2015-16 CFB SEASON / '16 NFL DRAFT

[Bingo_AlphaMan]

Ryan Kelly - C - Player

MMQB's Peter King was told there is "no way" Alabama C Ryan Kelly slips out of the top 20.

The Colts at No. 18 are a popular mock destination for Kelly, and it makes a lot of sense. Indy has to do a better job both protecting Andrew Luck and getting interior push in the running game, and Kelly could help in both regards. The consensus top center prospect, Kelly should be able to contribute Week 1.
Source: MMQB

Apr 28 - 10:47 AM

[Dodub]

It would be funnier if our RT situation wasn't a complete disaster last year....

Our whole franchise was a complete disaster last year from GM to Punter.

[Yadahell]

Mixed emotions on this draft. I want Baalke to be gone next year, so I don't mind if he whiffs again. On the other hand, I want this team to turn it around quickly-so I want a solid draft. Maybe a solid draft, but a crappy season and Baalke getting canned is the best option. Then in 2017 the team will be competitive again hopefully.

[I_am_1z]

I recent read that Baalke has drafted 1 pro bowl player since 2011. With those type of results, one should expect Niner fans to be "whiney".

Agreed. Stealing Harbaugh away from the Dolphins, the SB appearance(should probably be appearances*), 3 consecutive NFC champ appearances and the success wasn't enough. Whiney 49er fans want every youngster drafted on what was the deepest team in the NFL to be a pro bowler too.

"Stealing". Harbaugh to staying the Bay Area was a done deal...all he had to do was not mess it up. Regardless, he ended up driving him out of town in the end anyways.

I seriously think the image of this Baalke-led FO has been absolutely tarnished the last couple of years. This Anthony Davis saga is just more piling on. Dude just needs to go far, far away. There's no coming back from this short of a miracle.

1-sub .500 season.

[CrimsonCrew]

It would be funnier if our RT situation wasn't a complete disaster last year....

Our whole franchise was a complete disaster last year from GM to Punter.

Yes, but I think losing Davis and Aldon late in the offseason made what could have been a tolerable season into a disaster. Aldon and Lynch paired up should have made for a very effective pass rush - arguably our biggest problem on defense. And Davis would have improved both our passing and rushing offense dramatically given that his replacement was god-awful. Not to mention that, although terrible at RT, Pears might have actually upgraded RG early in the season. With those two guys in the lineup and playing at full strength, I think we would have been looking at eight wins again last year.

[Ease_Ur_Storm]

Mixed emotions on this draft. I want Baalke to be gone next year, so I don't mind if he whiffs again. On the other hand, I want this team to turn it around quickly-so I want a solid draft. Maybe a solid draft, but a crappy season and Baalke getting canned is the best option. Then in 2017 the team will be competitive again hopefully.

Banking on Baalke's addiction to drafting injured players, projects, and future picks once again despite all the pressure.

[CrimsonCrew]

You think we take both Jack and J. Smith?

[Ease_Ur_Storm]

If that previous report was accurate, don't think we take Jack. Really hope another team takes that out of hour hands. If J. Smith falls to the 5th I could see it, and I'd be on board with that.

The funny thing is that Jack could help near term a lot so you'd think Baalke would be on board.

[NinerSickness]

If you are going to have a true number then you have to include ALL players and not just cherry pick the ones you want.

You can make sub categories of you want but if you are looking for a true average length then everyone just be included.

There's no such thing as a "true number." That has no definition. But if you want to project a typical, NFL career based on the longevity of a player and not whether or not he's good enough to play in the league, you have to eliminate outliers. Nate Davis does not inform as to how long a typical, NFL quarterback will last in the league. Glenn Coffee doesn't give us information on the longevity of RBs any more than Chris Borland does.

There are about 20 scrubs on every team in the preseason who don't even make the final roster. Some of them end up getting signed for a few weeks or a season here or there, but they all factor into the average. Jamarcus Russell would still probably be playing if he were any good.

So the "average" doesn't really tell us anything.

[Dodub]

If you are going to have a true number then you have to include ALL players and not just cherry pick the ones you want.

You can make sub categories of you want but if you are looking for a true average length then everyone just be included.

There's no such thing as a "true number." That has no definition. But if you want to project a typical, NFL career based on the longevity of a player and not whether or not he's good enough to play in the league, you have to eliminate outliers. Nate Davis does not inform as to how long a typical, NFL quarterback will last in the league. Glenn Coffee doesn't give us information on the longevity of RBs any more than Chris Borland does.

There are about 20 scrubs on every team in the preseason who don't even make the final roster. Some of them end up getting signed for a few weeks or a season here or there, but they all factor into the average. Jamarcus Russell would still probably be playing if he were any good.

So the "average" doesn't really tell us anything.

Those type of players aren't outliers, there are literally hundreds of those players every year.

[NinerSickness]

Those type of players aren't outliers, there are literally hundreds of those players every year.

That's exactly my point. If the infant death rate is 75% but people who die of natural causes live to an average of 100, saying that the "average" lifespan is 26 says nothing about the longevity of human beings. The same premise is true of NFL players. Most of 'em don't last because they're not good enough to play in the league.

Players who are good enough to play in the NFL usually play a lot longer than 3 years. Probably more like 7 years.

[I_am_1z]

I remember arguing with someone in this thread that said Cal didn't have talent at the WR position, yet two of their WRs were considered draftable and Bryce Treggs, a UDFA, ran in the high 4.3s at his pro day. Now I don't think Goff will be a bust, but I do feel as if he can't do as much with run of the mill receivers as Connor Cook could.

[Bingo_AlphaMan]

I remember arguing with someone in this thread that said Cal didn't have talent at the WR position, yet two of their WRs were considered draftable and Bryce Treggs, a UDFA, ran in the high 4.3s at his pro day. Now I don't think Goff will be a bust, but I do feel as if he can't do as much with run of the mill receivers as Connor Cook could.

Wow! Lawler was a 7th round pick and Treggs is a one trick pony WR that went undrafted. Connor Cook had both of his OTs drafted, a WR drafted, and a center that will make the 53 man roster with the team that just signed him. Thus, Connor Cook had more help on offense than Goff had. We passed up on Cook 16 times this past weekend. Clearly Chip doesn't want his a$$.

[I_am_1z]

I remember arguing with someone in this thread that said Cal didn't have talent at the WR position, yet two of their WRs were considered draftable and Bryce Treggs, a UDFA, ran in the high 4.3s at his pro day. Now I don't think Goff will be a bust, but I do feel as if he can't do as much with run of the mill receivers as Connor Cook could.

Wow! Lawler was a 7th round pick and Treggs is a one trick pony WR that went undrafted. Connor Cook had both of his OTs drafted, a WR drafted, and a center that will make the 53 man roster with the team that just signed him. Thus, Connor Cook had more help on offense than Goff had. We passed up on Cook 16 times this past weekend. Clearly Chip doesn't want his a$$.

They also had a guy, Trevor Davis, drafted AHEAD of Lawler. By CFB standards that's really good to have two guys drafted and a "one trick pony" that runs in the 4.3s. Goff was spoiled with talent compared to Cook. Cook's offensive line was better, but faced much more stout defenses than Cal, so I would consider those cancelled out.

[clyde21]

I remember arguing with someone in this thread that said Cal didn't have talent at the WR position, yet two of their WRs were considered draftable and Bryce Treggs, a UDFA, ran in the high 4.3s at his pro day. Now I don't think Goff will be a bust, but I do feel as if he can't do as much with run of the mill receivers as Connor Cook could.

Goff is the only reason anyone knows those names.

[I_am_1z]

I remember arguing with someone in this thread that said Cal didn't have talent at the WR position, yet two of their WRs were considered draftable and Bryce Treggs, a UDFA, ran in the high 4.3s at his pro day. Now I don't think Goff will be a bust, but I do feel as if he can't do as much with run of the mill receivers as Connor Cook could.

Goff is the only reason anyone knows those names.

Their measurables imply otherwise.

Here's Burbridge:

6'0"
206 lb
8.25 inch hands
40 — 4.56
Broad Jump — 9'07"
Vertical Jump — 30.5"

Here's Macgarrett Kings Jr(aka Cook's 2nd WR):

5'8"
180 lbs
40 — 4.74
Broad Jump — 8'10"
Vertical Jump — 32"

Also had a committee at RB and an offensive line that was dominated by power teams.

Don't know how they managed to make the playoff

[ChrisPozz]

1z, you're wrong about what I said about him. Bingo, you're closer to my sentiment but also missed on the point about me saying he's a hell of a football player. 1z, it appears you only read half of my first statement. I said, "He is a hell of a football player AT THE LOWER LEVEL." I even said he's one of the best I've ever seen or heard of at UND, although that's not that big of a statement to make given that program's history tied to the NFL. Where did I ever say he was going to be a hell of an NFL player? I'll chalk it up to reading too quickly or bad recall.

I then explained how you'd have to get in with his coaches and interview the heck out of the kid to determine if you think he can make the huge jump up in competition that it's going to be coming from a place such as UND. I said if the mental stuff checks out and the size thing isn't a hindrance for you, he COULD be fine from an athletic standpoint and could be a fine pick.

There's enough people, who, like me, WONDER (not state definitively yet) if he will be able to make the jump and if fullback might be a better spot for him.

I also said that, when asked, that he had not shown yet, to me at least, that he's fully capable of "hanging around elite competition." Part of that, as I said, is because there are limits to what you can show at a Pro Day in order to prove you can come into an organization, go through everything in the meeting rooms, interacting and communicating with coaches and teammates, and applying that onto the field against types you've never been around in an interactive setting.

I will repeat. He seems to be like the type of kid mentally and from a personality standpoint that I'd love to see be given every opportunity to see if he can digest everything he will need to. I'm just acknowledging things I think he's going to be facing, more so than most, that he's never had to deal with before, but I will be rooting for him to succeed.

Update on this Will Ratelle discussion/banter from about a month ago. (Go back to pages 98-100 in this thread if you're wondering what the heck I'm referring to).

NFL: UND's Will Ratelle signs with Atlanta Falcons

http://www.grandforksherald.com/sports/und-football/4022280-nfl-unds-will-ratelle-signs-atlanta-falcons

Ratelle, a 5-foot-10, 250-pound Edina, Minn., native, is expected to make the transition from linebacker to fullback in the NFL. Ratelle, an all-Big Sky first team performer, hasn’t played fullback since high school.

In a separate interview he said that he only got offers to play FB. All of the evidence I'm running into these days would seem to suggest, that at least as of right now, more interested parties view his best shot in the NFL at fullback, which is what myself and others wondered about in the months leading up to the draft.

[I_am_1z]

1z, you're wrong about what I said about him. Bingo, you're closer to my sentiment but also missed on the point about me saying he's a hell of a football player. 1z, it appears you only read half of my first statement. I said, "He is a hell of a football player AT THE LOWER LEVEL." I even said he's one of the best I've ever seen or heard of at UND, although that's not that big of a statement to make given that program's history tied to the NFL. Where did I ever say he was going to be a hell of an NFL player? I'll chalk it up to reading too quickly or bad recall.

I then explained how you'd have to get in with his coaches and interview the heck out of the kid to determine if you think he can make the huge jump up in competition that it's going to be coming from a place such as UND. I said if the mental stuff checks out and the size thing isn't a hindrance for you, he COULD be fine from an athletic standpoint and could be a fine pick.

There's enough people, who, like me, WONDER (not state definitively yet) if he will be able to make the jump and if fullback might be a better spot for him.

I also said that, when asked, that he had not shown yet, to me at least, that he's fully capable of "hanging around elite competition." Part of that, as I said, is because there are limits to what you can show at a Pro Day in order to prove you can come into an organization, go through everything in the meeting rooms, interacting and communicating with coaches and teammates, and applying that onto the field against types you've never been around in an interactive setting.

I will repeat. He seems to be like the type of kid mentally and from a personality standpoint that I'd love to see be given every opportunity to see if he can digest everything he will need to. I'm just acknowledging things I think he's going to be facing, more so than most, that he's never had to deal with before, but I will be rooting for him to succeed.

Update on this Will Ratelle discussion/banter from about a month ago. (Go back to pages 98-100 in this thread if you're wondering what the heck I'm referring to).

NFL: UND's Will Ratelle signs with Atlanta Falcons

http://www.grandforksherald.com/sports/und-football/4022280-nfl-unds-will-ratelle-signs-atlanta-falcons

Ratelle, a 5-foot-10, 250-pound Edina, Minn., native, is expected to make the transition from linebacker to fullback in the NFL. Ratelle, an all-Big Sky first team performer, hasn’t played fullback since high school.

In a separate interview he said that he only got offers to play FB. All of the evidence I'm running into these days would seem to suggest, that at least as of right now, more interested parties view his best shot in the NFL at fullback, which is what myself and others wondered about in the months leading up to the draft.

Don't understand why a team wouldn't give him a shot at ILB.

[clyde21]

I remember arguing with someone in this thread that said Cal didn't have talent at the WR position, yet two of their WRs were considered draftable and Bryce Treggs, a UDFA, ran in the high 4.3s at his pro day. Now I don't think Goff will be a bust, but I do feel as if he can't do as much with run of the mill receivers as Connor Cook could.

Goff is the only reason anyone knows those names.

Their measurables imply otherwise.

Here's Burbridge:

6'0"
206 lb
8.25 inch hands
40 — 4.56
Broad Jump — 9'07"
Vertical Jump — 30.5"

Here's Macgarrett Kings Jr(aka Cook's 2nd WR):

5'8"
180 lbs
40 — 4.74
Broad Jump — 8'10"
Vertical Jump — 32"

Also had a committee at RB and an offensive line that was dominated by power teams.

Don't know how they managed to make the playoff

"HEY YOUR GUY JUMPS A QUARTER OF AN INCH HIGHER THAN MY GUY, HE MUST BE GOOD!!!"

Thought you're better than this. I guess not. Skip Bayless-level hot take right here. Pathetic.

[I_am_1z]

Goff is the only reason anyone knows those names.

Their measurables imply otherwise.

Here's Burbridge:

6'0"
206 lb
8.25 inch hands
40 — 4.56
Broad Jump — 9'07"
Vertical Jump — 30.5"

Here's Macgarrett Kings Jr(aka Cook's 2nd WR):

5'8"
180 lbs
40 — 4.74
Broad Jump — 8'10"
Vertical Jump — 32"

Also had a committee at RB and an offensive line that was dominated by power teams.

Don't know how they managed to make the playoff

"HEY YOUR GUY JUMPS A QUARTER OF AN INCH HIGHER THAN MY GUY, HE MUST BE GOOD!!!"

Thought you're better than this. I guess not. Skip Bayless-level hot take right here. Pathetic.

As I've said DURING the CFB season, Connor Cook MADE Aaron Burbridge. The measurables just back what I've been telling you, but for some reason or another you've been quick to glance over. When Goff had a bad game, people blamed his surrounding cast. In contrast when Cook laid an egg against a powerhouse team like Alabama, he took all the blame.