Official Day 2 (Rounds 2&3) Of The 2018 NFL Draft Thread

[red]

thats gotta be great, biggest moment of your life, waiting for your name to get called, then have it butchered so bad you don't even know it was you that was called

[pbmax]

Rivers McCown @riversmccown
In the interest of hilarity I’m suddenly a fan of your team’s former player having to announce the draft pick’s name correctly or forfeit the selection.

[pbmax]

Miami Dolphins, Mike Gesicki, TE, Penn State

STRENGTHS
Gesicki offers rare coordination and acceleration for a man of with his dimensions, which includes a prototypical blend of height, long arms (34") and a tapered, athletic frame. He glides off the snap, smoothly accelerating into his route and showing excellent body control and savvy as a route-runner at the stem to shake safeties, consistently creating separation. Gesicki scoops the ball with natural hands, never allowing it inside to his pads or to where the defender might be able to reach around him to bat it away. He possesses impressive flexibility for a tight end, showing a huge catch radius with catches hauled thrown low, high and outside, including behind him. He can contort in the air to make the circus catch and shows very good agility, leaping ability and competitiveness to generate yards after the reception, lowering his shoulder and keeping his legs driving through contact. While lacking prototypical size for an in-line role, Gesicki's competitiveness also comes into play as a blocker. He is alert and physical at the point of attack, bending at the knees and looking to initiate contact and working to sustain. -- Rob Rang 2/2/2018

WEAKNESSES
Gesicki could be seen as a bit of a 'tweener as he does not possess the strength to consistently create movement at the point of attack as an in-line blocker and, while a smooth accelerator, may not possess the straight-line speed preferred as a full-time receiver. He was rarely pressed at the college level and will need to work on gaining a clean release with many of his touches manufactured out of the wing... Though he has no known injury concerns, Gesicki possesses a relatively gangly frame and shows no fear in leaping and contorting in space, leaving his long limbs in danger of some ugly hits which could result in injury. - Rob Rang 2/2/2018

COMPARES TO
Zach Ertz, Eagles - This isn't a perfect comparison because at 6-5, 250 pounds Ertz has a little bit more of a traditional compact tight end frame and Gesicki is both longer and more agile. What makes them similar is more important than what makes them different, however. Each possess the athleticism and route-running savvy to consistently create separation (whether split wide, in-line or on the wing), as well as soft hands and enough strength and competitiveness to help as blockers. Like Ertz, (picked 35th overall in 2013), Gesicki is a likely Day Two pick who may wind up playing like a first rounder.

IN OUR VIEW
Gesicki did most of his work as a massive slot receiver or on the wing but also saw out of the traditional in-line position. Regardless of where he lined up, his ability to create separation and haul in passes made him a matchup nightmare for opponents. The savviest route-runner of this year's tight end class, don't be surprised when Gesicki hears his name called (and enjoys success in the NFL) earlier than most project.

[red]

Rivers McCown @riversmccown
In the interest of hilarity I’m suddenly a fan of your team’s former player having to announce the draft pick’s name correctly or forfeit the selection.

why the hell would you even let the biggest bust in team history announce the pick in the first place?

[pbmax]

Ian Rapoport @RapSheet
The #Patriots traded back from No. 11 in the second round and the #Lions are coming up. For a RB?

[Joemailman]

Rivers McCown @riversmccown
In the interest of hilarity I’m suddenly a fan of your team’s former player having to announce the draft pick’s name correctly or forfeit the selection.

But then nobody would draft Ogbonnia Okoronkwo.

[mraynrand]

thats gotta be great, biggest moment of your life, waiting for your name to get called, then have it butchered so bad you don't even know it was you that was called

You just described my wedding

[pbmax]

why the hell would you even let the biggest bust in team history announce the pick in the first place?

Jeff Fisher wasn't out there.

[pbmax]

But then nobody would draft Ogbonnia Okoronkwo.

Wisconsin guys could get it. If you can say Oconomowoc, you can say Okoronkwo

[red]

fucking lions just traded up to get in front of us

[smuggler]

Possibility of us taking Obo Okoronkwo in round 2? Solid pass-rushing prospect, by my evaluation (for what it's worth).

[red]

just make the fucking pick dickhead

[mraynrand]

why the hell would you even let the biggest bust in team history announce the pick in the first place?

It would epic to have Ryan Leaf and Tony Mandarich up there for bolts and pack.

[pbmax]

Lions Kerryon Johnson, Auburn, RB

STRENGTHS
Elite patience and timing, allowing blocks to develop. Widescreen vision and feels developing run lanes. Excellent spatial awareness and understands how to maximize running angles. Quick decision-maker. Flexible joints and keeps his balance well to work off tackle attempts. Lateral movement skills to create off-balance tackle attempts. Long strides to accelerate once he finds a sliver of daylight. Strong foundation as a runner. Drives his legs and uses a violent stiff arm to punish defenders, making it a chore to bring him down. Workhorse mentality and averaged 25.8 offensive touches per game in 2017. Natural ball skills as a receiver, recording 55 catches (fifth-best among running backs in Auburn history) for 478 yards and two scores over his career. Not shy giving up his body in pass protection. Used as the primary kickoff returner his first two seasons at Auburn, averaging 25.1 yards per return (26/653/0). Competes with the warrior toughness desired for the position – won’t voluntarily come off the field and does a great job tolerating pain (his father, Kerry, is an athletic trainer). Multiple SEC Honor Roll recipient and takes care of his business off the field. Finished his career ranked top-10 in Auburn history with 3,625 all-purpose yards. – Dane Brugler 1/3/2018

WEAKNESSES
High cut and long-legged. Runs erect and doesn’t consistently drop his hips to generate burst. Not the most graceful runner in tight spaces. Doesn’t consistently lower his pads, exposing his body and the ball. Holds the ball loose and needs to improve his security (despite only three fumbles at Auburn). Lean-muscled for the position. Lack of secondary speed limits his big play potential (only three runs of 30+ yards in 2017). Gets in trouble when he catches in pass protection and needs to improve his blocking mechanics. Durability will be questioned due to his physical run style and a laundry list of injuries – left the Alabama game (Nov. 2017) due to injuries to his ribs and right shoulder; missed two games as a junior with a hamstring injury (Sept. 2017); missed playing time as a sophomore due to a “severely” sprained right ankle (Oct. 2016); collected numerous injuries in high school, including a separate left shoulder, surgically repaired right shoulder, sprained MCL and broken thumb. – Dane Brugler 1/3/2018

COMPARES TO: Jordan Howard, Chicago Bears – While Johnson is a leaner version, he has the toughness and skill-set that resembles the Bears’ workhorse, who has rushed for 1,100+ rushing yards in each of his first two NFL seasons.

IN OUR VIEW: While the long-term health concerns are worrisome, Johnson has the patience, pacing and feel as a ball carrier to eat away at defenses. His win-at-all-cost attitude and multi-dimensional skills will endear him to NFL coaches and allow him to be a valuable piece of a NFL offense.

[mraynrand]

Carrion Johnson?