Are you ready for the NFL Draft?
108. Cleveland Browns - Trey Hendrickson, 6'4", 266lbs, DE/OLB, Florida Atlantic
04/15/17 - Trey Hendrickson, DE/OLB, Florida Atlantic
After selecting Myles Garrett No. 1 overall to begin Day One, taking another highly productive college player would be a nice start to Day Three. Trey Hendrickson was one of the lesser hyped players during the season, but really made people notice with his play at the Shrine game, where he continually outworked OT's off the edge. Hendrickson was one of the truly dominant players in Conference USA over the last four years, having registered a school record 29.5 sacks in his career. 2015 may have been his best season, where he tied for second in the FBS with 13.5 sacks while also forcing 5 fumbles. As a senior, he followed up with 9.0 sacks despite seeing double teams for much of the season. He also led the FBS with four blocked kicks, which speaks to his value on Special Teams. Hendrickson proved just how quick his first step is with a 1.62 10-yard split in the 40 at the Combine, but also showed long speed finishing the 40 in 4.65 seconds, which was good for 7th among DE's and tied for 5th among LB's. He bends well off the edge and has a nonstop motor to keep working to the QB. Hendrickson didn't make too many plays in the backfield and struggles to set the edge against the run. He's actually at his best pursuing the ball carrier from behind. Until he adds strength, he'll likely begin his career as a situational pass rush specialist spelling Garrett and Jamie Collins. Hendrickson is always one of the hardest workers on the field and has upside getting after the QB.
109. San Francisco 49ers - Davis Webb, 6'5", 230lbs, QB, California
04/15/17 - Davis Webb, QB, California
If John Lynch and Kyle Shanahan don't use one of their three picks in the first two days on a QB, you can bt this pick will be used on one, especially considering Brian Hoyer and Matt Barkley are the only QB's on the roster. The brain trust in San Francisco does not seem to be in a rush to land a rookie QB in this year's draft and getting a QB the caliber of Davis Webb, who's also a local product playing his college ball in the Bay Area, would be a nice coup to start Day Three. Webb began his career at Texas Tech, but after battling the likes of Baker Mayfield, Michael Brewer and finally Patrick Mahomes for time on the field, Webb ultimately found a home in Berkeley as a graduate transfer in Sonny Dykes' Bear Raid Offense, taking over for 2016 No. 1 overall pick Jared Goff. Webb began his career with the Bears with five straight games over 300 yards. In fact, he averaged 428.2 passing yards per game over that stretch on 61% passing with 22 TD and 6 Int. He also finished the season top five in the FBS in attempts (620), completions (382), total plays (653) and passing yards (4,295), passing TD (37) and total yards per game (348.8). Webb had good command of the offense, showing the ability to make pre-snap reads and checks at the line. Webb has a bit of a windup delivery, but the ball gets out of his hands in a hurry and he has the arm strength to push the ball down the field with just a flick of the wrist. His arm strength allows him to put the ball on a line despite being flat-footed in the pocket or retreating to avoid the rush. The problem is, without proper mechanics, Webb's accuracy drops substantially, making him a much less consistent passer. Webb can change his launch point and arm angles to make the tough throw, but again it comes down to the consistency of his throws. He does an excellent job dropping passes over the outside shoulder of the WR up the sideline if he's in rhythm. However, he's inconsistent with his ball placement, especially on back shoulder throws, placing the ball where a defender can make a play. Too often either Webb would overthrow an open receiver on a go route or his pass would hang up, allowing the DB to close on the ball. Webb does a good job seeing the whole field, offers good eye discipline to freeze the safety and goes through his progressions quickly. He has good touch to put his pass over the corner before the safety can get over the top to make a play. Webb shows flashes of being a future NFL starter, but his future will come down to how consistent he can be as a passer and playing for a head coach like Kyle Shanahan may be what it takes to get him to the next level.
110. Jacksonville Jaguars - Danny Isidora, 6'3", 306lbs, OG, Miami, Fla.
04/15/17 - Nazair Jones, DT, North Carolina
The Jags need interior blocking help to improve their run game. I anticipate A.J. Cann's will eventually move to LG as he's a better pass blocker. Isidora, a three-year starter for the Hurricanes, is a powerful run blocker with a thick lower body to generate movement. He has the strength to easily block down and seal a DT to the inside and has phone-booth agility to either climb to the second level or pull and get downhill to bury the LB in the hole. He needs to work on his pass blocking a bit, tending to overextend which gets him off balance. However, Isidora is exactly what Minnesota is looking for along the interior of their offensive line.
111. Chicago Bears - Jordan Leggett, 6'5", 258lbs, TE, Clemson
04/15/17 - Jordan Leggett, TE, Clemson
Zach Miller has struggled with injuries and Dion Sims is more of a blocking option at TE and with this year's TE class loaded, finding the TE of the future should happen at some point. Leggett became a major weapon in Clemson's passing attack over the last two seasons, finishing with 86 catches for 1,261 yards and 15 TD during that span. Despite the 4.76 40 time at his pro day, Leggett is a threat up the seam, can make plays from the slot and is a good red zone option.
112. Los Angeles Rams - Damontae Kazee, 5'10", 184lbs, CB, San Diego State
04/15/17 - Tanoh Kpassagnon, DE, Villanova
Corner is a need area for the Rams especially considering the future of Trumaine Johnson is up in the air following his franchise tag for the second consecutive year. Additionally, the Rams could use another CB to push E.J. Gaines and Kayvon Webster for playing time. Kazee is a press corner who can see time early as a nickel for the Rams. He works hard on the outside and is always competing. Kazee gets his hands on the WR off the snap to jam him at the line, then has good hips to turn and run in phases with the WR. He does have to work on keeping his hands off his man, but he knows how to put his body in position to make a play. Not only will Kazee get over the top of routes, but he'll also jump routes inside to get to the football. Kazee has tremendous ball skills, finishing his career with 17 Int. and 29 pass breakups. I think Kazee has a chance to see the field right away.
113. Los Angeles Chargers - Vincent Taylor, 6'2", 310lbs, DT, Oklahoma State, Jr.
04/15/17 - Daeshon Hall, DE, Texas A&M
The LA Chargers continue to overhaul their front seven in transitioning to Gus Bradley's 4-3 defense as depth is needed along the interior of the line behind Brandon Mebane and Corey Liuget. Taylor came out after his junior season at OSU where he finished with 51 tackles, 13 of those coming for loss and 7.5 sacks. Taylor can be very disruptive up front, using active hands to get off blocks inside, followed by a swim at the point to shoot into the backfield. Taylor's hand placement under the interior lineman's pad level allows him to extend his arms and drive his man into the backfield, collapsing the pocket with a powerful bull rush. He also surprises with short-area quickness to pursue the football. Taylor does a good job diagnosing plays, reading the pull by the OG and shooting in to beat the center to make a play on the RB. When he plays with leverage, he's difficult to move off the line, anchoring against the run. Taylor is high cut, which could be a problem at the next level/ However, his ability to convert speed to power will get him playing time in the rotation early.
114. Washington Redskins (from Jets) - Nico Siragusa, 6'4", 319lbs, OG, San Diego State
04/15/17 - Nico Siragusa, OG, San Diego State
Shaun Lauvao is in the last year of his contract and there are concerns about whether Arie Kouandjio could step in at OG should Lauvao leave after the season. Siragusa is a two-time all MWC selection and started 41 games in his final three seasons with the Aztecs. He is at his best when he can get his hands inside quickly on the defender. From there, Siragusa plays with good leverage and knee bend and has the strength to seal off his man to open holes. He also shows the agility to get out and pull for the RB, easily climbing to the second level. If you watched the Las Vegas Bowl, his run blocking prowess was on display against Houston's freshman phenom Ed Oliver. He won at the point of attack with quick hands inside, leverage and a good leg drive. However, that game also showed that Siragusa struggled with Oliver's speed in the passing game. If Oliver beat Siragusa off the ball and was able to get into his body, it was easy to overpower him to pressure the QB. That said, he has the makings of a future starter and would be a nice pair with Brandon Scherff inside.
115. Carolina Panthers - Xavier Woods, 5'11", 197lbs, S, Louisiana Tech
04/15/17 - Xaier Woods, S, Louisiana Tech
Mike Adams is 36 years of age and is in the final two years of his contract, so expect Carolina to find his replacement in the draft. Woods is an instinctive ballhawk with range to cover a lot of ground against the pass. He picked off 14 passes and broke up another 18 in his career, showing the ability to track the ball and undercut routes to make a play on the football. Woods can also come up in the box and defend the run. He's not always the most disciplined player, so it will be good for him to play behind Adams for the next two seasons before taking over as the starter.
116. Cincinnati Bengals - Jamaal Williams, 6'0", 212lbs, RB, BYU
04/15/17 - Jamaal Williams, RB, BYU
Jeremy Hill is in the final year of his contract, Rex Burkhead left in free agency and Giovani Bernard is coming off season-ending surgery to repair a torn ACL he sustained on November 21st of last year. RB is a clear need, so why would Cincy wait until the final day of the draft to address it? If BYU's Jamaal Williams is available, he could be the right fit. Williams is BYU's all-time leading rusher with 3,901 yards and scored 35 TD on the ground. He is a decisive one-cut runner, seeing the hole then putting his foot in the ground and quickly getting up the field, shooting the gap with a surprising burst. He's a physical runner between the tackles with a powerful leg drive that allows him to run through contact and has a potent stiff arm on the outside to throw defenders aside. He also hauled in 60 receptions in his career, so he can make plays in the passing game. Durability is a concern as Williams missed the final three games of the 2014 season following an ACL tear and an ankle injury this past season slowed his effectiveness. Williams also redshirted the 2015 season following violation of the school's Honor Code, so teams will have to do their homework. However, he was a workhorse for the Cougars and can be a three-down back in this league.
117. Chicago Bears (from Buffalo) - Julie'n Davenport, 6'7", 318lbs, OT, Bucknell
04/15/17 - Julie'n Davenport, OT, Bucknell
The Bears will be starting Charles Leno an Bobby Massie at OT, but expect Chicago to continue its search for a future starter. Davenport, a 1st Team FCS All-American out of Bucknell, has tremendous length and very quick feet for his size, making him a prototypical pass protector for the next level. His lateral agility allows him to handle speed off the edge and his power step inside will close the door on an inside rush. Davenport needs to get stronger as he was repeatedly driven back and overpowered at the point of attack. However, he proved at the Senior Bowl that he can play against top competition.
118. Philadelphia Eagles - Amara Darboh, 6'2", 214lbs, WR, Michigan
04/15/17 - Malachi Dupre, WR, LSU
At first glance, the Eagles' receiving corps looks stacked. Alshon Jeffery and Torrey Smith were signed in free agency to join Jordan Matthews, Nelson Agholor and Dorial Green-Beckham. Yet, with Jeffery only signing a one-year deal and Matthews in the last year of his contract, adding another WR like Darboh would be good value here as he has good size, he's physical and has sub-4.5 speed. He was a downfield weapon for the Wolverines as five of his seven TD in 2016 went for 30+ yards. Darboh is also a weapon in the red zone, showing off excellent body control to work the sidelines, using a toe tap to get both feet in bounds. His route running also allows him to create separation late on the CB.
119. Arizona Cardinals - Kenny Golladay, 6'4", 218lbs, WR, Northern Illinois
04/15/17 - Kenny Golladay, WR, Northern Illinois
Larry Fitzgerald is back after another season with 100 receptions. However, there was a dramatic drop-off to the next WR as John Brown hauled in just 39 passes, 41 less than RB David Johnson. The Cards need to find another receiver i this draft and will likely prefer a bigger WR as Brown and J.J. Nelson are each under six-feet tall. Golladay certainly has the size to present mismatches on the outside. The North Dakota transfer put up back-to-back 1,000-yard seasons in his two years with the Huskies and caught over 70 passes in each season, including 88 catches a season ago, while finishing his career with 18 TD. He knows how to use his body to his advantage in traffic to shield the defender from the ball and also has the leaping ability to high point the football over the DB. When he leaves his feet, he has the ability to adjust to the ball when it's in the air, even making a one-handed catch on passes thrown behind him. When you watch the film, you see that Golladay has deceptive long speed, which was proven with his 4.5 40 time at the Combine, making him a legitimate vertical threat. He's a smooth receiver who attacks the ball in the air with both hands and works hard after the catch to gain extra yards. In his final game of the year against Kent State, Golladay beats the CB inside up the seam and catches the ball with his hands for 28 yards, then drags the CB for extra yards before diving for the end zone. When he came down, he dislocated his elbow on the play, ending his season. However, those are the types off effort plays you can expect to get from Golladay. His elbow also seems to have completely healed, as he had a good workout at the Combine, looking very smooth and catching everything thrown his way. He's a sleeper at the WR position.
120. Minnesota Vikings - Jeremy McNichols, 5'9", 214lbs, RB, Boise State, Jr.
04/15/17 - Jeremy McNichols, RB, Boise State
The Adrian Peterson Era is over in Minnesota and the Vikes have moved on, bringing in Latavius Murray, who rushed for nearly 2,300 yards in three seasons in Oakland, as the team's feature back. However, the only returning RB on the roster with any game experience from last season is Jerick McKinnon, so depth is a definite concern. McNichols is hoping to follow in the line of past Boise State RB's Doug Martin and Jay Ajayi to the next level. He finished with back-to-back 1,000-yard seasons and his 103 career receptions is a higher total than Martin and Ajayi amassed with the Broncos. McNichols has a low center of gravity with good balance between the tackles. He is a patient runner to allow blocks to develop, then has the burst to quickly shoot through the hole. He can be physical when needed to run through tackles, then has the lateral agility to make jump cuts to avoid defenders in space without losing speed. He has soft hands as a receiver and can make the first man miss, easily slipping the defender's tackle then getting up the field. McNichols also has a nose for the end zone, putting together a stretch of 24 straight games with a TD before that streak was broken at the Cactus Bowl against Baylor. Ball security is going to be the primary concern with McNichols, who put the ball on the ground nine times in two years.
121. Indianapolis Colts - Blair Brown, 5'11", 238lbs, ILB, Ohio
04/15/17 - George Kittle, TE, Iowa
The Colts need to improve at ILB now that D'Qwell Jackson has been released. Antonio Morrison struggled in the middle of the defense, so he needs to be pushed for playing time. Brown doesn't have ideal measurables, but he's an instinctive linebacker with sideline-to-sideline range who has a nose for the football. Brown was a 1st Team All-MAC selection a season ago after posting 128 tackles, 15 for loss and got to the QB for 4.5 sacks. Brown is decisive, trusting what he sees in front of him and quickly getting downhill to take out the ball carrier in the open field. He does a good job shooting gaps to make plays behind the line of scrimmage. Brown may not be one of the more hyped players, but I think he can earn playing time early and has the instincts to find himself starting in his first couple years in the league.
122. Baltimore Ravens - Brian Hill, 6'1", 219lbs, RB, Wyoming, Jr.
04/15/17 - Brian Hill, RB, Wyoming
Baltimore has a huge question at the RB position - who will emerge as the clear starter? The Ravens have a stable of RB's in Lorenzo Taliaferro, Terrance West, Javorius Allen, last year's 3rd Round pick Kenneth Dixon and the newly-signed fre agent acquisition Danny Woodhead. However, nobody on the roster managed to be very productive as the Ravens finished dead last in rushing offense in 2016 while running the ball just 367 times, compared to Joe Flacco's 672 pass attempts. Dixon missed the first four games of the season, but rebounded to rush for 382 yards while averaging 6.3 yards per carry and caught 30 passes as a rookie. Dixon should bounce back in 2017, but Taliaferro and West are in the last year of their contracts so expect the Ravens to find a bigger runner to complement Dixon. Hill leaves Wyoming as the school's all-time leading rusher despite just playing in three seasons. He made the move to the NFL after rushing for 1,860 yards, good for 6th in the FBS, and scoring 22 TD for the Cowboys. He was also a model of ball security, fumbling just once on 349 carries as a junior. Hill is a physical runner between the tackles, absorbing hits while keeping his legs driving for extra yards, showing off tremendous balance and lower body strength. He presses line of scrimmage, has vision to find hole and is decisive, quickly getting north and south. Hill would bring a physicality the Ravens need in their backfield.
123. Washington Redskins - Nate Peterman, 6'2", 225lbs, QB, Pittsburgh
04/15/17 - Nate Peterman, QB, Pittsburgh
The Redskins are looking at life after Kirk Cousins after again putting the franchise tag on the 28-year old QB entering his sixth season with the organization. Cousins is looking for a long-term deal, but to this point, both sides are far apart in the negotiations. At some point, a deal has to be done right? In 2015, Cousins led the league in completion percentage (74.7%) while taking Washington to its first NFC East title since 2012 and was named to his first Pro Bowl in 2016. A deal likely will not get done before the draft, so you can expect the Skins to take a QB as some insurance in the event a deal doesn't happen. Peterman started his career at Tennessee before transferring to Pittsburgh for his final two seasons. Unlike other QB's in this year's class, Peterman did not put up eye-popping numbers. As a senior, he completed just over 60% of his passes for 2,855 yards and 27 TD. He also has average arm strength. What you do get is his command of the offense. He is comfortable playing under center, has good footwork in the pocket, quickly gets through his progressions and shows good timing. If Washington is looking for the next Kirk Cousins, Peterman compares favorably to Cousins, who himself was a 4th Round pick in 2012. Neither will overwhelm you with physical attributes, but they both played in a pro-style offense predominantly under center and won with their decision making. They always seemed to be in control when they are on the field. Peterman would be the Skins' backup plan if a long-term deal can't be worked out with Cousins.
124. Tennessee Titans - Bucky Hodges, 6'6", 257lbs, TE, Virginia Tech, Jr.
04/15/17 - Blair Brown, ILB, Ohio
Delanie Walker is consistently one of Tennessee's top receiving target, but with Anthony Fasano leaving in free agency, that leaves Jace Amaro, Phillip Supernaw and Jerome Cunningham to battle for playing time, none of whom have made much of a difference in the passing game. Hodges is an intriguing prospect because his size presents mismatches on the outside. He is a deep threat who can go up and get the ball in traffic and is a weapon both over the middle and in the red zone, using his size to create a mismatch. The question is where exactly will he play at the next level? The Hokies started him at TE, but Hodges eventually moved outside to WR to finish his time at VA Tech. Hodges can be a force up the seam, but he doesn't have the suddenness to create much separation against NFL corners. He also isn't much of an in-line blocker, though he can block in the secondary and on the edge. Hodges will be a match-up weapon, where Cincy can find the right match up to allow him to be effective. He'll most likely play out of the slot and will use his size to win against DB's and his 4.57 speed to beat LB's.
125. Tampa Bay Buccaneers - Jeremy Cutrer, 6'1", 167lbs, CB, Middle Tennessee
04/15/17 - Ryan Glasgow, DT, Michigan
Tampa selected Vernon Hargreaves III in the 1st Round of last year's draft and Brent Grimes is Pro Bowler, but the latter is 34 years of age and is entering the final year of his contract in Tampa, meaning the Bucs will be looking for his replacement on the outside. Cutrer wasn't invited to the Combine, but that doesn't mean he's not a late-Day 2 or early-Day 3 prospect. He's a tall corner who uses his length to his advantage in coverage, finishing with 6 Int. and 22 pass breakups in just two seasons at Middle Tennessee. He's at his best in off coverage reading the QB's eyes and is still a bit lean to be much of a press corner, but he has good timing and puts himself in position to make a play. He's also not afraid to come down and play run support. If Cutrer can add some weight, he's got a shot.
126. Denver Broncos - Elijah Qualls, 6'1", 313lbs, DT, Washington, Jr.
04/15/17 - Eddie Jackson, SS, Alabama
The Broncos have Jared Crick currently playing opposite Derek Wolfe at DE and signed Domata Peko to replace Sylvestwere Williams at NT, but depth is a concern up front and Qualls has experience lining up at all three defensive line positions in UW's 3-4 scheme. Qualls anchors well, can set the edge and is difficult to move off his spot, making him a natural pick as a NT. He also has surprising agility off the ball, using a quick first step to shoot gaps, but can also get into his man, then convert speed to power to drive his man back, which makes him a fit at the five-technique. Questionable instincts, short arms (30 5/8") and concerns over his weight management may push him into Day 3 consideration, making this about the right value.
127. Detroit Lions - Chad Williams, 6'2", 193lbs, WR, Grambling
04/15/17 - Chad Williams, WR, Grambling
Golden Tate was a 1,000-yard receiver last year and Marvin Jones was a legitimate vertical threat for Matthew Stafford, but the Lion's second-leading WR of a season ago Anquan Boldin is still a free agent, leaving a hole in the passing game.
Williams was a man among boys playing at Grambling, using his blend of size, strength and speed to dominate the competition. As a senior, he caught 90 passes for 1,337 yards and 11 TD and against an FBS opponent in Arizona, Williams went off for 152 yards on 13 receptions.. He's a two-time 1st Team All-SWAC selection, had ten 100-yard games and 5 double-digit reception games. Williams is a legitimate vertical threat with excellent speed for his size; it was reported that he ran a 4.37 40 time at his pro day. He can sets up DB's with his routes and can make the first man miss after the catch. Williams is also a physical receiver, shrugging off defenders after the catch. He can fight through press coverage, muscling through a corner's attempt to jam him. Williams can also elevate over defenders to high-point the football and can adjust to the ball in the air. Williams would give the Lions the big, physical presence missing with Anquan Boldin no longer on the roster.
128. Minnesota Vikings (from Miami) - Brad Kaaya, 6'4", 214lbs, QB, Miami, Fla., Jr.
04/15/17 - Brad Kaaya, QB, Miami, Fla.
Minnesota has to figure out what their long-term vision is at the QB position. Teddy Bridgewater will again miss another season after missing all of 2016 after suffering a devastating knee injury before the start of the season. Will he ever return to his rookie form? Or will Sam Bradford solidify himself as the franchise's starting QB after finishing 6th in the league in QB rating? Case Keenum was brought in as a backup for 2017, but he won't be around long term. I think you can expect the Vikings to consider taking a QB at some point in this draft as an insurance policy. Kaaya came to Miami as a highly touted QB from Southern California and leaves as The U’s all-time leading passer in terms of yardage and was third in TD, but most hoped he would return for his senior season because he hasn’t quite lived up to expectations. Kaaya is technically sound mechanically with a quick release, good footwork and tremendous arm strength. He does a great job throwing deep outs to the wide side of the field. Anticipation is another strength, releasing the ball before the WR is out of his break and throwing his WR open. Kaaya is a rhythm passer and often needs short passes to help him get dialed in. Once he does, if you don’t put pressure on him, Kaaya will pick you apart. However, If you force him off his spot and disrupt that rhythm, he’s very erratic. Teams will force him off schedule with pressure. He’s a pocket passer, but he’s not very mobile. He was sacked 61 times in his career. He reminds me of Sean Mannion coming out of Oregon State in 2014 in that way. Despite these issues, Mannion was still selected in the 3rd Round by the Rams. I think Kaaya has a shot at doing the same. I also wouldn’t be surprised if he falls to the 5th Round. Kaaya needs a situation where the pressure isn't on him early and with veterans Bradford and Keenum on the roster, Minnesota might be the right spot.
129. Oakland Raiders - Zach Banner, 6'8", 353lbs, OT/OG, USC
04/15/17 - Zach Banner, OT/OG, USC
Oakland will need to add depth to their offensive line at some point in this draft. The OG position needs a backup for Kelechi Osemele and Gabe Jackson and could use another OT to battle Austin Howard for playing time at RT. USC's mammoth Zach Banner could fill both roles. Banner is massive and his size and length makes it difficult for defenders to get around him. If he gets his hands on you, he's going to absolutely engulf you. Banner will wash down the right side of the line, completely caving in the whole side of the line. However, he struggles with speed as he's quite slow afoot. He struggles with his pad level, playing way too high and is often flat-footed. His lack of foot speed also led to several penalties. At the same time, There's no question Banner is a leader, he was a team captain at USC. There's no question he's a character. He was also a veteran presence for the Trojans, starting 38 games. Has he put the the issues with his hip behind him, an injury that caused him to miss time early in his career? Will he be able to maintain his manage his weight, considering he was once pushing 400 pounds?
130. Houston Texans - Dawuane Smoot, 6'3", 264lbs, DE/OLB, Illinois
04/15/17 - Dawuane Smoot, DE/OLB, Illinois
Houston has Whitney Mercilus locking down one OLB spot and has 37.5 sacks in his first five seasons with the Texans, but with John Simon gone in free agency, there is a hole that needs to be filled and Brennan Scarlett does not appear to be the guy to take over the other starting spot. Teams will be curious to find out which Dawuane Smoot will emerge at the next level. Is it the Smoot we saw in 2015 that was a terror off the edge, or the 2016 Smoot who struggled to get off blocks and saw his production drop off? Smoot is athletic off the ball and bends well to run the arc and get to the QB. He also does a good job redirecting with secondary moves to get to the QB. Unfortunately there was a lot of inconsistent tape in 2016. He was expected to build upon the 7.0 sacks he recorded in 2015, but he finished his senior season with only 5.0 and looked pedestrian at times, struggling to get off blocks. However, Smoot showed he can compete against top talent at the Senior Bowl, showing quickness off the ball with a quick stutter before crossing the OT's face with an inside rush. He also used a quick spin move off Taylor Moton which forced the OT to hold. There's no doubt Smoot has the athleticism to play at the next level, but the fact that an NFL DL coach will have to work with him will make him a Day 3 prospect, but he seems to be too good of a fit for Houston to pass up.
131. New England Patriots (from Seattle) - Daeshon Hall, 6'5", 266lbs, DE, Texas A&M
New England will be looking for depth behind Trey Flowers and Kony Ealy in Matt Patricia's 43 defense. While Hall was definitely overshadowed by Myles Garrett with the Aggies, he can also be disruptive off the edge. Hall has the burst to get around edge, but its his immense wingspan that allows him to keep the OT at bay with active hands before ripping through and getting the corner on his man. While he recorded 14 sacks in his career with the Aggies, the more impressive stat is the 35.5 tackles for loss, which speaks to his effectiveness versus the run. He diagnoses the plays quickly, trusting his eyes, then shooting into the backfield to make a play. He ca set the edge and will also beat his man inside with a quick move to cross the OT's face, shooting the hole to get behind the line. Hall is relentless in his pursuit of the ball carrier, even giving chase all the way down the line from the backside to make a play.
132. Kansas City Chiefs - Connor Harris, 5'11", 242lbs, ILB, Lindenwood
04/15/17 - Connor Harris, ILB, Lindenwood
Derrick Johnson is 34 years of age and has torn his Achilles twice in the last three years, so the Chiefs have to start thinking about life after Johnson decides to hang the cleats up. The ILB position group as a whole is in need of an upgrade and even if KC looks for an inside backer on Day 2, you can expect them to draft another ILB, which could come in the form of Connor Harris from little-known Lindenwood College, where he set a collegiate football record with a staggering 633 tackles in his career. Harris is like an energizer bunny on the football field, always seemingly around the football, making plays all over the field. He's instinctive, diagnosing plays quickly, then beating blockers to the football. He has a feel for getting into the backfield, as evidenced by his 33.5 career tackles for loss. Harris will have to work on his play in coverage. He was absolutely abused by RB's in coverage at the Senior Bowl lining up in man coverage. I think he was better off in zone coverage, where he can read the QB's eyes, read the routes and then react to the ball. You'll see Harris keep the RB from crossing his face when the back comes in his area over the middle. You might be surprised that Harris also played at RB, carrying the ball 50 times for 328 yard and 7 TD, and as the team's punter, finishing with a 38.8 average and having 6 punts downed inside the 20, during his career. Harris played at a small school and will need to prove he can hang at the top level of competition, but I think Harris has the instincts and the feel for the game to be a starter in this league.
133. Dallas Cowboys - Jeremy Sprinkle, 6'5", 252lbs, TE, Arkansas
04/15/17 - Rasul Douglas, CB, West Virginia
The ageless wonder Jason Witten was re-signed to a four year deal, but there isn't any depth behind him and the Cowboys need to start grooming his eventual replacement. Sprinkle is a versatile TE because he can play both as a blocker and a receiver. He's one of the better in-line blockers at the TE position, playing with a good base and leverage and will lock out his long arms to control his man. He's a TE on a Bret Bielema team, so you know he knows how to block. Sprinkle also shows enough route running ability and speed to be a downfield threat. He has soft hands, good body control and can make plays after the catch. Sprinkle also broke D.J. Williams' record for TD's as a TE in Razorbacks history with 11. He's not the pass-catching weapon that Hunter Henry is, but he's a better blocker. The Giants would have to look into the incident at the Belk Bowl where Sprinkle was suspended for the game for shoplifting at a Belk department store, even though he was given a shopping spree by the store as part of the bowl festivities.
134. Green Bay Packers - Adam Bisnowaty, 6'6", 304lbs, OT/OG, Pittsburgh
04/15/17 - Adam Bisnowaty, OT/OG, Pittsburgh
The loss of Josh Sitton shakes up the offensive line a bit in Green Bay, especially considering there was talk that they may move Bryan Bulaga inside to OG. Rather than make such a move, the Pack could opt for Bisnowaty, who played his entire career with the Panthers at OT, but has the skill set that fits him best at OG. He can provide depth at OT while also challenging Lane Taylor for the starting LG spot. Bisnowaty was a mainstay along the Panthers' offensive line, finishing his career as a four-year starter with 43 starts. He is a technician, playing with good leverage and balance. He has good power at the point of attack and can drive his man down the line with a strong leg drive. Bisnowaty also has short-area quickness to seal his man off to open holes in the running game. In pass protection, while he gives excellent effort moving laterally, he lacks the foot speed to handle speed rushers. This lack of agility in space will likely force him inside, but he could fill in at OT in an emergency.
135. Pittsburgh Steelers - Jonnu Smith, 6'3", 248lbs, TE, Florida International
04/15/17 - Will Holden, OT/OG, Vanderbilt
Heath Miller retired after the 2015 season, leaving a hole at the TE position. While Ladarius Green was brought in to be the pass-catching target, it was Jesse James who emerged as the Steelers' fourth leading receiver. An ankle injury kept Green on the PUP list until November, then a concussion ended his season early, so durability will be a concern going orward. David Johnson and Xavier Grimble are more known for their blocking. Jonnu Smith is an under-the-radar prospect with a blend of both athleticism as a downfield target and strength as an in-line blocker.
136. Atlanta Falcons - Lorenzo Jerome, 5'10", 204lbs, FS, St. Francis, PA
04/15/17 - Lorenzo Jerome, FS, St. Francis, PA
Atlanta was one quarter away from being crowned Super Bowl LI Champions. Up 28-9 after three quarters, the Falcons managed to not only lose the lead, but eventually lost in overtime 34-28, marking the biggest comeback in Super Bowl history, The Pats' comeback was orchestrated by the game's MVP Tom Brady, who completed 43 of 62 passes for 466 yards and 2 TD. The Falcons' inability to stop Brady's passing onslaught speaks to the help that is needed in the secondary. Jerome has rare ball skills at the safety position, having picked off 18 passes in his career. He does a good job reading the QB's eyes over the top and has excellent timing to break quickly on the ball to make a play. Jerome will also come down in run support, taking the proper angle to the football.
137. Indianapolis Colts (from New England) - George Kittle, 6'4", 247lbs, TE, Iowa
04/15/17 - James Conner, RB, Pittsburgh
Dwayne Allen was traded away to the Patriots, leaving Jack Doyle as the only receiving threat at TE. The Colts found success when they played with two TE's as Allen and Coby Fleener fed off each other. With both of them now on other teams, you can expect the Colts to find another TE to pair with Doyle, who was the team's second-leading receiver a year ago. Kittle wasn't called upon often to be a receiving option in Iowa's offense that features a power running game, but he made the most of his 48 receptions, averaging 15.4 yards per reception an scoring a TD every 4.8 touches. Kittle opened everyone's eyes to his athleticism at the Combine. Among TE's, Kittle finished third in the 40 (4.52), sixth in vertical jump (35 inches) and third in the board jump (11 feet). You pair that with his physical blocking prowess in the run game and you have a legitimate draft prospect. Kittle is a devastating blocker on the edge; he plays with excellent leverage and delivers pancake block after pancake block to finish. He'll follow in the footsteps of fellow Hawkeyes to come before him at "TE-U" in Dallas Clark, Scott Chandler, Tony Moeaki, Brandon Myers, C.J. Fiedorowicz and Henry Krieger-Coble to the NFL.
138. Cincinnati Bengals (compensatory selection) - Ethan Pocic, 6'6", 310lbs, C/OG, LSU
04/15/17 - Bucky Hodges, TE, Virginia Tech
The Bengals must address the interior of their offensive line, especially after losing OG Kevin Zeitler to Cleveland and having Center Russell Bodine struggle for much of his career. Pocic appears to be the ideal candidate for Cincy as he has the versatility to play both positions. He has rare size for the Center position, is stout at the point of attack, is physical and knows how to finish. He also has good athleticism and awareness when he pulls, getting out in front of the RB to find the DB on the edge, burying him to open a lane for the back. Pocic has the potential to be a Week One starter and would help solidify the interior of the Bengals' offensive line.
139. Philadelphia Eagles (from Cleveland) (compensatory selection) - David Sharpe, 6'6", 343lbs, OT/OG, Florida
04/15/17 - Damontae Kazee, CB, San Diego State
Jason Peters isn't getting younger at the LT position and Lane Johnson, currently starting at RT, is likely to take his place when Peters decides to hang it up, meaning there will be a need on the right side of the line. Sharpe is a massive OT
140. New York Giants - Elijah Lee, 6'2", 229lbs, LB, Kansas State
04/15/17 - Jeremy Sprinkle, TE, Arkansas
The Giants have a large question mark at TE. Larry Donnell is a free agent, Jerell Adams is a receiving threat but not much in terms of being an in-line blocker while Will Tye was the team's third-leading receiver, yet is not the explosive athlete tey need at the position.
141. Los Angeles Rams (compensatory selection) - Vince Biegel, 6'3", 246lbs, OLB, Wisconsin
04/15/17 - Tyler Orlosky, C, West Virginia
The Rams need to address the OLB position as they transition to Wade Phillips' famed 34 defense. Biegel makes plays behind the line of scrimmage, having recorded 28.5 tackles for loss in his career. He uses leverage to set the edge against the run and uses his hands to get off blocks to make a play. his hands well to set the edge against the run, then can shed He also offers some pass-rush ability and showed off surprising athleticism at the Combine, as his 4.67 40 time and 4.3 short shuttle were 8th among LB's.
142. Houston Texans (from Cleveland) (compensatory selection) - Isaac Asiata, 6'3", 323lbs, OG, Utah
04/15/17 - Vince Biegel, OLB, Wisconsin
Houston has Jeff Allen starting at one OG position, but Xavier Su'a-Filo has largely been a disappointment, meaning the Texans will draft an OG to compete for playing time. Asiata started every game at OG over the last three years and was awarded the Morris Trophy as a senior as the top O-lineman in the Pac-12. Asiata is physical at the point of attack and is very heavy-handed when delivering a punch to the DT. He's incredibly strong, his 35 reps at 225 pounds in the bench press was the highest among all prospects at the Combine. That strength allows him to sit down and anchor in pass protection. However, what makes him a Day 2 prospect is his surprising agility for his size. Asiata is able to easily climb to the second level to take on LB's. He uses the skip-pull technique when pulling, moving well laterally while keeping his shoulders square before getting around as a lead blocker. He also has good awareness when pulling, finding the defender in the open field.
143. San Francisco 49ers (compensatory selection) - Donnel Pumphrey, 5'8", 186lbs, RB, San Diego State
Carlos Hyde, Tim Hightower and Mike Davis are all bigger backs, meaning the Niners should be looking for a versatile change-of-pace option out of the backfield. Pumphrey is the all-time leading rusher in FBS history with 6,405 yards on the ground. Despite only being 5'8" and 186 pounds, Pumphrey also proved to be very durable while racking up over 1,000 carries and 99 receptions in his four years with the Aztecs. Pumphrey also became the first player with 5,000 career rushing yards and 1,000 career receiving yards. He was a workhorse at SDSU, carrying the ball at least 30 times in 33 career games and rushed for over 100 yards 33 times in his career. Pumphrey has surprising power between the tackles, but it's his sudden quickness, lateral agility and breakaway speed that truly allow him to be effective as a runner. He also runs excellent routes and has soft hands to be a factor in the passing game.
144. Indianapolis Colts (compensatory selection) - Malachi Dupre, 6'2", 195lbs, WR, LSU, Jr.
04/15/17 - Carroll Phillips, OLB, Illinois
T.Y. Hilton is a legitimate target for Andrew Luck, but another WR has to step up, especially considering the leaders in receptions last year behind Hilton were TE's Jack Doyle and Dwayne Allen and RB Frank Gore. Donte Moncrief struggled with injuries and Philip Dorsett has yet to make an impact. Adding another WR like Dupre, who can excel in the slot, would be good value here. Dupre can track the deep ball, has good body control to adjust to the ball in the air and can really attack the ball in the air. He's not a speed guy and must work on his route running, but he's got the size to be a weapon and could surprise at the next level after being underutilized in LSU's run-first offense.
2017 NFL Draft: Fourth Round
Mock Draft and Analysis By: Gregg Schutze
as of April 26, 2017