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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If White or Cooper are available it would take a ton for me to trade out of it. Would you trade Beckham to move down about five spots and get an additional third? I wouldn't.
There is such a drop off imo that it just makes sense to take them. It will be interesting to see how these pass rushers come off the board. The top of the draft is gonna be dominated by the two QBs and pass rushers. This is also assuming there is no trading at the top of the draft.
4.96
Some things to keep in mind.
Fowler was a part time player (played LB) as a true freshman and managed 30 tackles (8 for a loss) and 2.5 sacks.
As a sophomore he became a starter at LB and had 50 tackles (10.5 for a loss) and 3.5 sacks.
As a senior he started at DL (played many other positions) had 60 tackles, 15 for a loss and 8.5 sacks.
Keep in mind the college season is significantly shorter than NFL, Fowler appeared to be more effective on the DL vs at LB, and the Florida program has been a dumpster fire for a number of years now.
Also, just for the sake of comparison. The great JJ Watt started for two years at Wisconsin before coming out as a junior. Managed a total of 106 tackles and 11.5 sacks. His career high of 7 came his final year.
What does this prove...nothing. All it says is production isn't everything and combine performance isn't everything. I suppose what scouts are looking for is the right combination of production, ability, and potential. If Fowler brings versatility, explosiveness, and a nasty streak (which they say he does) then he is a candidate a #9.
On another note, curious to see if Shane Ray drops.
Swallowed Jameis Winston
3 Sacks of hane Carden in one game
He was like a freight train
The sacks vs Jennings and Winston were both on blitzes where he was standing up in the MLB position.
Some things to keep in mind.
Fowler was a part time player (played LB) as a true freshman and managed 30 tackles (8 for a loss) and 2.5 sacks.
As a sophomore he became a starter at LB and had 50 tackles (10.5 for a loss) and 3.5 sacks.
As a senior he started at DL (played many other positions) had 60 tackles, 15 for a loss and 8.5 sacks.
Keep in mind the college season is significantly shorter than NFL, Fowler appeared to be more effective on the DL vs at LB, and the Florida program has been a dumpster fire for a number of years now.
Also, just for the sake of comparison. The great JJ Watt started for two years at Wisconsin before coming out as a junior. Managed a total of 106 tackles and 11.5 sacks. His career high of 7 came his final year.
What does this prove...nothing. All it says is production isn't everything and combine performance isn't everything. I suppose what scouts are looking for is the right combination of production, ability, and potential. If Fowler brings versatility, explosiveness, and a nasty streak (which they say he does) then he is a candidate a #9.
On another note, curious to see if Shane Ray drops.
^^^ This!!!!
5.01
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Ate up Anthony Jennings against LSU
Swallowed Jameis Winston
3 Sacks of hane Carden in one game
He was like a freight train
The sacks vs Jennings and Winston were both on blitzes where he was standing up in the MLB position.
my bad - obviously he is unworthy of any team you are directing - so I'll take him and you can suck your thumb and trade down -- just root for another team that's all I ask for : )
I really hope we pass on him because it took me seven years to learn to spell Umeniyiora.
10'10" Broad
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Is such an intriguing prospect. The hip surgeries definitely scare you but watching him run like a gazelle puts some of that to rest. I wonder what the medical reports on him say.
I really hope we pass on him because it took me seven years to learn to spell Umeniyiora.
That is why I wrote the UCLA DE. I will stay with that until he gets a nickname.
10'10" Broad
Crazy. I'm sure he'll rock the 3-cone and SS too.
Also Pugh plays RT which rarely get selected for the pro bowl. Fans always vote for the big name LT's even if they don't have a pro bowl caliber season. I don't give a damn if Pugh makes a pro bowl I just want him to play like he did during the 2nd half of his rookie year.
another 5.66
Did I say that?
I'd like to see a top 10 pick go to a pro bowl, yes. I think we should all hope for that. A top 10 pick is supposed to be a 95% percentile talent by definition. If you are better than 95% of your peers you should be a pro bowler.
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so you believe if a 1st round pick doesn't go to a pro bowl he is a bust?
Did I say that?
I'd like to see a top 10 pick go to a pro bowl, yes. I think we should all hope for that. A top 10 pick is supposed to be a 95% percentile talent by definition. If you are better than 95% of your peers you should be a pro bowler.
My bad, just saw that was to Chris L re: Pugh.
He was cool as hell so I'm hoping he goes where he wants. Also would drop another player to the Giants.
I don't ever remember reading a single report questioning Pugh's athleticism. That was never a question for Pugh in regards to him being able to play LT. His reach and size were the concerns for Pugh at LT.
That's tough but in order I would go with Cooper, Shelton, then White.
He did fine. 1.75/5.05 and athletic looking. He's a favorite of mine too in a trade down. Fits our scheme a lot better than Shelton.
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It is interesting how Long has made it to the Pro-Bowl while all the hyped linemen in the top 10 haven't made much of an impact.
The thing with a guy like Smith is he could play LDE and hold up against the run effectively, then move in at DT on passing downs. I like that versatility. Round 2 target? Maybe too high at 40, though. He's unlikely to fall to 74, I think.
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Do you ever see Pugh going to a pro bowl? I don't. The guy drafted right after him also an o-lineman already went to one.
It is interesting how Long has made it to the Pro-Bowl while all the hyped linemen in the top 10 haven't made much of an impact.
Name recognition. In politics and Pro Bowls, it works.
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been today? I'm a big fan of his
He did fine. 1.75/5.05 and athletic looking. He's a favorite of mine too in a trade down. Fits our scheme a lot better than Shelton.
Thats how I feel as well. I think he would be great beside Hankins.