Day one is in the books, and there were a lot of surprises. I am hoping the reasons why some players fell comes to light soon, and I am also shocked how little opt outs suffered on Day one. Add in how few trades there were, that 2 QB's fell out of the top 10, and that Mac Jones lid right to the Patriots at #15 making it a surprise to many of us. There are a lot of great players left for Day 2, and the Jags are sitting pretty with there choice of 6 guys I have a 1rst round grade, and another 3 in my top 32. Whether they keep or trade the pick is another matter, but I am now guessing they just sit still and make a pick at #33. Feel free to leave a comment. Agreeing or disagreeing is welcome, but please do it intelligently and respectfully. If you can't, or resort to personal attacks, I just won't post it. So here it is. Enjoy.
# Is for a player for with reported character or maturity concerns .
** Is for a player with reported injury concerns .
33.JAGUARS - CHRISTIAN BARMORE - DT - ALABAMA
NFL PLAYER COMP - GERALD MCCOY - FA
The Jags need help along the interior D-Line. So I will go with the top DT in the draft. Barmore is a big, strong, athletic, flexible interior D-lineman who can play all of the inside spots in a odd or even front except for 2 gapping NT . Unlike many recent Alabama DT's & 5 techs he doesn't 2 gap at a high level inside ,or take or hold his ground well against double teams, although he could play some shaded nose. Barmore can shed blockers quickly one on one in both the run & pass games . Surprised by how few starts a guy this talented has, and that does give me pause .He gets off the ball well and changes the line of scrimmage quickly when he makes initial contact . Dominated the playoff game and National Championship Game this year, but it also worries me that he didn't do that every week . Is he the type guy who only shows up and plays his hardest when he's about to get paid ?The only interior D-Lineman I have a first round grade on, and should be the first one off the board, maybe in the top 20 picks. Plus he comes from a base 3-4 which is what the Titans run, and teaming Barmore with Jeffery Simmons could give them a huge edge inside.
*** TRADE *** The COWBOYS trade their 2ND (#44) , and their 3rd round comp pick #99 to the JETS for their 1rst rounder (#34) *** TRADE ***
34.DALLAS - (NYJ) - ** IFEATU MELIFONWU - CB - SYRACUSE
NFL PLAYER COMP - NNAMDI ASOMUGHA - retired
The cowboys have to get a corner after missing out on the top 2 in round one, and there are only 2 that fit there cover 3 system left in the 2nd round. So trading up is a must , and since the Jets traded away there 3rd while moving up to get Vera-Tucker it can help both teams. You don't see many 6"3" 212 pound corners who can move , but Melifonwu can . Has good speed and is very physical in run support. This big corner looks like a safety ,and he hits like one too, but he does need to improve his technique as a tackler . He is the very opposite of his former 2nd round brother who has failed in the league because he lacks physicality. Plays better in press man than off man, but is still solid on the latter. Has the size to cover some TE's ,and when his speed dips farther I expect he will transition to safety. Right now he can mirror pretty well when he is up and can get his hands on the receiver. However, his diagnostic skills, route recognition, change of direction abilities, and too high backpedal still need work when he plays off. He has good ball skills , but needs to keep more an eye out for the ball. Too often plays the man and gets there too early bringing a possible penalty, or ends up as a tackler instead of getting a pick or pass defensed. He has had some injuries in college, and his instincts aren't very well tuned, and those are the main reasons I doubt he sneaks into the first.
35.ATLANTA -JEREMIAH OWUSA KORAMOA - S/LB- N. DAME
NFL PLAYER COMP - DERWIN JAMES - CHARGERS
Atlanta should just go best player available at this point. So I'm going with a guy who gives them help at safety, LB, and in the slot. Jeremiah is lightning fast , makes plays sideline to sideline against the run & pass, and can cover the slot like a 2nd round DB . I think he is a better fit at safety as he is not a guy who will take on, stack & shed blocks . Although he will run right by blockers ,or through a shoulder of a blocker & can be a blitzing weapon too. This is the kind of rare guy that can maybe guard a high end TE like Kelce , and make plays all over the field. Only weaknesses I see for him is if he goes to a unimaginative DC, or that he sometimes comes in too hot and overrun plays.
36.MIAMI-(texans) - TEVEN JENKINS - T/G - OKLAHOMA ST.
NFL PLAYER COMP - ZACK MARTIN - COWBOYS
The fins traded away Ereck Flowers right before the draft ,and are reportedly moving RT Robert Hunt back to guard where he is a better fit. So the need a new RT, and if you are a run heavy team like this one Jenkins is a doozy. Jenkins has my favorite tape to watch among this years crop of O-Lineman. I am not saying he had the best tape, but it was the most fun to watch. He's a nasty powerful finisher. Played OT in college and he might be able to hold up there , but I liked him more inside because I thought he might have limited arm length , and that it would be less likely to hold him back at guard . He measured in with 33 and a half inch arms at his Pro Day so I guess it's just a leaning too far forward issue, and that can be fixed if he takes to NFL coaching. Has great balance for a guy who is leaning forward so often. . Good on the move pulling and at the 2nd level .He's a mature player who's brawler mentality could inspire other O-Lineman to up their game . Violent hands and a natural knee bender . Didn't face the best competition, but his tape kicks ass . Mostly a right tackle , but he has a few starts at LT and guard in his past, but he would be a RT for the Ravens.
37.PHILLY - # KELVIN JOSEPH - CB - KENTUCKY
NFL PLAYER COMP - a bigger CORTLAND FINNEGAN
Joseph is a good sized corner with excellent ball skills and straight line speed. He was a backup as a true freshman at LSU and transferred after getting suspended for their bowl game , so he wasn't on the National championship team. Has a nasty streak and it shows up in the way he harrasses receivers with his physicality and jawing throughout the game. Plus he has gotten a lot of flags and some will call him a dirty player. Throw in that he is fooled too often on tape by trying to jump routes, and you come away with high ceiling/floor boom or bust type. After sitting out the 2019 season because of the transfer he finally got his chance to start this season. So Joseph only has 9 starts on his college resume ,and they were all this year. Did give Devonta Smith some trouble in their matchup this season, but they mostly avoided him after he made his presence known. He's raw all over , but his ALPHA attitude , press man skills, guts against the run, and ball skills will probably get him drafted in the 2nd. I would prefer the 3rd because of his lack of game experience, tendency to get fooled, raw technique, and because his inability to control his temper can cost you games. Joseph is wildly undisciplined and inconsistent. Don't know how coachable this corner is considering the number of times he freelances or gets out of position when he's watching the QB instead of his man . The athletic ability and movement skills are there to be a good NFL corner , but he needs to be coached up and learn to play his designed role in the scheme.
38.BENGALS - DILLON RADUNZ - T/G - N. DAKOTA ST.
NFL PLAYER COMP- ERIC FISHER - CHEIFS
The Bengals still need to help keeping Burrow upright so he can make throws to Chase, Higgins, and Boyd. Radunz was a 2 year ( It would have been 3 if not for the seasons cancellation after one game)starter for FCS champion N. Dakota ST. , and a ALL-American in 2019. Dillon played in a primary man/gap scheme in college, and his tape is good, but not dominant the way I expected it to be against a lower level of competition . I'm not sure if Radunz also has the athleticism to play in a outside zone heavy scheme. Has a mean streak , but lacks the strength to enforce it against NFL players right now, and is a leaner in the run game that gets shucked and falls off the blocks too often. Needs to get stronger no matter where he plays , and bigger too, if he's going to play inside . Good puller , but iffy going to the 2nd level. Excellent practice week at the Senior Bowl, and his tape there showed a significant increase in strength & athleticism. So at least he put the time off to good use. I think he's a starter , but could be a high level one after some more time with NFL coaching & strength & conditioning. I'm not sure if his long term future is inside or out , but that 34 inch arm length , good hand placement & punch, and smooth feet means he will definitely get a shot outside at tackle. Had a ACL tear in 2017 , but hasn't missed a game due to injury since. I think once he get buffed & coached up he can hold up outside. 2nd round.
39.CAROLINA - ELIJAH MOORE - WR - MISSOURI
NFL PLAYER COMP - ANTONIO BROWN - TAMPA BAY
I love this guy. Moore is my #5 overall WR , and in the end he ended having a first round grade on my board. He is a speedy slot guy who plays tough and bigger than he is . I think he could play some outside because he is strong for his size and can win contested catches . Moore is a good route runner , albeit with a limited route tree, and he can find the holes in a zone. He has great feet, hands, change of direction skills, and can sink & explode out of his breaks. He was the main weapon in the Ole Miss passing offense, and led the FBS in catches & yards per game this year. He is a tough little dude as a runner and at the catch point, but I he wish he showed that same drive & toughness as a blocker. He has the top speed & quickness to be used more down the field and in the running game, but it wasn't done much. Has some return experience too, but surprisingly didn't do much in that area. Would love to see what Moore could do if a team could get him the ball more in space.
40.DENVER - ** WYATT DAVIS - G - OHIO ST.
NFL PLAYER COMP - CHRIS SNEE - retired
Davis flirted with opting out and when he did hit the field in 2020 he looked rusty . In a Covid season where people didn't get their normal preparation I guess this is to be expected, but I was initially disappointed in this years tape after the stellar season I saw on film in 2019 . I actually thought he was going to be a top 20 pick coming into the year , but I doubt he even gets in the first round now when you throw the potential knee injury on top it all . Athletic & strong and plays with his feet under him . A lot of missed stunts and blitzes this year , but I'm hoping it's an anomaly due to the lack of normal on field prep . Slipped off too many blocks in the run game this season too. Despite all of that Davis is strong and athletic with the ability to dig a man out of the hole. Plays low and with a mean maulers streak to bury defenders. Good strong anchor & punch with nice hand placement. He's OK at the second level , but too often a little out of position coming off combos . Often comes in a little too hot and doesn't get the Linebacker clean , or just whiffs outright at the 2nd level. I love the guy despite the dip in performance in 2020, and Ohio states O-Line noticeably suffered his loss after he got hurt and couldn't battle Christian Barmore anymore in the National Championship game. . He's a king of the hill mano a mano winner as a run or pass blocker.
41.DETROIT - TREVON MOEHRIG - S - TCU
NFL PLAYER COMP - HARRISON SMITH - VIKINGS
Moehrig isn't just the best safety in this draft, but also someone with a first round grade who has fallen all the way to pick # 28 in this mock . In a draft with very few sure things he is a steal here .He's a complete player that could play in any scheme with the size to even play some LB. He's a big hitter, but can cover the slot receiver . Is a force against both the run and pass , and plays well high or low, but I like him better closer to the line of scrimmage . He's a ballhawk too . The only negative is short arms for his size. The Lions are killing it. STEAL !
42.NYG - AZEEZ OJULARI - OLB/DE - GEORGIA
NFL PLAYER COMP -SHAQ BARRETT - BUCCANEERS
The Giants get one of the great draft steals now, and he fills a big need. I have a first round grade on Azeez ,and he fits their base 3-4 scheme. When I got done watching Azeez on March 1rst I was impressed . He has played well in the SEC against a lot of future NFL OT's the last 2 seasons, but he does most of it with only one move . He fires off the ball and beats blockers with speed and good hand use . I don't see him as a every down 4-3 end unless he gets bigger & stronger, and he already played in a rotation at Georgia. Don't know if he has the frame to put on much more without losing that ability to bend the arc outside. He needs some speed to power to take his game up a notch, but the power needs to be added in the weight room , because he doesn't have much now ,and his frame isn't that big.
43.49ers - AARON BANKS - OG - N.DAME
NFL PLAYER COMP - TJ LANG - retired
The niners need help along the interior O-Line. Banks is a 3 year starter from the N. Dame O-Line factory. Normally I wouldn't look at this guy , and think he fits a zone scheme , but despite his sloppy looking build Banks can do it all. Zone /man /gap /angle are all in his wheel house. Big , strong, nasty , and so wide he's just hard to get around. Yet he can pull off the combo part of combo block in the run game ,and lumber up to the 2nd level. Strong anchor in pass pro , and a good punch when it lands inside, but his he's not a plus down the field yet. His hands are too wide too often but he attacks people quickly off the snap. If he can get in better shape, play consistently lower, and keep his hands inside I see Pro Bowls in his future, but even as he is he's a scheme diverse starting NFL guard with a high floor.
44.NYJ-(dallas) - TYSON CAMPBELL - CB - GEORGIA
NFL PLAYER COMP - BYRON JONES - DOLPHINS
Campbell is a tall, lean, fast, physical outside press man corner who has all the tools, but gives up too many catches due to his inability to find and make plays on the ball. He can flip his hips, but there is a little bit of stiffness and lag in the time it takes for him to get back in phase, but he has some makeup speed once his transition is finally over. Tyson is at his best when he gets his hands on his guy at the line, so press man & cover 3 are a fit, but might take a while to learn to play off better. His profile fits the Saleh's version of the cover 3, and if they can get him to find the ball better he could be a good starter early.
45.JAGUARS-(vikings)- PAT FREIERMUTH - TE - PENN ST.
NFL PLAYER COMP - HEATH MILLER - retired
Tyler Eifert's injuries started mounting in 2014 . He was never the same after the first one, and the Bengals finally moved on from him after a healthy , but lackluster 2019. Another weapon to appease and help Joe burrow here , and while it could be Terrace Marshall I'm betting that Joe won't fight for him as hard as he would for Chase in the first because Terrace is lazy. Baby Gronk is a flattering moniker, and I like this guy a lot , but he's not athletic enough to pull off the a lot of Gronkish things for me. He is a big, strong athletic old school inline Y TE that also lines up outside some. A team captain 2 years running who got hurt after only 4 games in 2020, but the tape in both 2019 & 2020 is good. He's just good all around, but not great anywhere. Size , speed, run blocking, catch radius, hands, body control , route running, feet, agility, and tackle breaking. All good, but not great like Gronk. Also gets by as a blocker on his size , strength , and will. Still needs technical refinement in a few areas , especially as a blocker, but I see him as a long term starter that I would take in the 2nd round.
46.PATRIOTS - ALIM MCNEIL - DT - NC ST.
NFL PLAYER COMP - DARON PAYNE - REDSKINS
Some guys you like more and more the deeper you get Into their tape .Mcneil is one of those guys for me , and it really hit me when I stopped getting frustrated at his measly tool box as a pass rusher . Once I accepted him as a Nose Tackle I came to appreciate that he is the rare 3 down NT even if he just collapses the pocket with regularity .Very athletic & explosive off the ball for such a huge guy, with the 1rst step of a 3 technique . He can take on some double teams , and that's with him still playing too high too often . I have a slightly lower grade on him than Daron Payne who went #13 overall, but Payne was more polished as a rusher . Although unlike Payne he doesn't have any games where he got RAGdolled by Frank RAGnow. Was a LB and RB in high school and just kept getting bigger . Can play every interior DL position in a odd or even front . Played at 340 lbs. mostly as a NT last season but he weighrd in the 317 at his Pro Day. Needs more than a bull rush to become a PRO BOWL type guy, but that's the only pass rush move he does that works for him right now . Some of the other attempted moves actually made me laugh out loud, but he has the athletic agility & flexibility to do a lot more with NFL coaching. He will shove the guy attempting to block him right in the QB's lap , but once he learns to consistently stay lower coming forward he could become a force as a pass rusher. I have a high 2nd round grade on him , but he is in my top 32 so I can see him going in the late first, especially in a draft with so little DT talent.
47.CHARGERS - ASANTE SAMUEL JR. - CB - FLORIDA. ST.
NFL PLAYER COMP - TRE'DAVIOUS WHITE - BILLS
Another 2nd generation corner , and this ones play style is a lot like his dads too, except he try's harder in run support, and is good tackler. Samuel was mostly a slot guy who got big brothered and taken out in the red zone in 2019 . Made the transition to a full time guy this year , playing inside & out, and really improved . Named a team captain in 2020 ,and led the team in picks and passes defensed despite only playing 8 games before opting out, but also dropped some easy picks on tape. He gets his hands on the ball a lot, and will contest catches despite his lack of size( 5"10", 180 lbs. ) . Asante has elite movement skills , fluid hips & transitions, and great feet to mirror his man. While I think he would be best in a zone scheme like his dad he can press too. His lack of his size does show up, and he still gets boxed out & big brothered some, and he also has trouble beating blocks. Cover 2 teams like the Chargers would be a good fit. Plus he reminds of the Bills current star corner. He's got a good football IQ , but he isn't as adept at jumping routes as his father was yet. I like that he improved 3 years in a row, and he as a high floor. 2ND round grade for the right scheme, but he won't be very high for Cover 3 teams.
48.LAS VEGAS - RICHIE GRANT - S - UCF
NFL PLAYER COMP - ANTOINE BETHEA - retired
Grant is a 5TH Year senior who is already 23 , but he plays a mature smart game to fit his birth date. High football IQ , and you can see him moving in the right direction earlier than your average safety in zone with very few false steps on tape. Can play high or low, and single high. Grant's diagnostic skills make him play faster than other guys even though he does run a 4.54 forty. Good in coverage, but great against the run this year. Solid physical traits except for the long arms for his height, and while he is a little below average size, Grant is a better football player than a lot of guys who will look better at a Pro Day. Covers a lot of ground, and has a excellent burst to the ball. Grant's a major ballhawk who will contest passes, pick it off, and force fumbles. Not as good in man, and that's why I think he would be better if primarily in the box ,because he doesn't have the fluidity or great quicks to stick with a shifty faster guy farther down the field very often. Grant cover TE'S in the box OK as well, but the longer he has too hang the more likely he will get boxed out. He doesn't have a great ceiling, and in fact he may be close to it now, but Richie has a high floor. I see him as a long term starter ,who can play special teams early in his career until the job is definitely his. 2nd rounder.
*** TRADE *** The BROWNS trade their 2nd (#59) ,and the 3RD they got from the saints (#91) to the CARDINALS for their 2ND rounder (#49) *** TRADE ***
49.ARIZONA - CARLOS BASHAM JR. - DE/DT - WAKE FOREST
NFL PLAYER COMP - CAMERON JORDAN - SAINTS
With Clowney only on a one year deal, and his injury history being a worry I expect the Browns would like to get a better long term solution along the edge to pair with Garrett. Basham is a good fit opposite him as well, so this trade makes sense to me. I am going for an edge Basham is a big physical defensive end with a mighty bull rush , but also a decent spin move, although the bull rush should be his primary move going forward. If he takes to coaching he could easily be the most reliable of this 2021 bunch of edge prospects, but I doubt he is the first edge guy taken because the league is going more towards smaller quicker edge players . He looks more like a 5 technique, and he can play some there too, but I like him as a 4-3 end, who can kick inside to the 3 tech in in some passing situations. He is far quicker off the snap than most guys his size, and he has a very high floor, which is rare in the 2021 draft. I have him graded just outside the first round, but in this uncertain draft he might be a bargain here.
50.MIAMI - JAVONTE WILLIAMS - RB - N. CAROLINA
NFL PLAYER COMP - NICK CHUBB - BROWNS
The Fins got some solid play out of a bunch of backup level RB's last season, but Myles Gaskin, Salvon Ahmed, and Patrick Laird aren't scaring anyone. Adding a solid all around guy like Malcolm Brown just looks like another high quality backup to me. What they need is a high quality starter, and one that DC's have to game plan and account for to make this offense hum. Plus , a defensive minded coach like Flores wants to run the ball. Williams would also take some pressure off Tua.
Williams is a strong RB with violence in his game , and he leaves the bodies of would be tacklers in his wake. Great stiff arm and good feet too. He has great contact balance and a good short area burst & quickness . As a runner the only thing he lacks is long speed and just OK vision, but only the latter is correctable. . He's a weapon on screens , and runs regular RB routes well, but he doesn't have natural hands . His choices in pass protection negate his natural aggression to stick his face into the scrum, butt that is also correctible with coaching as long as you are as willing as he is. Javonte also doesn't have a lot of miles on his tires due to a timeshare the last 2 seasons, but with his angry running style he is probably only a one contract RB anyway. He's a finisher who can run out the clock when the fins have a lead.
51.WASHNIGTON - SAMUEL COSMI - OT - TEXAS
NFL PLAYER COMP - BRIAN O'NEIL - VIKINGS
Cosmi is a 3 year starter for the longhorns. He was a RT in 2018 , has held down the blindside the last 2 years , and was a team captain in 2020. He has gotten bigger & stronger each year in college, but he still needs to pack more muscle on his 6"6" frame to hold up in the NFL, although he is all lean muscle like a big TE at present. Pass blocking is his forte right now. Cosmi has the feet & agility to hold up outside, and the smarts to pickup stunts & blitzes. He has a nice early punch, but his hands will get knocked down a lot more in the NFL. His pass sets aren't Pro ready, but if he takes to NFL coaching he should hold up outside quickly. Great Pro Day that confirms the big TE athleticism seen on tape, but 33 inch arm length is barely serviceable for many teams. He will be fine in a zone heavy run blocking scheme with a lot of double teams like the one the Bears run, but he's not a guy that blows defenders off the ball like some others in this draft.
52.CHICAGO - LIAM EICHENBERG - OT - N. DAME
NFL PLAYER COMP - MIKE MCGLINCHEY - 49ers
Eichenberg is a 3 year starter for N. Dame at LT, and he got better every year . The former TE isn't as athletic as you would expect for a former skill player. Like Mcglincey before him Liam is better as a run blocker instead of in pass protection , which is not what you generally see at OT. Tall, but short arms for his height. Fires his hands with a good punch, but you see his hands getting knocked away too much which is sign of a shorter armed guy. and this was confirmed when his arms measured less than 33 inches. He plays strong in the run game whether its zone or man/gap, and has a good mean steak. Good on combos, pulling, and makes it to the 2nd level eventually , but not a good athlete for the position. A lot of penalties because of his physical limitations, but He has a nice consistent pass set. Not sure he will make it outside now in a pass heavy scheme, but at the very least I think he would be a good left guard. I have a 2nd round grade on him, but he has a high floor if you put him at RT in a run heavy scheme because he still finds a way to get the job done more than most on tape.
53.TITANS - JALEN MAYFIELD - G/T - MICHIGAN
NFL PLAYER COMP - MICHAEL OHER - retired
Mayfield isn't 21 yet, and has only started 15 games , but their is a lot of talent here to bet on . This young man is quick , explosive, and powerful .Has a mean streak and will go hunting if he's uncovered , can light people up down the field.. Lacks technical skill in most areas of his game. Plays too high too often , hand placement is bad, base too narrow, and feet & punch timing are inconsistent . Might be better inside early while he gets coached up, and would be utilized best in a offense that puts him on the move a lot like the Rams ,but I think he might be able to play outside in a few years once his technique is ironed out . His highlight reel is as good as any other O-Lineman in this draft, and I wonder what he could be after a year or 2 in a NFL weight room. Plus he can move defenders off the ball once he latches on. Your betting on Mayfeild's traits over his tape, and after finishing all of his film , I would make that bet in the late 2nd/ early 3rd round.
54.INDY - ** SPENCER BROWN - OT - N. IOWA
NFL PLAYER COMP - NATE SOLDER - GIANTS
Brown is a athletic legit 6"8" small school right tackle prospect that disappointingly opted out this year. That height often works against him even though he is a natural knee bender because he's still so high that defenders get under his pads. In a tackle class with a lot of guys who will probably be better off with a move inside, Brown has the length, feet, flexibility, hands & punch, mirror ability, and athleticism to hold up outside. The former basketball player has put on a lot of muscle in collage, but his huge frame can easily hold another 30+ pounds of muscle, and he needs it after a disappointing Senior Bowl performance where he looked rusty & overmatched . I was really looking forward to him there, and thought he might work himself into the first round, but instead I had to move him back to the 3rd. I still think he goes in the top 75 picks though. He's got some nasty to him in the run game, and he pushed around a lot of small school guys on tape.
55.PITT - QUINN MEINERZ -G/C - WISCONSIN-WHITEWATER
NFL PLAYER COMP - JAKE GROVE - retired
Meinerz was a 2 year starter at LG for a extremely small school that I never heard of until the Senior Bowl. He didn't opt out, but his season was cancelled. Meinerz showed some center versality after a great Senior Bowl week . Straight up wrecked a few of the bigger named prospects in the one on ones during the week with a maulers mean streak. Driving them into the dirt, and making a name for himself. Former wrestler who fires off the ball low with good knee bend and leverage. His body looked in much better shape in Mobile than it did in college, and his tape was better too, so maybe his lumber jack training will become a thing. His small school tape was good, but not the dominance I expected after what I saw at the Senior Bowl. While he missed most of the game with a broken hand he practiced with it some, and was reportedly lobbying to play more. So I am guessing that the muscles he added in this missed season had a huge positive affect on his performance in a very big way, because he now looks like one of the rare interior O-Lineman who can dig a 3-4 NT out of the hole. He should get even stronger and get much better coaching in the NFL. I expect him to come off the board in the late 2nd or early 3rd. Can long snap too. I don't see him getting past the pick 64, even though some teams are adverse to small school players.
*** TRADE *** The VIKINGS trade the 3RD they got from the Jets(#66) their 4th (#119) and their 5th(#157) to the SEAHAWKS for their 2ND rounder (#56) *** TRADE ***
56.VIKINGS-(seattle)- JEVON HOLLAND - S/CB - OREGON
NFL PLAYER COMP - JUSTIN SIMMONS - BRONCOS
The jags need playmakers on defense, and this guy fits the bill. Holland is a ball hawk with a high football IQ. I don't see the explosive speed he showed at his Pro day on tape, but his ability to read the play early makes up for his lack of burst. He spent a lot of time covering the slot in 2019, but will struggle with the smaller quicker guys the longer the play lasts. I would prefer him as a primary deep safety , although he will man up in run support if you play him in the box , but he does have a tendency to come in hot going for the big hit and miss a tackle. He gambles some jumping routes , and you see the good and bad there, but his punt return skills show up if he picks it so he can take it to the house. Holland was my #1 safety coming into the season, but he opted out, and I think that he missed an opportunity to show he improved in his weaker areas . That will probably keep him out of the first round, but he has a lot of playmaking traits that should make him a early starter, and I expect him to go in the top 50 picks.
57.LA RAMS - ** LANDON DICKERSON - C/G - ALABAMA
NFL PLAYER COMP - MATT BIRK - retired
The Rams big move this offseason was upgrading at QB. Going from Goff to Stafford is a big deal , but they had to give the Lions two 1rst rounders as payment , while only getting a 3rd back. Part of the price was for taking on Goff's guaranteed contract, but I still say it was worth it. Goff had hit a wall, and both QB's needed a change. They also resigned Leonard Floyd , and picked up injury prone speedster Desean Jackson. Then LA tendered Darious Williams at a 1rst round level , which I think is smart because reams might have given up a second for the young corner. The sad part was letting long time DT Michael Brockers go for a 7th rounder in a salary dump, but he was showing signs of slowing down last season, and he will be 31 before the year is out. The rams have a lot of needs and no 1rst rounder yet again, which is a problem with a tight cap. They have two 3rds so if they can hit on all 3 of their top 100 picks it might go a long way to keeping them in the playoffs in what's looking to be the toughest division in football again. The need help on both lines, LB, CB, off the EDGE, and maybe another WR & corner too. That's a lot foe a team that just won a playoff game. I'm going O-LINE because I see that as their biggest need, and Andre Whitworth isn't getting any younger. In this draft Dickerson would be a lock for the first round, and probably the top 15 , if his injury history didn't look like a damage report at a Army M.A.S.H unit . 3 ACL tears ( at lest one on each knee) including a current one, and other lower body injuries in college . He was a true freshman starter at RG for FLA. ST. before tearing his ACL in the 7th game . Started 4 games as a sophomore before another season ending injury. Then started 2 games in 2019 before a ankle injury ended his season and took a medical redshirt . Transferred to Alabama and started every game in 2019 ( 4 at RG and 9 at center ) . In 2020 he started 11 games before tearing another ACL in the SEC championship game The tape is great. He can play center or guard ,and is scheme diverse, but reach blocks against quicker interior guys in a zone scheme are a stretch . I would take the risk in the late 2nd in this draft because if he plays 75% of the games on his first contract he worth it . He was my 2nd favorite O-Lineman to watch this draft season . Big, smart, strong, and nasty. Yep, he's that good .
58.KC-(ravens) - ** TERRACE MARSHALL - WR - LSU
NFL PLAYER COMP - DJ CHARK - JAGUARS
Obviously most people are going to think Offensive tackle here after watching a harried Mahomes hobble around in the big game . I agree that its a decent idea , but I will also make the argument why it's not necessary in the first round . The Chiefs were missing their 3 best blockers in the Superbowl , and all 3 could be back next season . Both starting Pro Bowl OT's got knocked out for the year before the playoffs, and both could be healthy for 2021, although their best blocker Schwartz is a question because it's a back injury. Left tackle Eric Fisher has a better chance of getting healthy and resigning with them. Starting guard Laurent Duvernay Tardiff opted out before the season, and spent the year ( ( former pre-med and future doctor ) nobly helping out in hospitals as a orderly . 2020 3rd round Pick OT Lucas Niang also opted out before the season . KC also had the almost worst case scenario starting at tackle in the Superbowl . Guard Andrew Wylie who had missed the Chiefs other post season games actually started out of position at RT . Last but definitely not least we come to Superbowl blindside starter Mike Remmers . Even people who aren't regular fans, and only watch the Superbowl might have recognized the name . The reason is that Remmers was the primary victim of one of the greatest defensive performances in post season history in Superbowl 50 by Von Miller in 2016 . Remmers was then the starting right tackle for the Panthers and proceeded to look like a turnstile as Miller kept working him all day long . One more tidbit is that Offensive tackle is very deep in this draft , and as many as 10-13 of them could come off the board before day two is over. Half them might be better at Guard or can at least play their well if the Chiefs regular starters had returned to form in 2021. I was also considering going with an edge rusher, because none of the KC edge guys did much last year , and that includes the highly paid Frank Clark. KC did sign the top FA guard in Pro Bowler Joe Thuney , center Austin Blythe from the rams, and brought former Pro Bowl guard Kyle Long out of retirement. . However, after all that consideration they cut both injured OT's so I was still going to give them a OT in the first round, While those are nice gets inside I thought a potential OT is more needed. They made a run at Trent Williams, but he went back to Frisco on a record setting contract. Instead they pivoted and traded for Ravens RT Orlando Brown. They sent the Ravens their first (#31) ,3rd(#94) , 4th(136) this year and also added their 2022 5th. They got back the Ravens 2nd this year(#58) ,and their 2002 6th rounder as well. Brown wants to be a Left Tackle like his dad, and they can give him some of that money they had earmarked for Trent Williams. So that still lives a potential hole to fill at right tackle, but I will get to that with their next pick. Marshall is the most talented receiver that I don't like in the first round, but it's more because I see him as having selfish & Diva like tendencies . He has a great frame & speed . Has good hands and can play all 3 receiver spots , Then why don't I like him . I have played and coached football for a long time , and when I think of players I don't like it's always the ones who are very talented that are me guys . A long time ago in high school we lost a road game in the playoffs . In that game I hade 2 sacks and another 3 TFLs's on defense, and 7 pancakes & 4 decleats on offense, yet I was sad & pissed off because we lost . We had a receiver who had almost 200 yards receiving and 2 TD's in the game, and he was in such a great mood on the long bus ride home . I finally shoved him back into his seat and I'm paraphrasing here told him " to shut the F up . We lost you shouldn't be celebrating you selfish A-Hole. " He shut up , but looked confused and I heard from other guys over the next few weeks that he was complaining about me, but of course never to my face . He got a scholarship and ended up getting kicked off his division one team as freshman for off the field stuff . He didn't really love football just what it did for him, and everything was about him. We once won a game mostly running the ball ,and both myself and the QB had to tell him to shut up in the huddle for complaining about not getting the ball. He also complained to his position coach and the OC in meetings .We won by 39 points ! Be happy you selfish twit ! This guy reminds me of Marshall. Why ? because both of them didn't do the little things that helped the team when they weren't getting the ball. Both were poor blockers and had a tendency to not run out their full route when they weren't getting the ball. Plus Marshall opted out right before the Alabama game. That's a punk move in my book . There have been and still are plenty of players , and specifically WR's in the NFL that have this selfish mindset . Randy Moss, Terrell Owens, and Antonio Brown come to mind . 3 of the greatest receivers to ever play the game , and I think it's telling that none of them ever won a championship until this season. Brown had to sit out about a season and a half, mind his P's & Q's and take a role as a 3rd WR to win that ring too. Lets hope Marshall wises up before he has to suffer the things they did, but I don't want to use a 1rst round pick on a guy who has shown those tendencies no matter how good his positives are on tape . He will also have to man up as a blocker in the NFL, but at least the Chiefs don't run the ball much. There is a rumor this week that at the medical check up Marshall has a risky knee as well, but he would give the Chiefs WR core some size .
59.AZ-(cards) - RONDALE MOORE - WR - PURDUE
NFL PLAYER COMP - a mini PERCY HARVIN - retired
The Cards really need a corner, but the 2 worth this pick are slot guys, and I don't think they go slot here. Plus , Kingsbury keeps whining about getting a explosive receiver. I've either read or heard in multiple places this year that WR is the deepest position group, but I disagree. I think it's the O-Line or corner this year. Last years WR class was a ALL Time great in my book, but this years is just good to me. The reason is that this year has a lot less complete WR's. A lot of the top guys are small slot only , gadget/return guys , or some combination thereof. Moore is one of those . He's really small ( 5"7" , 181) , but also really explosive ( 4.31 forty) and a Michael Jordanish 42 and a half inch vertical. That size means he has a small catch radius , and therefore needs a very accurate QB. He's very much like a smaller Kadarius Toney with video game movement skills, elusiveness, and can pile up the yards after the catch. Like Toney his hands are also iffy at times. Even though he is very strong for his size , and plays bigger than he is, when your this small you can only go so far up. He also has some return ability , but I expected more there than what I saw on tape considering his elite stop & start quickness, burst , and long speed. His true freshman year tape was so good I expected him to end up in the first round, but he has had 2 serious hamstring injuries in back to back years. Combining his small frame with the injury prone tags takes him out of my top 50. Rondale only has 7 starts in the last 2 years because of those injuries. Still you can hand him that ball, throw it to him in the slot, use him in the return game and manufacture touches for him in many ways if you have a versatile offensive mind at the helm.
60.SAINTS - LEVI ONWUZURIKE - DT - WASHINGTON
NFL PLAYER COMP - LA'ROI GLOVER - retired
The Saints let Sheldon Rankins go to the Jets after another injury marred season , and Levi could help fill that hole. Levi is a twitchy explosive DT with violent hands who has lined up at nose tackle too much for some reason , and while he did pretty well there for the most part , I think his future is as a 3 technique in the NFL. He is strong enough to hold up there against the run one on one vs most interior O-Lineman, but he did get driven into the dirt by Quinn Meinerz at the Senior Bowl. The 2020 opt out did well for the most early on in mobile, but a injury probably wrecked any chance of him working his way into the first round. He is still raw from a finding the ball & pass rush plan perspective , and also needs to play lower with more consistency ,but he senses traps and can blow up a play in the backfield. That quick first step can go a long way towards getting him early playing time, but he is another guy with limited starts (16) and tape that really could have helped himself by playing this season.
61.BUFFALO - ELIJAH MOLDEN - CB/S - WASHINGTON
NFL PLAYER COMP - DESMOND KING - TEXANS
Slot corner Taron Johnson is coming off a down season, and he is also on the last year of his contract. Every year there are a handful of players that I love in the top 50 regardless of their testing or tools. Molden is one of those guys. He's not the tallest(5"9" ) the fastest ( 4.6 forty) , and he doesn't have long arms ( 29 and a half) , but dude can ball ! He's a slot corner/ safety with a high football IQ, elite toughness, great ball skills, and he is bout it like a laser as soon as he sees it. Great tackler & hitter with great instincts ,and the kind of playing style that screams special teams ace. He's instinctive and plays football like he just loves the game. I am a big MMA guy, and some announcer ( I don't remember who) once said something way back that has stuck with me when discussing the great light heavyweights of that era . He said " Some guys are like Tito Ortiz . They love what MMA does for them , but if they could find a easier way to get fortune & fame they would do it . Others are like Chuck Liddell. Wanderlei Silva, and Dan Henderson. They are just pure fighters, and even if they couldn't get rich doing it they would be in some backstreet warehouse beating the crap out of each other because that's just what they are" . Tito ended up in the WWE , and Chuck, Wandy, and Hendo fought professionally way past their prime because they didn't know how to quit. IT'S JUST WHAT THEY ARE. Well some people play football for fortune & fame, and if they could find a easier way to get it they would. You know the type of guys I'm talking about. I have a feeling that if Elijah Molden couldn't make money doing it he would still be playing in some Semi Pro league just for a chance to hit someone because being a pure Football player is just what HE IS. The city of Buffalo will love this guy.
62.PACKERS - CREED HUMPHREY - C/G - OKLAHOMA
NFL PLAYER COMP - ERIC WOOD - retired
I don't know who will be the packers QB next year, but whether it's Rodgers or Lo9ve he will needs some more help up front after letting their Pro Bowl center go to the Chargers. Creed is big & strong, but not as big and strong as I thought he would become, especially in the run game. Plus, he has short arms for his height, and that lack of length shows up on tape. When he burst on the scene as a redshirt freshman I thought he was going to a star, and enter the draft as soon as possible, but things haven't progressed much for him since then. In 2019 his tape was solid except for the 2 Baylor games , because 2020 6th rounder Bravvion Roy mollywopped him in both games. The only progress I have seen in the last 2 years is in his hand placement & strength, and in his ability to make the line calls up front. So while I see him as a solid starter in the NFL I also have a 3rd round grade on him, and think he will go a round higher than his tape warrants.
63.KC - JABRIL COX - LB/S - LSU
NFL PLAYER COMP - KEVIN BURNETT - retired
Cox is a tall LB with good length that excels in space in man or zone coverage. Cox was a high school QB who made the move to overhang LB at N. Dakota st. After 4 years there he transferred to LSU this season, and the fact that he was named a team captain speaks loudly about his leadership skills. He is smooth and fluid in coverage , and I actually think he could play some safety. Not a big hitter in the run game, and seems a bit hesitant to fill and stack & shed blocks. The NFL has been transitioning to this type of smaller faster LB, and multiple teams now use a overhang/rover type in their defense. I don't like him as much as some, but he is at least a nickel LB as a rookie. I like him in the 3rd , but think he goes in the 2nd round. He missed LSU's Pro day with a hamstring injury, but is expecting to workout right before the draft. His grade could fluctuate some based on that.
64.TAMPA - JACKSON CARMAN - G/T - CLEMSON
NFL PLAYER COMP - BRANDON BROOKS - EAGLES
Carman was Trevor Lawrence's blindside protector for the last 2 years. He's is a heavy handed Brawler who might need to kick inside to guard. May not have long arms, but his shoulders are so broad that he has a decent wingspan, and he knows how to use his hands. So he's just hard to get around to the outside. Very inconsistent, but his best games make me think he's a starting OT, but if he moved to guard he wouldn't give up so much inside pressure, and I think he could be a above average starter for a long time there. Moves really well for 335 pounder on tape, but showed up in much better shape for his Pro Day at 317 pounds, and that could improve his balance issues some. Plays low , and is a natural knee bender as a run blocker, but sometimes gets too high in pass pro. Combine that with his awareness for stunts & twists, and skill at combo blocks, and it makes me think some teams might want to try him out at center. He's a people mover who excels in the run game, and he keeps driving his feet to finish. All of that says a move inside is likely, but if I just see him a guard, who can kick outside in a pinch he's worth a late 2nd/ early 3rd round grade.
65.- ** WALKER LITTLE - OT - STANFORD
NFL PLAYER COMP- ANTHONY CASTONZO - retired
66.SEATTLE-(jets) - BENJAMIN ST-JUSTE - CB - MINNESOTA
NFL PLAYER COMP - TRUMAINE JOHNSON - FA
The Seahawks are a unique franchise. They typically miss on their 1rst round pick, but draft and coach up guys on day 3 well. Trading away their first round picks for established talent like Jamal Adams can net you a great player, but then you have to always pay big contracts to the vets , instead of cheaper rookie wage scale deals. All their trades to acquire veteran talent also means that they only have 3 ( a 2nd, 4th, and 7th)picks in this entire draft. The biggest news for the Hawks this off season was Russell Wilson saying he would want to be traded to a few select teams if the Hawks don't improve his blocking. Normally I don't like stuff like this being put out there in the media, but Wilson has a huge point. There are only 4 ELITE ( Wilson, Mahomes, Rodgers, and of course Tom " THE GOAT" Brady) QB's currently in the NFL in my book, and they have one. During his time in the league no one has taken more hits than Wilson, and it's mostly the O-Lines fault. The Seahawks have spent plenty of draft picks along the front, but they keep missing, although 2020 second rounder Damien Lewis is a heck of a run blocker. They did sign Brandon Shell to be their new RT in 2020 , and while he is an upgrade he has also just been a average guy so far, but at least he is coming off his best season. If he was even a above average lineman the cap space rich Jets would have resigned him. Then this year they brought in veteran guard Gabe Jackson, and while he also an upgrade he has been slipping some the last 2 years in a row. The only really good O-Lineman they currently have is LT Duane Brown, and of course they traded a 2nd and 3rd for him a few years back. So at least they are taking his threat seriously, but I don't know why they even resigned Ethan Pocic and Cedrick Ogbuehi. On defense their two big moves were to bring back Carlos Dunlap, and bringing in CB Ahkello Witherspoon. They still need another corner though, and a defensive coach like Pete Carrol's fondest wish is probably to recreate the Legion Of Boom.
67.HOUSTON - DYAMI BROWN - WR - N. CAROLINA
NFL PLAYER COMP - BRANDON LLOYD - retired
The freak show that has been Houston is still dealing with the fallout of Bill O'briens bad decisions. I didn't like Deshaun Watson demanding a trade right after getting a new contract, especially when he has never won a Superbowl, and he also holds onto the ball way too long. This isn't Russell Wilson who has skins on the wall. It's a spoiled kid wanting out when he didn't get his way. How dare this kid think he should have input on hiring the GM ! . He hasn't even done enough in the NFL to have a say in hiring the OC in my book. Anyway, I bet they wish they had traded him now, and they probably can't trade him until his off the field questions have been adjudicated. Even if he's found innocent I now doubt they get anywhere near the huge price they would have gotten before. With the exception of Phillip Lindsay all Houston has done is sign depth guys in my opinion, but since they don't have a pick until the 3rd round ( thanks again Billy) some of those depths guy will end up starting anyway. The Texans are my odds on favorite to have the first pick in 2022 so they should be thinking long term now . The Texans only have 3 plus players on their offense right now( Watson, Laremy Tunsil, and Brandin Cooks ) . Tunsil should be a part of their long term future, and Watson will either be there long term, suspended, in jail, or bring a pick haul in a trade. Cooks on the other hand is a luxury for a rebuilding team, and they could probably get a 3rd rounder for him while dumping his big 2022 salary after this season . Brown is a deep threat with good releases off the ball against press , especially for his size , and a penchant for nailing double moves. It's a shame most his routes were so deep , because on those few occasions he ran underneath routes he looked intriguing to me . He can go up make a great contested catch, and then drop a easy one. Dyami has good long speed, but is lacking in short area burst right now, and also needs to get stronger in the weight room. He will need a class in running a NFL route tree, but I think that's the only reason he falls this late in the draft.
68.ATLANTA - **# DAVIS MILLS - QB - STANFORD
NFL PLAYER COMP - MATT RYAN - FALCONS
69.BENGALS - MILTON WILLIAMS - DT - LA. TECH
NFL PLAYER COMP - TYRONE CRAWFORD - retired
70.PHILLY - NICK BOLTON - LB - MISSOURI
NFL PLAYER COMP - SEAN LEE - retired
71.DENVER - RONNIE PERKINS - DE/OLB - OKLAHOMA
NFL PLAYER COMP - ROBERT MATHIS - retired
72.DETROIT - AMARI RODGERS - WR - CLEMSON
NFL PLAYER COMP - GOLDEN TATE - FA
73.CAROLINA - D'ANTE SMITH - OT - E. CAROLINA
NFL PLAYER COMP - RUSSELL OKUNG - FA
74.WASH-(49ers)- KELLEN MOND - QB - TEXAS A&M
NFL PLAYER COMP - a smaller DAK PRESCOTT - COWBOYS
75.DALLAS - STONE FORSYTHE - OT - FLORIDA
NFL PLAYER COMP -KOLTON MILLER - RAIDERS
76.NYG - DEONTE BROWN - OG - ALABAMA
NFL PLAYER COMP - EDWIN MULITALO - retired
77.LA CHARGERS - TOMMY TREMBLE - TE/FB - N. DAME
NFL PLAYER COMP - ANTHONY FASANO - retired
78.VIKINGS - JOSEPH ASSAI - OL/EDGE - TEXAS
NFL PLAYER COMP - CAMERON WAKE - retired
79.LAS VEGAS-(AZ)- MARLON TUIPULOTU - DT - USC
NFL PLAYER COMP - JARRAN REED - SEAHAWKS
80.LAS VEGAS- PAULSON ADEBO - CB - STANFORD
NFL PLAYER COMP - CARLOS ROGERS - retired
81.MIAMI - BARON BROWNING - LB/EDGE - OHIO ST.
NFL PLAYER COMP - JAMIE COLLINS - LIONS
82.WASH - ROBERT ROCHELL - CB - C. ARKANSAS
NFL PLAYER COMP - CHRIS HOUSTON - retired
83.CHICAGO - D'WAYNE ESKRIDGE - WR - W. MICHIGAN
NFL PLAYER COMP - SANTANA MOSS - retired
84.DALLAS-(eagles,Indy)- JAMAR JOHNSON - S - INDIANA
NFL PLAYER COMP - ADRIAN AMOS - PACKERS
85.TITANS - HUNTER LONG - TE - BOSTON COLLEGE
NFL PLAYER COMP - KYLE RUDOLPH - GIANTS
86.VIKINGS- JOSH PALMER - WR - TENNESEE
NFL PLAYER COMP - HAKEEM NICKS - retired
87.PITT - BRADY CHRISTENSEN - G/T - BYU
NFL PLAYER COMP - JOE THUNEY - retired
88.LA RAMS - AARON GIBSON - CB/S - UCF
NFL PLAYER COMP - ANTHONY BROWN - COWBOYS
89.BROWNS - KENDRICK GREEN- C/G - ILLINOIS
NFL PLAYER COMP - RYAN KALIL - retired
90.VIKINGS- (ravens)- ZECH MCPHAERSON - CB - TEXAS TECH
NFL PLAYER COMP - STEVE NELSON - FA
91.AZ-(browns,saints) - AMBRY THOMAS - CB - MICHIGAN
NFL PLAYER COMP - TROY HILL - BROWNS
92.PACKERS - NICO COLLINS - WR - MICHIGAN
NFL PLAYER COMP - MIKE WILLIAMS - CHARGERS
93.BUFFALO - BREVIN JORDAN - TE - MIAMI
NFL PLAYER COMP - IRV SMITH - VIKINGS
94.RAVENS-(KC)- JAMES HUDSON THE 3RD - G/T - CINCINATTI
NFL PLAYER COMP - RODGER SAFFOLD - TITANS
95.TAMPA - JAY TUFELE - DT - USC
NFL PLAYER COMP - SHELDON RANKINS - JETS
96.PATRIOTS- - ** RASHAD WEAVER - DE - PITTSBURGH
NFL PLAYER COMP - TREY FLOWERS - LIONS
97.CHARGERS - DAVIYON NIXON - DT - IOWA
NFL PLAYER COMP - COREY LIUGET - FA
98.SAINTS - PETE WERNER - LB - OHIO ST.
NFL PLAYER COMP - LEIGHTON VANDER ESCH - COWBOYS
99.NYJ-(dallas) - ** DAYO ODEYINGBO - DE/DT - VANDERBILT
NFL PLAYER COMP - JASON PIERRE- PAUL- BUCCANEERS
100.TITANS - ** TYLAN WALLACE - WR - OKLAHOMA ST.
NFL PLAYER COMP - MARVIN JONES - JAGUARS
101.LIONS-(rams) - MARCO WILSON - CB/S - FLORIDA
NFL PLAYER COMP - MINKAH FITZPATRICK - STEELERS
102.49ers - JOSH MYERS - C - OHIO ST.
NFL PLAYER COMP - DAVID ANDREWS - PATRIOTS
103.RAMS - ** TREY SMITH - G/T - TENNESEE
NFL PLAYER COMP - WYATT TELLER - BROWNS
104.RAVENS - HAMSAH NASIRILDEEN - S/LB - FLORIDA ST.
NFL PLAYER COMP - KAM CHANCELLOR - retired
105.SAINTS - TUTU ATWELL - WR - LOUIVILLE
NFL PLAYER COMP - MARQUISE BROWN - RAVENS
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