DantheMan 2016 Draft Thread

[dantheman41]

Dan,
Can you rank the DL from best down, as you think they should be drafted by Dallas? Say at least the top 5-10

No problem... Just finishing up all the scouting reports now. Will be finishing my guide hopefully this weekend. But here is my Dallas based rankings. Your talking DT, right? Or are you talking about edge rushers?

DT (Both 1 and 3 techs)

1. Robert Nkemdiche (Not saying I draft him here because of off the field issues)
2. Sheldon Rankins
3. DeForest Buckner
4. Kenny Clark
5. Andrew Billings
6. Chris Long
7. A'Shawn Robinson
8. Javon Hargrave
9. Vernon Butler
10. Jarran Reed

 

[dantheman41]

Reggie Ragland - 6'1 247 lbs (Alabama)

Positives:
Disciplined, patient player who understands timing and reading keys. Plays downhill and shows a real physicality in the way he plays. Scheme versatile guy who can play inside in both 4-3 and 3-4 defenses. Shows really good field vision and awareness. Fights and battles through the junk making tackle after tackle. Excellent blitzer, can get around the edge in obvious passing situations. Very reliable open field tackler.

Negatives:

Takes very aggressive angles overpursuing plays at times. Has very little experience in coverage. Tight hips, not the smoothest moving athlete. Questions about whether he is a 3 down linebacker at the next level because of his athleticism and lack of coverage ability.

Where He Fits and My Opinion:

Solid linebacker who is very good, not great. Not quite as well rounded as his former teammate CJ Mosley. Late 1st round type of player.

 

[dantheman41]

Myles Jack - 6'1 245 lbs (UCLA)

Positives:

Outstanding athlete with great movement skills. Ridiculously fluid, smooth athlete that moves all over UCLA's defense. One of the best coverage linebackers to come out of the draft in a long, long time. Shows he can cover quick, shifty slot receivers or bigger more physical receivers. Can carry guys across the field or run upfield with them. Is used in passing situations to rush the passer at times, and shows he can generate pass rush around the edge. Play maker, always around the ball. Shows nice ability to get his hands on the ball or create a turnover.

Negatives:

Has a tendency to get a little handsy down the field grabbing guys. Not a rough you up type of downhill player, more of a finesse linebacker. Sometimes struggles making the tackle alone. Doesn't show real point of attack strength. Coming off a bad knee injury where he might need a few more months to fully recover.

Where He Fits and My Opinion:

Ideally would play as a will linebacker in a 4-3 where he can just run and attack the ball. As a middle linebacker, he would get swallowed up too much at the point of attack. Outstanding athlete that is going to get better and better with the right coaching.

 

[Dalmations202]

No problem... Just finishing up all the scouting reports now. Will be finishing my guide hopefully this weekend. But here is my Dallas based rankings. Your talking DT, right? Or are you talking about edge rushers?

DT (Both 1 and 3 techs)

1. Robert Nkemdiche (Not saying I draft him here because of off the field issues)
2. Sheldon Rankins
3. DeForest Buckner
4. Kenny Clark
5. Andrew Billings
6. Chris Long
7. A'Shawn Robinson
8. Javon Hargrave
9. Vernon Butler
10. Jarran Reed

Great list. IMO, and I know my opinion isn't a popular one, but I think this is supposed to be one of the best DL drafts in years, and Dallas should get the best DL they can from it. Trading down to pick up an extra 2nd and 3rd with the Rams is where I would think everyone could come out the winner. I doubt the Rams would give both 2nds, but they might give a 2nd and 3rd to move from 15 to 4 so they can take Goff. That would give Dallas the R2P12 and R3P13 though, and both could be starters for this team that still has needs. With that said, Dallas made its offensive line very good, and all of a sudden they were relevant again. Fix the defensive line, and all of a sudden they could be much closer to talking Superbowl, IMO.

So if Dallas would draft a STUD DL, and put him next to Thorton, and move Crawford to strong side DE and Lawrence to RDE, that would allow for Gregory and Irving to be pass rush specialist, and for the rotation to work much cleaner --- while allowing much bigger stronger guys in the middle to stop the run.

Crawford - Rankins - Thorton - Lawrence or
Crawford - Thorton - Billings - Lawrence or
Lawrence - Irving - Robinson - Gregory on passing downs

Irving has the length to be able to play DE or 3-tech, and so does Crawford. This line misses the guy that pushes the pocket back into the QB and demands a double team on every down.

Dallas needs to fix the trenches first, and I don't care how much they "value" a position......if they fix the lines, the rest will follow. I think that was proven with the offense. You and many others can grade out the DL better than I, but I think Dallas should go DL early.

I also admit that if Ramsey really is viewed as a future All-Pro and if Wentz is viewed as a franchise QB that I wouldn't trade down, but unless Dallas sees a player with that kind of potential, then I will assume that both of these are already off the board before Dallas picks.

 

[Oh_Canada]

Hassan Ridgeway thoughts?

 

[dantheman41]

Hassan Ridgeway thoughts?

Like the player a lot.. Might be a bit undersized to play nose in a 3-4, but in our defense he could be great. Not sure I'm a fan of him moving up to 1st or 2nd round, but anywhere after the 3rd and I wouldn't mind it. His injury issues concern me a bit

 

[dantheman41]

Hey guys! Just finished my draft guide! Been working so hard on it for the last few weeks, would appreciate it a ton if you guys checked it out and purchased it. Only $2.99. Did A TON of guys the last few weeks and gave my rankings for all. Will post some of the rankings and scouting reports on here as well in the coming days. The link is in my signature

 

[dantheman41]

Javon Hargrave - 6'1 309 lbs (South Carolina State)

Positives:

Played as a nose tackle in a 3 and 4 man front. Incredibly explosive athlete with the best 1st step I've seen for interior players. Really quick, agile guy who can shoot through double teams with ease. Shows an array of pass rush moves, including an outstanding swim move. Can win with his power as well, showing excellent strength in his lower body. In the backfield almost every play. Equally good against the run and the pass. Had 6 sacks in 1 game this year.

Negatives:

His level of competition is concerning, but he absolutely dominated at times. Showed he can compete against better competition with a really good week at the Shrine Game. Doesn't have great length and still a very raw player.

Where He Fits and My Opinion:

Has a huge ceiling and absolutely dominated his level of competition. Would best be served as a penetrating 3 technique for a team but can move to the 1 as well. I absolutely think this kid has a chance to be incredibly special. I would take him if I had an early 2nd round pick. One of my favorite players in this draft.

 

[dantheman41]

Jalen Ramsey 6'1 209 lbs (Florida State

Strengths: Shows ideal length and size to play either FS or corner. Moved all-around Florida State's defense, but mostly at corner this year. Excellent athleticism with the ability to carry guys up the field or across the field. Gets his hands on a lot of balls and disrupts QB's throwing vision. Shows an outstanding ability to play the ball in the air with his excellent leaping ability to go vertical. Sees and reads the field so well, and shows the excellent closing speed to close on the ball. Seems to engage and like the physical aspect of the game, and generally a good tackler. Outstanding special teams player.

Weaknesses: As many balls as he gets his hands on, he drops way too many of them. Can sometimes struggle in man coverage with his tight hips, side to side agility isn't great. He doesn't always seem to play the ball in the air, shows lack of awareness at times. Allows separation often when lined up in man coverage. Only 3 career inteceptions and 0 this past year.

My Hot Take: Outstanding athlete who is a better safety then corner right now. Doesn't possess the fluidity to really mirror and dominate at corner at the next level quite yet, gives up a lot of plays at corner. He could get there with his athleticism in the future. As a safety he could be outstanding with his closing burst, and the way he sees the field. Top 5 player in this draft.

 

[Angry Man]

Hey guys! Just finished my draft guide! Been working so hard on it for the last few weeks, would appreciate it a ton if you guys checked it out and purchased it. Only $2.99. Did A TON of guys the last few weeks and gave my rankings for all. Will post some of the rankings and scouting reports on here as well in the coming days. The link is in my signature

I just picked up your book. I'm looking forward to reading it once I get some free time.

 

[dantheman41]

I just picked up your book. I'm looking forward to reading it once I get some free time.

Thanks so much!! Means the world....

 

[Sydla]

Dan, thoughts on Jaylon Smith pre-knee injury?

 

[dantheman41]

Dan, thoughts on Jaylon Smith pre-knee injury?

Love the player! Actually probably slightly better prospect then Myles Jack

 

[dantheman41]

Jaylon Smith 6'2 223 lbs (Notre Dame)

Strengths: Long, fluid athlete who moves so well. Constantly keeps his feet moving. Goes into another gear when closing on the ball. Plays with such suddenness. Do it all player. Outstanding in the open field, rarely allows guys to slip past him or get by. Excellent agility and side to side movement skills. Plays in all kinds of coverages, even in the slot at times. Reads and reacts so quick. Shows excellent balance staying on his feet. Very good, reliable tackler.

Weaknesses: His injury in the bowl game will probably cause him to miss all of next year. He suffered ligament damage, and the biggest question is if he will ever come back 100%. Could stand to put some more weight on and get a bit stronger, looks more like a safety.

My Hot Take: His injury is heartbreaking, such a talented talented player. I would have him above Myles Jack if it weren't for his injury. He's a better all-around player that can do it all. He is absolutely worth taking a risk on somewhere along the way. The slight chance he could become what he once was would be enough for me to take that risk in the mid-later rounds of the draft.

 

[silver]

Hey guys! Just finished my draft guide! Been working so hard on it for the last few weeks, would appreciate it a ton if you guys checked it out and purchased it. Only $2.99. Did A TON of guys the last few weeks and gave my rankings for all. Will post some of the rankings and scouting reports on here as well in the coming days. The link is in my signature

Just did. Great guide.

 

[visionary]

The good thing I've seen is that he's come straight out to the media and said he made a mistake, took full responsibility.

I read the exact opposite
Kid took no responsibility, made excuse after excuse
Some teams said that he was one of their worst all time interviews

 

[dantheman41]

I read the exact opposite
Kid took no responsibility, made excuse after excuse
Some teams said that he was one of their worst all time interviews

Sad... Really sad that happened. Wonder how far he is going to fail. Hate guys with such talent disappointing in the mental side of the sport

 

[dantheman41]

Just did. Great guide.

Wow thanks so much! Means a lot! Going to continue to do the guides each year. In addition to being a regular contributor on this forum

 

[dantheman41]

At this point guys, this is what I'm hoping for us in the draft:

1. Best option is Ramsey falling to us at 4. No brainer if he does.
2. If Ramsey isn't there, trade back a few spots and draft the best of Zeke, Bosa, Hargreaves and Wentz. Pick up an extra 2nd or 3rd

 

[jday]

At this point guys, this is what I'm hoping for us in the draft:

1. Best option is Ramsey falling to us at 4. No brainer if he does.
2. If Ramsey isn't there, trade back a few spots and draft the best of Zeke, Bosa, Hargreaves and Wentz. Pick up an extra 2nd or 3rd

I think Zeke makes the best immediate impact but I wouldn't bet on anyone's life that he is the absolute right choice for the cowboys now. But, I don't think any one defender could collectively help the cowboys more than a special running back could. Is Zeke that kind of special back?