assuming we're going to be picking around 20, give or take a few spots. the following are players i'd love to see us bring in.
1. Jerry Hughes, OLB, TCU
Hughes looks more and more like the top rush LB prospect coming out. he has the size our FO covets at 6-2 and around 255 lbs. he's very good at getting after the QB. he will have to get used to playing stand-up in the NFL, but he's very athletic.
2. Brandon LaFell, WR, LSU
maybe a bit of wishful thinking that LaFell will last to our pick in round 2, but it's definitely possible if some of the talented junior WRs declare. LaFell is a big target at 6-3 and 209. he isn't the fastest, but he's very physical and has reliable hands.
3. Micah Johnson, ILB, Kentucky
Johnson provides an instant upgrade in pass coverage. he's a very instincitve guy with nice size (6-2, 257) and speed. he's a bit over aggressive at times though.
4. Jeff Byers, G, USC
Byers is a very intriguing prospect at G. he's a bit on the light side at 6-3 and 290, but is a very sound player. he's had to deal with a few injury setbacks, so that alone might take him off our radar. based on talent, he should be long gone by this point.
6a. Cam Thomas, NT, North Carolina
Parcells has a history of drafting NTs late and developping them into solid players. he did it with Ferguson and Ratliff. Thomas stands at 6-3 and 330 lbs. he has more than enough size to man the NT spot. he's also very agile and aggressive.
6b. Jared Norton, ILB, Texas
Norton may not come out because he missed the season with shoulder injury. if he does though, he offers great value here. he's an active LB who can tackle well. he's got good size at 6-3 and 240. he's a serviceable blitzer and can cover the middle, too.
7a. Stafon Johnson, RB, USC
Johnson had a freak weight lifting accident earlier this year and according to doctors, he's only alive because he's in outstanding shape. it's a shame he got hurt, because Johnson quietly had a very solid season for the Trojans up until the incident. Johnson is 6-0 and a solid 213 lbs.
7b. LeRoy Vann, CB/KR/PR, Florida A&M
Vann is a nice pick here. he's an electric returnman. he had 8 (!!!) punt returns for TDs in his collegiate career, which tied the NCAA record for most punt return TDs. on top of that, he added 3 kick returns for TDs. he can play some defense as well, although he will make a mark as returner.
7c. Mark Dell, WR, Michigan State
Dell is another WR with good size at 6-2 and close to 200 lbs. he is no blazer, but has solid speed. he is a good catcher who will hold on to the football. he hasn't fumbled once in his college career.
UDFA signings:
Trey Bryant, NT, Baylor
Bryant is another big body at 6-2 and 315. he's pretty stout against the run. started 23 games for Baylor
Cody Slate, TE, Marshall
Slate is a bit undersized for a TE at 6-4 and 229. he's a receiving threat down the seam though. finished his career at Marshall with 23 Tds, 2619 yards and a 13.2 YPC.
Freddie Barnes, WR, Bowling Green
Barnes actually played QB and RB at Bowling Green during his freshman year. switched to WR for his sophomore campaign and hasn't looked back. has almost 1500 yards on the season and 14 TDs. he's a solid 6-0 and 210.
Joique Bell, RB, Wayne State
Bell has been tearing up Division II football for 4 years now. he's had seasons with 25, 22, 15 and now 30 TDs (with one game to play). he can catch the ball, too. has the right size at 5-11, 224.
Aaron Morgan, OLB, Louisiana-Monroe
Morgan is a little-known sleeper. he's a major project, but he is a natural pass-rusher. he needs to develop both physically (6-4, 235) as well as technique-wise. worth taking a risk here IMO.
Larry Asante, S, Nebraska
Asante played SS for Nebraska, but can actually play both safety positions. he's better at SS though. he's a very good tackler, but he can help out in pass coverage as well. not much of a ball-hawk though
Kevin Matthews, C, Texas A&M
son of former NFL player Bruce Matthews. Matthews is a hard-nosed center who fits perfectly into what our FO looks for in a C. he has good size for the position at 6-4, 310. not sure he goes undrafted though.
1. Jerry Hughes, OLB, TCU
Hughes looks more and more like the top rush LB prospect coming out. he has the size our FO covets at 6-2 and around 255 lbs. he's very good at getting after the QB. he will have to get used to playing stand-up in the NFL, but he's very athletic.
2. Brandon LaFell, WR, LSU
maybe a bit of wishful thinking that LaFell will last to our pick in round 2, but it's definitely possible if some of the talented junior WRs declare. LaFell is a big target at 6-3 and 209. he isn't the fastest, but he's very physical and has reliable hands.
3. Micah Johnson, ILB, Kentucky
Johnson provides an instant upgrade in pass coverage. he's a very instincitve guy with nice size (6-2, 257) and speed. he's a bit over aggressive at times though.
4. Jeff Byers, G, USC
Byers is a very intriguing prospect at G. he's a bit on the light side at 6-3 and 290, but is a very sound player. he's had to deal with a few injury setbacks, so that alone might take him off our radar. based on talent, he should be long gone by this point.
6a. Cam Thomas, NT, North Carolina
Parcells has a history of drafting NTs late and developping them into solid players. he did it with Ferguson and Ratliff. Thomas stands at 6-3 and 330 lbs. he has more than enough size to man the NT spot. he's also very agile and aggressive.
6b. Jared Norton, ILB, Texas
Norton may not come out because he missed the season with shoulder injury. if he does though, he offers great value here. he's an active LB who can tackle well. he's got good size at 6-3 and 240. he's a serviceable blitzer and can cover the middle, too.
7a. Stafon Johnson, RB, USC
Johnson had a freak weight lifting accident earlier this year and according to doctors, he's only alive because he's in outstanding shape. it's a shame he got hurt, because Johnson quietly had a very solid season for the Trojans up until the incident. Johnson is 6-0 and a solid 213 lbs.
7b. LeRoy Vann, CB/KR/PR, Florida A&M
Vann is a nice pick here. he's an electric returnman. he had 8 (!!!) punt returns for TDs in his collegiate career, which tied the NCAA record for most punt return TDs. on top of that, he added 3 kick returns for TDs. he can play some defense as well, although he will make a mark as returner.
7c. Mark Dell, WR, Michigan State
Dell is another WR with good size at 6-2 and close to 200 lbs. he is no blazer, but has solid speed. he is a good catcher who will hold on to the football. he hasn't fumbled once in his college career.
UDFA signings:
Trey Bryant, NT, Baylor
Bryant is another big body at 6-2 and 315. he's pretty stout against the run. started 23 games for Baylor
Cody Slate, TE, Marshall
Slate is a bit undersized for a TE at 6-4 and 229. he's a receiving threat down the seam though. finished his career at Marshall with 23 Tds, 2619 yards and a 13.2 YPC.
Freddie Barnes, WR, Bowling Green
Barnes actually played QB and RB at Bowling Green during his freshman year. switched to WR for his sophomore campaign and hasn't looked back. has almost 1500 yards on the season and 14 TDs. he's a solid 6-0 and 210.
Joique Bell, RB, Wayne State
Bell has been tearing up Division II football for 4 years now. he's had seasons with 25, 22, 15 and now 30 TDs (with one game to play). he can catch the ball, too. has the right size at 5-11, 224.
Aaron Morgan, OLB, Louisiana-Monroe
Morgan is a little-known sleeper. he's a major project, but he is a natural pass-rusher. he needs to develop both physically (6-4, 235) as well as technique-wise. worth taking a risk here IMO.
Larry Asante, S, Nebraska
Asante played SS for Nebraska, but can actually play both safety positions. he's better at SS though. he's a very good tackler, but he can help out in pass coverage as well. not much of a ball-hawk though
Kevin Matthews, C, Texas A&M
son of former NFL player Bruce Matthews. Matthews is a hard-nosed center who fits perfectly into what our FO looks for in a C. he has good size for the position at 6-4, 310. not sure he goes undrafted though.
