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2017 Draft - Sleeper thread.

Texansphan

Texansphan

Football connoisseur
Every year there are great prospects who seem to fly under the radar.
This thread is for the ones you deem exceptional and wish to bring to the board's attention.
I'll start the ball rolling with a running back out of Tennessee - Alvin Kamara. He is listed at 5'10" and 215lbs and owns a 4.45 40.
This guy is a slashing runner with excellent vision and the ability to make defenders miss and make yards after contact.
He also has very good hands.
I'll post a blurb:-
University of Tennessee redshirt junior running back Alvin Kamara has decided to forgo his final year of eligibility and declare for the 2017 NFL Draft. He has signed with VaynerSports.

In his two seasons with the Volunteers he played in 24 games, where he rushed 210 times for 1294 total yards, averaging 6.2 yards per carry and 16 total touchdowns. He also hauled in 74 receptions for 7 touchdowns. Kamara started his collegiate career at Alabama before transferring to Hutchinson Community College in Kansas, and ultimately Tennessee.

WalterFootball.com has Kamara listed as the 4th overall running back in the 2017 NFL Draft, with a projected selection of the first or second round. He is compared to Jamaal Charles as a runner “in that both are fast slashers who are built with some power. Additionally, Kamara is a phenomenal receiver with great hands and route-running to also be used as a slot receiver.” He can also be utilized on special teams as a kick and punt returner.
This guy seems to have it all so I am mystified as to why cbssports projects him in rounds 4-5 although Walter Football has him as his fourth ranked RB.
I think this kid could be a real find and well worth a 4th if he lasts that long!
Texans could well do with a second impact 3rd down back and Kamara could also be our answer for a kick/punt returner and also run screen and slot plays.
Here is a highlight vid for your viewing pleasure.
 
Narcolepsy certainly isn't something that should be taken lightly, especially during draft weekend.
 
I like Kamara. Personally thought he was much better than Jalen Hurd but Hurd started over him the last 2 years for some reason. I have him with a 3rd round grade but wouldn't be surprised if he slipped to the 4th because of how insanely deep this RB class is.
 
WolverineFan said:
I like Kamara. Personally thought he was much better than Jalen Hurd but Hurd started over him the last 2 years for some reason. I have him with a 3rd round grade but wouldn't be surprised if he slipped to the 4th because of how insanely deep this RB class is.
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If he falls to the 4th and is on the board, Ricky McNair should pick him. Kumara has the ability to be a game changer. Which is why Ricky probably wont pick him. Ricky will still be filling needs in the 4th over drafting talent.
 
When I posted this thread, Alvin Kamara was ranked by cbssports.com at #148 - he has now risen to #91.
His secret is out.
 
steelbtexan said:
If he falls to the 4th and is on the board, Ricky McNair should pick him. Kumara has the ability to be a game changer. Which is why Ricky probably wont pick him. Ricky will still be filling needs in the 4th over drafting talent.
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In the 4th round Rick/McNair won't be looking for great talent that's dropped for unknown reasons, he'll be looking for obscure players from some small college that no one has ever heard of. They start making WTF picks in the mid rounds.
 
Wolf6151 said:
In the 4th round Rick/McNair won't be looking for great talent that's dropped for unknown reasons, he'll be looking for obscure players from some small college that no one has ever heard of. They start making WTF picks in the mid rounds.
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Better than making WTF picks in the early rounds... though they get accused of that every year. KJo, Clowney, Mercilus, Watt, KJax, Cushing were all considered horrible picks by many
 
Alvin Kamara is now ranked #54 on cbssports.com - the 4th ranked RB in the draft.
I'd be shocked if Texans take a RB in the top three - but nonetheless delighted with this one.
 
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Alvin Kamara is now ranked #54 on cbssports.com - the 4th ranked RB in the draft.
I would be shocked if Texans draft a RB higher than 4th round - but delighted if they took Kamara.
 
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Texansphan said:
I will have to check him out.
What do you think of Nathan Peterman - I think he has as much potential as the top bunch.
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Peterman's stock is down for me after the Miami game.

I was wanting to see him under duress, and he failed.
Still not a bad prospect, but a long shot, IMO.

He does have the basics, but I think he needs to take a big step.

As a prospect, I like him better than Savage and Osweiler in college.
He would be a better fit in a WCO though.

For a team like the Texans, not knowing who will be the HC for the long term make it hard to decide on a prospect.
 
76Texan said:
Peterman's stock is down for me after the Miami game.

I was wanting to see him under duress, and he failed.
Still not a bad prospect, but a long shot, IMO.

He does have the basics, but I think he needs to take a big step.

As a prospect, I like him better than Savage and Osweiler in college.
He would be a better fit in a WCO though.

For a team like the Texans, not knowing who will be the HC for the long term make it hard to decide on a prospect.
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If McNair lets Bill choose his own qb, he will likely give him at least two seasons to see if he can get him firing.
 
Texansphan said:
If McNair lets Bill choose his own qb, he will likely give him at least two seasons to see if he can get him firing.
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To be honest, if O'Brien can't do anything with Savage and this defense (plus another draft/FA), or make hay with Osweiler, he will never make it that far/long to see the benefit of a draft choice.

I think his style is better suited for college football.
Managing millionaires while coaching isn't an easy task.
Many egos to be stroked/managed.
 
76Texan said:
To be honest, if O'Brien can't do anything with Savage and this defense (plus another draft/FA), or make hay with Osweiler, he will never make it that far/long to see the benefit of a draft choice.

I think his style is better suited for college football.
Managing millionaires while coaching isn't an easy task.
Many egos to be stroked/managed.
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Men, he has done alright in my book.
One cannot overlook his winning record in each season his first three years as a HC and that with mediocre at best qb play.
If he had lost his first season, most would still have written it off to experience.
 
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Texansphan said:
Men, he has done alright in my book.
One cannot overlook his winning record in each season his first three years as a HC and that with mediocre at best qb play.
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Again, I'd say O'Brien is mediocre as all the QBs under him.
He has to be responsible for a few.
If you have a good QB, hell, both you and I can be a better HC than O'Brien (OK, I exaggerated).

But look at what Reid can do with Alex Smith, a game manager.

The real beef I have with O'Brien is that his team almost always look lost in big games. They would have been worse without Crennel and his D.
That much you can't disagree.

But with every season done, I only hope for the best. I hope something shines in O'Brien's head, too.

He isn't terrible, but nothing screaming greatness either.
I'd rather move on with a young mind like McVay or Shanahan (for their offense prowess).
Neither is a guarantee as HC, but their potential can't be denied.
 
Texansphan said:
Men, he has done alright in my book.
One cannot overlook his winning record in each season his first three years as a HC and that with mediocre at best qb play.
If he had lost his first season, most would still have written it off to experience.
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76Texan said:
Again, I'd say O'Brien is mediocre as all the QBs under him.
He has to be responsible for a few.
If you have a good QB, hell, both you and I can be a better HC than O'Brien (OK, I exaggerated).

But look at what Reid can do with Alex Smith, a game manager.

The real beef I have with O'Brien is that his team almost always look lost in big games. They would have been worse without Crennel and his D.
That much you can't disagree.

But with every season done, I only hope for the best. I hope something shines in O'Brien's head, too.

He isn't terrible, but nothing screaming greatness either.
I'd rather move on with a young mind like McVay or Shanahan (for their offense prowess).
Neither is a guarantee as HC, but their potential can't be denied.
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You could say that about any team reliant on their D's - last year's SB Broncos come to mind.
Do you think that this team would not be better with Alex Smith?
 
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JB said:
Antonio Pipkin- QB Tiffin

57 TD's 4 INT's the last 2 years. Watch him in the senior bowl
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Sorry, No.
He's not going to make it.

Missing easy reads with hardly any pressure on.
Good small school QB.
Way too raw for the NFL game.
 
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Texansphan said:
You could say that about any team reliant on their D's - last year's SB Broncos come to mind.
Do you think that this team would not be better with Alex Smith?
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I never said the Broncos were great offensively last year nor this year, but I believe you grossly undervalue Manning in that SB run last year.
You made me go back and watched 3 games, LOL.
Luckily, I have the condensed version at less than an hour each.
Manning won the Steelers game despite between 5-9 drops by the receivers (depending on how you look at it, 5 are definite drops.)

He was at least as instrumental as the D in the Pats game.

The D took the cake in the SB.
The Broncos led from the start; neither Manning nor the running game needed to do much.

Obviously, one likes to think that the Texans would be better with an Alex Smith, but there's nothing on resume that would indicate such a scenario.
It's likely that they can move the ball better, but against better competition... we have no idea.

Hoyer was moving the ball just fine in many games, but in others... not so much.
 
I really believe we will draft a power running back in the mold of Blount (SP?). I read an article where OB said we are moving towards a stable of backs with complementary skillets that match New Englands. The big strong power guy is the only skillet we don't have that they do.
 
mussop said:
I really believe we will draft a power running back in the mold of Blount (SP?). I read an article where OB said we are moving towards a stable of backs with complementary skillets that match New Englands. The big strong power guy is the only skillet we don't have that they do.
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I think it is obvious Bill wants a powerful running game to make up for passing shortfalls.
This was evidenced by the fact Texans bought the services of Lamar Miller - however he made the mistake of trying to make him into a power runner and this is just not his forte.
I reckon they will be forced to take a rookie thumper from the draft as they cannot afford to buy another.
This way they can allow Miller do what he does best and use the new guy as the hammer.
They will need a better one than Blue else there is no point so a RB in the first three rounds is on the cards even though Texans don't typically do that.
 
76Texan said:
I never said the Broncos were great offensively last year nor this year, but I believe you grossly undervalue Manning in that SB run last year.
You made me go back and watched 3 games, LOL.
Luckily, I have the condensed version at less than an hour each.
Manning won the Steelers game despite between 5-9 drops by the receivers (depending on how you look at it, 5 are definite drops.)

He was at least as instrumental as the D in the Pats game.

The D took the cake in the SB.
The Broncos led from the start; neither Manning nor the running game needed to do much.

Obviously, one likes to think that the Texans would be better with an Alex Smith, but there's nothing on resume that would indicate such a scenario.
It's likely that they can move the ball better, but against better competition... we have no idea.

Hoyer was moving the ball just fine in many games, but in others... not so much.
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Manning had a 75.4 QB Rating in the playoffs last year. He threw for 180 ypg and contributed 2 TD's and 3 turnovers (1 INT, 2 Fumbles).

The only thing he was instrumental in was not blowing it, hence why Kubiak went with him instead of Osweiler.
 
zshawn10 said:
Texans keeping a close eye on UConn safety Obi Melifonwu
https://twitter.com/PatDStat/status/824341861292789768
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I've watched a little film on this guy and really like what I saw. I've got the Texans taking him in the 4th round of my latest mock. I think he could be a guy that can cover TE's or pick up RB's. I love his size, closing speed, tackling ability and enthusiasm, etc... He's currently listed by CBS as a 4th or 5th round pick and depending on what holes we fill in FA, I'd take him in the 3rd.
 
zshawn10 said:
Texans keeping a close eye on UConn safety Obi Melifonwu
https://twitter.com/PatDStat/status/824341861292789768
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This could be a good pick and would probably be a healthy replacement for Lonnie Ballentine. He will probably move up the draft boards after the Combine due to his size (6-3, 217 lbs) and speed. This is what WalterFootball has to say about him:

"Every year, there are some size/speed freaks who rise up draft boards, and Melifonwu will be one of those prospects for the 2017 NFL Draft. Melifonwu has great size and also is a fast defender. The senior totaled 118 tackles with three passes broken up and four interceptions in 2016. As a junior in 2015, he had 88 tackles with two interceptions and five passes broken up. Sources say that Melifonwu needs development, and thus, they have him graded later on Day 3; however, they think the team that likes Melifonwu enough to draft him could do so in the mid-rounds."
 
Wolf6151 said:
I've watched a little film on this guy and really like what I saw. I've got the Texans taking him in the 4th round of my latest mock. I think he could be a guy that can cover TE's or pick up RB's. I love his size, closing speed, tackling ability and enthusiasm, etc... He's currently listed by CBS as a 4th or 5th round pick and depending on what holes we fill in FA, I'd take him in the 3rd.
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He's rising up draft boards:

One prospect that is creating a buzz is UConn safety Obi Melifonwu. He was one of the stars of the weigh-in, as he checked in at 6-foot-4, 219 pounds and obviously is a dedicated patron of the weight room. During the fall, scouting sources told WalterFootball.com that Melifonwu would rise in the lead up to the draft because he is a workout warrior and was putting together a quality senior season. He totaled 118 tackles, three passes broken up, and four interceptions on the year.

Some sources believe Melifonwu could be a versatile safety with the size and speed to cover tight ends in man coverage. They also feel he can walk down into the box like Deone Bucannon and be an enforcer like Kam Chancellor. While it is very early in the process, here are five teams that are showing a lot of interest in Melifonwu: Seattle Seahawks, Houston Texans, New Orleans Saints, Philadelphia Eagles, and Carolina Panthers.

https://walterfootball.com/seniorbowl2017rumors4.php
 
WolverineFan said:
Manning had a 75.4 QB Rating in the playoffs last year. He threw for 180 ypg and contributed 2 TD's and 3 turnovers (1 INT, 2 Fumbles).

The only thing he was instrumental in was not blowing it, hence why Kubiak went with him instead of Osweiler.
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Stats again? :kitten:
 
WolverineFan said:
As opposed to subjective analysis?
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No, combine it with number of drops, sack allowed straight up, DPI that take away yards from the QB, but move the ball downfield, things that don't show up in a general Stats sheet.
Not to count long yardage situations where the running game make it harder for the team to advance the balls.
 
76Texan said:
No, combine it with number of drops, sack allowed straight up, DPI that take away yards from the QB, but move the ball downfield, things that don't show up in a general Stats sheet.
Not to count long yardage situations where the running game make it harder for the team to advance the balls.
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Are you going to provide said evidence or just say it and pass it off as fact?

Because the numbers do not back up your argument. At all.
 
zshawn10 said:
OJ Howard, Evan Engram, Jeremy Sprinkle and Gerald Everett; you like any of them? Texans have met with all of them

https://twitter.com/PatDStat/status/824669773019705345
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Interesting that the Texans are looking at TE's since the group they had this past season (Fiedorowicz, Griffin, and Anderson) all performed very well and were quite a surprise to most Texan fans. Griffin is a FA this year. I wonder if this means they will let him go and try to find a replacement in the draft. Just a thought. :thinking:
 
Insideop said:
Interesting that the Texans are looking at TE's since the group they had this past season (Fiedorowicz, Griffin, and Anderson) all performed very well and were quite a surprise to most Texan fans. Griffin is a FA this year. I wonder if this means they will let him go and try to find a replacement in the draft. Just a thought. :thinking:
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They met with Tyler Mcnamara and Colin Jeter as well; both TEs
 
WolverineFan said:
Are you going to provide said evidence or just say it and pass it off as fact?

Because the numbers do not back up your argument. At all.
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First Take scored 6 drops.
( around the 3-min mark, they said 7.)

I scored between 5 and 9.

There was an article from a news media in Denver that I can't relocate that also said up to 9.
When I find it, I'll let you know.
It's out there.
But who cares.
6 drops are plenty to overcome.
 
Texans met with Alabama defensive lineman Dalvin Tomlinson, Alabama tight end O.J. Howard, Ole Miss tight end Evan Engram, South Alabama tight end Gerald Everett, and Arkansas tight end Jeremy Sprinkle

On Tomlinson:

One AFC team sources told me that Alabama defensive lineman Dalvin Tomlinson had one of the best interviews they've ever had. They said that Tomlinson was really smart with a tremendous understanding of technique. He obviously was a hard worker to develop his knowledge base like he did. Tomlinson is a sleeper, but could end up going higher than expected because teams really like him.
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http://www.walterfootball.com/seniorbowl2017meetings4.php
 
zshawn10 said:
Texans met with Alabama defensive lineman Dalvin Tomlinson, Alabama tight end O.J. Howard, Ole Miss tight end Evan Engram, South Alabama tight end Gerald Everett, and Arkansas tight end Jeremy Sprinkle

On Tomlinson:



http://www.walterfootball.com/seniorbowl2017meetings4.php
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I really hope they take a long look at Mike Roberts out of Toledo.

Good quickness for a big guy and can catch the ball down low.
Wearing No. 80 helps, but mostly his enormous hands, some 11-5/8.
At least, get them hands to Fuller, LOL.
 
http://gbnreport.com/senior-bowl-practice-team-2/

Time to wrap up the week with my picks for the week’s All-Practice Team. With over 110 players here any endeavor of this type is a bit hit-or-miss. I plead guilty to not being able to watch all of those guys in detail, so to a great degree this team represents what I saw and I certainly could have missed more than a few things. But here you are…

QB NATHAN PETERMAN PITT
RB COREY CLEMENT WISCONSIN
FB FREDDIE STEVENSON FLORIDA STATE
WR ZAY JONES EAST CAROLINA
WR COOPER KUPP EASTERN WASHINGTON
WR FRED ROSS MISSISSIPPI STATE
TE O.J. HOWARD ALABAMA
T ZACH BANNER SOUTHERN CAL
T TAYLOR MOTON WESTERN MICHIGAN
G KYLE KALIS MICHIGAN
G DAN FEENEY INDIANA
C ETHAN POCIC LSU

DE CHRIS WORMLEY MICHIGAN
DE JORDAN WILLIS KANSAS STATE
DT JALEEL JOHNSON IOWA
DT STEVIE TU’IKOLOVATU SOUTHERN CAL
LB ALEX ANZALONE FLORIDA
LB VINCE BIEGEL WISCONSIN
LB HASSON REDDICK TEMPLE
CB DAMONTEE KAZEE SAN DIEGO STATE
CB DESMOND KING IOWA
S NATE GERRY NEBRASKA
S OBI MELIFONWU UCONN

ST ZANE GONZALEZ K ARIZONA STATE

MOP of the practice week: COREY CLEMENT

That’s my team. Surprisingly it is slanted heavily toward the North roster, with 16 of the 24 names from that squad. I can guarantee you that the injury bug sweeping the South squad has contributed greatly to that disparity. Certainly a healthy FORREST LAMP would likely have made my team had he stayed whole.
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I am starting to go through the eligible draft prospects, and I stumbled upon this guy


It's a highlight tape, so of course he is going to look good, but look at his movement- it looks damn fluid for a 6'6" or 6'7" guy with limited football experience (he was a basketball player).

He warrants some looking into.

EDIT- there is music to the video. I haven't listened to it, but just a heads up to check your speakers.
 
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jradMIT said:
The arm is what gives me pause on him, but he seems to be the most pro ready guy in the draft.
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Agree - but he would suit O'Brien's game and he can build some strength with maturity and training.
Mallet and Osweiler had big arms and what good did it do us?
Hoyer and Fitzy were better with their lesser arms.
 
Mack Hollins UNC WR is a big fast receiver, 6-4, who averaged 28 yds/rec in 2015 missed half of 2016 with a collarbone. He will be available late, and has to be respected as a deep threat.


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Liking Joshua Dobbs, smart very athletic kid with this very interesting stat

Recorded a passer rating of 105.7 under pressure in 2016, good for fifth in the nation.

Has the making of an NFL QB is he is better under pressure.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 
My favorite late round pick is Xavier Woods, La Tech FS. Is he too small for the NFL? Maybe. But his heart is huge and he loves to play the game. I have to root for guys like this.

 
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