By Walter Cherepinsky –
@walterfootball
Feb. 27, 2017
If you missed the tweets regarding Mike Mayock’s conference call Monday afternoon, here are some of the important things he had to say regarding the 2017 NFL Draft:
“This is a great corner class. If you don’t get one in the first round, you can come back and really help yourself.”
Sidney Jones compares favorably to Marcus Peters.
“This is one of the best defensive drafts I’ve ever seen.” A good edge rusher or cornerback could be obtained in the third round.
Chad Kelly is a possible second-round pick if he didn’t have character/injury concerns.
Brad Kaaya is a long-term developmental prospect. Third round makes sense.
Derek Barnett will go in the 10-22 range.
Kansas State’s Jordan Willis is one of the top edge rushers available after the first round.
Jonathan Allen is one of the “two or three best players in the draft.” The Browns should look at him as well as Myles Garrett at No. 1 overall.
The wide receiver class is good, but not as deep as some of the defensive positions.
John Ross is one of the top three receivers in the class, and a top-18 pick.
With so much depth at cornerback, the Eagles have to look hard at one of the three first-round receivers.
Colorado’s Ahkello Witherspoon is a “GOOD player.”
Pat Mahomes could push for the first round, as he’s picking up a lot of steam. “He’s a gun-slinger. he’s got an innate feel for the game.”
On Christian McCaffrey skipping the Sun Bowl: “I don’t think it’s going to ultimately cost him.” More on McCaffrey: “He is a matchup cog. He’s a chess piece. He’s bigger and tougher than people think he is.”
“Malik Hooker as a center fielder is phenomenal.”
“I’m not bullish on the quarterbacks this year because I don’t think any of them are ready on Day 1. … I don’t have any quarterbacks near the top 10. … There are four first-round quarterbacks, but they all have holes in their game.”
Deshaun Watson is fascinating and doesn’t shrink when the game is on the line, but he needs to make a big adjustment.
If Haason Reddick tests well, he could be a second-round prospect, maybe late first.
Cam Robinson is viewed as a guard.
The tackle class is weak, and there’s a major drop-off after Garett Bolles, Ryan Ramcyzk.
A quarterback to the Jets at No. 6? “I would emphatically tell you no.”
“Leonard Fournette is a nice fit” for the Panthers.
DeShone Kizer is the No. 1 quarterback because he has the highest ceiling. Compares to Philip Rivers.
Jimmy Garoppolo and Mitch Trubisky have identical grades.
If the Browns picked Myles Garrett/Jonathan Allen and then traded No. 12 for Jimmy Garoppolo, “I’d be stoked.”
“David Njoku is an absolute freak, and he’s also tough enough to learn how to block … This is a great tight end class.”
O.J. Howard is the top-ranked tight end in this class. Howard and Njoku come into play in the second half of Round 1.
Mitch Trubisky is a starting quarterback, but not ready with 13 college starts. He has a quick release and big arm.
There are five running backs with first-round grades: Leonard Fournette, Dalvin Cook, Alvin Kamara, Joe Mixon, Christian McCaffrey.
Jarrad Davis is a second-round possibility.
Not sure if Colorado quarterback Sefo Liufau is going to be drafted as a quarterback.
Jamal Adams and Malik Hooker are “potential All-Pro safeties.”
The Patriots need another big weapon.
Marshon Lattimore is expected to go in the top 10. Sidney Jones is a top-15 pick.
The Falcons could address guard at No. 31. Forrest Lamp is an option.
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