I like Chris Simms’ NFL breakdowns. They’re a nice blend of meathead and draftbabble [“Oily hips”]. It may help that he’s the son of a good NFL QB, and he himself was a starting QB in the NFL, so he’s steeped in football. He’s literally lived it since childhood, through pop warner, HS, college, then NFL.
Simms also talks about perhaps the more unsavory details – bubble butts, guts and nuts! and isn’t afraid to go out on a limb. Is he 100% accurate? Of course not – none in the NFL draft biz are, but his top 5s are worth a listen.
I also like his ‘tiers‘ as they put the players in perspective, and makes it easier to cross-check with his previous draft analysis. For example, just because a prospect is #2, doesn’t necessarily mean he’s in the same area code as #1. Ty Simpson might be #2, but he’s not getting drafted #2 overall behind Mendoza [may not even get drafted in the 1st RD].
Since I posted on DTs before his actual survey, here it is again in its entirety.
Tier 1
1. Kayden McDonald 6’2, 326 (Ohio State)
Tier 2
2. Christen Miller 6’0, 310 (Georgia)
3. Caleb Banks 6’6, 327(Florida)
4. Domonique Orange 6’2, 325 (Iowa State)
Tier 3
5.Lee Hunter 6’3, 330 (Texas Tech)
As one can see, they are BIG – not the traditional 3Ts Allen previously prefers. Will he change his MO? Dunno. He does like versality. Shemar Turner [6’3, 290] for instance may end up at DE despite being drafted as a DT. One thing these DTs have going for them is that they seem to be able to stop the run, and that’s Allen’s #1 priority. He wasn’t afraid to play Billings [albeit, they let him walk for a reason], so MAYBE these bubble-butts can replace that hole.
“They are run-stoppers PLUS.” – Simms
Also of note is that Simms doesn’t put Peter Woods in his top 5 [projects he’ll fall out of 1st. Mel Kiper mocked Woods going #19 to Chargers].
He is CRAZY high on McDonald [who is frequently mocked to Bears at #25]. ‘He’s between Jaylen Carter and Kenneth Grant. A top 12-10 player who is more than simply run stuffer.’
Carter went #9 and Grant #12, so either Simms is overrating McDonald, or the rest of the Draftniks are underrating him thinking he’ll fall to the 20s and beyond.
2. On Miller, “Athletic enough to play 3T like McDonald…Plays hard.”
3. On Banks, “If his feet were healthy, he”d be Chris Jones-esque”
4. On Big Citrus, “Explosive. Quicks, twitch, power. Incredible balance.”
5. On “the Fridge” Hunter, “Doesn’t pop, but disruptive and immovable vs double teams.”
Dominique “Big Citrus” Orange seems like an intriguing option if Poles passes on DT at #25.