On The Clock: 2017 RCF NFL Mock Draft

With the 64th pick in the RCF Mock Draft the Carolina Panthers select....

Jourdan Lewis, CB, The Little Sisters of the Poor

Rational: The Panthers top two cornerbacks are Captain Munnerlyn and James Bradberry. Not the sexiest of names, but both are serviceable starters. At this point in the draft the Panthers have a semi-need and the BPA on the board (regardless of the terrible school he went to) and couldn't pass up the opportunity. Lewis slips right in as the top nickle corner covering slot WRs as the rest of the CB group on the Panthers leaves much to be desired.

Strengths
Lewis has the foot quickness and fluidity at the line of scrimmage to flip his body and stay hip-to-hip with receivers vertically. He routinely stays in phase in man coverage due to his balance and instincts as the space between him and receivers seems virtually nonexistent. Lewis also boasts quick eyes to locate the football with the aggressive ballskills to attack the catch point, appearing to want the ball more than receivers.

Weaknesses
Although he is a better than expected run defender given his size, Lewis doesn't have the body or power potential ideal for off-coverage. His preference to play tight coverage is what makes him so effective, but it is also what gets him in trouble due to his tendency to grab as he attempts to gain leverage and impede receivers. Lewis has the quickness to recover if receivers push off, but facing bigger NFL receivers will be a much different task.

Bottom Line
Although Lewis might not crack the first round, primarily due to his size limitations, he could wind up being a steal later on day two for a team willing to look past his shorter stature, trusting his intriguing ability to suffocate passing windows.

Panthers Draft:
1st Dalvin Cook
2nd Budda Baker
2nd Jourdan Lewis

@AZ_ is now on the clock

I'm suddenly a lot less enthusiastic about bringing in a Joe Mixon, Dede Westbrook, or even Jourdan Lewis right now...

Everything is seen by the general population through this lens: "Colin Kaepernick can't get a job after donating to meals on wheels, but ________ can get millions after (insert allegation). #NFL"

Soda said:

I'm suddenly a lot less enthusiastic about bringing in a Joe Mixon, Dede Westbrook, or even Jourdan Lewis right now...

Everything is seen by the general population through this lens: "Colin Kaepernick can't get a job after donating to meals on wheels, but ________ can get millions after (insert allegation). #NFL"

Click to expand...

Yeah, but the Browns have nothing to lose. The public opinion of our boys can't get any lower.... give me all the bargain redemption stories late in the draft.

With the 65th pick of the 2017 RCF Mock Draft, the Cleveland Browns select:

KAREEM HUNT - RB - TOLEDO



Sr. Bowl 2016

vs. BYU 2016

vs. App State 2016

vs. Northern Illinois 2016

OVERVIEW
Hunt's 2015 season was one to forget. He was suspended the first two games for violating team rules, then struggled with hamstring and ankle injuries during the course of the year. Somehow, he still covered 973 yards and scored 12 times on 178 carries in just nine games, garnering second-team All-MAC notice. Expectations were high going into that season, however, because he led the MAC in rushing as a sophomore in 2014 (1,631) despite missing three games with an ankle injury. Hunt finished third in the nation with 163 rush yards per game and ended the year with a 271-yard, five-touchdown effort against Arkansas State in the GoDaddy.com Bowl. The first-team All-State pick from Ohio (2,685 yards, 44 TD as a senior) received a fair amount of playing time as a freshman, accumulating 866 yards and six scores. Hunt finished his Toledo career on a high note, garnering first-team All-MAC honors for the second time, rushing for 1,475 yards and ten touchdowns while also racking up 41 catches for 403 yards and a score (all receiving numbers bettered his totals in his first three seasons combined.)

ANALYSIS
STRENGTHS
Compact body with broad frame and muscular legs. Above-average agility for his size. Has hips and feet to elude darting defenders in backfield. Uses effective jump-cut to avoid the sludge and shift to the open gap. Runs with good vision and overall instincts. Presses the line before making back-side cuts. Conforms his run to changing space within running lane. Spin moves are effective against first-look tacklers on second level. Suddenly shifts to bounce an inside run to the perimeter. Strings moves together on outside zone plays. Runs with knee bend and forward lean. Adequate pass catcher for screens and check-downs.

WEAKNESSES
Can elude initial tackle but struggles to accelerate after redirecting his feet. Average explosion traits. Marginal downhill burst through line of scrimmage. Inconsistent inside runner. Gets too cute in the hole when run comes to a close. Looks to spin rather than finish with authority. Needs to run to his size more consistently. Premature in breaking off play-side runs in outside zone. He might not trust his play speed. Slight gear-down into downhill cuts. Could struggle to find chunk runs on next level. Chip "leans" rather than chip blocks allowing open rib shots to go unclaimed.

NFL COMPARISON
Olandis Gary

BOTTOM LINE
Big back with plus vision and enough elusiveness to make the first defender miss. Feel for the rushing lane helps him choose the correct path between the tackles but lacks the burst to turn the 4-yard run into 14. Zone-scheme runner with serviceable hands out of the backfield. Adequate in most areas and has talent to become a backup that can step in and handle a bigger load if needed.

COMBINE STATS

• 40 YARD DASH: 4.62 SEC
• BENCH PRESS: 18 REPS
• VERTICAL JUMP: 36.5 INCH
• BROAD JUMP: 119.0 INCH

With the 66th pick in the 2017 RCF Fake Draft, the San Francisco 49ers select... I want Mixon so badly here but it won't work this high in the Bay... Dammit...

Rasul Douglas, WVU, CB/FS.
HT: 6'2" WT: 209LBS.
ARM LENGTH: 32 3/8"
HANDS: 9 1/4"
40 YARD DASH: 4.59 SEC
BENCH PRESS: 16 REPS
VERTICAL JUMP: 33.5 INCH
BROAD JUMP: 120.0 INCH
3 CONE DRILL: 6.97 SEC

http://www.nfl.com/draft/2017/profiles/rasul-douglas?id=2558168&id=2558168

Strengths
Tall, sporting an angular frame with good overall length. Very aware from zone coverage. Will roll out of his coverage area and overlap in order to make a play. Reads quarterbacks drops and will break early to race ahead of slants and make a play on the throw. Finisher when the ball is there to be had and flashed ball skills of a pro. Plays with strong hands. Able to go up high and win the 50-50 balls and needs very little time to have hands interception-ready. Good recognition of route combinations and will shift from pattern to pattern. Not a physical tackler but gets guys down. Length allows him to catch stray running backs breaking contain.

Weaknesses
Tall corner who plays upright in his pedal, which affects his balance and transition quickness. Very average in his pattern matching and has below average closing burst to the ball. Won't be able to match quick-footed receivers from press coverage. Athletic and coverage limitations could limit his scheme fits. Doesn't have the downfield juice to stick with burners on go routes. Makeup speed is below average. Inconsistent hitter who may lack necessary aggressiveness as tackler to project to safety. Defaults to arm tackles.

WHY?

The 49ers took a risk going with a receiver in the mid-2nd round with a glaring hole in the secondary. I hoped either Quincy Wilson, Cordrea Tankersley, or Rasul Douglas would fall. Jimmy Ward moved from free safety to cornerback last year. Why? Former Browns defensive coordinator Jim O'Neil was left in charge and he's just not very good. While the secondary finished in the league average, the first interception from a cornerback came in week 17. Ward, undersized playing safety at 5'11 and 192, is actually pretty good covering the slot and smaller, shifty receivers. The Niners needed an outside corner, and Rasul Douglas came out of nowhere last season to tie the nation lead in interceptions. Despite his lack of speed, he held quarterbacks to a low passer rating throwing to his side. He will play the size receiver with Ward playing the smaller receivers opposite Tramaine Brock.

Here's an article from PFF on why he was the fastest rising cornerback before a ho-hum combine:

https://www.profootballfocus.com/draft-four-prospects-on-rise-in-2017-nfl-draft-class/

Niners starting defense:

DL: A. Armstead, E. Mitchell, D. Buckner, T. Charlton

LB: A. Brooks, N. Bowman, M. Smith

DB: T. Brock, R. Douglas, J. Ward, E. Reid

Da Bears are on the clock, @CosmoKramer .

...sorry Keys...



With the 67th pick of the 2017 RCF Mock Draft the Chicago Bears select...

Joe Mixon, RB, Oklahoma



HtWt: 6'1'' - 228 lbs.
College: Oklahoma

Pro Day Results:
4.43 40 yard dash
35'' vertical
9'10'' broad jump

Zeke's Pro Day (6'0'', 225 lbs):
4.47 40 yard dash
32.5'' vertical
9'10'' broad jump

My Take:
The Bears struck gold in 2016 5th rounder Jordan Howard (2nd in the league in RuYds as a rookie with 1,313 in only 12 starts) and hope to do so again with former 5-star Joe Mixon at the top of the 3rd.

Mixon is a dynamic runner that can impact the game in a multitude of ways. Apart from being a home run hitter with breakaway speed, he's a major threat in the screen game and also split out wide. Jeremy Langford and Ka'Deem Carey currently split 3rd down duties, but Mixon should immediately take over and has a chance to form one of the league's best 1-2 punches for years to come.




Strengths
Outstanding burst to go from first level to third level. Goes from glide to burst quickly and can hit chunk plays between tackles and around corners. Can go from elusive to banger when he needs to. Will drop the pads and drive through tacklers in short yardage spots. Flashy feet for his size. Can jump-cut around defenders in tight quarters. Smooth hips help him swivel around the second and third levels. Able to show and go leaving linebackers diving as he escapes out of the side door. Strong stiff-arm helps would-be tacklers catch grass stains. Can turn the corner and create a straightaway to the end zone. Was Big 12 leader in percentage of explosive carries (15-plus yards) at 11.9 percent. True three-down back. Devastating pass catching option. Excellent route runner creating immediate separation. Soft hands to make the easy catch and the one-hander. Will step in and square up his blocking responsibilities in pass game.

Weaknesses
Some in scouting community concerned with character beyond his domestic violence incident. Inconsistent as inside runner. Can be too patient at times. Looks for wide-open points of entry before he hits the gas. Can be nonchalant approaching line of scrimmage. Dances downhill allowing running lanes to become creases. Feet lag behind when headed into congestion and will get loose with his rush track inviting tacklers a chance to get a hand on him. Lacks creativity in initial stages of his run at times. Vision is just average. Fails to see backside cuts developing on stretch plays. Hops into his downhill cuts rather than a crisp plant-and-go.

Sources Tell Us
"I'm not going to talk about any character issue because every team has to go through and make their own decisions. As a player, he can play all three downs but he's not going to create for himself like Fournette or Cook. But he can also have an impact on the passing game that they can't have. I see him as a top-40 player. Obviously, he won't go there." -- NFC North area scout

NFL Comparison
Le'Veon Bell

Bottom Line
I've decided to give Joe Mixon a draft grade based on his talent and expected output if given a chance as an NFL running back. His draft slot will likely be impacted by his domestic violence issue. Mixon has the talent to be an every-down, all-day running back with the potential to take over a game on the ground or through the air. Life against weaker Big 12 defenses has created a more relaxed rushing approach for Mixon who will have to play at a faster pace as an NFL back. Mixon's vision is just average and he could struggle to create for himself in front of a subpar offensive line; however, he can play in any rushing scheme and can be moved all over the field as a matchup option.

2017 Bears Draft Class:
3- Jonathan Allen, DE, Alabama
29- DeShaun Watson, QB, Clemson
36- Tim Williams, OLB, Alabama
61- Quincy Wilson, CB, Florida
67- Joe Mixon, RB, Oklahoma

@SuperSurge and the Jacksonville Jaguars are on the clock.

I think this pick is traded to @The Oi as part of the Mitchell Trubidor trade.

Fucking why...they have Jordan Howard...I'm not bitter, I totally didn't want him anyways...

BimboColesHair said:

Fucking why...they have Jordan Howard...I'm not bitter, I totally didn't want him anyways...

Click to expand...

Just to spite you it seems lol

Doesn't Oprah still live in Chicago? Stedman is gonna be puffing his chest a little more around the house. Might even finally get that wedding he wanted. Oh, you bragging on commercials that you can eat pasta again? Not for long woman, meet my new friend Joe.

SuperSurge said:

I think this pick is traded to @The Oi as part of the Mitchell Trubidor trade.

Click to expand...

TRADE:

The Jacksonville Jaguarshave traded Blake Bortles and their 3rd round pick (#68 overall)

To the Houston Texans for Mitchell Trubisky and their 3rd round pick (# 89 overall).




Indeed.

@The Oi is on the cock

How do I know who's available?

I don't know who's been taken in the third. Whoever the best OL or defensive player is here.

Texans take Anthony Walker Linebacker from Northwestern if he's available. They need a linebacker and I saw a website that said they were weak here.

Big skilled fast guy who plays linebacker at Northwestern and looked good at the combine.

The Oi said:

How do I know who's available?

I don't know who's been taken in the third. Whoever the best OL or defensive player is here.

Texans take Anthony Walker Linebacker from Northwestern if he's available. They need a linebacker and I saw a website that said they were weak here.

Big skilled fast guy who plays linebacker at Northwestern and looked good at the combine.

Click to expand...

Yep, still available.

@Soda and the LA Rams are now on the clock.

If it took Jigo 12 hours to figure out he was on the clock, everyone's fucked.

CosmoKramer said:

2017 Bears Draft Class:
3- Jonathan Allen, DE, Alabama
29- DeShaun Watson, QB, Clemson
36- Tim Williams, OLB, Alabama
61- Quincy Wilson, CB, Florida
67- Joe Mixon, RB, Oklahoma

@SuperSurge and the Jacksonville Jaguars are on the clock.

Click to expand...

This Bears draft is crazy sexy.