2014 Draft Prospect Thread

Karen Gueregian has a nice piece on my draft binky, Ra’Shede Hageman

A 6'6" 310 - and exceptionally Athletic - a guy who can pretty much play any position on the line including NT if Wilfork is not good to go

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TcXeF3SO5WI

That being said, he's got some downside in terms of technique (which I think is correctable) and despite the many roles he can play, I think he'd really need to concentrate on one role in a D to start (down the line I think he could be a guy Belichick moves around in different defensive schemes)

I think he'd be a great value in the 2nd round but his stock could go up given his versatility and could see Belichick trading back to add a 2nd round pick and grabbing him.

Finding next Vince Wilfork a Patriots priority at draft | Boston Herald

mayoclinic said:

Ah, Grid finally gets to my uber-binky for 2014, MF/FD Christian Jones. I've been on the Jones bandwagon for months, and have been waiting to see if my Fanatical Brother agrees with my lofty assessment - in the level of Lavonte David man-love. I copy it in full, hopefully with permission:



Category: Christian Jones -

I haven't seen midfielder with Jone's combination of verticity, agility, explosiveness and core power since ... Lavonte David. And at 6' 3" 240# Jones is a bit heftier than David.

Add Aaron Donald and Christian Jones, and this defense will be transformed.

I only hope that teams confuse Jones' being used at so many different positions for a "lack of instincts" and "poor technique", and discount him.

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I would love to see the versatility that Jones would bring to this defense. Collins and Christian Jones would bring freakish athleticism to this defense.

I am hoping we can get ASJ/Niklas and Christian Jones in the second round with either a guard or defensive tackle in round 1.

ripatsfan91 said:

I would love to see the versatility that Jones would bring to this defense. Collins and Christian Jones would bring freakish athleticism to this defense.

I am hoping we can get ASJ/Niklas and Christian Jones in the second round with either a guard or defensive tackle in round 1.

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Aaron Donald and Christian Jones is my dream pair. Add a FA DE like Carlos Dunlap or Michael Johnson and you've transformed the front 7 of the defense.

If Donald is off the board then my next best bet is to hope for a trade back with SF from 29 for 56 and 61. Then get Dominique Easley, Jones, and a TE in some order with the 3 2nd round picks, and add an OL in the 3rd. Or hope for a Mallett trade.

mayoclinic said:

Ah, Grid finally gets to my uber-binky for 2014, MF/FD Christian Jones. I've been on the Jones bandwagon for months, and have been waiting to see if my Fanatical Brother agrees with my lofty assessment - in the level of Lavonte David man-love. I copy it in full, hopefully with permission:



Category: Christian Jones -

I haven't seen midfielder with Jone's combination of verticity, agility, explosiveness and core power since ... Lavonte David. And at 6' 3" 240# Jones is a bit heftier than David.

Add Aaron Donald and Christian Jones, and this defense will be transformed.

I only hope that teams confuse Jones' being used at so many different positions for a "lack of instincts" and "poor technique", and discount him.

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Doubly Honored, Brother Mayo!! :rocker:

Clearly, we see Eye to Eye on Jones's potentially Transformational Impact...as did we on David.

Off The Grid said:

Doubly Honored, Brother Mayo!! :rocker:

Clearly, we see Eye to Eye on Jones's potentially Transformational Impact...as did we on David.

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So you guys see Jones as a Wagner/David type of player? They could definitely use that kind of talent.

Patriot Missile said:

So you guys see Jones as a Wagner/David type of player? They could definitely use that kind of talent.

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Jones has the versatility to line up at any LB position. He could be a Kiko Alonso or Bobby Wagner type of MLB with tremendous range, or a WLB like David. He's strong enough that he could play 4-3 SAM. Florida State used him extensively at DE this year because they were short at the position (with Tank Carradine and Bjoern Werner both being top 40 picks in the 2013 draft), and they even moved him to DT at times, weighing all of 236 lbs. He's got Lavonte David's rare combination of tremendous core strength for his size and ability to take on blockers (which distinguishes him from Kyle Van Noy), combined with explosive burst that makes him a threat coming off the edge (more explosive than Van Noy), combined with tremendous fluidity in space, agility, and verticity - "that's turn and burn acuity, to you earthlings!" - which allowed Florida St. to put him in man coverage on Sammie Watkins. His athleticism is better than David's, and maybe a notch or half-notch below that of Jamie Collins. That's a pretty unique combination of skills, versatility and athleticism, which is incredibly valuable in the modern passing era. His instincts aren't completely developed, because - like Jamie Collins - he's been moved around so much, but that is also testimony to the fact that his coaches trust him to learn quickly and not make huge mistakes.

Patriot Missile said:

More like a smidgen.

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Or, as we would say in the Marines (especially if one did a WestPac tour): skoshi.

sircole said:

Sure. NFL network kept cutting away from because he was right after Sammy Watkins.

I can't post a link to his nfl.com profile, but here are his measurables:

5'9" height
202 lbs weight
9 1/8 hands

4.43 forty (same as Sammy Watkins)
37" vertical

71 catches for 1,177 yards eight touchdowns
2,283 all-purpose yards
23.5 yards avg. on kickoff returns

1st team All Sun Belt and SI.Com Honorable Mention All-American all-purpose on a dreadful team FBS startup program where he was the only offense and a marked man.

I disagree with the "maintenance" comment in his draft profile because he never was a complainer or suspended from the team and was actually a team captain.

Also he scored a 97-yard kickoff return for a touchdown against Alabama a couple of years ago which was our only points in the game.

With his thick build, he could be a slot receiver/3rd down back and definitely contribute to special teams.

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Thanks for that. I'll definitely be keeping an eye out for him.

Merril Hoge's Tie Knot said:

On the Clock: Notre Dame defensive tackle Louis Nix - NFL Videos

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I love me some Irish Chocolate.

Breaking down Notre Dame defensive tackle Louis Nix - NFL Videos

I'm glad Daniel Jeremiah agrees with me that Nix is more than just a 2-down run stuffer and has the versatility to play in both a 3-4 and 4-3. He is a much better pass rusher than people give him credit for, and while he won't put up huge sack numbers he will create pressure and collapse the pocket. Jeremiah describes his as having "the potential to be a 3 down difference maker at the next level."

Wilfork#75 said:

I love me some Irish Chocolate.

Breaking down Notre Dame defensive tackle Louis Nix - NFL Videos

I'm glad Daniel Jeremiah agrees with me that Nix is more than just a 2-down run stuffer and has the versatility to play in both a 3-4 and 4-3. He is a much better pass rusher than people give him credit for, and while he won't put up huge sack numbers he will create pressure and collapse the pocket. Jeremiah describes his as having "the potential to be a 3 down difference maker at the next level."

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I've been meaning to ask this but break down Nix v Hankins for me if you don't mind. I'm not sure I see a great deal of difference.

Kevin Norwood is a name to keep an eye on. Ran 4.48 but had a 6.68 3 Cone. Also:

@RosterWatch: Gus Bradley went out of his way at the Senior Bowl to tell us (unsolicited) how sick Kevin Norwood of #Alabama is. He's being slept on, guys

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manxman2601 said:

I've been meaning to ask this but break down Nix v Hankins for me if you don't mind. I'm not sure I see a great deal of difference.

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To me Nix just does everything a little better. He's more stout at the point of attack, stronger and more violent hands, quicker feet and better leg drive. I Nix has a more prototypical NT build where Hankins is a little taller and doesn't quite have the same bulk in the lower half. I also think Nix plays at a step higher intensity, plays harder and chases everything. I really liked Hankins last year but I think Nix is just superior in almost every aspect.

Wilfork#75 said:

To me Nix just does everything a little better. He's more stout at the point of attack, stronger and more violent hands, quicker feet and better leg drive. I Nix has a more prototypical NT build where Hankins is a little taller and doesn't quite have the same bulk in the lower half. I also think Nix plays at a step higher intensity, plays harder and chases everything. I really liked Hankins last year but I think Nix is just superior in almost every aspect.

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I would defer to you on these "Super Grizzlies", but to me Nix and Hankins are very similar in their fluidity and agility for such big men, while Nix has much more developed mechanics and is more refined as a prospect.

Wilfork#75 said:

To me Nix just does everything a little better. He's more stout at the point of attack, stronger and more violent hands, quicker feet and better leg drive. I Nix has a more prototypical NT build where Hankins is a little taller and doesn't quite have the same bulk in the lower half. I also think Nix plays at a step higher intensity, plays harder and chases everything. I really liked Hankins last year but I think Nix is just superior in almost every aspect.

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I was also a fan on Hankins, but Nix is much better. The only advantage I'd give to Hankins is that he seemed to play every snap whereas Nix came off the field on some passing downs.

Merril Hoge's Tie Knot said:

I was also a fan on Hankins, but Nix is much better. The only advantage I'd give to Hankins is that he seemed to play every snap whereas Nix came off the field on some passing downs.

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In terms of stamina anomalies, Hankins is second to Dontari Poe. But, in general, Nix's stamina issues makes me think he's destined to be a very good player when on the field but not on the field enough to be a very good player, sort of in a Dan Williams/Phil Taylor/Linval Joseph way.

Who would be the better SS convert: Telvin Smith or Antone Exum?

ripatsfan91 said:

Who would be the better SS convert: Telvin Smith or Antone Exum?

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Isnt Exum to stiff to be a corner? I havent watched him much but to me the guy is a safety all the way.

And im all in for Donald. Unfortunely he wont be available so Shazier it is. That or just trade back which seems the more realistic thing to happen at this point.

Haha. Just read Brock Vereen's NFL.com scouting report. The "we need a hard hitting safety" crowd aren't going to like him. Remember, he's Shane's brother and we've met him at the combine.

BOTTOM LINE A very smart, pedigreed, rangy free safety with the athletic ability and cover skill desired on the back end. Lack of size and tackling strength could leave much to be desired when defending the run. Top-notch intangibles -- toughness, instincts, competitiveness and leadership ability -- should allow him to quickly emerge as a defensive leader and enhance his draft status.

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NFL Events: Combine Player Profiles - Brock Vereen

He does however sound like a typical and ideal BB safety. Read the whole thing.

ripatsfan91 said:

Who would be the better SS convert: Telvin Smith or Antone Exum?

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I'm leaning towards Exum, though I want to see how he does tomorrow. I think he is likely to be available later in the draft, has prior S experience, and is probably a little more fluid in space. Smith has some issues with his tackling that need to be addressed, as well. But either could make a very, very good safety.