2019 Picks #156-160
From the 2019 NFL Draft Bible (click here to purchase)
#156 Broncos - Justin Hollins, EDGE, Oregon
OUTLOOK: Hollins has shown steady improvement over his career, raising his number of tackles, tackles for loss, sacks and forced fumbles each of the past three seasons, culminating with a 2018 campaign in which he registered 64 tackles, including 14.5 for loss and 6.5 sacks, as well as five forced fumbles - just one behind fellow rising NFL prospect Jachai Polite - for the national lead. Scouts seemed to appreciate Hollins' growth more than PAC-12 media. Hollins was never recognized as an all-conference player at Oregon despite leaving the Ducks with 184 tackles, 36 tackles for loss, 14 sacks and seven forced fumbles over his career. He was, however, invited to the East-West Shrine Game, turning heads there with his raw tools. Imposing condor-like frame with broad shoulders and a massive wingspan. Surprisingly agile for such a tall player, showing easy knee bend, balance and lateral agility to slide, shuffle and change direction with loose hips - athletic traits which project well to rushing upfield on twists and stunts as well as dropping back into coverage. Wasn't asked to cover often in this scheme but along with his surprising fluidity, Hollins also shows vision to track the ball and hand-eye coordination (Oregon State, 2017), recording six of his eight career passes defensed and five of his seven forced fumbles in 2018. Smooth accelerator with long strides, giving him impressive top-end speed. Good push-pull technique to wrench his way free from blockers, showing better upper body strength than his lanky frame would suggest. Noticeably bigger and stronger in his upper body in 2018 with some room for additional muscle mass. Isn't as physical as his imposing frame suggests, winning with length and athleticism rather than force, though he does show good hand strength. Broad across the shoulders but possesses relatively narrow hips and lacks ideal body thickness at this time. Rolls off the snap rather than exploding, lacking the elite quick-twitch to excel as a true speed rusher. Hollins' length and underrated overall athleticism could make him one to remember as the draft approaches. With the best football of his life still perhaps lying ahead of him, don't be surprised if a team gambles on his potential some time on Day 2.
#157 Jets - Blake Cashman, LB, Minnesota
OUTLOOK: A tackle machine this past season at Minnesota, Blake Cashman makes up for his athletic deficiencies with instincts and a relentless motor. Cashman was one of the handful of players that opted to sit out of his team’s bowl game to preserve his health and focus on preparing for the combine. Is a blue-collar type of player, who may be able to make an immediate impact on special teams. Cashman possesses the grit, leadership, and play-style to do well in the NFL.
#158 Cowboys, Michael Jackson, CB, Miami (Fla.)
OUTLOOK: Looks the part of an NFL press corner, sporting an imposing frame complete with above average height, broad shoulders and disproportionately long arms. Varies his approach in press, showing the ability to catch receivers off the ball with his length and physicality. Understands how to use the sideline as a 12th defender, leaving quarterbacks little room to squeeze passes over the top of him. Long-strider with good build-up speed to handle vertical routes. Good awareness while in zone coverage of underneath routes, demonstrating the quick downhill burst to break up passes in front of him. Showed intriguing timing and determination on the blitz, exhibiting lateral agility and creativity to avoid would-be blockers as well as closing speed. Willing to drop his shoulder to send a message as a hitter. Generally a reliable wrap-up tackler who runs through the ball-carrier to quickly halt any forward progress. Like a lot of taller cornerbacks, Jackson lacks the nifty footwork to remain hip to hip with smaller, quicker receivers on combination routes. Forced to throttle down when making sharp turns, creating gaps in coverage. Overly reliant on his arms to latch onto receivers at the line of scrimmage, showing just average coordination and quickness with his feet. A solid tackler for a cornerback but may not possess the aggression or consistent strike zone to handle a switch to safety. Takes inconsistent routes to the ball in pursuit and too often allows his teammates to clean up tackles. Scouts like to suggest that a player's stock cannot drop by returning for their senior season but after Jackson went from a breakout four interception campaign in 2017 to a more hesitant final year in which he failed to record a pick, he could test that theory. His size and upside will likely draw the interest of press or zone-heavy teams in the middle rounds with some perhaps considering him as a potential safety convert.
#159 Patriots - Byron Cowart, DT, Maryland
OUTLOOK: If the name sounds familiar, it should, as Cowart - then a 280-pound defensive end - signed with Auburn out of high school in 2015 as the top-rated prep regardless of position, according to some recruiting experts. He struggled amid huge expectations and wound up transferring to Maryland, where he grew into a legitimate NFL prospect as a defensive tackle. Physically imposing frame with broad shoulders, long arms (34") with excellent weight distribution. Terrific upper body strength which shows up in his ability to ragdoll would-be blockers and drag down ball-carriers while still being occupied with blockers. Good push/pull move to wrench himself free and flashes good lateral agility and closing burst when the ball-carrier is near. Earned the respect of teammates and the Maryland coaching staff for his dedication towards improving his own game and selfless play. Just average initial quickness and agility for rushing the passer. Stiff in his core, limiting his ability to "get skinny" through gaps and elude pass-blockers, even on the interior. While showing good effort in pursuit, Cowart tops out quickly, showing limited ability to make plays outside of the tackle box. Negates his own strength by allowing his pads to get too high. While not the elite prospect his hype would suggest, Cowart's prototypical frame, strength and resiliency should result in a mid-round pick with a chance to develop into a better player in the NFL than he was in college.
#160 Ravens - Daylon Mack, DT, Texas A&M
OUTLOOK: Mack, a former five-star recruit, delivered at the Senior Bowl, using his stout frame to slam shut running lanes while turning heads with his power and underrated agility during pass rush drills. With the NFL shifting more to the pass than ever before, classic zero technique nose guards like Mack are not as valued as they once were, pushing him well into Day Three. But if he commits to playing with the same intensity he showed as a senior - his first season as a starter at A&M - Mack has the raw talent to surprise.
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