2018 RCF NFL Mock Draft

[Amherstcavsfan]

The Detroit Lions select Poona Ford, DT, Texas

The Lions continue to beef up their interior defensive line. While short, Ford has been productive and has very good mesurables.

The Baltimore Ravens and @WellYouNeednt is up!

 

[Soda]

154. Baltimore - @WellYouNeednt
155. LA Chargers - @Triplethreat
156. Philadelphia (from SEA) - @Easybreezy
157. NY Jets (from DAL) - @AZ_
158. Cincinnati (from BUF) - @gijimbo

 

[Randolphkeys]

I've already sent a PM to @WellYouNeednt this morning. If he doesn't pick in the next half hour I will pick on his behalf.

 

[Randolphkeys]

The Baltimore Ravens select, from Sydney, Australia... 6'3, 205 pounds...

Michael "The Punter" Dickson
Texas

https://www.profootballfocus.com/news/draft-michael-dickson-punter-extraordinaire

Dickson led the nation in a number of categories in 2017, including an average of 44.2 net yards per punt, a full 1.6 yards higher than Texas A&M’s Shane Tripucka in second place among all punters to play in at least 10 games this past season. His 47.5 yards per punt also ranked at the top, while his 42 punts inside the 20-yard line were five more than any other punter this season.

Dickson was also named as the Texas Bowl MVP after an 11-punt game in which he knocked a massive 10 punts inside the opponent’s 20-yard line. A performance reminiscent of Graham Gano’s MVP winning performance as both a kicker and a punter in the Champ’s Sports Bowl victory in 2008 for Florida State over Wisconsin.

Where Dickson really separates himself though is in his PFF grade, and his 2017 performance was a new record for our college grading, by a considerable margin. Special teams in college are much more primitive than in the NFL and we often see players with great raw tools massively improving grade wise with NFL coaching. That is great news for the team that drafts Dickson, or brings him in as an undrafted free agent, because his base level is far higher than anyone to come along in the past four years – he’s basically the Aaron Donald of college punters.

The Los Angeles Chargers and @Triplethreat are on the clock, @Easybreezy getting prepped.

 

[sportscoach]

@Triplethreat you will be getting the next punter on the board shortly so make a pick unless you want one lol

 

[Triplethreat]

The Los Angeles Chargers select James Looney, CAL


Overview

Looney's quickness and disruptive qualities were on full display in 2016, but he was much easier to block in 2017. He lacks the size and strength to play inside and it appears as though adding functional weight on his frame is a non-starter. Looney will likely need to improve his lean muscle mass and try to transition into a role as a base 4-3 end who might be able to reduce inside as a situational pass rusher in sub-packages.
Strengths

• Watched and learned from his brother, Joe, who was an offensive lineman drafted in the fourth round in 2012
• Known for infectious personality and hard-charging style
• Instincts are good
• Able to sync-up with lateral movements of blockers to penetrate and disrupt
• Shows ability to corner sharply and flatten to the ball after getting past blockers
• Athletic in space with ability to chase down screens or help finish as a clean-up tackler on the perimeter
• Uses quick hands and feet in union to challenge a blockers edge
• Possesses decent spin move as rusher inside
• Quick arm-over move can launch him past guards into the backfield for a quick win
• Initial quickness and loose upper body make it difficult to trap him

Weaknesses

• High-cut with thin calves for interior player
• Doesn't have frame to carry necessary mass for interior lineman
• On skates when true power comes rolling downhill against him
• Gave ground too frequently to power this season
• His 2016 tape and production was much better than 2017
• Looked out of place in Cal's 4i alignment
• Pops up too tall early in the rep
• Poor pad level makes it challenging to maintain functional balance against redirect blocks
• Hands are faster than strong
• Sets himself up to disengage from blocks, but doesn't have the strength to shed them consistently
• May not have a true position fit

Sources Tell Us

"Really disappointed by what I saw this year when I went in. I know we talked this summer about how teams would try and find a role for him because of his talent, but he just didn't play as well. He was light last year and even lighter this year.”

 

[AZ_]

With the 157th pick of the RCF Mock Draft, the NEW YORK JETS select:

Ito Smith - RB - Southern Miss

5’9 - 195 lbs

Other picks:

1 (6) Quentin Nelson - OL - Notre Dame
2 (36) Jaire Alexander - CB - Louisville
2 (49) Tyrell Crosby - OL - Oregon
3 (80) Jeff Holland - EDGE - Auburn
3 (98) Kylie Fitts - EDGE - Utah
4 (121) - Dalton Schultz - TE - Stanford
4 (131) - Christian LaCouture - DL - LSU


Player Bio

Romarius Ito Smith was Mobile's Offensive Player of the Year as a high school senior, rushing for 1,803 yards and 24 touchdowns, to go along with 27 catches, 383 yards and five touchdowns receiving. Southern Miss coaches didn't take long to plug him into the lineup as he started six of 12 games as a true freshman (136 carries, 536 yards, two touchdowns rushing; eight catches, 76 receiving yards; 10 kick returns, 223 yards), though his four fumbles limited his effectiveness at times. Smith led the team in rushing for the first of three straight seasons in 2015, covering 1,128 yards and scoring 10 times on 171 carries while becoming a major part of the passing game (49 catches, 515 yards, three touchdowns) and returning kicks (11 returns for 233 yards). He started all 13 games as a junior, toting the ball 265 times for 1,459 yards and 17 touchdowns while catching 43 passes for 459 yards and two scores. Conference USA coaches voted him first-team all-conference in 2017 after he started all 13 games, carrying the ball 248 times for 1,415 yards, and 13 touchdowns. He snared 40 receptions for 396 yards and two scores, as well.

Overview

Undersized workhorse with 940 career touches and 49 career touchdowns. For all of his production on the ground, Smith lacks the explosive qualities of a slasher. Smith's lack of size and burst could hinder his chances as a running back, but his talents as a pass-catcher could keep him alive in a camp.
Strengths

• Runs with good bend staying low to the ground as he makes his way through traffic
• Stays tucked behind blockers until the time in right on stretch plays
• Runs with little wasted motion
• Has one-cut ability
• Vision is decent
• Stronger in lower body than expected for a small back
• Leaned on as a pass-catching option
• Averaged 10.5 yards per catch over the last three years
• Hands are natural
• Runs mostly angle routes and flats, but usually gets good separation out of his breaks

Weaknesses

• Carries small frame
• Doesn't often fall forward through contact
• Footwork is overly deliberate when gearing down and cutting
• Doesn't run with necessary suddenness for next level
• Burst gear is below average
• Has to play with quicker pace to stay ahead of NFL pursuit
• His runs feature too much thinking and not enough reacting
• Not as functionally elusive as he needs to be for a small runner

 

[sportscoach]

@Easybreezy you are on the clock technically before @AZ_ since you have pick 156 lol

 

[BlessEm]

With the #156 pick in the 2018 RCF mock draft..... the Philadelphia Eagles select...

Andrew Brown. Virginia . DL

Height: 6'4. Weight: 296lbs

Draft Projection
Rounds 4-5

Overview
Brown has decent NFL and plays as hard as anyone could want, but he doesn't have a resume filled with high impact plays because of his lack of explosiveness and overall quickness. Brown doesn't have the rush talent to stick at defensive end unless he does so in a 3-4 front. His weight gain up to 296 pounds at the Combine shows that he understands his living will likely be made as a high-energy, interior defender with the potential to disrupt.
Strengths

• Times up the snap and has an rabid get-off with every part of his body engaged and attacking
• Able to shoot gaps or get into blockers first
• Plays with forward lean and generates some momentum after snap
• Looks to defeat reach blocks with energy and upper body strength
• Won't just sit on blocks
• Actively fights and claws to free himself and join in the chase
• Hands have some heavy in them
• Able to create adequate pocket push as bull rusher
• Urgent motor keeps his play speed high and his pursuit unending
• Hard work leads to tackles
• Size gives him some position flexibility

Weaknesses

• Slow-twitch player with heavy legs
• When moving laterally, upper body is way out in front of his slow feet. Plays too straight legged when battling at point of attack
• Strong forward charge makes him much easier to cut
• Missing burst ability to close down run lanes from the backside when unblocked
• Much of his production comes from slants rather than point of attack wins
• Hands lack quickness and skill
• Offers very little as a pass rusher
• Face-up rusher who is easy to find and can't flip his hips around the edge

Sources Tell Us

"Great football character and he goes hard all the time. I think he has a chance to be a good pro because he'll play inside full time and he's got some quickness to beat guards." - NFC area scout

@gijimbo is on the clock.

 

[gijimbo]

The Bengals select:

RB Joshua Adams - Notre Dame

@Phills14 is up!

 

[Soda]

159. Oakland (from NE) - @Phills14
160. Denver (from LAR) - @JDailey23
161. Carolina - @CBBI
162. Tennessee - @Dog
163. Washington (from DEN) - @Coyote850

 

[sportscoach]

@Phills14, @Randolphkeys is more than willing to draft you a punter! I am sure he’s got his punter list all setup for peeps who don’t pick! Let’s get this baby finished before the draft!

 

[Phills14]

With the 159th Pick in the RCF NFL Mock Draft the Oakland Raiders Select...

Kyle Lauletta, QB, Richmond

Player Bio
One of the top FCS quarterbacks in the country carries a strong football genetics background. His father, Joe, was a quarterback at Navy in the 1980's, and his older brother, Trey, played center at Bucknell. Lauletta's grandfather played football at Delaware, and his uncle played for Navy. He was a two-time All-Southeastern pick in high school but did not end up at a major program. Lauletta played in four games as a reserve for the Spiders in 2013 and then redshirted the following year. The next two seasons he was a second-team All-Colonial Athletic Association selection in 2015 (61.6 completion pct., 3,598 yards, 19 TD, 15 INT; seven rushing TD) and 2016 (63.0 completion pct., 3,022 yards, 24 TD, eight INT), starting all 25 games in those seasons. Richmond had a marginal 6-5 campaign in 2017, but Lauletta showed accuracy and mobility that intrigued scouts (64.9 completion pct., 3,737 yards, 28 TD, 12 INT).

Overview
Lauletta has decent accuracy and mechanics to work with, but his lack of NFL arm strength will limit the number of teams who are willing to consider him. Lauletta's interceptions come due to arm issues rather than decision-making and that may not be correctable in the pros due to the increase in play speed that he will see in NFL secondaries.

Strengths

• Heralded by scouts as team leader and elected team captain twice
• Production saw major spike over the last two seasons
• Uses eyes to move linebackers out of his passing lanes on slants and curls
• Won't automatically dump throws down to backs
• Willing to let route combinations progress while climbing and sliding away from heat
• Has experience from shotgun, pistol and under center
• Footwork is smooth in play-action and setup
• Comfortable throwing on the move
• Gets it out early on timing throws
• Spins a tight spiral
• Able to throw accurately to intermediate targets on the move

Weaknesses

• Arm strength is a substantial concern
• Uses excessive trajectory to get additional distance on deep throws
• Pop fly throws allow safeties time to park under the long ball and make plays
• Can't make all the NFL throws
• Ball doesn't come off hand with much velocity
• Will ignore safety movement and throw into double teams at times
• Perception of pressure can affect him
• Will drop eyes and start looking for an exit strategy
• Feet start dancing nervously when his internal clock goes off
• May not have the mobility to be effective scrambler on next level

Why?
Oakland snags a solid prospect to be Derek Carr's backup in Oakland. Lauletta is an experienced starter at the college level and has seen his production increase over the last 2 years. He has a good feel for the game, is a good leader and knows how to be a QB both on the field and in the locker room. His arm strength is a problem but as a backup QB, you want a guy who can come in and run the offense effectively, Lauletta can do that. Plus Oakland has Connor Cook on the roster and it's time to move on from him to find a new young backup.

Oakland's Draft Thus Far:
1-10 (10): Roquan Smith, LB, Georgia
2-9 (41): Ronald Jones II, RB, USC
3-11 (75): Lorenzo Carter, OLB, Georgia
4-10 (110): Nathan Shepard, DT, Fort Hayes State
5-22 (159): Kyle Lauletta, QB, Richmond

 

[Phills14]

@JDailey23 is up
@CBBI
@Dog
@Coyote850

 

[Randolphkeys]

JDailey tapped out. I'll finish this thing for him.

The Denver Broncos select:

Mark Walton, RB, Miami
Height 5'10, Weight 188
40 Yard Dash 4.6 however his rehab isnt over yet.
Bench press 18 reps

Why?

Since the draft began, CJ Anderson was cut. That leaves Devontae Booker and veteran Jamaal Charles as leaders of the running back by committee. Walton can be a part of that committee while it appears the real life Broncos have changed priorities at the top of the draft. He had a college career like fellow Hurricane Frank Gore where injuries limited his production, but a team might gamble that his best football is in front of him.

Overview

Walton is a fluid combo back with the ability to compete for committee carries and third down snaps. His 2016 tape gives a better indication of his quickness since he was nursing an ankle injury for much of the time he played this year. His indecisiveness as an interior runner should be taken into account when offensive coordinators decide to use him. Walton has the ability to become a solid backup who can handle a heavier touch load over smaller stretches if needed.
Strengths

• Short but stout
• Has thick, powerful lower body
• Runs with knee bend and balance
• Loose hips can rotate to find sharp cutback opportunities
• Finds yardage for himself when blocking isn't there
• More decisive and confident when working from dotted "I"
• Able to hug run lane tight when needed
• Good acceleration to the corner
• Touchdown maker
• Drops pads and gets forward lean into first contact
• Effective attacking linebackers out of backfield
• Makes initial tackle attempts miss and has burst to turn a short catch into a chunk play
• Good ball tracker on wheel routes
• Hands are sticky like a wideout
• Will stick a stiff shoulder into chip blocks and is willing to stand in against blitzers
• Didn't fumble over his last 274 carries

Weaknesses

• Way too much dancing as off-set back
• Shows distrust of the blocking plan and will void the rush track early
• Takes long looks for clear point of entry rather than finding the crease
• Vision and decisiveness as inside runner are below average
• Big runs come from bouncing wide
• Run strength is average
• Uses gather step pre-cut rather than plant-and-go delaying downhill burst
• Long-strider for a short back
• Not overly explosive on lateral jump cuts
• Coming off of season-ending ankle surgery