When we talk about interior defensive linemen, we can be talking about players with various styles of play. Some of the players we profiled earlier in this series (3-4 DE’S) could very well fit into this category also. That just shows the versatility and depth of the defensive lineman in this draft. Some of the following could very well line up as 4-3 nose tackles, 4-3 3-techniques and some might even be able to play the 5 –technique.
Sheldon Rankins – Louisville
At 6014 – 299, Rankins lacks ideal size. He showed at the Combine that he is quick and explosive running the 40 in 5.03 and the 3-cone in 7.44. Rankins has a great motor and goes hard from snap to whistle. He plays the run well and can provide and interior pass rush (6 sacks in 2015). I fell he is best suited to play as a 3-technique in a one gap 4-3 scheme. He may also be able to play on the nose in a 4-3 and might be able to be nose in a 3-4 but that could be a stretch. Regardless, he will hear his name called late in the first round or early in the second.
Kenny Clark – UCLA
The third year junior has made 29 consecutive starts for the Bruins. He plays mostly as a 0 or 1- technique at UCLA but he is capable of playing any inside position in a 4-3 or a 3-4. He is very instinctive and flashes dominant ability versus one on one blocks. As a pass rusher he excels as a bull rusher but he can also put countermoves together and be a consistent inside pass rusher. He is often double teamed yet still makes plays. As an added bonus, he was voted a Co – Captain as a junior.
Vernon Butler – Louisiana Tech
Butler had a strong season with 50 total tackles including 10.0 tackles for loss and 3.0 sacks. He followed that up with a strong week of practice at the Senior Bowl and then the Combine. AT 6037 – 323 with 35” arms, Butler has ideal size to play in different schemes. While he lacks top end speed, he is quick off the ball, can use his hands get rid of blocks and make plays. AT present he is best as a run defender but can be an adequate pass rusher with technique development.
Jonathan Bullard – Florida
Bullard is another player who has scheme versatility. At 6’3 – 285 with 33 5/8” arms he may be best suited to play as a 4-3 3-technique. He played as a defensive end at Florida and he could easily line up as a 5=technique also. He had very good production this past year with 66 total tackles and 6.5 sacks. He is a top competitor and plays at a high level of intensity. He gets off the ball quickly, stays low, gets penetration and is disruptive. Bullard has a frame that can hold 290+ without losing any athleticism. I see him as a solid second round pick.
Sheldon Day – Notre Dame
Day is a very productive three year starter for Notre Dame. Some have described him as a poor man’s Aaron Donald. While his competitive nature is similar to Donald, he lacks the speed that Donald had when he entered the NFL two years ago. Day’s biggest problem is his lack of ideal height (6005) but he has long arms for his height and is a strong, explosive player. He is a very good inside pass rusher with moves and a burst to the quarterback. In the run game, he is difficult to block one on one and is quick to find the ball. With his height he is limited to playing as a 3-technique in a 1-gap 4-3 scheme.
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Category: The Scouting Department
Scouting Reports from the NFP Team
Breaking Down RB Kenyan Drake and DT Kenny Clark
Kenyan Drake – RB – Alabama
Drake is a fourth year senior who has been a key contributor as a backup for Alabama. He can play as a running back, a kick returner and can even split out as a wide receiver.
Size –
6006 – 208 – 4.45 (All estimates)
Strong Points –
Excellent athlete with very good speed. Quick to change direction. Very good in space. Hands and pass routes. Returns kickoffs.
Weak Points –
Strength and power. Not an inside runner. Tries to take many of his carries to the outside. Blocking.
The Way We Hear It –
Drake is a career backup at Alabama and that is just what he will be in the NFL. He lacks the inside run skills to be an every down player. Will be best as a spot player. He is a good receiver who has the open field run skills to turn a short pass into a long gain. Will also be useful as a kickoff returner. Give him 5-8 touches a game and he just may come up with a home run every once in a while.
Kenny Clark – DT – UCLA
Clark is a third year junior and a two year starter for UCLA. He played as a backup as a true freshman and got a few starts. He has been the fulltime starter the last two years. 2015 was his best year with 77 total tackles, 11 tackles for loss and 6 sacks.
Size –
6026 – 310 – 4.95 (All Estimate)
Strong Points –
Thick build with long arms. Has outstanding strength and power. Can dominate one-on-one blockers. Very instinctive. Quick to shed. Excellent play versus the run. Very good bull rusher and has some secondary moves. Top competitor. Makes plays even though he is consistently double teamed.
Weak Points –
A little short to play anywhere along the line.
The Way We Hear It –
A third year junior and a two year starter who is entering the Draft. Plays mostly as a 0 and 1 technique but can play any inside position in any front. Dominates when he is blocked one-on-one and is excellent versus double teams. Very strong and powerful to get penetration and disrupt run lanes. Very good hand use to shed and get to ball. Has top instincts and is seldom fooled. As a pass rusher he is mostly a bull rusher who can collapse the pocket. Has some moves but needs to develop more. Will start and be productive as a rookie and can play as a nose or a 3-technique in a 4-3 or as a nose in a 3-4. Might even be able to play at a 5 tech. He should become a very good NFL player.
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Breaking Down OT Kyle Murphy and LB Scooby Wright
Kyle Murphy – OT – Stanford
Murphy is a fourth year senior and a two year starter for Stanford. He started at right tackle in 2014 and was moved to left tackle this season. He is a former 5-star recruit who had offers from programs such as Alabama, Notre Dame, USC, Oklahoma and Florida. Played as a backup in 2012 and 2013 but did have two starts his freshman year.
Size –
6064 – 305 – 5.10 (All Estimates)
Strong Points –
Has good size and a frame to carry at least 315. Has played and started on both the right and left sides. Is very athletic, can run, moves well in space and can adjust on the move. Technique sound, very good hand use, keeps his back straight and is a natural knee bender. Quick off ball. Is explosive on contact with explosiveness through his hips. Tough and competitive, looks to finish, plays had every down. Very consistent run and pass blocker.
Weak Points –
Needs to get a little bigger, especially in the lower body
Summation –
Murphy is a very solid football player who does just about everything very well. He gets off the ball quickly, has explosiveness on contact, gets movement with run blocks and gets and keeps good position in pass pro. He plays with natural band and can anchor. Is athletic enough to pull and play in space. Just needs to get a little bigger and stronger. He will be a high pick who can come in and start at either guard or tackle position as a rookie. A very sound player a team can rely on.
Scooby Wright – LB – Arizona
Wright is a third year junior and a three year starter for Arizona. He missed all but three games this past season. He originally had a knee injury and then injured his feet. Came back to play in Arizona’s bowl game where he put up big numbers (15 tackles, 2 sacks). He won the Nagurski award following the 2014 after he finished with 163 total tackles and 14 sacks. He was a 2-star recruit coming out of high school. Lines up both at LB and sometimes as a DE in pass rush situations.
Size-
6004 – 242 – 4.80
Strong Points –
Highly productive. He is a top competitor with a non-stop motor. Has very good instincts and is around the ball. Effective as a pass rusher when used on blitzes and when lined up as a defensive end. Takes good angles in pursuit
Weak Points –
Short with short arms. Misses tackles because of the short arms. Lacks speed. Can be slow to shed at times. More run and hit than stack type. Just an average athlete. Coming off two injuries that have to be checked out (knee, foot)
Summation –
Wright is fun to watch on tape because of his high competitive nature and the way he runs all over the field making plays. That said, he is a marginal athlete with average speed. Don’t know what he will time, but he plays like a 4.8 guy. Has a short stocky frame with short arms. While he makes a lot of tackles he also misses a lot. He is tough and aggressive but can be overpowered at the point of attack. Not a top take on type, more a go around blocks type. He is very instinctive and knows how to find the ball. Will make it because of his competitive nature, he is the consummate overachiever. May never be a starter nut can be a terror on special teams.
Breaking Down Ole Miss DT Robert Nkemdiche
Going into the 2015 college football season, many had Ole Miss defensive tackle Robert Nkemdiche as the highest rated inside defensive lineman for next April’s NFL Draft. While Nkemdiche has the talent to be to be a very good player, I am not sure at this point that he is the top interior defensive lineman. While I am far from having all the players evaluated, I can say right now he isn’t close to being as good at Ohio State’s Joey Bosa. Whether or not he becomes a better pro remains to be seen.
Nkemdiche is a third-year junior and a three-year starter for Ole Miss. By almost all accounts, he will be entering the NFL Draft as an underclassman. Coming out of high school, he was rated as a 5-star player and the top defensive lineman in the country. He was recruited by all the top programs and originally committed to Clemson before changing his mind and accepting a scholarship to Mississippi. His older brother Denzel was already a member of the Ole Miss Football team.
While Nkemdiche has been a very good player for Ole Miss, he is not the dominant player that many expected him to be. His stats are very average. In 2014, he finished the season with 35 total tackles, 2.0 sacks, and 4.0 tackles for loss. To date, this season, he has recorded 22 total tackles, 1.5 sacks, and 5.5 tackles for loss. For his career, he only has 5.5 sacks.
Granted, he is constantly double teamed and opponents prepare to face him. Nkemdiche has good, not great, size. He will measure at about 6034 – 295. He has a thick, well-muscled frame with good length. He has very good strength and power and shows the ability to hold the point versus single and double blocks. He is a very good athlete for his size with speed and a burst and plays with natural bend. He has great balance, stays on his feet, and can change direction and move well laterally.
Nkemdiche has above average instincts. He often plays with his head down and can be slow to find the ball, or he can lose track of the ball. When he keeps his head up, he is much better. He has quick hands, knows how to play with leverage, and can shed quickly. He moves well through trash and shows he can be a good pursuit player. He often gets penetration to disrupt running plays, and while he may not make the tackle, his penetration sets up teammates to make the play.
As a pass rusher, Robert gets pressures and hits, he just doesn’t have a lot of sacks. He can be quick off the ball and has the agility and change of direction to redirect his charge. He shows a good spin move, and his overall hand use is very good. He just needs to learn to finish his pass rush better.
As a competitor, I sometimes question his overall aggressiveness. He picks and chooses when to make plays. While he will flash a dominant type play where he can’t be blocked, there are too many plays where he is not a factor.
Overall, Nkemdiche has the natural talent to be a top NFL interior defensive lineman. He can play either tackle position in a 4-3 and can play either end position in a 3-4. He has to pick up his level of intensity and play hard every down. His upside is unlimited, but because of his inconsistency, he also has some downside. While he will go very high based on his talent, the team that drafts him has to know that there is also some risk.
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2015 Season Preview: New York Jets
After a disastrous 2014 season, the Jets cleaned house. John Idzik and Rex Ryan are out and new General Manager Mike Maccagnan and Head Coach Todd Bowles are in. The atmosphere is different, and the Jets will try and work their way up from the bottom of the AFC East.
Bowles and Maccagnan are both tough, no nonsense people, and I expect that under their leadership, the Jets will be competitive within their division and conference in short order.
Quarterback
Going into training camp, Geno Smith has the quarterback job, but there is no guarantee that he will be the starter come opening day. Smith has the physical traits to be a top player, but does he have the mental toughness and leadership needed to reach his ceiling?
Challenges will come from veteran Ryan Fitzpatrick and rookie Bryce Petty. Fitzpatrick doesn’t have anywhere near the physical traits that Smith has, but he is very knowledgeable and knows how to play within himself. Petty is clearly the quarterback of the future and will step into the job as soon as he feels comfortable in the NFL-style game. Coming from the simple Baylor spread, the transition may take a year.
Running Back
The Jets don’t have a true bell cow running back, but they do have some interesting players who can be productive within a rotation. Stevan Ridley, Zac Stacy, and Chris Ivory should all be able to complement one another. None of these backs is a home run threat, but they all do some things fairly well. Ridley may have the best overall talent, but he has had fumbling issues in the past. Stacy had a big year in 2013 with the Rams and then got buried on the depth chart. Ivory is a tough inside runner but doesn’t do much in the passing game.
Receivers and Tight Ends
The Jets have some talent at the wide receiver position. But do they have a quarterback to get them the ball? Clearly, the most talented player in the Jets wide receiver corps is Brandon Marshall. Marshall has a history of playing very well his first two years with a new club. He seems to wear out his welcome after that. When he is on his game, he is one of the better possession receivers in the NFL.
Eric Decker is also a big possession receiver, and with Marshall around, he could perform better than he did in 2014. The deep threat should come from rookie Devin Smith. Smith becomes the Jets best home run threat the day he steps on the field.
At the tight end position, the best of the group is second year player Jace Amaro. Amaro is a very athletic “move” type tight end. He is not physical enough to play with any consistency in tight. Jeff Cumberland is a reliable backup, and we are still waiting for Kellen Davis to play up to his natural talent.
Offensive Line
The two best players on the Jets offensive line are left tackle D’Brickashaw Ferguson and center Nick Mangold. With this being their 10th season together, they are clearly on the back nine of their careers.
Last year, the Jets brought in Breno Giacomini to play right tackle, and while he started 16 games, his play was average. This year, the Jets signed former Seahawks’ first rounder James Carpenter, and the hope is that he can play up to his very good natural talent. He will most likely line up at guard. The other guard should be 10-year veteran Willie Colon.
A player to watch in training camp is fifth round rookie Jarvis Harrison. Harrison was a second round talent, but many questioned his commitment to the game and that’s why he dropped to the fifth. If the Jets push the right button, they may have themselves a top young talent. James Brewer and Brian Winters provide depth (assuming Winters can stay healthy).
Defensive Line
As a whole, this may be the most talented position group on the Jets roster. Sheldon Richardson, Muhammad Wilkerson, and Damon Harrison are as good a starting line as there is in the league. Add to that first round pick Leonard Williams, and the Jets are loaded! I felt Williams was the best player in the draft last April. Leger Douzable, T.J. Barnes and Stephen Bowen provide quality depth at a position group where depth matters. When a team has a strong six or seven man defensive line rotation, they are in good shape.
Linebacker
This is another group that has quality talent but is starting to age. Inside, the starters are Davis Harris and Demario Davis. Harris had quite a few teams interested in him in free agency but re-signed with the Jets. Davis is very steady but unspectacular. His best football is still in front of him.
Erin Henderson, if he can keep his head screwed on straight, is an excellent backup. The Jets signed former Chief Joe Mays as insurance. Jamari Lattimore is a quality special teams’ performer.
On the outside, Calvin Pace, in his 13th year, is back again. Bowles has to hope that he can get Quinton Coples to play up to his enormous potential. Jason Babin may be getting a little long in the tooth, but he can still come off the edge in pass rush situations. Rookie Lorenzo Mauldin from Louisville may become a starter before the season is half over. He has a very consistent game against both the run and pass.
Secondary
John Idzik found a way to get rid of Darrelle Revis and Antonio Cromartie. Maccagnan found a way to get them back. Revis is one of the best cover corners in football and Cromartie, though aging, is still very good. The third corner is former Browns starter Buster Skrine, and the three of them may give the Jets one of the best corner groups in the league.
There is quality depth with Antonio Allen, who can also play safety, Darrin Walls, and Marcus Williams. At safety, the starters are last year’s first round pick Calvin Pryor at strong safety and Marcus Gilchrist at free. The top reserve should be Jaiquawn Jarrett.
Outlook
The Jets will be improved and will compete, but it remains to be seen if they have enough to move out of the AFC East basement in Bowles first year. The quarterback play, like with any team, will be the key. One of the problems the Jets have to face is that the AFC East has become a very competitive division, and both Miami and Buffalo should be able to challenge New England for the title.
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What do Scouts do During the Summer Months?
The draft and rookie mini-camps are over, does that mean that college scouts have nothing but free time until training camp? Not really. While they aren’t on the road, there is plenty of work to be done. The cycle for the 2016 NFL Draft has begun.
Spring Combine Meetings
Between now and the end of May, the clubs who are members of either BLESTO or National Scouting will have week-long meetings going over the prospects in the upcoming senior class. During these meetings, each of the combine area scouts gives a verbal assessment of each of the players in his area. His report will include some character information, plus the strong and weak points of each prospect.
The hard copy of these reports is also given to each member club as well as a school-by-school list of the senior prospects in each scout’s area. This list becomes the starting point for scouts at each school for their summer and fall evaluations. I say starting point because there are always going to be players at some schools who are not on the list. These could be players who, until this upcoming season, have never been starters and really haven’t shown scouts that they are a potential prospect.
The list also does not include underclassman who may be thinking about leaving school early and entering the draft. This is done by league mandate as the NFL does not want to encourage underclassmen in any way to enter the draft.
Summer Evaluations
With game tape availability being the way it is now, it is so much easier for scouts to get a jump start on their fall work. Five or six years ago, a scout had to have hard copies of tape made and sent to them from the various club’s video departments in order to do tape study.
Now, with technology the way it is, as long as they have a tablet and an internet connection, they can watch as much tape as they want, just about anywhere. Once connected to the club’s master video computer, every game tape form the 2015 season and prior is there. It’s as simple as clicking on on the game.
When the college teams begin training camps in early August, most scouts already have a strong idea of how each prospect has played, and they also have a good idea as to what their strengths and weaknesses are.
Depending on philosophy, some clubs have some or all of their scouts working on the next year’s draft right after the Scouting Combine in February. Other clubs have the scouts working on the current class through the draft, and then they begin work on the next draft. It’s just a matter of philosophy on when they want to begin the scouting cycle.
No matter what the philosophy, the summer months are still downtime to an extent, and scouts can do their work from home rather than on the road. With tape availability the way it is, there is no reason a scout doesn’t have access to two full years (usually junior and senior) of tape when making his evaluations. That makes scouting so much easier today than it was when I was a road scout.
A scout no longer has to go to the school in order to watch video, he can do it at home, and when training camps open, all he needs to do is watch practice and talk to people who can gave him pertinent background information.
There is no reason a scout doesn’t have a good evaluation of all the top players in his area at the beginning of the college season. Once the season starts, then his evaluation is more on if the player shows improvement in his play or declines. Tape availability also gives the scout more time to do background and character evaluations. That said, there is no reason for mistakes to be made come draft day.
Underclassmen
There are always going to be underclassmen entering the draft. By league rule, scouts cannot ask the colleges about an underclassmen unless the school offers up the information first. That does not mean the scout cannot begin doing tape evaluations of the top underclassmen at each school. As word leaks out that certain players will definitely be coming out, then the scout begins looking at tape of that player more earnestly. With league rules the way they are, club scouts cannot ask about an underclassmen entering the draft until after he is officially in the draft, and they won’t be until next January. He then has to play catchup as far as character evaluation, but the talent evaluation should already be thorough.
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2015 NFL Draft Review: NFC South
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
For the second straight year, the top of Tampa Bay’s draft has been strong. With the first pick in this year’s draft, the Bucs surprised no one with the selection of Jameis Winston. Winston was a worthy first overall pick on talent. but we all know there is some risk involved with this pick based on his off-field issues. Time will tell if Tampa Bay did the right thing.
A huge area of need for the Bucs was the offensive line. With their two second round choices, the Bucs selected two offensive linemen. Donovan Smith is a huge left tackle, who back in January many “experts” were saying should have stayed in school. The following week at the Senior Bowl, Smith showed that he was ready to be an NFL starter. Many feel Smith will be better off at guard, but Tampa Bay has said he will remain at tackle.
The other second round pick was Hobart lineman Ali Marpet. Hobart is a Division III school where Marpet dominated. He was the talk of the Senior Bowl, where he showed he could play with the big boys. He has the versatility of being able to play anywhere on the offensive line. He will most likely start out at guard.
In the fourth round, the Bucs selected LSU linebacker Kwon Alexander. After watching tape, I felt Kwon would be best as a Will in the Tampa Bay scheme, but with that position already filled, Alexander will most likely start out at Sam.
Receivers Kenny Bell and Kaelin Clay, as well as fullback Joey Iosefa are developmental types who may need a year in the practice squad unless they prove they can be strong special teams’ performers.
Atlanta Falcons
I love the Falcons first pick. Clemson outside linebacker Vic Beasley is an outstanding edge pass rusher who will give Atlanta something they haven’t had in years. He still needs to improve his ability to defend the run, but with him now playing on his feet, I don’t see that as a problem.
If it weren’t for multiple positive drug tests while at LSU, corner Jalen Collins would have been a first round pick. Tall and long corners are difficult to find, and Collins has very good overall cover skills. He should come in and start right away.
Until he came up with a toe injury and couldn’t work out until mid-April, I had Tevin Coleman has one of the top running backs in the draft. At his pro day he ran a sub 4.4 which shows how explosive he could be. He ran for over 2000 yards behind a very average line at Indiana.
Justin Hardy is an excellent yet under rated receiver. He lacks good top end speed but he is a very good route runner and catches everything thrown his way. He could be an ideal slot receiver for Atlanta.
Getting nose tackle Grady Jarrett in the fifth round is a steal. While he lacks ideal height, he is a top competitor who can use his hands and make plays. He will get a lot of play time as a rookie. Tackle Jake Rodgers and defensive back Akeem King are developmental types who will be practice squad candidates.
New Orleans Saints
After the Saints traded tight end Jimmy Graham to Seattle, they stated they would use the draft to upgrade their defense. That’s not the way the draft started out, as they selected Stanford tackle Andrus Peat. I’m not criticizing the pick as I had Peat as the best tackle in the draft and he was too good a talent to pass up.
With the pick they received from Seattle for Graham, the Saints took Clemson inside linebacker Stephone Anthony. This is a pick I really like, as Anthony has outstanding instincts and is very tough at the point of attack. While some experts felt this pick was a reach, I feel that Anthony will prove this to be an outstanding selection.
Washington outside linebacker Hau’oli Kikaha may not be the fastest guy when he runs a forty, but all he does is sack the quarterback. He had 32 sacks over the last two seasons. In my opinion, he was one of the better edge rushers available and an ideal fit for the Saints defensive scheme.
Quarterback Garrett Grayson will be Drew Brees eventual replacement. He landed in the right spot as he will be able to learn under Brees for a few seasons before he is ready to take control of the offense.
Florida State corner P.J. Williams was a possible late first round talent who slid to the third round because of a DUI shortly before the draft. He should start as a rookie and play well. Outside linebacker Davis Tull from Tennessee-Chattanooga is a fifth round steal. He is a natural edge rusher with a high motor. He had 37 career sacks while dominating FCS competition.
Tyeler Davison should be a solid rotational defensive tackle, while Damian Swan and Marcus Murphy are developmental types.
Carolina Panthers
General Manager Dave Gettleman took some heat from draft experts when he selected Washington linebacker Shaq Thompson in the first round. I’ll side with Gettleman here as Thompson is an excellent scheme fit for the Panthers. Shaq is a highly instinctive playmaker and that will carry over to the NFL. In sub-packages, the Panthers will be able to do a lot with Thompson.
Devin Funchess can be a matchup nightmare if used correctly. He can play as a flexed tight end or as a big wide receiver. What he won’t do is give you much as a blocker.
Oklahoma tackle Daryl Williams should be able to play right tackle or guard. He is a powerful run blocker and getting better as a pass blocker. He should start as a rookie. Playing at Texas State, linebacker Davis Mayo didn’t get much publicity but he is another highly instinctive and athletic linebacker who will have a role early. Auburn running back Cameron Artis-Payne is a strong inside pounder who will have a role as a rotational back.
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Draft: 3 biggest bargains of round one
Although there were very few curveballs in a rather vanilla round one of the 2015 NFL draft, we certainly weren’t void of a few value selections in the latter stages of the night.
Here are three in particular that stood out:
Bud Dupree to the Steelers at No. 22
Prior to Randy Gregory and Shane Ray’s off field indiscretions in the pre-draft, there may have been a limited number of scenarios where all five of the highly rated pass rushers were not all off the board by the time Pittsburgh was on the clock at No. 22. However, for the eternally defensive-minded Steelers, Kentucky conversion edge defender Bud Dupree fell fortuitously into their lap. Although the secondary absorbed multiple blows this offseason, with Jason Worilds’ shock retirement came the immediate requirement for a pass rushing reinforcement. Dupree (my 10th ranked player overall) was projected by some to go as high as seventh to Atlanta. A height, weight, speed specimen with significant upside, he will luckily not be thrust into a high leverage role prematurely as he — and his raw skill set — acclimatizes to the NFL game.
Shane Ray to the Broncos at No. 23
The 2014 SEC Defensive Player of the Year’s slide was not unforeseen after being cited for marijuana possession during the very week of the draft, but the Broncos were happy to capitalize. Ray (my 3rd ranked player overall) brings with him to Denver a pleasantly violent on-field demeanor and unmatched motor. Though I view him to be a better fit as a classic 4-3, hand in the dirt, defensive end, simply having him installed opposite Von Miller makes a good unit all the more dynamic. I’d expect him to contribute primarily as a spot rusher while he adjusts to the pro level and (hopefully) adds to his frame.
Malcom Brown to the Patriots at No. 32
Big bodies who can move and affect the passing game are a commodity. For New England, it was fortunate that Brown (my 14th ranked player overall) was able to get past a handful of defensive tackle-needy teams in the twenties — particularly the Detroit Lions at No. 28 who lost both Ndamukong Suh and Nick Fairley this offseason. Malcom Brown improved significantly in 2014 and accumulated 13.0 tackles for loss and 6.5 sacks. A slippery pass rusher packed into a beefy frame, he boasts an abundance of athleticism for the position as well. Yes, Vince Wilfork is gone, but Brown is not his replacement. The latter is a different profile of player and, unlike Big Vince, won’t have to come off the field in obvious passing situations.
Honorable Mention…
The 49ers trade down two spots and still get their man
Despite the surprisingly sparse amount of trade movement, San Francisco was able to slide down just two spots and take the player they coveted all along. The 49ers went from No. 15 to No. 17, managing to acquire a fourth round pick (No. 117 overall) and a 2016 fifth round pick as well. Fair play to San Diego for getting its man, but quick and easy draft manipulation is always worthy of props.
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NFL Draft Day Two: The 11 Best Available
When the music stops at the cessation of any NFL draft’s first day, we’re left with a handful of talented players still standing, unselected.
Though the 2015 NFL draft isn’t as classically stockpiled with as much overall depth as we’ve been accustomed to in recent years, there is plenty to monitor heading into the top of the second round.
Of the remaining dancers without a partner, here are the eleven most enticing available:
Jake Fisher, OT. Oregon (6’6″ 306 lbs.)
Former tight end with superior athleticism and quickness off the snap. A potential left tackle in a zone blocking scheme, he gets by on good technique and above-average footwork. There is a Joe Staley element to his profile.
Randy Gregory, OLB. Nebraska (6’5″ 235 lbs.)
Quality movement skills and lower body explosion packaged into a long frame. Though his get-off is sub par as slowly unravels out of his stance, Gregory does well to use his hands to beat blockers. Chase linebacker who plays with effort. If he gets past his substance concerns and reinforces his semi-wiry frame, he could be a major day two bargain.
Landon Collins, S. Alabama (6’0″ 228 lbs.)
Aggressive and tough, Collins is a downhill hammer that finds the football in run and pass defense. Will add a certain attitude to a defense and comes physically ready for the NFL. A lack of ball skills or natural coverage ability prevented him from the first round, but he’s an impact run defender from day one at the strong safety position.
Eddie Goldman, DT. Florida State (6’4″ 336 lbs.)
A lot to be said about big men who can carry their weight well. Goldman is a wrecking ball at the point of attack and can affect the oppositions rhythm with his natural power. He lacks the ability to consistently affect the passing game on third-down, likely limiting him to 3-4 teams.
T.J. Clemmings, OT. Pittsburgh (6’5″ 309 lbs.)
Experienced leader who displays impressive quickness and lateral movement skills. The former defensive end is still constantly learning the nuances of playing on offense, but has long term potential to be a left tackle if he goes to a patient team.
Jaelen Strong, WR. Arizona State (6’2″ 217 lbs.)
Big body target who can prove to be a reliable safety valve due to his ability to adjust and shield defenders away from passes. Lacks explosion and doesn’t consistently make catches off hi frame with natural hands, but there’s an undeniable talent level that should intrigue teams early day two.
La’El Collins, OG/RT. LSU (6’4″ 305 lbs.)
Powerful, thickly-built dual guard or right tackle. A finisher in the run game who eliminates when engaged. Leader with three-years of starting experience. Though he is not a suspect, Collins has a scheduled meeting with police over an April shooting of a pregnant woman. If not for the uncertainty of the situation, he’d have likely been a first round selection.
Dorial Green-Beckham, WR. Missouri (6’5″ 237 lbs.)
A laundry list of maturity and off-field concerns are difficult to overlook, but the physical makeup is tantalizing. Fluidity and smooth movement despite carrying a larger, taller frame. Strength and separation of areas of concern, but can extend and high-point over most defensive backs. Can he deal with physical NFL cornerbacks, though?
Jordan Phillips, NT. Oklahoma (6’5″ 329 lbs.)
Beefy 3-4 nose tackle only; decent movement skills. Anchors well and can push the pocket using his supreme length and strength. Won’t provide much of a pass rush, but should contribute from the outset for a team that needs help at the 0-tech. Two down player, but imposing dimensions.
Ronald Darby, CB. Florida State (5’11” 193 lbs.)
Track speed with smooth change or direction and obvious fluidity. Man-coverage capable boundary corner by gives up inside release quite often on film. Lacks top end ball skills, but could make for a very intriguing project to a team in day two. Rather significant upside.
Tevin Coleman, RB. Indiana (5’11” 206 lbs.)
Workhorse ‘back who produced heavily despite playing behind an unimpressive offensive line. Greatest strength is his refusal to go down, but can also be a weakness as he too often looks for the home run. Still, a smooth-cutting between the tackle rusher who can maintain speed off contact. Lacks open-field elusiveness of some others and relatively unproven as a pass catcher.
Honorable mentions…
Jalen Collins, CB. LSU (6’1″ 203 lbs.) – New school boundary corner; size/speed/length.
T.J. Yeldon, RB. Alabama (6’1″ 226 lbs.) – Decisive bruiser with instincts; keeps feet moving.
Eric Kendricks, ILB. UCLA (6’0″ 232 lbs.) – Stat freak with an aggressive downhill demeanor.
Donovan Smith, OT. Penn State (6’6″ 338 lbs.) – Day one starter at guard/right tackle.
Eli Harold, DE/OLB, UVA (6’3″ 247 lbs.) – Gets regular pressure; fluidity to play in space.
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