Go To Bat for a Prospect

[AcheTen]

Jarvis Jones.

Everybody is questioning him based on medical stuff or lack of "upside", but I feel like the numbers won't lie in this case. He's by far the most productive pass rusher in this draft class and he will be the best pass rusher in the NFL out of this draft class for some smart team like the Steelers that pick him late in the 1st round as he falls on most draft boards.

[Babylon]

Originally Posted by Attyla the Hawk

Ryan Swope.

He's going to be one of the two players in the 2013 draft Seattle won't leave without. He's going in the top 58 guaranteed. I can easily see him a day one pick if there is a run on DTs.

This guy is going to be the best receiver of this class. Steve Largent redux.

Got my attention when you referanced old number 80 for the hawks. The Seahawks would probably like to get that number one wr like a Julio Jones or an AJ Green but those guys aren't out there this year and i think in the first they probably will go D-lineman. Second round color me shocked really if they don't go after Swope.

[bigbluedefense]

Jordan Hill is another guy I'm going to bat for. He's an undersized DT from Penn State who I feel will be a very disruptive nickel DT who can be a solid pass rusher in the middle of the line.

He sounds like a 3rd or 4th round pick, and I think he offers great value as a situational nickel interior rusher. Maybe more, but I think his floor is that of a nickel interior rusher.

[K Train]

Marcus Lattimore. I dont care if he cant play this year, in fact id prefer him not playing....next year you enter the season with a new first round pick and one that youve had on the shelf returning to his beastly self.

Its like any investment, you gotta play it smart to get your return....and that return doesnt have to be immediate. The dude is an amazing talent.

Also, jarvis jones too :-)


apparently im a sucker for medical issues this year

[Punisher]

Robert Woods

Even as a USC fan I am usually harder on Trojan players than most fans. That said, "Woody" will make his impact in the league and be a 10 year player barring injury. The way Lane and Barkely avoided him this season was brutal to watch, and couple that with the fact he is been running on a bum ankle you can see why his stock dropped a bit. I truly believe with his work ethic, route running, and quicks he can be a pro bowl player and also be among the leagues leaders in receptions on a yearly basis a fews years from now.

[fatso]

Originally Posted by CrossOfDeath

Travis Kelce for me. He is going to be a star in the NFL I don't care where he is picked or what TEs may go ahead of him.

This is my guy too

[VUBlacknGold]

Zac Stacy is the truth.

He's Frank Gore without the knee problems. He can block, catch, got good shifty moves, hard to take down on first contact and can break a long one every once in awhile. Hes a great person and he'll be a great pro in a power scheme and I'd love it if the raiders got him in the 3rd.

[JT Jag]

I'd like to talk to everyone about Robert Lester.

It seems that Alabama's system of defense has gotten so good that it has had the opposite effect of people giving their players the benefit of the doubt. Players coming out this year like Lester and Nico Johnson are being highly scrutinized, people going out of their way to try and answer the question "was it the player who was successful or the players around him who made him look good"?

I believe Lester has been somewhat overanalyzed in this process. He is being looked at right now as a mid-round to late round prospect, and I suspect he deserves a little better than that. Lester played free safety at Alabama, but I suspect he will move to strong safety at the NFL level. He has the size and strength to play close to the line, and the speed to handle most tight ends. He's not a freak athlete, and was never really a first round prospect, but he's a canny player who plays to the whistle and doesn't miss assignments.

I hope he gets drafted higher than the spot is being bandied around right now. If he does indeed drop to the fifth or so round, someone will be getting a steal.

[Black Bolt]

Originally Posted by nobodyinparticular

He just reminds me so much of Andrew Walter. I don't like that

LMAO!! At a Tech alum, he also reminds me of his hideous brother.

[thetedginnshow]

It wouldn't be fun to say a top 10 prospect, so... I'll go with Quinton Patton. I don't necessarily think he'll be a star, but he's going to be a starter and could be a very good one. I don't see any way he won't make a team happy, provided he stays healthy.

If I wasn't so weary about runningbacks and injuries, my pick would probably be Mike Gillislee. He has just about everything I'd want in a runningback. If he stays healthy and is given a chance, I think he's going to be special.

[kwilk103]

stedman bailey

hes being really underrated imo

more productive than blackmon was (realize thats not everything)

runs great routes, great hands/body control, avg speed; will have a long, solid career as a #2; for small size, good blocker and good in the redzone

also good on ST; played on KO team and KR team; he wasnt a good returner, but if you go and watch tavon's long returns, they were all due in part to a key block or 2 by bailey

senior highlights

[SOnMyChest]

Originally Posted by JT Jag

I'd like to talk to everyone about Robert Lester.

It seems that Alabama's system of defense has gotten so good that it has had the opposite effect of people giving their players the benefit of the doubt. Players coming out this year like Lester and Nico Johnson are being highly scrutinized, people going out of their way to try and answer the question "was it the player who was successful or the players around him who made him look good"?

I believe Lester has been somewhat overanalyzed in this process. He is being looked at right now as a mid-round to late round prospect, and I suspect he deserves a little better than that. Lester played free safety at Alabama, but I suspect he will move to strong safety at the NFL level. He has the size and strength to play close to the line, and the speed to handle most tight ends. He's not a freak athlete, and was never really a first round prospect, but he's a canny player who plays to the whistle and doesn't miss assignments.

I hope he gets drafted higher than the spot is being bandied around right now. If he does indeed drop to the fifth or so round, someone will be getting a steal.

I like it. That was pretty much my read on Lester. He's everything I want in a safety: good eyes, instinctual, tough, good hands. He just has below average athleticism

[Monomach]

Arthur Brown, LB, Kansas State

He just does everything right. Now that he's answered my concerns about his bulk, I'd be totally cool with the Bears taking him at #20.

[SenorGato]

Barkevious Mingo.

Freak athlete numbers, great frame, athleticism translates to the field, and is less raw than his college sack and tackle numbers bare out.

The QBs: It's an experienced group so I wouldn't be surprised if this draft puts out a couple quality starters.

[SenorGato]

I remember when hippies thought Robert Lester was > Mark Barron.

[TheFinisher]

I'll bite...

Matt Barkley | QB | USC

Didn't have the team success that many expected coming into the year but there's just too many positives about this kid for me to believe he won't be a quality NFL starter. First, I think he answered a huge question at the combine when he checked in at nearly 6'3, 227lbs with over 10 inch hands. His suggested size was a major flag for him, I think many expected him to be 6'1 or shorter (drawing some Drew Brees discussion) but he clearly has the ideal measurables for the position.

Another thing I like about him is he's been a 4 year starter, and for the majority of that time he's been incredibly consistent operating a pro style offense against top level competition. He's displayed good-great accuracy, touch and ball placement throughout his career and understands how to throw his receivers open. He's as polished as they come, repetition has embedded him with an advanced familiarity of going through his progressions, manipulating defenders, and making good decisions with the football.

Additionally, due to a porous offensive line this season, we got to see how he operates under duress in the pocket. The results have been mixed, I thought he played a very good game against Utah showing off the ability to move around the pocket, buy time, and throw off different platforms. The 2nd half of the Stanford game was tough to watch, but I can't say he performed as poorly as people make it out to be due to how badly they were getting beat up front. I think you throw Andrew Luck in that situation and the results are similar. The 3rd game I wanted to touch on was the UCLA game. It started off horribly for SC but I thought Barkley showed some real resilience and poise, nearly bringing them all the way back. Overall, I came away pleased with what Barkley showed. It wasn't always pretty, but there were enough positives were I thought he improvised, made smart decisions with the football under pressure and will only improve on that over time.

The arm strength and what that means for him will likely continue to be under scrutiny until we see him in NFL action. That being said, I don't see a death sentence for Barkley when measuring his arm strength. I don't think he'll get away with some of the off balance throws someone like Aaron Rodgers does but how many QBs can? With Barkley's arm I see it falling somewhere in the Matt Ryan range, not the strongest but it rarely affects how he's able to play the game.

Lastly, I like the leadership qualities he brings to the table. He's someone I can envision being the face of a franchise. He dealt with his fair share of adversity at USC. First with the sanctions, he could have easily transferred at any point or declared after his Junior season but he stuck it out, honored the commitment, and passed up the money to try and win a NC with his teammates. He's also, by all accounts, a hard worker on the field and in the film room. He's got a squeaky-clean background and comes across as a likeable kid. Those intangibles are going to make him easily fit in an NFL lockerroom and will help him win over teammates.

I think if he lands in a rhythm and timing based offense like the Pats or Saints run or any West Coast type offense his ceiling is a Pro-Bowl caliber QB. Regardless, I see a kid who can have a long career and become dangerous if surrounded with some blue chip weapons.

NFL Potential: Rich Gannon (minus the plus scrambling ability)

[Nastradamus]

Originally Posted by JT Jag

I'd like to talk to everyone about Robert Lester.

It seems that Alabama's system of defense has gotten so good that it has had the opposite effect of people giving their players the benefit of the doubt. Players coming out this year like Lester and Nico Johnson are being highly scrutinized, people going out of their way to try and answer the question "was it the player who was successful or the players around him who made him look good"?

I believe Lester has been somewhat overanalyzed in this process. He is being looked at right now as a mid-round to late round prospect, and I suspect he deserves a little better than that. Lester played free safety at Alabama, but I suspect he will move to strong safety at the NFL level. He has the size and strength to play close to the line, and the speed to handle most tight ends. He's not a freak athlete, and was never really a first round prospect, but he's a canny player who plays to the whistle and doesn't miss assignments.

I hope he gets drafted higher than the spot is being bandied around right now. If he does indeed drop to the fifth or so round, someone will be getting a steal.

I gotta say I think you are way off here. I think Alabama players get under scrutinized at this point and are often highly regarded just because of their jersey. People didn't look into Lester until about the middle of this year. He's undraftable IMO. He's slow and he was the weakest link in that secondary last year, he does nothing well. NIco Johnson is ok, but probably a backup LB at the next level.

[SilentJaguar]

Originally Posted by Nastradamus

I gotta say I think you are way off here. I think Alabama players get under scrutinized at this point and are often highly regarded just because of their jersey. People didn't look into Lester until about the middle of this year. He's undraftable IMO. He's slow and he was the weakest link in that secondary last year, he does nothing well. NIco Johnson is ok, but probably a backup LB at the next level.

While I'm a 'Bama fan and I don't think Lester's all that good, Vinny Sunseri would like to have a word with you.

[Miaoww]

Hmmm, all the guys that I'd like to go to bat for are taken.

[JT Jag]

Originally Posted by SilentJaguar

While I'm a 'Bama fan and I don't think Lester's all that good, Vinny Sunseri would like to have a word with you.

Several of the corners who saw significant time were visible liabilities as well. The ones not named Dee Milliner, that is.

[thebow305]

Marcus Lattimore.

How could you not root for this kid? It's also pretty amazing that this guy still ranks inside the top 5 at his position on most peoples boards after two serious knee injuries in back-to-back seasons. It says something about the level of talent this guy possesses.

I'd pound the table for this kid because I just think this kid wants it more than anyone else. He's got that drive. I don't see any way this kid isn't at least a solid NFL running back, if not a really good one.


A close second for me is Justin Hunter. I just think this kid has some rare physical tools for the WR position in a Randy Moss/A.J. Green kind of mold. Can't help but watch his early tape from Tennessee and see something really special in this kid.

[BallerT1215]

Originally Posted by thebow305

Marcus Lattimore.

How could you not root for this kid? It's also pretty amazing that this guy still ranks inside the top 5 at his position on most peoples boards after two serious knee injuries in back-to-back seasons. It says something about the level of talent this guy possesses.

I'd pound the table for this kid because I just think this kid wants it more than anyone else. He's got that drive. I don't see any way this kid isn't at least a solid NFL running back, if not a really good one.


A close second for me is Justin Hunter. I just think this kid has some rare physical tools for the WR position in a Randy Moss/A.J. Green kind of mold. Can't help but watch his early tape from Tennessee and see something really special in this kid.

Because he has a leg that is in 3 different pieces.....

[Babylon]

Originally Posted by SilentJaguar

While I'm a 'Bama fan and I don't think Lester's all that good, Vinny Sunseri would like to have a word with you.

Not sue the beef with Sunseri, he might be the best sophomore S in the country.

[Brown Leader]

The next guy I'd bang the table for is LeVeon Bell. I think he's the best RB in this class. His ability to change direction at his size is crazy. Catches the ball, blocks. Carried a bad MSU team on his shoulders. Ran surprisingly well in Indianapolis (4.6) and had the 3rd best 3-cone time of the RBs and a better 10yd split then 3 quarters of the RB field at 230lbs.

[AcheTen]

Originally Posted by Brown Leader

The next guy I'd bang the table for is LeVeon Bell. I think he's the best RB in this class. His ability to change direction at his size is crazy. Catches the ball, blocks. Carried a bad MSU team on his shoulders. Ran surprisingly well in Indianapolis (4.6) and had the 3rd best 3-cone time of the RBs and a better 10yd split then 3 quarters field at 230lbs.

Too bad he has like zero cutting ability.

You need that to be good in the NFL.