DA Draft Buzz: April 4th

[RS12]

Left tackle Garett Bolles is expected to be a first-round pick and will battle Forrest Lamp to be the first blocker selected. Bolles has workouts coming up with the Los Angeles Chargers and Indianapolis Colts.

Isaac Asiata is presently our fourth-rated guard and someone we grade as a third-round pick. The recent feedback I’m getting is that Asiata could jump into the second round as he rises up boards. He’s in Florida tomorrow for an official visit with the Miami Dolphins.

Sam Tevi is our eight-ranked offensive tackle and a third-round prospect on our board. Tevi has workouts scheduled with the Houston Texans and Carolina Panthers. In our recent three-round mock, we have the Panthers taking Tevi in the third.

Staying with the Carolina Panthers, people I’m close with tell me that the franchise hopes to address its need for speed at the receiver position during the draft’s second day. In the past two mocks I’ve had the Panthers taking Carlos Henderson of Louisiana Tech in Round 2, as I feel he’d be perfect in the Ted Ginn Jr. role. Carolina has already worked out Henderson and met with him privately.

When you talk to people on the outside the name Grover Stewart is rarely mentioned, yet the big Albany State defensive tackle is catching fire after dominating the NFLPA practice and turning in a terrific pro-day workout.

Thus far Stewart has a combined 17 workouts and top-30 visits including the Buffalo Bills, Tennessee Titans, Atlanta Falcons, Los Angeles Chargers, Seattle Seahawks and Tampa Bay Bucs. He was forced to turn down four visits due to scheduling conflicts. Some in the scouting community feel Stewart could go as early as the third round and most believe he won’t get out of the fifth.

Staying with official 30 visits, Jonathan Calvin of Mississippi State has the sGreen Bay Packers, Seattle Seahawks, Oakland Raiders and Cincinnati Bengals.

Two defensive backs, Adoree’ Jackson and Justin Evans, are swiftly moving up draft boards.

Jackson is viewed as a game changer and one of the most improved defensive backs in the country. Teams love Evans’ film and believe he’s cast in the Kam Chancellor mold.

On the other hand, the draft stock of Marshon Lattimore is seemingly moving in the opposite direction.

Two trusted sources told me they feel Lattimore is overrated and lacks coverage skills. I agree with both statements and have stated several times I believe Lattimore’s ball skills pale in comparison to those of teammate Gareon Conley.

Lattimore’s injury history is also a big red flag for teams.

Again from trusted sources, I’m told that despite reports that a hip flexor prematurely ended Lattimore’s combine workout -- he did not participate in position drills -- hamstring issues did play a role in sidelining him during the final day of workouts

http://draftanalyst.com/da-draft-buzz-april-4th

 

[stilltheguru88]

Justin Evans/LSU tape. ugh

 

[CalPolyTechnique]

Lol, Justin Evans in the Kam Chancellor role? Hilarity.

 

[Tristan]

Justin Evans/LSU tape. ugh

I dont want this guy, heard way to many A&M fans say this guy is always out of position, getting beat and taking bad angles.

I havent watched him, but Ive heard way to much to even get me interested in looking

 

[Alexander]

I dont want this guy, heard way to many A&M fans say this guy is always out of position, getting beat and taking bad angles.

I havent watched him, but Ive heard way to much to even get me interested in looking

I have watched him and I still don't understand why he is coveted.

Not a bad player, but I see people putting him at 60 now.

 

[RS12]

I dont want this guy, heard way to many A&M fans say this guy is always out of position, getting beat and taking bad angles.

I havent watched him, but Ive heard way to much to even get me interested in looking

Yeah and that is on the highlights. The big hit (when he doesnt whiff) is just as likely to be called a penalty these days. Pass.

 

[RS12]

I do believe Adoree is on the rise and could be a consideration at 28 if he is there.

 

[CalPolyTechnique]

Adoree is roughly the same size as Jason Verrett and Orlando.

 

[Alexander]

Adoree is roughly the same size as Jason Verrett and Orlando.

Not real sure we would spend #28 on a non-boundary CB.

We will need to get a slot CB for Scandrick being gone soon. But that could come later.

 

[Idgit]

Does it bug anybody else to hear that prospects are "rising" when what's really happening is publications are changing their boards as they gradually get very limited access to what teams are actually thinking?

 

[stilltheguru88]

Not real sure we would spend #28 on a non-boundary CB.

We will need to get a slot CB for Scandrick being gone soon. But that could come later.

Adoree can play on the outside. I think Varrett does too. Hell, in 2014 Scandrick played a lot of outside

 

[Plankton]

Does it bug anybody else to hear that prospects are "rising" when what's really happening is publications are changing their boards as they gradually get very limited access to what teams are actually thinking?

It's more disconcerting that players are rising/falling without having played in a game.

 

[Idgit]

It's more disconcerting that players are rising/falling without having played in a game.

Right? Sort of the same thing. The players are the players. As it gradually dawns on you how good they are, or as you become more aware of them over time and after talking to the real experts with real resources...they're not 'rising.' You were wrong about your assessment and this is the process of trying to correct that.

Then draft day we get to see how far off you (collectively) ended up.

 

[Plankton]

Right? Sort of the same thing. The players are the players. As it gradually dawns on you how good they are, or as you become more aware of them over time and after talking to the real experts with real resources...they're not 'rising.' You were wrong about your assessment and this is the process of trying to correct that.

Then draft day we get to see how far off you (collectively) ended up.

There should be only two reasons why a player should rise/fall:

1. Injury issue uncovered at the combine medical checks.
2. Character based issue that comes to light.

All of the testing is a dog and pony show. Either a guy can play or he can't. That's obvious from film review.

 

[Toruk_Makto]

It's more disconcerting that players are rising/falling without having played in a game.

That doesn't bother me. Interviews. Seeing how a guy conducts himself. How did he prepare for the biggest opportunity of his life?. Seeing him dissect a board. And yes how does he test athletically? That all matters. At least it would in my war room.

 

[Alexander]

It's more disconcerting that players are rising/falling without having played in a game.

Happens all the time though with pundits. NFL teams are likely far less reactive.

 

[Plankton]

That doesn't bother me. Interviews. Seeing how a guy conducts himself. How did he prepare for the biggest opportunity of his life?. Seeing him dissect a board. And yes how does he test athletically? That all matters. At least it would in my war room.

I agree on the interviews. How a guy tests athletically when he isn't in pads, and largely isn't performing football tasks means very little. All of this can be gauged by watching film of a guy. Running a good 3 cone doesn't make someone a good pass rusher, or able to cover a skinny post.

To me, the only thing that matters at the combine is the medical and the interview. All of the rest is fluff.

 

[Toruk_Makto]

I agree on the interviews. How a guy tests athletically when he isn't in pads, and largely isn't performing football tasks means very little. All of this can be gauged by watching film of a guy.

I mean that's simply not true. There are minimum athletic standards that have shown strong correlation to professional success. There are outliers of course. But those are the exceptions that prove the rule. But if you think hand size for a WR or arm length for a tackle doesn't matter....you'd be wrong.

Running a good 3 cone doesn't make someone a good pass rusher, or able to cover a skinny post.

You're looking at this wrong. A guy who is a good pass rusher or can easily cover a skinny post is more likely to run a good 3 cone than not. All of the guys who can't rush or cover a skinny usually don't get invited to the combine and probably have a bad 3 cone time anyway. It's when a guy who has good tape but poor measurables you go back and do more homework.

The underwear Olympics is only one data point. But to dismiss it out of hand is to ignore information that has proven useful in the past. I mean heck we've been drafting well of late... At least early... And we're big SPARQ believers.

 

[UncleOscar]

Justin Evans/LSU tape. ugh

Was it the Mississippi State game where that big MSU receiver through Evans to the ground like a rag doll?? You watch that play just one time and you won't want that guy on your team.

 

[Plankton]

I mean that's simply not true. There are minimum athletic standards that have shown strong correlation to professional success. There are outliers of course. But those are the exceptions that prove the rule. But if you think hand size for a WR or arm length for a tackle doesn't matter....you'd be wrong.

Hand size and arm length are characteristics, not athletic standards. Doesn't apply to running a three cone or doing the broad jump, which I continue to maintain has little to do with whether you can play football or not.

You're looking at this wrong. A guy who is a good pass rusher or can easily cover a skinny post is more likely to run a good 3 cone than not. All of the guys who can't rush or cover a skinny usually don't get invited to the combine and probably have a bad 3 cone time anyway. It's when a guy who has good tape but poor measurables you go back and do more homework.

The underwear Olympics is only one data point. But to dismiss it out of hand is to ignore information that has proven useful in the past. I mean heck we've been drafting well of late... At least early... And we're big SPARQ believers.

How relevant is a 40 yard dash to an offensive lineman? How relevant is a bench press number to a quarterback? And, how relevant is watching a guy not in gear running around doing these drills when, on the field, he will never be performing without pads and a helmet, and likely never doing a broad jump or three cone style run when playing?

Are they data points? Yes. Are they relevant data points? If it takes away from what the guy showed on tape in live game action, no.