2015 Draft Prospect Thread

Here's a video of a Corey Crawford interception. The only reason I'm sharing this is so that you can get a feel for his physique and athleticism. He has a very similar build to Chandler Jones, but check out the length of those arms. He might better Chandler Jones in that regard.



Edit:

And here's Greg Gabriel on Crawford at NFP:

http://www.nationalfootballpost.com/NFP-prospect-focus-Clemson-defense.html

Crawford is a fourth-year senior and a three-year starter. He missed the opening game this season due to a team suspension. He is playing in a rotation this season and not getting the playing time he has received in the past. This shows in his production, as Crawford has only 19 total tackles and one sack through seven games. He also has 5.5 tackles for loss. He had 52 total tackles last year with 3.5 sacks.

Crawford has good 4-3 defensive end size at about 6050 – 275 to go along with good athletic ability, strength and speed. I would estimate that he can run in the 4.75 – 4.80 range.

Crawford has very good balance and is seldom off his feet. He has good initial quickness with a solid first step. He shows good enough strength and power at the point and flashes the ability to shed quickly.

Crawford stays low out of his stance and is able to get penetration and disrupt the run game. He is an all-around player who can defend the run and flashes pass rush ability. While his numbers aren’t that good as a pass rusher, he shows he can be disruptive with pressures. Crawford also demonstrates that he can get a push and collapse the pocket.

Overall, I see Crawford as a base left end in a 4-3 scheme. He flashes the athleticism to play outside linebacker in a 3-4, but he doesn’t have the pass rush numbers to be consistently effective. There is no doubt that the 3-4 teams will work him out as a linebacker to see if he can play the position.

I thought that Crawford was a better player in 2013 than he has shown to date this season. Because of that, I see him as a late round draft pick with a chance to be a solid backup in the NFL. Obviously, the team drafting him will need to do research about his suspension.

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manxman2601 said:

Here's a video of a Corey Crawford interception. The only reason I'm sharing this is so that you can get a feel for his physique and athleticism. He has a very similar build to Chandler Jones, but check out the length of those arms. He might better Chandler Jones in that regard.



Edit:

And here's Greg Gabriel on Crawford at NFP:

http://www.nationalfootballpost.com/NFP-prospect-focus-Clemson-defense.html

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Thanks for posting this. Beautiful play, and he does look a bit like Jones.

Crawford seems like the kind of solid all-around player who might appeal to BB:

- 6'5" 270# with 4.75-4.80 speed. Check.
- Solid all-around player who plays the run and rushes the passer on an equal basis. Check.
- Excellent diagnostic ability. Check.
- Variety of pass rush moves. Check.
- Athletic enough to play 3-4 OLB. Check.

Sounds very intriguing. Preston Smith might be a similar kind of player, but this kid is more under the radar.

My biggest question is how much upside this guy has. FWIW, Zach Moore meets most of the criteria, too. 6' 5 1/2" 279#, 4.79 speed. Physical enough to play inside at times, long enough and strong enough to play 3-4 DE, quick and exposive enough to play 4-3 DE. I'm not 100% sure he's athletic enough to stand up and play 3-4 OLB, but it's not out of the question. So does Crawford really offer "more than Moore"?

I'd be all for getting someone like Crawford or Preston Smith if I thought they had the potential to develop into a starter and having 3 guys in the 6'5" 270# range in Jones, Crawford/Smith and Moore who could play end in either a 3 or a 4 man front, in either base or sub. That would be a very valuable rotation.

mayoclinic said:

Thanks for posting this. Beautiful play, and he does look a bit like Jones.

Crawford seems like the kind of solid all-around player who might appeal to BB:

- 6'5" 270# with 4.75-4.80 speed. Check.
- Solid all-around player who plays the run and rushes the passer on an equal basis. Check.
- Excellent diagnostic ability. Check.
- Variety of pass rush moves. Check.
- Athletic enough to play 3-4 OLB. Check.

Sounds very intriguing. Preston Smith might be a similar kind of player, but this kid is more under the radar.

My biggest question is how much upside this guy has. FWIW, Zach Moore meets most of the criteria, too. 6' 5 1/2" 279#, 4.79 speed. Physical enough to play inside at times, long enough and strong enough to play 3-4 DE, quick and exposive enough to play 4-3 DE. I'm not 100% sure he's athletic enough to stand up and play 3-4 OLB, but it's not out of the question. So does Crawford really offer "more than Moore"?

I'd be all for getting someone like Crawford or Preston Smith if I thought they had the potential to develop into a starter and having 3 guys in the 6'5" 270# range in Jones, Crawford/Smith and Moore who could play end in either a 3 or a 4 man front, in either base or sub. That would be a very valuable rotation.

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I don't know how he stacks up against Moore but he can't get on the field so I don't think that's a huge fence to vault but I think Buchanan probably becomes the odd man out in this scenario.

I'm not advocating for Crawford, I just thought he was worth checking out when ESPN bumped him into the 2nd round on their big board.

Tre McBride, WR, William & Mary

6'1" 205lbs but built like a RB. Tremendous body control, catches the ball away from his body and makes highlight reel catches. Has run sub 4.4 apparently but probably projects as having 4.4 speed. Was one of the loci tries leaders as a kick returner in 2013 with 27yds per return. Has four years consistent experience but has never topped 1,000 yards (over 800 last three years).

Highlight video below.

http://www.tribeathletics.com/mediaPortal/player.dbml?DB_OEM_ID=25100&id=3614500&db_oem_id=25100

Good find Manx.

dliverey said:

Good find Manx.

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Thanks. I have a thing for receivers that can high point a ball and have great body control. I like them even more when they run in the low 4.4s.

Here's an interesting guard prospect:

Darrian Miller, OL, Kentucky

6-5 292lbs

From CBS

Kentucky's edge rushers are certain to generate plenty of interest from NFL scouts this fall. One thing helping their cause is the fact that they are practicing each day against a pair of offensive tackles in Miller and junior Jordan Swindle, who may also have a future at the next level.

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Despite his listed size, Miller possesses a square-ish frame that looks better suited to guard. He is surprisingly quick off the snap, shuffling well to his left. He shows patience to allow the defender to come to him and then supplies a solid punch to his opponent. Miller has good strength to latch and control and works to sustain his blocks, including downfield in the running game.

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--Rob Rang (8/28/14)

Has played LT, RT, even TE and suits best at OG. That sounds somewhat Patriot-ish no?

CBS haven't got him draftable yet (#688) but he's worth keeping an eye on.

Tony Pauline

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likes him as a zone blocking OG

Offensive tackle Darrian Miller, who projects to guard in the NFL, could be the sleeper on the roster. He’s a smooth and fundamentally sound position blocker who moves well on his feet and rarely has mental breakdowns. Miller must get a little stronger but has the potential to play in a zone/motion blocking scheme.

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But notes that he's struggled a bit on the outside this year.

Darrian Miller/OL/Kentucky: Off the 2013 film I thought highly of Miller, believing he had middle round potential. He’s had a rough season at times in 2014 and the fact he’s playing out of position at left tackle (he’s better off inside at guard) has not helped the situation. Jordan Jenkins of Georgia had his way with Miller on Saturday as the Kentucky lineman looked intimidated at times. Miller still has potential as a zone blocking guard at the next level but his draft stock has taken a hit in recent weeks.

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He has a Shrine Game invite so he's not off the NFL radar. Saw limited video of him (Dante Fowler, Lorenzo Mauldin videos on DB) and was fairly impressed. Thought he had decent to good second level quickness and the few times he matched up against Fowler he did well.

So I was watching the 30 for 30 documentary about the draft of 1983 and the below highlight appeared



forward to 1:50

Look at #69, the player nearest the ball carrier. That's a 294lb DT chasing down a QB over 60 yards. It's safe to say, I'd be very excited if I was watching that for this years draft.

Unfortunately, the player is Gabriel Rivera and in the same year he was drafted he had a car accident and was paralyzed.

So, let me introduce you to FAU LB Andrae Kirk.

How about this for an introduction:

http://instagram.com/p/eiRGOSQeO5/

(just click on the image to play).

OK, this guy is probably a late day three pick or UDFA, he's a reported 6'2" 225b linebacker although I think he looks bigger than that and he's not even the most highly rated defensive player on the team, that's D'Joun Smith. But let me explain why I like him.

How about this from his DC:

“Kirk is the best leader I’ve been around, period. Bar none,” he said. “He works, he’s in the office all day long, he’s meeting with younger guys, teaching them the ropes. And he’s our vocal guy; when he talks, our defense listens. So he’s meant the world to our defense.”
...

“He’s put himself on the radar. If he wasn’t on the radar at the beginning of the year he definitely is now. He’s the best linebacker I’ve ever coached. He’ll definitely have an opportunity.” (about playing on Sundays)

....

“His work ethic _ I just think he’ll be a hard guy to get rid of,” Bellantoni said. “The special teams (coach) will love him; he’ll play a lot of roles on defense, he’s a smart player. I think he can have a career, I really do.”

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From an Alabama site previewing their match up with FAU:

Kirk combines speed and physicality with an aggressive nature, head-hunting over the middle when opportunities present themselves. Despite his viciousness in defending against the run, Kirk is also adept in pass defense, as his lighter frame gives him the ability to drop into coverage in FAU's preferred 4-3 scheme.

....

explosive speed

....

Kirk's size and speed make him ideally suited to defending against the en vogue HUNH style of offense, as evidenced by his play against Auburn last season. Though AU won the game handily, Kirk had 12 tackles in the game, one of three (the others being Tulane and Middle Tennessee State) in which the then-junior recorded double-digit tackle numbers.

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And then there's this effusive article:

One fact everyone on FAU's football team can agree on — the players and the coaches both — is which Owl is the most respected. The player was a unanimous team captain selection during a vote among his teammates. He has played in every game during the past four years. His desire for knowledge and his preparation for games have made him a legend. And he has overachieved and excelled because of his intelligence.

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The keys to Kirk's success are not a secret. After practice, Kirk is one of the last players to leave the field. He stays behind to listen to his teammates. Sometimes, he will lie down on the field to envision what he needs to do in the next game.

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Practice usually ends with Kirk asking an assistant coach or a graduate assistant to throw him the ball. Kirk will drop in to coverage and try to catch the ball while sprinting. The extra work has helped. Kirk leads the Owls with two interceptions — and he could have more if not for a few drops.

But what impresses coaches and teammates so much about Kirk is his awareness on the field. During several games this season, Kirk has analyzed and diagnosed the opponent's play before the ball is snapped. He will alert his teammates and then make the tackle a few seconds later.

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"His football IQ is so high, it's really impressive," linebacker Robert Relf said. "He's the smartest football player I've ever played with.

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In fact, read the whole article
http://www.sun-sentinel.com/sports/fau-owls/fl-fau-football-andrae-kirk-1128-20141127-story.html

And get a look-see for yourself




BB takes an annual pre-draft holiday to Florida. I'm hoping he takes a visit to FAU because if we don't re-sign Casillas, I think this might be the guy I want instead. Well, I think i want him anyway. A special guy for the practice squad if that's where ends up.

Sorry for the lengthy post.

Ethan Hammerman with a nice writeup on Patspulpit of Manx binky Terry Williams:

http://www.patspulpit.com/2014/12/20/7428229/draft-baetriots-part-1-dts-terry-williams-east-carolina

Knee jerk. but today once again highlighted the pats need for LG/RG help in the draft. Biggest need i can see currently.

jsull87 said:

Knee jerk. but today once again highlighted the pats need for LG/RG help in the draft. Biggest need i can see currently.

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Honestly they needed one week 1

meatface said:

Honestly they needed one week 1

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It looked like Wendel at Rg and Connolly at Lg helped.

But when you come up against the elite fronts like Buffalo and the Jets 2 times a year. You are going to be under a ton of pressure. Today we could not handle that pressure.

The world's not imploding but that is our most easily identifiable weakness at the moment.

Want to a see a video of pancakes?

Isaiah Shelton Highlight Video

Shelton is a 6'1" lineman from Shepherd and whilst he's probably too short for our OL, he's fun to watch for a few minutes. He has a nasty streak. There's one play where, for no reason, he runs all the way along the LOS just so he can pancake some for sap.

I think after today it really proves we need a guard with our second pick. I really do think aj cann could possibly be available with our second pick, even if he isn't then its still very possible Cameron Erving is still there. I believe we could even take another guard with our third pick.
I'm still thinking we can use our top pick for luxury. Maybe a receiver or dt.

Some comments on Utah junior T/G Jeremiah Poutasi, who Tony Pauline says is entering the 2015 draft.

http://www.nfl.com/news/story/0ap30...utah-ot-jeremiah-poutasi-has-plenty-of-upside

Central Michigan is playing Western Kentucky today and CMU has mostly stayed on the beach but Titus Young has looked very good. He had a pair of great catches on the CMU 1st TD drive including the actual Touchdown catch.

Patriot Missile said:

I really thought this was going to be the year for Vereen. He's been healthy and had games with a little bit of flash. But as runner he is has been nothing but sub par at best. Like Mayo mentioned, I'm not sure if is a line or scheme thing. What I do know is that when he runs up the middle between the tackles it's downright poor. Even when he tries to run to the outside he can't get any space to break anything significant. Either we are overrating him, not using effectively or the blocking isn't built for a outside the tackles type of back? Take your pick.

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All of the above. We seem to be going after larger, less mobile lineman in the interior (at least compared to the years of Dante's dancing bears) from what little I can infer from the draft, and the attempted line to begin the season (albeit a jets level failure). This coupled with the frequency of the heavy, six man line+ Gronk sets, would seem to make it a safe assumption to make. Look at the backs this year, Ridley, Blount, Gray, Bolden are all your between the tackles runners. They all prefer contact rather than "making people miss" (to an extent, Ridley likes the spin, but certainly lowers his shoulder/bounces off of contact alot, also loves to finish the play and deliver the hit in the second level. Blount is also mite effective in his past years form running behind his pads.). The only one seeing any time who doesn't is Vereen. This also makes me wonder why Develin hasn't seen significantly more snaps replacing hooman...

Then factor in that Vereen is wildly overrated. He can't seem to out all of his skills together while carrying the ball. He can't run through contact. He is supposedly a "scat back," but can't use his supposed speed or quickness to make anyone miss. Occasionally he'll show flashes of his potential (that ~10 yd td run off tackle right a few weeks ago. Skipped a tackle or two, and used his speed and athleticism to get to the pylon). Unfortunately these plays seem few and far between. Even more confusing, he seemed to have better luck on the wheel last year with a broken hand (defense not respecting ability to make the catch? He did drop a few...understandably). He doesn't seem to be all that great as a receiver either. He sure as hell even in the same breath as Faulk in that regard. I want him gone. Draft a couple more late day two, and throughout day three.

If either back is resigned, I would much prefer Ridley, who has at least shown significant ability to actually run the ball. While not a home run threat, he can create yardage when the line does not provide much running room. He is a liability when asked to go horizontal, but is dynamic between the tackles.

Still don't understand why Bill/Skippy insist on calling running plays between the A & B gaps,
i.e.: behind the worst part of our OL.
And I agree that both Ridley & Vereen are as good as gone.

I've mentioned this guy before but I found this interesting with regards to ECU linebacker Maurice Falls. I was looking for a super athletic late rounder à la Julian Edelman/Nate Ebner.

Anyway, according to his profile page at the ECU website, Falls, a 6-3, 247lb linebacker runs a 4.47 forty and has a 4.19 short shuttle. To contrast this with last years draft:

Anthony Barr - 4.66, 4.19
Khalil Mack - 4.65, 4.18
Ryan Shazier - 4.36*, 4.21

Clearly Falls isn't at the same level as these guys, but he is clearly an interesting prospect athletically. Falls was the #7 guy on the NFL.com Freak Athlete's list

FWIW, Jordan Tripp, Tyler Starr, Avery Williamson and KPL all had faster short shuttles.

* Ryan Shazier's 4.36 was an unofficial pro day time. he didn't run at the combine.