2nd and 3rd Round Draft Analysis and Recap

Another great, fun, night. Here’s my initial breakdown of the second and third rounds.

33. New York Giants – trade from Tennessee

Landon Collins, S, Alabama (#9 my board)

The best value pick in the draft given my board. He’s a rare player and has such a specific skill set it’s not a major surprise to me that he fell out of first round though I’d have taken him in the top-twenty. Collins is a game changer, he has better range than he’s given credit for, is a thumper in the box and will play linebacker in the Giants dime package. He’s the best pound for pound athlete in the draft and he’s going to be a super star.

34. Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Donovan Smith, OT, Penn State

Smith is a pile moving brawler. He’s a prototypical right tackle at the next level with left tackle experience. He has outstanding upper body strength and is a terrific run blocker. I didn’t have him anywhere near this high because I don’t see enough balance or solid footwork. But there’s no doubt the measurables and physical attributes are there.

35. Oakland Raiders

Mario Edwards, DE, Florida State (#86)

Mario Edwards is a versatile player who can LDE in a 4-3 or as a 5-technique in a 3-4. He plays with explosiveness and heavy powerful hands. His main issues is his off the field habits. His weight fluctuates and his effort is inconsistent.

36. Jacksonville Jaguars

T.J. Yeldon, RB, Alabama (#78)

I love T.J. Yeldon though I feel #36 was a little high. But if you love the player then go get him. He’s a tall, lean, back who’s explosive and can be a workhorse back. He wants to carry the football and runs with real purpose.

37. New York Jets

Devin Smith, WR, Ohio State (#48)

Devin Smith is a true burner with significant untapped potential. He’s a raw, unpolished, player. But get the ball in his hands and he’s deadly. He’s a deep threat/bubble screen receiver with some ways to go to be a consistent player, but the talent is certainly there.

38. Washington Redskins

Preston Smith, DE, Mississippi State (#51)

The Redskins went with the safer Smith over Randy Gregory. Smith is a high motor effort player who makes player after play. He’s a solid foundational piece who’ll get to the quarterback and likes getting dirty in the run game. He’ll likely play OLB for the Redskins opposite Ryan Kerrigan and I’m not a fan of that fit.

39. Chicago Bears

Eddie Goldman, DT, Florida State (#64)

Goldman is another defensive tackle who is a monster against the run and he may have the best motor of the second group. He has terrific hands and sheds blockers for fun.  He needs work as a pass rusher. He flashes the ability to collapse the pocket but he needs to be more consistent.

40. Tennessee Titans

Dorial Green-Beckham, WR, Missouri (#29)

The Titans took a gamble on landing Green-Beckham who comes with serious off the field concerns. On the field he is the most physically gifted receiver in the draft. He has freakish height, weight and speed. With a huge catching radius.

I really like the gamble for Tennessee. They have to find some stars. Beckham was the 29th overall player on my board and despite a number of off the field concerns I think it’s worth the gamble.

41. Carolina Panthers – trade from St. Louis Rams

Devin Funchess, WR, Michigan (#35)

The Panthers moved up a long way to go get their guy. Giving up their second, third and sixth round picks. It’s an interesting selection. There’s no doubt the Panthers needed offensive line help but they passed on T.J Clemmings and Jake Fisher to land Funchess. I’m a big Funchess fan. He’s a matchup nightmare. he can play either wide receiver or tight end. He has a huge catching radius and regularly wins contested, 50-50 balls.

42. Atlanta Falcons

Jalen Collins, CB, LSU (#39)

Collins is a press corner without a lot of experience. He has great natural size and speed and is as fluid as any corner in the draft. He beats people at the line and wins at the line more often than he loses. He’s long, lengthy and a supreme athlete. He needs fine tuning and coaching but he’s a first round talent.

43. Houston Texans – trade from the Cleveland Browns

Benardrick McKinney, ILB, Mississippi State (#44)

McKinney is an old-fashioned thumper who loves to head hunt in the run game. He’s not a fluid athlete and he’ll struggle to stay on the field for all three downs. But he’s a leader and has terrific diagnose and attack instincts. I love his intangibles and work ethic. 

44. New Orleans Saints

Hau’Oli Kikaha, OLB, Washington (#59)

Kikaha is just a fun player. He flies of the edge with sensational technique and he led the nation in sacks in 2014. He’s not a speed player but he converts speed to power and hunts quarterbacks for fun.

45. Minnesota Vikings

Eric Kendricks, ILB, UCLA (#28)

Kendricks is the best cover linebacker in the class. I have a first round grade on him. His instincts are off the charts, he diagnoses and attacks the play as well as anyone and he can match up against receivers, tight ends or running backs. He never has to come off the field. He can get pushed around in the run game and he needs to add some weight. My 28th overall player at pick #45. Great value. 

46. San Francisco 49ers

Jaquiski Tartt, S, Stanford

I’m not a fan of the pick. Denzel Perryman was hanging out there and they passed. Tartt is an in the box runner who’s looking to light people up whenever he can. To me he plays almost reckless not just aggressive. He regularly over pursues and guesses in the run game. He’s a tone setter but only when he picks the right play.

47. Philadelphia Eagles – trade from Miami Dolphins

Eric Rowe, CB, Utah

A pick that makes great sense. It’s a player the Eagles had looked at with their first pick. He’s versatile and can play safety or corner. He’s long and a fighter. He’s not the most technically perfect player but he’s a good, physical, athlete who beats people up at the line. He’ll likely start inside but he can move to the outside against flex tight ends.

48. San Diego Chargers

Denzel Perryman, ILB, Miami (FL) (#42)

Perryman has the best diagnose and attack instincts of anyone in this draft class. He’s a middle of the field leader who leaves everything on the field. He’s another old school player who finds himself around the football on every play. He has great sideline to sideline range and is a fabulous young man off the field.

49. Kansas City Chiefs

Mitch Morse, C, Missouri

The Chiefs took the highest rated center on their board. He’s a converted tackle who’s fantastic in pass protection. I’d have preferred to have seen Jalen Strong but the Chiefs plug a need.

50. Buffalo Bills

Ronald Darby, CB, Florida State (#66)

Darby is a big time press corner talent who head coach Rex Ryan is going to love. Darby’s an instinctive ‘gambler’ from the cornerback spot. He’s simply sensational in zone coverage and makes reading and reacting look effortless. He’s got solid ball skills and is able to track and high point the ball to a good level. In press coverage he’s made major strides since going up against Kelvin Benjamin and Rashad Greene in practice each day. He also offers versatility inside and he has the skill set to switch to safety.

51. Cleveland Browns

Nate Orchard, OLB, Utah

Nate Orchard is a pure edge-rusher. He’s a sub package player who flies of the edge with instincts, a great motor and power. With Danny Shelton on the inside he’ll play stood up and go hunt the quarterback.

52. Miami Dolphins

Jordan Phillips, DT, Oklahoma (#31)

A huge boom-or-bust player. I love Phillips on certain tapes and he drives me insane on others. He has pro bowl ability and has exceptional short area quickness. He dominates the POA.

The major knock on Philllips is his motor and effort. He runs hot and cold from down to down. When he shows up on game day and wants it, it leaps of the tape. He’s a first round talent who the Dolphins grabbed at #51. It’s great value. He’ll either be a pro bowler or out of the league in no time. With Ndamukong Suh, Olivier Vernon and Cameron Wake the Dolphins have amassed an outstanding defensive front.

53. Cincinnati Bengals

Jake Fisher, OT, Oregon (#74)

The Bengals continue to draft extremely well as an organisation. Fisher is a terrific prospect who’s an outstanding athlete for the position. He excels as a pulling tackle and I think he’ll start inside before moving to right tackle long-term. He’s a zone blocker who is great at the second level. The Bengals took two tackles with their first two picks. They need to find some edge rushers but there was value in both offensive line picks as the Bengals grab some insurance for the future.

54. Detroit Lions

Ameer Abdullah, RB, Nebraska (#55)

Abdullah is a sensational athlete who can cut on a dime and make people miss in space. As a runner he’s a 90 talent. He has great vision, a violent jump cut and world-class speed. I worry about his frame and there are durability concerns.

55. Baltimore Ravens – trade from

Maxx Williams, TE, Minnesota (#33)

Williams is a young, redshirt sophomore, who moves all over the offensive formation and is  good athlete. He has a huge catching radius and he attacks the ball. He shows good concentration in traffic and makes extremely difficult catches effortlessly. He plays really hard, shows a nasty streak, attacks the seems and is a more than willing blocker.

56. Pittsburgh Steelers

Senquez Golson, CB, Mississippi (#80)

Golson has outstanding ball skills and is an elite zone corner. He had ridiculous production at Ole Miss but you have to question his size and frame. He’s a predominant zone player and he’s going to struggle to play one on one on the outside.

57. St. Louis Rams

Robert Havenstein, OT, Wisconsin

The Rams grabbed the top offensive tackle on their board. the question for Havenstein is his footwork. He’s a strong player who deals with power and speed to power well. But when he’s beat at the snap he’s beat.

58. Arizona Cardinals

Markus Golden, DE, Missouri (#60)

Golden is one of my favourite players in the entire draft. He has an unbelievable motor and he just never stops hunting the quaterback. He needs to learn to counter move but he’s a powerful player who has good instincts and when he arrives he can rock the quaterback.

59. Denver Broncos

Ty Sambrailo, OT, Colorado State (#68)

I love Sambrailo. He’s an outstanding athlete for his position with great feet. He’s been bullied at time and he needs to add bulk but he has great potential.

60. Dallas Cowboys

Randy Gregory, OLB, Nebraska (#10)

The Cowboys passed on a running back and took a top-ten player in terms of talent. The number ten overall player on my board. Gregory has consistently failed drug tests and has fluctuating weight problems that may be tied to the drug concerns. On the field Gregory converts speed-to-power better than anyone in the class and has elite hands. Gregory’s blend of athletic ability and pass rushing instincts make him a rare prospect He’s an unreal athlete who is the most complete 3-4 OLB in the entire class on the field. Off the field it’s a mess. He slid from being the potential fifth overall pick to the 60th. There’s no question it’s a gamble but the upside is so extreme I can’t criticise the Cowboys.

61. Tampa Bay Buccaneers – trade from Indianapolis Colts

Ali Marpet, G, Hobart (#70)

The Bucs had to continue to bulk up their line. I love Marpet he’s a knockout artist. He’s a powerful run blocker who has to improve in pass protection. He comes from a DIII school and the step up is going to be immense but he crushed the senior bowl and has terrific potential.

62. Green Bay Packers

Quinten Rollins, CB, Miami (OH) (#79)

Rollins is a corner safety hybrid. He is an off the charts athlete who was a terrific basketball player and has only one year of college football experience. He plays with a reckless mindset which makes him an elite run defender. He needs work in the pass game and he’s still a work in progress but he has sensational upside. The Packers double down on their secondary.

63. Seattle Seahawks

Frank Clark, DE, Michigan

I’m shocked by this pick. He’s undoubtedly a great talent but the off the field concerns had him off a number of boards. On the field he has an elite first step and he bullies lineman with his hands and speed to power moves. He has a laundry list of major concerns and I didn’t think he’d go till the 6th round at the earliest.

64. New England Patriots

Jordan Richards, S, Stanford

A reach for me but you have to trust the Patriots. He’s short but he plays with great range but he’s not a great athlete on tape but his measurables are terrific.. He’s a good open field tackler but really needs to improve his eye discipline.

Round Three

65. Indianapolis Colts

D’Joun Smith, CB, FAU

Smith is a slot corner who’s extremely fluid in his hips and runs routes as well as receivers. He’s not an explosive player but he does have a good closing burst and he attacks the ball. He’s a willing tackler and is quick to diagnose, though he does have a tendency to over pursue. 

66. Tennessee Titans

Jeremiah Poutasi, OT, Utah

I haven’t seen enough of Poutasi to give a full scouting report. I love his measurables and the Titans had to add another lineman to protect their new quarterback

67. Jacksonville Jaguars

A.J. Cann, G, South Carolina (#43 my board)

Great value pick. Cann was the 43rd overall player on my board. He’s an unbelievable worker in the weight room and film room. He has good athleticism for the position and thrives at the second level and as a pulling guard. His fundamentals are flawless. He does not wow you with elite athletic ability or overwhelming power but he’s consistent in all categories and every game.

68. Oakland Raiders

Clive Walford, TE, Miami (FL) (#62)

Walford’s the second tight end in what’s a really weak class. He’s a big tight end with huge hands a massive catching radius. He struggles to create natural separation, instead relying on head bobs and dummies. He’s not quick enough to drag linebackers out of coverage and stretch the seams but he is quick enough to make some big plays after the catch. He’s a solid blocker and can move all over the formation.

69. Seattle Seahawks – trade from Washington Redskins

Tyler Lockett, WR, Kansas State (#77)

The Seahawks gave up a lot to move up and grab Lockett and you can see why. Lockett epitomizes the depth of this year’s receiver class. He has fabulous separation skills that come naturally (speed of foot) and excels in the dummy game.

He can catch and move in an instant and as previously mentioned that lends to being a big time contributor in the big play ‘splash play’ category. He doesn’t have a large catching radius and at the next level he may struggle outside the numbers but he can pluck the ball out of the air if it’s not perfectly located. He’s a playmaker and it’s exactly what Seattle needs. Get the ball in his hands.

70. Houston Texans – trade from New York Jets

Jalen Strong, WR, Arizona State (#24th)

Strong was the 24th overall player on my board. It’s a great value pick. He’s a physical, big-bodied receiver with a large catching radius and long arms who can stretch the field and stress a defence vertically. Strong does a lot of his work in the post. He doesn’t create natural separation and instead relies on his body and physicality to win and attack the ball. Strong’s a constant one-on-one threat and is an elite red zone target.

71. Chicago Bears

Hronnis Grasu, C, Oregon (#71)

Grasu teams back up with guard Kyle Long in Chicago’s zone blocking scheme. Grasu is an unbelievable athlete for an offensive lineman. He played every game he was eligible for at Oregon and played center for big portions where he made a lot of the line calls in the Ducks high-powered fast break offense. He’s not a strong finisher and often plays too high but he has rare physical and mental tools.

72. St. Louis Rams

Jamon Brown, OT, Louisville

The Rams add another offensive lineman. Brown’s likely to play inside at the next level. He’s a powerful player with good short area quickness and a thick bulky frame.

73. Atlanta Falcons

Tevin Coleman, RB, Indiana (#73)

I like Tevin Coleman a lot but I expected the Falcons to continue to work their defense. He’s the perfect size – 5-11 – has good bulk – 206lbs – and is a true burner with near elite top-end speed. He’s special getting in and out of creases and has elite vision, patience and can make players miss in space and in the hole. He struggles somewhat in the passing game, he appears willing as a blocker, will lower his shoulder, but he still needs work.

74. New York Giants

Owamagbe Odighizuwa, DE, UCLA (#25)

The Giants have grabbed a lot of my favourite players in spots later than I anticipated. They grabbed Ereck Flowers at 9 (13 on my board) Landon Collins at 33 (8 on my board) and Odgihizuwa (25 on my board). Odighizuwa is an effective pass rusher who is not as explosive as some of the edge threats in this class but who has an array of pass rushing moves and is a really good run defender. Odgihizuwa is powerful at the punch and has great instincts in the run game, he’s flexible and can bend the edge. He’s versatile and can line up in a 3-4 or 4-3 as a DE but I think he’ll struggle if converted to be an OLB in a 3-4. He just isn’t good enough in space or in coverage. I love Odighizuwa’s emotion, motor and aggression. He gets after every play and is determined to chase down the quarterback.

75. New Orleans Saints

Garrett Grayson, QB, Colorado State (#95)

The Saints post-Brees plans are in full effect. Grayson is a true ‘project’ quarterback who’s not yet ready to start at the pro-level. He needs to improve his footwork and learn to play from under center, he struggles with his mental clock and can get down on himself in-play which leads to prolonged periods of poor decisions. He does however possess NFL upside. He can make all the necessary throws, has a willingness to learn and improve (has already made big strides), has a high (quick) release, makes anticipatory throws and although it takes too long he is willing to work through all his progressions.

Grayson is also has good athletic ability which he uses in the play-action game, in rollout situations and most importantly to avoid the rush.

76. Kansas City Chiefs – traded from the Minnesota Vikings

Chris Conley, WR, Georgia

The Chiefs add an explosive wide receiver who creates natural separations and has a veteran head on his young shoulders. He is a constant big play threat but sometimes fights the ball.

77. Cleveland Browns

Duke Johnson, RB, Miami (FL) (#57)

Johnson is a shorter, explosive, change of pace back who’s a lethal homerun threat. As a runner Johnson plays above his size, he’s tough and competitive. He displays good vision but can get impatient and often looks to bounce the play outside too often rather than letting his blocks materialize a clearer north-south path. His biggest weakness is in the pass game. His blocking technique is all over the place and he has shown little to no progression from his first game to the last. He lacks the size or length to be an elite running back in pass-pro but even with that said he hasn’t shown a want to improve the less glamorous area of a back’s game.

78. New Orleans Saints

P.J. Williams, CB, Florida State (#65)

The Saints are signalling their intent to get long, rangey, secondary players. Williams plays fierce and angry particularly in the run game. He’s not afraid to put his body on the line taking on much bigger blockers. Williams has decent recognition skills and reads the quarterback well in zone, however when in man coverage he struggles to turn his head and locate the ball. He’s a second round talent with some off the field concerns.

79. San Francisco 49ers

Eli Harold, OLB, Virginia (#41)

I’m really surprised Harold slipped all the way down to 79. He’s a pure edge rusher. He plays stronger than he weighs, jars blockers and can bend the edge. He disengages quickly and packs a strong inside punch at the POA. He still has room to improve, but has a great engine and initial pass rushing instincts. Just let him go play.

80. Detroit Lions – trade from the Minnesota Vikings

Alex Carter, CB, Stanford

Carter is a physical defensive back who loves to get involved in the run game and can deliver a blow. He’s not a great cover corner and he struggles at the point of the catch.

81. Buffalo Bills

John Miller, G, Louisville

Miller is a powerful guard who I’ve seen very little off. He has good size and is a powerful player.

82. New York Jets

Lorenzo Mauldin, OLB, Louisville (#69)

The Jets passed on an opportunity to take Bryce Petty, Brett Hundley or any other quarterback they fancied. Mauldin is just a good solid player at everything he does. He typically plays standing up but he can put his hand in the dirt and he’s been terrific for large parts matching up in coverage on tight ends and running backs out of the backfield. He’s a good open field tackler with good instincts and often jumps plays but lacks eye discipline when ball carriers make cuts. He doesn’t have many pass rushing moves but blends quickness, bend and power to generate enough pressure on the pocket.

83. San Diego Chargers

Craig Mager, CB, Texas State

I haven’t seen Mager so I can’t comment on the pick. He’s an explosive athlete with great measurements at the combine. 

84. Philadelphia Eagles

Jordan Hicks, ILB, Texas

Hicks is a physical player who tackles well in space. He has terrific physical attributes but he has major durability concerns. His instincts are good and he’s rarely, if ever, out of position.

85. Cincinnati Bengals

Tyler Kroft, TE, Rutgers (#90)

Kroft has a chance to be a difference maker for the Bengals in year one. He attacks the seams as well as anyone in the class and is a consistent big play threat. He’s competitive and works hard in the trenches doing the nasty work that most tight ends these days don’t want to do. He has a large catching radius and will be a year one impact player in the red zone.

86. Arizona Cardinals

David Johnson, RB, Northern Iowa

Johnson was the 9th back on my board. He’s a powerful runner between the tackles who consistently churns out yardage. He’s quicker than he’s given credit for and he’s a fantastic receiver out of the backfield.

87. Pittsburgh Steelers

Sammie Coates, WR, Auburn (#58)

Coates is a poor mans Breshad Perriman. He has good separation skills and can beat corners at the line with his straight line speed and dummy skills. His overall route running ability is poor. He’s not crisp or sharp in or out of breaks and I lost count of the number of times he looked confused or was barked at after being in the wrong spot. He’s an elite vertical threat who forces cornerbacks back off the line and has true ‘go up and get it’ ability with an elite vertical jump. His biggest weakness is in catching. He has poor, unnatural, hands. Despite his large frame he does not use it effectively and take advantage of his catching radius. He ended his career with a high drop rate which is a concern. Overall he’s inconsistent with tremendous upside.

88. Minnesota Vikings

Danielle Hunter, DE, LSU

Hunter is an effort player whose motor never stops. He’s aggressive, instinctive and he loves defending the run. He has athletic limitations as a pass rusher but he’s the kind of foundational piece great rosters are built upon.

89. St. Louis Rams

Sean Mannion

I’m not a Mannion fan but he’ll have a chance to develop in St. Louis behind Nick Foles. He’s slow to process information and slow to make decisions. He does throw a pretty ball and has good arm talent. but his footwork, eyes and accuracy all need to improve drastically.

90. Baltimore Ravens

Carl Davis, DT, Iowa (#30)

An absolute steal for the Ravens as they do it once again. Davis is another player who runs hot and cold within games. Though Davis’ issues seem to be more physical (looking gassed) than mental (effort) and in a pro training regime you’d expect that to change. Davis is a versatile lineman who can play one-technique or three-technique in a  4-3 front or with his athletic ability can even play five-technique in a 3-4 front. He’s a disruptive pass rusher he wowed coaches at the Senior Bowl after having a lack of production in college. His pressure is formed mainly of his step and violent hands. He needs to learn more effective moves (bull rush, swim etc.). In the run games he can stun people and has really good range and initial burst from the DT spot.

91. Dallas Cowboys

Chaz Green, OT, Florida

As a Florida fan I’ve seen every snap Green has played. He can start day one on the right side if needed. he’s athletic and physical at the POA. His footwork needs work but he has powerful, violent, hands and he competes every day.

92. Denver Broncos

Jeff Heuerman, TE, Ohio State (#81)

Heuerman is an interesting prospect who missed plenty of time with injuries and who struggles, technically, in the passing game. Heurerman has poor separation skills, doesn’t sell dummies and can’t create separation outside of the scheme. However he does have a huge catching radius, one of the best in the draft, and has terrific ball skills. He doesn’t have elite speed but attacks the seams well and can create big plays downfield. He’s a good enough blocker to survive at tight end in the modern NFL but he does need work.

93. Indianapolis Colts

Henry Anderson, DE, Stanford (#98)

Anderson is a powerful interior playing 3-4 defense end with major durability concerns. He lacks the foot speed to be an every down 3-4 outside linebacker and is too tall to play inside at DT on every down. He plays with good leverage, has fantastic eye discipline and a nose for finding the ball in the run game. He’s just a touch below relentless in his pursuit of the quarterback and although he doesn’t beat tackles at the punch he sticks with the play.

94. Green Bay Packers

Ty Montgomery, WR, Stanford

Montgomery was a first round pick had he come out in his junior year. He’s a special athlete who’s a big play threat over the middle and can be devastating as a returner.

95. Washington Redskins

Matt Jones, RB, Florida

Matt Jones is a true bruiser. He’s an instinctive runner who isn’t as patient as you’d like him to be. He’s a good pass protector and he’s a dual threat out of the backfield.

96. Cleveland Browns – trade from the New England Patriots

Xavier Cooper, DT, Washington State

The Browns continue to build from the inside out and I love it. They’re solidifying both lines. Cooper is a speed rusher who powers the interior of the line back into the pocket. He won’t get a number of sacks but he’ll create a lot of pressure on the pocket.

97. New England Patriots

Geneo Grissom, OLB, Oklahoma

The Patriots land another versatile player. Grissom doesn’t leap of the screen but he plays all over the defensive front and has played on offense as well. he’s a fantastic athlete. His primary fit is as an OLB. He has a constant motor, has good hands, posses an array of pass rushing moves and is a violent player. 

98. Kansas City Chiefs

Steven Nelson, CB, Oregon State (#94)

Nelson is a really hard-working, smaller, cornerback. He’s dedicated to improving his life and that of his young families (girlfriend, son Steven Nelson III). He takes exceptional pursuit angles to the ball in both the passing game and the run game. He has a lack of elite athletic measurable and it makes him susceptible in one-on-one coverage but as part of a defensive scheme (particularly zonal) he could be a very good player.

99. Cincinnati Bengals

P.J. Dawson, OLB, TCU (#63)

Dawson is a strong college performer who outperformed his negative height, weight and length but did so with an off the charts IQ. He’s below average as an edge rusher and rarely wins at the point of attack due to his lack of length and size. His IQ gets him around the ball on all plays and he continually makes great plays against the run. He has elite range sideline-to-sideline and takes great pursuit angles to the football. He’s a candidate to get moved inside as he’s an elite coverage and space player.