Texan in Japan
Rookie
I've tried to take best available player throughout this draft based on some projections we all know will change. While I like TB and JF, I'm very intrigued by Jimmy G. He has the look of a kid that could be groomed and be very successful by a guy like OB. If Clowney blows up the combine, he'll give Romeo another stud to design a house of horrors for other offenses--House of Pain Part Deux. But I didn't stop there as I added an ILB and two DL that should help add depth/competition to the defense. Besides the QB, I added a slot WR with explosive potential, a proven college RT and a sleeper TE from Texas. While I love the idea of trading back and getting extra picks, I think its going to have to be a RGIII kind of deal to get me there personally. Ok, give me your thoughts.
1. Jadeveon Clowney* DE South Carolina 6' 6" 270Elite combination of length and athleticism with supreme production. Physically overwhelming and often seems unblockable. Excellent speed, bend, explosiveness and suddenness as a rusher. Strong and very physical at the point of attack. Consistently sheds blocks with upper body strength and quick twitch athleticism. Top closing speed. Has the athleticism and size to perform a variety of roles for a defense. Levels ball carriers.
Comment: I'm hoping poor senior year was not true measure of his talent. If he's as elite as projected, combining him with JJ would give us a killer DL. I still have regrets we didn't take Peppers over Carr and decide not to repeat history.
2. Jimmy Garoppolo QB Eastern Illinois 6' 2" 230
Looked good in East/West and his stock will be on the rise. Could see him moving into late first with a good Senior Bowl and combine.
Really quick, easy release. Great arm, flashing high RPMs in the short and intermediate areas. Good touch downfield. Fairly accurate to all levels, though footwork is not always consistent. Patient, goes through progressions. Has quick feet and some mobility. Possesses the strength and ability to hit passes while being hit. Benefits from great pass protection. Lacks great height.
Comment: My son told me to look at Jimmy and he's a very intriguing prospect. Yes, he may be son of Romo-like, which isn't bad if he's given the supporting cast and some time to develop. Supposedly he's got the quickest release in this class and threw for over 5k yards and 50+ TDs this year alone. He's moving up the list and could go in RD2 or RD3, however, I'm using this list and snagging him in RD4 with a smile.
3. De'Anthony Thomas, WR/KR, Oregon 5'9" 175
Explosive, exciting player who gives us a weapon in the slot and on special teams. This years Tavon Austin, but in the 3rd round. Our offense needs some explosive athletes and Thomas has the ability to play the slot, run reverses and contribute on ST as well.
Taken from Walterfootball.com:
As a receiver, Thomas is a mismatch with the speed to burn cornerbacks. He has shown natural pass-receiving ability for a running back. His route-running and hands are developed. could use more refinement for the NFL, but he could have the ability to be a starting slot receiver as a pro if he is deemed too small to play tailback. Spreading out the field and giving Thomas space to operate makes him a dangerous runner. Thomas should also be used as a kick and punt returner. He has the ability to be a dangerous weapon on returns.
4. JuWuan James, OT, Tennessee 6'6" 320
We need to add another player to the OL competition. James has experience at RT against SEC talent. Should compete with Williams and give us a decent RT versus the revolving door.
From NFL Draft Scout:
It is difficult to be overshadowed at 6-6, 324-pounds but given the high profile talent in Knoxville, James qualifies. The veteran of 37 consecutive starts at right tackle for the Vols entering the 2013 season, James is more fundamentally sound than talented junior left tackle Antonio "Tiny" Richardson and yet offers a similar package of size and athleticism. Strengths: Surprisingly quick off the snap, showing the ability to slide to protect the edge against the variety of speed rushers he has faced in the SEC. Plays on the balls of his feet but with his knees bent and his butt down, putting him good position to shuffle laterally as well as anchor against a quality bull-rush. Surprisingly light feet also stand out while run-blocking, as does his competitive spirit. Powerful at the point of attack and can drive defenders off the ball. Not shy about peeling off of them to target would-be tacklers at the second level, as well. A plug and play candidate, James looks like a solid bet to crack the first 100 picks of the 2014 draft. Weaknesses: Like most blockers with his frame, James occasionally struggles with pad level. When he drops his head, he can be beaten with a swim move over the top. This occurs most often while run blocking.
5. Chris Borland ILB Wisconsin 5' 11" 245
Well-rounded, talented, consistent playmaker. Explosive athlete with great leaping ability. Quick feet. Good range and is excellent in pursuit. Lacks height; plays super low to the ground. Flexible. Strong. Elite form wrap-up tackler. Displays top instincts, reaction and overall feel. Very physical and assertive attacking the line of scrimmage. Shows elite ball skills. A strong blitzer, using pass rush moves to get pressure.
Comment: With Cush being out for 2 straight years, depth at ILB is important. Really wanted Skov in 2nd, but injury scared me off and Borland gives us another Wisconsin tough guy to use on defense and special teams. When I read "elite form wrap-up tackler" I was sold. Although short, he also has all of the other qualities I'm looking for in an ILB.
5B. Deandre Coleman DT Cal 6' 5" 310
Great size with decent length and overall athleticism. Explosive get-off to penetrate and plays with nice pad level for his height. Violent at the point of attack. Was a true handful for blockers. Gets under blockers' pads and uses his length to keep linemen out of his body and chest. Possesses great strength to throw linemen away to disengage. Gets a push versus the run and pass. Stout at the point of attack and doesn't get pushed off the line. Can split double teams. Great penetrator and disruptor behind the line of scrimmage. Excellent hand use and moves, including an effective swim, to disengage quickly. Has only had one great season going into his senior year.
Comment: Hoping we get this pick from our FA losses. Looked for another DL who could play DT/NT and has some size. He's a bit tall, but seems to have the other attributes we need.
6. Ryan Carrethers DT Arkansas State 6'1" 330
Carrethers was a terror at AS and very active in the middle of his line. He gives us that big body we've been looking for to work in with Coleman.
7. Jordan Najvar TE Baylor 6'6" 262
East/West Game gives our coaching staff a close view of this sleeper. Originally a Stanford TE recruit, his time at Baylor didn't quite show off his potential, thus we get him as a bargain at the end of the draft.
1. Jadeveon Clowney* DE South Carolina 6' 6" 270Elite combination of length and athleticism with supreme production. Physically overwhelming and often seems unblockable. Excellent speed, bend, explosiveness and suddenness as a rusher. Strong and very physical at the point of attack. Consistently sheds blocks with upper body strength and quick twitch athleticism. Top closing speed. Has the athleticism and size to perform a variety of roles for a defense. Levels ball carriers.
Comment: I'm hoping poor senior year was not true measure of his talent. If he's as elite as projected, combining him with JJ would give us a killer DL. I still have regrets we didn't take Peppers over Carr and decide not to repeat history.
2. Jimmy Garoppolo QB Eastern Illinois 6' 2" 230
Looked good in East/West and his stock will be on the rise. Could see him moving into late first with a good Senior Bowl and combine.
Really quick, easy release. Great arm, flashing high RPMs in the short and intermediate areas. Good touch downfield. Fairly accurate to all levels, though footwork is not always consistent. Patient, goes through progressions. Has quick feet and some mobility. Possesses the strength and ability to hit passes while being hit. Benefits from great pass protection. Lacks great height.
Comment: My son told me to look at Jimmy and he's a very intriguing prospect. Yes, he may be son of Romo-like, which isn't bad if he's given the supporting cast and some time to develop. Supposedly he's got the quickest release in this class and threw for over 5k yards and 50+ TDs this year alone. He's moving up the list and could go in RD2 or RD3, however, I'm using this list and snagging him in RD4 with a smile.
3. De'Anthony Thomas, WR/KR, Oregon 5'9" 175
Explosive, exciting player who gives us a weapon in the slot and on special teams. This years Tavon Austin, but in the 3rd round. Our offense needs some explosive athletes and Thomas has the ability to play the slot, run reverses and contribute on ST as well.
Taken from Walterfootball.com:
As a receiver, Thomas is a mismatch with the speed to burn cornerbacks. He has shown natural pass-receiving ability for a running back. His route-running and hands are developed. could use more refinement for the NFL, but he could have the ability to be a starting slot receiver as a pro if he is deemed too small to play tailback. Spreading out the field and giving Thomas space to operate makes him a dangerous runner. Thomas should also be used as a kick and punt returner. He has the ability to be a dangerous weapon on returns.
4. JuWuan James, OT, Tennessee 6'6" 320
We need to add another player to the OL competition. James has experience at RT against SEC talent. Should compete with Williams and give us a decent RT versus the revolving door.
From NFL Draft Scout:
It is difficult to be overshadowed at 6-6, 324-pounds but given the high profile talent in Knoxville, James qualifies. The veteran of 37 consecutive starts at right tackle for the Vols entering the 2013 season, James is more fundamentally sound than talented junior left tackle Antonio "Tiny" Richardson and yet offers a similar package of size and athleticism. Strengths: Surprisingly quick off the snap, showing the ability to slide to protect the edge against the variety of speed rushers he has faced in the SEC. Plays on the balls of his feet but with his knees bent and his butt down, putting him good position to shuffle laterally as well as anchor against a quality bull-rush. Surprisingly light feet also stand out while run-blocking, as does his competitive spirit. Powerful at the point of attack and can drive defenders off the ball. Not shy about peeling off of them to target would-be tacklers at the second level, as well. A plug and play candidate, James looks like a solid bet to crack the first 100 picks of the 2014 draft. Weaknesses: Like most blockers with his frame, James occasionally struggles with pad level. When he drops his head, he can be beaten with a swim move over the top. This occurs most often while run blocking.
5. Chris Borland ILB Wisconsin 5' 11" 245
Well-rounded, talented, consistent playmaker. Explosive athlete with great leaping ability. Quick feet. Good range and is excellent in pursuit. Lacks height; plays super low to the ground. Flexible. Strong. Elite form wrap-up tackler. Displays top instincts, reaction and overall feel. Very physical and assertive attacking the line of scrimmage. Shows elite ball skills. A strong blitzer, using pass rush moves to get pressure.
Comment: With Cush being out for 2 straight years, depth at ILB is important. Really wanted Skov in 2nd, but injury scared me off and Borland gives us another Wisconsin tough guy to use on defense and special teams. When I read "elite form wrap-up tackler" I was sold. Although short, he also has all of the other qualities I'm looking for in an ILB.
5B. Deandre Coleman DT Cal 6' 5" 310
Great size with decent length and overall athleticism. Explosive get-off to penetrate and plays with nice pad level for his height. Violent at the point of attack. Was a true handful for blockers. Gets under blockers' pads and uses his length to keep linemen out of his body and chest. Possesses great strength to throw linemen away to disengage. Gets a push versus the run and pass. Stout at the point of attack and doesn't get pushed off the line. Can split double teams. Great penetrator and disruptor behind the line of scrimmage. Excellent hand use and moves, including an effective swim, to disengage quickly. Has only had one great season going into his senior year.
Comment: Hoping we get this pick from our FA losses. Looked for another DL who could play DT/NT and has some size. He's a bit tall, but seems to have the other attributes we need.
6. Ryan Carrethers DT Arkansas State 6'1" 330
Carrethers was a terror at AS and very active in the middle of his line. He gives us that big body we've been looking for to work in with Coleman.
7. Jordan Najvar TE Baylor 6'6" 262
East/West Game gives our coaching staff a close view of this sleeper. Originally a Stanford TE recruit, his time at Baylor didn't quite show off his potential, thus we get him as a bargain at the end of the draft.
ey with the 1st pick. 