Help me in my mock draft

[kerouac9]

There are reports that teams will make Everson Griffen into a 3-4 OLB ala B-Train.

Here's my question. Who do you all think will turn out to be the better pro player, Griffen or Hughes if converted to Will OLB? Griffen is a little bigger, Hughes is probably a little faster. Any thoughts?

Hughes. Griffen is a guy who is kind of a risky prospect, IMO (Why wasn't he better in college, surrounded by all that talent?), and I think he'll succeed more in a 4-3 defensive alignment where he won't have to cut weight.

 

[WildBB]

Hughes. Griffen is a guy who is kind of a risky prospect, IMO (Why wasn't he better in college, surrounded by all that talent?), and I think he'll succeed more in a 4-3 defensive alignment where he won't have to cut weight.

Griffen was undoubtedly the leader of the Trojan D last yr. Before that , he was a bit overshadowed but still broke into the lineup even beginning his freshman yr. Guy has loads of potential. He did live up to it his last two yrs. there, more than not. Anyway here's his breakdown:

Overview
Griffen arrived in Los Angeles as part of a highly touted recruiting class and emerged as a starter as a true freshman, when he was the first Trojan defensive lineman to start the season opener since 1986. Struggles with consistency pushed Griffen back to the sideline for the remainder of his freshman season and he finished with just the two starts (appearing in all 13 games) and posted 21 tackles, 5.5 sacks and two forced fumbles.

The 2008 season began just like 2007, with Griffen earning a starting spot early in the year, but ultimately losing the position. He started the first three games of the season (seeing action in 12 games), but after being benched, struggled, and finished with "only" 18 tackles, including six for loss (4.5 sacks).

Griffen re-committed to the program in 2009, and re-emerged as the playmaker USC thought he could become. His performance in the spring had scouts buzzing and a breakout season in which he posted 45 tackles, 9.5 tackles for loss and eight sacks in earning second-team all-Pac-10 honors.

Blessed with good size, strength and the athleticism to jump up the board in workouts, Griffen is an intriguing prospect who might be just scratching the surface of his potential. His agility and straight-line speed might be enough to convince scouts that his future position should be as an outside linebacker in the 3-4 scheme. Regardless of his pro position, teams will have to judge how likely it is that he'll return to his inconsistent ways once he cashes that first NFL paycheck.

Analysis
Pass rush: Flashes a quick burst off the snap. Can pressure the outside shoulder of the offensive tackle and has good flexibility to get under his reach and turn the corner. Has a quick counter move to spin back inside. Must use his hands more consistently to break free from blockers once engaged. Uses rip and swim moves, but neither is effective enough to be a go-to move in the NFL. Good use of strength for the bull rush. Has a good closing burst when he has an open lane. Struggles locating the football. Is so concerned with getting upfield that he will run right by the action on inside running plays.

Run defense: Appears to have the bulk and strength to hold up at the point of attack, but too often is engulfed and pushed back. Quick enough laterally to extend the edge. Rides the tackle outside and keeps contain. Good enough lateral agility to play in space and handle the pitch against the option. Good balance and straight-line speed to pursue, but is inconsistent in his effort.

Explosion: Flashes an explosive first step, but is largely inconsistent in his initial quickness off the snap. Good weight-room strength, but doesn't rock the tackle back on his heels with his hands.

Strength: Good weight-room strength, but it doesn't necessarily translate to the field. Plays with leverage, but is inconsistent in his ability to hold up at the point.

Tackling: One of his more intriguing assets. Has good balance and agility to break down in space and make the secure stop against elusive athletes. Brings his hips through the tackle, leading to some impressive hits. Good strength for the drag-down tackle.

Intangibles: Some around the USC program question Griffen's work ethic and willingness to do the little things necessary to become great. Runs hot and cold. Was arrested and charged with breach of the peace after a Fourth of July party in Nantucket, Massachusetts in 2009. The charges were ultimately dropped, though Griffen (and teammate Jordan Campbell) was asked to write letters of apology to the Nantucket Police Department and his teammates.

 

[MadCardDisease]

If you hadn't picked Hughes I would say Ricky Sapp.

Maybe a DT like Linval Joseph or a CB like Jerome Murphy or even an ILB like Donald Butler. That would be my order.

 

[kerouac9]

Did you actually read your breakdown?

Griffen was undoubtedly the leader of the Trojan D last yr. Before that , he was a bit overshadowed but still broke into the lineup even beginning his freshman yr. Guy has loads of potential. He did live up to it his last two yrs. there, more than not. Anyway here's his breakdown:

Overview
Griffen arrived in Los Angeles as part of a highly touted recruiting class and emerged as a starter as a true freshman, when he was the first Trojan defensive lineman to start the season opener since 1986. Struggles with consistency pushed Griffen back to the sideline for the remainder of his freshman season and he finished with just the two starts (appearing in all 13 games) and posted 21 tackles, 5.5 sacks and two forced fumbles.

The 2008 season began just like 2007, with Griffen earning a starting spot early in the year, but ultimately losing the position. He started the first three games of the season (seeing action in 12 games), but after being benched, struggled, and finished with "only" 18 tackles, including six for loss (4.5 sacks).

Griffen re-committed to the program in 2009, and re-emerged as the playmaker USC thought he could become. His performance in the spring had scouts buzzing and a breakout season in which he posted 45 tackles, 9.5 tackles for loss and eight sacks in earning second-team all-Pac-10 honors.

Blessed with good size, strength and the athleticism to jump up the board in workouts, Griffen is an intriguing prospect who might be just scratching the surface of his potential. His agility and straight-line speed might be enough to convince scouts that his future position should be as an outside linebacker in the 3-4 scheme. Regardless of his pro position, teams will have to judge how likely it is that he'll return to his inconsistent ways once he cashes that first NFL paycheck.

Analysis
Pass rush: Flashes a quick burst off the snap. Can pressure the outside shoulder of the offensive tackle and has good flexibility to get under his reach and turn the corner. Has a quick counter move to spin back inside. Must use his hands more consistently to break free from blockers once engaged. Uses rip and swim moves, but neither is effective enough to be a go-to move in the NFL. Good use of strength for the bull rush. Has a good closing burst when he has an open lane. Struggles locating the football. Is so concerned with getting upfield that he will run right by the action on inside running plays.

Run defense: Appears to have the bulk and strength to hold up at the point of attack, but too often is engulfed and pushed back. Quick enough laterally to extend the edge. Rides the tackle outside and keeps contain. Good enough lateral agility to play in space and handle the pitch against the option. Good balance and straight-line speed to pursue, but is inconsistent in his effort.

Explosion: Flashes an explosive first step, but is largely inconsistent in his initial quickness off the snap. Good weight-room strength, but doesn't rock the tackle back on his heels with his hands.

Strength: Good weight-room strength, but it doesn't necessarily translate to the field. Plays with leverage, but is inconsistent in his ability to hold up at the point.

Tackling: One of his more intriguing assets. Has good balance and agility to break down in space and make the secure stop against elusive athletes. Brings his hips through the tackle, leading to some impressive hits. Good strength for the drag-down tackle.

Intangibles: Some around the USC program question Griffen's work ethic and willingness to do the little things necessary to become great. Runs hot and cold. Was arrested and charged with breach of the peace after a Fourth of July party in Nantucket, Massachusetts in 2009. The charges were ultimately dropped, though Griffen (and teammate Jordan Campbell) was asked to write letters of apology to the Nantucket Police Department and his teammates.

I think he's an interesting prospect, but I've cooled on him considerably in the past couple months. I like him as a second-rounder, but as a first-round pick, I think that he's more risky than a lot here believe. This guy should have been DOMINANT in this defense, but he ended up only second-team Pac-10.

 

[WildBB]

Did you actually read your breakdown?



I think he's an interesting prospect, but I've cooled on him considerably in the past couple months. I like him as a second-rounder, but as a first-round pick, I think that he's more risky than a lot here believe. This guy should have been DOMINANT in this defense, but he ended up only second-team Pac-10.

Fair enough.

Yeah I read the breakdown. I didn't edit any of it. He also has some very good aspects too. Read about his tackling, which is a problem for many entering into the NFL, wraping up properly. If he matures as he should, I think that he'll make some team very satisfied they took him. His college days are behind now.

Personally I think he's probably more battle tested than someone like Pierre-Paul.

 

[kerouac9]

Fair enough.

Yeah I read the breakdown. I didn't edit any of it. He also has some very good aspects too. Read about his tackling, which is a problem for many entering into the NFL, wraping up properly. If he matures as he should, I think that he'll make some team very satisfied they took him. His college days are behind now.

Personally I think he's probably more battle tested than someone like Pierre-Paul.

That's for sure. But is he a better prospect as a rush linebacker than Hughes? I don't personally think so. I'm not sure that he's better than Carlos Dunlap, who seems to be slipping down boards.

 

[WildBB]

That's for sure. But is he a better prospect as a rush linebacker than Hughes? I don't personally think so. I'm not sure that he's better than Carlos Dunlap, who seems to be slipping down boards.

Would you take Dunlap where we pick? He really seems to have an attitude problem, that's why he's slipping.

But they said that about Dockett too. But he maybe had more to overcome from childhood. Which helped mature him.

 

[kerouac9]

Would you take Dunlap where we pick? He really seems to have an attitude problem, that's why he's slipping.

But they said that about Dockett too. But he maybe had more to overcome from childhood. Which helped mature him.

Not really. I don't think either project as rush lbs. They'll both be good values for 4-3 teams drafting behind us.

 

[Shane]

You going to send me Portillos?

Nope. But I can send you some Long John Silvers?

 

[cardsfanmd]

Would you take Dunlap where we pick? He really seems to have an attitude problem, that's why he's slipping.

But they said that about Dockett too. But he maybe had more to overcome from childhood. Which helped mature him.

Dunlap doesn't fit with us unless we're planning to let Dockett walk at the end of his current deal.

 

[dreamcastrocks]

I ended up selecting Sean Lee. The draft likely will not make it to the 3rd round before the draft starts.

 

[Mulli]

I ended up selecting Sean Lee. The draft likely will not make it to the 3rd round before the draft starts.

Well that worked out well. Will the mock draft continue after the real draft is over. That would be so much fun.


Not.