Based on us having a bottom of the round (27-32) pick in each round, with exception of the 6th round because the Ravens own that selection.
Player ranking and reports per NFLDraftScout.com
Rd 1. Michael Bennett, DT, Ohio State
Rd 2. Mario Edwards Jr, DE/DT, Florida State
Rd 3. Eric Kendricks, ILB, UCLA
4. Preston Smith, DE, Missippi State
5. Malcolm Brown, RB, Texas
7. Justin Cox, FS, Mississippi State
Player ranking and reports per NFLDraftScout.com
Rd 1. Michael Bennett, DT, Ohio State
STRENGTHS: Displays outstanding balance and coordination through contact to work of blocks and keep his feet to be a factor in plays. He "wins" with quickness out of his stance and uses his leverage, leg drive and strong grip to latch-and-rip past blockers and penetrate the backfield.
Uses his high motor and backfield vision to put himself in position to make a play, allowing his controlled footwork and smooth hips to do the rest. Bennett has improved backfield vision with the controlled footwork and change of direction skills that is uncommon for the position, allowing him to play up and down the line of scrimmage.
WEAKNESSES: Isn't a people mover and lacks overwhelming strength to bully, struggling to shock blockers with his hands at the point of attack. Intensity appears to waver from snap-to-snap and he tends to give up too easily if his initial move doesn't work at the point of attack.
Bennett is a balanced athlete with excellent quickness and body control, but scouts want to see him split double teams and handle the extra attention, showing consistent effort for all four quarters.
Uses his high motor and backfield vision to put himself in position to make a play, allowing his controlled footwork and smooth hips to do the rest. Bennett has improved backfield vision with the controlled footwork and change of direction skills that is uncommon for the position, allowing him to play up and down the line of scrimmage.
WEAKNESSES: Isn't a people mover and lacks overwhelming strength to bully, struggling to shock blockers with his hands at the point of attack. Intensity appears to waver from snap-to-snap and he tends to give up too easily if his initial move doesn't work at the point of attack.
Bennett is a balanced athlete with excellent quickness and body control, but scouts want to see him split double teams and handle the extra attention, showing consistent effort for all four quarters.
Rd 2. Mario Edwards Jr, DE/DT, Florida State
STRENGTHS: Utilizes long arms and strong hands to keep blockers out of his frame, and does a good job of maintaining vision, awareness and patience when engaged with taller opponents.
When given space off the line, Edwards exhibits good acceleration that transitions nicely to power on contact, as he's routinely able to force tackles to retreat, and eat up any space to the quarterback's left. He's flexible and loose-hipped when asked to establish position underneath his opponent or change direction, and he has the balance to recover and stay on course when tossed or knocked aside by blockers.
WEAKNESSES: Where Edwards will need to improve is in his snap count anticipation; he can appear heavy with limited range and he's frequently the last lineman off the ball, making it tough for him to have any impact rounding the edge. He's also easily stood up at times as he lets the pads rise early in the play and struggles to take ground as a result, and he could take better angles to the outside against the run.
Excels with only one pass rush move -- upper-body power. Lacks creativity with hand use and can struggle to sequence effective rush moves together.
Though still raw with substantial room to continue to get better, Edwards has the makeup of the ideal 3-4 end or 4-3 tackle who can disrupt the backfield in a number of ways, from multiple spots, and should draw a premium pick come draft day next year if he's able to continue developing at his current trajectory.
When given space off the line, Edwards exhibits good acceleration that transitions nicely to power on contact, as he's routinely able to force tackles to retreat, and eat up any space to the quarterback's left. He's flexible and loose-hipped when asked to establish position underneath his opponent or change direction, and he has the balance to recover and stay on course when tossed or knocked aside by blockers.
WEAKNESSES: Where Edwards will need to improve is in his snap count anticipation; he can appear heavy with limited range and he's frequently the last lineman off the ball, making it tough for him to have any impact rounding the edge. He's also easily stood up at times as he lets the pads rise early in the play and struggles to take ground as a result, and he could take better angles to the outside against the run.
Excels with only one pass rush move -- upper-body power. Lacks creativity with hand use and can struggle to sequence effective rush moves together.
Though still raw with substantial room to continue to get better, Edwards has the makeup of the ideal 3-4 end or 4-3 tackle who can disrupt the backfield in a number of ways, from multiple spots, and should draw a premium pick come draft day next year if he's able to continue developing at his current trajectory.
Rd 3. Eric Kendricks, ILB, UCLA
STRENGTHS: Like his brother Mychal (Eagles), Eric is instinctive, aggressive and a considerably more explosive hitter than his frame suggests. He closes quickly and with force, leading to some emphatic take-downs.
Very light on his feet, showing good agility, flexibility and balance to avoid would-be blockers when he rushing the quarterback. Kendricks' athleticism and awareness makes him effective in coverage, though he has just two interceptions in 28 career starts.
WEAKNESSES: Scouts want to see him improve in pass coverage as he tends to be too hands-on, and he needs to better control his momentum on tackle attempts to better break down.
IN OUR VIEW: Arguably the top senior prospect at his position, Kendricks is a football magnet with his instinctive read/react quickness and relentless motor to finish at the ball. Even though Kendricks lacks a "wow" skill-set, he routinely shows up at the ball and is a highly underrated prospect, worthy of top 50 consideration.
Very light on his feet, showing good agility, flexibility and balance to avoid would-be blockers when he rushing the quarterback. Kendricks' athleticism and awareness makes him effective in coverage, though he has just two interceptions in 28 career starts.
WEAKNESSES: Scouts want to see him improve in pass coverage as he tends to be too hands-on, and he needs to better control his momentum on tackle attempts to better break down.
IN OUR VIEW: Arguably the top senior prospect at his position, Kendricks is a football magnet with his instinctive read/react quickness and relentless motor to finish at the ball. Even though Kendricks lacks a "wow" skill-set, he routinely shows up at the ball and is a highly underrated prospect, worthy of top 50 consideration.
4. Preston Smith, DE, Missippi State
STRENGTHS: Boasts an impressive wingspan and heavy hands to engage and dispose of blockers, using an array of rush moves to tear through blocks. Smith also lines up as a 1-technique lineman inside on obvious passing downs, using his initial quickness and power to penetrate the A-gap and create interior pressure.
WEAKNESSES: Is not a quick-twitch rusher and rarely beats offensive tackles with speed off the edge.
IN OUR VIEW: While not a dynamic threat, Smith plays motivated and has the versatile skill-set that will be attractive to pro scouts.
WEAKNESSES: Is not a quick-twitch rusher and rarely beats offensive tackles with speed off the edge.
IN OUR VIEW: While not a dynamic threat, Smith plays motivated and has the versatile skill-set that will be attractive to pro scouts.
5. Malcolm Brown, RB, Texas
Brown looks the part with NFL build, running square to the line of scrimmage with the body strength to shake off single defenders and play with lower pad level than most on the field. He doesn't have dynamic elusiveness, but shows effective plant-and-go quickness with excellent play speed, always looking to get north-south in a hurry.
Brown follows his blocks well with good feel and vision to find openings and get to the second level. Although he doesn't have ideal power and explosive traits, Brown runs physical, low to the ground and always seems to be picking up positive yardage.
Brown follows his blocks well with good feel and vision to find openings and get to the second level. Although he doesn't have ideal power and explosive traits, Brown runs physical, low to the ground and always seems to be picking up positive yardage.
7. Justin Cox, FS, Mississippi State
STRENGTHS: Cox looks more like a traditional cornerback than a safety, possessing a lean, athletic frame. He possesses good flexibility and acceleration to handle coverage duties, though his straight-line speed is a question. His JUCO tape shows good hand-eye coordination and timing on his leaps to high-point passes - traits that could lead to him becoming a feared ball-hawk at safety this year.
WEAKNESSES: He flashes physicality as a hitter but often resorts to lunging at the legs of ballcarriers, rather than fully wrapping them up
WEAKNESSES: He flashes physicality as a hitter but often resorts to lunging at the legs of ballcarriers, rather than fully wrapping them up
