Free agency is wrapping up and Pro Days are beginning to wind down, so now's the time where everyone is focused on rankings, scouting reports, and of course, the interest-driving Mock Drafts. While myself and the 100 or so other NFL draft focused websites will post far too many mock drafts that may become a blur after a while, Matthew Elder of BuffaloBillsDraft.com and I decided to take it for a new twist.
Not to be too self-promoting, but based on Matt and I's research, somewhat respectability on the subject, and experience in All-Star events, I'd consider Matt and I two evaluators very much in the know on small school, non-FBS prospects. So, in an effort to combine our "expertise" and everyone's favorite Mock Drafts, here is our take on the 1st round of the NFL Draft if we could ONLY draft small schoolers. Enjoy!
FYI I picked odds, Matt picked evens.
1 - Indianapolis Colts - BJ Coleman, QB, Chattanooga
2 - Washington Redskins - Janoris Jenkins, CB, North Alabama
3 - Minnesota Vikings - Brian Quick, WR, Appalachian State
4 - Cleveland Browns - Amini Silatolu, OG, Midwestern State
5 - Tampa Bay Bucs - Ryan Steed, CB, Furman
6 - St. Louis Rams - Trumaine Johnson, CB, Montana
7 - Jacksonville Jaguars - Thomas Mayo, WR, California PA
8 - Miami Dolphins - Tom Compton, OT, South Dakota
9 - Carolina Panthers - Rico Wallace, WR, Shenandoah
10 - Buffalo Bills - Alex Tanney, QB, Monmouth
11 - Kansas City Chiefs - Micah Pellerin, CB, Hampton
12 - Seattle Seahawks - Adrian Hamilton, DE, Prairie View A&M
13 - Arizona Cardinals - Jeff Adams, OT, Columbia
14 - Dallas Cowboys - David LeGree, QB, Hampton
15 - Philadephia Eagles - Shawn Loiseau, ILB, Merrimack
16 - New York Jets - Ryan Davis, DE/OLB, Bethune Cookman
17 - Cincinnati Bengals - Janzen Jackson, S, McNeese State
18 - San Diego Chargers - Josh Norman, CB, Coastal Carolina
19 - Chicago Bears - Dale Moss, WR, South Dakota State
20 - Tennessee Titans - Ronnie Cameron, DT, Old Dominion
21 - Cincinnati Bengals - Daryl Richardson, RB, Abilene Christian
22 - Cleveland Browns - John van den Raadt, QB, Asuza Pacific
23 - Detroit Lions - Asa Jackson, CB, Cal Poly
24 - Pittsburgh Steelers - Rishaw Johnson, OG, California PA
25 - Denver Broncos - Justin Bethel, CB/S, Presbyterian
26 - Houston Texans - Tyler Hendrickson, OT, Concordia (St. Paul)
27 - New England Patriots - Robert De La Rosa, DT/DE, Bucknell
28 - Green Bay Packers - Josue Ortiz, DT/DE, Harvard
29 - Baltimore Ravens - Brandon Harvey, ILB, Delaware State
30 - San Francisco 49ers - Alex Tounkara, WR, Brown
31 - New England Patriots - Aston Whiteside, DE, Abilene Christian
32 - New York Giants - Jeremy Lane, CB Midwestern State
Notes:
-BJ Coleman (in this mock) would be the heir apparent to Peyton Manning in Indy. Interesting to note because Coleman studied Peyton Manning film everyday for his first year at Tennessee (before he transferred), and has many of the same mannerisms as a passer.
-Four cornerbacks went in the Top 11 picks, and three to four other defensive backs easily could be considered in that top 10 mix as well. Get to know these small school cornerbacks, because many are just as talented as the SEC and ACC guys everyone loves.
-Of the first seven picks, I'd assume all of them go in the top four rounds. Thomas Mayo is maybe a reach there, but he's gotten that grade from us all year, and he did perform well in front of many NFL scouts at the East-West Shrine Game.
-David LeGree of Hampton could easily be a 5th-6th round pick and looks like a very raw Cam Newton type prospect. But inconsistencies, needing lots of work, and current shoulder injury concerns likely keep him from being a safe draft pick.
-Rishaw Johnson has almost as much talent as any offensive linemen in this entire draft, small school or not, but from all I've heard from very in the know people about his character, I'd be worried to draft him at all. Still, he's an outstanding pass blocker, great anchoring ability.
-Robert De La Rosa of Bucknell and Brandon Harvey of Delaware State sold me on their NFL ability at the BSN Collegiate Showcase. Both looked like fringe NFL guys and maybe situational, ideal scheme fits. However, both showed unexpected testing numbers and sure looked the part of not only NFL athletically gifted, but both great fits for a variety of 3-4 defensive systems.
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