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February 24, 2017 at 10:28 pm #65596
znModerator2017 Draft Defined By Depth
As the NFL fully transitions into scouting mode, here’s a look at some central themes to the prospects, from the position of strength to one glaring weakness.
by Albert Breer
http://mmqb.si.com/mmqb/2017/02/10/nfl-draft-depth-talent-prospects-notebook
With plenty of teams in the midst of integrating coaches into the process, and meetings getting going, I called around in search of the defining characteristics of this year’s draft class with less than three weeks until the combine kicks off.
The first one that stuck out was the overall strength of the class. Here are six more
• Mitch Trubisky is the leader among quarterbacks. There are two knocks on Trubisky: 1) Scouts aren’t sure how tall he’ll measure out, and 2) he only started one year at North Carolina, unable to beat out Marquise Williams before that. Taking that into account, Trubisky’s anticipation, accuracy, touch and experience with progression reads put him atop the class.
“I’ll be shocked if Trubisky’s not the first one off the board,” said our AFC exec. A scout for another AFC team added, “You’re gonna see the ascension of the Carolina quarterback. He’s the guy, a top-two or -three pick. He’s the guy. A lot of teams like him up there.”
So here’s the question: Are you comfortable taking an Andy Dalton or Teddy Bridgewater in the top five? The truth is, Trubisky’s promise is in offering a team stability—but not necessarily superstardom—at the most important position.
• You’re projecting with the rest of the QBs. One AFC college scouting director told me that DeShaun Watson is at least a year away from being able to run an NFL offense, and DeShone Kizer is two years away. Ex-Texas Tech teammates Patrick Mahomes and Davis Webb (who transferred to Cal) have talent, but both come from schemes that complicate their NFL transition. (Think Jared Goff.)
You’ll hear this is a bad quarterback draft. I’ve heard it from some people, and I’ve heard from others that it’s not as terrible as advertised. “It’s a good quarterback class,” said our NFC exec. “Realistically, all five of those guys go in the first two rounds.”
If that happens, it wouldn’t exactly be unprecedented, but that doesn’t happen every year. There have been five occasions (2014, ’12, ’11, ’07, ’06) since 2000 where five quarterbacks went inside the first two rounds, and only one (2011) where the number was higher than that.
• Joe Mixon is getting drafted. We’ve all seen the video. What Oklahoma’s Joe Mixon did in July 2014, on the day after his 18th birthday, was horrible and inexcusable. But what if that video hadn’t been released? Mixon probably is a candidate to go in the first round. And outside of an altercation over a parking ticket, Mixon’s kept his nose clean since.
“It needs to be the right market, a team that can handle the onslaught, the right PR staff, because you’ll have to weather the storm,” said one area scout assigned to the Sooners. “But the guy the Chiefs drafted [Tyreek Hill], Joe Mixon isn’t half the d—–bag that guy was. You’d have to search to find people that don’t like him. Maybe the parking-lot attendant. Everyone there loves him. And I believe them.”
It will take owner approval in this case. There are teams with history (like Baltimore) that simply won’t be able to draft Mixon. But this is a first-round prospect with Matt Forte/David Johnson potential as an every-down back. I think there’s a chance he goes before the Friday night of the draft is complete.
• The strength of the class is in the secondary and at running back. You’ve heard how this is an incredible year for running backs, and that remains true. Leonard Fournette and Dalvin Cook are lock first-rounders. If Christian McCaffrey runs the low 4.4/high 4.3 range, scouts expect he’ll be with them. (“Belichick never trades up,” said our NFC exec. “Bill may trade up for this kid.”) And there’s depth at the position, too.
So it’s interesting that it might not even be this class’ strongest group. At safety, Ohio State’s Malik Hooker and LSU’s Jamal Adams are both top-10 prospects. As many as five corners (Marshon Lattimore, Quincy Wilson, Teez Tabor, Marlon Humphrey, Sidney Jones) have a shot at going in the top 20. And at both secondardy positions there are other players who have a fighting chance at getting into the first round. If you need a top-shelf defensive back, you can find one in April.
• There are numbers at receiver and tight end. Alabama tight end O.J. Howard and Clemson wide receiver Mike Williams both have a chance to be picked in the top half of the first round. One factor that could hold each of them back—the strong numbers at their positions, which might just prompt teams to wait to fill needs at those spots.
At tight end, there is the raw freak athlete (David Njoku), more traditional tight ends (Jake Butt), and move-type H-backs (Jordan Leggett, Evan Engram). At receiver, there are polished prospects (Corey Davis) and game-breakers (John Ross). And the supply at both positions should run into the third and fourth rounds.
• The class does have a glaring weakness. That weakness is along the offensive line. The tackle crop isn’t as strong as usual, the guard group is shallow, and good luck finding centers. Worse, the fear in the NFL is that it’s not only a bad year but also a sign of things to come. “It’s a trend coming,” said our AFC exec, “because of the spread offense and all the rules on practicing.”
Outside of that? There’s not a lot of depth at inside linebacker, and the aforementioned debate at quarterback. Like we said, it’s not a bad year to have a lot of picks.
February 24, 2017 at 10:29 pm #65597znModeratorWhich position in 2017 NFL Draft is the deepest?
Daniel Jeremiah
After a remarkable Super Bowl, all 32 teams can now put their focus on the offseason. The NFL Scouting Combine is only a few weeks away (March 3-6 on NFL Network) and I can’t wait to see all of the talent on display in Indianapolis. Some draft classes have elite players at the top, while other classes offer tremendous depth and value in the middle rounds. The 2017 NFL Draft will offer both quality and quantity at several positions. I reached out to five NFL personnel executives and asked them which position they thought was the deepest in the upcoming draft. Here are their answers.
Executive 1: Tight end
“This is the best group of tight ends I’ve seen in a long time. There are 7 guys at the position that are going to come in and be major contributors in Year One. I think the safety group is a close second. You are going to see some really good players still on the board in the fourth and fifth rounds.”Executive 2: Safety
“Overall, this is the best group of DBs we’ve had in several years. Specifically, I love the safety depth. I keep watching one good player after another. The UConn kid (Obi Melifonwu) was a revelation at the Senior Bowl. The safety at Utah (Marcus Williams) is a great player and he isn’t even one of the five best safeties in the draft.”Executive 3: Cornerback
“This draft is loaded with corners. There are some elite guys at the top of the draft, but I think there are some excellent value guys in the middle rounds and a bunch of sleepers I really like on Day 3 (Rounds 4-7).”Executive 4: Cornerback
“I think it’s a very deep draft at several positions, but cornerback is the deepest, followed closely by the running back group. I think we could see a major run on cornerbacks in the first three rounds. I think we could see 20 of them go off the board in the top 100 picks.”Executive 5: Cornerback
“I love the corners in this draft. I think every team has them in a different order and I’m fascinated to see how they come off the board.”Summary: That’s three votes for cornerback and one apiece for safety and tight end.
Conclusion: I think you can make a case for several positions being the deepest in the upcoming draft, but I believe cornerback belongs at the top of the list. I currently have 10 cornerbacks in my top 50 players and I felt guilty for leaving a handful of other cornerbacks off my list. The running back and tight end groups are also loaded with quality depth. Although I’m not in love with the top-tier talent at the position, I believe there is some depth in the quarterback class as well.
February 24, 2017 at 10:33 pm #65598znModeratorThe three best position groups in the 2017 NFL Draft
link: http://www.endzonescore.com/best-position-groups-2017-nfl-draft/55419
Every draft is stronger at some positions than others, and the 2017 NFL Draft is no exception. This year offers incredible depth at certain positions, and very little talent at others. Which positions are the deepest?
1) Defensive backs
Both the safety and the cornerback class are incredibly deep this year. There are two safeties that could end up being top 10 picks in Jabrill Peppers and Jamal Adams. While that is extremely impressive, the cornerback class is as good as it has ever been. As many as 12 cornerbacks could end up being drafted in the first round. Some of the highlights include Jalen Tabor, Marlon Humphrey, Desmond King, and Cordrea Tankersley.
Teams that could benefit from the depth of the corner class include the New York Jets, Washington Redskins, Carolina Panthers, Chicago Bears, Philadelphia Eagles, Green Bay Packers, and the New Orleans Saints.
Teams that could benefit from a deep safety class include the Redskins, Tennessee Titans, Pittsburgh Steelers, and the Cleveland Browns.
2) Running backs
Obviously the running back class is extremely talented at the top, with Leonard Fournette and Dalvin Cook leading the way. Prospects like Christian McCaffrey and D’Onta Foreman also have a shot to go in the first round. The class is also littered with quality names like James Conner and Royce Freeman who could be starters from the later rounds. While the class has taken a hit with Nick Chubb staying in school, it still offers a lot of depth.
Teams that could benefit from this deep running back class include the Denver Broncos, Indianapolis Colts, Baltimore Ravens, New York Giants, New England Patriots, Eagles, and Packers.
3) Edge rusher
There are talented edge rushers all over this draft class, but it starts at the top with Myles Garrett. Garrett is the consensus top player in the class, but Jonathan Allen could easily go ahead of him. Whether or not Allen should be considered an edge rusher is debatable, but the rest of the class is also extremely talented. Names like Tim Williams and Derek Barnett lead the way, put players like Dawuane Smoot and Carl Lawson could also go in the first round. There are as many as ten starters in this class, and several could develop into Pro Bowlers.
Teams that could benefit from a deep edge rusher class include the San Francisco 49ers, Cincinnati Bengals, Dallas Cowboys, Jacksonville Jaguars, the Jets, Browns, Colts, and Panthers.
February 24, 2017 at 10:37 pm #65599znModeratorfrom 2017 Draft deep
link: http://lombardiave.com/2017/02/13/green-bay-packers-2017-draft-deep/
This is a good year to need a new cornerback, edge rusher, running back, and tight end. Unlike in recent years, this draft class is loaded with talent at all four positions.
Take cornerback, for example. Ten corners make Daniel Jeremiah’s top 50 prospects, which is incredible. We may see players worthy of first-round selection fall into the second and even third round.
The same is true with the pass rushers.
—
2017 NFL Draft: Grading each position group
http://www.baltimorebeatdown.com/2017/1/17/14287666/2017-nfl-draft-grading-each-position-group
Quarterback: B+
Mitch Trubinsky. Deshaun Watson and DeShone Kizer are all bonafide first round prospects. Brad Kaaya and Pat Mahomes are solid Day 2 prospects. The class also features a few intriguing late round passers such as Chad Kelly and Josh Dobbs.Running Back: A+
Dalvin Cook and Leonard Fournette comprise the top pair of rushers in recent memory. A handful of potential starters could be picked on Day 2, including Christian McCaffery, Joe Mixon, Wayne Gallman, Alvin Kamara and D’Onta Foreman.Wide Receiver: B+
Mike Williams is a legitimate top-ten overall prospect and Corey Davis is right on his heels. The year’s receiver class boasts a full compliment of skill sets and is exceptionally deep with several high ceiling players expected to be available in the late rounds.Tight End: A-
Another bumper crop, the 2017 tight ends could supply as many as seven starters by their second year in the league. The only potential knock on this group is that most of the players are better receivers than blockers. O.J. Howard, Bucky Hodges, Jordan Leggett, Evan Engram and Jake Butt headline the position.Offensive Tackle: D
A relatively weak position in 2017. Cam Robinson is the only prospect assured of first round selection, and he is more of a right tackle than blindside protector. Most of the Day 2 projected players are flawed and need a good deal of development. Day 3 quality appears thin.Interior Offensive Line: C+
Dan Feeney and Ethan Pocic lead a group that lacks elite prospects. Fortunately the mid rounds should provide several capable developmental centers and guards.Interior Defensive Line: A-
The defensive tackle crop has an ideal mix of proven studs, namely Jonathan Allen, DeMarcus Walker and Carlos Watkins, as well as a few high upside prospects. Mailk McDowell, Caleb Brantley and Davon Godchaux are all young interior defenders who could bring excellent long term value if they slip down draft boards.Edge Defender: B+
A top heavy position. After Myles Garrett, Derek Barnett and Taco Charlton, few edge rushers have the frame and strength to serve as three-down players. Most of the mid round prospects are best suited for rotational roles and the late rounds prospects do not offer much high end potential.Linebacker: C
Reuben Foster and Zach Cunningham are quality first round prospects at a devalued position, but overall the linebacker class is not deep or supremely talented.Cornerback: A+
The 2017 class may not have a top-five overall corner, but is absolutely loaded with future stars. A many as ten corners go be taken in the first round, and possibly twenty-plus before Day 3. Size, speed, coverage ability and ball skills abound.Safety: A+
Another loaded position, at least three safeties should go in the first round. As many as five strong safeties could be chosen before Day 3, but what really makes this safety group special is excellent depth from top to bottom and an abundance of natural free safeties. Headed by Malik Hooker, 2017 includes more than a few centerfielder types, which has been an elusive position lately.February 25, 2017 at 12:19 am #65601znModeratorWhat I notice here, as a Rams fan.
Rams have 4 picks out of the first 150 in a deep draft.
And these are the deep positions that could interest them:
Wide Receiver: B+
The year’s receiver class boasts a full compliment of skill sets and is exceptionally deep with several high ceiling players expected to be available in the late rounds.Tight End: A-
Another bumper cropCornerback: A+
The 2017 class may not have a top-five overall corner, but is absolutely loaded with future stars. A many as ten corners go be taken in the first round, and possibly twenty-plus before Day 3. Size, speed, coverage ability and ball skills abound.Safety: A+
Another loaded position…but what really makes this safety group special is excellent depth from top to bottom and an abundance of natural free safeties.February 25, 2017 at 9:14 am #65603znModeratorWhat I notice here, as a Rams fan.
Rams have 4 picks out of the first 150 in a deep draft.
..
LMU93 wrote this:
Rams need to sit tight and let this draft come to them. They can get a top 25-30 player at 37 and a top 50-55 player at 69. Happens every year. They’ll be there.
..
This draft is so deep. I have about 70 guys worthy of a top 50 spot. The 2nd/3rd round is going to produce a lot of future pro bowlers.
— Daniel Jeremiah (@MoveTheSticks) February 25, 2017
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