The Daily Briefing Tuesday, April 18, 2017

AROUND THE NFL

John Breech of CBSSports.com has 10 things we already know about the 2017 NFL schedule – and some of those you already know if you’ve been paying attention (Patriots open at home probably against Chiefs being one of them).  But a few are a bit off the radar.

5. There will be two weeks worth of Saturday games on the schedule 

In 46 of the past 47 NFL seasons, there’s been at least one Saturday regular-season game on the schedule, and that streak is going to continue in 2017 . For the upcoming season, the league will be scheduling Saturday games for different weeks. The first Saturday game will come in Week 15 (Dec. 16), which will be followed by a Saturday game in Week 16 (Dec. 23). Unfortunately, the Saturday schedule won’t be as crazy as it was last season when we got spoiled thanks to the fact the Christmas Eve fell on a Saturday, which led the NFL to schedule 12 games that day.

6. There are going be a lot of holiday games, so plan accordingly

You’re probably already well aware of the fact that there will be three games on Thanksgiving — with two of those involving the Cowboys and Lions — so let’s look at a different holiday: Christmas.

For the first time in 11 years, Christmas falls on a Monday, which means  the NFL is going to get to combine the America’s two favorite things this season: Christmas and “Monday Night Football.” Also, don’t be surprised if the league gives us a Monday doubleheader. Back in 2006, the NFL scheduled two games for Christmas Day, which was the last time the holiday was on a Monday.

We’ll also be getting a heavy dose of New Year’s Eve football this year with Week 17 falling on Sunday, Dec. 31. That news most likely means we won’t see an Eastern Time Zone team hosting the Sunday night game that week because that would mean ringing in the new year at a stadium. The last time NYE fell on a Sunday (2006), the Bears hosted the Packers in a regular-season finale game that kicked off at 7:15 p.m. CT and ended less than two hours before midnight.

10. The schedule will be released Thursday (we think)

Now that you’ve made it all the way through this list, you’re probably wondering when the regular-season schedule will be released. As we already noted, thanks to Lions president Rob Wood, who appeared to spill the beans on the schedule release date last week , we think we have the answer for you. Wood said the schedule will be released on April 20, which means you have three days to get all your 4-20 jokes together before Thursday night’s release.

NFC NORTH

GREEN BAY

LB A.J. HAWK is retiring as a Packer.  Michael David Smith at ProFootballTalk.com:

A.J. Hawk announced his retirement three months ago, but now he’s doing so with the team that brought him into the league.

Hawk and the Packers have announced jointly that he’s retiring as a Packer. He played in Green Bay from 2006 to 2014 and then played one year in Cincinnati in 2015 and one game in Atlanta in 2016.

“We were fortunate to make A.J. my first pick as head coach in 2006, and he spent the next nine years giving everything he had to the Green Bay community and the Packers,” Packers coach Mike McCarthy said in the team’s announcement. “His leadership and toughness were instrumental in all of our success, and we thank him for all that he did for the organization and the community. We wish A.J., Laura and the rest of the Hawk family all the best, and I am confident that whatever the future holds, he will be successful.”

Hawk was a first-round pick out of Ohio State who was a starter for all nine of his seasons with the Packers. He ranks first in franchise history with 1,118 tackles.

NFC EAST

DALLAS

As they should, the Cowboys have picked up the fifth-year option of G ZACH MARTIN.

NFC SOUTH

CAROLINA

Mike Florio of ProFootballTalk.com talks to DT KAWANN SHORT who has a big new contract:

Things have gone very right for Panthers defensive tackle Kawann Short this week, with a five-year, $80.5 million contract freshly signed. Things didn’t go well for the Panthers last year.

So what happened? I asked Short during a Tuesday visit to PFT Live.

“We got ahead of ourselves,” Short said. “Just talking individually . . . we took that 2015 season and we ran with it into 2016 and that wasn’t the case. We needed to know that we need to start over in 2016 and start from the jump from day one and get back on the track.”

How hard was it for the Panthers to put 2015 behind them when 2016 started with a rematch in Denver of the last game from 2015?

“It was very hard, man,” Short said. “Wanted to beat those guys and we fell short at the last minute so that kicked us down a little more. It just fell downhill from there but you know we’ve got to know how to face adversity and jump back next week and realize it’s a whole new week next weekend, a whole new team we play against.”

I then asked Short something I’ve wondered about from time to time (yeah, I probably need a hobby): How differently would the season have gone, if the Panthers had won in Denver to start the season?

“That’s a great question,” Short said. “That’s something we won’t know but it could have and, you know, a lot of things happen like that. But we base it on, we should’ve came out the gate regardless being ready and being ready to play and focused. We went back and watched that tape. . . . We did a lot of things that we weren’t supposed to do. You know, everybody was out of their place, wasn’t doing their job, and we saw it on tape and you see why we fell short.”

The Panthers fell very short of the postseason in 2016. They now are hoping to turn things around dramatically in 2017. For more from Short, check out the video of his visit to the show.

TAMPA BAY

QB JAMEIS WINSTON already reeled in WR DeSEAN JACKSON.  Now, he’s working on RB ADRIAN PETERSON.  Jenna Laine at ESPN.com:

Buccaneers quarterback Jameis Winston found an unlikely training mate in former Minnesota Vikings running back Adrian Peterson this offseason. The two worked out together in Houston and Winston raved about Peterson on Monday when he was back in the Bucs facility.

“Being able to be in the presence of whom many consider to be one of the greatest backs, especially of this generation, my generation — to be able to learn [from] and see his work ethic, to see the way he works, man, you really know why he’s great,” Winston said.

“You know why he’s been able to play at a high level in this league for so long, which helps me, because I want to be great,” Winston said. “I want to be considered one of the best players in the league. To see that [after] 10 years, this man is still outworking everybody in his own facility, it’s amazing. It’s very eye-opening to me and motivating.”

Last year, Peterson opened a 35,000-square-foot gym called O Athletik, which features everything from free weights and machines to a steep incline hill, batting cages, an indoor soccer field and an MMA training area. The club is more of a fitness center than an athletic training center, although it caters to both.

Winston chose Houston to gather his receivers a few weeks ago because several of them live in the area. Mike Evans, Derel Walker, Josh Huff, DeSean Jackson, Freddie Martino and Bernard Reedy all joined him, as did his trainer, Tim Grover, his quarterback coach, George Whitfield, and Peterson.

It wasn’t just about bringing the group together, though. It was about “getting them around greatness,” Winston said. “AP was able to work with us some. For them to be able to see what greatness is, it helps us, it helps build us, it helps motivate us.”

When asked if he’d like to play with Peterson, a free agent, Winston said, “Absolutely.”

“I don’t know of anyone that wouldn’t,” Winston said. “But that’s out of my league. I can only talk about what I learned from him and how he helped me this offseason.”

In other Buccaneers news on Monday, beleaguered RB DOUG MARTIN reported for offseason workouts and is said to “look great.” 

And, no surprise, the team has picked up the fifth-year option for 2018 of WR MIKE EVANS.  He is only the fourth player in NFL history to catch for 1,000 yards in each of his first three seasons.

NFC WEST

SAN FRANCISCO

The Seahawks offensive line wasn’t very good last year, but the 49ers are still trying to raid them.  NFL.com:

Seahawks offensive tackle Garry Gilliam could end up playing for a division rival.

The restricted free agent signed an offer sheet from the 49ers for a one-year deal, NFL Network Insider Ian Rapoport reported, per a source informed of the deal. The deal is worth $2.2 million, Rapoport added.

Seattle now has five days to match the offer. If they choose not to match the offer, they will receive no compensation since Gilliam entered the league as an undrafted free agent in 2014.

Gilliam has started 30 games over the least three season with the Seahawks, playing both right and left tackle.

AFC WEST

KANSAS CITY

QB ALEX SMITH has heard the rumblings about the Chiefs and a quarterback in the draft.  Kevin Patra at NFL.com:

Perhaps the Kansas City Chiefs have gone as far as they can with Alex Smith. Perhaps the divisional round is as deep of a playoff run they can go with the soon-to-be 33-year-old. Perhaps.

The Chiefs spent the offseason listening to rumors they could be in the market for a quarterback to either supplant Smith this year or down the road. Whether it was the Tony Romo whispers (which never seemed likely) or talk of K.C. selecting a quarterback high in the draft later this month (April 27-29 in Philadelphia), Smith isn’t fretting.

“This is the NFL, I’ve been playing long enough,” Smith said Monday as the team opened offseason workouts, via the Kansas City Star. “You pretty quickly realize we have three guys right now in the quarterback room, right? We’re a guy short. Someone’s coming in.”

Smith has been good enough to guide the Chiefs to the playoffs three out of the past four seasons, even earning a playoff bye last season after swiping the AFC West title — the best division in the NFL.

Smith is one of only six quarterbacks to start a minimum of eight games each of the past two years and post consecutive winning seasons. The other five: Tom Brady, Aaron Rodgers, Russell Wilson, Ben Roethlisberger and Kirk Cousins.

Even with all the wins and an offense that became more explosive last season, coach Andy Reid’s offense still seems restricted. Of Smith’s 3,502 passing yards last season, 53.6 percent came after the catch.

Smith can put the Chiefs in a position, but can he be the difference maker that eventually leads them to a Super Bowl? The evidence after 11 years suggests not.

With Smith, Tyler Bray and Joel Stave on the roster, Reid noted that he would add a fourth quarterback at some point. The question is whether it will be a depth addition or someone to push Smith.

The veteran quarterback noted the situations is “out of our hands,” saying it would be “pointless” and “unproductive” to worry about who the front office brings into the building.

“This time of year, QBs are coming in just like every other position,” Smith said. “To be honest, it’s a pretty free, open conversation. We talk to the QBs. ‘Hey, who do you like? How’s this guy? How’s that guy?’ You know? And kind of have open conversation.”

THE RAIDERS

QB DEREK CARR lays down the gauntlet to Raiders fans – are you a true fan?  Cameron DaSilva at FoxSports.com:

The Oakland Raiders aren’t the first NFL team to change cities. In fact, this isn’t even the first time they’re leaving Oakland. Losing a team is an experience fans in the Bay Area are all too familiar with, and it’s certainly not something they enjoy.

Quarterback Derek Carr understands that, seeing as the move will be hard for him, too – being a California kid – but he doesn’t think the true fans will turn away. And those who do stop supporting the Raiders, in his mind, aren’t real supporters of the team.

“We’re not going to split up like you’ve seen other cities do,” he said, via the Mercury News. “We’re not going to do things like that. For the ones that do, I don’t really believe that they’re true Raider fans. I feel their hurt. I’m with you. I hurt, too. But at the same time, we’re all in this together and we’re just going to do it together.”

Fans in Vegas are understandably excited about the Raiders moving to Sin City, giving them their first professional football team. Banners hung along the Strip and fans were wearing Las Vegas Raiders gear immediately after the move was approved.

But some fans in Oakland had a very different reaction to the franchise leaving for Vegas, a few even burning their jerseys out of frustration. As far as Carr is concerned, it’ll be a small number of fans who stop supporting the Raiders.

“Out of like 1,000 people, you’re going to get one or two that have something to say and that’s with everything,” he said. “Hopefully y’all don’t focus on that kind of stuff because there’s the 99 percent that are loyal, faithful fans that are going to ride with us wherever we’re at.”

The DB believes Carr to be correct.  The Raiders will keep a far higher percentage of their fans in their move than either the Chargers (despite shorter distance) or Rams or any other move in recent memory.  Especially if they continue their growth into an elite team on the field.

AFC SOUTH

HOUSTON

Brian T. Smith of the Houston Chronicle like the cut of QB TOM SAVAGE’s jib:

I already like the new guy better than the last guy.

The Texans’ discarded $72 million man always felt like Mayor Brock or Professor Brock. A suave salesman trying to convince us he really could play the part. A smooth-talking, sharp-dressing professional with an amateur arm, always fighting and clashing behind closed doors with the big boss.

Is Tom Savage going to stick around longer than the already forgotten Osweiler?

Are we going to be dissecting someone new in six months or a year?

Because it’s the Texans, it’s absolutely impossible to say.

But on the first day we got to meet Bill O’Brien’s class of 2017, a fourth-year quarterback with two career starts and zero touchdowns to his name instantly reminded me why he was worth pulling for the second he came into the NFL.

“The kid is a go-getter,” said wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins, who’s on the verge of playing for his 182nd QB in the last four years. “He doesn’t quit. Even out there (Monday), he was trying to be first.”

Savage was also chippy, edgy and proud. He knows he’s already doubted. He’s perfectly aware his eventual replacement could be drafted next week. He also insists he doesn’t care.

While Osweiler became harder and harder to believe in as each week passed – who in the world keeps insisting an NFL team traveled well? – Savage was simple and true during his initial day on the job.

“With the naysayers and all that stuff … it’s funny. People always ask me about that stuff, like the doubters and naysayers,” Savage said at NRG Stadium during the Texans’ first offseason conditioning workout. “I’m going out there to play for everybody in that locker room and everybody who believes in me. Anybody else, I just kind of shake off. They can draft whoever they want.”

What about being handed one of 32 starting QB spots in the league, but only after Osweiler was shipped to Cleveland?

“I’ll never expect to be the starter,” Savage said. “I’m always going to play like I’m the third-string guy and trying to make the team. And that’s how I’m going to play regardless if I’m a fifth-year starter or whatever.”

And what about that cross-country journey that saw Savage bounce from college to college, go more than 1,000 days without a start, then quietly sit behind everyone from Ryan Fitzpatrick and Brian Hoyer to Ryan Mallett and Osweiler before the Texans finally turned to him by default?

That’s where Savage finds your soft spot.

“I bounced around quite a bit in college, and I think a lot of that journey kind of made me who I am today,” he said. “This is a heck of an opportunity, and I’m really pumped for it. … I have to go out there every day and earn it.”

Fitzpatrick, Hoyer, Mallett, Osweiler, etc., ultimately had two things in common under O’Brien: They never fit with his vision, nor could they meet his stringent demands.

We’re still figuring out what that vision truly is in Year Four. Is going 9-7 every year the bar? Is developing and sticking with a QB who can finally take the Texans to the next step a necessity or a luxury afforded only the NFL’s elite?

Thankfully for Savage, he has had three years of living with, figuring out and learning from O’Brien. Heck, right now, he’s still the only QB a career 27-21 coach has drafted.

So how does the Texans’ new (temporary? permanent?) quarterback feel about the guy who’s already been through so many?

“I love the guy. What I look forward to is going to practice every day,” said Savage, sounding and appearing sincere. “He’s going to be hard on me. That’s what you want as a quarterback. He’s the type of guy that is always talking shop with you, and that’s the type of guy you want to go out there and you want to brawl for.”

The O’Brien QBs whom fans always loathed or just shrugged off – Fitzpatrick, Hoyer, Mallett, Osweiler – are now surreal, fading memories. The gutsy, resilient quarterbacks this city actually took pride in – Case Keenum, T.J. Yates – won a few games but were never going to last.

Savage is still stuck in that latter group right now. If he’s your new Week 1 answer, he’ll take the field as one of the most inexperienced arms in the league and will easily be one of the most unlikely to win what New England just claimed.

But if No. 3 gets his shot and can actually play?

Well, he already has more local supporters than Mayor Brock ever did in Houston.

“I’ve (started) two games so far,” Savage said. “I have a lot to go out there and prove, and this is going to be a heck of an opportunity.”

Then he walked out the interview-room door, like so many Texans QBs before.

For those whose English is not as antiquated as the DB’s – here is the root of the cut of one’s jib:

Etymology

Different shapes of jib sails.

From maritime traditions, alluding to the identification of far-off ships by the shape of their sails, as in the Naval Chronicles (1805) “From the cut of her sails an enemy.” Used idiomatically of a person from early 19th century, attested 1824, possibly influenced by similarity of triangular jib sails to a person’s nose.[1]

Noun

cut of one’s jib

(idiomatic) A person’s general appearance, manner, or style.  

AFC EAST

BUFFALO

The nephew of all-time Bills great Jim Kelly is spotted in Buffalo.  Vic Carucci of the Buffalo News:

And the quarterbacks just keep on walking through the door at One Bills Drive.

The latest: Chad Kelly.

The former Mississippi standout and Western New York native visited with the Bills on Monday, The Buffalo News confirmed. Jon Scott of SPECNews in Buffalo first reported the visit via Twitter.

Last week, the Bills had Temple quarterback Phillip Walker in for a visit. Before that, they had University of Pittsburgh quarterback Nate Peterman in to meet with coaches.

Kelly recently underwent surgery  to repair an acute rupture of a ligament between two bones in his right (throwing) wrist, USA Today reported. He is expected to be unable to throw for three months.

Kelly, the nephew of Bills Hall-of-Fame quarterback Jim Kelly, is also coming back from a second major knee operation.

NEW YORK JETS

CB MARCUS WILLIAMS has signed his RFA offer sheet for $2.75 million.

THIS AND THAT

RAY McDONALD

It would appear that ex-49 Ray McDonald paid off his accuser/victim and will escape the clutches of California justice.  Whether the NFL will be so lenient is another story, should he attempt to play again.

A Santa Clara County judge has dismissed a rape charge against former San Francisco 49ers defensive tackle Ray McDonald after prosecutors said the woman who made the allegation refused to testify.

Judge David A. Cena dismissed the charge — one count of rape of an intoxicated person — on Monday. Santa Clara County prosecutor Chris Lamiero said in a statement that he tried to convince the victim to testify, but she refused.

The woman said she slipped and fell on a pool deck at McDonald’s San Jose home in December 2014 and continued to fall after that because of her initial head injury and alcohol consumption. She accused McDonald of carrying her upstairs to his bedroom and sexually assaulting her.

McDonald faced a maximum of eight years in prison.

2017 DRAFT

Pete Prisco has a list of 20 players that he, and he alone, likes:

Scouts kept telling me about the “other” end at Texas A&M, the guy not named Myles Garrett, the guy who won’t go in the first round.

“He isn’t Garrett, but he’s a damn good player,” one NFC personnel man said.

So I took a look — a long, hard look at Daeshon Hall, the Aggies’ other end.

What I saw was a raw prospect, one who didn’t play football until his junior year of high school because he was a basketball player. Hall is a player who has the tools to be a starting end in the NFL and one who can slide inside on passing downs.

He doesn’t have Garrett’s athletic ability, but who does? Yet he’s more than capable of pushing the pocket. At nearly 6-foot-6 and 266 pounds, he has the frame to add more weight and become an even better player against the run. He has also played standing up, which might be attractive to to 3-4 teams.

When you put in his tape, you see a player who can make plays. He had 13 tackles for a loss last season to go with his 4.5 sacks. Some will say that production isn’t good enough playing opposite Garrett, who got a lot of attention, but it’s no different than saying Garrett’s 8.5 sacks aren’t good enough either.

Hall needs seasoning — and he will get it on the next level — but the clay is there to mold him into a 10-sack guy and certainly a rotation player early in his career. When a kid succeeds after moving from the basketball to football late in high school, that says a lot about his athletic ability.

He has added 65 pounds the past few seasons, which can be a challenge, but one Hall has met.

All of this is why he’s the captain of my annual Better-Than Team, a 20-man team of players I think scouts are under-valuing. Some will still be first-round picks, but most will go on the second or third day.

As captain, Hall joins a group from my past teams who have had big-time professional success, including Jason Pierre-Paul, Bennie Logan, Lavonte David, Grady Jarrett, Sean Davis and Dak Prescott — six quality NFL starters. Here’s my 2016 team , in case you want to see what I got right and wrong.

Hall has a lot to live up to with that group. Now for the rest of the team.

Donnel Pumphrey, RB, San Diego State

At 5-9, 175 pounds, he doesn’t have great size to be a 25-carry player. But he can be an outstanding back in the passing game and can handle 10-12 carries as a change-of-pace guy. He broke a lot of Marshall Faulk’s records at San Diego State and is the all-time leading rusher in FBS history. Don’t get caught up in his size. He will be a nice NFL player.

Dalvin Tomlinson, DT, Alabama

Playing on a talented defense, which included Jonathan Allen playing opposite him, Tomlinson was sometimes overlooked. He is a power player at 6-3, 310 pounds who has a good feel in the run game but needs work with his pass rush. He isn’t Allen, but he will be a good, solid NFL player.

Kevin King, CB, Washington

Long before it became chic to mention King as a possible first-round pick, I loved his game. He is long, athletic and physical. He doesn’t back down. He isn’t great in short areas all the time, but I think that will improve as he gets coached up better. He would be perfect for a team like Seattle.

Curtis Samuel, RB-WR, Ohio State

He was a running back last season, but I see him more as a receiving weapon on the next level. He caught 74 passes in 2016 as a back. He will be able to play in the slot in the NFL, but he can also be a runner. His versatility will make him attractive, and he can fly with a 40 time of 4.31. At 5-10, 196 pounds, he will be a game changer on the next level.

Raekwon McMillan, LB, Ohio State

This 6-2, 240-pound linebacker made a lot of tackles (275 in three seasons, including 18 TFL) for the Buckeyes and will be an inside/middle linebacker on the next level. He has to improve his footspeed to be a three-down linebacker, but he will be effective against the run early in his career.

Marlon Mack, RB, South Florida

At 5-11, 212 pounds, he isn’t an overpowering runner, but he has the ability to rip off the big play, even though his 40 time isn’t great at 4.50. He averaged 6.2 yards per rush in his career, including 6.8 last season. That shows the type of back he can be on the next level.

Josh Malone, WR, Tennessee

He has good size (6-2½, 208) and speed (under 4.4 in the 40) and was productive for the Volunteers, catching 50 passes with 12 touchdowns last season. His yards per catch average was 19.4, which shows big-play ability. He needs to improve on the little things, but a good receivers coach will make this kid a nice downfield threat.

Zay Jones, WR, East Carolina

He caught 158 passes last season. Think about that for a second. That’s in one season. That’s unreal. He had 399 catches in his four-year career. He isn’t a stretch-the-field player, but he is a polished wideout and he did run 4.45, which is plenty fast, at the combine. Scouts I talked with love this kid. He is the son of former NFL linebacker Robert Jones, so he’s been around the game his entire life.

Michael Rector, WR, Stanford

This 6-foot, 185-pound receiver is a deep threat who ran 4.4 at the combine. He plays to that too, averaging an amazing 30 yards on his 14 catches as a freshman in 2013. His numbers went down from there, but in 2016 some of that was because of bad quarterback play. Every time I watched Stanford play, he seemed to be making big plays. He could be a late-round pick, and he could be a steal.

George Kittle, TE, Iowa

This is a deep tight-end class, which is why Kittle might fall some. But the former wide receiver is one of the best blockers in this class. Even so, his receiver background makes you think he can be a quality pro pass catcher. He could be a third- or fourth-round steal.

Isaac Asiata, G, Utah

This 6-3, 330-pound guard is a power player who excels in the run game. He would be a nice addition to a team looking to get tougher inside. He is limited some in pass protection, even though he was a right tackle some in college. At 25, he’s a little older, but also more mature.

oltopperformers.jpg

Dorian Johnson, G-T, Pittsburgh

A big get for the Panthers after leaving Penn State, he came in as a tackle but wound up a three-year starter at guard. At 6-5, 300 pounds, he could use a little more weight to help his power. But he is an athletic player, and once he gets bigger on the next level, he has a chance to be a good starting guard.

Joe Mathis, OLB, Washington

He was limited to six games because of foot surgery last season, but still managed five sacks. At 6-1, 266 pounds, he has a little James Harrison look to him. He was a big recruit who struggled to adjust on the college level until last season. When you watch his senior tape, there is a lot to like before he got hurt. His medical has to check out, but he would be a nice player for a 3-4 team as a rush linebacker.

Dawuane Smoot, DE-OLB, Illinois

He had 13 sacks the past two seasons for the Illini, which is solid work. But the thing that is truly impressive is his athletic ability. He was a former track star in high school as a high hurdler. That’s unreal for a player who weighed 264 pounds at the combine. He didn’t run great 40 times, but that’s not what pass rushing is all about anyway.

Montravius Adams, DT, Auburn

At 6-3, 305 pounds, he has impressive quickness for a man his size. He won’t overpower people, but he makes big plays with his quickness. He had 4.5 sacks last season playing on the nose. I think he has a chance to be an even better inside rusher in the pros.

Caleb Brantley, DT, Florida

Why he isn’t getting more love from scouts and draftniks intrigues me. This kid has the in-line quickness and speed teams love to attack up the field. He isn’t a power player, but at 310 pounds can get stronger and do a better job at the point. His quickness off the ball makes him a player to watch in this draft.

Alex Anzalone, LB, Florida

When you talk to scouts about this kid, they all say the same thing: He needs to stay on the field. Anzalone was limited to 10 starts the past two seasons and then opted to forego his senior season. He was a major recruit, who — when on the field — was productive. At 6-2, 241 pounds, he will be a starter inside for the team that takes him.

Adoree Jackson, CB, USC

He is a game-breaker who is really good in coverage, but he is outstanding as a return man. He will make an immediate impact as a rookie in the return game and could be a starting nickel at the outset. He’s only 5-10, 185 pounds so there is some size concern. But don’t discount his ability to make plays as a corner and a returner.

Desmond King, S, Iowa

He was a play-making corner but doesn’t have the top-end speed needed to play the position in the NFL. I think if he slides inside to free safety, he would be a nice starter for a long time. At 5-11, 201 pounds, he was a willing tackler on the corner, which is why I think he can smoothly make the transition.

For what it’s worth, the DB is all in on ZAY JONES as well.

– – –

Along a similar line, Gordon McGuinness of ProFootballFocus.com has 10 draft sleepers:

With the NFL draft less than two weeks away, we’ve heard about all of the top prospects over and over again. We’ve reached the point where the smokescreens get more ridiculous by the day, the narratives get stronger, and the takes get hotter. That doesn’t mean that there’s not still plenty to discuss though, and while discussion of the top prospects is reaching the point of oversaturation, there are a lot of players flying under the radar who might just prove to be steals for the teams that draft them on draft weekend. Here are 10 sleeper prospects for the 2017 NFL Draft.

1. Trey Hendrickson, Edge, Florida Atlantic

Here at PFF we have a signature stat known as pass-rushing productivity. It measures a pass-rusher’s production on a per-snap basis, with weighting toward sacks, giving a good indication of how productive a pass rusher is. With that in mind, you’d expect someone like Myles Garrett, or perhaps Derek Barnett, to have led this draft class in that particular stat. Not so. That honor goes to Hendrickson, who racked up nine sacks, 13 hits, and 55 hurries on just 318 pass-rushing snaps, working out at a pressure once every 4.1 pass-rushing snaps.

2. Shaquill Griffin, CB, UCF

Griffin has started to garner more attention since an impressive showing at the combine, turning in a sub 4.4-second 40-yard dash time. He had his ups and downs in college, but finished his career at UCF with a very impressive 2016 season, allowing just 29 receptions from the 75 passes thrown into his coverage. He stood out during the NFLPA all-star game too, not allowing a single reception from 27 snaps in coverage, and coming away with two pass breakups.

3. Austin Carr, WR, Northwestern

In every draft class you’ll find receivers who can be productive from the slot after being drafted late. In this draft class, Northwestern’s Carr is a prime candidate to do just that. Despite not getting much attention, he was incredibly productive in college, with his 12 touchdowns from the slot ranking third in this draft class, and his 1,247 yards ranking fourth.

4. Kareem Hunt, HB, Toledo

In a draft class that is dominated by talk of the small group of players who will go in the top two rounds, someone is going to find themselves a steal in the form of Toledo’s Hunt. He ranked second in the nation to only Florida State’s Dalvin Cook with 76 missed tackles forced. He also averaged 3.5 yards after contact per carry, proving that he is someone who can get production beyond the help of his offensive line at the college level.

5. Channing Stribling, CB, Michigan

Not even the highest-profile cornerback on his own college team, with fellow Wolverine Jourdan Lewis getting most of the acclaim, Stribling is an interesting player to look at in this year’s draft. He needs refinement on technique at the next level, but his raw numbers from 2016 are pretty eye-popping, allowing just 19 receptions over the course of the season. Just one of those 19 receptions went for a touchdown, and he came away with four interceptions and 11 pass breakups.

6. Robert Leff, OL, Auburn

It’s generally accepted that this is a weak offensive line class, and while that is true, you can still find offensive linemen with potential to develop in the later round. Auburn’s Leff is one such player. Leff needs to work on his pass protection, after allowing two sacks, a hit, and 10 hurries in 2016, but his work in the running game, where he dominated at the line of scrimmage and the second level, makes him an ideal candidate to start life in the NFL as a sixth-offensive lineman in certain packages, and a long term developmental option.

7. Joe Mathis, Edge, Washington

A midseason injury poured cold water on a hot start to the season by Washington’s Joe Mathis, but like Florida Atlantic’s Trey Hendrickson, his snap-to-snap production means he warrants serious consideration in this draft. His PRP rating of 20.2 was second only to Hendrickson among edge defenders in this draft class, averaging a sack, hit or hurry once every 4.0 pass-rushing snaps before injury ruined his season six games in.

8. Tanzel Smart, DT, Tulane

A Senior Bowl stand out, Tulane’s Smart stood out both against the run and as a pass-rusher in 2016. he had some huge performances over the course of the season, including a one-sack, six-hurry performance against Houston late in the year. While for some he will be considered a bit undersized, Smart’s production over the course of the year, where he racked up seven sacks, seven hits, and 33 hurries on 401 pass-rushing snaps.

9. Michael Roberts, TE, Toledo

The second sleeper from the Toledo offense, Roberts is a tight end who looked incredibly fluid at Senior Bowl practices. On the field for Toledo in 2016 he impressed too, grading well as a run-blocker and proving himself to be a red-zone threat in the passing game, with his 16 touchdowns double that of the next best tight end.

10. Blair Brown, LB, Ohio

Alabama’s Reuben Foster, Temple’s Haason Reddick, Vanderbilt’s Zach Cunningham, and Florida’s Jarrad Davis are likely to be the first four linebackers off the board come draft weekend. After that it opens up significantly, and Ohio’s Brown is someone who impressed us last season. Outstanding against the run, Brown also contributed in coverage and as a blitzer, where he chipped in with four sacks, two hits and 16 hurries.

Keeping with the theme of the day, here are some sleepers from Mel Kiper, Jr.:

People are always asking about sleepers. Well, some folks have a different meaning of what a “sleeper” is. It’s not a second-round pick. No Day 2 pick can be a sleeper. Tight end Adam Shaheen from Division II Ashland is not a sleeper — he’s well known at this point and could be a top-40 pick. Neither is Lamar cornerback Brendan Langley, who will likely go in the first three rounds.

So, to me, a sleeper is a prospect from a small school who will go in Rounds 4-7. Here are six of my favorite sleepers for the Class of 2017 — three on offense, three on defense:

Eric Saubert, TE, Drake

Saubert, not Shaheen, is the true tight end sleeper in this draft. A four-year starter for the Bulldogs, Saubert is a pass-catcher, not a blocker. He had 183 catches for 2,179 yards and 20 touchdowns in his career. He must improve as a blocker to have a future in the NFL. But he can stretch the deep middle of the field, and he can run after the catch. One comparison that I gave on the First Draft podcast was to former NFL tight end Jay Novacek, who was a sixth-round pick by the Cardinals in 1985. Novacek wasn’t a speedster, but he had reliable hands.

Saubert could be taken as high as the fourth round, joining the last Drake player to get picked in the draft — the Bears took tight end Pat Dunsmore No. 107 overall in 1983, and he had 17 catches and a touchdown during two seasons.

Chad Williams, WR, Grambling

Williams was a late invite to the Senior Bowl, where he showed he belonged among the nation’s best senior prospects. He has decent size (6-foot-1, 204 pounds) and put up big numbers for the Tigers — 90 catches for 1,337 yards last season and 21 touchdown catches during the past two seasons. He has potential as a big-play threat. There are offseason concerns, however, as Williams was arrested last May for possession of marijuana and possession of a firearm with drugs.

Nate Theaker, OL, Wayne State (MI)

The more I watched Theaker’s tape, the more I liked him. He played both left and right tackle and some guard for the Warriors, and he was just dominating Division II defenders. At 6-foot-5, 315 pounds, he doesn’t have the arm length (32 5/8) to play tackle in the NFL, but he could develop at guard. He played stronger than his 23 reps of 225 pounds on the bench press at the combine. He could be a seventh-round pick with future starter potential.

Jordan Herdman, ILB, Simon Fraser

Herdman impressed me during Senior Bowl week practices, making tackles all over the field and taking on blockers without fear. He’s just not very big — 5-foot-11, 238 pounds. You don’t see many inside linebackers that small playing every-down roles in the NFL. He could contribute on special teams, though. At Simon Fraser — which is in British Columbia, Canada, and is the only international program in Division II football — he had 428 career tackles and was the conference defensive player of the year in 2014 and 2015.

Grover Stewart, DT, Albany State

This kid is worth taking a flyer on as a developmental plugger prospect. He’s huge — 6-foot-4, 334 pounds — and has some quickness. He put up 7.5 sacks for the Division II Golden Rams last season, and he had 15 tackles for loss in 2015. He’ll take on double-teams in the middle of a 3-4 defense in limited snaps, and he’ll play hard. He’s worth stashing on a roster and seeing if he can contribute.

Lorenzo Jerome, S, St. Francis (PA)

Like Herdman, Jerome caught my eye at the Senior Bowl. He had two interceptions and a forced fumble in the game, and the ball just seems to find him. He had 18 career interceptions for the Red Flash. He also had two interceptions at the NFL Players Association Collegiate Bowl. His stock dropped a little at the combine, however, as he ran a 4.70 40 at 5-foot-10, 204 pounds and didn’t test well overall. I feel confident in saying he’ll make an NFL roster, though. He has the instincts to play in the league.

The DB would further ask, can a player who participated in the Senior Bowl, with dozens of the game’s elite evaluators watching practices, be a true sleeper?  Aren’t they guys who don’t get combine invites, but one lone scout somewhere finds them and shepherds them to late round selection?  Hasn’t Jerome, a Senior Bowl invite who had two interceptions already awoken, although his slow 40 may have put a lot of scouts back to sleep.

– – –

It is not quite a Mock Draft, but Jason LaCanfora of CBSSports.com has some informed speculation on the top 10:

As is my norm, I’ll hold off on publishing anything until the morning of draft day — and then I’ll want to revise it five or six times through the day as more information comes trickling in. But I have begun the process of slotting — in pencil — certain players to certain teams while trying to maintain an open mind about what could go down. Because twists and turns and surprises are inevitable.

After chatting for a while with a top executive with a club selecting in the top 10, I ambushed him by asking, rapid-fire, if he had to rattle off what he believed would be the top five picks in the draft right now, how would he handicap it. Here’s what he came up with, in short order:

1. Cleveland Browns: DE Myles Garrett

This evaluator believes it’s a no-brainer, and for all of the dysfunction in Cleveland and the ever-present friction between the coaching staff and the football operations/analytics staff, this guy isn’t buying the Mitch Trubisky chatter. “We can try to tear all of these kids down and pick at what they can’t do, but Garrett is the pick.” I agree.

2. San Francisco 49ers: CB Marshon Lattimore

I’ve been eyeing this as a possible trade spot and there is little doubt that John Lynch and Kyle Shanahan want to drop down. They have abundant needs to address on that roster and covet volume in picks. But who is trading up? My guy doesn’t buy this is the spot for Trubisky. “The 49ers aren’t taking him and the Bears aren’t taking one either, so why do you have to trade here to take one?” He also thinks this is a little high for Solomon Thomas. Of course, any selection of Lattimore would mean that team’s doctors are all good with his hamstrings … and not all are.

3. Chicago Bears: S Jamal Adams

One of the most complete players in the draft who could be a game changer at strong safety or free safety. Chicago is starved for any dynamic talent on that side of the ball. It could be a pass rusher here as well, since Adams will be the top player on some defensive boards. I get it.

4. Jacksonville Jaguars: RB Leonard Fournette

I’ve been hearing for weeks that this hulking running back is in play all over the top five, and this makes a ton of sense to me. He would add a physical dynamic and an identity to an offense long starved for one. Tom Coughlin would love this. “This kid is a beast,” my guy commented.

5. Tennessee Titans: WR Mike Williams.

I thought this might be a little high, but I definitely trust this evaluator’s instincts. With another pick looming at 18, the Titans could address a pass catcher there with a TE or WR, but Williams has a high ceiling.

So, if we assumed this is how the top five will go down — and I would add this was off the top of my guy’s head and was his gut instinct — how would I see the rest of the top 10 shaping up? I could see it playing out this way.

6. New York Jets: QB Mitch Trubisky

They need to find an answer at quarterback, they like this kid a lot, and they aren’t shy about drafting QBs over and over. Neither was Hall of Fame evaluator Ron Wolf, for what it’s worth. Trubisky is the top QB and could be ready to take over for Josh McCown midseason after being a one-year starter in college.

7. Los Angeles Chargers: DL Jonathan Allen

Imagine this kid paired with Joey Bosa? They could be dominant for a long time to come. I could see the Chargers going with a safety like Malik Hooker as well, but Allen is so clean and was so productive and there would be a ton of value grabbing him at this spot given his top-five talent.

8. Carolina Panthers: RB Christian McCaffrey

Cam Newton needs help and especially along the offensive line, but this ain’t the draft for that, especially in the top 10. So why not get Newton a dynamic playmaker who is a matchup nightmare in space and who can line up at 4-5 different positions? Any of the next four teams could take McCaffrey.

9. Bengals: LB Reuben Foster

He just seems like the prototypical Bengal, doesn’t he? I could see them going with DE Derek Barnett, or DE Solomon Thomas. Neither would surprise me if the top 10 plays out this way. I’m just riding a hunch here, slotting in Foster, hypothetically.

reuben-foster.jpg

10. Bills: S Malik Hooker

Just like the Bengals, I could see the Bills taking any of those defensive linemen, but the safety void is so significant and new head coach Sean McDermott has a strong background in the secondary and they have some bodies upfront and a little depth.

– – –

After seeming to move up the draft, RB JOE MIXON now may be tumbling back down.  Mike Florio at ProFootballTalk.com:

At a time when the impression had been created that running back Joe Mixon is climbing, the truth could be the opposite.

Gil Brandt of NFL.com has issued his list of the top 150 players in the draft, and the list completely omits the former Oklahoma running back.

Thirteen running backs other than Mixon made the list: Leonard Fournette (No. 2); Christian McCaffrey (No. 12); Dalvin Cook (No. 25); Curtis Samuel (No. 35); Samaje Perine (No. 64); Alvin Kamara (No. 78); Brian Hill (No. 80); D’Onta Foreman (No. 87); James Conner (No. 90); Donnel Pumphrey (No. 129); Kareem Hunt (No. 132); Jeremy McNichols (No. 141); Tarik Cohen (No. 143).

Mike Mayock of NFL Media has said that he wouldn’t draft Mixon because of the off-field punch to a female’s face that was caught on camera in 2014. But that’s just one person’s assessment; Brandt presumably is ranking the players based on how all teams view them. Indeed, Mayock still has Mixon at No. 5 among running backs even though Mayock wouldn’t write Mixon’s name on a draft card.

Brandt’s rankings come at a time when there’s a palpable buzz that Mixon may indeed linger much longer than expected. While the “anonymous scouts” have yet to trash Mixon (then again, they often only trash the guys the scouts hope will slide into their laps), multiple league sources who have investigated the situation believe that Mixon may be waiting beyond round two or three.

At least one source has suggested that Mixon possibly won’t be drafted at all. That would be a shock if it happens, to everyone but the source. And Gil Brandt.

UPDATE 11:35 a.m. ET: Brandt says that this is his personal board only, and that he’d be surprised if Mixon is still available in the middle of round two. This doesn’t change the current buzz that Mixon could linger, although it takes only one team at any given time to end the slide.

– – –

And here is that top 150 from Gil Brandt, his 57^th such list. We edited out the full commentary on most players for space reasons.  You can read them all here:

This is the 57th year I have produced rankings of NFL draft prospects. In the early years when I was with the Cowboys, we had only a fraction of the information we have today, with very few confirmed measurements and times for prospects.

But that has all changed. I can now look at my database and pull the confirmed short-shuttle or three-cone time of the 947th-ranked prospect instantaneously … and in a matter of seconds have on my computer screen in front of me all the third-down-and-short run plays he was involved in at his Div. III school.

It makes an evaluator’s job easier and harder at the same time. There’s so much more to consider with the overload of information, but ultimately it’s more accurate info, which should (in theory) make draft boards around the league more informed and precise.

With that said, here are my “Hot 150” prospects for the 2017 NFL Draft.

1   Myles Garrett – DE, Texas A&M

Three-year player with the Aggies. Has long arms (35 1/4 inches) and is very strong (33 bench lifts at the combine). Had 31.0 career sacks at A&M, with only 12 coming against SEC competition. Can be a game-changer, but needs to learn pass-rush moves. Just turned 21 last December.

2    Leonard Fournette – RB, LSU

Three-year player at LSU. First player in Louisiana history to win national high school player of the year honors twice. Started six games in 2014, rushing for 1,034 yards and 10 touchdowns, with a 5.5-yard average. He also had a 26.0-yard average as a kick returner. Led nation in 2015 with 1,953 rushing yards (6.5-yard average) and 22 touchdowns, finishing sixth in Heisman voting. Suffered left ankle injury in 2016 fall camp and did not play well, finishing with 843 yards and eight TDs in seven games. In two career games vs. Alabama, rushed for just 66 yards. Very explosive runner. Had best 20-yard time of any running back at the combine. Looks like a linebacker when you meet him in person.

3   Solomon Thomas – DE, Stanford

Spent three years at Stanford, but only played two after being redshirted in 2014. Strong (30 bench lifts at combine) and explosive (35-inch vertical). Has great short-area quickness. Very tough. Outstanding character, intelligence and leadership skills; could one day hold political office if he so chooses. Best position could be left defensive end, but will be a very good tackle because of speed and quickness.

4   Marshon Lattimore – CB, Ohio State

Was at Ohio State for three years but missed 2014 season with a hamstring injury that required surgery. After limited play in 2015, started 12 games. Was targeted 35 times last season, with 14 burns (40 percent), allowing only one touchdown. Had four interceptions, returning one for a touchdown. Ten of his burns came against receivers between 6-feet and 6-3. Had 74 plays on special teams. Has great ball skills with outstanding speed. Very fluid. Small hands (8 7/8 inches).

5   Jamal Adams – S, LSU

Three-year player at LSU. Played nickel cornerback as a freshman in 2014. Started 24 total games at strong safety in 2015 and 2016 when he was targeted 36 times with 12 burns (33 percent). Last season, he allowed only one touchdown, had an interception, and made 73 tackles. Had 124 plays on special teams. Never had a holding or interference called against him. Good NFL bloodlines: father, George, played running back at Kentucky and was 19th overall pick of Giants in 1985. Tremendous pro day; ran 4.45-second 40-yard dash.

6   Malik Hooker – S, Ohio State

Three-year player with the Buckeyes. Outstanding athlete. High school team in Pennsylvania won two state championships — the only two years he played as a prep. Redshirted as a freshman at Ohio State and used primarily as a backup in 2015. Had big year in 2016. Targeted 36 times, with 16 burns (44 percent), only one TD allowed, seven interceptions, including three returned for scores. No interference or holding calls against him. Had 74 tackles last season, and played 96 snaps on special teams. Great recovery speed. Tough and competitive. Limited playing experience but has tremendous upside as a player.

7   Jonathan Allen – DT, Alabama

Four-year player in Tuscaloosa, and even got experience as a true freshman. Very strong. Had 28.5 sacks during his time at Alabama, second-best total in school history. Very quick. Played defensive end in Alabama’s 3-4 front. Makes plays in big games. Blocked PAT in one-point victory over Arkansas. Named SEC Defensive Player of the Year in 2016. Very good use of hands. Great instincts. Outstanding character. Reminds me of the Buccaneers’ Gerald McCoy.

8   Mitchell Trubisky – QB, North Carolina

Redshirted in 2013, and played very little the next two seasons. When he did play in 2015, he played well, completing 40 of 47 passes for 555 yards, six touchdowns and no interceptions. Had a breakout year last season, completing 68 percent of his passes for 3,748 yards, 30 TDs and six INTs. Has very good accuracy. Moves around well. Quick release. Has traits that usually translate to NFL success. Led back-to-back come-from-behind victories vs. Pitt and Florida State. Poorest game came in loss vs. Virginia Tech when he completed just 13 of 33 passes with two INTs. Was sacked 20 times in 13 games in 2016. Had good success in the red zone.

9   Deshaun Watson – QB, Clemson

Three-time Georgia high school player of the year. Started five games as a true freshman in 2014. Completed 60 percent of his passes and won 90 percent of his starts in his three years at Clemson. Reminds me of Alex Smith, the No. 1 overall pick of the 49ers in 2005; he doesn’t have the strongest arm, but he has great character, is accurate, and is a proven winner. Grew up in house built by Warrick Dunn’s foundation for single mothers.

10   John Ross – WR, Washington

Played wide receiver, kick returner, and some at cornerback as a true freshman in 2013. Made four starts at wide receiver in 2014, before suffering a torn ACL in spring of 2015 that forced him to redshirt the entire season. Came back in 2016 for a breakout year in which he was targeted 131 times, with 81 catches and 17 touchdowns and only three drops. Fifty-one of those receptions were for first downs. Will willingly go over the middle to catch the ball. Very tough. Tracks ball well. Has great speed and explosiveness. Very athletic. Hands are on the small side (8 3/4 inches).

11   Gareon Conley – CB, Ohio State

12    Christian McCaffrey – RB, Stanford

13   O.J. Howard – TE, Alabama

14   Reuben Foster – LB, Alabama

15   Cam Robinson – OT, Alabama

16   Derek Barnett – DE, Tennessee

17   Charles Harris – DE, Missouri

18   Parick Mahomes – QB, Texas Tech

Three-year player at Texas Tech. Very strong arm; threw the ball 60 mph at the combine. Set NCAA record vs. Oklahoma in 2016 when he passed for 734 yards, completing 52 of 88 attempts, with five touchdowns and adding 87 yards rushing. Had 41 passing TDs in his final season at TTU. Good athlete; son of Major League pitcher Pat Mahomes. Would have been a high MLB draft pick coming out of high school were it not for his commitment to football at Tech. Will need time to develop in the NFL, maybe two years. With a good work ethic and a team’s patience, he could play in the NFL for a long time.

19   Ryan Ramczyk – OT, Wisconsin

20   Jarrad Davis – LB, Florida

21   Jabrill Peppers – S, Michigan

Three-year player who came into his own in 2016. Won four state titles at two different high schools in New Jersey. Played multiple positions on both offense and defense at Michigan, but his best is probably safety. Can return kickoffs and punts. Dropped some passes that should have been intercepted at UM’s pro day. Was burned nine times on 14 targets in 2016 — not good. Peppers is a pure football player. You need to figure out how to use him; and if you can’t, don’t draft him. Otherwise, you’ll be doing him and yourself a huge disservice.

22   Garett Bolles – OT, Utah

Played only one year at major-college level after transferring from a junior college. Good pick with some risk.

23   Mike Williams – WR, Clemson

Reminds some of Keyshawn Johnson, the first player taken in the 1996 draft.

24   Takkarist McKinley – DE, UCLA

25   Dalvin Cook – RB, Florida State

26   Adoree’ Jackson – CB, USC

27   Quincy Wilson – CB, Florida

28   Kevin King – CB, Washington

29   David Njoku – TE, Miami

30   Tre’Davious White – CB, LSU

31   Corey Davis – WR, Western Michigan

32   Chidobe Awuzie – CB, Colorado

33   DeShone Kizer – QB, Notre Dame

Needs time with top quarterback coach like Kyle Shanahan at San Francisco.

34   Evan Engram – TE, Ole Miss

35   Curtis Samuel – RB, Ohio State

36   JuJu Smith-Schuster – WR, USC

37   Haason Reddick – DE, Temple

38   Marcus Williams – S, Utah

39   Josh Jones – S, N.C. State

40   Jordan Willis – DE, Kansas St.

41   Forrest Lamp – G, Western Kentucky

42   Taco Charlton – DE, Michigan

43   Marlon Humphrey – CB, Alabama

44   Marcus Maye – S, Florida

45   Malik McDowell – DT, Michigan State

46   Zach Cunningham – LB, Vanderbilt

47   Tim Williams – LB, Alabama

48   Chris Wormley – DE, Michigan

49   Ryan Anderson – OLB, Alabama

50   Dan Feeney – OL, Indiana

51. Chris Godwin, WR, Penn State

52. Pat Elflein, C, Ohio State

53. Justin Evans, S, Texas A&M

54. Ethan Pocic, C, LSU

55. Budda Baker, S, Washington

56. Dorian Johnson, OL, Pittsburgh

57. Daeshon Hall, DE, Texas A&M

58. Davon Godchaux, DT, LSU

59. Tedric Thompson, S, Colorado

60. T.J. Watt, OLB, Wisconsin

61. Jourdan Lewis, CB, Michigan

62. Zay Jones, WR, East Carolina

63. Cooper Kupp, WR, Eastern Washington

64. Samaje Perine, RB, Oklahoma

65. Teez Tabor, CB, Florida

66. Dion Dawkins, OL, Temple

67. Tyus Bowser, OLB, Houston

68. Obi Melifonwu, S, Connecticut

69. Desmond King, CB, Iowa

70. ArDarius Stewart, WR, Alabama

71. Dalvin Tomlinson, DT, Alabama

72. Raekwon McMillan, LB, Ohio State

73. Jordan Leggett, TE, Clemson

74. Dawuane Smoot, DE, Illinois

75. Josh Malone, WR, Tennessee

76. Carl Lawson, DE, Auburn

77. Duke Riley, OLB, LSU

78. Alvin Kamara, RB, Tennessee

79. Sidney Jones, CB, Washington

80. Brian Hill, RB, Wyoming

81. Davis Webb, QB, Cal

82. Joshua Dobbs, QB, Tennessee

83. Isaac Asiata, OG, Utah

84. Cam Sutton, CB, Tennessee

85. Zach Banner, OT, USC

86. Jeremy Sprinkle, TE, Arkansas

87. D’Onta Foreman, RB, Texas

88. Josh Reynolds, WR, Texas A&M

89. Vince Biegel, LB, Wisconsin

90. James Conner, RB, Pittsburgh

91. Roderick Johnson, OT, Florida State

92. Alex Anzalone, LB, Florida

93. Shaquill Griffin, CB, Central Florida

94. Jaleel Johnson, DT, Iowa

95. Tanoh Kpassagnon, DE, Villanova

96. Julie’n Davenport, OT, Bucknell

97. Dede Westbrook, WR, Oklahoma

98. Nathan Peterman, QB, Pittsburgh

99. David Sharpe, OT, Florida

100. Caleb Brantley, DT, Florida

101. George Kittle, TE, Iowa

102. Ricky Seals-Jones, TE, Texas A&M

103. Fabian Moreau, CB, UCLA

104. Gerald Everett, TE, South Alabama

105. Ishmael Zamora, WR, Baylor

106. Bucky Hodges, TE, Virginia Tech

107. Chad Hansen, WR, Cal

108. Taylor Moton, OL, Western Michigan

109. Nazair Jones, DT, North Carolina

110. Nico Siragusa, OL, San Diego State

111. DeMarcus Walker, DL, FSU

112. Brad Kaaya, QB, Miami

113. John Johnson, S, Boston College

114. Kendell Beckwith, ILB, LSU

115. KD Cannon, WR, Baylor

116. Kenny Golladay, WR, Northern Illinois

117. Jake Butt, TE, Michigan

118. Danny Isidora, OG, Miami

119. Adam Shaheen, TE, Ashland

120. Cordrea Tankersley, CB, Clemson

121. Carlos Watkins, DT, Clemson

122. Montravius Adams, DT, Auburn

123. Carlos Henderson, WR-KR, Louisiana Tech

124. Amara Darboh, WR, Michigan

125. Anthony Walker, LB, Northwestern

126. Tarell Basham, DE, Ohio

127. Taywan Taylor, WR, Western Kentucky

128. Derek Rivers, DE, Youngstown St.

129. Donnel Pumphrey, RB, San Diego St.

130. Antonio Garcia, OT, Troy

131. Howard Wilson, CB, Houston

132. Kareem Hunt, RB, Toledo

133. Jehu Chesson, WR, Michigan

134. Jessamen Dunker, OG, Tennessee St.

135. Fadol Brown, DE, Ole Miss

136. Collin Buchanan, OT, Miami (Ohio)

137. Avery Gennesy, OT, Texas A&M

138. Larry Ogunjobi, OT, UNC-Charlotte

139. Jonnu Smith, TE, Florida International

140. Shelton Gibson, WR, West Virginia

141. Jeremy McNichols, RB, Boise St.

142. Mack Hollins, WR, North Carolina

143. Tarik Cohen, RB-KR, North Carolina A&T

144. Jalen Myrick, CB, Minnesota

145. Zane Gonzalez, K, Arizona State

146. Brandon Barnes, TE, Alabama St.

147. Ben Gedeon, ILB, Michigan

148. Ahkello Witherspoon, CB, Colorado

149. C.J. Beathard, QB, Iowa

150. Deatrich Wise, DE, Arkansas