bronko
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That's a darn good draft.
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2020 Draft Prospects Thread
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CBBI
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THOR'S TACKLE RANKINGS
1. Tristan Wirfs (Iowa) | 6'5/320
SPARQ percentile: 99.1
RAS: 9.74
Comp: Bryan Bulaga (Lance Zierlein)
Wirfs is a country-strong athletic freak with potential four-position versatility. The former Iowa state champion high school wrestler ranked No. 1 on Bruce Feldman’s Freaks list last summer and then had one of the most dominant NFL Scouting Combine showings we’ve ever seen from an offensive lineman, breaking the position record for the vertical jump (36.5”, better than CeeDee Lamb and Jerry Jeudy’s showings) and tying it for the broad jump (10’1).
Iowa shifted Wirfs to LT without issue in-season last year to cover for Alaric Jackson’s injury before shifting Wirfs back to RT when Jackson returned. Iowa HC Kirk Ferentz said Wirfs only spent most of his career at RT because Jackson happened to get installed at LT first. “He can do both,” Ferentz said of Wirfs. “I think you could play him probably anywhere but center, and he probably could do that if you gave him some time. You play a guy like that inside, he’s basically going to kill guys. He’s a dominant player that way. Me personally, I would play him at tackle if I was still in the NFL.”
In 2017, Wirfs became the first Hawkeye freshman to start at tackle for Kirk Ferentz. Brandon Scherff, Riley Reiff, Bryan Bulaga and Robert Gallery didn’t. Speaking of Scherff, Wirfs shattered his old school record in the power clean with four reps at 450 pounds. We talk about fluidity in terms of movement – that’s fluidity in the power department. And here’s the crazy thing: Scherff set his school record as a grizzled fifth-year senior. Wirfs broke it in the months following his 20th birthday party.
Once Wirfs gets his hands on a defensive end, he’ll drive him into the upper deck if the refs forget to blow the whistle. In pass pro, Wirfs confidently leans on his athletic tools, setting a nice base, shuffling his quick feet with mirror steps, using sledgehammer arms to punch holes in chests and stall the engines of edge rushers, and dropping a cruise ship anchor. Because Wirfs is a little shorter for a tackle. Skyscraper edges can give him trouble. When a long end can keep Wirfs on the outside, it has the effect of playing down both his natural movement and strength skills.
He’s quick and nasty, accelerating into his man in the run game with speed and force. When he gets those meat cleavers into your chest and pumps you full of electricity, you go backwards, sometimes, you end up on your back. One area to work on is second-level blocking. Despite his experience and athleticism, Wirfs sometimes looks awkward in space, taking bad angles and arriving upright. This is a correctable quirk, and he’s gotten better at playing lower in general.
Heading into last year, Wirfs was an amalgamation of all-world tools that he hadn’t completely put together yet. His 2019 campaign gave a great indication of where he could be headed as an NFL player. Wirfs’ PFF grade improved from 74.8 to 91.3 (No. 4 nationally among tackles). He’s shoring up his weaknesses quickly, and heads into the NFL confirmed to be one of the great tackle athletes the league has ever seen.
www.rotoworld.com
1. Tristan Wirfs (Iowa) | 6'5/320
SPARQ percentile: 99.1
RAS: 9.74
Comp: Bryan Bulaga (Lance Zierlein)
Wirfs is a country-strong athletic freak with potential four-position versatility. The former Iowa state champion high school wrestler ranked No. 1 on Bruce Feldman’s Freaks list last summer and then had one of the most dominant NFL Scouting Combine showings we’ve ever seen from an offensive lineman, breaking the position record for the vertical jump (36.5”, better than CeeDee Lamb and Jerry Jeudy’s showings) and tying it for the broad jump (10’1).
Iowa shifted Wirfs to LT without issue in-season last year to cover for Alaric Jackson’s injury before shifting Wirfs back to RT when Jackson returned. Iowa HC Kirk Ferentz said Wirfs only spent most of his career at RT because Jackson happened to get installed at LT first. “He can do both,” Ferentz said of Wirfs. “I think you could play him probably anywhere but center, and he probably could do that if you gave him some time. You play a guy like that inside, he’s basically going to kill guys. He’s a dominant player that way. Me personally, I would play him at tackle if I was still in the NFL.”
In 2017, Wirfs became the first Hawkeye freshman to start at tackle for Kirk Ferentz. Brandon Scherff, Riley Reiff, Bryan Bulaga and Robert Gallery didn’t. Speaking of Scherff, Wirfs shattered his old school record in the power clean with four reps at 450 pounds. We talk about fluidity in terms of movement – that’s fluidity in the power department. And here’s the crazy thing: Scherff set his school record as a grizzled fifth-year senior. Wirfs broke it in the months following his 20th birthday party.
Once Wirfs gets his hands on a defensive end, he’ll drive him into the upper deck if the refs forget to blow the whistle. In pass pro, Wirfs confidently leans on his athletic tools, setting a nice base, shuffling his quick feet with mirror steps, using sledgehammer arms to punch holes in chests and stall the engines of edge rushers, and dropping a cruise ship anchor. Because Wirfs is a little shorter for a tackle. Skyscraper edges can give him trouble. When a long end can keep Wirfs on the outside, it has the effect of playing down both his natural movement and strength skills.
He’s quick and nasty, accelerating into his man in the run game with speed and force. When he gets those meat cleavers into your chest and pumps you full of electricity, you go backwards, sometimes, you end up on your back. One area to work on is second-level blocking. Despite his experience and athleticism, Wirfs sometimes looks awkward in space, taking bad angles and arriving upright. This is a correctable quirk, and he’s gotten better at playing lower in general.
Heading into last year, Wirfs was an amalgamation of all-world tools that he hadn’t completely put together yet. His 2019 campaign gave a great indication of where he could be headed as an NFL player. Wirfs’ PFF grade improved from 74.8 to 91.3 (No. 4 nationally among tackles). He’s shoring up his weaknesses quickly, and heads into the NFL confirmed to be one of the great tackle athletes the league has ever seen.
Thor's Tackle Rankings | Evaluations
Thor Nystrom breaks down the top tackle prospects in advance of the 2020 NFL Draft.
www.rotoworld.com
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THOR'S TACKLE RANKINGS
2. Andrew Thomas (Georgia) | 6'5/315
SPARQ percentile: 53.8
RAS: 8.22
Comp: Russell Okung (Lindy’s)
For a player who dominated in the SEC since his true freshman season, Andrew Thomas has curiously seen his stock stagnate a bit as newer, fresher names have arrived on the scene. But let’s not forget that this kid posted a dominant 92.4 PFF grade and allowed only six pressures last fall. He outplayed Mekhi Becton his entire career against superior competition, starting 41 of 43 career games and earning All-American accommodation in two of three seasons. Thomas is the best-graded tackle in this class and also outperformed last year’s top SEC tackle, Jonah Williams, as a sophomore (80.6 for Thomas to Williams’ 76.9) and junior (Williams: 89.2).
Thomas’ is a well-built banger with easy athleticism and prodigious brute strength, with a ferocious punch that has sent future NFL edge rushers flying. His joints shouldn’t be as pliable as they are. Thomas is a 320-pound spring, with the supreme flexibility to coil back into sunken hips and the supreme burst to strike with ferocious power. He explodes off the snap looking to rock his man. In pass pro, Thomas sets a nice wide base and leans on his power to keep his man outside and his flexibility and quick feet to keep them in front of him. He doesn’t take plays off, and the former four-star prospect has drawn raves for his character.
Thomas is not yet a finished product. To become an NFL All-Pro, he will need to clean up his footwork and hand usage. Thomas wants to blast people, and that’s great, but he could improve his blocking strike zone by being even slightly more measured in his approach. Further, Thomas needs to realize he’s not to be the bully in pass-pro, that that doesn’t suit his purposes.
He’s way more comfortable coming forward than shuffling in a half-moon, but that has nothing to do with an athletic limitation. And while it’s great that he throws those hands around with power and ill-intent, we need him to realize they’re meant for controlling as much as dictating. He’ll stop letting fish off the line when he quits reeling like a maniac the second he feels a bite.
These are not insignificant concerns, but they’re all correctable. Especially for a high-character kid. And again: Thomas was the best offensive lineman in this class over the past three years in college, which means something to me. His advancement up the developmental ladder is entirely predicated on technical gains. I see no reason why he can’t get there and become a multi-time All-Pro.
www.rotoworld.com
2. Andrew Thomas (Georgia) | 6'5/315
SPARQ percentile: 53.8
RAS: 8.22
Comp: Russell Okung (Lindy’s)
For a player who dominated in the SEC since his true freshman season, Andrew Thomas has curiously seen his stock stagnate a bit as newer, fresher names have arrived on the scene. But let’s not forget that this kid posted a dominant 92.4 PFF grade and allowed only six pressures last fall. He outplayed Mekhi Becton his entire career against superior competition, starting 41 of 43 career games and earning All-American accommodation in two of three seasons. Thomas is the best-graded tackle in this class and also outperformed last year’s top SEC tackle, Jonah Williams, as a sophomore (80.6 for Thomas to Williams’ 76.9) and junior (Williams: 89.2).
Thomas’ is a well-built banger with easy athleticism and prodigious brute strength, with a ferocious punch that has sent future NFL edge rushers flying. His joints shouldn’t be as pliable as they are. Thomas is a 320-pound spring, with the supreme flexibility to coil back into sunken hips and the supreme burst to strike with ferocious power. He explodes off the snap looking to rock his man. In pass pro, Thomas sets a nice wide base and leans on his power to keep his man outside and his flexibility and quick feet to keep them in front of him. He doesn’t take plays off, and the former four-star prospect has drawn raves for his character.
Thomas is not yet a finished product. To become an NFL All-Pro, he will need to clean up his footwork and hand usage. Thomas wants to blast people, and that’s great, but he could improve his blocking strike zone by being even slightly more measured in his approach. Further, Thomas needs to realize he’s not to be the bully in pass-pro, that that doesn’t suit his purposes.
He’s way more comfortable coming forward than shuffling in a half-moon, but that has nothing to do with an athletic limitation. And while it’s great that he throws those hands around with power and ill-intent, we need him to realize they’re meant for controlling as much as dictating. He’ll stop letting fish off the line when he quits reeling like a maniac the second he feels a bite.
These are not insignificant concerns, but they’re all correctable. Especially for a high-character kid. And again: Thomas was the best offensive lineman in this class over the past three years in college, which means something to me. His advancement up the developmental ladder is entirely predicated on technical gains. I see no reason why he can’t get there and become a multi-time All-Pro.
Thor's Tackle Rankings | Evaluations
Thor Nystrom breaks down the top tackle prospects in advance of the 2020 NFL Draft.
www.rotoworld.com
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THOR'S TACKLE RANKINGS
3. Jedrick Wills (Alabama) | 6'4/312
SPARQ percentile: 72.0
RAS: 8.35
Comp: Jason Peters
Alabama pilfered Wills, a native of Lexington, Kentucky, out of the backyard of the Kentucky Wildcats in the class of 2017. A five-star recruit and top-25 overall prospect, Wills saw regular playing time for the first time as a sophomore, starting 15 games at RT while posting a ho-hum PFF grade of 68.7. He returned to start at RT last year and was arguably the most improved lineman in the country (86.9).
Even when he wasn’t playing as well, the athleticism was obvious. So was the hostility. Wills attacks. He’s a 320-pound champagne cork off the snap, and he’s looking for blood from there. His punch may be the most ferocious in the class, and he violently uncoils through contact with those quick feet churning to escort his man backwards.
You rarely see Wills lose a run-blocking rep. His 90.1 PFF run-blocking grade last year was elite. With the power of a snowplow and the feet of a four-wheeler, Wills projects as an elite run-blocker at right tackle in the NFL, the position he played at Alabama. His pro team could decide to work him at guard to start.
If there’s an area to work on, it’s in pass-pro. Wills has a guard-like build, on the shorter side for a tackle and a bit stocky. Without length to use as a weapon, he instead sets up lightning quick off the snap and gets very wide off the edge, forcing his man to take a very wide angle if he wants to beat him with speed. (Spoiler alert: Nobody is beating Wills with power).
On engagement, he uses his prodigious punch to keep separation and dictate terms. But Wills is clearly still raw in this area. Between the wide berth and the inclination to strike, he sometimes gets out over his skis, and that’s where he can be beat, crossing him up with a counter. He’s young yet, and early on the development curve. He should be able to clean that up.
www.rotoworld.com
3. Jedrick Wills (Alabama) | 6'4/312
SPARQ percentile: 72.0
RAS: 8.35
Comp: Jason Peters
Alabama pilfered Wills, a native of Lexington, Kentucky, out of the backyard of the Kentucky Wildcats in the class of 2017. A five-star recruit and top-25 overall prospect, Wills saw regular playing time for the first time as a sophomore, starting 15 games at RT while posting a ho-hum PFF grade of 68.7. He returned to start at RT last year and was arguably the most improved lineman in the country (86.9).
Even when he wasn’t playing as well, the athleticism was obvious. So was the hostility. Wills attacks. He’s a 320-pound champagne cork off the snap, and he’s looking for blood from there. His punch may be the most ferocious in the class, and he violently uncoils through contact with those quick feet churning to escort his man backwards.
You rarely see Wills lose a run-blocking rep. His 90.1 PFF run-blocking grade last year was elite. With the power of a snowplow and the feet of a four-wheeler, Wills projects as an elite run-blocker at right tackle in the NFL, the position he played at Alabama. His pro team could decide to work him at guard to start.
If there’s an area to work on, it’s in pass-pro. Wills has a guard-like build, on the shorter side for a tackle and a bit stocky. Without length to use as a weapon, he instead sets up lightning quick off the snap and gets very wide off the edge, forcing his man to take a very wide angle if he wants to beat him with speed. (Spoiler alert: Nobody is beating Wills with power).
On engagement, he uses his prodigious punch to keep separation and dictate terms. But Wills is clearly still raw in this area. Between the wide berth and the inclination to strike, he sometimes gets out over his skis, and that’s where he can be beat, crossing him up with a counter. He’s young yet, and early on the development curve. He should be able to clean that up.
Thor's Tackle Rankings | Evaluations
Thor Nystrom breaks down the top tackle prospects in advance of the 2020 NFL Draft.
www.rotoworld.com
CBBI
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THOR'S TACKLE RANKINGS
4. Mekhi Becton (Louisville) | 6'7/364
SPARQ percentile: N/A
RAS: 9.78
Comp: Orlando Brown (Joe Marino)
Super fun prospect, a 364-pound mutant who runs a 5.1 forty. But I won’t be attending the Mekhi Becton hype parade. His collegiate portfolio just doesn’t justify a top-15 pick. Prior to last year, Becton had a couple of decent developmental seasons before improving to a solid 81.3 PFF grade, just south of 80.0 as both a run and pass blocker.
And yes, I understand that his highlight reel features clips of atrocities against smaller men. But keep in mind that Becton’s three-worst graded games last year came against Notre Dame, Wake Forest and Miami. He played passable against Clemson, nothing special. The rest of the schedule featured contests against two directional Kentucky teams, Boston College, Syracuse, Willie Taggart’s dead-on-arrival FSU team... you get the idea.
But boy is the package enticing. Becton was like Godzilla in the ACC last year, this freakishly huge, freakishly quick monster with a seven-foot wingspan who could send guys flying backwards with a thunderous punch like they’d just been hit by a bus. Light on his feet for a big fella, Becton presents a puzzle for edge rushers, because you need to cut a wicked corner after a quick jump to beat his length and feet around the outside, and you have to deal with his power if you go inside. He’s a heady player who has a good amount of experience at both right and left tackle after moving to the latter post full-time in 2019.
We must acknowledge the risk profile, though. Becton is a bit like the Denzel Mims of the offensive tackle class – his highlight reel is among the most impressive in the class, and his lowlight reel is the opposite. We always talk about him as a freak of nature in a positive way, but there’s a reason there aren’t more 360+ pound offensive linemen in the NFL. Becton is more athletic than most we’ve seen, but he has the same issue of wearing down as games go on and waist-bending. Speed and power haven’t given him the most trouble, but counter-moves have, particularly when the big fella is sucking air.
This is something to keep an eye on. Louisville shifted offensive schemes under a new staff in 2019, Becton’s breakout year. The new offense, a spread scheme featuring a bunch of screens and play-action concepts, didn’t actually afford Becton many traditional pass pro reps. He struggled with the ones he got. Per PFF, Becton allowed eight pressures in 73 true pass sets and ranked No. 45 among OTs last year in pass-blocking grade. Becton is a top-4 tackle on upside alone, but Wirfs, Thomas and Wills have all proven far more and come with higher floors and comparable ceilings.
www.rotoworld.com
4. Mekhi Becton (Louisville) | 6'7/364
SPARQ percentile: N/A
RAS: 9.78
Comp: Orlando Brown (Joe Marino)
Super fun prospect, a 364-pound mutant who runs a 5.1 forty. But I won’t be attending the Mekhi Becton hype parade. His collegiate portfolio just doesn’t justify a top-15 pick. Prior to last year, Becton had a couple of decent developmental seasons before improving to a solid 81.3 PFF grade, just south of 80.0 as both a run and pass blocker.
And yes, I understand that his highlight reel features clips of atrocities against smaller men. But keep in mind that Becton’s three-worst graded games last year came against Notre Dame, Wake Forest and Miami. He played passable against Clemson, nothing special. The rest of the schedule featured contests against two directional Kentucky teams, Boston College, Syracuse, Willie Taggart’s dead-on-arrival FSU team... you get the idea.
But boy is the package enticing. Becton was like Godzilla in the ACC last year, this freakishly huge, freakishly quick monster with a seven-foot wingspan who could send guys flying backwards with a thunderous punch like they’d just been hit by a bus. Light on his feet for a big fella, Becton presents a puzzle for edge rushers, because you need to cut a wicked corner after a quick jump to beat his length and feet around the outside, and you have to deal with his power if you go inside. He’s a heady player who has a good amount of experience at both right and left tackle after moving to the latter post full-time in 2019.
We must acknowledge the risk profile, though. Becton is a bit like the Denzel Mims of the offensive tackle class – his highlight reel is among the most impressive in the class, and his lowlight reel is the opposite. We always talk about him as a freak of nature in a positive way, but there’s a reason there aren’t more 360+ pound offensive linemen in the NFL. Becton is more athletic than most we’ve seen, but he has the same issue of wearing down as games go on and waist-bending. Speed and power haven’t given him the most trouble, but counter-moves have, particularly when the big fella is sucking air.
This is something to keep an eye on. Louisville shifted offensive schemes under a new staff in 2019, Becton’s breakout year. The new offense, a spread scheme featuring a bunch of screens and play-action concepts, didn’t actually afford Becton many traditional pass pro reps. He struggled with the ones he got. Per PFF, Becton allowed eight pressures in 73 true pass sets and ranked No. 45 among OTs last year in pass-blocking grade. Becton is a top-4 tackle on upside alone, but Wirfs, Thomas and Wills have all proven far more and come with higher floors and comparable ceilings.
Thor's Tackle Rankings | Evaluations
Thor Nystrom breaks down the top tackle prospects in advance of the 2020 NFL Draft.
www.rotoworld.com
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This Thor fella and I have the same top four, but I am still higher on all four than his comps. Becton can be better than Orlando Brown.
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Does he mean Orlando Brown Jr.? If so, he was a stud this season for the Ravens. With that said, it is a lazy comparison for one key reason: Orlando Brown Jr. is not the athlete Becton is, but entered the NFL as a much more polished lineman. I think they project to play very different blocking styles. Becton will use his strength and pure athleticism to overpower. Brown Jr. just always knows exactly where to be as if he has a sixth sense.
CBBI
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Super interesting nugget from Dane Brugler on a recent draft podcast...
"The Browns are in my neck of the woods now that I'm back in NE Ohio. A little bit of buzz on trying to figure out what the Browns are going to do. New regime, new head coach, so it's always tough. They've been active in free agency. If you asked people that follow the draft, they would tell you the least surprising trade on draft day would be the Dolphins going up for Tua.
The trade that would surprise me the least on draft day would be the Browns trading back from pick No. 10, picking up an extra pick, and drafting Boise State left tackle Ezra Cleveland.
I say this for two reasons. First, trading back and accumulating picks is exactly what a new front office is looking for, especially one that is so analytically based as Cleveland. The more premium picks you have, that equals better odds to adding quality talent. Second, I know how much they like Ezra. He tested outstanding. The tape is outstanding. Even with Jack Conklin now in the mix at right tackle, left tackle remains a huge need. Now... do they like him enough to trade away from one of those top tackles that may be there at 10 - Jedrick Wills, Tristan Wirfs, maybe Mekhi Becton? I don't know that.
The Browns might be in a tough spot and might have to make a tough decision if one of those tackles is still there, but they also have a trade offer on the table to move back... say 10 spots or so.
It's obviously a risk when you trade back and are trading away from talent because you're also hoping the guy you want is still going to be there when you trade back. There's a lot of intrigue there. Cleveland trading back for Ezra Cleveland, to me, would be the least surprising move on Day 1 of the draft."
"The Browns are in my neck of the woods now that I'm back in NE Ohio. A little bit of buzz on trying to figure out what the Browns are going to do. New regime, new head coach, so it's always tough. They've been active in free agency. If you asked people that follow the draft, they would tell you the least surprising trade on draft day would be the Dolphins going up for Tua.
The trade that would surprise me the least on draft day would be the Browns trading back from pick No. 10, picking up an extra pick, and drafting Boise State left tackle Ezra Cleveland.
I say this for two reasons. First, trading back and accumulating picks is exactly what a new front office is looking for, especially one that is so analytically based as Cleveland. The more premium picks you have, that equals better odds to adding quality talent. Second, I know how much they like Ezra. He tested outstanding. The tape is outstanding. Even with Jack Conklin now in the mix at right tackle, left tackle remains a huge need. Now... do they like him enough to trade away from one of those top tackles that may be there at 10 - Jedrick Wills, Tristan Wirfs, maybe Mekhi Becton? I don't know that.
The Browns might be in a tough spot and might have to make a tough decision if one of those tackles is still there, but they also have a trade offer on the table to move back... say 10 spots or so.
It's obviously a risk when you trade back and are trading away from talent because you're also hoping the guy you want is still going to be there when you trade back. There's a lot of intrigue there. Cleveland trading back for Ezra Cleveland, to me, would be the least surprising move on Day 1 of the draft."
Prospects To Pros with Dane Brugler & Lance Zierlein - a show about the NFL Draft: Under-the-Radar Day 3 Players to Watch on Apple Podcasts
Show Prospects To Pros with Dane Brugler & Lance Zierlein - a show about the NFL Draft, Ep Under-the-Radar Day 3 Players to Watch - Apr 1, 2020
podcasts.apple.com
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Super interesting nugget from Dane Brugler on a recent draft podcast...
"The Browns are in my neck of the woods now that I'm back in NE Ohio. A little bit of buzz on trying to figure out what the Browns are going to do. New regime, new head coach, so it's always tough. They've been active in free agency. If you asked people that follow the draft, they would tell you the least surprising trade on draft day would be the Dolphins going up for Tua.
The trade that would surprise me the least on draft day would be the Browns trading back from pick No. 10, picking up an extra pick, and drafting Boise State left tackle Ezra Cleveland.
I say this for two reasons. First, trading back and accumulating picks is exactly what a new front office is looking for, especially one that is so analytically based as Cleveland. The more premium picks you have, that equals better odds to adding quality talent. Second, I know how much they like Ezra. He tested outstanding. The tape is outstanding. Even with Jack Conklin now in the mix at right tackle, left tackle remains a huge need. Now... do they like him enough to trade away from one of those top tackles that may be there at 10 - Jedrick Wills, Tristan Wirfs, maybe Mekhi Becton? I don't know that.
The Browns might be in a tough spot and might have to make a tough decision if one of those tackles is still there, but they also have a trade offer on the table to move back... say 10 spots or so.
It's obviously a risk when you trade back and are trading away from talent because you're also hoping the guy you want is still going to be there when you trade back. There's a lot of intrigue there. Cleveland trading back for Ezra Cleveland, to me, would be the least surprising move on Day 1 of the draft."
Prospects To Pros with Dane Brugler & Lance Zierlein - a show about the NFL Draft: Under-the-Radar Day 3 Players to Watch on Apple Podcasts
Show Prospects To Pros with Dane Brugler & Lance Zierlein - a show about the NFL Draft, Ep Under-the-Radar Day 3 Players to Watch - Apr 1, 2020podcasts.apple.com
Yes...and then some other teams takes him right before the Browns pick. Brugler recognizes that possibility, and says it's "obviously a risk" to trade back on the assumption that he's still there. I think that's a wildly unacceptable risk, and I'd be shocked if a Browns FO that has very carefully plugged all the obvious holes but one would take that kind of risk on the most glaring hole remaining.
The only way I could see the Browns doing that is if 1) they had multiple other OT's they'd be satisfied with at their trade-down point, so that they'd still be happy even if Ezra Cleveland was gone, and/or 2) they have a contingency plan of a draft day trade for Trent Williams if their targeted OT's are gone. I think 2) would be a terrible move. Passing up the chance to get a young, cost-controlled franchise LT in what might be the best OT draft in decades would be a very un-analytics strategy.
I also think that 1) is very unlikely. That would mean that the Browns see 7 or so franchise LT's in this draft, and don't really have a strong preferences. We may not know which ones the Browns in particular prefer, but I'd bet the house that they have their clear preferences.
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6. Ezra Cleveland (Boise State) | 6'6/311
SPARQ percentile: 91.7
RAS: 9.93
Comp: Brian O’Neill (Marino)
Another example of Boise State’s superb scouting and development recruiting wing, Cleveland was an overlooked three-star recruit with only two other FBS offers when he signed with the Broncos. After a redshirt year to add a little weight, Cleveland locked down the left tackle post for three seasons, never missing a start prior to declaring for the draft over the winter.
He’s the anti-Mekhi Becton. Cleveland couldn’t toss you if he wanted to. And he doesn’t. Lacking in power but blessed with high-level athleticism, Cleveland’s game is built around quickness, movement and technique. These traits made him one the country’s most consistently stellar pass-blockers over the past three years, with PFF grades of 81.0+ each campaign.
An effortless mover laterally with the agility to shut down your counter ideas, Cleveland frustrates opponents by constantly being in the correct position. His footwork is strong, and it’s clear he’s spent much time working on his hands. They lack thunderous power, but they generally hit their mark when they’re supposed to and return to his frame without a loss of balance or hiccup of movement.
Cleveland’s always going to struggle with power, and for that reason he’s almost assuredly going to be drafted by a zone team. His frame doesn’t look like it will support much more mass, so this is likely just what he is. He won’t have issues with speed in the pros, but he’s probably going to need some help against power rushers – Cleveland just doesn’t have the anchor to prevent getting put on ice skates and pushed back against power rushers.
And while his hand technique is strong, the lack of wattage in his mitts can allow rushers with good strength and balance to crash right through his barrier and into his personal space. In the run game, Cleveland will be fine for a zone team due to his ability to reach any target on any given play, but his inability to drive and finish will keep him confined to that.
Thor's Tackle Rankings | Evaluations
Thor Nystrom breaks down the top tackle prospects in advance of the 2020 NFL Draft.
www.rotoworld.com
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"10 or so"
So a recent mock I have seen where a team traded up in that "10 or so" range is the Eagles: currently sitting at 21. With the almost certainty that the Raiders are going to take a WR with their #12 pick, it makes sense if Phili wants a WR, they would trade up ahead of them to take their pickings. They could trade us #21 and their 2nd rounder (53rd) to move up. They would still have their 3rd rounder and they also have (3) 4th round picks.
Just one of the teams that may have a deal already with us in place. We just have to hope Ezra is there still at #21 otherwise we may be "forced" to take Josh Jones or Austin Jackson, who may not be able to slide right into a starter on Day 1..?
And at the end of it it would give us an extra 2nd rounder to go along with our (2) 3rd rounders. That can be a lot of good talent to add 5 guys within the first 3 rounds.
So a recent mock I have seen where a team traded up in that "10 or so" range is the Eagles: currently sitting at 21. With the almost certainty that the Raiders are going to take a WR with their #12 pick, it makes sense if Phili wants a WR, they would trade up ahead of them to take their pickings. They could trade us #21 and their 2nd rounder (53rd) to move up. They would still have their 3rd rounder and they also have (3) 4th round picks.
Just one of the teams that may have a deal already with us in place. We just have to hope Ezra is there still at #21 otherwise we may be "forced" to take Josh Jones or Austin Jackson, who may not be able to slide right into a starter on Day 1..?
And at the end of it it would give us an extra 2nd rounder to go along with our (2) 3rd rounders. That can be a lot of good talent to add 5 guys within the first 3 rounds.
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I'm not sure what the infamous "chart" says, but there's no way in hell I think the No. 53 pick overall is worth the risk of our secondary target being is gone at 20.
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I just ran another mock on The Draft Network.
10) Andrew Thomas OT Georgia. I think this is the Browns second-favorite offensive tackle, behind Wirfs. In 2019, at left tackle, he gave up 9 pressures in 410 pass-block and play-action snaps and zero hits on 407 run-blocking snaps. He is designed for the zone-blocking scheme, has very flexible hips, uses his weight (320 pounds) very well, and moves like a tight-end. His foot placement on traditional pass protection and his hand placement overall needs some work. I think he will ultimately struggle on true pass protection during his first year, but be outstanding on run-blocking and play-action.
41) Grant Delpit S LSU. Delpit is weirdly similar to Greedy Williams. He is an outstanding coverage deep safety, but is a poor tackler and had a poor 2019. I think he is a guy that teams will want to sit and learn for a season, but that also has lots of potential.
74) Troy Dye LB Oregon. Troy Dye is my sleeper. Everything I read about him from a statistical perspective and every game I watch of him just makes me wonder why he is not ranked higher. In 2019, he got pressure on 25% of his 107 pass-rush snaps, does not bite on play-actions, guarded tight-ends all season, and is just a really good coverage MLB. I highly recommend this video below. I think he will be ready to play on the first day of camp.
97) Van Jefferson WR Florida. He is the best route runner in the class. He will more than likely slip because he never produced much in college, though I think that has more to do with quarterbaack play than anthing else. He runs slant routes better than any receiver not name "Jeudy" in this draft. He is not great after the catch (only 17 broken tackles on 174 career catches) and he really dieson contact. I think he will need to sit for a year behind Landry and learn how to be a slot receiver.
115) Bradlee Anae EDGE Utah. This guy is a pure pass-rusher. He had 52 pressures on 449 pass rush snaps (11.6%) in 2019 and 47 pressures on 460 pass rush snaps (about 10%) in 2018. He is incredibily productive, has great hands, and has been an every-down player the last three years at Utah. He is a bit stiff, does not have a bull rush, limited length, and is pretty poor in run defense. I think he could be a situational pass rusher this season, but overall, I do not think he is an every-down contributor for another season or two.
187) Justin Strnad LB Wake Forest. I think he is actually one of the best coverage linebackers in this class. Per PFF, he has allowed just .65 yards per coverage snap and 67 catches on 942 coverage snaps over his four-year college career. He feels like a linebacker that falls because he is not a good pass-rusher and not a great tackler. Still, I think he could absolutely be a rotational linebacker in the NFL, especially on passing downs. He is a guy that I think will be helpful if the Browns want to run a Big Nickel/Dime with a safety playing instead of a slot corner, or if Mack Wilson does not sufficiently develop this season.
244) Jordan Fuller, S, OSU. I was surprised he fell this far in the mock. He is a much better tackler than Delpit, though he is worse than coverage, and really only succeeded as a free safety in college. I oddly think he may actually be a box safety in the NFL. He did a great job covering tight-ends for OSU. His big problem is he is not all that strong, and for a school that frequently produces good coverage players, it is odd that he still is not a fluid mover and struggles with changing direction.
In sum, they draft two guys that I expect to be positive-impact starters in 2020 (Andrew Thomas and Troy Dye), two guys I expect to be positive-impact starters in 2021 (Delpit and Jefferson), and three guys that I think will be able to be rotation players in their first two seasons, but may struggle becoming more than that, at least while they learn the game and add play strength.
10) Andrew Thomas OT Georgia. I think this is the Browns second-favorite offensive tackle, behind Wirfs. In 2019, at left tackle, he gave up 9 pressures in 410 pass-block and play-action snaps and zero hits on 407 run-blocking snaps. He is designed for the zone-blocking scheme, has very flexible hips, uses his weight (320 pounds) very well, and moves like a tight-end. His foot placement on traditional pass protection and his hand placement overall needs some work. I think he will ultimately struggle on true pass protection during his first year, but be outstanding on run-blocking and play-action.
41) Grant Delpit S LSU. Delpit is weirdly similar to Greedy Williams. He is an outstanding coverage deep safety, but is a poor tackler and had a poor 2019. I think he is a guy that teams will want to sit and learn for a season, but that also has lots of potential.
74) Troy Dye LB Oregon. Troy Dye is my sleeper. Everything I read about him from a statistical perspective and every game I watch of him just makes me wonder why he is not ranked higher. In 2019, he got pressure on 25% of his 107 pass-rush snaps, does not bite on play-actions, guarded tight-ends all season, and is just a really good coverage MLB. I highly recommend this video below. I think he will be ready to play on the first day of camp.
97) Van Jefferson WR Florida. He is the best route runner in the class. He will more than likely slip because he never produced much in college, though I think that has more to do with quarterbaack play than anthing else. He runs slant routes better than any receiver not name "Jeudy" in this draft. He is not great after the catch (only 17 broken tackles on 174 career catches) and he really dieson contact. I think he will need to sit for a year behind Landry and learn how to be a slot receiver.
115) Bradlee Anae EDGE Utah. This guy is a pure pass-rusher. He had 52 pressures on 449 pass rush snaps (11.6%) in 2019 and 47 pressures on 460 pass rush snaps (about 10%) in 2018. He is incredibily productive, has great hands, and has been an every-down player the last three years at Utah. He is a bit stiff, does not have a bull rush, limited length, and is pretty poor in run defense. I think he could be a situational pass rusher this season, but overall, I do not think he is an every-down contributor for another season or two.
187) Justin Strnad LB Wake Forest. I think he is actually one of the best coverage linebackers in this class. Per PFF, he has allowed just .65 yards per coverage snap and 67 catches on 942 coverage snaps over his four-year college career. He feels like a linebacker that falls because he is not a good pass-rusher and not a great tackler. Still, I think he could absolutely be a rotational linebacker in the NFL, especially on passing downs. He is a guy that I think will be helpful if the Browns want to run a Big Nickel/Dime with a safety playing instead of a slot corner, or if Mack Wilson does not sufficiently develop this season.
244) Jordan Fuller, S, OSU. I was surprised he fell this far in the mock. He is a much better tackler than Delpit, though he is worse than coverage, and really only succeeded as a free safety in college. I oddly think he may actually be a box safety in the NFL. He did a great job covering tight-ends for OSU. His big problem is he is not all that strong, and for a school that frequently produces good coverage players, it is odd that he still is not a fluid mover and struggles with changing direction.
In sum, they draft two guys that I expect to be positive-impact starters in 2020 (Andrew Thomas and Troy Dye), two guys I expect to be positive-impact starters in 2021 (Delpit and Jefferson), and three guys that I think will be able to be rotation players in their first two seasons, but may struggle becoming more than that, at least while they learn the game and add play strength.
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Malik Harrison, from what I've seen so far, is the most exciting linebacker fit for the Browns in terms of value and how he plays linebacker. Would be the Fred Warner of the Browns defense, just a dude who runs around and makes a ton of plays.