NFL Mock Draft – Round 4
105. Bills: S Tre Boston, North Carolina (6’0, 198) – Jarious Byrd isn’t happy in Buffalo and even if they franchise him again this year he’s eventually leaving town. Boston has great ball skills (9 INTs last two seasons) and improved every year at NC. If he continues to develop, Boston has the potential to be a starting NFL free safety.
106. Rams: OLB Christian Kirksey, Iowa (6’2. 234) – Improved his stock at the Senior Bowl with a borderline dominant performance during the practice week. Kirksey was a solid run stopper in college, but showed great fluidity in coverage and surprising pass rush skills during Senior Bowl practice. Kirksey is just a natural football player who is competent in all aspects and has no glaring flaws. The Rams need a replacement for Jo-Lonn Dunbar at OLB and I wouldn’t be surprised if Kirksey took the job and ran with it as a rookie.
107. Lions: DE Kareem Martin, North Carolina (6’6, 272) – Staring DE Willie Young is a free agent and the Lions already have a ton of money tied up in their D-line. They need some depth and Martin could provide that. He was productive as a senior (11.5 sacks), but most of his sacks came against non-NFL talent or busted plays that he was unblocked on. I didn’t see any above average rush moves from Martin and he got handled easily in Senior Bowl practices by just about everybody that lined up against him. The size, speed, and strength are there, so I’m not giving up on Martin, I just haven’t seen anything to get excited about on film.
108. Titans: OT Billy Turner, North Dakota St (6’5, 313) – Turner dominated for 4 years at ND St, but that is a long ways from the NFL. Even the Senior Bowl was a huge step up in competition for Turner, but he more than held his own. He had a little trouble with speed rushers, but was never overpowered. His best chance to play early is at RT or even Guard, but Turner has enough potential to eventually become a starting LT.
Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
109. Giants: TE Xavier Grimble, USC (6’5, 255) – Brandon Myers was a bust free agent signing last year and Eli Manning needs a reliable option between the hashes. Grimble is raw, but has the size, hands, and straight-line speed to be a weapon in the passing game. CBS compared him to Kellen Davis, which is cruel and the worst insult I can think of for a tight end.
110. Jaguars: G Brandon Thomas, Clemson (6’4, 316) – There is some talk that Thomas could play tackle at the next level but he got roasted by speed rushers at the Senior Bowl and is probably better off at guard. Thomas has good size and adequate strength and at worst he will provide good depth inside.
111. Jets: OLB Trevor Reilly, Utah (6’5, 255) – Athletic pass rusher whose production finally caught up with his tools as a senior (9.5 sacks). He’s a little slow for LB and a little small for DE, so he will need the right scheme to have success at the next level. Rex Ryan has been pretty good at putting defensive players in optimal situations so the Jets would be a good place for Reilly to end up.
112. Dolphins: CB Victor Hampton, South Carolina (5’10, 202) – Top corner Brent Grimes is a free agent and the rest of the Dolphin corners aren’t very good. Even if Grimes stays, they need an upgrade in talent. Hampton has enough potential to go a few rounds higher, but he’s a little short which isn’t popular right now. Hampton is very strong for a DB, but won’t get away with muscling receivers at the next level. He’s athletic enough to adapt, but will need some time and coaching before he can contribute in the NFL.