2017-18 CFB SEASON / '18 NFL DRAFT

[CrimsonCrew]

Arden Key has Aaron Lynch written all over him to me. Incredibly talented, but repeated off-field issues. Questions about their commitment. Weight issues, but came into the combine pretty dramatically undersized. Key is almost certainly the better natural pass rusher, but I wouldn't touch him until at least the third, and probably later. Lynch could have been a pro bowl caliber player if he was willing to put in the work. He wasn't. I don't see that Key is, either.

[Bingo_AlphaMan]

Arden Key has Aaron Lynch written all over him to me. Incredibly talented, but repeated off-field issues. Questions about their commitment. Weight issues, but came into the combine pretty dramatically undersized. Key is almost certainly the better natural pass rusher, but I wouldn't touch him until at least the third, and probably later. Lynch could have been a pro bowl caliber player if he was willing to put in the work. He wasn't. I don't see that Key is, either.

Oh I agree with your assessment of Key, mainly the concerns you have of him. I was just making a point about wasting the a top ten pick (not making great use of it). There will be at least 3/4 high profile potential elite players to choose from at #9, it would be a damn shame to strikeout with that selection on Landry.

Potential players:
1.) Barkley
2.) Nelson
3.) Ward
4.) James
5.) Smith

[CalamityX12]

Mike Gesicki - TE - Player

ESPN's Michael Rothstein expects the Lions to target a tight end in the draft.

The expectation makes sense as Detroit has not really addressed the position since cutting ties with Eric Ebron -- signing Luke Willson and blocker Levine Toilolo to one-year deals does not really move the needle. Rising fast after a dominant Combine in which he ran a 4.54 with a 41.5-inch vertical at 6-foot-5, 247 pounds, Penn State's Mike Gesicki could be an option for the Lions if they decide to invest an early-round pick in the position.
Source: ESPN

Apr 2 - 10:07 AM

I want this guy.... yes another PSU player but Gesicki has been a steady offensive weapon for years at Penn State. Doesn't have the big flash to his game but his height and good speed will flourish in today's NFL usage of TEs.

Especially in Shanny's system. Jimmy G can hit Mikey G all day in the redzone...

[NinerSickness]

I just think he needs a buyer beware label placed on him. If we’re in the business of wasting draft picks as bad as that would be, I’d rather draft Arden Key in the second round than Landry in the top 10.

You might be right. I've gone back & forth on him. But I see consistent disruption when he's on the field, and offenses hum when he comes off.

I loved Charles Harris last year (disappointing rookie season), but I think Landry is better.

[Bingo_AlphaMan]

I just think he needs a buyer beware label placed on him. If we’re in the business of wasting draft picks as bad as that would be, I’d rather draft Arden Key in the second round than Landry in the top 10.

You might be right. I've gone back & forth on him. But I see consistent disruption when he's on the field, and offenses hum when he comes off.

I loved Charles Harris last year (disappointing rookie season), but I think Landry is better.

We were right on Carl Lawson though.

[Bingo_AlphaMan]

Courtland Sutton - WR - Mustangs

SMU WR Courtland Sutton said that he was thrilled to work with Dallas Cowboys HC Jason Garrett and WR Sanjay Lal during his pro day position drills.

"I had a script of the routes I wanted to run," Sutton said, "but coach Sanjay and coach Garrett wanted to see me run certain routes, too. If it didn't look right, I'd go back and run it again and try to perfect it." The 6-foot-3, 218-pounder noted that one aspect of his game he has been working on this offseason comes in his conditioning, as he had heard that some coaches try to gas players out on pro day. While drills were run in an up-tempo mode, it wasn't ultimately a huge issue for Sutton, who felt comfortable throughout. As for his performance in drills themselves, Draft Analyst's Tony Pauline passed along last week that Sutton "looked terrific" and came across as very coachable, an aspect of his personality that you can readily see in his brightness and verve regarding the experience working with Garrett and Lal. In addition to Dallas, the Eagles, Saints and Ravens were among the teams who sent representatives to Thursday's pro day.
Source: NFL.com

Apr 2 - 6:39 PM

[Bingo_AlphaMan]

Saquon Barkley - RB - Nittany Lions

An NFC general manager told CBS Sports' Jason La Canfora that "I think if [Giants GM Dave Gettleman] gets his way, he holds an auction for the second pick, drops back a few spots."

The anonymous general manager believes that depending on the move -- particularly if it's the Broncos trading up from No. 5 -- the Giants could potentially end up drafting Bradley Chubb or Saquon Barkley should this come to fruition. "The more I hear about the Giants and Barkley," the GM said, "the more I think they are trading down." Should the Giants move off No. 2, it would cause considerable ripples across the top-10, especially if they were to target Chubb, a player whom has been linked quite heavily to the Colts at the No. 6 pick.
Source: CBS Sports

Apr 2 - 2:41 PM


Saquon Barkley - RB - Nittany Lions

Cleveland Browns HC Hue Jackson said that Penn State RB Saquon Barkley is "definitely in the conversation" to be drafted by the team.

Nothing particularly new, here, as it was already expected that Barkley would be a contender to come off the board with one of Cleveland's two top-five selections. A friend of Browns GM John Dorsey recently told MMQB that he believes that the team might try for an offensive two-step of Wyoming QB Josh Allen (at No. 1) and Barkley (at No. 4) when it comes time to finally roll the dice. The team did sign Carlos Hyde earlier this offseason, but we don't realistically expect that to preclude them from drafting Barkley if the Penn State standout has their hearts all a-flutter.
Source: clevelandbrowns.com

Apr 2 - 3:29 PM

[Bingo_AlphaMan]

Josh Rosen - QB - Bruins

An NFL general manager who spoke with CBS Sports' Jason La Canfora said that Buffalo Bills GM Brandon Beane is "trying like hell to get up and get a quarterback."

The Bills have already traded up to No. 12 with the Bengals, but they're realistically going to need to climb into the top five to enter contention for one of the top quarterbacks in the draft. The NFL general manager quoted above actually thinks their move -- or at least the move that they might be angling for -- could be to trade up to No. 5 with the Broncos and then jump (again) to No. 2 in trade with the Giants. This would essentially give them their pick of the quarterbacking litter minus whichever gunslinger the Browns (presumably) take first overall. On that latter front, rumors have Sam Darnold and Josh Allen as the two likeliest options to be selected with the No. 1 pick.
Source: CBS Sports

Apr 2 - 2:48 PM

[Bingo_AlphaMan]

Baker Mayfield - QB - Sooners

Oklahoma QB Baker Mayfield is taking a two-day visit to the Cleveland Browns this week.

Hat tip to NFL Network's Ian Rapoport for the news on Mayfield's little extended visit to Cleveland. While we don't envision the Browns selecting the spirited Oklahoma signal-caller with either the first or fourth pick later this month, the team is doing its due diligence nonetheless. Bleacher Report's Matt Miller projected Mayfield to the Broncos at No. 5 in a mock draft released last week. That's a player-team marriage that we've seen bandied about by several draft prognosticators during the evaluating season.
Source: NFL.com

Apr 2 - 2:58 PM

[Bingo_AlphaMan]

Sam Darnold - QB - Trojans

In asking a "handful of NFL scouts and execs" who the New York Giants would select at No. 2 if Wyoming QB Josh Allen is drafted No. 1 by the Cleveland Browns, Bleacher Report's Matt Miller relays that "every one" answered USC QB Sam Darnold.

April is just one day old, but we're already being hit from all sides with the expected torrent of pre-draft rumors. While Miller is hearing that the Giants would take the plunge with Darnold if the Browns select Allen at No. 1, CBS Sports' Jason La Canfora relayed earlier on Monday that one NFC GM believes that the Giants are actually seriously considering trading down from the second pick altogether. Just a little over three weeks before all the rumor floating gives way to the reality of the draft itself.
Source: Matt Miller on Twitter

Apr 2 - 3:09 PM

[Bingo_AlphaMan]

Josh Allen - QB - Cowboys

NFL Network's Ian Rapoport passes along that Wyoming QB Josh Allen will be visiting the New York Jets this week.

Allen is widely expected to be selected within the first five picks and could potentially end up off the board at No. 1 overall to the Browns, a possibility that a friend of Cleveland GM John Dorsey told MMQB could very much be in play. The Jets would certainly be a contender for Allen at No. 3 if the Browns opted to go in another direction. There's also the very real possibility that the Giants could trade down from the No. 2 pick, with a quarterback-needy team jumping Gang Green. Or the Giants could simply sit at No. 2 and take their top quarterback available once Cleveland hands in their card with the first selection. Plenty of variables and scenarios before Allen's landing spot becomes clear. Of course, we may well be adrift sans any real clarity until the draft itself.
Source: NFL.com

Apr 2 - 3:21 PM

[Bingo_AlphaMan]

Rashaan Evans - LB - Crimson Tide

An AFC area scout said that Alabama LB Rashaan Evans was "more instinctive and a lot more natural" at inside linebacker during the 2017 season.

The scout came away impressed when comparing Evans' 2016 film with that from the most recent campaign. NFL Media's Lance Zierlein compares the 6-foot-1, 232-pounder to free agent LB Lawrence Timmons, who most recently plied his trade with the Miami Dolphins during the 2017 season. Evans is viewed as a probable Day 1 selection for later this month, though he has now twice opted out of running the 40-yard dash during Alabama pro days, something which Draft Analyst's Tony Pauline hears irked NFL teams who have been keen to see his full athletic testing results.
Source: NFL.com

Apr 2 - 4:24 PM

[CrimsonCrew]

Josh Rosen - QB - Bruins

An NFL general manager who spoke with CBS Sports' Jason La Canfora said that Buffalo Bills GM Brandon Beane is "trying like hell to get up and get a quarterback."

The Bills have already traded up to No. 12 with the Bengals, but they're realistically going to need to climb into the top five to enter contention for one of the top quarterbacks in the draft. The NFL general manager quoted above actually thinks their move -- or at least the move that they might be angling for -- could be to trade up to No. 5 with the Broncos and then jump (again) to No. 2 in trade with the Giants. This would essentially give them their pick of the quarterbacking litter minus whichever gunslinger the Browns (presumably) take first overall. On that latter front, rumors have Sam Darnold and Josh Allen as the two likeliest options to be selected with the No. 1 pick.
Source: CBS Sports

Apr 2 - 2:48 PM

Up to five, and then from five to two? That would be a hell of a lot to give up. You're probably talking both first rounders this year to get to five, and possibly next year's first with #5 to get up to #2 - and very possibly more in each trade. That said, if you get your franchise guy, it's worth it. Better not miss, though.

[Bingo_AlphaMan]

Luis Perez - QB - Lions

Draft Analyst's Tony Pauline reports QB Luis Perez "looked impressive" at Texas A&M-Commerce's Pro Day.

Pauline specified that Perez (6'2/224) "looked terrific in position drills" and "was accurate, showing better-than-expected arm strength." This is Perez' second solid outing of the week with his first being at Texas A&M's Pro Day where former Browns quarterback and collegiate star Johnny Manziel came away impressed. Perez is an esteemed Division II quarterback and threw for 4,678 yards and 44 touchdowns in 2018, resulting in him winning the Harlon Hill trophy which is awarded to the top player in the country among Division II athletes. After not receiving a draft grade by most analysts, Pauline believes Perez now "ranks as a solid priority free agent leaving the workout."
Source: Draft Analyst

Apr 2 - 8:41 PM

[NinerSickness]

I just think he needs a buyer beware label placed on him. If we’re in the business of wasting draft picks as bad as that would be, I’d rather draft Arden Key in the second round than Landry in the top 10.

You might be right. I've gone back & forth on him. But I see consistent disruption when he's on the field, and offenses hum when he comes off.

I loved Charles Harris last year (disappointing rookie season), but I think Landry is better.

We were right on Carl Lawson though.

Yep. He was my choice in the 4th. I'll be mad about that one for the rest of my like like w/ Vince Wilfork in 2004.

I still think Charles Harris will be a great player, but he's not off to an amazing start. Time will tell; I've been wrong before.
People were calling Jadaveon Clowney a bust early on, and now he's probably one of the 2 or 3 most dominant DEs in the league. He obliterates OL. So obviously, the jury is still out on a guy who just turned 23 (same w/ Thomas; let's hope he makes huge strides in his 2nd year).

[NinerSickness]

Rashaan Evans - LB - Crimson Tide

An AFC area scout said that Alabama LB Rashaan Evans was "more instinctive and a lot more natural" at inside linebacker during the 2017 season.

The scout came away impressed when comparing Evans' 2016 film with that from the most recent campaign. NFL Media's Lance Zierlein compares the 6-foot-1, 232-pounder to free agent LB Lawrence Timmons, who most recently plied his trade with the Miami Dolphins during the 2017 season. Evans is viewed as a probable Day 1 selection for later this month, though he has now twice opted out of running the 40-yard dash during Alabama pro days, something which Draft Analyst's Tony Pauline hears irked NFL teams who have been keen to see his full athletic testing results.
Source: NFL.com

Apr 2 - 4:24 PM

He'll be a safe, solid pick in the mid-late 1st.

[ChrisPozz]

Do PFF college grades translate to the NFL for pass-rushers?

https://www.profootballfocus.com/news/draft-pff-college-grades-and-nfl-correlation-for-pass-rushers?utm_content=bufferc2cf7&utm_medium=social&utm_source=twitter.com&utm_campaign=nfl

[ChrisPozz]

Read on Twitter

[ChrisPozz]

Read on Twitter

[Bingo_AlphaMan]

You might be right. I've gone back & forth on him. But I see consistent disruption when he's on the field, and offenses hum when he comes off.

I loved Charles Harris last year (disappointing rookie season), but I think Landry is better.

We were right on Carl Lawson though.

Yep. He was my choice in the 4th. I'll be mad about that one for the rest of my like like w/ Vince Wilfork in 2004.

I still think Charles Harris will be a great player, but he's not off to an amazing start. Time will tell; I've been wrong before.
People were calling Jadaveon Clowney a bust early on, and now he's probably one of the 2 or 3 most dominant DEs in the league. He obliterates OL. So obviously, the jury is still out on a guy who just turned 23 (same w/ Thomas; let's hope he makes huge strides in his 2nd year).

Thomas wasn’t my first choice either, but something tells me that he’s going to pan out to be a very good player for us. Not an elite Justin Smith type of player but a great player nonetheless that’s as impactful I’m the game like Ray McDonald (where stats doesn’t really tell the story how dominant he was during a given game). That’s also how I feel about Armstead; I really hated that pick when we made it. But the guy grew on me, now I actually think that he’s underrated. I hope we extend him sooner than late.