... paying attention, that is.
This guy is really only missing a few tiny details. Tomlin's love of blood lines and local kids to name a few (mobile, black QBs, and always drafts a WR and LB as well). Yes, he does like Florida and Ohio State, but the bigger picture is the SEC and Big 10. You can fine tune it to those schools being at the top of his list, but in general he loves the Could-be Pro SEC and the heavy run game/defense of the Big 10.
PS, Im on point with the 1st pick being NT or S. But I admit I may be off with Jesse Williams. Yes, he's from Bama (a favorite of Dline coach Mitchell) but he is a senior, and I bet he rocks the Combine. Hankins on the other hand is a Buckeye DT that is a junior however reports say he takes time off downs, and works best as a interior DT in a 40 front, especially with someone spelling him. Plus, Tomlin has drafted 2-3 DTs (kinda NTs, but not really) each one being in the 4th round or later. Why? I bet Coach Mitchell knows why. Mitchell's 1st step with any rookie is to destroy everything they know and rebuild it with what he teaches them. Younger (junior) players has less to delete, and possibly a higher ceiling. Now there arent many junior NTs in this draft, and the ones that are are in the 1st round and are better off in a 43 defense. Theres 1 in particular that Tomlin and Mitchell might have their eyes on. Kwame Geathers, DT Georgia. He also flexed to 5 tech at times while spelling John Jenkins. The problem here is that narrowing this down to just 1 player is very risky, and could cause overdrafting him. Which means Jesse could in fact be on the board. But if you look at our history, especially Tomlin's draft history, then in true reality, its probably more like this:
17 Elam, Florida S- defense, junior, position flex, Florida Gator (Elam's graded 45 overall right now. Much like MP53 who was graded 50 the entire way thru the combine, we still took him 18 overall when he moved to 31)
47 Ball, Wisconisn RB- Big 10, stellar RB, "Run the rest of the tread of his tires"
79 Manuel, Florida St QB- mobile, black QB with great arm, high ceiling.
111 Geathers, Georgia DT- junior, SEC, position flex, direct competition for Ta'amu... and his replacement.
143 Hodges, PSU LB- Its about time we got a PSU LB. It took long enough. The bonus is that this one can play inside or outside. Spence's health and Worild's/Carter's/Robinson's development are key.
175 Williams, Alabama TE- Ive said it before and Ill say it again- hes a bigger, blacker, Heath. And we all know that if Tomlin to make Heath black he wouldve on day 1. LOL
207 Brown, Oklahoma WR- late round WR, a Tomlin norm. PSU transfer, tall and fast.
227 Turnley, Pitt OL- local kid, can flex anywhere from LG thru RT.
Lastly, the guy does make a great point with us drafting duplicate positions. However, this year we only have 1 comp pick and must draft a QB.
** As much as Id personally like to have Sly or Brandon Williams NTs at 47 and Gillislee at 111 I bet Gill does the same thing Jesse does and rocks the Combine. Plus, Tomlin has never drafted 2 players from the same school in the same draft. Ever.
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