Lions currently sowed up the 8th overall pick

[Gulf of Brazil]

Oh okay. Maybe that's what I was thinking. Either way, starting immediately for the Tide as a true frosh means you are special. The have 5star after 5star prodigies waiting to play behind the starters.

They're not all that good. Yes, Saban gets his 5-star athletes but those OL have not faired as well lately in improving their skill-set from year to year. Former OL Coach Jeff Stoutland was the best they had but left to take the OL coach position with the Eagles 4-5 years ago.

Mario Cristibol, now Oregon HC, was another good OL coach but nowhere near as good as Stoutland. imo.

 

[Rollingthndr]

They're not all that good. Yes, Saban gets his 5-star athletes but those OL have not faired as well lately in improving their skill-set from year to year. Former OL Coach Jeff Stoutland was the best they had but left to take the OL coach position with the Eagles 4-5 years ago.

Mario Cristibol, now Oregon HC, was another good OL coach but nowhere near as good as Stoutland. imo.

So in theory... These guys have some upside left if they get good coaching in the NFL?

 

[Rollingthndr]

2019 NFL Draft: Why Jonah Williams is like David Bakhtiari, Jawaan Taylor is like Trent Williams and other OL comparisons

I Don't get the whole Jawaan Taylor love. He was a late 1st rounder but now people are comparing him to Trent Williams? Come on now. I remember Williams was rated really highly from the end of the season throughout the entire draft process.
People like Taylor who are "Late risers" in the draft process scare the bejesus out of me. Cause most analysts have already looked at their tape and didn't care for what they saw really. But all of a sudden, second coming of Trent Williams out of nowhere?

 

[Gulf of Brazil]

Houston DT Ed Oliver dominates his Pro Day


(Note: “Officially” Oliver actually measured in at 4.22)

 

[Gulf of Brazil]

^^^^

That's scary crazy for a 6'2 287 lb DL

 

[Gulf of Brazil]

Houston DT Ed Oliver dominates his Pro Day

Other notable measurements:

• 4.73 40-yard dash
• 7.15 three-cone
• 36-inch vertical

Put it all together, and you’ve got an elite athlete no matter where you line Oliver up at:

 

[Gulf of Brazil]

^^^^

@Old Lion Do you still think it's a funny/crazy comment when some teams GM's, HC's. position coaches believe Oliver is a chess piece that's capable of being moved around in the front 7.

My knock on Oliver was merely that he's not a 2-gap DT and my posting of Oliver's PFF grade as a 0/1-tech more or less agreed with that thought. I could see 5-6 snaps a game as a 0/1-tech in certain situations but outside of that he's better served as a 3-tech or 4-under like @Stomp was suggesting.

I just don't see MP utilizing a player more suited as a strictly 3-tech in his defense but you throw in Oliver's versatility and that becomes a whole different scenario that I'd be on board with.

 

[Gulf of Brazil]

Houston DT Ed Oliver dominates his Pro Day

Earlier on Thursday, we toyed with rumors that the Atlanta Falcons may attempt to trade up to the Lions to grab Oliver with the eighth overall pick. However, Oliver’s performance at his Pro Day puts into question whether Oliver will even be there when the Lions are on the clock.

And even if the Oliver is there at eight, you have to wonder if the Lions would be interested. Detroit doesn’t have much in terms of internal pass rush along their defensive line, and Oliver has the explosion and agility that is so rare for a man his size—even if he is considered an undersized defensive tackle. He also has positional versatility that the Lions covet so much.

Add Oliver to the many logical options the Lions have with their first-round pick. With less than a month until draft day, we’re no closer to having any sort of idea what Detroit will do, and I love it that way.

 

[Gulf of Brazil]

Matt Patricia talks smoke screens, case studies and the Lions’ draft approach

What Patricia did do, though, was provide an interesting look into what he prizes in a college prospect.

“It’s a good question, because the college game is hard to transfer sometimes into the pro game,” he said. "There’s certain things you just don’t see dynamically. But you look for the simple things, you know? It may sound cliche, but it’s really not, because we’re going to teach them the other stuff. We’re gonna teach them scheme, we’re gonna teach them fundamentals, we’re gonna teach them some of those things. So you start basically with, all right, what does his speed look like on film? What does his pad level look like? Can he come downhill or can he get open? Is the fundamental skill-set that he needs -- quickness in and out of breaks, whether it’s football instincts and how smart he is as a player, does he makes checks and adjustments? Is he a guy that sees the whole field? You know, vision is a big thing with a football player, obviously, because when you’re out on the field and 22 guys are trying to orchestrate themselves in the same direction, there’s feel, there’s vision, there’s people working off of each other and you can at least get that sense of, ‘All right, this guy, he may not know what he’s looking at but he feels this over here.’

“And then that’s what’s great about getting in a room with them and sitting down and going over the tape, like, ‘What was the call here? What were you supposed to do? Did you see this over here or did you feel this? Were you looking in this direction?’ And if they can talk football and really understand from a conceptual standpoint, that’s where you know you can really build.”

Patricia also said -- and this will surprise exactly no one who’s been paying attention since he arrived in Detroit, and Bob Quinn before that -- he’s looking for toughness.

“That’s fundamental," he said. “And you want to find that ‘never quit’ attitude. The guys that are always going to go compete. But first and foremost, you want to feel the love, you want to feel the passion.”

So just to recap, he’s looking for speed, and pad level, and fundamentals, and instincts, and IQ, and especially toughness.

 

[Gulf of Brazil]

I Don't get the whole Jawaan Taylor love. He was a late 1st rounder but now people are comparing him to Trent Williams? Come on now. I remember Williams was rated really highly from the end of the season throughout the entire draft process.
People like Taylor who are "Late risers" in the draft process scare the bejesus out of me. Cause most analysts have already looked at their tape and didn't care for what they saw really. But all of a sudden, second coming of Trent Williams out of nowhere?

I debated on responding to this post but today is your (un)lucky day.

Many of these media type analysts haven't delved into a massive amount of game film until post CFB NCG so their opinions can or do change after further evaluation. Those same media analysts over the last 2 years have waited longer than in the previous years to post player comparisons (at least from what I've noticed and rightfully so. more on this subject later on).

I do not see a problem with Taylor's so-called "late-riser" status from your statement that he was considered a late 1st rounder to a now "Trent Williams" like territory. It happens every year with draft prospects. I can understand your hesitation though simply by some/one analyst giving Taylor the Trent Williams comp. I had seen a few websites that did have Taylor rated as their No.1 OT slightly after the end of regular season for CFB. I'm not disagreeing/agreeing with your assessment.

It seems to me that you didn't have a problem with D.K. Metcalf "late riser" status and some have earmarked Metcalf as a Julio Jones or Calvin Johnson type (I'm not part of those who've stated such).

 

[Gulf of Brazil]

Mecole Hardman No Matter What | The Draft Network

NFL Draft & Combine Profile - Mecole Hardman | NFL.com

BB_72; This kids vertical route running ability is highly enticing especially considering Stafford's ability for ball placement on deep routes but I wouldn't give thoughts to drafting him until day 3 and probably not even where we're at early on in 4th round.

 

[Gulf of Brazil]

3 Prospect Fits To Improve Chargers Offensive Line | The Draft Network

@Old Lion has got me looking into Risner even more now. Where the hell is @gandydancer when you'd prefer to have his valued opinion with OL.

Dalton Risner, Kansas State
A four-year starter in college, Risner is an easy projection to the next level where his blend of power, technique and mobility pop when studying his tape. A three-time first-team All-Big Twelve selection, Risner was named the conferences Co-Offensive Lineman of the Year for his senior campaign.

While I like him best at right tackle, Risner has the ability to play all five positions up front, offering rare versatility. Risner has been incredibly consistent throughout his career and checks so many boxes teams are looking for in offensive line prospects. Offensive linemen are rarely as “plug-and-play” as we expect them to be but Risner truly offers that potential.

 

[Gulf of Brazil]

6-Pack Thursday: Final 2019 QB Rankings and Takes | The Draft Network

Jordan Ta’amu is the Most Interesting Developmental QB
Scouting seven different Ole Miss offensive prospects for this year’s class and a ton of defensive prospects they faced in the SEC, I’ve learned how much I hate the Rebels’ offensive scheme but at the same time, developed an appreciation for Ta’amu’s skill set. Checking the boxes when it comes to size, athletic ability, accuracy, arm strength and intangibles, I am intrigued with Ta’amu’s upside.

Developing his processing skills will be important at the next level where his Ole Miss film revealed inconsistent reads with coverage rotations and questionable field vision, but some of that could be the elementary scheme Ole Miss ran. There’s a big jump ahead for Ta’amu, but I like his foundation of traits to develop.

BB_72; I like this kid as a prospect but not to draft. UDFA all the way or pass. I'll be pissed if BQ spends/wastes another pick on a QB.

 

[Gulf of Brazil]

5-Play Prospect: Washington State RB James Williams | The Draft Network

I still like Williams as a change of pace/receiving RB for this years draft but I wouldn't spend a draft pick on him until the 6th round. He'll probably be gone. and of course they put a clip in that link where he fumbles.

With over 200 catches in his three-year career, including 83 catches in 2018, Williams is a natural out of the backfield.

NFL Draft & Combine Profile - James Williams | NFL.com

 

[Gulf of Brazil]

I'm still on board with the @Stomp idea of drafting RB Alex Barnes as a secondary option to Kerryon Johnson but not until round 5. imo.

NFL Draft & Combine Profile - Alex Barnes | NFL.com

Alex Barnes College Stats | College Football at Sports-Reference.com

 

[Gulf of Brazil]

Meet The Top-10 IDL Of The 2019 Draft | The Draft Network

I wouldn't mind if any of the following fell into our draft slot

#8 Q. Williams

trade down from #8 into mid teens 13-17 and it would be

E. Oliver or C. Wilkins

#43 Jerry Tillery

#88 Jeffrey Simmons (if he somehow lasted that deep into the draft)

and I wouldn't waste any of my draft slots to select R. Gary or D. Jones no matter where they end up being drafted.

 

[Gulf of Brazil]

Meet The Top-10 EDGE Defenders Of The 2019 Draft | The Draft Network

If DE Omenihu made it until our 3rd round pick at #88 I would take him depending on first two round selections. Omenihu could be a hand in the dirt DE as a 5/6/7-tech and still with the ability to slide inside on passing down similar to Hand. He hasn't even come close to reaching his potential but you could see how well he had progressed this past year.

NFL Draft & Combine Profile - Charles Omenihu | NFL.com

NFL Draft & Combine Profile - Da'Shawn Hand | NFL.com


The same goes with Banogu if he was available for our 4th round pick at #111. He could be a possible rotational piece with Kennard and maybe a replacement after a year or two.

NFL Draft & Combine Profile - Ben Banogu | NFL.com

or

Bama's OLB Cristian Miller if should fall into the 5th round at #146

 

[Gulf of Brazil]

Studs & Duds - Reality Vs. Perception In A Loaded DL Class | The Draft Network

 

[Gulf of Brazil]

Draft Class Heroes: 5 Players I Don't Get The Hype On | The Draft Network

I'm in total agreement with his assessment on these first 5 noted prospects.

I do not understand why the hell there is all this "Draft-Riser" love for MSU CB Layne and sure as hell not in the first 3 rounds especially round 2 where some of these media analysts have him being mock drafted at the present. I could more than likely draft the better CB prospect in Houston CB Isaiah Johnson in round 4 who has shown better mechanics and technique (imo) to date than Layne and I. Johnson is in the same boat as Layne as he was an incoming Frosh WR that was flipped to CB in year three of CFB.

NFL Draft & Combine Profile - Justin Layne | NFL.com

Justin Layne College Stats | College Football at Sports-Reference.com

NFL Draft & Combine Profile - Isaiah Johnson | NFL.com

Isaiah Johnson College Stats | College Football at Sports-Reference.com

 

[Gulf of Brazil]

Draft Class Heroes: 5 Players I Don't Get The Hype On | The Draft Network

-I like Miles Boykin, but there isn’t enough upside there for me to think about him before the middle of the draft. His Combine was great, but he doesn’t always play to that potential. (BB_72; round 5 at the earliest. same for Wesley imo)

-Clemson cornerback Mark Fields is my sleeper in an abysmal corner class. I can only speak to what he does on the field, but he was very good in 2018 despite not playing much. Traits are there for him to be a top three corner for a team in the NFL, at the likely cost of a day three pick. (this kid has potential for press CB even though he didn't get much play. 6th rd)

Don’t get it with Michigan CB David Long. He also doesn’t play to his testing, looking like an ideal no. 4 cornerback with inside/outside versatility for a press man team. (agree here also. he has a great combine but his coverage skills at U of M were less than stellar but the spandex committee raises his alleged value. PFF gave him some good grades if my memory serves correctly but I wouldn't draft this kid)

-I have zero Round 1 grades on this cornerback class and just eight in the top three rounds, with Julian Love and Sean Bunting still to watch. Brutal year to need a difference-making corner, gang. Worst class I can recall in my years of doing this. (I'm still on the Julian Love bandwagon as much as I am on Amani Oruwariye. more to come in the CB section yet to post).