SECOND-THIRD ROUND GRADES
- Austin Jackson, OT, USC (6’4” 7/8, 322 lbs, 5.07, 1.73) – An athletic tackle prospect that needs a lot of refinement with his technique, both in pass sets and in run blocking. May be a redshirt candidate while getting coached up, but there is near-endless potential for Jackson. May be best suited for a zone scheme, especially early, while he cleans up his form. BEST FITS: Denver, Miami, Tampa Bay, NY Giants
- Donovan Peoples-Jones, WR, Michigan (6’1” 5/8, 212 lbs, 4.48, 1.59) – The production at Michigan leaves a lot of scouts wondering. It is my belief that poor quarterback play led to sub-par production for the ultra-talented Peoples-Jones, an athletic specimen with excellent speed, agility, and playmaking ability. There are a lot of things to like about the profile here that could lead to DPJ being a much better pro than college player and it would be a mistake for NFL GMs to let DPJ fall out of round 2. BEST FITS: Chicago, Green Bay, NY Jets, Miami, Minnesota
- Clyde Edwards-Helaire, RB, LSU (5’7” 2/8, 207 lbs, 4.60, 1.60) – CEH is a tough player to peg. He’s excellent with the ball in his hands, showing outstanding shiftiness, lateral agility, and toughness. He has outstanding balance through contact. Catches the ball as well as any back in the draft. Not the biggest runner in the draft, but extremely compact and packs a punch. A complete player, CEH should have a chance to be a true workhorse at the next level. BEST FITS: Kansas City, Detroit, Atlanta, Pittsburgh
- Marlon Davidson, DT, Auburn (6’3” 3/8, 303 lbs, 5.04, 1.78) – Best suited as a 5-technique in an odd front or, possibly, as a 3-technique in an even front. Davidson is strong, but doesn’t have the same explosion as some of the other defensive tackle prospects. Teams will either love him or hate him, but there are plenty of tools to work with as a potential starter early in his career. BEST FITS: Pittsburgh, San Francisco, Minnesota
- Willie Gay Jr, LB, Mississippi St (6’1” 1/8, 243 lbs, 4.46, 1.55) – Quick, explosive, and powerful. Relies too much on his pure athleticism more than play recognition and reacting. Needs to be coached up on film study, but the natural traits are top notch. When it all “clicks,” Gay could be a Pro Bowl MIKE linebacker. BEST FITS: NY Jets, Arizona, Green Bay, Pittsburgh
- Joshua Uche, EDGE/LB, Michigan (6’1” 2/8, 245 lbs, no 40) – Some injury issues throughout his college career have dropped him on draft boards. Uche is a scheme versatile edge rusher/SAM linebacker that has the bend and burst to rush the passer, but the athleticism to cover and make plays on the edge against the run. A poor-man’s Zack Baun. BEST FITS: Seattle, Baltimore, Tennessee, Dallas, Pittsburgh
- Matt Hennessy, C, Temple (6’3” 7/8, 307 lbs, 5.18, 180) – Another player with positional versatility along the interior of an offensive line. He played center at Temple, which is probably his best position at the next level. More of a technician, relying on mobility and technique more than raw power, Hennessy best fits in a zone scheme that lets him move and utilize position-based blocking. BEST FITS: Minnesota, San Francisco, Kansas City
- Troy Pride Jr, CB, Notre Dame (5’11” 4/8, 193 lbs, 4.40, 1.58) – Elite cover skills that will translate to any system at the next level. Excellent feet and hips. Smart player, able to decipher plays in a zone scheme. Not the most physical player and tackling can be a problem. Dropped some interceptions, but seemingly always making things difficult for opposing receivers. BEST FITS: Minnesota, Las Vegas, Dallas, Jacksonville, LA Rams
- Kyle Dugger, S, Lenoir-Rhyne (6’0” 7/8, 217 lbs, 4.49, 1.61) – Another small school safety prospect that flashes all of the tools you want on the back end of your defense. Dugger flies around the field using elite athleticism to create plays. Play diagnosis will need to improve, but Dugger is an immediate starter with the upside for plenty more. BEST FITS: Dallas, Philadelphia, Minnesota, Chicago, Jacksonville
- Amik Robertson, CB, Louisiana Tech (5’8” 3/8, 187 lbs, no 40) – Robertson is the best slot corner in the draft. There is so much Honey Badger (Tyrann Mathieu) to his game in that he possesses elite short-area quickness as an undersized corner. Robertson also packs some serious punch when he hits. He’s absolutely fearless stepping up in run support and taking on the challenge of pressing bigger receivers. An alpha, Robertson has the perfect mentality for the next level. If he was 5’11,” he would go in the first round. BEST FITS: Minnesota, Dallas, Philadelphia, Las Vegas, Denver
- Robert Hunt, G, Louisiana (6’5” 1/8, 323 lbs, no 40) – After playing tackle at the collegiate level, Hunt will kick inside to guard in the pros. He is violent with his hands, incredibly strong, and technically sound. He has excellent footwork that will make him an immediate starter. The knocks here are the level of competition and his limited lateral agility. Regardless, he has Pro Bowl potential in a power-based scheme. BEST FITS: Las Vegas, Philadelphia, Indianapolis
- KJ Hamler, WR, Penn St (5’8” 5/8, 178 lbs, no 40) – Hamler is one of the fastest players in the draft. He is a game-changer when the ball is in his hands, and will make for an excellent returner at the next level. Runs routes well, using his quickness and change of direction skills to create space. Hands are a question mark. Durability wasn’t an issue in college, but with such a small frame, he could have issues dealing with NFL physicality. BEST FITS: Dallas, New England, Tampa Bay, New Orleans
- Cam Akers, RB, Florida St (5’10” 3/8, 217 lbs, 4.47, 1.47) – Akers may have had the worst situation of any RB in the draft. His blocking was laughably horrendous, yet he still produced excellent results. He’s big, he’s fast, and he breaks tackles. His role in the passing game may be a little uncertain, but he could be a steal late on Day 2. BEST FITS: Buffalo, Atlanta, Miami
- Matthew Peart, OT, Connecticut (6’6” 5/8, 318 lbs, 5.06, 1.75) – Some teams may view Peart as a guard, but he has the athleticism and strength to stick at tackle long term. Perfect frame giving him ability to add “good weight” if a team wants to play him in a power scheme rather than a zone scheme, which is the ideal fit early on. Huge ceiling if he can learn proper technique. BEST FITS: Green Bay, Tampa Bay, NY Jets, NY Giants
- Curtis Weaver, EDGE, Boise St (6’2” 3/8, 265 lbs, no 40) – Technically savvy rusher with an assortment of moves. Weaver has the strength and fundamental skills to succeed at the next level. Lacks the ideal explosion and agility you look for in a pass rusher. Will start out as a base defensive end in a 4-3 and may not stick on the field in passing situations. BEST FITS: Detroit, Seattle, Chicago, Cincinnati
- Ashtyn Davis, S, California (6’0” 7/8, 202 lbs, no 40) – Incredibly athletic centerfielder with the range to play single-high. Davis has experience at corner and has the speed to get over the top in any zone concept. Play recognition was very good for a college safety, and Davis finds his way to the ball rather easily. Not the best pure tackler, though willing to stick his nose in with physicality. Has ability to drop into slot in man coverage. Immediate starter. BEST FITS: NY Giants, Las Vegas, Minnesota, Jacksonville, Detroit
- Chase Claypool, WR, Notre Dame (6’4” 2/8, 238, 4.42, 1.56) – There are a lot of questions as to whether Claypool will stick at receiver or move to tight end. Regardless, Claypool is a player that should create plenty of mismatches, whether its being too big for corners or too athletic for linebackers and safeties. It doesn’t matter what you classify him as, you just need to get him in position to make plays. He sometimes doesn’t play as big as his frame would indicate, but there are a lot of tools to work with for NFL offensive coordinators. BEST FITS: Green Bay, New England, Buffalo, NY Jets
- Jacob Eason, QB, Washington (6’5” 7/8, 231 lbs, 4.89, 1.73) – Eason might have the strongest arm in the draft. When he reaches back, he throws one of the prettiest footballs you will ever see. The problem, however, has been the accuracy and his ability to move off his first read. If he can get better with the subtleties of the position, he could certainly become a high-end starter. Huge upside, huge bust potential. The wide range of outcomes is fascinating. BEST FITS: Indianapolis, Detroit, Chicago, Pittsburgh, Tampa Bay
- Netane Muti, G, Fresno St (6’2” 7/8, 315 lbs, no 40) – Muti is a good athlete for a man of his size and strength. He’s had some injury concerns over his career, but the upside is tremendous. He has plenty of functional strength to go along with his mobility. He’s best suited for a zone scheme, but could make it work in any system. If he can stay healthy, he has Pro Bowl potential. BEST FITS: Minnesota, San Francisco, Arizona, Miami
- Akeem Davis-Gaither, LB, Appalachian St (6’1” 4/8, 224 lbs, no 40) – Undersized, but athletic linebacker that can fill a number of roles. Can cover tight ends and running backs, rush the passer, drop into zone, or shoot gaps against the run. If he can bulk up 15-20 pounds and add strength without forfeiting athleticism, ADG would be worthy of an early Day 2 pick. BEST FITS: Philadelphia, Las Vegas, Detroit, Dallas
- Terrell Lewis, EDGE, Alabama (6’5” 2/8, 262 lbs, no 40) – Injuries are the only thing keeping Lewis out of the top 50 on my draft board. Regardless, when on the field, Lewis demonstrates a lot of the attributes you want in an edge rusher: length, quickness and agility. He needs to develop counters, but defensive line coaches would love to work with Lewis. BEST FITS: Baltimore, Tennessee, New England, Minnesota, Dallas
- Hunter Bryant, TE, Washington (6’2” 2/8, 248 lbs, 4.74, 1.67) – Natural mover at the position. Fluid across the middle and exceptional in contested-catch situations. Can be a little too nonchalant at times. Excellent after the catch and is tough to bring down. High-points the ball well. Not a blocker. Needs to get stronger, but has to be careful not to forfeit some of his agility. BEST FITS: New England, Green Bay, Washington
- Isaiah Wilson, OT, Georgia (6’6” 4/8, 350 lbs, 5.32, 1.79) – Was able to get buy on sheer size and strength. Technique is lacking, but there are reasons for long-term optimism. Quick enough out of his stance to hold up against speed off the edge. Built more for power schemes with a chance to start early on at right tackle. BEST FITS: Green Bay, Tampa Bay, Seattle, Tennessee
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