Walterfootball 4 round mock

[Bob Sacamano]

Why not just draft a RT?

 

[dbair1967]

Why not just draft a RT?

They might.

Really hoping Chaz Green stays healthy though. I suspect he'd have already taken Free's job (or at least started taking some PT away, like Parnell briefly did here) had he not gotten hurt again. He had a couple holding calls when he played for Tyron Smith, but he also had plenty of good blocking.

 

[Midswat]

Seven round mock based on players available in respective slot per http://www.cbssports.com/nfl/draft/prospectrankings

•1st round: 28th overall -- Charles Harris, DE, Missouri

STRENGTHS: Whether out of the two or three point stance, Harris fires off the ball, giving would-be blockers a legitimate speed threat to worry about. His burst forces tackles wide and Harris complements his speed with an effective spin counter back inside, showing lateral agility and balance. He locates the ball quickly and pursues the ball with passion, including far downfield. Harris looks comfortable rushing the passer out of the two point stance and can flip his hips and change directions quickly, demonstrating the kind of athleticism to potentially handle some linebacker duties, as well. Harris wins with his explosive burst and agility to elude pass blockers but he's also surprisingly strong, keeping his butt low and his limbs locked out to anchor in the running game. He latches onto ball-carriers attempting to run past him, showing the strength to pull them down while fending off blockers. Harris has gained approximately 25 pounds of muscle since signing with Missouri as a highly regarded two-sport (basketball and football) athlete.
WEAKNESSES: Harris lacks the ideal length and twitchy change of direction that gives top NFL offensive tackles problems. He played heavier in 2016 and lost some of the quickness which made him so productive. Lacks the bulk to play regularly inside at the NFL level. While athletic, Harris struggled with cut-blocks, failing to recognize them quickly enough and too often getting knocked to the turf. Further, Harris' pad level is a bit inconsistent and when he loses the leverage battle he can get knocked off the ball.

IN OUR VIEW: A lack of production early in the 2016 season left Harris being unfairly criticized by some but his talent did not just simply disappear. While perhaps lacking elite length and fluidity, Harris is a proven pass rusher with the initial quickness and complementary moves to extend Missouri's impressive NFL pipeline, projecting as an immediate impact threat off the edge.

COMPARES TO: Cliff Avril, Seattle Seahawks: A decade before Mizzou took over as an underrated producer of NFL defensive linemen, it was Purdue sending the likes of Akin Ayodele, Shaun Phillips, Ray Edwards, Rob Ninkovich, Avril and Ryan Kerrigan, among others. The 6-3, 260 pound Avril posted impressive statistics throughout his career at Purdue but slipped to the third round of the 2008 draft in part because of his lack of ideal size and questions about his fit in the NFL. Since, his initial quickness and array of pass rush moves have translated into 73 career sacks and 29 forced fumbles over an nine-year career for the Detroit Lions and Seahawks.

•2nd round: 60th overall -- Tarell Basham, DE, Ohio

STRENGTHS: Basham looks the part of an NFL edge rusher with broad shoulders and a v-shaped frame. He shows terrific initial quickness off the ball, surging out of his stance and dipping with his shoulder to get underneath the reach of tackles and immediately threaten the corner. He complements his burst with a quick counter back inside, showing the flexibility to get skinny and slip through gaps. His quick-twitch and body control are evident when rushing out of the two or three point stance, and he shows good patience and spatial awareness to loop around on stunts and avoid cut blocks. Even when initially contained, Basham doesn't stay blocked for long, extending his arms and sprawling his legs to stack and shed at the point of attack should the ball come near him. He has quick, active hands to knock away attempts by tackles to control him and he keeps his eye on the prize, immediately breaking free to pursue downfield once the ball leaves the quarterback's hands. Though at his best rushing, Basham possesses the agility and speed to occasionally drop back into coverage, as well. The coaching staff at Ohio raves about Basham's infectious personality and work ethic on and off the field. He is the first player from his family to attend college.

WEAKNESSES: Basham was a man amongst boys in the MAC but will need to gain more strength to duplicate his success in the NFL. He is overly reliant at this time on his speed and agility and must incorporate a better bull rush to his game. He spent time early in his career at defensive tackle but lacks the bulk and strength to remain here in the NFL.


IN OUR VIEW: What Basham lacks in name recognition he more than makes up for with initial quickness, agility and motor. He may need a year or two to acclimate to the greater speed of the NFL but possesses the traits and work ethic necessary to handle the jump in competition.


COMPARES TO: Cassius Marsh, Seattle Seahawks: Versatility has been the key for Marsh, who saw time all over the defensive line at UCLA and now serves as an edge rusher and strongside linebacker in Seattle. Like Marsh, Basham is at his best attacking off the edge, winning with equal parts athleticism and tenacity.

•3rd round: 92nd overall -- Jake Butt, TE, Michigan

STRENGTHS: Solidly built for the position with a workable frame...excellent route runner, using timing, tempo and subtle body fakes off the line and in/out of his breaks...quick, controlled feet at the top of patterns...fluid pass-catcher for the position with natural adjustments on throws away from his body...nice job catching the ball in stride, not losing momentum on crossers or seam routes...very reliable ballskills with soft hands and focus to consistently win in contested situations, attacking and securing the ball ahead of defenders...core power and attitude to finish as a ballcarrier, driving his legs...uses his length well as a blocker to meet defenders with his hands...runs his feet at contact as a blocker to be an asset in the run game...voted a senior captain with the mature make-up needed to be a pro...productive four-year starter and holds the school tight end records for career receptions and receiving yards.

WEAKNESSES: Only average burst in his movements and won't separate in coverage on athleticism alone...doesn't have an explosive top gear to speed away from defenders after the catch...inconsistent anchor in pass protection vs. power...struggles to sustain in space as a blocker and needs to better mirror with his lower body to avoid holding penalties...played on kickoff coverage in college, but lacks refinement in this role...steady production, but not a home run threat with only one career 100-yard receiving performance with a low catch-to-touchdown ratio.


NFL COMPARISON: Tyler Eifert, Cincinnati Bengals -- Butt isn't on the same level athletically as Eifert, but he is close and flashes similar receiving skills to be a consistent chain-mover in the NFL and impact player in the red zone.

•4th round: 133rd overall -- Tanzel Smart, DT, Tulane

12/18/16 - 2016 ALL-AMERICAN ATHLETIC CONFERENCE FIRST TEAM (COACHES): DL Tanzel Smart, Tulane, Sr., Baton Rouge, La./Scotlandville Magnet,...Smart was Tulane's stalwart upfront and anchored a Green Wave defensive unit that finished the regular season ranked third in The American in total defense at 364.5 yards per game. He ranked fourth in the conference in tackles for loss with 18.5 (1.54 per game) and eighth in sacks at 5.5 (0.46 per game). Smart also had two quarterback hurries, one forced fumble and one fumble recovery to his credit. He rarely came off the field on defense and contributed on special teams as well. In the UL Lafayette game, Smart played 105 snaps on defense and special teams in the four-overtime thriller. The Baton Rouge, La., native played in 48 career games and closed his time with the Wave with 36 consecutive starts. Smart is set represent Tulane one more time, playing in the 2017 Reese's Senior Bowl on Jan. 28 at Ladd-Peebles Memorial Stadium in Mobile, Ala. He was also extended an invitation to play in the 2017 East-West Shrine Game on Jan. 21 in St. Petersburg, Fla. - Tulane Football

•6th round: 211th overall -- Joshua Dobbs, QB, Tennessee

STRENGTHS: Dobbs is aided by coach Butch Jones' spread attack, but he shows impressive understanding of the offense and where his receivers are, often resorting to second and third targets rather than relying on pre-snap reads. Has a calming presence in the huddle along with mental toughness.

When ready to throw, the ball comes out of Dobbs' hand like a rifle shot with a tight spin that makes it easy for pass-catchers to track. He's especially accurate on in-breaking routes like crossers and posts but also shows the ability to place the ball low and away from defenders on deep-outs, a required throw in every NFL offense.


WEAKNESSES: Displays inconsistent decision-making and erratic ball placement from within the pocket. Has a slight hitch in his delivery and doesn't consistently enough step into his throws, impacting his accuracy.


Even with the additional mass, Dobbs still is relatively thin, especially in his legs, which will raise plenty of concerns about his ability to hold up in the NFL. Further, he often leaves the pocket earlier than necessary because he's such a gifted runner. Must improve ball security, too often holding the ball with just one hand and fumbling a couple of times on tape.

IN OUR VIEW: The lack of consistency will likely keep him from being anything more than a developmental option in the NFL, but his intangibles and physical traits will appeal to some NFL teams.

•7th round: 228th overall (from Buffalo) -- Tashawn Bower, OLB, LSU

•7th round: 246th overall -- Ashton Lampkin, CB, Oklahoma State