dbair1967

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Dane Brugler mock. I think most of the guys listed have been connected with us at some point with official visits, private workouts etc etc

1. Leighton Vander Carpenter, LB, Boise State
2. Anthony Miller, WR, Memphis
3. Tarvarius Moore, S, Southern Mississippi
4. Breeland Speaks, DE, Mississippi
4. Cole Madison, OG, Washington State
5. Desmond Harrison, OT, West Georgia
6. Kendrick Norton, DT, Miami (FLA)
6. Ito Smith, RB, Southern Mississippi
6. Shaun Dion Hamilton, ILB, Alabama
7. David Wells, TE, San Diego State.
 

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This dude is the epitome of a guy with a ten cent head. I'd almost be willing to bet he lasts till late on day three or goes undrafted altogether.

 

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Pete Prisco's 2018 NFL Draft Better-Than Team: 20 guys I like more than the scouts do - CBSSports.com

So this year's captain of the 2018 Better-Than team is Indiana tight end Ian Thomas. I love his game.

His story is amazing as well. His parents died a year apart in 2004 and 2005 and he went to live with an uncle, but his older bother later adopted him and seven siblings. He found his way to junior college in New York, played two years, and then went to Indiana. He caught three passes in 2016, and then had 25 receptions last season.

But the tape shows a bad offense around him, including quarterbacks that were wild and far from accurate. Thomas is one of those players with so much ability that still hasn't been tapped.

He has good size at 6-3 1/2, 259 pounds and he runs well for a player his size. Pop on the Ohio State tape and you will see him make a toe-tap catch in the end zone that looks like one a smaller receiver might make. He's that athletic. He had another catch against Penn State where he took a short pass and ran away from the secondary for a big play.

Thomas is a willing blocker, but that part of his game will be something that will improve on the next level. Based on potential, he has a chance to be the best tight end in this class.

That's why he is this year's captain of the Better-Than team, joining players from the past who have gone on to big-time success. Here are the other 19 players on this year's team:

Ronald Jones, RB, USC
You have to love backs who average over six yards per carry in a collegiate career like Jones. He has the big-play ability that teams love. He can glide through holes and he can run away from defenders. He will be an explosive NFL runner.

Dante Pettis, WR, Washington
The son of former major-league baseball player Gary Pettis developed into a big-play threat for the Huskies. He averaged 15.5 yards per catch in 2016, but that number was down last year to 12.1. He's a smooth route runner who is also an explosive punt returner.

Genard Avery, LB, Memphis
He has the body type of James Harrison, which is straight power. But he can also run and chase. He played both weak-side linebacker and outside rush linebacker for the Tigers. He plays hard all the time, even when the games got out of hand. That matters.

Anthony Miller, WR, Memphis
When you pop on his tape, he jumps out. He was very productive at Memphis, but what really caught my eye was his toughness and the way he goes after the football. He isn't a big receiver, but he's fast enough and he knows how to get open. He will be a star in the NFL.

Austin Corbett, G, Nevada
He was a starter at left tackle for three seasons for the Wolfpack, but he is projected to move inside to guard. He needs to get more powerful, but he knows the tricks of the trade to be an effective pass blocker and good enough in the run game.

Mason Cole, C, Michigan
He started at both tackle and center at Michigan, but the NFL views him as a center. At 6-4, 300 pounds, he has the size to be a nice center with good movement. He isn't powerful, so he has to get stronger. But he has good athletic ability.

Trey Quinn, WR, SMU
He isn't as heralded as teammate Courtland Sutton, but he will be a reliable slot receiver in the NFL. He knows how to get open. He isn't going to scare down the field, but there is great NFL value for an instinctive slot receiver who knows how to get open.

Harrison Phillips, DT, Stanford
He played nose for the Cardinal, but he isn't powerful enough to play there in the NFL. He is an ideal 4-3 defensive tackle who will be able to push the pocket. Should be a rotation player early in his career, and then a good starter and maybe more shortly after that.

Mike White, QB, Western Kentucky
He has the size and the arm scouts love. Plus he was a productive passer at Western Kentucky the past two seasons after transferring from South Florida. He threw 65 touchdown passes the past two seasons. He would need to sit and learn for a while, but has a chance to be a solid starter in time.

Kerryon Johnson, RB, Auburn
He isn't an explosive runner, but he knows how to get yards. Ran for 1,391 yards last year at Auburn and showed his big-play ability as he averaged 4.9 per rush. He also had 18 rushing touchdowns. He is going to be a productive runner in the NFL, worth a second-round pick.

Nyheim Hines, RB, NC State
He is a speedy back who ran 4.38 at the combine. He's been a receiver at State, which makes him a dual threat back who is perfect for today's game. He's small at just under 5-9 and 190 pounds, but he would be a great complementary back for a team in need of a change-of-pace weapon.

DaeSean Hamilton, WR, Penn State
He isn't a burner, but he might be the best route runner in this class. He was timed at 4.53, so he isn't slow, but his calling card is his ability to win with his route running.

Brian O'Neil, T, Pitt
This former basketball star came to Pitt as a tight end, but moved to tackle in 2015. He started at both right and left tackle in his career with the Panthers. Played under 300 pounds, so he has to get stronger. But we've seen former tight ends become big-time tackles in the NFL, including Philadelphia's Jason Peters. I think O'Neil will be a good, solid starter for his career.

Arden Key, DE, LSU
In 2015, he looked like he could be a top-10 pick. But then he had personal issues and left the LSU team. He also had some disciplinary problems with the Tiger. He is a long, lean athlete who can rush the passer. His 40 time at his pro day was disappointing, but he has been schooled in the pass-rush techniques by former NFL defensive end Chuck Smith. If he stays clear of issues, he will be an immediate impact pass rusher.

Josey Jewell, LB, Iowa
He didn't work out great after the season, but put that aside. This is a kid who makes plays. Some scouts compare him to former Dolphins linebacker Zach Thomas. That's high praise. He will be a special-teams force early in his career and then take over as a starter at linebacker.

Josh Sweat, OLB-DE, Florida State
He looks the part of a true edge rusher who might be even better on the next level with a little more seasoning. At 6-4, 255 pounds, he has the frame and speed coaches love. He didn't always play to his athletic ability, but it's there and a good team will get the production out of him.

Carlton Davis, DB, Auburn
He's a 6-1, 200-pound corner who was a three-year starter for the Tigers. He's got a good feel for the position, and can play the press-man coverage that some teams love. A three-year starter in the SEC speaks volumes about his ability to play the position.

Jerome Baker, LB, Ohio State
For teams looking for a nice run-and-chase linebacker, this is the guy. Think Telvin Smith of the Jaguars. He has great athleticism and a feel for the game, Might need to get stronger.

Allen Lazard, WR, Iowa State
He is a big receiver at 6-4, 225 pounds, but he doesn't run that well for the position. That's why I think he could bulk up some and become a good move tight end, capable of creating problems in the middle of the field.
 

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Bucky Brooks with good discussion and some video info on draft picks in the link.

2018 NFL Draft: Candidates for Cowboys to replace Dez Bryant

2018 NFL Draft: Candidates for Cowboys to replace Dez Bryant - NFL.com

By Lance Zierlein
NFL Media draft analyst
Published: April 13, 2018 at 02:52 p.m.
Updated: April 13, 2018 at 03:54 p.m.

After eight seasons, Dez Bryant's career with the Cowboys has come to an end. Dallas released the three-time Pro Bowl selectee on Friday.

Wide receiver was already widely viewed as one of the top needs for the team with so much uncertainty about Bryant's future. So, with less than two weeks to go until the 2018 NFL Draft, I think it's highly likely that Dallas will address the position at some point in the first two rounds -- the club holds pick No. 19 overall in Round 1 and No. 50 overall in Round 2.

Which of this year's prospects would fit in Dallas? Here are some of the top candidates to replace Bryant.

First-round prospects

Calvin Ridley, Alabama

Ridley's the best wide receiver in the draft, and it's really not a close competition. Some question whether Ridley (6-foot, 189 pounds) is big enough to be a WR1, but I think he'll be the latest in the new breed of top-end receivers that lack a little bit of size (Antonio Brown, Emmanuel Sanders). He's the guy on this list that stands out to me as being ready to contribute at a high level right away, and the Cowboys, of course, are doing their homework on him -- they hosted him on a visit, per NFL Network Insider Ian Rapoport.

Courtland Sutton, SMU

Sutton might be the most natural fit if the Cowboys want a player in the same vein as Bryant from a physical standpoint. He has prototypical WR1 size (6-3, 218). Although he lacks plus speed or separation quickness, he's extremely physical and has the ability to make contested catches on a consistent basis. League sources say Sutton's draft stock has improved since coaches and GMs have become more involved in the evaluation process down the stretch. Cowboys head coach Jason Garrett made the short trip to work out Sutton at SMU's pro day.

D.J. Moore, Maryland

Moore's ceiling might be higher than Sutton's. He has good size and athleticism. Much like Stefon Diggs before him at Maryland, he was used with a lot of catch-and-run stuff underneath during his college career, but he has the potential to become a much better receiver down the field with more experience. The buzz about Moore, who also visited the Cowboys, has grown throughout the evaluation process this offseason.

Second-round prospects

D.J. Chark, LSU

Chark has a rare combination of size (6-3, 199) and speed (4.34-second 40-yard dash at the combine). He uses his acceleration to create vertical separation much like Ridley, but Chark has a longer frame. He had limited college production and is still in need of more polish thanks in part to sub-par quarterback play at LSU. He's helped himself this postseason, standing out at the Reese's Senior Bowl and combine.

James Washington, Oklahoma State

Washington is a vertical threat who had a tremendous win percentage on 50-50 balls in college. He operates with great concentration as he gets further away from the line of scrimmage, but he has some occasional lapses in focus on easy throws underneath. He has the build of a running back more than a prototypical wide receiver, but there are teams that think he's one of the receivers in this draft with the most upside. He has visited and worked out for the Cowboys.

Wild card

Antonio Callaway, Florida

Callaway has WR1 potential, but his path to the draft has been beset by trouble during his career at Florida. He has good size and speed, but he didn't play a down in 2017, as he was suspended after facing charges of credit card fraud. He would be a top-50 pick if not for his issues. We've seen the Cowboys take chances on players with off-field problems in the past, and earlier in the draft than other teams would (Randy Gregory). I think Callaway could go anywhere from Rounds 2-5 this year, and it wouldn't be stunning to see him land in Dallas. The team did host him on a pre-draft visit, per Rapoport.
 

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Click the link for commentary. (ESPN Insider)

http://www.espn.com/nfl/draft2018/i...gs-top-108-prospects-picks-ranked-todd-mcshay

Tier 1
Elite prospects. Should be Day 1 starters and project as perennial All Pro players.

2018: three players | 2017 (at this point in the process): one player

1. Saquon Barkley, RB, Penn State* (Grade: 97)
2. Quenton Nelson, OG, Notre Dame* (95)
3. Bradley Chubb, DE, NC State (95)

Tier 2
A notch below the elite class but still considered a plug-and-play starter with high-level potential. Worthy of a top-15 pick most years.

2018: seven players | 2017: eight players

4. Sam Darnold, QB, Southern California* (94)
5. Roquan Smith, OLB, Georgia* (94)
6. Denzel Ward, DC, Ohio State* (93)
7. Derwin James, DS, Florida State* (93)
8. Minkah Fitzpatrick, DS, Alabama* (93)
9. Josh Rosen, QB, UCLA* (92)
10. Josh Allen, QB, Wyoming* (92)


Tier 3
These prospects grade out as good starters and are considered good values in the bottom half of Round 1 in any given draft class.

2018: 10 players | 2017: 10 players

11. Baker Mayfield, QB, Oklahoma (91)
12. Vita Vea, DT, Washington* (91)
13. Da'Ron Payne, DT, Alabama* (91)
14. Tremaine Edmunds, OLB, Virginia Tech* (91)
15. Jaire Alexander, DC, Louisville* (90)
16. Calvin Ridley, WR, Alabama* (90)
17. Mike Hughes, DC, Central Florida* (90)
18. Taven Bryan, DT, Florida* (90)
19. Josh Jackson, DC, Iowa* (90)
20. Rashaan Evans, ILB, Alabama (90)

Tier 4
Grade out as future good NFL starters. Second-round value.

2018: 19 players | 2017: 27 players

21. Marcus Davenport, DE, UTSA (89)
22. James Daniels, OC, Iowa* (89)
23. D.J. Moore, WR, Maryland* (89)
24. Will Hernandez, OG, UTEP (89)
25. Dallas Goedert, TE, South Dakota State (89)
26. Hayden Hurst, TE, South Carolina* (89)
27. Mike McGlinchey, OT, Notre Dame (88)
28. Justin Reid, DS, Stanford* (88)
29. Sony Michel, RB, Georgia (88)
30. Isaiah Wynn, OG, Georgia (88)
31. Derrius Guice, RB, LSU* (87)
32. Harold Landry, OLB, Boston College (87)
33. Lamar Jackson, QB, Louisville* (86)
34. Connor Williams, OG, Texas* (85)
35. Ronnie Harrison, DS, Alabama* (85)
36. Donte Jackson, DC, LSU* (85)
37. Maurice Hurst, DT, Michigan (85)
38. Billy Price, OC, Ohio State (85)
39. Ronald Jones II, RB, Southern California* (85)

Tier 5
Grade out as future solid-to-good NFL starters but might need to serve in sub-package/situational role early in career. Mid-to-late-second-round value.

2018: 26 players | 2017: 16 players

40. Harrison Phillips, DT, Stanford (84)
41. Lorenzo Carter, OLB, Georgia (84)
42. Tyrell Crosby, OT, Oregon (84)
43. Kolton Miller, OT, UCLA* (84)
44. Christian Kirk, WR, Texas A&M* (84)
45. D.J. Chark, WR, LSU (83)
46. Jessie Bates III, DS, Wake Forest* (83)
47. Geron Christian, OT, Louisville* (83)
48. Brian O'Neill, OT, Pittsburgh* (82)
49. Darius Leonard, OLB, South Carolina State (82)
50. Isaiah Oliver, DC, Colorado* (82)
51. B.J. Hill, DT, NC State (82)
52. Rasheem Green, DE, Southern California* (82)
53. Nick Chubb, RB, Georgia (82)
54. Courtland Sutton, WR, SMU* (82)
55. Anthony Miller, WR, Memphis (81)
56. Rashaad Penny, RB, San Diego State (81)
57. Mike Gesicki, TE, Penn State (81)
58. Leighton Vander Esch, ILB, Boise State* (81)
59. Arden Key, DE, LSU* (81)
60. Martinas Rankin, OC, Mississippi State (81)
61. Carlton Davis, DC, Auburn* (81)
62. Jerome Baker, OLB, Ohio State* (81)
63. Tim Settle, DT, Virginia Tech* (81)
64. Austin Corbett, OG, Nevada (80)
65. Jordan Lasley, WR, UCLA* (80)

Tier 6
Project as future solid starters but they need time to develop, have limited upside or come with baggage. Third-round value.

2018: 43 players | 2017: 49 players

66. Orlando Brown, OT, Oklahoma* (79)
67. Anthony Averett, DC, Alabama (79)
68. Frank Ragnow, OC, Arkansas (79)
69. Isaac Yiadom, DC, Boston College (78)
70. Antonio Callaway, WR, Florida* (78)
71. Mason Rudolph, QB, Oklahoma State (78)
72. Sam Hubbard, DE, Ohio State* (78)
73. Braden Smith, OG, Auburn (78)
74. Desmond Harrison, OT, West Georgia (78)
75. M.J. Stewart, DC, North Carolina (77)
76. Jalyn Holmes, DE, Ohio State (77)
77. Nathan Shepherd, DT, Fort Hays State (77)
78. James Washington, WR, Oklahoma State (77)
79. Terrell Edmunds, DS, Virginia Tech* (77)
80. Josh Sweat, DE, Florida State* (76)
81. Tyquan Lewis, DE, Ohio State (75)
82. Holton Hill, DC, Texas* (75)
83. Ian Thomas, TE, Indiana (74)
84. Parry Nickerson, DC, Tulane (74)
85. Kyle Lauletta, QB, Richmond (74)
86. Bo Scarbrough, RB, Alabama* (74)
87. Duke Dawson, DC, Florida (73)
88. Uchenna Nwosu, OLB, Southern California (73)
89. Michael Dickson, P, Texas* (73)
90. Kalen Ballage, RB, Arizona State (73)
91. Mason Cole, OC, Michigan (72)
92. Andrew Brown, DE, Virginia (72)
93. DaeSean Hamilton, WR, Penn State (72)
94. Derrick Nnadi, DT, Florida State (72)
95. Malik Jefferson, OLB, Texas* (72)
96. Kameron Kelly, DS, San Diego State (72)
97. Royce Freeman, RB, Oregon (71)
98. Jamarco Jones, OT, Ohio State (71)
99. Deon Cain, WR, Clemson* (71)
100. Hercules Mata'afa, DT, Washington State* (71)
101. Josey Jewell, ILB, Iowa (71)
102. Avonte Maddox, CB, Pitt (71)
103. Kyzir White, S, West Virginia (71)
104. Deadrin Senat, DT, South Florida (70)
105. Kerryon Johnson, RB, Auburn* (70)
106. Chukwuma Okorafor, OT, Western Michigan (70)
107. Dante Pettis, WR, Washington (70)
108. Dorance Armstrong Jr., DE, Kansas* (70)
 

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Going off above (19, 50, 81)

1st: DJ Moore WR Maryland
2nd: Leighton Vander Esch MLB Boise St
3rd: Ian Thomas TE Indiana
 

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I just started watching the All or nothing season with the Michigan Wolverines last night. It appears that most of the defense are freshman and sophomores

Are there any Wolverines that might be relevant in this coming draft that I should pay attention to as I watch this season?

Only a couple players have stood out so far. One is a DT I think his last name is Gary, someone named Hurst and a LB named Wiznewsky or something similar. The only other players that stood out wouldn’t be eligible for this coming draft

So who should I be paying attention to?
 

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Wait....what? So second round picks are considered future starters. Someone better tell Jerry and Stephen.

Those are our drug addicts and injured players

So they aren’t starters
 

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Are there any Wolverines that might be relevant in this coming draft that I should pay attention to as I watch this season?

DT Maurice Hurst. if he's truly cleared of the heart thing that caused the league to send him home from the combine, he's probably a 1st rd pick. (Note, according to reports, he was NOT on the NFL injury re-check list and he did participate in Michigan's proday)

Has some Aaron Donald/Geno Atkins type ability and is a similar sized player. Fits best as a 3T in a 4-3 defense.
 

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DT Maurice Hurst. if he's truly cleared of the heart thing that caused the league to send him home from the combine, he's probably a 1st rd pick. (Note, according to reports, he was NOT on the NFL injury re-check list and he did participate in Michigan's proday)

Has some Aaron Donald/Geno Atkins type ability and is a similar sized player. Fits best as a 3T in a 4-3 defense.

I’ve only watched two of the episodes and he seems to be the standout

They aren’t really focusing on him yet but you can see he’s special

Thx for the info dbair
 

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PICK

19

Will Hernandez, G, UTEP
I love you the most when you make smart football moves. I was at Radio City Music Hall when everyone implored the Cowboys to take Johnny Manziel. Seriously, the roof was about to come off the place in anticipation. But they made the right football move and drafted Zack Martin. Calmer heads need to prevail again -- avoid the receiver and instead go with a lineman. Grab Hernandez.

NFL mock draft ... with a twist! Here's what teams SHOULD do - NFL.com
 

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If Lamar Jackson is still there in second round; do you think that Dallas should take him and let him compete for backup to Dak?

Brugler: He won't be there, but absolutely. They should consider him at 19 if he's still there. That's not Plan A, but you let the draft play out and fall to you. And Jackson is a dynamic athlete that can help transform the offense. I don't know if the coaches in place would be a great fit with the play-calling, but you don't pass up dynamic players who make your team better.

Dallas Cowboys: Could Louisville QB Lamar Jackson be in play for the Cowboys on draft day if he falls to 19? | SportsDay
 

dbair1967

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If Lamar Jackson is still there in second round; do you think that Dallas should take him and let him compete for backup to Dak?

Brugler: He won't be there, but absolutely. They should consider him at 19 if he's still there. That's not Plan A, but you let the draft play out and fall to you. And Jackson is a dynamic athlete that can help transform the offense. I don't know if the coaches in place would be a great fit with the play-calling, but you don't pass up dynamic players who make your team better.

Dallas Cowboys: Could Louisville QB Lamar Jackson be in play for the Cowboys on draft day if he falls to 19? | SportsDay

Oh man, hope Brugler had been drinking when he said that.
 
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