Three really good mid-rounders, and three I hate. - Page 14

Direckshun · 01-30-2014, 01:15 PM

Just because. Midrounders are anything from low-3rds to 5th round.

I LIKE:

OT/G Joel Bitonio, Nevada -- At this point, he's looking more like a guard, since he played there all of the Senior Bowl. However, Bitonio played extremely well at the Senior Bowl, ending up one of my Top 10 players from that week. Bitonio (6'4", 307 lbs) is a very, very athletic tackle who could crawl into the 2nd round if that athleticism translates to a sub-5.0 40 time, which I honestly think it will. He looks like a great zone blocker at guard, but I honestly think he can play tackle -- he played Anthony Barr to a standstill. Blocked for the NCAA's 2nd most rush yards, and held excellent protection at left tackle for the Wolf Pack.

DE/DT Dominique Easley, Florida -- I absolutely adore Easley. Extremely high effort, high-athleticism guy who absolutely never quits. He can push back against bigger OLs, and penetrate, penetrate, penetrate. The big question is -- where do you put him. He played everywhere in Florida's 4-3, but 280 lbs is pretty light for defensive tackle in the NFL, even at undertackle. He's a little on the short side (6'2") but powerful enough for DE in the 4-3, but he played primarily at DT for the Gators, so he's a project there. As for the 3-4... I hate him on the edge in a two-point stance. His first step is far too valuable to take him out of the three-point. So he'd have to play DE in our system, making him purely a passrush specialist. I don't know if that'd be worth the 3rd we'd have to spend to get him, but I really want him on our roster. He's 1st round talent, coming off a terrible ACL tear.

TE Xavier Grimble, USC -- I think Grimble is going to pleasantly surprise everybody. His numbers in college were hampered by the great talent he played with and the injuries he suffered, but here's what we do know: Grimble is a fast, athletic, big (6'5", 255) tight end with good hands. His performance at the Combine could endear him to a lot of people, if he holds his own in blocking drills and looks sharp getting in and out of the cuts in his routes.

I DON'T LIKE:

S Ahmad Dixon, Baylor -- Bernard Pollard 2.0. If you want big hits, he's an option. But even with those big hits, Dixon (6'0", 205) isn't that great in the run game, and he's disasterous in the passing game. He doesn't break down for tackles at all, and will throw his shoulder instead of wrapping up. His coverage will be passable on backs out of the flat, but he will struggle keeping up with NFL caliber TEs and god help him against WRs. More of a strong safety. No discipline. Had an assault charge on him over the offseason.

ILB/OLB Lamin Borrow, LSU -- Can somebody tell me why anybody thinks anything of this guy? He's consistently rated as a mid-rounder but aside from his rangey speed, I don't see why. He's not good in coverage. He can't shed blocks. He doesn't make plays behind the line of scrimmage. He's fast but not especially so. He's not especially big (6'2", 232). He's just a guy. He's not a difference maker, wasn't in college, and won't be in the NFL. Blah.

OLB Demarcus Lawrence, Boise State -- A great athlete with a good motor, but undersized. He has some experience standing up, but he really struggled against the scant NFL talent he went up against. The best player he played all year was Bitonio, and he avoided him most of the game. The few meetings these players had was soundly won by Bitonio. He's just too undersized to play in a three-point stance in a 4-3, so he'd have to occupy some Von Miller role as an OLB in that setup, but he has almost no experience in coverage. I think Lawrence will be a valuable special teamer, nothing more.

Direckshun · 03-12-2014, 01:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DaKCMan AP

Wasn't Joe Haden clocked at 4.65 at the combine?

I think so, actually.

Direckshun · 03-12-2014, 01:59 PM

DT Zach Kerr, Delaware -- If there were ever a poor man's Dontari Poe, you're getting pretty close to him with Kerr. Kerr is a surprisingly, shockingly athletic man for somebody who's 6'1", 326 lbs. He's got a completely skillset and could actually find himself getting drafted on the second day of the Draft. I can't believe I'm saying this, because you run across these players so rarely, but his get-off is strong and his pursuit doesn't stop until the whistle blows. He has a series of passrush moves and can stop the run outside of the phone booth if need be. He'll have some technique work to button down but I don't anticipate there being anything major he'll have to pickup -- though a year in a strength & conditioning program will take him to the next level. This guy has future Pro Bowl talent written all over him, and I think in a weak draft year, he'd be a first rounder.

**The Franchise** · 03-12-2014, 02:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DaKCMan AP

Wasn't Joe Haden clocked at 4.65 at the combine?

4.57

OldSchool · 03-12-2014, 08:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Direckshun

DT Zach Kerr, Delaware -- If there were ever a poor man's Dontari Poe, you're getting pretty close to him with Kerr. Kerr is a surprisingly, shockingly athletic man for somebody who's 6'1", 326 lbs. He's got a completely skillset and could actually find himself getting drafted on the second day of the Draft. I can't believe I'm saying this, because you run across these players so rarely, but his get-off is strong and his pursuit doesn't stop until the whistle blows. He has a series of passrush moves and can stop the run outside of the phone booth if need be. He'll have some technique work to button down but I don't anticipate there being anything major he'll have to pickup -- though a year in a strength & conditioning program will take him to the next level. This guy has future Pro Bowl talent written all over him, and I think in a weak draft year, he'd be a first rounder.

I really hope we can get him. He'll be a steal in the 5th round but it's possible someone might take him even higher than that.

Direckshun · 03-12-2014, 08:45 PM

Man, I can't help but think I'm overvaluing the guy, but he is a ridiculous athlete for somebody that size.

I'd take him in the 2nd round. Not even shitting you.

OldSchool · 03-12-2014, 08:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Direckshun

Man, I can't help but think I'm overvaluing the guy, but he is a ridiculous athlete for somebody that size.

I'd take him in the 2nd round. Not even shitting you.

He really does remind me of Wilfork and I think that's his upside. At worst he'll develop into a serviceable starter who has a great motor for a big man at NT.

Direckshun · 03-12-2014, 09:25 PM

RB Kapri Bibbs, Colorado State -- Easily having one of the most awesome names in this draft, I really wish Bibbs could have stayed in college for a couple more years at least so the scouting community (of which I am not a member) could have an easier time figuring out what Bibbs is all about. At this point, it's very possible that Bibbs ends up a UDFA, justified or not. But he crushed rushing records for Colorado State in his only year rushing for the Rams, and declared for the draft immediately. His tape looks good; he runs with decent (not great) power, rushes with good (not great) speed, and protects the pocket adequately (not very well). Then he goes to the Combine and lays an egg in just about every measure you can. I think Bibbs could have a future if he can land on a practice squad and develops for a year or two, but it remains to be seen if he can even (a.) get drafted, or (b.) beat out the many superior athletes he'll face for a roster spot.

Direckshun · 03-12-2014, 10:13 PM

WR Cody Lattimer, Indiana -- Lattimer has some work to do in order to fulfill his potential at the next level, but I really like the tools he's working with. You're talking about a guy with surprising quickness at 6'2", 215 lbs, who uses his body to shield off defenders like a champ. Lattimer can make all kinds of ridiculous catches, but sometimes gets a bit cocky in that and loses concentration -- he'll have some technique work to do. And he'll need to work on his routes as well, because while Lattimer is a great presence who can make catches in traffic, and blocks like a tight end, he's not fast at all. He didn't run at the Combine, but on film he looks like he has 4.7 speed. He was still able to be successful against CBs like Darqueze Dennard in 2013, but once he's removed from that wide-open offense ridiculousness at Indiana, and it's just him and a corner on an island, he's going to need more tricks in his bag to reliably create separation. Late round pick.

OldSchool · 03-13-2014, 05:02 AM

Check out OSU's Andrew Norwell, OG/OT for me. He lined up at LG for them last season but can play tackle as well.

Direckshun · 03-13-2014, 09:52 AM

DE/OLB Devon Kennard, USC -- Kennard was a former 5-star recruit who was supposed to take the universe by storm as a 4-3 DE passrushing demon off the edge. Unfortunately, he busted. But was suddenly resurrected when USC switched to a 3-4 defense as a rushbacker, of all things! Here's a guy who doesn't have great athleticism, or great strength. So USC decides to change schemes, and run a ton of stunts for Kennard, whose endless motor notched him 9 sacks this past year. So an NFL team will see some promise there and bring Kennard on. But Kennard needs stunts and misdirection to apply pressure because he is neither exceptionally strong or fast. He is tough as a bull, with tireless effort, and enthusiastic against the run. But he's only useful downhill, so his ceiling is as a situational passrusher at the next level.

Direckshun · 03-13-2014, 09:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by OldSchool

Check out OSU's Andrew Norwell, OG/OT for me. He lined up at LG for them last season but can play tackle as well.

I'll put him in my thingamabob.

Direckshun · 03-13-2014, 10:11 AM

TE Colt Lyerla, Oregon -- You all know the rap sheet on Lyerla at this point, and I don't have much that's new to say about him. He's a wonderfully physically gifted tight end with near-peerless speed, awesome athleticism, great body control, and big, soft hands, who suffers from a bout with cocaine. Lyerla is "only" 242 lbs at 6'4", but that probably means he's best suited for an offense that utilizes receiving tight ends. With the Chiefs acquiring Fasano and Kelce in 2014, it's clear the Chiefs prefer tight ends can block -- but surprise surprise, guess what Lyerla's pretty good at doing? Lyerla will need some technique work, but the Ducks frequently asked him to block defensive linemen, even 300 lbers., and while Lyerla is not a punishing blocker, he is plenty effective. The question is, as we all know it is: how much do you think he can get past his demons? I was thinking he was a late rounder because of them, but now it is clear that he is just way too talented to go any deeper than the 3rd round. If he lasts to the Chiefs' 3rd rounder, the Chiefs should heavily consider investing.

Direckshun · 03-13-2014, 10:12 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Direckshun

DE/OLB James Gayle, Virginia Tech -- Being enthusiastic about banging your head into a wall doesn't make it hurt less. It just makes the pain easier to endure, I suppose. And that's where James Gayle enters the conversation. He is a Hali-esque everlasting energizer on the field, a guy who will pursue, pursue, pursue until the whistle blows. He's an enthusiastic hitter with a fiery attitude. It's just hard to see what exactly he's going to do well in the NFL. First off, he's currently about the size of a 3-4 rushbacker (6'3", 255 lbs), but he looks terrible in a two-point stance -- no explosion whatsoever. He's got some pretty good get-off in a three-point in the 4-3, but he'll almost certainly have to get back to the 270s he played in a couple years ago. Gayle is an enthusiastic run defender, but he doesn't bend the edge hardly at all against the pass. Unless a team sees crazy potential in him, he's going to have to hustle his way onto a roster as a UDFA.

This assessment is changing soon.

Saccopoo · 03-13-2014, 09:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Direckshun

This assessment is changing soon.

Don't do that. Stick to your guns.

Direckshun · 03-15-2014, 10:50 AM

TE Richard Rodgers, California -- Rodgers is exactly what the Chiefs like in a tight end. He is a blocker-first tight end, as the Golden Bears asked him to block more than half the time. Despite that, he's not really a special blocker in any sense, he's just super experienced at the art, and at 6'4", 260 lbs, he's got perfect size for the role. As a receiver, he's alright. Certainly not a difference maker with 4.8 speed and decent routes -- he's basically a Sean McGrath that can block a little better. If you take away his ridiculously long reception plays this year -- he's not scoring 60- and 70-yard TD plays in the NFL -- he's around 8 yards a reception. Which, sadly, is what the Chiefs settle for. I'd probably avoid Rodgers altogether seeing how the Chiefs basically already have him on their roster. At best, he's a late rounder.

01-30-2014, 01:15 PM
Direckshun __ Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Springpatch Casino cash: $4373447	Three really good mid-rounders, and three I hate. Just because. Midrounders are anything from low-3rds to 5th round. I LIKE: OT/G Joel Bitonio, Nevada -- At this point, he's looking more like a guard, since he played there all of the Senior Bowl. However, Bitonio played extremely well at the Senior Bowl, ending up one of my Top 10 players from that week. Bitonio (6'4", 307 lbs) is a very, very athletic tackle who could crawl into the 2nd round if that athleticism translates to a sub-5.0 40 time, which I honestly think it will. He looks like a great zone blocker at guard, but I honestly think he can play tackle -- he played Anthony Barr to a standstill. Blocked for the NCAA's 2nd most rush yards, and held excellent protection at left tackle for the Wolf Pack. DE/DT Dominique Easley, Florida -- I absolutely adore Easley. Extremely high effort, high-athleticism guy who absolutely never quits. He can push back against bigger OLs, and penetrate, penetrate, penetrate. The big question is -- where do you put him. He played everywhere in Florida's 4-3, but 280 lbs is pretty light for defensive tackle in the NFL, even at undertackle. He's a little on the short side (6'2") but powerful enough for DE in the 4-3, but he played primarily at DT for the Gators, so he's a project there. As for the 3-4... I hate him on the edge in a two-point stance. His first step is far too valuable to take him out of the three-point. So he'd have to play DE in our system, making him purely a passrush specialist. I don't know if that'd be worth the 3rd we'd have to spend to get him, but I really want him on our roster. He's 1st round talent, coming off a terrible ACL tear. TE Xavier Grimble, USC -- I think Grimble is going to pleasantly surprise everybody. His numbers in college were hampered by the great talent he played with and the injuries he suffered, but here's what we do know: Grimble is a fast, athletic, big (6'5", 255) tight end with good hands. His performance at the Combine could endear him to a lot of people, if he holds his own in blocking drills and looks sharp getting in and out of the cuts in his routes. I DON'T LIKE: S Ahmad Dixon, Baylor -- Bernard Pollard 2.0. If you want big hits, he's an option. But even with those big hits, Dixon (6'0", 205) isn't that great in the run game, and he's disasterous in the passing game. He doesn't break down for tackles at all, and will throw his shoulder instead of wrapping up. His coverage will be passable on backs out of the flat, but he will struggle keeping up with NFL caliber TEs and god help him against WRs. More of a strong safety. No discipline. Had an assault charge on him over the offseason. ILB/OLB Lamin Borrow, LSU -- Can somebody tell me why anybody thinks anything of this guy? He's consistently rated as a mid-rounder but aside from his rangey speed, I don't see why. He's not good in coverage. He can't shed blocks. He doesn't make plays behind the line of scrimmage. He's fast but not especially so. He's not especially big (6'2", 232). He's just a guy. He's not a difference maker, wasn't in college, and won't be in the NFL. Blah. OLB Demarcus Lawrence, Boise State -- A great athlete with a good motor, but undersized. He has some experience standing up, but he really struggled against the scant NFL talent he went up against. The best player he played all year was Bitonio, and he avoided him most of the game. The few meetings these players had was soundly won by Bitonio. He's just too undersized to play in a three-point stance in a 4-3, so he'd have to occupy some Von Miller role as an OLB in that setup, but he has almost no experience in coverage. I think Lawrence will be a valuable special teamer, nothing more.
Posts: 59,263

03-12-2014, 01:59 PM	#197
Direckshun __ Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Springpatch Casino cash: $4373447	DT Zach Kerr, Delaware -- If there were ever a poor man's Dontari Poe, you're getting pretty close to him with Kerr. Kerr is a surprisingly, shockingly athletic man for somebody who's 6'1", 326 lbs. He's got a completely skillset and could actually find himself getting drafted on the second day of the Draft. I can't believe I'm saying this, because you run across these players so rarely, but his get-off is strong and his pursuit doesn't stop until the whistle blows. He has a series of passrush moves and can stop the run outside of the phone booth if need be. He'll have some technique work to button down but I don't anticipate there being anything major he'll have to pickup -- though a year in a strength & conditioning program will take him to the next level. This guy has future Pro Bowl talent written all over him, and I think in a weak draft year, he'd be a first rounder.
Posts: 59,263

03-12-2014, 08:45 PM	#200
Direckshun __ Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Springpatch Casino cash: $4373447	Man, I can't help but think I'm overvaluing the guy, but he is a ridiculous athlete for somebody that size. I'd take him in the 2nd round. Not even shitting you.
Posts: 59,263

03-12-2014, 09:25 PM	#202
Direckshun __ Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Springpatch Casino cash: $4373447	RB Kapri Bibbs, Colorado State -- Easily having one of the most awesome names in this draft, I really wish Bibbs could have stayed in college for a couple more years at least so the scouting community (of which I am not a member) could have an easier time figuring out what Bibbs is all about. At this point, it's very possible that Bibbs ends up a UDFA, justified or not. But he crushed rushing records for Colorado State in his only year rushing for the Rams, and declared for the draft immediately. His tape looks good; he runs with decent (not great) power, rushes with good (not great) speed, and protects the pocket adequately (not very well). Then he goes to the Combine and lays an egg in just about every measure you can. I think Bibbs could have a future if he can land on a practice squad and develops for a year or two, but it remains to be seen if he can even (a.) get drafted, or (b.) beat out the many superior athletes he'll face for a roster spot.
Posts: 59,263

03-12-2014, 10:13 PM	#203
Direckshun __ Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Springpatch Casino cash: $4373447	WR Cody Lattimer, Indiana -- Lattimer has some work to do in order to fulfill his potential at the next level, but I really like the tools he's working with. You're talking about a guy with surprising quickness at 6'2", 215 lbs, who uses his body to shield off defenders like a champ. Lattimer can make all kinds of ridiculous catches, but sometimes gets a bit cocky in that and loses concentration -- he'll have some technique work to do. And he'll need to work on his routes as well, because while Lattimer is a great presence who can make catches in traffic, and blocks like a tight end, he's not fast at all. He didn't run at the Combine, but on film he looks like he has 4.7 speed. He was still able to be successful against CBs like Darqueze Dennard in 2013, but once he's removed from that wide-open offense ridiculousness at Indiana, and it's just him and a corner on an island, he's going to need more tricks in his bag to reliably create separation. Late round pick.
Posts: 59,263

03-13-2014, 05:02 AM	#204
OldSchool MVP Join Date: Sep 2013 Casino cash: $10035212	Check out OSU's Andrew Norwell, OG/OT for me. He lined up at LG for them last season but can play tackle as well.
Posts: 12,727

03-13-2014, 09:52 AM	#205
Direckshun __ Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Springpatch Casino cash: $4373447	DE/OLB Devon Kennard, USC -- Kennard was a former 5-star recruit who was supposed to take the universe by storm as a 4-3 DE passrushing demon off the edge. Unfortunately, he busted. But was suddenly resurrected when USC switched to a 3-4 defense as a rushbacker, of all things! Here's a guy who doesn't have great athleticism, or great strength. So USC decides to change schemes, and run a ton of stunts for Kennard, whose endless motor notched him 9 sacks this past year. So an NFL team will see some promise there and bring Kennard on. But Kennard needs stunts and misdirection to apply pressure because he is neither exceptionally strong or fast. He is tough as a bull, with tireless effort, and enthusiastic against the run. But he's only useful downhill, so his ceiling is as a situational passrusher at the next level.
Posts: 59,263

03-13-2014, 10:11 AM	#207
Direckshun __ Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Springpatch Casino cash: $4373447	TE Colt Lyerla, Oregon -- You all know the rap sheet on Lyerla at this point, and I don't have much that's new to say about him. He's a wonderfully physically gifted tight end with near-peerless speed, awesome athleticism, great body control, and big, soft hands, who suffers from a bout with cocaine. Lyerla is "only" 242 lbs at 6'4", but that probably means he's best suited for an offense that utilizes receiving tight ends. With the Chiefs acquiring Fasano and Kelce in 2014, it's clear the Chiefs prefer tight ends can block -- but surprise surprise, guess what Lyerla's pretty good at doing? Lyerla will need some technique work, but the Ducks frequently asked him to block defensive linemen, even 300 lbers., and while Lyerla is not a punishing blocker, he is plenty effective. The question is, as we all know it is: how much do you think he can get past his demons? I was thinking he was a late rounder because of them, but now it is clear that he is just way too talented to go any deeper than the 3rd round. If he lasts to the Chiefs' 3rd rounder, the Chiefs should heavily consider investing.
Posts: 59,263

03-15-2014, 10:50 AM	#210
Direckshun __ Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Springpatch Casino cash: $4373447	TE Richard Rodgers, California -- Rodgers is exactly what the Chiefs like in a tight end. He is a blocker-first tight end, as the Golden Bears asked him to block more than half the time. Despite that, he's not really a special blocker in any sense, he's just super experienced at the art, and at 6'4", 260 lbs, he's got perfect size for the role. As a receiver, he's alright. Certainly not a difference maker with 4.8 speed and decent routes -- he's basically a Sean McGrath that can block a little better. If you take away his ridiculously long reception plays this year -- he's not scoring 60- and 70-yard TD plays in the NFL -- he's around 8 yards a reception. Which, sadly, is what the Chiefs settle for. I'd probably avoid Rodgers altogether seeing how the Chiefs basically already have him on their roster. At best, he's a late rounder.
Posts: 59,263