2018 Draft Prospects

[DKphin]

TE Durham Smythe, Notre Dame 6-5 253



Combine Results:
Arm - 31 3/4
Hand - 9 1/4
40 - 4.81
Bench -18
Vertical - 31.0
Broad - 9'2"
3 Cone - 7.17
20 yd. shuttle - 4.23
60 yd. shuttle - 11.86

Strengths
Has good size and should continue to grow into his frame. Has a finisher's demeanor as a blocker. Plays like an offensive lineman. Technically sound blocker. Hand placement is accurate and he unlocks his hips into opponent. Runs his feet on down blocks until the block is secured. Understands his landmarks and takes proper angles. Excellent timing and radar when working up to linebacker on combos. Plus blocker for the position in-line and on the move. Trustworthy in pass protection. Was able to work the seam and lay out to make the catch. Unfazed by hitters in the middle of the field.
Weaknesses
Straight-line mover who struggles to adjust his release when defenders are looking to lean on him. Initial speed into patterns is average. Routes are very readable for safeties and linebackers. Comes out of his turns without much burst. Separation could be a challenge against man coverage. Needs to gather his feet into contact more consistently as a blocker.
Draft Projection
Rounds 4-5
Sources Tell Us
"There are only a handful of the old school tight ends who are big and able to help you in the run game and he's one of them." - AFC area scout
NFL Comparison
Dion Sims
Bottom Line
Smythe is a classic "Y" tight end who carries himself like an offensive lineman. He has the frame, toughness and ability to help do the dirty work as a run blocker for teams in need of toughness at the position. While Smythe can catch what is thrown to him, he's unlikely to be a targeted pass catcher on the next level. Smythe's particular talent as a run blocker should create an opportunity to become a solid starter for years to come

http://www.nfl.com/draft/2018/profiles/durham-smythe?id=2559869

 

[DKphin]

OG Skyler Phillips, Idaho St. 6-2 318

Skyler Phillips #71


Combine Results:
Arm - 33
Hand - 9 1/2
40 - 5.10
Bench -DNP
Vertical - 29.0
Broad - 8'8"
3 Cone - 7.95
20 yd. shuttle - 4.69

Strengths
His arms look like thighs. Has compact, powerful frame with booming power in upper body. Jolts opponents when greeting them with his hands. Relatively light on his feet. Handled pass pro duties at left tackle in 2016 and slides looked clean. Good lateral quickness with a smooth skip pull in his pocket. Tape is filled with players being knocked to the ground by his down blocks. Can press defenders out of his frame to gain separation. Flexible throughout lower body and keeps pad level low. Pass sets with good base, balance, and stance. Feels twist development and passes his man off with a strong snap while re-positioning to catch incoming twister. Has anchor to fight back against bull rushers. Was able to remake his body by dropping a substantial amount of baby fat from when he first came into the program.
Weaknesses
Hand placement is erratic. Gets forced into resetting hands too often during blocks. Allows defenders to draw first blood with shots into his frame. Squatty frame includes shorter arms. Balance is just average. Unable to consistently land and stick to his blocks. Wins early phases of run blocks but finishing is inconsistent. Narrow power zone creates tendency to fall off blocks after initial blow. Needs to play with better balance on work-up blocks to linebackers. Frequently matched against smaller, weaker opponents on his schedule. Missed final seven games of 2016 after suffering a concussion and teams will likely dig deeply into that.
Draft Projection
Rounds 5-6
Sources Tell Us
"I always feel like I'm watching a bouncer when I watch him. He's stronger than everyone around him and he can drop some of these guys with one shot. He's the enforcer out there for sure." - AFC East scout
NFL Comparison
Shaq Mason
Bottom Line
One-and-done blocker with serious power to jolt defenders in his initial punch, but an inability to sustain blocks and ride them out. Phillips may be evaluated as a guard, but he might be better-suited as a center where his power and field awareness can stand out and his struggles with sustaining blocks may be minimized somewhat.

http://www.nfl.com/draft/2018/profiles/skyler-phillips?id=2559830

 

[DKphin]

OT Connor Williams, Texas 6-5 296



Combine Results:
Arm - 33
Hand - 10 1/2
40 - 5.05
Bench -26
Vertical - 34.0
Broad - 9'4"
3 Cone - 7.83
20 yd. shuttle - 4.63

Strengths
Leader in locker room and voracious worker in weight room. Carries good lean muscle mass. Outstanding technician from before his first college snap. Works for centered blocks. Good redirect and is fluid in pre-strike movements. Snaps hips for additional anchor when base blocking. Generally smooth with lateral footwork and slide sets. Works his tail off to gain position and secure playside blocks. Efficient in space and capable of making adjustments to moving targets. Sticks to blocks with powerful hands for long engagements. Quality finisher with some mean. Outstanding hand placement. Understands target points on defender's frame and shoots hands into them like a marksman. Pass sets with plus mirror and body control. Footwork and eyeballs are seamless on E/T or T/E stunts. Sees and responds. Has a good feel for quarterback depth and rarely oversets pocket. Has late hip sink and anchor when rocked by initial contact.
Weaknesses
Lack of length could be a concern as NFL tackle. Doesn't have length to catch -- needs to punch. May need to carry hands higher in pass sets to expedite punch-timing. Gets too straight-legged and bounced back into pocket by initial bull move. Core strength appears to be average. Has a habit of defaulting to punch-and-lean against rushers with power. Opens himself up to push/pull moves. His 2017 tape was disappointing relative to previous seasons. Lower body looked tighter. Overall lateral quickness and mirror quickness looked a little off this year even before injury. Had trouble getting to cross-face blocks that he was making previously. Drive leverage was inconsistent this year. Edge rushers had more success than expected. Inside post was a little soft against counter moves.
Draft Projection
Rounds 1-2
Sources Tell Us
"I heard all about how good he was last year and then I turned on the tape and what I saw wasn't a first-rounder at all. I can go back to 2016, but who is he now? I have to know who he is and who he's going to be in three to five years. Scouting is projecting." -- NFL team personnel executive
NFL Comparison
Jake Matthews
Bottom Line
Williams has been a personal favorite since studying his freshman season, but his 2017 tape didn't match his previous body of work. Williams seemed to lose some lateral quickness and had troubles holding up at a high level in protection. A move to guard or center is a possibility depending on how his arm length measures out. Williams is a plus run blocker with plug-and-play technique across the board. If he regains his 2016 form, he will be a good NFL starter. If not, he'll be an average NFL starter.

http://www.nfl.com/draft/2018/profiles/connor-williams?id=2560017

 

[DKphin]

DT Nathan Shepherd, Fort Hays St. 6-4 316





Combine Results:
Arm - 32 3/8
Hand - 10 1/8
40 - 5.09
Bench -DNP
Vertical - 31.0
Broad - 9'4"
3 Cone - 7.50
20 yd. shuttle - 4.53

Strengths
Looks the part in the pads. Has added almost 100 pounds to his frame since high school and he still has room for strength gains. Has tapered frame with good length. Self-aware. Diagnoses and works on his weaknesses. Plus athlete with flexible hips and good lateral quickness. His physical traits and athletic ability will be considered moldable clay by NFL evaluators and coaches. Flashes a big-time hand slap and hip flip to hurl himself around a blocker's edge as a rusher. Athletic when pursuing in space.
Weaknesses
Still very raw and has yet to get even a taste of the level of competition headed his way. His first couple of seasons could be redshirt years. Needs to develop a much better feel for blocking schemes. Allows down blocks to get too far into him. Tries to fight off double teams with force over technique. Hands need development to help unleash his potential at the point of attack. Unable to dominate his opposition as often as expected. Gets glued to blocks. Needs to play with more edge on the field.
Draft Projection
Rounds 4-5
NFL Comparison
David Onyemata
Bottom Line
Shepherd is a project, but he could be well worth a team's time thanks to his NFL-caliber traits and his flashes as a pass rusher. Shepherd lined up inside in college, but may be better suited as a 4i or five-technique in a 3-4 front. While he won't be ready early on, he has the ability to become a productive NFL defensive lineman with improved strength and better technique work.

http://www.nfl.com/draft/2018/profiles/nathan-shepherd?id=2559892

 

[DKphin]

DE Breeland Speaks, Mississippi 6-3 283



Combine Results:
Arm - 33 3/4
Hand - 9 7/8
40 - 4.87
Bench -DNP
Vertical - 32.5
Broad - 9'2"
3 Cone - 7.63
20 yd. shuttle - 4.65
60 yd. shuttle - DNP

Strengths
Big man with good speed and plus athletic ability. Has experience at a variety of spots along defensive line. Has size and length to play in odd or even front. Punches with good hand placement, arm extension and rolled hips when allowed to two-gap. Has attitude and edge. Flashes potential to become more proficient with hands as a weapon. Able to play ahead of move blocks and disrupt into backside gaps. Plays with plus awareness. Responds well to flow of the play. Offers a little more pass rush than expected as power end. Pairs hands and feet to help free him as interior rusher along the edge. Arm-over move has some potential.
Weaknesses
Had just one season of big production. Inconsistent at leveraging gap. Plays top-heavy with high pad level. Allows blockers under his pads when attacking gaps. Hip-tightness leads to narrowing of his base. Struggles to hold ground against down blocks and can be rolled out of the gap. Has straight line speed, but lateral agility and foot quickness are average in tight quarters. Goes over the edge with emotions. Chippy hitter willing to lead with helmet when play is ending. Ejected for targeting against Kentucky and ejected against Mississippi State for two unsportsmanlike penalties.
Draft Projection
Rounds 3-4
NFL Comparison
Ricky Jean-Francois
Bottom Line
After a relatively dormant first couple of seasons, Speaks turned his flashes into production while operating from a variety of positions along the Ole Miss front. He can be chippy and emotional on the field and needs to mature, but he has the talent and ability to continue getting better. He's inconsistent at the point of attack along the interior and his best fit could be at an end spot in a 3-4. He has the upside to become an eventual starter, but his floor must be taken into account.

http://www.nfl.com/draft/2018/profiles/breeland-speaks?id=2560013

 

[DKphin]

ILB Kenny Young, California at Los Angeles 6-1 236



Combine Results:
Arm - 32 3/8
Hand - 9 1/2
40 - 4.60
Bench -23
Vertical - 36.0
Broad - 9'9"
3 Cone - 7.38
20 yd. shuttle - 4.48
60 yd. shuttle - DNP

Strengths
Angular, tapered build. Off to the races when the ball flows wide. Smooth athlete with plus flexibility and agility. Has the quickness to play ahead of blocks. Able to read basic keys and follow them to the running lane. Has stalking speed and pace once he gets locked in on the running back. Rangy linebacker who can stay on the field for all three downs. Has the feet to cover backs out of the backfield. Able to drop and shade passing lanes. Should become an immediate special teams contributor.
Weaknesses
Instincts and play recognition seemed to take a step backward on tape. Was very slow to diagnose and trigger at times. Lacks strength to stand his ground at point of attack. Fails to bring it to lead blockers and gives away his gap too easily. Below average taking on blocks. Coasts on second level and let's plays come to him. Has to learn to punch and separate or slip blocks to be a pro player. Needs to play the game downhill to avoid his deficiencies. More finesse than physical. Doesn't look to rattle cages with his hits.
Draft Projection
Rounds 5-6
Sources Tell Us
"I don't know what happened with him this year. His instincts somehow got worse which I've never seen happen before with a senior with his experience. He can't win with toughness so he better win with speed." - NFC area scout
NFL Comparison
D.J. Alexander
Bottom Line
Young is a lean, run-around WILL linebacker who has the speed to pursue plays all over the field, but may lack the consistency and play demeanor needed to find many NFL reps. He will run well at the combine and should offer special teams help if given the chance. Young's speed and athletic ability could land him on a roster, but he may be looking over his shoulder every offseason.

http://www.nfl.com/draft/2018/profiles/kenny-young?id=2559822

 

[DKphin]

OLB Jerome Baker, Ohio St. 6-1 229



Combine Results:
Arm - 31 1/2
Hand - 10 3/8
40 - 4.53
Bench -22
Vertical - 36.5
Broad - 10'6"
3 Cone - DNP
20 yd. shuttle - DNP
60 yd. shuttle - DNP

Strengths
Moves fluidly and fast. Has hip looseness and footwork to flow around the field. Has trigger burst to flash from backside and close down running lanes. Tremendously rangy as tackler. Change of direction comes easily. Capable of eluding blockers with quick lateral movement. Takes efficient paths to the ball. Sifts and works through traffic bouncing in and out of gaps. Has athletic ability to handle premium athletes in space. Shadowed Saquon Barkley for most of the game and helped keep him in check. Talented in space with footwork to match receivers in space and hands to take the ball. Can carry vertical receivers down the field. Able to outrun mistakes and slow diagnosis.
Weaknesses
Skinny frame and gets engulfed by size. Looks small, plays small. Lacks functional play strength and sturdy base to withstand power. Must improve hand work to keep himself clean. Gets glued to blocks. Slow to diagnose and instincts are below par. Lingers on second level rather than bringing it to running backs. Lack of size and nastiness could be a concern on run downs against bully-ball rush attacks. Loses gap leverage and gets knocked around the field. Ducks head into contact. Has too many hit and slide tackle attempts. Gets caught flowing past his run fits. Motor can be inconsistent and will loaf at times in space.
Draft Projection
Rounds 2-3
Sources Tell Us
"He's fast and athletic and all that, but he just doesn't have much grit to his game. He's just not tough. No dog. I like them to be fast but I will take tough over fast any day." -- AFC defensive coach
NFL Comparison
Darron Lee
Bottom Line
Baker is a likely 4-3 weakside linebacker candidate with the range and speed to chase and tackle around the field and the coverage talent to squeeze routes from man or zone. What Baker has in athletic ability and speed, he lacks in strength and toughness against the run. Baker's junior season failed to impress and teams will have to decide if he's a sub-package linebacker or a three-down talent. Baker lacks instincts teams look for from the position, but it's hard to ignore his rare speed. He could find early snaps in sub-packages, but may never be more than an average starter.

http://www.nfl.com/draft/2018/profiles/jerome-baker?id=2560129

 

[DKphin]

SS Dane Cruickshank, Arizona 6-1 209

This is the only tape I could find:


Combine Results:
Arm - 31
Hand - 8 3/4
40 - 4.41
Bench -25
Vertical - 38.5
Broad - 10'1"
3 Cone - 6.89
20 yd. shuttle - 4.24
60 yd. shuttle - DNP

Strengths
Big, athletic frame. Downhill thumper with an appetite to strike. Had productive season at the "spur" spot for Wildcats near line of scrimmage. Never turns down a tackle opportunity. Able to range around the field with good speed. Has athletic ability to handle some slot receivers. Should have physical tools to challenge matchup tight ends in the NFL. Has good long speed and is expected to test well. Hands are soft and sudden. Can pluck throws in his area like a wide receiver.
Weaknesses
Struggled badly with outside corner responsibilities in 2016. Allowed nine pass interference penalties and loads of touchdowns in that season. Struggles with too many mental busts in coverage. Can be drawn out of position by combo routes and bait routes. Scouts worry that he may not be trustworthy enough in coverage to handle free safety duties.
Draft Projection
Rounds 6-7
Bottom Line
Height, weight, speed prospect who has a chance to be drafted off his measurables and Combine testing alone. Cruikshank does have talent and is a hungry hitter, but he may lack the consistency in coverage to hold up as a full-time safety or cornerback. His ability to run and hit could make him a Day 3 target for a team looking to turn him into a backup defensive back and special teams ace.

http://www.nfl.com/draft/2018/profiles/dane-cruikshank?id=2559971

 

[DKphin]

FS Joshua Kalu, Nebraska 6-0 203



Combine Results:
Arm - 32 3/4
Hand - 10
40 - 4.58
Bench -17
Vertical - 41.5
Broad - 11'2"
3 Cone - DNP
20 yd. shuttle - DNP
60 yd. shuttle - DNP

Strengths
Has frame to make full-time transition to safety. Athletic ability is decent. Has background as cover corner. Able to line up over big slot receivers. Can crowd and body receivers in their routes. Sub-package qualities. Pursues runners and closes out receivers with good speed. Aggressive at catch point. Good toughness. Plays off blocks in space to make sudden tackles. Proved he could pursue with improved patience and leverage against Iowa and Akrum Wadley. Makes reads and shades deep coverage. Click and close transitions.
Weaknesses
Indecisive in diagnosis and trigger against the run. Loses out on opportunities to limit rush yardage. Has frightening total of missed tackles thanks to over-pursuit. Lacks body control in change of direction. Not naturally instinctive player. Adjustment to safety is a work in progress. Pursuit angles are inconsistent. Can chase and tackle, but lacks instincts to stop plays from succeeding. Questionable ball tracker. Production doesn't match the talent.
Draft Projection
Rounds 6-7
Bottom Line
Kalu's move to safety produced just average production despite excitement over the move inside the Nebraska program. While he has size and speed and some cover talent, it might be best to continue to play Kalu at safety in order to allow him to grow and gain better perspective on pursuit angles and coverage clues. Kalu has good athletic traits and could land a roster spot if he can prove to be a willing and effective special teams performer.

http://www.nfl.com/draft/2018/profiles/joshua-kalu?id=2560050

 

[DKphin]

CB Rashaan Gaulden, Tennessee 6-1 197





Combine Results:
Arm - 30 3/4
Hand - 9 3/4
40 - 4.61
Bench -8
Vertical - 30.0
Broad - 9'11"
3 Cone - 7.16
20 yd. shuttle - 4.33
60 yd. shuttle - DNP

Gaulden is an underrated guy. This is really the first time I’ve dug into his film and I’ll say this, it is a crime I didn’t have him on my big board. Gaulden is a really good football player. He’s got good size and plays very physical. He does a good job fighting with his hands and battles to defend passes. He’s also not shy to help out in the ground game. He does a good job of creating turnovers, whether its INTs or fumbles and his motor is very high. I really like what I’ve seen so far on him.

https://www.thephinsider.com/2018/2/28/17049358/2018-nfl-draft-scouting-notes

Gaulden checks in at No. 47 on Brugler's 50-player big board with the following scouting report:
"An ideal fit as a nickel defensive back in the NFL, Gaulden has discipline issues, but his play speed and toughness are both outstanding, giving pro coaches a foundation."
After a junior season in 2017 in which he racked up 65 tackles, 3.5 tackles for loss, three forced fumbles, three fumble recoveries, five pass breakups and one interception, Gaulden elected to enter the NFL draft instead of playing his senior season at Tennessee, where he was the starting nickel cornerback the past two seasons.
According to Pro Football Focus, Gaulden was the highest-graded player on Tennessee's defense and graded among the top cornerbacks in the SEC.

https://247sports.com/college/tenne...ype-train-to-start-soon-for-Gaulden-115022750

 

[DKphin]

QB Danny Etling, Louisiana St. 6-2 215



Combine Results:
Arm - 31
Hand - 9 3/8
40 - 4.76
Bench -DNP
Vertical - 30.5
Broad - 9'6"
3 Cone - 7.09
20 yd. shuttle - 4.37

Strengths
Tall in the pocket with ball tucked in position for quick trigger. Release quickness is good. Played in passing scheme allowing for intermediate and deep passes. Throws the deep ball with good air under it and above-average accuracy connecting on 43.9 percent on throws of 21-plus yards. Takes care of the football and posted low interception rate in both seasons as LSU starter. Has arm strength to make all the NFL throws.
Weaknesses
Shows pocket panic when edge pressure is bearing down. Too willing to run up inside the pocket rather than slide and scan. Inconsistent squaring feet with eyes as he scans. Footwork, arm slot and follow-through are erratic unless he's in rhythm. Struggled badly with intermediate throws completing just 43 percent of his attempts. Doesn't appear ready to attack the play design. Fails to see wide-open receivers down the field.
Draft Projection
Priority Free Agent
Bottom Line
Etling has decent size and an NFL arm, but his mechanical inconsistencies -- often brought on by impending pressure, are big concerns moving forward. Etling will have to prove he can improve his poise in the pocket as well as his ability to win with his progressions and decision-making after the snap. Etling may find an invite into camp, but will face long odds in making a roster.

http://www.nfl.com/draft/2018/profiles/danny-etling?id=2560132

 

[dolfan91]

Hey DK, can you get any info on Southeast Missouri State - OLB - Kendall Donnersen? Apparently Miami met with him.

 

[DKphin]

Hey DK, can you get any info on Southeast Missouri State - OLB - Kendall Donnersen? Apparently Miami met with him.

I could not find much info on him. Apparently he had a late hit on Maty Mauk in 2015. He only played in 2 games in 2017. He was injured but I can find no info on the injury, but that fits the MO of the 'Phins. NFL DraftScout that has info on every player that might be drafted has no info on him. They only list his teammate Chad Meredith. Here is some info on his 2016 season:

Ranks among the school’s all-time career leaders in tackles for loss (t10th, 21) and sacks (t19th, 6).

2016: Played in 11 games and started 10 in his first year starting at outside linebacker...Shared the team’s top linebacker award with Roper Garrett...Recorded 50 tackles, including 25 solo stops...Had a team-high 13 tackles for loss and tied for first with four sacks...Led the team with seven quarterback hurries...Ranked fifth on the team in total tackles...Forced a fumble...Tied for 48th in the Football Championship Subdivision in tackles for loss per game (1.2)...Rated second in the Ohio Valley Conference in tackles for loss and tied for ninth in sacks...Turned in a season-high nine tackles, three tackles for loss and forced a fumble vs. Indiana State (9/17)...Had six tackles and 1.5 sacks at Southern Illinois (9/10)...Posted six or more tackles in five of his starts...Tied for 10th among Southeast’s single-season leaders in tackles for loss.

https://www.gosoutheast.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=7945

 

[dolfan91]

I could not find much info on him. Apparently he had a late hit on Maty Mauk in 2015. He only played in 2 games in 2017. He was injured but I can find no info on the injury, but that fits the MO of the 'Phins. NFL DraftScout that has info on every player that might be drafted has no info on him. They only list his teammate Chad Meredith. Here is some info on his 2016 season:
https://www.gosoutheast.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=7945

Thanks DK, I appreciate what you do. I read on Bleacher Report he had a fantastic pro day and Miami had met with him at length. I guess that’s an indication they liked what they saw.

 

[DKphin]

Thanks DK, I appreciate what you do. I read on Bleacher Report he had a fantastic pro day and Miami had met with him at length. I guess that’s an indication they liked what they saw.

I went back and looked at a 2017 game log on ESPN:

http://www.espn.com/college-football/player/gamelog/_/id/559517/kendall-donnerson

It seems that he actually appeared in 4 games. The interesting thing is that he had 4 tot, 3 solo, and 1 assist in the 1st game. The other 3 games he had nothing other than a FF in each and an interception in the 2nd game he appeared.

He is a riddle, wrapped in a mystery, inside an enigma.