With the 8th Pick of the 2016 Draft: Michigan State OT Jack Conklin

Well I did say 2.0

I watched about an hour of film hungover, going to do more on Sunday. So far, I really like his game. Read a stat where he gave up less QB pressures than Ronnie Stanley on the same side of the line. That's impressive.

 

He definitely has a good story if he works out

 

I don't really like PFF but they do a really good job evaluating prospects.

Position fit:
Left or right tackle, best-suited for a gap run scheme

Stats to know:
In the top three among offensive tackles each of the last two seasons. Performance versus Iowa was highest-graded game for any tackle this season.

What he does best:
• An absolute mauler in the run game. Will take defensive ends up to the second level routinely on down blocks
• Deadening initial punch in pass protection. Edge rushers will stop in their tracks if Conklin lands the first punch
• Great body control for a large man. Upper and lower body play in unison
• Almost never beaten with a bull rush. Extremely strong anchor

Biggest concern:
• Plodding feet still cost him at times. Still susceptible to inside counters
• Slow getting up to second level at times
• Average ability to locate on the move

Bottom line:
Conklin may not always look the part, but he gets the job done as well as any tackle in this class. He’s a guy that will move the line of scrimmage in the run game and has few enough deficiencies in pass protection to be a quality NFL left tackle.

 

So this guy is a mauler like a true RT but does enough in pass protection where some feel comfortable enough to put him at LT. Winner.

 

I would have rather used one of our 2nd round this year to move up and keep next year picks. Get a little better return pick compensation, heck even a 4th in 2017 for losing a second this year.

I don't hate the player and acknowledge the need to move up to get him. Just hate not having that pick next year, a pick between 33-43.

 

He reminds me of Lane Johnson as in he will start on the RT but as he grows he can swing to the left if Lewan keeps getting knicked up.

 

Really? I think the top of the second is really strong this year. Who knows what it will be next year (plus theres no way we will be picking at 33 next year...... right?). We have a ton of options.

 

Maybe not 33, but I'll be unbelievably shocked if improve by 10 teams and are picking at 43. The only reason I think there is a chance is our crap division but then we never take advantage of it before so why expect it now.

Beyond the not knowing what players will be there (there will be some good ones), having an early second could've been ammunition to move up next year in the draft. And I think the way the draft is now, with the entire night between the first and second round, an early 2nd round is worth a lot because you have 24 hours to negotiate trades after the 1st.

 

We have two 1st round picks and two 3rd picks in next years draft. So we aren't really losing that much. If we want a 2nd round pick in next year's draft, we'll have the fire power to move up (or down as it were).

 

Is that Conklin's girl sporting the jean shorts overalls? I know we're in the south and people are little more relaxed about that kind of thing, but damn...