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We’re 2 and 1/2 days into the NFL scouting combine, and what a combine it has been. Chris “CJ2K” Johnson’s nearly decade old 40 yard dash record fell to Washington Wide Out Stephen Ross, Mitch “call me Mitchell” Trubisky came in over 6’2″ tall and any delusions that Notre Dame QB Deshone Kizer is the best QB in this class are now a distant memory. So what else have we learned?
Fact #1: Myles Garrett is a freak and the best football player in this draft by “Myles”. Standing over 6’4″ tall, the 272 lb defensive end ran a 4.64 40 and performed 33 reps in the bench press (in spite of his incredible 35 1/4″ arm length). But that was just the beginning. Showing off his explosive athleticism, the 272 lb Garrett recorded a 41″ vertical and 10’8″ broad jump. I floated the idea of taking a QB at #1. I was wrong. Welcome to Cleveland Myles, I can’t wait to buy your jersey. This kid is an absolute game changer and you won’t hear me say another word about trading out of the #1 spot.
Fact #2: 3 of the 4 QBs showed they deserve first round consideration. Watson, Trubisky and Mahomes put on clinic in the individual passing drills. Watson was the most polished and consistent performer, Trubisky looks like he has all the skills and athleticism to be successful at the next level, and as former QB David Carr noted, “Pat Mahomes looks like he’s just been given a gift to do this and it was exciting”. The odd man out? Notre Dame’s Deshone Kizer who, despite an excellent interview with the 49ers, failed to put everything together on the field. Perhaps the biggest winner from Group 1 of the QBs? Miami’s Brad Kaaya, who spent a year in Mark Richt’s pro style offense and is perhaps the most NFL ready QB day 1.
Fact #3: There is going to be an opportunity to add Pro Bowl caliber talent at the TE position in the middle of this draft. Speed kills, and this TE group was deadly in the 40 yard dash and broad jump, where their explosive athleticism was on display. While O.J. Howard has been dominant in the combine, that athleticism didn’t always show up on the field. As often happens with QBs, I wouldn’t be surprised if the best TE from this class is the third or fourth one to come off the board.
Fact 4: Leonard Fournette has to be considered an option at #12. I love Duke Johnson. Isaiah Crowell is a competent back. RB is hardly our biggest need. But after a somewhat disappointing combine, Leonard Fournette may be the best player available. The Anti-Trent Richardson, Fournette, who has been an absolute beast that can run away from LBs and over DBs, didn’t have the showing he had hoped for. But if you go to the film (and you should), Fournette fits Hue’s scheme very well.
Fact #5: The performance of Myles Garrett and the top 3 QBs changes my draft strategy. No longer am I thinking about trading back or taking a QB at #1 or #12. I had advocated moving back into the first before. It might still make sense depending on how free agency plays out, but I am definitely in favor of taking a QB at #33 now. Even if it means I miss out on Mahomes. Watching Watson, Trubisky and Mahomes throw, it became obvious very quickly that all three have the skills to succeed at the next level. All three are going to take a little while to develop. Aaron Rodgers fell to #24 after the 49ers took Alex Smith. Derek Carr fell to #36 after Blake Bortles, Teddy Bridgewater and Johnny Manziel were taken in the first round. Drew Brees was taken at #32 after Michael Vick was taken #1 overall by Atlanta. This is going to be that kind of draft, and the QB who is under the least amount of pressure to perform immediately is ultimately going to do the best (Dak Prescott vs. Jared Goff/Carson Wentz). One of the three of these guys (Watson, Trubisky, Mahomes) is going to be there when we pick at #33, and I’m not afraid to see if one (or more) fall to me at that point.
Fact #6: You can build the line in the middle rounds of this draft. With 38 players graded between 6.2 (Wisconsin Tackle Ryan Ramczyk) and 5.2 (Utah Center J.J. Dielman), this draft lacks the sure fire dominant lineman cast in the Joe Thomas mold. Finding adequate pass protection and run support for the interior line should be a breeze.
What about the DBs you ask? Great question. They’re up tomorrow and I’ll post an update after they work out. It looks to be a deep class, and there could be lots of movement on the draft boards based on tomorrow’s workouts.
818 mph. 13,723 feet. 3 second burn.
https://youtu.be/hy-3bb1Nqy0Fact 1 I agree with Garret. But you are looking at the wrong combine numbers. 40 yard dashes mean squat when it comes to evaluating a pass rushers. It’s the 10 yard split of the 40, the vertcle jump, the broad jump and the 3 cone drill that matter. They measure explosiveness and ability to bend the edge athletically.
Fact 2 I agree Kizer did choke which was disappointing as he was my 2nd favorite QB prospecting this class. The other showed what they needed to. As throwing in shorts is more about confirmation than new information.
Fact 3 I agree Howard’s an athletic freak..yup..but likely will be gone by 33. I really like the potential in the kid from Ashland though.
Fact 4 Disagree…I can Get John Conner in day 3. The Browns have bigger neeeds than a heavy back in round 1. You want to talk about Christian McCaffery in the 1st round though I will listen as he is MUCH more impressive and versatile than Fournette.
Fact 5 what I’d do: take garret at 1 ans use some ammo to go get Trubisky and call it day.
Fact 6 IMO the OL could be heavily reinforced and shopped for thru FA as well. What is brought in with this cap soace will free up the gM to be more creative.
http://cloudassetserver.com/STL/posts/185/sp_04_976x0.jpg
In case you haven’t seen yet, here are Garrett’s combine results:
Height: 6’4 1/2″
Weight: 272 lbs
Wingspan: 6′ 10 5/8″
Hands: 10 1/4″
Arm Length: 35 1/4″
Bench: 33 reps
Vertical: 41″
Broad Jump: 10’8″
40 Time: 4.64 secondsHe looked so smooth and fluid in the position drills, far better than any of the DL/DE and on par with the best LBs. It was incredible to watch. This guy is going to be a historically great player. Unstoppable when he’s healthy, better than 95% of the rest of the NFL when he’s not.
He has such a rare combination of size, strength, speed and fluidity that (at least as it pertains to the combine) it’s hard to compare him with league legends like Jadeveon Clowney, Jevon Kearse, Jason Taylor, J.J. Watt without doing HIM (Garrett) a disservice.
His vertical was better than Odell Beckham’s. He put up 12 more reps on the Bench than Clowney did. His 40 time was faster than Khalil Mack’s. He’s taller, bigger, and has longer arms than Jevon Kearse.
Said CBS:
It shouldn’t be surprising that Garrett dominated at the combine. He’s a really athletic guy. But Sunday was more than just Garrett impressing people — he might have put the fear of God into the Cleveland Browns when it comes to the No. 1 pick. There are many things that Cleveland needs, but it’s hard to imagine them actually passing on Garrett given what he did at the combine.For the record, I completely agree. You don’t trade down. You don’t take a QB. Myles Garrett is the real deal and everyone else is competing for second place. I have never seen dominance like that.
Gregg Williams, you are the luckiest MoFo that has ever lived. Year over year stats simply are not going to be fair. I can’t believe that the Browns are finally going to get a player of this caliber. Future Hall of Famer. That’s not hyperbole, this kid is amazing. The defense in Cleveland just got a whole lot better.
818 mph. 13,723 feet. 3 second burn.
https://youtu.be/hy-3bb1Nqy0Fact 1 I agree with Garret. But you are looking at the wrong combine numbers. 40 yard dashes mean squat when it comes to evaluating a pass rushers. It’s the 10 yard split of the 40, the vertcle jump, the broad jump and the 3 cone drill that matter. They measure explosiveness and ability to bend the edge athletically.
I included both the vertical and broad jump. At the time I posted this, the 3 cone hadn’t been run yet (As I stated at the onset, we were only 2.5 days in at the time). But why quibble? The kid was dominant and we’re going to get him.
Fact 3 I agree Howard’s an athletic freak..yup..but likely will be gone by 33. I really like the potential in the kid from Ashland though.
Agree, that’s why Howard would have to be the pick at #12 if we want him. I’m interested to see how the DBs do tomorrow. Could greatly impact the #12 pick.
Fact 4 Disagree…I can Get John Conner in day 3. The Browns have bigger neeeds than a heavy back in round 1. You want to talk about Christian McCaffery in the 1st round though I will listen as he is MUCH more impressive and versatile than Fournette.
McCaffery is a great athlete that is very versatile. He is not a 3 down back though. He’s a complimentary piece. He’ll put you over the top, but he can’t carry an offense. Fournette’s play speaks for itself. With no QB to speak of (and battling through injuries most of the season), Fournette proved he is very much like Myles Garrett in one respect: when he’s healthy he’s unstoppable, and even when he’s hurt, he’s better than 95% of his peers.
Fact 5 what I’d do: take garret at 1 ans use some ammo to go get Trubisky and call it day.
If Trubisky falls to 12 and the Brass wants to take him, I wouldn’t lose any sleep over that decision. However, I don’t think there is a gap between Watson, Trubisky and Mahomes. Sure, they all have different strengths and weaknesses, but their performance (at least early in their careers) is going to be tied to their situation. It’s becoming a real possibility that Pryor won’t return, and Jeffery has made it known he wants to play for a contender. I want to see us pick up an elite mismatch offensive weapon @ #12 – O.J. Howard, Mike Williams or Corey Davis if Fournette is not available (I get you don’t like him, I do. Agree to disagree).
Fact 6 IMO the OL could be heavily reinforced and shopped for thru FA as well. What is brought in with this cap soace will free up the gM to be more creative.
100% agree. There are some very high quality linemen available in Free Agency this year that would allow us to focus on the deep DB class this draft offers.
818 mph. 13,723 feet. 3 second burn.
https://youtu.be/hy-3bb1Nqy0Fact Garrett is the best player in the draft, fact Mitch will not be there at 12 unless San Francisco, Chicago, the Jet and the Bills all solve their QB problems before the draft I see Mitch Trib and Kizer going before 12 maybe Kizer might be there but i’d pass on him
Fact #1: Myles Garrett is a freak and the best football player in this draft by “Myles”.
One more pun like that and I’ll change your name to Soup’s Secret Admirer.
Kizer will drop like a rock. No way he’s high on any boards. I’ll be shocked
Disagree. He may have the highest ceiling. Yeah he had a shitty season but he was on a shitty team. He might be the Jay Cutler of this draft.
Kizer will drop like a rock. No way he’s high on any boards. I’ll be shocked
Disagree. He may have the highest ceiling. Yeah he had a shitty season but he was on a shitty team. He might be the Jay Cutler of this draft.
No bigger BS statement about players than saying the meaningless words “highest ceiling.”
He sucked in college but because he’s big with a strong arm he has the highest ceiling?
He can’t hit guys in stride wearing shorts. He got benched by his college team. You make the excuse he was on a bad team. Great QBs make bad teams look better. New England We suck. So do Green Bays. I’ve said it for years. I said it specifically in the past about Greg Jennings and James Jones of GB. They both left and failed, came back into success again. Great QBs elevate those around them.
Kizer shouldn’t be in our draft board at all.
Freedom!!!
I’m fairly certain he’ll go in the first 2 rounds. I don’t think I’m crazy for thinking that.
Removing him from the draft board completely, you’re going to have to back up that position a little better IMO.
I’m fairly certain he’ll go in the first 2 rounds. I don’t think I’m crazy for thinking that.
Removing him from the draft board completely, you’re going to have to back up that position a little better IMO.Easy. He did nothing in college to prove he has the ability to play in the NFL.
Highly inaccurate.
Got benched in college his final year.
Regressed as a QB.
Being big with a strong arm isn’t a reason to draft someone. Geno Smith and Jimmy Clausen were taken in round 2. It was evident they should’ve never been drafted by their play in college. Kizer shouldn’t be on our board.
Freedom!!!
Personally I hope that he is still thought of highly. That leaves the opportunity for another QB needy team above us at 12 to take him, basically ensuring that 1 of the 3 of Mahomes/Trubisky/Watson will be there at 12 for us.
I’m fairly certain he’ll go in the first 2 rounds. I don’t think I’m crazy for thinking that. Removing him from the draft board completely, you’re going to have to back up that position a little better IMO.
Easy. He did nothing in college to prove he has the ability to play in the NFL.
Highly inaccurate.
Got benched in college his final year.
Regressed as a QB.
Being big with a strong arm isn’t a reason to draft someone. Geno Smith and Jimmy Clausen were taken in round 2. It was evident they should’ve never been drafted by their play in college. Kizer shouldn’t be on our board.Question Soup….how much do you blame HC Kelly for Kizer? Personally I find Kelly to be a shitty couch and a shitty human being.
http://cloudassetserver.com/STL/posts/185/sp_04_976x0.jpg
I agree that Kelly is garbage. He may well have ruined Kizer. It’s not our job to fix him. No more reclamation projects. We need to find a guy and go. Be off and running day 1
Freedom!!!
Take a look at this. @Soup, I think you’ll especially like it.
He goes through some of the decision making challenges that Kizer has to overcome.
Don’t want him working out those issues in the pros. One more year in the NCAA sure. Pros, no.
Freedom!!!
Got this PM on another site.
To:DawgSoldierOBR
Subject:kizer
Sent:Mar 10, 2017 1:16 AM
i can tell you he was playing all year with heavey heart . his girl friend had a tumor in her throat size of a baseball. it was cancerous . plus kelly bad coach threw most of his players under the bus if notre dame would lose. kizer had no tight worth a damn wide outs drop a lot ofb passes no line to think of except center and left tackle. plus he played in a offense not suited for what he does best drop back and throw . so her had a lot of reason for off year. oh a other thing her doesnt have slow eyes the wide outs were freman and sophmores not that experenced.I have no way to verify if this is true, and I am NOT saying it is…. but if it is, this could cast a different light on Kizer and the kind of info teams get.
http://cloudassetserver.com/STL/posts/185/sp_04_976x0.jpg
Don’t want him working out those issues in the pros. One more year in the NCAA sure. Pros, no.
Keep in mind though that the guy who did that video still thinks Kizer is the best QB in this draft, and puts him in the top 10 picks in his mock drafts.
Got this PM on another site.
To:DawgSoldierOBR Subject:kizer Sent:Mar 10, 2017 1:16 AM i can tell you he was playing all year with heavey heart . his girl friend had a tumor in her throat size of a baseball. it was cancerous . plus kelly bad coach threw most of his players under the bus if notre dame would lose. kizer had no tight worth a damn wide outs drop a lot ofb passes no line to think of except center and left tackle. plus he played in a offense not suited for what he does best drop back and throw . so her had a lot of reason for off year. oh a other thing her doesnt have slow eyes the wide outs were freman and sophmores not that experenced.
I have no way to verify if this is true, and I am NOT saying it is…. but if it is, this could cast a different light on Kizer and the kind of info teams get.If true then that really really sucks.
But still if I’m a GM it’s a yellow flag. He’s a guy whose personal life affects his play on the field, and I can’t guarantee he’s not gonna have any more problems in his personal life.
there petty stuff effecting on field play….and then their is significant other battling cancer…..that’s just a whole other level IMO ice.
http://cloudassetserver.com/STL/posts/185/sp_04_976x0.jpg
there petty stuff effecting on field play….and then their is significant other battling cancer…..that’s just a whole other level IMO ice.
Yeah you’re probably right.
Don’t want him working out those issues in the pros. One more year in the NCAA sure. Pros, no.
Keep in mind though that the guy who did that video still thinks Kizer is the best QB in this draft, and puts him in the top 10 picks in his mock drafts.
Jamarcus Russell, Johnny Manziel, Tim Tebow, Geno Smith, Jimmy Clausen – all guys people thought should’ve been taken in the first 2 rounds. None would’ve been on my draft board. I don’t care what he thinks. Kizer is big with a strong arm. The end.
Freedom!!!
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