2017 Draft Prospect Thread

[manxman2601]

The comparisons between the 2011 draft and this one are really quite something potentially.

• 2011 produced two of the best prospects in the league in Von Miller and JJ. 2017 has Garrett and maybe Jon Allen (though I'm not convinced yet).
• 2011 had a star DB in Patrick Peterson. 2016 could have a number of them, particularly if Hooker declares. But Jamal Adams certainly qualifies.
• 2011 had two standout offensive weapons in AJ Green and Julio Jones. 2016 has Dalvin Cook and Leonard Fournette
• 2011 had a flawed but toolsy QB in Cam Newton. 2016 has Kizer.
• The rest of 2011's QBs were very flawed (Ponder, Locker et al). The same could be said for 2016.
• The strength of the 2011 draft was the DL (Wilkerson and Cameron Jordan went late in the first). DL, particularly on the edge, is the strength of this first round.

Of course, the difference is that the 2011 class is now proven (imagine how much better it would have been if Aldon Smith and Marcel Dareus weren't screwballs) and 2016's future is still ahead of it. But it wouldn't surprise me if we talk about this class in the same way we do 2011.

 

[WaterfallJumper]

Check out @CachorrosNCAAF's Tweet:

Walker reminds me a ton of Trey Flowers. Very similar size. Maybe not the most impressive athletes, but tenacious and productive. Can rush inside/outside. I wouldn't mind adding him to the mix. Only question is how high he goes.

 

[BaconGrundleCandy]

Check out @WurthDraft's Tweet:

Same guy Folarin Orimolade

 

[manxman2601]

Check out @WurthDraft's Tweet:

Same guy Folarin Orimolade

So going to call him Florian Marmalade.

 

[manxman2601]

Check out @WurthDraft's Tweet:

Same guy Folarin Orimolade

Very nice. Here's a longer video of him:



This is where the fun in the draft is for me. Found Akiem Hicks, Terrance Fede (Dolphins), Ryan Delaire (Panthers) and Armonty Bryant (Browns/Lions) through videos like this - all of whom are still in the NFL.

Interesting that Dartmouth have Marmalade Orimolade playing 4-3 LB as well as Edge rusher.

 

[manxman2601]

More on the Orimolade video above.

1. Check out what he does to the LT at 7.00. Destroys him. 7.15 is pretty destructive too.
2. However I'm suspicious of OTs at this level so there's always an asterix on edge rushers. Orimolade is pretty impressive though.
3. I really like his COD ability. He breaks down in space really well.
4. Which makes me really intrigued by him as a LB. Its tough to be a successful pass rusher coming from that level of competition - such a big step up. But a special teamer/lineblacker who blitzes? I think there's a much easier route to an NFL roster spot.

 

[manxman2601]

Vita Vea might be staying according to Tony Pauline:

he word is Husky defensive lineman Vita Vea will stay in school for another year but I’ve been told people close to him are gathering information just in case. The overriding opinion is Vea would be the first Husky selected in the draft if he enters the event.

Underclassmen Tracker: January 2nd | Draft Analyst

 

[BaconGrundleCandy]

More on the Orimolade video above.

1. Check out what he does to the LT at 7.00. Destroys him. 7.15 is pretty destructive too.
2. However I'm suspicious of OTs at this level so there's always an asterix on edge rushers. Orimolade is pretty impressive though.
3. I really like his COD ability. He breaks down in space really well.
4. Which makes me really intrigued by him as a LB. Its tough to be a successful pass rusher coming from that level of competition - such a big step up. But a special teamer/lineblacker who blitzes? I think there's a much easier route to an NFL roster spot.

The T's in the gif and videos are atrocious. They almost fall just going backwards. Hard to watch like a women driving in reverse.

When judging any small school guy I look for size, athleticism and intelligence. Obviously try to find the best competition you can find like Mack against OSU. If they have all those and want to be a football player technique or w/e can taught imo.

 

[BaconGrundleCandy]

Vita Vea might be staying according to Tony Pauline:



Underclassmen Tracker: January 2nd | Draft Analyst

I'd be surprised if got out of the first round but he does need work. Don't want to see him get lost to quick.

Fwiw I heard Garrett Bolles had a baby last week. Could influence his decision. Either way he'll have to get healthy and rest up after such a ordeal.

 

[manxman2601]

When judging any small school guy I look for size, athleticism and intelligence.

And domination. But, Delaire, Fede and Armonty Bryant had all those things - the reason I liked them so much - and they are still, at best, rotation guys. That's no small thing but the step up from this level of football to the NFL is huge. I really like Orimolade - as much as I did the pre-mentioned - but they taught me to temper expectations for small-schoolers. I do think Orimolade has a role on an NFL team, I just think special teamer/linebacker is the best fit. Particularly as far as the Pats are concerned.

 

[BaconGrundleCandy]

And domination. But, Delaire, Fede and Armonty Bryant had all those things - the reason I liked them so much - and they are still, at best, rotation guys. That's no small thing but the step up from this level of football to the NFL is huge. I really like Orimolade - as much as I did the pre-mentioned - but they taught me to temper expectations for small-schoolers. I do think Orimolade has a role on an NFL team, I just think special teamer/linebacker is the best fit. Particularly as far as the Pats are concerned.

This is pretty sweet. He doesn't get a great get off which might be predetermined by him?

He shows some very heavy hands. Almost a right hook swatting the T's arm. Uses his right hand to do the same thing and pushes off at the same time to start his speed to power transition. Very nice acceleration and closing speed.

Check out @WurthDraft's Tweet:

 

[manxman2601]

This is pretty sweet. He doesn't get a great get off which might be predetermined by him?

He shows some very heavy hands. Almost a right hook swatting the T's arm. Uses his right hand to do the same thing and pushes off at the same time to start his speed to power transition. Very nice acceleration and closing speed.

Check out @WurthDraft's Tweet:

He's very good. But he's also 240lb. Blitz him from the LB spot.

 

[manxman2601]

I was so sure he was going to be a really good OT.

 

[manxman2601]

Malik Hooker is in. I need to do more on Jonathan Allen but so far, and it's very early, Hooker is my #2 prospect so far. awesome in coverage and strong against the run. My only criticism is that he sometimes takes some bad angles in run support.

But is this the best safety class ever with Hooker, Adams and Peppers? It's by far the best since I've been following the draft.

 

[BaconGrundleCandy]

Malik Hooker is in. I need to do more on Jonathan Allen but so far, and it's very early, Hooker is my #2 prospect so far. awesome in coverage and strong against the run. My only criticism is that he sometimes takes some bad angles in run support.

But is this the best safety class ever with Hooker, Adams and Peppers? It's by far the best since I've been following the draft.

You can add King to the list too. Everything I'm hearing and being told is many teams are looking at him strictly as a S.

Eddie Jackson is a guy that is worth a look.

 

[manxman2601]

You can add King to the list too. Everything I'm hearing and being told is many teams are looking at him strictly as a S.

Eddie Jackson is a guy that is worth a look.

And I'm watching Budda Baker right now. Put McCourty back to the single high spot and use Baker as the nickel corner. Very impressed but not on the level of Adams or Hooker. But certainly a late first , early 2nd calibre prospect.

 

[I.M. Fletcher]

Malik Hooker is in. I need to do more on Jonathan Allen but so far, and it's very early, Hooker is my #2 prospect so far. awesome in coverage and strong against the run. My only criticism is that he sometimes takes some bad angles in run support.

But is this the best safety class ever with Hooker, Adams and Peppers? It's by far the best since I've been following the draft.

Pats have notoriously overdrafted the position to the eye rolling of many. I think I can safely say that there is no chance they can make a mistake at the position this year.

Outside of those three, I would argue there are another 7-10 worth drafting in the top 100. That's unheard of in any draft, and necessary given how the league is tilting towards smaller guys.

Adams
Hooker
Peppers
Evans
Baker
Melifonwu
Williams
Jackson
Maye
Harvey Clemons
J. Jones

That's just the sure fire guys, without mentioning fish smithson, Xavier woods or Cedric Thompson.

I will be shocked if we don't double dip on the position. It's just unbelievable depth at a position we rely so heavily on, with great vets to train young guys up.

 

[I.M. Fletcher]

And I'm watching Budda Baker right now. Put McCourty back to the single high spot and use Baker as the nickel corner. Very impressed but not on the level of Adams or Hooker. But certainly a late first , early 2nd calibre prospect.

Baker keeps getting honey badger comps, which is what I see with baker. Maybe not the ideal size, but a playmaker who is always around the ball, and never out of position.

 

[I.M. Fletcher]

The comparisons between the 2011 draft and this one are really quite something potentially.

• 2011 produced two of the best prospects in the league in Von Miller and JJ. 2017 has Garrett and maybe Jon Allen (though I'm not convinced yet).
• 2011 had a star DB in Patrick Peterson. 2016 could have a number of them, particularly if Hooker declares. But Jamal Adams certainly qualifies.
• 2011 had two standout offensive weapons in AJ Green and Julio Jones. 2016 has Dalvin Cook and Leonard Fournette
• 2011 had a flawed but toolsy QB in Cam Newton. 2016 has Kizer.
• The rest of 2011's QBs were very flawed (Ponder, Locker et al). The same could be said for 2016.
• The strength of the 2011 draft was the DL (Wilkerson and Cameron Jordan went late in the first). DL, particularly on the edge, is the strength of this first round.

Of course, the difference is that the 2011 class is now proven (imagine how much better it would have been if Aldon Smith and Marcel Dareus weren't screwballs) and 2016's future is still ahead of it. But it wouldn't surprise me if we talk about this class in the same way we do 2011.

If you switch oline (specifically tackles) for tight ends, I think that's a very apt comparison.

Also funny to see an Alabama dlineman, a Texas a and m pass rusher and lsu safety in the top five for both. What goes around comes back around.

 

[manxman2601]

Baker keeps getting honey badger comps, which is what I see with baker. Maybe not the ideal size, but a playmaker who is always around the ball, and never out of position.

He's going to test really well too. Check out the recognition and agility on this play.



I haven't seen the other safeties you've mentioned yet but I consider Hooker and Adams as genuine game changers, just the type of prospect you draft in the top 10 and whilst I don't think Baker is that, I do think he's a year one starter. And though it's still early, a prospect I think fits this team really well in replacing Harmon. I would draft him in the first, in fact, I'd go so far as to say he's my early choice for our first rounder.

Baker, Awuzie and maybe Switzer are the prospects I've pencilled in as likely picks so far.