A List of Players that i wouldn't mind having by Draft's End

by TheTealDeal on Apr 25, 2011 11:32 PM EDT

Players I wouldn't mind having in positions most likely to be upgraded, in no particular order. All Quotes are from USA TODAY's NFL Draft 2011 draft magazine.

QB

Jake Locker | 6'3, 226 pounds | Washington Projected: First Round

"Rated as #2 QB

Strong arm- can make all the throws

Good Mobility, buys time in the pocket, and throws well on the run

Tough - plays through injuries

Leader - plays with heart and moxie

Played in a pro-style offense and has tremendous upside"

Andy Dalton | 6'3, 215 pounds | TCU Projected: Second Round

"Rated as the #7 QB

Efficient Passer and decision-maker and is an experience four-year starter

Avoids turnovers - less than 10 interceptions for three straight years

Mobile - buys time in the pocket and not afraid to run"

Colin Kaepernick | 6'6, 220 pounds | Nevada Projected: Third - Fourth Round

"Rated as the #6 QB

Great intangibles - confident leaderm charismatic, strong character

Keeps eyes down-field and throws well on the run

Strong work ethic - improved every season throughout his career

Yards per snap increased each season - 9.0 as a senior

Ideal Height (6-6) with arm strength"

Titus Young | 5'11, 170 pounds | Boise State Projected: Fourth Round

"Rated as the #12 WR

Rising Stock: Young's Senior Bowl efforts resulted in comparisons to Pro Bowl WR DeSean Jackson and could help propel him into the early rounds."

"Young is a big play guy and has flourished in the Broncos offense. He has the ability to make defenders miss once he has the ball in his hands and can turn on the afterburners very quickly. Young sometimes has problems creating immediate separation of the line, but can usually find a soft spot or separate as the route continues. He is also a very emotional receiver who is not afraid to go across the middle. Young is generally ranked as the #4 to #8 WR in this year’s draft." - HogsHeaven.com (Redskins SBNation site) by Parks Smith

Randall Cobb | 5'11, 190 pounds | Kentucky Projected: Third Round

"Rated as the #10 WR

Versatile - having played QB, WR, and RB

Dynamic play-maker - displays instant and vision

Dangerous returner - elusive in the open field

Consistent production - made an impact versus elite competition"

Vincent Brown | 6'0, 195 pounds | San Diego State Projected: Second Round

"Rated as the #5 WR

One of the most under-rated recievers in the draft

Big-Play option - averaged 19.6 yards per catch on 69 catches as a senior

Sure-handed - willing to go over the middle and make the tough catch

Makes good effort as a blocker (something we always valued in a WR)"

Ben Ijalana | 6'4, 320 pounds | OT/G | Villanova Projected: Second Round

"Rated as the #4 Guard

One of the best small-school prospects in the draft

High Upside

Long Arms, drives defenders in the running game

Shows quick feet in the passing game"

Stefen Wisniewski | 6'3, 302 pounds | Penn State Projected: Second Round

"Rated as the #1 Center

Versatile Guard/Center

Good footwork, fundamentally sound - a technician

high football IQ - picks up blitzes

Experienced - three year starter and has pedigree son of ex player Lion Leo Wisniewski and nephew of former Raider all-pro Steve Wisniewski"

Kristofer O'Dowd | 6'5, 300 pounds | Southern California Projected: Third Round

"Rated as the #2 Center

Solid run blocker who sustains his blocks

Quick off the ball and does a nice job getting to the second level

Smart player capable of making the line calls

Uses good leverage and anchors well in pass protection"

Da'Quan Bowers | 6'4, 280 pounds | Clemson Projected: First Round

"Rated as the #1 DE

Prototypical size and strength

Versatile - can be a 4-3 DE, 3-4 DE, or a 3-4 OLB

Major disruption to any offense, explosive hitter who can cause numerous fumbles

Superb run stopping ability

Exceptional work ethic and leadership"

Ryan Kerrigan | 6'4, 263 pounds | Purdue Projected: First Round

"Rated as the #4 DE

Tenacious two way defensive end prospect

Equally adept at stopping the run or rushing the passer

Tremendous Motor (People draw comparisons to Aaron Kampman in this aspect)

Knack for forcing fumbles (11 in the past two seasons)

Hard worker with excellent intangibles, and has shined the past two years, despite commanding double teams on a below-average defense"

Jeremy Beal | 6'3, 261 pounds | Oklahoma Projected: Second Round

"Rated as the #9 DE

Makes plays in the backfield - 8.5 sacks and 19 tackles for loss in 2010

Has nose for the QB - 29 career sacks over 4 seasons

Experience in playing a 4-3 DE and 3-4 OLB in Oklahoma hybrid scheme, has experience dropping into Coverage

Big 12 Defensive Player of the Year"

OLB

Justin Houston | 6'3, 254 pounds | DE/OLB | Georgia Projected: First - Second Round

"Rated as the 3rd OLB

A downhill attacking LB

displays power as a pass rusher - strong bull rush

has a nose for the QB - 11 sacks in 2010 and 7.5 in 09'

Provides good effort against the run - can make plays down the line"

Bruce Carter | 6'3, 230 pounds | North Carolina Projected: Third Round

"Rated as the 6th OLB

Athletic weak-side linebacker

Possesses ideal sideline-to-sideline speed

Off the the chart numbers - a work ethic champ

Displays good range in Coverage - can turn and run with backs and tight ends

Displays a knack for blocking kicks"

Mark Herzlich | 6'4, 248 pounds | Boston College Projected: Third Round

"Rated as the #7 OLB

A great story - overcame Eqing's Sarcoma (Bone Cancer) to return as a senior

Versatility - can play inside or strong side

Excellent coverage awareness - 10 interceptions during his last two seasons

Leader and team player, displayed overwhelmingly desire, work ethic, toughness, and character as he overcame cancer to return to the field"

MLB

Greg Jones | 6'1, 228 pounds | Michigan State Projected: Second Round

"Rated as the #1 MLB

Tackling machine, (106 tackles in 2010), diagnoses plays quickly and makes plays down the line

Displays leadership skills - steps up in key situactions

Underrated pass rusher (9 sacks as a Junior)

Times blitzes well and is a 4 year starter"

Martez Wilson | 6'4, 250 pounds | Illinois Projected: Second - Third Round

"Rated as the 4th MLB

Athletic three-down inside linebacker

Big Hitter and sure tackler - 112 tackles in 2010

Solid Coverage Awareness

High Upside - displayed play-making ability with 11.5 tackles for loss, four sacks, four passes broken up, three forced fumbles, and one blocked kick in 2010

One of the few ILBs with 3-4 size"

Kelvin Sheppard | 6'3, 240 pounds | LSU Projected: Third Round

"Rated as the 5th MLB

Versatile - experience at inside and outside LB spots (though may project best to weak side)

Has sideline-to-sideline speed

Leader of one of the best defenses in the country - makes defensive calls

Times Blitzes well and makes impact in the back field"

Aaron Williams | 6'1, 195 pounds | Texas Projected: First - Second Round

"Rated as the 3rd CB

Excels in man coverage - can turn and run with recievers

Comes out of a Texas program that has a reputation for producing quality NFL Dbs

Fluid in coverage - good hips and gets in and out of breaks quickly

Shows good awareness and anticipation in coverage

Jimmy Smith | 6'2, 205 pounds | Colorado Projected: Second Round

"Rated as the 4th CB

Big Press-coverage corner

Gets a great jam at the line

Teams throw away from him - allowed just 11 completions in man coverage during the 09' and 2010 seasons

Great Size, length, and athleticism

Chimdi Chekwa | 6'1, 188 pounds | Ohio State Projected: Third - Fourth Round

"Rated as the 10th CB

Strong man-to-man coverage skills

Tremendous speed, fluid in his drops, closes quickly on the ball

Solid ball skills - able to play the ball in the air

Korey Lindsey | 5'11, 185 pounds | Southern Illinois Projected: Fifth Round

"Rated the 16th CB

STARS FROM THE SUBDIVISION - ... Another corner heading toward a mid-round selection is Southern Illonois pickoff artist Korey Lindsey. After he intercepted six passes in back-to-back seasons, quarterbacks gave Lindsey fewer opportunities in 2010, but he still managed to haul in an INT and break up seven passes...

Safety

Rahim Moore | 6'1, 195 pounds | UCLA Projected: First- Second Round

"Rated as the #1 FS

Top Center field-type safety in the draft

Excellent ball skills - 10 INTs in 09'

Fluid- excels in zone coverage

Leader - named captain as a junior

Strong work ethic and takes care of himself off the field

Quinton Carter | 6'1, 195 pounds | Oklahoma Projected: Third Round

"Rated as the 4th FS

Big-Hitting safety prospect

Above-Average ball skills - gets his hands on a lot of footballs

Has experience at both free safety and strong safety

Great character - founded community outreach program in his sophomore year

Robert Sands | 6'4, 221 pounds | West Virgnia Projected: Third Round

"Rated as the 6th FS

Hard-hitting free safety prospect

Great Size and frame - rare length for a safety

Has Play-maker potential - 6.5 tackles for loss and five INTs in 09' and 2010, respectively

Diagnoses plays and is aggressive in run support

Ahmad Black | 5'9, 185 pounds | Florida Projected: Fourth Round

"Rated as the 7th SS

Excellent coverage skills

Tackling machine with 107 tackes (72 solo) in 2010

Instinctive in coverage - 13 INTs and 15 passes broken up in the last three seasons

Fills hard against the run - 10 tackles for loss in 2010

Solid in man coverage - could play some nickel: played corner his freshman year

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Comments

I’d never heard of Jeremy Beal but I guess that’s because his senior bowl and combine performances were so poor. If he can prove he’s faster than his 40 time (5.16 at the combine) maybe we’d get him as a DE for our 4-3, but otherwise no thanks. We need speed.

by Vicbow on Apr 26, 2011 2:31 PM EDT reply actions

I wasn't surprised

when I saw him run 5.16

by Ewdtrey on Apr 26, 2011 6:55 PM EDT up reply actions

Titus Young is too much like Mike Thomas for my liking. Also, Jimmy Smith isn’t likely to be a pick because of his character concerns.

by Jags.0 on Apr 26, 2011 3:47 PM EDT reply actions

are you suggesting that you dont want another good WR?

by Jermaside4 on Apr 26, 2011 4:11 PM EDT up reply actions

I see

Mardy Gilyard more than Mike Thomas. I would take another Mike Thomas any day of the week.

by Ewdtrey on Apr 26, 2011 6:59 PM EDT up reply actions

OLB

Justin Houston | 6’3, 254 pounds | DE/OLB | Georgia Projected: First – Second Round

"Rated as the 3rd OLB

        * A downhill attacking LB
        * displays power as a pass rusher – strong bull rush
        * has a nose for the sweet stanky!
        * Provides good effort against the run – can make plays down the line"

by Joe Fisher on Apr 26, 2011 5:15 PM EDT reply actions

ERRRR....

FAILED COMBINE DRUG TEST! i think he can safely be crossed off GM-G’s board..what a dumbass..

by chrisltr22c on Apr 26, 2011 6:16 PM EDT up reply actions

Have we seen where one positive test has taken someone off Gene’s board? High character (no pun intended) could still allow someone to still be a college age man and smoke weed once or twice. The character issue is when does the drug usage effect their life, practices and gametime decisions.

I assume Gene does a background check to see what influences are around a player. If Houston still hangs around good people and has good family influences I could see Gene selected Houston even though he took some weed

by Bryqan on Apr 27, 2011 9:14 AM EDT up reply actions

When does the drug usage affect their life?

When they can’t stay off of it before the combine, that’s when.

by Conservative on Apr 27, 2011 10:05 AM EDT up reply actions

me and gene shared a joint back in the day

He’ll understand

by Vicbow on Apr 27, 2011 10:30 AM EDT via mobile up reply actions

Here's the deal

Biggest day of your life professionally, where what you do and how you perform determines what you might make. Not many other career fields give you the opportunity a professional athlete gives you to make millions immediate without professional experience.

Now, as a GM, one of your major criterion is decision making ability. I’d imagine smoking weed leading up to the Combine (an event where you know you are going to have to take a drug test) kinda puts a zero in the decision making ability column, don’t you think? He did this before he had the money. How is he going to act when he actually gets that bonus check? He was a borderline 1st / 2nd rounder before this, now he may be a borderline 2nd/3rd rounder.

Way to piss away your first big money grab, pun intended.

by Joe Fisher on Apr 27, 2011 11:42 AM EDT up reply actions