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There is something called competitive medical advantage. The Simmons kid in Nashville is one of those examples. Jameson Williams is probably the best player in the draft regardless of position. If Linderbaum is a probowl caliber center coming off surgery, if the team can get him in the 2nd rd, thats a win correct?
Same here
Hutchinson.
What a quandary eh? Neal and the Sauce would be nice too. Those 3 have to take precedence over Hamilton.
Most national mockers overwhelmingly have Jags taking him.
There's a lot of name dropping to create interest in the pick. Lions are doing the same. The teams at the top of this draft are trying to move out of their pick.
Yeah - can you say Travon Walker?
What was the fiasco? What if Mack has a major knee injury in his 1st game in the NFL?
Really? What is the minimum arm length for an off ball LB? I thought tackling behind your pads was still be taught?
Yeah, I’d take Sauce, Neal or Ekwonu.
This isn't a very scientific survey or analysis. What is the average arm length for men that size? There may be a much smaller sample size of LBs with arms under 31". Also, the reasoning for preferred arm length is flawed. Increased arm length allows a defender to grab the pads or the jersey of the blocker and keep the blocker from getting to the defenders body. And an inch or two length may help making a shoestring tackle. But you want defenders to lead with their shoulder.
Big questions: A falling prospect, plus a debate at OT
How far could Oregon defensive end Kayvon Thibodeaux drop?
Miller: One year ago, as we looked ahead to this draft class, the Oregon pass-rusher was in the mix to be the No. 1 overall prospect. Now, a month from the start of Round 1, Thibodeaux is one of the most polarizing prospects in the class. Following a breakout true freshman season in 2019 in which he posted nine sacks, he struggled through a pandemic-shortened 2020 and had just three sacks in seven games -- a stat his supporters would point to as productive considering the attention opposing offensive lines were giving him. The concerns began last season, however, when Thibodeaux left the Ducks' Week 1 game in a walking boot.
Now, as scouts and general managers assemble their final rankings, Thibodeaux is falling in the eyes of NFL teams as opposed to competing to be the No. 1 pick. Here's what I know about the reasons behind his drop:
Of course, the above concerns could be for naught, as it takes only one team to love a prospect. The Lions or Texans could take Thibodeaux at No. 2 or 3, but the word from sources in the league is that Thibodeaux is expected to be drafted outside the top five picks and could even be selected outside the top 10.
- ▪
Production: Thibodeaux didn't show the quickness and burst expected on his way to seven sacks and 12 tackles for loss -- good numbers, but not those expected of a player deemed a front-runner for the No. 1 pick. Beyond those numbers, scouts and front-office execs with whom I've spoken have praised his talent but consistently questioned his motor. "Lack of fire" is not the type of label prospects want.- ▪
Interviews: Reporting on prospects' interviews with NFL teams is always tough because I want to be fair to the player, which is why it's important to not report information gleaned from a single source. More than half a dozen scouts have told me that Thibodeaux did not impress in interviews with their teams. The word consistently used to describe his interviews is "poor." That's a red flag, especially for teams looking to use a premium pick.- ▪
Injury: Thibodeaux sprained his ankle in September, an injury that takes time to heal. One scout charged with evaluating Thibodeaux, however, thought that he was timid after the injury and said that those within the Oregon program agreed.
Looking at the draft order, if the Seahawks (No. 9) and Jets (No. 10) don't select Thibodeaux, he could slide further, as Washington, Minnesota, Houston and Baltimore are not expected to select pass-rushers at picks Nos. 11-14. A lot can change once the draft starts and panic sets in, but one month out it's not unrealistic to think Thibodeaux could be on the board for the Eagles at No. 15.
Who will be the first offensive tackle selected: Ikem Ekwonu or Evan Neal?
Reid: This is a deep tackle class, with potentially four going in the top 20 picks, but Ekwonu and Neal are in a tier by themselves. Opinions are mixed across the league, however, on who is the top guy.
Having scouted both up close on multiple occasions last season, each is as good as advertised. At 6-foot-4, 320 pounds, Ekwonu is an explosive player who played both guard and tackle at NC State. He turned into a stalwart at left tackle over the past two seasons, showing outstanding play strength and nastiness when finishing blocks. The area that scouts want to see him improve is his over-aggressiveness in pass sets, which leads to him giving up inside pressure.
The 6-foot-7, 337-pound Neal has one of the most impressive frames that you will see for a player at the position. Nimble for his size, his physical tools stand out on tape, but it's his positional flexibility that has most helped his game. Neal began his career at right guard before transitioning to right tackle and ending his junior season at left tackle. Where could he improve? Balance and consistently finishing are the two elements that have come up most when asking scouts.
The clock for Ekwonu and Neal starts with the Texans at No. 3, but there isn't yet a consensus on which player Houston will take. Could Neal's experience playing against SEC opponents every week win out? Here's what an area scout told me at Alabama's pro day earlier this week: "I like Neal a lot," he said. "The fact that he's done it at a high level in the SEC and played tackle on both sides makes me like him more." -- Reid
How good is this running back class? Let's find their best fits
Breece Hall, Iowa State
What he does best: Everything. Hall is a classic three-down back with instant NFL starter ability. Throughout his Iowa State career, he showed both inside and outside vision, speed to break away on chunk plays and the hands to impress in the passing game. His combination of size (5-11, 217) and speed (4.39-second 40-yard dash) to wow teams with his ability to step in as a true featured back.
Where he could fit: The end of Round 1 is Hall's sweet spot. The Bills (No. 25 overall) could definitely look for a do-it-all back with speed. The same goes for the Buccaneers (No. 27), even after re-signing Leonard Fournette. Should he make it to Round 2, the Texans (No. 37) are a fit. -- Miller
James Cook, Georgia
What he does best: Versatility is the name of Cook's game. He can run between the tackles, but his calling card in the NFL will come on perimeter runs and creative ways to use his pass-catching ability. Because of his ability to accelerate and generate explosive plays, he could become a popular target to add to a committee.
Where he could fit: Early-to-mid third round is the likely landing spot for Cook, but it wouldn't surprise me if he goes even earlier than that. The Texans (No. 80) and Giants (No. 81) make sense, but his floor could be the Dolphins (No. 102), who have a versatile offensive system in which he could thrive. -- Reid
![[IMG]](https://archive.ph/NcTFW/369942dfdc60e4127986622ab7961c1f50d9ff5d.png "[IMG]")
Pierre Strong Jr., South Dakota State
What he does best: Strong is a creative back with game-changing speed (4.37-second 40) and explosiveness. He makes defenders miss with awesome field vision and the speed to pull away for chunk yardage. He's also strong and wiry enough to bounce off tacklers and keep going after first contact.
Where he could fit: Give Strong to a team running outside zone and watch him run free. The Dolphins (No. 102), Chiefs (No. 103), 49ers (No. 105) or Texans (No. 107) are all fits. -- Miller
This is an interesting read. I personally think that RB is a need, but I wouldn’t take one at #37. I think WR, edge, or OL would be in play over RB there. Now if we were to pick up an extra 2nd somehow then I might go for one of the top RBs, but I’d prefer using late 3rd or one of our 4ths for the position.
I think depth at the position in this draft may make me feel the opposite. RB is razor thin, with two guys ready to step in immediately as impact players. While at WR, the depth will last through the 3rd round. And what is going to take more pressure off a sophomore QB? A #3 WR or a lead RB?
Just curious L, who do you have as your top 3 backs? ( In this draft)
Love that speed
#Metoo
I am 100% there with you! In my mock draft simulators I’ve been looking at either of those players with 37
Sting is a talented singer/songwriter, but I wouldn't even bother signing him to a UDFA contract.
So you're taking Sting off the draft board? What about this Sting? I see him more as a edge rusher.
No longevity. Athletic but not a player. Never made it in his Chosen profession. Quick without researching can anyone name his former teammate's name? Hint he was the Ultimate at something... Couple has beens never successful.So you're taking Sting off the draft board? What about this Sting? I see him more as a edge rusher.
James Cook is my dude in the 2nd rd.
