Tag: k.j. hamler

Big Ten wide receivers agree that Jeff Okudah is best corner in NFL draft

Some of the Big Ten wide receivers talked to the Detroit Free Press and agree that Ohio State DB Jeff Okudah is the best in the NFL draft.

Ohio State cornerback Jeff Okudah’s life changed Thursday night when he went No. 3 overall in the 2020 NFL Draft. Scouts and analysts and other NFL types were in pretty solid agreement that the long, rangy, and athletic corner was the best defensive back available this year.

But that’s not the only group that will echo those thoughts. How about those that played against him?

The Detroit Free Press reached out to some receivers that went one-on-one with the 6-foot, 1-inch DB to get their thoughts on what he brings to the table. It’s no surprise, but the comments were pretty flattering — especially coming from an opponent and rival.

“Most definitely Jeff Okudah,” Penn State’s K.J. Hamler said, echoing everything his fellow Big Ten receivers like Donovan Peoples-Jones and Quintez Cephus had to say.

“Just doing a lot of studying on him, he’s a long guy, fast, very patient with his feet, technician guy, has good speed,” Hamler said at the NFL combine. “Just studying him all that week vs Ohio State was pretty good. You learned a lot of stuff about him.”

Hamler was bottled up pretty well against Okudah, even though there was a cat and mouse game to try and get him away from the matchup.

“We knew those guys would follow me in the slot,” Hamler said. “I wanted them to put me outside, they didn’t put me outside. I was fine with that. We lost the game as you know, but I think Jeff Okudah is the best opponent I went against.”

NFL draft experts also agree.

“He to me is what Stephon Gilmore was coming out, what Patrick Peterson was coming out,” ESPN analyst Mel Kiper Jr. said last month. “He’s going to be expected to be one of the best cornerbacks in this league. And he has that skill set, he has the mindset for it. He’s a very aggressive player. Good tackler. I think he’s not too handsy in coverage, even though he is aggressive, which I like that because you don’t want to see penalties with that. You can’t get away with those things in the NFL you get away with in college.”

Now all the praise must become reality. Okudah will get a chance to put his product on the field at the next level. There’s probably not too many in the camp voting against him having nothing but success.

 

Mocking the Detroit Lions’ Day 2 draft selections

Lions Wire’s Max Gerber explores and projects what the Detroit Lions’ will do with their Day 2 draft selections in the 2020 NFL Draft.

The Detroit Lions filled a glaring need in the first round of the 2020 NFL Draft by selecting Ohio State cornerback Jeffrey Okudah. In the remaining 29 picks of the first round, we saw plenty of trades and surprise picks, leaving some top-tier talent to fall to the second round.

The Lions currently have eight picks remaining in this year’s draft, three of which will likely be used tonight during the second and third rounds.

With plenty of options still on the board, here’s my prediction on who the Lions will select on Day 2:

Round 2, Pick 35: K.J. Hamler, WR, Penn State

Hamler is a true slot receiver who will immediately remind Lions fans of Golden Tate with his shifty footwork and his ability to get yards after the catch. Though he didn’t run at the Combine, he clocked a 4.36 40-yard-dash at his training facility. He has a strong initial burst off the line of scrimmage and possesses the stamina to maintain that speed.

His versatility will be an asset for offensive coordinator Darrell Bevell as well. Hamler has proven capable of being a starting slot receiver who can be used as a gadget offensive weapon in the backfield when needed. He also would be able to contribute immediately on special teams as a kick returner.

Round 3, Pick 67: Bradlee Anae, EDGE, Utah

The pass rush has been a weak point of the Detroit Lions’ defense for years. General manager Bob Quinn has not selected an EDGE rusher before the fourth round in his past four drafts. That could change with Anae.

Anae, coming off a 13-sack season at Utah, is a pure pass-rush specialist who will bring a unique skill set to Detroit’s defense. He would likely play as a JACK linebacker in Matt Patricia’s defense, but could also play the down defensive end role if needed.

Round 3, Pick 85: Lloyd Cushenberry, IOL, LSU

The Lions have a serious competition brewing at the right guard position. Currently, the Lions have seven lineman vying for that starting role. Drafting Cushenberry would put an end to all of that.

He played center throughout his career at LSU, but his size and abilities would translate easily to guard. His balance has been an issue for him, but overall he thrives in pass protection and would be an immediate upgrade at right guard. The Lions got a good look at him at the Senior Bowl, so expect him to be on their radar.

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10 players the Lions should consider on Day 2 of the draft

Identifying 10 players the Detroit Lions should consider selecting on Day 2 of the 2020 NFL Draft.

The Detroit Lions filled a very important role on Day 1 of the 2020 NFL Draft, selecting corner Jeff Okudah in the first round, but Day 2 brings a whole new crop of players and the Lions hold three picks in the next two rounds.

The Lions will begin the day with picks No. 35, 67, and 85, and while there could be some trade movement, they should still be able to land a few key players.

Here are 10 options — five who were with the Lions at the Senior Bowl — who should be considered on Day 2.

A.J. Epenesa, EDGE, Iowa

The Lions have a need at EDGE rusher and Epenesa is the perfect fit for the Lions scheme. In my final 7-round mock draft, Epenesa was my choice at pick No. 35 and a player I still believe to be a Top-10 player on the Lions draft board.

Denzel Mims, WR, Baylor

Senior Bowl

If it’s not Epenesa, Mims’ ability to drastically improve the Lions offense would make him incredibly tempting in the second round. At 6-3, 207, with 4.38 speed, Mims is an ideal vertical threat with starter upside as a rookie.

Zach Baun, LB, Wisconsin

Senior Bowl

A hybrid linebacker who fits the mold of what the Lions have recently targeted in their second-level defenders. He would play primarily off-the-ball but has the ability to situationally pass-rush from the JACK linebacker spot.

Josh Uche, JACK/LB, Michigan

Senior Bowl

Uche is also a hybrid linebacker but his insane speed off the edge would keep him pass-rushing often, while also offering the ability to drop into coverage. Both Uche and Baun would fit in like perfect puzzle pieces with the Lions linebackers and would allow them to disguise the defense’s intentions.

Josh Jones, OT, Houston

Senior Bowl

Jones is an athletic tackle who could line up on the right side as a rookie and his ability to be a left tackle would give the Lions insurance if they move on from Taylor Decker in 2021.

RBs J.K. Dobbins (OSU) and Jonathan Taylor (Wisc)

Pick your flavor here as both backs would fit in nicely in the Lions scheme. I have Dobbins slightly ahead of Taylor on my tiered Lions draft board, but if the Lions decide to upgrade their backfield, it’s hard to argue with either player.

Laviska Shenault, WR, Colorado

A first-round talent who likely dropped to Day 2 because of injuries. He has a versatile skill set and plays physical, creating yards after catch (YAC) with power and athleticism.

K.J. Hamler, WR, Penn State

Hamler is a YAC machine who fits the mold of a pure slot receiver, similar to what the Lions have in Danny Amendola. The Lions met with Hamler at the Combine and if they are looking for an explosive playmaker, he would be high on their list.

Terrell Lewis, EDGE, Alabama

Lewis is another first-round talent who has a lengthy injury history that is surely going to impact where he gets selected. At 6-5, 262 pounds and 33.88″ arms, Lewis is a prototype player in coach Matt Patricia’s defensive scheme.

Bradlee Anae, EDGE, Utah

Senior Bowl

Anae is likely more in play in the third round, but there is no doubt that Lions’ coaches loved what they saw from him at the Senior Bowl. Anae is a high effort pass rusher who lives off his first step as we saw in Mobile when he registered three sacks:

Bonus names to keep in mind for Round 3

In my final 7-round mock draft, my Lions picks in the third round were Robert Hunt (RT/G, Louisiana) and McTelvin Agim (DT, Arkansas), and are names Lions fans should keep in the back of their minds.

9 top WRs the Ravens could target in the 2020 NFL draft

The Baltimore Ravens have a need at wide receiver entering the 2020 NFL draft, but luckily the class is plenty deep with talent

The Baltimore Ravens have worked hard to revamp their wide receiver corps over the last three years. Thanks to a combination of drafting plenty of talent at the position and adding in key free agents, the Ravens finally have a formidable group of pass catchers for quarterback Lamar Jackson. But with the 2020 NFL Draft being historically deep at the position, Baltimore likely isn’t done stacking talent at wide receiver.

There are plenty of options all over the 2020 NFL Draft. Whether the Ravens want to add a playmaker with their first-round pick or grab someone for a niche role later in the draft, Baltimore is going to have someone available every round.

Let’s take a look at the top wide receivers the Ravens could target in the 2020 NFL Draft.

Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images

WR Jerry Jeudy, Alabama

Jeudy has been considered one of the top wide receivers in his class for a long time. The 6-foot-1 receiver accumulated over 2,700 receiving yards and scored 26 touchdown catches in his time as a member of the Crimson Tide, distinguishing himself as the next great Alabama receiver.

Jeudy would be a dynamic piece in the Ravens offense. He has long arms, a good catch radius, is dynamic with the ball, and is a solid run blocker. Jeudy comes into the 2020 NFL Draft with a ton of polish already, especially as a route runner and he’d be an immediate starter in Baltimore’s offense.

Another big plus is Jeudy grew up in the same hometown as current Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson and wide receiver Marquise Brown. He was recently working out with the pair this offseason, which means they already have a little rapport going.

The problem is Jeudy is expected to be gone well before Baltimore gets on the clock at No. 28. That means they’d have to trade up to get him, which would cost a fortune.

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2020 NFL Draft: 4 prospects the Jets should avoid

Jets Wire takes a look at four 2020 NFL draft prospects the Jets should steer clear of.

Joe Douglas is going to have to make the most of the 2020 NFL Draft is the Jets want to have any chance at contending next season.

New York’s roster has multiple holes that need to be filled. In his first draft running the show as a general manager, Douglas will be tasked with accomplishing this feat by putting together a class that features multiple players that can make an impact early in their professional career.

Fortunately for Douglas and the Jets, this year’s draft is loaded with talent at positions where New York has needs. There are also numerous prospects worth staying away from at those positions. With that being said, let’s take a look at some prospects Douglas should be wary of selecting.

A.J. Terrell, Clemson

Rich Barnes-USA TODAY Sports

The Jets need to add some depth at cornerback, but there are certain corners available in this year’s draft that could only compound New York’s issues at the position.

A.J. Terrell is not a bad player by any means. However, he is not a fit in Gregg Williams’ defensive scheme. Terrell comes from a Cover 2 background and does not have a skill set that indicates he could thrive in a more man-heavy scheme. He also got torched by LSU underclassman Ja’Marr Chase in the College Football Playoff title game, causing his draft stock to endure a hit.

Odds are Terrell will wind up with a team that runs a defense that plays more to his strengths. He’s just not the answer to New York’s problems at cornerback.

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2020 NFL Draft: Jets trade up for Andrew Thomas in 3-round CBS Sports mock

The Jets land Andrew Thomas in CBS Sports’ most recent three-round mock draft projections.

With the 2020 NFL Draft less than a week away, CBS Sports released a new three-round mock.

In these projections, CBS Sports’ Dan Schneier has the Jets trading up to secure the offensive tackle of their choosing. After that, the Jets are able to acquire a starter at receiver and an edge rusher who has the potential to eventually be one.

Let’s take a look at who Schneier has the Jets taking in Rounds 1-3.

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Round 1 (via JAC):

9. Andrew Thomas | OT | Georgia

(Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports)

The Jets move up two spots to ensure they’ll get Andrew Thomas. In this projected trade, the Jets part ways with picks Nos. 11 and 79 while adding pick No. 116 in the process.

Here’s CBS Sports’ explanation for the trade-up and selection:

The Jets don’t chance a team trading up ahead of the Giants to draft the third of the big-four OTs (before their cross-town rival snags the last one at No. 10). The Jets lose their best Day 2 pick in the process (but grab back an early Day 3 pick), but that’s a fine price to pay to lock in their choice of the final two OTs (an absolute must given the current depth chart). Thomas has played against some of the best competition in the SEC, but he is my OT4 in this class (only slightly behind the top three) due to issues I spot in pass protection. At times when you watch Thomas, it also feels like he was hidden by Georgia’s play-action heavy system. A case can be made that Thomas is OT1 and for some teams who just might be — the Jets come away thrilled with this pick.

New York had a private dinner with Andrew Thomas and worked him out the next morning before pre-draft visits were shut down, according to NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero. It’s clear that the Jets have done their homework on the Georgia tackle. The question that remains is will he make it out of the top-10? The Dolphins have shown interest and have the draft capital to trade up and grab him if need be.

Thomas didn’t have the best combine but his results at Georgia point to a model of consistency. A three-year starter, he got a crack at playing both tackle positions. Coming from a well-coached team, Thomas will be a Day 1 starter due to his technique and versatility on the line.

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This is a great 7-round mock draft for Broncos

This is an excellent seven-round NFL mock draft for the Broncos.

In his latest seven-round 2020 NFL mock draft for Draft Wire, Luke Easterling has the Denver Broncos selecting South Carolina defensive lineman Javon Kinlaw with the 15th overall pick in the first round.

Star receivers Jerry Jeudy (No. 11; New York Jets), CeeDee Lamb (No. 12; Las Vegas Raiders) and Henry Ruggs (No. 13; San Francisco 49ers) were all off the board before Denver’s pick in Easterling’s mock.

After landing Kinlaw in the first round, the Broncos add receiver K.J. Hamler No. 46) in the second round. After that, Denver adds cornerback Amik Robertson (No. 77) and offensive tackle Matt Peart (No. 83).

So with their first four picks in Easterling’s mock, the Broncos address three big positons of need (receiver, cornerback and offensive line) after landing Kinlaw — a great value pick — in the first round. Not bad, not bad at all!

In the rest of Easterling’s mock, Denver goes on to select two more offensive linemen, a linebacker, a safety, an edge defender and another receiver. To view Draft Wire’s complete NFL mock draft, click here.

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Full 7-round Cleveland Browns mock draft: Easter trade edition

Full Cleveland Browns 7-round mock draft for Easter features a big trade and some new names in the mix

Time for a fresh new 7-round Cleveland Browns mock draft for the holiday morning. With just 11 days remaining until the 2020 NFL Draft, it’s time to enjoy some sweet mocking.

For this Easter mock, I decided to color the eggs a little and make a trade in the first round. The Browns found a partner willing to move up in the Miami Dolphins, who snagged QB Justin Herbert at the No. 5 pick. With versatile Clemson defender Isaiah Simmons still on the board, the Dolphins pounce.

The trade details:

Cleveland trades No. 10 and No. 74 overall to Miami in exchange for No. 18 and No. 26 in 2020. The Dolphins take Simmons with the 10th pick. Andrew Berry and the Browns now have two first-rounders.

First round, No. 18

The Browns still need an offensive tackle but traded out of the range of the top tier. Mekhi Becton, Tristan Wirfs and Jedrick Wills are all gone. Andrew Thomas came off the board at No. 14.

That leaves two viable choices to play left tackle: Josh Jones from Houston and Austin Jackson from USC. Or they could really roll the dice and go after Boise State’s Ezra Cleveland. But there is another path to follow.

Safety.

The pick: Xavier McKinney, S, Alabama

With veterans Karl Joseph and Andrew Sendejo both short-term solutions (Joseph is on a one-year contract, Sendejo is 32), the Browns still strongly need a long-term fix. They get their man in Alabama’s Xavier McKinney.

McKinney can step right into the Browns lineup with the ability to play free safety and make plays on the ball. The tackling productivity and coverage skills are top-notch. My guess here is the Browns would rank McKinney higher than any tackle on the board and get defensive coordinator Joe Woods his new Anthony Harris on the back end of the formation.

First round, No. 26

The pick: Ezra Cleveland, OT, Boise State

Cleveland is a pass-blocking specialist of a left tackle, and a very effective one. He’s got the movement skills and length to play on Baker Mayfield’s blindside right away. Cleveland needs to get much stronger to ever be effective in the run game and will need early help with power off the edge, but the primary job function is to keep Mayfield happy and safe. Cleveland can do that.

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Second round: K.J. Hamler, WR, Penn State

Hamler has electrifying speed and big-play potential from the slot but also working on the outside. Think Desean Jackson and how the Eagles used him in his prime. His presence would ease the coverage pressure on Odell Beckham and Jarvis Landry in 3-WR sets and give the Browns offense a true home-run hitter for Mayfield. Halmer is also a lethal prospect as a return man, a bigger need for the Browns than is generally advertised.

Third round: Malik Harrison, LB, Ohio State

Remember, the Browns traded away the earlier of their two third-rounders in the deal with the Dolphins. That leaves just the No. 97 pick, acquired from Houston for Duke Johnson.

They use the pick on a player who the Texans themselves would probably like to have in Harrison. A savvy, versatile backer with length and tackling power, he shores up the middle-of-field defense and offers some potential to emerge as a better pro than collegian.

Fourth round: Reggie Robinson, CB, Tulsa

Robinson brings some needed bulk to the Browns cornerback room. At 6-1 and a solid 205 pounds, Robinson has size and he knows how to use it in press coverage. His ball skills and route awareness improved in 2019, though nobody will ever confuse him for a lockdown outside CB. Robinson must learn to not clutch and grab when a receiver gets a step on him. As a bonus, Robinson blocked at least one punt in all four years for the Golden Hurricane. Ascending talent who tested quite well at the combine.

Fifth round: None

Still no pick here, traded to Buffalo

Sixth round: James Morgan, QB, Florida International

Morgan is a wild card in more ways than one. His game film is all over the map. There are times when he will zip anticipatory throws into small windows with expert placement and strong velocity. There are times when he will stare down a linebacker dropping in coverage and still throw the ball right to him.

As a developmental QB, he’s a good investment. Like Mayfield, Morgan plays with confidence and the right kind of derring-do. I am a believer the Berry regime will actively seek out late-round QB talent yearly, and having a QB guru like Kevin Stefanski as the coach could make it pay off.

Seventh round: Justin Herron, OT, Wake Forest

Herron fits the bill of a zone-blocking left tackle with good length and better athleticism than power on the edge. He’s a seasoned, functional swing tackle prospect with some ability to grow into more with increased lower-body strength.

Dueling 4-round mock draft has Ravens going in different directions

With the same prospects available in our mock draft, we each tried to predict what the Baltimore Ravens would do in the 2020 NFL Draft

With the 2020 NFL Draft going all-digital thanks to social distancing from the coronavirus, things could get a little interesting this year. While picking exactly what any single team will do in the draft is a fool’s errand, the turbulence of this year’s draft make it even harder to predict. To try and narrow down what the Baltimore Ravens might do, we’ve created a dueling mock draft.

Using The Draft Network’s mock draft simulator to pick for the 31 other teams, Kevin and I looked at what prospects were still available when Baltimore was on the clock through the first four rounds. These were the picks we each made for the Ravens in the 2020 NFL Draft.

1st round (No. 28)

Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images

Matt: LB Patrick Queen, LSU

Inside linebacker might be Baltimore’s most pressing need right now. While the position has gotten less valuable over time with defenses playing more dime, the Ravens are probably one of the few teams that could still use a true three-down linebacker. Queen would be one of the best answers to that hole.

Queen is a smart, fast and rangy linebacker that can drop back into coverage as well as come down in run support and lay the hammer. He’s an immediate starter with legitimate Pro Bowl capability, which is impressive to find this late in the first round. That’s too much to pass up, regardless of what other needs might exist.

Photo by Matthew Holst/Getty Images

Kevin: EDGE A.J. Epenesa, Iowa

Epenesa would be a great selection at 28 for the Ravens. Due to a poor performance at the NFL Scouting Combine, it seems he’s fallen a bit from the top-20 pick he was supposed to be, but he still presents great value. Epenesa can play both defensive end and EDGE, where Baltimore can experiment with him in multiple different positions on the defense. He can also be insurance incase one of the Ravens new defensive linemen gets injured. He’s long, powerful, instinctive, and dominates at the point of attack. He truly screams “Raven”.

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Broncos select OL Ben Bartch in 3rd round of new NFL mock draft

The Broncos select offensive lineman Ben Bartch in the third round of this 2020 NFL mock draft.

In his latest three-round 2020 NFL mock draft for Draft Wire, Luke Easterling has the Denver Broncos selecting St. John’s offensive lineman Ben Bartch in the third round with the 77th overall pick.

Bartch (6-6, 309 pounds) is a former tight end who transitioned to left tackle while in college. He earned MIAC Offensive Lineman of the Year honors following his senior season.

“He’s an enticing left tackle prospect who continues to evolve, but a step up in competition and a need for continued physical development will require patience and could determine whether his final calling is swing tackle or starter,” NFL.com’s Lance Zierlein wrote of Bartch.

Easterling has the Broncos selecting South Carolina defensive lineman Javon Kinlaw in the first round (No. 15) and Penn State wide receiver K.J. Hamler in the second round (No. 46) of his mock.

After selecting Bartch, Denver goes on to also add Oregon linebacker Troy Dye (No. 83) and Louisiana Tech cornerback Amik Roberton (No. 95) in the third round of Draft Wire’s mock.

To view Easterling’s complete three-round NFL mock draft, click here.

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