Official 1st Round Of The 2015 NFL Draft Thread

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Jeff Howe @jeffphowe · 7s 8 seconds ago
Beasley to the Falcons.

[Rastak]

2. VIC BEASLEY | Clemson 6030|246 lbs|5SR Adairsville, Ga. (Adairsville HS) 7/8/1992 (age 22) #3


BACKGROUND: A three-star running back/tight end recruit out of high school, Victor “Vic” Beasley was recruited as an athlete and committed to Clemson prior to his senior season, fending off late interest from Alabama and Auburn. After redshirting in 2010, he saw limited playing time on special teams coverage, practicing on defense. Beasley didn’t start a game as a sophomore in 2012, but finished with eight sacks and 18 tackles as a reserve pass rusher for the Tigers. He started all 13 games in 2013 as a junior and recorded career-highs in tackles (44), tackles for loss (23.0), sacks (13.0) and forced fumbles (four), earning First Team All-ACC and AllAmerican honors. Beasley returned for his senior year and was named the ACC Defensive Player of the Year, finishing with 34 tackles, 21.5 tackles for loss and 12.0 sacks, earning First Team All-ACC and All-American honors. He received a Senior Bowl invitation, but declined to participate.


STRENGTHS: Athletic, cut physique with easy flexibility and change of direction skills…sprints off the snap with sudden first-step quickness and instant acceleration to flatten around the edge…natural bend with smooth hips to play on his feet…explosive lateral movements and a mismatch for any blocker in space – very shifty to avoid contact and forces offenses to leave a back or tight end on his side to help chip…rangy pursuit speed and closes in a flash…processes the action quickly with little hesitation, appearing to move at a different speed…improved using his hands and inside shoulder to fend off arm bars, get underneath blockers and create leverage to win the edge, blowing up plays in the backfield…attacks the chest of blockers and puts them on their heels with initial pop…improved awareness and discipline – hyperactive player, but controlled in space to make stops…tougher than he looks with the point of attack strength and active motor to play the run…not vocal, but leads by example and goes about his business with a level-head and strong work habits…versatile experience with his hand on the ground and standing up in space…holds school record for career sacks (33.0), breaking the previous mark of 29.0 held by Michael Dean Perry and Gaines Adams – fourth in program history with 52.5 career tackles for loss…football bloodlines – father (Victor) played safety at Auburn (1982-84).


WEAKNESSES: Maxed out frame with shorter arms – added bulk during pre-draft process after playing at 220-230 pound range at Clemson…lacks the brute strength to stack, shed and rip through blocks in tight quarters and needs space to be effective…rarely moved blockers in college and needs to consistently convert speed to power…tends to get eaten up by blockers and disappear for stretches – hand use still a work-in-progress…inconsistent holding the edge with streaky vision and effort vs. the run…unproven dropping in space and more comfortable rushing than moving in reverse or laterally…will play too fast and misread angles – needs to better control his momentum on the move to square up and finish with his hands.


SUMMARY: Beasley starred as a high school running back and return man, but focused on defense once he arrived at Clemson and leaves the college ranks as the most productive pass rusher in program history. He was part of a defensive line rotation and excelled as a speed rusher in space, but became more of a well-rounded player as a senior, improving his strength vs. the run, although he’s still inconsistent holding the edge. Beasley needs to be a more consistent finisher in the backfield and better control his momentum, playing too fast at times. He has traits that remind scouts of Barkevious Mingo and Von Miller, but his effectiveness at the next level will depend on his functional power and development dropping in space if teams give him that responsibility. Beasley projects best as an outside linebacker in a 3-4 scheme and his NFL grade takes some projection, but he also has a high floor due to his pass rush ability – top-10 talent.

[smuggler]

DeVante Parker to Giants?? Or Shelton? What do you guys think?

[Cheesehead Craig]

Bust

Just logged on. Yep, Winston will be the next Jay Cutler. Overpaid, will make some plays but will bottom line kill your team with INTs.

[Rastak]

Pro Football Focus's take on Bears pick:


7: Chicago Bears

Kevin White, WR, West Virginia

Brandon Marshall is gone but fear not Bears fans because Kevin White is in town. A beast of a receiver, his physicality and ability to win downfield scared many a college defensive back and promise to do the same in the NFL. Only Amari Cooper forced more missed tackles, and only Devin Smith had more deep touchdowns (7) than the talented wideout. A truly explosive player, the tandem of him and Alshon Jeffery is one that rightly has the Bears fans in attendance sitting very pretty. This fit makes all kinds of sense.

[red]

DeVante Parker to Giants?? Or Shelton? What do you guys think?

could be a landing spot for gordon

[pbmax]

Packers need a huge reach right about now.

[pittstang5]

DeVante Parker to Giants?? Or Shelton? What do you guys think?

Oline?

[smuggler]

Packers need a huge reach right about now.

Why?

[Joemailman]

Is that the Packers big board in the background?

[Rastak]

It's Flowers to Giants

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NFL Update @MySportsUpdate · 1m 1 minute ago
Giants will select Ereck Flowers

[smuggler]

Ereck Flowers!

[pbmax]

Why?

Just to help push someone down.

[Rastak]

5. ERECK FLOWERS | Miami (Fla.) 6062|329 lbs|3JR Miami, Fla. (Miami Norland HS) 4/25/1994 (age 21) #74


BACKGROUND: A four-star offensive tackle recruit out of high school, Flowers collected a few dozen scholarship offers, but decided to stay home and sign with Miami. He started the first four games at right tackle as a true freshman in 2012, coming off the bench in the final eight games. Flowers moved to left tackle in 2013 as a sophomore and started all 13 games. He missed one game due to injury as a junior in 2014, starting 12 games at left tackle, earning Second Team All-ACC honors. Flowers elected to skip his senior season and enter the 2015 NFL Draft.


STRENGTHS: Broad shouldered and looks the part with a naturally wide frame…good arm length and functional upper body strength, using his inline power to win the point of attack and drive his man in the run game…athletic movement skills for his size, showing the footwork and hip flexibility to operate in space…nimble feet and carries his weight well…recognizes pressures, sinking-and-shuffling to beat rushers to the point…sets up quickly with correct body and eye position…still learning how to properly use his length, but extends well to initiate contact…finishes blocks with authority, fighting through the whistle with an active mean streak – enjoys the physicality of the game…comfortable in his own skin with a self-starting, confident attitude – decided not to hire an agent, choosing to handle those responsibilities himself…alert player and won’t take snaps off…very reliable worker and pushes himself in the weight room…high pain threshold and hates to leave the field, toughing out injuries…good starting experience with 29 career starts on his résumé, including 25 at left tackle.


WEAKNESSES: Leaner than ideal lower body…lumbering lateral moves with choppy footwork and frame tightness, especially when redirecting his momentum – allows quick-footed rushers to cross his face…undisciplined technique and forgets his body fundamentals at times – needs to keep his butt low and elbows in midshuffle…needs to relax, collect himself and stay patient in space, getting excited and overextended due to anxious tendencies…wild upper body mechanics and late hands, letting defenders attack his body…numerous false start penalties on his résumé…medical records need examined after surgery to repair a torn meniscus in his knee (Oct. 2014), missing one game during his junior season.


SUMMARY: Although he could have used another year at the college level to clean up his mistakes and simmer awhile longer in the crock pot, Flowers has the size, athletic traits and competitive nature to be a long-term NFL starter – similar to La’el Collins, it doesn’t always look pretty, but he gets the job done. He needs to be more reliant on his hands and technique, not just his broad-shouldered frame and strength, but possesses the hard-working preparation habits to adapt with NFL coaching. Flowers has experience in man and zone blocking concepts and has the versatile skill-set to fit at left or right tackle, although he might not be ready to start from day one at the next level. He is admittedly unpolished in several areas, but his best football is ahead of him – late first round pick who could go higher due to his upside.