Pro Football Articles Opinion & Fantasy – Football Diner

NCAA Scouting
2011 Draft Review – NFC East
by Paul Emery
May 7th 2011
 
This was a closely contested division can the Eagles keep the Giants at bay or can the G-men catch up with a good haul?
 
Dallas Cowboys
 
1. Tyron Smith OT USC. As we approached the Draft there were rumblings that the Cowboys weren’t sure about Smith due to a knee problem but that clearly was misinformation as they went ahead and took him. Smith is a Right Tackle only for me even with very long arms he struggled against Brooks Reed and Akeem Ayers, looking heavy footed in pass protection. How he can be projected as a pro Left Tackle when USC didn’t even employ him there is a mystery (although USC LT Ryan Kalil is a fine NFL prospect for next year). Some might not like the value of a right tackle here but given the Cowboys couldn’t trade down, I don’t necessarily have a problem with it. The problem is that I don’t rate him as the best Tackle in this class he looked the part against lesser competition but won’t be facing players like this as a pro and I think he could struggle as a rookie.
 
2. Bruce Carter LB North Carolina. Carter is an investment for 2012. He tore his ACL late in the season and is unlikely to play in 2011. He is a very talented kid to the extent he was the 40th overall pick when not healthy. Bearing in mind the fall of Da’Quan Bowers and Stephen Paea to knee concerns, this is very interesting. I’m no Doctor, so it’s impossible to judge if the knee will give him problems down the road but the severity of ACL reconstruction seems greater than Paea’s MCL surgery. Prior to his injury, he was superb he moves very well and he flashes up to make plays consistently. He’s not the best getting off blocks, so I’m not 100% sure about the fit in this defense as he won’t have huge bodies in front of him. If he gets back to 100%, which clearly the Cowboys think is going to happen, then this will be a wise investment.
 
3. DeMarco Murray RB Oklahoma. Murray is the third pick in a row who had medical concerns of some description. He got through his Senior year without getting hurt, but it’s the only time in his career he has managed it. I’m not a fan of the player or the pick. Simply put, I think he’s soft. He’s got good size, but he doesn’t run with any kind of attitude and indeed a number of times this past season, just went down very easily. He’s an excellent receiver out of the backfield but in pass protection he’s not too enthusiastic this was shown up at Senior Bowl practices particularly. He tends to get only what is blocked he can’t create and needs to run behind a top Offensive Line, which the Cowboys didn’t have in 2010. I might even seriously consider moving him to WR to become a Greg Little type.
 
4. David Arkin OG Missouri State. The Cowboys went back to the Offensive Line and took small schooler Arkin. Arkin has bulked up from the 285 lb region to weigh in at an even 300 lbs at the Combine. He’s a decent athlete, but does tend to bend at the waist a little too much for my liking. He’s a try hard kid who brings toughness to the Cowboys line. May need a year of technique work before he can contribute.
 
5. Josh Thomas CB Buffalo. Thomas’ stock steadily rose in the off season process and was even mentioned as a potential top 100 prospect in a thin CB class. I watched a couple of Buffalo games and didn’t come away impressed thinking SS Davonte Shannon was the better pro prospect. His Combine work out was nothing special, so I’m not on board with this pick.
 
6. Dwayne Harris WR East Carolina. Harris on the other hand is a pick I really like. His stock fell after he struggled during Senior Bowl week, but from tape in season he has undoubted talent. ECU did a good job of getting the ball into his hands on bubble screens and the like plus running the wildcat and in the return game. He’s very dangerous with the ball in his hands and although he did have the odd drop in season like a Torrey Smith you can excuse it because of his ability after the catch when he does hold on. I’m not sure why he had even more drops during Senior Bowl week perhaps he was a little nervous although at Virginia Tech he played very well on the big stage. If the Cowboys can sit down with him and settle him down they could well have a steal.
 
7a. Shaun Chapas FB Georgia. Chapas didn’t have the best Senior year he missed some time with an ankle injury. However, he’s an old school FB who was fun to watch. He wasn’t used much as a receiver, but looks to be a reliable short range target. The FB position might be slowly dying but there’s still something to be said for lining up in a power formation and wearing the opposition down.
 
7b. Bill Nagy C Wisconsin. Nagy is a typical Wisconsin lineman a real mauler. He’s not the best athlete in the world. He’s a first year full time starter with experience at Guard and Center. He could stick around as someone who can back up all three interior line spots.
 
Overall Above Average
 
The first three picks all carry an element of medical risk Smith’s knee, Carter being a redshirt pick (and will he be the same as he was prior to surgery) and Murray’s inability to stay healthy in all but his Senior year.
 
New York Giants
 
1. Prince Amukamara CB Nebraska. The Giants didn’t necessarily have a huge need at CB, but Amukamara unexpectedly being there was just too good to pass up. The Nebraska man does have limitations he has short arms and on tape struggled to get clean jams at the line in press coverage but he’s an excellent off man or zone CB. He had very little thrown his way as a Senior and that was because most of the time he was all over his man. The game that concerned me wasn’t the Justin Blackmon Oklahoma State game (where he had a couple of long balls caught on him in the first half but came back with a strong second half) but the Iowa State game where his man caught a number of passes in front of him and he looked a little stiff in the hips. For the rest of the year though he was a shutdown CB and although I don’t rate him quite as highly as most, I still think this is good value.
 
2. Marvin Austin DT North Carolina. Austin is another excellent value pick. He has some boom or bust about him, but his upside is such that he could be the best DT in this draft so is well worth a second round pick. Austin was suspended by the NCAA for the entire 2010 season, but did a fantastic job of rehabilitating his image with a good Shrine Game week and then superb Combine and Pro Day’s. However, it was clear that the NFL weren’t completely sold on him as despite late first round rumblings prior to the Draft he lasted until well into the second round. When on Austin was dominant but he did disappear for parts of games in 2009. He’s a Giants type of pick as a top athlete and Coach Coughlin should be able to keep him motivated if that’s the case then the sky’s the limit for this young man.
 
3. Jerrel Jernigan WR Troy. Many had Jernigan rated higher, but I had concerns so while some see great value again, I don’t as much as I don’t rate the kid that highly. My issue with him was twofold firstly I question his ability to separate coming off the line I didn’t always see a great burst and I think with press coverage you can control him. Secondly, and indeed this may be linked to point one, is that he didn’t always look interested the FAU game I didn’t think he was into it yet in the Bowl Game he was and had a fine game. It could be he doesn’t always go at 100% and thus looks slow off the line at times. Either way, I think there’s a problem there and it seems the NFL agreed as he was widely predicted to be a second round pick. He can help in the return game and does have some ability with the ball in his hands, if motivated, then this pick will be fine but there is a little question in my mind about him.
 
4. James Brewer OT Indiana. Brewer is a powerful Tackle who in terms of height, weight, speed came out tops at the Combine in the Tackle group. He has very long arms and big hands, so has some interesting raw tools. He’s not super quick with his feet setting up in pass protection, so is a Right Tackle only. He didn’t flash a quick setup in pass protection unlike Jah Reid who came off the board in the third round. However, for a power team he’s an ideal type and although he has some breakdowns in his technique, clearly has talent and all in all I like the value here.
 
6a. Greg Jones LB Michigan State. Jones was a big faller on Draft day. He bulked up for 2010 to the 240 lb region and lost some of his speed. He didn’t run a blazing 40 time at the Combine (mid 4.7’s) but Akeem Dent was only marginally quicker and was taken much earlier. The big question for Jones is his struggles to get off blocks and with the added weight making him a touch slower, it wasn’t the best combination. I think the Giants should consider letting him drop down to the 230 lb range and seeing if he can become a bit faster thus getting to the hole before he is blocked. He’s very instinctive and is a good blitzer. In all honesty I think he’s far better than the sixth round and although I see the problems in getting off blocks, he’s not the first LB to have that issue and playing behind a solid defensive line I think he can start in this league. As such, this is superb value and this is one of the better picks in the Draft.
 
6b. Tyler Sash SS Iowa. Sash thought long and hard about coming out early and I wonder if after falling to the sixth round, he may regret his decision. He played in Iowa’s two deep system and he flashed ability to make the big play. From tape study I was concerned about poor angles to the ball at times and some missed tackles but generally he was a solid enough type and once again I can’t argue with the value in a thin Safety class.
 
6c. Jacquian Williams OLB South Florida. With no undrafted free agents being signed due to the lockout there are a bunch of these type of picks in the later rounds. Williams is a workout warrior who ran a 40 time in the mid 4.5’s so will be an ideal special teams type. He needs to get stronger, but is a typical Giants pick.
 
7. Da’Rel Scott RB Maryland. I read somewhere that Scott was drawing interest late in the first round I wish I could remember where so I could avoid that site in future!! He had a good week at the Shrine Game and received a late call up to the Senior Bowl and while his stock wasn’t up to first round level, I think this is good value for a fine athlete. He ran his 40 in the low 4.4’s which is very good for a 211 lb back. He rotated at Maryland and with only a few carries in each game, it was tough to scout him game to game unfortunately I don’t have the ability to edit game tape, but it would have great to do so for Scott particularly so I could get more of a feel for him.
 
Overall Excellent
 
These rankings are subjective of course and I perceive the value here to be excellent with the majority of the picks. Austin could be the best DT in the Draft and the second round is great value and certainly worth the risk. Brewer should push for time at Right Tackle and although some don’t like Greg Jones I very much do and think he’s a nice fit. Sash is limited but as a Strong Safety prospect it’s solid value. Scott is very athletic and is worth a look. Williams is a Pro Day workout warrior flyer but worth a look. So all in all, this is one of the better efforts this year and should push the Giants over the top and into the playoffs in 2011.
 
Philadelphia Eagles
 

1. Danny Watkins OG Baylor. Watkins is an over aged prospect who is already 26 years of age. He has had a long road to the NFL he was a part time firefighter and then attended Junior college where he was recruited to the football team. From there it was off to Baylor where he replaced first rounder Jason Smith at the Left Tackle. He lacks the frame to stay at Tackle and will move inside to Guard. His aggressive disposition (he’s a former hockey player an enforcer from the sound of it!) has drawn teams in and made them forget he is 5 or 6 years older than others in this class. I think he needs some work at Guard and indeed having only played football for a relatively short amount of time he’s a little raw. My problem with him is that by the time he really gets it, he’s going to be pushing 30 and although his body won’t have taken the same kind of punishment as others his age in the NFL it’s still a concern and I don’t see the value in the first round.
 
2. Jaiquawn Jarrett SS Temple. Jarrett was the first prospect off the board who ran a poor 40 time at the Combine and usually would have meant they were a third day pick. There were a number of these guys mostly in the third round I’m not sure if it was the relatively thin senior class or the lockout meaning teams wanted more pro ready guys than those who would need work in camps. After the Combine, I dropped Jarrett out of my top 100 on the basis of that 40 time (in the low 4.6’s) meaning man coverage was a concern. However, from tape I really liked Jarrett and regret listening to the Combine numbers voice in my head. He played deep centre field for Temple over the top coverage rather than man but came downhill very well and is a secure tackler. He made a number of superb tackles being very aggressive, but also wrapping up. He’s a pro Strong Safety prospect and the Eagles will pair him with Nate Allen from last year and they should form a fine partnership for many years.
 
3. Curtis Marsh CB Utah State. Marsh is a former RB who is still fairly raw. He flashed top ability but equally had his problems. He has the ability to turn and run with his man deep but sometimes is a little slow out of his breaks. He only has one full year of starting experience at CB, but he has the raw tools to become a starter down the road but I do think he’s somewhat of a project who would struggle if thrown in at the deep end as a rookie. Thus I think it’s maybe a round or two too early for him however, in a thin CB class I think it’s a better pick than some of the others made in this region.
 
4a. Casey Matthews ILB Oregon. I wondered who would be the team to overdraft Matthews and it was the Eagles. He’s not so much a read and react LB but a point in a direction and let him run kind of kid. He blindly will over pursue or get himself too far upfield taking himself out of too many plays. He’s not great getting off blocks and also has medical concerns with shoulder problems. He will be a special teams star, but I don’t the fact he plays with blinkers.
 
4b. Alex Henery PK Nebraska. Henery was the best kicker in the Draft for me and this is a nice pick. He has cold weather experience, so is a nice fit in Philly. He has a great leg and gets excellent height on his kicks. He is a genuine threat from over 50 yards and can handle the pressure kick.
 
5a. Dion Lewis RB Pittsburgh. Lewis was my top rated RB coming a little from left field I guess, but I loved watching him run. He’s not the biggest or the fastest but he has the best vision of any back in this draft in my opinion. There are more and more backs becoming one cut and go types but Lewis can create from nothing with exceptional quickness. He’s also an excellent receiver and should get some time on third down. I love this pick and think he can share some time with fellow Pitt product LeSean McCoy.
 
5b. Julian Vandervelde OG Iowa. Vandervelde is another I figured would be overdrafted. Vandervelde is undersized and may even project to pro Center but he is very athletic testing off the charts at the Combine. However, on tape I was not impressed. He doesn’t look nasty like Watkins and as such I don’t think he’s a great fit. I tend to like the same O-Lineman as the Eagles, but for the second time in this Draft I don’t.
 
6a. Jason Kelce C Cincinnati. Kelce is another undersized kid he’s only 280 lbs so clearly needs to add bulk. He is a converted LB and former walk-on so the Eagles are confident he will get bigger and push for a roster spot. I think he’s headed to the practice squad as a rookie playing at 280 lbs he struggled to anchor against power as expected and I thought he would be more a free agent type.
 
6b. Brian Rolle LB Ohio State. Rolle played MLB for the Buckeyes at 229 lbs he projects to the weakside as a pro plus a nickel LB. He has excellent quickness and on numerous occasions was able to beat his man with that as opposed to getting off blocks with technique and strength. He ran a 40 time in the low 4.5’s at the Combine so projects very well in the nickel. He should also help on special teams.
 
7a. Greg Lloyd ILB Connecticut. Lloyd didn’t play that much as a senior as he struggled with a knee injury. He was expected to take a medical redshirt but unexpectedly started the first game of the season. Down the stretch he only played in goal line and short yardage situations. He was clearly struggling with his knee but showed he has good size and can get off blocks. If his knee is healthy, this could be a steal.
 
7b. Stanley Havili FB USC. Havili is another with medical issues he struggled with numerous injuries at USC, but particularly a shoulder injury which prevented him working out at all for scouts after the season. Havili is a fine athlete and an excellent receiver, so could push last years 4th round pick Clay Harbor. He has been used as a ball carrier at times and could be used in a one back set. If healthy, I like the pick.
 
Overall Above Average
 
This is a real mixed bag but with picks like Jarrett, Henery and Lewis plus some talent in the later rounds, the grade isn’t too bad. I’m of the impression Watkins is going to need some time before he plays at a super high level should he hit the ground running, then the grade would be better.
 
Washington Redskins
 
1. Ryan Kerrigan OLB Purdue. I really like Kerrigan, but I don’t necessarily feel this is a great fit. I thought Kerrigan was better as a 4-3 DE and although much of the time he will be attacking the QB, this does give the Redskins two very similar types at the position and I’d rather have someone who was a little better in dropping in coverage to pair with Brian Orakpo. Kerrigan is a high motor kid who is one of the more solid character prospects in this Draft. He worked out very well at the Combine, but isn’t always given credit for being a top athlete. The main concern at the Combine was the shuttle which was about average in the DE group but slower than Akeem Ayers, Von Miller and Justin Houston. This drill shows the ability to change directions more important when dropping than at DE just flying off the edge. The pick is sound value and he’s a good player it’s the fit that is the big question mark.
 
2. Jarvis Jenkins DE Clemson. Who would have thought Jenkins would be off the board before Da’Quan Bowers? Such is the fun of the NFL Draft! Jenkins flashed ability for Clemson but with his frame he became valued for 3-4 teams particularly with concerns off the field regarding Lawrence Guy a similar frame. He flashes ability as a penetrator but can also anchor to an extent. He’s not the greatest at getting off blocks and as shown at the Combine needs to get stronger but he does fit the system and should push for playing time as a rookie.
 
3. Leonard Hankerson WR Miami (Fl.). Hankerson had a good week at the Senior Bowl, but it wasn’t enough to make scouts forget a somewhat inconsistent senior year. He ran in the low 4.4’s at the Combine and has decent size he flashed greater ability than this placement suggests so if they can work him out and get him playing consistently this will be a steal. His hands are OK he has a few too many drops but does look powerful after the catch.
 
4. Roy Helu Jr. RB Nebraska. Mike Shanahan is the master at picking up RB’s on the third day and turning them into 1,000 yard runners and the latest find is Helu who is a projection from Nebraska’s offense. His numbers at the Combine were fantastic and he’s ideally suited for the one cut and go zone blocking system. Although Nebraska don’t pass a bunch, he stood out in pass protection drills at the Senior Bowl. It would appear the option offense has made teams think twice about him on day two but I think he’s a great fit here and I would expect him to be Mike Shanahan’s next find.
 
5a. DeJon Gomes FS Nebraska. I don’t rate Gomes as much as I do Eric Hagg the SS, but Gomes offers versatility as he played some nickel LB as well as Safety. In the Nebraska system the Safeties are often called to cover man to man. He ran a nice 4.5 time at the Combine, so is athletic enough to be used in man coverage but will start out on the special teams coverage units.
 
5b. Niles Paul WR Nebraska. The third Nebraska pick in a row for the Redskins. Despite playing in a run heavy offense, Paul was still able to put up some decent numbers for Nebraska. He was also used as a kick-returner and will be able to help out here as a rookie. He made too many mistakes down the stretch this season he had some drops and also muffed a kick-off in the Iowa State game, which led to a Cyclones TD. He runs well for his size and showed at the Senior Bowl he can do well on the kick coverage team. He has some upside, but must cut out the errors and learn an NFL route tree.
 
6a. Evan Royster RB Penn State. On production alone, this is great value but Royster is one of those kids who is a better college player than pro prospect. There are some big names on Penn State’s all time leading rusher list including Curt Warner and the former number one overall pick in the draft, Ki-Jana Carter but it’s Royster who sits at the top of this list after returning for his Senior year. The main problem for his draft stock was running his 40 in the mid 4.6’s at the Combine. Also not helping his stock was a subpar Senior year he was out of shape at spring camp, which was odd in what is a contract year. He then took a while to get going, but did have a couple of very good games. He has decent vision and although he isn’t a breakaway threat, he still has some talent even though he has quite a few miles on the clock.
 
6b. Aldrick Robinson WR SMU. After Emmanuel Sanders success as a rookie for the Steelers, the Redskins decided to take Aldrick Robinson out of the same system. It’s the same offense run in Hawaii and as mentioned with the two Hawaii WR’s, the receivers in this offense are further along in some ways because they have to read defenses and then run their routes off of that. They are not exposed to the full NFL route tree, so there is still some learning there but I really like receivers who can read coverages on the fly. Robinson is undersized at 5’9 184 lbs but is flat out fast, running the 40 in the mid 4.3’s. He’s not consistent I thought he was poor in the C-USA Championship Game and has had some drops but he can push for time in the slot and help in the return game.
 
7a. Brandyn Thompson CB Boise State. Thompson had his moments in 2010 he was excellent against Idaho with Nathan Enderle often going for the big play, with Thompson responding with very tight coverage. However, in the Nevada game he was picked on some and played poorly. He’s a little high in his back pedal and his 4.5 speed is just about good enough. I’d also like to see him be more active in the run game. Flashed talent and worth the late round pick.
 
7b. Maurice Hurt OG Florida. Hurt has some experience at Right Tackle but projects best to Guard as a pro as he’s very slow. He’s a big kid will always struggle with any kind of quickness, even inside as he did against LSU’s Drake Nevis. With reports that he failed a drugs test at the Combine, I was surprised he was drafted.
 
7c. Markus White OLB Florida State. White played DE for Florida State but projects to OLB in the Redskins 3-4. He flashed some pass rush ability, but was by no means dominant. His Combine numbers weren’t great particularly for someone who is going to stand up now and I question if he can make the conversion.
 
7d. Chris Neild NT West Virginia. Neild is a what you see is what you get NT. He was the nose in West Virginia’s 3-3-5 defense and was tough to move. He’s not Phil Taylor in terms of athletic ability but he’s hard working and tough as nails. He has short arms, so will always struggle to get off blocks but his athletic numbers were better than anticipated at the Combine and certainly he should make the roster.
 
Overall – Average
 
The Redskins had quantity, but not necessarily quality. They had a large number of day three picks and while Helu is a fine pick, only Paul, Royster, Robinson and Neild offer good value and look like they will be able to contribute. Day one was OK but nothing outstanding. I like Kerrigan, but I think he’s best suited to a 4-3. Jenkins is a better fit, but isn’t quite the finished product, while Hankerson has some inconsistency about him. All in all, an average effort.