2017-18 CFB SEASON / '18 NFL DRAFT

[Bingo_AlphaMan]

Marcus Davenport - DL - Roadrunners

The MMQB's Albert Breer expects UTSA edge rusher Marcus Davenport to be drafted before pick No. 13.

"Just watch. The converted receiver from a mid-major school will put on a show in Indianapolis," Breer writes. Davenport is coming off a disappointing Senior Bowl week after the expectations placed on him were a bit too high. Disappointing in that Davenport failed to win one on one reps until the final day of practice. The foundation of Davenport's game is length, size and athleticism, and those should be on display in Indy.
Source: SI.com

Feb 21 - 9:26 AM


Marcus Davenport - DL - Roadrunners

NFL Media's Daniel Jeremiah spoke to one "top" DL coach who compared UTSA edge rusher Marcus Davenport to Jason Taylor.

Taylor was 6-foot-6 and 248-pounds when entering the NFL from a small program like Akron and Davenport will be around the same height and nearly 260-pounds at the NFL Combine. The Senior Bowl showed Davenport has a ways to go in terms of a pass rushing plan, but improving his strengths could help him be an impact player in the NFL.
Source: Daniel Jeremiah on Twitter

Feb 21 - 9:42 AM

[Bingo_AlphaMan]

Sam Darnold - QB - Trojans

USC QB Same Darnold possesses "off-the-charts intangibles," per conversations the MMQB's Albert Breer had with NFL personnel members.

Breer projects Darnold to be the Browns selection at No. 1, and teams' potential comfort with him due to those intangibles seems to be a major factor why. The quarterback hierarchy becomes more clear following the NFL Combine, with many trade talks happening over the course of that week. But as of now, Darnold appears the favorite for the No. 1 spot, as that same "intangibles" line has not been repeated for Josh Rosen or Baker Mayfield.
Source: SI.com

Feb 21 - 9:05 AM

[NinerSickness]

The production (or lack of) doesn’t scare me all that much. Even his medicals isn’t too much of a concern for me at this point, until our team doctors says otherwise (i.e., Foster last year). It’s the off the field stuff that scares the crap out of me. No one seems to be able to disclose what exactly the issue was!? Did he get suspended? Is he not committed / contemplating early retirement once he gets an NFL bonus!? What is it...? If he’s committed, no drugs/violence off the field issues, no early retirement plans, then I’d be more than willing to snatch him in the second. Until then... no thanks.

Arden Key - DL - Tigers

The MMQB's Albert Breer "really" thinks LSU edge rusher Arden Key drops out of the first round.

We've said the same, as right now there are far more questions around Key's game than answers, and that typically scares a number of teams. Key was great in 2016, but as soon as that season ended things became cloudy. Key had shoulder surgery and spent time away from the team. He then missed a few games while recovering and totally changed his playing weight.
Source: SI.com

Feb 21 - 10:10 AM

Don't fall for the temptation, John. Don't do it! Sign Ziggy Anzah & be done with it.

[ChrisPozz]

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[NinerSickness]

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Where do you see him going in the draft, CP? He's been rated in mock drafts anywhere from top 20 to the late rounds.

[ChrisPozz]

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Where do you see him going in the draft, CP? He's been rated in mock drafts anywhere from top 20 to the late rounds.

Seattle (18) and Dallas (19) are wild cards for his ceiling IMO. Seattle if they part with Graham and don't like a lineman. Dallas if they go the shiny toy route again over a lineman. The QBs tie into that a little bit.

Rams (23) - Sean McVay move piece makes sense to me but he's not been mocked there very much. CB and LB has been popular for them.

Carolina (24) - This would've made more sense before they cleaned house a little bit but Olsen is 33 in March and any GM who has a basic understanding of Cam Newton knows that he needs maximum size weapons if he's going to be your guy. Enter Goedert as a partial player this year and starter if/when Olsen hangs it up (for broadcasting) next year.

New Orleans (27) - Goedert with Payton AND Brees (for a short while)? Um, yeah. Total sense. Could take an edge guy that falls, too. IMO.

Pittsburgh (28) - They seemed to like Jesse James more than most (I liked him a bit as a prospect) and they kept playing Vance McDonald quite a bit towards the end of their year so THEY might not see TE as a pressing position but with the other guys in that offense, Goedert could be a complete mismatch player given all they have. We'll see how much changes without Haley, though. This one I will admit probably scares me more than it should given what they could use on defense but I could see it happening if they still are thinking loaded offense.

Jacksonville (29) - We'll see what they lose/gain at receiver (Robinson, Lee, Benn all FAs) and Marcedes is all they have at TE. He's on, what, his 14th season now I think? Somewhere in there. They could fall for one of the WRs that's there but it wouldn't shock me if they like Goedert.

Carolina and New Orleans really scare me if he gets that far. He isn't exactly the easiest guy to peg as far as what he might do at the Combine either. He's completely capable of shocking some people but he's also the type that could have one of those days where it's an up-and-down affair. He's also battled that hamstring stuff since the Senior Bowl, too. So we'll see about that.

[NinerSickness]

Other than Nelson falling to the Niners (unlikely), here's why they need to trade down & get an extra 1st-round pick in 2019:

Ed Oliver
Tyrannosaurus Dex
Nick Bosa
Christian Wilkinson
Trey Adams
Greg Little
Rashan Gary



Every single one of those guys is probably more valuable than the top non-QB in the 2018 draft. All of them (except maybe Nelson in some cases).

[NinerSickness]

Best no-QB value in the draft based on where most people are projecting them right now IMO:

Q. Nelson OL Notre Dame (best non-QB in the whole draft)
Wynn OL Georgia (late 1st / early 2nd???) <--- Must draft. Make him the starting C. F' Kilgore; he sucks.
Equanimeous St. Brown WR, Notre Dame (3rd?)
Derrius Guice RB Miami (Late 1st???)
Braden Smith OL Auburn (2nd?)
Jeff Holland DE / OLB Auburn (Late 3rd / 4th?)
Rashaan Evans LB 'Bama (Late 1st???)
Frank Ragnow C Arkansas (3rd?)
Calvin Ridley WR 'Bama (Late 1st???)
Harold Landry DE Boston College (2nd?)

...BTW, I have no friggn' clue where Dallas Goedert is supposed to go. I've seen him rated as a top-15 guy and a late-round guy. I love him as a prospect, but I have no idea where he's going to go in the draft. Anything past the 20s is a steal for Pozz's boy IMO.

Forgot to mention Wyatt Teller. 3rd?? 4th?

Perfect fit for the ZBS. Gets low & is tenacious. Must-draft. Look at him pulling left:

[NinerSickness]

Boom or bust: Malik Jefferson. All athlete; not great LB play. Didn't live up to what I thought he would this season. WAY too raw. But are the Niners patient enough for a project in the 3rd round or so?

Athletic ability is rarely what makes great LBs stand out. Some of the best athletes became marginal LBs.

My instincts say the Niners should take the gamble. Huge need at LB; not many good ones in this draft IMO.

[Bingo_AlphaMan]

Jackson is not a QB. That notion always made me laugh:
https://www.sbnation.com/2018/2/20/16928908/lamar-jackson-quarterback-wide-receiver

[I_am_1z]

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Camera pans right and zooms in on Chris Pozz's reaction

[Bingo_AlphaMan]

Saquon Barkley - RB - Nittany Lions

The MMQB's Albert Breer spoke to one AFC executive who explained the top of the draft will be dictated by supply and demand.

Those positions in demand? "There are only so many corners, only so many pass rushers, only so many quarterbacks and left tackles," the executive explained, adding that is why those positions get paid so much. This is in reference to many ranking Saquon Barkley and Quenton Nelson as the top two prospects of the draft, and it possibly suggests they go later than those on the outside are expecting. "A lot of people say it’s just ‘take the best player’, but that’s not practical."
Source: SI.com

Feb 22 - 9:37 AM

[Bingo_AlphaMan]

Arden Key - DL - Tigers

LSU edge rusher Arden Key was "the biggest disappointment" of the 2017 season, according to one NFL executive that spoke with Daniel Jeremiah.

"He needs to gain the trust of the decision makers. When right, he's a special talent," a different executive said. This might be simplifying it, but the Combine could place Key firmly in the first round or force him in the second or third round tier due to concerns. We've seen both happen for prospects in the past.
Source: NFL.com

Feb 22 - 10:38 AM

[Bingo_AlphaMan]

Geron Christian - T - Cardinals

ESPN's Mel Kiper believes Louisville T Geron Christian could be a top 32 pick.

"I'm anticipating Christian to get a lot of buzz at the combine," Kiper writes. "He's going to be a riser after he shows his athleticism in drills." Christian has held down a tackle spot for 39 straight games dating back to his freshman year. The position is obviously a bit cloudy as we head into the combine, with even top names like Connor Williams and Mike McGlinchey earning mixed reviews.
Source: ESPN

Feb 22 - 10:19 AM

[Ray_Dogg]

The production (or lack of) doesn’t scare me all that much. Even his medicals isn’t too much of a concern for me at this point, until our team doctors says otherwise (i.e., Foster last year). It’s the off the field stuff that scares the crap out of me. No one seems to be able to disclose what exactly the issue was!? Did he get suspended? Is he not committed / contemplating early retirement once he gets an NFL bonus!? What is it...? If he’s committed, no drugs/violence off the field issues, no early retirement plans, then I’d be more than willing to snatch him in the second. Until then... no thanks.

Arden Key - DL - Tigers

The MMQB's Albert Breer "really" thinks LSU edge rusher Arden Key drops out of the first round.

We've said the same, as right now there are far more questions around Key's game than answers, and that typically scares a number of teams. Key was great in 2016, but as soon as that season ended things became cloudy. Key had shoulder surgery and spent time away from the team. He then missed a few games while recovering and totally changed his playing weight.
Source: SI.com

Feb 21 - 10:10 AM

Don't fall for the temptation, John. Don't do it! Sign Ziggy Anzah & be done with it.

Don't worry. This guy has Gregory level red flags off the field according to what Pauline has heard. Pretty sure we will avoid him like the plague.

[Ray_Dogg]

Been watching a lot of Josh Jackson. He has some work to do in run support and form tackling but I like his coverage instincts and recovery skills. Great leaper and contests the catch point very well. Gonna come down to his speed and height. Hopefully he is a legit 6'1" and runs well. If so then I'm on board with him at 9/10 if no trade down.

[Ray_Dogg]

Best no-QB value in the draft based on where most people are projecting them right now IMO:

Q. Nelson OL Notre Dame (best non-QB in the whole draft)
Wynn OL Georgia (late 1st / early 2nd???) <--- Must draft. Make him the starting C. F' Kilgore; he sucks.
Equanimeous St. Brown WR, Notre Dame (3rd?)
Derrius Guice RB Miami (Late 1st???)
Braden Smith OL Auburn (2nd?)
Jeff Holland DE / OLB Auburn (Late 3rd / 4th?)
Rashaan Evans LB 'Bama (Late 1st???)
Frank Ragnow C Arkansas (3rd?)
Calvin Ridley WR 'Bama (Late 1st???)
Harold Landry DE Boston College (2nd?)

...BTW, I have no friggn' clue where Dallas Goedert is supposed to go. I've seen him rated as a top-15 guy and a late-round guy. I love him as a prospect, but I have no idea where he's going to go in the draft. Anything past the 20s is a steal for Pozz's boy IMO.

Forgot to mention Wyatt Teller. 3rd?? 4th?

Perfect fit for the ZBS. Gets low & is tenacious. Must-draft. Look at him pulling left:

Teller is legit. I like him.

[CalamityX12]

If Davenport is > than Landry, I'll go with that. All about the best pass rusher if we go that route.

[NinerSickness]

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This is good news for whoever wants him. He'll drop now. Dude can play.

[NinerSickness]

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Where do you see him going in the draft, CP? He's been rated in mock drafts anywhere from top 20 to the late rounds.

Seattle (18) and Dallas (19) are wild cards for his ceiling IMO. Seattle if they part with Graham and don't like a lineman. Dallas if they go the shiny toy route again over a lineman. The QBs tie into that a little bit. ...

Kiper has him going 29th to the Jags, and McShay has him going 25th to the Titans.

At this point, I'm actually hoping to load up on 2019 draft picks & trade all the way back to the 2nd round, but I definitely wouldn't mind nabbing Goedert towards the end of the 1st.