I think you all know me pretty well, and know I carry opinions that are my own. So when you see these rankings, they will likely differ from others out there. Sure, I can totally see how this would come off as me being a contrarian or someone seeking a provocative reaction. So be it.
Wide Receivers
1. Jordan Matthews [Vanderbilt] – I see Fitzgerald here. He has a 6’3” 212 lb frame, length, and big hands. Doubts about his athleticism were put to rest at the combine, and he is unquestionably refined.
2. Brandin Cooks [Oregon State] – Confession. I’ve had a love affair with him for 2 yrs. He has acceleration, change of direction, sticky hands, and tough. But his 5’9” height is concerning.
3. Sammy Watkins [Clemson] – Everyone’s #1 WR, and in other drafts I would too. I just think his body control and catching the ball away from his body fall behind the top two guys.
4. Mike Evans [Texas A&M] – If he figures it out, he could be very good. He needs refinement with getting off the line and route running skills, but 35 inch arms and a 6’4” 231 lb frame… crazy.
5. Allen Robinson [Penn State] – Extremely productive collegiate career, good size, strength, which should lead to an effective NFL career. That said, he might fly under the radar in this talented class.
6. Martavis Bryant [Clemson] – No joke, I think he has Randy Moss freak potential. Height, speed, explosion, and length… scouts will emphatically pound the table for this guy. But raw raw raw.
7. Kevin Norwood [Alabama] – 2nd Confession, I hate hate hate Alabama prospects. That said, here is an exception. He has a very high floor and an unknown ceiling, very safe pick, will be a good pro.
8. Marquise Lee [USC] – Gow must hate him, right? This is a STACKED draft class. Last year he would have been the #1 WR. Games speed is better than his 40, but his injury history is a concern.
9. Odell Beckham [LSU] – A combine darling that showcased his athleticism, with quite the bandwagon. Could be wrong, but I see more athlete than football player… and Landry was better at LSU.
10. Jared Abbrederis [Wisconsin] – White people can play WR too. Haters will hate, but he is the real deal. His game tape and measurable line up, so I am sold. And, he grows a mean Amish beard.
Offensive Tackles
1. Greg Robinson [Auburn] – O-line coaches and scouts are crazy giddy over this guy. He dominates defenders, smacks them in the mouth, and flattens them. Could be the best OT in the last 10 years.
2. Jake Matthews [Texas A&M] – Bloodlines are clearly impressive. He is a safe pick that can probably play all 5 positions. I just think he is a distant second to Greg Robinson.
3. Morgan Moses [Virginia] – 6’6” 314 lbs frame, 35 inch go-go gadget arms, and good foot work. He is a 1st round talent but might not get the pub that other guys will get in this process.
4. Taylor Lewan [Michigan] – Agreed, the guy struggles with speed rushers and consistent play. That said, he is 6’7” with long arms and has a nasty streak. He can be molded into an All-Pro.
5. Joel Bitonio [Nevada] – He had a solid Senior Bowl and was very fluid in Indy. The team that picks him will surely have an underwhelmed fan base with his selection, but he could be solid.
3-4 Outside Linebackers
1. Khalil Mack [Buffalo] – Small school guy that won’t sneak up on casual fans anymore. Could be near-elite in an “attacking” 3-4, afterthought in a 4-3. Also lacks natural bend around the corner.
2. Alex Barr [UCLA] – At the start of the year, he was thought to give Clowney a run for top defender. His 2013 play was uninspiring, but he has insane potential to be a dominant pass rusher.
3. Dee Ford [Auburn] – He is an unreal edge rusher, who is best suited to rush the passer in a two-point stance. He needs to work on counter moves to his speed rush, and defend the run better.
4. Jordan Tripp [Montana] – I don’t say this lightly, but this guy flat out lit the combine on fire. But because he is a white LB from Montana, he is seen more as a hidden gem than front-page news.
4-3 Outside Linebackers
1. Ryan Shazier [Ohio State] – He could be the best WILL backer to come out in a while. He is extremely instinctive, explosive, and fast fast fast.
2. Kevin Pierre-Louis [Boston College] – His combine woke up evaluators. Right there next to the aforementioned Jordan Tripp, his combine was elite. He made money in Indy.
Inside Linebackers
1. C.J. Mosley [Alabama] – The self-proclaimed Bama hater is warming to crimson red. Mosley is fast, physical, instinctive and well-rounded in all facets. A notch below Kuechley, but All-Pro for sure.
2. Christian Jones [Florida State] – FSU had an embarrassment of riches on defense, which gives me pause in ranking Jones highly. That said, he has elite speed and athletic ability.
3. Chris Borland [Wisconsin] – Begrudgingly I put him on here. Borland is a thumping instinctive run-defender, but lacks speed and size. Technically a poor fit for both the 3-4 and 4-3.
Gow, do all your 3-4 guys have to be in a 3-4 or could any adjust to DE or OLB in a 4-3?
ReplyDeleteIf MN misses on their preferred guy(s) at #8, my hope is that the demand for these Tackles and WR's generate some good value for the pick and they trade back. This draft just seems so darn deep, I want them to get a bunch of picks, especially in the first 2-3 rounds.
Of the 3-4 OLBs that I have listed, the only guy that I would consider a scheme fit in a 4-3 DE would be Dee Ford.
ReplyDeleteFord is an exceptional edge presence, that is if you ask him to chase down the QB, in a wide 9 or situational pass rusher. If you want him to "hold the edge" on running plays, I think he will be a liability. In a Zimmer defense, defensive ends have to do-it-all and do it at a high level. Zimmer's defense demands that the 4 down linemen generate the necessary pass rush and hold the point of attack, without having to sub out that much. For this reason, I don't think that Ford is a good fit.
As for the option of other teams trading up, I could see it as a possibility for the offensive tackles as there is a drop off after Taylor Lewan. The WR depth and talent will not likely spur a lot of trade interest. With a lot of quality Split Ends, Flankers and Slot Receivers with all shapes and sizes, and deep pool to pull from in each variety, there is little reason to trade up for a guy that is marginally better than the next best guy.
I'll do a later blog posting on what I think of the Vikings & Browns prospects in the upcoming draft.