Stupidly Early Mock Draft

[wist43]

Jarren Reed out of Baylor a DT:

I'm looking at a Mock by a Cleveland Sports writer that has him picked right after the Packers Pick at NO. 27 and DE Kevin Dodd (Clemson) .

The Kansas City Chiefs pick DT Jarren Reed at NO..

I think you're thinking of Andrew Billings, DT, Baylor, 6'1, 311 lbs. (CBS rank #15) No way he'll be there at 27.

I was talking about Jarran Reed, DT, Alabama. He's ranked ahead of Rankins, and I just don't see that. I don't see Reed in the 1st round, but a lot of people like him.

[woodbuck27]

My IDEAL draft wish list at this early point in time. My criteria were as follows:
* Increase team speed
* Allow the Packers to become an elite pass rushing defense
* Improve OL and better protect AROD
* Improve our ability to stretch the field vertically, both from the TE and WR positions
* Add a fast, tough ILB who will enable Clay to move back to OLB
* Improve 3rd down and Red Zone offense by adding a pass catching, change of pace RB
* Improve our KR and PR games
[Scouting analysis from NFL Draft Tracker]

1. DE KEVIN DODD 6'5" 277 LBS, 4.86 SEC 40 YD
CLEMSON
Strengths Relentless competitor with NFL-*ready frame. Refuses to give offensive lineman a play off. Not content to be around a play, wants in the action. Won't lay on blocks and able to improve his position after contact through footwork and strength. Never drops eyes from ball location and is able to unhinge from blocks quickly to make a play when the ball enters his patch of grass. Extremely instinctive and well-coached. Snuffs out screens, bootlegs and shovel passes almost every game. Takes his contain responsibility very seriously. Insane production spike from last year to this season. Saw his quarterback pressures go from three to 46 and he was credited with 12 sacks in 2015 season. Athletic upfield burst with desired bend and hip flexion to corner the edge. Has length and leverage to become an effective speed-*to*-power rusher. Wore Alabama out with three sacks and two tackles for loss. Tape shows a player who played his best football at the end of the year.

VIDEO https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=APlMJ6uxUeg

NFL Comparison Michael Bennett

He's a solid Candidate.

[Maxie the Taxi]

To start, let me say I actually would be happy if he landed on the Packers as a #7. Especially in the seventh round, ever more if he was one of two seventh round picks available after trades.

But his downside is this: He never played TE in college. Despite his marvelous athletics, he had trouble making an impact at WR due to his duties as safety. So he is changing positions and is a huge project. He is probably 2 years on the PS.

He was not a truly hard nosed safety, so it remains to be seen how he takes to blocking. He has rarely blocked. Projecting him to TE right now means that teams would treat him as a WR and substitute accordingly. He would not add to the run game and we don't know if he can beat NFL coverage.

He weighs 231 pounds. He needs a minimum of 20 pounds on that frame. Maybe he gets away with fifteen (but did anyone think DJ Williams was big enough at that weight?). What does that do to his speed?

On the plus side: Put him in a cowboy hat, hope for an accelerated learning curve and he could be Jay Novacek.

All true. He's a Jeff Janis project. However, having been a QB and WR, he's likely to be a rapid learner. Moreover, I don't see the need for him to be anything other than a situational TE at the start. Use him where his height, speed and ball carrying ability can create a mismatch and complement DickRod's game. Jermichael Finley played at 6'5" 247 lbs and wasn't much of a blocker. I think McEvoy is stronger and more athletic than Finley. Probably smarter and more dedicated too. He should be able to play a Finley-type game with the Packers soon enough with work, study and experience.

[woodbuck27]

http://www.nfl.com/draft/2016/mock-drafts/lance-zierlein/300603

This Mock says TT will be advised to go with a TE if he agrees with it. That TE is:

Hunter Henry , TE - Arkansas

" Henry is a combination tight end with outstanding hands and the ability to help out as an in-line blocker or as go-to target on third downs. There are very few true tight ends in this class, and Green Bay grabs the top tight end."

[pbmax]

All true. He's a Jeff Janis project. However, having been a QB and WR, he's likely to be a rapid learner. Moreover, I don't see the need for him to be anything other than a situational TE at the start. Use him where his height, speed and ball carrying ability can create a mismatch and complement DickRod's game. Jermichael Finley played at 6'5" 247 lbs and wasn't much of a blocker. I think McEvoy is stronger and more athletic than Finley. Probably smarter and more dedicated too. He should be able to play a Finley-type game with the Packers soon enough with work, study and experience.

If he can catch the ball high, he would be a brutal red-zone weapon.

[BZnDallas]

If he can catch the ball high, he would be a brutal red-zone weapon.

If we could add Hunter Henry in the 1st and McEvoy in the 7th we would certainly be a lot taller and faster on the offensive side of the ball. Hunter while learning the pro game himself could probably help Tanner learn the TE basics. Tanner could also be a tweener and that other option at WR we've been discussing. Fill two spots with a 7th round pick sounds like a TT thing to do. Then if they ever had to cut Abby, we'd still have the token Badger on the O.

[Fritz]

I have a friend who is an Arkansas alum and watches lots of Razorback football. He's of the opinon that the Henry dude is soft and highly Overrated.

[BZnDallas]

Interesting... was hoping more for the Jason Witten type like NFL.com compared him too. That is a bit deflating...

[wist43]

Don't want any of the TE's I've looked at in this class so far... definitely don't want Henry early in the draft.

[Maxie the Taxi]

Don't want any of the TE's I've looked at in this class so far... definitely don't want Henry early in the draft.

I agree. DL and OLB talent in this draft congregates in the first few rounds. I don't see TT passing on Vernon Butler or Kevin Dodd to take ANY TE. Admittedly, Kevin Dodd is not likely to fall to the 2nd round, but a guy like Carl Nassib might. Nassib is a high motor 6'7" DE that lead the nation in sacks. Hunter Henry might result in a marginal improvement in the TE corps, but Nassib's marginal improvement in our pass rush game might be tremendous.

[BZnDallas]

I agree. DL and OLB talent in this draft congregates in the first few rounds. I don't see TT passing on Vernon Butler or Kevin Dodd to take ANY TE. Admittedly, Kevin Dodd is not likely to fall to the 2nd round, but a guy like Carl Nassib might. Nassib is a high motor 6'7" DE that lead the nation in sacks. Hunter Henry might result in a marginal improvement in the TE corps, but Nassib's marginal improvement in our pass rush game might be tremendous.

Is Dodd going to even be there at 27? I'm more than ok with using first pick on D. But hasn't his stock shot up to where his teammates is, Lawson? They will both be gone by 27 right?

[Patler]

Don't want any of the TE's I've looked at in this class so far... definitely don't want Henry early in the draft.

I've watched a few videos of his highlights, I see him catch the balls thrown to him, but not really do anything special. A few nice grabs, showing decent hands like R Rodgers. I have no doubt that he is faster than Rodgers, but, as I noted in another thread about him, he looks heavy footed. Not particularly quick or nifty at avoiding tacklers, not particularly strong running through tackles, etc. Wouldn't mind if they drafted him in the second round, maybe, but I hope for someone else in the 1st.

[smuggler]

Nick Vannett could be a good all-around TE prospect in the third or fourth. He'll never be a Jimmy Graham, but few are.

[Maxie the Taxi]

Is Dodd going to even be there at 27? I'm more than ok with using first pick on D. But hasn't his stock shot up to where his teammates is, Lawson? They will both be gone by 27 right?

No, Dodd probably won't be there at 27. I happen to think Dodd is better than Lawson as a pass rusher. Just watch the film. But my point is that someone will be there (like Vernon Butler) that has a higher marginal return to the team than a TE like Henry.

Look at it this way. Henry is supposedly the best TE in the draft, yet he won't be a difference maker because he's not that much better than who we already have. Heck, Henry might not even start. So it makes no sense of pass on a player who WILL be a starter and who might be a difference maker in favor of Henry.

[call_me_ishmael]

The only TE worth a first round pick returned to school. OJ Howard is gonna be a star. Did you see that kid in the National Championship? It's obviously one game but he was dominant and fast!