NFL Prospect Tidbits

[SmallCollegeFBFan]

Portland State TE Julius Thomas is a raw prospect who is more like a 6th-7th round caliber player right now but his upside has me thinking he could go in the 4th round range. His basketball background and likely testing numbers will have teams excited.

In a big surprise for App State fans Daniel Kilgore is almost certain to be the first player taken from ASU in this year's draft. He could go as high as the 4th or 5th round.

The two best players in the all-star circuit according to one team I talked with were by far Kenrick Ellis and Daniel Kilgore. Ellis has late 1st-early 2nd round talent but his off field baggage must be weighed. It will be interesting to see if he is taken in the 2nd round or falls. I'm projecting 4th or 5th round though.

A few players who have looked great in the postseason and likely have guaranteed themselves spots in the draft include UTC CB Buster Skrine, Richmond DT Martin Parker, and Richmond CB Justin Rogers.

Don't be surprised if Pat Devlin falls to the 6th-7th round or even goes undrafted unless he does well at the Combine. If he does well at Indy though then I think he settles in the 4th-5th round area.

A few potential late rounder sleepers include Alabama A&M DT Frank Kearse, Wofford S Tommy Irvin, UCA DE/OLB Markell Carter, and WIU WR Lito Senatus.

A player who might not get serious looks on draft day or even much of a free agent look but should is W&M P David Miller. Miller can play in the NFL. The big question will be how he does at his pro day which likely dictates his final grade.

[PenthouseClosedEnd]

Who gets drafted earlier - Rogers or Parker?

[SmallCollegeFBFan]

Who gets drafted earlier - Rogers or Parker?

You had to ask me that lol. I think a lot comes down to the combine. Both should test very well. If it was me I like Parker more but it just depends on which team you talk to.

[PenthouseClosedEnd]

I agree with you. I think Martin has more upside.

[TheHerd]

NDSU corner Gatlin is projected as a 6th round pick on some boards. He has the size and speed for NFL, just a matter of whether he can be coached up enough to play at that level.

[SmallCollegeFBFan]

NDSU corner Gatlin is projected as a 6th round pick on some boards. He has the size and speed for NFL, just a matter of whether he can be coached up enough to play at that level.

I won't put him on my draft board until I see what he runs. He has some impressive plays on tape but also has some bad ones as well. If he runs 4.4s I do think he will be taken in the 5th-7th round range though. Why didn't he start full time this past year?

[Screamin_Eagle174]

SCFBF, any word on Taiwan? I heard he wasn't going to run the 40 at the combine, that he was going to wait until his pro day on March 31 so he can be back to top speed. Would that hurt his stock opting not to run at the combine?

[SmallCollegeFBFan]

SCFBF, any word on Taiwan? I heard he wasn't going to run the 40 at the combine, that he was going to wait until his pro day on March 31 so he can be back to top speed. Would that hurt his stock opting not to run at the combine?

Yes it looks as if he won't run at the Combine from what folks are telling me. I don't think this hurts him at all as long as he shows up to his pro day looking good and runs well.

[Screamin_Eagle174]

SCFBF, any word on Taiwan? I heard he wasn't going to run the 40 at the combine, that he was going to wait until his pro day on March 31 so he can be back to top speed. Would that hurt his stock opting not to run at the combine?

Yes it looks as if he won't run at the Combine from what folks are telling me. I don't think this hurts him at all as long as he shows up to his pro day looking good and runs well.

Thanks, good to hear.

[FargoBison]

NDSU corner Gatlin is projected as a 6th round pick on some boards. He has the size and speed for NFL, just a matter of whether he can be coached up enough to play at that level.

I won't put him on my draft board until I see what he runs. He has some impressive plays on tape but also has some bad ones as well. If he runs 4.4s I do think he will be taken in the 5th-7th round range though. Why didn't he start full time this past year?

Gatlin is kind of a late bloomer, he was raw when he got here and had some injury issues last year. He really improved as this past season progressed.

[SACCAT]

They were talking about Mike Person from MSU being one of the first Guards/tackles taken in the draft.

[SmallCollegeFBFan]

They were talking about Mike Person from MSU being one of the first Guards/tackles taken in the draft.

Who was talking about him as a high round pick? In most mock drafts I have seen him go late or undrafted. I don't think he is drafted unless he has a great combine. Needs to bulk up to play inside and his arms measured in too short to likely let him stay at tackle in the NFL.

[SACCAT]

They were talking about Mike Person from MSU being one of the first Guards/tackles taken in the draft.

Who was talking about him as a high round pick? In most mock drafts I have seen him go late or undrafted. I don't think he is drafted unless he has a great combine. Needs to bulk up to play inside and his arms measured in too short to likely let him stay at tackle in the NFL.

Russ Landre, He is an NFL Draft analyst for ESPN. I am just saying what he said on ESPn First take this morning. Don't shoot the messenger.

[SmallCollegeFBFan]

Who was talking about him as a high round pick? In most mock drafts I have seen him go late or undrafted. I don't think he is drafted unless he has a great combine. Needs to bulk up to play inside and his arms measured in too short to likely let him stay at tackle in the NFL.

Russ Landre, He is an NFL Draft analyst for ESPN. I am just saying what he said on ESPn First take this morning. Don't shoot the messenger.

Oh no I'm not chewing you out. I was just stating what NFL scouts are saying and what I noticed. Yeah Lande does personnel for The Sporting News. And he is different as he always has some guys much higher than everyone else does and I suspect he does it to stick out. He had Jeromy Miles as a 3rd round pick last year. And having Person in the top 100 picks would certainly stick out compared to most.

[SACCAT]

Russ Landre, He is an NFL Draft analyst for ESPN. I am just saying what he said on ESPn First take this morning. Don't shoot the messenger.

Oh no I'm not chewing you out. I was just stating what NFL scouts are saying and what I noticed. Yeah Lande does personnel for The Sporting News. Now he is different. If you pick up Sporting News he had Jeromy Miles as a 3rd round pick last year. Always has some weird stuff in his ratings. He is known for having some guys way up the board that nobody else does. Part of me thinks he does it just to stick out. Having Person in the top 100 picks would certainly stick out compared to most.

What ever his reasons are, I just think it is cool that they were talking about a FCS kid ( and a Bobcat) on first take. I am sure Person is a bum with T-Rex arms.

[SmallCollegeFBFan]

Oh no I'm not chewing you out. I was just stating what NFL scouts are saying and what I noticed. Yeah Lande does personnel for The Sporting News. Now he is different. If you pick up Sporting News he had Jeromy Miles as a 3rd round pick last year. Always has some weird stuff in his ratings. He is known for having some guys way up the board that nobody else does. Part of me thinks he does it just to stick out. Having Person in the top 100 picks would certainly stick out compared to most.

What ever his reasons are, I just think it is cool that they were talking about a FCS kid ( and a Bobcat) on first take. I am sure Person is a bum with T-Rex arms.

You're right that is absolutely great. He deserves some talk. I'm not as high on him as I think he is more of a developmental guy but he is solid and should be on a roster for sure. I think he is the best NFL prospect you guys have had on the OL in quite some time. I liked him more than Hansen and Hurst (I think that's it name).

To be honest his arm length doesn't concern me. It's borderline so not like it's impossible. I just think he ends up at guard because he struggled with speed guys at the NFLPA Game on the edge. I think he needs to get stronger and bulk up. Usually you take linemen in the top 3 rounds who are more pro ready now and the guys who need development are usually taken in the late rounds or as free agents. That's why I think Person is more of a late round guy.

[EWURanger]

Here is a pretty good draft analysis about Jones from CBS Sports. I find it pretty much spot on.

"Simply put, athletes with Jones' degree of explosiveness are rarely found at the FCS level. Eastern Washington may have won the FCS National Championship without Jones -- who missed the final two playoff games with a broken bone in his left foot -- but the Eagles certainly wouldn't have been in position to win the title without his 1,742 rushing yards and 14 scores."

"The 6-0, 200 pounder is an electric open field runner who rushed for 1,742 yards this season, scoring 14 touchdowns on the ground. The former cornerback averaged a stunning 7.9 yards per carry over his 24 game collegiate career. Jones has been compared to Tennessee's Chris Johnson and Kansas City's Jamaal Charles for his almost video game-like combination of speed and elusiveness."

"Jones, who ranked second in FCS in both rushing yards (145.2 per game) and all-purpose yards (201.8), suffered a fracture to the base of his fifth metatarsal bone in his left foot in EWU's 38-31 overtime victory over North Dakota State Dec. 11 in the quarterfinals. He finished with a career-high 230 yards rushing in that game, including 203 yards and a touchdown in the first half, but wasn't able to play again"

"Teams that chalk up Jones' production to his level of competition could be surprised with how high he's selected. Possessing a combination of elusiveness, acceleration and breakaway speed to rival any skill position player in the FBS, Jones could wind up a top 100 selection. Only his troubling lack of durability and the question of which role will minimize the hits he'll take in the NFL will keep him from be picked even higher."

http://www.cbssports.com/nfl/draft/players/1708420" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

[dal4018]

Portland State TE Julius Thomas is a raw prospect who is more like a 6th-7th round caliber player right now but his upside has me thinking he could go in the 4th round range. His basketball background and likely testing numbers will have teams excited.

In a big surprise for App State fans Daniel Kilgore is almost certain to be the first player taken from ASU in this year's draft. He could go as high as the 4th or 5th round.

The two best players in the all-star circuit according to one team I talked with were by far Kenrick Ellis and Daniel Kilgore. Ellis has late 1st-early 2nd round talent but his off field baggage must be weighed. It will be interesting to see if he is taken in the 2nd round or falls. I'm projecting 4th or 5th round though.

A few players who have looked great in the postseason and likely have guaranteed themselves spots in the draft include UTC CB Buster Skrine, Richmond DT Martin Parker, and Richmond CB Justin Rogers.

Don't be surprised if Pat Devlin falls to the 6th-7th round or even goes undrafted unless he does well at the Combine. If he does well at Indy though then I think he settles in the 4th-5th round area.

A few potential late rounder sleepers include Alabama A&M DT Frank Kearse, Wofford S Tommy Irvin, UCA DE/OLB Markell Carter, and WIU WR Lito Senatus.

A player who might not get serious looks on draft day or even much of a free agent look but should is W&M P David Miller. Miller can play in the NFL. The big question will be how he does at his pro day which likely dictates his final grade.

I wonder who is looking at Kearse he at 6-4 314 has the size to play DT and what about Delaware St DT Andre Carroll he at 6-2 280 has the size the size to play DT but he may need to add 20 extra pounds and have you heard anything about the DE from Hampton he was combine invite he at 6-5 340 definitely has NFL size?

[dal4018]

Here is a pretty good draft analysis about Jones from CBS Sports. I find it pretty much spot on.

"Simply put, athletes with Jones' degree of explosiveness are rarely found at the FCS level. Eastern Washington may have won the FCS National Championship without Jones -- who missed the final two playoff games with a broken bone in his left foot -- but the Eagles certainly wouldn't have been in position to win the title without his 1,742 rushing yards and 14 scores."

"The 6-0, 200 pounder is an electric open field runner who rushed for 1,742 yards this season, scoring 14 touchdowns on the ground. The former cornerback averaged a stunning 7.9 yards per carry over his 24 game collegiate career. Jones has been compared to Tennessee's Chris Johnson and Kansas City's Jamaal Charles for his almost video game-like combination of speed and elusiveness."

"Jones, who ranked second in FCS in both rushing yards (145.2 per game) and all-purpose yards (201.8), suffered a fracture to the base of his fifth metatarsal bone in his left foot in EWU's 38-31 overtime victory over North Dakota State Dec. 11 in the quarterfinals. He finished with a career-high 230 yards rushing in that game, including 203 yards and a touchdown in the first half, but wasn't able to play again"

"Teams that chalk up Jones' production to his level of competition could be surprised with how high he's selected. Possessing a combination of elusiveness, acceleration and breakaway speed to rival any skill position player in the FBS, Jones could wind up a top 100 selection. Only his troubling lack of durability and the question of which role will minimize the hits he'll take in the NFL will keep him from be picked even higher."

http://www.cbssports.com/nfl/draft/players/1708420" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

What is Jones 40 yd dash time?

[dal4018]

There is a young man from a Division II school named Ricardo Lockette a WR from Fort Valley State that made himself a name to remember he had one of the fastest time at the combine with a sizzling time of 4.35.He has size to go along with that speed 6-2 212.

[SmallCollegeFBFan]

There is a young man from a Division II school named Ricardo Lockette a WR from Fort Valley State that made himself a name to remember he had one of the fastest time at the combine with a sizzling time of 4.35.He has size to go along with that speed 6-2 212.

Yeah but have you seen his tape? Bad hands and awful stats. The team was led in receiving by their tight end who is a 4.9 guy. Lockette is a track guy with great athletic ability but has not really shown he can dominate on the field yet. His hands weren't very good in the NFLPA Game either.

[dal4018]

Yes I know about his weak hands saw him in the HBCU all-star game its amazing that a TE led his team in receptions and yards as stated before too bad this school ran a run-oriented offense maybe his hands would improve.Hopefully he will get with a team that will work with him on his route running and catching he's a diamond in the rough.

[SmallCollegeFBFan]

Yes I know about his weak hands saw him in the HBCU all-star game its amazing that a TE led his team in receptions and yards as stated before too bad this school ran a run-oriented offense maybe his hands would improve.Hopefully he will get with a team that will work with him on his route running and catching he's a diamond in the rough.

Yeah and the tight end ran 4.9s for the scouts. Just goes to show that you don't have to have freakish athletic ability to produce in D2 and goes to show that just because you have that ability doesn't mean you will produce. Before they went to the run-oriented offense he didn't have very good numbers either. I think his best bet is special teams. He won't contribute at WR as a rookie, IMO. He reminds me of Kelton Tindal at Newberry to be honest. I think he's in the AFL within a year or two but I do think he lasts longer on a NFL roster than Tindal did.

[SmallCollegeFBFan]

Here are some buzz around the league.

Several teams are going to Wofford's pro day on the 11th to check out S Tommy Irvin.

Kenrick Ellis has a lot of concerns from medical to character. It would not surprise me at all to see him go undrafted but don't be fooled he is an elite talent. I just think he will be like Haynesworth. If I were a GM I wouldn't touch him with a ten foot pole.

Will Rackley had a bad workout at Indy and tweaked an injury. I have not been told he is falling but I think he is. I have always thought of him as more of a 6th-7th round guy. I think the media might be over rating him. I would be shocked if he went in the top 100. I think he goes 4th round at best.

Taiwan Jones has some medical concerns. He spent more time with the medical staffs than anyone. Rumors are that he is damaged goods and if so he will go undrafted. If he goes undrafted then look for him to have a very short career. I hate this for him because he is such a talented player.

Chatty CB Buster Skrine has average tape at CB but is very good on special teams and his Combine workout probably pushes him to the mid rounds. Based on workouts alone he looks like a 3rd round pick. It will be interesting to see if a GM believes he can work with him and takes him way too high like the Cowboys did with Jason Williams after his workouts.

Mark LeGree had a very good workouts. Some think he could go 3rd or 4th in the media but safeties don't get drawn up too much, if at all. I think he is a 4th-5th round caliber player but his lack of impact this year at times and the fact safeties fall likely puts him in the mid 5th to mid 7th round range.

Other than clocking a 4.45 in workouts Justin Rogers was a disappointment. Small hands, not very strong, and not highly explosive in jumps nor that quick in lateral drills. I have always thought of him as more of a PFA type prospect. The teams and media have had him higher. I think he is more of a 7th-PFA projection right instead of mid rounds like some say. Although, he did well at the Shrine Game I know how players fall who have a bad Combine or all-star game and while his all-star game was solid his Combine was not very good.

DJ Smith timed 4.88-4.90 electronically but ran 4.71-4.78 range on hand helds. I don't think he gets drafted, especially with the fact he did not time that well, is two inches shorter than average ILB, and his change of direction skills were not very good in the timed drills, which is shown on tape. Plus while he might be football smart he is slow to make decisions and that struggle to quickly process information on the move is going to hurt him.

Mark my words. SIU CB Korey Lindsey-Woods might not light up his pro day but he will get drafted as long as he times in the 4.50 range. He is as high as the 4th round on some boards.

Cortez Allen had a great Combine. His tape is not great but I think his special teams ability and the fact he could move to safety could still get him drafted.

[houndawg]

Lindsey getting any looks as a safety?