Couple of items from Tony Pauline's Mailbag

Cowboyny

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Happy New Year!

As many know, Tony Pauline is one of the more connected insiders with legitimate sources within the NFL scouting community. Here are a few mailbag questions I pulled off his column on pro football network.com:

Is it just me, or is the 2021 cornerback class very weak at the top and lacking depth in the middle rounds?
I agree, and I will add that it’s not just the cornerback position; the entire secondary class is very suspect this year. Patrick Surtain II, Shaun Wade, Caleb Farley, and Jaycee Horn all have warts in their games and are no sure things. Derion Kendrick is developing, but he still needs work. The corner class really drops off after that and the safety position is even worse.

Whose draft stock has fallen the most this college football season?
Florida State defensive tackle Marvin Wilson was considered a potential Day 2 pick at one time, but he’s been invisible for most of the year. He now grades as a mid-Day 3 selection.

Here is a blurb on his draft big board:

Zaven Collins also moved up the board as the positive chatter on his play and instincts is growing louder in the scouting community.

Currently has Collins as the #12 prospect. Pauline was the one who had Lve as a 1st rd prospect even before the combine, where many media draft sites had him as more of a mid-round player.
 

CalPolyTechnique

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I like Farley’s tools and upside better than Surtain, but if we’re picking at 18-19 the latter wouldn’t be a bad option depending on how he tests out.

Would definitely also look at Zavien Collins in that range too.

The LB I like somewhere in the 2nd day is Baron Browning from Ohio State.
 

cnuball21

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I like Farley’s tools and upside better than Surtain, but if we’re picking at 18-19 the latter wouldn’t be a bad option depending on how he tests out.

Would definitely also look at Zavien Collins in that range too.

The LB I like somewhere in the 2nd day is Baron Browning from Ohio State.

Big fan of Browning...kinda weird he isn't given as much draft love due to his size and athleticism?

Go check out Cam McGrone if you haven't already. Another LBr I love who I think is atop 50ish talent.
 

Malhavoc

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Browning is definitely a backer that I have my eye on.
 

Cowboyny

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I like Farley’s tools and upside better than Surtain, but if we’re picking at 18-19 the latter wouldn’t be a bad option depending on how he tests out.

Would definitely also look at Zavien Collins in that range too.

The LB I like somewhere in the 2nd day is Baron Browning from Ohio State.
I think both Browning and Surrant goes in day 2, where Parsons, Collins, Bolton in order get drafted in rd 1. Very possible the team may have to use their 2nd rd pick to land one.
 

visionary

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LB is an interesting position and I think teams grade them very differently once you get past the first round talents. I think one can find really really good starting caliber LBs in Rds 3-5
 

Malhavoc

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I think it’s a fair question to ask whether the team is ready to move on from the money invested in Smith and the #1 pick invested in LVE. I’m not so sure, even if Parsons is sitting there available. At the very least we should start to look at backers in round 3. Someone to potentially take over for Smith the following year when the cap hit works in our favor.
 

805BoysInBlue

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Zaven Collins just dosent seem very athletic to me or stand out enough to be a 1st rounder.
 

cnuball21

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Zaven Collins just dosent seem very athletic to me or stand out enough to be a 1st rounder.

Looks pretty explosive and fluid to me on tape.

He must test well for me to consider him in the 1st though or it’s a pass.
 

Cowboyny

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I hope not. Okudha was kind of a bust for Detroit this season. I was far more impressed with Diggs. I know he was hurt most of the season but he should have not been a top 5 pick.
He hadn’t had a good rookie year. Just saw Kendrick get burned and he might be a top 5 corner in this class, which is not good.
 
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