2012 NFL Draft Prospects

[DKphin]

[h=2]Mercilus a big draw at Illinois' Pro Day[/h] Illinois defensive end Whitney Mercilus became the first top prospect to participate in agility tests during the Pro Day season, running an impressive 4.38-second short shuttle and a 7.03-second three-cone drill, according to NFL.com.
One of 18 prospects to work out in front of representatives from all 32 NFL teams for Tuesday's indoor workout on field turf, Mercilus is trying to prove he can transition to edge rusher in a 3-4 scheme if asked. Rated as the No. 3 defensive end prospect and No. 26 overall by NFLDraftScout.com, Mercilus measured in at 6-3 7/8, 258 pounds.
But there was no doubt the scouts were on hand primarily to take in Mercilus' workout. He's one of the first-round's biggest enigmas. After two mediocre season's at Illinois, he busted out as the nation's top defensive end with 16 sacks, nine forced fumbles and a whopping 22.5 tackles for loss.

Read more:http://rob-rang.blogs.cbssports.com/mcc/blogs/view/13682485

 

[DKphin]

Is Upshaw trying to hide something? Very curious to come to the combine and participate in one drill. Then not even show up at your school's Pro Day.

Alabama Pro Day minus Richardson, Barron, Upshaw

Three of the four Crimson Tide prospects currently rated as first round caliber prospects by NFLDraftScout.com did not participate in today's workout. It had been known that running back Trent Richardson (knee) and safety Mark Barron (hernia) would not be working out today. Pass rusher Courtney Upshaw also was unable to workout today due to knee tendinitis. Each is expected to participate in Alabama's second Pro Day workout, scheduled for March 29. All 32 NFL teams were represented today. Expect all 32 to be there March 29, as well.

Read more:http://rob-rang.blogs.cbssports.com/mcc/blogs/entry/13682485/35130523

 

[DKphin]

[h=2]With QB sidelined, Fuller steps up at A&M Pro Day[/h]With senior quarterback Ryan Tannehill not yet able to work out due to his recovery from a broken foot, the stage was set for several other Aggies to take advantage of the pro scouts on hand for Texas A&M's Pro Day.


Senior wide receiver Jeff Fuller offered scouts a pleasant surprise by participating in the workout. He had been expected to wait until March 29 (like Tannehill) to work out after it was discovered that he'd suffered a stress fracture in his foot at the Senior Bowl, but he elected to compete anyway. This fact was especially important because unlike most of A&M's other prominent prospects not named Tannehill, Fuller was the only Aggie invited to the Combine who wasn't able to work out in Indianapolis.

Fuller, measuring in at 6-4, 225 pounds, was clocked between 4.62-4.66 in a pair of attempts at the 40-yard dash and registered a 4.34 second time in the 20-yard short shuttle and a 7.10 second time in the three-cone drill. Fuller also had a 36" vertical jump, according to the official Twitter feed of Texas A&M Aggie Football. Fuller also participated in positional drills. The one drill he had performed in at the Scouting Combine was the bench press, where he lifted the bar 17 times.

Read more:http://rob-rang.blogs.cbssports.com/mcc/blogs/entry/13682485/35132719

 

[DKphin]

[h=1]Kalil, Perry mostly sit on their combine results at USC pro day[/h] The Sports Xchange/CBSSports.com


LOS ANGELES -- USC's biggest stars did not do a lot of work at pro day on Wednesday but there was no lack of drama.
Offensive tackle Matt Kalil and defensive end Nick Perry, ranked in NFLDraftScout.com's top 32 with Kalil in the top five of Rob Rang's Big Board, did some position drills but did not replicate any of their NFL combine work because they were pleased with their initial results.

Read more:http://www.cbssports.com/nfl/draft/...y-sit-on-their-combine-results-at-usc-pro-day

 

[DKphin]

[h=1]Five Scouting Combine Sleepers[/h] Every year, the top collegiate athletes gather in Indianapolis, Indiana to take in the festivities known as the NFL Combine.

The spectacle features drills, a test and interviews in which the personnel of 32 NFL teams determine future players for their squads. For the players participating, this could be one of their last chances (aside from Pro Day workouts) to show every NFL team exactly what they can do. For some, it could determine their future.
For a select few, this event could be the determining factor of whether they are drafted or not during the NFL Draft. Or it could determine which round others may be drafted in. A spectacular performance at the NFL Combine could skyrocket a player’s stock, directly moving them up draft boards across the league.
On the flip side, a bad performance could drop a player completely.
For some, a late round selection is almost expected. However, those players are determined to prove that they belong in the NFL and deserve to be among the best names called over the three-day extravaganza known as the NFL Draft.
This list consists of five players that fans of the NFL probably don’t know, but should know as the workout portions of the NFL Combine begin to commence this weekend. Without further ado, here are five NFL Scouting Combine sleepers:

Read more:http://draftbreakdown.com/five-scouting-combine-sleepers

 

[DKphin]

[h=1]Jordan White – Slot Machine[/h]
“Whatever happens is Western Michigan, stays in Western Michigan.”

That may not be exactly how you heard it, but that old Vegas adage rings true when it comes to Waldo Stadium in Kalamazoo, where Western Michigan University wide receiver Jordan White may be college football’s best kept secret. Word is slowly getting out about White, whose 2011 totals of 140 catches, 1911 yards, and 17 touchdowns earned him recognition as only the sixth player in MAC Conference history to be named a Consensus All American.

White’s work from the slot was machine-like, cranking out 100+ yard receiving totals in 10 of 13 games, including 265 yards versus Purdue in the Little Caesars Bowl. And this two time All MAC performer holds the conference record not only for yards per season, but also career yardage, at 4187, despite missing the 2006 and 2008 seasons with injuries to different knees. With the injury history and the small conference label, you might think that White is a long shot gamble, but frustrated defensive backs keep pulling the handle, trying to beat this slot machine.
At 6’0” 215 pounds, White is a solidly built athlete, who plays bigger than his size would suggest, using his body to shield defenders or to make catches far outside his frame. Not blessed with elite speed or burst (he’ll probably run in the high 4.5s), White compensates with quickness, agility, and body control, routinely outmaneuvering defensive backs possessing more impressive physical skills. Displaying no wasted motion off the line and good short area quickness, he gets on top of cornerbacks faster than they expect, then sinks his hips, maintaining speed when coming out of breaks; however, he’s not a homerun threat who will run away from defenders.

Read more:http://draftbreakdown.com/jordan-white-slot-machine

 

[DKphin]

[h=1]Getting The Edge: 2012 Pass Rushing Prospects[/h]Vinny Curry, Marshall

Height: 6030 Weight: 265
Best fit: 4-3 RDE
Potential landing spot: Indianapolis Colts (65[SUP]th[/SUP] overall)

Breakdown:
One of the first things that I noticed about Curry is that he’s not really explosive. His get-off of the line is rather average. The hand placement/technique is sound and when Curry does get around offensive tackles, he does a great job of shielding them with his body – much like a wide receiver does when they get a step on a cornerback. His pursuit, closing speed, and change of direction are limited by his lack of elite athleticism.
After meeting Curry, he’s very humble and comes off as coachable – which would explain why his technique is rather refined for someone his age. The phrase that I would use to describe Curry is efficient. His chances of flat-out busting seem slim but his chances are superstardom are equally slim. I actually think that with an extra 15 pounds Curry may be better off as a 3-technique defensive tackle but that’s probably crazy-talk.

Read more:http://draftbreakdown.com/getting-the-edge-2012-pass-rushing-prospects

 

[DKphin]

Pro Day roundup: Alabama, USC and more

Southern Cal

ICONKalil displayed "plus" athleticism at his pro day.

OT Matt Kalil
The draft’s top offensive tackle prospect looked natural during his workout this week. He showcased good balance and change of directions skills both during run and pass blocking drills, as he was able to consistently gain leverage on contact. He did nothing but solidify his spot as a top-five pick.
DE Nick Perry
Perry looked a little tight during positional drills, especially when working out as a linebacker. However, the guy is an explosive pass rusher who can be violent with his hands and he wouldn’t be the first ever “stiffer” prospect drafted as an outside linebacker. I think he has a similar type game to current Texans OLB Brooks Reed and can be a productive rush LB option because of his “plus” get off burst and motor.
DT DaJohn Harris
Harris was unable to workout at the NFL Combine after doctors discovered he had a
patent foramen ovale (a hole in heart). However, Harris has since been checked out and doctors have given him 100% clearance to play in the NFL.

Read more:http://www.nationalfootballpost.com/Pro-Day-roundup-Alabama-USC-and-more.html

 

[DKphin]

• March 9
• (6:00 PM): Blackmon runs 'okay' at pro day ... In the end, Oklahoma State WR Justin Blackmon probably didn't have a great pro day workout, ut it was still probably good enough to solidify his status as a top 5-10 pick this year. Blackmon's official 40-time today was 4.46 seconds, although most teams are likely to tick that up into at least the low-4.5 range because of the fast track they run on at Oklahoma State. And that is just about what was expected from Blackmon who is not considered to have track speed. What would have hurt Blackmon would have been to run in the 4.55-4.60 area on that fast track. Blackmon also had a good, but not great 35-inch vertical and dropped a couple of passes in the positional drills. However, given his size, as well as the body of work over his college career, it would appear that Blackmon did enough today. Remember, too, that former Georgia WR A. J. Green was also only just okay as his workouts last spring, but still was chosen 4th overall by Cincinnati and went to have an excellent rookie season.
• (10:00 AM): Top TE prospect cited for DUI … Georgia TE Orson Charles, one of the top prospects at the position for the upcoming draft, was reportedly arrested early this morning and charged with driving under the influence. Charles was booked by local police in Athens and released on bail, however, it is not the kind of thing that helps one’s grade in the weeks before the draft.

Read more:http://www.gbnreport.com/

 

[DKphin]

[h=2]WR Toon highlights "impressive" Wisconsin Pro Day[/h]Senior wide receiver Nick Toon shaved more than a tenth of a second off of the 4.54 second time he had posted at the Scouting Combine, ran crisp routes and plucked the ball out of the air easily, highlighting what one veteran NFL scout called an "impressive group overall" at the Wisconsin Pro Day.


The 6-2, 215 pound Toon was clocked at 4.43 seconds Wednesday. The improved time is important as average straight-line speed is considered to be Toon's biggest shorting. He also improved upon his vertical jump (39") from the Combine (37.5) and registered a 10'10" broad jump, as well. Toon is currently rated by NFLDraftScout.com as a 3rd round prospect and the No. 100 player on our board, overall.

Toon was hardly the only Wisconsin standout to enjoy a strong day.

Read more:http://rob-rang.blogs.cbssports.com/mcc/blogs/entry/13682485/35141560

 

[DKphin]

[h=2]RB Polk measures in lighter, faster at UW Pro Day[/h]Seattle -- A year ago it was quarterback Jake Locker whose impressive Pro Day workout at the University of Washington served as a springboard from which he boosted his mercurial stock all the way to the No. 8 pick in the 2011 NFL draft.

This year it is running back Chris Polk who likely boosted his stock with scouts with an impressive all-around performance Thursday in front of scouts and position coaches from roughly half of the teams in the NFL. Ironically enough, he did so with Locker watching, as the Titans' 2011 first round pick returned to Washington to throw passes to Polk, wide receivers Jermaine Kearse and Devin Aguilar and fullback Dorson Boyce.

Polk measured in at 5-10 (1/2) and 212 pounds, three pounds lighter than he'd weighed at the Combine and 12 pounds lighter than he was at the Senior Bowl.

Read more:http://rob-rang.blogs.cbssports.com/mcc/blogs/entry/13682485/35149631

 

[DKphin]

Scouting offensive tackle Riley Reiff

Here are a few takeaways from Scouts Inc.'s in-depth report on Reiff :

• Pass protection (above average): "Above average balance for size and can mirror defenders. Resets feet and absorbs bigger bull-rushers. Long and quick enough to protect the edge when footwork is sound, and appeared to make strides in this area last year. However, concerned about ability to protect blind side at the next level at this point."
• Run blocking (above average): "Can get under defenders and drive them off the ball when keeps pads down, though needs to be more consistent in this area. Takes adequate angles to second level, and can cut off backside linebacker."
• Toughness (above average): "Developed more of a mean streak as the season progressed last year, and has the potential to improve score if he continues to progress in this area. Flashed ability to drive defenders eight yards downfield and then put them on their back. Covers downfield and gets under defender's skin."

Read more:http://espn.go.com/blog/afceast/post/_/id/39336/scouting-ot-riley-reiff

 

[DKphin]

Draft Winds: Four defensive prospects for Dolphins

OLB Shea McClellin, Boise State
Quick Take:
• Versatile linebacker prospect that lined up in multiple DL and LB positions
• Played in a blitz-heavy, diverse scheme and developed a feel for blitzing gaps
• Non-elite 1st step but build up speed on 2nd & 3rd steps help him execute array of moves
• Smart player that keeps his eye on the ball and has a feel for passing lanes in coverage
• Not quite Jarret Johnson physical, but a physical player that could play like a Connor Barwin
Last week, Richard gave you a great run down on a Boise State player that is probably more of a pure pass rusher in Tyrone Crawford. I consider Crawford to be more of a linear player that will lock down a certain position in the NFL and work at mastering the nuances of that position. This week I wanted to take a look at Crawford’s Boise State teammate, Shea McClellin. He is more of a versatile, multiple guy that you will start to hear a little more about as he climbs the Draft boards leading up to the Draft, much as Koa Misi did a few years ago. I put together one Universal Draft video of McClellin’s 2011 game against San Diego State, and have also linked a video put together by DraftBreakdown of his 2011 game against Nevada.


[video=youtube;urQbtllglpA]http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=urQbtllglpA[/video]

[video=youtube;F0vM9k9bnsk]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F0vM9k9bnsk&feature=player_embedded[/video]


Some players are just fun to watch. You sit down to watch a tape and they do things that make you remember why you became a football fan in the first place. Shea McClellin is that kind of player. He plays in a scheme that really lets him mix things up and use his versatility to make plays in different ways. He will have his hand in the dirt, rushing from a wide alignment or a tight alignment, stunting or engaging an outside rush, or he’ll line up as an up player in positions more familiar to a 3-4 outside linebacker. He also lines up at positions that more closely approximate a weak side linebacker in a 4-3. He will often blitz the interior from an up linebacker position.
The important thing in evaluating a player like this is to separate the scheme from the player. The scheme is fun, multiple, diverse, unpredictable, and really puts the player in position to make plays a number of different ways. But how much of what the player is doing is because of that player’s own unique skills as a football player? Could other, less talented players play this position and make the same plays? This is really important to keep in mind because some guys, like a Quinton Coples or Courtney Upshaw as examples, are not creations of scheme to the same extent as guys like Shea McClellin and Bruce Irvin. The latter two will often have the advantage of really wide splits, streamlined responsibilities, schematic unpredictability, etc.
All that said, I think Shea McClellin may be a special player regardless of scheme. He’s a genuinely big player at 6’3” and 263 lbs, and he moves around a lot better than he has a right to at that size. He ran an unofficial 4.62 in the 40 yard dash at the NFL Scouting Combine, which I confirmed on a re-timing via video software. He had a 9’10” broad jump. He has genuine movement skills at his size. As an example, Koa Misi had better explosive metrics but he was 12 lbs lighter and ran over a tenth slower.
McClellin does not have an elite first step but he builds up a tremendous amount of speed in his second and third steps, which help him to execute pass rush moves on offensive tackles. He has a good spin, and most importantly he has the flexibility and lateral strength to dip under the offensive tackle’s pads at the top of the rush. This is not a necessary trait in a pass rusher, but it sure is nice to have because that lateral strength shows up in other ways and helps guys make all kinds of ‘motor’ plays. His back pedal and ability to get back into coverage really stand out. He is a fluid, though not necessarily explosive mover. He is a smart and instinctive pass rusher that will develop a feel for blitzing, moving before the snap to cause confusion, and ducking through the softest gaps in order to get maximum pressure. In other words, he is a true linebacker. There is an athletic quality to his play that is hard to put your finger on, and is best exemplified by the cliché coaches’ command: “Be an athlete.”
He reminds me of a cross between Paul Kruger and Jarret Johnson, both of whom play for the Baltimore Ravens. He does not have Johnson’s pure vicious physicality but I would say he is more physical than Kruger and, like Kruger, he has movement and pass rush skills that Johnson never possessed. Another guy to compare him with would be Connor Barwin, who made a name for himself this year in replacement of Mario Williams on the Houston Texans defense. Barwin is a little more explosive.
The problem for the Miami Dolphins, is picking McClellin would be very much a Koa Misi do-over. They are similar kinds of players that would play in similar schemes. That makes McClellin not as valuable to the Miami Dolphins until we get on into the meat of the Draft a little bit. Since he will probably go higher than that, I do not think McClellin is destined to end up a Miami Dolphin.
You may be wondering, why run him down like this if I do not think he ends up a Dolphin? It is because the fit with the scheme the Dolphins ran under Mike Nolan is so natural, and there is a strong possibility that he becomes a hot name in the coming weeks that you hear several dratniks talking about as ‘rising’ up the boards.

Read more:http://weblogs.sun-sentinel.com/spo...g/2012/03/draft_winds_four_defensive_pro.html

 

[DKphin]

[h=1]Prospect focus: Iowa's Shaun Prater and Mike Daniels[/h] Breaking down the games of a pair of Hawkeyes. Greg Gabriel

Shaun Prater
Prater is a 4th-year senior and a 3-year starter for Iowa at corner. Coming out of high school he was not highly recruited and was rated as only a 2-star recruit. The major schools that offered were Iowa, Air Force and Nebraska. The main reason he was not highly touted was his size. He weighed less than 160 pounds as a high school senior. Since that time he has grown to 190 pounds (his Combine weight) to go along with his 5-10 height and 30.75’ arms.

Mike Daniels
Daniels is a 5th-year senior and a 2-year starter at defensive tackle. He’s from Blackwood, New Jersey, and like Prater he was a 2-star recruit out of high school. Also like Prater he was not highly recruited with Iowa and Temple being the major schools to offer. He redshirted his freshman year and played as a backup the following two years.

Read more:http://www.nationalfootballpost.com/Prospect-focus-Iowas-Shaun-Prater-and-Mike-Daniels.html

 

[DKphin]

LB Ronnie Thornton Southern Mississippi 6-3 247