DYNASTY: Top 2013 College Prospects (1 Viewer)

[Time Kibitzer]

Rough day at the office for Geno Smith and the WVU receivers.

Not the case for Matt Barkley and the USC receivers. 19/20 passing for 298 yards and 6 TDs for Barkley. 100+ yards each for Woods and Lee, with Woods getting into the end zone 4 times.

Caught a bit of the LSU/A&M game. LSU's defense really exposed A&M's hyped up freshman phenom Johnny Manziel. Against a fast team like that, he didn't look like a special player.

Speaking of LSU, they have a pretty stacked group of tailbacks. 3-4 guys who might be able to make an NFL roster someday.

Looking into the future, some of the 2014-2015 running backs making some noise this season...

Johnathan Gray, Texas

Ameer Abdullah, Nebraska

Jeremy Hill, LSU

TJ Yeldon, Alabama

Jawan Jamison, Rutgers

These guys won't all end up as elite pro prospects when the dust settles, but at least there is some talent coming down the pipeline.

Jamison is a redshirt sophomore, and I believe I read on rotoworld a couple weeks back that he's already said he's leaning towards entering the draft at the end of this year.

 

[Time Kibitzer]

Gio Bernard has been beasting these past few weeks, 200+ yards from scrimmange in 3 straight weeks. Is this guy supplanting Lattimore as the #1 back in the draft for this year? Lattimore hasn't seemed to improve much since his freshman season..

 

[EBF]

Rough day at the office for Geno Smith and the WVU receivers.

Not the case for Matt Barkley and the USC receivers. 19/20 passing for 298 yards and 6 TDs for Barkley. 100+ yards each for Woods and Lee, with Woods getting into the end zone 4 times.

Caught a bit of the LSU/A&M game. LSU's defense really exposed A&M's hyped up freshman phenom Johnny Manziel. Against a fast team like that, he didn't look like a special player.

Speaking of LSU, they have a pretty stacked group of tailbacks. 3-4 guys who might be able to make an NFL roster someday.

Looking into the future, some of the 2014-2015 running backs making some noise this season...

Johnathan Gray, Texas

Ameer Abdullah, Nebraska

Jeremy Hill, LSU

TJ Yeldon, Alabama

Jawan Jamison, Rutgers

These guys won't all end up as elite pro prospects when the dust settles, but at least there is some talent coming down the pipeline.

Jamison is a redshirt sophomore, and I believe I read on rotoworld a couple weeks back that he's already said he's leaning towards entering the draft at the end of this year.

Didn't know that. Good news. He looks like a pretty good prospect. Some other draft-eligible RBs showing well this season:

Stepfan Taylor, Stanford

Andre Ellington, Clemson

Gio Bernard, North Carolina

Ladarius Perkins, Missippi State

Add in names like Marcus Lattimore, Joseph Randle, Robbie Rouse, Silas Redd, Ray Graham, and Curtis McNeal and this draft is potentially pretty deep with draftable RB prospects. What it lacks is a solid, bankable 1st round prospect. I think Mike Dyer would've been that guy, but he is off the map for the time being.

Taylor had some filthy cuts today on his TD run. If he were just a touch faster I would be really excited about his pro prospects, but he doesn't always pop off the screen like an elite player. On his better days he reminds of guys like Ray Rice and Ahmad Bradshaw with his instant cuts and footwork though.

 

[EBF]

Gio Bernard has been beasting these past few weeks, 200+ yards from scrimmange in 3 straight weeks. Is this guy supplanting Lattimore as the #1 back in the draft for this year? Lattimore hasn't seemed to improve much since his freshman season..

By default maybe just because this class is so weak. The most impressive thing about Bernard is that he just seems to produce every time he gets a chance. You check his box scores and he's busting long runs and catches every game. His yards per touch must be off the charts. He seems to have really good vision and is also pretty nifty with his cuts and footwork. He is compact and efficient. Negatives would be size, power, and durability. He has already torn his ACL once and been knocked out of a game with a concussion. He is a little guy and I would worry about his ability to hold up in a full-time role at the next level. At his best he reminds me of DeAngelo Williams, but he looks smaller and his performances don't always impress me as much as his stats. I think he's a 2nd-3rd rounder and not a can't-miss prospect.

 

[CalBear]

Taylor had some filthy cuts today on his TD run.

Yeah, bite me. He does look the part, certainly. Maybe not a top-notch talent but probably able to contribute and maybe start in the NFL.Cal Bears updates:Keenan Allen had a great punt return after receiving the ball with only one step between him and the gunner. Other than that he didn't have a particularly notable day and he lost a fumble. He did have one ridiculous catch on fourth down late in the game where he elevated impossibly high over two defenders. CJ Anderson showed really remarkable receiving skills on two tough catches. He wasn't able to do anything on the ground against Stanford's front seven, although he did pick up a fourth down conversion.Brendon Bigelow also lost a fumble but had the best catch and run of the day, reaching out to grab the ball at full speed, and bowling over a defender and staying up for a 31-yard gain. He also was a blade of grass away from taking a kickoff back all the way. Next year he'll likely be starting and you'll hear him being compared to Jahvid Best. He doesn't have Best's ridiculous lateral cuts, but he has a lot of speed and some nice spin moves.

 

[EBF]

Forgot to mention James White when I was talking about the draft-eligible RBs. He had a massive game today. His career hasn't progressed quite like I would have expected after his big freshman year, but he still looks like a quality prospect with potential to contribute on Sundays. If he bolts after this year, it will add some compelling depth to this rookie class.

 

[EBF]

A few other draft-eligible guys doing well this year:WR Markus Wheaton, Oregon State - Bumping up his stock with a solid year. Doesn't look like a lock to become a starter at the next level, but certainly has enough ability to get drafted. I'm guessing he's a 3rd-4th round pick.

Caught bits of the Oregon State/Utah game. This guy was the best skill player on the field. Quick off the snap and got open at will. He is similar in style to Chad Johnson. Apparently he's on the Oregon State track team and has been clocked in the 10.5 range in the 100m. With that being the case, I'd look for him to clock in the 4.35-4.40 range at the combine and actually end up being something like an early 2nd round pick in April. He had 900+ yards last year and has made strides since then. I wouldn't say he's an awesome talent or anything, but certainly a legitimate prospect with starting potential and no obvious major warts.

 

[Faust]

NFL Draft Prospect Rankings - Seniors

NFL Draft Prospect Rankings - Juniors

NFL Draft Prospect Rankings - Sophomores

NFL Draft Prospect Rankings - Freshmen

 

[Faust]

NFL draft risers, sliders: Week 8

Tony Pauline

The second half of the college football season begins with several top match-ups between conference foes. Scouts have also witnessed a number of outstanding performances from lesser-known prospect and even a few players they ignored entering the season. (* - underclassman)

Risers

Giovani Bernard*/RB/North Carolina: Bernard turned in a premiere performance during the Tar Heels loss to interstate rival Duke. His stats included 160 yards rushing on 24 carries (6.1 yard average) with a score. Bernard also added five receptions for 63 yards with another touchdown. He's a patient ball carrier with outstanding vision and football instincts. Bernard runs with great balance and easily strings several moves together over the course of a run, eluding defenders and creating yardage. He's a terrific talent with a bright NFL future.

Tavarres King/WR/Georgia: King suffered from a string of subpar performances before his breakout game against Kentucky. The sure-handed pass catcher hauled in nine passes for 188 yards and two scores during the Georgia victory. He has flashed skill throughout his college career but has yet to pull the pieces together. King offers potential as a fifth receiver at the next level and can climb into the middle part of the draft's final day if he builds upon the Kentucky contest.

Josh Evans/S/Florida: Evans continues to prove himself to be one of the better run defending safety prospects in the nation. He lead the Gators with seven tackles during the victory over South Carolina, which gives him a team-leading 44 tackles this season. Evans is a hard-hitting prospect who covers well between the numbers. He's a good fit as a late-round pick for a team which will employ him in a zone system.

Luke Joeckel*/T/Texas A&M: The Aggies suffered a devastating loss against conference foe LSU, yet Joeckel stood out. The junior left tackle shut down Barkevious Mingo and Sam Montgomery, a pair of Tiger pass rushers destined to be first-round picks next April. Handling Mingo and Montgomery was impressive, yet Joeckel's ability to stop the oncoming blitz really stood out. He's a tall blind side protector who plays fundamentally sound football. Joeckel is a prospect who should quickly start at the next level.

Alec Lemon/WR/Syracuse: Lemon, considered a late-round pick by NFL scouts, shook off an early-season leg injury and has come into his own the past few weeks. His performance against Connecticut was his most impressive this year as the sure-handed wide out finished with eight receptions for 166 yards and a score. The Huskies line up a pair of talented cornerbacks in their secondary, two players expected to be top 100 choices (Blidi Wreh-Wilson and Dwayne Gratz) yet they were unable to stop Lemon at any point. Lemon offers the skill level to line up as a fourth receiver at the next level and his fast 40 times prior to the draft could push him into the middle rounds.

Joseph Randle*/RB/Oklahoma State: NFL scouts have been disappointed by the play of this year's running back class, but Randle is one ball carrier meeting expectations. He's rushed for more than 100 yards in all but a single contest this year. His most recent effort included 151 yards and two scores on 24 carries (6.3 yard average) against Iowa State, which boasts one of the better run defenses in the Big 12. Randle plays with an explosive style, quickly getting through the running lanes then beating defenders into the open field. He lacks the size desired for a feature runner in the NFL, yet possesses enough skill to produce as a rotational ball carrier.

Will Davis/CB/Utah State: The senior was graded as a free agent prior to the season yet scouts are rethinking that opinion. Davis has done a terrific job shutting down opponents all year and has 11 pass defenses to his credit. He's also a cornerback who is not afraid to mix it up and has registered 30 tackles in seven games this season. Davis possesses the size/speed numbers necessary as well as the skill to play on Sundays. He's moved into the later rounds and offers possibilities in nickel/dime coverage.

Taylor Reed/LB/SMU: Reed was barely mentioned in scouting circles entering the season, a surprising development considering the linebacker posted 145 tackles as a sophomore then followed it up with 101 as a junior. This year the feisty defender has improved his play in coverage and has been a nuisance rushing the passer. This was evident during Mustangs' blowout victory over Houston as Reed intercepted two passes, one which he returned for a touchdown, then forced another interception when he blitzed the quarterback. He lacks classic size for the next level. He shows outstanding skill in pursuit and plays smart, disciplined football. Reed will be a good addition in the late rounds for any team needing depth at linebacker and a special teams ace.

Travis Long/DE-OLB/Washington State: Long is another who was overlooked by scouts entering the season yet he's been ascending draft boards in recent weeks. He's a natural pass rusher that consistently creates havoc in the opponents backfield. Seven games into his senior season Long has already registered 7.5 sacks, 10 tackles and has broken up three passes. His dismissal by scouts entering the season is head-scratching considering Long won all-Conference honors as a junior after totaling 12 tackles for loss last year. Solid pre-draft workouts could help him land in the early part of the draft's final day.

Sliders

Justin Hunter/WR/Tennessee: Hunter was featured during this week's NFLDraft Watch and his struggles this season against top competition were highlighted. Facing off against Alabama's talented secondary, his woes continued. He was shut out during the first half and did not catch a pass until late in the third quarter when the outcome of the contest was already in hand. Hunter had a long gainer bounce off his hands in the waning minutes of the second quarter as Tennessee attempted to mount a comeback. He's a prospect with incredible physical skills, but Hunter has yet to prove he's a big time player when the pads are on.

Eric Reid*/S/LSU: Reid entered the season with high grades, yet his undisciplined play has thrown up red flags. He posted 11 tackles during the victory over Texas A&M but struggled against the pass and seemed very one-dimensional. Reid was also flagged for two bad penalties, including a 15-yard late hit penalty during the closing stages of the fourth quarter which kept the Aggies in the game. The junior possesses the skills necessary to be a big-time NFL prospect but has not shown the ability to play at a consistently high level.

Notes

• It was another terrific day for the top underclassmen at the tight end position. Tyler Eifert came up big for Notre Dame, totaling four receptions, 73 yards and a touchdown in the team's three-point victory over BYU. Stanford's Zach Ertz fared even better with six receptions for 134 yards and a touchdown as the Cardinal won "The Big Game" over California. Though there's been no official announcement, sources say the Stanford coaching staff is preparing for life without Ertz in 2013, a sure sign he'll enter the draft.

• Entering the season reports claimed NFL scouts had stamped LSU quarterback Zach Mettenberger with a first-round grade based on his play during August camp. Scouts have reevaluated their initial grade as the junior college transfer has been spotty in the teams eight games. Mettenberger seems unsure of himself in the pocket and the accuracy of his passes leaves a lot to be desired. He offers a tremendous amount of upside, but needs a lot of work on his game.

• The consensus in the scouting community is two more junior signal callers, Tyler Bray of Tennessee and Logan Thomas of Virginia Tech, would be wise to return for their senior seasons rather than opt for the NFL draft. Neither has developed as scouts expected entering the season.

 

[Faust]

Weekly Rewind: Despite loss, Texas A&M's prospects outshine LSU Tigers

By Rob Rang | The Sports Xchange/CBSSports.com

Big plays and turnovers by the skill position players for LSU and Texas A&M dictated the action in their key SEC West showdown, but from an NFL draft perspective, the most intriguing play came closer to the line of scrimmage.

With as talent-laden a team as any in the country, LSU's prospects often get the benefit of extensive media coverage. In this contest, however, a talented trio from Texas A&M proved every bit as worthy of a first round selection as their more celebrated opponents.

Though out-weighing LSU's fearsome pass rushers Sam Montgomery (6-5, 260) and Barkevious Mingo (6-4, 240) by an average of 57.5 pounds, A&M left tackle Luke Joeckel (6-6, 310) and Jake Matthews (6-5, 305) proved to be every bit as athletically gifted in shutting them down and providing the Aggies' redshirt quarterack Johnny Manziel with the clean pocket from which to attack.

Protecting Manziel's blindside, Joeckel (pronounced JOKE-ell) played as critical a role in the Aggies' gameplan as anyone. Lining up against Montgomery, the Tigers' leading pass rusher this season, Joeckel routinely met the athletic defender on the edge and simply stopped him in his tracks, showing the lateral agility to remain square, as well as the upper body strength to lock up and dominate his opponent. Joeckel was just as impressive on the few occasions when LSU elected to blitz, showing the ability to get an initial powerful punch on his primary assignment before switching off to shove the blitzing linebacker or safety.

Matthews, the son of legendary Houston Oilers and Tennessee Titan Bruce Matthews, showed similar poise, athleticism and strength as his current teammate and Hall of Fame father in easily containing the explosive Mingo. Perhaps frustrated by his inability to beat Matthews with his trademark speed, Mingo was flagged three times in the first half for being off-sides -- each of them coming while lined up opposite the Aggies' right tackle. As a point of comparison, the preseason All-American Mingo appeared to have a hand in just two tackles in the first half.

While LSU's more celebrated pass rushers were largely held in check in this contest, Texas A&M's top defender, junior defensive end Damontre Moore, used the high profile contest to pad his increasingly hard-to-ignore résumé.

Moore (pictured above chasing LSU QB Zach Mettenberger) entered this contest leading the FBS in tackles for a defensive lineman (52) as well as sacks (8.5) from an SEC defensive lineman. Perhaps even more impressive, Moore led the Aggies in tackles, tackles for loss (15) and sacks.

Prior to suffering an apparent left leg injury midway through the second quarter, Moore led an Aggies' defense that had largely dominated the LSU offense. The hyper-active 6-4, 250 pound Moore registered three tackles, including a sack and a pass broken up early in this contest and showcased his versatility while doing it, alternating between left and right defensive end, as well as looping inside to rush up the middle and even dropping off occasionally into coverage on zone blitzes. He consistently applied pressure to Mettenberger but also showed terrific effort in pursuit, beating Tigers' backs to the edge and closing on receivers from behind yards downfield.

The injury looked scary, as an LSU offensive lineman rolled up against his left leg and Moore hit the ground immediately clutching it. He walked off the field under his own power, however, and returned shortly thereafter and was every bit the menace to LSU in the second half.

Quick Hitters:

[*]As impressive as the play of Joeckel and Matthews was against LSU's speed, Michigan's Taylor Lewan matched the physical challenge presented by hated in-state rival Michigan State and their 6-6, 278 pound defensive end William Gholston. Like most rivalry games, there is a lot pride and just a little bit of resentment involved in this game. For Lewan and Gholston, however, this game may have been even more personal than for the other Wolverines and Spartans as this is the first matchup from the two since the MSU defender twice drew penalties for taking cheap shots at Lewan a year ago. Just as Lewan did in 2011, the Michigan left tackle controlled Gholston, demonstrating enough lateral agility and balance in his kick-slide to maintain the edge and the great length and strength to lock up his opponent. Gholston lacks the explosive burst to give Lewan a stiff challenge in pass protection but the Spartans also sent smaller, quicker pass rushers against Lewan, including linebackers on the blitz. Having only played on the offensive line since his senior season of high school, Lewan demonstrated the improvement in pass protection scouts are hoping to see from him to warrant the frequent comparisons he's gained to former Wolverine star Jake Long. Lewan has specifically improved in his patience as a pass blocker, recognizing spin movies and sliding laterally rather than lunging. As he has throughout much of his career, Lewan was also consistently able to knock defenders off the ball in the running game. Despite his height, the 6-7, 310 pound Lewan played with good pad level, winning the battle of leverage against Gholston and other MSU defenders.

[*]Kansas State quarterback Collin Klein entered Saturday's showdown against West Virginia viewed by many as the potential Heisman front-runner. He was not, however, highly regarded by NFL scouts as a quarterback prospect despite the fact that he possesses many of the tangible and intangible traits talent evaluators typically look for at the position. While he possesses excellent size at 6-5, 226 pounds, very good mobility, at least moderate arm strength and has improved his accuracy to all levels of the field throughout his career, Klein was largely viewed as a system quarterback who would struggle acclimating to a more traditional pro-style attack. After slicing through the Mountaineers' defense Saturday night, however, Klein may have forced scouts to take a second, longer look. Considering West Virginia's inability to slow anyone down defensively this season, one must take the poise and accuracy Klein demonstrated with more than just a grain (perhaps a bucket) of salt. Klein, nonetheless was spectacular, lofting several intermediate and deep passes into the waiting hands of his receivers and, of course, running around, past and simply through WVU defenders at will. Klein's second touchdown of the game was a perfect example of why scouts will struggle with projecting him to the next level. Nursing a 31-7 lead, Klein made one of his only poor decisions with the football, forcing it between two WVU defenders on a post to receiver Chris Harper. Klein's trademark elongated delivery gave the Mountaineers time to defend the throw. Frankly, the pass should have been an easy deflection -- or perhaps even intercepted. West Virginia's defenders didn't locate the ball, however, and it was so accurate that the pass may have stuck in Harper's face mask had he not caught it.

[*]I've highlighted the play of Oregon State's Jordan Poyer and Washington's Desmond Trufant in recent weeks but they aren't the only senior cornerbacks turning scouts' heads on the west coast thus far this season. San Diego State's Leon McFadden has lived up to his billing as the Mountain West Conference's preseason Defensive Player of the Year so far by intercepting three passes, two of which he's returned for touchdowns. The 5-10, 190 pounder demonstrated the quick feet, fluid hips and closing speed scouts are looking for at the position in a late night showdown against Nevada. Like many cornerbacks, there were times, however, when McFadden disappointed with his lack of physicality. Specifically, McFadden failed to get an strong initial jam on his assigned receiver when in press coverage and too easily gave up against offensive linemen blocking on screens. Still, McFadden, a two-time All-MWC honoree, possesses the athleticism and ball skills (eight career interceptions) to earn an invitation to a prominent senior all-star game and is expected to test well in post-season workouts. Taking his production, consistency and the relative dearth of high-ranking talent at the position this year, McFadden could surprise as a top 100 prospect this year -- just as former Aztec stars Ronnie Hillman (Denver Broncos) and Vincent Brown (San Diego Chargers) did in each of the past two NFL drafts.

 

[joey]

Nothing to add but I've been following this thread for months and wanted to say thanks for all the great work in here.

Feeling better and better about trading my 2013 1st for an extra 2012 1st.

 

[Faust]

OLT Joeckel rises to big challenge vs. LSU

Posted Oct. 21, 2012 @ 8:49 p.m. ET

By Nolan Nawrocki

In one of the best trench matchups of the season, Texas A&M junior OLT Luke Joeckel had the opportunity to square off against an LSU squad that boasts the deepest and most talented defensive line in college football, featuring a front four that is better than a handful of NFL D-lines right now.

With the Tigers able to bring pressure inside and outside and having an aggressive package of blitzes to challenge the Aggies, the odds were against Joeckel and junior ORT Jake Matthews to hold up to the challenge.

In what will serve as a signature performance for NFL evaluators, Joeckel (pronounced JOKE-el) handled the edge like a seasoned veteran, showing outstanding technique keeping his shoulders squared, and anchoring very well against the bullstrong, power-rushing Sam Montgomery.

“I think he is better than Joe Thomas and Matt Kalil,” one NFL GM said of Joeckel, comparing him to a pair of top-five picks who immediately started at left tackle in the NFL. “I have not seen all the tackles yet, but I would be shocked if there were a better tackle than (Joeckel). Just watch his bend, movement and athleticism ­— he’s fun to watch.”

The truly great tackles make the game look easy, and Joeckel did just that against the best competition he will face this season, not allowing a sack, consistently winning leverage battles and only once seeing a flag called for a high-low block he helped deliver on FS Eric Reid. Starting with the Aggies’ opening scoring drive, Joeckel was very quick to get positioning in the run game, was effective cut-blocking and helped the Aggies jump out to a 12-0 lead.

A pair of interceptions by red-hot, crazy-legged freshman QB Johnny Manziel, who leads the SEC in total offense, led to momentum-changing scores for LSU.

Tigers junior CB Tharold Simon, who was too often out of position, made the type of opportunistic play that has created a bigger profile than he consistently plays, snagging an errant pass with the Tigers clinging to a 17-12 lead and LSU scored on the next play to open a double-digit edge.

Tigers junior MLB Kevin Minter and junior WLB Lamin Barrow, who had to leave the game temporarily with an injury early on, sparked the defense in the second half making plays all over the field, for LSU to squeak out a 24-19 win.

• The production of Notre Dame TE Tyler Eifert is down considerably from a year ago in part because he has been used too much split wide and in part because young QB Everett Golson does not have the same rapport with Eifert as Tommy Rees does.

• Texas junior DE Jackson Jeffcoat will miss the rest of the season after rupturing a right pectoral muscle against Oklahoma. The son of NFL veteran DL Jim Jeffcoat, Jackson relied more on his power than speed to create pressure. In addition, Arkansas lost senior MLB Alonzo Highsmith to ligament damage in his foot, which required surgery. Highsmith, the son of the former NFL runner and current Packers scout by the same name, was the Razorbacks’ leading tackler, but his 6-0, 230-pound frame is not well-suited for the NFL game and newfound durability issues could leave him undrafted.

• Trailing Purdue 22-14 late in the fourth quarter, Ohio State was able to rally back under the direction of backup junior QB Kenny Guiton and pull off a 29-22 overtime victory to move to 8-0. Playmaking sophomore QB Braxton Miller left the game in the third quarter to be examined for a potential concussion after being slammed to the turf following a 37-yard scamper.

• For the second consecutive week, West Virginia senior QB Geno Smith struggled mightily, unable to move the ball downfield against a Kansas State defense that took away the short passing game and forced him to beat them deep. The result — Smith threw his first two interceptions of the ’12 and was noticeably frustrated in a 55-14 loss.

• Special teams have been a plus for South Carolina this season. However, in a 44-11 loss to the Gators, Gamecocks junior Ace Sanders and sophomore Damiere Byrd, the fastest player on the team, both lost fumbles (Sanders on a punt return and Byrd on a kickoff return) within four minutes late in the second quarter, setting up two touchdowns and a 21-3 deficit from which South Carolina never recovered. Also, Florida junior DT Sharrif Floyd blocked a field goal for the second consecutive week.

• Virginia Tech junior QB Logan Thomas possesses “wow” type of arm strength and physical talent. His inconsistent mechanics and footwork have detracted from his accuracy and his tendency to birddog his primary target has allowed opponents to prey on his passes, a big reason for his struggles this season. He had another forgettable performance against Clemson and has looked lost without the strong supporting cast he had a year ago.

 

[cstu]

• For the second consecutive week, West Virginia senior QB Geno Smith struggled mightily, unable to move the ball downfield against a Kansas State defense that took away the short passing game and forced him to beat them deep. The result — Smith threw his first two interceptions of the ’12 and was noticeably frustrated in a 55-14 loss.

I don't know what Geno is supposed to do when his team gets down right from the start and defenses beg WVU to run the ball. Teams are going to sell out the run to stop any chance of big play knowing WVU can't stop anyone on defense.

 

[Hersh]

bump

 

[Faust]

2013 NFL Draft: Florida State senior RB out for the season

By Dane Brugler | NFLDraftScout.com Senior Analyst

One of college football's inspiring comeback stories took an ugly turn this past weekend as Florida State senior running back Chris Thompson tore his ACL in the Seminoles' win over Miami and will miss the rest of the 2012 season. This comes one year after he suffered a near-career ending back injury last October, breaking two vertebrate in his back and missing most of his junior season.

Thompson rehabbed vigorously and made a shocking recovery to be ready for this season, enjoying a breakout performance against Wake Forest on Sept. 15 (197 rush yards on just nine carries and two touchdowns). Through seven games, he is the Seminoles leading rusher with 687 yards (7.5 average) and five touchdowns, adding 21 catches for 248 receiving yards. Thompson looked to be on his way to his fourth 100-yard rushing performance on Saturday against the Hurricanes before he suffered the left knee injury in the second quarter.

Florida State head coach Jimbo Fisher announced Thompson's injury on Monday.

“He was upset, very disappointed,” Fisher said. “Having a great year, doing everything right. He's what's right about college football. I say it all the time. But this game takes no prisoners."

Entering the season, Thompson was an afterthought for the 2013 NFL Draft because of the uncertainty with his back, but he quickly emerged as a legitimate NFL prospect, not only getting back on the field, but excelling as a ballcarrier. He proved to be one of the best athletes in college football with outstanding acceleration to explode to full speed in a flash, but also showing the patience and vision to work through a crowd. Thompson is electric whenever he touches the ball with the rare ability to create on his own when the run lane isn't there. He also proved to be effective as a return man on special teams and as a reliable pass-catcher out of the backfield.

Listed at 5 feet 8 and 187 pounds, Thompson's lack of size was always going to be an issue, but his latest injury is another concern regarding his transition to the NFL level. Prior to the ACL injury, the senior was NFLDraftScout.com's No. 14-ranked running back and projected to be drafted in the fifth round, possibly capping off a remarkable comeback from severe back injury to draft pick. Few believed he could return from the back injury and be as effective as he was this season, so it's not impossible to think Thompson could return from this ACL injury and play at the next level. But the latest injury only clouds his NFL future, especially if he's unable to work out prior to the 2013 NFL Draft, which is six months away.

Unfortunately, Thompson is just the latest example of a NFL draft prospect with exceptional athletic ability and possible early round potential who will fall on draft day and possibly go undrafted because of strong medical concerns.

As his head coach stated, “it's a very unforgiving game.”

 

[EBF]

My watch list, which is roughly in order of how I would rank them today:

Matt Barkley, USC

Geno Smith, West Virginia

Marcus Lattimore, South Carolina

Stepfan Taylor, Stanford

Giovani Bernard, North Carolina

Jawan Jamison, Rutgers

Eddie Lacy, Alabama

Silas Redd, USC

Spencer Ware, LSU

Curtis McNeal, USC

Andre Ellington, Clemson

Ladarius Perkins, Missippi State

Robbie Rouse, Fresno State

Joseph Randle, OKlahoma State

Zac Stacy, Vanderbilt

Ray Graham, Pitt

Knile Davis, Arkansas

Keenan Allen, Cal

Justin Hunter, Tennessee

Robert Woods, USC

Marcus Davis, Virginia Tech

Marquess Wilson, Washington State

Markus Wheaton, Oregon State

Stedman Bailey, West Virginia

Quinton Patton, Louisiana Tech

Terrance Williams, Baylor

Mike Davis, Texas

DeAndre Hopkins, Clemson

Ace Sanders, South Carolina

Chad Bumphis, Missippi State

Cody Hoffman, BYU

Jalen Saunders, Oklahoma

Tavon Austin, West Virginia

Kenny Stills, Oklahoma

Tyler Eifert, Notre Dame

Zach Ertz, Stanford

- Strength of the class appears to be middle round WR depth, as there are several players there like Davis, Wilson, Wheaton, and Bailey that have the potential to develop into quality pro starters. Get to know Marcus, Marquess, and Markus.

- Jamison, Bernard, and Taylor are all in the mix for rounds 2-3. I think the combine will be especially important for them. In particular, it will be interesting to see how heavy Bernard tips the scales and how fast Jamison and Taylor run.

- There's not a can't-miss prospect in this bunch. The closest thing for me would probably be Allen or Hunter, but they are not guys I would feel comfortable drafting as my WR1 in a dynasty FF league. In a strong draft class they would be 1.04-1.06 type of rookie picks, not players you'd grab with the 1.01.

- The wild card for me in this group is Mike Dyer, as I think he's probably the best RB/WR in this class on pure talent alone. However, his stock has been dropping since his freshman season and he's unlikely to even declare. Knile Davis is also an interesting name because so many people were high on him before his injuries (although I wasn't one of them). His stock has dropped, but maybe the talent is still there.

 

[SayWhat?]

- There's not a can't-miss prospect in this bunch. The closest thing for me would probably be Woods or Hunter, but they are not guys I would feel comfortable drafting as my WR1 in a dynasty FF league. In a strong draft class they would be 1.04-1.06 type of rookie picks, not players you'd grab with the 1.01.

Why is this if you have Keenan Allen ranked ahead of them in your list. Unless as you stated that list isn't really your order of preference for these prospects? Just curious.

 

[pacman_fl]

My watch list, which is roughly in order of how I would rank them today:

Geno Smith, West Virginia

Marcus Lattimore, South Carolina

Stepfan Taylor, Stanford

Jawan Jamison, Rutgers

Spencer Ware, LSU

Zac Stacy, Vanderbilt

Knile Davis, Arkansas

Justin Hunter, Tennessee

Marquess Wilson, Washington State

Quinton Patton, Louisiana Tech

Terrance Williams, Baylor

DeAndre Hopkins, Clemson

Tyler Eifert, Notre Dame

Zach Ertz, Stanford

- Strength of the class appears to be middle round WR depth, as there are several players there like Davis, Wilson, Wheaton, and Bailey that have the potential to develop into quality pro starters. Get to know Marcus, Marquess, and Markus.

- Jamison, Bernard, and Taylor are all in the mix for rounds 2-3. I think the combine will be especially important for them. In particular, it will be interesting to see how heavy Bernard tips the scales and how fast Jamison and Taylor run.

- There's not a can't-miss prospect in this bunch. The closest thing for me would probably be Woods or Hunter, but they are not guys I would feel comfortable drafting as my WR1 in a dynasty FF league. In a strong draft class they would be 1.04-1.06 type of rookie picks, not players you'd grab with the 1.01.

- The wild card for me in this group is Mike Dyer, as I think he's probably the best RB/WR in this class on pure talent alone. However, his stock has been dropping since his freshman season and he's unlikely to even declare. Knile Davis is also an interesting name because so many people were high on him before his injuries (although I wasn't one of them). His stock has dropped, but maybe the talent is still there.

Good list and I narrowed down the ones I really like or intrigue me based on where their value would be right now (because they are guys that could find their ways to the late 2nd/early 3rd of rookie drafts and offer some nice lottery picks). I agree with your comment on the middle round WRs. It seems that is always a good place to look but maybe moreso this year when I think some of those guys are better than this year's peer group. Also, there is something about Jamison that says he may be the best RB of the bunch (and I say that as someone who may be higher on Lattimore than most).As an aside, and apologies if this comes of as bad, you have made the Dyer comments at least 20 times in the last month or 2. For those of us that follow the collegian threads, we all know your stance on him (and I respect that stance) but you don't need to re-iterate so often. I know there is no harm in it but you are beating the drum too loudly at this point. Besides that, thanks for sharing the opinions

 

[Faust]

Top 20 college prospects at midseason

 

[EBF]

- There's not a can't-miss prospect in this bunch. The closest thing for me would probably be Woods or Hunter, but they are not guys I would feel comfortable drafting as my WR1 in a dynasty FF league. In a strong draft class they would be 1.04-1.06 type of rookie picks, not players you'd grab with the 1.01.

Why is this if you have Keenan Allen ranked ahead of them in your list. Unless as you stated that list isn't really your order of preference for these prospects? Just curious.

Just a brain fart. I meant to say Allen and Hunter.

 

[EBF]

As an aside, and apologies if this comes of as bad, you have made the Dyer comments at least 20 times in the last month or 2. For those of us that follow the collegian threads, we all know your stance on him (and I respect that stance) but you don't need to re-iterate so often. I know there is no harm in it but you are beating the drum too loudly at this point. Besides that, thanks for sharing the opinions

Yea, I probably sound like a broken record at this point. One of the recurring themes of this class is that it lacks a bankable difference-maker at the top, and I think Dyer's downfall is a big reason for that. In all likelihood, if he had stayed focused and out of trouble at Auburn, he would be the solid franchise RB that this class lacks (IMO Lattimore is more in line with Moreno/Beanie than Richardson/Peterson). That's why I keep mentioning him. His shadow looms over this group. He was not going to be a Richardson/Peterson either, but probably at least a Mendenhall/Mathews that you could feel good about taking with a top 3 rookie pick.

 

[Steelers4Life]

As an aside, and apologies if this comes of as bad, you have made the Dyer comments at least 20 times in the last month or 2. For those of us that follow the collegian threads, we all know your stance on him (and I respect that stance) but you don't need to re-iterate so often. I know there is no harm in it but you are beating the drum too loudly at this point. Besides that, thanks for sharing the opinions

Yea, I probably sound like a broken record at this point. One of the recurring themes of this class is that it lacks a bankable difference-maker at the top, and I think Dyer's downfall is a big reason for that. In all likelihood, if he had stayed focused and out of trouble at Auburn, he would be the solid franchise RB that this class lacks (IMO Lattimore is more in line with Moreno/Beanie than Richardson/Peterson). That's why I keep mentioning him. His shadow looms over this group. He was not going to be a Richardson/Peterson either, but probably at least a Mendenhall/Mathews that you could feel good about taking with a top 3 rookie pick.

A healthy Lattimore is easily on the Mendenahll/Matthews level of talent. Not exceptional anything, but good at everything with good vision and RB instincts. Dyer would be a nice addition to the class for anyone that still believes in him.

 

[pacman_fl]

As an aside, and apologies if this comes of as bad, you have made the Dyer comments at least 20 times in the last month or 2. For those of us that follow the collegian threads, we all know your stance on him (and I respect that stance) but you don't need to re-iterate so often. I know there is no harm in it but you are beating the drum too loudly at this point. Besides that, thanks for sharing the opinions

Yea, I probably sound like a broken record at this point. One of the recurring themes of this class is that it lacks a bankable difference-maker at the top, and I think Dyer's downfall is a big reason for that. In all likelihood, if he had stayed focused and out of trouble at Auburn, he would be the solid franchise RB that this class lacks (IMO Lattimore is more in line with Moreno/Beanie than Richardson/Peterson). That's why I keep mentioning him. His shadow looms over this group. He was not going to be a Richardson/Peterson either, but probably at least a Mendenhall/Mathews that you could feel good about taking with a top 3 rookie pick.

This is where I go back to the Jamison comments. I think there is enough there (on the surface today) to think there is Mendenhall upside if not possibly Rice/Matthews. Though I hate comparing runners, there is something about him that reminds me of Rice's measured approach (patience) and vision. Then again, we could find out he is Polk/Pierce all over again. I think Lattimore has a great upside too but I understand group think is different and only time will tell there. I, too, like Taylor and he reminds me a bit of Martin but I am not sure the burst/long speed is there to move him to the upper echelon. He seems strong enough and I would think he could be a volume guy but they don't really exist any longer. You have seen more of him, what do you think?

 

[EBF]

I, too, like Taylor and he reminds me a bit of Martin but I am not sure the burst/long speed is there to move him to the upper echelon. He seems strong enough and I would think he could be a volume guy but they don't really exist any longer. You have seen more of him, what do you think?

Well, that's the million dollar question with him. He has a lot of the qualities that I look for in an NFL back. Good hips and footwork. Good balance. Elusive. Productive. Stocky build with a strong base. On his good days he looks a lot like Ray Rice or Ahmad Bradshaw. I love a RB who can cut on a dime, and Taylor can do that. Check out this nasty TD against Cal from this past weekend:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9MRJzjukQPEI like his game. He's ultra productive, has an NFL-friendly running style, and is strong for his height. However, in terms of overall physical talent, he is pretty average by pro RB standards. Even though he's a stocky little dude, he still probably only weighs about 200-205. If he's going to make it as a starter in the NFL, he will need to survive based on quickness and burst. I'm not sure he's quite explosive enough to do that. He probably only runs about a 4.55 40 and while he has good quickness for the college level, his burst doesn't really pop off the screen consistently the way you would see from a guy like Jones-Drew or Rice. Taylor is going to be drafted and will make a roster, but I think there's some risk that he ends up being another Javon Ringer or JacQuizz Rodgers: a nice player who doesn't quite have the special qualities to be a starter at the NFL level.That's why I think the combine is really important for him. Obviously the tape is king and no combine numbers should override whatever your eyeballs tell you, but the numbers will give us a hint about his athletic ability, as they did for Dion Lewis and JacQuizz Rodgers (two other talented small-ish backs who have yet to make an impact at the pro level). Those guys ran mid-high 4.5 with mediocre numbers in the jumps. On the flipside, Ray Rice ran 4.42 and Jones-Drew ran 4.39. They also did better in the jumps overall. If Taylor shows up at something like 205-215 and runs in the 4.45-4.50 zero range with explosive marks in the jumping drills, I'll be a lot more optimistic about his pro potential than if he shows up at 205 and runs a 4.55 with jump numbers that don't reflect any explosiveness. So pay close attention to his weight and his speed. It will go a long way towards determining his upside. Even with bad workout numbers he could probably be productive if used in a scat-back friendly offense like the one Philadelphia has been running for years, but there aren't a lot of those jobs to go around.

 

[Xue]

I, too, like Taylor and he reminds me a bit of Martin but I am not sure the burst/long speed is there to move him to the upper echelon. He seems strong enough and I would think he could be a volume guy but they don't really exist any longer. You have seen more of him, what do you think?

Well, that's the million dollar question with him. He has a lot of the qualities that I look for in an NFL back. Good hips and footwork. Good balance. Elusive. Productive. Stocky build with a strong base. On his good days he looks a lot like Ray Rice or Ahmad Bradshaw. I love a RB who can cut on a dime, and Taylor can do that. Check out this nasty TD against Cal from this past weekend:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9MRJzjukQPEI like his game. He's ultra productive, has an NFL-friendly running style, and is strong for his height. However, in terms of overall physical talent, he is pretty average by pro RB standards. Even though he's a stocky little dude, he still probably only weighs about 200-205. If he's going to make it as a starter in the NFL, he will need to survive based on quickness and burst. I'm not sure he's quite explosive enough to do that. He probably only runs about a 4.55 40 and while he has good quickness for the college level, his burst doesn't really pop off the screen consistently the way you would see from a guy like Jones-Drew or Rice. Taylor is going to be drafted and will make a roster, but I think there's some risk that he ends up being another Javon Ringer or JacQuizz Rodgers: a nice player who doesn't quite have the special qualities to be a starter at the NFL level.That's why I think the combine is really important for him. Obviously the tape is king and no combine numbers should override whatever your eyeballs tell you, but the numbers will give us a hint about his athletic ability, as they did for Dion Lewis and JacQuizz Rodgers (two other talented small-ish backs who have yet to make an impact at the pro level). Those guys ran mid-high 4.5 with mediocre numbers in the jumps. On the flipside, Ray Rice ran 4.42 and Jones-Drew ran 4.39. They also did better in the jumps overall. If Taylor shows up at something like 205-215 and runs in the 4.45-4.50 zero range with explosive marks in the jumping drills, I'll be a lot more optimistic about his pro potential than if he shows up at 205 and runs a 4.55 with jump numbers that don't reflect any explosiveness. So pay close attention to his weight and his speed. It will go a long way towards determining his upside. Even with bad workout numbers he could probably be productive if used in a scat-back friendly offense like the one Philadelphia has been running for years, but there aren't a lot of those jobs to go around.

I dunno why you are mentioning Taylor along the likes of Rice, Lewis, and Rodgers. He's not as small as them. He's listed at 5'11", 215lbs and looks the part.I personally don't care about his combine times. I see a lot of Pierre Thomas.

 

[EBF]

Listed heights/weights/times don't mean anything. Everyone shrinks two inches at the combine. I doubt Taylor is 5'11". Probably more like 5'9".

215 would be a good weight for him if it's accurate.

 

[BeTheMatch]

Listed heights/weights/times don't mean anything. Everyone shrinks two inches at the combine. I doubt Taylor is 5'11". Probably more like 5'9". 215 would be a good weight for him if it's accurate.

He did look smaller to me too this past week, which was the most I watched of Stanford so far this year. I had thought after seeing glimpses of him earlier that he was a bigger guy.

 

[Xue]

Listed heights/weights/times don't mean anything. Everyone shrinks two inches at the combine. I doubt Taylor is 5'11". Probably more like 5'9". 215 would be a good weight for him if it's accurate.

Not everyone shrinks 2 inches. Only Trent Richardson did. Kenjon Barner is one player who I'd say is definitely not his listed 5'11". Andre Ellington was listed at 5'11" last season and now he's 5'9" this season.Even if he is 5'9", that's significantly bigger than Lewis and Rodgers.

 

[Faust]

NFL.com has their 2013 Draft Tracker up and running with some of the completed player profiles available:

QBs

RBs

WRs

TEs

 

[CalBear]

Listed heights/weights/times don't mean anything. Everyone shrinks two inches at the combine. I doubt Taylor is 5'11". Probably more like 5'9". 215 would be a good weight for him if it's accurate.

Not everyone shrinks 2 inches. Only Trent Richardson did. Kenjon Barner is one player who I'd say is definitely not his listed 5'11". Andre Ellington was listed at 5'11" last season and now he's 5'9" this season.Even if he is 5'9", that's significantly bigger than Lewis and Rodgers.

5'9" or 5'11" doesn't really matter for a RB; the real question with Taylor will be whether he's 195 or 215. There are plenty of effective short RBs if they're strong enough, but he's not fast enough to be a Chris Johnson/Jahvid Best undersized speed guy.

 

[Xue]

Listed heights/weights/times don't mean anything. Everyone shrinks two inches at the combine. I doubt Taylor is 5'11". Probably more like 5'9". 215 would be a good weight for him if it's accurate.

Not everyone shrinks 2 inches. Only Trent Richardson did. Kenjon Barner is one player who I'd say is definitely not his listed 5'11". Andre Ellington was listed at 5'11" last season and now he's 5'9" this season.Even if he is 5'9", that's significantly bigger than Lewis and Rodgers.

5'9" or 5'11" doesn't really matter for a RB; the real question with Taylor will be whether he's 195 or 215. There are plenty of effective short RBs if they're strong enough, but he's not fast enough to be a Chris Johnson/Jahvid Best undersized speed guy.

At 195, 5'9" to 5'11" is a significant difference. At 215, it isn't.Taylor is definitely not 195. He looks at least 210 to me. And he has more strength and power than CJ and Best, so I don't know why those names are brought up.At any rate, I've seen enough from Taylor to be impressed and his workout numbers aren't going to change much of my view.

 

[Xue]

My watch list, which is roughly in order of how I would rank them today:

Matt Barkley, USC

Geno Smith, West Virginia

Marcus Lattimore, South Carolina

Stepfan Taylor, Stanford

Giovani Bernard, North Carolina

Jawan Jamison, Rutgers

Eddie Lacy, Alabama

Silas Redd, USC

Spencer Ware, LSU

Curtis McNeal, USC

Andre Ellington, Clemson

Ladarius Perkins, Missippi State

Robbie Rouse, Fresno State

Joseph Randle, OKlahoma State

Zac Stacy, Vanderbilt

Ray Graham, Pitt

Knile Davis, Arkansas

Keenan Allen, Cal

Justin Hunter, Tennessee

Robert Woods, USC

Marcus Davis, Virginia Tech

Marquess Wilson, Washington State

Markus Wheaton, Oregon State

Stedman Bailey, West Virginia

Quinton Patton, Louisiana Tech

Terrance Williams, Baylor

Mike Davis, Texas

DeAndre Hopkins, Clemson

Ace Sanders, South Carolina

Chad Bumphis, Missippi State

Cody Hoffman, BYU

Jalen Saunders, Oklahoma

Tavon Austin, West Virginia

Kenny Stills, Oklahoma

Tyler Eifert, Notre Dame

Zach Ertz, Stanford

- Strength of the class appears to be middle round WR depth, as there are several players there like Davis, Wilson, Wheaton, and Bailey that have the potential to develop into quality pro starters. Get to know Marcus, Marquess, and Markus.

- Jamison, Bernard, and Taylor are all in the mix for rounds 2-3. I think the combine will be especially important for them. In particular, it will be interesting to see how heavy Bernard tips the scales and how fast Jamison and Taylor run.

- There's not a can't-miss prospect in this bunch. The closest thing for me would probably be Allen or Hunter, but they are not guys I would feel comfortable drafting as my WR1 in a dynasty FF league. In a strong draft class they would be 1.04-1.06 type of rookie picks, not players you'd grab with the 1.01.

- The wild card for me in this group is Mike Dyer, as I think he's probably the best RB/WR in this class on pure talent alone. However, his stock has been dropping since his freshman season and he's unlikely to even declare. Knile Davis is also an interesting name because so many people were high on him before his injuries (although I wasn't one of them). His stock has dropped, but maybe the talent is still there.

Bearish on Branden Oliver now?

 

[FDC]

Gio Bernard has been beasting these past few weeks, 200+ yards from scrimmange in 3 straight weeks. Is this guy supplanting Lattimore as the #1 back in the draft for this year? Lattimore hasn't seemed to improve much since his freshman season..

I've watched every UNC game. I've decided that I just can't see Gio being a 1st rounder. The lack of size/strength and injury concerns will hold teams back IMO. I do think he will be a PPR freak one day if he remains healthy. Reminds me of Westbrook. Nice speed wiggle and balance and shows great patience/vision. He also has a great stiff arm at the college level. I'd like to see him finish runs more physically.

 

[pacman_fl]

I, too, like Taylor and he reminds me a bit of Martin but I am not sure the burst/long speed is there to move him to the upper echelon. He seems strong enough and I would think he could be a volume guy but they don't really exist any longer. You have seen more of him, what do you think?

Well, that's the million dollar question with him. He has a lot of the qualities that I look for in an NFL back. Good hips and footwork. Good balance. Elusive. Productive. Stocky build with a strong base. On his good days he looks a lot like Ray Rice or Ahmad Bradshaw. I love a RB who can cut on a dime, and Taylor can do that. Check out this nasty TD against Cal from this past weekend:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9MRJzjukQPEI like his game. He's ultra productive, has an NFL-friendly running style, and is strong for his height. However, in terms of overall physical talent, he is pretty average by pro RB standards. Even though he's a stocky little dude, he still probably only weighs about 200-205. If he's going to make it as a starter in the NFL, he will need to survive based on quickness and burst. I'm not sure he's quite explosive enough to do that. He probably only runs about a 4.55 40 and while he has good quickness for the college level, his burst doesn't really pop off the screen consistently the way you would see from a guy like Jones-Drew or Rice. Taylor is going to be drafted and will make a roster, but I think there's some risk that he ends up being another Javon Ringer or JacQuizz Rodgers: a nice player who doesn't quite have the special qualities to be a starter at the NFL level.That's why I think the combine is really important for him. Obviously the tape is king and no combine numbers should override whatever your eyeballs tell you, but the numbers will give us a hint about his athletic ability, as they did for Dion Lewis and JacQuizz Rodgers (two other talented small-ish backs who have yet to make an impact at the pro level). Those guys ran mid-high 4.5 with mediocre numbers in the jumps. On the flipside, Ray Rice ran 4.42 and Jones-Drew ran 4.39. They also did better in the jumps overall. If Taylor shows up at something like 205-215 and runs in the 4.45-4.50 zero range with explosive marks in the jumping drills, I'll be a lot more optimistic about his pro potential than if he shows up at 205 and runs a 4.55 with jump numbers that don't reflect any explosiveness. So pay close attention to his weight and his speed. It will go a long way towards determining his upside. Even with bad workout numbers he could probably be productive if used in a scat-back friendly offense like the one Philadelphia has been running for years, but there aren't a lot of those jobs to go around.

I dunno why you are mentioning Taylor along the likes of Rice, Lewis, and Rodgers. He's not as small as them. He's listed at 5'11", 215lbs and looks the part.I personally don't care about his combine times. I see a lot of Pierre Thomas.

I thought the same on his size (honestly, I had not looked it up because I like to guess at height/weight when watching and ranking and then fill that piece in last so it doesn't sway my opinion) and why I said he could be a volume guy. I think Thomas a good comparison - not elite but above average in all aspects and has the intellect to produce. I think, like Thomas, that Taylor will get some nice yards after contact even in the NFL. All the same, if he is seen as a Thomas level talent, he may find himself in a similar timeshare.

 

[Faust]

2013 Top NFL Draft Prospects (updated 10/23/2012)

 

[Faust]

Risers and Fallers - Dane Brugler -- (Updated 10/23/2012)

 

[Faust]

Never too early for some Mock Drafts with analysis:

Rob Rang NFL Mock Draft - 10/22/2012

Dane Brugler NFL Mock Draft - 10/23/2012

Interesting snippet from Dane Brugler's mock:

Cordarrelle Patterson, WR, Tennessee: With the Seahawks relying on Braylon Edwards to be one of their top contributors, receiver is obviously a need position. Patterson jumped flawlessly from the JUCO ranks to the SEC and is now considered a first round possibility.

 

[Concept Coop]

I am really hoping Bell can turn in a surprising 40 time. He looks special to me, and I would love for him to be in the 1st round mix.

 

[pacman_fl]

Interesting snippet from Dane Brugler's mock:

Cordarrelle Patterson, WR, Tennessee: With the Seahawks relying on Braylon Edwards to be one of their top contributors, receiver is obviously a need position. Patterson jumped flawlessly from the JUCO ranks to the SEC and is now considered a first round possibility.

I agree with this but I think Patterson's ranking will be all over the place ala Steven Hill. From a pure upside point of view, I would put him with Geno and Terrance Williams in my top 3. Don't think that will be the popular opinion either now or come next summer/fall.

 

[JPeso]

My watch list, which is roughly in order of how I would rank them today:

Keenan Allen, Cal

Justin Hunter, Tennessee

Robert Woods, USC

Marcus Davis, Virginia Tech

Marquess Wilson, Washington State

Markus Wheaton, Oregon State

Stedman Bailey, West Virginia

Quinton Patton, Louisiana Tech

Terrance Williams, Baylor

I know it's a rough listing, but Woods at 3 with Williams at 9 is a head scratcher.

 

[EBF]

My watch list, which is roughly in order of how I would rank them today:

Keenan Allen, Cal

Justin Hunter, Tennessee

Robert Woods, USC

Marcus Davis, Virginia Tech

Marquess Wilson, Washington State

Markus Wheaton, Oregon State

Stedman Bailey, West Virginia

Quinton Patton, Louisiana Tech

Terrance Williams, Baylor

I know it's a rough listing, but Woods at 3 with Williams at 9 is a head scratcher.

Every guy on that list is having a big year and positioning himself to be a high pick. The gaps are not massive between them at this juncture. I'm not that high on Woods, but Williams has never really popped off the screen to me when I've seen him. I'll take a closer look before the draft though.

 

[EBF]

Bearish on Branden Oliver now?

Hard to evaluate guys who aren't playing. He's been injured for weeks. If he's not on the field, he can't put up numbers. And if he can't put up numbers, he won't leave school early for the draft. I would say he's more likely to be in the 2014 draft at this point.

 

[JPeso]

My watch list, which is roughly in order of how I would rank them today:

Keenan Allen, Cal

Justin Hunter, Tennessee

Robert Woods, USC

Marcus Davis, Virginia Tech

Marquess Wilson, Washington State

Markus Wheaton, Oregon State

Stedman Bailey, West Virginia

Quinton Patton, Louisiana Tech

Terrance Williams, Baylor

I know it's a rough listing, but Woods at 3 with Williams at 9 is a head scratcher.

Every guy on that list is having a big year and positioning himself to be a high pick. The gaps are not massive between them at this juncture. I'm not that high on Woods, but Williams has never really popped off the screen to me when I've seen him. I'll take a closer look before the draft though.

That's why I specifically mentioned Woods vs. Williams. Williams seems to have the "doesn't pop" tag assessed to him, yet I leave a Woods game feeling less impressed with what I've seen.

 

[EBF]

Lattimore down. Looked REAL bad.

Like...McGahee/Peterson bad.

 

[domvin]

Gruesome.....poor kid

 

[Steed]

Looked every bit as bad as McGahee. His leg was pointing the wrong way. Barf

 

[cstu]

Lattimore down. Looked REAL bad. Like...McGahee/Peterson bad.

Frank Gore deja vu.

 

[bicycle_seat_sniffer]

yikes this was a bad draft class already.

Do any RBs even go in round1 in the NFL this coming year? Im betting no

 

[EBF]

Hmmm...dunno. This was a pretty catastrophic injury. Worse than anything Gore ever suffered. It will certainly end his season and could end his career. A massive d-lineman dove into his leg right as he was planting and basically snapped it in half at the knee. Just brutal.

 

[Heep]

Great kid. Hope he can recover. Here is the injury. Tough to watch...

Lattimore Injury