Big Board: Gauging slow starts for established NFL prospects

[RS12]

1. Marcus Mariota, QB, 6-4, 215, 4.52, rJr, Oregon: The gaudy statistics and Heisman campaign are entertaining, but don't impress scouts as much as Mariota's unique physical traits, including a live arm, rare speed and an athletic frame. Oregon's speed and scheme, however, complicate Mariota's projection to the NFL, as he won't see nearly as many receivers in open space at the next level. Mariota boasts an exciting upside in a league increasingly infatuated with dual-threat passers.

2. Cedric Ogbuehi, OT, 6-5, 300, 4.98, rSr, Texas A&M: Former Aggies Luke Joeckel andJake Matthews were the second and sixth overall picks over the past two years, and Ogbuehi has more talent than either of them. He stood out at right guard and right tackle the past two seasons, but his long arms and nimble athleticism have always projected him best to left tackle. Ogbuehi can be overly reliant on his natural tools and, at times, Arkansas' senior defensive end Trey Flowers stood him up at the line of scrimmage, but tackles with Ogbuehi's upside usually wind up in the Pro Bowl.

3. Leonard Williams, DE, 6-4, 290, 4.88, Jr, Southern Cal: Strong, athletic and passionate, the Trojans' star boasts a skill set similar to another with his last name, six-time Pro Bowler Kevin Williams, a long-time standout with the Vikings and now a member of the Seahawks. The Daytona Beach, Fla., native has been a standout in the Pac-12 from the start, earning the conference's Defensive Freshman of the Year honors two years ago with 64 tackles, 13.5 tackles for loss and 8.0 sacks at defensive tackle and again last season with similar numbers at defensive end (74-13.5-6).

4. Randy Gregory, DE, 6-5, 255, Jr, 4.76, Nebraska: The Huskers hit a home run in the juco ranks with Gregory, who exploded for 66 tackles, 19 tackles for loss and 10.5 sacks during his first season of FBS football. Gregory needs to play stronger against the run but possesses all of the traits scouts are looking for in a pass rusher, including an explosive get-off, flexibility, long arms and active hands and tenacity. An "old" knee injury was aggravated in the season-opener against Florida Atlantic and required a scope Aug. 31, so teams will thoroughly investigate Gregory at the combine. He returned as dominant as ever, recording 4.5 sacks the past two games against Miami (2) and Illinois (2.5), respectively.

5. Brandon Scherff, OT, 6-5, 315, 4.93, rSr, Iowa:

http://www.cbssports.com/nfl/draft/...ing-slow-starts-for-established-nfl-prospects

 

[Dwight]

I notice a lot of DEs and OTs. If Dallas can come out of that draft with a DE, OT, CB, QB & DT I would be satisfied.

 

[bodi]

I am looking more at CB in late first

Marcus Peters, CB, 6-0, 198, 4.52, Jr, Washington: Peters is a highly aggressive and physical press corner who entered his junior campaign with eight career interceptions and a knack for playing well against top competition. He showed this form yet again versus Stanford, intercepting his third pass in the last two weeks after earning a one-game suspension (Illinois) after a sideline tirade that serves as a potential red-flag to teams leery of character concerns.

. Ifo Ekpre-Olomu, CB, 5-10, 185, 4.46, Sr, Oregon: Instinctive, athletic and tough in run support, Ekpre-Olomu has stood out in the pass-heavy Pac-12 throughout his
career. He doesn't possess the length scouts would prefer, however, and struggled against Washington State, surrendering two touchdowns in a surprisingly close 38-31
victory

P.J. Williams, CB, 6-0, 190, 4.48, Jr, Florida State: Williams is an impressive athlete with the physicality and instincts scouts are looking for at the position but he's struggled with a hamstring pull thus far and hasn't been the dominant force in 2014 that he appeared a season ago.

 

[RS12]

The Scout's Report
— One area scout told me this week, "Everyone loves (Brett) Hundley, but hates EJ Manuel. They're the same player!"

— On the contrary, a different area scout told me that Arizona State was "the best game of Hundley's career." It's always interesting to see two experts disagree on one player.

— Tevin Coleman sounds like he's ready for the NFL. Sources close to the junior running back tell me he's expected to enter the 2015 draft. His early start to the season has definitely caught the eye of NFL teams.

— LSU offensive tackle La'el Collins gets plenty of praise, but redshirt sophomore right tackle Jerald Hawkins looks like the better pro prospect. Scouts I've talked to this week echo that sentiment.

— How did Aaron Lynch end up with the San Francisco 49ers? I'm told by a league source that University of South Florida head coach Willie Taggart personally signed off on Lynch to head coach Jim Harbaugh. The move has paid off, with Lynch having a monster game against the Eagles in Week 4.

— Scouts are very excited about West Virginia Kevin White, but don't overlook teammate Mario Alford. He's already been compared to a better version ofTavon Austin by one scout I spoke to. Alford won't be drafted as high, but looks to have a cleaner transition to the NFL.

http://bleacherreport.com/articles/2218165-2015-nfl-draft-matt-millers-scouting-notebook-for-week-6

 

[KingintheNorth]

The Scout's Report
— One area scout told me this week, "Everyone loves (Brett) Hundley, but hates EJ Manuel. They're the same player!"

Do not agree. Manuel is Blaine Gabbert-bad inaccurate. Hundley is a much better prospect IMO.

 

[IAmLegend]

Hundley is a much better prospect than Manuel imo. I think Hundley ends up going somewhere in the mid-first, maybe to a team willing to develop him for a year or two.

 

[darthseinfeld]

Very lazy comparison

 

[supercowboy8]

I am looking more at CB in late first

Marcus Peters, CB, 6-0, 198, 4.52, Jr, Washington: Peters is a highly aggressive and physical press corner who entered his junior campaign with eight career interceptions and a knack for playing well against top competition. He showed this form yet again versus Stanford, intercepting his third pass in the last two weeks after earning a one-game suspension (Illinois) after a sideline tirade that serves as a potential red-flag to teams leery of character concerns.

. Ifo Ekpre-Olomu, CB, 5-10, 185, 4.46, Sr, Oregon: Instinctive, athletic and tough in run support, Ekpre-Olomu has stood out in the pass-heavy Pac-12 throughout his
career. He doesn't possess the length scouts would prefer, however, and struggled against Washington State, surrendering two touchdowns in a surprisingly close 38-31
victory

P.J. Williams, CB, 6-0, 190, 4.48, Jr, Florida State: Williams is an impressive athlete with the physicality and instincts scouts are looking for at the position but he's struggled with a hamstring pull thus far and hasn't been the dominant force in 2014 that he appeared a season ago.

Marcus peters is my favorite but I think CB in the 1st for this scheme would be a mistake. Just looking at the history of the Tampa 2 and Marinelli, CB isn't ever drafted high. DE and getting pressure is the main focus. Finding a CB mid rounds that is a scheme fit can start in this scheme.