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I'll update this for day three picks later, but here's his views (from his draft guide) on the 3 players we've picked so far. The number next to the player's name is where he was ranked in that position group by him.
4. LEIGHTON VANDER ESCH | Boise State 6042 | 256 lbs. | rJR. Riggins, Idaho (Salmon River) 2/8/1996 (age 22.2) #38
BACKGROUND: A no-star linebacker recruit out of high school, Leighton Vander Esch grew up in Riggins, Idaho (estimated population: 400) and was a three-sport star at Salmon River, helping lead the team to 1A Division-II state titles in both football and basketball his junior and senior years. He averaged 29.4 points and 11.1 rebounds as a senior in basketball and competed in the high jump for the track team. Vander Esch played eight-man football in Idaho’s smallest classification as a quarterback and linebacker, accounting for 66 touchdowns (28 passing, 34 rushing, six on defense) and 141 tackles in 2013. At only 210 pounds and playing at a lower level of high school football (11 in his graduating class), Vander Esch went under-recruited and didn’t receive any FBS-level scholarship offers, choosing to walk on at Boise State. After redshirting in 2014, he served as a redshirt freshman back-up and recorded 20 tackles in 2015. Vander Esch battled injuries in 2016 and recorded 27 tackles and one interception in six games as a sophomore reserve. He had a breakout season as a first-year starter in 2017 with conference-best 141 tackles and three interceptions to earn Mountain West Defensive Player of the Year and First Team All-MWC honors. Vander Esch elected to skip his senior season and enter the 2018 NFL Draft.
YEAR (GP/GS) TKLS TFL SACK FF PD INT 2014: Redshirted 2015: (12/0) 20 1.0 0.0 0 1 0 2016: (6/0) 27 3.5 1.0 0 1 1 2017: (14/14) 141 8.5 4.0 4 7 3 (WLB) Total: (32/14) 188 13.0 5.0 4 9 4
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HT WT ARM HAND WING 40-YD 20-YD 10-YD VJ BJ SS 3C BP COMBINE 6042 256 33 7/8 09 3/4 81 1/8 4.65 2.69 1.56 39 1/2 10’04” 4.15 6.88 20 PRO DAY N/A
STRENGTHS: Lateral range to mirror and pursuit speed to close…plant-and-drive quickness to unlock and go…high football intelligence…backfield vision and toughness to scrape down the line and find the correct gap…functional strength to find work in the trenches…gets skinny through gaps with budding skills as a blitzer…coordinated feet to control his movements in coverage…effective in his zone drops, using his eyes to feel routes and find passing lanes…strikes with pop in his pads, tackling low and bringing his legs with him…motor doesn’t quit and defends both sidelines…workable body type with length, adding 40+ pounds since he arrived in Boise…team captain with impressive character on and off the field…self-starter and quickly proved his worth as a walk-on, earning a scholarship during his redshirt season (Boise State head coach Bryan Harsin: “He’s not lucky, he’s a hard worker.”)…highly productive 2017 season, ranking fifth in the FBS with 141 tackles.
WEAKNESSES: Needs to calm his feet to face up the ballcarrier and make open-field stops…slight lower body stiffness shows when he attempts to quickly redirect, over-running ballcarriers…long arms, but immature take-on skills…more of a battering ram at the point of attack and needs to develop his hand technique…slowed by road blocks mid-pursuit…inconsistent results as an edge-setter…late bloomer physically and still adjusting to the transformation…only one season of starting experience…durability will be questioned after an injury-riddled 2016 campaign, missing seven games.
SUMMARY: A one-year starter at Boise State, Vander Esch had a breakthrough 2017 season as the WILL linebacker in the Broncos’ hybrid 3-3-5 scheme, becoming the first player in school history to win Mountain West Defensive Player of the Year honors. He was a big fish in a small pond in high school and needed time to fill out his frame and adjust to major college football when he arrived in Boise, blossoming as a junior. Vander Esch competes with the athleticism, instincts and toughness that translate well to the NFL level, making plays vs. the run and in coverage. He finds himself out of control at times, leading to finishing issues, and needs to properly use his length when taking on blocks, but these flaws can be improved with more reps. Overall, Vander Esch needs to clean up his angles and break down skills to be more consistent, but he is an ascending player both mentally and physically, displaying the skill-set to be a three-down NFL starter.
GRADE: 1st-2nd Round (#26 overall)
2. CONNOR WILLIAMS | Texas 6051 | 296 lbs. | JR. Coppell, Texas (Coppell) 5/12/1997 (age 20.9) #55
BACKGROUND: A four-star offensive tackle recruit out of high school, Connor Williams played primarily at tight end at Coppell, filling in on the offensive line when needed before moving to tackle full-time as a senior. He also played on the defensive line and posted 38 tackles, five forced fumbles and 3.0 sacks in 2014, allowing only one sack on the offensive line – was high school teammates with San Francisco 49ers DL Solomon Thomas. Williams received offers from Ohio State, Michigan and a few dozen other programs, but he committed to Texas, graduating early and enrolling in Austin in January 2015. He earned the starting left tackle job as a true freshman and started all 12 games in 2015, earning Freshman All-American and All-Big 12 Honorable Mention honors. Williams had his best season as a sophomore, starting all but one game at left tackle, and became just the second sophomore from Texas (along with Earl Thomas) to earn consensus All-American honors since 1976. He started the first three games at left tackle as a junior before an injury sidelined him for the next seven games, returning to start the final two games of the regular season. Williams elected to sit out the bowl game and enter the 2018 NFL Draft.
YEAR (GP/GS) 2015: (12/12) 12 LT 2016: (11/11) 11 LT 2017: (5/5) 5 LT Total: (28/28) 28 LT
HT WT ARM HAND WING 40-YD 20-YD 10-YD VJ BJ SS 3C BP COMBINE 6051 296 33 10 1/2 77 7/8 5.05 2.89 1.72 34 09’04” 4.63 7.83 26 PRO DAY N/A (positional drills only)
STRENGTHS: Smooth in his shuffle and quickly finds his landmarks…flexible knees/joints to sit in his stance and maintain balance…anchors well in his pass-sets, staying relaxed prior to punch…efficient reset with his hands to tie up rushers…always on alert and avoids tunnel vision…athletic range to pull and block in space…quick out of his stance to pounce in the run game…lands his target, rolls his hips and drives his legs in the run game…blocks with a nasty finish, often taking his man to the ground…played in three different blocking schemes at Texas and adapted well to each…older brother (Dalton) played quarterback at Stephen F. Austin and Akron before a quick stint with the Dallas Cowboys as an undrafted free agent in 2013…mature individual who developed as a vocal leader in 2017…started 28 games at left tackle the past three seasons.
WEAKNESSES: Athletic frame, but lacks ideal arm length for the edges…wide hands and exposes his chest…doesn’t trust his punch timing, causing him to catch rushers…hand placement is sporadic, often landing outside his target…grabby hands, drawing holding calls…tends to overextend at the waist in his counters, losing balance…not a road grader and needs to strengthen his lower body…on-field play declined in 2017 after his All-American 2016 season…missed eight games the past two seasons, including seven as a junior due to a sprained MCL and PCL in his left knee (Sept. 2017), opting for non-surgical treatment – also had a torn meniscus in the same knee from high school.
SUMMARY: A three-year starter at Texas, Williams earned the starting left tackle job as a true freshman and had an All-American season as a sophomore, putting himself on the NFL radar. However, he appeared to take a step back in 2017 followed by a knee injury that sidelined him for most of his junior season. Williams learned under three different offensive coordinators in three seasons in Austin, which helped diversify his skill-set. He is technique-focused and moves with above average athleticism, flashing the competitive finish and instincts required for the next level. While the intent is there, he isn’t an overpowering player and contact balance can be an issue at times. Overall, Williams will be a guard/center on some draft boards due to his lack of length, but his sophomore tape showed a capable NFL starter at tackle and NFL teams will need to trust the 2016 tape to draft him in round one.
GRADE: 1st-2nd Round (#38 overall)
7. MICHAEL GALLUP | Colorado State 6006 | 205 lbs. | SR. Monroe, Ga. (Monroe) 3/4/1996 (age 22.2) #4
BACKGROUND: A three-star wide receiver recruit out of high school, Michael “Mike” Gallup was a four-sport performer at Monroe and earned 16 varsity letters, playing centerfield in baseball, point guard in basketball and running the 4x4, 4x1 and high jump in track. On the football field, he played quarterback in an option offense before moving to wide receiver as a junior and thriving. Gallup received scholarship offers from programs like Kentucky, North Carolina State and Missouri, but poor SAT scores kept him from qualifying. He enrolled at Butler County Community College, leading the team in receiving as a true freshman in 2014. Gallup recorded only nine catches as a sophomore before an injury ended his 2015 season, which forced FBS teams to back off their recruitment. He was considered a threestar JUCO recruit, but had few options until Colorado State called a few weeks before 2016 signing day, offering him a scholarship. Gallup made an immediate impact as a junior and led the team with 76 catches for 1,272 yards and 14 touchdowns, earning First Team All-MWC honors. He became the fourth Consensus All-American in school history as a senior with 100 catches for 1,413 yards and seven touchdowns in 2017 and was a finalist for the Biletnikoff Award (Nation’s top receiver). Gallup accepted his invitation to the 2018 Senior Bowl.
YEAR (GP/GS) REC YDS AVG TD 2014: Butler County Community College (Kan.) 2015: Butler County Community College (Kan.) 2016: (13/11) 76 1,272 16.7 14 (Colorado State) 2017: (13/13) 100 1,413 14.1 7 (Colorado State) Total: (26/24) 176 2,685 15.3 21
HT WT ARM HAND WING 40-YD 20-YD 10-YD VJ BJ SS 3C BP COMBINE 6006 205 31 1/2 09 1/4 73 5/8 4.51 2.66 1.60 36 10’02” 4.37 6.95 10 PRO DAY 4.45 2.63 1.57 - 10’08” 4.52 7.09 -
STRENGTHS: Developed frame with adequate height/length…detailed route-runner and each step has a purpose…comfortable with a diverse route tree…transitions his momentum in/out of cuts to maintain speed on posts/corner routes…makes mid-patterns adjustments based on coverage reads…vertical push to eat away at cushions…contact-driven mentality to fight through press and run through tackle attempts…tracks the ball well in flight and attacks the football away from his body…out-rebounds defensive backs on 50-50 balls…graceful adjustments to throws on the opposite shoulder…shows vision after the catch to take away pursuit angles…coaches and teammates speak highly of his presence in the football building…highly productive two seasons at Colorado State, ranking fifth in school history in receptions (176) and second in touchdown catches (21) – first player in program history to record 100 catches in a season.
WEAKNESSES: Ordinary size and physical traits…lacks the top-end speed that strikes fear in defenses…doesn’t have the lower body suddenness to explode out of his stance…needs to finish routes…occasionally breaks stride to secure the catch, hurting his YAC production…strong hands, but focus will run hot/cold at times, especially over the middle…veteran corners will be able to squat on his underneath routes…doesn’t offer any return experience on special teams…durability not a huge concern, but did miss most of the 2015 season due to a right ankle injury (Sept. 2015), reaggravating the injury as a junior (Sept. 2016).
SUMMARY: A two-year starter at Colorado State, Gallup lined up inside and outside the formation for the Rams and was one of the most productive FBS receivers the past two seasons. He was a hidden gem in the recruiting process because of grades out of high school and then an injury his final year at the JUCO level, recording 100+ receiving yards in 11 of his final 18 games at Colorado State. Gallup is a route technician with advanced pacing based on his coverage reads, finishing with competitive ball skills. Although he lacks multiple gears or breakaway speed, he can stack and separate from cornerbacks, creating passing windows for the quarterback. Overall, there isn’t much that distinguishes Gallup from a size/speed standpoint, but he is reliable and understands how to get the most out of his skill-set, which will translate well to the NFL game.
GRADE: 2nd-3rd Round (#59 overall)
4. LEIGHTON VANDER ESCH | Boise State 6042 | 256 lbs. | rJR. Riggins, Idaho (Salmon River) 2/8/1996 (age 22.2) #38
BACKGROUND: A no-star linebacker recruit out of high school, Leighton Vander Esch grew up in Riggins, Idaho (estimated population: 400) and was a three-sport star at Salmon River, helping lead the team to 1A Division-II state titles in both football and basketball his junior and senior years. He averaged 29.4 points and 11.1 rebounds as a senior in basketball and competed in the high jump for the track team. Vander Esch played eight-man football in Idaho’s smallest classification as a quarterback and linebacker, accounting for 66 touchdowns (28 passing, 34 rushing, six on defense) and 141 tackles in 2013. At only 210 pounds and playing at a lower level of high school football (11 in his graduating class), Vander Esch went under-recruited and didn’t receive any FBS-level scholarship offers, choosing to walk on at Boise State. After redshirting in 2014, he served as a redshirt freshman back-up and recorded 20 tackles in 2015. Vander Esch battled injuries in 2016 and recorded 27 tackles and one interception in six games as a sophomore reserve. He had a breakout season as a first-year starter in 2017 with conference-best 141 tackles and three interceptions to earn Mountain West Defensive Player of the Year and First Team All-MWC honors. Vander Esch elected to skip his senior season and enter the 2018 NFL Draft.
YEAR (GP/GS) TKLS TFL SACK FF PD INT 2014: Redshirted 2015: (12/0) 20 1.0 0.0 0 1 0 2016: (6/0) 27 3.5 1.0 0 1 1 2017: (14/14) 141 8.5 4.0 4 7 3 (WLB) Total: (32/14) 188 13.0 5.0 4 9 4
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HT WT ARM HAND WING 40-YD 20-YD 10-YD VJ BJ SS 3C BP COMBINE 6042 256 33 7/8 09 3/4 81 1/8 4.65 2.69 1.56 39 1/2 10’04” 4.15 6.88 20 PRO DAY N/A
STRENGTHS: Lateral range to mirror and pursuit speed to close…plant-and-drive quickness to unlock and go…high football intelligence…backfield vision and toughness to scrape down the line and find the correct gap…functional strength to find work in the trenches…gets skinny through gaps with budding skills as a blitzer…coordinated feet to control his movements in coverage…effective in his zone drops, using his eyes to feel routes and find passing lanes…strikes with pop in his pads, tackling low and bringing his legs with him…motor doesn’t quit and defends both sidelines…workable body type with length, adding 40+ pounds since he arrived in Boise…team captain with impressive character on and off the field…self-starter and quickly proved his worth as a walk-on, earning a scholarship during his redshirt season (Boise State head coach Bryan Harsin: “He’s not lucky, he’s a hard worker.”)…highly productive 2017 season, ranking fifth in the FBS with 141 tackles.
WEAKNESSES: Needs to calm his feet to face up the ballcarrier and make open-field stops…slight lower body stiffness shows when he attempts to quickly redirect, over-running ballcarriers…long arms, but immature take-on skills…more of a battering ram at the point of attack and needs to develop his hand technique…slowed by road blocks mid-pursuit…inconsistent results as an edge-setter…late bloomer physically and still adjusting to the transformation…only one season of starting experience…durability will be questioned after an injury-riddled 2016 campaign, missing seven games.
SUMMARY: A one-year starter at Boise State, Vander Esch had a breakthrough 2017 season as the WILL linebacker in the Broncos’ hybrid 3-3-5 scheme, becoming the first player in school history to win Mountain West Defensive Player of the Year honors. He was a big fish in a small pond in high school and needed time to fill out his frame and adjust to major college football when he arrived in Boise, blossoming as a junior. Vander Esch competes with the athleticism, instincts and toughness that translate well to the NFL level, making plays vs. the run and in coverage. He finds himself out of control at times, leading to finishing issues, and needs to properly use his length when taking on blocks, but these flaws can be improved with more reps. Overall, Vander Esch needs to clean up his angles and break down skills to be more consistent, but he is an ascending player both mentally and physically, displaying the skill-set to be a three-down NFL starter.
GRADE: 1st-2nd Round (#26 overall)
2. CONNOR WILLIAMS | Texas 6051 | 296 lbs. | JR. Coppell, Texas (Coppell) 5/12/1997 (age 20.9) #55
BACKGROUND: A four-star offensive tackle recruit out of high school, Connor Williams played primarily at tight end at Coppell, filling in on the offensive line when needed before moving to tackle full-time as a senior. He also played on the defensive line and posted 38 tackles, five forced fumbles and 3.0 sacks in 2014, allowing only one sack on the offensive line – was high school teammates with San Francisco 49ers DL Solomon Thomas. Williams received offers from Ohio State, Michigan and a few dozen other programs, but he committed to Texas, graduating early and enrolling in Austin in January 2015. He earned the starting left tackle job as a true freshman and started all 12 games in 2015, earning Freshman All-American and All-Big 12 Honorable Mention honors. Williams had his best season as a sophomore, starting all but one game at left tackle, and became just the second sophomore from Texas (along with Earl Thomas) to earn consensus All-American honors since 1976. He started the first three games at left tackle as a junior before an injury sidelined him for the next seven games, returning to start the final two games of the regular season. Williams elected to sit out the bowl game and enter the 2018 NFL Draft.
YEAR (GP/GS) 2015: (12/12) 12 LT 2016: (11/11) 11 LT 2017: (5/5) 5 LT Total: (28/28) 28 LT
HT WT ARM HAND WING 40-YD 20-YD 10-YD VJ BJ SS 3C BP COMBINE 6051 296 33 10 1/2 77 7/8 5.05 2.89 1.72 34 09’04” 4.63 7.83 26 PRO DAY N/A (positional drills only)
STRENGTHS: Smooth in his shuffle and quickly finds his landmarks…flexible knees/joints to sit in his stance and maintain balance…anchors well in his pass-sets, staying relaxed prior to punch…efficient reset with his hands to tie up rushers…always on alert and avoids tunnel vision…athletic range to pull and block in space…quick out of his stance to pounce in the run game…lands his target, rolls his hips and drives his legs in the run game…blocks with a nasty finish, often taking his man to the ground…played in three different blocking schemes at Texas and adapted well to each…older brother (Dalton) played quarterback at Stephen F. Austin and Akron before a quick stint with the Dallas Cowboys as an undrafted free agent in 2013…mature individual who developed as a vocal leader in 2017…started 28 games at left tackle the past three seasons.
WEAKNESSES: Athletic frame, but lacks ideal arm length for the edges…wide hands and exposes his chest…doesn’t trust his punch timing, causing him to catch rushers…hand placement is sporadic, often landing outside his target…grabby hands, drawing holding calls…tends to overextend at the waist in his counters, losing balance…not a road grader and needs to strengthen his lower body…on-field play declined in 2017 after his All-American 2016 season…missed eight games the past two seasons, including seven as a junior due to a sprained MCL and PCL in his left knee (Sept. 2017), opting for non-surgical treatment – also had a torn meniscus in the same knee from high school.
SUMMARY: A three-year starter at Texas, Williams earned the starting left tackle job as a true freshman and had an All-American season as a sophomore, putting himself on the NFL radar. However, he appeared to take a step back in 2017 followed by a knee injury that sidelined him for most of his junior season. Williams learned under three different offensive coordinators in three seasons in Austin, which helped diversify his skill-set. He is technique-focused and moves with above average athleticism, flashing the competitive finish and instincts required for the next level. While the intent is there, he isn’t an overpowering player and contact balance can be an issue at times. Overall, Williams will be a guard/center on some draft boards due to his lack of length, but his sophomore tape showed a capable NFL starter at tackle and NFL teams will need to trust the 2016 tape to draft him in round one.
GRADE: 1st-2nd Round (#38 overall)
7. MICHAEL GALLUP | Colorado State 6006 | 205 lbs. | SR. Monroe, Ga. (Monroe) 3/4/1996 (age 22.2) #4
BACKGROUND: A three-star wide receiver recruit out of high school, Michael “Mike” Gallup was a four-sport performer at Monroe and earned 16 varsity letters, playing centerfield in baseball, point guard in basketball and running the 4x4, 4x1 and high jump in track. On the football field, he played quarterback in an option offense before moving to wide receiver as a junior and thriving. Gallup received scholarship offers from programs like Kentucky, North Carolina State and Missouri, but poor SAT scores kept him from qualifying. He enrolled at Butler County Community College, leading the team in receiving as a true freshman in 2014. Gallup recorded only nine catches as a sophomore before an injury ended his 2015 season, which forced FBS teams to back off their recruitment. He was considered a threestar JUCO recruit, but had few options until Colorado State called a few weeks before 2016 signing day, offering him a scholarship. Gallup made an immediate impact as a junior and led the team with 76 catches for 1,272 yards and 14 touchdowns, earning First Team All-MWC honors. He became the fourth Consensus All-American in school history as a senior with 100 catches for 1,413 yards and seven touchdowns in 2017 and was a finalist for the Biletnikoff Award (Nation’s top receiver). Gallup accepted his invitation to the 2018 Senior Bowl.
YEAR (GP/GS) REC YDS AVG TD 2014: Butler County Community College (Kan.) 2015: Butler County Community College (Kan.) 2016: (13/11) 76 1,272 16.7 14 (Colorado State) 2017: (13/13) 100 1,413 14.1 7 (Colorado State) Total: (26/24) 176 2,685 15.3 21
HT WT ARM HAND WING 40-YD 20-YD 10-YD VJ BJ SS 3C BP COMBINE 6006 205 31 1/2 09 1/4 73 5/8 4.51 2.66 1.60 36 10’02” 4.37 6.95 10 PRO DAY 4.45 2.63 1.57 - 10’08” 4.52 7.09 -
STRENGTHS: Developed frame with adequate height/length…detailed route-runner and each step has a purpose…comfortable with a diverse route tree…transitions his momentum in/out of cuts to maintain speed on posts/corner routes…makes mid-patterns adjustments based on coverage reads…vertical push to eat away at cushions…contact-driven mentality to fight through press and run through tackle attempts…tracks the ball well in flight and attacks the football away from his body…out-rebounds defensive backs on 50-50 balls…graceful adjustments to throws on the opposite shoulder…shows vision after the catch to take away pursuit angles…coaches and teammates speak highly of his presence in the football building…highly productive two seasons at Colorado State, ranking fifth in school history in receptions (176) and second in touchdown catches (21) – first player in program history to record 100 catches in a season.
WEAKNESSES: Ordinary size and physical traits…lacks the top-end speed that strikes fear in defenses…doesn’t have the lower body suddenness to explode out of his stance…needs to finish routes…occasionally breaks stride to secure the catch, hurting his YAC production…strong hands, but focus will run hot/cold at times, especially over the middle…veteran corners will be able to squat on his underneath routes…doesn’t offer any return experience on special teams…durability not a huge concern, but did miss most of the 2015 season due to a right ankle injury (Sept. 2015), reaggravating the injury as a junior (Sept. 2016).
SUMMARY: A two-year starter at Colorado State, Gallup lined up inside and outside the formation for the Rams and was one of the most productive FBS receivers the past two seasons. He was a hidden gem in the recruiting process because of grades out of high school and then an injury his final year at the JUCO level, recording 100+ receiving yards in 11 of his final 18 games at Colorado State. Gallup is a route technician with advanced pacing based on his coverage reads, finishing with competitive ball skills. Although he lacks multiple gears or breakaway speed, he can stack and separate from cornerbacks, creating passing windows for the quarterback. Overall, there isn’t much that distinguishes Gallup from a size/speed standpoint, but he is reliable and understands how to get the most out of his skill-set, which will translate well to the NFL game.
GRADE: 2nd-3rd Round (#59 overall)