Sharrif

Floyd

Floyd was a first-round pick of the Vikings back in 2013, falling out of the league after a few seasons due to injuries. He was hired by the Cowboys last season as an assistant defensive line and quality control coach. The Commanders now hire the 32-year-old Floyd to join their staff as an assistant defensive line coach, following Dan Quinn over from Dallas.

The No. 23 overall pick of the 2013 Draft by the Vikings, Floyd has been out of the league since 2017. He made only one appearance after 2015. His career was never the same after Sept. 2016 knee surgery. Just 31 years old, Floyd is an interesting coaching prospect. An elite college recruit with a first-round pedigree and unfortunate injury issues, he figures to have a unique perspective.

Of course, Aaron Curry and Rolando McClain were considered “safe” picks before recent drafts, and both became busts. The sure-thing draft prospect is incredibly rare; there are maybe one or two per year. The two this year appear to be left tackles Luke Joeckel and Eric Fisher, although the growing belief is they’ll be the first and second overall picks. If that happens, Pauline’s sources expect Oakland to select Florida DT Sharrif Floyd or Utah DT Star Lotulelei.

We’ve been getting the same vibe; and don’t believe the Raiders will take him at 3. The teams picking at Nos. 4-9 either “don’t fit Floyd scheme-wise,” per Jeremiah, “or they are set” at defensive tackle. We wouldn’t be shocked if Floyd fell all the way to the Panthers at No. 14. He only appeals to 4-3 defenses.

The rest of the NFL seems to have determined Eric Fisher and Luke Joeckel will be the Nos. 1 and 2 picks. That would leave Oklahoma’s Lane Johnson as the consensus top tackle left, and he’s known to be coveted by not only Arizona but potentially Detroit and Baltimore. If the Raiders sit at No. 3 -- which at this point seems a long shot -- they’re tentatively expected to draft Sharrif Floyd.

One source close to the situation insisted “the mock draft community is overrating Sharrif Floyd.” Pauline believes Floyd could now slip to the Titans at No. 10. We’ve had a sneaking suspicion all along Floyd might last on the board later than people expect. While he has great ability, Floyd’s college production was below average and he is a one-scheme player limited to 4-3 defenses.

The Raiders have been strongly connected to Florida DT Sharrif Floyd, but he could be landed lower than No. 3. With just three picks in the first five rounds and an embarrassing dearth of young talent on his roster, GM Reggie McKenzie desperately needs to accumulate more selections.

Floyd lined up next to NT Letroy Guion, in place of three-technique Kevin Williams. Floyd isn’t expected to take overtake Williams in year one, but he’s certainly viewed by the organization as the future at the position. He’ll still see plenty of snaps this season as a rotational lineman.

Williams and Floyd play the same three-technique position, but the Vikings plan to use Floyd to “spell” Williams rather than replace him in year one. Williams’ contract is up after the year -- and he’ll be going on 34 -- so this is likely his final season in Minnesota. Coach Leslie Frazier wouldn’t rule out using Williams at nose tackle if Floyd proves too good to keep off the first team.

Jeremiah explained that there wasn’t much early buzz on Floyd because he was an underclassman and league personnel men hadn’t had a chance to watch his tape. They have now. “He’s a special pass rusher,” said Jeremiah. “You put him in a three-technique, he’s capable of getting you double-digit sacks.”