PFW: Top Underclassmen

[mayoclinic]

Nolan Nawrocki from ProFootballWeekly, who is one of the best draftniks around, has a new analysis of underclassman draft prospects out:

ProFootballWeekly.com - McCoy, Bryant top underclassmen in NFL draft

Some very interesting things in his list:

1. He has Rolando McClain ranked #10 among underclassmen, which means that he's certainly not in Nawrocki's top 10 prospects given seniors such as Ndamukong Suh and Russell Okung. Nawrocki calls McClain "an excellent-sized, instinctive middle 'backer with outstanding football intelligence, McClain is tailor-made for the NFL game and will command heavy interest from teams employing "30" fronts."

2. He has Eric Berry ranked only #9 among underclassmen, much lower than I would have expected.

3. He has Jason Pierre-Paul ranked #4, the highest DE on his board, ahead of Derrick Morgan (#8). Pierre-Paul is raw. I'm surprised Nawrocki has him this high.

4. Guys not in the top 10 of underclassmen, who should therefore be within range of when the Pats pick, include:

- Carlos Dunlap, DE, Florida - "A raw underachiever with a rare combination of size and athletic ability."
- Earl Thomas, S, Texas - "An undersized, playmaking ballhawk who is fluid enough to transition to cornerback."

Finally, nowhere on his list is UCA DT Brian Price, who I think will be a top 15 pick.

Interesting list.

 

[mgteich]

Please repeat 3 times

The New England Patriots are NOT drafting a safety.

Nolan Nawrocki from ProFootballWeekly, who is one of the best draftniks around, has a new analysis of underclassman draft prospects out:

ProFootballWeekly.com - McCoy, Bryant top underclassmen in NFL draft

Some very interesting things in his list:

1. He has Rolando McClain ranked #10 among underclassmen, which means that he's certainly not in Nawrocki's top 10 prospects given seniors such as Ndamukong Suh and Russell Okung. Nawrocki calls McClain "an excellent-sized, instinctive middle 'backer with outstanding football intelligence, McClain is tailor-made for the NFL game and will command heavy interest from teams employing "30" fronts."

2. He has Eric Berry ranked only #9 among underclassmen, much lower than I would have expected.

3. He has Jason Pierre-Paul ranked #4, the highest DE on his board, ahead of Derrick Morgan (#8). Pierre-Paul is raw. I'm surprised Nawrocki has him this high.

4. Guys not in the top 10 of underclassmen, who should therefore be within range of when the Pats pick, include:

- Carlos Dunlap, DE, Florida - "A raw underachiever with a rare combination of size and athletic ability."
- Earl Thomas, S, Texas - "An undersized, playmaking ballhawk who is fluid enough to transition to cornerback."

Finally, nowhere on his list is UCA DT Brian Price, who I think will be a top 15 pick.

Interesting list.

 

[BelichickFan]

Please repeat 3 times

The New England Patriots are NOT drafting a safety.

LMAO, Safety this year is what TE was for me a few years ago. I want a TE now as we have a need. Belichick has drafted a 1st round Safety (Meriweather), an almost 1st round Safety (Chung) and extended Sanders. I won't mention McGowan as he was a cheap FA. We cannot use a top 4 round pick on a Safety, Belichick has spent abundantly on the position, he needs to make it work.

 

[mayoclinic]

Please repeat 3 times

The New England Patriots are NOT drafting a safety.

Whoever said they were?

 

[mgteich]

You listed a safety as being within range of the pats.

I have the same view of drafting safeties as you do of TE's.

Whoever said they were?

 

[TriplecHamp]

You listed a safety as being within range of the pats.

I have the same view of drafting safeties as you do of TE's.

He can transition to corner

Im starting to like Tate and Thomas as possible picks for us with Thomas becoming a Corner depending on how he runs.

 

[patriotscpfc]

Please repeat 3 times

The New England Patriots are NOT drafting a safety.

If Myron Rolle is available in Round 4, i'm picking him up. I don't care who is cut, but Rolle is intelligent and can be a beast in the NFL. He'd need some time to get back into it anyway.

 

[MagnumPI5]

If Myron Rolle is available in Round 4, i'm picking him up. I don't care who is cut, but Rolle is intelligent and can be a beast in the NFL. He'd need some time to get back into it anyway.

Right on. Even though he isn't a great fit given our depth at safety, he would be a tough guy to pass up. I'd love to see him in a Patriots uniform.