Official Day 2 (Rounds 2 and 3) of the 2015 NFL Draft Thread

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already 3 picks behind

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the twitter things pb gave aren't leaking pics tonight, must have got scolded

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skins take preston smith de/OLB from miss state

[Rastak]

4. PRESTON SMITH | Mississippi State 6047|271 lbs|4SR Stone Mountain, Ga. (Stephenson HS) 11/17/1992 (age 22) #91
GRADE 2nd Round 2012

BACKGROUND: A three-star defensive end recruit out of high school, Smith committed to Mississippi State over Kentucky and a few other programs. He played sparingly as a true freshman in 2011 before seeing more action as a valuable reserve in 2012, recording 4.5 sacks and 35 tackles. Smith started 11 games in 2013 as a junior, posting 44 tackles, 6.5 tackles for loss and 2.5 sacks. He emerged as one of the SEC’s best defenders in 2014 as a senior, leading the team with 15.0 tackles for loss, 9.0 sacks and 15 quarterback hurries, adding 48 tackles and two forced fumbles. Smith earned First Team All-SEC honors and earned SEC Defensive Lineman of the Week three straight weeks at one point. He earned an invitation to the 2015 Senior Bowl.


STRENGTHS: Passes the eye test with a tall, long build and above average wingspan…nice job holding the point of attack, anchoring well with knee bend and balanced leverage…heavy punch and will jar blockers with his hands, especially when he has a step or two of momentum…uses his arm extension to keep room between him and blockers while tracking the ball…nice job working off contact, showing improved hand usage once engaged to dispose of blockers…attacks gaps with his initial quickness and tough to slow down as an interior rusher – effective arm over swim move…good ankle flection to bend around the edge and press the pocket…above average body length helps with his tackling radius, unlocking his hips at contact and striking through his target…better than expected pursuit skills…two blocked kicks on special teams in 2014…different motivation after his daughter was born (Dec. 2013)…versatile experience at both left and right defensive end, moving to a onetechnique role on obvious passing downs…good production on his resume with 21.5 tackles for loss and 11.5 sacks in 24 starts.


WEAKNESSES: Not a loose mover and lacks ideal closing burst…doesn’t own the edge speed to consistently win with athleticism alone…has some joint tightness and lacks the start/stop momentum to consistently turn the corner – forced to slow his momentum when gearing down…strong hands, but needs to be more violent to do a better job shedding blocks…needs to keep his feet through contact and stay off the ground…plays too tall, allowing blockers to get under his pads…part of a heavy rotation and received plenty of rest to be fresh…most of his production came as a senior.


SUMMARY: The light bulb started to illuminate for Smith over the summer (newborn daughter was a driving force of motivation) and it was at full glow a few games into the season, earning SEC Defensive Lineman of the Week honors three straight weeks at one point. His versatility is the key to his ability, lining up inside and outside and attacking the point of attack with his power and long arms. Smith will never be a twitchy rusher who will consistently win the edge with speed, but he has the length, strength and mind-set to hold the edge and provide some pass rush potential, especially when moved inside as a gap penetrator – fits as a left defensive end in a 4-3 or as a five-technique defensive end in the Kareem Martin mold.

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bears take eddie goldman

[Joemailman]

Eddie Goldman. That makes sense. He was the highest remaining player other than Gregory and Collins.

[Rastak]

4. EDDIE GOLDMAN | Florida State 6037|336 lbs|3JR Washington D.C. (Friendship Academy) 1/6/1994 (age 21) #90
GRADE 1st-2nd Round



BACKGROUND: A five-star defensive tackle recruit out of high school, Goldman chose to play at Florida State over offers from Alabama and Auburn. He served as a back-up true freshman, finishing with eight tackles and 1.0 tackles for loss. Goldman moved into the starting line-up as a sophomore, starting 13 games in 2013 and finishing with 19 tackles, 3.0 tackles for loss and 2.0 sacks. He started all 14 games in 2014 as a junior, recording 35 tackles, 8.0 tackles for loss and 4.0 sacks, earning First Team All-ACC honors. Goldman decided to skip his senior season and enter the 2015 NFL Draft.


STRENGTHS: Built like a tank with proportionate thickness on his upper and lower halves…good quickness off the snap to cross the face and avoid blockers, attacking gaps and penetrating the backfield…extends his long arms to attack bodies and work off his man, making plays in the middle of the field…forceful hands and won’t let blockers dictate his path – prefers to be the instigator…physical at the point of attack with the lower body strength to push the pocket and reset the line of scrimmage…locates well and clogs run lanes, forcing ballcarriers to stop and ask for directions…adequate mobility for his size to get outside the hashes and pursue…explodes through his hips as a tackler and looks to finish…showing consistent stamina late in games and doesn’t need to come off the field often…well-liked by his teammates and coaches with competitive demeanor desired at the position…considered a strong practice player and hard worker between games – serious in the film room and student of the game…started 27 games the past two seasons, seeing playing time at end, three-technique and nose guard.


WEAKNESSES: Allows his pads to rise off the snap, impeding his leverage at the point of attack…not a twitchy player off the ball and his anticipation has room for improvement…lacks range and won’t consistently get work done outside the hashes…overaggressive and will get out of control in his movements, ending up taking the long route to the ball…pass rush skills are undeveloped and lacks much creativity with his hand/arm techniques…needs to add discipline to his diet and keep his emotions in check – a few after-the-whistle penalties to his name and was suspended (Sept. 2013) for one game due to a violation of team rules…minor durability concerns, leaving the ACC Championship Game with a right ankle injury (Dec. 2014) and didn’t work out at the NFL Scouting Combine because of the ankle issue and a neck sprain…average career production with minimal splash plays.


SUMMARY: After a slow start as a true freshman, Goldman beat out several upperclassmen for a starting job in 2013 as a sophomore next to Timmy Jernigan and took on an expanded role as a junior, seeing time at three-technique and nose guard. He has an excellent combination of quickness and power with the frame, length and core power to be scheme diverse and fit odd/even fronts. Goldman calls himself a “hard-nosed” player and he backs it up on the field and off, already preparing like a professional – has a genuine love for the game. He doesn’t offer much as a pass rusher and is a work-in-progress in several areas, but he is an impact twogapping run stuffer who hasn’t scratched the surface of his potential yet. Goldman lacks difference-maker traits, but is a better pro prospect than Jernigan and should be space-eater in the league for a long time, fitting best as a nose tackle or five-technique in a 3-4 or a one-technique in a 4-3 scheme – top-35 prospect in the mold of San Diego Chargers’ Corey Liuget.

[Rastak]

Paul Allen @PAOnTheMic 1m1 minute ago
Who in heck did Carolina just trade up 15 spots for? #BigMove

[Joemailman]

Tennessee up. They need a CB. Eric Rowe?

[Rastak]

We wouldn't know because we are in a time warp instead of watching the draft unfold.

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Paul Allen @PAOnTheMic 1m1 minute ago
Who in heck did Carolina just trade up 15 spots for? #BigMove

i wouldn't know

NO BODY HAS SAID ANYTHING ABOUT IT ON TV

[Joemailman]

Paul Allen @PAOnTheMic 1m1 minute ago
Who in heck did Carolina just trade up 15 spots for? #BigMove

I'm guessing Jake Fisher.

[Rastak]

#Rams trade pick No. 41 to #Panthers for pick Nos. 57 (second round), 89 (third round), 201 (sixth round).

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well, mariota has a weapon now

[Rastak]

4. DORIAL GREEN-BECKHAM | Oklahoma 6051|237 lbs|3JR Springfield, Mo. (Hillcrest HS) 4/12/1993 (age 22) #11
GRADE 1st-2nd Round


BACKGROUND: A five-star wide receiver recruit out of high school, Green-Beckham had every major FBS program knocking at his door, but he decided to stay in-state and enroll at Missouri. He made an instant impact as a true freshman with 28 catches for 395 yards and five touchdowns in 2012, earning Freshman All-American honors by several outlets. Green-Beckham blossomed further as a sophomore starter in 2013 with a team-high 59 receptions for 883 yards and 12 touchdowns over 14 starts, earning Second Team All-SEC honors. He was dismissed from Mizzou after a third off-field incident (April 2014) and enrolled at Oklahoma, although he had to sit out the season after his waiver to play immediately was denied. Despite not playing a game for the Sooners, Green-Beckham decided to give up his remaining eligibility to enter the 2015 NFL Draft.


STRENGTHS: Physical specimen with rare athleticism and triangle numbers (size/speed/strength) for his frame…plays with balance and core power to keep his center of gravity…uses long-striding acceleration to get vertical in a hurry and create separation in his routes…strong plant-and-go burst in his breaks, effortlessly shifting his momentum in his patterns, not having to gear down when changing directions…physical leaper with high-pointing prowess to climb the ladder and play in the clouds…uses his body beautifully in coverage to tower over defenders with an outrageous catching radius…aggressive at the catch point with loose body control, easy adjustments and large hands to pluck with an attacking mentality…not a push-over and shows a “take charge” on-field personality…swats corners away in his path and won’t let defenders dictate his pattern…productive when on the field with 87 catches in two seasons at Missouri, averaging a touchdown every 5.1 receptions.


WEAKNESSES: Functional strength is average-at-best, before and after the pass…still learning the route tree and took advantage of mostly packaged and vertical patterns…bad habit of getting lazy in his routes at times and doesn’t consistently read coverages to set up his movements…will allow the ball to reach his body at times, which leads to drops…needs seasoning and on-field reps after not playing since the 2013 season…not a consistent finisher with questionable work habits – uncertain accountability, both on and off the field…strong red flags and immature make-up…multiple off-field incidents, including two arrests for marijuana possession: first in Oct. 2012 with four other teammates; and then in Jan. 2014, although those charges were later dismissed when another person in the car where the drugs were found took ownership…was dismissed from Missouri after allegedly forcing himself into an apartment and pushing a female down the stairs – wasn’t formally charged because no one pressed charges, but could enter the NFL with a strike against him when it comes to domestic abuse.


SUMMARY: A NFL prospect with rare physical traits, Green-Beckham is the type of wide receiver that even when covered, he is open due to his gargantuan size and freakish athleticism. He is still unpolished in several areas, but there is a ton of untapped potential with on-field ability that would warrant top-10 overall consideration in this draft class. However, there are strong red flags that will eliminate Green-Beckham from some NFL team’s draft boards and not just legal troubles, but also underachiever tendencies and doubts whether he has the work ethic and drive in his belly to reach his full potential. Fair or not, the Josh Gordon situation will be on the minds of any team that considers drafting him.