2017 Draft Needs

Originally posted by jimrat:

Originally posted by NinerSickness:
I don't see why center isn't listed as one of the team's biggest needs. Kilgore sucks.

Guard is a need; don't like Beadles in Chip's offense. But Kilgore is worse than Beadles.

Can Notre Dame OLG Quentin Nelson play C?

I'm with you on this, center is a huge need, Kilgore is horrible, Hicks was tossing him around like a ragdoll today.

I agree with all this. I hope for FA/draft activity to address the interior line positions (NT/G/C).

Time to look at a replacement at LT on the O-line also.....one draft is not gonna turn this ship around so Unless it's a QB.....than it's the best player Available.

Alabama redshirt senior DL Dalvin Tomlinson "shows good explosiveness and gets good leverage, and he's a hard worker who's always moving," writes ESPN's Mel Kiper.

Against Florida in the SEC title game, Tomlinson had five tackles and two quarterback hurries. The 6-foot-2, 310-pounder finished the season with three sacks. "Versatility is an important part of his pro future, as he could play in a 4-3 defense or even as a nose tackle in a 3-4," Kiper wrote. "Tomlinson's going to be a nice get for a team in the middle rounds of the draft."


Source: ESPN

NFL Media draft analyst Chad Reuter wrote that Western Kentucky redshirt senior T Forrest Lamp's ability to "sit and slide" makes him a difficult obstacle for the opposing pass rush.

Reuter fired up his mid-2000's movie knowledge in assessing the 6-foot-4, 300-pounder. Noted the analyst, "NFL scouts that haven't watched much of the Hilltoppers could only say only one thing after their Conference USA championship victory over Louisiana Tech: I love Lamp." Cute, very cute. More substantively, Reuter writes that Lamp's bend technique "helps him anchor both against bull rushes and move his man in the run game." He could rise as high as the second round in this spring's draft. TFY Draft Insider's Tony Pauline wrote earlier this month that Lamp has "been on a straight shot north up draft boards" during the 2016 campaign.


Source: NFL.com



We could use a backup swing tackle

Is it possible to get 51 picks in the draft? Robinson and Bowman can stay.

Originally posted by stonecold590:
Is it possible to get 51 picks in the draft? Robinson and Bowman can stay.

LMAO!!!!

Kalif Phillips, UNC-Charlotte

If you're looking for a sleeper at running back in the 2017 NFL Draft, Kalif Phillips may be your guy. The senior was the unquestioned leader of Charlotte's young football team on offense (the team was just formed back in 2012) and established school records in carries (737), yards (4,020), and touchdowns (43). Phillips is a tenacious runner who has yet to leave any yards out on the field. He was also the team's top receiving option out of the backfield, ranking fourth behind the receivers with 20 catches in 2016. There isn't much on offense that the 5-foot-11, 220-pound Phillips hasn't done.


And he's already a 49er

Wayne Gallman, Clemson

" Wayne Gallman in the third or fourth round makes a lot of sense. Gallman is a true three-down player for Clemson, seeing a huge share of his passing-down snaps in blitz pickup. Gallman has a rare understanding of how to square up against pass-rushers and track moving targets before making contact to keep his passer clean."

Another RB that might do well as a receiver

Ohio State redshirt sophomore CB Marshon Lattimore has not yet decided on the NFL Draft.

Lattimore is a projected first-rounder, perhaps even a top-10 pick. "I'm just really focused on the game right now," Lattimore said. "It really hasn't hit me yet. I really don't feel like it's going to hit me until something happens. I don't know if I'm leaving or not, so I'm just not really worried about it right now." Lattimore's Buckeyes have a Fiesta Bowl date against Clemson on New Year's Eve. Lattimore against Mike Williams in man coverage is an epic in-game matchup to monitor.


Source: bcsn.tv

Eastern Washington senior WR Cooper Kupp accepted an invitation to the Senior Bowl.

Time for Kupp to rise from the FCS for potential NFL glory. This past season, the 6-foot-2, 210-pound wideout logged a stellar 107-1520-15 receiving line in 12 games. Nothing new, there. Kupp has caught at least 90 passes, registered at least 1,400 yards receiving and hauled in at least 15 touchdowns in each of his four seasons with the Eagles. In early September, an AFC North scout referred to him as "athletic" and "savvy." That scout was particularly impressed with Kupp's ability to read defenses after the catch without decelerating.


Source: NFL.com

#53 OT Antonio Garcia (6'7 | 302 | 4.94)

Four-year starter at left tackle who is a two-time All-Sun Belt selection. Garcia has ideal length for a left tackle and moves very well with quick enough feet to neutralize speed rushers off the edge.

He hasn't played against much top competition in the Sun Belt, but more than held his own in Troy's near upset over Clemson early this season. Garcia showed significant improvements as a senior and faces a big test against Basham in the bowl game and then another one in the Senior Bowl.

Garcia has ideal size, arm length, and quick feet for an NFL left tackle, but he'll need to prove that he can handle NFL caliber speed rushers. He'll also need to improve his run blocking at the next level as he's more of a finesse player right now.

NFL teams value pass blocking more than run blocking in left tackles and Garcia has a rare combination of traits that could be developed into a quality tackle on the left side. Linemen can always bulk up, but Garica's length and quick feet are unique enough that he will get drafted at some point. Right now I'd project he's a day three pick, but a strong draft season could push him up to day two.

The Bears have a solid left tackle in Charles Leno Jr but they have little to no depth outside and I could see them using a mid-round pick on a tackle like Garcia, who has the potential to develop into a starter on the left side.

Projection: 4th round
http://www.foxsports.com/nfl/story/2017-nfl-draft-dollar-general-bowl-122316

Looks like just what we need at tackle

Miami redshirt sophomore TE David Njoku will enter the 2017 NFL Draft.

It was a great year for Njoku, who was only on the field for two seasons at Miami while totaling 64 catches for 1,060 yards and nine touchdowns in that span of time. We have heard some crazy numbers in terms of Njoku's athletic testing scores, and a sub 4.5 forty is possible for the 6-foot-4, 245-pound tight end. He is a comfortable receiver with possible inline ability.


Source: Christy Chirinos on Twitter


He looked pretty good in the bowl game

Originally posted by SunDevilNiner79:

In no order

Offense
-QB (Im stll holding out hope Kap makes a comeback. I know, I'm a romantic).
-Back-up RB, preferably a speedster
-A possession WR (similar to Crabs) AND/OR a WR with SIZE and catch radius
-A deep threat WR IF Torrey isn't in long term plans
-Upgrade SLOT WR (I'm fine if Kerley stays as slot, but can also upgrade it)
TE, Celek and McDonald are serviceable but could use an upgrade
-Center, Kilgore hasn't developed as hoped

Defense
-NT, major hole on team
-DE, need to prepare if Armstead fails to develop
-Pass Rush OLB (edge rusher), without Mr. I Got Fat Because Wifey is Pregnant we struggled to have a pass rush, and I simply don't trust that dude to stay out of trouble
-Outside CB, we need a corner w/ size that can match up against the 6'3+ WRs of the world (keep an eye on Robinson though)
-2 ILBs, Bowman may be done. Never filled the hole left by Mr. Chris "I'm scared" Borland
-SS - To grab a true playmaking safety. Bethea plays cuz he has some football IQ and Tartt has some physical tools, but neither has both to be a great player

I agree. I would add NT and FS. Of course we can subtract if we get these in FA. I'm not opposed to moving reid to SS. He would be good there.

A big question is ian williams. He's capable if healthy.

Texas A&M senior WR Josh Reynolds caught 12 passes for 154 yards and two touchdowns in Wednesday's 33-28 loss to Kansas State in the AdvoCare V100 Texas Bowl.

The Aggies might have lost the game, but Reynolds was incredible nonetheless. He showed off impeccable body control time and time again. During one stretch in the second half, the 6-foot-4, 190-pound senior went on a hot streak, hauling in seemingly every pass which came remotely close to him. He would catch tightly covered touchdowns of four and 15 yards in the third and fourth quarters, respectively. He is heading to the Senior Bowl next month as he embarks on his journey toward the professional ranks and can now look back on a 2016 season in which he logged a 61-1039-12 receiving line across 13 games played.

He was pretty darned good last night in his bowl game.

Originally posted by ChaunceyGardner:
#53 OT Antonio Garcia (6'7 | 302 | 4.94)

Four-year starter at left tackle who is a two-time All-Sun Belt selection. Garcia has ideal length for a left tackle and moves very well with quick enough feet to neutralize speed rushers off the edge.

He hasn't played against much top competition in the Sun Belt, but more than held his own in Troy's near upset over Clemson early this season. Garcia showed significant improvements as a senior and faces a big test against Basham in the bowl game and then another one in the Senior Bowl.

Garcia has ideal size, arm length, and quick feet for an NFL left tackle, but he'll need to prove that he can handle NFL caliber speed rushers. He'll also need to improve his run blocking at the next level as he's more of a finesse player right now.

NFL teams value pass blocking more than run blocking in left tackles and Garcia has a rare combination of traits that could be developed into a quality tackle on the left side. Linemen can always bulk up, but Garica's length and quick feet are unique enough that he will get drafted at some point. Right now I'd project he's a day three pick, but a strong draft season could push him up to day two.

The Bears have a solid left tackle in Charles Leno Jr but they have little to no depth outside and I could see them using a mid-round pick on a tackle like Garcia, who has the potential to develop into a starter on the left side.

Projection: 4th round
http://www.foxsports.com/nfl/story/2017-nfl-draft-dollar-general-bowl-122316

Looks like just what we need at tackle

Draft Analyst's Tony Pauline notes that "most scouts" view Troy T Antonio Garcia as a Day 2 pick at worst.


"Garcia is drawing comparisons to Levi Jones," Pauline writes, "and many feel he could slide into the late part of round one with a good showing during the Senior Bowl." The analyst does see some room for improvement with the 6-foot-7, 302-pounder when it comes to his strength and run-blocking. Those knocks aside, Pauline refers to him as "the fastest rising tackle on boards." Seven offensive linemen were drafted in the first round last season, but this time around, the class is notably thinner at the top. That will only benefit a hot prospect like Garcia, assuming he can maintain his momentum. He will look to continue that stock boost when he appears at the Senior Bowl next month.


Source: Draft Analyst