NFL Draft Friday Roundup: March 4
Now that the NFL Combine is over, the NFL Draft is right around the corner.
Each Friday, Blue & Gold Illustrated will compile the latest mock drafts and news surrounding Notre Dame’s NFL Draft prospects.
6. Baltimore Ravens — Ronnie Stanley, OT
Best prospects outside of the first round — No. 3 Will Fuller, No. 6 Jaylon Smith
6. Ronnie Stanley, OT
13. Jaylon Smith, LB
24. Will Fuller, WR
3. San Diego Chargers — Ronnie Stanley, OT
17. Atlanta Falcons — Jaylon Smith, LB
34. Dallas Cowboys — Will Fuller, WR
“So much speculation this offseason has centered around the San Diego Chargers drafting a defensive player with the No. 3 overall pick, but what about protecting quarterback Philip Rivers in order to give this team its best chance to win? That also makes sense, and Notre Dame's Ronnie Stanley is the kind of smooth-moving tackle you draft in the top five.
“Stanley would be an instant starter at left tackle, and his ability to move and mirror on the edge would not only extend Rivers' career but help jump-start the stagnant Chargers running game. With Rivers, Melvin Gordon, Keenan Allen and Stanley as the nucleus on offense, San Diego starts to look like a competitor again in the AFC West.”
11. Chicago Bears — Ronnie Stanley, OT
22. Houston Texans — Will Fuller, WR
6. Baltimore Ravens — Ronnie Stanley, OT
24. Cincinnati Bengals — Will Fuller, WR
6. Baltimore Ravens — Ronnie Stanley, OT
24. Cincinnati Bengals — Will Fuller, WR
7. San Francisco 49ers — Ronnie Stanley, OT
“Offensive line is an area of need for the 49ers — it was rattled by the departures of Mike Iupati and Anthony Davis last offseason, and next year's unit still is a bit of a question mark. Right behind Tunsil on the offensive line board this year is Stanley. The Notre Dame star had a great Combine week. He's 6-foot-6, 312 pounds, dominated opponents his entire career at Notre Dame, and had an arm length and hand size longer than Tunsil.”
11. Chicago Bears — Ronnie Stanley, OT
“I actually liked Charles Leno Jr. coming out of Boise State as a late rounder, and he is best served as a utility offensive lineman on an NFL roster. Early in his head coaching career with the Panthers, John Fox made an investment at left in Jordan Gross. If Stanley is on the board, he needs to do the same here.”
Chris Burke, Sports Illustrated
6. Baltimore Ravens — Ronnie Stanley, OT
“Even with a run on defensive players occurring in picks 1–5, the Ravens wouldn’t mind this board. They get their pick between Stanley, Vernon Hargreaves, Mackenzie Alexander and every pass rusher not named Bosa. Stanley just happens to hit both the ‘best player available’ and ‘position of need’ bullets. Kelechi Osemele is an impending free agent, and Eugene Monroe can’t stay healthy.”
13. Philadelphia Eagles — Ronnie Stanley, OT
“The Eagles have re-signed Sam Bradford, and they could add a QB in free agency, too. So we'll go with a talented tackle who falls a little farther than expected, hitting on a need position (even if Jason Peters is in the plans for 2016).”