Thursday 22 October 2009
Thursday links
Mel Kiper has updated his 2010 big board. Sam Bradford, previously top, has slipped to #5 after injuring his shoulder for a second time. This pushes Ndamukong Suh to first place, following a steady rise up the board over the last few weeks. Check the video above for more draft talk with Kiper and Todd McShay.
Kiper justifies Bradford's fall: "Bradford is snakebit; there's no question. But you're talking about a guy who very likely could have been the first pick last year, or at least would have been in the mix had he come out. So the issue is the evaluation process. Surgery could very well be his best option to make sure the shoulder is right and that means he might not even be able to throw at the level he'd want to at the combine."
Wes Bunting updates his 'Super 30' list, tallying the nations top draft prospects. Washington quarterback Jake Locker remains in first place, followed by the two stud defensive tackles - Ndamukong Suh and Gerald McCoy. I'm surprised not to see Joe Haden (CB, Florida) make the list but also pleased to see someone downgrading Russell Okung (OT, Oklahoma State) whom I'm not overly keen on.
Walter Cherepinsky updates his mock draft. The Seahawks pick Charles Brown (OT, USC) with the 13th overall pick. It wouldn't surprise me if Brown made a move up the boards, he's a converted tight end with good footwork and athleticism - he fits Seattle's zone blocking scheme. C.J. Spiller is the second Seahawks' pick (27th overall). That's a good call from Cherepinsky - I like both of those picks.
Scott Wright says Jimmy Clausen is 'the real deal': "I wrote that more than two years ago, even though Clausen had only played in a grand total of two college games at the time. Despite that relatively limited track record I felt comfortable going out on a limb and since then Clausen has done nothing to change my opinion. In fact, he has developed into an even better player than I imagined."
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18 comments:
I agree, I think Walter's mocks are pretty much the best on the web right now. I'm still more for Best than Spiller, and I doubt that will change much before the draft because I'm really liking what I see from Best, but honestly either back seems like they would offer a much needed boost to Seahawk's backfield. Coupled with someone like Charles Brown and we might have the future of an above average run game.
Now, looking over Wes Bunting's top 30 I was surprised by a few things. He has Jonathon Dwyer being the top ranked RB. Am I missing something? I remember before the season started he was considered one of the top guys but then after the Clemson game I remember he greatly underperformed and I thought his stock crumbled. Has he done well enough these past few weeks to move back up the charts? I've actually seen a few Mock drafts with Seattle selecting Dwyer in a pick in the 10-15 range, while Spiller and Best go in the 20-32 range.
The other surprise is QB Ryan Mallett. I know Arkansas almost took down Florida last week, but where did this guy come from? He is currently on Walter's latest mock, but before that I'd never heard his name before at all, especially when discussing the top QBs in the 2010 draft.
Finally, do you think he intentionally left Sam Bradford off his top 30? I mean, he wasn't even an honorable mention, unless I might have missed it.
Hey Patrick,
Dwyer has improved his numbers over the last few games, but I'm still sceptical. He's broken off some big runs which have inflated his stats, and for most part that's down to this triple option Georgia Tech run. It enables him to get the ball in situations he won't get it in the NFL, it puts him in space that he won't get in the pro's. I see very little burst or explosion from Dwyer - and it looks to me like he's put weight on during the season (not muscle). I don't see any reason to suspect he'll be a first round pick and he's one of the biggest disappointment's of the season so far.
I watched Arkansas vs Florida and kept an eye on Ryan Mallett. For starters, I don't think he's going to declare. He's a redshirt sophomore and very raw, but talented - but needs some time as a starter. He was very inconsistent against Florida - on occassions missing wide open receivers, over throwing easy targets - just basically lacking a fine tuned accuracy. But at other times, he made some superb NFL-type throws that made you just think 'wow'. He has ideal (6'7", 240lbs) size, an arm and decent mechanics, so the potential is there. But he's so raw I will be surprised if he declares - he could be a top pick in 2011 though.
Sam Bradford is listed, but low down the list at #28. He was about #14 on the previous list I think.
I think it would be a mistake to use a 1st round pick on RB if....IF... a legitimate QB is available. The QB of the future needs to be found and the grooming process started. Hasselbeck might have a few years left, but he won't be around forever. Why wait until we NEED a starting QB to find one. The NFL can chew up and spit out young QBs. I have a funny feeling a good RB could be selected in round 2. I could get behind a pick like Brown at LT if he could add a few pounds.
TJ
I would agree on the method TJ, but I'm not sure about this QB class. It's not unrealistic to assume at least one or two will be off the board before Seattle picks. Although there's depth at QB, I'm not sure it's full of franchise talent. If Seattle get the chance to draft a QB early who can be the future of the franchise they have to take it. I'm just not sure they'll find that picking late in the first or even in the teens.
With regard to RB - it's a weak draft for the position. I expect Spiller and possibly Best to go in R1. After that, I only really like Joe McKnight. I'm not a fan of Dwyer. I think the Seahawks need to do something at RB this off season.
As much as I love Best and Spiller, I think McKnight represents better value in the second round leaving us to get an OT and possibly a QB or BPA (thinking a talented DB).
As much as I love Best and Spiller, I think McKnight represents better value in the second round leaving us to get an OT and possibly a QB or BPA (thinking a talented DB).
It'll be interesting to see what's happening with Sam Bradford. He was supposed to be making an announcement yesterday, but changed his mind. The reports were he's taking surgery, but he hasn't confirmed that. Was he going to announce something else?
If there is a QB who they feel is worth taking in this draft, they have to do whatever they need to draft him. If they have to trade up to do it, then so be it. The great thing about teams drafting so high, is that they really have lots of positions of need, so they will be more likely to trade that pick. If Jake Locker and Clausen both declare, I fully expect one of them to be a Hawk.
I watched the Florida game the other week, and Tim Tebow is as slow to get the ball out as advertised (I do not watch much college ball). I watched the Charges on Monday night football, and I imagagined Tebow throwing in such a small space as Rivers was often throwing in, and all I saw was disaster.
So I did some thinking on what I want in a QB, and a quick release as well as being able to keep the play alive with his feet while still looking down field (Jay Cutler, Ben Rothlesburger for example)are quite high on my list. Plus I want him to be tall, watching Senica Wallace only be able o see the empty space around the side lines is quite frustrating. He is quick, but is not good at scanning the field while avoiding the sack, or while making a b-line to the side line for a seven yard loss instead of throwing it away.
I've added a video to this article at the very top (replacing the picture of Sam Bradford) with Mel Kiper and Todd McShay talking draft. Check it out.
Nice video, I really like Todd McShay's comment about the "coincidence" that Mel Kiper dropped Bradford to #5. I think it should definitely be interesting to see which QBs are selected first. I firmly believe that there will be probably at least 4 QBs taken in the first round, with at least 2 in the 2nd round. That is a BIG difference from last year, with Pat White being the only 2nd round QB.
Then again, imagine if Bradford, Locker, and Clausen decide to stay in college? Wow... suddenly it looks like Tebow, McCoy, or Pike would be the first QB taken. Much, much different picture.
Agreed Germpod. If they have an opportunity to get a legit franchise QB, they need to pull the trigger. Even if it means trading up to get him. The perfect situation would be to let Hasselbeck lead the team for a year or two with his understudy watching, learning, and absorbing. Rob - I'm not saying there will be a legit franchise QB, but if there is...
TJ
Patrick - I kind of hope for Seattle's sake that the guys you mention (Bradford, Locker, Clausen) do declare. Not only because it gives them a lot more option at QB if they want to go in that direction, but also even if they don't - it can push guys they do want down the board.
I want to see Jake Locker and more of Jimmy Clausen before I make a full judgement on the QB class. But right now, they have to be in pole position to be the first off the board if they declare. Bradford will be in the mix, but we don't know how that shoulder will be. He should shut it down for the year, rehab and be ready for pro days and the combine. I think going back to OU next year only presents a bigger risk to his health and he'll go to the NFL.
TJ - I completely agree with you. If the team do their scouting and see a franchise QB, they have to take him. I can see a situation where they'd look at Bradford and think 'here's our guy'. I can see the same for Jake Locker and Jimmy Clausen. But at the same time, I think only Clausen from that trio is the best prepared to start quickly.
Tim Tebow is the most 'Ruskell esque' so we have to include him in the discussion. Someone will take Tebow in round one, I'm certain of that. Whether it's a good decision or not, that's a different debate.
Request: I'd like to see some coverage of some safety prospects beyond the top two.
No problem annonymous, I'll see what I can do. Stay tuned.
One safety that really stood out last week was Virginia Tech safety Kam Chancellor. He has an outstanding combination of size (6-4 226 lbs) and speed. His speed enabled him to get a lot of tackles. Virginia Tech vs. Georgia Tech Chancellor was able to run downfield with Georgia Tech’s fastest RB on a pass play. He is great against the run, he should not miss many tackles because he does not always go for the big hit (he wraps up instead of always using his shoulder), but he does make some big hits. He will probably shoot up draft boards after the NFL combine; his size and speed is just one notch below Taylor Mays. Most big safeties don’t have good acceleration, they tend to have more of a build up speed, but that does not seem to be the case with Chancellor. I watched him play earlier this year and was not that impressed with him, but I’m high on him after watching him last week. If he continues to play the way he did against Georgia Tech then look for him to be a 2nd round guy, maybe even late 1st round.
I scouted Chancellor one game against Nebraska (because I was watching Suh, and there just aren't any terribly appealing Nebraska offensive guys), and was impressed with his tackling - delivers his big hits while wrapping up. However, I have big concerns about his coverage ability... concerns don't mean he is bad, but it seemed like Nebraska's WRs got open a lot against him.
I'm not sure how his ball skills are and he did struggle to cover slot WR the first game I watched him. He seems to have the same Pros (great size/speed)and Cons (questionable ball skills) as Taylor Mays. Anyway, Chancellor is a guy to keep in mind for the Seahawks.
Texas has an outstanding safety in Earl Thomas. Thomas has great ball skill, great speed, and good instincs. But, he is only a sophomore.
Rob Rang just put up a new mock draft. The good news is that he has us picking OT Charles Brown at #32. I'd be shocked if he lasted that long. He looks better every week.
The bad news is that he has us picking Taylor Mays at #9. The more I watch Mays, the more I want the Hawks to steer clear of him. His instincts are horrible and he is way too concerned about making a big hit over a big play.
We need help and presence in the secondary, but I don't think Mays is going to be anything but Roy Williams in the NFL. In all honesty, the only safety I'd spend a top 10 pick on is Eric Berry because he does everything well and can create turnovers.
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