2019 NFL Draft: Take two challenge

Take two challenge: For this feature I am going to follow a rule of two so I can only grab two players from each position. I aimed for guys that would not likely be drafted in the first 3 rounds but that is always unpredictable. Additionally, they must be considered at least a tier 2 player or below. A few exceptions exist: Fullback was only 1 player. Punter, Kicker, and Long Snapper were excluded. Plus, two wild cards!

QBs:

Tyree Jackson Buffalo – Jackson has as much potential as any QB in this draft as evident by his Senior Bowl. It is a mystery as to why he came out early but he did so somebody could get a mid-round steal here. One thing to consider is that if he is given a shot at QB and it is clear that he cannot make it at that position, try him at TE since he is such a good athlete.

Easton Stick North Dakota State – This guy is such a winner and I am not sure why he is being so undervalued. I really like the way that he plays the game. He might not ever be a star but he reminds me of everybody’s favorite back-up now starter Nick Foles in the way that he plays the game.

RBs:

Ryquell Armstead Temple – His crazy quick feet, size, and strength are so much fun to watch. He seems like a guy that is perfect for a zone blocking scheme where you tell him, “go to this hole no matter what and run” and he finds success that way.

Benny Snell Jr. Kentucky – Snell’s 40 time is a bit slower than you would like but he is a real football player. His power running and receiving skills are going to serve him well in the NFL even if he will just be a grinder over a big play RB.

FB/Hback: Okay, rule of two has been removed here because this is not a very utilized position anymore. I was not going to even include any but I like one guy!

Trevon Wesco West Virginia – It is tough to say if he falls more into the TE or FB category but his hands are a little inconsistent and what he does best is block. He looks like a steam roller out there! Fun to watch and should find his way to a team whether he is drafted or not.

WRs: I originally had Terry McLaurin who I do like a lot but he was pushed out with my second choice impressing me more.

Andy Isabella Massachusetts – Both Isabella and Hunter Renfrow stepped up at the Senior Bowl and looked as good as anybody. Isabella has a bit more talent and is a bit twitchier of an athlete so I give him the nod here.

Cody Thompson Toledo – I really wanted to think Thompson was being overrated as an underrated prospect. Does that make any sense? Nope of course not. So in watching him I thought about who he reminds me of and came to the conclusion that he was similar to Cooper Kupp, that is to say, a guy that just knows how to play the game but maybe is considered a step slow. From a straight up measurables perspective, Thompson has the edge. Watch him play, he does not look slow. Additionally, he had some crazy punt blocks in college so that ups his value.

TE: I wanted to put down Jace Sternberger here but I think he might be a bit too close to 2^nd round so I skipped over him here.

Kahale Warring San Diego State – Warring’s situation may turn out to be a bit similar to Jimmy Graham when he came out of college. That is not to say that they are even close to the same type of player but Graham clearly had a boatload of talent but needed a year to learn the position a bit better. Warring has the skills to be a more well-rounded tight end and has some interesting potential once he can learn all of the nuances.

Dax Raymond Utah State – Even though this may sound like reverse logic, I was initially watching tape on Darwin Thompson when I noticed Raymond. He feels like one of those sneaky guys that finds the soft spot and makes the plays when his team needs him to. Will he be a top player, not likely, but he could be one of those complimentary 2^nd TEs.

OT: Tytus Howard has been skyrocketing up boards so I am eliminating him from contention for this challenge.

Max Scharping Northern Illinois – Scharping is simply one of my favorite players in this draft. Certainly, he has some flaws but with NFL coaching and conditioning he could turn out to be a major steal for somebody. One of those mean grinder types that reminds me a lot of Bryan Bulaga.

Mitch Hyatt Clemson – Hyatt is a good example of when you should throw out measurables and put on game tape. Okay, he has short arms we all get it, but he sure looks solid out there. While not perfect, he should be a solid starting pro.

OG:

Nate Davis Charlotte – Looks to be a bit of a misfit at OT in college as he is not quite nifty enough to handle speed moves. However, he moves his legs well and anchors well so he should be an excellent fit at Guard in the NFL.

Michael Jordan Ohio State – While he played Center last year, he is going to be much more of a guard in the NFL, perhaps even an emergency Tackle. This is a situation where his versatility to play so many positions makes him more valuable of a player. With that being said, he is very experienced at a big time program and when he gets low enough, defensive lineman are going to really have a hard time gaining leverage.

C: Center is such an odd position because you could go into a draft and get a dynamite center in the first round or the seventh round and it seems to happen every year.

Lamont Gaillard Georgia – He has a lot of those small things that make centers successful such as initial quickness, stout, aware, and mean. While he may not be huge or have off the chart mesurables he is just a good football player.

Ross Pierschbacher Alabama – One common thing with recent Alabama centers has been that they are well prepared mentally and physically for the NFL. He is not a great prospect but he will be able to start for somebody or be an excellent inside started at center or guard.

DT:

Khalen Saunders Western Illinois – When Saunders needed to step up at the Senior Bowl he dominated. The fact that he has not been pushed up to round 2 (Who knows maybe he has) is astounding to me. He reminds me so much of Mike Daniels. He is going to make somebody happy by the end of the 2019 season.

Anthony Rush Alabama Birmingham – Rush is a big dancing bear that is flying a bit under the radar. Slightly smaller school and he plays a position that does not draw a lot of attention since his job is to set others up and clog up the middle. But make no mistake, he could be a great 1^st and 2^nd down type of nose tackle.

DE/Edge:

Corbin Kaufusi BYU – Kaufusi is a bit of an oddball because he is as lanky as a 275 pound player can be because he comes in at about 6’9”. He was also not able to perform at his pro day due to postponing surgery to help his team. So, he played hurt and still produced last year. I am not sure if he is a true DE or if he should play OLB (Maybe I am just entertained by a 6’9” OLB?) but he has a high motor and might be a nice dark horse from this draft.

Maxx Crosby Eastern Michigan – Crosby is one of the strangest players to watch play. He looks almost clumsy when you watch him play as he kind of flops around a bit. He is also very skinny so he needs to throw on some weight. With that said, his quickness in his hands and feet ooze potential.

LB: With the Linebackers it is a little complicated since OLBs in a 4-3 can also be great ILBs in the 3-4 so the take two is more of a take 4

Andrew Van Ginkel Wisconsin – He is a bit skinny but that does not seem to hold him back. He just always seems to be making plays all over the field and has big play awareness. Could throw on some weight and be an edge rusher, stick to OLB, or be an interesting MLB.

Bobby Okereke Stanford – Okereke always seems to be where the play is and has solid make-up speed to catch up to the play if he has any missteps. Could be a stronger tackler but is typically there. I really like watching his read and react to a play and that he is not afraid to stick his nose in there.

Cole Holcomb North Carolina – High energy football player that has a tendency to over pursue a little but also makes plenty of plays. Maybe not a high end starter but a guy that can start in the NFL and at the very least be a dynamite special teamer. His motor does not stop and those are the plyers you want on your team. It is surprising that so many were surprised at his pro day, his athletic ability jumps off the screen when you watch him.

Drew Lewis Colorado – Aware linebacker who can rush the passer and make use of pass-rushing moves who is also pretty good in coverage. Can he hold up at his size or does he need to throw a bit more weight on him? Either way, a good football player.

CB:

David Long Michigan – Long is likely to be a slot corner back more than an outside CB but he is very good at that. With the amount of passing going on in the NFL now, three CBs are needed and a really good third can strengthen a defense greatly. That is not to say that he cannot play outside but inside might be his best position.

Kris Boyd Texas – Boyd is a feisty and athletic cornerback. He certainly has some issues with a bit too much contact but with coaching he should be able to correct that. I just love cornerbacks that are not afraid to mix it up a bit and take ball carriers head on.

S:

Jaquan Johnson Miami – I have been scratching my head as to how this guy has not gotten more press. He seems like a big playmaker who has no problem sticking his nose in. His workout numbers do not add up to the guy on the field. I wonder if this is going to be one of those safeties that teams wonder how he slipped past them. Perhaps a bit like how Lemarcus Joyner’s situation was.

Chris Johnson North Alabama – I am a little underwhelmed with the second tier Safeties, so why not dig really deep into a D-II prospect? It is tough to say how Johnson would handle the jump in competition but he is fast and instinctive along with having some solid coverage skills for a safety. A roll of the dice but at least you looking at a guy that has the talent.

Wild Cards: These are guys that I think belong in the NFL that are just great to have on your team

Trace McSorley QB Penn State -  McSorely is just super competitive and has always risen to the occasion. Do not discount the will of a player at the QB position. McSorely has a very strong shot at making it at QB in the NFL. Give him the shot at QB first then if it is clear he cannot make it, try to convince him to move elsewhere.

Tony Brooks-James Oregon– Plain and simple, I love watching this guy play. He is super fast but is also super slick and does not allow for defenders to easily take him down despite his size. He also has pretty good hands to boot. Maybe he is just a returner and part time player but often times, those are the x-factors in games.

Keep reading this week as I will keep posting content leading up to Christmas in April!