2017 NFL Draft

[Leonardfan]

Tom Iron rule in effect:

According to a police report obtained by Florida Times-Union correspondent Patrick Pinak, Florida DT Caleb Brantley faces a misdemeanor battery charge for allegedly punching a woman in the face and knocking her unconscious.

The incident is believed to have occurred on April 13. Per the report, the victim pushed Brantley after he made "crude comments." Brantley allegedly responded by punching the woman in the face with a closed fist, knocking her unconscious and dislodging a tooth. The police report considered that action retaliation, not self-defense. Previously considered a Round 3 pick -- with a ceiling of Round 2 -- Brantley's stock will freefall if this report proves to be true. "Great chance he goes undrafted with this charge coming so close to the draft," Bleacher Report's Matt Miller tweeted. "Teams will be scrambling for info."

 

[Leonardfan]

I went through three 7 round mock drafts (drafttek, nfl.com, cbssports) over the past few days and have yet to see any one breaking 50 white players drafted (not including specialists).

 

[Deceptive Speed]

Intresting, Have we ever talked about Cody Hollister here at CF? Didn't know Arkansas had two pale faces at WR, let alone 2 potential draftable white WR's.

 

[The Hock]

One of my magazines revisits the first round of the 2007 draft. This will make the 10th anniversary of the most epic first overall pick bust of all time the immortal Jamarcus "Lardass" Russell. I counted nine other busts (including Brady Quinn and Adam Carriker) in that first round. Seven of the ten busts came in the first seventeen picks, with Gaines Adams maybe the biggest name bust after Russell.

Six became star players, among them Marshawn Lynch, Adrian Peterson and Darrelle Revis. Maybe seven if you include Greg Olsen who has really come on the last few years.

The remainder vary from journeymen to solid contributors. Some might call Ted Ginn a bust but he has managed to hang around by occasionally hitting home runs so I consider him a decent journeyman, but not up to his first round pick status.

So, ten of the thirty-two first rounders ten years ago were busts. That's almost one out of three instant millionaires who turn out to be duds.

That's something to think about to keep all these experts in perspective.

I'm looking forward to more busts.

 

[Extra Point]

I think white players are less likely to bust than black players. In general they have higher character and a greater work ethic.

Also blacks are overdrafted because of their race. Players who are drafted too high are more likely to bust.

Scouts seem to consider race an athletic trait, like being strong or fast. It's part of their evaluation, whether it's written in their reports or not.

Players who are strong, fast and black will get a higher grade from scouts than a white player who is equally strong and fast.

 

[McCaffrey Dude]

Nothing new here , but I have been reading a few draft magazines and every offensive lineman, dl, lb and a few safeties who were listed ALL were high-motor players. Also what kills me is every magazine and internet article I can find has Christian McCaffrey lacking the strength to break tackles. I have probably watched more CM highlights than anybody in the world and all he does IS break tackles especially from linebackers and d-linemen. I still can't believe he is ranked behind Fournette and even Dalvin Cook in a few places. Fournette is talented but he is a one trick pony. I don't know much about Cook but it can't be that close. I don't recall Cook breaking Barry Sanders all time APY record.
I still think even if a lot of our guys don't get drafted they will still show up at camp and make a team. The guy I think that will really start sooner than later even though not being drafted is Matt Milano and even Leo Musso.

 

[Leonardfan]

Just some random thoughts and hopes about this draft:

I hope Trubisky ends up in San Francisco. I have learned not to put faith into a head coach due to his track record as almost all coaches will sell out their own kind. I do feel that Shannahan would work well with Trubisky though and he goes into a situation where he won't be expected to start right away and be allowed to be brought along and developed with Hoyer and Barkley already on the roster.

I think McCaffery's best landing spots for immediate impact are with the Eagles or Redskins. He would provide an instant upgrade to both teams running games as well as make an impact as a pass catcher out of the backfield. Worst landing spot would be the Panthers which is where everyone seems to be projecting him. Also on the topic of the Redskins I am interested to see what they do regarding Cousins - if they draft a QB fairly early my guess is they will franchise Cousins let him play out this year and move on. If the idiot Bruce Allen is dump enough to make this decision hopefully they draft Davis Webb or Peterman.

The Dolphins draft is going to be telling - to see if Gase or the puppet black GM and Tannenbaum are in charge. Gase's purging of sumos last year was a nice surprise and hopefully they address the offensive line with Forrest Lamp in the first round. I have also read that they want a pass rusher - if Watt is available in the second round when they pick I would love to see them draft him as well. I hope Gase gets a few white guys drafted this year.

 

[McCaffrey Dude]

Fournette is going to Carolina. I still have predicted CM will go to KC but really hope he winds up in Green Bay.

 

[Extra Point]

I'm interested to see where Chad Kelly goes. He is a potential steal for someone.

His injury history, character questions and whiteness will probably knock him down farther than he should be.

A smart team could get a potential starter to groom, probably with a 4th round pick. That's a good deal.

 

[Leonardfan]

I'm interested to see where Chad Kelly goes. He is a potential steal for someone.

His injury history, character questions and whiteness will probably knock him down farther than he should be.

A smart team could get a potential starter to groom, probably with a 4th round pick. That's a good deal.

I think Kelly is a very talented player, should of been a 1st rounder IMO but will probably be a 6th/7th rounder if drafted at all mostly due to the caste system (his character questions also hamper his draft stock).

 

[Leonardfan]

Fournette is going to Carolina. I still have predicted CM will go to KC but really hope he winds up in Green Bay.

Hopefully you are right. They get another running back who is exactly the same as what they have on their roster. I don't trust Reid with McCaffery and think he will go earlier than the Chiefs pick.

All of the "experts" are calling for the Chiefs to draft a QB to replace Alex Smith who has done nothing but win in KC.

 

[Shadowlight]

I agree with Leo that the Eagles or Redskins are ideal in a number of ways. Big market East Coast teams, grass fields, great fan bases and creative offensive schemes. Carolina just seems like a poor fit. They play on grass which is a good thing but everything about that offense including the QB is lumbering and plodding and Newton is slow on the trigger and not precise enough for the kind of shorter passes tailor made for Christian.
Of course us beggars can't be choosers at this point but we also want to see Christian play in the proper environment to maximize his skills. Although the 49er's have what looks to be a creative new coach I don't want him going there where he could get lost in a low wattage West Coast team without much national media punch. But the 49er's could spring up and grab him although like Leo says maybe they grab Trubisky which might not be a bad idea.
Last night on the NFL network mock draft they had Watt going to the Packers. I would take that with a grain of salt because they admitted their mock draft was not based on what they think teams will pick. Again Thursday night I want to see two things. Christian going to a team that suits him and TJ Watt being drafted in the first round. Neither scenario is a slam dunk but it will be interesting to watch none the less. Of course I think Watt and the Pack would be terrific match ( I can hear Celtic cheering from here ha ha) but we will find out.

 

[Deceptive Speed]

One of my magazines revisits the first round of the 2007 draft. This will make the 10th anniversary of the most epic first overall pick bust of all time the immortal Jamarcus "Lardass" Russell. I counted nine other busts (including Brady Quinn and Adam Carriker) in that first round. Seven of the ten busts came in the first seventeen picks, with Gaines Adams maybe the biggest name bust after Russell.

Six became star players, among them Marshawn Lynch, Adrian Peterson and Darrelle Revis. Maybe seven if you include Greg Olsen who has really come on the last few years.

The remainder vary from journeymen to solid contributors. Some might call Ted Ginn a bust but he has managed to hang around by occasionally hitting home runs so I consider him a decent journeyman, but not up to his first round pick status.

So, ten of the thirty-two first rounders ten years ago were busts. That's almost one out of three instant millionaires who turn out to be duds.

That's something to think about to keep all these experts in perspective.

I'm looking forward to more busts.

Greg Olsen Deffinately a star! Also I've been hearing people say they hope CM plays on a grass field, just curious what does a grass field help with idk?!

 

[Shadowlight]

I guess I am in la la land here because inside sources are saying Christian is NOT making it out of the top ten so the tasty Redskins/Eagles scenario looks to be down the drain. No one is mentioning teams like the 49er's or Jets but they are not out of the equation. If Fournette is taken before Carolina then it looks fairly certain ( nothing is in stone of course) at this point Carolina will pull the trigger on Christian. Even if Fournette drops down to Carolina they may still opt for Christian. If that is the case they better remake that offense because three yards up the middle and a cloud of dust just won't do with Christian. You have to put him in places where he can make dynamic plays in space. And Newton has not shown an ability to skillfully manage a dynamic short game. For example a simple swing out pass that catches the D by surprise where the RB (ala Christian) takes it to the house or a simple misdirection pass where the D is rushing one way and the RB breaks loose on the other side. Can Cam and that offense smoothly handle those type of plays? And one other thing to nibble on. Carolina just hired the running backs coach ( he will switch and be coaching the wide receivers at Carolina) who oversaw Christian at Stanford.

 

[Westside]

Greg Olsen Deffinately a star! Also I've been hearing people say they hope CM plays on a grass field, just curious what does a grass field help with idk?!

Less leg, ankle and foot injuries with real grass.

 

[Deceptive Speed]

Less leg, ankle and foot injuries with real grass.

Thanks. I know this probably doesn't belong here, but in that case why would the NFL even bother with turf if their so concerned about injuries?

 

[Shadowlight]

It all boils down to money. The owners make out like bandits because the artificial surfaces don't require the kind of detailed upkeep that grass fields need which costs a lot of money. The players union just don't seem to have the willpower to fight the owners on this and one of the reasons is there would likely be less money thrown the players way. Soft concrete if you ask me and it should be banned. And apart from the risk of the myriad of leg injuries mentioned above don't forget the kind of wicked concussions you can get from those carpets when you hit the back of your head on it. The helmet bounces up like a pin ball.

 

[Thrashen]

This Bleacher Report article contains some of the nicest accolades I've ever seen for a white running back. Two quotes...

Christian McCaffrey could be Jamaal Charles 2.0. Given McCaffrey, Tyreek Hill and Travis Kelce, Andy Reid would stop calling pass plays to the traditional wide receivers altogether. But Reid likes getting running backs in the second or third round.

McCaffrey is everything the Saints expected Reggie Bush to be many years ago, only better and cheaper.

http://bleacherreport.com/articles/...aft-what-every-team-is-and-should-be-thinking

Many experts seem to believe that McCaffrey will go to the Panthers at #8, the Broncos at #20, or the Saints at #32.

 

[Shadowlight]

If the Broncos or Saints want Christian bad enough they will have to trade up because he will be long gone by their picks.

 

[Leonardfan]

Ha just read that Jabrill Peppers also had a diluted urine test at the combine. A player without a position or common sense.

 

[Shadowlight]

Uh huh two of the media's favorite charmed prospects LB Reuben Foster and undefined player and position less Peppers have been caught CHEATING. And it is very interesting because both of them have acted like ********. Foster got into a confrontation in a doctor's office no less and Peppers has tried to fool everyone with his used car salesman tactics of overstating his real value as a player.

 

[Leonardfan]

Per Pro Football Focus, Wyoming WR Tanner Gentry's 22 receptions on passes of 20 or more yards in 2016 was tops among all receivers in this draft pool.

Western Kentucky WR Taywan Taylor ranked second, with 20 deep catches of his own. This past season, the 6-foot-1, 208-pound Gentry caught 72 passes for 1,326 yards and 14 touchdowns. His has been a relatively quiet draft process. Outside of a report from Draft Analyst's Tony Pauline that the Patriots and Ravens both met with Gentry around his pro day, we have heard little buzz regarding possible interested teams or a possible draft slot. Pauline tags Gentry with a seventh-round grade.


Gentry should be a 3rd-4th rounder in a fair world but is being overlooked due to his skin color. Tawan Taylor played at a smaller school too yet received a ton of attention - combine and senior bowl invites whereas Gentry was totally ignored. Simple comparisons like this are the easiest evidence of the caste system at work.

 

[Shadowlight]

You have to take white wide receiver draft day stuff with a heaping amount of salt but two flattering articles just popped up today on WR Ryan Switzer, arguably one of the most watched players here at caste come draft day. SB Nation thinks he is the closest thing to Welker than anyone who has played. The Sporting News under the headline "Height No Obstacle..." by Dan Sostek tells you everything you need to know about Switzer and I would like it if someone can post it here. If I was a GM and read that article and my team needed a slot and or punt returner I would scoop him up in a second. Most places have him getting drafted around the 6th round (between 4-7) now and the case for him is coming into better focus. He actually has a lot more pure speed than Welker but is not as stocky. Some see similarities with Cole Beasley. But he isn't exactly like those guys in my mind. Again he has short legs so those puppies are moving a mile a minute and I anticipate and hope he makes fools out of these so called "stud CB's" and has them grasping at thin air. He is what we are hoping to see in the NFL---a caste buster.

 

[Deceptive Speed]

Ha just read that Jabrill Peppers also had a diluted urine test at the combine. A player without a position or common sense.

Bet he still gets drafted high

 

[Deceptive Speed]

Height no obstacle in UNC wide receiver Ryan Switzer's journey to NFL
NFL

• Dan Sostek @dan_sostek[/paste:font]
  
  
  Updated at 11:12 a.m. ET
  
  North Carolina wideout Ryan Switzer was certain he’d be taller. So certain, in fact, that he wagered a nice steak on it.
  
  "I’ve been telling him since he got here that he (wasn’t going to measure 5-9),” UNC head coach Larry Fedora said. "And he still doesn’t believe it."
  
  Fedora knew his star receiver wouldn’t measure the height he wanted at the NFL Combine this March. So, naturally, the coach bet a steak dinner that Switzer would come in below the 5-9 mark.
  
  Switzer came in at 5-8 3/4 inches. Fedora won the meal.
  
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  “I thought they would give me a friendly spot,” Switzer said. “So I’m out about $100 on a dinner for coach.”
  
  The bet is all fun, but Fedora says it perfectly captures the spirit of one of the most dynamic offensive weapons UNC has ever seen.
  
  “That’s the thing about Ryan. All you gotta do is tell him he can’t, and he’s that kid that comes back and says, ‘I’ll show you.' People can say he’s 5-8, in his mind, he’s 6-0. You won’t be able to convince him any differently.”
  
  Switzer has been a confident guy from the second he traded in soccer cleats for football spikes. After finally convincing his dad to let him play football in the fifth grade, he was a cut above.
  
  “It was love at first sight,” Switzer said. “It was just something I was better at than the kids I was playing against. It’s just always been like this."
  
  “Anybody that says size is an issue in sports doesn’t know sports.”
  
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  Overcoming his 5-8, 181-pound frame, Switzer was heavily recruited, receiving offers from Florida State, Penn State, Arizona and his home state school of West Virginia.
  
  But Switzer, thanks in large part to recruiting efforts by Fedora, wound up at Chapel Hill. And from his very first season there, the lightning-quick receiver was a sensation.
  
  Over a four-year career, Switzer left North Carolina as the Tar Heels’ all-time leader in receptions and receiving yards, while ranking first in ACC history and tied for second in NCAA history with seven career punt return touchdowns.
  
  Still, even with all the proof of his explosiveness — Switzer has 17 career plays of 60-plus yards on just 370 touches — he feels people doubt his speed.
  
  “I think they underestimate (my speed) a whole hell of a lot more than they should,” Switzer said. “I think if you watch the tape, I was never caught from behind in college. You don’t lead the country in 70-plus-yard all-purpose plays for the four years you’ve been in college and be slow.”
  
  Switzer ran a 4.51 40-yard dash, a good time for someone his size and a better time than Steelers wideout Antonio Brown, who Switzer considers the best wide receiver in the NFL.
  
  Brown isn’t the player to whom Switzer is typically compared, though. Anyone who logged onto Twitter when Switzer made a big play in college would see the same joke: Future New England Patriot.
  
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  The punch line, of course, is rooted in the fact that New England recently has fielded shorter, quick, white wide receivers. Wes Welker, Julian Edelman, Danny Amendola come to mind, while guys like Austin Collie and Griff Whalen got temporary looks from the Pats.
  
  It’s low-hanging fruit, but Switzer takes it in stride.
  
  “Those guys are Super Bowl champions and making millions of dollars in the NFL, so if you wanna compare me to someone that’s got rings and got money, then by all means, go ahead,” Switzer said. “They’re at the pinnacle. I don’t take the comparisons negatively or positively.”
  
  Switzer says he’s his own player. But he also acknowledges that those guys helped open gates for his NFL shot.
  
  “The last 10 years there have been guys my size or smaller doing incredible things in college and the NFL,” Switzer said. “So I think that they’ve done the work, they’ve paved the way for guys like me to have success.”
  
  Ask Switzer which play best sums up his play, and you won’t get a show-stopping touchdown grab or an electrifying punt return, despite the many he has to choose from.
  
  Instead, it's a simple first down from a regular-season game in 2014 against Virginia Tech.
  
  Switzer was running across the middle of the field, briefly open. Tar Heels quarterback Marquise Williams saw him and threw across his body. The throw was going to leave Switzer vulnerable.
  
  Switzer snagged it. And he paid the price.
  
  “I took the hardest hit that I have ever taken in my career. It was something, wow, I can still feel it,” Switzer said. “But I completed the catch, I stood back up. I think that just shows the resilience that I have, the toughness.”
  
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  Switzer, who never missed a game in college, understands durability will always be a concern for someone his size. But he is sure it won't be a problem, as is his higher-profile teammate, quarterback Mitch Trubisky.
  
  “(His size) is not gonna matter,” said Trubisky, who might be the first quarterback selected this year. “That hasn’t stopped him this far. Nobody could cover him one-on-one. He’s definitely gonna translate to the next level.”
  
  UNC cornerback and draft prospect Des Lawrence also doubts size will impact Switzer’s ability to succeed.
  
  “He’s, if not the hardest worker, one of the hardest workers I have ever met in my life,” Lawrence said. “His will to be better and be the best is going to separate him. He’s quick, he’s fast, he can catch, he can go across the middle, he can do it all.”
  
  Switzer won’t be having a big draft party this week, or going out and celebrating. He’ll be at home in Charleston, W.V., watching the draft with his mom, dad, four sisters and fiancée in his childhood living room.
  
  He’s prepared to go anywhere from Round 2-7, but don’t expect him to play with a chip on his shoulder if he falls.
  
  “I don’t play to prove anything. I play because I love the game,” Switzer said. “And I think I’m pretty good at it."