Post Combine Thoughts
The following is how I would set my first round if I were an NFL GM. I know my board is different than what you usually see. We all know that not many teams will have Tim Tebow or Sam Bradford rated very high on their 1st round boards. Some because they do not need a QB and some because they don’t think either player has the talent to play at the franchise level. Some teams will have Gerald McCoy listed ahead of Ndamukong Suh… I disagree I think he is an excellent talent but I also think he is limited in strength and change of direction abilities to impact in any style of system. He is a straight line 1 gap attack defensive lineman who could be very successful in that style and system but will struggle in a 2 gap system. So I rate him a little lower than most. Most people do not feel that Toby Gerhart RB Stanford is a first round running back. I disagree and watching film on him and seeing his speed at the combine confirmed to me that he is a franchise back and will a carry your running game right to a super bowl. So read the following and enjoy and remember to watch the value board to see what round these players will be drafted in and then in a few years go to the free archives to see if I was right or wrong. Because before a draft nobody is right or wrong… Let’s start with the QB’s.
I see the re-making of Tim (Spartacus) Tebow QB Florida has begun. It is amazing to me the reaction this kid gets every time his name is mentioned. It is also amusing to me how people who profess to be religious have such a negative reaction to what Tim stands for in his personal life and how that negativity clouds their opinion of Tim’s talents on the field. I have said all along that Tim Tebow is a top ten franchise QB. That opinion has nothing to do with his personal beliefs and everything to do with his play on the field. You don’t need to change Tim’s throwing mechanics. They are no different from Brett Favre’s long release when he winds up to throw the ball. He needs to improve his footwork and take care of the ball better while he is in the pocket. That is normal for just about every QB coming out in the draft. There is nothing wrong with his arm strength or accuracy just turn the film on and watch him throw to Percy Harvin all over the field. Using Tim’s mechanics as an excuse not to draft him is fine if that’s truly what you believe. But using your dislike for Tim because he is professing his religious beliefs and hiding behind his mechanics as the excuse not to draft him is disingenuous to say the least. If your opinion of Tim is that he is faking his beliefs because he professes them outwardly than you should be very happy the day you can tell us all… I told you so. I’m sure that will make you feel better as a person who knows everything and is smarter than the rest of us. I just don’t think that professing your personal religious beliefs should be a reason to down grade a player’s ability to impact at the next level. We don’t seem to do it to the players who have drug problems and who get arrested so why do it to Tim. Tim has found God and he didn’t have to go to prison first. I guess some people think that this is unfair to the players who have gone to prison first and then found God. For me personally you don’t have to remake Tim as a person or re make his mechanics. I watch film for my opinions and profiles and what Tim does on the field speaks volumes to me.
- Best QB’s – Sam Bradford Oklahoma, Tim Tebow Florida, Colt McCoy Texas, Zack Robinson Oklahoma St, Sean Canfield Oregon St
I’m surprised that C J Spiller RB Clemson and Jahvid Best RB California are the same size and speed and yet people think that C J is a better running back than Jahvid! Jahvid is a much more technically sound running back and runs through the tackles with the vision and cutting ability that makes him a much better bet to impact right away. C J still has to learn how to use his speed and is a cut and go running back who just out runs everybody and prefers to bounce everything to the outside. You need more than that for the next level. Don’t get me wrong C J is good but Jahvid has much more mature on the field skills. I ‘m not sure what Toby Gerhart RB Stanford has to do to become the first running back in this class off the board. Someone tell me …What else does he have to do? I guess the film and working out is not enough anymore for a Division I running back if he is not from USC and plays in the Pac 10.
- Best RB’s – Toby Gerhart Stanford, Jahvid Best California, CJ Spiller Clemson
I was pretty sure that Dez Bryant WR Oklahoma St would not run the gauntlet at the combine. Like I said in my profile … Until Dez can prove to me that he can catch the ball while running every route on the route tree and not just stop routes I’m not sure of how quickly he will impact. He has 1st round talent but it takes more than talent to play in the NFL. There are too many excellent WR’s in this draft to make this kid the first one off the board. There are a ton of WR’s in this draft with 1st round talent but for me the first one’s off the board who will have the quickest LTI are the following;
- Best WR’s – Arrelious Benn Illinois, Eric Decker Minnesota, Golden Tate Notre Dame, Jordan Shipley Texas, Dexter McCluster WR/RB Mississippi, Demaryius Thomas Georgia Tech, Mardy Gilyard Cincinnati, Dez Bryant Oklahoma St
There are plenty of TE’s/ HB’s in this draft that will have excellent impact in the passing game for most teams who draft them but if you want a complete TE who can block and catch These three are at the top.
- Best TE’s – Rob Gronkowski Arizona, Jim Dray Stanford, Jermaine Gresham Oklahoma
- TE’s/HB’s – Aaron Hernandez Florida, Tony Moeaki Iowa
Pure Left Tackles will always be listed higher on my board than most other offensive lineman who play left tackle at the college level but will not at the NFL level. (IMO) the Left tackle position is equal in value to a QB. The following is how I would set my board up on offensive lineman.
- Best OT’s – Russell Okung (LT) Oklahoma St, Trent Williams (LT) Alabama, Charles Brown (LT) USC, Bryan Bulaga Iowa, Mike Johnson Alabama, Kyle Calloway Iowa, Zane Beadles Utah, John Jerry Mississippi
Defensive lineman should be able to play in a 1gap or 2 gap system or multiple positions on the line to be considered as 1st round draft choices. So here is how I would set my board of for possible 1st round selections. There are some surprise but that’s how I see it on film.
- Ndamukong Suh Nebraska, Dan Williams Tennessee, Linval Joseph East Carolina, Gerald McCoy Oklahoma, Tyson Alualu California, Brian Price UCLA, Carlos Dunlap Florida, Jason Perrier Paul South Florida, Everson Griffen USC
The hybrid linebackers are the new rage in the NFL because of all the 3/4 defenses but linebackers who can play in any system and any one of the linebacker positions is how I set my board up.
- Best LB’s are Rolando McClain Alabama, Sean Lee Penn St, Sean Weatherspoon Missouri, Kio Misi Utah, Pat Angerer Iowa, A J Edds Iowa
- Best DE/OLB’s – Jerry Hughes TCU, Brandon Graham Michigan, Sergio Kindle Texas
Safeties are usually overrated if drafted in the first part of the first round but that doesn’t mean they don’t deserve first round grades and should not be drafted later in the first round. There are two this year for me but I rate safeties who are excellent tackles over safeties that are not.
- Best Safeties – Nate Allan Florida, Eric Berry Tennessee
Cornerbacks are in the eye of the beholder. Out of all the positions in a draft the most controversial as far as rating players for a position will be at cornerback. The different style of defensive systems allows for different styles of cornerback to play and be successful but there are some skills that everyone looks for in a corner. He must be able to tackle and come up and support the run.
- Best CB’s – Joe Haden Florida, Earl Thomas Texas, Syd’Quan Thompson California, Kyle Wilson Boise St, Brandon Ghee Wake Forest, Patrick Robinson Florida St
Best is not as good as Spiller on gameday, and that’s why Spiller’s rated higher. No player in the country put fear in the opponent’s hearts as much as Spiller did. Spiller broke it outside so much because that’s where the openings were. Spiller only had one year where he was the feature back and that explains his lack of 20+ carry games. To say he’s “yet to learn to use his speed” completely discredits the entire article.
Spiller is rated higher because Jahvid ended the year injured. There is literally nothing (other than injuries) that show Spiller being the better back. Just look at the stats. Best is bigger, faster and stronger and was more productive in college.
Drew,
Just wanted to say I love reading your player profiles. I’ve actually gone back and looked at your archives of many of the Steelers’ players and I think you’ve been right about every single one. I didn’t know what the Steelers were thinking a few years ago when they wasted a 2nd round pick on an OLB who was both short and too slow to rush the passer, contain the edge, and cover underneath routes. But everything you said about Lamarr Woodley has come true. He is so powerful; he manhandles 300 pound linemen on a regular basis. I absolutely love the way he wraps up and drives through when he tackles people. He’s the most physically dominant tackler I’ve ever seen on the team, and that includes Levon Kirkland. And boy can he ‘pull the string’ when the game is on the line. I’ve lost track of how many sacks he’s had when the other team is driving toward a go ahead score in the closing minutes of the game.
Some guys you’ve opened my eyes to this year that could really fill a big need for the Steelers include Brandon Ghee, Nate Allen, Sean Weatherspoon, Pat Angerer, Trent Williams, Charles Brown, and Vlad Ducasse (I really hope they can get him in the 2nd or 3rd round!. He would help our running game big time once he gets acclimated.)
Rock on Drew!
Duane,
Thank you for your kind words. I’m not sure what else to say except thank you. Everybody at the site works hard to give the members a different view of the draft.
Drew, quick question… your LBs. Is there something you don’t like about Jamar Chaney to leave him out? I’ve watched his play on a limited basis, so I’m by far no expert. But I’d offer for your consideration that he’s the fastest LB in this draft, inside or outside. He seems to cover well, can pick his way through to pressure the QB, and has a nose for the ball. He’s certainly got his shortcomings… but you’d not list him among your top 6 LBs? Thanks in advance.
B,
He can’t tackle. He is afraid of contact. He is not an ILB for the next level. He lacks football instincts. If he learns how to tackle he could make it. If I where drafting players in the real world and not just in “Drew’s World” I would expect my linebackers to like contact and be able to tackle.
That’s what I see…. but I’m not an expert either.
Love your opinions and writing year after year, Drew! And I’ve followed you long enough to know you don’t care what other draft analysts are saying …
But one of the consistent reports on Carlos Dunlap has been his inconsistency and lack of effort. What is everyone else missing that you see on the tape since you feel like he does show good effort and a work ethic and works within the system with leadership and smarts?
Also, do you see him as a fit for Willie McGinest’s old elephant position in the 3-4?
Keep up the incredible work! Thank you!
John,
I know I’m out on a limb with that profile but I saw a player being used more as a spy in most cases and doing it very well. I never saw a coach come over to Carlos on the sideline and talk to him in a manor that would suggest that he wasn’t doing his job. In fact they greeted him most of the time with back slaps. I was wrong with my profile on Vernon Gholston DE Jets when he came out and I could be wrong about Carlos but he does have the talent to play the elephant position in the 3/4. If his off field situations are behind him then this kid will be one of the steals of this draft.
Basically its a nice article. Yes, that is true, I agree with you, but I am not sure if there are no other options.