Tag: NFL Draft

2020 NFL draft: Neville Gallimore scouting report

Everything NFL draft fans need to know about Oklahoma defensive line prospect Neville Gallimore

Neville Gallimore | DL | Oklahoma

Elevator Pitch

A relentless interior defender with top-notch athletic ability, Gallimore has a high ceiling because of his burst off the snap, his red-hot motor and his active hands. While he’s still a work in progress from a technical standpoint, he has the potential to be a disruptive player at the next level.

Vitals

Height | 6-2

Weight | 304

College Bio Page

Career Stats

Strengths

Gallimore tested incredibly well athletically at the Combine, and his numbers are reflective of what he displays on tape.

The Canadian defender fires off the ball with impressive acceleration. His burst coming out of his stance and his dangerous straight-line speed make him a challenge for interior blockers to deal with. He has very good body control for a 300-pound man, as he can change direction well in space and has the agility to catch up to ball-carriers in the open field. He more than backed up those traits in Indianapolis, as he ran a 4.79 40-yard dash with a 1.71 10-yard split.

That athleticism is complemented by a willingness to fight and make a play on every snap. Gallimore hustles hard on a consistent basis and does everything he can to either get to the quarterback or stop the run. He churns his lower body through contact and plays with active hands, working hard to maintain inside leverage. He has shown flashes of quick hands and upside in his pass-rushing technique.

Weaknesses

Though Gallimore has plenty of upside and athleticism, he’s still a developmental prospect to some degree.

Despite his lack of length for an interior defensive lineman, Gallimore can struggle with his pad level at times. He has shown flashes of flexibility, but he still needs to do a better job of sinking his hips and getting his weight underneath him at the point of attack. Those issues can affect his lower-body strength, which could stand to improve regardless of his technical flaws.

Gallimore can be more consistent in regards to his hand usage, as he occasionally fails to re-set his hands and execute counter moves. That aforementioned lack of length is also a bit of an issue: he doesn’t have great height or a long wingspan for an interior defender.

Projection: Top 40

[vertical-gallery id=613832]

49ers’ mid-round success makes trade back in NFL draft even more logical

The 49ers have had a lot of success in Rounds 2 through 5 under general manager John Lynch.

A quick assessment of the 49ers’ capital in the 2020 NFL draft makes it easy to see why a trade out of the first round would be beneficial. They have the No. 31 pick, then they’re off the clock again until the 139th selection. It’s not often that moving out of the first round is the best method of operation for a team, but San Francisco’s track record of hitting on mid-round picks makes a move back from No. 31 even more logical.

The 49ers have had a ton of mid-round success since general manager John Lynch and head coach Kyle Shanahan took over in 2017. They’ll need to continue that run of success outside the first round in this year’s draft in order to restock the depth on their roster and set themselves up for long-term success.

Here’s a look at some of their best picks from Rounds 2 through 5 during the Lynch-Shanahan tenure:

Round 2

Joe Nicholson-USA TODAY Sports

WR Deebo Samuel | Pick 36 | 2019

Samuel’s versatility as a receiver and a runner made him one of the most productive rookie wide receivers in 49ers history. He racked up 961 yards from scrimmage and six touchdowns on 71 touches. Samuel was also the team’s top wide receiver with 802 receiving yards. It looks like Samuel was a steal after Year 1, but there’s a chance for him to emerge as one of the best picks from the 2019 draft class if he takes a step up next season.

Other Round 2 picks by Lynch: WR Dante Pettis (2018)

Pages: Page 1, Page 2, Page 3, Page 4

PFF investigates draft success, and finds Vikings to have drafted well

Pro Football Focus found that the Vikings have drafted well in the past. The Lions on the other hand…

The Vikings have had their share of first-round whiffs like Laquon Treadwell and Matt Kalil.

However, Pro Football Focus did an analysis of each team’s draft success from 2006-2016, and the outlet found that the Vikings have done pretty well when it comes to finding and developing talent.

An easy way to read the graph and tell that the Vikings have been good at drafting is to look at the times the purple line climbs above the straight line. Just by glancing at the graph that way, you can tell that Vikings draftees are usually on the higher end when it comes to possible outcomes. Besides the Vikings, the Packers are also a team that is good at finding draft success. The Bears are average, and the Lions are, well, the Lions.

Will this stop people from complaining about the Vikings’ draft picks? Probably not.

Prospects for Jags fans to watch: Florida RB Lamical Perine

The Jags have a decision to make on Leonard Fournette’s fifth-yea option. If they decline it, Lamical Perine could be an option in the draft.

This month, the Jacksonville Jaguars will have to decide whether or not they will pick up Leonard Fournettte’s fifth-year option. If they do, Fournette remains with the team as the franchise back. However, if they don’t, that’s when things get interesting.

In a scenario where they don’t pick up Fournette’s option, the team will likely be on the lookout this offseason for his eventual successor. One of those potential replacements resides just an hour and a half from Duval County: Florida’s Lamical Perine.

Perine has been one of Florida’s most consistent players over the last four seasons. In those four seasons, Perine went on to account for almost 3,200 yards from scrimmage and 30 total touchdowns, both impressive figures. In 2019, Florida struggled to get much of a running game going with an inexperienced offensive line. Perine, however, came up big for them in some of their most dire moments.

With Florida’s struggling offensive line, coach Dan Mullen found new ways to get Perine involved as a pass-catcher. Perine hauled in 40 catches in 2019, a huge amount considering his 2018 total of just 13. Mullen, however, knew that putting the ball in Perine’s hands was sure to produce the results they were looking for and the short passing game served as a rushing attack on offense.

Let’s get into the tape, shall we:

Perine has been a staple of Florida’s offense for the last four years. He brings a mean, physical purpose to his game and certainly doesn’t go down without a fight, pushing for every yard he can get. He certainly won’t cheat you out of yards as a runner.

Clearly, coaches, especially one like Doug Marrone, will love his effort. The ability to work through contact is probably Perine’s strongest trait. He isn’t overly quick and doesn’t possess “breakaway” speed, however, he is one of the better contact backs in the draft and can help any team from Day 1.

Speaking of Perine’s speed, it’s fine. People are right, Perine will never be a 4.4 40-yard dash kind of guy. That isn’t his breed of game. Perine is a bruising back, but don’t let him fool you he has some juice to go along with his tough running style.

Perine knows how to find the endzone. In some of 2019’s most crucial moments, Perine was able to put the team on his back and lead the Gators to victory. In a top-10 matchup versus the Auburn Tigers, Perine sealed the win with his 88-yard run to the house, cementing the Gators as a threat to the SEC with a 6-0 record.

In his final game in the Orange Bowl, Perine had arguably his biggest game, finishing with 181 yards from scrimmage and a career-high three touchdowns. Perine went out with a bang, showing why the fans in Gainesville loved him so much.

To go along with his speed, Perine’s quickness is more than enough to make it in the NFL as a starter. He isn’t super twitchy, but he has some sneaky moves hat can throw defenders off.

In many ways, in terms of style, his game is very comparable to that of Fournette. Fournette boasts better size and athleticism, however, the bruising type attack with a new focus on the passing game has allowed both to broaden their talents beyond what many originally thought of them. Fournette, in fact, was the Jaguars leading receiver in 2019, bringing in 76 balls.

If Jacksonville were to eventually replace Fournette with Perine, I’d expect the Jaguars to use him in very similar ways. At the 2020 Senior Bowl, Oregon quarterback Justin Herbert was able to find Perine for the score, as Perine showed off more of his moves weaving and bulldozing his way for six.

Perine would be the perfect replacement for Fournette if the team decided to go that route this offseason. The team has shown that they favor a strong running game and Perine offers the power and the finesse in the passing game that the team covets. Perine likely will never be a “special” player, but he would be a solid one if Dave Caldwell decided to make the former Gator a Jaguar in 2020.

2020 NFL mock draft: 3 QBs, 3 OTs go in top 10

2020 NFL mock draft of Round 1 of the 2020 NFL Draft in Las Vegas, where Joe Burrow is expected to go No. 1.

The 2020 NFL draft is still more than a month away and NFL mock drafts fill the internet. So let’s add another one to the list of projections, possibilities and scenarios … with some expert analysis.

Here are my projections for the first round of the NFL Draft.

1. Cincinnati Bengals: LSU QB Joe Burrow

This pick is a lock. Cincinnati needs a franchise quarterback and Burrow was the best one in college this past season. Though so much of Burrow’s production came in one season, some analysts rank him above other quarterbacks to go No. 1 in recent history.

2. Washington Redskins: Ohio State EDGE Chase Young

The Redskins could surprise people and draft a quarterback despite having taken Dwayne Haskins in the first round last year. Such a decision proved to be the right one for the Arizona Cardinals a year ago. This time, however, the Redskins probably take Young, a dynamic pass rusher. The Cardinals were able to trade away Josh Rosen and hand the team to Kyler Murray last season. The Redskins aren’t comfortable they can do that with Tua Tagovailoa because injury concerns have his availability in 2020 in question.

3. Detroit Lions: Ohio State CB Jeff Okudah

The Lions are looking to trade Darius Slay, their No. 1 cornerback. They have to replace him and Okudah fits the bill.

Get in on some 2020 NFL futures action by betting at BetMGM. New customer offer: RISK-FREE First Bet (up to $500!) paid in free bets.

4. New York Giants: Alabama OT Jedrick Wills

The Giants have their quarterback, running back and a promising young receiver. They don’t have good protection for that quarterback, Daniel Jones. They could go with Clemson do-it-all linebacker Isaiah Simmons here, but the defense needs more than just Simmons to make significant improvement. New York needs to protect Jones and the tackle talent at the top of the draft is fantastic. It thins out quickly so if they want a tackle to contribute, it has to be right here.

5. Miami Dolphins: Alabama QB Tua Tagovailoa

Miami has been waiting to make this pick for about a year. Now it will actually happen. And the Dolphins are prepared to sit Tagovailoa as they still have Ryan Fitzpatrick to start in 2020.

Pages: Page 1, Page 2, Page 3, Page 4, Page 5, Page 6

Rams add Alabama pass rusher, Ohio State lineman in 3-round mock

The Rams address their pass rush and O-line in Chad Reuter’s latest mock draft.

The Los Angeles Rams have done most of their work between the second and fourth rounds of recent drafts, finding players such as Taylor Rapp, John Johnson, Cooper Kupp and Gerald Everett on Day 2 and early on Day 3.

They’ll have to nail those picks again this year, being without a first- and fifth-round pick in the 2020 draft. Inside and outside linebacker, as well as the offensive and defensive lines are among the Rams’ biggest roster needs, and they’re expected to take a few players at those spots next month.

In Chad Reuter’s latest three-round mock draft for NFL.com, he addresses two of those needs with prospects from powerhouse programs. In Round 2, Alabama edge rusher Terrell Lewis is the pick.

He’s a potential first-round prospect who would immediately upgrade the Rams’ pass rush. He has excellent size (6-5, 262 pounds) for the position, but there are major injury concerns that come with drafting him. He played just four games in 2017 and missed the entire 2018 campaign before recording six sacks in 2019.

In the third round, Reuter has the Rams taking an offensive lineman who can help on the interior. He mocked Jonah Jackson out of Ohio State to the Rams at No. 84 overall – a good value for him.

He can play guard or center in the NFL, but he needs work before he becomes a quality starter. That’s the case with most third-round picks, though. At the very least, he would bring more competition to the offensive line, which is hardly settled right now.

[vertical-gallery id=629638]

Jalen Hurts on the NFL Draft and his bond with Tua Tagovailoa: ‘I’m pulling for him, as always’

The former Alabama and Oklahoma quarterback also made an argument for himself in the NFL Draft.

Former Alabama and Oklahoma quarterback Jalen Hurts isn’t expected to be selected in the first round of the 2020 NFL Draft. Although he’s undoubtably an exceptional athlete, there are still questions the 2019 Heisman Trophy finalist’s decision-making abilities, and he’s probably more likely a second- or third-round pick.

With a strong performance recently at the NFL combine, Hurts ran a 4.59-second 40-yard dash, ranking him second among quarterbacks who participated and in the top-20 when his time is compared with running backs. And at Oklahoma for his last college season, he accounted for a total of 5,149 yards and 52 total touchdowns with a 69.7 completion percentage.

Still, he’s projected to be a solid backup quarterback in the NFL with the potential to be a starter. But that’s obviously not stopping him from making an argument for himself ahead of the NFL Draft in late April.

“There’s a thrill in not being satisfied that keeps you going, and I just want to continue to take steps every day,” Hurts told ESPN’s Jeremy Schaap. “I want to be the best version of myself. There’s no ceiling on my game. There isn’t a cap. …

“I’m a dog, I’m a relentless competitor, I’m a leader, holding myself accountable to do my job for the sake of the guys and the team. No other guy in this class has the ability that I have in terms of getting freaky or making all the throws.”

In an interview with the Outside The Lines reporter, Hurts also opened up briefly about his relationship with his former teammate, Alabama quarterback Tua Tagovailoa, who’s projected to be a top-5 NFL Draft pick and could go as high as No. 2.

As a true freshman, Tagovailoa replaced Hurts in the 2017-18 national championship game and led the Crimson Tide to the title. But the two have always been supportive of each other, and, as Hurts explained, that didn’t change when he transferred to Oklahoma.

About his relationship with Tagovailoa — who had two ankle surgeries and a hip surgery in the last two seasons with the Crimson Tide — Hurts told ESPN:

“That’s a relationship that will never go away, die down. Talked to him and kept in touch with him all year. I’m pulling for him, as always.”

Hurts also touched on what Saban means to him and explained why the two are “more similar than people realize.” He said:

“I’ve got a lot of appreciation for him, a lot of respect for him. … I think he’s a relentless competitor, takes a straight-on approach at what he does, and those similarities are the exact reason why I chose to go to that university.”

[jwplayer KcV8sRdg-q2aasYxh]

[vertical-gallery id=899111]

[lawrence-auto-related count=3 tag=421393250]

Nate Burleson says the Lions should ‘draft the best player available’ at pick No. 3

Recently on NFL Network’s Good Morning Football, former Detroit Lions wide receiver Nate Burleson weighed in on the Lions options in the 2020 NFL Draft. Burleson’s answer was simple and straightforward: ”Draft the best player available, don’t overthink it”.

Thursday morning on NFL Network’s Good Morning Football, former Detroit Lions wide receiver Nate Burleson weighed in on the Lions’ options at the top of the 2020 NFL Draft.

Burleson’s co-host, Kyle Brandt, posed him the question, assuming that both Joe Burrow (LSU) and Chase Young (Ohio State) are the first two players selected, “If you were the Lions, would you rather draft the best player available or trade down”?

Burleson’s answer was simple and straightforward: ”Draft the best player available, don’t overthink it”.

“If you try to trade down, then you have to negotiate to get exactly what you want,” Burelson continued. “There are some absolute dogs in this draft. Derrick Brown will still be there, so you can grab him (there). Isaiah Simmons, I feel is a guy who is going to make an immediate impact.

[lawrence-related id=39470,39349,39280]

“If you want to get after the quarterbacks in the NFC North, you can’t be 29th in sacks and still try to make some waves within that division. So to me, go ahead and get the best player available.”

When draft day comes, the Lions could follow Burelson’s advice, play it safe and draft the best player, or they could trade down, in an effort to solve multiple problems.

Broncos met with DL Ross Blacklock at NFL combine

The Broncos met with defensive lineman Ross Blacklock at the NFL combine.

The Denver Broncos interviewed TCU defensive lineman Ross Blacklock at the NFL combine last week, according to The Athletic’s Nicki Jhabvala.

Blacklock (6-3, 290 pounds) ran a 40-yard dash in 4.9 seconds and ran a 20-yard shuttle in 4.67 seconds at the combine. He also posted a vertical jump of 29 inches and a broad jump of 107 inches.

NFL.com’s Lance Zierlein has compared Blacklock to B.J. Hill, who was selected by the New York Giants in the third round of the 2018 draft.

“Blacklock needs development as a one-gapping three-technique with rare movement talent and intriguing rush potential,” Zierlien wrote.

Blacklock is the 11th-best interior defensive lineman in this year’s class, according to Luke Easterling’s 2020 NFL draft big board for Draft Wire.

Blacklock is projected to be picked sometime between the first and third round of the draft, according to Charlie Campbell of WalterFootball.com. Denver will have five selections in the first three rounds of April’s draft.

[vertical-gallery id=634168]

Who are analysts selecting for Chiefs at pick No. 32

A roundup of all the latest first-round mock drafts for the Kansas City Chiefs.

Mock draft season is in full swing.

Analysts have sent plenty of different offensive players and defensive players to the Kansas City Chiefs in their mock draft projections. All the while, Brett Veach and his staff are still getting to know the prospects in the upcoming draft class.

They recently met with prospects at the NFL combine, and now they’re out visiting prospects at their college campuses for pro days. Have the decision-makers decided on what they will do with the last pick in the first round of the 2020 NFL draft?

Things can still change and needs can shift ahead of the draft. Free agency is on the horizon, with the legal tampering period opening in 10 days. Here’s a look at who analysts have sent to the Chiefs at pick No. 32 most recently:

Player & Position  School From
A.J. Epenesa DL Iowa Luke Easterling – Draft Wire
Jaylon Johnson CB Utah Charles Goldman – Chiefs Wire
Jeff Gladney CB TCU Mark Schofield – Touchdown Wire
Kristian Fulton CB LSU Nate Davis – USA Today
Kristian Fulton CB LSU Josh Norris – Rotoworld
Jeff Gladney CB TCU Matt Miller – Bleacher Report
Kristian Fulton CB LSU Dan Kadar – SB Nation
 Noah Igbinoghene CB Auburn Chris Trapasso – CBS Sports
AJ Terrell CB Clemson Eric Edholm – Yahoo Sports
Ross Blacklock DT TCU Daniel Jeremiah – NFL.com
Kenneth Murray LB Oklahoma Pete Prisco – CBS Sports
Jonathan Taylor RB Wisconsin Sam Farmer – LA Times
D’Andre Swift RB Georgia John Clayton – Washington Post
J.K. Dobbins RB Ohio State Consensus – nflmockdraftdatabase.com

A new consensus player, but not a consensus on position?

Last time around, cornerback Jeff Gladney out of TCU was the consensus choice for the Chiefs. Now we have a new consensus player in Ohio State running back J.K. Dobbins. Frankly, I’m surprised about Dobbins given I was unable to find a mock draft published in the past week that sent him to the Chiefs.

On that same note, I’m confident that CB is the consensus position that analysts are sending to the Chiefs. Bashaud Breeland, Morris Claiborne and Kendall Fuller are leaving in free agency. The need is there and people are taking notice in their mock drafts. Not to mention, Brett Veach has attempted to add a cornerback via the draft in 2019. He also explored the trade market ahead of the 2020 deadline.

Don’t rule out adding a defensive lineman

Even though the Chiefs are expected to place the franchise tag on DT Chris Jones, we don’t exactly know how that will play out for Kansas City. He could refuse to play on the tag and force the Chiefs into a trade. That’d open up the possibility that the Chiefs could look to add to the defensive line early. They could look to add an interior penetrator like Ross Blacklock or they could look for a player to pair with Frank Clark on the edge, such as A.J. Epenesa.