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2019 Draft Question

Discussion in 'NFL Draft Forum' started by Surfs Up 99, Nov 17, 2018.

  1. Surfs Up 99

    Surfs Up 99 Team Flores & Team Tua

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    I am hearing there is some pretty deep position groups this year. If a QB isn't there, is this the draft to trade back and stockpile picks? We sure could use the help.
     
  2. Not So Fast

    Not So Fast Well-Known Member

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    I heard that's going to be very deep at DL. I think it's generally a good idea to trade back unless you are targeting a specific player.
     
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  3. Unlucky 13

    Unlucky 13 Team Raheem Club Member

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    IMO, it does definately look like an off year for QB. It could even be there there are five from last season better than the best one in 2019, much like was the case from 2012 to 2013. Its a bad year to be looking for a QB.

    In the end, the combination of who is all available when we're on the clock and what offers we receive will determine whether we pounce on the best available defender or move down.
     
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  4. cna

    cna New Member

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    Yeah, and no high pick is a sure thing. Last year four QBs went in the first ten picks, and three have played poorly so far. Trading up would be a gamble.
     
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  5. djphinfan

    djphinfan Season Ticket Holder Club Member

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    A trade back happens because you think you can find equal value later on..with the added bonus of adding some extra picks, it can be a win win if your really good at evaluating personnel.

    We gotta see who’s entering first.. if Haskins and Murray enter the narrative might chance.

    Personally I haven’t looked at any, so I’ll get there soon 99
     
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  6. texanphinatic

    texanphinatic Senior Member

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    Have to wonder how much the coaching change at OSU will affect Haskins' decision. Murray seems pretty committed to baseball, and has a signed contract with the A's, but a good game against Bama cementing him as a high first rounder could change things. On the other hand, if Bama dominates and knocks him around a bunch, I can see him not wanting more in the NFL and following his commitment to MLB.
     
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  7. Galant

    Galant Love - Unity - Sacrifice - Eternity

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  8. Not So Fast

    Not So Fast Well-Known Member

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    Add another DL to the list:

     
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  9. Unlucky 13

    Unlucky 13 Team Raheem Club Member

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    Now that we're locked into 13, there should absolutely be an excellent defender there for us to take, who can come in and start from Day One. Maybe even be one of the best players on our defense from the start.
     
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  10. Surfs Up 99

    Surfs Up 99 Team Flores & Team Tua

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    Yeah, and not one QB on the lists Galant posted. :D It's early and QB's usually work their way up, which will push down some of these top guys (as you are saying). :D I also don't see any OG's and only one OC on the top 31 list. We might have to wait until round 2 to grab an interior lineman.
     
  11. texanphinatic

    texanphinatic Senior Member

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    Yeah there is no Nelson in this draft.


    In Walter's mock he has us taking Daniel Jones. Haskins and Locke going ahead of him to the Giants and Jags.
     
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  12. Surfs Up 99

    Surfs Up 99 Team Flores & Team Tua

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    I think some have said they really like him, but I am not sure if I would take Jones at 13. Right now, I probably would go BPA this year, and hope to get our franchise QB next year. I am looking for a certain personality type for our next QB.
     
  13. texanphinatic

    texanphinatic Senior Member

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    He and the rest will need to do the workouts and interview circuit. I think I'd be ok barring bad workouts or a weaker arm. I'd also be good with Haskins or Murray. If we aren't good on these guys then yeah BPA and look next year.

    However, I dont like the idea of counting on next year. Imo demand is fixing to rise rapidly, and while the 2020 class looks great now, what happens if some guys go back to school or get hurt? If we like a guy, take him. If not, then alright.
     
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  14. adamprez2003

    adamprez2003 Senior Member

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    It's very rare people draft OG or C in the first. If you need guards or centers, rounds 2 to 5 is where you stock up. So nothing unusual in that list
     
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  15. Miamiforlife

    Miamiforlife Active Member

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    If we have a shot at haskins, lock, or jones at 13. I’m taking it. I don’t like tank for tua. We need a qb already.
    If it dosnt work out. We should be in a good spot to draft a top qb in 2020. Then the guy from 2019 could be a cheap backup. Then we could have two good qbs for cheap 3 more years. We could stack the rest of the team.
     
    Last edited: Jan 8, 2019
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  16. Galant

    Galant Love - Unity - Sacrifice - Eternity

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    upload_2019-1-19_14-33-12.png

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    "By KALYN KAHLER https://www.si.com/nfl/2019/01/16/2019-nfl-draft-big-board-rankings-dwayne-haskins-jachai-polite
    January 16, 2019
    The deadline for underclassmen to declare for the draft has passed, and now we have a clearer picture of what this 2019 draft class will look like. Three underclassmen from our last big board chose to return to school: Oregon quarterback Justin Herbert, Auburn defensive tackle Derrick Brown, and Alabama defensive end Raekwon Davis. Here’s how the latest top 20 prospects shake out in their absence.

    1. NICK BOSA, DE, OHIO STATE
    Height: 6' 4" | Weight: 265 pounds

    He was the best player in college football before he injured his core muscle, and that injury hasn’t changed the way evaluators see his trajectory into the pros.

    2. QUINNEN WILLIAMS, DL, ALABAMA
    Height: 6' 3" | Weight: 295 pounds

    Williams wasn’t even a starter last year, and now he’s going pro after a season as one of the most dominant defensive players in college football.

    3. RASHAN GARY, DL, MICHIGAN
    Height: 6' 4" | Weight: 280 pounds

    Gary is a raw player, but many expect that at 280 pounds he could run around a 4.6 40 at the combine—and that’s enough to make NFL teams think that, with a little refinement, he could be a solid defensive centerpiece.

    4. ED OLIVER, DT, HOUSTON
    Height: 6' 2" | Weight: 290 pounds

    Oliver’s size will no doubt create questions ahead of the draft. But coming into the 2018 season, Oliver looked like a strong possibility to go atop the draft, maybe even in front of Bosa. But as scouts have studied him, there have been more questions than answers—there’s a feeling that Oliver would not easily fit every team.

    5. DEVIN WHITE, STACK LB, LSU
    Height: 6' 0" | Weight: 240 pounds

    He’s not as instinctive as Roquan Smith and may not be quite the college player Smith was, but his athletic traits are superior to Smith’s. Many see White as a potential Pro Bowler as a middle linebacker.

    ROSENBERG: Kyler Murray Should Follow His Heart—and Play Football

    6. JEFFERY SIMMONS, DT, MISSISSIPPI STATE
    Height: 6' 3" | Weight: 300 pounds

    Simmons assaulted a woman in high school, and that will be a big part of his draft story. The other side of it? The staff in Starkville swears by him, and he has developed into an elite player.

    7. JOSH ALLEN, OLB/DE, KENTUCKY
    Height: 6' 4" | Weight: 255 pounds

    Allen is a good example of a player who benefitted big-time from staying in school. Allen has grown into the kind of linebacker who can play both on and off the line of scrimmage and (like Tremaine Edmunds last year); teams will have to figure out just what he is as a pro.

    8. GREEDY WILLIAMS, CB, LSU
    Height: 6' 3" | Weight: 185 pounds

    Williams is tall and talented, which would make him a fit for Seattle-style defenses. But he’s also not the most physical corner; there will probably be varying opinions on him.

    9. CLELIN FERRELL, DE, CLEMSON
    Height: 6' 4" | Weight: 265 pounds

    He’s not outrageously talented, but he has good enough physical traits. Ferrell is just a really good player with great instincts as a pass rusher.

    10. DEANDRE BAKER, CB, GEORGIA
    Height: 5' 11" | Weight: 185 pounds

    Like Greedy, Baker is not for everyone, but for different reasons. He’s tough, and savvy, and a ballhawk who will likely be ready to play right away. The drawback? He’s short.

    11. CHRISTIAN WILKINS, DT, CLEMSON
    Height: 6' 3" | Weight: 315 pounds

    Wilkins is an athletic freak who some evaluators believe could actually pitch in on offense, too (he plays some goal-line tailback—not fullback, tailback). Most questions on him involve how he plays the run, but he can certainly wreak havoc in the passing game.

    12. DWAYNE HASKINS, QB, OHIO STATE
    Height: 6' 3" | Weight: 220 pounds

    Though Haskins had just one season as a starter, he has the talent and physical tools to be the first quarterback taken in the draft. He’s got the build, the arm strength and the accuracy, and he put up some ridiculous stats this season at Ohio State: 50 passing touchdowns, just eight interceptions, more than 4,800 passing yards and a 70% completion rate.

    13. JONAH WILLIAMS, OT, ALABAMA
    Height: 6' 5" | Weight: 300 pounds

    It’s still unclear as to what position Williams will play in the pros—he’s a college left tackle who might project to right tackle or inside. Whether Williams can man the left side or not, there will be a place for him in the league.

    14. DRE’MONT JONES, DT, OHIO STATE
    Height: 6' 2" | Weight: 290 pounds

    A classic 3-technique with a ton of upside, Jones plays his tail off and has his best football ahead of him. He should evolve into a disruptive force on someone’s defensive line pretty quickly.

    15. DEXTER LAWRENCE, DT, CLEMSON
    Height: 6' 3" | Weight: 350 pounds

    Lawrence is probably the best run defender in the draft, and an absolute mountain of a man. So why is he so far down the list, despite being on the national radar since his true freshman season? The feeling is that might be all he is—and, as such, maybe a two-down player. Lawrence failed a drug test that kept him out of Clemson’s run to the College Football Playoff National Title, but that doesn’t concern NFL scouts. Scouts said they need more information about the situation but considering Lawrence’s clean history, and that the banned substance was ostarine, and not a street drug, the suspension shouldn’t affect Lawrence’s draft stock.

    16. GREG LITTLE, OT, OLE MISS
    Height: 6' 6" | Weight: 320 pounds

    A five-star recruit coming out of high school, Little is a giant who looks like he was put on earth to play left tackle. His tape, to those high expectations, is more up and down than scouts would like. But the supply/demand dynamic for linemen in the NFL will help Little big-time.

    17. DEVIN BUSH, STACK LB, MICHIGAN
    Height: 5' 11" | Weight: 230 pounds

    Bush’s performance, motor, leadership, athleticism … none of that is questioned. If he was bigger, we might be putting him in the same category as Devin White, as a three-down linebacker. As it is, he’s listed at 5' 11" and 230 pounds, and the suspicion is he’s smaller than that.

    18. NOAH FANT, TE, IOWA
    Height: 6' 5" | Weight: 240 pounds

    If teams picked players solely on talent, Fant would be a slam-dunk first-round pick. But he clashed some with coaches, and hasn’t always been the most enthusiastic blocker.

    19. JACHAI POLITE, DE/OLB, FLORIDA
    Height: 6' 2" | Weight: 242 pounds

    Polite is an explosive presence coming off the edge, and he has a lot of upside to continue improving his technique in the league. In 13 games for Florida, Polite led the nation with six forced fumbles, had 11 sacks (eighth in the country), and 17.5 tackles for loss.

    20. TRAYVON MULLEN, CB, CLEMSON
    Height: 6' 1" | Weight: 195 pounds

    The Clemson junior reinforced what scouts already knew about him with a defensive MVP performance against Alabama in the College Football Playoff National Championship game. Six tackles, one sack, one forced fumble, and one interception. Mullen has the size and speed to be developed into a top-flight corner."



    "By Charlie Campbell http://walterfootball.com/nfldraftbigboard

    Updated Jan. 9, 2019

    1. Quinnen Williams, DT, Alabama. Previously: 1 Avg. 1.5 per 15
    01/09/19: WalterFootball.com was the first in the media to report and project that Williams could be a high first-round pick in the 2019 NFL Draft. Sources from multiple teams, including two general managers, were raving about Williams to me before the other media members caught on to him. Williams broke out for Alabama in 2018. Raekwon Davis and Isaiah Buggs garnered more preseason hype, but Williams was the most consistent play-maker and disruptor on the Crimson Tide's defensive line.

    Williams played well against Clemson in the National Championship, notching a handful of tackles, with some for a loss, and getting the better of some double teams.

    Williams was utterly dominant against LSU. He used devastating speed, power and technique to beat the interior of the Tigers' line. Williams beat double teams from the guard and center for sacks, plus stuffed runs at the point of attack. For the day, he totaled 2.5 sacks, 3.5 tackles for a loss and 10 tackles. Williams' outing against LSU was one of the most impressive performances I have seen by a defensive lineman in years. It was probably the best since Myles Garrett (2015) or Jadeveon Clowney (2012) during their amazing sophomore seasons.

    There is no doubt that Williams is a freak athlete. He is extremely fast off the snap with the ability to fire his gap and close on the quarterback in a hurry. He has functional strength to bull rush through blockers, or grab them and toss them aside. On top of his great skill set, Williams shows impressive technique with his hand placement and has a variety in pass-rushing moves. With his sawed-off body, Williams has natural pad level and leverage.

    In speaking with NFL sources, Williams is grading out higher than defensive tackles like Houston's Ed Oliver, Auburn's Derrick Brown, Alabama teammate Raekwon Davis, Mississippi State's Jeff Simmons and either member of the Clemson duo of Christian Wilkins and Dexter Lawrence. None of those players have a tape from this season as impressive as how Williams dominated LSU.

    In 2018, Williams totaled 71 tackles with 19.5 tackles for a loss, eight sacks and one pass batted. He caused more disruption than the numbers indicate, including routinely wrecking offensive game plans.

    The redshirt sophomore is listed at 6-foot-4, 289 pounds. If those measurements are legit, he could be a good fit as a three-technique in a 4-3 defense or as a five-technique in a 3-4.

    2. Nick Bosa, DE, Ohio State. Previously: 2 Avg. 1.8 per 20
    01/09/19: Bosa withdrew from Ohio State in October to prepare for the 2019 NFL Draft, but was already out recovering from core-muscle surgery. He totaled four sacks, 14 tackles with six for a loss and one forced fumble over his roughly two games of playing time in 2018.

    In Week 3 taking on TCU, Bosa had a strip-sack that was recovered by Ohio State for a touchdown, but that was also the game in which he sustained his injury. Two weeks earlier, Dre'Mont Jones and Bosa formed a lethal tandem who Oregon State was incapable of blocking. After coming close on a few plays, Bosa used his speed and strength to get to the quarterback for multiple sacks in the first half. The Beavers' offensive tackles were incapable of blocking Bosa, who constantly used speed to get upfield and active hands to knock down the blockers trying to get a hold of him. Bosa totaled two sacks, two fumble recoveries, one touchdown and four tackles for the contest despite only playing in the first half. He showed that he is an elite talent and a tremendous edge rusher. The Oregon State tape will help Bosa to grade out as a high first-round pick.

    08/30/18: Like his older brother Joey, Nick Bosa (6-3, 265) looks like an elite edge defender. He is fast off the edge with the ability fire by tackles to get upfield. Bosa has excellent hands, functional strength to fight off blocks, a burst to close, and puts quarterbacks down hard. In the ground game, Bosa is solid, but it is his pass-rush potential that excites.

    Bosa had 34 tackles, 8.5 sacks, two passes batted and one forced fumble in 2017. He was the Buckeyes' best defensive end even though he rotated with Sam Hubbard, Tyquan Lewis and Jalyn Holmes. Bosa could explode as a junior now that those other three have left for the NFL, which should leave Bosa playing every down in 2018. As a freshman, Bosa played well for Ohio State, recording 29 tackles with seven tackles for a loss and five sacks.

    3. Josh Allen, LB, Kentucky. Previously: 3 Avg. 10.1 per 20
    01/09/19: For the NFL, Allen is dynamic edge defender. He is a fast edge rusher with natural feel to go along with a dynamite first step. He closes in an instant and uses his good athleticism to bend around the edge or dodge blockers. Allen has developed more functional strength to take on and shed blocks. The senior also showed an improved ability to drop into pass coverage during 2018, making some huge pass breakups to lead Kentucky to a win over Florida early in the season. Allen is a quality run defender as well. He would be a great fit as a 3-4 outside linebacker. In a 4-3, he could rush off the edge and play outside linebacker.

    In 2018, Allen totaled 88 tackles with 21.5 tackles for a loss, 17 sacks, five forced fumbles and four passes batted. Prior to dominating Vanderbilt and South Carolina, the senior was phenomenal in leading Kentucky to upsets over Florida and Mississippi State.

    08/30/18: In early October of 2017, WalterFootball.com was first to report that Allen was receiving early-round grades from NFL teams. One national scout compared Allen to Leonard Floyd coming out of Georgia with Allen's ability to rush off the edge. Another director of college scouting said they had given Allen a high second-round grade, and thought Allen has similarities to current Texans linebacker Zach Cunningham in terms of his height, speed, length, and athleticism in the middle.

    Allen was one of the top edge defenders in college football during the 2017 season. The junior had seven sacks along with 65 tackles, 9.5 tackles for a loss, two forced fumbles and three passes batted on the year. He started the season fast but didn't play as well late in 2017. Allen produced well as a sophomore in 2016 with 62 tackles, 8.5 tackles for a loss, seven sacks and four forced fumbles.

    4. Rashan Gary, DT, Michigan. Previously: 6 Avg. 9.7 per 20
    01/09/19: Despite being hurt for a lot of the year, Gary decided to skip Michigan's bowl game against Florida after announcing his decision to declare for the 2019 NFL Draft.

    Gary notched five tackles with one for a loss versus Ohio State. After missing three games with a shoulder issue - specifically, an AC joint sprain -, Gary returned to the field against Penn State and made two tackles. Previously, he had one tackle for a loss against Maryland and played through an injury he suffered against Northwestern. All night against Notre Dame in the season opener, Gary burned the Fighting Irish offensive tackles and put steady hits on quarterback Brandon Wimbush. Gary totaled four tackles with .5 for a loss, but he played much better than the stat line indicates. In 2018, he totaled 43 tackles with 7.5 for a loss and 3.5 sacks.

    08/30/18: Gary notched 65 tackles with six sacks, one forced fumble and 12 tackles for a loss in 2017. He is a rare athlete who could turn into a dominant defender. Scouting sources say Gary (6-5, 287) has high first-round potential if he puts everything together. That could definitely happen during his junior season. One scouting sources who has done advance work on the 2019 class said that Gary is a rare physical talent similar to some former top-of-the-draft prospects, but Michigan doesn't turn him loose as a pass-rusher as much as other prospects were.

    5. Devin White, LB, LSU. Previously: 5 Avg. 5.7 per 20
    01/09/19: White ended the 2018 regular season with his best statistical game of the year with 17 tackles, four for a loss, one sack and one forced fumble taking on Texas A&M. Against Rice, he had nine tackles, one sack and one pass broken up. After being suspended for the first half against Alabama, White had eight tackles. White notched 10 tackles against Mississippi State and was instrumental in limiting running quarterback Nick Fitzgerald. However late in that game, White was flagged for a targeting penalty that was a horrible call by the official and that automatically suspended him for the first half of LSU's game against Alabama.

    Earlier in the season, White was vital to LSU shutting down the Georgia offense. Taking on Ole Miss, he was excellent in pass coverage while making six tackles with .5 for a loss. Versus Louisiana Tech, White recorded 11 tackles with 2.5 for a loss and three passes broken up. He made some huge plays to help LSU pull off a road upset at Auburn, totaling eight tackles with one for a loss. White had a quality start to the season with eight tackles versus Miami. In 2018, White totaled 115 tackles with 12 for a loss, five passes broken up, three sacks and two forced fumbles.

    08/30/18: White had an excellent 2017 season, totaling 133 tackles with 14 tackles for a loss, 4.5 sacks, three passes broken up and one interception. White didn't get the attention of other SEC linebackers like Roquan Smith and Rashaan Evans, who became first-round picks in the 2018 NFL Draft, but White was every bit as good as they were if not better in 2017.

    As a linebacker, White is the complete package. He has excellent instincts and is very fast to read his keys to get in position to make plays. For a big and thick linebacker, White has shocking speed to get to the perimeter, and he eats up space in a hurry. White is a good tackler who wraps up ball-carriers and puts them into the turf with force. White has the size and mentality to take on blocks, hold his ground, shed the block, and get in on tackles. He is a superb run defender.

    In pass coverage, White is a dynamic defender. He is very fast as a blitzer with excellent diagnosis skills. White reads plays quickly and covers a lot of ground in zone. He has the speed to run down the middle seam. On dump-off passes to the, flat White explodes into the ball-carrier and is very good at making tackles in space. His size and athleticism allow him to have the potential to play some man coverage on tight ends and backs out of the backfield.

    6. Jawaan Taylor, OT, Florida. Previously: 7 Avg. 28.2 per 10
    01/09/19: Multiple teams say they have Florida's Jawaan Taylor as the top offensive line prospect. They feel that Taylor will be the first blocker drafted and could go high in the first round. Entering the 2018 season, some advance scouts had mentioned being intrigued with Taylor and were hoping that he would be more consistent as a junior. That came true with Taylor performing as the Gators' best offensive lineman, and multiple team contacts say they are much higher on Taylor than Greg Little. Team sources love Taylor's combination of size, movement skills, and strength. Sources feel that 6-foot-5, 340-pounder has an excellent skill set with upside to be a top tackle in the NFL.

    Even though he is a better player than Florida left tackle Martez Ivey, Taylor started at right tackle for the Gators the past two seasons, but that doesn't bother team sources. With the way NFL teams move their edge rushers around, left or right side is borderline irrelevant. "The blind side isn't what it used to be," said one area scout. "Lane Johnson is a right tackle that's paid like a left." Thus, wherever Taylor lands, he could shut down one side and the team could send extra help to the other tackle. Teams also feel that Taylor has the ability to play left or right tackle.

    7. DeAndre Baker, CB, Georgia. Previously: 8 Avg. 11.9 per 20
    01/09/19: Baker decided to skip his bowl game to prepare for the 2019 NFL Draft. Previously, he notched three tackles against Alabama. Taking on Auburn, Baker gave up a completion and was flagged a few times, but he demonstrated otherwise good coverage. Kentucky avoided throwing at Baker, only testing him a couple of times. Those tests produced incompletions. He was very good at running the route and preventing separation.

    Taking on LSU, Baker notched four tackles with two passes broken up. Previously, he had an easy day covering Missouri wide receiver Emanuel Hall because a groin injury sapped Hall of all his signature speed and explosion. Against Middle Tennessee, Baker collected one interception and three tackles. Going against South Carolina speedster Deebo Samuel, Baker played him pretty well overall, but he had two pass interference penalties as well. Baker also caught a tipped pass for an interception and nearly returned it for a long touchdown, but made a stupid play and dropped the ball before crossing the goal line. Luckily for him, a teammate scooped it up and scored. Baker totaled 40 tackles with nine breakups, two interceptions and one forced fumble on the season.

    08/30/18: Baker (5-11, 183) was very impressive as the No. 1 cornerback for Georgia in 2017. He showed good speed and athleticism to run with receivers and prevent separation. As a corner, Baker has some similarities to former Ohio State corner Denzel Ward. Like Ward, weight could be an issue, so it would be good if Baker could add some muscle to his frame to battle NFL receivers. Baker totaled 44 tackles with nine passes broken up and three interceptions for 2017. As a sophomore, he notched two picks, five breakups and 31 tackles. Some team sources have compared Baker to Buffalo Bills cornerback Tre'Davious White.

    8. Jeffery Simmons, DT, Mississippi State. Previously: 9 Avg. 5.4 per 20
    01/09/19: In the Egg Bowl, Simmons recorded four tackles with two for a loss, one sack, one forced fumble and a pass batted. He previously had six tackles with two for a loss against Alabama. Taking on Texas A&M, Simmons collected three tackles. A week earlier, he turned in an excellent game against LSU, making plays in the ground game and getting pass pressure. Earlier in the year, Simmons recorded five tackles with one for a loss against Auburn. He has 59 tackles with 14.5 tackles for a loss, one sack, one forced fumble and four passes batted on the season.

    In a mid-September Hot Press post, WalterFootball.com reported how one team's scout said they were going to fight for Simmons in pre-draft meetings after doing their research into the background of Simmons. They said that the staff at Mississippi State and contacts at his hometown town speak highly of Simmons. He will face a lot of scrutiny because of a tape of him in a street fight, but there is no doubt that Simmons is a top-20 talent for the NFL. If team evaluators are comfortable with Simmons off the field, that could send his stock soaring high into the first round of the 2019 NFL Draft.

    08/30/18: Simmons (6-4, 301) is extremely talented athletically and possesses a ton of upside. In 2017, he totaled 60 tackles with 12 tackles for a loss, five sacks, two forced fumbles and one pass batted. As a freshman, he had 40 tackles with two forced fumbles. While Simmons is a great athlete with a superb skill set, he comes with off-the-field baggage, including a video of him striking a woman with multiple punches in a street fight. Similar to Joe Mixon, that video could cause Simmons to slide in his draft class.

    9. Raekwon Davis, DT, Alabama. Previously: 10 Avg. 8.9 per 20
    01/09/19: Taking on Oklahoma, Davis collected one sack and had some other pressures on Kyler Murray. Davis did not record any stats versus Tennessee. Previously, he was phenomenal against Missouri, making impressive plays in run defense and putting pressure on the quarterback. He finished that contest with six tackles and .5 sacks. Against Arkansas, Davis notched four tackles. He totaled three tackles versus Ole Miss, but did not play much due to the game effectively being over early in the second quarter. Davis totaled 55 tackles, 5.5 for a loss and 1.5 sacks on the season.

    08/30/18: Davis could make it three years in a row that an interior defensive lineman from Alabama goes as a top-20 pick. Like Da'Ron Payne, the 6-foot-6, 316-pound Davis has a freaky combination of size, quickness and athleticism. As a sophomore, Davis showed interior pass-rush skills with a fast first-step, active hands with functional strength to fight off blocks, and a burst to close. Davis can use powerful bull rushes to power through blockers as well.

    Davis broke out in 2017 for the eventual National Champions, racking up 69 tackles with 10 tackles for a loss, 8.5 sacks and one interception. It was his first season of extended playing time, and he was very impressive. Davis definitely has early-round potential for his draft class.

    10. Ed Oliver, DT, Houston. Previously: 12 Avg. 9.1 per 20
    01/09/19: Oliver skipped Houston's bowl game to avoid the risk of injury. His last action saw his return to the field against Memphis. He only played half of that game, totaling three tackles, one for a loss and one pass breakup. The game against Tulane was the fourth straight game Oliver had missed with a knee injury, but to add insult to injury, he had an altercation on the sideline with head coach Major Applewhite when Applewhite told Oliver to remove his cold-weather coat, which is only supposed to be worn by active players. Oliver had to be restrained due to going after Applewhite. After the game, Oliver released an apology and Applewhite downplayed the incident.

    Previously, Oliver totaled five tackles with a sack and two tackles for a loss against Navy. A week earlier, the Cougars beat East Carolina while Oliver had six tackles with two sacks and a forced fumble. He was superb against Arizona in early September, causing disruption while routinely beating double teams and some triple teams. In Week 1, Oliver was all over the field against Rice, recording 13 tackles - eight solo - with 3.5 for a loss. He totaled 54 tackles with 14.5 tackles for a loss, three sacks, one forced fumble and two passes batted on the season.

    In a mid-October Hot Press story, we wrote about how not all NFL teams view Oliver as a high first-round pick. Sources say that Houston had Oliver weighing at 275 pounds and had played him as heavy as 282. The Cougars staff said that 285-290 is too heavy for Oliver. He also is shorter than his listed height. Oliver does not have great strength and can struggle with mass and double teams. Some sources say that they are grading Oliver as a late first-round pick and expect him to go in the middle of the first round.

    08/30/18: Oliver (6-3, 290) is extremely fast at the point of attack. He explodes out of his stance and immediately gets penetration into the backfield. On top of his speed and tremendous pad level, Oliver possesses active hands with functional strength to slap away blockers hands. Oliver has a quality motor and doesn't quit on plays that go downfield. While they have different body types, Oliver reminds me of Warren Sapp with his explosive speed off the ball and the way he lives in the backfield.

    In 2017, Oliver had 73 tackles with 16.5 tackles for a loss, 5.5 sacks, three passes batted and two forced fumbles. He continued the strong play from his debut season despite seeing extra blocking attention all year. As a freshman, Oliver dominated at the point of attack, starting with his debut game against Oklahoma. From the beginning, Oliver overwhelmed offensive linemen with his quickness, athletic ability, and physicality. He totaled 66 tackles with 22.5 tackles for a loss, five sacks, three forced fumbles and nine passes batted that season.

    11. Jachai Polite, DE, Florida. Previously: 20 Avg. 20.3 per 12
    01/09/19: To help Florida beat Michigan, Polite recorded two tackles with a strip-sack. Previously, he dominated Florida State, totaling six tackles, 3.5 for a loss, 2.5 sacks and a forced fumble.

    Polite was a force on the edge for Florida in 2018. The junior has an odd body type, but he could be a good rotational edge rusher in a 4-3 and would fit well as a 3-4 outside linebacker. On the year, Polite totaled 11 sacks with six forced fumbles, 45 tackles, 17.5 tackles for a loss and four passes batted. He has natural feel as a pass-rusher with speed, athleticism and moves. The 6-foot-2, 260-pound Polite is a bit of tweener in that he has the height of a tackle but the weight of a defensive end. Polite has good speed and athleticism at the point of attack. In 2017, he totaled 22 tackles with 5.5 tackles for a loss and two sacks. Polite had two sacks as a freshman.

    12. Dre'Mont Jones, DT, Ohio State. Previously: 13 Avg. 21.7 per 20
    01/09/19: Jones had four tackles and a sack against Northwestern in the Big Ten Championship. Even without Nick Bosa, Jones was consistent all year, producing on a weekly basis. Versus Maryland, he had six tackles with two for a loss and a sack. Against Michigan State, Jones recovered a fumble in the end zone for a critical touchdown. Taking on Nebraska, he totaled five tackles with a sack. Jones was awesome to start out the 2018 season, notching huge plays to help lead Ohio State to wins over Oregon State and TCU.

    Jones totaled 8.5 sacks, 43 tackles, 13 tackles for a loss, two passes batted, one forced fumble and a 28-yard pick-six on the year. In 2017, he recorded 20 tackles with five for a loss, one sack and two passes broken up. The 6-foot-3, 295-pounder was very disruptive for Ohio State that season. He earned a starting job as a redshirt freshman in 2016 and totaled 52 tackles.

    Jones has ton of physical talent with speed at the point of attack. Sources believe that he possesses a first-round skill set. He is very fast with an excellent burst off the snap to fire his gap and cause disruption in the backfield.

    13. Clelin Ferrell, DE, Clemson. Previously: 14 Avg. 10.4 per 20
    01/09/19: Ferrell notched four tackles with 1.5 for a loss in the win over Alabama. Previously, he dominated Duke, constantly harassing quarterback Daniel Jones while totaling five tackles, two sacks and a pass batted. After being quiet in the early going versus Boston College, Ferrell came alive partway through to record 1.5 sacks and four tackles. Earlier in the year, Clemson rolled N.C. State as Ferrell racked up five tackles with 2.5 for a loss. He had three tackles and a sack against Wake Forest. A few weeks before against Georgia Southern, Ferrell was superb with seven tackles, two sacks and one pass batted. Against Texas A&M, Ferrell was excellent with two sacks, a tackle for a loss and a critical forced fumble that helped Clemson to a two-point win. Ferrell totaled 55 tackles with 11.5 sacks, 19.5 tackles for a loss, four passes batted and three forced fumbles in 2018.

    08/30/18: In 2017, Clemson fielded a defensive line that was comprised of future first-round picks, and Ferrell was arguably the most consistent of the bunch. He created a lot of the big plays for the Tigers' other defensive linemen with the instant pressure he caused off the snap. Fellow defensive end Austin Bryant spent 2017 playing himself into an early-rounder, but Bryant did well cleaning up a lot of scrambling quarterbacks running away from Ferrell.

    Ferrell has superb speed with athleticism and the ability to bend around the corner. He is very fast off the snap to get upfield and put quick pressure on the quarterback. Ferrell is more disruptive than his stat line indicates. In 2017, he totaled 66 tackles with 18 tackles for a loss, 9.5 sacks, one pass batted and two forced fumbles. In 2016, Ferrell had an impressive redshirt freshman season for the Tigers, totaling 44 tackles with 12.5 tackles for a loss, six sacks and two passes batted.

    14. Zach Allen, DE, Boston College. Previously: 15 Avg. 8.7 per 20
    01/09/19: The bowl game against Boise State was canceled, but Allen was being held out with an injury. Previously, he had five tackles with .5 tackles for a loss against Syracuse. While Boston College lost late in the fourth quarter to Florida State, Allen played really well, totaling six tackles, one sack and one pass batted. Allen was awesome against Clemson, showing superb ability to play the run and rush the passer. He had four tackles with one for a loss and three passes batted from taking on the Tigers. Versus Virginia Tech, Allen had four tackles. Against Louisville, he totaled seven tackles with three for a loss and a sack. Allen dominated Temple, recording eight tackles, two sacks, four tackles for a loss and a forced fumble. He totaled 61 tackles with 6.5 sacks, seven passes batted, one forced fumble and 15 tackles for a loss on the year.

    08/30/18: Allen (6-4, 284) didn't receive the hype of teammate Harold Landry, but Allen was the better pro prospect and could easily have been picked before Landry if both had been in the 2018 NFL Draft. Allen is a tough run defender who is strong to hold his ground at the point of attack. He anchors well and is tough to move. As a pass-rusher, Allen has an impressive first-step and burst out of his stance for a heavy defensive end. He has the strength to get pressure on the bull rush and the speed to close. Allen could use more pass-rushing moves for the NFL and with his size and strength, it would be nice to see him add a club or rip move.

    Allen totaled 100 tackles with 15.5 tackles for a loss, six sacks, three passes broken up and an interception in 2017. In the NFL, Allen will be an asset as a run defender playing end in a 4-3 or 3-4 defense.

    15. Trevon Diggs, CB, Alabama. Previously: 16 Avg. 13.8 per 15
    01/09/19: Diggs spent the last portion of the 2018 season out with a foot injury. Team sources say they think there is a good chance that Diggs returns to Alabama for 2019. In his last action, which was against Arkansas, he had seven tackles with a pass broken up and a forced fumble. Diggs took his game to another level in 2018. He flashed in 2017, but still was developing at cornerback after opening his career playing both offense and defense. He was finally able to focus on corner in 2017, and his play took a huge jump into the phenomenal during 2018.

    As a freshman, Diggs had 11 receptions for 88 yards and a touchdown. He also brings added value as a punt and kick returner after doing that during his first two seasons at Alabama. In his sophomore year, Diggs totaled 13 tackles with five breakups and an interception. He was buried on the depth chart behind Anthony Averett, Levi Wallace and Tony Brown.

    Diggs is listed at 6-foot-2, 199 pounds with excellent speed and athleticism. He recorded 20 tackles with six passes broken up, one forced fumble and one interception for his 2018.

    16. Christian Wilkins, DT, Clemson. Previously: 17 Avg. 19.3 per 20
    01/09/19: In the National Championship against Alabama, Wilkins ended his collegiate career in style with .5 sacks, four tackles, one for loss, and a lot of disruption. In the ACC Championship against Pittsburgh, Wilkins totaled three tackles with one for a loss. Against South Carolina, he made three tackles and a sack, plus rushed twice for two yards, notching a one-yard touchdown on one carry. Previously, Wilkins had a sack, 1.5 tackles for a loss and a handful of tackles against Duke. A week earlier, he had four tackles with 1.5 for a loss against Boston College. Taking on Louisville, Wilkins played well with five tackles and .5 sacks. Versus N.C. State, he caused a lot of disruption in the backfield with pass pressure on Ryan Finley. Wilkins made five tackles versus Wake Forest. Against Georgia Tech, he had three tackles with 2.5 tackles for a loss and one sack. In 2018, Wilkins totaled 50 tackles with 14 for a loss, 5.5 sacks and a forced fumble.

    08/30/18: In 2017, Wilkins totaled 60 tackles with 8.5 tackles for a loss and four sacks. He played well all year, using his speed and athleticism to cause disruption at the point of attack. In speaking with sources at multiple teams, they see Wilkins as a future first-rounder. He is a fast interior pass-rusher who can collapse the pocket and provide an inside pass rush.

    Wilkins (6-3, 312) played well for Clemson in 2016 as part of a tough defensive line that controlled the point of attack. The sophomore recorded 48 tackles with 13 tackles for a loss, 3.5 sacks and 10 passes batted. Wilkins made 33 tackles and two sacks as a freshman in 2015. He has a nice skill set with versatility to play a lot of techniques up front.

    17. A.J. Brown, WR, Ole Miss. Previously: 18 Avg. 16.9 per 20
    01/09/19: Against Mississippi State, Brown had four receptions for 61 yards. He recorded 10 receptions for 155 yards and a touchdown taking on Auburn, but a lot of those numbers came in garbage time. Versus LSU, he made nine receptions for 72 yards. Against Alabama, he totaled four receptions for 34 yards. Brown totaled 85 receptions for 1,320 yards and seven scores on the year.

    08/30/18: In 2017, Brown totaled 75 receptions for 1,252 yards and 11 touchdowns despite playing for a bad team that lost its starting quarterback to injury. Brown (6-1, 225) is a quick receiver who is not a burner with rare speed, but he makes up for it with polish and physicality. Brown is very dangerous with the ball in his hands. He uses his well-built frame to break tackles and is very difficult for a lot of defensive backs to get to the ground. For the NFL, Brown has tremendous yards-after-the-catch potential and could be a great fit in a west coast offense. He had a strong debut in 2016 with 29 receptions for 412 yards with two touchdowns.

    18. Montez Sweat, DE, Mississippi State. Previously: 19 Avg. 17.2 per 20
    01/09/19: Sweat totaled 1.5 sacks with six tackles in the Egg Bowl. Taking on Alabama, he had five tackles with some pressure off the edge. Mississippi State lost to LSU in a contest that saw Sweat collect seven tackles and one sack. Versus Auburn, Sweat was excellent following a quiet first half. He burned the Tigers' tackles with speed rushes and had three sacks to help close out the win for the Bulldogs. While Mississippi State lost to Florida, Sweat got the better of Gators offensive tackles Jawaan Taylor and Martez Ivey. Taking on Kentucky, Sweat did well in the pass rush, but he needs to get better in run defense for the NFL. Sweat recorded seven tackles with 1.5 sacks against the Wildcats. Previously, he was very productive against Stephen F. Austin and Kansas State. Sweat totaled 53 tackles, 14 for a loss and 11.5 sacks on the year.

    08/30/18: Sweat debuted for the Bulldogs with an excellent 2017 season as a dynamic edge defender. He totaled an SEC-leading 10.5 sacks, with 15.5 tackles for a loss and 48 tackles for the year. To start out his collegiate career, Sweat played at Michigan State before some disciplinary issues led to him leaving for the junior college ranks at Co-Lin Community College. Sweat could add weight to become a defensive end, stay as an outside linebacker, or be a 3-4 outside linebacker in the NFL.

    Sweat is a dangerous pass-rusher who shows good instincts and natural feel off the edge. He has good play recognition and uses his instincts to get in the right position to affect the quarterback or disrupt plays. For a tall defender, Sweat possesses a nice ability to redirect, and he uses that to get after the quarterback or defend the perimeter. As a pure pass-rusher, Sweat is quick off the edge with the speed to turn the corner and run around offensive tackles. One of his most impressive traits is his active hands to fight off blocks while using his feet at the same time. Sweat has some functional strength that he uses to get off blocks and shows impressive hand placement to get under the pads of blockers or rip them away from him. Sweat's excellent length helps him to do that and also makes it harder for offensive tackles to get into his chest. Once he gets free, Sweat has burst to close on the quarterback.

    19. Johnathan Abram, S, Mississippi State. Previously: 11 Avg. 19.3 per 3
    01/09/19: Abram recorded 99 tackles with two interceptions, five passes broken up, three sacks and nine tackles for a loss in 2018. He totaled 71 tackles with five passes broken up and two forced fumbles in 2017. In speaking with multiple area scouts who cover the Southeast, Abram received some praise for helping himself in 2017. He was a physical defender and around the ball consistently for the Bulldogs. Team evaluators feel that Abram is a solid player with starting potential. They like his physical style of play and the presence he provides on the back end. Abram is a violent enforcer in the middle of the field. He also has cover skills with the ability to defend tight ends with versatility to play free or strong safety.

    20. Josh Jacobs, RB, Alabama. Previously: 25 Avg. 22.5 per 2
    01/09/19: Jacobs is a very physically gifted running back, and I know some team sources who are super high on him. Of the talented Alabama running backs, some scouts feel Jacobs is the best NFL prospect in the group. The 5-foot-10, 216-pounder is fast with athleticism, agility, running instincts, balance, power, and quick feet. He only carried the ball 120 times in 2018, but turned that into 640 yards - 5.3 average - with 11 touchdowns. He also had 20 receptions for 247 yards and three scores. After being a rotational back for three years, Jacobs will be entering the NFL with very little wear-and-tear.

    21. Damien Harris, RB, Alabama. Previously: 21 Avg. 25.5 per 20
    01/09/19: The senior averaged 5.8 yards per carry in 2018 for 876 yards and nine touchdowns. He also had 22 receptions for 204 yards. Harris averaged 7.4 yards per carry in 2017 for 1,000 yards with 11 touchdowns. He also notched 12 receptions for 91 yards that season. On only 145 carries in 2016, Harris averaged 7.2 yards per carry for 1,040 yards with two touchdowns. He had 14 receptions for 99 yards, too.

    Harris' strong 2017 season saw him show off both enough speed to break off long runs and the physicality to run through tackles and pick up yards after contact. He also displayed some blocking and receiving ability for the passing game. Harris has continued in the same fashion this year and looks like a complete back with three-down starting potential for the NFL. Sources told me that they were grading the 5-foot-11, 221-pound Harris on the second day for the 2018 NFL Draft before he had decided to return to school. They compared him to the good version of Doug Martin.

    22. Albert Okwuegbunam, TE, Missouri. Previously: 23 Avg. 25.6 per 20
    01/09/19: Okwuegbunam's season ended in the beginning of November with a shoulder injury. In his final action of 2018, he notched four receptions for 46 yards and a touchdown against Florida. He injured his shoulder midway through that contest and did not return. Earlier in the season, Okwuegbunam showed his special talent against Memphis by catching six passes for 159 yards and three touchdowns.

    Okwuegbunam is one of the most dangerous mismatch weapons in college football even though Missouri does not always utilize him. When the Tigers do, he produces big plays for them via his speed to get down the seam or by using his the size to wall off defenders and make catches over them when they are able to keep him from getting separation. For 2018, Okwuegbunam totaled 43 receptions for 466 yards with six touchdowns. The 6-foot-5, 255-pounder could be the first tight end selected if he enters the 2019 NFL Draft.

    23. Greedy Williams, CB, LSU. Previously: 22 Avg. 19.3 per 20
    01/09/19: Multiple team sources say they feel that Williams is overrated. Some think he is a nice player, but one who lacks elite speed and thus is not a high first-round talent.

    Williams did not play in the Fiesta Bowl. Previously, he notched two tackles and a pass breakup versus Texas A&M. Taking on Arkansas, he had one tackle with three passes broken up. Williams struggled against Alabama, giving up a few first-down receptions and a touchdown, plus a longer completion by Jerry Jeudy. Taking on Mississippi State, Williams had one tackle and one pass broken up. Previously, he played well against Georgia and did a good job of preventing separation. Against Florida, he demonstrated good coverage, but also did not record any stats as the Gators avoided throwing his direction. Williams also played well against Ole Miss and its trio of future NFL receivers of A.J. Brown, Damarkus Lodge and D.K. Metcalf. Williams mostly went against Lodge and Metcalf, putting together a good game. Versus Louisiana Tech, Williams made two tackles. He snagged one interception against Auburn and had good coverage downfield when tested. In Week 2, Williams notched an interception against Southeast Louisiana. On the season, Williams totaled two interceptions, 32 tackles and nine passes broken up.

    08/30/18: Williams broke out in 2017 with six interceptions, 11 passes broken up and 38 tackles. For pass coverage, Williams is an impressive cornerback. The first thing that stands out is his ability to run the route and prevent separation. Williams possesses enough speed to carry verticals and the recoverability to close gaps from breaks. He has quick feet and agility to stay in the hip pocket of wideouts. On top of his ability to run, Williams has excellent height and length, which make it tough to get around him. On top of his physical skills, Williams has an impressive mental makeup as an instinctive player.

    The biggest concern regarding Williams (6-2, 175) entering his redshirt sophomore season is his weight. He is extremely thin-framed, and that is an issue that could weigh down his draft grade if he is unable to pack on more pounds leading up to his draft. Being so skinny is going to cause a lot of teams to have durability concerns because a lot of thin-framed cornerbacks have a hard time avoiding injuries in professional football.

    24. Dexter Lawrence, DT, Clemson. Previously: 24 Avg. 16.3 per 20
    01/09/19: After a failed drug test, Lawrence was suspended for Clemson's playoff games against Notre Dame and Alabama. Taking on Pittsburgh in the ACC Championship, Lawrence was very tough at the point of attack, stuffing runs and causing havoc. He totaled five tackles and a sack on the day. Against Boston College, Lawrence made three tackles and played well in terms of disruption at the point of attack. In a blowout win for Clemson over Wake Forest, Lawrence did not record any stats. He previously notched three tackles versus Syracuse. A week earlier against Texas A&M, he collected three tackles. He also had a few pressures in the pass rush and caused some disruption. Lawrence totaled 37 tackles with 7.5 for a loss, 1.5 sacks and three passes broken up on the year.

    08/30/18: Lawrence totaled 34 tackles with 2.5 sacks in 2017. While he wasn't as good as he was in 2016, and his production reflected that, he helped create a lot of sacks for those around him. Some team sources wonder if Lawrence was playing injured as a sophomore.

    Lawrence was a tremendous freshman to help Clemson win the National Championship. NFL sources were raving about him in the 2017 preseason, as he was impossible to ignore in 2016. Lawrence was an All-Freshman selection all over the nation while being the ACC Rookie of the Year for that season. He totaled 63 tackles with 9.5 tackles for a loss, seven sacks and a pass batted that year. One national scout for a NFC team told me that they thought Lawrence was among the two most disruptive defensive linemen in 2016, along with Alabama's Jonathan Allen.

    25. Greg Little, OT, Ole Miss. Previously: 26 Avg. 28 per 20
    01/09/19: Over three years as a starter at Ole Miss, Little was clearly one of the most talented offensive tackles in college football. The 6-foot-6, 325-pounder has excellent size with athleticism and agility. Little could end up being a really good left tackle if he works hard and makes the most of his immense potential, but that hasn't happened yet, so he could be a boom-or-bust prospect with a significant lethargy risk once he gets a multi-million dollar contract.

    27. Drew Lock, QB, Missouri.Previously: 27 Avg. 33.6 per 20
    28. Cody Ford, G, Oklahoma.Previously: 28 Avg. 33.4 per 16
    29. Dwayne Haskins, QB, Ohio State.Previously: 29 Avg. 28.2 per 5
    30. Jonah Williams, OT, Alabama.Previously: 30 Avg. 38.3 per 20
    31. Bryce Love, RB, Stanford.Previously: 31 Avg. 26.8 per 20
    32. Daniel Jones, QB, Duke.Previously: NR Avg. 32 per 0

    Read more at http://walterfootball.com/nfldraftbigboard#g3zLQXHX6ozPJJIW.99"
     
    Surfs Up 99 and Nappy Roots like this.
  17. Nappy Roots

    Nappy Roots Well-Known Member

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    Dec 3, 2007
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    Excellent stuff Galant. Dexter Lawrence seems like the natural fit for us at 13. Dominate run stopper, also be a incredible NT when playing different fronts. Would help the linebackers immediately.
     
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