I went back to First-Pick Simulator and completed a draft....."with no trades". I like to check back periodically since it gives First-Pick time to make their adjustments. Without moving back for additional picks I got a draft that I would be extremely satisfied with.
RD3-03-068: RT- Orlando Brown, Oklahoma (A-) / 6-8 @ 355 lbs / Tackle with poor athlete traits, but rare size and length whose massive frame can work for him in pass protection and against him in the run game. Brown is a waist-bender with shoddy footwork and a tendency to play too straight-legged. These physical limitations create a much smaller likelihood for recovery once he's beaten. With that all said, 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 decent starting right tackle if he can be coached to lessen his physical deficiencies and can keep his weight in check.
**Move him to the right side and when he develops his NFL strength...RT would no longer be an issue.**
RD3-16-080: LT- Jamarco Jones, Ohio State (B+) / 6-5 @ 310 lbs / Jones isn't overly impressive and doesn't have many "wow" features, but he gets his job done. He lacks desired NFL height, but makes up for it with longer arms and good upper body strength. While his body control needs improvement, he has proven to have enough slide quickness and lateral agility to handle duties on the blind-side. However, his poor showing at the Combine raises concerns over whether or not his athletic traits are starting level.
**I'm not sure how his lack of height plays here. He's considered short for an OT and Brown at 6-8 is considered too tall. I don't think these analyst know what they want in an OT. All I want is production and both delivered on this front in the college careers. I could flip-flop Brown and Jones based on gut instinct as to which could go first. if Brown is really falling, it might be better to take Jones first and then hope Brown lands at 16.**
RD3-34-098: QB- Kyle Lauletta, Richmond (A+) / 6-3 @ 215 lbs / One of the top FCS quarterbacks in the country carries a strong football genetics background. His father, Joe, was a quarterback at Navy in the 1980's, and his older brother, Trey, played center at Bucknell. Lauletta's grandfather played football at Delaware, and his uncle played for Navy. He was a two-time All-Southeastern pick in high school but did not end up at a major program. Lauletta played in four games as a reserve for the Spiders in 2013 and then redshirted the following year. The next two seasons he was a second-team All-Colonial Athletic Association selection in 2015 (61.6 completion pct., 3,598 yards, 19 TD, 15 INT; seven rushing TD) and 2016 (63.0 completion pct., 3,022 yards, 24 TD, eight INT), starting all 25 games in those seasons. Richmond had a marginal 6-5 campaign in 2017, but Lauletta showed accuracy and mobility that intrigued scouts (64.9 completion pct., 3,737 yards, 28 TD, 12 INT).
**O'Brien worked with Lauletta in the Senior Bowl and he had a heck of a game, then went to the Combine and did well enough to be compared to Jimmy Garoppolo...anything else we as fans could desire in a QB3 for 2018?**
RD4-03-103: TE- Dalton Schultz, Stanford (A) / 6-6 @ 242 lbs / Schultz is a Y-tight end with the ability as a run blocker to help bolster a team's rushing attack very quickly. While his frame could still use more mass, he plays with good technique and play strength at the point of attack and shows an ability to impose his will upon edge defenders if they half-step into the rep. Schultz is a capable and reliable target underneath, but his living will depend on how he impacts the running game. Schultz's limited catch production could drop him a round, but he should be a solid, early starter.
**If this guy adds 10-15 lbs of NFL muscle, he could be a beast but most important, he could be a Day1 starter at TE.**
RD6-03-177: OG- Colby Gossett, Appalachian State (A+) / 6-5 @ 315 lbs / Versatile and strong, Gossett is one of the top prospects from App State on NFL scouts' radar. The first-team All-Sun Belt pick in 2017 led the Mountaineers to a strong 9-4 season, starting all 13 games at right guard. As a junior, he was also a first-team All-Conference pick after standing up well against Tennessee and Miami, as well as conference foes, starting 11 games at right guard and two at right tackle. Gossett was a reliable member of the line as a sophomore, starting the first seven games at right guard and the final six at right tackle. He was scheduled to start in 2014, but a preseason injury forced him to sit out the first four games of the year; he played in eight games, starting seven, at right guard that season. As a two-star recruit from Cumming, Georgia, Gossett redshirted in 2013.
**I've like Gossett from the get-go. He's a smart RG who doesn't make stupid mental mistakes and penalties are almost non-existent.**
RD6-37-211: EDGE- Justin Lawler, SMU (A) / 6-4 @ 262 lbs / While only ranked as a two-star prospect from Texas, Lawler's first-team all-state selection (124 tackles, 28 tackles for loss, 13 sacks; 44 catches, 719 yards, 11 touchdowns receiving) portended a good career at SMU. The former high school powerlifter was ready to play right away, earning time in all 12 games as a true freshman (23 tackles) and getting some time on offense (three-yard touchdown, two-point conversion). Lawler earned the starting job as a sophomore, lining up for every game and leading the Mustangs with 64 tackles, nine for loss while compiling five sacks. His break-out season came in 2016, garnering first-team All-American Athletic Conference accolades, racking up 65 stops and leading the team with 15 tackles for loss and six sacks. Lawler received first-team all-conference recognition as a senior, as well, racking up 74 tackles, 15.5 for loss, 9.5 sacks, two forced fumbles, and three blocked kicks for the Mustangs.
**Another guy I have like from the get-go. He already possesses NFL strength..maybe more...but I envision as an over achiever...at the NFL level. He's got a motor that reminds me of Watt. I like a block like that who would be willing to set the edge for this defense. Contrary to analyst, he's a stud who could help immediately on ST's while working himself into the rotation.**
RD6-40-214: FS- Natrell Jamerson, Wisconsin (A+) / 6-0 @ 198 lbs lbs / He played in 12 games as a reserve wideout (no catches) in 2014 before moving to defensive back (14 tackles) and taking over primary kick return duties as a sophomore (20 returns, 448 yards, one touchdown). Coaches gave him an opportunity to show his stuff in 2016, playing him in eight games with two starts at nickel (19 stops, four pass breakups), though he missed six mid-season games with a left leg injury. Jamerson moved to safety for his senior season, earning honorable mention All-Big Ten honors by posting 51 tackles, 3.5 for loss, 1.5 sacks, two interceptions (one returned for a score), and 10 pass breakups. Jamerson is still learning the position, but he has an interesting blend of instincts and speed. He's a willing tackler, but his lack of size shows up when he has to take on bigger running backs heads-up. His experience as a jammer, covering kickoffs and returning kicks could give him the edge for a backup safety spot on the roster at some point.
**ST's contributor from Day1 as he builds the requisite strength to bigger contributor at FS. Not to say he couldn't push for some playing time but if he delivers in the return game, that could be a huge asset.**
RD7-04-222: RB- Roc Thomas, Jacksonville State (A+) / 5-11 @ 193 lbs / Thomas is a change of pace back with plus athletic ability and agility, who can be too eager to turn every run into a big play. He will need to run with better patience and discipline to keep running back coaches from staying in his face. Thomas is able to create yardage through burst, elusiveness and yards after contact, but he lacks consistency from run to run. Thomas needs work, but he has the talent to potentially attract attention late on Day 3.
**I like this guy as a sidekick to both Foreman, Blue and Miller. His biggest contributions in 2018 could be on ST's while he gains a little more weight and strength.**
So, rate this draft and let me know how this draft would rate for you.
