draftageddon 2019

What this is: Our take on preseason all-Big Ten lists, drafting position-by-position.

Previously: Quarterbacks and Running Backs, Receivers and Tight Ends, Offensive Line, Defensive Line

How things stand:

We're skipping past LBs because we're going to do a four-guy LBs/FLEX round afterwards. And the draft is randomized again.

======CORNERBACKS======

CB #1: Lavert Hill, Michigan (Ace)

One of the best corners in the country two seasons ago. One of the best corners in the country last year, again, and among the leaders in the conference at pretty much any fancystat. A press man specialist who can line up on the outside or in the slot, the latter an increasingly important factor in today’s game—his ability to nerf Penn State’s slot fades helped turn that series around dramatically last year. Has significant NFL Draft interest despite non-ideal NFL size—Kiper has him as the #5 senior corner and a potential riser.

You know all this, but it’s nice to hear again.

[After THE JUMP: Lots of nickels drafted to safety, and we make up a new cornerback stat]

What this is: Our take on preseason all-Big Ten lists, drafting position-by-position.

Previously: Quarterbacks and Running Backs, Receivers and Tight Ends, Offensive Line

How things stand:

Seth: Snake draft. Random.org decided the order.

======DEFENSIVE TACKLES======

DT #1 Raequan Williams, Michigan State (Seth)

No way around him [Bryan Fuller]

There is no quote from this offseason that makes me angrier than this from Raequan after the Video Stores Still Exist? Bowl, regarding his choice to return for his senior season:

"I'm a better pass rusher than a sack and a half. I have to put that on film."

Based on no evidence I am convinced his coaches told him that.

It's offensively untrue. Williams has made 29 starts since taking over for, and playing better than, Malik McDowell in the year MSU went 3-9 (and Notre Dame went 4-8). What all that tape shows is the guy I will use from now until eternity to describe the perfect defensive weapon against zone running. His pad level is too good, his feet are too quick, those dang long arms make it impossible to get around him, or any kind of control, and he's so dang strong no QB vs. MSU has enjoyed a convex pocket for two years and counting.

SI has him going in the bottom of the 1st round. Gil Brandt has him the 4th DT off the board. PFF has him the best tackler in the conference, 4th in the country at run-stuffing and first among returning DTs, in a tight group with OSU's guys and the Panasiuk who gets singled all the time because of Williams. Izzo is probably telling him he should be a four.

[After THE JUMP: Yes, three Michigan guys!]

What this is: Our take on preseason all-Big Ten lists, drafting position-by-position. Previously: Quarterbacks and Running Backs, Receivers and Tight Ends

How things stand:

Seth: RANDOM.org is being a stupidhead and keeps putting Bryan and me 1st or 4th and Brian & Ace in the middle, so for Offensive Line we're going by age. BRIAN is on the clock.

[time passes]

Seth: Brian has until sundown to send someone an LOI.

The Mathlete: He's got one ready to send to Alaric Jackson, just has to check with one guy before sending it

[more time passes]

BiSB: He’s just holding that spot for next year’s Draftageddon. Smart move, IMO.

----------------------------------

OT #1: Alaric Jackson, Iowa (Brian)

[The Detroit News, because, you know, he's from Detroit]

This is not a Tim Drevno joke. Three years after Drevno did not send Jackson a letter of intent he is being touted as a potential first round pick after putting up the best pass-blocking grade in the league.

He's 20th on Rotoworld's 2020 mock draft. SB Nation has him 28th. He is a fine young man who was academic All Big Ten last year. Tim Drevno, human person, surveyed a roster with zero viable tackle shaped persons with eligibility this year and was like "nah" about Alaric Jackson.

Now, did I see this coming? Yes. Yes I did.

Wirfs and Alaric Jackson are fairly good bets to alpaca. Both passed veteran starters last year as first and second year players, respectively, and are giant. Jackson also got passed over by Drevno so he's got that going for him.

I saw it coming miles away. Drevnooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo!

Alex: Can I get a “Dim Trevno?”

[After THE JUMP: More Iowa. And one Big Ten team gets its entire line drafted]