The UTH Rookie Draft continues on after a lively Round 1 installment. The second round was even more competitive for talent. Now, the ‘no rules’ section got moving into Round 3. In addition to the picks, we traded commentary and a few snarky comments along the way. Here are the results:
Rookie Draft: Round 3
3.01 David Cobb
Jordan Spires: Didn’t blow anyone away with a 4.58 40 at his late pro day but it’s passable and nobody was expecting him to be a burner anyways. He has a pretty good college dominator rating in the 76th percentile and he is definitely thick (85th percentile BMI) and can handle a lot of touches at the NFL level. I personally think he’s better than Mike Davis who was selected quite a few spots ahead of this pick.
Katie: I did have Cobb ranked neck in neck with Davis, was a tough choice between the two.
Tim: Oh man. Sniped at the 3.01 and I felt that I was about to get a third steal.
3.02 Chris Conley
Tim Torch: I thought for sure with this group I was going to lose him sooner. Doug’s point earlier this week on the podcast was 100% correct about him being just like Martavius Bryant. His +95% athleticism score is the best of this class and Georgia did not do him any favors in their run focused scheme. You can call my team the all upside group and I love them all.
Chad: I thought about Conley over Coates based on that same reasoning
3.03 Stefon Diggs
Tyler Huggins: I’m all about this kid in the 3rd. I love that early breakout age, those huge mitts, and the way he moves when he gets the rock. He’s likely a taxi stash initially, but definitely worth the gamble right here.
Chad: Nice pick, Tyler
The dialogue went a little off the rails with some UTH love….
3.04 Jeremy Langford
Doug Veatch: This was an easy selection for me as I am currently leading the charge as one of Langford’s biggest supporters. I see an underrated RB who can do it all and who also may hear his name called within the top 100 due to an outstanding combine performance. I’ll take Langford every time in this range without hesitation.
Chad: Langford was as surprising as Phillip Dorsett for Team Doug
3.05 Zach Zenner
Patrick Kerrane: I’ll take another leap of faith on a player who needs to land in the right situation. In this case, Zenner needs a coaching staff that sees his potential as a runner, not just as blocking back. It shouldn’t be too hard, this is a guy who absolutely dominated his FCS competition–2014 was his 3rd straight 2000 yard rushing season–and he killed the combine. As a big, productive back Zenner provides the high upside I like in the later rounds. But it’s possible I just selected an un-drafted fullback.
Katie: Moose Johnston 2.0! Love me some ZZ!!
3.06 Tyler Lockett
Justin Huestis: No Comment
Katie: *sniff I’m not crying, I’ve got something in my eye…Nice pick
Chad: Will pick in a few minutes when I get home… Unless Katie wanted to tell me who she wants now….
3.07 Malcolm Brown
Chad Parsons: Lost since a very impressive 18-year-old season at Texas. Athletic, prototypical size, good wiggle for his size. May be a Day 3 guy…or UDFA. Don’t really care as I am confident that he can hang talent-wise at the NFL level as a primary backup (or better) for a solid dynasty profit.
Tim: Hard to be sniped from 4 picks away, but it happened. If Malcolm Brown fell to 3.10 I would have taken him and I was thinking about taking him at 3.02. If this was a normal draft I would have looked to acquire a pick in this round to get Brown. Great pick Chad.
Katie: He wouldn’t have made it past 3.08….Sigh
3.08 Titus Davis
Katie Flower: I had 3 RB and 3 WR in consideration for this draft spot, and yes Chad sniped my best RB target. Therefore, I will go with my best WR and who I think is BPA at this point. At the combine he kept getting overthrown by the QB and had to run the drill again. The nice thing was, he didn’t get all upset about it, he stayed cool and calm and went about his business, I like that attitude/demeanor in a player. He’s not overly athletic and he could use about 15-20 pounds added to his slender frame, but when it came to production, he had it.
3.09 Terrell Watson
Jordan Spires: Mr. Small School as I recall Chad calling him. Figured with my last pick I would make a splash. 99th percentile college dominator rating, 85th percentile breakout age, 79th percentile athleticism score, 84th percentile BMI, best comparable prospect: Steven Jackson. I will take that all day this late and hope he can land in a good situation. One of my favorite late targets.
Chad: What site stats are you quoting there, Jordan?
Jordan: playerprofiler.com again. It’s the closest thing I have to get to see your model Chad 🙂
Chad: Not very close IMO, but as you mentioned the closest thing out there I guess.
3.10 Karlos Williams
Tim Torch: One of my favorite UTH episodes was the one with Matt Williamson. In that episode he mentioned trends and how the draft is a perfect time to see a team’s cards. If a team drafts a couple of mauling lineman and then scoops of Karlis Williams late in the draft I can easily read what they are doing. Also, he has one of the best athleticism scores of the remaining RBs on the board (+24%).
3.11 Clive Walford
Tyler Huggins: I’ll take the easy route here. While there are still several high upside plays left, I love this value on the TE2 in this class. Walford has a mean streak that shows both as a blocker and when he turns upfield after the catch. While lacking great athleticism, Walford is adept at making the contested catch and is a pretty slick route runner as well. At a position that is historically difficult to find true difference makers, I’m digging a guy with the potential to be a fantasy starter this deep in the draft.
Tim: I agree.. I see Coates going earlier in round 2 and Williams is a borderline 1st rounder.
3.12 DeAndre Smelter
Doug Veatch: Has anyone taken him? If not I take the plunge on an athletic guy who’s physical style of play gets me pretty excited. Could be the next Georgia Tech gem.
Finally, the crew discusses a UTH Google Hangout Live for the NFL Draft….
Tim: We should do a google hangout for the draft. I can’t wait.
Katie: That would be a blast, real time reactions to the draft would be gold
Chad: Friday should be a national holiday with everyone staying up late on Thursday
Tim: Not to mention the Avengers movie that is coming out. That is a sneak peek at how much of a nerd I am.
Chad: There is a LOT of time to fill between picks in RD1, so hopefully folks can vamp like a pro – one of you have a decent Mel Kiper impression?
Chad: My Kiper impression is just saying ‘Todd Todd Todd’ before everything as annoying as possible
Jordan: I doubt my voice sounds like Kiper but I’m sure I could ramble on about some guy like him
Katie: I was a DJ back in college so I know I’ve got a decent radio voice. I’ve also done a little play by play and announcing at baseball and hockey games. I think between all of us we could keep the banter alive and interesting in between picks, even if we get off tangent a little.
Patrick: Todd! Todd! Todd! Todd! Maybe I’ll work on a Boomer impression, which will mostly just be him going off on a long tangent while everyone patiently waits.
Chad: I want Katie on just to announce picks like a hockey game!
Katie: Like the soccer announcer? Traaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaade
Justin: Ha – Katie, I work for a DJ company now. looks like us UTHers know how to party
Chad: Justin with the beats on lock, Katie interrupting each time there is a walk to the podium. The script is coming together quickly
Jordan: Todd Todd Todd Todd Todd. Don’t forget when you got the kind of upside that a DJ brings to your club you have the flexibility to be able to reach a little bit for the beer drinker type that can really round out a draft class.
