Defensive End (with some LBer thrown in)
Leonard Williams (1) In a draft with so few (1)’s, this guy is a bonafide (1). Beast. In theory the best player in the Draft. Total Versatility. Inside. Outside. A cross between Mohammed Wilkerson and JJ Watt. Great speed for his size. Strong. Big hands. Long arms. Sheds blockers. Best situation is as a 3-4 DE. Penetrates. Can play in a 4-3 also. Not super quick off edge, which is what you want in 4 -3. Great against the run.
Dante Fowler Jr. (3) Feast or Famine. Good quickness of the edge for a big guy. But smaller and leaner, not a big frame. A good 4-3 DE. Would fit in well for Giants at 9 if everything else is gone and cannot trade down. Upside if can gain 15 lbs of muscle. Not sure that his frame can bulk up like others. Don’t know what happens if he puts hands in dirt and tries to take on a 320 lb. OT versus the run. Effort is there. SEC School +. Only worry about getting beat up vs run. Quick burst, speed on edge in pass rush. Upside is (2) grade if he can bulk up with muscle to 275 lbs.
Randy Gregory (?) Boom or bust. Top 10 in Draft? Bust? This is part of the draft that is nebulous, a gamble. If I knew that he was going to put on 25-30 lbs of muscle, I’d love my Jets to take him at 6. But I do not know that. So you cannot take him there because you are gambling. And the Top 10 in the Draft there should be no gambles, there should be dominant locks. Best pure edge rusher. Best first step. Problem is- what about the run? Ereck Flowers handled him easily because he was not big enough vs the run. Tries real hard but gets pushed around. He can handle a TE but not an OT. I have no idea if he has the frame to put on 25 lbs. and NOT lose his speed. That’s the reason why the Draft is full of question marks. He is not naturally big and strong. Value is 15-20 because of potential, but even there, be prepared for any outcome, very good or very bad.
Alvin Dupree (2) Beast. Will definitely make it in the pros. Flows off the ball. As a 3-4 OLB, he’s not for Giants. Can drop into coverage and has good hands. Can cover TEs. If you believe you make him a MLB, I might take him at 9. Football player. Big but perfect for MLBer. Great straight speed. Don’t see him as OLB. Gigantic upside as an athlete. Cross between Willis (size and strength) and Kuechley (speed).
Eli Harold (3) Good player. Not R1 talent. Good instincts and speed. But not great. Mid to late R2. Not really big. Not really fast.
Hau’ Oil Kikohu (4) Does everything really good. Great motor but just not fast enough. Late R2 or early R3. But good role player.
Arik Armstead (2)-(3) 5 technique in 3-4 is best position. I love this guy. Really good pro. Will be all pro w Belichick in 3 years. Can move inside on 3rd down. Could be bookend to JPP. Can put on 20 lbs easily. Huge hands. Long arms. Good speed. Versatility. Can do worse than drafting him at 9. NFL football player. I’m higher on him than most.
Defensive Tackle
Danny Shelton (4) Overrated. They don’t make too many Haloti Ngatas and we best remember that. Stop fawning over this guy. If desperate for a NT, ok. Not athletic, too slow. Takes up space in 2gap. Not for a 4-3. Not for 9 overall.
Malcolm Brown (3) He’ll go in R1. Like him better than Shelton. Stout vs run. But not a pass rusher. Tries hard when he isn’t exhausted. Not a guy I’d rush to the podium to hand in my ticket with in R1.
Eddie Goldman (3) Has some potential. Can actually stand to lose some weight, get faster and stronger. But has good body. 6′-4″ 315 lbs is better than 6’4″ 340 lbs for him, then a DT. Has most upside of all DTs. Great as interior run defender. Early R2. Giants pick at 40? Ok. I think he will benefit from NFL and become a solid NFL tackle.
Jordan Phillips (4) Always overweight. Always a problem generating performance. No pass rush. No stamina. Technique isn’t good. Stay away since overrated.
Xavier Cooper (3) Incredibly fast. Size questioned. Grow into body. Rush DT w/ penteration. Huge Potential. But don’t take until R3. Sleeper R3. Need to do homework on him, interview him, work him out. Can play next to a guy like Hankins.
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