As the round wound down, quietly, I asked Davis what he thought of Ziegler and McDaniels, the ex-Pats, entering year two of their regime. Simms Spotlight: Patrick Mahomes Is 2017 NFL Draft's Most Special QB Talent | News, Scores, Highlights, Stats, and Rumors | Bleacher Report NFL Simms Spotlight: Patrick Mahomes Is. They're also my two safest picks at the position, and I think both will have stellar NFL careers. I don't like doing trades in mock drafts, but this one is just too obvious for me. Michael Mayer, Notre Dame 4. I really respect him for the depth of his analysis and confidence to stray from the consensus rankings. The Broncos line gets better as a whole by adding him. A lot of people havent played the sport, and I mean critics are gonna critique. I don't expect him to have trouble with even the shiftiest NFL receivers. That wasnt it. After the top two, Kiper said, I dont see value with the rest of this class.. I believe he played out of position at end at Alabama, and while he could be a versatile tackle-end hybrid in the NFL, he might be a show-stopping 3-technique. Look, this doesn't need to be brain surgery. Comments by third parties are neither sponsored or endorsed by Bleacher Nation. I cant help it. Spoken like his fathers son. See below to find out who made the top 5 names for each position. Conley should be able to play either on the outside or in the slot. He can find the ball-carrier, and when he does, Foster doesn't try to hit people; he tries to knock their heads off. The Detroit Lions could go pass-rusher here if there's one they fancy on the board. As a prospect, he reminds me of Julius Peppers, Jadeveon Clowney or Jason Pierre-Pauland I think he's more physically gifted than all of them aside from perhaps Clowney. Best tight end in the draft, Kelly said. So many experts now dropping Fields to #3 QB or worse - and this one is at #5 - I would be hesitant now to draft him at #2. He has the hips and the change-of-direction talent to be a top-notch cover corner. The Raiders expect Wilson to be ready to play this season on schedule. And the AFC is full of these great young quarterbacks. Stroud, Ohio State Bryce Young, Alabama Hendon Hooker, Tennessee Anthony Richardson, Florida Dorian Thompson-Robinson, UCLA and Will Levis, Kentucky Chris Simms' 2023 NFL Draft WR Rankings: Zay Flowers, Boston College Jaxon Smith-Njibga, Ohio State Quentin Jonston, TCU Michael Wilson, Stanford With his combination of physical skills and a Von Miller-esque first step, Garrett is a can't-miss edge prospect. I'm not saying the guys featured here can't be special, either. Now, time to go work, son. The California native completed 152-of-270 passes for 1,812 yards, 16 touchdowns and six interceptions. I wasn't sure if Cadillac Williams would be a superstar when I first met him, but I could tell that he was a guy you could hand the ball to 20-30 times a game without worrying if he'd screw up. I don't know. You're probably drafting Baker to be a strong safety/nickelback. Yes, the Oakland Raiders secondary stunk last year, but here's one thing a lot of people don't realize: The Raiders finished dead last in the NFL in sacks last season with 25. Bouye, who just signed a huge five-year, $67.5 million deal with the Jacksonville Jaguars in free agency. Now, this is their chance to build something. Chris Simms has gotten a lot of heat recently on social media for his weak evaluation of Ohio State star QB Justin Fields, who is likely to be a top 15 pick on Thursday. The Browns could win this draft by making this move. Chris Simms spent eight seasons playing in the NFL with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Denver Broncos and Tennessee Titans. Even if your team changed schemes during his career, he can adapt. This is where the draft starts, Ziegler, stating the obvious, said. Everything that Ive done in college, Ive been very consistent. I mean, theyve tried everything else. Once he gets around an NFL defensive line coach who can show him proper technique, the sky is the limit for this kid. There are a lot of ways the Green Bay Packers could go here, but I think they have to go defense. Howard, like Garrett and Fournette, is a can't-miss guy. The New York Jets have reportedly not yet scheduled a pre-draft visit with Darnold. However, I'm not sure the value is going to be there. James Harrison (38) is getting up there in age, and the Steelers have parted ways with Jarvis Jones. They would get their signal-caller of the future and still take Garrett at No. Chris reveals his Top 6 QBs of the 2021 class, find out more here. Big compensation: For this pick and a fourth- this year, the Texans gave the Colts the 12th and 33rd overall picks this year and their first- and third-round picks next year. Six weeks ago, Anderson sent a letter to each team, saying Wilson has responded extremely well to surgery. After that, its up in the air, as all drafts are. At 6'6" and 251 pounds, he ran a 4.51-second 40 at the combine to go with a 6.85-second three-cone drill. He ran the three-cone drill in 6.68 seconds at the combine, which shows his ability to stick his foot in the ground and change direction. Goosebumps, Ziegler said. HENDERSON, Nev.Just before noon on Thursday, hours before the start of the NFL Draft, Raiders coach Josh McDaniels popped into GM Dave Zieglers office for one last bit of strategy talk. He stopped by the floor-to-ceiling photograph of the man who lords over this franchise 12 years after his death, and Ziegler patted the photograph of Al Davis. Over the last three years, Simms has been pretty spot-on with his draft analysis. At 4:43 p.m. Pacific Time, Ziegler was on his way into the draft room, a large square conference room on the third floor of the Raiders facility six miles west of the Vegas Strip. Can he run?. There aren't any glaring weaknesses in Foster's game. You just don't know how he's going to develop as a pro. He also played in Miami's pro-style offense, which forced him to put his hand in the dirt and move defensive ends and linebackers off the line in the run game. 5:47 p.m.: Witherspoon to Seattle at five. Here's his rankings for this year's class. Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window), Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window), Click to share on Flipboard (Opens in new window), Click to share on Reddit (Opens in new window), Click to email a link to a friend (Opens in new window), Then Ziegler47, in gray suit, black Oxford shirt, no tie, white and black sneakersentered the draft room, where 13 scouts, personnel people, one coach and one owner would plot the immediate future of Al Davis team. The Colts have talented receivers like T.Y. I don't see any weaknesses in Njoku's game other than the fact he's a little raw. Darnold completed 303-of-480 passes for 4,143 yards, 26 touchdowns and 13 interceptions last season. I can use my feet. You can put him at nickel or at free safety if need be, but he's also a guy you can put on an island and let him run with the other team's No. It's a great evaluation. I don't think the value for what the Titans need is going to be there at No. From a talent standpoint, Ohio State's Marshon Lattimore probably deserves to go higher than 11th overall. I honestly think Adams is a better version of Landon Collins, and that's saying something. I think he could realistically go anywhere from No. But people have started taking his ranks as gospel, when they have errors just like any other analyst's rankings. The Bills have been starving for a quarterback of this nature, but they won't need to rush Mahomes on the field. But its not as if Simms is doing this to be hipster cool, out-of-step for no good reason, or anti-groupthink for the sake of being unique. I thought about going with Clemson's Mike Williams here. Jackson would also provide a huge boost to the return game. But the vibe in the room, the smiles, showed this staff loves Wilson, even with the foot injury that made him an iffy candidate to some teams. In three years, well see if Ziegler picked right in the NFLs 88th draft. You dont want your draft story to be all about your foot. ESPN's Mel Kiper Jr. gave the Browns Allen and Penn State running back Saquon Barkley in his latest mock draft. Wisconsin's Ryan Ramczyk can play tackle, but I think he can kick inside and be an even better guard. This guy knows what he's talking about." slipped into the room, in his white satin Raiders jacket and stonewashed faded jeans. Njoku brings a more physical brand of football than Howard after the catch. But I have seen so much on how his rankings are infallible, and near perfect over the past few years. In 2017, he ranked the 3 first round QBs in the exact order they were drafted (yes, with Trubisky first). When I think of a can't-miss prospect, I think about some of the guys I've seen come into the NFL over the years. He can cover passes to the tight end or defend screens to the running back. This kid's a no-brainer. This is where we have our first shake-up. I know the Baltimore Ravens took Breshad Perriman in the first round two years ago, but man, they've gotten next to nothing out of him. Not surprising. Whichever team drafts him should have its starting No. He can help anchor Cincinnati's defensive line for the next several years. I'm not going to rush to judgment on the Gareon Conley allegations. As good as Howard is, Miami's David Njoku is my favorite tight end in this draft. A lot of people probably have this pegged as the Reuben Foster pick, but I think Foster is going to fall. Whichever team snags Jackson is going to be getting a talented cornerback. Wanted to give you a few points. I'm simply saying these are the prospects in this year's draft class that a team can't miss on. Chris Simms has already started breaking down the top prospects by position on the Chris Simms Unbuttoned podcast. I can check down. L.A.'s new defensive coordinator is Gus Bradley. Lamp doesn't bring character concerns and brings value at 23rd overall. For my money, Charlton is one of the best all-around defensive linemen in the draft. Ultimately, the Browns might be scared that the New York Jets could take Mitchell Trubisky at No. The Raiders needed long-term help opposite Maxx Crosby (edge player Chandler Jones is 33), and Anderson or Wilson would have been great. When I think of true can't-miss cornerbacks, I think of the next two guys featured herethe first being USC's Adoree Jackson. Njoku is athletic, has long arms and is a phenomenal run-blocker. However, people I've talked to around the league tell me there are legitimate concerns about Lattimore's hamstring issues. However, if this season has shown us anything, it's that every pick matters from . People talk about his accuracy, but his pass-protection was poor, and he had the worst talent around him of any of these guys but hes got the biggest upside of anyone in the class. Derek Barnett almost makes too much sense for the Pittsburgh Steelers here. Bleacher Nation Privacy Policy and Terms of Use. It's become an annual tradition. Las Vegas is on the clock, tinny voice says. WR - Parris Campbell at 2 and Deebo and AJ Brown at 4 and 5. And yet, through all the noise, Chris Simms quarterback rankings stand out. Its a huge weekend for them. Only this: 5:58 p.m.: Tyree, this is coach McDaniels. Alabama's Cam Robinson is a big, powerful tackle who I ultimately think fits better as an NFL guard. The Raiders got their presumptive backup to Jimmy Garoppolo, Aidan OConnell, in the middle of the fourth roundabout two rounds earlier than the consensus of where he deserved to go. The 2022 NFL Draft is right around the corner. Chris Simms' 2023 NFL Mock Draft 1. You're not looking at him and saying, "This guy can do a lot of things, where can we put him where he'll be great?" We value the TAP test (a test in the pre-draft process that measures mental toughness, drive and composure under pressure), and Tyree got one of the highest grades on it, a Green plus-plus. To that I'd say, go over and read some comments in r/NFL. So, just wanted to touch base on a few things. Chris Simms reveals his rankings for the top quarterbacks in the 2023 NFL Draft class and breaks them into different tiers, from C.J. USC's Adoree' Jackson is another guy who has been a little bit undervalued throughout the draft process. At pick No. 7:36 p.m.: Crosby sent a video message to Wilson, and in the draft room, Ziegler had it and he showed it to McDaniels and Davis on his phone. We're talking about a 6'4", 272-pound defensive lineman with 4.64-second speed. Panthers (via Bears): Bryce Young, QB, Alabama 2. Most recently, Simms had Justin Herbert (and not Tua Tagovailoa) as his QB2 in 2020. The choice wasnt up to Ziegler; other teams decided for him. At the very worst, they'll be starters for a number of years. Sam LaPorta, Iowa Tier Three 3. But the people who are making the choices and the picks, they knew what I can do. Bleacher Nation is a private media site owned and operated by Betsperts, Inc., and it is not affiliated in any way with Major League Baseball, the National Football League, the National Basketball Association, the National Hockey League, the Chicago Cubs, the Chicago Bears, the Chicago Bulls, the Chicago White Sox, or the Chicago Blackhawks. So far, Simms has revealed his highly anticipated list of the top 5 quarterback prospects, wide receivers, cornerbacks, running backs, and more. In the age of finding the mismatch, running the no-huddle offense and forcing defenses to stay in the same personnel set, Howard can be elite. The Texans have asked Stroud to let the S-2 Test controversy go, but he got a couple last licks in on it. He's legitimately fast and explosive toohe doesn't just have BS combine speed. While Njoku is a bit smaller than Howard at 6'4" and 246 pounds,his physicality and length more than make up for it as a blocker. He has special mobility, and he's an incredible sideline-to-sideline player. The plan was preordained. has great hands, makes people miss and can take a pass up the seam and explode for a 70-yard touchdown. Bleacher Nation is supported in part by affiliate advertising programs, which you can learn more about here. Because their secondary sucked in 2016, that's why. This is the draft. We're going back to the secondary well one more time for the Saints. As I explain in the next item about Arizonas draft, Houston could be picking very early next yearwhich will put a white hot spotlight of pressure on Anderson. Last year's 2022 NFL Draft saw DE Travon Walker taken as the No. The Washington Redskins need help at the interior of their defense. QB - Josh Allen at 1 and Lamar Jackson at 4, Kyler Murray at 1 and Daniel Jones at 6 RB - Is all over the place. This was a weak class overall. After their second year - Lamar, Allen, Baker. 1 receiver. Why? Weight: 222. You can be football smart. Ultimately, though, Florida State's Dalvin Cook is too tasty to pass up. Josh Jones is a perfect example of your modern NFL safety. This is the case for Stanford's Solomon Thomas, though, because his floor is so high. There is enough secondary depth in this draft that Oakland can get a starter in Round 2. As a pass-catcher, Njoku also can make an immediate impact. Theyre young, they love football, and Im thrilled with them. A little kid from the [California] Inland Empire. Ziegler to McDaniels in a hushed tone: Arizona wants to trade back up.. Watch more top videos, highlights, and B/R original content, Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information. 5 to No. I had over a 3.0 in high school. Now all of a sudden, a guy we were talking about as a top-three pick is more of an afterthought. A year later, Simms put Lamar Jackson and Josh Allen at his top two spots. Honestly, I'm getting sick of Joe Flacco not having weapons around him. 7. Miguel Amaya is Reportedly On His Way to D.C. Padres vs. Reds Prediction: Expert Picks, Odds, Stats & Best Bets Monday, May 1, 2023, Dodgers vs. Phillies Prediction: Expert Picks, Odds, Stats & Best Bets Monday, May 1, 2023, How to Watch Dodgers vs. Phillies: Live Stream or on TV, Padres vs. Reds: Start Time, Streaming Live, TV Channel, How to Watch, Nuggets vs. Suns Western Conference Semifinals Game 2 Prediction: Expert Picks, Odds, Stats & Best Bets Monday, May 1, 2023, Updating the Blackhawks Draft Board After Round One of the Stanley Cup Playoffs, Bleacher Nation | Chicago Sports News, Rumors, and Obsession, Bleacher Nation Privacy Policy and Terms of Use. Then he can take over and be the man in Buffalo. Were still undefeated! Davis said as Roger Goodell kicked off the draft. But and there is a big but you should have been at the Texans facility in the basement of NRG Stadium late Friday afternoon, when Stroud and Anderson put on a show of humility and team-firstness that had to make Texans fans so weary of losing (a league-worst 11-38-1 in the last three years) happy for the first time since the Wild Card win over Buffalo three years ago. They got a speed cornerback, Banks teammate Jakorian Bennett, with pick 104, and the Raiders hope he plays early. The Lions could go to more two-tight-end sets and take advantage of the athleticism of Eric Ebron and Njoku in the play-action passing game. I mean, hallelujah, McDaniels said. Look, we gotta rush the passer. A Critical Look at the Chris Simms QB Rankings. 3 overall selection, which would suggest that they do not believe he will be available with their selection. Chris Simms is one of the best in the business. Melifonwu has tremendous size (6'4", 224 lbs), tremendous speed (ran a 4.40-second 40 at the combine) and unreal leaping ability (logged a 44.0-inch vertical at the combine).