Official 2018 NFL Draft Thread (April 26th, 2018)

King P

King P

Legends Never Die
Joined
Nov 12, 2012
Messages
15,624
Reputation
3,444
Daps
48,937
Reppin
Views From The X
Combine Notes: Day 1

The first group of players arrived in Indianapolis for the 2018 NFL Combine, and teams have set up shop in the city with the hopes of finding future stars. But the combine is about more than players performing in shorts and t-shirts. It’s also about potential free-agent signings as possible trades. Here are the notes from Day 1.

Combine Notes

  • We reported rumblings that Connor Williams was slipping down draft boards as teams were considering moving him from the tackle board to the guard board back on February 14. We slotted Williams to the New York Giants in the second round of our recent two round mock draft. I’m told to keep an eye on Williams’ measurements this week, specifically his height and arm length, as that may seal a move to guard in the eyes of many teams.
  • I’m not big on Orlando Brown being selected in the first round, especially the middle of Round 1 to the Baltimore Ravens. But one league source told me Brown is the type of blocker the team likes as a big-bodied player with length.
  • Entering the combine, I’m told Sam Hubbard and Courtland Sutton need to have stellar workouts to stay in the first round. Hubbard comes off a disappointing season, looking stiff and slow last year. Sutton needs to show some athleticism and prove he’s more than just a big body who won out for contested passes against inferior competition.
  • We gushed over Brent Toth during Shrine Game and Senior Bowl practices as the offensive tackle from Army looked as good as any blocker on the field. We also mentioned that his pending service in the military will determine where Toth is selected in the draft. I’m told Toth is not and will not actively lobby for deferment of his military service and plans to stand by the commitment he made upon entering West Point.Any changes or lobbying within the Department of Defense for deferral of service would take place at higher echelons of the military and would be out of Toth’s hands.Regardless, I’m told Toth’s unwavering desire to play in the NFL was clear throughout his interviews with clubs during the all-star weeks, though his first priority is fulfilling the agreement he made to USMA four years ago.
Keep This in the Back of Your Mind

  • There’s a lot of talk surrounding the Dolphins trading receiver Jarvis Landry, who was recently franchised. Several in the league tell me they believe a Landry trade won’t happen until draft day, as the receiver could be used as ammunition to move up and secure one of the top three quarterbacks should any of trio start to slip. Dolphins general manager Mike Tannenbaum made a similar move with the New York Jets when he traded up for Mark Sanchez in the 2009 draft. Though Sanchez did not have a stellar career in New York, he did lead the team to consecutive appearances in the AFC title game. People also point to the fact that Tannenbaum is close to Super Bowl-winning GM Howie Roseman of the Eagles and would like nothing more than to mimic Roseman’s success in making a bold move for a young quarterback and striking gold. Speculation is Josh Rosen is the signal caller of choice.
Click to expand...
 
King P

King P

Legends Never Die
Joined
Nov 12, 2012
Messages
15,624
Reputation
3,444
Daps
48,937
Reppin
Views From The X
Combine Notes: Day 2

Tomorrow the tight ends and offensive linemen are set to take the podium and address the media. Before they do, here are a few notes from the second day at the combine.

Combine Prospects

- Quarterback Baker Mayfield has just under a dozen official interviews on his schedule here at the Combine. While that may seem like a low number, one must remember Mayfield participated in the Senior Bowl and more and more teams are using interviews at the Senior Bowl as a major part of the evaluation process, as it helps franchises make room to speak with underclassmen here in Indianapolis. Mayfield was loaded up with interviews during the three days of practice in Mobile.

- One junior who’s drawing a good amount of interest is Nyheim Hines of North Carolina State. The explosive skill player has a handful of interviews on his schedule, including every team in the NFC East. Hines is expecting to time in the 4.3s when he runs the 40 on Saturday. Keep an eye on the Philadelphia Eagles when thinking of Hines. He’s the perfect complement for LeGarrette Blount and Jay Ajayi and offers a future replacement for soon-to-be 35-year-old Darren Sproles.

- Shrine Game star Greg Senat of Wagner weighed in at 302 pounds today, eight more than he tipped the scales in St. Petersburg. Expect Senat to turn in one of the better athletic workouts of any offensive lineman Friday. Pay close attention to his 10-yard split in the 40 as well as his short-shuttle time.

Keep This in the Back of Your Mind

- I was told the linebackers in this year’s draft will be selected much higher than people presently anticipate, in large part due to the poor crop of free agents available at the position. We presently have first-round grades on a combined five linebackers.

- A year ago after the 2017 combine was complete, we spoke about agents griping that players should be paid for participating in the combine. Those grumblings have grown louder this year, and on-field workouts are still two days away. The chatter centers on the NFL economically capitalizing on the combine through its television network and website, and that monetary gain primarily centers around players participating in combine workouts. Case in point: the 40 time of John Ross last year, which went viral immediately after his time was announced. If the league continues to cash in on the combine, eventually the participants will want what they believe is a rightful piece of the pie.
Click to expand...
 
King P

King P

Legends Never Die
Joined
Nov 12, 2012
Messages
15,624
Reputation
3,444
Daps
48,937
Reppin
Views From The X
Combine Notes: Day 3

Though on-field workouts don’t start until tomorrow, the offensive linemen are bench pressing today and there’s plenty of free-agent chatter. Here’s what I’ve heard thus far.

Combine Prospects

- Yesterday we mentioned tackle Greg Senat’s impressive weigh-in and the expectations of a good combine workout. Today I was told that if Senat puts up good testing numbers, he could move into the fourth-round area. Teams love his upside, and the ability to line up at left tackle is boosting Senat's stock.

- During our recent mock draft, we had the New England Patriots selecting Alabama safetyRonnie Harrison at the end of Round 1. Today someone candidly told me that Harrison is a “Patriots-type of player: smart, tough and talented.” I’m told Harrison will interview well and knows the Xs and Os better than anyone on the Crimson Tide defense. He’s expected to time in the low 4.5s and potentially get into the 4.4s during workouts Monday.

- Keep close watch on Ade Aruna during his workout Sunday. He’s expected to tip the scales around 265 pounds, could run in the 4.6s and touch 38 inches in the vertical as well as over 10-foot-6 in the broad jump. A raw prospect who picked up football late in life, Aruna has been working with former Minnesota Vikings Pro Bowler Keith Millard over the past month to improve his game.

- As I tweeted out earlier, Penn State receiver DaeSean Hamilton will not work out during the combine but will take part in the school's pro day on March 20. Hamilton was terrific during Shrine Game practices then received a late invite to the Senior Bowl and was equally effective in Mobile. There's a belief here at the combine that Hamilton could climb into the second day of the draft.
Click to expand...
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top