On The Clock: 2016 RCF NFL Mock Draft

MoFlo said:

Not sure if I'll be able to get on anytime soon today, so feel free to make the selection for the saints, fellas

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Well shit, the kicker's already taken...

kriegs said:

Well shit, the kicker's already taken...

Click to expand...

Go long-snapper. Although I'm sure there's no Pontbriand's in this draft class...

@Soda @Phills14 @CosmoKramer @RyanPontbriand

With the 77th pick, the Philadelphia Eagles select...


Nick Martin, C, Notre Dame

That's right Ron Paul, it sure if happening. It's a reunion!

After taking his teammate Ronnie Stanley with the 8th overall pick of the draft, the Eagles can't resist the temptation to beef up the interior of the line with teammate Nick Martin. The Eagles are focusing their clean-up of the mess Chip Kelly left them in by focusing on a BPA strategy. There are a lot of holes that need filling on the roster, and Martin will help strengthen the interior line. A pro ready center that can come in and start from day 1.

PLAYER OVERVIEW
The younger brother of Dallas Cowboys All-Pro guard and Notre Dame alum Zack Martin, Nick Martin recovered from a season-ending knee injury in November 2013 to turn in 13 starts in 2014 after 10 at center in '13.


He moved back to center as a graduate in 2015 and started all 13 games after being named season-long captain for the second consecutive season.

STRENGTHS WEAKNESSES
STRENGTHS: Solidly-built for the position. Quick set-up off the snap with an assignment sound mindset. Squares well with a balanced base to absorb contact and hold his ground - able to anchor at shallow depth.


Natural lower body flexibility to mirror in short spaces. Very effective on combo blocks, peeling off defenders and picking up rushers. Veteran presence and vision, playing with a high football I.Q. Made all the protection calls and knows how to ID defenders. Two-year team captain with mature leadership traits and intangibles.



Versatile starting experience at both center and guard. Plays through pain with the fortitude for the NFL. Athletic bloodlines.



WEAKNESSES: Ordinary arm length and physical features might limit his versatility in the NFL. Reliable square blocker, but struggles with defenders on his edge and late to recover. Can get caught lunging with his upper body, falling off blocks and ending up out of the play. Not a rangy blocker and needs to improve his reliability as a puller and at the second level. Room to eliminate the unnecessary penalties and play with more discipline. Only had one major injury in college (knee, Nov. 2013), but also played through numerous minor issues over his career so his medical reports are crucial.



Compares To: Alex Mack, Browns: Like Mack, Martin isn't a truly explosive athlete but his functional power, awareness and technique could make him the leader of an offensive line for a decade. Also like Mack, an impressive week at the Senior Bowl could help Martin steadily rise up boards as the draft approaches.


The Saints and @MoFlo are on the board

MoFlo said:

Not sure if I'll be able to get on anytime soon today, so feel free to make the selection for the saints, fellas

Click to expand...

I can pinch hit for you, MoFlo.

With the 78th pick, The New Orleans Saints select...

Christian Westerman, OG, Arizona State



http://www.nfl.com/draft/2016/profiles/christian-westerman?id=2555131
Who dat?!? Who dat?!?

Westerman was a top recruit coming out of high school and played at Auburn for his first two years. He finished his career in his home state of Arizona as a second team All-Pac-12 left guard for the Sun Devils. At 6'3 298 with 33 1/2 in arms, he has a sturdy frame for the interior of the line. Most importantly, he is a quick twitch athlete with plus athleticism. He is known as a workout warrior who lives in the weight room. His technique in pass protection is excellent, coached up well by his father, a three-year starter at guard for Arizona State.

Why another guard? MoFlo just picked the Stanford kid, Keys!

Well, Drew Brees has been taking a lot of hits the past few years. The franchise goes into the draft essentially guardless. Jahri Evans was a solid starter, but he was cut in a financial move. Upgrading the other starting spot, middling Tim Lelito, will be important for keeping Brees upright in his old age. If one of Garnett or Westerman needs another year to develop, Lelito will be a bridge guard. However, Westerman is expected to be NFL ready at left guard with some minor concerns in creating power in the running game while Garnett is expected to make an impact in the running game while tightening up his pass protection. So the two rookies should compliment each other well in rebuilding the Saints line.

@The Wizard of Moz is on the clock!

With the 79th pick, the Philadelphia Eagles select...


Alex Collins, RB, Arkansas

My Take: After beefing up the Oline with the first 2 picks, the Eagles take a workhorse back in Collins who can spend his early career platooning with Ryan Matthews. With Murray on the way out, the Eagles take a back who they eventually hope will surpass Matthews for the lead back role in a committee style offense. With Sproles on the team Collins biggest weakness of receiving out of the backfield is complemented well by his teammate. Should be able to be the red zone vulture in the backfield from day 1.

OVERVIEW
It didn't take long for Collins, one of the most highly recruited high school running backs in the country, to make his mark for the Razorbacks. In fact, he was the first true freshman to start his career with three 100-yard performances since Adrian Peterson in 2004. Even though he shared carries with Jonathan Williams in his first two years on campus, Collins rolled up more than 1,000 yards each year (1,026 with 4 TD in 2013, 1,100 with 12 TD in 2014), joining Darren McFadden as the only Arkansas backs to accomplish that feat. With Williams out with an injury in 2015, Collins's carries increased from 204 in 2014 to 271 in 2015 as did his production (1,577 yards, 20 TD). He earned second team All-SEC honors in his final year, finishing behind Heisman Trophy winner Derrick Henry (Alabama) and Leonard Fournette (LSU). One of the toughest runners in college football, Collins made the jump to the NFL after his junior year.


STRENGTHS
Well-built, durable frame with feet from a windup toy. Plays with amazingly consistent and repetitive tempo as a runner. Able to weave in, out and around traffic without breaking his speed or tempo. Has foot quickness and agility to avoid the backfield traffic and the instant acceleration to get the run back underway. Patient and probing while waiting for a crease. Pad level and knee bend are outstanding. Keeps shoulders square to the line and stays low and tight through the hole. Excellent vision on the interior and consistently jukes and sidesteps tackle attempts to create additional yardage. Touchdown hog. Plated 32 rushing touchdowns over last three years. Runs with consistent forward lean and always falls forward.

WEAKNESSES
One speed runner. Doesn't play with natural one-cut stride length and everything comes off stutter-stepping, choppy strides. Feel for outside runs is off. Breaks runs back inside prematurely that still have life along their original track. Can't generate enough momentum through contact acceleration to be a tackle breaker. Credited with just five broken tackles over his last 475 carries. Unproven as pass catcher and inconsistent in squaring up his pass protection responsibilities. Has 17 career fumbles with nine lost.

SOURCES TELL US
"Last year I thought Jonathan Williams was the better back, but Collins changed my mind this year. He's not special but he's solid. I think he's probably a third-rounder." -- SEC area scout

NFL COMPARISON
Chris Ivory

BOTTOM LINE
Collins is the epitome of consistency rushing for over 1,000 yards and at least 5.4 yards per carry in each of his three seasons. Vision and footwork are the catalysts for his elusiveness and he has flashed long speed. Collins is a repetitive runner lacking dynamic talent, but he's run in gap, power and zone schemes and should be a scheme fit for most teams looking at running back. Collins should be able to step right in and challenge for carries and red zone work immediately.

@TheLand1287 is on the clock

With the 80th pick in the draft the San Francisco 49ers select...

Kamaeli Correa, DE/OLB, Boise State



THE RATIONALE
This was the pick acquired from trading Colin Kaepernick. Niners need pass rushers (and everything else). After a terrific pro day he's a potential 1st round pick still chillin in the 3rd.

OVERVIEW
For three straight years, a member of the Boise State Broncos has left school early for the NFL Draft. Correa follows defensive end Demarcus Lawrence (picked by Dallas in the second round of the 2014 draft) and running back Jay Ajayi (fifth round, Miami, 2015). This year's early entrant is Correa, native of Honolulu, Hawai'i. He earned second-team All-Mountain West accolades in 2015, leading the Broncos with 11 tackles for loss and seven sacks on the year. Two of those sacks came in his last game with the Broncos, a win over Northern Illinois in the Poinsettia Bowl. Those numbers were actually down from Correa's sophomore year stats, when he was named first team all-conference after leading the Mountain West with 12 sacks and finishing third with 19 tackles for loss. In his true freshman year, 2013, he played in every game as a reserve (12 tackles, 1.5 tackles for loss, sack).


PRO DAY RESULTS
Height: 6'3"
Weight: 243 pounds
Vertical: 34 inches
Broad jump: 9 feet, 9 inches
Short shuttle: 4.18 seconds
3-cone: 6.96 seconds

ANALYSIS

STRENGTHS
Well-built and twitched up. Has see ball, get ball traits to work with. Rarely fooled by backside bootlegs or reverses. Unleashed his impressive long speed and pursuit motor to run down a Utah State running back 51 yards down the field. Tackle finisher when he launches into target. Logged 19 sacks and five forced fumbles over last two seasons. As pass rusher, has explosion potential to create some edge panic with NFL coaching. Has second gear to chase from sideline to sideline.

WEAKNESSES
Seems to be more focused on getting out of the blocks quickly rather than gaining ground upfield as a rusher. Hand usage is inconsistent and unrefined. Doesn't use hands as weapons of victory often enough at the top of his rush. As NFL edge player, will have to play with more jolt and power in his punch. Play strength is just average. Lacks feel for down blocks and cracks and can be pinned down too easily. Will come flying to the ball at full speed and overrun the tackle.


BOTTOM LINE
Correa will likely transition into a full-time 3-4 outside linebacker as a pro. While he doesn't have as much play strength as expected and is still raw as a pass rusher, NFL teams will be attracted by his quick-twitch athleticism and moldable traits as a pass rusher. The tape says Day 3 of the draft, but the upside could get him called earlier. He might require patience as there is still work to be done for Correa.



The Atlanta Falcons and @MGMT are on the clock

Updated list...gonna add some guys soon

54 Kentrell Brothers ILB2 Missouri rSr 6-0 245
62 Kenneth Dixon RB4 Louisiana Tech Sr 5-10 215
67 Jalen Mills FS2 LSU Sr 6-0 191
68 Carl Nassib DE9 Penn State rSr 6-7 277
71* Christian Hackenberg QB5 Penn State Jr 6-4 223
77 Charles Tapper DE10 Oklahoma Sr 6-3 271
79 Will Redmond CB8 Mississippi State Sr5-11 182
82* Dominique Alexander ILB3 Oklahoma Jr 6-0 232
85 Sebastian Tretola OG6 Arkansas rSr 6-4 314
87 Maurice Canady CB9 Virginia Sr 6-1 193
88 John Theus OT10 Georgia Sr 6-6 313
89* T.J. Green FS3 Clemson Jr 6-2 209
91 Jonathan Williams RB7 Arkansas Sr 5-11 220
94* Kenny Lawler WR12 California rJr 6-2 203
95 Deion Jones OLB9 LSU Sr 6-1 222
96* Zack Sanchez CB10 Oklahoma rJr 5-11 185
97 Darian Thompson FS4 Boise State rSr 6-2 208
98 Jordan Payton WR13 UCLA Sr 6-1 207
99 Kyle Murphy OT11 Stanford Sr 6-6 305
100 Cyrus Jones CB11 Alabama Sr 5-10 197

With the 81st pick in the 2016 NFL draft, the Atlanta Falcons select:

Landon Turner, offensive guard, North Carolina.

Matt Ryan didn't seem to have many opportunities to step in the pocket, and Atlanta's little underrated group of running backs need better blocking if the offense is going to run a bit smoother.

My Take
The Colts can help the running game to go along with the offensive line overhaul that took place in the first two rounds of the draft. I was debating on selecting a linebacker at this spot to pair with new DC Ted Monachino (Former Ravens LB coach) but decided to go with Howard. Howard is a bit of a "boom or bust" pick based on his running style. He's the type of back that looks for contact which is great for getting tough yards but can also become injury prone based on the hits that he receives. Colts fans can expect Howard to be the feature back for the upcoming season. If the running game gets it going, it opens up the passing game making the Colts a formidable force on offense.

Strengths
Showed ability to step his game up against top competition at both UAB and Indiana. Rushed for at least 145 yards in every full game he played. Natural runner who combines tempo with a special feel for spacial relationships. Pro-ready vision gives him outstanding feel for run lane developments at the line of scrimmage and onto the second level. Consistently chooses best angles and creases for optimal yardage. For a big back, can make himself skinny through tight quarters. Decisive and punishing. Drops pads and accelerates into contact to batter would-be tacklers on the second and third levels. Drives legs through arm tackles and goes about his work. Hard-charging when it’s third- or fourth-and-short. Showed potential in screen game as receiver.

Weaknesses
Doesn't have sudden one-cut ability and has to tap brakes to hit it downhill on outside zone runs. One-speed runner. Can be chased down by backside sprinters before getting to the second level. Takes big hits due to bruising running style. Scouts concerned about ability to stay healthy. Missed four games and parts of three others with knee and ankle injuries. Upright pads and narrow base leads to slips and balance issues when trying to make sharp cuts. Rarely factored into passing game at UAB or Indiana.

Sources Tell Us
"I just started watching him today and I know why you like him, but he's what I call a 'sack of potatoes' back. He's going to keep getting dropped like a sack of potatoes in this league with that running style." -- NFC running backs coach

NFL Comparison
Arian Foster

Bottom Line
Howard has the optimal size and talent needed to strap the pads on and become a productive workhorse for a team looking for one, true lead back. Howard's vision, power and subtle shiftiness allow him to create and break tackles along the way. Staying healthy in the NFL is a legitimate concern for Howard considering his relentless running style. If he can stay healthy, Howard has the ability to become an instant factor as an NFL starter.


@MoFlo and the New York Jets are on the clock.

I apologize, fellas, I thought I'd be able to get on for longer, but I was barely able to get on to write this. I won't be able to get on to look at who's been taken, etc, for a couple hours yet, so @Randolphkeys or @Soda , feel free to make the pick to keep it moving.

Miami is trying to trade in to the end of the 3rd round.

107 and 147 is a standing offer for the pick.

It would be contingent on a player being there.

PM if you have interest.

The Jets select TE Nick Vannett from THE Ohio State University..

Now have to get to the game preview for tomorrow.

Sorry again for the hold up, fellas.

@Triplethreat and Washington is on the clock, by the way..

The Washington Redskins select Shawn Oakman, DE, Baylor.




Skins continue to boast their biggest weakness on the defensive side of the ball, and take a flier on an absolute freak of an athlete. High upside here if the technique can be instilled. Redskins quietly building a scary defensive front.....

P.S. Rape? What Rape?

@CosmoKramer and the Houston Texans now on the clock.

@MoFlo if you want me to take a team, just let me know. Same goes for everyone else: I don't take a team initially because people tend to lose interest and I fill in.