The 2013 Prospect Thread

[Off The Grid]

I'm not sure how I feel about FlankerBacks, but FL Kenbrell Thompkins should be on your Radar. He's getting a lot of Under The Radar Love for'is exquisite Route Running...and well he ought. :snob:

 

[manxman2601]

I repeat: CornerBack DJ Hayden, Baby.

And a million miles Off The Grid: Tight End/Defensive End/World Class Wrester BJ Stewart.

Did I mention Strong Safety/FlexBack/SlotBack/Gryphon JJ Wilcox, a few days ago?? Love him.

DJ Hayden video. I can see the appeal.

DJ Hayden vs Penn State (2011 Bowl Game) - YouTube


Edit:

And another


http://youtu.be/DULLKzandYI


Lots to like.

 

[Patriot Missile]

Here's a bit on Stewart: http://www.montgomeryadvertiser.com/article/20130119/SPORTS04/301190022/Raycom-All-Star-Classic-Cumberland-tight-end-brings-muscle

I posted this on Hayden, before: UH football star makes comeback after injury | News - Home

And a bit on Wilcox: J.J. Wilcox, late bloomer and NFL prospect, aims to display his potential

These guys are all in my Mock, of course, and will appear in my Grid of Death, next month!!

When I read stories about players like Hayden it puts things in perspective. Is there any greater motive to do something more with your life after surviving an injury that is 95% fatal? I'm hoping this guy succeeds with his quest to make a team. Any guesses on what round? Or is this a wait and see how his combine goes?

 

[mayoclinic]

More on Stewart:

RN-T.com

We are, however, talking very, very Off the Grid here.

FWIW, here's Russ Lande on Stewart at the Texas vs. the Nation practice:

B.J. Stewart, TE, Cumberland (6036, 255 and 5.00 E): Another small school player who looked out of his league today, Stewart needs to step things up over the next few days if he is going to have any chance of being drafted. Despite looking the part “on the hoof,” Cumberland lacks explosiveness in his acceleration and is slow footed in route. He also lacked a burst out of his breaks to get separation.

Texas VS The Nation Game - Players That Struggled Tuesday. | National Football Post

If he's really that slow, it's going to be tough.

 

[mayoclinic]

Some post-Senior Bowl gossip from Tony Pauline:

- The name making the rounds in the scouting community as one of the biggest sleepers at the receiver position is Courtney Gardner of Sierra College. The 6-foot, 3-inch/220lb pass catcher was expected to play for Oklahoma in 2013 but opted for the NFL draft after academic “difficulties”. We hear scouts have been raving about the physical skills Gardner brings to the field. Besides his large frame the big pass catcher also has the speed (10.7 sec in the 100 meters) to match. Even college coaches in the area are awed by his ability on the field but focusing at the task at hand seems to be an issue.

- Rule of thumb has always been Senior Bowl practices are more important than the Senior Bowl game. Its something I bought into since attending my first Senior Bowl practice in 2000. But to quote an old adage, rules are made to be broken. Such is the case with Ezikial Ansah, who had his moments during three days of practice but wowed scouts with his performance in the game. Several sources say teams were blown away by Ansah’s game and there are now lots of comparisons being made between the BYU product and New York Giants All-Pro Jason Pierre Paul. Like Pierre-Paul teams feel Ansah has the ability to develop into an impact player on the defensive line. We are now hearing Ansah is a definite mid-first round choice and should be selected anywhere between picks 14-to-18.

- Wide out Marquise Goodwin of Texas continues receiving rave reviews after his performance last week and has flown up draft boards. As one insider said this evening “he has never seen anyone gobble up ground as fast as Goodwin.” The Longhorn wide out looks like a second day lock.

- On the flip side the draft stock of Oregon lineman Kyle Long seems to be headed in the other direction. Despite a solid senior campaign scouts we spoke with feel it may take a while before Long is NFL ready. Not surprising since he just moved to the offensive line, yet many thought it would be a quick process for Long coming into the week. Right now we hear most teams project him as a third round pick.

Post Senior Bowl Notes

Hopefully someone later than the Jets and earlier than the Giants will grab Ziggy.

 

[manxman2601]

I was watching some Ace Sanders last night and I was surprisingly impressed. I expected a very good punt returner (which he is) but was expecting a raw WR talent. He isn't as raw as I thought. He catches the ball with his hands most of the time, has the catching confidence to reach out for the ball to catch it and he's an eager blocker for someone of his size. But what impressed me the most is how quickly he gets open because of his insane ability to cut. One cut and he's immediately open.

The problem is his size, the man is tiny and I saw him end up on his backside plenty after coming in to the merest contact with a defender. But, whilst he's no Welker, he does have that knack for getting open very quickly from the slot. As a 2nd drafted WR, somewhere on day three, he'd interest me. Get him in for his punt returns and develop him as the slot guy.

 

[manxman2601]

A sleeper and potential beast.

Armonty Bryant, DE

6'4, 255lbs

East Central University, Snr

Love his length. Plays at DII level so hard to gauge his talent owing to the level of opposing OL (not good) but he's got very good length, very nice COD and good athleticism. Would be interested to hear what people think.

Stand out play for me was the one at 5:44. Tracks a receiver into the endzone and defends the pass with his long arms.

Armonty Bryant East Central Career Highlights - YouTube

Markell Carter pick?

So I mentioned this guy a while ago to no response. Researching his performances in the Texas v Nation game and I note the following:

Measurables: 6'4", 266 lbs, 35 1/2" arms, 83" wingspan

Notes from practice:

-Armonty Bryant’s repertoire of arm-over moves to the outside, enabled him to consistently dip, bend and explode through the blocker’s outside shoulder for quarterback sacks and pressures. Nearly unstoppable in one-on-one’s, Bryant caught my eye in the first practice and will be one to watch throughout this event.

Armonty Bryant continued to build off a strong performance in the Monday practice, displaying the natural ability to work to the outside of his opponent, bend and run the arc. Though he can be a bit reckless in his approach and waste movement with his arms off the snap, Bryant is the most natural edge guy at this event and should be valued in the mid-rounds as a developmental rusher. Called “sweet feet” by his position coach, Bryant can win with an outside-in or inside-out pass rush, setting up each move and cut before accelerating upfield. Bryant’s length, bend and edge speed have been impressive to say the least and he’s been one of the more dominant players here in Allen, Texas.

2013 Texas Vs Nation Game: Wednesday Practice Notes

A very small schooler which doesn't seem like a great fit, but that arm length is certainly a great fit for us. He's a name worth remembering. And re-watching his video, I still really like that athleticism.

 

[manxman2601]

SE Courtney Gardner ~ 6.3/216 ~ is worth keeping an eye on. He's had legal issues, but kid stuff, really. I'm more concerned about'is Grades...Even so, the Power & Speed Combo is alluring, to say the least.

I'm not signing up, just yet...But a kid to consider, for sure...

NFL Draft 2013: Courtney Gardner, WR, Sierra Emerging as Super Sleeper - FanSided - Sports News - An Independent Sports Network

His height, speed and size are intriguing. But he's too stupid for the Oklahoma program and I have a theory that BB doesn't draft from Oklahoma because they tend to be a little lax on academics. So I don't see a great Pats fit. Nice find though. Tony Pauline says he's being talked of as a sleeper.

 

[Off The Grid]

When I read stories about players like Hayden it puts things in perspective. Is there any greater motive to do something more with your life after surviving an injury that is 95% fatal? I'm hoping this guy succeeds with his quest to make a team.

Any guesses on what round? Or is this a wait and see how his combine goes?

Sorry, Brother Missile. I missed your Query the first time.

Of course my answer's not going to do you any good: I think we do need to wait and see on the Combine with this guy. As it currently stands, he could go anywhere from the 2nd Round ~ as the only other Soul in the Galaxy who seem's to've heard'f'm has speculated ~ or full-blown UFA.

Naturally, I'm hoping for the latter. :snob:

Of course, I'm also hoping to win PowerBall on Wednesday, parlay the winnings into a quick $10 Billion, buy out Kraft, and seize full control of Operations in time to exert my Will on the Draft!!

 

[Kontradiction]

Sorry, Brother Missile. I missed your Query the first time.

Of course my answer's not going to do you any good: I think we do need to wait and see on the Combine with this guy. As it currently stands, he could go anywhere from the 2nd Round ~ as the only other Soul in the Galaxy who seem's to've heard'f'm has speculated ~ or full-blown UFA.

Naturally, I'm hoping for the latter. :snob:

Of course, I'm also hoping to win PowerBall on Wednesday, parlay the winnings into a quick $10 Billion, buy out Kraft, and seize full control of Operations in time to exert my Will on the Draft!!

If you buy out Kraft, I'm interested in applying for the GM position.

 

[Off The Grid]

Sorry, Brother Missile. I missed your Query the first time.

Of course my answer's not going to do you any good: I think we do need to wait and see on the Combine with this guy. As it currently stands, he could go anywhere from the 2nd Round ~ as the only other Soul in the Galaxy who seem's to've heard'f'm has speculated ~ or full-blown UFA.

Naturally, I'm hoping for the latter. :snob:

Of course, I'm also hoping to win PowerBall on Wednesday, parlay the winnings into a quick $10 Billion, buy out Kraft, and seize full control of Operations in time to exert my Will on the Draft!!

If you buy out Kraft, I'm interested in applying for the GM position.

Honored to have you on The Team, Brother Kontra!!

 

[Avenger]

Phillip Thomas Profile - Fresno State Official Athletic Site

Phillip Thomas, S, Fresno State

could be perfect to pair next to McCourty

 

[SeymourTrophies]

I search Armonty Bryant's name, and the first thing that came up was that he was arrested for selling marijuana at a practice.

For those who want the honey badger, we've got a supplier in Bryant. Hernandez might not be upset either.

 

[DaBruinz]

More on Stewart:

RN-T.com

We are, however, talking very, very Off the Grid here.

Sounds like he could be a project ala Stephen Neal. Who I doubt was on anyone's radar until after the Pats signed him off the Eagles PS.

 

[EwanSellars]

one of my favorite players in the draft this year is arthur brown from kansas state he plays ilb but excels in coverage and many other things to be honest. I would take him in a heart beat in the 2nd and would even consider him in the 1st i know he doesnt really fit a position of need but i think he could be that great coverage and all around lb we could use to help our defense over the middle. Getting Brown might mean the end of brandon spikes but i think it would be worth it for brown

 

[DaBruinz]

one of my favorite players in the draft this year is arthur brown from kansas state he plays ilb but excels in coverage and many other things to be honest. I would take him in a heart beat in the 2nd and would even consider him in the 1st i know he doesnt really fit a position of need but i think he could be that great coverage and all around lb we could use to help our defense over the middle. Getting Brown might mean the end of brandon spikes but i think it would be worth it for brown

The problem that screams at me right away is his weight. At 228, he's not a MLB or ILB in the Pats defense. The Pats won't even look at him because of that. I don't think they've ever willingly started the year with a ILB/MLB under 240 lbs during the BB era.

If he can get to 245 and not lose anything, then I'm all for it. It would make him similar to Tedy. And yes, that would help them cover TE's, though at 6'0, the 6'4-6'6 TEs still have a huge advantage over him.

 

[EwanSellars]

I'm pretty sure he's 6 1 but that doesnt really matter and i also didnt know about the weight thing. I think he'd be a great addition to the team and would help the patriots get faster and better at coverage but he is pretty short

 

[DaBruinz]

I'm pretty sure he's 6 1 but that doesnt really matter and i also didnt know about the weight thing. I think he'd be a great addition to the team and would help the patriots get faster and better at coverage but he is pretty short

He's 6'0 and 5/8 inches tall. That's not 6'1.

 

[EwanSellars]

oh ok didnt see his actual measurables just saw that he was listed at 6 1

 

[DaBruinz]

oh ok didnt see his actual measurables just saw that he was listed at 6 1

No worries.. Wasn't lambasting you in any way. I don't think his height is a big deal for an ILB/MLB because that's all Bruschi was. It's more the weight I was looking at. And Bruschi regularly played between 245 and 255.