2018 RCF NFL Mock Draft

[Soda]

@bigfoot5415 ON THE CLOCK
@raiders91sc on deck
@JDailey23 in the hole

 

[bigfoot5415]

With the 104th pick in the 2018 NFL Mock Draft, the Colts select.....

Bradley Bozeman, Alabama
6'5" 314 lbs.

Outside of addressing offensive weapons, the Colts nab themselves a highly touted prospect for protect the quarterback. Brighter days are ahead for the Colts.

Voted a team captain by his teammates and capped off his second year as the Crimson Tide’s starting center with a College Football Playoff National Championship.

31 career starts as he racked. Selected to the Outland Trophy and Rimington Trophy Preseason Watch Lists . He was the unanimous second team All-American by all five major outlets while also earning second-team honors from Sports Illustrated ... tabbed to the All-SEC first team by the Associated Press while garnering second-team recognition from the conference coaches ... midseason All-American by the Associated Press, Sports Illustrated, ESPN.com, CBSsports.com and TheAthletic.com ... anchored an offensive line that was a finalist for the Joe Moore Award ... helped lead an offensive line that ranked second in the SEC and 13th nationally in rushing with 250.6 yards per game while also ranking second in the SEC and 15th nationally in scoring offense (37.1 ppg) ... the Tide was fourth in the SEC and 29th nationally in total offense (444.1 ypg) ... graded out at an average of 86.2 percent as a senior with 19 knockdown blocks and just eight missed assignments and six mental errors in 866 snaps (98.4 success rate) ... allowed just two sacks all season and only four pressures ... selected as one of the Tide coaching staff’s offensive players of the week against Colorado State and Clemson ... earned SEC Offensive Lineman of the Week recognition from the conference for his play in the game against the Rams ... blocked for six 100-yard rushing games as a senior and 17 in his 31 career starts at center.


@raiders91sc is on the clock

 

[raiders91sc]

With the 105th pick the Chicago Bears select.....

Brendan Mahon PSU OG

 

[sportscoach]

@JDailey23 you are now on the clock!

@AZ_ is on deck

@Snowblind in the hole!

 

[Randolphkeys]

I PMed @JDailey23 yesterday when he was on the clock. If he doesn't make a selection in the next three hours I'll pick for him to move things along.

 

[Randolphkeys]

With the 106th pick the Denver Broncos select:

Kevin Toliver II, Cornerback, LSU
Height 6'2
Weight 192

Why?

The Broncos have addressed quarterback, guard, and linebacker so far. Its a good draft for them so far. The loss of Aqib Talib is still really unaddressed, so selecting a player with his same strengths seems like a good match for round four. Just like Talib, Toliver has a filled out ideal frame for a press corner. Because of some lingering injuries, questions surround Toliver's speed. He elected not to run at the combine or his pro day. Another issue is his history of nagging injuries, especially a shoulder injury from two years ago. Despite all this, his ceiling is a #1 press corner in the NFL with traits you normally don't find on day three.

From NFL.com...

Overview

Toliver was a top-rated recruit who was largely disappointing relative to expectations at LSU. However, his play showed improvement this season and he has the size and physical ability that teams are typically willing to bet on. Toliver lacks premium ball skills but his size and physicality could be a good match for a zone-heavy unit or with a potential move to safety. Toliver's value lies more in his traits than his production and teams will have to weigh his future potential against his past history -- both on and off the field.

Strengths

• 
  
  • Body beautiful with a frame built for football
  • Is well-proportioned with good play strength and top-end speed
  • Intimidating size from press
  • Can take route way off schedule when he gets hands on receivers
  • Man coverage was tighter and more confident than last season
  • Played with improved route anticipation
  • Made plays on 29 percent of throws his way
  • Quick plant-and-drive to the ball from off-man
  • Has size to overwhelm contested catches
  • Not a hungry tackler but is a capable finisher when activated
  • Plays off blocks to find his work
  • Looked comfortable when rolling coverage to safety
  • Cuts off angles and slides laterally for optimal tackle positioning

Weaknesses

• 
  
  • Football character is considered a problem
  • Former coaches fret over his attitude and immaturity
  • Has dealt with suspensions and injury issues during this three years
  • Shoulder has been surgically repaired and re-injured in the past and could be a Combine concern
  • Ball skills and instincts are lacking
  • Slow to get head around to find the ball
  • Uses size to disrupt over hand-eye talent
  • Press balance needs work
  • Forced into catch-up role out of press unless he's able to maul
  • Missing foot quickness to stay connected out of route breaks
  • Below average burst from transitions
  • Doesn't trust technique and will grab when he gets behind

@AZ_ on the clock...

 

[dark2332]

***TRADE ALERT***

The New York Jets and @AZ_ have traded #107 to the Miami Dolphins for #123 and #131


The Dolphins are now on the clock and will be selecting momentarily.

 

[dark2332]

Miami Dolphins
2017 record: 6-10
Head coach: Adam Gase (3rd Year; Record 16-16)
Biggest Team Needs in Order (my take): RB, DT, TE, RT, QB, LB, OG, S, WR



The PICK is IN…

With the 107th selection in the 2018 RCF Mock NFL Draft, the Miami Dolphins select:

Ian Thomas, TE, Indiana University

HEIGHT - 6'4
WEIGHT - 259 lbs
ARMS - 34 1/8”
HANDS - 11 1/2”

40 Yard Dash
4.74 seconds

Vertical Jump
36.0 inches

Broad Jump
123.0 inches

3 Cone Drill
7.15 seconds

20 Yd Shuttle
4.2 seconds


My Take: The Miami depth chart at tight end currently looks like MarQueis Gray, A.J. Derby, and Thomas Duarte. If you just heard 3 wet farts, that's because it's what I wrote.

This is arguable one of the biggest needs we have. A play-maker, a mismatch nightmare, and a pair of sure hands over the middle of the field. 11.5 inch hands, HOLY MATHA FACKA! We (the Dolphins) had the old busted up Thomas (Julius) at tight end, and now we want the young explosive Thomas. This is twice now that we've replaced an old bull with a young calf--having drafted Mo Hurst at #42 to build for the future after cutting Ndamukong Suh.

Ian Thomas has overcome so much in his life, and his humility and perseverance has been a shining example of hard work, dedication, and just continuing to live each and every day. He's loved by his teammates. For those who don't know, he lost his parents at a very young age and spent his life in foster care and being raised by his older brothers and sisters.

At IU, he has continued to develop each year and was a "late bloomer" in Bloomington. He has all the athletic traits you would want in a difference-making tight end with elite size, hands, leaping ability, and explosiveness. He's also improved drastically as a blocker. He's still a little raw, and he's going to need some time before he's a true NFL force. However, in much of the same lines as David Njoku, he's a guy who embraces the work and has the build/strength to improve as a blocker at the next level. As a pass catcher, he's an absolute weapon.

This is the TE of the future, a guy who can still help us in the passing game in 2018. By the time 2019 rolls around, Baker Mayfield will have a big target creating mismatches all over the field. I'm extremely happy to get him here in the 4th, which is why I traded up. He fills a huge need with a guy who has the traits to go in the 2nd round come April 27th.

His size and skill set on Day 3 is hard to come by. He also was very impressive during Senior Bowl week, and he's a guy to watch and root for come Day 2 of the draft.



The Expert's Take (via NFL.com):

Prospect Grade
5.82

Player Bio
Thomas has been without his parents since he was 9 years old, being raised by older siblings throughout most of his school years. His mother, Martha, passed away when an abscessed tooth led to liver and kidney failure. Thomas' father, Earl, died of a heart attack a year later. Thomas finished high school as a three-sport athlete (football, basketball, track) and moved on to Nassau Community College for two years. He was rated the second-best junior college tight end nationally after a solid sophomore season (23 catches, 433 yards, three touchdowns in eight games). Indiana came calling, and he played a minor role, starting once in 13 games played (three catches, 28 yards)

Overview
Thomas reminds me of Jermaine Gresham when he came out of Oklahoma, not the version you see today. Like Gresham, Thomas has the bend and "man strength" to become a successful in-line blocker if he improves his hand placement and grit. His production is lacking due to shorter two-year run at Indiana and a senior season filled with injuries, but it is easy to see NFL ability that just needs coaching and more experience. Thomas is an ascending combination tight end with an ability to become a good NFL starter who can be flexed around the field.

Strengths

• In his building he's known as "humble and focused" and scouts say he loves football
• Athletic frame is well-proportioned and NFL-ready
• Able to gain space from defenders coming out of his turns
• Physical through route contact
• Has speed to threaten seams or stack defender on deep throw outside the numbers
• Hands are good enough
• Believes in fight over flight when the ball is in his hands
• Uses stiff-arm to punish defensive backs who are looking to grab and drag him down
• Possesses good core and lower body strength
• Shows an ability to bend and drive defensive ends into a sealed position
• Blocking got substantially better as season progressed and he was allowed to work more in-line than as a move blocker
• Has ability to sustain and become a very effective blocker from the slot

Weaknesses

• Effort and aggression is missing when asked to come across formation as wham blocker or on split-zone looks
• Hand placement needs work
• Outside hand almost always flies outside the frame of opponent
• Inconsistent sifting and finding targets as move blocker
• Talented but raw
• Appears to count steps in routes slowing his play speed
• Scouts say he needs additional reps
• Routes are rounded and lack a level of misdirection for defenders
• Didn't have to run much of the route tree and will need time to learn it as a pro
• Leaves yardage on the field with his overwhelming desire to punish rather than elude after the catch

NFL Comparison
A young, pre-injuries Jermaine Gresham

Draft Projection
Rounds 2-3

Sources Tell Us
"Everything that staff asked him to do last year he is starting to do this year. It just took him some time. He's really raw but you can see the strength and the hands and the talent." - NFC Director of College Scouting


Highlights




2018 Draft Summary:

#8 – Baker Mayfield, QB, Oklahoma
#42 – Maurice Hurst Jr, DT, Michigan
#107 - Ian Thomas, TE, Indiana



…and the ladies rejoice.

@Snowblind and the New York Football Giants are now ON THE CLOCK.

 

[Snowblind]

With the 108th selection in the 2018 RCF Mock Draft, the New York Giants select...

Duke Dawson, cb, Florida

Reason: The Giants are going to be playing a lot of nickel packages with their new defensive coordinator. After cutting Cromartie in the offseason, the Giants need another corner that can play a role right away. Duke will be a slot corner that could play some free safety and be a good piece to rebuilding the secondary in New York. The secondary success will depend on if Eli Apple is ready to step up and fill in the outside corner role.


Overview
Compact, strong slot corner who can beat up finesse receivers when he's allowed to crowd and disrupt the route release. Dawson can match and blanket underneath, but hip tightness shows up when he's forced to turn and run from a backpedal. Dawson can handle himself in man or zone coverage and is ready to work when run support calls. He has some length and speed limitations, but he has the instincts and cover talent to become a starting nickel cornerback.

Strengths

• Impedes receiver release with patient, mirrored footwork
• High connection rate when jamming from press
• Rarely opens hips before receiver shows his release
• Plays with choppy, fast feet and good acceleration when transitioning
• Football intelligence and instincts are a plus
• Digests route combinations
• Feels breaks and shades early
• Slant stopper
• Attacks high side or trail side to ruin the catch point
• Smothered Christian Kirk from Texas A&M
• Allowed less than 40 percent completion rate in each of the last two seasons
• Head swivels and eyes dart to search for route traffic from zone
• Gritty and competitive in run support
• Looks to step in and stick runners with force

Weaknesses

• Considered an average athlete in scouting circles
• Short strider with hips that are a little tight when opening
• Has issues opening smoothly and staying mirrored with early route stems when playing off
• Can get grabby
• Needs to crowd and keep a hand on his opponent
• Long speed is average
• Gives up some separation to burners
• Short arms stymie opportunities to challenge the catch downfield
• Missed tackles arise from trying to hit over wrap as a tackler

Sources Tell Us

"Good football player. He just has a natural feel for the game no matter where they have lined him up. Florida has had better athletes for sure, but he's going to be an NFL contributor for sure." -- NFC team regional scout

https://www.nfl.com/prospects/duke-dawson?id=32462018-0002-5600-21da-
5c2f1a37df8f


The Giants have addressed needs at QB, LB, OL, RB and CB so far in the draft. Trying to retool the roster to be competitive now and in the future.

1st - Rosen, QB
1st - Evans, LB
2nd - Price, OL
3rd - Johnson, RB
4th - Dawson, CB

@Coyote850 is on the clock

 

[Coyote850]

The Washington Redskins with the 109th pick select RJ McIntosh DT, Miami. Height: 6-4 Weight: 291 lbs

Has the length, height and frame to play on the outside in a 3-4, and the versatility to play either end or 3 technique in a 4-3. The first thing that stands out on tape is his ability to maintain his gaps, with a quick disengage move that makes him very effective against the run. However, has the explosion and power to penetrate gaps from the interior, and the agility and the bend to work off of the edge.

 

[Coyote850]

Oakland - @Phills14 is on the clock.

 

[Phills14]

With the 110th Pick, The Oakland Raiders select

NATHAN SHEPHERD, DT, Fort Hays State​

NATHAN SHEPHERD
Fort Hays State
6036
315 lbs.
rSR.
Ajax, Ontario (J. Clarke Richardson)
10/9/1993 (age 24.6)
#97

BACKGROUND:
A no-star linebacker recruit out of high school, Nathan “Nate” Shepherd was a 205-pound linebacker at J. Clarke Richardson in Ajax, Ontario and signed with Division-II Simon Fraser in British Columbia. He moved to defensive end during his redshirt year and spent the season adding weight to his frame. Shepherd played in nine games on the defensive line as a redshirt freshman in 2012 and posted 20 tackles and 2.5 sacks. Due to financial issues, he left the program and spent the next two years working odd jobs (construction, etc.) and taking community college classes, but his goal was always to return to football. Division-II Fort Hays State showed interest and Shepherd saved up money and moved from Canada to Hays, Kansas, walking on to the football program in 2015. He earned an immediate starting role and recorded 69 tackles, 5.0 tackles for loss and 3.0 sacks, earning Third Team All-MIAA honors. Shepherd started all 12 games as a junior in 2016 and collected 61 tackles, 9.5 tackles for loss, 3.0 sacks and two forced fumbles, earning Second Team All-MIAA honors. He again started all 12 games as a senior and was named the 2017 MIAA Defensive Player of the Year with 38 tackles, 12.5 tackles for loss and 4.0 sacks, earning several First Team All-America honors. Shepherd received an invitation to the 2018 NFLPA Collegiate Bowl, but declined once he received an invite to the 2018 Senior Bowl.

YEAR (GP/GS) TKLS TFL SACK FF PD
2011: Redshirted (Simon Fraser)
2012: (9/0) 20 7.0 2.5 0 1 (Simon Fraser)
2013: Out of football 2014: Out of football
2015: (12/12) 69 5.0 3.0 0 0 (Fort Hays State)
2016: (12/12) 61 9.5 3.0 2 0 (Fort Hays State)
2017: (12/12) 38 12.5 4.0 0 0 (Fort Hays State)
Total: (36/36) 168 27.0 10.0 2 0 (Fort Hays State)

HT WT ARM HAND WING 40-YD 20-YD 10-YD VJ BJ SS 3C BP COMBINE
6036 315 32 3/8 10 1/8 80 1/2 5.09 2.94 1.77 31 09’04” 4.53 7.50 -
PRO DAY N/A (positional drills only)

STRENGTHS: Grown man build with broad shoulders and proportionate thickness…nimble feet and lateral quickness in short-areas…swivel hips with flexibility throughout his core…wriggles forward and stays balanced through congestion…hammer hands and swipes, making it tough for blockers to latch on…uses his aggressive punch to snatch and discard of road blocks…efficiently strings together pass rush moves…relentless hustle and competes with contained violence…two blocked kicks on special teams in his career…added 100+ pounds of good weight to his frame since high school…bet on himself by moving to a different country and walking on, eventually earning a scholarship and graduating with his degree…started every game the past three seasons with improved play each year…team-first mentality and “selfless” according to his defensive coordinator at Fort Hays State, frequently commanding double and triple teams on tape.

WEAKNESSES: Older prospect who was physically superior to his Division-II opponents in college – will turn 25 years old as a NFL rookie…pads rise off the snap and needs to protect his legs…relies on upper body power and effort over technical savvy…inconsistent pass rush plan and tends to make it up as he goes…needs to be a better backfield finisher…inconsistent anticipating blockers and can be washed out of the hole…anchor strength frequently tested…can be late to locate the ball…broke his left hand (second metacarpal spiral fracture) during Senior Bowl practices (Jan. 2018)…inexperienced against top-level competition and never played higher than Division-II.

SUMMARY: A three-year starter at Fort Hays State, Shepherd took a unique journey from high school to NFL prospect, putting together strong senior tape and helping lead FHSU to an undefeated 2017 regular season and MIAA Championship. He lined up primarily over the A-gap in Fort Hays State’s multiple front and served as a block-eater, which didn’t inflate the stat sheet, but he didn’t go unnoticed as an All-American and finalist for the Cliff Harris Award (top non-Division-I defensive player). Shepherd is an extremely active player with the lower body athleticism and upper body power to stay unhinged from blockers and in constant pursuit of the football. He shows a baseline understanding of how to use his hands, but relies more on raw ability than technical know-how, which worked vs. Division-II competition, but won’t in the NFL. Overall, Shepherd is an upfield player who will face an adjustment period as a NFL rookie (not ideal for an older player), but his exciting traits suggest he will bloom into a starter as a rookie or early in year two.

GRADE: 2nd Round (#50 overall)

Why?
The Raiders most pressing need is some interior defensive line help. Shepherd fills a need but he'll take some time to develop. An older players but he's physically ready to compete, he just needs to learn the speed of the game.

 

[sportscoach]

111. LA Rams (from MIA) - @PIP on the clock

112. Cincinnati - @gijimbo on deck

113. Denver (from WAS) - @JDailey23 in the hole!

(stole from page one, so hopefully everything has stayed updated lol @Soda )

 

[PIP]

With the 113th pick in the 2018 draft—the Los Angeles Rams of St Louis select:

Guard: SKYLER PHILLIPS: from THE IDAHO STATE.

“There’s a lot of hype about Nelson but let’s be clear about one thing— I got the best guard in the draft for the Rams” (Colts owner Jim Irsay)

 

[sportscoach]

@gijimbo and pick number 112 are on the clock

(@PIP you didn't trade from pick 111 lol)