Mock Draft Season
After watching the combine, I wanted to update my previous post. WOW! This is one insanly TALENTED draft class! MAN, how I wish we had more bites at that juicy apple. Any ways, still a major fan of Khalen Saunders and would be jumping for joy if he were our guy. But given how well he tested, I think he my be on his way up. I believe the strength of the Safety market in FA, coupled w/all the talent at EDGE/pass rush, DT, and WR could push some of the top Safeties down draft boards a bit. Or at least I hope it does...
RD2(62) S/DB Taylor Rapp Washington
Although, he was a bust FA pick up, adding Kurt Coleman kind of was a hint that the team wanted improved play at the Safety position. Williams suffered what appeared to be a sophomore slump and the depth behind him and Vonn are suspect at best. Adding a true combo-Safety like Rapp would further solidify our back end moving forward. Plus, w/Vonn set to hit FA in 20, the addition of Rapp could/would allow the team to let Vonn walk and save money w/little to no drop off at the position. I like Vonn a ton, but I personally think Rapp can do everything he does, but brings the added dimension of a ballhawking playmaker in to the mix. The dude covers, crushes the run, and is legit threat as blitzer. To me, Rapp is a carbon copy of his former teammate Budda Baker, but w/better coverage skills. Rapp played deep center just as much as he played in the slot/box. Wash literally used Rapp like the Steelers used to use Troy Polamalu, and the announcers would always make light of this during the games. Rapp also came up playing against Sam Darnold, Rosen, Faulk. To me, Rapp is like a swiss army Safety who plays Free, Strong, Slot and OLB, all at a high level.
RD5(168) TE Kahale Warring SDSU
In a nutshell, Warring was a victim of SDSU’s crazy uber run heavy offense that had an F level QB throwing bricks to his receivers. At first glance, Warring may come across as more of a blocker. But if you focus on him on passing downs, he’s consistently finding holes in the zones, beating his coverage, and is seemingly open on the regular. That being said, he still managed to lead SDSU in catches and receiving TDs. Warring also made money at the combine. He’s a combination of size, athletics, and massive upside. Warring’s already a pretty well versed blocker and has a wealth of untapped receiving potential waiting to be unlocked. I think he’s the type of skill player that would feast in our offence. To me, he has all the traits Jimmy Graham had, but is a resoundingly better blocker. There’s a lot of name brand guys ahead of him, but I wouldnt be surprised at all if in 2-3 year Warring ends up being the TE king of this class. Honestly, I think he’ll be long gone by the 5th RD, but I’m putting him here any ways.
RD6(177) EDGE/DE/OLB Maxx Crosby Eastern Michigan
I’m a fan! Crosby killed the combine and answered a lot of questions about his athletic ability. I absolutely love his awkward but effective play style. I think he could be the pass rush/pressure specialist who we drafted Trey Hendrickson to be. I’m keeping him, but moving him up.
https://www.nfl.com/prospects/maxx-crosby?id=32194352-4f37-1007-6c0e-db2de3f9d742
RD6(202) DT Ricky Walker VTech
Let me start by saying that I think it’s a little crazy that Ricky Walker got snubbed by the combine. Kind of says a lot about how loaded the DT class is this year, I guess. Walker was VT’s defensive captain and leader. He’s another interchangeable DT who can play both NT and pressure. That dude pushes blockers backwards and holds down the POA when playing NT and has an ability to get skinning and knife through gaps vs the pass. He also flashes the ability to be explosive out of his stance and is excellent at timing the snap. I think Walker could be a really good rotational DT and his ability to pressure could make him an upgrade at the position if we happen to lose Davison to FA.
RD7(231) WR Penny Hart Georgia St
Crazy combine snub #2. Hart killed Senior Bowl weekend. What he did in practice vs Nasir Adderly was CRAZY! In my opinion, if Hart was 2 inches taller and 10 pounds heavier, he’d would probably be a day 2 prospect. The man is a 5’8 mighty mouse who’s like lightning in a bottle. From what I’ve seen, I’d venture call his short area quickness elite. This man would be a nightmare to cover in the slot in our O, or to defend on a sweep/end around, or in the open field period. Given his lack of size, naturally, his catch radius is pretty wack. But he more than compensates for that w/his route running and pure suddenness. Hart is also a very good KR/PR. SERIOUSLY, for all those who are fans of Andy Isabella, you gotta get a load of this guys.
RD7(244) OT/OL Isiah Prince OSU
I think a guy like Prince has the potential to develop into a quality OT. For starters, at 6’7 310ish, he does move around fairly well and has a smooth kick slide setting up in pass pro. He’s also good at using his length to keep defenders off his body and to keep them engaged to his block. He’s an adequate run blocker, but I think he really needs to get stronger, a lot stronger, both physically and in this particular area. But the positive traits are all there and that’s what coaches and training staffs are for. He’s another odd combine snub considering he’s been a 3year starter at a powerhouse program like OSU.
After watching the combine, I wanted to update my previous post. WOW! This is one insanly TALENTED draft class! MAN, how I wish we had more bites at that juicy apple. Any ways, still a major fan of Khalen Saunders and would be jumping for joy if he were our guy. But given how well he tested, I think he my be on his way up. I believe the strength of the Safety market in FA, coupled w/all the talent at EDGE/pass rush, DT, and WR could push some of the top Safeties down draft boards a bit. Or at least I hope it does...
RD2(62) S/DB Taylor Rapp Washington
Although, he was a bust FA pick up, adding Kurt Coleman kind of was a hint that the team wanted improved play at the Safety position. Williams suffered what appeared to be a sophomore slump and the depth behind him and Vonn are suspect at best. Adding a true combo-Safety like Rapp would further solidify our back end moving forward. Plus, w/Vonn set to hit FA in 20, the addition of Rapp could/would allow the team to let Vonn walk and save money w/little to no drop off at the position. I like Vonn a ton, but I personally think Rapp can do everything he does, but brings the added dimension of a ballhawking playmaker in to the mix. The dude covers, crushes the run, and is legit threat as blitzer. To me, Rapp is a carbon copy of his former teammate Budda Baker, but w/better coverage skills. Rapp played deep center just as much as he played in the slot/box. Wash literally used Rapp like the Steelers used to use Troy Polamalu, and the announcers would always make light of this during the games. Rapp also came up playing against Sam Darnold, Rosen, Faulk. To me, Rapp is like a swiss army Safety who plays Free, Strong, Slot and OLB, all at a high level.
RD5(168) TE Kahale Warring SDSU
In a nutshell, Warring was a victim of SDSU’s crazy uber run heavy offense that had an F level QB throwing bricks to his receivers. At first glance, Warring may come across as more of a blocker. But if you focus on him on passing downs, he’s consistently finding holes in the zones, beating his coverage, and is seemingly open on the regular. That being said, he still managed to lead SDSU in catches and receiving TDs. Warring also made money at the combine. He’s a combination of size, athletics, and massive upside. Warring’s already a pretty well versed blocker and has a wealth of untapped receiving potential waiting to be unlocked. I think he’s the type of skill player that would feast in our offence. To me, he has all the traits Jimmy Graham had, but is a resoundingly better blocker. There’s a lot of name brand guys ahead of him, but I wouldnt be surprised at all if in 2-3 year Warring ends up being the TE king of this class. Honestly, I think he’ll be long gone by the 5th RD, but I’m putting him here any ways.
RD6(177) EDGE/DE/OLB Maxx Crosby Eastern Michigan
I’m a fan! Crosby killed the combine and answered a lot of questions about his athletic ability. I absolutely love his awkward but effective play style. I think he could be the pass rush/pressure specialist who we drafted Trey Hendrickson to be. I’m keeping him, but moving him up.
https://www.nfl.com/prospects/maxx-crosby?id=32194352-4f37-1007-6c0e-db2de3f9d742
RD6(202) DT Ricky Walker VTech
Let me start by saying that I think it’s a little crazy that Ricky Walker got snubbed by the combine. Kind of says a lot about how loaded the DT class is this year, I guess. Walker was VT’s defensive captain and leader. He’s another interchangeable DT who can play both NT and pressure. That dude pushes blockers backwards and holds down the POA when playing NT and has an ability to get skinning and knife through gaps vs the pass. He also flashes the ability to be explosive out of his stance and is excellent at timing the snap. I think Walker could be a really good rotational DT and his ability to pressure could make him an upgrade at the position if we happen to lose Davison to FA.
RD7(231) WR Penny Hart Georgia St
Crazy combine snub #2. Hart killed Senior Bowl weekend. What he did in practice vs Nasir Adderly was CRAZY! In my opinion, if Hart was 2 inches taller and 10 pounds heavier, he’d would probably be a day 2 prospect. The man is a 5’8 mighty mouse who’s like lightning in a bottle. From what I’ve seen, I’d venture call his short area quickness elite. This man would be a nightmare to cover in the slot in our O, or to defend on a sweep/end around, or in the open field period. Given his lack of size, naturally, his catch radius is pretty wack. But he more than compensates for that w/his route running and pure suddenness. Hart is also a very good KR/PR. SERIOUSLY, for all those who are fans of Andy Isabella, you gotta get a load of this guys.
RD7(244) OT/OL Isiah Prince OSU
I think a guy like Prince has the potential to develop into a quality OT. For starters, at 6’7 310ish, he does move around fairly well and has a smooth kick slide setting up in pass pro. He’s also good at using his length to keep defenders off his body and to keep them engaged to his block. He’s an adequate run blocker, but I think he really needs to get stronger, a lot stronger, both physically and in this particular area. But the positive traits are all there and that’s what coaches and training staffs are for. He’s another odd combine snub considering he’s been a 3year starter at a powerhouse program like OSU.