was first team All-Big 10 in 2015 and in 2016, and was named the Big Ten LB of the Year last fall as well.
As a freshman, he recorded eight tackles, and returned one punt for six yards, but his season was cut short due to a leg injury.
As a sophomore, he finished with 45 tackles, 5.5 TFLs, 10 PBUs, rushed for 72 yards on 18 carries, posted a line of 8-79-0 as a receiver, returned 17 punts for 194 yards (11.41 per return), and returned eight kicks for 223 yards (27.88 per return).
As a junior in 2016, he finished with 71 tackles, 15 TFLs, 3.5 sacks, seven QB hurries, one forced fumble, and on offense, he rushed for 167 yards on 27 carries with three TDs, he caught two passes for three yards, returned 21 punts for 310 yards and a score (14.76 per return), and returned 10 kicks for 260 yards (26 per return).
The Good
Super athletic type who has played just about everywhere.
Rock solid against the run, and will sell out to make the play.
Can fit into multiple uses in multiple coverage packages. You can use him wherever.
Hits with a good deal of violence.
Gets from sideline to sideline very nicely.
Very disruptive defender in the opposing backfield.
Can cover TEs or receivers, or hang back to take on backs on passing routes.
Gets a good pop on receivers to disrupt routes out of the snap.
Game changer as a return man.
Can line up anywhere on offense, and could be a huge red zone multi-use weapon.
The Bad
Ball hawk numbers are negligible as a defender in the secondary.
Does not have a solid understanding of what offenses are doing, and is slow to react.
Does not play center field well in coverage, and reacts poorly to the ball.
Played his best at LB in college, and will never be a LB in the league.
Gets screwed up on play action.
Does not seem to be an intelligent defender at all, and is all physical and minimal mental about the game.
Terrible technique on tackles, and will miss many with the way he hits rather than wraps.
Seems too raw wherever you can line him up, and does not fit where he is best qualified to play.
Seems to be a special teams guy rather than an every down anything.
Final Overview
Peppers is sliding in this draft because of the fear that many teams have with him, which is simply in regards as to where he fits. He is a square peg in a round hole kind of player, and he may be one of these guys who was a very decent college player who just does not translate to the pros. I don't think that the Michigan staff did him any favors by bouncing him all over the field rather than just honing in his talents where it mattered. He is a developmental prospect right now wherever he ends up, and I just would not spend an early round draft pick on him, and that is starting to be a sentiment echoed around scouting circles.
Obi Melifonwu, U Conn
6-4, 224
Melifonwu was a rare five year player at U Conn, which included him redshirting his freshman year as he came on campus out of the MA high school ranks. He was named first team All-AAC in 2016, and was a four year starter for the Huskies.
As a freshman, he totaled 70 tackles, three TFLs, five PBUs, one QB hurry, and two forced fumbles. He also added two INTs.
As a sophomore, he finished with 75 tackles, 3.5 TFLs, and three PBUs.
As a junior, he finished with 88 tackles, two TFLs, five PBUs, and two INTs.
As a senior, he finished with 118 tackles, 2.5 TFLs, three PBUs, a fumble recovery, and four INTs.
The Good
Super athletic/speed combo with this guy.
Dedicated player who stayed for five years including a redshirt.
Focused and determined.
Excellent eye skills when ball is in the air, and adjusts well to the play.
Has played some corner, and can cover TEs and slot receivers.
Takes away the seam routes, forces receivers to go outside.
Tackling machine...loves the contact and has a massive tackle radius for a safety.
Seems to have gotten more and more disciplined with every passing year.
A model in consistency.
The Bad
Slow to recognize what offenses are doing at times, and is forced into reacting.
Can get busted up by play action.
Does not always take the most direct route to the ball.
May have had inflated tackle numbers based on how bad the offense at U Conn has been.
Has seen a massive amount of minutes on the field over four years.
Has never played for a real winner of a team.
Final Overview
Melifonwu is a guy who is rocketing up the big boards right now, and that is unlikely to change at any point. He is as productive as they get, and is consistent and coachable. He has freakish size and athleticism for the position, and that sells. He will likely only get better on the next level, and could be a starter down the line for years to come. He is streaking into the first round, and in my opinion, is one of the two best safeties in this draft with Adams from LSU.
Marcus Williams, Utah
6-1, 202
Williams was a three year starter for the Utes, and was a member of the California to Salt Lake City pipeline.. He was an Academic All-PAC 12 pick as a sophomore, and was named first team All-PAC 12 that season. He was named second team All-PAC 12 as a junior.
He finished high school with a 4.0 GPA.
As a freshman, he started six games on the season, and finished with 59 tackles, one TFL, two forced fumbles, and an INT.
As a sophomore, he finished with 66 tackles, two TFLs, five PBUs, and five INTs.
He missed two games as a junior, and finished with 64 tackles, one TFL, three PBUs, one QB hurry, two forced fumbles, and five INTs.
The Good
Dependable center fielder type, who plays best on the free side.
Very athletic.
Incredibly smart.
Understands what a QB is thinking, and knows where an offense is flowing to.
Very good leaping ability, will get to the high point and take balls away.
10 INTs in last two seasons.
Consistent tackler with solid technique.
Eliminates cut backs, and herds carriers to the sidelines.
Solid tackle radius.
The Bad
A finesse player. He lacks the violence in his hits to make a first rate free safety at this point.
Man to an tackling is not his thing. Needs to be a finisher, not a hit starter.
Does not bring his guy down right away.
Can be duped by play action at times.
Does not possess elite speed.
Final Overview
Williams is an enigma in that he does not possess that hunter/killer mindset as a safety. The mental part is all there, and his ball skills are solid, but he just lacks that hammer to make him a first round pick. Had he possessed that violence in his game, he would have been considered a first round prospect, but he fits more towards the middle part of the second round now. Still, all things considered, a guy who makes plays on the ball as he does has value on the next level, so get what you get, and be happy with it. He should start for someone.
Justin Evans, Texas A&M
6-0, 199
Evans was just a two year player with the Aggies, and barely participated at the NFL combine. He was a pitcher, basketball playr, and DB out of high school in Mississippi.
In 2015, he finished with 78 tackles, one TFL, three PBUs, an INT, and he returned two kicks for 46 yards.
As a senior in 2016, he finished with 87 tackles, five TFLs, eight PBUs, and four INTs, and also returned 15 kicks for 428 yards (28.53 per return).
The Good
Explosively athletic multi-sport athlete.
Excellent foot and hip work.
Loves to play the game.
Solid jumper who gets to the high point and will make plays on the football.
Long arms, and has excellent hand skills.
Takes away the inside part of the field.
Ball skills are decent.
Hard hitter, brings the hammer.
A tackling machine. 165 over two seasons.
Solid wrap tackler with sound technique.
Real hunter/killer mentality in the secondary.
The Bad
Does not possess great focus on the ball on all plays. Can get lost in coverage on occasion.
Takes a late track on RBs on the second level.
Can be overly aggressive, and get duped on play action.
Better playing up close to the line than deep in the field.
Does not always break down plays pre snap with authority.
Can get blocked out of plays easily.
Rides the wave when blockers make contact.
Tackling technique needs some work. As many as he has made, he has missed a ton.
Final Overview
Evans is a hard hitting mercenary kind of player, but he gets overly aggressive and gets lost in his violence on the field. He needs more mental discipline, and if he can bring the mental and the physical together at the same time, he could be dangerous down the road. The right secondary coach will get to this guy and make him a star in a few years. It could be fun watching him develop, as he has loads of long term potential if he can shore up his deficiencies. Could be a diamond in the class.
Marcus Maye, Florida
6-0, 210
Maye was a four year player for the Gators, and was named as a first team All-American as a junior. He was a four star prospect out of high school in Melbourne.
As a freshman, he finished with 16 tackles, one TFL, and one INT.
As a sophomore, he finished with 62 tackles, three TFLs, five PBUs, two QB hurries, two forced fumbles, and an INT.
As a junior, he finished with 82 tackles, 1.5 TFLs, six PBUs, three QB hurries, five forced fumbles, and two INTs.
As a senior, he finished with 50 tackles, 1.5 TFLs, one sack, six PBUs, and an INT.
The Good
Compact and athletic.
Fires up field to support in run defense.
Difficult to block.
Uses and extra burst when closing in on the ball.
Solid tackle radius.
Hard hitter who brings the hammer.
Creates turnovers with violent hits.
The Bad
Highly pedestrian ball hawk numbers.
Average cover man who is better suited in strict zones.
Guesses more than knows.
Gives up the big play, while making others. All or nothing.
Penalty prone, because he gets his arms out in front of him and into the face of opposing receivers.
Gambles on opportunities with the ball in the air, and can have it goo wrong.
Broke his arm last November. Will need to get it checked.
Final Overview
Maye is a solid force in run stopping, but is not a great pass defender. He will need to be a safety in the box, and will maybe be a two down safety, and could be removed from the field on long passing downs. That's not a great combo. He picked off just four passes in three years, and broke up just 17 passes during his career. If you are looking for a run stuffing safety, he's your guy, but I look for more in a safety for the NFL.
Budda Baker, Washington
5-10, 195
Baker was a three year player with the Huskies, and was a starter from day one. He won the 100 meter state championship in high school, and also won three state titles in football. He was named honorable mention All-PAC 12 as a freshman, and was first team as a sophomore and junior.
As a freshman, he finished with 80 tackles, two TFLs, one sack, six PBUs, one QB hurry, and two forced fumbles. He also finished with one INT.
As a sophomore, he finished with 49 tackles, 1.5 TFLs, seven PBUs, one blocked kick, and two INTs.
As a junior, he finished with 71 tackles, 10 TFLs, three sacks, six PBUs, one QB hurry, one forced fumble, and two INTs.
The Good
Incredibly athletic, with elite speed and range.
Solid ability in man coverage.
Changes direction on a dime.
Crunches down on plays in front of him.
Improved a great deal as a junior when it came to making plays behind the line.
Energetic team leader.
The Bad
Is on the smaller side for safety, and has no room to bulk up.
Can be overly aggressive, and will whiff at times.
Lacks a large tackle radius, and short arms cause him to miss on INT attempts.
Ball numbers are low for an elite prospect in the secondary.
Not a great zone defender.
Final Overview
Baker was the guy that everyone in the PAC-12 wanted coming out of high school, and he certainly did several things to make the Huskies relevant again. In order for him to succeed as an undersized safety on the next level, he will have to play more center field in deep coverage to hide his size deficiencies, and he will have to avoid mismatches against TEs and bigger receivers. I see him as being a passing down defender early, but he may be able to work his way into a starting lineup eventually, depending on the team drafting him.
Round 3 and 4 Safety Prospects
Josh Jones, NC State
6-2, 215
Jones was an underexposed prospect at NC State that has the rare size/speed combo package that teams look for in the position. He is going have great value in the box as a run support safety, but can drop deep on verticals on passing downs as well with his ability to run. He is a violent hitter that teams will love to have, but he has to get under control, because he has been known to be a bit undisciplined at times with his aggression. If teams can hone him in, he has great value in the middle rounds of this draft.
Lorenzo Jerome, St. Francis (PA)
5-10, 202
Jerome was a first rate talent at tiny St. Francis from the Northeast Conference in FCS football. He was one of the most productive players in the nation, and is a first rate ball hawk when it comes to knocking balls down. He is lacking, however, when it comes to having elite, or even average speed for the position, and he lacks the requisite height as well. He could find some value on special teams, where he excelled in college, but if you want to play him at deep safety, and let his ball skills take over in zone coverage, he could work there as well.
Rudy Ford, Auburn
5-11, 200
Ford was a productive tackling machine at Auburn, and will make an excellent in the box safety on the next level, but he is severely limited as a cover man, which could relegate him to bench work or special teams. He will likely slide down deep in the fourth round where a team can afford to take a shot at an athletically limited player with special teams abilities.
Eddie Jackson, Alabama
6-0, 194
Jackson will likely get exposed on the next level as a deep safety cherry picker who cleans up garbage that other in front of him miss. He has some nice ball skills if he can camp out and wait for plays to come for him, but he is not aggressive enough as a tackler, or as a guy who seeks out the action. Looked better on film than he was, and will slide accordingly.
Fish Smithson, Kansas
5-10, 197
A very small safety prospect, but teams will love his football IQ and on field production. He may be available at the bottom of the fourth round, and that would be a great spot to grab him. He may not look the part, but certainly plays it. He will have to develop as a tackler to ever see the field, but he is coachable, and has enough ball skills to get a look.
Round 5-7 Safety Prospects
Orion Stewart, Baylor: May fall out of the draft based on lacking tackling numbers, and lacks speed.
Nate Gerry, Nebraska: Could fit special teams role, and will add value in zone coverage only.
Tedric Thomson, Colorado: Long term developmental fit, has starter quality on man coverage team.
Jordan Sterns, Oklahoma State: Strong character guy who is a tackling machine. Natural leader.
Josh Harvey-Clemons, Louisville: Multiple drug suspensions should scare some teams off.
Rayshawn Jenkins, Miami: Needs to be coached up, but checks size/speed boxes.
John Johnson, Boston College: Solid ball hawk, but lacking as a tackler, but should see a shot.
Jadar Johnson, Clemson: Only started for one season. Solid ball skills, needs work on tackling.
Randall Goforth, UCLA: Small, and inconsistent across the board, but still flashes now and again.
Kickers/Punters
PK
Zane Gonzalez, Arizona State: Has made 49/59 FGS the last two seasons. Averaged over 75% touchbacks on kickoffs as well.
Jake Elliott, Memphis: 81 made FGs over four years, but consistency has been an issue. Percentage on touchbacks on kickoffs dropped around 7% from 2015 to 2016.
Andy Phillips, Utah: Major leg strength on FGs, but lost job as kickoff specialist as a senior because of dropping percentages on touchbacks. With his ability, that makes no sense as to why that was happening.
Adam Griffith, Alabama: Has missed 16 FGs the last two seasons, and touchback numbers are not special at all on kickoffs. Has been a work horse at PK for the Tide, but likely will not see an NFL game.
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Austin Rehkow, Idaho: Had an amazing first two seasons for the Vandals, but saw some slippage the last two seasons. Can work as a PK as well.
Justin Vogel, Miami: Averaged a career high 43.8 yards per punt in 2016. Very consistent numbers guy.
Cameron Johnston, Ohio State: Booming leg guy who averaged over 46 yards per punt in 2016. Deserves a look, and can get the job done for someone.
Toby Baker, Arkansas: Improved all three seasons he played at Arkansas. Averaged a career high 44.4 yards per punt in 2016. Seems ready to break out and find consistency.
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