Diamonds in the Rough

[mayoclinic]

Rob Rang from CBSSports/NFLdraftscout is one of the better draftniks out there - probably on a par with Tony Pauline, and just behind Rich Gosselin and Nolan Nawrocki.

He came out with this yesterday:

Diamonds in the Rough: Beavers' Canfield could trump Tebow - NFL - CBSSports.com - NFLDraftScout.com

Interestingly, several of his players singled out were singled out in my December 1 mock offseason, and a couple were picks for the Pats:

- TE Jimmy Graham, Miami, 6-8, 260, 4.72: "In terms of producing NFL talent, 'The U' can hardly be characterized as 'the rough,' but Graham, a former basketball standout for the 'Canes, certainly has flashed enough to attract the attention of NFL scouts. Little was expected of Graham when he decided to play football this year, but he has proved to be a reliable end zone target. His rare size and athleticism could warrant a late-round selection as a developmental prospect." I had us taking Graham in the 6th round. He'd be a nice red zone target for Brady.

- OG Mike Iupati, Idaho, 6-5, 330, 5.20: "Moscow, Idaho, might sound foreign, but NFL scouts have become well acquainted with the Vandals campus with their scouting of this massive blocker. NFLDraftScout.com's top-rated guard since September, Iupati's girth, physicality and surprising athleticism stand out on film. If he can duplicate his success in the WAC at the Senior Bowl, Iupati could earn a first-round grade -- a rare accomplishment for a pure guard." I had the Steelers taking him in the 1st, and as a possible Pats pick if he lasted to the 2nd round.

- OT/G Vladimir Ducasse, Massachusetts, 6-5, 330, 5.32. I had him as a possible sleeper pick at OG or possibly RT for us, and gave him to Dallas in the 3rd round.

- DE Austen Lane, Murray State, 6-6, 258, 4.65: "The preseason Ohio Valley Conference Defensive Player of the Year after posting 63 tackles, 22 tackles for loss and 12 sacks in 2008, Lane was double-teamed on nearly every snap this season. It hasn't helped -- Lane has been nearly as statistically dominant (64 tackles, 19.5 tackles for loss, 11 sacks in 11 games). Quick off the snap and possessing very long arms (reportedly 37 inches), Lane could join the likes of Jared Allen (Idaho State), DeMarcus Ware (Troy) and Robert Mathis (Alabama A&M) as productive pass rushers from the so-called 'small schools.' " I had us taking him #70 in the 3rd round (in a trade with Kansas City).

It's a nice read, with a lot of guys listed to possibly keep an eye on.

 

[BillBelichickFan79]

I'm a pretty big fan of the U so I watch quite a few games and I'm not a big fan of Graham. He drops way too many catchable balls and sometimes has alligator arms over the middle. He's got good size and athleticism but I don't think he's ever going to amount to anything that useful in the NFL. Still in the 6th round I guess you might as well take the risk.

 

[carolinatony]

OG Mike Iupati, Idaho, 6-5, 330, 5.20: "Moscow, Idaho, might sound foreign, but NFL scouts have become well acquainted with the Vandals campus with their scouting of this massive blocker. NFLDraftScout.com's top-rated guard since September, Iupati's girth, physicality and surprising athleticism stand out on film. If he can duplicate his success in the WAC at the Senior Bowl, Iupati could earn a first-round grade -- a rare accomplishment for a pure guard." I had the Steelers taking him in the 1st, and as a possible Pats pick if he lasted to the 2nd round.


I would like us to grab someone like him inthe first and upgrade the middle of our line. We do have three 2nd rounders and even if we trade back one; can still get LB and DE with the other two picks.

We sure could use him but I bet BB trades back our first into the 2nd round.
Like a few guys have said and I agree... what's the use of ALL these extra draft picks if every year all you do is keep trading them down.
We should trade up one year and get 2/3 solid playermakers. Our defense must be upgraded this year imo.

 

[mayoclinic]

Like a few guys have said and I agree... what's the use of ALL these extra draft picks if every year all you do is keep trading them down.
We should trade up one year and get 2/3 solid playermakers. Our defense must be upgraded this year imo.

We started the 2009 draft with picks #23, 34, 47, 58, 89 and 97 in the first 3 rounds. After all the trades we ended up with picks #34, 40, 41, 58, 83, 97 and 2 extra 2011 1st round picks. So we essentially traded #23 back 18 spots, #47 up 7 spots, and #89 up 6 spots for a net movement of 5 spots, while picking up 2 extra 2011 second round picks.

And we still managed to get a CB (Darius Butler) who many on this board would have been happy to take at #23, and a potential franchise LT at #58.

So how did trading down cost us "solid playmakers" this year?

2010 will be very deep. I expect us to get 4 "solid playmakers" if we keep all 4 picks.

 

[carolinatony]

2010 will be very deep. I expect us to get 4 "solid playmakers" if we keep all 4 picks


I hope you are correct Mayo because this defense NEEDS playmakers. No need to mention the 4th and 2 play but we all know BB had no faith in his defense.

Players that cause turnovers on defense and put fear on the other team is what we are lacking. We need the new Bruschi's,Harrisons, Law,ect. You just knew one of them would make a play and give us that advantage.

BB won't trade up but I wouldn't mind a Greg Hardy on the Pats next year.

 

[mayoclinic]

I hope you are correct Mayo because this defense NEEDS playmakers. No need to mention the 4th and 2 play but we all know BB had no faith in his defense.

Players that cause turnovers on defense and put fear on the other team is what we are lacking. We need the new Bruschi's,Harrisons, Law,ect. You just knew one of them would make a play and give us that advantage.

BB won't trade up but I wouldn't mind a Greg Hardy on the Pats next year.

I want those kind of players too, as much as anyone. I've been calling for that for a long time now.

It's quite possible that we won't have to trade up to get a Greg Hardy on the Pats. He could slip to the bottom or out of round 1 with his injury history. I love Morgan, Hardy, Romeus, Pierre-Paul, Beal and Lane as potential picks, and hope to see a couple drafted.

I don't see BB trading up, because I think there are enough players of comparable talent that it's not worth giving up the extra picks. Rolando McClain stands out, but ILB isn't enough of a need to warrant a trade up as far as I'm concerned. Derrick Morgan is terrific, but I'm not 100% convinced that he would be better for us than Greg Hardy or Greg Romeus - not convinced enough to give up another pick which could be used on a quality player. Cameron Heyward might be worth a trade up, but I'm not sure how far I'd reach given the other 3-4 DE candidates (Arthur Jones, Jared Odrick, Allen Bailey).

I would love to see us pick up some more picks, as I think there will be quality players available for about 100 picks. Ideally, I'd like to see us rebuild the lines, getting something like:

- 2 pass rushers. Some combination of Morgan, Hardy, Romeus, Pierre-Paul, Beal and Mason would be nice. Maybe Dunlap if he slips, or Everson Griffen. Maybe Jerry Hughes, Sergio Kindle, or Eric Norwood.

- A 3-4 DE. Cameron Heyward or Allen Bailey would be nice. Jared Odrick, Arthur Jones, Corey Wootton or Adrian Clayborn would also be solid. Leonard Marsh or Cameron Jordan might be terrific in time as well.

- A RT to upgrade Kaczur. Joseph Blackwell or Gabe Carimi would be nice.

- One or two interior linemen. Ideally, both an OG, or an OG/C. Maurkice Pouncey would be a terrific center for us. Mike Iupati, Mike Pouncey, Gabe Carimi, Vladimir Ducasse, Mike Johnson, Jon Asamoah and probably a couple of other guys would also be nice.

Do you think any of those guys would count as potential playmakers?

 

[carolinatony]

All of your players you like could help but Somehow BB always seems to go his own way in picking players. If pass rush is not addressed this draft than something is wrong.

Its entertaining in these mocks but I miss on most. I did believe he would take Butler,Mayo,Meriweather and Maroney in the last few years so i got few right.

#1 Pass Rush
#2 Pass Rush
#3 OL
#4 power RB
#5 punter,TE,WR...BPA