big draft thread #1

[zn]

Any and all draft thotz, mox, etc.

[InvaderRam]

i’m gonna do a quick mock. don’t know how realistic it is but here it goes.

2. marcus williams – super athletic free safety to complement mo alexander.
3a. tyus bowser – need edge rushers. this guy is worth a second round pick or higher but drops due to depth at this position. another option would be kpassagnon. just can’t teach that kind of size, speed, length and power. and most of all intelligence.
3b. jordan leggett – not athletic like the top tight ends. but more complete perhaps. should be a reliable target in an offense that utilizes multiple tight ends.
4. jon toth – need a center desperately. might not start right away but can be developed for next year.

[zn]

InvaderRam wrote:

i’m gonna do a quick mock. don’t know how realistic it is but here it goes.

2. marcus williams – super athletic free safety to complement mo alexander.
3a. tyus bowser – need edge rushers. this guy is worth a second round pick or higher but drops due to depth at this position. another option would be kpassagnon. just can’t teach that kind of size, speed, length and power. and most of all intelligence.
3b. jordan leggett – not athletic like the top tight ends. but more complete perhaps. should be a reliable target in an offense that utilizes multiple tight ends.
4. jon toth – need a center desperately. might not start right away but can be developed for next year.

You know I buy into the idea that they can get 4 players who can contribute in rounds 2-4. It;s just a matter of who’s there and what they’re looking at–CB? Safety? Edge rusher? DE, maybe? TE? WR?

…

[InvaderRam]

zn wrote:

You know I buy into the idea that they can get 4 players who can contribute in rounds 2-4. It;s just a matter of who’s there and what they’re looking at–CB? Safety? Edge rusher? DE, maybe? TE? WR?

they can. i just worry that mcvay’s first inclination is to draft offense when this draft outside of tight end and running back, is so strong on defense.

in my opinion, he needs to have the whole team picture in mind and that means drafting defense. this team more than anything just needs strong starters. it isn’t one wide receiver away from contending. it needs talent at every single unit. so why not draft the strongest players.

• This reply was modified 7 years, 8 months ago by InvaderRam.

[JackPMiller]

I want us to draft a Center with our 2nd round pick. Pat Elflein of Ohio State. He is my pick. Not a glamour pick, but a need pick. Build the Online I say.

[zn]

PFF: RANKING THE TOP 15 EDGE DEFENDER PROSPECTS OF 2017
Former Texas A&M star Myles Garrett tops PFF’s 2017 edge defender prospect rankings.

https://www.profootballfocus.com/draft-ranking-top-10-edge-defender-prospects-of-2017/

Arguably the deepest position group in the entire country, I listed 15 edge defenders below and didn’t even make it through all the players Pro Football Focus’ analysts have with Day 1 or Day 2 grades. It’s a loaded field that could see double-digit names come off the board in Round 1.

2017 Edge Class Rankings

Rankings
1. Myles Garrett, Texas A&M

Myles Garrett is the unquestioned top edge prospect in this class. The biggest criticism I’ve seen of Garrett is that he didn’t record enough sacks in SEC play. If you don’t think he was productive against the SEC the past three seasons, however, you simply didn’t watch the games. Garrett is a freak of nature physically who is still only scratching the surface of his potential.

Pro Football Focus ✔ @PFF
“If Michelangelo were sculpting the perfect edge rusher, he’d likely come up with something like Myles Garrett” http://bit.ly/2l8tom4

2. Derek Barnett, Tennessee

Athletically, Barnett is the antithesis of Garrett. Production-wise, he’s the only player in the class that can compare to Garrett over the course of their careers. Barnett’s 37 combined sacks and hits this past season were far and away the most in college football. He also has 20 total sacks in SEC play the past two seasons. The only concern is his top-tier athleticism, but with the way Barnett wins—with power and hands—that’s not a big issue for me.

3. Carl Lawson, Auburn

The pass-rushers in the SEC last season kept a good number of quarterbacks up late on Friday nights. Lawson registered nine sacks, 13 hits, and 42 hurries in 2016 on only 364 pass-rushing snaps. Lawson wins the edge on offensive tackles as much as anyone in this class and makes them worry about getting out of their stance quickly with his first step. He pairs that up with some of the strongest hands I’ve seen in the class that keep him in control of interactions.

4. Solomon Thomas, Stanford

Thomas’ true position in the NFL is still up in the air, and he could very well play a number of different techniques depending on the situation. He was most often utilized on the interior, with 90.6 percent of his snaps coming inside the tackles a season ago. But at 272 pounds, he might have to play on the edge in the NFL. Still, no player in college football graded out better against the run than Thomas. He also has the freakish athleticism at his size that could translate as a pass-rusher.

5. Tim Williams, Alabama

On a snap-for-snap basis, Williams has been the most effective pass-rusher in the nation over the past three seasons. The issue is that even over those three seasons, he’s only accumulated 685 snaps (485 as a pass-rusher). While he’s notched a ridiculous 22 sacks, 19 hits, and 83 hurries on those plays, it’s still concerning that he couldn’t see the field more. While Williams looks like one of the most athletic edge rushers in the class on tape, his combine performance was lackluster.

6. Jordan Willis, Kansas State

As owner of the highest overall grade of any edge player in the country a season ago, Willis absolutely dominated the Big 12. Then he went to Indianapolis and put up the most impressive combine performance of any edge prospect in the class. So if you’re looking for a player who checks the production and athleticism boxes, Willis is your guy. His biggest issue was level of competition faced. The Kansas State defensive end looked far more pedestrian in one-on-one’s at the Senior Bowl, but come actual game time in Mobile, and Willis registered two sacks and three hurries.

7. Haason Reddick, Temple

Haason Reddick is another player who may not end up on the edge at the next level, but this time for different reasons. Reddick’s athleticism and size could end up moving him to an off-ball linebacker spot at the next level, where he would obviously be a devastating weapon as a blitzer. Reddick was utilized in a true 3-4 outside linebacker role at Temple, dropping into coverage on 74 of his 322 passing snaps last season. That means that his 43 QB pressures last season came on only 248 pass rushes, a ridiculous rate. Reddick is the ultimate Swiss Army knife for defensive coordinators in the NFL.

8. Charles Harris, Missouri

Harris is the undisputed king of the spin move in this class, and has some freakish balance for a 253-pound man. His 28 combined sacks plus hits in 2016 were the fifth-most of any edge player, and he has a penchant for winning quickly. His poor combine will drop him down some boards, but the pass-rushing production is there in spades.

9. T.J. Watt, Wisconsin

The biggest concern with Watt is whether or not he’s a one-year wonder. Physically, though, there’s not much he can’t do. At 6-foot-4, 252 pounds, Watt put up fantastic explosive and change-of-direction numbers at the combine. That meshes with what we saw of him at Wisconsin, where he was arguably the most impressive of anyone in this class at closing on ball carriers in space. He’s still raw as a pass-rusher, as a good deal of his 56 QB pressures a season ago came unblocked, but the ability is there.

10. Taco Charlton, Michigan

Charlton is a physical specimen who simply overpowered college offensive tackles on the edge last season. Standing a legit 6-foot-6, 277 pounds, Charlton was a forced to be reckoned with as a bull-rusher and somehow had one of the most effective spin moves in the country at that size. He registered 18 combined sacks and hits last year, despite rushing the passer only 251 times.

11. Takkarist McKinley

McKinley has some of the best straight-line explosiveness in this class, and was too much physically for many college offensive tackles. He was responsible for one of projected first-round OT Garett Bolles’ three sacks allowed this season, and recorded 20 total sacks plus hits on the year. The biggest concern for the former Bruin was his disappearance in certain games. Stanford and Washington State both held McKinley in check for much of their games.

12. Deatrich Wise Jr., Arkansas

Another “tweener,” Wise’s best position is likely as a 3-4 defensive end. He had some issues holding up to double teams at Arkansas that limited his playing time, but he was incredibly productive on the 488 snaps he saw see as a senior. Then at the East-West Shrine Game, he utterly dominated, racking up two sacks, a hit, and five hurries. He’s still very raw, but Wise has some freakish tools to work with in the NFL.

13. Dawuane Smoot, Illinois

Smoot is one of the few pass-rushers on this list with an already-refined rip move. He also has the bend that makes one think that will translate to the next level. It’s a little concerning that his junior season—60 total QB pressures—greatly outshined his senior year (53 pressures). Smoot’s two-year production as a pass-rusher, however, is still among the 10 best in this class.

14. Trey Hendrickson, Florida Atlantic

Hendrickson was by far the most productive pass-rusher outside the Power-5 conferences. His 20.5 pass-rushing productivity led the entire nation as he racked up 78 QB pressures, second-most in the nation. This comes a year after he finished second in the country with 15 sacks in 2015. Hendrickson’s only knock is level of competition. That concern wasn’t eased at all by an average showing in the Shrine game after the season.

15. Ryan Anderson, Alabama

Anderson may not be what the NFL is looking for on the edge from a size and athleticism standpoint, but he simply gets the job done repeatedly. The Alabama outside linebacker ranked sixth and fifth the past two seasons among SEC edge players despite playing only 670 and 361 snaps respectively in those seasons. He’s already incredibly advanced with his hands and does a great job of keeping his body clean despite limited length.

Class superlatives

Best pure pass-rusher: Myles Garrett, Texas A&M

There’s a reason why Garrett is nearly a lock to go No. 1 overall. He earned a top-three pass-rushing grade as a freshman and sophomore before injuries limited him this past season to only seventh-best in the country.

Best against the run: Solomon Thomas, Stanford

Thomas’ 12.0 run-stop percentage was eighth-best among all defensive linemen in the country last year. I legitimately believe that even at 272 pounds, Thomas could be a full-time 3-technique if he wanted to be. That’s how stout he is versus the run.

Best at winning outside: Derek Barnett, Tennessee

This one may surprise some, but there is far more to winning the edge as a pass-rusher than simply burst off the line of scrimmage. Barnett is excellent at pacing his attack at an offensive tackle and baiting his opponent into getting flat-footed at the top of his set. After Barnett swats away the blocker’s hand, he has enough bend to consistently win the corner.

Best at winning inside: Haason Reddick, Temple

With the juice Reddick has off the edge, college tackles absolutely flew out of their stances against him. Any sort of inside counter or slant wreaked havoc for opposing offensive lines, as he possesses the ability to stop on a dime and duck inside.

Best bull-rusher: Myles Garrett, Texas A&M

272 pounds running a 4.64-second 40-yard dash with ridiculous burst off the line of scrimmage and 35¼-inch arms coming at you is a terrifying package. It’s no surprise that Garrett is the biggest bull-rush threat in this class.

Best spin move: Charles Harris, Missouri

Harris executing his spin is akin to the running back spin move in NFL Blitz. It all happens in the blink of an eye, and while he’s spinning, no one can touch him. No prospect in this class can rival the ease and frequency with which Harris pulled the move off.

[InvaderRam]

i like jordan willis. i also like tyus bowser. i think he could be a steal if teams sleep on him. reminds me of khalil mack. barwin too to be honest. versatile. can rush. can drop back. can play in a 3-4 or a 4-3. i would even consider him in the second round.

[zn]

jrry32 wrote:

Cooper Kupp, WR

I think very highly of Zay Jones, Chris Godwin, Juju Smith, and Evan Engram, but Kupp is my pick if we go WR somewhere in the second or third round. Why? There are three things I want to highlight: 1) production, 2) physical talent, and 3) technical skill.
Production
Kupp’s Career Stats
Four-year starter (52 games)
428 catches
6464 receiving yards
15.1 yards per catch
73 receiving TDs
*Holds every career receiving record across all divisions of college football

Kupp’s Per Season Averages Over His Career
107 catches
1616 receiving yards
18 receiving TDs

Kupp’s Career Production vs. the Pac-12
4 games (Oregon, Washington*, Oregon State, and Washington State)
40 catches
716 receiving yards
11 receiving TDs
*Against Washington as a sophomore, Kupp posted 8 catches for 145 yards and 3 TDs. His three TDs were a 7 yard TD against Marcus Peters in zone coverage, a 41 yard TD against Marcus Peters in man coverage, and a 26 yard TD against Bubba Baker in man coverage. Peters is one of the NFL’s best CBs. Baker is a projected late-first to mid-second round pick this year.

Physical Talent
This is where you might see people knock Kupp. Kupp measured in around 6’2″ 205 at the NFL Combine. He posted a 4.62 40 yard dash, a 31 inch vertical jump, a 9’07” broad jump, a 4.08 short shuttle, and a 6.75 three cone drill. His 40 and jumps were below average at best. People will latch onto those, but the agility drills are what should stand out. They match the tape. Kupp’s quickness, change of direction ability, burst off the LOS, and fluid hips all stand out as special attributes on tape. The Patriots are known for putting a heavy emphasis on the three cone drill. There are not many 6’2″ WRs who move like Kupp does. It makes it very difficult for CBs to stay in his hip pocket.

Technical Skill
Kupp’s father played QB in the NFL and his grandfather played OG. You can definitely tell that he was the kid of a pro QB. He’s a well-schooled player who’s technical skills are beyond advanced for his age. As a route runner, Kupp changes speeds to keep CBs on their toes and earn him separation on deep routes. He understands how to use leverage, subtle fakes, and body control to tilt CBs to gain extra separation out of his breaks. He displays tremendous body control and balance throughout his routes using his phenomenal agility and cutting ability to separate at all levels of the field. You can also tell that he studies his opponent’s and understands how to attack each player he lines up against. When he comes out of his break, he works aggressively back to the QB to cut off defenders paths to the football. And even when he isn’t the primary receiver, he runs his route in such a way to draw defenders away from the primary read and is always ready to find open spaces when his QB scrambles. He’s absolutely lethal against zone coverage because of his football IQ, fearlessness, and quickness. He finds the soft spots of the zone quickly, settles, and makes catches in traffic with no regard for his safety. His releases against press coverage are also gorgeous. His footwork and hand usage are textbook, and his quickness/burst make it absolutely unfair at times. He embarrassed Oregon’s CBs in 2015 when they tried to press him in the red-zone.

That all said, I don’t even think route running is his best skill. His best skill is his ability to catch the football. Kupp’s grip strength and hand technique are both outstanding. He snatches the ball away from his frame when the situation calls for it, he bodies it when the situation calls for it, and he attacks the ball in the air when the situation calls for it. He also tracks the ball over his shoulder with ease. Kupp is the type of player who makes the hard catches look so easy that you want to call it a drop when he actually fails to make one. He has a large catch radius, rarely ever drops the football, and can be counted on to come down with the ball when bodies are around him.

Oddly enough, Larry Fitzgerald is the name that keeps coming to mind for me when I watch Kupp. It’s not because they have similar body types or the same style of play. Kupp isn’t the dominant 50-50 ball WR that Larry is. It’s because Kupp, like Fitzgerald, makes playing WR look easy despite not having vertical speed. He catches anything and everything you throw his way. He always seems to find a way to be open no matter the coverage when you need him. And even when he isn’t open, he finds a way to make a key catch if you throw it his way. Kupp isn’t Larry Fitzgerald, but he has that same sort of naturalness to his game. Whether he’s in the slot, at split end, or at flanker, he’s going to find a way to be an absolute headache for the opposition. In 52 games as a starter, Kupp was held under 50 receiving yards only twice during his career. Simply put, nobody could figure out how to stop the guy. I expect him to continue to produce on Sundays.

[zn]

Draft tracker link: http://www.nfl.com/draft/2017/tracker#dt-tabs:dt-by-position/dt-by-position-input:wr

[InvaderRam]

if they went wr in the second round. i’d want kupp.

he’s not fast. 40 is not blazing, but his short shuttle and 3-cone times are outstanding. elite. and he’s got elite production. i read that he burned that outstanding washington secondary with baker, jones, and king.

• This reply was modified 7 years, 8 months ago by InvaderRam.

[zn]

–

2 views

jrry32 wrote: Kupp is my pick if we go WR somewhere in the second or third round.

laram wrote: Cooper Kupp – He’s a slot receiver only in the NFL but really lacks the ability to separate from press coverage via strength or quickness. He didn’t run very complex routes in college and was aided tremendously by scheme. I’m not saying he can’t play, just that he is being overvalued because he will not be a dominant receiver he’s a #3 IMO. He needs to be in the right system, with top threats on the outside.

[zn]

PFF: RANKING THE TOP 10 TE DRAFT PROSPECTS OF 2017

https://www.profootballfocus.com/draft-ranking-the-top-10-te-draft-prospects/

This tight end class has widely been considered the best group of sort-of-offensive-linemen-sort-of-receivers in quite some time, and rightfully so. Not only is this class stacked with some premier talent at the top of it, but it’s deep, littered with a slew of guys who should be able to contribute on Sundays for years to come, even if they aren’t getting the hype that the top of the class has received thus far. If you’re favorite team needs to improve at tight end, there’s potential for striking gold in this years NFL draft.

Rankings

1. O.J. Howard, Alabama

O.J. Howard owns a unique blend of size and athleticism that is simply coveted in today’s NFL at the tight end position. Howard was PFF’s top-graded college tight end this past season, and it’s tough to find any major red flags in his game. He’s an athletic mismatch, capable of taking advantage of smaller defensive backs while having the speed and quickness to consistently separate from linebackers; he has sure hands, as he’s recorded just six total drops over the last three seasons. Howard has also graded positively as a run blocker in each of the last three seasons, including 2016 when he earned the highest run-blocking grade among tight ends.

2. David Njoku, Miami

If you’ve ever wished that your favorite team had Jordan Reed on it, now is your chance to get him, because David Njoku is his clone. Njoku isn’t overly elusive, but he’s extremely effective with the ball in his hands due to a combination of his size, top-end speed and a willingness to just punch a defense in the mouth. He averaged 11.2 yards after the catch in 2016, the most by all draft-eligible tight ends by over a yard. There are concerns with Njoku’s ability as a run blocker—he graded out in the middle of the pack, and can get too tall while moving laterally—but his receiving ability makes him a Day 1 starter and someone you want to feed the ball too often.

3. Gerald Everett, South Alabama

Everett is an athletic freak, earning “top performer” marks at the NFL Combine in the following events: bench press (22 reps, third-most among TEs), vertical jump (37.5 inches, third-best), broad jump (126 inches, fifth-best), 3-cone drill (6.99 seconds, fourth-best) and the 20-yard shuttle (4.33 seconds). That athleticism stands out on his tape, as well. He’s a nightmare to bring down with the ball in his hands—Everett forced 24 missed tackles in 2016, nine more than any other tight end—and his short-term burst, paired with his size and agility, make it quite difficult for linebackers to match up with him one-on-one. He shows no fear of contact when running routes over the middle and his balance is one of his greatest strengths. Everett showed multiple times on film that he’s capable of absorbing a blow before continuing on downfield. He’s raw—a classic case of played basketball in high school and got into football late—and his technique as both a route runner and run blocker need work, but if he’s able to clean that up with NFL coaching, he could be a Pro-Bowl-level tight end.

4. George Kittle, Iowa

While Kittle may not possess the size to become a reliable, in-line blocker, his sound technique, willingness to block and above-average athleticism make him a great No. 2 tight end in a “move” role. He’s one of the best in the class at blocking on the move, where he can use his athleticism and instincts to take advantage of angles and leverage. Kittle possesses the quickness and speed that should make him a versatile receiving threat capable of running routes from multiple positions, as well. At the very least, he’ll be a reliable underneath threat capable of gaining yards after the catch and moving the chains.

5. Evan Engram, Ole Miss

Engram is arguably the best tight end in this class out of the slot, and he’s a legitimate deep threat. Over the past two seasons on balls thrown at least 20 yards in the air, Engram has hauled in 10 of 17 attempts for 337 yards and three touchdowns. He’s quite athletic with great short-term burst; he moves fluidly and tracks the ball well downfield and is capable of winning hand fights to create late separation. Engram doesn’t offer much as a run blocker—his grading regressed from 2015 to 2016, and at times it looks like he just ducks his head and goes in blind when throwing a block—but there may not be a better tight end in this class at stretching the middle of the field.

6. Bucky Hodges, Virginia Tech

Standing at 6-foot-6 with out-of-the-stadium leaping ability, Hodges should step in and become a red-zone weapon for an NFL offense. He has minimal experience lining up with his hand in the dirt, and doesn’t offer a whole lot as a run blocker or pass protector, but he’s capable of lining up both in the slot and out wide, and he’s productive at all three levels. Hodges’ limited ability as a blocker, paired with his limited ability to create yards after the catch—he averaged just 3.0 yards after the catch last season—will likely cap his role within an NFL offense, but in terms of being a big-bodied target, he has a lot to offer.

7. Jake Butt, Michigan

Expecting Butt to be the complete package as an NFL tight end is probably asking too much. He has blatant limitations as a run blocker, both at the line of scrimmage and as he moves up the field. Butt isn’t overly-athletic, but he doesn’t mess around with the ball in his hands; he turns up field as soon as he’s secured the catch and looks to squeeze out as many yards as he can. Big plays are going to be few and far between for Butt in the NFL, and he isn’t going to have much success creating separation when manned up in coverage, but his penchant for finding the holes in zone coverages—especially in the short-to-intermediate range—and getting upfield will help an offense move the chains.

8. Pharaoh Brown, Oregon

If Brown didn’t suffer a gruesome leg injury back in 2014—he nearly needed the leg to be amputated, and it cost him the entire 2015 season and appeared to hamper him a bit in 2016—we would likely be looking at one of the top tight ends in the draft class. Brown still showed enough on the field in 2016, though, to prove that he may still have a spot on an NFL roster, even if he isn’t able to regain his explosiveness entirely. Brown’s 75.2 run-blocking grade and average of 1.89 yards per route run out of the slot both ranked within the top-10 of draft-eligible tight ends. His film showed a blocker who’s tough for smaller defenders to shed, while also possessing the size and lower body strength to anchor down and maintain blocks against defenders on the edge. Brown has inconsistent hands, and he’s not someone who’s currently going to stretch the field, but if he cleans up his technique as a blocker, he should have a role within an offense. If he can regain some of his explosiveness, he could be a steal.

9. Jordan Leggett, Clemson

Leggett has great size and is an above-average athlete, but needs to develop some strength and improve greatly as a run blocker—an area where he’s graded out miserably over his college career. Leggett was an effective target over the middle of the field for Clemson, especially in the short and intermediate ranges, as he has a nice feel for finding the soft space between linebackers in zone coverage. He’s slow in and out of his breaks, though, when running routes, and can be too easily redirected out of his lane. There’s potential with Leggett, but he’s going to need to show that he’s not a complete liability as a run blocker and is capable of beating man coverage if he’s going to make it onto the field.

10. Michael Roberts, Toledo

Talk about a nose for the end zone: Roberts led all college tight ends last season with 16 touchdowns, eight more than Evan Engram, who had the second-highest total. Our highest-ranked tight end this season in terms of overall grade, Roberts burst onto the scene in his senior year after clawing his way onto the team in Toledo back in 2013. Roberts also demonstrated that he was a capable blocker in 2016, both in the run game and in pass protection. He finished the season with the 15th highest run-blocking grade among the 78 qualified draft-eligible tight ends while allowing just one QB pressure on 62 pass-blocking snaps. Roberts is raw, but his journey up to this point has been rather impressive. Given the production he’s shown on the field, this is a player worth gambling on.

Class superlatives

Best hands: O.J. Howard, Alabama

Not only has Howard dropped just six balls over the past three seasons combined, his catch radius is quite impressive. Howard is able to go down low and peel balls off the grass on one play and then grab a ball off of his back shoulder the next.

Best route runner: O.J. Howard, Alabama

Howard’s athleticism shines when it comes to running his routes. He’s such a gifted athlete, with exceptional acceleration and agility that he uses to create separation virtually at will.

Best after the catch: Gerald Everett, South Alabama

Everett is a nightmare to bring down in the open field. He’s athletically gifted, and his explosiveness and balance are two of his greatest attributes. Everett is quick enough to make people miss, but he’s also able to absorb contact while maintaining his momentum. He’s strong enough to drag defenders for extra yardage if they don’t hit him with force. David Njoku deserves an honorable mention here, but Everett takes it in a close one.

Best run blocker: George Kittle, Iowa

Kittle’s ability as a run-blocker shines when you throw on his game tape. He’s excellent at blocking on the move while demonstrating excellent footwork, balance and leverage. While he may lack the size to develop into a consistent in-line blocker, he’s a weapon when asked to block from off the line, which is a big reason why he finished the year with the second-highest run-blocking grade among draft eligible tight ends.

[InvaderRam]

george kittle is intriguing.

George Kittle blocking pic.twitter.com/bZK8IlEGKf

— Ty Wurth (@WurthDraft) March 8, 2017

[zn]

InvaderRam wrote:

george kittle is intriguing.

TE GEORGE KITTLE
6’4″ 247LBS

STRENGTHS Has broad shoulders and waist with a durable frame. Plays in pro-style attack and approaches blocking like an offensive lineman. Comes off the ball with good pad level and strikes with leverage and hands inside opponent’s frame. Blocks with good technique and has footwork to get to reach blocks and combos. Hands are confident and sure with just one drop against 48 catches. Able to make sudden body adjustments to poorly thrown balls. Flashes vertical speed to become a seam worker. Physical runner after the catch with more wiggle than you would expect.

WEAKNESSES Patterns are inconsistent and he rarely tilts defenders at the top of his routes. Could generate better separation with improved route leverage. Route breaks can be too easy to decipher. Plays fast but seems to be missing separation burst coming out of his breaks. Needs to work back to the ball harder in space. Allows defenders a pathway to the throw rather than sealing them out of the passing lane. Has tendency to keep weight too far forward as run blocker creating opportunity for defender to pull him off-balance.

BOTTOM LINE H-back type who lacks the desired size for in-line blocking but certainly has the technique and willingness to do it. He has good hands and flashes an ability to challenge as a pass catcher on all three levels. Kittle has the athleticism and blocking ability to become an effective move tight end if paired in the right system.

http://www.nfl.com/draft/2017/profiles/george-kittle?id=2558266

[zn]

RANKING THE 15 BEST WIDE RECEIVER DRAFT PROSPECTS OF 2017

https://www.profootballfocus.com/draft-ranking-the-15-best-wide-receiver-draft-prospects-of-2017/

This year’s class of wide receivers has a little bit of everything. While there are three that really stand out ahead of the pack, there are a ton of interesting prospects in the next tier with high potential. A team looking for a slot receiver will have just as much talent to choose from as a team looking for a big outside threat. The following list is PFF’s current ranking of the top 15 wide receiver prospects, but this list is ever-evolving. As we review more prospects and have more internal discussions about them, this list will likely change multiple times as we approach the NFL draft.

Rankings

1. Mike Williams, Clemson

Williams capped off an impressive season with a performance for the ages in the National Championship game, propelling Clemson to the title. That game looked to be a sign of just what kind of weapon Williams could be at the next level. Nobody in this class can win at the catch point better than Williams can. He’s big and strong, has a massive catch radius and really strong hands. All of that combined means that a quarterback needs to just get the ball in his area, and Williams will have a good shot of hauling it in. His 3.35 yards-per-route-run average in 2016 ranked inside the top 10 among all receivers. His lack of high-end speed may be an issue for some teams, but he’s so good at the catch point that it might not matter. Williams should be able to step onto the field in the NFL and contribute instantly as a receiver that you can just throw the ball near and rely on him to make a big play.

2. Corey Davis, Western Michigan

Davis has been phenomenally productive over his career at Western Michigan, and will now look to translate that strong play to the NFL. In the three years we’ve graded college football, Davis has finished as a top-10 receiver in every single year. He isn’t the biggest receiver, or the fastest, but he’s one of the most impressive ones because of his fantastic route-running ability and strong hands. Davis does all the little things you want a receiver to do, whether it’s adjusting his routes based on the coverage, using his hands to subtly create separation, or knowing when a big hit is coming and positioning himself to absorb it. While his lack of size and speed may prevent him from being a No. 1 option right away in the NFL, he can instantly contribute as a second option for a team and could very well develop into a high-level No. 1 receiver.

3. John Ross, Washington

After a combine in which he set the record for fastest 40-yard dash (4.22 seconds), there may not be a more talked-about receiver than Ross. When you watch him on tape, the pure speed is instantly evident. Ross can absolutely blow by any corner that stands across from him. But he’s more than just a one-speed deep threat. He has shown he can run both short and intermediate routes, and run them well. Ross makes good, quick breaks and doesn’t slow down or give them away with movement. He has strong hands and rarely drops the ball. Once the ball is in his hands, he can see the field very well and can make defenders miss. The biggest knock on him is his size (5-foot-11, 188 pounds) and an injury history that covers both knees. If he can stay healthy against NFL-sized players, Ross could develop into a true number one option fairly quickly.

4. Dede Westbrook, Oklahoma

Westbrook was one of if not the most productive receiver in college football last season, winning the Biletnikoff Award as well as getting an invite to the Heisman Trophy ceremony as a nominee. While it’s easy to dismiss Westbrook as a product of the wide-open Big 12 offense of Oklahoma, he’s much more than that. Westbrook is more than just fast, he’s incredibly quick out of his breaks and knows how to run every route. He knows how to set up routes with double moves and head fakes, and once he has a step on a defender they probably aren’t catching him. He’s got great hands, and is very impressive after the catch. While on tape he seems to play bigger than he is, his size may force him into the slot early in his NFL career. But watching him play outside, he definitely has the potential to move out there in the future.

5. Zay Jones, East Carolina

Jones has become the epitome of a sure-handed underneath receiver over the past couple years. While the East Carolina wide receiver has amassed an incredible 462 targets over the past three years, he dropped only 17 of his 360 catchable targets. Still, due to coming from a small school and having played against lesser competition, Jones was flying under the radar for quite a while and people have really started talking about him mainly because he surpassed expectations with an impressive week at the Senior Bowl. Although Jones’ play is not necessarily extremely eye-catching, but he can be one of the most useful and reliable members of an offense. Overall, Jones’ production speaks for itself and he could become immensely useful for teams in moving the chains in an unspectacular way.

6. JuJu Smith- Schuster, USC

Smith-Schuster seemed to have lost some momentum in the draft process after a down year production-wise compared to 2015, but don’t let that fool you. Smith-Schuster is a strong, physical receiver who knows how to use his body to make catches. He’s not the fastest or quickest receiver by any means, but he does run some routes well enough to get open. Once the ball is in his hands he’s hard to bring down, especially by smaller secondary defenders. Smith-Schuster is the kind of guy who loves underthrown deep balls, because it allows him the chance to get under it and high point the ball over a defender. He still needs to get more consistent at those contested catch situations, but his size and hands should help him there. Smith-Schuster may never be more than a good second option receiver but in today’s pass-happy NFL, that is something a lot of teams should covet.

7. Cooper Kupp, Eastern Washington

One of the most talked-about names in this draft class is Kupp, from FCS school Eastern Washington. While it is true that Kupp dominated teams against which he was clearly athletically superior and far more talented, Kupp cannot be overlooked in this class. He’s an incredibly smart receiver and knows how to break off or adjust his routes depending on what coverage he’s against. He’s not the fastest out there but he uses very good route-running in order to create space to catch the ball with very strong hands. Kupp will be pigeonholed as a slot receiver by many, but he has the size and skills to play outside as well. He averaged 5.11 yards per route run as an outside receiver last season. Kupp is another guy that likely will never be a true No. 1 receiver, but he has the tools and skills to be an effective NFL starter for many years to come.

8. Carlos Henderson, Louisiana Tech

Probably the most exciting college tape of this receiving class belonged to Henderson. In 2016 for Louisiana Tech he forced an insane 48 missed tackles, nearly double the second-most at the position. The one thing that stands out over everything that Henderson does is his vision. Nobody in this class is better with the ball in his hands. Henderson at times looked like he was three steps ahead of the defense, making the exact right cut, hesitation, fake, etc., in order to force a missed tackle or break a small pass into a huge gain. Henderson is raw as a receiver, running very few routes for LA Tech’s offense and showing very little in terms of catching contested passes. But he is a guy you want on your team, simply to get him the ball and let him make plays. If he can develop as a receiver, he has the potential to be one of the best receivers to come out of this class.

9. Taywan Taylor, Western Kentucky

Even though some expected Taylor’s production to drop off with the departure of Western Kentucky quarterback Brandon Doughty to the NFL, the wideout still had more than 1,700 receiving yards and 17 touchdowns in 2016. Furthermore, Taylor remained the same type of deep threat last season as he led the wide receiver position by a significant margin with his 948 receiving yards on passes that traveled 20 yards or more in the air and was tied with teammate Nicholas Norris for the most touchdown receptions on such passes. In addition, nearly one-third of Taylor’s targets came on post and go routes, which signify his usage in Western Kentucky’s offense and how his speed was put to use by the Hilltoppers. While Taylor may not be as sophisticated route-runner as some others in this year’s class, his speed and ability to take the top off defenses will help him find his way on to the field in the NFL.

10. Mack Hollins, North Carolina

Hollins is a sleeper prospect here with not a lot of college production to back him up. But he’s ranked this high because of what he can do when he’s on the field. At 6-4 and 221 pounds, Hollins is one of the biggest receivers in the class. But he also has phenomenal straightaway speed. He effortlessly blew by defenders throughout his career, evidenced by his 20 career touchdowns on just 71 receptions. Hollins was also a workhorse on special teams, a captain who played on every single unit. There are certainly issues with Hollins, such as a very limited route tree and the mystery about lack of production for a receiver with his tools. But watching his tape you can see that Hollins can play. With the natural size and speed he has, if Hollins can develop his route-running and show the ability to compete in contested catch situations, it’s not such a crazy stretch to say that Hollins has No. 1 receiver potential.

11. Chad Hansen, California

Hansen was never considered to be an elite or even a much above-average college wide receiver, yet whenever the ball went his way, he kept making plays for Cal in 2016. Even though Hansen does not necessarily have the measurables (6-2, 202 pounds) and ran a 40-yard dash of just 4.53 seconds, he excelled at catching deep passes and winning contested catches last year. Perhaps most impressively, the wide receiver did not drop any of his 16 deep targets at Cal. The fact that he can high-point passes and go up and outmuscle defensive backs for the ball makes him very effective in coming down with contested catches in close coverage. The biggest knock on Hansen is how he was used and the lack of experience he has running different type of routes as he lined up almost exclusively on the right side and 73.6 percent of his targets came on screens, hitches and go routes.

12. Chris Godwin, Penn State

Godwin’s is a name people have been talking about all draft season as a very intriguing prospect. He was a great deep threat for Penn State mainly because of his ability to win at the catch point. He uses his body well to keep defenders off of him and can high point the ball. He’s a solid route-runner with tools to develop further. One of his attributes that NFL teams will like most is his tenacious run-blocking. Godwin was our 10th-highest-graded run-blocker among all college receivers last season. While there are some issues, such as his speed sometimes not showing up on tape and lack of open-field explosiveness, Godwin remains a solid prospect. He should find a role with the team that drafts him and one day may work himself into a consistent role as an intermediate/deep receiving threat.

13. ArDarius Stewart, Alabama

Another under-the-radar prospect in this draft is Alabama’s Stewart. He never really had the production level of the top receivers, but that doesn’t mean he isn’t skilled. Stewart is a guy who should be able to jump right in and contribute in some way as an NFL receiver. Stewart has solid speed and acceleration, wasting no time in getting up to top speed. His after-the-catch ability is among the best in this class, and the reason that Alabama used him on jet sweeps as often as they did. Stewart knows how to read zones and is very good at finding holes in them for his quarterback to make a big throw. One issue with Stewart is that he has played almost exclusively against zone defenses, and there’s reason to think he’ll struggle early on against man coverage. But he’s a great mid-round option for any receiver-needy team.

14. Josh Reynolds, Texas A&M

For a team needing a deep-threat receiver, Reynolds might be just the ticket. He’s a long strider and has good straightline speed that allows him to separate from defenders. He’s great at tracking the ball in the air and has very strong hands. Reynolds may be the best end-zone fade route-runner in this entire class. With his combination of size, hands, jumping, and timing, he should be able to fill that role immediately in the NFL. Because of his long stride speed he’ll likely never develop into much of an underneath receiver. But if he works on his route running and gets a little stronger, there’s a good chance he could develop a strong intermediate game to add to his already impressive deep threat ability.

15. Isaiah Ford, Virginia Tech

Ford is one of those guys who does a lot of things well but just doesn’t seem to have enough pieces to be a No. 1 receiver. What he is good at though is using his hands while running routes to create separation, which is good because he isn’t really fast enough to separate on speed alone. He’s not the strongest receiver but he has good body control that allows him to haul in contested catches even when the ball isn’t thrown perfectly. He also has a very good release off the line of scrimmage which helps him consistently beat press coverage. Ford may not have what it takes to be the No. 1 guy on a team, but he should be able to provide a very valuable complementary role wherever he ends up.

Class superlatives

Best hands: Zay Jones, Eastern Washington

Jones had some issues with drops in 2014, but has really cleaned it up since then. In 2015 and 2016, Jones saw a combined 265 catchable passes and dropped just nine of them (3.40 drop rate). He also has an impressive catch radius for his size, and should be used as a consistent safety valve for any team’s quarterback in the NFL. Anyone who watched him at the Senior Bowl knows how impressive his hands are.

Best route runner: Corey Davis, Western Michigan

Davis isn’t the fastest guy on the field, but he gets separation by running very good routes. Whether it’s shallow, intermediate or deep, Davis knows how to run them all. But it’s not just the routes, but the small things he does while running them. Whether it’s head fakes, double moves, or subtle hand usage to get separation, Davis can do it all.

Best in contested situations: Mike Williams, Clemson

The first of three easy superlative selections, Williams is far and away the best contested catch receiver in this class. Just watch the national championship game for proof. His combination of size and strength are hard for any defender to overcome. He’s got strong hands and knows how to play the ball perfectly even when it’s not quite on target. He’s also shown he can take a hit and still hold on to the ball.

Best deep speed: John Ross, Washington

This was the easiest of all these superlatives. Everyone knew Ross was fast going into the NFL combine, but he shattered expectations by breaking the 40-yard dash record with a time of 4.22. That’s a speed that translates on tape, as he’ll be five steps past a defender seemingly only 20 yards downfield at times. The biggest thing to watch out for with Ross is that he doesn’t overrun his QB’s throw distance limit, which happened several times at Washington with Jake Browning.

Best after the catch: Carlos Henderson, Louisiana Tech

Any time you force 48 missed tackles as a receiver, heads should turn. That’s what Henderson did last year, showing incredible vision when it came to reading the field and knowing where to go. Henderson just seemed to be a step ahead of everyone else whenever he caught the ball. He’d make the perfect juke at the perfect time, power through a defender when he needed to. He just seemed to know exactly where to go and when to go there to maximize his yards after the catch.

Best downfield threat: Dede Westbrook, Oklahoma

This was a tough one, but Westbrook’s combination of skills and abilities put him at the top of this for us. He’s really fast and can burn guys deep when he needs to. But he’s also got quick cuts and incredible double moves, shaking some players out of their cleats at times last year. He plays bigger than he is and has shown the ability to go up and win tough contested catches. He may not be the fastest or the biggest and strongest, but his combination of everything makes him a huge downfield threat.

[zn]

Despite need at safety, Rams eye weapons for Jared Goff in draft

By Alden Gonzalez

http://www.espn.com/blog/los-angeles-rams/post/_/id/33392/rams-will-enter-draft-seeking-more-weapons-for-jared-goff

PHOENIX — The Los Angeles Rams still have a need at safety, but they may just fill it internally.

Lamarcus Joyner, who solidified himself as a standout slot corner last year, is a real option to convert to free safety, with Maurice Alexander shifting over to strong safety to replace free agent T.J. McDonald. Under that scenario, Joyner could play safety when the Rams run a 3-4 set under new defensive coordinator Wade Phillips, then perhaps reclaim his role as a slot corner on nickel downs.

It would allow the Rams to play Joyner on every snap — and it could free them up to continue to attack the offense through the draft.

After taking Jared Goff first overall, the Rams went heavy on receivers and tight ends last year.

Tyler Higbee and Pharoh Cooper were taken in the fourth round, then Temarrick Hemingway and Mike Thomas followed in the sixth. But the Rams still have holes on offense. They released veteran tight end Lance Kendricks, leaving Higbee as their primary pass-catching tight end. And though they signed Robert Woods, they also lost receivers Kenny Britt and Brian Quick from a unit that was relatively thin to begin with.

Rams general manager Les Snead doesn’t feel comfortable speaking publicly about the strengths of particular drafts, but did acknowledge that this year’s pool is “definitely deep at a few positions that we need,” a nod to tight ends and wide receivers.

“In college football they’re throwing the ball,” Snead said, “so you always have a lot of players to pick from.”

Among the receivers linked to the Rams in various mock drafts are John Ross (Washington), Zay Jones (East Carolina), JuJu Smith-Schuster (USC), Dede Westbrook (Oklahoma) and Chad Hansen (Cal). Tight ends like Evan Engram (Mississippi) and Gerald Everett (South Alabama) have also come up. The Rams gave up their first-round pick in last year’s trade with the Titans, which allowed them to move up from 15 to select Goff, and enter the draft with only one selection among the first 68. They’re hopeful that this year’s pool is deep enough to offset some of that.

“Based on what we did last year with the QB, you knew this year you were going to be limited in the draft,” Snead said in an interview with ESPN from the owners meetings on Monday. “Now, that was a little bit of the strategy. We let some free agents out the door and we didn’t re-sign any. So, we knew we would probably be rewarded with the compensatory program that’s going to replenish some of those picks. We knew it was going to be limited, but we do think that it’s a deep enough draft where you can get good football players across the board.”

The Rams have eight picks, five of which will come within the third and sixth round. Their first selection is 37th overall, the fifth pick of the second round. And though Snead stressed that the Rams will draft the best player available, his target seems clear. He needs more weapons for Goff, but he also wants players who can complement the ones he already has on his roster.

The Rams lack size at receiver, which is why Smith-Schuster and Jones could make sense.

They also lack a true vertical threat, which makes Ross, who ran a head-turning 4.22 40-yard dash, very appealing.

“Each of those receivers, however we get this thing done, has a role,” Snead said, speaking in generalities. “Their body types, their physical traits, all those things, fit right into a perfect puzzle, and if those things work in sync together, we’re able to spread the ball around. If you take Sean McVay’s offense in Washington, if you look at it, what they did do was spread the ball around.”

[zn]

alyoshamucci wrote:

If Tru is traded, I will be adding a CB early.

2) Engram … the only gripe I’m hearing is that there are thoughts that he may not be there. Until I get more mocks showing me he won’t Im going to leave him here. Gerald Everett would be my backup and he’d be a 1b to Engram’s 1a.

3) WR … Juju/Kupp/Godwin/Z Jones/Chad Hansen … one will be there. One will slide. There’s too much talent elsewhere and those guys are not top ALL 50 talents. Not in this draft anyway. I have been leaning away from WR this early, but my feel is that the brass will not be. I have Josh Reynolds, Taywan Taylor, Darboh, and Ardarius Stewart a half shade below these guys and personally I’d prefer to get value later … but these kids all have something special about them and that half shade may matter.

4) C Pocic or Elflein … I prefer Elflein but he may be gone.

4) CB Brendan Langley … I like him for development and taking over for Tru … he’s got skills just needs high speed reps.

5) OLB Vince Beigel … Im going to consistently draft him in this area … he reminds me of Barwin.

6) ILB Jayon Brown / Reeves Maybin smaller ILBs with great range.

6) Josh Tupuo … NT … a quick kid for being a big man. True Nose tackles are worth investing in.

7) RB Justin Davis USC … 6-1 208 and ran a 4.48 … was not expecting that. I need a big backup to Gurley. I’d prefer Brian Hill but I have him gone in the 4th or 5th.

[InvaderRam]

zn wrote:

alyoshamucci wrote:

If Tru is traded, I will be adding a CB early.

2) Engram … the only gripe I’m hearing is that there are thoughts that he may not be there. Until I get more mocks showing me he won’t Im going to leave him here. Gerald Everett would be my backup and he’d be a 1b to Engram’s 1a.

3) WR … Juju/Kupp/Godwin/Z Jones/Chad Hansen … one will be there. One will slide. There’s too much talent elsewhere and those guys are not top ALL 50 talents. Not in this draft anyway. I have been leaning away from WR this early, but my feel is that the brass will not be. I have Josh Reynolds, Taywan Taylor, Darboh, and Ardarius Stewart a half shade below these guys and personally I’d prefer to get value later … but these kids all have something special about them and that half shade may matter.

4) C Pocic or Elflein … I prefer Elflein but he may be gone.

4) CB Brendan Langley … I like him for development and taking over for Tru … he’s got skills just needs high speed reps.

5) OLB Vince Beigel … Im going to consistently draft him in this area … he reminds me of Barwin.

6) ILB Jayon Brown / Reeves Maybin smaller ILBs with great range.

6) Josh Tupuo … NT … a quick kid for being a big man. True Nose tackles are worth investing in.

7) RB Justin Davis USC … 6-1 208 and ran a 4.48 … was not expecting that. I need a big backup to Gurley. I’d prefer Brian Hill but I have him gone in the 4th or 5th.

if the draft unfolds that way, i’m not sure there’s much i could complain about.

maybe the only thing is that the rams still have no true 3-4 de.

• This reply was modified 7 years, 7 months ago by InvaderRam.
• This reply was modified 7 years, 7 months ago by InvaderRam.

[Zooey]

I like Juju. He gets it done.

[InvaderRam]

of the wideouts i like juju, jones, and kupp.

as far as fit for the rams, i’d think juju would be the better fit.

• This reply was modified 7 years, 7 months ago by InvaderRam.

[zn]

canuckramsfans wrote:

I think we will be stuck with TruJo….all NFL GMs realize the plethora of CB roster-help available in this 2017 Draft, so why mortgage the farm for a 6th year vet who gets dinged-up every year it seems. I am of the mind that we HAVE TO improve our Pass Rush for 2017, and who knows how Robert Quinn (and his back!) will respond to playing standing up as an Edge OLB??? We need to ensure good pressure on opposing QBs AS IT WILL MASK DEFICIENCIES IN OUR DEFENSIVE BACKFIELD!! That’s why I want McKinley at #37….because we don’t know if Quinn will be Von Miller, or Dennis Miller.

Rd/ #….PLAYER NAME…..SCHOOL….POS……………….COMMENTS
2/37….Takkarist McKinley….UCLA………OLB…I think his shoulder surgery will make this local SoCal 1st Rounder fall to us.
3/69….Gerald Everett………S.Alabama….TE….Agree with you that Jared Goff needs productive targets like young Everett!
4/112..Rasul Douglas………W.Virginia…..CB….Like TruJo (& Clancy Williams!) a CB with some length (& real potential).
4/141..Dede Westbrook….Oklahoma…..WR….If Goff throws enough TDs to Westbrook, Dede will change his name to TeeDee!
5/149..Kyle Fuller…………….Baylor……..OC….It’s a need& Fuller s/b there in 5th. If not, OT J.Davenport from Bucknell for value
6/189..Ben Gedeon…………Michigan…….ILB…We’re thin@LB & you just know a Jim Harbaugh-coached player will be tough.
6/206..Hunter Dimick………Utah……………DE…This Ute stud was a Combine snub to be sure. Hope he lasts to #206. Value!!
7/234..De’Veon Smith……..Michigan…….RB….A 225lbs Harbaugh product to, as you said…back-up Todd Franchise Gurley

[zn]

[InvaderRam]

canuckramsfans wrote:

2/37….Takkarist McKinley….UCLA………OLB…I think his shoulder surgery will make this local SoCal 1st Rounder fall to us.

i’m not the biggest fan of mckinley. if rams went pass rusher, i’d much rather have bowser or watt. but they might be first rounders by now.

[zn]

InvaderRam wrote:

’d much rather have bowser or watt. but they might be first rounders by now.

How many 1st rounders do you reckon there are in this draft?

Hopefully…37.

.

[InvaderRam]

zn wrote:

InvaderRam wrote:

’d much rather have bowser or watt. but they might be first rounders by now.

How many 1st rounders do you reckon there are in this draft?

Hopefully…37.

.

i have no idea, but there seems to be many first rounders this year.

[zn]

poplarbluffman aka thehammer wrote:

every year around 150 wr’s are brought to camp with 32 being drafted and 14 going top 100

avg is ONLY 5 will become above avg starters per pff basically used the top 30 or score of 80
last 9 years 33 1st rd picks with only 9 becoming above avg starters

only 6 players drafted since 2004 after rd 4 are ranked above above avg starters

only 5 udfa above avg starters teams bring in an avg of 120 udfa a year….do the math

less then 1 in 3 1st rd picks work out…the draft is looking for the common traits of the 5 that will succeed…almost all of the udfa guys are very quick, smallish slot guys since 2008 40 wr’s drafted in 2nd rd 3 made the list

forget the combine workouts they mean nothing…zero value in prediction future success. I do see intelligence, work ethic, passion for the game and having a large ego as common traits ..which is why Dede Westbrook made my list

if you just use receptions(not pff scores) maybe 6/7 wr’s will make it.

https://www.profootballfocus.com/nfl-draft-wr-rankings/

want to add love this year wr’s..if avg is around 5 I would expect 7 to be above avg starters

good list of the top 28 wr’s i disagree on a few of the rankings but pretty close to mine…which 6 are worth drafting…

Mike Williams, Dede Westbrook, Cory Davis, Carlos Henderson, Isaiah Ford, Taywan Taylor,r with Zay Jones, Cooper Kupp, Noah Brown, Jamari Staples, Jehu Chesson and Autin Carr close to making my list

*

Does anyone envision Evan Engram as a WR rather than TE? …not sure if the definition matters…h back or wr…a D coordinators worst nightmare…just so damn explosive you can move him around looking for mismatches…

Evan Engram named a top performer from the Senior Bowl by NFL Network’s Mike Mayock..when I look at the names who might be there at #37 Engram sits atop that list

..

[zn]

[zn]

A note on McVay and drafting receivers

If you read around in the things McVay has said about the draft and the combine, you can see he was heavily in on the process of selecting players when he was the coordinator for Washington. Not that it came down to him but he was involved.

Well with McV as the coordinator from 2014-6, they drafted 4 receivers. 2 didn’t amount to anything but they were taken after the 4th round.

One was injured but still has high expectations (Josh Doctson, 1st round 2016).

The other was 2015 4th rounder Jamison Crowder, who contributed immediately as a rookie (2015: 78 trgts, 59 catches, 75.6%, for 604 yards and 2 TDs).

So McVay has already been involved drafting receivers, and two of the picks look good–one has promise in spite of an injury, and the other came through.

[zn]

alyoshamucci wrote:

Drafting 2 TEs? I know we’ll “get” two … but I’m thinking it may be post draft.

The talent is crazy at the position this year and I’m not seeing 35 TEs getting drafted …
Some guys aren’t even getting mentioned and when I run through simulations there are always TEs available…

[InvaderRam]

zn wrote:

alyoshamucci wrote

Drafting 2 TEs? I know we’ll “get” two … but I’m thinking it may be post draft.

The talent is crazy at the position this year and I’m not seeing 35 TEs getting drafted …
Some guys aren’t even getting mentioned and when I run through simulations there are always TEs available…

i think the rams need a tight end more than a wideout. i think there’s more talent at that position than is being given credit for. tight end, on the other hand, is a bigger question mark. notice i say bigger. cuz ultimately they’re both question marks, but i think tight end is the bigger one.

it’s evan engram for me. hodges if engram isn’t available. the talent is super crazy there this year. i’d say howard, but i mean we gotta be realistic here.

• This reply was modified 7 years, 7 months ago by InvaderRam.

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