2017-18 CFB SEASON / '18 NFL DRAFT

[Bingo_AlphaMan]

Leighton Vander Esch - LB - Broncos

Draft Insider Tony Pauline reports word in NFL circles that Boise State LB Leighton Vander Esch won't be on the board beyond the Steelers pick at No. 28.

Vander Esch is up around 15 pounds from earlier in the season, arriving in Indianapolis at 6-foot-4 and 256 pounds. Pauline also passes along word that the Packers are "very high" on the Boise State linebacker. After Roquan Smith and Tremaine Edmunds, Vander Esch likely will be the most coveted linebacker.
Source: Draft Analyst

Mar 4 - 10:53 AM

[Ray_Dogg]

Courtland Sutton - WR - Mustangs

SMU WR Courtland Sutton ran the 40-yard dash in 4.54 seconds at the NFL Scouting Combine.

Sutton's run was one which held as much intrigue as any in Indianapolis and he came through with flying colors. The 6-foot-3, 218-pounder possesses palatable size for a No. 1 wideout, but needed a strong run to realistically stay in play for a Round 1 selection. This run of 4.54 seconds more than does the trick, especially given his frame and stature. It may well help him to be the first receiver selected in the draft this spring. In addition to the nice 40-yard dash run, Sutton also turned in respectable jumps of 35.5 inches (vertical) and 124 inches (broad). We like what we've seen all the way around.
Source: NFL.com

Mar 3 - 2:16 PM

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[NinerSickness]

Courtland Sutton - WR - Mustangs

SMU WR Courtland Sutton ran the 40-yard dash in 4.54 seconds at the NFL Scouting Combine.

Sutton's run was one which held as much intrigue as any in Indianapolis and he came through with flying colors. The 6-foot-3, 218-pounder possesses palatable size for a No. 1 wideout, but needed a strong run to realistically stay in play for a Round 1 selection. This run of 4.54 seconds more than does the trick, especially given his frame and stature. It may well help him to be the first receiver selected in the draft this spring. In addition to the nice 40-yard dash run, Sutton also turned in respectable jumps of 35.5 inches (vertical) and 124 inches (broad). We like what we've seen all the way around.
Source: NFL.com

Mar 3 - 2:16 PM

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[NinerSickness]

Roquan Smith crushed it on the measurables. Taller and heavier than expected. Yes please.

At 236, he's still too small. And dudes gain weight in the offseason, especially for the combine; his playing weight is probably 230. That's 9 pounds heavier than Tartt.

It would be a bad move to spend the 9th pick on him.

4.52 in the 40. and he pulled a hamstring.

[Bingo_AlphaMan]

Courtland Sutton - WR - Mustangs

SMU WR Courtland Sutton ran the 40-yard dash in 4.54 seconds at the NFL Scouting Combine.

Sutton's run was one which held as much intrigue as any in Indianapolis and he came through with flying colors. The 6-foot-3, 218-pounder possesses palatable size for a No. 1 wideout, but needed a strong run to realistically stay in play for a Round 1 selection. This run of 4.54 seconds more than does the trick, especially given his frame and stature. It may well help him to be the first receiver selected in the draft this spring. In addition to the nice 40-yard dash run, Sutton also turned in respectable jumps of 35.5 inches (vertical) and 124 inches (broad). We like what we've seen all the way around.
Source: NFL.com

Mar 3 - 2:16 PM

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He’s a bonafide #1 receiver. Kid is going to live up to the billing.

[ChrisPozz]

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[ChrisPozz]

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[Bingo_AlphaMan]

Leighton Vander Esch - LB - Broncos

Draft Analyst's Tony Pauline hears that Boise State LB Leighton Vander Esch has been "crushing interviews and continues to impress people."

Vander Esch (6'4/256) measured in big and ran one of the more impressive (unofficial) 40-yard dashes for a man his size, sprinting through in a strong 4.66 seconds. This is right in line with what Pauline expected out of the linebacker. Vander Esch has seen interest from the Steelers and Packers in the early going, with the analyst noting that Green Bay is "very high" on the Boise State standout.
Source: Draft Analyst

Mar 4 - 3:07 PM

[Bingo_AlphaMan]

Da'Shawn Hand - DL - Crimson Tide

Alabama DE Da'Shawn Hand ran the 40-yard dash in 4.83 seconds at the NFL Scouting Combine.

Hand (6'4/297) posted a respectable time for a man his size after earlier hoisting 28 reps on the bench press. While he possesses the frame and physicality for the rigors of the NFL, NFL Media's Lance Zierlein notes that Hand's issue has often come in matching his production with his athletic profile. He'll be in the Day 2 mix come April.
Source: NFL.com

Mar 4 - 2:24 PM

[Bingo_AlphaMan]

Dorance Armstrong Jr. - DL - Jayhawks

Kansas edge rusher Dorance Armstrong Jr. ran the 40-yard dash in 4.87 seconds at the NFL Scouting Combine.

Armstrong (6'4/257) did not exactly tear up the dance floor with his 40-yard dash, but his time was serviceable enough. Earlier in Indianapolis, he recorded 20 reps on the bench press. Beyond the athletic marks, Armstrong showed up weighing in more than 10 pounds heavier than Kansas' listing for the 2017 season. There's some thought that outside linebacker might be Armstrong's best fit for the pro ranks. He's a probable Day 2 selection for April.
Source: NFL.com

Mar 4 - 2:11 PM

[Bingo_AlphaMan]

Arden Key - DL - Tigers

LSU edge rusher Arden Key said teams at the NFL Combine have been "blown away" when he explained the reasons for his leave of absence from the Tigers after last season.

We honestly aren't sure if this implies a good reaction or a bad one. But this is what Key's father had to say. "I told him to be truthful and let them know he made a mistake," Arden Key Sr. said. "He’s a person that, like any other kid entering the draft, he’s proven he’s a high-character guy who’s made a few mistakes along the way. That’s the phase he went through, and he learned from it. He’s put that behind him." Per the Baton Rouge Advocate, Key sought out treatment last spring for an undisclosed off-the-field matter. No one has revealed the issue publicly, leading to rampant speculation. Key underwent surgery last May to repair a partially torn labrum in his rotator cuff. It was revealed in the past few days that he played through a broken pinkie finger and a sprained MCL last year, which at least answers some questions about his toughness.
Source: Baton Rouge Advocate

Mar 4 - 1:09 PM

[Bingo_AlphaMan]

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[Ray_Dogg]

Courtland Sutton - WR - Mustangs

SMU WR Courtland Sutton ran the 40-yard dash in 4.54 seconds at the NFL Scouting Combine.

Sutton's run was one which held as much intrigue as any in Indianapolis and he came through with flying colors. The 6-foot-3, 218-pounder possesses palatable size for a No. 1 wideout, but needed a strong run to realistically stay in play for a Round 1 selection. This run of 4.54 seconds more than does the trick, especially given his frame and stature. It may well help him to be the first receiver selected in the draft this spring. In addition to the nice 40-yard dash run, Sutton also turned in respectable jumps of 35.5 inches (vertical) and 124 inches (broad). We like what we've seen all the way around.
Source: NFL.com

Mar 3 - 2:16 PM

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He’s a bonafide #1 receiver. Kid is going to live up to the billing.

I think so. He’s pretty underrated imo.

[Bingo_AlphaMan]

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He’s a bonafide #1 receiver. Kid is going to live up to the billing.

I think so. He’s pretty underrated imo.

For sure!

Thus far, how do you feel about Tremaine Edmunds? His tape is good but not great. However, he’s still growing into this big tall body of his and that’s why I’m torn. Not sure if he’s just scratching the surface of how good he can become. Do I grade him based on film or potential. I’m starting to warm up a little bit... but I’m not totally convinced about the idea of using the 9th pick on him. I’d rather use that pick on Ward and see if there’s a chance to get an extra pick to land Jefferson.

[Ray_Dogg]

He’s a bonafide #1 receiver. Kid is going to live up to the billing.

I think so. He’s pretty underrated imo.

For sure!

Thus far, how do you feel about Tremaine Edmunds? His tape is good but not great. However, he’s still growing into this big tall body of his and that’s why I’m torn. Not sure if he’s just scratching the surface of how good he can become. Do I grade him based on film or potential. I’m starting to warm up a little bit... but I’m not totally convinced about the idea of using the 9th pick on him. I’d rather use that pick on Ward and see if there’s a chance to get an extra pick to land Jefferson.

I watched 4-5 games and in those he showed very poor IQ and technique. Made literally a couple plays in all those games total. He’s Mr. Assisted tackle. I don’t see him as a pass rusher at all. He gets engulfed by olinemen in the run game. Slow recognition. A reach tackler instead of wrap and drive. Basically the 19 year old kid who just started playing football. He did not look good in the movement drills today either. Look at Evans for comparison.

How this equals Urlacher comparisons and a top 10 pick I do not know. Let someone else spend the years trying to develop him. This is the not for long league and I’m not that patient or hopeful with a top 10 pick unless it’s spent on a QB or pass rusher.

[Bingo_AlphaMan]

Couldn’t have said it better:

Lamar Jackson - QB - Cardinals

Louisville QB Lamar Jackson's throwing session at the NFL Combine drew mixed reviews from NFL teams, per Walter Football's Charlie Campbell, but Jackson still has staunch supporters in the scouting community.

"Lamar has no idea how to throw with his core and legs," said one NFC scout who specializes in quarterbacks. "He's all arm and wrist action right now, very much like Cam [Newton] but much cleaner delivery. When he gets some serious coaching on driving his body into throws, he could be insane. Completely blank canvas. It's amazing he threw it as well as he did seeing how much work he needs in that aspect alone. There's not a QB coach alive who looked at that and didn't feel as if they could make a very good passer. Old rule: you can fix the feet - not the mind or arm." Jackson's throwing session was up-and-down -- like many quarterback prospects -- but it wasn't catastrophic. Like the scout above, we continue to think that Jackson's accuracy issues are being caused by a correctable mechanical issue. He isn't a plug-and-play starter or a sure thing, but the ceiling is sky high for a team willing to wait and put in the developmental time.
Source: Walter Football

Mar 4 - 1:34 PM

[wco81]

Roquan Smith crushed it on the measurables. Taller and heavier than expected. Yes please.

At 236, he's still too small. And dudes gain weight in the offseason, especially for the combine; his playing weight is probably 230. That's 9 pounds heavier than Tartt.

It would be a bad move to spend the 9th pick on him.

If he's young, no more than 21, maybe he could add muscle with NFL training and development.

But at 6-1, he may not have the frame to add a lot of muscle and retain his speed.

Then again, Foster isn't any bigger:

http://www.nfl.com/draft/2017/profiles/reuben-foster?id=2557837

Even without the off field stuff, there were concerns about Fosters durability because of his plaIng style. If he's only around 230-235, the same size concerns may apply to Smith.

But maybe he could be will if he's decent in space?

[wco81]

Couldn’t have said it better:

Lamar Jackson - QB - Cardinals

Louisville QB Lamar Jackson's throwing session at the NFL Combine drew mixed reviews from NFL teams, per Walter Football's Charlie Campbell, but Jackson still has staunch supporters in the scouting community.

"Lamar has no idea how to throw with his core and legs," said one NFC scout who specializes in quarterbacks. "He's all arm and wrist action right now, very much like Cam [Newton] but much cleaner delivery. When he gets some serious coaching on driving his body into throws, he could be insane. Completely blank canvas. It's amazing he threw it as well as he did seeing how much work he needs in that aspect alone. There's not a QB coach alive who looked at that and didn't feel as if they could make a very good passer. Old rule: you can fix the feet - not the mind or arm." Jackson's throwing session was up-and-down -- like many quarterback prospects -- but it wasn't catastrophic. Like the scout above, we continue to think that Jackson's accuracy issues are being caused by a correctable mechanical issue. He isn't a plug-and-play starter or a sure thing, but the ceiling is sky high for a team willing to wait and put in the developmental time.
Source: Walter Football

Mar 4 - 1:34 PM

He wouldn't be in the mix for the 49ers unless they can get him with no higher than a 4th rounder.

And even that may be too high for the 49ers.

Other teams may pick him earlier but not worth it for the 49ers.

[Ray_Dogg]

I wonder where Mike White gets drafted. He seems slept on.

[NinerSickness]

Then again, Foster isn't any bigger:

http://www.nfl.com/draft/2017/profiles/reuben-foster?id=2557837

And he spent every other play in the injury tent.