2014 Draft Prospect Thread

[JerseyShore99]

Been doing some homework recently and although it's a trend well known to us, it really is staggering how many times BB has taken two players (or more sometimes) from the same College.

I've been looking for a link with Saban but there's no real trend. We took four players from LSU when he was there, but only two so far from Alabama in his time there (which is noticeable seeing as they've been the most dominant school in the country this past 5 years).

There's much more of a connection with Urban Meyer.

We have taken quite a few players from Colorado though. And Notre Dame.

Schiano recruits as well, I suspect once TB fires him BB will have a job for him if he continues his NFL career

 

[JerseyShore99]

Lyerla was serving a one game suspension, definitely drug related IMO, I doubt it's academics, but if drugs is the case, he really is an AH 2.0 minus the murdering part

 

[kennyb]

Donate moncrief is a 6'2" 230 pound we from old miss. He is good. Kind of like ahern and bold in but with more speed.

 

[JerseyShore99]

Not that we'll draft a K but Morgan from UGA is gonna be an elite K in the NFL one day

 

[Sciz]

Lyerla withdraws from UO "on good terms" - GoDucks.com - The University of Oregon Official Athletics Web Site
Colt Lyerla has left Oregon, sounds like he'll enter the draft.

 

[ctpatsfan77]

Lyerla withdraws from UO "on good terms" - GoDucks.com - The University of Oregon Official Athletics Web Site
Colt Lyerla has left Oregon, sounds like he'll enter the draft.

My guess is that this also takes Lyerla off the Patriots' board, or at least moves him well down it.

 

[manxman2601]

Lyerla withdraws from UO "on good terms" - GoDucks.com - The University of Oregon Official Athletics Web Site
Colt Lyerla has left Oregon, sounds like he'll enter the draft.

Wow.

My guess is that this also takes Lyerla off the Patriots' board, or at least moves him well down it.

Absolutely. Unless he's there late on day three, Lyerla likely won't be a Patriot next year.

 

[JDot]

Lyerla withdraws from UO "on good terms" - GoDucks.com - The University of Oregon Official Athletics Web Site
Colt Lyerla has left Oregon, sounds like he'll enter the draft.

Crazy, was just reading this. Knew something was up after he did no play Saturday..

 

[manxman2601]

Two thoughts:


1. I know that DT and TE are perceived as our two biggest needs next year (and rightfully so) but in a draft class that isn't particularly exciting me the one-two punch that most excites me right now as our first two picks would be David Yankey (OG, Stanford) and Travis Swanxon (OC, Arkansas).

Yankey has LT type length, albeit 6'5", but lacks the footwork to be an effective NFL LT. But he is a fantastic run blocker and can drive defenders off the ball with ease:

From ESPN:

Pass Protection 3/5 (lower is better)

Adequate length but lacks ideal foot quickness and agility as an NFL OT prospect. Biggest problems will come against quicker and more explosive rushers. Sturdy build and above-average anchor to handle power moves. Strong and big hands. Flashes a heavy punch to latch on and control rushers. Good patience and rarely overextended.

Run Blocking 2/5

Ideal power run game fit with an above-average strength and inline powerbase combination. Drives and steers defenders off the ball when playing with good leverage. Must work on playing with more consistent pad level upon contact. Balance is adequate but will lunge on occasion. Average athlete at best in space but technically sound with footwork on short-pulls.

Awareness 1/5

Strong FBIs. Has the mental capacity to handle multiple positions along the offensive line. Assignment sound in the run game. Identifies and locates targets quickly within the tackle box. Excellent awareness and patience in pass pro. Quick diagnosis with defensive line stunts and blitzes from the second and third level.

Toughness 2/5

Prototypical offensive lineman mentality and willing to do the dirty work. Plays with an edge and looks to deliver a violent shot. Consistently seen ear-holing linebackers off of combo blocks throughout film study. Flashes a nasty side. Will finish and let defenders know about it.

Stick him in at RG.

As for Travis Swanson, not so good as a run blocker but he envelops interior rushers in pass pro. Probably needs work on double moves but he's really impressed me as a pass blocker. Go watch some of the Tyler Wilson vids to get a good look at him.



2. I'm still hopeful on Kenbrell Thompkins, but his poor hands are starting to irk me. If they don't improve any further, both Jarvis Landry and Odell Beckam strike me as potentially excellent replacements in that they so consistently get open. Whenever I watch Mettenberger, those two really stand out.

 

[patriot.de]

what do the draft experts in this forum think about WR Kevin Norwoord out of Alabama?

 

[Get it shawtaay]

On the topic of running backs... I dig Bishop Sankey. Reminds me of Pierre Thomas. Never gets stuffed or dropped for a loss, can pass protect, can take it inside or outside and has a nice combo of physical ability and decision making. The mileage is a bit worrisome but he looks like a guy who will contribute.

 

[Get it shawtaay]

2. I'm still hopeful on Kenbrell Thompkins, but his poor hands are starting to irk me. If they don't improve any further, both Jarvis Landry and Odell Beckam strike me as potentially excellent replacements in that they so consistently get open. Whenever I watch Mettenberger, those two really stand out.

Not sure what to think of Beckham. He never lets the ball into his body and does a great job high pointing it. He's not that big but he seems big when he attacks the ball. When you combine that with his burners, you get something Victor Cruz-esque. Problem is he drops a lot of easy passes. Looks like a future 3rd round pick to this observer, who will be a better pro than college player if he catches the ball more consistently. I'm very interested in seeing how he turns out.

Landry is someone I'd be wary of going from college to the NFL. He's an impact player in the SEC... but can he get separation at the next level? The athletic testing phase of the pre-draft process is going to be huge for him.

what do the draft experts in this forum think about WR Kevin Norwoord out of Alabama?

While I may not be one of the experts you are referring to, I'll bite. Don't really see anything that he brings as an NFL prospect. Solid college player, who does a lot of things well, but what is his role in the NFL? Doesn't quite fit the mold of an outside receiver or an inside receiver.

 

[manxman2601]

Not sure what to think of Beckham. He never lets the ball into his body and does a great job high pointing it. He's not that big but he seems big when he attacks the ball. When you combine that with his burners, you get something Victor Cruz-esque. Problem is he drops a lot of easy passes. Looks like a future 3rd round pick to this observer, who will be a better pro than college player if he catches the ball more consistently. I'm very interested in seeing how he turns out.

Landry is someone I'd be wary of going from college to the NFL. He's an impact player in the SEC... but can he get separation at the next level? The athletic testing phase of the pre-draft process is going to be huge for him.



While I may not be one of the experts you are referring to, I'll bite. Don't really see anything that he brings as an NFL prospect. Solid college player, who does a lot of things well, but what is his role in the NFL? Doesn't quite fit the mold of an outside receiver or an inside receiver.

Agree on both your assessments of the LSU guys. You are right on Landry and his athleticism but he gets open and catches the ball well (and under pressure) which was I was thinking of him for that Thompkins role.

 

[Get it shawtaay]

Agree on both your assessments of the LSU guys. You are right on Landry and his athleticism but he gets open and catches the ball well (and under pressure) which was I was thinking of him for that Thompkins role.

Agreed. Landry is the type of guy you write off at your own peril... just a straight up football player. Dude is totally fearless going over the middle.

 

[Sciz]

Two thoughts:


1. I know that DT and TE are perceived as our two biggest needs next year (and rightfully so) but in a draft class that isn't particularly exciting me the one-two punch that most excites me right now as our first two picks would be David Yankey (OG, Stanford) and Travis Swanxon (OC, Arkansas).

I'm also on the "interior line early" bandwagon. My ideal handling of the OL this offseason would be to cut Connolly (save $3M), sign Svitek to another 1-year swing backup deal, get the best center in the draft, and either re-sign Wendell to a backup (~$2M average per year) deal or grab a swing backup in free agency or in the middle of the draft. I think our main difference is that you'd take a top rookie RG, where I think Cannon deserves a chance to take that spot.

Then my ideal starting OL is Solder, Mankins, a rookie, Cannon, and Vollmer, with Svitek as the starting tackle and some combination of Wendell (probably unlikely), a reasonably cheap free-agent, or a mid-round rookie as the primary interior backup. The tackles have both been phenomenal this season and are under contract for a few more seasons, but that doesn't do much good if opposing defenses can get interior pressure semi-regularly. I can't justify to myself the idea of both paying Wendell starting center money and Connolly $3M salary next season just to have them waste the great pass blocking by the tackles.

 

[manxman2601]

I'm also on the "interior line early" bandwagon. My ideal handling of the OL this offseason would be to cut Connolly (save $3M), sign Svitek to another 1-year swing backup deal, get the best center in the draft, and either re-sign Wendell to a backup (~$2M average per year) deal or grab a swing backup in free agency or in the middle of the draft. I think our main difference is that you'd take a top rookie RG, where I think Cannon deserves a chance to take that spot.

Then my ideal starting OL is Solder, Mankins, a rookie, Cannon, and Vollmer, with Svitek as the starting tackle and some combination of Wendell (probably unlikely), a reasonably cheap free-agent, or a mid-round rookie as the primary interior backup. The tackles have both been phenomenal this season and are under contract for a few more seasons, but that doesn't do much good if opposing defenses can get interior pressure semi-regularly. I can't justify to myself the idea of both paying Wendell starting center money and Connolly $3M salary next season just to have them waste the great pass blocking by the tackles.

I did consider Cannon at RG too. That doesn't necessarily rule out an OG pick too as Mankins is both costly and injury prone. One of the reasons I like Yankey is that he can also provide OT insurance, play that 3rd TE role and be a dominant OG in time. Maybe keep Mankins another year and then bring Yankey in?

It's probably excessive to go with two interior OL early but they're two guys I like.

 

[stelfans]

Two thoughts:


1. I know that DT and TE are perceived as our two biggest needs next year (and rightfully so) but in a draft class that isn't particularly exciting me the one-two punch that most excites me right now as our first two picks would be David Yankey (OG, Stanford) and Travis Swanxon (OC, Arkansas).

Im with on that. I was thinking that grabbing a SS early and solidify the secondary once and for all would be the best option but after the bengals game the OL needs to be upgraded ASAP.
With so many young receivers, the OL needs to give brady time, hat will likely be improved as soon as we can get something resembling a TE in there as well but still.

Swanson is a guy i really like and he is really good in pass protection, havent paid too much attention to anyone else but Ikard's atheticism and smarts intrigue me aswell and for what i've seen he's better than he gets credit for.

The other guy i really want is Richardson. A mountain with light feet.

 

[manxman2601]

Interesting DT prospect at least in terms of being the right size is Shamar Stephen from UConn who is 6' 5" and 323 lbs. He can be seen on Yawin Smallwood videos from this year wearing #59.

Yawin Smallwood | Draft Breakdown

And from NFLDraftScout:

2. DT Shamar Stephen (6-5, 323) -- Stephen is the most experienced of the Huskies' D-linemen, having played in 34 games since his freshman year ('10), and he figures to anchor that unit again in '13. He possesses an impressive combination of size and athleticism, and exhibits awareness against the run. While Stephen's size leads some to automatically classify him as a run plugger, he has flashed above-average get-off and strong closing burst that could enable him to provide some disruption as a pass-rusher as well. Where he needs to improve the most is in utilizing his hands to create space off the snap. While he'll often beat his opponent off the ball, he had a tendency to lead with his shoulder, allowing blockers into his frame too easily and is rendered ineffective too often as a result. He also doesn't appear to possess a lot of natural upper body strength, as he struggles to sustain arm extension when he does establish hand-placement early. If Stephen can tap into some of his apparent upside, and work to get stronger and more active up top, he could end up on the radar of several NFL teams this year.

2014 NFL Draft: UConn preview - CBSSports.com

 

[Snake Eyes]

I'm also on the "interior line early" bandwagon. My ideal handling of the OL this offseason would be to cut Connolly (save $3M), sign Svitek to another 1-year swing backup deal, get the best center in the draft, and either re-sign Wendell to a backup (~$2M average per year) deal or grab a swing backup in free agency or in the middle of the draft. I think our main difference is that you'd take a top rookie RG, where I think Cannon deserves a chance to take that spot.

Then my ideal starting OL is Solder, Mankins, a rookie, Cannon, and Vollmer, with Svitek as the starting tackle and some combination of Wendell (probably unlikely), a reasonably cheap free-agent, or a mid-round rookie as the primary interior backup. The tackles have both been phenomenal this season and are under contract for a few more seasons, but that doesn't do much good if opposing defenses can get interior pressure semi-regularly. I can't justify to myself the idea of both paying Wendell starting center money and Connolly $3M salary next season just to have them waste the great pass blocking by the tackles.

Although not quite a draft prospect I'd like to get Markus Kuhn from the Giants in exchange for a late pick. Look at his combine numbers against other O-linemen and he's way up there, have Dante train him for the O-line and you have some grade A raw material to work with.

 

[Yesares]

IMHO, the two best centers in 2014 draft will be Travis Swanson (Arkansas) and Tyler Larsen (Utah St).

Will love either of them in a Pats uniform next year.