2014 Draft Prospect Thread

[Off The Grid]

shaq thompson was the guy the red sox drafted and he went 0-39 with 37 strikeouts but great safety prospect none the less

Yeah, but that last out was a Line Drive.

He was coming on, Baby!! :rocker:

 

[mackenzie45220]

Given that TE is now a need...
Austin Seferian Jenkins probably won't be available when you pick. Of the guys I've seen so far, C.J. Fiedorowicz is probably #2
Colt Lyerla is pretty good.
I haven't seen him yet, but Jace Amaro is apparently 6'5, 257, 4.59 40, and good stats in just 7 games in 2012

 

[ctpatsfan77]

Given that TE is now a need...
Austin Seferian Jenkins probably won't be available when you pick. Of the guys I've seen so far, C.J. Fiedorowicz is probably #2
Colt Lyerla is pretty good.
I haven't seen him yet, but Jace Amaro is apparently 6'5, 257, 4.59 40, and good stats in just 7 games in 2012

As I asked in another thread, is it really a need?

Someone noted that Ballard/Fells/Hoomanawanui, while not the top unit in the league, is still better than average at TE. Let alone what happens when GRONK returns and if they can get anything from Sudfeld or Ford.

 

[Snake Eyes]

As I asked in another thread, is it really a need?

Someone noted that Ballard/Fells/Hoomanawanui, while not the top unit in the league, is still better than average at TE. Let alone what happens when GRONK returns and if they can get anything from Sudfeld or Ford.

It's not just a TE, it's an X-Factor TE that really enhances the offense. Give me Colt Lyerla!

 

[Yesares]

It's not just a TE, it's an X-Factor TE that really enhances the offense. Give me Colt Lyerla!

Or perhaps Kyle Carter, from Penn St., coached by some guy named Bob O'Brien that I believe knows something about 2 TE package in New England...

 

[Yesares]

Another TE very interesting to watch this year could be Eric Ebron,, North Caroline, 6,4", 235 lbs.

Elite athleticism, burst from line of scrimmage, could be an explosive receiver, need polish several aspects of his game (improving route running, hands and ball security).

Also can be a good blocker, but he will needs to add bulk and strength to be a very good dual TE (blocker&receiver).

 

[manxman2601]

Another TE very interesting to watch this year could be Eric Ebron,, North Caroline, 6,4", 235 lbs.

Elite athleticism, burst from line of scrimmage, could be an explosive receiver, need polish several aspects of his game (improving route running, hands and ball security).

Also can be a good blocker, but he will needs to add bulk and strength to be a very good dual TE (blocker&receiver).

I was very disappointed in his hands in what I saw. You are right on his positives though.

 

[mackenzie45220]

One thing worth mentioning: if you guys are looking for an Aaron Hernandez type to replace Hernandez, i.e., an undersized but athletic pass catcher, the guy most likely to fill that void in this draft class is Asa Watson. He's projected to be a 3rd rounder, and I think that's fair to him, but he has elite straight line speed, showing great burst off the line of scrimmage, but he's pretty raw as a route runner and for a guy of his athleticism he doesn't get many yards after the catch. Regardless, he's the most like Hernandez of all the players in this draft

 

[mackenzie45220]

One thing worth mentioning: if you guys are looking for an Aaron Hernandez type to replace Hernandez, i.e., an undersized but athletic pass catcher, the guy most likely to fill that void in this draft class is Asa Watson. He's projected to be a 3rd rounder, and I think that's fair to him, but he has elite straight line speed, showing great burst off the line of scrimmage, but he's pretty raw as a route runner and for a guy of his athleticism he doesn't get many yards after the catch. Regardless, he's the most like Hernandez of all the players in this draft

*haven't seen Ebron yet, though they sound similar by Yesares' description

 

[mackenzie45220]

Big fan of Dominique Easley. He plays a lot of 5 technique, which probably isn't a good fit for him due to his lack of height, but his quickness off the ball is incredible. Watch Louisville's first offensive snap in the Sugar Bowl. Easley, #2, gets a ridiculous jump off the snap. What's most impressive: it was the first snap of the game. Usually, when a guy is getting a ridiculous jump off the ball, he's figured out the snap count of the opposing offense and knows what call will signal the snap of the ball. Obviously, if a guy is trying to do this, you can use a hard count to get him offsides. But Easley can't figure out the snap count prior to the first play. The fact that he is getting a Dwight Freeney like like jump off the ball means his first step is incredible and he reacts to the snap instantly. You can't teach it. And I can't believe when I see it.

 

[mackenzie45220]

Teddy Bridgewater is a bit frustrating. He's a great athlete, but he sure doesn't make much of it. He basically never scrambles, and he isn't very good at buying time in the pocket. He wouldn't be a different player if he had Ryan Mallett caliber speed and foot quickness. Not too mention, he has happy feet in the pocket, which leads to mistakes, and he throws awkwardly at times under pressure

 

[mackenzie45220]

Preston Brown looks extremely underrated. With that large, muscular frame, I see a very poor man's Brian Urlacher, and a guy I would take late in the second round.

 

[mackenzie45220]

Dominique Easley looks absolutely incredible. If he was any quicker, he would deflects shotgun snaps

 

[manxman2601]

Teddy Bridgewater is a bit frustrating. He's a great athlete, but he sure doesn't make much of it. He basically never scrambles, and he isn't very good at buying time in the pocket. He wouldn't be a different player if he had Ryan Mallett caliber speed and foot quickness. Not too mention, he has happy feet in the pocket, which leads to mistakes, and he throws awkwardly at times under pressure

If I have a great QB, I don't want him running, I want him throwing. I'm impressed with Bridgewater's ability to recognise when nd where the pressure's coming from and his ability to escape it. More importantly, I'm impressed that he keeps looking downfield and finding a pass after the pressure comes whereas lesser QB's would just bail and scramble.

I do agree that he's not quite as polished as I once thought, but there is so much talent there, there's just too much growth potential to ignore. He's a notch behind Luck and RGIII but it is just a notch, it's not a gaping chasm.

 

[manxman2601]

Dominique Easley looks absolutely incredible. If he was any quicker, he would deflects shotgun snaps

Agreed. Consistently gets penetration. In the Missouri game, it looked like he was being disruptive on almost every down.

Dominique Easley (DE/DT Florida Gators) vs Missouri 2012 - YouTube

One gap specialist though. Don't know how well he'd fit the Patriots. LDE that moves inside?

 

[mackenzie45220]

I remember manxman being a fan of Lamarcus Joyner, as am I, and one nice thing about Joyner is his ability in man coverage in the slot. If I'm a defensive coordinator, I've got more flexibility with substitutions when I see a 3 receiver look if I have Joyner. I obviously want 5 defensive backs on the field, but I now have more freedom. I can sub in either my 3rd safety or my 3rd corner, whichever one is better, because I have a safety who can excel in man coverage against slot receivers. 3 receiver looks are so common that many teams treat nickelbacks like starters, and 3rd corners are generally better than 3rd safeties, but you don't see many teams go an entire season without having 1 of their top 3 corners getting injured, and, in that event, you won't have to go to the bottom of your cornerback depth chart to find a guy to sub in. Just bring in your best backup safety and move Joyner.

 

[manxman2601]

I remember manxman being a fan of Lamarcus Joyner, as am I, and one nice thing about Joyner is his ability in man coverage in the slot. If I'm a defensive coordinator, I've got more flexibility with substitutions when I see a 3 receiver look if I have Joyner. I obviously want 5 defensive backs on the field, but I now have more freedom. I can sub in either my 3rd safety or my 3rd corner, whichever one is better, because I have a safety who can excel in man coverage against slot receivers. 3 receiver looks are so common that many teams treat nickelbacks like starters, and 3rd corners are generally better than 3rd safeties, but you don't see many teams go an entire season without having 1 of their top 3 corners getting injured, and, in that event, you won't have to go to the bottom of your cornerback depth chart to find a guy to sub in. Just bring in your best backup safety and move Joyner.

Like him a lot but he is limited at 5'8". I wonder if he'll ever play safety in the NFL or whether he'd be limited to the slot.

 

[mackenzie45220]

Agreed. Consistently gets penetration. In the Missouri game, it looked like he was being disruptive on almost every down.

Dominique Easley (DE/DT Florida Gators) vs Missouri 2012 - YouTube

One gap specialist though. Don't know how well he'd fit the Patriots. LDE that moves inside?

Sometimes I forget this is a Patriots board. You're right, he is a one gap specialist. I think he moves inside no matter what given his lack of length.

Remembering this is a Patriots board, I was wrong when I said Lyerla looks good. He looks great. Good athlete and high effort blocker

 

[mackenzie45220]

If I have a great QB, I don't want him running, I want him throwing. I'm impressed with Bridgewater's ability to recognise when nd where the pressure's coming from and his ability to escape it. More importantly, I'm impressed that he keeps looking downfield and finding a pass after the pressure comes whereas lesser QB's would just bail and scramble.

I do agree that he's not quite as polished as I once thought, but there is so much talent there, there's just too much growth potential to ignore. He's a notch behind Luck and RGIII but it is just a notch, it's not a gaping chasm.

That's where you and I disagree. First of all, I like him rushing a little, although he must slide, because it's a nice asset to have if the defense respects the speed of the quarterback enough to use a spy. But I don't see him escape as much as I wish I would. He doesn't have that nice spin move you see from Russell Wilson and Johnny Manziel to get defenders to run right past him. And I think his ability to recognize the blitz is simply average, although pretty good for a sophomore.

He definitely does keep his eyes downfield, which is quite valuable

 

[mackenzie45220]

Timmy Jernigan has been quite underwhelming