EMB Blog: 2021 Offseason

[austinfan]

4 minutes ago, DumbleBear said:

Don't know why I'm bothering to waste the keystrokes but just something to keep in mind. 

On a four win team ( Yes it's the goal every year) but especially on a four win team, the actual goal is to draft however many people you can who ALL make meaningful even starting contributions to the 2021 Football team.  From day one , you want kids ready to not "show up for practice and get the speed of the NFL game" ... nope. You want people who are going to try to knock your helmet off. Couldn't care less how you find them. 

And to play all the kids from last year ... Sink or swim. You've got four wins. 

Players who are NFL ready go higher in the draft, especially to teams with "win now" mandates.

So if you're looking for "impact players," you're less likely to find them by drafting NFL ready players.

In this draft, I want a lot of 3rd day lottery tickets and take some medical risks, because a lot of teams will be wary of them and some talented players will drop like a rock.

Sweat is a good example, in this draft he might have fallen to the 6th round.

[Original Sin]

Drafting is about luck as much as skill , most teams probably don’t expect most players to offer much in year one , take the Bucs , no way they thought Wirfs and AWJ would step in as rookie starters , on their way to the super bowl , hell the consensus was Wirfs was the 4th best OT of the big 5 names , and he ends up being the best ,

luck as much as skill , only so many things teams can control 

[greend]

1 hour ago, UK_EaglesFan89 said:

You're absolutely right there bud. I don't like the idea of taking Paye, especially at #12, but it may well work out. 

sounds like something we say almost every year

[Iggles_Phan]

9 hours ago, austinfan said:

In the end, trust your scouts or fire your scouts.

🤔     And yet... Howie doesn't.   So, trust your GM or fire your GM?  

[John_C]

McShay top rankings for anyone without paid espn

Quote

Top 300
1-25 | 26-50 | 51-75 | 76-100
101-150 | 151-200 | 201-250 | 251-300

Position rankings
QB | RB | WR | TE | C | OT | G
ILB | OLB | DE | DT | CB | S | K | P

1. Trevor Lawrence, QB, Clemson (Grade: 97)

Height: 6-foot-6 | Weight: 213 pounds | Highlights

Lawrence has very good decision-making skills, good release quickness and top-tier velocity as a passer. Although Lawrence is still working on the consistency of his footwork and ball placement, his overall touch, timing and anticipation are excellent. He knows how to lead receivers open and spots the ball very well on back-shoulder throws. And he has solid pocket mobility for such a tall quarterback, with quickness in the pocket and a feel for pressure. As a runner, Lawrence has good speed when he takes off. In all, he is a once-in-a-decade type of quarterback prospect.

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2. Kyle Pitts, TE, Florida (Grade: 94)

Height: 6-6 | Weight: 245 | Highlights

Pitts is a hybrid receiver/tight end with a big frame, long arms and very good physical ability. He is an excellent route runner who separates from linebackers and safeties, and he settles into pockets working against zone looks. He has the foot speed and active hands to get off press, and his ability to collect contested catches makes him a tough matchup when he moves outside. Pitts has the size and second gear to threaten downfield, along with the burst and strength to make him a threat after the catch. Pitts' talent and versatility make him a matchup nightmare for defenses.

 

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3. Ja'Marr Chase, WR, LSU (Grade: 94)

Height: 6-0 | Weight: 201 | Highlights

Before opting out of the 2020 season, Chase broke the SEC single-season records for receiving touchdowns (20) and receiving yards (1,780) in 2019. He has a sturdy build with very good top-end speed, and he is physical getting off the line of scrimmage. His best trait is his ability to track the ball and adjust, and his body control is outstanding. He lacks elite twitchiness with the ball in his hands, but he's a tough open-field runner with excellent contact balance for a receiver.

 

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Ja'Marr Chase ready to bring his skill set to the NFL

Take a look at the highlights from LSU's Ja'Marr Chase as he gets ready to be one of the top receivers off the board in the NFL draft.

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4. Zach Wilson, QB, BYU (Grade: 93)

Height: 6-2 | Weight: 214 | Highlights

Wilson played in a pistol-heavy offense at BYU that featured full-field reads. One of his best traits is his ability to extend plays, as he has the instincts and agility to create after the initial play breaks down, and he does a very good job of adjusting his arm angles to generate throwing windows. His ability to throw receivers open also stands out, as Wilson shows above-average touch against zone looks. He doesn't appear to have great top-end speed, but he's an instinctive runner with good quickness and competitiveness.

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5. Penei Sewell, OT, Oregon (Grade: 93)

Height: 6-6 | Weight: 330 | Highlights

Sewell has the feet to excel as a zone blocker and the power to move defenders off the ball when he keeps his pads down in the run game. He gets set quickly and tends to land the initial punch with good hand placement. His footwork is a little inconsistent, but he has the length to recover. He played in only two seasons at Oregon, and lack of experience is a slight concern, but Sewell is the top offensive tackle and a Day 1 starter.

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6. DeVonta Smith, WR, Alabama (Grade: 93)

Height: 6-0 | Weight: 170 | Highlights

What stands out most about Smith are his instincts and elite-level savvy as a route runner. He explodes off the line with top-end initial burst, and he is sudden and crafty enough to beat press-man coverage. Smith is smooth getting in and out of breaks, and he consistently gains separation at the top of his stem versus man-to-man coverage and has an outstanding feel for locating soft spots in zone. He occasionally gets outmuscled during his routes by bigger corners, but he rarely drops a catchable ball, and he does a very good job tracking the ball vertically.

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7. Jaylen Waddle, WR, Alabama (Grade: 93)

Height: 5-10 | Weight: 180 | Highlights

As a route runner, Waddle explodes off the line and out of his breaks, and he tracks the deep ball extremely well. Press corners really struggle to redirect him because of his elite twitch and how fast he reaches top speed. Waddle is the most dangerous player in the country with the ball in his hands because of his lateral agility, elusiveness, field vision and breakaway speed. He isn't afraid to work the middle, but he can be inconsistent catching in traffic.

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EDITOR'S PICKS

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  McShay's NFL draft buzz: Which QB do the 49ers like? Could Carolina surprise?

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  Our NFL Draft Day Predictor answers big questions: Will a QB fall? Could the Eagles land a WR?

• 

  The best at everything in the NFL draft: Top prospects at 50 different skills

8. Rashawn Slater, OT, Northwestern (Grade: 93)

Height: 6-4 | Weight: 304 |Highlights

Slater is an effective positional blocker with good balance and average power in the run game. He is smooth climbing to the second level and has excellent range. In pass protection, Slater is an above-average hands fighter with excellent quickness, upper-body strength, body control and quick feet. He gives up too much ground on occasion, but he tends to recover quickly and blocks to the whistle. Slater's below-average arm length is worth noting, but we believe that he has the balance, foot speed and feel for the game to be a Day 1 starter at tackle -- with the versatility to kick inside.

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9. Trey Lance, QB, North Dakota State (Grade: 92)

Height: 6-4 | Weight: 224 | Highlights

Lance has great arm strength, and he extends plays and makes off-platform throws with frequency. He is efficient dropping from under center and excels at selling play-action. Lance has fast eyes and does an exceptional job with ball security. He shows good downfield touch, but his biggest weakness is a lack of consistently accurate ball placement, especially on shorter throws and throws outside the hashes. He is a bruising runner with good top-end speed. Lance's relative inexperience (17 starts) and FCS level of competition are concerns.

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10. Patrick Surtain II, CB, Alabama (Grade: 92)

Height: 6-2 | Weight: 208 | Highlights

Surtain is an instinctive cover corner who can diagnose receivers' routes and quarterbacks' eyes. He plays within the structure of the defense and knows where to funnel WRs. A sound playmaker, he has good ball-reaction skills and soft hands. Surtain limits yards after the catch and is a strong tackler.

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11. Justin Fields, QB, Ohio State (Grade: 91)

Height: 6-3 | Weight: 227 | Highlights

Fields has very good accuracy and gets very good zip on vertical throws. He shows a quick release -- he can snap his wrist and the ball jumps off his hand. The biggest knock on Fields is that he wants to see his receiver come open, and he will need to do a better job of anticipating throws. He is a good mover in the pocket, and he does a solid job of keeping his eyes downfield while extending plays and locating late-opening targets. Fields has some developing to do as a processer, but if placed in the right system, he should quickly become a top-tier NFL starter.

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12. Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah, ILB, Notre Dame (Grade: 91)

Height: 6-2 | Weight: 221 | Highlights

Owusu-Koramoah is what the NFL is looking for in a defender because of his exceptional versatility. He's an undersized but instinctive and fast WLB who can play the overhang position. He shows very good recognition skills and always seems to be around the ball. He needs to get bigger and stronger, but Owusu-Koramoah is fluid, smooth and fast in coverage. He has also flashed the ability to pressure quarterbacks and get home with speed and suddenness.

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13. Alijah Vera-Tucker, G, USC (Grade: 91)

Height: 6-5 | Weight: 308 | Highlights

Vera-Tucker gets into sound initial position and gets movement at the point of attack in the run game. He gets top-heavy and falls off some blocks late, but he takes sound angles climbing to the second level. He's smooth getting set and has above-average body control for his size in pass pro. He has a strong punch, tends to get his hands inside and anchors well. Vera-Tucker is a better fit at guard than tackle but could provide depth outside in the NFL.

 

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1:10

Alijah Vera-Tucker's NFL draft profile

Check out the best highlights from USC OG Alijah Vera-Tucker's college career.

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14. Jaycee Horn, CB, South Carolina (Grade: 91)

Height: 6-1 | Weight: 205 | Highlights

Horn has the size, speed, toughness and length to develop into a very good press corner. He makes it tough for receivers to get off the line and into routes. He's a little tight, and he gets grabby at times. He's more effective matching up with slot receivers than most corners with his size. Horn flashes solid instincts and tracks the ball well, and he's competitive in 50-50 situations. And he's a threat blitzing off the edge.

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15. Mac Jones, QB, Alabama (Grade: 90)

Height: 6-3 | Weight: 217 | Highlights

His pocket presence and ability to maneuver within the pocket really stand out on tape. Jones has shown high-level ball placement on short to intermediate throws and has very good timing and anticipation. He processes things quickly and has outstanding football sense, and he consistently displays the ability to lead receivers to yards after the catch. Jones also understands trajectory and can layer the ball between defenders. But he has a tendency to underthrow the deep ball, and he is not much of a threat as a runner.

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16. Micah Parsons, ILB, Penn State (Grade: 90)

Height: 6-3 | Weight: 246 | Highlights

Parsons is a very good tackler with excellent range. He's a disruptive interior run defender with the burst to shoot gaps and the ability to quickly slip blocks. There's room for improvement when it comes to getting off blocks, but he has good size and balance. He's a dynamic third-down player who covers ground in zone and has solid man cover traits. He flashes as a hands fighter and has the closing burst to get to the quarterback rushing off the edge and between the tackles.

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17. Trevon Moehrig, S, TCU (Grade: 90)

Height: 6-0 | Weight: 202 | Highlights

Moehrig is an explosive playmaker who shows good burst breaking on the ball and good timing breaking up passes. Moehrig has good recovery speed and flashes the ability to locate the ball and finish with an interception once he gets back in phase. He has good range in run support and is an above-average open-field tackler.

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18. Kwity Paye, DE, Michigan (Grade: 90)

Height: 6-3 | Weight: 261 | Highlights

Paye has an extremely high ceiling. He has fast eyes and explosive closing speed in pursuit. He needs to make strides as a hands fighter, but Paye flashes the ability to slip blocks and make plays in the backfield. He has above-average range and presents good versatility; he kicks inside to rush the passer, and he's a 3-4 OLB candidate.

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2021 NFL draft coverage

• Mocks: Kiper | McShay | Tannenbaum
• Rankings: Kiper | McShay | Legwold
• Kiper/McShay: Dueling mock | All-22
• Teams: Matchmaker | Needs | Guides
• Draft cheat sheet | Best at every skill
• Full ranking | Pick order | More

19. Caleb Farley, CB, Virginia Tech (Grade: 90)

Height: 6-2 | Weight: 197 |Highlights

Farley possesses a rare blend of size, length, top-end speed and burst. His ball skills are elite, as he tracks the ball extremely well and has natural instincts when it comes to getting into phase and getting his head turned around at the right time. He reads receivers and is a playmaker. His recognition skills could improve with more experience, and he's a bit of a buffet tackler.

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20. Christian Darrisaw, OT, Virginia Tech (Grade: 90)

Height: 6-5 | Weight: 322 | Highlights

Darrisaw is an excellent zone blocker when his technique is sound. He's smooth climbing and has the powerful punch to knock defenders off course when he gets into space, but he doesn't always finish like he's capable of finishing. He's smooth getting set and flashes good change of direction in pass pro. He has the length to ride speed rushers past the quarterback, and he bends well enough to hold his ground against power. But Darrisaw stops moving his feet and occasionally lunges at the top of his set.

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21. Jaelan Phillips, DE, Miami (Grade: 90)

Height: 6-6 | Weight: 260 | Highlights

Phillips is powerful and does an excellent job of working through contact because of his long arms, heavy hands and body control. He also excelled when reduced to defensive tackle on obvious pass downs. As a run defender, he has the length and strength to set the edge, though he needs to play with better leverage.

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22. Travis Etienne, RB, Clemson (Grade: 90)

Height: 5-10 | Weight: 215 | Highlights

The combination of initial burst and straight-line acceleration is his strongest trait, as he shows an explosive second gear when he hits daylight on the second level. Etienne is a home-run hitter in space. He is a decisive runner, especially between the tackles, and has solid contact balance.

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23. Elijah Moore, WR, Ole Miss (Grade: 90)

Height: 5-10 | Weight: 178 | Highlights

Moore is an undersized slot receiver who reads coverages well and excels at attacking the middle of the field against zone looks. He flashes as a route runner and has the ability to separate from man. He's a hands catcher who plucks the ball out of the air, and his burst and elusiveness make him a threat after the catch. But Moore is not as dangerous downfield.

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24. Greg Newsome II, CB, Northwestern (Grade: 90)

Height: 6-0 | Weight: 192 | Highlights

Newsome is a scheme-versatile corner with a rare blend of length, agility and top-end speed. He has all the tools to develop into an effective press corner in the NFL, including balance and fluidity. He does an above-average job of recovering when he gets caught out of position, but he gets too grabby and physical at times. He plays through the receiver's hands and rips the ball out.

 

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0:49

Greg Newsome's NFL draft profile

Check out highlights from Northwestern's strong cornerback Greg Newsome II.

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25. Jamin Davis, ILB, Kentucky (Grade: 90)

Height: 6-4 | Weight: 234 | Highlights

Davis is a long-levered and somewhat lean off-the-ball linebacker with very good speed and overall movement skills. He's a downhill run defender with a very good closing burst, showing balance and short-area quickness. He can get pushed around on occasion when reached but uses his long arms and quick feet to keep off most blocks. And he is a very reliable tackler in space. Davis is still developing recognition skills in coverage.

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26. Teven Jenkins, OT, Oklahoma State (Grade: 89)

Height: 6-7 | Weight: 320 | Highlights

Jenkins started mostly at right tackle but also started six times at left tackle and twice at right guard. He is a big, powerful tackle who has a wide frame to cover up defenders and consistently drives defenders off the line of scrimmage. He has solid range and shows good body control as a second-level blocker. Jenkins lacks ideal mirror-and-slide agility, but he is smooth getting set in pass pro and plays with excellent balance. He tends to hold his ground effectively against power rushers.

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27. Zaven Collins, LB, Tulsa (Grade: 89)

Height: 6-4 | Weight: 260 | Highlights

Collins is a dynamic and versatile linebacker with a nice blend of size and top-end speed. He's tall enough to see into the backfield and track the ball, and he's quick enough to shoot gaps. He has the strength to hold his ground at the point of attack, does a good job of getting off blocks and is a heavy hitter. Collins reads the quarterback and has excellent ball skills. And he has the burst and power to make an impact as a pass-rusher. He can play inside or outside linebacker regardless of the front.

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28. Najee Harris, RB, Alabama (Grade: 89)

Height: 6-1 | Weight: 232 | Highlights

Harris has excellent size and decent top-end speed. He was a much more decisive runner as a senior, showing oily hips for a big back and playing light on his feet. He gets in and out of breaks quickly, has excellent ball security and is a slippery runner between the tackles, but he has acceleration limitations. As a pass-catcher, Harris has a big catch radius.

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First Draft Podcast

Mel Kiper Jr. and Todd McShay break down the 2021 NFL draft.
• First Draft podcast »

29. Rashod Bateman, WR, Minnesota (Grade: 89)

Height: 6-0 | Weight: 190 |Highlights

Bateman works outside and in the slot, and his two standout qualities are his route running and ball skills. He's an NFL-ready route runner who is highly adept at beating press coverage and is precise/crafty with his routes. He consistently generates good separation with angles, physicality and sharp routes. Bateman is a natural hands-catcher who attacks the ball away from his frame. He has strong hands in traffic and seamlessly plucks the ball and transitions upfield. And he's not afraid to work the middle of the field.

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30. Christian Barmore, DT, Alabama (Grade: 89)

Height: 6-4 | Weight: 310 | Highlights

As a pass-rusher, Barmore has adequate quickness for his size. He has upside in terms of his counterpunch because of his quick hands, but he's more of a power rusher at this point and tends to stall out too quickly. As a run defender, Barmore plays with good leverage and is stout enough to take on double-teams. He's inconsistent disengaging from blocks, but he locates the ball quickly and shows adequate change-of-direction skills.

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31. Azeez Ojulari, OLB, Georgia (Grade: 88)

Height: 6-2 | Weight: 249 | Highlights

Ojulari displays elite edge rushing traits -- including first-step burst and good body control -- and has natural pass-rush instincts. His dip-and-rip move is outstanding. Ojulari also has a great closing burst to the quarterback once he turns the edge. He is much better rushing the passer than in coverage, but he shows good fluidity and range in underneath coverage when asked to drop. Versus the run, he has very good range but needs to get stronger at the point of attack.

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32. Kadarius Toney, WR, Florida (Grade: 88)

Height: 6-0 | Weight: 193 | Highlights

Toney is an undersized slot receiver at his best in space. He has rare explosiveness to go along with good contact balance, open-field instincts and the top-end speed to threaten vertically. He has made strides as a route runner and shows excellent separation skills. He is a hands catcher, but he is a small target with shorter arms and has the occasional drop. Toney is a versatile weapon who can make an immediate impact on offense and in the return game.

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33. Liam Eichenberg, OT, Notre Dame (Grade: 88)

Height: 6-6 | Weight: 306 | Highlights

Eichenberg excels in pass pro, getting set quickly and tending to get his hands inside. He stays inside-out and powers down to take away inside moves. He occasionally gives too much ground against power rushers. Eichenberg takes great angles in the run game, is technically sound and has more power than his frame would indicate.

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34. Asante Samuel Jr., CB, Florida State (Grade: 88)

Height: 5-10 | Weight: 180 | Highlights

Samuel has average top-end speed, but he is a technically sound and instinctive cover corner who pays great attention to detail. He shows excellent change-of-direction skills and good body control in coverage. The only concern is his lack of size on contested balls against bigger wide receivers, though he has solid overall ball skills.

 

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Asante Samuel Jr.'s NFL draft profile

Check out the best highlights from Florid State CB Asante Samuel's college career.

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35. Javonte Williams, RB, North Carolina (Grade: 88)

Height: 5-10 | Weight: 212 | Highlights

Williams is a tightly packed back with excellent acceleration and burst. He has excellent contact balance and breaks more tackles than any other running back I studied on tape. He hits the hole hard but also does a great job of setting up blocks -- and he has outstanding open-field vision to set up multiple cuts and make defenders miss. But his ball skills are average at best.

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36. Ronnie Perkins, DE, Oklahoma (Grade: 88)

Height: 6-3 | Weight: 253 | Highlights

Perkins has a quick first step, and he has really good bend as an edge rusher. However, he needs to improve his upper-body strength and develop more explosive hands as a pass-rusher. His speed-to-power rushes frequently stall. Against the run, he sets an adequate edge but needs to disengage faster.

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37. Joe Tryon, DE, Washington (Grade: 88)

Height: 6-5 | Weight: 259 | Highlights

Tryon has a quick first step and knocks tackles back with an initial surge rushing the passer. He needs to be more fluid with his counter moves, and his closing burst is average. He does a good job of locking out and locating the ball as a run defender. Tryon has some experience playing 3-4 OLB in addition to end and dropping into underneath zone coverage.

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38. Jayson Oweh, DE, Penn State (Grade: 87)

Height: 6-5 | Weight: 257 | Highlights

Oweh is explosive with excellent length and rare top-end speed. He's not a polished pass-rusher at this point, his pads tend to rise when he works inside, and he has room to grow as a hands fighter. Oweh is more disruptive on tape than the stats would suggest. He's versatile enough to kick inside and is also a 3-4 OLB conversion candidate.

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39. Dillon Radunz, OT, North Dakota State (Grade: 87)

Height: 6-6 | Weight: 301 | Highlights

Radunz still needs to add bulk and continue to improve his lower-body strength. But he is a smooth mover who gets set quickly and mirrors effectively in pass pro, though he gives too much ground at times. Radunz has the ability to excel in a zone-heavy run scheme and shows excellent range as a second-level blocker. He flashes the ability to generate initial push, but he is not an overpowering drive blocker.

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Answer questions on the 2021 NFL draft for a chance to win $110,000! Make Your Picks

40. Nick Bolton, ILB, Missouri (Grade: 87)

Height: 5-11 | Weight: 237 |Highlights

Bolton has exceptional eyes for diagnosing plays and locating the ball. And while he doesn't have great speed, he plays fast and shows very good closing burst with outstanding open-field tackling skills. Bolton does not have great take-on skills but does an excellent job of shooting gaps and getting over the top of blockers. In coverage, he shows solid range in underneath zone but lacks ideal top-end speed to match up with faster pass-catchers.

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41. Tyson Campbell, CB, Georgia (Grade: 86)

Height: 6-1 | Weight: 193 | Highlights

Campbell has outstanding top-end speed, especially for a taller cornerback. He shows outstanding closing burst when the ball is in the air and makes up for some recognition mistakes and limits yards after the catch as a result. He also shows good aggressiveness in run support.

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42. Levi Onwuzurike, DT, Washington (Grade: 86)

Height: 6-3 | Weight: 290 | Highlights

Onwuzurike lacks great size, but he's sudden with good quickness for the position. As a pass-rusher, he's consistently disruptive, he shows violent hands and a strong upper body to disengage from blocks, and he closes well. Onwuzurike is at his best when he can use his quickness to penetrate as a run defender.

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43. Carlos Basham Jr., DE, Wake Forest (Grade: 86)

Height: 6-3 | Weight: 274 | Highlights

Basham is a powerful edge rusher with good quickness and violent hands. He also has the size and strength to set the edge against the run, along with the foot speed and quick hands to slip blocks and disrupt plays in the backfield.

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44. Tutu Atwell, WR, Louisville (Grade: 85)

Height: 5-9 | Weight: 155 | Highlights

Atwell is a pint-sized slot receiver with lightning-quick feet and explosive speed, and he's a threat to pull away whenever he gets a seam. He's not as dangerous downfield as he is after the catch, but his speed makes him a threat to get behind the coverage. He has a small catch radius and just average hands.

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45. Landon Dickerson, C/G, Alabama (Grade: 85)

Height: 6-6 | Weight: 333 | Highlights

In pass pro, Dickerson shows very good awareness and patience. He has heavy hands and has excellent power in his punch, but he lacks ideal mirror quickness and will get in trouble when he loses initially, typically by lunging. As a run blocker, Dickerson takes great angles and is powerful at the point of attack. He rarely loses a point-of-attack battle when he's in position.

 

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0:55

Landon Dickerson's NFL draft profile

Check out some of the best plays that contributed to Alabama OL Landon Dickerson's impressive college career.

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46. Terrace Marshall Jr., WR, LSU (Grade: 84)

Height: 6-3 | Weight: 205 | Highlights

Marshall has excellent height, unique initial burst and good top-end speed for his frame. He struggles getting in and out of breaks, but he explodes off the line of scrimmage and frequently threatens cornerbacks with his acceleration. Marshall has an excellent catch radius and is sneaky elusive after the catch for a long-legged receiver.

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47. Jabril Cox, ILB, LSU (Grade: 84)

Height: 6-3 | Weight: 232 | Highlights

Cox has outstanding size, length and bulk to go along with his above-average speed. He excels in coverage, and he's smooth and fluid with above-average recovery speed. Cox is a rangy run defender with good closing speed, though there's room for improvement when it comes to getting off blocks.

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48. Gregory Rousseau, DE, Miami (Grade: 84)

Height: 6-7 | Weight: 266 | Highlights

Rousseau has an exceptional frame but still lacks polish as an edge rusher. He is a powerful pass-rusher who flashes the ability to overwhelm blockers. He actually showed more upside as an interior pass-rusher, flashing a quick first step and productive hand usage. As a run defender, he's an edge-setter with the strength and length to press blockers off his frame, but he is a bit of an inconsistent finisher.

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49. Elijah Molden, CB, Washington (Grade: 83)

Height: 5-10 | Weight: 192 | Highlights

Molden is a tightly packed slot corner with very good balance, body control and instincts. He excels at working as the nickelback, especially in zone coverage. He has just adequate top-end speed, but he does a good job of playing through the receiver's hands when he gets caught out of phase.

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50. Andre Cisco, S, Syracuse (Grade: 82)

Height: 6-1 | Weight: 216 | Highlights

Cisco is an interchangeable safety with a good blend of size and speed. He's instinctive and rangy enough to play center field. He's a ball hawk and natural hands catcher. He flashes a violent punch and the ability to get off blocks when he lines up at linebacker depth. Aggressiveness and physicality playing the run comes and goes, and his recent injury history is a concern.

51-75

Projecting the top draft prospects

Here's what to expect at the NFL level from the top players at these positions:

• Quarterbacks: QBASE 2.0
• Wide receivers: Playmaker score
• Running backs: BackCAST
• Pass-rushers: SackSEER
• Draft guides for all 32 teams

51. Chazz Surratt, ILB, North Carolina (82)
52. Hunter Long, TE, Boston College (82)
53. Richie Grant, S, UCF (82)
54. Rondale Moore, WR, Purdue (81)
55. Creed Humphrey, C, Oklahoma (81)
56. Jevon Holland, S, Oregon (81)
57. D'Wayne Eskridge, WR, Western Michigan (80)
58. Pat Freiermuth, TE, Penn State (80)
59. Ifeatu Melifonwu, CB, Syracuse (80)
60. Alex Leatherwood, G, Alabama (80)
61. Quinn Meinerz, G, Wisconsin-Whitewater (80)
62. Walker Little, OT, Stanford (80)
63. Davis Mills, QB, Stanford (79)
64. Kelvin Joseph, CB, Kentucky (79)
65. Kyle Trask, QB, Florida (78)
66. Samuel Cosmi, OT, Texas (78)
67. Kellen Mond, QB, Texas A&M (77)
68. Patrick Jones II, DE, Pittsburgh (77)
69. Chris Rumph II, OLB, Duke (77)
70. Alim McNeill, DT, NC State (77)
71. Eric Stokes, CB, Georgia (76)
72. Anthony Schwartz, WR, Auburn (76)
73. Payton Turner, DE, Houston (76)
74. Aaron Robinson, CB, UCF (76)
75. Tylan Wallace, WR, Oklahoma State (76)

 

[Iggles_Phan]

8 hours ago, Desertbirds said:

For someone that states we should trust the process (a generality), he frequently argues by anecdote (a singularity).

[ManuManu]

 

[Saltpeter]

Biggest probably-non-Eagles story tonight is how far Fields falls. Rooting for him.

My gut tells me that neither Horn nor Surtain is there at 12, and Devonta Smith is the pick. Sirianni will sit at the podium until tomorrow night jizzing over Smith's route running.

[Iggles_Phan]

1 hour ago, eagle45 said:

Paye may be a very Howie pick....but in this draft, Howie is going to want someone to step in right away to take off some heat.

Paye is a big risk to have a 2 sack rookie year as a backup.  Any wr is a huge risk to be a deer in headlights as a rookie.

The top cbs are very likely to start on day 1.

Not saying CB is the right way to go or what Howie will necessarily do, but that may be the easiest move to get someone who shows up as a rookie.

Jaycee Horn would be a good and safe pick.

[RLC]

5 minutes ago, ManuManu said:

 

To go from 28 to 10 would take at least a 2022 1st + something else.

[Peppersmacks]

12 minutes ago, ManuManu said:

 

I would have no issue with trading for 28, 60 and next year's first.  I'll take a future first from a team with Jameis Winston at QB all day long.

[Original Sin]

Schrager has eagles moving up

 

Eagles

(via Lions)

TRADE

Patrick Surtain II

Alabama · CB

The Lions want to trade back. Badly. Our first massive trade of the evening comes here. I get the feeling the Eagles want one of the top two CBs, and with whispers out there that their NFC East rivals are also in that market, Howie Roseman continues to wheel and deal. In this case, the Philly GM has to give up just the 12th overall pick and a pair of third-rounders to move up five spots and get Surtain

[Swoop]

3 minutes ago, Peppersmacks said:

I would have no issue with trading for 28, 60 and next year's first.  I'll take a future first from a team with Jameis Winston at QB all day long.

In a heartbeat and if he's there, I'm all for Zaven Collins at 28.

[EaglePhan1986]

1 minute ago, Original Sin said:

Schrager has eagles moving up

 

Eagles

(via Lions)

TRADE

Patrick Surtain II

Alabama · CB

The Lions want to trade back. Badly. Our first massive trade of the evening comes here. I get the feeling the Eagles want one of the top two CBs, and with whispers out there that their NFC East rivals are also in that market, Howie Roseman continues to wheel and deal. In this case, the Philly GM has to give up just the 12th overall pick and a pair of third-rounders to move up five spots and get Surtain

I have a real tough time seeing the Eagles trade up for a DB. 

[Peppersmacks]

1 minute ago, EaglePhan1986 said:

I have a real tough time seeing the Eagles trade up for a DB. 

Yeah I'm not into that either.  Trading up when you're only starting a rebuild, unless its for a QB, doesn't make a lot sense to me.

[UK_EaglesFan89]

47 minutes ago, TorontoEagle said:

Because you might be able to still get the guy you wanted, PLUS the 1st round pick next year. You conveniently leave that out. 

Because Howie is a horrid evaluator.

[Peppersmacks]

1 minute ago, UK_EaglesFan89 said:

Because Howie is a horrid evaluator.

Ah, the fallacy that Howie is both a horrid evaluator but would also have drafted a HOF at 6.

[bpac55]

3 minutes ago, EaglePhan1986 said:

I have a real tough time seeing the Eagles trade up for a DB. 

Yea, that's a STEEP price for CB.  When a team is rebuilding and has no young talent, the phrase costs "just 2 3rd rounders" makes no sense.  The hope is those 3rd rounders are key cogs to the rebuild. 

[purplefiggy]

2 minutes ago, Peppersmacks said:

Yeah I'm not into that either.  Trading up when you're only starting a rebuild, unless its for a QB, doesn't make a lot sense to me.

Except they are only trading up because they already traded down. So basically you get your guy and trade 2 3rd rounders for a 1st next year. 
 

 

[RLC]

IMO, if we're trading up it's to 9. That would only cost one 3rd and it guarantees at least one WR or CB left on the board. Going up to 7 for a CB makes no sense.

[Swoop]

Imagine this place is Howie does trade up to 9, but does so for Paye.

[EaglePhan1986]

5 minutes ago, Peppersmacks said:

Yeah I'm not into that either.  Trading up when you're only starting a rebuild, unless its for a QB, doesn't make a lot sense to me.

If it was for an OL or DL I can see it, not a Db in a WR world 

[UK Eagle]

1 hour ago, ManuManu said:

I listened to a podcast with Jason Avant, and he was saying he believes Reagor can be a No. 1 receiver. He said he was really close to having a stretch of 4 or 5 games of 100-plus yards but needs to clean up some minor details that are easily correctable. He’s a big fan. 

Their point on Waddle was most interesting - the perception is he is the same as Reagor in terms of what he can do, so the Eagles may not be that interested in him with the many other needs.  They would look at other WRs or other positions.

I do laugh at the mocks that keep presuming the Eagles will take a WR coz the WR corp sucks, without ever looking deeper and thinking dang, it's a complete crap show all over it.  No thought of Fields if he falls, Slater or whoever.

If Fields falls to 12, I'd be happy to take him. I just don't why so many are negative about him and popping over Lance.

[Peppersmacks]

1 minute ago, purplefiggy said:

Except they are only trading up because they already traded down. So basically you get your guy and trade 2 3rd rounders for a 1st next year. 
 

 

I understand that.  And obviously trading 6 and two 3rds for 7 and a 1st is better than just taking Surtain at 6.  But we've already made the first move and so the only question is whether moving back up to 7 is a smart move and I don't think it is.

[Peppersmacks]

1 minute ago, EaglePhan1986 said:

If it was for an OL or DL I can see it, not a Db in a WR world 

Fair point.  The trenches could also justify a move up at the start of a rebuild.  But given the bust rate and relatively shorter career spans of skill players, moving up for them doesn't make sense on this timeline.