Re: 2017 NFL Draft Outlook Based on NFL Personnel Executives/ McGinn

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RamBill
2017 NFL Draft Outlook

Bob McGinn , Milwaukee Journal Sentinel

Published 8:23 p.m. CT March 4, 2017

[www.packersnews.com]


Based on interviews with executives in personnel for six teams, it is possible to narrow down just a little bit the pool of players that might be considered by the Green Bay Packers regardless of position if they exercise their current 29th selection in the first round of the NFL draft April 27.

Prospects are conservatively divided into three categories: As Good As Gone – barring negative developments, these players have virtually no chance of reaching No. 29; Probably Gone – players who appear to have no better than a 50-50 chance of remaining on the board at No. 29; and The Next Level – players who figure to be taken next.

Here’s an early look at 50 players who figure to fit into these layers of the draft (underclassmen are denoted by asterisk).


THE NEXT LEVEL (25)

CURTIS SAMUEL*, WR-RB, Ohio State: 5-11, 196. Third-year junior almost equally valuable as a receiver, runner and returner. “He’s Percy Harvin,” said one scout. “Urban (Meyer) ran him from the tailback spot more than he ran Percy Harvin but that’s because the game has changed. Every time he touches the ball it’s a potential touchdown.” Described as a faster Randall Cobb by a second scout. “Unique player,” he said. “Physically tough. Playmaking ability.” Averaged just 11.7 yards per catch in 2016. “He’s supposed to be this big-play speed guy but he doesn’t make any big plays,” a third scout said. “He’ll run fast but he’s just more of an athlete than a player right now.” Ran extremely fast (4.31), vertical jump of 37, 18 reps on the bench press.

EVAN ENGRAM, TE, Mississippi: 6-3, 234. Four-year starter with 162 receptions. “He’s a receiving tight end, not an in-line blocker,” one scout said. “He can play slot. Smooth athlete, good speed. This is where the modern-day offense is going.” Compared by one scout to former Saints WR Marques Colston. “Not as fast or quick-footed as Marques but more of a big slot receiver,” he said. “He could probably be 245 but he’ll never be a point-of-attack guy. He’ll have to be a back-side flex guy if you want to get any kind of production out of him.” Led tight ends in the 40-yard dash Saturday with a blazing 4.42.

FORREST LAMP, G-C, Western Kentucky: 6-4, 309. Started most of his four-year career at LT but projects inside. “He’d be the best inside guy,” said one scout. “He’s technique, good athlete, balance, competitive. He’s a center-guard.” Short arms (32¼), large hands (10 5/8). Ran a fast 40 (5.00). “Western Kentucky is a good program,” said another scout. “He is really good on the move and can get to the second level and downfield. Not real strong or powerful but really is a nice athlete.”

PATRICK MAHOMES*, QB, Texas Tech: 6-2, 225. Started for 2½ seasons. “You (remember) how John Elway could scramble around and at the last second just square up and throw the ball the length of the field?” said one veteran scout. “This guy can do the same thing. He didn’t play in a bowl game this year but, remember, John Elway never played in a bowl game. (Texas Tech) had the worst defense in the nation. He had no backs and receivers this year. Excellent athlete and arm strength. He’s got a gunslinger mentality.” Played in a simplistic spread offense with limited reads. “He plays in that junk offense and has a lot to learn,” another scout said. “A lot. He’s got quick feet and a (big arm). 4.0 student. Good kid.” Arm strength might give him the edge over recent Texas Tech passers. “He could (develop) but I don’t see it,” a third scout said. “He has no vision, no mechanics. He’s erratic as hell. Makes a lot of mistakes.” Ran 4.80.

ALVIN KAMARA*, RB, Tennessee: 5-10, 214. Redshirted at Alabama and spent time in junior college before starting eight of 24 games for Volunteers. “He can do it all,” said one scout. “He’s quick. Got good balance and vision. Catches the ball extremely well out of the backfield. Just hasn’t been a lead dog.” Ran 4.56 with a vertical jump of 39½. “When Jalen (Hurd) went down (in 2016) he had a chance to step up and be that guy and you just never saw it,” another scout said. “He’s not really a between-the-tackles, wear-you-down, take-the-bull-by-the-horns guy. He needs to get out in space. He can be a good player in a niche role.”

DEREK BARNETT*, DE, Tennessee: 6-3, 259. Led the nation in sacks with 13. His career total of 33 broke Reggie White’s school mark by one. “I wouldn’t be surprised if he goes to the combine and bombs out athletically,” said one scout. “If he works out well and runs 4.7, he’s first round. If he runs 5-flat, 4.9, no. Little overhyped. He’s not going to be a foot athlete or a special guy.” Opted out of drills Saturday because of illness. Weight was an unexpectedly low 259. “He can do stand-up (linebacker) but I wouldn’t want him dropping,” said one scout. “You’ll want him putting his hand in the dirt and being a base DE. He plays hard when it’s time to rush the passer.”

TACO CHARLTON, DE, Michigan: 6-6, 277. Blossomed as a senior starter after being a rotational player for three years. “Loved by his teammates and loves the game of football,” one scout said. “Things come easy to him. You could almost compare him to Chandler Jones.” Arms were 34. “He won’t be dominant but he’ll be a good, solid player,” one scout said. “Not dynamic or anything. He’ll start as a rookie and be good.”

CHARLES HARRIS*, DE, Missouri: 6-3, 253. On the small side for 4-3 teams but might be athletic enough to stand up in a 3-4. “I think he’s one of the better defensive players in the draft,” said one scout. “He’s athletic, physical, tough and can rush the passer like those other Missouri guys.” Two-year starter came into his own in 2016. “This is the kind of guy that gets you fired,” another scout said. “Physically soft. Does not play strong. Once they get their hands on him it’s over. He’s a finesse rusher. I could see where you could be excited about the guy but I’d be afraid to draft him (high).” Arms were 32 5/8.

CALEB BRANTLEY*, DT, Florida: 6-3, 307. Two-year starter with just 2½ sacks. “He probably fancies himself as a 3-technique,” one scout said. “He’s got to be more consistent anchoring down and playing the run. Even as a 3-technique, you’re going to have to take on a double every now and then. Otherwise, they just keep running the ball at you all damn game. He wants to rush the passer.” Arms measured just 32. “Fake tough guy,” said another scout. “He understands how to edge the blocker and has balance and control. Doesn’t always finish the play. I like the athlete.”

DALVIN TOMLINSON, DT, Alabama: 6-3, 310. Rotational backup for two seasons before replacing NFL draftees A’shawn Robinson and Jarran Reed as a senior. “Tough, physical,” said one scout. “Not great. Just a good, solid pro. Could develop into a quality nose tackle.” Outstanding prep wrestler. “Strong at the point of attack,” said another scout. “He’s got strong hips, good hands, hard to move on run blocks. Not a dominant pass rusher but can get push and is athletic enough to edge the blocker. One-technique or 3-technique.”

MALIK MCDOWELL*, DT, Michigan State: 6-6, 295. Physical specimen with 34¾ arms and 10½ hands. “It won’t be because of lack of talent,” said one scout. “Good feet. Flashes twitch. Going to need lots of work, though.” Departed after disappointing junior season in which he had 1½ sacks in nine games. Played a lot inside but was more productive outside. “He does have a takeoff when they move him on the edge and he can up field,” another scout said. “Talented but inconsistent. I question his toughness, shed, instincts. I’m scared because he doesn’t play hard. High opinion of himself. They question if he loves football.”

RAEKWON MCMILLAN*, ILB, Ohio State: 6-2, 240. Third-year junior, two-year starter in the middle. “Excellent leader,” said one scout. “Everybody listens to this guy. He’s a zone coverage guy. He’ll need some work in man-to-man. Has feel, has vision, easy mover. He’s a perfect football guy.” Surpassed 100 tackles in each of the past two seasons. “I’m not a fan,” said another scout. “He’s tough and plays the game the right way, but he’s a little bit small and plays small. He’s not as athletic as a guy that size needs to be.”

JARRAD DAVIS, ILB, Florida: 6-1, 238. Missed four games with an ankle injury in an oft-injured career. “I don’t see how he gets out of the first (round),” said one scout. “Too fast, too athletic, too good of a player over his career there.” Arms were 33 1/2. Wonderlic of 21. “He can run and he’s rangy,” another scout said. “He’s got great leadership intangibles. Now he’s often-injured, too. He’s got to go first round.”

HAASON REDDICK, ILB, Temple: 6-1, 237. Enrolled as a cornerback but spent almost entire career as a boundary DE. Looked good at the Senior Bowl in move to the middle. “The Senior Bowl helped him a lot because he was off the ball a lot more,” one scout said. “You could see he could handle that. He’s skyrocketed. Coming into the year he was just a reject. He’s had a hell of a year. He is productive, tough, fast.” Posted 10½ of his 18 sacks as a senior. “He plays relentless and has speed,” said one scout. “Very tough. He’s a leader. Has a good feel for the game.”

TIM WILLIAMS, OLB, Alabama: 6-3, 244. Four-year player who didn’t see much action until 2015 and ended up starting just two games. “Not a special athlete, just a hell of a football player,” said one scout. “Knows how to play.” Designated pass rusher whose background will require scrutiny. “He’ll get pushed down to the second round because of his character,” another scout said. “He’s a dynamite pass rusher. He gets off the edge.”

RYAN ANDERSON, OLB, Alabama: 6-2, 253. Fifth-year senior finally worked his way into the lineup as a senior. “Very steady,” one scout said. “He doesn’t look pretty but he makes plays. Outside linebacker in a 3-4. He is (short), but he does everything good and makes plays.” Arms were just 31 1/2. “He’s thick built,” another scout said. “He’s more like the big guys they’ve had play that edge. Tough guys.”

T.J. WATT*, OLB, Wisconsin: 6-4, 252. Overcame string of injuries to forge 13-sack season in 2016, his first as a starter, and then declared a year early. “This guy just plays his tail off,” said one scout. “Boy, does he have technique. He’s Clay Matthews. Probably more explosive. Uses his hands well. He finishes things better than his brother (J.J.) did. I think he’s special.” Weighed in at 252, nine pounds more than his program weight, and had 33 1/8 arms and 11-inch hands, which might be the longest at the combine. “I don’t see him in the first round,” another scout said. “He’s a solid backup-rotational type player. I don’t think he’s a definite starter on any team. He may eventually because of the intangibles, effort, the way he plays the game. But not just on pure talent.”

QUINCY WILSON*, CB, Florida: 6-1, 211. Two-year starter with six picks. “He’s got really nice length,” said one scout. “He’s got body control and passion for the game. He will need some work on his tackling. He wants to be physical with receivers. Press corner.” Expected to run much faster than his teammate, CB Teez Tabor. “He’s much more aggressive than Tabor but I think he’ll have to be a safety,” said another scout. “He’s a little bit bulky (for cornerback). Safety is where he’ll end up.”

SIDNEY JONES*, CB, Washington: 6-0, 186. Three-year starter with nine picks. “Very good player,” said one scout. “Good arm length (31½). Adequate tackler.” On the thin side and appears to lack growth potential. “Good worker, willing to do extra,” another scout said. “Really smart. Doesn’t get rattled. I question his long speed. Never missed a game. Good hands and eyes at the line of scrimmage.”

ADOREE JACKSON*, CB, Southern California: 5-10, 186. Three-year starter and terrific return specialist. “Only negative is his height,” one scout said. “He’s always in the right spot at the right time. He knows how to keep position and break on the ball. Reminds me of Darrell Green, who was just 5-8. He’s so instinctive. Excellent one-on-one cover.” Registered six interceptions. “He’s a really good player but he’s small,” said another scout. “He’s a first-round player for me but he’s got to be penalized because he’s a midget. Second round.”

GAREON CONLEY*, CB, Ohio State: 6-0, 195. Played extensively as a true freshman and started two years. “Very confident,” one scout said. “Everybody loves the kid. Really a good teammate. Leader of the group. Smooth. Makes it look easy. Good in press man. Short-area burst. Likes to jump routes. He can track the ball deep.” Average strength affects him as a tackler. Arms were 33. “Got that long body,” another scout said. “More of a press guy. He might get in the first (round).”

MARCUS WILLIAMS*, S, Utah: 6-1, 202. Started 28 of 37 games, intercepting eight passes. “He’s like Eric Weddle in terms of his ability to work,” said one scout. “True professional. Great tester. Rare athlete. Very good ball skills. May be a corner.” Biggest negative is tackling. “He’s just not very aggressive playing the run,” said another scout. “Just doesn’t show up enough on tape.”

MALIK HOOKER*, S, Ohio State: 6-1, 206. Used his massive hands (10¾) to intercept seven passes in 2016, his only season as a starter. “He’s got great range,” one scout said. “Can he run after he catches the ball. He certainly has the feet and hips and change of direction to play corner. The guy is a first-rounder, but it bothers me that he doesn’t tackle.” That personnel man certainly wasn’t the only one to think that. “I’m not as sold on Hooker as everyone else,” said another. “I don’t think he’s going to run very well and he’s very inconsistent against the run. He is opportunistic.”

OBI MELIFONWU, S, Connecticut: 6-4, 224. Four-year player with 48 games and 48 starts. “He reminded me of Deone Bucannon because he can play in the box and in space,” said one scout. “Physical. Square tackler. I was shocked. He’s big and he can run. I think he’s too big for corner. He can replace a ‘backer in the box because he can cover.” Arms were 32½. Eight career interceptions. “He looks the part,” said another scout. “He’s more of a downhill type but he brings a presence.”

BUDDA BAKER*, S, Washington: 5-10, 195. Started all 40 games of his three-year career. “The coaches will tell you that’s the best player on their team,” said one scout. “They love that guy. He’s more like Earl Thomas. Small guy that can run.” Finished with five picks and three forced fumbles. “He’s kind of like a Bob Sanders,” a second scout said. “Big-time hitter. Around the ball. Covers the slot. Only negative I had was his height.”