Three really good mid-rounders, and three I hate. - Page 4

Direckshun · 02-05-2014, 03:47 PM

DE Taylor Hart, Oregon -- Hart has absolutely fantastic size: 6'6", 285 lbs. He should become an ideal fit as a 3-4 DE, especially considering the length of his arms as well as his great strength. The biggest issue with Hart is that he seems to be a complete project in terms of his technique. I have rarely seen stranger technique out of a nearly 300 lbs defensive lineman than Hart. Sometimes he's in a decent three-point stance, other times he's in this weird frog stance where he squats like he's taking a dump. Needless to say, the frog squat is total bullshit at the next level -- he gets too high coming out of it, and it gives him no strategic advantage that I can determine. Hart has great physical skills (and even better effort), so if he's coachable, he's a great mid-rounder, maybe even as soon as the 3rd depending on how quickly you think you'd see results. He'd be really hard to turn down in the 4th.

Saccopoo · 02-05-2014, 08:50 PM

WTF is going on in this thread?

I thought this was about six dudes.

Direckshun · 02-05-2014, 09:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Saccopoo

WTF is going on in this thread?

I thought this was about six dudes.

It mutated to fit my needs.

Direckshun · 02-05-2014, 09:06 PM

RB Devonta Freeman, Florida State -- There was a thread a week or two ago asking who the "next Jamaal Charles" was in this upcoming draft. My answer in that thread was Devonta Freeman (not "Freedman," as I've been thinking it was for months). I am in love with this prospect. Freeman has elite quickness, hits gaps hard, has good, stout size (5'9", 200 lbs), and squeezes in behind his blocks fantastically. He's also extremely good receiving out of the backfield, and a surprisingly good blocker. Freeman is currently projected as a midrounder, but I have no idea why -- I guess it's because he's not a 4.3 guy (he sure looks like a 4.4 guy to me, however). He would be outstanding value in the midrounds, but I'd be happy taking him in the 3rd if the Chiefs were in the hunt for another RB (which they're probably not in the 3rd, but still). Freeman is an outstanding talent, and is my favorite RB in this entire draft class, no matter the draft projections.

Direckshun · 02-05-2014, 09:52 PM

WR T.J. Jones, Notre Dame -- There are fewer midrounders more entertaining to watch than T.J. Jones. An extremely fast route-running guru for the Fighting Irish with "meh" size (5'11", 190), Jones has been a four-year starter and senior-year captain. I can't help but think most draft sites are underrating this dude -- NFLDraftScout, for instance, says he's a 6th round talent and probably runs a 4.5. Well, I can say from watching the tape that he almost certainly runs in the 4.3 range, and his great hands and polished route-running ability should slip him into 3rd round consideration. At this point, I want to see how he performs at the Combine, but I'd definitely sweat passing on my him with my 4th rounder, but I think you'd be justified spending a low 3rd on him if you were so inclined. Jones' speed, route-running, and extreme versatility (bubble screens, slot routes, working on the outside, go routes) should definitely earn Dorsey's attention.

Gino-Bartali · 02-10-2014, 04:34 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Direckshun

WR T.J. Jones, Notre Dame -- There are fewer midrounders more entertaining to watch than T.J. Jones. An extremely fast route-running guru for the Fighting Irish with "meh" size (5'11", 190), Jones has been a four-year starter and senior-year captain. I can't help but think most draft sites are underrating this dude -- NFLDraftScout, for instance, says he's a 6th round talent and probably runs a 4.5. Well, I can say from watching the tape that he almost certainly runs in the 4.3 range, and his great hands and polished route-running ability should slip him into 3rd round consideration. At this point, I want to see how he performs at the Combine, but I'd definitely sweat passing on my him with my 4th rounder, but I think you'd be justified spending a low 3rd on him if you were so inclined. Jones' speed, route-running, and extreme versatility (bubble screens, slot routes, working on the outside, go routes) should definitely earn Dorsey's attention.

Jones does not have blazing speed, he is not a 4.3 guy, not even close. He lacks breakway speed or burst (even he has some nice short area quickness). If he was a 4.3 guy he would be clearly a top 15 selection. He will never burn a DB ala Donnie Avery. But yes, he is a fantastic and underrated receiver.

Direckshun · 02-10-2014, 05:54 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gino-Bartali

Jones does not have blazing speed, he is not a 4.3 guy, not even close. He lacks breakway speed or burst (even he has some nice short area quickness). If he was a 4.3 guy he would be clearly a top 15 selection. He will never burn a DB ala Donnie Avery. But yes, he is a fantastic and underrated receiver.

The Combine will prove one of us correct.

He's projected at a 4.5, I think, but I do love how fast he looks in his routes.

I'm a big fan. I think he'll be a really good slot receiver if he receives good coaching.

Gino-Bartali · 02-10-2014, 06:46 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Direckshun

The Combine will prove one of us correct.

He's projected at a 4.5, I think, but I do love how fast he looks in his routes.

I'm a big fan. I think he'll be a really good slot receiver if he receives good coaching.

- Really, really great hands. Knows how to adjust his body to make the catch, has some underrated leaping ability and can win jump balls against bigger DBs winning the battle at the catch point.

- If not the best, one of the better route runners in the country. He dominates the entire route tree, but he was mainly used in the short and intermediate areas of the field. Against off-coverage is a sure first down for him. Does a nice job with head fakes and i really love the way he works his way into space and back towards his quarterback when the pocket is collapsing.

- Meh size, yep, but he is really tough, he fights to move the chains and he can stay his feet after the contact so he is a good WR to produce YAC.

He is natural, polished at the position from a technical standpoint and has a high football IQ. Concerns to me are his frame, straight-line/breakaway speed and his ability to beat jams or press coverage at the next level.

Direckshun · 02-05-2014, 10:34 PM

ILB DeDe Lattimore, South Florida -- A slightly poorer man's version of Nico Johnson, Lattimore is a 2-down ILB who looks like Jekyll & Hyde on the football field based on one critical component: whether he's charging downhill like a wrecking ball towards the pocket, or backpedaling into coverage. Lattimore is currently projected to run a 4.8 at the Combine, but he looks like he has 4.6 speed the way he crashes the pocket. Running downhill, busting wigs in the run game, Lattimore is physical, nasty, and very, very comfortable in the role. He's a bit too rambunctious, however, as he blasts into the backfield so fast, he sometimes runs right past the RB. In coverage, however, he looks every bit that 4.8 -- hell, he looks 5.0. Lattimore is a two-down beast, and maybe a team can transfer some of that energy to his coverage abilities.

Direckshun · 02-05-2014, 11:18 PM

ILB Max Bullough, Michigan State -- I don't know how clearly I can stress this: avoid, avoid, avoid. Forget the fact that Bullough was mysteriously suspended for five weeks by his coach for reasons that were never provided. Forget the fact that Michigan State responded to FOI requests by confirming that Bullough's suspension was not the result of an NCAA violation, suggesting that something really nasty occurred internally at the MSU program. Forget the fact that Bullough fell completely off the map for that month-plus, and nobody knows the truth. Forget the fact that when he did return, for the East-West game, he showed up 20 pounds overweight. This guy had more red flags than the 2008 Opening Ceremony in Beijing, but forget all that. Just look at the tape: Bullough is a slow, slow, possibly-over-5.0-in-the-40 linebacker, and he can't fight through blocks. Avoid, avoid, avoid.

htismaqe · 02-06-2014, 07:28 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Direckshun

ILB Max Bullough, Michigan State -- I don't know how clearly I can stress this: avoid, avoid, avoid. Forget the fact that Bullough was mysteriously suspended for five weeks by his coach for reasons that were never provided. Forget the fact that Michigan State responded to FOI requests by confirming that Bullough's suspension was not the result of an NCAA violation, suggesting that something really nasty occurred internally at the MSU program. Forget the fact that Bullough fell completely off the map for that month-plus, and nobody knows the truth. Forget the fact that when he did return, for the East-West game, he showed up 20 pounds overweight. This guy had more red flags than the 2008 Opening Ceremony in Beijing, but forget all that. Just look at the tape: Bullough is a slow, slow, possibly-over-5.0-in-the-40 linebacker, and he can't fight through blocks. Avoid, avoid, avoid.

Vontaze Burfict.

Direckshun · 02-05-2014, 11:50 PM

RB Storm Johnson, Central Florida -- One of the reasons Blake Bortles has taken the world by storm is that powerhouse back Storm Johnson kept defenses honest the past couple seasons for UCF. Johnson (6'1", 215 lbs) is a strong runner who, once he gets his momentum going, can pummel defenses and slam through any daylight his OL provides. He's not a fluid running machine, but he is the proverbial bowling ball with knives that teams love in short yardage situations. I think Johnson, despite his unorthodox running style, can thrive as a true bellcow in a power system, however. The Combine will be very important for him, as I have him down as a 6th or 7th rounder right now.

Direckshun · 02-06-2014, 10:37 AM

I don't know... Burfict was not only a better player on the field when he was on, his fall from grace was pretty transparent, was it not?

Bullough's is a total mystery, and he took on 20 pounds in two months. My guess is, not muscle.

htismaqe · 02-06-2014, 06:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Direckshun

I don't know... Burfict was not only a better player on the field when he was on, his fall from grace was pretty transparent, was it not?

Bullough's is a total mystery, and he took on 20 pounds in two months. My guess is, not muscle.

All I'm saying is I've seen Bullough ****ing rock some dudes. If he starts free-falling, taking a late round flyer on him might absolutely be worth it.

Direckshun · 02-06-2014, 03:21 PM

RB Andre Williams, Boston College -- I have always been a huge BC homer, because athletes out of BC tend to be extremely high character and well prepared for the pros. Williams, however, will be a project for any team that brings him on. Now, we are still talking about a 6'0", 227 lbs bellcow back who set records in rushing for 2,000+ yards and 16 TDs this year for the Eagles, at over 6 yards/carry. However, you're also talking about a back with ball security issues, no receiving ability, and little blocking experience. Even if you believe you can coach him out of that, you're still left with a well-rounded back without great speed. I'm always high on RBs with a nose for the end zone, however, and at the very least, you're getting a Jackie Battle here. At the very best, you're getting LaGarrette Blount.

02-05-2014, 03:47 PM	#1
Direckshun __ Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Springpatch Casino cash: $4093447	DE Taylor Hart, Oregon -- Hart has absolutely fantastic size: 6'6", 285 lbs. He should become an ideal fit as a 3-4 DE, especially considering the length of his arms as well as his great strength. The biggest issue with Hart is that he seems to be a complete project in terms of his technique. I have rarely seen stranger technique out of a nearly 300 lbs defensive lineman than Hart. Sometimes he's in a decent three-point stance, other times he's in this weird frog stance where he squats like he's taking a dump. Needless to say, the frog squat is total bullshit at the next level -- he gets too high coming out of it, and it gives him no strategic advantage that I can determine. Hart has great physical skills (and even better effort), so if he's coachable, he's a great mid-rounder, maybe even as soon as the 3rd depending on how quickly you think you'd see results. He'd be really hard to turn down in the 4th.
Posts: 59,327

02-05-2014, 08:50 PM	#2
Saccopoo Kindness in words... Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Zion Casino cash: $10025483	WTF is going on in this thread? I thought this was about six dudes.
Posts: 15,450

02-05-2014, 09:06 PM	#4
Direckshun __ Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Springpatch Casino cash: $4093447	RB Devonta Freeman, Florida State -- There was a thread a week or two ago asking who the "next Jamaal Charles" was in this upcoming draft. My answer in that thread was Devonta Freeman (not "Freedman," as I've been thinking it was for months). I am in love with this prospect. Freeman has elite quickness, hits gaps hard, has good, stout size (5'9", 200 lbs), and squeezes in behind his blocks fantastically. He's also extremely good receiving out of the backfield, and a surprisingly good blocker. Freeman is currently projected as a midrounder, but I have no idea why -- I guess it's because he's not a 4.3 guy (he sure looks like a 4.4 guy to me, however). He would be outstanding value in the midrounds, but I'd be happy taking him in the 3rd if the Chiefs were in the hunt for another RB (which they're probably not in the 3rd, but still). Freeman is an outstanding talent, and is my favorite RB in this entire draft class, no matter the draft projections.
Posts: 59,327

02-05-2014, 09:52 PM	#5
Direckshun __ Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Springpatch Casino cash: $4093447	WR T.J. Jones, Notre Dame -- There are fewer midrounders more entertaining to watch than T.J. Jones. An extremely fast route-running guru for the Fighting Irish with "meh" size (5'11", 190), Jones has been a four-year starter and senior-year captain. I can't help but think most draft sites are underrating this dude -- NFLDraftScout, for instance, says he's a 6th round talent and probably runs a 4.5. Well, I can say from watching the tape that he almost certainly runs in the 4.3 range, and his great hands and polished route-running ability should slip him into 3rd round consideration. At this point, I want to see how he performs at the Combine, but I'd definitely sweat passing on my him with my 4th rounder, but I think you'd be justified spending a low 3rd on him if you were so inclined. Jones' speed, route-running, and extreme versatility (bubble screens, slot routes, working on the outside, go routes) should definitely earn Dorsey's attention.
Posts: 59,327

02-05-2014, 10:34 PM	#9
Direckshun __ Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Springpatch Casino cash: $4093447	ILB DeDe Lattimore, South Florida -- A slightly poorer man's version of Nico Johnson, Lattimore is a 2-down ILB who looks like Jekyll & Hyde on the football field based on one critical component: whether he's charging downhill like a wrecking ball towards the pocket, or backpedaling into coverage. Lattimore is currently projected to run a 4.8 at the Combine, but he looks like he has 4.6 speed the way he crashes the pocket. Running downhill, busting wigs in the run game, Lattimore is physical, nasty, and very, very comfortable in the role. He's a bit too rambunctious, however, as he blasts into the backfield so fast, he sometimes runs right past the RB. In coverage, however, he looks every bit that 4.8 -- hell, he looks 5.0. Lattimore is a two-down beast, and maybe a team can transfer some of that energy to his coverage abilities.
Posts: 59,327

02-05-2014, 11:18 PM	#10
Direckshun __ Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Springpatch Casino cash: $4093447	ILB Max Bullough, Michigan State -- I don't know how clearly I can stress this: avoid, avoid, avoid. Forget the fact that Bullough was mysteriously suspended for five weeks by his coach for reasons that were never provided. Forget the fact that Michigan State responded to FOI requests by confirming that Bullough's suspension was not the result of an NCAA violation, suggesting that something really nasty occurred internally at the MSU program. Forget the fact that Bullough fell completely off the map for that month-plus, and nobody knows the truth. Forget the fact that when he did return, for the East-West game, he showed up 20 pounds overweight. This guy had more red flags than the 2008 Opening Ceremony in Beijing, but forget all that. Just look at the tape: Bullough is a slow, slow, possibly-over-5.0-in-the-40 linebacker, and he can't fight through blocks. Avoid, avoid, avoid.
Posts: 59,327

02-05-2014, 11:50 PM	#12
Direckshun __ Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Springpatch Casino cash: $4093447	RB Storm Johnson, Central Florida -- One of the reasons Blake Bortles has taken the world by storm is that powerhouse back Storm Johnson kept defenses honest the past couple seasons for UCF. Johnson (6'1", 215 lbs) is a strong runner who, once he gets his momentum going, can pummel defenses and slam through any daylight his OL provides. He's not a fluid running machine, but he is the proverbial bowling ball with knives that teams love in short yardage situations. I think Johnson, despite his unorthodox running style, can thrive as a true bellcow in a power system, however. The Combine will be very important for him, as I have him down as a 6th or 7th rounder right now.
Posts: 59,327

02-06-2014, 10:37 AM	#13
Direckshun __ Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Springpatch Casino cash: $4093447	I don't know... Burfict was not only a better player on the field when he was on, his fall from grace was pretty transparent, was it not? Bullough's is a total mystery, and he took on 20 pounds in two months. My guess is, not muscle.
Posts: 59,327

02-06-2014, 03:21 PM	#15
Direckshun __ Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Springpatch Casino cash: $4093447	RB Andre Williams, Boston College -- I have always been a huge BC homer, because athletes out of BC tend to be extremely high character and well prepared for the pros. Williams, however, will be a project for any team that brings him on. Now, we are still talking about a 6'0", 227 lbs bellcow back who set records in rushing for 2,000+ yards and 16 TDs this year for the Eagles, at over 6 yards/carry. However, you're also talking about a back with ball security issues, no receiving ability, and little blocking experience. Even if you believe you can coach him out of that, you're still left with a well-rounded back without great speed. I'm always high on RBs with a nose for the end zone, however, and at the very least, you're getting a Jackie Battle here. At the very best, you're getting LaGarrette Blount.
Posts: 59,327