Unfortunately, I lost a good friend this past weekend. Kit Harley was someone I worked with for the past almost eight years. He and I were part of a small group of guys who were young, driven, had a common love of sports, shared stories of DIII college athletics lore, and were stupid enough to spend more time together at work than we probably wanted.
After a courageous and valiant fight against brain cancer over the past three years, Kit passed away Saturday. As a token of my friendship, I’d ask that any of you reading this please give back for any joy this silly little draft Web site may have brought you by donating to the foundation built in his honor: Harley Helping Hands (www.harleyhelpinghands.com).
I learned a lot of lessons from Kit’s brave fight, and one of them will be to not sweat the small stuff. At 33 with a young child and another on the way, one of the only ways I can make sense of this loss and to honor his memory is by putting a post on my site in his honor.
So, I please ask to give what you can to help support a local charity that truly means something to me. The Harley Helping Hands foundation is 501 (c)(3) certified, and as an added bonus, I will offer the following to those that donate:
If you donate up to $50, you can send me a question through my e-mail address or via the comments section and I will answer it via a post. You will also get your name forever etched in the blogosphere. If you donate more than $50, I will let you post your own Mock Draft with any comments you may want to add.
So once you’ve donated, please let me know via the comments section or via my email address at cwsemenchuk@hotmail.com
You are missed already Kit.
Tuesday, March 30, 2010
More posts to come
Sorry for the dealy in finishing up the player evaluations, but I promise there will be more new content posted shortly, along with the first Mock Draft of the year.
On a more serious note though...
On a more serious note though...
Saturday, March 20, 2010
Independents- Notre Dame
Jimmy Clausen, QB, Jr- I’m not as sold on Clausen as some other media outlets. He’s got the potential to be a starter, but he’s still not there and I definitely do not think he is the top QB prospect in this draft. His deep ball still makes me cringe a bit as he throws up more than out. The positives are there though as he is very accurate, he makes good decisions on throws, and he’s good in the short to intermediate throws. He gets zip on throws by using a lot of hip torque, which isn’t ideal, but not terrible either. Simple things he needs to work on though are shortening his step on throws, ensuring his arm angle stays over the top because he’s not a super tall QB, and he has to stop rolling out and back as he leaves himself so far in the backfield that a pocket can’t be established and he gets dropped for big losses. If you expect him to start right away, I think that’s a mistake. He needs some more time to develop, but he has NFL starter potential. He’d be a great fit for a West Coast offense, and that makes me think that the Browns will look long and hard at him with 7th overall pick if they do in fact try to install an offense that Mike Holmgren favors. With Jake Delhomme there as a care taker, this makes sense, even though I think the value could be better for another position.
Eric Olsen, OC, Sr- Olson is a fringe draft pick to me as he gets beat by speed and power. He doesn’t get good push in the run game, and he does not hold up on an island in the middle in the pass game as well.
Golden Tate, WR, Jr- Tate will be a monster in the slot in the NFL. He’s not the biggest WR, but he’s incredibly fast and his burst allows him to clear defenders and tacklers before they can get an angle. Tate is a ball athlete meaning that he needs to be given the ball in the open field and you can allow him to make plays after the catch. This shows up well in the return game too as he makes solid plays on punt returns. His size is what hurts him as I do think he will be miscast as an outside receiver. But if team in the early second takes him and commits to using him to his strengths in the slot, he will be excellent. Don’t count out a second round reunion with his former coach Charlie Weis, who is the new OC in Kansas City.
Michael Floyd, WR, So- Floyd is a very tall receiver already but he has a HUGE vertical to boot. He high points the ball better than most pro receivers I’ve seen, which is just God-given considering his age. Floyd has the makings of a first rounder with his size, speed, and hands. With one more year of increased size and strength, Floyd should be right there in the first round mix.
Kyle Rudolph, TE, So- Rudolph reminds me of Anthony Fasano. He’s a reliable throwback TE. He’s big enough to cause problems with safeties, and quick enough to get around LBs. He’s not going to be a huge deep threat, but he’s a very effective weapon in the pass game. He’s a willing blocker, and is big for his age. Another year or two, and he may be a sure fire first rounder. He’s one of the top two to three returning TEs next year.
Armando Allen, RB, Jr- Allen is boom or bust. He either hits long runs or runs for no gain. It’s that inconsistency that will make him a late round pick at best come draft time. Allen needs to show next year he can gain better consistency with his yards per carry average.
Paul Duncan, LT, Sr- Duncan may be one of the worst LTs I have seen this year. He will not play in the NFL and should not be drafted. You may ask why I devoted space to say this, well, he was bad enough that it made me really wonder why he was even out there and it scares me to think who is behind him if he’s better than the subs.
Sam Young, RT, Sr- Young’s extremely experienced, is solid in the run game, but he will struggle a lot with speed on the corner at the next level. He seems as though he will make a decent starting RT at the next level, but it’s tough to spend anything higher than a 3rd rounder on a player who you have to say this about. Young is one of those players that won’t ever make you stand up and shout, but will find a way to be a decent starter for years.
Chris Stewart, LG, Sr- Stewart is an interesting prospect. He’s definitely a late rounder, but I still see something there that makes me think he has a future. Very good run blocker, very aggressive and nasty, but he struggles in the pass game because of said aggressiveness. With some work though, he could make a very nice starting, blue collar style guard.
Manti Te’o, OLB, true Fr- Te’o has an incredibly bright future. He has great closing speed, explosive hitter, and a good blitzer. If he can keep on improving at the rate he showed while getting experience this year, he can be an impact college player and high first rounder by the time he’s ready for graduation.
Brian Smith, MLB, Jr- I like Smith a lot and I think he will surprise some people next year. He would fit very well in a 3-4. Good delayed blitzer as an interior player, sheds blocks with his hands, and makes solid wrap up tackles. He can play the middle or the outside, but I see him being an impact player as an ILB in a 3-4. he’s got first round potential next season and the defense will be key to Notre Dame’s success next season.
Kyle McCarthy, SS, Sr- McCarthy will be a special teams ace. He’s undersized for SS, and he doesn’t look fast enough to play FS, but he is always around the ball. He’s smart, knows where to be, and he plays hard. I want guys like that on my team, regardless of whether their measurable numbers say they should play in the NFL.
Darius Fleming, OLB, So- Fleming has good speed around the corner and an incredibly bright future. He needs to get stronger and improve his technique, but his pass rushing ability is what will make him a highly sought after prospect in a few years time.
Eric Olsen, OC, Sr- Olson is a fringe draft pick to me as he gets beat by speed and power. He doesn’t get good push in the run game, and he does not hold up on an island in the middle in the pass game as well.
Golden Tate, WR, Jr- Tate will be a monster in the slot in the NFL. He’s not the biggest WR, but he’s incredibly fast and his burst allows him to clear defenders and tacklers before they can get an angle. Tate is a ball athlete meaning that he needs to be given the ball in the open field and you can allow him to make plays after the catch. This shows up well in the return game too as he makes solid plays on punt returns. His size is what hurts him as I do think he will be miscast as an outside receiver. But if team in the early second takes him and commits to using him to his strengths in the slot, he will be excellent. Don’t count out a second round reunion with his former coach Charlie Weis, who is the new OC in Kansas City.
Michael Floyd, WR, So- Floyd is a very tall receiver already but he has a HUGE vertical to boot. He high points the ball better than most pro receivers I’ve seen, which is just God-given considering his age. Floyd has the makings of a first rounder with his size, speed, and hands. With one more year of increased size and strength, Floyd should be right there in the first round mix.
Kyle Rudolph, TE, So- Rudolph reminds me of Anthony Fasano. He’s a reliable throwback TE. He’s big enough to cause problems with safeties, and quick enough to get around LBs. He’s not going to be a huge deep threat, but he’s a very effective weapon in the pass game. He’s a willing blocker, and is big for his age. Another year or two, and he may be a sure fire first rounder. He’s one of the top two to three returning TEs next year.
Armando Allen, RB, Jr- Allen is boom or bust. He either hits long runs or runs for no gain. It’s that inconsistency that will make him a late round pick at best come draft time. Allen needs to show next year he can gain better consistency with his yards per carry average.
Paul Duncan, LT, Sr- Duncan may be one of the worst LTs I have seen this year. He will not play in the NFL and should not be drafted. You may ask why I devoted space to say this, well, he was bad enough that it made me really wonder why he was even out there and it scares me to think who is behind him if he’s better than the subs.
Sam Young, RT, Sr- Young’s extremely experienced, is solid in the run game, but he will struggle a lot with speed on the corner at the next level. He seems as though he will make a decent starting RT at the next level, but it’s tough to spend anything higher than a 3rd rounder on a player who you have to say this about. Young is one of those players that won’t ever make you stand up and shout, but will find a way to be a decent starter for years.
Chris Stewart, LG, Sr- Stewart is an interesting prospect. He’s definitely a late rounder, but I still see something there that makes me think he has a future. Very good run blocker, very aggressive and nasty, but he struggles in the pass game because of said aggressiveness. With some work though, he could make a very nice starting, blue collar style guard.
Manti Te’o, OLB, true Fr- Te’o has an incredibly bright future. He has great closing speed, explosive hitter, and a good blitzer. If he can keep on improving at the rate he showed while getting experience this year, he can be an impact college player and high first rounder by the time he’s ready for graduation.
Brian Smith, MLB, Jr- I like Smith a lot and I think he will surprise some people next year. He would fit very well in a 3-4. Good delayed blitzer as an interior player, sheds blocks with his hands, and makes solid wrap up tackles. He can play the middle or the outside, but I see him being an impact player as an ILB in a 3-4. he’s got first round potential next season and the defense will be key to Notre Dame’s success next season.
Kyle McCarthy, SS, Sr- McCarthy will be a special teams ace. He’s undersized for SS, and he doesn’t look fast enough to play FS, but he is always around the ball. He’s smart, knows where to be, and he plays hard. I want guys like that on my team, regardless of whether their measurable numbers say they should play in the NFL.
Darius Fleming, OLB, So- Fleming has good speed around the corner and an incredibly bright future. He needs to get stronger and improve his technique, but his pass rushing ability is what will make him a highly sought after prospect in a few years time.
Conference USA- Central Florida
Michael Greco, FS, Sr- Greco is limited athletically, and might not even be draftable. He hits hard though, so I could see him being a late round pick as a special teams player.
Cory Hogue, LB, Sr- There is a lot to like about Hogue, but he has some limitations as well. He can overreact to plays at times, but he is aggressive and relentless on all plays. He would make a perfect ILB for a team with a veteran in place who can help get him into the right places. He’s a mid to late round pick, but I think he has some potential.
Bruce Miller, DE, Jr- Miller was the Conf. USA DPOY, and he got this due to his all out relentlessness on every play. He’s not the biggest or fastest guy on the field but he never quits on a play. He’s too short to play DE in the NFL, but he would make a solid rush OLB. He’s not an elite prospect, but he’s a blue collar type of guy you want on your team as he will find a way to contribute.
Jarvis Geathers, DE, Sr- I think Geathers is a super sleeper, meaning I think he has upside even though I’m not thinking of him as a long time NFL starter. He’s a bit lean, and maybe a bit short, but he has excellent edge speed. He has long arms, uses them well, and has a nice bull rush considering he’s not very tall. I think he will probably be a late rounder due to his physical limitations, but he will make a very nice situational pass rusher. A name to watch as the draft draws closer.
Brett Hodges, QB, Sr- Too short to be an NFL QB, doesn’t have the arm, but has decent touch on his throws. He shouldn’t be drafted because he will struggle to see over an NFL line.
Cory Hogue, LB, Sr- There is a lot to like about Hogue, but he has some limitations as well. He can overreact to plays at times, but he is aggressive and relentless on all plays. He would make a perfect ILB for a team with a veteran in place who can help get him into the right places. He’s a mid to late round pick, but I think he has some potential.
Bruce Miller, DE, Jr- Miller was the Conf. USA DPOY, and he got this due to his all out relentlessness on every play. He’s not the biggest or fastest guy on the field but he never quits on a play. He’s too short to play DE in the NFL, but he would make a solid rush OLB. He’s not an elite prospect, but he’s a blue collar type of guy you want on your team as he will find a way to contribute.
Jarvis Geathers, DE, Sr- I think Geathers is a super sleeper, meaning I think he has upside even though I’m not thinking of him as a long time NFL starter. He’s a bit lean, and maybe a bit short, but he has excellent edge speed. He has long arms, uses them well, and has a nice bull rush considering he’s not very tall. I think he will probably be a late rounder due to his physical limitations, but he will make a very nice situational pass rusher. A name to watch as the draft draws closer.
Brett Hodges, QB, Sr- Too short to be an NFL QB, doesn’t have the arm, but has decent touch on his throws. He shouldn’t be drafted because he will struggle to see over an NFL line.
Conference USA- Southern Methodist
Kyle Padron, QB, true Fr- Padron is another very good looking QB prospect. Good arm, good size, and a true pocket passer. He’s not just a byproduct of June Jones run-and-shoot offense, he’s got some real potential.
Emmanuel Sanders, WR, Sr- Sanders is actually a pretty decent looking prospect. He’s a bit undersized, but he has very good cutting ability and can make big plays in space. He’s a solid punt returner as well that can break big runs, but may also make you want to tear your hair out as he changes direction a lot (hello Devin Hester II). He showed well in the Shrine game and the Combine, so I feel even better about his prospects for the next level and think he can be had in the late third to early fourth round.
Shawnbrey McNeal, RB, Jr- MvNeal showed very good speed, runs with good power as well, and he really explodes through the hole. Has good hands as well and can take swing passes and make big plays. I was surprised to see him come out early as he will go much lower than he would have had he come back, but he will make for an excellent value pick in the mid rounds.
Chase Kennemer, ILB, Sr- I like Kennemer as he’s an effort player with good instincts. He’s definitely limited athletically, but he’s smart and gets himself into good position to make plays. His limited speed and agility will hurt him though and it’s probably why he’s noting more than a late round prospect at best.
Emmanuel Sanders, WR, Sr- Sanders is actually a pretty decent looking prospect. He’s a bit undersized, but he has very good cutting ability and can make big plays in space. He’s a solid punt returner as well that can break big runs, but may also make you want to tear your hair out as he changes direction a lot (hello Devin Hester II). He showed well in the Shrine game and the Combine, so I feel even better about his prospects for the next level and think he can be had in the late third to early fourth round.
Shawnbrey McNeal, RB, Jr- MvNeal showed very good speed, runs with good power as well, and he really explodes through the hole. Has good hands as well and can take swing passes and make big plays. I was surprised to see him come out early as he will go much lower than he would have had he come back, but he will make for an excellent value pick in the mid rounds.
Chase Kennemer, ILB, Sr- I like Kennemer as he’s an effort player with good instincts. He’s definitely limited athletically, but he’s smart and gets himself into good position to make plays. His limited speed and agility will hurt him though and it’s probably why he’s noting more than a late round prospect at best.
Conference USA- East Carolina
Linval Joseph, NT, Sr- Joseph should no doubt see his stock rise due to the positon he plays. He is a true NT as he’s a one-dimensional run stuffer. I think because this position is thin for most NFL teams, he may find his name called as high as the fourth round (even though I think that’s a bit too high for him).
C.J. Wilson, DE, Sr- Wilson is a power end. He’s a traditional 4-3 end as he can stuff the run, and he has decent pass rush ability as well. He’s different than most of the other ends in this game in that he’s not someone who will move to a 3-4.
Van Eskridge, FS, Sr- He has good instincts in coverage, and showed good burst, concentration, and hands. He’s another solid FS prospect, which may actually be deeper than the DL position.
C.J. Wilson, DE, Sr- Wilson is a power end. He’s a traditional 4-3 end as he can stuff the run, and he has decent pass rush ability as well. He’s different than most of the other ends in this game in that he’s not someone who will move to a 3-4.
Van Eskridge, FS, Sr- He has good instincts in coverage, and showed good burst, concentration, and hands. He’s another solid FS prospect, which may actually be deeper than the DL position.
Big Ten- Wisconsin
Scott Tolzien, QB, Jr- Tlzien’s a bit too short, but I like his makeup. He’s not afraid to take a shot to make a throw, and he has a decent arm. I just don’t see him as a starter at the next level, but I think he will lead the Badgers to being fairly successful next year.
John Clay, RB, So- Clay’s a bell cow back who can be on the field for all three downs. Great power, good vision, good cutback ability and patience to wait for the hole to open, and good enough speed for a back his size. He will be one of the top returning backs next year, and he will be a good pro because of his combination of size and speed. I would expect him to come out early next year, barring injury.
Gabe Carimi, LT, Jr- Carimi will be one of the top, if not the top, returning LTs next season. He’s a true LT with elite pass blocking skills, and is very good in the run game as well. He’s also showed good ability to block the second level, which taller guys like him can struggle with. I don’t know why more isn’t being said about him now, but don’t be surprised if he’s the talk of the pre-season by the ‘experts’ next season.
Garrett Graham, TE, Sr- Graham’s not a big guy, but he blocks like one. Blue collar, hard worker, and will make a team better. He reminds me of Todd Heap, and he should go in the third to fourth round range. His size will be the only thing that holds him back, but I think he has the drive to overcome this and contribute at the next level
Lance Kendricks, TE, Jr- May be one of the best returning TEs. He’s an elite pass catcher and can stretch the filed. Good enough blocker to warrant a first round grade should he continue to improve and shine next year without sharing catches with Graham.
O’Brien Schofield, DE/OLB, Sr- It’s a shame Schofield tore his ACL in the Senior Bowl practices. He was peaking at the right time, and the Shrine game was his ultimate coming out party. Schofield showed during the season that he can rush the passer as an end, but the Shrine game showed he can stand up and play the OLB spot as well. A team with a dearth of second round picks and the luxury of taking a guy who probably won’t contribute this season will get one hell of a player. I could see a team like the Jets, Ravens, Browns, or Patriots making the move at some point in the second and that would be a good value for him.
J.J. Watt, DE, So- Watt is a young kid with loads of potential. A true 4-3 end who can rush the passer, really hold the point when run at, and can even get around the edge block to make the play in the backfield. If he can show even a little improvement, I could see him testing the waters next year, but in two years he should be one of the better DE’s in the nation.
Jeff Stehle, DT, Sr- Stehle is a one dimensional run stuffer. No pass rush moves and simply just locks up the blocker and holds the point. Not a bad quality to have, but it makes him borderline draftable.
Jaevery McFadden, OLB, Sr- I like McFadden and think he may be a bit of a sleeper like last year’s Badger LB D’Andre Levy (who ended the season as the starting MLB for the Lions), who he reminds me of. He’s a good coverage LB, good blitzer, and he holds up well at the point. He’ll probably slip, but I think he has the potential to be a starting SLB for the team that takes him.
Chris Maragos, FS, Sr- He’s an effort guy who will make his hey on special teams.
John Clay, RB, So- Clay’s a bell cow back who can be on the field for all three downs. Great power, good vision, good cutback ability and patience to wait for the hole to open, and good enough speed for a back his size. He will be one of the top returning backs next year, and he will be a good pro because of his combination of size and speed. I would expect him to come out early next year, barring injury.
Gabe Carimi, LT, Jr- Carimi will be one of the top, if not the top, returning LTs next season. He’s a true LT with elite pass blocking skills, and is very good in the run game as well. He’s also showed good ability to block the second level, which taller guys like him can struggle with. I don’t know why more isn’t being said about him now, but don’t be surprised if he’s the talk of the pre-season by the ‘experts’ next season.
Garrett Graham, TE, Sr- Graham’s not a big guy, but he blocks like one. Blue collar, hard worker, and will make a team better. He reminds me of Todd Heap, and he should go in the third to fourth round range. His size will be the only thing that holds him back, but I think he has the drive to overcome this and contribute at the next level
Lance Kendricks, TE, Jr- May be one of the best returning TEs. He’s an elite pass catcher and can stretch the filed. Good enough blocker to warrant a first round grade should he continue to improve and shine next year without sharing catches with Graham.
O’Brien Schofield, DE/OLB, Sr- It’s a shame Schofield tore his ACL in the Senior Bowl practices. He was peaking at the right time, and the Shrine game was his ultimate coming out party. Schofield showed during the season that he can rush the passer as an end, but the Shrine game showed he can stand up and play the OLB spot as well. A team with a dearth of second round picks and the luxury of taking a guy who probably won’t contribute this season will get one hell of a player. I could see a team like the Jets, Ravens, Browns, or Patriots making the move at some point in the second and that would be a good value for him.
J.J. Watt, DE, So- Watt is a young kid with loads of potential. A true 4-3 end who can rush the passer, really hold the point when run at, and can even get around the edge block to make the play in the backfield. If he can show even a little improvement, I could see him testing the waters next year, but in two years he should be one of the better DE’s in the nation.
Jeff Stehle, DT, Sr- Stehle is a one dimensional run stuffer. No pass rush moves and simply just locks up the blocker and holds the point. Not a bad quality to have, but it makes him borderline draftable.
Jaevery McFadden, OLB, Sr- I like McFadden and think he may be a bit of a sleeper like last year’s Badger LB D’Andre Levy (who ended the season as the starting MLB for the Lions), who he reminds me of. He’s a good coverage LB, good blitzer, and he holds up well at the point. He’ll probably slip, but I think he has the potential to be a starting SLB for the team that takes him.
Chris Maragos, FS, Sr- He’s an effort guy who will make his hey on special teams.
Big Ten- Penn State
Daryll Clark, QB, Sr- Clark is not a pocket passer and he’s too inconsistent with his accuracy to be an NFL QB. When he drops back in the pocket, he hops around and it throws his mechanics off enough that it affects his accuracy. What is most troubling is that when he’s off, he’s always high with the throw, and this showed up over and over again in games. He has the athleticism and size to switch positions, so he should be drafted, but probably not til the later rounds. His throwing motion winds a bit as well which concerns me. I don’t see him being a QB, but he’s the type of athlete you want on your team as he will find a way to contribute. QB. He may be drafted late as an athlete though.
Evan Royster, RB, Jr- Royester is shifty and quick, but seems to lack the deep speed to run away from people. The best assets he has are his hands as he is a great receiver out of the backfield. I’d really like to see his timed speed as he doesn’t seem to run that fast on film, but that could just be the conditions of this game. I don’t see him as anything more than a third down back or compliment at the next level, but he will be relied on heavily next season with Clark gone.
Andrew Quarless, TE, Sr- Quarless is just like the recent breed of TEs: tall, good quickness, and only interested in catching passes. I think he’ll be a better pro than a college player because they don’t seem to run much more than short routes with him. He runs good routes, has good hands, and is a good pass catching weapon. He is a liability as a blocker though, but he does have a bigger frame to work with.
Dennis Landolt, LT, Sr- Landolt shows very good feet and he’s good at cutting off the outside. The biggest problem with Landolt is that he lacks the strength to anchor against the power rush and needs to work on this. He won’t start right away, but a team willing to take a chance on him and develop his lower body strength would be smart to draft him. He can definitely be a starter at the next level IF he develops his strength more. Landolt also does a good job of locating the moving player on the second level, so if he did start sooner than later, I think a zone blocking team would be his best bet. A team like Seattle, who just hired zone blocking guru Alex Gibbs would be an ideal landing spot for Landolt, so don’t be surprised if that’s the pick.
Stefen Wisniewski, OC, Jr- Wisniewski needs to work on more consistently getting his head out of blocks as he tends to get caught leaning. If he can fix this, he has very good potential. He’s a good run and pass blocker, but needs some time to further develop. Wisniewski has the bloodlines and technique, so if he can get his strength and size to match, he will make a very good center prospect for next year’s draft.
Chaz Powell, WR, So- There is a lot of positive things to like about Powell. He has very good speed, and if he gets past the jam, he’s gone. The things I don’t like about Powell are his size and ability to consistently get off the jam at the line, and his tendency to let balls get into his frame too often. He’s got solid return skills as well though, and is young enough to continue to develop.
Derek Moye, WR, Jr- I really like Moye. He’s a bigger receiver and he’s very smart. He does a great job of adjusting to the poorly thrown ball, and he goes up aggressively to get the jump ball. He could be a very good receiver with first day potential if he continues to grow. Good hands, good vision, and impressive body control. He’s someone to keep an eye on.
Navorro Bowman, OLB, Jr- I think Bowman is an unbelievable all around player. He has a great feel for angles and avoiding the trash over the middle, scraping down the line, and making the play in the backfield. He’s an explosive tackler who drives through the ball carrier and does not allow extra yardage. He’s shown he can rush the passer and hold his own in zone coverage as well. I think he’d make a fantastic WLB. The problem with Bowman right now seems to be some off the field issues which have not been published as far as I can find, which is a bit disappointing. He has first round talent, and if his character issues cause him to slip to the second, I think he’s a fantastic value there. A team would be very lucky to get him anywhere from the late first to the mid second.
Sean Lee, MLB, Sr- Lee’s injuries have cut down his speed a touch, but he’s still a solid LB. I’m not sure his best fit is outside anymore due to his lack of speed around the corner, and his ability to hold up against blocks has diminished. I think he’d fit better inside in the 3-4 where he can be covered up a bit. He still can pick, cut, and make tackles for a loss. The longer he had to recover from his injuries, the better he got. Lee does a great job of reading his keys and getting into position to make the play. He keeps his weight under him so he stays balanced, and he stays under control when moving to the outside. He’s going to make some team extremely happy if they take a chance on him in the late second to early third round, but it is a major risk as his injury history really scares me, even though he’s a solid player.
Eric Latimore, DE, So- Latimore is all edge speed right now. He needs to get stronger, and improve against the run, but he has some potential there.
Jared Odrick, DT/DE, Sr- I love Odrick! He’s a pure 3-technique who lives on penetration into the backfield to disrupt plays. He can often show a tendency to miss plays by getting too far up-field, but it’s successful more often than not. What impressed me most was the fact that he does not turn his shoulders too quickly, so he handles the double team well for an undersized tackle. He has the power, speed, and length to play the 5-technique as well; but I think he can be a game changer in a cover-2 style defense. In Penn State’s bowl game against LSU, Odrick absolute took over the game and was completely unblockable. In fact, there was more than just one game where I saw teams actively planning around him to try not to let him affect their offense but he still made plays. I think he will go a lot higher than most experts are currently saying. If he makes it into the 20’s, he’s a steal.
Evan Royster, RB, Jr- Royester is shifty and quick, but seems to lack the deep speed to run away from people. The best assets he has are his hands as he is a great receiver out of the backfield. I’d really like to see his timed speed as he doesn’t seem to run that fast on film, but that could just be the conditions of this game. I don’t see him as anything more than a third down back or compliment at the next level, but he will be relied on heavily next season with Clark gone.
Andrew Quarless, TE, Sr- Quarless is just like the recent breed of TEs: tall, good quickness, and only interested in catching passes. I think he’ll be a better pro than a college player because they don’t seem to run much more than short routes with him. He runs good routes, has good hands, and is a good pass catching weapon. He is a liability as a blocker though, but he does have a bigger frame to work with.
Dennis Landolt, LT, Sr- Landolt shows very good feet and he’s good at cutting off the outside. The biggest problem with Landolt is that he lacks the strength to anchor against the power rush and needs to work on this. He won’t start right away, but a team willing to take a chance on him and develop his lower body strength would be smart to draft him. He can definitely be a starter at the next level IF he develops his strength more. Landolt also does a good job of locating the moving player on the second level, so if he did start sooner than later, I think a zone blocking team would be his best bet. A team like Seattle, who just hired zone blocking guru Alex Gibbs would be an ideal landing spot for Landolt, so don’t be surprised if that’s the pick.
Stefen Wisniewski, OC, Jr- Wisniewski needs to work on more consistently getting his head out of blocks as he tends to get caught leaning. If he can fix this, he has very good potential. He’s a good run and pass blocker, but needs some time to further develop. Wisniewski has the bloodlines and technique, so if he can get his strength and size to match, he will make a very good center prospect for next year’s draft.
Chaz Powell, WR, So- There is a lot of positive things to like about Powell. He has very good speed, and if he gets past the jam, he’s gone. The things I don’t like about Powell are his size and ability to consistently get off the jam at the line, and his tendency to let balls get into his frame too often. He’s got solid return skills as well though, and is young enough to continue to develop.
Derek Moye, WR, Jr- I really like Moye. He’s a bigger receiver and he’s very smart. He does a great job of adjusting to the poorly thrown ball, and he goes up aggressively to get the jump ball. He could be a very good receiver with first day potential if he continues to grow. Good hands, good vision, and impressive body control. He’s someone to keep an eye on.
Navorro Bowman, OLB, Jr- I think Bowman is an unbelievable all around player. He has a great feel for angles and avoiding the trash over the middle, scraping down the line, and making the play in the backfield. He’s an explosive tackler who drives through the ball carrier and does not allow extra yardage. He’s shown he can rush the passer and hold his own in zone coverage as well. I think he’d make a fantastic WLB. The problem with Bowman right now seems to be some off the field issues which have not been published as far as I can find, which is a bit disappointing. He has first round talent, and if his character issues cause him to slip to the second, I think he’s a fantastic value there. A team would be very lucky to get him anywhere from the late first to the mid second.
Sean Lee, MLB, Sr- Lee’s injuries have cut down his speed a touch, but he’s still a solid LB. I’m not sure his best fit is outside anymore due to his lack of speed around the corner, and his ability to hold up against blocks has diminished. I think he’d fit better inside in the 3-4 where he can be covered up a bit. He still can pick, cut, and make tackles for a loss. The longer he had to recover from his injuries, the better he got. Lee does a great job of reading his keys and getting into position to make the play. He keeps his weight under him so he stays balanced, and he stays under control when moving to the outside. He’s going to make some team extremely happy if they take a chance on him in the late second to early third round, but it is a major risk as his injury history really scares me, even though he’s a solid player.
Eric Latimore, DE, So- Latimore is all edge speed right now. He needs to get stronger, and improve against the run, but he has some potential there.
Jared Odrick, DT/DE, Sr- I love Odrick! He’s a pure 3-technique who lives on penetration into the backfield to disrupt plays. He can often show a tendency to miss plays by getting too far up-field, but it’s successful more often than not. What impressed me most was the fact that he does not turn his shoulders too quickly, so he handles the double team well for an undersized tackle. He has the power, speed, and length to play the 5-technique as well; but I think he can be a game changer in a cover-2 style defense. In Penn State’s bowl game against LSU, Odrick absolute took over the game and was completely unblockable. In fact, there was more than just one game where I saw teams actively planning around him to try not to let him affect their offense but he still made plays. I think he will go a lot higher than most experts are currently saying. If he makes it into the 20’s, he’s a steal.
Big Ten- Ohio State
Thaddeus Gibson, DE/OLB, Jr- Gibson is all athlete like Vernon Gholsten was when he came out. The only good thing about this is that teams will be weary about his workout numbers with the bust so far that we’ve seen with Gholston. His measureables may get him drafted in the second round, but to me he’s more of a situational pass rusher with upside to grow into a 3-4 OLB starter over time. He’s just too inconsistent with his technique and reads to be an every day player at this point. He cost himself some money by coming out early, but some team will fall in love with his potential and grab him in the second round. Don’t expect much more from him in the first three years other than as a spot rusher and back up.
Doug Worthington, DT/DE, Sr- Worthington is one of my super sleeper picks. He can play the 3-4 DE position as he is longer/taller than your normal DT. The need for this position should improve his draft status, and I think he’s definitely playing out of position as an interior tackle. 3-4 DE is where he needs to play and he might be a better pro because of this. He has good power and decent pass rushing. He even chases the play well. What I like most is that I have seen him knock down numerous passes at the line as he seems to have that knack for knowing when to get his hands into the passing lanes to knock down lower throws. I expect him to show up in blocking kicks as well as he has those long arms and the tall frame to be a beast at this in the NFL. I could see him going as high as the third round, and I think that’s a great value, but if he slides further than that he’s an absolute steal.
Cameron Heyward, DE, Jr- I feel that Heyward was the most underrated DL in the country this season. I’m shocked he came back for his senior year, but to me, he’s one of my top 3-5 players overall coming back. There really isn’t a spot in his game that is a weakness. To me, he’s next year’s Ndamakong Suh as he has a very similar build and style. He can beat you with power, he can beat you with speed, and he has very good field awareness. He’s just a complete prospect and as long as he stays healthy, he’s a sure fire first rounder and to me a top five pick potentially. I don’t know how he can get better to be honest as I think he’s already extremely well rounded.
Kurt Coleman SS, Sr- On film Coleman never really stood out. He was aggressive and solid coming up against the run, but he’s a bit of a liability in coverage. He’s a solid late round pick as a back up and special teams player though, so he has value.
Anderson Russell, FS, Sr- I’m not a big fan of Russell’s He seems to have solid tackling skills but he does not fill hard. He lets the runners get to him instead of getting downhill and making plays sooner. To add to this, he’s undersized and he seems to have poor hands (in one game he dropped what was the easiest pick anyone can ever hope for).
Ross Homan, OLB, Jr- Homan has a very bright future and I really like him. He’s versatile enough to play inside or on the strong side. He’s solid in zone coverage and has made more than one very good heads-up interception in several games. I’ll be watching him very closely next year as he’s one of the better returning LBs in all of college football.
Brian Rolle, MLB, Jr- Rolle’s size is a major issue, and I really think they’d do better to move Homan to the middle and Rolle to the outside. He’s just too short and small to take on blockers and still be able to make plays. He can tackle though, so he may fit as a WLB. Rolle has another year, but expect to hear this as his major drawback next year.
Terrelle Pryor, QB, So- I don’t care what anyone tries to say, Terrelle Pryor will NEVER be an NFL QB. He’s horrible at this point, and I just don’t see how he can improve enough in his last two years. He’s a phenomenal athlete and can run like a gazelle, but he’s a QB, so throwing is much more important than running. He’s terribly inaccurate, he does not scan the field when on the run, and his touch is non-existent. I’m being a bit harsh and some may even call me a ‘hater’ but I just don’t see it. I know the comparison to Vince Young will come up very often, but Young was a much better passer than Pryor at this point.
Dan ‘Boom’ Herron, RB, So- I like Boom a lot. He’s very explosive, great speed to the corner, he shows good running power, and good hands as well. I really like that he runs with solid forward lean, so he’s always getting positive yardage. Herron has the looks of a future first rounder, and that future may be as a Junior next season.
Brandon Saine, RB, Jr- Saine has very good hands out of the backfield, and ran the wheel route perfectly in their bowl game. He’s got good speed, and he runs low and behind his pads (much like Herron). Saine is a good, versatile, well rounded RB prospect for next year. The biggest plus is he has always shared carries so he will still be fresh for a player his age and experience level.
Dane Sanzenbacher, WR, Jr- Sanzenbacher is a crafty slot receiver in the mold of Anthony Gonzales. He gets open with quickness, and he’s a reliable middle of the field receiver who moves the chains. I’d like to see him get stronger so he can get off the jam on the exterior better, but I think he can be the hot slot receiver for next year’s draft.
Devier Posey, WR, So- Posey has very good potential because of his speed, quick cuts, and solid hands. It’s too bad his QB does not help him out any which makes me think he could eventually be a better pro than collegian.
Jake Ballard, TE, Sr- He played the role of blocker more often than not in this offense. When asked to make catches, he shows solid hands, but I like his value late as a back up who can block in short yardage situations.
Justin Boren, LG, Jr- Boren is one of the better guard prospects for next season. He’s a very good run blocker, and good enough as a pass blocker, and his stock will only go up.
Michael Brewster, OC, So- Brewster is a true Sophomore who could eventually be the rare first round center prospect. He needs some more bulk in the lower body, but he has good overall technique and leverage. He shows the technique of a player much older than he is, and I would not be surprised to see him make the jump after next season.
Jim Cordle, RT/OG, Sr- Cordle played LT, RT, and OC this season and I think he played them all poorly. I don’t see him as being draftable.
Ray Small, WR/KR, Sr- Small is an explosive kick returner. He’s not a big receiving threat, but has very good vision, good size, and great burst and long speed. His value is as a returner as I think that it almost strictly where he will contribute for some team. He can do this right away though and make an impact in this phase of the game.
Doug Worthington, DT/DE, Sr- Worthington is one of my super sleeper picks. He can play the 3-4 DE position as he is longer/taller than your normal DT. The need for this position should improve his draft status, and I think he’s definitely playing out of position as an interior tackle. 3-4 DE is where he needs to play and he might be a better pro because of this. He has good power and decent pass rushing. He even chases the play well. What I like most is that I have seen him knock down numerous passes at the line as he seems to have that knack for knowing when to get his hands into the passing lanes to knock down lower throws. I expect him to show up in blocking kicks as well as he has those long arms and the tall frame to be a beast at this in the NFL. I could see him going as high as the third round, and I think that’s a great value, but if he slides further than that he’s an absolute steal.
Cameron Heyward, DE, Jr- I feel that Heyward was the most underrated DL in the country this season. I’m shocked he came back for his senior year, but to me, he’s one of my top 3-5 players overall coming back. There really isn’t a spot in his game that is a weakness. To me, he’s next year’s Ndamakong Suh as he has a very similar build and style. He can beat you with power, he can beat you with speed, and he has very good field awareness. He’s just a complete prospect and as long as he stays healthy, he’s a sure fire first rounder and to me a top five pick potentially. I don’t know how he can get better to be honest as I think he’s already extremely well rounded.
Kurt Coleman SS, Sr- On film Coleman never really stood out. He was aggressive and solid coming up against the run, but he’s a bit of a liability in coverage. He’s a solid late round pick as a back up and special teams player though, so he has value.
Anderson Russell, FS, Sr- I’m not a big fan of Russell’s He seems to have solid tackling skills but he does not fill hard. He lets the runners get to him instead of getting downhill and making plays sooner. To add to this, he’s undersized and he seems to have poor hands (in one game he dropped what was the easiest pick anyone can ever hope for).
Ross Homan, OLB, Jr- Homan has a very bright future and I really like him. He’s versatile enough to play inside or on the strong side. He’s solid in zone coverage and has made more than one very good heads-up interception in several games. I’ll be watching him very closely next year as he’s one of the better returning LBs in all of college football.
Brian Rolle, MLB, Jr- Rolle’s size is a major issue, and I really think they’d do better to move Homan to the middle and Rolle to the outside. He’s just too short and small to take on blockers and still be able to make plays. He can tackle though, so he may fit as a WLB. Rolle has another year, but expect to hear this as his major drawback next year.
Terrelle Pryor, QB, So- I don’t care what anyone tries to say, Terrelle Pryor will NEVER be an NFL QB. He’s horrible at this point, and I just don’t see how he can improve enough in his last two years. He’s a phenomenal athlete and can run like a gazelle, but he’s a QB, so throwing is much more important than running. He’s terribly inaccurate, he does not scan the field when on the run, and his touch is non-existent. I’m being a bit harsh and some may even call me a ‘hater’ but I just don’t see it. I know the comparison to Vince Young will come up very often, but Young was a much better passer than Pryor at this point.
Dan ‘Boom’ Herron, RB, So- I like Boom a lot. He’s very explosive, great speed to the corner, he shows good running power, and good hands as well. I really like that he runs with solid forward lean, so he’s always getting positive yardage. Herron has the looks of a future first rounder, and that future may be as a Junior next season.
Brandon Saine, RB, Jr- Saine has very good hands out of the backfield, and ran the wheel route perfectly in their bowl game. He’s got good speed, and he runs low and behind his pads (much like Herron). Saine is a good, versatile, well rounded RB prospect for next year. The biggest plus is he has always shared carries so he will still be fresh for a player his age and experience level.
Dane Sanzenbacher, WR, Jr- Sanzenbacher is a crafty slot receiver in the mold of Anthony Gonzales. He gets open with quickness, and he’s a reliable middle of the field receiver who moves the chains. I’d like to see him get stronger so he can get off the jam on the exterior better, but I think he can be the hot slot receiver for next year’s draft.
Devier Posey, WR, So- Posey has very good potential because of his speed, quick cuts, and solid hands. It’s too bad his QB does not help him out any which makes me think he could eventually be a better pro than collegian.
Jake Ballard, TE, Sr- He played the role of blocker more often than not in this offense. When asked to make catches, he shows solid hands, but I like his value late as a back up who can block in short yardage situations.
Justin Boren, LG, Jr- Boren is one of the better guard prospects for next season. He’s a very good run blocker, and good enough as a pass blocker, and his stock will only go up.
Michael Brewster, OC, So- Brewster is a true Sophomore who could eventually be the rare first round center prospect. He needs some more bulk in the lower body, but he has good overall technique and leverage. He shows the technique of a player much older than he is, and I would not be surprised to see him make the jump after next season.
Jim Cordle, RT/OG, Sr- Cordle played LT, RT, and OC this season and I think he played them all poorly. I don’t see him as being draftable.
Ray Small, WR/KR, Sr- Small is an explosive kick returner. He’s not a big receiving threat, but has very good vision, good size, and great burst and long speed. His value is as a returner as I think that it almost strictly where he will contribute for some team. He can do this right away though and make an impact in this phase of the game.
Big Ten- Northwestern
Mike Kafka, QB, Sr- Kafka has an uphill battle to be drafted in my opinion. He has good accuracy and seems to understand how to progress through his reads, but I don’t think he has the arm strength to make it in the NFL. He really pushes the ball instead of throwing it, and that’s a problem as it gives that extra time to break on the ball by the defender. If he’s drafted it will be late, but some team that runs a West Coast offense may like it.
Zeke Markshausen, WR, Sr- Markshausen seems to be a nice possession receiver type. He has reliable hands, he’s not afraid to go over the middle, and he’s a good short to intermediate route runner. Very slight build though so he will struggle with press man coverage. He’s a late rounder at best, and will struggle to make a team, but he seems to be one of those guys that will always find a way to hang in there on a scout team.
Andrew Brewer, WR, Sr- Almost the same thing goes for Brewer. He has to be absolutely precise in what he does as he’s limited physically and athletically.
Corey Wooten, DE, Sr- I think Wooten’s still struggling to overcome his knee injury from last year. He’s making some fundamental mistakes that he can correct with some time and coaching. Physically, he’s big enough and strong enough to hold the edge against the run. Once he can get more comfortable with his knee and work on his speed, he should get back some of that pass rush ability he showed the past two years. His technique issue is that he’s starting to stand up straight away out of his stance instead of firing out low and extending his arms to keep the tackle off of him. He’s big enough and versatile enough to play DE in an odd or even man front and I would take him in the second round because of his ability to impact both the run and pass plus the fact that he can be moved around the line to several different positions.
Adam Hahn, DT, Sr- Hahn is just too small to play DT. He does not have great strength at the point either. I don’t think he’s draftable, but he could go late.
Sherrick McManis, CB, Sr- McManis made one very memorable play in coverage and showed a great ability to read the play, jump the route, and make the pick. He actually looks like he might fit better as a FS at the next level. Worst case scenario is to start him at CB and potentially move him to FS if it doesn’t work there. If he runs well at his Pro Day, he could sneak into the late third, but would be a nice value in the fourth.
Zeke Markshausen, WR, Sr- Markshausen seems to be a nice possession receiver type. He has reliable hands, he’s not afraid to go over the middle, and he’s a good short to intermediate route runner. Very slight build though so he will struggle with press man coverage. He’s a late rounder at best, and will struggle to make a team, but he seems to be one of those guys that will always find a way to hang in there on a scout team.
Andrew Brewer, WR, Sr- Almost the same thing goes for Brewer. He has to be absolutely precise in what he does as he’s limited physically and athletically.
Corey Wooten, DE, Sr- I think Wooten’s still struggling to overcome his knee injury from last year. He’s making some fundamental mistakes that he can correct with some time and coaching. Physically, he’s big enough and strong enough to hold the edge against the run. Once he can get more comfortable with his knee and work on his speed, he should get back some of that pass rush ability he showed the past two years. His technique issue is that he’s starting to stand up straight away out of his stance instead of firing out low and extending his arms to keep the tackle off of him. He’s big enough and versatile enough to play DE in an odd or even man front and I would take him in the second round because of his ability to impact both the run and pass plus the fact that he can be moved around the line to several different positions.
Adam Hahn, DT, Sr- Hahn is just too small to play DT. He does not have great strength at the point either. I don’t think he’s draftable, but he could go late.
Sherrick McManis, CB, Sr- McManis made one very memorable play in coverage and showed a great ability to read the play, jump the route, and make the pick. He actually looks like he might fit better as a FS at the next level. Worst case scenario is to start him at CB and potentially move him to FS if it doesn’t work there. If he runs well at his Pro Day, he could sneak into the late third, but would be a nice value in the fourth.
Big Ten- Minnesota
Erick Decker, WR, Sr- I absolutely love Decker and I think he’s flying extremely far under the radar because of a late season injury. Yes, it is a foot injury and that is bad for skill position players, but I think it makes his value that much better. He’s big, physical, he gets separation from the DB, and he does a great job of using his body to position himself and shield off the defender to make the catch uncontested. He’s a great leaper and he had some of the best hands I saw all year. I’d be willing to take a stab at him in the late second round for a team like Baltimore that may go defense in the first. If he makes it to the third, he’s a bonafide steal!
Adam Weber, QB, Sr- He’s not consistent at all, and I don’t think he has a future at the next level.
Lee Campbell, MLB, Sr- Campbell is a nice looking prospect. He’s always around the ball, he shows decent speed, he’s a solid blitzer, and a good tackler. He’s still learning how to play the position as he is a former DE, so he’s a work in progress. He’d fit nicely as a back up ILB in a 3-4 though, and I could see him getting drafted in the later rounds.
Adam Weber, QB, Sr- He’s not consistent at all, and I don’t think he has a future at the next level.
Lee Campbell, MLB, Sr- Campbell is a nice looking prospect. He’s always around the ball, he shows decent speed, he’s a solid blitzer, and a good tackler. He’s still learning how to play the position as he is a former DE, so he’s a work in progress. He’d fit nicely as a back up ILB in a 3-4 though, and I could see him getting drafted in the later rounds.
Big Ten- Michigan State
Greg Jones, MLB, Jr- I’m very surprised to see Jones come back considering this is a fairly weak inside LB class. Jones showed the improvements I wanted to see in him. He did a better job of taking on blocks with his hands and shedding them instead of always using his speed to run around them. With another year of strength training, I think Jones can push his way up into the top 15 range. He’s an absolute tackling machine, he can fit as a MLB or an ILB, and he can blitz. He’s a sideline to sideline playmaker, and I’m a huge fan.
Blair White, WR, Sr- I was not a huge fan of White going in to the post-season all star games, but he’s growing on me. I saw him use his body far too often to make catches during the season, but he always seemed to be able to make plays. It’s still one of the things that absolutely turns me off of receivers very quickly. Having said this, White has made a bit of a 180. He showed very solid hands in the Shrine game, and he was one of the few WRs who stood out in the game. He added to that by looking very smooth in the gauntlet drills at the Combine, catching the ball smoothly with his hands. I still don’t think he’s more than say a 3-5th rounder, but he has some upside (especially in the slot).
Blair White, WR, Sr- I was not a huge fan of White going in to the post-season all star games, but he’s growing on me. I saw him use his body far too often to make catches during the season, but he always seemed to be able to make plays. It’s still one of the things that absolutely turns me off of receivers very quickly. Having said this, White has made a bit of a 180. He showed very solid hands in the Shrine game, and he was one of the few WRs who stood out in the game. He added to that by looking very smooth in the gauntlet drills at the Combine, catching the ball smoothly with his hands. I still don’t think he’s more than say a 3-5th rounder, but he has some upside (especially in the slot).
Big Ten- Michigan
Brandon Graham, DE/OLB, Sr- I really like Graham. He isn’t the tallest end, so he reminds me of Dwight Freeney. Because he’s short in stature, he gets good leverage. He shows a very strong initial punch, and has a fantastic bull rush (his strongest pass rush move in my opinion). He also does a very good job of knocking the tackles off balance and then swimming or ripping past them. He can anchor the edge and is solid against the run, and he’s close to being what I would call an elite pass rusher. He could fit in a 3-4 as an OLB, but I think he’d also make a good cover-2 rush end with his ability to stack the line against the run. He’s a first rounder without question.
Stevie Brown, LB, Sr- Brown is too small to play LB, but very fast. Because he’s a tweener, he will either have to show the hips and speed to play SS in the NFL, or put some bulk on and stay at WLB. Either way, he’s a developmental prospect and special teamer.
Donovan Warren, CB, Jr- I have no idea why Warren came out early. In the games I saw, he was very busy getting beaten by guys like Michael Floyd. With slow 40 times at the Combine and his Pro Day, I think Warren’s stock will slide heavily and he will wish he came back for his Senior year. I don’t think I’d go any higher than the late fourth round.
Obi Ezah, MLB, Sr- Eah gets lost in the trash too much and disappears from play to play. He’s a late rounder at the best but I would lean more toward him being undraftable.
Jonas Mouton, WLB, Sr- Mouton showed some promise. He’s best fit as an OLB in the 4-3, but he showed he can rush the passer and is fast enough to cover in the pass game as well. I’m not sure of a solid draft grade Mouton though, as I didn’t see enough on him to feel good about a certain round.
Tate Forcier, QB, true Fr- Forcier has a bright future. He is very good throwing on the run, but looks uncomfortable as a pocket passer. Forcier fits well in this spread option offense, but it does not translate to the pros well. He has at least two more years to prove me wrong, but I don’t think he’s an NFL QB. Good athlete though who may fit well at another position if he can’t improve.
Brandon Minor, RB, Sr- Minor shows good initial burst, but runs a bit upright. He’s not special, but a decent running back. I’d take him in the middle rounds and be happy with him as a back up.
Greg Mathews, WR, Sr- Mathews is a decent receiving prospect. He runs good routes and has good hands. Seems a bit small though, which is a concern. I also question his deep speed as he doesn’t seem to be able to run away from anyone.
Carlos Brown, RB, Sr- Good hands for a RB and can make plays in space. Built closer to the ground, with good leg movement, so he gets tough yards. Like Minor, he’s not special, but he’s a solid back who is effective in the pass and run games so he’s valuable.
Mark Ortmann, LT, Sr- Ortmann is a solid prospect as a pass protector as he has very good feet. He is all finesse though as he cannot get movement off the line in the run game, and he does have the tendency to get knocked back by the initial punch of the lineman. His feet will get him drafted a bit higher than I would probably think, somewhere in the mid rounds, but he’s going to need time to get stronger and bigger.
Stephen Schilling, LG, Sr- I’m not too impressed with Schilling. He’s serviceable in both aspects of the offense, but he’s just not someone who looks like they stand out. He’s draftable as a back up, but not til the late rounds.
David Moosman, RG, Sr- Moosman is a local boy, from Libteryville, so I want to root for him just based on that. Moosman doesn’t get enough credit for his ability to open holes in the run game. He gets movement off the line, and does a good job of walling off the second level to open up running lanes. He’s a guard, and not one that I would say is a high level player, but I could see him fighting his way into someone’s lineup.
Zoltan Mesko, P, Sr- He’s a punter. He looks decent, but nothing that makes me think he’s worth anything more than a 6th or 7th round pick.
Stevie Brown, LB, Sr- Brown is too small to play LB, but very fast. Because he’s a tweener, he will either have to show the hips and speed to play SS in the NFL, or put some bulk on and stay at WLB. Either way, he’s a developmental prospect and special teamer.
Donovan Warren, CB, Jr- I have no idea why Warren came out early. In the games I saw, he was very busy getting beaten by guys like Michael Floyd. With slow 40 times at the Combine and his Pro Day, I think Warren’s stock will slide heavily and he will wish he came back for his Senior year. I don’t think I’d go any higher than the late fourth round.
Obi Ezah, MLB, Sr- Eah gets lost in the trash too much and disappears from play to play. He’s a late rounder at the best but I would lean more toward him being undraftable.
Jonas Mouton, WLB, Sr- Mouton showed some promise. He’s best fit as an OLB in the 4-3, but he showed he can rush the passer and is fast enough to cover in the pass game as well. I’m not sure of a solid draft grade Mouton though, as I didn’t see enough on him to feel good about a certain round.
Tate Forcier, QB, true Fr- Forcier has a bright future. He is very good throwing on the run, but looks uncomfortable as a pocket passer. Forcier fits well in this spread option offense, but it does not translate to the pros well. He has at least two more years to prove me wrong, but I don’t think he’s an NFL QB. Good athlete though who may fit well at another position if he can’t improve.
Brandon Minor, RB, Sr- Minor shows good initial burst, but runs a bit upright. He’s not special, but a decent running back. I’d take him in the middle rounds and be happy with him as a back up.
Greg Mathews, WR, Sr- Mathews is a decent receiving prospect. He runs good routes and has good hands. Seems a bit small though, which is a concern. I also question his deep speed as he doesn’t seem to be able to run away from anyone.
Carlos Brown, RB, Sr- Good hands for a RB and can make plays in space. Built closer to the ground, with good leg movement, so he gets tough yards. Like Minor, he’s not special, but he’s a solid back who is effective in the pass and run games so he’s valuable.
Mark Ortmann, LT, Sr- Ortmann is a solid prospect as a pass protector as he has very good feet. He is all finesse though as he cannot get movement off the line in the run game, and he does have the tendency to get knocked back by the initial punch of the lineman. His feet will get him drafted a bit higher than I would probably think, somewhere in the mid rounds, but he’s going to need time to get stronger and bigger.
Stephen Schilling, LG, Sr- I’m not too impressed with Schilling. He’s serviceable in both aspects of the offense, but he’s just not someone who looks like they stand out. He’s draftable as a back up, but not til the late rounds.
David Moosman, RG, Sr- Moosman is a local boy, from Libteryville, so I want to root for him just based on that. Moosman doesn’t get enough credit for his ability to open holes in the run game. He gets movement off the line, and does a good job of walling off the second level to open up running lanes. He’s a guard, and not one that I would say is a high level player, but I could see him fighting his way into someone’s lineup.
Zoltan Mesko, P, Sr- He’s a punter. He looks decent, but nothing that makes me think he’s worth anything more than a 6th or 7th round pick.
Big Ten- Iowa
Brian Bulaga, OT, Jr- The most impressive trait of Bulaga is his balance. He’s always in control with a wide base so he very rarely gets rocked out of position. He has fantastic technique and he simply understands how to play the position. He could be stronger and a bit heavier in the backside in order to anchor (as Derrick Morgan did get him on skates a few times when he shot his hands in and bull rushed him in the Hawkeyes Bowl game). He’s a definite first rounder, and I think he’s a guy who may end up being better than some of the other top OT prospects in this draft three years down the line, but he might not be the best right away. He is NFL ready though, and he can start at either tackle spot right away. He’s not worse than a top 15 pick because of his ability to play the blindside.
Ricky Stanzi, QB, Jr- Stanzi is almost more accurate on the run than when sitting in the pocket. He is inconsistent with his accuracy in the pocket, but he has time to work on this. His arm is decent enough, but not plus. Stanzi seems like he could develop into the game manager type with time, which he has, and he will have a chance to shine next year with a very good returning team coming back.
Adam Robinson, RB, true Fr- I absolutely love Robinson’s effort! He never stops his legs moving and he is great with the spin move to free himself from tacklers. He’s built thick through the legs and low to the ground so it helps him to grind out tough yards. He also has a knack for knowing when to leave his feet, roll in the air, and get first downs when he would have been stopped otherwise. He’s ideal for zone running offense as he shows great patience, sticks his foot in the ground, and can get to the second level in a hurry. He’s a true Freshman, so he has time to get better, and I could easily see him being a three and done prospect.
Tony Moeaki, TE, Sr- I think Moeaki is a great sleeper coming into the draft. What hurts him is he has had trouble staying healthy, but if he can, he’s a solid value player. He’s a great blocker, good technique, and aggression in this phase of the game. He’s also a better receiving threat than people will think. He finds a way to get open, he has good hands, and he’s a good leaper. I think he’s a gem in the 4th round.
Dace Richardson, LG, Sr- Richardson is very inconsistent. On some plays, he looks fantastic and gets into position and moves piles. In others, he gets too narrow in his base and ends up on the ground. If he can work on keeping his base wide he would go higher than he will end up being drafted. Injuries are a major problem for Richardson though, and this will kill his stock. He’s a good late round prospect though that could slip through the cracks and develop into an eventual starter IF he can stay healthy. One of the better guards I’ve seen when on, when off he’s nothing more than average.
Rafael Eubanks, OC, Sr- He doesn’t have the anchor to make it at the next level. He has great technique, but even with that he struggles as he’s just not big enough in the thighs and ass to hold his ground or get movement in the run game.
Kyle Calloway, RT, Sr- Calloway has flashes of brilliance coupled with head scratching plays. He will struggle with the speed rusher, as he bails far too quickly with his shoulders, which allows DE’s to cut back to the inside with power moves and beat him easily to the inside. That’s the bad though, and there is a lot to like about him. He does a great job of flipping his hips around on run blocks to wall off the defender and create a crease for the back. He is also very good at blocking the second level as he gets there quickly, breaks down well in space, and gets his hands in position. With good coaching on his slide step, he could develop into a very good starting RT at the next level. Worst case scenario, I think Calloway can still play guard and be successful there as well.
Adrian Clayborn, DE, Jr- I really like Clayborn, and in my opinion, it’s a dog fight between him and Cameron Heyward for the best defensive lineman in college. Some of the plays I saw Clayborn make this year were downright amazing. If you didn’t see Iowa’s bowl game against Georgia Tech, Clayborn simply dominated the Yellow jackets offensive line and almost single handedly shut them down. He’s big enough to play the five-technique but quick enough to play the seven or traditional even man front DE. He has a devastating initial punch and his bull rush is good and his go-to move. Even though he chooses to use power more often, he showed good speed in the Penn State game by destroying a single block on the punt return team and blocking the kick. He has phenomenal technique when using his hands, he sinks his hips well to maintain power, and he has good enough speed around the corner. The craziest thing is he doesn’t have any one solid pass rush move other than the bull rush. If a coach can teach him how to better use pass rush moves to set tackles up, the sky is the limit with this guy. He has a no doubt first round grade for next season.
Karl Klug, DT, Jr- I love Klug’s effort, and if he can get a bit stronger and put a bit more weight on, he can really move up. He’s very active, he gets great penetration, and he disrupts the interior running game. He’s a solid returning starter and this DL will be the country’s best next year. Klug is ideal as a three-technique DT, but I also think he has the ability to move out in and odd man front and play the five technique as well.
Christian Ballard, DT, Jr- Undersized like Klug and very quick. Not as stout against the run as Klug, but they both make plays with quickness instead of power. He’s the least impressive prospect of the four defensive linemen, but he’s still a decent prospect to watch for next season.
A.J. Edds, OLB, Sr- Edds is one of those OLB’s who may not be the most athletic guy, but he’s a solid football player. He’s a guy I want on my team. I’ve seen him make several picks using very good instincts and technique in his pass drops. That alone should get him drafted. He’s never going to be a Pro Bowl player, but he won’t hurt your team either as a starter. I could see him going in the late third to early fourth.
Pat Angerer, MLB, Sr- I like Angerer’s tenacity, but he has physical limitations. He’s not very physical to hold up against interior linemen so he needs defensive linemen to keep him clean. He struggles with getting caught in the trash over the middle, but what he does well is get his hands extended to fight off blocks, disengages quickly, and can make the tackle. He’s good in zone coverage as well. He’s a mid round pick but would fit well in a 3-4 or a 4-3 and will definitely be a strong special teams player. Does a good job of going for the strip as long as the tackle is secure. Like Edds, he’s a guy I want on my team because he’s a blue collar player who gives great effort.
Broderick Binns, DE, So- Binns has tremendous potential, but he needs to refine his technique. He has a good bull rush for a smaller DE and can walk the tackle back to the QB. He just needs to work on a secondary move once his initial speed or bull rush is stopped, and if he can do this, he has potential to develop into an elite level prospect. He’s an impact pass rusher right now without a secondary move, is solid against the run, and plays smart as well as he shows awareness of when to disengage and chase a receiver if need be. I will be watching him closely for the next year or two, and I think he’d be best served to come back for both years to really develop fully as a player.
Amari Spievy, CB, Jr- I think Spievy made a mistake coming out early this year as this is a deep corner draft and he’s just another guy in the class. He didn’t show much from what I saw, but he does seem to be solid in the jam. I don’t have a good feeling on where he will be slotted, but I think he’s more of a third or fourth rounder.
Ricky Stanzi, QB, Jr- Stanzi is almost more accurate on the run than when sitting in the pocket. He is inconsistent with his accuracy in the pocket, but he has time to work on this. His arm is decent enough, but not plus. Stanzi seems like he could develop into the game manager type with time, which he has, and he will have a chance to shine next year with a very good returning team coming back.
Adam Robinson, RB, true Fr- I absolutely love Robinson’s effort! He never stops his legs moving and he is great with the spin move to free himself from tacklers. He’s built thick through the legs and low to the ground so it helps him to grind out tough yards. He also has a knack for knowing when to leave his feet, roll in the air, and get first downs when he would have been stopped otherwise. He’s ideal for zone running offense as he shows great patience, sticks his foot in the ground, and can get to the second level in a hurry. He’s a true Freshman, so he has time to get better, and I could easily see him being a three and done prospect.
Tony Moeaki, TE, Sr- I think Moeaki is a great sleeper coming into the draft. What hurts him is he has had trouble staying healthy, but if he can, he’s a solid value player. He’s a great blocker, good technique, and aggression in this phase of the game. He’s also a better receiving threat than people will think. He finds a way to get open, he has good hands, and he’s a good leaper. I think he’s a gem in the 4th round.
Dace Richardson, LG, Sr- Richardson is very inconsistent. On some plays, he looks fantastic and gets into position and moves piles. In others, he gets too narrow in his base and ends up on the ground. If he can work on keeping his base wide he would go higher than he will end up being drafted. Injuries are a major problem for Richardson though, and this will kill his stock. He’s a good late round prospect though that could slip through the cracks and develop into an eventual starter IF he can stay healthy. One of the better guards I’ve seen when on, when off he’s nothing more than average.
Rafael Eubanks, OC, Sr- He doesn’t have the anchor to make it at the next level. He has great technique, but even with that he struggles as he’s just not big enough in the thighs and ass to hold his ground or get movement in the run game.
Kyle Calloway, RT, Sr- Calloway has flashes of brilliance coupled with head scratching plays. He will struggle with the speed rusher, as he bails far too quickly with his shoulders, which allows DE’s to cut back to the inside with power moves and beat him easily to the inside. That’s the bad though, and there is a lot to like about him. He does a great job of flipping his hips around on run blocks to wall off the defender and create a crease for the back. He is also very good at blocking the second level as he gets there quickly, breaks down well in space, and gets his hands in position. With good coaching on his slide step, he could develop into a very good starting RT at the next level. Worst case scenario, I think Calloway can still play guard and be successful there as well.
Adrian Clayborn, DE, Jr- I really like Clayborn, and in my opinion, it’s a dog fight between him and Cameron Heyward for the best defensive lineman in college. Some of the plays I saw Clayborn make this year were downright amazing. If you didn’t see Iowa’s bowl game against Georgia Tech, Clayborn simply dominated the Yellow jackets offensive line and almost single handedly shut them down. He’s big enough to play the five-technique but quick enough to play the seven or traditional even man front DE. He has a devastating initial punch and his bull rush is good and his go-to move. Even though he chooses to use power more often, he showed good speed in the Penn State game by destroying a single block on the punt return team and blocking the kick. He has phenomenal technique when using his hands, he sinks his hips well to maintain power, and he has good enough speed around the corner. The craziest thing is he doesn’t have any one solid pass rush move other than the bull rush. If a coach can teach him how to better use pass rush moves to set tackles up, the sky is the limit with this guy. He has a no doubt first round grade for next season.
Karl Klug, DT, Jr- I love Klug’s effort, and if he can get a bit stronger and put a bit more weight on, he can really move up. He’s very active, he gets great penetration, and he disrupts the interior running game. He’s a solid returning starter and this DL will be the country’s best next year. Klug is ideal as a three-technique DT, but I also think he has the ability to move out in and odd man front and play the five technique as well.
Christian Ballard, DT, Jr- Undersized like Klug and very quick. Not as stout against the run as Klug, but they both make plays with quickness instead of power. He’s the least impressive prospect of the four defensive linemen, but he’s still a decent prospect to watch for next season.
A.J. Edds, OLB, Sr- Edds is one of those OLB’s who may not be the most athletic guy, but he’s a solid football player. He’s a guy I want on my team. I’ve seen him make several picks using very good instincts and technique in his pass drops. That alone should get him drafted. He’s never going to be a Pro Bowl player, but he won’t hurt your team either as a starter. I could see him going in the late third to early fourth.
Pat Angerer, MLB, Sr- I like Angerer’s tenacity, but he has physical limitations. He’s not very physical to hold up against interior linemen so he needs defensive linemen to keep him clean. He struggles with getting caught in the trash over the middle, but what he does well is get his hands extended to fight off blocks, disengages quickly, and can make the tackle. He’s good in zone coverage as well. He’s a mid round pick but would fit well in a 3-4 or a 4-3 and will definitely be a strong special teams player. Does a good job of going for the strip as long as the tackle is secure. Like Edds, he’s a guy I want on my team because he’s a blue collar player who gives great effort.
Broderick Binns, DE, So- Binns has tremendous potential, but he needs to refine his technique. He has a good bull rush for a smaller DE and can walk the tackle back to the QB. He just needs to work on a secondary move once his initial speed or bull rush is stopped, and if he can do this, he has potential to develop into an elite level prospect. He’s an impact pass rusher right now without a secondary move, is solid against the run, and plays smart as well as he shows awareness of when to disengage and chase a receiver if need be. I will be watching him closely for the next year or two, and I think he’d be best served to come back for both years to really develop fully as a player.
Amari Spievy, CB, Jr- I think Spievy made a mistake coming out early this year as this is a deep corner draft and he’s just another guy in the class. He didn’t show much from what I saw, but he does seem to be solid in the jam. I don’t have a good feeling on where he will be slotted, but I think he’s more of a third or fourth rounder.
Big Ten- Indiana
Demetrius McCray, RB, Sr- Nothing special, and I don’t see him being drafted.
Rodger Saffold, OT/OG, Sr- Saffold has some potential, but he also makes some of the same fundamental mistakes in his technique that are inexcusable at this level. He spends a lot of time on the ground, which means he’s overly aggressive and he’s not keeping a wide base or his hips under him. Being aggressive is good, but not when it gets him into this kind of trouble. He seems like someone who would make a solid OG to start, with some added ability to play the RT position if needed as well. He has some value though, so I see him possibly going as high as the late third, but probably no further than the late fourth.
Greg Middleton, DE, Sr- I think Middleton is a nice sleeper who will make some team very happy. I saw several games of his this year, and the Michigan game stands out the most. He was dominant in this game. He shows a very nice variety of pass rush moves, and he has that innate feel for when to set a tackle up with one move and then counter with something else. He holds his ground in the run game as well, despite not being the biggest guy on the DL. I’d go as high as the late third round, and as much as I don’t want the Bears drafting a DE that high, he’d look good in this defense. I think he’s going to be a productive pro, especially for where he will be drafted. It’s important to note that most people don’t pay enough attention to the fact that Middleton led the country in sacks in 2008, but most media outlets and experts seem to have forgotten that.
Jammie Kirlew, DE, Sr- Middleton is definitely better than Kirlew, but Kirlew has some ability as well. He’s a decent pass rusher, but he’s undersized and he gets washed far too easily in the run game. He will more than likely have to move to rush OLB at the next level, but he may be worth a late round stab as a potential developmental prospect or situational pass rusher.
Matt Mayberry, MLB, Sr- Mayberry’s lack of instincts and size is what will probably cause him to go undrafted. He has decent quickness for the position though, and I think he provides some value in all phases of special teams, so he may end up making a roster.
Rodger Saffold, OT/OG, Sr- Saffold has some potential, but he also makes some of the same fundamental mistakes in his technique that are inexcusable at this level. He spends a lot of time on the ground, which means he’s overly aggressive and he’s not keeping a wide base or his hips under him. Being aggressive is good, but not when it gets him into this kind of trouble. He seems like someone who would make a solid OG to start, with some added ability to play the RT position if needed as well. He has some value though, so I see him possibly going as high as the late third, but probably no further than the late fourth.
Greg Middleton, DE, Sr- I think Middleton is a nice sleeper who will make some team very happy. I saw several games of his this year, and the Michigan game stands out the most. He was dominant in this game. He shows a very nice variety of pass rush moves, and he has that innate feel for when to set a tackle up with one move and then counter with something else. He holds his ground in the run game as well, despite not being the biggest guy on the DL. I’d go as high as the late third round, and as much as I don’t want the Bears drafting a DE that high, he’d look good in this defense. I think he’s going to be a productive pro, especially for where he will be drafted. It’s important to note that most people don’t pay enough attention to the fact that Middleton led the country in sacks in 2008, but most media outlets and experts seem to have forgotten that.
Jammie Kirlew, DE, Sr- Middleton is definitely better than Kirlew, but Kirlew has some ability as well. He’s a decent pass rusher, but he’s undersized and he gets washed far too easily in the run game. He will more than likely have to move to rush OLB at the next level, but he may be worth a late round stab as a potential developmental prospect or situational pass rusher.
Matt Mayberry, MLB, Sr- Mayberry’s lack of instincts and size is what will probably cause him to go undrafted. He has decent quickness for the position though, and I think he provides some value in all phases of special teams, so he may end up making a roster.
Big Ten- Illinois
Juice Williams, QB, Sr- Williams is just not an NFL QB. He does some things very well though, which is what is frustrating. He holds the ball high in his drop backs, he has a quick release, and he has a good arm. Those things might get him drafted late, but he’s just not got the instincts and ability to read coverages at the next level. His accuracy is also spotty, and the worst thing is he stares down his receivers making the DBs job very easy to break on the ball and make a play. A four year starter should not be making mistakes like that, and it shows he might not have the capacity to learn and improve any more. He is a good athlete though, and he could possibly switch positions, so I’m hoping he tries this at the combine to show he’s willing to do what it takes to make a team and contribute at another position other than QB.
Arrelious Benn, WR, Jr- Benn was smart to come out this year with such a shallow pool of elite WR prospects. He’s probably the second best WR in this draft, but he’s a risky pick in the first round. His injury in the first game of the year bothered him all year, and the inconsistent play at the QB position probably hurt him more than anything. He’s what you look for in a prototypical #1 WR though. He’s got the size, the speed, and he’s still young enough to continue developing into a very solid prospect. Having said this, I think he will be one of those players who may need a year or two to really get to his full potential (so if your team drafts him, don’t give up hope right away if he’s not an instant star).
John Asamoah, OG, Sr- Asamoah is your typical interior OL prospect. Blue collar, tough guy, solid in both phases, but won’t blow you away in either as well. He presents a good value wherever he goes, but I feel that the weakness in the interior linemen for this draft is what pushes his stock up higher than it should be. I think he’s worth a shot in the third, but he’s probably only one of about four guys I think can come in and start right away at the interior line positions. That’s not saying he will be a plus starter, but definitely serviceable.
Jerred Fayson, WR, Jr- Fayson is a Junior transfer from Florida, and he shows some promise. He will get the spotlight all to himself next year, and hopefully the new QB will be able to find him. He has a lot of upside though, and his playmaking potential is pretty evident on film. He has good speed, good hands, and good athleticism. He could very quietly have a solid year next season.
Martez Wilson, MLB, Jr- Wilson moved to the inside this year and got hurt part way through the season. I think he’s better suited to the outside spot though as his instincts are just not quite good enough to handle the MLB position. He has great athleticism and can definitely make plays, but the mental part of the game (like reading his keys and reacting and technique consistency) leaves a lot to be desired. If he can stay healthy and work on some of these things, he can definitely contribute at the next level.
Arrelious Benn, WR, Jr- Benn was smart to come out this year with such a shallow pool of elite WR prospects. He’s probably the second best WR in this draft, but he’s a risky pick in the first round. His injury in the first game of the year bothered him all year, and the inconsistent play at the QB position probably hurt him more than anything. He’s what you look for in a prototypical #1 WR though. He’s got the size, the speed, and he’s still young enough to continue developing into a very solid prospect. Having said this, I think he will be one of those players who may need a year or two to really get to his full potential (so if your team drafts him, don’t give up hope right away if he’s not an instant star).
John Asamoah, OG, Sr- Asamoah is your typical interior OL prospect. Blue collar, tough guy, solid in both phases, but won’t blow you away in either as well. He presents a good value wherever he goes, but I feel that the weakness in the interior linemen for this draft is what pushes his stock up higher than it should be. I think he’s worth a shot in the third, but he’s probably only one of about four guys I think can come in and start right away at the interior line positions. That’s not saying he will be a plus starter, but definitely serviceable.
Jerred Fayson, WR, Jr- Fayson is a Junior transfer from Florida, and he shows some promise. He will get the spotlight all to himself next year, and hopefully the new QB will be able to find him. He has a lot of upside though, and his playmaking potential is pretty evident on film. He has good speed, good hands, and good athleticism. He could very quietly have a solid year next season.
Martez Wilson, MLB, Jr- Wilson moved to the inside this year and got hurt part way through the season. I think he’s better suited to the outside spot though as his instincts are just not quite good enough to handle the MLB position. He has great athleticism and can definitely make plays, but the mental part of the game (like reading his keys and reacting and technique consistency) leaves a lot to be desired. If he can stay healthy and work on some of these things, he can definitely contribute at the next level.
Big East- West Virginia
Jerrett Brown, QB, Sr- He’s a very good athlete, a great runner for the position, but he’s incredibly raw as a QB. He should be able to switch positions, but I think some team will draft him as a QB because of his upside and hope they can develop him as a potential starter. I wouldn’t waste a pick before the late third or early fourth for something like that though.
Selvish Capers, RT. Sr- Capers has some good upside, but he needs some refinement. He can move the pile in the run, but he tends to stop his feet on contact. He’s a solid athlete, but he needs to work on being a better tackle. He has the potential to be a starting RT at the next level with some work, but if a team thinks he can start right away they will be disappointed with their return on investment.
Noel Devine, RB, Jr- I’m shocked Devine did not come out early, but he’s one of the top returning running backs next year, if not the top back. He is an ideal zone blocking running back, as he makes one cut, explodes, and is gone. Hopefully he stays healthy next season, and that is my biggest concern with Devine as he does not have ideal size.
Alric Arnett, WR, Sr- Arnett has good hands, he catches the ball away from his frame, he has good size, and he is a good leaper as well. He did a good job of staying under control in his breaks as well which allowed him to gain some separation and make plays. I don’t think he’s a special player, but he should be drafted in the mid to late rounds.
Reed Williams, MLB, Sr- Williams is a late rounder at best. He struggles to get off blocks, he’s not great in coverage, and he appears to be lacking athleticism. He might be able to play special teams though.
Robert Sands, FS, So- Sands will be someone I will watch closely next season. He’s a tall and solid FS prospect and he is an absolutely hammer. He sees the play develop and explodes to either lay the wood on the receiver, or break up the pass. He needs work in the pass game as far as reading the QB and knowing where to be in zone coverage, but he’s an impact run defender.
Selvish Capers, RT. Sr- Capers has some good upside, but he needs some refinement. He can move the pile in the run, but he tends to stop his feet on contact. He’s a solid athlete, but he needs to work on being a better tackle. He has the potential to be a starting RT at the next level with some work, but if a team thinks he can start right away they will be disappointed with their return on investment.
Noel Devine, RB, Jr- I’m shocked Devine did not come out early, but he’s one of the top returning running backs next year, if not the top back. He is an ideal zone blocking running back, as he makes one cut, explodes, and is gone. Hopefully he stays healthy next season, and that is my biggest concern with Devine as he does not have ideal size.
Alric Arnett, WR, Sr- Arnett has good hands, he catches the ball away from his frame, he has good size, and he is a good leaper as well. He did a good job of staying under control in his breaks as well which allowed him to gain some separation and make plays. I don’t think he’s a special player, but he should be drafted in the mid to late rounds.
Reed Williams, MLB, Sr- Williams is a late rounder at best. He struggles to get off blocks, he’s not great in coverage, and he appears to be lacking athleticism. He might be able to play special teams though.
Robert Sands, FS, So- Sands will be someone I will watch closely next season. He’s a tall and solid FS prospect and he is an absolutely hammer. He sees the play develop and explodes to either lay the wood on the receiver, or break up the pass. He needs work in the pass game as far as reading the QB and knowing where to be in zone coverage, but he’s an impact run defender.
Big East- Syracuse
Greg Paulus, QB, Sr- You can tell Paulus hasn’t played football in the past three to four years, as he was previously a point guard for Duke and used his last year of eligibility to play football here at Syracuse. He actually has some upside, but it’s very limited. Part of what makes this so hard to read is his time away from the game, so you just can’t grasp how high his ceiling is. He can throw on the move, is a decent athlete, and has a decent enough arm. I could see a team taking a 7th round flier on him as a developmental prospect, but he’s more likely to be an UFA than anything.
Mike Williams, WR, Jr- Every other media outlet is higher on Williams than I am. He’s just too inconsistent for me, and he has had numerous off the field incidents (including leaving the team mid-season this year). He body catches far too much, and he just looks a step too slow on film. The one positive I will say about him is that he is a willing and able blocker downfield. It’s a lost art at this position, and Williams seems to take pride in doing this well. I’d be very cautious of this one, as he could really be a bust, and I don’t see a big ‘boom’ potential with him either. Note: As an update to this after writing it, I lost any interest I may have had in Williams’ upside when he commented during interviews at the combine that school wasn’t for him but football is. As most of you know, attending college isn’t as much about excelling grade wise as it is learning to be disciplined enough to complete tasks on your own without someone like your parents nagging you. I don’t care if Williams thinks he’ll do better as he likes football and not academics, if he can’t take freaking basket weaving 101 and sports management 102 for three years and just go to class at least, he won’t be disciplined enough to put the work in that it takes to be good at the next level. I will break the suspense now by saying you won’t see him in any mock draft I do, even if I did a full 7 rounds.
Arthur Jones, DT, Sr- It’s good to see some of the early season hype die down on Jones. Some outlets were initially touting him as a first or second rounder, and I don’t see that. I see a solid athlete with potential that just needs to work hard on staying healthy and consistent. He can make some very impressive plays with his quickness underneath, but then he will make you scratch your head wondering where he went as he disappears for the next ten snaps (even against single blocks). He’s a mid rounder at best to me. An interesting note about Jones though: He has a younger brother named Jon ‘Bones’ Jones who is a very impressive up and coming light-heavyweight MMA fighter in the UFC. He’s worth the price of admission if you can find some fights of his online. Extremely athletic and explosive. Jones also has another younger brother who is a DE on the Orange. I know, that doesn’t have anything to do with the draft, but I find it interesting damn it!
Mike Williams, WR, Jr- Every other media outlet is higher on Williams than I am. He’s just too inconsistent for me, and he has had numerous off the field incidents (including leaving the team mid-season this year). He body catches far too much, and he just looks a step too slow on film. The one positive I will say about him is that he is a willing and able blocker downfield. It’s a lost art at this position, and Williams seems to take pride in doing this well. I’d be very cautious of this one, as he could really be a bust, and I don’t see a big ‘boom’ potential with him either. Note: As an update to this after writing it, I lost any interest I may have had in Williams’ upside when he commented during interviews at the combine that school wasn’t for him but football is. As most of you know, attending college isn’t as much about excelling grade wise as it is learning to be disciplined enough to complete tasks on your own without someone like your parents nagging you. I don’t care if Williams thinks he’ll do better as he likes football and not academics, if he can’t take freaking basket weaving 101 and sports management 102 for three years and just go to class at least, he won’t be disciplined enough to put the work in that it takes to be good at the next level. I will break the suspense now by saying you won’t see him in any mock draft I do, even if I did a full 7 rounds.
Arthur Jones, DT, Sr- It’s good to see some of the early season hype die down on Jones. Some outlets were initially touting him as a first or second rounder, and I don’t see that. I see a solid athlete with potential that just needs to work hard on staying healthy and consistent. He can make some very impressive plays with his quickness underneath, but then he will make you scratch your head wondering where he went as he disappears for the next ten snaps (even against single blocks). He’s a mid rounder at best to me. An interesting note about Jones though: He has a younger brother named Jon ‘Bones’ Jones who is a very impressive up and coming light-heavyweight MMA fighter in the UFC. He’s worth the price of admission if you can find some fights of his online. Extremely athletic and explosive. Jones also has another younger brother who is a DE on the Orange. I know, that doesn’t have anything to do with the draft, but I find it interesting damn it!
Big East- South Florida
Jason Pierre-Paul, DE, Jr- I’m just not buying into the hype on Pierre-Paul that everyone else is. Is he a good pass rusher? Yes, I’d say this is his strength, but to me it’s his only strength. He’s a huge liability in the run game, and he’s very, very raw as a pass rusher. He looks like Selvie did as a red shirt Sophomore, all speed around the edge with the occasional bull rush. I think he was smart by coming out while he was hot, but I think it’s a mistake if someone takes him in the top 15 picks. He is absolutely not an every down 4-3 DE at this point, and he’s going to be a major project if you want to transition him to 3-4 OLB. I refuse to jump on the hype train with him, but that doesn’t mean I am saying he will be a bust. I just think he will be drafted much higher than his production will ever merit at the next level. Remember who said that when this happens. And if in the next three years he proves me wrong, I will admit I missed the boat on him as a prospect.
George Selvie, DE, Sr- I think Selvie is suffering from ‘paralysis by analysis’. He’s been considered a top prospect for the past two years, so everyone is watching closely and paying attention to all of the warts. I was never convinced he was a first rounder like some outlets had listed him, but he can rush the passer, so he has value. My problem is Selvie has steadily disappeared over the past two years. He looks bigger and stronger at the point than he did two years ago, but he seems to have lost that explosive and aggressive first step. It’s to the point that I think he’d even be a slight reach in the third round, but you have to think that he has shown the potential in the past to be a very good edge rusher. He really needs to go to a team with a solid DL coach who can help him learn a solid secondary pass rush moves and how to use his hands better to stack the line. If he’s there when the Bears pick in the fourth round, and I expect him to be, I wouldn’t be surprised to see Angelo pull the trigger. I don’t think it would be the best move, but it would make sense from a value and fit standpoint.
Aaron Harris, DT, Sr- Harris is an undersized pass rushing style undertackle, but I think he’s undraftable. He hustles well and chases the play to the whistle, which I like, but his size will hurt him in the NFL. He has a shot at maybe sneaking in to the 7th round but that’s about it.
Kion Wilson, MLB, Sr- Wilson has some positives to his style of play. He’s excellent in the run game. He has good instincts, he has decent technique, he sifts through the trash well, and he really runs through the ball carrier to make the tackle. What hurts his stock is that he is very poor moving backward in pass coverage. His hips are very stiff and he just look uncomfortable trying to drop back into zones, so unless he can work on this, he’s strictly a two-down run defender. I think some of these things could be covered up well by plying him inside in a 3-4 though, and he just may end up being a very nice sleeper pick for a team that runs this style of defense. He’s probably a 4th rounder or so, but I see enough in him to think that he can definitely play in the NFL.
Chris Robinson, OLB, Sr- Robinson is just very raw. He’s athletic, with good speed, and seems to have good enough athleticism, but his technique and instincts are poor at best. When teams ran at him, OTs and TEs were able to completely wash him out of plays because he does not do a good job of using his hands to disengage from blockers. I don’t think he’s draftable, unless he’s being viewed as only a special teams player.
Nate Allen, FS, Sr- Allen has gotten lost in the depth of the other big name safeties in this draft (like Eric Berry, Earl Thomas, and Taylor Mays). I REALLY like Allen and I think some team is going to get a gem of an instant starter in the second round. To be honest, I wouldn’t be at all surprised to see him sneak into the end of the first round. He’s got great instincts in the deep middle, he can cover slot receivers step for step, and what’s best is he is an excellent tackler. He does a great job of taking the proper angles to the runner and stopping them in their tracks. Several times I saw him wall off the ball carrier right near the first down marker, and this shows an uncanny awareness of field position. He’s just a very good all around prospect in a draft that is absolutely stacked with safety prospects. I think he’s better than Mays.
Jerome Murphy, CB, Sr- Murphy is really hard to read. At times he shows a great ability to stay with the receiver, read the QB, cut routes off, and make athletic picks. But then you see him backpedal and his transition is really poor. This hip tightness could be magnified in the NFL, and that concerns me. The pluses are that he’s excellent in the run game, he’s physical, and he seems to always be around the ball making plays. He may be forced to play the nickel to help cover up some of this shortcomings, or he may even be moved to safety, which could be his ideal position in the NFL. He has enough to warrant a look in the third round though, but he’d be a very solid value in the early 4th for certain.
B.J. Daniels, QB, rs Fr- Daniels has a few attributes that will excite some people, but I don’t think he will ever be an NFL QB. He’s right in line with this recent crop of very good athletes playing the position that just can’t put it all together. He has very good speed and athleticism, his arm is strong enough to make all the throws, but he is very streaky with his accuracy and he automatically takes off when the pocket breaks down. What really turned me off this kid was that he drops back far too deep in the pocket to try to make a play, but ends up getting sacked for a huge loss. He’s young though, so I won’t pass judgment just yet.
Mo Plancher, RB, Sr- Not draftable. Nothing I saw made me think he can play at the next level.
Carlton Mitchell, WR, Jr- I have no idea why Mitchell came out early. He’s sloppy in his routes and even sloppier with catching the ball outside of his frame. It’s so bad at times that more than once I saw the ball skip off his shoulder pads, and he basket caught the rebound to barely make the catch. Those inconsistencies mean he is an absolute project, and who knows if he will ever develop into anything substantial. He has good speed, which will make some team take the risk, but I wouldn’t touch him any time before maybe the fourth or fifth round.
Jessie Hester, WR, Sr- Hester has very good acceleration, but he’s undersized and has to play in the slot. He shows some promise though, and he can really make plays in the open field on quick outs where he can run after the catch. He’s going to slide come draft day, but he’s a bit like Johnny Knox in that his speed makes him a threat worth drafting and finding a spot on your roster for him in the later rounds.
Sampson Genus, OC, Jr- Genus is a guy to watch closely next year. He’s nasty, big, and finishes blocks. He’s the exact kind of center teams are looking for now in that he’s big enough and thick enough in the legs and butt to move the big 3-4 NTs off the ball. He needs to work more on not getting too far in front of his feet, but it’s a minor knock. I really like what I saw in this kid though.
George Selvie, DE, Sr- I think Selvie is suffering from ‘paralysis by analysis’. He’s been considered a top prospect for the past two years, so everyone is watching closely and paying attention to all of the warts. I was never convinced he was a first rounder like some outlets had listed him, but he can rush the passer, so he has value. My problem is Selvie has steadily disappeared over the past two years. He looks bigger and stronger at the point than he did two years ago, but he seems to have lost that explosive and aggressive first step. It’s to the point that I think he’d even be a slight reach in the third round, but you have to think that he has shown the potential in the past to be a very good edge rusher. He really needs to go to a team with a solid DL coach who can help him learn a solid secondary pass rush moves and how to use his hands better to stack the line. If he’s there when the Bears pick in the fourth round, and I expect him to be, I wouldn’t be surprised to see Angelo pull the trigger. I don’t think it would be the best move, but it would make sense from a value and fit standpoint.
Aaron Harris, DT, Sr- Harris is an undersized pass rushing style undertackle, but I think he’s undraftable. He hustles well and chases the play to the whistle, which I like, but his size will hurt him in the NFL. He has a shot at maybe sneaking in to the 7th round but that’s about it.
Kion Wilson, MLB, Sr- Wilson has some positives to his style of play. He’s excellent in the run game. He has good instincts, he has decent technique, he sifts through the trash well, and he really runs through the ball carrier to make the tackle. What hurts his stock is that he is very poor moving backward in pass coverage. His hips are very stiff and he just look uncomfortable trying to drop back into zones, so unless he can work on this, he’s strictly a two-down run defender. I think some of these things could be covered up well by plying him inside in a 3-4 though, and he just may end up being a very nice sleeper pick for a team that runs this style of defense. He’s probably a 4th rounder or so, but I see enough in him to think that he can definitely play in the NFL.
Chris Robinson, OLB, Sr- Robinson is just very raw. He’s athletic, with good speed, and seems to have good enough athleticism, but his technique and instincts are poor at best. When teams ran at him, OTs and TEs were able to completely wash him out of plays because he does not do a good job of using his hands to disengage from blockers. I don’t think he’s draftable, unless he’s being viewed as only a special teams player.
Nate Allen, FS, Sr- Allen has gotten lost in the depth of the other big name safeties in this draft (like Eric Berry, Earl Thomas, and Taylor Mays). I REALLY like Allen and I think some team is going to get a gem of an instant starter in the second round. To be honest, I wouldn’t be at all surprised to see him sneak into the end of the first round. He’s got great instincts in the deep middle, he can cover slot receivers step for step, and what’s best is he is an excellent tackler. He does a great job of taking the proper angles to the runner and stopping them in their tracks. Several times I saw him wall off the ball carrier right near the first down marker, and this shows an uncanny awareness of field position. He’s just a very good all around prospect in a draft that is absolutely stacked with safety prospects. I think he’s better than Mays.
Jerome Murphy, CB, Sr- Murphy is really hard to read. At times he shows a great ability to stay with the receiver, read the QB, cut routes off, and make athletic picks. But then you see him backpedal and his transition is really poor. This hip tightness could be magnified in the NFL, and that concerns me. The pluses are that he’s excellent in the run game, he’s physical, and he seems to always be around the ball making plays. He may be forced to play the nickel to help cover up some of this shortcomings, or he may even be moved to safety, which could be his ideal position in the NFL. He has enough to warrant a look in the third round though, but he’d be a very solid value in the early 4th for certain.
B.J. Daniels, QB, rs Fr- Daniels has a few attributes that will excite some people, but I don’t think he will ever be an NFL QB. He’s right in line with this recent crop of very good athletes playing the position that just can’t put it all together. He has very good speed and athleticism, his arm is strong enough to make all the throws, but he is very streaky with his accuracy and he automatically takes off when the pocket breaks down. What really turned me off this kid was that he drops back far too deep in the pocket to try to make a play, but ends up getting sacked for a huge loss. He’s young though, so I won’t pass judgment just yet.
Mo Plancher, RB, Sr- Not draftable. Nothing I saw made me think he can play at the next level.
Carlton Mitchell, WR, Jr- I have no idea why Mitchell came out early. He’s sloppy in his routes and even sloppier with catching the ball outside of his frame. It’s so bad at times that more than once I saw the ball skip off his shoulder pads, and he basket caught the rebound to barely make the catch. Those inconsistencies mean he is an absolute project, and who knows if he will ever develop into anything substantial. He has good speed, which will make some team take the risk, but I wouldn’t touch him any time before maybe the fourth or fifth round.
Jessie Hester, WR, Sr- Hester has very good acceleration, but he’s undersized and has to play in the slot. He shows some promise though, and he can really make plays in the open field on quick outs where he can run after the catch. He’s going to slide come draft day, but he’s a bit like Johnny Knox in that his speed makes him a threat worth drafting and finding a spot on your roster for him in the later rounds.
Sampson Genus, OC, Jr- Genus is a guy to watch closely next year. He’s nasty, big, and finishes blocks. He’s the exact kind of center teams are looking for now in that he’s big enough and thick enough in the legs and butt to move the big 3-4 NTs off the ball. He needs to work more on not getting too far in front of his feet, but it’s a minor knock. I really like what I saw in this kid though.
Big East- Rutgers
Anthony Davis, LT, Jr- I can understand why Davis came out early, but I definitely think the buyer beware sticker needs to be attached. He looks very fast on pulls, but he doesn’t do a good job of resetting with a wide base once he gets to the second level. He also struggles a bit with blocking the moving target. He does have good feet, long arms, and a good base. The biggest problem I have with him is that he back peddles instead of kick sliding when dropping back against a speed rusher. That may work on the college level, but it will not work at the pro level. He has potential to be a very good pro LT, but he needs refining and someone who will be patient with him and work on refining his technique. He will be over-drafted in my opinion because of his potential and position, but I wouldn’t risk it until the mid to late first.
Tom Savage, QB, Fr- Savage has good upside for a true Freshman. He has good size, a good arm, but just needs to work on his touch and accuracy. Savage as a bright future, especially with some good young weapons to work with going forward.
Tim Brown, WR, Sr- Very short (5’8”), but very fast. Brown looks like a returner and a slot receiver to me, but has the wheels to make things happen in space. He could be a very nice sleeper pick who will contribute immediately as a returner.
Ryan Blaszczyk, OC, Sr- Blaszczyk is a funny prospect for me in that he does a fantastic job of pulling and blocking the second level, but struggles with quickness off the snap. He seems to have a strong punch as well. Blaszczyk would fit a zone offense very well because of his ability to move, or an offense that pulls the center a lot. He’s a late rounder though.
Kevin Haslam, RT, Sr- Haslam has the ideal size, long arms, and decent feet, but he needs to get a good deal bigger and stronger. I would hesitate to draft him as he needs a lot of work and time to develop, but he has the frame to put weight on and potentially end up playing a swing tackle spot. He is a late rounder at the very best, but someone will take him hoping they can develop him.
Mohamed Sanu, WR, true Fr- Sanu has an extremely bright future. He’s very physically mature for a true Freshman, and he will only get better with time. Good speed, good routes, can run the wildcat, and very good hands. Surprisingly enough for a very young player, he’s also a good blocker as well. He’s someone to watch closely for the next two years.
Zaire Kitchen, FS, Sr- Kitchen is a very intriguing prospect. He seems to be a step slow, and seems a bit stiff in the hips. He is, however, an outstanding form tackler though and would make a very good safety valve on the back end of the defense. He may need to move down to SS, but he could be a very good value pick in the later rounds.
George Johnson, DE, Sr- Johnson is another guy flying a bit under the radar. Good corner speed and good ability to get his hands inside and bull rush the tackles back. He has long arms, and he uses them well. He’s very good at line stunts and sweeping back to the inside and getting to the QB. He’s got the frame and strength to play a down DE, but I also think he has the athleticism to play a rush OLB spot. I think he’s someone I would look at from the late third onward, as he is a pass rushing threat.
Ryan D’Imperio, MLB, Sr- D’Imperio isn’t the best athlete, but he plays with good leverage and instincts. He reads his keys well, sheds blocks with his hands, and sifts through the traffic well. He’s not bad in pass coverage, but he is limited in this area due to his less than ideal athleticism.
Devin McCourty, CB, Sr- I wish I would have seen more Rutgers games as McCourty was very intriguing in the games I saw. He shut down the receivers he covered and looked good returning kicks. I think he has a strong chance to rise with a strong performance in workouts (Note: McCourty looked great at the combine and I could see him push up potentially into the bottom of the first round).
Damaso Munoz, OLB, Sr- I really like Munoz! He hits like a truck, he tackles well, and he has very good closing speed. Once he reads his keys, he explodes to the ball carrier and makes the play. He’s a bit undersized, but would make an ideal WLB where he can be let free to roam and make plays. I’d take him in the third round, but he may slip further than this, and would make a very good value at that point.
Steve Beauharnais, OLB, true Fr- Beauharnais has a very bright future. He is a very good blitzer and would make an ideal SLB. He’s very athletic as well and can drop into pass coverage smoothly. Good speed, good strength at the POA, and has potential to develop into a first day pick eventually.
Tom Savage, QB, Fr- Savage has good upside for a true Freshman. He has good size, a good arm, but just needs to work on his touch and accuracy. Savage as a bright future, especially with some good young weapons to work with going forward.
Tim Brown, WR, Sr- Very short (5’8”), but very fast. Brown looks like a returner and a slot receiver to me, but has the wheels to make things happen in space. He could be a very nice sleeper pick who will contribute immediately as a returner.
Ryan Blaszczyk, OC, Sr- Blaszczyk is a funny prospect for me in that he does a fantastic job of pulling and blocking the second level, but struggles with quickness off the snap. He seems to have a strong punch as well. Blaszczyk would fit a zone offense very well because of his ability to move, or an offense that pulls the center a lot. He’s a late rounder though.
Kevin Haslam, RT, Sr- Haslam has the ideal size, long arms, and decent feet, but he needs to get a good deal bigger and stronger. I would hesitate to draft him as he needs a lot of work and time to develop, but he has the frame to put weight on and potentially end up playing a swing tackle spot. He is a late rounder at the very best, but someone will take him hoping they can develop him.
Mohamed Sanu, WR, true Fr- Sanu has an extremely bright future. He’s very physically mature for a true Freshman, and he will only get better with time. Good speed, good routes, can run the wildcat, and very good hands. Surprisingly enough for a very young player, he’s also a good blocker as well. He’s someone to watch closely for the next two years.
Zaire Kitchen, FS, Sr- Kitchen is a very intriguing prospect. He seems to be a step slow, and seems a bit stiff in the hips. He is, however, an outstanding form tackler though and would make a very good safety valve on the back end of the defense. He may need to move down to SS, but he could be a very good value pick in the later rounds.
George Johnson, DE, Sr- Johnson is another guy flying a bit under the radar. Good corner speed and good ability to get his hands inside and bull rush the tackles back. He has long arms, and he uses them well. He’s very good at line stunts and sweeping back to the inside and getting to the QB. He’s got the frame and strength to play a down DE, but I also think he has the athleticism to play a rush OLB spot. I think he’s someone I would look at from the late third onward, as he is a pass rushing threat.
Ryan D’Imperio, MLB, Sr- D’Imperio isn’t the best athlete, but he plays with good leverage and instincts. He reads his keys well, sheds blocks with his hands, and sifts through the traffic well. He’s not bad in pass coverage, but he is limited in this area due to his less than ideal athleticism.
Devin McCourty, CB, Sr- I wish I would have seen more Rutgers games as McCourty was very intriguing in the games I saw. He shut down the receivers he covered and looked good returning kicks. I think he has a strong chance to rise with a strong performance in workouts (Note: McCourty looked great at the combine and I could see him push up potentially into the bottom of the first round).
Damaso Munoz, OLB, Sr- I really like Munoz! He hits like a truck, he tackles well, and he has very good closing speed. Once he reads his keys, he explodes to the ball carrier and makes the play. He’s a bit undersized, but would make an ideal WLB where he can be let free to roam and make plays. I’d take him in the third round, but he may slip further than this, and would make a very good value at that point.
Steve Beauharnais, OLB, true Fr- Beauharnais has a very bright future. He is a very good blitzer and would make an ideal SLB. He’s very athletic as well and can drop into pass coverage smoothly. Good speed, good strength at the POA, and has potential to develop into a first day pick eventually.
Big East- Pittsburgh
Greg Romeus, DE, Jr- Romeus has some good potential, and I’m glad to see him come back for another year. He has long arms, and does a good job of using them to set the edge against the rush and to disengage the blockers from his pads. He has good speed around the corner, but he needs to develop a reliable secondary push rush move as he doesn’t seem to have the instincts yet of how to set up tackles with a mix of speed and power. He has very good potential though, and with another year, he can be a sure fire first rounder. Good effort chasing plays as well.
Jabaal Sheard, DE, Jr- Sheard actually impressed me a bit more than Romeus. His first step and quickness off the snap is elite, and he is able to get the corner any time he wants. He is pretty much all speed rush right now, and he can take himself out of plays at times because he gets upfield so quickly. If he can work on that in the offseason, he will push Romeus for who is the better DE on this team. Very good potential to develop him as an impact pass rusher.
Mick Williams, DT, Sr- Williams shows good interior quickness. He’s a nice compliment player, and could possibly make the transition to the five technique as well.
Gus Mustakas, DT, Sr- Same as Williams. Undersized and makes his hay with quickness. Mid rounder, but a solid looking prospect.
Adam Gunn, MLB, Sr- Gunn definitely has some upside as a MLB. He has good quickness, sheds blocks well, and tackles strong with good form. He doesn’t drop much into coverage, so he seems to be a two down LB, which might make him a better fit in a 3-4. He has had some serious injuries to his neck before though, which will hurt his value and more than likely push him to the late rounds.
Aaron Berry, CB, Sr- Berry doesn’t seem to have the fluid hips, but seems to have decent catch up speed though. Not sure of where to grade him though.
Jovani Chappel, CB, Sr- He doesn’t have the size, and he got beat several times. I’d be very weary drafting him late even.
Jonathan Baldwin, WR, So- Baldwin is a future superstar. He has unreal body control, is a great leaper, has phenomenal hands, is a great route runner, and has good speed. He’s a number one receiver in the NFL and he should absolutely come out early next year even though it will be a stacked WR class. He’s one of the best in all of college football.
Dorin Dickerson, TE, Sr- He’s a pass catching threat, but not an inline TE. He cannot block at all. He has very good speed though, so he will go in the top three rounds for his ability to stretch defenses. After seeing Dickerson absolutely smoke the combine, I think he will rise fast like I mentioned. He needs to go to the right system, but he is already right there with Vernon Davis as the fastest TE in the league before he is drafted. Speed and pass catching ability will get him drafted higher, even if he can’t block at all.
Nate Byham, TE, Sr- He’s the best blocking TE I saw this year. He’s not flashy and will probably go in that mid to late round area, but he will have a long career because of his ability and willingness to do what most of the new breed of TEs won’t do (so the complete opposite of Dickerson). He’ll make a great value pick.
Dion Lewis, RB, true Fr- Lewis is going to be three and done and he will make an outstanding pro RB. The best thing I can say about him is he has a quiet upper body, which is what makes him so hard to contain. He keeps his feet under him, and cuts incredibly quick in any direction and his burst is fantastic. Because of the quiet upper body, you see tacklers whiffing at air because they don’t see he’s already making the cut with his legs and is gone. Lewis reminds me a bit of Barry Sanders, and even though this is mighty high praise, he proved it’s a worthy comparison. I won’t go as far as saying that yet, but he’s got the potential.
Bill Stull, QB, Sr- Stull does not have the arm. He’s accurate but he cannot make a deep throw at all. He’s maybe a late rounder, but I wouldn’t draft him since you will be limited in the types of offense he can play. The positive is that he’s definitely an accurate QB, but that’s where the upside ends. (Editor’s note: After writing this, I have since read that apparently Stull showed up noticeably bigger at his Pro Day workout and his throws showed increased velocity thanks to this increase in size and strength. That make Stull a very intriguing prospect as he was definitely accurate enough to play the position at the next level and only his arm strength was in question).
Joe Thomas, LG, Sr- Thomas struggles with quickness and doesn’t get drive off the ball. I’m not a big fan, but he’s got decent short area quickness and can pull. He would probably fit best in a zone scheme. Late rounder.
Robb Houser, OC, Sr- Houser didn’t impress me, but he didn’t miss plays either. I’m not sure if he will get drafted because I don’t see enough upside in him to think he will be a starter, but those are the guys who sneak under the radar and have successful pro careers.
John Malecki, RG, Sr- I think Malecki has the best potential of these OL as he is very good at pulling and blocking the moving target. He keeps his feet moving on contact and can completely wipe out LBs. He gets good initial push off the snap in the run game, and he held his own against the pass. I like what Malecki brings and I think he’s going to be a bit of a sleeper at the position for this draft.
Jabaal Sheard, DE, Jr- Sheard actually impressed me a bit more than Romeus. His first step and quickness off the snap is elite, and he is able to get the corner any time he wants. He is pretty much all speed rush right now, and he can take himself out of plays at times because he gets upfield so quickly. If he can work on that in the offseason, he will push Romeus for who is the better DE on this team. Very good potential to develop him as an impact pass rusher.
Mick Williams, DT, Sr- Williams shows good interior quickness. He’s a nice compliment player, and could possibly make the transition to the five technique as well.
Gus Mustakas, DT, Sr- Same as Williams. Undersized and makes his hay with quickness. Mid rounder, but a solid looking prospect.
Adam Gunn, MLB, Sr- Gunn definitely has some upside as a MLB. He has good quickness, sheds blocks well, and tackles strong with good form. He doesn’t drop much into coverage, so he seems to be a two down LB, which might make him a better fit in a 3-4. He has had some serious injuries to his neck before though, which will hurt his value and more than likely push him to the late rounds.
Aaron Berry, CB, Sr- Berry doesn’t seem to have the fluid hips, but seems to have decent catch up speed though. Not sure of where to grade him though.
Jovani Chappel, CB, Sr- He doesn’t have the size, and he got beat several times. I’d be very weary drafting him late even.
Jonathan Baldwin, WR, So- Baldwin is a future superstar. He has unreal body control, is a great leaper, has phenomenal hands, is a great route runner, and has good speed. He’s a number one receiver in the NFL and he should absolutely come out early next year even though it will be a stacked WR class. He’s one of the best in all of college football.
Dorin Dickerson, TE, Sr- He’s a pass catching threat, but not an inline TE. He cannot block at all. He has very good speed though, so he will go in the top three rounds for his ability to stretch defenses. After seeing Dickerson absolutely smoke the combine, I think he will rise fast like I mentioned. He needs to go to the right system, but he is already right there with Vernon Davis as the fastest TE in the league before he is drafted. Speed and pass catching ability will get him drafted higher, even if he can’t block at all.
Nate Byham, TE, Sr- He’s the best blocking TE I saw this year. He’s not flashy and will probably go in that mid to late round area, but he will have a long career because of his ability and willingness to do what most of the new breed of TEs won’t do (so the complete opposite of Dickerson). He’ll make a great value pick.
Dion Lewis, RB, true Fr- Lewis is going to be three and done and he will make an outstanding pro RB. The best thing I can say about him is he has a quiet upper body, which is what makes him so hard to contain. He keeps his feet under him, and cuts incredibly quick in any direction and his burst is fantastic. Because of the quiet upper body, you see tacklers whiffing at air because they don’t see he’s already making the cut with his legs and is gone. Lewis reminds me a bit of Barry Sanders, and even though this is mighty high praise, he proved it’s a worthy comparison. I won’t go as far as saying that yet, but he’s got the potential.
Bill Stull, QB, Sr- Stull does not have the arm. He’s accurate but he cannot make a deep throw at all. He’s maybe a late rounder, but I wouldn’t draft him since you will be limited in the types of offense he can play. The positive is that he’s definitely an accurate QB, but that’s where the upside ends. (Editor’s note: After writing this, I have since read that apparently Stull showed up noticeably bigger at his Pro Day workout and his throws showed increased velocity thanks to this increase in size and strength. That make Stull a very intriguing prospect as he was definitely accurate enough to play the position at the next level and only his arm strength was in question).
Joe Thomas, LG, Sr- Thomas struggles with quickness and doesn’t get drive off the ball. I’m not a big fan, but he’s got decent short area quickness and can pull. He would probably fit best in a zone scheme. Late rounder.
Robb Houser, OC, Sr- Houser didn’t impress me, but he didn’t miss plays either. I’m not sure if he will get drafted because I don’t see enough upside in him to think he will be a starter, but those are the guys who sneak under the radar and have successful pro careers.
John Malecki, RG, Sr- I think Malecki has the best potential of these OL as he is very good at pulling and blocking the moving target. He keeps his feet moving on contact and can completely wipe out LBs. He gets good initial push off the snap in the run game, and he held his own against the pass. I like what Malecki brings and I think he’s going to be a bit of a sleeper at the position for this draft.
Big East- Connecticut
Lindsey Witten, DE/OLB, Sr- (based on Shrine game) I did not see many UConn games this year, so it was good to see Witten shine in this game. He’s a bit undersized, but I think he can fit at DE at the next level in the right system. He’s a good edge rusher, and he plays hard against the run. For a leaner guy, he still holds the edge well with good technique and strength. I think he could move to OLB at the next level, but it may take away from his skills. He can play in a rotation right away as a pass rusher in the 4-3. A team like the Colts would be smart to look at spending a third round pick or so on him as he’s fit perfectly into their system as a backup to both Freeney and Mathis. Additional notes from the Combine- Witten held his own in the LB drills, although he did look a bit uncomfortable at times in dropping back. It’s enough to make me think that he can make the transition, but it will take some time for him to really adjust to the position.
Big East- Cincinnati
Tony Pike, QB, Sr- Pike is a long term project as he absolutely has to get bigger and stronger. He’s like a toothpick on the field, and he’s at risk for injury going forward. He’s strictly a pocket passer, and if you get him on the move, he loses his accuracy when he can’t plant and throw. I think he’d make a great late third pick for a team like the Colts as a potential long term replacement to Manning. He’s got some of the same physical qualities, and in 4-6 years when Manning wants to hang it up, he’d be more than ready to step in. He’s streaky with his accuracy though, which scares me, but I think some team may over draft him based on potential and his prototypical height.
Mardy Gilyard, WR, Sr- Gilyard is incredibly quick, but doesn’t seem to be very fast, if that makes sense. He gets open not by running away from people but from being able to make his cuts at top speed with very little movement up top. He’s going to make an outstanding slot receiver and a top notch returner right away. I think that he may not run the fastest 40, which could drop him, but it’s not something to be concerned with as he’s plenty fast enough on film. Playing him on the outside will be a chore though as he may get overpowered by bigger corners. If he can shake those guys here, he’s a lock for the second round. After seeing his Combine numbers and Pro Day workout results, it confirmed what I thought in that some experts are saying his 4.55+ 40 time will drop him. I’m not surprised at all though as straight line speed is not his game. The teams that liked him before should still like him. If he’s around when the Bengals pick in round two, he’d make a nice home town slot compliment to their outside receivers.
Armon Binns, WR, Jr- Binns will be one to watch closely next year. He has all of the physical traits of a top flight NFL caliber WR: great size, good leaping ability, and decent speed. His hands are a bit inconsistent though, so he needs to work on this. With Gilyard gone, he will get the chance to be the man next year. If he can show some improvements next year, he’s going to be a hot player come draft time next year. .
Kazeem Alli, TE, Sr- Alli was a seldom used blocking TE. I don’t think he’s draftable.
Jeff Linkenbach, LT, sr- Linkenbach is interesting. He will definitely need to move to RT as he does not have the foot speed to play LT at the next level, but he will make a nice mid to late round sleeper as a RT prospect. He has good run blocking ability and size, and he does a good job of recovering if he gets beat by the initial move. He does not give up on the play either and has a good motor and demeanor to finish blocks. Linkenbach isn’t a huge sleeper or anything, but he could make a serviceable starter on the right side for some team.
Chris Jurek, OC, Sr- Jurek struggles with quickness and makes some fundamental mistakes in his blocking technique. If he’s drafted, it will be very late, and the odds are stacked against him.
Ricardo Mathews, DE, Sr- Matthews has some potential as a 3-4 DE. He’s solid against the run, and just OK as a pass rusher. He’s a good value pick for a team that runs an odd an front and needs an experienced body for the position to play in a rotation.
Alex Daniels, DE, Sr- Daniels seems to be playing out of position as a 3-4 DE, as he’s an ideal fit as a 4-3 DE. He shows good speed around the corner and demonstrated decent pass rushing moves. I really liked what I saw in Daniels against the run. He’s not the biggest guy but he does a great job of keeping his shoulders square to the LOS to help hold the run, and he has long arms which he uses well to shed blockers and get in on tackles. He’s going to slip pretty far under the radar, but I think with a move to a different front, he could actually find his way into a rotation and be a better pro than college player.
Curtis Young, OLB, Sr- Young plays the 3-4 rush OLB spot in college, which is tough to find and very highly regarded with the proliferation of the odd man front in the NFL. He’s not bad in coverage, not bad as a pass rusher, and not bad as an edge setter. He’s not great at any one phase, but he’s not bad either. Young is just a decent role player worth a late round pick.
Andre Revels, MLB, Sr- At times Revels reads his keys well, shifts through the trash, and makes plays in the backfield. The next play he’s 15 yards deep and running after the ball carrier with a guy pushing him back. He’s someone who could make a nice back up in a 3-4, but he’s a late rounder to potentially an UFA.
Brad Jones, CB, Sr- Jones just didn’t show up on film, but that doesn’t mean anything in particular. As I’ve said before, grading boundary corners can be difficult with TV footage and not coach’s tape (shot from the end zone), so I won’t say he isn’t worth drafting but he also didn’t make any significant plays in coverage as well.
Aaron Webster, FS, Sr- Webster is very up and down. In one game I saw, he made a huge impact in the pass and run game. In the next, he bit very hard on play action fakes and was left trying to catch up to the receiver who was well behind him at that point. That showed he doesn’t have the catch up speed of a top shelf FS prospect, and it means he may be better off moving to the SS position. Webster has upside in the run game though as he is big, physical, and can wrap up tackles securely.
Mardy Gilyard, WR, Sr- Gilyard is incredibly quick, but doesn’t seem to be very fast, if that makes sense. He gets open not by running away from people but from being able to make his cuts at top speed with very little movement up top. He’s going to make an outstanding slot receiver and a top notch returner right away. I think that he may not run the fastest 40, which could drop him, but it’s not something to be concerned with as he’s plenty fast enough on film. Playing him on the outside will be a chore though as he may get overpowered by bigger corners. If he can shake those guys here, he’s a lock for the second round. After seeing his Combine numbers and Pro Day workout results, it confirmed what I thought in that some experts are saying his 4.55+ 40 time will drop him. I’m not surprised at all though as straight line speed is not his game. The teams that liked him before should still like him. If he’s around when the Bengals pick in round two, he’d make a nice home town slot compliment to their outside receivers.
Armon Binns, WR, Jr- Binns will be one to watch closely next year. He has all of the physical traits of a top flight NFL caliber WR: great size, good leaping ability, and decent speed. His hands are a bit inconsistent though, so he needs to work on this. With Gilyard gone, he will get the chance to be the man next year. If he can show some improvements next year, he’s going to be a hot player come draft time next year. .
Kazeem Alli, TE, Sr- Alli was a seldom used blocking TE. I don’t think he’s draftable.
Jeff Linkenbach, LT, sr- Linkenbach is interesting. He will definitely need to move to RT as he does not have the foot speed to play LT at the next level, but he will make a nice mid to late round sleeper as a RT prospect. He has good run blocking ability and size, and he does a good job of recovering if he gets beat by the initial move. He does not give up on the play either and has a good motor and demeanor to finish blocks. Linkenbach isn’t a huge sleeper or anything, but he could make a serviceable starter on the right side for some team.
Chris Jurek, OC, Sr- Jurek struggles with quickness and makes some fundamental mistakes in his blocking technique. If he’s drafted, it will be very late, and the odds are stacked against him.
Ricardo Mathews, DE, Sr- Matthews has some potential as a 3-4 DE. He’s solid against the run, and just OK as a pass rusher. He’s a good value pick for a team that runs an odd an front and needs an experienced body for the position to play in a rotation.
Alex Daniels, DE, Sr- Daniels seems to be playing out of position as a 3-4 DE, as he’s an ideal fit as a 4-3 DE. He shows good speed around the corner and demonstrated decent pass rushing moves. I really liked what I saw in Daniels against the run. He’s not the biggest guy but he does a great job of keeping his shoulders square to the LOS to help hold the run, and he has long arms which he uses well to shed blockers and get in on tackles. He’s going to slip pretty far under the radar, but I think with a move to a different front, he could actually find his way into a rotation and be a better pro than college player.
Curtis Young, OLB, Sr- Young plays the 3-4 rush OLB spot in college, which is tough to find and very highly regarded with the proliferation of the odd man front in the NFL. He’s not bad in coverage, not bad as a pass rusher, and not bad as an edge setter. He’s not great at any one phase, but he’s not bad either. Young is just a decent role player worth a late round pick.
Andre Revels, MLB, Sr- At times Revels reads his keys well, shifts through the trash, and makes plays in the backfield. The next play he’s 15 yards deep and running after the ball carrier with a guy pushing him back. He’s someone who could make a nice back up in a 3-4, but he’s a late rounder to potentially an UFA.
Brad Jones, CB, Sr- Jones just didn’t show up on film, but that doesn’t mean anything in particular. As I’ve said before, grading boundary corners can be difficult with TV footage and not coach’s tape (shot from the end zone), so I won’t say he isn’t worth drafting but he also didn’t make any significant plays in coverage as well.
Aaron Webster, FS, Sr- Webster is very up and down. In one game I saw, he made a huge impact in the pass and run game. In the next, he bit very hard on play action fakes and was left trying to catch up to the receiver who was well behind him at that point. That showed he doesn’t have the catch up speed of a top shelf FS prospect, and it means he may be better off moving to the SS position. Webster has upside in the run game though as he is big, physical, and can wrap up tackles securely.
Big 12- Texas Tech
Unfortunately my notes on previous games for Texas Tech have gotten lost. So below is all I have on a player I had notes on from the all-star games
Jamar Wall, CB, Sr- I really liked what I saw in Wall in this game as he played very aggressively. He looks the part of an ideal Cover-2 corner who can play some bump and run coverage. He fills hard against the run and can tackle well. It didn’t matter who he covered, he made plays. I think this game could have moved his stock up considerably.
Jamar Wall, CB, Sr- I really liked what I saw in Wall in this game as he played very aggressively. He looks the part of an ideal Cover-2 corner who can play some bump and run coverage. He fills hard against the run and can tackle well. It didn’t matter who he covered, he made plays. I think this game could have moved his stock up considerably.
Big 12- Texas A&M
Matt Moss, DE/OLB Sr- I really like Moss’s motor, but he’s undersized. The problem is I don’t think he’s athletic enough to play the rush OLB either. He’s just a blue collar, never quit, effort guy, and I like that. He will make it somehow, I have no doubt, but it will be an uphill battle.
Von Miller, DE/OLB, So- I’m not going to believe the hype I have heard this season on Miller. He’s a complete one trick pony and just uses outside speed. He’s too small as well, so a good tackle can get a hand on him and completely neutralize him. The good news is he’s coming back next year, so I hope he gets stronger, and works on a counter move and a secondary pass rush move. If he can show progress, I may be willing to change my thoughts slightly.
Jordan Pugh, FS, Sr- I actually like Pugh. He’s a good wrap up tackler, and he does a good job of staying in position. I’m interested to go back and see how he performed at the combine, as I think he’s a guy who will slip through the cracks and make a nice value pick late.
Michael Shumard, OG, Sr- I thought Shumard was undraftable as a tackle prospect (he was the starting LT for the Aggies), but maybe the move to guard for this game will help him out. I’m still not hopeful about his chances, but the change in position may be all that he needs to sneak into the late rounds.
Kevin Matthews, OC, Sr- Matthews comes with the pedigree to be great, as he is the son of HOF OL Bruce Matthews, but I didn’t see enough from him in games to think he’s more than a late round developmental prospect. He shows good technique, which which would be expected, but he did not have the anchor to hold up against the bigger DTs I saw him play against. He’s worth a shot as a versatile guy who can play multiple positions and you won’t have to teach him how to play the role (you just have to bulk him up).
Lee Grimes, RT, Sr- I don’t think Grimes is draftable.
Howard Morrow, WR, Sr- Morrow showed some good speed, but only made one play in the games I watched him. I think he may have some upside as a number three receiver, but he’s a late rounder at best.
Jamie McCoy, TE, Sr- McCoy has good upside. He’s a former receiver so he’s a good pass catching threat. He still needs work on how to block and play the position from a three-point stance, but he’s got something that a team can work with and will get a good value in the last few rounds.
Von Miller, DE/OLB, So- I’m not going to believe the hype I have heard this season on Miller. He’s a complete one trick pony and just uses outside speed. He’s too small as well, so a good tackle can get a hand on him and completely neutralize him. The good news is he’s coming back next year, so I hope he gets stronger, and works on a counter move and a secondary pass rush move. If he can show progress, I may be willing to change my thoughts slightly.
Jordan Pugh, FS, Sr- I actually like Pugh. He’s a good wrap up tackler, and he does a good job of staying in position. I’m interested to go back and see how he performed at the combine, as I think he’s a guy who will slip through the cracks and make a nice value pick late.
Michael Shumard, OG, Sr- I thought Shumard was undraftable as a tackle prospect (he was the starting LT for the Aggies), but maybe the move to guard for this game will help him out. I’m still not hopeful about his chances, but the change in position may be all that he needs to sneak into the late rounds.
Kevin Matthews, OC, Sr- Matthews comes with the pedigree to be great, as he is the son of HOF OL Bruce Matthews, but I didn’t see enough from him in games to think he’s more than a late round developmental prospect. He shows good technique, which which would be expected, but he did not have the anchor to hold up against the bigger DTs I saw him play against. He’s worth a shot as a versatile guy who can play multiple positions and you won’t have to teach him how to play the role (you just have to bulk him up).
Lee Grimes, RT, Sr- I don’t think Grimes is draftable.
Howard Morrow, WR, Sr- Morrow showed some good speed, but only made one play in the games I watched him. I think he may have some upside as a number three receiver, but he’s a late rounder at best.
Jamie McCoy, TE, Sr- McCoy has good upside. He’s a former receiver so he’s a good pass catching threat. He still needs work on how to block and play the position from a three-point stance, but he’s got something that a team can work with and will get a good value in the last few rounds.
Big 12- Texas
Hunter Lawrence, K, Sr- I very rarely mention kickers or punters, but Lawrence will have a shot. With so many teams having kicking problems this year, Lawrence has shown he has the leg and can hit clutch kicks as well (look no further than the Big-12 Championship game where he hit the game winner as time ran out). He’s a late rounder, but a team like Washington or Dallas could be calling his name in the 5-7th round range.
Colt McCoy, QB, Sr- I love McCoy’s athleticism, but it still is a bit of hindrance for him. He will tuck it and run a bit too often instead of keeping his eyes downfield and making the throw. He needs to really be drilled on staying consistent with his drop backs, as he is wildly inaccurate when throwing on the run. He can be a starter in the league, but he needs solid coaching and probably a year or two to develop on the bench. I can’t believe I am going to say this, but I saw a chat where Kiper compared him to Jake Plummer and I actually think this is a very accurate comparison of McCoy. In my opinion, he seems like a mid-level starting QB who may lead a team to the playoffs but may never lead them to a championship (sounds like Plummer, doesn’t it?).
Jordan Shipley, WR, Sr- Shipley has always been a favorite of mine. He’s so versatile and runs great routes. Even though he’s not the biggest or the fastest guy on the field, he always seems to find a way to get open. Shipley has reliable hands, is a great return man, and will make a big impact for a team who uses him as a slot receiver and return man. It’s easy to make the comparison to Wes Welker, but they are very similar players. Shipley is at his best when the lights come on, and he’s a better football player than he is an athlete (so ignore what looked to be a poor performance at the Combine). I think he’s worthy of a second round pick, but he could slip to the third seeing as he is strictly a slot guy and return man.
Fozzy Whittaker, RB, So- Whittaker would be a beast if he had better balance. He has great burst, long speed, and power. He just gets out of control and tends to go down sometimes when he definitely shouldn’t. He’s young though and will be called upon a lot more next year with McCoy gone.
Adam Ulatoski, LT, Sr- I am not a fan of Ulatoski at all, and the ‘experts’ saying he’s worthy of a third round pick are out of their minds. He does not have the feet to play LT in the NFL, and I think he’d even struggle on the right side. What makes me think he will struggle at OT is a combination of heavy legs/slow feet, and his over commitment to the outside rush (so he gets beat easily across his face with the counter move). I also fear that Ulatoski is too tall to be a solid interior lineman, and he seems to lack the power to drive tackles off the ball. I’m sure he will be drafted, but I would not take him until late and I do not think he will be anything more than a back up that will be a liability if he has to play a lot.
Charlie Tanner, LG, Sr- Tanner is a guard prospect that I really like a lot and I think he’s the best sleeper pick that no one is talking about. He has very strong hands and has a great initial punch where he can really steer guys once he gets his hands on them. Tanner is a bit undersized, but quick, and may actually be better fit as a center at the next level. He blocks the second level well with his quickness, and the only thing I can ding him on is he can be a bit over aggressive in his blocks to the point where he can get too far over his feet and end up on the ground. It’s something simple a good OL coach can fix though, and his blend of power in the run game and quickness in the pass game makes me think he can start right away at the next level. After writing this, I got a bit of secondary confirmation on my thoughts in that Gerald McCoy was interviewed on the NFL Network coverage of the Combine about who was the toughest guy he faced that was not a teammate. The first person he mentioned was Tanner.
Chris Hall, OC, Sr- I think Hall is a sleeper at the center position. He’s a great technician, he really stonewalls rushing linebackers, and is a very good pass blocker. Hall can seal the rush lanes well, and he gets good placement even if he does not get ideal push off the line. He’s refined enough in his technique that I think he can start right away, and will probably go anywhere from the fourth round onward.
Kyle Hix, RT, Jr- I’m interested in seeing Hix next year. He looks like he’d fit well on the left side and will probably have his chances there next year with Ulatoski moving on.
Sergio Kindle, DE/OLB, Sr- Kindle has all the trappings of a premiere 3-4 rush OLB. He’s relentless in all phases, has an incredible burst, and he chases until the whistle. He’s a definite first rounder as he can come right in and be an 8-10 sack guy as a rookie. Kindle has a very similar build to a young Joey Porter, and I think he can make an impact in the same vein. In fact, I think Kindle will be an even better pro than college player as he will be used in a defense that better fits his strengths. The only thing Kindle struggled with at times was he could get overwhelmed at the point by bigger tackles, but again, in the right defense he shouldn’t be a ‘hand on the ground’ anchor on the edge. I don’t see him lasting past the top 20 picks.
Earl Thomas, FS, rsSo- I think Thomas is being very underrated coming close to draft day. Too many people are making a big deal of Taylor Mays’s physical attributes and not enough of his lack of field awareness. At the same time, those people are saying Thomas is too small. I disagree wholeheartedly with those that think Thomas won’t hold up in the NFL at the FS position. Thomas has elite level closing speed, he hits harder than Mays does as he drives through the tackle and wraps up, he can cover a receiver man-to-man, he can play deep zone, and he’s a great last line of defense as a sure tackler. His instincts really show on film, and he had some of the best make up speed I saw from a DB all year when he would potentially get caught out of position. If it weren’t for Berry declaring for this draft, Thomas would be far and away the best safety prospect, and he’s only a short distance behind Berry. The team that takes him will be getting one of the five best overall defensive players in this draft. Thomas and Berry are two of the best safety prospects I have seen in a very long time. The teams that pass on him in the first round will be very sorry.
Ben Alexander, DT, Sr- Alexander will make for a nice 4-3 run stuffing DT. He’s just a rotational guy, but he will make for a solid body occupier in the middle of an even man front. That’s nothing more than a late round value if not an undrafted free agent.
Lamarr Houston, DT, Sr- Houston is definitely vastly underrated right now. He can dominate with power, he reads plays well, and he has fantastic quickness off the snap to disrupt plays in the backfield. With so many top notch DTs in this draft, Houston gets lost in the wash and that’s a shame as he should be right up there as a starting caliber and versatile defensive lineman. He’s best fit as an undertackle in a 4-3, but he could slide out and play the five technique in an odd man front. If the Rams do go with Bradford with the first overall pick, it would not surprise me one bit to see Houston’s name called at the top of the second round. He won’t last far past that either. To add on to what I previously wrote about Houston, he surprised me a good deal at the Senior Bowl and Combine by weighing over 300lbs. I did not think he was that big because he was so quick, which further reinforces what I thought in that he is ideal for the undertackle spot. He dominated at the Senior Bowl as well and looked great in drills at the Combine, so don’t be surprised to see him go high come draft day.
Roddrick Muckelroy, OLB, Sr- I’m not as sold on Muckelroy as others. He’s a bit small, and definitely relies on speed. He will make a solid WLB, and is much better pass defender than a run defender. He’s going to have to go to the right system though in order to make an impact. Muckelory would definitely fit well on a team like the Colts.
Colt McCoy, QB, Sr- I love McCoy’s athleticism, but it still is a bit of hindrance for him. He will tuck it and run a bit too often instead of keeping his eyes downfield and making the throw. He needs to really be drilled on staying consistent with his drop backs, as he is wildly inaccurate when throwing on the run. He can be a starter in the league, but he needs solid coaching and probably a year or two to develop on the bench. I can’t believe I am going to say this, but I saw a chat where Kiper compared him to Jake Plummer and I actually think this is a very accurate comparison of McCoy. In my opinion, he seems like a mid-level starting QB who may lead a team to the playoffs but may never lead them to a championship (sounds like Plummer, doesn’t it?).
Jordan Shipley, WR, Sr- Shipley has always been a favorite of mine. He’s so versatile and runs great routes. Even though he’s not the biggest or the fastest guy on the field, he always seems to find a way to get open. Shipley has reliable hands, is a great return man, and will make a big impact for a team who uses him as a slot receiver and return man. It’s easy to make the comparison to Wes Welker, but they are very similar players. Shipley is at his best when the lights come on, and he’s a better football player than he is an athlete (so ignore what looked to be a poor performance at the Combine). I think he’s worthy of a second round pick, but he could slip to the third seeing as he is strictly a slot guy and return man.
Fozzy Whittaker, RB, So- Whittaker would be a beast if he had better balance. He has great burst, long speed, and power. He just gets out of control and tends to go down sometimes when he definitely shouldn’t. He’s young though and will be called upon a lot more next year with McCoy gone.
Adam Ulatoski, LT, Sr- I am not a fan of Ulatoski at all, and the ‘experts’ saying he’s worthy of a third round pick are out of their minds. He does not have the feet to play LT in the NFL, and I think he’d even struggle on the right side. What makes me think he will struggle at OT is a combination of heavy legs/slow feet, and his over commitment to the outside rush (so he gets beat easily across his face with the counter move). I also fear that Ulatoski is too tall to be a solid interior lineman, and he seems to lack the power to drive tackles off the ball. I’m sure he will be drafted, but I would not take him until late and I do not think he will be anything more than a back up that will be a liability if he has to play a lot.
Charlie Tanner, LG, Sr- Tanner is a guard prospect that I really like a lot and I think he’s the best sleeper pick that no one is talking about. He has very strong hands and has a great initial punch where he can really steer guys once he gets his hands on them. Tanner is a bit undersized, but quick, and may actually be better fit as a center at the next level. He blocks the second level well with his quickness, and the only thing I can ding him on is he can be a bit over aggressive in his blocks to the point where he can get too far over his feet and end up on the ground. It’s something simple a good OL coach can fix though, and his blend of power in the run game and quickness in the pass game makes me think he can start right away at the next level. After writing this, I got a bit of secondary confirmation on my thoughts in that Gerald McCoy was interviewed on the NFL Network coverage of the Combine about who was the toughest guy he faced that was not a teammate. The first person he mentioned was Tanner.
Chris Hall, OC, Sr- I think Hall is a sleeper at the center position. He’s a great technician, he really stonewalls rushing linebackers, and is a very good pass blocker. Hall can seal the rush lanes well, and he gets good placement even if he does not get ideal push off the line. He’s refined enough in his technique that I think he can start right away, and will probably go anywhere from the fourth round onward.
Kyle Hix, RT, Jr- I’m interested in seeing Hix next year. He looks like he’d fit well on the left side and will probably have his chances there next year with Ulatoski moving on.
Sergio Kindle, DE/OLB, Sr- Kindle has all the trappings of a premiere 3-4 rush OLB. He’s relentless in all phases, has an incredible burst, and he chases until the whistle. He’s a definite first rounder as he can come right in and be an 8-10 sack guy as a rookie. Kindle has a very similar build to a young Joey Porter, and I think he can make an impact in the same vein. In fact, I think Kindle will be an even better pro than college player as he will be used in a defense that better fits his strengths. The only thing Kindle struggled with at times was he could get overwhelmed at the point by bigger tackles, but again, in the right defense he shouldn’t be a ‘hand on the ground’ anchor on the edge. I don’t see him lasting past the top 20 picks.
Earl Thomas, FS, rsSo- I think Thomas is being very underrated coming close to draft day. Too many people are making a big deal of Taylor Mays’s physical attributes and not enough of his lack of field awareness. At the same time, those people are saying Thomas is too small. I disagree wholeheartedly with those that think Thomas won’t hold up in the NFL at the FS position. Thomas has elite level closing speed, he hits harder than Mays does as he drives through the tackle and wraps up, he can cover a receiver man-to-man, he can play deep zone, and he’s a great last line of defense as a sure tackler. His instincts really show on film, and he had some of the best make up speed I saw from a DB all year when he would potentially get caught out of position. If it weren’t for Berry declaring for this draft, Thomas would be far and away the best safety prospect, and he’s only a short distance behind Berry. The team that takes him will be getting one of the five best overall defensive players in this draft. Thomas and Berry are two of the best safety prospects I have seen in a very long time. The teams that pass on him in the first round will be very sorry.
Ben Alexander, DT, Sr- Alexander will make for a nice 4-3 run stuffing DT. He’s just a rotational guy, but he will make for a solid body occupier in the middle of an even man front. That’s nothing more than a late round value if not an undrafted free agent.
Lamarr Houston, DT, Sr- Houston is definitely vastly underrated right now. He can dominate with power, he reads plays well, and he has fantastic quickness off the snap to disrupt plays in the backfield. With so many top notch DTs in this draft, Houston gets lost in the wash and that’s a shame as he should be right up there as a starting caliber and versatile defensive lineman. He’s best fit as an undertackle in a 4-3, but he could slide out and play the five technique in an odd man front. If the Rams do go with Bradford with the first overall pick, it would not surprise me one bit to see Houston’s name called at the top of the second round. He won’t last far past that either. To add on to what I previously wrote about Houston, he surprised me a good deal at the Senior Bowl and Combine by weighing over 300lbs. I did not think he was that big because he was so quick, which further reinforces what I thought in that he is ideal for the undertackle spot. He dominated at the Senior Bowl as well and looked great in drills at the Combine, so don’t be surprised to see him go high come draft day.
Roddrick Muckelroy, OLB, Sr- I’m not as sold on Muckelroy as others. He’s a bit small, and definitely relies on speed. He will make a solid WLB, and is much better pass defender than a run defender. He’s going to have to go to the right system though in order to make an impact. Muckelory would definitely fit well on a team like the Colts.
Big 12- Oklahoma State
Russell Okung, OT- Okung made big strides this year and really improved in all of the areas I felt he was weak at last year. That really impresses me as it shows an awareness of where you can be better, and the humility to accept this and work hard to improve. He has a nasty streak that is missing from many of the other top prospects for the position. He finishes his blocks and he plays to the whistle, which every OL coach will love. He has great feet in pass protection, he has the length to get guys away from his frame and run them outside the pocket, and he mirrors smaller guys really well for a taller tackle. I think he’s a lock for the top five, and he is without question the most complete LT I saw all season. He’s NFL ready from the outset, so you draft him and plug him in as your long term starter at this critical position right away. That’s an extreme value for the top part of the draft.
Dez Bryant, WR, Jr- Bryant’s hand was a bit forced in coming out early due to an NCAA violation that prevented him from playing most of the year, but he was NFL ready anyway. I think he’s a young Andre Johnson. He has massive hands, he runs away from people, he has great change of direction skills, and he is a very good punt returner to boot. To add to it all, he can block and finishes hard in this facet of the game as well. The only slight knock I will give him is that he can tend to get lazy at time with his catches and let the ball get into his frame at times. It’s a nitpicking point though, and I still think he’s a true #1 WR at the next level.
Zac Robinson, QB, Sr- Robinson is a good athlete, and has grown on me a bit as the post-season has worn on. I previously thought his arm was not good enough to play at the next level, but after seeing the Senior Bowl and the Combine, I think it is definitely enough to work with. His accuracy is spotty still though, and part of that comes down to his tendency to roll and want to throw on the run. I think Robinson will make a solid value late in the draft as he isn’t someone you expect to be your starter, but I think he can make a fine back up player at the next level. He’s worth bringing in to a camp and at least giving him a shot at your third strong position.
Kendall Hunter, RB, Jr- Hunter is undersized but runs hard. He shows good speed and vision on film, and he can hit the home run. He may not have the size to be an every down back but he can play at the next level. Hunter will shoulder the load next year with Robinson and Bryant gone, so if he can still shine, he can improve his stock.
Perrish Cox, CB, Sr- Cox is tall, big, physical, and he can run. He’s a bit stiff in the hips, but it’s not enough of a concern to me. Cox impressed me the most in the first game of the season by locking up the very talented Georgia sophomore WR A.J. Green and limiting his impact in the game. He can return kicks as well, and looks good doing it. Stiff hips or not, he has the ability to at worst be a number two corner on some team and will be an asset for covering the bigger and more physical receivers we see today in the NFL. I don’t think he makes it far past the first few picks of the second round, even with some off the field concerns.
Patrick Levine, LB, Sr- Levine is a bit of an anomaly from what you usually see in a college LB. He’s great moving backward in pass coverage. He shows good technique and speed, and can stay with backs in man coverage. Levine however is not good coming toward the line against the run, which as a front seven player is an issue. He might have some value late though as it’s easier to bulk a player up and teach them to stack and shed blockers than it is to teach them hip flexibility and finding their spots in zone coverage.
Dez Bryant, WR, Jr- Bryant’s hand was a bit forced in coming out early due to an NCAA violation that prevented him from playing most of the year, but he was NFL ready anyway. I think he’s a young Andre Johnson. He has massive hands, he runs away from people, he has great change of direction skills, and he is a very good punt returner to boot. To add to it all, he can block and finishes hard in this facet of the game as well. The only slight knock I will give him is that he can tend to get lazy at time with his catches and let the ball get into his frame at times. It’s a nitpicking point though, and I still think he’s a true #1 WR at the next level.
Zac Robinson, QB, Sr- Robinson is a good athlete, and has grown on me a bit as the post-season has worn on. I previously thought his arm was not good enough to play at the next level, but after seeing the Senior Bowl and the Combine, I think it is definitely enough to work with. His accuracy is spotty still though, and part of that comes down to his tendency to roll and want to throw on the run. I think Robinson will make a solid value late in the draft as he isn’t someone you expect to be your starter, but I think he can make a fine back up player at the next level. He’s worth bringing in to a camp and at least giving him a shot at your third strong position.
Kendall Hunter, RB, Jr- Hunter is undersized but runs hard. He shows good speed and vision on film, and he can hit the home run. He may not have the size to be an every down back but he can play at the next level. Hunter will shoulder the load next year with Robinson and Bryant gone, so if he can still shine, he can improve his stock.
Perrish Cox, CB, Sr- Cox is tall, big, physical, and he can run. He’s a bit stiff in the hips, but it’s not enough of a concern to me. Cox impressed me the most in the first game of the season by locking up the very talented Georgia sophomore WR A.J. Green and limiting his impact in the game. He can return kicks as well, and looks good doing it. Stiff hips or not, he has the ability to at worst be a number two corner on some team and will be an asset for covering the bigger and more physical receivers we see today in the NFL. I don’t think he makes it far past the first few picks of the second round, even with some off the field concerns.
Patrick Levine, LB, Sr- Levine is a bit of an anomaly from what you usually see in a college LB. He’s great moving backward in pass coverage. He shows good technique and speed, and can stay with backs in man coverage. Levine however is not good coming toward the line against the run, which as a front seven player is an issue. He might have some value late though as it’s easier to bulk a player up and teach them to stack and shed blockers than it is to teach them hip flexibility and finding their spots in zone coverage.
Big 12- Oklahoma
Sam Bradford, QB. Jr- I would be willing to guess Sam Bradford really wishes he had come out early last year, instead of opting for another season. Unfortunately Bradford suffered the worst fate that can happen for a top notch prospect that decides to come back for another season, and he got hurt. It really gives me pause as the shoulder he has hurt is his throwing shoulder, which makes this that much worse. Even with this concern, I still keep going back to the previous two years of watching him play. I still stand by what I said last year in that I would have taken Sam Bradford number one overall in that draft. While the shoulder injury is a very valid reason to knock him from this pedestal, I think that you have to give him the benefit of doubt considering the value of the position he plays. He showed up physically bigger at the combine, and if his shoulder checks out fine and he throws well at his pro day, there is no question he should be the Rams choice at #1 overall. They have a glaring need for a QB, and I unequivocally think that Bradford is a franchise caliber QB. He’s the most accurate college QB I have seen in some time, and I don’t care if the naysayers will say he’s a system QB. For every spread QB that fails, there is a pro-style QB that fails as well. Throwing guys open is a skill that you either have or you don’t. You can coach guys to improve their accuracy, but there is a difference between being accurate and being precise with where the throw should be from a textbook point of view. Sam Bradford gives you that. I still think Ndamukong Suh is a better overall prospect, but Bradford is a top shelf prospect at a more important position, so he should take precedent.
Landry Jones, QB, rsFr- Jones has some growing to do, but has time for this. He is accurate in the short to intermediate and shows a good enough arm. It’s his deep throws that need work. He seems to have the arm, he just needs to know when to put it on a line or loft it up. He’s actually pretty good on the roll out, and will probably be doing a lot of that next year as his remaining OL does not look good. If he continue to progress, he could be right up there with the top QBs of his class.
Trent Williams, OT, Sr- Williams does not have the feet to play LT, but that doesn’t mean he can’t play RT. What worries me about his ability on the right side as well is that he doesn’t do a great job of recognizing blitzes, and he also lets guys get across his face too easily as well. On the plus side, once he’s locked in on a block, he can manhandle DEs. There are those small things that make me hesitate to think he should go in the top 15 picks, but he’s the best RT prospect of the first round area guys. I really liked when he showed his versatility in the Sun Bowl. With injuries causing major problems with the OL, Williams actually played center in this game. While by no means should he play this position at the next level, it did show his quickness and ability to get out of his stance and to the second level to make blocks. It’s why I think he’d ultimately be best suited for a zone blocking scheme. So while I would hesitate to take Willaims in the top 15 picks, I believe someone will (like the 49ers, who do make sense for fit and need).
DeMarco Murray, RB, Jr- I was very surprised to see Murray return for his Senior year as RBs can use as little wear on their bodies as possible at the next level, but it may have been a very smart business decision. With a solid year of being the feature back for Oklahoma, I think he can really push his grade up next season. Murray has incredible burst, and he hits top speed quicker than most backs I saw on film this year. Another big plus in Murray’s favor is that he has fantastic hands coming out of the backfield, which will push his grade up even further for teams like the Eagles and bears who throw to their backs a lot. The only concern I have with him is his durability at the next level. Murray runs a bit upright and is a leaner back. It’s not a huge deal though as he still gets good positive yards after contact, and he seems to know when to lower his shoulder to take a hit. If he can get a bit bigger and stronger this off-season and still maintain that top notch initial burst, he should be one of the better running backs in all of college football (if not the best). I have really liked what I saw in Murray the past two seasons, so I am expecting big things from him.
Chris Brown, RB, Jr- Brown is a between the tackles runner who does more with effort than natural talent. He’s not exactly the biggest runner though, which worries me that he will wear down quickly at the next level trying to make it between the tackles. He doesn’t show enough burst or flash, nor the hands, to warrant anything more than a late draft pick. He is the quintessential role player though, and I think he will find a way to contribute and make a roster as a third back and special teamer.
Brody Eldridge, TE/OC, Sr- Eldridge started the season at center and then moved to TE. It’s funny that this is the case as this is pretty fair description of him as a player. He’s too small to play OL and too slow to play TE. If anything, he’s a situational blocker at the TE position, but I don’t know if he’s worth spending a draft choice on. There are other TE’s that can be had late that are just as good at blocking as Eldridge but can also catch passes if needed.
Brian Simmons, LG, Sr- I like Simmons a lot as a sleeper guard pick. He gets great initial push off the LOS (line of scrimmage) and really moves the defensive lineman to the second level. The only knock I have is that he can overextend at times instead of sinking his hips more. It’s a simple knock though, and even though he’s not an outstanding pass blocker, he’s good enough that I think he can start in the NFL. Simmons can probably be had for a 6th round pick, and that would be an excellent value.
Adron Tennell, WR, Sr- Could make a nice possession receiver, but he’s not special. Late rounder at best.
Ryan Broyles, WR, So- Broyles is a bit shorter and smaller in stature than you’d like, but he’d make a great slot receiver. He’s a very good route runner, has great hands, and he’s quicker than he is fast. He can really makes plays in the open field though, and he’s tough enough to go right over the middle, take a shot, and get back up. Broyles seems to have a good connection with Landry Jones, so I’m excited to see what thepair of them can do over the next two years.
Gerald McCoy, DT, Jr- McCoy can easily be described in one word- Beast. He’s the best 3-technique I’ve seen since Sapp, which means I do think he’s better than Tommie Harris was when he came out. I’d even go as far as to say I think at this point in his career he has more natural talent than Sapp did (that does not mean I think he will end up being better than the potential HOF defensive tackle). He lives in the opposition’s backfield, he is so fast he’s almost impossible to single block, and even when double teamed he can split this easily. Teams actively schemed away from him yet he still managed to make plays and disrupt the offense with his quickness into the backfield. McCoy simply has everything: power, speed, technique, size, and great field awareness. It’s rare to see a draft where you can honestly say a DT may be one of the best, if not one of the top three, overall prospects. Yet in this class we have two DTs who are worthy of being mentioned as the top overall pick. The difference between Suh and McCoy is like picking between your favorite flavors of ice cream. They are both outstanding at what they do, but they do different things. What they do is make a difference on the interior of a defensive line, which is very rare and very valuable.
Jeremy Beal, DE, Jr- Beal will need to move to rush OLB at the next level but he can excel there. He is asked to drop into zone coverage at times in this defense and he showed he can peel and chase if needed, and he did a more than adequate job of covering backs on swing passes. Beal is an impact pass rusher with a great counter speed move. Once he corners, he closes the gap incredibly fast. He also does a good job with quick recognition and either bailing and covering the short throw or getting his hands up and blocking the low ball. If he can get stronger at the point of attack, it may change my thoughts on if he can or cannot play down DE at the next level. He should be one of the better returning pass rusher in next year’s draft though, and he has potential to push his way into the first round.
Auston English, DE/OLB, Sr- English is definitely an OLB in a 3-4 at the next level. He’s undersized but he does well because he’s relentless and never gives up on a play. He seems like an ideal guy for a team like the Pats, Jets, or Ravens in that he can play a few positions, he can rush the passer, and he plays the game hard at all times. His injury history is scary though, and this will push him down at least a round or two later than he probably should go. If a team can snag him in the 4th or 5th round, he’d make for an excellent developmental player and situational pass rusher.
Keenan Clayton, OLB, Sr- Clayton is poor in coverage, but decent against the run. Clayton’s biggest issue is his lack of instincts (especially in pass coverage). On the plus side, he does show decent speed on film, and is a solid tackler. He’s nothing more than a late rounder with upside to contribute on coverage teams.
Ryan Reynolds, MLB, Sr- I really like Reynolds. The major issue with Reynolds is he’s physically limited, and his instincts are good but not good enough to make up for this. I think he would definitely need to play in a 3-4 so he can be covered up a bit and not have to do everything in the middle on his own. On the plus side, it seemed as though in every game I watched (and I have seen well over 10 Oklahoma games over the past two seasons) he seems to always be around the ball. Reynolds is one of those old school gamer types that just doesn’t fit what you’d think is an NFL ILB, but he finds a way to stick around on a team for years and be a steady contributor. I don’t see him going earlier than the 4th or 5th round, and I think he’s going to be a solid but not spectacular player at the next level.
Travis Lewis, WLB, Jr- Lewis has all of the makings of a potential super star. He has unreal instincts, he reads his keys incredibly fast, and he has the speed and athleticism to really make impact plays when coupled with his field awareness. He does everything well and has everything you want in a first round caliber OLB. He can blitz, he has strong hands and stacks and sheds well in the run game, he explodes into his tackles and rolls his hips forward to take the ball carrier down securely, and he looks great in pass coverage. He reminds me of a young Lance Briggs or Derrick Brooks, the ideal WLB in a Cover-2. If he remains flat to what he showed this year, he’s still a first rounder. If he can get a bit bigger and stronger, he might just push his way into the top half of the first round.
Frank Alexander, DE, Jr- Alexander is a back up DE right now, but he’s got great promise. He will have a chance to start next year and I expect big things from him. He’s got good length, good size, long arms, and he can get after the passer. I think that with Beal, and Lewis, Alexander should see plenty of single blocks and he should really make a name for himself.
Brian Jackson, CB, Sr- This guy will make a great nickel corner for a team that likes to blitz. Jackson does a great job disguising the blitz off the corner and he knows how to get to the ball when he hits the QB to force a fumble. He shows fluid hips in his drops when playing in deep zone coverage, so he can cover as well. I think his stock will steadily rise come draft day, but I am a bit concerned about his injury history as he missed time this season. He’d be a great fit for a team like the Bears, who like to use the nickel back as an ‘enforcer’ at times by blitzing them off the corner.
Dominique Franks, CB, Jr- I was a bit surprised to see Franks declare early. But it’s not a terrible decision either. This year’s crop of corners lacks real star power, but has very good depth and Franks can be considered part of that. He’s a solid all around corner who is physical against the run and can cover as well. While I think another year to refine his technique would have been ideal, I don’t see Franks making it past the late second or early third rounds.
Quinton Carter, SS, Jr- I really like Carter and see him as one of the top returning safeties in all of college football. He’s effective in the pass and run game, he hits hard and makes guys think twice about coming over the middle, and he’s wraps up with good form on his tackles. Carter also showed the speed to get deep, so he’s versatile enough to play in a two-deep scheme as well. If he can maintain or improve even slightly, he should carry a first day grade (that being the old first day, so a 1-2 round grade).
Landry Jones, QB, rsFr- Jones has some growing to do, but has time for this. He is accurate in the short to intermediate and shows a good enough arm. It’s his deep throws that need work. He seems to have the arm, he just needs to know when to put it on a line or loft it up. He’s actually pretty good on the roll out, and will probably be doing a lot of that next year as his remaining OL does not look good. If he continue to progress, he could be right up there with the top QBs of his class.
Trent Williams, OT, Sr- Williams does not have the feet to play LT, but that doesn’t mean he can’t play RT. What worries me about his ability on the right side as well is that he doesn’t do a great job of recognizing blitzes, and he also lets guys get across his face too easily as well. On the plus side, once he’s locked in on a block, he can manhandle DEs. There are those small things that make me hesitate to think he should go in the top 15 picks, but he’s the best RT prospect of the first round area guys. I really liked when he showed his versatility in the Sun Bowl. With injuries causing major problems with the OL, Williams actually played center in this game. While by no means should he play this position at the next level, it did show his quickness and ability to get out of his stance and to the second level to make blocks. It’s why I think he’d ultimately be best suited for a zone blocking scheme. So while I would hesitate to take Willaims in the top 15 picks, I believe someone will (like the 49ers, who do make sense for fit and need).
DeMarco Murray, RB, Jr- I was very surprised to see Murray return for his Senior year as RBs can use as little wear on their bodies as possible at the next level, but it may have been a very smart business decision. With a solid year of being the feature back for Oklahoma, I think he can really push his grade up next season. Murray has incredible burst, and he hits top speed quicker than most backs I saw on film this year. Another big plus in Murray’s favor is that he has fantastic hands coming out of the backfield, which will push his grade up even further for teams like the Eagles and bears who throw to their backs a lot. The only concern I have with him is his durability at the next level. Murray runs a bit upright and is a leaner back. It’s not a huge deal though as he still gets good positive yards after contact, and he seems to know when to lower his shoulder to take a hit. If he can get a bit bigger and stronger this off-season and still maintain that top notch initial burst, he should be one of the better running backs in all of college football (if not the best). I have really liked what I saw in Murray the past two seasons, so I am expecting big things from him.
Chris Brown, RB, Jr- Brown is a between the tackles runner who does more with effort than natural talent. He’s not exactly the biggest runner though, which worries me that he will wear down quickly at the next level trying to make it between the tackles. He doesn’t show enough burst or flash, nor the hands, to warrant anything more than a late draft pick. He is the quintessential role player though, and I think he will find a way to contribute and make a roster as a third back and special teamer.
Brody Eldridge, TE/OC, Sr- Eldridge started the season at center and then moved to TE. It’s funny that this is the case as this is pretty fair description of him as a player. He’s too small to play OL and too slow to play TE. If anything, he’s a situational blocker at the TE position, but I don’t know if he’s worth spending a draft choice on. There are other TE’s that can be had late that are just as good at blocking as Eldridge but can also catch passes if needed.
Brian Simmons, LG, Sr- I like Simmons a lot as a sleeper guard pick. He gets great initial push off the LOS (line of scrimmage) and really moves the defensive lineman to the second level. The only knock I have is that he can overextend at times instead of sinking his hips more. It’s a simple knock though, and even though he’s not an outstanding pass blocker, he’s good enough that I think he can start in the NFL. Simmons can probably be had for a 6th round pick, and that would be an excellent value.
Adron Tennell, WR, Sr- Could make a nice possession receiver, but he’s not special. Late rounder at best.
Ryan Broyles, WR, So- Broyles is a bit shorter and smaller in stature than you’d like, but he’d make a great slot receiver. He’s a very good route runner, has great hands, and he’s quicker than he is fast. He can really makes plays in the open field though, and he’s tough enough to go right over the middle, take a shot, and get back up. Broyles seems to have a good connection with Landry Jones, so I’m excited to see what thepair of them can do over the next two years.
Gerald McCoy, DT, Jr- McCoy can easily be described in one word- Beast. He’s the best 3-technique I’ve seen since Sapp, which means I do think he’s better than Tommie Harris was when he came out. I’d even go as far as to say I think at this point in his career he has more natural talent than Sapp did (that does not mean I think he will end up being better than the potential HOF defensive tackle). He lives in the opposition’s backfield, he is so fast he’s almost impossible to single block, and even when double teamed he can split this easily. Teams actively schemed away from him yet he still managed to make plays and disrupt the offense with his quickness into the backfield. McCoy simply has everything: power, speed, technique, size, and great field awareness. It’s rare to see a draft where you can honestly say a DT may be one of the best, if not one of the top three, overall prospects. Yet in this class we have two DTs who are worthy of being mentioned as the top overall pick. The difference between Suh and McCoy is like picking between your favorite flavors of ice cream. They are both outstanding at what they do, but they do different things. What they do is make a difference on the interior of a defensive line, which is very rare and very valuable.
Jeremy Beal, DE, Jr- Beal will need to move to rush OLB at the next level but he can excel there. He is asked to drop into zone coverage at times in this defense and he showed he can peel and chase if needed, and he did a more than adequate job of covering backs on swing passes. Beal is an impact pass rusher with a great counter speed move. Once he corners, he closes the gap incredibly fast. He also does a good job with quick recognition and either bailing and covering the short throw or getting his hands up and blocking the low ball. If he can get stronger at the point of attack, it may change my thoughts on if he can or cannot play down DE at the next level. He should be one of the better returning pass rusher in next year’s draft though, and he has potential to push his way into the first round.
Auston English, DE/OLB, Sr- English is definitely an OLB in a 3-4 at the next level. He’s undersized but he does well because he’s relentless and never gives up on a play. He seems like an ideal guy for a team like the Pats, Jets, or Ravens in that he can play a few positions, he can rush the passer, and he plays the game hard at all times. His injury history is scary though, and this will push him down at least a round or two later than he probably should go. If a team can snag him in the 4th or 5th round, he’d make for an excellent developmental player and situational pass rusher.
Keenan Clayton, OLB, Sr- Clayton is poor in coverage, but decent against the run. Clayton’s biggest issue is his lack of instincts (especially in pass coverage). On the plus side, he does show decent speed on film, and is a solid tackler. He’s nothing more than a late rounder with upside to contribute on coverage teams.
Ryan Reynolds, MLB, Sr- I really like Reynolds. The major issue with Reynolds is he’s physically limited, and his instincts are good but not good enough to make up for this. I think he would definitely need to play in a 3-4 so he can be covered up a bit and not have to do everything in the middle on his own. On the plus side, it seemed as though in every game I watched (and I have seen well over 10 Oklahoma games over the past two seasons) he seems to always be around the ball. Reynolds is one of those old school gamer types that just doesn’t fit what you’d think is an NFL ILB, but he finds a way to stick around on a team for years and be a steady contributor. I don’t see him going earlier than the 4th or 5th round, and I think he’s going to be a solid but not spectacular player at the next level.
Travis Lewis, WLB, Jr- Lewis has all of the makings of a potential super star. He has unreal instincts, he reads his keys incredibly fast, and he has the speed and athleticism to really make impact plays when coupled with his field awareness. He does everything well and has everything you want in a first round caliber OLB. He can blitz, he has strong hands and stacks and sheds well in the run game, he explodes into his tackles and rolls his hips forward to take the ball carrier down securely, and he looks great in pass coverage. He reminds me of a young Lance Briggs or Derrick Brooks, the ideal WLB in a Cover-2. If he remains flat to what he showed this year, he’s still a first rounder. If he can get a bit bigger and stronger, he might just push his way into the top half of the first round.
Frank Alexander, DE, Jr- Alexander is a back up DE right now, but he’s got great promise. He will have a chance to start next year and I expect big things from him. He’s got good length, good size, long arms, and he can get after the passer. I think that with Beal, and Lewis, Alexander should see plenty of single blocks and he should really make a name for himself.
Brian Jackson, CB, Sr- This guy will make a great nickel corner for a team that likes to blitz. Jackson does a great job disguising the blitz off the corner and he knows how to get to the ball when he hits the QB to force a fumble. He shows fluid hips in his drops when playing in deep zone coverage, so he can cover as well. I think his stock will steadily rise come draft day, but I am a bit concerned about his injury history as he missed time this season. He’d be a great fit for a team like the Bears, who like to use the nickel back as an ‘enforcer’ at times by blitzing them off the corner.
Dominique Franks, CB, Jr- I was a bit surprised to see Franks declare early. But it’s not a terrible decision either. This year’s crop of corners lacks real star power, but has very good depth and Franks can be considered part of that. He’s a solid all around corner who is physical against the run and can cover as well. While I think another year to refine his technique would have been ideal, I don’t see Franks making it past the late second or early third rounds.
Quinton Carter, SS, Jr- I really like Carter and see him as one of the top returning safeties in all of college football. He’s effective in the pass and run game, he hits hard and makes guys think twice about coming over the middle, and he’s wraps up with good form on his tackles. Carter also showed the speed to get deep, so he’s versatile enough to play in a two-deep scheme as well. If he can maintain or improve even slightly, he should carry a first day grade (that being the old first day, so a 1-2 round grade).
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