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2018 NFL Combine

IDEXAN said:
Do we really think that McNair permits Harrision to remain on the Texans Board - 3 HS and how many colleges ? sounds like real head-case.
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I'm not sure Harrison makes it to the Texans pick, now.

IDEXAN said:
Every mock I've seen has Orlando Brown in the first round so do we think he drops out of the top round because of a combine performance ? I doubt it because these are offensive lineman we are talking about people.
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O-linemen don't get killed at the combine. Unless they perform as badly as Brown did. You can succeed in college because of overwhelming size. In the NFL, you have to be able to move. Looks like this year's version of Louis Nix.
 
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Lucky said:
I'm not sure Harrison makes it to the Texans pick, now.
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Obviously because of his athleticism and foot speed there will some ZB teams who will take a look at him but we are picking very early in
third round, right ? Oh yea I expect him to be on that Board, but moot issue for us anyway because of his off field red-flags.
 
Looks like Brian Oneill and Orlando Brown are going to be swapping projection spots after the combine.

It would be extremely rare for a player who tests as poorly as Brown across the board to succeed in the NFL. Watch the video of his 40, that's a whole lot of jello. Can you get a 0 sparq score?

Brian Oneill looking like he may have a Lane Johnson type rise after the combine.
 
Offensive linemen

Orlando Brown, Okalahoma: Brown has had one of the roughest combinesso far. Projected as a first-rounder coming in, Brown followed up a 14-rep showing on the bench with the fifth-slowest combine 40 time since 2006; the four other players were not drafted. Mayock didn't pull punches on Brown's performance. "It's appropriate to have the conversation that that's going to hurt him," Mayock said of Brown's 40 time, "in addition to the 14 reps on the bench. ... If you look at him, he's really kind of underdeveloped in his upper body."

Alex Cappa, Humboldt State: "I've never seen an offensive lineman throw more people out of the club. ... I know it's Division II, but it pops off the tape."

Austin Corbett, Nevada: Corbett's combine performance (5.15 40) prompted Mayock to suggest he could sneak into the first round.

Desmond Harrison, West Georgia: The Texas transfer ran the second-fastest 40-yard dash of all offensive linemen (4.90). Mayock said Harrison "opened some eyes" with his combine showing.

Will Hernandez, UTEP: Mayock called Hernandez a "Day 1 starter in the NFL," colorfully adding, "If you want get in a fight in a phone booth, that's your guy right there."

Cole Madison, Washington State: Mayock likes how Madison pops out his stance, and said that the Air Raid veteran could "potentially start at guard" in the league.

Kolton Miller, UCLA: Miller set the record in broad jump (10'1") before recording a sub-five 40. Mayock clairifed, "He's just going to keep stacking those types of performances today, but when you watch his tape, I tell you, he's up and down."

Brian O'Neill, Pittsburgh: The former tight end ran the fastest 40 time of all offensive linemen (4.80), but Mayock admits O'Neill "needs more sand in his pants."

Billy Price, Ohio State: Price suffered a partially torn pec that will keep him out until training camp. Despite not participating in the drills, Price was lauded as a "really clean football player" who can play "at all three interior line positions."

Will Richardson, NC State: Mayock called him a"sloppy body," but also a "people mover."

Rod Taylor, Ole Miss: Mayock liked Taylor's movement and said he'll have to rewatch his tape after a strong combine performance.

Coleman Shelton, Washington: Mayock pointed out that Shelton reminded him of Eagles center Jason Kelce on tape.
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http://www.nfl.com/news/story/0ap30...ys-from-day-1-of-combine?campaign=Twitter_atn
 
Best of Show, OL group 2:

Brian O'Neill - Pitt - OT - Outstanding quickness, could probably even kick outside to inline TE
Kolton Miller - UCLA - OT - Very smooth and under control for a player with that height
Joseph Noteboom - TCU - OT - Good balance and quickness
Connor Williams - Texas - OT - Seemed undersized, maybe a ZBS OT...but 1st round athleticism
Braden Smith - Auburn - OG - Very solid in every aspect, seems like he could play OT at his size

Honorable Mention: Greg Senat - Wagner - OT, Wyatt Teller - Virginia Tech - OG, Skylar Phillips - Idaho State - OG, Jaryd Jones-Smith - Pitt - OT
 
IDEXAN said:
Obviously because of his athleticism and foot speed there will some ZB teams who will take a look at him but we are picking very early in
third round, right ? Oh yea I expect him to be on that Board, but moot issue for us anyway because of his off field red-flags.
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Let's assume Harrison is there at #68. H has the most potential of any O-lineman, but he needs a year in the weight room and the practice field. Let's say a guy like Braden Smith is also there. Smith is more likely ready to step up and contribute immediately. Higher floor, lower ceiling. I think that could be a bigger factor than Harrison's red flags. What are they anyway, smoking weed? How old is Harrison anyway? 7 years out of high school, probably 25 or 26? Harrison has likely put that behind him by now.

I don't think Gaine will be as spooked as Smith in drafting guys with some questionable history. Domestic violence is off the table, for sure. The DUIs and drug offenses will take timing into consideration. Have the players put that behavior behind them? If so, those players are likely still draftable for the Texans.
 
Mayock and the other Draft commentators are freakin out with their hyping of RB Saquon Barkley for 1st overall consideration.
Hey he's a real impressive back and also sounds like a real good kid (no off field issues) but this is a very good Draft for QBs (allededly) so for example Cleveland use that top pick on your QB and get a RB later.
 
Adam Schefter
(@AdamSchefter)
OSU OL Billy Price said he suffered an “incomplete pec tear’ and he will be ready for training camp. Getting a second opinion. He is “definitely happy it is something minor."

***************************************************************
Partial tears of the pectoralis tendon or tears within the muscle belly of the pectoralis major can be treated without surgery. Rest and use of a sling for comfort can help the injury heal. Return to activities of daily living is usually successful, although many patients with these injuries still complain of weakness months and years after the injury occurs.

Partial muscle belly tears are never repaired by surgery, as sutures don't hold in muscle. And since surgery is being debated, the tear must be of the tendon. Conservative treatment in an NFL lineman would still be somewhat chancey, as it would still risk the chance of long-term weakness............in addition to a high risk of re-tear. A partial pectoralis tendon tear unless extremely small is no minor injury in a lineman who will use it to counter strong Dlinemen in addition to by necessity having to return to heavy weight training.

Prognosis for a repair of even a complete pectoralis tear is excellent. It will be interesting to find out what the final approach is, and how he fares after a year of play if it is not repaired.
 
IDEXAN said:
Mayock and the other Draft commentators are freakin out with their hyping of RB Saquon Barkley for 1st overall consideration.
Hey he's a real impressive back and also sounds like a real good kid (no off field issues) but this is a very good Draft for QBs (allededly) so for example Cleveland use that top pick on your QB and get a RB later.
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I would take the opposite view. There are 3 or 4 QBs at the top of the draft, only one Barkley. No way Barkley makes it to the Texans, I mean the Browns pick at #4. At least 2 of the QBs between Darnold, Rosen, Allen, Mayfield will be. The Browns can have their cake and eat it too.
 
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Lucky said:
I don't think Gaine will be as spooked as Smith in drafting guys with some questionable history. Domestic violence is off the table, for sure. The DUIs and drug offenses will take timing into consideration. Have the players put that behavior behind them? If so, those players are likely still draftable for the Texans.
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I dunno what kind of player standards for character and other off field behavior considerations the owner might impose on our new GM but I doubt that he gives Gaine a free hand in this department, I mean I'd guess it's gonna be more or less what thhe former GM had. We know wife/girlfriend physical abuse are off limits but beyond that I have no idea ?
I sure hope we can get a player in free agency that has a very realistic chance of being our LT starter this year which would give us a lot more latitude in the rest of free agency & the Draft for oline selections. There's a lot of inside prospects who also have the potential to play RT, but only RT not on the left side.
 
One thing is becoming clear to me, Texans will be reaching for a tackle if they stand put (unless some pretty freaky things happen). BPA will not be a tackle, they must identify then move up to get their guy.
 
beerlover said:
One thing is becoming clear to me, Texans will be reaching for a tackle if they stand put (unless some pretty freaky things happen). BPA will not be a tackle, they must identify then move up to get their guy.
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Orlando Brown is going to freefall
 
Guys on the OL that I like and we might have a shot at

Skyler Phillips RG - Good strength, great pass blocker, can get overextended in the run game. Solid all-around player. OB got to coach him at the senior bowl

Braden Smith RG - He might work himself into rd 2, but would be a great pick in rd 3. Good size, strength, and athleticism.

Austin Corbett - **Looking like he is starting to get recognized** LT/RT This guy would be a steal in rd 3 or 4. I don't care what his profile says, the guy is a brute. Plays with good pad levels, plays very strong, always looking to hit someone, great run blocker, very good pass blocker and seems to understand blocking schemes. I would love to see him there for us in 3 or 4.

Taylor Hearn - LG from Clemson. He allowed only one sack, two hits, and six hurries, according to Pro Football Focus this past year. He played with Watson in 2016, so he should be able to pick up our offense quickly. Reviews are mixed with him, but I like what I see.
 
zshawn10 said:
Orlando Brown is going to freefall
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Oklahoma's Pro Day is March 14th. So Brown has 6 weeks to get into some semblance of NFL shape. But 1st round is out of the question. No team will make that kind of investment in a guy who doesn't stay in shape.
 
Lucky said:
Oklahoma's Pro Day is March 14th. So Brown has 6 weeks to get into some semblance of NFL shape. But 1st round is out of the question. No team will make that kind of investment in a guy who doesn't stay in shape.
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Rodger Sherman
(@rodger_sherman)
Context on Orlando Brown's Combine, per @pfref's combine database: 19.5" vertical (would be worst of any player ever drafted) 82" broad jump (also would be worst ever drafted) 5.85 40 (2nd-worst, the other was a 7th-rounder in 2001) 14 bench reps (tied for 4th-worst amongst OLs)

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I would not touch him even if he dropped into the 6th round. Brown has been the unfortunate beneficiary of bad medical genes in addition to terrible food problems (a fix for this type of eating disorder which at this stage of life is virtually impossible). He weighed over 300 lbs in 6th grade and 450 lbs in 8th grade. When he got to Oklahoma, he was found to have a body fat of 33 %. His father had a big food problem also, playing at 360 lbs in the 90's. His atrocious diet led to early diabetes for which he was not treated since it was not diagnosed until late and he ended up dying of ketoacidosis (a complication of severe diabetes when no insulin is present to break down sugars)at 40 years old. There was no reason for his father not to be aware of his diabetes in that two of his grandparents and a brother all had bad diabetes. Brown junior no doubt is already diabetic whether revealed or not.
 
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CloakNNNdagger said:
I would not touch him even if he dropped into the 6th round. Brown has been the unfortunate beneficiary of bad medical genes in addition to terrible food problems (a fix for this type of eating disorder which at this stage of life is virtually impossible). He weighed over 300 lbs in 6th grade and 450 lbs in 8th grade. When he got to Oklahoma, he was found to have a body fat of 33 %. His father had a big food problem also, playing at 360 lbs in the 90's. His atrocious diet led to early diabetes for which he was not treated since it was not diagnosed until late and he ended up dying of ketoacidosis (a complication of severe diabetes when no insulin is present to break down sugars)at 40 years old. There was no reason for his father not to be aware of his diabetes in that two of his grandparents and a brother all had bad diabetes. Brown junior no doubt is already diabetic whether revealed or not.
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So, if I am reading you right Doc....that is possibly a no on brown???
 
edo783 said:
So, if I am reading you right Doc....that is possibly a no on brown???
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This is the type of player that Smith would draft for a steal in order to be the smartest person in the room and for a great background story. I would tend to believe that anyone drafting Brown would rather have be the dumbest in the room.
 
Per Lance on NFL.com prior to Combine, giving Brown 6.12 grade & 1st rd. consideration.

Tackle with rare size and length whose massive frame can work for him in pass protection and against him in the run game. Brown will be tough for some evaluators to back because his footwork isn't always pretty and his athletic ability is below average, but he typically gets guys blocked and he clearly understands how to use his size and length to his advantage. Brown's physical traits and nasty demeanor give him a chance to become a good starting tackle on either left or right side.
 

Adam Schefter‏Verified account@AdamSchefter
Michigan DT Maurice Hurst, projected as a potential first-round pick, was diagnosed today with a heart condition, league sources told ESPN. Hurst will not go through combine drills and will undergo further testing this week.
9:40 AM - 3 Mar 2018
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The 2 most likely conditions would be cardiac enlargement or an arrhythmia. The former would be the most concerning for an NFL career, although if it is an arrhythmia that requires blood thinning, this also could be career threatening.
 
Lucky said:
I would take the opposite view. There are 3 or 4 QBs at the top of the draft, only one Barkley. No way Barkley makes it to the Texans, I mean the Browns pick at #4. At least 2 of the QBs between Darnold, Rosen, Allen, Mayfield will be. The Browns can have their cake and eat it too.
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But don't you think a team is much more likely to view a specific QB as a unique player of unique value than they would with a specific RB ?
Guess it's just my personal philosophy about backs, maybe it's almost a prejudice. I think teams, even teams that are loaded, are wiser to use a top 10 pick, certainly a top 5 pick on a high value position like edge rusher, CB, offensive tackle than a back even if they already have capable starters at those positions. Most teams play multiple running back, and backs suffer serious injured and are sidelined so often for obvious reasons.
The Browns need a QB and they have got to have one of the QBs in this Draft rated #1 and therefor it's huge blunder if they don' draft that guy with their top pick and if hey if they like the Penn State back, just hope he's their for their next pick.
 
RB value has only increased with success of Elliot and Fournette. Hard to find a box that Barkley doesn’t check off. Maybe BPA in 2018 draft!
 
If the Browns really think Josh Allen is head and shoulders better than the other QBs, take Barkley #1 and trade up for the Giants #2. Cleveland has 3 2nd round picks, they have the ammo to move up 2 spots.

Edit: Cleveland should be able to recoup a pick by trading Kizer to a team that misses out on the first round QBs.
 
beerlover said:
RB value has only increased with success of Elliot and Fournette. Hard to find a box that Barkley doesn’t check off. Maybe BPA in 2018 draft!
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Well maybe, maybe not. Last years offensive rookie of the year was a back, but not Fournette, another back taken not in the first but in the 3rd round.
Barkley looks real good, but listen Cleveland, get your QB first.
 
Doesn’t a big time program like Michigan give physicals where a heart condition like that would show up? Seems like their insurance company would demand it.
 
Mike Gesicki's stock is so far up it's probably in orbit right now

4.55 40, 41.5" vert at 6'5", 250 lbs
 
Mike Mayock's takeaways from Day 2 of combine


Receivers

DJ Chark, LSU: Chark’s blazing 4.34 40 time impressed Mayock, but after he smoothly caught passes in the gauntlet drill, Mayock really liked what he saw: "He had a real good Senior Bowl week and he’s coming out and competing today."

Michael Gallup, Colorado State: One of the question marks on the Colorado State standout, who’s largely projected to land somewhere in the second round, was his top-end speed. With a 4.52 40, Mayock said the time eased some of those concerns: "That is good. At 205 pounds, he’s a competitor."

Christian Kirk, Texas A&M: Mayock wondered whether Kirk would run a sub-4.5 40 time, and when both of Kirk’s unofficials came in under that mark, Mayock called them "really solid." The draft analyst compared Kirk to former Green Bay Packers wideout Greg Jennings, saying they’re both "tough" wideouts with "outstanding hands" who run good routes.

Calvin Ridley, Alabama: Mayock saw a "plenty fast enough" 4.43 time from Ridley and said he could see Ridley following in Julio Jones’ and Amari Cooper’s footsteps from Alabama to the NFL: "Obviously, Julio Jonesis the first big wide receiver coming out of there in the [Nick] Saban era and then it was Amari Cooperand now it’s this guy, Calvin Ridley."

D.J. Moore, Maryland: Moore raised his stock in Indianapolis, and after running a 4.42, Mayock said Moore’s tape was just as impressive as the measurables he posted: "I’ve got big letters at the top of my chart on this kid: ‘Alert: This kid can play’ in orange letters."

Cedrick Wilson, Boise State: Wilson’s hands popped to Mayock in the gauntlet drill: "Very smooth, good hands … [Smooth] is what he is on tape. He’s not twitchy, he’s really smooth."

Equanimeous St. Brown, Notre Dame: Mayock on the 6-foot-5 wideout: "There’s going to be a lot of intrigue because of his body type and speed."

Tight ends

Mark Andrews, Oklahoma: Mayock "loved" the 4.67 40 that Andrews ran at 256 pounds. After Andrews’ workout, Mayock summed up the TE’s performance: "Boy, he can catch the football and run some routes."

Mike Gesicki, Penn State: Gesicki’s 4.54 40 popped up on the screen and Mayock hardly believed it: "Woah. Woah. Woah. Woah, folks. Alert, alert, because he’s going to run and jump."

Hayden Hurst, South Carolina: The No. 1 tight end on Mayock’s board, the draft analyst had more praise for the South Carolina product Saturday: "He blocks in addition to catching the football."
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IDEXAN said:
Well maybe, maybe not. Last years offensive rookie of the year was a back, but not Fournette, another back taken not in the first but in the 3rd round.
Barkley looks real good, but listen Cleveland, get your QB first.
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Last I checked, Cleveland owns what would have been the Texans pick (trade for Watson) so they can select QB they like here. All have worts to me, Barkley does not, he is super clean! IMO
 
infantrycak said:
Why does anyone want an Eddie George? He was a career 3.6 ypc and over 3.9 ypc just twice with 2 4.1 ypc seasons.
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He's certainly not a homerun hitter, but 3.6 ypc is a 1st down on 3 carries. 4 time pro bowler and a 1 time all pro. He also didn't miss games due to injury. The best ability is...
Just to compare George with the best RB in Texan's history.
https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/G/GeorEd00.htm
https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/F/FostAr00.htm
 
Lucky said:
Let's assume Harrison is there at #68. H has the most potential of any O-lineman, but he needs a year in the weight room and the practice field. Let's say a guy like Braden Smith is also there. Smith is more likely ready to step up and contribute immediately. Higher floor, lower ceiling. I think that could be a bigger factor than Harrison's red flags. What are they anyway, smoking weed? How old is Harrison anyway? 7 years out of high school, probably 25 or 26? Harrison has likely put that behind him by now.

I don't think Gaine will be as spooked as Smith in drafting guys with some questionable history. Domestic violence is off the table, for sure. The DUIs and drug offenses will take timing into consideration. Have the players put that behavior behind them? If so, those players are likely still draftable for the Texans.
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What have you seen/heard that gives you that opinion?
 
CollegeFootball 24/7‏Verified account@NFLDraft


.@UCF_Football's @Shaquemgriffin lost left hand to amputation when he was 4 years old. Saturday at #NFLCombine, he posted 20 reps on bench press using prosthetic on left arm. http://on.nfl.com/DitTRd

DXY-x7eW4AYvBGb.jpg

12:22 PM - 3 Mar 2018
 
DocBar said:
What have you seen/heard that gives you that opinion?
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Smith took chances on players prior to the 2-14 2013 season. Okoye, Brown, Cushing. After that, he brought the McNairs in closer to the process. Smith didn't want to challenge the McNairs after almost losing his job.

Gaine doesn't have the season of failure that Smith had. Plus, he has a partner in O'Brien that will have his back when arguing for a player with past red flags. Gaine has slack in his rope. And if you look at his past acquisitions with the Dolphins, Gaine is not afraid to take chances.
 
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Lucky said:
Smith took chances on players prior to the 2-14 2013 season. Okoye, Brown, Cushing. After that, he brought the McNair's in closer to the process. Smith didn't want to challenge the McNair's after almost losing his job.

Gaine doesn't have the season of failure that Smith had. Plus, he has a partner in O'Brien that will have his back when arguing for a player with past red flags. Gaine has slack in his rope. And if you look at his past acquisitions with the Dolphins, Gaine is not afraid to take chances.
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Fair enough, but it's a whole different thing to take risks when you're not the top dog. As a 1st time GM, I'd expect him to be a bit more cautious than that. Just mho.
 
Any chance Noteboom makes it to us in the 3rd round. He has had an incredible build up to the draft. Only 6'-5, but huge wingspan. Also put up impressive reps for 34.5" arms. Has played both right and left side, good off the field and tested as well as anyone not named O'Neill.
 
gs27 said:
Any chance Noteboom makes it to us in the 3rd round. He has had an incredible build up to the draft. Only 6'-5, but huge wingspan. Also put up impressive reps for 34.5" arms. Has played both right and left side, good off the field and tested as well as anyone not named O'Neill.
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I wonder how he did at the senior bowl ? O'Neil struggled so I think , so you need a good workout plus good film . Of course if you have both you'll be gone before the Texans pick .
 
An unofficial report has related that Maurice Hurst says he is dealing with an arrhythmia, will be undergoing further testing and expects to be "fine" for his Pro Day. No mention as far as what type of arrhythmia.
 
Honoring Earl 34 said:
I wonder how he did at the senior bowl ? O'Neil struggled so I think , so you need a good workout plus good film . Of course if you have both you'll be gone before the Texans pick .
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Noteboom dominated one v one reps at senior bowl and played well. Still has a few things to work on but was honorable mention all big 12. Positive pff grades. Will see where he is projected in a couple weeks when the dust clears.
 
gs27 said:
Noteboom dominated one v one reps at senior bowl and played well. Still has a few things to work on but was honorable mention all big 12. Positive pff grades. Will see where he is projected in a couple weeks when the dust clears.
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Then that's your man if he's there IMO if you're looking for a plug and play .
 
Interior defensive linemen

Vita Vea, Washington: A hamstring injury cut Vea’s day a bit short. But the top defensive lineman on Mayock’s board made his presence felt with a 5.10 40-yard dash and 41 reps on the bench. "Do you know how freaky this kid is?" Mayock opined. "He played high school basketball, he was a running back in high school. On defense, they’ve used him everywhere on the front. He stands up at 347, plays the "joker," rushes the A-gap, comes off the edge. [Stanford coach] David Shaw said he’s got the ability to be the best 3-4 nose tackle or 4-3 nose tackle in football."

Da’Ron Payne, Alabama: After a dominant performance in the College Football Playoff, Mayock listed Payne as the No. 2 interior lineman in the 2018 NFL Draft. Mayock seemed just as impressed with his 40 run. "Wow, wow, wow, wow — 4.91 at 311 pounds. And he’s showing people he can affect the quarterback."

Taven Bryan, Florida: Mayock said the buzz surrounding Bryan is being pegged as a defensive tackle and has the movement skills of All-Pro honorees Fletcher Cox and J.J. Watt. A 5.08 40 time was more good than great, prompting Mayock to liken him to Gerald McCoy. Then Bryan ran a 4.98. "There you go," Mayock said. "That’s what I was looking for."

Harrison Phillips, Stanford: With all eyes on the 347-pound Vea, Phillips finds himself as the other Pac-12 defensive lineman. But he’s not an afterthought for Mayock, especially after an impressive showing in the bench press. "You know how may reps he did? Vita Vea did 41, this young man did 42," Mayock said. "He’s technically proficient, he’s one of my favorite players in the draft."

Rasheem Green, USC: Green resides just outside Mayock’s top-five lists but might be climbing the ladder following an impressive combine. His 4.73 40 topped all interior linemen, not to mention quarterback and college teammate Sam Darnold. Mayock believes Green will begin his NFL career as a D-end but ultimately end up a tackle. "He hasn’t really filled into his body type yet. I think he’s an outside player but I think he’s going to grow into an inside player. And I think Green’s going to be a difference-maker in the NFL."

Edge rushers

Bradley Chubbs, North Carolina State: The deepest quarterback class in years has relegated Chubbs to a "top-five" prospect instead of potentially being the top overall pick, as we’ve seen with previous defensive ends. That doesn’t mean Chubbs isn’t of that ilk. In fact, Mayock likens him to 2016 Defensive Rookie of the Year Joey Bosa, only Chubbs’ 4.65 40 was markedly better than Bosa’s 4.88. "How about that one, folks? I kept trying to pick his game apart, watching his film and it’s really hard because a lot of these edge guys don’t want to pay the run. But he’s so physical and tough against the run. He flies to the football."


Marcus Davenport, UTSA: You might not have heard of him. But he was a big topic of conversation at the combine, and you’ll hear of him again on Day 1 of the draft. Mayock’s second-ranked edge rusher ran a 4.58 40. "I can’t tell you how impressive that is. That puts him in-between [Jadeveon] Clowney (4.53) and [Ezekiel] Ansah (4.63). He’s more raw than Clowney but this kid’s special. … You talk about Ansah as a freak. You’ve got to put Davenport, physically, in the same category."

Arden Key, LSU: He didn’t run the 40 this weekend but impressed nonetheless in on-field drills. Mayock especially liked seeing him back at 238 pounds, which had been his playing weight prior to being at 265 last season. "He looks so much quicker. I put the first tape of the year on, and I didn’t even recognize him."

Harold Landry, Boston College: Projections are all over the place for Landry, with some seeing him as a first round guy and others believing he could fall to Day 3. Mayock’s No. 4 edge rusher certainly helped his stock by running a 4.64 in the 40. "Good time for him at 253 pounds. … He also converts speed to power."

Linebackers

Tremaine Edmunds, Virginia Tech: He’s 19 years old and will likely be selected higher than that figure in the first round of the draft. More fun with numbers: he’s 6-foot-4, 253 pounds, and he ran the 40 in 4.54 seconds. Those are some of the reasons Edmunds is Mayock’s top-rated linebacker on the board. "[He has] the skill-set of being able to be a powerful inside off the ball and an edge rusher."


Roquan Smith, Georgia: Combine the athleticism and sideline-to-sideline speed of Atlanta Falcons Pro Bowl linebacker Deion Jones with the leadership and work ethic of former Pro Bowler Jonathan Vilma, and Mayock says you get Roquan Smith. Or maybe the version we saw at Georgia. Despite weighing in 11 pounds heavier at the combine than his listed weight last year (225), he ran an impressive 4.51 in the 40. Mayock’s takeaway: "I think he’s a plug-and-play off-the-ball linebacker. People are going to love Roquan Smith."

Shaquem Griffin, UCF: He wasn’t on the original invite list, but that didn’t stop him from crashing the party. Griffin, the combine’s most inspiring story, might have punched his ticket as an NFL draft pick. After completing 20 reps in the bench press with the aid of a prosthetic, he ran a blazing 4.38 in the 40, the fastest for a linebacker since 2003. Needless to say Mayock (and everyone else) was moved: "Hello! Are you kidding me? Wow. … He can run."
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http://www.nfl.com/news/story/0ap3000000919286/article/mike-mayocks-takeaways-from-day-3-of-combine
 
DocBar said:
Fair enough, but it's a whole different thing to take risks when you're not the top dog. As a 1st time GM, I'd expect him to be a bit more cautious than that. Just mho.
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I hope that BOB wants to prove that Ricky was the issue with the Texans, that BOB will talk Gaine into being agreessive in both FA/Draft
 
steelbtexan said:
I hope that BOB wants to prove that Ricky was the issue with the Texans, that BOB will talk Gaine into being agreessive in both FA/Draft
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BOB as in OB? I would let Smith's record stand for itself, try to get the absolute best roster assembled possible, and prove Smith's failures in that fashion. Improved depth and STs is how you show Gaine and OB is greater than Smith and OB. Trying to coerce Gaine to do what Smith wouldn't could very well prove Smith's point, as far as being overly aggressive in FA or taking risky draft picks.
 
DocBar said:
BOB as in OB? I would let Smith's record stand for itself, try to get the absolute best roster assembled possible, and prove Smith's failures in that fashion. Improved depth and STs is how you show Gaine and OB is greater than Smith and OB. Trying to coerce Gaine to do what Smith wouldn't could very well prove Smith's point, as far as being overly aggressive in FA or taking risky draft picks.
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Or they could add Solder and Hubbard and fix TE/OG/RB/CB/S in the draft. You can draft athletes for those positions and if you get a couple or 3 starters then you've done a great job. Even if you miss athletes will help the dreadful ST's.

In the 6th/7th rd, picks should be made with ST's in mind.
 
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