2019 draft theme - Improve the O Line (because that's the real glaring need on O, Add some talent up the middle on D.
1. OT Dalton Risner, Kansas State, 6' 5", 312 lbs, Arms 34"
Risner started all four seasons at Kansas State and his career low grade was 87.9 overall.
By Lance Zierlein
NFL Analyst
Draft Projection
Round 2
NFL Comparison
Cody Whitehair
Overview
He possesses average length and athletic ability, but with enough tape consumption, it becomes clear he has the necessary tools to get guys blocked on the NFL level. Risner is the same player on every snap with core strength, body control, and strong hands, allowing him to succeed on a relatively consistent basis. His position flexibility (started at right tackle and center) and play traits mirror those of former KSU standout Cody Whitehair. Risner will need to prove he can handle NFL edge speed, but a move inside could be a failsafe option for him.
Strengths
2. S Juan Thornhill, Virginia, 6' 0", 205 lbs,
(Trade #2 and #4 to move up. I wouldn't normally do this, but safeties are in short supply in this draft and Thornhill looks like a good one at a position of need. Plus, he's got those legs...)
40 Yard Dash, 4.42
Bench Press, 21 reps
Vertical Jump, 44.0 inches
Broad Jump, 141.0 inches
Thornhill has the ball production (13 career picks including six this past season) and had the most freakish measurables of any safety at the combine.
By Lance Zierlein
NFL Analyst
Draft Projection
Rounds 2-3
NFL Comparison
Ha Ha Clinton-Dix
Overview
Three-year starter who proved he could bring his instincts and ball skills with him from cornerback to safety in 2018. Thornhill's size and cover talent should allow defensive coordinators the freedom to deploy him around the field in a variety of ways depending on the matchups and his running mate at safety. While he could garner consideration as a corner, safety gives him his best opportunity to become an early starter.
Strengths
"We look for safeties who can take it away, and that's what he does. It wouldn't surprise me if a team drafted him to move him back to corner since he's long with ball skills." -- Regional scout for NFC team
3. 145. DI Renell Wren, Arizona State, 6' 5", 318 lbs, Arms 33 7/8"
Wren is naturally gifted with great size, explosiveness and athleticism, but he struggles with consistency. He failed to produce an overall grade above 80.0 once in the last three years of his Arizona State career.
By Lance Zierlein
NFL Analyst
Draft Projection
Rounds 3-4
NFL Comparison
Kedric Golston
Overview
Enticing prospect offering size, strength and athleticism to entice NFL general managers who covet elite traits over college production. Wren's play was uneven while aligned on the nose in 2018, but he should benefit from a move to defensive tackle in an odd or even front as a pro. The cheat code in unlocking his ability and production might rest in a team's ability to correct his hands and feet while improving recognition. With all things considered, "boom or bust" might be an appropriate tag for him.
Strengths
5. LB T.J. Edwards, Wisconsin, 6' 0",230 lbs
Among off-ball linebackers in the 2019 class with 400-plus defensive snaps played this past season, Edwards ranked fifth in overall grade (90.8) and 12th in coverage grade (84.8).
By Lance Zierlein
NFL Analyst
Draft Projection
Round 5
NFL Comparison
B.J. Goodson
Overview
Stout four-year starter who shows up and does his job each week as a banger in the box with surprising ball skills to flip the field. He improved each season and his off-season weight loss is indicative of how seriously he takes the game. He lacks desired chase speed and might be maxed out as a player, but he doesn't make many dire mistakes that hurt his team. Edwards is a backup inside linebacker for a 3-4 or 4-3 defense with the ability to step up and handle starter's duties if needed.
Strengths
"He's the kind of player that nobody in our scouting department gets excited about because he's not fast or splashy, but he knows how to play. We need depth and we need guys who know how to play and are dependable and durable." -- Linebackers coach for NFC team
6. OT Derwin Gray, Maryland, 6' 4", 320 lbs, Arms 34 3/8"
Maryland's Gray struggled significantly in the run game but more than impressed with his play in pass protection this past season. He finished the year ranked tied for 22nd in pass-blocking grade (81.0) and allowed just seven total pressures in the process.
By Lance Zierlein
NFL Analyst
Draft Projection
Rounds 5-6
NFL Comparison
Donovan Smith
Overview
Teams love big tackles with movement skills, but Gray offers a little more challenge for evaluators. His lack of bend causes deficiencies in sustaining blocks and in landing blocks on the move. However, in pass protection, he makes good usage of his size and his length and he might be able to hang in as a left tackle rather than the assumed push to the right side because of his size. He could go from solid to good as a starter if an offensive line coach can improve his consistency in the run game.
Strengths
Virginia's Bryce Hall will get ample attention as part of next year's class, but his teammate, Harris, is also a very talented cornerback prospect. He earned the 11th-best coverage grade (87.1) in the class this past season.
Cornerback Tim Harris, who performed well during Shrine Game practices, put up some incredible testing marks.
Harris measured 6016 and 197 pounds and hit 39 inches in the vertical and 11-foot-7 in the broad. His times in the 40 ranged from the high 4.3s to the low 4.4s.
Harris met one-on-one with eight teams including the Carolina Panthers, Green Bay Packers, San Francisco 49ers and Los Angeles Chargers.
The senior is an interesting story, as he looked like a legitimate top-100 pick early in his UVA career before injuries derailed him. Harris was graded as a street free agent by scouts but could now squeak into the last day of the draft.
1. OT Dalton Risner, Kansas State, 6' 5", 312 lbs, Arms 34"
Risner started all four seasons at Kansas State and his career low grade was 87.9 overall.
By Lance Zierlein
NFL Analyst
Draft Projection
Round 2
NFL Comparison
Cody Whitehair
Overview
He possesses average length and athletic ability, but with enough tape consumption, it becomes clear he has the necessary tools to get guys blocked on the NFL level. Risner is the same player on every snap with core strength, body control, and strong hands, allowing him to succeed on a relatively consistent basis. His position flexibility (started at right tackle and center) and play traits mirror those of former KSU standout Cody Whitehair. Risner will need to prove he can handle NFL edge speed, but a move inside could be a failsafe option for him.
Strengths
- Instinctive and defaults into proper mechanics and choices
- Plays wide and keeps blocks centered
- Drive blocks with strain and looks to improve body positioning
- Operates on short and long pulls with excellent body control and radar to find his foe
- Efficient on bump-and-climb combos up to linebacker
- Patient on second level with ability to gather and adjust to moving targets
- Punches with straight, stiff outside hand
- Strong hands can snatch and secure opponents
- Smart hand resets in recovery blocks
- Has anchor to hold his ground against a power surge
- Finishes with a mean streak
- Sluggish coming out of stance
- Pounding, heavy feet in his lateral movement
- Could struggle with consistency on backside blocks
- Needs to re-set hands for improved leverage as drive blocker
- Hands too wide in the run game
- Weight drifts outside in pass sets against speed
- Footwork diminished vs
- Mississippi State as game wore on
- Cracks the door for strong inside counters to come in
- Inside hand needs to become more consistent
- Mirror limitations once the rush finds his edge
2. S Juan Thornhill, Virginia, 6' 0", 205 lbs,
(Trade #2 and #4 to move up. I wouldn't normally do this, but safeties are in short supply in this draft and Thornhill looks like a good one at a position of need. Plus, he's got those legs...)
40 Yard Dash, 4.42
Bench Press, 21 reps
Vertical Jump, 44.0 inches
Broad Jump, 141.0 inches
Thornhill has the ball production (13 career picks including six this past season) and had the most freakish measurables of any safety at the combine.
By Lance Zierlein
NFL Analyst
Draft Projection
Rounds 2-3
NFL Comparison
Ha Ha Clinton-Dix
Overview
Three-year starter who proved he could bring his instincts and ball skills with him from cornerback to safety in 2018. Thornhill's size and cover talent should allow defensive coordinators the freedom to deploy him around the field in a variety of ways depending on the matchups and his running mate at safety. While he could garner consideration as a corner, safety gives him his best opportunity to become an early starter.
Strengths
- NFL size and wingspan for the position
- Former cornerback with carryover ball-hawking mentality
- Works eyes from ball to receiver to ball again with no issues picking it back up
- Recognition of route combos gives him head-start on throws
- Effective playing with back to the ball
- Treats every target like it is thrown to him
- Crowds receivers and outworks them for catch space
- Quick trigger to challenge dig routes
- Rangy to get to deep part of the field in coverage
- Can line up over slot on matchup tight ends
- Athleticism to handle open-field tackling in wide-open space
- Runs the alley with good pursuit pace
- Closes distance and drives through runner's legs to finish
- Body doesn't appear to carry the puffed-up weight total from the spring
- Narrow frame for work in the box
- Needs improvement in attacking blocks near the line
- Hasn't fully adjusted to run-pursuit angles as safety just yet
- Occasional busts in coverage as he learns new responsibilities
- Slow to open and sprint when transitioning on deep throws
- Has to balance playmaking instincts with more caution when warranted
- Could have issues against bait routes and play-action early in career
"We look for safeties who can take it away, and that's what he does. It wouldn't surprise me if a team drafted him to move him back to corner since he's long with ball skills." -- Regional scout for NFC team
3. 145. DI Renell Wren, Arizona State, 6' 5", 318 lbs, Arms 33 7/8"
Wren is naturally gifted with great size, explosiveness and athleticism, but he struggles with consistency. He failed to produce an overall grade above 80.0 once in the last three years of his Arizona State career.
By Lance Zierlein
NFL Analyst
Draft Projection
Rounds 3-4
NFL Comparison
Kedric Golston
Overview
Enticing prospect offering size, strength and athleticism to entice NFL general managers who covet elite traits over college production. Wren's play was uneven while aligned on the nose in 2018, but he should benefit from a move to defensive tackle in an odd or even front as a pro. The cheat code in unlocking his ability and production might rest in a team's ability to correct his hands and feet while improving recognition. With all things considered, "boom or bust" might be an appropriate tag for him.
Strengths
- Physical specimen with broad upper body and proportional thickness in lowers
- Freaky athlete with elite explosion and power numbers in the weight room
- Coaches will salivate over size and moldable talent
- Frame offers consideration in odd or even fronts
- Plus snap reaction gains early entry into neutral zone
- His play features disruptive flashes in the gaps
- Lethal potential as penetrator with development of a swim move
- Tools to become adept as both 1- and 2-gap player
- Strength in hands to jolt and separate with more work
- Despite a lack of rush production, does have potential as pocket pusher
- Much more active than productive
- Play lacks control and consistency
- Pops upright out of stance, with leverage immediately compromised
- Shoddy footwork early in rep promotes balance inconsistencies
- Narrow base and lack of bend hinder anchor
- Inconsistent to square pads at point of attack
- Needs inside hands and earlier arm extension to access his 2-gap control
- Read-and-react needs vast improvement
- Gets caught behind move blocks despite his lateral quickness
- Rush attack reliant on force and quickness over skill and counters
5. LB T.J. Edwards, Wisconsin, 6' 0",230 lbs
Among off-ball linebackers in the 2019 class with 400-plus defensive snaps played this past season, Edwards ranked fifth in overall grade (90.8) and 12th in coverage grade (84.8).
By Lance Zierlein
NFL Analyst
Draft Projection
Round 5
NFL Comparison
B.J. Goodson
Overview
Stout four-year starter who shows up and does his job each week as a banger in the box with surprising ball skills to flip the field. He improved each season and his off-season weight loss is indicative of how seriously he takes the game. He lacks desired chase speed and might be maxed out as a player, but he doesn't make many dire mistakes that hurt his team. Edwards is a backup inside linebacker for a 3-4 or 4-3 defense with the ability to step up and handle starter's duties if needed.
Strengths
- Uber-productive; four years of 80+ tackles
- Dropped 15 pounds in off-season for increased quickness
- Even at lighter weight, still strong and physical in the box
- Good power in lower half to squeeze his gap
- Challenges blocks with heavy hands
- Better awareness and recognition in 2018
- Will shoot inside zone blocks to spill runs wide
- Disciplined and technically sound as a tackler
- Adequate lateral change of direction to tackle in open field
- Highly instinctive in zone coverage
- Reads quarterback and route and plays the catch-point
- Has 10 career interceptions and loads of breakups
- Not a natural knee-bender
- Below-average initial quickness
- Has to diagnose instantly or he can get too far behind
- Goes over the top of blocks rather than slipping them
- Needs earlier block discard in space
- Loses his leverage as run defender at times
- Sideline-to-sideline range comes up short
- Unable to run down ball carriers to the edge without head-start
- Limitations in man coverage
"He's the kind of player that nobody in our scouting department gets excited about because he's not fast or splashy, but he knows how to play. We need depth and we need guys who know how to play and are dependable and durable." -- Linebackers coach for NFC team
6. OT Derwin Gray, Maryland, 6' 4", 320 lbs, Arms 34 3/8"
Maryland's Gray struggled significantly in the run game but more than impressed with his play in pass protection this past season. He finished the year ranked tied for 22nd in pass-blocking grade (81.0) and allowed just seven total pressures in the process.
By Lance Zierlein
NFL Analyst
Draft Projection
Rounds 5-6
NFL Comparison
Donovan Smith
Overview
Teams love big tackles with movement skills, but Gray offers a little more challenge for evaluators. His lack of bend causes deficiencies in sustaining blocks and in landing blocks on the move. However, in pass protection, he makes good usage of his size and his length and he might be able to hang in as a left tackle rather than the assumed push to the right side because of his size. He could go from solid to good as a starter if an offensive line coach can improve his consistency in the run game.
Strengths
- Massive human with broad chest, long arms and good thickness through thighs
- His size equals power
- Takes defenders on a short ride when he centers the block and runs his feet
- Able to match brute strength with brute strength at the point of attack
- Battering ram power on down blocks to blow the run lane wide open
- Surprisingly rapid slide quickness in his pass sets
- Shows adequate ability to redirect his weight and engage inside counter rushers
- Pass sets feature flat back, balanced feet and his chin tucked
- Efficient punch timing and able to make opponents catch his full length
- Heavy hands force edge rushers into an early regroup when he lands first
- Uses length and power for recovery to bully rushers beyond the pocket
- Active in re-setting hands into defender's frame and cinching up the jersey to secure and end the pass rush.
- Production as run blocker not as consistent as scouts would like
- Tightness in hips and knees prevents leveraged initial strikes and allows defenders to slide laterally away sustained contact
- Can improve post-contact positioning to kick out and seal B-gap in run game
- Initial lateral movement is sluggish and he could struggle with slants and reach blocks
- Tall and lumbering in climb to second level
- Effectiveness wanes when asked to move behind tight quarters
- Opens outside hip and shoulder too quickly versus wide-9 looks, allowing for easier inside counters
- Below-average awareness to recognize when he's being "gamed" by twists and zone blitzes
Virginia's Bryce Hall will get ample attention as part of next year's class, but his teammate, Harris, is also a very talented cornerback prospect. He earned the 11th-best coverage grade (87.1) in the class this past season.
Cornerback Tim Harris, who performed well during Shrine Game practices, put up some incredible testing marks.
Harris measured 6016 and 197 pounds and hit 39 inches in the vertical and 11-foot-7 in the broad. His times in the 40 ranged from the high 4.3s to the low 4.4s.
Harris met one-on-one with eight teams including the Carolina Panthers, Green Bay Packers, San Francisco 49ers and Los Angeles Chargers.
The senior is an interesting story, as he looked like a legitimate top-100 pick early in his UVA career before injuries derailed him. Harris was graded as a street free agent by scouts but could now squeak into the last day of the draft.
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