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zn
Thanks for all the work.
Let me ask...which positions are the strongest/deepest, and which are the weakest?
If you;re into providing even more detail, which players from the following positions are worth taking at 23 if they are there: CB, LOT, NT, OLB/edge.
CB doesn't have true high end talent, but there is a lot between the 2nd half of the 1st round and the 5th round.
OG is actually deeper then I thought. Nelson is a generational talent, I have Wynn as a OG, B. Smith, and Hernandez having a monster Senior bowl, Billy Price could also be a guard.
QB is strong, not deep. 5 QBs probably go in the 1st round.
RB is again deep and strong. Even with Love going back to Stanford.
WR has plenty of talent, but not real high end guys. Lots of size in this years class.
OT is weak as all get out. McGlinchy is the most NFL ready for LT, Brown could end up being a high end RT, the rest need time IMO.
OC has 2 to 3 prospects so its about average.
DT / DE is pretty good, I am lumping them together because some of these guys could play all over.
ILB is tough - I think there is some really good talent, unless they move them outside (Smith and Evans) plenty of depth regardless.
OLB - 3-4 took a hit with the 2 Clemson kids going back (Bryant and Ferrel) honestly I think this is a weak 3-4 class. Key has serious off the field issues (i have read, no idea what they are) sounds like Landry is going to be short and undersized, Okoronkwo, Holland and Nwosu are all short (6'-2" and under) and Haynes is light at 230 lbs.
TE is deep, but Im not sure there is a 1st rounder in the group, and for sure not a top 16 pick. Good depth though.
S has some really high end guys like Fitzpatrick and James, then a bunch of guys throughout the 2nd to 6th rounds.
CB is always tricky for me until the combine. CBs not being thrown at never get any tv coverage so its hard to really see how fluid they are, if they are stiff in the hips, how grabby they are, can they locate the ball. How are their hands? I get a lot better feel after the combine (1 of the better reasons for having a combine)
After all that copping out I just did I would say:
Denzel Ward - he's good in press and off man coverage.
Josh Jackson - good in press and zone coverage, 6'-1" so size for the position.
Mike Hughes - a personal favorite of mine. My top press man corner, can play off man as well and in the slot.
Jaire Alexander - another personal fav. was injured off and on all season. Another top press man and special teams stud.
Donte Jackson - a pure speed demon I think runs in the 4.2s...fast and fluid makes him tough to beat. Needs to avoid big WRs.
LT - @ 23 its McGlinchy if he falls there. No one else and I'm not sure what anyone could do to move up.
NT - Da'Ron Payne and Vita Vea are both 23 worthy. I have doubts either makes it there. If they do, it would be hard to pass on either.
Edge - If the Rams look at Tremaine Edmunds as a 3-4 edge or a 3-4 ILB and he's there, I'm all over him. He's 6'-5" 250 lbs, plays sideline to sideline, he's the answer to the question: how do we match up against this 6'-5" TE, he read,s and fills quickly on running plays and can get the edge rushing the QB.
Dorance Armstrong is a possibility. Harold Landry as well depending on what he measures out as. Arden Key has as much upside as anyone in the draft, but his off field concerns plus injuries give him a big bust factor.
Don't waste your time looking back, you're not going that way. - Ragnar Lothbrok
