STRENGTHS
The best pure, true linebacker in this draft is Devin Bush. He is a “quick twitch” athlete with excellent instincts along with excellent speed to play in any style of defense. You can use him inside or outside, as a run stuffer or in single coverage situations. Devin plays bigger than his size and has the strength and leverage to blow bigger offensive lineman up in the hole allowing others to make tackles for losses. He is a form tackler with excellent skills to shed blocks and make the tackle before the 1st down maker. He’s a coach on the field and shows leadership skills in his ability to direct players when his instincts suggest the defense needs to be adjusted just before the snap of the ball. He has the speed and change of direction skills that most safeties at the next level do not have. Devin is a playmaker and you don’t find those very often playing defense at the middle linebacker position in the draft. He has the ability to impact like Sean Lee has for the Cowboys.

CONCERNS
Devin’s size will deter some teams from selecting Devin early in this draft. All I can say is, if your team needs a leader on the field who can make plays defensively than passing on selecting Devin because of his size is a big mistake.

TALENT BOARD ROUND 1.44
In evaluating Devin we get into this “check the boxes” BS, I hear every year to “eliminate” players who don’t fit the standards someone has decided are needed to play in the NFL. That’s right, checking boxes only succeeds in “eliminating” players and not evaluating players. I mean really, a player is not tall enough so we eliminate him no mater how well he plays on the film? Or we knock him down a round or two because he is not tall enough. Let me tell you, Devin hits all the other boxes big time and if being fast, strong, smart, quick, instinctive, coach on the field, leadership skills, is not enough to overlook one freaking box for height…all I can say to those teams is, I guess I’ll see you drafting in the top ten next year also. So, go right ahead, keep checking those boxes and “eliminating” players who lack the height or are little short on speed. Eliminate the ones who know HOW to play the game so that those playoff teams late in the rounds can keep selecting them and be in the playoffs every year like the Patriots are. I bet they don’t pass on selecting Devin because he might be vertically challenged. I bet they don’t check any dam boxes either. I bet the just watch the film like I do.

STRENGTHS
Devin has good overall speed and burst to the play when attacking the line of scrimmage. He has made a name for himself being used as a blitzing middle linebacker on plays called for him because of this straight line burst and speed that he possesses. When Devin is left free to roam with four big bodies in front of him he can be very effective. When left free to roam Devin can take good angles on running plays and get into the back field and make tackles for losses. Devin flashes when used to stop the run and attacking the line of scrimmage and seems to have confidence in his skills to be used in single coverage on passing downs.

CONCERNS
Right now, Devin lacks the ability to get off blocks consistently and make tackles. He is also a bit sloppy tackling in open space when they run right at him. When he is attacking he is fine but when they attack him he struggles to identify who’s going to block him, were the play is going and struggles to wrap up because he is on his heels. Also, Devin doesn’t really have any one on one pass rushing skills and when blitzing and is blocked, struggles to get off those blocks or make double moves. He needs a clean path into the backfield to be effective.

TALENT BOARD ROUND 1.92
The talent is there but just because a player flashes and makes some tackles and sacks on plays designed for him, does not mean he is a complete linebacker. In his defense Devin has been used as the primary pass rusher up the middle so it hard to get film on him being used in other situations. Devin’s combine and work outs will dictate where he will go in this draft. I think Devin is an impact player in a certain type of defenses because he doesn’t seem to take on blocks and shed very well when he is being blocked on the second level. Linebackers are like that…they can be cut by one team and then become player of the year with the very next team. Like I said his combine numbers will answer a lot of questions and don’t be surprise if some rate him higher than others. Teams that use a 4/3, 2 gap defenses might rate him higher than those that use a 3/4. Although Devin is rated in the top ten of this draft as of this writing, I think that might be a little high for a linebacker whose impact depends on the style of defense he will be used in. Than Again, I’ve been wrong before… just maybe not this time. Usually players with Devin’s skill set get selected in the second round but if Devin’s workouts are exceptional he could easily be selected in the first. Right now, for me personally, I see him as a 2nd round selection with 1st round talent.

STRENGTHS
David is a sold running back with good strength between the tackles and the speed and quickness to take the play wide when it is needed. He shows solid vision when running in the open field and has good enough hands to catch the ball out of the back field in check down situations. David shows on film the lower body strength to break tackles when running between the tackles. He also has good explosion running north and south and when he keeps his cuts, eluding tackles…north and south. David is a work horse type of running back and should be a solid player for the team that selects him.

CONCERNS
Although David has good explosion moving north and south he doesn’t have that same explosion when forced to move east and west. That means he is the type of back that has to hit the whole quickly to gain his yardage. This is not a bad thing but it is the issue that separates the good backs from the great ones. David also needs to lower his pads to move the chains consistently when the blocking in front of him breaks down on those all-important third and short yardage downs. Of course, blocking is always an issue for any back to stay on the field and his college team takes him off the field on third downs most of the time.

TALENT BOARD ROUND 3.67
The lack of lateral or east/west, explosion will mean that David will get caught in the back field a lot if he doesn’t have a good offensive line blocking in front of him. It also means on those third down/check down situations, that unless he uses a spin move to elude a tackler who gets on him quickly, he will also get caught a lot behind the line of scrimmage on those downs too. David is a good solid back and with blocking in front of him can be very effective. Nevertheless, I can say that about a lot of running backs coming out in the draft and unless David can improve catching the ball down the field better and blocking on third downs than David will struggle to impact because his time on the field will be limited. Then again…good blocking in front of him in a spread offense like he has played in college and David becomes a focal point for your offense. For me personal, if I select a running back early in the draft I like him to have the multiple skills, talents and high football IQ to play in any offensive system and impact. But that’s just me…talking to myself.

STRENGTHS
Cody is a big, powerful, strong right tackle with solid movement skills to play his position at a high level for the team that selects him. He is very proud, has a high football IQ and uses excellent and consistent techniques to defend his quarterback. He shows excellent leadership skills and very strong mental stamina and because of his excellent techniques he doesn’t make many mistakes or is called for many penalties. Cody has the size, strength and techniques to play right away and become a right tackle for the next ten years.

CONCERNS
He is a bit stiff and is not a fluid athlete but because he moves his feet quickly he covers up for the lack of lateral agility that most players need to compete at the offensive tackle position.

TALENT BOARD ROUND 1.61
Cody is a pure right tackle, not a left tackle and not a guard…a right tackle. He is a good one and one of the few plug and play offensive lineman in this draft. The Offensive lineman in this draft are a solid overall group but many will have to learn new positions or re-learn positions they have played in the past. Not Cody…Cody is a right tackle…a pure Right tackle so draft him and plug him in and don’t worry about that position for the next ten years because Cody has the size, athleticism, leadership skills and mental stamina to make you wish you had a few more like him on the team. That’s if you needed more than one right tackle and …you don’t, you only need one. Cody Ford is a football player and that’s what the draft is all about, finding good football players.

STRENGTHS
Andre is a very good offensive lineman who can play more than one position on the offensive line for the team that selects him. He has the athletic talent to play one of the tackle positions and the size, bulk, strength and quickness out of his stance to play one of the interior line positions also. He shows good, quick feet and just enough lateral agility along with the mental stamina and high football IQ needed also to be successful at the next level. He showed at the Senior Bowl practices that he is a powerful run blocker and that was important coming from the Air Raid offensive system his college team runs. Andre is a quite type of player on the field letting his blocking do his talking but you can tell he has the respect of his teammates and coaches and at the end of the game, the respect of his opponents also. This kid is a fighter and very competitive he just doesn’t wear it on his sleeve, he just proves it all game long.

CONCERNS
He has the look of a guard and the athletic talent of a tackle and those teams that are confused will down grade him because of this. All I can tell you is, they are foolish to do so.

TALENT BOARD ROUND 1.38
He reminds me a lot of the Buffalo Bills OT Dion Dawkins when he came out. He dropped to the 2nd round because teams were not sure if he could play tackle. I’m guessing at times this year the Bills thought the same way but, he has played tackle and has done a solid job. Andre has the potential to become an excellent left tackle for the team that selects him but let’s say I’m wrong (That’s highly unlikely) and he has to be moved inside, don’t you think with his play on the field that he has proven that no mater what position he plays at the next level that he is going to be a starting and impact offensive lineman? That’s what I see on film for sure. I know…he plays in an air raid offense and they get the ball out quickly but seriously, look at the film and you will see, this kid is not lunging or off balance or doesn’t use his hands well, then go to the Senior Bowl film and tell me he isn’t moving players off the line when run blocking. Looking at the film, I don’t think you can tell me that he isn’t one of the better offensive linemen in this draft. I really like selecting offensive lineman with this type of talent and I would think there isn’t a playoff team in this draft that will allow this kid out of the 1st round nevertheless, Dion wasn’t selected until the 2nd round so you never know what round you could wind up finding 1st round talent in. That’s the value of our 2-board system, to find 1st round talent in any round. So, keep looking at Rob’s board and keep your eye on this kid because he could be one of the good ones from this draft that slips just a little because teams are confused at what position he might play.

STRENGTHS
AJ is a dominate, run after the catch, big, strong hands receiver who can play inside or outside in any style of offensive system. He is trouble in the open field to take down for those smaller, skinner cornerbacks and more powerful, than most safeties unless they use form tackles to take him down. AJ can go deep because he is such an after the catch weapon, that double moves makes it easy for him to get behind those two deep zone coverages. He has a big catch radius, and loves to catch passes when those spider like defensive backs are climbing all over him in the red zone. He has those strong hands that make him a sure bet to move the chains when everyone in the stadium knows the ball is coming at him on those quick slant routes. AJ has the potential to be a franchise receiver for the team that selects him.

CONCERNS
AJ was selected in the 19th round of the 2016 Major League Baseball Draft by the San Diego Padres and has participated in the team’s extended spring training each of the past three summers, and that’s the big concern. He has the speed to go deep but the truth is this kid loves the physical nature of the game and separation has not been his top priority. That will have to change. That being said, I have no doubts that he will get better running routes if he is selected.

TALENT BOARD ROUND 1.40
Well it’s up to AJ baseball or football. He has to convince teams in this draft that football is all he wants to play. If he does convince them, then he will work hard and I have no doubt become a franchise receiver. He has the tools, size, strength, power, hands and speed along with the after the catch, “tackle me if you dare” … attitude, that’s is needed to succeed. He also has a good work ethic. AJ is the real deal that’s if…he truly wants to play football in the NFL and not baseball in the MLB. Personally, I don’t know why he is bothering with baseball at all, he seems to really love playing football, at least at the college level. AJ has an energy about him when he plays, that propels him off the line of scrimmage, putting defensive backs at a disadvantage on the snap of the ball. He is dominating when playing in the slot and as soon as he learns the technical aspects of running routes on the outside, I’m convinced he will be dominating playing there also.

STRENGTHS
Andy might be one of the best offensive weapons in this draft. He is a strong, powerful runner who catches everything thrown to him like an alligator snapping a bird out of midair in one fell swoop. He runs excellent routes with the explosion to separate out of his breaks like a smoke bomb leaving his defender confused in what direction Andy is going to take out of his break. Andy CATCHES THE BALL. He doesn’t drop balls, balls don’t ricochet off his hands into other defenders’ hands. He has a big catch radius, high and low, with the ability to adjust to the ball in the air and the feet to make sure he catches the ball in bounds. Andy can run those fly sweeps and still take the ball between the tackles to make third down yardage if need be. He was dominating in the passing game, in every game he has played in this year and at every level. He is not just receiver…Andy is an offensive weapon.

CONCERNS
Some teams are worried that Andy is too small…suckers.

TALENT BOARD ROUND 1.43
NFL Teams better learn quickly that “checking the boxes” is a dumb way of evaluating players for the next level. It might make it easy for GM’s to justify why they passed on talented players and help to keep their jobs until it dawns on the person who hired them that they just are not doing the job right. I don’t give a dam about your boxes. I don’t care if the receiver is 6’2” 220 lbs and can run a 4.50 in the 40-yard dash. What I care about is CAN HE CATCH THE BALL, anytime, anywhere, under any conditions and when he has a spider like defendant climbing all over his back. That is my priority when evaluating any receiver. You want a guy who can run a 4.30 in the forty…I’ll take the kid who can catch the ball. You want a 6’6” guy in then red zone…I’ll take the kid who can catch the ball. Andy catches the ball, he happens to be fast and quick but his best attribute is that he catches the ball. He’s not tall but he caught 7 TD’s in 2016, 10 TD’s in 2017 and 13TD’s in 2018. That means everyone in the stadium knew the ball was going to Andy in the red zone and he still produced. Against the University of Georgia, he caught the ball (without any drops), 15 times for 210 yards and 2 TD’s. Anyone who has seen him play automatically thinks he will be a good slot receiver but for me I’m thinking this kid is a better version of Former Bills WR/ST Steve Tasker who was much more than a slot receiver…he was an offensive weapon. I call him Andy (The Pirate) Isabela because like a shifty pirate, he will sneak up on your defense and steal the game away with a play you least expected.

STRENGTHS
Michael is a quality offensive lineman who can play multiple positions for you on your offensive line. He has started and played center, guard and left tackle. He has good size and the arm length most teams are looking for to play tackle at a high level. He has good enough feet and lateral agility to be effective at both the center and tackle positions. As a guard he is stout and can handle those big, quick, pass rushing defensive tackles but what he is best at is understanding his own limitations and adjusting mentally and physically during a game and that shows a high football IQ and leadership skills. Michael’s best position for the next level might be as a Left Guard but don’t be surprised at seeing him at center or in some offensive systems as a tackle because of his leadership skills and high football IQ.

CONCERNS
Michael needs to gain strength in his upper body and lower his pad level when run blocking but those issues are very fixable and I doubt he will have any problems improving. Michael has the lateral agility to play center but not enough to be a pure Left Tackle in any kind of offensive system unless you give him help with those speed rushes that give every tackle a problem at the next level.

TALENT BOARD ROUND 1.83
Michael might not be a “pure” tackle in every type of offensive system but he can play tackle along with playing center and guard so passing on him because he MIGHT not be a pure tackle seems counterproductive to me. Every team needs offensive lineman. That’s a fact so, why would you pass on selecting one who has proven he can play on the offensive line at multiple positions? Right now, for his college team he is playing Left Tackle and doing a good solid job and those that analyze him (experts) are going to tell you that Michael is an average Left Tackle. I would have to say they are correct but he is a potential pro bowl center or left guard playing the left tackle position and that is a big difference than just a player who is playing one position at an average level. At least for me it is and I’m not passing on a quality, high football IQ, athlete with his size because the position he is playing now is not necessarily the position he will play at the next level. In fact, it’s just the opposite. His ability to play any position that does not fit his athletic skill set at an average level excites me. Michael reminds me a lot of the Packers Brian Bulaga who was the Packers 23rd pick in the 1st round of the 2010 NFL Draft.

STRENGTHS
Jawaan has good size, and movement skills to play right tackle for the teams that selects him. He does a good job pass blocking and has the solid foot quickness to become an excellent run blocker. He shows the upper and lower body strength to handle the power pass rushers he will be up against at the next level and in general has the type of overall body type and athletic talent to become a solid offensive tackle for the team that selects him in this draft.

CONCERNS
Jawaan is a right tackle who has more talent to play at a higher level than his fellow left tackle…think about that. The question is, why isn’t he playing Left Tackle? He has improved but, I’m not going to tell you that this kid belongs at the next level right now because he doesn’t. He’s not quick enough and that’s because he weighs too much. He’s inconsistent pass blocking, using his hands because…well you tell me. Right now, Jawaan lacks the mental stamina and physical stamina and work ethic to become the player his athletic talent suggest that he can become.

TALENT BOARD ROUND 2.11
His techniques are inconsistent, he doesn’t finish his blocks consistently, he carries too much weight, but he has the athletic talent to play Left Tackle! So, you tell me, why is everyone so crazy about this kid’s potential for the next level when he hasn’t reached his potential at the college level? Maybe this kid went to class and has enormous upside because he didn’t work out like the other players do. If that’s the case than Jawaan should become one of the better tackles in this draft but the truth is the great one’s have done both. They work as hard on the field as they do off the field. I’m not suggesting that Jawaan is not going to be good, but I am suggesting be careful what round you draft him in because he has a lot of work left to reach his potential and thinking he will do it the day after you select him (like so many are suggesting) right now, could be a big mistake. I think Jawaan can become a solid right tackle for the team that selects him. I also believe he can be moved inside and be a better guard than tackle but I have been wrong before and just maybe Jawaan’s upside is beyond my abilities to see that a pro bowl right tackle is in his future…or maybe not. For me personally, I’m going with not… but that doesn’t mean I wouldn’t select him, it just means I think selecting him in the first round might be expecting too much of him at this point in his career.

STRENGTHS
Quinnen is a massively, athletic and physically gifted football player. He could play any position on your defensive line…outside, inside, standing up, or as a down lineman. He has remarkable foot and hand quickness to go along with the power and strength to separate from any size blocker he is up against and get into the back field to disrupt the flow of the offense or sack the quarterback. Quinnen’s first step laterally, is impressive because he brings power with it that disrupts the offensive blocking scheme off the snap of the ball. He doesn’t just go down the line and string the play out, he pushes up the field forcing the play wider than it should be and allowing his teammates to make plays behind the line of scrimmage and not just at the line of scrimmage. Quinnen requires a double team when playing inside or outside and in the near future could become the new standard for future defensive lineman if he matures to his potential.

CONCERNS
My biggest concern is will Quinnen be another disappointing defensive player like Marcell Darrius or will he be Quinnen and mature at the next level to become the player his talents suggest that he can become? Right now, he is a one-year wonder coming out early with a questionable work ethic because he disappears in a lot of games and came on strong in the last few games to make his mark…the mark of a boom or bust player.

TALENT BOARD ROUND 2.08
I’m not going to BS you…Quinnen is a boom or bust type of player. Teams are going to have to decide for themselves if they want to take the chance selecting him in the top ten and hope this kid continues to mature on and off the field once you hand him a million dollars. Will he show up to for work on time or will he think once he makes his money that he no longer has the obligation to show up for work on time. Marcell Darius came out in his draft and played well but as soon as he was shown the money he struggled to manage his obligations but who knows, maybe he will mature for his next team in time before his career is over. I like everything about Quinnen on the field except for his lack of stamina mentally and physically. There is a lot of defensive talent in this draft and if Quinnen had stayed in for another year I might be able to develop a little more trust in him to impact at the next level but for me Quinnen is a player that if you draft him in the in the top ten of the first round were his talents suggest, you’re taking a big chance but selecting him later in the second round or very late in the 1st…you just might get the steal of the draft.

STRENGTHS
Brian is the definition of a 3/4 OLB/DE football player. He has the skills and athletic talent and length of a natural speed rusher off the edge, standing up or down in a three-point stance. He as the speed, size, length and the change of direction skills of a linebacker along with a high football IQ. Brian is a defensive playmaker and will disrupt his opponent’s offense sacking the QB, knocking down passes with his long arms and stringing out sweeps and screens to his side of the formation. He can drop off into coverage and I believe he has enough speed and cover skills to cover those big, pass catching tight Ends that line up in the slot. Brian has the athletic talent and the football IQ to be moved around your front seven depending on down and distance. He gives good effort on every down and looks to me on film, to still have some hidden potential that hasn’t fully been tapped into, for the team that selects him.

CONCERNS
Brian does a good job on the edge handling his assignments against the run but he needs to get stronger in his lower body to become better at handling double teams. He struggles right now to get off blocks against the run. He also struggles to make second moves when pass rushing when opponents get their hands on him quickly. He is an excellent speed rusher but because he lacks the strength and techniques a good blocking tight end can stop him. Nevertheless, when Brian comes off the edge, slaps his opponents’ hands down and turns the corner he does it with speed and quickness that is unique for his size.

TALENT BOARD ROUND 1.46
Right now, Brian is a perfect fit for a 3/4 defense but I have no doubt that in the future he could play on the line in any style of defense and impact. I sense that he wants to be a complete player and will work hard to improve. He reminds me a lot of Cardinals Chandler Jones, same athletic talent but struggles against the run. I think Brian will improve and I think that improvement will alleviate him getting frustrated during a game when he can’t seem to impact against the run. You can see teams in the fourth quarter double team Brian and start to run by him because he struggles dealing with the double team and shedding blocks quickly to make tackles, although he does a good job turning the play in for help to the middle of the field. The fact that Brian gets frustrated is a good thing and is what will motivate him to gain the strength and techniques to play better against the run. If I didn’t see that frustration on film I wouldn’t rate Brian as a 1st round talent because Drew’s Draft rules number 14 says; “Pass rushing is not a specialty, it should be included in the evaluation of a DE or LB position in their totality”. There is tremendous upside to Brian’s overall game and from his play on the field, I believe that Brian has the maturity to reach that upside.