On The Clock: 2017 RCF NFL Mock Draft

[Sly]

With the 75th overall selection in the 2017 NFL Draft... the Buffalo Bills select TE Gerald Everett, South Alabama.

HtWt: 6'3"- 239
College: South Alabama
ESPN Grade: 79
NFLN Rank: #39 - Grade: 5.91
CBS Rank: #66
ANALYSIS
STRENGTHS: Slick athlete with leftover wide receiver traits. Easy acceleration into routes and can blow by safeties who sit down looking for a route break for too long. Good acceleration off of plant foot in route breaks. Can create immediate separation. Carries play speed throughout routes. Cover linebackers are usually in for a rough day vs. Everett, who eats in the middle of the field and shows no fear. Maximizes arm length for wide catch radius. Hands look fairly natural as pass catcher. Adds to totals with yards after catch. Runs physically and with excellent balance. Rips his legs through arm-tackle attempts. Instinctive runner who sets up blocks on bubble screens. Alters stride length to elude diving tackle attempts. Able to work all three levels of the field. Blocks with anger and is prone to longer engagements than most blockers on perimeter. Put on a show, including game-winning touchdown, in upset of Mississippi State on the road.

WEAKNESSES: Route running doesn't appear to be high on his priority list. Routes are rounded, dull and lack urgency. Leans into most of his breaks. Talented cover safeties can jump his routes. Drifts on square-ins, allowing deep safeties a door into the play. Needs work on double moves. Could have issues playing through route redirection off line of scrimmage. Shows deceleration when locating ball on deep throws. Hands are small. Too many one-handed stab attempts on throws outside his frame limit ability to make the "wow" catches. Touchdown production lower than expected.

SOURCES TELL US: "I've studied the top cornerbacks coming out and he's the best I've seen. He's so athletic that he can just post up under the receiver's chin and shadow him all over the field. And he's tough, too. He'll be one of the top cornerbacks pretty quickly." -- Pro personnel director for AFC team

NFL COMPARISON
Quincy Enunwa

BOTTOM LINE
It's difficult to find a good comparison for Everett because his size and toughness are similar to Marshall's coming out, but his playing style resembles Delanie Walker at times. Everett has size, speed and tremendous run-after-catch potential, but it is his willingness and ability to block that separates him from other "matchup" tight ends. Route running is below average, but he should improve with NFL coaching. Everett has the talent to become a very good NFL starter with Pro Bowl potential if he puts it all together.

http://www.nfl.com/draft/2017/profiles/gerald-everett?id=2557889

I don't like the value on some of the other positions I need, this guy is a project with a lot of upside as a vertical threat .

Draft Picks
R1)#10: CB Marshon Lattimore, Ohio State
R2)#44: DT Caleb Brantley, Florida
R3)#75: TE Gerald Everett, South Alabama

@TopGun

 

[WellYouNeednt]

With the 74rd pick of the 2017 RCF Mock Draft, the Philadelphia Eagles select:

Adam Shaheen, TE, Ashland

In the third round, the Eagles decide to go BPA and grab a guy they didn't expect to still be on the board. Shaheen is a size/speed nightmare who will be a big asset to Carson Wentz and their red zone offense. While tight end could be considered a bit of a luxury pick for the Eagles with Zach Ertz already on the roster, Brent Celek is getting up there in age and they spent the most time in the NFL last year in 2 tight end sets and were in sets with at least 2 tight ends over 40% of the time. Shaheen will need to work on his blocking at the next level and there's always a big adjustment for guys coming out of D2 but he has all the ability to be a truly special player with some development in the right system.

Overview
Talk about a Cinderella story. Shaheen was an all-conference pick in basketball and football in Galena, Ohio, and signed with Division II Pittsburgh-Johnstown to play hoops (5.5 pts, 3.1 reb per game in 2013-2014). He then transferred to Ashland to play football, which turned out to be the right move. Shaheen caught two passes for 85 yards as the team's No. 3 tight end in 2014. He then took over the starting job the next year, catching 70 passes (for 803 yards and 10 TDs), a Division II record for tight ends. The two-time AFCA All-American and first-team All-Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference pick had another great year in 2016, setting a school record with 16 touchdowns among his 57 receptions for 867 yards.

Analysis

Strengths
Enormous frame for a tight end. Powerfully built, well-proportioned frame. Accomplished high school hooper who brings the same footwork to the field. Has good sink into breaks and can make sharp cuts coming out. Has foot quickness for clever stutter-and-go double moves to uncover against linebackers. Above average speed and acceleration for his size. Creates leverage points against man coverage before breaking his routes off and pulling away. Moved all over the field. Was isolated for fade routes near endzone. Plus hand-eye coordination and shows ability to alter body positioning to improve catch-odds while ball-tracking.Trusted in pass protection. Sees twists and blitzes and responds to them. Needs work as run blocker but has desired frame of a Y-tight end.

Weaknesses
Physically overwhelmed a lower level of competition. Upper body is stiff and mechanical in his routes. Hasn't learned how to utilize hands to free himself against press. Gets jammed up in his release and can be knocked off the timing of his patterns. Will need to learn to adjust in space in order to maneuver past traffic. In need of his fair share of technique work as a run blocker. Ducks head into initial contact. Finds himself lunging and chasing when asked to climb to second level.

Sources Tell Us
"I watched him for two games and turned the tape off because I want to see him live in Indy before I develop any more of an opinion of him. I saw some things that have me very excited." - AFC pro personnel director

NFL Comparison
Vance McDonald

Bottom Line
Big, fast and athletic, Shaheen will immediately interest teams who are looking for size and traits. He's a poorer blocker than what might be expected for a player with his frame, but he's also a much more dangerous pass catching target. The jump in competition will be substantial and teams will expect him to become a more consistent blocker, but he's a pass catching tight end in a Y-tight end's body. Shaheen has starting potential with an ability to impact a passing game early in his career.

Hopefully @Sly didn't poop himself because he's now on the clock

I know we are talking about Ashland and...whatever conference they play in. Lord almighty, from that tape he looks faster than 4.7-4.8. I was also suprised at how athletic and smooth his running motion is for someone at 6'7 270-280 lbs. Definitely an i teresting prospect, indeed.

 

[TopGun]

With the 76th pick in the 2017 RCF Mock Draft, the New Orleans Saints select

Jake Butt, TE, Michigan

I like big Butts and I cannot lie, you otha brothas can't deny. When Drew Brees steps up with his itty bitty waist and throws the pigskin to Butt's face, he gets sprung, probably for a bunch a touchdowns. Butt is probably the most complete TE in what is probably one of the best TE draft classes ever. He would most likely be a late first/early second round pick if not for the ACL tear he suffered in his bowl game this year. Word on the street is that he could be ready by training camp. With a name like Butt you know he's going to be a great tight end, or he could even flex to a wide receiver if he allows too much penetration (as a blocker).

Overview
Being an Ohio native who went to play for "that team up north" brings almost as much ridicule as the Wolverine tight end's unfortunate last name. He's learned to deal with both, however, on his way to consecutive second-team Associated Press All-American seasons. In fact, he had the best games of his freshman and sophomore seasons against Ohio State, scoring in each game and totaling nine catches for 110 yards (he had 41 catches for 446 yards and three scores in total in 2013-2014). In Butt's junior and senior seasons, he was the Big Ten Conference Tight End of the Year (51-654, three TDs in 2015; 46-546, four TDs in 2016). Unfortunately, Butt suffered a torn right ACL in their Citrus Bowl loss to Florida State.

Analysis
Strengths
Has NFL size and steps up big in the passing game. Strong hands are like magnets. Can snatch and secure at the catch point. Tough and reliable when working in traffic. Fearless in the middle of the field and understands how to protect himself and the ball while there. Slick with hands. Has slap move to free himself off line of scrimmage and able to create separation at top of his route with sly push-offs. Sinks into space and chews up zone coverage. Play attributes will help him win in the red zone. Effective in intermediate work adjusting routes according to defensive positioning. Competitive after catch with ability to add to his yardage through force. Team co-captain.

Weaknesses
A little cumbersome getting off the line and into his routes. Very average athleticism. One-speed runner without many gears. Lacks speed to threaten vertically. Upright into and out of his breaks. Acceleration out of his cuts can be slight. Separation often comes from rub routes and scheme. NFL linebackers should be able to stick him in coverage. Limited catch radius. Grabby as a blocker and takes questionable angles up to second level. Allows physical outside linebackers to set strong edges against him. Needs more commitment and work as a run-blocker on NFL level.

Sources Tell Us
"He's going to be a good pro. Everyone wants Kelce, Olsen or Gronk but those are elite players. Butt is dependable and will make first downs. They all get better as blockers once they get up here." -- AFC director of scouting

NFL Comparison
Zach Miller

Bottom Line
In-line tight end with strong, natural hands and the toughness to make a living in the middle of the field as a chain-moving safety blanket. While he's shown ability to operate as an intermediate target as well, he might lack the athleticism and separation to uncover against NFL safeties and some linebackers in man coverage. Butt must improve greatly as a blocker to reach his potential as a Y tight end. However, his ability as a reliable, productive target should earn him an early starter's nod with a chance to become a solid pro.
-Lance Zierlein

@Triplethreat and the Jets are on the clock.

 

[Triplethreat]

With the 77th pick in the 2017 NFL Draft the New York Jets select.... Derek Rivers, EDGE, Youngstown State University.

Overview

Unlike his teammate, Avery Moss, Rivers started and ended his career with Youngstown, starring as a first-team All-Missouri Valley Football Conference selection each of the past three seasons. He spent a semester at Fork Union Military Academy first, as many east coast college hopefuls do instead of redshirting, then moved into a reserve role on defense for the Penguins in 2013 (13 tackles, three for loss, 2.5 sacks). The next season, he started to terrorize quarterbacks, making 50 tackles, 17 for loss, and 14 sacks (tied for fifth in the FCS) in 12 games. Rivers played defensive end and linebacker as a junior (52 tackles, 15.5 for loss, eight sacks) and then really turned it on with Moss across the way in 2016. He was a third-team Associated Press FCS All-American as a senior with 58 tackles, 19.5 for loss, and 14 sacks, which ranked second in the nation.

Analysis

Strengths
Consistent, high-level production as a starter. Plays the same way from snap to snap and plays with high football character. Strikes with quick upward punch under tackle's shoulders to stake a leverage claim on the edge. Good burst out of stance as pass rusher. Rushes with lean and dips low to propel himself around the edge at his fourth step. Creates speed-to-power push with a second gear into contract. Works to uncover outside shoulder and spill play-side runs to the boundary. Adequate power for stand-up linebacker on next level. Flashes disruptive qualities in gaps. Adequate pursuit speed.

Weaknesses
Needs to play with better gap awareness after setting edge. Plays with head down after contact and loses sight of the running backs. Slow to disengage and make plays on running backs darting into the B-gap. Has problems when matched up against length. Long arms can grind his pass rush into neutral and engulf him in run game. Will need to improve at the point of attack to play on the next level. Tight-hipped in his rush. Lacks fluidity to string moves together.

Bottom Line
Motor-based edge rusher with some tightness in his hips who used efficient hands and consistent effort to whip the competition in front of him. Rivers may lack the length and agility to be a consistent, stand-up rusher on the next level, but he has the talent to find a spot as a backup who could work his way into a more prominent role with time.

@Lord Mar is on the clock.

 

[Otsego Mar]

This site is really slow for me right now, I'll update later.

Ravens pick Ohio Defensive End Tarell Bashem with the 78th pick.

@BimboColesHair is now on the clock.

 

[BimboColesHair]

With the 79th pick in the 2017 Draft, the Minnesota Vikings select:

Bucky Hodges, TE, Virginia Tech


Why:

The Vikings made a play for free agent TE Jared Cook before he ultimately signed with the Raiders. Coupled with the team letting a very good blocking TE in Rhett Ellison walk in free agency, it appears the Vikings are looking for a better receiving threat from their 2nd TE to pair with Kyle Rudolph. Hodges has every tool to be a match-up threat both in-line and split out, and can also be a good red zone target for a team whose offense has been absolutely atrocious in the red zone the past 2 seasons.

Measureables:

Height: 6'6"
Weight: 257
Hand Size: 10 1/8"
40: 4.57
Vertical: 39"
Broad: 134"
Bench: 18 reps

Strengths:

Outstanding combination of size and athleticism for the position. Smooth glider around the field. Runs fast and plays fast. Long target with extended catch radius. Can get up and over the top of most defenders at the high point. Willing to work over the middle and has the frame for it. Spent time at all receiver spots and could be an option from the slot as well as outside as a pro. Seam-beater who can get over top of linebackers and work all three levels of the field. Saw 28 percent of his catches go for 20-plus yards in 2016. Can access a second gear out of route stems. Once he stacks defender on his hip, he wins. Excellent ball tracker with second gear and hand usage for late separation down the field. Former quarterback with valuable knowledge of coverages. Will demand additional attention if covered by a cornerback near goal line. Shows strength to overwhelm defensive backs as a blocker.

Weaknesses:

Has played the position just three seasons and still has much to learn. Long strider who can be put into neutral by a physical jam from press. Too nonchalant along his routes. Needs to hit route landmarks more quickly to give quarterback a timely, presentable target. Defaults into running through defender rather than effectively adjusting routes. Throws beat him up at times this season. Struggled to finish challenging catches. Lower percentage of clean catches trapping throws against his body and double catching it. Athletic but takes awhile to access acceleration after catch and may not be the "YAC" people expect. May lack power and toughness to be a reliable in-line option as a blocker.

Bottom Line:

Hodges still has work to do as a route-runner and his inconsistent hands could be a concern. He can line up inside or outside while his size and ability to work all three levels of the field should be appealing to teams looking for pass catching options. The competitive nature of the NFL could bring out more consistent toughness in him as a blocker. He has the tools to be a long-time starter and touchdown-maker in the league.

@JDailey23 and the Indianapolis Colts are on the clock

 

[JDailey23]

Will pick in a few

 

[BimboColesHair]

With the 80th pick in the 2017 NFL Draft, the Indianapolis Colts select:

Dorian Johnson (OG)




Overview
Johnson was a five-star recruit as a tackle coming out of high school, but Pitt coaches convinced him that a move to guard made sense for the team -- and for his future. They were right. Since his freshman year, when he started twice at left tackle and once at right guard, Johnson has been a fixture at the left guard position. He started 39 straight games for the Panthers, winning second-team All-ACC honors as a junior as well as first-team all-conference and multiple All-American awards in 2016.


COMBINE STATS

• 40 YARD DASH: 5.27 SEC
• BENCH PRESS: 21 REPS
• VERTICAL JUMP: 30.0 INCH
• BROAD JUMP: 114.0 INCH
• 3 CONE DRILL: 8.39 SEC
• 20 YARD SHUTTLE: 5.09 SEC

ANALYSIS
Strengths
Solid athlete when asked to play in space. Plays with leg drive as run blocker. Uses choppy, accelerated feet into contact and keeps chopping them through contact to secure the block. Operates with quality balance and limited waist-bending. Has the arm length of a tackle. Understands his job on each play. Has an accurate radar in seeking out second-level targets and connecting at a high percentage. Excels on short pulls with smooth lateral footwork and solid, squared contact. Keeps hands inside and will punch and re-set hands when necessary. Sets up with good base and anchor in pass pro.

Weaknesses
Is a little inconsistent with smoothness coming out of his stance. At times too aggressive when he moves up to second level and will climb beyond his target. Needs to improve patience on his climb to create more consistency with his angles. Needs to let hands go more quickly in run game. Punches and pushes target with authority but doesn't snatch the framework and lock in, allowing active defenders to spin and squirm out of his blocks.

Sources Tell Us
"Hard-nosed and smart. I like everything about him -- his length, his frame, his toughness, his durability, his consistency. Ten-year starter in the league." -- NFC South scout

Bottom Line
Five-star prospect coming out of high school, Johnson was a full-time starter for three years at Pitt and was known for his consistency and well-rounded game. He has functional power to turn defenders out of the hole and enough athleticism to match any run-game scheme. Johnson doesn't carry bad weight and should be able to add more bulk with no problem. While he has some weaknesses, nothing appears to be glaring and he should set into a starter's role right away and become a solid NFL guard.

@kriegs and the REDSKINS are on the clock.

He was already picked a few picks ago by the Bengals

 

[JDailey23]

He was already picked a few picks ago by the Bengals

F me. I saw he was still on the list on page 1.
I'll fix it when I get home in a few hours.
Just did this on my phone and it's a pain in the ass. Sorry for the holdup.

 

[JDailey23]

With the 80th pick in the 2017 NFL Draft, the Indianapolis Colts select:

OVERVIEW
When you live in Toledo, you're either a Buckeyes fan or a Wolverines fan. Wormley decided to root for the Maize and Blue early in his life, and wound up signing up for college in Ann Arbor after being named the Ohio Division I co-Defensive Player of the Year by the Associated Press. Wormley made an impression in his redshirt freshman season of 2013, making 19 tackles, 4.5 for loss, and 2.5 sacks as a reserve. He started six times as a sophomore, recording 21 tackles, five TFL and three sacks. Wormley finished his time "up north" by winning the team's Defensive Lineman of the Year award in each of his final two seasons. He was a third-team All-Big Ten pick in 2015 (14.5 tackles for loss, 6.5 sacks) and a first-team selection in 2016 (nine TFL, six sacks) for the Wolverines.

ANALYSIS
STRENGTHS
Well-built, thick frame from head to toe. Natural bender with ease of movement and agility for a man his size. Has experience playing inside and outside. Comes out low and aggressively off snap. Able to generate bullrush with speed-to-power drive into tackles. Hints of arm-over and spin moves as rusher. Good technician at point of attack. Sets strong, decisive edge with leverage, arm extension and anchor. Pursuit speed gives him extended tackle radius. Able to close down the line quickly and restrict cutback lanes. Balance is excellent; rarely seen on the ground. Able to plow through redirect blocks when charging through gaps. Fairly disciplined in approach. Aware and reactive to jet sweeps and counters. Student of the game and a willing leader.
WEAKNESSES
Not very twitchy firing out of stance and up the field. Lacks explosion in first two steps as edge rusher. Shows delayed transition into the rush off play fakes. Needs to play with faster hands as pass rusher. His wins vs. blockers tend to be more eventual than sudden. Remains engaged with blockers longer than desired at times. Pursuit effort can run a little bit hot and cold. Could lack anchor necessary for full-time transition inside. NFL offensive linemen will be better equipped to counter Wormley's brute power. Needs to bring feet with him and through the tackle.

@kriegs is on the clock

 

[kriegs]

Previous Selections:
1(17): Corey Davis, WR, Western Michigan
2 (49): Dalvin Tomlinson, DL, Alabama

With the 81st pick in the 2017 RCF NFL Mock Draft, the Washington Redskins select...

Marcus Maye, S, Florida

Height: 6'0'' Weight: 210 College: Florida

My Take...
Safety is a massive position of need on the Redskins roster, and Marcus Maye is someone the front office saw as a second round talent. He is an exceptionally versatile player and profiles to help the defense with both his coverage skills and presence in the box. With the pick of Dalvin Tomlinson last round and Marcus Maye this round, the Redskins are prioritizing players who are position versatile due to their lack of depth on defense and the likely necessity that both players will have to play significant roles early in their careers. At this point in the draft it was tempting to draft Davis Webb as a backup plan for Kirk Cousins if he is not with the team long term. Ultimately, Marcus Maye was too good of a fit for a defense that needs to be replenished with a young, talented core.

Other players who received significant interest with the pick were Pat Elflein and Jaleel Johnson.

Via NFL.com...

Overview
Maye lived up to his four-star recruiting status in a spectacular junior season in 2015. He was named a first-team All-American by USA Today as a 12-game starter (82 tackles, two interceptions, six pass breakups) who ranked second in the country with five forced fumbles. Unfortunately, Maye missed the last four games of the year after breaking his arm against South Carolina. League media voted him second-team All-SEC, though, for his play in the first nine weeks (50, one INT, six PBU). Maye was a starter at safety and nickel in 2014 (62 tackles, three TFL, one INT, five PBU, two FF) and contributed regularly as a true freshman the previous year (16 tackles, one TFL, one INT).

Analysis

Strengths
Ready-made safety frame with muscular build and long arms. Really instinctive with above-average field vision and feel for the game. Eyes dart back and forth from quarterback to receiver. Correlates quarterback's eyes and actions to a corresponding route and gets the early jump. Plays with good pattern recognition from both man and zone. Credited with a pass breakup or interception on more than 21 percent of his targets as a starter. Has speed to burst from sideline to sideline. Rangy tackler with in-play endurance for extended chases across field. Welcomes physical aspects of position. Sheds blockers quickly. Showed improved patience and diligence as tackler. Trustworthy as last line of defense.

Weaknesses
Despite his instincts, credited with 10 touchdowns allowed during time at Florida. Inconsistent ball tracker. Has issues playing both ball and man down the field, and can lose feel with receiver. Tape shows some issues with hip tightness. Balance can be a little spotty and he'll fight his hips when forced to transition suddenly on combination routes. Better coming downhill than playing on his heels. Missed final three games of senior season with broken arm.


NFL Comparison
Glover Quin

Bottom Line
Interchangeable safety with the instincts of a free safety and the physicality of a box player. Thrives as a downhill player and has the instincts and speed to operate effectively from both single-high and two-deep looks. Has the physical attributes and intelligence to step into a starter's role early on and will be a strong contributor on special teams.

[B]@getBUCKED[/B] and the Denver Broncos are on the clock.

 

[I LOVE YOU ABBY]

With the 77th pick in the 2017 NFL Draft the New York Jets select.... Derek Rivers, EDGE, Youngstown State University.

Overview

Unlike his teammate, Avery Moss, Rivers started and ended his career with Youngstown, starring as a first-team All-Missouri Valley Football Conference selection each of the past three seasons. He spent a semester at Fork Union Military Academy first, as many east coast college hopefuls do instead of redshirting, then moved into a reserve role on defense for the Penguins in 2013 (13 tackles, three for loss, 2.5 sacks). The next season, he started to terrorize quarterbacks, making 50 tackles, 17 for loss, and 14 sacks (tied for fifth in the FCS) in 12 games. Rivers played defensive end and linebacker as a junior (52 tackles, 15.5 for loss, eight sacks) and then really turned it on with Moss across the way in 2016. He was a third-team Associated Press FCS All-American as a senior with 58 tackles, 19.5 for loss, and 14 sacks, which ranked second in the nation.

Analysis

Strengths
Consistent, high-level production as a starter. Plays the same way from snap to snap and plays with high football character. Strikes with quick upward punch under tackle's shoulders to stake a leverage claim on the edge. Good burst out of stance as pass rusher. Rushes with lean and dips low to propel himself around the edge at his fourth step. Creates speed-to-power push with a second gear into contract. Works to uncover outside shoulder and spill play-side runs to the boundary. Adequate power for stand-up linebacker on next level. Flashes disruptive qualities in gaps. Adequate pursuit speed.

Weaknesses
Needs to play with better gap awareness after setting edge. Plays with head down after contact and loses sight of the running backs. Slow to disengage and make plays on running backs darting into the B-gap. Has problems when matched up against length. Long arms can grind his pass rush into neutral and engulf him in run game. Will need to improve at the point of attack to play on the next level. Tight-hipped in his rush. Lacks fluidity to string moves together.

Bottom Line
Motor-based edge rusher with some tightness in his hips who used efficient hands and consistent effort to whip the competition in front of him. Rivers may lack the length and agility to be a consistent, stand-up rusher on the next level, but he has the talent to find a spot as a backup who could work his way into a more prominent role with time.

@Lord Mar is on the clock.

I was really hoping he'd fall to me. Great combine numbers, and I like reading about players with a good motor.

I'll be interested to see which second-tier QB is the first off the board. Feels like we're approaching that time in the draft.

 

[getBUCKED]

I'll make this pretty later.

With the 82nd pick in the 2017 RCF Mock Draft, the Denver Broncos select Pat Elfein.

@AZ_ and the Browns are on the clock.

 

[AZ_]

With the 83rd pick of the 2017 RCF Mock Draft, the Cleveland Browns select:

GEORGE KITTLE - TE - IOWA

vs. NDSU 2016

vs. Purdue 2015


OVERVIEW
Kittle's Hawkeyes ties are strong, as his father, Bruce, was a co-captain on Iowa's 1982 Rose Bowl team. One cousin, Jess Settles, was an excellent basketball player for Iowa in the mid-nineties and another is former Iowa and current Denver Broncos tight end Henry Kreiger-Coble. Kittle redshirted in 2012, played in a reserve role in 2013 (5-108 receiving) and 2014 (1-25 receiving). He shared playing time in 2015, starting six of 14 games, catching 20 passes for 290 yards and a team-high six receiving touchdowns. Kittle was an honorable mention All-Big Ten pick last season (11 starts, 22-314, four TD), even though he was limited by a foot injury the second half of the year.

ANALYSIS
STRENGTHS
Has broad shoulders and waist with a durable frame. Plays in pro-style attack and approaches blocking like an offensive lineman. Comes off the ball with good pad level and strikes with leverage and hands inside opponent's frame. Blocks with good technique and has footwork to get to reach blocks and combos. Hands are confident and sure with just one drop against 48 catches. Able to make sudden body adjustments to poorly thrown balls. Flashes vertical speed to become a seam worker. Physical runner after the catch with more wiggle than you would expect.

WEAKNESSES
Patterns are inconsistent and he rarely tilts defenders at the top of his routes. Could generate better separation with improved route leverage. Route breaks can be too easy to decipher. Plays fast but seems to be missing separation burst coming out of his breaks. Needs to work back to the ball harder in space. Allows defenders a pathway to the throw rather than sealing them out of the passing lane. Has tendency to keep weight too far forward as run blocker creating opportunity for defender to pull him off-balance.

NFL COMPARISON
Charles Clay

BOTTOM LINE
H-back type who lacks the desired size for in-line blocking but certainly has the technique and willingness to do it. He has good hands and flashes an ability to challenge as a pass catcher on all three levels. Kittle has the athleticism and blocking ability to become an effective move tight end if paired in the right system.


COMBINE STATS

• 40 YARD DASH: 4.52 SEC
• BENCH PRESS: 18 REPS
• VERTICAL JUMP: 35.0 INCH
• BROAD JUMP: 132.0 INCH

Browns Draft:

1 - Myles Garrett - EDGE - Texas A&M
18 - Patrick Mahomes - QB - Texas Tech
33 - Obi Melifonwu - S - Connecticut
52 - Kevin King - CB - Washington
65 - Kareem Hunt - RB - Toledo
83 - George Kittle - TE - Iowa

 

[Triplethreat]

Browns Draft:

1 - Myles Garrett - EDGE - Texas A&M
18 - Patrick Mahomes - QB - Texas Tech
33 - Obi Melifonwu - S - Connecticut
52 - Kevin King - CB - Washington
65 - Kareem Hunt - RB - Toledo
83 - George Kittle - TE - Iowa

I like what you've done. Just can't help but think how much better it would be if you took my offer for Hooker and took Mahomes at 33.