On The Clock: 2017 RCF NFL Mock Draft

[Surge]

Jacksonville has the 4th pick and is listening to offers to move back a little.

 

[The Oi]

Jacksonville has the 4th pick and is listening to offers to move back a little.

How many 5ths do I have over the next few years?

 

[CosmoKramer]

With the 3rd pick of the 2017 RCF Mock Draft the Chicago Bears select...



Jonathan Allen, DE, Alabama

HtWt: 6'3'' - 286 lbs.
College: Alabama
ESPN Rank: #2 - 94/100 grade
NFLN Rank: #3 - 6.8 grade
CBS Rank: #3

My Take:
The Bears go BPA and take the best DL on the board, grabbing the nation's most productive pass rusher per snap the last two years.

Apart from not having prototypical length for the position Allen checks off everything else you'd want in an interior lineman. Power, explosion, quickness, hand placement- he's a complete player that could have been an early pick in the 2016 draft.

Allen will immediately slide into the five technique over Mitch Unrein, giving the Bears the dynamic interior rusher they need next to Akiem Hicks and Eddie Goldman.

Strengths

• Thick, powerful frame, well-built for two-gapping scheme
• Flashes a good first step at times
• Can convert speed-to-power when his get-off is on point
• Good hand placement to power through lineman’s chest
• Strong hands to keep blockers off his frame and swat punches
• Nice rip move to dip under lineman’s punch and get skinny through gaps
• Will grip-and-rip past interior offensive linemen
• Holds the point of attack well vs. the run
• Stout lower half keeps offensive linemen from pushing him around
• Establishes leverage as a run defender and pass rusher
• Can push the pocket consistently
• Offers scheme versatility, can play five technique in an odd front, or inside on even front or sub-packages
• Strong read-and-diagnose skills against the run
• Doesn’t take false steps vs misdirections
• Assignment sound at all times
• Great motor

Weaknesses

• Lacks ideal length, elbows can get hinged on contact and lose control of blocker
• Consistently struggles to adequately time up his get-off with the snap
• Not a twitched-up explosive player
• Short, choppy strides to close on the ball
• Average athlete with minimal short area quickness and lateral fluidity
• Doesn’t have the speed to make plays to the boundary
• Doesn’t always keep pads square to LOS
• Struggles to make stops in space
• Lack of bend/flexibility off the edge will likely force him into an interior role

Player Comparison: Aaron Donald
Some have compared Allen to Ndamukong Suh, which I think that is a fair comparison as well. I went with Donald because Donald and Allen are very similar in size and both are tremendous interior pass-rushers. Each was very consistent in college at getting to the quarterback with an excellent combination of strength and speed. Allen is also good off the field, like Donald, where as Suh can be selfish and bad news in the locker room. In the NFL, I think Allen will be a defensive lineman similar to Donald.
Read more at http://walterfootball.com/scoutingreport2017jallen.php#gTOCScKHto8a5Fes.99

@SuperSurge and the Jacksonville Jaguars are on the clock.

 

[Surge]

With the 4th pick in the draft, the Jacksonville Jaguars select:

Leonard Fournette, RB, LSU

(At work, so here in the NFL.com overview)

The Jaguars have discussed adding talent around Blake Bortles, but aside from trading for Branden Albert, they haven't done that this offseason. They signed a bunch of high-priced defensive players, but they've barely touched their offense. Perhaps that's a sign of the direction they intend on going with the No. 4 overall pick in the 2017 NFL Draft.

Overview
It was pretty clear that Fournette was going to be a star in college after he dominated at the high school level in New Orleans. The No. 1 overall recruit and USA Today National High School Offensive Player of the Year chose to stay in-state, and he made his mark in his three years at LSU. Fournette led the SEC in all-purpose yards as a true freshman (137.4 per game, including 1,034 rushing yards, 625 on kickoff returns). He followed that up with by nearly clearing the 2,000-yard mark (1,953) and scoring 22 rushing touchdowns in a consensus All-American sophomore campaign. Unfortunately, his junior season did not go as planned, as a pre-season ankle injury was aggravated multiple times during the year, limiting his playing time to just seven games (he chose not to play in the team's bowl game to prepare himself for the pre-draft evaluation process). That seventh game shouldn't have happened, but a pre-game brawl against Florida pushed him to play hurt. Regardless of the injury, he received second-team All-SEC honors with five 100-yard games and a 287-yard, three-touchdown effort against Ole Miss.


COMBINE STATS
40 YARD DASH: 4.51 SEC
VERTICAL JUMP: 28.5 INCH

ANALYSIS
Strengths
Full-on, grown man with outstanding definition throughout his body. Built like a linebacker with speed like a receiver. Long, powerful strides get speedy turnover. Click and go runner who hits his second gear faster than most big backs you'll ever see. Able to accelerate and scream around the corner for chunk runs against linebackers lacking speed or urgency to the edge. Powerful hips and thighs shake defenders right off. Tacklers better bring full force and technique. Always the hammer and never the nail. Violent finisher looking to intimidate run-support safeties with crushing blows behind lower pads. Runs feet through any and all contact. Has balance and power to plow through tackle attempts on an angle. Punishing stiff arms go viral. Has experience running from two-back, single-back and off-set looks. Hands are adequate in passing game. Can create for himself with power and speed. Wins in short-yardage and goal-line situations.

Weaknesses
Doesn't make many defenders miss with open field shake. Aggressive, take-on style could lead to shortened career. Struggles to elude sudden traffic at line of scrimmage. Lacks looseness of hips to jump-cut from gap to gap. Struggled with a bad ankle for most of the season. Plays through a straw. Excitable runner in need of more patience. Too quick to hit the accelerator and slam into defenders when there are still cuts and yards left in the play. Runs to obvious daylight but needs to learn to anticipate and finesse the crease in traffic. Doesn't see cutback lanes developing as outside zone runner and prefers to keep runs play-side. Throws half-hearted, grazing shoulder as chip blocker. Pass protection and routes need extensive work.

Sources Tell Us
"I can't wait to see how the draft guys pick at Fournette and tell everyone what he doesn't do right. He was healthy last year and that is what you are going to get. Big, fast and dominant." -- NFC director of scouting

NFL Comparison
Bo Jackson

Bottom Line
High-end talent with rare blend of size, speed and power. Comparisons to Adrian Peterson feel lofty, but from a physical standpoint, he's there. Fournette doesn't have the wiggle to make defenders miss and his vision can be iffy. However, if your run fits and tackling aren't sound, he can take it the distance in an instant. May have durability concerns due to physical running style, but has All-Pro potential.

The @The Wizard of Moz. and the Tennessee Titans are on the clock.

 

[Randolphkeys]

I just read an article that Denver will make a strong push for Romo, leaving Houston to choose between Cutler and RG3. That Houston/Niners trade is absolutely looking realistic.

 

[Triplethreat]

I just read an article that Denver will make a strong push for Romo, leaving Houston to choose between Cutler and RG3. That Houston/Niners trade is absolutely looking realistic.

You're really pushing here.

 

[Soda]

Paging @The Wizard of Moz.... Top-10 foot-dragging really grinds my gears!

 

[The Wizard of Moz]

Wew doggy didn't get a tag notification

Titans offense could really use a reliable #1 WR, but the defense also needs a good bit of help in the secondary and I simply can't pass on Jamal Adams

Also borrowing from NFL.com because Soda is yelling at me and I don't want to hold up the draft!

With the 5th pick of the 2017 NFL draft, the Tennessee Titans select

Jamal Adams, S, LSU

OVERVIEW
The son of a former NFL running back (George, who played at Kentucky and on the Super Bowl champion New York Giants team of 1986) looks like he's grown up with the game. Even in LSU's always-loaded secondary, the nation's top safety recruit got on the field a significant amount as a true freshman (two starts, 66 tackles, five break-ups, 10 special teams tackles). When given the chance to start as a sophomore, Adams garnered second-team All-SEC honors by making 67 stops, four interceptions and six pass break-ups. Coaches voted him second-team all-conference after his junior year (76 tackles, 7.5 for loss, one interception, four pass break-ups) even though the Associated Press put him on their first-team All-American squad due to his all-around impact for the Tigers' defense.

ANALYSIS
STRENGTHS
Natural-born leader of men. Well-built. Will not hesitate for one second as a hitter. Steps downhill looking to punish running backs to set a tone for defense. Toggles between patient and urgent in treks to the ball. Plays off blockers. Approaches target with open arms and wide, balanced base to limit escape routes. Intelligent field general. Gets secondary aligned properly. Plays with plus balance in coverage. Pattern reader who can digest combinations. Alert for misdirection keys from offense. Party crasher on screen plays. Can handle coverage responsibilities against tight ends. Five interceptions and two recovered fumbles over last two seasons at LSU. Special-teams terror as freshman and sophomore, notching 21 tackles. No penalties in 2016. Father, George, was a first-round pick of the Giants in 1984.
WEAKNESSES
Handsy and too willing to clamp onto receivers down the field. Hard-charging downhill, but a little stiff when asked to retreat. Long speed appears to be average on tape. Eyes drop when targets approach his area. Anticipation is average, limiting his range as a center-fielder. Will give away some interceptions due to drops. Slower coming to balance as tackler on bursting runners between the tackles. Desire to limit cutbacks leads to challenging play-side tackles. Doesn't pursue with expected vigor from across the field. Aggressiveness opens him up against play-action.
SOURCES TELL US
"The people who have been at that program the longest think he might be the best leader LSU has had in years. He's a no-doubt first-rounder. He can play all over the field and he could have an immediate impact on defense just like Landon Collins did coming out. I love him. I think he's a winner." - AFC area scout
NFL COMPARISON
Darren Woodson
BOTTOM LINE
Interchangeable safety with a sheriff's mentality. Adams is a physical tone-setter who should thrive near the line of scrimmage or in a robber role. Should be a commanding presence in the locker room early on and his do-as-I-do play demeanor could be the catalyst for turning a struggling defense around quickly.

View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ktuijMDwsh8



@thedarkness2332 is on the clock after being gifted his pro bowl DT from the guy complaining about unrealistic trades

 

[Sly]

NFL Comparison
Bo Jackson

 

[dark2332]

(Disclaimer: I’m a Browns fan, so the Bengals can suck a fat one.)

Biggest Needs (my take): ILB, DE, OG, WR

With the 6th pick in the 2017 NFL RCF Mock Draft, the Cincinnati Bengals select:

Reuben Foster, Linebacker, University of Alabama

Combine Measurements:

Height: 6’0
Weight: 229 lbs
Hands: 10 ¼ inches
Arm Length 32 3/8 inches
40 time: N/A

My take: I thought about going with Solomon Thomas here, or trading down with someone looking to target Lattimore or Hooker. Ultimately, however, I just think Foster is too talented of a prospect to miss out on for this aging LB unit. With all the positives following his Pro Day and apologies a-plenty, I think the fears of him falling as a result of his verbal conflict with medical personnel at the NFL Combine are much ado about nothing. Hell, this is Cincinnati, they like their prospects toeing that line in the DHF metric (Dickhead Factor). With rumors that Rey Maualuga may be a potential victim of roster cuts, Vontaze Burfict (6’1, 255 lbs) has the size and tools to shift inside to play more time at the MIKE, letting Foster play a natural spot at the WILL—with a comfortable playing weight of 230-240 lbs. This guy is vicious against the run, and absolutely loves to get his nose in there and light up ball carriers. After slimming down a bit this past season, he has become even more of an athletic freak, blowing up plays from sideline to sideline. He’s also strong in coverage, showing the versatility of his skill-set. He’s a true 3-down linebacker with Pro Bowl potential, and likely a top 5 overall talent in this draft. Combining him with the Sheldon Richardson addition, this Cincinnati front seven is going to raise hell.

Tape: 2016 versus LSU
Tape: 2016 versus Auburn
Tape: 2016 versus Texas A&M

Expert take:
Per CBS Sports Breakdown by Rob Rang on Foster:

“Starting for just the second season of his college career in 2016, Foster immediately erased concerns as to how Alabama might replace last year's leader and SEC Defensive Player of the Year, Reggie Ragland, winning the Butkus Award and consensus All-American honors with 115 tackles, including 13 tackles for loss and five sacks.

As the NFL has increasingly turned to the passing game, inside linebackers have dropped in value. That won't be the case with Foster, however, whose sideline to sideline speed, explosive hitting and experience in coverage makes him one of the few linebackers in recent years who truly projects as a three-down defender at the position. With all due respect to Ragland - a more instinctive and reliable open-field tackler than Foster - this latest Alabama star at linebacker projects even better to the NFL.

STRENGTHS: At a rock solid 6-1, 240 pounds with broad shoulders, a trim middle and well-built limbs, Foster offers prototypical size for an inside linebacker role. His greatest attribute, however, is his pure explosiveness. Whether it be his outstanding sideline-to-sideline speed or the impact he generates with his collisions, Foster is a heat-seeking missile hell-bent on destruction. Just as aggressive as he is athletic, Foster attacks would-be blockers in the running game, jolting opponents with a powerful punch that can leave them staggering. When blockers are successful in latching onto him, Foster shows impressive leg drive and balance to anchor, creating a pile runners have to avoid and easy tackle opportunities for teammates. Foster is a true lights-out hitter, generating bone-rattling hits due to his acceleration and compact frame. He launches himself into ballcarriers, typically wrapping his arms securely, as well, for the flashy but efficient take-down. Foster shows acute diagnosis skills. He takes sharp angles to the ball, often beating blockers to the action and surprising ballcarriers with his closing speed. Foster keeps his eyes locked onto the quarterback when in coverage, breaking quickly as the pass is released, often initiating contact with the intended receiver just as the ball arrives.

WEAKNESSES: At times, Foster appears too athletic and aggressive for his own good. His sharp pursuit angles leave little room for error and, at times, he can get a little too far over his skis, flailing his arms to keep his balance while throttling down to change direction. Savvy quarterbacks can manipulate Foster with their eyes and he'll lose track of receivers around him, closing the gap between them only after the ball is being thrown. While this can result in some big collisions (and passes broken up), Foster can improve his coverage with greater route awareness and patience. To this point, Foster's calling card has been his explosive hits, but he has to be careful about lowering his head when tackling. Further, he remains unpolished as a pass rusher. Foster's power and aggression shine through when rushing the quarterback, but he is largely reliant on a simple bull rush or shoulder dip. Suffered various "minor" injuries in 2016, including to his arm, knee and head (concussion), each of which will require careful evaluation from team doctors at the Combine.

IN OUR VIEW: With all due respect to Myles Garrett and the rest of this dynamic edge rusher class, Foster might just be the most explosive defender in the entire 2017 draft. An intimidating face-up hitter with sideline-to-sideline speed, Foster projects as an immediate difference-maker in the middle in the NFL and a possible top 10 choice.

COMPARES TO: Patrick Willis, San Francisco 49ers (retired): Willis did it at a higher level for longer at Mississippi but he did not have to wait his turn like Foster at Alabama, who was left to star in a supporting role on defense and special teams early. Once unleashed, however, his sheer explosiveness made him an undeniable force for the Tide. If able to remain healthy - a legitimate concern given the mighty collisions he creates - Foster projects as a future Pro Bowler.”

More in-depth analysis on Reuben Foster can be found here


Also, trade analysis of the Draft Day deal:

The Bengals acquired Sheldon Richardson and pick #6 from the Jets for A.J. McCarron, the #9 selection, and a compensatory 4th round selection (#138)

Sheldon Richardson

Measurements:

Position: DT/DE
Height: 6’3
Weight: 294 lbs (cough…allegedly)
26 years of age
DROY in 2013
1st Team All-Pro in 2014
Pro Bowler in 2014
Durable: Played 58 of a possible 64 games


My take: How are the Bengals going to fill the hole left by Domata Peko’s departure? Enter this versatile beast (who has played everywhere from 3-technique to outside linebacker)—former Pro Bowl tackle, Sheldon Richardson. Paired with Geno Atkins (6’1, 300 lbs) inside in the Bengals base 4-3, good luck getting anything going in here—both can get after you. Richardson is an animal against the run, but has struggled a bit the last 2 seasons playing out of position in New York due to a glut of inside talent. Now, he gets to move back inside, a place where he belongs and thrives. 8 sacks in 2014. 5 sacks in 2015. At 26 years old on the last year of his contract, the hope is that he can be a piece on this defense long-term and wreak havoc in the AFC North.


When asked about the draft’s first day, owner and President Mike Brown replied “Donald Trump may not build a wall, but this Bengals defense sure the hell did.”


The Los Angeles Chargers and @MGMT are now on the clock.

 

[Triplethreat]

@thedarkness2332 is on the clock after being gifted his pro bowl DT from the guy complaining about unrealistic trades

http://www.cincyjungle.com/2017/3/9...mors-jets-aj-mccarron-deal-sheldon-Richardson

http://www.espn.com/blog/new-york-j...bout-sheldon-richardson-for-aj-mccarron-rumor

http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.co...-expected-to-try-to-trade-sheldon-richardson/

 

[MGMT]

Looking to trade back a bit if anyone is looking to move up?

 

[Randolphkeys]

When I had a deal in place with the Jets pick, I was going to take Richardson and Foster for the Niners. Well played, Cincitucky!

 

[MGMT]

With the 7th selection in the 2017 NFL Draft, the Los Angeles Chargers select,

Soloman Thomas, Defensive End, Stanford

While the organization strongly considered going in another direction due to selecting Bosa last season, we just couldn't bring ourselves to pass on a player we had so highly graded. Moreover, as we look to make the smoothest possible transition to an even front, we feel this tandem can make for one of the most devastating pass rushes in the NFL for the next 5-7 seasons.

What PFF says:

What he does best:

• Elite run defender who uses strength to shed blockers easily
• Can generate pass-rush from the edge or the interior of the defensive line
• Wins as a pass-rusher with both power and speed
• Greatly improved as a pass-rusher in 2016 and saw his pass-rush production nearly double
• Pass-rush productivity of 9.0 ranks No. 16 among DTs in draft class
• 10 sacks, 12 hits and 22 hurries on 394 pass-rush snaps
• Moves quickly up and down the line of scrimmage in the run game
• Showed the ability to take on and shed all types of blocks in the run game
• Great feel for “back” blocks on “power” plays. Often disrupted plays two gaps away
• Has the quickness to attack one-gap and the ability to locate and shed to play two-gaps
• Good quickness into gaps on stunts, strong leg drive to bull-rush larger opponents
• Held up well as an undersized nose tackle in Stanford’s scheme. Anchors well when losing on first contact

Biggest concern:

• Doesn’t have ideal size for an NFL defensive tackle at only 273 pounds
• Only one season of top pass-rushing production
• Can get overpowered by double teams and moved off the LOS, particularly on the front side of “power” plays
• May not have a true position.
• Most of his snaps came inside so he lacks reps outside the tackle where he is most likely to play on base downs.

Player Comparison: Michael Bennett, Seattle Seahawks

Thomas and Bennett are about the same size and both can play and pass-rush from anywhere along the defensive line. Thomas is more of a run-first player than Bennett, but they both fill a similar role as a base defensive end with the ability to kick inside as pass-rushers.

Bottom line: Thomas was dominant this season as shown by his No. 1 run-defense grade (92.0) and No. 6 pass-rushing grade (86.9) among FBS interior defensive linemen. Thomas has been highly productive the last two seasons but has followed a natural skill development progression as he was first a solid run defender and then made an ever-increasing contribution as a pass-rusher. Thomas’s pass-rushing productivity rating of 8.7 ranked No. 5 among Power-5 defensive tackles. Thomas has experience playing in the interior of the defensive line but only weighs 270 pounds so he isn’t exactly the ideal size to play inside in the NFL but his experience inside and his proven ability to hold up makes him an ideal candidate to play base defensive end and then a player who can shift inside to defensive tackle in sub-package situations. If nickel is the new base, then Thomas’ ability to stop the run plus rush the passer from inside or outside will make him a highly coveted player in the draft.

 

[Amherstcavsfan]

Thomas and Bosa. Wicked.