Sleepers!!

[Off The Grid]

Under the Radar: Diamonds in the Rough

As per Brother Snake Eyes’ sage suggestion, I offer this Thread ~ like the other Consolidation Threads ~ as an Emporium of ideas for any and all Rankings, Scouting Reports, Opinions, Arguments, and other assorted Random Thoughts that might occur to any of us on the subject, or that we might wish to pull in from other sources. I'll certainly be doing so, because it helps me to have all my thoughts on one subject consolidated, but if anyone else wishes to join in, or take over, I hope you'll feel free to do just that!!

As a general idea, it seems like anyone projected for the 3rd Round or later would qualify...But, really: Anyone that anyone thinks will project a lot later than his potential upside: Any perceived Great Value would seem to be worthy of discussion, in my view.

As with the other consolidation threads, this isn't meant to replace individual threads, only to offer a One Stop Shop for each category.

 

[I Augustus]

I would spend a 7th rounder on one of those players in terms of low risk high reward category :
Keith Payne RB Virginia ( big ,bruising RB )
Richard Lapham RT Boston College ( knee injury may lend him on PUP list )
Andrew Shulze LS Iowa (training camp would clarify who keeps this job )

 

[ctpatsfan77]

Andrew Shulze LS Iowa (training camp would clarify who keeps this job )

I'd prefer to take the LS without a draft pick, TYVM.

[Also, the Pats don't have a 7 at the moment; they traded it to the Falcons for Ojinnaka.]

 

[Snake Eyes]

Ah, the sleepers, my favorites!

In no particular order I want:

Randall "Tex" Cobb - while not a standout WR he's as multi-faceted as a Swiss Army knife, perhaps an eventual heir to Troy Brown, the guy is skilled at QB/KR/WR, for all we know he can take the ball out of the backfield like Percy Harvin. A Jack of all trades like him can make for excellent depth and can also allow for a bunch of trick plays, and since he's a lefty is a nice compliment to Brady because the Defense would have to account for a pass on either side if an end-around was run.

Zane Taylor - by all accounts he has everything you want in a center, I'm wondering if he's rated so low because he plays for a small school and his height (a measly 6'2) which just gives him a better center of gravity to fightoff defenders. I'll take him in the 4th.

Owen Marecic - more SwissArmyness, a force on offense, defense and special teams, hopefully he'll be our Peyton Hillis

Nathan Enderle - a solid but raw prospect, not close to being NFL-ready. Give him a few years behind TFB and hopefully we can wheel him out a la Aaron Rodgers when Tommy Boy heads off into the sunset.

Da'rel Scott - A small school speedster who is a threat to take it to the house every time he has the ball, the highlight vid of him has him pulling away from secondaries, which won't be as easy in the NFL, but it doesnt show him using any of the higher level skills that are needed, if he doesnt have them can he develop them? He's a bit of a mystery.

 

[Off The Grid]

I would spend a 7th rounder on one of those players in terms of low risk high reward category :

Keith Payne RB Virginia ( big ,bruising RB )

LOVE that pick. Looks like a 7th Rounder ~ as you say ~ with some momentum behind him: AWESOME ROI on a guy who'll Move the Chains for ya.

Richard Lapham RT Boston College ( knee injury may lend him on PUP list )

6.8/320 BEAST!! First I've heard'f'm!! As a 7th or 8th Rounder, with those dimensions, he could be a MONSTER pay off on a lottery ticket. NICE.

Andrew Shulze LS Iowa (training camp would clarify who keeps this job )

Hey, if he's good, we might's well pick up a 7th and lock'm up, before the Bidding War starts, right??

Nice crew, man: EXCELLENT Bargain Rack types, all 3.

 

[Off The Grid]

Ah, the sleepers, my favorites!

In no particular order I want:

Randall "Tex" Cobb - while not a standout WR he's as multi-faceted as a Swiss Army knife, perhaps an eventual heir to Troy Brown, the guy is skilled at QB/KR/WR, for all we know he can take the ball out of the backfield like Percy Harvin. A Jack of all trades like him can make for excellent depth and can also allow for a bunch of trick plays, and since he's a lefty is a nice compliment to Brady because the Defense would have to account for a pass on either side if an end-around was run.

Oh, HELL, yeah. LOVE this guy. Great Scouting Report, too, Bro!! :rocker:

Zane Taylor - by all accounts he has everything you want in a center, I'm wondering if he's rated so low because he plays for a small school and his height (a measly 6'2) which just gives him a better center of gravity to fightoff defenders. I'll take him in the 4th.

GREAT Argument. Taylor is a strong candidate, indeed, for a Day 3 Center.

Owen Marecic - more SwissArmyness, a force on offense, defense and special teams, hopefully he'll be our Peyton Hillis

Absolutely CRAZY about this kid: A ferocious Blocker, a fanatical student of the game...Just absolutely BORN to be a Patriot. :rocker:

Nathan Enderle - a solid but raw prospect, not close to being NFL-ready. Give him a few years behind TFB and hopefully we can wheel him out a la Aaron Rodgers when Tommy Boy heads off into the sunset.

Going after High Upside ~ Low Cost QB's in the 7th Round is ~ as you obviously know ~ incredibly smart.

Da'rel Scott - A small school speedster who is a threat to take it to the house every time he has the ball, the highlight vid of him has him pulling away from secondaries, which won't be as easy in the NFL, but it doesnt show him using any of the higher level skills that are needed, if he doesnt have them can he develop them? He's a bit of a mystery.

Yup!! A bit raw, but SONIC Upside. A STUPENDOUS bargain in the late rounds. :rocker:

Oh, MAN. I apologize for the egregious over use of Rock Stars, but you have no less than 3 of my favorites, including Brother Owen Marecic, my Super Binkie!! :rocker:

 

[Metaphors]

Da'rel Scott - A small school speedster who is a threat to take it to the house every time he has the ball, the highlight vid of him has him pulling away from secondaries, which won't be as easy in the NFL, but it doesnt show him using any of the higher level skills that are needed, if he doesnt have them can he develop them? He's a bit of a mystery.

:ditto:

Not sure that the folks in College Park consider it a "small school" though.

Scott was on a solid developmental track until he got hurt last year. Friedgen split his carries once he got healthy and never stopped. From my perspective that just means he has less wear-n-tear on his body. Has shown he can catch out of the backfield and is a blur when he hit the hole. Blocking is more of a mystery...but a serious consideration for the Pats.

 

[ctpatsfan77]

Owen Marecic - more SwissArmyness, a force on offense, defense and special teams, hopefully he'll be our Peyton Hillis

Let's just hope he doesn't do something stupid like run a 4.4 at the combine. :bricks:

 

[Off The Grid]

Owen Marecic - more SwissArmyness, a force on offense, defense and special teams, hopefully he'll be our Peyton Hillis

Let's just hope he doesn't do something stupid like run a 4.4 at the combine. :bricks:

Hah!! Here's to that!!

 

[MaineMan]

Vick Ballard, RB, Mississippi State. 5'11"/215 Not really on the radar yet, AFAIK. Could end up a UDFA if he declares. Only a junior, though, so probably stays in school to compile a second season of worthy stats in order to actually get drafted somewhere in 2012.

Anyway, the guy slips through nearly invisible openings in the line the way water always finds its way into my basement. Could be a great addition to the RBBC. Plus, it would be kinda cool to have a successful ground game with a 100% UDFA backfield. Sorta like we have now.

YPC - 5.94 on 145 carries thru 10 games, 16 TDs. His production rates hold up against BCS AQ, FBS-winning, and AP ranked teams.

 

[WaterfallJumper]

I would spend a 7th rounder on one of those players in terms of low risk high reward category :
Keith Payne RB Virginia ( big ,bruising RB )

I've seen a little bit of Payne this season, and each time I come away unimpressed. For such a big back, he runs with ZERO power. His legs go dead on contact, and he gets stuffed way too easily. Granted, when he picks up a head of steam, physics takes over. He doesn't run hard, though; he tries juking far too often, and kills his own momentum. The only thing he seems to do pretty well is catch the ball, and even then his hands are spotty at times. Do not want.

 

[Peachhead]

I don't know how accurate it is, but CBSSports has Nevada RB Vai Taua (6.2 ypc for the year) as a 7th rounder. I would be very happy to get him on day 3.

They also have Syracuse RB Delone Carter (5.1 ypc for the year) as a 3-4th rounder. Which surprises me. I figured Taua would be higher rated than him. At any rate. If Carter lasts till day 3 I hope the Pats take him. I would be a very happy draftnik.

They're both decent sized backs (around 220#) who immediately get to the LOS. No dancing and waiting to bounce it outside for either of them.

 

[Off The Grid]

Vick Ballard, RB, Mississippi State. 5'11"/215 Not really on the radar yet, AFAIK. Could end up a UDFA if he declares. Only a junior, though, so probably stays in school to compile a second season of worthy stats in order to actually get drafted somewhere in 2012.

Anyway, the guy slips through nearly invisible openings in the line the way water always finds its way into my basement. Could be a great addition to the RBBC. Plus, it would be kinda cool to have a successful ground game with a 100% UDFA backfield. Sorta like we have now.

YPC - 5.94 on 145 carries thru 10 games, 16 TDs. His production rates hold up against BCS AQ, FBS-winning, and AP ranked teams.

NICE find. He is WAY down there ~ but rising!!

And that was definitely one of the best metaphors I've heard!!

I don't know how accurate it is, but CBSSports has Nevada RB Vai Taua as a 7th rounder. I would be very happy to get him on day 3.

They also have Syracuse RB Delone Carter as a 3-4th rounder. Which surprises me. I figured Taua would be higher rated than him. At any rate. If Carter lasts till day 3 I hope the Pats take him. I would be a very happy draftnik.

They're both decent sized backs (around 220#) who immediately get to the LOS. No dancing and waiting to bounce it outside for either of them.

2 Bruisers who hit the line hard and FAST. GREAT.

 

[MaineMan]

I think someone has already mentioned him in another thread, but there's Kris Durham, WR from Georgia - 6'5"/212, senior.

Only 26 catches this season, but for 522 yds (20 ypc). I realize that, like every other pass-catcher with Georgia, he gets open mainly because defenses put like 10 guys on AJ Green, but he seems to run smart routes, to have good hands and surprisingly good wheels. The 20 ypc holds up against all competition levels.

Might turn out to be just another Sam Aiken, but probably worth a look as a UDFA (which seems likely).

 

[SirApropos]

I think someone has already mentioned him in another thread, but there's Kris Durham, WR from Georgia - 6'5"/212, senior.

Only 26 catches this season, but for 522 yds (20 ypc). I realize that, like every other pass-catcher with Georgia, he gets open mainly because defenses put like 10 guys on AJ Green, but he seems to run smart routes, to have good hands and surprisingly good wheels. The 20 ypc holds up against all competition levels.

Might turn out to be just another Sam Aiken, but probably worth a look as a UDFA (which seems likely).

Yeah Durham has looked good this season and hurt his Junior year so he seems over the injury. He got most of his catches and yards when AJ Green was suspended for the first 4 games this year so he could make a good UDFA.

 

[Ochmed Jones]

1.) QB Kaepennick of Nevada. He can barely throw, but man can he run. And he is huge! 6'6" and a bit nifty as well. Just think with 3 years to work on his throwing, he could be a decent NFL starter.

2.) Marecic FB/LB/ST Demon from Stanford is amazing! But if we miss out, the FB from Georgia is pretty good as well.

3.) Pugh C for Auburn. NASTY!!!!!!!! The highest compliment I can pay a player.

4.) Anthony OLB Grambling - Boom or Bust, but with a red shirt year, he could be something special.

5.) Covington WR Samford - for the 2012 draft. Depending on how he runs.

 

[Snake Eyes]

1.) QB Kaepennick of Nevada. He can barely throw, but man can he run. And he is huge! 6'6" and a bit nifty as well. Just think with 3 years to work on his throwing, he could be a decent NFL starter.

I know I'm in the minority but I'm just not feelin it for Kaepernick, I admit that I haven't seen much footage of him but I don't see the point off gigantic QB projects, especially those that can run really well, which just means that skill will be a crutch to someone trying to develop pocket poise.

Again, I'm not an expert on him or his division but I found this rather amusing.

I was diggin Nathan Enderle for a bit and I'd be ok with picking up up with a very late round pick or as a UDFA but my new QB binkie is Andy Dalton. Granted, he is a ginger but we probably shouldnt hold that against him, it likely means he can grow a mean beard.

Dalton apparently makes MUCH better decisions and has better accuracy, which I value VERY highly in a QB.

 

[Taxed in Maine]

I'll add a couple:

Zane Taylor, C, 6'2-309, Utah- Immensely strong, might go as high as the 4th round.

Brian Lainhart, FS, 6'1-207, Kent State- 17 INTs, 9 FFs, AND 349 career tackles. I don't care if it's the MAC, that's getting done from the FS position. If he's available in the 5th, he'd be the pick.

 

[ctpatsfan77]

I'll add a couple:

Zane Taylor, C, 6'2-309, Utah- Immensely strong, might go as high as the 4th round.

Brian Lainhart, FS, 6'1-207, Kent State- 17 INTs, 9 FFs, AND 349 career tackles. I don't care if it's the MAC, that's getting done from the FS position. If he's available in the 5th, he'd be the pick.

Since you bring up Kent State, let me say that I STILL want Jameson Konz in a Patriot uniform. :bricks:

 

[Defsoul]

I'll add a couple:

Brian Lainhart, FS, 6'1-207, Kent State- 17 INTs, 9 FFs, AND 349 career tackles. I don't care if it's the MAC, that's getting done from the FS position. If he's available in the 5th, he'd be the pick.

A hidden gem?
I talked about Kent State senior safety Brian Lainhart in my Saturday primer and I came away impressed again with the guy’s overall game. Now, Penn State isn’t real explosive on offense, but Lainhart showcases impressive balance, body control and awareness in coverage and did a nice job cleanly changing directions and closing on his target. Now, he does lack great range sideline-to-sideline, but plays faster than he times because of his instincts and even did a nice job in man coverage, being physical off the line.

Plus, he was asked to play more near the line of scrimmage in this game than I have seen on past tapes and displayed a willingness to work hard and close the back door in pursuit. Now, he still is maturing as a tackler when asked to break down, but has some natural pop and should be able to develop in this area with some more time. He’s one of the most underrated safeties in the entire class and because of his blend of instincts and balance, I think he has a chance to definitely see the field as a nickel guy and possibly fight for some starting playing time down the line.

Wes Bunting - National Football Post, Scout's notebook