Author: Greg Gabriel

Like with the 3-4 defensive ends there are some quality 4-3 defensive ends who also have the positional versatility to be able to play on their feet in a 3-4 as an outside linebacker. Having the athleticism and versatility to play more than one position enhances their value come draft weekend,
Joey Bosa – Ohio State
Bosa will most likely be a top five selection come April 28^th. He is easily the best 4-3 defensive end on the board and is one of those players with scheme versatility. Right now, Bosa stands about 6’5 – 275. He could easily get to 285+ and play as a 5 technique in a 3-4. At his present size and athletic ability he is the most dominant 4-3 end available and he showed at his pro day that he could easily drop in to coverage if used as a 3-4 outside linebacker.
Regardless of where he plays and in what scheme, on passing downs his hand will be in the dirt and he will be rushing the passer. Bosa had 26 career sacks and is regarded as one of the best pass rushers in this draft. Others have compared him to J.J. Watt. If he can get to 285 and keep his speed and athleticism, I am one who believes he can be a similar type player. Bosa has no rea weaknesses and can be a force versus the run or pass game.
Shaq Lawson – Clemson
The last few years, Clemson has been loaded with excellent defensive linemen and because of that players like Lawson and teammate Kevin Dodd had to wait their turn to be the front line players. It showed this year as Lawson went form 3.5 sacks in 2014 to 12.5 in 2015.
Lawson has an exceptionally quick first step, very good hand use and the bend and flexibility to be a very difficult person to block on passing downs. He also has the instincts and quick reactions to be a force versus the run. At his present size and speed (6027 – 267 – 4.70) he can also play OLB in a 3-4. The only negative I see right now is that it was recently reported that Lawson has to return to Indianapolis in early April for the medical rechecks because of a shoulder injury. Granted he played with the injury all season, but if it is a problem whereas he needs surgery, he could drop a little on draft night. Right now he looks like a solid top 10 selection.
Kevin Dodd – Clemson
Like Lawson, Dodd is a player who really came on during the 2015 college season. By the end of the season, he was one of the most dominant outside players in the country. Dodd finished the season with 62 total tackles and 12 sacks!
At 6’5 – 272 – 4.80, Dodd has the frame to get bigger and stronger and the athleticism to play in any scheme. He is best suited to play as a 4-3 defensive end but he can easily get up to 280+ and play as a 5 tech and he can also standup as a 3-4 OLB.
Being that Doss is an early entrée into the draft he has a lot of upside and has the told to be a dominant NFL play. I can see Dodd getting drafted somewhere between the 10 and 20 slots.
Noah Spence – Eastern Kentucky
After a very strong season at Eastern Kentucky and with a dominant week at the Senior Bowl, many were anticipating Spence’s workout at the Combine. The wind came out of the sails there as Spence did not run nearly as fast as people thought he would. He ran 4.80 at Indy and then came back a week later at the Eastern Kentucky Pro Day to run a 4.77. Scouts and coaches were estimating that he would run in the high 4.6’s to low 4.7’s.
Regardless of his timed speed, Spence is one of the better edge pass rushers in this draft and he can also play the run extremely well. He is strong and explosive and quick to find the ball. What hurts Spence besides his average speed is his off field issues. He has tested positive on multiple occasions and that got him booted from Ohio State and then he got ticked for a DUI while at Eastern Kentucky. It’s those issues that make Spence a bit of a wild card during the draft. Talent says round one, the issues may drop him a little. Like the others, Spence has the versatility to play up or down in either defensive scheme.
Bronson Kaufusi – BYU
One of the most physically impressive specimens at the Combine was BYU’s Kaufusi. He stands 6’6 – 285, runs a 4.85 and has 34 1/2” arms. All his measurable tests at Indy were as good as any at the defensive end position.
Kaufusi came on strong in 2015 with 64 total tackles and 11 sacks. He has experience playing both linebacker and defensive end. With his size and upside, I see him as either a left end in a 4-3 or either end in a 3-4. He is strong at the point, can shed and finds the ball. If there is a fault it’s that he doesn’t make as many plays as he probably should. Still with his natural physical talent, he most likely will get drafted in the second round. There aren’t many plays as physically gifted as Kaufusi.
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The 2015 NFL Draft was loaded with pass rushers and wide receivers. This year one of the strongest positions in the Draft is defensive tackles. Many of these players have position versatility and can play inside in a 4-3 or play end in a 3-4 scheme. The following I feel will be looked at first as 3-4 defensive ends but certainly will get a strong look from the 4-3 clubs.
Deforest Buckner – Oregon
Buckner is a player who has shown improvement every year he has been in the Oregon program. He has great size to go along with long arms and very good overall athleticism. His biggest improvement this year was with his pass rush skills where he has learned to use his hands better and does a god job setting up his opponent with multiple moves. In the run game he can control blockers at the line of scrimmage, find the ball and make the play. He could very well be the first defensive lineman to come off the board next month in Chicago.
A’Shawn Robinson – Alabama
Robinson is a third year junior who entered the draft and is still young (21) and a bit raw but he has almost unlimited upside. He has great size with bulk and length to go alone with very good play strength. He needs to improve his pass rush skills but the talent is there. He has the skill set to become a dominant NFL defensive lineman after a period of adjustment.  Will most likely get drafted in the top 15.
Robert Nkemdiche – Mississippi
Just looking at his natural talent and skill set to be a top 5 type of pick. That won’t happen because he doesn’t always play up to his talent level and has had some off field issues. Athletically he compares favorably to any player in this group. When you look at his skill set, you see a player that should have a high number of sacks, yet he finished his career with only 7.0. The team that drafts him could get a player who could be a perennial Pro Bowl player or a bust. Because of that risk he will get drafted later than his talent says he should.
Jarran Reed – Alabama
Reed might not be as athletic as some and he may not have the production numbers of some but the team that drafts him will get a very consistent hard working player who can step in and start right away. He has the versatility to play DE in a 3-4 front, NT is a 3 or 4 man front or even play as a 3-technique. He has size, strength, power and athleticism. Alabama has an abundance of defensive linemen and because of that they use their players in a rotation. Had Reed played at another school his numbers would be double what they are. He may never be a top pass rusher but at the end of the day, your team is going to be glad they have him.
Chris Jones – Mississippi State
Jones is a third year junior who entered the draft early. He has great size and overall athletic ability but his production numbers don’t match up to his natural skill set. He is a player that many scouts feel is on the come and we have yet to see his best football. He is said to be a great kid and he works at the game but he just hasn’t put it all together yet. Few players can match his natural size, speed, length, power and athletic ability. Because of that he will most likely go in the top half of the second round. Some analysts feel he could be drafted in the later part of the first round.
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Jones was an underclassmen who decided to enter the draft early. While he has very good natural talent he probably would have been better off staying in school another year. He certainly has talent and entering the draft now certainly won’t affect his draft status that much, but the key here is he emotionally ready to play and compete at the next level.
He is said to be a good kid but he is still young and immature. He basically doesn’t know how good he can be. When he enrolled at Mississippi State he was a very highly recruited player with offers from some of the better programs in the country. He played in all games as a true freshman including three starts. He didn’t progress as expected and played as a backup in 2014. In 2015 he started every game and showed inconsistent. When he was good, he was very good, but still only finished with 44 total tackles and 2.5 sacks.
Chris Jones – DT – Mississippi State
Size –
6060 – 310 – 5.03
Strong Points –
Has ideal defensive tackle size at 6’6 – 310 with 34 ½” arms. He can run and change direction and overall movement skills are very good. Has strength and flashes play making ability. Has plays where he looks like a top 10 type pick. Very tough to move off the line of scrimmage and can occupy two blockers. Doesn’t get much sack production but does get a number of pressures.
Weak Points –
Inconsistent production. His motor runs hot and cold. Can look great one play and very average the next. Lacks a consistent high level of intensity. Lacks good hand use and can be slow to shed. Not a top pass rusher. Can be inconsistent as a pursuit player. More of a reactor than an instinctive player. While strong, he doesn’t show consistent explosiveness.
Summation –
Jones is a perfect example of a boom or bust type pick. He has excellent natural talent but we only see flashes of it on the field. Looking at his physical dimensions, he has all the tools to be great. He is tall, long, strong and athletic. There is no reason why he shouldn’t be a very good NFL defensive lineman. It gets frustrating looking at the tape though because he is an inconsistent competitor. He can look dominating one play and very average the next. He is said to be a good kid who loves the game but on the immature side. If the light ever turns on, look out because his natural traits are hard to find. Because of that, he will get drafted high, most likely in the second round. Whether or not he lives up to being drafted that high remains to be seen.
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When a scout makes a school call, the general rule of thumb is that he reviews at least four game tapes on a player before making a decision on how to grade him. If it’s early in the season, the scout may look at two games from the previous year and two from the current season. Later in the year, he obviously looks at games form the current season.
Offensive lineman often change from one season to the next because as they get older, they usually get stronger and understand the game a little better. A good scout can’t be afraid to change his mind on a player and upgrade or down grade the player based on new tape and information.
Such was the case with my report on Jason Spriggs. My initial report included two games from 2014 and two early games from 2015. After watching those tapes I felt comfortable with my grade. After viewing some late season tape, the Senior Bowl practices and game and the Combine, I have to admit that I missed on Spriggs. He is bigger, stronger, more athletic and just plain more productive than I originally gave him credit for. That said, here is my revised report on Jason.
Jason Spriggs – OT – Indiana
Size –
6055 – 301 – 4.94
Strong Points –
Spriggs is a four year starter for Indiana. He is tall with length (34 1/8” arms). He has excellent weight room strength (31 reps). On the field, he is tough and competitive and looks to finish. He is a very good athlete who can change direction and has very good balance. At 301, he can still get bigger and will also get stronger as he physically matures. Good hand use, with a good punch and keeps his hands inside. Flashes good bend and shows he can adjust on the move. Effective run and pass blocker. Good mirror skills, can slide and recover versus counter moves.
Weak Points –
Can get tall at times and not always play with the bend he has. Playing from a two point stance he doesn’t generate the explosiveness he needs in the run game. He can get good position and wall off but not consistently get movement. As athletic as he is, he will miss some open field blocks.
Summation –
Spriggs is a four year starter at left tackle and has been very durable throughout his career with only one missed start. He has improved every year and by the end of 2015 was playing as good as any tackle in the country. He has the required height, length and athleticism to excel at left tackle. While he tests out as being strong he doesn’t always play with that strength and needs to become more explosive on contact in order to get consistent movement in the run game. He also has to be aware that he can get tall and that will hurt his play at the next level. All told, Spriggs has a bright future and should start very early in his career. Originally I saw him as a “B” level player but he is easily an “A” level guy who should get drafted somewhere between 23 and 38 come draft day. Still needs to improve in some areas but he has upside.
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Kentrell Brothers – ILB – Missouri
Size –
6005v – 249v – 4.81 
Strong Points –
Three year starter at ILB for Mizzou. Very instinctive. Make plays (274 tackles in the last two seasons). Plays bigger than measured. Strong and explosive. Quick to shed. Has very good range and lateral agility. Excellent tackler. Good in pass coverage. Effective when blitzing. Quality special teams player. Team leader.
Weak Points –
Lacks ideal height and his arms are a bit short (30 ¾)
Summation–
Put one inch on him and he is the best inside linebacker in the draft. A playmaking machine. Great instincts and awareness. Attacks the line of scrimmage and gets to ball. Is strong and explosive and quick to shed. Very good range to stop the outside run. Better than adequate in coverage. Similar in size to Denzel Perryman and Chris Boreland but a better college player than either. He has more athleticism and is more explosive. Some clubs won’t touch him because of his lack of size but he will start in the league for the right team.
 
Joshua Perry – ILB – Ohio State
Size –
6036 – 254 – 4.68
Strong Points –
Great size, with long arms. Strong and explosive. Is a presence in the middle stacking at the point. Physical. Reads and reacts quickly and finds the ball. Best against the inside run. Has adequate range to stop the outside run. Can get depth with his drop and plays underneath routes well. Very good tackler. Adequate pass rusher.
Weak Points –
Average play speed for the position. Will only be a 2 down player at the next level. Will have trouble with man coverage. Not a real quick twitch athlete.
Summation–
An ideal 3-4 inside linebacker. Has great size and is strong and explosive. Reads the run quickly, can shed and make plays at the line of scrimmage. Adequate range to stop the outside run. Can play in zone coverage but really doesn’t have the range a coach would want. Can’t cover quick backs or tight ends man to man. Adequate when asked to blitz. Will only be a two down player but he will be a good one. Has upside and his Combine speed will get him drafted around the third round.
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You can look at just about any football website right now and you may find an article on who has won or lost in free agency so far. Having spent 30 years in the National Football League, I find those types of articles absurd.
It will be well into September before we know who actually did a good job with their signings to date. Not only do you have to factor in whether or not the signed player has become a productive player, but is he playing to the level of the contract he was given?
We have seen far too many instances of March signings turning out to be awful signings by midseason. How many players signed in free agency the last two years are already off the clubs that signed them? Plenty!
I have always felt that the teams that are able to fill needs with quality young players are the clubs that usually are doing the best job. That said, after the original group of signings Wednesday, I feel these clubs have done a good job.
Jacksonville –
The Jaguars had more available cap space than any other team in the NFL. Going into free agency they had about 90M to spend if they so desired. While they may have overpaid some for a few players, they have been able to get quality players for their undermanned defense.
Defensive lineman Malik Jackson, formerly with the Denver Broncos, was generally looked at as the best defensive lineman available. Not only he is talented, but he is only going into his fifth year and still has upside. While the price tag was hefty (90M), at his young age he should provide a substantial return on the Jags’ investment.
Jacksonville feels in order for them to have a top running game they need two quality running backs. They drafted T.J. Yeldon last year and then signed Chris Ivory at the opening of free agency. The two should be a strong compliment to each other.
The Jaguars have had a need at free safety for a while and got one of the better ones available in former Cleveland Brown Tashaun Gipson. Like Jackson, Gipson is only 26 years old and still has upside on his already consistent strong play. He already has 14 career interceptions.
Oakland –
Like Jacksonville, the Oakland Raiders had a lot of money available in free agency. So far, it looks as if they have spent wisely.
Some feel that offensive lineman Kelechi Osemele was the best lineman available in free agency. He is a powerful man who has played exceptionally well at guard while in Baltimore and has the athletic traits and length to possibly move to tackle. The cost was high (58M) but there were a number of clubs trying to sign Osemele.
Early Thursday morning the Raiders were able to sign the best corner available in former Kansas City Chief Sean Smith in a deal that could be worth as much as 40M. Late Wednesday night it looked as if Smith was going to stay with the Chiefs, but Oakland was able to up the ante.
New York Giants –
Giants owner John Mara made it clear earlier in the off season that General Manager Jerry Reese had to win this year. With the gun to his head and cap space available, Reese has gone all in in the early stages of free agency.
The first big move was holding on to defensive end Jason Pierre-Paul with a one year contract. Reese then went out a singed former Miami Dolphins’ defensive end Olivier Vernon. Vernon held the transition tag going into free agency, but Miami dropped it after they were able to sign Mario Williams. Vernon gives the Giants another strong edge pass rusher.
To bolster the interior defensive line, the Giants signed away nose tackle Damon Harrison from their stadium partner the New York Jets.  Finally the added former Ram corner Janoris Jenkins to help out a weak secondary. On paper, the Giants defense looks much improved.
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In the world of the NFL, it’s not often that a high level executive gets a second chance, especially with the same team. Howie Roseman the Eagles Executive Vice President of Football Operations was the Eagles General Manager until just over 13 months ago. He lost his title to then Head Coach Chip Kelly in a very public (on Kelly’s part) power struggle.
The truth is, Roseman really lost control the day Kelly was hired. Kelly had final say in the draft and final say over the 53 man roster. With that control. Kelly was not about to listen to Roseman.
Roseman’s drafts in 2012 and 2013 were strong but when it came to the 2014 draft, Kelly had final say on who was drafted. The board was set by the coaches not the scouting staff and the same held true in 2014 and 2015. As we have seen, the Eagles did not have strong drafts in those years. The same thing can be said for the free agent signings. A lot of money was spent, but there wasn’t much to show for the money spent.
In December of 2015 when Kelly was fired and Roseman regained control of the club, things changed. We have seen this week what those changes have meant. In quick order, the mistakes of the Kelly regime have been sweep out of Philadelphia and the roster is very quickly gone through a transformation.
While in “exile”, Roseman spent the year studying the roster and learning new ways in which to improve his management style. Part of that was a new approach to free agency and the draft.
Veteran players who were of value have been signed to extensions, and others have been brought in. Corner Leodis McKelvin was signed after he was made a cap casualty by the by the Buffalo Bills. McKelvin was a key player for new Defensive Coordinator Jim Schwartz when he was in Buffalo.
The big moves were done in the last few days. Players who were brought in by Kelly and who were over paid and underperformed were moved out. Just the fact they Roseman was able to get rid of the players and the poor contracts was a feat in and by itself. To be able to get something for the players in return was a huge bonus that will play off for the Eagles come Draft Day.
Corner Byron Maxwell and Kiko Alonzo were traded to Miami for a swap of the clubs first round picks. That doesn’t sound like much, but Miami had the eighth pick in the Draft. That pick now belongs to the Eagles and gives Philly a lot of flexibility come Draft Day.
The Eagles can stay at eight and draft one of the premiere players in the draft or they can trade down a few spots and pick up a second round pick as part of the trade. As of now the Eagles don’t hold a second round pick.
In another trade, the Eagles were able to trade disgruntled running back DeMarco Murray and his huge contract to Tennessee for a swap of fourth round picks. Again, that doesn’t sound like a lot, but the Eagles got rid of a poor contract and get the second overall pick in the fourth round. That pick come Draft Day is gold.
The fourth round is the first round of the third day of the draft. Clubs will restack their boards after the third round and that gives the clubs holding the first three or four picks in the fourth round a lot of options.
Teams will overpay to get one of those picks which gives the pick great value, or the club can hold on to the pick and get one of the best players left in the draft.
The Eagles were also able to make some key signings with the opening of free agency. They signed guard Brandon Brooks form the Houston Texans who has started 45 games and is just beginning to come into his own. Being that he is just beginning his fifth year, he has a lot of good football in front of him.
Former Rams’ safety Rodney McLeod was also signed. McLeod is known as a big hitter with good ball skills and will help upgrade the secondary. Like Brooks, he is a young players with upside.
The other key deal of the day was the signing of quarterback Chase Daniel who was with Head Coach Doug Pederson in Kansas City. Daniel has long been thought of as one of the better backup quarterbacks in the NFL and gives the Eagles needed depth at the most important position on the roster.
All told, the Eagles are in much better shape than they were a week ago. Still more work needs to be done and it’s imperative the Eagles have a strong draft, but none of this would have happened if Roseman wasn’t back in charge. He is going to try and make the most of a rare second chance.
Follow Greg on Twitter @greggabe