2016 NFL Draft: Hyundai Sun Bowl
Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
Washington St
# WR Dom Williams (6’2 | 192 | 4.53)
Has good size and a wide-frame perfect for back shoulder fades and the under-thrown deep balls that Cutler and Alshon Jeffery connect on so frequently. He’s fast enough to get off the line and strong enough to fight through press coverage. Williams also does a good job using his size to block out defenders on short routes and has reliable hands.
All WSU receiver stats are inflated by Mike Leach’s pass happy, short route offense so it’s difficult to translate college success to the next level, but Williams scored 20 TDs over the last two seasons and has the size, hands, and natural ability to make an impact at the next level.
Projection: 5th-6th round
# G Joe Dahl (6’4 | 303 | 5.29)
Was an excellent left tackle for the Cougars, but doesn’t have the size for the position at the next level. He has quick feet and gets outside well to seal off the outside rush consistently. Dahl has a strong punch that slows initial edge rushers and is able to move them where he wants after initial contact. He’s been a solid run blocker as well, latching on quickly to DEs and moving them where he wants.
His lack of size and relatively short arms may force a move inside to guard where his skills may not play as well. Either way, an O-lineman with the skill to play left tackle at a high level in the Pac12 is worth a draft pick and has a chance to develop into a quality guard even if the fit doesn’t look ideal on paper. More NFL offenses are adopting a quick pass approach which may give Dahl a shot to stick at tackle if he ends up in right offensive scheme.
Projection: 5th-6th round
Troy Wayrynen-USA TODAY Sports
#9 WR Gabe Marks (6’0 | 186 | 4.58)
Some off-field red-flags have kept Marks from making an impact until this season, but once he hit the field he was tough to stop with 99 catches for 1,125 yards and 14 TDs. Marks doesn’t have above-average size or speed, but is an elite route-runner, showing the ability to beat man coverage with sharp routes and precise cuts or finding soft spots in zone coverage. He also has excellent hands, routinely catching the ball away from his body at it’s high-point. Marks has shown the ability to make tough catches in traffic and despite his mediocre speed is rarely caught from behind with the ball in his hands.
In the limited amount of tape I’ve been able to watch on Marks he stood out as a potentially special receiver. He has some off-field red flags which will probably drop his draft spot as will playing in Mike Leach’s pass heavy offense, but I was pretty impressed with the skill-set I saw and think Marks has the potential to be a starting caliber slot receiver early in his NFL career. With the Bears lack of depth at receiver and especially in the slot, I would love to see them take a chance of Marks early on day 3 of the draft.
Projection: 5th-6th round