2014 Draft Prospect Thread

[manxman2601]

I have been rewatching many of the tight ends in this draft and the two guys I keep coming back to are Marcel Jensen and Crockett Gilmore. Jensen seems like the biggest threat on those deep seam passes and Gilmore reminds me so much of a lesser Gronk.

Am I the only person that sees Gronk in Gilmore?

I don't like Gilmore's athleticism. 4.89 forty and a 7.4 3-cone. Jensen isn't that much better. In the sixth or seventh round they're OK but I much prefer Fiedorowicz to either.

 

[doesntmatter1]

I don't like Gilmore's athleticism. 4.89 forty and a 7.4 3-cone. Jensen isn't that much better. In the sixth or seventh round they're OK but I much prefer Fiedorowicz to either.

Thanks for the quick reply. Overall, none of their numbers match up to the eyeball test for me. I like CJ as well, but his 40 was a little faster than I expected.

 

[manxman2601]

Thanks for the quick reply. Overall, none of their numbers match up to the eyeball test for me. I like CJ as well, but his 40 was a little faster than I expected.

I'll be the first to admit that Fiedorowicz's film speed doesn't match his combine speed. But that's not too much of a problem for me because it's the other things I like like his blocking and hands. The fact that there might be more under the hood than I previously thought is a bonus.

I much much much prefer ASJ. My only question is whether BB wants a TE in the first or second. On that, I'm not sure.

 

[patchick]

My only question is whether BB wants a TE in the first or second. On that, I'm not sure.

Did you ever think we'd see the day where we'd be doubting how highly Belichick values TEs in the draft?

 

[manxman2601]

Did you ever think we'd see the day where we'd be doubting how highly Belichick values TEs in the draft?

Actually, it's how highly Josh McDaniels values TEs that might be the difference maker. There certainly seems to be a movement towards a more WR centric offense.

 

[Luxusdk]

Actually, it's how highly Josh McDaniels values TEs that might be the difference maker. There certainly seems to be a movement towards a more WR centric offense.

Could it be Kelvin Benjamin in the first and Niklas in the second? Mean what would ppl think about a draft without a def pick in the first 3 rounds?

 

[MrNathanDrake]

I haven't read this thread at all.

Has anyone mentioned Deone Buccanon? Flying under the radar a bit. Listed by most as a 2nd rounder but could be a late 1st rounder available when Pats pick.


Big hard hitting SS. 6'1 215, all american. jack of all trades. Covers, plays the run, forces fumbles, gets INTs, intimidator...

That would complete our defensive backfield. I'm not confident that Duron Harmon is the answer and we have little depth after him (Tavon Wilson should be cut soon)

 

[manxman2601]

I haven't read this thread at all.

Has anyone mentioned Deone Buccanon? Flying under the radar a bit. Listed by most as a 2nd rounder but could be a late 1st rounder available when Pats pick.


Big hard hitting SS. 6'1 215, all american. jack of all trades. Covers, plays the run, forces fumbles, gets INTs, intimidator...

That would complete our defensive backfield. I'm not confident that Duron Harmon is the answer and we have little depth after him (Tavon Wilson should be cut soon)

He's been talked about a fair bit, in fact I had him in my last mock although I'm not the greatest fan. They're looking at safeties and Buccanon has a good mix of size and athleticism but I'm not sure he's really worth taking in the second round.

 

[MrNathanDrake]

He's been talked about a fair bit, in fact I had him in my last mock although I'm not the greatest fan. They're looking at safeties and Buccanon has a good mix of size and athleticism but I'm not sure he's really worth taking in the second round.

Oh really?

I think he could be a surprise pick at the end of the 1st.


He looks like a player you could plug and play from day 1. I think his style would fit in well with McCourty, Revis, and co.

 

[manxman2601]

Oh really?

I think he could be a surprise pick at the end of the 1st.


He looks like a player you could plug and play from day 1. I think his style would fit in well with McCourty, Revis, and co.

I don't like his instincts, think he's limited in coverage and plays in an uncontrolled manner. I can see how he appeals but I don't think he's a 'smart safety'.

 

[MrNathanDrake]

I like his instincts, plus he's a 4 year starter, 3 year captain.

Ideal height/weight for SS... and they're not going to come much faster at that size.

 

[ripatsfan91]

I'll be the first to admit that Fiedorowicz's film speed doesn't match his combine speed. But that's not too much of a problem for me because it's the other things I like like his blocking and hands. The fact that there might be more under the hood than I previously thought is a bonus.

I much much much prefer ASJ. My only question is whether BB wants a TE in the first or second. On that, I'm not sure.

What are your thoughts on Niklas? How does he compare to CJ and ASJ in your mind?

 

[Hercules Rockefeller]

Just some more OL names of note:

Weston Richburg - 26.5"
Travis Swanson - 26"
Marcus Martin - 22.5" (Pro day)
Xavire Su'a Filo - 25"
Seantrel Henderson - 24"
Cyril Richardson - 25.5"

Was so disappointed to see Martin's poor number here. I still think he'll make an excellent pro center, but it'll likely be somewhere else. Sad face emoticon.

 

[manxman2601]

What are your thoughts on Niklas? How does he compare to CJ and ASJ in your mind?

I think he has better upside than CJ and is probably on a par now, maybe a little better. I much prefer ASJ to Niklas. Why that is is harder to quantify, when I analyse both, the differences don't seem so great but when I watch them back to back, I think ASJ is a long way ahead.

I have a first round grade on ASJ, 2nd on Niklas, 3-4 on CJ.

 

[Hercules Rockefeller]

I'd like to go on record and say that I am not a fan of Kelvin Benjamin. He may well be my least favorite high round prospect in the draft. I know he is tall and weighs a lot, but his name evokes images of Mike Williams, Patrick Turner, Limas Sweed, James Hardy, and other large scrubs that I simply cannot shake when I think of him. Do not draft Kelvin Benjamin.

 

[chicowalker]

I don't like his instincts, think he's limited in coverage and plays in an uncontrolled manner. I can see how he appeals but I don't think he's a 'smart safety'.

That sounds like Craig Loston to me -- who should be available into the middle rounds. Plus I like LSU's track record on d-backs.

 

[MrNathanDrake]

That sounds like Craig Loston to me -- who should be available into the middle rounds. Plus I like LSU's track record on d-backs.

Don't read into that "instincts" nonsense.

Kam Chancellor was once a 5th rd pick who lacked "instincts" according to scouts. Now he's a Pro Bowler and one of the most feared SS in the league.

 

[manxman2601]

Just starting to take a close look at Dee Ford, starting with his standout Senior Bowl performance. Very impressive.

I know we met with him but I noticed this in a story about it:

While the 6-foot-2, 244-pounder has only met with the Patriots thus far, he also has visits with the Buccaneers and Colts scheduled in the near future. The Patriots, according to Ford, preached playing special teams, despite being projected as a first-round pick.

“Well, one thing I learned about [the Patriots] is you’re going to have to play special teams down there,” Ford told FOXSports.com in an interview. “You’re going to have to learn how to play special teams and be effective in all phases because you can only travel with so many. I was able to learn a lot of the fundamentals that they do with their special teams and how it all correlates to the game itself. I was able to show them that I was good at dropping in space and things like that. It went well.”

Patriots talk special teams with projected first-round pick Dee Ford | FOX Sports on MSN

How very Patriots

I think he has a shot at being our first rounder...although I'll watch him back to back with Jackson Jeffcoat to see whether there's much difference in performance between the two.

The Question with Ford is how do you maximise his snaps early? To do so means taking Nink or one of the linebackers off the field or moving Chandler Jones inside on passing downs. So how would you do it?

 

[Wilfork#75]

Just starting to take a close look at Dee Ford, starting with his standout Senior Bowl performance. Very impressive.

I know we met with him but I noticed this in a story about it:



Patriots talk special teams with projected first-round pick Dee Ford | FOX Sports on MSN

How very Patriots

I think he has a shot at being our first rounder...although I'll watch him back to back with Jackson Jeffcoat to see whether there's much difference in performance between the two.

The Question with Ford is how do you maximise his snaps early? To do so means taking Nink or one of the linebackers off the field or moving Chandler Jones inside on passing downs. So how would you do it?

I think you nailed it. While I'm not a huge fan of Ford, especially in the 1st I think he could be used well our current defense. Ninko is an excellent run defended but he could use some rest on passing downs (as well as Chandler on occasion) and he could play some RDE in sub packages when Jones moves inside. I think the snaps are certainly available, its just a matter of whether or not Ford is best option for it.

 

[manxman2601]

I think you nailed it. While I'm not a huge fan of Ford, especially in the 1st I think he could be used well our current defense. Ninko is an excellent run defended but he could use some rest on passing downs (as well as Chandler on occasion) and he could play some RDE in sub packages when Jones moves inside. I think the snaps are certainly available, its just a matter of whether or not Ford is best option for it.

I think there's an interesting confluence of need, value and where he's being ranked. Shame there's no 3-cone numbers for him.

Do you think he'd got a read on the snap count at the Senior Bowl? His get off there was incredible. Didn't see the same in the Alabama game.