The 2013 Prospect Thread

[manxman2601]

I get the impression that Shawn Zobel is a little controversial in draft circles, something I can't speak too, but he tweeted a couple of interesting nuggets last night to say the least:

Also told that West Virginia WR Stedman Bailey is in the process of selecting an agent to represent him after he declares for the draft

https://twitter.com/ShawnZobel_DHQ/status/280172310248448001

And, more dramatically:

Hearing that there are strong indications that Notre Dame DT Louis Nix will declare for the 2013 NFL Draft

https://twitter.com/ShawnZobel_DHQ/status/280171384427118592

Nix would join Ansah and Cooper as joint first on my Pats big board.

 

[manxman2601]

There's a number of very scouting nuggets of small school guys from JB Scouting in the below thread. JB Scouting is a service that does scouting for some bowl games and all-star games. Seems to specialise in small school stuff. Nothing very detailed but I thought Mayo and others will like what he has to say about Brandon Williams:



JB Scouting Updated Top 100 Small Schoolers - Draft Countdown Forums

Finally found some video of Williams. Warning. It's not the easiest to watch. It's all the defensive snaps from the game and Williams isn't highlighted. He's no #66. The video has a slightly strange format in that you'll see the all-22 view of a play first and then see the behind the LOS view of the same play next. Also take note, it's 33 mins long.

Missouri Southern State University(DEF) vs Lincoln University - YouTube

What I see is someone who is quick of the snap and quick to engage the linemen and also in possession of very good short area quickness. I see him as someone who would make a nice day 3 pick but that doesn't overly excite me. But bear in mind, I hate evaluating DT's and am not very good at it.

He's one of Mayo's favourites so it's worth taking the time to watch it. I'd love to know what others see.

Edit: Bleacher Report article on Brandon Williams:

http://bleacherreport.com/articles/...ri-southern-defensive-tackle-brandon-williams

 

[mackenzie45220]

Sherman may not have had Patrick Peterson's straight line speed, but he wasn't slow at all. He was a high school All American track athlete in the triple jump (California record 50'8"), broad jump (23'8"), and 100M hurdle (13.99 seconds) with a 100M time of 10.77 seconds. He had an 11" broad jump, 38" vertical and 6.72 3-cone at 6'3" prior to the draft. Every single number was solid EXCEPT his damn 40 time (4.54), and he had a history of plenty of linear speed based on his track experience. He never played slow on the football field.

In my opinion, he looked extremely slow on the field. Couldn't cover a deep route to save his life. If you had told me he ran a 4.63 40, I would have believed it.

 

[mackenzie45220]

Optimum Scouting

I'm good friends with Alex Brown, "head central scout" at optimum scouting.

 

[patsfaninpa]

I get the impression that Shawn Zobel is a little controversial in draft circles, something I can't speak too, but he tweeted a couple of interesting nuggets last night to say the least:



https://twitter.com/ShawnZobel_DHQ/status/280172310248448001

And, more dramatically:



https://twitter.com/ShawnZobel_DHQ/status/280171384427118592

Nix would join Ansah and Cooper as joint first on my Pats big board.

Nix is better than Hankins, Jenkins and Jesse Williams. He's a top 15 pick if he declares. Only thing holding him back is that he's a red-shirt soph. Other than that, don't see anything not to like from him. Bama's OL vs ND's defensive front will be fun to watch on Jan 7th.

 

[mayoclinic]

Nix is better than Hankins, Jenkins and Jesse Williams. He's a top 15 pick if he declares. Only thing holding him back is that he's a red-shirt soph. Other than that, don't see anything not to like from him. Bama's OL vs ND's defensive front will be fun to watch on Jan 7th.

Maybe not Hankins, but possibly. If Nix comes out and pushes Hankins down, it's ok with me.

 

[mackenzie45220]

Maybe not Hankins, but possibly. If Nix comes out and pushes Hankins down, it's ok with me.

I haven't seen much of Hankins this year, but, as a sophomore, he was the most shocking combination of size and stamina I have ever seen. He's good for 65 snaps a game; Nix struggles to get past 40. On the other hand, those are 40 damn good snaps.

 

[DaBruinz]

In my opinion, he looked extremely slow on the field. Couldn't cover a deep route to save his life. If you had told me he ran a 4.63 40, I would have believed it.

What were you basing it on? Certainly not the Senior Bowl where Sherman played lights out.

 

[Merril Hoge's Tie Knot]

I haven't seen much of Hankins this year, but, as a sophomore, he was the most shocking combination of size and stamina I have ever seen. He's good for 65 snaps a game; Nix struggles to get past 40. On the other hand, those are 40 damn good snaps.

Hankins only tries half the time. Same with Star, but at least he stops trying after the snap. Hankins seems to give up before the snap. Nix puts his all into every play. I have him significantly ahead of Hankins and Star.

 

[mackenzie45220]

What were you basing it on? Certainly not the Senior Bowl where Sherman played lights out.

I didn't say he wasn't lights out. He has/had terrific instincts, size, and strength, to go along with above average fluidity. He was also perfect against the run and knew how to break up passes. He did not, however, have much straight line speed. That was his only weakness in my mind out of college.

 

[manxman2601]

I get the impression that Shawn Zobel is a little controversial in draft circles, something I can't speak too, but he tweeted a couple of interesting nuggets last night to say the least:



https://twitter.com/ShawnZobel_DHQ/status/280172310248448001

And, more dramatically:



https://twitter.com/ShawnZobel_DHQ/status/280171384427118592

Nix would join Ansah and Cooper as joint first on my Pats big board.

Now looks like Nix is staying at ND for another year.

Louis Nix will return to #NotreDame for 2013, Brian Kelly announces.

https://twitter.com/ChiTribHamilton/status/280714118183391232

 

[Merril Hoge's Tie Knot]

Cross Anthony Barr of your lists.

Scout.com: Barr to Announce His Return

 

[manxman2601]

Cross Anthony Barr of your lists.

Scout.com: Barr to Announce His Return

But you can add Stedman Bailey. Dana Holgersen has confirmed he's leaving.

 

[manxman2601]

Cross Anthony Barr of your lists.

Scout.com: Barr to Announce His Return

I'm already getting excited about the 2014 draft

 

[mackenzie45220]

I'm already getting excited about the 2014 draft

Speaking of which, Marquis Flowers=underrated

 

[Merril Hoge's Tie Knot]

I'm already getting excited about the 2014 draft

Me too. I wouldn't mind picking up a third and trading our first into next year.

 

[manxman2601]

Me too. I wouldn't mind picking up a third and trading our first into next year.

If Cooper and Ansah are gone, I'm right there with you.

 

[stelfans]

Guys finally getting on the "another 2014 first" bandwagon? ahah nice!

 

[mayoclinic]

Guys finally getting on the "another 2014 first" bandwagon? ahah nice!

Never been off it. It's just a question of value. If the 2013 late round 1st values aren't that great and someone is willing to give us a 2014 1st plus change, then it's a good move. It just depends on who's available, and what someone is willing to trade.

 

[mayoclinic]

Finally found some video of Williams. Warning. It's not the easiest to watch. It's all the defensive snaps from the game and Williams isn't highlighted. He's no #66. The video has a slightly strange format in that you'll see the all-22 view of a play first and then see the behind the LOS view of the same play next. Also take note, it's 33 mins long.

Missouri Southern State University(DEF) vs Lincoln University - YouTube

What I see is someone who is quick of the snap and quick to engage the linemen and also in possession of very good short area quickness. I see him as someone who would make a nice day 3 pick but that doesn't overly excite me. But bear in mind, I hate evaluating DT's and am not very good at it.

He's one of Mayo's favourites so it's worth taking the time to watch it. I'd love to know what others see.

Edit: Bleacher Report article on Brandon Williams:

2013 NFL Draft: Missouri Southern Defensive Tackle Brandon Williams | Bleacher Report

The NFP's Russ Lande has some draft rumblings from scouts on Williams:

Brandon Williams , DT, Missouri Southern, Senior (6017, 330 and 5.10 E): With the value of explosive, athletic, play-making defensive tackles constantly growing, Williams has a chance to really move up draft boards if he shines at the Senior Bowl. A dominant interior force at Missouri Southern, Williams has shown the quickness off the ball and strength to drive through gaps to get into the backfield to blow-up/make plays behind the line. Unlike many big defensive tackles, Williams competes hard on every snap and can chase down ball carriers along the line with surprising ease. The issue is that scouts are split as to Williams likely draft value. Based on talent level and dominant playmaking at Missouri Southern some scouts have told us he warrants being a second round pick. However, having played at a lower level of football and needing technique work a number of scouts feel he will likely be a fourth or fifth round pick unless he dominates at the Senior Bowl and works out like a star at the Combine.

What NFP is hearing - Draft Rumblings. | National Football Post

Also, re Alec Ogletree:

Alec Ogletree, LB, Georgia, Junior (6030 E, 232 E and 4.60 E): All the talk about linebacker prospects this year seems to begin and end with Notre Dame’ Manti Te’o, but from what we have heard Ogletree has the physical talent to challenge Te’o to be the first inside linebacker drafted. Taller than Te’o with a physique usually reserved for muscle builders, Ogletree definitely looks the part of an NFL linebacker now. Blessed with elite playing speed, he has sideline range vs. the run and in coverage and flashes an explosive closing burst to finish/make plays. Surprisingly quick in pass drops, Ogletree can flip hips to change directions with ease, closes fast on passes and has the ball skills to consistently make a play on the ball. The one area scouts have told us they are concerned about are Ogletree’s instincts as he will take a false step at times and is often the last linebacker moving towards the ball. Because of this, some scouts feel he may be best suited to playing outside linebacker as opposed to inside. In the end, despite questions/concerns, scouts all tell us that Ogletree will likely be a first round pick if he comes out early for the draft as long as his off-field issues, which led to him being suspended for the early part of the 2012 season, are a thing of the past.