2017-18 CFB SEASON / '18 NFL DRAFT

[Bingo_AlphaMan]

Lamar Jackson - QB - Cardinals

Louisville QB Lamar Jackson met with Los Angeles Chargers OC Ken Whisenhunt following Thursday's pro day workout.

Tip of the cap to NFL Network's Mike Garafolo on this one. While Jackson did meet with Whisenhunt, NFL Media's Mike Mayock has been hearing that the dynamic quarterback has been a hard man to lock down on the schedule and that teams are having issues setting up meetings, dinners, interviews and the like. Jackson has taken the somewhat unorthodox step of not hiring an agent ahead of the draft -- his mom has been handling those duties -- and we're starting to see how that might have been a problematic decision. Agents are tasked with the vast majority of the legwork once players have opted to throw their lot in with the NFL. All of that aside, the Chargers own the No. 17 pick and that's probably around Jackson's ceiling unless the expected quarterback run early on ends up pushing him up the board by degrees.
Source: NFL.com

Mar 30 - 12:25 PM

[Bingo_AlphaMan]

Anthony Miller - WR - Tigers

NFL Media's Lance Zierlein writes that he's spoken with some teams who view Memphis WR Anthony Miller as one of the safer receiving prospects in the draft class.

That Zierlein has apparently talked with more than one team viewing Miller in this light is instructive. Writes the analyst of the 5-foot-11, 190-pounder, "He's highly competitive and still carries that chip on his shoulder that most former walk-ons carry throughout their collegiate careers. While he's great at focusing on the deep ball, he will lose concentration at times on the easy ones." Zierlein compares the Memphis standout to Minnesota Vikings WR Kendall Wright, while colleague Matt Harmon comps him to Seattle Seahawks WR Doug Baldwin. As Miller largely did not take part in combine testing earlier this month, his pro day next Friday figures to be crucial in his evaluation. He'll likely come off the board somewhere in the Day 2 morass.
Source: NFL.com

Mar 30 - 4:09 PM

[Bingo_AlphaMan]

Dallas Goedert - TE - Jackrabbits

Draft Analyst's Tony Pauline relays that South Dakota State TE Dallas Goedert (hamstring) "looked terrific in pass catching and blocking drills."

We've heard little from Goedert this evaluating season, as the 6-foot-4, 256-pounder only recently started running after mending up from a hamstring injury sustained during the Senior Bowl practice week near the end of January. During this week's pro day, the Day 1 hopeful notched a 35-inch vertical jump, a 121-inch broad jump and scampered through the three-cone drill in 6.87 seconds. To put that three-cone time in perspective, Penn State's Mike Gesicki led all tight ends at the combine with a run of 6.76 seconds. Goedert's time would have ranked just behind his for the position group in Indianapolis. Per Pauline, the Philadelphia Eagles, Los Angeles Chargers, Miami Dolphins, New Orleans Saints, New York Giants, Pittsburgh Steelers and Baltimore Ravens all sent their tight end coaches to the SDSU pro day to check out what Goedert's offering.
Source: Draft Analyst

Mar 30 - 2:49 PM

[Bingo_AlphaMan]

Hayden Hurst - TE - Gamecocks

An NFL personnel man told NFL Media's Lance Zierlein that he preferred South Carolina TE Hayden Hurst over all other tight ends and that it "wasn't even close."

Zierlein has heard from more than one team that Hurst is the preference for TE1 over South Dakota State standout Dallas Goedert or Penn State athletic phenom Mike Gesicki. For his part, Zierlein has a slight lean on Gesicki. The analyst notes that "signs point to Hurst as the clear preference at the position for TE-needy teams who could address the position in Round 1." We envision all three of Hurst, Goedert and Gesicki as being selected within the first three rounds, and very probably within the first two rounds. This draft class is not as thick at the position as last year's -- in general, the consensus has the 2018 draft class as a whole being somewhat thinner than 2017's -- but we really like the top prospects for the group.
Source: NFL.com

Mar 30 - 2:19 PM

[NinerSickness]

Hayden Hurst - TE - Gamecocks

An NFL personnel man told NFL Media's Lance Zierlein that he preferred South Carolina TE Hayden Hurst over all other tight ends and that it "wasn't even close."

Zierlein has heard from more than one team that Hurst is the preference for TE1 over South Dakota State standout Dallas Goedert or Penn State athletic phenom Mike Gesicki. For his part, Zierlein has a slight lean on Gesicki. The analyst notes that "signs point to Hurst as the clear preference at the position for TE-needy teams who could address the position in Round 1." We envision all three of Hurst, Goedert and Gesicki as being selected within the first three rounds, and very probably within the first two rounds. This draft class is not as thick at the position as last year's -- in general, the consensus has the 2018 draft class as a whole being somewhat thinner than 2017's -- but we really like the top prospects for the group.
Source: NFL.com

Mar 30 - 2:19 PM

He's always been one of my favourite players in the draft. Complete TE. Very underrated.

Great in pass protection. Getting him in the 2nd round would be a steal.

[Bingo_AlphaMan]

Hayden Hurst - TE - Gamecocks

An NFL personnel man told NFL Media's Lance Zierlein that he preferred South Carolina TE Hayden Hurst over all other tight ends and that it "wasn't even close."

Zierlein has heard from more than one team that Hurst is the preference for TE1 over South Dakota State standout Dallas Goedert or Penn State athletic phenom Mike Gesicki. For his part, Zierlein has a slight lean on Gesicki. The analyst notes that "signs point to Hurst as the clear preference at the position for TE-needy teams who could address the position in Round 1." We envision all three of Hurst, Goedert and Gesicki as being selected within the first three rounds, and very probably within the first two rounds. This draft class is not as thick at the position as last year's -- in general, the consensus has the 2018 draft class as a whole being somewhat thinner than 2017's -- but we really like the top prospects for the group.
Source: NFL.com

Mar 30 - 2:19 PM

He's always been one of my favourite players in the draft. Complete TE. Very underrated.

Great in pass protection. Getting him in the 2nd round would be a steal.

He's a little too old for my liking. He’s in his prime now. So it’s hard to gauge where he’ll be 5 years from now in comparison to the other players

[Bingo_AlphaMan]

http://www.nfl.com/news/story/0ap3000000924011/article/sources-tell-us-hayden-hurst-is-2018-nfl-drafts-top-te

[NinerSickness]

Hayden Hurst - TE - Gamecocks

An NFL personnel man told NFL Media's Lance Zierlein that he preferred South Carolina TE Hayden Hurst over all other tight ends and that it "wasn't even close."

Zierlein has heard from more than one team that Hurst is the preference for TE1 over South Dakota State standout Dallas Goedert or Penn State athletic phenom Mike Gesicki. For his part, Zierlein has a slight lean on Gesicki. The analyst notes that "signs point to Hurst as the clear preference at the position for TE-needy teams who could address the position in Round 1." We envision all three of Hurst, Goedert and Gesicki as being selected within the first three rounds, and very probably within the first two rounds. This draft class is not as thick at the position as last year's -- in general, the consensus has the 2018 draft class as a whole being somewhat thinner than 2017's -- but we really like the top prospects for the group.
Source: NFL.com

Mar 30 - 2:19 PM

He's always been one of my favourite players in the draft. Complete TE. Very underrated.

Great in pass protection. Getting him in the 2nd round would be a steal.

He's a little too old for my liking. He’s in his prime now. So it’s hard to gauge where he’ll be 5 years from now in comparison to the other players

That's actually a benefit. You only get 2nd-round players for 4 years anyway. The days of drafting for potential & being patient are over; you gotta hit a small window and unload.

[I_am_1z]

He's always been one of my favourite players in the draft. Complete TE. Very underrated.

Great in pass protection. Getting him in the 2nd round would be a steal.

He's a little too old for my liking. He’s in his prime now. So it’s hard to gauge where he’ll be 5 years from now in comparison to the other players

That's actually a benefit. You only get 2nd-round players for 4 years anyway. The days of drafting for potential & being patient are over; you gotta hit a small window and unload.

[NinerSickness]

This isn't 1985. You don't get players for their entire careers any more. They hit FA & either re-up or leave. Age no longer has any meaning for rookies. In fact, the older players are probably going to be better picks because they're more mature.

That said, there's something to the thinking that player B is going to be better than he currently is in year 2, so you're building for then; but the Niners are about ready to win already.

[Bingo_AlphaMan]

Lamar Jackson - QB - Player

According to Jordan Schultz of Yahoo Sports, Louisville QB Lamar Jackson's draft stock is trending "upward.”

In fact, the consensus is that Jackson will go in the first round. Schultz mentioned the Cardinals, who pick at No. 15, as a potential fit for the former Heisman Trophy winner. Arizona signed Sam Bradford to a deal this offseason but the Cardinals likely view him as a stopgap rather than a long-term solution. Jackson has drawn criticism for his low completion percentage in college, though he's also been widely praised for his athleticism and elite playmaking ability.
Source: Jordan Schultz on Twitter

Apr 1 - 11:43 AM

[Bingo_AlphaMan]

Bradley Chubb - DL - Player

Browns coach Hue Jackson said he's "envisioned" pairing NC State DE Bradley Chubb with Myles Garrett on the defensive line.

The Browns are set on drafting a quarterback No. 1 with USC's Sam Darnold the likely target but Chubb could be available when Cleveland picks again at No. 4. "You kind of play that scenario game with all these different guys," said Jackson last week at the annual league meetings in Orlando. "I wish I could have them all." GM John Dorsey agreed that Chubb is an "unbelievable defensive prospect." A unanimous first-team All-American, Chubb set a school record with 25 sacks during his four-year tenure at NC State.
Source: clevelandbrowns.com

Apr 1 - 12:33 PM

[Bingo_AlphaMan]

Calvin Ridley - WR - Crimson Tide

ESPN's Mel Kiper expects Alabama WR Calvin Ridley to get drafted late in the first round.

"Remember, they were talking about [Ridley] No. 8 to Chicago, maybe to Arizona at 15, Baltimore at 16 – it wouldn’t be a surprise if he went in the middle of the first, but I’m thinking more in that 20-32 range." Ridley underwhelmed at the NFL Scouting Combine with a 31-inch vertical, 110-inch broad jump, and SPARQ in the 30th-percentile among receivers. The Ravens are still looking to add youth to play alongside free agent acquisitions Michael Crabtree and John Brown, but D.J. Moore appears to have surpassed Ridley at this point.
Source: Garrett Downing

Apr 1 - 1:50 PM

[NinerSickness]

Bradley Chubb - DL - Player

Browns coach Hue Jackson said he's "envisioned" pairing NC State DE Bradley Chubb with Myles Garrett on the defensive line.

The Browns are set on drafting a quarterback No. 1 with USC's Sam Darnold the likely target but Chubb could be available when Cleveland picks again at No. 4. "You kind of play that scenario game with all these different guys," said Jackson last week at the annual league meetings in Orlando. "I wish I could have them all." GM John Dorsey agreed that Chubb is an "unbelievable defensive prospect." A unanimous first-team All-American, Chubb set a school record with 25 sacks during his four-year tenure at NC State.
Source: clevelandbrowns.com

Apr 1 - 12:33 PM

That would be pretty nasty.

[Bingo_AlphaMan]

I don’t understand their concept, but what I can say is this: if you liked what Derek Barnett brought to the table last year from a talent standpoint then you should also like Chubb. I’ve seen him chased and bring down Lamar Jackson several times (sacks) and that should be more than enough to convince anyone that he’s also a skilled pass rusher, not just simply a run defender. Plus you gotta love how he was able to get under the skin of Kelly Bryant. He has that alpha dog mentality to be the guy in your frontline:

I didn't like Derek Barnett, but I love Bradley Chubb. I was skeptical at first, but he just applies pressure too consistently for me not to like him.

However, Landry is the better end rusher. I'd be thrilled to have either one, but I'd rather have Chubb. He can beat you more ways.

Hey Sick, I’m off today so I have more time than usual to spare for us to go back to this topic.

Landry is more Bruce Irvin than Vic Beasley. I don’t think he’s a game changing player that’s worth a 9th overall pick. I’d much rather wait until the 4th round to draft someone like Hercules Mata'afa. 2019 will have much better prospects (speed edge rushers) for us to choose from.

Not saying Herc is a better prospect than Landry, not saying that at all whatsoever! All I’m simply stating is that the production you would get from Herc IMO wouldn’t be too much of a drop off in comparison to how Landry would perform for us on the field. Therefore, why use so much capital (9th overall pick) on Landry when someone like Herc can provide you with similar stats / almost equal production (or slightly below that), and such player can be gotten in round 4.

[NinerSickness]

I don’t understand their concept, but what I can say is this: if you liked what Derek Barnett brought to the table last year from a talent standpoint then you should also like Chubb. I’ve seen him chased and bring down Lamar Jackson several times (sacks) and that should be more than enough to convince anyone that he’s also a skilled pass rusher, not just simply a run defender. Plus you gotta love how he was able to get under the skin of Kelly Bryant. He has that alpha dog mentality to be the guy in your frontline:

I didn't like Derek Barnett, but I love Bradley Chubb. I was skeptical at first, but he just applies pressure too consistently for me not to like him.

However, Landry is the better end rusher. I'd be thrilled to have either one, but I'd rather have Chubb. He can beat you more ways.

Hey Sick, I’m off today so I have more time than usual to spare for us to go back to this topic.

Landry is more Bruce Irvin than Vic Beasley. I don’t think he’s a game changing player that’s worth a 9th overall pick. I’d much rather wait until the 4th round to draft someone like Hercules Mata'afa. 2019 will have much better prospects (speed edge rushers) for us to choose from.

Not saying Herc is a better prospect than Landry, not saying that at all whatsoever! All I’m simply stating is that the production you would get from Herc IMO wouldn’t be too much of a drop off in comparison to how Landry would perform for us on the field. Therefore, why use so much capital (9th overall pick) on Landry when someone like Herc can provide you with similar stats / almost equal production (or slightly below that), and such player can be gotten in round 4.

This is a weak draft overall and a weak draft for pass rushers, but Landry is better than you think IMO. A lot better. He just consistently wreak havoc upon the offense and does a lot of stuff that doesn't show up on the stat sheet. I'm buying that he was injured this year, and that's why his play wasn't up to his 2016 level.

Sacks are usually a stat that translate well to the NFL.

Mata'afa is a good prospect, though. However, I'd rather look at Jeff Holland from Auburn in the later rounds.

[NinerSickness]

10-yard splits

Khalil Mack: 1.56 (251 pounds)
Jadeveon Clowney: 1.56 (266 pounds)
Von Miller: 1.57 (246 pounds)
Vic Beasley: 1.59 (246 pounds)
Harold Landry: 1.60 (252 pounds)
Demarcus Lawrence: 1.62 (251 pounds)
Melvin Ingram: 1.62 (264 pounds)
J.J. Watt: 1.64 (290 pounds)
Joey Bosa: 1.66 (269 pounds)

https://ninerswire.usatoday.com/2018/04/01/revealing-the-player-49ers-should-take-no-9-overall-in-nfl-draft/

[Bingo_AlphaMan]

Josh Allen - QB - Player

MMQB's Peter King was told by a "friend of Cleveland GM John Dorsey" the Browns will select Wyoming QB Josh Allen with the No. 1 overall pick.

The Browns have been strongly linked with USC's Sam Darnold at No. 1, but it appears as if that is not a done deal. The "friend" also expects Cleveland to stay at No. 4 overall and select Penn State RB Saquon Barkley, assuming he is not taken by the Giants at No. 2. Of course, making any declarations about draft intentions at the beginning of April is something of a fool's errand. With at least a couple quarterback-needy teams who could move up, the top of the draft could look dramatically different in a couple weeks.
Source: MMQB

Apr 2 - 9:15 AM

[Bingo_AlphaMan]

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

[Bingo_AlphaMan]

I didn't like Derek Barnett, but I love Bradley Chubb. I was skeptical at first, but he just applies pressure too consistently for me not to like him.

However, Landry is the better end rusher. I'd be thrilled to have either one, but I'd rather have Chubb. He can beat you more ways.

Hey Sick, I’m off today so I have more time than usual to spare for us to go back to this topic.

Landry is more Bruce Irvin than Vic Beasley. I don’t think he’s a game changing player that’s worth a 9th overall pick. I’d much rather wait until the 4th round to draft someone like Hercules Mata'afa. 2019 will have much better prospects (speed edge rushers) for us to choose from.

Not saying Herc is a better prospect than Landry, not saying that at all whatsoever! All I’m simply stating is that the production you would get from Herc IMO wouldn’t be too much of a drop off in comparison to how Landry would perform for us on the field. Therefore, why use so much capital (9th overall pick) on Landry when someone like Herc can provide you with similar stats / almost equal production (or slightly below that), and such player can be gotten in round 4.

This is a weak draft overall and a weak draft for pass rushers, but Landry is better than you think IMO. A lot better. He just consistently wreak havoc upon the offense and does a lot of stuff that doesn't show up on the stat sheet. I'm buying that he was injured this year, and that's why his play wasn't up to his 2016 level.

Sacks are usually a stat that translate well to the NFL.

Mata'afa is a good prospect, though. However, I'd rather look at Jeff Holland from Auburn in the later rounds.

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.