Evaluation of Jumbo Mock Draft:
21 - DT Tim Settle, Virginia Tech - 6'3", 335 lbs
OVERVIEW
Named as one of the top 40 overall prospects in the 2015 class by multiple high school recruiting services, Settle was a great in-state hold (Manassas) for Virginia Tech. The Washington Post All-Metro pick redshirted his first year in Blacksburg to improve his build and conditioning, and was a reserve for all 14 games in 2016 (17 tackles, blocked kick) before making his impact as a sophomore in 2017. Settle used his quickness off the snap and wide shoulders to earn second-team All-ACC honors at nose tackle. He started all 13 games inside, posting 36 stops, 12.5 for loss, and four sacks.
ANALYSIS
STRENGTHS
Accepted his coaches challenge to lose weight and improve conditioning and has done just that. Thick and broad across lower body. Rare agility for a man his size. Plays with infectious energy. Built low to the ground. Blasts out of his stance to capture the neutral zone. Able to play under and through the edge of blockers. Can be destructive along the interior when he has his wind. Power in upper body for quick punch and shed at point of attack. Good pursuit motor around the field. Locates ball early in the snap and plays off blocks to make tackles. Pad level is good. Has ability to penetrate and two-gap. Arm over can get early wins. Legitimate pocket pusher who can force quarterback to throw from unbalanced platform.
WEAKNESSES
Wears bad weight around his midsection. Maintaining weight loss and conditioning could be a concern when he has to become a self-motivator on next level. Playing style is frenetic and leads to balance issues. Over-extends and finds himself on the ground too often. Played in just 23 college games. Can be inconsistent with hand usage. Will need additional technique work to better take on double teams. Moved by down blocks when he doesn't stay square.
DRAFT PROJECTION
Rounds 1-2
SOURCES TELL US
"I need to watch him more but Bud (Foster) moved him around and I saw a guy who can play both nose spots, 3 (technique), 4i, and maybe 5. Reminds me of when (Dontari) Poe came out. He ain't Poe, but he can play all over the line like Poe could." -- AFC defensive line coach
NFL COMPARISON
Vince Wilfork
BOTTOM LINE
Settle has rare gifts for a big man with good mass, play strength, quickness, and agility. His substantial jump in production in 2017 was due to weight loss and additional conditioning that allowed him to play more snaps and play faster. He's a disruptive, versatile defensive lineman who offers enough pass rush potential to warrant reps on passing downs. Settle is a natural 4-3 fit but can play in a 3-4 as well. He has the potential to become a very good starter with a Pro Bowl ceiling if he controls his weight and maintains his conditioning.
50 - S Kyzir White, West Virginia - 6'2", 216 lbs.
OVERVIEW
Coming out of Lackawanna College, White decided to follow his brothers (current WVU receiver Ka'Raun and former receiver Chicago Bears first-round pick Kevin) to Morgantown. Kyzir was an excellent defender for Lackawanna, earning third-team all-conference honors as a freshman and JUCO All-American accolades in 2015 (37 tackles, three interceptions, four pass breakups in 10 games). The top 20 overall junior college prospect stepped into a starting role with the Mountaineers in 2016, playing the Spur hybrid safety/linebacker spot, compiling 58 tackles, seven for loss, three sacks, five pass break-ups, and two forced fumbles. White's work at Spur earned him second-team All-Big 12 notice from league coaches (94 tackles, 7.5 for loss, three interceptions, four pass break-ups, two forced fumbles).
ANALYSIS
STRENGTHS
Gift wrapped, NFL-ready frame with good length and well-distributed musculation. Expected to carry more weight and transition to hybrid role. Comes from athletic family that is highly supportive. Team captain and true team leader. Plays every down with the same level of grit and urgency -- even when he's away from the ball. Quick to diagnose. Supports run with vigor along the edge and in contain. Forceful hitter. Thumps and engulfs targets while running his feet to finish. Quick to diagnose play-action and retreat into coverage. Very physical with tight ends in man coverage. Has movement, size, and hands making it hard to finesse throws over him without risking a turnover. Absolute freight train as a blitzer who looks to leave a mark on the quarterback.
WEAKNESSES
Safety role will have to be limited due to average play speed. Better playing downhill. Has man coverage limitations that may need to be managed according to the matchup. Sluggish to open hips and transition smoothly from off-coverage. Lacks fluid change of direction. Could take time to adjust to more weight and a more physical role. Needs to get stronger and better with his hands. Average athlete. Lacks explosiveness. Could see inconsistencies as open-field tackler.
DRAFT PROJECTION
Round 2-3
NFL COMPARISON
Michael Boley
BOTTOM LINE
Like his brothers who also attended West Virginia, White was a late bloomer who was lightly recruited and began his journey at Lackawanna Junior College. Despite being a JUCO transfer, White has become a highly-respected team leader who leads by example with his fearless, physical play. Teams are looking to transition him into a hybrid role with the ability to cover tight ends like a safety and support the run like a linebacker. While he's nothing special as an athlete, his competitiveness and play-demeanor should earn him a spot as a starter.
81 - OG Braden Smith, Auburn - 6'6", 303 lbs
OVERVIEW
Given the size and strength Smith showed as a Kansas football all-star and state shot put/discus champion, as well as the top-rated guard recruit in the country, it was not a shock when he played in all 13 games of his true freshman year (starting against Wisconsin in the Outback Bowl) and landed on the Freshman All-SEC squad. He was a second-team All-SEC pick by league media at right guard in 2015 and received second and third-team All-American notice at that position as a junior while also picking up second-team all-conference recognition from SEC coaches. In Smith's final season, he was honored as a first-team All-American and All-SEC selection after starting all 14 games for the Tigers. Smith's athletic build, natural bend, and power make for a lethal combination that could allow him to play outside or inside in the NFL.
ANALYSIS
STRENGTHS
Built like a bank safe with broad chest, hulking arms and thick legs. Weight room strong and field strong. Good body control into initial contact. Absorbs contact and starts grinding. Mauler with power at the point of attack. Able to fist fight in trenches and hold his own against power players. Has strong hands and can lock on for the long haul when he gets a strong initial grab. Good drive blocker. Guard with some emergency tackle value. Has upper body power to cave-in defensive tackles on recovery blocks. Has enough pure power to slow bull-rushers. Punch is adequate.
WEAKNESSES
Plays at a slower pace than you would like. Eyes need to be quicker. Delayed in seeing and picking up twists. Lacks responsive feet to slide and catch blitzers and counter rush moves. Allows rushers to get into his frame. Power zone is narrow affecting balance. Doesn't have reactive athleticism to mirror opponents movements and keep blocks centered. Has a major hitch coming out of his stance when asked to pull. Needs to play faster with hands. Tardy second level climber. Plays robotic and top-heavy at times.
DRAFT PROJECTION
Rounds 3-4
SOURCES TELL US
"He's really strong but he's not a consistent block finisher because defenders can pull him off-balance. I thought he was much better in the early and middle parts of the season than he was at the end when his team really needed him." -- AFC team area scout
NFL COMPARISON
Kevin Zeitler
BOTTOM LINE
Braden Smith has an NFL-ready frame and will impress evaluators with the eyeball test. When the eyeballs are focused on the tape, they will see a player who is more than capable of matching power with power, but can be too regimented in his movement and overall play. Smith is a grinder whose play could vary greatly based upon the matchup across from him. He has size and power, but the holes in his game are unlikely to be patched up with coaching. He can become an average to solid starter.
96 - QB Mason Rudolph, Oklahoma State - 6'5", 235 lbs
OVERVIEW
Like many prospects for the 2018 NFL Draft, Rudolph grew up in a football family. His father, Brett, played at North Carolina in the 1980s. His brother, Logan, is a top 200 recruit that committed to play outside linebacker for Clemson starting in 2017. That background and support helped him excel in high school, where he was a finalist for South Carolina's Mr. Football Award as a senior (4,377 passing yards, 64 touchdowns, eight interceptions). It was expected that Rudolph would take a redshirt in 2014, but the Cowboys' starter fell to injury late in the year. He played in three games, starting two, led the team to a comeback win over rival Oklahoma. Rudolph was OSU's MVP in 2015, starting 12 games (missing most of that year's Bedlam due to injury), completing 62.3 percent of his passes for 3,770 yards and 21 touchdowns and nine interceptions. In his junior campaign, Rudolph stood tall in the pocket and earned honorable mention all-conference honors, distributing the ball to either sideline, as well as down the field, for 4,091 yards (ranking eighth in the FBS) on a 63.4 completion rate with 28 touchdowns -- but throwing just four interceptions in the process. While Rudolph is a pocket passer, he also had six rushing touchdowns in 2016. Rudolph finished his career by winning the Johnny Unitas Golden Arm and Sammy Baugh Awards while earning second-team All-Big 12 recognition. He led the FBS with 377 passing yards per game (4,904 total), completing 65 percent of his passes, finishing among the nation's leader with 37 touchdowns while throwing just nine interceptions.
ANALYSIS
STRENGTHS
Great size and stands tall in the pocket giving him his true height as a passer. Does a good job of letting routes develop and wide receivers clear traffic. Slides in pocket for clean launch points and is rarely a static target for rushers. Keeps eyes trained downfield when sliding around pocket. Got rid of the ball quicker and cut his sacks this year. Willing to throw in front of safeties and attack over top of linebackers in intermediate portion of field. Has steadily improved each season and showed full command of the offense this year. Saw 10 percent of his dropbacks turn into 25-plus yard completions. Puts air under his deep throws and gives receivers a chance to make plays. Reads safeties and moves to his progressions accordingly. Ran zone reads around endzone and finished with 17 rushing touchdowns during career. Willing to drop his head and go get what he needs.
WEAKNESSES
Over-strides at times. Rarely drives lower body through the throw causing ball to sail and float. May not generate enough velocity to beat ball-hawking corners who strangle passing windows. Field-side outs will be a challenge. Needs throws to stay on schedule. Needs to throw with better timing and placement on comeback and outs. Defaults to off-platform throws when he has time to step and deliver. Ball placement and decision making can run askew when forced to scramble from pocket. Ball will come out wobbly at times. Inexperienced as rollout passer. Benefitted from ball-winning targets downfield. Wasn't asked to get through many progressions in the offense. Has had ball security issues as a starter.
DRAFT PROJECTION
Rounds 2-3
SOURCES TELL US
"If you spoke with ten different scouts you would get at least four different opinions about him. I've just seen too many of those system quarterbacks struggle to make it in the league so I'm hesitant to buy in. He has gotten better this year." -- NFC team regional scout
NFL COMPARISON
Christian Ponder
BOTTOM LINE
Pocket quarterback with good size who has shown consistent improvement as a passer. Rudolph is more of a downfield, play-action passer than a quarterback who can win with precision and arm strength. He's a capable field reader who has the ability to operate with timing which will be important since his arm can be dull at times. Rudolph could be an early backup with the potential of becoming an average to below average starter in the league.
116 - LB Christian Sam, Arizona State - 6'2", 237 lbs.
OVERVIEW
Sam was coming off an excellent sophomore year when lining up for the first game of the 2016 season. Unfortunately, a foot injury suffered in that contest shut down his campaign after just one tackle. He rehabbed that injury and returned to garner honorable mention All-Pac-12 honors in 2017, leading the Sun Devils with 127 tackles, 9.5 for loss, three sacks, and two pass breakups. That sophomore season saw Sam compile 98 tackles, 6.5 for loss, an interception, and two pass breakups in 13 starts. Sam started at Allen High School for two straight state titles and was a top-30 linebacker recruit when signing with ASU. He played in 12 games as a reserve, making 16 tackles, one for loss, an interception, and one pass breakup.
ANALYSIS
STRENGTHS
Broad chest with tapered waist and well-defined limbs. Fluid and twitched up. Finds solo stops and isn't a herd tackler. Explosive striker and plays with good aggression. Plays with knee bend and slide quickness in his scrapes. Plus change of direction. Scouts expect a big Combine workout. Plays with square pads as tackler. Downhill worker. Quick shoulder turn to slip blocks. Pursuit speed is impressive. Good peripheral vision and instincts. Usually where he's supposed to be. Three-down backer who can cover. Former staff considered playing him at cornerback before he got too big. Has ability to carry tight ends around the field and can match running backs out of their breaks.
WEAKNESSES
Play speed doesn't always match timed speed. Scouts say he's not the alpha leader in the locker room and doesn't love to practice. Will need to become more effective taking on blocks with hands instead of shoulders. Still learning to digest blocking schemes. Gets out of position when he starts guessing. Can run himself out of plays by running under blocks. Reads runner's initial steps at times rather than sticking with his keys.
DRAFT PROJECTION
Rounds 4-5
SOURCES TELL US
"He makes a bunch of stops and he's always around the ball but you never really see those 'run the tape back again' type of plays to get you excited." -- AFC Personnel executive
BOTTOM LINE
Sam is an inside linebacker who has the ability to swing over to a WILL spot if needed. He absolutely "looks the part" and has the potential to turn some heads with a big Combine and coming off of a 127-tackle season. Scouts have questions about his overall football character which could hurt his draft stock, but his athletic ability and pursuit speed could push him into a starter's role within the first few years of his career if he keeps working at it.
137 - OT Geron Christian, Louisville - 6'5", 298 lbs
OVERVIEW
Christian focused on basketball in high school (he attended three of them) except for his freshman and junior years, where he flashed potential on the gridiron. He decommitted from Miami to head to Louisville, where his brother, Gerald, was a tight end in 2013-2014. In his first season with the Cardinals, Christian started every game at left tackle, receiving honorable mention All-ACC recognition. He followed that effort with a third-team All-ACC season at left tackle as a sophomore, where he started to get stronger in order to use the excellent length and athleticism that helped him as a basketball player. Christian started all 13 games at left tackle in 2017, receiving honorable mention all-conference notice from ACC coaches.
ANALYSIS
STRENGTHS
Flipped in-game between left and right tackle so he's experienced at both. Extremely long arms. Rolls hips for movement on down blocks. Has athletic ability to become capable move blocker on next level. Former standout basketball player with leftover footwork to prove it. Sets with desired posture and smoothness in his slides. Upper body stays quiet throughout. Can transition feet back inside to catch spin moves and inside counters. Maintains balance when punch gets swiped away. Uses inside/out approach in pass sets to prevent rushers from accessing his inside edge. Athleticism to run edge rushers up and around the pocket. Doesn't give away his hands early to counter-punching rushers.
WEAKNESSES
Needs to do a much better job of utilizing his length. Fails to get create adequate arm extension to keep defenders at the end of his length. Catches rather than punches. Tape reveals significant concerns regarding functional power. Recovery strength when beaten is below average. Unable to press defenders off his edge when challenged. Lacks initial pass pro anchor. Bounced deep into pocket by surging ends. May take time to get comfortable working from three-point stance if asked to. Needs to get into his block fit more quickly on down blocks to improve timing of his work-up blocks. Inconsistent on aiming points and too content to use outside hands.
DRAFT PROJECTION
Rounds 3-4
SOURCES TELL US
"This is one of the most interesting tackles because he has potential. Some of these tackles like the UCLA kid (Kolton Miller) they aren't going to get much better. This kid just needs more experience and coaching and I think he will be a starter down the road." -- NFC team offensive line coach
NFL COMPARISON
Jordan Mills
BOTTOM LINE
Three-year starter with experience taking snaps at both tackle spots, Christian possesses good overall athleticism and foot quickness with the arm length NFL evaluators covet. He needs to improve his upper body strength in order make better use of his length in pass protection and to help with redirect blocks. If Christian can improve his anchor and functional power, he could become an average starter, but if not, he will be a swing tackle trying to hold off competition for his job.
