Texas:
Brian Orakpo, DE– I think Orakpo was the best DE in college football this year. I think Orakpo is the kind of athlete that can play either a down DE or as a 3-4 OLB. What sets Orakpo apart from the other top DEs is his intelligence. He sets the edge in the run game, maintains outside leverage and pushes plays inside, and he scrapes down the line well on plays away from him. He has great edge speed and mixes his power and speed moves well enough to keep guys off balance. He hustles and chases plays, and gives his full effort. He has a very high floor and little bust potential as a top 10 pick. He could go as high as #3 to Kansas City, but I would doubt he gets past Buffalo at #11.
Colt McCoy, QB- There are some things that McCoy improved on from last year, which was great to see, but he still has some other things to improve next year. It was the right choice to come back for his Senior year. McCoy is very accurate, has a quick release, and is very athletic running outside of the pocket. His arm isn’t as strong as it could be, but it’s strong enough and he can work on that for next year as well. What I’d like to see McCoy continue to work on is not going to the scramble too quickly and finishing his reads, and most importantly, not stare down his receivers. He doesn’t do it al the time, but you can see him do this, and that means any NFL safety can see this as well. What hurts is the primary shotgun offense at Texas, but I’d be willing to look past this. I think he has starter potential in the NFL, but I’m not sold on giving him a first round grade at this point. He can improve though and I will be watching him closely next year.
Jordan Shipley, WR- Shipley reminds me a lot of Wes Welker, and no, it’s not because he’s white and plays WR. It’s because he’s at his best going over the middle, and it’s his quickness that makes him so dangerous. Add to this the fact that he is an impact return man in the punt and kick game. He has great vision to go with his quickness and speed, and he can hit the home run at any time. He’s a bit on the smaller side though. Another year to prove himself and get stronger will only help his cause, but I think he’s at worst a second round pick next year.
Quan Cosby, WR- I really like Cosby as a slot receiver. He’s quick, he has good hands, he runs good enough routes, but I’m concerned he may struggle to get off the jam in the NFL. I’d like him a lot more if he showed this production over several years, but his college football career was shortened due to a stint in minor league baseball. He may need a year or two of grooming to fully develop, but he has the ability to contribute at the next level.
Chris Ogbonnaya, RB- Ogbonnaya is going to slip through the cracks come draft day because he doesn’t excel at any one phase of the game. But he’s very well rounded. He keeps his legs driving hard, so he gets tough yards on the inside. He also has very good hands and caught a lot of swing passes this year. What I liked best was his ability to block on passing downs. He’d be a great complimentary back to get in the later rounds.
Roy Miller, DT- Miller is a scrapper. He’s a disruptive DT who is very solid against the run and pass. He’s probably best as either a 3-4 DE or a 4-3 NT. He can really rush the passer from the inside though, but that’s down to effort more than natural talent.
Ohio State:
Malcolm Jenkins, CB- Lets start with some of the positives: Jenkins is physical, he can tackle very well in the open field, he has great closing speed, and he can even blitz as well. He also showed an improvement in zone coverage awareness, which was something I dinged him on last year. What still concerns me is that I don’t know if he is able to play press man coverage as he played almost exclusively in off man coverage in his college career. I’d still definitely say he’s the top CB prospect in this draft, and unlike others, I think that’s where his future in the NFL is at (and not at safety). These questions make me hesitant to take him in the top 10, but he’s right on the edge of this territory. His 40 and shuttle times at the combine will need to be closely monitored to see if what I’ve seen on film is correct. I do think he’s an immediate starter though, and a team like New Orleans would be a great fit.
James Laurinaitis, ILB- For those of you that did not read my coverage over the past two years, I’m not a fan of Laurinaitis. I just don’t see what everyone else in the media does, and the same problems seem to have carried across year to year in his play. He’s far too passive in his play, and when he does make plays, it’s 10 yards down the field. That is not what you want in a 4-3 MLB. You need guys like Maualuga that play down hill and make plays at the line or behind it. Part of this may be due to Laurinaitis’ size. He gets engulfed very easily over the middle of the field by offensive linemen. He doesn’t seem to have the hand strength to redirect blockers, shed them, and make the play. He almost tries to run around people to make plays, but he’s not fast enough to do that. I made a pretty bold claim last year that I didn’t think he was a first rounder, and now most mock drafts have him either very low in the first round or early in the second. With his production, I think someone will take a chance on him in the late first round. With a good 40 time at the combine, I might be willing to say he could move outside in a 3-4. Otherwise he needs to go to a 3-4 team where he can be paired with a thumper LB next to him who can clog the run game up (as well as a beefy NT to occupy blockers). If he can find an ideal situation like that, then I could see him sneaking into the bottom part of the first round to a team like the Patriots or Dolphins. I’m still very weary of him though, and I think there is a good amount of bust potential there.
Cameron Heyward, DE- Heyward was very impressive physically last year as a true Freshman starting for a team that played in the National Championship game. I didn’t see a huge improvement in Heyward’s game this year, but he still looks very promising. He’s a big DE who is probably best fit as a 3-4 DE in the pros, but he seems versatile enough to play left end in a 4-3 as well. He needs to work next year on refining his pass rush technique, as he’s still relying a bit too much on his raw talent and power. He has very long arms though and knocks a lot of passes down at the line. I still really like Heyward’s potential and see him being a first round caliber player in two years (assuming he stays until he’s a Senior).
Marcus Freeman, OLB- Freeman is a really hard prospect to peg. He’s maddeningly inconsistent, yet the flashes of ability he shows make you want to pick him higher than you should. Some team is going to draft him higher than he should go with the thought that their coaching staff can get the most out of Freeman’s potential. There is not questioning Freeman’s athleticism, size, and speed. He’s what you ideally look for in a WLB in a 4-3 defense. The major issues with Freeman stem from his coverage ability. The minute he’s asked to flip his hips and drop into zone coverage or man up against a TE, he looks lost. Saying he’s horrible in coverage is being kind. But if it’s a run play or a blitz, he’s outstanding. I wouldn’t risk a pick on him until the 4th round, but I could see him sneaking into the 3rd round due to his potential.
Alex Boone, OT- I liked what I saw in Boone last year. In fact, I thought he had potential to be a first round pick last year had he come out early. But Boone took a massive step back this season. It’s that or he just showed more of what type of prospect he truly is. Boone struggled last year in blocking the second level, and he still continues to do so. He’s also very slow getting out of his stance and into his pass pro set. Taking this into account, I would say he definitely cannot play LT in the NFL, and I’d even go as far as saying RT is out of the question as well. But he’s still got value as I think he might be better suited playing on the inside. He gets a good push in the run game, and since his arms look shorter than ideal for playing on the edge, it may be the best move for his career. If you draft him as a guard, he can always play RT in a pinch and probably not kill your team. I’d not look to him until the 4th round range though. That’s quite a drop from last off-season!
Brian Robiskie, WR- I think Robiskie is the most underrated WR in this draft. He comes from NFL bloodlines, as his dad was a WR for the Raiders and Dolphins and is still a WR coach in Atlanta. It shows in his preparation and route running. If you want to know how to play the position, watch Robiskie. He gets all of the little things right, and he knows how to put them all together. The only thing I question is his long speed as he seems to struggle to separate from the DB on long routes. But that’s not where his game is best suited. He’s a Larry Fitzgerald type who will outwork the DB to get to the football. I would take him in the late first round and not think twice, but I’m guessing he won’t run as well as some of these other guys and will go lower than he should. I would take him over Heyward-Bey because he’s more NFL ready at this point in his career. I am hoping and praying he slips to the Bears in the second round, but I highly doubt that happens.
Steve Rehring, OG- Rehring is a decent OG prospect; he’s just not special in either phase of the game. But he’s got the ability to be a solid back up at any of the three interior line positions.
Thadeous Gibson, DE- Gibson is a lot like last year’s top ten pick Vernon Gholston (in a good way). He’s very fast, he looks to be very strong at the point of attack and in the bull rush, and he’s an impact pass rusher. He does struggle to keep consistency though, and he’s had some injuries, so there is some downside there as well. He’s still young though as has time to develop. He’s got very good potential if he can just match this with consistent effort.
Chris ‘Beanie’ Wells, RB- Beanie’s injury history is a major red flag for me, and it’s enough that I would have to swallow very hard if I was taking him in the late first round. Add to this that he’s a bit soft for a big back as well. The perfect example of this is when he runs toward the sideline. Instead of initiating contact and getting extra yards, he’ll pull up and run out of bounds to avoid contact. I absolutely HATE that! I grew up on Walter Peyton, the man with the nastiest stiff arm around. When he ran toward the sideline, he looked for someone to level and try to get a few more tough yards. But there are a number of good things about Wells. He’s a very patient runner who allows his blocks to form then hits the hole hard with good burst for a guy his size. He’s a lot shiftier for a big back than I thought, but he’s not going to run around guys either. He’s a first round talent with a 4th rounder’s medical history. It’s definitely ‘caveat emptor’ with Wells, but a team like Philly would be a great spot to land with the number 21 or 28 pick. To me, RBs this year are last year’s WRs, where teams will feel that they can get better value at this position from the second round onward (so we might see guys like Wells and Moreno slide to the second).
Terrell Prior, QB- As a true Freshman, you have to temper your expectations of Prior. He’s an unbelievable athlete, and he runs like a gazelle for a guy with legs as long as his are. But the biggest problem is also this same positive, his athletic ability and speed. It makes it far too easy for him to tuck the ball and run. As a true passer, Prior is terrible! His arm is not strong enough and his accuracy and touch are plain bad. Having said this, I will go back once again to the fact that he’s a true Freshman, so I don’t expect much more from him than to do what he knows best (and that’s run). He has at least another two years to develop as a QB, but he needs to really show some improvement as a pocket passer or he’s destined for a position change in the NFL.
Brian Hartline, WR- I have no idea why Hartline decided to come out. He took a step back this year, which can partially be contributed to the QB play, so I just don’t get it. With Robiskie leaving, he would have been the primary receiver next year. Going strictly off this year’s footage, I don’t think I’d take him any time before the 6th round. Going back to last year’s footage, I’d still go no higher than the mid to late 4th on him.
Friday, February 27, 2009
Thursday, February 26, 2009
Sugar Bowl: Alabama vs Utah
Alabama:
Andre Smith, OT– Some of you asked me prior to the college football season who I thought was the best returning player. It’s not me to give just one player, but the first guy I would always say was Andre Smith. As a Sophomore, he showed the potential to be a dominant OT. This year I think I seemed to suffer from ‘paralysis by analysis’ with Smith, as I kept picking out things I didn’t like on him. After seeing several games of Smith this year, those negative things just kept showing up. They can all be traced back to one thing, and that’s effort. Smith knows he has top five ability, and he’s absolutely right. But he also assumes he can get by on this talent alone. He has the ability to dominate in the running game, but unlike ESPN has said all year, he DOES NOT dominate in he run game. He gets great initial push off the line, but once he slips off his block, he stops his feet and gives up. Nothing infuriates me more than guys who will stop blocking once they lose their position on the play, and Smith does this far too often. He doesn’t have the killer instinct to lock on to guys and flatten them, and that’s a shame because he has the long arms and size to pancake anyone he wants. He tends to over extend and reach in the pass game as well, and once again this goes right back to his reliance on natural skills instead of relying on technique and effort. I wouldn’t draft him in the top ten now because of these factors. Add to this that he struggles to keep his weight in check, and you have yourself a solid RT or great OG at best. You don’t take those guys in the first ten picks. Now having just panned Smith as a terrible player, I’ll be the first to say that if he fell to the 13th or 14th pick, that I would trade my third round pick if I were the Bears to move up and get him. He has the talent, he just needs someone to be on his ass 24/7 and whip him into shape. If he could focus and really dedicate himself, he can be an All Pro OT. And even though it’s a risk, it’s a risk I take in the middle of the first round.
Terrance Cody, NT- It was a shock that Cody did not come out early, but I’m very glad that he did. This was Cody’s first year at ‘bama after transferring from a junior college, and he showed some serious run stuffing ability. The major issue with Cody though is that he’s almost TOO big! His weight is an issue and he’ll need to keep it in check. It’s so much of an issue that he cannot be an every down player. He has to play in a rotation and take off a series here and there. When teams ran the no huddle at them, he couldn’t hold up. The good thing about Cody though is that he’s a true 3-4 NT in every sense of the word. But he can still be that true, dominant NT with 20-30 less pounds, and he’d be able to play a lot more than he did this year. He’s an outstanding run stuffer and a difference maker that commands a double team to even budge a half an inch. He will be a first rounder next year because he’s too valuable in the current 3-4 laden NFL world.
Julio Jones, WR- Jones was a pleasure to watch this year. Yes, that’s awfully high praise from me, but it’s warranted. The crazy thing about that? Jones was a true Freshman this year! You could see as the season progressed that Jones was improving steadily. He started to understand the difference in the college game from high school, and he adapted and created. Between him and AJ Green of Georgia, it will be a dog fight for the top overall pick in 2011. Jones showed skills you see in first round caliber Senior WRs. His natural ability is unreal, and he has the ideal blend of size, speed, and ability. If he stays dedicated, he can be right there with the Calvin Johnson’s of college football lore.
Rolando McClain, ILB- I was really impressed with McClain last year as a true Freshman, and he did nothing to change my mind this year. He seems a bit undersized, but he makes up for it with his outstanding instincts and field awareness. He’s just a very good two-way LB, and he’s an ideal fit for a 3-4 defense. I would not be surprised to see him come out early next year, and it would be a fine decision to do so. He’s NFL ready from a football standpoint, and I don’t care what his measureables are. He can flat out play.
John Parker Wilson, QB- Yet another poor pro prospect for the Senior QB crop. He’s an accurate passer, but he’s not tall enough and his arm is not strong enough at all. He might be able to cut it as a third stringer or a practice squad QB, but I just don’t ever see him playing in an NFL game (regular season that is). I don’t know if I spend a draft pick on Wilson, but I would invite him to camp as an undrafted free agent and give him a shot.
Rashad Johnson, FS- Johnson is another player where I am not buying the hype. A lot of media outlets love Johnson and I don’t see it on film. He has alright closing speed, but it seems he has to use this too often as he’s a step behind or late on breaking to a play. What bothers me most about him is that he may be one of the WORST tackling FS I have seen! This is the last thing you want in your last line of defense, a guy who can’t make open field tackles. Seriously, some of the attempts he made were laughable, and I watched a lot of Alabama games over the past two years.
Glen Coffee, RB- I’m really not sure why Coffee came out early. It’s not that I don’t like Coffee because I do, it’s just that liking him doesn’t mean he’s a first day pick. He runs hard and has very good hands in the pass game. But that’s where it stops. This is a deep RB draft, and Coffee is maybe the sixth or seventh best RB of the group, so he may slide into the late 4th or 5th round. I think he’ll have a nice career in the league, but he cost himself some money by not coming back next year and improving his all around game.
Antoine Caldwell, OC- I really like Caldwell a lot. He’s bulkier than some of the other top shelf centers in this draft, which is something that teams in say the AFC East and North will be looking at. With most the teams in those divisions running 3-4 defenses, it requires a center who can handle a massive NT on the ball. Caldwell is a very good run blocker, and is a good enough pass blocker. He’s not very athletic, but he has the technique and ability to come in and start right away. I’d see him going to a team like Ravens if they lose their current center, Jason Brown, to free agency. I’d rate him behind Mack and Unger, but he’s still on the fringe of the second or early third round.
Utah:
Brian Johnson, QB- Johnson throws a TERRIBLE ball, has no arm strength, is undraftable, so why am I even bothering wasting my time on him?
Paul Kruger, DE- A lot of people think Kruger will be a 3-4 OLB at the next level, but I think he might be a better down DE. He did play some standing up though, so he has shown he can do this if needed. He’s versatile enough to play in either defense and I like his upside. He’s good against the pass and run, and he won’t last past the middle of the second round at the latest.
Sean Smith, CB- I love Smith’s blend of size, speed, and athleticism. I’m going to be very interested in seeing how he does in the drills at the combine, as I’m not sure he has loose enough hips to flip out of his backpedal and run with guys. He has the straight line speed though, which is a plus in the right column. He can probably play safety at the next level as well, but I’d be happy with Smith in the late first or early second round. He’s versatile and a very strong tackler, which I love to see in corners.
Zane Beadles, OT- Beadles is a LT to watch very closely next year as a Senior. He has very good technique and his instincts are outstanding. His pass pro is very polished, and he has the feet to be a true LT in the NFL. He could get stronger at the POA, but he has an off-season of weight lifting to improve that. Right now, I’d rate him a first rounder based on what I saw this year. If he can maintain or improve this, he could move very high up in the draft next year.
Stevenson Sylvester, OLB- Sylvester absolutely stood out on film and looked a step faster than everyone on the Utah defense. He has great speed and pass rush ability when sent on the blitz, but he can also drop into coverage. He shows good instincts in zone coverage, has good hands, and knows where to go when he gets his hands on the ball. He has good technique in the run game, and he sheds blocks and forms up tackles very well. I really like this guy!! He’s just a very good all around OLB.
Andre Smith, OT– Some of you asked me prior to the college football season who I thought was the best returning player. It’s not me to give just one player, but the first guy I would always say was Andre Smith. As a Sophomore, he showed the potential to be a dominant OT. This year I think I seemed to suffer from ‘paralysis by analysis’ with Smith, as I kept picking out things I didn’t like on him. After seeing several games of Smith this year, those negative things just kept showing up. They can all be traced back to one thing, and that’s effort. Smith knows he has top five ability, and he’s absolutely right. But he also assumes he can get by on this talent alone. He has the ability to dominate in the running game, but unlike ESPN has said all year, he DOES NOT dominate in he run game. He gets great initial push off the line, but once he slips off his block, he stops his feet and gives up. Nothing infuriates me more than guys who will stop blocking once they lose their position on the play, and Smith does this far too often. He doesn’t have the killer instinct to lock on to guys and flatten them, and that’s a shame because he has the long arms and size to pancake anyone he wants. He tends to over extend and reach in the pass game as well, and once again this goes right back to his reliance on natural skills instead of relying on technique and effort. I wouldn’t draft him in the top ten now because of these factors. Add to this that he struggles to keep his weight in check, and you have yourself a solid RT or great OG at best. You don’t take those guys in the first ten picks. Now having just panned Smith as a terrible player, I’ll be the first to say that if he fell to the 13th or 14th pick, that I would trade my third round pick if I were the Bears to move up and get him. He has the talent, he just needs someone to be on his ass 24/7 and whip him into shape. If he could focus and really dedicate himself, he can be an All Pro OT. And even though it’s a risk, it’s a risk I take in the middle of the first round.
Terrance Cody, NT- It was a shock that Cody did not come out early, but I’m very glad that he did. This was Cody’s first year at ‘bama after transferring from a junior college, and he showed some serious run stuffing ability. The major issue with Cody though is that he’s almost TOO big! His weight is an issue and he’ll need to keep it in check. It’s so much of an issue that he cannot be an every down player. He has to play in a rotation and take off a series here and there. When teams ran the no huddle at them, he couldn’t hold up. The good thing about Cody though is that he’s a true 3-4 NT in every sense of the word. But he can still be that true, dominant NT with 20-30 less pounds, and he’d be able to play a lot more than he did this year. He’s an outstanding run stuffer and a difference maker that commands a double team to even budge a half an inch. He will be a first rounder next year because he’s too valuable in the current 3-4 laden NFL world.
Julio Jones, WR- Jones was a pleasure to watch this year. Yes, that’s awfully high praise from me, but it’s warranted. The crazy thing about that? Jones was a true Freshman this year! You could see as the season progressed that Jones was improving steadily. He started to understand the difference in the college game from high school, and he adapted and created. Between him and AJ Green of Georgia, it will be a dog fight for the top overall pick in 2011. Jones showed skills you see in first round caliber Senior WRs. His natural ability is unreal, and he has the ideal blend of size, speed, and ability. If he stays dedicated, he can be right there with the Calvin Johnson’s of college football lore.
Rolando McClain, ILB- I was really impressed with McClain last year as a true Freshman, and he did nothing to change my mind this year. He seems a bit undersized, but he makes up for it with his outstanding instincts and field awareness. He’s just a very good two-way LB, and he’s an ideal fit for a 3-4 defense. I would not be surprised to see him come out early next year, and it would be a fine decision to do so. He’s NFL ready from a football standpoint, and I don’t care what his measureables are. He can flat out play.
John Parker Wilson, QB- Yet another poor pro prospect for the Senior QB crop. He’s an accurate passer, but he’s not tall enough and his arm is not strong enough at all. He might be able to cut it as a third stringer or a practice squad QB, but I just don’t ever see him playing in an NFL game (regular season that is). I don’t know if I spend a draft pick on Wilson, but I would invite him to camp as an undrafted free agent and give him a shot.
Rashad Johnson, FS- Johnson is another player where I am not buying the hype. A lot of media outlets love Johnson and I don’t see it on film. He has alright closing speed, but it seems he has to use this too often as he’s a step behind or late on breaking to a play. What bothers me most about him is that he may be one of the WORST tackling FS I have seen! This is the last thing you want in your last line of defense, a guy who can’t make open field tackles. Seriously, some of the attempts he made were laughable, and I watched a lot of Alabama games over the past two years.
Glen Coffee, RB- I’m really not sure why Coffee came out early. It’s not that I don’t like Coffee because I do, it’s just that liking him doesn’t mean he’s a first day pick. He runs hard and has very good hands in the pass game. But that’s where it stops. This is a deep RB draft, and Coffee is maybe the sixth or seventh best RB of the group, so he may slide into the late 4th or 5th round. I think he’ll have a nice career in the league, but he cost himself some money by not coming back next year and improving his all around game.
Antoine Caldwell, OC- I really like Caldwell a lot. He’s bulkier than some of the other top shelf centers in this draft, which is something that teams in say the AFC East and North will be looking at. With most the teams in those divisions running 3-4 defenses, it requires a center who can handle a massive NT on the ball. Caldwell is a very good run blocker, and is a good enough pass blocker. He’s not very athletic, but he has the technique and ability to come in and start right away. I’d see him going to a team like Ravens if they lose their current center, Jason Brown, to free agency. I’d rate him behind Mack and Unger, but he’s still on the fringe of the second or early third round.
Utah:
Brian Johnson, QB- Johnson throws a TERRIBLE ball, has no arm strength, is undraftable, so why am I even bothering wasting my time on him?
Paul Kruger, DE- A lot of people think Kruger will be a 3-4 OLB at the next level, but I think he might be a better down DE. He did play some standing up though, so he has shown he can do this if needed. He’s versatile enough to play in either defense and I like his upside. He’s good against the pass and run, and he won’t last past the middle of the second round at the latest.
Sean Smith, CB- I love Smith’s blend of size, speed, and athleticism. I’m going to be very interested in seeing how he does in the drills at the combine, as I’m not sure he has loose enough hips to flip out of his backpedal and run with guys. He has the straight line speed though, which is a plus in the right column. He can probably play safety at the next level as well, but I’d be happy with Smith in the late first or early second round. He’s versatile and a very strong tackler, which I love to see in corners.
Zane Beadles, OT- Beadles is a LT to watch very closely next year as a Senior. He has very good technique and his instincts are outstanding. His pass pro is very polished, and he has the feet to be a true LT in the NFL. He could get stronger at the POA, but he has an off-season of weight lifting to improve that. Right now, I’d rate him a first rounder based on what I saw this year. If he can maintain or improve this, he could move very high up in the draft next year.
Stevenson Sylvester, OLB- Sylvester absolutely stood out on film and looked a step faster than everyone on the Utah defense. He has great speed and pass rush ability when sent on the blitz, but he can also drop into coverage. He shows good instincts in zone coverage, has good hands, and knows where to go when he gets his hands on the ball. He has good technique in the run game, and he sheds blocks and forms up tackles very well. I really like this guy!! He’s just a very good all around OLB.
Cotton Bowl: Ole Miss vs Texas Tech
Mississippi:
Michael Oher, OT– If you read most other popular NFL draft sites (ESPN, etc), you’ll have hear Michael Oher isn’t as good as the other prospects. If you read a lot of sports book, maybe you’ve read ‘The Blind Side’, which is a book written about Oher’s rough childhood and upbringing and how he made something out of this by getting to Ole Miss. I unfortunately think a lot of people have read this book and are forming an opinion of the player based on this. That’s a shame because I think after watching a lot of tape on all of the top OTs, Oher may now be my favorite. He has long arms, a very good base, and he’s good in both phases. The only flaw I could find in his game is that he can overextend at times, but since he keeps a wide base, he regains control easily. This can carry over in the second level as well, as he can struggle to find the target, but once he does, he dominates LBs. What sets him apart to me is that he is more aggressive than the other top players at this position. In the pass and run game, Oher finishes blocks. He has the feet to play LT, but he could also play RT. I think Oher has a bright future, and those teams that pass on him due to these thoughts that he’s not consistent enough will regret it every time they see him make a Pro Bowl.
Jevan Snead, QB- Snead is a young QB that I think could be very good in time. He’s only a Sophomore, so he still has time to develop, but his raw skills are unquestionable. He has quick feet, he can escape the rush if needed, he has a very quick release, and his arm is strong. He has a gunslinger mentality as well, which is a positive and negative because he can force throws at times. His problem right now is his decision making. It’s very poor to be honest. But this is something that can easily be corrected with experience playing, and he has at least two years left to get that. You can’t teach the tangibles he has, so he just needs to work on his pass drops and read progressions. If he can improve in these areas, we may be talking about him as one of the top QBs in the 2011 draft.
Peria Jerry, DT- I absolutely love Peria Jerry! He is the classic undertackle for a 4-3, and it’s a mistake if you try to put him in anything else. He’s extremely quick off the ball, and he is in the backfield on almost every play. He’s an impact interior pass rusher, and he can disrupt the run game by shooting the gap. He will need to play against a bigger DT who can occupy blockers, but I think he’s as good as BJ Raji. They are two different types of DTs, but both are outstanding. He reminds me of a young Tommie Harris.
Greg Hardy, DE- Hardy almost came out this year and I would not have argued if he did. He definitely would have been right near the top of the list for the top Des in the draft. But Hardy made the smart move by returning to school for his Senior year. There is no question Hardy is an impact pass rusher. He was single handedly responsible for winning the game against Florida with one of the better individual performances I saw all year. My main issue with Hardy is that he’s been hurt and missed games in the past two years. He needs to come back strong, with a bit more muscle on him, stay healthy, and prove he can produce without Jerry playing next to him. If he can do this, he’s got top 15 potential next year.
John Jerry, OT- Jerry is a very solid RT, and my guess is that he will move to the left side next year and replace Oher. I’m interested to see how he plays on the left side next year as I think his pro future is on the right side. He’s a dominant run blocker, and a more than effective pass blocker. He’s definitely one of the top returning OTs next year.
Mike Wallace, WR- Wallace is going to be an absolute beast of a sleeper if there continues to be this little hype about him. He shows great concentration in making some very difficult catches. He’ll go over the middle, he can return kicks, and he’s got outstanding speed. He’s a bit raw in his routes still, but his upside is worth it. He may need a year to develop, but he will be a very productive pro WR.
Texas Tech:
Graham Harrell, QB- I have never been a fan of Harrell. To me, he is yet another system QB to come out of the Red Raider offense. He does not have the arm to play in the NFL, and his accuracy is not as good as advertised. He was helped a great deal by having such an amazing WR in Michael Crabtree. If he even gets drafted at all, it will be very late.
Michael Crabtree, WR- Now here is a player you need to believe the hype on. Crabtree is absolutely the real deal, and he’s the most pro ready receiver since Calvin Johnson. He’s a different player than Johnson was, but he’s just as valuable. Everyone wants to compare him to Larry Fitzgerald, but I personally think he’s got more Anquan Boldin in him. He doesn’t have blazing top end speed, but he’s deceptively quick. He gets separation from corners, he runs impeccable routes, and he has outstanding hands. What I really like best about him is his special awareness of coverage. He has a feel for soft spots in zone coverage and knows where to go to help his QB out. This is something you don’t see in NFL receivers until they’ve played for four or five years. He can come right in and be the number one receiver for a team. I’d take him with the top overall pick and not be upset, but there isn’t a shot the Lions will take another WR that early.
Brandon Williams, DE- I have absolutely no idea why Williams decided to come out early. He showed flashes at times, and had good sack numbers, but numbers don’t always tell the whole story. He’s weak at the point and can’t stop the run well at all. Using this bowl game as point A in why he shouldn’t have come out? Oher flat out dominated him all game. He beat him so soundly that Texas Tech finally moved Williams to the right side to see if he could do anything there (he didn’t). I wouldn’t touch him until the 5th round at the very earliest.
Darrell McBath, FS- McBath is a very interesting FS prospect. I think he looks a bit more like a SS in the league, but if he runs well at the combine, I’d be willing to say he could stay at FS. Late round prospect, but not bad.
Louis Vasquez, OG- It’s very hard to read these Texas Tech offensive linemen. They pass so much that you just can’t tell if these guys can run block or not. Vasquez does not stand out to me. He’s decent, but nothing more than a very late round pick.
Michael Oher, OT– If you read most other popular NFL draft sites (ESPN, etc), you’ll have hear Michael Oher isn’t as good as the other prospects. If you read a lot of sports book, maybe you’ve read ‘The Blind Side’, which is a book written about Oher’s rough childhood and upbringing and how he made something out of this by getting to Ole Miss. I unfortunately think a lot of people have read this book and are forming an opinion of the player based on this. That’s a shame because I think after watching a lot of tape on all of the top OTs, Oher may now be my favorite. He has long arms, a very good base, and he’s good in both phases. The only flaw I could find in his game is that he can overextend at times, but since he keeps a wide base, he regains control easily. This can carry over in the second level as well, as he can struggle to find the target, but once he does, he dominates LBs. What sets him apart to me is that he is more aggressive than the other top players at this position. In the pass and run game, Oher finishes blocks. He has the feet to play LT, but he could also play RT. I think Oher has a bright future, and those teams that pass on him due to these thoughts that he’s not consistent enough will regret it every time they see him make a Pro Bowl.
Jevan Snead, QB- Snead is a young QB that I think could be very good in time. He’s only a Sophomore, so he still has time to develop, but his raw skills are unquestionable. He has quick feet, he can escape the rush if needed, he has a very quick release, and his arm is strong. He has a gunslinger mentality as well, which is a positive and negative because he can force throws at times. His problem right now is his decision making. It’s very poor to be honest. But this is something that can easily be corrected with experience playing, and he has at least two years left to get that. You can’t teach the tangibles he has, so he just needs to work on his pass drops and read progressions. If he can improve in these areas, we may be talking about him as one of the top QBs in the 2011 draft.
Peria Jerry, DT- I absolutely love Peria Jerry! He is the classic undertackle for a 4-3, and it’s a mistake if you try to put him in anything else. He’s extremely quick off the ball, and he is in the backfield on almost every play. He’s an impact interior pass rusher, and he can disrupt the run game by shooting the gap. He will need to play against a bigger DT who can occupy blockers, but I think he’s as good as BJ Raji. They are two different types of DTs, but both are outstanding. He reminds me of a young Tommie Harris.
Greg Hardy, DE- Hardy almost came out this year and I would not have argued if he did. He definitely would have been right near the top of the list for the top Des in the draft. But Hardy made the smart move by returning to school for his Senior year. There is no question Hardy is an impact pass rusher. He was single handedly responsible for winning the game against Florida with one of the better individual performances I saw all year. My main issue with Hardy is that he’s been hurt and missed games in the past two years. He needs to come back strong, with a bit more muscle on him, stay healthy, and prove he can produce without Jerry playing next to him. If he can do this, he’s got top 15 potential next year.
John Jerry, OT- Jerry is a very solid RT, and my guess is that he will move to the left side next year and replace Oher. I’m interested to see how he plays on the left side next year as I think his pro future is on the right side. He’s a dominant run blocker, and a more than effective pass blocker. He’s definitely one of the top returning OTs next year.
Mike Wallace, WR- Wallace is going to be an absolute beast of a sleeper if there continues to be this little hype about him. He shows great concentration in making some very difficult catches. He’ll go over the middle, he can return kicks, and he’s got outstanding speed. He’s a bit raw in his routes still, but his upside is worth it. He may need a year to develop, but he will be a very productive pro WR.
Texas Tech:
Graham Harrell, QB- I have never been a fan of Harrell. To me, he is yet another system QB to come out of the Red Raider offense. He does not have the arm to play in the NFL, and his accuracy is not as good as advertised. He was helped a great deal by having such an amazing WR in Michael Crabtree. If he even gets drafted at all, it will be very late.
Michael Crabtree, WR- Now here is a player you need to believe the hype on. Crabtree is absolutely the real deal, and he’s the most pro ready receiver since Calvin Johnson. He’s a different player than Johnson was, but he’s just as valuable. Everyone wants to compare him to Larry Fitzgerald, but I personally think he’s got more Anquan Boldin in him. He doesn’t have blazing top end speed, but he’s deceptively quick. He gets separation from corners, he runs impeccable routes, and he has outstanding hands. What I really like best about him is his special awareness of coverage. He has a feel for soft spots in zone coverage and knows where to go to help his QB out. This is something you don’t see in NFL receivers until they’ve played for four or five years. He can come right in and be the number one receiver for a team. I’d take him with the top overall pick and not be upset, but there isn’t a shot the Lions will take another WR that early.
Brandon Williams, DE- I have absolutely no idea why Williams decided to come out early. He showed flashes at times, and had good sack numbers, but numbers don’t always tell the whole story. He’s weak at the point and can’t stop the run well at all. Using this bowl game as point A in why he shouldn’t have come out? Oher flat out dominated him all game. He beat him so soundly that Texas Tech finally moved Williams to the right side to see if he could do anything there (he didn’t). I wouldn’t touch him until the 5th round at the very earliest.
Darrell McBath, FS- McBath is a very interesting FS prospect. I think he looks a bit more like a SS in the league, but if he runs well at the combine, I’d be willing to say he could stay at FS. Late round prospect, but not bad.
Louis Vasquez, OG- It’s very hard to read these Texas Tech offensive linemen. They pass so much that you just can’t tell if these guys can run block or not. Vasquez does not stand out to me. He’s decent, but nothing more than a very late round pick.
Orange Bowl: Virginia Tech vs Cincinnati
Virginia Tech:
Kam Chancellor, S– I am shocked and amazed that Chancellor did not come out early. After watching him play last year, I was certain he was leaving after this year as he was ready to play in the NFL as a Sophomore. And with the fact that there was no real first round caliber safety in this year’s draft, he really could have skyrocketed up the board. But I will not begrudge him for improving his overall game for one more year in college. Chancellor plays a hybrid FS/Rover position that requires him to do many things. Some plays he may have deep centerfield responsibilities, other times he may be in the box blitzing, and other times he may line up in the slot and cover a WR or TE. He’s versatile enough that he can do it all. He’s tall, very physical, he has good speed, good instincts, great closing burst, and his vertical is outstanding. He plays both the run and pass so well that I think he can fit either a true SS or FS position in the draft next year. It’s rare to see a guy have two impressive years in a row, and still come back for a third. I fully expect him to give Taylor Mays a run for his money as the best safety prospect in next year’s draft. I implore you all to watch him closely next year and see how good he really is.
Macho Harris, CB- I question Harris’ deep speed, but he’s a very physical corner. He’s got the build and game of a prototypical Cover-2 corner. You can trust him to jam guys at the line and cover the short zone, but he might need help in deep coverage from a safety. He’s the kind of guy I’d love to have on my team, but for the right price. If he’s available in the third round when the Bears pick, I wouldn’t hesitate at all in picking him.
Ryan Schuman, OC- Schuman is yet another quality center in this draft, but he’s the typical kind of center prospect that you can get very late in the draft and be happy that you did. He can get pushed back at the POA at times, but his technique is solid enough that he knows how to recover and get back into position. He’s a very good pass blocker, and he understands angle in the run game very well, especially at the second level. I expect him to be something like a 7th round pick, but he’s a solid back up to have on your team that won’t hurt you if he has to start.
Cincinnati:
Kevin Huber, P- Yes, I’m listing a punter! I NEVER do this, but Huber deserves it. He’s the truth and his leg is outstanding. He can directional kick well too, and I expect he’ll be the first and maybe only punter drafted this year. He’s worth a look in the 4th or 5th round for a team that needs a guy with a big leg. He’s one of the better college punters I’ve seen since Daniel Sepulveda (who plays for the Steelers but was on IR this year). I like to knock punters as much as the next guy, but the field position game is crucial in the NFL. Having a guy like Huber can help your defense out more than you’d expect.
Mike Mickens, CB- Mickens gets a lot of love from people, but I don’t like him. He’s undersized, his hips look too stiff, and he’s a half step slow on every play. I’d take him only very late in the draft, but I wouldn’t count on him being a major contributor at the next level.
DeAngelo Smith, CB- Same as Mickens, except even shorter. I’m not a fan.
Trevor Canfield, OG- Canfield is a throwback type of OG. What he’s lacking in talent, he makes up for in demeanor on the field. He’ll need to be surrounded by a solid veteran center and tackle, but he’s a blue collar kind of guy who likes to hit people. The only thing is that falls into the old school way of thought that you can have a guy like him in the 5th or 6th rounds. He’ll be a very solid player if grabbed then, but I wouldn’t go higher on him.
Terril Byrd, DT- Byrd is an interesting looking 4-3 NT. He’s a bit too small to play the zero technique, or 3-4 nose, but he’s stout enough to be a run stuffer in an even man front. He keeps his shoulders square to the line, he occupies blockers, and he can even get after the passer a little bit. He’s a very nice late round sleeper looking for someone to add some bulk to their DT rotation.
Mardy Gilyard, WR- I like Gilyard’s ability, and would liken him to a Steve Smith-esque receiver. He doesn’t have ideal size, but he knows how to use his quickness to his advantage and get off the jam at the line. He’s very dangerous after the catch though, and he has good ability in the return game as well. He’s someone to watch very closely next year as I think he will outperform his measureables.
Connor Barwin, DE/OLB- Barwin is a very intriguing prospect as he has only played one year at DE. He played the previous three years as a TE, but the coaching staff thought the team would be better off using his athleticism on the defensive side of the ball, so he made the switch as a Senior. Barwin is undersized but has great speed and a non-stop motor. The team that takes a shot on him will need to be patient, as he still has a lot to learn as far as technique goes. But from a pure athleticism and effort point of view, Barwin is the type of guy I want on my team. He’s probably best suited to play OLB in a 3-4, but he can definitely get after the passer, he has enough speed to cover with some coaching on pass drops, and he gives full effort in the run game. Plus he provides a team with the depth and ability to carry one less TE on the roster, as Barwin has shown he could be a very effective NFL TE as well. That’s a much bigger deal than you would think, as it allows a coach to carry an extra player at another more valuable position on the roster each week. I could definitely see Barwin doing well at the combine, and I fully expect him to gain a lot of momentum toward draft day. He’s the kind of guy I could see the Patriots taking in the second round and developing into their heir-apparent for Mike Vrabel.
Kam Chancellor, S– I am shocked and amazed that Chancellor did not come out early. After watching him play last year, I was certain he was leaving after this year as he was ready to play in the NFL as a Sophomore. And with the fact that there was no real first round caliber safety in this year’s draft, he really could have skyrocketed up the board. But I will not begrudge him for improving his overall game for one more year in college. Chancellor plays a hybrid FS/Rover position that requires him to do many things. Some plays he may have deep centerfield responsibilities, other times he may be in the box blitzing, and other times he may line up in the slot and cover a WR or TE. He’s versatile enough that he can do it all. He’s tall, very physical, he has good speed, good instincts, great closing burst, and his vertical is outstanding. He plays both the run and pass so well that I think he can fit either a true SS or FS position in the draft next year. It’s rare to see a guy have two impressive years in a row, and still come back for a third. I fully expect him to give Taylor Mays a run for his money as the best safety prospect in next year’s draft. I implore you all to watch him closely next year and see how good he really is.
Macho Harris, CB- I question Harris’ deep speed, but he’s a very physical corner. He’s got the build and game of a prototypical Cover-2 corner. You can trust him to jam guys at the line and cover the short zone, but he might need help in deep coverage from a safety. He’s the kind of guy I’d love to have on my team, but for the right price. If he’s available in the third round when the Bears pick, I wouldn’t hesitate at all in picking him.
Ryan Schuman, OC- Schuman is yet another quality center in this draft, but he’s the typical kind of center prospect that you can get very late in the draft and be happy that you did. He can get pushed back at the POA at times, but his technique is solid enough that he knows how to recover and get back into position. He’s a very good pass blocker, and he understands angle in the run game very well, especially at the second level. I expect him to be something like a 7th round pick, but he’s a solid back up to have on your team that won’t hurt you if he has to start.
Cincinnati:
Kevin Huber, P- Yes, I’m listing a punter! I NEVER do this, but Huber deserves it. He’s the truth and his leg is outstanding. He can directional kick well too, and I expect he’ll be the first and maybe only punter drafted this year. He’s worth a look in the 4th or 5th round for a team that needs a guy with a big leg. He’s one of the better college punters I’ve seen since Daniel Sepulveda (who plays for the Steelers but was on IR this year). I like to knock punters as much as the next guy, but the field position game is crucial in the NFL. Having a guy like Huber can help your defense out more than you’d expect.
Mike Mickens, CB- Mickens gets a lot of love from people, but I don’t like him. He’s undersized, his hips look too stiff, and he’s a half step slow on every play. I’d take him only very late in the draft, but I wouldn’t count on him being a major contributor at the next level.
DeAngelo Smith, CB- Same as Mickens, except even shorter. I’m not a fan.
Trevor Canfield, OG- Canfield is a throwback type of OG. What he’s lacking in talent, he makes up for in demeanor on the field. He’ll need to be surrounded by a solid veteran center and tackle, but he’s a blue collar kind of guy who likes to hit people. The only thing is that falls into the old school way of thought that you can have a guy like him in the 5th or 6th rounds. He’ll be a very solid player if grabbed then, but I wouldn’t go higher on him.
Terril Byrd, DT- Byrd is an interesting looking 4-3 NT. He’s a bit too small to play the zero technique, or 3-4 nose, but he’s stout enough to be a run stuffer in an even man front. He keeps his shoulders square to the line, he occupies blockers, and he can even get after the passer a little bit. He’s a very nice late round sleeper looking for someone to add some bulk to their DT rotation.
Mardy Gilyard, WR- I like Gilyard’s ability, and would liken him to a Steve Smith-esque receiver. He doesn’t have ideal size, but he knows how to use his quickness to his advantage and get off the jam at the line. He’s very dangerous after the catch though, and he has good ability in the return game as well. He’s someone to watch very closely next year as I think he will outperform his measureables.
Connor Barwin, DE/OLB- Barwin is a very intriguing prospect as he has only played one year at DE. He played the previous three years as a TE, but the coaching staff thought the team would be better off using his athleticism on the defensive side of the ball, so he made the switch as a Senior. Barwin is undersized but has great speed and a non-stop motor. The team that takes a shot on him will need to be patient, as he still has a lot to learn as far as technique goes. But from a pure athleticism and effort point of view, Barwin is the type of guy I want on my team. He’s probably best suited to play OLB in a 3-4, but he can definitely get after the passer, he has enough speed to cover with some coaching on pass drops, and he gives full effort in the run game. Plus he provides a team with the depth and ability to carry one less TE on the roster, as Barwin has shown he could be a very effective NFL TE as well. That’s a much bigger deal than you would think, as it allows a coach to carry an extra player at another more valuable position on the roster each week. I could definitely see Barwin doing well at the combine, and I fully expect him to gain a lot of momentum toward draft day. He’s the kind of guy I could see the Patriots taking in the second round and developing into their heir-apparent for Mike Vrabel.
Sunday, February 22, 2009
Rose Bowl: USC vs Penn State
Penn State:
Aaron Maybin, DE– I’m not as big of a fan of Maybin as most other draft websites are. To me, Maybin was a one trick pony. He’s all speed rush, all the time. Don’t get me wrong, he is very fast around the edge and can get to the QB using his speed, but that’s all he brings to the table. He’s very undersized and will have to make the transition to 3-4 OLB, which will actually help him in the long run. He’s not very physical and can struggle to anchor against the run. He only had the one big year as well, and I’m concerned he’s going to be vastly over drafted based on his speed. I’d be willing to grab him around pick 20 or so because he will more than likely be a situational pass rusher his first year or two in the league. He does hustle to plays that are run away from him, so I will give him that. He may be good in time, but that’s what he needs to be afforded, time to develop.
Daryl Clark, QB- Clark will never be an NFL QB, but he could be yet another college spread QB who transitions to WR in the NFL. He has good speed and running ability, but his arm and accuracy are really poor. He’s a solid leader though, and as another year to prove me wrong.
Derrick Williams, WR- I think that Williams has Devin Hester like ability. His size is a major issue, but the team that looks past this will be getting a very valuable player. He’s a game breaker as a return man, and he’s a very good slot receiver. I’d draft him in the second because of his versatility, but I think he may slide to the third because of the issue with his size.
AQ Shipley, OC- Yet another of the strong center prospects in this draft. Shipley is a very good pass blocker, and is great in the run game as well. He hustles down the field to chase plays, and blocks the second level very effectively. He looks like he might be a bit undersized, but I’d still take him as high as the third round. A team like Denver or Indianapolis would be great fits for a player like Shipley.
Navorro Bowman, OLB- Bowman will be the next great LB out of ‘LB university’. He’s young, powerful, athletic, and fast. With another year or two to work on his instincts and technique, he could be a sure fire first rounder. He can be an impact OLB who is versatile enough to play in any defensive scheme.
USC:
Mark Sanchez, QB- I would have really liked to see Sanchez go back for his Senior year, but I don’t begrudge him for making the move to come out as a Junior. He showed improvement in little things throughout the games I watched of him this year, like where he held the ball in his drops, and that impressed me. That shows that he is aware of what is wrong, he listens to coaches, and he’s talented enough to make changes right away. He has a very good arm, he’s more accurate than Stafford is, and he’s a proven leader. The experience factor is an issue, especially since he’s been surrounded by so much top talent, it’s hard to know if it was truly him or the supporting cast. It’s a toss up between him and Stafford for the best QB in my opinion. There are things I like about them both, but in the end, I’d rate Stafford a bit higher based on seeing more film of him over then past three years. Sanchez will probably slip a bit come draft day, so he’ll be a good value for a team like the Jets at pick 17 or even the Bears at pick 18.
Rey Maualuga, MLB- Maualuga is a complete MLB. He can cover the pass decently, he’s an impact run stuffer, and he shows great timing in his ability to come on delayed blitzes up the middle. He’s the kind of guy who can set the tone for an entire defense. He’s big, but has the speed to cover a lot of ground, and he hits like a Mack truck. My only concern with him is that he takes poor angles to the outside. I think this is more instincts than ability, as his speed is there. Because of this, I think Maualuga may be best fit as an ILB in a 3-4. Anyway you slice it though, he’s a top 15 talent and will be a very good pro.
Brian Cushing, OLB- The one thing I noted on Cushing last year was I wanted to see him put some muscle on, get stronger, and still retain his speed. Fortunately for him, he did all of these things and really improved his draft stock by coming back for his Senior year. I really like Cushing a lot, and I personally think he’s the second best overall LB behind Aaron Curry. He’s maybe not as physical as Maualuga, but he’s more versatile and complete. He’s an extremely safe draft pick no matter where he goes. He can cover TEs very well as a SLB in a 4-3, he has the size and speed to be a force as an outside pass rusher in a 3-4. And he uses his hands well enough to stack and shed linemen that he could theoretically play inside as well. I think Cushing will really fly up draft boards after the combine, and I expect him to be gone before pick 15.
Clay Matthews Jr, OLB- Matthews Jr came out of no where this season. He started his career as a walk on, and slowly worked his way into the starting lineup after playing primarily on special teams. He comes from good NFL genes as both his father and uncle had very distinguished NFL careers. What’s great about Matthews is his motor. He is running full pace 100% of the time. He’s ideally fit as a rush OLB in a 3-4, and teams near the end of the first round would be wise to invest in him. He is willing and able to play special teams, and I think he will be the kind of player who will always work harder to get better. Eventually, he’ll be a Pro Bowler. I really like Matthews Jr a lot and think he’d be a great value anywhere in the middle parts of the first round.
Fili Moala, DT/DE- Moala moved out to a 3-4 DE this year after playing inside with Sedrick Ellis last year at DT. I think this showed his versatility, and he’s very capable of playing in either defensive front. The only thing that concerns me about Moala is his tendency to get overwhelmed by the double team against the run. He’s a good pass rusher, so his first move is to get his shoulders turned. That hurts him in run defense, but that can be fixed with more discipline and coaching. I think a 3-4 team will take him and put him at end, but I think he might be a better fit in a 4-3 next to a big run stuffer. He may come off the board in the second round, which would not be a bad value, but he’ll slip no later than the third.
Stanley Havili, FB- Havili is not a true FB, as he’s not a good lead blocker. He stops his feet on contact as a run blocker, but this isn’t his game anyway. Havili is a very good pass catcher and has good speed for his position. He’s a lot like Le’ron McClain of Baltimore in that he can play some one back, and also be used as a pass receiver in a two back set.
Taylor Mays, S- Unlike most people, I was actually glad to see Mays come back for his Senior year. Mays has the physical tools to be an All Pro safety, but his instincts aren’t quite up to his physical ability yet. I think with this extra year of work, Mays will have the chance to be a top five pick overall next year. He could very well be the best safety to come out of college since Ed Reed if he can improve his reads.
Joe McKnight, RB- McKnight has a sick burst, but he’s allergic to contact. He’s more of a change of pace back at the next level, and not a full time feature back, but he has some great game breaking speed and ability. Maybe not a sure fire first rounder, but he’s in contention.
CJ Gable, RB- Gable is a more complete RB than McKnight or the other USC runners. He really attacks the line of scrimmage, and I like how hard he runs. He’s the better pro prospect for certain.
Keith Ellison, SS- I like Ellison, but he did get hurt half way through the season. He’s a good tackler with good instincts, and he looks like a solid pro prospect. He can cover and support the run equally well, and he’s going to be a very good value pick in the third to fourth round range.
Patrick Turner, WR- Turner has good size for the position, but he’s a bit too raw as a route runner. Someone will take a stab on him late in the draft, but I don’t know if he’ll ever be more than a jump ball guy in the red zone.
Aaron Maybin, DE– I’m not as big of a fan of Maybin as most other draft websites are. To me, Maybin was a one trick pony. He’s all speed rush, all the time. Don’t get me wrong, he is very fast around the edge and can get to the QB using his speed, but that’s all he brings to the table. He’s very undersized and will have to make the transition to 3-4 OLB, which will actually help him in the long run. He’s not very physical and can struggle to anchor against the run. He only had the one big year as well, and I’m concerned he’s going to be vastly over drafted based on his speed. I’d be willing to grab him around pick 20 or so because he will more than likely be a situational pass rusher his first year or two in the league. He does hustle to plays that are run away from him, so I will give him that. He may be good in time, but that’s what he needs to be afforded, time to develop.
Daryl Clark, QB- Clark will never be an NFL QB, but he could be yet another college spread QB who transitions to WR in the NFL. He has good speed and running ability, but his arm and accuracy are really poor. He’s a solid leader though, and as another year to prove me wrong.
Derrick Williams, WR- I think that Williams has Devin Hester like ability. His size is a major issue, but the team that looks past this will be getting a very valuable player. He’s a game breaker as a return man, and he’s a very good slot receiver. I’d draft him in the second because of his versatility, but I think he may slide to the third because of the issue with his size.
AQ Shipley, OC- Yet another of the strong center prospects in this draft. Shipley is a very good pass blocker, and is great in the run game as well. He hustles down the field to chase plays, and blocks the second level very effectively. He looks like he might be a bit undersized, but I’d still take him as high as the third round. A team like Denver or Indianapolis would be great fits for a player like Shipley.
Navorro Bowman, OLB- Bowman will be the next great LB out of ‘LB university’. He’s young, powerful, athletic, and fast. With another year or two to work on his instincts and technique, he could be a sure fire first rounder. He can be an impact OLB who is versatile enough to play in any defensive scheme.
USC:
Mark Sanchez, QB- I would have really liked to see Sanchez go back for his Senior year, but I don’t begrudge him for making the move to come out as a Junior. He showed improvement in little things throughout the games I watched of him this year, like where he held the ball in his drops, and that impressed me. That shows that he is aware of what is wrong, he listens to coaches, and he’s talented enough to make changes right away. He has a very good arm, he’s more accurate than Stafford is, and he’s a proven leader. The experience factor is an issue, especially since he’s been surrounded by so much top talent, it’s hard to know if it was truly him or the supporting cast. It’s a toss up between him and Stafford for the best QB in my opinion. There are things I like about them both, but in the end, I’d rate Stafford a bit higher based on seeing more film of him over then past three years. Sanchez will probably slip a bit come draft day, so he’ll be a good value for a team like the Jets at pick 17 or even the Bears at pick 18.
Rey Maualuga, MLB- Maualuga is a complete MLB. He can cover the pass decently, he’s an impact run stuffer, and he shows great timing in his ability to come on delayed blitzes up the middle. He’s the kind of guy who can set the tone for an entire defense. He’s big, but has the speed to cover a lot of ground, and he hits like a Mack truck. My only concern with him is that he takes poor angles to the outside. I think this is more instincts than ability, as his speed is there. Because of this, I think Maualuga may be best fit as an ILB in a 3-4. Anyway you slice it though, he’s a top 15 talent and will be a very good pro.
Brian Cushing, OLB- The one thing I noted on Cushing last year was I wanted to see him put some muscle on, get stronger, and still retain his speed. Fortunately for him, he did all of these things and really improved his draft stock by coming back for his Senior year. I really like Cushing a lot, and I personally think he’s the second best overall LB behind Aaron Curry. He’s maybe not as physical as Maualuga, but he’s more versatile and complete. He’s an extremely safe draft pick no matter where he goes. He can cover TEs very well as a SLB in a 4-3, he has the size and speed to be a force as an outside pass rusher in a 3-4. And he uses his hands well enough to stack and shed linemen that he could theoretically play inside as well. I think Cushing will really fly up draft boards after the combine, and I expect him to be gone before pick 15.
Clay Matthews Jr, OLB- Matthews Jr came out of no where this season. He started his career as a walk on, and slowly worked his way into the starting lineup after playing primarily on special teams. He comes from good NFL genes as both his father and uncle had very distinguished NFL careers. What’s great about Matthews is his motor. He is running full pace 100% of the time. He’s ideally fit as a rush OLB in a 3-4, and teams near the end of the first round would be wise to invest in him. He is willing and able to play special teams, and I think he will be the kind of player who will always work harder to get better. Eventually, he’ll be a Pro Bowler. I really like Matthews Jr a lot and think he’d be a great value anywhere in the middle parts of the first round.
Fili Moala, DT/DE- Moala moved out to a 3-4 DE this year after playing inside with Sedrick Ellis last year at DT. I think this showed his versatility, and he’s very capable of playing in either defensive front. The only thing that concerns me about Moala is his tendency to get overwhelmed by the double team against the run. He’s a good pass rusher, so his first move is to get his shoulders turned. That hurts him in run defense, but that can be fixed with more discipline and coaching. I think a 3-4 team will take him and put him at end, but I think he might be a better fit in a 4-3 next to a big run stuffer. He may come off the board in the second round, which would not be a bad value, but he’ll slip no later than the third.
Stanley Havili, FB- Havili is not a true FB, as he’s not a good lead blocker. He stops his feet on contact as a run blocker, but this isn’t his game anyway. Havili is a very good pass catcher and has good speed for his position. He’s a lot like Le’ron McClain of Baltimore in that he can play some one back, and also be used as a pass receiver in a two back set.
Taylor Mays, S- Unlike most people, I was actually glad to see Mays come back for his Senior year. Mays has the physical tools to be an All Pro safety, but his instincts aren’t quite up to his physical ability yet. I think with this extra year of work, Mays will have the chance to be a top five pick overall next year. He could very well be the best safety to come out of college since Ed Reed if he can improve his reads.
Joe McKnight, RB- McKnight has a sick burst, but he’s allergic to contact. He’s more of a change of pace back at the next level, and not a full time feature back, but he has some great game breaking speed and ability. Maybe not a sure fire first rounder, but he’s in contention.
CJ Gable, RB- Gable is a more complete RB than McKnight or the other USC runners. He really attacks the line of scrimmage, and I like how hard he runs. He’s the better pro prospect for certain.
Keith Ellison, SS- I like Ellison, but he did get hurt half way through the season. He’s a good tackler with good instincts, and he looks like a solid pro prospect. He can cover and support the run equally well, and he’s going to be a very good value pick in the third to fourth round range.
Patrick Turner, WR- Turner has good size for the position, but he’s a bit too raw as a route runner. Someone will take a stab on him late in the draft, but I don’t know if he’ll ever be more than a jump ball guy in the red zone.
Liberty Bowl: East Carolina vs Kentucky
Kentucky:
Trevard Lindley, CB– I’m glad Lindley chose to go back for his Senior season. He’s a bit slim and needs to put some good weight on and get stronger in the off-season. He is a very good coverage corner, but he is absolutely averse to stopping the run. It looks like he almost does what he can to avoid contact in the running game, and when he makes an attempt at a tackle, it’s laughable. I’m going to watch him closely next year because of his coverage ability alone. I wouldn’t risk a first round pick on him because of the run game issue, but I’m sure someone will live with his inability to stop the run and draft him there next year.
Jeremy Jarmon, DE- Jarmon has some first day potential for next year. He has good size and can impact the run and pass games. He’s not a refined, complete prospect yet, but he has the tools to work with next season.
Braxton Kelly, LB- Kelly is no more than a late round pick who looks to be a very solid special teams player.
Myron Pryor, DT- I didn’t see anything special in Pryor, and I wouldn’t draft him.
East Carolina:
CJ Wilson, DE- I’m not too sure about Wilson. His technique is very inconsistent, but if some team grabs him late and works with him, he could fit into a rotation at DE. He’s a true 4-3 DE, which are harder to find these days with many teams leaning on quicker and smaller players on the edge.
Davon Drew, TE- Drew doesn’t play much inline TE, but he has the size and ability to do so. He’s a very good offensive weapon though, and he adds to the list of talented TEs that can be had in the later rounds of the draft. He gets off the jam well, he’s faster than most LBs, and he’s bigger than most safeties. I’d risk a pick as high as the fourth on Drew, but I’m guessing he’ll be had for even lower come draft day. He has the chance to be a very good value pick for some team.
Trevard Lindley, CB– I’m glad Lindley chose to go back for his Senior season. He’s a bit slim and needs to put some good weight on and get stronger in the off-season. He is a very good coverage corner, but he is absolutely averse to stopping the run. It looks like he almost does what he can to avoid contact in the running game, and when he makes an attempt at a tackle, it’s laughable. I’m going to watch him closely next year because of his coverage ability alone. I wouldn’t risk a first round pick on him because of the run game issue, but I’m sure someone will live with his inability to stop the run and draft him there next year.
Jeremy Jarmon, DE- Jarmon has some first day potential for next year. He has good size and can impact the run and pass games. He’s not a refined, complete prospect yet, but he has the tools to work with next season.
Braxton Kelly, LB- Kelly is no more than a late round pick who looks to be a very solid special teams player.
Myron Pryor, DT- I didn’t see anything special in Pryor, and I wouldn’t draft him.
East Carolina:
CJ Wilson, DE- I’m not too sure about Wilson. His technique is very inconsistent, but if some team grabs him late and works with him, he could fit into a rotation at DE. He’s a true 4-3 DE, which are harder to find these days with many teams leaning on quicker and smaller players on the edge.
Davon Drew, TE- Drew doesn’t play much inline TE, but he has the size and ability to do so. He’s a very good offensive weapon though, and he adds to the list of talented TEs that can be had in the later rounds of the draft. He gets off the jam well, he’s faster than most LBs, and he’s bigger than most safeties. I’d risk a pick as high as the fourth on Drew, but I’m guessing he’ll be had for even lower come draft day. He has the chance to be a very good value pick for some team.
GMAC Bowl: Tulsa vs Ball State
Ball State:
Nate Davis, QB– I think Davis made a mistake in coming out early, even with a poor QB class this year. His height is a big concern to me, as was his ball security at the end of the year. He dropped the ball while tucking an running, and I’m guessing it’s an issue with his hand size. It may sound trivial, but that’s a big thing in the NFL. If you can’t properly grip the ball, you’ll be susceptible to passes fly out of your hand, and DL can strip the ball easier. His arm seems to be good enough, but his accuracy isn’t the greatest. He’s very accurate on the short to intermediate routes, but inaccurate on the deep ball. I’m not huge fan of Davis and I personally don’t think he’s starter material. He might make a solid back up, but I wouldn’t take the risk on him before the 4th or 5th round.
There was no one else in this game worth mentioning, as I didn’t feel many others were draft worthy.
Nate Davis, QB– I think Davis made a mistake in coming out early, even with a poor QB class this year. His height is a big concern to me, as was his ball security at the end of the year. He dropped the ball while tucking an running, and I’m guessing it’s an issue with his hand size. It may sound trivial, but that’s a big thing in the NFL. If you can’t properly grip the ball, you’ll be susceptible to passes fly out of your hand, and DL can strip the ball easier. His arm seems to be good enough, but his accuracy isn’t the greatest. He’s very accurate on the short to intermediate routes, but inaccurate on the deep ball. I’m not huge fan of Davis and I personally don’t think he’s starter material. He might make a solid back up, but I wouldn’t take the risk on him before the 4th or 5th round.
There was no one else in this game worth mentioning, as I didn’t feel many others were draft worthy.
Capitol One Bowl: Georgia vs Michigan State
Georgia:
Matt Stafford, QB– Stafford is the consensus top QB in this draft, but I don’t think that should mean much other than this is a very weak QB draft. Physically speaking, Stafford has everything you look for in a top shelf franchise QB. His arm is strong enough to make any throw in the NFL, and he’ll have one of the best arms out of all QBs once he enters the NFL. The curse to this blessing is that it gives him what I call ‘Bret Favre Syndrome’. Stafford knows he has a great arm, and it leads him to trusting it to make throws he has no business making. Like Favre, it’s a great thing to have a guy who can laser a ball into a tight window and make plays other QBs can’t. But at the same time, it also leads to more interceptions than is acceptable (like Favre also). Stafford needs to work on his touch, and his decision making, but everything else is there when you look for that top five draft pick. His inconsistency scares the hell out of me, and I would personally not draft him in the top five. If I were picking somewhere between 8-15, I’d be perfectly comfortable with this. At the end of the day though, Stafford will probably be the number one overall pick because QB’s are valued the highest in the NFL. I’m just not so sure that he won’t be the next Alex Smith and not live up to those expectations, especially if asked to play right away for Detroit. He has the promise, but he also has the nicks that scare me too.
Geno Atkins, DT- Atkins is your typical undertackle in a 4-3 defense. He’s a bit under sized, but he’s quick and gets into the backfield in a hurry. His game is built on quickness off the ball, and he’s a very good pass rusher for an inside player. With getting good penetration like he does, he unfortunately also gets his shoulders turned sometimes and can get completely washed out in the running game. Another year to get bigger and stronger will help him, but he has first round ability for next year’s draft.
Knowshon Moreno, RB- I really like Moreno’s toughness and ability. He’s a genuine football player, and a throwback to the older generation of player. But like those players, Moreno isn’t the most physically gifted back around. He’s got great balance and vision, which allow him to make guys miss in the short to intermediate area. But he seems to lack the second gear to run away from guys, and he’s a smaller back, which makes it very strange. He does know how to take a hit and he runs with good pad level and forward lean. But his size makes me worry about his ability to hold up to the rigors of an NFL beating. He’s best fit as a complimentary back, and I think his 40 times will decide if he goes in the late first or early second round. He’s a quality football player, and the kind of RB I want on my team, but I would be happier getting him in the second round instead of the first.
AJ Green, WR- A true Freshman WR, Green is one of the brightest prospects I’ve seen at his position. He has great body control, amazing hands, and game breaking speed. He’s a big receiver as well, and still has another two years to grow into his body with a college strength and conditioning program. If he can keep working on the little things like his route running and strength, I full expect him to be a top 5-10 pick two years from now.
Asher Allen, CB- I’m really not sure why Allen declared, as I think he still needs some time to fully develop. He has good speed and his man coverage ability looks good, but he’s undersized and needs to get stronger on the jam. Because of his potential, he’ll go higher than I would think, but I’d stick him as a third rounder.
Danell Ellerbe, MLB- Ellerbe is very undersized for his position, and it’s enough that I’m not sure if he will ever be able to play ILB even in a 3-4. He has fairly good instincts, and he attacks the line with good technique, but he will get overwhelmed by NFL blockers. He will get drafted late though and would be good on special teams.
Mohamed Massaquoi, WR- He’s a big WR, with good hands, and runs good routes. The only thing about him is he struggles to get off the jam, and that’s a major concern for me. He won’t fit well as a slot receiver, and if he can’t get off the jam in college, he’ll never be able to do this on the boundary as a pro.
Michigan State:
Brian Hoyer, QB- I don’t think Hoyer has the arm to play in the NFL. He has the height, and he seems fairly accurate, but his arm is just not enough.
Javon Ringer, RB- I really like Ringer. He’s an undersized guy who runs a lot harder than his height and weight. The only concern I have about him is the mileage they put on his tires this past season. He had an enormous amount of carries as this passing game was not very good, so I’m a but worried he will wear down faster than other backs. His style reminds me a lot of Carolina’s DeAngelo Williams. He runs tough on the inside, but he also has the speed to hit the corner and outrun people. He has very good cutback ability, runs low, can make guys miss, and can break tackles. I think he’d be a perfect fit in Denver’s zone running attack, and if they can get him somewhere in the third or fourth round, he’d be a steal.
Greg Jones, MLB- Jones is a MLB to keep an eye on next year. He’s very instinctive, reads his keys very quickly, and makes the play. Jones is a very solid two way defender and would fit well as a true MLB in a 4-3.
Matt Stafford, QB– Stafford is the consensus top QB in this draft, but I don’t think that should mean much other than this is a very weak QB draft. Physically speaking, Stafford has everything you look for in a top shelf franchise QB. His arm is strong enough to make any throw in the NFL, and he’ll have one of the best arms out of all QBs once he enters the NFL. The curse to this blessing is that it gives him what I call ‘Bret Favre Syndrome’. Stafford knows he has a great arm, and it leads him to trusting it to make throws he has no business making. Like Favre, it’s a great thing to have a guy who can laser a ball into a tight window and make plays other QBs can’t. But at the same time, it also leads to more interceptions than is acceptable (like Favre also). Stafford needs to work on his touch, and his decision making, but everything else is there when you look for that top five draft pick. His inconsistency scares the hell out of me, and I would personally not draft him in the top five. If I were picking somewhere between 8-15, I’d be perfectly comfortable with this. At the end of the day though, Stafford will probably be the number one overall pick because QB’s are valued the highest in the NFL. I’m just not so sure that he won’t be the next Alex Smith and not live up to those expectations, especially if asked to play right away for Detroit. He has the promise, but he also has the nicks that scare me too.
Geno Atkins, DT- Atkins is your typical undertackle in a 4-3 defense. He’s a bit under sized, but he’s quick and gets into the backfield in a hurry. His game is built on quickness off the ball, and he’s a very good pass rusher for an inside player. With getting good penetration like he does, he unfortunately also gets his shoulders turned sometimes and can get completely washed out in the running game. Another year to get bigger and stronger will help him, but he has first round ability for next year’s draft.
Knowshon Moreno, RB- I really like Moreno’s toughness and ability. He’s a genuine football player, and a throwback to the older generation of player. But like those players, Moreno isn’t the most physically gifted back around. He’s got great balance and vision, which allow him to make guys miss in the short to intermediate area. But he seems to lack the second gear to run away from guys, and he’s a smaller back, which makes it very strange. He does know how to take a hit and he runs with good pad level and forward lean. But his size makes me worry about his ability to hold up to the rigors of an NFL beating. He’s best fit as a complimentary back, and I think his 40 times will decide if he goes in the late first or early second round. He’s a quality football player, and the kind of RB I want on my team, but I would be happier getting him in the second round instead of the first.
AJ Green, WR- A true Freshman WR, Green is one of the brightest prospects I’ve seen at his position. He has great body control, amazing hands, and game breaking speed. He’s a big receiver as well, and still has another two years to grow into his body with a college strength and conditioning program. If he can keep working on the little things like his route running and strength, I full expect him to be a top 5-10 pick two years from now.
Asher Allen, CB- I’m really not sure why Allen declared, as I think he still needs some time to fully develop. He has good speed and his man coverage ability looks good, but he’s undersized and needs to get stronger on the jam. Because of his potential, he’ll go higher than I would think, but I’d stick him as a third rounder.
Danell Ellerbe, MLB- Ellerbe is very undersized for his position, and it’s enough that I’m not sure if he will ever be able to play ILB even in a 3-4. He has fairly good instincts, and he attacks the line with good technique, but he will get overwhelmed by NFL blockers. He will get drafted late though and would be good on special teams.
Mohamed Massaquoi, WR- He’s a big WR, with good hands, and runs good routes. The only thing about him is he struggles to get off the jam, and that’s a major concern for me. He won’t fit well as a slot receiver, and if he can’t get off the jam in college, he’ll never be able to do this on the boundary as a pro.
Michigan State:
Brian Hoyer, QB- I don’t think Hoyer has the arm to play in the NFL. He has the height, and he seems fairly accurate, but his arm is just not enough.
Javon Ringer, RB- I really like Ringer. He’s an undersized guy who runs a lot harder than his height and weight. The only concern I have about him is the mileage they put on his tires this past season. He had an enormous amount of carries as this passing game was not very good, so I’m a but worried he will wear down faster than other backs. His style reminds me a lot of Carolina’s DeAngelo Williams. He runs tough on the inside, but he also has the speed to hit the corner and outrun people. He has very good cutback ability, runs low, can make guys miss, and can break tackles. I think he’d be a perfect fit in Denver’s zone running attack, and if they can get him somewhere in the third or fourth round, he’d be a steal.
Greg Jones, MLB- Jones is a MLB to keep an eye on next year. He’s very instinctive, reads his keys very quickly, and makes the play. Jones is a very solid two way defender and would fit well as a true MLB in a 4-3.
Gator Bowl: Nebraska vs Clemson
Nebraska:
Ndamukong Suh, DT– Suh is a VERY impressive looking prospect. I was very surprised to see him come back for his Senior year seeing the weak crop of DTs available in this year’s pool. He is tall for the position, but is extremely quick off the ball, and is always getting penetration into the backfield. He can play DT in a 4-3, and might even be able to be a difference maker at 3-4 DE. In fact, he reminds me a lot of the Patriots Richard Seymour in his build and style of play. He has the potential to be a top 15 pick next year if he can build on what he did this past year.
Tye Steinkuhler, DT/DE- I like his heart and hustle, and he seems to be another guy who can play 3-4 DE. He’s a bit too small to play DT in the NFL, but I think he might be a decent late round pick up for a 3-4 team with time to groom him as an end.
Matt Slauson, OG- Not a bad OG prospect, but has some downside. He has a tendency to let defenders into his chest too much, so he can get driven back at the POA. That’s being fairly picky though as he is a solid value at the position. Like most guards, I wouldn’t expect to see him come off the board until the fifth or sixth round, but he has the ability to eventually start in the NFL.
Clemson:
Michael Hamlin, FS- I’m not a fan of Hamlin’s, even though some other draft experts like him. He looks afraid of contact, and when he comes in to make a tackle, he doesn’t wrap up. He’s not my favorite safety prospect this year, that’s for sure.
Cullen Harper, QB- I don’t think he’ll ever be an NFL QB because he’s far too inconsistent with his mechanics and he makes bad decisions. I wouldn’t draft him, but I assume he will come off the board in the seventh round.
CJ Spiller, RB- I’m shocked Spiller came back for is Senior year, but it might not be a bad idea. He has the chance to be one of the top three RBs in next year’s class, so it was probably a smart idea in the end. He’s a home run hitter as a runner, returner, and as a receiver out of the backfield. Without having to share carries with the overrated James Davis next year, Spiller should shine. I liken him to a Chris Johnson of the Titans. Maybe not quite as fast, but he’s close. He has game changing ability and is a sure fire first rounder barring injuries.
James Davis, RB- I’ve always thought Davis was overrated by other draft experts. He doesn’t have that wiggle the great runners have, and he’s strictly a north/south runner. His speed isn’t there on tape, and I wouldn’t risk anything higher than a 5th rounder on him.
Jacoby Ford, WR- I really liked what I saw from Ford. He has good speed, and he showed a very good ability to get off the jam at the line of scrimmage. He’ll make for a very good value as a late round pick.
Aaron Kelly, WR- Kelly needs to run a good 40 time at the combine to move up in the draft. Otherwise he’s going to be strictly used in the red zone. He has good height, good leaping ability, and good hands. He’s just not consistent enough to rank any higher than the middle rounds. A poor 40 would push him into the late rounds.
Ndamukong Suh, DT– Suh is a VERY impressive looking prospect. I was very surprised to see him come back for his Senior year seeing the weak crop of DTs available in this year’s pool. He is tall for the position, but is extremely quick off the ball, and is always getting penetration into the backfield. He can play DT in a 4-3, and might even be able to be a difference maker at 3-4 DE. In fact, he reminds me a lot of the Patriots Richard Seymour in his build and style of play. He has the potential to be a top 15 pick next year if he can build on what he did this past year.
Tye Steinkuhler, DT/DE- I like his heart and hustle, and he seems to be another guy who can play 3-4 DE. He’s a bit too small to play DT in the NFL, but I think he might be a decent late round pick up for a 3-4 team with time to groom him as an end.
Matt Slauson, OG- Not a bad OG prospect, but has some downside. He has a tendency to let defenders into his chest too much, so he can get driven back at the POA. That’s being fairly picky though as he is a solid value at the position. Like most guards, I wouldn’t expect to see him come off the board until the fifth or sixth round, but he has the ability to eventually start in the NFL.
Clemson:
Michael Hamlin, FS- I’m not a fan of Hamlin’s, even though some other draft experts like him. He looks afraid of contact, and when he comes in to make a tackle, he doesn’t wrap up. He’s not my favorite safety prospect this year, that’s for sure.
Cullen Harper, QB- I don’t think he’ll ever be an NFL QB because he’s far too inconsistent with his mechanics and he makes bad decisions. I wouldn’t draft him, but I assume he will come off the board in the seventh round.
CJ Spiller, RB- I’m shocked Spiller came back for is Senior year, but it might not be a bad idea. He has the chance to be one of the top three RBs in next year’s class, so it was probably a smart idea in the end. He’s a home run hitter as a runner, returner, and as a receiver out of the backfield. Without having to share carries with the overrated James Davis next year, Spiller should shine. I liken him to a Chris Johnson of the Titans. Maybe not quite as fast, but he’s close. He has game changing ability and is a sure fire first rounder barring injuries.
James Davis, RB- I’ve always thought Davis was overrated by other draft experts. He doesn’t have that wiggle the great runners have, and he’s strictly a north/south runner. His speed isn’t there on tape, and I wouldn’t risk anything higher than a 5th rounder on him.
Jacoby Ford, WR- I really liked what I saw from Ford. He has good speed, and he showed a very good ability to get off the jam at the line of scrimmage. He’ll make for a very good value as a late round pick.
Aaron Kelly, WR- Kelly needs to run a good 40 time at the combine to move up in the draft. Otherwise he’s going to be strictly used in the red zone. He has good height, good leaping ability, and good hands. He’s just not consistent enough to rank any higher than the middle rounds. A poor 40 would push him into the late rounds.
Chick-Fil-A Bowl: Louisiana State vs Georgia Tech
LSU:
Jordan Jefferson, QB – Jefferson is a very good looking true Freshman QB. He’s a very good runner, but can pass the ball pretty well too. He has a very strong arm, and has that ‘it’ factor about him that makes him look even better on the field. I’ll be very interested to see how his career progresses, but he’s pretty far ahead as a Freshman, so his future is very bright.
Brandon LaFell, WR- LaFell declared as a Junior, but pulled his name from the hat shortly before the deadline. I think this was a very good move for him to make. LaFell has all of the physical attribute you look for in a top shelf WR, he’s just inconsistent at this point in his development. If he can show more consistency in his Senior season, I’d fully expect him to be in the running for a first round draft slot.
Tyson Jackson, DE- Jackson is your prototypical 3-4 DE. He holds his own on the edge and anchors well against the run. He’s not a sack artist or speed rusher, he’s just a consistent two-way end that has good value for an increasingly desirable position in the NFL. I don’t know if I’d be excited about drafting him in the middle of the first round, but he’d be about as safe of a pick as you could get at that point. His return on your investment would be worth it as he’s always going to be a consistent player. Maybe not a perennial Pro Bowl player, but a very solid starter from day one.
Ciron Black, OT- Black made the right choice in coming back for his Senior season. From watching Black the past two years, I just don’t think he can handle the speed rushers off the edge as an NFL LT. He might be able to move to RT, but I’m even concerned about him on that side as well. His technique is sloppy, especially his kick step, which is why edge rushers get the best of him. If he can work on his technique, then I’d be more willing to say he can play RT in the NFL. If struggles with this again next year, I think he will have to move strictly inside to play OG.
Herman Johnson, OG- Johnson is an absolute beast of a man. He’s about 6’8” and almost 400lbs, so he has the size to play at the next level. The only thing about him is that I just don’t see consistency in his game, and it drives me nuts. He looks unstoppable at times blowing guys off the line in the run game, or stuffing DTs pass rushes with his super long arms. Then one play later, he misses his assignment and gives up a sack. He also struggles to locate and lock on to the moving target at the second level. He’s still one of the top five OG prospects, but I don’t think he’s worth a pick until about the 4th round. His size and flashes of dominance might push him in to the late 3rd to a team like the Eagles who love big lineman like him, but that would be pushing it. I think he needs a year or two to fully develop under an NFL line coach. He should be a lot better for someone his size, and that comes down to effort in the end.
Trindon Holliday, RB/WR/KR- Holliday is very short, very small, but incredibly fast! He’s one of the fastest 100 meter guys in college track, and it translates to the field. He’s still got another year or two left in college, and he needs to show he can increase his touches and still be able to hold up to the beating with his diminutive frame. If and when he’s draft eligible, he won’t go until the late rounds and it will more than likely be strictly as a return specialist and trick play guy. If he can get a corner in a return or a run, no one will catch him. He’s small enough that he gets lost behind his blockers, and he’s quick enough to cut and run for daylight.
Marlon Favorite, DT- Favorite is an intriguing undertackle prospect, but nothing more than a late round guy to add to a rotation. Not a special player.
Ricky Jean-Francois, DT- Francois came out early, which was a mistake. He is your classic ‘boom or bust’ prospect. He’s had academic issues his entire time in school, which worries me about his work ethic and his mental capacity to pick up an NFL playbook. His play runs hot and cold, but when he’s on, he has the ability of a second round pick. But the cold streaks can be a bit too long, so this and the other question marks pushes him into the fourth round range.
Derry Beckwith, ILB- He’s not fast enough to play MLB in a 4-3, but I think he’d be a nice late round pick as a 3-4 ILB. He has the ability to eventually start, but would be a better back up.
Charles Scott, RB- Scott is a big back that lacks long speed. He runs hard, but he’s not going to hit a home run for you. He’s a complimentary back at best, so a late round prospect in next year’s draft.
Georgia Tech:
Michael Johnson, DE- Johnson was hyped as the best DL in the Senior class coming in to this year. The problem is that he’s just not shown enough consistency from game to game. He has good numbers, but he tends to get sacks in bunches, then not show at all in other games. He is fairly weak at the POA and cannot anchor against the run, which makes me think he will need to make his living as a 3-4 OLB in the NFL. He does have the frame to get bigger and stronger though, so I could see a 4-3 Cover-2 team drafting him and letting him mature physically while serving as a situational pass rusher. He is a very good pass rusher though, and has good speed and length. If he can work on his technique, and someone can light a fire under him, he could be very good. It’s just a bit too risky to spend anything but a late first round to early second round pick on him.
Darryl Richard and Vance Walker, DTs- I’ve listed these guys together as they are very similar players. Both would fit well as run stuffing DTs in a 4-3 defense. Walker has a bit more upside than Richard as he’s quicker and seems a bit stronger. Both don’t seem to be starting material though, so they are late round picks at best.
Jonathan Dwyer, RB- Don’t let the numbers fool you with Dwyer, the triple option helps inflate his rushing stats. I don’t think he’s a feature back, and it would take a lot more out of him next year to change my mind.
Morgan Burnett, FS- I want to watch Burnett closely next year. He can make some mental mistakes at times, but he has all of the tools to be a starting FS in the NFL. He had seven picks this year, so he has a nose for the ball.
Jordan Jefferson, QB – Jefferson is a very good looking true Freshman QB. He’s a very good runner, but can pass the ball pretty well too. He has a very strong arm, and has that ‘it’ factor about him that makes him look even better on the field. I’ll be very interested to see how his career progresses, but he’s pretty far ahead as a Freshman, so his future is very bright.
Brandon LaFell, WR- LaFell declared as a Junior, but pulled his name from the hat shortly before the deadline. I think this was a very good move for him to make. LaFell has all of the physical attribute you look for in a top shelf WR, he’s just inconsistent at this point in his development. If he can show more consistency in his Senior season, I’d fully expect him to be in the running for a first round draft slot.
Tyson Jackson, DE- Jackson is your prototypical 3-4 DE. He holds his own on the edge and anchors well against the run. He’s not a sack artist or speed rusher, he’s just a consistent two-way end that has good value for an increasingly desirable position in the NFL. I don’t know if I’d be excited about drafting him in the middle of the first round, but he’d be about as safe of a pick as you could get at that point. His return on your investment would be worth it as he’s always going to be a consistent player. Maybe not a perennial Pro Bowl player, but a very solid starter from day one.
Ciron Black, OT- Black made the right choice in coming back for his Senior season. From watching Black the past two years, I just don’t think he can handle the speed rushers off the edge as an NFL LT. He might be able to move to RT, but I’m even concerned about him on that side as well. His technique is sloppy, especially his kick step, which is why edge rushers get the best of him. If he can work on his technique, then I’d be more willing to say he can play RT in the NFL. If struggles with this again next year, I think he will have to move strictly inside to play OG.
Herman Johnson, OG- Johnson is an absolute beast of a man. He’s about 6’8” and almost 400lbs, so he has the size to play at the next level. The only thing about him is that I just don’t see consistency in his game, and it drives me nuts. He looks unstoppable at times blowing guys off the line in the run game, or stuffing DTs pass rushes with his super long arms. Then one play later, he misses his assignment and gives up a sack. He also struggles to locate and lock on to the moving target at the second level. He’s still one of the top five OG prospects, but I don’t think he’s worth a pick until about the 4th round. His size and flashes of dominance might push him in to the late 3rd to a team like the Eagles who love big lineman like him, but that would be pushing it. I think he needs a year or two to fully develop under an NFL line coach. He should be a lot better for someone his size, and that comes down to effort in the end.
Trindon Holliday, RB/WR/KR- Holliday is very short, very small, but incredibly fast! He’s one of the fastest 100 meter guys in college track, and it translates to the field. He’s still got another year or two left in college, and he needs to show he can increase his touches and still be able to hold up to the beating with his diminutive frame. If and when he’s draft eligible, he won’t go until the late rounds and it will more than likely be strictly as a return specialist and trick play guy. If he can get a corner in a return or a run, no one will catch him. He’s small enough that he gets lost behind his blockers, and he’s quick enough to cut and run for daylight.
Marlon Favorite, DT- Favorite is an intriguing undertackle prospect, but nothing more than a late round guy to add to a rotation. Not a special player.
Ricky Jean-Francois, DT- Francois came out early, which was a mistake. He is your classic ‘boom or bust’ prospect. He’s had academic issues his entire time in school, which worries me about his work ethic and his mental capacity to pick up an NFL playbook. His play runs hot and cold, but when he’s on, he has the ability of a second round pick. But the cold streaks can be a bit too long, so this and the other question marks pushes him into the fourth round range.
Derry Beckwith, ILB- He’s not fast enough to play MLB in a 4-3, but I think he’d be a nice late round pick as a 3-4 ILB. He has the ability to eventually start, but would be a better back up.
Charles Scott, RB- Scott is a big back that lacks long speed. He runs hard, but he’s not going to hit a home run for you. He’s a complimentary back at best, so a late round prospect in next year’s draft.
Georgia Tech:
Michael Johnson, DE- Johnson was hyped as the best DL in the Senior class coming in to this year. The problem is that he’s just not shown enough consistency from game to game. He has good numbers, but he tends to get sacks in bunches, then not show at all in other games. He is fairly weak at the POA and cannot anchor against the run, which makes me think he will need to make his living as a 3-4 OLB in the NFL. He does have the frame to get bigger and stronger though, so I could see a 4-3 Cover-2 team drafting him and letting him mature physically while serving as a situational pass rusher. He is a very good pass rusher though, and has good speed and length. If he can work on his technique, and someone can light a fire under him, he could be very good. It’s just a bit too risky to spend anything but a late first round to early second round pick on him.
Darryl Richard and Vance Walker, DTs- I’ve listed these guys together as they are very similar players. Both would fit well as run stuffing DTs in a 4-3 defense. Walker has a bit more upside than Richard as he’s quicker and seems a bit stronger. Both don’t seem to be starting material though, so they are late round picks at best.
Jonathan Dwyer, RB- Don’t let the numbers fool you with Dwyer, the triple option helps inflate his rushing stats. I don’t think he’s a feature back, and it would take a lot more out of him next year to change my mind.
Morgan Burnett, FS- I want to watch Burnett closely next year. He can make some mental mistakes at times, but he has all of the tools to be a starting FS in the NFL. He had seven picks this year, so he has a nose for the ball.
Music City Bowl: Boston College vs Vanderbilt
Vanderbilt:
D.J. Moore, CB – I was very impressed when I watched D.J. Moore this year. He’s definitely in the top three for corners in this draft (with Ohio State’s Malcolm Jenkins and Illinois’ Vontae Davis). His back pedal is top notch, he flips his hips very fast and fluidly, and he’s super explosive out of his breaks. The only knock I have on Moore is that Vandy plays almost exclusively off-man coverage. So when he’s on the line of scrimmage, his jam is not very good. This is easily fixed with some good coaching though, and it would not stop me from taking him anywhere after the first 15-20 picks.
Boston College:
Mark Herzlich, OLB- Herzlich made the right decision to go back for his Senior year and get stronger. Getting stronger and working on shedding blocks is really the only point that he needs to work on to be a complete player. He’s a pure OLB and is versatile enough to play on the outside in a 3-4 or as a SLB in a 4-3. he is very good dropping back against the pass, he has good speed, he hustles and chases plays on the backside, and he can blitz and rush the passer as well. With a bit of improvement, Herzlich will be right there as one of the top LBs in the 2010 class and he’s a definite first round pick.
BJ Raji, DT- Raji is a difference making DT and is the best at his position in this year’s draft. He is very versatile, as he’s big enough to play 3-4 NT, but quick enough to play DT in a 4-3. he can really hold the point against the double team and shows very good strength in tying up blockers at the line. But he also shows very good quickness to penetrate and disrupt plays in the backfield. He’s a complete DT, and one of the top five prospects in this draft regardless of position. With the lack of depth at this position, it only pushed Raji’s stock up higher. He’s a very safe pick in the top ten overall this year.
Ron Brace, DT- Brace is no threat to rush the passer, but that’s not his game. Brace is a space eating run stuffer, who will go much higher than expected due to his ability to play NT in the 3-4. He’s very strong and can anchor against the double team. 3-4 NT’s are very hard to find, so Brace will be a hot commodity near the top half of the second round.
D.J. Moore, CB – I was very impressed when I watched D.J. Moore this year. He’s definitely in the top three for corners in this draft (with Ohio State’s Malcolm Jenkins and Illinois’ Vontae Davis). His back pedal is top notch, he flips his hips very fast and fluidly, and he’s super explosive out of his breaks. The only knock I have on Moore is that Vandy plays almost exclusively off-man coverage. So when he’s on the line of scrimmage, his jam is not very good. This is easily fixed with some good coaching though, and it would not stop me from taking him anywhere after the first 15-20 picks.
Boston College:
Mark Herzlich, OLB- Herzlich made the right decision to go back for his Senior year and get stronger. Getting stronger and working on shedding blocks is really the only point that he needs to work on to be a complete player. He’s a pure OLB and is versatile enough to play on the outside in a 3-4 or as a SLB in a 4-3. he is very good dropping back against the pass, he has good speed, he hustles and chases plays on the backside, and he can blitz and rush the passer as well. With a bit of improvement, Herzlich will be right there as one of the top LBs in the 2010 class and he’s a definite first round pick.
BJ Raji, DT- Raji is a difference making DT and is the best at his position in this year’s draft. He is very versatile, as he’s big enough to play 3-4 NT, but quick enough to play DT in a 4-3. he can really hold the point against the double team and shows very good strength in tying up blockers at the line. But he also shows very good quickness to penetrate and disrupt plays in the backfield. He’s a complete DT, and one of the top five prospects in this draft regardless of position. With the lack of depth at this position, it only pushed Raji’s stock up higher. He’s a very safe pick in the top ten overall this year.
Ron Brace, DT- Brace is no threat to rush the passer, but that’s not his game. Brace is a space eating run stuffer, who will go much higher than expected due to his ability to play NT in the 3-4. He’s very strong and can anchor against the double team. 3-4 NT’s are very hard to find, so Brace will be a hot commodity near the top half of the second round.
Holiday Bowl: Oregon vs Oklahoma State
Oregon:
Fenuki Tupou, OT – Tupou played LT at Oregon, but I don’t think he’ll have the foot speed to play the position in the NFL. But I do think that Tupou is one of the better RT prospects in this draft. He has good athleticism for his size, and he’s very strong and physical. He’s outstanding in the run game and gets a very good hand punch which jolts defenders off the line. One thing I am very curious to see is his arm length, as I’m a bit concerned they may be a bit shorter than ideal to play on the outside. If that is true, he still could have a bright future at OG. I’d pick him as early as the third, and he’d be a very nice replacement for John Tait as far as the Bears go.
Max Unger, OC- Unger and Alex Mack of Cal were the two best centers I saw play last year, and after this year, I’d say they are two of the better centers I have seen in some time. Unger is a bit better than Mack in the run game as he gets a good push off the line. He has an incredible feel fro blocks and he rebounds very well if he gets himself out of position. I’d say he has first round talent, but will more than likely get picked within the first five or so picks of the second round. He’s a guy who can start right away and will be a future Pro Bowler.
Patrick Chung, SS- I really liked Chung when I watched him play last year, and he impressed me again this year. He’s a perfect fit at SS, as he’s very good against the run game and equally as good against the pass. His instincts are what sets him apart as he is always around the ball and reads his keys very well. The only question I have about him is his long speed, as he seemed to struggle a bit to recover the very few times he found himself out of position. If he runs well at the combine, he may be the first safety drafted in the early second round. He’s definitely the best SS prospect in this year’s draft.
Jairus Byrd, CB- I think Byrd took a step back this year, as he did not impress me as much as he did last year. He’s a bit undersized, and I’m unsure he has the long speed to hold up in a defense that runs primarily man-to-man coverage. He’d make an excellent fit in a Cover-2 zone defense though. He has a very good knack for locating the ball and can make big plays once he gets his hands on it. He’s a very good prospect that might slip into the third round, which is about where I think his value fits best.
Nick Reed, DE- Reed holds the POA very well and looks strong for a smaller player (Reed is only about 250 pounds). He plays with a high motor, and his effort gets him in on more plays than his natural ability. He’s a decent pass rusher as well, but he doesn’t have elite level closing speed once he gets the corner. I don’t think he’s big enough to play OLB in a 3-4, and I’m not sure he can hold up as an every down 4-3 DE, so I’m really not sure where his value falls. He’s a good football player though, and some team will be happy that they have him in the later rounds.
Oklahoma State:
Russell Okung, OT- I’m glad that Okung decided to come back for his Senior year, because despite what other media outlets listed, he was not worthy of a first round pick at this point in his career. He has the frame and feet to be an NFL LT, he just has poor technique and awareness. He has the tendency to get too high out of his stance and can get pushed into the backfield by bull rushers. So with another year, he needs to work on getting stronger at the POA, and working on the finer points of his technique. If he can show even marginal improvement in these areas, he’s going to be a first or second round pick.
Brandon Pettigrew, TE- Pettigrew is a throwback TE. He’s a very good run blocker, he runs good routes, but he lacks the elite speed you see in the current breed of NFL TEs. He’s an inline TE though, which is much different than what we see in players like Greg Olsen or Antonio Gates. I know a lot of other draft experts will say that his long speed doesn’t really matter and he’s still the best TE in the draft. I’m not so sure about that though. I just don’t see spending a first round draft pick on an extra blocker that can help you in the short to intermediate passing game. First round TEs need to be game changers, and Pettigrew is not a game changer. He’d be a very good second round pick for a team looking for help with an extra blocker on the line that can also help bail out a young QB (like Matt Ryan in Atlanta for example). I like Pettigrew for his throwback style, but just not enough to spend a first round pick on him.
Dez Bryant, WR- Bryant will be one of the better returning players at his position next year. He has excellent size and speed, but he needs to work on catching the ball away from his frame. It’s something minor, but something that I am stickler for. If he can show improvement in this area, he has home run potential and top 15 talent.
Fenuki Tupou, OT – Tupou played LT at Oregon, but I don’t think he’ll have the foot speed to play the position in the NFL. But I do think that Tupou is one of the better RT prospects in this draft. He has good athleticism for his size, and he’s very strong and physical. He’s outstanding in the run game and gets a very good hand punch which jolts defenders off the line. One thing I am very curious to see is his arm length, as I’m a bit concerned they may be a bit shorter than ideal to play on the outside. If that is true, he still could have a bright future at OG. I’d pick him as early as the third, and he’d be a very nice replacement for John Tait as far as the Bears go.
Max Unger, OC- Unger and Alex Mack of Cal were the two best centers I saw play last year, and after this year, I’d say they are two of the better centers I have seen in some time. Unger is a bit better than Mack in the run game as he gets a good push off the line. He has an incredible feel fro blocks and he rebounds very well if he gets himself out of position. I’d say he has first round talent, but will more than likely get picked within the first five or so picks of the second round. He’s a guy who can start right away and will be a future Pro Bowler.
Patrick Chung, SS- I really liked Chung when I watched him play last year, and he impressed me again this year. He’s a perfect fit at SS, as he’s very good against the run game and equally as good against the pass. His instincts are what sets him apart as he is always around the ball and reads his keys very well. The only question I have about him is his long speed, as he seemed to struggle a bit to recover the very few times he found himself out of position. If he runs well at the combine, he may be the first safety drafted in the early second round. He’s definitely the best SS prospect in this year’s draft.
Jairus Byrd, CB- I think Byrd took a step back this year, as he did not impress me as much as he did last year. He’s a bit undersized, and I’m unsure he has the long speed to hold up in a defense that runs primarily man-to-man coverage. He’d make an excellent fit in a Cover-2 zone defense though. He has a very good knack for locating the ball and can make big plays once he gets his hands on it. He’s a very good prospect that might slip into the third round, which is about where I think his value fits best.
Nick Reed, DE- Reed holds the POA very well and looks strong for a smaller player (Reed is only about 250 pounds). He plays with a high motor, and his effort gets him in on more plays than his natural ability. He’s a decent pass rusher as well, but he doesn’t have elite level closing speed once he gets the corner. I don’t think he’s big enough to play OLB in a 3-4, and I’m not sure he can hold up as an every down 4-3 DE, so I’m really not sure where his value falls. He’s a good football player though, and some team will be happy that they have him in the later rounds.
Oklahoma State:
Russell Okung, OT- I’m glad that Okung decided to come back for his Senior year, because despite what other media outlets listed, he was not worthy of a first round pick at this point in his career. He has the frame and feet to be an NFL LT, he just has poor technique and awareness. He has the tendency to get too high out of his stance and can get pushed into the backfield by bull rushers. So with another year, he needs to work on getting stronger at the POA, and working on the finer points of his technique. If he can show even marginal improvement in these areas, he’s going to be a first or second round pick.
Brandon Pettigrew, TE- Pettigrew is a throwback TE. He’s a very good run blocker, he runs good routes, but he lacks the elite speed you see in the current breed of NFL TEs. He’s an inline TE though, which is much different than what we see in players like Greg Olsen or Antonio Gates. I know a lot of other draft experts will say that his long speed doesn’t really matter and he’s still the best TE in the draft. I’m not so sure about that though. I just don’t see spending a first round draft pick on an extra blocker that can help you in the short to intermediate passing game. First round TEs need to be game changers, and Pettigrew is not a game changer. He’d be a very good second round pick for a team looking for help with an extra blocker on the line that can also help bail out a young QB (like Matt Ryan in Atlanta for example). I like Pettigrew for his throwback style, but just not enough to spend a first round pick on him.
Dez Bryant, WR- Bryant will be one of the better returning players at his position next year. He has excellent size and speed, but he needs to work on catching the ball away from his frame. It’s something minor, but something that I am stickler for. If he can show improvement in this area, he has home run potential and top 15 talent.
Humanitarian Bowl: Nevada vs Maryland
Maryland:
Edwin Williams, OC – Williams is another good looking center prospect. He gets maintains very good leverage and gets a good push in the run game. He can seal the DL well, and can stick and overpower LBs on the second level. He’s probably around a fourth to fifth rounder, but he has the ability to be a starter at the next level.
Jeremy Navarre, DE- Navarre is a prototypical 3-4 DE. He’s not going to be a sack artist, but he’s very good at using his hands to stack blockers and shed them away. He’s great against the run, and a real commodity to a team that runs a 3-4. He’s very valuable, just not spectacular. I’d pick him as early as the late fourth round and be very pleased.
Da’rel Scott, RB- I really like Scott’s running style. He has a quick burst, hits the hole hard, makes his cut, and can flat out run away from people. Good power as well. He’s a very intriguing prospect.
Darrius Heyward-Bey, WR- Heyward-Bey is loaded with potential that really hasn’t been reached yet. He can body catch at times when he gets lazy, but when he’s focusing he does a very good job of catching outside his frame with his hands. His speed is outstanding, and he has very good size for the position as well. It’s the little things like consistency that knock him to the late first or early second, but I could easily see a team gambling a bit on his untapped potential. He may need a year or two to fully develop, but if he commits himself to this, he could be very good. What also hurt him is that Maryland’s QB is terrible, so it’s hard to judge his true skills as a WR from the games I saw due to the poor QB play.
Nevada:
Dominic Green, OC- I’m surprised I have not heard or seen more about Green. I think he’s a very solid OC prospect in this already amazing list of available centers. In fact, I think he’s a slight bit better than Williams. He’s outstanding at blocking on the second level, as he was asked to pull a lot on outside runs. What stood out to me was his ability to cut moving players in the second level, which freed up running lanes. He’s an experienced starter, and I think he’s going to be late round surprise for some team.
Kevin Basped, DE- Basped is a solid looking DE with potential to be an OLB in a 3-4. He’s long, lean, fast for his size, and can drop into coverage. He even covers kicks, which is amazing for a guy his size, and can tackle well in the open field. He shows a very strong hand punch for a smaller guy, and his technique is very good. He has a lot of upside, especially in a 3-4, and I expect his stock to be very hot next year.
Marco Mitchell, WR- I like Mitchell’s size/speed ratio for the WR position. He eats up the stagger between him and the DB very quickly, and he consistently catches the ball with his hands away from his body. The only negative about him is that he does not always break crisply in and out of his routes. With some good coaching and patience, this is correctable, and his potential is very good to contribute as a number two or three WR in the NFL.
Edwin Williams, OC – Williams is another good looking center prospect. He gets maintains very good leverage and gets a good push in the run game. He can seal the DL well, and can stick and overpower LBs on the second level. He’s probably around a fourth to fifth rounder, but he has the ability to be a starter at the next level.
Jeremy Navarre, DE- Navarre is a prototypical 3-4 DE. He’s not going to be a sack artist, but he’s very good at using his hands to stack blockers and shed them away. He’s great against the run, and a real commodity to a team that runs a 3-4. He’s very valuable, just not spectacular. I’d pick him as early as the late fourth round and be very pleased.
Da’rel Scott, RB- I really like Scott’s running style. He has a quick burst, hits the hole hard, makes his cut, and can flat out run away from people. Good power as well. He’s a very intriguing prospect.
Darrius Heyward-Bey, WR- Heyward-Bey is loaded with potential that really hasn’t been reached yet. He can body catch at times when he gets lazy, but when he’s focusing he does a very good job of catching outside his frame with his hands. His speed is outstanding, and he has very good size for the position as well. It’s the little things like consistency that knock him to the late first or early second, but I could easily see a team gambling a bit on his untapped potential. He may need a year or two to fully develop, but if he commits himself to this, he could be very good. What also hurt him is that Maryland’s QB is terrible, so it’s hard to judge his true skills as a WR from the games I saw due to the poor QB play.
Nevada:
Dominic Green, OC- I’m surprised I have not heard or seen more about Green. I think he’s a very solid OC prospect in this already amazing list of available centers. In fact, I think he’s a slight bit better than Williams. He’s outstanding at blocking on the second level, as he was asked to pull a lot on outside runs. What stood out to me was his ability to cut moving players in the second level, which freed up running lanes. He’s an experienced starter, and I think he’s going to be late round surprise for some team.
Kevin Basped, DE- Basped is a solid looking DE with potential to be an OLB in a 3-4. He’s long, lean, fast for his size, and can drop into coverage. He even covers kicks, which is amazing for a guy his size, and can tackle well in the open field. He shows a very strong hand punch for a smaller guy, and his technique is very good. He has a lot of upside, especially in a 3-4, and I expect his stock to be very hot next year.
Marco Mitchell, WR- I like Mitchell’s size/speed ratio for the WR position. He eats up the stagger between him and the DB very quickly, and he consistently catches the ball with his hands away from his body. The only negative about him is that he does not always break crisply in and out of his routes. With some good coaching and patience, this is correctable, and his potential is very good to contribute as a number two or three WR in the NFL.
Alamo Bowl: Northwestern vs Missouri
Northwestern:
Corey Wooten, DE – If Wooten doesn’t get hurt in this game (blew his knee out) I think he should have come out early. He has good speed and knows how to flatten around the corner. But maybe getting hurt will be a blessing in disguise. He could use another year to work on his technique and using his hands to beat the man in front of him. Wooten relies on his outside and speed and stunts to get to the QB, which is fine as it works well, but improving his technique and pass rush moves will make him that much more valuable. I really like his potential though and think he will be in first day consideration for the 2010 draft.
Tyrell Sutton, RB- Sutton’s size injury history really hurt his stock in the draft, but I believe he’s talented enough to overcome this. He’s quick and he runs harder than a lot of bigger backs do. What scares me the most about Sutton though are his small legs. They seem almost too lean, and I’m concerned that will lead to further injuries when bigger guys are always hitting him at the next level. He’s a late round prospect, but I expect he will get drafted.
Prince Kwateng, OLB- Kwateng is an undersized LB that is very quick and hits hard. He’s good in pass coverage, but he can get swallowed up in traffic due to this size. I don’t know if he’d ever be a starter, but he could make a good living on special teams and is a valuable late round pick.
CJ Bacher, QB- He has a decent arm, but his injury history is what will scare teams away.
Missouri:
Sean Witherspoon, OLB- I was very glad to see Witherspoon decide to come back for his Senior year. Witherspoon has great closing speed and athleticism, and he’s at his best when coming forward and attacking the LOS. The biggest problem I have with him is that he struggles to read his keys and his instincts aren’t up to his level of athleticism. If Witherspoon can work on diagnosing plays earlier, he could be a monster. As is, he has the speed and agility to break a step too late and still make the play on the ball carrier. I’d also like to see him be a bit more aggressive in the open field and run through his tackles. It’s a small thing to work on, and if he can show an improvement in the mental side of his game, he’s got the potential to be a top 20 draft pick.
Chase Coffman, TE- Coffman has been one of my favorite TEs over the past three years. He’s an amazing offensive weapon, and I liken him to another man’s Greg Olsen. He’s not your typical inline TE, he’s more of the new breed of TE that can be split out wide to take advantage of match ups in the passing game. He’s faster than LBs who would cover him, and bigger than DBs. I would take him in the early second and not think twice as he’s shown over a period of three years that he can be a difference maker at the next level. He did get hurt in this bowl game, which could affect his draft status, but if I’m a team like Buffalo that needs a TE desperately, I make the move and draft Coffman in the second round. He will be good right away, especially in a pass heavy offense (say the Patriots for example).
Ziggy Hood, DT- Hood really stood out in the games I watched him play this season. It’s hard to consistently flash in games where you notice a lineman standing out, but Hood did this several times. He’s a very active three-technique tackle whose game is built on speed and quickness of the ball. He penetrates into the backfield and disrupts running lanes, and gets after the passer. The only knock I have on him is that he can get washed by double teams against the run, but this isn’t what he’s best at. Teams like Indianapolis or Tampa Bay would do well to grab Hood before he slips as he’d be perfect in those Cover-2 defenses. I think Hood is worth a high second round pick, and with a good combine, I wouldn’t be surprised at all if he pushes into the late first round. He’s one of the better DT prospects that doesn’t seem to be getting much recognition.
Chase Daniel, QB- Daniel has gotten a lot of media attention over the past few years for the numbers he’s put up in Missouri’s spread offense. But that’s where the talk should stop and end. Daniel falls into the category of very good college QBs that played in a system that fit them well. Daniel will never be an NFL QB and I wouldn’t even spend a late round pick on him. He’s far too short to see over his offensive linemen at the next level, his arm is not strong at all, and he’s not very accurate either. Couple this with some poor decision making skills at times, and it’s the recipe for an undrafted free agent at best.
William Moore, S- I was really excited about watching Moore after being impressed with his play last year. So it saddens me to say that Moore really took a step back in his senior year. He showed an inability to make proper reads in pass coverage, and really looked like he wanted to only make plays in the running game. When he lined up against slot receivers, it made it clear that he’s not able to play man coverage up on the line. He can’t get his hips flipped quick enough to turn and run with WRs, and I don’t think he has the long speed to recover from this either. He still has good potential as a SS in the right defense though. He’s a very good tackler, and is best when moving toward the line of scrimmage. If he can be paired with a FS that can cover a lot of ground and help make up for Moore’s lack of ability in coverage, he can be successful. He’s a fringe second round pick to me, and I’d feel a lot better about drafting him in the early third instead.
Brock Christopher, MLB- I like Christopher, even though he doesn’t seem to be a very good athlete. He’s not very fast or big, he’s just a smart and instinctive play maker. I think his best fit would be in 3-4 where a speedier ILB can be paired with Christopher to plug the run and the pass. He’s definitely a late round pick, but there is something about him that I really like. He plays the game hard, and is a better football player than an athlete.
Jeremy Maclin, WR- There is no questioning Maclin’s game changing ability. He’s definitely right with Crabtree, battling to be the first WR taken in the draft. He’s a bit rawer than Crabtree is, but Maclin has more potential to improve. His speed is what makes Maclin a home run threat on every play and in the return game as well. He just needs to work on refining his route running in order to really reach his full potential. Because of this aspect, he might not make an impact as a WR right away, but he will make his presence known as a kick returner and deep threat. He’s worthy of a top 10 pick for certain.
Corey Wooten, DE – If Wooten doesn’t get hurt in this game (blew his knee out) I think he should have come out early. He has good speed and knows how to flatten around the corner. But maybe getting hurt will be a blessing in disguise. He could use another year to work on his technique and using his hands to beat the man in front of him. Wooten relies on his outside and speed and stunts to get to the QB, which is fine as it works well, but improving his technique and pass rush moves will make him that much more valuable. I really like his potential though and think he will be in first day consideration for the 2010 draft.
Tyrell Sutton, RB- Sutton’s size injury history really hurt his stock in the draft, but I believe he’s talented enough to overcome this. He’s quick and he runs harder than a lot of bigger backs do. What scares me the most about Sutton though are his small legs. They seem almost too lean, and I’m concerned that will lead to further injuries when bigger guys are always hitting him at the next level. He’s a late round prospect, but I expect he will get drafted.
Prince Kwateng, OLB- Kwateng is an undersized LB that is very quick and hits hard. He’s good in pass coverage, but he can get swallowed up in traffic due to this size. I don’t know if he’d ever be a starter, but he could make a good living on special teams and is a valuable late round pick.
CJ Bacher, QB- He has a decent arm, but his injury history is what will scare teams away.
Missouri:
Sean Witherspoon, OLB- I was very glad to see Witherspoon decide to come back for his Senior year. Witherspoon has great closing speed and athleticism, and he’s at his best when coming forward and attacking the LOS. The biggest problem I have with him is that he struggles to read his keys and his instincts aren’t up to his level of athleticism. If Witherspoon can work on diagnosing plays earlier, he could be a monster. As is, he has the speed and agility to break a step too late and still make the play on the ball carrier. I’d also like to see him be a bit more aggressive in the open field and run through his tackles. It’s a small thing to work on, and if he can show an improvement in the mental side of his game, he’s got the potential to be a top 20 draft pick.
Chase Coffman, TE- Coffman has been one of my favorite TEs over the past three years. He’s an amazing offensive weapon, and I liken him to another man’s Greg Olsen. He’s not your typical inline TE, he’s more of the new breed of TE that can be split out wide to take advantage of match ups in the passing game. He’s faster than LBs who would cover him, and bigger than DBs. I would take him in the early second and not think twice as he’s shown over a period of three years that he can be a difference maker at the next level. He did get hurt in this bowl game, which could affect his draft status, but if I’m a team like Buffalo that needs a TE desperately, I make the move and draft Coffman in the second round. He will be good right away, especially in a pass heavy offense (say the Patriots for example).
Ziggy Hood, DT- Hood really stood out in the games I watched him play this season. It’s hard to consistently flash in games where you notice a lineman standing out, but Hood did this several times. He’s a very active three-technique tackle whose game is built on speed and quickness of the ball. He penetrates into the backfield and disrupts running lanes, and gets after the passer. The only knock I have on him is that he can get washed by double teams against the run, but this isn’t what he’s best at. Teams like Indianapolis or Tampa Bay would do well to grab Hood before he slips as he’d be perfect in those Cover-2 defenses. I think Hood is worth a high second round pick, and with a good combine, I wouldn’t be surprised at all if he pushes into the late first round. He’s one of the better DT prospects that doesn’t seem to be getting much recognition.
Chase Daniel, QB- Daniel has gotten a lot of media attention over the past few years for the numbers he’s put up in Missouri’s spread offense. But that’s where the talk should stop and end. Daniel falls into the category of very good college QBs that played in a system that fit them well. Daniel will never be an NFL QB and I wouldn’t even spend a late round pick on him. He’s far too short to see over his offensive linemen at the next level, his arm is not strong at all, and he’s not very accurate either. Couple this with some poor decision making skills at times, and it’s the recipe for an undrafted free agent at best.
William Moore, S- I was really excited about watching Moore after being impressed with his play last year. So it saddens me to say that Moore really took a step back in his senior year. He showed an inability to make proper reads in pass coverage, and really looked like he wanted to only make plays in the running game. When he lined up against slot receivers, it made it clear that he’s not able to play man coverage up on the line. He can’t get his hips flipped quick enough to turn and run with WRs, and I don’t think he has the long speed to recover from this either. He still has good potential as a SS in the right defense though. He’s a very good tackler, and is best when moving toward the line of scrimmage. If he can be paired with a FS that can cover a lot of ground and help make up for Moore’s lack of ability in coverage, he can be successful. He’s a fringe second round pick to me, and I’d feel a lot better about drafting him in the early third instead.
Brock Christopher, MLB- I like Christopher, even though he doesn’t seem to be a very good athlete. He’s not very fast or big, he’s just a smart and instinctive play maker. I think his best fit would be in 3-4 where a speedier ILB can be paired with Christopher to plug the run and the pass. He’s definitely a late round pick, but there is something about him that I really like. He plays the game hard, and is a better football player than an athlete.
Jeremy Maclin, WR- There is no questioning Maclin’s game changing ability. He’s definitely right with Crabtree, battling to be the first WR taken in the draft. He’s a bit rawer than Crabtree is, but Maclin has more potential to improve. His speed is what makes Maclin a home run threat on every play and in the return game as well. He just needs to work on refining his route running in order to really reach his full potential. Because of this aspect, he might not make an impact as a WR right away, but he will make his presence known as a kick returner and deep threat. He’s worthy of a top 10 pick for certain.
Papa John’s Bowl: North Carolina State vs Rutgers
Rutgers:
Mike Teel, QB – Teel is a tall, prototypical pocket passer with a big arm. That’s where it stops though. He’s not very accurate, and when he gets pressured, he falls apart. I don’t think he’s draftable, but someone might take a 7th round flier on him.
Courtney Green, FS- Green is a four year starter at FS, which is what you ideally want in the last line of your defense. But for being so experienced, he makes some unforgivable mental mistakes. Some teams will love his experience, but I don’t think it matters. He’s not instinctive enough to be an NFL free safety.
Kenny Britt, WR- I think Britt made the wrong choice in coming out early. I’ve never met the guy, but I don’t like his attitude. How can I make a statement like this without knowing the guy? You can see it in his play on the field. Britt is the type of perimeter WR NFL teams look for. He’s 6’4” 215lbs, he seems fast enough, runs decent routes, and has the size to be physical. There are just two things he does which absolutely drive me nuts. He takes a bit too long to get to top speed, which happens to taller WRs. I’ll be watching his shuttle times at the combine closely to see if maybe I was wrong when I saw him play. The biggest issue I have is that he body catches far too often. For those that don’t know what I mean by ‘body catching’, he lets balls get into his body and he traps the ball between his shoulder pads and arms, instead of extending his arms and using his hands to catch the ball. I’m sure some team will like his physical attributes and take him in the second round. I wouldn’t go any higher than the mid third round for him.
Tiquan Underwood, WR- Underwood is less talented physically than Britt, but I think he’s a more polished WR. He’s a late rounder at best, but he runs very good routes and knows how to find soft spots in zone coverage.
NC State:
Russell Wilson, QB – Wilson is only a Freshman, but he’s someone to watch over the next couple of years. He has good feet, a very good arm, and he’s fairly accurate. He has time to develop as well, so I would assume he will only get better. The only thing that will be an issue for Wilson is that he doesn’t seem to have ideal height, which will hurt come draft day. But he does have the athleticism that I could see him playing another position in the NFL like WR.
Andre Brown, RB- Brown didn’t play in the first half due to breaking a team rule the week of the bowl game. So right away, questions about his character need to be answered. There is nothing to question about his game on the field though. He is a very tough north-south runner. He hits the hole between the tackles, makes a cut, and can break the long runs. I think Brown is the type of RB who will slip to the fourth or fifth round come draft day and will make an immediate impact.
Mike Teel, QB – Teel is a tall, prototypical pocket passer with a big arm. That’s where it stops though. He’s not very accurate, and when he gets pressured, he falls apart. I don’t think he’s draftable, but someone might take a 7th round flier on him.
Courtney Green, FS- Green is a four year starter at FS, which is what you ideally want in the last line of your defense. But for being so experienced, he makes some unforgivable mental mistakes. Some teams will love his experience, but I don’t think it matters. He’s not instinctive enough to be an NFL free safety.
Kenny Britt, WR- I think Britt made the wrong choice in coming out early. I’ve never met the guy, but I don’t like his attitude. How can I make a statement like this without knowing the guy? You can see it in his play on the field. Britt is the type of perimeter WR NFL teams look for. He’s 6’4” 215lbs, he seems fast enough, runs decent routes, and has the size to be physical. There are just two things he does which absolutely drive me nuts. He takes a bit too long to get to top speed, which happens to taller WRs. I’ll be watching his shuttle times at the combine closely to see if maybe I was wrong when I saw him play. The biggest issue I have is that he body catches far too often. For those that don’t know what I mean by ‘body catching’, he lets balls get into his body and he traps the ball between his shoulder pads and arms, instead of extending his arms and using his hands to catch the ball. I’m sure some team will like his physical attributes and take him in the second round. I wouldn’t go any higher than the mid third round for him.
Tiquan Underwood, WR- Underwood is less talented physically than Britt, but I think he’s a more polished WR. He’s a late rounder at best, but he runs very good routes and knows how to find soft spots in zone coverage.
NC State:
Russell Wilson, QB – Wilson is only a Freshman, but he’s someone to watch over the next couple of years. He has good feet, a very good arm, and he’s fairly accurate. He has time to develop as well, so I would assume he will only get better. The only thing that will be an issue for Wilson is that he doesn’t seem to have ideal height, which will hurt come draft day. But he does have the athleticism that I could see him playing another position in the NFL like WR.
Andre Brown, RB- Brown didn’t play in the first half due to breaking a team rule the week of the bowl game. So right away, questions about his character need to be answered. There is nothing to question about his game on the field though. He is a very tough north-south runner. He hits the hole between the tackles, makes a cut, and can break the long runs. I think Brown is the type of RB who will slip to the fourth or fifth round come draft day and will make an immediate impact.
Independence Bowl: Northern Illinois vs Louisiana Tech
NIU:
Larry English, DE/OLB – English played down end in a 4-3, but I don’t think there is any question that he will have to move to 3-4 OLB in the NFL. He’s not big enough or strong enough to hold the POA against the run as a down lineman, but that’s not what you’re drafting him for. He’s strictly a pass rush guy, and I think he’s still developing in that area. He has the speed and instincts to make an impact, but he needs to refine his arsenal of pass rush moves so he has a secondary pass rush move to go to. The thing I really like about English is his effort. He chases plays away from him and does not stop until the play is over. It’s that hustle that will allow him to develop quickly at a position he’s not played before, and with a good combine effort in the LB drills, he may sneak into the end of the first round or early second.
La. Tech:
Phillip Livas, WR- Livas is only a Sophomore, but he has very good upside. He’s small and doesn’t play a true WR position. He moves around a lot and plays some RB, some slot WR, and some perimeter WR. He’s extremely fast, and he’s a top notch return man. He’ll slip due to his size when he eventually is draft eligible, but he’s going to make a very good back up and return man in the NFL. Reminds me a lot of Darren Sproles.
Larry English, DE/OLB – English played down end in a 4-3, but I don’t think there is any question that he will have to move to 3-4 OLB in the NFL. He’s not big enough or strong enough to hold the POA against the run as a down lineman, but that’s not what you’re drafting him for. He’s strictly a pass rush guy, and I think he’s still developing in that area. He has the speed and instincts to make an impact, but he needs to refine his arsenal of pass rush moves so he has a secondary pass rush move to go to. The thing I really like about English is his effort. He chases plays away from him and does not stop until the play is over. It’s that hustle that will allow him to develop quickly at a position he’s not played before, and with a good combine effort in the LB drills, he may sneak into the end of the first round or early second.
La. Tech:
Phillip Livas, WR- Livas is only a Sophomore, but he has very good upside. He’s small and doesn’t play a true WR position. He moves around a lot and plays some RB, some slot WR, and some perimeter WR. He’s extremely fast, and he’s a top notch return man. He’ll slip due to his size when he eventually is draft eligible, but he’s going to make a very good back up and return man in the NFL. Reminds me a lot of Darren Sproles.
Combine Note
As you will see by the dates on the posts, I was unable to finish all of my player evaluations prior to the combine begining. So what I am doing is that I will not follow any combine news and notes until after I have finished all of the player eval sections so that I am not influenced by anything new I am reading. I will then go back, review my DVR'd footage, and post my combine news and notes.
Monday, February 16, 2009
Emerald Bowl: Cal vs Miami
Cal:
Jahvid Best, RB – I will first say it’s going to be a challenge to not use the word ‘best’ in this article while referring to Jahvid Best. Best might be one of the top returning offensive prospects next year, regardless of position. I’d even say he was probably the best RB I saw this year, including this year’s prospects that have first round grades attached to them. Best has fantastic vision and his ability to make a jump cut and explode reminds me of a young Edgerrin James. He runs with very good pad level, he can burst through the line, make a cut, and run for daylight. He also has the short area quickness and speed to get to the corner and turn it on a defense. This Cal passing game was terrible at best this year, so teams loaded up to stop Best and still couldn’t. He’s as sure of a thing as a first rounder next year as they get in running backs. Hopefully he stays healthy.
Alex Mack, OC- I spent part of last year proclaiming that Mack was the best center prospect I had seen in a while. After watching him again this year, I will concur with my earlier thoughts and say that Mack is the best center I have seen in college football in recent memory. Mack’s technique is absolutely impeccable and some of the best I have seen in any college lineman regardless of position. If he gets out of position on a block, he has such a good feel for the game that he can get right back into fit and finish the play. He’s a great pass blocker, and a tenacious run blocker. He follows plays down field and will cake any defenders who might not be hustling. His combination of football smarts, technique, strength, and attitude makes him the safest pick of any offensive lineman in this draft. If I’m a GM, I’d pick him anywhere as high as 15 on down. I know some people will say that’s too high for a center, but I’d be happy to argue that first round running backs and receivers will spend less time in the NFL than this guy will. In fact, I’ll come right out and guarantee that Mack will go to more Pro Bowls than one of the first round RBs or WRs will play years in the league. That’s an ambitious statement, but I’m willing to go there. Max Unger was close to Mack starting this year, but I think Mack has shown enough this year to prove he’s a much better prospect than Unger is.
Zach Follett, OLB- Follett played OLB in a 3-4 at Cal, but I’m not sure he will man the same position in the NFL. He will probably have to play SLB or MLB in a 4-3, as he struggles to fight off blocks when run right at. Another point I dislike about Follett is that he does not chase plays on the backside. This is an effort thing, and even if a guy is ultra talented, I will stay far away from him simply because he does not hustle. Having said all of these negative things, I do think Follett has some ability. He’s a solid tackler, he shows good acceleration, and he can rush the passer a little. It’s just that he is probably destined to be a back-up in the pros, so he’s maybe a 4th or 5th round pick.
Nate Longshore, QB- Early on in Longshore’s career, I thought he might be the next great Jeff Tedford coached QB, but boy he’s taken a fall from grace. I would go as far as saying that Longshore looks terrible now. He’s lost on the field, and that’s strange seeing as he looked fairly impressive as a Freshman. He’s not worth drafting, and I would be very surprised if his name is called on draft weekend.
Miami:
Sean Spencer, OLB- Spencer will be the next great LB out of what is quickly replacing Penn State as linebacker U. The amazing thing is, Spencer is only a true Freshman! He has unbelievable closing speed, and he hits like a truck. He has fairly good instincts in the run and pass games as well for such a young player. The only thing he needs to do is continue to put good weight on and hope it doesn’t affect his speed. Since he’s young and his body is still maturing, I’d say his future will only get brighter. I don’t think his time at the U will be long, and I expect him to be a first round caliber player by the time he’s a Junior. He’s definitely one to watch, and he’s a guy this team will build it’s program around over the next two years (at least).
Darryl Sharpton, MLB- I’m glad Sharpton returned for his Senior season. Sharpton has all of the ability to be a very good NFL MLB, but he is just lacking consistency. He has very good closing speed, he tackles well, and he can blitz up the middle. He stands out on tape, which is hard to do on a Miami defense, but he also can disappear at times. If he can just work on avoiding those disappearing spells, he’s going to be very good. I will be watching him very closely next year.
Xavier Shannon, OC- He’s the coach’s son, so you hope he’s a decent football player. Shannon is a no frills type of offensive lineman. He plays very hard, and plays smart. He’s just not anything special unfortunately. I think Shannon will get drafted late and will be a very solid backup in the pros.
Bruce Johnson, CB- Johnson is Miami’s best player in the draft, but that’s not saying much. I don’t think he’s worth more than a mid to late round draft pick, so it’s a fairly down season for a Hurricane’s team that annually produces at least one first round talent.
Jahvid Best, RB – I will first say it’s going to be a challenge to not use the word ‘best’ in this article while referring to Jahvid Best. Best might be one of the top returning offensive prospects next year, regardless of position. I’d even say he was probably the best RB I saw this year, including this year’s prospects that have first round grades attached to them. Best has fantastic vision and his ability to make a jump cut and explode reminds me of a young Edgerrin James. He runs with very good pad level, he can burst through the line, make a cut, and run for daylight. He also has the short area quickness and speed to get to the corner and turn it on a defense. This Cal passing game was terrible at best this year, so teams loaded up to stop Best and still couldn’t. He’s as sure of a thing as a first rounder next year as they get in running backs. Hopefully he stays healthy.
Alex Mack, OC- I spent part of last year proclaiming that Mack was the best center prospect I had seen in a while. After watching him again this year, I will concur with my earlier thoughts and say that Mack is the best center I have seen in college football in recent memory. Mack’s technique is absolutely impeccable and some of the best I have seen in any college lineman regardless of position. If he gets out of position on a block, he has such a good feel for the game that he can get right back into fit and finish the play. He’s a great pass blocker, and a tenacious run blocker. He follows plays down field and will cake any defenders who might not be hustling. His combination of football smarts, technique, strength, and attitude makes him the safest pick of any offensive lineman in this draft. If I’m a GM, I’d pick him anywhere as high as 15 on down. I know some people will say that’s too high for a center, but I’d be happy to argue that first round running backs and receivers will spend less time in the NFL than this guy will. In fact, I’ll come right out and guarantee that Mack will go to more Pro Bowls than one of the first round RBs or WRs will play years in the league. That’s an ambitious statement, but I’m willing to go there. Max Unger was close to Mack starting this year, but I think Mack has shown enough this year to prove he’s a much better prospect than Unger is.
Zach Follett, OLB- Follett played OLB in a 3-4 at Cal, but I’m not sure he will man the same position in the NFL. He will probably have to play SLB or MLB in a 4-3, as he struggles to fight off blocks when run right at. Another point I dislike about Follett is that he does not chase plays on the backside. This is an effort thing, and even if a guy is ultra talented, I will stay far away from him simply because he does not hustle. Having said all of these negative things, I do think Follett has some ability. He’s a solid tackler, he shows good acceleration, and he can rush the passer a little. It’s just that he is probably destined to be a back-up in the pros, so he’s maybe a 4th or 5th round pick.
Nate Longshore, QB- Early on in Longshore’s career, I thought he might be the next great Jeff Tedford coached QB, but boy he’s taken a fall from grace. I would go as far as saying that Longshore looks terrible now. He’s lost on the field, and that’s strange seeing as he looked fairly impressive as a Freshman. He’s not worth drafting, and I would be very surprised if his name is called on draft weekend.
Miami:
Sean Spencer, OLB- Spencer will be the next great LB out of what is quickly replacing Penn State as linebacker U. The amazing thing is, Spencer is only a true Freshman! He has unbelievable closing speed, and he hits like a truck. He has fairly good instincts in the run and pass games as well for such a young player. The only thing he needs to do is continue to put good weight on and hope it doesn’t affect his speed. Since he’s young and his body is still maturing, I’d say his future will only get brighter. I don’t think his time at the U will be long, and I expect him to be a first round caliber player by the time he’s a Junior. He’s definitely one to watch, and he’s a guy this team will build it’s program around over the next two years (at least).
Darryl Sharpton, MLB- I’m glad Sharpton returned for his Senior season. Sharpton has all of the ability to be a very good NFL MLB, but he is just lacking consistency. He has very good closing speed, he tackles well, and he can blitz up the middle. He stands out on tape, which is hard to do on a Miami defense, but he also can disappear at times. If he can just work on avoiding those disappearing spells, he’s going to be very good. I will be watching him very closely next year.
Xavier Shannon, OC- He’s the coach’s son, so you hope he’s a decent football player. Shannon is a no frills type of offensive lineman. He plays very hard, and plays smart. He’s just not anything special unfortunately. I think Shannon will get drafted late and will be a very solid backup in the pros.
Bruce Johnson, CB- Johnson is Miami’s best player in the draft, but that’s not saying much. I don’t think he’s worth more than a mid to late round draft pick, so it’s a fairly down season for a Hurricane’s team that annually produces at least one first round talent.
Champs Sports Bowl: Florida State vs Wisconsin
Wisconsin:
Matt Shaughnessy, DE – I can’t seem to put my finger on Shaughnessy. He has a great motor, good technique in the run and pass game, but he just seems to look lost at points. It’s odd because he seems to really know what he’s doing at times, then just completely disappears. He’s only about 250lbs, so he might be able to move out to 3-4 OLB, but he might be a better fit by putting on some bulk and playing DE in the same scheme (since he’s 6’6” and has the long arms to stack the line in the run game).
Mike Newkirk, DT- I like Newkirk’s quickness off the ball. He’s undersized for a traditional 4-3 DT, so I think he may be best fit as a 3-4 DE. He’s a second day sleeper that I will be watching closely at the combine.
Kraig Urbik, OG- Urbik is a very solid OG prospect in a very weak OG draft. That doesn’t mean I think he’ll be a great pro, I just think that Urbik will benefit from there being little depth of talent at this position, thus moving him up. Urbik isn’t bad though as he’s good enough in the run and pass game to be a solid starter at some point in his pro career. If you look at it that way, he’s exactly what you want in an OG. Unassuming, quiet, doesn’t make huge plays, but doesn’t make many mistakes either.
DeAndre Levy, LB- I like his skills moving toward the LOS. He’s a decent pass rusher, and he sheds blocks well with his hands. He’s a bit of a liability in coverage though. He’d be a good fit as a two-down LB, or on a defense that will not ask him to do much backpedaling.
Allen Langford, CB- I don’t think Langford could cover a TE let alone a WR. I wouldn’t draft him until very late, and even then it’s strictly as a special teams player.
PJ Hill, RB- On one hand, I cannot believe Hill would come out early. On the other hand, he has a history of injuries and he takes a pounding as a big back, so I get it. Hill just isn’t special. He’s a big back with limited break away speed. He needs to be used strictly as a change of pace, short yardage back. To me, that’s someone you look for in the 5th round or so. I’m very interested to see who goes first between Hill and Colorado St’s Gartrell Johnson, as they are both very similar backs. Hill will get you some tough inside yards, but he may not be healthy for a full 16 game slate.
Florida State:
Antone Smith, RB- Smith is a no frills compliment back. He has decent speed, he runs with good effort, and he has good hands. He won’t put up big numbers, but he won’t hurt your team either. He’s a good value as a late round pick.
Greg Carr, WR- I wish Carr had a better work ethic because he does have some very good natural skills. But besides his character issues, Carr just flat out can’t accelerate with his height. It takes him too long to get to top end speed, and he has to really throttle it down in his breaks on routes, which allows the corner to make a move on the throw. With his height, long arms, and leaping ability, someone will draft him even if it’s strictly as a red zone player. But I’m just not sure that’s enough to warrant a roster spot for Carr as he’s not going to put in the effort needed on special teams.
Myron Rolle, SS- I don’t need to say much here about Rolle except that I applaud his decision to forgo the draft and go to Oxford as a Rhodes Scholar. This may be the first and last time that ‘Florida State Football Player’ and ‘Rhodes Scholar’ go together, but I’m very happy for this young man. He may still have a future in football, but being completely honest, I was never fully impressed with his play on the field. He showed some flashes here and there, but he didn’t seem to have the field awareness that matched his intelligence. And because of this, he seemed to be a step slow on the field. Now, maybe it’s because he is actually a step slow for the position, but I think it’s the former rather than the latter. Last time I checked, being a doctor doesn’t involve brain jarring collisions and pays fairly well to boot, so I’d stick with the road he’s traveling right now if I were him.
Graham Gano, K/P- I know, I know, I’m actually talking about a kicker. It’s a shocking development! But there is very good reason for this. Gano has a great leg on kickoffs, was the Lou Groza award winner for the best kicker in 2008, and had three of the best punts I have ever seen in a game. If you did not see this game, Gano put three punts in a row within three yards of the opponents goal line (the first was about on the one inch line). It was an impressive display of punting accuracy for a guy who is technically a better place kicker than a punter. But with his ability to do both, it will help his cause in getting drafted by a team since he can essentially back up both kicking spots with one player. I'd say Gano is the best place kicker in this draft, but still not worth anything over a 5th or 6th round pick.
Everette Brown, DE- Coming in to this year, I was excited to see Brown’s development. Watching him last year I thought he had a chance to be the next great pass rusher out of FSU, and he looks to have proved me right. Brown is a phenomenal pass rusher, and I don’t throw that term out loosely. Most media outlets will talk about his great speed around the edge, but what I like most is his arsenal of pass rush moves and how he sets each one up. Brown does a great job of mixing speed with power and inside counter moves as well. His spin move to the inside is outstanding, and reminds me a bit of Dwight Freeney. The thing is, Freeney didn’t develop that second move until his NFL career started. Brown is as mature as a three year veteran in the NFL as far as ability to rush the passer. He has 10+ sack a year potential, which is what pushes his stock up into the top 15 range. My only concern with Brown is his relatively poor rush defense. I believe the reason he doesn’t excel at this is because he tends to get up field too fast, so he can run past the play, but this is correctable with some coaching. Brown has the ability to play in a 3-4 as an OLB or I think he can even play as a down DE in the right scheme. Whatever team takes him will be very happy with the return on their investment as I think Brown will be an immediate impact pass rusher in the NFL.
Matt Shaughnessy, DE – I can’t seem to put my finger on Shaughnessy. He has a great motor, good technique in the run and pass game, but he just seems to look lost at points. It’s odd because he seems to really know what he’s doing at times, then just completely disappears. He’s only about 250lbs, so he might be able to move out to 3-4 OLB, but he might be a better fit by putting on some bulk and playing DE in the same scheme (since he’s 6’6” and has the long arms to stack the line in the run game).
Mike Newkirk, DT- I like Newkirk’s quickness off the ball. He’s undersized for a traditional 4-3 DT, so I think he may be best fit as a 3-4 DE. He’s a second day sleeper that I will be watching closely at the combine.
Kraig Urbik, OG- Urbik is a very solid OG prospect in a very weak OG draft. That doesn’t mean I think he’ll be a great pro, I just think that Urbik will benefit from there being little depth of talent at this position, thus moving him up. Urbik isn’t bad though as he’s good enough in the run and pass game to be a solid starter at some point in his pro career. If you look at it that way, he’s exactly what you want in an OG. Unassuming, quiet, doesn’t make huge plays, but doesn’t make many mistakes either.
DeAndre Levy, LB- I like his skills moving toward the LOS. He’s a decent pass rusher, and he sheds blocks well with his hands. He’s a bit of a liability in coverage though. He’d be a good fit as a two-down LB, or on a defense that will not ask him to do much backpedaling.
Allen Langford, CB- I don’t think Langford could cover a TE let alone a WR. I wouldn’t draft him until very late, and even then it’s strictly as a special teams player.
PJ Hill, RB- On one hand, I cannot believe Hill would come out early. On the other hand, he has a history of injuries and he takes a pounding as a big back, so I get it. Hill just isn’t special. He’s a big back with limited break away speed. He needs to be used strictly as a change of pace, short yardage back. To me, that’s someone you look for in the 5th round or so. I’m very interested to see who goes first between Hill and Colorado St’s Gartrell Johnson, as they are both very similar backs. Hill will get you some tough inside yards, but he may not be healthy for a full 16 game slate.
Florida State:
Antone Smith, RB- Smith is a no frills compliment back. He has decent speed, he runs with good effort, and he has good hands. He won’t put up big numbers, but he won’t hurt your team either. He’s a good value as a late round pick.
Greg Carr, WR- I wish Carr had a better work ethic because he does have some very good natural skills. But besides his character issues, Carr just flat out can’t accelerate with his height. It takes him too long to get to top end speed, and he has to really throttle it down in his breaks on routes, which allows the corner to make a move on the throw. With his height, long arms, and leaping ability, someone will draft him even if it’s strictly as a red zone player. But I’m just not sure that’s enough to warrant a roster spot for Carr as he’s not going to put in the effort needed on special teams.
Myron Rolle, SS- I don’t need to say much here about Rolle except that I applaud his decision to forgo the draft and go to Oxford as a Rhodes Scholar. This may be the first and last time that ‘Florida State Football Player’ and ‘Rhodes Scholar’ go together, but I’m very happy for this young man. He may still have a future in football, but being completely honest, I was never fully impressed with his play on the field. He showed some flashes here and there, but he didn’t seem to have the field awareness that matched his intelligence. And because of this, he seemed to be a step slow on the field. Now, maybe it’s because he is actually a step slow for the position, but I think it’s the former rather than the latter. Last time I checked, being a doctor doesn’t involve brain jarring collisions and pays fairly well to boot, so I’d stick with the road he’s traveling right now if I were him.
Graham Gano, K/P- I know, I know, I’m actually talking about a kicker. It’s a shocking development! But there is very good reason for this. Gano has a great leg on kickoffs, was the Lou Groza award winner for the best kicker in 2008, and had three of the best punts I have ever seen in a game. If you did not see this game, Gano put three punts in a row within three yards of the opponents goal line (the first was about on the one inch line). It was an impressive display of punting accuracy for a guy who is technically a better place kicker than a punter. But with his ability to do both, it will help his cause in getting drafted by a team since he can essentially back up both kicking spots with one player. I'd say Gano is the best place kicker in this draft, but still not worth anything over a 5th or 6th round pick.
Everette Brown, DE- Coming in to this year, I was excited to see Brown’s development. Watching him last year I thought he had a chance to be the next great pass rusher out of FSU, and he looks to have proved me right. Brown is a phenomenal pass rusher, and I don’t throw that term out loosely. Most media outlets will talk about his great speed around the edge, but what I like most is his arsenal of pass rush moves and how he sets each one up. Brown does a great job of mixing speed with power and inside counter moves as well. His spin move to the inside is outstanding, and reminds me a bit of Dwight Freeney. The thing is, Freeney didn’t develop that second move until his NFL career started. Brown is as mature as a three year veteran in the NFL as far as ability to rush the passer. He has 10+ sack a year potential, which is what pushes his stock up into the top 15 range. My only concern with Brown is his relatively poor rush defense. I believe the reason he doesn’t excel at this is because he tends to get up field too fast, so he can run past the play, but this is correctable with some coaching. Brown has the ability to play in a 3-4 as an OLB or I think he can even play as a down DE in the right scheme. Whatever team takes him will be very happy with the return on their investment as I think Brown will be an immediate impact pass rusher in the NFL.
Meineke Care Car Bowl: West Virginia vs North Carolina
West Virginia:
Pat White, QB – With the recent outbreak of the wildcat offense in the NFL, White’s stock has gone up slightly. I still don’t believe he’s an NFL QB, but he can play the position on gimmick plays like the wildcat. He has a winding throwing motion, his accuracy is poor in the pocket and worse when on the move, and he’s very short. All of those aspects point to White not being able to transition his game as an every down NFL QB. What is not in question is White’s speed. Pat White has the running ability of an NFL RB or WR, which is where he will fit in the pros. He needs to show he can run routes and catch the ball consistently, but he’s worth taking a shot on late in the third or early fourth because of his versatility and playmaking speed. I’m hoping White realizes he should participate at the combine as a WR, and not a QB, because he really needs to prove he can play another position at the next level.
Noel Devine, RB- Devine has one of the best initial bursts of any running back I have watched. He’s too small to be an every down NFL back, but Steve Slaton’s success in the NFL showed that RB’s of Devine’s skills can tote the rock consistently. His long speed is just as good as his burst out of cuts, and he can break tacklers ankles in the open field. He’ll come out early next year if he’s smart because backs of his size can't take a four year pounding.
Ryan Stanchek, OT- Stanchek isn’t getting much love in the draftnik world. I think Stanchek is a very good prospect even though he was not invited to the combine. He holds his own in pass protection on an island, even though he’s a bit light in the backside to anchor against the bull rush. What sets him apart for me is his demeanor. He follows running plays down the field and will keep blocking to the whistle. The one thing I do question is his arm length. He looks to have shorter than ideal arms to play OT at the NFL level. But seeing his tenacity in the run game, I think he’s be an excellent OG. He’s going to slip to the late rounds, and I think he’ll be a steal wherever he is drafted.
Greg Isdaner, OG- I have no idea why Isdaner came out early. He’s not special in any way. He’s a late round guard prospect who will probably be drafted no earlier than the 6th round.
North Carolina:
Hakeem Nicks, WR- Besides Crabtree, I think Nicks is the best perimeter receiver in this draft. Yes, I know, Jeremy Maclin is considered a top ten draft pick, but I see him more as a slot receiver that gets moved around to find areas of zone coverage. Nicks is a big WR with long arms that runs great routes. He snatches the ball away from his body with his hands, and he can out leap most DB’s even at 6ft plus tall. His body control and ability to get in front of the defender is what I like most about Nicks. The only thing I question about him is his long speed. If he can run well at the combine, I think he will skyrocket up draft boards. He’s more NFL ready than Maclin, even though I think they are very different receivers. Even with a 40 time in the 4.5 range, I would doubt he makes it out of the first round. If he does, he’s a major steal at the top of the second round.
Pat White, QB – With the recent outbreak of the wildcat offense in the NFL, White’s stock has gone up slightly. I still don’t believe he’s an NFL QB, but he can play the position on gimmick plays like the wildcat. He has a winding throwing motion, his accuracy is poor in the pocket and worse when on the move, and he’s very short. All of those aspects point to White not being able to transition his game as an every down NFL QB. What is not in question is White’s speed. Pat White has the running ability of an NFL RB or WR, which is where he will fit in the pros. He needs to show he can run routes and catch the ball consistently, but he’s worth taking a shot on late in the third or early fourth because of his versatility and playmaking speed. I’m hoping White realizes he should participate at the combine as a WR, and not a QB, because he really needs to prove he can play another position at the next level.
Noel Devine, RB- Devine has one of the best initial bursts of any running back I have watched. He’s too small to be an every down NFL back, but Steve Slaton’s success in the NFL showed that RB’s of Devine’s skills can tote the rock consistently. His long speed is just as good as his burst out of cuts, and he can break tacklers ankles in the open field. He’ll come out early next year if he’s smart because backs of his size can't take a four year pounding.
Ryan Stanchek, OT- Stanchek isn’t getting much love in the draftnik world. I think Stanchek is a very good prospect even though he was not invited to the combine. He holds his own in pass protection on an island, even though he’s a bit light in the backside to anchor against the bull rush. What sets him apart for me is his demeanor. He follows running plays down the field and will keep blocking to the whistle. The one thing I do question is his arm length. He looks to have shorter than ideal arms to play OT at the NFL level. But seeing his tenacity in the run game, I think he’s be an excellent OG. He’s going to slip to the late rounds, and I think he’ll be a steal wherever he is drafted.
Greg Isdaner, OG- I have no idea why Isdaner came out early. He’s not special in any way. He’s a late round guard prospect who will probably be drafted no earlier than the 6th round.
North Carolina:
Hakeem Nicks, WR- Besides Crabtree, I think Nicks is the best perimeter receiver in this draft. Yes, I know, Jeremy Maclin is considered a top ten draft pick, but I see him more as a slot receiver that gets moved around to find areas of zone coverage. Nicks is a big WR with long arms that runs great routes. He snatches the ball away from his body with his hands, and he can out leap most DB’s even at 6ft plus tall. His body control and ability to get in front of the defender is what I like most about Nicks. The only thing I question about him is his long speed. If he can run well at the combine, I think he will skyrocket up draft boards. He’s more NFL ready than Maclin, even though I think they are very different receivers. Even with a 40 time in the 4.5 range, I would doubt he makes it out of the first round. If he does, he’s a major steal at the top of the second round.
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