2014 Draft Prospect Thread

[EwanSellars]

darqueze dennard and alex amidon are two of my early binkies i think having darqueze and alfonzo on the same team would be special being able to have the two compete on the field and off the field in workouts to be the better dennard would be awesome you never want to be worse then a relative you always want to be better and that could give them the drive they need. I think amidon will be more under the radar since he is at BC i hope we scout him a lot and can pick him up in the mid rounds. Also a big fan of Bradley Roby at OSU big time Cb that has tyrann mathieus play making ability but has the skill to be a very good cb in coverage

 

[s3antana5757]

Holy Daniel McCullers. Dude got triple teamed on the first play of that video.

Guys I already love:
Sammy Watkins
Bradley Roby
Anthony Barr(can I grab him as a binkie already?)
Austin Seferian Jenkins
All of the OTs(Matthews, Lewan, Henderson, Cyrus)

Guys I'm not in love with:
Marqise Lee(is he really that much better than Robert Woods?)
Johnny Manziel(great college player)
Any of the DTs(Johnson, Touitt, Nix, Jernigan)

 

[PatsFanStnfrd]

For 2014, I am making an early prediction. Forget Rutgers. BB has already picked it clean this year. For 2014, 3 of the 7 Pat draftees will be Penn State or Ohio State. That is my formula to win the draft prediction board.

Note: I am NOT saying that this approach will help the Pats win a SuperBowl or land the best player available. Just that this approach maybe a good predictor of how BB seems to draft.

 

[stelfans]

My too way early binkie is ryan shazier from ohio st.
Doubt he will be on our radar after getting collins but that kid is gonna be special. He's Spikes with speed.

 

[Wilfork#75]

It's amazing how much better this draft class looks than the one that was drafted this weekend.

But how does the 2014 draft compare to what the 2013 draft looked like last year? Drafts always look much stronger 12 months away because we haven't really started looking into these prospects yet. This time last year we were talking about how weak the 2012 draft was and how much better the 2013 draft was going to be. Right now there are no certainties, even with Bridgewater and Clowney.

 

[Pats0204]

But how does the 2014 draft compare to what the 2013 draft looked like last year? Drafts always look much stronger 12 months away because we haven't really started looking into these prospects yet. This time last year we were talking about how weak the 2012 draft was and how much better the 2013 draft was going to be. Right now there are no certainties, even with Bridgewater and Clowney.

While I disagree about CLOWNEY (I think he's the defensive version of Andrew Luck and a lock to be a stud in the NFL), you bring up an excellent point. I specifically remember looking at mocks for the 2013 draft right after the 2012 draft around this time last year and remember seeing more than one mock that had Tyler Bray going #1 overall. We all saw this weekend how that worked out.

 

[s3antana5757]

But how does the 2014 draft compare to what the 2013 draft looked like last year? Drafts always look much stronger 12 months away because we haven't really started looking into these prospects yet. This time last year we were talking about how weak the 2012 draft was and how much better the 2013 draft was going to be. Right now there are no certainties, even with Bridgewater and Clowney.

I don't remember saying that. I remember saying that 2013 was good for rush linebackers(Mingo, Jones, Jeffcoat, Montgomery), WRs(Woods, Allen, Williams, Wilson) and DBs(Milliner, Reid, Amerson, Rhodes, McDonald).

It turned out to be very good for OLs(6 of the first 11 picks), DLs(Star, Floyd, Williams, Richardson, etc.) and DBs(although the names were different).

I never thoughts 2013 was all that strong. I never liked any of the QBs past Barkley. I thought Smith, Thomas(him especially), and Landry Jones weren't anything special. I think 2014 has unbelievable top end talent at major positions.

For example:
Clowney, Barr, Shazier as pass rusher(DE/OLB)
Bridgewater, Boyd, Fales at QB
ASJ at TE
Lee and Watkins at WR
Matthews, Lewan, Cyrus, Henderson at OL
Roby, Purifoy, Mitchell at CB

Lacks S, RB, and interior DL.

 

[manxman2601]

But how does the 2014 draft compare to what the 2013 draft looked like last year? Drafts always look much stronger 12 months away because we haven't really started looking into these prospects yet. This time last year we were talking about how weak the 2012 draft was and how much better the 2013 draft was going to be. Right now there are no certainties, even with Bridgewater and Clowney.

You can only deal with a draft class as is and right now the 2014 draft class is looking pretty special. Sure Clowney and Bridgewater can suffer a career injury or find girls and that will change peoples perceptions, but the potential of this class is special.

Take Darqueze Dennard, he was given a first round grade by at least one team last year - he's not even being discussed at this early point. Most of the CB chatter is about Jason Verrett, Bradley Roby, Purifoy and Robison and Ekpre-Olomu.

This is going to be a much better class than 2013, at least at the top - whether it has the same depth is another matter.

 

[belichick010405]

I'm not convinced that Johnny Football has the arm/accuracy to be a top QB in the draft - it'll be interesting to see how he develops this year. If I was drafting a mobile QB right now, I'd take Tajh Boyd first, then Manziel and then Mariota. For a generic team, I certainly think teams will take Manziel over Aaron Murray and AJ McCarron though.

Having said that, I think Mariota/Manziel will cause teams to think creatively - they're both dynamic winners and with the right system, could still help an NFL team.

Right now I'd rank them:

1. Teddy Bridgewater (by a mile)
2. David Fales
3. Tajh Boyd
4. Johnny Manziel
5. Marcus Mariota

I then have AJ McCarron, Aaron Murray, Brett Hundley and maybe David Carr behind them. I also wouldn't mind betting that all nine go before Matt Barkley did at the start of the 4th round (if they all declare)

Brett Hundley will be better than all of them with the exception of Bridgewater. I really like Hundley's game and if he does declare for next years' draft, then that is the guy I would love to see in a Pats uniform.

His game is a lot like Kaepernick's.

 

[manxman2601]

Brett Hundley will be better than all of them with the exception of Bridgewater. I really like Hundley's game and if he does declare for next years' draft, then that is the guy I would love to see in a Pats uniform.

His game is a lot like Kaepernick's.

Watched him a bit and did like what I saw but wasn't completely sold. I'm looking forward to watching him nest year.

QB is going to be interesting. BB's draft moves the last two years suggests he's fairly happy with the roster at the starter level and to some degree he's been drafting depth. Any QB drafted from here on in could be a starter in his first contract so an Aaron Rogers pick this year or next is not beyond the realms of possibility.

As for the Kaepernick comparison, I don't really see that - similar style of play but he lacks Kaepernick's explosion and big arm - at least on the little I've seen. That's not to say he won't be an early pick.

 

[Wilfork#75]

I don't remember saying that. I remember saying that 2013 was good for rush linebackers(Mingo, Jones, Jeffcoat, Montgomery), WRs(Woods, Allen, Williams, Wilson) and DBs(Milliner, Reid, Amerson, Rhodes, McDonald).

It turned out to be very good for OLs(6 of the first 11 picks), DLs(Star, Floyd, Williams, Richardson, etc.) and DBs(although the names were different).

I never thoughts 2013 was all that strong. I never liked any of the QBs past Barkley. I thought Smith, Thomas(him especially), and Landry Jones weren't anything special. I think 2014 has unbelievable top end talent at major positions.

For example:
Clowney, Barr, Shazier as pass rusher(DE/OLB)
Bridgewater, Boyd, Fales at QB
ASJ at TE
Lee and Watkins at WR
Matthews, Lewan, Cyrus, Henderson at OL
Roby, Purifoy, Mitchell at CB

Lacks S, RB, and interior DL.

This time last year the 2013 class looked incredibly deep at CB with Amerson, Milliner and Banks all looking like elite shut down CB's. I don't think any lived up to that expectation, although Milliner is very good.

Over the past 12 months I've seen no less than 10 QB's projected in the 1st round of the 2013 draft with Barkley, Smith, Nassib, Manuel, Bray, Wilson, Jones, Glennon, L. Thomas and A Murray all rated their at times. None lived up to the hype.

I believe Star Lotulelei was ranked higher last year than anyone in the 2014 draft not named Clowney or Bridgewater, but he certainly didn't live up to the lofty expectations. The same can be said for Jonathan Hankins.

Remember when Robert Woods was a lock for the top 10? Or Marcus Lattimore was the best RB in college football? Or Barrett Jones was one of the top O-Lineman? What about the Honey Badger? The truth is so much can and absolutely will change and we have no clue to the strength of the 2014 draft. What is known is that it will be weaker than it seems now because players always look worse when put under the microscope. The draft process is about finding flaws in players and that is why the guys in the 2014 draft are seen much higher now, because people haven't picked them apart yet.

You can only deal with a draft class as is and right now the 2014 draft class is looking pretty special. Sure Clowney and Bridgewater can suffer a career injury or find girls and that will change peoples perceptions, but the potential of this class is special.

Take Darqueze Dennard, he was given a first round grade by at least one team last year - he's not even being discussed at this early point. Most of the CB chatter is about Jason Verrett, Bradley Roby, Purifoy and Robison and Ekpre-Olomu.

This is going to be a much better class than 2013, at least at the top - whether it has the same depth is another matter.

I'm not saying it won't be a very good draft class or that 2013 was better, my point is right now it is impossible to tell. The way the composition of a draft changes over the last month let alone a full year is incredible, so to try and gauge it now I think is silly. I've seen far too many highly rated players under-perform and fall in a draft to try and make a judgement on the quality. I'm just warning not to get ahead of ourselves because every single year the next years draft always looks better than the current. A lot of these players are rated so highly because of potential and projection, but how many actually live up to that? There isn't a whole lot. Now on the other hand guys will come out of nowhere and rocket up boards, but we don't even know who they are. Bridgewater could be the next Jake Locker or Matt Barkley, but we don't know who the next Cam Newton, Nick Fairley or Sheldon Richardson are yet.

 

[manxman2601]

I'm not saying it won't be a very good draft class or that 2013 was better, my point is right now it is impossible to tell. The way the composition of a draft changes over the last month let alone a full year is incredible, so to try and gauge it now I think is silly. I've seen far too many highly rated players under-perform and fall in a draft to try and make a judgement on the quality. I'm just warning not to get ahead of ourselves because every single year the next years draft always looks better than the current. A lot of these players are rated so highly because of potential and projection, but how many actually live up to that? There isn't a whole lot. Now on the other hand guys will come out of nowhere and rocket up boards, but we don't even know who they are. Bridgewater could be the next Jake Locker or Matt Barkley, but we don't know who the next Cam Newton, Nick Fairley or Sheldon Richardson are yet.

So what, we should just shut down the draft forum until January? We all know it's speculation and I think we're well aware that things can change and when those things change, we'll re-appraise. But there's no harm in anticipating the strength of this class to get a feel for it prior to the new season.

And Bridgewater will not be the next Locker and Barkley. He's going to be the next Luck or RGIII (and you can hold me to that )

 

[s3antana5757]

This time last year the 2013 class looked incredibly deep at CB with Amerson, Milliner and Banks all looking like elite shut down CB's. I don't think any lived up to that expectation, although Milliner is very good.

Over the past 12 months I've seen no less than 10 QB's projected in the 1st round of the 2013 draft with Barkley, Smith, Nassib, Manuel, Bray, Wilson, Jones, Glennon, L. Thomas and A Murray all rated their at times. None lived up to the hype.

I believe Star Lotulelei was ranked higher last year than anyone in the 2014 draft not named Clowney or Bridgewater, but he certainly didn't live up to the lofty expectations. The same can be said for Jonathan Hankins.

Remember when Robert Woods was a lock for the top 10? Or Marcus Lattimore was the best RB in college football? Or Barrett Jones was one of the top O-Lineman? What about the Honey Badger? The truth is so much can and absolutely will change and we have no clue to the strength of the 2014 draft. What is known is that it will be weaker than it seems now because players always look worse when put under the microscope. The draft process is about finding flaws in players and that is why the guys in the 2014 draft are seen much higher now, because people haven't picked them apart yet.



I'm not saying it won't be a very good draft class or that 2013 was better, my point is right now it is impossible to tell. The way the composition of a draft changes over the last month let alone a full year is incredible, so to try and gauge it now I think is silly. I've seen far too many highly rated players under-perform and fall in a draft to try and make a judgement on the quality. I'm just warning not to get ahead of ourselves because every single year the next years draft always looks better than the current. A lot of these players are rated so highly because of potential and projection, but how many actually live up to that? There isn't a whole lot. Now on the other hand guys will come out of nowhere and rocket up boards, but we don't even know who they are. Bridgewater could be the next Jake Locker or Matt Barkley, but we don't know who the next Cam Newton, Nick Fairley or Sheldon Richardson are yet.

I agree that there's so much that can change. Guys will fall, and others will rise. Alot of the guys you mentioned(Star, Mathieu, Lattimore) fell because of concerns injury or otherwise. Think back to 2012. Luck, Griffin, Richardson, Kalil, Blackmon, Floyd were rated very highly going in and were all drafted in the top 15. Just because this draft was all crazy in terms of players not living up to expectations, doesn't mean the next one will. This draft was very unique and I've seen multiple reports of scouts saying this was the worst draft in over a decade. I think next year will be a very good year to be in a draft, and you say teams NOT giving up 2014 high picks for this reason, IMO. The names will change and guys will drop, but I believe that 2014 will be a much stronger draft compared to 2013, especially when you talk about star power.

 

[dryheat44]

And Bridgewater will not be the next Locker and Barkley. He's going to be the next Luck or RGIII (and you can hold me to that )

I will if he doesn't. I watched him three times this year, and a couple last year, and was impressed exactly zero times, play here or there aside. I do not get all the Bridgewater love -- I see nothing special about him. At all. He's looking to me like a poor man's Mike Vick. A very poor man's Mike Vick, who was extremely special at one time.

It's pretty funny, because Locker is exactly the guy I think of, because at this time he was the slam-dunk, can't miss, no-brainer #1 draft pick of his class. I think Bridgewater could be a 6-10 year starter for some team, which at the QB position is probably worth a 1st rounder, but I don't think he's ever going to be a superstar QB.

 

[manxman2601]

I will if he doesn't. I watched him three times this year, and a couple last year, and was impressed exactly zero times, play here or there aside. I do not get all the Bridgewater love -- I see nothing special about him. At all. He's looking to me like a poor man's Mike Vick. A very poor man's Mike Vick, who was extremely special at one time.

It's pretty funny, because Locker is exactly the guy I think of, because at this time he was the slam-dunk, can't miss, no-brainer #1 draft pick of his class. I think Bridgewater could be a 6-10 year starter for some team, which at the QB position is probably worth a 1st rounder, but I don't think he's ever going to be a superstar QB.

Yikes. Locker's the last person I think of when I watch Bridgewater. It's his calmness in the pocket, his abilities with touch throws, his anticipation and the fact that he doesn't fold under pressure that impresses me every time I watch him. His mobility is just gravy.

I mean, in his last two games he brought Louisville from behind against Rutgers carrying an injured wrist and ankle, so injured he wasn't expected to play, and then beat one of the best defenses in CFB in Florida in the bowl game. And all that as a sophomore.

Each to their own of course, but I'll happily have you hold me to it - I'm very comfortable with the way I 'grade' Bridgewater.

 

[Pats0204]

Yikes. Locker's the last person I think of when I watch Bridgewater. It's his calmness in the pocket, his abilities with touch throws, his anticipation and the fact that he doesn't fold under pressure that impresses me every time I watch him. His mobility is just gravy.

I mean, in his last two games he brought Louisville from behind against Rutgers carrying an injured wrist and ankle, so injured he wasn't expected to play, and then beat one of the best defenses in CFB in Florida in the bowl game. And all that as a sophomore.

Each to their own of course, but I'll happily have you hold me to it - I'm very comfortable with the way I 'grade' Bridgewater.

Can I get in on this bet? Love Bridgewater and I'll be shocked if he doesn't go top 5 next year. Damn, I can't wait for football season to start. I was just looking at the college football schedule on ESPN. The first Saturday of the season on August 31st has some fantastic games with some big name prospects playing in them.

Alabama vs. Virginia Tech on ESPN at 5:30pm at the Georgia Dome
Georgia at Clemson on ABC at 8pm
LSU vs. TCU on ESPN at 9pm from Cowboys stadium.

Tick tock, only 123 days!!

 

[VrabelJr]

Lets see how the DT prospects shape up for next year. I have a feeling that will be our #1 need.

 

[dryheat44]

Yikes. Locker's the last person I think of when I watch Bridgewater. It's his calmness in the pocket, his abilities with touch throws, his anticipation and the fact that he doesn't fold under pressure that impresses me every time I watch him. His mobility is just gravy.

I mean, in his last two games he brought Louisville from behind against Rutgers carrying an injured wrist and ankle, so injured he wasn't expected to play, and then beat one of the best defenses in CFB in Florida in the bowl game. And all that as a sophomore.

Each to their own of course, but I'll happily have you hold me to it - I'm very comfortable with the way I 'grade' Bridgewater.

I was comparing the hype, not the playing style. At this time three years ago, Jake Locker was the top pick on virtually every mock draft out there. Then his stock fell out of the first round and Tennessee grabbed him at, I think, #10, which was surprising. I think he was the 3rd QB taken.

I think that Bridgewater will very likely improve, and if the 2014 draft were being held today he would go within the top 2 picks. I just don't think that his productivity has caught up with the hype yet. I didn't watch the Florida game, so I don't know how well he played in the upset. I also saw a Big East team (Syracuse, I think) completely shut him down. To me, at his time, he doesn't look like a QB I'd spend a top 10 pick on.

Edit -- Locker went #8, Gabbert 10, Ponder 12.

 

[manxman2601]

I was comparing the hype, not the playing style. At this time three years ago, Jake Locker was the top pick on virtually every mock draft out there. Then his stock fell out of the first round and Tennessee grabbed him at, I think, #10, which was surprising. I think he was the 3rd QB taken.

I think that Bridgewater will very likely improve, and if the 2014 draft were being held today he would go within the top 2 picks. I just don't think that his productivity has caught up with the hype yet. I didn't watch the Florida game, so I don't know how well he played in the upset. I also saw a Big East team (Syracuse, I think) completely shut him down. To me, at his time, he doesn't look like a QB I'd spend a top 10 pick on.

Edit -- Locker went #8, Gabbert 10, Ponder 12.

Fair enough. I'm sure this debate will be had again, what with only 300+ days to go

 

[Pats0204]

Lets see how the DT prospects shape up for next year. I have a feeling that will be our #1 need.

Here's the initial list according to CBS Sports of the top DT's. Some interesting names. the first 10 are the top Sr prospects and the 2nd 10 are the top Jr kids.

Daniel McCullers DT 1 Tennessee Sr
Calvin Barnett DT 2 Oklahoma State Sr
Deandre Coleman DT 3 California rSr
Ra'Shede Hageman DT 4 Minnesota rSr
Demonte McAllister DT 5 Florida State rSr
Aaron Donald DT 6 Pittsburgh Sr
Ashton Dorsey DT 7 Texas Sr
Justin Ellis DT 8 Louisiana Tech rSr
Khyri Thornton DT 9 Southern Mississippi rSr
Ryan Carrethers DT 10 Arkansas State rSr

Louis Nix DT 1 Notre Dame rJr
Timmy Jernigan DT 2 Florida State Jr
Anthony Johnson DT 3 LSU Jr
George Uko DT 4 Southern California rJr
Ego Ferguson DT 5 LSU rJr
Kelcy Quarles DT 6 South Carolina Jr
Danny Shelton DT 7 Washington Jr
Tyeler Davison DT 8 Fresno State rJr
Viliami Moala DT 9 California Jr
Jordan Phillips DT 10 Oklahoma Jr