McGinn: An early look at the NFL Draft

[RS12]

Here is a look at how the National Football League draft of 2015 is shaping up based on interviews with six executives in personnel over the last 10 days. Underclassmen have until Jan. 15 to declare for the draft.

DEFENSIVE LINE
The best defensive tackle is junior Leonard Williams (6-4½, 300) of Southern California.

"Top-five pick," said one scout. "He was 312 during two-a-days, 300 now. He'll run in the 4.7s. And he's a great kid."

Behind Williams, and with a solid shot at the first round, are defensive tackles Eddie Goldman (6-3, 320) of Florida State, a junior, and Danny Shelton (6-0½, 324) of Washington, a senior.

"Goldman didn't play much the year before," said one scout. "Really getting better as the season goes along. Big body."

Shelton moves as well as B.J. Raji, according to one scout. "True nose tackle," said another. "When there's a rare nose tackle like that, they go (high)."

Two Big Ten seniors, Michael Bennett (6-2, 286) of Ohio State and Carl Davis (6-4½, 318) of Iowa, should be gone by the second round.

"I see Bennett being explosive initially," said one scout. "Strong. Sheds. Three-technique, not a nose....Davis is not just a plugger. Strong."

Alabama junior Jarran Reed (6-4, 315), a junior-college transfer, is expected to declare and be at least a second-round pick. Oklahoma junior Jordan Phillips (6-5, 305) could be an early second-rounder as well.

Nebraska junior Randy Gregory (6-6, 248) is projected as a top-15 pick by some teams. He might be the first taken from among a cluster of players that could be 4-3 defensive ends or 3-4 outside linebackers.

"Gregory's the pass rusher," said one scout. "He's taller than DeMarcus (Ware) but he's got some of that sneaky stuff in him."

One scout said junior Dante Fowler (6-2, 261) of Florida is "quick, athletic, physical. A stud. He's first round."

Juniors Shane Ray (6-3, 245) of Missouri and Danielle Hunter (6-6, 240) of LSU won't be available after the second round. The same might be said for seniors Nate Orchard (6-4, 255) of Utah and Lorenzo Mauldin (6-3½, 241) of Louisville.

"Ray gets off the ball as good as Gregory," said one scout. "Plays with a lot of effort. I keep hearing Gregory is the best one in this draft but I think he looks lean, thin. I don't see him holding the edge a lot."

Junior Mario Edwards (6-3, 294) of Florida State has enough size to play anywhere in any defense.

"Very, very strong upper body," one scout said. "Plays the run extremely well but also can rush the passer. He goes back end of the first."

Kentucky senior Alvin Dupree (6-3½, 268) also has a chance for the first round.

"He can be a physical player but he also can be an athlete," said one scout. "Has played both up and down. As he's gotten better the defense has gotten better. Great kid. All the intangible stuff."

http://www.jsonline.com/sports/packers/an-early-look-at-the-nfl-draft-b99403379z1-284999721.html

 

[KingintheNorth]

If we don't get a decent defensive lineman out of this draft we simply aren't trying.

 

[Hardline]

If one is the BPA at the time our draft slot comes up then get them. If not then draft the BPA regardless of position.

 

[RS12]

If we don't get a decent defensive lineman out of this draft we simply aren't trying.

Agree looks like there are impact linemen through at least the first round. Everybody keeps talking DE (which they desperately need) but I like DTs that can collapse the pocket. Shelton from UW is an intriguing guy IMO.

 

[IAmLegend]

Trade all of our picks for Mariota IMO.

 

[dasander]

This is a much better draft for DE's compared to last year. According to reports, last year our only good options for a R. defensive end were Clowney(unrealistic shot at reaching), Barr(weak/ more 3-4 OLB), D. Lawrence, & Attouchou(Cowboys graded as a 4th rnd pick while Chargers took him in the 2nd). Seems like there will be a lot more DE's available to choose from in rounds 1 & 2 that could fit our scheme. Not as concerned so much about DT w/ Crawford, McClain, Brent, Colemon, Bishop, Whaley(don't forget about him!) for sure on the roster next year, but if Melton leaves the DT depth in this draft doesn't look bad either

 

[Alexander]

If we don't get a decent defensive lineman out of this draft we simply aren't trying.

Correct and it is a terrible CB draft which is why I laugh when I see somebody saying we need to go that direction early.

 

[Alexander]

Whaley(don't forget about him!)

Why not?

 

[AmishCowboy]

Thanks for posting this article

 

[waving monkey]

thanks this is a good article

 

[Leadbelly]

Junior Gerod Holliman (6-0, 201) of Louisville has an incredible total of 14 interceptions.

"He needs to go back to school," said one scout. "He's horrible. He can't make a tackle to save his life. He's got pretty good instincts but he's not that athletic."

Exactly what I saw watching him. Can't ignore how opportunistic he is, but his tackling looks like someone who's playing football for the first time.

Good article though. Love McGinn's anonymous notes from scouts.