Monday Morning Draft is back! This is a column that delves into the past weekend’s action from an NFL Draft perspective. As the season goes on, the draft picture and slotting will become more clear, but every Sunday will provide a few hints for next April.
By Charlie Campbell.
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Play like Shizer for Kizer:
Cleveland Browns
Congratulations to the Cleveland Browns for securing the No. 1-overall pick in the 2017 NFL Draft. The Browns went to overtime, but lost to the Steelers to finish 1-15 on the season, narrowly edging out the San Francisco 49ers for the first pick in the 2017 NFL Draft.
Obviously, Cleveland has a huge rebuilding process, and it all starts with finding a future franchise quarterback. Perhaps the Browns won’t blow it like they did last spring when they passed on Carson Wentz, but with a baseball general manager running the Browns, you can’t have any confidence that the franchise has the people in place to get it right. After all, the organization and coaching staff preferred blooming bust Jared Goff to the impressive Wentz.
Let’s Play Matchmaker:
This section will look at some of the top talent in college football and match those prospects up with teams that have a dire need at the position.
Pittsburgh Steelers: Adoree’ Jackson, CB, USC
The Steelers’pass coverage was shredded by Tom Brady in the AFC Championship, and they clearly need to upgrade their pass coverage. The secondary has been getting a gradual makeover over the past few drafts, but work remains to be done. Adding a cornerback to go with Artie Burns would make a lot of sense. Jackson would give Pittsburgh a cover corner who could line up on the outside or in the slot.
Jackson notched 55 tackles with 11 passes broken up and five interceptions in 2016. The junior also returned two kickoffs for touchdowns, returned two punts for touchdowns, and made a 52-yard touchdown catch. Jackson (5-11, 185) had an awesome game against Alabama as he shut down star wide receiver Calvin Ridley. He held Ridley to only two receptions for nine yards on the night. Jackson has given the NFL proof that he is a serious cover corner prospect for the 2017 NFL Draft. For the Steelers, Jackson could be a fast corner who can run with receivers like Chris Hogan and Julian Edelman. If Pittsburgh could land Jackson, he could be an immediate upgrade.
Green Bay Packers: Alvin Kamara, RB, Tennessee
The Packers got some good games out of Ty Montgomery after his switch from wide receiver to tailback, but clearly Green Bay could use more running back talent for its offense. The 2017 NFL Draft is very strong at running back, and the Packers could land an impactful contributor in the early rounds. Kamara would be a great fit in the Packers’ offense because he would give Aaron Rodgers another dangerous receiving weapon while also providing a big-play threat out of the backfield. Kamara looks tailor made for Green Bay.
Some sources say they wouldn’t be surprised if Kamara ends up getting Thursday night consideration in the middle to back half of the first round because he is such a versatile, explosive play-maker. The 5-foot-10, 215-pounder has a strong build with impressive speed. He is a dynamic receiver out of the backfield who also gives defenses a lot of problems by running routes from the slot. Kamara has soft hands and is a superb route-runner. He also is a dangerous weapon on special teams with returning kicks.
In 2016, Kamara averaged 5.8 yards per carry for 596 yards and nine scores while working in a running back rotation. He also caught 40 passes for 392 yards and four scores. On the second day of the 2017 NFL Draft, Kamara could be a steal just like Jamaal Charles was in the 2008 NFL Draft.
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