You go back to that Iowa game early in the year. “Guice is a true every-down back, which Matthew Stafford has never had in his career”.
Advertisement
One of the SEC’s most explosive playmakers, Kirk has been a constant headache for opponents as both a pass-catcher and a return specialist. NFLDraftScout.com has him fourth among running backs and No. 43 overall, with DraftAnalyst.com giving a similar grade and multiple mock drafts from Walter Football projecting him in the second round. It was his first real chance to showcase his skillset in a leading role.
Leighton Vander Esch, Boise State: Esch, the Mountain West defensive player of the year in 2017, put his diverse set of skills at the linebacker position on display during his redshirt junior season. After Marshon Lattimore, Malik Hooker, and Gareon Conley all left for the pros, Ward stepped in and played well for the OSU secondary this season, recording a pair of interceptions and 15 pass breakups.
The 6-foot-2, 280-pound Hurst was a unanimous first-team all-Big Ten selection as a defensive tackle in 2017, and national All-Amercian, a season that saw him total 60 tackles (13 1/2 for a loss) and five sacks.
To recap, the Bills will have their franchise QB, along with one second-round pick and two third-round picks. And Mark Walton (from Miami, Fla.) – unfortunately he had the injury, but he would have been a second-round pick had it not been for the injury, and then Royce Freeman from Oregon. “Fitzpatrick could be a centerpiece of your secondary, obviously he can play anywhere you want him to play”.
With the ninth or 10th pick, Buffalo would also be able to address their other positional needs.
Touting Penny’s talents, Kiper said: “He has the ability to catch the ball out of the backfield”.
Ward and Jackson have two different skill sets while the 49ers are specific in what they look for in their cornerbacks.
Advertisement
ESPN’s Rob Demovsky made a few interesting points about why that might be, noting how much the Packers need impact pass rushers. “Cornerback is a clear need for the Rams”, Kiper writes (subscription required – $$). In fact, Alabama’s Calvin Ridley might be the only first rounder taken, according to Kiper. His mistakes are well documented and include such things as sayning Ryan Leaf’s poor attitude was good for a team, proclaiming Jimmy Clausen and Andre Ware star quarterbacks and even saying Detroit Lions wide receiver bust Mike Williams would be a Hall of Fame player. Kiper thinks there’s a lot of value there.
