Brugler:

JOHN KELLY | Tennessee 5097 | 216 lbs. | JR. Detroit, Mich. (Oak Park) 10/4/1996 (age 21.6) #4
BACKGROUND: A three-star athlete recruit out of high school, John Kelly Jr. was a three-year starter at Oak Park (suburb of Detroit) and made an impact in all three phases as a running back, cornerback and return man. As a senior he rushed for 1,321 yards and collected 25 total touchdowns (five different ways) to be a finalist for the Michigan High School Player of the Year Award in 2014. Ranked as a top-10 recruit in the state of Michigan, Kelly spurned offers from in-state powers like Michigan and Michigan State, committing to Tennessee as a running back. He was the third-string running back as a true freshman (behind Jalen Hurd and Alvin Kamara) and rushed for 165 yards and one touchdown. Kelly started the 2016 season as the third back on the depth chart, but his touches increased after Hurd left the team midseason, leading all Tennessee running backs with 630 yards and 6.4 yards per carry (Kamara: 596 yards, 5.8 yards per carry in 2016). With Kamara to the NFL, Kelly was the Vols’ starter and led the team with 778 rushing yards and nine touchdowns, adding 37 receptions for 299 yards. He left early for the NFL Draft.

(also worked out at wide receiver)
STRENGTHS: Highly competitive tackle breaker…compact build and balanced feet to bounce off contact…legs are always pumping and never content as a runner…sharp plant-and-go quickness with lateral mobility…decisive at the line of scrimmage…secures the football with only three career fumbles – put the ball on the ground only once in 2017…aggressive blocker and won’t back down at the point of attack…workhorse mentality, averaging 20.5 offensive touches per game in 2017…dependable receiving traits to be a catch-and-go threat with potential to be more than simply a screen target…tied for the team-lead in catches in 2017…team captain who connects well with his teammates and carries himself like an alpha.

WEAKNESSES: Lacks ideal size and body armor for the position…not graceful through small creases…lacks wiggle in the open field…tunnel vision and late to locate developing lanes…can be caught from behind and lacks a finishing gear…limited juice around the corner…exposes his body to excessive impact and shelf-life might be a concern…willing in pass protection, but prefers to ram/slow instead of using his hands to engage/control…off-field decision-making requires homework after he was pulled over for a busted headlight and cited for misdemeanor marijuana possession and failure to provide proof of insurance (Oct. 2017) – served a one-game suspension, which he accepted, calling his mistake “immature and selfish.”

SUMMARY: A one-year starter at Tennessee, Kelly was one of the few offensive bright spots for the Volunteers in 2017, producing steady numbers despite little help from the passing game. With only six career receptions entering his junior year, he proved his worth as a pass-catcher as the only player in 2017 from a power-five conference to lead his team in rushing yards and receptions. A fearless ballcarrier, Kelly runs with forceful momentum and tacklers better finish him to the ground because he won’t let them off easy – credits his balance and courage to his days as an accomplished skateboarder in high school. He is athletically average by NFL standards and lacks creativity/wiggle in tight quarters. Overall, Kelly is a competitive, full-speed-ahead ballcarrier with the contact balance, toughness and receiving/blocking traits that project him as a reliable horse in the backfield.
GRADE: 4th Round

Brugler:

BRIAN ALLEN | Michigan State 6011 | 298 lbs. | SR. Hinsdale, Ill. (Hinsdale Central) 10/11/1995 (age 22.6) #65
BACKGROUND: A four-star offensive center recruit out of high school, Brian Allen was a three-year starter on both sides of the line of scrimmage, earning First Team all-state honors as a senior. He became the first wrestler in school history to win four state medals, winning the 2013 3A heavyweight state championship with a perfect 48-0 record (almost made it back-to-back titles, but lost in overtime in the 2014 championship match). Allen also won the state title in the shot put in 2013. He was considered a top-five center recruit in the 2014 cycle with offers from Iowa, Ole Miss, Wisconsin and others, but Michigan State had the inside track, following in the footsteps of his older brother (Jack). He was pressed into action as a true freshman due to injuries, starting a pair of games at left guard. Allen became a regular starter as a sophomore (12 starts), splitting his time between left guard and center to earn Second Team All-Big Ten honors. He filled in across the three interior line positions as a junior as the only MSU offensive lineman to start all 12 games, earning Second Team All-Big Ten honors. Allen stayed at center for his senior season, starting all 13 games there in 2017 to earn Second Team All-Big Ten honors for the third straight year. He accepted his invitation to the 2018 East-West Shrine Game.

STRENGTHS: Flexible hips to snap-and-seal…works hard to achieve body position…foot quickness to pull into space and take out moving targets…knee bend to play low and establish leverage, resetting to find his anchor after contact…grappling hands and wrestling background is clear…always in a ready position with astute awareness…takes pride in his finishing skills…lead singer making the protection calls and checks…voted a senior captain with exemplary competitive toughness…NFL bloodlines – older brother (Jack) was an All-American at MSU and has played two seasons with the New Orleans Saints…experienced at all three interior line spots.

WEAKNESSES: Undersized by NFL standards with a short, smaller-framed body…belly-to-belly blocker with shorter arms…falls behind quickly if he doesn’t land his initial punch…doesn’t play with the upper body power to redirect or displace defenders…can be bullied by physical nose tackles who can overwhelm him at the point of attack…not explosive off the snap and lacks the nimble footwork to recover once beat…lower body stiffness shows in pass protection…allows athletic three- techniques to cross his face without a pat-down…inconsistent timing and success as a second-level blocker.

SUMMARY: A three-year starter at Michigan State, Allen started the final 28 games of his career, including all 13 games at center. He earned Second Team All-Big Ten honors each of his three seasons as a starter and his versatility was a valuable asset for the Spartans, spending time at left guard, right guard and center. A team leader in East Lansing, Allen has terrific intangibles, toughness and intelligence that will win over pro coaches. While he isn’t a poor athlete, he isn’t an impressive athlete either and lacks the ideal size or sustain skills that teams desire at the position. Overall, Allen is a smart, scrappy center who is rarely out-maneuvered, but he can be overpowered, creating doubt that he will be anything more than a NFL back-up.
GRADE: 6th-7th Round

From Ourlads ‘Guide to the Draft’ on Okoronkwo:

Two-year starter from Houston, TX. Played on the edge in a two-point stance. Occasionally was off the ball but has little coverage experience. Explosive at the snap with a quick punch attacking a block. Plays with knee bend and is quick to shed working to the ball. Moves well laterally and attacks a gap with quick penetration upfield. Strong at the point of attack with the ability to redirect off a block and play the edge run. Rarely gives up leverage. Plays with a nonstop motor which gets him to a lot of plays. Solid pass rush skill with a variety of moves. Uses an arm over working inside along with a bull rush into a move. Bends around the corner and has burst to close. Flattens down the line on the backside and can chase across the field. Average agility as he hesitates at times when changing direction. While quick at the snap, he will take a slight stutter step back at times with his inside foot, which is often up in his stance. It does not effect his explosiveness but he needs consistency in stance and first step. He can get locked up by a powerful blocker at the line. Lacks a feel for coverage as he has little expereince. Tends to hesittate when asked to drop into coverage. He will have to develop technique. Lacks ideal length and athletic ability for an edge defender but his effort compensates. He is too productive to ignore and will get a shot as a 3-4 outside linebacker. An ascending player. 2017 stats: 76 T, 17.5 TFL, 8 sacks, 2 PBU , 6 QBH, 3 FF. Edge speed: left 2.02, right 2.04. OSR: 11/17. Third/fourth round. (A-33 3/4, H-9, BP- 27, SS-34).

From Ourlads’ “Guide to the NFL Draft” on Kiser:

Three-year starter and Campbell Trophy winner from Baltimore, MD. Three straight years leading the ACC in tackles per game is sure gain notice. Has been a rock in he middle of the Virginia defense ever since he was put into the starting lineup in 2015. The two-time All-America and three-time All-ACC selection might be short on athletic ability and potential, but is head and shoulders above most linebackers when it comes to instincts and nose for the ball. At his best between the tackles immediately following the snap. His first 2-3 steps are almost always in the right direction and it gains him initial positional advantage on blockers. Excels at taking on blocks and shedding them. Gets his powerful hands inside with a low pad level and finds the ball carrier in traffic. An excellent wrap up tackler who hits with enough force to jar the ball loose on contact. He is comfortable in space, as he was matched up against receivers and tight ends up the seam. The athleticism struggles mainly have to do with long speed and explosion. Has a hard time adjusting weight laterally and it could put him a step behind the action against NFL speed. There is some awkward movement to him in space. Seems like an ideal fit for a team looking to fill the two down inside linebacker role, preferably in a 3-4 where his play in space isn’t needed as often. He will bring top notch intangibles and football instincts to the table. Players with this kind of production matched with this kind of football IQ should never be overlooked. 2017 stats: 145 T, 9.5 TFL, 5 sacks, 4 PBU, 2 QBH. Edge speed : left 1.97, right 2.11. OSR: 12/22. Fourth/fifth round. (A-32, H-9, BP-DNP, SS-4.24).

In my Day 2 Mock, I put #TCU's Joseph Noteboom early in the second round. Multiple teams have him as one of the top OTs in this class.

Good chance he doesn't make it to the middle of round two.

— Eric Galko (@OptimumScouting) April 27, 2018

Interesting contrast between how Brugler and Ourlads view Noteboom’s ability at the second level.

Well thank goodness for the surgeons. Hoping for the best.

Awe man that’s too bad, sorry zn. Bondi has a great face. Lots of character coming through in that photo. Take care.

If anyone has Sirius Radio I’d highly recommend listening to at least some of the draft on the radio. I always listen to the entire first round on NFL Radio. I also record ESPN’s and the NFL Network’s coverage and watch those later. Sirius’s coverage is far more extensive than than the tv networks. Pat Kirwin, Jim Miller and Gil Brandt have all spent time interviewing the prospects, they’ve been to Senior Bowl and Brandt has been to many of the Pro Days. They all have a decent feel for the needs of each team and Brandt always seems to have some inside information that no one else has access to. If you haven’t tried it out, give it a shot and let me know what you think. Or don’t do it, just watch it on your tv. What do I care?

I mentioned this elsewhere on the internet, but for the Rams this season either ends up a rousing success or a fantastic disaster. There is to be no in between.

wv wrote:

I thought Negan was a good character, but the storyline just kinda got…well…remember the old 60’s Batman TV show — it kinda entered ‘that’ territory.

I ‘do’ give the writers a lot of credit for the first two-and-half or three seasons though. They wrote some good stuff for a while. Its hard to keep writing good stuff season after season. Doesnt happen very often. There’s a reason the Wire didnt go on for ten years. There’s a reason there wasnt a Lord of the Rings Four, Five, Six….

The campy Batman Show is a good comparison. The first three seasons were excellent. I was late to the show, so I binged watched seasons one and two in a couple of weeks. I was riveted by it all.

I like the actor who plays Negan, I thought he was good in ‘Weeds’ but I just can’t seem to buy into Negan. Perhaps that has more to do with the writing than anything else. As far as villains are concerned, I was more intrigued with The Governor and Gareth. I was disappointed how quickly they moved on from the Gareth storyline.

Season two of ‘The Wire’ doesn’t seem to get the same love that the other seasons enjoy, but I loved season 2. Brother Mouzon was great character, but I also loved the Sobotka storyline as well. Not many people seemed to share my affinity for the Sobotka arc.

• This reply was modified 7 years, 11 months ago by canadaram.

Now I just need the Rams to sign Jimmy Clausen and the plan I hatched in 2010 will finally come to fruition.

Honestly, I would like the Rams to get Donald’s deal done and find a NT that fits Wade’s scheme. I’m not sure that Suh helps either of those things happen.

So does that mean he’s on a one year deal? That could be a good situation I guess. I think we’ve seen enough of Austin to know that he won’t be replacing Watkins (not that anyone suggested that he would be replacing Watkins) but it’s good have a speedster on the roster. Also, he does have some ability to play RB if needed, but I hope the Rams find another option to go with Malcolm Brown this year.

I’m not sure who that Aaron Darnold guy is that Boylhart mentions in his write up about Settle though. 🤔