FanPost

ChiefBearcat's Annual D-2 NFL Draft Prospect Breakdown

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From the FanPosts -Joel

Happy draft week everyone and welcome to another post celebrating the unknown prospects in this year's draft. Well sort of unknown that is because one of the guys I am covering has become very well known and another just recently popped up on the AP radar. Before I get started I want to give a huge shout out to Christian Shanafelt of NFL Draft Bible for some of his help on obtaining info on these guys. If you are a fan of small school prospects, which you probably are since you are here, you have to give Chris a follow at @ChrisShanafelt.

Ok, let's get started here ... This years D-2 class is what I would consider an average to below average draft class with three guys that I expect could get drafted. Numbers wise it is probably weak, as you can usually reasonably see around six guys get picked. However they rarely go above the fifth round and this year we could see one guy go as high as the third. There are also several guys that could show up as UDFAs and stick on the bottom of the roster or a practice squad.

As usual I have picked some of my favorites to look at in depth and will also list some names to keep an eye on. With D-2 players info is very difficult to come by and most film is highlight film. So this is far from a perfect science and if you see something I don't, please comment below. This year was very difficult to get pro day numbers on some guys, so I don't have them on every guy as I usually would. So lets get started shall we!

Matt Judon DE/OLB Grand Valley St. University

Height: 6'3"

Weight: 273 lbs

Arms: 33 7/8"

Hands: 9 1/2"

40: 4.73

Bench: 30

Vert: 35 in

Broad: 109 in

3 Cone: 7.67

Shuttle: 4.52

I am going to start off with the cream of the D-2 crop, Matt Judon out of Grand Valley St. Judon is a physical freak with insane productivity over the past few seasons, 19.5 tackles for loss and 8.5 sacks his junior year and in his Senior year, 81 tackles, 23.5 for loss, 20 sacks and 3 forced fumbles. He then showed up at the combine and honestly stole the show. He put up great numbers in the forty, bench and vert as well as good numbers in the other events. Grand Valley does play in the GLIAC which isn't exactly the deepest conference in D2, so that should be taken into account, but still those numbers are crazy.

Strengths:

Judon just completely outclassed his competition physically, dude was just a terror all year up north. He has a very good get off and that forty time is evident in his closing burst to the QB. Judon played a lot standing up and should transition to a 3-4 without much issue if asked to do so. He sets the edge in the run game well and has surprisingly good technique for a D2 player. He is very strong at the point of attack and just is very intriguing.

Weakness:

Judon as a big angular athlete, but is kind of stiff as evidenced by the 3 cone numbers. He is not an edge bender in the mold of a Von Miller or even as good at it as Houston. If he does move to a 3-4 OLB he will be much more in the mold of Hali, as a straight line down hill rusher who takes on blockers with strength and uses the straight line speed to gain a advantage. Judon has also had some knee injury problems that basically cost him one and a half years of college. Also, he was often accused of being a dirty player and I have included a few poor quality videos that show some examples.

Bottom line:

Judon is a freak and one of the best pass rushers to come out of D2 for several years. He has all the physical tools to be successful in the league if he can stay healthy.

Round Prediction:

3rd-5th

Tape:

Draft Breakdown

Highlights

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Michael Jordan CB Missouri Western St.

Height : 6'0"

Weight: 200 lbs

40: 4.60

Vert: 37.5 in

Bench: 15

Michael Jordan is a big physical press man corner out of MO West. Kid just flat out muscles wideouts and knocks them off their routes. He has the genetics as his brother Reggie who made an NFL roster a few years back until injuries derailed his career. Mike had 193 tackles, 42 PBU and 16 interceptions over his four year career in St. Joe. He played in the MIAA, which is considered one of the premier conferences in D2.

Strengths:

Played both in press and off man coverage as well as some zone. Very physical, loves to hit and hit hard. Appears to have long arms in the video and read and reacts to plays very well. When in zone, reads QB eyes well and attacks the play. Tracks the ball well and has decent hands.

Weakness:

Speed, kid just lacks top end speed and that is a concern at the next level. He was able to get away with it against some of the D2 level wideouts he faced. That won't happen at the next level and could cost him. His back pedal is meh at best and he doesn't wrap up well when tackling even though he isn't scared to hit.

Bottom Line:

Mike is a very physical DB and has strong instincts. However I think he is a better fit at FS than at CB at the next level. I think he shows the ability to play a good center field and the willingness to tackle.

Round Prediction:

6th - PUDFA

Tape:

Highlights

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Dominique Robertson OT West Georgia

Height: 6'5"

Weight: 324 lbs

Arms: 36"

Hands: 10 3/8"

40: 5.36

Bench: 30

Broad: 100"

3 Cone: 8.42

Shuttle: 4.83

Dominique is an absolute mountain of a man, dude is freaking huge. Despite that massive size, he does move fairly well. Dominique started at a JUCO and then moved on to Texas Tech. He later moved on to West Georgia and started at LT on a LOADED team in the very tough Gulf South Conference.

Strengths:

Ok, here is the deal on Dominique, there is no tape on him anywhere online. So here is what I did since I love you guys. I pulled up the 2015 Semi Final game that West Georgia played against Northwest on my DVR and watched the game again. Dominique lined up across from Collin Bevins who is one of the top DE in next year's draft class. He terrorized teams all year last year despite a torn labrum in his hip. Dominique handled Collin all game, Bevins basically depended on his strength due to the hip injury and Robertson would just have none of it. Robertson has good feet, slide steps fairly well and has a good feel for the position. He is really strong and just flat couldn't be bull rushed by a guy like I said just manhandled other opponents.

Weakness:

Despite moving well for a big man, I just don't think he moves well enough to stay on the outside in the NFL. I think he is a OG at the next level. He lunges some and he needs to work on his punch. Has a tendency to be a waste bender, which is a surprise with a guy of his size.

Bottom Line:

I really am sorry I don't have tape to show you on this guy, really sucks, but we got lucky that the game was still on my DVR. He has the ability, but is raw and would need some work to get into a starting lineup. May be a PS candidate to start off.

Round Prediction:

6th - UDFA

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Justin Zimmer DT Ferris St.

Height: 6'3"

Weight: 303 lbs

Arms: 31 3/4"

Hands: 10"

40: 4.89

10 yd split: 1.73

Shuttle: 4.73

Broad: 9'7"

Vert: 33 1/2"

Bench: 47

3 Cone: 7.15

Welcome ladies and gentleman to my official D2 draft crush for this year!! Justin Zimmer is an absolute freak on nature!!! I mean look at those numbers, 47 reps and a 4.89 40!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! at 303 lbs. Good grief man, I want this kid as a 3-4 DE! He had production as well, kid had 81 tackles, 26 tackles for loss and 13 sacks last year. He had 216 tackles, 48.5 tackles for loss and 26 sacks for his career.

Strengths:

Freak. He explodes off the ball and has great closing burst for his size. He seals off the edge in the run game and just flat doesn't give ground. He is incredibly strong and just very well put together player. He has the prototype size and athleticism for a 3-4 DE.

Weakness:

He depends on his superior athleticism too much, he has raw technique and hand placement. He sometimes just tries to either blow by a guy or maul them to death. He won't get by with that at the next level. He also has a tendency to let lineman get into his body and gets stood up, he was able to get by with this again because he is just so much more athletic than anyone else.

Bottom Line:

I want him in a Chiefs uniform!! This is a Dorsey type of guy and I want him to take him! Man alive I feel bad for GLIAC QBs for having to face he and Judon for four years! Side note, this is the first time I have ever had the parents of a prospect follow me after commenting on a prospect on twitter! They where super nice and helpful with any questions I had. Just very surprising for me!

Round Prediction:

6th - PUDFA

Tape:

Highlights

Brandon Yost DT Northwest Missouri St

Height: 6'1"

Weight: 290 lbs

Time for one of my favorite Bearcats of all time. I absolutely love Brandon Yost. Unfortunately there is no data out there on his pro day. Basically got a "it went really well" when talking to reporters on it. I do know that he is getting some attention from NFL teams after talking to the aforementioned Christian Shanafelt. Yost had some D1 and FCS offers out of high school, but chose Northwest due to the winning culture and proximity to his hometown. Last year he had 77 tackles, 19.5 for loss and 8.5 sacks. Finished his career with 208 tackles, 39 tackles for loss and 20 sacks

Strengths:

Yost explodes off the ball and disengages from blockers very well. He is incredibly strong and has excellent feet and balance. Uses his hands well and uses his short powerful frame to gain leverage on larger lineman. Just understands the game and never gives up on a play, relentless, lunch pail type of guy.

Weakness:

His size, quite honestly that is his biggest weakness. He just doesn't have the type of size that NFL teams look for normally. It is what cost him higher offers out of high school and is costing him now.

Bottom Line:

If Yost was three to four inches taller, he would be talked about as a late round draft pick. Unfortunately for him he isn't going to be growing any. Much like Matt Longacre last year, he is going to get a chance with a team as a UDFA and some NFL d-line coach is going to find out that he is very technically sound and a better athlete than they first imagined.

Round Prediction:

PUDFA - UDFA

Tape:

Highlights

Others to Watch For

  • Brady Bolles QB Northwest Missouri St
  • Bryce Enyard CB/S Northwest Missouri St
  • Tanner Agen DL Michigan Tech (Chiefs Visit)
  • Josh Gordon DE Minnesota St.
  • Jason Vanderlaan TE Ferris St.
  • Marquise Cushon WR Pitt St.
  • Keiren Duncan WR Colorado St Pueblo (4.25 40)
  • Shaneil Jenkins DE Shepherd

Something new I am going to do this year is mention two guys for next years class to watch for.

Billy Brown WR Shepherd: Physically gifted WR that I cam away very impressed with in the Championship Game.

Collin Bevins DL Northwest Missouri St.: If he stays healthy, he will be very special, one of the best d-lineman I have seen in D2 football.

Ok guys and gals that is it for this year, please leave any questions or comments below!

This is a FanPost and does not necessarily reflect the views of Arrowhead Pride's writers or editors. It does reflect the views of this particular fan though, which is as important as the views of Arrowhead Pride writers or editors.