Round 1 (11) – CB | Trae Waynes| Michigan State
Admittedly I am hard on Waynes and CBs that profile
similarly. To me he is a press-man and bail type CB. Zimmer plays a lot of
cover 3 which press man, so Waynes is just what the doctor ordered. But guys
like Waynes tend to struggle to cover underneath routes, which is why Zimmer
relies on his linebackers to be able to drop into zone. So schematically a good
pick, but I feel he will get eaten alive by WRs that force him to close-and-open
his hips. With those tight hips, changing directions is a rough-go and Waynes responds
with a lot of pass interference penalties. What’s funny is that all Michigan
State CBs seem to have these same problems. Which goes counter to the
assumption that Spartan defenders are well coached up, guess not the
cornerbacks. From an NFL comparison I see a cross between Dee Milliner and
Darqueze Dennard.
Round 2 (45) – MLB | Eric Kendricks | UCLA
It’s questionable if Kendricks has the size to remain at the
Mike LB, and could use a lot of weight room time, but he is a very instinctual and very productive football player. He’s
one of my favorite players in this draft class, a do-it-all LB that can play
all 3 downs. An extremely valuable aspect of his game is his value in relation
to roster composition management. Obvious passing downs are no longer defined
as ‘situational football’, the NFL is a passing league. So teams that have to
carry a designated nickel LB are losing out on a valuable roster spot, which is
why Kendricks gives the Vikings immense value. If down the road Kendricks is
asked to shift over to Will LB, the Vikings should get many more years of
production out of him.
Round 3 (88) – DE | Danielle Hunter | LSU
I think this was a very risky pick in round 3, boom or bust.
John Gruden has a saying, “if you’re saying he has potential, then you’re
telling me he has never done it before”. Now imagine that, a guy named Danielle
is a perfect fit for the ‘looks like Tarzan, plays like Jane’ tagline. From a combine
measureables standpoint he is top shelf, his physical profile is also
impressive, so what’s the problem? Problem is that he doesn’t make plays. In
LSU’s defense, Hunter had plenty of opportunity to shine, as LSU gives their
defenders NFL situations to flash their potential. Therefore his production (or
lack thereof) is highly suspect. So me wonders if he is “soft”… which is
different than flaccid.
Round 4 (110) – OT | TJ Clemmings | Pittsburgh
Boom or bust candidate #2. Prime candidate for ‘steal of the
draft’ designation, Clemmings was #15 on my Big Board… and my #1 offensive
tackle. So how did he slip so far? Fractures in the foot… and a very raw
football IQ. I’m not saying he is dumb, I’m saying he doesn’t know what he’s
doing (yet). After only playing on the offensive side of the ball for 2 years, give the guy some seasoning. Insert good coaching and repetition and he projects as the best
offensive tackle in this year’s class. So yes, projections [see aforementioned Gruden
quote]. But from a need perspective, offensive tackle was great spot to
upgrade. If he figures out how to match is game to his athletic makeup, he can
avoid the bust label.
Round 7 (232) – OLB | Edmond Robinson | Newberry
I would monitor this guy. The risk is very low, but the
reward is exceptionally high. Take him out of a tiny school gym and put him
in an NFL regiment and who knows... These are the types of picks NFL teams need to
make in the 7th round. Projects that have the physical tools.
