Texas A&M is always a good draw. You'll want to watch RT Cedric Ogbuehi since LT Jake Matthews and WR Mike Evans should go much higher than pick #19, and Miami likely isn't in a mood for QB Johnny Manziel. I don't really know anyone on Duke worth looking at but that's kind of one of the reasons David Cutcliffe is getting so much credit for what he's done there. Virginia Tech and UCLA going on right now. I doubt Miami are in for either OLB Anthony Barr or DE James Gayle but I do love both players. Virginia Tech has a lot of secondary talent, starting with the Fuller brothers, Kyle Fuller in particular. Logan Thomas is a legitimate backup QB prospect. As a bonus on UCLA you get to watch freshman Myles Jack the pass rusher/everything that has been absolutely phenomenal. Getting back to Anthony Barr, remember that he was actually a tailback until a year or two ago. He's a 1st rounder. On Mississippi State there's a guard prospect Gabe Jackson you might want to get a gander at. I've been back and forth on him. He's a tremendous talent but sometimes you're left wanting. LaDarius Perkins is a late round tailback prospect on Miss St. I really like their safety Nickoe Whitley even though he's made some high profile mistakes this year. On Rice you'll get to see WR Jordan Taylor who caught my eye a year ago when watching the tight end that came out of there. Taylor is really something. That should just be fun to watch. Keep an eye on RB Charles Ross of Rice as well...he's huge. It's now a Bowl but in the FCS Championship Game on January 4th you can get a great look at LT Billy Turner whom I adore, who plays for North Dakota State. That TEAM is just awesome. They actually beat Kansas State this year. That's a hell of a team for an FCS to beat. K-State won 8 games this year including the Buffalo Wild Wings Bowl against Michigan whom they beat handily. But Billy Turner owned them and NDSU came out on top. Actually pay attention to that quarterback on NDSU Brock Jensen as well because he's a fighter and he actually has NFL size and tools (though not anything special), reminds me of what Connor Shaw has turned into with South Carolina. Here's the letter that Bill Snyder (legendary coach of K-State) wrote to Brock Jensen after NDSU beat them: Also in that game you'll get to see Towson RB Terrance West who has been ludicrous at the FCS level. He's had 4 games with 200+ rushing yards and 3 games with 5 touchdowns. He's being considered NFL material and has true NFL size. The Baylor-UCF game will be one I'm taping. I just love Blake Bortles a whole lot and I think WR Antwan Goodley of Baylor could come out and be a really nice NFL prospect. Also Baylor has one of my absolute favorite tailbacks in Lache Seastrunk (tied with Tre Mason for my favorite in this draft), and another tailback worth watching in Glasco Martin (big boy, touchdown and short yardage guy with more athletic ability than his station). UCF has a decent tailback prospect in Storm Johnson. For Miami you'll want to watch RG Cyril Richardson of Baylor.
I took a look at L'Damian Washington last night. I don't have the full numbers because I'm still waiting on a few of his games to download, but interesting nonetheless. I like that he's a quick twitch fast kind of guy. In this class he kind of reminds me of a taller Paul Richardson. Both are super skinny, quick accelerators who are mostly effective as deep guys. He didn't do too bad on screens from what I saw, so there's a little bit of that YAC ability there. His hands aren't bad on easy catches ala Paul Richardson or Kelvin Benjamin, but wow is Washington charmin soft on some plays. There were multiple plays I saw where he made the catch and then got hit by the defender to lose the ball, once on a TD when he was blindsided by a defender. I don't know if that's a result of his weight or if he just needs to focus on holding on tighter. I'm not sure how he is against the press, I thought I saw him get jammed up a few times or really knocked off his route. Maybe you draft him in the 4th/5th and try to do what I've suggested with Devin Street, which is put him in the slot and have a tall deep threat. Although I don't know if he has the strength/ability to catch it over the middle on crossers and get YAC like Street does.
I like Ervin's feet and even moreso his overall athleticism and the way he moves. I just don't see anything particularly dominating about him, and in that regard he reminds me a little too much of Dallas Thomas, just a guy with size and some good athleticism, but there's nothing compelling about his game. I'd be tempted to take Antonio Richardson over him, but I'm just not sure yet. What I do like is the number of quality RT candidates out there and the second tier LTs that you and others have brought up like Billy Turner and Wesley Johnson. In terms of straight up NFL caliber LTs who might declare for the 2014 draft aside from Matthews and Robinson, there is only one that really stands out now, that I have a clear vision of as an NFL LT, and he's playing RT in college- Cedric Ogbuehi. I wrote a post about him, short version- great overall athleticism, absolutely love his feet, movement and kickslide. Natural LT, we'd be lucky to have him.
NCG obviously, FSU Jameis Winston QB, Kelvin Benjamin WR, speed of FSU defense against power blocking of Auburn and speed of Tre Mason, Gus Malzahn offensive sets, Greg Robinson LT, just too many things to list. Baylor v UCF is the next ggreat thing to record. Both offenses are interesting. UCF features something similar to our offense, Bortles is a WCO QB, their receivers are quick and good and suited for our system. On the other hand at Baylor you have Cyril Richardson, Lache Seastrunk, Briels offense. This should be a great game to have and look at. I am also interested in LSU Iowa for DT anthony Johnson LSU and TE CJ Fiedorowicz against LSU defense.
Tom Savage QB Pitt, (before Greg Schiano ruined him like he ruins everything)http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2RicqH-Doz0 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d9gZyqwKDm8 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RovTxsvDnpE https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r_1BrMqZpyw
I'm warming up to La'el Collins as a right tackle option. I'd be ok with he and Branden Albert at bookends and opening up the 1st round for elsewhere, especially a trade back.
Man there is some FANTASTIC draft eligible pass rushers. Jadaveon Clowney, Anthony Barr, Kyle Van Noy, Vic Beasley, Dee Ford, Jeremiah Attoachu, Scott Crichton, Kareem Martin, James Gayle, Aaron Lynch, Kony Ealy, Randy Gregory, Trevor Reilly...and I haven't even gotten yet to guys like Chris Smith, Marcus Smith and Trent Murphy. And that's excluding guys like Khalil Mack and Shaquille Barrett whom I figure to be more classic linebackers with pass rush as a bonus.
Another guy that has caught my attention a number of times this year that I didn't even realize was a senior is Baylor linebacker Eddie Lackey. I don't care if he's 5'11" or whatever. That dude can PLAY. He's fast as hell, decisive, instinctive in the passing lanes, great tackler. He is a BIG reason that Baylor defense has made a turnaround. He was the guy on that Baylor defense that if you watched that UCF game really continued to give UCF problems all game. One of the only guys. [video=youtube;4KmO9-U4R_Y]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4KmO9-U4R_Y[/video]
Kind of makes you wish we had held off on picking a pass rusher until this year. On another note, the WR class this year is extremely deep as well. Mike Evans, Sammy Watkins, Kelvin Benjamin, Davante Adams, Brandin Cooks, Allen Robinson, Jordan Matthews, Odell Beckham and Marqise Lee (should he declare) could all be day 1 and 2 type prospects. Some good WRs are going to get pushed down and that could be good if the Dolphins if they're looking for a 3rd/4th WR in the mid to late rounds.
Dion Jordan is a special talent, but the Miami Dolphins are about as good at maximizing his abilities as they are at getting value in the draft when they choose offensive linemen. Not so much... I mean seriously, who would you rather have at OLB in 3rd and long situations, Jordan or Phillip Wheeler? Puhlease. hell, I'd rather have JOrdan at MLB on 3rd and long that Ellerbe if that would have gotten him on the field. Anyway, big fan of james Gayle over here anf the guy from Arkansas Chirs Smith looks interesting. Aaron Lynch- not so much.
He maybe, but he is not a must have player at #3. Calvin Pryor S Louisville, big physical and athletic, ground and air guy.
The shoulder concerns me, but the coaching staff not knowing how to maximize his talent and at least get him on the field when we had two stiffs on the field at LB is on them, not Jordan.
I was wondering what it would be like if we played in the old Tampa 2 scheme with Jordan at MLB ala Urlacher, and dropping into the deep middle in pass coverage. He'd be really tough to throw those seam routes over.
Yeah, but I'd still rather have him at OLB as a pass rusher, cover TEs and generally show his excellence in space. But I'd still take your plan over Ellerbe. So much money for a MLB and so little in return.
If they don't figure out a way to get him on the field for at least 700-800 snaps next season, it's going to be disappointing. You don't trade up like that for a part time, 400 snaps or so, player.
I'm not saying it would be the best way to use him, but there needs to be a way to get him on the field for 700-800 snaps next season. Sam would be my ideal choice, lined up in a two point right next to Wake. Cover the TE sometimes, pass rush sometimes. Misi is a good Sam too, but he hardly plays compared to Wheeler and Ellerbe. I'd also like to see Misi get more snaps because he is a definite help in run defense.
Agreed, and my solution is a simple one- Jordan to OLB, Misi to MLB and Wheeler & Ellerbe out the door. I still can't shake the feeling that a logical replacement for Jordan in the draft is DE James Gayle. Btw, I've been mulling over your "wall off" blocker comment about Dallas Thomas- I still can't quite get a handle on Thomas and Antonio Richardson- my point being, does Tennessee train them to block that way, specifically in a way that curtails aggressive play? Wall off and never attack? I watched some film of Thomas and Richardson at UT and although I saw potential and beastly size in Richardson- solidly built, not Baby Huey like Ja'wuan James and makes Dallas Thomas look small- something is missing there. Richardson certainly, certainly looks the part, but wtf? Dude should be dominating a lot more. The talent is there I think, but I can't figure him out, he might have a major malfunction imo. Btw I tool a look at Sean Hickey- pretty darned good feet imo, definite LT candidate. My concern is whether or not he'll get pushed around a bit in the NFL, knocked backward. His aggression level isn't bad, though.
Both their contracts are fully guaranteed for 2014. 5 and 6 mill respectively. Our LB situation is a wreck, imo, and the 2014 defense is in trouble because of it.
I'm not a fan of Richardson. at all. If we're going that big of a tackle outside the first round I'd rather have Moses hands down..... but I'd still prefer La'el Collins in general. He's got some nasty to him, seems to get stronger as the game wears on, is satisfactory in pass pro, is significantly more coordinated than Richardson, and provides a body you can run behind in short yardage situational football.
Richardson reminds me of a physically imposing boxer who has good footwork, looks the part but doesn't throw enough punches. He dwarfs Dallas Thomas and he can move well- the elements are there, but then you wait for the payoff. And wait. And wait. He's a pretty good pass blocker, he's a decent run blocker- I've seen signs of aggression, but way to much of what Mr. Clean described as "wall off" blocking, which made sense to me. Let's face it, Dallas Thomas is frustrating. Richardson is bigger than Thomas and better imo, but would he be frustrating as well? Could be. I have questions about Cameron Erving as well, not as dominating as I would like. Good movement skills smooth athlete, but something is lacking imo. As to Collins- I need to go over some clips but the book is, from what I've heard, road grader RT in the running game but not the quickest guy and could be a liability in pass pro. I'm looking forward to seeing what he's all about.
In my experience, fat draft classes at certain positions usually come in pairs. The 2011 and 2012 drafts were very fat with quarterback prospects. I kept saying that year that even just playing the percentages, you could make the case that three to five of the 2011 crop would end up long term starters, which would be like 3x as many as normal. Sure enough Cam Newton, Andy Dalton and Colin Kaepernick have emerged as long term starters with Jake Locker still going strong and kind of a "to be determined" on Ryan Mallett. And I think Christian Ponder will probably get another shot, somewhere down the road. The next year you could have made the case for another three to five of them which is another bumper crop. Sure enough we've got Luck, Wilson and Foles, with Tannehill and Griffin hanging on for now, and a "to be determined" on Brock Osweiler. Back to the point, last year really was a FAT pass rusher class. And it's being followed by a similarly fat class of defensive ends and pass rushers. I'm not lamenting that Miami has Dion Jordan as I like him a lot. But I do lament that Miami gave up both the #12 and #42 overall picks for him, when between the two classes I'm pretty sure we could have taken care of the pass rusher position opposite Cameron Wake for much cheaper. As for the wide receiver class...those always look deep to me. There always seem to be a lot of guys who can play at that position. I can't remember another year like last year where I legitimately could have understood first or second day picks on like 10 different players. I adore Mike Evans. There's no way not to. I also really like Sammy Watkins. I like Kelvin Benjamin. I like Donte Moncrief. You know I love watching Brandin Cooks play football. I really like Jordan Matthews too. Odell Beckham can play. Devin Street can play. Allen Robinson can play. Cody Hoffman is really being overlooked and L'Damian Washington has very good potential (extraordinary character, which is important for unlocking upside). And you know part of me wants to throw caution to the wind for a guy as good against man coverage as Jalen Saunders, and another part of me wants to avoid his size like plague.
I haven't looked at Collins at all but I can just about guarantee I'll end up agreeing with you because like you, I don't think much of Antonio Richardson. Has been overrated for two years now. And you're right about Moses over Richardson. I can see the potential in Morgan Moses with the way he moves that massive, heavy-boned frame of his. It reminds me somehow of what I thought when I was watching Chandler Jones play football at defensive end. You think about what Moses could look like in three years when he learns to control his balance and body better, and to pick up his feet more...could be a pretty good player. Not a star maybe, but someone you're not going to worry much about.
Eddie Lackey is definitely the most underappreciated linebacker prospect in the Draft at the moment. There's no question here. Here's some knowledge. 1. He's a JUCO transfer so that partially explains his under-the-radar-ness. 2. He's got 7 interceptions in his two seasons at Baylor. 3. He's got 3 touchdowns in his two seasons at Baylor. 4. He averages 5.2 solo tackles and 3.0 assisted tackles per game. That equates to 130+ tackle seasons as a pro. 5. He's got 24.5 tackles for loss in his two seasons at Baylor. He also has 6.5 sacks. 6. He's forced 2 fumbles, amassed 13 QB hurries, broken up 3 passes and accounted for 164 yards on his 7 interception returns. 7. He's 1st team All Big 12 by Associated Press. 8. He's 6'0" (probably closer to 5'11") and 220 lbs. 9. He ran a 4.53 for Baylor when he enrolled and also broad jumped 10'6", with a 395 lbs hang clean. He may genuinely be the best inside linebacker prospect in the Draft. I honestly didn't know he was a senior because I was unaware that he was a JUCO transfer. I thought he was a sophomore or junior since this was only his 2nd year playing on Baylor's defense. Complete STUD.
Here are four COMPLETELY unheralded players that should be in the discussion as to whether they are the BEST draft eligible player at their respective position: 1. TE Troy Niklas, Notre Dame 2. OT Billy Turner, North Dakota State 3. MLB Eddie Lackey, Baylor 4. OG Josue Matias, Florida State I'm pretty sure you won't find anyone but me saying these guys should be in the discussion for best player in the draft at their position. And I'm not even saying they necessarily are. I'm saying they're a discussion. Troy Niklas absolutely stacks up to Eric Ebron and Jace Amaro because he's a bigger, more physically gifted player. Look across the NFL nowadays and the guys that are the best at the tight end position are not necessarily the guys that were productive and had great college careers. It's a physical mismatch position and of all positions it probably is the most upside-oriented. Troy Niklas has the upside because he's huge, strong, extremely well balanced, catches the ball well outside of his frame, and he's very fast and athletic. He has the best blocking potential and the best after catch physicality potential. He's a seam threat. Eddie Lackey is not talked about AT ALL because he's small. He runs about 5'11" or 6'0" and about 220 lbs. Normally I'd be dismissive as well. But here's the problem with that. When you have legit 4.50 speed and a 10.5 foot broad jump, you're counter-balancing the size argument to a very LARGE degree. This dude's explosiveness pops out all over the film, all over the place. And what's more, his instinctiveness in the passing game is extremely good. It reminds me of Kiko Alonso or Luke Kuechly. It's that good. For such a small guy, he has no problem getting around or physically shedding blocks, and that's because of his athletic ability, toughness and hand use. He has a natural feel for angles and how to get to the ball carrier. It would be one thing if I see him falling off tackles or being physically overwhelmed but it just doesn't happen. I just watched him defend a run against Oklahoma on 3rd & 3 that went around left end with multiple blockers out front, the guy first sheds big #74 Adam Shead who had a GOOD angle to block him, then on top of it he sheds the fullback's block who also had a really good angle on him. He made the tackle a yard short of the first down. You know Mychal Kendricks was physically underwhelming at the Combine at only 5'11" and 239 lbs (probably with a full bladder). But he had 4.45 speed and a 10'7" broad jump...and he is a TREMENDOUS linebacker for the Philadelphia Eagles.
Watch this game of his and tell me what you think. You'll have to fast forward thru the Oklahoma offense parts but it's a "No Huddle" version so it should be easy to manage. Just watch every snap. Watching him is like when I watched D.J. Hayden last year. At the time, everyone was saying he was a UDFA. I watched film and immediately said this could be the best corner in the Draft. I said it exactly the same as I just said about Lackey, Turner, Niklas and Matias, that I may not end up rating him the absolute best but he deserves to be in the discussion. [video=youtube;cY4d0rJsOD8]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cY4d0rJsOD8[/video]
Watch in the Arkansas game after LSU's offense throws a pick and Collins gets popped during the return [I forget where it was at in the game]. I especially wanted to see how he'd respond to it...... and sure enough the rest of the game he goes all Donkey Kong on the Razorback defense.
Very interesting call. Here's some film of Lackey against TCU, gotta love him at 1:45 and 2:02 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4KmO9-U4R_Y I read that he was 1st ream All Big 12 1st team LB, so he must be doing something right. Massively active football player. Good find.
It's funny you bring Lackey up b/c during the game I took a minute to look him up to see why I hadn't paid him any attention so far and why I hadn't heard much about him.
Do you think Moses is too tall to at the very least be a solid guard as a fallback? Richardson looks like crap. You'd think he'd be significantly better in the run game at the point of attack for a man his size.
Interesting. Huge guy, better feet and athleticism than I expected, powerful, could see him at RT. Btw, the guy that caught my eye off the bat is LG Vadal Alexander- road grader and this guy can move at 6-6 340 lbs. What John Jerry should be. Look at him pull and get that powerful shove at 1:50 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PdqS2RO0rNc And he keeps motoring downfield after that. Another one- geez, this RG Trai Turner looks good. Road grader, active, boy can he move. Look at 2:40 of that clip, Turner gets out in front, clearing out the LB on that touchdown run. Never heard of him, but boy does he look good. Road grader on wheels. That's one heck of an offensive line that LSU has this year. I like the Collins call, would love to get him in the fold at RT.
Ditto on Vadal. He caught my eye as well. Too bad he's a true sophomore though, eh. Wonder if Turner would declare as a redshirt soph. Of all the possibilities at right tackle I think Collins is at the top of the list if we can use our 2nd on him, including trading back our first and then packaging a pick to trade up the 2nd for him. He reminds me of how James Carpenter got little attention coming out of Bama a few years ago and then squeezed into the late 1st round. The INT is at the 7:46 mark. #89 puts him on his *** and then runs his mouth off after it. Then Collins goes off the rest of the game. He needs to work on his 2nd level stuff in space but I like everything else.
No word yet on whether or not he's declaring...... but it looks like right guard Trai Turner might be.
I'm just commenting off of a first glance of Turner, but from what little I saw I haven't seen a better OG in the draft. Would be very, very interested if he comes out. Good year for a 1990 do over, OL 1-2 punch a la Richmond Webb and Keith Sims. And then go back for more.
