2018 Comprehensive NFL Draft Thread

[volsmet]

On 3/18/2018 at 2:05 AM, sjinhan said:

Forget drafting RB in the first unless is Barkley level talent...

 

i like what Cooley said on his show... just look at positions in which salaries are blowing up in FA... you take players in those positions (LT,DL, pass rushers, CBs, QB) in the first and rest you can live with paying top dollars to bring someone in during FA... paying top FA dollar to bring in RB or guard for example is much cheaper than trying to sign a top CB or DL in their prime

 

if Vea is there at 13 then it’s no Brainer that we pick him

 

Late RB targets I like are Scarborough & Kelly. I think Bo surprised some people with his explosive vertical & broad jump, he’s a more explosive athlete than some give him credit for.

 

John Kelly was having an all conference season before Tennessee lost nearly all of its OL prior to facing Bama/UGA/LSU. He was running behind a line that included a RS Freshman TE from St Johns who missed two years with torn knees. Brooks was a 265lb rsfr TE converted to OT, he didn’t belong anywhere near the field but the Tennessee OL ran out of bodies. Kelly gutted UF, nearly leading the Vols to a win in the swamp without anything from his QB or WRs. He’s a tough kid, I’d love to see him in round 6/7. 

 

If if we take a guy early, Chubb is the back I prefer to Guice or Michel. 

 

In the middle rounds I love Kalen Ballage. His performance at his pro-day may have moved him into day 2 though and that’s going to work out for Washington unless we move down.

 

 

[Rogue Jedi]

The more I watch Rashaad Penny the more in love I am becoming.

 

The 4.46 at the combine doesn't really jump out, but the tape shows much more.

 

He has that Moss long range speed.

 

I mean this guy is ripping off 70+ 90+ runs without slowing down and blowing everyone by. And this is measuring at 5'11 221 lbs. 

 

All the interviews I watch of him he also comes across as a well spoken and intellectual kid who knows what he needs to focus on (pass protection) to get the attention of NFL teams considering a feature back. He has still also has that edge and chip of being from a small school and being overlooked, like Kareem Hunt and using it to motivate him.

 

I don't know where most GM's rank him, but our FO needs to determine where that is, and select him several picks before that. And I have a feeling the jig is aleady up and he's already becoming a draft board riser and may go late 1st early 2nd.

[volsmet]

A couple pack 12 UDFA possibilities I’m intrigued by are Garhard De Beer & Kylie Fitts. Both raw, but each has tremendous potential imho. Interested if anyone in the ES community has an opinion on either of these prospects.

 

Im also interested to see if anyone thinks Wynn is a possibility for us at 13. I don’t think it would be a surprise if he ends up being the premier OG in this draft. I’d certainly not object to taking him at 13. 

 

[markmills67]

Get Hankins signed today (finger out your **** Allen), then best ILB available at our pick in 1st round.

 

HTTR 

[zoony]

I am a proponent of BPA, but that said, i would much rather see us taking an Olineman at 13 than possibly reaching on a rb or dt.

 

Yes we need a rb but just remember alfred morris ran for 100 plus against us behind that dallas oline.   Point is if we could lock up that LG spot with a monster who could play multiple positions we would be in a great spot with our OL, and that would open so much up for us on offense, moreso than any one position right now.  Jmo

[skinny21]

Happened to be reading a write up on Penny and a few things stood out to me.  1) writer talked about a lack of effort in pass pro (as opposed to just being bad at it), 2) said he’s a 2 down back unless he (significantly) improves his pass pro, 3) he’d fit best on a team who’s receivers will keep the safeties out of the box.  Author also has him pegged for the 1st round.  

 

Obviously, #2 is not too concerning considering we have Thompson.  The other 2 are bigger deals.  I’d be grilling his coaches about how much they emphasized pass pro.  I’m not sure if we have the receiving weapons to force safeties deep, but we do have some added speed now with Richardson, and leaving Reed and Crowder in single coverage seems risky for D coordinators (healthy aside, I think Jay will have some fun with this group).  

 

I’d think the key here (and in general) would be to shore up our interior oline with a LG, and to make sure we can field a solid blocker at TE - priorities for us regardless.  I’d think G will partially hinge on signing Hankins.  If we do that, we could go G then RB, or vice versa... especially with a trade back in the 1st.  

 

I’m sticking with my desire for a TE in the 4th/5th.  If we manage to pick up a 3rd (or something), we could also go after corner or OLB in the middle rounds.  

[50yrSKINSfan]

Just now, zoony said:

I am a proponent of BPA, but that said, i would much rather see us taking an Olineman at 13 than possibly reaching on a rb or dt.

 

Yes we need a rb but just remember alfred morris ran for 100 plus against us behind that dallas oline.   Point is if we could lock up that LG spot with a monster who could play multiple positions we would be in a great spot with our OL, and that would open so much up for us on offense, moreso than any one position right now.  Jmo

Hey Zoony. Do you really think that DT from Ala is a reach at 13? He may not even be there. As far as O line at 13 fine as long as he is the best O lineman in the draft. I am against O linemen at 5 like where we picked Sheriff unless he is a great LT but 13 is O.K. Before we go drafting anyone remember how the Cowboys O line pushed our D all over the field. New Orleans ran the ball down our throats along with everyone else. I would really consider D line help as a priority. Cheers, 50yr more like 60 now.

[fordranger76]

I think too many folks are sleeping on Kerryon Johnson in this draft. He is such a patient runner but doesnt have the flash of the other backs. He has power and burst. Not as much top end but this guy is good. I think he could be a great 2nd round pick and should be there when we have it. 

[skinny21]

35 minutes ago, fordranger76 said:

I think too many folks are sleeping on Kerryon Johnson in this draft. He is such a patient runner but doesnt have the flash of the other backs. He has power and burst. Not as much top end but this guy is good. I think he could be a great 2nd round pick and should be there when we have it. 

I generally agree with you.  Solid all around player with the potential to be a stud.  I keep saying he reminds me of Bell a bit due to that patience.  I have no idea how he’d fare behind our line/in our scheme, but I think our olineman will love getting downfield in front of him, and (similar to Thompson), he’ll let them set up those blocks.  

 

As I alluded to regarding scheme, I honestly don’t know if he can be a one cut and go runner, or whether he can hit the hole at full speed.  Tailor your run game a bit to him though, and I agree that he has stud potential.  To do that, we may need a well rounded LG (which I’m hoping we manage anyway).  

 

I see a number of issues in our ground game, and the one that concerns me most is the scheme... partially because of the hybrid nature and partially because I think they’ve struggled to to find the personnel that allows them to mesh the run game with the passing game (PA especially.  Draft a back that fits, a well regarded LG and a blocking TE, get some improvement out of the wr blocking, and hopefully they can (successfully) run the scheme they want.  

 

Edit: I keep waffling between Johnson as my 3rd favorite (for us) after Barkley/Guice, and moving him down past Michel, Chubb, and Penny (maybe even Jones/Freeman).  Very intriguing prospect.  

[MartinC]

18 hours ago, mhd24 said:

As of today, here is my mock draft:

 

1)  Browns_Josh Allen 

 

 

If the Browns take Josh Allen first overall the NFL should trade that whole franchise to the CFL for a pick to be announced later.

[HigSkin]

This draft is gonna be crazy at the top...

 

 

[Est.1974]

We are chasing a whole lot of defense in free agency.

 

My current thinking is that we trade back up from our slot in the second round to grab someone late first as well as staying at #13. I will also guess that we strongly target Billy Price. Quality interior OL.

[JamesMadisonSkins]

Wanted to see how FanSpeak turned out for me with the FA moves. Browns offered me 2.1 and 2.3 and 4.14 for 1.13. They took Denzel Ward (after going Rosen-Barkley) ... so kind of makes sense on their part.

 

I parlayed the first 4 rounds into: RB Sony Michel, DT Harrison Phillips, C/G Billy Price, CB Tony Allen, EDGE Josh Sweat

 

That would be an absolutely IDEAL situation for us. Forget the 4th rounder thrown in. If Cleveland (or Indy now) offered us two early 2nds for #13 ... I think it would position us really well to get 3 very good players at positions of need ... particularly around RB and Guard. Unfortunately my guy Will Hernandez was gone with 1.32 so I took Price at 2.12

[volsmet]

Khalil McKenzie worked out at OL as well as DL today, Gaulden failed to improve his 40 from the combine. These two were highly recruited, each likely to be looked at by teams needing DT/NC in rounds 4-6. Khalil probably should have returned for a year.

 

John Kelly ran in the 4.5ish (2nd attempt) - 4.65 (1st attempt) range while CB Justin Martin ran the best time announced today at 4.50. All times are hand held.

 

Vickers (DT) got attention for his knowledge & versatility, he met with several teams. He ran a 4.99 at 290lbs.

 

Evan Berry, kick return specialist, worked out as a WR & looked good in drills.

 

Kendrick (OL) put up 26 on the bench & weighed in at 304. He claims to have lost 25lbs of fat & put on 10lbs of muscle since the end of the season.

 

Moseley (CB) & Jumper (LB) had the best days overall according to people there, two likely UDFAs. 

 

 

A couple interviews from the morning. 

 

Khalil McKenzie:

 

Rashaan Gaulden:

 

[Anselmheifer]

Am I the only one that doesn't think we should be done with DL, even if we sign Hankins? It's been an area of weakness for so long. And Allen has had some injury history. No where on the team is depth as important as on the DL. I wouldn't be opposed to drafting DL at 13, if DL is BPA, even if we sign Hankins. 

[volsmet]

18 minutes ago, Anselmheifer said:

Am I the only one that doesn't think we should be done with DL, even if we sign Hankins? It's been an area of weakness for so long. And Allen has had some injury history. No where on the team is depth as important as on the DL. I wouldn't be opposed to drafting DL at 13, if DL is BPA, even if we sign Hankins. 

 

Some have Taven Bryan available for us in round 2, I’d take him with or without Hankins if he dropped that far. I hoped we’d check out Dominique Easley but he just signed. I’m with you, bring on more DL.

[Going Commando]

41 minutes ago, Anselmheifer said:

Am I the only one that doesn't think we should be done with DL, even if we sign Hankins? It's been an area of weakness for so long. And Allen has had some injury history. No where on the team is depth as important as on the DL. I wouldn't be opposed to drafting DL at 13, if DL is BPA, even if we sign Hankins. 

 

I am always in favor of drafting BPA.

[Anselmheifer]

 

I think Maurice Hurst's tape is on an entirely different level than that of Vea and Payne. Go watch their videos. Hurst rally pops. What is the story with his health condition and how it will affect his draft status?

 

I honestly wouldn't mind Payne or Vea in the first and Hurst in the second. Our offense would be perfectly adequate with a fearsome defense, and i think keeping Brown and adding Hankins, Vea or Payne, and Hurst would make our defense elite. That would be 5 good to very good DL that we could rotate through to keep fresh. 

[volsmet]

1 minute ago, Anselmheifer said:

 

I think Maurice Hurst's tape is on an entirely different level than that of Vea and Payne. Go watch their videos. Hurst rally pops. What is the story with his health condition and how it will affect his draft status?

 

I honestly wouldn't mind Payne or Vea in the first and Hurst in the second. Our offense would be perfectly adequate with a fearsome defense, and i think keeping Brown and adding Hankins, Vea or Payne, and Hurst would make our defense elite. That would be 5 good to very good DL that we could rotate through to keep fresh. 

 

Hurst coming in at 292 was big. Now it’s all about his health. While watching Wormley last year, Hurst continued to show up. Much like while watching Ryan Anderson, Allen & Ronnie Harrison showed up time & time again. After watching Anderson more closely I realized that Adams (OT, Washington) was a future first rounder. 

[skinny21]

10 minutes ago, Anselmheifer said:

 

I think Maurice Hurst's tape is on an entirely different level than that of Vea and Payne. Go watch their videos. Hurst rally pops. What is the story with his health condition and how it will affect his draft status?

 

I honestly wouldn't mind Payne or Vea in the first and Hurst in the second. Our offense would be perfectly adequate with a fearsome defense, and i think keeping Brown and adding Hankins, Vea or Payne, and Hurst would make our defense elite. That would be 5 good to very good DL that we could rotate through to keep fresh. 

My only issue there is how do we address the run game then?  Given our limited resources, I could see passing on a top back (not a fan of that though) or passing on a G... but passing on both?  I hope not.  

 

 

[Anselmheifer]

The thinking is that starting backs and guards are easy to find in the 3rd to 5th rounds, and are cheaper to find in FA. Anyway, it's a moot point. There is no way the team would sign Hankins and then draft DL in the first and second. We haven't valued DL that highly in recent years. 

In terms of a late round project for DL, how about Da'Shawn Hand? His tape isn't awesome, but his sack production was just as good as Payne's. He is huge and long, at 6'4, 297, with 34 3/8" arms, and his 40 time was freakish for a guy of that size, at 4.83 seconds. That's the kind of guy I might grab in the 4th or 5th to let Jim Tomsula mold. 

 

https://www.nfl.com/prospects/da'shawn-hand?id=32462018-0002-5600-968c-efc567176296

[volsmet]

4 hours ago, fordranger76 said:

I think too many folks are sleeping on Kerryon Johnson in this draft. He is such a patient runner but doesnt have the flash of the other backs. He has power and burst. Not as much top end but this guy is good. I think he could be a great 2nd round pick and should be there when we have it. 

 

Reminds me a bit of Arian Fosters running style in college. Just watching some highlights, a lot of his runs ended with him going out of bounds, that’s obviously small sample size but it looked like he may need to fight that instinct some, which isn’t entirely uncommon. 

 

Johnson & Penny are two I want to watch a bit more of. It’s a wonderful time of year.

[volsmet]

Hand & Hill are two guys I like a lot in the range you’re talking about, Hand appears likely to go first, if he’s gone, how do you feel about Hill? The Hill 3-cone was a surprise to me, that’s a strong young DT with some agility who is more likely to be around for us on day 3. 

25 minutes ago, Anselmheifer said:

 

https://www.nfl.com/prospects/da'shawn-hand?id=32462018-0002-5600-968c-efc567176296

 

B.J. HILL (DL07)

HT: 6'4" WT: 311LBS.

POSITION: DT

SCHOOL: N.C. State

ARM LENGTH: 33"

HANDS: 10 5/8"

• 40 YARD DASH: 4.99 SEC
• BENCH PRESS: 35 REPS
• VERTICAL JUMP: 26.5 INCH
• BROAD JUMP: 101.0 INCH
• 3 CONE DRILL: 7.28 SEC
• 20 YARD SHUTTLE: 4.53 SEC

 

DA'SHAWN HAND (DE)

HT: 6'4" WT: 297LBS.

POSITION: DE

SCHOOL: Alabama

ARM LENGTH: 34 3/8"

HANDS: 9 3/4"

• 40 YARD DASH: 4.83 SEC
• BENCH PRESS: 28 REPS
• VERTICAL JUMP: 31.5 INCH
• BROAD JUMP: 111.0 INCH
• 3 CONE DRILL: 7.98 SEC
• 20 YARD SHUTTLE: 4.62 SEC

[BRAVEONAWARPATH]

2 hours ago, Anselmheifer said:

Am I the only one that doesn't think we should be done with DL, even if we sign Hankins? It's been an area of weakness for so long. And Allen has had some injury history. No where on the team is depth as important as on the DL. I wouldn't be opposed to drafting DL at 13, if DL is BPA, even if we sign Hankins. 

I agree.

 

Heck, I feel the same way about the receiver position as well.

[Skinsinparadise]

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