2021 NFL Draft Thread

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#132      
Here's the NFL.com draft profile on Khalil Herbert:

NFL Comparison
Mike Davis

Overview
A tempo-based runner with a well-built, compact frame, Herbert runs with a good blend of vision and strength. The Kansas graduate transfer made his single season at Virginia Tech count with a strong showing, ranking among the FBS' top five in rushing yards and yards per carry. He's a little tight-hipped, which prevents him from being a true, one-cut runner, but his vision and speed to the corner make it work for him. He's not a wiggle runner and needs to have some blocking up front to keep his feet moving, but his quick processing of the run lanes and smooth change of direction allow him to create yards for himself within the scheme. His lack of pass pro talent could hurt his draft value. He's worthy of a Day 3 selection and has NFL backup talent.

Strengths
-Received team's Williams-Moss Award for highest quality of leadership and character.
-Well-built with muscular, strong legs.
-Runs with easy tempo and good decisiveness.
-Able to gas it through line of scrimmage when hole develops.
-Instant, clear processing of run lanes while on the move.
-Maintains speed with smooth change of direction.
-Throws pursuit off with quick lane fakes and bounce outs.
-Speed to turn the corner on outside zone.
-Runs behind his pads and falls forward as finisher.
-Ball security and kick return potential are both a plus.
-His brothers were both collegiate athletes.

Weaknesses
-Labored and ineffective when forced to stop-start.
-Lacks short-area wiggle to elude sudden traffic.
-Average creativity up to second level.
-Takes time to gather and cut.
-Unable to plant and go at sharp angles.
-Doesn't find his man consistently in pass pro.
-Effort and technique might make him a non-option on passing downs.
 
#134      
Here's the NFL.com draft profile on Newsome:

NFL Comparison
Russell Gage

Overview
Competitive, high-energy slot with gadget package and punt return talent to help round out his potential roster flexibility. Newsome has work to do before he can be labeled a polished pro prospect. His pass-catching technique is below average and his route-running is a little too unfocused at this time. However, his short-area footwork and ability to alter his route speed provide hope that he can improve quickly in that department. Punt returning could get him on the field quickly depending on where he lands, but his ceiling will be determined by whether or not he grows from being a catch-and-run talent to a well-rounded target.

Strengths
-Makes himself faster through speed variations in his routes.
-Finds his top gear quickly.
-Choppy feet feed body control and directional change in routes.
-Instinctive body positioning and gear down to stack coverage.
-Won't back down and willing to work into the middle of the field.
-Runs with unbridled excitement after the catch.
-Body is split low, creating balance advantage through contact.
-Could offer immediate help as punt returner.
-Father and brother both played collegiately at Virginia Tech.

Weaknesses
-Reliant upon energy over technique as route-runner.
-Cornerbacks don't seem to buy what he is selling.
-Too much wasted motion and energy in route fakes.
-Stems and breaks need to become much more crisp.
-Not a natural hands catcher.
-Struggles getting catch-ready in time for high throws.
-Inconsistent balance catching on the move.
 
#135      
Here's the NFL.com draft profile on Graham Jr.:

Overview
Graham features a good build and plus play strength in coverage, but he really struggles when tasked with transitioning against route breaks. He lacks the recovery speed to handle deficits early in the route against NFL wideouts. His best chance will be as a zone corner where his instincts and tackling might give him a shot.

Strengths
-Well-built frame.
-Impressive ball production as three-year starter.
-Good change of direction flowing downhill in coverage.
-Comfortable sinking and scanning in short zone.
-Plays with physical nature.
-Runs into the frame in run support.
-Willing to submarine pulling linemen to set an edge.

Weaknesses
-Backpedal is upright and clunky.
-Gets hips opened prematurely by receivers.
-Tight hips are sticky in transitions.
-Gives away early separation that he struggles to close out.
-Recovery speed isn’t up to NFL standards.
-Lacks free-flowing athleticism to mirror routes.
-High center of gravity puts him on skates against comeback routes.
 
#137      
With the 247th overall pick in the 2021 NFL Draft, the Arizona Cardinals select Michal Menet, C, Penn State.

With the 248th overall pick in the 2021 NFL Draft, the Indianapolis Colts select Will Fries, OT, Penn State.
 
#139      
Here's the NFL.com draft profile on Tonga:

Overview
Space-eating nose for odd or even fronts with excellent size and quality shed power but lacking desired knee bend to consistently grow his roots against opposing power. There are moments when Tonga really flashed over the last two seasons, but a step up in competition will test him. He's not overly explosive, but his initial hand quickness will allow him early positioning advantages that can be capitalized upon. He's not going to be a third-down option for an NFL rush attack. However, he will use brute force to create some pressure up the gut. He has the upside to become a low-end, early-down starter but a career as a backup should be his floor.

Strengths
-Big, burly and wide with NFL mass.
-Snaps hands into center's shoulders first after snap as zero-technique.
-Eats up space to clog the A-gaps.
-Feel for double-team, dropping his post deep to counter.
-Flicks blocks away with shed twitch.
-Reads and reacts to flow of the run play.
-Active tackler for a big interior lineman.
-Finishes tackles with a crashing thud.
-Momentum rusher who's able to continue pocket push once he's on an edge.
-Decent change of direction inside the pocket.

Weaknesses
-More quick than explosive into first contact.
-Ducks helmet into contact.
-Loses some ground at times due to a lack of knee bend.
-Pushed around against San Diego State.
-Had pads turned and lost excessive ground.
-Has some short-area burst but pursuit range is modest.
-Straight-line rusher.
-No real go-to counters to turn the rush in his favor.
 
#146      
Wow. Bears and Browns with A+ draft grades. My have times changed.

For the Bears, it's all the more amazing when you consider they only had 2 picks in the top 150. As far as the Day 3 guys, Borom is likely gonna be the backup tackle to Leno and Jenkins this season and probably takes Leno's spot on the line heading into 2022. Herbert and Newsome are likely special teams guys their rookie year with both having kick and punt return abilities. I don't know if Graham will contribute his rookie year much but he should have a decent shot at #2 CB job with Johnson as the #1 and Desmond Trufant and Artie Burns signed to low money deals. Tonga is basically gonna be a backup to Goldman and probably doesn't play as anything more than a sub or an injury replacement for Goldman. Sort of a similar role to what Roy Robertson-Harris, who is now with Jacksonville, had.
 
#148      

Illiniaaron

Geneseo, IL
Bears cut Charles Leno Jr. Jenkins must be moving to left tackle and will be starter in game one?
 
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