GBN Big Board

[mayoclinic]

Great Blue North has updated their big board of the top 185 prospects in the 2010 draft:

Great Blue North Draft Report

Some interesting rankings of note (I've posted NFLdraftscout's ranking for comparison):

9. Carlos Dunlap, DE, Florida - too high for him right now (13)
10. Rolando McClain, ILB, Alabama (10)
11. Brian Bulaga, OT, Iowa (24)
12. Sergio Kindle, LB, Texas - seem a bit high (21)
15. Jason Pierre-Paul, DE, USF (43)
18. Mike Iupati, OG, Idaho (22)
20. CJ Spiller, RB, Clemson (6)
28. Terrance Cody, DT, Alabama (49)
30. Maurkice Pouncey, OG/C, Florida (38)
33. Bruce Campbell, OT, Maryland - too low (27)
34. Jonathan Dwyer, RB, Georgia Tech (18)
36. Jerry Hughes, DE, TCU (52)
38. Everson Griffen, DE, USC (14)
40. Ricky Sapp, LB, Clemson (17)
44. Tim Tebow, QB, Forida (28)
46. Greg Hardy, DE, Mississippi (73)
48. Jahvid Best, RB, USC (30)
50. Eric Norwood, LB, South Carolina (102)
52. Jared Odrick, DT, Penn St. (31)
54. Corey Wootten, DE, Northwestern (33)
59. Ciron Black, OT, LSU - way too high (110)
63. Mike Johnson, OG, Alabama (66)
64. Dexter McCluster, RB, Mississippi (81)
72. Arthur Jones, DT, Syracuse (94)
75. Austen Lane, DE, Murray St. (96)
81. Jon Asamoah, OG, Illinois (58)
83. Dan Williams, DT, Tennessee - way undervalued; will be a 1st round pick (25)
110. Micah Johnson, ILB, Kentucky (118)
117. Vlad Ducasse, OG, UMass - way undervalued (82)
146. O'Brien Schofield, LB, Wisconsin (104)
151. Jared Veldheer, OT, Hillsdale - could go much higher (145)
158. Clifton Geathers, DE, South Carolina (216)
171. Sean Canfield, QB, Oregon St. - way undervalued (85)
182. Doug Worthington, DT, Ohio St. (281)
183. Rodger Saffold, OT, Indiana - way undervalued (142)

Guys not in the top 185 who are undervalued:

- Chris Marinelli, OT, Stanford (226)
- Tony Moeaki, TE, Iowa (100)
- Freddie Barnes, WR, Bowling Green (159)
- Brandon Deaderick, DT/DE, Alabama (304)

[zimmy]

I know he's out of range but I want to know whether Derrick Morgan can play outside linebacker for us? He looks a bit stiff but he plays the run really well and has a high motor. He also has the height and weight Bill is looking for as well as some of the intangibles - loves football, good teammate etc.

I really don't see too many outside linebacker prospects that I want to take in the first round. They all have big question marks and I want a sure fire guy in the 1st. Either one of the defensive tackles to play end, or a offensive playmaker,. I also like Brandon Spikes. I really don't think there is too much drop off between him and McClain. Especially when you consider that McCalin is being talked about as top 10 and Spikes is sometimes not even in the first round. I would also be intrigued to see what Sean Weatherspoon weighs in at as he has the playmaking ability to be a star. He also has the leadership qualities we lack, is something of a rah rah pump them up type of guy who loves football.

[hammertime]

Interesting rankings. I'm a huge Eric Norwood fan so I'd have him higher than both of those, but overall seems interesting to see the contrast between the two. A 28 spot difference for Jason Pierre-Paul? He seems like a typical 3-4 Merriman type that could be very good in the future for us. The measurables are extremely similar. I'm more sold on Pierre-Paul than Jerry Hughes for us personally since Hughes has stiff hips and might not translate well without them and with his current size to the 3-4. Kind of like Vernon Gholston; good fit for the 4-3 but not standing up. I noticed that in the Fiesta Bowl as well.

[furry]

If Spiller is still there at 20 we'd be mad not to try and trade up to get him

[BritPat]

Originally Posted by furry

If Spiller is still there at 20 we'd be mad not to try and trade up to get him

Why waste a first round pick and more for a third down back who won't be on the field every snap?

I'd question the sanity of BB and co if we gave up extra picks to get him.

If you want that type of player, wait until late in round 2 for Best, or take McCluster.

[furry]

Originally Posted by BritPat

Why waste a first round pick and more for a third down back who won't be on the field every snap?

I'd question the sanity of BB and co if we gave up extra picks to get him.

If you want that type of player, wait until late in round 2 for Best, or take McCluster.

Because I don't believe he will be a thrid down back, I think he's gonna be top drawer RB and without doubt a game changer.

Would be nice to know we had one of those in the backfield with the likes of Faulk to come in 3rd down if required.

We need playmakers this draft and he's one of them

[mayoclinic]

Originally Posted by zimmy

I know he's out of range but I want to know whether Derrick Morgan can play outside linebacker for us? He looks a bit stiff but he plays the run really well and has a high motor. He also has the height and weight Bill is looking for as well as some of the intangibles - loves football, good teammate etc.

Morgan is a heck of a player, with a terrific motor, strong against the run, and a dominant pass rusher. But (1) he will go top 15, probably top 10, and (2) he has stiff hips and is limited in space. I think he's more of a 4-3 DE.

Originally Posted by zimmy

I really don't see too many outside linebacker prospects that I want to take in the first round. They all have big question marks and I want a sure fire guy in the 1st.

You won't get any "sure fire" guys anywhere, and certainly not at 22. But I think there's a good chance that one of Carlos Dunlap or Jason Pierre-Paul is available at 22, and the upside of either is well worth the risk. Their upside is unreal.

Originally Posted by zimmy

Either one of the defensive tackles to play end, or a offensive playmaker,. I also like Brandon Spikes. I really don't think there is too much drop off between him and McClain. Especially when you consider that McCalin is being talked about as top 10 and Spikes is sometimes not even in the first round. I would also be intrigued to see what Sean Weatherspoon weighs in at as he has the playmaking ability to be a star. He also has the leadership qualities we lack, is something of a rah rah pump them up type of guy who loves football.

I think Brandon Spikes is in the 2nd is a possibility if he falls, and if BB thinks he can play SILB. I'm not sure he can. The buzz is that his lack of speed may hurt him a lot in the draft, and right now people are projecting him anywhere from 15-20 to the 4th round. Eric Norwood and Micah Johnson might also be options at SILB.

I don't think the DT/DE guys have the talent to warrant a 1st round pick. I'd much rather go for Dunlap or Pierre-Paul and take the chance, or Dan Williams or Terrance Cody.

[mayoclinic]

Originally Posted by hammertime

Interesting rankings. I'm a huge Eric Norwood fan so I'd have him higher than both of those, but overall seems interesting to see the contrast between the two. A 28 spot difference for Jason Pierre-Paul? He seems like a typical 3-4 Merriman type that could be very good in the future for us. The measurables are extremely similar. I'm more sold on Pierre-Paul than Jerry Hughes for us personally since Hughes has stiff hips and might not translate well without them and with his current size to the 3-4. Kind of like Vernon Gholston; good fit for the 4-3 but not standing up. I noticed that in the Fiesta Bowl as well.

I think you're right about Hughes' stiff hips. Carlos Dunlap and Jason Pierre-Paul are at the top of my list for guys with height, size, speed and loose hips. Sergio Kindle and Ricky Sapp are further down. Austen Lane is my wild card.

[furry]

Mayo- I don't know much about Dunlap other than the few games I've seen where he's looked beastly but the one thing that does stick in the mind is the DUI charge.

Something to worry about?

[mayoclinic]

Originally Posted by furry

If Spiller is still there at 20 we'd be mad not to try and trade up to get him

Originally Posted by BritPat

Why waste a first round pick and more for a third down back who won't be on the field every snap?

I'd question the sanity of BB and co if we gave up extra picks to get him.

If you want that type of player, wait until late in round 2 for Best, or take McCluster.

I've got to agree with Furry here. I had us trading 42, 47 and 118 to Atlanta for 19/20 and 83 in my latest mock and taking Spiller at 19. I'd still do that trade if he's on the board at 19/20, especially with all the talent available in the 3rd round. Atlanta has no 2nd round pick, and there will probably be no CB (their biggest need) worth taking at 19/20.

First, I think Spiller isn't a 3rd down back. I think he can be an every down player. He may not be Chris Johnson, but he has enough size (5'11", 195#) to play regularly. Add 5-10 lbs. and he's solid. Ray Rice (5'8" 210#) and Maurice Jones-Drew (5'7" 208#) are every-down backs, something that was a question mark with both when the came out.

One of the biggest of the many issues I had with our offense this season was the pass/run predictability. Some of this was due to O'Brien being a terrible play caller, without a doubt. But often we would have no RB in on many situations and it would be an obvious passing play, and then we would bring Maroney in to run and the defense would stack the box. Terrible. One reason Kevin Faulk ran so effectively was that we used him effectively out of the backfield as well, so that defenses didn't know for sure whether we would run or pass when Faulk was in the lineup.

I'd love to have that kind of unpredictability. Spiller is a threat to go all the way on every play. Opposing defenses have to account for him every time he's on the field. Lose track of him and it's a potential 7 points. Whether he's blocking, catching out of the backfield or running, he will keep opposing defenses guessing and on their toes, which will open up our passing game. Get him 15-20 touches a game through a combination of running and pass plays and I think he will make 2-3 big plays a game (not counting special teams, where he could be huge) that could make a difference.

You're right, BritPat, it would be crazy to spend a 1st round pick on a 3rd down back. But I don't see Spiller that way. Best in the 2nd is an option, but his concussion history is scary. McCluster lacks Spiller's breakaway speed, which is what makes him so dangerous. No one's going to catch this kid from behind.

My ideal would be to get Spiller and one of Carlos Dunlap/Jason Pierre-Paul (I'm strongly leaning toward Dunlap, but both have amazing potential). Add Austen Lane at 83, an OG at 53, and a WR and SILB in FA, and resign our key guys, and this team would be ready to compete for the SB.