The 2013 Prospect Thread

[manxman2601]

Originally Posted by Merril Hoge's Tie Knot

2. Yeah but what about center? I still think he might be the best center. I haven't done a ton of work on that position though. I bet Cooper would make a hell of a center.

This is another reason I'm so high on Cooper. He played center his first year I believe and I too think he'd make an excellent one. There was a recent report on NFL.com talking about how Center is know the most important position on the OL ahead of LT because they are the QB's of the OL. There were a number of coaches, players and pundits saying it. When you watch Cooper, he's the one calling out the assignments. So yes he'd fit very nicely there. I do think it would be a waste of his athleticism though.

[manxman2601]

In an earlier post, I wasn't very high on Kyle Long. I've just started watching Reid Fragel and I'm nuch more impressed with him. I watched two incomplete games against Penn State and Michigan. One thing that stood out is how tall and lean he is - has the body of a big TE. He's very nimble and looks very good getting to the second level. He doesn't look a liability in pass blocking although strength could be an issue against bigger DE's. He also mirrors very well. He also looked good in run blocking. I found little to fault him for.

I wouldn't trust the blindside to him and I'm a little reticent to suggest that he could be plugged in to Vollmer's spot but I think with a years development he could be a starting RT. 6th or 7th round would be a steal.

I was also impressed with Zach Boren. He's too stiff in the hips to be a three down backer but he'd make a very good special teamer and rushing down backup. Has very good instincts, is an excellent tackler and has the BB mentality. Would be an outstanding 7th round pick.

[Merril Hoge's Tie Knot]

Originally Posted by manxman2601

1. Louis Nix III: Yeah I'm very high on him too. I've come up with a new nickname for him: "Bowling Ball". That's what he puts me in mind of every time I watch. He's a small rotund ball shaped guy that just knocks everything down in front of him. Would be the best DT in the class if he declares. I'm really high on Kapron Lewis Moore but only for a 3-4. Think he's too tall and slender for our DT role.

2. Barrett Jones. I too saw Spencer Nealy give him a working over. I think Barrett Jones won't go until late round two or round three. I'm not overly impressed. He gets credit for being so versatile which is fair enough but the other reason for that is that he's not good enough to lock down one position for the Tide. And BTW, that Spencer Nealy game was Texas A&M, not Miss St.

3. Doubt Roby declares. Are Ohio State bowl eligible next year. Bearing in mind they went unbeaten this, if they are eligible next year, that's good incentive too return.

1. I don't think he's too tall. NFLDS has him at 6035 which is shorter than Deadrick. Plus Notre Dame often runs a 4 man front similar to ours, with KLM playing DT. He even plays nose sometimes.

2. I guess I had my tie on too tight when I wrote that . Second round seems more likely than the third IMO.

[Merril Hoge's Tie Knot]

IMO Mike Taylor (LB, Wisconsin) is the most underrated player in the draft. He's intelligent, terrific in coverage, blitzes well, tackles well, moves through traffic well, and gets to the ball carrier as quick as just about anyone. His stats weigh out: 120 tackles, 15 TFL, 3 sacks, 4 passes defended. He’s not perfect though. He could be a little stronger. Somehow he's ranked 445 at CBS

I’m watching Ohio St vs Wisc and he just stuffed Braxton Miller in space.

Devin Smith (CB, Wisconsin) could be the answer to our nickel CB problem. He's versatile, well rounded, adequate size, plays the run well, takes good angles, mixes it up around the LOS. He starts at outside corner but moves to the slot in nickel, like Arrington.

Two plays in a row Zach Boren (OSU) brought a delayed blitz and crushed Wisc QB Curt Phillips.

I’m through the first half and Wisconsin has yet to throw to Bradley Roby’s side.

Through the third, still no passes near Roby. He has been playing the short side of the field all day. I don’t know if that’s normal for him, but generally don’t the best and fastest corners play on the big side if not the left or right? He looks shorter than 5’11” to me.

Mike Taylor drops an interception. Apparently that doesn’t count as a pass defended because it’s not in the box score.

With 5:45 left in the game they finally throw to Roby’s side. It wasn’t to Roby’s man, but he made the play anyway. On the 18, OSU is in zone, Roby’s man heads to the end zone and Roby goes with. The FB runs a wheel route, and Roby passes his man off to the safety and gets to the FB just in time to knock the ball out for an incompletion in the end zone.

Roby gave up 2 completions on the last drive of regulation. Mostly due to the soft zone they were running.

[mayoclinic]

Marcus Lattimore to go pro:

NFL Source: Marcus Lattimore to go pro - ESPN

[patfanken]

Originally Posted by mayoclinic

Matthew Fairburn of Mocking the Draft profiles Dion Jordan:

2013 NFL Draft: Breaking down Dion Jordan's strengths and weaknesses - SBNation.com

Why bother profiling players that the Pats have absolutely no chance of getting. Its just frustrates us that someone else is going to have that much talent.

[patfanken]

Originally Posted by mayoclinic

Missouri Southern St. DT Brandon Williams, the MIAA defensive player of the year, has accepted an invitation to the Senior Bowl:

Brandon Williams accepts invitation to play in 2013 Senior Bowl - KOAM TV 7 Joplin and Pittsburg

Williams is 6'3" 325#. He claims to run a sub 5.0 40. As the NT he finished second on the team with 68 tackles include 16.5 TFL and 8.5 sacks, and finished second in the MIAA in forced fumbles, so he has some quickness and playmaking ability as well as the ability to be a space eater. It will be very interesting to see how he does against better competition.

Now THIS is the kind of guy the Pats might actually have a shot to get at some point. So HIS info excites rather than frustrates

[patfanken]

Originally Posted by mayoclinic

I haven't seen this kid play, but I'm a little suspicious of 6'4" 220# safeties who are supposedly fluid and can cover. I keep wanting to find the next Rodney, but that kind of player is pretty darn rare. The fact that he has instincts, experience, long arms, and acts as the QB of the defense make him all the more interesting, but I'm still somewhat skeptical - it sounds too good to be true. And I'm a "half full" kind of guy. Maybe more than half full (or full of it, depending on your perspective).

You just gave me my first real binky of the 2013 draft. I'm dying to get some more size into the Pats secondary and at 6'4 he has MORE than enough. If that scouting report is even close to accurate, I don't care where we took him. He'd be an answer to a prayer.... but that's what binkies are supposed to be

[ctpatsfan77]

Originally Posted by Merril Hoge's Tie Knot

Forget Star and Hankins - if he declares - Nix III is the best DT in the class. Every time I watch him my jaw is on the floor. He's the closest thing to the Wilfork I've ever seen.

I'm officially releasing him as a binky.

Remember, you don't pick binkies. Binkies pick you.

[manxman2601]

Jonathan Hankins has declared for the draft:

DT Hankins: "I have decided, with the support of my family, to forego my senior season at #OhioState in order to enter the NFL Draft."

https://twitter.com/dpbrugler/status/278222206578864128

Mocks have had him falling. as a non-passrushing DT with a less than spectacular season, I wonder if he might fall all the way to the bottom of the first. There's not many DT's that I think provide decent first round value, but Hankins is one.