2014 Draft Prospect Thread

[mayoclinic]

I don't think this is a good idea. Playing Collins at OLB and Jones as a 34 End was ineffective last year. Collins was at his best as a strong side LB and the Pats aren't going to take of Ninko to much, his run D is to valuable.

To be clear, I do NOT want the Pats to play a 3-4. I'm much happier with a hybrid defense with a lot of 4-3 under and some over schemes, and a bit of 3-4 mixed in. I'm much happier with Collins at SAM. But I think if you add a player like Barr (again, not my first choice, and a hypothetical as he will probably be gone anyway) I think you could find ways to work him in.

Ninkovich will get his share of snaps, but I think one of the goals should be to keep guys fresh and have multiple pass rushers.

 

[gobesmug]

To be clear, I do NOT want the Pats to play a 3-4. I'm much happier with a hybrid defense with a lot of 4-3 under and some over schemes, and a bit of 3-4 mixed in. I'm much happier with Collins at SAM. But I think if you add a player like Barr (again, not my first choice, and a hypothetical as he will probably be gone anyway) I think you could find ways to work him in.

Ninkovich will get his share of snaps, but I think one of the goals should be to keep guys fresh and have multiple pass rushers.

This. I don't want to see anyone across the front 4 getting 90% plus in snaps every week. Keep them fresh and full of energy.

 

[mayoclinic]

FWIW, Mel Kiper has Antone Exum listed as his 6th rated safety prospect for the 2014 draft, behind Calvin Pryor, Ha Ha Clinton-Dix, Jimmy Ward, Deone Bucannon and Dion Bailey.

 

[manxman2601]

I think Barr can do a lot of things. In 3-4 sets we could have Collins-Mayo-Hightower-Barr, and in 4-3 under sets he could play a LEO/RDE role with Jones moving either inside or to LDE. He could also play 4-3 SAM.

He's not my top choice, and I really doubt he falls that far, but I think BB could make it worthwhile.

That flexibility is why I'm OK with him as a first round pick. doesn't mean I have to love it though.

 

[sircole]

Even if the Mallett trade doesn't happen, his contract is up at the end of the year.

Are there any quarterback prospects that should be on the patriots' board in this draft?

I kinda would like to take a chance with Wyoming QB Brett Smith if he drop below the 5th round (I always root for draft prospects from lesser profile schools).

 

[manxman2601]

Even if the Mallett trade doesn't happen, his contract is up at the end of the year.

Are there any quarterback prospects that should be on the patriots' board in this draft?

I kinda would like to take a chance with Wyoming QB Brett Smith if he drop below the 5th round (I always root for draft prospects from lesser profile schools).

the three that most appeal to me are AJ McCsrron (quality career backup), Logan Thomas (ridiculous upside) and Kenny Guiton (very smart skilled backup).

 

[Merril Hoge's Tie Knot]

I think it's one to three years too early to pick the Brady's heir, but it's just the time for Mallett's. Assuming Mallet it traded of course.

I think McCarron is the better prospect with more upside, and will have a better career, but Thomas is flashy and likely has more perceived upside. A freaky prospect like Thomas could have immense trade value with a couple years of fermentation under Brady and Belichick.

 

[mayoclinic]

I think it's one to three years too early to pick the Brady's heir, but it's just the time for Mallett's. Assuming Mallet it traded of course.

I think McCarron is the better prospect with more upside, and will have a better career, but Thomas is flashy and likely has more perceived upside. A freaky prospect like Thomas could have immense trade value with a couple years of fermentation under Brady and Belichick.

I'm all for Thomas as a TE/backup QB combination.

I'm looking to 2015 for a true Brady heir, especially with Brett Hundley, Christian Hackenberger, Kevin Hogan and Bryce Petty likely in the mix after Jameis Winston and Marcus Mariota.

 

[Merril Hoge's Tie Knot]

I'm all for Thomas as a TE/backup QB combination.

I'm looking to 2015 for a true Brady heir, especially with Brett Hundley, Christian Hackenberger, Kevin Hogan and Bryce Petty likely in the mix after Jameis Winston and Marcus Mariota.

I could support taking Thomas without a designated position, but once he's in the fold I think you have to pick a position and stick with it.

I'm afraid someone will reach and take him in the second. I guess if you're confident he'll be the next Graham or Netwon it doesn't matter, but I'm not there right now.

 

[manxman2601]

Merrill and Everlong were right to be high on Cody Latimer very impressive size and skillset as a receiver. CBS has him as the 24th best WR which is crazy. Really nice hands, smooth route runner and from what little I've seen plays smart. It's all going to depend on how he tests at his pro day but he really impressed me.

 

[mayoclinic]

Grid appears to have finished his initial round of prospect evaluations. Lot of high marks:

"Top 10" Talents:

Jace Amaro, TE, Texas Tech
Anthony Barr, DE/OLB, UCLA
Teddy Bridgwater, QB, Louisville
Jadeveon Clowney, DE, South Carolina
Brandin Cooks, WR, Oregon St.
Aaron Donald, DT, Pittsburgh
Dee Ford, DE/OLB, Auburn
Ra'Shede Hageman, DT/DE, Minnesota
Marqise Lee, WR, USC
Khalil Mack, DE/OLB, Buffalo
Johnny Manziel, QB, Texas A&M
Bradley Robey, CB, Ohio St.
Greg Robinson, OG, Auburn
Ryan Shazier, LB, Ohio St.
Sammy Watkins, WR, Clemson

First Round Talents:

Jay Ajahi, RB, Boise St.
Jeremiah Attoachu, DE/OLB, Georgia Tech
Zach Bauman, RB, Northern Arizona
Odell Beckham, WR, LSU
Kelvin Benjamin, WR, Florida St.
Chris Borland, LB, Wisconsin
Blake Bortles, QB, Central Florida
Ka'Deem Carey, RB, Arizona
David Carr, QB, Fresno St. (revised evaluation)
HaSean Clinton-Dix, S, Alabama
Brandon Coleman, WR, Rutgers
Darqueze Dennard, CB, Michigan St.
Dakota Dozier, OG, Furman
Dominique Easley, DT, Florida
Eric Ebron, TE, North Carolina
Justin Ellis, DT, Louisiana Tech
Mike Evans, WR, Texas A&M
Devonta Freeman, RB, Florida St.
Kyle Fuller, CB, Virginia Tech
Jimmy Garoppolo, QB, Eastern Illinois
Justin Gilbert, CB, Oklahoma St.
Timmy Jernigan, DT, Florida St.
Christian Jones, LB, Florida St.
Lamarcus Joyner, DB, Florida St.
Christian Kirksey, LB, Iowa
Aaron Lynch, DE, USF
Marcus Martin, C, USC
Jordan Matthews, WR, Vanderbilt
Trey Millard, FB, Oklahoma
Louis Nix, DT, Notre Dame
Calvin Pryor, S, Louisville
Caraun Reid, DT, Princeton
Bryn Renner, QB, North Carolina
Weston Richburg, C, Colorado St.
Allen Robinson, WR, Penn St.
Bishop Sankey, RB, Washington
Austin Seferian-Jenkins, TE, Washington
Xavier Su'a-Filo, OG, UCLA
Will Sutton, DT, Arizona St.
Jason Verrett, CB, TCU
Jimmy Ward, S, Northern Illinois

Borderline 1st/2nd Round Talents:

Bashaud Breeland, CB, Clemson
Cyrus Kouandjio, OT, Alabama
Storm Johnson, RB, Central Florida
Jake Matthews, OT, Texas A&M
Chris Smith, DE, Arkansas
Marcus Smith, DE/OLB, Louisville

I count 15 guys with a top 10 grade, 41 more guys with first round grade and 6 guys with a borderline 1st round grade, for a total of 47 prospects. Stephon Tuitt, Kyle Van Noy, Jarvis Landry and David Yankeydidn't make the cut, among others. Zach Martin, Troy Niklas, Joel Bitonio, Antone Exum, Stanley Jean-Baptiste, Deone Bucannon and many others haven't been evaluated yet.

Grade inflation? Certainly. But also an indication of how deep and talented this draft is.

 

[Off The Grid]

Grid appears to have finished his initial round of prospect evaluations. Lot of high marks:

"Top 10" Talents:

Jace Amaro, TE, Texas Tech
Anthony Barr, DE/OLB, UCLA
Teddy Bridgwater, QB, Louisville
Jadeveon Clowney, DE, South Carolina
Brandin Cooks, WR, Oregon St.
Aaron Donald, DT, Pittsburgh
Dee Ford, DE/OLB, Auburn
Ra'Shede Hageman, DT/DE, Minnesota
Marqise Lee, WR, USC
Khalil Mack, DE/OLB, Buffalo
Johnny Manziel, QB, Texas A&M
Bradley Robey, CB, Ohio St.
Greg Robinson, OG, Auburn
Ryan Shazier, LB, Ohio St.
Sammy Watkins, WR, Clemson

First Round Talents:

Jay Ajahi, RB, Boise St.
Jeremiah Attoachu, DE/OLB, Georgia Tech
Zach Bauman, RB, Northern Arizona
Odell Beckham, WR, LSU
Kelvin Benjamin, WR, Florida St.
Chris Borland, LB, Wisconsin
Blake Bortles, QB, Central Florida
Ka'Deem Carey, RB, Arizona
David Carr, QB, Fresno St. (revised evaluation)
HaSean Clinton-Dix, S, Alabama
Brandon Coleman, WR, Rutgers
Darqueze Dennard, CB, Michigan St.
Dakota Dozier, OG, Furman
Dominique Easley, DT, Florida
Eric Ebron, TE, North Carolina
Justin Ellis, DT, Louisiana Tech
Mike Evans, WR, Texas A&M
Devonta Freeman, RB, Florida St.
Kyle Fuller, CB, Virginia Tech
Jimmy Garoppolo, QB, Eastern Illinois
Justin Gilbert, CB, Oklahoma St.
Timmy Jernigan, DT, Florida St.
Christian Jones, LB, Florida St.
Lamarcus Joyner, DB, Florida St.
Christian Kirksey, LB, Iowa
Aaron Lynch, DE, USF
Marcus Martin, C, USC
Jordan Matthews, WR, Vanderbilt
Trey Millard, FB, Oklahoma
Louis Nix, DT, Notre Dame
Calvin Pryor, S, Louisville
Caraun Reid, DT, Princeton
Bryn Renner, QB, North Carolina
Weston Richburg, C, Colorado St.
Allen Robinson, WR, Penn St.
Bishop Sankey, RB, Washington
Austin Seferian-Jenkins, TE, Washington
Xavier Su'a-Filo, OG, UCLA
Will Sutton, DT, Arizona St.
Jason Verrett, CB, TCU
Jimmy Ward, S, Northern Illinois

Borderline 1st/2nd Round Talents:

Bashaud Breeland, CB, Clemson
Cyrus Kouandjio, OT, Alabama
Storm Johnson, RB, Central Florida
Jake Matthews, OT, Texas A&M
Chris Smith, DE, Arkansas
Marcus Smith, DE/OLB, Louisville

I count 15 guys with a top 10 grade, 41 more guys with first round grade and 6 guys with a borderline 1st round grade, for a total of 47 prospects. Stephon Tuitt, Kyle Van Noy, Jarvis Landry and David Yankeydidn't make the cut, among others. Zach Martin, Troy Niklas, Joel Bitonio, Antone Exum, Stanley Jean-Baptiste, Deone Bucannon and many others haven't been evaluated yet.

Grade inflation? Certainly.

But also an indication of how deep and talented this draft is.

Ayuh. I agree with both statements!!

I think that it's pretty rare when there aren't at least 40 or 50 Prospects to whom I'd attribute 1st Round Grades: My Perception diverges with most Earthlings on such matters.

And, yes: This Year is indeed remarkably rich and deep with Talent and Possibilities.

 

[manxman2601]

Ayuh. I agree with both statements!!

I think that it's pretty rare when there aren't at least 40 or 50 Prospects to whom I'd attribute 1st Round Grades: My Perception diverges with most Earthlings on such matters.

And, yes: This Year is indeed remarkably rich and deep with Talent and Possibilities.

You like the RB class this year. Seven with a first round grade (inclusing Millard).

 

[manxman2601]

Daniel Jeremiah's new top 50 has Aaron Donald up 16 spots to no. 14.


College Football 24/7 Rankings | NFL.com

 

[manxman2601]

Terrence Fede
Marist College
DE
6'5", 270lbs

Rick Gosselin calls him a draft sleeper and he should know.

Very interesting highlight reel.

NFL Prospect (Terrence Fede Marist College Highlights) - YouTube

 

[Off The Grid]

You like the RB class this year.

Seven with a first round grade (inclusing Millard).

1 ~ Yeah, I have a weakness for FlexBacks. I think the better ones offer an enormous, dynamic Impact.

2 ~ Trey Millard I categorize as a WingBack ~ "H-Back", to you Earthlings.

3 ~ That's as opposed to Flex End, which is how I'd categorize Jimmy Graham or Solitary Confinement Boy.

 

[mayoclinic]

Oliver Thomas of NEPatriotsDraft profiles Stephon Tuitt:

When it comes to size, strength, deceptive quickness and interchangeability, Tuitt is one of the most promising defensive linemen in the 2014 class. He’s two years younger than most draft prospects. And due to that that room for growth, there is a belief that his best days are ahead of him.

Although there are questions about his injury history, his conditioning coming back from injury, and his subsequent descent after a prevailing 2012 season, positives outweigh negatives when it comes to Tuitt. He is scheme-adaptable for a hybrid defense, lining up as both a one- and two-gapper. He presents worthwhile value in the top-50 draft range as a result.

He’s a cerebral football player who owns his responsibilities in run defense and pass rush. There may be better plug-and-play alternatives, but Tuitt has proven to be a dynamic force that can alter a game, inside and out.

2014 NFL Draft Close-Up: Notre Dame Defensive Lineman Stephon Tuitt | NEPatriotsDraft.com - 2014 NFL Draft

It's a good read (as usual, from Thomas).

 

[mayoclinic]

Oliver Thomas of NEPatriotsDraft profiles Stephon Tuitt:

2014 NFL Draft Close-Up: Notre Dame Defensive Lineman Stephon Tuitt | NEPatriotsDraft.com - 2014 NFL Draft

It's a good read (as usual, from Thomas).

And, for comparison, Thomas' profile on Ra'Shede Hageman:

2014 NFL Draft Close-Up: Minnesota Defensive Tackle Ra?Shede Hageman | NEPatriotsDraft.com - 2014 NFL Draft

 

[Merril Hoge's Tie Knot]

Chris Boyd's One-Handed TD Catch at Music City Bowl - ESPN's No. 1 Play - YouTube

 

[manxman2601]

Brief article on Brock Vereen at NFL.com.

Brock Vereen opened eyes at combine, Minnesota pro day - NFL.com