Justin Strnad – Page 5 – Syndication Server

Colts’ 7-round mock draft includes a trade back

A 7-round mock that includes a trade back.

The Indianapolis Colts are nearly a week away from the 2020 NFL draft where they will be looking to add both young talent and depth to the roster.

Looking to take advantage of a wide-open AFC South division, the Colts have seven picks currently in the draft. However, that could change quickly if Chris Ballard decides to use some of that capital to move back and add more picks.

In this latest seven-round mock draft using Pro Football Network’s mock draft simulator, we traded back at No. 44 to add an extra fourth-round pick. Here’s how the draft broke down:

Rounds 2–3

No. 34 (from WAS): WR Laviska Shenault Jr, Colorado
*Traded No. 44 to Buffalo for Nos. 51 and 123*
No. 51 (from BUF): OT Matt Peart, Connecticut
No. 75: TE Adam Trautman, Dayton

Analysis: The pick of Shenault was a relatively easy one. There weren’t any quarterbacks truly worth grabbing at No. 34 and the upside of Shenault gives the Colts a potential WR1 to carry the room after the departure of T.Y. Hilton. Trading back an adding a fourth-round pick seems like Ballard-type move, and we were still able to get a talented but developmental tackle in Peart, who would be the successor to Anthony Castonzo. In the third round, Trautman is a wonderful move tight end to add to the offense as his physical traits and ability to catch the ball are extremely intriguing.

Rounds 4–6

No. 122: QB Anthony Gordon, Washington State
No. 123 (from BUF): CB Bryce Hall, Virginia
No. 160: LB Justin Strnad, Wake Forest
No. 193: RB Michael Warren II, Cincinnati
No. 197: S Tanner Muse, Clemson

Analysis: The Colts get a ton of value and depth here on Day 3. Gordon is one of the most intriguing developmental quarterback prospects in the draft and would have time to sit behind Philip Rivers and learn under Frank Reich. Getting Hall in the fourth round is strong value as a cornerback who thrives in zone coverage and would be a perfect player to push for a role on the boundary with Xavier Rhodes. Strnad fits the bill of a rangy linebacker that the Colts like. He would work on special teams in addition to providing depth in the middle of the field while Warren fills into the Jonathan Williams role and the uber-athletic Muse provides strong depth in the secondary while also working on special teams.

2020 NFL draft: Justin Strnad scouting report

Everything NFL draft fans need to know about Wake Forest linebacker prospect Justin Strnad

Justin Strnad | LB | Wake Forest

Elevator Pitch

An athletic sideline-to-sideline linebacker with length and plenty of range as a tackler, Strnad is arguably one of the more underrated defenders in this year’s class. He will need to bulk up before stepping into a starting role, but his special teams experience indicates he’ll be able to contribute in some capacity early in his career.

Vitals

Height | 6-3

Weight | 238

College Bio Page

Career Stats

Strengths

In an NFL where plus athleticism is basically required from the linebacker position, Strnad should be a good fit.

The Demon Deacon standout has fantastic range as a tackler, as he can change direction seamlessly and accelerate very well, regardless of whether he’s running downhill or is tackling on an angle. He plays with fluid hips, which helps him out when taking on outside-zone runs or when he drops back into coverage. He’s a true sideline-to-sideline linebacker, and his athletic ability is complemented by his form as a tackler and his consistency in wrapping up ball-carriers and bringing them down on a regular basis.

Strnad carries a lengthy frame that gives him plenty of physical upside as a rangy box defender in coverage, as well as when he’s tasked with dropping back into man. He also plays with determination against the run, as he has shown that he isn’t afraid of lowering his shoulder and laying down a thunderous hit on his opponents. His athleticism and his tackling abilities project him very well as a special teamer early on in his career, and he has experience in that role: he led Wake Forest with 10 special teams tackles in 2017.

Weaknesses

While a lengthy linebacker prospect, Strnad’s frame can afford to pack on a bit more muscle, and that affects his playing style a bit. He struggles with taking on blocks and disengaging from blockers, and he doesn’t have the strength in his frame to consistently eat up gaps when assigned to creep up towards the line of scrimmage. This also affects his abilities as a blitzer up the middle.

Strnad’s instincts could also stand to improve a bit. He occasionally is a split second slow to diagnose a play, and by the time he makes the read to position himself in the right place to make a play, the opportunity has already passed him by. He doesn’t have too great of a feel in zone coverage just yet, and he’s more reactive than instinctive at this stage in his development.

Projection: Day 3

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3 linebackers the Texans need to target in the 2020 NFL Draft

The Houston Texans need to add pass covering linebackers. Here are three college prospects the club needs to target in the 2020 NFL Draft.

The Houston Texans have an issue with the performance of their linebackers in pass coverage. The Texans desperately need to find a linebacker who can cover in today’s NFL. With the 2020 NFL Draft a little over two months away, here are a few linebackers that fit this mold. Keep in mind, the Texans don’t have a first-round pick, and won’t have a chance to address the issue until No. 57th overall in the second round.

Akeem Davis-Gaither, Appalachian State

3-linebackers-texans-target-2020-nfl-draft — (AP Photo/Brian Blanco)

The Draft Network is pretty high on Davis-Gaither’s athleticism and length:

Akeem has very good reactive athleticism for the position. He shows his versatility by aligning as a stacked backer, as an OLB in an odd front scheme, walked out over a WR in sub packages and even aligned in the box. He’s an undersized LB but is extremely physical, contact seeking LB against the run. He has good length and very good lateraled agility for the position. Easily gets through trash and to the football in the run game. He’s a contact seeker and shows good explosion in his hips as a tackler. He also has good coverage upside on RBs and TE’s. Has excellent range for the Linebacker position. His skill set suggests he is ideally suited to play WLB in an even front scheme and projects to be a core special teamer, as well.

Davis-Gaither might be one of the most athletically gifted linebackers in this year’s draft. He also had the stats to back up his playing tallying 101 tackles, 14.5 tackles for loss, 5.5 sacks, one interception, and eight passes defensed during his junior year. He would be a great fit with Zach Cunningham and even Benardrick McKinney to provide some versatility at the ILB position.

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