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.
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40 times are not overly important for an OL, but it does show that he moves very well for a man his size. Better than a lot of these TEs. I see a role for him at the next level for sure.
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.
Not to say he won't be a good NFL player as the tape apparently looks good too (albeit against lesser comp).
But for some perspective, check out Mosely's combine numbers. There were one of the best overall too.
Opinions will differ.
A combo tight end who can help a team in the running game and through the air, Walford can be moved around the field. He lacks the elite athletic traits to be a game-changer at the position, but he is becoming a premium blocker.
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For an offensive lineman or DT to be in that conversation, they have to be way above the available talent level in those areas. Are any of these offensive lineman or DT's that? Is there an OT that is a ten year lock down star? Or a DT that is an unbelievably disruptive force? I see a lot of good players but not players that jump off the page as can't miss prospects. The difference between the "best" 1 or 2 offensive linemen and the next 10 doesn't seem to be that great. IMHO
I don't know if this is how NFL teams think and I clearly don't have the expertise to comment but when I look at a player I try to think of all the ways he can help the team. Can he do more than one thing and do them well. The more things he can do at a high level, the more value I place on that player. Take all the names away and if you told a GM he could have a guy that could do the following at an NFL starter or pro-bowl level, would you take him in the top 10:
1. Starting SS in a 4-3
2. Starting WLB in a 4-3
3. very strong special teams player on punt and kickoff coverage
4. Ability to return kicks and punts
5. A threat to score with the ball in his hands.
My approach may be out of sync, but when I look at Shaq Thompson I see great potential for upgrades across the board on defense and special teams.
Would any of us be surprised if he runs 4.5?
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didn't seem overly impressed with Walford's blocking.
Opinions will differ.
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A combo tight end who can help a team in the running game and through the air, Walford can be moved around the field. He lacks the elite athletic traits to be a game-changer at the position, but he is becoming a premium blocker.
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I think it is more of a comparative comment. Walford can block...better than Donnel.
Right, should not have left that out. I tend to think more in terms of "weapons" vs "positions".
Jon, right now I am thinking Dupree or Flowers. Flowers impressed me these past two days. Dupree will have his chance.
If both are gone, I'm leaning toward Shelton or a trade down and take Shaq Thompson or Collins from LSU
Collins is an OG imv, way too early for Shaq.
Collins is an OG imv, way too early for Shaq.
I think Flowers is a LT or a RT.
I'm not convinced of Fowlers ability to play DE in the 4-3
I think Dupree can do it, but I want to see his athleticism on display
You're probably right about Collins, which is why I could only see him being a pick in a trade down
Shaq defies conventional wisdom, but I just keep getting sucked back in. Admittedly I may not be thinking straight. I know I couldn't see him a #9, but at 15+? I could see it, not sure Reese can.
My biggest issue with this draft is I do not "love" any of the DE talent that project as 1st round picks. I really hope one emerges, but I just keeping seeing inconsistent pass rushers who disappear for big stretches. Really want to be wowed.
Do you think Clemmings could last until the Giants pick in round 2?
My calculation on Shelton is simply that he is one of the few can't miss defensive prospects. Would be hard to say no too...unless Flowers was there or Dupree impressed.
Clemmings in the first two rounds scares me, exactly the type of risk pick I despise. Skurred of that one.
Clemmings in the first two rounds scares me, exactly the type of risk pick I despise. Skurred of that one.
With you 100% on Fowler, don't like it at all
I think Clemmings' potential and athleticism will get him drafted no later than round 2. I do think a team could take a flyer on him in round 1. Share your concerns though
Still undecided if #9 is a good place to be this year, or if 15-20 is better.
I agree, I think he reinforced his detractors. I still think he will be a solid player, but not top 10 worthy, sadly.
Marpet in round 2 o 3? Would prefer three but he may have slide into the latter half of round 2. I like this guy
I would argue he didn't play all that well. I think part of moving him around was to protect him from allowing opposing OLs to scheme against him. He just disappears far too much for my liking, and I don't see much in the way of run defense.
That in fact may be the reality
DeVante Parker.
Flowers I do not think can ever be a LT. Collins I think can. I really think Amari Cooper is being unfairly scrutinized. He may not have the height/weight/speed of other WR's but he is the type of player that has a lot of success in the NFL
was shocked by that, especially considering all the criticism that he was soft to begin with. He seemed to miss his opportunity today.
Agreed - he looked real flabby. Sometimes that doesn't matter (like Andre Smith) but the little i've seen of him in games hasn't seem particularly impressive either. I've seen Flowers a lot more but beyond that he has an unquestioned toughness and work ethic that I think elevates him if all else is equal.
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I'm on board the Flowers bandwagon or hoping we get one of the WR's.
Flowers I do not think can ever be a LT. Collins I think can. I really think Amari Cooper is being unfairly scrutinized. He may not have the height/weight/speed of other WR's but he is the type of player that has a lot of success in the NFL
Mike, good comments, but I am completely 180 out from you on Flowers vs Collins. I agree with Jon that Collins is most like an OG and maybe a RT, while Flowers is absolutely a RT and probably a LT. Jon may not agree on the LT part.
I also think that Cooper is being unfairly scrutinized. He is falling victim to last year's stellar WR class. Cooper is the most polished of the top 3. Mayock and others rate White as #1, and i can see why. He might have the biggest upside. But my concern with White is the lack of separation he gets despite his speed. Cooper is not regarded as a "blazer" but is still plenty fast and gets consistent separation with good hands. I think Cooper is the ready to play from day 1 and I think White needs to work on the important details.
I think Cooper is 1, and White and Parker are !B. All will have good careers.
He actually looked to move very very well, especially for a man of his size.
I might be there as well
I want my tackles closer to 6'6 330, and way back I recall the regime indicating they preferred 6'5/6'6 320+ ... which leads us to Peat, Scherff, and Flowers as the closest fit to total package size and skillset. Imv.
He is a clean slate as far as technique goes
If scherffs gone clemmings has to b in the discussion at 9
That's definitely a fair concern - size wise he's a little bigger than many top LT's and his style is not that of a "glider". But there have been similar concerns for many other top 10 tackles in the past, including Jake Long and Tyron Smith. With Beatty & Pugh on the roster my preference would be to add more of a power player into the mix anyway, and think Flowers definitely has all the tools to be a top RT.
He's also still a kid, carries a lot of baby fat to my eye, but he will be a huge man, 330-340 without the baby fat.
The questions regarding his toughness etc will be answered now too.
I want my tackles closer to 6'6 330, and way back I recall the regime indicating they preferred 6'5/6'6 320+ ... which leads us to Peat, Scherff, and Flowers as the closest fit to total package size and skillset. Imv.
That's why the Pugh selection was a bit of a surprise. I always thought the Giants tended to look for length/size/speed/power at T. Not that I'm complaining, Pugh has been decent, but he seems to be a guy that is outside of the mold we usually look for in prospects.
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is he's smallish, and Collins is roughly similar in hght/wght. Some posters will argue it's not a big difference, but it can be especially when you add in arm length, lateral movement, leg kick, etc.
I want my tackles closer to 6'6 330, and way back I recall the regime indicating they preferred 6'5/6'6 320+ ... which leads us to Peat, Scherff, and Flowers as the closest fit to total package size and skillset. Imv.
That's why the Pugh selection was a bit of a surprise. I always thought the Giants tended to look for length/size/speed/power at T. Not that I'm complaining, Pugh has been decent, but he seems to be a guy that is outside of the mold we usually look for in prospects.
I think they fell in love with Pugh, and targeted him. Given the OL holes, they grabbed him. One of their scouts agreed with me on that.
He is a clean slate as far as technique goes
If scherffs gone clemmings has to b in the discussion at 9
Agreed. He's probably got the best pure LT upside. But there's risk and patience will be required.