My full, seven round mock draft for the 5th year in a row. Labor of love but one of my favorite articles to write. Hope you guys enjoy it. Merry Draft Day.
Round One
1. CLE – Myles Garrett/DE Texas A&M: There may still be some debate about whether the team will take Garrett or Mitchell Trubisky but I think it’s all smoke. Garrett is the best player and the Browns have the means to move up from 12 to get a QB if they want to. Cleveland has spent the offseason focusing on rebuilding the trenches, and doing well, with Garrett being additional reinforcement. Not to mention their best decision.
2. SF – Mitchell Trubisky/QB North Carolina: Could go in a lot of ways here and for such a depleted roster, there isn’t a bad choice. Solomon Thomas, Marshon Lattimore, and even Christian McCaffrey make sense here, even if the latter is a surprise (so was Joey Bosa – the 49ers seem to pride versatility, signing FB Kyle Juzczyk to top dollar). But without a QB, the franchise has no real hope, no real light at the end of the tunnel. There’s interest, they worked him out, and if Trubisky pans out, the 49ers will be set. The same can’t be said for any other selection.
3. CHI – Jamal Adams/SS LSU: I like Malik Hooker a ton but Adams seems to be more likely of going in the top five. The team invested in a couple of cornerbacks, though part of that was to reset the dial with Kyle Fuller’s career seeming over. Adams is as physical as they come and brings the intensity Vic Fangio’s defense will desire.
4. JAC – Solomon Thomas/DT Stanford: It’s a new coaching staff but they’ll borrow the previous regime’s approach, bolstering the interior defensive line. Thomas can play three tech or kick outside. Combine him with Malik Jackson and Yannick Ngakoue – who had a strong rookie year – and the Jaguars, on paper at least, will have one of the strongest defensive lines in football.
5. TEN – OJ Howard/TE Alabama: Most people are predicting the team go with a corner but after they signed Logan Ryan in the offseason and with Dick LeBeau as the DC – maybe this is Steelers’ bias, but they didn’t draft CBs high under him in Pittsburgh – I think they wait around. It’s a deep class. Delanie Walker is an underrated player but is 32 and has two years left on his contract.
Howard will be an asset in 12 personnel for that “exotic smashmouth” offense, which can use misdirection and window dressing to get Howard open creatively, just how Alabama often did. And in a year, he’ll be the clear-cut starter on the team. It’s not like their WRs are so stacked they’ll be missing out on going to go 11 personnel anyway.
6. NYJ – Marshon Lattimore/CB Ohio State: I know they’ve gone through different regimes but here’s a fun fact: the Jets haven’t selected an offensive player in the first round since 2009 when they took Mark Sanchez. So that dashed my thought of going out-of-the-box to take a receiver like Corey Davis. We’ll go corner, which is definitely a need for a pass defense who gave up 30 touchdowns and picked off just eight passes. He’ll start Day One.
7. LAC – Patrick Mahomes/QB Texas Tech: Maybe the first real surprise of the draft. The Chargers aren’t going to win now so they can take a pick like Mahomes, who will sit on the bench for another year or two until Philip Rivers rides off into the sunset with his 47 children. Though it doesn’t change anything on the field, they’re in a new city, a small “stadium,” and need some excitement. That’s just how some ownership will think and by the time they’re in their new location, Mahomes will be given the keys. He’s up and down but there isn’t a QB with a higher ceiling in this draft class than him.
8. CAR – Christian McCaffrey/RB Stanford: The obvious pick that is maybe becoming too obvious at this point as of this writing, I don’t totally get the hype, but what I think doesn’t matter. He’ll help you as a runner, receiver, and returner and finally close the door on the DeAngelo Williams/Jonathan Stewart era. The Panthers dropped ten spots in their YPC ranking from 2015 to 2016.
9. CIN – Leonard Fournette/RB LSU: Almost went with a receiver here and my darkhorse is Taco Charlton, but I didn’t have the guts to pull the trigger. Going running back, a position you know the Bengals want to upgrade, and Fournette is clearly the best guy on the board. He’s a similar mold as Jeremy Hill but so much better.
10. BUF – Jonathan Allen/DT Alabama: Sean McDermott is bringing his 4-3 defense back to Buffalo and Allen can be his centerpiece. His poor Combine is a concern but he was one of the most dominant players in college football, racking up over 30 TFL and 22 sacks the past two years. He’ll fully replace Kyle Williams in 2018, who is entering the last year of his deal and has been bothered by injury.
11. NO – Marlon Humphrey/CB Alabama: My favorite corner in this class, Humphrey goes to a team that needs cornerback help as badly as anyone. He’s young and will take his lumps early but he cracked Nick Saban’s lineup as a 19 year old redshirt freshmen. He’s aggressive, a willing tackler, with strong hands to play catch points and finish. Ran a 4.41 at the Combine. The Saints’ pass defense was horrid the past two years, finishing 31st or dead last in yards per completion in both categories.
12. CLE – Malik Hooker/FS Ohio State: I know the Browns could trade up for a QB here but we’re not predicting any trades. And they’re just…the weird kid in the corner with their Moneyball numbers. So maybe they do something unexpected, march to their own beat. Hooker stays in state, a guy with excellent range and can be the ballhawk the secondary really needs.
13. ARI – Corey Davis/WR Western Michigan: It’s hard to imagine the draft churning on without a wide receiver for much longer. Davis had an ankle injury that prevented him from working out for scouts but I don’t think it’ll hurt his stock too much – John Ross has injury concerns anyway. Davis is a big-player receiver and excellent after the catch. If Mahomes falls this far, I think he’s the pick.
14. PHI – Charles Harris/OLB Missouri: Harris will become an immediate rotational piece and eventual starter. He didn’t test well but his on field workouts at Indy and on tape, of course, carry him. He’ll have to learn to rely a little less on his inside spin move, he won’t always get that type of two-way go.
15. IND – Haason Reddick/ILB Temple: Most view him as an off ball linebacker but I don’t want to ignore his ability to rush off the edge, which is how he won and get on the field at Temple. In the Colts’ 3-4, he can do either and the though the Colts brought in several pass rushers during free agency, Reddick has the strongest long-term prospects. Three down linebacker and a good, humble dude.
16. BAL – Mike Williams/WR Clemson: Went back and forth on this pick for awhile, not totally sure what the best direction to go was. So going with someone who would be considered one of the best players left on the board, even if I’m personally not that high on him. The Ravens have plenty of speed at receiver with Mike Wallace, Breshard Perriman, and Chris Moore.
I know that still makes things kinda crowded but Wallace is in the last year of his deal and Perriman can work out of the slot.
17. WSH – Malik McDowell/DE Michigan St: Maybe this is a bit high for McDowell, who is one of the most inconsistent players in this draft with self-admitted coaching issues. But he’s a prototypical 3-4 end at 6’6 300 pounds and 34 3/4 inch arms. DL coach Jim Tomsula can get the most out of him. Bad head coach, great positional coach. It’s Washington, so they always do things a little wonky and surprising.
18. TEN – Derek Barnett/OLB Tennessee: The Titans are still getting production from Derrick Morgan and Brian Orakpo but the Titans’ pass rush still hasn’t been up to snuff. Barnett didn’t test well but his three cone was excellent and he certainly is capable of bending the edge. Great college career.
19. TB – Obi Melifonwu/S UConn: He tested out of this world and may have ended up as the draft’s biggest “riser.” It’s certainly a need for Tampa Bay too. He isn’t the most physical but not every guy has to be Kam Chancellor to be effective. Reliable tackler who tracks the ball well in coverage and the hands to finish the play.
20. DEN – Cam Robinson/OT Alabama: First offensive linemen finally off the board. Robinson isn’t commonly viewed as the top tackle but in such a poor class, the door is wide open. He’s got a nasty demeanor and is a good athlete. His stance needs work and overall, he has to be more consistent, but the upside is strong.
21. DET –TJ Watt/DE Wisconsin: Ziggy Ansah’s early season injury plagued him the entire way and helped contribute to a 30th ranked 26 sacks in 2017. Kerry Hyder is an underrated talent but having rotational ends in a four down system is critical. Watt has huge upside and has a refined game for how early he is in his career.
22. MIA – Taco Charlton/DE Michigan: Cameron Wake still has some juice left in him but he’s nothing more than a 3rd down specialist. Charlton didn’t test great but has size, length, and production. 13.5 TFL and 10 sacks a year ago.
23. NYG – David Njoku/TE Miami (FL): For an offense that has Odell Beckham Jr, the Giants’ offense weirdly isn’t anything close to dynamic. Njoku’s rare blend of size and speed will address that at an obvious need. Will Tye? Jerrell Adams? The ghost of Jeremy Shockey? Just not going to cut it. New York finished 22nd in red zone efficiency for 2016.
24. OAK – Budda Baker/CB Washington: The Raiders moved on from DJ Hayden during the offseason, leaving an opening in the slot. Baker could move there, a versatile chess piece for the secondary. He’s small but a strong athlete and big hitter who shows a ton of range.
25. HOU – Garrett Bolles/OT Utah: This isn’t a strong offensive line class but Bolles is still a plug ‘n play tackle at either spot. Derek Newton blew out both his knees and can’t be counted on going forward. Lamar Miller was brought in for a consistent rushing attack but behind a shoddy line, he had a difficult year. Bolles is 25 but has a nasty demeanor offensive line coaches drool over.
26. SEA – Kevin King/CB Washington: King doesn’t get talked about enough. He’s unrefined but does a surprisingly good job in off man and zone with the tools and ability to press. Great length, ball skills,and his aggressive mindset fits well in the Seahawks’ defense. Regardless of if the team deals Richard Sherman, King fits.
27. KC – Jarrad Davis/ILB Florida: Derrick Johnson went down with an Achilles injury and it’s hard to envision a long future for him with the Chiefs. With as much hybrid defense as they run with Daniel Sorensen – fresh off his contract extension – and Davis’ athleticism will make him a three down linebacker. One of my favorite players in this draft.
28. DAL – Chidobe Awuzie/CB Colorado: Another one of my favorites, Awuzie is versatile, physical, and wraps it all up with a strong football IQ. Dallas begins its overhaul of the secondary, getting a lot younger with Byron Jones, Anthony Brown (coming off a good rookie year) and Awuzie.
29. GB – Forrest Lamp/OG Western Kentucky: I didn’t expect to mock the Packers an offensive linemen but the value here is strong. Lamp can slide into the vacant right guard spot instead of having Don Barclay and Kyle Murphy underwhelmingly battle for that spot. He’s been starting for the Hilltoppers since his redshirt freshmen season.
30. PIT – Josh Jones/SS NC State: The Steelers have explored finding another safety, presumably for their hybrid defense. Budda Baker is gone and Jabrill Peppers failed his drug test. Jones has better size, is just as physical, and has experience carrying tight ends downfield before. Pittsburgh has expressed interest.
31. ATL – Adoree’ Jackson/CB USC: Jackson was dynamic in college with the ability to play corner, be a big help in the return game, and maybe even be sprinkled in on offense. He’s not quite a plug ‘n play option in the slot but that’s where he projects best. High football IQ with the explosive ability to close on the football.
32. NO – John Ross/WR Washington: I know the Saints signed Ted Ginn Jr and there’s going to be a heavier focus on defense than anything on the other side of the ball. But the Saints got their corner already and it’s hard to ignore the talent and value on the board. Ginn is 32 years old, after all, and when you’re as dynamic as Ross – not just because he runs a 4.22 but his ability to separate, even in the red zone – you find ways to get those players on the field. Michael Thomas, Ross, Ginn, and Willie Snead al on the same field? Saints’ offense could be back in business.
Round Two
33. CLE – Deshaun Watson/QB Clemson: The tough part about these mocks is that I don’t do trades. So seeing only two quarterbacks go in the first round is unlikely and the odds are good the Browns trade up to take one in the first (by the time you’re reading this, it may have happened). But in the static scenario where no deal gets done, Watson is a great pick here. I know it sounds cliché but he’s a winner, a leader, and elevates the guys around him. Performed in big-time moments, including the 4th quarter and the National title game against the Crimson Tide. No issues off the field, too.
34. SF – Jordan Willis/OLB Kanas State: The 49ers have been sitting under the 35 sack threshold for the past two years, prompting them to go with Willis. I can see John Lynch loving a gamer who has been productive at every stage and Willis proved himself – again – with an elite combine workout.
35. JAC – Evan Engram/TE Ole Miss: They did sign Mychal Rivera but that won’t prevent them from taking a talent like Engram. He’s a big wide receiver, a small tight end, but whatever you want to call him, he’ll give the Jags a dynamic threat down the middle of the field. Could keep safeties in the MOF and help open up Allen Robinson.
36. CHI – Chris Wormley/DE Michigan: Could go corner here but defensive end is a need too. Wormley is a darkhorse first round prospect who has “risen” during the process. Great first step with heavy hands and a powerful club move. The Bears coached him at the Senior Bowl so they’re as familiar with him as anyone – and he was awfully impressive down in Mobile.
37. LAR – Jabrill Peppers/SS Michigan: Small slide for Peppers after his failed/diluted drug test. He’s a great athlete, reliable tackler, and I don’t think fit is really an issue for him. NFL is so niche these days there’s a role for pretty much any athlete. But I’m worried about a lack of production and inability to make splash plays on a good defense with a great DC. Still, Rams don’t have much going on at safety.
38. LAC – Tre White/CB LSU: Big fan of White and this is good value for the Chargers. Four year starter in the SEC who isn’t an elite athlete but runs well and is a willing, if not overly physical, tackler. Can play in the slot or outside. Day One starter.
39. NYJ – Davis Webb/QB California: The Jets very well could just wait until next year to focus on a QB, considering they’re likely to be picking high in the 2018 draft. But if they like one of these last “big” names on the board, they could strike immediately. Webb is erratic but has a big arm. Early round two is not an unrealistic place for him, according to multiple media reports. Maybe this is even too low…
40. CAR – Marcus Maye/FS Florida: Some may think this is high for Maye but he was invited to the NFL Draft, usually a strong indicator of a guy going within the top 50 picks. Maye could start next to Kurt Coleman, though I’m personally not a huge fan of Maye as a single high safety.
41. CIN – Reuben Foster/ILB Alabama: And Foster’s slide finally ends. The Bengals were rumored to be interested in him for the 9th pick but that all ended after multiple offseason issues, including a fragile shoulder and diluted drug test. But at 41? The value is great. With Adam Jones and Vontaze Burfict on the roster, it’s not like they’re looking to build a roster of angels. Could be the biggest steal of the draft.
42. NO – Daeshon Hall/DE Texas A&M: Couple of Aggies that I think are going to go higher than people anticipate. Hall fits the 4-3 end type and would play opposite Cameron Jordan. 1.67 ten split at the Combine for 266 pounds is strong. A 7.03 three cone is even more impressive. 35.5 career TFLs.
43. PHI – Joe Mixon/RB Oklahoma: The draft’s most controversial player, the Eagles have reportedly been interested in him throughout. Could go with Dalvin Cook but Mixon is the better player. Going to get criticism for taking Mixon anywhere so you might as well do it early, ensure you get him, and hope his ability to help you win will quiet the dissent.
44. BUF – Chris Godwin/WR Penn State: Godwin turned heads at the Combine with one of the most impressive workouts of the extended weekend. Bills are struggling to even decide if they should pick up Sammy Watkins’ 5th year option and there’s not a lot of meat on the bone at the positon, especially now that Robert Woods is gone.
45. ARI – Raekwon McMillan/ILB Ohio State: Karlos Dansby is 35 and in the last year of his deal. McMillan a well-rounded guy. 221 total tackles the past two years. Ran a 4.61 at the Combine at 240 pounds.
46. IND – Sidney Jones/CB Washington: Getting value here with Jones, who tore his Achilles during his Pro Day workout. It’s unclear if he’ll be able to help year one but if teams are confident in his rehab/recovery, it’s a pick that will help for years. Colts’ secondary certainly needs upgraded. Mess last year, allowing 32 touchdowns and 7.7 yards per attempt.
47. BAL – Ryan Ramcyzk/OT Wisconsin: Bit of a fall for Ramcyzk but it’s a weak class and there’s value to be had elsewhere. The Ravens are replacing one Badgers’ right tackle for another, losing Ricky Wagner in the offseaon to the Detroit Lions. Concerns over a hip injury and only one year as a starter contribute to this fall.
48. MIN – Zach Cunningham/LB Vanderbilt: He could replace the now-retire Chad Greenway. 4.67 40 and 35 inch vert at 234 pounds at the Combine. Would’ve gone with a three tech here but this class is so weak.
49. WSH – Tyus Bowser/OLB Houston: A little lower than where I expected him to go. Bowser spent as much time dropping into coverage as he did going forward and still wound up with 8.5 sacks. Excellent athlete and a lot of potential. Trent Murphy is suspended to start the year and Preston Smith took a step back. Good value. Could also move inside, too, where Washington has a need.
50. TB – Dalvin Cook/RB Florida State: There are several options at running back on the Bucs’ roster: Doug Martin, Charles Sims, and Quizz Rodgers. Cook takes a tumble due to off the field issues and injury concerns. Bucs averaged just 3.6 yards per carry in 2016 and eight rushing touchdowns, a pair of ugly numbers Jason Licht surely wants to change.
51. DEN – Takk McKinley/OLB UCLA: I don’t see outside linebacker being the biggest need for Denver, or even the second, but again, the value is strong. Injury concerns and a stiffness/pad level issue with his game. Was still productive despite injury, racking up 10 sacks this past year for the Bruins.
52. CLE – Jordan Leggett/TE Clemson: Gary Barnidge fell off as quickly as he appeared. Leggett is a try hard but ineffective in-line blocker but can do damage down the seam. Made some tough catches, too. Watson gets his teammate so that’s a fun story in my made up world.
53. DET – Zay Jones/WR East Carolina: Lions switching to the offensive side of the ball. Jones had a tremendous Senior Bowl week and was arguably the best receiver there. Able to separate at the top of his route with great hands and body control.
54. MIA – Justin Evans/S Texas A&M: Tony Pauline believe Evans could go into the late portions of the first round so I don’t think Evans in the second is *as* crazy as it sounds. Evans is an explosive athlete who can hit. Keanu Neal and Karl Joseph rose at the end of the pre-draft process a year ago and Evans follows in those steps. Reshad Jones deservedly got his mega-deal but Nate Allen and a now suspended TJ McDonald’s deals are done at the end of the season.
55. NYG – Duke Riley/LB LSU: Didn’t run as fast as Deion Jones last year, who went three spots higher in 2016, but they’re going to draw a lot of comparisons. 4.58 is still nothing to sneeze out. Giants need a ton of linebacker help.
56. OAK – D’Onta Foreman/RB Texas: On the higher end of things for Foreman but there’s a glaring need at running back for the Raiders. Mocked this before Marshawn Lynch deal finalized but he won’t be around long, Foreman is a big back who ran really well at his Pro Day. Needs to play to his size more often and his ability in pass pro is hotly debated, I think he does a nice job to stay square but can struggle with his recognition, but he’s a good prospect.
57. HOU – DeShone Kizer/QB Notre Dame: The last of the household names at QB goes off the board. Houston did well to move Brock Osweiler but there’s still no long-term future at the position. Kizer did well to weather the storm in South Bend but I think he’s very much in that second tier of QBs.
58. SEA – Pat Elflein/C Ohio State: The first center off the board. The tackle class is pretty weak at this point so the Seahawks go to upgrade the interior. Justin Britt is in the last year of his deal. He tested really poorly even for a linemen’s standards, but started 40 games and was a First Team Big-Ten selection all three seasons. Can play guard, too.
59. KC – Carlos Henderson/WR La Tech: Henderson can slide into the slot with Jeremy Maclin and Chris Conley. Henderson tested pretty stiff but he showed a lot of YAC ability in college. Incredible final year, averaging nearly 19 yards per catch and 19 touchdowns last season. Two kick return TDs too though that won’t be needed with Tyreek Hill.
60. DAL – Marcus Williams/FS Utah: Cowboys brought him in for a visit as they continue to revamp their secondary. Williams isn’t my favorite guy and I wish he was more aggressive coming down the alley against the run but he is a rangy center fielder without any fatal flaws to his game. Cowboys could end up having one of the better secondaries in the league.
61. GB – Quincy Wilson/CB Florida: Wilson has size and athleticism but man, I wish he was a better tackler and supported the run better. Still, hard to find guys who look and move like him. Three interceptions for the Gators a year ago.
62. PIT – Tim Williams/OLB Alabama: Williams is a high upside pass rusher who has to get past his off the field troubles. Quick hands with the ability to counter to the inside. Outside linebacker is the most well-known need for Pittsburgh. Will rotate with James Harrison year one.
63. ATL – Dan Feeney/OG Indiana: A mauler, Feeney could start at RG Day One. Only the uninspiring Hugh Thornton stands in his way. Atlanta just has to remember to run the ball…
64. CAR – JuJu Smith-Schuster/WR USC: One receiver who hasn’t been talked about very much during this process. 4.54 40 at the Combine and a 4.18 short shuttle. Had over 16 yards per catch in 2015 and 20 touchdowns over the combined past two years.
Round Three
65. CLE- Montravis Adams/DT Auburn: The Browns are switching to a 4-3 and don’t have a three tech. This isn’t the class to find that guy and Adams admittedly isn’t the ideal option but he has a good first step off the ball and can get penetration. He and Danny Shelton, who came on strong last year, can form a potent duo.
66. SF – Curtis Samuel/WR Oklahoma: The dying 49ers’ offense needs some splash and sizzle to it. They added speed with Marquise Goodwin but Samuel is a more versatile player who can rip off some chunk gains in order to kickstart drives. Good weapon for a rookie QB like Tribusky. Get the ball to Samuel in space and let him do the rest.
67. CHI – Fabian Moreau/CB UCLA: Now the Bears go corner albeit, with one currently on the mend. Moreau tore a pec on the bench at his Pro Day but the working assumption is he’ll be healthy at some point during the season. Just a question of if he’ll be mentally ready and physically conditioned enough. Had just three career interceptions.
68. JAC – Alvin Kamara/RB Tennessee: The Jaguars have a couple of backs on the roster, TJ Yeldon and Chris Ivory, but with a new regime in town, they might want to find their own guy. He had a great workout, running 4.56, jumping 39.5 inches in the vert, and 10’11” in the broad. Wasn’t the workhorse back though, splitting time with Jalen Hurd.
69. LAR – Amara Darboh/WR Michigan: Bit of an underrated prospect, he checks off the triangle numbers. 6’1 214 and ran a 4.45. Rams signed Robert Woods and still have Tavon Austin but the depth on this team is really poor. Jared Goff needs weapons.
70. NYJ – Derek Rivers/OLB Youngstown State: Kevin Greene was at his Pro Day and their interest is pretty obvious. Rivers tested well, had a great career, did well at the Senior Bowl and against FBS competition (West Virginia) and I can’t find many flaws in his game. This one makes a lot of sense.
71. LAC – Taylor Moton/OG Western Michigan: The Chargers’ line has been a mess for what feels like years now. They went out and signed Russell Okung and Joe Barksdale is still around so the Chargers go on the interior here. I’m a big fan of Moton, a guy who had a really strong Senior Bowl week. I don’t think he has to kick inside to guard, he’s got good feet and is explosive out of his stance, but moving to guard is likely given the Chargers’ depth chart. Could always kick back outside with the yearly injuries they have at the position. Compares to Brandon Brooks.
72. NE – Brian Allen/CB Utah: The Patriots march to their own beat so you can’t follow really any conventional ranking when it comes to their picks. They’re always out in left field. Allen is raw but is 6’3, 218, ran a 4.48 40 and a wild 6.64 three cone. At his Pro Day, he jumped 38 inches in the vert and 10’7” in the broad. Picked off four passes in 2016. What’s not to like?
73. CIN – Ethan Pocic/C LSU: Second center off the board. I think I might be the biggest fan of Russell Bodine of those not related to him but I get the desire to upgrade. He’s entering the last year of his contract. Height will be an issue for him, he is 6’6, but has played guard and tackle, so there’s room to move him around if need be.
74. BAL – Carl Lawson/OLB Auburn: Good value here for a guy once thought as a first round pick. Big fan of Lawson’s game, good athlete who can string together multiple moves and a strong force defender versus the run. Questions about his medical history and lack of tackles, even when healthy in 2016, drop him down. Three cone time was alarmingly bad, too.
75. BUF – Ryan Anderson/OLB Alabama: Like Anderson off ball than as a rush linebacker and he’ll fit in well on the strong side in the Bills’ new-look defense. He joins his teammates Jonathan Allen to build that front seven. Heavy hands
76. NO – Dion Dawkins/OT Temple: Like the value here. Dawkins did well at the Senior Bowl, even though he got kicked inside to guard. Think he can play tackle in the NFL. Zac Strief is 33 and has just two years left on his deal. Dawkins could become the starter in 2018.
77. ARI – Cordrea Tankersley/CB Clemson: Some have suggested moving him to free safety and it makes sense, though I think he can succeed at corner. Either are spots the Cardinals need to address. He’s a drag down tackler but has great ball skills and ran well at the Combine.
78. BAL – Adam Shaheen/TE Ashland: There are certainly guys who carry name value at tight end but there isn’t an abundance of talent. Dennis Pitta was their most reliable third down option last year but took a pay cut to remain with the team and Maxx Williams’ career has been stalled. Shaheen arguably needs to drop some weight to be more explosive but he’s a good blocker who’s comfortable in a three point stance. Ravens take more small school players than most teams.
79. MIN – Antonio Garcia/OT Troy: The Vikings’ line is just a mess and coming off a year where they were sacked 38 times and they had the league’s worst rushing output. Garcia could be the Day one starter at left tackle. Got a lot of publicity during the Senior Bowl.
80. IND – Kareem Hunt/RB Toledo: Frank Gore’s days are numbered and there isn’t a ton of depth at the position. Colts go offense after focusing on defense the first two rounds. Hunt has some of the best contact balance in this class, even if he’s not a super explosive guy.
81. WSH – Dalvin Tomlinson/NT Alabama: Huge overhaul of the front seven for Washington, who had a horrid defensive line and one that allowed 4.5 yards per carry and 19 rushing touchdowns, both tragic numbers. Tomlinson is a good athlete but will serve as the plugger in the middle.
82. DEN – Taywan Taylor/WR Western Kentucky: Shifty slot guy who turned in some really amazing agility times at the Combine, a 6.57 three cone the most notable. 38 inch vert, 11 foot broad and great production in school. Slides inbetween Demaryius Thomas and Emmanuel Sanders. Cody Latimer’s time is done.
83. TEN – Cooper Kupp/WR Eastern Washington: I’m not as crazy on him as some of the big media types but this is a realistic area he’ll go. Kupp is a below average athlete but has the ability to separate. 73 touchdowns in a career is just wild, no matter the level of competition.
84. TB – Damontae Kazee/CB San Diego State: Call me a little biased but I love Kazee, even on the outside, similar to Tavon Young or Jason Verrett. Though with Tampa, he’ll get worked inside. Kazee has a ballhawk, picking off 17 career passes and profiles as a poorer man’s version of Vernon Hargreaves. But he’s as physical as anyone and a hard worker. Bucs are building up an impressive secondary.
85. DET – Blair Brown/LB Ohio: There’s been a lot of buzz around Brown over the past week. Maybe a mid-third round pick is too high for him but the Lions want to get faster on defense and Brown is a tremendous athlete. 4.65 40, 38 inch vert, with 128 tackles his senior year. If he was a little taller, he’d probably be gone by now.
86. MIN – Brad Kaaya/QB Miami (FL): The reality is Sam Bradford is in the last year of his deal, isn’t *that* good and Teddy Bridgewater may never be the same guy. The Vikings have to have confidence in the future of the position so while this may be a bit of a surprise, I think it stands to reason. Kaaya is only 21 years old and a good decision-maker in college.
87. NYG – Larry Ogunjobi/DT Charlotte: I admit I don’t know a lot about his game but he was impressive at Mobile, showing a good first step and chasing the football backside against the run. Capable of getting penetration. The Giants lost Jonathan Hankins to the Colts.
88. OAK – Cam Sutton/FS Tennessee: Good athlete, smart player, who could fill in the slot or move to FS. Reggie Nelson is 33 and in the last year of his deal. Sutton played corner in college but was moved around to safety during the pre-draft process and picked it up well.
89. HOU – Tedric Thompson/FS Colorado: Texans’ secondary needs to make some big plays, picking off just 11 passes in 2016. Thompson isn’t physical or a consistent tackler but he’s a playmaker with 13 career interceptions, including seven a year ago.
90. SEA – Vince Biegel/LB Wisconsin: Biegel isn’t a great athlete and I think he’ll have a tough time as an EDGE linebacker. But he can play on the strongside next to Bobby Wagner and KJ Wright. High effort guy, good against the run. All the clichés.
91. KC – Wayne Gallman/RB Clemson: Gallman didn’t post great workout numbers but I see some explosion and big-play ability in his game. 34 career rushing touchdowns. Could start the year as the #2 behind Spencer Ware.
92. DAL – Tarell Basham/DE Ohio: Little later maybe than where he’ll actually go. Speed to power guy who can collapse the pocket even if he’s not a dominant athlete and doesn’t look comfortable going backwards. Good value.
93. GB – Tanoh Kpassagnon/DE Villanova: A round earlier than I’d like for a small school guy to go to Green Bay – they haven’t drafted one above the 4th since 2007 – but the value is good. Can play hand up or hand down. Looks the part though isn’t as strong an athlete as some people suggest. Interesting potential though.
94. PIT – Josh Dobbs/QB Tennessee: The Steelers have expressed a ton of interest in Dobbs and a desire to find the QB of the future. Dobbs was erratic in school but a high character, smart guy that’s easy to build a team around.
95. ATL – Desmond King/FS Iowa: Cornerback in college but moving him to safety here. Fills the alley well against the run with hands and the ability to make big plays with the ball in his hand as a former running back in high school. 8 INTs in 2015. Down senior season hurt his stock, though.
96. NE – Ryan Switzer/WR North Carolina: Such an obvious pick, I know. Switzer is arguably the best route runner in this class with a nuanced stem off the line to create space. The next Julian Edelman, who is now 30 and entering the last year of his deal.
97. MIA – Isaac Asiata/OG Utah: Underrated mauler who played next to Bolles. Dolphins’ run game was too flighty last year and a questionable line was partly to blame. Asiata won’t replace him but the OL is an even bigger focus with Mike Pouncey’s uncertain future, still trying to work his way back from a nasty hip injury.
98. CAR – Demarcus Walker/DE Florida State: Not crazy about Walker, especially some awful testing (4.71/7.91 shuttle drills at Pro Day) but he had one heck of a 2016. 67 tackles, 19.5 TFL, 16 sacks for the Seminoles a year ago. Panthers need a better pass rush, especially after dealing away Kony Ealy.
99. PHI – Shaq Griffin/CB UCF: Griffin could even go higher than this and has been “climbing” up boards over the month of April. Height/speed guy who is best in man coverage and a physical, willing tackler. Good length, plays the pocket, and had a nice career. Sleeper.
100. TEN – Teez Tabor/CB Florida: Tabor’s long speed is certainly a question but he knows where routes break and is a willing and competent tackler. Fits Dick LeBeau’s zone scheme well but I could see him slip farther down than list.
101. DEN – Carlos Watkins/DE Clemson: Good value here even if this might not be their #1 need. Five tech for the Broncos. Second-team All-American last year with 10.5 sacks. And the Broncos did allow 4.3 yards per carry last year, which was middle of the road.
102. SEA – Josh Malone/WR Tennessee: Big play receiver who made his damage downfield. Seattle has a decent WR group already but Jermaine Kearse’s best days are probably behind him and more depth and dynamic players are never a bad thing.
103. NO – Jake Butt/TE Michigan: Might not play this year after tearing his ACL in this year’s bowl game. But the Saints can afford to wait a year. Coby Fleener’s hands are awful and by the start of the 2018 season, fans and coaches may be looking for a new face.
104. KC – Nathan Peterman/QB Pitt: Compares well to the guy he’ll be playing behind, Alex Smith. Not really “pro ready” just because he played under center but I give him credit for playing under three OCs in his college career.
105. PIT – Mack Hollins/WR North Carolina: Even with Martavis Bryant’s reinstatement, the Steelers could still explore taking a receiver. Vertical threat. High character player and a special teams demon. Four year captain. Z receiver.
106. SEA – Eddie Vanderdoes/NT UCLA: Down senior year after getting hurt early in 2015. But a good athlete, ran 4.99 at 305 pounds. Interior plugger for the Seahawks with upside. 50 tackles three years ago.
107. NYJ – Julie’n Davenport/OT Bucknell: Small school guy who got big-time exposure down at the Senior Bowl. Big guy at 6’6 318 with incredible length. Right tackle is a problem area for the Jets. Developmental guy.
Round Four
108. CLE – Ahkello Witherspoon/CB Colorado: Good value here for a guy who might go higher. Playmaker with excellent length and some of the best ball skills in this class but the guy can’t tackle to save his life. Worth the risk here at the top of Day Three.
109. SF – Samaje Perine/RB Oklahoma: Power back who got overshadowed by Joe Mixon. Carlos Hyde’s injury history is extensive and there’s little depth behind him.
110. JAC – Rasul Douglas/CB West Virginia: One year starter with eight interceptions. Lacks long speed but finds the football with the ability to finish. Tight-hipped though and though he’s raw, the lack of athleticism caps his upside.
111. CHI – Dorian Johnson/OG Pittsburgh: Bit of a fall for him and the Bears are getting good value out of it. Kyle Long had a setback with an ankle injury while Josh Sitton missed a chunk of time in 2016.
112. LAR – Nico Siragusa/OG San Diego State: A mauler and has good size at 6’4 319 pounds. 32 inch vertical shows explosion. Todd Gurley didn’t have any running room last year. They’re attempting to kick Greg Robinson inside to guard but who knows if that will really help him.
113. LAC – Josh Reynolds/WR Texas A&M: Think Reynolds has the ability to go in the third round. Height/weight/speed guy who can make difficult catches outside the framework of his body. Hands are inconsistent but the big plays make it worth it.
114. WSH – George Kittle/TE Iowa: Throwback blocker who tested at an absurd level (4.52, 38.5 inch vert, 11 foot broad). Jordan Reed is one of the most talented tight ends in the league but has never proven the ability to remain healthy. Washington finally takes someone on the offensive side of the ball.
115. CAR – Jalen Myrick/CB Minnesota: Lower than what some expect but I don’t love his game. Better suited to move to the slot. The Panthers brought back Captain Munnerlyn so Myrick will function as depth in the short-term. Ran a 4.28 at the Combine.
116. CIN – Elijah Qualls/NT Washington: Squatty plugger but a better athlete than you’d think with decent production. Three sacks last year. Similar to Pat Sims, who is 31 and entering the last year of his contract.
117. CHI – Joe Mathis/OLB Washington: Heavy-handed edge rusher who sets the best edge against the run. Reminds me of Tamba Hali. Bears tied for 24th last year with only 28 total sacks. Not acceptable for a Vic Fangio defense.
118. PHI – Corn Elder/CB Miami (FL): Doubling up on corners. Griffin can play on the outside, Elder can kick to the slot. Physical, high energy player who overcomes the size concerns. At worst, will make a big impact on coverage units in year one.
119. ARI – Will Holden/OT Vanderbilt: Late call-up to the Senior Bowl but did well in limited action. Jared Veldheer is nearing the end of the long-term deal he signed with the Cardinals in 2014. Good depth especially since DJ Humphries has had trouble staying on the field.
120. MIN – Xavier Woods/S La Tech: Woods is a popular sleeper in draft circles. Safety depth isn’t great in Minnesota. 14 career picks and six forced fumbles is nothing to sneeze at.
121. IND – Roderick Johnson/OT Florida State: Arguably the best OL still on the board. Could go a round higher with how well he tested. Colts keep beefing up their offensive line but toning things down a bit after a heavy investment in 2016.
122. BAL – Alex Anzalone/ILB Florida: Replacement for Zach Orr, who abruptly retired at 24. Anzalone was snakebitten with injuries in his career but has great size, sideline to sideline range, and the physicality to fill the B gap against the run. There’s upside here.
123. WSH – Jerod Evans/QB Virginia Tech: One year starter at Virginia Tech who had a strong season. Sits behind Kirk Cousins for a season with his future with the team totally up in the air. Gives Washington another option.
124. TEN – Grover Stewart/NT Albany State: Small school sleeper who garnered a ton of pre-draft interest, visiting with at least 24 teams, including the Titans. At 347 pounds, he’s LeBeau’s new Casey Hampton. 14.5 sacks over the past two seasons. The first guy in the draft most of Twitter will be saying “who?”
125. TB – David Sharpe/OT Florida: Mountain of a man at 6’5 343 pounds, though he tested like a man who weighed 343 pounds. Backs up Demar Dotson on the right side. Two year starter at left tackle for the Gators.
126. DEN – Anthony Walker/ILB Northwestern: Will compete with Todd Davis opposite Brandon Marshall. Walker had a solid career, 225 tackles the last two seasons for the Wildcats. Forced seven fumbles over that time span, too.
127. DET – Rayshawn Jenkins/SS Miami (FL): One of my draft crushes, he compares well to the Colts’ Clayton Geathers. Big hitter, good size, can play the pocket. Good safety class but Jenkins is one name to remember.
128. MIN – Marlon Mack/RB USF: Pretty good value here even if the need isn’t glaring after signing Latavius Murray. Still, an insurance policy for him since Murray is recovering from ankle surgery and Jerrick McKinnon struggled to grab the spotlight last year, though the line he was running behind was terrible.
129. OAK – Jaleen Reeves-Maybin/LB Tennessee: Sleeper that not many are talking about. Great athlete, has sideline-to-sideline range and a really physical player. Has to stay on his feet against the run and play under control. Injury concerns push him down but the upside here is immense.
130. HOU – Brian Hill/RB Wyoming: Good foil to Tyler Ervin, the team’s fourth round pick last season. At 6’0/5 219, he’s got a lot of power, better speed than you’d expect (4.54) and his testing indicates explosion, jumping 34 inches in the vert and 10’5” in the broad. Rushed for over 1800 yards and 22 touchdowns last season with the Cowboys.
131. NE – Aviante Collins/OT TCU: Tackle/guard tweener but a strong athlete who blazed a 4.81 at the Combine. Patriots gravitate towards those types (Shaq Mason, Joe Thuney, Nate Solder).
132. KC – Jourdan Lewis/CB Michigan: Second round talent who fell after domestic violence charges were levied against him. But the team took Tyreek Hill last year and fans forgot about his history. On the field, Lewis is a good leaper and physical player who can be on the outside or in the slot. Philip Gaines struggled in 2016.
133. DAL – Jeremy Sprinkle/TE Arkansas: A glorified offensive tackle, Sprinkle had some weird off the field stuff happen but he’s legitimately one of the top blocking tight ends in this class. Meshes well with a run-first offense.
134. GB – Jamaal Williams/RB BYU: Could become the backup to Ty Montgomery. Big back with good speed who can pass protect. Averaged nearly six yards a pop last season. Problem is he only caught seven passes.
135. PIT – Howard Wilson/CB Houston: A bit lanky and raw but a bigger corner, what the team is looking for, with good hands, picking off five passes last year. Gives the team depth on the outside.
136. ATL – Deatrich Wise Jr/DE Arkansas: Not a lot of 4-3 pass rushers in this class. Wise tested pretty average but he’s one of the best left. Had a better 2015 campaign, racking up eight sacks. Just 3.5 last year.
137. IND – Delano Hill/FS Michigan: One of the best players still on the board. Ran a 4.47 at 216 during the Combine. Slides in behind Clayton Geathers and TJ Green. Strong value here.
138. CIN – Shelton Gibson/WR West Virginia: The new Brandon LaFell. Plays faster than he timed and one of this classes best deep threats. Has to be more detail-oriented and work to come back to the football and be a better asset in scramble drills.
139. PHI – Bucky Hodges/TE Virginia Tech: He’s a glorified receiver, watching him try to line up in a three point stance at the Combine was an adventure, but he’s a top athlete and matchup problem defenses are going to have. Zach Ertz is the fact of the group but Hodges is essentially a slot receiver and Jordan Matthews is in the final year of his deal.
140. NYG – Elijah McGuire/RB UL-Lafayette: Giants might be looking for another back good out of the backfield. McGuire offers that with 130 career receptions and the size to boot at 214 pounds. 4.53 40, 36 inch vert. Shane Vereen tore his triceps twice last year and is entering the final season of his deal.
141. LAR – Jaleel Johnson/DT Iowa: Bit of a fall for Johnson, who tested pretty terribly in the pre-draft process. Inconsistent pass rusher but has size and can get into the backfield. 7.5 sacks a year ago.
142. HOU – Dawuane Smoot/OLB Illinois: Doesn’t have huge upside as a pass rusher but a well-rounded game with the ability to dip and rip the edge. 38.5 career tackles for loss. Similar to John Simon, who signed with the Colts in free agency.
143. SF – Tyler Orlosky/C West Virginia: The 49ers did trade for Jeremy Zuttah last month but this is good insurance and Orlosky is the best OL still on the board. Probably will get taught to play guard too, where he began his WVU career before switching to the pivot.
144. IND – Jonnu Smith/TE Florida International: They lost Coby Fleener to free agency two years ago and then dealt Dwayne Allen to the Pats. Smith will be the #2 to Jack Doyle and a flex tight end. 4.62 40, 38 inch vert, 10’6” broad at the Combine is eye-popping. Good value at the end of the 4th.
Round Five
145. CLE – Kendell Beckwith/ILB LSU: Stock is down coming off injury and turning in a 4.82 40. 263 tackles against college football’s best competition. Browns continue to add to their front seven.
146. SF – Chad Hansen/WR California: A true receiver compared to Samuel. Good value here. Hansen is a well-rounded receiver but only has one year of production. 92 receptions last season for the Golden Bears.
147. CHI – C.J. Beathard/QB Iowa: There was one report that said Beathard was going to go higher than expected and I guess the fifth round could qualify? The Bears coached him at the Senior Bowl. Mike Glennon is essentially on a one year deal.
148. JAC – Kyle Fuller/C Baylor: Jacksonville could definitely take an offensive linemen sooner than this. Just tough to find a fit in such a weak class. Fuller started 39 games at center for the Bears.
149. LAR – Jeremy McNichols/RB Boise State: Value is strong in the 5th round. Tested well, has good size, and productive. 44 career rushing touchdowns, 23 of those coming last year. Hard to find a guy who can top those numbers. 103 career receptions shows off his versatility, too.
150. NYJ – ArDarius Stewart/WR Alabama: I know I have him lower here than where many are projecting him to go. The name value at receiver for the Jets isn’t great but to be fair, it’s a group of young guys. So I waited a bit longer for a receiver. Again, value is impressive here though Stewart’s testing didn’t suggest anything special.
151. LAC – Ben Gedeon/ILB Michigan: Inside linebacker depth after they let Manti Te’o go. Slides in behind Jatavis Brown and Denzel Perryman. Gedeon is a classic thumper.
152. CAR – Michael Roberts/TE Toledo: Throwback blocker who still caught 16 touchdown passes last year. Could start the year as the #2 behind Greg Olsen. Some people think Roberts is a Day Two talent.
153. CIN – Eddie Jackson/S Alabama: Broken leg in November made it a quiet pre-draft process for him. Never had stastically gaudy numbers and obviously benefitted from playing behind that Bama front seven. Not crazy about him but depth behind George Iloka and the underrated Shawn Williams.
154. WSH – Brendan Langley/CB Lamar – Small school prospect who tested extremely well (4.43 40, 35.5 inch vert). Six interceptions last year as a one year, full-time starter. Plenty of upside.
155. PHI – Eric Saubert/TE Drake – Back-to-back small school sleepers. Saubert is a good athlete and will give that Eagles’ offense another weapon. 55 receptions for seven touchdowns last season.
156. BUF – TJ Logan/RB North Carolina – Backup behind Leean McCoy after they let Mike Gillislee go to the Patriots. What Logan lacks in size he makes up for in speed, running a 4.37 40 at Indy.
157. ARI – Trey Hendrickson/OLB FIU: Looking at the value here. Hendrickson is a remarkable athlete for 266 pounds. 4.62 40 with a 1.59 split and a 7.03 three cone. 29.5 career sacks to round out his resume.
158. IND – Kenny Golladay/WR Northern Illinois: Colts have plenty of speed at receiver with Donte Moncrief, Phillip Dorsett, and TY Hilton. Golladay brings some serious size to the table at 6’4 218. Speed too running a 4.5 at the Combine.
159. BAL – Nazair Jones/DE North Carolina: Fifth round presenting good value for most of these teams. He’s a classic five tech who didn’t test well. 34 5/8 inch arms – their new Brent Urban who can clog throwing lanes with their length.
160. MIN – Tanzel Smart/DT Tulane: Squatty, athletic defensive tackle who is fun to watch on tape. Not a lot of three techs left in a down class but he had 5.5 sacks in 2016 to go along with a whopping 19 tackles for loss. Shariff Floyd’s career is unfortunately in doubt.
161. SF – Rudy Ford/S Auburn: Underrated player who blazed a 4.4 flat at his Pro Day. Best year came in 2015, racking up 118 tackles and picking off two passes. Didn’t have a great senior year and then got hurt at the Senior Bowl.
162. TB – Jayon Brown/LB UCLA: Rounds out the linebacker group with Kwon Alexander and Lavonte David. 119 tackles, 7 for a loss last year. Undersized though at 5’11/6 238.
163. BUF – Conor McDermott/OT UCLA: Unintentional back-to-back Bruins selected. Backup now that Cyrus Kouandjio’s status is up in the air. McDermott is one of the taller tackles in this class at a tick over 6’8.
164. TEN – Montae Nicholson/S Michigan State: Still a lot of talented safeties on the board. Da’Norris Searcy isn’t a great safety and took a pay cut to stick around for at least one more year. 200 career tackles on the nose.
165. DET – Cole Hikutini/TE Louisville: Eric Ebron has never found consistency in his NFL career. Strong senior season, catching eight touchdowns and 50 passes overall.
166. MIA – DJ Jones/NT Ole Miss: Sleeper. Strength to take on double-teams but light on his feet with a good football IQ. I don’t think Jordan Phillips gets the credit he deserves but he’s admittedly been inconsistent in his career.
167. NYG – Zane Gonzalez/K Arizona State: Kicker alert! Gonzales is the consensus top toe in the draft, connecting on 23 of his 25 attempts last season. The Giants have Aldrick Rosas as the only kicker on their roster…so yeah, they need one.
168. OAK – KD Cannon/WR Baylor: Like the value here with Cannon even if the Raiders signed Cordarelle Patterson in the offseason. Cannon can be the future in the slot with 4.4 wheels with a 37 inch vert.
169. HOU – Jarron Jones/DE Notre Dame: Three tech at 6’5 with over 35 inch arms. 10.5 tackles for loss and had a great game against the U. 4.5 career sacks. We’re spared a Chris Berman “keeping up with the Jones” joke after three of them go off the board. Be thankful.
170. KC – Collin Buchanan/OT Miami (OH): Chiefs get some generic offensive line depth. Saw a couple of people in the pre-draft process say they liked him as Day Three value. Weighs in at 6’4/5 316.
171. BUF – Gareon Conley/CB Ohio State: We have no idea if the rape allegation is true and as of this writing, charges haven’t been filed (if they are, he likely won’t even get drafted) but with so little time for teams to vet him, it’s hard to justify a first round pick. Conley has tons of talent and finds the ball in the air but must show more functional strength. Could very well not get drafted at all but with cornerback being a need for the Bills after losing Stephen Gilmore, they roll the dice.
172. GB – Dylan Cole/ILB Missouri State: Really made some noise at his Pro Day, posting one of the most impressive workouts of anyone. 4.54 40, 39 inch vert, 10’5” broad, and 6.82 three cone. Undersized at 6’0 239.
173. PIT – James Conner/RB Pittsburgh: Big, power back the team is looking for. One of the best stories in this draft class and will become the #2 behind Le’Veon Bell.
174. ATL – Davon Godchaux/DT LSU: Good sized nose tackle who can back up Dontari Poe and Grady Jarrett as a strong rotational piece. 8.5 TFL and 6.5 sacks for the Tigers last season.
175. CLE – Tarik Cohen/RB North Carolina A&T: Small school runner who is a lot of fun to watch. Dynamic guy, rushed for over 1500 yards in each of the last two years. Not much of a return background but likely will be asked to do it to get him on the field. Ran a 4.42 40 at Indy.
176. CIN – Sean Harlow/OT Oregon State: Good athlete and gives the Bengals additional offensive line depth, this time on the outside. Jake Fisher and Cedric Ogbuehi have had a rough time settling in.
177. DEN – John Johnson/S Boston College: Again, looking at the value here. He’ll join his BC teammate Justin Simmons, who was drafted in the third round a year ago by Denver. 4.61 40, 37 inch vert in his workout.
178. MIA – DeDe Westbrook/WR Oklahoma: Finally is off the board. Slight frame, off the field concerns push him down. Dolphins have their top three receivers but have seemed to already soured on Leonte Carroo. Westbrook will push him.
179. ARI – Scott Orndoff/TE Pittsburgh: Going higher than where many will project him but Bruce Arians is just looking for a blocker. Different valuation than most teams. Orndoff has good size at 6’5 253.
180. KC – Samson Ebukam/OLB Eastern Washington: Small school late riser after an insane Pro Day workout, running a 4.5 flat. Looked good against Washington State this season and a high effort guy who played all over the front. Comfortable and fluid dropping into coverage.
181. CLE – Zach Banner/OT USC: Maybe the best tackle still on the board. Browns did a good job to overhaul their offensive line this year. Right tackle is still the potential trouble stop with Cam Erving and Shon Coleman in the mix. Banner is a mountain but moves like one, too.
182. GB – Malachi Dupre/WR LSU: Good value here as the Packers restock the deck at receiver, even if the position group looks pretty good right now. Dupre tested well, running in the low 4.5’s and jumping 39.5 inches. Could go higher but limited body of work due to LSU’s run-first offense. 98 career receptions.
183. NE – Ryan Glasgow/DT Michigan: Throwback interior linemen who had a productive senior season. 9.5 TFL and four sacks. For what it’s worth, PFF rated Glasgow high during Senior Bowl practices.
184. MIA – Jon Toth/C Kentucky: Similar, though bigger, to Austin Blythe a year ago. Good strength, limited athlete. Additional OL help in case Pouncey has trouble working his way back…or gets hurt again.
Round Six
185. CLE – Danny Isidora/OG Miami (FL): Best offensive linemen still on the board. Probably a little low for him. 39 career starts, second team All-ACC last year for the Hurricanes. Reaching the point with the Browns where they’ve filled most of their needs and really just need to focus on talent, a true BPA.
186. BAL – Devonte Fields/OLB Louisville: Talented player who bounced around and has off the field concerns. Freshmen of the year at TCU where he racked up 18.5 TFL and 10 sacks. 22 TFL as a junior with the Cardinal. Ravens keep adding pass rushers.
187. JAC – Tanner Vallejo/LB Boise State: Undersized linebacker at 228 pounds coming off a wrist injury. Three year starter and started majority of his games during his freshmen season. 100 tackles, 16.5 for a loss, back in 2014.
188. CLE – Stacey Coley/WR Miami (FL): Circling back to Cleveland. They drafted a metric ton of receivers last year so I held off but tough to ignore the value here. Coley can fly, running a 4.39 at his Pro Day. Nine touchdowns last year and averaged over 13 yards per catch in his career.
189. LAR – Channing Stribling/CB Michigan: Long, leggy corner who didn’t run great. Four interceptions last year. Bigger corner on the outside after they signed Kayvon Webster and Nickell Robey-Coleman, guys better suited for the slot.
190. LAC – Caleb Brantley/DE Florida: Impossible to know where he’ll land after charged with battery, allegedly knocking a woman unconscious. Had that not happened, he would’ve been a Day Two selection. 6.5 TFL and a trio of sacks for the Gators a year ago.
191. NYJ – Isaac Rochell/DE Notre Dame: If he adds a little weight, at 280 right now, he’ll be a prototypical five tech. High effort player. An impressive 55 tackles last year, 63 the year before.
192. CAR – Marquel Lee/LB Wake Forest: Best linebacker on the board. Productive 2016 for the Demon Deacons, finishing with 20 TFL and 7.5 sacks. Linebacker depth isn’t the best for the Panthers even though they have their starters mapped out.
193. CIN – Jason Croom/TE Tennessee: 252 pounds but looks like a receiver, a slender build. Tested well at his Pro Day and a threat in space. Tyler Eifert was missed last year.
194. PHI – Jermaine Eluemunor/OG Texas A&M: Offensive line not much of a need for the Eagles but I like the value here. Eluemunor is considered a sleeper in some circles. Great size at 6’5 332. 34 reps on the bar at Indy with 33 1/4 inch arms.
195. BUF – Austin Rehkow/P Idaho: Colton Schmidt had his worst year in 2016 and the Bills chose not to tender him, temporarily letting him to go and then re-signing him. Rehkow is the top punter in the draft but despite playing in Idaho, he’ll have to be up to the challenge of kicking outside in bad weather. No more Kibbie Dome.
196. NO – Jadar Johnson/SS Clemson: One year starter but he made it count, being named to the ACC’s First-Team. Five interceptions. Average athlete. Saints continue to add to their secondary after allowing a 31st worst 7.9 yards per attempt this past year.
197. ARI – Donnel Pumphrey/RB San Diego State: Terribly undersized, though to his credit, put some weight on in the pre-draft process. Wish he had a bigger role in the return game but that’s something he’ll probably do at the next level. Prolific college career, ending as the NCAA all-time leader in rushing yards.
198. SF – Treyvon Hester/NT Toledo: Big plugger up front Tony Pauline has compared favorably to Ahtyba Rubin. Hester had a productive career with the Rockets, coming off a 39 tackle (8 for a loss) 5 sack senior season. Their run defense was historically bad last season though I didn’t address the DL early because they have young prospects in DeForest Buckner and Arik Armstead.
199. MIN – Jordan Cooper/OG Kutztown: Small school guy who didn’t have a strong Senior Bowl week. Vikings continue to add to their offensive line. Nothing wrong with that.
200. NE – Brent Campbell/TE Wisconsin-Whitewater: Such an unknown guy he doesn’t even have a profile on NFL Draft Scout. Regarded as an excellent blocker who caught three touchdowns last year. Listed at 6’5 264.
201. WSH – Nate Gerry/ILB Nebraska: Hybrid player at the next level. Could fill Su’a Cravens spot if he becomes more of a true safety. Violent, nasty hitter but a limited athlete.
202. SF – Ben Boulware/ILB Clemson: Their new Chris Borland, though don’t expect him to have that sort of career. Better prospect than how he timed, which was poor. Ultra-competitive, fiery, a gamer.
203. DEN – Matthew Dayes/RB NC State: Not a tremendous athlete but an excellent one-cut runner who will do well on inside zone runs. Squatty size at 5’9 but could push to become the #3 back on the roster.
204. TB – Stevie Tu’ikolovatu/NT USC: Mountain of a man at 6’1 331. Already 26 years old but guy to root for. Bounced around, fell on hard times, had to sleep in his car at one point, but a one-note plugger who can collapse the pocket as a pass rusher.
205. DET – DeAngelo Brown/NT Louisville: Big plugger up front. Potential replacement for Haloti Ngata, who is entering the final year of his contract at 33 years old. Brown had 13 TFL a year ago.
206. LAR – Daniel Brunskill/OT San Diego State: Developmental talent making the jump front tight end to the offensive line. Still 273 pounds so he’s got a ways to go. Stash player who could be ready whenever Andrew Whitworth’s career is done.
207. NYG – Jessamen Dunker/OG Tennessee State: Florida transfer who ran a 4.98at 318 pounds at the Combine. Didn’t think he had a good week at Mobile. Rounding out the OL depth for the Giants behind John Jerry.
208. OAK – Vincent Taylor/NT Oklahoma State: Projected to go higher. 6’2 304. Raiders add depth up front behind Justin Ellis. Void now than Dan Williams is gone. Raiders could address the position higher.
209. WSH – Robert Davis/WR Georgia State: Developmental prospect with really impressive triangle numbers. 40+ inch vertical. Could see him make an impact starting in 2018. Treat his rookie year as a “redshirt,” with him maybe on the practice squad or weekly inactive. Not a major need but lots of talented receivers still on the board.
210. SEA – Cooper Rush/QB Central Michigan: The only QB Russell Wilson on the roster is Trevone Boykin, who has been arrested twice as many times as he’s thrown TD passes in his career. Rush is a popular QB sleeper who may have gone higher if not for a poor-ish senior season.
211. DAL – Dan Skipper/OT Arkansas: Huge, 6’10 tackle who could compete on the right side after Doug Free retired. Ton of experience, making 47 starts in the SEC.
212. GB – Avery Moss/OLB Youngstown State: Played opposite of Derek Rivers and got overshadowed as a result though Rivers’ presence brought attention from NFL scouts. Had a strong against West Virginia. 17.5 TFL, 11 sacks in his senior year. Began his career at Nebraska.
213. PIT – Elijah Lee/ILB Kansas State: On the lighter side at 229 pounds but tested well. 38 inch vert, 10’2” broad, 7.05 three cone at his Pro Day. Left school early as a junior. Depth behind Ryan Shazier and Vince Williams, profiling like the former.
214. TEN – Damien Mama/OG USC: Massive interior linemen who started as a true freshmen and left school as a junior. Ran at the speed of smell, a 5.84 40, I believe the slowest of Indy. 1.95 ten split.
215. DET – Jeremy Cutrer/CB Tennessee St: Long corner who impressed against Alabama, similar to safety Kevin Dyson last year. Easy kid to root for, was homeless after Hurricane Katrina, and his brother was tragically murdered in 2013. Terribly underweight though, only 167 pounds.
216. KC – Chuck Clark/FS Virginia Tech: Three year starter who racked up 296 tackles but didn’t make many splash plays. Just 2 INTs, 1 FF. Above average workout numbers.
217. CIN – Keionta Davis/DE Chattanooga: Little smaller than the typical Bengals’ defensive end but he’s the best one left. Good Pro Day workout (4.72 40, 1.63 ten split, 37.5 vert, 30 on the bench). Three cone was disappointingly low. Conference division player of the year in 2016, finishing with a whopping 13.5 sacks.
218. KC – Matt Milano/LB Boston College: Running out of ideas for the Chiefs, to be honest. Milano is a hybrid linebacker/safety who can sit behind Daniel Sorensen, who occupies that role and does it well.
Round Seven
219. SF – Brandon Wilson/CB Houston: Flier on a tremendous athlete late. 4.40, 41 inch vert, 11’1” broad jump. Could go a round higher. Not much production though, ending his career with only 15 breakups and two picks.
220. WSH – Corey Clement/RB Wisconsin: Average athlete but has good feet and lateral movement with vision. Eyes and feet connected. Slowed down by injuries during his junior year but had a good senior season. Well-rounded back who could open the year as the #3.
221. CHI – Jehu Chesson/WR Michigan: Drafted based on his workouts. 6’2, 204, who ran a 4.47 40, jumped 39.5 inches, and had a 6.7 three cone. Limited production who had a church-mouse quiet senior year, only 35 catches.
222. JAC – Josh Harvey-Clemons/S Louisville: Another hybrid player and a sleeper in my book. Played as that true hybrid defender. 6’5 228 and a great open field tackler. Not the best athlete, though, so playing closer to the LOS will be key for him. Got kicked out of Georgia, wound up with the Cardinal.
223. MIA – Jamal Agnew/CB San Diego: Deep sleeper but an impressive college career. Ran in the low 4.3’s at his Pro Day after a career where he broke up 48 passes and picked off another 11. Undersized at 5’10 182. Some punt return background too though I don’t expect him to be in the mix with Jakeem Grant and now Westbrook drafted.
224. NYJ – Aaron Jones/RB UTEP: Tough runner who exploded his senior year, rushing for over 1700 yards and 20 total touchdowns. Tested well too. Good late round flier for a team lacking a clear-cut #1 back.
225. LAC – Fred Ross/WR Mississippi State: Opposite of Josh Reynolds, who they drafted earlier. Limited athlete who struggles to separate at the top of his route but has a reliable pair of mitts and good size. Jared Goff needs all the weapons he can get in order to succeed.
226. SEA – Tyson Fernandez/OG Appalachian State: Came to school as an offensive linemen, flipped to nose tackle early in his career, and then flip-flopped back in 2016 between guard and nose tackle. I like him better on the defensive side of the ball but taking a DL and teaching him to play OL is sorta Tom Cable’s thing. Fernandez has already started that process. High character player, too.
227. CIN – Adrian Colbert/S Miami (FL): Could play corner or safety. Big hitter, plus athlete, who bounced around colleges and struggled to find consistent playing time. Could have better NFL career than college, sorta like the Bengals’ mindset was with James Wright, a WR who did little at LSU.
228. DAL – Quincy Adeboyejo/WR Ole Miss: Sleeper. Height/weight/speed guy who can stretch the field vertically. Quiet senior season but averaged 16 yards a catch and found the end zone seven times as a junior.
229. NO –Marquez White/CB Florida State: Cornerback still a need after losing Stephen Gilmore in the offseason. White is physical but is an average athlete but the Saints can’t have enough DBs in this class.
230. PHI – Malik Golden/FS Penn State: Local-ish kid who came on scene with his Pro Day workout. 6’0 201 pounds who ran a 4.5 40 and jumped 35/10’5” in the vert and broad. 75 tackles this year up in State College.
231. ARI – Patrick Towels/QB Boston College: A big, Ben Roethlisberger looking QB who struggled mightily in college. Barely completed half his passes in 2016. But a project for Bruce Arians to work on in perhaps Carson Palmer’s final season.
232. MIN – Evan Schwan/DE Penn State: More defensive line depth for the Vikings. Quietly put up 5.5 sacks and tested well at his Pro Day workout. 4.68 40 and 10’1” broad jump.
233. CAR – J.J. Dielman/C Utah: Versatile, playing right tackle before kicking inside to center. Senior year cut short with a concussion. Backup to Ryan Kalil, who has two years left on his deal.
234. LAR – Pharaoh Brown/TE Oregon: Injury marred career prevented him from going higher. But he finished on a good note, catching 33 passes for the Ducks in 2016.
235. WSH – Mitchell Kirsch/OT James Madison: Three year starter on the best team at the FCS level. Consensus All-American in 2016, second team as a junior. Impressive resume. 6’6 300 pounds.
236. TEN – Keion Adams/OLB Western Michigan: High upside pass rusher who Dick LeBeau can work worth. 17 tackles, 7.5 sacks, and a trio of forced fumbles to end his career.
237. TB – Jake Elliott/K Memphis: Trading up for Robert Aguayo last year may have already proven to be a mistake. Elliott made all but two kicks as a senior and never missed an extra point in his college career.
238. DEN – Tashawn Bower/OLB LSU: Highly touted high school recruit who never produced the same way for the Tigers, making seven career starters. Limited upside but he’s versatile and fluid on his feet. Plays the run well too. Chance to be a valuable special teamer and quality backup.
239. NE – Donald Payne/SS Stetson: Late process riser who had a great workout. 4.55 40 and 37.5 inch vert at Bethune-Cookman’s Pro Day. Three time Pioneer League DPOY and a three-year captain for the team. Excellent career, plus athlete, he’s got an impressive – and draftable – resume.
240. MIA – Harvey Langi/LB BYU: Average athlete who had a strong junior season in 2015. Will look to latch on via special teams.
241. NYG – Isaiah Ford/WR Virginia Tech: Fell lower than conventionally mocked but it always happens to a couple guys. Slightly above average athlete. Giants have a strong WR group but the value here can’t be ignored and taking talent in the seventh round is how you find that gem.
242. OAK – Steven Wroblewski/TE Southern Utah: Averaged over 14 yards per catch as a senior and he tested well (4.64) for a guy who weighed in at 6’7 252. Fun flier here in the final couple of picks.
243. HOU – Aaron Penton/CB Missouri: Slot guy as the team looks to replace AJ Boyue, not that you can expect a 7th round pick to move the needle very much.
244. OAK – Sam Rogers/FB Virginia Tech: Versatile fullback who fits the Raiders’ style well. Sorta like what Marcel Reece was when with the team. 72 career receptions.
245. KC – Ethan Cooper/OG Indiana (PA): Another OL to round things out for the Chiefs. Small school sleeper who got the big-time NFL look at the Combine.
246. DAL – Greg Ward/WR Houston: Former QB making the switch like what Isaiah Stanback did years back. Ward is a good enough athlete to make the switch.
247. GB – Colin Holba/LS Louisville: Long snapper alert. The Packers don’t have a clear starter on the roster and Holba is the top talent in this class. Rare length for the position.
248. PIT – Pita Taumoepenu/OLB Utah: Skinny framed pass rusher but a great first step and nasty spin move to counter. Still relatively new to football so there’s a good amount of upside here as the Steelers look to improve their pass rush.
249. ATL – Jamari Staples/WR Louisville: I think they have the most players drafted from any one college in this draft. Staples is lanky who can run and willing to go over the middle. Humble kid, too who transferred from UAB when the program got shut down.
250. DET – Taquan Mizzell/RB Virginia: Caught 195 passes for the Cavs. Poor man’s Theo Riddick. Best work coms in space. Virginia keeps their NFL Draft streak going.
251. CIN – Matthew Walsh/LB UConn: Deep deep sleeper who racked up 72 tackles for the Huskies as a senior. Didn’t test very well though.
252. DEN – Jimmie Gilbert/ILB Colorado: Know I’ve mocked a ton of linebackers to Denver already but really just focusing in on talent here. Gilbert lined up as an EDGE rusher in school but I think he better profiles off ball. Above average athlete who has no issues flipping his hips into coverage.
253. DEN – Justin Senior/OG Mississippi State: There he is, Mr. Irrelevant. Senior carried name value and played tackle in school but will have to kick inside at the next level to have a chance to stick, which is no guarantee. Tackles moving to guard is far from automatic. 39 career starts at left tackle.
Undrafted Free Agents
ARI
Leon McQuay III/SS USC
Levon Myers/OT Northern Illinois
Bradley Northnagel/LS California
Se’Veon Pittman/OLB Akron
Shock Linwood/RB Baylor
McQuay is an underrated name in the draft. Big hitter with the ability to play the pocket. Cardinals had long snapping woes last year. Pittman began his career at Ohio State.
ATL
Connor Harris/LB Lindenwood
Sojourn Shelton/CB Wisconsin
Najeal Young/TE Texas Wesleyan
Tyler Catalina/OT Georgia
Lenard Tillery/RB Southern
Harris is a draftable prospect who played well at the Senior Bowl. Shelton has talent but woefully underweight. Tillery was one of the most dominant players in the MEAC, rushing for early 5000 yards in his college career and 48 total touchdowns.
BAL
De’Veon Smith/RB Michigan
Orion Stewart/CB Baylor
Artavis Scott/WR Clemson
Calvin Steyn/OG Weber State
Michael James/S Alderson-Broaddus
Smith has good tape but a 4.85 40 drops him out of the draft. Stewart could play corner or safety. Ran a 4.55 and jumped 37 inches at his Pro Day.
BUF
Chad Kelly/QB Ole Miss
Weston Steelhammer/S Air Force
Horace Richardson/CB SMU
Dondre Daley/WR Iowa State
Roderick Henderson/NT Alabama State
Kelly goes to his dad’s team. Has talent but too many off the field and medical concerns, including a wrist injury during his Pro Day. Daley ran slow but is a leaper while Steelhammer is on the draft’s All-Name squad. Richardson has a shot to get drafted late.
CAR
Freddie Stevenson/FB Florida State
Trevor Knight/QB-WR Texas A&M
Taylor Gadbois/OT Southeastern Louisiana
Xavier Coleman/CB Portland State
Jamal Carter/S Miami (FL)
Stevenson is a little Mike Tolbert like. Knight will look to make a position switch in all likelihood while Carter has great size and a solid workout.
CHI
Josh Carraway/OLB TCU
Jackson Matteo/C Virginia
Justin Gibbons/CB Aurora
Alex Boy/P Nevada
Isaiah McKenzie/WR Georgia
Carraway didn’t get a ton of chances to rush off the edge at TCU but he’s a strong athlete. Matteo has some nasty to his game. Gibbons is a super sleeper but ran 4.55 and had a 6.93 three cone at 6’2/5 198.
CLE
Carroll Phillips/OLB Illinois
Michael Tyson/S Cincinnati
Devin Church/RB Eastern Illinois
Kermit Whitefield/WR Florida State
Jordan Bowman/FS California (FS)
Phillips could get drafted but at 25 without a defining trait, I wouldn’t be shocked if he fell out. Church averaged 5.4 YPC and caught 41 passes last year. Began his career at Illinois.
CIN
Joe Williams/RB Utah
Folarin Orimolade/ILB Dartmouth
Trent Taylor/WR La Tech
Terrish Webb/S Pittsburgh
Patrick Ricard/DT Maine
Taylor is a big name and excellent UDFA. Williams has talent but retired in September, returning weeks later. Ricard had a good workout.
DAL
Pat O’Connor/DE Eastern Michigan
Shaq Hill/WR Eastern Washington
Josh Thornton/CB Southern Utah
Jeremiah Valoaga/DE UNLV
Boom Williams/RB Kentucky
O’Connor had a fine past two seasons, racking up 29 TFL and 15 sacks over that span. 20 career sacks and seven FFs. Boom Williams is short but shows some explosion. Hill caught 17 touchdowns last year.
DEN
Ahmad Thomas/CB Oklahoma
Noah Brown/WR Ohio State
Ifeadi Odenigbo/OLB Northwestern
Bryce Jones/CB Akron
Lucas Nikolaisen/TE Holy Cross
Brown has just one year of production but caught seven touchdowns on just 32 overall receptions. Odenigbo is a worthy flier. Ten sacks last year for the Wildcats.
DET
Chad Williams/WR Grambling St
Charles Walker/DL Oklahoma
Fadol Brown/DE Ole Miss
Garrett Fugate/QB Central Missouri
Chase Allen/LB Southern Illinois
Chad Williams is a true vertical threat but a gun charge caused him not to get a Combine invite. Walker sat out the second half of his season after suffering a concussion. There’s some late buzz going around on Fugate, who threw for 31 touchdowns and rushed for eight more.
GB
Javancy Jones/OLB Jackson State
Dare Ogunbowale/RB Wisconsin
Cole Croston/OT Iowa
Miles Bergner/P South Dakota
DeAngelo Yancey/WR Purdue
Jones is a great story and has legitimate productivity. Some people like Ogunbowale more than Clement while Yancey’s season was cut short by injury. Ran a 4.53 at 220 pounds at his Pro Day. Croston has starting experience at both tackle spots.
HOU
Lorenzo Jerome/S St. Francis
Gunner Kiel/QB Cincinnati
Avery Gennesy/OG Texas A&M
Hayden Plinke/TE UTEP
David Rivers III/CB Youngstown State
Jerome is the definition of a playmaker, forcing several turnovers in the Senior Bowl and Shrine Game but ran terribly slow. Plinke is a blocker at 6’4 264.
IND
Jody Webb/RB Youngstown State
Bug Howard/WR North Carolina
Jonathan Dorset/TE Alabama A&M
Brandon Bell/LB Penn State
Darius English/OLB South Carolina
Webb is a fun sleeper, exploding for nearly six yards a pop in 2016 and catching another 37 passes. Howard had a solid career, catching 14 touchdown passes. Bell was a leader on the Nittany Lions’ defense.
JAC
Ashton Lampkin/CB Oklahoma State
Joey Ivie/DT Florida
De’Angelo Henderson/RB Coastal Carolina
Jarvarius Lemon/OT South Carolina State
Garry Brown/WR California (PA)
Ivie had a consistent albeit uneventful career. Henderson is a scat back who ran a 4.48 at the Combine. Brown had a big year at Division Two Cal, catching 22 touchdown passes and jumped 37/10’6” at his Pro Day.
KC
Al-Quadin Muhammad/OLB Miami (FL)
Matthew Godin/DE Michigan
Krishawn Hogan/WR Marist
Ricky Seals-Jones/TE Texas A&M
Nate Iese/FB UCLA
Godin is a classic five tech who makes up for a lack of athleticism with his effort. Hogan is from the NAIA level but earned a combine invite while Seals-Jones caught ten touchdowns in his college career.
LA
Hunter Dimick/DE Utah
Chad Wheeler/OT USC
Taysom Hill/QB BYU
Jerome Lane/WR Akron
Danny O’Brien/DT Tennessee
Dimick was one of the most productive pass rushers last year, recording 19.5 TFL and 13.5 sacks. Hill has a big arm and Lane would’ve gone higher if his 40 time wasn’t so meager. O’Brien has a good first step but got kicked out of school.
MIA
Nate Holley/SS Kent State
Alex Kozan/OG Auburn
Rigoberto Sanchez/K Hawaii
Jylan Ware/OT Alabama State
Torry McTyer/CB UNLV
Holley was leading the FBS in tackles until a kidnapping charge in 2016 got him kicked off the team. He would later be acquitted. Kozan because hey, I’m going to live vicariously through him. McTyer ran a 4.41 at his Pro Day.
MIN
Chris Carson/RB Oklahoma State
Kenneth Walker/WR UCLA
Sam Tevi/OG Utah
Toby Baker/P Arkansas
Josh Banks/DT Wake Forest
Carson is a straight line power runner. Walker is a good guy to root for who can absolutely fly. Levi was a two year starter at tackle for the Utes, moving to the right side when Bolles came to town.
NE
Leo Musso/S Wisconsin
Clint Van Horn/OT Marshall
Tyrone Swoopes/TE Texas
Anthony Firkser/FB Harvard
Kevin Marquez/LB-FB Rutgers
Musso has drawn comparisons to Jim Leonard. Swoopes is switching from QB to TE and Bill Belichick loves his Rutgers’ prospects. Marquez is a quality athlete.
NO
Jordan Sterns/CB Oklahoma State
Speedy Noil/WR Texas A&M
Nate Theaker/OG Wayne State
Rushel Shell/RB West Virginia
Tony Conner/S Ole Miss
Noil is a remarkable athlete. Shell isn’t. The Saints have had success with small school guards before – Jahari Evans. Conner had just two career picks and none the past two seasons.
NYG
Ironhead Gallon/S Georgia Southern
Adam Bisnowaty/OT Pittsburgh
Chunky Clements/DT Illinois
William Stanback/RB Virginia Union
Rodney Adams/WR USF
Ironhead Gallon is another one for the all-name team. Bisnowaty has name value but is on the ground far too often. Stanback got dismissed from UCF before tearing it up at Virginia Union, averaging over six yards per carry.
NYJ
Seth Russell/QB Baylor
Amba Etta-Tawo/WR Syracuse
Riley Bullough/ILB Michigan State
Josh Augusta/NT Missouri
Casey DeAndrade/FS New Hampshire
Russell falls in the draft after suffering a back injury during the year. Etta-Tawo can beat press coverage but must show more consistent hands. Augusta is 347 pounds of nose tackle while DeAndrade could hear his name called late on Day Three.
OAK
Michael Rector/WR Stanford
Teriyon Gipson/RB New Mexico State
Brad Seaton/OT Villanova
Marcus Oliver/LB Indiana
Greg Mabin/CB Iowa
Rector tested well while Gipson may be small but ultra productive on a bad team. Was that offense. Seaton has good size at 6’7 310. Oliver had 112 tackles, 15 for a loss, and ran a 4.67 at his Pro Day.
PHI
Kyle Kalis/C Michigan
Willie Quinn/WR Southern
Alex Torgensen/QB Penn
Tyrique Jarrett/NT Pittsburgh
David Jones/FS Richmond
Quinn is one of my favorites, a Brandon Banks like player who is dynamic with the ball in his hands. Jarrett is a classic plugger at the nose, similar to Beau Allen. Jones is a popular small school sleeper and actually has a good chance to get picked. Big hitter who tested well.
PIT
Josh Topu/NT Colorado
Drew Morgan/WR Arkansas
Hardy Nickerson/LB Illinois
Damarius Travis/SS Minnesota
Blake Jarwin/TE Oklahoma State
Topu is a wide body at the nose who bounced back from being suspended for all of 2015 with 49 tackles with the Buffs last year. Morgan doesn’t look like much but always made plays for the Razorbacks. Travis will put his face in the fan and is worthy of getting drafted.
SD
Jonah Hodges/RB San Diego
Ezra Robinson/CB Tennessee State
Paul Magloire Jr/LB Arizona
Jalen Robinette/WR Air Force
Jonah Pirsig/OT Minnesota
Hodges stays local after rushing for more than 1400 yards and hauling in 53 passes in 2016. Robinson got exposure at the Senior Bowl while Magloire Jr is a hybrid player. Robinette made big plays at Air Force but ran slowl
SEA
Treston DeCoud/CB Oregon State
Kendrick Bourne/WR Eastern Washington
Corey Levin/OG Chattanooga
Jahad Thomas/RB Temple
Johnathan Calvin/DE Mississippi State
Thomas is a one cut runner without much power. Bourne had a big year, averaging over 15 yards per catch. Calvin quietly had seven sacks in 2016.
SF
William Likely III/CB Maryland
Justin Davis/RB USC
Aaron Frye/P Bethany
Darrell Daniels/TE Washington
Antonio Pipkin/QB Tiffin
Likely is very short and coming off injury, a bad combination. Daniels is a good athlete and Frye is the rare strong safety/punter combo from a D-III school. Pipkin failed to impress at Mobile.
TB
Billy Brown/TE Shephard
Cameron Lee/OG Illinois State
Mitch Leidner/QB Minnesota
Jeremy Clark/CB Michigan
Bryan Cox Jr/DE Florida
Brown is begrudgingly converting from WR to TE. Bucs didn’t draft but had Howard Jones a year ago. Leidner was once thought of as a first round pick. That was a very, very dumb thought.
TEN
Andy Kwon/C Georgia Southern
Dakota Ball/FB Alabama
Travin Dural/WR LSU
Lewis Neal/OLB LSU
Daquan Holmes/S American International
Kwon is undersized but a two year starter and first-team Sun Belt last year. Dural is one of the better UDFAs but isn’t the athlete some hoped he’d be. Ball has played tight end and on the defensive line.
WSH
Jordan Herdman/ILB Simon Fraser
Jhaustin Thomas/DE Iowa State
Gabe Marks/WR Washington State
Nate Hairston/CB Temple
Jacob Hollister/TE Wyoming
Herdman is small and sorta slow but I like his instincts. Thomas is a classic five tech at 6’5 295 pounds who churned out a 4.95 at his Pro Day. Hairston is a quality UDFA get.
