NFC Draft Analysis

Leighton Vander Esch OLB – Round 1 – Pick 19

Vander Esch has good size, length and range. He is tough, smart and a leader on the field. He has been evaluated as a reliable tackler and can make his way through traffic well to attach the ball carrier. Vander Esch shows promising awareness and instincts despite his relative lack of experience. Vander Esch provides much needed back up for Sean Lee, who at times, despite his unquestionable talent, has had trouble staying on the field. They also have Jaylon Smith who is incredibly talents, but has not been the same since his major injury during his college bowl game. All in all, it was a good pick for the Cowboys, however it is considered too high for the player.

Connor Williams OT – Round 2 – Pick 50

Williams is a great technician and he has most of the skills required to be a starting tackle in the NFL. Whilst Williams lacks ideal length, he makes up for this with great hand usage/placement. Apart from length, Williams has good size and generally sets up in pass protection with a good anchor/base. Williams is a leader with great character and has consistently been one of the top tackles in college for the last 2 years. During the 2017 season, their starting left tackle Tyron Smith was injured and missed a number of games leading to Chaz Green, the Cowboys backup stepping in. During his first game against the Falcons, Green gave up 6 sacks to Adrian Clayborn instantly propelling the need for a LT that could instantly step in and fill Smith’s shoes. That’s what the Cowboys believe they have with Connor. They got a really good deal for Williams as many had him tipped to go late 1st early 2nd.

Michael Gallup WR – Round3 – Pick 81

Gallup is a good sized, quick receiver and has great feet and good hands. He can create separation whilst showing improved route running ability. Gallup has some great open field instincts, fantastic body control and is incredibly acrobatic and agile. Gallup is smaller than Bryant and isn’t considered to be a direct replacement after Bryant was cut, but he can step in and provide help for Dak Prescott. During his time at Colorado State he proved his ability at creating separation with precise route running which given the comments on Bryant, and his inability to get separation will hopefully provide the Cowboys with traits lacked for the last two years. Gallup also adds more depth at the wide receiver position given the inconsistency Terrance Williams and Allen Hurns have demonstrated.

Special Mention

Mike White QB – Round 5 – Pick 171

Mike White is a good sized QB with a good arm and high playing potential. He shows good accuracy and throws incredibly well into tight windows. He has the ability to read the field well and makes the right adjustments when working through his progressions. His deep ball is very good and he can sling the ball far whilst remaining accurate. He does need work on his pocket awareness and also on his ability to read blitzes which will be needed for his time in the NFL. White was one of the standouts of the Senior Bowl and really showed his skill. There seems to be two reasons the Cowboys drafted White. 1. They like their current undrafted free agent signing in Cooper Rush, but they want competition and they want a roster spot to be won. The Cowboys, much like last season will probably only have 2 QB’s on their 53-man roster. 2. Kallen Moore, the Cowboys previous backup QB, will now move into a coaching role as the quarterback’s coach and has a previous long-standing relationship with White, which internally is said to of played a part in the decision to draft him. Many had him as a late 3rd rounder, early 4th rounder so the Cowboys defiantly got great value for White.

Saquon Barkley RB – Round 1 – Pick 2

Barkley was the clear number 1 overall player in this year’s draft. He is NFL ready and can provide a team with an instant run game. Barkley is often looked at as a more mature Ezekiel Elliott. He’s smart, driven and likeable and considered a clear leader in the locker room. Barkley is a gym rat and his strength is freakish to say the least. He couples that size and strength with elite speed, acceleration and agility. He is elusive and can break big runs very easily. He makes decisions quick and has great vision when doing so. He possesses great balance and body control and can take a knock and find his feet again whilst still maintaining his speed. He is a great pass catcher and a miss-match nightmare for defenders. His ball skills are great and he is a willing/good blocker. The Giants have struggled to establish a run game in recent years, and its argued that they haven’t had a decent run game since Barber. With OBJ and other key figures out of action last year, the Giants struggles only grew worse as the season grew. Barkley becomes an instant tool for Eli Manning to utilise, and utilise he must.

Will Hernandez OG – Round 2 – Pick 34

Hernandez is a great pass protector who routinely pushes defenders out of their gaps opening holes for the run game. He is insanely strong at the point of attack and has a very strong base which allows him to anchor well. He is 6’2 and weighs 340lbs, but even at this size, his athletic ability is something to behold. He is shorter than a lot of the NFLs starting guards, but he makes up for this with his strength. He was tipped to go in the 1st round, so being available in the 2nd round must of felt like Christmas to the Giants and is considered great value for his calibre of player. By adding Barkley in the 1st round, their need for a guard became even more relevant. Hernandez will help open up holes for Barkley to fit through and will really propel the run game as an established threat for the Giants in 2018.

Lorenzo Carter OLB – Round 3 – Pick 66

Carter is a confident and rangy pass rusher and has side-line to side-line range with effective rush tools at his disposal. He has above average lateral quickness and agility. He is an incredibly productive playmaker who forces fumbles consistently. He does need to add some bulk to his frame to sustain hits better now he is heading for the NFL. Carters stats don’t do his talent justice and he was overshadowed by former teammates like Jordan Jenkins and this year’s first round pick, Roquan Smith. In 2017 the Giants elite pass rushers were John Pierre-Paul and Olivier Vernon. During the offseason JPP was traded and Vernon is moving to outside linebacker. Head Coach Pat Shurmur has repeatedly stated that he wants “three pressure-type players from the edge” and Carter fits this need.

Special Mention

Kyle Lauletta QB – Round 4 – Pick 108

Lauletta has sound technique and decent accuracy and showed both of those off during his impressive outing at the Senior Bowl. He does have some experience of working under the center which is unusal for players coming out of college and this will serve him well. He has smooth footwork and a good release but lacks the arm strength for the NFL. The important thing to remember with Lauletta is that he will not be starting the NFL anytime soon. He will sit behind Manning and Webb and this is needed when you look at some of his negatives, he does need coaching to be at a pro level. But that will come with time and experience gained from Manning. He will be one to watch for the future, but the verdict remains out on whether or not he will end up being a starter in the NFL.

Dallas Goedert TE – Round 2 – Pick 49

Goedert is a dangerous receiving threat and has the size and athletic ability to make big plays after the catch. He is 6’5 and weighs 260lbs which is pretty much the same size and weight as Gronkowski and this will make him a nightmare for defenders. Hi speed and power are more than enough to be of value in the NFL. His route running is something that needs to be worked on and will need to spend some developmental time with the right coaches and vets. Watching his film, you see him make some incredible catches that will certainly capture the imagination of fans. Pairing Dallas with with Ertz creates a formidable tight end tandum which will force defences into coverage by simply having them on the field. The Eagles traded up to get Goedert in the second round ahead of the Cowboys hours after the news broke about Witten’s pending retirement. It’s a great draft pick and adds yet more versatility to the Eagles offense to complement their already impeccable run and passing game.

Avonte Maddox CB – Round 4 – Pick 125

Maddox is highly regarded by his coaching staff and former teammates as a model leader and an incredibly hard working young man. He plays with toughness and has good athletic traits but staying connected in coverage has been an issue for him. He is fluid and athletic in space whilst possessing outstanding twitch and short-area quickness to play the ball if he’s pressured on the route. He handles adversity well and is a born leader. He finished his collegiate career with 51 passes defended including 8 interceptions. One main concern with Maddox is his size. He stands at 5’9 and weighs 184lbs. During his scouting phase, one NFC Executive (who im sure now we can presume was from the Philadelphia Eagles) had this to say about Carter “He’s really shooting up the board in our building. Great tester but he shows it on tape with how athletic he is in coverage. I know our position coach thinks he can get a lot better with some work on his technique”. It seems the Eagles are ready to invest in him and put the time and effort into getting him right to be a top-level pro. We may see him on special teams this season, but I think we will see him sat at his regular position during 2018.

Josh Sweat DE – Round 4 – Pick 130

Sweat is a well built, athletic pass rusher with good length and quickness. He has great potential and is scheme versatile. He’s a fluid mover, shows good effort He is inconsistent at times and needs some refinement but that will come with good coaching, Jim Schwartz will manage that task well. The pick has been hailed as a steal for the Eagles as some analysts had Sweat late 1st round early 2nd round. But he dropped nearly 100 places and fell into the Eagles lap. He has an 8.1 run stop percentage which ranked 30th in the nation. In 2017 alone he has 6 sacks, 10 QB hits and 18 hurries. I think the Eagles will have looked at his athletic ability and his prominence at that position in college and seen Chris Long’s long-term replacement. But for now, he will sit back and use the time to develop behind Dereck Bennett and Brandon Graham whilst being rotated in with Long and Michael Bennett for extra reps.

Special Mention

Jordan Mailata OT – Round 7 – Pick 233

I imagine not many of you will have heard of Mailata or seen any of his tape. That’s because no tape exists. He is an ex Australian Rugby Player. Mailata has never played a single down of American Football so it will take some time to learn the tackle position which is I think a huge benefit for the Eagles and an opportunity to work with Jordan and mould him into the OT they most desire. Jordans pro day numbers were also among some of the top OL prospects from the scouting combine.

40 Yard Dash – 5.12 (7th among tackle participants at the NFL Combine)

Short Shuffle – 4.67 (Among top 10 at his position)

Bench Press – 22 Reps

He is a player who will be sat for a few years whilst his development progresses. We may see him in some pre-season games to gain a glimpse of what the Eagles have.

Da’Ron Payne DL – Round 1 – Pick 13

Payne is a product of Alabama, and we all know those products are incredible defensive players. Payne mixes good strength with good athleticism and it appears he will continue to improve and get stronger when pro coaching is applied. Payne shows great finesse but he also plays hard on most plays. He plays with great leverage and is strong at the point of attack. Payne is intelligent and has good play recognition and has been coached very well during his time at Bama. As it stands, Payne is more of a run stopper for which he wouldn’t be considered to have ideal size/strength. Payne has the ability to stay on the field for 3 downs. By taking Payne, the Redskins were clearly drafting for need, as last season the Redskins run defense was last in the league. Payne offers them that and also elevates the pressure on the secondary, which again needed to happen given the way they played last season.

Derrius Guice RB – Round 2 – Pick 59

Guice is a great combination of size, speed and power. Guice has great vision but can also be indecisive. He is able to make sudden cuts to avoid would-be tacklers and he’s able to push forward for yards after contact. He runs with good balance but appears to lack that elite burst that would often break the long run. Guice has an NFL ready frame but could do with adding a few more pounds of muscle. The Redskins saw the potential in Guice, and it surprised everyone when he slipped to the 2nd round. The consensus is that he has some maturity issues and off the field red flags. This is what HC Jay Gruden had to say about him “We’re lucky to get him, man. This is a hard-nosed runner, plays hard, he can catch a football, he can pass protect, he’s got good vision and he’s a guy we really liked in the early rounds”. The Redskins offensive line is a talented run blocking unit that previously didn’t have anyone compelling enough to block for.

Geron Christian OT – Round 3 – Pick 74

Christian is athletic and long with good upside and could play either left or right tackle providing the Redskins with some versatility at that position. He has good footwork and long arms and is a 3-year college starter. Creates a decent anchor and has good balance. His technique could use some work but that will come during his first season in the NFL. The Redskins OL is already brimming with talent in Trent Williams and Morgan Moses, both of whom are with the team till 2020. But adding more depth is never a bad thing, and adding talented depth is even more important. When we saw Tyron Smith go down, the Cowboys struggled to find a capable replacement and their offense suffered as did their QB. Presumably the Redskins do not want that to happen, especially after singing Guice. They need a capable OL to open up run holes as well as protect their investment in Alex Smith.

Special Mention

Shaun Dion-Hamilton LB – Round 6 – Pick 197

Dion-Hamilton is a tough, smart linebacker with good lower body strength. He has great technique and reads and reacts well to plays. He has an above average gap recognition and takes on blockers well. He is a decent mover but not seen as overly athletic. One of the biggest concerns with Dion-Hamilton is his propensity to injury. In 2016 Hamilton tore his ACL and in 2017 he fractured his kneecap, both injuries saw him miss those seasons. Sixth round is a smart investment on the Redskins part and if he can stay healthy, with the coaching he will receive in the NFL he will do well. He also fills a need for the Redskins, and much like any position, it’s always good to have smart and tough depth there.

Roquan Smith LB – Round 1 – Pick 8

Smith has some incredible quickness to his game. He is highly instinctive and appears to have above average play recognition. Smith is a true side-line to side-line linebacker and he has great short area speed and burst. He is a reliable tackler and can be used on blitzes to provide additional pass rush. Smith was tipped to go early in the first round and did so number 8 overall to the Bears. Smith is an exciting player who knows how to infuse a locker-room and was a favorite among teammates and coaches during his collegiate career. It fits a great need for the Bears organisation and Smith is tipped to instantly make an impact to their defense. Smith will team up with Danny Trevathan in the Bears base 3-4 defense making a formidable linebacking core.

James Daniels C – Round 2 – Pick 39

Daniels is a fluid, quick interior lineman with good size and power. He has a quick burst of the line of scrimmage and is a good run blocker. He is incredibly proficient and has good skills and is decent in the pass blocking plays. He moves to the 2nd level quick and recovers well if beaten. Needs to add some more bulk/strength to play effectively in the NFL. Whilst Daniels has predominantly played Center, Bears GM Ryan Pace stated that Cody Whitehair will remain at Center and Daniels will compete for the left guard spot. Chances are we will see Daniels start week 1 as he has the athletic ability and size to do so. If he does he will be alongside Whitehair and Long which will only make him better, and quickly.

Anthony Miller WR – Round 2 – Pick 51

Miller is a great route runner and has impressive speed once the catch is made and easily picks up yards. He has very reliable hands and is a consistent playmaker. It stands to reason that within the NFL he will be best suited to the slot position. He is a rapid, versatile receiver with great early quickness and acceleration. He tracks the ball well and makes plenty of contested catches. By adding offensive talent like Miller and Daniels, they are ensuring they have weapons that the young Trubisky can utilise whilst ensuring they do the right thing by their 2nd year QB. They add Miller to a WR roster containing the likes of Allen Robinson, Taylor Gabriel and Kevin White.

Special Mention

Bilal Nichols DT – Round 5 – Pick 145

Nichols has a decent athletic ability and shows some good anchor against the run. His effort is always on top form and never wanes. He plays with good energy through the whistle and has the right playing ability to pick up secondary sacks and additional tackles. He is a good athlete and shows off his lateral agility allowing him to shuffle along the line and man his run to fit specific plays. He won’t play straight away as he will not replace the likes of Akiem Hicks, Eddie Goldman and Jonathan Bullard but will no doubt be competing with the likes of Jenkins and Robertson-Harris for the back-up spot. This to me is a depth pick, stacking the roster with players who can be developed. This pick will certainly be a project for DC Vic Fangio.

Frank Ragnow C – Round 1 – Pick 20

Frank is a tough run blocker and his strength on the line means he could play guard or center meaning the Lions have got themselves a versatile lineman. In his 2015 & 2016 season, Ragnow did not allow a single sack against his QB. That’s a trait the Lions will be looking to capitalise on when protecting Matt Stafford. Ragnow is a three-year starter and team captain who brings a imposing physical demeanour to the field. Ragnow is intelligent with his blocks and would fit well in any scheme. Ragnow’s size, power and anchor are huge positives and would technically allow him to start at guard if needed. It seems that Ragnow has been in the hearts and minds of staff at Lions HQ with GM Bob Quinn saying, “Frank is a guy that we’ve had our eye on for over two years…we really feel he can be a two-position starter at both center & guard”. It seems to be the way Quinn likes to do business as Graham Glasgow and Wesley Johnson who are on the Lions roster can play both guard and center. Quinn has also said that he believes Ragnow can start in week 1, and that if he didn’t believe that, he wouldn’t have picked him.

Kerryon Johnson RB – Round 2 – Pick 43

Johnson is explosive and physical in play and possesses an instant burst whilst being tough and courageous into the tackle. Johnson has some nice move and a strong stiff arm that can help him to get extra yardage on the play. Johnson is patient but only has average vision. When he is focused, Johnson is a purposeful downhill runner capable of picking up large chunks of yardage. Johnson could become a 3 down back, he seems to understand his responsibilities in protection very well and he has good enough hands to be a decent pass threat out of the backfield. The Lions have struggled to establish any sort of run game for years. Pairing Johnson in the backfield with a bolstered offensive line which hopefully will lead to improve run blocking abilities should see the Lions open up a new offensive channel rather than relying solely on the passing game. A number of sources have said they could see him easily taking the start job in week 1 and that he is rated much higher than the likes of Riddick or Abdullah.

Tracy Walker CB – Round 3 – Pick 82

Walker is a long bodied and slender built safety with good linear speed. He uses his long arms to his ability and maximises every opportunity presented to him. He uses his length and his athletic ability to disrupt plays and challenge for catches. He is a forceful hitter and feared by opponents. He is very intelligent and has a good feel for run plays at the line of scrimmage and works well to cover them. He does lack the agility needed to recover position when he steps out and does need to add some muscle to play effectively in the NFL. The Lions are in a great position with Walker as there is no need to rush him with their depth chart already boasting names like Glover Quin and Tavon Wilson. However, there is no doubt the new HC and ex DC of the Pats will thrive on the opportunity to progress Walker to pull out all his potential.

Special Mention

Tyrell Crosby OG/OT – Round 5 – Pick 153

Crosby is a big bodied talented tackle who plays nasty. He creates a strong anchor and has good length. His size and strength work to his advantage and he is considered to be an absolute bulldozer in the run block. He is very versatile and maybe better suited to guard in the NFL, but was a right tackle when entering the draft. He does lack athleticism and technique and will need some coaching to get him set for the NFL, without it, he would struggle against top NFL pass rushers. We had Crosby predicted to go in the 2nd round, as did many others, but everyone saw him slide down to the Lions in the 5th round. The value for the Lions in this pick is exceptional, essentially getting a 2nd round talent in the 5th round on the 3rd day of the draft. The Lions addressed their offensive line need with their number 1 pick, Frank Ragnow, but adding depth at the line is imperative if you want to keep your QB upright when injuries start mounting up mid-season. Crosby will be an interesting player to watch throughout his career with the Lions, we may look back in 5 years’ time and commend the Lions for picking one of the biggest steals in draft history.

Jaire Alexander CB – Round 1 – Pick 18

I think before we get into to talking specifically about Alexander, we first must look at the Packers depth at CB. Their two starters from 2017, Ladarius Gunter and Damarious Randall are no longer with the team after a shocking year. Kevin King looked like the Packers best CB last season, but after battling through a torn labrum, he eventually needed surgery and only ended up playing 36.2% of the snaps. Therefore, cornerback was the only thing on the Packers mind in the early rounds of the draft.

Alexander is a confident, intelligent and versatile player with excellent ball skills. His versatility is no doubt one of the key reasons the Packers selected him with their number 1 pick, knowing he can play man, zone or nickel no doubt spoke to them. He is a capable tracker and is able to limit big plays well. Alexander enjoys the game of football and you can see that when he plays, he has that x factor that will resonate with fans and coaches alike. Has a natural nose for the ball and is able to effectively contribute as a blitzer. Has in the past (2017) suffered with injuries, for example with his knee and hand. Alexander was tipped to go in round 1, and the Packers must of thought he would be on other teams boards as they traded up to get their man at pick 18, there is no doubt they got a good deal, and this is what the Packers director of college scouting, Jon-Eric Sullivan had to say about Jaire “To be quite honest, that’s something that attracted us to him” when asked if they liked his confidence. He went on to say “He’s scrappy. He’s competitive. Is he as tall as some others? No, he’s not, but I think when you watch the tape, he doesn’t play like a little guy. He’s very competitive. He gets in people’s business. He talks a little bit, most corners do”.

Josh Jackson CB – Round 2 – Pick 45

Jackson is a productive corner with great size and good height. He is a playmaker and has a high number of interceptions and tackles at the collegiate level. He is an ex WR and displays good hands/ball skills. He can play off-man or press, displays great technique and doesn’t give up on big plays. He is incredibly explosive and has been used very successfully as a punt returned. He is a day 1 starter. He doesn’t commit penalties and give up yards as a result. He does lack experience and his tackling needs some coaching and improvement. Jackson was a great steal for the Packers and if it wasn’t for his lack of experience at the position, there are many who say he would have out ranked Jaire Alexander. Jackson has been asked about his lack of experience at the position and this is what he personally had to say “I told them I played behind some really good players. I played in the nickel my first two years as a freshman and sophomore. I had the opportunity this year and I just wanted to come out and show im ready to play and show we didn’t lose a step on the backend. Some teams might be hesitant” he said, “but I think its football. If you play ball, you can play ball”. And the evidence certainly points to that being true in Jacksons case. Yes, he needs some coaching, yes he will get better with experience, but the Packers need depth at the cornerback position and they certainly achieved this in this year’s draft. They do not want a repeat of last year.

Oren Burks LB – Round 3 – Pick 88

Burks is an athletic fluid linebacker. He has good lateral quickness and is a sideline to sideline player. Committed tackler and a decent blitzer as well as playing well against the run. He is a good character and a great leader at the collegiate level. Historically Green Bay have struggled at the inside linebacker position since Desmond Bishop and in this draft the Packers were looking to change that. Burks had a good combine and put up the highest broad jump and vertical of all the linebackers. We will probably see Burks get some playing time in the base and sub-packages in 2018 with the Packers hoping that this season is a turn of fate for its defense.

Special Mention

Equanimeous St Brown WR – Round 6 – Pick 207

St Brown is a fast receiver with impressive speed. His body control and athletic build make him a formidable threat to opponent’s defenders. He has good hands and made some impressive catches during his time at Notre Dame. His stats don’t look that impressive for 2017, gaining only 515 yards for 4 touchdowns of the back of 33 catches. This was down to Notre Dame’s QB issues which plighted the team all season. One thing that was an issue during his collegiate career was his consistency and production. Some scouts had him going in round 3, we had him going in round 4 and he went in round 6. There is no doubt the Packers got a steal with this pick, and he adds more depth to their WR room after the departure of Jordy Nelson. We may see him making an appearance on special teams, but I think he needs some more coaching before lining up as a starter.

Mike Hughes CB – Round 1 – Pick 30

Hughes was only a start for one year in college and this did lead some scouts to be wary of his ability due to the lack of experience. Despite this, Hughes is undoubtedly talented. Hughes is tough and plays bigger than his size, he is physical and aggressive and is a capable press corner. Hughes has good speed and short area quickness that is critical for corners in the NFL. Hughes also has good recovery speed and closing burst. He has great play making potential especially and times and tracks well. His value is no doubt bolstered given his potential as an efficient punt returner. The Vikings have two of the best CB’s in the NFL and many fans expected them to address their offensive line needs with their first pick. However, for the Vikings it was about planning for the future and adding more depth. One NFL exec said this “There were teams discussing whether to take him in the top 10 because he is that good as a player”. There were some off field issues, which the Vikings will be hoping are behind him now he has matured. That future planning is key for the Vikings with Newman announcing the 2018 season will be his last, and at 39 who can blame him. This will provide ample opportunity for the Vikings to use Hughes as a punt returner and back-up, and allow him to gain some experience before bumping him up to the starting position, potentially in 2019 on Newman’s departure.

Brian O’Neill OT – Round 2 – Pick 62

O’Neill is a classic athletic left tackle prospect with good agility and arm length. At a tuppence over 300lb, O’Neill doesn’t have ideal size for the position and does appear to lack core strength/power. He does have good lateral quickness and he is able to get out quickly to pull block or to block on the outside for screen plays. O’Neill generally uses his hands well to engage and maintain blocks but he can sometimes lose his technique and be ‘grabby’. He gets a good burst of the snap but the can sometimes overset and then panic in an attempt to recover against better rushers. O’Neill is a former tight end so is still developing at the tackle position, but the Vikings like his athletic ability and his overall potential and any technical flaws are correctable. One key thing to note with O’Neill is his versatility. He can play both right and left tackle, he switched from right to left for his final season in 2017. This versatility is no doubt one of the key drawing points for the Vikings given the latest retirement of right guard, Joe Berger which could see the offensive line switched around to cater to each players strength. It’s a good solid pick for the Vikings, they clearly saw something in O’Neill that others didn’t and pulled the trigger on the pick. One thing is for sure, Kirk Cousins certainly agreed with it, tweeting “Before anyone answers for me, yes, I like that. @brian_O’Neil_ welcome to the team!”.

Jalyn Holmes DE – Round 4 – Pick 102

Holmes is a well built, bull rushing defender with a great frame and long arms. Has adequate strength and an abundance of natural power. He displays good pass rush moves especially his ability to spin. Holmes is scheme versatile therefore will suit Mike Zimmers 4-3 base. He has strong hands but needs to be more consistent in the pros. Defensive End isn’t a huge need for the Vikings and their current depth is most certainly a plus for the Vikings which gives them time to coach Holmes and mould him into the end they want in the future. He is a work in progress and doesn’t have a great deal of experience from his college career, so it would be a smart move for Zimmer to get Holmes those reps on the practice field and coach some of the negatives out of him before looking to plug him in as a starter in the future. A relatively down the middle pick, the Vikings could have taken him a little further down, maybe into round 5, but depending on his ability to learn and prepare, he will be a good addition.

Special Mention

Colby Gossett OG – Round 6 – Pick 213

Gossett is a powerful lineman who has an NFL ready frame. He is experienced and displays adequate quickness along with good strength and a strong anchor. He does struggle to maintain blocks and needs to work on his technique. His footwork is poor and he has inconsistent hands, struggles moving in space. Doesn’t pull and get to the second level well. Looking at Gossett’s draft stock, many people had him tipped to go in different rounds. Mel Kiper Jr actually had him mocked to go to the Vikings in the 3rd round, so considering they snagged him in the sixth, I would say that is pretty good value. Gossett prides himself on play tough, he had this to say about that very subject, “It’s something I can bring to the team, I really enjoy being very physical and very tough, and I mean, I play with a lot of emotion, but I’m also going to be very technical while I do that”. In a season filled with highs for the Vikings last year, one thing they did struggle with is their offensive line play. Going into the draft, this was their biggest need. By making the picks they did during this draft, they have added that all important depth to their offensive line gearing up for the 2018 season.

Calvin Ridley WR – Round 1 – Pick 26

Ridley is a smooth slot receiver with elite separation skills. He is a born playmaker and always seems to be open. His speed is electric on the play. He shows consistent speed and great footwork. One of the big concerns with Ridley is his size. He looks thin and will need to add some muscle if he wants to sustain hits in the NFL. His numbers from last season do not do his talent justice, this however is mostly down to Alabama’s QB issues with Jalen Hurts so simply wasn’t able to effectively throw the ball to his open receivers. The Falcons needed to add depth its receiving core with their two main targets being Julio Jones and Mohammed Sanu and adding to that, Taylor Gabriel leaving for the Bears. Durability has to be a concern for well used targets especially mid-season so adding depth is key. One other key factor in adding Ridley to their roster was to account for those extra passes when Sanu and Jones are locked down in extra coverage. It certainly adds a new element to the Falcons offense. Ridley has signed a 4-year deal with the Falcons for around $10,000,000 with about $6,000,000 of that guaranteed. That’s certainly an investment by the Falcons, but it is also a great deal for them because there is no doubt that they will see immediate production from Ridley.

Isaiah Oliver CB – Round 2 – Pick

Oliver has the size and speed combination that appeals and he is smart with great technique. He is able to mirror receivers and close quickly when he does get initially beaten. Even though Oliver is a former receiver but he doesn’t have the ball skills to match and interceptions are rare. Oliver is smart, but his instincts do only appear average. Oliver can get a little grabby when beaten which has led to quite a few penalties which will worry NFL teams. Its still very true though that Oliver is incredibly coachable and whilst he isn’t a day 1 starter, he most certainly has the potential to be a great corner in the NFL. Oliver was tipped to go in the first round by many, so for the Falcons to pick him up in the 2nd round was a great steal. There are some good corners already on the Falcons roster, but it has taken them a few seasons to come into their own. Desmond Trufant, Robert Alford, Brian Poole and Damontae Kazee but it was suspected that the Falcons would take a corner in the draft, and I imagine still having Oliver available in round 2 meant they couldn’t pass up on that opportunity. Oliver is a project, but it seems the Falcons are not immune to that kind of player, Trufant didn’t step into his role and play well, he required input and coaching so I think the Falcons is a perfect landing spot for Oliver to progress within his role, whatever that maybe.

Deadrin Senat DT – Round 3 – Pick 90

Senat is an explosive and versatile D lineman with good first step quickness. He is short for a D lineman standing at just 6’1, however that does make him stout giving him a low centre of gravity. He is athletic enough to ensure his change of direction is good and works hard to chase in pursuit. Hi hand usage is good and he is a powerful, tough player who always plays with a sense of aggression towards his opponent. He is a hard worker but relatively unspectacular. He can get caught in traffic sometimes and struggles to shed blocks. One thing that should be said, is that the Falcons took Senat higher than we had him graded. The Bearded Twits had Senat going in the 5th round, but the Falcons picked him in the third, clearly showing great confident in his ability. And that statement is backed up by what HC Dann Quinn had to say about Senat, “We’re very excited, we’re going to put him at nose tackle and put him right into the mix with the other guys – with Jack [Crawford] and Grady [Jarett] and all the guys inside. Let’s let him come in and compete and battle. But he’s got really good quickness for a big guy, strong, square and the effort and toughness and all the things we look for at that position”.

Special Mention

Ito Smith RB – Round 4 – Pick 126

Smith is small but very shifty at 5’9. He is patient with exceptional vision and game breaking speed. He has great balance and burst and is also a capable pass catcher. Smith impresses in the open field and has some exceptional moves/cuts to counteract the defenders closing in. Not a short down or lead back as he cannot run between tackles. Again, with this pick, we had him projected to go in the 6th round, but the Falcons picked him in the 4th suggesting they saw something that others didn’t. There is a perfect opening here with the Falcons for one main reason, they are in no particular need for another running back with a great depth at that position that includes the likes of Davonta Freeman and Tevin Coleman, but let’s look to the future with this pick. If Smith can use the time to coach and train well and possibly gain some reps as a punt returner, he may just have the talent to become a star running back for the Falcons in a few years’ time.

DJ Moore WR – Round 1 – Pick 24

Moore is an explosive receiver who with great athletic attributes. He has great hands who gains impressive yardage after the catch. He is consistent and reliable with elite awareness. May be suited to playing slot. Route running needs some work, but easily coachable and correctable. One other key attribute is his blocking ability, providing extra versatility on field. Moore’s draft stock remained relatively low for a long period of time, his combine certainly changed that and the numbers he posted made people take notice. Moore ran the 40-yard dash in 4.42 seconds, 5th best out of the 37 WR’s who ran it, he also had the third best shuttle time out of all receivers. After such a performance at the combine, the God of the draft himself, Mike Mayock repositioned Moore on his board from 5th best receiver to 2nd best, behind Calvin Ridley. The Panthers have some good receivers, but not enough. Funchess really played well last season after Benjamin was traded. But more was needed. Cam Newton needed weapons he could use to enable him to stay in the pocket rather than making runs and risking injury as frequently as he does. After the pick, Newton personally thanked Ron Rivera. A great pick for the Panthers and a real threat for the offense.

Donte Jackson CB – Round 2 – Pick 55

Jackson is an ultra-quick corner and one of the quickest prospects to enter this year’s draft. He is a loose, fluid mover from a good school with a history of producing insane talent. Jackson is small and lacks bulk, he may struggle in some defense and may only fit others. His instincts are questionable and he is poor in run support and struggles tackling effectively. Jackson brings with him insane speed; the Panthers need that. The Panthers have famously been a zone based defense under Rivera, but Jackson brings with him a real flexibility at the position a trait lacked by current Panther corners. One of the most appealing traits of Jacksons ability is his ability to line up as a free safety. Some argued that FS was a greater need for the Panthers than CB. Couple that statement with his ability, I wouldn’t be so quick to peg Jackson as solely a cornerback or slot DB. He gives the Panthers options, and that is something they have lacked at that position group for a while now. A great pick by the Panthers and defiantly an investment that is sure to pay off in the next few years.

Rashaan Gaulden S – Round 3 – Pick 85

Aggressive player with good size. He plays incredibly physical football and is insanely explosive with sudden burst. Good lateral quickness with even better change of direction. Tracks the ball well in the air and times his break well. Gaulden has decent ball skills and gives effort against the run. Has work to do on his technique, and he lacks downfield speed. Rivera has made comments about Gaulden in press interviews which have led people to believe that he will test Gaulden in a box role, but this does bring into question his ability to hold up in coverage. Gaulden is a reliable run defender and it makes sense for the Panthers to try him at safety. He is also incredibly effective as a blitzer to. There are options for Gaulden and Rivera, but his success will depend on two things. Rivera’s ability to coach him in the correct position to maximise his strength and 2, the Panthers willingness to find that position for him.

Special Mention

Marquis Haynes DE – Round 4 – Pick 136

Explosive, quick pass rusher. Quick off the line of scrimmage and creates a good bend to get in the backfield and push the pocket. Haynes plays with a high motor and good pursuit. Good balance, body control, rangy and good length. Struggles against the run, limited as a designated pass rusher. Doesn’t read the game very well and struggles with recognition. Haynes is slightly undersized by the Panthers standards, but the Panthers moved up to get him and therefore must have a plan for him. They intend to use him as a pass rush specialist, in a very similar way as they did with Mario Addison. This is backed up by Ron Rivera’s statement where he said, “He’ll be a situational pass rusher for us” adding, “His greatest asset as an athlete is his speed off the ball. He’s got a great first step, he’s explosive, he gets off the ball very quickly. He’s got an array of pass rush moves we think we can exploit and we can move him around”. We projected him in round 4, and the Panthers saw the same. They have a good player who they can mould to fit what they want from the player.

Marcus Davenport DE – Round 1 – Pick 14

Davenport is a violent pass rusher, he plays nasty. Versatile and will fit different schemes. 3-4 as an outside linebacker and 4-3 as a defensive end. Davenport has great closing speed and is strong and athletic. Has above average play recognition but his technique needs some work. Davenport has not been tested against elite O-lineman. There has been a lot of talk since the draft about the what the Saints gave up getting Davenport where they did. But ex-NFL defensive lineman, Stephen Martin had this to say about Davenport, “Davenport has one of the best long-arm moves I’ve ever seen in a college prospect since I started these [draft] breakdowns”. It’s clear the Saints saw something similar and decided to invest. Sean Payton has said that he sees Davenport fulfilling a need for the Saints, and that he envisions using him as “right defensive end position”. A prominent NFL writer from Sports Illustrated had this to say about the pick, “Davenport provides the explosive edge rushing threat that was missing opposite all-pro Cam Jordan. It’s hard to say at this point in time whether the saints trading their 2019 first round pick and fifth round pick was worth it, but if Davenport plays as well as he did in college, then the Saints have a strong team with Jordan and Davenport on the end of their defensive line.

Tre’Quan Smith WR – Round 3 – Pick 91

Smith is a good-sized receiver with great ball skills. He has long arms and can go up and make catches against taller DB’s. He is a smooth athlete with good acceleration and makes good adjustments to find the ball. Good route runner and willing blocker. There are times he lacks the concentration and doesn’t have that elite quickness you normally associate with receivers. The Saints have a good receiver corps with Michael Thomas, Ted Gin Jr, Brandon Coleman and Cam Meredith but there are questions surrounding the rest of the receiver room and adding depth is always important. Smith is a 6’2 receiver who averaged 19.8 yards per reception in 2017 and putting on a great show of beating defenders deep and making extra yardage after the catch. He makes a great target for Bree’s. This is what the Saint’s GM had to say about Smith, “He’s a really smart player, he’s really tough and he’s been very productive”. He went on to say, “This was a player we liked a lot, and we’re glad to have him”.

Rick Leonard OT – Round 4 – Pick 127

Leonard is a top-heavy tackle with great athleticism. His athleticism stems from his former position at defensive end and this provides a great deal of upside as to his potential as well as great footwork. Because of his lack experience at the position, Leonard’s consistency suffers as does his fundamentals. These are things that with good coaching can be ironed out though and he does have great potential standing at a towering 6’7 and weighing 305lbs as an offensive tackle. He has great acceleration from the stance and plays with inside hands and good placement. There was a sense of shock at the Saints picking Leonard so early on in the draft, we had him going undrafted, and ranked 374th in our top 400 draft prospects, but the Saints ended up picking him in the 4th round. Its clear that the Saints see him providing some depth to their offensive line, however long that will take. That became key with the departure of Senio Kelemete in free agency and the retirement of Zach Strief. It’s difficult to see the value in the pick at this stage, given how people had him graded. But, there’s no doubt that the Saints saw something in Leonard and saw his potential as a potential big time offensive tackle. Only will the future dictate how the Saints will be judged on this pick.

Special Mention

Will Clapp C – Round 7 – Pick 245

Clapp is a big, intelligent interior lineman. Most importantly, he is versatile and can if needed, play guard. He exhibits decent footwork and has generally consistent technique. He has good hands and sustains blocks well. Shows great awareness and is very intelligent, he is also has no red flags and has a great character. He is very hard working and always approaches things with a high level of effort. He is very durable, but does lack girth and length and is a below average athlete. Needs some coaching for the run and pass game. The Saints needed to add a young guard/center during the draft, and selecting Clapp really became a steal for them. Many mock drafts had Clapp projected way ahead of Rick Leonard who they took in the 4th round. There’s no doubt that Clapp’s versatility could see him earn a starting role much sooner than people may think. He has successfully played Guard and Center for LSU. Cameron Tom, who is currently Max Unger’s backup at center will surely face some competition for that role from Clapp during training camp, not to mention Kelemete’s departure which could give him a good shot at earning the guard position.

Vita Vea DT – Round 1 – Pick 12

Vita Vea, or (if you can pronounce it) Tevita Tuli’aki’ono Tuipulotu Mosese Va’hae Fehoko Faletau Vea, is an insanely strong and powerful nose guard with surprising athletic ability. He has great footwork and moves of the snap well. He can play as a traditional nose tackle of as a defensive tackle in a 4-3 defense (which Tampa run). He is instinctive and has great awareness and intelligence. Handles double teams well given his strength. He exhibits good hand use and works off blocks well, he most certainly is a 3-down potential. He does need to work on his balance. The Bucs played a blinder in the draft this year by giving up their number 7 overall pick to trade down to 12 and acquiring two second round picks from the Bills. Picking Vea was something GM Jason Licht was very excited about, he said, “To have a guy of his size and athleticism and power and all of those things are great, but to have a guy of his character and football character, is the kind of guy we’re putting strong emphasis on”. He went on to say, “We have have, but we’re putting an even stronger emphasis on getting that. It’s more than icing on the cake. Vita is the type of guy that, as a general manager and a head coach, that you dream of getting, in terms of his ability and then what he brings in his character, too”. Given Tampa Bay’s struggle on defense, which included a league low of 22 sacks and one of the worst defensive units in the league, there isn’t anyone out there who would discredit this pick. I for one, look forward to seeing him on field. I’m going to leave you with a quote from ex-NFL defensive lineman, Stephen Martin on Vita Vea, “How do you not let out a loud what the fuck, when you see Vea push both guards and the center back into the quarterback’s lap on a passing play?”

Ronald Jones RB – Round 2 – Pick 38

Jones is a calm and patient runner with great acceleration and electric feet. His hips are loose enabling him to make rare cuts. He is elusive and fights for yards. Decent pass catcher and pass protector. Huge talent and intelligence. Lean frame, took a lot of hits in college. May not be used on all 3 downs and sometimes demonstrates poor vision. During his collegiate career he was very productive and recorded fourteen 100-yard rushing games in his career with 9 of those 14 games in 2017. He scored 39 rushing touchdowns and totalled 3,619 rushing yards, had 32 receptions for 301 yards and 3 touchdowns as a receiver. Jones was considered a top 3 running back in this year’s draft, and rightly so looking at those numbers coupled with his tape. With the departure of Doug Martin, the running back position became an important need for Tampa Bay. There’s one thing for sure, if all goes right with Jones, the Bucs may have found their Martin replacement. Jones is confident in his own ability and had this to say when asked about his running power, “I’m really tough, gritty, I had 25-30+ carry games back at USC. Obviously, it’s a different level, but once I can get my stripes and earn my reps, I’ll be able to carry the load for the team if they need me to”. I don’t doubt we will see that confidence on field too.

MJ Stewart CB – Round 2 – Pick 53

Stewart is a physical, instinctive player with a 2-year starting pedigree. He has good build/size and is tough in plays. He can play off-man or press coverage and possesses a good closing burst. He is a decent tackler and is able to lay big hits due to his build. He is intelligent, but does lack long speed and isn’t productive and lacks interceptions. He could move to safety or maybe limited to nickel corner, his hips are not very flexible. The Bucs needed to draft a corner this year, they have Brent Grimes coming back on a one-year deal, but they had to add another young corner to work alongside Vernon Hargreaves and potentially look to the future and towards the nearing end of Brent Grimes’ career now in his 12th season. MJ Stewart is a good pick for Tampa, not only for the reasons mentioned in potentially replacing Grimes, but also his character. In a league sometimes dampened by the off-field actions of some players, Stewart heads to Tampa as a pillar of the community and will likely become the same whilst in Tampa. During draft night, Stewart waited for his phone call in his local community centre, where he spent some of the night playing bingo with the senior citizens and where he often runs youth programmes also. A great kid and a great pick for Tampa.

Special Mention

Alex Cappa OT & a TWITS10 – Round 3 – Pick 94

Cappa is an athletic lineman with good thickness and length. He displays fluidity and good movement. Cappa has great footwork and is a good run blocker. He sustains and finishes blocks, he is consistent with hand use/placement. Small school prospect and untested against high level pass rushers. His technique can be sloppy at times, however with some pro level coaching this will improve. We chose Alex Cappa as one of our TWITS10 to watch in the draft as we were impressed with his showing both at the Senior Bowl and at the combine. The Bucs have pedigree when it comes to taking small college prospects and turning them into highly productive NFL players. Think back to 2015 and second round pick, Ali Marpet from division 3 school, Hobart College. Has that decision led to Bucs GM, Jason Licht putting more stock in drafting from smaller schools, and drafting higher than the recognised grade of a player? Maybe, and watching Cappa’s tape, he is impressive and does have talent. It will be interesting to see how Cappa pans out for the Bucs, and as a TWIT10, we will be keeping a close eye on him, and seeing if he can replicate the success that Marpet has had.

Josh Rosen QB – Round 1 - Pick 10

Rosen is a pro ready passer who, unlike most other quarterbacks from a collegiate level has worked under center, a major plus when it comes to team boards and something that no doubt played a part in the Cardinals evaluations. He has good arm strength with excellent technique and fundamentals. His mechanics are good and his pocket presence is excellent. He reads the field well and works through his progressions as he should. He can sometimes make poor decisions and does have issues with ball security. During the build up to the draft, there was a lot said in connection with his love for the game as well his character and his inability to ‘just do’ rather than asking ‘why’. But Cardinals GM doesn’t see that as a negative, he said “There’s been some pretty successful quarterbacks in the NFL in recent years who have been wired the same way who’ve said what’s on their mind, who have had a thirst to learn more from their coaches to ask for more responsibility from coaches in terms of play calls and checking at the line of scrimmage, which, again, I think is exciting because the guy is dialled in mentally”. Josh Rosen was thought of too many as the most NFL ready quarterback in this year’s draft, but slid down behind Mayfield, Darnold and Allen and based on that, it could be argued that the Cardinals got great value. The Cardinals currently have Sam Bradford as their starting QB after signing him to a $20 million contract during this year’s free agency. Bradford has spent the last few seasons struggling with injury and so isn’t a sure-fire thing for the Cardinals week 1. I’m certain that competition will be fierce inside the Cardinals facility for the starting role, and I’m also certain that the Josh Rosen will be one of the best NFL quarterbacks in the next five years.

Christian Kirk WR – Round 2 – Pick 47

Kirk is a dynamic, playmaking receiver who is athletic, quick and explosive. Gains yards after catch and is a big play threat. Effective on all 3 levels but may be suited to the slot position. Great effort when blocking and is a useful punt returner. Was the clear start of the offense in college. He can sometimes make poor decisions and does need to improve his awareness. The Cardinals are in need of a wide receiver with Larry Fitzgerald nearing the end of his career. He also provides a replacement in the slot for the recently departed John Brown (headed to the Ravens in free agency). There is no doubt that Kirk will work in the slot, but a huge deciding factor for the Cardinals may have been his ability on punt returns. They got great value with their pick for Kirk, and the Cardinals will be hoping he and Rosen connect and make a great pairing for years to come.

Mason Cole C – Round 3 – Pick 97

Cole is a well built, versatile lineman. He is a great athlete who shows quickness of the line of scrimmage. Cole is intelligent and shows great awareness, always puts maximum effort into his game and trains hard when not on the field. Incredibly durable with flexible hips and great agility. Doesn’t set his anchor well and plays thin. Hand work could use some work and his balance is inconsistent. I’m going to do something different here, I’m going to use two scouting reports to highlight what the Cardinals saw when they evaluated Mason Cole.

Scouting Report 1

Good versatility – has played both tackle positions and can serve as an emergency tackle in a pinch

Three-year starter in the Big Ten Conference

Scouting Report 2

Offers versatility up and down the line with starts at center and tackle

Has started every game since his freshman year of high school totaling 104 starts

The reason I have highlighted those two scouting reports, is to show the key attributes that make a highly successful offensive lineman. Scouting Report 1 belongs to first team all-pro guard, Andrew Norwell, and of course Scouting Report 2 belongs to Mason Cole. Cole fills a need for the Cardinals, especially at center and provides some competition for Andre Smith at RT. Cardinals GM Steve Keim had this to say about Cole, and it explains why they drafted him, he said “Says a lot about a player who goes to the University of Michigan, is the only true freshman to every start on the offensive line. Hasn’t even missed a practice there. Says a lot about his durability, his toughness”. I really like this pick, and I think we may see Cole start in some position this year.

Special Mention

Korey Cunningham OT – Round 7 – Pick 254

Cunningham is an athletic tackle with good footwork. He carries the weight on the inside foot in pass slides which creates a much smoother redirect against inside moves. He has great athletic ability which enables him to react to sudden changes in direction. Good lateral quickness and can handle zone blocking duties. Capable pull blocker or in screens. There are some concerns over Cunningham’s physical attributes which are seen as not lending themselves to the position he plays. His arm length and hands are below average. He doesn’t contain the required upper body strength. There are instances of catching defenders on his edge making him unable to separate from them. Body control and balance through contact are not up to par with the required standard. There are a number of issues with Cunningham, but he does have the ability to be good. He will need the right coaching and he will need to sit behind some guys with a lot more experience to learn. I can see why the Cardinals made this pick, adding depth to the O line is so important in todays NFL. He is a work in progress, but it seems the Cardinals have the appetite to put in that work. A round 7 pick is worth it for Cunningham, and what he could potentially provide the Cardinals if he transforms his game.

Joseph Noteboom OT – Round 3 – Pick 89

Noteboom is a good sized, athletic tackle with decent technical ability. He displays good hand usage. Has a good frame but room to add muscle and strength. Decent pulling blocker/screen blocker, moves to 2nd level pretty well. Is solid but doesn’t excel in any area. He can be inconsistent and doesn’t appear to make the most of his potential. The Rams first pick wasn’t until the 3rd round, which they then traded to the Raiders to go even further back in the 3rd. But, with their first pick, they chose Noteboom. Their intentions for Noteboom have been made pretty clear by GM Les Snead. They see him firmly backing up Andrew Whitworth until his inevitable retirement, heading into his 12th season. There are some coaching points that Noteboom will need to learn, but where better to do it behind someone like Andrew Whitworth. Noteboom said this of his opportunity, “That’s a perfect guy to learn from, a Pro Bowler like you said, a veteran, I’m excited. I’m going to take in everything he’s telling me” it seems the Rams are also excited with their pick and are very clear on what Noteboom’s role will be, GM Les Snead had this to say “Played left tackle for the last two years, starter 40 straight games”. He was then asked what he liked about Noteboom he said, “At the end of the day, you got a chance to get a young offensive lineman, add depth, learn from the starters that we have and develop him to become a future player for us”. Some have said it was too early for Noteboom to go as many has him projected in the 5th, but I see this as a great pick for the Rams and an eventual replacement for Whiteworth when he decides enough is enough.

Brian Allen C – Round 4 – Pick 111

Allen shows elite toughness and strength at the point of attack. These attributes will resonate with offensive line coaches. Allen is a hardworking, intelligent center who is best used in the running game, which fits well with the Rams philosophy of handing the ball to Gurley. Allen’s power and agility does generate some good movement in the running game, this will give him a great shot at a roster spot with the Rams given their reliance on said running game. Allen is tough and will not back down from physical challenges. He was a wrestler in high school, as a result has really good core power and leverage. Does not use his hands well, and will need some coaching to work on his technique. As mentioned above, the reasons the Rams picked Allen remain the same as those for Noteboom. Adding depth to that offensive line with some ageing players really works in preparing the Rams for the future. Allen had some good evaluations entering the draft, with one NFC area scout (which could have possibly been the Rams) saying, “We call that dude ‘Bully of the Big Ten’ because he is always bringing it to somebody each and every game. He’s got that Alpha mentality because he comes from that kind of family. He might get drafted late but he’ll make a team”. Allen joins his brother Michael in the NFL, a good pick for the Rams in the 4th round.

John Franklin-Myers DE – Round 4 – Pick 135

Franklin-Myers shows power at the point of attack and has the ability to get pressure when working on the edge. He is a solid developmental player with some great upside providing the coaches can pull it out. He has an NFL ready build and is very athletic with explosive upper body strength. He is able to successfully knock opponents off-balance when his leverage is right. Has shown ability to work edge-to-edge as a rusher. Hasn’t faced off against top quality players before. Hands often lack accuracy and will slide of the mark. The Rams have said they see Franklin as a 5 technique a spot currently held by Michael Brockers along with back-up Dominque Easley. There is some potential for him to see some playing time with the Rams this season in sub-packages. Franklin-Myers fits a 3-4 scheme as a defensive end, which of course is what the Rams run under Wade Phillips. I think Phillips will rotate Frankilin-Myers in sooner than many people believe. There are a few coaching points, but who better than Phillips to take that lead.

Special Mention

Ogbonnia Okoronkwo LB – Round 5 – Pick 160

Okoronkwo is raw but versatile pass rushing prospect. Will suit as a 3-4 OLB (Rams scheme). Possesses good pass rush moves. Displays quick hands and has a solid build. Great aggression and high motor. He is explosive at times but lacks height, weight and length. Needs work to improve his athletic ability, he doesn’t bend well to beat well anchored tackles. His technique needs work. As part of the Rams, Okoronkwo is going to be a pass rusher, which is what he is best at. The Rams lost their two starting OLB’s last season with Quinn being dealt with the Miami Dolphins and Berwin is still unsigned. Okoronkwo has said this about his new team, “That’s an edge rusher’s dream to play in L.A. right now”. Many Mock Drafts had Okoronkwo going in the 3rd round but the Rams picked him up in the 5th round making him a great value pick.

Mike McGlinchey OT – Round 1 – Pick 9

McGlinchey is a quick footed, athletic tackle with good strength. His technique and instincts are pro ready and could play LR or RT bringing that all-important versatility to the role. He is a natural mover and is scheme versatile. Team captain and well-respected leader. Incredibly hard worker, can tell he loves the games. Could add some more mass/bulk and get a bit stronger. He does have some technical inconsistencies and needs to sustain and finish better. This draft saw a high amount of weight put onto offensive line picks and the need for teams to add depth at that position. We saw McGlinchey go above players like MInkah Fitzparick and Derwin James. There is no doubt his future is at the tackle position, but this is currently held by Joe Staley on the left, however Trent Brown, at the time of writing this, was traded to the New England Patriots. Brown was on the right. Given Browns trade to the Pats chances are we will see McGlinchey on field week 1. It’s clear the 49ers see McGlinchey as a short-term fix for the departure of Brown, and a long-term fix for the inevitable retirement of Staley. One of the key factors with picking lineman this year has been their versatility and durability. The 49ers were no different. Their GM, John Lynch had this to say, “I’m sure he has some injuries, but we haven’t seen it because he doesn’t talk about them and he just plays” he went on to say, “He’s a guy who shows up every practice, every week and that’s truly what we believe an O-Lineman should do”. Great pick, will be future star.

Dante Pettis WR – Round 2 – Pick 44

Pettis is an explosive, athletic receiver who offers versatility to the 49ers. He can play outside or in the slot position. Has good route running abilities and great acceleration which leads to great separation. Good short area quickness, elusive with great hands. Good punt returner. He was inconsistent with his production in college, struggles against physical DB’s. He needs to add muscle/strength. The 49ers moved up 15 spots to get Pettis which says a lot about their evaluation of him. Adding versatile players has been the 49ers MO this draft and with Pettis, they add to a receiving corp that includes Pierre Garcon, Marquise Goodwin and Trent Taylor. Adding more depth to that position, especially with versatile player like Pettis can only be a good thing for Jimmy G’s first full season as a starter. 49ers 2nd year coach, Kyle Shanahan referred to Pettis, after rookie minicamp as the “full package”. He said that Pettis can be of value on all four downs. Great pick and a proven versatile player who will be beneficial on both special teams and at different receiving positions.

Fred Warner OLB – Round 3 – Pick 70

Warner is an instinctive, athletic, versatile linebacker. He plays with great awareness and play recognition. Good tackler, great closing burst and team leader. Great coverage skills, scheme versatile and will suit hybrid type defense. He was productive, forced fumbles and interceptions. Needs to add strength, motor isn’t consistent and can take poor angles to play. Linebacker was a need for the 49ers during the 2017 season due to injuries to players like Malcolm Smith and Reuben Foster still dealing with off-field issues as well as possibly facing a lengthy ban from the NFL, it was imperative that adding depth at LB was a priority. A huge positive for Warner is his versatility and willingness to line up at a number of different positions. GM John Lynch had this to say about Warner, “One thing he does, we play a lot of zone defense, you have to read the quarterback. You have to see the quarterback and when that hand comes off, you break. There’s just numerous clips that kind of fit what we do and he’s a guy we just all really appreciated the more and more we watched. Then he’s just kind of got that same makeup”.

Special Mention

DJ Reed CB – Round 5 – Pick 142

Reed is a speedy, explosive corner. Gives great effort, fights hard throughout the route. Reed is an intelligent player who shows good instincts and awareness. He is a fluid mover and has great return potential. He does lack height and weight, which may limit his playing time in the NFL. Reed may be suited to dime back duties and gives great effort as a tackler but not big enough to contribute effectively. I’m not going to go too much into Reed and how he fits into the 49ers organisation as there are many theories on this topic. But, what I will say is that he could be used as a slot corner in San Francisco and does give them yet another option in the return game paired with Pettis. 49ers GM, John Lynch had this to say about Reed, “D.J. Reed is a guy we’re extremely excited about. While he can play some nickel and free safety, we also think he can hold up along the outside corner. He’s done that at K-State. He’s another great punt returner. We’ve got a lot of those, and that’s a good thing”. We predicted Reed going in the fifth round, and that is where the 49ers got him. A good pick up for Wade Phillips and the 49ers.

Rashaad Penny RB – Round 1 – Pick 27

Penny has great speed, agility and acceleration. Shows great vision and has some stunning moves to avoid the hit. He is a patient runner with good ball security. He finishes his runs well and breaks tackles effectively. Decent power, control and balance. He has played in a pro-style offense which plays in his favour. He is a great pass catcher and returner. He sometimes runs upright which makes him vulnerable to big hits. The Seahawks suffered in the running game in 2017. Chris Carson had great first 4 games in the 2017 season, until a high ankle sprain shelved him for the remainder of the season. They have not had a solid running game since Lynch left, but couple that with a poor offensive line means that more emphasis is on the passing game and on QB Russell Wilson. The Seahawks will be hoping that Penny is the answer. Seahawks HC, Pete Carroll had this to say about Penny’s rookie mini-camp performance, “He caught the ball beautifully, really. He can do whatever we need to do in the throwing game. Offensive coordinator Brian Schottenheimer did a nice job of mixing some stuff in so we could see him doing different route concepts; so we had a real good variety of things that we looked at, in and out of the backfield. With a couple of exceptions, he did a really good job. So that’s a real good sign. We’re gonna work real hard with his pass protection and make sure that he’s up to speed there. We’d like to see if we can make him available to us on all three downs. Kind of like we use running back, Chris Carson”.

Rasheem Green DE – Round 3 – Pick 79

Green is a disruptive and versatile interior lineman. Has a high upside and great play recognition. Good pass rusher, can play end or tackle. He is athletic, quick and explosive. Needs to add weight/strength. Consistency is lacking. Needs to work on gaining leverage. When the Seahawks drafted Green in the 3rd round, they believed he would require some work to get him to position where he could be a hybrid defensive tackle and end. However, after the Seahawks rookie mini-camp, they have changed their tune a little and believe that this process will be shorter than they originally anticipated. The Seahawks HC has said that he was pleased to see that the level of coaching he received in college has prepared him very well for the NFL. It will be interesting to see where the Seahawks see Green being utilised, but there’s no doubt they have a hole at pass rush due to the departure of Michael Bennett. HC Pete Carroll had this to say about Green after mini-camp, “Rasheem Green looked like he’s been coached for a long time. As a matter of fact, his coach (USC defensive line coach) Kenechi Udeze, who had been with us and is an old Trojan and all that, has done a terrific job with him. You can just see his awareness and just his feel for things showed up already. Using his hands and timing and some stuff that he did was good”. I’m interested to see where they line Green up and if he will be lined up week 1.

Will Dissly TE – Round 4 – Pick 120

Dissly is seen as inexperienced, but is continuing to improve. He is seen to possess great potential, and with pro style coaching, could become an effective tight end, quickly. He has decent size and displays toughness and talent to become an effective blocker. He has broad hips and chest and is a former defensive end and is built like it. He is seen as a great team player and leader and will always do as the coaches ask. Quick fit into run blocks and runs his feet well. As mentioned, he is relatively new to the position and will need more work on his technique and coaching on his lateral blocking. He does lack the experience in pass protection, but has the potential to excel on that assignment. There’s no doubt that the Seahawks were attracted to Dissly due to his blocking capabilities, which are reminiscent of Jimmy Grahams abilities. But, at rookie mini-camp, HC Pete Carroll said this about his catching abilities, “Very bright kid, obviously, could pick stuff up right away but probably looked better in the passing game than we expected. We saw him catch the ball well, but he just looked really clean running routes and all, so that was great”. Dissly was a great pick for the Seahawks, and provides a replacement for Jimmy Graham. He is already wearing 88 (Jimmy Grahams old number), let’s see if he lives up to the legacy Graham left, I have a feeling he will.

Special Mention

Shaquem Griffin LB – Round 5 – Pick 141

Griffin is ultra-athletic. He is a powerful linebacker who is very fast and had an exceptional combine performance. He is smart and executes his part of the play well. Punishing hitter and very versatile. He would fit a 3-4 scheme as an ILB and 4-3 as an OLB (which is what the Seahawks run as their base scheme). Gets off the snap quickly. As many of you know, Griffin has one hand after having his left hand amputated at the age of 4, this however does not affect his play in anyway. Tackling needs some work, could add some more mass. He is a high cut player but needs better knee bend. There are not many people who are fans of the NFL who haven’t heard of Griffins story. Shaquem was born with Amniotic Band Syndrome which effected his nerves in his left hand causing it to not fully develop. At 4, his mum found him in the kitchen with a knife trying to amputate his fingers due to the pain he was experiencing. The day after that, Griffin had a medical amputation of his entire left hand. Shaquem joins his twin brother, Shaquill at the Seahawks where Shaquill has been for a year already and continuing the long tradition the two have of playing together, as they did in college. The Seahawks HC has said that they intend to use Shaquem as a weakside linebacker in the first instance and let him develop into a role that suits him and the team. HC Pete Carroll had this to say after rookie mini-camp about Shaquem, “He looked very comfortable, very natural. He has a sense already for scheme and terminology. The position (WLB) is the right spot for him, it looks like”. I love this pick, and I think by taking him in the 5th round, the Seahawks get an incredible asset for their organisation. For me, this was the highlight of the entire draft weekend.

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