NFL Mock Draft 3.0 – Round 6
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204.) Panthers: QB Tajh Boyd, Clemson (6’1, 222) – Salvaged his draft stock with a solid pro day. The Panthers have been looking for a mobile back-up for Cam Newton the last two years and Tajh could fill that role. His accuracy has been bad in workouts, but he’s always got it done on the field so could end up being a steal in the 6th round. I never understood Boyd’s “fat kid” nickname until I saw him in shorts at the combine. He’s pudgy and just doesn’t look like a football player, but when the pads are on and the Tigers needed a TD, Boyd came through more often than not and I could see him becoming a very good back-up QB in the league.
205.) 49ers: WR L’Damien Washington, Missouri (6’4, 205): The 49ers need a deep threat that can take advantage of Kaepernick’s rocket arm. Washington has a big frame with long arms and excellent straight-line speed. I don’t see Washington ever being much more than a deep threat, but he could provide a similar impact as Kenny Britt did for the Saints in 2013.
206.) Patriots: C Tyler Larson, Utah St (6’4, 317) – Center was the weakest spot on the Pats line last year and they get a long-term replacement in Larson. He is a smart, durable center who moves very well for a 317 pounder. Three time 1st-team all-WAC. Lack of top competition in the WAC is a concern, but Larson had a strong week of practice at the Senior Bowl and the 2nd most bench reps at the combine (36). It might take a year or two, but Larson should eventually take over and have a decent career as a starting NFL center.
207.) Broncos: OLB Ronald Powell, Florida (6’3, 240) – Great athlete who was the #1 recruit coming out of high school (Rivals.com). Two ACL injuries derailed Powell’s college career, but he still moves very well for his size. Powell has good pass rush skills and if he passes team’s medical checks he could move up a few rounds. The Broncos could use some depth at OLB.
208.) Seahawks: DE Larry Webster, Bloomberg (6’6, 252) – The Seahawks have less needs than most teams and can afford to wait on a high upside DE like Webster. Any other year, a 6’6, 252 pound defensive end running a 4.58 40 at the combine would have been a big deal, but Webster was overshadowed by Jadeveon Clowney even though they are practically the same size and Clowney’s 40-time was only 5 hundredths of a second faster. Webster isn’t a household name, so don’t feel bad if you haven’t heard of him. You don’t hear much about football players from tiny DII Bloomberg University. On top of that, Webster only played football for two years. He was a star basketball player for Bloomberg until his senior year when he decided to play football. Webster made an immediate impact with 26 sacks in two seasons. The lack of competition is a major strike against Webster, but he handled himself well at the Shrine game collecting a sack and more impressively pancaking an offensive tackle on a bull rush. I was impressed with his strength because Webster is built like a flag pole and will definitely need a year or two in an NFL strength program before he is ready to be a 3-down defensive end. Webster has ideal size for the position, an elite size/speed ratio, a quick first step, good closing speed, and natural pass rush instincts. He has the potential to develop into a double-digit sack guy off the edge which isn’t bad value in the 6th round. As a rookie he’s going to be a liability against the run, but I think he can contribute as a 3rd down pass rusher and wouldn’t be surprised at all if he ends up with a few sacks in 2014. Webster also played tight end in red zone packages at Bloomberg and some scouts think that might be his best position in the NFL. He certainly has the size and speed to make the transition, though we is way to thin to be an effective blocker at this point. Webster has a ton of potential at both position and a loaded team like the Seahawks can afford to wait on him.
Compensatory Picks
209.) Jets: OLB Prince Shembo, Notre Dame (6’2, 254) – Max effort linebacker with good strength, but very raw technique. Shembo had 17 QB hurries last season so there is some potential there. Some recent, fairly serious off-field allegations might scare most teams off, but Shembo has potential as a pass rusher so some team will probably give him a shot regardless.
210.) Jets: S Christian Bryant, Ohio St (5’9, 198) – Starting free safety Antonio Allen is better suited for a back up role, so the Jets should at least bring in some competition. Bryant is undersized and coming off a serious ankle injury, but when healthy he was a well-rounded safety who is good vs both the run and pass. He displayed great instincts, good closing speed, fluidity in coverage, and sound tackling technique. Bryant is an underrated safety prospect who could contribute right away in sub packages and move into the starting lineup soon.
211.) Texans: TE A.C. Leonard, Tennessee St (6’2, 252) – An off-field red-flag guy (battery), Leonard was a blue-chip recruit who started his career at Florida. He looks like it in shorts with a chiseled physique and obvious athleticism. His combine workouts backed it up; His 4.50 40-time led all tight ends, he tied Lyerla for the longest broad jump (128″), and had the 3rd highest vertical leap (34″). Leonard is an elite athlete, but also looked good in the positional drills showing fluid change of direction skills and soft hands. His production in college (34, 454, 5) didn’t match up with his physical skills, but I know nothing about the Tennessee St offense and whether the tight end was used at all. What I do know is that Leonard looked like an explosive “move” tight end prospect.
212.) Bengals: WR John Brown, Pitt St (5’10, 179) – Little guy with blazing speed (4.34) who put up prolific stats during his career at Pitt St (185 catches, 3380 yards, 32 TDs) and can return punts. Brown is a bit of an unknown since he played against inferior competition in college, but his speed and agility in the receiver drills were one of the biggest surprises of the combine. The Bengals lost Andrew Hawkins to the Browns in free agency and Brown has a similar skill set.
213.) Jets: RB De’Anthony Thomas, Oregon (5’9, 174) – The Jets signed Chris Johnson and have a couple of decent power backs in Ivory and Powell, but Thomas would give them a change of pace speed back and dangerous kick-returner. Thomas was very disappointing at the combine (4.50 40, 8 bench reps), but kept his draft hopes alive with a solid pro day (4.34).
214.) Rams: DT Shamar Stephen, Connecticut (6’5, 308) – Good size and very strong, Stephen was a solid run-stuffer in college and would give the Rams some insurance if Kendall Langford leaves in free agency next year.
215.) Steelers: DT Beau Allen, Wisconsin (6’2, 329) – The Steelers run defense hasn’t been the same since Casey Hampton’s prime. They need a 2-gap beast in the middle and Allen has potential to be a poor man’s version. Allen is a solid run-stopper with better than expected athleticism. He showed some ability to rush the passer with 6.5 sacks (combined) in his sophomore and junior seasons when the Badgers ran a 4-3 scheme, then moved to NT as a senior when they switched to a 3-4 and played well. He’s a late round prospect with limited upside, but should provide good interior depth with starter upside.
Twitter: @MikeFlannery_