The Trojans' official site listed the unanimous All-American at 290 pounds. "First round, second round, third round, I don't care. 40 time: seconds. 2020 season draftnastymagazine.com/tag/tristan-nichols/, Mozilla/5.0 (Windows NT 10.0; Win64; x64) AppleWebKit/537.36 (KHTML, like Gecko) Chrome/103.0.5060.114 Safari/537.36. At the same time, one can also find film of him falling off blocks and playing with heavy feet. Check that, if he arrives at the ball-carrier. Lew Nichols III, Central Michigan 24 . You're going to feel me every single play. A changing NFL climate may explain the volume of Packers' Day 3 picks. So much so that Benton shouldn't be viewed as just an option over the center. Tuipulotu thrived when he reduced down over the interior. Round 7, Pick 224: DeMarcco Hellams, S, Alabama. Chicago Bears general manager Ryan Poles decided his team needed to get bigger and more physical in the trenches. The incoming rookie can make the switch permanent, with Ramsey and Xavien Howard primarily working on the outside. The Dallas Cowboys needed to address tight end after Dalton Schultz left in free agency to join the Houston Texans. Injuries and fumbles limit Evans' appeal significantly, but if you only watched his highlight plays, you might be convinced that Evans should have gone three rounds earlier. Being able to go out there and work at it, I feel like it enhances my game in the long run. Gregg Rosenthal identifies who's up and who's down after the conclusion of the 2023 NFL Draft. An understanding of the system helps in the evaluation and fit for a prospect. He has a good track record for getting into the backfield. Irrelevant is the kind of player you root for, a hard-working, hard-hitting interior defender who overcomes his average physical gifts. Strengths: Ideal frame and long levers, strong at point of attack, easily locks out blockers and sheds, good hand usage, Weaknesses: Lacks explosive traits as a pass-rusher, plays too stiffly and tall. Today's game is evolving to where offensive coaches saw this trend and counterpunched with more physical rushing attacks. Our college football reporters break down what surprised them in this year's NFL draft based on covering these players over the past several years. One moment from a prospect can open eyes around the NFL. So, quarterback Kyler Murray got his guy in the first. The organization already brought in David Onyemata and Calais Campbell. Christian Watson. Wilson adds another big body to play alongside the smaller Marquise Brown and Rondale Moore. Strengths: Second-line speedster, solid instincts, uses hands and long arms relatively well to keep blockers off his body, Weaknesses: Overwhelmed by bigger blockers once fully engaged, doesn't bring much force upon contact. Copyright 1999 2023 GoDaddy Operating Company, LLC. Jawaan Taylor signed in free agency to man the blind side, so Morris should compete with Lucas Niang to start at right tackle. The fifth-year senior, who will turn 25 in September, didn't experience a breakout campaign until his final season on campus. Engram is far more effective as a detached option. Two years ago, Kyle Pitts was a true unicorn and was picked fourth, the highest ever selected at the position. Gardner-Johnson left in free agency, a starting safety spot is available. Granted, Mims can give the team what it once hoped that KJ Hamler might provide. He's smart and competitive, and had a nice showing at the NFLPA Collegiate Bowl. Strengths: Soft hands, solid catch radius, Weaknesses: Poor athletic profile, provides little as a blocker. Statistically speaking, no tight end who made his way through Iowa City produced more receptions or receiving yardage than LaPorta. historically in the player's position group (Higher value represents better perfomance). During the 2021 campaign, Gervon tied for second among SEC defensive tackles with 29 stops, per Pro Football Focus. 7 (242) - S Anthony Johnson, . As time went on, it just made me realize how resilient I am. He might be a 5 technique in Green Bay. Reed has enough deep speed (4.45-second 40-yard dash) to stack cornerbacks and serve as a vertical threat. Reed provides another vertical option. "I feel like I'm only scratching the surface," Washington told reporters at the NFL Scouting, Combine. This year's center class might not light up the marquee, but it's definitely one of the stronger position groups, with its overall quality and number of prospects who could become starters. "I had never played it all," Tippmann said, per Mike Lucas of the Badgers' official site. When the draft ended, there was a total of 43 trades . During Day 1 of the draft, the team drafted running back Jahmyr Gibbs far sooner than expected with the 12th overall pick and took linebacker Jack Campbell at 18th overall. He's obviously not going to displace the three-time Defensive Player of the Year, but he can provide more juice along the interior, particularly in obvious passing downs. I let my presence be known. Bergeron can certainly put a defender on skates when engaging as a run defender, though. The second is trying to slow all of the talented quarterbacks found in the loaded AFC. The 6'1", 204-pound receiver displays strong hands to pluck the ball away from his frame, and he's an excellent athlete with a top-three 10-yard split (1.49 seconds) and top-ranked vertical (41 inches) among the wide receivers at the combine. Two types of blocking schemes exist: zone and man (gap) principles. It's just that he has 32-inch arms and is so-so athletically. Last season, Rice finished among the top five nationwide with 96 receptions and 1,355 receiving yards. He has a few burn marks in coverage on tape, but Ivey's length and good athletic traits make him a solid gamble at this stage. But Achane showed he can properly harness his velocity. To look at those numbers a different way, 89.1 percent of the underclassman's total receiving yards during that span came when working as the inside receiver. The Tennessee Titans know a special runner when they see one, though Spears is basically the opposite of Derrick Henry in play style and skill set. Over the past two seasons . Before you cry nepotism -- Deuce's father, Chris, is the Cowboys' assistant scouting director -- know that Vaughn is one of the more thrilling, productive runners in recent FBS history. NFL Draft Profile: Derick Hall, Linebacker, Auburn Tigers - Visit NFL Draft on Sports Illustrated, the latest news coverage, with rankings for NFL Draft prospects, College Football,. Mingo has significant upside as someone who was asked to create with the ball in his hands and quickly contribute in multiple roles. 2 Arizona Cardinals. Besides, Kraft is an excellent value at this juncture. The Los Angeles Rams closed out the 2023 NFL Draft by using the No. In the case of Florida's O'Cyrus Torrence, he's a mauler. Thirty-one aspiring professionals heard their names called during the opening frame. Granted, sacks weren't an official stat during Notre Dame's heyday, but it continues to be a nationally relevant program and produces significant NFL talent on a yearly basis. The team still has Andrew Booth Jr. and signed Byron Murphy Jr. in free agency to help offset those losses. "We played a lot of man coverage at Miami. You're the closest one and everything just happens sooner at the center spot. All-Conference USA wideout caught 125 passes in two seasons at Charlotte. The Los Angeles Chargers spent a significant amount of time and assets last offseason to address their defensive front so they wouldn't be nearly as soft at the point of attack as they were previously. Clearly, the Washington Commanders have 1) prioritized upgrades to their secondary and 2) targeted very specific talents. Achane joins a track team currently fielded by the Miami Dolphins. With Matthew Judon and now White working off the edge, the Patriots have the length to truly disrupt the rhythm of opposing quarterbacks while consistently setting the edges. The Oklahoma offensive tackle, who's named after the Boyz II Men vocalist, knows how to make his own music on the football field, but he's a little metal in his approach. Some edge prospects are referred to as straight-line pass-rushers. Martin is a true nose who should be able to keep Jack Campbell clean and let him rack up tackles. But the group deserves considerable credit for reaching such heights after enduring a 5-7 season and the departure of longtime head coach Gary Patterson in 2021. "Sometimes I think about (those jobs) and tell myself that I'm not supposed to be here," Young told Sparks. If not for Florida's Anthony Richardson, Levis would be considered the most physically imposing QB in the group. We felt Kuntz could go off the board a few rounds ago. LaPorta is still a work-in-progress as an in-line contributor, but his physical presence shines after the catch. According to NFL Network's Tom Pelissero, the Pittsburgh Steelers' phone has been ringing off the hook with teams trying to get to the top of the second round. Hendon Hooker deserves ample credit for A) not being content with his four years at Virginia Tech and B) helping the Tennessee Volunteers program reach national relevance again. Oklahoma's Marvin Mims Jr. has always been a productive wide receiver. Team Round Plus, the Titans rely heavily on a play-action passing attack that asks their quarterback to drive the ball down the field. Gwyn held his own at the Reese's Senior Bowl despite his 6-foot-2, 297-pound frame, and he'll almost certainly have to make it as a center in the NFL. I trust my instincts.". Offensive tackle Darian Kinnard is the first Cat selected, as he goes . I'm a good athlete. As long as Tucker gets a clean release, he can take the top off a defense, which should help open up Josh McDaniels' offense. He was the only defensive lineman at 310 pounds or heavier to reach the latter two numbers. One thing leads to another, which leads to another. First, Brown is just a good football player. 1 Georgia Bulldogs. Strengths: Technician off the snap, strong hands, good body control, solid frame, blocks on edges, Weaknesses: Extensive injury history, concentration drops, lacks top gear. Oh, yeah, Rob Gronkowski. Levis is closer to a more traditional option, though he's a solid athlete. The Miami Dolphins simply can't have too many cornerbacks. If Hopkins is eventually traded, Wilson immediately becomes the team's third receiving option. ", Branch added, "If teams want me to cover the slot receiver, man coverage, I can do that. The KUTWK alum and her seven-year-old child sat front row to take in the . "Just really a legacy standpoint for me. Riley will turn 25 soon and bounced around in college, but his mass and strength give him a chance to make it as a nose tackle in New York. Stroud's batterymate with this year's second-overall pick should have been strongly considered to make a smooth transition for the quarterback. Latu doesn't bring anything as a blocker right now, either.". Strength: Game-changing speed, excellent footwork in tight areas, has shiftiness to avoid big hits, understands how to change gears and set up blocks, adds value as returner, Weaknesses: Small frame, unlikely to be an every-down back, play strength is subpar. He's the leader of the group. As the early second-round selections sort themselves out and the rest of the second and third rounds proceed, Bleacher Report will provide analysis and grades for every single pick. But Minnesota's John Michael Schmitz is the top-ranked pure center prospect in this year's draft class. You can't find a much more stark comparison, style-wise, from the statuesque, 6-foot-6 McKee and the Eagles' franchise QB, Jalen Hurts. There are inefficiencies he can clean up with NFL coaching (stance, route breaks, etc. Where do the Broncos stand after all the picks in the Russell Wilson trade were made? He needed five seasons before reaching his breakout campaign. He'll certainly work as a deep threat or underneath option to create after the catch. I want to do the same thing and just be better. (74%*), 245 He projects a certain sense of bravado. Check out some of Payton Thorne's highlights at Michigan State as he enters the transfer portal. One of the top right tackles in the NFL is going . Excitement accompanies Tulane's Tyjae Spears whenever he runs the ball. Granted, the program also features the reigning John Mackey Award winner in Brock Bowers, who'll likely be a top-10 draft pick during the 2024 cycle. He recorded 20 tackles, 4 assists, while adding 4 stops. Like everyone learned after watching his collegiate career, Sanders' usage is critical to maximizing his massive talent. A shoulder injury prevented him from bench pressing at his pro day. Strengths: Good touch/timing on deep throws and in-breaking routes, refined passer, not turnover-prone, adds to the running game, Weaknesses: Coming off season-ending knee surgery, older prospect, struggles to navigate pocket against pressure. He pieced together a solid but arguably underwhelming career considering expectations upon arrival. Hooker can take a redshirt year. However, ankle surgery derailed most of the prospect's final season on campus. It is highly recommended that you use the latest versions of a supported browser in order to receive an optimal viewing experience. The LSU edge-defender is 6'2", 248 pounds and needs to add strength. Evaluated as an interior prospect, particularly as a 1-technique based on South Carolina listing him at 6'4" and 305 pounds, Pickens showed up at the NFL Scouting Combine and weighed 291 pounds. New England continued to bolster its secondary on Saturday and did so with the first 2023 NFL Draft selection of an HBCU player. Cam Jurgens is another possibility, but he's not the physical presence the Eagles tend to prefer at guard. " And to me, Steve was the main guy, he really was. Roberto Aguayo went 59th overall in 2018 says a lot about where the team stood on special teams and how it views Moody. At the Senior Bowl, Mauch made a smooth transition over the ball. I feel like that's my best attribute, being able to spy that quarterback. Meanwhile, Battle went about his business and played strong complementary football in the Crimson Tide's backfield. The following browsers are supported: Chrome, Edge (v80 and later), Firefox and Safari. Or, they could draft a replacement like Georgia Bulldogs offensive lineman Broderick Jones. Ultimately, I have a lot of different tools in the toolbox. Now, Benton is exactly the type of nose tackle the Steelers' vaunted defense has lacked for years. The first-team All-American is also a standout 6'3", 332-pound guard with starting center experience. The team could have viewed him as its workhorse. The Green Bay Packers are taking an interesting approach to this year's draft class. He's smaller but a quality athlete for his size. 2023 NFL Enterprises LLC. The scheme often asked Strange to block. For Joey Porter Jr., the transition isn't exactly the same. I played in the SEC. Podcasts Home; NFL Pick Six . "Letting them know wherever they need me, I can play. What Henley didn't see at the time, his coaches clearly did. As a result, he had a slow start to his final year on campus. WR; Senior; 6-4, 208 lbs; NDSU; Scouts Grade; Position Rank; Overall Rank; Arm Length 32-3/4" Hand Size 10-1/8" 40-YD Dash 4.36; Conference TBD; 2022 Draft Pick Info . The ability to press and reroute wide receivers is as important as ever in the NFL. 2. Tristan Wirfs. Stromberg, who emerged as the SEC's best blocker as the 2022 Jacobs Blocking Award winner, is an experienced, smart center with some guard flexibility. Teams also want prospects who can create turnovers and provide the offense with more opportunities. Branch provides even more flexibility when working alongside Gardner-Johnson since both can start at safety or serve as the primary nickel corner. *Percentile calculated on how any given stat would rank at the NFL combine For the Carolina Panthers, Johnson gives the team's defense another option opposite Brian Brians, alongside Yetur Gross-Matos and Marquis Haynes Jr. The selection is about more than straight speed, though. The New Orleans Saints understand that Alvin Kamara has an injury history (and potentially faces discipline from the league after pleading not guilty to battery charges from an incident in February 2022), and he can't continue to be the primary focal point of the offense. Tyler Steen started for two different SEC programs. That means Nichols applied pressure on about 13.9% of his reps as a pass rusher, which is above average. Strengths: Adept drive-blocker, top-notch play strength and finisher, moves well to second level and out in space, Weaknesses: Few true pass sets based on Bison's system, overall pass protection needs polish, lacks length. The Northern Michigan product is a wild story, starting his college career as a hoops player at Michigan Tech, sitting out his first year at Northern Michigan and then losing the next year to COVID cancellations. "I feel like I just can't be stopped," Mingo told reporters at the NFL Scouting Combine. Morris, who began his career at Tennessee, started 25 career games and has experience at both tackle spots. The Tampa Bay Buccaneers could move Tristan Wirfs to left tackle after releasing Donovan Smith. Get the latest news, stats, videos, highlights and more about defensive tackle Tristan Nichols on ESPN. He can serve as a bone-rattling blocker and provide second-year quarterback Kenny Pickett with yet another massive target over the middle of the field. Strengths: Explosive athlete, aggressive run defender, soft hands to pluck ball, experience in man and zone coverage, Weaknesses: Too many missed tackles, stiffness in hips, suspect change-of-direction. Strengths: Warp speed, lightning quick feet, thrives in press, can play outside or over the slot, Weaknesses: Thin frame, suspect tackler, can be bodied by bigger wide receivers. Check out Tristan Nichols's College Stats, School, Draft, Gamelog, Splits and More College Stats at Sports-Reference.com Kyle Shanahan knows what he wants for his offense. I feel like I can turn into a great athlete.". 5. 10h ago He's also 5-foot-5 and 180 pounds, with good but hardly elite speed. Iowa's Riley Moss emerged as one of the nation's top cornerbacks during his collegiate career. "There are a lot of differences to just being that close to the defensive linemen. All teams employ both, though they're often more reliant on one more than the other. Versatile defenders are often referred to as positionless, but Daiyan Henley truly was to start his collegiate career. Tank Dell is the snappiest route-runner in this year's draft class. Centers aren't built like Wisconsin's Joe Tippman all that often. The 6'3 and 215-pound WR is a force on the outside, routinely plucking passes out of the sky and moving the chains. Strengths: Hybrid defender, top-notch recognition and trigger, plays good angles, smooth backpedal, Weaknesses: Lacks top gear, poor timing at catchpoint, marginal ball skills. Schoonmaker caught 35 passes for 418 yards despite dealing with a shoulder injury. Henley originally committed to and played five seasons with the Nevada Wolf Pack. OT; Junior; 6-4, 320 lbs; Iowa; Scouts Grade; Position Rank; Overall Rank; Arm Length 34" Hand Size 10-1/4" 40-YD Dash 4.85; Conference TBD; 2020 Draft Pick Info. But his production was elite, especially considering he was playing out of position for such a bulky guy. Carter was signed by the Minnesota Vikings on Saturday as an undrafted free agent, the team announced. All three of those traits can be valuable if used properly. Mauch entered the Bison program as a 221-pound tight end and left as the FCS' top offensive lineman. 2023 NFL Draft: Packers select Charlotte WR Grant DuBose in seventh round, No. However, he corners about as well as a 1986 Cutlass Supreme. Broeker has experience at left tackle and left guard and is a pretty nice pick at this point in the draft. His transition to the Steelers' system should be seamless. Klein as a stopgap, but don't be surprised if Williams finds his way into the lineup sooner rather than later. The 6'2", 235-pounder posted an elite relative athletic score with a 4.43-second 40-yard dash, 40.5-inch vertical and 4.24-second short shuttle. He's older (will turn 24 before the start of the 2023 campaign). "Getting a sack is just normal," the edge-defender told reporters at the NFL Scouting Combine.