Thread: Senior Bowl Thread; Current News on Draft Prospects.............

NFL Draft: All-Star game risers

Who made the most of their post-season opportunities? Wes Bunting


February 01, 2012 Print This
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Risers from the all-star game circuit…
ICONCousins helped his stock in Mobile.
QB Kirk Cousins: Michigan State (6-3, 205)
I’m not a huge Cousins fan. However, he showcased the ability to spin the football cleanly all week in Mobile, displayed good touch down the field and look poised from under center in a pro style offense. He still seems to get rattled too easily in the pocket vs. any type of pressure, but did a lot of help his stock in the eyes of some last week.

CB Josh Norman: Coastal Carolina (6-0, 190)
Norman was brilliant at the East-West Shrine game, showcasing the ability to consistently click and close in off man, and make plays on the football. He’s a long, well-built athlete with good length, “plus” athleticism and a great feel for the game. There are some off the field character concerns, but the guy gave up little in the form of separation all week long and looks like an NFL starter.

WR Marvin Jones: California (6-2, 202)
Jones was a bit of an after thought at Cal this year. However, the receiver not only displayed the ability to run the entire route tree in front of scouts in Mobile, but also demonstrated deceptive vertical speed down the field. He answered some questions during the game as well about his ability to separate from the talented South corners and looks like a potential NFL starting wide out to me.

DT Alameda Ta'amu: Washington (6-3, 337)
This was a guy a lot of talent evaluators started souring on during the regular season. As he had a tendency to get high on contact and didn’t do a great job using his hands vs. the run game. However, he’s got a good first step for his size, displays imposing power at the point of attack and looks like a guy who can anchor the inside of a 34 front at the next level to me.

QB B.J Coleman: Tennessee-Chattanooga (6-4, 220)
He’s a big, strapping quarterback with a “plus” arm and when he maintains balance into his throw the guy can really put the football on the numbers. He’s a good athlete for his size as well and looks natural on the move. However, becoming more consistent gathering himself from under center is a must, as he will struggle with his footing at times, which ultimately effects his accuracy.

TE Chase Ford: Miami (6-6, 245)
He’s a little goofy as an athlete and doesn't generate a ton of burst out of his breaks. However, he’s a big kid with a lot of growth potential and knows how to set up routes underneath. Plus, the guy is comfortable playing with a defender in his back pocket and showcases natural length and coordination when asked to adjust and go get the football. He caught the ball well all week at the East-West Shrine game and looks like a prospect I would certainly be willing to role the dice on later in the draft.
Follow me on twitter: @WesBunting

A couple of guys who might be of interest in the 2nd or 3rd round.

Feb 01
Josh Norman CB
Scouting Report

Grade: 6.8 C 6' 190lbs

He displays good vision when feeling routes, a solid initial burst when looking to close and exhibits "plus" hands when asked to come down with the catch. He showcases natural fluidity in the hips when trying to change directions, stays low and can be physical when driving on the football in order to make a play on the football.

Demonstrates impressive body control when asked to adjust to the football in coverage and routinely is able to come down with the grab. Exhibits "plus" ball skills and has a knack for coming down with the pick. He's also very physical in pressman as well. Now, he does have a tendency to step into the press and will get caught with all his weight on his front foot, causing him to struggle to regain balance quickly.

There are some character concerns to his game off the field; however, the talent is most certainly there.

Impression: Talent says he's a top-60 pick, but there are some character concerns that could cause him to fall. Either way he has the talent to quickly match-up with NFL receiver at the next level.

(If these character issues aren't too problematic this is a kid who should be on the board in the second or the third. Just depends on how those issues influence team perception of him. He has the size and ball skills Lovie
likes.)



Marvin Jones WR

• 2011 GRADE: 6.3 HT: 6-3 WT: 202
• Overview

Feb 01
Scouting Report

A tall, leaner athlete who for his size possesses natural fluidity in the hips both as a route runner and with the ball in his hands. Isn't as physical off the line as his frame would suggest vs. press. However, displays the ability to set up defenders with a stutter step and then use his length to get into his route. Isn't a dynamic straight-line athlete but plays faster than he times because of his ability to generate a burst initially out of his breaks. Doesn't create a ton of separation vertically, but exhibits good awareness and body control when asked to locate the football. Adjusts to the throw well, extends his arms and knows how to go up and make a play even when in battle with a corner. Displays good concentration and has the ability to come down with some tough grabs while contorting his body.

Is a surprisingly pretty smooth route runner as well on sharply breaking routes. Does a nice job stemming his route off the line, keeping his feet under him and being precise when asked to snap off a break. Creates a burst for himself as well, even in tight areas, using his big frame to box out corners and isn't forced to gear down in order to catch his balance. However, has a tendency to really roll into his routes down the field on vertical routes, starts to drift prematurely and looks content to simply try to just outpace corners to a spot. Needs to tighten up his angles down the field. Displays a good feel vs. zone/off concepts though, will find soft spots underneath and isn't afraid to extend and make plays over the middle. For his size can create after the catch. Again, accelerates well with the ball in his hands, displays the fluidity to side step defenders even at full speed and is a bit more sudden then his size would indicate. Isn't overly physical as a blocker, but gets after it, shows some effort and works hard to stay engaged through the play.

Impression: Possesses good size, good body control and hand eye coordination, and for his size is a pretty fluid athlete as well. Isn't a dynamic athlete, but should be able to find a way to make and earn playing time on an NFL roster.

(Here's another guy somewhere similar to Al Toon in his ranking. Not as big or physical as Toon but a good route runner with good hands. Some YAC skills and despite size will go over the middle)

Originally Posted by soulman

A couple of guys who might be of interest in the 2nd or 3rd round.

Feb 01
Josh Norman CB
Scouting Report

Grade: 6.8 C 6' 190lbs

He displays good vision when feeling routes, a solid initial burst when looking to close and exhibits "plus" hands when asked to come down with the catch. He showcases natural fluidity in the hips when trying to change directions, stays low and can be physical when driving on the football in order to make a play on the football.

Demonstrates impressive body control when asked to adjust to the football in coverage and routinely is able to come down with the grab. Exhibits "plus" ball skills and has a knack for coming down with the pick. He's also very physical in pressman as well. Now, he does have a tendency to step into the press and will get caught with all his weight on his front foot, causing him to struggle to regain balance quickly.

There are some character concerns to his game off the field; however, the talent is most certainly there.

Impression: Talent says he's a top-60 pick, but there are some character concerns that could cause him to fall. Either way he has the talent to quickly match-up with NFL receiver at the next level.

(If these character issues aren't too problematic this is a kid who should be on the board in the second or the third. Just depends on how those issues influence team perception of him. He has the size and ball skills Lovie
likes.)



Marvin Jones WR

• 2011 GRADE: 6.3 HT: 6-3 WT: 202
• Overview

Feb 01
Scouting Report

A tall, leaner athlete who for his size possesses natural fluidity in the hips both as a route runner and with the ball in his hands. Isn't as physical off the line as his frame would suggest vs. press. However, displays the ability to set up defenders with a stutter step and then use his length to get into his route. Isn't a dynamic straight-line athlete but plays faster than he times because of his ability to generate a burst initially out of his breaks. Doesn't create a ton of separation vertically, but exhibits good awareness and body control when asked to locate the football. Adjusts to the throw well, extends his arms and knows how to go up and make a play even when in battle with a corner. Displays good concentration and has the ability to come down with some tough grabs while contorting his body.

Is a surprisingly pretty smooth route runner as well on sharply breaking routes. Does a nice job stemming his route off the line, keeping his feet under him and being precise when asked to snap off a break. Creates a burst for himself as well, even in tight areas, using his big frame to box out corners and isn't forced to gear down in order to catch his balance. However, has a tendency to really roll into his routes down the field on vertical routes, starts to drift prematurely and looks content to simply try to just outpace corners to a spot. Needs to tighten up his angles down the field. Displays a good feel vs. zone/off concepts though, will find soft spots underneath and isn't afraid to extend and make plays over the middle. For his size can create after the catch. Again, accelerates well with the ball in his hands, displays the fluidity to side step defenders even at full speed and is a bit more sudden then his size would indicate. Isn't overly physical as a blocker, but gets after it, shows some effort and works hard to stay engaged through the play.

Impression: Possesses good size, good body control and hand eye coordination, and for his size is a pretty fluid athlete as well. Isn't a dynamic athlete, but should be able to find a way to make and earn playing time on an NFL roster.

(Here's another guy somewhere similar to Al Toon in his ranking. Not as big or physical as Toon but a good route runner with good hands. Some YAC skills and despite size will go over the middle)

You know, I would be all for drafting Al Toon. How is his foot injury coming along?

Players All-Star Classic: Stock Watch

Three up and three down from this past week. Wes Bunting

February 03, 2012 Print This
1 Comment


Who helped themselves the most?
ICONTanney has some talent on the move.


QB Alex Tanney: Monmouth (6-3, 216)
Tanney didn’t have a “jaw-dropping” week by any stretch. But he displayed good athleticism from under center and when asked to move around in the pocket. He looked natural when flushed and threw the ball well on the move. He gets a bit erratic with his footwork at times when trying to set his feet quickly into throws. However, when he does transfer his weight, he can and really spin the football. At worst, the guy looks like an intriguing priority free agent with a good amount of upside to his game and could end up warranting a draft pick late on day three.

OLB/SS Jerico Nelson: Arkansas (5-9, 190)
I didn’t write about Nelson all week, but quietly the guy had a strong showing in Little Rock. He’s undersized; there is no doubt about that. But, the guy is simply a football player. He displayed good balance during DB drills keeping his feet under him and getting out of his breaks. He looked natural when asked to change directions and always put himself around the football during team. Now, he’s a tweener. But when you have a guy who tackles consistently and is as instinctive as Nelson, you can’t help but think the guy has a chance to get drafted late and make a roster from day one as a special teams ace and nickel backer.

RB Daryl Richardson: Abilene Christian (5-11, 195)
Richardson is the bother for former Abilene Christian RB Bernard Scott and has a lot of the same athletic qualities. He showcased a “plus” first step all week, got up to speed quickly and has the kind of explosive element to his game that is hard to overlook. He isn’t a real big guy, but can create in the open field and looks like a late round/priority free agent type who could quickly earn a spot on a roster as a third running back and return man.

Strugglers…

QB Dominique Davis: East Carolina (6-3, 210)
The 6-3 signal caller has a tall, lean frame and some natural athletic ability when asked to buy time and create outside the pocket. However, he isn’t real coordinated in his drop, struggles to balance himself into throws and doesn’t generate any type of torque from his lower half. Therefore, he doesn’t create a lot of velocity into throws and his accuracy struggled all week because he rarely sets his feet before letting go of the football. There is some talent there, but not enough in my mind to warrant a draftable grade.

DE Kendrick Adams: LSU (6-5, 248)
Adams looks the part of a tall, athletic SEC-type defensive end. However, he weighed in at only 248-pounds and doesn’t have the type of “plus” first step to match his lacking size. He routinely got upright off the ball, didn’t uses his hands well to shed through contact and wasn’t real sudden laterally. Overall, he’s a good looking kid with some growth potential. However, after watching his skill set this past week I don’t see how he’s going to reach the passer at the next level.

CB Troy Woolfolk: Michigan (5-10, 195)
Woolfolk has the frame more of a corner, but the skill set more of a safety. He struggled all week in man coverage, displaying an inability to get his hands on receivers off the line in press and turn to run vertically. Plus, he didn’t have a great feel in off coverage and routinely gave up legitimate separation out of his breaks. Overall, looks like a CB/FS tweener who is going to have a tough time making an NFL roster.


Follow me on twitter: @WesBunting
Check out the NFP Draft page here...

Anyone know how Al Toon is doing?

Originally Posted by Dagan81

Anyone know how Al Toon is doing?

Al's too old for the NFL anymore so you must mean Nick. Here's the scouting report on him but it shows nothing about any issues over an injury. Was he hurt in the Rose Bowl Game?

The thing about Toon is that he's not a big downfield threat but he's a tough kid with good hands who can get open over the middle. I just see him as being very similar to Floyd but less of a risk since Toon isn't a 1st round guy. He's never gonna be a top dog but he's a guy your draft to upgrade RWill. The other reason I prefer him over Floyd is that Wisconsin has produced some good quality NFL receivers, ND has not.


NICK TOON WR, Wisconsin

• 2011 GRADE: 6.4 HT: 6-3 WT: 220
  

• Scouting Report

A tall, physically put together wide out with a good-sized frame, long arms and strong hands. Possesses a sudden element to his game off the line laterally. Knows how to set up receivers, uses his short area quickness to beat press, shrugs off contact well and can separate quickly away from his man. Doesn't have a great burst in and out of his breaks, but is sharp, uses his body well to shield defenders and adjusts cleanly to the football. Has a tendency to chop his feet and will waste some motion when trying to get out of his breaks, but widens/tightens his angles as he sees appropriate giving the QB more room to throw in all areas of the game. Does a nice job adjusting to throws, using his long arms to pluck off his frame and securing the catch. Gets a bit lazy at times letting throws get into his frame, but for the most part is a sound plucker.

His combination of power and short area quickness allows him to create somewhat for himself after the catch. Isn't a burner who can outrun angles and consistently make plays vertically behind corners. But secures the catch well, drops his pad level and can break tackles through contact. Isn't a real gifted vertical threat, but does have some jump ball ability. Is balanced, can be physical and will go up and make a play on the ball at its highest point. Hasn't been overly productive however, which has a lot to do with the offense and in a different scheme his numbers could be vastly different.

Impression: I like his size, short area quickness and ability to adjust to the football. Isn't a guy who is going to create consistently down the field, but knows how to gain enough separation, pluck and create after the catch. Looks like a guy who can play on the outside as a legit number two wide out running the inward breaking routes with some time, but isn't ever going to be a dynamic playmaker.

Posted this because Whitney Mercilus is mentioned and he's one of the better pass rushing DE's mentioned as a late first round prospect.

Junior prospects on the rise

Underclassmen who could move up draft boards with strong post-seasons. Wes Bunting

There is always more of an unknown when you start evaluating underclassmen prospects. They are typically younger, need a bit more seasoning, but the overall talent and upside are what make them so intriguing. Therefore, here is a look at five prospects who aren’t getting a ton of first round publicity now, but could be on the move up draft boards in the coming weeks with strong Combine performances.



February 04, 20122 Comments

QB Brock Osweiler: Arizona State (6-8, 240)
I’m not a huge fan of Osweiler. I think from a pure talent standpoint he’s probably worth a third round grade. However, when breaking down his tape, his overall performances and grade as a quarterback doesn’t warrant much more than a later round pick. However, he’s a strapping kid with sneaky athleticism for his size and a strong arm. And with some of the struggles of the senior quarterback crop, Osweiler is a guy who could seize momentum throwing vs. air at the Combine -where I expect him to excel- and become the draft’s third rated QB.

ICONOsweiler has the talent to move up draft boards.

RB David Wilson: Virginia Tech (5-10, 205)
Running back is a stopwatch postion and typically the guys who run the fastest end up going the highest. And there is no doubt that Wilson is going to run well. He’s got an explosive first step, presses space quickly and can outpace angles in the open field. He needs to do a better job of not leaving so many yards on the field and simply take what the defense gives him at times. However, he’s a talented kid with homerun potential and his stock should soar once he puts down some impressive workout numbers.

TE Orson Charles: Georgia (6-3, 241)
The mismatch tight end is becoming the “must have” postion in the NFL now. A guy who can create down the seam and separate from the slot vs. safeties/corners warrents quite the price tag in today’s NFL. Charles is a gifted athlete who runs well and has the type of athleticism needed to create vertically and run after the catch. He’s going to be the most athletic tight end at the Combine this year and likely will end up being the top rated “off the line Y” prospect in the draft., which could allow him to sneak into round one. (Somebody forget to leave that message on Martz and Angelo's desk?)

DT Dontari Poe: Memphis (6-5, 350)
There aren’t many men in the NFL that possess Poe’s combination of size, power and athletcism. And that right there will likely cause him to get drafted higher than his play warrents. The big man flashes on tape there is no doubt about that. However, he doesn’t have that kind of play-to-play passion you look for, as his motor is inconsstent and he doesn’t make a ton of plays on the football. I’d feel more comfortable taking this guy somewhere in round two and giving him more time to mature.. However, the talent is elite and when it’s all said and done I can see him getting over drafted because of it.

DE Whitney Mercilus: Illinois (6-4, 265)
He’s a freaky looking athlete with good size, “plus” length and elite production in 2011. He’s going to run well at the Combine and has the physical attributes that will intrigue. However, I see a tighter pass rusher who struggles to drop his pad level on the edge, doesn’t have much lateral quickness off his speed rush and struggles to keep his pad level down when working the bull. Nevertheless, this is a guy who because of his workout numbers will likely have a good chance of cracking round one. (What concerns me here is whether this guy is just another workout warrior or whether he has the goods. Is he another Sidney Rice or an other John Thierry?)(
Follow me on twitter: @WesBunting
Check out the NFP Draft page here...

Much like Michael Floyd, Mercilus may represent one of those higher risk first round picks. Maybe a coach like Marinelli can get some real performance out of the guy or maybe he's this years Vernon Gholston and three years from now he'll still be looking for his first NFL sack.

This is exactly the kind of guy I think we need to avoid. Emery is said to have a knack for spotting "football talent" and "football character". That's good because I'm tired of watching guys with great athletic ability struggle to play their positions.

Originally Posted by soulman

Al's too old for the NFL anymore so you must mean Nick. Here's the scouting report on him but it shows nothing about any issues over an injury. Was he hurt in the Rose Bowl Game?

The thing about Toon is that he's not a big downfield threat but he's a tough kid with good hands who can get open over the middle. I just see him as being very similar to Floyd but less of a risk since Toon isn't a 1st round guy. He's never gonna be a top dog but he's a guy your draft to upgrade RWill. The other reason I prefer him over Floyd is that Wisconsin has produced some good quality NFL receivers, ND has not.


NICK TOON WR, Wisconsin

• 2011 GRADE: 6.4 HT: 6-3 WT: 220

• Scouting Report

A tall, physically put together wide out with a good-sized frame, long arms and strong hands. Possesses a sudden element to his game off the line laterally. Knows how to set up receivers, uses his short area quickness to beat press, shrugs off contact well and can separate quickly away from his man. Doesn't have a great burst in and out of his breaks, but is sharp, uses his body well to shield defenders and adjusts cleanly to the football. Has a tendency to chop his feet and will waste some motion when trying to get out of his breaks, but widens/tightens his angles as he sees appropriate giving the QB more room to throw in all areas of the game. Does a nice job adjusting to throws, using his long arms to pluck off his frame and securing the catch. Gets a bit lazy at times letting throws get into his frame, but for the most part is a sound plucker.

His combination of power and short area quickness allows him to create somewhat for himself after the catch. Isn't a burner who can outrun angles and consistently make plays vertically behind corners. But secures the catch well, drops his pad level and can break tackles through contact. Isn't a real gifted vertical threat, but does have some jump ball ability. Is balanced, can be physical and will go up and make a play on the ball at its highest point. Hasn't been overly productive however, which has a lot to do with the offense and in a different scheme his numbers could be vastly different.

Impression: I like his size, short area quickness and ability to adjust to the football. Isn't a guy who is going to create consistently down the field, but knows how to gain enough separation, pluck and create after the catch. Looks like a guy who can play on the outside as a legit number two wide out running the inward breaking routes with some time, but isn't ever going to be a dynamic playmaker.

The word I heard about him a few weeks ago, soul, was that he sustained a foot injury. Now, I don't know if that means he broke his foot or what, but he apparently did some damage to his foot from what I gathered. If that's the case, his draft stock will go way down.

Otherwise, I like what I am reading here. He's a lot like former Tennessee WR Alvin Harper who would go on to play with the Dallas Cowboys. He was a solid number two choice for Troy Aikman behind Michael Irvin, only he's built more like the big receivers you see of today.