Tag: Mock NFL draft

Five reasons Texas RB Bijan Robinson is worth drafting in late first round

We examine why Bijan is an excellent late first round pick.

Bijan Robinson is a primary topic of draft season for many who follow pro and college football. Experts are split on where Bijan should be drafted. In particular, the consensus is Robinson is the best at his position. Despite that, many debate the value of the running back position.

Our colleague Patrick Conn projected Robinson to the Dallas Cowboys at No. 27. He had the following to say about the move.

The Cowboys could go cornerback here but adding a dynamic running back in Bijan could help them solve some cash tied up in Ezekiel Elliott. The team can save $5 million by going with a younger back, who showed that he can win as a runner, receiver, and blocker.

Some Cowboys fans would be opposed to drafting a running back given how Ezekiel Elliott’s ability has eroded in recent years. That fear might be unfounded.

Let’s look at why Bijan would be the right move should he fall to No. 27.

Dallas Cowboys select LB Noah Sewell in 1st round of latest 2023 mock draft

In ESPN’s latest mock draft, Oregon’s Noah Sewell goes to the Dallas Cowboys in the first round.

As the college football season inches closer and closer, preseason watch lists, predictions, and mock drafts will dominate the news cycle in the next few weeks.

Noah Sewell has already received praise from several outlets as one of the sport’s best linebackers. And in ESPN’s latest mock draft, the Duck defender is able to sneak into the first round of the 2023 NFL draft by going to Dallas at No. 30 overall.

This is writer Matt Miller’s assessment of the Cowboys picking Sewell.

Sewell’s play at Oregon has been amazing to watch as he developed into a true three-down defender. The 6-foot-3, 251-pounder has elite size to go along with great quickness and processing speed. And we can’t forget to mention his versatility. As is becoming so important, he’s as good rushing the quarterback as he is playing in coverage.

NFL scouts covet defenders that can do more than one thing and Sewell is quickly becoming a guy who is known for being an elite pass rusher as well as holding his own in coverage. Kayvon Thibodeaux went as high as he did, No. 5 to the New York Giants, partly because of his multi-faceted abilities at the defensive end spot.

Sewell will get plenty of chances to show pro scouts what he can truly do on the football field with defensive coordinator Tosh Lupoi running Dan Lanning’s system. Scouts will get a good look right away as the Ducks travel to Atlanta Sept. 3 to take on the defending national champion Georgia Bulldogs.

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49ers bolster secondary in pre-combine mock draft

The 49ers could find themselves in need of a safety if the lose free agent safety Jimmie Ward.

The odds of the 49ers using their first-round pick instead of trading back seem low considering they wouldn’t be slated to make another selection until the fifth round. However, there’s a chance they make do with their limited capital and go big to find a starter with the No. 31 overall pick, then figure out the rest of the draft later.

That’s how they operate in the Touchdown Wire pre-combine mock, where they select LSU safety Grant Delpit.

It may turn out that just taking the best player available is the best move for San Francisco, especially if they think they’re getting a Pro Bowl caliber player at that spot. Delpit sliding to them may be too good of an opportunity to pass up, especially if they lose free safety Jimmie Ward in free agency.

Delpit has the type of skill set to play the ‘eraser’ role that Ward occupied in the back end of the secondary. He’s good in coverage with the range and instincts to play the single high safety spot, and according to Pro Football Focus, he didn’t miss a tackle throughout the College Football Playoffs after struggling with that part of his game during the season.

Tackling is key to that position though and is a strength of Ward’s game. Range and coverage are nice, but Ward’s ability to get up into the box and make tackles was a key reason the 49ers allowed the fewest big plays in the league last season.

If the 49ers re-sign Ward, they could probably get a nice haul in a Draft Day trade if Delpit falls to No. 31. If they don’t retain Ward though, and have a hole at free safety, Delpit is the type of player who could step in and fill it on Day 1.

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