Are you ready for the NFL Draft?

65.   Cleveland Browns - Josh Jones, 6'1", 220lbs, S, NC State, Jr.

04/15/17 - ​Josh Jones, S, NC State

03/28/17 - ​Josh Jones, S, NC State

Expect Cleveland to look for help at the Safety position at some point in this draft.  Jones had a breakout junior season in 2016, making plays all over the field for the Wolfpack.  He led the team in tackles with 109, had 3 Int. and broke up another 8 passes.  He's a ballhawk with exceptional range and should push for playing time early in his career.


66.   San Francisco 49ers - Kendell Beckwith, 6'2, 242lbs, ILB, LSU

04/15/17 - Kendell Beckwith, ILB, LSU

03/28/17 - ​Chris Godwin, WR, Penn State

While the Niners are changing defensive schemes as they transition to Robert Saleh's 43 defense, there is still a need at the LB position.  Navorro Bowman is coming off an Achilles injury and will likely neeed to move outside, leaving a whole in the middle.  Beckwith has good size for the position, uses a violent punch to jolt blockers and uses quick hands to get off blocks.  He can diagnose plays quickly, takes good angles to the football and has a surprising burst to get to the sideline.  Beckwith will have to prove he's fully recovered from the ACL tear he suffered against Florida if he wants to see the field early.


67.   Chicago Bears - Chris Wormley, 6'5", 298lbs, DE/DT, Michigan

04/15/17 - Chris Wormley,  DE/DT, Michigan

03/28/17 - Roderick Johnson, OT, Florida State

If the Bears don't take Jonathan Allen with the 3rd overall pick, you can expect them to go after a DE at some point on Day 2.  Wormley has rare athleticism for a lineman his size, showing off the flexibility to bend well and is agile enough to shoot gaps and get the edge on the outside.  He can also can play with power, which allows him to play both inside and outside along the defensive front.  Wormley has a good burst off the line and plays with good leverage, getting his hands underneath the OT's pad level, driving his man back into the backfield.  He uses quick hands to get into the blockers body off the ball and will use a quick swim or spin move to beat his man to shoot into the backfield.  Wormley is also physical at the point of attack against the run, setting the strong edge using his power and length to stack blockers then shed and make a play on the ball.  Wormley has the size, power and quickness Chicago is looking for in a DE and would be a nice complement to Akiem Hicks.


68.   Jacksonville Jaguars​ - Larry Ogunjobi, 6'3", 305lbs, DT, Charlotte

04/15/17 - Dion Dawkins, OG/OT, Temple

03/28/17 -  Dion Dawkins, OG/OT, Temple

Jacksonville has put a lot of focus into its defense over the last couple of years.  Dante Fowler is teaming with Yannick Ngakoue and the newly-signed Calais Campbell to give them a formidable pass rush trio from the DE position, but we can expect the Jags to find another DT to team with Malik Jackson inside.  Ogunjobi, with his ability to rush the passer from the interior of the line, may be a good fit.  Not many NFL prospects come out of Charlotte; Ogunjobi was the first in school history to be invited to the Combine.  He left the 49ers as the all-time leader in tackles, TFL, sacks and QB hurries.  Ogunjobi has an explosive first step off the ball and uses his quickness to beat blocks at the line of scrimmage to collapse the pocket.  He's quick to shoot through the A gap on stunts to get after the QB and is relentless in his pursuit, often chasing the QB all the way to the sideline.  He also plays with leverage off the ball, driving his man up the field then uses his hands to fight off blocks and get after the QB.


69.   Los Angeles Rams - Justin Evans, 6'0", 199lbs S, Texas A&M

04/15/17 - ​Justin Evans, S, Texas A&M

03/28/17 - Ryan Anderson, OLB, Alabama

The Rams needs help at Safety now that T.J. McDonald is gone and Evans is a rangy safety with the skill set to play both positions in the back end of the defense.  Evans is very physical and loves to deliver a big hit whenever possible.  He also has tremendous range to cover a lot of ground.  Evans does a good job taking away the inside on vertical routes when the CB has outside leverage, locates the ball quickly while it's in the air and can go up and make a play on the ball.  He's a disciplined player who isn't fooled in the open field.  He's a textbook tackler and drive through the ball carrier.  Evans should be able to battle for a starting spot early.


70.   New York Jets -  Gerald Everett, 6'3", 239lbs, TE, South Alabama

04/15/17 - ​Gerald Everett, TE, South Alabama

03/28/17 - Gerald Everett, TE, South Alabama

Production at the TE position was virtually non-existent for the Jets last season as Austin Seferian-Jenkins' 10 catches led the way.  New York will not let Day 2 end without drafting a TE.  Everett is a receiving threat at the TE position and lined up all over the field for South Alabama.  He can get vertical in a hurry up the seam, does a good job locating the football and can adjust to the ball while it's in the air.  Everett is also a playmaker with the ball in his hands with elusiveness in space, making the first man miss after the catch.  In the last two seasons with the Jaguars after transferring in from UAB, Everett caught 90 passes for 1,292 yards and 12 TD.  Everett isn't much of a blocker, but he wont be asked to do that much.  The Jets need a playmaker at TE and Everett can be that guy.


71.   Los Angeles Chargers - Marcus Williams, 6'1", 202lbs, S, Utah, Jr.

04/15/17 - Isaac Asiata, OG, Utah

03/28.17 - Carlos Henderson, WR, Louisiana Tech

​If the Chargers don't land Malik Hooker with their first pick, then they'll look for Safety help on Day 2.  Williams was the single-high safety for the Utes and was quite effective playing over the top against the pass.  He has the range to get to the sideline from the middle of the field and arrives intending to make a play on the football.  Williams led the Utes in Int. the last two seasons from the free safety position and has a total of 11 in his career.  He also showed he can come downhill against the run and wrap up the ball carrier.  His ball skills would be a welcome addition to the back end of the Charger secondary as only three of the 18 Int. the Bolts registered a season ago came from the Safety position.


72.   New England Patriots (from Carolina) - Ryan Anderson, 6'2", 253lbs, OLB, Alabama

04/15/17 - Ryan Anderson, OLB, Alabama

03/28/17 - ​Alex Anzalone, LB, Florida

The Patriots need to find a playmaker at the LB position.  Additionally, Rob Ninkovich is 33 years of age and is entering the final year of his contract, so you can expect the Pats to find his eventual replacement.  Anderson isn't going to wow you with speed, but he is going to bring a high football IQ, toughness and a knack for making plays, the type of player that fits right into what the Patriots want to do defensively. Anderson has proven he can rush the passer off the edge, both with his hand in the dirt and as a stand-up rusher.  He has enough bend to dip his inside shoulder to get to the edge.  Anderson also does a great job reading the flow of a play often stopping in his tracks to sniff it out.  A perfect example of this was in the Peach Bowl against Washington.  Anderson was rushing the QB off the snap, but read the screen to the RB and was able to flatten out, jump in front of the pass on the perimeter, then take it 28 yards to the house.  Anderson also has the strength to set the edge against the run and uses his hands well to get off blocks.  While he may not be the most explosive player at LB, Anderson just makes plays and that's largely due to his instincts.


73.   Cincinnati Bengals - Carlos Henderson, 5'11", 199lbs, WR, Louisiana Tech, Jr.

04/15/17 - Josh Reynolds, WR, Texas A&M

03/28/17 -  Justin Evans, S, Texas A&M

Cincinnati struggled to find production at the WR position last season after losing Marvin Jones and Mohamed Sanu to free agency.  Tyler Boyd showed promise in his rookie season, but the Bengals need another receiving threat on the outside and few collegiate WR's had the type of production Henderson did in 2016.  He caught 82 receptions for 1,535 yards and 19 TD in 2016 for LA Tech's high-powered offense.  Henderson is sudden off the line with a quick stutter to get a free release off the ball.  He shows quick acceleration vertically to drive the CB off the ball and can sink his hips into cuts to explode away from defenders to create separation.  He sets up the defender with his route running, stemming inside to then release to the outside.  Henderson can climb the ladder to haul in the pass overhead, can adjust to the ball while it's in the air and has the body control along the sideline to keep his feet inbounds.  Henderson is not only elusive in space, juking defenders to get a step, but he's also a strong runner with the ball, often shrugging off the defender to get extra yards. Henderson is also a threat in the return game, having returned three kickoffs for TD.  Could you imagine a return game featuring Henderson and Christian McCaffrey???


74.   Baltimore Ravens (from Philadelphia) ​- Roderick Johnson, 6'7", 298lbs, OT, Florida State, Jr.

04/15/17 - Roderick Johnson, OT, Florida State

03/28/17 - ​Caleb Brantley, DT, Florida

The Ravens lost their starting RT when Ricky Wagner left for the Lions in free agency.  James Hurst is penciled in as the starter and he did fill in at LT when Ronnie Stanley went down to injury a year ago.  Will he be the answer on the right side of the line?  Johnson is an All-ACC OT who has power in the run game and quick feet as a pass protector.  Johnson fires out of his stance quickly, extends his long 36-inch arms into his man and drives him down the field.  He has good hand placement under the DE's pad level and keeps his legs churning to generate movement.  As a pass protector, Johnson is still a bit inconsistent.  He is light on his feet and moves well laterally, showing he can redirect and anchor against secondary moves and his length makes it difficult for pass rushers to get by when he gets his hands on the defender early.  However, Johnson seems to be leaning too often, which gets him off balance.  He'll also overset, which leaves him susceptible to inside moves.  Johnson may not be ready to step in Week One, but he has the physical traits that NFL OL coaches cDuke Riley, ILB, LSUan work with.  If they can get rid of the bad habits, the Ravens just might have a future starter.

 

75.   Buffalo Bills - ArDarius Stewart, 5'11", 204lbs, WR, Alabama, Jr.

04/15/17 - Duke Riley, ILB, LSU

03/28/17 - Adam Shaheen, TE, Ashland

Buffalo needs to surround QB Tyrod Taylor with weapons and Stewart is an undersized receiver who would be a nice complement to Sammy Watkins.  While the talk in Tuscaloosa as the season began was about super sophomore Calvin Ridley, Stewart proved to be the more productive receiver making plays down the field.  He finished 2016 averaging 15.3 yards per reception and 7 TD.  He's sudden off the line, is a good route runner and can make plays after the catch.  


76.   New Orleans Saints - Joshua Dobbs, 6'3", 216lbs, QB, Tennessee

04/15/17 - Alex Anzalone, LB, Florida

03/28/17 - ​Taywan Taylor, WR, Western Kentucky

The Saints have enjoyed 11 seasons with Drew Brees, but he's now 38 years of age, so New Orleans must stat considering who his eventual replacement will be.  Teams will inevitably be looking for the next Dak Prescott.  This year's version just might be Joshua Dobbs.  What you saw from Prescott was a huge leap from his junior to senior season.  Dak was seen as a junior as an athlete playing QB, but developed into a QB who just happened to be a good athlete as a senior.  He worked on his mechanics, he saw the field better, and was more accurate.  Dobbs was the same way.  As a senior, he completed 63% of his passes, threw for 2,946 yards with 27 TD and had a passer rating of 150.6, which was an improvement of 23.6 points from a season ago.  Even more impressive was the last 4 games prior to the bowl game, where Dobbs completed 80.2% of his passes for 969 yards with 11 TD and only 1 Int.  That speaks to the transformation Dobbs went through as a senior.  Then, in the Music City Bowl, Dobbs did throw for 291 yards and a TD with no Int., but he beat Nebraska with his legs, rushing for 118 yards and scored 3 TD on 11 carries.  You can also bet mastering an NFL playbook shouldn't be too hard for Dobbs, who was an aerospace engineering major at Tennessee.  His intelligence is off the charts, which is something you absolutely look for in a QB.  


77.   Arizona Cardinals - Deshone Kizer, 6'5", 230lbs, QB, Notre Dame, RS Soph.

04/15/17 - Deshone Kizer, QB, Notre Dame

03/28/17 - Cordrea Tankersley, CB, Clemson

Carson Palmer is 37 years of age and is entering the final two years of his contract in the twilight of his career.  Arizona must begin thinking about life after Palmer and nabbing a QB in one of the next two drafts is imperative if they want Palmer to act as a mentor before retirement.  Deshone Kizer could easily be of the board in the first two rounds, but it is clear he could have used another year in college and he seems to be a bit too robotic on the field at times.  At the same time, Kizer may have the biggest upside of any QB in this year's draft.  He has the prototypical size and arm strength you look for in an NFL QB.  Kizer repeatedly dropped in passes to WR's on outbreaking routes to the wide side of the field on a line and can be deadly accurate on go routes, dropping the ball over the outside shoulder so the WR doesn't have to break stride.  He can also be mobile in the pocket and is a threat to run, having recorded 18 TD in just two seasons with the Irish.  While Kizer did throw 40 TD in just two seasons, he also threw an Int. in 15 of 23 career games and completed just over 60% of his passes.  He spends too much time on his primary receivers and doesn't seem to see the entire field. Kizer's decision making would often leave you scratching your head, as he'd make a tremendous throw on one play, followed by a lapse in judgment that would allow the defense to make a play on the ball.  Kizer needs time for development before he's ready, which is why the situation in Arizona would be a good fit.


78.   Baltimore Ravens - Jourdan Lewis, 5'10", 188lbs, CB, Michigan

04/15/17 - Anthony Walker, ILB, Northwestern

03/28/17 - Will Holden, OT, Vanderbilt

The Ravens brought in Brandon Carr to play on the outside with Jimmy Smith at corner, but the Ravens could still use someone to man the slot and Lewis proved he's one of the very best despite being undersized.  At 5'10", Lewis is one of the smaller CB's in this year's draft, but he may be the best pure cover corner in this year's draft.  Lewis does an excellent job with route recognition, anticipating movements and mirroring his man in phase without any wasted movement.  Lewis gets his hands on the WR quickly off the ball, has very quick hips and changes directions in a hurry.  He does a good job getting his head around to locate the ball and is known for his ball skills, with 6 career Int. and a staggering 37 pass breakups.  Lewis may be small in stature, but he's proven to be a tremendous playmaker on the football.  Everyone remembers the one-handed Int. against Wisconsin to seal the victory.  Up 14-7 with 2:23 to play, Lewis was lined up in the slot to the right against George Rushing, Jr.  He took away the inside off the line an maintained inside leverage up the field.  Rushing, Jr. actually had a half a step on Lewis, but the pass was underthrown.  Lewis was just off the WR's hip and jumped a little early, hung up in the air while turning to the inside and picked off the pass with his right hand.  The big concern surrounding Lewis is the domestic violence allegations against him by an ex-girlfriend.  NFL teams will have to investigate this and be comfortable with the eventual outcome before they take a chance on him.


79.   Minnesota Vikings - Montravius Adams, 6'4", 304lbs, DT, Auburn

04/15/17 - Montravius Adans, DT, Auburn

03/28/17 - Jaleel Johnson, DT, Iowa

The Vikings have one of the better DT's in the league in Linval Joseph, who finished 7th on the team in tackles (77) and fourth in sacks (4.0).  However, his linemate Sharrif Floyd's career may be in jeopardy with nerve problems in his knee. Floyd missed nearly the entire 2016 dealing with the knee injury and there's no word on whether he can return to action. Even if Floyd is able to recover, the Vikings need to draft another DT to push for playing time.  Adams can be a disruptive force up front if he keeps his pad level low firing off the line.  Adams has a a habit of playing to high, often standing straight up off the ball, allowing blockers to get under his pad level and drive him off the ball.  When he fires off the ball with proper leverage, he's quick to get into the blocker's body to drive his man back into the backfield.  Adams proved to have explosive short-area quickness at the Combine as his 1.72 split in the 40 tied him for the quickest among DT's and his 4.87 40 was second only to Malik McDowell.  He has violent hands at the point of attack to jolt the lineman and get him off balance, then rips through to penetrate the line of scrimmage.  Adams can be a major factor along the interior of the line.


80.   Indianapolis Colts - Kareem Hunt, 6'0", 216lbs, RB, Toledo

04/15/17 - Jourdan Lewis, CB, Michigan

03/28/17 - DeMarcus Walker, DE, Florida State

Frank Gore eclipsed the 1,000-yard mark on the ground in 2016, but he'll be turning 34 and is entering the final year of his deal, while backups Robert Turbin and Josh Ferguson are nice complementary backs but not capable of taking on the featured back role.  Thus, the Colts need to come out of the first two days of the draft with their future starter at RB.  Hunt finished his career at Toledo as the Rockets' career rushing leader, surpassing the total of former Baltimore Raven Chester Taylor.  Hunt was very productive, rushing for 100+ yards 27 times, had 16 games with at least 3 receptions and proved to be a workhorse with 20 games with at least 20 carries. Hunt is a one-cut-and-go style of runner with the vision to see the hole, then puts his foot in the ground to hit the seam in a hurry.  He's patient to set up blockers and is decisive when he decides to hit the hole.  Hunt has quick feet at the line with the speed to get to the outside.  From there, he shows power on the perimeter to take on defenders in space, bounce off then uses a stiff arm to push the defender back while continuing up the field.  He can be a vioplent runner between the tackles, running through hits with a leg drive to finish his runs.  Hunt is also an accomplished receiver, running good routes for a RB and is a natural pass catcher.  Maybe most impressive is ball security as Hunt fumbled only once in his collegiate career:  November 12, 2013 versus Buffalo.  Hunt went on to have 706 touches in his final three seasons without a fumble.  Hunt's playing weight during the season was 225 pounds, but he showed up at the Senior Bowl at 208 pounds.  The weight loss was reminiscent of Le'Veon Bell's who shed weight and became more explosive.  Hunt showed a burst in Mobile that you didn't see during the season.  He showed up at the Combine weighing in at 216 pounds, so thee is a question of what his true playing weight will be.  He also missed three games in 2014 and five games in 2015, so durability may be an issue.  However, Hunt has proven to be a three-down back who takes care of the ball and has a chance to make an impact early if he can stay healthy.


81.   Washington Redskins - Dalvin Tomlinson, 6'3", 310lbs, DE/NT, Alabama 

04/15/17 - Dalvin Tomlinson, DE/NT, Alabama

03/28/17 - Marcus Williams, S, Utah, Jr.

The Skins continue their overhaul up front by finding a space eater that can help with stopping the run.  Tomlinson is one of the more underrated defenders up front after he was largely overshadowed by Jonathan Allen up front for the Tide, but his power makes him difficult to move inside.  Tomlinson's ability to get low and drive his man off the ball stems from an undefeated high school wrestling career, going 49-0 as a three-time state champion in the heavyweight class. Tomlinson plays with a low pad level and is stout at the point of attack.  He also has very quick hands to get into the blocker's body to drive his man back into the backfield.  Tomlinson also has short-area quickness to shoot gaps and make plays behind the line.  He was very active for the Tide in 2016, finishing with 62 tackles at the DE position while also affecting the pass with 4 pass breakups.  Tomlinson may actually be a better pro than a college player and will challenge for playing time early in his career.


82.   Denver Broncos - Adam Shaheen, 6'6", 278lbs, TE, Ashland, Jr.

04/15/17 - Adam Shaheen, TE, Ashland

03/28/17 - Chris Wormley, DE, Michigan

Virgil Green was given the first crack at replacing Owen Daniels as Denver's starting TE, but he caught just 22 passes for 237 yards and 1 TD.  His backups were Jeff Heuerman, who has battled injuries since being drafted in the 3rd Round in 2015, and A.J. Derby, who is more of a blocker than a receiver.  Denver must draft a TE to challenge Green for the starting spot. Shaheen set a Division II record with 16 TD in 2016.  Shaheen is a big TE with 4.7 speed and is a mismatch down the seam and in the red zone.  He's tremendously productive, hauling in 129 passes for 1,670 yards and 26 TD in his final two seasons at Ashland, including 16 TD his junior season.  He has the body control to go up and make the tough catch in traffic and is difficult to bring down after the catch.


83.   Tennessee Titans - DeMarcus Walker, 6'4", 280lbs, DE, Florida State

04/15/17 - DeMarcus Walker, DE, Florida State

03/28/17 - Trey Hendrickson, DE/OLB, Florida Atlantic

Last season, Tennessee boasted two players in the top 20 in sacks in edge rushers Brian Orakpo (10.5) and Derrick Morgan (9.0).  However, there wasn't any production behind them.  Granted, the Titans don't know exactly what they have in Kevin Dodd, last year's 2nd Round pick, after he struggled to come back from a surgically-repaired foot.  However, there may not be good value at OLB here, meaning this pick could easily be used up front on a DE who can consistently affect the pass and the run and challenge DaQuan Jones for the starting spot opposite Jurrell Casey.  Walker was one of the most productive players for the Noles, finishing his career with 179 tackles, 41.5 of which went for loss; 27 sacks, including 16 a season ago to lead the FBS; 8 pass breakups; and 7 forced fumbles.  He wins off the ball with quickness and active hands, using a variety of moves to get by his man and shoot into the backfield.  Walker will club the OT's hands and rip through, he uses the push-pull method to get his man off balance, but his go-to move is a quick swim move on the OT, quickly getting skinny to slip through and penetrate the line.  Walker works hard to the QB and doesn't stop in his pursuit.  He does a good job reading run plays, quickly shooting inside OT's to drop the RB behind the line.  He even shows good recognition in the passing game.  In the Orange Bowl against Michigan, Walker began rushing the QB, but read a screen pass to the outside, picked up the RB heading to the outside and was able to chase him down for a TFL.  I think Walker's motor will get him on the field early and I think it will be his production that will keep him there.


84.   Tampa Bay Buccaneers - Mack Hollins, 6'4", 221lbs, WR, North Carolina

04/15/17 - Amara Darboh, WR, Michigan

03/28/17 - Dawuane Smoot, DE, Illinois

Bringing Desean Jackson in to team with Mike Evans shows that Tampa is likely moving on from Vincent Jackson.  While Adam Humphries can also provide production in the slot, a big WR on the outside is a need.  Hollins really started creating a buzz his junior season after hauling in 30 passes for 745 yards and 8 TD.  He averaged 24.8 yards per reception, which is evidence of his ability to get vertical and stretch defenses.  He has excellent length and uses his size to create mismatches on DB's.  Hollins' long speed will give Jameis Winston a legitimate deep threat.


85.   Detroit Lions - Samaje Perine, 5'11", 233lbs, RB, Oklahoma, Jr.

04/15/17 - Samaje Perine, RB, Oklahoma 

03/28/17 - Ahkello Witherspoon, CB, Colorado

The Lions will be on the market for a RB after their anemic rushing offense finished 30th in the league last season.  Theo ridick proved to be a weapon in the passing game while Ameer Abdullah missed most of the year due to injury.  Zah Zenner started the year at FB, but had to move to RB, where he showed promise with the ball in his hands.  However, Detroit is lacking a power back that can pound the rock between the tackles.  Perine burst onto the scene as a freshman after he set the FBS single-game rushing record by logging 427 yards on 34 carries with 5 TD against Kansas.  He left Norman as the Sooners' all-time leading rusher with 4,122 yards.  Perine is a blend of power and suddenness, a hammer with quick feet.  While he lacks the breakaway speed and often gets caught from behind when he's out in the open field, Perine has quick feet in the backfield to make defenders miss and a sudden burst to quickly get to the second level.  He does a good job pressing the line of scrimmage is patient to allow blocks to develop and has the vision to see the cutback lane.  From there, he puts his foot in the ground explodes to the hole and can get skinny through the hole when needed.  Perine is known for his power and the physical running style.  He doesn't shy away from contact, lowering his pad level at the second level.  When Perine is on the edge, he has a devastating stiff arm to throw defenders aside at will.  His powerful leg drive was especially on display in the Sugar Bowl as he was hit by 304-pound DT Montravius Adams up the middle, only to take Adams for a ride for another seven yards.  Simply put, Perine is difficult to bring down when he has a head of steam as a downhill runner.  He can be a three-down back as he has good hands in the passing game, though he wasn't called upon often while sharing the backfield with Joe Mixon and showed he's capable in pass protection.  The question will be whether Perine can stay healthy given his physical running style.  However, he would give the Lions a dimension to their rushing attack they've been lacking.


86.   Minnesota Vikings (from Miami) - Jake Butt, 6'5", 246lbs, TE, Michigan

04/15/17 - Jake Butt, TE, Michigan

03/28/17 - Danny Isidora, OG, Miami, Fla.

Kyle Rudolph was second on the team in receptions and yards and led the team in TD catches last season, but there wasn't any production behind him.  The game is evolving and teams are now needing two TE's to be weapons in the passing game.  Jake Butt was poised to make a run as a top-50 player in the draft, then he tore the ACL his right knee in the Orange Bowl against Florida State, his second torn ACL while at Michigan.  There were few TE's more reliable than Butt, who had excellent hands to snatch the ball out of the air.  He runs good routes and is able to get late separation before hauling in the pass.  Butt was never an elite athlete, but he always seemed to get open and would catch whatever was thrown his way.  He works well in traffic and is a weapon both up the seam and on the outside.  Butt has prototypical size to be an in-line TE, but he'll have to work on his blocking to be a future starter in the league.


87.   New York Giants - D'Onta Foreman, 6'0", 237lbs, RB, Texas, Jr.

04/15/17 - D'Onta Foreman, RB, Texas

03/28/17 - D'Onta Foreman, RB, Texas

The Giants rushing attack was among the worst in the league, finishing the year averaging just 88.2 yards on the ground per game.  Leading ground gainer Rashad Jennings is a free agent, leaving the trio of Paul Perkins, Shane Vereen and Orleans Darkwa, who combined for 725 yards and just 3 TD, to compete for the starting job with free agent pickup Shaun Draughn, who wasn't much of a factor in San Francisco a year ago.  The G-Men need a workhorse at the RB position and Foreman proved he could carry the load for the Texas Longhorns after a key injury to Chris Warren III.  Foreman carried the ball just 108 times in his first two seasons, but when he took over the job as the primary back his junior season, he carried the ball 323 times for a FBS-best 2,028 yards with 15 TD.  Foreman is a bruising back with a powerful lower body to drive through tackles.  He runs with a low pad level and delivers contact between the tackles. However, he also has the burst to hit the hole as it opens up, getting skinny as he goes through the hole, then has the burst to quickly get to the second level.  He has good vision to see the open field and can put his foot in the ground and accelerates quickly to get there.  He seems to get better as the game goes along, wearing down defenses with the pounding he delivers.  Just don't pigeon-hole Foreman as a big back only good for goalline situations.  He showed off sub-4.5 speed and proved to have lower-body explosion with a 33-inch vertical and a 10-foot broad jump, impressive numbers after measuring at 6-feet and 237 pounds.  Foreman wasn't much of a pass catcher, finishing with just 13 receptions in his career.  However, that role can be given to Perkins and Vereen.  Let Foreman wear down a defense and grind out a win.


88.   Oakland Raiders -  James Conner, 6'1", 233lbs, RB, Pittsburgh, Jr.

04/15/17 - ​Kareem Hunt, RB, Toledo

03/28/17 - ​Kareem Hunt, RB, Toledo

Oakland had a top-10 rushing attack in 2016, but Latavius Murray, who had two and a half times as many carries as the next back, left for Minnesota.  Jalen Richard, DeAndre Washington and Taiwan Jones aren't feature backs, leaving Oakland shopping for a RB to take over that role.  While they've been trying to sign Bay Area native Marshawn Lynch to breing him out of retirement, until that happens, Oakland is still on the market for a bruising back and Conner fits the mold.  James Conner's story is incredibly inspirational.  He was one of the nation's top backs as a sophomore in 2014, rushing for 1,765 yards and 26 TD.  Then he breaks his leg in the first game of the 2015 season against Youngstown State.  Following the injury, he was diagnosed with Hodgkin's lymphoma, which took away his 2015.  But he battled back through chemotherapy treatments, even showed up to practice running drills with a mask on.  After getting a clean bill of health, Conner again rushed for over 1,000 yards.  Doctors deemed him cancer free and will now take his shot at the NFL.  Conner is a powerful back, running with excellent balance and pad level while keeping his legs churning for extra yards.  He also has surprisingly quick feet to make lateral cuts to get to the hole.  Conner does a good job stepping up in pass protection to keep the pocket clear.  He wasn't called upon to be much of a factor in the passing game, only catching 9 passes in his first three years at Pitt.  As a redshirt junior in 2016, Conner hauled in 21 passes for 302 yards and 4 TD, proving he's developing into a more well-rounded back. 


89.   Houston Texans - Marcus Maye, 6'0", 210lbs, S, Florida

04/15/17 - Marcus Williams, FS, Utah

03/28/17 - Davis Webb, QB, California

Houston should be looking to upgrade the safety position.  Andre Hal is entering the final year of his contract and there is a possibility he wont' be in Houston after this season and I don't think K.J. Dillon will be the starter at Strong Safety. Florida's Marcus Maye can play both Safety positions.  Maye can play over the top as a deep safety, but isn't afraid to mix it up in the box against the run.  Playing in a Florida secondary with Teez Tabor and Quincy Wilson, Maye was still able to make a name for himself, being named a 1st Team All-American by USA Today despite missing the last four games with a broken arm.  During the 12 games he did play, he had 82 tackles, 2 Int., 6 pass breakups and forced 5 fumbles.


90.   Seattle Seahawks - Carlos Watkins, 6'3", 309lbs, DT, Clemson

04/15/17​ - Larry Ogunjobi, DT, Charlotte
03/28/17 - Montravius Adams, DE, Auburn

Seattle needs another DT inside to team with Ahtyba Rubin and Jarran Reed and the Hawks can improve their pass rush by taking Watkins, who led the National Champs with 10.5 sacks in 2016.  Watkins is quick of the ball, uses his hands to push through transitioning speed to power, can redirect back inside when needed and closes well to the QB.  He's also disruptive against the run, finishing his career with 24.5 tackles behind the lie of scrimmage.  Watkins playing with leverage, driving his man off the ball and shooting gaps to getr early penetration.  That's when his motor is running, but he can get fatigued quickly, which causes his pad level to elevate.  Watkins needs to be more stout at the point of attack as he can lose leverage and get driven back off the ball.  The Seahawks need his athleticism up front , but he'll have to play with a consistently low pad level if he wants to see more of the field.  That siad, he'll fit well in Seattle's DT rotation.

 

91.   Kansas City Chiefs - Desmong King, 5'10", 201lbs, CB/S, Iowa

04/15/17 - Carlos Watkins, DT, Clemson

03/28/17​ - Dalvin Tomlinson, DE, Alabama

KC has an All-Pro at one corner position in Marcus Peters, but are still looking for CB to replace Sean Smith to man the starting spot on the opposite side.  King dominated as a junior, picking off 8 passes and knocking away another 13, numbers good enough to earn him the Jim Thorpe Award.  He struggled a bit as a senior, getting beaten deep on occasion, raising questions about his long speed.  However, there's no question he tracks the ball well, drives quickly on the ball and has the ball skills to go up and make a play on the ball.


92.   Dallas Cowboys - Gareon Conley, 6’0”, 195lbs, CB, Ohio State, Jr.

04/22/17 - Teez Tabor, CB, Florida

04/15/17 - ​Teez Tabor, CB, Florida

03/28/17 - Carlos Watkins, DT, Clemson
There's no question the Cowboys will be looking to the draft for help in the secondary, it will just be when it happens as Dallas could easily use their first pick on a difference maker at QB.  I just thunk that with the depth at CB in this year's draft, the Cowboys could address their pass rush and get a Safety and still land a quality corner.  Conley was recently accused of rape, though he vehemently denies the allegation.  No charges have been brought and there are reports that Conley was never alone with the woman.  However, the allegations right before the draft will cause teams to second guess their selection of Conley, meaning his stock will drop.  The Cowboys did not shy away from bringing in La'el Collins following the 2015 draft.  There were concerns surrounding his involvement in the death of a former ex-girlfriend six days prior.  He was cleared of any wrongdoing, but the damage was already done and Collins was not selected in the draft.  Collins is now starting at OG for the Cowboys.  It's possible Dallas could do the same with Conley if he is cleared of any wrongdoing.  Conley quietly made an impact for the Buckeyes in 2016 while playing in a secondary with Super Sophomores Malik Hooker and Marshon Lattimore.  Conley may have been more consistent, as he showed fluidity in his movements, a knack for being in phase and the instincts to make a play on the ball, having registered 4 Int. and 8 pass breakups a season ago.  Conley did nothing to dissuade teams from considering him among the top CB's in this year's draft.  He proved to have the size (6'0", 195lbs) and length (33-inch arms) along with the explosiveness (4.44 40, 37-inch vertical) to play against NFL WR's.  Conley could be off the board before this point, but the Saints would gladly welcome him to a defense that will continue to be overhauled this offseason through the draft.



93.   Green Bay Packers - Marlon Mack, 5'11", 213lbs, RB, South Florida, Jr.

04/15/17 - Marlon Mack, RB, South Florida

03/28/17 - ​Marlon Mack, RB, South Florida

Green Bay will have a new-look backfield in 2016 after Eddie Lacy and James Starks left in free agency.  Ty Montgomery was able to make the transition from WR to RB to lead the Pack in rushing, while Christine Michael has proven in his career to be a productive backup.  However, expect Green Bay to look at another RB to push for playing time.  Mack was extremely productive for USF, rushing for over 1,000 yards in each of his three seasons with the Bulls.  Mack is very decisive, has quick feet with jump cuts laterally to shoot to the hole.  He runs hard between the tackles with a low pad level.  Mack is an accomplished receiver, hauling in at least 20 passes in each of his three seasons.  He can be lined up in the slot or as the X or Z on the perimeter.  Ball security is an issue as he fumbled the ball 12 times in just three seasons. He'll have to prove he can hang onto the ball as that will be the easiest way to put him on the bench.


94.   Pittsburgh Steelers - Alex Anzalone, 6'3", 241lbs, LB, Florida, Jr.

04/15/17 - Marcus Maye, S, Florida

03/28/17 - Jourdan Lewis, CB, Michigan
Pittsburgh has a hole at ILB next to Ryan Shazier now that Lawrence Timmons is in Miami.  Vince Williams and Tyler Matakevich will get the first crack at the startig spot, but Anzalone has the range to be effective inside at the next level. Anzalone did only see action in 18 games over the last four years, so Pittsburgh would need to be sure durability won't be a concern going forward.  Anzalone has the agility to cover the perimeter against the run and uses his speed downhill to meet RB's in the hole.  He also has shown the ability to work up the field rushing the passer before spinning back inside to put pressure on the QB.  Anzalone spent a lot of time on the training table, dealing with shoulder injuries on more than one occasion and also broke his arm to end his season in 2016.  If Anzalone can stay healthy, he can be a difference maker for the Saints.


95.   Atlanta Falcons - Jaleel Johnson, 6'3", 316lbs, DT, Iowa

03/28/17 - Vincent Taylor, DT, Oklahoma State

Dontari Poe was signed to team with Grady Jarrett in the middle of the defensive line, but he was only signed to a one-year deal and depth is also a concern.  Johnson is an athletic DT with the ability to put pressure on the QB.  He has a quick first step, uses his hands to get off blocks and keeps working to the QB.  Johnson was productive as a pass rusher, finishing his career with 12.5 sacks.  Johnson's motor doesn't stop against the run and is effective in pursuit of the ball.  He struggles with anchoring inside, but his movement skills allow him to be effective.


96.   New England Patriots - Sidney Jones, 6'0", 186lbs, CB, Washington, Jr.

04/15/17 - ​Cameron Sutton, CB, Tennessee

03/28/17 - ​Cameron Sutton, CB, Tennessee

New England has been busy this offseason adding key pieces to both sides of the ball.  They traded for Dwayne Allen to team with Rob Gronkowski at TE; the 32nd pick in the 1st Round was traded to New Orleans for WR Brandin Cooks; and DE Kony Ealy and CB Stephon Gilmore were brought in to address key needs on the defensive side of the ball.  This pick could be used on a number of positions, but the Pats need to address the secondary, as Malcolm Butler is int he final year of his deal and rumors have swirled about the possibility that he might be traded.  Jones was considered one of the best corners in this year's draft until he tore his Achilles on March 12 at his pro day.  He was one of the best CB's in all of college football at reading routes and mirroring his man.  He also does a good job reading the QB's eyes and quickly reacting when the ball is thrown his way.  He's smooth in his transitions and closes quickly on the football.  Once he arrives, Jones is able to slap, rip and otherwise knock the ball away from the receiver.  He also tracks the ball well on deep balls and has the length to go up and make a play.  Jones isn't the biggest corner, but he will come up and wrap up in run support.  Jones had a breakout sophomore year, showing off a nose for the ball with 14 pass breakups while also intercepting another four and forcing three fumbles.  As a junior, he didn't see many balls thrown his way, but he still managed to earn 1st Team All-PAC-12 honors.


97.   Miami Dolphins (compensatory selection) - Cameron Sutton, 5'11", 188lbs, CB, Tennessee

04/15/17 - Vincent Taylor, DT, Oklahoma State

03/28/17 - Eddie Vanderdoes, DT, UCLA

Byron Maxwell came from Seattle to be the Fins' top corner.  Joining Mawell at the CB position are Xavien Howard, who impressed enough as a rookie to earn six starts, former WR Tony Lippett, who led Miami with 4 Int. and was the team's 3rd-leading tackler, and third-year pro Bobby McCain.  Teams can never have too many corners in today's NFL and Cameron Sutton has a chance to battle for playing time early.  Sutton was a four-year starter and team captain for the Vols and would not only add depth at CB, but also at Safety.  He's an instinctive playmaker who does a good job reading the QB's eyes and reacting quickly on the ball.  Sutton made a name for himself as a sophomore in 2014 with 3 Int. and 13 pass breakups as one of the top corners in the country.  Sutton went on to have just 2 Int. and 10 pass breakups in his final two seasons combined, but that was also because he didn't see quite as many passes thrown his way.  He is a polished cover corner and does a good job with route recognition.  He also gave up just 2 TD in his career. Sutton will see early action on the field as a PR, as he had a career 14.3 yards-per-return average with 3 TD.


98.   Carolina Panthers (compensatory selection) - ​Carl Lawson, 6'2", 261lbs, DE/OLB, Auburn

03/28/17​ - ArDarius Stewart, WR, Alabama
Carolina needs to address its pass rush following a season where it wasn't Charles Johnson that led the team in sacks, but rather little-known Mario Addison, who registered 9.5 sacks on the year.  Julius Pepper was brought back to where it all began for his career to replace the departed Kony Ealy, but he's just a short-term fix.  Another edge rusher is needed and Lawson is intriguing because of his versatility to play both with his hand on the ground and as a stand-up rusher.  Lawson has battled injuries in his career with the Auburn Tigers, suffering a torn ACL in 2014 and a hip injury that hampered him for much of the 2015 season.  Finally healthy in 2016, Lawson showed just how explosive he can be off the edge, recording 9.5 sacks on the year.  He uses his hands to quickly get off blocks, slapping the OT's hands aside then ripping through to get to the edge.  Lawson bends very well while running the arc to quickly shoot in off the edge to pressure the QB.  Lawson closes quickly on the ball and arrives with bad intentions.  He's also powerful at the point, as evidenced by the 35 reps at 225 pounds in the bench press at the Combine, which allows him to be physical and set the edge against the run.  Lawson is a 1st Round talent whose durability concerns will negatively impact his draft stock.  The question is just how much it will do so.   


99.   Philadelphia Eagles (from (compensatory selection) - Tanoh Kpassagnon, 6'7", 286lbs, DE, Villanova

04/15/17 (Ravens) - Ethan Pocic, C//OG, LSU 

03/28/17 (Ravens) - Ethan Pocic, C/OG, LSU

The Eagles must address the DE position, which was a big reason for bringing veteran Chris Long in, but at 32 years of age, he's not a long-term option.  Brandon Graham's 5.5 sacks is the highest total among returning DE's; Vinny Curry disappointed after signing a 5-year $47.25 million contract and former 1st Roiund pick Marcus Smith II has been a colossal bust.  Kpassagnon is one of the more intriguing prospects in this year's draft.  While he's incredibly raw, he's one of the more impressive athletes in this year's draft and wreaked havoc on FCS offenses with 22.0 career sacks and 37.5 tackles for loss.  Kpassagnon generates a lot of power off the ball to drive blockers back into the backfield, then uses quick hands to get off blocks and works hard in pursuit of the ball carrier.  He has incredible length that he uses to set the edge versus the run as well. Kpassagnon will need some time to be molded before he can fulfill his potential, but he could surprise at the next level. 


100.  Tennessee Titans (compensatory selection) ​- Duke Riley, 6'0", 232lbs, LB, LSU

04/15/17 - ​Danny Isidora, OG, Miami, Fla.

03/28/17 - Isaac Asiata, OG, Utah

Wesley Woodyard is now over 30 and Avery Williamson is entering the final year of his contract could use a LB with range and cover skills and Riley is shooting up draft boards.  Like many, every time I tried to tune in to watch LSU's other ILB Kendell Beckwith, it was Riley that kept flashing and standing out.  He seems to be cut from the same mold as fellow former Tigers Deion Jones and Kwon Alexander, undersized LB's with tremendous speed and sideline-to-sideline range.  He diagnoses plays quickly and flies to the football in a hurry.  Riley is also athletic in coverage, staying on the TE's hip on slants, positioning himself to make a play on the ball.  He also has the lateral quickness to cover the middle of the field in coverage.  Riley is a bit undersized and struggles to get off blocks, but his speed lets him make plays in space.  


101.  Denver Broncos (compensatory selection) - Taywan Taylor, 5'11", 203lbs, WR, Western Kentucky

04/15/17 - ​Taywan Taylor, WR, Western Kentucky

03/28/17 - Jake Butt, TE, Michigan

Vance Joseph is a defensive-minded head coach, but you get the feeling after hearing him talk about his defense, especially the fact that the pass defense ranked 1st in the league in each of the past two seasons, that the offense will be the focus of the draft.  At the WR position, Demaryius Thomas and Emmanuel Sanders each eclipsed the 1,000-yard barrier in 2016, but there was little production from the WR's behind them.  Jordan Norwood is currently a free agent, Bennie Fowler shows promise as a bigger receiver and is in the last year of his contract; Cody Latimer has yet to show off the potential largely due to injuries; and Jordan Taylor is a big target with reliable hands as a possession receiver.  None of these options seem to be the right complement as the No. 3 WR in Denver.  Adding an accomplished WR like Taylor makes a lot of sense.  Taylor was the go-to receiver in the Hilltoppers' high-powered passing attack for the last two seasons, amassing 184 receptions for 3,190 yards and 34 TD during that span.  Taylor is a smooth receiver who has good route running skills and excellent hands o the outside.  He excels at the double moves, especially the out and up and post corner, and does a good job locating the ball out of his break.  His sharp cuts allow him to create separation coming across the field and does a good job catching the ball away from his body so defenders can't get to the ball.  Taylor can make plays after the catch, often making the first man miss and slipping defenders in the open field.  He also has the speed to split defenders vertically to get on top of the defense for a big gain.  His skill set is perfect for a wide-open passing attack like the one Joseph and new offensive coordinator Mike McCoy will likely plan to implement.


102.  Seattle Seahawks (compensatory selection) - Will Holden, 6'7", 311lbs, OT/OG, Vanderbilt

04/15/17 - Chad Hansen, WR, California

03/28/17 - Amara Darboh, WR, Michigan

The Seahawks must fix things up front after giving up 42 sacks in 2016.  Vanderbilt's Will Holden started his final 25 games at LT and is most effective as a drive blocker in the run game.  He has good power in his punch and can generate movement with his leg drive.  Holden lacks the lateral agility in pass protection, but he's a technician who uses good hand placement and leverage to counter his lack of athleticism.  He's best served at RT or inside at OG and Pittsburgh needs depth at both positions.


103.  New Orleans Saints (compensatory selection from Pariots, Browns) - Wayne Gallman, 6'0", 215lbs, RB, Clemson, Jr.

03/28/17 - ​Wayne Gallman, RB, Clemson
Mark Ingram rushed for 1,000 yards a season ago and will be the primary ball carrier in 2017.  However, his backup Tim Hightower is a free agent, leaving Travaris Cadet and Daniel Lasco, who combined for just 51 yards on 15 carries a season ago.  Ingram has proven to be most effective when he shares time with another back, so the Saints will be looking for a RB on Day 2.  Gallman is a decisive, yet patient runner.  He waits for the hole to open up, then puts his foot in the ground and gets up the field quickly.  He has an upright running style, but he's also able to get skinny through the hole.  Gallman was extremely productive for the Tigers, finishing with 3,416 yards on 675 carries, including back-to-back 1,000-yard seasons over the last two years.  He also proved to be a reliable receiver, having hauled in 66 passes in his career.  He has natural hands and gets up the field in a hurry after the catch.  It's fun watching Gallman in the open field because he does such a good job setting up blocks to get extra yardage.  Gallman would be the complement to Ingram the Saints need.


104.  Kansas City Chiefs (compensatory selection) - Nazair Jones, 6'5", 304lbs, DT, North Carolina, Jr.

03/28/17 - Elijah Qualls, DT, Washington

While Chris Jones, a 2nd Round pick a year ago, looks like a keeper after starting 11 games at DE during his rookie season, KC needs depth up front defensively, especially with Jaye Howard becoming a free agent at the end of the 2017 season.  Nazair Jones is an active interior lineman who is quick off the ball to shoot gaps inside to get quick penetration.  He can also convert speed to power to drive his man into the backfield.  Jones uses his length to quickly get his hands on the lineman before shedding the block, then has a quick burst to close on the ball carrier.  He has a nose for the ball, racking up 70 tackles a season ago, good for 4th on the team and led the Tar Heels with 9.5 tackles for loss.  His effort and physical nature will get him early playing time as a five-technique for the Chiefs.


105.  Pittsburgh Steelers (compensatory selection) - Rasul Douglas, 6'2", 209lbs, CB, West Virginia

04/15/17 - Sidney Jones, CB, Washington

03/28/17 - Marcus Maye, S, Florida

Another year at the draft and again we're talking about the Steelers' secondary.  Granted, the youth movement at the corner position is in full effect, as Ross Cockrell, Senquez Golson and Artie Burns, last year's 1st Round pick, join William Gay at the CB position.  However, while there is depth, they could use a bigger corner and  Douglas has the size and length to play on the outside.  He led the FBS in Int. in 2016, hauling in eight on the year while showing off natural ball skills.  He has good length for the position and times his jumps well to win the 50-50 balls.  Douglas shows good route recognition and trusts his eyes, showing good anticipation to drive quickly on the ball and put himself in position to make a play.  Douglas doesn't have long speed, running a 4.59 40 at the Combine and he's a bit high in his back pedal, but he has pretty smooth hips to turn and run with his man.  When he's in position on the WR's hip, Douglas can either come over the top of the wideout to make a play or he'll undercut his man to extend and get his hand in to knock the ball away.  Douglas is very confident and aggressive, but he's susceptible to double moves and can get turned around by WR's in their routes.  He has the size to be a press corner and has the length, anticipation and ball skills to make plays on the ball, but if he doesn't have the burst, he could be left in the dust.  I think Douglas could team with Nolan Carroll on the outside, allowing Orlando Scandrick and Anthony Brown to man the inside. 


106.  Seattle Seahawks (compensatory selection)​ - Chad Hansen, 6'2", 205lbs, WR, California, Jr.​

04/15/17 - Eddie Vanderdoes, DT, UCLA, Jr.

03/28/17 - Daeshon Hall, DE, Texas A&M

Seattle has playmakers at the WR position.  Doug Baldwin has had back-to-back 1,000-yard seasons and he and Jermaine Kearse were targeted 216 times in 2016.  Paul Richardson and Tyler Lockett, who is coming off a broken ankle, are the vertical threats.  I think Seattle could still use another wideout.  Keep in mind Richardson, who developed chemistry with Russell Wilson down the stretch following Lockett's injury , is a free agent after the season.  Carroll seems to bring in West Coast talent from the Pac-12, so Hansen seems like the perfect fit.  Hansen transferred to Cal from Idaho State and played in just seven games while catching just 19 passes in his first season with the Bears.  As a junior, Hansen burst onto the scene with 92 catches for 1,249 yard and 11 TD in just 10 games.  He has a knack for making plays down the field, showing off crisp route running, an ability to stack DB's and catches everything thrown his way.  He'll be a nice complementary receiver who knows how to get open and make plays down the field.


107.  New York Jets (compensatory selection) -Pat Elflein, 6'3", 303lbs, C, Ohio State

04/15/17 - Pat Elflein, C, Ohio State

03/28/17 - Pat Elflein, C, Ohio State

The Jets let Nick Mangold go after 11 years at center, leaving a glaring hole at the position.  It only makes sense for the Jets to replace one former Buckeye with another.  Elflein is a three-time 1st Team All-Big 10 selection starting every game over that period, two of which were at OG before sliding over to Center for his senior season.  While Elflein isn't the best athlete, his wrestling background gives him the core strength, balance and body control necessary to be a tremendous factor in the run game.  He plays with excellent leverage, driving his man off the ball.  He also struggles with speed, but can definitely anchor against the bull rush.  Elflein is a technician and will be a starter for a long time in the league.  This feels like a perfect match.

2017 NFL Draft: Third Round
Mock Draft and Analysis By: Gregg Schutze
as of April 26, 2017
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