2018 NFL Draft Thread

SI.com The 2018 Draft's We-Told-You-So Team: College Stars the NFL Shouldn't Sleep On

Christian Kirk, WR, Texas A&M

I always include a smallish receiver on this list because they’re the ones who typically get lumped together in the draft even though some are clearly better than others. The 5'10", 208-pound Kirk projects as a second- or third-rounder, but he may be able to provide first-round value.

Unlike Lockett at Kansas State, Kirk did play in an offense with other capable targets. He played alongside Josh Reynolds for two seasons, and last year freshman Jhamon Ausbon—whose measurables NFL teams will love—caught 50 passes. But Kirk led the Aggies in catches in all three of his seasons in College Station and led them in receiving yards as a freshman and as a junior. He also was one of the nation’s best punt returners all three years, even though teams got wise and only gave him 10 returnable kicks last season.

Kirk also acted like a fifth-year NFL player from the moment he stepped on campus. His three years at Texas A&M were fairly tumultuous, but he always did his job and tried to set a good example for his teammates.

Kerryon Johnson, RB, Auburn

This is a deeeeeeep tailback draft. So fans shouldn’t despair if they can’t get Penn State’s Saquon Barkley. Johnson is an example of the kind of player who could be available in round two or three. There were times in wins against Georgia and Alabama—two teams loaded with draftable players—where Johnson looked like the best player on the field.

The 5'11", 213-pounder is a patient runner, and he excels at slipping through tiny cracks and then returning to full speed. He’s also extremely difficult to knock backward. Opponents grew frustrated when Johnson would get hit two yards past the line of scrimmage and then churn forward for two more yards before falling forward for one more.

Jaylen Samuels, TE, NC State

Putting only one position next to Samuels’s name doesn’t do him justice. The 6'5", 225-pounder did a little bit of everything for the Wolfpack. He can play as an attached tight end. He can line up in the slot. He can line up wide. He can play H-back. He can play fullback. He can play tailback.

The best position designation for Samuels is probably just “football player”. He may fall into the fourth or fifth round, but he’ll impress the coaching staff of whatever team takes him the moment he sets foot on the field. He’ll probably excel at special teams, and hopefully the lucky team that grabs him will find multiple ways for him to contribute to the offense.

D.J. Chark, WR, LSU

Chark should have put up better numbers than the 40 passes for 874 yards he caught as a senior. Unfortunately, injuries on the offensive line and Danny Etling’s limitations at quarterback prevented the Tigers from having as dynamic a passing game as they would have liked. Still, that per-catch average (21.9 yards) should provide a glimpse of what Chark can do when he has a quarterback who has time to throw and can get him the ball. Also, feel free to watch this punt return from last year’s Auburn game and imagine the possibilities on special teams.

Poona Ford, DT, Texas

This may have been the biggest combine snub of this draft class. Though linebacker Malik Jefferson and safety DeShon Elliott have better measurables, Ford may have been the best player on a Texas defense that was quite stout by season’s end. It’s understandable if NFL scouts look at the 5'11", 303-pound Ford and dismiss him as too small to play inside. That’s pretty much what members of the Texas coaching staff thought when they took over last season. It took about one day at practice to realize that Ford is a nightmare for guards and centers who try to block him one-on-one.

Because of his size, Ford will need to play in a defense that prefers gap-shooting defensive tackles. But given the fact that he could be available on day three, he could provide incredible value to such a team.

Dorance Armstrong, DE/OLB, Kansas

The 6'4", 257-pound Armstrong is a tweener who played defensive end at Kansas but may have to transition to 3–4 outside linebacker in the NFL. Or he may be able to put on weight and play as a 4–3 defensive end. He’s best at getting to the quarterback, but his sack numbers dropped from 10 in 2016 to 1.5 in 2017 because of a defensive scheme change.

All those factors will depress Armstrong’s draft stock, but a team that can project him into the correct role could find a gem late in the draft.

Kentavius Street, DE (or DT?), NC State

A veteran of Bruce Feldman’s Freaks list, Street is strong while still flexible. Teammate Bradley Chubb is getting most of the attention, but the 6'2", 280-pound Street could also make some NFL franchise very happy. The question is whether his future is as a pass rusher or as an interior lineman. He has the skill set to be either, but he would need to gain some weight to play inside.

https://www.si.com/college-football/2018/04/02/nfl-draft-sleepers-christian-kirk-poona-ford

 

Would be worth a late selection, definitely an UDFA signing if available IMO. He got into Herman’s doghouse last season but produced everything he saw the field. Both brothers need some maturing though.