NFL Mock Draft – Round 6
Andrew Weber-USA TODAY Sports
175. Bears: RB/WR/KR Dri Archer, Kent St (5’9, 175) – Bears replace Devin Hester with possibly the fastest player in college football last year. Archer is a more complete football player than Hester with 24 career rushing touchdowns, 12 receiving touchdowns, and 4 kick return touchdowns. He’s very small, but could give the Bears a speed dimension they just don’t have right now at receiver or running back. More importantly he is a dangerous weapon in the return game. If you don’t have time for the long version at least check out his runs at 2:39, 4:00, & 4:58. I think Archer was the most exciting player in CFB last year. One more highlight reel, just for fun:
176. Steelers: CB Aaron Colvin, Oklahoma (6’0, 186) – A 1st or 2nd round talent who has dropped due to an ACL tear in the Senior Bowl. Colvin is doubtful to be ready in time for the 2014 season, but assuming full recovery, he has #1 corner potential. Colvin has the speed, athleticism, and aggressive nature of a shut-down CB and this pick could pay off handsomely for the Steelers in 2015. The free agent market is flush with competent veteran corners who could be a stop-gap for the 2014 season.
177. Cowboys: G Ryan Groy, Wisconsin (6’5, 325) – The Cowboys had good luck with a Badgers lineman last year, Frederick, so they go back to the well with Groy. He’s a massive guard with good power, but limited mobility. Groy could eventually become a road-grading run blocker, but will probably always be a liability in pass pro.
178. Ravens: S Hakeem Smith, Louisville (6’0, 186) – Hard-hitting strong safety who is a good value this late. Smith is a sure tackler who will be a good complement to last year’s first round pick Matt Elam. Smith has gotten better in coverage every year at Louisville so the potential is there to eventually become a well-rounded starting safety.
179. Jets: S Alden Darby, Arizona St (5’10, 192) – Doesn’t have NFL measurables, but is a good football player. Darby played strong safety for ASU but is too small for the position in the NFL so will need to switch to free safety. Smith played free safety for the first time at the Senior Bowl and had two interceptions in the game. Apparently he’s a quick learner. Darby has all the intangibles you look for in a football player and at worst will be a standout on special teams, but if given enough time to develop he could be a productive NFL safety.
180. Cardinals: DT Justin Ellis, Lousiana Tech (6’2, 342) – Flashed some pass rushing skill at the Shrine game and again at the Senior Bowl, but hasn’t done it consistently enough to be a sure thing. Plenty of talent though and is moving up most draft boards. This could be another mistake as I could see Ellis going 2-3 rounds higher.
181. Packers: OT Cornelius Lucas, Kansas St (6’8, 329) – Developmental prospect with great size and surprising athleticism. Lucas shows a knack for understanding blocking angles, but needs a lot of work on the rest of his technique. He is too much of a waist bender and will get roasted against good NFL DEs unless he can learn to bend at the knees.
182. Patriots: DE Will Clark, West Virgina (6’6, 271) – Extremely long armed (33 3/8) and uses then well to keep blockers off of him, but not quick or explosive and will struggle against tall tackles (which is all of them). Smith has good strength and needs to develop some pass rush moves to be anything more than a run stuffing 3-4 DE.