Revised Top 10 Prospects to Watch
by Jonathan Loesche on Oct 30, 2009 11:30 AM EDT
in 2010 NFL Draft
60 comments
The college football season is beginning to make it's home stretch run and it's time to once again look at players who may find themselves in Black and Teal this upcoming season. In an attempt to keep this is true to form as possible, main stays Ndumakong Suh and Eric Berry sadly make their departure as the Jaguars are not nearly bad enough to even sniff them in next April's draft.
The more I've been thinking about it, the more I think a quarterback make's sense in the first round of the draft. To that end, the current Top 10 to watch is as follows
1. Christian Ponder, QB, Florida State, Jr
Anyone who can stomach to watch a full game of FSU football this season will come away utterly impressed with Ponder. The Junior QB has made a light year's worth of advances since his troubled sophomore campaign. Behind a now solid offensive line, Ponder has light up the NCAA, ranking in the Top 5 of virtually every relevant stat against BCS competition. If Ponder declares, expect him to have a Mark Sanchez like rise.
2. Jake Locker, QB, Washington, Jr
I went back and forth between putting either Locker or Tony Pike of Cincinnati at the #2 spot. In the end, Pike is injured and Locker has more upside, so I went with Locker. Locker may be something of a project for a first round pick, but I like the grit I see from him. Also, the last time the Jaguars had a scrambling QB from Washington, it worked out well.
3. Morgan Burnett, SS, Georgia Tech, Jr
Burnett may be the 2nd best safety in the draft with Taylor Mays' inconsistency. A big, strong, hard hitting SS, Burnett would be the 2nd coming of Donovan Darius for the Jaguars. If a QB isn't available, he may be the BAP in the 15-20 range.
4. Rolando McClain, MLB, Alabama, Jr
If the Jags are going to keep running the 3-4, they'll need to upgrade their personnel this offseason. McClain is a beast of a linebacker and may be the best natural 3-4 linebacker in the draft. Another tough decision here between McClain and Brandon Spikes, but I felt McClain works better in a 3-4.
5. George Selvie, DE, South Florida, Sr
Was it really just two years ago Selvie was the most feared pass rusher in college football? Injuries and lack of production have forced him off the map and out of the first round. Selvie projects as a 3-4 OLB in the NFL and unless he has an excellent offseason, may slide into the third round.
6.Matt Tennant, C, Boston College, Sr
A quality guy with a high motor, Tennant would fit the Gene Smith profile. Brad Meester isn't getting any younger, and some fresh blood in the interior is needed. Tennant is a 4th or 5th round prospect.
7.Vince Oghobaase, DT, Duke, Sr
Oghobasse is one of the best DT in the country not named Suh or McCoy. He projects as either a 3-4 DE or a 4-3 defensive tackle. Henderson was linked to several trade rumors in the last offseason and his stock has risen since with his terrific play this season.Ogho would be an excellent replacement paired with Terrance Knighton.
8. Josh Pinkard, SS, Southern Cal,Sr
Pinkard can play both corner and safety, making him a versatile player for the Jaguars secondary. He has some medicial and injury issues that may cause him to drop and make him a value pick.
9. Mitch Petrus, G, Arkansas, Sr
Petrus is a solid guard who plays with a mean streak against the run. However, he is somewhat undersized and that could cause him to drop.
10. Dennis Pitta, TE, BYU, Sr
Pitta served on his two year mission, making him older and more mature than most rookies. He's one of the best receiving tight ends in college and would add another weapon on the team.
-Jonathan Loesche
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I would really love to have Ponder here.
That kid has the goods. He kind of reminds me of a young Steve Young.
by Slvrgun on Oct 30, 2009 11:34 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs
I would too....
wouldn’t that be funny if the Jags passed on Tebow and drafted Ponder? Think all the Gators/Jags fans would give up their season tickets?
by Jaggernaut on Oct 30, 2009 12:48 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I swear if that happened I would talk so MUCH shiz and would buy a Ponder jersey the next day.
by floridafalcons#63 on Oct 30, 2009 1:17 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
They'll get over.
Tebow is not a NFL QB.
He might make a great TE though.
by Slvrgun on Oct 30, 2009 4:03 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Morgan Burnett
is not really like Donovan Darius. He can cover really well too. I think he tied for 2nd in NCAA in picks last season.
by acedarney on Oct 30, 2009 12:08 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Yeah
He had seven last season. But he can lay the hammer down like Darius could as well though.
If hip hop is dead, then it happened the day that Dilla died.
-Akrobatik
by Bestjagfan on Oct 31, 2009 10:53 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
As an FSU fan, I love Ponder’s sills.
Part of me wants him to stay @ FSU. But, the other part of me wants the JAgs to get him!
by floridafalcons#63 on Oct 30, 2009 1:16 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
OK BAP is
what Gene said and done, but I hope the BAP will be NOT a QB in the 1st round…
Life without knowledge is death in disguise
by Zoltan from Budapest on Oct 30, 2009 1:46 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
When else are you hoping to get one?
They are a premium position. Guys like Tom Brady only come like once ever 50 years.
by Slvrgun on Oct 30, 2009 4:02 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
and he came in the 6th round
I wanna see a BAP-but I favor a more needed position (DE/rush LB; Safety; Guard ; Center; DT-even an LB if we switch for the 3-4)
Life without knowledge is death in disguise
by Zoltan from Budapest on Oct 30, 2009 4:31 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Ponder looks real good
He seems to have a great feel for the pocket. I’d go Rd 2 with Ponder. I have to believe there will be a better option for this team in round 1. I’d gamble with Cody if he is available.
The greatest accomplishment is not in never falling, but in rising again after you fall.
Vince Lombardi
by bwfull on Oct 30, 2009 2:02 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
If Ponder comes out he'll be this year's Sanchez
by Jonathan Loesche on Oct 30, 2009 2:13 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Better than Sanchez.
More like this years Matt Ryan.
By round 2 he will be gone. QBs are at a premium and he appears to be the QB most capable of being an instant starter.
by Slvrgun on Oct 30, 2009 4:01 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I think the whole Jevan Snead debacle/Sanchez/wealth of talented QBs may affect his draft stock.
by Kbot on Oct 30, 2009 7:16 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Jevean Snead
Is garbage. Auburn shut him down today.
If hip hop is dead, then it happened the day that Dilla died.
-Akrobatik
by Bestjagfan on Oct 31, 2009 10:54 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
to bad we don’t have a second round pick…
by floridafalcons#63 on Oct 30, 2009 2:54 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Yet ;)
The greatest accomplishment is not in never falling, but in rising again after you fall.
Vince Lombardi
by bwfull on Oct 30, 2009 2:55 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Yeah I think
Gene will try to trade players for picks in the offseason
Life without knowledge is death in disguise
by Zoltan from Budapest on Oct 30, 2009 2:57 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Derek Cox was the Jags 2010 2nd Rounder
Unless Gene pulls something out of his hat…
Ignore the hype; look at the results.
by harperslaw on Oct 30, 2009 3:31 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Locker...
is going to be a Pro Bowler one day…you heard it here first
by jlana24 on Oct 30, 2009 2:04 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Ndamukong Suh, DT, Nebraska
I’d love for him to fall to the Jags…
Ignore the hype; look at the results.
by harperslaw on Oct 30, 2009 3:33 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
He'd be great if we ran a 4-3. But we do not.
by Slvrgun on Oct 30, 2009 4:03 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Players vs Plays
Our Defense is a 4-3 defense trying to play 3-4. Will the trend continue in 2010? The Jags are playing 3-4 out of necessity now, but if the Jags were able to grab Suh or other “4-3” guys they’d stay with the 4-3. If they grab some tweener DE/LB guys then we’ll know they’re committed to the 3-4.
Ignore the hype; look at the results.
by harperslaw on Oct 30, 2009 7:00 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Our defense is a 4-3 defense that is phasing into a 3-4 defense.
The Jags were playing 3-4 in practices all summer when Reggie Hayward was still playing. Why? Because they are transitioning and Gene Smith said so.
by Slvrgun on Oct 30, 2009 7:07 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
You'll see.
Gene will draft some 3-4 LBers.
by Slvrgun on Oct 30, 2009 7:08 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
The Future is Fuzzy about this defense
“Del Rio hesitates to classify the defense as a full-blown 3-4, because he says the team still practices some 4-3 principles and ideally would like to play multiple fronts. Del Rio said at some point this season, the Jaguars will start operating more out of the 4-3.
But until then, the Jags continue to try to master their new scheme. Five games isn’t enough time to render a verdict because the Jags hadn’t run the 3-4 at all before this season.
‘You do what you can with the guys you have. We expect it to keep getting better,’ Del Rio said. ‘Part of what we spent so much time in the offseason on was having flexibility. We’re really just looking to put guys in the best position to do things we think they do well.’ "
10/26/2009, Michael C. Wright
http://jacksonville.com/sports/football/jaguars/2009-10-26/story/why_the_jaguars_shifted_to_a_3_4_defense
Ignore the hype; look at the results.
by harperslaw on Oct 30, 2009 7:38 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I don't seee anything fuzzy.
Jags acquire 3-4 DC.
Jags practice 3-4 even though they are a 4-3 team.
Jags draft small, thick and powerfully built Knightion.
Knighton plays NT.
by Slvrgun on Oct 31, 2009 1:00 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I guess we'll see
I still don’t buy that the Jags are going to go full blown, balls out 3-4. Yes, they’ve played it almost exclusively but how much did they play it in week 1 (before Hayward’s injury)? Why are the Jag’s playing 3-4? Because their defensive ends can’t generate a pass rush, the depth on the d-line is almost non-existent at defensive end, and they have a couple of high priced tweeners.
Yes, Mel Tucker was with the Browns for 4 years and they ran the 3-4. But before that Tucker was a 4-3 guy.
And Knighton could slide over and play 3-technique. He’s not strictly a nose tackle.
I have not seen the Gene Smith quote saying that this team, in coming years, is committed to the 3-4. Would you be so kind as providing it for me? All I’ve seen is that the Jags are playing 3-4 right now out of necessity (personnel or lack thereof), and that it is not a definite future.
Ignore the hype; look at the results.
by harperslaw on Nov 1, 2009 12:20 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
maybe Pike can slide to the third
Either way, I need to get a new Jersey and It’ll be the number of someone we draft.
"HULU: An evil plot to destroy the world. Enjoy"
The Flavour of the Day is Turf. - Courtesy of the Jacksonville Jaguars
Keeper of the "That's what she said"
by TheTealDeal on Oct 30, 2009 5:19 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
your list is biased.........
Christian Ponder #1 Draft prospect??? Arent you an FSU fan??? Im a FLA fan, but u wont see me put Tebow as the number one prospect……what a joke………
frankDUBZ aka Frank Silba
by FRANKdubz on Oct 30, 2009 5:29 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
I'm a FLA fan too...
but lets be real….Ponder is levels above Tebow….and its not even close.
by Slvrgun on Oct 30, 2009 6:49 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I agree with that, but you missed the point of his comment. Ponder is not the best available prospect, even with Suh and Berry off the board.
by Kbot on Oct 30, 2009 7:18 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I guarantee you if Ponder declares this year, he'll be in the Top 20
by Jonathan Loesche on Oct 30, 2009 7:21 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Even with Pike, McCoy, Bradford, Locker, Tebow, Snead, Tim Hiller, Zac Robinson, Dan LeFevour, and Daryll Clark also in the draft?
by Kbot on Oct 30, 2009 7:25 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I have to disagree with you there.
"HULU: An evil plot to destroy the world. Enjoy"
The Flavour of the Day is Turf. - Courtesy of the Jacksonville Jaguars
Keeper of the "That's what she said"
by TheTealDeal on Oct 30, 2009 8:35 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I guess we can agree to disagree.
I think he’s good, I just don’t think he’s that good. Top 20 would mean he is the second or third QB taken, which I can’t see.
by Kbot on Oct 30, 2009 11:41 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
FSBlue is spot on.
Ponder is the best QB in the draft hands down.
by Slvrgun on Oct 31, 2009 1:02 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I also forgot Ryan Mallett and Jimmy Clausen, two currently “hot” QBs.
by Kbot on Oct 30, 2009 11:57 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
who said anything about tebow even being on the list???????
frankDUBZ aka Frank Silba
by FRANKdubz on Oct 31, 2009 1:54 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
lol
u even mention Spikes but u didnt add him to the list…….BIASED…….
frankDUBZ aka Frank Silba
by FRANKdubz on Oct 30, 2009 5:31 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
I don't think he's biased.
Spikes will probably best fit as a 4-3 MLB, while McClain would make for a better 3-4 MLB, which he made sure to note. I’m as big a Gators fan as any, but if we switch to a 3-4, I don’t think Spikes would be able to maximize his talents here, and McClain would be a better fit. I would still prefer Eric Norwood at OLB than either of them.
by Kbot on Oct 30, 2009 11:45 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
What about Eric Norwood?
I think he’s one of the best OLBs this year, and might be available in the second and third round.
by Kbot on Oct 30, 2009 7:22 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
And
He’s is one of the nations best pass rushers from the linebacker spot…
If hip hop is dead, then it happened the day that Dilla died.
-Akrobatik
by Bestjagfan on Oct 31, 2009 10:56 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I just hope the Jags....
don’t draft until the bottom third of the first round. Also, anyone who has watched Ponder play and doesn’t think he’s a first rounder is biased.
by Jaggernaut on Oct 31, 2009 10:24 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs
I think he's a fringe first rounder.
Not saying he doesn’t have the talent to be, but he doesn’t have the hype to match others who are expected to be top QBs. Also, FSU’s record doesn’t help his draft stock. It’s unfortunate that defensive failures would affect his future, but it’s true.
I only see St. Louis, Washington, and maybe Seattle, Jacksonville, and Minnesota drafting a QB early. St. Louis will likely draft Bradford or Jake Locker, while Dan Snyder will likely draft Jimmy Clausen or the remainder of the two. Seattle and Jacksonville are both BAP teams, and Minnesota might do that one-player-from-winning thing and take a LB or a CB (assuming they don’t win the Super Bowl).
If he declares, I think he’s the fourth or fifth QB taken.
by Kbot on Oct 31, 2009 9:50 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
How does FSU's defensive play....
affect Ponder’s NFL future in a negative way? If anything, their porous defense allows Ponder to showcase his talents. As far as being the 4th or 5th QB taken, I’ll take the bet that he is chosen before that all day long.
by Jaggernaut on Oct 31, 2009 11:21 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Because FSU’s record affects his draft stock.
by Kbot on Nov 1, 2009 6:02 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs
You may be right...
but I disagree, many great pro players played on not so great teams.
by Jaggernaut on Nov 1, 2009 11:55 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs
I agree with that, but...
Since most of the teams picking QBs in the first round have pretty questionable management (ex: Washington, St. Louis, etc.), they’re more likely to be swayed by fans, who are in turn swayed by hype. I honestly think Mel Kiper and Todd McShay have ruined the public’s perception of talent.
by Kbot on Nov 7, 2009 8:06 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Completely forgot about Tennessee.
Add them to that “taking a QB” list as well.
by Kbot on Nov 1, 2009 6:02 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs
hes a good qb.......but not our #1 prospect
Should have saved this article for your FSU blogs.
frankDUBZ aka Frank Silba
by FRANKdubz on Oct 31, 2009 1:53 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
So who is our number 1 prospect?
The Jags will definitely be in the market for a QB in the early rounds, and Ponder will be taken in the first round.
by Jaggernaut on Oct 31, 2009 11:23 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I know your question was directed at someone else, but this is how I think it will play out.
My #1 prospect is Eric Berry or Ndamukong Suh. My realistic #1 prospects are Sean Weatherspoon, Greg Hardy, Sergio Kindle, Taylor Mays, Carlos Dunlap, Joe Haden, Corey Wooton, Rolando McClain, and Brandon Spikes. I see us getting a QB in the second (assuming we trade for a pick), or the third round.
by Kbot on Nov 1, 2009 6:18 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs
I really like Berry and Spikes
Good list.
by Jaggernaut on Nov 1, 2009 11:56 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs
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