Sports Krunch w/DKROM

1. With Deshaun Watson now in the fold, the Browns arguably have the most complete roster in the entire NFL. Outside of another EDGE opposite Myles Garrett and more WR options aside from Amari Cooper, I don’t see any other glaring holes on this Cleveland team. Do you?

2. Almost like the Browns, the Ravens don’t have that many glaring holes on their roster. But there is such a need at the all-important EDGE position, where Baltimore has not had a player reach double-digit sacks in a season since Terrell Suggs in 2017. If no EDGE or pass-rushing DT left on the board meets the value of the 14th overall pick, could you see the Ravens as a strong candidate to trade down?

3. The search is on for a long-term successor to Ben Roethlisberger and based on their presence at all these Pro Days, you can tell the Steelers are leaving no rock, stone or pebble unturned when it comes to this QB class. And perhaps the worst kept secret in the entire NFL since the Senior Bowl is their love for Malik Willis. If the Steelers are as madly in love with Malik Willis as they seem to be, should they be willing to trade up to as high as 5 overall in order to get him? 

4. The Bengals came oh so close to winning their first Super Bowl in franchise history, but their porous offensive line play, especially in the passing game, proved too much for them to overcome in the end. That’s why the Bengals have spent the vast majority of their resources so far this spring on improving Joe Burrow’s protection with Alex Cappa, Ted Karras, and La’El Collins. Have the Bengals upgraded the OL enough to where they can stomach the possible scenario of not drafting another offensive lineman in the first 2-3 rounds?

5. Browns 3-Round Mock

-(44): Travis Jones

-(78): Leo Chenal

-(99): Myjai Sanders

6. Ravens 3-Round Mock

-(14): Jordan Davis

-(45): Tariq Woolen

-(76): Breece Hall

-(100): DeAngelo Malone

7. Steelers 3-Round Mock

-(20): Desmond Ridder

-(52): Tyler Linderbaum

-(84): Cam Taylor-Britt

8. Bengals 3-Round Mock

-(31): Devonte Wyatt

-(63): Trey McBride

-(95): Coby Bryant

1. When you look at the RB’s in this year’s draft, there may not be 2-3 stars in the first round discussion like last year, but like several other of the position groups we’ve covered on this program in recent weeks, it is exceptionally deep, perhaps much deeper than the 2021 crop of backs. How would you compare the 2022 RB class to last year’s?

2. In 2019, the first RB off the board was David Montgomery. Fast forward almost three years later, and another Iowa State Cyclone just might achieve the same feat. I’m obviously talking about Breece Hall. Why is he the best RB in this class?

3. Another RB in the conversation for being the best at the position in this draft is Michigan State’s Kenneth Walker III, who was being touted as a serious Heisman Trophy candidate last fall. The big question with him, however, seems to be just how much can he bring you in the passing game. Daniel Jeremiah thinks he has a lot of upside in that area, while Joe Marino of The Draft Network believes that upside is very limited. How much do you think Walker is capable of in the passing game (both catching the ball out of the backfield and blitz pickup)?

4. Isaiah Spiller of Texas A&M is another RB that should go relatively early. He arguably has the best combination of vision and contact balance out of all the RB’s in the class. However, he has very small hands (8 5/8”), which could make him more “fumble prone” at the NFL level. Does Spiller’s hand size worry you at all?

5. Georgia has two intriguing RB’s in this class with James Cook (Dalvin’s younger brother) and Zamir White. Compare/contrast the two and tell us what you think the best role for them is at the NFL level

6. Buy Or Sell: Kyren Williams, Tyler Allgeier, Dameon Pierce, Brian Robinson Jr., Hassan Haskins, Pierre Strong Jr., Abram Smith, Kevin Harris, Ty Davis-Price, Rachaad White, Zonovan Knight, Jerome Ford, Tyler Badie, Isaiah Pacheco, Shermari Jones

7. Best Possible Landing Spots

-Breece Hall: Texans

-Kenneth Walker III: Bucs

-Isaiah Spiller: Vikings

-James Cook: Cardinals, Broncos

-Zamir White: Saints

-Pierre Strong, Jr.: Chargers

-Rachaad White: Giants

-Brian Robinson, Jr.: Titans

-Jerome Ford: Colts

1. In the event that the Jaguars decide to take Aidan Hutchinson with the first overall pick, there are a lot of options for the Lions to consider at pick two. They could go with another great EDGE talent in Travon Walker or Kayvon Thibodeaux, they could opt to take arguably the best overall player in the draft in Kyle Hamilton, they could throw a wild curveball and take Malik Willis, or potentially trade back. What is the latest intel that you’re hearing about the Lions plans with the second overall pick?

2. Based on his first acts as Bear GM, it is clear Ryan Poles wants to completely overhaul this roster. That said, the Bears have been relatively quiet in free agency and have pressing needs on both sides of the ball including 2 new OL starters, 2-3 new WR, more CB depth, et al…with only 6 picks to work with at this time. Therein lies the dilemma for Poles and the Bears in this draft. In your view, should Chicago mainly, if not solely use this draft to surround Justin Fields with better protection and weapons, or should they almost equally focus on getting Matt Eberflus the players he needs to run his defense?

3. When the Vikings fired both Mike Zimmer and Rick Spielman, many believed this was a team headed for a roster shakeup. Turns out, the exact opposite happened with the extension of Kirk Cousins and the signing of Za’Darius Smith in free agency. It is clear that new GM Kwesi Adofo-Mensah and new HC Kevin O’Connell believe the Vikings still have a roster that’s fully capable of making a deep playoff run. Do you feel that way, and if not, what do the Vikings need to do in this draft to ensure their roster fits that description?

4. The Packers were actually a big part in the wildest month of trades in NFL history as they traded Davante Adams to the Raiders for Las Vegas’s first and second round picks this year. That gives Brian Gutekunst four picks to work with in the first two rounds, but the Packers have a pretty bare cupboard of WR’s as of now. Do you think Gutekunst should be behooved to get Aaron Rodgers two WR’s in the first round alone, or do you think the Packers have needs on their roster that are almost equally as pressing?

5. Lions 3-Round Mock

-(2): Kyle Hamilton

-(32): Jahan Dotson

-(34): Matt Corral

-(66): Isaiah Likely

-(97): Martin Emerson

6. Bears 3-Round Mock

-(39): Skyy Moore

-(48): Travis Jones

-(71): Cole Strange

7. Vikings 3-Round Mock

-(12): Jermaine Johnson

-(46): Jalen Pitre

-(77): Channing Tindall

8. Packers 3-Round Mock

-(22): Drake London

-(28): Boye Mafe

-(53): George Pickens

-(59): Leo Chenal

-(92): Jeremy Ruckert

1. At this time, many, including you, consider Ohio State’s Garrett Wilson as the best wide receiver in this class. Why should Garrett Wilson be the first WR off the board on April 28?

2. Like most positions in this class, there isn’t a consensus league-wide as to who the best WR in this class is. And the WR1 for Mel Kiper at the moment is Drake London of USC. How good is the argument for Drake London to be the first WR off the board?

3. What does Chris Olave bring to an NFL offense on Day 1 that his fellow Buckeye Garrett Wilson does not?

4. Not long ago, some on Draft Twitter were hyping up Arkansas’s Treylon Burks as the top wide out in this draft. However, he really underwhelmed at the Combine and he could be in for a slide down the board. How far can you see Burks falling?

5. Is Jameson Williams still worth a top-20 pick if the long-term prognosis on his knee is as good as buzz indicates?

6. Two WR’s who have seen their stock soar into first-round conversation are Skyy Moore of Western Michigan and Christian Watson of North Dakota State. Which one of those two are you personally more bullish on and why? Do you see one or both of them going in round one?

7. According to Dane Brugler, there seems to be a 50/50 split over whether Trey McBride (Colorado State) or Greg Dulcich (UCLA) is the top TE in this class. Which one is more deserving of that distinction in your view?

8. Buy Or Sell: Jalen Tolbert, Jahan Dotson, George Pickens, John Metchie, Khalil Shakir, David Bell, Cade Otton, Jeremy Ruckert, Charlie Kolar, Isaiah Likely, Jelani Woods, Cole Turner

9. Best Possible Landing Spots

-Garrett Wilson: Falcons, Jets, Commanders, Texans, Saints

-Drake London: Patriots, Jets

-Chris Olave: Packers

-Treylon Burks: Dolphins, Ravens

-Jameson Williams: Chargers, Chiefs, Packers, Bills

-Skyy Moore: Browns

-Christian Watson: Chiefs

-Trey McBride: Titans

-Greg Dulcich: Cowboys

1. Many consider Utah’s Devin Lloyd as the best off-ball LB in this class. Just weeks ago, many mock drafts had him as a top-10 pick. That said, since he didn’t test as well as hoped at the Combine, he could very well experience a fall on draft day. How does he compare with recent players at his position who went in the top 10 (Roquan Smith, Devin White) and if he does fall, how far can you see him falling?

2. Another off-ball LB prospect that many see as the best in the class is Nakobe Dean of Georgia. Now, some buzz suggests he could fall all the way to Day 2 given concerns about whether his physical play-style can hold up at his relatively petit size (229 pounds). Moreover, some are of the opinion that one or both of his fellow Bulldogs in this class (Quay Walker and Channing Tindall) may be as good or better options. In what order do you have these three Georgia ‘backers ranked on your board at this time, and why?

3. Just two years ago, the Bengals selected a LB from Wyoming in Logan Wilson who has already grown into a core piece of their defense. This year, Wyoming is sending an arguably better LB prospect to the NFL in Chad Muma. Muma was a tackling machine for the Cowboys (11.3 tackles per game over the past two seasons) and posted some special numbers at the Combine (40” vertical jump and 129” broad jump). How does Muma compare/contrast with Logan Wilson as a prospect and can you see him carving out a similar role for himself as his fellow Wyoming Cowboy within the next two seasons?

4. A prospect that could very well be rising up boards across the league after posting some super freakish results at both the Combine and his Pro Day is Wisconsin’s Leo Chenal. Aside from a 40.5” vertical and a 128” broad jump in Indy, he posted an ASTONISHING 6.84s three-cone drill. Moreover, according to data analyst/statistician Kent Lee Platte, Chenal’s Relative Athletic Score ranked fourth out of 2,188 LB dating back all the way to 1987. Does the tape match the traits for Leo Chenal in your view, and how early can you see him hearing his name called?

5. As ESPN’s Jordan Reid and others reported at the Combine, a LB that the NFL is apparently much higher on than those in draft media is LSU’s Damone Clark. Based on what you have seen of him, why do you think that is?

6. Buy Or Sell: Christian Harris, Jesse Luketa, Malcolm Rodriguez, Darrian Beavers, Brandon Smith, Zakoby McClain, Brian Asamoah, Aaron Hansford

7. Best Landing Spots:

       -Devin Lloyd: Falcons

       -Nakobe Dean: Bears, Steelers, Seahawks

       -Quay Walker: AFC West or NFC West

       -Chad Muma: Broncos

       -Leo Chenal: Colts

1. As of right now, the #1 overall pick in the 2022 NFL Draft is widely expected to be Michigan’s Aidan Hutchinson. And there is A LOT to like about him including his non-stop motor and freakish athleticism, which was illustrated by his 6.73-second three-cone drill at the Combine. However, one knock on him is his less-than-ideal, 32 and 1/8 “ arm length. The amount of pass rushers with arms that short who have found success in the NFL is very small. If you were GM of the Jaguars, assuming your OL needs are taken care of, would Hutchinson’s arm-length alone be enough for you to pass on him?

2. The best performer at the Combine, at least in my opinion, was Georgia’s Travon Walker. He ran a 4.51 40 and posted a 6.89-second three-cone at 272 pounds, and became a lock top-five pick. While they say you must bet on traits when it comes to EDGE rushers (and Walker has them in spades), there is one stat that has me a bit concerned about him. As Marcus Mosher pointed out, Travon Walker only averaged 0.58 TFL per game at Georgia and the hit rate for EDGE players who average less than 0.80 TFL/game in college is astonishingly low. That said, you countered by saying it was mainly due to how he was utilized in that Georgia defense. Are the stars aligned for Travon Walker to buck this trend?

3. Is there anything on tape that justifies the concerns about Kayvon Thibodeaux’s supposed lack of passion and love for the game?

4. An NFC scout told NFL.com’s Lance Zierlein that he thinks David Ojabo will have a more productive NFL career than his Michigan teammate Aidan Hutchinson. Would you be shocked or surprised if this eventually becomes the case?

5. Last year, Odafe Oweh was a first-round pick almost solely because of raw athletic traits. We could get an identical situation this year in Minnesota’s Boye Mafe, who posted a 41.5” vertical at his Pro Day this week. Just how high is the ceiling for Mafe and is he worth a top-20 pick in your view?

6. Despite his lack of length and athleticism, is George Karlaftis still worth a first-round pick?

7. Buy or Sell: Jermaine Johnson, Logan Hall, Arnold Ebiketie, Nik Bonitto, Sam Williams, Dominique Robinson, Joshua Paschal, Cameron Thomas, Myjai Sanders, Alex Wright

8. Best Landing Spots:

    -Aidan Hutchinson: Jaguars, Lions

    -Travon Walker: Seahawks, Giants

    -Kayvon Thibodeaux: Seahawks

    -David Ojabo: Chargers, Eagles, Cowboys, Cardinals

    -Boye Mafe: Chiefs

    -George Karlaftis: Lions

    -Jermaine Johnson: Vikings

    -Logan Hall: Ravens

1. The DT prospect that stole the show at The Combine was Georgia’s Jordan Davis. He ran 4.78 in the 40 at 341 pounds and reminds some of another freakish athletic NT who’s had a successful NFL career thus far in Vita Vea of the Bucs. However, several still have questions about Davis’s ability to play far more than 50% of the snaps and others question whether he brings enough as a pass rusher. In addition, several like his Georgia teammate Devonte Wyatt even more. If you were running a team that had every need possible on the DL and your choice in the draft came down to Davis and Wyatt, who would you pick and why?

2. Another DT prospect that has been rising up boards this past month or so is Travis Jones of UConn. He absolutely tore it up down in Mobile at the Senior Bowl and followed it up with another good performance at the Combine. Dane Brugler believes he is a lock to go top-50 and could even sneak into the first round. In your view, is Travis Jones worth the gamble in the top-50, if not in the tail end of the first?

3. Last spring and summer, Texas A&M’s DeMarvin Leal was touted by some as a potential top-10 pick. Now, many (if not most) expect him to go on Day 2. What is your opinion on Leal’s game and just how big of a steal can he turn out to be for whoever drafts him?

4. One of the more fascinating prospects in this class is Logan Hall of Houston. He mostly played DT in college, but several, including Dane Brugler, believe he projects better at EDGE. Do you think Logan Hall’s best role in the NFL is inside, outside on the edge, or a bit of both?

5. Thoughts on Cameron Thomas

6. Another DT prospect that had a very good week at the Senior Bowl is Oklahoma’s Perrion Winfrey, who was MVP of the game. Before free agency, several in Bears Draft Twitter were touting him as an option with one of their two second-round picks. Do you see Winfrey as an ideal prospect for teams that urgently need a penetrating 3-technique for their defense?

7. Buy or Sell: Phidarian Mathis [Bama], Matthew Butler [Tennessee], Neil Farrell [LSU], John Ridgeway [Arkansas], Eyioma Uwazurike [Iowa State], Kalia Davis [UCF], Haskell Garrett [Ohio State]

8. Best Landing Spots:

-Jordan Davis: Patriots

-Devonte Wyatt: Raiders

-Travis Jones: Browns

-DeMarvin Leal: Jets, Giants

-Logan Hall: Steelers

-Cameron Thomas: Bengals, Broncos

-Perrion Winfrey: Bears, Vikings

-Phidarian Mathis: Cardinals

1. Headed into the Combine, it was a mystery as to who would be the first corner off the board. But now, we just might have clarity. Cincinnati’s Ahmad “Sauce” Gardner, who is the long, tall corner most teams covet, and never allowed a TD in college absolutely stole the show in Indy. He reportedly aced interviews (he’s widely regarded as a high-character guy) and shined in athletic testing where he ran a 4.41 40. Do you think it’s a virtual certainty that Sauce Gardner will be the first corner taken…and does he deserve to be?

2. One of the bigger wild cards in this draft is LSU’s Derek Stingley, Jr. Stingley had one very bad year in college, one injury-plagued year, and a first team All-America year. If that first team All America year was 2021, he would likely be the first corner taken off the board. Unfortunately, that season was his freshman year in 2019. And as Thor Nystrom said on this program weeks ago, the number of college players that were only great as freshmen in college yet subsequently became very good NFL players is very small. How high are you on Stingley and do you think he can replicate the 2019 version of himself at the NFL level?

3. Before last week’s events in Indy, some, including Dane Brugler, believed Washington’s Trent McDuffie could end up as the top corner in this class. McDuffie is versatile, tough and athletic. That said, he has sub-30” arms and the amount of corners with that length that have found success at the NFL level is VERY minute. That said, CBS NFL Draft analyst Chris Trapasso brought up a good point by saying that corners coming into the league aren’t as long and tall as they were a decade or so ago and if size/length is sacrificed for agility at the CB position, it is fine given where the game is headed. Do you share that view and do you still believe McDuffie can buck that troubling trend? How far can you see McDuffie falling because of that non-ideal length?

4. Arguably the best player in this draft class regardless of position is Notre Dame safety Kyle Hamilton. That said, many people do not believe you should draft a safety that high. Nonetheless, there’s no denying his talent and the leadership he’d bring to a team on Day 1. Do you think he has a strong case to be a top-five pick?

5. S/CB hybrids are more in demand than ever before in the NFL. And this draft offers two such prospects in Michigan’s Daxton Hill and Baylor’s Jalen Pitre. That said, as important as versatility is, you have to give these players a clearly defined role their rookie season so they’re not mentally swimming in the playbook so to speak. What is the best such role for each of these players next season and beyond? 

6. Another guy that is likely rising up draft boards after the Combine is Georgia’s Lewis Cine. He absolutely tore it up in testing (4.37 in the 40, 36.5” vertical, and 133” broad jump). Senior Bowl director Jim Nagy tweeted out that several teams had first-round grades on him BEFORE the Combine. Would you be surprised if he hears his name called on Day 1?

7. Buy Or Sell: Andrew Booth, Jr., Kaiir Elam, Kyler Gordon, Marcus Jones, Coby Bryant, Roger McCreary, Tariq Woolen, Jaquan Brisker, Bryan Cook, Nick Cross, Verone McKinley III

8. Best Landing Spots:

-Sauce Gardner: Jets, Vikings

-Derek Stingley, Jr.: Ravens

-Trent McDuffie: Eagles, Vikings

-Andrew Booth, Jr.: Bills, Chiefs

-Kyle Hamilton: Falcons

-Daxton Hill: Lions, Chiefs

-Jalen Pitre: Seahawks

-Jaquan Brisker: Lions, Jets

1. Yesterday, one of the largest trades in NFL history went down as the Seahawks agreed to trade Russell Wilson to the Broncos for two firsts, two seconds, Drew Lock, Shelby Harris and Noah Fant. What are your overall thoughts on this trade? Does Russ alone make the Broncos a serious contender for a deep playoff run? How ideal is the fit for Russell Wilson in Nathaniel Hackett’s offense? Do you think Aaron Rodgers decision to remain in the NFC North can be beneficial to the long-term development of Justin Fields?

2. Why is Malik Willis your top-rated QB in this class at this time? What is his best attribute and what is his biggest, potentially fatal flaw?

3. How much should Kenny Pickett’s 8.5” hand size matter?

4. Just how difficult is it to project Matt Corral to an NFL offense? How high is his athletic ceiling compared to that of Andy Dalton and Baker Mayfield?

5. In your most recent mock draft, you had the Steelers selecting Desmond Ridder at 20. Aside from sheer QB desperation, why do you think a team would believe Ridder is worth a first-round investment?

6. If the over/under of QB’s selected in the first round this year is at 3, would you take the over or under and why? 

7. Buy Or Sell: Carson Strong, Sam Howell, Kaleb Eleby, Bailey Zappe, Jack Coan

8. Best Landing Spots:

-Malik Willis: Commanders

-Kenny Pickett: Saints

-Matt Corral: Steelers

-Desmond Ridder: Titans, Falcons

-Sam Howell: Browns, Saints, Panthers

-Carson Strong: Bucs

-Kaleb Eleby: Broncos

1. If you were in the Jaguars war room, and the debate was between whether to draft Evan Neal or Ickey Ekwonu, who would you pound the table for and why?

2. Another hot OT prospect expected to go pretty early is Charles Cross of Mississippi State. Renown NFL Draft guru Dane Brugler of The Athletic said that NFL evaluators are torn on Cross. Some see him as a top-15 pick because of his special pass protection skills, yet others see him as an Andre Dillard-level bust in waiting due to his lack of ideal power. That said, word has it the Panthers are considering taking him at 6 overall. What is your opinion on Charles Cross and is he worth a top-10 pick?

3. Charles Cross isn’t the only non-Neal/Ekwonu OT prospect receiving top-10 buzz coming out of Indy. Trevor Penning of Northern Iowa also reportedly has heavy interest from the Panthers as well. While his physical, “pissed off” playing style may be endearing to several teams, it is pretty clear that he is currently as raw as sushi so to speak. What specific details in Penning’s game need the most work and do you think all his flaws are correctable?

4. It isn’t quite common to have a center that is considered by many as a top-10 prospect in a draft, but this is such a year given the presence of Iowa’s Tyler Linderbaum in this class. That said, a few knocks on Linderbaum is that he doesn’t have expeing him off their board due to that lack of length?rience at guard and his incredibly short arm-length even for a center. Do you consider Linderbaum a top-10/top-15 talent? 

5. Four other winners at the Combine were Abraham Lucas of Washington State, Zion Johnson of Boston College, Zach Tom of Wake Forest and Kellen Diesch of Arizona State. What aspects on their respective game films, if any, suggest long-term starter to you?

6. Buy Or Sell: Bernhard Reimann, Kenyon Green, Darian Kinnard, Jamaree Salyer, Max Mitchell, Dylan Parham, Tyler Smith, Sean Rhyan, Thayer Munford, Jr., Nicholas Petit-Frere

7. Best Landing Spots:

-Evan Neal: Jaguars

-Ikem Ekwonu: Jets, Giants

-Charles Cross: Chiefs

-Trevor Penning: Eagles

-Tyler Linderbaum: Lions, Giants, Jets, Seahawks

-Kenyon Green: Cowboys, Bucs

-Bernhard Reimann: Patriots

-Abraham Lucas: Chiefs, Raiders

-Zion Johnson: Bengals, Panthers, Browns

-Kellen Diesch: Vikings, Rams

-Zach Tom: Patriots, Rams, Bengals, Cowboys