Friday, April 29, 2011

Round 2 &3 Packer Picks

With their first pick, the Pack selected WR Randall Cobb of Kentucky. He's a 5'10, 195-pound player who has done it all - catch, throw, run, and return at Kentucky and is comfortable playing out of the slot. Green Bay wanted to go out and get a guy who could return kicks and it looks like they've done that. I'm not exactly sure how Cobb fits into the Packers offensive system, but I'm sure Ted Thompson has a plan on how to use his versatility.


With their last pick, Green Bay took RB Alex Green of Hawaii. Though it's hard to read how he will do in the pros because of the spread offense in which they ran, but he appears to have the speed (4.53) to go with his 6'0, 225-pound frame. He also has WR-type hands out of the backfield and supposedly has experience returning kicks. Tall, upright runner comparable to what the Packers have in Ryan Grant and James Starks, will this spell the end for Grant, who is a free agent next season, or Brandon Jackson, who is a free agent this year.

Thursday, April 28, 2011

Second Round Thoughts

The Green Bay Packers next selection will be at #64 in the second round. Positions that could be addressed include a 3-4 DE and OLB, OG, WR, and CB.

Surprisingly, Clemson DE Da'Quan Bowers is still on the board, after being thought of as a top 2 pick earlier this draft season. His knee concerns must be significant.

I like Oregon St.'s DT Stephen Paea, who might project as a 3-4 end. I don't know if he will be available when the Packers pick in the second round, but he would be a quality pick with excellent strength and a great work ethic. ... Of course, there's Arizona's Brooks Reed still out there, as well as TCU's QB Andy Dalton who should be quickly off the board in Round 2.

Packers Select OT Derek Sherrod with 1st Round Pick

The Green Bay Packers stayed right at #32 and landed a first round talent in OT Derek Sherrod of Mississippi St. The 6'5, 321 pound lineman should bring quality depth to the OT position that was needed, as Chad Clifton and Mark Tauscher are aging.

Sherrod has good size, is quick (5.28 40-yard dash), has great footwork, is a great pass protector, and shows the ability to be an effective driving run blocker that can get to the second level of linebackers fairly well. Scouts believe he needs to improve his lower-body strength and play less tall at times, in addition to needing more of a mean streak in the running game.

However, with first rounder Bryan Bulaga last year, the Pack seemingly is set for the future at the tackle position. Sherrod's value was right where Green Bay selected him and is a safe pick, giving the Packers a great start to the 2011 NFL Draft. Green Bay's next pick is at #64 of the second round.

ESPN Report on Patriots

An ESPN reporter said earlier this morning that the Patriots will not target Cameron Jordan, JJ Watt, or Muhammad Wilkerson at pick #17 for their 3-4 need at end, nor will they pick Robert Quinn if available. It is more likely they target an OT like Anthony Castonzo or DT Corey Liuget.

Tuesday, April 26, 2011

Updated Mock Draft as of April 26th

One more mock to go, but here is where I stand two days before the draft. Follow this link to view it: http://nfldraftbuzz.blogspot.com/p/mock-drafts.html

Might be surprising to see who the Packers pick, but just remember that they pick the best player available on their chart and he could be the type of player, who in the cold, could be what they need.

Friday, April 22, 2011

2011 Quarterbacks: Who are the Real 1st Rounders?

In this year's NFL Draft, there are many names of quarterbacks that have recently shot up draft boards. Blaine Gabbert and Cam Newton have been the big ones - both thought to be within the first 5 picks and Newton supposedly the Panthers frontrunner with the first pick. However, new names have crept onto the scene as of late.

There is Christian Ponder of Florida State, who has shown me the ability to read defenses, step up and run when pressured out of the pocket, and also enough accuracy and arm strength to get the ball down the field. The thing that worries me is his lack of a big name until draft season and the Senior Bowl, which he lit up. He might need a year to adjust to an NFL playbook, needs to fix some footwork, and could improve his decision making, but in time should become a solid pick. However, I feel he is a second rounder.



Washington's Jake Locker can run and his football intelligence is there, along with decent arm strength. However, his accuracy is a huge issue and he is actually more accurate when rolling out, which is not typical. In 2 games against Nebraska, Locker struggled to complete even a third of his passes and that was against a defense that boasted 2 of the better cover corners in the nation. He could've been last year's #1 pick, but instead I see him slipping until at least #12 to the Vikings and will still need a year or two to completely become a starting NFL quarterback. Boom or bust potential.


Next is Ryan Mallett of Arkansas, a transfer from Michigan. Mallett impresses with his arm strength and for rejuvenating a Razorback team that was falling apart until he took the starting role. Many things scare me with Mallett and they aren't involved with the drug-related issues and immaturity usually talked about by the media. He is terribly inaccurate on the run and his decision making, especially in crucial moments of the game, can be questioned many times. No doubt he is a gun-slinger, but he is not mobile and could have used another year in school, as he will need at least half a year to adjust to NFL defenses. Another mid-second round pick grade.



Nevada's Colin Kaepernick is unknown to many. He is a scrambler, but also has a decent arm and can fling it down the field and with decent accuracy. How well he will adjust to the pro game coming from a shotgun offense remains to be seen, but his ability to not let the pressure of the big stage get to him (win against Boise St.), gives you a feeling that Kaepernick could become a decent starter. I think he's more of a second rounder, though, and wouldn't take him in the first.



Finally, TCU's Andy Dalton has recently been one of the biggest risers. Though I see him as a early second round pick, Dalton benefited from TCU's great season and really has no standout trait. He is not overly accurate, has only good arm strength, and has decent mobility. Surely Dalton can become a quality game managing quarterback, but when you consider drafting a quarterback in the first 3 rounds, you have to be sure, you are getting a 5-6 year starter. I'm not sure Dalton is that guy.

So, overall, I can only see Gabbert and Newton going in Round 1. There are no guarantees with either, as I see both needing more than a year to get a feel for the game. After all is said and done, Gabbert, in my eyes, will be a bust and may show you things from time to time, but will not be the perennial Pro Bowler you are led to believe. Newton, on the other hand, could transform the QB position and become one of the league's most difficult players to defend if he can be consistent as a passer.


A Matthews Defense?

 It's very rare, but how often do you see two brothers line up on the same defense? Though it still might not happen this year, the Green Bay Packers have the opportunity to draft Casey Matthews, the Oregon Ducks star middle linebacker who is the younger brother of near NFL Defensive Player of the Year Clay Matthews.

Casey may not be the dominating physical specimen that Clay is, but he was the leader of the Oregon defense, had 4 interceptions this past season, and forced a crucial Cam Newton fumble in the second half of the BCS Championship Game that almost won the Ducks the game (hmmm, a Super Bowl similarity perhaps...). Casey is a better cover linebacker than Clay and he, himself, believes he has better instincts than his brother. However, the extent to which he converts to a 3-4 defense has yet to be seen, as he is described as more of a 4-3 linebacker. 

Still, how awesome would it be to have Casey line up as a middle linebacker from time to time or fill in for injury alongside Clay. Casey is another one of those relentless, hard-working players that Ted Thompson loves to have and seems to have pass rush ability to go with good tackling. A possible third round pick, Green Bay will surely release Nick Barnett this off-season and does not have another middle linebacker to be a fill-in player.

Wednesday, April 20, 2011

Shedding light on JJ Watt

Though Todd McShay recently listed him as the Redskins 10th overall pick, I've been watching more and more mock drafts push Wisconsin DE JJ Watt down to pick 17 and 18 of the Patriots and Chargers; this is terrible! Wisconsin-connection aside, I believe Watt is one of the top 10 players in this draft and would still be the Cowboys pick at #9 on most people's boards if Tyron Smith hadn't quickly shot up. Watt adds a blend of power (34 bench press reps) and speed (as low as 4.76) that most 3-4 DEs do not have, to go with his non-stop motor and "football player" personality. Almost every one of his measurables are among the top 5 DEs in the draft and after playing TE previously, his potential is still high. I know that if any team past pick 15 gets Watt, they will end up getting the steal of the 1st round.

Monday, April 18, 2011

Packers 7-Round Mock

This is a way I could see the Packers draft shaping up if I were assessing their holes and interests. Could potentially see a DE going much sooner than this, especially if the Pack feels Cameron Heyward is worthy of their top pick. Another guy to keep an eye on is OT Anthony Carpenter of Alabama, who has great potential and could be a 2nd round pick.

1. OT Derek Sherrod - Mississippi St.
2. OG Rodney Hudson - Florida St.
3. RB Taiwan Jones - Eastern Washington
4. CB Buster Skrine - UT-Chattanooga
4. WR Austin Pettis - Boise St.
5. QB Greg McElroy - Alabama
6. KR/WR Shaky Smithson - Utah
7. DT/DE Anthony Gray - Southern Miss
7. OLB Marc Schiechl - Colorado School of the Mines





Sunday, April 17, 2011

Draft Talk - April 17, 2011


  • -          Reports show that Cam Newton seems to have taken the lead for being the number one pick by the Panthers. Coach Ron Rivera says he is convinced that Newton is worthy of the number one pick and also convinced of his arm and mechanics.
  • -          Marcell Dareus will not get past Denver at #2 say many analysts who say the Broncos are in love with this guy and new coach John Fox’s main priority is upgrading the defensive line
  • -          Dallas has been linked to USC OT Tyron Smith with the #9 pick, as Cowboys staff sees him as a great lineman at the next level. They need someone to protect Tony Romo.
  • -          Colts worked out Nevada’s QB Colin Kaepernick, while Patriots worked out QB Jake Locker. Both franchises have future Hall of Fame QBs who are getting to the final stages of their careers and may be looking for a QB to develop in the next few years.
  • -          Locker also said to be highly coveted by the Vikings who have the 12th pick and may draft him, as reports say he will get drafted by pick 16 of the Jaguars
  • -          One guy slipping is Clemson DE DaQuan Bowers, whose knee concerns, out of shape, and poor measurable at his pro day could potentially even drop him out of the first round. I do, however, feel he will be drafted in at least the late first round, as he was widely considered to be the possible first pick of the draft earlier in the offseason
  • -          Guys I scouted this week: RB Ryan Williams of VT, who has size concerns at 5’9, but is built stockier and has a bit of power to complement his patience and decisiveness to hit the hole when he sees it. Only problem is that he lacks breakaway speed. Could be a starting RB if he stays healthy – injury history with torn hamstring. Unproven with only one great year – his freshman year, as he came out after his sophomore season.
  • -          OT Ben Ijalana of Villanova – built like a mauling lineman in the mold of Jason Peters. Dominated the lower division 1 level and has the potential to be a fantastic pass blocker. Needs to work on recognizing blocks in the run game quicker in order to be solid in this area at the next level.
  • -          OT/G Orlando Franklin of Miami looks like a bust. Potential second round pick, but consistently got beat in pass protection by speedier DE’s and didn’t hold up all that well in the running game either.
  • -          OT Derek Sherrod of Mississippi St. impressed me with his size and ability to pass protect. He really was able to isolate his opposition in the passing game, but like Ijalana has some work to do in the run game. Should be a first round pick and be a solid contributor quickly.

Sunday, April 10, 2011

DRAFT TALK - April 10, 2011

-          DE Adrian Clayborn of Iowa is meeting some skepticism because of his right arm injury that doesn’t seem to heal. Might have to play RE only in the pros to take pressure off that arm and his stock has possibly dropped from a first round prospect to a second.
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      DaQuan Bowers’s pro day is coming up and will be watched heavily. If he can show that his knee injury will not prevent him from playing at full power, he could move back into a top 3 pick. He had surgery on that knee following this past season and did not fully participate in all the drills at the Combine
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      After his pro day, it seems as if OT Anthony Castonzo of Boston College has emerged as the top tackle in this class. Right behind him are Tyron Smith and Nate Solder, all fighting to be the first selected. Gabe Carimi of Wisconsin is probably a bit behind them due to the belief he will only be a RT in the pros.
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      I watched highlights of RB Mikel Leshoure of Illinois the other day. He’s widely regarded as the second best RB in this draft, but seemed to run way too straight up for my liking – exposes himself to injury. Only ran a 4.59 40 at the combine and his lack of breakaway speed showed up on tape. Now he does have some agility that makes him dangerous, but how that will translate to NFL defenses has yet to be seen. I know Mendenhall has turned out well in the NFL, but I thought he had more tools to work with.
o   Not too fond of the RB’s in this draft in general. I think a lot of them are overrated. Mark Ingram could turn out to be someone productive because of how low he runs to the ground and has some moves and power, but he does lack great speed.  Still should be the only RB selected in the first round.
o   Only ones I would draft would be Delone Carter of Syracuse, who offers the one-cut style, along with the exceptional ability to read his blockers, and DeMarco Murray of Oklahoma, who offers a threat as a receiver, runner, and returner.
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       WR’s picked after Green and Jones – will there be any others in the first round?
o   Jonathan Baldwin – Pitt – size – possession and red zone
o   Leonard Hankerson – Miami – possession
o   Titus Young – Boise St. – speed
o   Torrey Smith – Maryland – speed
o   Randall Cobb – Kentucky - speed
o   Jerrel Jernigan of Troy - slot receiver like Wes Welker
o   After all this WR talk, one guy I find to be a sleeper after watching him during a game this year against V-Tech is Austin Pettis of Boise St. His teammate Titus Young gets all the attention, but Pettis is a solid WR, similar style to the Giants Steve Smith. Could be 5th-6th round steal.