Scouts On Some Of The Top 50 In The Draft - New England Patriots Forums

manxman2601 · 02-26-2012, 02:23 AM

It's always nice to get a feel for how those in the game actually feel about prospects rather than draftniks and somehow, Bob McGinn managed to get comments from scouts on most of the top 50. Read the whole thing, but here's some highlights:

Quote:

Trent Richardson*, RB, Alabama: 5-11, 225. Backed up Mark Ingram for two seasons before exploding for 1,679 yards (5.9) and 21 TDs in 2011. "Two years ago when Ingram won the Heisman, people at Alabama laughed behind the scenes saying, 'Ingram isn't even the best player in his own backfield,' " one scout said. "And Ingram is a nice player. But Richardson is big-time. He is probably the most complete player in this draft. Every superlative that you could put on him he's got." Regarded as a mature person and a tremendous worker. "He immediately changes your team," another scout said. "From whatever it is to a tough team. Because he's a tough guy. He's the total package. Pass protects. Everything."

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Dre Kirkpatrick*, CB, Alabama: 6-2½, 190. Another two-year starter with three interceptions. "He's the toughest of all the corners coming out this year," one scout said. "Looks like he can run." Was arrested for marijuana possession in January, but the charge was dropped. "He's going to (expletive) you off because he's such a freelancer," another scout said. "That's kind of his persona. To do that you'd better be Deion Sanders. Claiborne's upside isn't as big as Kirkpatrick's. Claiborne is more well-rounded."

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Fletcher Cox*, DT, Mississippi State: 6-4, 298. Started two of his three seasons, finishing with 8½ sacks. "He's probably a pure 4-3 DT who can give you reps at DE," one scout said. "He's got the athletic ability to be a better pass rusher in the future than his numbers have indicated so far." Nicknamed "The Beast." Said another scout: "Guy can run all day. He's explosive, strong hands, good hips. He's country. He's hard. He looooves football."

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Mark Barron, S, Alabama: 6-1½, 223. Three-year starter. "He's a plug-in and play starting safety from Day One," one scout said. "Of all the Alabama guys, Trent Richardson and Mark Barron are the two most dependable guys. You know what you're getting. There is no question about it. He can play deep safety and down in the box as a dime cover guy on the tight end or back out of the backfield. He's a good blitzer and good in run support." Finished with 12 interceptions. "For a big, tall guy he can break down," another scout said. "He's not Troy Polamalu. There's 25 guys in this draft better than Barron."

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Vinny Curry, DE-OLB, Marshall: 6-3, 266.Three-year starter with 26½ sacks. "Very, very talented football player," one scout said. "He may have a chance to stand up and be an outside linebacker. He's tough. The guy plays hard." Moved around rather well at the Senior Bowl when the coaches gave him a chance to play standing up.

All the highlights are my own. Nice to have my Barron fixation somewhat vindicated.

Off The Grid · 02-26-2012, 06:41 AM

I'm almost tempted to draft Mark Barron just because his NAME is so much cooler than Chung's.

I mean: "Hey! I'm Patrick CHUNG. I'll be your Strong Safety, today."

What is THAT??

Ochmed Jones · 02-26-2012, 10:41 AM

What I take from his article is what I have been saying for the past month.

This draft has a super mega blue chipper at the top in Luck. Followed by 4 or 5 decent blue blue chip prospects. Kahil, Richardson, Blackmon, Claiborne and maybe Griffin.

But only a dozen or so red chip prospects. So after pick #20, this draft flattens out and it becomes a draft of about 50 or so guys that are all generic,for lack of a better word and the key for teams drafting after #20 is finding the player that best "Fits" your system. What I am saying is the talent difference between the #50 ranked player and the #27 ranked player is minimal and for teams drafting after #20, those team's success in this draft is tied to their ability to find players that best fit in their system.

If I am BB,I see 2 guys that really interest me, Brockers and Cox. If neither is on the board at #27,then I have no reason to stay in the first round unless I want to overdraft Curry or overdraft one of the DB's, like Baron.

***ctpatsfan77*** · 02-26-2012, 10:50 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ochmed Jones

What I take from his article is what I have been saying for the past month.

This draft has a super mega blue chipper at the top in Luck. Followed by 4 or 5 decent blue blue chip prospects. Kahil, Richardson, Blackmon, Claiborne and maybe Griffin.

But only a dozen or so red chip prospects. So after pick #20, this draft flattens out and it becomes a draft of about 50 or so guys that are all generic,for lack of a better word and the key for teams drafting after #20 is finding the player that best "Fits" your system. What I am saying is the talent difference between the #50 ranked player and the #27 ranked player is minimal and for teams drafting after #20, those team's success in this draft is tied to their ability to find players that best fit in their system.

If I am BB,I see 2 guys that really interest me, Brockers and Cox. If neither is on the board at #27,then I have no reason to stay in the first round unless I want to overdraft Curry or overdraft one of the DB's, like Baron.

Any thoughts on the WR crop?

VrabelJr · 02-26-2012, 11:36 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ochmed Jones

What I take from his article is what I have been saying for the past month.

This draft has a super mega blue chipper at the top in Luck. Followed by 4 or 5 decent blue blue chip prospects. Kahil, Richardson, Blackmon, Claiborne and maybe Griffin.

But only a dozen or so red chip prospects. So after pick #20, this draft flattens out and it becomes a draft of about 50 or so guys that are all generic,for lack of a better word and the key for teams drafting after #20 is finding the player that best "Fits" your system. What I am saying is the talent difference between the #50 ranked player and the #27 ranked player is minimal and for teams drafting after #20, those team's success in this draft is tied to their ability to find players that best fit in their system.

If I am BB,I see 2 guys that really interest me, Brockers and Cox. If neither is on the board at #27,then I have no reason to stay in the first round unless I want to overdraft Curry or overdraft one of the DB's, like Baron.

Blackmon might not be the blue chipper we thought he was. He's lacking Andre Johnson/Larry Fitz size, lacking strength and needs a wee bit more speed.

I don't see us as having Vinny Curry on our draft board anymore. Comes from a small school and lacks size in key areas that BB tends to like.

Merril Hoge's Tie Knot · 02-26-2012, 12:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by VrabelJr

Blackmon might not be the blue chipper we thought he was. He's lacking Andre Johnson/Larry Fitz size, lacking strength and needs a wee bit more speed.

I don't see us as having Vinny Curry on our draft board anymore. Comes from a small school and lacks size in key areas that BB tends to like.

He's not a blue chipper IMO. He's not that fast, he's not that big, he has good hands and intangibles, but bottom line is that he is a 6'1 possession receiver.

The difference between the top guys and the third through fifth rounders is minuscule to me.

VrabelJr · 02-26-2012, 12:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Off The Grid

I'm almost tempted to draft Mark Barron just because his NAME is so much cooler than Chung's.

I mean: "Hey! I'm Patrick CHUNG. I'll be your Strong Safety, today."

What is THAT??

This is just more garbage that you continually spew just like your clamoring for a third all-star TE. You've officially landed on my ignore list.

Interesting praise about Mark Barron. I'm curious as to how he would fit in our system. We aren't a traditional FS/SS team so there could be room for him next to Chung after all.

manxman2601 · 02-26-2012, 12:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by VrabelJr

This is just more garbage that you continually spew just like your clamoring for a third all-star TE. You've officially landed on my ignore list.

Interesting praise about Mark Barron. I'm curious as to how he would fit in our system. We aren't a traditional FS/SS team so there could be room for him next to Chung after all.

Second longest arms of all DB's. Keeps ticking boxes.

ay-yo · 02-26-2012, 04:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ochmed Jones

What I take from his article is what I have been saying for the past month.

This draft has a super mega blue chipper at the top in Luck. Followed by 4 or 5 decent blue blue chip prospects. Kahil, Richardson, Blackmon, Claiborne and maybe Griffin.

But only a dozen or so red chip prospects. So after pick #20, this draft flattens out and it becomes a draft of about 50 or so guys that are all generic,for lack of a better word and the key for teams drafting after #20 is finding the player that best "Fits" your system. What I am saying is the talent difference between the #50 ranked player and the #27 ranked player is minimal and for teams drafting after #20, those team's success in this draft is tied to their ability to find players that best fit in their system.

If I am BB,I see 2 guys that really interest me, Brockers and Cox. If neither is on the board at #27,then I have no reason to stay in the first round unless I want to overdraft Curry or overdraft one of the DB's, like Baron.

Assuming you are right about the structure of the draft:

If I'm BB I'd look to move up to 15-20 with one first assuring we get a guy with a first round grade. I'd move the other first back and recoup w/e lower round selection I lost.

A mid first and a late second > 2 late firsts

VrabelJr · 02-26-2012, 11:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ay-yo

Assuming you are right about the structure of the draft:

If I'm BB I'd look to move up to 15-20 with one first assuring we get a guy with a first round grade. I'd move the other first back and recoup w/e lower round selection I lost.

A mid first and a late second > 2 late firsts

BB won't do this. If anything we should try and trade out of the first with at least one of our picks and pick up an early 2nd rounder. Last year's draft the 2nd round was money because the draft was super deep. This year's draft the 2nd round is about the same as the end of the 1st because this draft class is weak.