2018 NFL Draft: Dallas Cowboys 4th round pick Dalton Schultz, TE

Dalton Schultz, Stanford

Game Film Evaluated:

Washington State (2017)

UCLA (2017)

Oregon (2017)

Analysis: Has the frame of a WR but no doubt has a TE mentality. He is a physical and effective blocker. He is able to set up defenders with his feet, keep them at bay with length and bury them to the ground with his strength. He is able to drive defenders off the LOS with his strength and leg drive. He is able to handle pass rushers on his own even when he has help from an offensive lineman. Gets in and out of breaks effectively and can leave defenders coming up empty on option routes. The offense at Stanford did not allow for as many opportunities for him to make as many catches as other offenses would have.

Summary: Dalton Schultz has the frame of an athletic receiving TE but this guy will knock you on your tail if you aren’t ready for him. He is more than capable of handling himself in any blocking assignment inline or split out wide. He has the tools to be an adequate pass protector in max protection. He is able to get in and out of breaks quickly and smoothly during the limited snaps he was asked to do so at Stanford. He was not used as a receiving option that often so there is an unknown about his route tree, finding holes in the zones and working back to the QB when the play breaks down. However if you want a TE who can add value to your rushing attack, handle blitz pick up assignments well and bring a physical element to the position then you will not be disappointed.  I feel his best football is ahead of him and his experiences as a blocker and a physical one at that will serve him well as a professional. He could be a starting TE especially if he develops good chemistry with the starting QB and takes good coaching to maximize his talent. 3rd round grade.

2018 NFL Draft: Dallas Cowboys 4th round pick Dorance Armstrong Jr, DE

Dorance Armstrong, Kansas

Game Film Evaluated:

Oklahoma (2016)

Texas Tech (2017)

Analysis: Struggles to hold at the POA, he can get engulfed by tackles in the run game. He can use his athleticism to provide containment and force runs back inside. Impressive athleticism and quickness, able to drop the shoulder, bend and turn the corner with speed to the QB. Lacks strength and not capable of knocking lineman off balance, converting speed to power. Average burst off the snap. Not developed pass rush technique, not able to get off blocks once engaged. He does not attempt to set up tackles with counter moves or multiple paths to get to the QB.  He can impressive speed and able to chase down plays from behind. Excellent motor and he will pursue plays outside his area. He flashes good length and able to keep blockers off his body when he uses it.

Summary: Dorance Armstrong has the ideal frame for an OLB in a 3-4 scheme. He brings excellent speed but only average burst off the snap. He needs to improve his strength in games, struggles to convert speed to power or hold the POA when teams run at him. He isn’t able to get his hands into the blocker and drive them back into the pocket. He needs to improve his technique, use his length properly and develop some pass rush moves to get off blocks against better tackles. It was over in college when tackles got their hands on him. He needs to make a position change to be a stand up LB at the next level to give him the best chance. He needs to learn to drop back, get comfortable in space and become adequate in coverage. He has more than enough athleticism to be adequate as an OLB in a 3-4 scheme. He could be a pass rusher in a rotation or subbed in on passing downs early in his career. 4th round grade.

2018 NFL Draft: Dallas Cowboys 3rd round pick Michael Gallup, WR

Michael Gallup, Colorado State

Game Film Evaluated:

Wyoming (2017)

Alabama (2017)

Oregon State (2017)

Analysis: Long stride. Impressive long speed and legit deep threat. He has good size and long arms. Average route runner. Struggles to get off press coverage and no understanding for getting a clean release. Runs a variety of routes and lined up in slot, on the line and moving around the formation. Struggles to make the difficult catch in traffic especially over the middle. Good leaping ability and he can high point the ball. 

Summary: Michael Gallup is an above average receiving prospect with good speed to become a deep threat but he is not a polished route runner to consistently generate separation, strong enough to make physical catches or quick enough to be an underneath option.  He needs to improve his route running and has got to improve his hands for the money catches over the middle. Until then, he is only a secondary receiver who will draw downfield attention from the defense but an NFL corner will be handle the rest of his game. Late 3rd round grade.

2018 NFL Draft: Dallas Cowboys 2nd round pick Connor Williams, OL

Connor Williams, Texas

Game Film Evaluated:

USC (2017)

West Virginia (2017)

Maryland (2017)

Analysis: Solid size and moves extremely well. Excellent footwork and gets to the second level with good balance. Needs to get stronger especially in the upper body. He struggles to stay engaged with the pass rusher. Struggles to keep rushers off his body and lacks the strong hands to keep them at bay. Physical blocker and looks to finish his blocks consistently. He will take his man to the ground and past the whistle at times.  He can pull effectively, a weapon on screens and can hit the moving target under control and handle them well. Struggles to recover when defenders convert speed to power on him, he gives up too much ground before his feet can recover. He got caught grabbing to keep engaged with defenders and holding penalties increased during 2017 even before he got hurt.

Summary: Connor Williams has the best and quickest footwork on any prospect in the draft.  However he lacks the power to become a complete polished tackle prospect. He has good upside to be a top left tackle but has got to add strength especially in his arms and upper body. He struggles to stay engaged with college edge rushers and this will get him beat more often in the pros than it did in college. Once he adds strength to go with his footwork then he will become a top left tackle in the NFL. Until then, he will get by on athleticism and footwork alone which will work against speed rushers. However the best pass rushers in the world are able to bring power and speed which Williams will struggle to handle. He can play left tackle in the NFL as a rookie especially against speed rushers but polished rushers with strong hands will give him fits. Hopefully he can add the necessary strength and become a complete tackle projecting best in a zone blocking scheme but should do fine in either scheme. 2nd round grade.

2018 NFL Draft: Dallas Cowboys 1st round pick Leighton Vander Esch, LB

Leighton Vander Esch, Boise State

Game Film Evaluated:

Wyoming (2017)

San Diego State (2017)

Troy (2017)

Analysis: Taller frame built like an OLB. Plays the inside position. Tight hips. Impressive burst and he can really close on the ball quickly. Struggles to get off blocks. Takes false steps and does not play with top instincts. Doesn’t get proper depth in zone coverage. He is capable of making the physical stopping hit even against top prospects like Penny from San Diego State. Good tackler who doesn’t look to deliver knock out blow or just lower the shoulder.

Summary: Leighton Vander Esch brings excellent size to the position and moves well for his size. However he doesn’t do anything special and needs to play in the right system and role to be successful at the next level. He needs to do better taking on blockers, finding the ball quicker and playing to his talent level in coverage. He is athletic and has good speed but doesn’t play like it consistently. He is at his best when attacking the line and more than capable of stuffing the play at the line or even for a loss. He projects to be a inside backer in a 3-4 scheme but needs protection as a mike backer instead of the thumper. 4th round grade who has good potential if he can play a more consistent attacking style of play.

2018 NFL Draft: Round 1 Morning After

The 2018 NFL Draft opening round is over.

Who came out a winner and who is likely picking up high next year because of a big miss last night.

The Oakland Raiders trade down 5 spots from the 10th overall pick to the Arizona Falcons obtaining an extra 3rd and 5th round pick.  They take Kolton Miller from UCLA who was a 4th round graded player with good athleticism but extremely raw. He has got to get to work in the weight room and is a poor run blocker.  There were better offensive tackles such as Isaiah Wynn, Tyrell Cosby, Orlando Brown and Connor Williams all on the board.

The Seattle Seahawks last first round selection was in 2016 and selected Germain Ifedi who was a project offensive tackle who has yet to meet expectations.  They did not have a first round pick in 2013, 2014, 2015 and 2017.  They reach again with their opening round selection of RB Rashad Penny from San Diego State.  Penny is a good back but he was the 9th best back in the draft and is not the same category as Sony Michel and Kerryon Johnson.

The Dallas Cowboys selection of Leighton Vander Esch from Boise State was another reach at 19 overall with their choice of any wide receiver in the draft.  The Cowboys spent a 2nd round pick in 2016 on Jaylon Smith coming off a career threatening injury. He was not ready to play as much as he did last season and is unlikely to ever regain his form that made him an elite prospect prior to the injury. Their insurance policy of Anthony Hitchens departed in free agency to the Kansas City Chiefs.  They reached for a position of need and passed on higher quality players at a position of need in Calvin Ridley from Alabama.

The New England Patriots won the opening round with their selections of Isaiah Wynn and Sony Michel from the Georgia Bulldogs.  The Patriots continue to strengthen their offensive line with Wynn and add a versatile electric RB threat in Michel. Tremendous move and the best organization in the NFL at winning football games continues to show how the NFL Draft is done.

The Cleveland Browns took their guy in Baker Mayfield who brings the mindset to meet the challenge of turning around the worst organization in football.  Denzel Ward is a top cover corner who needs to get stronger to help him match up against the bigger type receivers he will see in the NFL. There were only 18 players who earned a first round grade and the Browns came away with 2 of them in the opening round.  It will be an interesting sight to see if Mayfield can do what Manziel couldn't, stay out of trouble and meet the challenge of leading the worst football team in the NFL out of the basement.

Time to reset the board and hit it again on Day 2!

2018 NFL Draft: Final Mock Drafts

2018 Mock Drafts

Dallas Cowboys

Version I – Who I think they will pick.

1. Calvin Ridley, WR, Alabama - He is the best wide receiver in the draft and brings the ideal route running to create separation while earning the trust of the QB consistently being where he is supposed to be. He has strong hands and long speed to stretch the field.
2. Nathan Shepherd, DT, Fort Hays State - Very athletic interior run stuffing and pass rushing threat. He comes from a small school but he impressed against bigger schools and belonged at the senior bowl.
3. Terrell Edmunds, S, Virginia Tech - Steady and dependable safety who contributes both stuffing the run and in coverage.
4. Kolton Miller, OT, UCLA - Swing tackle and has excellent potential. He is not ready to play as a rookie but his athleticism is impressive.
5. Darius Leonard, LB, South Carolina State - Plus athlete who can chase down any play, upside in coverage but consistently late reading the play.
6. Nyheim Hines, RB, North Carolina State - Unreal speed with zero power.
7. Braden Smith, OG, Auburn - Guard only who has good athleticism to get on the move in a zone blocking scheme. Really needs to add strength before he can compete for a starting job.
8. Darius Fountain, WR, Northern Iowa
9. Desmond Harrison, OT, Western Georgia
10. Chris Jones, CB, Nebraska

Version II – Who I would select.

1. Calvin Ridley, WR, Alabama - He is the best wide receiver in the draft and brings the ideal route running to create separation while earning the trust of the QB consistently being where he is supposed to be. He has strong hands and long speed to stretch the field.
2. Jaire Alexander, CB, Louisville - Day one starter who is extremely physical and competitive. He can cover at a high level on the outside and in the slot.
3. Tyler Conklin, TE, Central Michigan - Struggled with injuries in 2017 but he is a complete TE who has an advanced feel for running routes, making difficult catches in traffic, working back to the QB and threat in the end zone.
4. Joseph Noteboom, OT, TCU - Solid swing tackle prospect with ideal size, length and athleticism. Needs to get to work in the conditioning program and should be able to contribute better as a pass protector.
5. Justin Reid, SS, Stanford - Solid strong safety prospect who needs help as a solid free safety type. Nothing stands out at a high level in his game but he is steady and makes the play in position especially in the box.
6. Foley, Fatukasi, DT, Connecticut - Excellent run stuffing prospect as a 1 technique but zero threat as a pass rusher. He will not get pushed off the line of scrimmage and force the play to go elsewhere.
7. Braden Smith, OG, Auburn
8. Darius Fountain, WR, Northern Iowa
9. Desmond Harrison, OT, Western Georgia
10. Chris Jones, CB, Nebraska

Houston Texans

1. James Daniels, OC, Iowa – The Houston Texans need to improve their offensive line to protect Watson in his second season.  Daniels is an ideal zone blocking interior lineman who can play either guard or center at a high level. He will improve their running game and can start as a rookie.
2. Mike Gesicki, TE, Penn State – Gesicki has good potential to be a solid starting TE in the NFL if he can maximize his talent.  He is a good route runner and needs to take his game to the level it can be.  He needs to get better as a blocker as is the case with most college TEs.  However he can split out wide and get open at the next level.
3. Holton Hill, CB, Texas – The Texans are close to contending for a championship and do not have many holes therefore are in a position to take a chance in the draft.  Holton Hill is a risky player, scouts feel that teams may not be able to trust him in the pros.  He had an up and down career at Texas but he played like a top prospect in 2017 before he was suspended for the final 3 games of his career. At this point of the draft, the potential reward of a starting big physical corner outweighs the risk without a doubt.
4. Dorance Armstrong, OLB, Kansas – You can never have enough pass rushers in a 3-4 defense and Armstrong is a raw player who needs to develop his technique. The speed is there but needs to get stronger and become comfortable playing in space.
5. John Kalu, SS, Nebraska
6. Kendrick Norton, DT, Miami
7. Jayrd Jones Smith, OT, Pittsburgh
8. Joe Zema, P, Incarate Word

New York Giants

1. Sam Darnold, QB, USC – The Giants are the benefactors of the worst franchise in the NFL bypassing on the top ranked QB in the draft and will allow them to transition out of the Eli Manning era quickly.  Darnold is one of the few pro ready QBs in the class and has all the necessary skillsets both physically and mentally to handle the position at a high level.  Why would the Cleveland Browns pass on Darnold? I have no idea but perhaps they let Lebron James make the selection as part of the Cavalier’s package to keep him in Cleveland so at least one franchise can contend for a championship.
2. Connor Williams, OT, Texas – The offensive tackle position in New York was amongst the league worst in 2017 and the Giants need an athletic tackle with a mean streak and Williams is their guy. He needs to add some core strength but no other prospect has the quick feet to handle the best speed rushers in the world like Connor Williams.
3. John Kelly, RB, Tennessee – Kelly is one of the most physical backs in the draft who breaks a lot of tackles and runs with excellent quickness.  He needs to improve his pass protection to earn the trust of his QB but he runs angry with no wasted motion when running the ball.
4. Will Hernandez, OG, UTEP – The Giants use their final pick in the top 100 with another rookie starter in Will Hernandez from UT-El Paso.  A massive man who is a mauling power run blocking guard.  He has extremely powerful hands and defenders cannot run around him once he locks on and good luck trying to bull rush him into the QB.
5. M.J. Stewart, FS, North Carolina – Defenders in the secondary need to be versatile to handle the variety of looks that offenses can throw at them from snap to snap and M.J. Stewart has the upside to fill that role.  He played a hybrid rover role at North Carolina lining up in the slot covering WRs in man coverage, filling in the box against the run like a safety. He needs to improve playing the ball in coverage and become more aggressive against the run. He likely would be subbed onto the field on 3^rd downs to replace LBs but isn’t a coverage liability nor too small to bring down the RB in space.
6. Jerome Baker, SS, Ohio State – Tremendous athlete who needs to find a role on the defense.  He played LB at Ohio State but he’s more of a safety at the next level. He isn’t a big hitter nor a playmaker but he can become a top special teams player and someone who could become a sub package safety by his second season.