By Jimmy Hyams
Based on his pre-draft comments, NFL draft analyst Mike Detillier of South Louisiana was surprised by one thing regarding Vols in the draft.
Detillier thought defensive back Rashaan Gaulden and running back John Kelly would be drafted close together.
They weren’t.
Gaulden was a third-round pick by Carolina, the 85th pick of the draft. Kelly went in the sixth round to the Rams, the 176th selection.
Detillier thought they would go late third or early fourth round. He was right about Gaulden.
“There is a little bit of a different of opinion on where he will play,’’ Detillier said. “I think really when you cut it down, that nickel position is something he excelled at and that is where I would put him right off the bat, that third cornerback.’’
Detillier thinks Gaulden is versatile enough to guard the smaller or taller receivers.
“His ball skills,’’ Detillier said, when asked what he likes about Gaulden. “He plays the ball really well in flight. He is a guy that has good one-on-one cover skills and you need some quickness to play that slot position. And he has the ability to plant and drive to the football.’’
Carolina said it plans to play Gaulden at safety.
Kelly, who rushed for 778 yards and was much more effective during the first half of last season, cried when called by the Rams and informed he’d been drafted.
“John is a guy that when he got his opportunity, he made the most of it,’’ Detillier said. “He’s got some quickness to hit the edge but he has also shown he can run pretty well between the tackles. His biggest improvement is his ability to catch the football coming out of the backfield.’’
Kelly tied for the team lead with 37 catches last season.
“He reminds me of Deion Lewis (formerly with the Patriots, now with the Titans). He is built the same way,’’ Detillier said. “A quick shifty back who is going to excel catching the ball in the flat.
“I really like him a lot. But in a pretty thick running back class, he got pushed back a little bit. I think he can be productive in the right system and the right scheme.’’
Kahlil McKenzie, a five-star recruit who had 35 tackles as a junior and never played to his potential, was drafted by Kansas City in the sixth round, the 198th pick.
“He has all the potential,’’ Detillier said. “I mean, he looks the part, but he’s never hit it as a player on the defensive side of the football and that’s why I think you have some teams that think he might be better on the offensive side.’’
In fact, the Chiefs plan to use McKenzie on the offensive line.
Although Trevor Daniel averaged 47.5 yards per punt (second in the nation), he wasn’t drafted. Yet, four punters – three from the SEC – were selected.
In most any other year, Daniel would have been drafted, Detillier believes.
Tight end Ethan Wolf signed a free agent contract with the Titans.
Detillier said Wolf is “a good sized kid’’ and is “solid across the board. I can’t give him an `A’ on anything but effort. But boy, he is a big man who knows how to get open and he is sure handed. And he is solid as an inline blocker.’’
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