Monday, March 20, 2017

Mock Draft 2.0


With most of free agency settled (0ver 75% of Top 100 free agents have been signed) and only a few QB shoes to drop (Romo, McCown, Cutler, Daniel), most of the league begins to shift their focus back toward the NFL Draft. As Pro Day workouts continue into April, this is the time when teams begin to finalize their boards and find the best way to fill needs and get the best player available too. So here is mock draft number 2: a two-round mock with emphasis on filling the top 2 (or more) needs for each team.

ROUND 1

1.       Cleveland Browns – Myles Garrett, OLB, Texas A&M
The only pick everyone is certain to get right in their mock draft. Garrett is the best player in this draft by far.

2.       San Francisco 49ers – Jonathan Allen, DT, Alabama
I believe the Niners will be tempted by a QB here and will also attempt to trade down. But with a brand new GM at the helm, I think they will just take the safe pick in Allen as they transition to a 4-3 defense

3.       Chicago Bears – Jamal Adams, S, LSU
By signing Mike Glennon in free agency, the Bears delayed their need for a QB here so they upgrade their secondary with the jack-of-all-trades Adams

4.       Jacksonville Jaguars – Leonard Fournette, RB, LSU
Tigers go back to back as Fournette is hopefully the spark the Jaguars need to get going on offense next year.

5.       Tennessee Titans – Marshon Lattimore, CB, Ohio State
The Titans are looking to upgrade their secondary and their receiving core. They begin with the best CB in this draft.

6.       TRADE! Cleveland Browns – Mitchell Trubisky, QB, North Carolina
The Browns burn a little of their massive draft capital to move up 6 spots and land their QB in Trubisky.

7.       Los Angeles Chargers – Malik Hooker, S, Ohio State
The Chargers are hoping one of the top safeties falls to them at 7 to finally replace Weddle. Hooker is a good option in centerfield.

8.       Carolina Panthers – Solomon Thomas, DE, Stanford
The Panthers 2 oldest players are their starting DE Charles Johnson and Julius Peppers. Thomas gives them a future at that spot.

9.       Cincinnati Bengals – Derek Barnett, DE, Tennessee
The Bengals desperately need help rushing the QB and Barnett was a very productive college sack man.

10.   Buffalo Bills – John Ross, WR, Washington
The first WR off the board is the Huskies burner to pair with Sammy Watkins on the other side.

11.   New Orleans Saints – Taco Charlton, DE, Michigan
Taco will team up with Cameron Jordan to bookend the Saints pass rush.

12.   New York Jets – OJ Howard, TE, Alabama
The Jets need playmakers on offense and get the steady target for whatever QB they play.

13.   Arizona Cardinals – Deshaun Watson, QB, Clemson
The Cards need a future a QB and get one in the National Champion from Clemson

14.   Philadelphia Eagles – Dalvin Cook, RB, Florida State
Cook is a Jamal Charles clone for Doug Pederson’s offense and makes Carson Wentz very happy.

15.   Indianapolis Colts – Reuben Foster, LB, Alabama
The Colts take the best ILB in the class in Foster to fill a need against the run.

16.   Baltimore Ravens – Corey Davis, WR, Western Michigan
The Ravens are desperate for help at WR and are happy to see Davis slide to them at 16.

17.   Washington Redskins – Haason Reddick, ILB, Temple
The Skins add both pass rush and run stopping in the versatile Reddick.

18.   Tennessee Titans – Mike Williams, WR, Clemson
As the wideouts slide, the Titans are happy to grab a true #1 target for Mariota in Williams.

19.   Tampa Bay Buccaneers – Christian McCaffrey, RB, Stanford
The Bucs need a RB to balance their offense and take the all-purpose McCaffrey for that role.

20.   Denver Broncos – Garrett Bolles, OT, Utah
The Broncos must improve their OL and take the athletic Bolles to do just that.

21.   Detroit Lions – Takkarist McKinley, DE, UCLA
The Lions need a complimentary pass rusher opposite Ansah. Though raw, McKinley plays with passion and speed.

22.   Miami Dolphins – Malik McDowell, DT, Michigan State
When motivated properly, McDowell can be a dominate force up front. Pair him with Suh and that could be scary.

23.   New York Giants – David Njoku, TE, Miami
The Giants have needed a dynamic TE for some time and hope that Njoku can fill those shoes.

24.   Oakland Raiders – Marlon Humphrey, CB, Alabama
The Raiders are dedicating this draft to fixing their defense and begin with the sliding CB from Bama.

25.   Houston Texans – Pat Mahomes, QB, Texas Tech
A QB they hope is the heir-apparent to Tony Romo soon.

26.   Seattle Seahawks – Kevin King, CB, Washington
With a possible trade of Richard Sherman on the horizon, the Seahawks replace him with the 6’3” CB from their home state.

27.   Kansas City Chiefs – Alvin Kamara, RB, Tennessee
The Chiefs replace Charles with the explosive back from Tennessee

28.   Dallas Cowboys – Jabril Peppers, S, Michigan
There are 3 requirements for a Cowboys pick in round 1 this year: he must be on defense, he must be flashy and he must be a “war-daddy.” Peppers fits all 3 with his plus kick returns too.

29.   Green Bay Packers – Charles Harris, OLB, Missouri
The Packers must get some help for Clay Matthews in the pass rush and hope Harris is just that.

30.   Pittsburgh Steelers – Zach Cunningham, LB, Vanderbilt
The Steelers lost Lawrence Timmons in the offseason and replace him with Cunningham.

31.   TRADE San Francisco 49ers – DeShone Kizer, QB, Notre Dame
The Niners jump back up into the 1st round to get the extra year contract on Kizer.

32.   New Orleans Saints – Tre’Davious White, CB, LSU
The Saints complete round 1 with the corner from LSU, assuming they don’t trade this pick back to New England for Malcom Butler.

ROUND 2

33.   Cleveland Browns – Cam Robinson, OT, Alabama

34.   Atlanta Falcons – Forrest Lamp, G, Western Kentucky

35.   Jacksonville Jaguars – Evan Engram, TE, Ole Miss

36.   Chicago Bears – Ryan Ramczyk, OT, Wisconsin

37.   Los Angeles Rams – Zay Jones, WR, East Carolina

38.   Los Angeles Chargers -  Dan Feeney, G, Indiana

39.   New York Jets – Budda Baker, S, Washington

40.   Carolina Panthers – Taylor Moton, OT, Western Michigan

41.   Cincinnati Bengals – Obi Melifonwu, S, UConn

42.   New Orleans Saints – Curtis Samuel, WR, Ohio State

43.   Philadelphia Eagles – Jordan Willis, DE, Kansas State

44.   Buffalo Bills – Fabian Moreau, CB, UCLA

45.   Arizona Cardinals – Gareon Conley, CB, Ohio State

46.   Indianapolis Colts – Joe Mixon, RB, Oklahoma

47.   Baltimore Ravens – TJ Watt, OLB, Wisconsin

48.   Minnesota Vikings – Antonio Garcia, OT, Troy

49.   Washington Redskins – Dalvin Tomlinson, NT, Alabama

50.   Tampa Bay Buccaneers – Marcus Williams, S, Utah

51.   Denver Broncos – Caleb Brantley, DE, Florida

52.   Cleveland Browns – Adoree Jackson, CB, USC

53.   Detroit Lions – Jarrad Davis, LB, Florida

54.   Miami Dolphins – Marcus Maye, S, Florida

55.   New York Giants – Carlos Watkins, DT, Clemson

56.   Oakland Raiders – Chris Wormley, DE, Michigan

57.   Houston Texans – Adam Shaheen, TE, Ashland

58.   Seattle Seahawks – Tim Williams, OLB, Alabama

59.   Kansas City Chiefs – Raekwon McMillen, LB, Ohio State

60.   Dallas Cowboys – Trey Hendrickson, DE, Florida Atlantic

61.   Green Bay Packers – Quincy Wilson, CB, Florida

62.   Pittsburgh Steelers – Teez Tabor, CB, Florida

63.   Atlanta Falcons – Sidney Jones, CB, Washington


64.   Carolina Panthers – Josh Jones, S, NC State

Sunday, March 19, 2017

The Draft Narrative Show Episode 10


Streamed live on Mar 19, 2017



With most of the big free agents signed and just a few last QB shoes to drop, now is the time when teams (and us) fully turn our attention to the business of the NFL Draft. On this episode:
- We discuss the nature of the draft guide, where we are in the process and more
- We get into the effect of free agency on each team and their biggest needs
- Mr Bowers unveils Mock Draft 2.0 for the first time anywhere. A 2 round mock
- We finish with news and notes from pro days, rumors and more

So check us out LIVE Sunday March 19 at 5:30p CDT or anytime after at www.thesportsnarrative.com

Sunday, March 12, 2017

Dallas Cowboys Off-Season So Far




The Cowboys entered into the off-season with these needs:
2 CBs, DE, WR, DT, TE, 3rd down RB, LB (if Jaylon Smith can't return to form) and possibly KR/PR

Players added
 Players lost
WR Terrance Williams
RT Doug Free (retired)
WR Brice Butler
SS JJ Wilcox
CB Nolan Carroll
SS Barry Church
DE Damontre Moore
DT Terrell McClain
DT Stephen Paea
DL Jack Crawford
G Jonathan Cooper
 G Ron Leary

Dallas filled their needs at WR with Williams and Butler (though no upgrade) and at DT retaining Irving and signing Paea (though again no real upgrade). I don’t count Damontre Moore toward the DE need as I'm not even sure he makes the roster. Moore is a career underachiever with talent but has never shown it consistently in college or pro level and any contribution he gives should be counted as bonus.
However, losing both Church and Wilcox creates a new hole at SS. The Cowboys like last year’s 6th rounder S Kavon Frazier a lot but not I’m sure he's ready to start on a team that sees itself as a Super Bowl contender. Then the retirement of Doug Free creates depth at OT another hole. Chaz Green is ostensibly the starter but his health is a question with nothing behind him if La’el Collins is your LG given the Leary departure. Jonathan Cooper is intriguing depth at guard but washed out in NE and Ariz so that's not a good sign.

If Carr or Claiborne is resigned or a starter in free agency is found at another position, the Cowboys should be able to fill their remaining needs in the draft. Here’s a few other options left in Free Agency:

RT Austin Pasztor
SS Bradley McDouglad
RT Byron Bell
 SS Jarius Byrd
CB Brandon Flowers
SS TJ McDonald


It seems likely the Cowboys would be more inclined to resign their own (Carr or Claiborne, likely preferring Carr) so then going SS and DE in 1st-2nd rounds and then finding a swing OT, TE, RB and LB depth in the later rounds would be the strategy. Here are a few names to target in various rounds:

1st Round
S Jabrill Peppers
DE Takkarist McKinley
CB Adoree Jackson
S Obi Melifonwu
DE TJ Watt
TE David Njoku
S Budha Baker
DE Carl Lawson
RB Curtis Samuel


2nd Round
S Marcus Williams
DE Jordan Willis
DE Derek Rivers
S Quincy Wilson
DE Dawuane Smoot
TE Evan Engram
S Justin Evans
DE Trey Hendrickson
CB Ahkello Witherspoon


3rd Round
S Eddie Jackson
TE Jake Butt
DE Tarrell Basham
S Marcus Maye
TE Garrett Everett
DE Carroll Phillips
S Montae Nicholson
CB Kevin King
RB Kareem Hunt


My concern, privately, is that Cowboys go for Jerry Flash early like CB Adoree Jackson of USC to fill the CB and KR void in the 1st round. Jackson is pretty raw as a CB (though great as returner) and is likely the 3rd or 4th CB next year behind Orlando Scandrick, Nolan Carroll and possibly Anthony Brown. With DE in the 2nd Round likely, that makes Frazier or Heath the starter at SS most likely and leaves other holes to be filled internally or with bargain free agents. In other words, this entire offseason would be about maintaining status quo not improving.

The Cowboys of the past have been guilty of this in the past (the infamous Sherman Williams draft or Special Teamers draft of 1995 and 2009 respectively come to mind), simply trying to retain rather than improve on a playoff roster. I'm worried 2017 is beginning to shape up in that same fashion. Look at what the Patriots are doing this offseason to witness how a championship team continues to improve as an example. As with most things in life, standing still usually is actually going backwards. However, this front office has earned some respect and credit over the past few years so perhaps things are truly different. I guess we shall wait and see . . .


P.S. On the Romo situation, a trade seems highly unlikely now and I fully expect his release with a June 1 designation and for Romo to sign in Houston. Here is how I think the chain of events might have occurred:
- The Broncos and Texans appeared to be in competition for Romo’s services, but both had little money against the cap.
- The trade rumors began as the Jets entered the mix, wishing to pry Trevor Simien away from Denver or perhaps even grab Romo for themselves.
- With trade talks underway, the Cowboys rescinded their idea of releasing Tony in the hopes of gaining a draft choice or something else.
- Then the Texans pulled off the Brock Osweiler trade to Cleveland, ostensibly giving up a 2nd round pick to dump that contract.
- With Osweiler gone, the Texans now had the cap space to sign Romo to the contract he wants and thus negating the need to trade for him.
- Romo, knowing he wants to sign in Houston now, is now said to possibly entertain retirement, taking an analyst job with Fox, and thereby giving him back the leverage in trade talks.
- With trade talks dead, it seems only wishful thinking by Dallas that keeps Tony Romo on the roster. In addition, Dallas could use that cap space in a shrinking free agent CB market.


The Draft Nuggets Show Episode 9


Back from vacation, Mr Bowers is ready to catch you up on all things NFL Combine, Pro Days and the craziness of NFL Free Agency! So let's talk some NFL Off Season

Tuesday, March 7, 2017

NFL Combine Stock Report Pt 2


With the 2017 NFL Combine in the books, now it is on to the Pro Days throughout March and April until the draft on April 27th in Philadelphia. But just as with the offensive players, we had no lack of firepower with the defensive guys. Myles Garrett he is the next superstar in the league (btw I would trade my entire 2017 draft and next year's #1 to Cleveland for Garrett if they would take it). In addition the Combine revealed an amazingly deep class of DBs, some new names to go watch more film on and more. Here is a look at the players who helped/hurt their stock the most:


Edge Rushers

Stock Up

Jordan Willis, Kansas St, 6-4 255lbs

Willis was easily the best DL at the underwear Olympics, posting a 4.53 in the 40 and a 6.85 in the 3 cone drill. In positional drills, Willis showed the agility in space to play as a 3-4 OLB and the explosion to play a 4-3 DE. Willis will likely be drafted in the 2nd round but should be an instant starter.

Derek Rivers, Youngstown, 6-4 248lbs

Much like Willis, Rivers showed position flexibility and dominated in drills. With a 4.61 in the 40, 30 reps of 225lbs and 35 in vertical, Rivers has all the explosiveness a team could want from a 4-3 DE or a 3-4 OLB. Draft twitter said “Rivers is what Tim Williams should be.”

Trey Hendrickson, Florida Atlantic, 6-4 266lbs

Hendrickson proved to be a more traditional 4-3 DE than the previous two entries, but his 4.65 in the 40 with a 1.59 10 yard split showed he can get upfield quickly with good bend around the edge. Hendrickson has come from off the radar into a Top 60 prospect and a strong possibility for the Cowboys in round 2.


Stock Down

o Charles Harris, Missouri, 6-3 253lbs

Harris really disappointed at the Combine in a field full of quality edge rushers. His pedestrian 4.83 in the 40 and terrible showing in agility drills has him truly labeled a tweener or situational pass rusher only and might put him out of round 1.

o Tim Williams, Alabama, 6-3 244lbs

Williams came into the Combine with a number of character Red Flags (admitting to failing multiple drug tests at Alabama) and needed to impress in order to give teams an excuse to overlook them. Instead, Williams ran an average 4.68 in the 40 and looked pedestrian in drills.Williams may last until round 3 when a team is willing to take a chance on him.

o Ejuan Price, Pittsburgh, 5-11 241lbs

Being a massively undersized edge rusher, Price needed to really show he had the explosion for a team to take a chance on him. Instead he ra a 4.84 in the 40 and was even worse in the vertical and broad jumps. Like his  NFL comp Elvis Dumervil, Price will need a team to build a scheme for him to thrive in order to make his pick valuable.



Defensive Tackles

Stock Up

Tanoh Kpassagnon,  Villanova, 6-7 289lbs

Coming from an untraditional football school, Kpassagnon had some teams drooling watching a man his size run a 4.83 in the 40 with a 1.69 split. As a 3-4 DE, many teams will be intrigued with his athleticism and he could go as high as late round 2.

Montravius Adams, Auburn, 6-4 304lbs

After impressing at the Senior Bowl, Adams kept up the momentum with a 4.87 in the 40 and some nice work in drills. Adams is a real boom/bust prospect with some bad tape but some real potential. Adams could be the next Nick Fairley (bust) or the next Gerald McCoy as a Day 2 selection.


Stock Down

o Jonathan Allen, Alabama, 6-3 286lbs

Allen entered the Combine as the #2 overall prospect on many boards and left with a diagnosis of arthritic shoulders and questions about his poor performance in drills. A 5 flat in the 40 was not nearly the force he appeared on tape. Though he's still the top DT on the board, it's possible he slides just a bit from Top 2 to out of Top 5.

o  Jarron Jones, Notre Dame, 6-6 316lbs

Jones looked like he did zero prep for the Combine, looking lost in drills and posting a Combine worse 20.5 in vertical. Jones is no more than a Day 3 pick or an UDFA


Linebackers

Stock Up

Hasaan Reddick, Temple, 6-1 237lbs

Though he technically competed as a DL at the Combine, Reddick will be a LB in the pros and likely a 1st rounder at that. Reddick blazed a 4.52 in the 40 and showed both plus pass rush and pass coverage skills. Reddick could be a Top 20 pick now.

Tyus Bowser, Houston, 6-3 247

If you don't count Reddick, Bowser had the fastest 40 among LBs (4.65) and an impressive 37.5 inch vertical. As a 3-4 OLB or a Leo pass rushing stand up LB, Bowser has the attitude and skill that is very coveted by DCs.

Raekwon McMillan, Ohio State, 6-2 240lbs

Most scouts had McMillan pegged as a 3-4 ILB with limitations in pass coverage. But a 4.61 in the 40 and smoothness in space on pass coverage drills has many rethinking that evaluation and makes him a solid round 2 prospect.


Stock Down

o Reuban Foster, Alabama, 6-0 229lbs

Foster was dismissed from the Combine after an altercation with a medical official. Despite his efforts to apologize and make amends, Foster is gonna be hurt by this incident not to mention his smaller than ideal size for an inside backer. Once thought to be a Top 10 lock, Foster might not even be the 1st LB drafted now.

o Ryan Anderson, Alabama, 6-2 253lbs

Rough weekend for Bama LBs in Indy as Anderson failed to answer questions about his play in space. A 4.78 in the forty makes Anderson a bit of a tweener prospect, not agile enough for 3-4 OLB or Leo and not big enough for a 4-3 DE.

o Devonte Fields, Louisville, 6-2 236lbs

Not sure how Fields made it through the league’s new background check for Combine participants, but maybe he would have been better off not competing. A 4.72 in the 40 and stiffness in drills makes Fields a risk to get selected at all.


Cornerbacks

Stock Up

Gareon Conley, Ohio State, 6-0 195lbs

Both Buckeye CBs (Marcus Lattimore the other) had outstanding Combines, though Lattimore’s was spoiled by another hamstring issue. Conley, however, had no such issues and put himself in the 1st round mix with a 4.44 in the 40.

Ahkello Witherspoon, Colorado, 6-3 198lbs

Much like the Buckeye CBs, both Buffalo corners (Chidobe Awuzie the other) also had great performances in Indy. And while Awuzie might have been the best DB in the drills, Witherspoon has the size teams like and showed amazing footwork (which should not be surprising from a former soccer player).

Shaquill Griffin, Central Florida, 6-0 194lbs

The corner pool just gets deeper as Griffin, who was a fringe prospect coming into the Combine, will have scouts scrambling for game film after a 4.38 in the 40 and a 38.5 in vertical. Add to that Griffin’s excellence in drills and it's possible he is this year's Buster Skrine.


Stock Down

o Teez Tabor, Florida, 6-0 199lbs

With so many corners in this draft, a bad performance at the Combine is heightened due to the number of prospects that may pass you by. Tabor is a perfect example, with his weak 4.62 in the 40 and even weaker 9 reps of 225. Tabor could fall all the way out of the 1st round with so many options available for CB needy teams.
o Rasul Douglas, West Virginia, 6-2 209lbs

Despite having the size teams covet, Douglas looked slow and stiff in drills and might be better served as a FS or in a strictly zone coverage scheme.

o Cordrea Tankersley, Clemson, 6-1 199lbs

Tankersley truly shows not everything at the Combine is about numbers. Despite a solid 4.40 in the 40, Tankersley looked dreadful in the on-field drills and might slide into round 3 or 4 come April.


Safeties

Stock Up

Obi Melifonwu, UConn, 6-4 224lbs

The talk of the Monday DB workouts centered on Melifonwu and his freakish numbers. A 4.40 in the 40, 17 reps of 225lbs, a. 11-9 long jump and a ridiculous 44 in vertical. Even though his tape doesn't warrant it, Melifonwu will be a first round selection.

Marcus Williams, Utah, 6-1 202lbs

After Adams, Hooker and now Melifonwu, Marcus Williams is the next best safety in the draft and will be a great value pick in round 2. His fluid coverage ability and a 43.5 in vertical should have him starting in someone’s centerfield next season.

Josh Jones, NC State, 6-1 220lbs

A big man who runs a 4.41 in the 40 and shows smooth hips in coverage in gold in today's NFL. Jones was among a number of SS types that had nice showings on Monday.


Stock Down

o Jamal Adams, LSU, 6-0 214lbs

It's not that Adams did anything wrong at the Combine, but he also didn't blow anyone away with his athleticism. A 4.56 in the 40 and just 31.5 in vertical are fine numbers and his tape will keep him the top safety on the board, but it's possible he could slide out of the Top 5 lock that most project him to be.

o Lorenzo Jerome, St Francis, 5-10 204lbs

After an impressive draft season to date recording 2 INTs in both all-star games, Jerome showed his limitations at the Combine. A 4.70 in the 40 and real struggles in drills show his game is more about instinct than physical gifts. Likely a Day 3 pick who will need special teams to be a 3rd safety.

o Quincy Wilson, Florida, 6-1 211lbs

I only include Wilson on this list because I think he makes a better FS than a corner and the Combine confirmed that for me. A 4.54 in the 40, pedestrian vertical and broad jumps and some stiff hips are my proof.

NFL Combine Stock Report Pt 1




The NFL Combine in Indy this year was pretty crazy. We had a player get into a fight with a nurse, a new 40 record set, crowds yelling at benchpressers, a debunked Romo trade rumor to Washington and a Mitch turn into a Mitchell. Here is a look at the players who most helped or hurt their draft stock this weekend by position:

Quarterbacks

Stock Up
•    Deshaun Watson, Clemson, 6-3 221lbs
I left the NCAA Championship Game thinking Watson was a great college player who wouldn't translate to the pro game (see Vince Young). But Watson has really improved his mechanics, ala Dak Prescott last year, and looked really great in drills. Watson now has a chance to be the 1st QB off the board in April.

•    Pat Mahomes, Texas Tech, 6-2 225lbs
Mahomes had a mixed bag weekend but moved up  his due to the middling performance of “Call me Mitchell”Trubisky and the awful showing of Deshone Kizer. Many teams were impressed with leadership and arm strength but concerns remain in mechanics and reading NFL defenses. One report said Mahomes “had some Jay Cutler in him” which will intrigue some and terrify others.

Stock Down
o    Deshone Kizer, Notre Dame, 6-4 233lbs
Before the drills started, rumors floated that Kizer was interviewing well by taking ownership of his failings at Notre Dame and the losses this year. Then he started spraying the ball all around in drills and those failings became apparent. Someone will take a shot on Kizer with all his physical gifts, but it probably won't be in the 1st round.

o    Brad Kaaya, Miami, 6-4 219lbs
Whoever advised this kid to enter the draft this year is hopefully looking for work. Kaaya looked dreadful in drills and needed another year in college to find his game. It's likely Kaaya is a pure Day 3 project QB.

Running backs

Stock Up
•    Christian McCaffrey, Stanford, 5-11 202lbs
McCaffrey was the highlight of the RB class at the Combine, running a 4.48 in the 40 and a blazing a 6.57 in the 3 cone agility drill (next fastest was 6.82). In the drills McCaffrey looked every bit the hybrid WR/RB running routes and catching passes with ease. With this performance it's likely McCaffrey is the 2nd RB off the board only behind Fournette.

•    Marlon Mack, South Florida, 5-11 213lbs
Like McCaffrey, Mack benefited at the sake of others by passing other 2nd tier RBs to be solidly in the Day 2 mix. With both the Raiders and Chiefs taking a shine to him, don't be surprised if Mack comes off the board late in round 2.

Stock Down
o    Dalvin Cook, Florida State, 5-10 210lbs
After weighing in lighter than projected, many expected Cook to really light up the Combine with his speed and agility. He did anything but that. An ok 4.49 in the 40, a sub par 7.27 in the 3 cone and a lackluster effort in the on-field work had many scouts shaking their heads. Combined with serious character red flags, Cook could slide into the late 1st or even possibly the early 2nd round unless he can redeem himself at his pro day.

o    Corey Clement, Wisconsin, 5-10 220lbs
After impressing many at the Senior Bowl, Clement seemed poised to jump into the 2nd tier RB mix in rounds 2-4. Instead, Clement ran a lethargic 4.68 in the 40 and showed little burst in drills. Add to the fact that it was rumored he wasn't very popular in the Badgers locker room and Clement may find himself closer to a 5-7 round selection.

Wide receivers

Stock Up
•    John Ross, Washington, 5-11 188lbs
Ross broke Draft Twitter on Saturday by also breaking the record in the 40 with a 4.22 and just missed out on winning his own island. But in addition to this feat, Ross also posted a 37 in vertical and an 11-1 in the broad jump. Ross is likely the 2017 version of Will Fuller and will get drafted in the mid-first on big play potential alone.

•    Zay Jones, East Carolina, 6-2 201lbs
While Ross got all the headlines, Jones just continues his momentum throughout the draft season by proving over and over again he is one of the top 5 WRs in this draft. With a 4.45 in the 40,  a 6.79 in the 3 cone and raves in the Gauntlet drill, Jones has the speed and agility of the smaller WRs in a 6-2 in body. It's possible Jones could even move past the injured Corey Davis as the 2nd or 3rd WR off the board.

•    Chris Godwin, Penn State, 6-1 209lbs
Goodwin falls into the same mold that Patriots WR Malcolm Mitchell did last year: a mid level WR prospect that got attention with an outstanding Combine performance (19 reps of 225lbs and a 4.42 in the 40) and could go as high as the 3rd round. Godwin can only hope he season ends the same way Mitchell’s did too.

Stock Down
o    Cooper Kupp, Eastern Washington, 6-2 204lbs
Kupp came to Indy riding high on the hype train. But that train was derailed after a 4.62 in the 40 showed he's more quick than fast and likely only a 3rd WR/slot guy. It's possible Kupp falls to the 3rd round.

o    Dede Westbrook, Oklahoma, 6-0 178lbs
Despite not working out while still recovering from a brutal hit that ended his season, Westbrook reportedly bombed in interviews when addressing his past domestic violence incidents. With the league hypersensitive to this issue, Westbrook could completely off some draft boards. (Cowboys reportedly interviewed Westbrook at the Combine).

Tight ends

Stock Up
•    Evan Engram, Ole Miss, 6-3 234lbs
While almost no TEs hurt themselves, a few really jumped a full tier or two, including Engram. With a blazing 4.42 in the 40 and a 36 in vertical Engram went beyond Jordan Reed comparisons into 1st round TE talk only behind OJ Howard.

•    Jonnu Smith, Florida Int, 6-3 248lbs
In a class of pass catching TEs, Smith showed he can do both catch and block. 22 reps of 225lbs,  a 4.62 in the 40 and a 38 in vertical have Smith solidly in the Day 2 TE pool.

Offensive tackles

Stock Up
•    Garrett Bolles, Utah, 6-5 297lbs
No one in the OL group had a better weekend than Bolles. In a group without a true blue chip prospect, Bolles agility and attitude could have him the first OT off the board and maybe in the top 10.

•    Aviante Collins, TCU, 6-4 295lbs
Collins was down in the undrafted free agent zone prior to the Combine and was a surprise to even get the invite. But Collins took full advantage, with the fastest 40 time and 10 yard split (4.81 and 1.69 respectively) and 34 reps of 225. It is highly unlikely Collins doesn't get drafted now.

Stock Down
o    Ryan Ramczyk, Wisconsin, 6-6 310lbs
Ramczyk did not compete in drills due to injury but that isn't what hurt his draft stock. Rumors about a lack of desire to play the game began to swirl in Indy and that is a huge red flag for most teams. If he cannot dispel this at his pro day, Ramczyk could fall out of the 1st round entirely or further.

o    Chad Wheeler, USC, 6-7 306lbs
With an opportunity to really rise in the ranks as a true LT, Wheeler looked completely unprepared for the Combine. Only 15 reps of 225lbs and a below average 5.01 in the 20yard shuttle, Wheeler will need an outstanding pro day to even get drafted potentially.

Interior OL

Stock Up
•    Isaac Asiata, Utah, 6-3 323lbs
Much like winning the 40 time is for a WR, the winner of the bench press always gets a little boost among the OL. Asiata won that with 35 reps of 225lbs and showed great power in drills as well.

•    Ethan Cooper, IUP, 6-2 322lbs
Small school prospects have to try hard to get notice and Cooper did just that in the OL drills. For a man his size, Cooper moved almost gracefully yet powerfully in space and will get a nice look in the middle rounds from zone blocking teams.

Stock Down
o    Damien Mama, USC, 6-3 334lbs
Mama almost got beat by the infamous Rich Eisen 40 time and looked awful in drills. Might fall all the way out of the draft.