NFL Mock Draft 7.6: Round 7 of the 2018 NFL Draft
By Ian Cummings
Picks 223-226
223. San Francisco 49ers (from TB via MIA): CB D.J. Reed, Kansas State
Even after picking Carlton Davis and signing former rival Richard Sherman, the 49ers can stand to add some depth to their cornerback room. At this NFL Draft pick, D.J. Reed is a good fit. Standing at 5-foot-9, 188, Reed projects well as a slot cornerback in the NFL, possessing solid ball skills and tackling ability.
The 49ers have a starter at slot cornerback in K’Waun Williams, but it wouldn’t hurt to add a younger player who can easily rotate in when asked to. This selection brings good value for the 49ers.
224. Chicago Bears: WR Jordan Lasley, UCLA
The Chicago Bears have a tendency, in recent history, to select wide receivers in the seventh round of the NFL Draft. Three of their last six seventh-round picks have, in fact, been wide receivers. With this pick, that trend continues.
After signing Allen Robinson and Taylor Gabriel in free agency, while also selecting LSU wide receiver D.J. Chark in Round 2, the Bears don’t necessarily need to go wide receiver here. But with the uncertainty surrounding the depth of the position, combined with Jordan Lasley’s prospective potential, Fountain is hard to pass up at this point in the NFL Draft.
Lasley, standing at 6-foot-1, 210, has good size for a wide receiver, and he has the athletic potential to be a solid NFL pass catcher down the road. He had some problems with drops over his career, but his combination of fortitude and flash make him an exciting late-round prospect.
In a depth chart that is suddenly loaded, it may be hard for Lasley to find initial snaps. But his natural talent will, at the very least, keep him around as a No. 5 receiver. His fundamental upside should keep him around even longer, and if he can solve his case of the drops, he could be a very good professional.
225. Minnesota Vikings (via DEN): TE Ryan Izzo, Florida State
Kirk Cousins likes tight ends. Lots of tight ends. And because the Minnesota Vikings are thin at the position, adding another tight end makes sense. Because Kirk Cousins likes tight ends. So now they do, too.
Ryan Izzo of Florida State is the best tight end available, and so naturally, he comes off the NFL Draft board here. Izzo, standing at 6-foot-5, 265, has excellent size as a tight end. Izzo has receiving ability, but in Florida State’s run-heavy, poorly quarterbacked offense, Izzo saw most of his action come via the ground game, where he made a name for himself as an active blocker.
Izzo can serve a purpose immediately as a blocker in three tight end sets for the Vikings, and it wouldn’t be a surprise to see him become the No. 2 tight end before the regular season begins.
226. Seattle Seahawks (via NYJ): DE Kentavius Street, North Carolina State
Depth on the edges is a must, and for the Seahawks, who recently ousted Michael Bennett, have a need here. They signed an edge rusher in the sixth round, but more swings mean more chances to hit the ball. They’ll try and hit the ball here, picking up North Carolina State defensive end Kentavious Street. Here’s what I had to say about Street in an article earlier this offseason:
"Street, 6-foot-2, 287, was a four-year player for the NC State Wolfpack. Over his career, he totaled 8.0 sacks, 19.0 tackles for loss, and 120 total tackles, as well as two forced fumbles. He was surrounded by an extremely talented defensive cast over his career, and his numbers may have caused him to be overlooked as a result."
His own talent masked by others, Street could find the NFL to be the best opportunity yet for him to break out. The Seahawks will give him an extended shot.