The 2013 Prospect Thread

[mayoclinic]

One writer's view of the top 15 2013 prospects from the Big 10:

McKewon: Big Ten is traditionally fertile ground for linemen - Omaha.com

[mayoclinic]

Early top 100 list from Sideline Scouting:

Sideline Scouting - Top 100

Some rankings of interest:

32. Tony Jefferson, S, Oklahoma.
42. Devin Taylor, DE, South Carolina.
43. Tyrann Mathieu, DB, LSU.
46. Bjoern Werner, DE, Florida St.
54. Khaled Homes, OG/C, USC.
57. Jonathan Cooper, OG, North Carolina.
64. Jesse Wiliams, DL, Alabama.
76. Margus Hunt, DE, SMU.
78. John Jenkins, DL, Georgia.
87. Dion Jordan, DE, Oregon.

[patchick]

Originally Posted by mayoclinic

Its no fun having a monolog. Hopefully some other guys will jump on board at some point.

Sorry for the lonely board! But rest assured you're not talking into a vacuum...I don't have much to contribute at this stage, but I'm always interested in your posts as pointers to players to watch out for.

[mayoclinic]

Defensive positional rankings from Sideline Scouting:

Sideline Scouting - Defensive Ends
Sideline Scouting - Defensive Tackles
Sideline Scouting - Outside Linebackers
Sideline Scouting - Inside Linebackers
Sideline Scouting - Safeties
Sideline Scouting - Cornerbacks

[mayoclinic]

Offensive positional rankings from Sideline Scouting:

Sideline Scouting - Quarterbacks
Sideline Scouting - Running Backs
Sideline Scouting - Fullbacks
Sideline Scouting - Wide Receivers
Sideline Scouting - Tight Ends
Sideline Scouting - Offensive Tackles
Sideline Scouting - Offensive Guards
Sideline Scouting - Centers

[mayoclinic]

Rob Rang previews prospects from the Oregon Ducks, including one of the most intriguing guys for 2013, DE Dion Jordan:

OLB/DE Dion Jordan (6-6, 246)

Jordan signed with Oregon as a highly regarded prep tight end and only made the switch to the defensive side of the ball in the spring of 2010. As a reserve defensive end for the Ducks in 2010 Jordan registered 33 tackles, including 5.5 tackles for loss and two sacks. To take advantage of his unique combination of burst off the snap and length, Oregon created a hybrid role for Jordan in 2011, lining him up as a stand-up pass rusher and moving him around to find favorable matchups. Demonstrating surprising fluidity for such a tall player, Jordan exploded for 13 tackles for loss and 7.5 sacks, each of which led the team, earning First Team all-conference honors from Pac-12 coaches. Rarely asked to play with his hand in the dirt as a traditional defensive end, Oregon helped protect Jordan as a run-defender as he lacks the bulk to consistently set the edge against 300 pound behemoths. Jordan's long arms and vision, however, allow him to disengage from most blockers quickly and he plays with a high-revving motor, often pursuing the ball-carrier yards downfield. Teams looking for a traditional 3-4 rush linebacker will be intrigued by Jordan as he times the snap well, shows the flexibility to dip under the reach of tackles and closes quickly. Unlike most "defensive ends" asked to make the transition to outside linebacker, Jordan has experience in coverage, as he was routinely asked to line up over the slot receiver initially, showing the balance and awareness to give a creative NFL defensive coordinator a variety of ways in which he can rattle the opposing quarterback.

2013 NFL Draft: Oregon Preview - CBSSports

Along with guys like Margus Hunt and Devin Taylor, Jordan has a freakish combination of length and athletic ability. Watching him play press CB at times for the Ducks last year was a sight.

[Avenger]

Originally Posted by mayoclinic

Rob Rang previews prospects from the Oregon Ducks, including one of the most intriguing guys for 2013, DE Dion Jordan:



2013 NFL Draft: Oregon Preview - CBSSports

Along with guys like Margus Hunt and Devin Taylor, Jordan has a freakish combination of length and athletic ability. Watching him play press CB at times for the Ducks last year was a sight.

possible match up to the new breed of super TEs?

[mayoclinic]

Originally Posted by Avenger

possible match up to the new breed of super TEs?

Jordan started as a TE and was switched to DE at Oregon. He's strong given his lean frame, but I wouldn't want to ask him to set the edge on a regular basis. But he's awefully good in space, and at 6'7" 245# he has incredible movement skills.

[mayoclinic]

Walter Football's Charlie Campbell profiles Florida St. DE Bjoern Werner, another intriguing DE prospect:

Skill-Set Summary: The thing that about Werner's play that stands out the most is his combination of physicality and speed. Hr has a good burst off the snap that he uses to put tackles on their heels. Werner's get off will really appeal to NFL defensive line coaches. Once he gains leverage, he uses his strength and bulk to fend off blocks while surging by them. Werner has good closing speed to get to the quarterback.

The Seminoles junior combines a good motor with a mean streak. He holds his ground and has a nice ability to get off of blocks just before the ball carrier gets to him. Werner also pursues well around the field to chase down backs. Florida State played him in contain regularly at the line of scrimmage, but he was at his best when the coaches let him get upfield. Werner caused havoc by firing past linemen to disrupt runs in the backfield and pressure the quarterback.

Werner needs to continue to work on the basic fundamentals. His pad level and knee bend need to be more consistent. Werner's capacity to shed blocks could use more refining, but he has a good start for that critical skill.

Werner also needs to continue to develop more pass-rushing moves. With his strength and quickness, an interior rip move could be devastating. He is still raw but has enough upside that all of these issues could disappear quickly.

Florida State plays Werner at right and left end. He provides mismatch problems against both tackles. Left tackles can struggle with his power and physicality while right tackles are in trouble with his quickness.

Werner would fit best as a 4-3 defensive end at the next level. However, he does have the skills to be a five-technique defensive end in a 3-4 defense, but may need to add some more bulk for that. Werner probably is not a candidate to kick out as a 3-4 outside linebacker. While he has some athleticism, he doesn't look like a natural to play in space.

There is no doubt that Werner has a superb skill set. He has ideal size to be a 4-3 defensive end and those defensive line coaches are going to love his combination of speed and power.

2013 Draft Expectations: Werner has the athletic ability to be a first-round pick. He just needs to get more consistent and produce at a high level for the Seminoles. If Werner plays up to his potential, he could easily be a first-rounder in 2013 or 2014.

WalterFootball.com: 2013 NFL Draft Scouting Report: Bjoern Werner

Werner's a Justin Smith kind of power DE. Nice prospect.

[Snake Eyes]

Originally Posted by mayoclinic

Jordan started as a TE and was switched to DE at Oregon. He's strong given his lean frame, but I wouldn't want to ask him to set the edge on a regular basis. But he's awefully good in space, and at 6'7" 245# he has incredible movement skills.

I wonder if he'd be better off at TE.