On The Clock: 2017 RCF NFL Mock Draft

[sportscoach]

Minnesota still interested in moving up

What number are you trying to get up to? Send me a message if ya want to try and make a deal

 

[buckeyefan]

The Seattle Seahawks select...Carlos Watkins DT Clemson

ANALYSIS
STRENGTHS
Athletic big man. Shows good movement skills for interior lineman. Operates in twisting, stunting defensive front at Clemson. Good lateral movement and agility creates problems for reach-blocking offensive linemen. Comes off the ball ready to punch and land first with his hands. Has closing burst down the line of scrimmage to challenge running backs looking to make back-side cut. Will stop his pass rush and activate hands in the passing lane when he sees quarterback begin wind-up. Played both nose and 3-technique at Clemson. Substantially more effective player if kept fresh in a rotation. Shows good awareness and recognition against screens.
WEAKNESSES
Top-heavy with excess weight around midsection topping leaner lower body. Struggled to grow roots and stand up for himself against Alabama's powerful double teams. Pad level rises as snap progresses. Powerful guards can get under his pads and turn him out of the gap. Quality of play diminishes rapidly when fatigued. Needs to get early advantage as pass rusher or he won't be a factor. Missing quality counter moves as a rusher. Needs more aggressiveness at point of attack and shed blocker earlier. Motor runs hot and cold. Needs to show more explosive, sudden elements in his game.
NFL COMPARISON
Sylvester Williams
BOTTOM LINE
While Watkins has had a productive, successful career at Clemson, it is hard to isolate the area of his game that he will call a definitive strength in the NFL. Watkins is athletic and may have rotational appeal to teams that covet active interior linemen. His top-heavy frame limits his anchor at the point of attack and if his motor isn't revved up, he gets put on skates too often against power. Watkins has some talent and his traits are NFL-worthy, but he could end up being a Day 3 selection who will need to play at a more consistent level in order to become a factor as a pro.
-Lance Zierlein

 

[BimboColesHair]

@TopGun is up

 

[TopGun]

Anyone looking to move up to this spot?

 

[sportscoach]

Anyone looking to move up to this spot?

@BimboColesHair has been trying to move up, send him a message!

 

[Randolphkeys]

Anyone looking to move up to this spot?

I hate to be the kill joy, but you have been on the clock to draft for 13 hours. I think it's fair to give you one more, but the time to secure a trade would have been yesterday or earlier this morning.

 

[TopGun]

With the 103rd pick in the 2017 RCF Mock Draft, the New Orleans Saints select

Isaac Asiata, OG, Utah

With Jahri Evans remaining unsigned (and 33) this seems like a good spot to grab an experienced player with the size and athletic ability to step into that spot. Great value this deep into the draft and fills a need for the Saints.

Player Overview
The Pac-12 may have a reputation for aerial attacks and lighting up the scoreboard but Asiata is just the latest example of a conference built on the backs of NFL-caliber offensive linemen.
The three-time all-conference selection has started at least part-time every year of his college career, locking down the left guard role during his junior and senior campaigns after logging his first action (including four starts) at right tackle as a redshirt freshman. While perhaps quick enough to slide back outside in a pinch, Asiata's NFL future remains inside at guard where he has consistently stood out due to his power and underrated athleticism.

After exploring the possibility of leaving for the NFL after his junior season, Asiata opted to return, citing, among other things, his goal of winning the Morris Trophy as the Pac-12's top offensive linemen. Those who know best - the conference's defensive linemen - voted Asiata as the Pac-12's top blocker in 2016, perhaps setting the stage for him to earn a higher than anticipated draft selection just like recent winners and early NFL draft picks Joshua Garnett (San Francisco 49ers, 2016), Andrus Peat (New Orleans Saints, 2015) and Xavier Su'a-Filo (Houston Texans, 2014).

STRENGTHS: Sports an imposing frame with broad shoulders and thick limbs. Much more athletic than his build would suggest, showing impressive initial quickness and agility in pass protection and while pulling in the running game. Fires off the ball, showing terrific burst and hip snap to explode into opponents with his initial contact on the down block to create movement in short yardage situations. Delivers a powerful initial strike in pass protection and when helping teammates, often knocking down opponents with a well-timed shove. Plays on the balls of his feet and his knees bent to absorb bull rushers and can mirror quicker pass rushers. Good anticipation of stunts and "surprise" blitzes, showing lateral agility and a late burst to recover. Good bloodlines. Is the cousin of Minnesota Vikings running back Matt Asiata.
WEAKNESSES: A bit top-heavy and can get too far over his skis when rushing upfield to block at the second level, leaving him off-balance and too easily avoided by linebackers and safeties. Is too satisfied with locking up defensive tackles with just his upper body strength and needs to keep his feet moving after contact. Played right tackle earlier in his career but lacks the length and foot speed to remain outside in the NFL. Older prospect than most (24) after serving on a year-long LDS mission in 2011-12.

IN OUR VIEW: Asiata may lack the name recognition of some of the other top interior linemen in the country but he is well known among NFL scouts, who see him as a future starting left guard - and a successful one at that due to his blend of initial quickness, agility and power.

COMPARES TO: Gabe Jackson, Oakland: While slightly smaller than the 6-3, 335 pound Jackson, Asiata possesses a similar bowling ball-like build, winning with sheer power, aggression and underrated agility.

--Rob Rang (1/3/2017)

Saints picks so far:
11. Derek Barnett, DE, Tennessee
32. Jabrill Peppers, S/LB, Michigan
42. Tre'Davious White, CB, Louisiana State
76. Jake Butt, TE, Michigan
103. Isaac Asiata, OG, Utah

@WellYouNeednt is on the clock

 

[BimboColesHair]

@WellYouNeednt is up

 

[Randolphkeys]

Saints picks so far:
11. Derek Barnett, DE, Tennessee
32. Jabrill Peppers, S/LB, Michigan
42. Tre'Davious White, CB, Louisiana State
76. Jake Butt, TE, Michigan
103. Nico Siragusa, OG, Utah

So, you took Asiata at #103 not Siragusa, right? Updating the front page, added the fourth round. @SuperSurge please double check I got the Bortles/Trubisky trade right.

 

[Surge]

So, you took Asiata at #103 not Siragusa, right? Updating the front page, added the fourth round. @SuperSurge please double check I got the Bottles/Trubisky trade right.

Looks good

 

[dark2332]

So, you took Asiata at #103 not Siragusa, right? Updating the front page, added the fourth round. @SuperSurge please double check I got the Bortles/Trubisky trade right.

Good deal.

While you're cleaning up, I won't have 138, that is now owned by @Triplethreat and the Jets. It was the kicker in the McCarron/#9 and Richardson/#6 swap.

 

[WellYouNeednt]

With The 104th pick in the RCF in The RCF 2017, Mock Draft - The Kansas City Chiefs Select:



BRIAN HILL, RB - Wyoming

Junior 6’1″ 219 pounds
Strengths:

• Will shorten his strides to read and let blocks develop
• Developed awareness to recognize blocking adjustments and wiggle through tight creases
• Properly presses the LOS to set up cut-backs
• Instinctive runner with the improvisation to find work
• Works through contact by dropping his pads or sinking his hips and shoulders
• Controlled footwork to adjust in tight areas
• Can absorb contact on his legs with defenders bouncing off
• Effective jump cuts on inside runs to work around contact
• Tempo runner who sets up blocks and accelerates from behind them with quick feet
• Stays on designated path rather than trying to do too much when the LOS is crowded
• Physical runner who runs with requisite balance and a forward lean, making it difficult to bring him down on first contact
• Shows good feel as an interior runner with his ability to get skinny and work through tight lanes
• Effective stiff-arm keeps defenders off him
• Desirable build with the thickness and the strength to churn out tough yards between the tackles

Weaknesses:

• Bit of a tall runner who lacks cut-and-go quickness; tensd to gear down when making sudden cuts
• Marginal twitch to escape trouble in tight spaces and make defenders miss in the open field with regularity
• Doesn’t display optimal downhill burst when he has the opportunity
• Likely isn’t going to beat many NFL defenders to the edge
• Pass pro technique needs refinement
• Feet often aren’t quick and tight to the second level
• Occasionally indecisive when blocking muddies

After finishing fourth in the country in rushing yards and third in touchdowns with 1,860 and 22 respectively, Hill finished his Cowboy career with a school record 4,287 yards; no Wyoming player had ever rushed for more than 3,000 in a career. Those marks place him third all-time in Mountain West rushing yards as one of only three players in the conference to ever pass the 4,000-yard mark as he earned first-team All-Mountain West and third-team All-American honors.

Lost in an other-worldly class of runners, Hill is a talent in his own right with a thick frame and next-level build to match. For all the hype Wyoming quarterback Josh Allen earned this past season, Hill was forced to play and thrive behind an offensive line that struggled to generate movement against the likes of Nebraska, BYU and San Diego State. He was more than adept at adjusting his stride length and speed from the mesh point to his first two steps in order to let his blocking develop; this allows him to maintain the tempo of the play and the blocks themselves where he will properly set them up and quickly get out away from them. Despite his size, Hill has the innate ability to squeeze through tight creases and get lateral with noticeable wiggle, and between the tackles, his ability to recognize tight creases and get skinny shows his comfort as an interior runner. Contact is also no issue as he remains balanced both at and beyond contact as defenders bounce off his thick lower half.


Pro comp: Bernard Pierce/Roy Helu


@sportscoach is on the clock

 

[BimboColesHair]

**The Vikings trade picks 120 and 160 to Pittsburgh for pick 105**

With the 105th pick in the 2017 Draft, the Minnesota Vikings select:

Ethan Pocic, C, LSU

Why:

Have I mentioned the Vikings offensive line has been garbage the last 2 years? Current starting C Joe Berger has 1 year left on his deal and is about to turn 35, and was already thinking of retiring this off season, so he is on his last legs. Pocic has the flexibility to play any position on the line thanks to his large stature for a C. Year 1 he can be a solid depth piece as he learns the ropes of the offense in order to make the calls an NFL C has to make, or battle with fellow draft pick Dion Dawkins for the starting RG spot on the line, before stepping into the starting C role in 2018 after Berger presumably retires.

Measurables:

Height: 6'6"
Weight: 310
Arm Length: 33 1/8"
40: 5.15
Vert: 27"
3 Cone: 7.89
Bench: 26 reps

Strengths:

Five-for-one lineman offering roster flexibility; has played tackle, guard and center. Determined player. Shoots hands inside defenders frame and keeps them there. Shows the hand strength and body control to "ride the bull" against stronger players while remaining engaged. Rapid lateral movement allows him to slide along his gap to pick up blitzers. Pass sets feature adequate base width and solid hand quickness. Fluid combo-blocker who glides easily to his second-level targets with good angles. Patient blocker on second level. Able to wait as long as possible for committing to his block in space. Features good body control and high connection rate on blocks in space. Athletic on pull blocks and screens and able to make blocks well down the field. Smart and makes the offensive calls.

Weaknesses:

Tall for a center, losing some leverage battles because of it. Athletic ability offset by below-average core strength. Doesn't play with the pad level or leg drive to uproot defenders without help. Gets jarred by power across from him. Upper body strength needs work. Anchor will always be an issue against zero-technique nose guards. Gives into pocket pushers, creating traffic in the backfield. Defenders able to drive through his edge and redirect attempts. Can be quicker into proper positioning for reach blocks. Has difficulty securing zone blocks at times.

Bottom Line:

Flexible, natural athlete with starting experience all along the LSU offensive line. Scouts say Pocic has the intelligence teams look for from a center and is highly regarded by LSU coaches and teammates in the locker room. Pocic is an excellent "work-up" blocker with the ability to thrive in a running game that operates in space, but his lack of power will produce some extremely challenging matchups for him at times.

Vikings Picks:

48. Dion Dawkins, OL, Temple
79. Bucky Hodges, TE, Virginia Tech
86. D'Onta Foreman, RB, Texas
105. Ethan Pocic, C, LSU

@buckeyefan and the Seattle Seahawks are on the clock

 

[buckeyefan]

The Seattle Seahawks select....Carlos Henderson WR Louisiana Tech

• 5'11"HEIGHT
• 31 3/8"ARM LENGTH
• 199LBS.WEIGHT
• 9 1/8"HANDS

STRENGTHS
Drops hips into breaks for sharp stop-and-open. Maintains play speed through directional route changes. Can elevate catch focus when he knows safety is coming to deliver a blow. Flashes get-away gear used to climb over top of cornerbacks on vertical routes. Sells double moves and leaves defenders trailing. Decent job of shielding throws from traffic when working inside the numbers. Hands catcher and can dip to adjust to low throws. Extremely competitive runner after the catch. Plays bigger than his listed size. Can slip first tackle and power through the second. Downhill kick returner with ability to find lanes for himself when necessary. Posted two kick return touchdowns this season and three for his career.
WEAKNESSES
Short strider. Competition across from him was below average. Rarely challenged by competitive press. Play speed is inconsistent. Has quality top gear but doesn't always use it in his routes. Needs to do better job of tilting defenders with quality route work on next level. Too reliant upon speed and talent over fundamentals at this point. Ran simple routes and drew quarterback's ire when he made wrong reads on choices. Tight hipped and average at changing direction. Below average ball tracking on deep throws. Occasionally mistimes leaps. Waits on throws rather than working back to them. Focus drop come primarily on slants.

-Lance Zierlein


@sportscoach is now on the clock.

 

[sportscoach]

Alright! With the 107 Pick in the NFL Draft the Steelers @sportscoach select:

Cameron Sutton (CB)
HT: 5'11" WT: 188LBS.
POSITION: CB
SCHOOL: Tennessee
ARM LENGTH: 30"
HANDS: 8 1/4"

Overview
Coming into his senior season, Sutton was one of the rare SEC players that started every game since arriving on campus. Unfortunately, a fractured ankle suffered against non-conference foe Ohio University put him on the shelf for about half the year. In seven games, had 23 tackles, two for loss, an interception and four pass breakups. Sutton could have left for the NFL after his junior season, where he earned All-American honors from the FWAA and Sporting News as a punt returner (25-467, two TD) and played well on defense (28 tackles, 3 TFL, one INT, six PBU). He led the Vols with 16 passes defensed as a sophomore (three INT, 13 PBU -- two vs Iowa in bowl game victory) and excelled on special teams, as well (14-158, TD on punt returns). Sutton made headlines as a freshman starter in 2013, becoming the first freshman to return an interception for a touchdown since star safety Eric Berry in 2007 when he did so against Western Kentucky early in the year. He finished the year with a team-high nine passes defensed (two INT, seven PBU).


COMBINE STATS

• 40 YARD DASH: 4.52 SEC
• BENCH PRESS: 11 REPS
• VERTICAL JUMP: 34.0 INCH
• BROAD JUMP: 120.0 INCH
• 3 CONE DRILL: 6.81 SEC

ANALYSIS
Strengths
Man-cover corner with feet to mirror and match off line of scrimmage. Responsive to route keys from wideouts. Decent instincts looking to jump hitches and wide receiver screens. Desired fluidity of movement with ability to open and run from backpedal. Confident in coverage and rarely penalized. Good acceleration to ball raking across catch point when he gets there. High school wideout with soft hands and smart angles to the ball. Finished career with 37 passes defensed including seven interceptions. Allowed just three touchdowns during career. Praised by coaches for competitive character and selfless, team-first attitude. Worked his tail off to return to field after fracturing ankle in mid-September. Punt-return talent; career average of 14.9 yards with three touchdowns.

Weaknesses
Frame needs more muscle. Too passive in press coverage, failing to land solid hands that slow opponent or redirect their routes. Can be bodied around by big wideouts. Plays a little tall in his backpedal. Feet lack some twitch when asked to plant and explode forward from pedal. Has issues with back to the quarterback; late to turn and find the ball, allowing catches over his head. Could struggle to carry long speed down the field. Operates with short arms and small hands. Unreliable in run support with too many side-swipe, grab-and-drag attempts. Missed six games with fractured ankle early in senior season.

NFL Comparison
B.W. Webb

Bottom Line
Four-year starter with the fluidity to handle man coverage on the outside, but lacking desired physicality and run-support traits that zone teams covet. Sutton flashed outstanding ball production his first two seasons but saw his per-game production drop since. Could be forced inside due to a lack of size on next level. Punt-return ability could be what gets him on the field first.

So far the Steelers have drafted:

39 Desmond King, CB/S, Iowa
62 Carl Lawson, DE, Auburn
94 Ryan Anderson OLB, Alabama
107 Cameron Sutton CB, Tennessee

@AZ_ and the Browns are on the clock (don't know if someone else needs to page him or not)