The F21 Final Mock

[Formula 21]

1. RASHAAN EVANS, OLB, Alabama, 6' 3", 232 lbs


Some in Evans' hometown of Auburn, Alabama, did not appreciate his signing with the Tide as a top high school recruit. Those with priorities in the wrong place threatened his family's business and made their lives difficult. Now he's looking to become a star in 2017; in fact, in February Evans tweeted that he would win the Butkus Award as the nation's top linebacker. After sitting behind future pros like Reuben Foster for three years, he was ready to meet that promise. Evans was a second-team All-SEC pick in 2017, starting 12 games, tying for the team lead with 74 tackles, leading the team with 13 tackles for loss, making six sacks, and breaking up three passes. In the team's two playoff games in 2016 (his only starts of the year), Evans made 18 tackles from an inside linebacker position. He had 53 total for the year, including four sacks, six quarterback hurries, and a forced fumble in 14 games. Evans had to bide his time like many highly-recruited players coming to play for Nick Saban. The Parade All-American and five-star prospect actually played significantly as a true freshman on special teams in 13 games (15 tackles, two for loss, sack; team-leading 12 special teams tackles). Evans again mostly played as a special teamer and reserve outside linebacker in 2015, though his two sacks against Clemson in the national championship victory that season put him on scouts' radars.

Overview

Ascending linebacker talent who has the speed to fly around from sideline to sideline and played with an improved feel for the position in 2017. Despite limited playing time over his first few seasons, Evans adapted a "work while you wait" mindset that prepared him to for impressive performances in three consecutive national championship games. Evans is an ideal inside linebacker fit for a blitz-happy 3-4 unit, but he could easily fit as a 4-3 WILL with rush potential on sub-packages. Evans is an early starter with high-end potential if he can stay healthy.

Strengths

• Build like new breed of NFL linebackers
• Possesses good length and great speed
• Premium athlete with plus agility, range and explosiveness
• Quick to diagnose
• Works around the trash when scraping
• Able to pace to the perimeter with the jet sweepers and scat-backs
• Patient against misdirection and isn't easily baited out of position
• Deftly side-steps blocks without giving his gap responsibility
• Has athletic ability to dance from gap to gap and look up shifty running backs
• Learned from tough guys ahead of him and adapted their demeanor
• Explosive, wrap-up striker who sees what he hits
• Plays with pain
• Sub-package rusher with upfield burst to threaten the edge
• Can unleash impressive spin counter in either direction
• Burst as delayed blitzer from inside linebacker spot is too much for most linemen to catch

Weaknesses

• Just a beat behind in diagnosing
• Lacks instincts of players who have extended history at the position
• Can improve leverage in his pursuit
• Fast flow ahead of blockers can allow for cutbacks
• Can get wired to climbing blockers
• Needs to improve his punch-and-separate when taking on blockers
• Benefitted from playing behind monsters along the defensive line
• Will wait rather than trigger when downhill shots are available
• Will need to trust his athletic ability to squeeze routes tighter
• Nagging groin injury plagued him last season
• Scouts have some concerns about durability

Sources Tell Us

"He made a lot of progress as an inside backer from last year to this. He was more instinctive and a lot more natural." -- AFC area scout


2 Maurice Hurst, DT, Michigan, 6' 1", 292 lbs

Hurst is the son a former NFL cornerback of the same name, though Nicole Page, the former Patriots cheerleader has been the only parent the younger Maurice has ever known. In fact, Maurice, Junior wears jersey 73 because it is the opposite of the number 37 his dad wore. The two-time All-Massachusetts high school football pick redshirted his first year in Ann Arbor. In 2014, he played seven games as a reserve (three tackles, one for loss). Four starts came his way in 13 games played during his sophomore season, and he responded with 35 tackles, 6.5 for loss, and three sacks. While Hurst isn't the biggest of tackles, he stays square against double-teams and his get-off and hustle outside the box helped him make 34 stops, 11.5 for loss, and 4.5 sacks as a junior. EKG performed at the combine showed irregularities.

Overview

Hurst is an upfield three-technique who gets out of the blocks ahead of his competition as soon as the starter's pistol goes off. His ability to come out fast and low should create opportunities to become a disruptive penetrator, but he has to prove that he has the strength to play through redirect blocks and hold up against NFL interior linemen. Will need to be cleared medically at re-check after heart irregularities showed up at combine.

Strengths

• Has disruptive initial quickness when ball is snapped
• Comes off the ball low and looking to eat in the backfield
• Once he gets into the gap, can get skinny and slither through
• Too quick for blockers to reach or trap
• Motor and movement get him access to the pocket as a rusher
• Flurries with his hands like a lightweight boxer
• Bats away early punch attempts creating balance advantages
• Light feet help him bounce from gap to gap challenging slow-footed linemen
• Makes plays well beyond his gap thanks to quickness and plus motor
• Quick to punch and disengage against move blocks on outside zone
• Effective in twist game

Weaknesses

• Is smallish for interior life
• Doesn't have the thick frame that lends itself to adding a lot more functional mass
• Big maulers can give him the blues when they square him up
• A firm punch will bounce him way out of his rush lane
• Has to close the gap on longer, stronger blockers or he gets in trouble
• Uses forward lean to create power that upper body is lacking
• Goes head-first into initial contact and loses sight of the ball
• Sticks to blocks and is slow to shed
• Pass rush comes from movement and twists over hand usage and rush counters

Sources Tell Us

"He's only going to play for 4-3, upfield teams as a three-technique. That's the only place that works for him. He's got a get-off that is crazy fast and if he gets with the right coordinator, he's going to be tough to block." - AFC team area scout




The source of Moore's inspired play as a senior was the memory of his younger sister, who passed away in August due to a burst blood vessel in her brain. His effort in her name as a 13-game starter and honorable mention All-Conference USA selection in 2017, leading the Golden Eagles with 87 tackles, three for loss, three interceptions, and 10 pass breakups. The previous season, Moore was a reserve defensive back, credited with 17 tackles, two interceptions, and two pass breakups. The Quitman, Mississippi transferred to USM from Pearl River Community College after the 2015 season. He was a first-team all-state pick his sophomore year as a defensive back (72 tackles, one interception, eight pass breakups) and kick returner (averaged 39.6 yards per kickoff return with one touchdown). Moore played in seven games for the Wildcats as a freshman reserve defensive back (11 tackles, interception).

Overview

Possesses rare speed, length and explosiveness at the safety position, but his tape says he's not just a workout wonder. Moore is a premium athlete with smooth hips and fluid feet with the ability to handle man cover matchups that others could struggle with. While there is still work to do, he's not a raw prospect and should be game-ready fairly quickly. Moore's tape shows his ability to handle coverage and run support duties and his elite athletic traits will likely push him way up the draft board into Day 2.
Strengths

• Superior combination of size, speed and explosiveness
• Ran verified 4.32-second 40-yard dash twice at his pro day with a 38.5-inch vertical leap and 11-foot-1 broad jump
• Arms dangle down his side at over 33 inches
• Asked to line up over slot and handle man cover duties
• Operates with smooth backpedal and loose hips to match route breaks
• Clocked speed shows up on tape with easy burst to close or to recover
• Turns to find and close targets quickly after recognizing play-action
• Has ability to handle combination safety role
• Impressive ball production in limited time at USM
• Able to blaze down the alley and catch running backs before they turn the corner
• Willing hitter.

Weaknesses

• Has just one season as full-time starter at FBS school
• Despite interceptions, hands appear to be just average
• Allows deep throws near his frame rather than high-pointing to finish
• Has a tendency to sit and wait for stalk blockers rather than racing under when possible
• Needs to add more muscle and mass to his frame
• Too much head ducking into contact as a tackler
• Needs to punch and play off of blocks in space for better tackle readiness.

Sources Tell Us

"Pretty hard to believe the Combine missed on him. He's got the athletic ability and he was productive this year. We thought he would get invited." -- NFC Scouting Director


5. DARREL WILLIAMS, RB, LSU, 6' 1" 229 lbs

Playing behind Leonard Fournette and Derrius Guice limited Williams' playing time during his first three seasons in Baton Rouge. The four-star recruit and top-12 running back prospect nationally moved from quarterback to running back as a high school senior, topping 2,200 rushing yards and 32 scores on the ground. Williams managed to get 64 carries for 302 yards and three scores in 12 games as a true freshman at LSU (6 receptions, 63 yards receiving) in 2014. The following year he had similar numbers (60 carries, 296 yards, four touchdowns rushing; fur receptions, 31 yards receiving) in 12 games. With Fournette out early in 2016, Williams got two starts but ended up with fewer carries for the year (52 carries, 233 yards, three touchdowns rushing; five receptions, 37 yards receiving) with Guice becoming the workhorse.

Overview

Physical, well-built running back who opened the eyes of NFL scouts with a strong season as a replacement for, and complimentary piece to Derrius Guice. Williams has NFL size and toughness and his ability to handle short-yardage carries as well as passes out of the backfield do nothing but increase his chances of making a roster.

Strengths

• Built like a bruiser and runs with good physicality
• Sturdy base absorbs hits and maintains balance
• Doesn't get cute
• Makes decisions early and lives with them
• Keeps pads square to line of scrimmage and slides from gap to gap without losing momentum when searching for the best running lane
• Has good lateral jump cut to elude initial tackle attempts at the line of scrimmage
• Runs under his pads with good forward lean near the goal line
• Has size to be utilized as a short yardage option
• Very comfortable handling swing passes and check downs and showed an ability to extend drives out of the backfield
• Highly respected teammate and named a team MVP this season

Weaknesses

• Doesn't feel running lanes developing, needs to see it
• Burst through line of scrimmage is below average
• Doesn't have the feet and instincts to sting moves together
• Doesn't search for late cuts and may not be able to make them anyway
• Doesn't generate as many yards after contacts as teams might like
• Won't get many unexpected yards
• Slow to gather and cut downhill when asked to run an outside track
• Needs downhill play calls
• Top heavy running style limits ability to make sharp backside cuts

6. HERCULES MATA'AFA, Pass Rush Specialist, Washington St., 6' 1", 254 lbs

Mata'afa has been one of the smallest defensive tackles in college football over the past three years -- but also among the most dangerous. The Hawai'i native was an all-state football player and state finalist in wrestling, which makes sense given his ability to tussle with larger players inside. He redshirted the 2014 season before playing in all 13 games the following year, garnering honorable mention All-Pac-12 recognition with a team-leading seven sacks to go along with 32 tackles, 11 for loss. Mata'afa was named second-team all-conference as a sophomore, finishing the year with 47 stops, 13.5 tackles for loss, and a team-high five sacks using a quick first step and possessing more power than his frame would let on. He really broke out in 2017, becoming a consensus All-American, Polynesian Player of the Year, and first-team All-Pac 12. He played in all 13 games, starting 12, making 45 tackles, 10.5 sacks, two forced fumbles, and ranking in the top five nationally with 22.5 tackles for loss.

Overview

Mata'afa is a challenge to project based on the fact that his tape features him as an interior lineman who won with quickness when matched against players who were 50-70 pounds heavier than he was. He has the size of a 3-4 outside linebacker but may lack the athletic traits and skill level as a rusher to fit right in. His motor and desire give him a chance to become a high-end special teams star and teams might be wise to utilize Mata'afa as an interior rusher in sub-packages.

Strengths

• Known as the toughest guy in the locker room
• Every snap is important to him
• Uses explosive get-off to disrupt play design from a defensive tackle spot
• Impossible to secure him with reach blocks when he's playing three-technique
• Zombie-like motor
• Gets tackles and sacks thanks to secondary effort
• Good lateral quickness to slide to the blocker's edge
• Plays with single-minded desire to find the football
• Has leverage to work under and around the blocker once he gets to an edge
• Punishing tackler with heavy pads

Weaknesses

• Much too small to continue playing interior spot
• Gets engulfed and washed down if he doesn't win early with penetration
• Yet to prove he can transition from defensive tackle to another position
• Doesn't have edge rusher's burst and bend as 3-4 outside linebacker
• Contact balance is below average
• Hand work is below average
• Will need to develop go-to rush moves, counters and an overall plan
• Scouts say he's quicker than fast

Sources Tell Us

"He makes plays all game long but how do you play him at tackle? You can't. He has to prove he can play on the edge and my guess is he's just a guy on the edge. Maybe I'm wrong. He plays harder than anybody on the field so maybe it can work." -- NFC regional scout


7. CHRIS COVINGTON, OLB, Indiana,6'-2",245 lbs

Covington was the first Division I scholarship athlete from Chicago's Al Raby High School as a dual-threat quarterback in 2014. He suited up at quarterback for the Hoosiers in 2014, but struggled as a passer (3-of-12, 31 yards, no scores, two interceptions) and then suffered a season-ending ACL injury against Iowa. He moved to linebacker during the following spring, and played in the team's final eight games there (four tackles). Becoming more comfortable at the position, he started once in 13 games played, making 29 stops, three for loss, and two sacks. Covington took another step forward at linebacker in 2017, using his athleticism to garner honorable mention All-Big Ten honors as a 12-game starter, posting 85 tackles, 12 for loss, three sacks, and five pass breakups.He was named Indiana's Defensive Player of the Year for his efforts.

Overview

Covington is a better athlete than skilled linebacker at this point in his development, but he has intriguing length, speed and athleticism that could be moldable on the next level. He still needs to get stronger and improve his technique, but he could become a special teams factor on coverage teams if he makes the squad. His ability to play in the league may rest upon whether or not he can improve his instincts and feel for blocking schemes.

Strengths

• Long arms dangle from his long, athletic build
• Former quarterback with room for more weight if needed
• Plus play speed in pursuit of the ball
• Flashes burst to close
• Plays with good energy and a desire to make plays
• Inexperienced but learning
• Big spike in playmaking production including 12 TFLs in 2017
• Physical field demeanor
• Strikes with force against ball carriers and some pulling guards
• Good finisher
• Comes to balance and swallows prey when in position to tackle
• Athletic dropping into space
• Adequate man cover talent with athletic traits to challenge catch

Weaknesses

• One-year starter
• Instincts and play diagnosis are well below the mark at this time
• Gets out of position and loses leverage when trying to protect his gap
• Still learning to recognize blocking schemes and read keys properly
• Gets trapped in traffic
• Will need to learn to sift from safety before shooting downhill
• Below average playing off blocks to tackle
• High-cut with issues maintaining contact balance against blocks
• Pursuit can be undisciplined
• Will outrace his run fits

[bonehead]

Good job F21...I like it, Tarvarius Moore very intriguing guy

[Rugger05]

I can easily see TT trading a 4th this year................

Very good draft overall

[Steve]

So, to boost our pass coverage, we draft a LB? A LB who will probably develop into a decent coverage guy, but is not anywhere near there yet.

Again, last year we kinda proved that we were a lot better vs both the run and pass when we played S instead of LB. I am not sure why everyone wants to go back to square one with our D when we found the strategy that works.

[Panamamike]

So, to boost our pass coverage, we draft a LB? A LB who will probably develop into a decent coverage guy, but is not anywhere near there yet.

Again, last year we kinda proved that we were a lot better vs both the run and pass when we played S instead of LB. I am not sure why everyone wants to go back to square one with our D when we found the strategy that works.

That all depends on who the Lb and safeties are.

I prefer DL in the first. BUT, Every iteration of this D scheme (Sea, Jax, Atalanta) has a top notch LB (vs run and pass) with speed that anchors it and strong safeties in support. Not sure why this has become an either or discussion. We need to bolster the DL, S and Lbs in this draft. Fortunately there are good players at all 3 that can be found throughout the draft.

[Steve]

You're right... that is ancient history. Why do we care when we showed how well the dime worked last year? You don't think we just showed how well playing dime D with average S worked so well, that the logical extension is that we could have a totally dominant D with better players at the nickel and dime LB spots?

Everyone keeps saying is so obvious why we need to go LB, and yet no one has made any sort of reasoned argument that has any semblance of credibility.

The number of really long runs given up by Bosa and Ingram accounts for most of the yardage, not to mention so many of the playoff teams didn't really have much better run defenses than we did (allowed averages of well over 4 yards per carry and in the 20+ rankings for yards given up overall). It only hurts on the stats sheet. Not on the scoreboard.

[blueman]

Tell that to KC.

[Steve]

Yeah, and the 7 turnovers in our own end of the field didn't have anything to do with the margin of victory. It was all on our D.

[blueman]

Yep, we have more problems against KC than just the D, same page.

[bonehead]

That all depends on who the Lb and safeties are.

I prefer DL in the first. BUT, Every iteration of this D scheme (Sea, Jax, Atalanta) has a top notch LB (vs run and pass) with speed that anchors it and strong safeties in support. Not sure why this has become an either or discussion. We need to bolster the DL, S and Lbs in this draft. Fortunately there are good players at all 3 that can be found throughout the draft.

Yeah, Evans /Vander Esch in the first...Reid in the second

[Formula 21]

Because I believe that Evans can cover as well as Phillips plus he can rush or blitz and he can tackle. And with his plus speed, he can cover a lot of ground. Being in the same zip code as the offensive player means a lot too.

[Panamamike]

You're right... that is ancient history. Why do we care when we showed how well the dime worked last year? You don't think we just showed how well playing dime D with average S worked so well, that the logical extension is that we could have a totally dominant D with better players at the nickel and dime LB spots?

Everyone keeps saying is so obvious why we need to go LB, and yet no one has made any sort of reasoned argument that has any semblance of credibility.

The number of really long runs given up by Bosa and Ingram accounts for most of the yardage, not to mention so many of the playoff teams didn't really have much better run defenses than we did (allowed averages of well over 4 yards per carry and in the 20+ rankings for yards given up overall). It only hurts on the stats sheet. Not on the scoreboard.

Not sure who you are repsonding to.

If me, well..

1) i never said LB in the first. to me that would be a fall back if we cant go DL or Edge based on our board and availability.

2) my point about the LB that every version of this D has is a fact. They all have a fast LB that can play all 3 downs...side line to sideline and can cover. They dont come off in sub packages. We dont have that type of LB yet on our roster. I still think Jenkins can be our Cam Chancellor type hybrid base S and sub pkg Lb. We need our version of Wagner/tevin Smith and Perryman aint it....but I also dont think this has to be a rd 1 guy anyway. If u listen to Lynn he emphasiazed this draft is deep at LB.

3) i agree that safety is needed. But it is a deep draft with a lot of guys closely rated IMO and a lot of unsigned FA fallbacks. I also havent heard u really talk about which safeties u like or dont like.

we need to improve the middle of our D (all 3 levels if u will) and add another edge rusher. Period. That is my take.

I have no idea what u want in the draft. You are ok with Payne and have a woody for Lauletta. Other than that all i get is you have faith in Perryman and dont value Lbs at all in our scheme. I will be interested to see whom u would have taken as the draft unfolds. There are a lot of options with our biggest needs. I am glad we addressed two of the biggest pre draft in K and OC.

[Formula 21]

Per Mike Mayock

Rashaan Evans - LB, Alabama

This kid is a three-down linebacker who can come off the edge and cover the pass.

This is a player the O has to account for on every play. Who is the C looking at when he calls the blocking assignments? plus he can tackle. how does that not help us?

[Panamamike]

Yeah, Evans /Vander Esch in the first...Reid in the second

all depends on the board when we pick. An edge rusher makes a lot of sense early too.

[Sgt Schultz]

Teams can't afford all-pros at every position. Does a good DT cover a fair LB better than a good LB covers a fair DT? Which position is more influential?