Risen Star
Likes Collector
- Messages
- 89,420
- Reaction score
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Ben Gardner DE Stanford
Nolan Nawrocki: 27th rated DE, Not on top 150 value board, Undrafted free agent.
No write up.
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Frank Coyle, Draft Insiders Digest: 14th rated DE, 166th player overall, 5th-6th round projection.
He has a solid athletic package to become an NFL defender if he proves healthy. With further development in technique and strength, he is the type of defender who will give a club a great deal of versatility and steady production along a front line. He most likely goes in the 3rd day off his late injury, though he has the skill set and production at a high level to become a surprise starter in time. Gritty, tough prospect with some upside that should be a valuable rotational lineman for a few roles. Top 200 player and serviceable defender. One of the unsung defenders on the very tough Cardinals defense.
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Scouts Inc., ESPN: 24th rated DE, 257th player overall, 7th round/priority free agent projection.
Gardner is coming off a season-ending pectoral injury, he has short arms (30 3/4 inches) for an end and he doesn't have the size to line up on the inside as much as he did at Stanford. Gardner, however, is an above-average hand-fighter who locates the ball quickly and tackles well. A team captain last year, he's a warrior who plays though pain and has an above-average motor.
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Dane Brugler, NFLDraftScout: 34th rated DE, Not on top 100 value board, Undrafted free agent.
No write up.
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Will Smith OLB Texas Tech
Nolan Nawrocki: 46th rated OLB, Not on top 150 value board, Undrafted free agent.
No write up.
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Frank Coyle, Draft Insiders Digest: Not listed in guide.
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Scouts Inc., ESPN: 48th rated ILB, Not in top 318 value board, Undrafted free agent.
Smith is a rangy outside linebacker prospect who put up good numbers at Texas Tech last year and has the ability to contribute on special teams. He is on the smaller side, though, and he can get engulfed when teams run at him.
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Dane Brugler, NFLDraftScout: 26th rated OLB, Not on top 100 value board, 7th round/Priority free agent projection.
He is long and lanky and will benefit from a NFL conditioning program. Too easily taken away in the run game between the hashes, struggling to keep himself clean or shed blocks. Smith plays with an energetic, attacking style and is always around the football, but can be a tad wild and has room to tighten his angles and play speed. He doesn't look like a future next level starter, but I like his potential to hold down a spot on the special teams in the NFL.
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Ahmad Dixon S Baylor
Nolan Nawrocki: 7th rated FS, Not on top 150 value board, 5th-6th round projection.
Box safety possessing the physical talent to compete in the NFL and even earn a starting job eventually if he can stay focused, commit to a playbook and hone his eyes. Should be able to factor readily on special teams. Coverage limitations will leave him vulnerable and would be best in a very simple scheme.
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Frank Coyle, Draft Insiders Digest: 9th rated S, 128th player overall, 4th round projection.
He should be able to start on special teams immediately while he works his way into the base defense. He is always around the ball in run support, playing like an extra linebacker. He is still raw in coverage, though has upside after expected progress at strong safety. He warrants an early middle round selection, though he needs time. Marginal falling top 125 prospect.
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Scouts Inc., ESPN: 10th rated S, 155th player overall, 5th/6th round projection.
Dixon is a strong safety type who has limitations in coverage in the back end. However, he has quality instincts and brings a physical edge to his game.
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Dane Brugler, NFLDraftScout: 17th rated S, Not on top 100 value board, 5th/6th round projection.
Dixon is an extremely active run defender and loves to get his hands dirty, but needs to clean up his tackling technique and button up his reliability as a striker to eliminate the illegal hits. Has the on the field temperament you want. He is still a work in progress in coverage and will be asked to do several things in the NFL that he never did in college. Will need time to adjust to the pro game. Dixon is an adequate size/speed athlete with a passionate competitive drive, but lacks the discipline to be an every down starter. Mid-to-late round pick with the makings of a core special teams guy and backup SS.
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Ken Bishop DT Northern Illinois
Nolan Nawrocki: 43rd rated DT, Not on top 150 value board, Undrafted free agent.
No write up.
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Frank Coyle, Draft Insiders Digest: 39th rated DT, Not on top 300 value board, Undrafted free agent.
No write up.
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Scouts Inc., ESPN: 41st ranked DT, Not on top 318 value board, Undrafted free agent.
Bishop lacks ideal height and length. However, he plays with quality leverage and has an adequate anchor against the run.
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Dane Brugler, NFLDraftScout: 20th rated DT, Not on top 100 value board, 6th round projection.
He is a fierce, tough minded competitor who stuffs the run up front, taking on multiple blockers and making stops, recording 125 total tackles at NIU. Bishop lacks ideal physical traits and length and doesn't offer much as a pass rusher, but his active style and willingness to occupy double teams will make him a favorite of the coaching staff. He projects as a two gapping run plugger who will add depth in the interior and stick around as long as his fire is lit.
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Terrance Mitchell CB Oregon
Nolan Nawrocki: 13th rated CB, 108th player overall, 3rd/4th round projection.
Wiry, smoother-than-sudden, off-man/cover-3 corner who upped his visibility as a junior by showing improved playmaking ability, which prompted a premature leap to the NFL. Could compete for a job as a No. 4, but lack of ideal explosiveness, top-end speed and bump-and-run ability limits his ceiling.
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Frank Coyle, Draft Insiders Digest: 14th rated CB, 114th player overall, 4th round projection.
He has the size, quickness and instincts that will allow him to match up in zone coverage where he needs some refinement in his recognition skills to use his athleticism. Marginal top `25 prospect with a potential starter in the right system. Savvy cover man with good skill set that will allow him to compete for early playing time and an eventual starter. Overall he is an ascending and improving corner with a big ceiling. Underrated corner with tools and a total steal on the early 3rd day.
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Scouts Inc., ESPN: 21st rated CB, 156th player overall, 5th/6th round projection.
Mitchell has adequate instincts and coverage skills. He lacks ideal top-end and recovery speed to make up ground when in trail technique. He also must become more reliable in run support.
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Dane Brugler, NFLDraftScout: 11th rated CB, 76th player overall, 3rd round projection. Mitchell has ordinary size, strength and length for the position and lacks ideal speed, allowing receivers to get behind him vertically, but he is quicker than fast with good short-area burst. He is average in run support, but does his best work with his eyes to diagnose the action and break on the ball to make plays. Projects as a zone corner at the NFL level with starting potential due to his alert awareness and movement skills.[/I]
Nolan Nawrocki: 27th rated DE, Not on top 150 value board, Undrafted free agent.
No write up.
-
Frank Coyle, Draft Insiders Digest: 14th rated DE, 166th player overall, 5th-6th round projection.
He has a solid athletic package to become an NFL defender if he proves healthy. With further development in technique and strength, he is the type of defender who will give a club a great deal of versatility and steady production along a front line. He most likely goes in the 3rd day off his late injury, though he has the skill set and production at a high level to become a surprise starter in time. Gritty, tough prospect with some upside that should be a valuable rotational lineman for a few roles. Top 200 player and serviceable defender. One of the unsung defenders on the very tough Cardinals defense.
-
Scouts Inc., ESPN: 24th rated DE, 257th player overall, 7th round/priority free agent projection.
Gardner is coming off a season-ending pectoral injury, he has short arms (30 3/4 inches) for an end and he doesn't have the size to line up on the inside as much as he did at Stanford. Gardner, however, is an above-average hand-fighter who locates the ball quickly and tackles well. A team captain last year, he's a warrior who plays though pain and has an above-average motor.
-
Dane Brugler, NFLDraftScout: 34th rated DE, Not on top 100 value board, Undrafted free agent.
No write up.
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Will Smith OLB Texas Tech
Nolan Nawrocki: 46th rated OLB, Not on top 150 value board, Undrafted free agent.
No write up.
-
Frank Coyle, Draft Insiders Digest: Not listed in guide.
-
Scouts Inc., ESPN: 48th rated ILB, Not in top 318 value board, Undrafted free agent.
Smith is a rangy outside linebacker prospect who put up good numbers at Texas Tech last year and has the ability to contribute on special teams. He is on the smaller side, though, and he can get engulfed when teams run at him.
-
Dane Brugler, NFLDraftScout: 26th rated OLB, Not on top 100 value board, 7th round/Priority free agent projection.
He is long and lanky and will benefit from a NFL conditioning program. Too easily taken away in the run game between the hashes, struggling to keep himself clean or shed blocks. Smith plays with an energetic, attacking style and is always around the football, but can be a tad wild and has room to tighten his angles and play speed. He doesn't look like a future next level starter, but I like his potential to hold down a spot on the special teams in the NFL.
--------------------------
Ahmad Dixon S Baylor
Nolan Nawrocki: 7th rated FS, Not on top 150 value board, 5th-6th round projection.
Box safety possessing the physical talent to compete in the NFL and even earn a starting job eventually if he can stay focused, commit to a playbook and hone his eyes. Should be able to factor readily on special teams. Coverage limitations will leave him vulnerable and would be best in a very simple scheme.
-
Frank Coyle, Draft Insiders Digest: 9th rated S, 128th player overall, 4th round projection.
He should be able to start on special teams immediately while he works his way into the base defense. He is always around the ball in run support, playing like an extra linebacker. He is still raw in coverage, though has upside after expected progress at strong safety. He warrants an early middle round selection, though he needs time. Marginal falling top 125 prospect.
-
Scouts Inc., ESPN: 10th rated S, 155th player overall, 5th/6th round projection.
Dixon is a strong safety type who has limitations in coverage in the back end. However, he has quality instincts and brings a physical edge to his game.
-
Dane Brugler, NFLDraftScout: 17th rated S, Not on top 100 value board, 5th/6th round projection.
Dixon is an extremely active run defender and loves to get his hands dirty, but needs to clean up his tackling technique and button up his reliability as a striker to eliminate the illegal hits. Has the on the field temperament you want. He is still a work in progress in coverage and will be asked to do several things in the NFL that he never did in college. Will need time to adjust to the pro game. Dixon is an adequate size/speed athlete with a passionate competitive drive, but lacks the discipline to be an every down starter. Mid-to-late round pick with the makings of a core special teams guy and backup SS.
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Ken Bishop DT Northern Illinois
Nolan Nawrocki: 43rd rated DT, Not on top 150 value board, Undrafted free agent.
No write up.
-
Frank Coyle, Draft Insiders Digest: 39th rated DT, Not on top 300 value board, Undrafted free agent.
No write up.
-
Scouts Inc., ESPN: 41st ranked DT, Not on top 318 value board, Undrafted free agent.
Bishop lacks ideal height and length. However, he plays with quality leverage and has an adequate anchor against the run.
-
Dane Brugler, NFLDraftScout: 20th rated DT, Not on top 100 value board, 6th round projection.
He is a fierce, tough minded competitor who stuffs the run up front, taking on multiple blockers and making stops, recording 125 total tackles at NIU. Bishop lacks ideal physical traits and length and doesn't offer much as a pass rusher, but his active style and willingness to occupy double teams will make him a favorite of the coaching staff. He projects as a two gapping run plugger who will add depth in the interior and stick around as long as his fire is lit.
-------------------------
Terrance Mitchell CB Oregon
Nolan Nawrocki: 13th rated CB, 108th player overall, 3rd/4th round projection.
Wiry, smoother-than-sudden, off-man/cover-3 corner who upped his visibility as a junior by showing improved playmaking ability, which prompted a premature leap to the NFL. Could compete for a job as a No. 4, but lack of ideal explosiveness, top-end speed and bump-and-run ability limits his ceiling.
-
Frank Coyle, Draft Insiders Digest: 14th rated CB, 114th player overall, 4th round projection.
He has the size, quickness and instincts that will allow him to match up in zone coverage where he needs some refinement in his recognition skills to use his athleticism. Marginal top `25 prospect with a potential starter in the right system. Savvy cover man with good skill set that will allow him to compete for early playing time and an eventual starter. Overall he is an ascending and improving corner with a big ceiling. Underrated corner with tools and a total steal on the early 3rd day.
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Scouts Inc., ESPN: 21st rated CB, 156th player overall, 5th/6th round projection.
Mitchell has adequate instincts and coverage skills. He lacks ideal top-end and recovery speed to make up ground when in trail technique. He also must become more reliable in run support.
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Dane Brugler, NFLDraftScout: 11th rated CB, 76th player overall, 3rd round projection. Mitchell has ordinary size, strength and length for the position and lacks ideal speed, allowing receivers to get behind him vertically, but he is quicker than fast with good short-area burst. He is average in run support, but does his best work with his eyes to diagnose the action and break on the ball to make plays. Projects as a zone corner at the NFL level with starting potential due to his alert awareness and movement skills.[/I]
