Ferguson, pictured, totaled 26 tackles for losses in 2018 while also posting 17 quarterback sacks. He ended his career as the FBS’ all-time sack leader.
Baltimore Ravens
Notable picks: First-year GM Eric DeCosta did a very good job of adding layers to the Baltimore offense.Brown’s challenge will be to hold his weight at the 175-pound mark while not losing his decisive speed.Ferguson has more pressure to produce than most third-rounders because of the loss of Terrell Suggs in free agency. Boykin will compete with holdovers Jaleel Scott, Chris Moore, and Jordan Lasley for playing time.Powers helps improve the depth of the interior line.Will Marshall move to safety? The addition of Hill provides the team with a home run threat at the running back position.He will, however, have to fight for playing time.
Round,
Selection,
Player
School
DN Big Board
Rank/
Grade
‘Nasty’ Take:
1 (25)
Acquired this pick from the Philadelphia Eagles for its 22nd overall pick
Brown has a chance to become dynamic in the Ravens offense in a different type of way than he was at Oklahoma.Expect to see him used on fly sweeps, seam routes, shallow crossers, nine routes and post patterns.Will he be a fit with fellow Florida native Lamar Jackson? Physical cornerbacks have competed well against him in the past.
After a subpar postseason, Ferguson saw his stock slide despite breaking former Ravens’ OLB Terrell Suggs’ all-time NCAA sack record.Ferguson plays even longer than his size would indicate and he may have to bully tackles early on. He has a 10-yard burst.
3 (93)
Miles Boykin
WR/Notre Dame
48/2nd Round
Boykin is an upside pick after just one year of high-level production, but he did draw as many pass interference calls as any receiver in this year’s draft.Can he build on his breakout final year in school?
Hill has the burst to slip-and-slide in-between the tackles on gut runs.His 4.4 speed is aided by an underrated ability to at least compete in pass protection.
If Powers can sustain blocks with more efficiency, then his ability to gain position can be effective in the NFL.He excels with hand placement initially and passes off line games well. His experience gives the team comfort he can translate to the next level.
It is hard to find cornerbacks who have started 48 games in school.The Ravens found Marshall, who is physical enough to perhaps transition to the safety spot.In a crowded cornerback room, he may be asked to shift to the safety spot in nickel/dime packages.
5 (160)
Daylon Mack
DT/Texas A&M
185/3rd Round
The former five-star recruit’s big knock didn’t revolve around power or explosion at 330-plus pounds.It basically comes down to endurance.We think he can give the team a solid 20 snaps a game if needed and those snaps can be impactful.
6 (197)
Trace
McSorley
QB/Penn State
101/3rd Round
We felt McSorley was one of the better quarterbacks in this year’s draft, but his final year at Penn State included a knee injury that affected his accuracy.While most expect him to play a variety of roles for the team, we think he can be productive under center in at least a backup capacity.
Finley’s experience includes stints at two different schools. He led the ACC in completion percentage (67.4%) in 2018.
Cincinnati Bengals
Notable picks: The Bengals were fixated on finding more competition along its offensive line and Williams will be asked to move back to his original spot in college, right tackle.Sample is underrated as a receiver, but his true value comes as a blocker for a team intent on running the ball effectively.Pratt’s foot speed will give him an opportunity to compete for a spot in DC Lou Anarumo’s schemes. Can Finley’s experience and maturity actually challenge Andy Dalton?
Sample amplified his draft stock when he ran in the low 4.7-range at 255 pounds.He is getting better at the little things when it comes to running routes (sinking his weight, using his size, etc..).He can play multiple spots.
If Pratt -a former safety- can improve his stack-and-shed, we think he can compete early for a spot.He has had some shoulder issues in the past, but is a fine blitz threat with good ball skills to finish interception opportunities.
Finley’s accurate and flexible nature is demonstrated with a quick release when his feet stay quiet in the pocket.His playing style could fit well in Zac Taylor’s offensive schemes.
4 (125)
Acquired from Denver via Houston
Renell Wren
DT/Arizona State
280/4th Round
Wren played his best football late in his career but was quietly productive over a two-year stretch.He gives the teams options in terms of moving their defensive fronts.
Jordan will get the opportunity to move back to the guard spot and play alongside former Buckeye teammate and Bengals center Billy Price.It could prove to be a winning combination for the Bengals.
6 (182)
Trayveon Williams
RB/
Texas A&M
71/2nd Round
It is hard to find players who rush for over 1,700 yards available in the sixth round, but there were questions surrounding Williams’ true change of direction after ordinary postseason workouts.A closer look reveals a back capable of slipping in-and-out of tight quarters with burst and power packed into a 206-pound frame.
6 (210)
Deshaun Davis
LB/Auburn
150/3rd Round
Davis is an instinctive linebacker who fits, wraps and seeks to inflict pain on opponents.He got knocked for a bit of stiffness in pass coverage.He finished his career with 266 tackles and 29 tackles for losses.
6 (211)
Rodney
Anderson
RB/
Oklahoma
246/4th Round
Anderson’s talent has never been in question, but his injury history is concerning.He is a pick that could reap major rewards if he is able to stay unscathed over the next year and a half.The former Sooner has soft hands and is good in pass protection.
For the team to pick up one of the draft’s better cornerbacks in terms of size and footwork is a potential heist.Brown, an FCS All-American, trusts his instincts, tackles well enough and may be able to play multiple spots on the backend.
Redwine (No. 22 pictured), a former cornerback, impressed teams with 4.44 speed, a 39-inch vertical jump, 10-foot-10-inch broad jump and 4.14 20-yard short shuttle at the 2019 NFL Combine.
Cleveland Browns
Notable picks: Williams and Takitaki both have question marks surrounding different aspects of their games.Redwine has a load of talent and the former cornerback should be able to operate effectively in man coverage versus tight ends.Mack Wilson’s eye control will determine his ultimate place on the roster, but his kickoff coverage ability will be a bonus while he develops.An uncertain kicking situation led to the pick of Seibert, who hasn’t had a number of pressure-packed kicks on his resume’.Forbes’ selection indicates the team is still looking for competition on the flanks of its offensive line.
Although his space tackling is an issue, he did improve in pass coverage slightly as a senior.The Browns linebacker corps features a ton of speed, hard hitters and undervalued prospects coming out of the college ranks.Takitaki fits the bill, but his discipline in pass coverage will ultimately determine whether he can find a role.
The former CB has the hip flexibility to cover most tight ends and occasionally matches up with slot WRs effectively (UNC ’18).His skill-set is very similar to current Browns safety Damarious Randall.
Despite starring in pass coverage in 2017, Wilson’s inconsistent eye control caused a precipitous fall on draft weekend.His pad level needs to improve stacking-and-shedding OL (see SEC Champ ’18).We think he is one of the best kickoff cover guys in the entire 2019 NFL Draft class.
5 (170)
Acquired from New England
Austin Seibert
PK/
Oklahoma
596/6th Round
Seibert carries a slight right-to-left drift on some of his shorter field goals in the NFL’s extra point range (33-yd GW FG miss, Army ’18).In addition, he has left some returnable kickoff opportunities for opponents (TCU ’18).On the plus side, he connected on 80-percent of his career field goal attempts, has range up to about 60 yards and can even be an effective punter in a pinch.He placed 65 punts inside the 20-yard line during school.
6 (189)
Drew Forbes
OG/
SE Missouri State
N/A
Forbes ran in the 4.9-range, pumped out 28 reps at 225 pounds, and posted a 30 1/2-inch vertical jump on his Pro Day.His footwork may give him an opportunity to play the tackle spot, the position he played at in school.
7 (221)
Acquired from
Jacksonville
Donnie Lewis
CB-Nickel/Tulane
158/3rd Round
Lewis was one of the more active cornerbacks in the AAC over the last two seasons.He routinely challenged WRs in man coverage. Postseason injury issues caused him to fall in the draft. He also has experience covering in the slot.
Snell, the Steelers fourth-round selection, was a major factor for Kentucky in the fourth quarters of games. His style fits the personality of the AFC North.
Pittsburgh Steelers
Notable picks: GM Kevin Colbert and his scouting department apparently came into this draft looking to increase the team’s speed at the linebacker spot and on special teams.Bush, Gilbert and Smith go a long way towards reaching that goal. For the second straight year, the team drafted an Alabama defensive lineman on Day 3 of the draft process.Justin Layne adds a long corner to a group really devoid of size on the edges.If Johnson can duplicate former WR Antonio Brown’s younger years as a punt return specialist, it could amplify his role within the offense.
Round,
Selection,
Player
School
DN Big Board
Rank/
Grade
‘Nasty’ Take:
1 (20)
Acquired in a trade from the Denver Broncos that sent them the 20th overall pick in the first round
Devin Bush
LB/Michigan
11/1st Round
Bush, our top-ranked linebacker, brings 4.43 speed and plenty of explosion to the Steelers defense.The Big Ten Defensive Player of the Year’s mentality brings a tone-setting edge to the team’s defense.
3 (66)
Acquired from Oakland
Diontae
Johnson
All-Purpose/Toledo
189/3rd Round
Johnson’s instant nature gives the team the hope that they may have found yet another gem from the MAC.We think he offers major upside in the return game.The 2018 MAC Special Teams Player of the Year averaged 18.5 yards per punt return as a junior and 20.2 yards per punt return in his career (2 TDs).He also returned two kickoffs for scores while in school.
Layne is a smooth bail-and-run corner with decent fluidity.The former WR got better as his career went along, but his sense of urgency has to improve when playing off of wideouts.
The fourth quarter finisher will compete with James Connor to finish off games. Snell’s attitude and energetic style will be a complement to the team’s running back by committee-approach.He finished his career with 48 touchdowns. Controlling his emotions will be a big key.
5 (141)
Acquired from Oakland
Zach Gentry
TE/Michigan
448/5th Round
The former New Mexico high school four-star QB recruit didn’t develop into a prized signal-caller, but he did become one of the best tight ends in the Big Ten working from the inside-out on pass patterns. Ordinary workouts likely caused a bit of a slide, but he averaged 16.1 yards per reception for the Wolverines in 2018.
6 (175)
Acquired from Oakland
Sutton Smith
LB/Northern Illinois
143/3rd Round
Smith’s impressive work in terms of flexibility gives the team hope that he can develop into an exchange linebacker.With such a knack for rushing the passer off the edge, the hope for the Steelers is his knack for timing can develop from a number of spots.He finished his career with 30 QB sacks and 58 tackles for losses in just 39 games.
6 (192)
Isaiah Buggs
DL/Alabama
319/4th Round
Buggs is an intense two-gap defender who relies on power, but he is actually more efficient with his angles as a pass rusher.He could line up as a three-technique in some of their fronts or the inside shade defensive end in others.He has value at this spot in the draft.
6 (207)
Compensatory pick acquired from Arizona
Ulysees Gilbert
LB/Akron
313/4th Round
The Zips playmaker finished with 112 tackles in a breakout junior campaign but took a bit of a step back in 2018.He runs in the high 4.4-to-low 4.5-range and will get plenty of opportunities as a core special teams player.
Gray has shown that he can sit in the chair and he often plays with an offensive guard’s demeanor.He possesses adequate length to remain on the edge, but he has to stay healthy.
The Steelers squeaked past the Bengals but it wasn’t enough to qualify for the playoffs. Despite a 16-13 victory, a number of midseason disappointments allowed the Baltimore Ravens to walk away with the AFC North division title. DraftNasty’s Troy Jefferson gives his impressions in this in-game report:
Steelers spread attack
The Steelers employed the spread attack as its primary offensive set during the regular season and this included the season finale against the Bengals. It allowed them to get their playmakers out in space but it did leave quarterback Ben Roethlisberger susceptible to increased pressure from four-man fronts. Cincinnati only sacked Big Ben once, but they were able to get him off his throwing spot without blitzing while still keeping two safeties high. With Antonio Brown out, Roethlisberger started the game by throwing seven completions to five different receivers. A majority of these passes were wide receiver screens and slants. As was my concern early in the season, Roethlisberger did fall back into a pattern of turning the football over, not only against the Bengals but all season long. For the game, Roethlisberger finished with one passing touchdown, one interception and 287 passing yards on 68-percent passing. James Conner led the team with 64 rushing yards on 14 carries. As the Steelers assess their 2018 season offensively, look for them to carry over their spread principles into next year while also finding ways to cut down on the turnovers.
Turnover differential
Pittsburgh ranked sixth in scoring offense and were in the top ten in passing yards and rushing yards allowed. The offensive and defensive stats tell a story of a successful season but turnovers doomed the Steelers and almost cost them their game against the Bengals. In 2018, Pittsburgh finished with a -11 turnover differential, which ranked 28th in the NFL. The other four teams with a worst differential than the Steelers were Arizona, Jacksonville, San Francisco and Tampa Bay, all teams who finished with losing records. Against Cincinnati, Roethlisberger threw a pick- six to Shawn Williams, which represented the Bengals’ only touchdown for the game. Defensively, Pittsburgh was not able to force the Bengals, who were missing wide receiver A.J. Green and quarterback Andy Dalton, into any mistakes.
Cincinnati playmakers
Cincinnati All-Pro wide receiver A.J. Green caught 46 passes for 694 yards and six touchdowns despite appearing in just nine games in 2018.
With A.J. Green, Tyler Boyd and Tyler Eifert out, it was evident that the Bengals just didn’t have the firepower to get players open against the Steelers. Alex Erickson caught all six of his targets for 63 yards and was able to work over the middle but his longest catch was for just 13 yards. The Bengals next most productive reviewer was Auden Tate, who caught one pass for 15 yards. Joe Mixon ran for 105 yards and finished with 1,168 yards on the season. The 22- year-old running back should be able to be relied upon for the long- term, but look for the Bengals to continue to try and develop their young playmakers like John Ross, a former Top 10 pick in the 2017 NFL Draft.
Hayden Hurst (No. 81 pictured) runs over tacklers in a game between the South Carolina Gamecocks and Vanderbilt Commodores at Dudley Field in Nashville, TN Photo by Thomas McEwen/Draft Nasty
Notable pick: Brown could make this a home run in the draft. If his pre-draft workouts were any indication, a simple uptick in work ethic may be in order to match his impressive on-field play. Hurst and Andrews extend the middle of the field from Day 1, as does former New Mexico State high-riser Scott.
Round,
Selection,
Player
School
DN Big Board
Rank/
Grade
‘Nasty’ Take:
1 (25)
Hayden
Hurst
TE-6’5 250
South Carolina
39 (2nd Round
Smooth. He even spent a game tracking punts in 2016 (Georgia). Underrated run after the catch skill.
1 (32) Trade from Philadelphia
Lamar
Jackson
QB-6’2 216
Louisville
10 (1st Round)
Underrated as a passer, Jackson will make tacklers miss in the NFL…too.
3 (83)
Orlando
Brown
OT-6’8 345
Oklahoma
158 (3rd Round)
Brown’s barrel-chested approach extended itself into the fourth quarters of games.
3 (86)
Mark
Andrews
TE-6’5 256
Oklahoma
92 (3rd Round)
Andrews has the ability to run routes from a flexed position and is strong enough to make contested catches.
4 (118)
Anthony
Averett
CB-5’11 183
Alabama
206 (4th Round)
Averett’s uncle Bryant McKinnie once played for the Ravens.
4 (122)
Kenny
Young
LB-6’1 236
UCLA
187 (4th Roiund)
Young’s coverage ability is reminiscent to former UCLA LB Jayon Brown (Titans).
4 (132)
Jaleel
Scott
WR-6’5 218
New Mexico St.
208 (4th Round)
Scott’s one-hand grab vs. Arizona State in 2017 was just one of many spectacular on-ball adjustments he made as a senior. Catch radius (34-inch arms) helps his cause.
5 (162)
Jordan
Lasley
WR-6’1 203
UCLA
259 (4th Round)
Lasley is a smooth receiver who balanced concentration lapses with an ability to roll speed cuts.
6 (190)
DeShon
Elliott
S-6’1 210
Texas
115 (3rd Round)
Elliott has some stiffness, but he reacts well breaking downhill on the ball. His eyes have been undisciplined. He has potential as a special teams cover guy.
6 (212)
Greg
Senat
OT-6’5 302
Wagner
434 (5th Round)
Senat brings an 84-inch wingspan and a look reminiscent to former Boise State Bronco Charles Leno coming out of school. Leverage issues need to be corrected.
6 (215)
Bradley
Bozeman
OC-6’5 317
Alabama
482 (6th Round)
More of a position than drive blocker, Bozeman uses his size to win as a run blocker. A lack of foot speed is evident.
7 (238)
Zach
Sieler
DE-6’6 288
Ferris State
N/A
Wins during the second phase of downs. His combination of size and strength could help him land a roster spot.
Cincinnati Bengals
Former Texas LB Malik Jefferson (No. 46 pictured) will look to break into a crowded Bengals linebacking corps. Photo by: Corey Chavous, DraftNasty Magazine
Notable picks: Price has to be able to create more forward movement for what has been a stagnant rushing attack. In addition, his line calls will be important for a unit that struggled giving up sacks. Bates III and Jefferson will have a tough time earning playing time with a number of veterans currently on the roster. The Bengals added quality depth at a number of spots on the defensive side of the ball. Harris may be the surprise of the group.
Round,
Selection,
Player
School
DN Big Board
Rank/
Grade
‘Nasty’ Take:
1 (21)
Billy
Price
OC-6’4 306
Ohio State
37 (2nd Round)
Price’s addition will help a unit that averaged just 3.6 yards per rushing attempt in 2017.
2 (54)
Jessie
Bates III
S-6’1 200
Wake Forest
18 (2nd Round)
Bates III’s eye speed is elite and his ball skills are above average. His range could enhance the Bengals’ coverage packages.
3 (77)
Sam
Hubbard
DE-6’5 270
Ohio State
50 (2nd Round)
Hubbard has impressive change of direction (6.88 3-cone) at 270 pounds. Needs to work on developing more speed-to-power as a pass rusher.
3 (78)
Malik
Jefferson
LB-6’2 236
Texas
88 (3rd Round)
Jefferson- an underrated blitzer- improved his key-and-diagnose in DC Todd Orlando’s schemes.
4 (112)
Mark
Walton
RB-5’10 202
Miami (Fla.)
148 (3rd Round)
Walton’s ability to break tackles is aided by an ability to run routes out of the backfield.
5 (151)
Davontae
Harris
CB-5’11 205
Illinois State
98 (3rd Round)
This is a player who impressed at every stop of the postseason process. He will challenge for playing time either outside or inside due to his physicality.
5 (158)
Andrew
Brown
DT-6’3 294
Virginia
125 (3rd Round)
Brown never quite lived up to his pre-collegiate hype, but he still produced 26.5 tackles for loss in his career.
5 (170)
Darius
Phillips
AP-5’10 188
Western Michigan
190 (4th Round)
Phillips, an all-purpose maestro, scored 14 touchdowns five different ways in school. He needs work on his coverage techniques at corner.
7 (249)
Logan
Woodside
QB-6’1 213
Toledo
402 (5th Round)
Woodside’s proclivity for the big stage shined when facing teams like Miami (Fla.) in 2017. His efficiency, athleticism and moxie make for a good combination.
7 (252)
Rod
Taylor
OG-6’3 320
Ole Miss
111 (3rd Round)
Taylor has started at LT, RT and RG in school. He projects inside but could be a backup at a number of spots.
7 (253)
Auden
Tate
WR-6’5 228
FSU
239 (4th Round)
Tate led the ACC in touchdown receptions as a senior (10), but there are questions surrounding his ability to create separation in short areas.
Cleveland Browns
Notable pick: The Browns may have found their new lockdown cornerback in Ward (No. 12 pictured). Could he be an even better version of former Browns Pro Bowler Joe Haden? The team has now created quality depth at the cornerback spot with Ward, Howard Wilson, Boddy-Calhoun, Taylor and recent signee Travis Carrie.
Round,
Selection,
Player
School
DN Big Board
Rank/
Grade
‘Nasty’ Take:
1 (1)
Baker
Mayfield
QB-6’0 216
Oklahoma
54 (2nd Round)
Mayfield’s mentality may be the juice that the Browns need as an organization. He will need to prove he can handle the elements.
1 (4)
Denzel
Ward
CB-5’11 183
Ohio State
9 (1st Round)
Ward brings immediate nickel potential from Day 1 with his level of footwork and quickness. He will need to improve playing with his back to the quarterback. Rare physical skill-set.
2 (33)
Austin
Corbett
OL-6’4 310
Nevada
42 (2nd Round)
Corbett- a college LT- can provide assistance at any of four offensive line spots. He is one of this draft’s smartest prospects.
2 (35)
Nick
Chubb
RB-6’0 227
Georgia
26 (2nd Round)
One of the SEC’s all-time best runners, Chubb will be a workhorse if he can remain healthy.
3 (67)
Chad
Thomas
DE-6’5 281
Miami (Fla.)
142 (3rd Round)
Thomas may eventually morph into a four-technique DE, but he already can be a factor inside on third downs for Gregg Williams’ multiple fronts.
4 (105)
Antonio
Calllaway
WR-5’10 200
Florida
163 (3rd Round)
Callaway has to become more consistent in his decision-making both on and off the field. Just as quick as he is fast.
5 (150)
Genard
Avery
LB-6’0 248
Memphis
59 (2nd Round)
Powerball player who runs over opponents. Impressed scouts with his 4.5 speed in the postseason.
6 (175)
Damion
Ratley
WR-6’3 200
Texas A&M
405 (5th Round)
Ratley has 4.4 speed and is shifty after the catch. He will need to eliminate the concentration drops and speed up his release vs. bump-and-run.
6 (188)
Simeon
Thomas
CB-6’3 203
Louisiana-Lafayette
625 (7th Round)
Off-and-on starter whose size allows him to recover down the field. His cousin, Marvin Bracy, was a two-time All-USA selection in track & field
Pittsburgh Steelers
Notable pick: Edmunds (No. 22 pictured) will challenge for playing time immediately and put pressure on whoever is in front of him at safety. He could very well play the role of former Steeler and current free agent Mike Mitchell.
Round,
Selection,
Player
School
DN Big Board
Rank/
Grade
‘Nasty’ Take:
1 (28)
Terrell
Edmunds
S-6’2 220
Virginia Tech
133 (3rd Round)
Edmunds has covered the slot, played in the box, and also contributed on special teams. Impressed the Hokies’ coaching staff with his toughness playing through a shoulder injury in 2017.
2 (60)
James
Washington
WR-5’11 213
Oklahoma St.
48 (2nd Round)
Plays faster than he times in T-shirts and shorts. Has the length of an offensive tackle. Tracks the ball.
3 (76)
Mason
Rudolph
QB-6’5 234
Oklahoma State
102 (3rd Round)
Rudolph goes into a situation where he can develop behind a quarterback who is similar in size.
3 (92)
Chukwuma
Okorafor
OT-6’6 320
Western Michigan
138 (3rd Round)
Okorafor actually played LT when Willie Beavers was in school but he will likely project to the right side for the Steelers. He may be a better run than pass blocker.
5 (148)
Marcus
Allen
S-6’2 215
Penn State
119 (3rd Round)
One of college football’s best tacklers, Allen has to improve his ability to steal second base off the hash.
5 (165)
Jaylen
Samuels
AP-5’11 225
NC State
95 (3rd Round)
Samuels never seems to be going at a speed where he allows himself to get out of control. While it works offensively, he will need to play with more of a sense of urgency to contribute consistently on special teams.
7 (246)
Joshua
Frazier
DT-6’3 321
Alabama
494 (6th Round)
Frazier exhibited a powerful long-arm to post back guards and centers. He is active but too often gets tied up losing to the spot.
Long before Cincinnati Bengals safety Clayton Fejedelem made it to the NFL, he made quite a statement in his final season for the Fighting Illini. After starring at St. Xavier (an NAIA school in Illinois), Fejedelem decided to walk-on at Illinois in the spring of 2013. In his final season in the Big Ten, he led the conference with 140 tackles. DraftNasty’s Corey Chavous caught up with the former high school wrestler during the week of the 2016 East-West Shrine game to find out what drives him day-to-day.
Corey: What’s been the best experience so far this week in terms adjusting to these players after having such a good year in the Big Ten?
Fejedelem: It’s nice coming down and getting the top players in the nation from all over the nation. So you get to kinda test your worth
against a lot more conferences, a lot more different styles of play, different offenses and it’s pretty cool. The coolest thing coming down here was getting the opportunity to talk to all those different scouts and all the guys you’ll see in the future.
Corey: When you look at your game and how it evolved, would you say one of the more underrated aspects was just how quick you triggered forward in some of the quick game stuff when you were in man coverage (like against Minnesota)? Talk about your eyes and how you see things on the field.
Fejedelem: Absolutely. I take pride in preparing myself for the game, watching the film so I get out there and it’s muscle memory. You only need to see a few keys and you already know the play that’s coming. I take pride in the speed that I play the game and I think that’s one of my biggest assets.
Corey: It seemed like there was competition between you and your other safety-mate (No. 3 Taylor Barton) when it came to just getting to the football and breaking on the football. Was there a little inter-competition between you and him?
Fejedelem: Me and Taylor Barton are pretty good friends off the field. In practice, we’re always messing with each other on who can get their hands on more footballs and in the game it’s no different. That’s how you get paid..so. He came up on top with a few more interceptions than I did this year.
Corey: You had more tackles though.
Fejedelem: I had a lot more tackles. There were throwing his way because there were scared to throw my way. That’s the reason (laughs).
Corey: That’s what I like to hear. Finally, you kind of remind me of one of my former teammates, the late Pat Tillman (Arizona Cardinals, 1998-01), in your tenacity and ability to get to the football. Also in your ability to play special teams. Who do you compare yourself to at the next level?
Fejedelem: Currently playing, probably Eric Weddle (Baltimore Ravens). He’s out there and he’ s kind of a savage. I like his style
of play; he’s very scrappy. If I’m going back some years, I try to model my game as kind of a hybrid Ed Reed/Brian Dawkins.
Reed’s ballhawking ability and he wasn’t afraid to stick his neck in there. And Brian Dawkins was just an overall freak. I try to hybrid
that.
Corey: Talk about your work in the weight room. What are your expectations in the short shuttle and other testing? Your coaches have talked about you being one of the faster players on the team. Tell us a little bit about your workout numbers, some of the stuff you’ve put up and what are your goals for the postseason?
Fejedelem: Right. I was one of the workout warriors as our head strength coach (former Illinois head strength coach Aaron Hillman) would say. I just enjoy the grind; I really do. I think the more you prepare yourself in the offseason the better it’s gonna be. Even if you are the most talented player all the extra work is gonna make you that much better. I put the extra time in with the squats, the benching. I did pretty well last summer with my 225-lb test; I’m shooting a little bit higher. I think that test was 22 (reps); right around there. I’m shooting for that 38-inch vertical; right around there. And I’d like to get under a four (4.0) in the shuttle and 40 (yard dash), try to run that high 4.4.
Corey: That’s awesome man. We just want to wish you continued success and thank you for your time. Make it to the league.
Notable pick: The Browns may have found their new lockdown cornerback in Ward (No. 12 pictured). Could he be an even better version of former Browns Pro Bowler Joe Haden? The team has now created quality depth at the cornerback spot with Ward, Howard Wilson, Boddy-Calhoun, Taylor and recent signee Travis Carrie.
Notable pick: Edmunds (No. 22 pictured) will challenge for playing time immediately and put pressure on whoever is in front of him at safety. He could very well play the role of former Steeler and current free agent Mike Mitchell.
