2017-18 CFB SEASON / '18 NFL DRAFT

[Bingo_AlphaMan]

Denzel Ward - DB - Buckeyes

NFL Media analyst Daniel Jeremiah wants to see which cornerback separates from the pack during the NFL Scouting Combine.

Jeremiah writes that the cornerbacks have the most at stake curing the combine most years, and this is no exception. HE also writes that the expectation is that Denzel Ward from Ohio State will blow everyone away, but because he could measure at 5-foot-9, that could cause concerns. "In addition, speed is absolutely imperative at cornerback, so the 40-yard dash is huge for that group," Jeremiah writes. "I've been told Ward is going to put on a show with his speed, but I'm also anxious to see how fast guys like Louisville's Jaire Alexander and UCF's Mike Hughes run." We are as well.
Source: NFL.com

Feb 12 - 3:16 PM

[Bingo_AlphaMan]

Ronald Jones II - RB - Trojans

According to NFL Draft Scout, Ronald Jones II had the third best fumble rate of any prospect in the class.

Jones ranks behind only Darrel Williams (358) and Demario Richard (238) with a fumble rate of 207.7. If you're curious what that number means, it means that he fumbled once for every 207.7 touches. Ball security is something scouts obviously want to see from tailbacks, and the fact that Jones not only possesses tremendous talent but the ability to hold onto the football bodes well for the former USC star. He currently projects as a Day 2 selection.
Source: NFL Draft Scout

Feb 12 - 12:53 PM

[Bingo_AlphaMan]

Darrel Williams - RB - Tigers

Draft Analyst's Tony Pauline believes that LSU RB Darrel Williams could be this year's Kareem Hunt.

Wow. Williams didn't get a chance to shine playing being Jaguars star RB Leonard Fournette and likely first-round pick Derrius Guice, but he has shown flashes of brilliance in his time at LSU, and he received positive reviews at the Senior Bowl. "He’s a big-bodied back with a tremendous burst and great short-area quickness. Besides grinding on the inside, Williams shows the ability to pick up big yardage from the line of scrimmage," Pauline writes. "Williams could be the Kareem Hunt of 2018."
Source: Draft Analyst

Feb 12 - 12:31 PM

[Bingo_AlphaMan]

Ogbonnia Okoronkwo - LB - Sooners

NFL Media's Lance Zierlein believes Oklahoma edge rusher Ogbonnia Okoronkwo's height on the outside "is the big concern."

We agree. At 6-foot-1 and 243 pounds, Okoronkwo doesn't offer the ideal size teams look for when acquiring an edge rusher. He does have over 34-inch arms, which are long for his size and might compensate. Okoronkwo had a strong week of Senior Bowl one on one reps, showing bend and flexibility to turn the corner against offensive tackles. We think the Oklahoma pass rusher winds up as a second-day selection.
Source: Lance Zierlein on Twitter

Feb 12 - 11:45 AM

[Ray_Dogg]

Lorenzo Carter - DL - Bulldogs

Draft Analyst's Tony Pauline writes that he "can't say enough" about Georgia LB Lorenzo Carter.

Pauline notes that most of the attention goes to Carter's teammate Roquan Smith, but that Carter is a quality prospect in his own right. "Carter lacks the quickness of Smith but is a better pass rusher, plays with more force and is also effective in space," Pauline writes. He also notes that Carter's 40-yard dash and 10-yard split will be closely monitored, as it takes the 6-foot-5, 234-pound linebacker some time to get going.
Source: Draft Analyst

Feb 12 - 3:29 PM

He'd be my ideal replacement for Harold at SAM. IDEAL.

[Ray_Dogg]

Da'Ron Payne - DL - Crimson Tide

Draft Analyst's Tony Pauline believes that Alabama DT Da'Ron Payne is "ridiculously underrated."

He also calls his teammate Minkah Fitzpatrick overrated, which is not a take we've seen much of this spring. Back to Payne. The 6-foot-2, 319-pound defensive tackle didn't always get talked about with the other Alabama stars, but Pauline took notice. "I was just awed by Payne when I broke him down; he’s athletic and powerful and plays smart, disciplined football," Pauline writes. "He collapses the pocket with power, occupies the gaps and even makes plays outside the box." There's a good chance Payne will be one of -- if not the -- first defensive tackles selected come April.
Source: Draft Analyst

Feb 12 - 4:29 PM

Payne is a beast, no doubt about it.

[Bingo_AlphaMan]

Nick Chubb - RB - Bulldogs

One AFC scouting director does not see "special" when watching Georgia RB Nick Chubb following his horrible leg injury in 2015.

"I thought he was special before he tore up his knee," the ranking personnel member added. Chubb is extremely solid and created 20-plus yard runs thanks to his acceleration and balance on contact, unlike many others who were given outstanding blocking. Expect Chubb to be selected in the round three through five range.
Source: NFL.com

Feb 13 - 10:28 AM

[Bingo_AlphaMan]

Mark Andrews - TE - Sooners

One AFC scout handed a Day 3 grade to Oklahoma TE Mark Andrews, calling the Sooner "a big slot receiver."

"He won't block at all so what do you have other than a big slot who is an average athlete?," the scout adds. This might be a bit harsh. We don't exactly know Andrews' ability inline since he rarely played there, and he did constantly win mismatches in the slot and outside, even creating yards after the catch with choppy footwork. The scout could absolutely be correct, but we think destroying a prospect for something he wasn't asked to do is a bit harsh.
Source: NFL.com

Feb 13 - 9:54

[Bingo_AlphaMan]

Josh Rosen - QB - Bruins

Matt Waldman of the Rookie Scouting Portfolio highlighted intermediate and vertical accuracy as the best parts of UCLA QB Josh Rosen's game.

Conversely, Rosen's inclination to "throw across the grain and forcing the ball into well-covered areas in the red zone" is his biggest drawback, per Waldman. So many lines and minute of conversation will be spent analyzing Rosen's personality. Not to say that is wrong, but so much of that information will be second hand. Instead, focusing on what Rosen can do on the field, and where he needs to improve, are paramount.
Source: Matt Waldman RSP

Feb 13 - 9:41 AM

[Bingo_AlphaMan]

In light of Rueben Foster’s recent dilemma, ILB becomes one of, if not the top priority for us. Luckily for us (for lack of better word) this draft has some good / quality players at that position that could potentially start for us from day one (albeit by default):

1.) Roquan Smith
2.) Tremaine Edmunds
3.) Malik Jefferson
4.) Rashaan Evans
5.) Darius Leonard
6.) Leighton Vander Esch
7.) Jason Cabinda
8.) Christian Sam

UDFA: D.J. Calhoun

Roquan Smith - LB - Bulldogs

NFL Media's Lance Zierlein believes the 2018 LB class might be one of the best "we've ever seen."

Per Zierlein, the linebacker class offers "outstanding early round talent and enough depth at the position to find quality starters in the middle rounds." The top names include the likes of Roquan Smith out of Georgia, Tremaine Edmunds out of Virginia Tech and Rashaan Evans out of Alabama. We wonder if this perceived depth will play into teams' thought process if clubs are interested in the early first round names at the position. We would throw out BYU's Fred Warner as a day three name to watch.
Source: Lance Zierlein on Twitter

Feb 13 - 9:20 AM

[Bingo_AlphaMan]

Jessie Bates III - DB - Demon Deacons Deacons

NFL Media's Daniel Jeremiah believes Wake Forest S Jessie Bates has Pro Bowl ability.

Bates declared for the draft as a redshirt sophomore and his name was not thrown out among top talents at his position throughout the season. With that said, Bates could be mentioned among the top three or five at safety as evaluators catch up on his tape. Bates has "CB movement/burst, excellent awareness/ball skills and he's tough" according to Jeremiah. He's a name to remember during NFL Combine week.
Source: Daniel Jeremiah on Instagram

Feb 13 - 9:06 AM

[ChrisPozz]

John Kelly - RB - Volunteers

Draft Wire's Luke Easterling lists Tennessee RB John Kelly as a potential draft sleeper.

Kelly (5'9/212) doesn't have the talent of an Alvin Kamara, as Easterling notes, but like several other Tennessee running backs before him, he has a chance to be a better pro than he was in college. "Kelly is an explosive playmaker who was criminally underused by the Vols, and his versatile skill set still allowed him to tally over 1,000 total yards and nine touchdowns in 2017," Easterling writes. He currently projects as a late Day 3 selection, but a strong pro day and showing at the combine could see that stock rise.
Source: Draft Wire

Feb 12 - 5:36 PM

This is a unique draft for smaller backs who can lower the shoulder and deliver the boom on guys. He's one of the better (smaller) ones that does that in this draft. That trait is rare in the NFL at that size but this draft has more of them than usual. He's also really good at making himself even smaller and squeezing through tight holes inside while keeping his balance. It's his balance that allows him to do that. He'll be an interesting follow with what fit he gets.

[ChrisPozz]

Da'Ron Payne - DL - Crimson Tide

Draft Analyst's Tony Pauline believes that Alabama DT Da'Ron Payne is "ridiculously underrated."

He also calls his teammate Minkah Fitzpatrick overrated, which is not a take we've seen much of this spring. Back to Payne. The 6-foot-2, 319-pound defensive tackle didn't always get talked about with the other Alabama stars, but Pauline took notice. "I was just awed by Payne when I broke him down; he’s athletic and powerful and plays smart, disciplined football," Pauline writes. "He collapses the pocket with power, occupies the gaps and even makes plays outside the box." There's a good chance Payne will be one of -- if not the -- first defensive tackles selected come April.
Source: Draft Analyst

Feb 12 - 4:29 PM

Easily, easily, easily. If I'm good with the make up and you don't jerk around his role he's one of the safer picks this year IMO. He'd be one of my first players I'd want to work with from this draft.

[Bingo_AlphaMan]

Sam Darnold - QB - Trojans

Matt Waldman warns to not allow USC QB Sam Darnold's inconsistent mechanics to overshadow his impressive results.

As Waldman puts it, this is Darnold transcending his technical flaws. I "expect Darnold to have moments in games where his style will help him deliver plays within a rhythm that only a handful can," Waldman writes. The two have different styles in how they move and play the position, but this same sentiment could be said for Patrick Mahomes last draft season. Expecting perfect technique for a player is incorrect process, instead work around and with that style in order to push the offense ahead.
Source: Matt Waldman RSP

Feb 13 - 11:04 AM

[Bingo_AlphaMan]

Baker Mayfield - QB - Sooners

PFF's Sam Monson believes Oklahoma's Baker Mayfield is the clear top QB "and it isn’t particularly close to the second guy."

"There is no quarterback that can come close to the level of dominance we have seen from Mayfield over his college career," Monson writes. Mayfield certainly created plenty of momentum at the start of the season and carried it throughout 2017, culminating in a great Senior Bowl week. No. 1 is absolutely in play, as is a selection outside of the top 10. Hopefully, the quarterback rankings become a bit more clear after the NFL Combine.
Source: Pro Football Focus

Feb 13 - 11:36 AM

[wco81]

They can't draft another DT with their first pick.

[Ray_Dogg]

John Kelly - RB - Volunteers

Draft Wire's Luke Easterling lists Tennessee RB John Kelly as a potential draft sleeper.

Kelly (5'9/212) doesn't have the talent of an Alvin Kamara, as Easterling notes, but like several other Tennessee running backs before him, he has a chance to be a better pro than he was in college. "Kelly is an explosive playmaker who was criminally underused by the Vols, and his versatile skill set still allowed him to tally over 1,000 total yards and nine touchdowns in 2017," Easterling writes. He currently projects as a late Day 3 selection, but a strong pro day and showing at the combine could see that stock rise.
Source: Draft Wire

Feb 12 - 5:36 PM

This is a unique draft for smaller backs who can lower the shoulder and deliver the boom on guys. He's one of the better (smaller) ones that does that in this draft. That trait is rare in the NFL at that size but this draft has more of them than usual. He's also really good at making himself even smaller and squeezing through tight holes inside while keeping his balance. It's his balance that allows him to do that. He'll be an interesting follow with what fit he gets.

I’m certainly a fan. He had some issues this season. Popped for weed. I wonder if there are some character red flags with him.

[NinerSickness]

Baker Mayfield - QB - Sooners

PFF's Sam Monson believes Oklahoma's Baker Mayfield is the clear top QB "and it isn’t particularly close to the second guy."

"There is no quarterback that can come close to the level of dominance we have seen from Mayfield over his college career," Monson writes. Mayfield certainly created plenty of momentum at the start of the season and carried it throughout 2017, culminating in a great Senior Bowl week. No. 1 is absolutely in play, as is a selection outside of the top 10. Hopefully, the quarterback rankings become a bit more clear after the NFL Combine.
Source: Pro Football Focus

Feb 13 - 11:36 AM

Although I think Rosen has a much higher ceiling, it's hard to argue with this.

[NinerSickness]

Roquan Smith - LB - Bulldogs

NFL Media's Lance Zierlein believes the 2018 LB class might be one of the best "we've ever seen."

[CrimsonCrew]

In light of Rueben Foster’s recent dilemma, ILB becomes one of, if not the top priority for us. Luckily for us (for lack of better word) this draft has some good / quality players at that position that could potentially start for us from day one (albeit by default):

1.) Roquan Smith
2.) Tremaine Edmunds
3.) Malik Jefferson
4.) Rashaan Evans
5.) Darius Leonard
6.) Leighton Vander Esch
7.) Jason Cabinda
8.) Christian Sam

UDFA: D.J. Calhoun

I don't think the Foster situation changes our draft strategy dramatically. CB, edge, and interior OL are all still bigger needs, IMO. With our depth at safety, we could make do with a two-down thumper and go with three Ss on passing downs (at least until Ward gets injured again). It's not ideal, but you don't take an ILB early unless he's a difference maker. That said, we're likely to address CB in FA, and OL, too, so that could change pre-draft. I don't see a fix for our edge problems this offseason, unless we trade back and take Landry or Key. Or Chubb falls to us somehow.