Draft Prospects

[DKphin]

19. Tyler Eifert TE Notre Dame 6'6" 255

Draft Scouting Report

Positives:
+ Stats- Been really productive at Notre Dame; 282 receiving yards freshman year, already 347 5 games into his sophomore year
+ Size- prototypical, 6’6 250lb frame
+ Blocking- good blocker for size
+ Character- plays the game with as much passion and effort as any tight end I have ever seen
+ Hands- never seen him drop a pass, doesn’t trap passes against his frame
+ Route running- Extremely fluid route runner with loose hips and deceptive footwork
Negatives:
- Speed- good short area speed, but pretty bad long speed for a first round prospect
- Big play ability- not much in the red zone, can’t get yards after the catch, not very powerful with the ball in his hands
I love Notre Dame tight end Tyler Eifert. He isn’t a highly publicized prospect, namely due to the fact that he isn’t expected to enter the draft (he’s a redshirt sophomore), but that doesn’t mean he won’t be a first round draft pick if he enters the draft this year.
Eifert has solid size and speed. He has good height and bulk, but his speed is mediocre. Although he reaches top speed extremely quickly, his top speed is mediocre at best, and it limits him as a deep receiver,
Eifert has been very productive at Notre Dame. After Kyle Rudolph was injured early in the 2010 season, Eifert came in and was immediately productive, getting 282 receiving yards his redshirt freshman season. He has been very productive so far in 2011, getting 352 receiving yards in 5 games. He is also extremely consistent. However, his yards per catch has always been unspectacular, and he had a pretty bad back injury his true freshman year, and he ended up taking a medical redshirt that season.
Eifert has good hands. I’ve never seen him drop a pass, he doesn’t trap passes against his frame, and he shows elite body control in the air. He is also very good at adjusting to the poorly thrown football.
Eifert is a good route runner. Although he lacks the speed to create a lot of separation between him and his defenders, he uses his size and physicality to create space in the open field. He also accelerates very quickly into his routes, and has extremely loose hips, giving him elite change of direction skills and quickness in and out of his breaks.
Eifert has versatility. He often lines up in the slot for Notre Dame, and he is very productive when he is lined up in the slot, similar to Jermichael Finley with the Packers.
Eifert is a good blocker. He plays the game with ridiculous on field intensity, he is tough, he has great strength, and he has extremely long arms that he uses to drive defenders off the ball. However, he has mediocre on field awareness as a blocker, he struggles to create a wide base, and he struggles to sustain blocks.
Eifert has good character. He has no off the field issues to my knowledge, and he plays the game with unbelievable on field intensity. Character definitely isn’t an issue for Eifert.
Overall, Eifert looks like a great NFL prospect. I have a feeling he will be a great player in the NFL, and he’ll be a safe pick for any team in the draft.
NFL comparison: Todd Heap, except Eifert is a much better blocker.
Grade: 95 (deserves to be a mid first round prospect)
Projection: 93 (will be a mid-to-late first round pick)
[video=youtube;ZubB3r93vCM]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZubB3r93vCM[/video]

http://nflmocks.com/2011/10/02/tyler-eifert-2012-draft-scouting-report/

 

[2413fanphins]

I would have to do some digging but I thought I either read or had on my DVR that irelands philosophy was mostly to stick with the big board... I remember something to the effect of "you have to trust the work you put into your board"... but I think the approach should be a split between need and BPA, once in awhile you may even get lucky enough that they are one in the same.

 

[DKphin]

I am not in the least impressed by Ireland. He has passed so many talented players that would also fill a need for us that I hold no hope that he will get it right this time.

 

[DKphin]

20. Luke Joeckel OT TAMU 6'6" 310

Texas A&M's Luke Joeckel is currently considered the premiere offensive tackle prospect in the country. Almost universally ranked as the best prospect at his position, Joeckel has paved the way for the Aggies to have one of their best seasons in years, which was particularly impressive for their first year in the SEC. Joeckel is a prototypical left tackle with choppy, fast feet. Not an especially powerful blocker, but has plus athleticism that can seal the edge against speed rushers. Great positioning and plays the angles well. Excellent in blitz pickup. Finds the extra man with his eyes and is consistently looking for stunts and twists.
Good, but not great in run blocking. Shows good fundamentals in his technique. Plays with a natural knee-bend, doesn't lose his balance, and keeps his feet active. Not a great drive blocker due to below-average hand positioning and so-so strength. Could benefit from playing in a zone blocking scheme where he can get out to a spot and use his forward momentum to gain positioning.
Joeckel has an aggressive, yet under control style of play. Still has room to add some weight and will need to work hard in the gym to add power through his core and lower body.
The 6'6", 310 lb. junior projects as a Top 10 selection in the 2013 NFL Draft.
<br>[video=youtube;GvNBXbt-KaI]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GvNBXbt-KaI[/video]

http://www.fftoolbox.com/nfl_draft/profile_display.cfm?prospect_id=3467

 

[DKphin]

21. Jonathan Cooper OG UNC 6'3" 295

University of North Carolina offensive guard Jonathan Cooper is a very reliable interior presence with few shortcomings to his game. His unique blend of athleticism and strength have pushed him into consideration for a first round pick in the 2013 NFL Draft. Cooper has been a four-year starter at left guard for the Tar Heels. Only missed a handful of games in his career. Cooper is a very proficient pass blocker and uses his hands extremely well. Although he only has average height and size, he can hold his own against bigger or stronger tackles. He will likely need to continue adding power to his game as he transitions into the NFL.
He possesses above-average quickness and gets into position immediately. Aforementioned size limits his ability to truly dominate inside, but he plays with a chip on his shoulder and refuses to be pushed around. He smoothly pulls out into open space and shows nice balance moving around the trenches.
At the next level, he'll need to adapt his ability to adjust to more complicated defensive schemes. Cooper will be asked to be more mindful of audibles, stunts, twists, etc.
He projects as a late first round pick in the 2013 NFL Draft[video=youtube;j4S5bcc0HQ0]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j4S5bcc0HQ0[/video]

http://www.fftoolbox.com/nfl_draft/profile_display.cfm?prospect_id=3434

 

[DKphin]

22. Mike Gillislee RB Florida 5'11" 212
Since the first time I saw him at the University of Florida, I knew this player was going to be a very good addition to the football team. In his freshman and sophomore seasons, as I would sit with my Dad(who is a UF grad), I would keep complaining that Gilly was the best RB on the team and I could not understand why Meyer was not playing him more. Even when Muschamp came in and took over when Meyer got scared by the way that Alabama manhandled his team in SEC Championship and he could not adapt to the changing climate in the league(on a side note, Meyer was a total punk the way he left UF and I hope the Gators get a chance to play and crush the Overrated State University) , Champ stayed with Rainey and Demps. But in his Senior year Gilly got his opportunity and he did not disappoint. The guy is the kind of player I love. He is a player that straps on his chinstrap, picks up the lunch pail and goes to work. You want him to block he will block with tenacity, he can catch out of the backfield and he will run inside and out. I love this guy as a football player. He reminds me of Errict Rhett, another UF RB who played for TB, BAL, CLE for 7yrs before ending his career. Is he going to be a superstar? I do not know, but I will tell you he will contribute and the team will be glad to have him. But enough of my diatribe, let us look at scouting report of him against TAMU:

Mike Gillislee and the Currency of Respect

By Matt Waldman • October 24, 2012 • Print-Friendly Gators runner Mike Gillislee understands the currency for respect in the game of football. Photo by Photo-Gator.

Hitting and guts are the currency of respect in the game of football. A football player that can deliver a hit, take a hit, and play with abandon earns respect from teammates, opponents, and fans. When I watch a prospect, these three aspects of football stand out immediately when I see them. Said player may not have the technical or conceptual skills, or physical talent to become an NFL player, but hitting and guts make a great first impression.
Florida running back MIke Gillislee delivered a strong first impression against Texas A&M in the 2012 opener. Although I watched him carry the ball 14 times for 83 yards and 2 touchdowns, the box score only reveals the tip of the iceberg. What the stat line doesn’t show is that Gillislee’s best runs – both statistically and otherwise – came during his final eight carries after he injured his groin in the first offensive series and required an A-C bandage.
Among these impressive displays was a 24-yard run up the right sideline where he turned the corner on three defenders. As he was generating separation up the boundary he made the choice to go out of bounds, because as he opened his stride to his third gear he knew his groin couldn’t handle it. Still, that didn’t stop him from making an incredible run for a game-winning score with said groin injury that left him holding his private parts after the play. I’ll show that play later, because technically this gutsy, balls-out play was my lasting impression of Gilislee.
<a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qLKExSPzw2I" target="_blank">[video=youtube;qLKExSPzw2I]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qLKExSPzw2I[/video]

Read more:http://mattwaldmanrsp.com/2012/10/24/much-respect-florida-rb-mike-gillislee/

 

[DolfanGator]

Huge fan of the Gators. Elam and Gillislee are two of the more complete players we have had come out in a while. I hope that this is finally the year that we draft a gator players. It kills me to see them all go to the Pat's.

I love the two top tightends this year. Physically imposing size that opposing defenses have to account for. They should be a nightmare in the redzone with some good coaching.

Is it me or does this WR draft class seem to be fairly strong? Of course the drills haven't been run and the times havent been taken, but i feel like some difference makers can be found in the second and third.

 

[Kevlared]

can gillislee block? if he can , i'd be all for taking him

 

[DKphin]

can gillislee block? if he can , i'd be all for taking him

As I stated previously, he is willing blocker and yes, he can block. You tell him to block a 350lb. DL and he will do everything in his power to stop him. If you told him in order to win he has to run through a brick wall, his only question would be-When?

 

[DKphin]

23. Dalton Freeman C Clemson 6'5" 285

Freeman is a leader on the Clemson offensive line and the lone returning starter for the 2012 season. He is considered one of the best offensive linemen in the country, and certainly one of the best at his position. He is one the Rimington Award watch list as a recognition for the nation’s top center. He is one of the top player leaders on the team, and is a guy who can come in and probably start right away. He was a highly recruited prospect four years ago, and he wound up starting at center all four years for the Tigers. He has overall solid size, but a little less bulk than you’d like out of a center. I think he will be a very solid NFL player, if even as a backup lineman, and could be had in the middle to late rounds of the draft.

*Sorry, there was not much video on Freeman[video=youtube;UdkJhUcxdVU]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UdkJhUcxdVU[/video]

http://www.tigernet.com/view/clemson_update.do?id=7940

 

[DKphin]

24. Kawann Short DT Purdue 6'3" 310

Skill-Set Summary: Short has a nice combination of quickness and strength. He is strong at the point of attack and is a stout run defender. Offensive linemen can't push Short around, as he holds his ground. Off the snap of the ball, Short has impressive initial quickness to fire into his gap. He is capable of beating guards with his quickness and commands extra blocking attention on the interior of the line. He has natural pad level and leverage with his height, so NFL teams won't have to worry about him playing too high. If Short had a quality end next to him, they could provide a tough combo pass rush from the inside and outside.

Short looks like a first- or second-round pick. He has one big thing going for him, and that is his interior pass-rushing skills. It is hard for NFL teams to find good pass-rushers from the defensive tackle position. Constantly, 4-3 defenses are in dire need of a interior pass rushers. Short would be a good fit as a three-technique pass-rusher in a 4-3 scheme like a Tampa 2. Even though he hasn't been a superstar, Short's consistency in terms of getting to the quarterback could easily push him well into the first round.

Short could possibly be a five-technique in a 3-4 defense, but that doesn't look like a natural fit. There are plenty of 4-3 teams that will need tackle help, so if Short stays consistent, he has a good shot to be a first-rounder and shouldn't be any worse than a second-round pick. [video=youtube;tljz8vIcdkc]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tljz8vIcdkc[/video]

http://walterfootball.com/scoutingreport2013kshort.php

 

[DKphin]

25. Chase Thomas OLB Stanford 6'4" 245

If you're looking for a pro comparison, Thomas' game is similar to Chicago Bears rookie Shea McClellin and Packers outside linebacker Clay Matthews. Thomas is a dangerous edge rusher who has a knack for producing sack-fumbles. He is quick off the snap with good athleticism to dodge linemen and get to the quarterback.

Thomas is good in space, too. He does well dropping into coverage and is a solid pass defender. Thomas flows to the ball well and is a good tackler in run defense. He needs to improve his ability to shed blocks. That is his biggest weakness right now.

Like McClellin and Matthews, Thomas is extremely instinctive. He is around the ball and has a knack for producing big plays. Thomas should go to a 3-4 defense in the NFL. He would probably be a Sam (strongside) linebacker in a 4-3 defense. Thomas would be a quality defender in a 4-3, but his pass-rushing in a 3-4 defense is his greatest strength. He also has the flexibility to play some inside linebacker in the 3-4.

Thomas has the frame to add weight. In the NFL, it would be ideal if he was playing in the 250-260 range. [video=youtube;Iy5CCo4dcLE]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Iy5CCo4dcLE[/video]

http://walterfootball.com/scoutingreport2013cthomas.php

 

[DKphin]

26. T.J. McDonald FS USC 6'3" 205

T.J. McDonald, following in his father's footsteps as an All-American safety at USC, is a top safety prospect for the 2012 NFL Draft. That family pedigree shows up on the field in an athlete with a very high football IQ. While many free safeties in today's NFL are a touch undersized, with the new breed of high-flying passing games, safeties need to get bigger to take away tight ends and take away the deep ball. McDonald fits in that role at 6'2" and a frame that could still add at least another 10 pounds of mass.
McDonald really plays well in man-to-man coverage whether he's shadowing a tight end or lined up at or near the line against a slot receiver. His fluid hips and long frame will help him break up a great number of pass plays in his area. McDonald isn't great against the run, but plays intelligently with instincts in his assignment. He won't blow up many runners like LaRon Landry or Troy Polamalu, but he is a willing tackler with a knack for being around the ball.
His all-around game should carry him to be in the mix as one of the best safety prospects in this draft class. [video=youtube;TcjvW1yA73A]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TcjvW1yA73A[/video]

http://www.fftoolbox.com/nfl_draft/profile_display.cfm?prospect_id=3026

 

[DKphin]

27. Manti Te'o ILB Notre Dame 6'2" 255

This highly-regarded linebacker from Notre Dame can do just about anything he wants on a football field. Whether it is his run defense, pass coverage, tackling or ability to read and react to offenses, he has the potential to make the play. Te'o plays downhill, showing a great burst in getting after the ball carrier. His high football IQ will have him in the mix on nearly every play. If there is one particular skill set that will need to get better fast it is his pass coverage and ability to run sideline to sideline. He does not have great speed, which shouldn't hurt his draft stock too badly. What adds to his value though is his ability to play all three downs. Many linebackers do not play every down. Te'o can flash play-making ability against tight ends in man or zone coverage.
He is a clean tackler with great technique. He drives through the ball carrier regularly, stays low and looks to stay lower than his opponent. Te'o had surgery two offseasons ago. It caused him to miss most of spring practice this year.
The 6'2", 255 lb. ILB is expected to be drafted in the first half of the first round in the 2013 NFL Draft.
[video=youtube;aCPuKJyoSvE]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aCPuKJyoSvE[/video]

http://www.fftoolbox.com/nfl_draft/profile_display.cfm?prospect_id=3043

 

[DKphin]

28. Kenny Vaccaro SS Texas 6'1" 215

The thing that stands out the most about Vaccaro is his instincts. He does a good job of staying around the ball in the passing attack and ground game. Vaccaro has good range, too, and covers a lot of ground; posessing the quickness to cover the deep part of the field. He has good size to defend the run and is a nice form tackler.

Vaccaro should look to improve his ball skills and takeaways as a senior. If he can produce a nice total of interceptions and forced fumbles, that will really help his draft stock. Vaccaro looks like a strong safety type for the NFL. He also could be a core contributor to special teams units.[video=youtube;JN5BZ6f0FzM]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JN5BZ6f0FzM[/video]

http://walterfootball.com/scoutingreport2013kvaccaro.php