Tag: Ifeatu Melifonwu

Mock draft watch: Breaking down Pro Football Network’s full Lions haul

After the first round there are some very questionable choices in this one

It’s always worth noting when an outlet publishes a full mock draft for a team, one that extends beyond the first round or two. Pro Football Network recently projected out the full Detroit Lions draft.

Analyst Ian Cummings went through all six Lions picks; Detroit has two third-round picks but no selections in the sixth or seventh rounds. His choices are largely unconventional and feature some choices that aren’t typically seen projected to Detroit.

LSU WR Ja’Marr Chase at No. 7 is a common choice, when he’s actually available. In most current projections, Chase is off the board by the time the Lions pick. He instantly vaults to the top of the Detroit depth chart and provides instant Pro Bowl potential at the position of biggest need on the offense.

After that, the picks stray from the general norm. Syracuse CB Ifeatu Melifonwu is a big, physical outside corner, but the Lions have two of those already in promising youngsters Jeff Okudah and Amani Oruwariye and recently signed another in Quinton Dunbar. If Melifonwu converts to safety, and he has some traits that could make that work, the pick makes more sense.

Nick Bolton is a solid value in the third round. Bolton is a throwback kind of MIKE backer, one who plays in the vein of Lions special assistant and all-time leading tackler, Chris Spielman. Everything Lions fans loathed about former first-rounder Jarrad Davis–the poor instincts, the late recognition, the inability to get off blocks–are the exact things Bolton does very well. He doesn’t help the coverage much, however.

Carman is an experienced right tackle/right guard prospect from a high-level program but entirely unexciting athletically. He’s certainly good enough to play, but the Lions would be better-served drafting a more developmental-type prospect with a higher talent ceiling for a position where they don’t need a new starter in 2021.

I love the game of Ar’Darius Washington, the TCU safety. However, he’s tiny even for small NFL standards. There just isn’t a lot of hope for a safety who tips the scales at 176 pounds on his 5-foot-8 frame. Texas DT Ta’quan Graham, a try-hard plugger with some good tape late in his Longhorns career, rounds it out.

Lions mock draft watch: CBS makes questionable moves in 7-round mock

CBS has released their latest 7-round mock draft, but left many holes and questions surrounding the Detroit Lions selections.

Mock drafts are a fun way to get accustomed to players that may have flown under the radar or look at possible scenarios that you may not have thought of, and this one is no different.

CBS’ Josh Edwards constructed his 7-round mock draft on how he visions how the draft could go and the haul and direction the Lions could go heading into the draft.

1st round (9, trade with Denver)- Jaylen Waddle, WR, Alabama

2nd round (41)- Elijah Moore, WR, Ole Miss

3rd round (72)- Paulson Adebo, CB, Stanford

3rd round (101)- Hamsah Nasirildeen, S, Florida State

4th round (112)- Ifeatu Melifonwu, CB, Syracuse

5th round (154)- Daelin Hayes, Edge, Notre Dame

To kick off the draft, the Denver Broncos get aggressive and trade with the Lions to select Justin Fields, but the major problem with this trade is the compensation. As you can see, the mock draft kept with all the Lions’ original picks without any from Denver coming back in the trade this year. It could be future picks, but it’s highly doubtful the Lions don’t receive some compensation from this year.

Either way, Edwards makes a curious move by doubling down on receiver with consecutive picks for the Lions, going with Waddle and Moore, who stylistically are similar players. Selecting these two receivers instantly turns the receiving corps from a weakness to a strength overnight.

If it was one of the picks from Denver, it could be realistic, considering these two receivers are playmakers the Lions desperately need. Not knowing how the compensation went and the limited number of picks in the trade, this is a luxury the Lions can’t afford, especially when Jabril Cox, Landon Dickerson, and Richie Grant still on the board who can instantly upgrade positions of need.

Next, Edwards turns all his focus to the secondary by selecting two cornerbacks and safety, which is also a curious move.

Safety is a big concern for the Lions, and you could do worse than Nasirildeen. He comes with questions concerning his position fit as a safety/linebacker tweener, but he brings athleticism and physicality to bring the hammer down on the ball carrier.

Cornerback is a sneaky need, but like mentioned before, with the limited amount of picks, selecting two cornerbacks feels like overkill considering the amount of quality free agents the Lions could go after. Adebo relies more on his instincts, whereas Melifonwu is a reactive player, but both player’s skill-sets and traits translate best to a press-man/Cover 3 scheme. Like with the Waddle/Moore selection, it feels like they are selecting very similar players.

Hayes is one of those types of players who might be a better pro than a college player with his agility and explosiveness to win off the edges with superb burst. His pass-rushing moves need refinement and has had shoulder issues dating back to high school, but he has the intangibles you can’t teach that allow him to be an effective rusher, either standing up or hands in the ground.

Without knowing what the Lions received from the trade, it’s hard to get a feel for this draft, especially when they kept all the Lions original picks and just essentially moved the Lions down from seven to nine in the mock. Also, the selection of two players in the same position and who are quite similar not just once but twice makes it cloudy as to what direction this mock was heading.

Now the selected players are fine players and could make a solid impact, it just felt like the majority were luxury picks, and resources could’ve been used more wisely than what was executed.

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A CB prospect for the Colts in each round of the 2021 draft

Which CB will the Colts come away with?

The Indianapolis Colts have plenty of positions to address during the 2021 NFL draft, which is now just over a week away. Cornerback is among the top needs on the defensive side of the ball.

Currently sitting with six picks in the draft, it is likely the Colts are going to move back from the No. 21 overall pick. We highlighted some of the trades that could go down if Indy does move back.

The Colts cornerback room isn’t a massive need. But if we’re taking a long-term view at the position, some youth could be targeted in the draft. They re-signed Xavier Rhodes and T.J. Carrie to one-year deals while Marvell Tell is expected to join the group after opting out of the 2020 season.

We already looked at wide receivers, edge rushers and offensive tackles in each round for the Colts.

It wouldn’t be a surprise to see the Colts grab a cornerback they like on Day 2 of the draft, but here’s a look at a prospect in each round for Indy:

Cowboys 2021 Draft Debate: Cornerbacks Ifeatu Melifonwu vs Elijah Molden

Dalton Miller and Mike Crum debate which cornerback is better for the Dallas Cowboys between cornerbacks Ifeatu Melifonwu and Elijah Molden

The Dallas Cowboys defense had multiple practice squad players getting major snaps in the defensive backfield last season, including Saivion Smith, Rashad Robinson, Steven Parker and Deante Burton. The team already needed depth before Chidobe Awuzie signed with the Cincinnati Bengals in free agency.

Whether in the draft or by signing a vet in free agency, or preferably both, Dallas still needs to go after cornerback in the remaining offseason. The current question for the Cowboys is which prospects should they target? This is a recurring series of debate on which of two prospects is the best fit for the Cowboys. This edition will feature Syracuse CB Ifeatu Melifonwu and Washington CB Elijah Molden and will feature former Cowboys Wire contributor Dalton Miller, now of 105.3 the Fan.

Molden stands 5-foot-10 and weighs 192 pounds. The Washington Huskies only played four games in 2020, but in that time Molden was able to be productive, totalling 26 tackles (including one for a loss), an interception and a pass deflection.

Melifonwu is a much bigger player, standing at 6-foot-2, and weighs in at 212 pounds. In 10 games he had 54 tackles (three for loss), a sack, an interception and six pass deflections.

So who fits better? Let the debate begin.

Cowboys 2021 Draft Debate: Cornerbacks Ifeatu Melifonwu vs Elijah Molden

Dalton Miller and Mike Crum debate which cornerback is better for the Dallas Cowboys between cornerbacks Ifeatu Melifonwu and Elijah Molden

The Dallas Cowboys defense had multiple practice squad players getting major snaps in the defensive backfield last season, including Saivion Smith, Rashad Robinson, Steven Parker and Deante Burton. The team already needed depth before Chidobe Awuzie signed with the Cincinnati Bengals in free agency.

Whether in the draft or by signing a vet in free agency, or preferably both, Dallas still needs to go after cornerback in the remaining offseason. The current question for the Cowboys is which prospects should they target? This is a recurring series of debate on which of two prospects is the best fit for the Cowboys. This edition will feature Syracuse CB Ifeatu Melifonwu and Washington CB Elijah Molden and will feature former Cowboys Wire contributor Dalton Miller, now of 105.3 the Fan.

Molden stands 5-foot-10 and weighs 192 pounds. The Washington Huskies only played four games in 2020, but in that time Molden was able to be productive, totalling 26 tackles (including one for a loss), an interception and a pass deflection.

Melifonwu is a much bigger player, standing at 6-foot-2, and weighs in at 212 pounds. In 10 games he had 54 tackles (three for loss), a sack, an interception and six pass deflections.

So who fits better? Let the debate begin.

Colts beef up defense in Todd McShay’s latest mock draft

In Todd McShay’s latest mock draft, the Indianapolis Colts added to the defense in both rounds.

In his latest two-round mock draft from ESPN, Todd McShay has the Indianapolis Colts selecting two defenders who could have an impact right away.

In the first round, the Colts get a gift as the uber-athletic and talented edge rusher in Kwity Paye falls to them at No. 21 overall.

Kwity Paye, DE, Michigan

The Colts lost Denico Autry to the division-rival Titans, and Justin Houston remains unsigned. That means DeForest Buckner is the only player with at least five sacks in 2020 set to return for 2021. Indy’s defensive strength is a big part of its identity, and Paye has explosive speed off the edge. The production hasn’t caught up to the ability just yet, but his ceiling is very high. Alternatively, the Colts could target a defensive back or maybe reach a little bit for a receiver.

Edge rush is the biggest need for the Colts entering the draft and while it’s never best to draft solely based on need, Paye is an easy choice if he’s there at No. 21. His upside is incredible thanks to his length, bend and athleticism.

Paye may need to continue developing his game as a pass rusher but at No. 21 overall, the upside is well worth the pick.

In the second round, the Colts added to the secondary with a player who many believe would be a solid fit in cornerback Ifeatu Melifonwu out of Syracuse.

Ifeatu Melifonwu, CB, Syracuse

The Colts crave some cornerback depth behind Xavier Rhodes, Kenny Moore II and Rock Ya-Sin, and Melifonwu has the skills to develop into a really strong press corner.

Melifonwu is a strong fit for the Colts. He has the length and press ability the Colts like while his athleticism would make him a solid addition to the zone-heavy defensive scheme.

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Bills Wire’s 2021 NFL Mock Draft 1.0: 3-round projections split in Round 1

Buffalo Bills 2021 NFL Draft mock from Bills Wire has RB Najee Harris, CB Caleb Farley as first-round picks.

It’s officially NFL Draft month as the calendar has turned to April. With the 2021 event now just a few weeks away, Bills Wire will start compiling their own picks for the Buffalo Bills with a series of mock drafts.

Editor Nick Wojton and contributor Justin DiLoro put together their first three-round guesses right here:

Report: Bills met with Syracuse’s Ifeatu Melifonwu at Senior Bowl

Buffalo Bills have pre 2021 NFL Draft meeting with Syracuse’s Ifeatu Melifonwu at 2021 Senior Bowl.

Nothing like a little homegrown-ish talent, right?

According to NYUP, the Bills met with a Syracuse University prospect, cornerback Ifeatu Melifonwu, at the 2021 Senior Bowl ahead of this April’s draft:

Melifonwu, a junior, is a defensive back with size at 6-foot-2. According to The Draft Network, he would also best fit in a zone defense such as the one the Bills run under head coach Sean McDermott.

Say no more, right?

Pro Football Focus currently has Melifonwu No. 64 on their top-200 big board, but some mock drafts estimate Melifonwu as high as a late first-round pick. Most currently have him slated somewhere in the second round, or at least, Day 2 of the upcoming draft.

Buffalo has brought in competition at the No. 2 cornerback spot across from Tre’Davious White seemingly every offseason… with mixed results. Perhaps Melifonwu could be a longer term solution.

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2021 Senior Bowl: 5 standouts who could help the Jags from the American team

The Senior Bowl has come and gone, but there were several notables the Jags could draft from the American team like Kadarius Toney.

The Senior Bowl for the 2021 season has come and gone, and despite many hurdles, it proved to be a productive week. The process concluded Saturday (with a 27-24 win for the National team) after the actual all-star game was played, but the biggest evaluations come from the practices throughout the week.

The Jags have been known to select several stars from the Senior Bowl like Brandon Linder, D.J. Chark, Ben Bartch, and Gardner Minshew II. While there are new faces in the front office, fans shouldn’t expect that to change too much.

Now, with the process behind us, let’s look at some standouts who the Jags could have interest in as they have a wide range of needs to address this offseason:

Syracuse DB Ifeatu Melifonwu declares for 2021 NFL draft

Syracuse defensive back Ifeatu Melifonwu is leaving school early and will declare for the 2021 NFL draft

Syracuse defensive back Ifeatu Melifonwu is leaving school early and will declare for the 2021 NFL draft, per ESPN’s Adam Schefter.

Listed at 6-3, 213 pounds, Melifonwu has an intriguing combination of size and athleticism, along with the versatility to play either corner or safety.

The younger brother of 2017 second-round pick Obi, the younger Melifonwu tallied 42 tackles, eight pass breakups and an interception this season.

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