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2014 NFL Draft thread (3 Viewers)
- Thread starter GregR
- Start date
Dinsy Ejotuz
Footballguy
Most sites report the "official" number you get in real time. But that time might be the fastest of the six, the slowest of the six or even a complete outlier.
Again... there's no right answer other than FAT, but I do like knowing that someone is doing some quality control after the fact and using the same criteria for reporting the times each year. That way the times should be pretty good relative to each other -- which is what I care about.
TheFanatic
Footballguy
Bob Magaw
Footballguy
Aaron Donald is surging up the board. Perhaps as the draft approaches he will be in the top 10 conversation more. The Rams need a safety or CB, but if he was on the board at 1.13 and represented the best value, I could think of worse things than having him on the DL. That would be funny if they drafted Clowney at 1.2, got Donald at 1.13 and moved up from the second for Shazier. That would be an insanely athletic front seven.
http://mmqb.si.com/2014/02/21/geno-atkins-aaron-donald-nfl-draft/
Just Like Geno
Pittsburgh’s Aaron Donald is similar in size and technique to NFL star Geno Atkins. But are the comparisons legit? The Bengals defensive tackle himself says they ‘definitely’ are, so expect Donald to benefit from the path Atkins blazed
By Greg Bedard
When it comes to draft prospects, comparisons to NFL players are easy to make but difficult to legitimize.
You might have heard that University of Pittsburgh defensive tackle Aaron Donald seems very similar to Bengals All-Pro Geno Atkins. Both are undersized, pass-rushing, three-technique tackles. Scouts have made the comparisons. Chiefs general manager John Dorsey told TheMMQB.com that it’s fair, too. And now, Atkins has given the comparison his stamp of approval.
“Yes, definitely,” Atkins told TheMMQB.com this week. “He has the tool set and skills to be a dominant three technique: motor, speed, leverage and strength. I’m definitely looking forward to see what he does in the league.”
Atkins wasn’t drafted until the fourth round in 2010 by Cincinnati. Now Donald is being talked about as a first-round selection after a decorated college career and, like Atkins, an impressive Senior Bowl week during which he looked unstoppable. How did that happen? Atkins (6-1, 293 pounds at the combine) busted the mold and paved the way for players like Donald (6-1, 288 at Senior Bowl).
“I think [Atkins] showed that if you can play, you can play no matter your size,” Donald said this week from Arizona, where he was training at Athletes Performance Institute. “If you can be productive, make plays and help the team win games, that’s what it’s all about. He did that and all the teams passed on him because they thought he was undersized. I bet a lot of teams are regretting that now. He’s one of the best three techniques in the NFL for sure. The success he’s having in the NFL, I think he paved the way for a lot of guys that were undersized.”
Atkins was a little bit of a different prospect. He wasn’t a flashy player at Georgia with 11 sacks and 33.5 tackles for a loss in his four-year career. The only time he made the All-SEC team was in ’07, his sophomore season.
Donald won the Lombardi Award for the nation’s top lineman or linebacker, and became the fourth player to win both the Nagurski Award (top defensive player) and Outland (top interior lineman) after leading the country with 28.5 tackles for a loss as a senior. Donald had 29.5 career sacks.
Don’t expect NFL teams to make the same mistake they did with Atkins.
“He’d probably be the first pick in the draft,” Patriots coach Bill Belichick said of Atkins before facing Cincinnati last season. “He was an athletic guy that you saw maybe as a sub rusher, a nickel sub rusher, but he’s way more than that. . . . This guy has some power rushes where he just takes linemen back, those guards back and it just looks like they’re on roller skates. He just walks them, literally, right back into the quarterback. He’s very quick. He can get the edge and work up or up-and-under on the guards. Then when they try to set deep or take those quick moves away from him, he can turn those into power moves and collapse the pocket. He can ruin a game, there’s no question the guy can ruin a game by himself.”
Donald shows the same type of disruptive potential as Atkins. Donald owned the one-on-one pass rush drills against top offensive linemen at the Senior Bowl (he won 12 of 15 battles) just as Atkins did in ’10. Donald used a variety of moves and, in what will be very important in the pros, he showed he can win with both quickness and power. Possess only one of those traits, and you might last a long time as a role player. Use both, and you can be a star in the NFL. Donald has decent arm and hand length despite his size, and uses them violently at the point of attack. His feet are too quick to be cut. Donald is going to be a problem to block for 60 minutes. The game film backs it up as well. There isn’t much he can’t do.
“Just by his performance here [at the Senior Bowl], he’s caught a lot of the scouts’ eyes,” Dorsey said in Mobile. “He uses his quickness and athleticism; he’s probably a better fit in the 4-3 than a 3-4 scheme. I think he’s helped himself this week and shown he’ll be able to play at a high level in the NFL.”
Even though talents like Atkins and Donald can find a home in any scheme, they are ideally suited to play just one position: three technique (on the outside shoulder of a guard, next to a legit nose tackle) in a 4-3, so that will eliminate some teams as far as Donald’s draftability. But the Atkins lesson will be on each team’s mind.
“I think what happens is when you take a player that’s productive (in college) and maybe there’s a deficiency in some area, whether it’s height, weight, arm length or hands, what teams will do then is say, ‘OK, how does that affect the scheme we’re in?’” Rams general manger Les Snead said. “The key is always when you take that type of player, having a plan for success, a detailed plan for success: how you’re going to use him in your scheme and then always the perseverance to execute the plan. But you always go wait a minute, we have a guy who’s maybe a rectangle in a square, but this guy’s a really good rectangle. How can we use him?
“Somebody is going to come out of every draft that maybe you didn’t have rated as high as he played to. I think good organizations say, ‘Let’s look at that case study and learn from it.’ You can’t change it, but you can learn from it. I think Geno is one of those cases. What did we all miss on him? We all learned something from that.”
Donald will have a few more things going for him as well heading into the draft. While there was some question about Atkins’ desire—he’s proved to be a bit of an ambivalent superstar given his laidback nature—Donald is a nonstop, in-your-face competitor. He’s going to take that to the NFL Scouting Combine this week in Indianapolis where Donald said he’s going to “shock” people with his physical testing. He could best all the marks Atkins put up in ’10, including running an unheard of 4.6 40-yard dash at nearly 290 pounds.
“Everything that I do, I want to be the best at it. That’s why I want to shock a lot of people,” Donald said. “They probably think I’m going to do this and do that, and I want to exceed expectations.”
Donald has also grown to love film study, which has been a key to Atkins’ rapid rise from situational pass rusher as a rookie to All-Pro. Donald was known to be the first guy in and last guy out with the Panthers.
“Each year I improved at becoming a student of the game, started breaking down film a lot better, stayed in the film room a lot more,” Donald said. “[Defensive line coach Inoke Breckterfield] helped me a lot learning the little keys that offensive linemen give you so you can take advantage of it and learn the formations a lot better as far as how the back’s set up. When you know what you’re doing out there, it makes things a lot easier and allows you to play faster. The film room has helped my pass rush and run stops, so I’m non-stop grinding at it.”
Undeniable production. Top-notch competitor. Would-be combine test freak. Relentless in the film room.
Go ahead, make the comparisons to Atkins. They sound on point. And Atkins agrees.
http://mmqb.si.com/2014/02/21/geno-atkins-aaron-donald-nfl-draft/
Just Like Geno
Pittsburgh’s Aaron Donald is similar in size and technique to NFL star Geno Atkins. But are the comparisons legit? The Bengals defensive tackle himself says they ‘definitely’ are, so expect Donald to benefit from the path Atkins blazed
By Greg Bedard
When it comes to draft prospects, comparisons to NFL players are easy to make but difficult to legitimize.
You might have heard that University of Pittsburgh defensive tackle Aaron Donald seems very similar to Bengals All-Pro Geno Atkins. Both are undersized, pass-rushing, three-technique tackles. Scouts have made the comparisons. Chiefs general manager John Dorsey told TheMMQB.com that it’s fair, too. And now, Atkins has given the comparison his stamp of approval.
“Yes, definitely,” Atkins told TheMMQB.com this week. “He has the tool set and skills to be a dominant three technique: motor, speed, leverage and strength. I’m definitely looking forward to see what he does in the league.”
Atkins wasn’t drafted until the fourth round in 2010 by Cincinnati. Now Donald is being talked about as a first-round selection after a decorated college career and, like Atkins, an impressive Senior Bowl week during which he looked unstoppable. How did that happen? Atkins (6-1, 293 pounds at the combine) busted the mold and paved the way for players like Donald (6-1, 288 at Senior Bowl).
“I think [Atkins] showed that if you can play, you can play no matter your size,” Donald said this week from Arizona, where he was training at Athletes Performance Institute. “If you can be productive, make plays and help the team win games, that’s what it’s all about. He did that and all the teams passed on him because they thought he was undersized. I bet a lot of teams are regretting that now. He’s one of the best three techniques in the NFL for sure. The success he’s having in the NFL, I think he paved the way for a lot of guys that were undersized.”
Atkins was a little bit of a different prospect. He wasn’t a flashy player at Georgia with 11 sacks and 33.5 tackles for a loss in his four-year career. The only time he made the All-SEC team was in ’07, his sophomore season.
Donald won the Lombardi Award for the nation’s top lineman or linebacker, and became the fourth player to win both the Nagurski Award (top defensive player) and Outland (top interior lineman) after leading the country with 28.5 tackles for a loss as a senior. Donald had 29.5 career sacks.
Don’t expect NFL teams to make the same mistake they did with Atkins.
“He’d probably be the first pick in the draft,” Patriots coach Bill Belichick said of Atkins before facing Cincinnati last season. “He was an athletic guy that you saw maybe as a sub rusher, a nickel sub rusher, but he’s way more than that. . . . This guy has some power rushes where he just takes linemen back, those guards back and it just looks like they’re on roller skates. He just walks them, literally, right back into the quarterback. He’s very quick. He can get the edge and work up or up-and-under on the guards. Then when they try to set deep or take those quick moves away from him, he can turn those into power moves and collapse the pocket. He can ruin a game, there’s no question the guy can ruin a game by himself.”
Donald shows the same type of disruptive potential as Atkins. Donald owned the one-on-one pass rush drills against top offensive linemen at the Senior Bowl (he won 12 of 15 battles) just as Atkins did in ’10. Donald used a variety of moves and, in what will be very important in the pros, he showed he can win with both quickness and power. Possess only one of those traits, and you might last a long time as a role player. Use both, and you can be a star in the NFL. Donald has decent arm and hand length despite his size, and uses them violently at the point of attack. His feet are too quick to be cut. Donald is going to be a problem to block for 60 minutes. The game film backs it up as well. There isn’t much he can’t do.
“Just by his performance here [at the Senior Bowl], he’s caught a lot of the scouts’ eyes,” Dorsey said in Mobile. “He uses his quickness and athleticism; he’s probably a better fit in the 4-3 than a 3-4 scheme. I think he’s helped himself this week and shown he’ll be able to play at a high level in the NFL.”
Even though talents like Atkins and Donald can find a home in any scheme, they are ideally suited to play just one position: three technique (on the outside shoulder of a guard, next to a legit nose tackle) in a 4-3, so that will eliminate some teams as far as Donald’s draftability. But the Atkins lesson will be on each team’s mind.
“I think what happens is when you take a player that’s productive (in college) and maybe there’s a deficiency in some area, whether it’s height, weight, arm length or hands, what teams will do then is say, ‘OK, how does that affect the scheme we’re in?’” Rams general manger Les Snead said. “The key is always when you take that type of player, having a plan for success, a detailed plan for success: how you’re going to use him in your scheme and then always the perseverance to execute the plan. But you always go wait a minute, we have a guy who’s maybe a rectangle in a square, but this guy’s a really good rectangle. How can we use him?
“Somebody is going to come out of every draft that maybe you didn’t have rated as high as he played to. I think good organizations say, ‘Let’s look at that case study and learn from it.’ You can’t change it, but you can learn from it. I think Geno is one of those cases. What did we all miss on him? We all learned something from that.”
Donald will have a few more things going for him as well heading into the draft. While there was some question about Atkins’ desire—he’s proved to be a bit of an ambivalent superstar given his laidback nature—Donald is a nonstop, in-your-face competitor. He’s going to take that to the NFL Scouting Combine this week in Indianapolis where Donald said he’s going to “shock” people with his physical testing. He could best all the marks Atkins put up in ’10, including running an unheard of 4.6 40-yard dash at nearly 290 pounds.
“Everything that I do, I want to be the best at it. That’s why I want to shock a lot of people,” Donald said. “They probably think I’m going to do this and do that, and I want to exceed expectations.”
Donald has also grown to love film study, which has been a key to Atkins’ rapid rise from situational pass rusher as a rookie to All-Pro. Donald was known to be the first guy in and last guy out with the Panthers.
“Each year I improved at becoming a student of the game, started breaking down film a lot better, stayed in the film room a lot more,” Donald said. “[Defensive line coach Inoke Breckterfield] helped me a lot learning the little keys that offensive linemen give you so you can take advantage of it and learn the formations a lot better as far as how the back’s set up. When you know what you’re doing out there, it makes things a lot easier and allows you to play faster. The film room has helped my pass rush and run stops, so I’m non-stop grinding at it.”
Undeniable production. Top-notch competitor. Would-be combine test freak. Relentless in the film room.
Go ahead, make the comparisons to Atkins. They sound on point. And Atkins agrees.
Last edited by a moderator:
Bigboy10182000
Footballguy
@NFL_CFB: Report says no fewer than 17 NFL QB coaches polled at combine favored Derek Carr over Manziel: http://t.co/iyCSCrySUC
FunkyPlutos
Footballguy
I loved Carr's press conference at the combine. Love his attitude! If his name wasn't Carr, I think he would be going top 10 without any argument.
Scout's Take Blog: Draft observations by an ex-NFL player, scoutBy Bucky Brooks
NFL Media analyst
Excerpt:
Bob Magaw
Footballguy
2014 NFL Draft Big Board 4.0
By Chris Burke
2-28-14
A few errors.
4. Matthews - 24 reps, Robinson had 32.
22. Beckham - 4.31 unofficial, I think 4.43 was his official time (same as Watkins?)
23. Shazier - Vertical nearly 40", it was 42".
http://nfl.si.com/2014/02/28/2014-nfl-draft-big-board-anthony-barr/
With Mock Draft 5.0 in the books, we turn our attention to the fourth 2014 NFL draft Big Board.
There was some movement, especially toward the bottom half of the latest Big Board. There also was a decent amount of stability in spots: the top five is the same as a month ago, and everyone in the top 15 was there back in January, too. The combine helped provide a little more clarity on the entire situation, as we begin the turn for home with the draft a little more than two months away.
Whereas the mock draft attempts to pinpoint where players may be selected based on team needs, the Big Board highlights the top 40 prospects in this class as things stand right now. The latest list:
1. Jadeveon Clowney, DE, South Carolina (↔): Questioning Clowneys work ethic has become rather run of the mill over the past few months, and he did nothing to cease those questions at the combine, sitting out several drills. That talking point somehow has clouded the impact Clowney actually had on the field this year. He was sensational, even though his numbers dipped.
Perhaps his eye-popping 40 time (4.53 seconds) and an equally impressive 10-yard split (1.56) will remind NFL folks what they could be getting at the top of the draft.
2. Teddy Bridgewater, QB, Louisville (↔): Sure, it would have been nice to see Bridgewater throw at the combine (or to run the 40 after he told reporters he was going to run the 40). Should his decision to sit out change Bridgewaters status? Not one bit. He has been the top Big Board QB all season, and barring an injury or off-field incident nothing will drop him before the draft.
3. Sammy Watkins, WR, Clemson (↔): The combine made clear that Watkins has plenty of company as a Round 1 receiver. The Clemson star still stands above the rest, though. The MMQBs Peter King named Watkins as one of three players (along with Khalil Mack and Greg Robinson) who received universal love at the combine from NFL minds.
4. Jake Matthews, OT, Texas A&M (↔): Auburn tackle Greg Robinson threw down the gauntlet at the combine, with 32 bench reps and a 4.92 40. There is no question none that Robinson has a high NFL ceiling, and he may wind up the first tackle off the board. Overlooking Matthews, though, would be a mistake. Whereas Robinson must continue to develop, Matthews is advanced enough as both a run- and pass-blocker to step right into a starting spot on either side of the offensive line as a rookie.
5. Khalil Mack, LB, Buffalo (↔): My versatility helps me in a lot of ways, Mack said at the combine. If you have a guy who can rush the passer, as well as drop in coverage, that covers two of the big issues on the defense.
After measuring in at 6-foot-2 1/2 and a 251 pounds, Mack told the media that hed be fine playing with his hand in the dirt in a 4-3 or at outside linebacker. He also revealed he would sometimes work out with Buffalos defensive backs just to stay fresh. Top-10 linebackers are rare. So are three-down talents like Mack.
6. Greg Robinson, OT, Auburn (↑, Previous: No. 10): Robinsons 40 was like watching Shaq run a fast break. He carries 330 pounds like its nothing and looked extremely fit in Indianapolis. Because of the Texans needs, Robinson may not be able to climb to the No. 1 pick (though Houston coach Bill OBrien talked about the importance of strong tackle play), but No. 2 definitely looks feasible.
7. Mike Evans, WR, Texas A&M (↑, No. 9): An official 40 of 4.53 (same as Clowney) may have been a touch quicker than most anticipated for Evans, but thats mainly because his long-stride ability can make him appear slower than he actually is. With fears about Evans ability to stretch the field sufficiently squashed, it is increasingly tough to see him dropping out of the top 10.
8. Darqueze Dennard, CB, Michigan State (↔): Justin Gilbert had a better combine. Dennard has better tape. As I tweeted over the weekend, Dennard could average a holding penalty per game in the NFL and it does not bother me in the slightest his aggressive, in-your-face play will frustrate plenty of receivers.
Like Evans, one of the main worries here had to do with speed. Dennards official 4.51 was plenty fast for his style of play.
9. Anthony Barr, OLB, UCLA (↓, No. 6): A 40 time in the 4.6s with a 10-yard split of 1.56 reiterated that the former running back is an athletic marvel. Do teams want to wait on him to develop a more reliable repertoire as a pass-rusher and coverage linebacker? The answer to that question will determine whether he lands in the top 10 or if he slides into the middle of Round 1.
10. Eric Ebron, TE, North Carolina (↑, No. 11): At the combine, Ebron compared himself to Vernon Davis. His 4.60 40 (which is fast in its own right) did not challenge Davis incredible 4.38 time, but physically the 6-4, 250-pound Ebron matches up well with Davis. The former Tar Heel insisted that hes a better blocker than he has been given credit for thus far. Even if scouts do not feel the same way, Ebrons ability as a pass-catcher will make him a highly coveted option.
11. Taylor Lewan, OT, Michigan (↑, No. 12): Were it not for the Greg Robinson Show, there would have been a lot more chatter about Lewan at the combine. He actually topped the O-line group with a 4.87 40, perhaps offering proof to back his argument that either a man- or zone-blocking scheme would fit his skillset.
12. C.J. Mosley, LB, Alabama (↓, No. 7): Mosley is the first of a few prospects here to slide down a couple spots merely because of the talent prevalent in this class as opposed to any stumbles. Barr and Mack bring the most off the edge for the linebacker designation; Mosley is the best all-around defender out of that wide-ranging group. He can do anything asked of him and fits every defensive scheme.
13. Johnny Manziel, QB, Texas A&M (↔): Manziel holds steady as the No. 2 QB and a very legitimate Round 1 pick. It may not be worth much in the grand scheme of things, but several of the other combine quarterbacks spoke highly of Manziel.
Manziel is a great guy, said Fresno States Derek Carr. I had never met him until I got here. You hear a lot of things before you get here, but he is very humble. Hes very genuine and very kind. Hes walking around and hes just one of the guys. Hes been great since weve been here.
14. Marqise Lee, WR, USC (↔): Watkins and Evans may not be in jeopardy of being passed in the WR pecking order by Odell Beckham Jr., Brandin Cooks and others. Is Lee? His official 40 time of 4.52 was disappointing for a player who is at his best making people miss. That said, Lee has shown off plenty of in-game potential when he has been healthy.
15. Ha Ha Clinton-Dix, S, Alabama (↔): Several teams holding top-20 picks in May need safety help, and, unlike receiver, there is not a boatload of topflight depth at the position. Clinton-Dix is, without question, the best of the free safety types.
16. Justin Gilbert, CB, Oklahoma State (↑, No. 24): Its all there. Gilbert hit the 6-foot mark, 200-plus pounds, with room to grow, and ran the best DB 40 time at 4.37. Oh yeah, and he can return kicks if a team so desires.
I think Im a dangerous return man with the ball in my hands, Gilbert said. And on an interception, there is always a possibility for me to take it back to the house.
17. Aaron Donald, DT, Pittsburgh (↑, No. 25): Donald weighs 285 pounds and he ran a 4.68 40. That legitimately might be more impressive that what Clowney pulled off at the combine. The Pitt product is not going to get any bigger (at 6-1, hes pretty maxed out at 285), and he doesnt need to if he can continue to be as disruptive a force as he was in college.
18. Blake Bortles, QB, UCF (↓, No. 16): Bortles steps back two spots to make room for Gilbert and Donald in the top 20. He stayed in the range 15 to 20 that he should maintain throughout the Audibles Big Board process. Of course, he might be drafted well above that spot, particularly if Houston falls in love.
19. Jason Verrett, CB, TCU (↔): The 5-9 Verrett was asked at the combine if he can cover taller receivers. His response: Just look at the film, man.
A fair suggestion considering how well Verrett held his own against guys 6-0 and above throughout the 2013 season. Verrett may be best-suited for a slot corner job (of which there are many available across the NFL), yet that should not eliminate him as a potential top-two CB somewhere.
20. Jace Amaro, TE, Texas Tech (↓, No. 17): Again, no knock on Amaro with bumping him down a couple spots. In fact, his 27 bench-press reps stood out as one of the more meaningful numbers of the entire combine Amaros blocking proficiency has been a worry for scouts, so that bench-press performance indicates he may be able to handle more there than Texas Tech asked of him.
21. Louis Nix III, OT, Notre Dame (↔): There is little doubt that the man known as Irish Chocolate will be a popular guy wherever he lands, as evidenced by a hilarious combine press conference in which he discussed how he feels sexier after dropping a few pounds. A slimmer (but still 330-pound) Nix ought to be better equipped to stand his ground inside at the NFL level.
22. Odell Beckham Jr., WR, LSU (↑, No. 38): Placed Beckham at No. 38 on my January Big Board, with the caveat that he could be a top-20 pick before all was said and done. Im feeling more inclined to stake Beckham nearer that projected draft position after his blazing 4.31 40 time.
23. Ryan Shazier, LB, Ohio State (↓, No. 20): Shazier did not run at the combine after tweaking his hamstring, a tough momentary setback for a player still working to lock himself into Round 1. (Plus, he still put up a nearly 40-inch vertical.) At 6-1, 237, Shazier falls shy of the traditional linebacker build. However, his athleticism plus the speed hell eventually flash for scouts allows him to be a significant impact player in spite of that.
24. Jordan Matthews, WR, Vanderbilt (↑, No. 27): Matthews turned in a spectacular 2013 season; he has maintained that momentum through both the Senior Bowl and now the combine. A 4.46 40 time on top of Matthews proven production could bring him off the board on Day 1.
Hey, there is nothing wrong with being under the radar, said Matthews of the hype being tossed elsewhere at his position. At the end of the day I only compete with myself.
25. Bradley Roby, CB, Ohio State (↑, No. 30): The gifted Roby admitted at the combine that his one-game suspension to start 2013 threw him off for a huge chunk of the season. An up-and-down effort from there on out backs his claim. On the other hand, his 4.39 40 and solid measurements (5-11 1/4, 194 pounds) served notice that the one-time potential top-10 pick still has plenty to offer.
26. Timmy Jernigan, DT, Florida State (↑, No. 36): An extremely intriguing talent, though hes behind Donald as a probable three-technique DT, and his size (298) might make teams shy away from him as a straight nose tackle. Others have differing opinions Jernigan was No. 5 overall on the Big Board of ESPNs Todd McShay earlier in February.
27. Zack Martin, G/T, Notre Dame (*): Once the top three tackles (Robinson, Matthews and Lewan) are off the board, Martin will stand out as a viable option for most teams headed to the podium. The debate about his better NFL position guard or tackle is ongoing. Being able to envision him succeeding in either spot amplifies his standing.
28. Calvin Pryor, S, Louisville (↑, No. 34): You know how announcers love to speculate that receivers heard footsteps when they short-arm a catch attempt with a defender bearing down? Pryor is the type of guy that can make WRs do that. He flies around the field just looking for someone to clobber.
29. Brandin Cooks, WR, Oregon State (↑, No. 32): Take it away, Brandin
Im a playmaker, he said at the combine. Im able to create plays from nothing catch a 3-yard ball, Ill take it the distance. Speed kills and I feel like thats what Im going to bring to the game.
A 40 in the 4.3s and a combine-record time of 10.72 in the 60-yard shuttle offers some evidence that Cooks is correct.
30. Cyrus Kouandjio, OT, Alabama (↓, No. 22): A combine that may prove costly for Kouandjio, who appeared out of sorts during workouts and reportedly was scrapped from multiple draft boards due to medical concerns. Fortunately for him, there is too much ability and experience here for the league to bail entirely.
31. RaShede Hageman, DT, Minnesota (↔): Maintaining that this placement end of Round 1, early Round 2 is where Hageman belongs, because he has not shown the consistency or technique to be a star but he has the ability to dominate.
32. Allen Robinson, WR, Penn State (↓, No. 23): Did I overshoot with Robinson as the 23rd-ranked prospect on Big Board 3.0? Maybe. I still expect him to be a solid receiver in the NFL, an opinion unchanged by his 4.6 40 time and 39-inch vertical. Robinsons game relies on his hands and ability to go up for the football, not his speed.
33. Kelvin Benjamin, WR, Florida State (↓, No. 29): How Benjamin is viewed heading into the draft may vary wildly by team. Those hoping to swipe a potentially unstoppable, big-bodied force could grade him out highly. Those that prefer their skill-position guys to be more proven heading into the league will dock Benjamin for his inability to take over regularly.
34. Kyle Fuller, CB, Virginia Tech (*): Fuller belongs in the Round 1 conversation, even if his fate ultimately may be tied to what happens with Dennard, Gilbert, Verrett and Roby. The former Hokie measured in just under 6-feet tall, then ran a sub-4.5 40. The gap between him and those above him on this board is minimal, if its there at all.
35. Carlos Hyde, RB, Ohio State (↔): The odds on a running back being drafted in Round 1 seem to be growing worse by the day. Hyde was the first RB taken in Mock 5.0, at No. 42 overall. His running style is on par with what it takes to pile up yards in the NFL, and at 230-plus pounds, hes built to last.
36. Kony Ealy, DE/OLB, Missouri (↑, No. 37): CBSSports Will Brinson pointed out last weekend that Ealys 6.83 three-cone time nearly matched the 6.82 recorded a few years back by none other than LeSean McCoy, one of the shiftiest, quickest players in the league. Ealys 40 time (4.92) was nothing to write home about, and Im not sold that he can do his thing against physical NFL blockers. Yet, anyone can see why he has at least some scouts excited.
37. Dee Ford, DE/OLB, Auburn (*): Ford said twice at the combine that he is a better pass-rusher than Jadeveon Clowney. To which I respond:
.Fords inability to work out at the combine because of an old back issue throws up a red flag, though Ford maintained that hes perfectly fine now. The bigger issue in that Ford-vs.-Clowney comparison is that Ford is not as adept at stopping the run or forcing plays away from him. He might be a Round 1 choice (and a really good pro) nonetheless.
38. Austin Seferian-Jenkins, TE, Washington (↓, No. 28): Kind of painful to keep moving Seferian-Jenkins down the board, because Id still argue that he can be as effective as any other tight end in this class. He agrees.
I think I have showed Im very capable of being a playmaker down the seam and Ive shown the capability of being a blocker, he said. Im an every-down guy who can get out there immediately on the field.
The blocking ability he displayed during his Washington career does set him apart from the likes of Ebron and Amaro, who were not asked to do nearly as much in that department.
39. Derek Carr, QB, Fresno State (↔): Carrs 15 or so minutes with the media was one of the highlights of combine week. Mentally and emotionally, he may be more ready for the NFL jump than any of his QB peers, thanks in no small part to what brother David went through in Houston.
His demonstrated skills and more specifically, weaknesses make him more of a Round 2 prospect. Will a team seeking a quarterback nab him far earlier?
40. Lamarcus Joyner, CB, Florida State (*): Just spent a few minutes reading back through Big Boards 1-3 as I could have sworn Id included Joyner in the top 40 previously. Apparently, I did not, which Im ready to chalk up as an oversight. NFL teams may exclude him on height alone: Joyner stands a mere 5-8. But that size hardly proved a problem at Florida State, and Joyners dual cornerback/safety experience will be tempting.
Dropped out: Trent Murphy; Cyril Richardson; Stephon Tuitt; Kyle Van Noy.
Next 10: Van Noy; Tuitt; Richardson; Xavier Sua-Filo; Murphy; Dominique Easley; KaDeem Carey; Davante Adams; Gabe Jackson; Jimmie Ward; Troy Niklas.
By Chris Burke
2-28-14
A few errors.
4. Matthews - 24 reps, Robinson had 32.
22. Beckham - 4.31 unofficial, I think 4.43 was his official time (same as Watkins?)
23. Shazier - Vertical nearly 40", it was 42".
http://nfl.si.com/2014/02/28/2014-nfl-draft-big-board-anthony-barr/
With Mock Draft 5.0 in the books, we turn our attention to the fourth 2014 NFL draft Big Board.
There was some movement, especially toward the bottom half of the latest Big Board. There also was a decent amount of stability in spots: the top five is the same as a month ago, and everyone in the top 15 was there back in January, too. The combine helped provide a little more clarity on the entire situation, as we begin the turn for home with the draft a little more than two months away.
Whereas the mock draft attempts to pinpoint where players may be selected based on team needs, the Big Board highlights the top 40 prospects in this class as things stand right now. The latest list:
1. Jadeveon Clowney, DE, South Carolina (↔): Questioning Clowneys work ethic has become rather run of the mill over the past few months, and he did nothing to cease those questions at the combine, sitting out several drills. That talking point somehow has clouded the impact Clowney actually had on the field this year. He was sensational, even though his numbers dipped.
Perhaps his eye-popping 40 time (4.53 seconds) and an equally impressive 10-yard split (1.56) will remind NFL folks what they could be getting at the top of the draft.
2. Teddy Bridgewater, QB, Louisville (↔): Sure, it would have been nice to see Bridgewater throw at the combine (or to run the 40 after he told reporters he was going to run the 40). Should his decision to sit out change Bridgewaters status? Not one bit. He has been the top Big Board QB all season, and barring an injury or off-field incident nothing will drop him before the draft.
3. Sammy Watkins, WR, Clemson (↔): The combine made clear that Watkins has plenty of company as a Round 1 receiver. The Clemson star still stands above the rest, though. The MMQBs Peter King named Watkins as one of three players (along with Khalil Mack and Greg Robinson) who received universal love at the combine from NFL minds.
4. Jake Matthews, OT, Texas A&M (↔): Auburn tackle Greg Robinson threw down the gauntlet at the combine, with 32 bench reps and a 4.92 40. There is no question none that Robinson has a high NFL ceiling, and he may wind up the first tackle off the board. Overlooking Matthews, though, would be a mistake. Whereas Robinson must continue to develop, Matthews is advanced enough as both a run- and pass-blocker to step right into a starting spot on either side of the offensive line as a rookie.
5. Khalil Mack, LB, Buffalo (↔): My versatility helps me in a lot of ways, Mack said at the combine. If you have a guy who can rush the passer, as well as drop in coverage, that covers two of the big issues on the defense.
After measuring in at 6-foot-2 1/2 and a 251 pounds, Mack told the media that hed be fine playing with his hand in the dirt in a 4-3 or at outside linebacker. He also revealed he would sometimes work out with Buffalos defensive backs just to stay fresh. Top-10 linebackers are rare. So are three-down talents like Mack.
6. Greg Robinson, OT, Auburn (↑, Previous: No. 10): Robinsons 40 was like watching Shaq run a fast break. He carries 330 pounds like its nothing and looked extremely fit in Indianapolis. Because of the Texans needs, Robinson may not be able to climb to the No. 1 pick (though Houston coach Bill OBrien talked about the importance of strong tackle play), but No. 2 definitely looks feasible.
7. Mike Evans, WR, Texas A&M (↑, No. 9): An official 40 of 4.53 (same as Clowney) may have been a touch quicker than most anticipated for Evans, but thats mainly because his long-stride ability can make him appear slower than he actually is. With fears about Evans ability to stretch the field sufficiently squashed, it is increasingly tough to see him dropping out of the top 10.
8. Darqueze Dennard, CB, Michigan State (↔): Justin Gilbert had a better combine. Dennard has better tape. As I tweeted over the weekend, Dennard could average a holding penalty per game in the NFL and it does not bother me in the slightest his aggressive, in-your-face play will frustrate plenty of receivers.
Like Evans, one of the main worries here had to do with speed. Dennards official 4.51 was plenty fast for his style of play.
9. Anthony Barr, OLB, UCLA (↓, No. 6): A 40 time in the 4.6s with a 10-yard split of 1.56 reiterated that the former running back is an athletic marvel. Do teams want to wait on him to develop a more reliable repertoire as a pass-rusher and coverage linebacker? The answer to that question will determine whether he lands in the top 10 or if he slides into the middle of Round 1.
10. Eric Ebron, TE, North Carolina (↑, No. 11): At the combine, Ebron compared himself to Vernon Davis. His 4.60 40 (which is fast in its own right) did not challenge Davis incredible 4.38 time, but physically the 6-4, 250-pound Ebron matches up well with Davis. The former Tar Heel insisted that hes a better blocker than he has been given credit for thus far. Even if scouts do not feel the same way, Ebrons ability as a pass-catcher will make him a highly coveted option.
11. Taylor Lewan, OT, Michigan (↑, No. 12): Were it not for the Greg Robinson Show, there would have been a lot more chatter about Lewan at the combine. He actually topped the O-line group with a 4.87 40, perhaps offering proof to back his argument that either a man- or zone-blocking scheme would fit his skillset.
12. C.J. Mosley, LB, Alabama (↓, No. 7): Mosley is the first of a few prospects here to slide down a couple spots merely because of the talent prevalent in this class as opposed to any stumbles. Barr and Mack bring the most off the edge for the linebacker designation; Mosley is the best all-around defender out of that wide-ranging group. He can do anything asked of him and fits every defensive scheme.
13. Johnny Manziel, QB, Texas A&M (↔): Manziel holds steady as the No. 2 QB and a very legitimate Round 1 pick. It may not be worth much in the grand scheme of things, but several of the other combine quarterbacks spoke highly of Manziel.
Manziel is a great guy, said Fresno States Derek Carr. I had never met him until I got here. You hear a lot of things before you get here, but he is very humble. Hes very genuine and very kind. Hes walking around and hes just one of the guys. Hes been great since weve been here.
14. Marqise Lee, WR, USC (↔): Watkins and Evans may not be in jeopardy of being passed in the WR pecking order by Odell Beckham Jr., Brandin Cooks and others. Is Lee? His official 40 time of 4.52 was disappointing for a player who is at his best making people miss. That said, Lee has shown off plenty of in-game potential when he has been healthy.
15. Ha Ha Clinton-Dix, S, Alabama (↔): Several teams holding top-20 picks in May need safety help, and, unlike receiver, there is not a boatload of topflight depth at the position. Clinton-Dix is, without question, the best of the free safety types.
16. Justin Gilbert, CB, Oklahoma State (↑, No. 24): Its all there. Gilbert hit the 6-foot mark, 200-plus pounds, with room to grow, and ran the best DB 40 time at 4.37. Oh yeah, and he can return kicks if a team so desires.
I think Im a dangerous return man with the ball in my hands, Gilbert said. And on an interception, there is always a possibility for me to take it back to the house.
17. Aaron Donald, DT, Pittsburgh (↑, No. 25): Donald weighs 285 pounds and he ran a 4.68 40. That legitimately might be more impressive that what Clowney pulled off at the combine. The Pitt product is not going to get any bigger (at 6-1, hes pretty maxed out at 285), and he doesnt need to if he can continue to be as disruptive a force as he was in college.
18. Blake Bortles, QB, UCF (↓, No. 16): Bortles steps back two spots to make room for Gilbert and Donald in the top 20. He stayed in the range 15 to 20 that he should maintain throughout the Audibles Big Board process. Of course, he might be drafted well above that spot, particularly if Houston falls in love.
19. Jason Verrett, CB, TCU (↔): The 5-9 Verrett was asked at the combine if he can cover taller receivers. His response: Just look at the film, man.
A fair suggestion considering how well Verrett held his own against guys 6-0 and above throughout the 2013 season. Verrett may be best-suited for a slot corner job (of which there are many available across the NFL), yet that should not eliminate him as a potential top-two CB somewhere.
20. Jace Amaro, TE, Texas Tech (↓, No. 17): Again, no knock on Amaro with bumping him down a couple spots. In fact, his 27 bench-press reps stood out as one of the more meaningful numbers of the entire combine Amaros blocking proficiency has been a worry for scouts, so that bench-press performance indicates he may be able to handle more there than Texas Tech asked of him.
21. Louis Nix III, OT, Notre Dame (↔): There is little doubt that the man known as Irish Chocolate will be a popular guy wherever he lands, as evidenced by a hilarious combine press conference in which he discussed how he feels sexier after dropping a few pounds. A slimmer (but still 330-pound) Nix ought to be better equipped to stand his ground inside at the NFL level.
22. Odell Beckham Jr., WR, LSU (↑, No. 38): Placed Beckham at No. 38 on my January Big Board, with the caveat that he could be a top-20 pick before all was said and done. Im feeling more inclined to stake Beckham nearer that projected draft position after his blazing 4.31 40 time.
23. Ryan Shazier, LB, Ohio State (↓, No. 20): Shazier did not run at the combine after tweaking his hamstring, a tough momentary setback for a player still working to lock himself into Round 1. (Plus, he still put up a nearly 40-inch vertical.) At 6-1, 237, Shazier falls shy of the traditional linebacker build. However, his athleticism plus the speed hell eventually flash for scouts allows him to be a significant impact player in spite of that.
24. Jordan Matthews, WR, Vanderbilt (↑, No. 27): Matthews turned in a spectacular 2013 season; he has maintained that momentum through both the Senior Bowl and now the combine. A 4.46 40 time on top of Matthews proven production could bring him off the board on Day 1.
Hey, there is nothing wrong with being under the radar, said Matthews of the hype being tossed elsewhere at his position. At the end of the day I only compete with myself.
25. Bradley Roby, CB, Ohio State (↑, No. 30): The gifted Roby admitted at the combine that his one-game suspension to start 2013 threw him off for a huge chunk of the season. An up-and-down effort from there on out backs his claim. On the other hand, his 4.39 40 and solid measurements (5-11 1/4, 194 pounds) served notice that the one-time potential top-10 pick still has plenty to offer.
26. Timmy Jernigan, DT, Florida State (↑, No. 36): An extremely intriguing talent, though hes behind Donald as a probable three-technique DT, and his size (298) might make teams shy away from him as a straight nose tackle. Others have differing opinions Jernigan was No. 5 overall on the Big Board of ESPNs Todd McShay earlier in February.
27. Zack Martin, G/T, Notre Dame (*): Once the top three tackles (Robinson, Matthews and Lewan) are off the board, Martin will stand out as a viable option for most teams headed to the podium. The debate about his better NFL position guard or tackle is ongoing. Being able to envision him succeeding in either spot amplifies his standing.
28. Calvin Pryor, S, Louisville (↑, No. 34): You know how announcers love to speculate that receivers heard footsteps when they short-arm a catch attempt with a defender bearing down? Pryor is the type of guy that can make WRs do that. He flies around the field just looking for someone to clobber.
29. Brandin Cooks, WR, Oregon State (↑, No. 32): Take it away, Brandin
Im a playmaker, he said at the combine. Im able to create plays from nothing catch a 3-yard ball, Ill take it the distance. Speed kills and I feel like thats what Im going to bring to the game.
A 40 in the 4.3s and a combine-record time of 10.72 in the 60-yard shuttle offers some evidence that Cooks is correct.
30. Cyrus Kouandjio, OT, Alabama (↓, No. 22): A combine that may prove costly for Kouandjio, who appeared out of sorts during workouts and reportedly was scrapped from multiple draft boards due to medical concerns. Fortunately for him, there is too much ability and experience here for the league to bail entirely.
31. RaShede Hageman, DT, Minnesota (↔): Maintaining that this placement end of Round 1, early Round 2 is where Hageman belongs, because he has not shown the consistency or technique to be a star but he has the ability to dominate.
32. Allen Robinson, WR, Penn State (↓, No. 23): Did I overshoot with Robinson as the 23rd-ranked prospect on Big Board 3.0? Maybe. I still expect him to be a solid receiver in the NFL, an opinion unchanged by his 4.6 40 time and 39-inch vertical. Robinsons game relies on his hands and ability to go up for the football, not his speed.
33. Kelvin Benjamin, WR, Florida State (↓, No. 29): How Benjamin is viewed heading into the draft may vary wildly by team. Those hoping to swipe a potentially unstoppable, big-bodied force could grade him out highly. Those that prefer their skill-position guys to be more proven heading into the league will dock Benjamin for his inability to take over regularly.
34. Kyle Fuller, CB, Virginia Tech (*): Fuller belongs in the Round 1 conversation, even if his fate ultimately may be tied to what happens with Dennard, Gilbert, Verrett and Roby. The former Hokie measured in just under 6-feet tall, then ran a sub-4.5 40. The gap between him and those above him on this board is minimal, if its there at all.
35. Carlos Hyde, RB, Ohio State (↔): The odds on a running back being drafted in Round 1 seem to be growing worse by the day. Hyde was the first RB taken in Mock 5.0, at No. 42 overall. His running style is on par with what it takes to pile up yards in the NFL, and at 230-plus pounds, hes built to last.
36. Kony Ealy, DE/OLB, Missouri (↑, No. 37): CBSSports Will Brinson pointed out last weekend that Ealys 6.83 three-cone time nearly matched the 6.82 recorded a few years back by none other than LeSean McCoy, one of the shiftiest, quickest players in the league. Ealys 40 time (4.92) was nothing to write home about, and Im not sold that he can do his thing against physical NFL blockers. Yet, anyone can see why he has at least some scouts excited.
37. Dee Ford, DE/OLB, Auburn (*): Ford said twice at the combine that he is a better pass-rusher than Jadeveon Clowney. To which I respond:
.Fords inability to work out at the combine because of an old back issue throws up a red flag, though Ford maintained that hes perfectly fine now. The bigger issue in that Ford-vs.-Clowney comparison is that Ford is not as adept at stopping the run or forcing plays away from him. He might be a Round 1 choice (and a really good pro) nonetheless.
38. Austin Seferian-Jenkins, TE, Washington (↓, No. 28): Kind of painful to keep moving Seferian-Jenkins down the board, because Id still argue that he can be as effective as any other tight end in this class. He agrees.
I think I have showed Im very capable of being a playmaker down the seam and Ive shown the capability of being a blocker, he said. Im an every-down guy who can get out there immediately on the field.
The blocking ability he displayed during his Washington career does set him apart from the likes of Ebron and Amaro, who were not asked to do nearly as much in that department.
39. Derek Carr, QB, Fresno State (↔): Carrs 15 or so minutes with the media was one of the highlights of combine week. Mentally and emotionally, he may be more ready for the NFL jump than any of his QB peers, thanks in no small part to what brother David went through in Houston.
His demonstrated skills and more specifically, weaknesses make him more of a Round 2 prospect. Will a team seeking a quarterback nab him far earlier?
40. Lamarcus Joyner, CB, Florida State (*): Just spent a few minutes reading back through Big Boards 1-3 as I could have sworn Id included Joyner in the top 40 previously. Apparently, I did not, which Im ready to chalk up as an oversight. NFL teams may exclude him on height alone: Joyner stands a mere 5-8. But that size hardly proved a problem at Florida State, and Joyners dual cornerback/safety experience will be tempting.
Dropped out: Trent Murphy; Cyril Richardson; Stephon Tuitt; Kyle Van Noy.
Next 10: Van Noy; Tuitt; Richardson; Xavier Sua-Filo; Murphy; Dominique Easley; KaDeem Carey; Davante Adams; Gabe Jackson; Jimmie Ward; Troy Niklas.
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Raiderfan32904
Footballguy
http://nesn.com/2014/02/scout-greg-robinson-is-best-player-in-2014-nfl-draft-and-other-notes/
Scout: Greg Robinson Is Best Player In 2014 NFL Draft And Patriots, NFL Notes The NFL draft is still more than two months away, but now that the NFL Scouting Combine is over, some opinions have been set in stone.
Perhaps the biggest surprise that came out of Indianapolis this week is that South Carolina defensive end Jadeveon Clowney isn’t the consensus “best player in the draft.” I spoke with an NFL team’s scout on the phone after the combine, and he said Auburn offensive tackle Greg Robinson should be the No. 1 overall pick.
“If you’re picking between Clowney and Robinson, you’re taking Robinson,” the scout said. “He’s beyond special.”
Robinson ran the 40-yard dash in 4.92 seconds at 6-foot-5, 332 pounds. The scout cited Robinson’s performance against Missouri, when he dominated projected first-round defensive end Kony Ealy, as proof that the offensive tackle is “the best offensive lineman in the last 20 years.”
Scout: Greg Robinson Is Best Player In 2014 NFL Draft And Patriots, NFL Notes The NFL draft is still more than two months away, but now that the NFL Scouting Combine is over, some opinions have been set in stone.
Perhaps the biggest surprise that came out of Indianapolis this week is that South Carolina defensive end Jadeveon Clowney isn’t the consensus “best player in the draft.” I spoke with an NFL team’s scout on the phone after the combine, and he said Auburn offensive tackle Greg Robinson should be the No. 1 overall pick.
“If you’re picking between Clowney and Robinson, you’re taking Robinson,” the scout said. “He’s beyond special.”
Robinson ran the 40-yard dash in 4.92 seconds at 6-foot-5, 332 pounds. The scout cited Robinson’s performance against Missouri, when he dominated projected first-round defensive end Kony Ealy, as proof that the offensive tackle is “the best offensive lineman in the last 20 years.”
Bob Magaw
Footballguy
Pat Kirwan's latest mock posted today.
http://www.cbssports.com/nfl/draft/mock-draft/expert/pat-kirwan
http://www.cbssports.com/nfl/draft/mock-draft/expert/pat-kirwan
voiceofunreason
Footballguy
Bigboy10182000
Footballguy
Bob Magaw
Footballguy
http://www.rotoworld.com/headlines/cfb/30063/scouts-comparing-greg-robinson-to-larry-allen?rw=1
ESPN's Adam Schefter reports that scouts are comparing Auburn T Greg Robinson to Hall-of-Famer Larry Allen.
"After watching Auburn OT Greg Robinson, some NFL scouts have compared him to former Cowboys Hall-of-Fame Larry Allen," Schefter tweeted. Like Larry Allen, Robinson is an absolute mauler when it comes to run blocking. He has the ability to dominate defensive lineman with brute force and has the athleticism to get to the second level. Our own Josh Norris believes that Robinson will be the first offensive lineman off the board.
snogger
Footballguy
Bigboy10182000 said:
I'd take "Cutler" like skills without the attitude as the starting QB for the Vikings. 
My view on Carr is jaded as I only watched one game of his, and that was the "disastrous" bowl game where he looked like a deer in headlights when the rush got to him.
Not sure if that is "trainable" or not.
Bob Magaw
Footballguy
How good is Darqueze Dennard?
Cross-posted from a mock thread.
Excerpt from below report...
"The Spartan defender has more than lived up to that lofty billing. Through thirteen games during his senior campaign, Dennard has had 111 passes targeted into his area, allowing just seventeen of those tosses to be completed (15.32%) for 91 yards, as he recorded fourteen passes defended (four interceptions, ten deflections) and rerouted/jammed his man coverage assignments away from 62 of those tosses (55.86%).
[SIZE=x-small]Those receivers produced an average of 5.35 yards per reception vs. Dennard, the lowest figure by any starting defensive back since the Bowl Championship Series (BCS) era began in 1998. He also held the opposition to an average of 0.8198 yards per pass attempt.[/SIZE]
[SIZE=x-small]That pass attempt figure is the lowest ever recorded by any college player since The NFL Draft Report, a scouting information service, began compiling in-depth statistical reports for the league in 1968. In fact, only two other players went through an entire season allowing less that one yard per pass attempt. [/SIZE]
[SIZE=x-small]Jim Marsalis of Tennessee State, held those receivers to just 0.969 yards per attempt in 1968. Marsalis was selected in the first round of the 1969 NFL Draft by the Kansas City Chiefs, earning league Defensive Rookie of the Year honors that season. He started for the Chiefs throughout the 1976 season before ending his career as a member of the New Orleans Saints in 1977.[/SIZE]
[SIZE=x-small]Marsalis was later followed by Deion Sanders of Florida State in 1988 (0.935 yard average), as the two-time NFC Defensive Player of the Year made his professional debut with the Atlanta Falcons in 1989 after they selected him in the first round of the draft. He played for Atlanta until 1993, spending time with San Francisco (1994), Dallas (1995-1999) and Washington (2000) before ending his NFL career with Baltimore (2004-2005)."[/SIZE]
[SIZE=x-small]http://spartannation.com/2013/12/20/the-amazing-in-depth-nfl-analysis-of-spartan-cb-darqueze-dennard-a-must-read-courtesy-of-the-nfl-draft-report/[/SIZE]
Cross-posted from a mock thread.
Excerpt from below report...
"The Spartan defender has more than lived up to that lofty billing. Through thirteen games during his senior campaign, Dennard has had 111 passes targeted into his area, allowing just seventeen of those tosses to be completed (15.32%) for 91 yards, as he recorded fourteen passes defended (four interceptions, ten deflections) and rerouted/jammed his man coverage assignments away from 62 of those tosses (55.86%).
[SIZE=x-small]Those receivers produced an average of 5.35 yards per reception vs. Dennard, the lowest figure by any starting defensive back since the Bowl Championship Series (BCS) era began in 1998. He also held the opposition to an average of 0.8198 yards per pass attempt.[/SIZE]
[SIZE=x-small]That pass attempt figure is the lowest ever recorded by any college player since The NFL Draft Report, a scouting information service, began compiling in-depth statistical reports for the league in 1968. In fact, only two other players went through an entire season allowing less that one yard per pass attempt. [/SIZE]
[SIZE=x-small]Jim Marsalis of Tennessee State, held those receivers to just 0.969 yards per attempt in 1968. Marsalis was selected in the first round of the 1969 NFL Draft by the Kansas City Chiefs, earning league Defensive Rookie of the Year honors that season. He started for the Chiefs throughout the 1976 season before ending his career as a member of the New Orleans Saints in 1977.[/SIZE]
[SIZE=x-small]Marsalis was later followed by Deion Sanders of Florida State in 1988 (0.935 yard average), as the two-time NFC Defensive Player of the Year made his professional debut with the Atlanta Falcons in 1989 after they selected him in the first round of the draft. He played for Atlanta until 1993, spending time with San Francisco (1994), Dallas (1995-1999) and Washington (2000) before ending his NFL career with Baltimore (2004-2005)."[/SIZE]
[SIZE=x-small]http://spartannation.com/2013/12/20/the-amazing-in-depth-nfl-analysis-of-spartan-cb-darqueze-dennard-a-must-read-courtesy-of-the-nfl-draft-report/[/SIZE]
Interesting info Bob. Thanks.
I thought the OK St guy was the top CB. This, right here, is enough to pick him first instead.
I'm concerned with the CB position not evolving just yet to have taller CBs. (I think it's inevitable) Do you think this is a prob?
Gilbert or Dennard on Calvin? If Stafford throws a lob do they have a chance? One of them on AJ Green?
Julio is 6-3 and plays like he's taller....on him?
In the top 20, I only see two guys 6-1, just outside there's a 6-2 guy.
Bob Magaw
Footballguy
Gilbert is the better ATHLETE of the two, and maybe a better fit in some systems (he is also one of the best returners in the class).
Dennard was an All State WR as a prep, and no slouch as an athlete himself, he has ball skills. Another stat I saw and was reminded of in the Post-combine mock thread - out of 31 pass attempts beyond 15 yards against Dennard, only 3 were completed.
CBs as tall as Sherman but with his agility and instincts are rare. I'd rather have Dennard than a tall but less talented CB. For an example, reportedly TEN was looking to replace the shorter Verner with a taller CB in the 2013 preseason, but Verner retained his job because he was a playmaker and just an overall better player. He had a career season, made the Pro Bowl and could be one of the most coveted CBs in free agency (don't think TEN is expected to re-sign him).
While Calvin has a ridiculous height advantage, it isn't as simple as heaving it downfield and let him sky for it or he would have 20-30 TDs every year. You have to scheme around him, double team him. DBs can't just run through him without playing the ball, but that works both ways. If the defense has high/low bracket coverage, Johnson can't run through the safety, either, so if they get good position ahead of the ball, that can be the best defense for a WR like him. Jump balls require fairly precise timing and accuracy, which can be difficult in practice.
Sherman and Dennard also are great at what they do in being physical with WRs and disrupting their timing and rerouting them, which really throws a monkey wrench into the passing game.
* We were talking about CBs, but safeties have to cover, too. Safeties with size like Vaccaro and Reid last year and Clinton--Dix this year are coveted (Pryor could get dinged for "shrinking" from 6'2" to 5'11"). But four of the best safeties I've seen in the past decade are Ed Reed (5'11"), Troy Polamalu (5'10"), Earl Thomas (5'10") and Bob Sanders (5'8"). But they have/had telepathic instincts and are freaky athletes (latter three sub-4.4, and Polamalu and Sanders 40"+ VJs).
Lamarcus Joyner (5'8") is an interesting prospect. After playing safety the previous two years, he played CB last season, which was probably smart, as he may be viewed more as a nickel CB by NFL personnel-types. But perhaps Honey Badger's (5'9") success at FS will cause some to rethink rigid positional size demarcations at safety, as Russell Wilson did at QB?
** If Dennard goes to DET, he'll only have to face Calvin in practice (which will be good training for him)!
Dennard was an All State WR as a prep, and no slouch as an athlete himself, he has ball skills. Another stat I saw and was reminded of in the Post-combine mock thread - out of 31 pass attempts beyond 15 yards against Dennard, only 3 were completed.
CBs as tall as Sherman but with his agility and instincts are rare. I'd rather have Dennard than a tall but less talented CB. For an example, reportedly TEN was looking to replace the shorter Verner with a taller CB in the 2013 preseason, but Verner retained his job because he was a playmaker and just an overall better player. He had a career season, made the Pro Bowl and could be one of the most coveted CBs in free agency (don't think TEN is expected to re-sign him).
While Calvin has a ridiculous height advantage, it isn't as simple as heaving it downfield and let him sky for it or he would have 20-30 TDs every year. You have to scheme around him, double team him. DBs can't just run through him without playing the ball, but that works both ways. If the defense has high/low bracket coverage, Johnson can't run through the safety, either, so if they get good position ahead of the ball, that can be the best defense for a WR like him. Jump balls require fairly precise timing and accuracy, which can be difficult in practice.
Sherman and Dennard also are great at what they do in being physical with WRs and disrupting their timing and rerouting them, which really throws a monkey wrench into the passing game.
* We were talking about CBs, but safeties have to cover, too. Safeties with size like Vaccaro and Reid last year and Clinton--Dix this year are coveted (Pryor could get dinged for "shrinking" from 6'2" to 5'11"). But four of the best safeties I've seen in the past decade are Ed Reed (5'11"), Troy Polamalu (5'10"), Earl Thomas (5'10") and Bob Sanders (5'8"). But they have/had telepathic instincts and are freaky athletes (latter three sub-4.4, and Polamalu and Sanders 40"+ VJs).
Lamarcus Joyner (5'8") is an interesting prospect. After playing safety the previous two years, he played CB last season, which was probably smart, as he may be viewed more as a nickel CB by NFL personnel-types. But perhaps Honey Badger's (5'9") success at FS will cause some to rethink rigid positional size demarcations at safety, as Russell Wilson did at QB?
** If Dennard goes to DET, he'll only have to face Calvin in practice (which will be good training for him)!
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Sabertooth
Footballguy
For the records, that's around where Dalton and Kaepernick went. Doesn't necessarily mean they aren't going to be sold pros.
This is about how I feel, a pretty underwhelming class. Bortles, Manziel, and Bridgewater all have large flaws. IMO, Bortles probably has the best prospects but needs to sit for a year or two.
JetMaxx
Footballguy
Calling it here, Cowboys will trade up for Clowney. I think Jones feels like the division is slipping away to the Eagles' high powered offense and the only thing to keep the Cowboys in the game is a blockbuster move for the draft's elite talent at DE. Did it before for Claiborne.
msommer
Footballguy
Don't think they have the ammo to move up to #1/2.
Their first pick (#16) is too far down
Soulfly3
Footballguy
Sure if they give up Dez and a couple 1sts...
Rams, or anyone top 3 aint moving that far down for less than a King's ransom
Raiderfan32904
Footballguy
http://www.cbssports.com/nfl/draft/nfl-draft-scout/24457334/nfl-draft-top-50-draft-board-20
Updated top 50 draft board by Dane Brugler. Highly recommend giving Dane a twitter follow. Later this spring right before the draft he gives out his free draft guide to anyone who is willing to tweet back their email address. Last year's guide was very informative and timely to have during the draft.
Updated top 50 draft board by Dane Brugler. Highly recommend giving Dane a twitter follow. Later this spring right before the draft he gives out his free draft guide to anyone who is willing to tweet back their email address. Last year's guide was very informative and timely to have during the draft.
Raiderfan32904
Footballguy
Andy Dufresne
Footballguy
FunkyPlutos
Footballguy
My comments have nothing to do with Robinson's abilities and everything to do with the fact that Houston already has a 2 time All Pro LT in Duane Brown.
Yenrub
Footballguy
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