2014 Draft Prospect Thread

[manxman2601]

Manxman, I can see why you think Morris is overrated, but I also understand why people are infatuated with him. His second throw in the Virginia Tech game left me stunned. 62 yards on the fly (Pythagorean theorem, luckily appeared to go exactly the distance of the hash marks sideways and 60 yards forward) and 2.715 seconds hang time. By my calculations, the ball's average speed was 55.4 mph. However, that neglects friction and air resistance. That's a big deal. When they say a baseball is "thrown 100 mph" that means it was 100mph hour when it left the player's hand. I've read that it's going 90 by the time it reaches the plate. The average velocity is 95. And that pitch has about .434 seconds of hang time. Air resistance isn't as strong with slow moving objects as it is with fast moving objects, but it's stronger with objects that aren't particularly dense (and a football isn't as dense as a baseball). Those two aspects probably come close to canceling each other out, but the additional hang time almost certainly means that the difference between average velocity and initial velocity is probably bigger than that of a baseball. All things considered, that pass was probably going 65mph when it left his hand, which puts him ahead of Brett Favre. Facts like that make scouts drool. I would agree he's a bit overrated, but there are legitimate reasons as to why many people are enamored with him.

Physics is way too heavy for me.

I just know that whwn I watched Morris, I got about as frustrated as I ever have watching a college QB. It seemed like almost every pass made his receiver work harder than necessary. I can certainly see the upside and why people like him so much. I can see him having an almost RGIII like rise this year if he's really on.

 

[AzPatsFan]

One thing I wanted to mention about mobile quarterbacks: all things being equal, if you ask me, a quarterback that can scramble is less likely to be injured than a quarterback who can't. First of all, I'm not talking about read option. That's putting yourself in danger in exchange for yards, and, although the play is extremely effective, I'm cautious about using it unless I have Cam Newton (more on that in a moment). The thing about a quarterback that can scramble is that if you can scramble effectively and consistently slide to avoid a hit, the opposing pass rush can't be aggressive. The defensive ends MUST get outside contain on every play, because, if they don't, they know the quarterback will scramble for a big gain. They can't be effective as pass rushers, since if they are too aggressive as pass rushers the quarterback will be able to scramble. So the first positive impact is less aggressive pass rush schemes. After that, if you can really rush, the defense may consider even using a spy on the quarterback, which means one less guy rushing the passer. Again, your quarterback is less likely to be hit.

There's no denying that mobile quarterbacks tend to get injured more often. But I believe people are wrong as to why that's the case. Mobile quarterbacks are constantly injured because most of them are skinny. Mike Vick is 6'0, and generously listed at 215lbs. He doesn't have the size and the strength to take hits. Robert Griffin is 220lbs. The Seahawks saved their read option plays for late in the season simply because Russell Wilson can't take a beating at 206lbs (that's a huge problem). I feel slightly comfortable with Kaepernick taking a couple hits at 230lbs, but he looks very skinny on film. There aren't many durable statue quarterbacks under 225lbs. Most of them have had perfect O-lines (Ryan, Brees, Eli). Rodgers, maybe Dalton, are exceptions (Dalton hasn't been around enough to say yes for sure). Cutler gets injured. Kevin Kolb. Matt Cassel is pretty skinny. Alex Smith.

But there is one quarterback who is durable and a frequent ball carrier: Cam Newton. He is durable because he is huge. 6'5, 248lbs. The durability and strength, combined with his athleticism, makes him the best physical specimen of any quarterback in the NFL. Built like a tight end, takes hits like one too. He's a guy who I don't feel the need as a coach to ask him to slide when he scrambles.

Regarding Teddy Bridgewater, his inability to use his athleticism is why I think he's a bit overrated. Teams feel comfortable sending 5 guys and ignoring outside contain against him because he seems unable to use his 4.65 40 to scramble effectively. He's 220lbs. He's not really big enough to take a hit. He has to make the defense think twice before sending the house, or he will have injury issues in the NFL. At this point, he hasn't shown me much of an ability to do so. Until then, he's slightly overrated.

There is ONLY ONE QB who is a "scrambler". It cast Fran Tarkenton and the mold was re-discovered to cast Wilson and the mold was broken and lost, once again. All the others are running QBs.

After RG III and now Kirk Cousins and EJ Manuel have gone down with out having even played 16 games, it is evident that any Coach who allows the Read-Option is condemning his team to be with out a QB for half the season.

When will Kaepernick get his disabling injury, before or after their mid season bye?

 

[mackenzie45220]

Physics is way too heavy for me.

I just know that whwn I watched Morris, I got about as frustrated as I ever have watching a college QB. It seemed like almost every pass made his receiver work harder than necessary. I can certainly see the upside and why people like him so much. I can see him having an almost RGIII like rise this year if he's really on.

It's a bit like Mingo from last year. The tools make scouts drool, but the production leaves something to be desired. The difference between Mingo and Morris is that, as a quarterback, as long as you have some physical skills (Chad Pennington or better), intelligence and fundamentals are more important than being able to throw the ball 60 yards on the fly or run like a deer. Mingo would have a shot at getting 150 sacks if he combines his incredible physical skill set with fundamentals that are simply average for a starting NFL defensive end. However, Morris' physical skill set, although incredible, combined with average intelligence and fundamentals for an NFL starting quarterback, makes a player that is barely an above average starter, e.g., Cam Newton (although Newton is young enough that he could easily be all pro a few years from now. I'm talking about Cam Newton so far, not future Cam Newton). However, as it stands right now, it's more likely that Morris never does even develop average fundamentals for an NFL quarterback, because as of now he's average for a college quarterback with his reads and fundamentals. He's got a 5th round brain and a top 10 body. With one more year of seasoning, he'll probably have a 3rd-4th round brain by the end of the season, which makes for bad starter or a great backup at the NFL level. That's his most likely destiny in my mind. If you take him in the late first round, you're hoping that you can coach that 3rd-4th round brain to the point it develops as if it was a 2nd round brain, which would make for a borderline top 10 quarterback.

 

[mackenzie45220]

There is ONLY ONE QB who is a "scrambler". It cast Fran Tarkenton and the mold was re-discovered to cast Wilson and the mold was broken and lost, once again. All the others are running QBs.

After RG III and now Kirk Cousins and EJ Manuel have gone down with out having even played 16 games, it is evident that any Coach who allows the Read-Option is condemning his team to be with out a QB for half the season.

When will Kaepernick get his disabling injury, before or after their mid season bye?

There's a reason for that. Defensive ends facing running quarterbacks get outside contain whenever possible. It's their first priority. If defensive ends rushed running quarterbacks as aggressively as they rush pocket quarterbacks, then running quarterbacks would simply turn into scramblers.

 

[manxman2601]

OK, so the roster is close to decided. Back to the draft full time. Let's start with Dominique Easley and his speed at the snap:




and


https://vine.co/v/h5OhJ9uqtAZ

 

[Snake Eyes]

OK, so the roster is close to decided. Back to the draft full time. Let's start with Dominique Easley and his speed at the snap:




and


https://vine.co/v/h5OhJ9uqtAZ

I LOVE that burst off the line, a stich in time saves nine.

 

[Snake Eyes]

At 6'2/285lbs he's a bit of a tweener, he'd be a fascinating interior O-line project if he could put on 15-20lbs assuming it didnt reduce his quickness.

 

[s3antana5757]

For anybody who watched the OSU/Buffalo game today, you got introduced to Khalil Mack. Kid is a 3-4 OLB in the mold of James Harrison, but I think he'll cover better. Relentless motor, quick, smart, and was all over the place. 9.5 tackles, 2.5 sacks and an INT returned for a TD on a great play to avoid getting cut. He abused the RT Dexter. Coming from an OSU fan, he was the only reason Buffalo was even in that game. Could be a DeMarcus Ware kind of prospect. Small school guy who goes in the first half of the 1st round.

 

[patsfaninpa]

Two PSU guys to keep an eye on were outstanding yesterday. You guys know about Allen Robinson AA WR. He looks bigger and faster. Was suspended for the first half. O'Brien won't say why. Dynamic 2nd half. I'd guess he leaves after his junior year with the sanctions at PSU. No bowl or Big 10 championship possibilities. The other guy is DaQuan Jones - DT - 6'3"315LB. Dropped about 15 pounds from last year. Looks much quicker and just as strong. Gil Brandt has him 8th in his Top 100 Seniors. That's a tad high. But, he looked real good.

 

[Patriot Missile]

Not eligible this year, but a name to store for the future:



https://twitter.com/NEPD_Loyko/status/349290120811261952

Plays for the Huskies.

Surprised he is still playing linebacker. 74 tackles,3 ints and 6 passes defensed last season as a true freshman.

9 tackles against Boise state yesterday. Could be one heck of a coverage lb.

I met this guy when he was 8 at my daughters school Olympics. His athletic ability so pronounced it was hard not to think he wasn't going to be great at something. Quiet kid with great parents. Was sad to see him transfer but at least got to watch him just dominate everything up through the 8th grade.

Doesn't seem like the type that would leave without a degree.

 

[manxman2601]

Two PSU guys to keep an eye on were outstanding yesterday. You guys know about Allen Robinson AA WR. He looks bigger and faster. Was suspended for the first half. O'Brien won't say why. Dynamic 2nd half. I'd guess he leaves after his junior year with the sanctions at PSU. No bowl or Big 10 championship possibilities. The other guy is DaQuan Jones - DT - 6'3"315LB. Dropped about 15 pounds from last year. Looks much quicker and just as strong. Gil Brandt has him 8th in his Top 100 Seniors. That's a tad high. But, he looked real good.

Only saw the first half and I too was impressed. Based on that one showing, I'm not sure yet whether he has starter potential but he's certainly on my "to watch" list.

 

[p8ryts]

Teddy Bridgewater. I know we can't get him but I think he is going to be really good in Jacksonville, Oakland, Arizona, or San Diego. Five TD's.

NCAA College Football Recap - Ohio Bobcats at Louisville Cardinals - Sep 01, 2013 - CBSSports.com

 

[Avenger]

Dri Archer is somebody I'm going to have to watch this year.

 

[BritPat]

Currently watching Kyle Van Noy against Virginia - he's going to punk a few people at the next level, in the sense that there will be two clear schools of thought about him as there were with JPP.

I've said it before, he's a true boom or bust. He'll either absolutely blow up the league, or he'll be out of the league by the end of his rookie contract.

 

[Italian Patriot]

What do you think about Jean - Baptiste?

CB - Nebraska
He's big. 6'3 and already got two INT in the first 2 games of the season!

 

[ctpatsfan77]

Should the Pats be interested in any of BYU's OL?

 

[TriplecHamp]

I hope Johnny football pulls a wad of cash out of his sock and makes it rain on saturday. Hopefully that will push him towards the end of the first round and we have our QB of the future.







Or we could just draft McCarron

 

[chicowalker]

I hope Johnny football pulls a wad of cash out of his sock and makes it rain on saturday. Hopefully that will push him towards the end of the first round and we have our QB of the future.







Or we could just draft McCarron

Maybe he'll grow up, but as it stands now Manziel is not a guy I'd want to root for.

 

[Snake Eyes]

He is the farthest thing from Patriot material, do not want.

As for McCarron, I'm not sure he's the answer either, does he lift his team or do they lift him? He benefits from being on a loaded roster. That said, he might be drafted too high for us, it looks like TFB will play for some time so it doesn't make sense to spend a lot on a QB, we ought to be getting low cost QBs with potential and developing them.

My current favorite is Alex Tanney, currently on the Cowboy's practice squad, he's raw but has a TON of potential.

 

[JerseyShore99]

2014 NFL Draft Realistic Players of Pats Interest (to be updated):
QB (R 3-7):
Aaron Murray, UGA, R 3-5
AJ McCarron, Bama, R 2-5
Connor Shaw, SC, R 7-UDFA
Marcus Mariota, Oregon, R 1-3 (Early entrance)

RB (late round, if at all):
Silas Redd, USC, R 2-4
George Atkinson III, ND, R 4-6
Michael Dyer, UL, R 6-UDFA
Ben Malena, TAMU, R 7-UDFA
Prince-Tyson Gulley, Syracuse, UDFA
Jordan Hall, Ohio State, 5-UDFA

WR (R 3-7):
DeVante Parker, UL, R 3-5
Eric Ward, Texas Tech, R 5-UDFA
Mike Evans, TAMU, R 1-3
Allen Robinson, Penn State, R 2-5

TE (R 2-6):
Colt Lyerla, Oregon, R 1-3
Arthur Lynch, UGA, R 4-6

OT (R 5-UDFA, if at all):
Matt Hall, Belhaven, R 7-UDFA

G (R 5-UDFA, if at all):
John Urschel, Penn State, R 6-UDFA

DE (Late rounds if at all):
Kenny Anunike, Duke, R 7-UDFA

DT (Early-mid rounds):
Louis Nix, ND, R 1
Will Sutton, Arizona State, R 1-2
Daniel McCullers, Tennessee, R 1-3

OLB (Mid-late rounds, if at all):
Adrian Hubbard, Bama, R 1-2
Khalil Mack, Buffalo, R 1-3
Ryan Shazier, Ohio State, R 1-5

ILB (Mid-late rounds, if at all):
Shayne Skov, Stanford, R 2-3

CB (R 3-7):
Marcus Roberson, Florida, R 1-3
Aaron Colvin, Oklahoma, R 1-3
Justin Gilbert, Oklahoma St., R 2-3
Damian Swann, UGA, R 3-5
Deion Belue, Bama, R 4-6

S (R 1-6, maybe double up):
Haha Clinton-Dix, Bama, R 1-2
Vinnie Sunseri, Bama, R 1-3
Ed Reynolds, Stanford, R 1-2
Jeremy Deering, Rutgers, R 7-UDFA

My Pats Mock (Updated Weekly):
R1. Trade out for a 2014 second and 2015 first
R2. Will Sutton, DT, Arizona State
R2. Mike Evans, WR, TAMU
R3. Vinnie Sunseri, S, Bama
R4. Arthur Lynch, TE, UGA
R5. Aaron Murray, QB, UGA
R6. Jordan Hall, WR/RB, Ohio State
R7. John Urschel, G, Penn State