Year two of the SCOT McCLOUGHAN player acquisition process doesn’t have the Draft volume right now that SCOT prefers for his team. But he still has 3 weeks to wheel and deal to accumulate a double digit Draft class. Stay tuned. For now he has 8 Picks to work with and some of the team needs may surprise you a bit, post VFA. RB maybe high on their list with the departure of ALFRED MORRIS as a VFA. The secondary should also get an infusion of young talent at both CB & S. And they appear to be starting over at the NT spot. Overall look for McCLOUGHAN to supplement his roster at multiple spots for depth and developmental types.
Round 1, Pick 21 DERRICK HENRY/RB/ALABAMA 6’3/247
Don’t be shocked if this happens. Even though MATT JONES was a pleasant surprise as a Rookie he has a history of being banged up, going back to college. HENRY is the kind of big guy who the Hogs would have loved to block for back in the GIBBS era. This team still needs/wants a strong running attack to set up their passing game and control the clock. HENRY can be that guy IMO. He reminds me of a cross between EDDIE GEORGE & BRANDON JACOBS. Look for the team to also draft a couple of young OL to bolster their blocking and support the running attack. This Pick could be moving if PAXTON LYNCH lasts this long and a QB needy team wants to move up. PP#25
Round 2, Pick 53 VONN BELL/S/OHIO STATE 5’11/199
The team needs more talent at S and BELL is a very good cover option. He will need a little push from his coaches to be more willing in run support and open field tackling but talent is not the issue. The team added DAVID BRUTON/S in Free Agency, but so far in his pro career he’s been a Special Teams guy more than a starting S. BELL should be a significant upgrade for the S group and could earn a starting job right away. PP#53
Round 3, Pick 84 LeRAVEN CLARK/OT/TEXAS TECH 6’5/316
CLARK will need some time to adjust to the NFL game after blocking in the Tech run-and-gun style college offense. But there is no denying his overall athleticism and talent. He is fundamentally sound and has the athleticism and size to be an eventual Pro Bowler. His addition could keep the team from having to shuffle SCERFF between OG and OT in injury situations immediately. He could also push MORGAN MOSES for a starting job very soon. PP#84
Round 4, Pick 120 B.J. GOODSON/ILB/CLEMSON 6’1/242
GOODSON seemed buried a bit in the Clemson mother lode of talent until his senior season. Then he jumped up to lead the team in tackles, and really got everyone’s attention when he ran a 4.69/40 at the Combine. The REDSKINS are adequate at the ILB spots, but he could take them up a notch. Look for him to shine on Special Teams immediately, and perhaps push for a regular job in the second half of the 2016 season, when injuries start to mount. PP#125
Round 5, Pick 158 D.J. READER/DT/CLEMSON 6’3/327
Yes it’s a coincidence that two consecutive Clemson guys are on this list. But then again, you don’t win a national championship with mediocre talent. And with Pot Roast taking his act to New England, READER fills the bill as a space eating, hard to move wide body on the Nose. I expect him to step right in and at the very least share the starting NT job with some vet. Long term, he could be their top NT for the foreseeable future. I see this guy as being great value at the Pick. PP#162
Round 6, PIck 187 GLENN GRONKOWSKI/FB/KANSAS STATE 6’2/239
He’s not the bulldozing blocker that DARRELL YOUNG has been in old DC, but he can move defenders out to clear some running lanes. He will also be a better receiver than YOUNG and can run with the ball if needed. He will also star on Special Teams. I call him Mini-Me-Gronk and he finally provides the team with enough athleticism and toughness to move on from an aging YOUNG. PP#185
Round 7, Pick 232 RASHAWN SCOTT/WR/MIAMI 6’1/199
In today’s NFL there is always room for one more quality receiver on your roster. SCOTT emerged in his senior season to earn a draftable grade. I watched him closely at the Shrine venue and this guy brings some nice tools to the game. He plays under control and should only get better with time. He will have to develop his skills on Special Teams initially to earn a slot in a pretty talented WR group. But IMO he is a natural athlete and competes well. PP#239
Round 7, Pick 242 STEPHANE NEMBOT/OT/COLORADO 6’7/322
This incredibly long, athletic guy is very new to the game of football, but more than a few respected personnel people (MAYOCK for one) think he has exciting long range potential. His 34 5/8″ long arms look tantalizing to OL coaches, but he needs tons of work on blocking technique and foot movement. He’s a major project with very high upside, and that’s exactly what you are looking for in Round 7. He’s unlikely to ever be skilled enough to play LT as a pro, but by 2017 or 2018 I could see CLARK at LT & NEMBOT at RT as starters for this team.
McCloughan is a master at filling multiple needs with his Drafts, without reaching for players to actually fill perceived immediate needs. I think the group above would be reflective of that. But him being a film room hermit, ala TED THOMPSON, I can’t tell you I really have a feel for who he has been smitten by on their game tape.
PIGSKIN
