2014 Draft Prospect Thread

[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

Moncrief features on the 2013 CFB Physical Freak List:

Freaks List: The 20 craziest athletes in college football - NCAA Football - CBSSports.com News, Scores, Stats, Schedule and BCS Rankings

13. Donte Moncrief, Ole Miss, WR: The Rebels have had more than their share of dynamic wideouts over the past few years with Mike Wallace and Dexter McCluster, but Moncrief is a different type of Freak. He's 6-3, 228 pounds and yet still can run a 4.44 40, vertical jumps 39 inches and broad jumps 11-1, according to Rebels strength coach Paul Jackson.

If true, those are Justin Hunter numbers and I see Moncrief as having much better receiver skills.

 

[mackenzie45220]

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.

He did that more as a sophomore, and I encourage you to look at Louisville's first offensive play in the Sugar Bowl. On the first offensive play, you have no idea what the opponent's snap count is. You haven't heard it all. So you're just reacting to the snap of the ball. Easley still gets a phenomenal jump. That's just anticipation.

 

[mackenzie45220]

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

Mike Evans seems more like a large wide receiver than a tight end. He certainly blocks like a receiver; I've seen him turn his head back and watch the ball carrier while he's blocking. As if he wants to know where he should try to push the corner. The answer is always straight back. I don't see a lot of tight ends trying to figure out how close the running back is while he's blocking

 

[mackenzie45220]

Mike Evans seems more like a large wide receiver than a tight end. He certainly blocks like a receiver; I've seen him turn his head back and watch the ball carrier while he's blocking. As if he wants to know where he should try to push the corner. The answer is always straight back. I don't see a lot of tight ends trying to figure out how close the running back is while he's blocking

That being said, he's an excellent receiver

 

[manxman2601]

Two more interesting players:

Ryan Carrethers, DT, Arkansas State

10. Ryan Carrethers, Arkansas State, DT: A 2012 First Team All-Sun Belt Conference player, Carrethers certainly seems like he could be a force at any league in college football. The redshirt senior, who will be playing for his fourth head coach this fall, isn't just some sloppy, bad-body guy. His 16 percent body fat for a guy measuring in at 6-2, 332 is impressive. As are his 400-pound power clean, his 664-pound squat and 400-pound incline bench press.

"Ryan was a state champion heavyweight wrestler in Tennessee his senior year, which has translated to him being a fantastic defensive lineman that has started for three years on the championship Red Wolves teams," said Jeff Pitman, Arkansas State's strength coach. "Ryan can more than hang with former all freak team members I have coached. Examples are Daryn Colledge at Boise State and Nate Solder at the University of Colorado. Both [players] have had great NFL careers."

Freaks List: The 20 craziest athletes in college football - NCAA Football - CBSSports.com News, Scores, Stats, Schedule and BCS Rankings

Ryan Carrethers vs Oregon & Kent State (2012) - YouTube

Doesn't look to be a dominating NT yet, but I really like how nimble footed he is for his size. A nice later round option.


Kony Ealy, DE, Missouri

A bit hot and cold. There are times when I think wow! and others where I think he could do so much better. Certainly worth keeping an eye on.

Kony Ealy (DE, Missouri) vs Florida 2012 - YouTube

Does some real nice stuff in this one too (#47)

Blake Bortles QB UCF vs Missouri 2012 - YouTube

 

[mackenzie45220]

Two more interesting players:

Ryan Carrethers, DT, Arkansas State



Freaks List: The 20 craziest athletes in college football - NCAA Football - CBSSports.com News, Scores, Stats, Schedule and BCS Rankings

Ryan Carrethers vs Oregon & Kent State (2012) - YouTube

Doesn't look to be a dominating NT yet, but I really like how nimble footed he is for his size. A nice later round option.


Kony Ealy, DE, Missouri

A bit hot and cold. There are times when I think wow! and others where I think he could do so much better. Certainly worth keeping an eye on.

Kony Ealy (DE, Missouri) vs Florida 2012 - YouTube

Does some real nice stuff in this one too (#47)

Blake Bortles QB UCF vs Missouri 2012 - YouTube

Carrethers sounds good in theory, but this class is loaded with guys that have bulk but probably don't have the length for the nose. 2 gap 5 techniques are some of the longest players in football (Calais Campbell), and it's fairly important to have length as a two gap 0 technique. Unless his arms are at least 33 1/2 inches, there's a good chance he's another Dontari Poe; a guy who may be in great physical shape and has so much bulk that it's hard to imagine him playing anything but the nose but doesn't have the requisite length to play in any 2 gap system. Vince Wilfork is an exception, but most nose tackles have length (Dan Williams is close to an exception, but he's got pretty long arms for a guy who is 6'2). I'd be surprised if Carrethers had the length to be a 2 gap guy

 

[manxman2601]

Carrethers sounds good in theory, but this class is loaded with guys that have bulk but probably don't have the length for the nose. 2 gap 5 techniques are some of the longest players in football (Calais Campbell), and it's fairly important to have length as a two gap 0 technique. Unless his arms are at least 33 1/2 inches, there's a good chance he's another Dontari Poe; a guy who may be in great physical shape and has so much bulk that it's hard to imagine him playing anything but the nose but doesn't have the requisite length to play in any 2 gap system. Vince Wilfork is an exception, but most nose tackles have length (Dan Williams is close to an exception, but he's got pretty long arms for a guy who is 6'2). I'd be surprised if Carrethers had the length to be a 2 gap guy

He looks to be ideal size for a 3-4 NT. Vince Wilfork, Kyle Love, Josh Chapman etc. I'd certainly never try and argue that he could play the 5-tech (which I didn't).

 

[mackenzie45220]

He looks to be ideal size for a 3-4 NT. Vince Wilfork, Kyle Love, Josh Chapman etc. I'd certainly never try and argue that he could play the 5-tech (which I didn't).

6'2 worries me. The only reason why Poe was so terrible this year is that his arms are way too short for the nose. We'll see if that's the case with Carrethers, but, if it is, he'll have a problem. Again, Wilfork is the exception, in large part because he is one of those rare guys who can see through blocks with their head facing the ground

 

[Get it shawtaay]

I LOVE LOVE LOVE Blake Bortles. Big arm, quick release, throws players open, can make all the throws, smart, leader of men on the field.

 

[Snake Eyes]

I LOVE LOVE LOVE Blake Bortles. Big arm, quick release, throws players open, can make all the throws, smart, leader of men on the field.

He looks a bit too much like Matt Leinart for my tastes.

 

[manxman2601]

With the signings of Winn and Thompkins, it's clear that the Patriots had a pretty good look at the Bearcats last year. I wonder whether this guy might be on the radar at all:

Presently grade Brendon Kay/QB/Cincinnati as a last day pick but his film is impressive and a big '13 could push him into the middle rounds.

https://twitter.com/TonyPauline/status/354309551576715264

 

[manxman2601]

Stoney Brook OT Michael Bamiro (6-8, 342) ruled ineligible by NCAA, supp draft. Can sign immediately w/ @NFL team. Saw him as 2014 4th-Rnd

https://twitter.com/Gil_Brandt/status/354332167712669697


A 2014 4th round talent avaialable as an UDFA is interesting. He looks a little too heavy footed to be worth bringing as a camp battle to my limited eyes.

He's the RT #69 in both vids:

Miguel Maysonet vs Syracuse (2012) - YouTube

Miguel Maysonet vs Villanova 2012 - YouTube

 

[Snake Eyes]

I LOVE LOVE LOVE Blake Bortles. Big arm, quick release, throws players open, can make all the throws, smart, leader of men on the field.

After watching some tape of him I rather enjoy his movement, which is very graceful and fluid, what round is he projected to go in?

 

[mackenzie45220]

With the signings of Winn and Thompkins, it's clear that the Patriots had a pretty good look at the Bearcats last year. I wonder whether this guy might be on the radar at all:



https://twitter.com/TonyPauline/status/354309551576715264

Usually when a senior quarterback (he recently got a 6th year) who has never started in his life takes the starting job from an underclassmen, that senior quarterback looks something like Joe Bauserman or Jarrett Lee. A game manager that won't make the mistakes you'll see from the underclassmen but has virtually no physical talent. But, watching UC last year, even though I wasn't scouting him at the time, I couldn't help but notice that he had a very strong arm and excellent pocket mobility. And it just confused me, because I have never seen a team take so long to give a quarterback with Kay's pure physical talent a chance to play.

 

[manxman2601]

Johnny Manziel is likely to be giving NFL scouts the jitters:

Our boots on the ground in Thibodaux, La. — believe it or not, we have them — informed us that Johnny Manziel was sent home from the Manning Passing Academy on Saturday afternoon by Archie Manning himself. Our source, who wishes to remain anonymous because of his connection to the camp, gave us the scoop after Manziel showed up tardy Saturday afternoon after being out on the town Friday night. The Texas A&M star reportedly enjoyed himself a little too much Friday night and rolled back into the camp at Nicholls State University some time around noon Saturday before getting the boot. - See more at: Exclusive: Johnny Manziel sent home from Manning Camp | Rumors and Rants

He's giving the impression of being somewhat immature and a little too full of himself which is hardly ideal for a franchise QB.

 

[ctpatsfan77]

Johnny Manziel is likely to be giving NFL scouts the jitters:


He's giving the impression of being somewhat immature and a little too full of himself which is hardly ideal for a franchise QB.

Two thoughts:

(1) If I had to spend time around the Mannings, I'd probably want a few drinks in me too.

(2) If I had a chance of ending up a JEST. . . .

 

[Snake Eyes]

Johnny Manziel is likely to be giving NFL scouts the jitters:

He's giving the impression of being somewhat immature and a little too full of himself which is hardly ideal for a franchise QB.

He was late after partying too much, while not ideal it's certainly not unforgivable. That said, how many big time QBs go out of their way like that to learn from pro QBs?

 

[manxman2601]

He was late after partying too much, while not ideal it's certainly not unforgivable. That said, how many big time QBs go out of their way like that to learn from pro QBs?

It's not the first time that he's been shown to be enjoying himself 'to excess'. Look, Manziel has earned his success and he's about as exciting a player to watch as there is right now (and I have my doubts as to whether he'd warrant a high draft pick anyway), but if I'm an NFL GM contemplating giving Manziel a whopping big contract as a first round pick, I'm pretty interested in how he handles his fame. If he can't take the Mannings seriously ( all joking aside), how can I be sure he'd take the incumbent starter or Head Coach seriously. How would it go down if he turned up late to a meeting with Tom Brady or BB late for example?

 

[manxman2601]

Some really interesting guys.

1. Qua Cox, CB, Jackson State

5-11, 185 lbs, Snr


Do not sleep on this guy - he has the look of a potentially outstanding cover corner. I suspect fans of Jason Verrett will like Cox too.

Damond Talbot @drocksthaparty was the first and only person to note this name so far and for what it's worth, he's a excellent small school scout:

I am telling you Qua Cox is the best man to man corner have y'all seen that kids film? #Amazing #TeamDiamond

https://twitter.com/DraftDiamonds/status/356089389102796800


And here's some of that film:

Qua Cox first Championship game 2012 Jackson State Dec 8th - YouTube


2. Brandon Bridge, QB, South Alabama

6-5, 220lbs, Jnr

Firstly, I want you to take note of his size (6-5, 220lbs) and then watch this:

Brandon Bridge TD run vs MSU - YouTube

I'll see your Cam Newton and raise you a Colin Kaepernick

More seriously, with his size, atleticism and speed combined with a very live arm (see below), he has the raw materials to be a really exciting prospect. Whether or not the actual QB skills are there is another matter. It should also be noted that he's only a Junior and sat out last year after transferring from Alcorn State so there's a good chance he won't be declaring this year. Still a name to store in the back of your mind though:

Brandon Bridge Highlights

Edit: Oh yeah, according to his bio, Brandon Bridge is a Patriots fan. Rooting for him.

 

[manxman2601]

Remember Larry Warford last year; big Kentucky OG who was a powerful 330lb run blocker. Here's iss. St. safety Nickoe Whitley not only destroying him but still making the tackle on the ball carrier.

Nickoe Whitley vs South Carolina and Kentucky - YouTube

Been watching him - fans of Matt Elam will like him plus he plays a pretty good single deep safety too. Versatile.