NFL Trade Rumors
Now that I’ve watched much of the tape for summer scouting, it’s time to revisit my way-too-early mock draft. A lot can (and will) change between now and next April, but these exercises are a great way to highlight players to watch in the upcoming college football season, as well as to take stock of the current draft landscape.
As always, this far out, don’t get too hung up on specific prospect to team fits. This is more about the players than the fits right now, though I did try and avoid giving quarterbacks to teams that probably wouldn’t take one.
Draft order per Tankathon’s projections.
My money is on Bain emerging as the top non-quarterback in this draft. He needs to stay healthy, but his profile is every bit that of a game-wrecker off the edge. With great length and an elite first step, Bain puts the opposing tackle in immediate recovery mode on every snap. He plays with strong hands and dictates contact, keeping his chest clean and manipulating his blocker. Lightning-quick change-of-direction abilities and an advanced bag of pass-rushing moves make him a nightmare to block.
Manning has a big name to live up to. It’s impressive that in the few games we’ve seen him in action, he’s lived up to the billing and then some. His command of the offense is advanced for his age — he reads defenses well pre-snap, plays with impeccable timing and touch on his passes, and is a natural at manipulating the pocket. All eyes will be on the new Longhorns starter in his first full season of action.
Suffocating in run defense and refined in his pass rush, Parker is the most productive returning pass rusher in college football. His pass rush bag is otherworldly for an underclassman, with a wide array of moves and counters to hound quarterbacks. He’s masterful at setting up tackles over the course of a game to work off of in critical situations. Parker isn’t as athletic as top edge defender prospects usually are, but it’s hard to ignore just how good he is already, and how much better he could get.
A violent blocker, Mauigoa has the power profile to be dangerous as a run blocker with the fluid movement skills of the game’s best pass protectors. He’s a brick wall against bull rushers, holding his ground and using his hands to ward off their counters. In space, he’s shown the ability to connect on blocks on the move and has quick enough feet to hold up against faster edge rushers. If there’s one thing he needs to improve, it’s his hands, as he’s liable to draw holding penalties in the NFL if he keeps grabbing outside the defender’s chest.
5 – New York Jets:...
