2019 Picks #126-130
From the 2019 NFL Draft Bible (click here to purchase)
#126 Bears - Riley Ridley, WR, Georgia
OUTLOOK: Riley Ridley is the younger brother of Falcons first round draft pick Calvin Ridley and actually went to Georgia on his brother’s advice. While he arrived in Athens with a lot of hype, he backed it up on the field with a touchdown in his first collegiate game versus Tennessee. His career production won’t jump off the page due to all the talent on the Bulldogs roster but his nine touchdowns as a junior are evidence of how effective he can be in the red zone or short yardage.
#127 Ravens - Iman Marshall, CB, Southern California
OUTLOOK: Marshall is a gifted prospect but he comes with a bit of a reputation for coasting by on his natural tools, perhaps influenced by the fact that he recorded zero interceptions the past two seasons, despite breaking up 19 passes during that time. Marshall had previously impressed with his ball-skills, collecting six interceptions (among 17 breakups) over his first two seasons as a starter for the Trojans. The team that feels it can light a fire under Marshall could be handsomely rewarded, with the prototypically-built defender projecting as at least a rotational defender and perhaps much more.
#128 Cowboys - Tony Pollard, WR, Memphis
OUTLOOK: No one benefitted from Senior Bowl week more than Pollard, who flashed his game-breaking speed throughout the event. He accumulated 2,616 return yards, averaging 30.1 yards per return and seven kicks returned for touchdown. In addition to being a return extraordinaire, Pollard has 13 career tackles on special teams as a gunner. The running back/wide receiver dynamo is an offensive weapon who can play an array of roles at the next level. He has dealt with several nagging injuries but hasn’t missed any games. His pass-catching prowess, change of direction and return ability might remind some of Ty Montgomery (Packers).
#129 Raiders - Isaiah Johnson, CB, Houston
OUTLOOK: Virtually all of the hype surrounding Houston in 2018 surrounded superstar defensive tackle Ed Oliver but savvy scouts were just as interested in the development of Johnson, a Kong-sized cornerback who originally signed with the Cougars as a wide receiver. An accomplished track star in high school and receiver in high school, Johnson caught 21 passes for 208 yards over his first two seasons at Houston before being convinced that his greatest chance at making an NFL roster would be at cornerback. He made the switch to defense prior to his junior season and earned immediate playing time in 2017, starting the final five games of the year. Johnson looks straight out of a Seahawks starter kit, possessing the height, length and athletic profile Pete Carroll has prioritized since joining the team. Further, just two years removed from playing wide receiver, Johnson comes with exciting upside but make no mistake, he is a project.
#130 Chargers - Drue Tranquill, OLB, Notre Dame
OUTLOOK: Light on his feet and relatively loose-hipped among linebackers, smoothly re-directing and accelerating with above average speed (for the position) overall. Does a nice job running with tight ends or backs in coverage. Reads his keys and trusts his eyes, often getting an early break on the ball and lining up some wicked direct hits on screens and undercutting routes. Shows poise with the ball in the air with good (not great) ball-skills. Off the charts intangibles. Two-time team captain, Senior CLASS award nominee. Graduated May 2018 with mechanical engineering degree. Married. Below average height among NFL linebackers with a nearly maxed-out frame. Willing to take on hard-charging blockers in the hole but has to fight for a stalemate, lacking the sand in his pants to anchor effectively or the explosive hands to disengage once opponents latch on. Suffered a torn ACL in November of 2014. While lacking preferred size, the route-savvy and agility that earned him playing time at safety early in his career is clear in Tranquill's game, making him well suited to handle the coverage duties of today's modern weakside linebacker.
For full profiles and more draft info, click here to purchase and download the 2019 NFL Draft Bible
