Matt Miller’s Scouting Notebook: GM Carousel, Cook Concern & Shanahan Legacy

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Updated: January 6, 2017

Here come the underclassmen.

The past week brought a whirlwind of redshirt sophomores and juniors declaring for the draft. Notable players like top-ranked Myles Garrett and Leonard Fournette all announced their intentions this week. And we’re not done yet, with top underclassmen Josh Allen (QB, Wyoming) and Mitch Trubisky (QB, North Carolina) still waiting to make their decisions as of Thursday evening.

It’s been a busy week in the world of the NFL draft, with so many underclassmen declaring, bowl games ending and NFL teams making changes at head coach and general manager. This column is here to get you caught up on all that and:

The hottest names on the GM market Arizona’s plans for the franchise tag An updated two-round mock draft Lance Zierlein from NFL Network drops by …and could a Shanahan return to Denver?

The Scout’s Report

—What went wrong in San Francisco? One rival general manager I spoke to this week said fired GM Trent Baalke “got too conservative” and was afraid to think outside the box. “Find me a pick on offense of his that worked for them. Even [Carlos] Hyde looks average right now.”

—I polled a handful of general managers and owners this week to ask who the hottest name on the GM market was. Three replied with Kansas City Chiefs director of football operations Chris Ballard. “Ballard is the best scout available. And his background in coaching allows him to really relate to the entire team—players and coaches.”

—No insider information here, but a possibility: Kyle Shanahan makes plenty of sense for the Denver Broncos. His father, Mike, also coached Denver general manager John Elway to two Super Bowls. With Elway having built a winner but unable to find a long-term head coach, it isn’t a stretch to think he could go young with the Atlanta offensive coordinator as his hand-picked replacement for retired Gary Kubiak. Elway is also around to help the first-time head coach transition into the new role.

—One more layer to this: Shanahan could keep defensive coordinator Wade Phillips on staff. Phillips’ experience would be a huge boost to the young coach.

—Arizona Cardinals head coach Bruce Arians, in his end-of-year press conference, said the team would use the franchise tag on pass-rusher Chandler Jones if they’re not able to lock him up long-term before then. That’s huge news for a team with another top-tier pending free agent in Tony Jefferson. If Jefferson hits the market, his price tag could start in the $7 million range. Not bad for a former undrafted free agent.

—What do fellow scouts think of the Philadelphia Eagles handing the draft board to scout Joe Douglas? “Best move they’ve made since firing Chip. Joe can scout the hell out of some players” is what an NFC area scout told me about the move.

—”You know [Dalvin Cook] has a shoulder that’s gonna be an issue?” That’s what an NFC East scout sent me after I texted him my updated Top 10 rankings. Cook sits at No. 8 overall. That ranking won’t change assuming his shoulders do check out, but the star running back had one shoulder surgery last spring. This is a situation worth watching.

—Scouting, like beauty, is in the eye of the beholder. Take a look at these texts from competing scouts about Wyoming quarterback Josh Allen:

“Tell him to go back to school. He has no business entering the draft yet.” “Best traits in the QB group. That’ll get you drafted high in this league. Can’t see him slipping out of Round 1.”

—Now imagine being Allen and having to make a decision based on information like this. I’m told by teammates close to the Wyoming quarterback that he’s truly on the fence regarding his 2017 decision.

—I am a Jaylon Smith fan and have been rooting hard for his comeback for a full year now. This news, shared by ESPN.com’s Todd Archer, is great:

Talked to Jaylon Smith. Believes he could’ve played by now, being patient. Nerve regenerating. Brace not a factor anymore. Ran 4.5 other day

— Todd Archer (@toddarcher) January 5, 2017

5 Names to Know

5. DL Dalvin Tomlinson, Alabama

The Alabama defense is loaded with NFL draft prospects, which means it can be easy to overlook a standout player because of the talent around him. Dalvin Tomlinson has been overlooked for far too long.

Turn on a ‘Bama game and No. 54 is in there making plays on a consistent basis. He’s athletic, flashes good get-off speed and has the relentless motor coaches love. So why isn’t he getting talked up? I can’t find a reason. Tomlinson is this week’s biggest mover up my board and carries a solid Day 2 grade.

4. S Budda Baker, Washington

Jabrill Peppers gets the Tyrann Mathieu hype, but Budda Baker is the guy who plays like the Honey Badger.

A rangy, fast, smart free safety in a Washington secondary that looks a whole lot like the one up the road in Seattle, Baker is able to play over the top of the defense and force quarterbacks into mistakes. He has coverage range all over the field but is also strong enough to come down and make plays on the run. And despite a smaller frame (5’10”, 195 lbs), Baker is a Top 40 candidate.

3. DL Nazair Jones, North Carolina

An underclassman entry, Nazair Jones impressed with first-step quickness and power in my first extended look at his film.

Jones, who is a fit as a 3-technique in a 4-3 scheme or as a defensive end (5-technique) in a 3-4, has the length and power to shut down the run game from inside the tackle or head-up on the end of the line. In a weak defensive tackle class, Jones has the traits to make a move up the board with a good …

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