Believe it or not, the 2017 NFL Draft is well on its way, with the combine and pro days behind us. Like in prior years, I've put together a list of players who could be dressing up in the black and gold come the '17 season. These players are connected either through mock drafts (mainly Bleacher Report's Matt Miller), or Steelers visits. The profiles are summarized from NFL.com.
S Obi Melifonwu - UConn (6'4", 224lbs)
2016: 1st All-AAC, 118hits/2.5TFL, 4ints/3pbu's
Combine: 4.40 40, 17reps, 44in vert jump
Strengths: Sharp focus when the ball is in the air. Plus hand-eye coordination to flip the field. Athleticism to cover TEs. Constricts windows. A downhill tackling machine, plus range. A body-up hitter.
Weaknesses: Will play slow with eyes at times. Has to see the ball in the air before charging over to help on deep throws. Takes time to diagnose play-action. Can take inefficient path to the ball.
Comp: George Iloka
Grade: 5.77 (Could become an early starter)
DE Taco Charlton - Michigan (6'6", 277lbs)
2016: 1st All-B10, 9.5scks, 13TFL
Combine: 4.92 40, 25reps, 33in vert jump
Strengths: Flashes instant reaction time off the snap & up-field. Generates pop through speed to power element. Very good flexibility. Able to sink & swerve around the corner if he gets an early lead to the edge. Rushes with a forward lean. Elongated lateral slides can open into sprint. Hand usage is improving.
Weaknesses: Consistency of anchor at the point of attack is in question. Can be routed out of the gap by power. Doesn't make enough plays on the other side against the run. Held back by inconsistent play speed. Has footwork inconsistencies Needs better readiness to take on move blockers.
Comp: Chandler Jones
Grade: 6.38 (Chance to become a good starter)
CB Chidobe Awuzie - Colorado (6'0, 202lbs)
2016: 2nd All-P12, 65tckls/6TFL, 1int/12pbu's
Combine: 4.43 40, 16reps, 34.5in vert jump
Strengths: Easy change of direction. Carries smooth backpedal downfield. Digests route combination from the zone. Springy feet allow for abrupt click & close to throw. Opens and swivels hips. Able to maintain coverage on shifty slot WRs. Instinctive with feel for route development. Short-area closing burst. Head turned around on deep throws.
Weaknesses: A short strider. Can be handsy down the field. Run support is lacking. Could use more aggressiveness and commitment when stepping downhill to tackle.
Comp: Prince Amukamara
Grade: 5.82 (Could become an early starter)
WR Chris Godwin - Penn State (6'1", 209lbs)
2016: Honorable All-B10, 59rec/982yds/11TDs
Combine: 4.42 40, 19reps, 36in vert jump
Grade: 5.76 (Could become an early starter)
OLB Vince Biegel - Wisconsin (6'3", 246lbs)
2016: 2nd All-B10, 6TFL, 4scks
Combine: 4.67 40, 21reps, 33.5in vert jump
Strengths: Known for intensity, instinctive. Diagnoses zone blocks quickly. Works to keep outside shoulder uncovered against the run. Wrap-up tackler. First strike specialist at the point of attack. Leads hands first. Good run-pass recognition. Squeezes WRs from the zone.
Weaknesses: Gets jostled around by tackles if he loses with his hands. Poor contact balance. Average three-step burst up-field. Missing footwork to activate spin counter.
Comp: Frank Zombo
Grade: 5.28 (developmental/ Special Team potential)
RB D'Onta Foreman - Texas (6'0, 233lbs)
2016: All-American, Doak Walker Award, 303att/ 2,028 total yds, 15TDs
Combine: 18reps
Strengths: Smooth lateral movement. Finesses run lanes with subtle shifts & turns. Swivels hips to swerve away from the second level. Jars LBs and safeties at impact with size alone. Rarely takes a loss do to bouncing outside.
Weaknesses: Goes with finesse over power. Inconsistent acceleration into contact. A one pace runner. Looks to break back inside prematurely. Burst is average through the line. Ball security issues. Poor mechanics in pass protection.
Comp: Jonathan Stewart
Grade: 5.76 (Could become an early starter)
LB Paul Maglorie Jr - Arizona (6'1", 227lbs)
Strengths: Instinctive around the box. Good feel for developing run lanes. Experience at safety, ILB, OLB. Motor always running. Head swivel looking for coverage responsibilities.
Weaknesses: Stiff through hips. Poor reactive quickness. Inconsistent at playing off blocks. Lacks burst and recovery talent to take downhill chances into gaps.
Grade: 4.90
QB Joshua Dobbs - Tennessee (6'3", 216lbs)
2016: 2,946 pass yds, 27TDs/12ints, 831 rush yds. 12TDs
Combine: 4.64 40, 33in vert jump
Strengths: Ball handling and release quickness to get the ball out early. Tight spiral. Eye-catching deep ball accuracy. Good mental toughness. Explosive ability as a runner.
Weaknesses: Below average delivery balance. Footwork is uneven. Throwing motion causes him to push some throws. Decision making not where it needs to be.
Grade: 5.23 (developmental/ special teams potential)
DT Isaac Rochell - Notre Dame (6'4", 280lbs)
2016: 56tckls/7TFL, 1sck
Combine: 4.89 40, 25reps, 31.5in vert jump
Strengths: Dependable & durable. Some bull-rush capability. Good arm extension after contact. Good bend and aggressiveness coming off of the ball. Not easily out leveraged against run blockers. A tackle finisher.
Weaknesses: One-speed pass rusher. Effort rusher with dull, predictable approach at times. Fails to activate skilled counter rushes. Fails to see blockers in front of him. Low number of early wins at the point of attack.
Comp: Lawrence Guy
Grade: 5.98 (could become an early starter)
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