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Stanford's Luck draws solid reviews
Dec. 10, 2011
Here is a look at how the 2012 draft is shaping up based on interviews with three personnel directors last week:
RECEIVERS
The watchword at wide receiver is big. "Every one of these guys except (Justin) Blackmon are 6-2, 6-3," one scout said. "When you're using these short passing games the big receiver is what you want."
Blackmon (6-1, 211), a junior from Oklahoma State, is second in the nation with 113 receptions for 1,336 yards (11.8) and 15 TDs. "He just said he's coming out for sure," one scout said. "He's the best. He's physical and strong. Catches everything. But he's not a superman like they're making him out to be. He’s not really a big-time, explosive, down-the-field guy."
Three big juniors - South Carolina's Alshon Jeffery (6-4, 233), Rutgers' Mohamed Sanu (6-2, 218) and Louisiana State's Rueben Randle (6-2, 208) - all have a shot at the first round if they declare by the mid-January deadline.
Jeffery has tight-end size and excellent hands. "He understands how to use his length but he's not a proficient route runner," one scout said.
Sanu, with 109 catches for 1,144 (10.5) yards and seven TDs, is a fluid athlete. Plagued by poor quarterbacks, Randle is the fastest of the top group.
“Randle was a quarterback in high school,” one scout said. “Just one of those guys who will get better and better. His speed is so much better than Floyd’s.”
Notre Dame's Michael Floyd (6-3, 229) is the leading senior and has been productive. His issue is three alcohol-related violations.
Coby Fleener (6-6, 252) is the best senior tight end but isn't even the best tight end at Stanford. Assuming they declare, the top juniors are Clemson's Dwayne Allen (6-4, 255), Georgia's Orson Charles (6-3, 241) and Notre Dame's Tyler Eifert (6-6, 242).
“Allen is probably your best combination of blocker and receiver,” one scout said. “Charles is strictly a receiving type. He’s almost like a flex-out guy. Dallas Clark, that kind of thing. And I hear Eifert is coming. Another combination guy.”
OFFENSIVE LINE
Two junior tackles, Southern California's Matt Kalil (6-6½, 295) and Iowa's Riley Reiff (6-6, 300), figure to be gone within the first 15 picks.
Kalil was described by one scout as a tougher version of Nate Solder, who went 17th to New England last year. That scout said Kalil also was highly athletic.
"He's like (Bryan) Bulaga but not as good," another scout said. "Bulaga is tough and strong. This guy is not even strong. I don’t know what the deal is with all these people saying how great he is. I felt the same way about Sam Baker when he came out of there (2008), too. He’s not really a left tackle athlete.”
Reiff is another in a line of solid prospects churned out by Iowa coach Kirk Ferentz. "He's very similar athletically to Bulaga," another scout said. "He can play right and left. Typical fundamentally sound guy from Iowa."
The next juniors would be Stanford's Jonathan Martin (6-6, 297) and Miami's Brandon Washington (6-4, 330).
"Martin's big and has some short-area athletic ability," one scout said. "But he's not strong, not tough, doesn't give very good effort. He's a project."
Florida State's Zebrie Sanders (6-5½, 295) is the only senior tackle with a shot at the first round.
"He's real good," one scout said. "He can play either side. Big. Still got some development to him. I think he's probably the (best) tackle."
Stanford junior David DeCastro (6-5, 305) easily rates as the No. 1 guard. Mike Iupati and Danny Watkins, a pair of guards taken in the first round in the last two drafts, don't rate as high as DeCastro, according to scouts.
"To me, he's the whole key to what makes Stanford's offense work," one scout said. “His ability to pull, adjust and mirror, and work in space. He’s good with the pass protection. He finishes. He’s coming out.”
The top senior guards look like Georgia's Cordy Glenn (6-6, 336) and Wisconsin's Kevin Zeitler (6-3½, 322). Glenn had to play LT this season.
"Glenn's strictly a guard," one scout said. "He will flourish with somebody like the Giants or Cowboys, a power-running team."
Scouts said the Badgers coaches couldn't recommend Zeitler any more highly. Still, one scout said Zeitler's short arms were a major concern.
"You want to like the guys that they like," another scout said. "He's OK. He's a tough, gritty, overachieving kind of guy. Zeitler can start. No doubt. But he's got a lot of deficiencies, and they're only going to get worse over time."
Two players from Alabama, Barrett Jones (6-5, 310) and Chance Warmack (6-3, 310), are right behind DeCastro among the juniors.
"Jones is not a dominating guy," one scout said. "Nobody even talks about Warmack but he's second round for sure if the mental checks out. He's a better pro than Jones. You watch him against all these first-round D-linemen and he’s stoning their (expletive)."
It's a down year for center, which might increase the chances that Wisconsin junior Peter Konz (6-5, 315) will declare.
"For as powerful as he is he's got a degree of athleticism that makes you go, 'Wow. That's not bad,' " one scout said. "He's the best center in the draft. Every indication is that he will come out."
QUARTERBACKS
Stanford junior Andrew Luck (6-3, 235) was described by one scout as the best quarterback he had evaluated in more than 15 years.
"He has no flaws," he said. "Smart. Winner. Productive. Decisions. Runs the offense. The (wide) receivers are all 5-9 and run 4.8. The defense has no athletes on it. He carries that team. I like Matt Ryan, but this guy is better than Matt."
Based on the NFL passer-rating system, Luck is at 117.0. That's above Southern Cal's Matt Barkley (115.2) and Oklahoma's Landry Jones (94.6) but behind Baylor's Robert Griffin (133.3). All of them are juniors and expected to declare.
"Luck's teammates love him," another scout said. "He's a really good manager. He's got just a good arm. He doesn't have as good accuracy downfield as you think."
Barkley (6-2, 220) improved significantly this season, especially his accuracy. He was compared by one scout to Carolina's Jimmy Clausen, and that wasn't a compliment. "They do all the rolling and checking down and short stuff with him," one scout said. "When he's got to make NFL throws he can't do it. . . . Guys rally around him. . . but you can't win with this guy."
Griffin (6-2, 220), an exciting side-armer with sub-4.5 speed, draws different opinions.
"He's phenomenal," one scout said. "He's the best of the bunch. He's going to need technique work and fundamentals, but you can't lose sight of the fact that he's got feet, touch downfield with accuracy, a strong arm, he's charismatic and he's smart as (expletive)."
Said another scout: "He better stay in school. He has no idea how to play quarterback. He's just running around winging it. He’s got no vision, no accuracy, no touch. He’s (Michael) Vick, but not as good a thrower."
Jones (6-4, 230) is a smart pocket passer sometimes compared to Joe Flacco. "He completely laid an egg in the Oklahoma State game," one scout said. "He wilted. That's the kind of personality I hear he has. I like his size, but he did not look special."
Arizona State junior Brock Osweiler (6-8, 242) is an early-round candidate, too.
The leading seniors are Texas A&M's Ryan Tannehill (6-4½, 220), Arizona's Nick Foles (6-5, 245), Oklahoma State's Brandon Weeden (6-4, 215), Michigan State's Kirk Cousins (6-2½, 200), Boise State's Kellen Moore (5-11½, 195) and Wisconsin's Russell Wilson (5-10½, 205).
Wilson's NFL rating of 136.8 leads the group, followed by Moore at 126.4.
"Wilson is a lot, lot, lot better quarterback than Griffin," one scout said. "Seneca Wallace has played all these years and he's better than Seneca."
Said another scout: "I know some people that really like Wilson. He's small at 5-10 but he's a playmaker. Somebody will take him in the third or fourth, but I could not. There's just no way. He's a good kid. I think he's a later-round choice that you hope can figure it all out in the NFL."
RUNNING BACKS
Given the fact no senior ball carrier is rated in the first three rounds, almost all the juniors are expected to declare. Easily the best is Alabama's Trent Richardson (5-11, 225), who should be a top 20 pick.
"He immediately changes your team," one scout said. "From whatever it is to a tough team. Because he's a tough guy."
The consensus of three scouts is that Wisconsin's Montee Ball (5-10, 207) would be selected anywhere from 25 to 48 if he declared.
"He can get in between the tackles, hit it outside at times and, obviously, find the creases around the goal-line," another scout said. "He runs bigger than what he is. He will pound. He will be productive. Trent Richardson has a chance to be special. I think Ball will just have a nice career."
Oregon's LaMichael James (5-8, 190) averaged 149.6 yards rushing, 7.4 per carry and 20.2 carries.
"Like Jahvid Best," one scout said. "He's an explosive midget. You can't let him carry the ball very much. They will break his (expletive) in the NFL. Then again, we said Tim Tebow couldn’t play in the league and (his record) is 6-1. James will run 4.32."
Other juniors presumed to be in the draft are Washington's Chris Polk (5-10½, 219), Virginia Tech's David Wilson (5-10, 205) and Clemson's Andre Ellington (5-10, 190).
"Polk can start but I don't think he's a dynamic-type player," one scout said. "Wilson is a little bit like LaMichael James. He can also be your change-of-pace guy. Catches the ball pretty well. Has a ton of speed. Probably second round."
DEFENSIVE LINE
It's a down year. For now, North Carolina's DE Quinton Coples (6-6, 272) projects as the only top 10 pick, and he's coming off a disappointing senior season.
"He was a complete underachiever this year because he didn't want to get hurt," one scout said. "But he can dominate when he wants to."
Other senior ends with reasonable chances at the first round are South Carolina's Melvin Ingram (6-2, 276) and Nebraska's Jared Crick (6-4, 286).
Ingram played both up and down for the Gamecocks. He could fit either inside or outside for a 4-3 team or at outside linebacker for a 3-4 club.
"He can be anything even though he's got weird size," one scout said. "He's got bulk, he's very productive and he is instinctive."
Crick figures more as a base end in either scheme. "Hard-charging type player," another scout said. "He's one of those guys that just makes plays."
Among the junior ends weighing a declaration are Illinois' Whitney Mercilus (6-3, 265), Troy's Jonathan Massaquoi (6-2, 270), Florida State's Brandon Jenkins (6-3, 258), Clemson's Malliciah Goodman (6-4, 265), North Carolina's Donte Paige-Moss (6-4, 260), Oklahoma's Ronnell Lewis (6-2, 237) and Miami's Olivier Vernon (6-4, 250).
Most of these prospects played with their hand down in college but will be worked out as outside linebackers by 3-4 teams.
Mercilus led the nation in sacks with 14½. "Hasn't done anything until this year," one scout said.
At DT, there is not a single senior or junior regarded as a definite top-20 selection.
Perhaps the top senior is Penn State's Devon Still (6-5, 307), the nephew of former Chiefs standout DE Art Still. However, some scouts don't see any consistency.
"He's better than Jared Odrick," said one scout, referring to Still's former teammate.
Connecticut's Kendall Reyes (6-4, 310) might have as much talent as Still but doesn't use it often enough. The same could be said for Boise State's Billy Winn (6-3½, 293).
Clemson's Brandon Thompson (6-2, 305) must overcome the underachieving stigma that is attached to players from his university. Michigan's Mike Martin (6-2, 297) is undersized but goes all out all the time.
Assuming they declare, juniors Jerel Worthy (6-3, 305) of Michigan State, Fletcher Cox (6-4, 295) of Mississippi State and Dontari Poe (6-3, 340) of Memphis all have a shot at the first round.
“Big, thick guy with a ton of ability,” one scout said, referring to Worthy. “You just worry about guys that have ability and play lazy for most of their career. Because when they make money they’re usually not very good. He’s that kind of guy.” Cox is an exceptional athlete with good power. Poe is strong and moves fairly well.
“Poe needs to stay,” one scout said. “He’s gigantic and has some natural ability, but he has no clue how to play. He won’t go first round.”
LINEBACKERS
Bereft of seniors, the pickings at inside linebacker are dependent on the decisions made by juniors Manti Te'o (6-2, 255) of Notre Dame, Luke Kuechly (6-3, 235) of Boston College, Vontaze Burfict (6-3, 245) of Arizona State and Dont'a Hightower (6-3, 266) of Alabama.
Te'o might be best suited for a 3-4 team. "Solid middle linebacker," one scout said. "Maybe like (Lofa) Tatupu. He could be back end of the first (round)."
Kuechly leads the nation with 15.9 tackles per game. "He finds the ball," another scout said. He can run a little bit and can cover a little bit. He's just undersized."
Burfict is a highly emotional, hard-hitting middle linebacker with a chiseled physique. He tries to intimidate. He also does too much freelancing.
"Media creation," one scout said. "He's a terrible player. He stinks. Thinks he's tough because he cheap-shots people."
Hightower has had major knee surgery and isn't fast. "He can play inside in a lot of systems," one scout said.
There's little disagreement that Alabama's Courtney Upshaw (6-1½, 271) is the No. 1 outside linebacker among seniors. He could play outside in a 3-4, over the tight end in a 4-3 and maybe inside in either scheme.
"He won't work out good but he's just a tough (expletive)," one scout said. "He’s really not a burn-the-edge guy but that’s what they do with him. He just plays his (expletive) off. Built like a damn fire hydrant.”
North Carolina's Zach Brown (6-2½, 230) will run under 4.5. He'd fit the weak side in a 4-3, as would Nebraska's Lavonte David (6-0½, 223).
"Brown isn't as instinctive as you'd like but he's really fast," one scout said. "David isn't everything you want, that's for sure. But, boy, can he play."
The top junior might be Georgia's Cornelius Washington (6-4, 270). "Fast, physical, productive," one scout said.
SECONDARY
LSU's Morris Claiborne (6-0, 185) and Alabama's Dre Kirkpatrick (6-2, 192), a pair of juniors, should be the first defensive backs selected.
"They're both top-five picks," one scout said. "Patrick Peterson went fifth last year. He was just a physical freak. But as far as just cover guys, they're much better than (Peterson) is."
Claiborne doesn't possess quite the potential of Kirkpatrick but seems a safer choice.
"He's athletic as hell," one scout said.
Not only is Kirkpatrick much taller than Claiborne but he's well-built, too. He's a violent tackler, plays with swagger and loves to talk trash.
"He's going to (expletive) you off because he's such a freelancer," one scout said. "To do that you'd better be Deion Sanders. He can run. He's long. He'll run low 4.4s at worse. He'll be top 15 for sure."
After that, there's a gap before junior Stephon Gilmore (6-1, 195) of South Carolina and seniors Janoris Jenkins (5-10, 176) of North Alabama and Alfonzo Dennard (5-9½, 204) of Nebraska project late in the first round.
"Gilmore has good size, is a very good athlete and can cover," one scout said.
Jenkins was kicked out of Florida for multiple failed drug tests. His talent is unchallenged. His character is questioned.
"Jenkins is good, just little," one scout said. "Dennard pulled a hamstring this year and missed a bunch of games. You're not sure what you're getting there."
Another scout, referring to Jenkins, said: "Complete disaster off the field. He's got first-round talent, but there's no way he goes in the first."
After almost declaring last year, Alabama's Mark Barron (6-1½, 223) is a clear choice as the No. 1 safety.
"He's smart, tough," one scout said. "He's got coverage problems, though. Not a great space player but he's a good football player. Somebody will take him late first (round)."
Notre Dame's Harrison Smith (6-1½, 213) might be the next-best of another shaky group of senior safeties. The only junior with a shot at the first round seems to be USC's T.J. McDonald (6-3, 205).
"McDonald is a lot like Barron," one scout said. "He will hit you and he can run a little bit, too."
Stanford's Luck draws solid reviews
Dec. 10, 2011
Here is a look at how the 2012 draft is shaping up based on interviews with three personnel directors last week:
RECEIVERS
The watchword at wide receiver is big. "Every one of these guys except (Justin) Blackmon are 6-2, 6-3," one scout said. "When you're using these short passing games the big receiver is what you want."
Blackmon (6-1, 211), a junior from Oklahoma State, is second in the nation with 113 receptions for 1,336 yards (11.8) and 15 TDs. "He just said he's coming out for sure," one scout said. "He's the best. He's physical and strong. Catches everything. But he's not a superman like they're making him out to be. He’s not really a big-time, explosive, down-the-field guy."
Three big juniors - South Carolina's Alshon Jeffery (6-4, 233), Rutgers' Mohamed Sanu (6-2, 218) and Louisiana State's Rueben Randle (6-2, 208) - all have a shot at the first round if they declare by the mid-January deadline.
Jeffery has tight-end size and excellent hands. "He understands how to use his length but he's not a proficient route runner," one scout said.
Sanu, with 109 catches for 1,144 (10.5) yards and seven TDs, is a fluid athlete. Plagued by poor quarterbacks, Randle is the fastest of the top group.
“Randle was a quarterback in high school,” one scout said. “Just one of those guys who will get better and better. His speed is so much better than Floyd’s.”
Notre Dame's Michael Floyd (6-3, 229) is the leading senior and has been productive. His issue is three alcohol-related violations.
Coby Fleener (6-6, 252) is the best senior tight end but isn't even the best tight end at Stanford. Assuming they declare, the top juniors are Clemson's Dwayne Allen (6-4, 255), Georgia's Orson Charles (6-3, 241) and Notre Dame's Tyler Eifert (6-6, 242).
“Allen is probably your best combination of blocker and receiver,” one scout said. “Charles is strictly a receiving type. He’s almost like a flex-out guy. Dallas Clark, that kind of thing. And I hear Eifert is coming. Another combination guy.”
OFFENSIVE LINE
Two junior tackles, Southern California's Matt Kalil (6-6½, 295) and Iowa's Riley Reiff (6-6, 300), figure to be gone within the first 15 picks.
Kalil was described by one scout as a tougher version of Nate Solder, who went 17th to New England last year. That scout said Kalil also was highly athletic.
"He's like (Bryan) Bulaga but not as good," another scout said. "Bulaga is tough and strong. This guy is not even strong. I don’t know what the deal is with all these people saying how great he is. I felt the same way about Sam Baker when he came out of there (2008), too. He’s not really a left tackle athlete.”
Reiff is another in a line of solid prospects churned out by Iowa coach Kirk Ferentz. "He's very similar athletically to Bulaga," another scout said. "He can play right and left. Typical fundamentally sound guy from Iowa."
The next juniors would be Stanford's Jonathan Martin (6-6, 297) and Miami's Brandon Washington (6-4, 330).
"Martin's big and has some short-area athletic ability," one scout said. "But he's not strong, not tough, doesn't give very good effort. He's a project."
Florida State's Zebrie Sanders (6-5½, 295) is the only senior tackle with a shot at the first round.
"He's real good," one scout said. "He can play either side. Big. Still got some development to him. I think he's probably the (best) tackle."
Stanford junior David DeCastro (6-5, 305) easily rates as the No. 1 guard. Mike Iupati and Danny Watkins, a pair of guards taken in the first round in the last two drafts, don't rate as high as DeCastro, according to scouts.
"To me, he's the whole key to what makes Stanford's offense work," one scout said. “His ability to pull, adjust and mirror, and work in space. He’s good with the pass protection. He finishes. He’s coming out.”
The top senior guards look like Georgia's Cordy Glenn (6-6, 336) and Wisconsin's Kevin Zeitler (6-3½, 322). Glenn had to play LT this season.
"Glenn's strictly a guard," one scout said. "He will flourish with somebody like the Giants or Cowboys, a power-running team."
Scouts said the Badgers coaches couldn't recommend Zeitler any more highly. Still, one scout said Zeitler's short arms were a major concern.
"You want to like the guys that they like," another scout said. "He's OK. He's a tough, gritty, overachieving kind of guy. Zeitler can start. No doubt. But he's got a lot of deficiencies, and they're only going to get worse over time."
Two players from Alabama, Barrett Jones (6-5, 310) and Chance Warmack (6-3, 310), are right behind DeCastro among the juniors.
"Jones is not a dominating guy," one scout said. "Nobody even talks about Warmack but he's second round for sure if the mental checks out. He's a better pro than Jones. You watch him against all these first-round D-linemen and he’s stoning their (expletive)."
It's a down year for center, which might increase the chances that Wisconsin junior Peter Konz (6-5, 315) will declare.
"For as powerful as he is he's got a degree of athleticism that makes you go, 'Wow. That's not bad,' " one scout said. "He's the best center in the draft. Every indication is that he will come out."
QUARTERBACKS
Stanford junior Andrew Luck (6-3, 235) was described by one scout as the best quarterback he had evaluated in more than 15 years.
"He has no flaws," he said. "Smart. Winner. Productive. Decisions. Runs the offense. The (wide) receivers are all 5-9 and run 4.8. The defense has no athletes on it. He carries that team. I like Matt Ryan, but this guy is better than Matt."
Based on the NFL passer-rating system, Luck is at 117.0. That's above Southern Cal's Matt Barkley (115.2) and Oklahoma's Landry Jones (94.6) but behind Baylor's Robert Griffin (133.3). All of them are juniors and expected to declare.
"Luck's teammates love him," another scout said. "He's a really good manager. He's got just a good arm. He doesn't have as good accuracy downfield as you think."
Barkley (6-2, 220) improved significantly this season, especially his accuracy. He was compared by one scout to Carolina's Jimmy Clausen, and that wasn't a compliment. "They do all the rolling and checking down and short stuff with him," one scout said. "When he's got to make NFL throws he can't do it. . . . Guys rally around him. . . but you can't win with this guy."
Griffin (6-2, 220), an exciting side-armer with sub-4.5 speed, draws different opinions.
"He's phenomenal," one scout said. "He's the best of the bunch. He's going to need technique work and fundamentals, but you can't lose sight of the fact that he's got feet, touch downfield with accuracy, a strong arm, he's charismatic and he's smart as (expletive)."
Said another scout: "He better stay in school. He has no idea how to play quarterback. He's just running around winging it. He’s got no vision, no accuracy, no touch. He’s (Michael) Vick, but not as good a thrower."
Jones (6-4, 230) is a smart pocket passer sometimes compared to Joe Flacco. "He completely laid an egg in the Oklahoma State game," one scout said. "He wilted. That's the kind of personality I hear he has. I like his size, but he did not look special."
Arizona State junior Brock Osweiler (6-8, 242) is an early-round candidate, too.
The leading seniors are Texas A&M's Ryan Tannehill (6-4½, 220), Arizona's Nick Foles (6-5, 245), Oklahoma State's Brandon Weeden (6-4, 215), Michigan State's Kirk Cousins (6-2½, 200), Boise State's Kellen Moore (5-11½, 195) and Wisconsin's Russell Wilson (5-10½, 205).
Wilson's NFL rating of 136.8 leads the group, followed by Moore at 126.4.
"Wilson is a lot, lot, lot better quarterback than Griffin," one scout said. "Seneca Wallace has played all these years and he's better than Seneca."
Said another scout: "I know some people that really like Wilson. He's small at 5-10 but he's a playmaker. Somebody will take him in the third or fourth, but I could not. There's just no way. He's a good kid. I think he's a later-round choice that you hope can figure it all out in the NFL."
RUNNING BACKS
Given the fact no senior ball carrier is rated in the first three rounds, almost all the juniors are expected to declare. Easily the best is Alabama's Trent Richardson (5-11, 225), who should be a top 20 pick.
"He immediately changes your team," one scout said. "From whatever it is to a tough team. Because he's a tough guy."
The consensus of three scouts is that Wisconsin's Montee Ball (5-10, 207) would be selected anywhere from 25 to 48 if he declared.
"He can get in between the tackles, hit it outside at times and, obviously, find the creases around the goal-line," another scout said. "He runs bigger than what he is. He will pound. He will be productive. Trent Richardson has a chance to be special. I think Ball will just have a nice career."
Oregon's LaMichael James (5-8, 190) averaged 149.6 yards rushing, 7.4 per carry and 20.2 carries.
"Like Jahvid Best," one scout said. "He's an explosive midget. You can't let him carry the ball very much. They will break his (expletive) in the NFL. Then again, we said Tim Tebow couldn’t play in the league and (his record) is 6-1. James will run 4.32."
Other juniors presumed to be in the draft are Washington's Chris Polk (5-10½, 219), Virginia Tech's David Wilson (5-10, 205) and Clemson's Andre Ellington (5-10, 190).
"Polk can start but I don't think he's a dynamic-type player," one scout said. "Wilson is a little bit like LaMichael James. He can also be your change-of-pace guy. Catches the ball pretty well. Has a ton of speed. Probably second round."
DEFENSIVE LINE
It's a down year. For now, North Carolina's DE Quinton Coples (6-6, 272) projects as the only top 10 pick, and he's coming off a disappointing senior season.
"He was a complete underachiever this year because he didn't want to get hurt," one scout said. "But he can dominate when he wants to."
Other senior ends with reasonable chances at the first round are South Carolina's Melvin Ingram (6-2, 276) and Nebraska's Jared Crick (6-4, 286).
Ingram played both up and down for the Gamecocks. He could fit either inside or outside for a 4-3 team or at outside linebacker for a 3-4 club.
"He can be anything even though he's got weird size," one scout said. "He's got bulk, he's very productive and he is instinctive."
Crick figures more as a base end in either scheme. "Hard-charging type player," another scout said. "He's one of those guys that just makes plays."
Among the junior ends weighing a declaration are Illinois' Whitney Mercilus (6-3, 265), Troy's Jonathan Massaquoi (6-2, 270), Florida State's Brandon Jenkins (6-3, 258), Clemson's Malliciah Goodman (6-4, 265), North Carolina's Donte Paige-Moss (6-4, 260), Oklahoma's Ronnell Lewis (6-2, 237) and Miami's Olivier Vernon (6-4, 250).
Most of these prospects played with their hand down in college but will be worked out as outside linebackers by 3-4 teams.
Mercilus led the nation in sacks with 14½. "Hasn't done anything until this year," one scout said.
At DT, there is not a single senior or junior regarded as a definite top-20 selection.
Perhaps the top senior is Penn State's Devon Still (6-5, 307), the nephew of former Chiefs standout DE Art Still. However, some scouts don't see any consistency.
"He's better than Jared Odrick," said one scout, referring to Still's former teammate.
Connecticut's Kendall Reyes (6-4, 310) might have as much talent as Still but doesn't use it often enough. The same could be said for Boise State's Billy Winn (6-3½, 293).
Clemson's Brandon Thompson (6-2, 305) must overcome the underachieving stigma that is attached to players from his university. Michigan's Mike Martin (6-2, 297) is undersized but goes all out all the time.
Assuming they declare, juniors Jerel Worthy (6-3, 305) of Michigan State, Fletcher Cox (6-4, 295) of Mississippi State and Dontari Poe (6-3, 340) of Memphis all have a shot at the first round.
“Big, thick guy with a ton of ability,” one scout said, referring to Worthy. “You just worry about guys that have ability and play lazy for most of their career. Because when they make money they’re usually not very good. He’s that kind of guy.” Cox is an exceptional athlete with good power. Poe is strong and moves fairly well.
“Poe needs to stay,” one scout said. “He’s gigantic and has some natural ability, but he has no clue how to play. He won’t go first round.”
LINEBACKERS
Bereft of seniors, the pickings at inside linebacker are dependent on the decisions made by juniors Manti Te'o (6-2, 255) of Notre Dame, Luke Kuechly (6-3, 235) of Boston College, Vontaze Burfict (6-3, 245) of Arizona State and Dont'a Hightower (6-3, 266) of Alabama.
Te'o might be best suited for a 3-4 team. "Solid middle linebacker," one scout said. "Maybe like (Lofa) Tatupu. He could be back end of the first (round)."
Kuechly leads the nation with 15.9 tackles per game. "He finds the ball," another scout said. He can run a little bit and can cover a little bit. He's just undersized."
Burfict is a highly emotional, hard-hitting middle linebacker with a chiseled physique. He tries to intimidate. He also does too much freelancing.
"Media creation," one scout said. "He's a terrible player. He stinks. Thinks he's tough because he cheap-shots people."
Hightower has had major knee surgery and isn't fast. "He can play inside in a lot of systems," one scout said.
There's little disagreement that Alabama's Courtney Upshaw (6-1½, 271) is the No. 1 outside linebacker among seniors. He could play outside in a 3-4, over the tight end in a 4-3 and maybe inside in either scheme.
"He won't work out good but he's just a tough (expletive)," one scout said. "He’s really not a burn-the-edge guy but that’s what they do with him. He just plays his (expletive) off. Built like a damn fire hydrant.”
North Carolina's Zach Brown (6-2½, 230) will run under 4.5. He'd fit the weak side in a 4-3, as would Nebraska's Lavonte David (6-0½, 223).
"Brown isn't as instinctive as you'd like but he's really fast," one scout said. "David isn't everything you want, that's for sure. But, boy, can he play."
The top junior might be Georgia's Cornelius Washington (6-4, 270). "Fast, physical, productive," one scout said.
SECONDARY
LSU's Morris Claiborne (6-0, 185) and Alabama's Dre Kirkpatrick (6-2, 192), a pair of juniors, should be the first defensive backs selected.
"They're both top-five picks," one scout said. "Patrick Peterson went fifth last year. He was just a physical freak. But as far as just cover guys, they're much better than (Peterson) is."
Claiborne doesn't possess quite the potential of Kirkpatrick but seems a safer choice.
"He's athletic as hell," one scout said.
Not only is Kirkpatrick much taller than Claiborne but he's well-built, too. He's a violent tackler, plays with swagger and loves to talk trash.
"He's going to (expletive) you off because he's such a freelancer," one scout said. "To do that you'd better be Deion Sanders. He can run. He's long. He'll run low 4.4s at worse. He'll be top 15 for sure."
After that, there's a gap before junior Stephon Gilmore (6-1, 195) of South Carolina and seniors Janoris Jenkins (5-10, 176) of North Alabama and Alfonzo Dennard (5-9½, 204) of Nebraska project late in the first round.
"Gilmore has good size, is a very good athlete and can cover," one scout said.
Jenkins was kicked out of Florida for multiple failed drug tests. His talent is unchallenged. His character is questioned.
"Jenkins is good, just little," one scout said. "Dennard pulled a hamstring this year and missed a bunch of games. You're not sure what you're getting there."
Another scout, referring to Jenkins, said: "Complete disaster off the field. He's got first-round talent, but there's no way he goes in the first."
After almost declaring last year, Alabama's Mark Barron (6-1½, 223) is a clear choice as the No. 1 safety.
"He's smart, tough," one scout said. "He's got coverage problems, though. Not a great space player but he's a good football player. Somebody will take him late first (round)."
Notre Dame's Harrison Smith (6-1½, 213) might be the next-best of another shaky group of senior safeties. The only junior with a shot at the first round seems to be USC's T.J. McDonald (6-3, 205).
"McDonald is a lot like Barron," one scout said. "He will hit you and he can run a little bit, too."
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