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FOOTBALL · SCOUTING · NEWS
Chicago Bears
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(73) David Montgomery, RB, Iowa St
(126) Riley Ridley, WR, Georgia
(205) Duke Shelly, CB, Kansas St
(222) Kerrith Whyte, RB, FAU
(238) Stephen Denmark, CB, Valdosta St
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UDFA
OG Alex Bars, Notre Dame
OC Marquez Tucker, Southern Utah
TE Dax Raymond, Utah State
WR Emanuel Hall, Missouri
CB Clifton Duck, Applachian State
S Doyin Jibowu, Fort Hays State
S Adarius Pickett, UCLA
S Jordan Powell, Widener
CB Joshua Simmons, Limestone
OL Blake Blackmar, Baylor
OL Tommy Doles, Northwestern
OL Joe Lowery, Ohio
OL Sam Mustipher, Notre Dame
OG John Yarbrough, Richmond
TE Ian Bunting, California
TE Ellis Richardson, Georgia Southern
WR Thomas Ives, Colgate
WR Spencer Schnell, Illinois State
WR Ron'quavion Tarver, Utah State
WR Joe Walker, Delaware
RB Chris James, Wisconsin
DT Jonathan Harris, Lindenwood
DT Lawrence Marshall, Michigan
OLB Mathieu Betts, Laval
DE Chuck Harris, Buffalo
LB Quentin Moon, Western Illinois
K John Baron II, San Diego State
K Emmit Carpenter, Minnesota
K Alex Kjellsten, McNeese State
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RB Montgomery is an ideal fit and brings much more elusiveness and versatility to the starting position than Howard ever had. But he's not entirely a banger despite all the broken tackles he had at Iowa St. WR Ridley is a chain mover with good quickness and hands but I think he's best position is the slot where 2nd yr man Anthony Miller resides. Ridley was coveted by some as an underrated talent but I'm not sure he's a better player than their UDFA last year, Javon Mims.
CB Shelly is a combative little guy and a solid late round flier. RB Whyte is a burner out of the backfield that was out shined by his backfield teammate at FAU but has an explosive skillset that should show up as a returner and a situational RB. The Bears tried to compensate for their mere 5 selections with a hefty UDFA class. They landed more than a few players that most considered draftable...OC Tucker probably being my favorite.
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Detroit Lions
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(8) T.J. Hockenson, TE, Iowa
(43) Jahlani Tavai, LB, Hawaii
(81) Will Harris, S, Boston College
(117) Austin Bryant, DE, Clemson
(146) Amani Oruwariye, CB, Penn St
(184) Travis Fulgham, WR, Old Dominion
(224) Isaac Nauta, TE, Georgia
(229) PJ Johnson, DT, Arizona
UDFA
Nate Becker, TE, Miami of Ohio
Ryan Pope, OT, San Diego State
I didn't see the Lions going TE after drafting Micheal Roberts last year and then signing Jesse James. Hockenson is a dynamic threat, excelling as both a receiver and blocker, and is a better prospect than anyone on the team, but I figured the Lions would snatch up the best defensive front seven guy available instead.
LB Tavai was a surprise in the 2nd. Although his skillset matches well with Patricia's scheme, he'll have to be a difference maker from the jump to justify the pick. S Will Harris was targeted in the 3rd and they moved up to secure him. Harris was a solid, heady, versatile safety at BC but didn't play to his pre draft test numbers. He's also slightly undersized and needs more sand as a pro.
CB Oruwariye was a solid mid rounder. He's got the tools to be a solid starter and just needs time to build his technique. DE Bryant is a high character guy with a motor but is undersized and underpowered. I was a fan of WR Fulgham. He plays with a chip and is angry at the catch point;his issue is focus drops. TE Nauta and DT Johnson are solid late rounders with a better than even chance to contribute.
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Minnesota Vikings
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(18) Garrett Bradbury, OC, NC State
(50) Irv Smith, TE, Alabama
(102) Alexander Mattison, RB, Boise St
(114) Drue Samia, OG, Oklahoma
(162) Cameron Smith, LB, USC
(190) Armon Watts, DT, Arkansas
(193) Oli Udoh, OT, Elon
(217) Kris Boyd, DB, Texas
(239) Dillon Mitchell, WR, Oregon
(250) Austin Cutting, LS, Air Force
UDFA
Western Michigan OL John Keenoy
Georgia Tech DL Anree Saint-Amour
Miami (FL) DL Tito Odenigbo
Tennessee DB Micah Abernathy
UAB DB Mar'Sean Diggs
Vanderbilt RB Khari Blasingame
Bemidji State WR Landon Jones
Sam Houston State WR Davion Davis
Marian TE Brandon Dillon
Washington QB Jake Browning
Vikings needed a starter or two on the offensive line out of this draft and came away with the top ranked interior guy in the 1st in Bradbury. He's a strong enough prospect to move Efflein out of OC to OG. 4th rounder blue chip OG Samia could also become a starter on this team.
TE Irv Smith is a weapon as an HB type and adds more firepower to an already high powered offense. He's strong after the catch and has some Delanie Walker to him. OL Udoh is an intriguing prospect that could find a role eventually. I wasn't too high on RB Mattison and think they could've found a better banger at that spot.
USC ILB Smith is a depth/special teams guy that was a little overdrafted imo. DT Watts has solid traits for a late rounder. DB Boyd really underachieved for the Longhorns last season and would probably be best served to switch to safety. WR Mitchell was another decent late round selection.
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Green Bay Packers
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(12) Rashan Gary, DE, Michigan
(21) Darnell Savage, S, Maryland
(44) Elgton Jenkins, OC, Mississippi St
(75) Jace Sternberger, TE, Texas A&M
(150) Kingsley Keke, DE, Texas A&M
(185) Ka'dar Hollman, CB, Toldeo
(194) Dexter Williams, RB, Notre Dame
(226) Ty Summers, LB, TCU
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UDFA
Kabion Ento, WR, Colorado
Manny Wilkins, QB, Arizona State
Yosh Nijman, OT, Virginia Tech
Randy Ramsey, DL, Arkansas
Nate Brooks, CB, North Texas
Greg Roberts, DE, Baylor
Javien Hamilton, DB, Mississippi
Matt Eaton, WR, Iowa State
RB Devonte Williams - Texas A&M Kingsvill
Packers appeared focused on improving the defense above all else for Matt Lafleur's inaugural season. DE Gary was on most people's boom/bust list but his athletic and mental skillset are pro ready. If he can avoid the nagging injuries that interrupted his college career he could make new GM Gutekunst look good. In DC Pettine's defense Gary should look something like a quicker Jarrett Johnson.
I'm sure Pettine also lobbied for the team to get DB Savage as an ideal fit for his scheme. The cost ultimately was pretty reasonable; a couple of mid rounders. Savage's skillset matches up with previous safeties that have excelled in this scheme like, Ed Reed, Tashaun Gipson, Kerry Rhodes and Jarius Byrd...essentially ballhawking CB types that can still tackle. Savage, however, will need much better discipline to be a reliable last line defender.
OL Jenkins is a solid player upfront and could step in at OG. TE Sternbegrer is a clutch receiving TE that should push Jimmy Graham for the start. DE Keke is also a bit of a steal, who in all likelihood will end up a starter. CB Hollman and LB Summers are athletic projects that should provide some depth. RB Williams has great tools but not the best feel or vision. UDFA QB Wilkins has eye popping tools and could push Kizer if his footwork tightens up.
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