First day of on-field timing, drills and workouts are not only finally here, but we'll start seeing separation for players that are under what many people consider our #1 need, an offensive lineman.
The frontrunners at tackle are of course Stanford's
Andrus Peat, Iowa's
Brandon Scherff and LSU's
La'el Collins. After 37 reps on the bench yesterday, my favorite OT, Miami's
Ereck Flowers could solidify a spot in the top 10 with a strong workout on field today. Keep an eye on the workouts of
Jake Fisher and
DJ Humphries. With good ones I think they could start seeing 1st rd buzz. A few other tackles who I think will improve their stock today are
Donovan Smith and
Rob Havenstein. Versatile sleepers are
Sean Hickey,
Andrew Donnal and
Mitch Morse.
Cedric Ogbuehi of course will not be working out.
The top interior lineman are
AJ Cann and
Laken Tomlinson. Cann could go in Rd 1.
Cameron Erving, who started the season as one of the nation's top OT's goes into the combine as arguably the top C. Small school star
Ali Marpet had a big week at the Senior Bowl and can continue his ascent with a strong combine. I think he'll run a sub-5 40. A couple of sleepers are
Jon Feliciano,
Andrew Gallik and
Max Garcia. A huge omission here is McNeese State's
Antoine Everett. He was invited but there will be more about him throughout the process.
At TE the top two are
Maxx Williams and
Clive Walford but the #3 spot is wide open. NJ's own
Nick Boyle could grab that spot. Penn St.'s
Jesse James could too. The draft advisory board suggested the underclassman go back to Happy Valley but he has freakish athleticism for someone 6'7". He could blow up the combine. The only TE that I know of who won't be working out is
Rory 'Busta' Anderson.
Lastly, ST doesn't get much attention but a player who I hope gets mentioned is the lone long snapper, Navy's
Joe Cardona. Not only for planning to serve our country but because he's a damn good long snapper. People will chide the position but ST coaches are well aware of him and when he's ready/able, he'll be in the league. He's been clocked at snapping the ball faster than anyone else (41 mph), does it for punts and FGs, and is perfect every time.
I won't be able to post all 40 times today like previous years so if someone wants to take the task, thanks. I will on Saturday and Sunday. There's also the
Google Docs link. Coverage begins on NFL Network at 9.
NFL Network - ( New Window )
With what happened to Tyler Kroft, I don't blame him.
Quote:
That I have not been a fan of taking Scherff as I don't "believe" in taking OGs in the top 10. Top 15 really. But you cannot deny the guy is a very intriguing prospect. Can he play OT in the NFL, sure, but he would be a pro-bowl Guard. His measureables are simply eye popping and he is known as a technician. Great speed an agility for a big man.
And then of course there is his love for the game. This from the Graziano article on Scherff's possible move to OG:
"I don't know that it would be a challenge," he said. "I like run blocking, and I know sometimes when you're in there you get help from the center. It would be a smooth move for me, I think. And I'll be happy wherever they want me to play, guard, tackle, whatever."
"I like run blocking," That was almost enough for me to change my opinion. But still, with the Giants not realyl having the LT of the future on the roster and Beatty with two years remaining on his contract. I think OT makes far more sense than OG, even if he is one of best to come out in recent memory.
Beatty's got 3 years left, but a cap hit ~$9-9.5M the last 2 years and significant cap savings (if desired) available by cutting him.
I stand corrected. Thanks for the detail. If the Giants sign a RT and draft an OT, cutting Beatty next year makes too much sense.
Really wish he had the game tape to back up the measureables. The question is whether he is a diamond in the rough or not.
Quote:
.
Really wish he had the game tape to back up the measureables. The question is whether he is a diamond in the rough or not.
If his production matched his measurables ,he wouldn't be available at 9 let alone 5.
I stand corrected. Thanks for the detail. If the Giants sign a RT and draft an OT, cutting Beatty next year makes too much sense.
Yea, that's why I think if they have 2 guys rated close (say Peat v Collins v Flowers), I can see them taking one of the latter two since most reports say those guys can start Day 1 at LG/RT (depends on what the Giants really think of Pugh). Then 2016 you slide the guy over to LT. Or 2017 if Beatty has another good year and shows no signs of his play slipping.
Also gives them the option to take another Brewer/Whimper type athlete in the mid-rounds and try to develop him (I realize they haven't been good in this department since Diehl).
Hickey looked good too.
I think these combine positional drills are something that gets underrated. Watching all these guys perform right next to each other is a nice way to compare them, although obviously there are no pads on.
Last year I remember everyone saying "Odell Beckham was easily the most impressive WR during positional drills". I remember a lot of media and BBI'ers commenting on that.
I'd love to see how Collins looked in the drills compared to Scherff, or how Peat looked compared to Flowers, etc.
Paraphrasing Mayock on Flowers...'chance to play LT but looks like a RT to me'.
Tomlinson had a real solid performance among the OG's following up an excellent Senior Bowl week. If we pass on OL #9 he'd be my target in Round 2.
Flowers does seem to be the Giants type of pick
DT Shelton
OT Flowers
Guys I need to see a bit more of this weekend:
DE Dupree
SS/OLB Shaq Thompson (but would prefer a trade down to get him)
I think he needs to be in the discussion in the Top 15 at least. He could play safety on 1st and 2nd down and then drop to LB in the nickel. Could play OLB in the "big nickel" as well.
He seemed to do it all in college. Anyone know if he ever returned kicks?
Quote:
If he can verify dynamic athleticism here he will be a riser.
I think he needs to be in the discussion in the Top 15 at least. He could play safety on 1st and 2nd down and then drop to LB in the nickel. Could play OLB in the "big nickel" as well.
He seemed to do it all in college. Anyone know if he ever returned kicks?
Will answer my own question. He returned kicks and punts on a limited basis as a freshman
Shaq Thompson - ( New Window )
Fowler, by contrast, is 6'3" and 261 but has 33 3/4" arms.
Harold coming in at 247, likely 5-10 lbs below his playing weight, says he's going for OLB. He is still relatively long, 6'3" with 33" arms, but he wants to slim down and get fast. Don't be surprised though if he cracks 4.5.
Walford is surprising, good thing the Giants are high on Donnel.
Compared to Williams, Boyle and O'Leary, he's a burner.
Does anyone know if the MacAdoo system calls for more athletic guards than others? I seem to recall that but am not sure.
Quote:
4.9 for Maxx and 4.79 for Walford...horrible
Walford is surprising, good thing the Giants are high on Donnel.
Walford can block. Something Donnell can't do.
Does anyone know if the MacAdoo system calls for more athletic guards than others? I seem to recall that but am not sure.
Also had 30 reps on the bench. He must have destroyed DIII talent.
Quote:
In comment 12145209 Coach Mason said:
Quote:
4.9 for Maxx and 4.79 for Walford...horrible
Walford is surprising, good thing the Giants are high on Donnel.
Walford can block. Something Donnell can't do.
very true