Mitch
Crawled Through 5 FB Fields
DE:
Elite: Two players stand out: Gaines Adams of Clemson and Jamaal Anderson of Arkansas. Adams is a gifted pass rusher and tackle for loss dynamo. Having watched him a lot...it's interesting that Clemson used him as their LDE (most elite pass rushers are used at RDE)...it may be that Adams is more comfortable rushing from the left...there are times when he looks like an All-Pro, rushing the edge with fierce swiftness and determination...there are others where he looks top heavy and easily thrown off balance...he's seems lost in his own world...doesn't appear to be much of a leader...IMO, I don't think he's worthy of a top ten selection...Anderson is a completely different player...he's big and thick and high motored...ideal for a 3-4 DE...excellent run stuffer, good tackler, and solid in his pass rush, but not overwhelming. I don't think he's a top ten pick either. But...Anderson would have particular value to 3-4 teams looking for a 3-4 DE.
Bargain Value: Ray McDonald, Florida. Has had knee surgeries, but is strong now. He's a gifted athlete...swift and sturdy. Frist round talent who will likely be taken in the second round.
Sleeper: Noland Burchette, Virginia Tech. Lacks ideal size (6-2, 260), but is quick off the ball and dispruptive.
DT:
Elite: Alan Branch, Michigan. He's a classic run stuffer, who also has the height (6-6, 330) and reach to bat passes down in the middle with regularity. Not a premier pass rusher...which makes me hesitate when thinking about him as a top five pick. But, stopping the run is a priority in this league and this kid can get it done.
Bargain Value: Tank Tyler, NC St. First of all, look at the success NC St. defensive linemen have had in the NFL in recent years...secondly, this guy is as strong as any player in this draft (I think he broke all the NC St. lifting records). If the team that picks him gets him into shape...look out. He's a gamer...super competitive and plays with nasty, tough, all-out aggression.
Sleeper: Brent Curvey, Iowa St. Some guys have the knack for the big play and Curvey has it. He's only (6-0, 300), which is why he will be a late round draft pick or UCFA. This kid plays with quickness and tremendous awareness...as a junior he recorded 62 tackles (for a DT that's real good), 6.5 sacks (again, for a DT, that's impressive) and scooped two fumble recoveries for TDs (67 yards and 38 yards)...both turned out to be instrumental plays in key Iowa St.'s wins. In the right system that would enable Curvey to play with his instincts, he might surprise.
ILB:
Elite: Patrick Willis, Mississippi. A taller (6-2, 230) version of Zach Thomas. A flat-out tackling machine. Has a 6th sense for knowing where the ball is. Not outstanding at shedding blocks...but if the DTs can keep him free, he'll record 12-15 tackles a game.
Bargain Value: John Abbate, Wake Forest. Abbate is only 6-0, and he's not the fastest ILB you are going to see. What you will see is that he knocks the snot out of every player who come his way. He fills a hole as quick as a cheetah and is a punishing, textbook tackler. Wears the #5 in honor of his little brother who was killed in a car crash. Plays every game like he's playing it for the memory of his brother. This kid is the Pat Tillman (heart-wise) of this year's draft.
Sleeper: Desmond Bishop, California. This (6-2, 240) junior college transfer was very productive at Cal. The type of MLB who can take on and shed lead blockers and still make the tackle. Tough and rangy. Needs to smell plays out a little quicker...tends to bite on run fakes.
OLB:
Elite: Lawrence Timmons, Florida St. SLB (6-3, 240) deluxe, size and speed wise. Plus, can really get after the QB. Has all the physical tools...needs to be a little more instinctive on his reads.
Bargain Value: Lamarr Woodley, Michigan. Brings the heat as a pass rusher and has the athleticism to make plays all over the field in run support and coverage. Ideally suited to play OLB on the 3-4. Any selection between picks 24-36 would be a bargain for this kid.
Sleeper: KaMichael Hall, Georgia Tech. Impact player who needs to gain muscle weight. Fast and quick to the ball...good tackler.
CB:
Elite: Darrelle Revis, Pittsburgh. Fluid, smooth athlete who can take away one third of the field versus the opponent's best WR. Good, but not great in run support...partly because he plays with great discipline and always plays pass first. The top shutdown CB in this draft, bar none.
Bargain Value: Josh Wilson, Maryland. lack of ideal size (5-9, 182) will cause him to slide into round two...but this DeMatha High grad has legitimate 4.3 speed, he's adept at closing in on passes and deflecting them and he's surprisingly stout in run support (in fact, in all the games I saw him, he made several key third down tackles to stop drives). Plus, he is an explosive return man. Usually smaller CBs play RCB...not Wilson...he's a LCB all the way and Ralph Friedgen was smart to realize that.
Sleeper: C.J. Wilson, Baylor. Nice size (6-1, 195). A real gamer...makes timely interceptions and gets to a good number of balls. Instinctive...not a true blazer, but understands passing angles.
S:
Elite: LaRon Landry, LSU. Hits like a linebacker and covers like an All-Pro. Super aware and sudden in his movements. Has the kind of instincts no one can coach.
Bargain Value: Reggie Nelson, Florida. This kid will likely be taken somewhere in the teens in this draft...and that, my friends, is a flat-out bargain, because Nelson is the most versatile defensive back in the draft. You can lock him up one-on-one with any TE or WR...or you can have him hawk the deep middle...either way this kid is like Domino's: he delivers.
Sleeper: Gerald Alexander, Boise St. Tough nosed, aggressive safety who plays big in big games.
P/K:
Elite: K Mason Crosby, Colorado. Big-time leg. Could go in the 2nd round, he's this good.
Bargain Value: P Daniel Sepulveda, Baylor. Probably won't go until round 4. Big, left footed punter...Ray Guy Winner.
Sleeper: P Adam Podlesh, Maryland. Best pressure punter in this class. Came up with huge, booming kicks to get his team out of trouble, time and time again.
Elite: Two players stand out: Gaines Adams of Clemson and Jamaal Anderson of Arkansas. Adams is a gifted pass rusher and tackle for loss dynamo. Having watched him a lot...it's interesting that Clemson used him as their LDE (most elite pass rushers are used at RDE)...it may be that Adams is more comfortable rushing from the left...there are times when he looks like an All-Pro, rushing the edge with fierce swiftness and determination...there are others where he looks top heavy and easily thrown off balance...he's seems lost in his own world...doesn't appear to be much of a leader...IMO, I don't think he's worthy of a top ten selection...Anderson is a completely different player...he's big and thick and high motored...ideal for a 3-4 DE...excellent run stuffer, good tackler, and solid in his pass rush, but not overwhelming. I don't think he's a top ten pick either. But...Anderson would have particular value to 3-4 teams looking for a 3-4 DE.
Bargain Value: Ray McDonald, Florida. Has had knee surgeries, but is strong now. He's a gifted athlete...swift and sturdy. Frist round talent who will likely be taken in the second round.
Sleeper: Noland Burchette, Virginia Tech. Lacks ideal size (6-2, 260), but is quick off the ball and dispruptive.
DT:
Elite: Alan Branch, Michigan. He's a classic run stuffer, who also has the height (6-6, 330) and reach to bat passes down in the middle with regularity. Not a premier pass rusher...which makes me hesitate when thinking about him as a top five pick. But, stopping the run is a priority in this league and this kid can get it done.
Bargain Value: Tank Tyler, NC St. First of all, look at the success NC St. defensive linemen have had in the NFL in recent years...secondly, this guy is as strong as any player in this draft (I think he broke all the NC St. lifting records). If the team that picks him gets him into shape...look out. He's a gamer...super competitive and plays with nasty, tough, all-out aggression.
Sleeper: Brent Curvey, Iowa St. Some guys have the knack for the big play and Curvey has it. He's only (6-0, 300), which is why he will be a late round draft pick or UCFA. This kid plays with quickness and tremendous awareness...as a junior he recorded 62 tackles (for a DT that's real good), 6.5 sacks (again, for a DT, that's impressive) and scooped two fumble recoveries for TDs (67 yards and 38 yards)...both turned out to be instrumental plays in key Iowa St.'s wins. In the right system that would enable Curvey to play with his instincts, he might surprise.
ILB:
Elite: Patrick Willis, Mississippi. A taller (6-2, 230) version of Zach Thomas. A flat-out tackling machine. Has a 6th sense for knowing where the ball is. Not outstanding at shedding blocks...but if the DTs can keep him free, he'll record 12-15 tackles a game.
Bargain Value: John Abbate, Wake Forest. Abbate is only 6-0, and he's not the fastest ILB you are going to see. What you will see is that he knocks the snot out of every player who come his way. He fills a hole as quick as a cheetah and is a punishing, textbook tackler. Wears the #5 in honor of his little brother who was killed in a car crash. Plays every game like he's playing it for the memory of his brother. This kid is the Pat Tillman (heart-wise) of this year's draft.
Sleeper: Desmond Bishop, California. This (6-2, 240) junior college transfer was very productive at Cal. The type of MLB who can take on and shed lead blockers and still make the tackle. Tough and rangy. Needs to smell plays out a little quicker...tends to bite on run fakes.
OLB:
Elite: Lawrence Timmons, Florida St. SLB (6-3, 240) deluxe, size and speed wise. Plus, can really get after the QB. Has all the physical tools...needs to be a little more instinctive on his reads.
Bargain Value: Lamarr Woodley, Michigan. Brings the heat as a pass rusher and has the athleticism to make plays all over the field in run support and coverage. Ideally suited to play OLB on the 3-4. Any selection between picks 24-36 would be a bargain for this kid.
Sleeper: KaMichael Hall, Georgia Tech. Impact player who needs to gain muscle weight. Fast and quick to the ball...good tackler.
CB:
Elite: Darrelle Revis, Pittsburgh. Fluid, smooth athlete who can take away one third of the field versus the opponent's best WR. Good, but not great in run support...partly because he plays with great discipline and always plays pass first. The top shutdown CB in this draft, bar none.
Bargain Value: Josh Wilson, Maryland. lack of ideal size (5-9, 182) will cause him to slide into round two...but this DeMatha High grad has legitimate 4.3 speed, he's adept at closing in on passes and deflecting them and he's surprisingly stout in run support (in fact, in all the games I saw him, he made several key third down tackles to stop drives). Plus, he is an explosive return man. Usually smaller CBs play RCB...not Wilson...he's a LCB all the way and Ralph Friedgen was smart to realize that.
Sleeper: C.J. Wilson, Baylor. Nice size (6-1, 195). A real gamer...makes timely interceptions and gets to a good number of balls. Instinctive...not a true blazer, but understands passing angles.
S:
Elite: LaRon Landry, LSU. Hits like a linebacker and covers like an All-Pro. Super aware and sudden in his movements. Has the kind of instincts no one can coach.
Bargain Value: Reggie Nelson, Florida. This kid will likely be taken somewhere in the teens in this draft...and that, my friends, is a flat-out bargain, because Nelson is the most versatile defensive back in the draft. You can lock him up one-on-one with any TE or WR...or you can have him hawk the deep middle...either way this kid is like Domino's: he delivers.
Sleeper: Gerald Alexander, Boise St. Tough nosed, aggressive safety who plays big in big games.
P/K:
Elite: K Mason Crosby, Colorado. Big-time leg. Could go in the 2nd round, he's this good.
Bargain Value: P Daniel Sepulveda, Baylor. Probably won't go until round 4. Big, left footed punter...Ray Guy Winner.
Sleeper: P Adam Podlesh, Maryland. Best pressure punter in this class. Came up with huge, booming kicks to get his team out of trouble, time and time again.
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