NFL Mock Draft 3.0 – Round 6
Mike Carter-USA TODAY Sports
183.) Bears: MLB Max Bullough, Michigan St (6’3, 249) – The Bears drafted their MLB of the future in the 2nd round last year, Jon Bostic, but are already discussing moving him to the outside due to his struggles shedding blocks. They need an MLB who can be a force against the run in the middle, the Bears interior D was a sieve last season. It’s been a tumultuous last few months for Bullough; He was suspended for MSU’s bowl game for undisclosed reasons and then showed up to Senior Bowl practices noticeably overweight. His draft stock was plummeting, but he stopped the slide at the combine with a better than expected 4.78 40-time and one of the best bench sets from the linebackers (30 reps). Bullough looked even better at his pro day with a 4.69 40-time and a refreshing candidness in front of reporters about the incidents that led to his Rose Bowl suspension. I thought he would be limited to a 3-4 ILB, but 4.69 is plenty fast enough to play the middle in a 4-3. Bullough’s game tape is excellent, he was the leader of one of the best defenses in the country and is a force vs the run. He shows good timing and burst to stuff plays at the LOS and is a heavy hitter with better than expected range sideline to sideline. He struggles in coverage and is probably just a 2-down LB, but he can be a quality run-stuffer in base packages.
184.) Vikings: ILB Lamin Barrow, LSU (6’1, 230) – The Vikings current starter at MLB is Jasper Brinkley, so they could use some more talent at the position. Barrow is a great athlete who is still learning the linebacker position and is far from a finished product. Barrow needs work on his tackling and block shedding technique, but is an elite athlete with good speed who has starter potential down the road.
185.) Bills: DT Deandre Coleman, California (6’5, 314) – The Bills lost DT Alex Carrington in free agency, so they could use some replacement depth. Coleman wasn’t much of a pass rusher, but has the quickness to be one. Coleman has the ability to be more dominant than he was in college, so it could be a motor issue. He showed flashes of dominance at the Senior Bowl and could be a steal if a team can get him to play hard consistently. Coleman is already pretty good against the run, so worst case Coleman can provide good depth in the middle of the Bills D-line.
186.) Titans: T Justin Britt, Missouri (6’6, 315) – Good feet and athleticism. Britt doesn’t have quite the size or strength to play LT in the NFL, but could play RT or be an excellent guard prospect. The Titans need depth everywhere across the O-line.
187.) Giants: DE Ethan Westbrooks, W Texas A&M (6’3, 267) – Dominant rusher at the DII level (46.5 TFLs, 26.5 sacks in two seasons) who had 2 sacks in the Shrine game against much better competition then he was used to. Westbrooks has a quick first step and a myriad of polished pass rush moves. His workouts at the combine were mediocre which will hurt his draft stock, but he is an intriguing prospect who could go much higher due to his impressive game tape.
188.) Rams: G/C Russell Bodine, North Carolina (6’3, 310) – Bodine was the best interior lineman left on the board at this point, I have him graded as a 4th rounder so he may go way earlier than this. The Rams could use some interior line depth and they get some here with starter upside at guard or center. Bodine showed excellent strength at the combine with 42 reps of 225 and looked smooth in the position drills.
189.) Lions: SS Isaiah Lewis, Michigan St (5’10, 205) – The Lions just replaced Louis Delmas at strong safety with free agent signing James Ihedigbo, but could use some depth at the position. Lewis shares Delmas’ penchant for big hits, but the question is whether he can cover like the 2-time Pro Bowler Delmas. Lewis made a few nice plays in Senior Bowl practices but also got beat deep a couple of times putting a spotlight on his lack of top-end speed (4.60). Worst case, Lewis will be a big-hitter on special teams.
190.) Dolphins: TE Richard Rodgers, California (6’4, 257) – The Dolphins get a back-up for TE Charles Clay. Rodgers ran a disappointing 4.87 40 at the combine otherwise he would have gone a round or two higher. He looks faster than that on tape and has good enough hands and ball skills to be a weapon in the middle of the field. He’s not much of a blocker, so if he doesn’t develop into a receiver quickly, he won’t be in the league for long.