Scouting the 71 Underclassmen Entering the NFL Draft

[srrono]

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http://www.thesidelineview.com/colum...ring-nfl-draft

A few guys that stand out to me

Michigan State DE William Gholston - freak of nature that has to start dominating games and taking over games. And, if he didn't truly do it at MSU, then will he do it in the NFL? Even if he doesn't dominate, he can be a solid 3-4 DE, playing the run well. I could see him being a taller version of Houston Texan Antonio Smith in the future.

LSU ILB Kevin Minter - tackling machine and high football IQ, I'm a big fan of his.

LSU DE Sam Montgomery - Stud. Plays with such incredible effort. Will be a first rounder, potentially, for a playoff team. Some team is getting a good one.

FSU CB Xavier Rhodes - big, physical corner who can play zone and man, but similar to Prince Amukamara, he relies a bit too much on his strength in playing receivers downfield. He can manhandle them, but in the NFL, he'll be flagged all day long. That said, I like his potential more than Prince…much more.

[AJ-80]

Intrigued by Josh Boyce, WR from TCU. Has deep speed and a very solid receiver throughout his college years.

[WolverineFan]

Florida S Matt Elam - one of my favorite players in this draft. Absolutely love how he plays the game, his versatility, his leadership and his ability to drop the hammer. If he had Sean Taylor size, he'd be a top 7 pick in this draft. Could be top safety off the board, regardless.

[Vinny]

Originally Posted by srrono

Full Story
http://www.thesidelineview.com/colum...ring-nfl-draft

A few guys that stand out to me

Michigan State DE William Gholston - freak of nature that has to start dominating games and taking over games. And, if he didn't truly do it at MSU, then will he do it in the NFL? Even if he doesn't dominate, he can be a solid 3-4 DE, playing the run well. I could see him being a taller version of Houston Texan Antonio Smith in the future.

Is he related to Vernon Gholston? Joel Bushbaum says he looks like Tarzan but plays like Jane. Seems both Gholstons have the same knock, related or otherwise.

[Doppelganger]

Originally Posted by Vinny

Is he related to Vernon Gholston? Joel Bushbaum says he looks like Tarzan but plays like Jane. Seems both Gholstons have the same knock, related or otherwise.

I believe he is a younger cousin.

Beerlover and I like to point out NFL bloodlines as a potential positive for a recruit. For example, Desmond Trufant(younger brother of Marcus and Isiah) has positive NFL bloodlines. In addition, it may help becuase his brothers have played and know what it takes to be successful.

In this case, it might actually work against him, considering how bad Vernon was.

[ralph]

Originally Posted by WolverineFan

Florida S Matt Elam - one of my favorite players in this draft. Absolutely love how he plays the game, his versatility, his leadership and his ability to drop the hammer. If he had Sean Taylor size, he'd be a top 7 pick in this draft. Could be top safety off the board, regardless.

Huge +1

Elam is the player I want most at our 1st round spot.

[WolverineFan]

Originally Posted by ralph

Huge +1

Elam is the player I want most at our 1st round spot.

Same here. He's a difference maker on the back end. Which is something we've never had.

[Lucky]

Former Chiefs GM Scott Pioli ranks his top 10 underclassmen in the upcoming draft.

1. Luke Joeckel, T, Texas A&M. Strong candidate for the first overall pick. Three-year starter at left tackle in the Big 12 and never red-shirted. A true height-weight-speed prospect who plays with good athleticism and body control. Will play early while he develops better hip and core strength. Good teammate too.
2. Dee Milliner, CB, Alabama. One of the youngest players in the draft (20), but a very experienced corner from the best-coached DB group in the country. Milliner has the flexibility, intelligence and experience to play outside corner and also line up in the slot. Should contribute on special teams early in his career.
3. Sharrif Floyd, DT, Florida. Also 20, Floyd is a strong, athletic defensive lineman who, at 6-foot-3 and 303 pounds, has position and scheme versatility. Good competitor and tough player against the run and pass. Not great sack numbers, but consistently disruptive in the pass rush, and the type of player who makes those around him better by making the offense concentrate so much on stopping him.
4. Bjoern Werner, DE, Florida State. Born in Germany, Werner learned football while at a Connecticut prep school as an exchange student. Played just two prep years before signing with Florida State. Two-year starter at left end in FSU's base and sub packages who shows surprising natural instincts, good hand strength and athletic ability. Pretty impressive to see he had 13 sacks in the ACC in the 2012 season.
5. Johnathan Hankins, DT, Ohio State. At 6-3 and 335, he still has the athleticism to line up at multiple positions on the line -- not just at the nose. Active and instinctive, and showed improvement from 2011. Very good player versus the run that needs to continue to improve his every-down consistency.
6. Eddie Lacy, RB, Alabama. Low-mileage rusher (355 carries in three seasons with the Tide) who played behind two outstanding backs early in his career (Mark Ingram, Trent Richardson). Averaged 6.8 yards per rush in his college career behind an offensive line better than some NFL lines. Good receiving skills, and a willing blocker. He should be an every-down back in the NFL.
7. Jarvis Jones, OLB, Georgia. Began his college career at USC in 2009 and transferred closer to home after suffering a neck injury his true freshman year. Highly instinctive and productive college player, but at 6-3 and 241, could be a tough positional fit. Dominated certain games (Florida), disappeared in others (Alabama).
8. Keenan Allen, WR, Cal. Originally committed to Alabama out of HS, but decided to join his QB brother Zach to play together at Cal. Allen is a big (6-3, 210), savvy and highly competitive WR who has played the slot and outside. Lacks top speed, but is very natural and quick. In a WR class that appears to lack elite players, he may be the best.
9. Alec Ogletree, MLB, Georgia. Tremendously talented athlete at 6-3 and 232, and should be an every-down NFL inside 'backer or middle 'backer. Has the skill and ability to contribute immediately all defenses as well as special teams. Jumps off the tape and could have the most upside of any underclassman in the draft. But some off-the-field issues will need to be studied before giving him a final grade.
10. Gavin Escobar, TE, San Diego State. Three-year starter who was hampered this season by a knee injury that he played through. Good height-weight-speed prospect at 6-6 and 255 who right now is more receiver than blocker. I'm high on his ability to produce as an offensive tight end right now in the more wide-open NFL offenses. He's what we call an "F-type'' tight end, a receiver who can play off the line probably more productively than as a blocker right now.

No Damontre Moore? And I haven't seen Lacy rated that highly, though he is a pretty good college back. Just goes to show that every team has their own draft board.