What's new
Fantasy Football - Footballguys Forums

This is a sample guest message. Register a free account today to become a member! Once signed in, you'll be able to participate on this site by adding your own topics and posts, as well as connect with other members through your own private inbox!

DYNASTY: Top 2013 College Prospects (2 Viewers)

 
'doowain said:
'EBF said:
Stepfan Taylor about to take on UCLA. Currently the #1 back on my board for 2013.
Click to expand...
I think you may be blinded by your Stanford love and PAC12 bias here.
Click to expand...
Nope. It's a weak class and he's the best overall RB of the guys who are likely to declare. He should be a 2nd rounder with decent workouts. No real flaws in his game. Just lacks amazing burst. There are several underclassmen with more upside, but I don't expect to see any of them in this draft.
 
'EBF said:
'doowain said:
'EBF said:
Stepfan Taylor about to take on UCLA. Currently the #1 back on my board for 2013.
Click to expand...
I think you may be blinded by your Stanford love and PAC12 bias here.
Click to expand...
Nope. It's a weak class and he's the best overall RB of the guys who are likely to declare. He should be a 2nd rounder with decent workouts. No real flaws in his game. Just lacks amazing burst. There are several underclassmen with more upside, but I don't expect to see any of them in this draft.
Click to expand...
Ahhhh. That makes more sense now. Didn't realize you we're leaving out the juniors and RS sophs.
 
Not leaving them out. The ones I like just aren't very likely to be in the draft, for a variety of reasons.

Of the guys who I actually expect to declare, I would rank Taylor first. It is a weak #1 though. This class is light at the top. In a typical draft he would probably be more like the 3rd-4th RB on my board. But there are no first rounders at RB this year.

 
Lots of 3-5th round backs this year. This draft has the potential to be really boring but also to improve some teams a great deal. While a team like Jacksonville or Kansas City seems a long way from being any good, getting the right players on the lines in te first two rounds could pay big dividends.

 
'EBF said:
Not leaving them out. The ones I like just aren't very likely to be in the draft, for a variety of reasons. Of the guys who I actually expect to declare, I would rank Taylor first. It is a weak #1 though. This class is light at the top. In a typical draft he would probably be more like the 3rd-4th RB on my board. But there are no first rounders at RB this year.
Click to expand...
Why would Bernard stay in school with such a weak RB class? He's probably going to be the #1 RB if he goes pro now and it's doubtful he would move his stock much higher with another year in college.
 
'cstu said:
'EBF said:
Not leaving them out. The ones I like just aren't very likely to be in the draft, for a variety of reasons. Of the guys who I actually expect to declare, I would rank Taylor first. It is a weak #1 though. This class is light at the top. In a typical draft he would probably be more like the 3rd-4th RB on my board. But there are no first rounders at RB this year.
Click to expand...
Why would Bernard stay in school with such a weak RB class? He's probably going to be the #1 RB if he goes pro now and it's doubtful he would move his stock much higher with another year in college.
Click to expand...
I don't think he'll stay in school. I just don't think he's a clear #1 in this group. I think think there is a consensus #1 RB in this class. We'll probably see 4 or 5 guys go in the 2nd-3rd round, and ranking them will come down to personal preference and situation. Bernard is up there with other options like Lacy and Taylor for me, but I don't think he's clearly better.
 
Weekly Rewind: Lights shine brightest on conference championship stars

By Rob Rang | The Sports Xchange/CBSSports.com

December 1, 2012 4:15 pm ET

For proponents of a true playoff series in FBS football, it doesn't get any better than conference championship weekend. NFLDraftScout.com tracked all of the action and highlights the players who best took advantage of the big stage to boost their NFL stock.

Alabama's Offensive Line Paves Road to BCS

Great American poet Robert Frost may have been referring to an anti-social neighbor with his poem "Mending Wall," but his opening phrase -- "Something there is that doesn't love a wall..." may have just as well captured the public and media's feelings about offensive linemen.

How else to explain the fact that virtually everyone but the Crimson Tide offensive line is getting the credit following an SEC Championship Game in which Alabama rushed for 350 yards against a normally stout and very talented Georgia defense?

Junior Eddie Lacy and freshman sensation T.J. Yeldon each clearly deserve a great deal of credit for the success. Both backs made Georgia defenders miss and, when necessary, carried them for additional yardage on multiple occasions.

As seniors, Warmack and and Jones have received plenty of attention and they proved in this contest that it is well deserved. The majority of the damage Alabama did in this game came running right up the middle.

Fluker, however, hasn't generated the attention of his interior linemates but he too could generate first round consideration if he were to leave for the NFL after this season, as some close to the program anticipate. The 6-6, 335 pounder was beaten on occasion during pass situations by Georgia outside linebacker Jarvis Jones (6-2, 242) but held up surprisingly well even when operating in reverse. When given the opportunity to run block, Fluker's mass and strength made it easy for him to turn Georgia defenders (including, but not limited to Jones) and easily pin them inside, opening up gigantic lanes on the right side.

Most scoffed at the idea when South Carolina head coach Steve Spurrier claimed Alabama could compete in the NFL. Frankly, I have my doubts about this year's version of the Crimson Tide defense being able to hold up to an NFL-caliber passing attack. Having watched this offensive line dominate every defense they've faced this season -- including this Georgia unit that features three front seven defenders ranked in my top 50 overall NFL prospects -- I do believe the Tide boasts the blockers up front to compete at the next level.

Despite Score, One Cowboy Defender Fared Well

The Oklahoma State-Baylor game played Saturday wasn't for the conference championship but for NFL scouts the Big 12 showdown of two highly explosive offenses still featured a matchup well worth paying close attention.

In large part due to the stellar play this season of two seniors -- quarterback Nick Florence and wide receiver Terrance Williams -- Baylor has averaged 44.36 points a game, good for fifth in the country. For those keeping notes at home, the Bears ranked fourth a season ago, scoring 45.31 points a game... and that was with Heisman winner Robert Griffin III and fellow first rounder Kendall Wright (Tennessee Titans) leading the charge.

The consistency of Baylor's point production is certainly a testament to its players' talent. It is also a product of head coach Art Briles' well-designed offense that spreads the field horizontally, forcing defenses to often line up in risky man to man coverage that most teams simply cannot handle. The 6-2, 205 pound Williams may have played second fiddle to Wright a year ago, but this season he's been Baylor's unquestioned star. He entered today's game leading the country with an average of 153.91 receiving yards in each game and averaging 19.02 yards per catch. In doing so, he's battled West Virginia's Tavon Austin as NFLDraftScout.com's top senior wideout all year long.

Williams may have entered the game as the headliner and certainly can take solace in the fact that his team emerged victorious, but in a one on one showdown against Cowboys' junior cornerback Justin Gilbert, the potential All-American was held to his lowest output all season long. Shadowing Williams throughout the game, Williams caught "just" six passes Saturday for 71 yards (11.8 yard average) despite being targeted 12 times.

Often, however, the offensive line of (left to right) of sophomore Cyrus Kouandjio, senior Chance Warmack, senior Barrett Jones, junior Anthony Steen and junior D.J. Fluker simply drove the Georgia defense back clearing lanes for Alabama to average a gaudy 6.9 yards on 51 attempts in this contest.

Of Williams six receptions, only one -- his first -- occurred due to a poor play by Gilbert. The Oklahoma State corner was turned around on by a nice route from Williams and, after getting back into position, had his tackle attempt broken by the Baylor wideout. After this play, however (Baylor's second from scrimmage), Gilbert locked onto Williams, providing blanket coverage and nearly intercepting a second quarter pass.

Blessed with quick feet, fluid hips and good size (6-0, 195 pounds), Gilbert quietly ranks as one of the nation's better cornerbacks. Considering his experience in the wide-open Big 12, Gilbert certainly wouldn't be shocked with the adjustment to the increasingly pass-happy NFL.

Gilbert is highly regarded in the scouting community and entered today's contest ranked as NFLDraftScout.com's No. 9 cornerback for the 2014 class. Considering that two other underclassmen -- Tyrann Mathieu and David Amerson (reportedly) -- have recently elected to make the NFL jump, don't be surprised if Gilbert considers taking his talents to the next level, as well.

Franklin Stars in Pac-12 Championship Loss

As a life-long resident of the state of Washington, I've seen an awful lot of Pac-10 (and now Pac-12) football. There have been times over the years in which the conference boasted more high-end running backs. I don't recall a year, however, in which the position was as deep with NFL prospects as this season.

Two of the conference's best were on display Friday night in the Pac-12 Championship game in Stanford's Stepfan Taylor and UCLA's Johnathan Franklin.

The 5-11, 215 pound Taylor is highly regarded by talent evaluators. Possessing a classic combination of burst, agility and power, Taylor rushed for 78 yards and a touchdown against the Bruins, setting the Stanford career record with 4,212 rushing yards in the victory. He currently ranks third on NFLDraftScout.com's list of senior running backs for the 2013 NFL draft.

Taylor was steady in the Cardinal's victory, but it was Franklin who dominated this contest, rushing for 194 yards in the game and two go-ahead touchdowns. Put simply, for as impressive as Stanford freshman quarterback Kevin Hogan was in this game, Franklin was this game's Most Valuable Player, though the Cardinal quarterback was not surprisingly given the actual award.

Franklin was dynamic, demonstrating the vision, patience, burst and lateral agility that has made him a standout runner throughout his career. He broke free for a 51-yard scamper to give the Bruins a 7-0 lead early in the first quarter and gave the team another touchdown lead heading into the final quarter with a 20-yard cut-and-go score.

Along the way, he broke school records previously held by former standouts Maurice Jones-Drew, Freeman McNeil, Karim Abdul-Jabbar and Terrence Austin (among others) for the most rushing yards in a season (1,700) most 100-yard games in a season (this was his ninth). With 216 all-purpose yards against Stanford, Franklin also took over the UCLA single-season (2,024) and career (4,697) marks in all-purpose yardage, as well.

Franklin, who currently ranks 10th on NFLDraftScout.com's list of running backs (seventh among seniors) does not possess elite size (5-10, 198 pounds) or straight-line speed (estimated at 4.55). While his production is impressive, he could be fighting an upfill battle to earn anything higher than a Day Three grade from scouts. He took a big step in doing so, however, by playing as well as he did in the final conference game of his illustrious career.
Click to expand...
 
I know that Tavon Austin is undersized, but I think he'll be a MAJOR difference maker in the NFL. Hopefully his body will hold up, and I expect him to come off the board in the Late 1st/Early 2nd.

His speed and quickness will be well-utilized in a slot receiver role while occasionally getting a few carries. Might even see some kick return duty. This is a player I will definitely be targeting.

 
NFL Draft risers, sliders: Week 14

Tony Pauline

Conference titles and BCS invitations are on the line as college football closes out the regular season. Positioning for next April's draft is also in play as NFL prospects hope to impress future employers, including a number of small school players whose college careers have already ended. Here is the final installation of NFL Draft Risers and Sliders for the 2012 season.

Risers

Jonathan Franklin/RB/UCLA: Franklin capped off a career year with a dominant performance during the Bruins heartbreaking loss in the PAC 12 title game. The versatile ball carrier posted 194 yards rushing on 19 carries against a tough Stanford defense, averaging 10.1 yards per carry. His totals for the year include 1769 yards rushing with 13 rushing touchdowns as well as 32 receptions. Franklin entered the season with mid-round grades yet his play this season will likely push him into the third round. He lacks the great mesurables (5-feet, 10-inches, 205-pounds) teams desire in a feature runner yet his multi-dimensional game makes Franklin an attractive skill player.

Anthony Barr*/LB/UCLA: Barr, like his teammate, has played lights out this season. The former fullback transitioned to linebacker in 2012 and developed into one of the most feared defenders in the PAC 12. Barr finished the season with 20.5 tackles for loss, 13.5 sacks as well as 74 tackles. He's an athletic linebacker with an NFL body and a large degree of upside to his game. Barr presently grades as a third round choice yet if the junior decides to return to Westwood for his senior season and completes his game, a first round grade in 2014 is a distinct possibility.

Jalen Saunders*/WR/Oklahoma: Saunders got a late start to the season as the Fresno State transfer sat out the initial four games of 2012 due to NCAA regulations. He looked ready for prime time once he stepped on the field in mid-October and shook off the rust. Saunders combined for 24 receptions, 393 receiving yards and 3 touchdowns during the season's final three games, leading the Sooners down the stretch. He's a terrific slot receiver prospect for the next level and offers potential as a return specialist. It would be a mild surprise if he exits for the 2013 NFL Draft but Saunders will be highly rated moving towards his senior campaign.

Quanterus Smith/DE-OLB/Western Kentucky: Scouts ranked Smith as a late round prospect entering the 2012 campaign yet the pass rushing specialist exceeded expectations as a senior. Smith finished the year with 18.5 tackles for loss as well as 12.5 sacks. He's a bit one-dimensional and best making plays up the field but teams are always looking for a disruptive pass rusher which could help push Smith into the middle rounds.

Ivory Wade/C/Baylor: Wade did not receive much attention entering the season yet his play this year has scouts talking. He was a two year starter at right tackle before moving to center this season and Wade has displayed a complete game on the pivot. He blocks with sound fundamentals and shows smarts in his entire game. Wade is effective on the line of scrimmage or blocking in motion. He'll be solid value in the late rounds for a zone blocking offense.



Robert Alford/CB-RS/Southeastern Louisiana: Scouts have come out of Hammond, Louisiana raving about Alford and a few stamped the FBS prospect as a top 45 pick. Alford offers NFL size and next level ball skills. The ability to shut down receivers forces opposing quarterback to throw away from Alford. He's also a game-changing punt returner that's a threat to take it the distance whenever the ball is in his hands. Alford will be closely monitored leading up to the draft and is a player people will quickly come to know.

Luke Marquardt/T/Azusa Pacific: The NAIA prospect struggled with a misdiagnosed foot injury this season yet is still highly considered in scouting circles. His college position coach, former All-Pro lineman Jackie Slater, has likened Marquardt to Nate Solder, starting left tackle for the New England Patriots. Ironically others have compared him to the Patriots starting right tackle Sebastian Vollmer. Marquardt will play in a post season All Star game if healthy and is expected to receive an invitation to the combine. He could end up as a second day pick in next April's draft.

J.C. Tretter/OL/Cornell: Tretter has built a buzz around himself after his play this season and is another small school lineman moving up draft boards. He entered the season with a free agent grade, but Tretter presently grades as a mid-to-late round draft pick. He is also expected to receive an invitation to one of the major post season All Star games, where he'll face off against top competition in front of scouts. He manned the left tackle spot for Cornell but is better suited to play guard at the next level.

EddieLacey*/RB/Alabama: Lacey put on a clinic during the SEC title game against Georgia and turned in achampionship performance. His 181 rushingyards on 20 carries included a pair of scores and three runs of 20 yards or longer. Lacey is a powerful runner and rarely brought down by just one defender. He runs through tackles, picking up a lot of yardage off initial contact but also shows vision as well as ball carrying instincts. He's a terrific prospect for a power running offense or ground and pound attack and moves towards the BCS Title game against Notre Dame with a second round grade.

Travis Kelce/TE/Cincinnati: Kelce ended his season as the Bearcats top pass catcher and heads towards the draft with his stock on the rise. He's known as a reliable blocker but Kelce tripled almost all his receiving numbers as a senior. He's not a flashy prospect nor a top athlete yet a tight end reliable in all aspects of the position. Kelce projects as a late round pick and couldbe the third man on an NFL depth chart for years to come.

Marcus Cromartie/CB/Wisconsin: Cromartie received little love from scouts entering the season despite the fact he possesses NFL measurables and playedwell in 2011. His play as a senior was impressive with 51 tackles and 10 pass break ups as the Badgers entered intothe Big Ten title game. During the contest Cromartie registered his first interception of the season, a pass he returned 29-yards for a touchdown in the first quarter. Cromartie offers the physical skills to play in the NFL and has shown a developing game. He'll be a steal in thelate rounds.

D.J. Harper/RB/BoiseState: Harper pulled together a terrific season in 2012 after a number of injury riddled campaigns, showing NFL scouts both versatility and durability. He posted career numbers in all the ball carrying departments as well as receiving yards. Harper has the style and substance to be a third down back at the next level and good workouts prior to the draft should secure him a place in the late rounds.

Sliders

Tim Wright/WR/Rutgers: Wright entered the season ranked as a potential late round choice yet has struggled to meet expectations. His production this season has been pedestrian and Wright's untimely drops during Rutgers loss to Louisville resulted in missed scoring opportunities. The senior is unlikely to hear his name called as the seventh round closes out in April.

CameronMeredith/DE/Nebraska: Meredith was also ranked as a potential late round choice when the season began but showed little improvement as a senior. He's a 261-pound defensive end who shows limitations as a pass rusher which is a combination that does not interest NFL teams.

* Denotes Underclassman

Notes

• With the regular season complete the attention in scouting circles now focuses on the pending decisions of NFL prospects from the ranks of the underclassmen. Tyrann Mathieu, the much maligned cornerback from LSU who sat on the sidelines this season, has already declared for the draft. So to has Sheldon Richardson, the Missouri defensive lineman who scouts listed as a senior prior to the season. Sources expect Akeem Spence, the talented defensive tackle from Illinois who struggled through a poor season, to announce he will enter the draft in the coming weeks.

• Often times there will be surprise decisions from underclassmen deciding to forego the NFL for another season on the college field. Andrew Luck did as much two years ago and word is a number of Cardinal prospects will follow suit and stay in Palo Alto for 2013. Sources say both of Stanford's talented junior tight ends, Zach Ertz and Levine Toilolo, are leaning towards staying in school. The word is linebacker Shayne Skov also hopes to return to Stanford next season if he's granted another year of eligibility by the NCAA. Skov entered the year with a top 75 grade despite missing all but three games in 2011 with a serious knee injury. He took a while to round into form this season and though effective on the field, insiders said Skov looked like he was playing with a "dead leg" at times this year, referencing the quickness he lost due to the knee injury.

• Besides being an entertaining game likely to go down as one of the best SEC title contests of all time, the match-up between Alabama and Georgia was a scouts dream. The titanic battles on the line of scrimmage were as good as advertised and all the top prospects showed well at various points. I dislike determining a players draft grade based on a single performance but it's tough to deny that Crimson Tide center Barrett Jones may have played himself into the first round off this game. He threw several key blocks which sprung running back Eddie Lacey free for long runs and Jones got the better of Georgia defensive tackle John Jenkins, a first round pick who outsized him by some 60-pounds.
Click to expand...
 
Last edited by a moderator:
Alabama powers its way to BCS title game

Posted Dec. 02, 2012 @ 7:16 p.m. ET

By Nolan Nawrocki

The NFL evaluation community smelled an upset brewing in the SEC title game, with Georgia boasting a star-studded roster featuring nearly as much talent as Nick Saban’s Crimson Tide in the first clash between the SEC titans since 2008.

An opportunistic special-teams package that caught Alabama off-guard for three big plays, including a 55-yard blocked field-goal return by Alec Ogletree, combined with the explosive arm of QB Aaron Murray, who connected with Tavarres King on three big-play strikes, kept Georgia alive until the final play.

In a sensational second half that featured four lead changes, Murray took the field with 1:08 to play and 85 yards to go and drove downfield, setting up at the five-yard line for the game-winning TD. Instead, a pass intended for the endzone was tipped into the hands of Georgia WR Chris Conley, who couldn’t get out of bounds, and the Tide held on for a 32-28 win to earn another shot at the national title.

A powerful offensive line, led by senior OLG Chance Warmack and junior ORT D.J. Fluker, was the star of the game, paving the way for Alabama junior RB Eddie Lacy and freshman T.J. Yeldon. The bulldozing Lacy, who could be the third first-round runner the program has produced the past three drafts, plowed his way through a defense that knew what was coming and could not stop it.

Georgia standout OLB Jarvis Jones showed up big at the beginning of the game when he beat Fluker to the edge and stepped inside Lacy to strip-sack Tide junior QB AJ McCarron. When it came to defending the run, however, Jones could not handle the jumbo packages that Saban repeatedly used. Lacy (20-181-2) and Yeldon (25-153-1) gashed a soft run defense to the tune of 334 combined yards, breaking an SEC title-game record with the total.

McCarron made a costly game-changing error by forcing the ball into the endzone before the half. When the Tide needed a big play late in the fourth quarter, he connected with freshman Amari Cooper on very well-placed 45-yard TD strike that proved to be the difference in the game.

Alabama temporarily lost NG Jesse Williams to a knee injury after the half but he returned to the game and helped Saban control the line of scrimmage on the defensive side of the ball as well.

• Florida State has been snake-bitten by injuries this season. First the Seminoles lost DE Brandon Jenkins in the season opener to a Lisfranc injury after a teammate stepped on his foot. His replacement, Tank Carradine, who collected 11 sacks, tore his ACL against Florida. FSU also lost speed back Chris Thompson to a torn ACL earlier in the year. The big, strong, explosive Carradine surged up draft boards with a stout senior showing and may be affected least by an injury that sources described as being clean. With a quick recovery, Carradine could potentially warrant late-first-round interest.

• Northern Illinois junior QB Jordan Lynch led the Huskies to their second consecutive MAC championship by rushing for 160 yards in a 44-37 double-overtime victory over Kent State. At a listed 6-0, 215 pounds, Lynch follows former MAC QBs Dan LeFevour and Chandler Harnish as resourceful system passers with limited pro traits.

• West Virginia junior WR Stedman Bailey is expected to declare for the NFL draft following the birth of his son, Stedman Bailey Jr. last month. He ran a limited route tree in college but consistently showed the ability to separate and has very natural hands — traits that could allow him to be drafted early.

• After being dismissed from LSU in August following multiple failed drug tests and an October arrest for possessing drug paraphernalia, former Tigers CB Tyrann Mathieu announced last week his intention to declare for the NFL draft. At a listed 5-9, 175 pounds, Mathieu possesses deficient size to hold up in the NFL. However, his instincts and feel for the game are exceptional and can allow him to become an impact nickel corner, a position that has become more important in the NFL with the proliferation of NFL passing games. He still could warrant looks as early as the second round, similar to Janoris Jenkins, given his playmaking skills.

• Wisconsin senior RB Montee Ball rushed 21-202-3 in the Big Ten title game to lead the Badgers to a 70-31 victory over Nebraska, He did it all, effectively taking the corner out of the “Wildcat” formation, running up the gut, spinning out of tackles and delivering a powerful stiff-arm to shuck Nebraska junior CB Ciante Evans to the ground on his second TD run as part of Wisconsin’s 539-yard rushing effort.

• Nursing a broken left (non-throwing) wrist and a noticeably sprained right ankle, Louisville sophomore QB Teddy Bridgewater rallied the Cardinals to a 20-17 victory over Rutgers, after not starting the game. Bridgewater, who operated strictly out of the shotgun after barely being able to walk during the week, showed very good accuracy and touch in helping the Cardinals overcome an 11-point halftime deficit. He is one of the most underrated and toughest quarterbacking prospects in the country.
Click to expand...
 
Montee Ball will make impact in NFL, regardless of draft position

By Bucky Brooks

Analyst, NFL.com and NFL Network

Published: Dec. 3, 2012 at 05:11 p.m.

Updated: Dec. 3, 2012 at 06:34 p.m.

Montee Ball might not hear his name called on the first day of the 2013 NFL Draft, but he will be an impact running back as a pro.

That's my opinion after watching the Wisconsin star dramatically improve his game over the past year. Ball looks quicker and more explosive than he appeared last season, and he is displaying more toughness and physicality with the ball in his hands.

Now, I know some will wonder how I can suggest that Ball is a better player in 2012 than he was a season ago, considering he nearly rewrote the college football record book during a remarkable junior campaign. Ball led the nation with 1,923 rushing yards in 2011 and amassed 39 total touchdowns on the way to finishing fourth in voting for the Heisman Trophy last December.

Given those impressive numbers, most expected Ball to enter the 2012 NFL Draft. However, NFL evaluators weren't completely sold on his collegiate résumé and reportedly graded Ball as a third-round prospect when he submitted his paperwork to the NFL Draft Advisory Committee.

I also viewed Ball as a mid-round prospect after watching several of his games last season, including the 2011 Big Ten Championship Game. Although I was impressed with his production and quickness, I had concerns about his balance, body control and burst. I thought Ball lacked the explosiveness and agility to pick up yardage in traffic, and worried about his ability to make nifty runs in tight areas. In addition, I questioned his top-end speed and home-run ability at the next level.

However, after watching Ball carry Wisconsin to a stunning, 70-31 win over Nebraska in Saturday night's Big Ten title game, I believe he has improved various aspects of his game and is worthy of serious consideration as a potential feature back at the NFL level. He possesses the size (5-foot-11, 215 pounds), toughness and skills to handle a heavy workload, and teams will covet his consistent production as a runner. Although he still doesn't boast the home-run speed that some offensive coordinators desire in a No. 1 back, his ability to pick up tough yards when the games is hanging in the balance is more important, in my opinion.

Given some more time to reflect on his performance at Lucas Oil Stadium on Saturday night, here are three traits that will make Ball an effective runner as a pro:

1) Vision: Of all of the tools needed to be an effective runner as a pro, the ability to read defenses and spot open creases is the most important. Elite runners consistently find running lanes against aggressive defenses. Inherently, they are able to pick up positive yards whenever they touch the ball. While solid blocking from the offensive line is essential to consistent production, the best runners in football do a great job of anticipating holes and attacking lanes as soon as they appear. In the NFL, creases only stay open for a split second, so a runner must possess the vision and instincts to spot the lane instantly or he will only pick up minimal gains against elite defenses.

In watching Ball against Nebraska, I was impressed with his decisiveness and instincts as a runner. He patiently approached the line of scrimmage after taking the handoff, but immediately accelerated through the hole when the lane opened up. Now, the Badgers' offensive line certainly deserves credit for generating a push at the line, but Ball didn't miss a read the entire night and punished the Huskers' defense for lacking gap discipline. With the majority of his runs initially directed between the tackles, the fact that Ball finished with 202 rushing yards and three touchdowns on only 21 carries is a testament to his exceptional vision and instincts as a runner.

2) Quickness: Most NFL coordinators would tell you that quickness is more important than speed when it comes to running backs. The speed of NFL defenders makes it difficult to break off 80-yard runs consistently, so coaches prefer runners with exceptional quickness and burst over speedsters. Ball falls into the former category with his outstanding stop-start ability. He has the capacity to make hard plants in one direction before quickly re-directing and bursting through a seam in the other direction. Against Nebraska, he repeatedly started a run to one side of the field, but made a quick cut at the line of scrimmage to get to the backside of the defense.

Ball displayed a combination of balance, body control and quickness that I didn't see a year ago when I watched him in the Big Ten title game against Michigan State. His improvement in this area will not only increase his value in the minds of evaluators, but it could make him the ideal runner for coaches who employ zone-based blocking schemes, which require running backs to adhere to a one-cut rule with the ball in their hands (runners are allowed to only make one cut prior to the line of scrimmage to avoid negative runs). Given Ball's combination of vision and quickness, plus his experience running inside and outside zone-running plays at Wisconsin, he should be a perfect fit within that system.

3) Physicality: The best runners in the NFL possess toughness and physicality that enable them to finish runs in a violent manner. They routinely dole out punishment to defenders attempting to make tackles near the sideline or down the field, and their willingness to run through opponents eventually leads to big gains. Against Nebraska, Ball ran with the kind of violence that coaches expect from workhorse runners. He repeatedly lowered his shoulder to overpower defensive backs in the secondary, and fought for every yard that he could gain on each play.

The best example of Ball's toughness came on his 57-yard touchdown run in the third quarter. After taking the handoff and bursting through the second level of the defense, Ball broke to his left and used a brutal stiff arm to overpower the last Husker defender. The force of the stiff arm lifted the defender off his feet; he landed on his back as Ball continued to rumble into the end zone. The run epitomized what coaches want from their runners at every level, but particularly in the NFL when yards are harder to come by.

The running back position has been devalued in recent years with more NFL teams moving toward pass-first game plans, but the workhorse runner is still coveted by most teams across the league. In looking at Ball's size, skills and production, I believe he has the all-around game to thrive as a feature runner in most offensive schemes. Although his apparent lack of home-run speed and limited production in the passing game will prevent him from being regarded as a blue-chip talent on most draft boards across the league, I believe Ball is a potential rookie starter with the ability to upgrade any roster at the position.

My draft grade on Ball: Second round.

WORD ON THE STREET

While attending the Big Ten Championship Game in Indianapolis, I had the opportunity to discuss the overall depth and talent of the 2013 draft class (particularly the seniors) with scouts. Most evaluators told me this draft is deep at the interior offensive line positions (centers and guards) and defensive tackle. An NFC West official said two offensive guards (Alabama's Chance Warmack and North Carolina's Jonathan Cooper) could come off the board within the first 20 selections. At defensive tackle, Utah's Star Lotulelei remains the crown jewel of the class, but Georgia's Jonathan Jenkins, Purdue's Kawann Short and Alabama's Jesse Williams are also garnering consideration as first-round talents.

When I quizzed scouts on the weak points of the draft, they cited quarterback, offensive tackle and cornerback. The quarterback position, in particular, lacks a franchise guy in the mold of Andrew Luck, Robert Griffin III or Cam Newton, but that might not prevent a team from selecting one at the top of the draft. An NFC scout told me, "If you need one, you have to take him high, regardless of what others might think." He pointed to the 2005 NFL Draft that featured Alex Smith and Aaron Rodgers as the closest comparison to this year's class. He reminded me that neither guy was regarded as a blue chipper at the time, but both players have turned out to have fruitful careers, particularly Rodgers, who has become one of the NFL's best signal-callers. With that in mind, it wouldn't surprise me to see USC's Matt Barkley and West Virginia's Geno Smith come off the board sooner than expected on draft day.

STOCK UP



Ed Reynolds, S, Stanford

The ball-hawking safety cemented his status as one of the best center fielders in college football with his standout performance against UCLA in the Pac-12 title game (which Stanford won, 27-24). Reynolds picked off an errant Brett Hundley pass and returned it 80 yards to set up a game-tying score in the second quarter. That was his sixth pick of the season, ranking third nationally. More importantly, it was another display of the awareness and instincts that are difficult to find in deep middle players. With NFL defensive coordinators coveting takeaways at a premium, Reynolds' penchant for picking off passes will make the sophomore an intriguing prospect to watch in the future.

Johnathan Franklin, RB, UCLA

Franklin has been on the radar of scouts across the league due to a stellar senior campaign, but his spectacular performance in the Pac-12 title game will earn the senior rave reviews as a potential change-of-pace weapon at the next level. In rushing for 194 yards and two scores on just 19 carries, Franklin displayed the quickness, burst and balance that scouts look for in diminutive runners. In addition, he flashed the speed to turn the corner against a fast defense, while also showing the vision and body control to make hard cuts across the grain against an overaggressive defense. Franklin impressed scouts with his solid skills as a receiver, hauling in three receptions for 22 yards against the Cardinal. As more NFL offensive coordinators build their respective game plans around the unique skill sets of their best players, Franklin's ability to serve as a third-down back will make him a valuable commodity in draft rooms across the NFL.



STOCK DOWN

Daimion Stafford, S, Nebraska

It's not fair to pin the Huskers' abysmal defensive performance solely on the shoulders of Stafford, but the senior safety certainly didn't have one of his best games Saturday night. He repeatedly missed tackles in space and didn't take the proper angles to the ball to keep the Wisconsin running backs from breaking big gainers on the perimeter. Stafford carried draft grades in the mid- to late-rounds heading into the contest, and his disappointing play in the Big Ten title game will not help his chances of moving up the board prior to draft day.
Click to expand...
 
'PlasmaDogPlasma said:
Most evaluators told me this draft is deep at the interior offensive line positions (centers and guards) and defensive tackle.
Click to expand...
Just what fantasy leaguers love to hear.
Click to expand...
Yes, yes it is. If I have RB's that have o line problems or pieces in passing games with interior blocking problems it is exactly what I want to read. There aren't going to be a glutton of superstars in every draft class.
 
UNC redshirt sophomore Giovani Bernard was the only RB to earn a first-round grade from SI's Tony Pauline.Pauline calls Bernard a, "nifty, elusive, double cut runner that consistently creates his own yardage." We expect the redshirt sophomore to declare, but it wouldn't be the first time a prospect unexpectedly returns to school. Regardless, this might be the first year that a running back isn't selected in the first-round since 1963.
Click to expand...
 
'Concept Coop said:
'Faust said:
Russ Lande NFP Mock Draft 1.0
Click to expand...
Jarvis Jones at 29?! I don't know that I've seen him outside of the top 5-6 from anyone else.
Click to expand...
Potentially degenerate spine issue and lots of questions about how he'll hold up vs. the run. May only be a 3-4 pass rusher, which has a lot of value but also makes him a scheme specific type. I think 29 is a little overboard until we learn more about the spine issue, but I think 10-20 is appropriate. He's Bruce Irvin with a bigger ceiling. I think Irvin was a reach because he is a liability vs. the run and I don't see that changing but if he had some upside vs. the run I think that's the spot to take him, that description matches Jarvis pretty well.
 
'MAC_32 said:
'Concept Coop said:
'Faust said:
Russ Lande NFP Mock Draft 1.0
Click to expand...
Jarvis Jones at 29?! I don't know that I've seen him outside of the top 5-6 from anyone else.
Click to expand...
Potentially degenerate spine issue and lots of questions about how he'll hold up vs. the run. May only be a 3-4 pass rusher, which has a lot of value but also makes him a scheme specific type. I think 29 is a little overboard until we learn more about the spine issue, but I think 10-20 is appropriate. He's Bruce Irvin with a bigger ceiling. I think Irvin was a reach because he is a liability vs. the run and I don't see that changing but if he had some upside vs. the run I think that's the spot to take him, that description matches Jarvis pretty well.
Click to expand...
I don't know anything about the spine issue, so if that is the reasoning, okay. But I can't imagine he not being a top 5 pick in this draft, outside of health issues.
 
'Concept Coop said:
'MAC_32 said:
'Concept Coop said:
'Faust said:
Russ Lande NFP Mock Draft 1.0
Click to expand...
Jarvis Jones at 29?! I don't know that I've seen him outside of the top 5-6 from anyone else.
Click to expand...
Potentially degenerate spine issue and lots of questions about how he'll hold up vs. the run. May only be a 3-4 pass rusher, which has a lot of value but also makes him a scheme specific type. I think 29 is a little overboard until we learn more about the spine issue, but I think 10-20 is appropriate. He's Bruce Irvin with a bigger ceiling. I think Irvin was a reach because he is a liability vs. the run and I don't see that changing but if he had some upside vs. the run I think that's the spot to take him, that description matches Jarvis pretty well.
Click to expand...
I don't know anything about the spine issue, so if that is the reasoning, okay. But I can't imagine he not being a top 5 pick in this draft, outside of health issues.
Click to expand...
Spinal stenosis - there are some stories out there if you want to read up on him. I imagine that at least one team's medical staff will clear him and he will go higher (it only takes one).
 
'MAC_32 said:
'Concept Coop said:
'Faust said:
Russ Lande NFP Mock Draft 1.0
Click to expand...
Jarvis Jones at 29?! I don't know that I've seen him outside of the top 5-6 from anyone else.
Click to expand...
Potentially degenerate spine issue and lots of questions about how he'll hold up vs. the run. May only be a 3-4 pass rusher, which has a lot of value but also makes him a scheme specific type. I think 29 is a little overboard until we learn more about the spine issue, but I think 10-20 is appropriate. He's Bruce Irvin with a bigger ceiling. I think Irvin was a reach because he is a liability vs. the run and I don't see that changing but if he had some upside vs. the run I think that's the spot to take him, that description matches Jarvis pretty well.
Click to expand...
I haven't watched many Georgia games, but Jones sure has put up a lot of tackles this year in the SEC for a guy who primarily rushes the quarterback, which would suggest to me that he can't be that bad defending the run.
 
Last edited by a moderator:
According to Wikipedia, this has been an issue since his freshman year. I wonder why only now mock drafts are dinging him. I was expecting this to be something new.

 
'jurb26 said:
'Faust said:
Russ Lande NFP Mock Draft 1.0
Click to expand...
Pretty bad mock IMO. Seems more like a ranking of who he sees as the best players. There in no way, none, that 3 G's will be drafted in the top 26 pick. Even less that 2 will be picked in the top.
Click to expand...
Well, of course, there is some way three interior Olmen can go in the top 26. there were two who went in the top 27 last year which was consider a meh year in terms G/C. Most Dec mocks are awful, probably 8-10 dudes not in the top 32 that will be there in April.
 
Interesting comparison of Alabama RBs

Mark Ingram's YPC: 5.1, 6.1, 5.5

T Richardson's YPC: 5.2, 6.3, 5.9

Eddie Lacy's YPC: 7.3, 7.1, 6.4

Lacy has 3 seasons all better than the best single season of Ingram/Richardson combined.

 
'Time Kibitzer said:
'MAC_32 said:
'Concept Coop said:
'Faust said:
Russ Lande NFP Mock Draft 1.0
Click to expand...
Jarvis Jones at 29?! I don't know that I've seen him outside of the top 5-6 from anyone else.
Click to expand...
Potentially degenerate spine issue and lots of questions about how he'll hold up vs. the run. May only be a 3-4 pass rusher, which has a lot of value but also makes him a scheme specific type. I think 29 is a little overboard until we learn more about the spine issue, but I think 10-20 is appropriate. He's Bruce Irvin with a bigger ceiling. I think Irvin was a reach because he is a liability vs. the run and I don't see that changing but if he had some upside vs. the run I think that's the spot to take him, that description matches Jarvis pretty well.
Click to expand...
I haven't watched many Georgia games, but Jones sure has put up a lot of tackles this year in the SEC for a guy who primarily rushes the quarterback, which would suggest to me that he can't be that bad defending the run.
Click to expand...
Without watching every game I won't guess why he has so many tackles, but the issues I had noted were very much exposed vs. Alabama. Looked to me like they crumpled up their game plan sometime in the 2nd quarter and said F it just run right at Jarvis. When he operates in space there aren't many people that can contain him, but tighten up the quarters and he has a tendency to lose leverage and get pushed off the ball. Happened time and time again vs. Bama and to a lesser degree other times during the season too. Off the top of my head I remember similar issues vs. South Carolina and Tennessee.Like his teammate Ogletree, I think his issues can be coached up but you're always rolling the dice on a player that hasn't shown he's capable of adjusting on the field. Actions > words

 
'tdmills said:
Interesting comparison of Alabama RBsMark Ingram's YPC: 5.1, 6.1, 5.5T Richardson's YPC: 5.2, 6.3, 5.9Eddie Lacy's YPC: 7.3, 7.1, 6.4Lacy has 3 seasons all better than the best single season of Ingram/Richardson combined.
Click to expand...
There are arguments to be made for Lacy, but this is not one of them imho.
 
Cal WR Keenan Allen to declare for draft

CBSSports.com wire reports

Dec. 5, 2012 6:45 PM ET

BERKELEY, Calif. -- California wide receiver Keenan Allen will skip his senior season to enter the NFL draft.

Allen said in an announcement through the school on Wednesday that he is grateful for his time at Cal and feels ready to take the next step to the NFL.

Allen finishes his career as the school's all-time leader with 205 receptions. He ranks third with 2,570 yards receiving and seventh with 17 touchdown catches.

Allen's best season came as a sophomore when he had 98 receptions for 1,343 yards and six touchdowns. He had 61 catches for 737 yards and six TDs this season before missing the final three games with a left knee injury.

Allen is expected to be one of the top receivers in April's draft.
Click to expand...
 
SCOUTS INC.'S TOP 32

Player Pos. School Grade

1. Star Lotulelei DT Utah 96

2. Jarvis Jones* OLB Georgia 96

3. Damontre Moore* DE Texas A&M 96

4. Chance Warmack G Alabama 96

5. Manti Te'o ILB Notre Dame 96

6. Luke Joeckel* OT Texas A&M 96

7. Barkevious Mingo* DE LSU 95

8. Johnathan Hankins* DT Ohio State 95

9. Sylvester Williams DT N. Carolina 94

10. Bjoern Werner* DE Florida St 94

11. Jonathan Cooper OG N. Carolina 94

12. Dee Milliner* CB Alabama 94

13. Johnathan Jenkins DT Georgia 93

14. Dion Jordan DE Oregon 93

15. Taylor Lewan* OT Michigan 93

16. Sam Montgomery* DE LSU 92

17. Kenny Vaccaro S Texas 92

18. Alec Ogletree* ILB Georgia 92

19. Corey Lemonier* DE Auburn 91

20. Eric Fisher OT C. Michigan 91

21. Ezekiel Ansah* DE BYU 90

22. Geno Smith QB W. Virginia 90

23. Sheldon Richardson DT Missouri 90

24. Justin Hunter* WR Tennessee 90

25. Cornellius Carradine DE Florida St. 89

26. Kawann Short DT Purdue 89

27. Matt Barkley QB USC 89

28. Keenan Allen* WR California 89

29. Dallas Thomas OT Tennessee 89

30. Zach Ertz* TE Stanford 89

31. Johnthan Banks CB Miss. St. 89

32. Tyler Eifert* TE Notre Dame 88

* Denotes draft-eligible non-senior

Sorry for the formatting issue. How telling that the top ranked offensive skill position player is QB Geno Smith at # 22

 
'Faust said:
22. Geno Smith QB W. Virginia 90

24. Justin Hunter* WR Tennessee 90

27. Matt Barkley QB USC 89

28. Keenan Allen* WR California 89

30. Zach Ertz* TE Stanford 89

32. Tyler Eifert* TE Notre Dame 88

* Denotes draft-eligible non-senior

Sorry for the formatting issue. How telling that the top ranked offensive skill position player is QB Geno Smith at # 22
Click to expand...
:X
 
'EBF said:
'Faust said:
22. Geno Smith QB W. Virginia 90

24. Justin Hunter* WR Tennessee 90

27. Matt Barkley QB USC 89

28. Keenan Allen* WR California 89

30. Zach Ertz* TE Stanford 89

32. Tyler Eifert* TE Notre Dame 88

* Denotes draft-eligible non-senior

Sorry for the formatting issue. How telling that the top ranked offensive skill position player is QB Geno Smith at # 22
Click to expand...
:X
Click to expand...
Now I'm thinking of trading my #1 pick next year... :unsure:
 
'John 14:6 said:
'EBF said:
'Faust said:
22. Geno Smith QB W. Virginia 90

24. Justin Hunter* WR Tennessee 90

27. Matt Barkley QB USC 89

28. Keenan Allen* WR California 89

30. Zach Ertz* TE Stanford 89

32. Tyler Eifert* TE Notre Dame 88

* Denotes draft-eligible non-senior

Sorry for the formatting issue. How telling that the top ranked offensive skill position player is QB Geno Smith at # 22
Click to expand...
:X
Click to expand...
Now I'm thinking of trading my #1 pick next year... :unsure:
Click to expand...
Too late to do it now, most in your league are hearing the same. Have to wait until closer to your draft, value of picks will increase again. I think the inferiority of this class is being over exaggerated anyway, probably because the top of last year's class was just so great. There's a lot of good talent coming out this year, just not special talent like last year. As I collect my thoughts over the next month plus more names are going to surface, but off the top of my head I'm comfortable saying all of Geno, Allen, Williams, Hunter, Austin, and Eifert are going to be very strong fantasy players. There are a lot of RB's I like, but don't love, first time in years I'll probably trend more towards draft position re my RB board. Situation matters more with this class than recent ones imho. I have my preferences, but I don't feel as strongly about them as I have with guys like Richardson, Martin, Beanie, DMC, Donald Brown, Mathews, and Moreno in recent years.
 
Last edited by a moderator:
'MAC_32 said:
I think the inferiority of this class is being over exaggerated anyway, probably because the top of last year's class was just so great. There's a lot of good talent coming out this year, just not special talent like last year.
Click to expand...
Couldn't agree more. A lot of people treating this rookie class like the plague, and come draft time I think that talk will be gone. Even a RB class that appears to be lacking may very well produce 3-4 very solid fantasy prospects.
 
'SayWhat? said:
'MAC_32 said:
I think the inferiority of this class is being over exaggerated anyway, probably because the top of last year's class was just so great. There's a lot of good talent coming out this year, just not special talent like last year.
Click to expand...
Couldn't agree more. A lot of people treating this rookie class like the plague, and come draft time I think that talk will be gone. Even a RB class that appears to be lacking may very well produce 3-4 very solid fantasy prospects.
Click to expand...
Yep. It seems like everyone has already assumed the worst case scenario for this draft class. With a few breaks it actually doesn't have to be half bad though. If Keenan Allen ends up in Indy, Justin Hunter in New England, Giovanni Benard in Green Bay, and Stepfan Taylor in Pitt (just some examples of feasible positive landing spots I understand how unlikely thy are) people will pay a mint to buy back into the draft. If they all end up in terrible situations then you won't be any worse off anyways because no one wants the picks to begin with.
 
'cusefan115 said:
Yep. It seems like everyone has already assumed the worst case scenario for this draft class. With a few breaks it actually doesn't have to be half bad though. If Keenan Allen ends up in Indy, Justin Hunter in New England, Giovanni Benard in Green Bay, and Stepfan Taylor in Pitt (just some examples of feasible positive landing spots I understand how unlikely thy are) people will pay a mint to buy back into the draft. If they all end up in terrible situations then you won't be any worse off anyways because no one wants the picks to begin with.
Click to expand...
The class will provide surprises and surely a few top tier guys, even. But, on paper, I don't think it is being underrated at all. Potentially no RBs in the first, no QBs in the top 15, no WRs in the top 15... that's never happened before.
 
'SayWhat? said:
'MAC_32 said:
I think the inferiority of this class is being over exaggerated anyway, probably because the top of last year's class was just so great. There's a lot of good talent coming out this year, just not special talent like last year.
Click to expand...
Couldn't agree more. A lot of people treating this rookie class like the plague, and come draft time I think that talk will be gone. Even a RB class that appears to be lacking may very well produce 3-4 very solid fantasy prospects.
Click to expand...
Mostly agree, but if you've got the 1.01 pick and Keenan Allen and Justin Hunter are the guys you're supposed to be excited about, that's gotta be pretty depressing.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Similar threads

JohnnyU
Dynasty: Kaleb Johnson vs Kendre Miller
Replies
33
Views
1K
dipandglide
dipandglide
socrates
Would You Rather (February Dynasty Rookie Edition)
Replies
36
Views
2K
JohnnyU
JohnnyU
Ministry of Pain
Tankathon '24-'25
2
Replies
52
Views
4K
pollardsvision
pollardsvision

Users who are viewing this thread

Total: 2 (members: 0, guests: 2)
Back
Top