2017-18 CFB SEASON / '18 NFL DRAFT

[ChrisPozz]

Kalen Ballage - RB - Sun Devils

An NFC team director of college scouting tells NFL.com Media Analyst Lance Zierlein Arizona State running back Kalen Ballage will be the hot name out of the NFL Scouting Combine.

"Mark this down. Nobody will be talking about him until he gets to the Combine, where he will lift well, run well and jump out of the stadium. Then, he'll be the hot name," the executive says. While Ballage doesn't have the same hype as some of the other running backs in the class, he actually has picked up steam after his strong showing at the senior bowl. Zierlein goes as far as to expect Ballage (6'2/224) to get comparisons to David Johnson.
Source: NFL.com

Feb 9 - 10:19 PM

Fire said team director of college scouting for that comment. (Not really but really).

I HATE the annual "nobody has said anything about (insert name here)" comments. I get what he's TRYING to get across but said person should just say, "You know what? Ballage is a height/weight/speed guy without a ton of production and never led the team in carries. He struggles with contact balance, among other things. But as a height/weight/speed guy he's probably going to blow the place up (Indy) and a lot MORE people are going to like him afterwards."

Something to that effect people need to start coming up with other than the stupid, "Nobody is talking about him" or "Nobody is giving this guy any credit." Such a STUPID, STUPID way people in the scouting community talk to each other. Go the extra mile and put it differently even if you have to use more words.

Even if you want to say, "I haven't seen this guy on a lot of the list for guys that will eventually carry a backfield." That would even be acceptable to me. Because I probably fall in that camp myself. I actually really am intrigued by him and might make the gamble on him depending on what team you're asking me to improve. I just can't stand when people in the scouting community talk like that. To repeat, it has nothing to do with Ballage and the fans he has. I really like the guy if his head checks out OK. To repeat, I would probably target him if I could. This has little to do with Ballage and more about said director of college scouting and those that speak like him AT ANY POINT IN THE PROCESS.

[Bingo_AlphaMan]

No, it's INCREDIBLY stupid drafting. QB is far and away the most important position in sports, period. And the success rate at the position is not nearly high enough to believe the top guys are all the same. You take the best QB first overall and hope that the other guy you like is there at four. It would be the height of idiocy to do anything else.

Josh Rosen - QB - Bruins

NFL Network's Kyle Brandt believes that the Browns should take UCLA QB Josh Rosen and USC QB Sam Darnold in the first round.

First, we should say that there's almost no chance that this would happen. The financial implications along with the other needs that Cleveland has would make this an almost impossible situation. And yet, in some crazy sort of way it does make sense. You lesson the risk, and keep in mind that the Browns essentially lucked into the fourth pick because of Deshaun Watson's injury. Also remember that they have three second round picks, so they certainly wouldn't be done if they took both. It's not going to happen, but it sure would be fun to watch.
Source: NFL.com

Feb 10 - 9:20 PM

[Bingo_AlphaMan]

Tremaine Edmunds - LB - Hokies

ESPN's Jeff Dickerson writes that the Bears are looking for a long-term solution at outside linebacker, which could lead them to Virginia Tech's Tremaine Edmunds.

The Bears are looking for someone to pair with Leonard Floyd on the other side of the football, and they'd be hard-pressed to find someone in the class better than Edmunds would. As Dickerson writes: "Edmunds is supposed to be an athletic freak, who'll no doubt turn heads at the combine later in the month." There's a chance that he won't make it to Chicago with the eighth pick -- and the Bears also have needs at wide receiver and potentially cornerback -- but Edmunds and Floyd would give Chicago two excellent outside linebacker prospects.
Source: ESPN

Feb 11 - 1:14 PM

[Ray_Dogg]

I know he’s undersized but Roquan Smith absolutely must be considered now.

[arich35]

I know he’s undersized but Roquan Smith absolutely must be considered now.

Not sure if there is another way to go

[Bingo_AlphaMan]

I know he’s undersized but Roquan Smith absolutely must be considered now.

Not sure if there is another way to go

Ward? Jackson? Trade down to get Jefferson?

I’m interested to see how everyone test at the combine.


EDIT: I just now realiazed the reason why Ray made that suggestion. Smh. Phucking Foster man.

[Ray_Dogg]

I know he’s undersized but Roquan Smith absolutely must be considered now.

Not sure if there is another way to go

Ward? Jackson? Trade down to get Jefferson?

I’m interested to see how everyone test at the combine.


EDIT: I just now realiazed the reason why Ray made that suggestion. Smh. Phucking Foster man.

Trade down and Josh Jackson and Evans looks good to me. CB and ILB taken care of.

[Bingo_AlphaMan]

Baker Mayfield - QB - Sooners

Three days after the Super Bowl the Browns requested to schedule a private visit with Oklahoma QB Baker Mayfield, according to the MMQB's Robert Klemko.

Depending on who you ask, the Browns either declined or were not given the opportunity to coach Mayfield at the Senior Bowl. Mayfield's name has been up traction with the team, however, with the link of Scot McCloughan, who the Browns are using as a consultant. We still firmly believe the Browns use the No. 1 overall pick on a quarterback rather than No. 4, but either way Mayfield is in play.
Source: SI.com

Feb 12 - 9:24 AM

[Bingo_AlphaMan]

Sony Michel - RB - Bulldogs

Georgia RB Sony Michel fumbles the ball every 54.6 times he touches the football, per a list compiled by Dane Brugler.

The average for a prospect is one fumble every 124.5 touches, so Michel's qualifies as a potential red flag. Other popular names who fit the "red flag" tier include Akrum Wadley (67.4) and Kalen Ballage (66.5). The opposite end of the spectrum includes Ronald Jones (207.7) and Saquon Barkley (193.3).
Source: NFL Draft Scout

Feb 12 - 9:43 AM

[Bingo_AlphaMan]

Jamarco Jones - T - Buckeyes

Lance Zierlein spoke to one NFC scout who believes Ohio State T Jamarco Jones is "safer" than Notre Dame T Mike McGlinchey.

Jones' draft process has not kicked off yet after he did not attend the East-West Shrine game despite accepting an invitation. Our own Josh Norris would have rated him as one of the better prospects at the event. Back to the referenced NFL scout, who said "Ohio State's scheme doesn't give you as many pro-style looks as Notre Dame, but I think he'll fit in well as a pro." Jones has two years of starting experience at left tackle. McGlinchey might feel more comfortable on the right side.
Source: NFL.com

Feb 12 - 10:19 AM

[Bingo_AlphaMan]

Marcus Davenport - DL - Roadrunners

The Lions hired UTSA DL coach Bo Davis to their staff.

Davis coached Marcus Davenport in college. It might be a reach of a connection, but we recently saw similar picks play out in this manner, with the Bills hiring ECU's receiver coach and drafting Zay Jones, then the Panthers hiring Stanford's running backs coach and drafting Christian McCaffrey. Davenport would fill a need for the Lions. The team recently hired Boston College's defensive coordinator as well.
Source: Detroit Lions

Feb 12 - 9:05 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

[Bingo_AlphaMan]

http://bleacherreport.com/articles/2758603-scouts-report-the-most-overrated-prospects-in-the-2018-nfl-draft-class?share=other

[ChrisPozz]

2018 mock draft 3.0: 49ers tap the Sunshine State for defense, help Jimmy G

https://www.fourthandnine.co/single-post/2018/02/10/2018-mock-draft-30-49ers-tap-the-sunshine-state-for-defense-reinforce-offense

Not the biggest mock draft commentator after I look at one for some reason. Never have been. Nor do I ever post/share that many. And I'm not going to get into who would've been better at each spot IMO. But this one goes down some interesting paths with SOME players I really like. The next few months would have some amazing story lines if it were to fall this way.

[Bingo_AlphaMan]

2018 mock draft 3.0: 49ers tap the Sunshine State for defense, help Jimmy G

https://www.fourthandnine.co/single-post/2018/02/10/2018-mock-draft-30-49ers-tap-the-sunshine-state-for-defense-reinforce-offense

Not the biggest mock draft commentator after I look at one for some reason. Never have been. Nor do I ever post/share that many. And I'm not going to get into who would've been better at each spot IMO. But this one goes down some interesting paths with SOME players I really like. The next few months would have some amazing story lines if it were to fall this way.

I’m okay with the 1st round pick, and especially the 3rd round pick (Tate). I’m not a big fan of McFadden at all whatsoever. He’s Dontae Johnson 2.0. He’ll get eaten alive but the likes of Deandre Hopkins, Fitzgerald, etc.

[Bingo_AlphaMan]

Minkah Fitzpatrick - DB - Crimson Tide

Draft Analyst's Tony Pauline believes that Alabama DB Minkah Fitzpatrick is being overrated by many.

Fitzpatrick is considered by many draft analysts to be one of the best -- and safest -- defensive prospects in the class. Pauline may not be one of those analysts. "Fitzpatrick is talented, no doubt, yet my concerns about his game are similar to many of the concerns I’ve had in the past about former Alabama defensive backs -- he can’t make plays with his back to the ball," he writes. "It doesn’t mean he can’t learn the skill; Jalen Ramsey had similar issues leaving Florida State and has since developed into a terrific corner." Many have Fitzpatrick going in the first four-to-seven selections, but there's at least one person out there who doesn't think that he's a sure thing to be a great defender.
Source: Draft Analyst

Feb 12 - 6:26 PM

[Bingo_AlphaMan]

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

[Bingo_AlphaMan]

Harold Landry - DL - Eagles

NFL.com Analyst Bucky Brooks compares Boston College edge-rusher Harold Landry with Denver Broncos star Von Miller.

This is very lofty praise, as Miller is considered by many of the best players in the game. Still, there's a reason why Landry is getting top half of the first-round draft talk by some, and he was a productive player during his time at Boston College. "When I look at Landry's game, he reminds me a lot of Von Miller during his time at Texas A&M," Miller writes. "Now, that is a helluva comparison for a top prospect based on how the Super Bowl 50 MVP has dominated the league as a pass rusher, but Landry's first-step quickness, balance and body control are eerily similar to Miller's movement skills, including the dip-and-rip move that the Boston College star seemingly stole from the Pro Bowl pass rusher."
Source: NFL.com

Feb 12 - 4:59 PM

[Bingo_AlphaMan]

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

[Bingo_AlphaMan]

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