- Myles Garrett, DE Texas A&M 98
Simply the best player in this draft class. Garrett is a smooth and electric pass rusher with a bevy of moves and styles. He can lull you to sleep off the line at times and then run through you. His ability to convert speed to power and bulrush is as good as any player I’ve scouted. The reason he’s the best player in this class though is that not only can he be a game wrecker getting after the quarterback, but he is very solid against the run. Garrett can set the edge on first and second down and then make game changing plays on third down. His comparison in the NFL is Von Miller, although I think Miller was a bit more explosive rushing the passer and not quite as good against the run. If he achieves his potential he could be in Canton.
2. Malik Hooker – S, Ohio State 94
There’s reason personnel person and Buckeye fans call this kid Malik the Freak. He’s an extremely enticing blend of size and speed at 6’2 and 210 pounds, and a tremendous closing burst. Hooker doesn’t always take the best angle but his unique athleticism and ball skills make up for that. Hooker attacks the football like a wide receiver too, giving him a chance to make more interceptions than what a normal player would or could make. He’s very raw in his experience though, only playing one full season for the Buckeyes. While he has the size to play in the box, he isn’t a super gifted tackler, and his form tackling leaves something to be desired, so I think Hooker will likely need to play in a high-safety look to take advantage of his skill set. You’ll have to be patient with Hooker, as there’s a decent chance he’ll struggle as a rookie, you just can’t be a star in the NFL right away with so little experience. Even with that he’ll make his share of splash plays as he’s just simply always around the ball. By the end of his first contract he’ll be a Pro-Bowl caliber player, he’ll earn the nickname the Freak if you have the patience to just let him learn on the job.
3 Jamal Adams – S, LSU 94
Likely the safest player in the entire 2017 NFL Draft is Jamal Adams from LSU. He’s a guy who shows great versatility in the back end, with the ability to play single high 20 yards deep, or up in the box as a big hitting, sure tackling strong safety. Most people are going to want to line him up deep and let him roam around and make plays but I think I’d like him in the versatile role. A notoriously hard worker, Adams is also highly respected among all his coaches and teammates, so there are zero red flags there. To me he can play anywhere on the field, is a solid tackler, and takes tremendous routes to the football when he gets to play centerfield. His comparison is simple, this is Eric Berry 2.0, so take him in the top 5 and get a guaranteed hit and a Pro-Bowler eraser on your defense for the next 10 years.
4. Jonathan Allen – DL, Alabama 94
This kid was the best overall player in the country this year for the Crimson Tide and should have probably been invited to New York for the Heisman ceremony. You don’t see interior players make the kind of impact plays that Allen made consistently this season. He is a guy who can play 34 defensive end, or 43 defensive tackle as the 3 technique and be a difference maker wherever you want to play him. I think at 6’3 and 295 pounds, with his ability to move is pretty rare. I have no idea who I’d compare him to in the NFL, but he can play all 3 downs immediately and create mismatches against whomever he goes against.
5. Leonard Fournette – RB, LSU 94
This kid is as good of a running back prospect in terms of simply running the football that has come out since Adrian Peterson. In my rankings I do typically take position into account in some small way so that’s why Fournette isn’t ranked number one, although he might be the best player in the entire class. He runs with a violence that I haven’t seen since Adrian Peterson, and his combination of size and speed is terrifying to watch. Fournette has been knicked up a bit in his college career which also dips his value a point or two. That being said, he was the entire focus of opposing defenses the second he stepped onto campus at Baton Rouge and he still had almost 4000 rushing yards and 40 TD in his college career in the SEC. He wasn’t used a ton in the passing game but he shows promise there too. I’m not a big proponent of drafting a running back super early in the draft, but Fournette is an exception. He could be a game changing weapon for an NFL offense. I do have him graded out 1 point below Elliott from last year because Elliot’s ability to block and receive were truly elite and Fournette hasn’t shown he’s quite as good in those areas as Zeke was last season.
6. Reuben Foster – LB, Alabama 93
This kid is a ball player. If Adams is the safest player in the 2017 NFL Draft then Foster is a very close second. He is a rock solid 6’1 240 pounds and he can really run sideline to sideline. Foster is a monster hitter who is one of the surest tacklers in the entire class. The reason I have Foster rated so high though is that as good as he is against the run he’s almost equal as a pass defender. Foster closes extremely hard on running backs in the flat and can run up the seam with any tight end I’ve scouted. It’s rare to see a linebacker that’s as aggressive as he is miss so few tackles as well, as he simply closes on the football and players go down. I think he’s probably better in man to man against the pass than he is in zone but he’s very good either way as a linebacker. When he blitzes he’s effective as well, as you’ve seen inside linebackers cause more havoc as blitzers this season I believe than in the past, see Benardrick McKinney and Bobby Wagner. Foster can change a defense the minute he walks in the door and he is easily a first half of the first round type player. Obviously the combine situation where he was asked to leave is a red-flag but it seems to be an outlier so I’m not dropping him on my board much.
7. O.J. Howard, TE Alabama 93
Howard was criminally under-utilized for the Crimson Tide in his career but was tremendous in the two games he played in the National Championship. When given the opportunity to make plays in the passing game Howard shows rare athletic ability for a man his size. At 6’6 250 pounds he runs extremely well and does a nice job of high pointing the football when the ball is in the air. He’s not a great route runner at this point, which to me is actually exciting. When he can figure out how to create separation with his route running, his athleticism will make him a Pro-Bowl caliber player. The reason I give Howard such a high grade though is that he is also a very capable and quality run blocker at the point of attack. He’s not going to maul you there but he can create some movement, particularly when he is down-blocking. I think there is room for improvement as a blocker too, he’s not elite there but does a good enough job for the most part. Most scouts don’t grade him as a great blocker, but I think with time given his arm length and athletic ability he could turn into a very quality in-line blocker. Overall though, the kid is a matchup nightmare who can turn short throws into big gains. Could be special.
8. Soloman Thomas, DE Stanford 92
Thomas was as disruptive as any player in the country this season and it’s not a surprise to wonder why his draft stock is rising in the scouting community. Thomas has a bit of a strange frame, so it’s tough to try to figure out where you’d want to play him in the NFL. At 6’1 and around 285 pounds he doesn’t really project as a prototypical anything. With that being said his ability to create leverage and a non-stop motor combined with very good heavy hands makes him very difficult to contain. He’s very stout against the run on the outside and may be the best player in this draft at collapsing the pocket. In longer plays he just doesn’t stay engaged with blockers, his hands and feet make it extremely difficult to stop for very long. When you combine that with his motor, this is a guy that will get you coverage sacks consistently. He may have the most pass rush moves in this class as well, giving you an inside spin, a bulrush, and a rip move consecutively means he sets you up as the game wears on. I worry a bit about where to play him as I don’t really know what to do with him. I think he projects best as a 34 defensive end who moves inside when teams go 4 man fronts on sub packages. I really want to know what his arm length will be at the combine as well. I also hate that he guesses at the snap count so much, he had 7 offsides just this season, and that will need to get cleaned up. Overall, he’s a superb player who will help any defense he goes to, and as a Stanford kid you know he’s very bright. Someone will draft him, figure out where to play him, and watch him wreak havoc.
9. Derek Barnett – DE, Tennessee 90
Barnett is a dynamic pass rusher with ideal size as a 43 defensive end. Barnett has been extremely productive for the Volunteers in his three-seasons and is equally efficient against the run and the pass. When he sets the edge he can get lineman on their heels’ forcing running backs to give up ground to not get engulfed at the line. I love his ability to get upfield and get tackles to guess at what he’s going to do. He doesn’t have elite level quickness but he times the snap count very well and uses his strength to push the pocket. Barnett has the power to move inside on pass rush downs and create problems in pushing the pocket which gives him the added versatility that some scouts, myself included fall in love with. I think he doesn’t have great feet and so quicker offensive tackles and people who cut block him can have success. That said I think Barnett is going to be a guy who threatens double digit sacks consistently and will be a plus edge defender against the run. If your team needs an edge guy, I wouldn’t hesitate to take Barnett early on day one.
10. Jabrill Peppers, S Michigan 90
Peppers is one of the most athletic players in this entire class. He was a jack-of-all-trades for the Wolverines, playing linebacker, safety, slot corner, returning kicks, and even being their wildcat quarterback and occasional best running back. I believe if he had simply just played safety and showed everyone what he could do he would have found his way into the top ten in this draft. That being said he isn’t the most technically sound football player in this class and therefore he isn’t nearly as polished as someone like Jamal Adams. However, Peppers projects to me as a nickel linebacker and a base strong safety. He’s a good tackler, takes solid angles, and is particularly deft when asked to play zone coverage, where he can simply read and react. When he’s in man he’s not as sticky as you’d like in coverage, but he’s still above average, particularly when asked to defend tight ends. To me he’s a really nice player who gives you versatility, athleticism, and a guy who can match up with a lot of guys who are difficult to cover in the league. He’s not perfect by any means, but he’s a good football player who every single team in the league could find a spot for.
11. Haason Reddick, LB Temple 89
This kid is an absolute beast of a football player. He has tremendous explosion running a 4.52 40 despite playing most of his career for the Owls with his hand in the dirt. Weighing in around 235-240 pounds is okay in today’s NFL as Reddick likely will play a 43 will or an inside linebacker spot in a 34 defense. He wasn’t asked to cover often at Temple but watching him at the Senior Bowl he looked so smooth and easy dropping into passing lanes and manning up backs and tight ends it was like he had done it his whole life. Reddick did come into Temple as an oversized safety so he does have some experience there though. He can absolutely run sideline to sideline, is a tremendous blitzer due to his tenure at Temple, and is still raw and rising as a stand-up guy. He’s not huge and can get dwarfed when he gets engaged, and he can miss tackles occasionally too. Overall though I think someone with his size and speed along with instincts that he has means the kid could end up being a really good NFL player. I think he shouldn’t get out of round one.
12. Marshon Lattimore – Ohio State 88
A tremendous athlete with limited experience and good size, Lattimore has a ton of potential to be a stud corner in the NFL. Lattimore had injuries derail the first couple seasons of his career but came back and played exceptionally well in 2016. I love his hip turn and his ability to turn and run with someone is as good as any player in this year’s class. He’s excellent in press coverage but I think quicker receivers off the line can beat him particularly inside. Slants are not his specialty in coverage and therefore inside releases make him look a little vulnerable. Teams can’t beat him on deep routes though. His ball skills are good but he sometimes forgets to find the ball down the field and instead tries to time it up. In college against mediocre receivers that’s fine but big time NFL guys will make contested catches against him. Overall though this kid is a very good player with tremendous upside. He’s still a tad raw which means his ceiling is very high. I truly believe he has the highest ceiling of all the corners in this class. You have to worry slightly about his injury history and lack of playing time to temper expectations, but he’s a first round player.
13. Christian McCaffrey, RB Stanford 88
I know people are going to wonder where you’re going to play this kid and my answer is simple: everywhere. He would return kicks and punts for me, play slot receiver, and get 6-10 carries every single game. He’s an absolutely dynamic player who can do everything you’d want in a football player. Some people wonder if he can hold up as a full time running back but I have zero worry about that situation. He’s got quite a bit of wear on the tires due to a ton of touches for the Cardinal but he can touch the ball 250-300 times per year without any issue. He’s a very good route runner, and I think he may even project better as a slot receiver than as a running back prospect solely, where he would be at worst a 2nd round pick if he played that position only. His ability to run between the tackles, one-cut run, catch the ball out of the backfield, and be a dynamic kick returner means he is without question a first round selection.
14. Forrest Lamp, G/T Western Kentucky 88
A kid who is simply a really good football player. I think he could potentially play any of the five offensive line spots in the NFL and be an above average to good starter at any of them. I really wish I could have seen him play some at center because he has potential to be a really good player at that spot. Everyone always worries about how these kids from small schools transition to the NFL, but if you watch how Lamp simply dominated the Alabama front seven in that matchup, you shouldn’t have any more questions. He’s got short arms which means he’ll likely move inside to guard at the NFL level but with good movement skills, power, and a really good anchor the kid will be a quality starter at that spot in the league. It’s impossible to not compare him to Zach Martin, because it’s just too easy to see the comparisons. I stud tackle in college without adequate length but good power, and very tactically sound. I don’t think he’ll be quite as good as Martin, but even if he’s 80% as good, that makes him a top 6-8 guard in the league. Really good player.
15. Evan Engram, TE Ole Miss 88
This kid is going to catch a lot of passes in the NFL. At 6’3 235 pounds and running a very smooth 4.42 Engram is a dynamic combination of size and speed. While Engram is a well below average blocker at the position you have to understand essentially you’re getting him as a passing game weapon in a very similar situation to Jimmy Graham or even to a certain extent Eric Ebron coming in to the NFL. He’s got fairly long arms for the position at almost 34 inch reach and a 36 inch vertical giving him a very nice catch radius. Engram doesn’t have tremendous feel for zone coverage yet, but that will be remedied early in the NFL and I believe this guy can be an 80 catch per season guy in the NFL perhaps as early as his second season. I understand that he’s essentially a move tight end who can’t block but so is Jordan Reed who is my comparison. To me if I need a weapon toward the end of round one I’m grabbing Engram.
16. Mike Williams, WR Clemson 87
Williams is a big physical receiver who will give small corners nightmares in the NFL. Williams tracks the football as well as anyone in this class and does a really nice job of high pointing the football and creating small separation on contested catches. At 6’3 and 225 pounds he sets up as a prototype number one wideout in the NFL. He’s fantastic on contested catches, is tough over the middle, and is a good and reliable blocker. His hands are above average and he can make a lot of tough catches, but at times he does have the rare concentration lapse. Williams isn’t sudden or overly fast and therefore he struggles to gain consistent separation from corners, but his toughness and physicality give him an edge when he doesn’t create much distance. To me he reminds me somewhere between Deandre Hopkins, who consistently struggles to separate in the NFL, but makes tough catches, and Davante Adams. His speed at the combine is going to be big for his draft stock. Ultimately Williams lack of quickness and speed will make it a tough first year or two but when he develops a more diverse route running repertoire he is going to be a really nice piece. I also worry about that nasty neck injury he suffered in 2015, when you draft someone that high you have to have some concern about an injury that serious. I think at worst Williams ends up a high end number two receiver with the upside of a solid number one. He’s a good player.
17. Corey Davis, WR Western Michigan 87
Davis is the most productive receiver in the history of Division 1 wide receivers. When you start off a draft profile that has to be what you start with in this case. At 6’3 and around 215 pounds, you have a guy who gives you prototype size and a fantastic route tree. Davis gives you something at all 3 levels, consistently beating corners and safeties with a bevy of moves and soft reliable hands. His underneath routes aren’t as crisp as the routes to the outside, but he can get corners on their toes early and then he creates easy separation at times. He’s a monster in the red-zone, and his ability on third down is elite. I think what makes him so difficult to defend is that it seems like he has three or four different gears which allows him to create so much hesitation with corners that he destroys them. He can turn it into a fourth gear when tracking a deep ball or drift slowly and burst through on intermediate routes, where he excels. He’s not a terrific blocker, and he did have 16 drops over the past 3 seasons, which isn’t bad considering he had around 280 catches. The level of competition is a tiny bit of a concern, but not enough to warrant much from hesitation from me. If Davis runs 4.50 or below at the combine, he’s my number one wide receiver in 2017.
18. Ryan Ramczyk, OT Wisconsin 87
A former D3 tackled turned All American for the Badgers, Ramczyk was one of the most polished and solid tackles in the country this season. He’s an extremely athletic tackle which means that he is going to be able to handle speed rushers at the next level without much problem. Ramczyk gets to the second level well and does an exceptional job blocking down and even doing reach blocks to help create a hole in the running game. He’s the smartest tackle in this class likely in terms of learning NFL X’s and O’s and his ability to recognize blitzes and games off the edge is elite. I worry a touch about the fact he plays a little too straight up and down at times which means people can get into his body. He also isn’t super long so his measurements might not be great, with arm length being of huge import when he goes to the combine. Overall I believe this kid played the best of any offensive lineman in college football in 2017, whether you’re judging that by sabermetrics or simply by the eye test. I worry a bit about the post-season surgeries, which knock him down a touch. If his arm length is close to prototype the kid will likely be the first lineman off the board, and he would go first on my board if his medicals and reach are okay. He’s athletic, solid, and will play left tackle in the league for a decade.
19. Quincy Wilson – Florida 87
This kid is arguably the best cornerback in the entire 2017 NFL Draft. He has elite size and speed combination at 6’1 and 213 pounds. He’s an exceptional cover corner who does an excellent job in coverage, allowing fewer than 40 percent of the passes thrown at him to be complete. Some people worry about his footwork, particularly his backpedal but I love the way he turns his hips to run. He is probably the best cornerback in this class while the ball is in the air, always finding it and attacking the football. He’s not great against the run but he wants to attack the ball carrier and goes hard into the flats. He misses a lot of tackles but he’s tough and wants to be good in that area so I believe eventually he’ll continue to improve in that area. His 40 time at the combine and showing a bit of stiffness in his hips lowered his grade a touch for me but ultimately he’s a first round guy.
20. Garrett Bolles, OT Utah 87
This guy has the highest upside of any offensive lineman in this entire draft. Bolles has tremendous athleticism which means he has the potential to be a left tackle from his opening snap in the NFL. Bolles has seriously unreal athleticism, for a guy at 6’5 and 300 pounds to move his feet like he does is out of this world. It’s rare to find someone who can move and misses so rarely in the open field and at the second level. A team who runs a lot of zone concept would clearly have him as the top tackle on its board. Speed rushers, stunts, and games are not going to give him a problem. That being said he only has one season of FBS football under his belt which means you are doing a wide speculation projection for Bolles at the next level. He also has a narrow frame and definitely needs to get stronger. If he gets off the ball a millisecond late, strong edge rushers can get into his numbers and drive him back. I also think at times as a pass protector maybe he gets too deep and players can convert speed to power into his chest. Overall though zone heavy teams will have him as the top tackle on their board while typical power run and base teams will probably like Ramcyzk and even potentially Robinson ahead of him. Schematic fit and if he can add strength will determine how he does in the league. Tons of talent and upside here.
21. John Ross, WR Washington 87
Everyone likens him to Brandin Cooks and it’s a very easy comparison. Ross is a little bit taller and the fastest player in combine history at a ridiculous 4.22, but the knee injury history and smaller stature definitely means his value is down just a bit. I ranked Cooks at 88 and I’m going to give Ross a tiny bit lower grade simply because of the knee stuff. He’s the best deep threat in this class by a very long way, as he’s the only receiver in the top 50 players with any type of really deep stretching ability. Williams and Davis are excellent players and Kupp is a nice piece but Ross is dynamic and someone who needs this type of guy is likely going to take him in the middle of the first round. The thing with Ross that makes him different than the other players who are simply burners is that Ross is quick as well as fast, can run nice routes, and he has really nice red-zone skills for a player that small. To me if he didn’t have the knee scare situation he would without a doubt be a top 10 guy in this class.
22. Tre’davious White – LSU 87
White is a really good cover corner who can play inside or outside from the minute he walks in the door. He’s not great against the run but he does his part and at times he can close down on the flats as hard as any player at the position. I love how patient he is and very rarely commits early on into a route, letting his quickness and footwork do the work for him. I also love how explosive he is as a punt returner, as he gets to top speed very quickly and has enough shimmy to make people miss in a phone booth. I don’t think I’d love to take him if I had a zone heavy scheme as he doesn’t love contact and his size being as light as he is might not work exactly as you’d want. At 5’11 and 190 pounds he doesn’t exactly scream cover 2 corner so some teams might think he isn’t the right fit for what they like to do. That being said he’s a very good cover guy and he’s arguably the best slot corner in this class. White has very quick feet and can mirror almost every receiver he plays against, rarely panicking and using his hands and leverage well. To me he’s a solid long-time starter for a team that plays a majority of man to man coverage. His punt return abilities and special teams prowess definitely adds to his appeal as well. Also coaches raved about him and his character is extremely high, so little risk when it comes to that.
23. Fabian Moreau, CB UCLA 87
I have the highest grade on Moreau of anyone I’ve seen so far and the reasons are many. Number one the kid is 6’0 and 205 pounds at corner which is nice size but he’s extremely explosive. The kid runs a 4.35, and has a 38 inch vertical meaning he can absolutely keep up with anyone in the league. Moreau missed a lot of time in 2015 with a Lisfranc injury or else he’d be much further along in his career. He switched over from offense to defense when he came in to UCLA so there’s still a bit of rawness to his game but when he plays he can flat out cover. He’s strong so press man or some sort of cover1/3 look makes the most sense for him. He lacks ball production which some teams view as an absolute and it does knock his grade a couple of points. Overall watching his tape, knowing he’s still raw to the position, and watching him absolutely dominate the East-West Shrine game as by far the best player there got me intrigued. His tape is very good, he’s strong and fast, with good length and explosiveness. To me he’s a good starting press corner in the NFL and he’s a first round guy.
24. Dan Feeney, G Illinois 87
This dude is a good football player. He’s got nice size at 6’4 and around 310 pounds, with good length for an interior offensive lineman. Feeney was very solid throughout his entire career, allowing just one sack in 39 career starts for the Illini. He has really good feet and does a nice job in the pulling and screen games, allowing himself to get in good position when he gets to the second level. He’s never looking for work in pass protection and has enough of a mean streak to finish off people when they are double teamed. I think he’s a very high quality starting guard in the NFL. I think as a rookie you may see a bit of an issue transitioning to the NFL game because he played in a movement based offense with tempo but his skill set is really good and by year two and three he could challenge to be a pro-bowl caliber player. Injury history drops him down a couple points.
25. Dalvin Cook – RB, Florida State 86
If you want a home-run hitter in your backfield, look no further than Tallahassee and Dalvin Cook. Cook is a truly explosive running back prospects and the comparison I keep hearing is of Jamaal Charles and I absolutely love the comp. I believe that Cook is a better flexed out route runner than Charles was coming out of school though. One of the things I love about Cook is simply his ability to put defensive players on skates when he gets them in space in passing routes. His inside running is better than most people give him credit for as the average fan only sees him busting big runs and not the ones that he turns from 2 yard runs into 4 and 5 yard carries. His explosive speed and ability to make people miss in space is truly dynamic. That being said there are still warts here that keep him from being a better prospect than Fournette. Cook has had numerous run-ins with the law and you have to worry about whether he can truly grow up and become an adult when he gets that first paycheck. The other issue that I think a lot of people overlook is that there is a history of fumbles here as well, and he’s not a terrific blocker at under 210 pounds. His explosiveness will make someone fall in love with him, but 13 career fumbles and off-the field issues would make the interview process with him extremely important. Read two different people compare him to Marshall Faulk.. if he can become anywhere between Faulk and Charles a team would be ecstatic. Would have him 7 points better without the off field stuff, almost off my board but not quite because the talent is crazy.
26. Cam Robinson, OT Alabama 86
Robinson was a highly decorated high school recruit when he signed with the Tide. Three years later on most draft boards Robinson is the highest rated tackle in the 2017 NFL Draft class. At 6’6 and around 315 pounds, Robinson has the size and length to play left tackle in the NFL which instantly increases his draft stock. Left tackles are increasingly hard to find in the league and Robinson possesses the quickness, length and size to play the spot. I love the power and punch that Robinson has and for someone who could potentially play on the blindside you don’t typically see his ability to drive defenders off the ball in the run game. He’s got good quickness and has great knee bend, rarely getting himself bullrushed and he doesn’t lose a lot when he gets off the ball on time. I worry a bit about his ability to get off the ball at times though as it seems his timing of the snap count is a tick late sometimes. He was protected somewhat given Alabama’s max protect schemes too, so you don’t see him in a lot of speed rusher one on one situations. While athletic and fairly quick he misses some blocks at the second level, particularly in the screen game where quick linebackers give him fits. He also doesn’t recover as well as I’d like when going against speed. He’s a good player, and a guy who definitely projects as a quality starter on the offensive line, he may be better suited to play as a right tackle given his power. You also have to be aware of some off the field red flags that could hurt his stock. That being said in a weak tackle class, it’s very unlikely he gets out of the top 25.
27. David Njoku, TE Miami 86
Njoku is an exceptionally athletic flex tight end who projects as a matchup nightmare in the NFL. At 6’4 and 245 pounds he has good size for a tight end and excellent tackle like length at 35 inch reach. You couple that with the fact that he jumped 7 feet in the high jump in high school and a 37.5 inch vertical a the combine and you have an excellent red zone threat. I was disappointed in his 4.64 at the combine as he looked like potentially a mid 4.5 guy on tape. Some people think his run blocking is going to improve, and it might but watching him against strong edge setters on tape, mainly the Pitt film, he got eaten alive. He works hard in the run game but simply doesn’t have the functional strength and poor technique as an-inline blocker at this point. I also worry a bit about dropped passes, I’ve seen a couple of people say he had 8 drops, and a few others say it was 11. That means his drop rate was somewhere between 11 and 15 percent, which is really high. He also is raw as a route runner and while he’s athletic and sometimes faster than his defenders he doesn’t set his routes up well. His NC State tape as a pass catcher was ridiculous, always open, making people miss, breaking tackles, great feel for the zone, the total package. To me the kid is going to be a really nice flex tight end who can eventually turn into a decent blocker because he puts in good effort there. I can’t rank him as high as Engram who was much more productive and was much faster, but he’s still a nice player who could find his way at the end of the first round or the beginning of round 2 which is where I’d look to snag him. He’ll be better in years 2 and 3 without question than he will be as a rookie. His talent is All-Pro so if you can get a good tight end coach the kid could be Travis Kelce/Greg Olsen type player.
28. Adoree Jackson, CB USC 86
A smaller corner at around 5’10 and 185 pounds, Jackson is an absolute freak athlete with elite speed and return ability. The reason Jackson shouldn’t fall out of the top 50 picks is because of his ball skills and return ability, the kid simply makes game-changing plays on a frequent basis. Jackson is arguably the best return man in this entire draft, which gives him a huge leg up and an enormous value boost if he was only a returner. That being said he shows good ball skills, runs a 10.4 100 meter, and is a fluid quick athlete. He’s small for an outside corner so there’s a chance he is limited to nickel or perhaps outside against quicker receivers. He also is mediocre in the run game and bigger receivers simply post him up to gain position. He also didn’t really use his safeties as well as you’d like, sometimes looking like he was excepting help when there wasn’t any or if there was he didn’t utilize them. I think these are things a top tier defensive coach can help fix but they are problems currently. Overall I think he’s a player who could go anywhere from 25-40 in this draft and someone will get a player who with 8 career return touchdowns is a true playmaker. I’m a fan, but his limited size means he has somewhat limited upside as a corner, but as a punt returner he’s truly elite.
29. Obi Melifonwu, S UCONN 86
If you’ve watched all four seasons of his tape at UCONN Melifonwu has improved every single season. His combine was literally one of the most insane things I’ve ever watched in my entire life. At 6’4 and 225 pounds he looks like a tight end or something and yet he plays a hybrid safety spot and runs a 4.40 40. He also jumped a stupid 44 inches in the vertical, and a 11’9 in the broad jump and actually looked disappointed in both scores when he finished. He’s a good tackler who likes to play downhill, and ended his senior season with almost 120 tackles. While he’s not great with the ball in the air on the deep ball, and I don’t think I’d want him to play free a lot of the time for me, he has improved in that area. To me I’m not sure exactly what he’ll be in the NFL and I don’t know with his overall lack of ball awareness and not ideal feel for the game if I could take him in round one. That being said damn the upside is through the roof, you just don’t see athletes like this guy come around often. His continued improvement means that even though he’s gotten better, he hasn’t come close to his ceiling yet.
30. Malik McDowell, DL Michigan State 86
McDowell might actually be the most talented player in this entire class. His physical tools are completely unbelievable. At 6’6 and around 285 pounds, McDowell played defensive tackle for Sparty but it sure seems like he’d be ideal at the 5 technique 34 defensive end spot. Despite his height, he typically plays with pretty good leverage and rarely gets above his pads. At times though he can struggle a touch with squattier offensive lineman and can get pushed back when he stops being disciplined and gets too high. He can play with a crazy amount of power and push when his motor is running hot and his Indiana film was absolutely insane, he completely dominated that game. His motor does run a bit hot and cold, which is troublesome but not all together unheard of when talking about true 5 star blue chip caliber players. He also typically is limited in his pass rush moves, using one on the outside and one on the inside and rarely goes with any counter moves. Overall the kid could turn out to be the best player in this draft, or depending on whether he goes to a good defensive coach who can help him out and keep him motivated, maybe he’d be an average starter. I could see someone falling in love with him in the top 10. That being said though he supposedly had literally the worst interviews at the entire combine, which means he drops out of round 1 for me. Talent wise he’s top 5, head and motor wise he’s round 4.
31. Alvin Kamara, RB Tennessee 86
A superb athlete with great measurable and high football IQ, Kamara leapt up the draft board throughout the pre-draft process. The guy is now firmly in the late first round discussion, despite only 8 career starts at the running back position. I actually love the fact he has so little wear on the tires, because it means he’ll still be in his prime by the end of his rookie contract, which isn’t a guarantee with running backs currently. Kamara seems to have a tremendous grasp of pass game concepts as well, showing good hands, great pass protection skills, and a nice feel for getting open in the pass game. As a running back he shows good balance and burst, and ends up using good vision to hit the hole hard. Kamara looks like he might be the best in some sort of a zone running scheme but uses a nice burst and explosiveness to get to the second level well. I’m worried about the fact that he doesn’t fall forward or run with as much power as I’d like for someone his size, but it’s not that he goes down easily, he just doesn’t push the pile as well as I’d like. His acceleration from zero to full speed is a step below elite. Overall the guy is a number one running back and will definitely be in the discussion at the end of round one. He could start right away and the low number of carries means he can play for a long time.
32. Zach Cunningham, LB Vanderbilt 86
This dude was built for today’s NFL. A fast, sideline to sideline linebacker who makes plays all over the field, Cunningham is going to be in the conversation in the first half of the first round. An extremely intelligent football player who understands schemes and angles, Cunnigham amassed almost 300 tackles in his career, playing with below average talent in front of him to keep him clean. He’s a guy who will be able to digest complex defensive schemes quickly, and therefore he can play and contribute as a top end player immediately in the league. I worry about a couple of things with Cunningham, however. One is he’s not the biggest inside linebacker in the world, weighing in around 225-230 pounds. If his combine numbers are closer to 235-240 it would certainly help his stock. I believe it is due to his lack of prototype size and aggressive nature that causes him to miss so many tackles, this season alone it was written he missed 19 tackles, the most in the entire country. Now some of this is attributed to the fact he’s around the football all the time, but the lack of consistency in tackling has to be a major cause for concern for some teams. Cunningham is very solid in the passing game, using quickness and smarts to matchup very well with virtually anyone on the opposing team. To me he looks like a 43 Will linebacker or a middle linebacker in a 34 for a team that is okay with a smaller, faster Mike. To me I like him in the back half of round one. He’s a good smart player but the missed tackles drove me nuts when I watched his tape.
33. Jourdan Lewis – Michigan 86
This kid is a football player, and one way or another I’d love to have him on my team. He might not be that ideal H/W/S combination at 5’10 and around 185 pounds but the kid is an excellent football player. He is extremely difficult to disengage with and is really good when he’s playing on the inside. He was an extremely productive player and he has over 40 career passes defended. He doesn’t have the size to play reliably against everybody on the outside so he’ll likely be an inside guy from the outset. He was an excellent gunner on special teams too which definitely increases his ability. He kind of reminds me a bit of Jason Verrett in that if he were 6’ and 200 pounds he’d likely be my number one rated corner in this class but being undersized will likely drop him out of round one. If he’s there at the beginning of round two I’d jump at the opportunity to get this guy on my team. He’s my stand on the table and make a case for him on draft day if he’s around in round 2.
34. Bucky Hodges, TE Virginia Tech 85
A complete matchup nightmare in terms of his ability to catch passes, Hodges has a tremendous size and athleticism combination. He’s such a freak athlete that his upside is literally as one of the better pass catching tight ends in the entire NFL. At 6’6 and 260 pounds, running a 4.57 40 with over an 11 foot broad jump is a rare combination. Hodges isn’t a great route runner yet and his feel for zone coverage is okay but not exceptional at this point. He wasn’t utilized much in Virginia Tech’s offense, but he still had solid production at the collegiate level. I absolutely love his willingness to fight for extra yards and go over the middle without any regard for his well being. The other part of this equation is that he’s not a very good blocker yet despite being willing in this area, he wasn’t asked to block in-line for the Hokies. He puts forth good effort and his length and size combination means that he could develop into a positive in this area, but he’s got a ways to go at this point. Overall someone with his size and athleticism doesn’t come around very often, and that combination makes him extremely enticing. I could see someone falling in love with him and pulling the trigger as early as the late first round, at worst the kid should not get out of the top 50, his upside is so high it’s scary.
35. Mitchell Trubisky, QB North Carolina 85
Trubisky will get you a wide variety of opinions in scouting circles. There are some things that are going to concern everyone, mainly the fact that Trubisky was only a one year starter in Chapel Hill. That means that virtually everything you get with him is going to translate into projection only territory. That’s always exceptionally worrying when you’re going to take a quarterback with your first round pick, because if you miss on him, you likely won’t have a job in two seasons. The other issue that he has is when pressured sometimes he’ll throw totally off platform which gives you a little bit of pause. When he does have to toss and not get his feet set he has a tendency to miss a couple of throws high. In college this seasons they didn’t hurt him but in projecting him to the next level that could cost him some first downs and interceptions. In the positives, you can definitely see why there are a lot of people thinking he could go as high as number two overall in the draft. He has excellent feet and mobility and uses them to escape pressure in the pocket or step up and make plays. Trubisky has a tight compact release that lets him get the ball out quickly, particularly when he’s rolling out of the pocket. He’s an accurate passer for the most part, but his receivers had the lowest drop rate in the NCAA this season, and the team threw a lot of bubble and tunnel screens. I think his arm strength is above average and he can make some really impressive throws at times. In a couple of the films I watched on him, Florida State and Stanford, he had two guys running across the field to his right and they opened up completely for him and he missed them wide. The Stanford tape showed some inadequacy in reading coverage, as the Cardinal mixed up looks giving him fits. I think Trubisky is a nice player, and he could project to be a quality tier starter in the NFL, but at this point you’re projecting him completely. His mobility, arm strength, size, and compact delivery give him a chance to be good, but it’d be very difficult for me to take him in the top 10 based on talent alone. I just wish I had more than one year sample size.
36. Deshaun Watson, QB Clemson 85
I actually like Watson probably more than most scouts, simply based on the fact that the kid is an absolute gamer. Watson won a ton of games for the Tigers, a lot of them simply because of blood and guts and he’s a guy you would absolutely love going to war with. He is extremely mobile, using both power and quickness in the run game to make plays with his legs. I think his arm is better than most scouts want to admit, and he drives his hips through the throw for the most part, being able to drive the ball at least at an average NFL quarterback rate. He has good pocket awareness, being sacked just 32 times in almost 1200 drop backs. He’ll stand in and take shots as well, waiting to allow receivers to gain separation. All of that being said there are a number of things that create cause for concern, including mediocre accuracy, which is a major problem. This past season he tried to do a bit too much early in the season, forcing too many throws into coverage. The turnovers this season are a problem, because if he does that against ACC defenses, only reading half the field, he’s going to have more turnovers at the next level. His deep ball accuracy is borderline as well. Watson’s frame is a bit more wiry than I’d like but that’s not a deal breaker for me because he can spin the football. To me it’d be tough to take Watson in the top 10 of this draft simply because there are a decent amount of question marks and there are pretty darn good players in this draft. That being said, he is a football and preparation junky, an exceptional leader, and he steps up against big time competition. If I needed a quarterback in the back half of round one, or with my second first round pick i.e. Cleveland, I would be willing to take a chance on Watson.
37. Budda Baker, S Washington 85
Baker is a really good overall football player who is going to be a nice player in the NFL. Everyone worries about the kid’s size based on the fact that he essentially was an in-the-box safety with the Huskies. At 5’10 and about 190 pounds there are some real limitations there as well considering he’s going to be asked to cover 6’4 tight ends consistently in the NFL and to me that means you simply can’t take him in the first round. That being said, Baker running a 4.45 40 as a safety means that the kid can cover slot receivers in the league, which is a huge boon to get for a box safety. Baker is a nice cover guy for slot guys as well as he mirrors much better than most safeties in this class so you can play him in centerfield or roll him down in 3 and 4 wide to cover shifty slot guys. The kid’s versatility and instincts, along with being highly coachable and competitive means he’s easily a round 2 guy for me. He doesn’t drive through guys as a tackler but he competes hard and doesn’t miss too many guys. His size is a factor but he’s a damn good overall player with good speed and instincts. His size means I simply can’t take him in round one because I worry about his ability to stay healthy and cover tight ends but I’d love him as my second selection in a draft class.
38. Justin Evans, SS Texas A&M 85
Yet again another stud safety prospect in a draft that’s full of them. Evans is a huge hitting safety with ball skills, a much appreciated combination of skills that means someone is going to fall in love with him and it might be me as an evaluator. He doesn’t have great size at 6’0 and 200 pounds, and he looks more like a corner but his man to man cover skills are pretty darn good when put in the slot. Playing away from the line as a deep man isn’t his best skill as he’s much better closer to the line or when allowed to play the low safety in an “odd-cover” set. That being said, I still think he can play centerfield because of his speed and instincts. He’s so aggressive that at times he can get caught out of position so you’re worried about play action early in his career. I think his ability to catch the football and smash people as a big hitter makes him extremely enticing. He’ll miss his share of tackles because of lack of size, and tight ends block him a bit easier than I’d like. That being said when he’s allowed to just run around and use his instincts and make plays he’s an extremely dynamic guy. He simply can’t escape round two, he’s too good for that. In a draft without so much depth at safety to me he could have found his way into round one as well. One of my “under-rated” guys.
39. Curtis Samuel, ATH Ohio State 85
The jack-of-all-trade Percy Harvin type role for Curtis Samuel came in with really positive results for the Buckeyes in 2016. Samuel was the only player in FBS to record 700 rushing and 700 receiving yards this season for Ohio State and did so despite being the focal point of opposing defensive game plans. He looked like he added about ten pounds between 2015 and 2016 and it showed as he ran with more power and even added some pass protection to is repertoire. The kid is simply an offensive weapon, with a ridiculous combination of short area quickness and elite long speed at 4.31. While he isn’t exactly big, he did end up weighing almost 200 pounds, which means he has the ability to withstand a bit more punishment than you’d think. He’s a really exceptional athlete and he can run a number of different route combinations, and he does a nice job finding spots and holes to sit down in the zone. Ovearll though he’s not really a true receiver or running back so he’ll have to be some sort of hybrid role in the NFL. I’m not sure where exactly I’d play him in the NFL but I think some sort of hybrid slot receiver and 3rd down running back responsibility would definitely make sense. I want him on my team and I’ll figure out a way to give him the ball 10 times per game and watch the homerun hitter make big plays.
40. Josh Jones, S NC State 85
Big time potential with Josh Jones, he’s got ideal H/W/S combination at 6’1 220 pounds and a ridiculous 4.41 in the 40. He’s a big time hitter when he’s left clean, as he explodes through ball carriers when he’s allowed to square them up, delivering shots. This past season he really became a dominant player, ending up with over 100 tackles and 11 passes defended. What I really enjoy about watching Jones’ tape though is everything he was asked to do in terms of coverage and assignment football. You could see him lined up in man to man on tight ends, wide receivers, slot guys, and even at times on running backs. Then you’ll see him play single high, the low 3 safety in a cover 3 look, and cover 2, as well as playing linebacker spots at times. This knowledge and ability to play all over the place is extremely valuable and tantalizing when you watch the tape. He does play a bit upright at times though, which allows for quicker shiftier guys to cause him some problems. Jones also gives a bit too much cushion, which seems strange because when you watch his tape his top end speed is really good, and his 40 time at the combine confirmed that. Sometimes despite his size he doesn’t get off blocks as well as you’d like either. Overall though I love this guy, and think I could see him going as early as the late first round. To me he’s in that discussion if you need a safety, he’s a really good player with a ton of upside. Early in his career he could be elite on special teams as well.
41. Patrick Mahomes, QB Texas Tech 84
Easy to call this kid a gunslinger and his tape will drive you nuts because he ALWAYS wants to go for the big play. That being said damn there is a lot to work with here. He’s got a gigantic arm and when he sees a big play down the field he’ll hang right in the pocket and deliver a strike. Mahomes doesn’t have perfect size at only 6’2 but he’s got a really good frame so I think he’ll hold up without any problem in the NFL. He’s got really good mobility and can threaten the defense with his ability to run and to throw. He’s definitely a street ball kid so a team that wants its quarterback to play within the system the kid simply isn’t going to be that guy. He’s quicker than fast, but at 4.80 the kid has decent speed, but mostly he makes people miss in the open field which is a nice trait for a guy who can move. He has a lightning quick release as well. That being said he’s going to have a HUGE learning curve going to the NFL as the Texas Tech offense is truly a spread game that doesn’t translate into the NFL. I really want the kid to figure out how to check it down and make the easy play more, because defenses gave him underneath throws at times and Mahomes simply said fuck it and tried to fit the ball into tight windows. There is so much talent here, and the kid plays with the most confidence of any player in this entire draft. Not the most confidence of the quarterbacks, I mean the most confidence of any PLAYER, which I love. That being said tons of talent, but he either needs to conform or a coach needs to let him go for it to work. I can’t tie my career to him as my first pick in a draft but if I’m a quarterback needy team in round two I wouldn’t hesitate to grab Mahomes and see if I couldn’t hit a homerun.
42. Jarrad Davis, LB Florida 84
There is a lot of things to like about Jarrad Davis but there are some issues that have him ranked lower than where most other scouts have him. Yes the kid can absolutely run and make plays but I’m a bit worried about some things that are going to be problematic in the NFL. He’s a good athlete, although you have to worry about how he’ll bounce back from his injury this season. Davis is good enough of an athlete that the Gators used him primarily as a spy when they wanted to rush and his ability to close on the ball carrier is as good as any linebacker in this draft. All of that said, he takes really bad angles at times to the ball getting himself out of position really often. He also just takes on blockers instead of trying to slip them, and at 235 pounds you simply can’t do that. The Alabama tape just had guys engulfing him and moving him out of the way. He attacks too hard downhill and while it looks like he’ll read the hole correctly, he attacks so hard that running backs can get behind him quickly. He simply fires his gun too early when asked to scrape down the line. Early in his career at Florida he was an elite special teams player and I believe he’ll do that role early in his NFL career as well. I love the kid, the leadership sounds like he’s spectacular in that regard but there are some holes here. I think he’s a 43 will, 34 ILB, but more likely a nickel linebacker who needs some clean up to his game. I like the kid, but he’s not a first rounder to me.
43. Gerald Everett, TE South Alabama 84
Super sleeper in this class who has really great potential to be one of the better tight ends in the league. He’s a 6’3 and 240 pounds and runs a really solid 4.6 40. He can create immediate separation the pass game and very rarely fights the football. He caught 90 passes the past two seasons. Everett is pretty good after the catch as well, giving him even more upside as a pass catcher. What I really like about Everett though is that the kid really blocks with violence. His technique isn’t good when he’s doing it yet, but he puts in a ton of effort and can create movement in the run game. Two major issues with Everett though is that he doesn’t run good routes or have good feel for the zone coverage yet. He also has really small hands at only 8.5” which means there could be some issues with catching in bad weather and fumbles.
44. Marlon Humphrey – Alabama 84
Humphrey is a prototype cornerback at 6’1, 200 pounds, and very solid top end speed. He has tremendous upside because you simply can’t teach his H/W/S combination. He’s a strong physical corner who attacks the flats and the apex of the route very well. Humphrey plays well in the run game, and ultimately might be the best corner in this draft playing the run and the flats, which could make him a really good zone corner in the league. My issues with Humphrey come more from poor footwork and inability to consistently locate the ball when it’s in the air. He gave up almost 20 yards per completion the past two seasons and didn’t have nearly the productivity you’d think, particularly with a front seven getting as much pressure as the Tide did. The kid is tough, fast, and athletic, and someone is going to pull the trigger on him very early because of those things. I completely understand why someone would want to do that, but if it were me, I think he really needs to hone in his technique or he’ll get picked on when he’s first getting into the league.
45. Taco Charlton, DE Michigan 84
A supremely talented but uneven player, Charlton is going to have someone fall in love with him during the draft process. He has prototypical size, length, and speed, making him an extremely attractive prospect. My issues with Charlton are the fact that his tapes are so difficult to digest because he can dominate at times and at other times on the same tape he can be blocked easily one on one, sometimes by a tight end. While he is explosive when blocked by mediocre offensive tackles, good players can get into his body and control him without much resistance. Some people think he can kick inside on pass rushing downs or play a 5 technique but he simply doesn’t play with a strong enough base to hold up full time in that role. To me he’s a 43 defensive end only, which to me limits what his upside is and what types of teams could take him in the draft. Now as a 43 defensive end he has great flexibility and his ability to drive through blockers and dip his shoulder to get the edge are as good as anyone’s in this entire draft class. Charlton has a nice counter move when he goes from rips and power to a spin move that he hasn’t quite perfected yet but could turn into a Freeney-esque move. There is a lot of potential here with Charlton, but if I’m an NFL GM there is simply no way that I could risk my job on him in the top 10-15 picks of this draft. I think the risk for him becomes good when he’s outside the top 20, but only if you need a 43 defensive end. Someone is going to take him early because of the talent, but likely he’d be too rich for me come draft day.
46. Raekwon McMillan, LB Ohio State 84
I’m a huge McMillan fan and think the kid is going to be an extremely solid starter in the NFL for a long time. He’s a tough guy, with good size at 6’2 and around 240 pounds and ran a solid 4.61 40 at the combine, answering a lot of the pure speed questions that some scouts had on him. I think he’s much more of a throwback type player, showing the ability to avoid blockers but mostly using proper leverage to take them on and move them back into the hole. He can shuck them and get to the ball carrier too, a skill that a lot of the other sideline to sideline inside backers don’t do very well. He’s good but not great in the pass game which is going to lead some people to wonder if he can play all three downs. I believe he can in the NFL and the size at 240 pounds with that 4.61 was enough to help me believe he can do that at a high level. To me he’s a quality player with a high floor, and a guy who will likely register 100 tackles per season and be a solid starter for a long time. Very safe, high quality selection on day 2 of the draft.
47. Howard Wilson - CB Houston 84
Wilson has all the desired traits you’d want from a 6’1 and 185 pounds, although you’d like him to add about 10 pounds of muscle at some point in his career. He ran a mid 4.5 40 yard dash which was pretty decent given his height and length. He’s a good smooth athlete and looks comfortable in his backpedal, showing good instincts and tremendous playmaking ability. He averaged an interception once on every 15 attempts against him, an incredible rate. His tape this season was really good, and there are a number of people, myself included who think WIlson would have been a first round pick had he waited one more year to come out. He played a lot of off man and bail coverage at Houston so it’s tough to really see what he’s totally capable of so his rookie year may be more of a special teams / redshirt season. He’s still pretty raw and only has one year as a starter in a lower conference so you’re going to have to be patient his first year or two. That being said I really believe the kid is going to turn into an above average starting cornerback in the NFL with the ability to take the football away at anytime. He’s one of my favorite sleeper players in this draft, I wouldn’t hesitate to use a second round pick on him, great tape.
48. Ryan Switzer, WR North Carolina 84
My favorite sleeper player in this entire draft. I’ve been very adept at picking out the dangerous slot receivers and moving them adequately up draft boards the past few seasons, namely Keenan Allen and Jamison Crowder. At this point Switzer is that type of guy for me in the 2017 draft. At only 5’8 and 181 pounds Switzer doesn’t have NFL size by any stretch of the imagination, but the guy has toughness for days and his quickness and hands are absolutely elite. I don’t use that term often but this guy definitely has elite traits. The kid is an All-American punt returner as well, bringing back 5 punts for touchdowns in his career in Chapel Hill. Couple that with a really good 4.51 40 at the combine for someone with his quickness and to me you’ve got a second round slot receiver, which is exceptionally rich for a role player who is undersized but I think the kid is special. I know the kid is going to slip to day 3 in the draft because it’s tough to convince a GM to use a day 2 pick on a 5’8 kid who has no shot to play outside. Let them all make the mistake and if you need a return man with elite quickness who catches freaking everything grab Switzer in round three and watch your chains move for years .
49. Deshone Kizer, QB Notre Dame 83
I think this kid is one of the two most talented quarterback in the 2017 NFL Draft (Mahomes). He also may be the most pro ready, coming from a hybrid but mostly NFL system for the Golden Domers. At 6’4 and 235 pounds he has ideal size for an NFL quarterback and a very plus arm. Kizer can absolutely do everything you’d want in a prototype quarterback for an NFL franchise. He seems to be a bright kid and when he gets time and into a rhythm he can really make plays. Kizer is also very mobile and a true dual threat particularly in the red zone where he posted 18 rushing scores the past two seasons. All of that sounds great but you have some real red flags when you watch his tape. Primarily he’s inconsistent with accuracy and decision making, those are major problems that just jump off the screen. He throws too many interceptions, misses too many anticipation throws, and will drop his eyes which just drives me nuts. When he gets rhythm and gets the ball out on his first read Kizer is electric, but he gets “stuck” really often. The Stanford tape was so bad for this, Stanford, which runs a complex defensive NFL type scheme against pro-style system just gave him fits. That tape dropped him a lot on my board. Overall the kid has every athletic and size trait you’d want in an NFL guy, but the lack of consistent accuracy and forcing throws to his firs tread means I simply couldn’t take him with my first pick. As a second round guy though there is so much to work with here that you could find a high upside guy in a couple of years.
50. Cordrea Tankersley – Clemson 83
Tankersley is a really nice football player who does a lot of things well. He’s got pretty good size at over 6 feet tall and 200 pounds. Tankersley has tremendous ball skills and showed a ton of production the past two seasons getting 9 interceptions and 21 pass break ups. He isn’t great in the run game and misses some tackles at times particularly in space. He does a decent job keeping contain though on the outside when in the run game. He’s a bit stiff when he plays bail technique, and it leads to him giving up a number of underneath throws. He doesn’t panic a ton but I think when he gets beat he doesn’t recover as well as some others and therefore he’ll have his share of penalties. Tankersley is particularly weak when trying to defend in-breaking routes, and mesh or drag routes cause him trouble. However on outside routes he might be the best corner in this draft, and I believe he does a well above average job on getting into the right spot in zone. He’s a complete player against the pass in that he can play both man and zone. Most people who are analytics junkies are going to really like Tankersley, as he typically has very good grades with those scouts. For me I believe he is an outside corner who projects likely more as a number 2 corner in the NFL with an ability to play both man and zone. He’s a day 2 guy and a really solid player.
51. Takkarist McKinley, Edge UCLA 83
A non polished good athlete at defensive end. McKinley gives you great effort on each snap and absolutely comes after you every single snap. He has really good length at almost 35 inch arm length and with sub 4.6 speed the kid gives you a lot of tools in the toolbox with which to work. He has very few counter moves in terms of being a pass rusher and as a rookie almost all of his production is going to come against below average tackles and tight ends or with hustle sacks. He’s extremely raw in terms of hand placement and technique as a pass rusher. That being said his pure speed and length is going to create some problems once he gets coached up at the NFL level and he could turn into a plus pass rusher at times. His length and work ethic makes him decent against the run already as well. At around 250 pounds he projects much better as a 34 OLB or a pass rush specialist in nickel situations in a 3 point stance. He lacks ideal bend too so there are a couple of things that would worry you. To me the kid is a second round pass rusher with a good work ethic and tools to develop. I like him but can’t take him on day one in this draft.
52. Gareon Conley – Ohio State 83
A height weight speed prototype cornerback at 6’1 and 200 pounds running likely in the mid 4.4 range. Conley is exactly what you’re looking for when you draw up a cornerback prospect. Conley loves playing press coverage and his trail technique with length makes him an ideal bump and run corner. He struggles a bit in off coverage as even though he’s extremely athletic I think he’s a bit rough in his transitions. I struggle at times watching him because while he looks good in zone coverage, when he’s off the ball in man he can get caught looking or get caught flat footed. I like his eye discipline for the most part and he gets deep enough in zones to cause problems for quarterbacks. The major issue I have with Conley though is there are teams that will definitely take him off their boards because he struggles in off man and he’s well below average against the run. His Michigan tape wasn’t very good, as Darboh got a ton of inside releases on him and the crossing routes gave him problems. If he’s stuck on an island and is asked to just play bump and run with trail he’s as good as anyone in this class but he needs help with technique and has to get stronger against the run. To me he’s a day 2 corner.
53. Tim Williams, Edge Alabama 83
It’s not that I don’t like Tim Williams, I really do when he’s asked to do one thing, go get the quarterback. I think other than Garrett and Barnett he’s arguably the third best edge rusher in this entire draft class. My issue with Williams is that he doesn’t really do anything else at an NFL caliber level. He’s not strong enough against the run, but if he adds too much weight to stop the run I think he’ll lose his best asset which is his quick twitch and ability to make tackles swing and miss. His pass rush technique I think is pretty high level and he can use counter moves to set up tackles all game. Now I thought he was going to explode and be a top 10 guy this year when he came back and now there’s no way I can take him in round one. He’s got 32 inch reach and at a light 244 pounds decent size offensive tackles can move him and engulf him. That being said the kid is a premier situational pass rusher, those people don’t escape the second round and I needed one I’d grab him in round two.
54. Chris Wormley, DL Michigan 83
I think Wormley is one of the most underrated and underappreciated players in the 2017 draft class. I love him as a 34 defensive end who can kick inside on passing downs. He’s 6’5 and around 300 pounds and very well built with good movement skills for his size, creating problems consistently. He sets the edge well and can control offensive linemen with his size and length. I think he’s a bit raw and underdeveloped as a pass rusher but he plays with a good edge and has over 30 tackles for loss in his career. I don’t think he has the true quickness to play consistently as a dominant pass rusher but the kid is a really good player. I think his tape is pretty damn good and to me he was probably the most underrated defender on one of the best defenses in the nation. He’s a solid, athletic starting 34 defensive end with upside when a good defensive line coach gets him some pass rush moves and counters.
55. John Johnson, S Boston College 83
I think there are a lot of teams in the NFL who are going to like the film they see when they watch John Johnson. I heard someone give a comparison to Micah Hyde and I immediately loved it, so I’m stealing it on here. (It was Erik Lambert of nflmocks.com) The kid is a hybrid corner/safety and has experience playing both roles, and it totally shows up on tape. When he plays in the slot he has as good of a feel and fluidity as any safety in the class in one on one situations, meaning you can play a lot more base sets and just slide him down to the slot. As a deep guy he’s a bit passive, he lets the ball get on him or he takes these long safe routes to the football instead of being aggressive and attacking the route. His coaches absolutely rave not only about his football IQ but about him as a person as well. There also is a chance the kid is the most polished special teams player in the nation as well, as he had 30 special teams tackles the past three seasons. He’s not great with the ball in the air but other than that the kid is a reliable solid smart kid with a lot of athleticism and smooth hips. I may be in the minority but I’d take him in round 2 with ZERO hesitation.
56. Nathan Peterman, QB Pittsburgh 83
There is an awful lot to like about Peterman as an NFL quarterback prospect. Watching him on tape there were some good things to see but I wasn’t that impressed until I really started digging in to his tape and then he clearly showed some NFL starting quarterback qualities. The past two seasons he did a really nice job playing in a complex pro-style type offense finishing with over 5000 yards and 47 touchdowns passing with only 14 interceptions. There are times that he sails his throws and his accuracy isn’t as good as you’d like on intermediate throws, sometimes completing passes that get 8-12 yards downfield and limiting RAC yards. His deep ball accuracy though is really good, perhaps even the best in this quarterback class. In watching a few of his game tapes though his receivers definitely did not help him as much as you’d like and they dropped a decent amount of big plays down the field. He’s got a good arm and shows really nice pocket awareness and mobility, able to get to the second level and make plays with his feet either running or by getting away and making big throws down the field. There are some times I just want the kid to check the ball down and take the six or eight yard completion instead of trying to make an eighteen yard sideline comeback route. His Clemson tape was exceptional, even though he sailed some throws particularly at the end. I would take this kid on day two without any hesitation though and I think he’s closer to the top 4 quarterbacks in this class than what most analysts think he is.
57. Jaleel Johnson - DT Iowa 83
My absolute favorite sleeper pick in this entire draft is Jaleel Johnson from Iowa. The kid can absolutely bench press offensive lineman and go straight through them to the quarterback. It’s very rare to see a true defensive tackle lead a team in sacks and tackles for loss but that’s exactly what Johnson did this year for the Hawkeyes. He’s got really good length at 33+ inch arms for a defensive tackle and weighs a solid 315 pounds, using a great punch to get guards onto their heels. Johnson is quick off the ball and uses initial quickness to create problems for slower offensive lineman, and his ability to dip and use quickness means he wins a lot of one on ones on passing downs. I love the kid’s motor as well, he seems to just always play through the whistle. I love how he gets off the snap and his initial burst and quickness lets him get into the shoulders of guards and centers so they can’t square him up. Teams don’t love how he holds up against double teams but honestly I think he does a pretty decent job. Yes at times he can play too straight up and lose that leverage but overall he will get doubled and do his damndest to disengage and get off and still make plays. At worst he gives up a little ground but it’s not enough to be a red flag for me. I like the kid a lot, and I think he can be a really good player as a 3 technique and at worst as a high quality pass rushing defensive rotational guy.
58. Marcus Williams, S Utah 83
One of the guys who is quietly jumping up draft boards when people are getting more and more tape on the guy. His combine definitely helped him out and gave him a higher grade on some boards, but for me it made me go back and watch another two games that he did and I came away very impressed. It’s obvious to everyone that the kid is an absolute ball hawking beast as a safety and he can make plays all over the field. He had a ridiculous amount of turnovers caused for the Utes over the past few years, and when he had a vertical of 43.5 inches at the combine it all made more sense. He isn’t a big hitter but he’s a reliable tackler who does a nice job against the run although he isn’t going to scare anyone crossing the middle, five years ago that was a problem but not with the current days’ NFL rules. I really like the kid as a starting free safety in the NFL. If he can maintain his speed and athleticism while adding ten pounds of muscle, the guy could end up being a difference maker on the back-end.
59. Tarell Basham - DE Ohio 82
I’m a big fan of Basham and think that he could find himself picked somewhere in the middle of Day 2 if everything falls right. Basham was the MAC player of the year this season and showed tremendous versatility and productivity for the Bobcats. What makes me so intrigued and excited about Basham is the fact that he played defensive tackle early in his career, but has the athleticism to drop into coverage now and ran a 4.70 40 at the combine as well. When you can do that at 6’4 and 270 pounds, while also playing with good burst and power, you have a lot to work with. He isn’t a refined pass rusher, simply utilizing his overwhelming size and power against lesser competition in the MAC. I thought he was played very well during Senior Bowl week but his combine was underwhelming. Fifteen reps on the bench was definitely disappointing but his long arms is a major reason for that, and he plays with pretty good power on film. That being said, despite his size and length he is definitely going to need to get stronger to disengage at the NFL level. I think he’s a good NFL prospect already but there’s potential here for him to get really good. For teams that use multiple schematic fronts (i.e. New England, Houston, Seattle) he could be a really good fit and there’s no way he should get out of day 2, in my opinion if you have a place for him you could take him in the second round.
60.. Teez Tabor – Florida 82
A nice player and potentially a first round cornerback. Tabor has really good size at 6’0 and 201 pounds. He looks much more confident playing off, and it seems like he has some fear in terms of getting beat over the top. Due to that he can definitely give up the underneath throws at time which is a bit frustrating but he does seem to understand down and distance fairly well. This became much more obvious at the combine when he ran a 4.63 40, showing he simply didn’t trust his speed. He has the quickness to run the underneath routes and can definitely high/low in coverage. He is not good in the run game and doesn’t show a great willingness to mix it up. He’s definitely quicker than fast so he may need to start his career on the inside for year one or two until he can get acclimated to the speed of the game. Overall though he’s a really good cover corner who has a borderline first round talent. He also has some character questions and you hear consistent things about those issues. In this year I think Tabor is a second round prospect mostly due to his fear of getting beat over the top, lack of straight line speed, and character issues. Being poor in the run game isn’t a deal breaker for me at this specific position.
61. T.J. Watt, OLB Wisconsin 82
I like T.J. Watt, but not nearly as much as other people do. I don’t get how people can take him in round one as their first pick in a draft when he simply doesn’t have that much tape or anything that really jumps out to you when you watch is film. He’s got good length and is strong at the point of attack but I’m not really sure where I’d like to play him. He’s around 255 pounds and 6’4 so I’m guessing maybe base end in a 43 defense because he plays so hard at the snap that he could potentially hold up against the run. I almost think he’s kind of a tweener in the NFL meaning maybe you’d move him to defensive end in sub packages and then 43 stand up linebacker in a base. Overall the kid is really solid, he can do a lot of things pretty well and nothing exceptionally well. I think he’s a guy who could play as a nice piece for a long time but very little star potential here. A solid starter who can cover a bit, can tackle well, and is a nice pass rusher. None of those things jumps off the screen but if you want a solid guy who can do a little bit of everything and will work his ass off, I’d take Watt on day 2 and watch him be a quality starter.
62. Dorian Johnson, G Pittsburgh 82
Dorian Johnson is a solid guard with really good length who has ended up playing at a very high level for Pittsburgh over the last four seasons. At 6’5 and 315 pounds, his playing weight, with good movement skills, Johnson has prototype size and length for an guard and typically he plays with nice leverage. His upside as an interior pass protector is extremely high as he has 35 inch arms and plays with tackle feet, allowing him to mirror better than most interior guards. He’s quick and does a really nice job getting to the second level and he rarely misses once he gets there. Johnson shows good initial push and burst out of his stance but lacks the raw power to finish blocks and at times he allows players to get off his initial punch. He carries his weight really well though so he could definitely continue to add strength once he gets into the league. I like the kid quite a bit, seems like he really understands football and he’s rarely tricked or confused. He’s a starting guard in the NFL for a long time and likely a day one starter for whomever drafts him. Day 2 kid no question.
63. Jordan Willis, DE Kansas State 82
If you want to talk about someone who really raised their stock at the combine with a great showing look no further than Jordan Willis. Willis had pretty decent tape but there were some questions about his athleticism and whether or not he had the explosiveness to win one on one with athletic NFL tackles. Everyone wondered about his quickness and speed and then he goes out and runs a 4.53 with top marks in the 3 cone and short shuttle, answering those questions easily. A kid who produced at a very high level, he ended up being the defensive player of the year in the Big 12 Conference. I love Willis’ ability to create havoc with effort. He plays with heavy hands for someone who only weighed in at 254 pounds, but does a great job stacking up lineman and setting the edge, he did it against quality tackles as well, not just picking on weak guys to rack up huge numbers. When Bill Snyder says he’s a huge fan of everything about you, you stand up and listen. That being said he doesn’t do a fantastic job of mixing up his pass rushing moves, and therefore he’ll have to do a number of different things to improve that aspect of his game. I do like how he sets the edge and plays with good leverage to keep the play inside where help can come. He’s a really nice player who answered a lot of questions at the combine. To me he likely won’t escape the second round and with tremendous effort and good athleticism the kid will likely be a good player in the NFL.
64. Carl Lawson, DE Auburn 82
This guy is an interesting prospect to evaluate for a couple of different reasons. The first issue with Lawson is going to of course be all the games he missed throughout his career with Auburn. A torn ACL followed by a hip injury meant that Lawson missed 19 games over two seasons and to be honest it looks like he lost a big of the explosiveness that made him so scary his first season on campus. The second issue I have with Lawson is he doesn’t have ideal length or height meaning that tackles with long arms are going to be able to hold their own against Lawson. On the positive side though Lawson is a strong kid, weighing in around 265 pounds and able to set the edge with ease for the mostpart. He’s one of the better one on one tacklers at defensive tackle, rarely missing tackles and being a sure tackler. Lawson also has good straight line speed but the ACL injury definitely impacted his quickness. I think he’s a good pass rusher who does well when he’s allowed to simply get into a tackle’s frame or rip and dip underneath them. I don’t know if he’s a 10 sack a year guy, but he’s a nice piece. To me, I like Lawson but he’s not a perfect prospect and the injury history is clearly a problem. I’d take him in round two if I needed a 43 defensive end but simply can’t take him in the first with lack of length, explosiveness, and injury history.
65. Marlon Mack - RB South Florida 82
This is a guy who is a prime candidate to be this year’s Jordan Howard. Mack has excellent short area quickness and is extremely difficult to bring down in a phonebooth. I love how shifty he is and he can make people miss and shift into a forward gear extremely well. A couple of runs against Cincinnati made me absolutely say wow in terms of his ability to make people miss and then turn on his 4.50 speed in the open field. Mack seems to have tremendous lateral ability and he can get to top speed very quickly. He has good skills in the pass game, primarily as a receiver who can run go routes or in the screen game. Mack’s not a refined route runner by any stretch but he’ll have to end up catching passes mostly out of the backfield, and he’s adequate as a pass protector at this point. Mack’s size at 215 pounds and speed and quickness make him a really solid draft prospect. He doesn’t run with great power though, and he likes to bounce outside more often than you’d like, a common mistake made by college runners. I would expect him to clean that up at the NFL level. This guy can absolutely be a starter in the NFL and at worst he’s a quality rotational running back. I’d take him on day 2 if I needed a running back.
66. Damontae Kazee, CB San Diego State 82
This kid is a really good football player who might not have ideal size, but definitely has ideal productivity. At 5’10 without great long speed people might wonder why I think the kid could and should be at worst a second round pick and it’s because when you watch his tape he’s a player. He won the MWC defensive player of the year twice, had 16 career interceptions, and he had 43 pass breakups over the past three seasons. Despite his size he looks comfortable in press, when he was asked to do it over and over again at the Senior Bowl practices, he looked very good. His ability to change direction quickly allows him to play inside, where he will likely start his NFL career. In zone coverage he’s a bit of gambler, and double moves and play action while he’s facing a quarterback can cause him problems. That being said his route recognition in off man and zone is as good as anyone I’ve scouted this year. Yes of course he’s not a great matchup corner at 5’10 and 183 pounds running a 4.54 40, but his quickness and route recognition, along with the best ball skills in this class means the kid shouldn’t escape round two. I like the kid and he’s a good football player.
67. Demarcus Walker - DE Florida State 81
Honestly I’m not quite sure why he isn’t rated higher on a lot of draft boards. The kid did have 16 sacks this year in the ACC, and garnered All-American honors because of high level productivity. He played in 90 percent of the team’s snaps in 2016 which is a huge number for someone who weighs in at 280 pounds. I think Walker is a guy whose size gives him a unique opportunity to play 3 different spots on a defensive line, including the 3 technique on passing downs as well as the 5 technique in a 34 front or a base 43 defensive end. He plays with power and is an effective tackler, meaning he’ll be able to set the edge even as a 34 defensive end. His motor is inconsistent but I firmly believe that’s because he simply played too many snaps, if he’s asked to play 75 percent or 65 percent his effort and consistency will improve. He’s not quick, but he can redirect and counter on pass rush moves to get to the quarterback. His lack of initial quickness means his range is limited as a tackler or on chase-down plays on the backside. Good football awareness, 8 passes deflected in his career and does a good job finding the football. His Ole Miss tape was stupid good. I know he’s not rated this highly on many draft boards but the kid is a second round pick, I love versatility, availability, and production and the kid has all 3.
68. DeDe Westbrook, WR Oklahoma 81
A small super fast receiver with elite return ability, Westbrook is going to have a major impact on special teams immediately when he comes into the league. He has the chance to be the best return man in this entire class. Westbrook is only around 175 pounds and about 5’10 so he’s clearly very undersized; but at a 4.39 in his 40 and averaging a ridiculous 16 yards per punt return, he gives teams a dynamic player in that role. I think he’s a bit better as a receiver prospect than a lot of people give him credit for though. While he likely won’t play all the time on the outside as he doesn’t know how to get off a jam yet, he could by electric in the slot. You do have to worry about a few major things though, primarily his lack of size and serious medical issues mostly dealing with concussions. Anytime that comes into play it really does raise serious red flags. It also to me drops his grade out of the first two rounds. If he didn’t have that issue I’d love him in round two as a playmaker in the return and passing game. The other major issue is the fact that he simply can’t block due to lack of size. These things mean that he definitely has late first or early second round talent but the medical and size problems mean I couldn’t take him until my third selection of the draft.
69. Antonio Garcia, OT Troy 81
Garcia has a very tough time keeping weight on, consistently weighing around 285 pounds during the season. That’s fine when playing against lower tier competition, is going to be a big problem trying to stop bullrushers in the League. I like how athletic and long he is though, giving him a nice ability to potentially play on the left side in the NFL although the uptick in competition means it may take an extra year to add the weight and pick up the game pace. His Clemson tape gives you a glimpse of what he can be, and it was a really good tape. He has a great slide step and really does a nice job using his hands to keep himself clean. Power rushers can get inside of him at times though because he doesn’t have great power so his inability to anchor may cause some issue. I worry a bit because he gets a bit grabby when people get into his chest because he lacks ideal power. Overall though I like the guy and wouldn’t hesitate to use a third round selection on him, maybe as early as a mid to late second, particularly if you’re confident you can get him up to 300+ pounds.
70. Adam Shaheen, TE Ashland 81
Good lord this kid has ridiculous h/w/s and could be a complete nightmare for defensive coaches if he is given time to develop. At 6’6 and 275 pounds, the kid is essentially a glorified tackle who can run a 4.75 40 with soft hands. He set a division II record for receptions as a junior, and then as a senior he just ended up with a mere 16 touchdowns. Shaheen isn’t a great blocker yet, but he wants to be, his technique is just sloppy and he bends at the waist instead of getting into a good stance. That can definitely be corrected as can obvious route running, which is going to take a lot of reps and time. As a pass blocker he’s much further along, but again he was essentially the size of a tackle and at the D2 level he just overwhelmed mediocre talent, in the NFL he’s got a lot of growth to do. Shaheen has a ton of work to do to become the player he can be, as his route running and run blocking aren’t great and he doesn’t do tremendously well after the catch yet. Overall, I’d love if my team took him in round 3 because he has the size and speed to be a scary player. It’ll definitely take a year or most likely two to develop him but there’s potential here to be a stud.
71. Desmond King, S Iowa 80
A ball hawking productive cornerback who will have to make the transition to safety in the NFL due to lack of speed and quickness. King is a good football player who lacks the ideal traits necessary to play man to man corner in the NFL. Therefore with his football IQ and instincts along with decent size, King will likely be able to make a smooth and easy transition to free safety in the league as long as a defensive coordinator falls in love with King as a zone corner. The kid is a good tackler and does a good job when he’s asked to play press, but I think what makes him such a good player is his ability to read and react and understand complex route combinations. One of the things I love to do as a scout is watch players from certain programs because you know they’re well coached and at Iowa they are as prepared to enter the league as any school in the country. Desmond King is no exception. It’s tough to give him a true grade because I think 24-28 teams are really going to view him as a safety and I definitely will as well. To me he’s a day 2 guy at free safety, and by playing almost half the special teams snaps in 2016 the kid will immediately help there as well and ups his grade. Nice player with some limitations but huge football IQ and a tremendous ball hawk means he can’t escape the second day.
72. Cooper Kupp, WR Eastern Washington 80
I was really upset that Kupp ran a 4.6 at the combine, because if he ran low 4.5’s he would have legitimately been a late first round prospect. Now he’s a mid second to mid third round guy as his explosiveness and speed were never going to be elite but now that he’s below average on that spot you have to re-evaluate the situation. Kupp is the most productive receiver in FCS history, with all four seasons over 1400 receiving yards. He’s an exceptional route runner, particularly in the slot when he can utilize the entire field. At 6’2 and 205 pounds he’s got decent size for the position and his routes are so crisp that he doesn’t have to change his speed to come back and find the ball giving him better run after the catch than a 4.6 athlete should have. He tries to block well and puts in the effort in that situation. The kid is a good football player and projects as a nice second or third receiver in the NFL who can turn into a nice move the chains piece.
73. Caleb Brantley, DT Florida 80
Some people really like Caleb Brantley, I just simply don’t see how someone could take him in the first round. The Alabama tape was not good, he got beat up by those linemen. His chase-down effort wasn’t great, effort on double teams is good but he’s not great at holding up in that scenario. Brantley can get washed out against a decent double team, allowing athletic lineman to get to the next level. Good initial quickness and strong punch. I know other people love him, I’m not that high on him. I think he’s got that nice quickness but damn he didn’t play many snaps, doesn’t kill against double teams, and doesn’t have a ton of production. There’s talent here but I wouldn’t take him in round one. He’s more of a projection than anything else with one really nice trait, interior pass rush quickness. Somewhere on day 2.
74. Charles Harris, DE Missouri 80
Most everyone sees Harris as a first round pass rusher, grabbing 9 sacks this past season for a bad Missouri team. For me I just don’t see it, the guy doesn’t have long arms and can get engulfed by decent sized offensive tackles or even decent tight ends. He’s okay against the run but simply doesn’t get off blocks well enough consistently against the run. Harris does a nice job converted speed to power early in a snap and can use a couple of inside counters when quarterbacks step up in the pocket. A number of his sacks were simply effort plays or pocket collapsing plays where he closed. I don’t see him killing people off the edge, particularly in the NFL. Harris can be a nice edge player in the league but so much of it depends on just allowing him to penetrate and not to set the edge or keep his gap. In 2016 when he was asked to not just get up the field his tape was not first day tape, not even second round tape. Scheme is very important. The kid might be pretty good, but right now I simply can’t take him anywhere in the top 40.
75. Chad Hansen - WR California 80
I think Hansen is a receiver who should go on the second day of the draft. He’s been steadily rising up draft boards due to his combination of size, straight line speed, and his ability to make tough contested catches. Hansen is really good with the football in the air, using his 6’2 frame and an excellent ability to track the deep ball to come down with really difficult 50/50 passes. He doesn’t create much separation on short or intermediate routes because he runs his routes much too upright and doesn’t wind down at the top of the tree. He wasn’t asked to run many routes at Cal and therefore his first season will likely be a difficult transition because he doesn’t do a great job of getting open quickly. It’s something he can work on and get better at in the NFL and if he can with good size, contested ball skills, and a 4.53 40 means he has the potential to be a really good player. He does a good job sustaining blocks, he crashes down and will put his nose in on outside runs as well. I’d like for him to not body catch the football as much and to work on initial quickness against press but Hansen is a good player who at worst will be a number 3 in the NFL. He projects though likely as a number two and if he goes to a good quarterback and receivers coach he could end up a borderline one. If my team took him in round 3 I’d be ecstatic and round 2 is where he should be drafted.
76. Ryan Anderson, LB Alabama 79
A solid football player who will likely play either a 43 sam or a pass rushing outside linebacker in a 34 set. I think Anderson is a nice player who represents a nice safe pick as a starter for a number of seasons in the NFL. My major issue with Anderson is I think he has a relatively low ceiling. He’s not really quick or long for the position and while he was pretty productive for the Crimson Tide, most of his sacks were simply effort plays. He plays the game so hard that he’ll end up getting a number of plays throughout the course of the season based on effort, but he doesn’t win quickly with speed or power often. He’s okay dropping into coverage but a 4.78 in the 40 with moderate quickness I don’t think he’s going to be a great cover linebacker. To me Anderson is a nice player who does a lot of things well but nothing great. Someone will likely take him as a nice safe pick in round two, but unless I had a big need there I would likely let him go into round 3 before snatching up a quality high floor low ceiling guy.
77. Zay Jones, WR East Carolina 79
I love this kid as a complementary receiver at the NFL level. He’s definitely not a first round guy as he lacks the elite traits you’d look for but he’s plus in size at 6’2 and a 4.45 40 which are nice combinations of H/W/S. He’s a nice player who was extremely productive and had a ridiculous 399 catches in his career for East Carolina. He didn’t really have many explosive plays there though, this past season averaging less than 11 yards per catch. He was really impressive in his Senior Bowl week and it definitely moved him into a top 2 day selection. Jones to me is a solid slot or second option in the NFL. He’s not a guy who is going to make anybody miss in the open field and doesn’t have tremendous 50/50 ball skills but he’s a good route runner and he is excellent when he finds a hole in the zone to create first downs.
78.. JuJu Smith-Schuster, WR USC 79
A tough, physical possession receiver with the ability to move the chains consistently. Smith-Schuster is a good football player and while his lack of speed and ability to separate cause some problems for scouts, myself included, you simply can’t question the kid’s toughness. He has zero fear catching the football in traffic and while he’s not huge at almost 6’2 and 215 pounds he’s a big enough target to come down with a number of 50/50 balls. He’s not exceptional in getting himself open as he doesn’t have an elite quickness or speed combination but his abilty to catch contested footballs make him a nice security blanket for quarterbacks. He doesn’t have the ability to be a true number one receiver but he projects as a really solid number two or three. Smith-Schuster is a very good blocker for a receiver and he set up a lot of long running plays for that offense setting the edge on cracks or holding his own on corners. He’s also physical after he catches the ball, getting upfield for extra tough yardage consistently. I like the kid.
79. Sidney Jones – Washington 79
I really like Jones’ ability to cover on the outside, and he has the best eyes of any corner in this entire draft class. He’s an aggressive corner when the ball is in the air and attacks it with a vengeance. Jones has either deflected or intercepted over 20% of the balls thrown his way the past two seasons which is exceptionally elite. I love his height at 6’1 and he’s got long arms, which help him a lot when he walks down and plays press. Despite only weighing around 170 pounds, Jones gives a really good punch off the line and does an excellent job rerouting receivers. He’s very solid in man but I believe he could be a really good off man or zone corner as well because of his aggressive behavior and ability to trust his eyes. His lack of an ideal frame and being so light is going to end up being a problem in the league as bigger receivers can get off his jam and use their bodies to catch the ball in traffic. He does a good job mirroring, but 220 pound receivers are going to give him problems. Jones also isn’t terrible against the run but bigger backs are going to give him fits and he doesn’t do a great job getting off blocks. For the long-term approach for Jones I think he’s got the highest upside in this draft in terms of being a true cover corner. He’s a playmaker on the backend who can start immediately getting in the league. I worry about his size and being decent but not great against the run. He was my number one corner before his post-season injury and had a grade very close to 90.
80. Jordan Leggett - TE Clemson 79
An athletic tight end with prototypical size at 6’5 and 260 pounds, Leggett is how you’d draw up an NFL tight end prospect. He’s got good quickness but was a bit sloppy as a route runner, meaning that most of his separation was simply due to the Clemson offense. His speed is better than most tight ends as well, somewhere in the 4.65-4.7 range and his athleticism was on display frequently, including in Clemson’s biggest games. He has good hands and snatches the ball out of the air most of the time, rarely being a body catcher. Most scouts think his effort on blocking isn’t great, and I can definitely see that but he has all the traits necessary to turn into a big time blocker with 33.5 inch arms, as good as many tackles in this class. He lacks the play power but seems to have a decent burst out of his stance when asked to block, just doesn’t sustain as well as you’d like. I think he’s not quite on the level as some of the other top tight ends in this class but he’s not far behind. I could see someone taking him as early as round two, he should not escape the 3rd round with his size and speed combination.
81. Dion Dawkins, OG Temple 79
Dawkins is a nice player who likely is a better fit inside in the NFL although he can definitely play tackle as a swing guy. He shows pretty good power in the run game and consistently gets into other player’s bodies with a powerful punch. I’m not a huge fan of his hand placement and it needs consistent work, if you watch his tape he’ll get outside the numbers frequently and looks more like a wrestler than a boxer at times. I think he’ll struggle with good pass rushers if he’s forced to play tackle in the NFL and will likely need to clean up the technique to not get called for a number of holds early in his career. Dawkins will also lose leverage and simply relies on crazy power to maintain anchor and get people off their spot. A good offensive line coach could really good this kid to become a good player because he plays hard and has a bit of a nasty streak which definitely pleases me when I watch his tape. The kid has pretty good quickness as well, showing a nice combination of power and speed. I like him a lot better in a gap scheme than in a zone scheme as well but he’s played in both, watch the film though and his gap tape is a full round or two better in grade terms. Nice player, needs technique work, and I’d prefer him at guard by a ways because of his propensity to lean forward at times and wrestle instead of box. To me he’s a quality starting guard, preferably in a gap scheme who can kick to tackle in a pinch. Will be better in a couple of seasons when the technique gets cleaned up, starter with versatility.
82. Blair Brown - LB Ohio 79
Some teams aren’t going to take a long look at Brown because he doesn’t have the length or elite speed that teams are going to like. At 5’11 and with short arms personnel people are going to have their reservations. Typically short arms mean they have trouble getting off blocks but Brown’s take on skills are exceptional and he punishes lead blockers. His recognition skills and diagnosing abilities are really good, giving him a quick first step compared to most linebackers. His speed is okay and I think he’ll match up fairly well with some tight ends but his lack of height and length means he’ll struggle sometime to cover bigger slot guys or tight ends. He’s not great in pass coverage and his feel for zone coverage isn’t as good as you’d like but he’s a pretty good blitzer. Overall the kid’s toughness and physicality along with good instincts means he’ll eventually get reps and playing time as a run stopping linebacker. In the meantime the kid could be an exceptional special teams player. I would love if my team took him on day 3.
83. D’Onta Foreman, RB Texas 78
A big bruising north-south runner who simply wears out defenses. Foreman doesn’t make many people miss but he definitely runs through his share of arm tackles and has the best forward lean of any running back in this class. He’s very inconsistent in pass protection, sometimes coming over a hair late or looking for work in that aspect of his game. His 4.45 40 at the combine was extremely impressive and definitely put him into that second round conversation. I love how Foreman can see the hole and hit it north and south, rarely looking for the homerun but managing to get what the defense gives him. He doesn’t get knocked off balance often so teams need to wrap him up to bring him down. Foreman isn’t much of a threat in the passing game and as a below average pass protector at this point I think he’s simply a short yardage and first and second down player at this point. He lacks the breakaway speed and passing game ability to make him a first or second round guy, but at around 240 pounds with a tremendous conversion rate and good agility, the kid should find his way in round 3 or 4. He has the capability if he can improve as a pass protector and he gets his touches to be a 1000 yard back in the league.
84. Tedric Thompson - S Colorado 78
I was watching Colorado to see their corners but Thompson just kept jumping off the screen. As a safety he has absolutely elite ball skills and made plays all over the field, tying his teammate for the most passes defensed in all of college football last season. Thompson doesn’t have great size or speed to play free safety in the NFL but at 200 pounds and a 4.6 40 he has more than adequate combination of both. His football instincts are really good and he senses and anticipates throws and route combinations very well. He’s not a big hitter and he’s more of a drag down tackler than a hitter, and when he gets squared up he doesn’t do as well. He’s not a box safety by any stretch but as a single high or deep cover guy he’s very good and has great ball skills. Double moves cause him problems because he is pretty aggressive even in single high as he trusted his corners more than most. His lack of size means he can’t drop down and cover tight ends in the slot but THompson’s quickness means he likely could drop down and cover slot receivers when needed. I like him, think he has a chance to be a starter eventually, and at worst could be your 3rd safety in dime looks.
85. Jeremy Sprinkle - TE Arkansas 78
I started my evaluation of Sprinkle really late in the process and am disappointed because he is a potential starter in the NFL at Arkansas. He has good size at 6’5 252 pounds with long 34.5 inch arms and runs a sub 4.7 40 so he’s got good H-W-S. Sprinkle isn’t quick and doesn’t create separation without scheme so he’s not going to be a dynamic pass catching option in the NFL and he’s not good after the catch. He does catch the football pretty well and as a redzone threat there’s potential there. My main takeaway is that Sprinkle is a better than average blocker inline at tight end for the college game and his length makes him look like a 3rd tackle in the game during passing plays in which he stays in to block. I wish he was stronger though because he doesn’t really create much movement in the running game. I really want an NFL coach and strength and conditioning program to grab him because there’s talent here that could end up really helping an NFL team. He’s one of the rare tight ends that could play every down in the NFL and that’s extremely valuable. He’s a starter in the league but is getting very little publicity, and that means he could be one of those early day 3 guys who ends up being a great grab for an NFL GM. I’d target him in round 4 and likely get a sneaky round 2 guy.
86. Marcus Maye, S Florida 78
Maye has prototypical size as a safety prospect at 6’0 and 210 pounds, and shows an ability to play both safety positions in the NFL. I love the way he comes downhill to make hits, he does a great job of coming off the slot and sliding down the line to make plays in the run game. At times though he can get overextended in the run game and allow cutback lanes and extra yardage due to slight over aggression, just in the first half of the Vandy game he did it three times. As a man defender, although he spent a decent amount of time in the slot, he has tight hips and sudden receivers give him problems. I like him as a zone defender though, he seems to have really good route recognition and finds himself in good position to make plays. He doesn’t have exceptional ball skills but they are okay, sometimes has trouble on 50/50 balls finding the football before it’s on top of him. To me I like Maye as a starting quality safety in the NFL, but the lack of suddenness and ball skills means he’s limited in what he’s going to be. I think the kid is a starter and he’s going to be a really good special teams player as well which ends up making him a nice solid pick sometime on day 2.
87. Isaac Asiata - G Utah 78
One of the strongest, if not the strongest player in the entire draft is Isaac Asiata from Utah. The kid is extremely powerful, can redirect players with a strong punch, and played at a consistently high level throughout his career for the Utes. While the kid is definitely better as a power run game guy, he does a nice job overall in pass protection, setting quickly and very rarely getting pushed back with a short set up. His initial burst and jump off the line is actually really impressive, given the fact that he’s 325 pounds. I think he struggles when he gets out ahead of himself and when getting to the second level he doesn’t play with as much control as you’d like and he’ll swing and miss against linebackers. To me the guy is a starting caliber gap level guard. I think he’s a nice player who can help a team immediately. Someone compared him to Gabe Jackson, and while I like Asiata I think he’s a notch below Jackson. Solid player, if I wanted interior line help I’d take him in round 3 and I believe you can start him from day 1, although he’ll improve throughout his career, and by year 3-4 he will be a high quality player.
88. Trey Hendrickson - DE Florida Atlantic 78
Here is a guy that is going to make an stay on an NFL roster for a long time. I don’t think his upside is very high but his ability to play hard and with an edge to him, as well as being an excellent special teams player makes Hendrickson a guy you’d like on your roster for years. At 6’4 and 265 pounds, he has decent size, although just 32 inch arms means that he’ll get dominated by long offensive tackles in the league. His lack of length shows up on tape at times as longer tackles kept him out of the backfield pretty consistently. A high effort and productive edge player at Florida Atlantic, he had almost 30 sacks over his career. He makes big plays as well, blocking four kicks this season and creating 6 fumbles in the past two years. He doesn’t play with quite as much power as you’d like so you have to worry just a bit about the length and lack of power throughout his career. He’s not a prototype guy and his lack of length could be a bit of an issue but overall the kid could end up being a starting level 43 defensive end and his 4.65 40 at 265 pounds and kick blocking ability means he could be a really high level special teams guy throughout his career. I think he’s a high floor, low risk guy and if any team can get him on day 3 he’d be a great get. I think he’s a round 3 guy.
89. Jake Butt, TE Michigan 77
Butt would have received a first round grade from me in the 2017 draft had he not had a major injury in his bowl game. The kid reminds me so much of Jason Witten it’s ridiculous and it’s probably my easiest comp in this entire draft class. Butt is a high quality inline blocker who does a great job redirecting and working with above average power for a tight end. He has good size and utilizes his body well to create a big target for the quarterback. He isn’t overly athletic and doesn’t create separation with quickness but he does get open in zone coverages because of his knowledge of the game and feel to find the spot. I think the kid would have been one of my top 25 players due to his ability to simply be a super high floor guy who will likely be a ten year starter. Now you have to wonder how he’ll bounce back from injury but if he does, you could get a steal in round 3 where he’ll likely go. I would have given him a grade somewhere around an 86-87.
90. Shaquill Griffin - CB Central Florida 77
This kid improved his draft stock more than virtually any player in the country. Everyone was worried about his long speed but then he went ahead and ran a 4.38 at the combine and jumped out of the stadium. He had an 11 foot broad jump, a 38.5 inch vertical and at 6’ with 32 inch arms and 200 pounds he has the size and the speed to be a high quality starter in the NFL. His tape is good but not great, he seems like he doesn’t quite anticipate throws and routes as well as you’d like. He was extremely productive though, particularly this past season when he had 19 passes defensed including 4 picks. I like him in press a lot more than off, where he doesn’t seem quite as comfortable as his feet can get stuck instead of having that initial quick burst you’d like. He’s good against the run as well, meaning with his leaping ability and size he could be really good in a zone heavy scheme. I’m a fan here, and while I’m in the minority Griffing could end up being a starting quality or even a high end corner in the NFL with ball skills to make plays at a high level. I’d take him on day 2 and have no fear. Plus with his physicality if you want to give him a year to develop or to just play sub packages, his aggressiveness and tackling ability means you could potentially play him on special teams pretty early too.
91. Kevin King, CB Washington 77
Overall I like King’s versatility in playing both safety for two seasons and corner for two seasons on a really good defense. At 6’3 and running a 4.43 40 while jumping almost 40 inches gives him a really high upside. Overall to me he seems like he’s a guy who would be really good in a zone heavy scheme as I love the way he plays when he’s facing a quarterback. I’m not sure he’s good enough to play corner right away in the NFL as his technique is just okay and he wasn’t dominant for Washington in that role, although his tape was pretty good. There’s a lot of physical tools here to work with and right now you could play him at safety right away while letting him develop as an outside corner. Not as physical as you’d like for someone at 6’3 and 200 pounds although all of the sudden he’ll lay the wood with big hits. Loses some 50/50 balls despite being 6’3. Due to lack of physicality he’s not the best player in the run game either, and he misses a fair number of tackles. His interception against Arizona State was absolutely ridiculous, one of the better catches of the year. He’s okay but not great with the ball in the air. To me King is a guy you could take on day 2 of the draft and utilize him in a variety of roles to best utilize his skill set .
92. Tyus Bowser, LB Houston 77
Explosive kid with a lot of upside but raw as hell and with underwhelming productivity. Overall Bowser has great quickness and good speed off the edge, giving people fits with his ability to make tackles look silly when he gets a head of steam at them. A basketball player originally, Bowser doesn’t look polished at all on the football field and you can definitely see that he isn’t exactly refined yet. You can’t teach his level of quickness or explosiveness though so someone is going to really like figuring out how to utilize him. He’s an okay tackler in space, but it’s definitely not his strength. To me I think early in his career he’ll only be utilized on special teams and as a situational pass rusher, but maybe with more reps he can develop into a true three down guy. He’s 6’3 245 pounds and runs a 4.65 so there’s a lot to work with there in terms of overall ability. Someone will likely jump up and grab him due to the rare traits he has, but it’s risky to me.
93. Taylor Moton, OT Western Michigan 77
Moton is an extremely experienced solid offensive lineman who could end up being a nice player in the NFL. While Moton could definitely play right tackle in the NFL as he has for three of his four seasons at Western Michigan his best NFL position could be inside at guard, where he played for the other season. Moton is a powerful run blocker who controls players when he gets his hands and feet in position. He’s got good size at 6’5 and 319 pounds and has some really good tape against MAC competition. His tape against Wisconsin was pretty good as well, there were some issues there where he got away with some holds and grabbing that didn’t get called. His game has some issues that could be resolved by kicking him inside to guard, but obviously the more valuable position in the league is outside at tackle. He isn’t supremely athletic and so he can get caught overstriding and he can get caught with his hands out of position leaving him susceptible to advanced pass rushers. I think Moton is a decent player who likely can be a pretty good right tackle when his hand placement gets better, but as a guard the kid could be really good. To me his versatility, decent tape, good power, and tons of experience means he’s a round 3 kid, but in a draft very devoid of offensive line talent, someone will likely take him in round 2, and I can get that to an extent. Nice piece who needs a good offensive line coach that can develop him and fix some of his technique flaws.
94. Derek Rivers - Edge Youngstown State 77
A relentless pass rusher who had a really nice Senior Bowl week and combine workout to bump up a productive career and is now squarely in the day 2 conversation. There are some draft pundits who surmise that RIvers could find his way somehow into the first round conversation even but I think that’s highly unlikely. The kid has an excellent punch and hands and created problems for offensive tackles with his ability to swipe down their hands and get into their bodies. He was inconsistent in his get off but at times he can get the snap count and get tackles on their heels. Rivers doesn’t have really an elite traits though which limits his upside in the NFL as his quickness is okay, his hands are good, and his play strength is adequate. His motor is exceptional though and his speed to power moves coupled with good hands and create an effective bullrush. Longer tackles can get into his body, causing him to lose some leverage and at times he shows an inability against tougher competition to set the edge, particularly with longer offensive tackles. They can wash him down inside at times. Overall the kid is very disruptive but his lack of twitchiness limits his upside at the NFL level. I’d love him on day 2 though particularly if I was going to use him as a situational pass rusher early in his career. I think someone will want to use him as a 34 OLB because he ran a 4.6 40 thinking he could cover out of the backfield but I don’t think he has the quickness and is too tight hipped for that. Day 2 kid who should start as a situational pass rusher and then can develop into more, could start off as a really high quality special teams player because of speed, size, and effort. I think more round 3 than 2, but a day 2 guy.
95. Alex Anzalone, LB Florida 77
This kid is among the top ten defensive players in terms of overall upside in this draft. He’s an extremely gifted and talented player who flashes consistently on film, making difficult and impressive plays. There’s zero doubt that he’s a first round talent, and I don’t say that lightly but Anzalone missed almost his entire career at Florida due to injuries. The kid played all three linebacker spots at Florida and has the ability to run through people around people or track down people from the backside. His 4.61 40 at the combine at 242 pounds was pretty damn impressive because it looked so smooth. He’s a good athlete, but he doesn’t quite have the instincts you’ll see from a guy like teammate Jarrad Davis so sometimes he’ll be a beat later even though he’s a great athlete. I wish he did a better job getting off blocks as well. To me he’s someone who could be really good if given a chance to stay healthy and get reps. I’d have to see medicals to see where I could take him. He’s got first round talent, second round tape, and a history of a ridiculous amount of injuries, I think taking him in round 3 might be worth the risk.
96. Amara Darboh - WR Michigan 77
Every team in the NFL needs a receiver like Darboh. He’s tough as nails, has good size at 6’2 with long arms, and ran a really good 4.45 at the combine. Couple that size with an NFL route tree, and weighing in at 215 pounds and plus blocking skills on the edge and you have a nice NFL draft prospect. He has to wind down to come out of his breaks and he doesn’t have that initial burst off the line to create instant separation so he won’t ever be a number one receiver but the kid’s toughness and size gives him a chance to be a number two guy. He started to show some big play ability, particularly working at the second level on intermediate routes this past season. Overall the kid’s lack of quickness simply will limit his ability to consistently separate in the NFL but he knows how to create separation and he has above average hands, size, length, and speed giving him a chance to be a really nice complementary receiver in the league. Day 2 kid for a team who needs complementary receivers.
97. Adam Bisnowaty - OT Pittsburgh 77
Kind of an underrated offensive tackle in this year’s class is Bisnowaty. I don’t think he has the raw athleticism or power of a Pro Bowl caliber offensive tackle but the kid could easily develop into a starter in the NFL. Bisnowaty was a two time all-league selection playing in a pretty darn good conference and he has put together some really solid tape. He’s not as durable as you’d like, missing a few games in his career but he doesn’t have anything screaming at you that he’ll have that problem moving forward. He rarely panics and seems to have a really good grasp of offensive and defensive schemes. The kid did start 44 games over the past 4 seasons, and played his most consistent football this past year. I know most people are projecting him at right tackle, and I agree that’s where he’d likely be his best in the NFL but I think there’s a chance he could stick at left tackle as well if a team needed him. He’s a good football player and I don’t think in a weak tackle draft that he should get out of day 2. Not quite as athletic as you’d want as he can be given trouble with speed guys but at worst the kid could be a good guard or a quality starting right tackle.
98. Eddie Vanderdoes, DT UCLA 76
This is a difficult evaluation because when you watch his tape before he tore his ACL the kid legitimately would have been in late first or second round consideration. He moved extremely well for 6’3 and around 290 pounds and caused mayhem everywhere he went. Then in 2015 he tore his ACL and missed virtually the entire season and in 2016 he just wasn’t the same player. His tape was still very much draftable and he could still have a debate he is in the day two consideration just with this season’s tape but when you watch his game in 2014 the kid was a beast. His early career tape he was explosive, quick, and gave a ton of power at the point of attack and showed good punch. He wasn’t exceptionally good as a pass rusher in those seasons but he did a nice job of creating leverage and using good length to push and collapse the pocket. In 2016 he wasn’t nearly as explosive and it looked like he had put on about 15 bad pounds in the season. Overall if the kid bounces back to where he was in 2014 he is a really solid interior defensive lineman who could provide a great boost to any line. If he plays like 2016 Vanderdoes he is a rotational piece who needs to drop 15-20 pounds and would be more of a 4th round guy.
99. Roderick Johnson, OT Florida State 76
A long left tackle with 36 inch arms and standing at 6’7 and around 300 pounds. He’s a bit lanky for his frame but when he actually squares people up he does a good job showing power in the run game. Johnson gets himself off balance at times and his tape is exactly what you mean when you say waste bender, as he’ll get that forward lean that good pass rushers can take advantage of. I like his slide step and he does a good job of running edge rushers past the quarterback and his length keeps guys off his frame for the most part. I think there are some really good qualities and traits to work with for Johnson and if you’re comfortable with your offensive line coach he could turn into a starting caliber left tackle. At worst he’s a nice right tackle in the league. I doubt I could take him in round two but if I’m desperate for line help in a weak line draft I could grab him. Johnson is a good player if I could get him in round 3 I’d like him.
100. Daeshon Hall - DE Texas A&M 76
Of course everyone is going to give all the accolades to freak of nature Myles Garrett, but his partner in crime Daeshon Hall is clearly an NFL player. He has played all over the place at Texas A&M, playing way out in the “9” spot on the defensive line, outside linebacker, and then at the 34 defensive end position as well. At 265 pounds and 6’5 he has a great frame and I think he has the potential to add up to 15 more pounds while not losing much quickness, meaning he could play 43 defensive end, 34 jack, or even potentially as a 5 technique in the NFL. He only had 4.5 sacks this season because he was playing that traditional defensive end 5/7 technique spot and it looked like it was a big transition for him. He needs to get a bit better against the run but again he’s new and raw to this position. I think there’s a lot of potential here, he’s 6’5 265 with good lateral agility and burst off the football, he has 35 inch arms and he plays with good motor. He’s raw and needs work and strength to play, where I think he’ll be best, as a 43 defensive end and inside pass rusher on passing downs. I would love if somehow my team got him on day 3 but I believe someone will fall in love with the talent like I have and grab him in the third round, potential wise there’s a second round guy here.
101. Chris Godwin, WR Penn State 76
A good route runner with both quickness and straight line speed at a 4.42, Godwin can create separation. He’s 6’1 and 210 pounds, giving him good size as well. I think the kid has good, reliable hands and the past two seasons he produced at a pretty high level despite mediocre quarterback play. I like his ability to run a variety of routes and create separation at all three levels, particularly how he can get himself open by coming back to the football or high pointing the 50/50 passes. I don’t think the kid as elite capability but his ability to create separation and make contested catches means he’s likely going to be a solid NFL receiver and that he can probably contribute fairly early in his career. Good solid second or third receiver.
102. Ethan Pocic, C LSU 76
A tall, long, versatile offensive lineman with good athleticism and a high football IQ, Ethan Pocic is an NFL guy. That being said there are some warts to his game and I’m not exactly sure where I think he’ll play on the offensive line in the NFL. He’s 6’6 and 310 pounds but ultimately found his way to center, which is a really strange body size for a center. He’s athletic and does a really good job getting to the second level and smashing linebackers but he struggles with strong defensive lineman. When you watch the Alabama tape, Pocic gets the pocket pushed back and collapsed consistently against those strong NFL defensive lineman masquerading as Crimson Tide players. The kid has the frame to put on muscle and he’ll need to at the NFL level because strong tackles give the kid fits and cause some serious problems. He’s as patient at the second level as any player in this draft though, so if you can pair him with good strong guards this guy could be really good in a space zone scheme. He’s played everywhere on the offensive line, so the versatility and football IQ means at worst you have a really valuable backup on your 46 man gameday roster. I’m not sure he’s strong enough to play center, but he doesn’t quite have the feet to play on the outside. If Pocic can add 10-15 pounds of muscle he could be a really nice center in the league, but his ability to play all 5 offensive line positions is a rare situation. I’d love it if my team could grab him in round 4 because you gain 2-3 positions of depth with one pick. Likely he’s a third round guy though.
103. Pat Elfein, G/C Ohio State 75
A nasty interior lineman who plays angry all the time, Elfein is a nice player with a ton of experience. He does a pretty good job taking on power rushers, allowing himself to anchor against strong inside linebackers or on stunts. He’s got decent movement skills but doesn’t have great speed, so sometimes he can get to the edge but runs out of gas when he tries to put a hat on someone. At times good interior blitzers can cause him problems because he is always trying to finish people off on double teams. Elfein is good at anticipation, understanding all different types of fronts and blitzes, and typically is the one making the protection call. His coaches love him as well. On the downside he doesn’t use great technique and higher caliber players give him fits. His Clemson tape, when going against multiple NFL guys, he really struggled to get any movement up front. Elfein also gets a few more holding penalties than I’d like. I couldn’t find the exact numbers but it showed up consistently on tape, and when he goes against better guys he’ll get his hands outside and at times can panic. I think he projects as an average to potentially above average starting center in the NFL with the versatility to play either guard spot. That means he’s probably a round 3 guy for me.
104. Davis Webb, QB Cal 75
I like this kid as a developmental quarterback prospect but you’ll likely have to wait at least a couple of seasons to see what he can truly become in the NFL. He came from two completely wide open offenses at Texas Tech and Cal so many of his throws were pre determined reads and inside of ten yards. He’s tough in the pocket and has a really good arm with the ability to make any NFL throw without a problem. Webb has good size at 6’5 and 230 pounds and moves pretty well for a big guy, buying extra time with pretty good pocket feel and awareness. That being said there are some pretty big warts with this guy that you’ll have to correct if you want him to reach his high potential. Primarily the kid played in a very quarterback friendly offense but still struggled with accuracy, this season completing under 62% of his passes. His downfield throws sail too often and when he comes off the first read his anticipation isn’t as good as it should be, leading to a ton of contested throws that simply shouldn’t be. You also have to wonder if the kid can transition to under center as he’s never done it and his footwork under pressure isn’t great so there’s two pieces to the puzzle in getting more accurate. His decision making isn’t great, some of that due to the fact his team was terrible and he was trying to carry the load, but some of it wasn’t in those situations. Overall he’s a really nice developmental guy but you are going to have to give him at least two full seasons to learn before he’s ready to make the jump.
105. Josh Reynolds - WR Texas A&M 75
A good athlete who is an over the top threat and a guy who wins 50/50 balls with tremendous consistency. When he’s allowed to get a free release he tracks the deep throws as well as any player in this entire class. He has great ball skills and snatches the football out of the air and rarely has to take a false step when catching the football on the move. He’s got good height at 6’3 but he’s thin and his strength and power after the catch and as a run blocker isn’t great. He works his tail off as a blocker and puts forth great effort but his thin frame means he’s only average. Reynolds is supposedly a football junky who loves film and has a great work ethic which is important to his development. I think he’s better than advertised underneath but his footwork and route running need a lot of work and his rookie year will likely just be a lot of deep routes and clear out stuff. By year two or three though the kid could end up being a quality secondary or tertiary option for an NFL team. I like the guy and would want him on my team. I could see using a 3rd rounder for him.
106. Taywan Taylor - WR Western Kentucky 75
Excellent quickness and better than advertised straight line speed with tremendous productivity. Taylor was in the top 10 in college football the past two seasons in virtually all pertinent receiving categories, and his Alabama tape was one of the more impressive wide receiver tapes this season. He can create separation quickly and his 4.50 speed means he can eat up defenders space and get them on their toes early in a route. His route running isn’t refined at all, he simply used his exceptional athleticism to get by and around weaker defenders at a lower level. He’s much better after the catch than running routes as he doesn’t work back toward the ball as well as you’d like and rarely snatches the ball out of the air. When you get him the ball on short throws though he’s exceptional with the ball in his hands. At 5’11 and 203 pounds he can make people miss or break through arm tackles. His lack of route running and body catching the football as well as lack of great size means he’s a high end slot receiver but I don’t think he’s going to be able to play outside in the league with any consistency. That being said he’s one of the better slot receivers in this class and he could garner consideration as early as round 3. Numerous people think he has a high floor and I concur with that, he could be a pretty productive guy if he goes to the right offense.
107. Rasul Douglas, CB West Virginia 75
A long press and trail cornerback with a really good senior season, Rasul Douglas has improved his draft stock in the offseason programs. He looked really good during Senior Bowl week and jumped up some draft boards and could find himself in the conversation sometime on day 2. Douglas is 6’2 and 210 pounds, and ran sub 4.6 at the combine. His Senior season he allowed less than 50% completion percentage despite playing on a defense that generated the least amount of pressure in the entire nation. Douglas has tremendous ball skills and had 8 interceptions this past season, using his big frame to go up and high point footballs. The kid has good ball skills and attacks the football, and looked really good during offseason workouts but there are some warts here that will scare some teams off. Primarily he doesn’t play with good quickness and plays much too upright, particularly at the top of routes. His instincts are good, but that lack of suddenness causes some problems for him with shiftier receivers. You couple that issue with the fact that he runs 4.6 and he has to play in certain systems. To me he definitely fits better as a zone corner, but despite good size he’s at best an average tackler, who misses to many in space. I think there’s a good chance he could convert to free safety in the league as well. To me there’s talent and size here with very good ball skills, but the lack of quickness and speed, along with stiff hips means you have pluses and minuses. There are probably half the teams in the league schematically that don’t work, so scheme fit is extremely important to whether or not he’s an above average starter or a one-contract guy.
108. Dalvin Tomlinson - DT Alabama 75
A strong interior rotational defensive lineman who can help you on two downs in the NFL. Tomlinson plays very well with interior games like stunts and twists and that’s how he generates most if not all of his pressure. His ability to do this and keep gap control, playing with leverage and power gives him a chance to be an immediate impact guy for an NFL team. He doesn’t have initial quickness which means he rarely gets into the backfield to create chaos immediately. Tomlinson plays with good leverage and holds up well against double teams. He also uses good technique to stack and shed blockers and makes more than his share of tackles around the line of scrimmage. I think his inability to create by himself means he’s somewhat limited in his upside in the NFL and he’s only ever played 45% of his teams’ snaps so it’s very doubtful he plays more than that consistently in the NFL. However as a rotational defensive tackle with good potential, I’d likely take him in round 3 or 4 as a guy you can immediately plug and play.
109. James Conner - RB Pittsburgh 74
A special person who overcame a cancer diagnoses to come back and become a first team all ACC running back this season. The kid is a tremendous leader and teammate as well so if you want a kid to not only check all the boxes but add more and check those off too look no further than James Conner. When you look at his ability as an NFL running back there is some stuff you can work with here. He runs with tremendous power at 233 pounds and is a guy who can help move the chains and could be a great asset in the red-zone. He seems to have a knack for figuring out how to get past the pylons and score. He’s a good pass protection guy and with his size he can hold up against virtually every blitzing linebacker or safety in the NFL. He doesn’t have great quickness and his speed is average at best for an NFL guy so his upside is pretty limited. I think with his love of football, toughness, and mental makeup there’s a chance he could be a really good core special teams’ guy. Overall he’s a guy who will be a battering ram and a “thunder” guy for an NFL backfield with upside as a quality special teams player with tremendous leadership qualities. He’s an NFL football player, draft him on day 3 and he’ll find a way to help your team win.
110. Julie’n Davenport - OT Bucknell 74
So raw but so talented, this is the perfect draft and stash guy because you simply don’t find guys with these tools very often. He is 6’7 with 36 inch arms and carries his 318 pounds very well. Two time team captain at Bucknell and started all 44 career games there, so you can check those two boxes immediately. His level of competition and average to below average fundamentals means he’s likely going to need a redshirt year as a rookie. He leans instead of keeping his feet under him in the only two grainy game tapes I saw of him. Some people think his feet aren’t great but I think he moves pretty well for a guy his size. His hand work isn’t tremendous and sometimes he can lose a player because his hands will get too high or outside but his strength and length didn’t cause him any problems against VMI or Georgetown when I watched those games. His kickslide’s first two steps are definitely left tackle ready for the league. Some people worry about his play strength in the NFL but I firmly believe it’s simply technique and not power that cause the problems meaning they can be fixed in the NFL. If the kid had went to Florida and not Bucknell there would be some scouts saying he’s a first round sleeper. Shouldn’t get out of top 100 picks because the talent is there but you have to be really patient. Risk reward pick who could turn into a stud or could fail to develop.
111. Samaje Perine, RB Oklahoma 74
Perine is my definition of what I call a “volume back.” What this means to me is that while he’s not going to be a dynamic game-changing type player at the position, he’s a nice solid player who if you give him 10-12 carries a game he’ll consistently get you 35-50 yards. Perine is a tough guy, plays hard, and his teammates and coaches loved him in Norman. While Joe Mixon is definitely a better football player, his off the field issues will drop him off many team’s draft boards. Perine is very strong, hitting 30 reps at the combine on the bench press, and coming in at 233 pounds. While he doesn’t make people miss in space he does break arm tackles and consistently falls forward, and has a nose for the end zone. While his lack of quickness and hip flexibility means he won’t be a third down back in the league he shows good hands and a nice feel for the screen game. To me his upside is limited but he’s definitely a guy who could be really good in a committee approach or as a complimentary power back.
112. Chidobe Awuzie, CB Colorado 74
A good solid corner who has played a multitude of defensive back and special teams assignments throughout his four seasons in Colorado. His experience and ability on special teams make him an immediate impact type guy in the NFL, likely needing a lot less seasoning before he can get on the field. Colorado used Awuzie in a number of different spots throughout his career, playing him immediately as a freshman mostly in the slot and he was good from the start. Where he truly separates himself though is on special teams, where is an exceptional gunner and blocked kicks in his career for the Buffaloes. Awuzie is good in short spaces, particularly playing closer to the line of scrimmage on the inside which to me means I’d like to play him likely more in the slot. He also is an excellent blitzer off the slot as he did it numerous times on all the tapes I watched. He ended up with 7 sacks the last two seasons coming off the edge. He’s not a good tackler in space but Awuzie does a nice job controlling leverage, funneling people toward the rest of his defenders though. To me I know he’s a fast riser on a lot of people’s books but his game tape isn’t wonderful. Awuzie is good in zone but not great, and he ends up getting caught on deep passes every once in a while, and although he did run a nice solid mid 4.4 40 in the combine, his tape looks like he struggles with long speed. He gets beat on in breaking routes out of the slot at times too and he looks a bit more waiting and anticipating than jumping routes. With good but not great tape and some warts the kid is a round 3-5 guy. I know a lot of people have him in the top 40 guys but he’s not that good of a player particularly in this class with 25 or more really good defensive back prospects.
113. Cameron Sutton - CB Tennessee 74
Sutton has a ton of experience playing in an excellent conference, starting since day one for the Volunteers. He’s a thin corner whose size definitely is a factor in the run game and going against bigger more physical corners. Most of the throws that are completed on Sutton came simply from jump balls or getting boxed out by bigger more physical receivers. His actual cover skills are pretty darn good as he does a nice job of trailing and getting good depth on zone schemes. His lack of length and small hands, coupled with the fact that he sometimes is late when finding the football causes some balls to be completed on him that simply shouldn’t be. He’s exceptional as a punt returner and that may be where he actually has the most impact in the NFL. High football IQ and coaches rave about behavior, attitude, and work ethic. He likes to play up and press as he isn’t super fluid coming out of backpedal or when flat footed but Sutton is a bit passive getting his hands up and on bigger receivers to reroute. I think the kid is likely a sub package corner who overall is a pretty darn good player and a great punt returner. I think his lack of size and length and an extremely deep corner draft means he probably falls to day 3, but he could be an absolute steal if he falls that far on draft weekend. I love experience and guys who can play special teams because the floor gets raised there, and that’s what he has, a nice solid floor.
114. ArDarius Stewart, WR Alabama 74
I think Stewart is a nice complementary receiver option for an NFL offense. At 5’11 and 205 pounds with a solid but unspectacular 34 inch vertical, Stewart projects much more as a 3rd option for an NFL offense. Stewart had nice numbers during his career at Alabama especially considering their offense didn’t pass the football much. I’m not sure he’s a tremendous route runner, although he does a pretty nice job of creating separation because he’s pretty quick and gets a nice little jump off the line consistently. Calvin Ridley and a strong play action game meant that he was typically guarded by the other team’s second or third best defender and the offense did help create some separation for him based on schematic superiority. The kid is really good with the ball in his hands though and plays like a north-south running back when he catches the football. He works hard as a downfield blocker as well, which is to be expected for a player coached by Nick Saban. If you want the kid can even throw the football a bit. Stewart’s upside is that of a quality number two receiver and I’d take a look at him somewhere in the round 3-4 range, as a guy who can make some plays with the ball in his hands.
115. Donnel Pumphrey - RB San Diego State 74
Some teams won’t even have Pumphrey on their draft board because he’s tiny at 5’8 and 176 pounds. Pumphrey is the most productive running back in FBS history for the Aztecs and ended up being the Mountain West player of the year this past season. He’s extremely quick and runs with excellent tempo and vision, finding the hole and getting through it in a flash. It was important for him to run a good 40 time at the combine because most people thought his long speed was mediocre, but his 4.48 definitely bumped up his draft profile. I wish he caught the ball more efficiently but sometimes he struggles to grab the ball and he has small hands so that is a bit of a problem. His cut against South Alabama was one of the more ridiculous things I’ve ever seen on tape, running downhill full speed and just jump cuts to the right like it was nothing. His ability to get from 0-60 is really good as he can string multiple moves together in a short area and then burst through when he finds his seem. He’s really small but the kid can absolutely play, you can’t draft him on the first two days of the draft because he can’t be an everydown back and his size means he can’t hold up in pass pro. That being said I think he could be a good kick returner and his quickness and speed means he can play in the league but he has to go to the right team and the right scheme.
116. Ahkello Witherspoon, CB Colorado 73
Wow this kid has tools and talent for days. At 6’3 200 pounds with a 40 inch vertical the term good length at the cornerback position doesn’t quite cover it. Add to that tremendous long speed at a really good 4.45 in the 40 and you have the makings of a true prototype at the position, maybe even better than prototypical. Witherspoon does a really nice job getting his hands in passing lanes, ending up with 23 pass breakups just this season, but ended his career with a barely above 2% interception rate on targets. He has bad hands. The biggest issue I have with Witherspoon though is the kid simply does not want to tackle, and he actually shies away from contact which is going to knock him off some draft boards. In terms of simply a cover corner the kid is easily a 2nd round pick, if not maybe even better in terms of talent and upside. In terms of overall as a football player I wouldn’t be surprised if he were off a number of team’s draft boards because he doesn’t want to hit. To me I’d take the kid maybe in round 3 for upside and would love to take him on day 3 because the upside is ridiculous.
117. Nathan Gerry - S Nebraska 73
Big strong and physical with all the tools you’d want from a really good strong safety prospect. Gerry weighs almost 220 pounds and at 6’2 with a sub 4.6 40 he stands out when you see him on the football field. That’s not the only thing to like about Gerry though, he also hauled in 13 interceptions in his career and had over 250 tackles. He plays under control for the most part but he misses way too many tackles for how big and strong he is and his lack of change of direction skills are a bit alarming. With quicker slot guys and running backs he struggles to keep up with them in one on one situations. Overall the guy is good in zone and seems to understand route combinations and proper depth in terms of pass coverage. Gerry has a ton of potential and you can’t teach size and speed and he’s good in those situations. I don’t like how many tackles he misses and how tight hipped he is but I really like his special teams potential. I think he could play nickel linebacker, be a 3rd or 4th safety, and be a special teams demon. I’d like him anytime on day 3 and there’s a chance he can develop into a starter.
118. Tanoh Kpassagnon - DE Villanova 73
A physical specimen who looks like a monster at 6’7 and 289 pounds but still has good athleticism and burst. Kpassagnon put together a productive last couple of seasons in college and started to fulfill some of his massive potential. I believe this guy would be an exceptional 34 defensive end who could kick inside on pass rushing situations. The guy has long arms and an exceptional frame and uses his arms and power to keep mediocre offensive lineman off his body. At this point the guy is super raw and doesn’t really have any barrage of pass rush moves other than simply bullrushing mediocre tackles at the FCS level. I love the guys’ range as a tackler and he can make some plays that other guys simply can’t make because his length and athleticism. Now he’s super raw and has a long way to go as a professional football player but at times the guy is unblockable and creates havoc. He’s a developmental guy but if I ran a 34 and wanted a developmental guy who could turn into a stud 34 defensive end I could totally use a 3rd round selection on him. Ultimately he’s more of a 4th round guy because he does have a ways to go but there’s undeniable talent here.
119. Rayshawn Jenkins - S Miami 73
You can’t really start talking about Jenkins without talking about the fact the kid is one of 16 brothers and sisters. If that’s the first thing you talk about the next thing has to be the H/W/S combination as he’s 6’2 and 215 pounds and absolutely has the strength and speed to be a high quality safety in the NFL. He’s very physical and is almost always looking to lay a big hit on a ball carrier. Jenkins doesn’t make as many plays in the passing game as you’d like but he does a decent job in coverage. At 4.51 with that size you simply can’t overlook that aspect of his game as well, meaning he’ll likely be able to match up with virtually anyone in the slot. His game tape isn’t as good as all the physical traits though at this point. He looks like he’s guessing sometimes on route combinations and when he plays the single high spot his routes to the football are very conservative even though he plays with swagger. Personally there is a ways to go as a true football player but the athletic attributes are really good and his physicality is a major plus. Jenkins has the potential to be elite on special teams as well and that is something I’d focus on in the draft room. He’s got a good ceiling because he’s got all the HWS that you’re looking for in a player and a decent amount of experience. I’m still not sold he can be a day 2 kid but I wouldn’t mind it if he went in round 3 because there’s a chance he could be the best core special teams player in this draft.
120. Xavier Woods - S La. Tech 73
Good teammate and an extremely productive player at Louisiana Tech, who was named an All-Conference selection three straight seasons. He’s got tremendous ball skills and is always looking to make big plays. He takes extremely aggressive angles on everything including rush lanes and deep throws. Woods isn’t nearly as fundamentally sound as you’d like and at times he gets himself way out of position looking to make the game changing play. Good read and react and shoots his gun quickly when he figures out what the play is. He’s undersized as a safety at less than 200 pounds but wants to be physical consistently. He runs well and has really good quickness, finishing in the top 5 in all quick drills at the combine. There’s a guy who can play in the league here and while I’m not 100% sure he’s an NFL starter, I think he can push someone and play as a third safety in a dime look. Plus the kid likes contact so maybe a special teams player too. I’d like my team to draft him on day 3.
121. Nate Hairston - CB Temple 73
I really like this kid as a developmental cornerback prospect and good special teams player. Hairston played wide receiver the first two seasons at Temple but had a tough time getting much playing time and Temple coaches liked his toughness so they moved him to defense. Hairston obviously has good ball skills from his time as a receiver and at 6’0 200 pounds with a 4.52 40 he checks all the boxes physically. While he’s super raw in his technique and hand usage he seems like he has really good feel for zone coverage and he attacks the football when it’s in the air. I think his future could be as a zone corner because he’s physical and likes to hit. He’s not great with his hand usage in press coverage yet and his bail technique and backpedal are uneven at this point. I think he’s a bit worried about getting beat deep in man so he lets stuff get caught underneath and then he rallies and tackles. I think Hairston can be a great special teams player because he’s got good speed and likes to be physical while he learns the nuances of playing corner. I’d take him on day 3 with zero hesitation and teach him to play corner because there’s a chance for him to be a good pro corner.
122. Sam Rodgers - FB Virginia Tech 73
I love this guy, give me ten of these guys and I can win you a title. He’s undersized as a fullback, gets out of control in space, and he’s not really athletic. That being said he could be a monster on special teams, and his sophomore year at Tech he had double digit tackles doing just that. He played linebacker in high school so he has some tackling skills. The kid improved every single season he played for the Hokies, and ended his career with over 70 catches. He catches the football naturally, rarely dropping passes and shows good feel for the screen game and as a running back he runs with toughness and low pad level. He’s a good blocker in short space but when he gets out in front sometimes he gets ahead of his feet and gets leaning forward too much, missing blocks. He has short arms so if he’s asked to block longer outside linebackers and safeties he can have some problems there. He’s a fullback you could flex out, play H-back, move into the front of the I, into the back of the I as a power back, and be a special teams freak. He’s tough as hell and plays with fire and urgency.
123. Montravius Adams, DT Auburn 72
A big talented kid who can cause havoc when he plays with the proper leverage. Adams was a very highly recruited guy out of high school but in my opinion he never really lived up to the hype. He had a solid if unspectacular career for the Tigers and ended up getting some all conference accolades toward the end. Adams is 6’4 and around 305 pounds and at times he can absolutely fire off the football and live in the backfield. The issues occur when Adams loses leverage and plays too high, allowing himself to get blocked one on one by average offensive lineman. He’s not very quick so his pass rushing ability is limited mostly to simply pushing the pocket, but at times he’s very adept at that exact thing. All of his productivity in the tapes I’ve watched were simply when he won off the snap and got disruption immediately, if he doesn’t win off the bat he doesn’t get off blocks quickly enough to have much productivity. To me he’s a run plugger for the first two downs and a rotational defensive line piece in the NFL. He’ll make some flash plays and can occasionally handle a double team but he’s not an edge guy so he’ll have to play inside which means his versatility is also somewhat low. Someone is going to fall in love with perceived talent but it wouldn’t be me.
124. Corn Elder - CB Miami 72
Undersized but very tough and good on special teams and in coverage, Corn Elder can end up being a good NFL slot player. He’s 5’10 and 180 pounds and runs in the mid 4.5’s so he doesn’t really check any boxes in terms of what you’re looking for in a cornerback prospect. That being said he plays a lot bigger than his size is listed and he’s as physical of a football player as you’ll ever find at 180 pounds. He likes to play down toward the box and attacks the football. He has pretty decent ball skills but didn’t take it away as much as you’d like. Obviously bigger receivers will post him up and faster receivers can probably run by him so he’ll have to play inside. Watching him as a gunner on special teams is impressive too, which definitely jumps him up on my list. He’s got potential as a starting level slot guy who can’t play outside but can without question play on special teams.
125. Kenny Golladay - WR Northern Illinois 72
You have your ultimate H-W-S prospect here at 6’4 and 218 pounds running a 4.50 at the combine gives this guy a really interesting upside. He was productive at 160 receptions the past two seasons for Northern Illinois and over 1000 yards each of the past two seasons. He doesn’t have elite level quickness but at times can figure out how to uncover. Watched his tape against Ohio State a couple of times and he played okay against a really good player in Gareon Conley and if his quarterback had a bigger arm maybe he would have ended up with better stats. He tracks the football well and shows an ability to catch low throws and throws away from his body. I’m not sure he’ll create separation consistently because while he’s fast he isn’t really quick and his route running is a bit obvious at this point. He’s average as a blocker despite his size which is a bit disconcerting. The kid has some talent and I think he could end up being a 3rd or 4th receiver for a lot of teams in the league with the size and speed component that many GM’s are looking for. His size and speed could entice a special teams coach to figure out how to utilize him there too, which would help his stock significantly.
126. Isaiah Ford - WR Virginia Tech 72
Ford ran slower than his tape showed at the combine and that 4.60 really plays more like a 4.5-4.55. He’s tall but thin at 6’2 and 195 pounds and his lack of functional strength wasn’t a huge issue in college but will cause him problems on contested passes in the NFL. He tracks the deep ball very well and has excellent body control on sideline throws and fades. He didn’t really run many routes at Virginia Tech as stop routes, go’s, and the occasional out or slant was virtually all he did. Ford had excellent productivity as he was clearly the favorite target of quarterbacks who simply threw the football up and allowed Ford to make plays. He’ll have to get stronger as he doesn’t really create excellent separation and in the NFL it’ll get harder. Physical corners in the NFL will reroute him with ease until he gets stronger and can figure out how to get a clean release off the line. I think he has the potential to turn into a number two receiver in the NFL but right now he’ll be a three or a four. He has a lower floor than most because his lack of size means he likely won’t be able to contribute on special teams unless he can put on 15 pounds.
127. Brian Hill - RB Wyoming 72
There are a lot of things you can look at and like when watching tape of Hill but there are some question marks that definitely come up as well. He has good size and productivity at 6’1 and 215 pounds and runs a solid 4.54 40. He ended up with 3500 rushing yards over the past two seasons and catches the ball well out of the backfield and seems like a plus blocker. He doesn’t utilize good technique when blocking but looks for contact and seem to understand the concepts. He runs with decent vision but when the hole doesn’t open up he’ll try to bounce outside instead of slamming it forward for the tough yards. My issue is that while Hill wants to run with power he simply has below average play strength and runs way too straight up when hitting the hole. I want him to lower his shoulders and fall forward more and that way he won’t get taken down by nearly as many arm tackles. Overall the kid at worst is going to be a quality backup, and with his size and strength he could be a pretty good special teams player. He has some potential as a starter but his upright running style and lack of ideal power means he’ll have to improve in those areas in order to reach that potential. There’s potential here.
128. Nico Siragusa - G San DIego State 72
Gigantic guard with NFL bloodlines, SIragusa is 6’4 and 325 pounds. A guy with great durability and experience, he started the last 41 games for San DIego State. I think conditioning and technique are not as good as you’d like as quick guys give him problems and when he gets tired he’ll start to grab and get his arms extended. He’s fairly athletic given his size, and the Aztecs asked him to down block and pull constantly but he’s just okay in space. I watched a number of games where he got out ahead of himself and missed blocks on smaller defenders. They played a type of zone blocking scheme down there and it wasn’t exactly what he’s going to be the best at doing at the NFL level. He’s good but not great in pass protection, although this past season he didn’t allow a single sack. His bowl game against Houston really bugged me as Oliver just ate his lunch. There are some traits to like here, but a lot of people see him as a third round guy and that’s too rich for me. Siragusa can definitely develop into a starting NFL guard, and I expect him to do just that, but I think he’ll need a year or two of seasoning before that should happen.
129. Kendell Beckwith - LB LSU 72
A big physical thumper at inside linebacker who doesn’t have great athleticism. Beckwith kept getting better at LSU over the past three seasons, having more tackles and making strides in the passing game each season. He played all three downs at LSU but as someone who tore his ACL and was likely a 4.8 guy anyway before hand I seriously doubt that he’s a three down guy in the NFL. He’s too patient in his reads and will take on blockers or miss angles on running backs, allowing runners to get into his frame instead of attacking downhill. He doesn’t have the desired athleticism to become a good guy against the pass, and honestly I’d think his best bet is as the big inside linebacker in a 34 or the SAM in a 43. He’s pretty good in zone coverage overall though as he’ll get proper depth and shows a good feel for route diagnosing. Seems like his football IQ based on tape is plenty good to play in the league. He seems tough so I think he’ll likely be a good special teams’ player. A two down starter eventually when he’s healthy is his upside, and his floor is of that as a quality special teams player who can sub in on run downs.
130. Tyler Orlosky - C West Virginia 71
Orlosky doesn’t have great size or speed but he plays with good power and technique. He seems like he has good strength and his consistency snap to snap and game to game is among the best in this draft. The kid has excellent overall ability to anchor and his pass protection, despite having below desired length, is above average. You’d like your center to have more movement skills and better body control at the second level because he doesn’t run through linebackers like you’d want. I think that he struggles to get a ton of movement on running plays though, even on double teams but he rarely gives ground on those plays. He’s not a dynamic or explosive offensive lineman but he plays with good technique and anchors well in pass protection. His lateral quickness is average at best and his lack of length means his upside is limited but the kid could eventually end up being a decent starting center in the league, at worst he’s a backup.
131. Matt Milano - LB Boston College 71
This kid plays so hard and his tape is so much fun to watch it’s awesome. He’s really undersized at 6’0 and 223 pounds for a linebacker he’s definitely limited as a prospect and his 4.67 at the combine was disappointing because he plays much faster. Milano was asked to do a number of different things at Boston College including play special teams, where he blocked 3 kicks. He covered slot receivers when teams would go 4 and 5 wide, play off the edge as a pass rusher at times, drop into zone coverage and play weakside linebacker. His play speed was good but he has trouble getting off blocks due to small size and lack of functional strength. To me he could end up being a WILL in someone’s scheme because he plays so hard and his tape is good but he’ll struggle to adjust to the size of NFL players. He fires his gun as hard as anyone I’ve ever seen and he flies around like a missile when he decides to go for a hit, sometimes missing guys he shoulds take down. I think he could be an elite special teams player in the league with some upside as a sub package guy or potentially a weakside player. I’d draft him and watch him make plays all over the place on special teams.
132. Carlos Henderson - WR Louisiana Tech 70
This kid is unreal with the ball in his hands, creating more YAC yardage that almost anyone I’ve scouted this season. One of the better kick returners in the entire country, making people miss consistently in the short areas. He’s about 5’11 and 195 pounds so he’s definitely undersized as an outside guy but likely his career will be made as a 3rd or 4th receiver playing somewhere in the slot. He has great short area quickness and he runs a 4.45 so the combination of speed and quickness will be enticing. Has some concentration drops, primarily when working inside so you have to worry about that a bit because he’ll likely be asked to run in-breaking routes a lot in the league. Henderson doesn’t really time his jump or win 50/50 balls very often and contested catches aren’t his speciality. To me his quickness and speed combination, combined with good kick return ability and being excellent after the catch means the kid should get drafted somewhere on day 3. He’ll likely come in as a number 4 or 5 receiver, and with a good receiver coach he could develop into a solid slot guy and contributor.
133. Wayne Gallman - RB Clemson 70
I think Gallman is a nice player and will end up being a good piece in a rotational capacity in the NFL. While he doesn’t make anyone miss on a consistent basis he runs with decent vision and excellent power. I like how he shows the patience to find the running lanes and then will try to shoot through the hole with power. I like how hard he hits the hole when he finds it, although sometimes he’ll pick the wrong lane, he typically falls forward. He’s not good in pass protection yet, although I think it’s a trait he’ll improve on in the league as he’s got good size at around 215 pounds but runs heavier than his listed weight. Due to lack of wiggle and elite burst the kid’s upside is limited but he’s clearly a guy who should be on an NFL roster. He runs pretty well at 4.60 though and with his physicality he could turn into a pretty good special teams player as well. I like his vision and toughness on short yardage carries as well. Good football player, NFL guy, day 3 selection somewhere.
134. Joshua Dobbs - QB Tennessee 70
I’d love to use a day 3 selection on Joshua Dobbs if I had a starter I could count on right now. He has great athleticism, good size, and a pretty decent arm. Dobbs deep ball accuracy was as good as anyone in the country this season, completing almost 50% of his throws more than 20 yards downfield. He runs as well as any quarterback in this class and uses his escapability to create big plays with his feet. His footwork and accuracy need major improvement if he’s going to play at a higher level. This season I think the expectations of Tennessee and of Dobbs got to him a bit and he began to force more throws than he has in the past. His Junior season Dobbs tossed 5 picks, this season he threw 11 and he could have tossed a couple more if they weren’t dropped. I think a good qb coach could help him improve his precision passing because he’s got the talent and feet to be a player at the NFL level. You have to love his leadership and he’s one of the smartest players in this draft class at any level so he screams at minimum a solid backup. Eventual talent to become more but needs footwork and ball placement to improve.
135. Eric Saubert - TE Drake 70
I don’t really know exactly what to do or where to place Saubert from Drake. He runs sub 4.7 at 6’5 and 253 pounds and runs routes like a wideout does. He was an All-American and ended up with over 100 catches combined the past two seasons so there’s good production there as well. He can make ridiculous catches at times and his get off and running ability is smooth as can be. He’s not a good blocker, although there is potential there because he’s long and at times he can get in there and make a play or two when he’s aligned inside. At the Senior Bowl during the game there were plays he’d get pushed back by linebackers and other times he could run people down the line and hung in there in pass pro. His effort as a run blocker wasn’t great on the two films I got to see. He drops a lot of passes according to the analytics guys and some scouts think his hand eye coordination just isn’t that good. There’s a lot of potential here but he’s a guy who could end up being a starting flex caliber tight end or a guy who could be out of the league in two seasons. No clue what he is but damn there’s potential for days so on day 3 of the draft he could be a really good risk type play.
136. Larry Ogunjobi, DT Charlotte 70
Ogunjobi is going to likely be a rotational defensive lineman in the NFL. He doesn’t quite have the body or the strength to hold his own consistently in the NFL but his productivity and ability to get around guards and centers and push the pocket is a positive. At 6’2 and around 305 pounds with below average length he has to use his leverage to maintain gap integrity and get upfield and he doesn’t do that against high quality competition. Good guards and centers can stand him up and force him backward. I think he’s a solid pass rushing option from the interior though and he can definitely make plays. Only found two tapes on him and both were okay with some flashes but not enough consistency against better competition. He was very competitive during Senior Bowl week, but overall to me he’s a day 3 guy and I doubt he’s a long-time starter. If my team drafted him somewhere in round 4-6 and could put 10-15 pounds on him I wouldn’t mind it but I think his upside is limited.
137. Anthony Walker - ILB Northwestern 70
A good productive player who shows high football intelligence and character. Walker had over 100 tackles each of the past two years and combined that with 16 passes defensed in his career at Northwestern. He’s got adequate athleticism and speed but looked slower on tape this year than he did last season, I think his weight was too much. He’s not as flexible or as quick as he was the previous season on tape. I wish he didn’t miss as many tackles as he did, as he’s in position sometimes and just misses. He plays way too high when blockers get in his way and he is only average at fighting his way through traffic. Walker is good at route diagnoses though and can come off of a player with good recognition skills. This kid is a good player but to me there are a lot of guys who can do what he does. I think eventually he could work his way into being an NFL starter but currently he’s solid but not spectacular and has a decent floor with a low ceiling. Day 3 guy for a team who wants someone who can contribute on special teams and be a backup with eventual starter’s potential.
138. Jalen Myrick - CB Minnesota 70
Teams that love speed are going to really like Myrick. He’s the fastest defensive back in this draft class and he used that speed to not only be a really solid cornerback for Minnesota, but also to be a gunner and return kicks on special teams’ giving him added value. Myrick ran a 4.28 at the combine to boost his draft stock from somewhere in the 5-6 round range to in my opinion a late 3rd-4th round guy. As just a corner prospect he’s a draftable guy with great speed who in the past two seasons has played pretty darn good football. Analytics guys will love his QBR against and completion percentage his past two seasons against of under 40%. That being said he’s a bit tight when changing directions and he’s not great playing off coverage, which is scary for someone who doesn’t have the strength or size to press. That means he most likely kicks inside to the slot and while he’s quick he’s not a good tackler, even though he looks like he likes to mix it up. There are some holes to his game but he’s a good mirror corner with speed who can return kicks and can be a really solid gunner on special teams. Below average ball skills get frustrating at times too, he dropped 3 picks this year just on tape that I watched. I don’t think I could take him in the first two days but on day 3 there’s enough to work with here and some potential on special teams to be a contributor early in that capacity as well.
139. David Sharpe - G FLorida 69
Sharpe played tackle at Florida but there’s no way he goes there in the NFL. The kid is gigantic at 6’6 and 343 pounds and plays with power, particularly for a guy with 35+ inch arms. You don’t see people this big with this much initial quickness very often so you like the potential there without question. If you take him and play him at guard in a gap scheme the kid has a chance to be really successful, if you expect him to play left tackle there’s no shot, and right tackle is only possible in the correct scheme and with help against speed rushers. I suppose right tackle in a pinch could happen but I think anyone with athleticism or speed could give him fits. While his basketball background does give him a bit of initial quickness off the ball he’s bad at combination blocks and simply can’t wind down to make contact at the second level so movement teams will dump him on their board. Speed will kill him if he’s asked to play right tackle so I’d move him to guard in a gap scheme and have him blow people off the ball.
140. Zach Banner - OL USC 69
Banner is about as physically imposing as any player in this entire draft at 6’8 and 350 pounds. Not only does he have impressive size and power, he’s also an extremely bright kid, finishing as a finalist for the top African-American student athlete coming out of high school. He’s a bit of a tweener though because he lacks the quickness to play tackle but probably lacks the bend to play guard. I don’t really care, and honestly I think I’d try him at right guard but just give him help against speed rushers. He played at a high enough level at USC to get all-conference honors at guard and the Pac-12 has a bevy of speed rushers that he handled well enough there. There are plenty of right tackles starting in the NFL who need occasional help with pass rushers as well but there are very few who have Banner’s combination of size and strength. At worst if he can’t handle that type of athleticism outside you can kick him inside to right guard and get someone who could turn into a decent pass blocker and a run grater. I think he could eventually be a starter if he can keep his weight around 340-350 and he doesn’t blow up to 380. He’s worth the risk on day 3.
141. Chad Wheeler - OL USC 69
I saw someone compare him to Ty Sambrailo coming out and thought it was the best comparison I’ve seen. Someone with good size and length but the lack of functional strength to be anything more than an adequate offensive lineman in the league. He lacks the power to move people off the football and while he has good length, lineman who have good quickness and power can get into his body and bullrush him. I want him to maintain his leverage because with his lack of power you can’t get upright and expect to win. That being said Wheeler does have really good movement skills, although they aren’t nearly as good as they were early in his career as his injuries have taken a big time toll on him. Kid could play tackle in a pinch but I think he’ll likely be a move guard in the NFL. I like the fact you could potentially play him anywhere on the offensive line as he seems to have good football IQ and decent size and length so having someone with that type of potential means he’s likely a quality backup at 5 spots which is very valuable. I can’t take him in the first two days though, round 5-6 guy for me. Could eventually start a number of games because of versatility and movement skills.
142. Kyle Fuller - C Baylor 68
I’m not entirely sold on whether or not Fuller can be an NFL starter or not, there are a few things that I like about his game and a few things I don’t love. He has really good length and strength for a center with long arms and does a good job overall in pass protection. Baylor’s offense forced him to get out in space a lot and while most scouts think he’s poor in this area I think while he’s below average there he’s not as bad as the rep he has. When he’s not asked to get way out in space and can simply keep it fairly close and get off his initial block quickly he’s not bad. I think he’s good as a pass protector overall as his length gives defensive tackles some problems. The kid won’t generate as much movement in the running game as you’d like from someone with his size but he’s technically sound and gets in generally good position. He’s definitely more of a gap scheme guy than a movement scheme but he was asked to move a lot at Baylor and he did receive all league consideration this season. His balance isn’t as good as you’d like and sometimes defenders can get their hands on him and cause him problems. His size and length at center and solid play at Baylor are enticing but his lack of desired athleticism and balance are negatives. I think his size could get him on the field earlier in his career but he’s a borderline starter in the league and a gap scheme could get him out there early, likely a backup on the three interior line positions.
143. Ryan Glasgow - DT Michigan 68
If you’re a team that values leadership and toughness more than physical traits Ryan Glasgow is likely your guy. He doesn’t have the physical gifts or athleticism to get drafted on the first two days but if you want a run stuffer who plays hard and through the whistle look no further than the Wolverine alum. At 6’3 and 305 pounds he has a decent frame for a defensive tackle and he uses his hands and plays with pretty good leverage. He’s not ever going to be a guy who records a ton of tackles and he lacks the quickness, bend, and agility to be anything other than an average NFL pass rusher. I want him to add 10-15 pounds of muscle to hold up better against NFL double teams. Glasgow is one of those run stuffing two down defensive tackles that will likely be around the league for a long time. Day 3 guy with a solid floor.
144. Deatrich Wise Jr. - DE Arkansas 68
The kid isn’t exactly a quick twitch athlete but he has tremendous power and length. He wasn’t exceptionally productive at Arkansas and left some plays on the field consistently as he simply didn’t have the ability to reanchor and come with a secondary pass rush move. When he’s asked to simply bullrush or rip and dip he was pretty effective. I was blown away by his tape in the East-West Shrine game as he was one of the better players on the field the game. I worry a bit about his leverage as he’ll get a bit high sometimes. He’s big and strong though and with 35 inch arms at 275 pounds there is a lot to like here. I think he’s a base 43 defensive end and with that length there’s a chance he could even play 34 defensive end at times or 3 technique on passing downs, although right now his lack of quickness means he’ll likely not play on pass downs. I think he could be at worst a rotational defensive lineman in the NFL who could play in any scheme due to length and power. Effort, size, and power that equals NFL player.
145. Michael Roberts - TE Toledo 68
A 6’4 270 pound tight end prospect who catches the ball with ease and has enormous hands. This past season he had 16 touchdowns and seemed confident catching the ball on intermediate routes and in the redzone. He’s not a very good blocker at this point despite his size but with 33 inch arms and good power he has the potential to be though. He looks like he can figure out how to adjust to poor throws and make tough catches despite not being overly athletic. Roberts doesn’t do a horrible job run blocking but there is a lot of room for improvement, he played inline so he has some experience doing just that. He’s a decent route runner but isn’t going to create a ton of separation and his speed is just average. To me he’s a third tight end in the league who can move up and while likely make his living on special teams until he can become a better blocker and route runner. His production and size means he’s definitely a draftable guy.
146. Jeremy McNichols - RB Boise State 67
McNichols is a good rotational running back option who had tremendous production and is a good H-W-S prospect. McNichols is 215 pounds and runs a 4.49 40 who shows good route running ability and good vision and wiggle. He can avoid tackles and catches the football easily in both the screen and swing game as well as split out. I like how he has a feel for his running game and finding adequate rushing lanes and gets to the second level and downhill. He’s not an elite prospect and I doubt the kid will ever be a starter because he doesn’t run with enough power consistently and while he’s quick he’s not going to burst through and make huge plays consistently in the NFL. The other thing about him that kind of worries me though is that he isn’t great in pass protection yet so while he’ll be a good pass catcher on third downs you have to worry about how he can hold up in that situation. Good backup running back who can return kicks and catch the football.
147. Jadar Johnson - S Clemson 67
He is a well built safety with tremendous ball skills but is poor in the run game. THe kid is around 205 pounds with good length and runs a good solid 4.6 for a safety. The kid had 5 interceptions this past season and made plays all over the field in the pass game, but he was definitely struggling with tackles. This guy should be designed to play single high in the NFL because he lacks the strength and run stopping ability to play in the box with regularity. Johnson is a nice player who someone will fall in love with because of his high quality ball skills and aggressive nature with the ball in the air. Kid is really confident in his own ability which might be a bit too much for some teams. He missed a lot of tackles, the Alabama tape wasn’t great for him in terms of tackling as he just seemed to throw his body at ball carriers instead of wrapping up or hitting them hard. He’s got some qualities I like but his lack of physicality means I can’t take him on day 1 or 2, he’s likely a middle of the day on day 3 type kid for me.
148. Matt Dayes - RB NC State 67
Dayes is a nice quick scat back with some third down capabilities. He doesn’t break many tackles and while he comes in at about 205 pounds he runs with very little power. Occasionally he’ll fall forward when he gets to the secondary players but linebackers take him down
with ease. I love his vision and ability to press the line and then hit the second level quickly. He seems to catch the football easily and was asked to pass protect often for North Carolina State. Some people don’t like his pass protection ability but I thought it was above average for a college player. There are a lot of guys like Dayes in the league but I think he can play a bit. Rotational back with third down capabilities and below average power, should get drafted sometime on day 3.
149. Will Holden - OT Vanderbilt 67
I think Holden will likely be a swing tackle in the NFL who could play maybe even guard in a pinch. At 6’7 he has a weird frame with fairly short arms for a tackle, but he plays with good power and has a nice anchor. He’s not quick enough to start on the left side but he’s not a bad player so he can probably play over there if needed. Holden doesn’t have the feet to be an above average tackle in the league but there is a great opportunity for him to make a roster because his power. He’s really good at down blocks and when he locks people down he has as strong of hands as you’ll find from a tackle, rarely getting people to disengage. When left one on one with quicker guys they can dip and get around him in space, he’s better at playing closer to the line and will likely need consistent help to be successful at the NFL level. I think he could potentially play guard in the league but would need to play with better leverage to make that happen. He’s a 6th offensive lineman in the league who could maybe play right tackle as a starter. Day 3 kid.
150. Duke Riley - OLB LSU 67
Another sideline to sideline linebacker coming out of LSU into the NFL. He’s not nearly the athlete as some of the past running backers that have come out of the Bayou but he plays with good speed and wants to play downhill. At 232 pounds and running a 4.59 he’s fast enough to run around and make plays. I think his long speed is good, but his short area quickness and burst doesn’t match up with that. He needs to fire his gun early in order to make plays, at the NFL level bigger backs will run through him if he waits in the hole. Riley diagnoses fairly well, and even though this was his only real year of full time work he did lead the Tigers in tackles. My major issue with him though is while he’s supposed to be a fast WILL style linebacker I don’t believe he can cover running backs out of the backfield. That means that likely the guy is a special teams player, where I think he’ll be great, and a backup linebacker in the league. Can’t take him in the first 2 days.
151. Ben Boulware - LB Clemson 66
I think somehow this kid will end up playing in the NFL for a long time. He’s not long or fast but the kid has good instincts and plays as hard as anyone you’ll ever find. Boulware is tough as hell and was the leader of the team that played in two straight national title games and won one of them. He had almost 200 tackles over the past two seasons despite having barely 30 inch arms and having below average play speed and quickness. His short arms gets him taken out of plays by bigger lineman and he lacks the quickness to get around bigger bodied lineman in piles. He probably can’t be a cover guy in the NFL because while he seems to have good instincts in the pass game he doesn’t get good depth in his routes and he’d likely be giving up 4-5 inches to most tight ends. I doubt he can cover running backs out of the backfield with consistency so the kid will likely have to be a two down run stuffer. His first two years at Death Valley he was pretty good on special teams so his toughness and tackling ability means he’ll likely be a quality player on those situations. He’s a great leader and has tremendous toughness and was highly competitive, that coupled with good productivity means I’d draft him. Day 3 guy with little upside but I think he’s a long-time backup and special teams player in the NFL.
152. Tristan Decoud - DB Oregon State 66
I’ve watched every game Decoud has played the past two season with Oregon State and there are some traits that are going to entice NFL evaluators, myself included. Primarily the kid has excellent size and length. He’s 6’2 206 pounds and has 33 inch arms which is an enticing blend for a corner in a league that’s becoming more obsessed with long corners. His speed is just average and his backpedal is a bit weak, allowing receivers to eat up his cushion and get on his toes quicker than most corners. He’d have to play press bail or cover 2 in order to be a corner at the NFL level because he’s a bit tight hipped when he plays off. His initial burst to the football isn’t great. That being said he’s physical and likes to play up and personal toward receivers and his size means he could potentially matchup with tight ends. To me I don’t think Decoud should play corner in the NFL unless your team plays strictly zone type coverage. I believe Decoud could be a really good special teams player in the league but he should transition to safety in the league to take advantage of his skill set.
153. T.J. Logan - RB North Carolina 66
A guy who could be a team’s “lightning” running back who has the ability to change gears in a second. The kid ran a 4.37 at the combine but his quickness is also elite. He was always splitting carries at North Carolina and so there is little wear on the tires. At 5’9 and 196 pounds he isn’t going to run through many tackles and his running between the tackles is likely below average as his vision and power inside isn’t great. Logan’s ability to get to the outside is as good as anyone in this draft class though and he’s a very good kick returner. His drop rate is less than 2% so he’s a very capable receiver who runs running back routes at a high level. When he’s matched up on linebackers they don’t have much of a chance. He’s small and will never carry the ball much in the NFL because he’s too small and lacks the power to hold up but as a complementary player he could be dynamic. I think he’s a return man who can play on third down in the league as his speed will always be a welcome component.
154. George Kittle, TE Iowa 66
A 6’4 245 pound H-back/ in-line tight end prospect who shows some really good movement skills, George Kittle is a nice little chess piece. He’s definitely fast running a 4.52 at the combine but he lacks some quickness and suddenness to create consistent separation against Big 10 competition. He comes off the ball very hard as a run blocker but can sometimes get a bit out of control, but his blocking is pretty darn good. Playing in a pro-style offense under a very good football coach at Iowa definitely helps his game make a quick transition to the NFL. He has good hands and seems to have a pretty decent feel for zone coverage but he makes it tougher on the quarterback than you’d like as he doesn’t have a real sense of urgency when the ball is in the air. I like the kid, think he’s a quality second tight end option, day 3 guy for me.
155. Kareem Hunt - RB Toledo 66
Hunt is what I like to call a “volume” back in the NFL. What this means is that he’ll typically get what’s blocked for him and if you give the guy 15 carries, he’ll likely get you your 55-65 yards. Hunt can make a guy miss but lacks any real explosiveness to get past the second level of the defense. He’s the rare college guy that actually turns the ball north and south too quickly, as sometimes there’s running lanes to the outside. This past season Hunt turned into a solid pass catcher out of the backfield, grabbing 41 catches, and he shows good reliable hands. He’s got good vision and does a nice job of turning 2 yard gains into 5 yard gains consistently. I like this guy as a day 3 guy who projects as a solid backup who can start a few games throughout his career if needed.
156. Brad Kaaya - QB Miami 66
I get that some NFL personnel people are going to love to work with Kaaya because of his intellect and pro-style offense experience. I would not be one of those guys. He has an average to below average NFL arm and shotty inconsistent accuracy. While Kaaya hangs in the pocket, his lack of pocket mobility and getting hit this much this season could have major detrimental impact on his career. I hate his intermediate accuracy and his lack of arm strength means that he has to throw guys open much earlier than you’d like, leading to interceptions or missed throws. The guy understands NFL passing concepts at a high level and his long-term experience in a pro-style offense means he’d likely be a quality NFL backup. I know some people really want him to be an NFL starter but that’s not who he is. I like him as a backup on day 3 but that’s all, no way in hell I’d take this guy the first two days of the draft. Just not the arm strength, accuracy, or pocket mobility to be more than a career backup.
157. Tanzel Smart - DT Tulane 66
A rotational defensive 3 technique who uses good quickness and snap anticipation to show solid productivity. He was an All-Conference player the past two seasons so you know that coaches like a lot of what he does. That being said he’s undersized for a defensive tackle and has short arms which will likely cause him numerous problems in the NFL. I don’t know if he’s strong enough to hold up against double teams or against strong guards in the NFL in the run game so he could end up being simply a rotational pass rusher in sub packages. He was highly productive at Tulane so you have to like that, and he seems like he plays hard on every play. I doubt the kid ever turns into more than a rotational defensive tackle but he’s a guy whose productivity and motor should get him on a roster.
158. Carroll Phillips - OLB Illinois 65
A one year starter who had a really good season for Illinois this year, recording 20 tackles for loss for the Illini. Phillips has some potential but he’s just too small to play defensive end in the NFL;his Michigan tape just showed him get manhandled against the run by a bigger offensive lineman. I think he’s got good quickness and he shows a great motor and pretty decent speed, but he doesn’t bend on his pass rush like you’d expect from someone with his thin frame. At 242 pounds he looks like he’s around 225 pounds and simply plays too high against the run. He could get drafted and developed on day 3 because there’s potential as a pass rusher and he’s a solid tackler but you’d have to both add muscle and flexibility which would be a tall task. Some talent and a good senior year means there’s something to work with here.
159. Vincent Taylor - DT Oklahoma State 65
High cut long defensive tackle who plays too high but has some NFL ability. The kid blocked four kicks this past season so just as a special teams guy he could end up making the roster. Taylor had 12 sacks combined the past two seasons for the Cowboys and ended up as a first team all-conference pick this past season. At 34.5 inch arms you have to like his length and his ability as a pass rusher is a plus from the inside as he seems to have an idea and a plan with all his pass rushing opportunities. He’s not quick so his tackle radius isn’t really wide and he plays much too high so there are going to be guards that simply dominate him in the running game. To me Taylor is a guy who should get drafted because he can be a rotational pass rushing defensive tackle with an ability to block kicks. Day 3 and a guy who could be a sneaky 5 sack per year guy.
160. Sean Harlow - G Oregon State 65
I’ve watched every game that Harlow has ever played and I can tell you that Oregon State getting him back on their offensive line was the difference in their season this year. He doesn’t have prototype length even though he was a second team all Pac-12 guy this year at tackle so he’ll have to play inside in the NFL. I think he has the feet and football IQ to potentially play center in the league but he can definitely play guard. He’s pretty darn good in pass protection although long defenders can get him on skates because they can get their hands into his chest. At 305 pounds you’d like to see him up around 315 to get the power you’d like from a guard. Overall the kid was really consistent but lacks the strength and length to be a starter at the NFL level at this point. I think though he could be a high quality backup with good football IQ who has practiced or played at every position on the line.
161. Nazair Jones - DL UNC 64
Jones is a good run defender who has very limited upside as a pass rusher but versatility to play in either a 34 or a 43 defensive front. In his entire career you can count his sacks on one hand so you know you’re not getting a ton there despite good length and size at 6’4 and 305 pounds with really good length. I’d much rather have him as a 34 defensive end due to his strength and ability to set the edge and hold on two defenders and a wide tackle radius. It’s impressive for someone who played his position to get 70 tackles in a season but that’s what Jones did this season for the Tarheels. He’s simply a push the pocket guy in passing downs so there’s not much to work with there but if you’re looking for a quality run defender who can play multiple schemes as 3 technique or a 5 technique, with good tackling skills, Jones is your guy late on day 3.
162. Eddie Jackson - S Alabama 64
He’s a nice backup quality player but lack of physicality and decent but not overwhelming athleticism means he’ll likely end up being relegated to an average backup throughout his career. He’s got pretty good instincts and athleticism but really didn’t jump off the screen this past season until he broke his leg. If he had went pro after his Junior season his tape was much better then, and it could have seen him get picked somewhere potentially as high as round 3. His play strength isn’t very good as he’s long but lanky, and therefore he doesn’t bring the wood as much as you’d like for someone who patrols the center of the field. The kid played corner before switching to safety and he looks pretty darn comfortable in man to man coverage, showing the ability and desire to match up in the slot at a pretty high level. He’s got good hands and ball skills and rarely fights the football, showing that he can take the football away. At safety, playing deep he doesn’t look as comfortable although when he’s allowed to just sit back in single high and track the football he does a decent job. Where Jackson likely goes will be to a team who likes his above average punt return ability. The kid’s a nice piece but he’s no better than a 5th rounder.
163. Danny Isidora - G Miami 64
An athletic guard who played pretty well for the Hurricanes over the past three seasons. Isidora was someone I really wanted to watch play well at the Senior Bowl but he got overwhelmed with power time after time there and it really caused his stock to drop for me. Higher quality, power players caused him fits and although his athleticism and quickness are enticing for teams who want to get their guards to the second level, his inability to anchor scares the hell out of me. Isidora never really got a ton of movement in the run game in his college career but he did a nice job of getting off of double teams and making contact on the second level, although even there he rarely buried smaller defenders. I think on teams that use gap schemes blocking you take Isidora off your board because that’s not what and who he is. If you are a movement based offense who wants their guards to get to the second level you can draft him and help him with technique to have a bit narrower base and more power. His first year may need to be a redshirt year though in the league but there’s some talent and movement skills that teams may like.
164. Deveon Smith - RB Michigan 64
A very solid power back who seems to fall forward every single down. He’s not a guy whose going to wow you with any ability to make people miss or with quickness and speed but he runs with good vision and grinds out yardage. Smith doesn’t dance at all, and just seems to find a hole and power through it. He’s never going to be a guy with breakaway speed or someone who can create big plays in the run game but he catches the ball well out of the backfield, and just figures out a way to help move the chains. There’s not much upside here, but I love toughness, and I love guys who run as physically as he does. I can’t take him anywhere early but in round 6 or so I’d love to have him. I think eventually he could turn into a good core special teams’ player as well.
165. Conor McDermott - OT UCLA 63
Tall and long offensive tackle with good athleticism and little power in the run game. A former high school basketball player and tight end, the kid can move pretty darn well with little wasted movement. His kick slide is solid and he gets into his pass sets quickly and efficiently. At 6’8 he only weighs around 305 pounds and you can see that lack of weight and skinny legs get him into trouble with edge players with power. His initial jump off the snap is above average for a tackle but he doesn’t generate and maintain power throughout the push. I think there’s talent here because of the athleticism and he played at a relatively high level in college but his tape wasn’t overwhelming. I wouldn’t mind taking a flier on him on day 3 because the talent is there but if he can’t add significant strength he’s no better than a swing tackle with little power.
166. Ben Gedeon - LB Michigan 63
Pretty standard tough nosed backup inside linebacker and special teams guy. Gedeon has good size and plays with toughness and an ability to get off blocks to make tackles. Very little starting experience but he did play 51 games at Michigan and improved each season. He also played special teams his entire time in Ann Arbor, which is likely where he’ll end up making his mark in the NFL, according to NFL.com the kid had 23 career special teams tackles. I watched every Michigan game this past season and I had him for 17 missed tackles which is a major issue from someone who can’t cover as well as you’d like. In fact the kid won’t play on third down in the league due to lack of quickness and straight line speed. Again he is what he is, a two down big linebacker who won’t play in sub packages and likely will get the occasional spot start but will mostly be a quality special teams player.
167. Michael Rector - WR Stanford 63
A a much better athlete than a football player at this point, Rector runs a 4.42 with a 36.5 inch vertical. He’s not a tremendous route runner but his speed can help him get open down the field a bit. I think it takes him a while to create separation because he doesn’t wind down as well as some players so underneath routes aren’t going to be his speciality. Rector can fight the football at times and I can count on one hand the times he snatched the football out of the air. Rector is a good blocker for his size but you won’t ever confuse him with HInes Ward or Fitzgerald there. To me he’s a borderline NFL wide receiver who might end up making it as a fourth or fifth wide receiver and kick returner. He’s fairly physical so he may be able to play on special teams which is something you’d have to answer before drafting him because your fourth and fifth wide receivers have to play there. 6th-7th round guy with some upside because of intellect toughness and speed. Speed always plays.
168. Elijah Qualls - DT Washington 63
An interior run stuffer who likely is a big 3 technique but who can play nose in a pinch. He’s a bit stocky and lacks the length to ever end up being any type of factor in the pass game so ultimately he’s a rotational run stuffer who can play on the interior of a number of defensive fronts. The kid has some potential and occasionally can use his hands to disengage from interior offensive lineman. He’s a hell of a lot better at holding ground than penetrating though, meaning that likely again the upside is limited. Scouts are worried about his work ethic and you can tell, he looks like he put on a pretty decent amount of fat and not muscle. I think the kid is draftable, but some people thinking round 3 or 4 are out of their minds in my opinion. Qualls is a run stuffer with limited pass rush upside who has some work ethic questions. He’s got some size and some ability though so worth a late round flier if you need a cheap rotational run stuffer, that’s all he is.
169. Malachi Dupre - WR LSU 62
I could get really into this write up but ultimately the kid is a developmental wide receiver who should have stayed in school. Throughout his three year career he doesn’t even have 100 catches and while he is good at tracking the deep ball and is a good leaper he’s an average at best wide receiver prospect in the NFL. At 6’2 and around 200 pounds with almost a 40 inch vertical he makes an impressive target for a quarterback. However, he takes a long time to get up to full speed and runs around a 4.52 40 but plays a bit slower than that. His route running isn’t terrible but his lack of initial burst and his lean shows what he’s going to do at time so he’s not great at creating separation, and he’ll have to be good at making contested catches in the NFL. The big target and leaping ability combined with decent speed means he could develop but he’s not overly physical so I’m not sure he’ll turn into a good special teams’ guy. Mid day 3 guy with some upside but doubt he’ll ever turn into anything more than a number 3 or more than likely a number 4 guy.
170. Dawuane Smoot - DE Illinois 62
Smoot was a hurdler in the Junior Olympics as a kid and came to Champagne at 215 pounds soaking wet. He turned himself into a viable NFL end prospect and weighed in at 265 pounds at the NFL combine. I think he may be better as a rush 34 outside linebacker because he does pretty well when he gets a running start and can get into a tackle’s body. He just lacks any real pass rush moves or any idea of what he’s doing on the edge, when you watch him I wonder 90% of the time what he’s trying to accomplish each time he comes off the edge. Smoot is okay as a prospect but there aren’t as many tools in the toolbox as people seem to think. His lack of production and tape against better offensive linemen means to me he’s a middle of day 3 guy at best. I don’t think he has the ability to ever turn into a starter in the NFL but as a rotational effort guy and a potential special teams guy there’s a chance here.
171. Noah Brown - WR Ohio State 62
Big physical receiver at 6’2 and 222 pounds and he plays like a tight end, utilizing all of his size. He’s raw as hell and has very little experience so you’re taking a guy here who you have no idea what you’re getting other than the basic tools he possesses. I think he has a little less risk than just a typical receiver though because his physicality and size means there’s a chance that he turns into a good special teams player, and when you get to this point in the draft rankings that has to be a major factor in your decision making. In his entire career the guy only has 33 career catches. He’s a really good blocker as a wide receiver though, one of the rare wideouts who can sustain blocks and looks like he enjoys cracking down on linebackers and defensive ends. It’ll take him a while to develop without question and you’ll likely have to redshirt him as a rookie except for on special teams where I think he could be really good. I’d grab him as a day 3 receiver to develop because I love his size, but I’d spend the majority of his rookie year turning him into a star special teams player until he figures out the nuances of the receiver position. Could turn into a number 3 type possession receiver in time.
172. Jessamen Dunker - G Tennessee State 62
Dunker has some talent that will get some teams talking and he played at a high level the past couple of seasons at Tennessee State. He’s got good length and size at 6’4 and 315 pounds and excellent movement skills. I worry about him a bit in space because he can get out ahead of himself a bit and miss blocks. I think that’s something that Dunker can remedy at the next level. The issues you have here are his lack of functional strength despite good size, good players who convert speed to power just shove him into the backfield. To me despite playing the past two seasons at left tackle he may be better utilized as a guard or center for a zone running scheme. I do like the fact that he has good movement skills though and think perhaps the kid could be a backup at multiple positions in the league. If he can add strength and get some technique issues cleaned up he could eventually work his way into a starting role with the right schematic fit. Long way to go for an average prospect though. No earlier than round 6.
173. Sam Tevi - OT Utah 61
There is some talent here but the kid is really raw. He’s only played two seasons on offense and you can see it in his game. He gets ahead of his feet a lot and leans forward, putting his head down which gets him really far behind on delayed blitzes or stunts. End-tackle games cause him issues even though he has really good feet. He’s pretty strong and when he gets to simply down block or gap block he’s very effective although Tevi wasn’t asked to do that often for the Utes as they like movement stuff. He’s strong with pretty good feet so while he’s raw as hell, ducks his head and has inconsistent hands and footwork in pass sets there’s a lot to work with. You can’t play him for at least a season, more than likely even his second year will need work so he’s more than likely a practice squad guy who you can develop. I could see why someone would be enticed by him and maybe use a 6th or 7th round selection on him. If he isn’t drafted I’d like to bring him into camp.
174. Davon Godchaux - DT LSU 60
I could get really into this evaluation but the long and short of it is he’s a rotational defensive lineman in the NFL that lacks starter ability. I’m not saying the kid isn’t an NFL quality player but he’s slow in his get off and lacks any real pass rush ability. He makes some plays but typically they are well past the line of scrimmage and big strong offensive lineman can push him off the ball a little bit too easy for someone at 310 pounds. I dislike how slowly he gets off the ball at times, seemingly a half beat late consistently when the ball is snapped, and with someone who lacks true power and speed he can’t be that late because he’ll get moved. He has some ability and plays team football, trying to control his gap and work against double teams but he needs some work there. Rotational defensive lineman, probably best in a four man front, with very little chance he’ll play in sub packages in his career. Draftable but barely.
175. Vince Biegel - OLB Wisconsin 60
Borderline NFL prospect without the strength and power to play at a high level in the NFL right now. At 6’3 and 245 pounds he has decent movement skills but has to beat offensive tackles with quickness because once they land their hands on him he’s done. He has a tough time getting off of blocks and so people can block him one on one. Biegel plays very hard and is a good tackler, shows great recognition skills and seems pretty decent getting depth in his coverage responsibilities. He was asked to rush the passer a lot in Madison without a ton of productivity due to lack of twitchiness and power. Coaches and teammates voted him a captain and everyone raves about him as a teammate. He runs okay in the mid 4.6s and is 245 pounds so there’s a chance he could be a good special teams player because I believe that’s the only way he makes a team. I’d take a flier on him late on day 3 because he’s a good teammate and his desire to play and ability to tackle means he could end up being a core special teams guy.
176. Brian Allen - DB Utah 60
Super raw but talented guy who simply has a long way to go before he’s anywhere near ready to play in the NFL. Allen has incredible size for a corner prospect, coming in at 6’3 and 215 pounds and he looks more like a strong safety or a WILL linebacker than he does a corner. His technique is extremely raw and he has trouble locating the football regularly. He has only really played corner for two seasons in his entire life and you can see it on tape. He ran a 4.48 at the combine and showed a great ability to press and jam smaller receivers which is where he’ll have to make a living in the league. Allen is probably the worst tackler at the position in this draft even though he has tremendous size, his lack of experience causes him serious problems. Look let’s just be honest about what we’re looking at from Allen, he can’t play in the NFL next season because he’s just so damn raw but I would love to get this kid on my practice squad. I’d use a 7th rounder on him if I wanted a flier because in a couple seasons he could be good.
177. Bryan Cox - DE Florida 60
Cox is the son of pro-bowl defensive end Bryan Cox Sr, and he flashes some of his Dad’s potential. Cox is strong at 265 pounds and he does a good job setting the edge and playing with power. At Florida he was asked to play outside linebacker a lot even though he’s definitely better suited to play the strongside defensive end spot in a base defense. He’s not very quick so it’s unlikely he ever ends up a pass rusher in the NFL although he has some potential to maybe kick inside on 3rd downs. I’m not going to get too into this evaluation because he’s a borderline NFL prospect who plays the run fairly well but has limited pass rush ability. The fact he’s played standing up and with his hand in the dirt is a bonus and he seems to have some transferrable traits to an NFL player. I could see him getting drafted but I wouldn’t take him before round 6.
178. Hardy Nickerson - ILB Illinois 60
A very good tackler with below average size and speed. Nickerson’s tackle percentage was among the top in all of college football over the past two seasons and you can always use players who can block and tackle. His tape simply doesn’t show the speed, quickness, or play strength to be a good NFL linebacker but you can’t overlook someone who when he hits you, you go down. I need my linebackers to be faster than 4.8 when they are 230 pounds. I believe though that he could be a backup linebacker and a quality special teams guy and again I believe his true tackle percentage is 99% which is outstanding. Super late round guy but there are worse ways to use your 6th and 7th round picks than someone who plays hard with NFL
heritage.
179. Carlos Watkins - DT Clemson
180. KD Cannon - WR Baylor
181. Delano Hill - S Michigan
182.Jehu Chesson - WR Michigan
183.Jerod Evans - QB Virginia Tech
184.Travis Rudolph - WR Florida State
185.Jayon Brown - LB UCLA
186.Ryan Lewis - CB Pittsburgh
187.Kermit Whitfield - WR Florida State
188.Erik Magnuson - G Michigan
189. Des Lawrence - CB North Carolina
Devonte Fields - Edge Louisville - OFF BOARD
Fields has some pretty impressive on field gifts but off field concerns hurt his stock. You couple that with the fact that I’ve read three different scouting reports that say the kid also seems to not really care about football much. Probably 3-4th round ability, but he’s undersized as a defensive end and I don’t want guys on my team that don’t love football. I wouldn’t draft him.
Corey Clement - RB Wisconsin - OFF BOARD
Average NFL potential but too many character concerns and issues within the program takes him off my draft board, not worth it for someone who can’t start in the league. Couple that with a 4.68 at the combine and it’s easy to remove him.
Jamaal Williams - RB BYU OFF BOARD
Very borderline NFL running back prospect who had a knee injury, got suspended for violation of team rules, and then left the team for personal reasons for an entire season. If you’re a stud football player you can deal with these things, Williams is okay but not special so he’s not draftable to me.
Charles Walker - DT Oklahoma OFF BOARD
Multiple injuries, 3 concussions, and leaving his team part way through a season. The kid has the talent to get drafted without any question but I wouldn’t draft him. Concussions scare the hell out of me and it bugs me that he left the team.
Ben Braden - G Michigan OFF BOARD
A leaner without the desired athleticism to play consistently in the NFL. Quick guys will give him fits and he doesn’t get the power you want from a lineman without elite quickness. Not a bad player but not someone I’d use a draft pick on. Priority free agent type guy.
DeAngelo Brown - DT Louisville OFF BOARD
He’s an okay player who has decent size and quickness but he doesn’t have the power to hold up against the double team consistently nor the quickness to make plays outside his immediate vicinity. There are 500 guys just like him on college and NFL rosters throughout the league so why waste a draft pick on one. I might bring him in as a priority free agent because you do need a couple guys like this on your roster.
Artavis Scott - WR Clemson OFF BOARD
Too small and slow to play outside without the quickness to play inside. You can’t be 5’10 and also run a 4.61, the numbers just don’t make sense. He’s a pretty good kick and punt returner but there are 6-8 guys in this draft who are better return men than he is and are better overall players so to me if you draft him it’d be round 7. His inability to track the deep ball means even if he can somehow get on top of a corner it’s not likely he’ll make the big play anyway. Borderline prospect who might get drafted, but not by me if I’m a GM.
Joe Mixon - RB Oklahoma OFF BOARD
He would honestly be in my top 8-10 players in this entire draft but his domestic violence stuff just bugs the hell out of me. I feel like he was given preferential treatment at Oklahoma because he played football so he’s off my board.
Deangelo Yancey - WR Purdue OFF BOARD
Speed guy with poor route running and drops. Speed is in the 4.5 range so it’s not enough to separate him from a bunch of other guys at this point. At 6’2 and 208 pounds there’s a chance here to be better but he’ll need a good wide receiver coach to get on the field. If you draft Yancey you have to be positive he can play special teams, which at this point based on film I’m not. Every game he went against an NFL corner he was neutralized. King at Iowa was terrified of getting beat deep by him because he lacked long speed so Yancey killed him on comeback routes, that won’t be the case in the league.
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