Tag: Second Round

Mock draft has Seahawks selecting UW’s Elijah Molden in 2nd round

Luke Easterling of Draft Wire’s mock draft has the Seattle Seahawks selecting Washington cornerback Elijah Molden in the second round.

The 2021 NFL draft is almost here but Seattle Seahawks fans might need to have a little patience this year. With only three total picks (so far) and none in the first round, the 12s might be waiting until Friday to see Seattle make its first selection.

The Seahawks have a few needs this year with cornerback arguably being one of them. Luke Easterling of Draft Wire has Seattle picking a familiar face in the second round at No. 56 overall: CB Elijah Molden out of Washington.

Easterling has Molden ranked as his seventh cornerback in this year’s draft class and has this to say about him as a serious prospect.

Every year, tons of draft prospects get the dreaded “undersized” label, as if their inability to hit certain thresholds on a measuring tape should overshadow a career of impressive play at the highest levels of college football.

That label is sure to be applied to plenty of talented prospects in the 2021 NFL draft class, and Washington cornerback Elijah Molden is likely to be among them.

But if you can look past the height and weight (Molden is listed at 5-10, 190 pounds), and instead focus on how Molden actually performed on the field during four seasons with the Huskies, his track record will show he plays bigger than he’s listed.

The first round of the NFL draft kicks off Thursday night live from Cleveland.

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Two Longhorns in DraftWire’s latest mock draft

In DraftWire’s latest mock draft, the five-year first-round drought is finally going to end for UT. Plus, another defensive back selected.

Texas has not produced a first-round pick since 2015, when Malcolm Brown went No. 32 overall to the New England Patriots. Since then, Connor Williams is the program’s highest draft selection where he was taken by the Dallas Cowboys in the second round.

In DraftWire’s latest mock draft, the five-year first-round drought is finally going to end for the Longhorns.

Samuel Cosmi is the best NFL prospect Texas has produced in years and it may pay off for the left tackle. DraftWire projects Cosmi to sneak into the top 20, with the Pittsburgh Steelers selecting him at No. 20 overall.

Three other offensive tackles were taken ahead of Cosmi, with all but one inside the top 15. Penei Sewell (No. 4), Walker Little (No. 15), and Alex Leatherwood (No. 18) are currently ahead of the Longhorn of Luke Easterling’s draft board.

Texas’ staff has done an excellent job developing the tackle, as the 247Sports composite only had him as a three-star prospect. In the 2017 recruiting class, he was No. 104 in the country for tackles.

According to PFF, in 1,162 career pass-blocking snaps, Cosmi has only allowed four career sacks. He and Derek Kerrsetter developed as the best tackle duo in the Big 12 last season.

Cosmi was not the only Texas player taken in the three-round mock draft. Safety Caden Sterns was taken No. 55 overall in the second round to the Philadelphia Eagles.

When Sterns is selected, it will be the fourth year in a row where the Longhorns have had a defensive back taken in the draft. DeShon Elliot, Kris Boyd, and Brandon Jones have represented Texas’ secondary in the NFL recently.

Going into his junior season, Sterns has the potential to see his draft stock rise with a solid 2020. After his fantastic freshman season, it seemed as Sterns would live up to his five-star potential and become a first-round draft pick.

If he can stay fully healthy, the safety should be flying around the field and once again be making plays like this.

Texas has had trouble turning their successful recruiting classes and developing them into NFL talent.

Tom Herman’s best-ever recruiting class came in 2018, totaling 19 blue-chip recruits, including two five-stars. It was the No. 3 overall class and ranked about schools like Alabama, Clemson, and Oklahoma.

Now, these former recruits are draft eligible for the first time and will be looking to turn professional. This will be a key year for Herman, showing he can take a top-five recruiting class and turn multiple players into Day One or early Day Two draft selections.

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Lions select Julian Okwara with the 67th pick in the third round

With the third pick in the third round, 67th overall, of the 2020 NFL Draft, the Lions select EDGE rusher Julian Okwara out of Notre Dame.

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With the third pick in the third round, 67th overall, of the 2020 NFL Draft, the Lions select EDGE rusher Julian Okwara out of Notre Dame.

Julain, the younger brother of Lions EDGE rusher Romeo Okwara, is the same height but a tick lighter (6-4, 252) than his older brother. With 10 fewer pounds to carry around, Julian is able to split his time between the down defensive end and JACK linebacker roles.

Okwara’s best asset is his speed off the edge — something the Lions are lacking — but he needs to shore up his run defense if he wants to stay on the field in the Lions scheme.

Pro Football Focus absolutely loves Okwara, ranking him as the 28th best player in this draft class and giving him a player comparison to current Lions prized free agent Jamie Collins.

The Lions have the following picks over the next two days:

Round 3 pick 21 85 overall
Round 4 pick 3 109 overall
Round 5 pick 3 149 overall
Round 5 pick 20 166 overall
Round 6 pick 3 182 overall
Round 7 pick 21 235 overall

 

Chiefs select Mississippi State LB Willie Gay Jr. at pick No. 63

The pick is in for the Kansas City Chiefs!

With the 63rd pick in the 2020 NFL Draft, the Kansas City Chiefs select Mississippi State LB Willie Gay Jr.

In 2019, Gay Jr. played in five games for Mississippi State, recording 28 total tackles 3.5 tackles for loss, one interception, one pass defended, one forced fumble and one touchdown.

Here’s a look at what NFL.com analyst Lance Zierlein had to say about Gay:

“Gay has experience lining up in a variety of linebacker roles, but might not have the feel to play in the middle on the next level. He’s hard to miss on the field with his flailing arms and energetic playing style. He’s a healthy hitter once he squares and attacks ball-carriers. He lacks instincts and angles to mirror ball-carriers from the gaps to the flanks, but he does a nice job of sticking and finishing when he’s in position. His play speed and athleticism appear to be average and he has some zone cover talent. Carving out a defined role will be important if he is to make an NFL roster.“

Get to know Seahawks 2nd-round pick defensive end Darrell Taylor

A closer look, including college highlights, of Tennessee Vols’ defensive end Darrell Taylor who the Seattle Seahawks selected at No. 48.

In a rare move, the Seattle Seahawks traded up Friday night to select Tennessee Vols’ defensive end, Darrell Taylor. Seattle sent the No. 59 and No. 101 picks to the New York Jets in exchange for No. 48 overall.

Taylor, 23, grew up in Virginia and received offers from Florida and Virginia Tech before ultimately deciding on the University of Tennessee, where he was listed as a linebacker.

In 13 games played for the Vols in 2019, Taylor lead the team with 46 total tackles – 28 of those solo – 8.5 sacks, four passes defended and a fumble recovery. He tied for second in sacks in the SEC.

Throughout his college career, Taylor managed 118 tackles, 19.5 sacks, six forced fumbles, four fumble recoveries and seven passes defended over 38 games.

Here’s a look at the highlight reel from his senior season.

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2020 NFL Draft: Cowboys select CB Trevon Diggs at No. 51 in 2nd round

With the 51st overall pick, the Cowboys select CB Trevon Diggs from Alabama.

With their second selection in the 2020 NFL Draft, the Cowboys drafted Trevon Diggs out of Alabama.

The younger brother of Buffalo Bills WR Stefon Diggs, Trevon snagged three interceptions and recorded 37 total tackles last year for the Crimson Tide. The team was linked extensively to him during the pre-draft process.

After drafting for clearly the best player available in Round 1, taking Diggs at No. 51 definitely fills a need. Dallas has a major void to fill in the secondary with the loss of Byron Jones, and are currently uncommitted to Chidobe Awuzie, Jourdan Lewis and Xavier Woods beyond this season.

At 6-2 and 207 pounds, Diggs certainly has the traits and pedigree to provide a boost in both the near and longterm for the Dallas defense.

Instant analysis of the Lions selecting RB D’Andre Swift

The Detroit Lions decided to shore up their running back corps by selecting D’Andre swift. Instant analysis of the pick and more.

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With their second-round round selection, the Lions decided to switch it up and put the focus on the offensive side of the ball, shoring up their running back corps by picking Georgia running back D’Andre Swift.

For the second time in three years, the Lions have selected a running back in the second round (Kerryon Johnson in 2018). Even though it may not look like it on the surface, running back was an underrated need for the Lions going into the draft. With the consistent injury problems that have plagued Kerryon Johnson and Bo Scarborough and minimal depth after those players.

Swift was considered by most as the top running back in the 2020 NFL draft because of his athleticism and versatility. He ran in a pro-style offense and averaged an insane 6.56 yards per carry during his time at Georgia (breaking Todd Gurley’s school record). During the last two seasons, he has recorded over 3,000 total yards and 21 touchdowns.

Swift is a three-down player who runs with patience in the backfield and elusiveness as a receiver. He has the explosion, short-area quickness and vision, that allows him to break the first tackle and punish you with the speed and power and netting positive yards consistently. Even though some of the passing ability is a little consistent, he has excellent pass protection skills that will allow the Lions to keep him on the field.

This might have been earlier than most would’ve thought for the Lions to select a running back. He fits with what the Lions look for in a player, versatility, high character, and he was a team captain and Co-team MVP. Not only did they land the best cornerback in the draft, but you can argue they also landed the best running back in the draft as well

Lions select RB D’Andre Swift with the 35th pick in the second round

With the third pick in the second round, 35th overall, of the 2020 NFL Draft, the Lions select running back D’Andre Swift.

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With the third pick in the second round, 35th overall, of the 2020 NFL Draft, the Lions select running back D’Andre Swift.

Swift (5-8, 212) is a three-down back who is a nightmare in the open field. He patiently waited his turn in the talented Georgia backfield and has been a heavy contributor the last two seasons — rushing for over 1,000 yards in each.

Swift is a highly intelligent and athletic runner, who is patient in the hole and cuts with ferocity. Like Kerryon Johnson, Swift reacts quickly to what is in front of him, can run between the tackles and on the outside.

Averaging a ridiculous 6.6 yards per rush on 440 carries, Swift has the potential to take it to the house on any given carry — something the Lions current backfield lacks.

Swift will likely enter the Lions backfield as co-starters with Kerryon Johnson and the duo will be backed up but a thunder and lightning combination of Bo Scarbrough and Ty Johnson.

Technically the Lions are done for the night — though they could trade back into the first round — but they still have the following picks over the next two days:

Round 3 pick 3 67 overall
Round 3 pick 21 85 overall
Round 4 pick 3 109 overall
Round 5 pick 3 149 overall
Round 5 pick 20 166 overall
Round 6 pick 3 182 overall
Round 7 pick 21 235 overall

 

How to watch the Saints pick on Day Two of the 2020 NFL Draft

The New Orleans Saints only have one pick on the second day of the 2020 NFL Draft, but that could change. Here’s how to watch the broadcast.

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The New Orleans Saints surprised everyone in the 2020 NFL Draft by selecting Michigan center Cesar Ruiz in the first round, and now we’re closing in on the second day of selections.

Rounds two and three will kick off at 6 p.m. CT on Friday night, with the draft broadcast from ESPN, NFL Network, and ABC, just like the first round.

The Saints have just one selection — for now. Chatter has grown in volume from the media that the team is working quickly to find a trade partner so that they can either move up or add more picks. But until a deal is finalized, the Saints must wait to make their next pick until the tail end of the third round at No. 88 overall.

Two other teams have no picks at all on Friday night: the San Francisco 49ers and Los Angeles Chargers. A handful of teams will make their first picks tonight, including the Chicago Bears, Buffalo Bills, Pittsburgh Steelers, and Houston Texans.

Conversely, the New England Patriots have more second-day picks than anyone, with five selections in rounds two and three. The Indianapolis Colts, Miami Dolphins, Baltimore Ravens, and Seattle Seahawks each own multiple picks. Watch out for the Saints to try to cut a deal with one of them.

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Should the Bengals trade down in Round 2?

Should the Cincinnati Bengals move down in Round 2 of the 2020 NFL draft?

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The Cincinnati Bengals could always trade out of the No. 33 pick to start the second round of the NFL draft on Friday night.

That would certainly be within their normal behavior as of late. And one could make the argument that with so many quality players falling out of the first round, the Bengals could comfortably move back and still get a guy they like.

But…this approach hurt them last year. Cincinnati moved back 10 spots in the second round, presumably because of guys they liked remaining on the board and were almost universally panned for taking tight end Drew Sample.

For what it’s worth, there are a ton of quality options for the Bengals to consider at No. 33 on Friday night. They are reportedly looking hard at two specific players.

It’s all going to come down to the board. If the Bengals have first-round grades on say, two players, they probably won’t move. But if they feel they can jump five to 10 spots and still get a starter while picking up more picks, they’ll explore it.

Our verdict? It’s not worth taking the chance on missing out on a potential starter for the sake of adding a few more picks later. Guarantee an upgrade to start the round, then think about moving around later in the night.

Drop a vote in the poll on this topic:

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