Analysis: First Round of the 2016 Draft

Oliver Connolly Blocked Unblock Follow Following Apr 28, 2016

1, L.A Rams, Jared Goff, QB, Cal

The worst kept secret for the past two weeks. After years of toiling with below-average quarterbacks the Rams take a shot on who they believe is the best quarterback in the class.

I marvel at what Jared Goff did while at Cal. His game is fascinating, as it’s built largely on survival instincts. He has the quickest release of any quarterback in the draft and one of the most effortless and repeatable deliveries in recent years. It’s all born from playing behind an awful offensive line. Goff was hit, and beat up a lot. To counter that, he developed a naturally quick release to get the ball out as quick as possible, outstanding footwork within the pocket to manipulate and evade pressure, and the ability to throw with anticipation. Everything he developed came instinctively and in order to be hit less. He is far and away the best anticipatory thrower in the class, is extremely accurate on short an intermediate throws, and can change up velocities and trajectories down the field, with not everything needing to be a fastball.

All quarterback selections are gambles, and he needs to be surrounded with more talent, better starting tackles and multiple receivers with a large catching radius.

2, Philadelphia Eagles, Carson Wentz, QB, North Dakota State

The Eagles sold the farm to go ahead and grab Carson Wentz. He is a big-bodied quarterback with great potential, but he currently sits a long way away from completion. He has a tantalizing combination of size, athletic ability, smarts and the ability to throw from any throwing platform to any spot on the field.

There are valid concerns about his competition level, which meant he never really had to throw with anticipation. While he excels on the whiteboard, at the FCS level it was mostly “see it, throw it.”

Everything Wentz does gets you intrigued, and he certainly has whatever the “it” factor is. The big issue is game speed. Everything from a mental processing stand point, to his release, lower body mechanics and decision-making must be sped up. Many view that as correctable with good coaching, what he has in abundance are terrific “uncoachables.”

At NDSU he ran a number of pro-concepts, with pre-snap control, and was asked to set (then reset) protections, which is now a rarity at the colliegate level. From that standpoint he further along in his development than Goff.

He could do with being put on the Blake Bortles plan, redshirting his first year or at least eight-to-ten games. He’s ready from the neck-up, but needs time to speed up from the neck down. Ideally, the Eagles will figure things out with Sam Bradford and use him as a bridge to their future behind Wentz. That said, if he’s thrust in on day one, I have confidence in his ability to make plays instinctively with his arms and legs.

3, San Diego Chargers, Joey Bosa, DE, Ohio State

On the face of it, Bosa isn’t a perfect scheme fit. The Chargers run a base 3–4 and Bosa is more suited as a LDE in four-man fronts. Whether he will fit as a five-technique or stand up as an outside linebacker will be interesting.

Though he doesn’t seem to be a natural fit in their base package, the league is now in sub-packages up to 70% of the time on certain teams. Bosa offers scheme-flexibility and generates more pressures inside, than he does outside.

He dominated as an edge and interior rusher at the college level. He sets it all up by being an extremely talented run defender, willing to maintain gap integrity, hold the edge and hunt for the ball. He is rarely, if ever, out of position and plays with quality leverage, controlling blockers and dispensing with them when he sees fit.

As a pass rusher, he isn’t an agile or explosive edge-bender. He wins with size, power and destructive hands. He generates a ton of his pressures when kicked inside and is a prototypical LDE who moves inside in obvious passing situations. While at Ohio State, he was double- and triple-teamed on every single play — literally. And while it’s unlikely that he’ll ever be a 15+ sack-per-year player, he will be an immediate force who consistently generates pressure whether lined up outside or inside.

4, Dallas Cowboys, Ezekiel Elliott, RB, Ohio State

The Cowboys reportedly rated Jalen Ramsey as their #1 overall player and have holes across their defense, but Ezekiel Elliott is the finishing piece to their offense and too tempting to pass up.

Elliott is one of the most complete running back prospects to come along in years. While he doesn’t grade out as a pure-runner as well as Todd Gurley, his ability to impact the game on all three downs and in all three phases makes him a special prospect. Elliott sports excellent vision and patience, an outstanding ability to locate defenders at the second level and make them miss in space.

He does a nice job of pressing the hole and consistently making the right read and not panicking when there is initial penetration. His lateral quickness and agility is very, very good and he has the prototypical blend of size, speed and power.

Elliott’s running style is slippery — he is wiling to do the dirty work between the tackles and generate ugly yards after contact, but in the open field he is naturally tough to bring down. His best fit as a runner is a zone-cut scheme, where he naturally finds creases, can cut, then explode with very little room.

What separates Elliott from previous running back prospects is his third down ability and potential. He’s the best running back I have evaluated in the passing game as a blocker and receiver. He is a natural receiver and route runner, with outstanding body control to adjust to poorly thrown balls and effortlessly transitioning from a receiver to a runner. He is a very willing blocker and unafraid to stick his helmet into the chest of much bigger edge-rushers. Plays with a very sturdy base, can deliver blows in pass protection and does a quality job of identifying blitzing linebackers and anchoring.

In a division that is up and down, and behind one of the most dominant offensive lines in the league, Elliott can run the Cowboys to a division title in year one, with one of the most dynamic and explosive offenses in the entire league.

5, Jacksonville Jaguars, Jalen Ramsey, S, Florida State

The #1 overall player on my draft board, and the best fit for Ramsey among any of the teams selecting at the top of the draft.

Jalen Ramsey is a hybrid corner/safety and the best height-weight-speed athlete in the class. He shows the versatility to line up outside as a pure corner, in the slot, as a centerfielder or closer to the line of scrimmage. In past eras, his versatility would have been defined as a ‘tweener’ — a position-less player who can’t excel at one spot. In the modern era, Ramsey signals the change in defensive football. Like the Golden State Warriors of the NBA, NFL defenses are becoming position-less and adaptable. It’s become about putting the best athletes on the field. Ramsey’s combination of length, explosive athleticism and sideline-to-sideline range make him a rare player, someone who can patrol the middle of the field or match up one-on-one, physically, with the likes of Dez Bryant or Julio Jones.

There are valid concerns about his natural playmaking ability, with just three career INTs, but 22 career pass breakups, sudden closing speed and overall versatility are greater indicators of future playmaking performance.

In the Jaguars pattern-match, cover-3 system, he is the perfect fit.

6, Baltimore Ravens, Ronnie Stanley, OT, Notre Dame

The Ravens had to find a way to better protect Joe Flacco and they opted for Stanley ahead of Laremy Tunsil. I think it’s fair to wonder if the leaked Tunsil video had any impact on this selection, but reports have suggested for weeks that the league was split on which tackle was best.

In any other year, Ronnie Stanley would have been generating all kinds of hype and hyperbole. Unfortunately for him, Laremy Tunsil had absorbed a bunch of that attention. However, that doesn’t make Stanley any inferior a prospect.

Stanley is a hyper-explosive tackle, with the prototypical size and frame for a tackle, who effortlessly shows speed-rusher round the corner and is willing to mix it up against pure power moves. He is more refined in pass protection than in the run game, though at times can get lost on stunts and twists. Against the run, he can deliver a blow, but you’d like to see more fire and a nastier streak. His fits beautifully in the Ravens outside-zone scheme and can play on either the left or right side.

7, San Francisco 49ers, DeForest Buckner, DE, Oregon

After grabbing a five-technique from Oregon last year (Arik Armstead) the Niners go back to the Ducks five-tech well.

While Joey Bosa is the best defensive end in a four-man front, Buckner takes the 2016 mantle for best natural 5-technique or 3–4 defensive end. He is a freakish athlete with remarkable length, short area explosion and size. He is a space-eater who makes all kind of plays in the run game and dominates at the point of attack.

Buckner is a tough player who fights for everything and lands a heavy punch with 11” hands. Playing against the pass is his area of weakness. While he has flashes the ability to split double-teams and generate pressure, he isn’t consistent. It’s certainly not an effort issue, as he brings it on each and every snap, but despite his quality short-area explosion he doesn’t have the natural bend/dip to beat tackles to the edge. Like Leonard Williams from a year ago, Buckner’s value comes in getting your team to third downs and generating pressures, but not sacks, once third down comes. That said, if he can harness some of that elite athleticism, and develop as an interior rusher, he will be a very special player.

8, Tennessee Titans (trade from Cleveland), Jack Conklin, OT, Michigan State

There seemed to be no doubt that the Titans were coming up to grab the best offensive tackle available, and it’s likely that the Tunsil video impacted their pick.

Conklin led the nation in “tough SOB” plays and is dominant as a run blocker. As a pass protector he can get in trouble as he lacks the natural foot speed of the likes of Ronnie Stanley and Laremy Tunsil, but he may be the most physical lineman in the draft. I dislike the concept of saying, “He’s a better fit at right tackle,” because many of the league’s best edge-rushers now rush from that spot; Von Miller, J.J. Watt, Khalil Mack, Justin Houston et al., but from a prototypical standpoint, with less length and athletic ability, he is a natural angle-blocking tackle and immediately makes the Titans more physical in the run game.

With Taylor Lewan already in place, they now have bookend tackles and begin protecting their franchise investment in their young quarterback Marcus Mariota.

9, Chicago Bears (trade from Tampa Bay), Leonard Floyd, OLB, Georgia

One of the great enigmas of the 2016 class and a gamble pick from the Bears.

Leonard Floyd is an outrageous athlete with a 39.5 inch vertical at 244 pounds, and great change of direction skills. If an elite edge-rusher was built in a laboratory, they would look like Floyd. Despite all of that, though, he shows little feel as a pass rusher. He isn’t a natural dip-and-rip edge-bender, rarely converts speed-to-power and relies on winning with his first step and straight line speed to the quarterback, very similar to former top pick Dion Jordan.

At Georgia, he was strangely moved to inside linebacker for a majority of snaps, rather than rushing off the edge. Teams must find out whether that was a coaching staff-related problem or a Floyd-related problem. If he was misused, or can develop, he has the body-type to be an elite edge-rusher.

In a league desperate for pass-rushers I fully understand the gamble for Chicago. Their three-man front relies on a dominant off-line, speed-rusher and there’s no doubt that Floyd profiles as that.

10, New York Giants, Eli Apple, CB, Ohio State

A stunning pick.

There’s no doubt that the Giants needed a pure man-to-man corner to pair opposite Janoris Jenkins, who is a gambler and needs safety help.

If the combine decided draft grades, Apple would be a top-five pick. Apple is a beautiful athlete with an ideal frame and excellent top-end speed. In the run game and against bubble screens Apple gives good effort and remains disciplined. Once the ball is in the air he can struggle. Too often he gets caught peaking into the backfield and too often he loses the ball in flight. Some of Apple’s issues are correctable. He must do a better job of reading receivers and anticipating rather than reacting. The upside is extremely high, but he is far from a finished product.

11, Tampa Bay Buccaneers (trade from Chicago), Vernon Hargreaves, CB, Florida

Hargreaves was my #1 corner, with Ramsey listed as a safety. I love the player, but I have some questions about the fit. If the Bucs remain a heavy-zone team I have some concerns, if they are to become to feature more man-to-man and pattern-match concepts than the fit is ideal.

Hargreaves has the best movement skills of any corner in the class. Whether he’s playing in press-man or off-man, he is extremely fluid and is effortless in and out of his break. Size is a concern, though what he lacks in height he makes up for with a good vertical leap, and he made a bunch of “business decisions” in run support in 2015. However, he has tremendous mirroring skills, very good closing speed and the Bucs will feel comfortable putting him one-on-one from the first day of training camp.

12, New Orleans Saints, Sheldon Rankins, DT, Louisville

The Saints had to get stouter in the middle. While A’Shawn Robinson and Jarran Reed may be better head-up as run defenders, Rankins offers much more as a pass-rusher.

In a class littered with interior defensive line depth, Sheldon Rankins ranked as my top interior tackle. Though he is slightly undersized, he is an explosive player who can one-gap and go or hold the point of attack and two-gap. He is compact and powerful, showing the ability to bench press offensive lineman, though he gets in trouble when he is double-teamed. In a draft class that has many great defensive lineman against the run, Rankins stands out as one who can regularly generate pressure from inside and collapse the pocket.

13, Miami Dolphins, Laremy Tunsil, OT, Ole Miss

The Tunsil slide plays right into Miami’s hands as they grab the second overall player on my board and land the best value pick of the night. His upside is so great, that this pick could be reminiscent of Randy Moss’ slide to the Vikings.

Tunsil is an outrageous athlete for the position, with the best movement skills of any offensive tackle I’ve ever evaluated. He kicks and slides effortlessly against speed moves, drops anchor against power and can re-set/re-anchor against counter moves. He flashes the nasty streak that offensive line coaches demand, and consistently handed some of the best pass-rushers in the country their lunch, week after week. His agility and short area quickness, at that size, make him a natural fit in a heavy zone-blocking schemes, but he is at his best in pass protection and will comfortably sit on an island from day one.

The Dolphins could not have landed a better player, sans Ezekiel Elliott, for their immediate needs.

14, Oakland Raiders, Karl Joseph, S, West Virginia

A surprising pick for the Raiders, but one I love.

Joseph has one of the most fun tapes you can watch of any prospect this year. He is a bruising safety who crushes people in the run game and is a good centerfielder. Joseph suffered an ACL tear in October, but prior to the injury he was a very natural and fluid mover with great range. He flashes as an instinctive maker, making up for a lack of straight line speed with very good instincts and anticipation. Despite being an enforcer in the middle of the field, Joseph is not a reckless player. He rarely over pursues, takes quality angles to the ball and will wrap up rather than always looking to deliver a game-changing strike.

Oakland’s secondary now features Sean Smith, David Amerson, Reggie Nelson and Joseph. It’s not exceptional, but Smith and Joseph make them much better than they were in 2015, and their improved pass-rush will give them plenty of opportunities to make plays on the ball.

15, Cleveland Browns (trade from Tennessee) , Corey Coleman, WR, Baylor

After smartly moving down again, the Browns take the best player on their board and that’s Coleman.

Coleman is the drafts most dynamic receiving threat, with one scout I spoke to referring to him as “Odell Beckham-lite.” For a smaller receiver, he has outstanding down the field tracking skills, routinely making plays over the shoulder and has terrific hands. Where he’s at his best is beating the jam. He routinely bamboozles defenders with his quick feet and sudden change of direction ability. The knock on Coleman is that Baylor runs little to no pro-style elements, route tree, and play without a playbook. Indeed, Baylor’s receivers do not run any routes on the backside of plays. The learning curve will be steeper for Coleman than others, who will have to learn to fit into the rhythm of a system, but he is a flat-out baller who is a devastating threat once the ball is in his hands.

While I wanted to see the Browns build inside-to-outside, they just need to add good players, and there’s no doubt that Coleman is an extremely talented player. Hue Jackson is a creative coach and they will find inventive ways to get him the ball.

16, Detroit Lions, Taylor Decker, OT, Ohio State

The Lions continue to spend big draft capital on offensive line help.

Decker is a smooth athlete for someone of his size and a natural fit in a zone-blocking scheme. At Ohio State he was asked to move a lot, pulling and trapping, which he does extremely well. He has the ideal frame for a tackle prospect, with very good length and a nasty streak that sees him regularly play beyond the whistle. He carves open holes in the running game, and though he played on an offensive line littered with draft picks, he stood out. Decker thrives in combo blocks and effortlessly moves to the second level. In pass protection, he can be somewhat flat-footed. He is not a natural knee bender and can be beaten to edge by speed rushers.

With an offense that has lost Calvin Johnson and added Laken Tomlinson and now Decker, it would behoove the Lions to follow the Cowboys Tony Romo model and move to a run-heavy offense that limits some of Matthew Stafford’s decision-making and gives him easier throws off play-action.

17, Atlanta Falcons, Keanu Neal, S, Florida

Like most, I anticipated the Falcons would look for an edge-rusher, but the addition of Neal adds versatility to their defense.

Keanu Neal is an explosive and versatile playmaker who compares favorably to Cardinals safety Deone Bucannon. He is a moveable chess piece who likes to play in-the-box akin to a weakside linebacker. He has some limitations in coverage, and will struggle to cover players man-to-man in the slot, but can be a roaming centerfielder with good top-end speed and change of direction skills. Given the changing roles of safeties (Deon Bucannon, Mark Barron), and teams playing in nickel defenses around 60% of the time, we have already seen how highly versatile safeties are being coveted. I had a late first round grade on Neal, and while this is a slight reach based on my board, I like Neal and he gives the Falcons the flexibility and toughness they were looking for.

18, Indianapolis Colts, Ryan Kelly, C, Alabama

One of the best team/player fits in the entire draft. The Colts have done a poor job of protecting Andrew Luck throughout his young career, and this goes a long way to improving that.

Kelly is one of the most complete and pro-ready center prospects in years. He marshalled an Alabama offense that puts a great deal of responsibility in the hands of the center to make pre-snap adjustments rather than their quarterback. In Kelly, the Tide had a three-year starter who was equally adept in pass protection as in the run game. Kelly is a good but not an exceptional athlete, and he has some limitations getting to the second level, but plays with enough foot speed to stop initial penetration and a solid base against power. He provides a major upgrade for the Colts and will quickly become their best offensive lineman.

19, Buffalo Bills, Shaq Lawson, DE, Clemson

The Bills grabbed the best pass-rusher on the board who didn’t have some off-the-field concerns.

Lawson is a ready-to-go 4–3 defensive end or stand up linebacker who had huge production in his last year at Clemson, leading the nation in tackles for losses. Unlike other potential first rounders, he naturally bends the edge, but lacks exceptional closing speed. Lawson isn’t a twitchy athlete, but he makes up for it with effort and great technique (constantly the lowest man in the run game). In the run game, he fights hard on every snap, and flashes the ability to split double-teams. A low floor-high ceiling player, who never has to come off the field.

The Bills are a hybrid team, who run multiple fronts and have a number of exotic blitz packages. His non-stop motor and versatility make him a quality scheme fit.

20, New York Jets, Darron Lee, OLB, Ohio State

While I thought the Jets would look at cornerback, or perhaps Paxton Lynch, there’s no doubt that they have been crying out for an explosive speed-rusher.

All of last year they lacked a natural edge-rusher, and instead pressured the pocket with dominant interior players, shut down the run and forced third-or-long situations, but didn’t have a closer. In Lee, they’re hoping they landed their closer.

Lee is one of the best athletes in the entire class, who is slightly undersized for a traditional weakside linebacker, but incredibly instinctive, physically gifted and aggressive in taking on blocks. He has elite diagnose and attack skills, breaks on the ball suddenly and does a nice job of sifting through garbage to make plays. Though he is willing in run support, he consistently gets stuck on blocks due to his lack of length. What Lee lacks in the run game he makes up for as a freak in coverage. His speed and short area quickness compare favorably to that of Eric Kendricks who played outside at UCLA but moved inside in the NFL and covers all over the field in sub-packages.

21, Houston Texans (trade from Washington), Will Fuller, WR, Notre Dame

The Texans jumped up a spot to grab who they deem to be the best receiver on the board. Adding Fuller to DeAndre Hopkins, Jalen Strong and Lamar Miller gives them a bunch of weapons to surround Brock Osweiler.

Fuller is Devin Smith 2.0. He is the burner in this wide receiver class with good down the field tracking ability and major big play potential. His lack of size is a concern for a prototypical outside receiver, and I have big questions about whether he can consistently separate from press-coverage. That said, if he separates, he can fly and will be a huge weapon.

22, Washington Redskins, Josh Doctson, WR, TCU

With depth at the interior defensive line class, the Redskins pass on a run-stuffer in round one and will likely circle back around and take advantage of that depth in rounds two or three.

Doctson graded out as the best wide receiver in the class (#14 overall). He isn’t an explosive player, but is a true down the field threat who consistently wins at the point of the catch. He is a fluid player who wins in all three phases; at the top of his stem, beating the jam and finding holes in zone coverage. He put up outrageous production at TCU and did so by dominating once the ball was in the air. His ability to go up and make plays is rare, and he is far more consistent down-to-down than given credit for. He is the kind of receiver who makes his quarterback look better, rather than the other way around.

Washington moved down one spot, grabbed an extra pick (GM Scot McCloughan entered the draft saying they want to draft at least ten players) and still got the guy they wanted.

23, Minnesota Vikings, Laquon Treadwell, WR, Ole Miss

Perfect fit/pick for Minnesota. While I’m sure they looked at Myles Jack, their defense is loaded. They already have a deep threat in Stefon Diggs, so Treadwell’s lack of top-end speed shouldn’t be a concern, and his down-to-down consistency will be a huge help for Teddy Bridgewater.

Treadwell has been a first rounder in waiting since he was a superstar high school recruit coming out of Chicago. At Ole Miss he put up huge production, but also suffered a gruesome injury that put his development back somewhat. With Josh Doctson as the best receiver in the class when the ball is in their air, and Corey Coleman the best after the catch, Treadwell is somewhere in between. He is the everything man, who does everything at a high level. He has terrific body control, can contort to poorly throw balls, rarely, if ever, drops anything and possesses the veteran savvy in understanding how to get open. His top-end speed is poor, and is a legitimate concern, but he plays quicker than he is timed.

Remember, the Vikings will soon move into a dome and the Vikings feel that will be a major benefit to Bridgewater as they transition from a run-heavy offense in the Peterson era, to a pass-heavy attack under Bridgewater.

24, Cincinnati Bengals, William Jackson III, CB, Houston

The Bengals go corner in the first round again.

While Vernon Hargreaves is a natural ‘mirror’ corner, William Jackson is a ‘get in your face and knock you out’ corner. He works exclusively as a press-man corner who struggles when playing off-man due to his lack of fluidity. He is at his best when he using his physicality to jam receivers and remaining physical down the field, with very good closing speed. In 2016, with the league now perimeter-based and featuring non-stop outside zone runs, constraint plays and bubble screens, a cornerback being willing and able to tackle is more important than ever. Jackson brings that physical edge. He sets the edge hard in run support, remains disciplined and likes getting after the ball carrier. But he is truly at his best when the ball in the air, where he has receiver like ball skills and body control.

25, Pittsburgh Steelers, Artie Burns, CB, Miami

One of the worst kept secrets in this year’s class was that the Steelers loved Burns. While I’m not a Burns fan, there is no doubt that he fits much better in Pittsburgh, where he won’t be caught in as much off-man coverage as he would elsewhere. While he has the size, length and frame that clubs now covet, he is also extremely handsy and got a way with a number of holding calls on tapes studied. Burns has average mirroring skills and is better suited to a predominantly zone-based defense despite his size.

26, Denver Broncos, Paxton Lynch, QB, Memphis

The Broncos address their quarterback hole by making the move to go up and get Paxton Lynch.

Lynch is a big-bodied athlete in the mold of Blake Bortles. He played in a true spread-option offense built around bubble-screens, constraint plays and predetermined reads. Like Jared Goff, he was the driving force in transforming his college program; elevating the level of those around him, putting the team on his back and outgunning opposing offenses in high-scoring games. While the top-two graded quarterbacks could use a year sitting and learning, Lynch is at least two years away from being a quality starter.

He played in a lateral college offense that has little transferable skills to a pro offense. He’s a ‘see it, throw it’ passer and doesn’t show much anticipation on tape and is consistently late on basic throws. Lynch has very good short accuracy, throws a high volume of bubble screens and has near-perfect placement to gain a bunch of yards after the catch. Despite this, he’s very sloppy at the intermediate level, struggles to consistently transfer his weight, set his feet and will rely too heavily on arm strength.

Due to his offense, and what he was able to put on tape, projecting Lynch is difficult. There is a significant gulf between Carson Wentz, Jared Goff and Lynch, though I see the upside. His fit with Gary Kubiak and the Broncos is a dream fit due to his ability to roll-out, make plays with his legs and throw on the move. He is a long way away from being ready to start, but the upside is tremendous and if he’s given time to learn a huddle, playbook, pass protections, progressions and coverage concepts (and he learns them well) he has a chance to be special.

27, Green Bay Packers, Kenny Clark, DT, UCLA

The Packers grab Clark, a versatile player who isn’t yet a finished product. Clark is a very good run defender who will be a terrific complimentary piece on a defensive line that has an exceptional penetrator in Mike Daniels. He fires off the ball with outstanding power and a great pad level. He is a quality two-gap run defender, with good anchoring skills at the point of attack. Clark will never be a producer in the passing game. He had six sacks in his final year at UCLA, though a number of those came on high effort snaps. Unlike other interior line prospects in this class, his motor runs constantly and he generates a lot of his production through pure effort.

28, San Francisco 49ers (trade from the Chiefs), Joshua Garnett, G, Stanford

The Niners jump back into the first round and grab another lineman as they look to rebuild from the inside out. I had Garnett as the 40th overall player on my board, and was the first player with a second round grade. Giving up an asset to go and grab him is questionable, but purely on a player basis it is a solid pick.

He is a hammer in the run game. He delivers powerful initial blows and can maintain blocks through the whistle. He has quality movement skills, and does a nice job of locating targets and creating quality angles when pulling/trapping, the best pulling guard in the nation. In pass protection, he gets in trouble. He has a tendency to lunge, get unbalanced and grabby. Despite what some say, Chip Kelly’s offense is still a downhill attack and he wants to run between the tackles, A LOT, before going outside or hitting you with a play-action shot play. He runs a bunch of power and trap plays, he just does it from the shotgun rather than under center. In this offense, Garnett makes perfect sense.

29, Arizona Cardinals, Robert Nkemdiche, DT, Ole Miss

I LOVE this gamble. The Cardinals have been fine taking shots on guys with off-the-field concerns. As I wrote in my notes today; “He has been described to me multiple times as a ‘weird dude’ and has been involved in multiple strange incidents, but there doesn’t seem to be anything malicious. Of course, at this time of year evaluators are trying to talk themselves into prospects, and will often pass of obvious flaws as ‘correctable’ or ‘meaningless’ but his talent is so extreme I can’t see him dropping beyond pick 26.”

Nkemdiche is a top-ten talent with the highest degree of variance of any player this year, Nkemdiche’s 2015 tape vs Alabama is the single best tape from any player in this year’s class. When he wants it, he can be a one-gap and go penetrator, with an elite first step, rare quickness for his size, heavy hands and a non-stop motor in the run game. When he doesn’t want it (see Florida ’15 or Mississippi State ’15), he checks out. Last year he played as a 3-technique for Ole Miss, but his best fit at the next level might be as a LDE. On-the-field he is a gamble absolutely worth taking, but off-the-field is another matter.

The Cardinals finished 27th in adjusted sack rate in 2015, and have to get to the quarterback more. They’ve already added Chandler Jones, who they’ve paired with Markus Golden, and now they improve the interior by pairing Nkemdiche with Calais Campbell.

30, Carolina Panthers, Vernon Butler, DT, Louisiana Tech

The Panthers continue to value offensive and defensive lineman over skill position talent.

Butler — 18th overall player on my board — is another huge interior defensive lineman with the ability to lineup as a nose tackle, defensive tackle or play as a 5-technique in three-man fronts. He has huge upper body power and routinely stands up offensive lineman, can stack and shed and make plays all day against the run. There are glimpses of a pass rusher, where he wins with a powerful bull-rush and violent hands, but it is inconsistent. Plugging him into a rotation with Kawaan Short and Star Lotulelei is just unfair.

31, Seattle Seahawks, Germain Ifedi, OT, Texas A&M

This is why the Seahawks front office is one of the best in the business. They move down a couple of spots, add assets and still pickup a player they sought after.

Ifedi is another developmental prospect at the tackle position, who is a great athlete for the positon and has an ideal frame. As a football player he has a long way to go (think D.J Humphries from a year ago) he struggles one-on-one in space and I’ve seen him get beat outside, inside and run over. In the run game he gets to unload all of his physical traits and there are some spectacular plays that get you awfully excited for his future. Right now, he is raw, but he’s another developmental guy who could play at tackle or inside at guard.