The more I see of Dalvin Cook, the less I like. I don't think I'd touch him in the first round. Heck, there may be some backs available that you like BETTER than him in the second. He's the one guy I hope we don't draft, as much as the talking heads claim he's a good fit for us. No thanks.
BTW, I'm hoping Foster's stock falls through the floor after the rumblings about diljuted samples and character problems to 21.
No way. We need him way more than you do. You guys got Zach Brown while we got freaking Paul Worrilow. You'll pick Cunningham and you'll like it dammit!
I still have no idea who I want. I wish Jonathan Allen would be available. He'd be my #1 selection. But with the RB and LBs out there, Foster seems like the best value. If Fournette somehow drops, he'd be a guy I'd consider too. people are knocking him because he isn't a do-it-all back. Neither was AP, but did that stop him from being the best RB in the league for many years?
I feel that. My top ten or so semi realistic big board looks like this right now: 1. Rueben Foster 2. Malik McDowell 3. Haason Reddick 4. Gareon Conley 5. OJ Howard 6. Zach Cunningham/Jarrad Davis 8. Marlon Humphrey 9. Tyus Bowser 10. Takkarist McKinley Outside of my top three I'm not loving any of these other guys and would rather trade down than pick any of them.
I'm always leery of using all-time greats as comparison points for prospects, because chances are they simply aren't on that level. Fournette's burst, speed, power, and cuts are awesome, but are they so special as to make up for all the things he struggles at? It's a worthwhile discussion. I mean, I'm seeing him mocked to the 9ers, which makes my head explode, because Kyle's scheme is tailormade to put Fournette's limitations as a zone runner on display. Fournette needs his coaches to simplify what he's asked to do; pound it up the middle in power or gap schemes preferably with a FB. You do that consistently, and Fournette will be great, but how many teams want to do just that with their RBs in the modern NFL?
Only real concern I have is his durability from the pounding in college and his run style. Not overly concerned with what are considered his "weaknesses."
A lot of hype around Sam Darnold for next year, so watched a little bit of him, roughly a game, and my raw initial first impression was "Sam Bradford". Similar build, similar ability to throw touch passes, similar awkward run style, a little heavy-footed in the pocket, solid if perhaps a bit conservative decision-making, etc. Anyone else see that?
I think he has a better arm than Bradford and I'd say he's more athletic. I hate using cliche terms, but he also comes off as poised -- good leadership qualities. I'm actually a bit more intrigued by Rosen, but Darnold is a good prospect.
There's a lot of QBs I find intriguing for the 2018 class.. Josh and Sam are 1-2, but guys like Mason Rudolph, Josh Allen, Luke Falk, Trace McSorley, Baker Mayfield, and Lamar Jackson will look to make a name for themselves next season too. Should be fun.
Rosen from what I've heard and seen has an unfortunate habit of staring down his first read. But otherwise impressive.
Geoff Schwartz wrote a great breakdown of O-line play recently... http://www.sbnation.com/2017/4/25/1...sive-line-prospects-evaluation-geoff-schwartz An interesting tidbit I found was when he highlighted how the practice schedule hurts O-line development in particular. NFL teams are going to have to be on the hunt for guys with superior technique, understanding of leverage, and coaching in college, because they no longer have the reps in practice to teach it when they get there.
#GrantAndDanny top-5 mock:1 CLE- Myles Garrett2 SF- Leonard Fournette3 CHI- Malik Hooker4 JAX- Solomon Thomas 5 TEN- Jamal Adams— Grant Paulsen (@granthpaulsen) April 27, 2017 Horrible.
How so? It's not much different from a lot of mocks I see. Some have Trubisky going 2nd or 1st overall, which is just madness IMO.
I don't see San Fran going with Fournette as good as he is. Kyle is just like his dad in the sense that he can grab a RB later on because his system makes the runner. Consensus is Adams > Hooker and I honestly haven't seen Hooker going top 3 in many reputable mocks. Maybe Thomas goes to Jax. But I think they'd be better off with one of the safeties. They already have Fowler and Ngakoue as edge rushers and Calais and Malik Jackson inside. I think they go in a different direction.
#Redskins experts predict 17th pick on G&D:@MikeJonesWapo Reuben Foster@Rich_TandlerCSN Haason Reddick@JerryBrewer Malik Hooker— Grant Paulsen (@granthpaulsen) April 27, 2017 #Redskins experts predict 17th pick on G&D:@lizclarketweet Reddick@BenStandig Foster @JPFinlayCSN Barnett@CraigHoffman Jarrad Davis— Grant Paulsen (@granthpaulsen) April 27, 2017 Jarrad Davis? Good thing that guy isn't an expert and just is a radio personality....
And the more I think about it the more I think myles garret will be a bust. I'm taking the Cleveland jynx out of it.
Kiper's final mock lol.... 1. Cleveland Browns Mitchell Trubisky, QB, North Carolina | Watch highlights How's this for a curveball to begin the night? The thinking is the Browns get antsy about Trubisky being available at No. 12 and don't find any takers to trade up. Could Cleveland ownership get involved and insist on a QB here? Remember, the Browns passed on Carson Wentz last year and really need a franchise-changer at the position. Myles Garrett is my No. 1-ranked prospect. 2. San Francisco 49ers Myles Garrett, DE, Texas A&M | Watch highlights The 49ers might run to the podium if Garrett is available here, assuming they can't find any takers who want to trade up to take Garrett. He is a brilliant, natural pass-rusher with elite size and athleticism. 3. Chicago Bears Solomon Thomas, DL, Stanford | Watch highlights If Adams doesn't make it to the Bears at 3, the versatile Thomas could be the pick. He'd play end in Chicago's 4-3. After snagging Leonard Floyd in last year's first round, the Bears are building a solid front seven. 4. Jacksonville Jaguars Leonard Fournette, RB, LSU | Watch highlights When new Jaguars executive vice president for football operations Tom Coughlin was Jacksonville's coach, he had Fred Taylor as his workhorse back. I think Coughlin will go and get another guy who can pile up carries -- and hopefully touchdowns, for the sake of Jaguars fans -- to help Blake Bortles. 5. Tennessee Titans (from Rams) Jamal Adams, S, LSU | Watch highlights This is a potential trading spot for teams trying to jump in front of the Jets and take Mitchell Trubisky. General manager Jon Robinson already has shown that he isn't afraid to deal -- he moved out of the No. 1 pick, then moved up to No. 8 last year. Adams is simply the best prospect left on the board and a steal at No. 5 overall. Top cornerback Marshon Lattimore is another possibility if the Titans keep the pick. 6. New York Jets O.J. Howard, TE, Alabama | Watch highlights With Mitchell Trubisky off the board, the Jets go with the draft's best tight end and one of the safest prospects in the class. Howard is an all-around player who is a great blocker and receiver. This is another potential landing spot for Marshon Lattimore. 7. Los Angeles Chargers Deshaun Watson, QB, Clemson | Watch highlights This could be the shocker on Thursday night. The 35-year-old Philip Rivers has taken a lot of hits over the years, and the Chargers could want a fresh start after moving to L.A. Another name to watch is Malik Hooker, the best center fielder-type safety in this class. 8. Carolina Panthers Christian McCaffrey, RB, Stanford | Watch highlights This is a perfect fit. McCaffrey is more than a running back -- he'll also help in the receiving and return games. That's just another weapon for Cam Newton & Co. 9. Cincinnati Bengals Jonathan Allen, DL, Alabama | Watch highlights Allen at No. 9 is all about best player available -- he's my No. 2-ranked prospect. He can play anywhere on the line. The Bengals could be tempted to take a linebacker (Haason Reddick, maybe?) or pass-rusher (Derek Barnett fits) here. 10. Buffalo Bills Haason Reddick, LB, Temple | Watch highlights This came down to Reuben Foster or Reddick, and the Bills can't go wrong. Buffalo needs speed at linebacker, even with all of the wide receivers still on the board. With last year's second-round pick Reggie Ragland slotted in at middle linebacker, I'm going with Reddick, who's more versatile than Foster and could move outside. 11. New Orleans Saints Derek Barnett, DE/OLB, Tennessee | Watch highlights With Reddick off the board, New Orleans could move on to the pass-rushers and choose from the next tier. Barnett is a Terrell Suggs-type who was extremely productive in college (33.0 career sacks). 12. Cleveland Browns (from Eagles) Marshon Lattimore, CB, Ohio State | Watch highlights Lattimore could drop if there is lingering concerns about his hamstrings, which hampered him his first two years as a Buckeye. He's my top corner, though, even with only one season of tape, and he has all the traits of an All-Pro. The Browns could also try to trade up. 13. Arizona Cardinals Mike Williams, WR, Clemson | Watch highlights This is great value at No. 13, getting the draft's top receiver. Williams could be a younger version of Larry Fitzgerald, who turns 34 this year. Arizona will hope Williams becomes what it thought former first-round pick Michael Floyd was going to be. 14. Philadelphia Eagles (from Vikings) Charles Harris, OLB, Missouri | Watch highlights If Mike Williams and Christian McCaffrey are off the board, the Eagles could opt to go with a pass-rusher. Harris, who had 16.0 sacks over the past two seasons, is the best in the next tier. 15. Indianapolis Colts Takkarist McKinley, OLB/DE, UCLA | Watch highlights New general manager Chris Ballard came from the Chiefs, who put a premium on compiling pass-rushers and generating pressure. Robert Mathis has retired, and Indianapolis doesn't have any outside linebackers with double-digit sack potential. The speed rusher McKinley could be that guy in the Colts' 3-4. 16. Baltimore Ravens Corey Davis, WR, Western Michigan | Watch highlights Baltimore is in a good spot to choose from the top offensive linemen, but Davis would be tough to pass up. He's stellar after the catch and would help stretch the field for Joe Flacco. Former first-round pick Breshad Perriman has only 33 catches since being picked in 2015. Davis could play inside or outside. 17. Washington Redskins Malik Hooker, S, Ohio State | Watch highlights The Redskins are moving Su'a Cravens, last year's second-round pick, to safety, but he's an in-the-box guy. They still need a center fielder, and Hooker is a ball hawk. He had seven interceptions -- three for touchdowns -- in his lone season as a starter. 18. Tennessee Titans John Ross, WR, Washington | Watch highlights With Corey Davis gone, Ross is the next-best pass-catcher available. His 4.22 40 speed is his greatest asset, but he's a well-rounded receiver. He could also be an elite kick returner. 19. Tampa Bay Buccaneers Cam Robinson, OT, Alabama | Watch highlights Tampa Bay could upgrade at right tackle over Demar Dotson. The Bucs have to protect Jameis Winston. Tight end David Njoku is also in play here. 20. Denver Broncos Ryan Ramczyk, OT, Wisconsin | Watch highlights The Broncos have to get a left tackle in this draft. I don't trust Donald Stephenson or Ty Sambrailo to get the job done. Ramczyk was great in his one year as starter at Wisconsin. Another connection: Geep Chryst, the brother of Badgers coach Paul Chryst, is Denver's new tight ends coach. 21. Detroit Lions Jarrad Davis, LB, Florida | Watch highlights The Lions have needs at linebacker, cornerback and end on defense, and Davis would be a great fit. He is a steady, reliable and versatile defensive with a nose for the football. And I love his intangibles. 22. Miami Dolphins Reuben Foster, ILB, Alabama | Watch highlights Foster has some off-field concerns that could cause him to drop, but the fit is too perfect here. Miami needs linebackers to play next Kiko Alonso. Foster is one of the three most talented prospects in this class. That would make it two straight seasons Miami takes a super-talented guy who dropped on draft day (Laremy Tunsil in 2016). 23. New York Giants David Njoku, TE, Miami (Fla.) | Watch highlights The Giants struggled on offense last season, and New York is missing a playmaker at tight end. Njoku is one of the most athletic tight ends to enter the league in recent years. Eli Manning targeted Odell Beckham Jr. 169 times last season -- the second most in the league. Njoku, who turns 21 in July, could be a big-time weapon in the NFL. 24. Oakland Raiders Kevin King, CB, Washington | Watch highlights In a deep class of cornerbacks, King stands out for his size (6-3, 200). After taking safety Karl Joseph on Day 1 last year, the Raiders are still trying to improve their secondary. Corner is a gaping hole. 25. Houston Texans Patrick Mahomes, QB, Texas Tech | Watch highlights Don't be surprised if Mahomes is available and the Texans make a decision between him and the best available offensive tackle. After missing out on Tony Romo, Tom Savage and Brandon Weeden are Houston's QBs. Mahomes could be an upgrade -- in time. He is extremely raw but has undeniable arm talent. 26. Seattle Seahawks Tre'Davious White, CB, LSU | Watch highlights There's still a chance Richard Sherman leaves Seattle, and the Seahawks' other starter, DeShawn Shead, is coming back from a torn ACL he suffered in the playoffs. White, a four-year starter, is also a dynamic punt returner. This Seahawks pick could come down to corner vs. offensive line. 27. Kansas City Chiefs Evan Engram, WR/TE, Ole Miss | Watch highlights Yes, the Chiefs have All-Pro tight end Travis Kelce, but don't think of Engram as a tight end. He's a big (6-3, 234) receiver who could line up off tackle. His 4.42 40 at the combine wowed scouts. 28. Dallas Cowboys Marlon Humphrey, CB, Alabama | Watch highlights The Cowboys' secondary was depleted in free agency. Humphrey, my second-ranked corner, has elite upside. Dallas will also be keeping an eye on pass-rushers. This is a defensive draft for Jerry Jones and Co. 29. Green Bay Packers Forrest Lamp, OG, Western Kentucky | Watch highlights This is an easy pick with the draft's top guard still on the board. The Packers lost T.J. Lang in free agency, and they'd be getting a Pro Bowl talent who could start immediately. Lamp was a four-year starter at left tackle for the Hilltoppers. 30. Pittsburgh Steelers Budda Baker, S, Washington | Watch highlights I've said many times that if Baker were bigger, I think he'd be a top-15 pick, and I'm moving him into the first round in my final mock. His 5-10 frame is the only thing holding him back. But he has some value as a slot corner. He's that good in coverage. 31. Atlanta Falcons Jordan Willis, DE, Kansas State | Watch highlights Atlanta needs a 4-3 end who can rush the passer and also hold up in the run game opposite Vic Beasley Jr. Willis is a high-character kid who consistently beat double teams for the Wildcats. If Forrest Lamp makes it here, he'd make sense too. 32. New Orleans Saints (from Patriots) Adoree' Jackson, CB, USC | Watch highlights Jackson is still a work in progress at corner, but the tools are there. He's only 5-10, 186, but I think he could play slot corner on Day 1 in the league. He's also my second-ranked punt returner, and I wouldn't be surprised if Sean Payton gave Jackson a handful of offensive plays every game.
Analytics guys loving him firstly, I'm just naturally skeptical of that whole movement outside baseball. Then I saw games against lsu and bama and idk he looked flat to me and couldn't even bull rush those games which bothered me cause he has no pass rush moves , not ones I called polished. When I first did my top 5 d ends I had him 1 cause the bull rush and thinking he can develop the speed rush and moves but idk I'm agreeing with people who said he was a lazy player. What about you ?