Lach Draft 25!

Another year has passed, and that means it’s almost Draft day! So here’s what I would do if I was an NFL G.M. As always, at the end, I’ll have some sleepers for you to impress your friends or others standing around you at Lambeau.

Pick 1 Tennessee Titans Select Cam Ward QB Miami

A few months ago, it seemed this pick might go down to the wire, but now it seems Tennessee will pick Ward. Ward is electric with the ball in his hands. He has a big arm and can move inside and outside the pocket. However, Ward is loose with the ball and makes poor decisions, especially under pressure.  Tennessees’ poor o-line won’t help.

Pick 2 Cleveland Browns Select Travis Hunter CB/WR Colorado.

Hunter is a unicorn, much like Kordell Stewart or Charles Woodson before him he’ll probably play multiple positions in the NFL. His best position is probably corner, it’s where his elite ball skills shine. He’s physical on both sides of the ball. Don’t be shocked if he wracks up a season with multiple receiving touchdowns and interceptions.

Pick 3 New York Giants select Abdul Carter EDGE Penn St.

Carter has elite burst and swipe/rip move, allowing him to win constantly in pass rush situations. Good motor combined with speed allows him to chase plays down from the backside.  A shoulder injury must be monitored. He also had some off the field/character issues at Penn St.

Pick 4 Trade New England trades pick 4 to the New Orleans Saints The Saints select Shedeur Sanders QB Colorado.

With Derek Carr likely to miss time, the Saints trade up for Sanders. Sanders is an accurate deep ball thrower with the ability to step up in the pocket and take a hit. Can throw from multiple arm angles. Footwork needs an overhaul. Takes way to many sacks, either because he’s holding the ball for a big play or he’s unwilling to risk throwing an interception. Will his loud personality fit in an NFL locker room?

Pick 5 Jacksonville Jaguars select Mason Graham DT Michigan.

A reliable player, Graham is always making plays in the run or pass game. Excellent size, can play multiple spots on the defensive line. Maintains gap integrity well.  Short arms and lack of an explosive first step will limit his effectiveness as a pass rusher in the pro game. 

Pick 6 Las Vegas Raiders Select Ashton Jeanty RB Boise State.

Jeanty was fantastic at Boise St. Good burst as soon as he touches the ball, able to hit a big play but also willing to lower his shoulder for extra yardage.  Sets up blocks well and has a good stiff arm. Struggles in pass protection may limit his playing time on 3rd downs early in his career.

Pick 7 New York Jets Select Will Campbell OT LSU

Campbell is a large athletic mover, feet and hands are fluid, allowing him to mirror pass rushers. Shorter arms may lead to some struggles against longer defenders.  Campbell can struggle to stay on blocks in the run game.

Pick 8 Carolina Panthers select Jalon Walker EDGE Georgia. 

Walker is an explosive athlete who can move from sideline to sideline with ease.  Good open field tackler with a high motor. Struggles combining pass rush moves. He doesn’t have a plan when he rushes.

Pick 9 New England Patriots select  Armand Membou OT Missouri

Membou plays with  pad level on almost every snap. A good anchor against bull rush moves and quick feet against speed moves, making him a very solid pass protector. His body type screams guard. Can be clumsy at time in the run game, leading to missed assignments and whiffs.

Pick 10 Chicago Bears select Tyler Warren TE Penn St.

Warren will give the Bears a Swiss army knife on offense.  Good feel for reading and finding space versus zone.  Good ball skills on deeper throws and can break tackles in the open field.  Athleticism is just ok, and concentration wanes at times, leading to brutal drops.

Pick 11 San Francisco 49ers Derrick Harmon DT Oregon.

Harmon can disrupt any offense with his bull rush and maintains his gap in the run game. Generates a large amount of pressures however, he struggles to convert them into sacks. Misses tackles at times. Harmon shedded weight in order to be more explosive in college, but may have to re-add weight in order to stay on the field in the NFL.

Pick 12 Dallas Cowboys select Matthew Golden WR Texas

Golden has the ability to be a plug and play receiver on day one. He always seems to make his biggest play when it matters most. Good speed and ability to make people miss in the open field.  He can also return kicks. He struggles with his routes, failing to come back to the football.  Will need to be stronger at the top of his route at the next level.

Pick 13 Miami Dolphins select Will Johnson CB Michigan

Johnson is maybe the best man-to-man cover corner in the draft. He presses with strong hands and good footwork.  Johnson is large, smooth, and plays with good recognition. Injury caused him to miss a majority of last year. Struggles to tackle, especially in the open field, leading to huge plays.

Pick 14 Indianapolis Colts select Colston Loveland TE Michigan.

Loveland is the perfect embodiment of a catch-first tight end.  He runs a great seam route, stressing defenses at every level. Loveland has good leaping ability and catches the ball at its highest point. He’s a below average blocker and will get run over by power moves.

Pick 15 Atlanta Falcons select Shemar Stewart EDGE Texas A&M

If anything, Stewart will be the guy you want first off the bus. He’s yoked up. Great burst off the snap, Stewart has the power and speed to keep offensive lineman guessing.  A shocking lack of production at A&M just 4.5 sacks in his 3 years. Stewart needs to use his hands better in the pro game to consistently get after the Q.B.

Pick 16 Atlanta Falcons select Mike Green EDGE Marshall

Green at 17 sacks last year at Marshall. He’s an instictive pass rusher with multiple effective moves. Seems to run out of gas quickly. Multiple allegations of sexual assault. Would be off my board due to character issues.

Pick 17 Cincinnati Bengals select  Jahdae Barron CB Texas

Barron can play both inside and outside corner. Good, if not great, tackler. He plays zone coverage well and looks natural doing it. Older prospect will be 24 by the time the regular season ends. His stiff hips may get him beat deep while playing man coverage

Pick 18 Seattle Seahawks select Tetairoa McMillan WR Arizona.

McMillan has some really interesting tools. McMillan excels at 50/50 situations. He uses his length and body control to his advantage.  He constantly finds open spaces versus zone coverage or in scramble situations.  He runs with a super high pad level, leaving him exposed to huge hits. He has plays where he gets manhandled by smaller corners in press coverage, which is frustrating given his size.

Pick 19 Tampa Bay Buccaneers select Jihaad Campbell LB

Campbell is an athlete disguised as a linebacker.  He’s an explosive freak of nature who can run sideline to sideline.  One of the drafts most solid tacklers. Campbell will need to be coached up if he wants to reach his massive potential. There are too many misreads and missed assignments for a starting caliber linebacker.

Pick 20 Denver Broncos select Omarion Hampton RB UNC

The most running back needy team gets one here. Hampton has a solid burst through the hole, and coupled with a sturdy frame, it makes him difficult to tackle. Hampton has a good feel for the pass game and has solid hands. His long speed seems to be missing a gear, so don’t expect a ton of long touchdown runs. Hampton can be almost too patient in picking a hole. A lot of usage in college could mean his career could be a shorter one.

Pick 21 Pittsburgh Steelers select Jaxson Dart QB Ole Miss

Even if the Steelers eventually sign Aaron Rodgers, they’ll still need a QB in a year or two. Dart has some impressive throws, especially when touch is needed.  Dart is a solid runner with good size. His constant patting of the ball before he throws is, at best annoying, at worst going to get him in trouble with his late throws. Can be indecisive with his reads.

Pick 22 Los Angeles Chargers select Kenneth Grant DT Michigan

Grant did a great job splitting double teams in college.  His large frame and violent hands will cause issues of offensive lineman trying to block him. Grant really needs to figure out his conditioning if he ever wants to reach his potential.

Pick 23 Green Bay Packers select Shavon Revel Jr CB East Carolina.

Stop me if you heard this before, but the Packers pick here would be an elite athlete with size and speed who needs refinement.  Makes sense then as Brian Gutekunst loves these types of players. Standing at 6-2 Revel Jr. has the height and speed that is hard to find. Solid production, including on special teams (2 blocked kicks) he can also play both inside and outside corner.  Revel Jr. needs to play with better awareness in zone coverage. A torn ACL in 2024 must be monitored.

Pick 24 Minnesota Vikings select Malaki Starks S Georgia

Starks was a starter as a freshman on an elite Georgia defense.  Starks has great speed and is instictive. He is always around the ball. Can get fooled against play action. Lack of size could foretell durability concerns in the future.

Pick 25 Houston Texans select Kelvin Banks Jr. OT Texas

Banks has good flexibility and solid technique. Finishes through the whistle. A tackle in college may end up moving over to guard in the NFL.

Pick 26 Los Angeles Rams select Trey Amos CB Ole Miss.

Amos has super ball skills, plays corner like a receiver. His fluid hips and ability to flip his hips makes him a very solid man to man corner. He can’t tackle full stop.

Pick 27 Baltimore Ravens select Donovan Ezeiruaku EDGE Boston College

Ezeiruaku has great length for the position. 34 inch arms keeps blockers at bay. He’s got violent hands with multiple pass rush moves. Motor needs improvement

Pick 28 Detroit Lions select Mykel Williams EDGE Georgia

Williams has size, speed, and length. He uses it with great effectiveness. 30% of his tackles was a tackle for loss. Williams needs to improve his strength, as he can get beat by guys with strong hands. May need to play a reserve roll his first year to get a better pass rush plan.

Pick 29 Washington Commanders select James Pearce Jr. EDGE Tennessee

Pearce Jr. is a natural pass rusher. Pearce Jr. can win outside due to his quick first step off the line. His bull rush is surprisingly effective given his lack of girth. A pass rusher only Pearce Jr. will find himself off the field on rush situations in the NFL.

Pick 30 TRADE Buffalo Bills trade pick 30 to the New York Giants. New York Giants select Jalen Milroe QB Alabama.

Quite frankly, the writing is on the wall for the Giants front office and coaching staff. So, why not try to hit it big and maybe save your job?  Milroe has an elite trait, and that’s his running ability.  With 20 rushing touchdowns in 2024, Milroe runs like a deer and looks like a linebacker. Milroe has NFL arm strength, but his decision-making is awful, combined with an inability to anticipate throws and poor footwork. Milroe could be moved to a different position if Quarterbacking isn’t in the cards.

Pick 31 Kansas City Chiefs select Josh Simmons OT Ohio State

Simmons has the athleticism to handle speed rushers off the edge.  Simmons can play either left or right tackle.  Knee injury in October is worth monitoring. Should be more powerful in the run game given his size.

Pick 32 Trade Philadelphia Eagles trade pick 32 to the Jacksonville Jaguars.  Jacksonville Jaguars select Emeka Egbuka WR Ohio State.

Trevor Lawrence will be excited with the weapons he will have this year. Egbuka has a great feel for open spots in the defense. A former outfielder he tracks deep balls well and makes late adjustments to create space. Egbuka can struggle against more physical corners. Would like to see him gain more separation on intermediate routes.

SLEEPERS

Dont’e Thornton Jr. WR Tennessee: 4th-6th round selection.

Thornton Jr. elite trait is his deep speed, had 20 plus catches for over 600 yards last year as a Vol. Much like Marquez Valdez-Scantling before him Thornton Jr. will most likely be asked to take the top of defenses early in his career while he develops.

Isas Waxter CB/S Villanova 6th-7th round selection.

I really like Waxter. Good pre-draft process may have enhanced his stock. Waxter is large for a defensive back and may suggest a move to safety. If anything, with his body type, he could be a core special-teamer .

Oronde Gadsden II TE Syracuse 4th-5th round.

Son of former Dolphins wide out Oronde Gadsden, Gadsden II  started as a wide out, and it shows. He has good long speed to stretch the field vertically and looks good in the open field. Gadsden II will get beat blocking, but he competes.

The Lach Draft! 2024 NFL Mock Draft

By Mike Lachenschmidt

Welcome to the 2024 Lach Draft. Thank you for reading over the years. It’s an exciting year and I’m adding something that has been much requested. Trades! Yep you’ll see a few mock trades in this mock draft. At the end you’ll see my sleepers of the year, and some guys with red flags that I might avoid. So let’s get started.

1st pick Chicago Bears select Caleb Williams QB USC…. It’s been 40 years of awful, horrendous, and downright ugly QB play in the windy city. Williams will be their newest hope. Williams can make any throw. He throws almost just as well on the run as he does in the pocket. Can make throws other QB’s wouldn’t even try. He is a solid runner. His arm can get him into trouble, makes some bad decisions trying to fit balls into impossible windows. The biggest concern is his maturity. His temper tantrums during Trojan losses last year became legendary. If he isn’t able to capture the locker room and get the other 52 guys to play for him it could be another short stint in Chicago for a young QB.

2nd Pick Washington Commanders select Jayden Daniels QB LSU… Daniels is a thrilling runner, who has become so much better as a passer. He’s much quicker with his reads, and accuracy has improved. His slender frame along with him wanting to run makes him a major injury concern. Has good but not great arm strength, which can cause him problems when throwing to the sidelines.

3rd Pick New England Patriots select Drake Maye QB North Carolina…… Eliot Wolf is calling the shots for New England after the departure of Bill Belichick. Wolf, the son of former Packers G.M. and hall-of-famer Ron Wolf, will certainly have experience of evaluating  Quarterbacks.  Maye has fantastic arm strength and can layer passes into a tight window.  Can throw from any arm angle. Maye comes from an athletic family, his brother played basketball at UNC. Maye had issues with his decision making and reads last year. Often would try to do too much leading to picks. When he misses it tends to be high which also leads to more interceptions.

4th Pick Arizona Cardinals select Marvin Harrison Jr. WR Ohio St….. Want to feel old? Marvin Harrison Jr the son of hall-of-famer Marvin Sr. could be the most complete prospect this year. Good hands, and a plus route runner, he explodes once in the open field. 28 touchdowns in the last two seasons.  Harrison Jr. has great size for the position.  Long speed is solid but not elite. Expectations might be too high for what he can reasonably contribute. 

5th Pick L.A. Chargers select Joe Alt OT Notre Dame….. Jim Harbaugh is back with the Chargers, this time as Head Coach. He’d be ecstatic with Alt here. Alt is huge, standing 6’8 he engulfs opponents.  Good technique, though his pad level can get high. Shows good hands as a puncher in pass pro. A little lean due to his height. Can get pushed around with a good bull rush. Needs to sit back and anchor better in the pros.

6th Pick New York Giants select Malik Nabers WR LSU… Nabers has soft hands and a ability to make people miss in the open field. Understands how to attack and get open against zone coverage.  Nabers does struggle in contested catch situations. Maturity has also been questioned which could see him slip.

7th Pick…TRADE TENNESSEE TRADES PICK 7 TO MINNESOTA  Minnesota Vikings select J.J McCarthy QB Michigan…..The trade makes sense since the Titans need to surround Will Levis with talent, and the Vikings now find themselves in QB purgatory.  McCarthy is a QB coaches dream. Great mechanics with the ability to throw the ball on-time and accurately.  McCarthy is also a surprisingly decent runner.  He does have a smaller frame and not as strong of an arm as elite Quarterbacks. Only threw more than 25 passes  in games a handful of times at Michigan, so there is some unknown with him. Minnesota better get this one right or they’ll be right back here in 3 years.

8th Pick Atlanta Falcons select Dallas Turner OLB Alabama……. Turner has incredible length. He’s explosive off the ball and is comfortable dropping into coverage and playing in space. 14 TFL’s last year. Needs to play with better pad level and can  get lost in the run game because of it.

9th pick Chicago Bears select Olumuyiwa Fashanu OT Penn State…… Bears got their QB, now they get their Left Tackle. Fashanu has intriguing blend of footwork and strength.  Smart, often not fooled on stunts. Fashanu is a bit raw. Technique often comes and goes, he’ll need to be more consistent with that if he wants to reach his potential in the NFL.

10th Pick New York Jets select Brock Bowers Tight End Georgia….. Bowers is a tough match-up for any defensive unit. He can line up anywhere on the field.  Can break tackles from smaller defenders and run past linebackers and safeties. Somewhat undersized for the position. A ok but not a great blocker may force him off the field in certain situations. 

11th Pick Tennessee from Minnesota Tennessee Titans select Rome Odunze WR Washington…. Tennessee trades down and still gets one of the best recivers in the draft. Odunze has good size for the position and easily wins 50-50 balls. Has strong hands and is tough to bring down. Top speed is just average and he often shifts down from top gear in order to get a 50-50 opportunity.  He isn’t a good run blocker or even a willing one.

12th pick Denver Broncos select Jared Verse EDGE Florida St….. Verse can be a game wrecker. 32 sacks, 50 TFL’s. Solid against the run and shows good technique.  May struggle in coverage in a 3-4 scheme, a 4-3 suits his skills better. 

13th pick Las Vegas Raiders select JC Latham OT Alabama…. Latham is a force in both pass pro and run blocking.  Routinely sends defenders to the ground. Good solid pop from his hands. Struggles on reach blocks. Can get off balance may struggle against speed rushers in the NFL.

14th pick New Orleans Saints select Taliese Fuaga Oregon St… Fuaga shows elite agility and quickness for his size. Can get to the second level in the run game. Can handle both speed and power rushers. Tends to overset in pass protection allowing a straight line for opponents to his Quarterback. Needs to lock into his technique at the next level.

15th pick Indianapolis Colts select Quinyon Mitchell CB Toledo…. Mitchell is this drafts most aggressive corner. A good tackler, Mitchell flies to the football.  Great speed, Mitchell rarely gets beat deep. Can get lost on crossing routes at times. Competition will increase. Only had one year of multiple interceptions in college.

16th pick Seattle Seahawks select Amarius Mims OT Georgia….Mims,  standing 6’7 340 is a road grader. Athletic, despite his size, he explodes out of his stance. Good on reach blocks. Struggles against stunts and counter moves.

17th pick Jacksonville Jaguars select Kool-Aid McKinstry CB Alabama….. McKinstry has the length and physicality needed as a corner in today’s NFL. Understands route concepts, he’s always around the ball. McKinstry speed is good, not great. Way to handsy in coverage, may get flagged a lot early in his career.

18th pick Cincinnati Bengals select Brian Thomas Jr. WR LSU….. A LSU wide receiver going to Cincinnati, you don’t say! Thomas Jr. is a big physical receiver who compares to Tee Higgins.  Great ability to track deep passes. Solid blocker in the run game. Struggles getting in and out of breaks. He was really only asked to run screens and go routes in college. Teams may need to be patient as he adds to his route tree.

19th pick L.A. Rams select Byron Murphy  II. DT Texas … The Rams lost a great one in Aaron Donald, they try to fill that void here. Murphy II. has an explosive first step and he combines it with great pad level. Hustles to the ball, motor is not an issue. A smaller defensive tackle like Donald, he may struggle early in career against NFL size. 

20th pick Pittsburgh Steelers Troy Fautanu OT Washington…. Fautanu has prototypical size and strength for the position.  Good balance and the ability to get to the 2nd level. Could also play Guard.  He’s got great size just wish he use it better.  Longer defenders have gotten the best of him in the past.

21st pick Miami Dolphins select Jackson Powers-Johnson Center Oregon…. Powers-Johnson could also play guard. A fantastic wrestler in high school, Powers-Johnson uses leverage and his absurd length to his advantage.  Very fluid in his movement despite his size. Listed at 320lbs but played heavier than that, teams will ask him to cut weight.   Technique could get sloppy at times.

22nd pick Philadelphia Eagles Terrion Arnold CB Alabama…. Arnold is a twitchy athlete who has light feet.  His great hands allows him to rack up interceptions.  Understands route trees, he rarely gets lost in coverage.  He is way to handsy in coverage and could get called for a lot of flags early.  Is just ok against the run.

23 Tennessee Titans (From Minnesota) trade pick 23 to the Green Bay Packers. 23rd pick Green Bay Packers select Cooper DeJean CB/Safety Iowa…. Tennessee trades down to accumulate picks. Green Bay moves up to select an explosive athlete.  DeJean has the size of a safety with the speed of a corner.  Great ball skills and will help in the return game. He was Iowa’s most explosive offensive weapon despite playing defense. Can play corner or safety.  Leg injury needs to be monitored, missed most of last year as well as the scouting combine with a broken fibula. DeJean can be slow to flip his hips in coverage.  Safety may be his best position because of that.

24 Dallas Cowboys Trade pick 24 to the Las Vegas Raiders. 24th Pick Las Vegas Raiders select Michael Penix Jr. QB Washington…. The Cowboys who lost a good amount of talent in free agency trade back to accumulate picks. Las Vegas gets the QB they definitely need.  Penix Jr. just feels like a Raider Quarterback. He can throw the ball a mile with accuracy.  Smart with the football and won’t take unnecessary risks. Multiple leg injuries at Indiana. Every year at Indiana ended in a season ending injury, however he stayed healthy at Washington. A awful runner he can’t pick up yards with his legs. Looked overwhelmed by blitzes in the National Title game. Elongated throwing motion will frustrate Q.B. coaches.

25 Tennessee Titans (From Green Bay) select Graham Barton OL Duke….. Barton could be this drafts Zach Tom. Bartons best position is probably center but he could be a solid starter anywhere on the offensive line. Excellent strength with his hands, Barton is a grabber not a puncher. Easily floats from block to block with excellent balance.  Plays his best in big games. Lacks length and can get beat against bull rushes.

26th pick Tampa Bay Buccaneers select Laiatu Latu EDGE UCLA…. Latu his violent with his hands. Shows fantastic quickness off the edge. Latu sets a good edge in the run game and is comfortable dropping into coverage.  Neck injury forced a brief retirement. Team doctor’s will need to clear him. Very short arms for the position which is an issue against lengthy Tackles.

27th pick Arizona Cardinals select Chop Robinson EDGE Penn State….Robinson is an explosive pass rusher.  Elite change of direction can cause nightmares for offensive lines. Good motor, can chase plays from behind.  On the ground too often for his skill level. Robinson will need to add a move or two to his pass rush set to get the most out of his career.

28th pick Buffalo Bills select Jer’Zhan Newton DT Illinois….Value pick for the Bills. Newton combines skill with a motor that never stops. Strong and powerful with his hands, he can disengage from even the most powerful offensive lineman. Great awareness, will not be caught out of his gap. Below average length and maxed out frame. Missed multiple tackles against Kansas it was his most disappointing game in a really good year. Foot injury could cause him to drop.

29th pick Detroit Lions select Darius Robinson EDGE/DT Missouri….Robinson is huge, 6-5 293lbs but moves like a guy 40lbs lighter. Can play standing up or with his hand in the dirt. Robinson is an outstanding tackler.  Loses his momentum quickly and his side to side movement is below average.  Tight in hips and ankles, Robinson sometimes has issues exploding around the edge.

30th pick Baltimore Ravens select Tyler Guyton OT Oklahoma….. Freaky athlete,  so long and lean Guyton moves like a tight end. Guyton is a easy-bender, he wins often against smaller quicker defenders. Really good combo blocker. Slides off blocks at times, Guyton needs to play to the end of the whistle he allows defenders back into the play because of it.

31st pick San Francisco 49ers select Kamari Lassiter CB Georgia…. Lassiter shows a high football I.Q. quickly reading and attacking the play. Good hands in press man.  He’s a willing but not always able tackler, he misses too much. Struggles against bigger recievers.

32nd pick Kansas City Chiefs trade to L.A. Rams…With the 32nd pick L.A Rams select Bo Nix QB Oregon… Kansas City moves back to reset its board and acquire more weapons for Mahomes. L.A. gets its QB of the future.  Nix started more than 60 games in college.  A gamer he can earn the respect of any locker room. Footwork has improved. Solid athlete and a good runner.  Arm strength is only average. Ball placement was only ok and will need to be improved in the NFL.

Sleepers

Michael Pratt QB Tulane projected 4th-6th round pick… Pratt was a winner in college, led Tulane to its best season in decades. Great footwork, and quick to read defensive schemes.  Reminds me a bit of a bigger Kurt Cousins coming out of college.  Lack of raw arm talent may scare some teams off.

Malik Washington WR Virginia projected 3rd-5th round….. A smooth yet tough athlete, Washington is explosive in the open field bouncing off tacklers and having the speed to run by guys. Great hands, he rarely drops a pass. Smaller, slot only type player may cause him to fall in the draft.

Dylan Laube RB New Hampshire projected 6th round- undrafted .. A versatile back, Laube is a comfortable receiver. Will provide value on special teams. Good feet, able to change direction without gearing down. Lacks long speed, size and strength. Jump in competition may prove troublesome.

Red Flags

T’Vondre Sweat DT Texas projected 3rd-5th round pick….Sweat had weight and conditioning concerns heading into the Senior Bowl. How did he answer those questions?  By becoming the first player ever in Senior Bowl history to refuse to weigh-in. If that didn’t drop him down on draft boards his D.W.I. three weeks before the draft will. He’s off some teams draft board, he’d be off mine.

Braelon Allen RB Wisconsin projected 3rd-5th round pick…. Allen had nearly 600 carries at Wisconsin all before he turned 21, there is some tread on the tires. Allen has good size but he’s less explosive than his numbers suggests.  Fumbling was a major issue especially in the biggest games. Allen might not make it through his first contract if he can’t figure out his fumbling issues.

Joe Milton QB Tennessee projected 2nd-4th round pick…. Milton has the size, arm strength, and leadership abilities to be a top pick. He just has never played consistently enough to warrant that. A short strider when stepping into his throws, especially when struggling with his mechanics, leading to overthrows. A slow decision maker, he needs to process faster and be able to grip it and rip it. He never figured things out in college what makes us think he will at the next level?

Lach Draft 2023: The return of the mock.

By Michael Lachenschmidt.

It’s back by popular demand.  The Lach Draft returns to its roots, a full first round mock draft. All 31 picks (remember Miami had to  forfeit its selection) in the first round of the 2023 NFL Draft selected by yours truly,  plus sleepers and busts. Let’s get it started and as always no trades.

1 Carolina Panthers select Bryce Young QB Alabama….. Young is extremely accurate with his throws. Above average athleticism for the position allows Young to make plays with both his arm and his legs. Excellent footwork and anticipation.  Young doesn’t have the strongest arm. Lightweight and short, durability is a major concern.  Playing with elite players at every position also complicates the evaluation. 

2. Houston Texans select C.J. Stroud QB Ohio State……Strouds arm is fantastic, he can truly make any throw on the field. He also is extremely accurate, completed almost 70% of his passes. Stroud is well built. A elongated release and a almost unwillingness to run are the main issues.  Plus when’s the last time an Ohio State QB had a good NFL career?

3. Arizona Cardinals select Will Anderson Jr. EDGE Alabama….Anderson Jr. might be the best football player in the draft. A stud athlete,  he compiled 34.5 sacks at Alabama while constantly facing double teams. Great hands and able to turn the corner with his hips, he could be a nightmare for offensive tackles for years to come. Not very bulky, could struggle to set the edge against the run. Wasn’t asked to drop in coverage much in college. 

4. Indianapolis Colts select Anthony Richardson QB Florida….. A polarizing prospect. Richardson is raw but has talent.  Amazing arm strength, and athlete he got away with throwing into tight window’s. Really calm in the pocket, he also trucked defenders when he escaped the pocket.  Richardson has very little touch on his passes which leads to overthrows. His passes especially sail when attacking the middle of the field. Only completing 53% of his passes last year is a major red flag.

5. Seattle Seahawks select Tyree Wilson EDGE Texas Tech…….. Seattle needs help on defense.  Enter a physical freak. Wilson stands at 6-6  and weighs 270 lbs. He improved his explosion off the line, and with his size he has room for error if his first pass rush move fails. Questionable anchor and angles in pursuit are big question marks in Wilson’s game.

6. Detroit Lions select  Devon Witherspoon CB  Illinois…. Witherspoon’s speed is noticeable on tape. Flashes in coverage especially in bump and run. Can run with any receiver he’s also a willing tackler. He can be inconsistent on technique especially his footwork.  Could probably add 10-15 lbs he’s very skinny. 

7. Las Vegas Raiders select Paris Johnson OT Ohio State…. Great length and a mean spirit, Johnson punshes defenders when he gets his hands on.  Gets to the second level quickly in the run game, also has  good recovery skills in pass protection.  Really skinny lower body for his size. Johnson can get caught leaning which leads to getting caught off balance. 

8. Atlanta Falcons select Jalen Carter DT Georgia…. Athletically special for his size, simply a great quick twitch athlete.  Plays with good leverage and technique.  College opponents could not block him one on one. Motor issues, and lack of discipline both on and off the field could derail a promising career before it even starts.

9. Chicago Bears select  Peter Skoronski OT Northwestern…. A technician, Skoronski maybe the safest pick in the draft. Great at pass protection, shows good balance and agility for his size. NFL pedigree, his Grandfather was a offensive lineman for the Green Bay Packers.  Bit of a tweener body, better position in the pros might be guard. Average strength for his position might limit his upside.

10. Philadelphia Eagles select Lukas Van Ness EDGE Iowa…. Van Ness has an excellent build.  Powerful hands and excellent strength allows Van Ness to win with his bull rush. Plays with his hair on fire, effort will not be an issue.  Van Ness can struggle to move laterally often taking choppy like steps. Has balance issues at times ends up on the ground more than he should.

11 Tennessee Titans select Will Levis QB Kentucky…. Tennessee has gone about as far as they can with Ryan Tannehill, and Malik Willis looked like a bust. Levis could be the future in Nashville.  Strength, size, arm talent, and toughness are all off the charts.  Plays the game like a linebacker, often lowering his shoulder on runs. A gunslinger, he can flick the ball 60 yards with minimal wind up. Ball sails at times. Bad decisions by over trusting his arm leads to picks. Will probably have to sit for a year to refine his game.

12. Houston Texans select Jaxon Smith-Njigba WR Ohio State…. Smith-Njigba has high football IQ. A smooth but not explosive athlete, reminds me of Greg Jennings. High effort in the run game as a blocker. Accelerates out of his cuts allowing for maximum separation from his defender.  Struggles against press man. Major medical concern, he struggled with injuries and productivity in 2022.

13. Green Bay Packers select Dalton Kincaid TE Utah… Jordan Love gets a new weapon here. Kincaid bring elite quickness to the position.  Runs behinds his pads often carrying two or three defenders along for a ride. Wide catch radius and good hands allows him to bring down errant passes.  Raw, playing only one year of high school football.  Not a great blocker but willing, and his routes needs more subtlety to truly max out his potential.

14. New England Patriots select Broderick Jones OT Georgia…. A run on o-lineman begins here, which makes sense as this draft class isn’t particularly great at that position. Jones is a good athlete.  Soild footwork in pass protection.  Plays through the whistle and is always looking for someone to hit. His aggressiveness can hurt him, often caught leaning in the run game which allows the defender to shed. Too many missed assignments in picking up blitzing defenders.

15. New York Jets select Darnell Wright OT Tennessee…. The Jets traded for Aaron Rodgers, now they’ll need to beef up their o-line. Wright would do just that. He’s probably the best pass protector in the draft.  Powerfully bulit he simply mauls people.  Versatile, played both Tackle and Guard in college.  His heavy build can create awkward movements.  Can struggle against speed but I’m not concerned about it, his tape was just so good.

16. Washington Commanders select Joey Porter Jr. CB Penn State…. NFL pedigree, dad Joey was a stud linebacker.  Joey Jr. unsurprisingly has freakish size for a corner.  35 inch arms allows him to be a great press corner. Really good ball skills as well. Lacks fluidity as an athlete.  Sometimes gets caught flat footed. Hooks his recivers too often, could be a penalty waiting to happen in the pro game.

17. Pittsburgh Steelers select Nolan Smith OLB Georgia…. A refined pass rusher, Smith uses a quick first step and a bevy of pass rush moves to give offensive lineman fits. Solid balance, and tough Smith can also play special teams. Short, and a little small. Smith will not beat anyone with his bull rush. Can struggle to set the edge against the run.

18. Detroit Lions select Bijan Robinson RB Texas. …. Incredible value pick. Robinson might be the best back to come out of college since Saquan Barkley.  Robinson’s size and speed are truly elite.  Powerful runner that lowers his shoulders and finishes runs, is also a solid receiver.  Vision is a concern, looks for cutbacks and often loses yards he shouldn’t. Pass blocking needs work.

19. Tampa Bay Buccaneers select Christian Gonzalez CB Oregon….. A explosive athlete, Gonzalez glides across the field with ease.  Good length and size allows him to jam receivers. Honestly Gonzalez plays with too much finesse especially with the ball in the air. Can struggle against more physical recievers, even with his size he struggles on 50/50 balls.

20. Seattle Seahawks select Calijah Kancey DT Pittsburgh…..  Kancey reminds me of John Randal, he’s too small, but he’s so quick and is always around the football.  Plays with unbelievable leverage and can contort his body to get around blocks. He’s small at 5’11 280 lbs. Kancey can get moved off the line, especially against double teams.

21. Los Angeles Chargers select Michael Mayer TE Notre Dame….. Mayer has good play strength, handles his blocking assignments well, and is a strong runner after the catch. Can be moved out to the slot and impact the offense that way. Not very long, which impacts his catch radius, especially while running down the seam. Blocking technique needs a lot of work.

22. Baltimore Raven select Jordan Addison WR USC….. Addison could be a nightmare for defenses to cover, a solid route runner, snaps off his cuts with precision.  Good speed and solid hands with added value of being able to play both outside and in the slot. Like most recievers in this class Addison is small at only 175 lbs. Durability, and being able to get off press man coverage are the man concerns going forward. 

23. Minnesota Vikings select O’Cyrus Torrence Guard Florida…. Minnesota was physically whipped in some of their losses, especially on the line. Enter 350lbs of mean aggressiveness. Torrence is a mountain of a man. Huge, heavy hands, he packs a punch in the run game.  Steel hands he locks on and never lets go. Slow feet means there’s no  chance to ever hope to play tackle in the league. He’s a guard only prospect. 

24. Jacksonville Jaguars select Myles Murphy EDGE Clemson…. Murphy does a lot well. Gets out of his stance and has burst to get to the Q.B. Plays with effort, and sets a solid edge in the run game. Murphy will struggle in coverage and is a little tight in the hips.

25. New York Giants select Jalin Hyatt WR Tennessee… One of my favorite players in the draft. A deep threat, Hyatt shows off his speed by stacking corners on deep routes. Great hands, able to snatch passes that look out of his reach. Generates a lot of yards after the catch due to his athleticism.  Skinny, so durability maybe an issue.  Not a good blocker, needs to be a better route runner. Played in a receivers dream offense in college, so will need to adjust to a more pro style system.

26. Dallas Cowboys select Emmanuel Forbes CB Mississippi State…. Forbes made a name for himself in college with six pick sixes setting an NCAA record.  Great hips can flip them and run. Weird body, super long arms and legs help in coverage.  But he’s so damn skinny, he probably played at about 160 lbs. last year. Really not sure he can handle more physical recievers.

27. Buffalo Bills select Brian Branch Safety Alabama…. Branch is a fantastic tackler, he shows great awareness and is always around the football.  Plays faster than his 40 times suggested. Can also play slot corner in a pinch. Played more “star” position (slot corner) than deep safety so will need time to develop.

28. Cincinnati Bengals select Deonte Banks CB Maryland…..Great frame and long strides allows him to stay with most recievers.  Has really good ball skills, and shows anticipation in reading QB’s. Struggles to follow his recievers on crossing routes. At times it looks like he’s allergic to tackling which is more than frustrating.

29. New Orleans Saints select Zay Flowers WR Boston College…. Flowers is amazing at getting open. Creates space in the passing game by using his speed and herky jerky motions.  Can return punts and kicks. Like most recievers in the draft he’s small. Questionable if he’ll ever be able to play outside or if he’s strictly a slot receiver.  He can’t break tackles, mostly due to his size.

30. Philadelphia Eagles select Quentin Johnston WR TCU…. Unlike Jones before him, Johnston is huge, standing 6’4 and over 200 lbs. he’s a physical specimen. Has good speed for his size, and beating press man coverage will not be an issue.  Has questionable ball skills, often jumping early on 50/50 balls. Needs to improve his route running ability. 

31. Kansas City Chiefs select Keion White Edge Georgia Tech…Effort is really noticeable, has a high motor. Really good size for the position. Can be moved inside on passing downs. Not super athletic, nor is he violent with his hands.

A quick note: Before we get to sleepers, obviously with no trades a guy like Hendon Hooker gets lost in the shuffle. I do think he’ll get drafted in the first round. He might even end up being the best QB in the draft. Look for Minnesota or Atlanta to trade back up in the first round to get him.

5 Sleepers: Here are some guys that could surprise people with solid pro careers.

Tyjae Spears Tulane RB: A small back with elite speed. He’s so dangerous in the open field. Catches the ball out of the backfield well. Needs to run more downhill and not try to bounce everything outside. Grade: 4th round.

Cedric Tillman WR Tennessee: While most of the wide receivers in this class are short, small, and fast. Tillman brings a different build, he’s tall and pysical. Wins 50-50 balls, and is smooth out of his routes. Not a burner, foot and ankle injuries destroyed his season last year, so medical evaluation is important here. Grade: 2nd-3rd round.

Tyson Bagent QB Shepherd: Bagent had over 17,000 yards passing at Division II Shepherd. Good size and a good but not great arm will give him a chance to be drafted. His ability to work quickly through progressions will allow him to stick, either in the NFL or one of the spring leagues (XFL or USFL). Not a great athlete, needs to drive the ball more on sideline throws. Grade: 6th-7th round.

Andre Carter II EDGE Army: Carter II will be the highest military academy player picked in recent memory. Standing 6’6 255 lbs. his size and speed are too good to pass up. Plays with good effort, often chasing plays down from behind. 15.5 sacks his Junior year, so the productivity is there. May need a redshirt year, needs to get stronger. Grade: 2nd-3rd round

Ejzohn Wright CB Oregon State: He’s a large corner at 6’2 he thrives in zone coverage. Doesn’t miss tackles or get lost in coverage. Jury is still out on if he can play man coverage consistently enough to stick. Grade: 5th round.

Busts: Obviously we want everyone to be successful but that’s not reality. Here’s some guys I’m worried about.

Jalen Carter DT Georgia: I have him going 8th, and he has all the talent in the world. Off the field problems including a fatal car accident, and showing up overweight and out of shape at his pro day are the biggest red flags.

Anthony Richardson QB Florida: He’s got the physical tools, but a lack of touch on his throws and accuracy issues scare me.

Christan Gonzalez CB Oregon: Simply plays with too much finesse. Needs to be more aggressive, and physical or will be exposed in the NFL.

Thanks for reading! Enjoy the 2023 NFL Draft!

Lach Draft 2022

Welcome back to the Lach Draft 2022! This year will be a bit different, no mock draft, BUT I’ll run down the best draft storylines, my favorite player in the draft, AND 5 sleepers and 5 potential busts. Throughout this article, you’ll still get my opinion on many first round picks. Any player not listed  you want my opinion on? Hit me up on Twitter @therealmikelach. So let’s get started!

Who’s #1?

In many drafts like last year, we know very early on who will be picked 1st overall. This is not that year.  It’s down to Aidan Hutchinson, the edge rusher from Michigan vs. Travon Walker, the edge rusher from Georgia.  Jacksonville is already split on who to draft.  Shad Kahn, who is one of the worst owners in the game wants Hutchinson. Trent Baalke, who is one of the worst G.M’s in the game wants Walker. Walker has a higher ceiling in my opinion. He’s more athletic, and wins more on his first move off the line-of-scrimmage. Hutchinson is more versatile, he can move around the line and play different techniques.  Bottom line, Jacksonville is already in a better spot now with Urban Meyer gone. But this is really a toss up, knowing the Jaguars they’ll screw it up.

New York State of Mind.

Both the Giants and the Jets have 2 top ten picks. Both teams need basically the same things.  They both need offensive line help, as well as receiver, and corner. I think the Jets will get Sauce Gardner, the talented corner from Cincinnati.  His length and ball skills are unmatched at the corner position.  I also think they’ll take a receiver with their other pick, I’m predicting Garrett Wilson WR Ohio State.  For the G-men I predict they’ll take the 2nd tackle off the board, which will be Evan Neal from Alabama. I think they’ll trade pick 7 for more draft capital.

Carolina picks a QB?

Carolina has pick 6 and Matt Rhule’s hourglass is almost out of sand. This is the same situation the Bears and Matt Nagy were in just a year ago, and what did they do? They drafted a Q.B. in hopes he’d be a stud and they could all keep their jobs. Well Justin Fields was mediocre and Nagy & Co. all left with pink slips. The issue for Carolina is no Q.B. is worthy of the 6th overall pick. Malik Willis from Liberty maybe the pick, but at 6 it’s a mistake. There are much better, and more consistent players out there. It’s not a situation where Rhule can win. Pick a Q.B. and he struggles you get fired. Don’t pick a Q.B. and you struggle because your offense is awful again, you also get fired. Ouch.

Speaking of QBs.

This is one of the worst QB drafts in years. We knew it even in last years draft, which is why so many Q.B’s were picked in the 1st round last year. Willis is inconsistent, and struggles to make easy throws. He can wow you with his arm and running ability, but sometimes all you need is a 8 yard throw, and he doesn’t find or hit that check down enough in order to be a star. Matt Corral has a ton of off the field issues that giving him millions of dollars won’t solve. Kenny Pickett was consistently great last year. But he’s to confident in his arm, he’ll force balls into tight window’s but I’m not sure he has the arm strength to pull it off in the N.F.L.

No Running Backs on Day 1?

The last time no running backs were taken in the 1st round was 2014. This might be the year that happens again. Iowas State’s Breece Hall might slip in at the end of round 1. He’s solid and really has no glaring weakness to his game. He has good speed but not elite speed and that might cause him to be the first running back picked in the draft…on Day 2.

Offensive Tackles, it’s top 3 or sit and wait.

The top 3 Tackles are undisputed, after that there’s a huge drop-off. Ikem Ekwonu looks great, with controlled aggressiveness and great feet. Evan Neal from Bama looks like solid pro, but I do worry about him identifying stunts. Charles Cross is third on the list he’ll go early in the first round, and I like his skill set. He could improve on his anchor when going against a bull rush. Those 3 could all go in the top 10. Which makes teams picking in the middle of the 1st round out of luck. Teams like Baltimore, New Orleans, Miami, and Dallas could be waiting until day 2 to find their tackle of the future. Other than the 3 players listed above, I have no other tackle with a first round grade.

What will Green Bay do late in the 1st?

Green Bay owns pick 22 and 28 in the first round. With needs at wideout, offensive line, defensive line and even safety the Packers could use both picks. They could also trade up to get the receiver they want to make Aaron Rodgers happy. Or what I think is most likely they pick at 22, and trade back into the early 2nd round to a team that wants to draft a QB. Ultimately, if a receiver is picked it’ll be the first receiver the Packers have picked in the 1st round since Javon Walker in 2002. Though that tidbit loses its luster when you see the stud receivers the Packers have gotten in the 2nd round, like Jennings, Nelson and Cobb.

Wide Recievers rule the 1st round.

There could be up to 7 recievers picked in the first round. This marks the third straight year recievers have been in demand in the first round. The position is being coached better in college, and with the proliferation of 7 on 7 and passing camps in high school and even middle school, youg athletes are learning their craft earlier and earlier.  In fact, in my past two mocks I have identified my favorite players in the draft. They were both wide Recievers. In 2020 it was Justin Jefferson. In 2021 it was Ja’Marr Chase.

My favorite player in the 2022 draft.

Shocker it’s an SEC receiver. My favorite player of this draft is Treylon Burks WR from Arkansas.  Standing 6-3 230 he’s a monster of a receiver.  I didn’t think I’d watch a ton of Arkansas games this year, but every week I got excited to watch him play. He plays faster than he’s timed. He’s physical. Can be moved around in the slot to outside and maybe even in the backfield.  Reminds me a little of Deebo Samuel. But my favorite part of his game, was he’s the one receiver in this class that can turn a 4 yard gain into a 10 yard gain. Those hidden yards wins football games. His yards after catch is so damn impressive.

Top 5 sleepers

1. Chad Muma ILB Wyoming 2nd to 3rd round grade. Muma drives through his tackles and lays the boom on everybody . A former safety Muma can flip his hips and run with almost all tight ends. Can over pursue at times but he’s a 3 down line backer on almost any team.

2. Joshua Williams CB Fayetteville St. 5th-6th round grade.  Standing at 6-3 193lbs the former receiver has great ball skills. Fluid in his movements and long. He could be a really good press-man or cover 3 corner. Tackles well. The jump in competition is large but his size and speed will make him an interesting day 3 pick.

3. Reed Blankenship Safety Middle Tennessee St. 3-4 round grade.  Blankenship is a ball hawk at safety. Able to diagnose and attack runs and routes quickly. An incredible athlete was a former corner  and returned punts for the Blue Raiders.  A broken leg in 2019, and a smaller frame, are the two biggest concerns for him. I think his sheer athleticism at the safety position is too good to pass up.

4. Carson Strong QB Nevada. 4-5 Round grade. Strong was considered a 2 to 3rd round pick before undergoing multiple leg procedures stemming from an old high school injury this off-season. Strong reminds me of Drew Bledsoe. He stands tall in the pocket, and delivers passes with touch and precision.  His arm is one of the strongest in the draft. If the medicals come back clear, Strong could end up being one of the better QB’s in an underwhelming class.

5. Pierre Strong Jr. RB South Dakota State 3-4 round grade. Strong Jr. ran much better in his 40 yard dash than expected. (in the low 4.4s) Which adds to the intrigue. A one cut runner, he finds the hole and bursts into the second level.  Runs North-South not East-West. Strong Jr is a solid pass protector. Needs to improve his hands to be a 3 down back, but don’t be surprised if he is getting playing time in his rookie year.

Top 5 Busts

1 Malik Willis QB Liberty I have a 2nd round grade on him, projected to go earlier. I’ve already listed some of Willis faults earlier in the article. But to reiterate,  he really struggles with just taking the easy completion. His 12 interceptions last year are a major concern. I just don’t get the hype. I know he’s got a cannon, but if the cannon misfires more than it hits who cares. He may end up being an ok starter, but if he’s picked in the top 10 the expectations would be and should be much greater.

2. Matt Corral QB Ole Miss. I have a 3rd to 4th round grade on him, projected to go late 1st or early 2nd round. Corral wasn’t asked to make more than two reads in college, if it wasn’t there he’d scramble until something came open. That may work in college but in the NFL it’s not the way to make a living.  Struggles with accuracy especially when under pressure. Off-the-field issues including a reported brawl with Wayne Gretzky’s son in high school (which forced him to transfer)  and excessive partying are a major red flag.

3 Andrew Booth Jr. CB Clemson 2nd round grade, projected the same. Booth Jr. can impress, played in a lot of big games. He’s very good in zone coverage, especially cover 2. My concern is when he’s in man-to-man. Gives up far to many easy completions. Bites heavy on double moves and play actions. Is aggressive but misses some tackles. If drafted into the wrong system, Booth Jr. could very well be a major disappointment.

4. Jermaine Johnson II Edge Florida St. I have a 2nd round grade, projected 1st round. Johnson stock has skyrocketed throughout the process. A J.C  transfer to Georgia couldn’t find the field, then transfered to Florida State. Had 11.5 sacks. Motor runs hot and cold, only one year of solid production. Struggles setting the edge and slow off the ball.  Had a great Senior Bowl, but I wonder if he’s consistent enough to warrant where he’ll be drafted.

5 George Pickens WR Georgia. I have him going in the first round. This isn’t about talent, Pickens has that. If Pickens is a bust, it’s either his maturity issue got the better of him, or  because of his medical issues. When not the first or second read he looked uninterested in playing football. A torn ACL in early 2021 limited him to 4 games in the fall. Looked noticeably less explosive. If his knee is healthy and his maturity improves, Pickens can be a difference maker. If not woe to the team, and the G.M that picked him.

Well that’s it! As always thanks for reading! Enjoy the 2022 NFL Draft!

Lach Draft 2021

Welcome back to the Lach Draft! After last year’s success, I am back to predict this year’s draft. But first, looking back to last year, I said that Justin Jefferson was my favorite player in the draft. All he did was have the greatest rookie year a receiver ever had. So with that being said, let’s take a look at the 2021 Lach draft. Just like last year no trades. Also I breakdown 3 sleepers your team would be lucky to grab on day 2 of the NFL draft.

1. Jacksonville Jaguars select Trevor Lawrence. QB Clemson.

Lawrence is the most polished QB coming out of college since Andrew Luck. Lawrence has the size, arm, and technical ability to be an all-pro.  Lawrence sometimes trusts his arm too much and can force throws. If given talent around him, Lawrence could be a top-tier QB.

2. New York Jets Select Zach Wilson. QB BYU.

Wilson stayed in state and had one of the best years a QB has had at BYU since Steve Young. Rocket arm and confidence aplenty, Wilson can, and will make any throw. Not small, but a slight frame could cause issues going forward in regards to durability. Maturing into a leader is in question.

3. San Francisco 49ers select Mac Jones. QB Alabama.

Jones burst onto the scene with one of the most impressive seasons a QB has had in the SEC since……last year. Much like Joe Burrow before him, Jones value skyrocketed this year. Blessed with touch, accuracy, and a fantastic Football I.Q. Jones is a great fit in the 49ers system even though his mobility is non-existent.

4. Atlanta Falcons select Justin Fields. QB Ohio State.

Fields unlike Jones has athletic ability aplenty. Fields does a nice job of keeping his head up field when scrambling. Plenty of arm talent and can make most throws. Was never really asked to go through multiple progressions in Ohio State’s system, and had some struggles reading coverages. A redshirt year in Atlanta learning under Matt Ryan could do him wonders.

5 Cincinnati Bengals Select Ja’Marr Chase. WR LSU.

Chase without a doubt was the most talented player in LSU’s touted receiving core of two years ago, which is saying something because Justin Jefferson played on that team. Silky smooth out of breaks, strong hands, and great leaping ability allows for jaw-dropping receptions. A limited route tree and getting off press coverage could affect Chase at the next level. A COVID opt out last year, it could be tough to get him back to game speed, but a already built-in relationship with Joe Burrow would help.

6. Miami Dolphins select Kyle Pitts. TE Florida.

Pitts could be the best player in this draft. Too fast to be covered by linebackers, too big to be covered by defensive backs. Pitts is a match-up nightmare. Perfect fit to be a young QB’s safety net. Pitts is not a typical in-line tight end, wasn’t asked to block and really not a great blocker when he had to. Pitts also had a major concussion last season and an undisclosed injury.

7 Detroit Lions select Trey Lance. QB North Dakota St.

Lance is one of this drafts most polarizing prospects. With only 318 pass attempts under his belt inexperience will come into play. However his high football I.Q. and intelligence could make up for his lack of experience. He’s athletic and can anticipate throws. However, his throwing technique does not utilize his lower half properly, hence his throwing power suffers. Sitting behind Jared Goff for a year or two could be just what the doctor ordered.

8. Carolina Panthers select. Penei Sewell. OT Oregon.

Sewell is my top prospect in a offensive line class stacked with talent. Blessed with great feet and explosion, Sewell gets to blocks other lineman can’t. Just 20 years old and polished, Sewell needs to improve on his upper body strength. There are questions about his work ethic which is a major red flag.

9. Denver Broncos select  Patrick Surtain II. CB Alabama.

Surtain II father was a Pro Bowl corner with the Dolphins and let me tell you the apple didn’t fall far from the tree. A lockdown corner who trusts his technique, Surtain II started 38 games in college. Elite physical and mental traits, Surtain II is rarely out of position. Can get a bit handsy downfield which could lead to more penalties at the next level.

10. Dallas Cowboys select Jaycee Horn. CB South Carolina.

Horn the son of former NFL receiver Joe Horn, is elite physically. Long and athletic, Horn excelles at zone coverage. Makes solid breaks on the ball and has good fluid hips. Major questions on Horn’s long speed could see him fall. But he is the right fit in a Dallas secondary that got torched last season.

11. New York Giants select  DeVonta Smith. WR Alabama.

Smith who won about every major college football award last year, goes to the Giants here. A excellent route runner, Smith can break-off routes on a dime and help his QB immensely. Incredibly fast, Smith can blow by defenders and rarely drops a pass. His small frame leads to major durability concerns at the next level.

12. Philadelphia Eagles select Jaylen Waddle. WR Alabama.

Waddle could’ve won the Heisman if not for a broken ankle last year. Waddle is even faster than Smith. Blessed with great hips, Waddle is able to slow down than accelerate to fool defenders. Waddle did have an alarming number of drops in college.

13. L.A. Chargers select Rashawn Slater. OT Northwestern.

Slater, a 2020 Covid opt out, is extremely talented. Quick and powerful with his punch, Slater also can stay on blocks as long as needed due to his strong hands. A solid athlete with good hips, facing speed rushers shouldn’t be an issue. However,  Slater’s lack of arm length could force him to move to Guard.

14. Minnesota Vikings select Kwity Paye. Edge Michigan.

Paye has great size and plays with tremendous effort. Teams struggled to block him with just one player, and his effort was noticeable throughout all 4 quarters. Paye could be more violent with his hands, his only 19 starts plus a lack of instincts could mean Paye might not reach his full potential until year 3 or 4.

15 New England Patriots select Micah Parsons. LB Penn State.

Parsons is a talented quick-twitch inside linebacker teams crave. Parsons blitzes well and uses his speed to make up for any mistakes. Parsons could be more aggressive at the point of attack. Maturity issues could cause problems in the future.

16 Arizona Cardinals select Aliyah Vera-Tucker. OT USC.

Vera-Tucker is about as strong as you can get. Wide frame but plays with balance and control. He is able to get to the second level and does a great job mirroring in pass pro. Vera-Tucker’s pad level can get really high at times. He struggles to reset his hands when a defender disengages.

17. Las Vegas Raiders select Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah. LB Notre Dame.

Owusu-Koramoah is a fast and powerful linebacker. Great in coverage, he can cover nearly every position. A hard hitter, Owusu-Koramoah is a highlight waiting to happen. Body type is stuck between a safety and a linebacker which can cause him issues getting off blocks in the run game.

18. Miami Dolphins select Jaelan Phillips. Edge Miami.

Phillips could be the top edge rusher in the class. This pick gives Brian Flores another key ingredient in a rapidly improving defense. Big and physical, Phillips can get after the Q.B. Injuries to his wrist, ankle, and multiple concussions are a huge red flag. Phillips can let his emotions get the better of him, which can lead to mistakes and the occasional penalty.

19. Washington Football Team select Zaven Collins. Edge Tulsa.

Collins is a large man weighing in at over 270 lbs. Had good production in the AAC. An explosive athlete for his size. Collins has issues changing directions. Could play edge but can also probably play inside linebacker if necessary.

20 Chicago Bears select Greg Newsome II. CB Northwestern.

Newsome II was one of the most effective corners in college last year, allowing a completion percentage under 40%. Great at press, Newsome II is physical at the line of scrimmage, and competitive in jump ball situations. Long speed is an issue. Raw with only 18 starts, his inexperience lead to 15 penalties.

21. Indianapolis Colts select Teven Jenkins. OT Oklahoma State.

Jenkins is a finisher, burying his opponent’s to the ground. Great base and solid mirroring technique allows him to win in pass protection. Very short arms for a tackle, some question his love for the game.

22. Tennessee Titans select Caleb Farley. CB Virginia Tech.

Tennessee had maybe the worst secondary in the league, that changes with the selection of Farley here. Arguably the best corner in the draft, Farley can play any coverage, and has the speed to make up for any of his very few mistakes. A top 10 player, his slide is due to his multiple back surgeries, a knee injury, and a lack of collegiate starts. He also opted out of the 2020 season due to COVID.

23. New York Jets select Azeez Ojulari. Edge Georgia.

Ojulari is built like a young Joey Porter. Undersized, yet thickly built, Ojulari gives little regard to his body and crushes into pulling guards. A quick twitch athlete he can cover when needed. His limited pass rush moves need to be improved upon if he wants to put up double digit sacks.

24. Pittsburgh Steelers select Travis Etienne. RB Clemson.

Etienne one of the most productive running backs in ACC history, came back for his senior year to work on his receiving skills, it was a very good decision as he becomes a first round pick here. Etienne shows good balance and has game-breaking ability with the ball in his hand. He did have a ton of touches in college so durability is a tremendous concern. The Steelers may have 1 more year left to contend, so this pick makes sense.

25. Jacksonville Jaguars Trevon Moehrig. Safety TCU.

Let’s face it, Jacksonville needs help everywhere. Moehrig is a player that can step in and play from day 1. Moehrig can play both safety spots and has good range when playing up high. Can struggle with missed tackles.

26 Cleveland Browns select Christian Barmore. DL Alabama.

Barmore has great size standing at 6’5 and weighing over 320 lbs. He has great power and heavy hands that can knock o-lineman off balance. He can play both nose and end in a 3-4. He can play way too high at times, which limits his immense talent.

27. Baltimore Ravens select Carlos Basham Jr. Edge Wake Forrest.

Basham Jr. had 11 sacks in 2019 he uses his hands as weapons. Great football I.Q. he looks as if he was in the opponent’s huddle. Is he a 1 year wonder? He did not have to cover  much in the Demon Deacons system.

28. New Orleans Saints select Kadarius Toney. WR Florida.

Toney would thrive in Sean Payton’s offense. Explosive in the open field, he puts fear into the opposition whenever he touches the football. Can be used out of the backfield as well. He had 2 games with over 50 yards rushing. Could be more physical and gets bumped off his route against press coverage.

29. Green Bay Packers select Asante Samuel Jr. CB Florida State.

Son of pro bowl corner Asante Samuel.  Samuel Jr. is a competitor. Plays larger than his size. Physical, and has great jam technique. Rarely gives up contested catches. Samuel Jr. is only 5-10. Way too many flags, which could be a bigger concern than his size. Would be an improvement at nickel back for the Packers.

30. Buffalo Bill’s select Jamin Davis. LB Kentucky.

Davis has the size and speed to be a 3 down linebacker in this league. Great vision, he consistently finds holes and plugs them. A playmaker, he takes away the ball, including blocking a kick on special teams.

31. Baltimore Ravens select Liam Eichenberg. OT Norte Dame.

Eichenberg is a tremendous run blocker, which equals a perfect fit in Baltimore’s offense. Sustains his block throughout the play. Eichenberg recognizes stunts and twists and is able to adjust accordingly. Eichenberg struggles against speed. His lack of length suggests he could be better suited as a guard, but time will tell.

32. Tampa Bay Buccaneers select Elijah Moore. WR Ole Miss.

Moore is a different receiver than Chris Godwin or Mike Evans and can fit the role Antonio Brown played last year. Smart against zone Moore could quickly become Brady’s favorite target. He can struggle against press man and you’d like to see him be a bit more explosive.

SLEEPERS

Rondale Moore WR Purdue. PROJECTED ROUND 2nd.

I have a first round grade on Moore. Moore was arguably the best player on the field as a true freshman when Purdue played Ohio State in 2018. Only played 7 games the last 2 years. Dealt with a severe hamstring injury. Only 5’7 but is elite in the open field. Can be used out of the backfield and on jet sweeps and screen’s.

Trey Smith Guard Tennessee. PROJECTED ROUND 2-3.

Blessed with fantastic size and length Smith was the most consistent player on an inconsistent team. Great off the field. Can also play tackle. If your team gets him in the 2nd or 3rd round celebrate. Smith is one of my favorite players in this draft.

Quinn Meinerz center Wisconsin-Whitewater. PROJECTED ROUND 2-3.

Meinerz a D3 player at Wisconsin-Whitewater dominated the senior bowl practices which sent his stock to the moon. Meinerz dominated the D3 level. Didn’t see a pancake he didn’t like, Meinerz finishes his opponents to the ground. Plays to the echo of the whistle which can lead to penalties after the play.

Lach Draft 2020

Welcome to the 2020 NFL Lach draft. You will find every 1st round selection (no trades) and players strengths and weaknesses. Finally 5 sleeper picks are included at the end for those middle to late round selections. Enjoy!

#1 Cincinnati Bengals select  Joe Burrow  LSU.

Analysis: Burrow, playing in LSU’s former archaic offense was deemed a late round/undrafted priority free agent. However, with LSU changing systems, Burrow’s draft value skyrocketed. Smart, accurate, and intense. Burrow will be the face of the franchise Cincinnati needs. Questions of Burrow’s willingness to play in Cincinnati remain.

2nd  Washington selects  Chase Young DE. Ohio State.

Analysis: One of the most productive and dominant edge rushers we’ve seen in years. Young has the speed and physicality to star in this league. Young’s motor can run cold. Often relied on his bull rush too much. Production fell after returning from a mid-season suspension.

3rd  Detroit Lions select Jeff Okudah CB. Ohio State.

Analysis: Back-to-back Buckeyes here. The Lions get the best cover corner and it isn’t particularly close. Okudah struggles to consistently tackle, however, his quick feet and fluid hips should make him a very good corner.

4th  New York Giants Select Andrew Thomas O.T. Georgia.

Anyalsis: Thomas could play either Tackle spot for the Giants. His big, powerful, hands allows him to win in the run game. Thomas can struggle against speed and his hips are a question mark.

5th  Miami Dolphins select Tua Tagovailoa QB. Alabama.

Anyalsis: One of this drafts greatest questions is, did Tua make Alabama’s receivers or did Alabama recivers make him? A great deep ball thrower, he is constantly accurate over 15 yards. A longer throwing motion, injury concerns, and playing with players that were consistantly wide open, are legitimate questions if not concerns.

6th  L.A. Chargers select Justin Herbert QB. Oregon.

Analysis: Herbert has everything you want in a franchise QB. Great size and athletic, Herbert was made for this era of football. However, questionable decision making leads to some throws that leave you scratching your head. He gets happy feet under pressure. His tape was better his Junior year than Senior year. Herbert has all the talent to prove the doubters wrong or he could end up as Mitch Trubisky 2.0.

7th Carolina Panthers select Isaiah Simmons LB/S. Clemson.

Analysis: This could be a best case scenario for Carolina, especially after Luke Kuechly retired. Simmons is great running sideline to sideline. Impressive at coverage, he is a true 3 down player. However, all 3 might not be at linebacker he could play a hybrid safety. Can dissappear in the run game at times.

8th Arizona Cardinals select Tristan Wirfs O.T. Iowa.

Wirfs becomes the latest Hawkeye in the NFL. Great size and athleticism allows him to win consistently in pass pro. When he loses its often due to average technique and pad level.

9th Jacksonville Jaguars select Derrick Brown D.T. Auburn.

The Jaguars latest rebuild starts with Brown. A talented player, who checks all the boxes athletically. Brown should’ve been more dominate and his motor can run cold at times, but in big moments Brown often shines.

10th Cleveland Browns select Mehki Becton O.T. Louisville.

Anyslsis: This might be a reach, but due to the lack of depth in the o-line that this draft provides Becton will be a first-rounder. Becton has good feet and is athletic. He often reaches during pass pro, Becton can be a hip bender instead of a knee bender. Failed a drug test at the combine.

11th New York Jets select Jerry Juedy WR. Alabama.

Analysis: A great productive player, Juedy has all ability needed in a number 1 receiver. His slighter frame could be an issue. Wasn’t asked to go over the middle a ton.

12 Las Vegas Raiders select Cedee Lamb WR. Oklahoma.

Analysis: A big play freak, Lamb benefited a lot from Lincoln Riley’s wide open offense. Lamb consistently wins 50/50 balls and breaks tackles to create huge plays. Long speed is a concern. Also, Oklahoma receivers have been unproductive in the league over the past few years. Lamb should change that, but will need some time to adjust to a more N.F.L style system.

13 San Francisco 49ers select Henry Ruggs III WR. Alabama

Analysis: Explosive, Ruggs tracks the deep ball well. Productive throughout college, he played well in big games. Ruggs was the 3rd option in a talented offense so production may not translate right away. He can get sloppy in his routes.

14. Tampa Bay Buccaneers select Jedrick Willis OT Alabama.

Analysis: When you sign Tom Brady you have to protect him. Willis is a solid pass protector. His good hips allows him to mirror pass rushers. Willis only played right tackle in college and I doubt he can swing to left at the pro game. Would have loved to see him be more aggressive in finishing blocks.

15. Denver Broncos select Javon Kinlaw D.T. South Carolina.

Analysis: Kinlaw is quick and aggressive. He onsistently affects the pocket on pass rushes. Kinlaw has the highest ceiling among all d-lineman. Can get moved in run support. Pad level can suffer, especially when running stunts which causes him to be ineffective at times.

16. Atlanta Falcons selects CJ Henderson CB. Florida.

Analysis: Henderson is long and athletic. He has great hips, poised on deep balls, and fast enough to cover any mistakes. Henderson to Atlanta makes sense in a pass-happy NFC south. Henderson can be inconsistent at reading routes. Balance issues, especially when jamming, are a major concern.

17 Dallas Cowboys select K’Lavon Chaisson OLB. LSU.

Analysis: Chassion is a natural bender. He can turn the corner and rush the passer. Injuries to lower body (ACL 2018, Ankle 2019) and a baffling lack of consistent physical play are red flags.

18th selection Miami Dolphins select Austin Jackson O.T. USC.

Analysis: Athletic but raw, Jackson still has room to mature physically. Quick to 2nd level, however Jackson hunches forward during blocks causing him to get beat. He needs to improve upper body and core strength. A good guy, Jackson donated bone marrow to his sister in 2019.

19th Las Vegas Raiders select Kenneth Murray ILB Oklahoma.

Analysis: Murray is a prototypical sideline-to-sideline inside linebacker. Natural coverage skills, can cover tight ends and running backs with ease. Murray can struggle getting off blocks. Run support is ok but not great. Murray’s lack of explosive plays is surprising for a man with his ability.

20th Jacksonville Jaguars select CB Trevon Diggs CB Alabama.

Analysis: Elite size for a corner. Great ball skills, Diggs sometimes looks like a receiver which makes sense as his brother is Steffon Diggs. He could also play safety because long speed is an issue. His game against LSU was one of the worst films I watched all year, he was tourched.

21 Philadelphia Eagles select Tee Higgins WR. Clemson.

Analysis: Higgins is a big physical wide-out, he dominates in the red zone. Goes up and snatches the ball at its high point. Higgins is great after the catch. His route tree was very limited, and he should be even more physical at the top of the route due to his size. Doesn’t get a ton of separation from defense backs.

22: Minnesota Vikings selects Kristan Fulton CB. LSU.

Analysis: Fulton fills a need for the Vikings. Fulton has great feet, and is comfortable playing press man or zone. Off the field issues, including a 2 year ban by the NCAA for a falsified drug test are red flags that could see him drop out off the 1st round.

23: New England Patriots selects Jordan Love QB. Utah State.

Analysis: Probably the most polarizing player in the draft, Love could be a top 10 pick or fall into the 30’s. I don’t love him, when I watch him he reminds me a lot like Brett Hundley. His arm talent is a plus, Love is a natural thrower of the football. His footwork needs an overhaul. Love was never considered a leader, very quiet and shy guy. He should’ve dominated more in the Mountain West conference. May need to sit for a year or two to develop.

24: New Orleans Saints select Patrick Queen ILB. LSU.

Analysis: Queen is a thumper. He fills gaps quickly, and plays bigger than his size. Queen shined in the biggest games of LSU championship season. He should be better at coverage than he is. Queen struggles to diagnose routes when in zone coverage and can be fooled in misdirection.

25: Minnesota Vikings selects Justin Jefferson WR LSU.

Analysis: Jefferson is this years best slot receiver coming out of this year’s draft. Quick in and out of breaks, Jefferson has ability to get separation and tracks the deep ball well. 2 years of solid to great stats, even in LSU old offense he produced. When he was lined up outside, press man was a difficult coverage for him to face. A slight frame could lead to injury concerns down the road. Simply said one of my favorite players in this draft.

26th Miami Dolphins selects D’Andre Swift RB. Georgia.

Analysis: Swift is a 3 down back. Good vision especially inside. Swift has great hands and is a weapon in the passing game out of the backfield. His het away burst is just o.k. and he struggles in pass protection. Miami needs a running back badly so this is a fit.

27th Seattle Seahawks select Yetur Gross-Matos DE. Penn State.

Gross-Matos has fluid hips, which allows him to dip and turn the corner to rush the passer. A rangy defender he can chase ball carriers down the line of scrimmage. Needs to be more violent with hands. Gross-Matos can struggle to set the edge against the run. He also struggles to disengage when being blocked.

28th: Baltimore Ravens select Zack Baun OLB. Wisconsin.

Analysis: Baun is an athletic, quick-twitch athlete who beats o-linemen with pure athleticism. Baun can cover tight ends and running backs naturally. Smooth in zone coverage. Baun is light for the position, and a diluted drug test at the combine are his biggest red flags.

29th Tennessee Titans selects A.J Epenesa DE. Iowa.

Big and strong Epenesa was without a doubt one of the best d-lineman in the country. Sets a great edge in the run game, and uses his hands well to disengage. Finishes plays. However, he has very stiff hips, his lack of athletic explosion will limit him. Can’t play in space.

30th Green Bay Packers select Brandon Aiyuk WR. Arizona State.

Aiyuk is 6 feet tall with the wingspan of a man who is 6’8. A physical freak, Aiyuk is explosive with the football. Not afraid to go over the middle and take a hit. He has the ability to make people miss in the open field. Doesn’t play as big as his arms suggest. Aiyuk struggles to high point the ball. He ran a limited route tree consisting of slants posts and go’s.

31st: San Francisco 49ers select  Ross Blacklock D.T.  TCU.

Blacklock is a relentless pass rusher. Extremely quick off the ball, he changes directions well for a man his size. Missed all of 2018 (Achilles tear). Ends up on the ground far to often. Drops head when facing double teams.

32: Kansas City Cheifs selects Johnathon Taylor RB. Wisconsin.

Analysis: A natural runner, Taylor is surprisingly physical, always falling forward for extra yards. Very explosive in and out of cuts. He still struggles catching the football and running  routes. His ball security is flat out terrible. Lots of tread on his tires are a major concern.

Sleepers

John Hightower Boise state WR lanky athlete who can beat any type of coverage wins congested catches consistently.
Too thin of a frame, injury concerns are paramount. Routinely gets knocked off of routes too easily in press coverage.
Bottom line: 3-4th Round pick. Reminds me of Robby Anderson a big play threat who will not be consistent until he matures physically. If ever.

James Proche. SMU WR
One of best projected slot receivers in this class. He changes direction quickly, and is very technical in routes. Proche wins contested catches.
Beating press coverage is a struggle to say the least. Didn’t gain a ton of separation from defenders on deep routes.
Bottom line: 3rd-4th round pick. Proche will be a starter in this league. He has big play ability from the slot which is important in the league today.

T.E Adam Trautman Dayton.
Trautman has a good blend of size and speed. A quick twitch athlete, Trautman separates from linebackers with ease. Trautman must make a big jump from FCS football to the NFL. He’ll be the 1st Flyer player drafted since the 1940s.
Bottom line: 2nd to 3rd round pick. Trautman will need time to develop but could be the best selection in a weak T.E. class.

C.B Kindle Vildor Georgia Southern. Vildor is talented, great hips and ball skills, teams would not throw at him. Held his own against LSU. His size is a major concern.
Bottom line: 3rd to 4th round pick Vildor will be a solid 3rd corner in this league. He may even stick as a starter when all is said and done.

OT/Guard Ben Bartch St John’s-Minnesota A D3 athlete who moved from T.E to tackle. Smooth and athletic Bartch dominated at the D3 level. Aggressive but undisciplined, Bartch faces a huge leap in competition. Can struggle against the bull rush.
Bottom line: 4th-5th round pick May end as a Guard at the next level. Bartch may need multiple redshirt years to catch up to the NFL game, but he has all the skills to be successful at the next level.

QB Jake Fromm Georgia A competitor and great leader. Fromm was hurt by Georgia’s inability to scheme receivers open. Georgia relied far to often on Fromm’s ability to throw back shoulder throws. Fromm beat out Jacob Eason and Justin Fields in 2 quarterback competitions. Bottom line: Fromm is a 2-3rd rounder who will start some games at the next level.

Rob Gray is actually just a skinny Roman Reigns

Yes. It’s true, they’re the same person. Same face, both carrying something like it or not. Gray’s carrying Houston’s basketball team, Reigns

carrying the WWE. Have these two been seen in the same place at the same time? Doubt it.

The XFL is Back Baby!

Yes its back! Vince McMahon just announced an 8 team leaguge something I predicted a few weeks ago. More football is a no brainer I’m defintely going to a game just to check it out. But today Vince McMahon put back together my broken heart that shattered when the O.G. XFL folded. So for that thank you Mr McMahon.

The XFL is coming back…..maybe

So Vince McMahon sells 100 million dollars of WWE stock and now people are talking about a new XFL. I say hell yes. I will always remember those Saturdays in March when Papa Lach would turn on the XFL because the only thing else to do was freeze our ass off in the cold Wisconsin winter. Who can forget the white trash gimmicks, awful football and Jeff Brohm being a G.

Hulk Hogan wants you to stop talking brother

Chris Fowler better watch out brother less he wants those 24 inch pythons to get you brother. I mean Terry thats his job but you do you brother also don’t do us like Gawker we don’t have millions to spend on a lawsuit.