Bob McGinn has a great series where he ranks players according to what scouts tell him. Here ar the write ups of player we took that made the top 10 at their position.
1. KARL JOSEPH, West Virginia (5-9 ½, 206, 4.55, 2): Possibly the hardest hitter in the draft. "He will separate you from your helmet," said one scout. "He hits you, the play is over. He's knocked out I think eight people in his career. For a guy that is an absolute meteorite as a tackler, he's a pretty good tackler, too. Before he got hurt this year he had five interceptions in (four) games. His biggest questions are height and prolonged durability." Suffered a torn ACL in practice but is on schedule to play this season. "Love this kid," said another scout. "Bright, humble. He's built well, he will hold up physically and he can cover." Started 42 games, finishing with 194 tackles (16 ½ for loss), 9 picks and 8 PBUs. "Oh, man, he's tough as hell," said a third scout. "He's something else." From Orlando, Fla. Wonderlic of 18.
7. JIHAD WARD, Illinois (6-5, 298, 5.10, 2): Two years of junior college followed by two years (25 starts) for the Illini. “From North Philly. I don’t know how he made it out,” one scout said. “It’s not really natural to him but I can see the growth in the kid. There’s a guy who will give you everything he’s got. He made a play against Iowa where he ran 50 yards down the field and knocked the quarterback out of bounds. I’m taking that kid in the second. He’s a 5-technique with 3-technique nickel rush.” Finished with 104 tackles (12 1/2 for loss) and 4 ½ sacks. Calls Green Bay’s Julius Peppers his favorite player. “Little bit between an end and a tackle,” a second scout said. “He’s got all the physical stuff you look for but you don’t see enough on tape. His ability to learn it and take it to the field and produce ... maybe they’ve moved him around too much and he’s not capable of doing that.”
9. SHILIQUE CALHOUN, Michigan State (6-4 ½, 250, 4.84, 2): Three-year starter, two-time captain. “He’s kind of got a little Michael Oher situation in his background,” one scout said. “Surrogate parents. He’s a good kid, no character issues, but they spoiled him a little bit. I think they overdid it and made him too soft. I just wanted to see the killer instinct. I just want to see a little more toughness.” From Middletown, N.J. Finished with 131 tackles (44 for loss) and 27 sacks, second in Spartans’ history. “In that body is a pretty good football player if he was able to put it in gear,” another scout said. “Questionable urgency. Stays on blocks too long and kind of watches things. More of a slippery, finesse type run defender.” Ran a disappointing 40 at the combine. “I don’t think he has a heart,” a third scout said. “I’ve been burned too many times by guys that don’t play hard.”
4. CONNOR COOK, Michigan State (6-4, 216, 4.79, 1-2): Three-year starter and winningest QB (34-5) in Spartans' history. "He has a great release and he improved his feet last year," one scout said. "He won a whole hell of a lot of games. What All-Americans did they have on offense this year with the exception of the left tackle (Jack Conklin), who missed about four (actually two) games? Could he fail? Yes, because I don't really know what his mental makeup is. He has talent." Broke many records set by Kirk Cousins, a three-year captain at MSU from 2009-'11 who is regarded as an all-time leader. "Let's put it this way: he's not Kirk Cousins," another scout said. "The person kills him. Selfish. He goes out too much. It's a tell-tale sign when your teammates don't like you, and I know they don't. He's good, but that position is more than physical attributes. It's also leadership. Is he going to lead your guys? I don't think so. He'll be a starter but I don't think he can lead you to the promised land." Fifth-year senior from Hinckley, Ohio. Passer rating was 95.2, Wonderlic was 25. "He stinks," a third scout said. "Wildly inaccurate (57.5% career). Average arm, average mobility, average field vision. Not a leader. Not aware. Someone will take him in the second, third or fourth round and he's going to disappoint. The owner needs to fire the GM right after they pick him if someone takes him in the first. But when the Buffalo Bills took EJ Manuel in the first, all bets are off."
10. VADAL ALEXANDER, Louisiana State (6-5, 326, 5.58, 5): Voted LSU's co-MVP on offense with RB Leonard Fournette after moving from guard to RT. "It wasn't fair to him this year at tackle because he's not a real good athlete," said one scout. "He is really a powerful person." His 46 starts include 25 at LG, 20 at RT and one at LT. "His feet are all right at guard," a second scout said. "He might have trouble during some one-on-one drills in camp but he'll end up mauling you. He'll do all right. There's been a lot of guards like that." Added a third scout: "Needs hard coaching. Once he engages he'll work to finish. Not a bad athlete considering how fat he is." From Buford, Ga.
This might be my new team name.
