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Draft Daddy: Blog
Day 3 Practice Notes: North.
Sunny and warm conditions at Ladd Peebles Stadium for Wednesday morning's full pad practice. A decent breeze flowed across the stadium from end zone to end zone, close your eyes it feels like you are on the beach. Well it would, if not for all the frantic shouting, whistles, air-horns, and body slams.
How to succeed at the Senior Bowl, Rule 4: Quarterbacks, pull the trigger, please. Scouts didn't travel all these miles to see you tuck and run.
TRENCH POSITIONS:
Iowa State offensive tackle Kelechi Osemele had an up-and-down day. Initially, defenders were getting the better of him in drills, and he lost his balance. But after some coaching, Osemele came back and had several lockdown performances. Osemele is raw but has rare athletic gifts for a player of his bulk. When he stays over his base he plays with strength and is tough to move. He is a solid second or third round pick, with upside to start, probably not right away however.
Penn State defensive end Jack Crawford was a force all day long. He ran over linemen in the Pit drills and created penetration in the team portion of practice. Crawford excels at using arm extension to create separation from blockers and he also aggressively uses smart hand placement. Crawford also displayed a non-stop motor on the outside. Crawford is probably on the cusp of top 100 selections, and can firm that grade up with good track performances.
Marshall defensive end Vinny Curry had an excellent overall day. Curry has an array of pass rush moves: he can swim, rip, push-pull and also blow by his blocker around the edge. Curry has a nice first step and plays with strength setting the edge. One thing to note, Curry was not used in linebacker drills and is likely a 4-3 hand in the dirt defensive end all the way. Other sites have this player projected to the 3-4 defense as an outside linebacker, this is probably wishful thinking. He fits one gap schemes well (for example the Minnesota Vikings, who are coaching this North squad). Curry is a likely second round pick, possibly sneaking into the late first pending workouts.
Utah State linebacker Bobby Wagner is an exceptional coverage player, and showed sideline to sideline speed sticking with running backs and tight ends during drills. He has the attributes to be a three down linebacker in the league. Wagner can be overwhelmed filling against the run and needs to improve his stoutness. Wagner is a possible top 100 pick, pending workouts.
Nevada linebacker James-Michael Johnson excels inside the box. He is extremely stout against the run and does a good job diagnosing the play. Johnson can be exploited in pass coverage, however and he might be a two-down run specialist at the next level. However he does offer blitz potential and could be better off rushing the passer than trying to cover in passing situations. Johnson looks to be an interesting late round target in the draft.
Arkansas State linebacker Demarrio Davis shows quickness to fill the hole and stuff run plays. He also has enough speed to get to the outside and stick with underneath coverage. Linemen have trouble finding him and getting their hands on him in run blocking. Davis is slightly undersized however and this could hurt his stock, limiting his appeal to only one-gap defenses. Davis is a possible late round pick, with upside to go in the mid rounds if he runs well.
Nebraska linebacker Lavonte David is a speedster at the linebacker position and extremely physical when making the tackle. David excels in pursuit and stretching run plays out to the sideline. David lacks the bulk for two-gap defenses but could be an excellent weak-side backer for 4-3 teams. David has incredible production on film and because of that, is a possible top 100 pick, pending workouts.
SKILL POSITIONS:
Boise State running back Doug Martin has been very good all week long. Martin broke a long run in the first rep of team drills. He has explosion and burst through the hole, but also shiftiness and vision to find open space. Martin is stocky and can be tough to bring down. On the downside it�s questionable if this player has the extra gear to outrun N.F.L. defenses, and that question can be answered on the track. The coaches are using him at kick returner, and that bodes well for his long speed. Martin is a solid second or third round pick, with upside to crack the late first, pending workouts.
Michigan State quarterback Kirk Cousins had a very solid day of practice. He throws a nice sharp ball and has the strength to deliver the ball outside the numbers. Cousins shows accuracy on routes over the middle, and does a good job putting the ball in stride, where the receivers can make yards after the catch. Cousins is a likely mid round pick and likely backup initially.
Washington running back Chris Polk is a tough runner and excels inside the tackles. Polk delivers blows to the defenders, stays low, and is a chore to tackle. On the downside, he appears to lack the elite speed needed to break the long gain but could be a grinder in a run-first tandem. Polk is a likely late round pick with potential to go in the mid rounds with good workouts.
Cal wide out Marvin Jones has been a consistently high performer all week. He makes all the grabs and runs sharp routes, quickly in and out of cuts. The quarterbacks know they can rely on Jones, and he is seeing increased targets. Jones was somewhat of a sleeper prior to this week but the word is clearly out and has elevated his stock to top 100 status, pending workouts.
Iowa wide out Marvin McNutt is a larger receiver who had a pretty good day. He has the size to overpower the defenders in man coverage and get off the line against the jam. McNutt has big, sure hands, and today he excelled in a variety of routes. A particular strength of his game is presenting a big target for crossing and out routes. McNutt probably lacks the elite speed to be a high draft pick, but could be a productive security blanket type target in the mid rounds.
Notre Dame safety Harrison Smith is a sure tackler and showed good range getting around the field. Smith excels against the run and can support the line with speed. Smith needs to do a better job of diagnosing the play and his change of direction could be improved. Smith is a likely late round target at this time.
Day 3 Practice Notes: North.
Sunny and warm conditions at Ladd Peebles Stadium for Wednesday morning's full pad practice. A decent breeze flowed across the stadium from end zone to end zone, close your eyes it feels like you are on the beach. Well it would, if not for all the frantic shouting, whistles, air-horns, and body slams.
How to succeed at the Senior Bowl, Rule 4: Quarterbacks, pull the trigger, please. Scouts didn't travel all these miles to see you tuck and run.
TRENCH POSITIONS:
Iowa State offensive tackle Kelechi Osemele had an up-and-down day. Initially, defenders were getting the better of him in drills, and he lost his balance. But after some coaching, Osemele came back and had several lockdown performances. Osemele is raw but has rare athletic gifts for a player of his bulk. When he stays over his base he plays with strength and is tough to move. He is a solid second or third round pick, with upside to start, probably not right away however.
Penn State defensive end Jack Crawford was a force all day long. He ran over linemen in the Pit drills and created penetration in the team portion of practice. Crawford excels at using arm extension to create separation from blockers and he also aggressively uses smart hand placement. Crawford also displayed a non-stop motor on the outside. Crawford is probably on the cusp of top 100 selections, and can firm that grade up with good track performances.
Marshall defensive end Vinny Curry had an excellent overall day. Curry has an array of pass rush moves: he can swim, rip, push-pull and also blow by his blocker around the edge. Curry has a nice first step and plays with strength setting the edge. One thing to note, Curry was not used in linebacker drills and is likely a 4-3 hand in the dirt defensive end all the way. Other sites have this player projected to the 3-4 defense as an outside linebacker, this is probably wishful thinking. He fits one gap schemes well (for example the Minnesota Vikings, who are coaching this North squad). Curry is a likely second round pick, possibly sneaking into the late first pending workouts.
Utah State linebacker Bobby Wagner is an exceptional coverage player, and showed sideline to sideline speed sticking with running backs and tight ends during drills. He has the attributes to be a three down linebacker in the league. Wagner can be overwhelmed filling against the run and needs to improve his stoutness. Wagner is a possible top 100 pick, pending workouts.
Nevada linebacker James-Michael Johnson excels inside the box. He is extremely stout against the run and does a good job diagnosing the play. Johnson can be exploited in pass coverage, however and he might be a two-down run specialist at the next level. However he does offer blitz potential and could be better off rushing the passer than trying to cover in passing situations. Johnson looks to be an interesting late round target in the draft.
Arkansas State linebacker Demarrio Davis shows quickness to fill the hole and stuff run plays. He also has enough speed to get to the outside and stick with underneath coverage. Linemen have trouble finding him and getting their hands on him in run blocking. Davis is slightly undersized however and this could hurt his stock, limiting his appeal to only one-gap defenses. Davis is a possible late round pick, with upside to go in the mid rounds if he runs well.
Nebraska linebacker Lavonte David is a speedster at the linebacker position and extremely physical when making the tackle. David excels in pursuit and stretching run plays out to the sideline. David lacks the bulk for two-gap defenses but could be an excellent weak-side backer for 4-3 teams. David has incredible production on film and because of that, is a possible top 100 pick, pending workouts.
SKILL POSITIONS:
Boise State running back Doug Martin has been very good all week long. Martin broke a long run in the first rep of team drills. He has explosion and burst through the hole, but also shiftiness and vision to find open space. Martin is stocky and can be tough to bring down. On the downside it�s questionable if this player has the extra gear to outrun N.F.L. defenses, and that question can be answered on the track. The coaches are using him at kick returner, and that bodes well for his long speed. Martin is a solid second or third round pick, with upside to crack the late first, pending workouts.
Michigan State quarterback Kirk Cousins had a very solid day of practice. He throws a nice sharp ball and has the strength to deliver the ball outside the numbers. Cousins shows accuracy on routes over the middle, and does a good job putting the ball in stride, where the receivers can make yards after the catch. Cousins is a likely mid round pick and likely backup initially.
Washington running back Chris Polk is a tough runner and excels inside the tackles. Polk delivers blows to the defenders, stays low, and is a chore to tackle. On the downside, he appears to lack the elite speed needed to break the long gain but could be a grinder in a run-first tandem. Polk is a likely late round pick with potential to go in the mid rounds with good workouts.
Cal wide out Marvin Jones has been a consistently high performer all week. He makes all the grabs and runs sharp routes, quickly in and out of cuts. The quarterbacks know they can rely on Jones, and he is seeing increased targets. Jones was somewhat of a sleeper prior to this week but the word is clearly out and has elevated his stock to top 100 status, pending workouts.
Iowa wide out Marvin McNutt is a larger receiver who had a pretty good day. He has the size to overpower the defenders in man coverage and get off the line against the jam. McNutt has big, sure hands, and today he excelled in a variety of routes. A particular strength of his game is presenting a big target for crossing and out routes. McNutt probably lacks the elite speed to be a high draft pick, but could be a productive security blanket type target in the mid rounds.
Notre Dame safety Harrison Smith is a sure tackler and showed good range getting around the field. Smith excels against the run and can support the line with speed. Smith needs to do a better job of diagnosing the play and his change of direction could be improved. Smith is a likely late round target at this time.
