Hey guys....just some random points/players/situations to look for this week in Mobile. I won't be around much tonight to discuss until later, but figure we can get some talks going.
1 - Baker Mayfield and Josh Allen
How big is he? Will the athletic ability translate to quickly adapting to playing under center? My biggest question with him is who is this kid as a player when he isn't in an offense that has basically been engineered around him? I like Mayfield a lot and there is still a chance he ends up being my top overall QB. But my biggest question is the first thing I wrote down this past summer...how much of him is a product of the OU offense and the amount of yards the OU pass catchers gain after they get the ball? This kid has a lot of positives, but there are still major questions.
This is the time of year a kid like Allen starts to climb boards. It's hard not to fall in love with a big kid with toughness, arm strength, and a quick release. One constant throughout Allen's up and down career has been low completion % and poor play against his toughest competition. This is a make or break week for him. Yes, his name is still very much alive in the #1/#2 overall discussion.
*Mason Rudolph is out with a foot injury
2 - Guards/Centers
The OT class is still very much up in the air, but I expect it to be another down year. No blue chip guys, with the only one I see being Texas Connor Williams (not playing in the game), who was injured for most of 2017. Very gray there. However I do think this interior blocking group is near top notch, best in awhile. My two top guys, Braden Smith and Quentin Nelson, are not playing this week. But the names to look for are Will Hernandez (UTEP), Isaiah Wynn (Georgia), and Austin Corbett (Nevada). All are year 1 players in the NFL and Hernandez has a shot to be a 1st rounder if he plays well this week. Wynn is arguably atop my most underrated prospect list.
3 - The edge rusher nobody knows about....
Marcus Davenport from UTSA. I wrote him up in September and called him a top 10 pick. May have gotten ahead of myself....but now I am hearing maybe not. The tools will make scouts drool, we already know that. His power game was taken to another level against lesser competition in 2017 and I think he might be budding at the right time in a year where the top 3 edge guys (Chubb/Key/Landry) aren't exactly blue chip in some eyes. If he can dominate in the infamous Senior Bowl 1 on 1's....watch out.
4 - Power Backs
Saquon Barkley (not playing) is still very much in the mix at #2. We know that. But if they don't go with him, this talented RB class will be approached at some point. NYG should pair Wayne Gallman with a between the tackles bruiser if they don't want to spend FA money on one. There are 2 options coming from this game for sure. Rashaad Penny from San Diego State, #1 in the nation in rushing. Big play back with legit 4.4 speed at 230 pounds. And one of my favorite prospects in this class, Jaylen Samuels. Unreal versatility, has played literally everywhere on the NC State offense. Selfless guy, loves the game, runs hard. Runs through people. Catches the ball better than a lot of WRs.
5 - Small School Prospects
Always a good week to get looks at prospects that are now playing against more credible competition. Playing at a low level of college football does not mean they won't succeed in the league, we know that. 3 standouts for me, CB Taron Johnson (Weber State), an All American, 4 year starter, Big Sky Conference Defensive MVP. Moves as well as any CB in the class from a hip and feet perspective. Can he handle the physical side of the game? TE Dallas Goedert (South Dakota State) has been the top TE on my stack since August. Top FCS player in the class and a potential top 20 pick. Looked like Travis Kelce over the past 2 years. Evan Engram...I know I know. Not sure is will be a long term pure TE and don't overlook the combination of Gronkowski/Hernandez years ago. Yes, I think it could happen and yes, it would be a nightmare for opposing defenses. OT Alex Cappa (Humboldt State)...amazingly was a finalist for the Walter Peyton Award, the Heisman for FCS. A 4 time OL of the year in their conference. This is only my second live look at him, but he passed the initial test for sure.
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I know it isn't much, but thought we could get some talk going. I should be able to chat more as the week goes on.
Good one! I was thinking the same thing. :-)
Too bad we don't have a coaching staff in place to evaluate the prospects.
And while I think it's a relevant metric to look at, I don't think a QB should be dinged too much for receivers' YAC if he gets them the ball in a way that makes YAC easier and more likely for the receiver. It tends to show he's hitting the right guy, at the right time, and in the right place.
That's your special sauce for 2018.
All eyes will be on Josh Allen this week. Let's hope he plays lights out as that could entice the Browns to take him at 1 or the Broncos could try to trade up in front of the Giants to get him leaving Darnold for the GMen.
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Very much looking forward to more of your analysis as we go through now and the draft.
Too bad we don't have a coaching staff in place to evaluate the prospects.
Shurmur is reportedly heading there immediately after it becomes official.
From Getts most recent comments regarding how they will be evaluating and placing prospective players on their board means the old days of requiring a Giant def end no longer has to be a minimum of six four 270. And the same may be true with regards to qb. Especially after reading about Shurmurs feelings regarding shorter qbs
P.J. Hall, DT, Sam Houston State
Both had a very impressive Shrine game
Agreed. I think the Combine will show in that 4.5 - 4.6 speed. Barkley has break away speed compared to Penny.
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I don't think he will be. I think it takes him longer to get to full speed than say a Barkley or other backs. I would bet is more of a 4.5-4.6 guy with a slower 10 yard split. I could be wrong, but that is what I see.
Agreed. I think the Combine will show in that 4.5 - 4.6 speed. Barkley has break away speed compared to Penny.
Barkley has quick feet and good speed. I would bet his 3 cone and 10 yard split are faster. You never know though look at Dalvin Cook last year.
Meetings today.
Weigh in and practice tomorrow.
Yes I think he is there in round 3 unless he has a top tier workout at combine
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And if so, when are guys measured?
Meetings today.
Weigh in and practice tomorrow.
Thx Sy. With Allen and Mayfield in the fold, this week is going to have some juice. Im looking forward to the practice shows on NFLN.
Jaleel Scott. 66. With really good hands Red Zone threat. Watched a bunch of New Mex St Aggie games
@DraftAnalyst1
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The New York Giants also spent most of the evening interviewing linebackers here at the #SeniorBowl
Adam, he has great hands and route running, but his blocking at the edge would require Mike Pope to come back to teach him the craft.
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How do you think the Penn State TE would look in Blue?
Adam, he has great hands and route running, but his blocking at the edge would require Mike Pope to come back to teach him the craft.
That's too bad.
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The New York Giants also spent most of the evening interviewing linebackers here at the #SeniorBowl
Some interesting mid to late round LBs. Darius Leonard looks interesting. I like Fred Warner as a WLB. It'll be interesting to see how the group fares.
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Looking forward to your thoughts on Jaleel Scott as the week goes by. Hopefully he will perform well down there.
Jaleel Scott. 66. With really good hands Red Zone threat. Watched a bunch of New Mex St Aggie games
I'm a proud NMSU alum. It was a fun ride this year! Scott played well against the P5 schools. Hopefully he has enough speed to get separation at the next level. He could also bulk up a bit.
Mason Rudolph 9 and 1/8
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Any early thoughts on the OLB from USC... sorry can't spell his name
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Replying to @DownWithDamon
Showing up late? What would you do if your mom had gone to the hospital? Get outta here. Family before myself always.
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Cappa is killing Marcus Davenport in team drills. Hes had an awesome practice
He's from Division II Humboldt State.
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Cappa is killing Marcus Davenport in team drills. Hes had an awesome practice
He's from Division II Humboldt State. Link - ( New Window )
Have some information for you that you may want for scouting purposes. Weigh In/Measurements of some smaller school guys that attended College Gridiron Showcase (CGS). Have film I can send as well but not sure how deep your scouting goes.
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