2014 Draft Prospect Thread

[Snake Eyes]

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

Do you think Lyerla can be that X-factor for the Pats offence, causing mismatches, in a similar way Ahern was?

 

[mackenzie45220]

Do you think Lyerla can be that X-factor for the Pats offence, causing mismatches, in a similar way Ahern was?

His routes need to be cleaned up a little and he needs to learn how to beat press coverage. If he improves in those areas, absolutely.

 

[Snake Eyes]

His routes need to be cleaned up a little and he needs to learn how to beat press coverage. If he improves in those areas, absolutely.

I really like you Mackenzie

Based on what you know of the Pats and the 2014 draft class what would you think the best moves to make in free agency and the draft? Do you think Andre Roberts would be a good acquisition?

 

[mackenzie45220]

As much as I love next year's draft class (and there is a lot of talent), a lot of these corners suck at tackling.

 

[mackenzie45220]

I really like you Mackenzie

Based on what you know of the Pats and the 2014 draft class what would you think the best moves to make in free agency and the draft? Do you think Andre Roberts would be a good acquisition?

Before we talk about 1st round prospects, let's let the season play out a bit. We can't guarantee we'll know what the needs are. The thing about Roberts is that he's never been better than average. I never see signs of him breaking out of the mold of mediocrity. He doesn't flash the tools necessary to be a useful player on a good team. Just a passable stopgap solution on a weak team

 

[mackenzie45220]

I've gotten a look at Florida's corners. Roberson looks good. Needs a ton of strength and can't support the run, but ahead of his age in terms of instincts in pass coverage and ball skills.

I've gotta say, I'm a bit confused by many of your guys' negative opinion of Harry Potter character Louchiez Purifoy. He's got speed and strength, along with solid but unspectacular instincts in coverage. At least from what I've seen so far.

 

[mackenzie45220]

This is probably unlikely, but a potential sleeper Aaron Hernandez replacement is Trey Burton, who, in my opinion, is just as athletic as Hernandez, but even shorter, and in need of 20lbs if he seriously wants to consider tight end at the next level

 

[s3antana5757]

This is probably unlikely, but a potential sleeper Aaron Hernandez replacement is Trey Burton, who, in my opinion, is just as athletic as Hernandez, but even shorter, and in need of 20lbs if he seriously wants to consider tight end at the next level

Between him and Jordan Reed, I thought they were both pretty much carbon copies of Hernandez albeit, not so good. I was a big advocate of drafting Jordan Reed this past season, but that obviously didn't happen.

In regards to Purifoy, I've heard the same thing from a lot of Florida fans and guys in the know there. They say Purifoy is a great athlete, makes a lot of flashy plays(INTs, big hits, returns, etc.) but they don't understand the hype from him as a 1st round prospect. The other thing that would be indicative to me that he's not that great of a corner is the fact that they are moving him to WR and letting him play offense. If you're special as a corner, why would you play offense? You wouldn't.

 

[manxman2601]

I like Trey Burton a lot. His listed height at 6-3 is fine (if accurate) but he does need to add 15-20 lbs. He's had 70 catches in three years with the Gators albeit averaging only 7-9 yds per catch. Hopefully with Jordan Reed gone he'll see much more action as a receiver so that we can get a better feel for him.

I suggested Trey Millard of Oklahoma a while ago and didn't get any interest. He doesn't quite have that Lyerla/Hernandez athleticism, but bear in mind, he's listed at 259lbs so a fair bit bigger and can do this:

OU FB Trey Millard 61yd TD Run vs Kansas St. 2011 - YouTube

Trey Millard Highlights vs Texas 2012 - YouTube

Pretty good blocker too. If he times at sub 4.65 then I become pretty interested.

 

[Yesares]

I like Trey Burton a lot. His listed height at 6-3 is fine (if accurate) but he does need to add 15-20 lbs. He's had 70 catches in three years with the Gators albeit averaging only 7-9 yds per catch. Hopefully with Jordan Reed gone he'll see much more action as a receiver so that we can get a better feel for him.

I suggested Trey Millard of Oklahoma a while ago and didn't get any interest. He doesn't quite have that Lyerla/Hernandez athleticism, but bear in mind, he's listed at 259lbs so a fair bit bigger and can do this:

Pretty good blocker too. If he times at sub 4.65 then I become pretty interested.

I like Millard, but you know, Belichik has never drafted a player from Oklahoma in his Pats years...

Although, records are to be broken...

 

[mackenzie45220]

Just wrote about Dominique Easley
Dominique Easley- 2014 NFL Draft Scouting report - NFL Mocks - 2013 NFL Mock Draft, Fantasy Football, NFL News, and NFL Mock Draft Databases

 

[mackenzie45220]

Between him and Jordan Reed, I thought they were both pretty much carbon copies of Hernandez albeit, not so good. I was a big advocate of drafting Jordan Reed this past season, but that obviously didn't happen.

In regards to Purifoy, I've heard the same thing from a lot of Florida fans and guys in the know there. They say Purifoy is a great athlete, makes a lot of flashy plays(INTs, big hits, returns, etc.) but they don't understand the hype from him as a 1st round prospect. The other thing that would be indicative to me that he's not that great of a corner is the fact that they are moving him to WR and letting him play offense. If you're special as a corner, why would you play offense? You wouldn't.

First of all, they scrapped the idea of playing him on offense. Secondly, he's not as flashy as you think with no interceptions last season. Thirdly, I wasn't exactly expecting Joe Haden like film from Purifoy, a true sophomore last season. But the big thing for me is that Purifoy isn't really behind guys like Dee Millner were at his age. If he makes any discernible improvement this season, he will be worthy of a first round pick.

 

[mackenzie45220]

I like Trey Burton a lot. His listed height at 6-3 is fine (if accurate) but he does need to add 15-20 lbs. He's had 70 catches in three years with the Gators albeit averaging only 7-9 yds per catch. Hopefully with Jordan Reed gone he'll see much more action as a receiver so that we can get a better feel for him.

I suggested Trey Millard of Oklahoma a while ago and didn't get any interest. He doesn't quite have that Lyerla/Hernandez athleticism, but bear in mind, he's listed at 259lbs so a fair bit bigger and can do this:

OU FB Trey Millard 61yd TD Run vs Kansas St. 2011 - YouTube

Trey Millard Highlights vs Texas 2012 - YouTube

Pretty good blocker too. If he times at sub 4.65 then I become pretty interested.

I would take Millard in the second or third round, but he looks shorter than 6'3 on film, and he's always ridiculously open when he catches a pass, and I feel like that (and many of his receiving yards) are a result of defenses that forget once or twice a game that Millard isn't useless as a pass catcher like most fullbacks and he actually needs to be covered a little bit. Don't get me wrong, he does make plays for himself as a pass catcher, but sometimes teams ignore the fullback out of habit, and that inflates his stats just a little bit. He is a good runner and a tough player though

 

[manxman2601]

I would take Millard in the second or third round, but he looks shorter than 6'3 on film, and he's always ridiculously open when he catches a pass, and I feel like that (and many of his receiving yards) are a result of defenses that forget once or twice a game that Millard isn't useless as a pass catcher like most fullbacks and he actually needs to be covered a little bit. Don't get me wrong, he does make plays for himself as a pass catcher, but sometimes teams ignore the fullback out of habit, and that inflates his stats just a little bit. He is a good runner and a tough player though

Agreed - I'd like to see more actual route-running out of Millard than merely slipping out of the backfield. Whatever chances Millard has of being a Patriot next year depends on whether BB starts looking at a FB/TE hybrid this season to compensate for the loss of AHerns production. If Tebow, Hooman or Winn start playing more regulalry then it's a possibility but Millard probably isn't good enough to be a like for like AHern replacement.

And yes Yesares, I'm aware of the Oklahoma issue

 

[ctpatsfan77]

I know this is WAY too early, but this kid looks like he could fit into the Pats offense some day. . . .

Braxton Berrios Is Unreal!: Ultimate Junior Season Highlight Film - YouTube

Last season in high school he scored 33 touchdowns while accumulating 740 yards as a receiver, 1,260 as a rusher and 389 as a passer.

Oh yeah, he also plays D and ST, too.

 

[mackenzie45220]

I know this is WAY too early, but this kid looks like he could fit into the Pats offense some day. . . .

Braxton Berrios Is Unreal!: Ultimate Junior Season Highlight Film - YouTube



Oh yeah, he also plays D and ST, too.

The kid is less that a year older than me...

 

[manxman2601]

I tell you who I think would be a perfect Hernandez replacement (aside from Lyerla), it's Mike Evans of Texas A&M. Redshirt freshman last year so technically eligible for the 2014 draft.

Mike Evans Freshman Highlight Video - YouTube

 

[manxman2601]

The potential WR class is very exciting next year, and one who I think could genuinely challenge for the #1 spot ahead of Lee and Watkins is Ole Miss WR Donte Moncrief. Watched three games of his and he's a legit potential #1 receiver who flashes the ability to go deep on every play - he runs excellent routes and his hands are pretty good (one drop in the three games I watched). He's also one of the better blocking receivers I've watched too and makes catches in traffic which I like to see. Possibly my early favourite at the position.

The Supreme Donte Moncrief Highlights - YouTube

 

[manxman2601]

Just wrote about Dominique Easley
Dominique Easley- 2014 NFL Draft Scouting report - NFL Mocks - 2013 NFL Mock Draft, Fantasy Football, NFL News, and NFL Mock Draft Databases

I notice you talk about his ability to anticipate the snap. Just one note, I think he's given up an offside penalty in every clip I've seen of him. Just something I've noted.

 

[manxman2601]

I've had an early insight into next years Patriot draft class:

2014 NFL Draft: Rutgers preview - CBSSports