gimmesix
Fat, drunk and stupid is no way to go through life
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Again, this is based on PFW draft guide profiles and projections.
1. G Vladimir Ducasse, Massachusetts
Mike Iupati (16) and center Maurkice Pouncey (18) are gone, and Ducasse probably should be considered gone as well as PFW's 24th-ranked prospect, but that would surprise me. If Dallas has Ducasse that high on its draft board, then I can understand taking him because of what he potentially can be. Ducasse has all the physical traits you could want and his flaws are mostly technical stuff that can be improved with good coaching. Still, this is really higher than I think he should go, but I'm going with PFW here. If you want to hold me to the technicality that he won't be here since he's 24th, then the next-best interior prospect is Indiana's Roger Saffold (33rd), who is very athletic but probably more suited to left tackle because he's a little too finesse-oriented for the inside.
2. G Jared Veldheer, Hillsdale
Another tackle-guard prospect with great upside. Seems a bit tall for guard, but PFW says he's "ideally suited" to play it, and his great movement skills and work ethic should help him be a factor wherever he plays. The No. 70th overall prospect.
3. G Sergio Render, Virginia Tech
I put Render here despite a fifth- to sixth-round grade because I just don't like what I read about the guards and centers graded in this range (and I'm a big advocate for Mitch Petrus). They are either suited for a zone-blocking scheme or have some major flaws. Render has flaws, too, in his work ethic and technical lapses, but has "starting-caliber physical tools" and pushes people around with a nasty streak. I probably would not draft him this high, but felt the need to put someone here.
4. C Joe Hawley, UNLV
Another player I'm overdrafting here is Hawley, another fifth- to sixth-round prospect. Hawley really intrigues me despite a lack of great size. He's a football-smart player with long arms who uses his hands well, has a strong work ethic and displays a nasty streak. He also has long-snapping ability. I'd actually love to pick him up in the sixth.
6. G Brandon Carter, Texas Tech or G Chris Scott, Tennessee
Carter, a late draftable pick, is a big, strong mauler with a lot of toughness and intensity. May be limited in his movement skills and can be overly emotional. Scott is another mauler, but has some fluctuating weight issues. This late draftable pick has had some big games against good competition (like Florida's Carlos Dunlap) and seems to have all the physical traits needed to succeed if he'll just stay motivated.
7. C Dorian Brooks, James Madison or C Ed Olsen, Notre Dame or G Reggie Stephens, Iowa State or C Sean Allen, East Carolina
Brooks, listed as a priority free agent, is an intriguing player. He's a converted defensive tackle with lots of upside because of his long arms, movement skills and balance. I was surprised to find that Olsen is listed as a priority free agent because so many seem high on him. PFW really knocks his athletic ability, which is not good for a center, but shows him love for his intangibles and core strength. Would be worth a look this late. Stephens is a fairly big boy who needs to work on his body, but he has strong hands, a good base and is tough. Getting him in the weight room could turn him into at least an adequate backup. Allen, a late draftable prospect, has decent size and strength, and enough movement skills to be effective even though he's limited athletically.
1. G Vladimir Ducasse, Massachusetts
Mike Iupati (16) and center Maurkice Pouncey (18) are gone, and Ducasse probably should be considered gone as well as PFW's 24th-ranked prospect, but that would surprise me. If Dallas has Ducasse that high on its draft board, then I can understand taking him because of what he potentially can be. Ducasse has all the physical traits you could want and his flaws are mostly technical stuff that can be improved with good coaching. Still, this is really higher than I think he should go, but I'm going with PFW here. If you want to hold me to the technicality that he won't be here since he's 24th, then the next-best interior prospect is Indiana's Roger Saffold (33rd), who is very athletic but probably more suited to left tackle because he's a little too finesse-oriented for the inside.
2. G Jared Veldheer, Hillsdale
Another tackle-guard prospect with great upside. Seems a bit tall for guard, but PFW says he's "ideally suited" to play it, and his great movement skills and work ethic should help him be a factor wherever he plays. The No. 70th overall prospect.
3. G Sergio Render, Virginia Tech
I put Render here despite a fifth- to sixth-round grade because I just don't like what I read about the guards and centers graded in this range (and I'm a big advocate for Mitch Petrus). They are either suited for a zone-blocking scheme or have some major flaws. Render has flaws, too, in his work ethic and technical lapses, but has "starting-caliber physical tools" and pushes people around with a nasty streak. I probably would not draft him this high, but felt the need to put someone here.
4. C Joe Hawley, UNLV
Another player I'm overdrafting here is Hawley, another fifth- to sixth-round prospect. Hawley really intrigues me despite a lack of great size. He's a football-smart player with long arms who uses his hands well, has a strong work ethic and displays a nasty streak. He also has long-snapping ability. I'd actually love to pick him up in the sixth.
6. G Brandon Carter, Texas Tech or G Chris Scott, Tennessee
Carter, a late draftable pick, is a big, strong mauler with a lot of toughness and intensity. May be limited in his movement skills and can be overly emotional. Scott is another mauler, but has some fluctuating weight issues. This late draftable pick has had some big games against good competition (like Florida's Carlos Dunlap) and seems to have all the physical traits needed to succeed if he'll just stay motivated.
7. C Dorian Brooks, James Madison or C Ed Olsen, Notre Dame or G Reggie Stephens, Iowa State or C Sean Allen, East Carolina
Brooks, listed as a priority free agent, is an intriguing player. He's a converted defensive tackle with lots of upside because of his long arms, movement skills and balance. I was surprised to find that Olsen is listed as a priority free agent because so many seem high on him. PFW really knocks his athletic ability, which is not good for a center, but shows him love for his intangibles and core strength. Would be worth a look this late. Stephens is a fairly big boy who needs to work on his body, but he has strong hands, a good base and is tough. Getting him in the weight room could turn him into at least an adequate backup. Allen, a late draftable prospect, has decent size and strength, and enough movement skills to be effective even though he's limited athletically.
