On The Clock: 2016 RCF NFL Mock Draft

[CosmoKramer]

With the 85th pick in the RCF Mock Draft the Houston Texans select...

Jerell Adams, TE, South Carolina

My Take:
The Texans fill the biggest hole on the roster with the selection of Adams, a vertical threat at TE this team has lacked in recent years. Current starter C.J. Fiedorowicz is a good in-line blocker, but lacks the recieving skills and wheels to threaten a defense.

In Our View:
Adams finished his career as a Gamecock with 66 receptions for 977 yards and 7 touchdowns, not bad for a player Steve Spurrier thought might play defense. He spent 2011 at Fork Union (VA.) Military Academy before re-signing with the Gamecocks in 2012. Caught 4 passes for 90 yards in his first season and in one start (13 total games) the next season, Adams caught 13 passes for 187 yards and 2 TDs. Caught 21-279-1 as a junior and was the team's second-leading receiver in 2015 with 28 receptions for 421 yards and 3 TDs. Intriguing because of his size, speed and hands. He did not exactly light the SEC on fire and finished with a modest body of work. He compares to Chargers project TE Ladarius Green and could turn into a solid pro on the right environment.

Strengths:

• Long and rangy tight end prospect who runs well.
• He starred as a power forward in high school and still looks the part with his frame and build.
• Adams is deceptively fast for his size because of his long strides.
• He's already tall (6-6) but even a bigger target because of his outstanding length.
• Adams can line up in-line next to a tackle, off-set, or split out.
• He uses his size to his advantage, whether it's putting his body on a defender or showing a large catch radius.
• Solid as a route-runner.

Weaknesses:

• While Adams has good size, especially his height and long arms, he will certainly need to add bulk and strength to his frame to compete in today's NFL.
• He will also need to be more physical at the point of attack in the run game with his blocking.
• Added weight and strength would definitely help him there.
• Also needs to continue to sharpen his route-running skills.
• For a big man Adams runs very well, but added quickness would help.
• At times looks a bit stiff.

@BimboColesHair and the Minnesota Vikings are on the clock.

 

[Surge]

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.

Didn't Oakman have a dong picture floating around he webz?

@The Oi @Randolphkeys

 

[BimboColesHair]

With the 86th pick in the 2016 NFL Draft, the Minnesota Vikings select:

Darian Thompson, S, Boise State


Why: Vikings were heavily linked to another long, rangy S from Boise State in George Iloka during free agency before he re-signed in Cincy, so they might as well take BSU's career leader in INTs, right? If there is one weakness left on the Vikings defense, its whoever the hell they have paired up with Harrison Smith at the safety position. Darian Thompson can add some much needed playmaking from the S opposite of Smith that can allow Smith to be used much closer to the LOS. Thompson needs some coaching up on technique and play recognition, and being a ST player while sitting behind Michael Griffin on a 1 year deal while learning from Mike Zimmer and Jerry Gray as a rookie can only help him in that regard.

Measurements:

Ht: 6'2"
Wt: 208
40: 4.69 (4.58 pro day)
Vert: 32.5"
3 cone: 7.26
Bench: 12 reps

Strengths:

Tall, angular build for the position. Eye-popping interception numbers (19) becoming the all-time leader in Boise State history this season. Soft hands and can make difficult, diving interceptions. Willing to take a chance to undercut throws and will run through receivers catch point to disrupt. Ready hitter with desired physical demeanor to play around line of scrimmage. Willing to sacrifice his body against pulling linemen in order to cave in the edge. Able to bob and weave around traffic and consistently choose the correct lane to find running backs. Saw tackle for loss numbers increase each year and will make his own luck on other side of the line.

Weaknesses:

Instincts and awareness in coverage will scare coaches when they study the tape. Allowed receivers to get way behind him multiple times against BYU. Undisciplined. Seems to lose track of targets around him and can be baited to vacate his deep responsibilities by crossing routes in front of him. Allowed 10 touchdowns over last three years. Needs to play with more technique and less improv. Hip tightness hinders ability to open quickly and run with necessary speed to close separation. Plays tall in space and quick lateral movement and basic change of direction can be a challenge at times. Needs to slow and gather himself when charging downhill to avoid missed tackles.

Bottom Line:

Looks the part and has enough production to warrant a close look, but that close look shows a player with below average man cover skills and a lack of awareness in zone coverage. An even greater concern is that too many big plays were allowed because he busted coverage or failed or to execute. Thompson does his best work near the line of scrimmage and has the frame and demeanor to become a box safety in the league, but it might take time.

@The Hill and the Cincinnati Bengals are on the clock

 

[The Hill]

With the 87th pick in the 2016 NFL Draft, the Cincinnati Bengals select ...

Justin Simmons, FS, Boston College

With the departure of Reggie Nelson, the Cincinatti Bengals are left with George Iloka and Shawn Williams starting at the safety positions. Iloka and Williams are both better suited to play strong safety, so Simmons gives them a young player they can develop at free safety. He also has the ability to play nickel corner, so his positional flexibility is a bonus.

Measurements
Height: 6'2"
Weight: 202 lbs
Arm Length: 32 5/8"
Hands: 9 5/8"
40 time: 4.61 sec
3-Cone: 6.58
Vertical: 40"
Broad Jump: 126"

Overview
Not only is Simmons an all-conference performer for the Eagles, but he's already looking forward to a coaching career after his playing days, working with kids in the Pop Warner program. He might have to wait a while before keeping a whistle around his neck, however, because of his length and versatility. Simmons started off his collegiate career strong, starting seven games as a true freshman (six at free safety, one at cornerback), making 52 tackles, one interception, and four pass breakups. He stepped back a bit as a sophomore (no starts, 34 tackles, three pass break-ups), but got back into the groove in 2014, starting all 13 games, the first six at free safety, final six at cornerback due to injuries at the position. Simmons actually led the team that season with 76 tackles and two interceptions, while breaking up five passes. He capped off his career with a second team all-conference effort in 2015, leading the team with five interceptions as a full-time starter at free safety.

Analysis
Strengths
Effective in "robber" role when called on. Able to process layered routes in front of him and find his fit. Consistent in coverage and reads play development quickly. Has cornerback experience and can handle man coverage against move tight ends and bigger slots. Rangy from center field with length and hands for optimal ball skills and makes plays when he gets there. Will sprint from high to low as soon as he reads run and leverages well to the sideline. Showed improved tackle security from 2014 to 2015. Rarely tries to initiate tackle early. Allowed no broken tackles and just four missed tackles this year. Has talent as a gunner and was used on both punt and kick cover teams.

Weaknesses
Possesses thin, lanky frame that doesn't have much room for additional bulk. Can be dragged for a ride against size when tackling. Hip tightness creates some clunkiness when forced to change directions quickly. Will shut down his deep cover responsibilities prematurely. Becomes spectator rather than participant if he feels like he can’t range to deep balls outside the numbers. As single high safety, can be fooled into over-committing to a side by clever quarterbacks who lead him with false glances.

Bottom Line
Simmons has interceptions against Deshaun Watson, Jacoby Brissett and two against Notre Dame, and was one of the standouts at Shrine Game practices showing off his instincts and ball skills. Despite his thin frame, Simmons tackles with urgency and doesn't lack toughness for the position. With range, length, cover skills and special teams ability Simmons should hear his name called on the third day of the draft and could become an eventual starter.

@WellYouNeednt and the Packers are on the clock.

 

[Triplethreat]

Well that backfired immediately.....

View: https://twitter.com/rapsheet/status/720381276830769152




Redskins are a dumpster fire

 

[Randolphkeys]

We have been jammed up for a day, so I'll jump in for @WellYouNeednt in the next hour if he doesn't post... @MirORich, yinz worsch up and prepare your Stillers.

 

[Randolphkeys]

On behalf of beer and cheese lovers everywhere, The Green Bay Packers select:

Kentrell Brothers ILB - Missou

http://www.nfl.com/draft/2016/profiles/kentrell-brothers?id=2555168

Why Brothers, my brothah?

Despite being only 6 foot and 245 pounds, Brothers is considered a top 100 talent and among the best ILBs after Ragland. He led the nation in tackles per game, and finished amongst the leaders in tackles behind the line of scrimmage at his position. Green Bay needs to move Matthews back to the outside to generate pass rush. The move to the middle was a desperate move last season to stop a leak in the middle of the defense. His weaknesses are questions about how he will fare without a dominant defensive line keeping blockers occupied and his 4.89 speed in the 40 yard dash. The combine changed some opinions about his speed and dropped him to this spot, but he plays faster than his time.

Brothers will compete with second year linebacker Jake Ryan for a starting ILB spot.

@MirORich is up!

 

[kriegs]

Well I drafted Tennessee a hell of a team I guess...

 

[MirORich]

With the 89th pick in the 2016 draft the Pittsburgh Steelers continue the run on safeties and select Jalen Mills from LSU. His draft stock would have been higher if not for the 6 games he missed to start the year recovering from a broken fibula. That's tough right? Instead of missing the whole year with a broken bone, he gets back on the field in the mighty SEC. Some see him as a slot corner, others as a safety, but he has decent coverage skills and excels as a blitzer and Pittsburgh always can use blitzers from the secondary. Adding Mills and Artie Burns(in the 2nd), solidifies the Yinzers secondary for years to come, which they'll need against the all out aerial assault of Jared Goff and the Cleveland Browns.

OVERVIEW
In August, Mills fractured his left fibula (leg) and tore ligaments in his ankle. So he took a redshirt year, right? Wrong. He came back to play in six games, starting the final five at nickelback or safety (30 tackles, sack, three pass breakups). Mills' toughness wasn’t surprising given his strength as a tackler (62 stops in 2014) and the hands to create turnovers consistently (six interceptions in his first three years). LSU is known for the talent in their secondary, but that didn't stop Mills from starting at cornerback as a true freshman (57 tackles, two INT, five PBU) after Tyrann Mathieu was dismissed from the team. Though scouts will love his versatility, they have questions about an arrest for second-degree battery of a woman in the summer of 2014 (the charges were eventually reduced to a misdemeanor and he was assigned to a diversion program).


PRO DAY RESULTS

40-yard dash: 4.48 seconds
ANALYSIS
STRENGTHS
Four-year starter from deep, talented conference. Has slot cover ability. Hips are loose and he's able to open and mirror receivers from press. Uses crisp, controlled footwork out of his transitions. Locates the deep pass and can turn to make plays on the ball. Very aware from zone and handles his responsibilities without many busts. Good blitzer from the slot.
WEAKNESSES
Thin-waisted with a finesse frame.Takes iffy angles to the ball and isn’t as committed in run support as evaluators would like. Was not a productive tackler near the line of scrimmage. Mix and match traits might have him caught between slot corner and free safety. Lacks desired speed to carry vertical threats. Shows some confusion on combo routes.
SOURCES TELL US
"I think he'll be a long-time player in the league because he has pretty good feel in coverage, but I also don't think he's a safety at all. He's a slot corner." -- AFC West scoutBrandt: Official LSU pro day results

@Biw and the Seattle Seahawks are on the clock

 

[Spectre]

@Biw You're up!

 

[Sly]

We're basically done here right? We've hit a wall and I can barely recognize any of the names anymore.

 

[Randolphkeys]

We're basically done here right? We've hit a wall and I can barely recognize any of the names anymore.

No, this is the part where if you want to give your team to someone else who has been reading up on prospects outside of the top 100, go ahead.

 

[Spectre]

We're basically done here right? We've hit a wall and I can barely recognize any of the names anymore.

We have 9 picks to go to finish Day 2. I own two of them and plan on making them both. Full steam ahead!

 

[Walter White]

Can we pretend KC gets their tampering pick back? Thanks.

 

[Sly]

Can we pretend KC gets their tampering pick back? Thanks.