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The Bleeding Cool NFL Mock Draft Part 3 (Picks 21-32)

Published Wed, 26 Apr 2017 20:00:15 -0500

by Dan Wickline

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The Beast is back!

As we move into the third and final part of our first ever Bleeding Cool NFL Mock Draft, more news from the league is causing some stir. Word is that the Oakland Raiders and Seattle running back Marshawn Lynch have reached an agreement on a deal to bring Beast mode out of retirement. But a trade between Oakland and Seattle will still need to be made since the Seahawks still own his rights. Moving over to Minnesota, the career threatening injury to quarterback Teddy Bridgewater has made the team uncertain about picking up his fifth-year option. That doesn't mean the team is done with him, it just means that his 2018 salary of $11 Million won't be guaranteed. Which brings up the question, do the Vikings feel they have a franchise quarterback on their roster? Will Bridgewater return to form? Can Sam Bradford avoid the injury bug that has permeated his career? Are the Vikings now in the market for a quarterback in the draft?

Let's jump back into our mock draft starting with pick number 21.

Twenty-First Pick: Detroit Lions
Selection: Reuben Foster LB (Alabama)
Analysis: Foster is exactly what you want in a linebacker, he can run-and-hit and drop into coverage. He finished last season with 115 tackles. To have that many, you definitely know how to find the ball. But there are a few red flags with Foster. He's had some injury issues throughout his time at Alabama and while at the combine, he was sent home because of his behavior during the medical exam. If the Lions can keep him healthy and in check, Foster will be a tackling machine.

Twenty-Second Pick: Miami Dolphins
Selection: Taco Charlton DE (Michigan)
Analysis: Miami, like most teams, needs to put more pressure on opposing quarterbacks. Charlton didn't test out the best in the combine, but again… the games aren't played in shorts and involve running around cones. Game tape shows that he can shift between speed and power rushing and has the athleticism to bend without slowing down. He comes out of a final year at Michigan having 48 tackles, 13 tackles for loss and 9.5 sacks.

Twenty-Third Pick: New York Giants
Selection: David Njoku TE (Miami)
Analysis: Eli Manning does well when he has a tight end he can count on. Njoku's numbers aren't flashy, only 43 receptions in 2016, but he has the size, strength and speed to succeed in the NFL and he has high jumped over 7 feet, meaning at 6'4" he's going to be able to go up and get the jump passes in the end zone like nobody's business. He needs some coaching and more experience, but he has a good understanding of routes and has the skill set that makes him worth the investment.

Twenty-Fourth Pick: Oakland Raiders
Selection: Jarrad Davis LB (Florida)
Analysis: Davis comes out of Florida having exceled at both defense and special teams. He is a sure-tackler that can pack a wallop and rarely takes a misstep. In his senior year he made 60 tackles, 9.5 tackles for loss and 2.5 sacks in just nine games. A leg injury kept him out of the other four. His motor is constantly running, he has a good range and shows leadership abilities along with the intangibles to be an elite linebacker in time.

Twenty-Fifth Pick: Houston Texans
Selection: Cam Robinson OT (Alabama)
Analysis: The reviews on Robinson are a bit mixed. He needs to improve his footwork and has trouble with speed rushers. But tackle isn't deep in this draft and Robinson is durable, with 43 career colligate starts under his belt. His size, length and athleticism are good and he shows well against the run. There were some off-the-field legal issues at this time last year involving a possession of a stolen firearm and narcotics, but those charges were eventually dropped.

Twenty-Sixth Pick: Seattle Seahawks
Selection: Obi Melifonwu S (Conneticut)
Analysis: Melifonwu is a big, strong and athletic safety, just the type that would fit in with the Legion of Boom. He was a four-year starter at Conneticut, missing only 1 of 49 games due to injury. He has 361 career tackles with 128 of those coming in 2016. He's a hardworking player who has his teammates respect. He improved his coverage skills over the years and plays the run aggressively. Some teams see him as a possible weak-side linebacker, which speaks to his versatility.

Twenty-Seventh Pick: Kansas City Chiefs
Selection: Charles Harris LB (Missouri)
Analysis: Harris was a three-year starter, playing in all 38 games, 24 as a starter. His colligate totals include 117 tackles, 30.5 tackles for loss, 16 sacks and 4 forced fumbles. He's a disruptive, high-energy edge rusher that shows a good number of moves and countermoves on tape. That said, he can still use some coaching and time in the weight room. He has the frame to bulk up more, increasing his power to push past blockers and get to the quarterback.

Twenty-Eighth Pick: Dallas Cowboys
Selection: Adoree' Jackson CB (USC)
Analysis: Jackson is about as versatile as you can get having played offense, defense and special teams while at USC. And Dallas isn't afraid to have a cornerback that gets on the offensive side of the ball occasionally (Deon Sanders). He's a little short at 5'10", but has good hands and 4.42 speed. He was also a two-time Pac 12 Long Jump Champion. He fits a need for the Cowboys, but also provides the team with a few extra options.

Twenty-Ninth Pick: Green Bay Packers
Selection: Tre'Davious White CB (LSU)
Analysis: The Packers need some defensive back help and white is a versatile corner that can play on the outside or move in on nickel packages. And with the way the NFL has become a pass happy league, you need a top-notch nickel corner. White has strong coverage skills, but the knock on him is his tackling ability. He's on the small side at 5'11" 192lbs, but his 4.47 speed should allow him to disrupt a lot of passes and you don't have to tackle guys if they don't make the catch.

Thirtieth Pick: Pittsburgh Steelers
Selection: Evan Engram TE (Mississippi)
Analysis: This is a pick to make Ben Roethlisberger happy, a pass catching tight end with wide receiver speed and the ability to makes plays short, intermediate and long. He's a two-time team captain with 43 starts, 162 receptions for 2,320 yards and 15 touchdowns. He has the size and speed to play hell with defenses. But don't ask him to block. Perhaps with coaching and experience, he will become an all-around tight end, but for now he's a guy you want to see our in routes, not squaring up against defensive ends.

Thirty-First Pick: Atlanta Falcons
Selection: T.J. Watt DE/OLB (Wisconsin)
Analysis: The Falcons biggest needs are pass rusher and guard, and there is the younger brother of the Texans J.J. Watt sitting there waiting to be picked. He's had an injury riddled collegiate career but was able to get it together in 2016 and make 11.5 sacks. At 6'4.5" and 252 lbs, he's already a big man but scouts think he will bulk up in the pros. He may be a bit of a reach here and most of what people like is the potential, but if he's half as good as his brother, this will be a steal.

Thirty-Second Pick: New Orleans Saints
Selection: Deshaun Watson QB (Clemson)
Analysis: It's the last pick of the draft and arguably the top quarterback is available and Drew Brees isn't getting any younger. Watson has proved he can play on the biggest collegiate stages and projects well into the NFL, especially if he has time to mature and learn from a veteran. If Watson is on the board late Thursday night, I can't see them passing on a pick for the future.