The 2013 Prospect Thread

[manxman2601]

Originally Posted by DaBruinz

I used 28.5 since Connolly (28.5), Koppen (28.5) and Welch (29) all fell under the 30" mark.

Box was talking about early round picks. At what point does desirable measurables get trumped by value? Marcus Cannon doesn't fair well on the agility tests but qualifies under the vert test (30.5).

[mackenzie45220]

Lotulelei has heart condition, will not work out at the combine

[mackenzie45220]

Haven't been here in a while, just wrote about Cobi Hamilton

Cobi Hamilton- 2013 NFL Draft Scouting Report

Hands are poor but he's still very good. Really explodes out of cuts for a 6'2 receiver, gets lots of YAC.

[Snake Eyes]

Originally Posted by mackenzie45220

Haven't been here in a while, just wrote about Cobi Hamilton

Cobi Hamilton- 2013 NFL Draft Scouting Report

Hands are poor but he's still very good. Really explodes out of cuts for a 6'2 receiver, gets lots of YAC.

Mackenzie, what are your thoughts on the combine so far?

[mackenzie45220]

Loved how my sleepers have been doing... Kawann Short has long arms, Quessenberry was good across the board, Zac Stacy destroyed the bench, Aaron Mellette has physical tools, Michael Ford was impressive, Rontez Miles has good length.

Something I'll say right now: when I saw Knile Davis in 2010, I thought he resembled Chris Wells. His burst has actually been back since the LSU game, but still, he will do Wells like things, such as run out of bounds to avoid taking a hit, etc.

The forty was nice, but Terron Armstead is only slightly above average laterally. Johnathan Cooper looked awesome, and I'm intrigued by Chris Gragg.

I love Michael Ford. I still don't know why Les Miles never gave him carries, but he had the third best 10 yard split among running backs at the combine (1.51). 38.5 in vertical. The best thing about Ford; he can legitimately beat you with his speed on the edge and power inside (25 bench reps and solid bulk). Guys who you have to worry about on inside and outside runs have the most superstar potential, and Ford flashes the great qualities of a certain LaDainian Tomlinson.

Zac Stacy's combine was nearly identical to that of Doug Martin last year. Both ran a 4.55. Stacy is 5'8 1/4, Martin 5'9. Stacy did a surprising 27 bench reps, Martin 28. Stacy's broad jump was 122, Martin's 120. Martin's vertical was 36, Stacy's 33. Just sayin'.

Aaron Hester and Rontez Miles both made me happy with their measurements. Hester's size and length is definitely intriguing. 6'2, 32 1/2 in. If he runs a 4.48 or below, he may finally get some of the second round consideration he deserves. Miles's 32 7/8 in arms were a pleasant surprise, and, if I had to bet on any one player to run a surprising 40, it's Miles. Don't be surprised if he shocks the world and runs sub 4.4. His film says he could. The guy blocked, like, 7 punts his senior year. Burst is just awesome

Best player not at the combine: Josh Downs. I've fallen in love with him recently. Tell me if this is not an accurate depiction of Downs; very short, flashes elite quickness off the ball, mediocre strength, plays hard, gets good leverage, above average pass rusher but mediocre against the run. As a Cincinnati native, that description is an exact match of the description of another defensive tackle worshiped in my neck of the woods.

[mackenzie45220]

Ooh, and Cornelius Washington started off on a great note. I previously said there he was a nice, athletic one trick pony who could bring pass rushing off the bench (sounds like a basketball description). But he's killing it at the combine. 36 bench reps (!) at 265lbs, in spite of the fact he had the longest arms of any linebacker at the combine (34in)

[mackenzie45220]

One guy got onto my radar. I actually was able to see Tyrone Goard twice last season. At first glance, I thought he wasn't all to fast, figuring he would run in the 4.6 range at the combine, and the unlikely best case scenario was a poor man's Danario Alexander. But, at the time, I thought he was 6'4. When I found out he was 6'7, I immediately changed my assessment of his speed because that makes his strides a lot longer. Sure enough, he ran a 4.50. First off, his hands are incredible. He made one play I may never forget. He was running over the middle, and someone leaned in with their shoulder pad and knocked him onto the turf. He had a concussion on the play. But, shockingly, the ball bounced off the shoulder pad of the man who hit him, and Goard caught it while his back was on the turf waiting for medical assistance because he had a concussion. I believe it was the Tennessee Martin game. I'm not making this up. I've never seen him drop a pass and he has elite leaping ability. Longest arms of any receiver at the combine and a 36 inch vertical. Sum it up, and you've got a serious player. Sort of lazy blocker, though

[Sciz]

I'm convinced that 6'7" for Goard is off. He was listed at 6'4" in college and was 6036 at the EW Shrine weigh ins.

[Wilfork#75]

Originally Posted by Sciz

I'm convinced that 6'7" for Goard is off. He was listed at 6'4" in college and was 6036 at the EW Shrine weigh ins.

Yeah, I think 6'7" is a mistake. I believe Mayock said he was just under 6'4" so 6036 is probably correct.

[mackenzie45220]

Take the award away from Downs. Take a look at this

The best player not invited to the combine (also not invited to any all star games) is a senior outside linebacker. He's 6'2, 233lbs, and, according to nfldraftscout.com, he runs a 4.69 40. A 4.69 40 at 233lbs is average to mediocre. Not great by any stretch of the imagination, but definitely passable.

Now, for his stats.

2012: 120 tackles, 10 TFL's, 4 sacks, 2 interceptions

2011: 123 tackles, 6 TFL's, 2 sacks, 2 interceptions

That's near Khaseem Greene territory. Plus, his measurables are pretty similar to those of Greene. And here's the most surprising part.

He played his entire career at an SEC school (and a good one, too).

How in the world a player be so dominant at an SEC school, have measurables that are pretty much average, and not even get an invitation is beyond me. And I'm sure it's beyond Mississippi State outside linebacker Cameron Lawrence.

Now for a quick scouting report.

The first thing that jumps off the tape is his strength and toughness. He's the SEC's closest thing to a John Simon esque gym rat. 233lbs sounds a bit undersized, but he has the the strength to make up for it. Best example: 4th and 1 in the 2011 Auburn game. They hand the ball off to Michael Dyer, and Lawrence wins the battle in an intense collision, simply throwing Dyer to the ground leaving him just short of the first down marker. Also; he's the first 4-3 outside linebacker I can recall regularly drawing double teams against the run (all of the Tennessee game). If you are a 233lb linebacker and drawing guard/tackle double teams on run plays against SEC teams, you know you are doing something right. On top of his strength, he uses his hands really well, understands leverage, and gets off blocks as effectively as any 4-3 linebacker in this class. On top of that, his instincts approach Kuechly levels. He's not as quick in pursuit of the ball as Kuechly, but his ability to diagnose plays, find holes in the blocking scheme, and take a good angle to the ball is second to none in this draft class. Something special. As for his long term position, it could be inside or outside linebacker depending on his playing weight. In his junior season, he physically looked like he was 233lbs (still had the strength of a 260lbs player), and, because of the mediocre bulk, he had the above average lateral quickness/range needed for the coverage responsibilities of outside linebackers. In 2012, however, he may have been listed at 233lbs, but I'm convinced that weight is from spring practices; he looked visibly bulkier in 2012. No less than 246lbs. At this point, he drew attention against the run like he was an interior lineman, but the lost lateral quickness and added stiffness was pretty staggering. The 246lbs version of Lawrence should have been limited to inside linebacker because coverage was a chore. I personally favor the 233lbs version, but that's just me. Still, his instincts are terrific (in coverage as well), he doesn't ever miss tackles, his strength for his size is off the charts, and he's a passable athlete. I give him a late second round grade.