Just like Day 1 of the combine, there are alot of players looking to gain separation on their draft status. It will also be followed very closely as it can very well be in play with the 9th pick.
Unfortunately,
Shane Ray won't be participating due to injury. However his teammate,
Markus Golden can help himself with a strong showing. Another pair of SEC teammates will be looking for a strong day as well. Kentucky's
Alvin 'Bud' Dupree (who actually will be performing with the LBs) I think will light it up today, although I'm not sold on him as the 9th pick. His teammate
Za'Darius Smith had a very good Shrine Week and can capitalize with a good day. Speaking of strong All Star weeks,
Carl Davis from Iowa was one of the best players at the Senior Bowl regardless of position. However some choice words at interviews raise questions about work ethic. Depending on his interviews this week as well as his workout today can go a long way to solidifying a first rd grade. There are several names in play including
Danny Shelton with his massive size,
Dante Fowler who arguably has the top motor and
Randy Fregory, who has a high ceiling but a low floor. But overall this is a talented bunch performing today. New names will emerge. There are many candidates but two that I'll be looking for are LSU's
Danielle Hunter and Clemson's
Grady Jarret. I think they're both a bit under the radar who could have very good days today.
At LB, my top two are
Eric Kendricks and Clemson's
Stephone Anthony. I think they will have good days. This year's Chris Borland will be
Denzel Perryman. He's short,squatty, bulky and I don't think he'll time well but so what? He's a football player. I'm not a fan of
Benardrick McKinney at ILB, especially at 9 but he's a bit of a freakish athlete too. Depending on how he performs though I'd wonder if some teams start considering him at OLB which I think he'd be a better player at the pro level.
Paul Dawson of TCU will time well but REALLY needed to nail his interviews if he wants a chance to be a high pick. Red Flags.
Shaq Thompson will only be performing as a LB so he'll need to nail it. Two underrated players that I'd like to see in blue that are underrated are
Ben Heeney and
Martrell Spaight.
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Which DL?
I think the value is either at WR (bleh) or OL.
I'm not sure I want a conversion project at 9 - nevertheless I doubt he or Shelton will be there and there's no other DL worth taking IDT.
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Fowler. He can definitely play DE in a 4-3. Also, I would hope that Shelton is in the conversation if he is available.
I'm not sure I want a conversion project at 9 - nevertheless I doubt he or Shelton will be there and there's no other DL worth taking IDT.
Who is the conversion project? And why do you think that?
Mariota
Winston
Leonard
White
Ray
Cooper
Shelton
Scherff
Mariota
Winston
Leonard
White
Ray
Cooper
Shelton
Scherff
Fowler or La'el Collins
I think the value is either at WR (bleh) or OL.
Among LB's and DB's Fowler's 33 3/4" arms are some of the longest of the top prospects, and the guys with longer arms (Gregory & Preston Smith) it's a 1/4" difference. Leonard Williams and Carl Davis are almost a full inch longer, but that's about it. Even Arik Armstead is 33" at 6'7". So he is long enough. And he's not a project, it's a position he has played.
Mariota
Winston
Leonard
White
Ray
Cooper
Shelton
Scherff
Good question. I like Fowler. So, as of right now, I would take him. However I need to do some more research. Also, there could be trade interest if someone really like Parker. Cleveland and STL might make a play for him and I would entertain offers.
I think the value is either at WR (bleh) or OL.
I dont agree on Fowler.. Osi was about the same size as DE.. and ran a 4.65 at his Pro Day.. and 33 and 3/4 arms are darn good.. and he is 260.. 4.61.. slightly bigger.. faster than Osi..
Dont know about the 10 yard split though..
But I can see Fowler @ a RDE definitely..
Yeah, he looked stiff for a OLB in a 3-4 but fine for a DE in a 4-3. I get the projections to an OLB but I think his best position will be a DE in a 4-3. Although that may just be me being biased.
Chris, he isn't perfect just like all of these prospects which is why I really like White and Cooper so much because they really don't have glaring weaknesses. They have questions but not necessarily anything crazy. Fowler wasn't that productive until this year. Why is that? Is that because he was a late bloomer? We don't have access to that kind of information.
The question you have to ask however is who many games did he play in his career.. Was he a full time starter? They played him inside, outside and at LB.. so he was moved around a lot.
Thats what the scouts will answer..
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1.62 10 yd
4.64
6''4 and weighed in at only 235lbs???????
Yes and he supposedly added weight for the combine.
He is the best 4-3 DE in the draft outside of L. Williams
Ray is not a DE, Gregory is not a DE, Dupree is not as good
I would take him easily at 9 - I do not think he will be there to pick
Two small school guys to watch: Lyndon Trail from Norfolk St and Davis Tull from Tenn-Chattanooga. Trail is a Florida transfer that has already gotten buzz. Tull wasn't a big time recruit at all but all he's done is light up the FCS. 60 TFL's for his career. He won't be a DE in the NFL but I think he's going to have outstanding measureables today. I'm hoping he nails the drills too. Good kid from everything I read/hear. Late rd possibility
I am concerned we could get Cedric Jones'd all over again..
Two small school guys to watch: Lyndon Trail from Norfolk St and Davis Tull from Tenn-Chattanooga. Trail is a Florida transfer that has already gotten buzz. Tull wasn't a big time recruit at all but all he's done is light up the FCS. 60 TFL's for his career. He won't be a DE in the NFL but I think he's going to have outstanding measureables today. I'm hoping he nails the drills too. Good kid from everything I read/hear. Late rd possibility
I like Tull's teammate Derrick Lott
I think the value is either at WR (bleh) or OL.
I think you may be wrong since those are almost exactly Osi Umenyora's body type - and Fowler is faster and has a little more beef
Fowler played at 278 in college and dropped weight for the combine - no question he could put that weight right back on if needed
Agree AcidTest. He'll definitely be one of the BPAs there when we pick and will have to be in the conversation. That said, is he a risk the Giants are willing to take or do you think he is a sure thing? This can't be a swing and miss pick. It has to be someone that can come in and contribute right away, and have an impact.
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he played much lighter later in his career, when he had his big boy strength and a developed repertoire of NFL moves. Same with Strahan.
Fowler played at 278 in college and dropped weight for the combine - no question he could put that weight right back on if needed
Also Fowler's body of work is not only much more accomplished than Osi's was - but his football smarts and versatility are also much more well established. This guy is a football player!
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14.5 career sacks.
Chris, he isn't perfect just like all of these prospects which is why I really like White and Cooper so much because they really don't have glaring weaknesses. They have questions but not necessarily anything crazy. Fowler wasn't that productive until this year. Why is that? Is that because he was a late bloomer? We don't have access to that kind of information.
Robbie, I guess I'm just not overwhelmed with the choices at 9. Fowler has upside, but from what I've seen he looks very raw as a pass rusher. And he's not that freaky like JPP where that can overcome the lack of a pass rush arsenal. Maybe I'm being too picky though.
4.64
4.84
So why did he only have 14.5 sacks for his career including only 8.5 in his breakout year. In which games did he look like an animal to yo?
5.20
5.66 at 6021, 339 lbs
I hate the Ngata comparison
5.66 at 6021, 339 lbs
I hate the Ngata comparison
Rich Eisen may run better
Swallowed Jameis Winston
3 Sacks of hane Carden in one game
He was like a freight train