NFL.com: Five Prospects That Can Be Steals

[AsthmaField]

The story is by Charles Davis, a guy who I think knows what he's talking about. The video that is with the story though is what is really interesting.

Listen to what Brian Baldinger says about Grady Jarrett. I really like him as a 2nd round DT for Dallas. Could play the 3 or the 1 IMO.

Ifo Ekpre-Olomu, CB, Oregon
The skinny: If Ekpre-Olomu had not suffered a season-ending knee injury during practice for the College Football Playoff in December, I think he would be in the conversation for top cornerback in the draft. Now, he's not in the first-round conversation and I have him ranked as the No. 10 corner available. He might need a redshirt year as a rookie as he recovers from the injury, but he's such a good player. It will be interesting to see how early a team will be willing to draft him. At 5-foot-9, he's going to struggle against size at times, but he's an excellent tackler, even though he missed a few last season, and has great intangibles.


Za'Darius Smith, DE, Kentucky
The skinny: Smith kept flashing at the East-West Shrine Game. In fact, he was so impressive that he received a call-up to the Senior Bowl, where he had a very good week. He's a high-effort player who will battle to make plays. One other East-West defensive end to keep in mind -- Miami's Anthony Chickillo, who starred along with Smith in the Shrine Game.

Read the rest: http://www.nfl.com/news/story/0ap30...ospects-that-will-be-steals-in-2015-nfl-draft

 

[Cowboy Brian]

Big fan of Za'Darius Smith, think he can become a good player at the next level

 

[AsthmaField]

Big fan of Za'Darius Smith

You and me both. He would be a very solid SDE in Marinelli's scheme, IMO, and will add another great effort and locker room player to the squad. Marinelli would love his work ethic and attitude.

 

[JoeyBoy718]

I like Ifo a lot. I think he can be an elite CB against slot receivers. ACL injury aside, it's hard to make the argument for short CBs when big WRs are getting more and more popular. I think Ifo is the most talented CB in the draft, but players don't get drafted based on talent. Look at Trae Waynes. He'll be the 1st corner taken, not because he's the most talented, but because he has the following going for him:

1. elite speed
2. ideal size
3. good character

Marcus Peters is a better CB but he's a tad slower and has character concerns.

 

[xwalker]

I like Ifo a lot. I think he can be an elite CB against slot receivers. ACL injury aside, it's hard to make the argument for short CBs when big WRs are getting more and more popular. I think Ifo is the most talented CB in the draft, but players don't get drafted based on talent. Look at Trae Waynes. He'll be the 1st corner taken, not because he's the most talented, but because he has the following going for him:

1. elite speed
2. ideal size
3. good character

Marcus Peters is a better CB but he's a tad slower and has character concerns.

Will McClay has said that they would like to avoid specialty players like slot only CBs. I don't know if they applies to later round pick or just up to the 3rd/4th round.

I do like the idea of drafting an injured player late and stashing them on IR. It's a good way to have more developmental players with the team.

 

[AsthmaField]

I do like the idea of drafting an injured player late and stashing them on IR. It's a good way to have more developmental players with the team.

I like the thought of Ifo in the 5th and stashing him for a year. Like they did Whaley, except it will cost them a mid to late pick. I would do that all day long with him. I really liked his game.

I bet someone takes him before the 5th though, and the 4th up seems too early to me. Maybe not to Dallas though.

Chip Kelly will probably take him in the 3rd or something.

 

[JoeyBoy718]

Will McClay has said that they would like to avoid specialty players like slot only CBs. I don't know if they applies to later round pick or just up to the 3rd/4th round.

I do like the idea of drafting an injured player late and stashing them on IR. It's a good way to have more developmental players with the team.

Yeah, I don't think they'll draft Ifo since they need another starting CB, not a slot CB for the nickel. I think Ifo could get be a great CB but I don't see anyone trusting him against big WRs because of his size.

 

[dwreck27]

I would love that Ifo kid if we could have him in the 4th round... doubt he'll make it that far but i think he can be special

 

[AsthmaField]

Yeah, I don't think they'll draft Ifo since they need another starting CB, not a slot CB for the nickel. I think Ifo could get be a great CB but I don't see anyone trusting him against big WRs because of his size.

He would be like a way more talented Sterling Moore... he's about the same size as Patmon though so they might feel like he'd be redundant (I think they really like Patmon). I think Dallas would be interested at the right point in the draft (later)... but like I already said, I bet someone takes him before Dallas would be ready.

 

[BoysWin]

The story is by Charles Davis, a guy who I think knows what he's talking about. The video that is with the story though is what is really interesting.

Listen to what Brian Baldinger says about Grady Jarrett. I really like him as a 2nd round DT for Dallas. Could play the 3 or the 1 IMO.

Ifo Ekpre-Olomu, CB, Oregon
The skinny: If Ekpre-Olomu had not suffered a season-ending knee injury during practice for the College Football Playoff in December, I think he would be in the conversation for top cornerback in the draft. Now, he's not in the first-round conversation and I have him ranked as the No. 10 corner available. He might need a redshirt year as a rookie as he recovers from the injury, but he's such a good player. It will be interesting to see how early a team will be willing to draft him. At 5-foot-9, he's going to struggle against size at times, but he's an excellent tackler, even though he missed a few last season, and has great intangibles.


Za'Darius Smith, DE, Kentucky
The skinny: Smith kept flashing at the East-West Shrine Game. In fact, he was so impressive that he received a call-up to the Senior Bowl, where he had a very good week. He's a high-effort player who will battle to make plays. One other East-West defensive end to keep in mind -- Miami's Anthony Chickillo, who starred along with Smith in the Shrine Game.

Read the rest: http://www.nfl.com/news/story/0ap30...ospects-that-will-be-steals-in-2015-nfl-draft

Gardy Jarret would be an excellent catch, gut i hope at 75-80, not #60. Ifo Ekpre-Olomu would had been a late R1 or early R2 pick - if he can be hard in R4 becasue of injury - this is excellent value an ZD Smith - he may have more upside than Bud Dupree and I love Dupree. ZD Smith is an excellent project.

 

[AsthmaField]

Gardy Jarret would be an excellent catch, gut i hope at 75-80, not #60. Ifo Ekpre-Olomu would had been a late R1 or early R2 pick - if he can be hard in R4 becasue of injury - this is excellent value an ZD Smith - he may have more upside than Bud Dupree and I love Dupree. ZD Smith is an excellent project.

Sounds like we are pretty much in agreement on these guys. Jarrett... obviously, I'd like to get him in the 3rd but IMO, he won't last that long. If Marinelli likes him that much and wants to add him to his defense, it will likely have to be in the second, IMO. I hope I'm wrong about that though.

 

[xwalker]

He would be like a way more talented Sterling Moore... he's about the same size as Patmon though so they might feel like he'd be redundant (I think they really like Patmon). I think Dallas would be interested at the right point in the draft (later)... but like I already said, I bet someone takes him before Dallas would be ready.

You never know which players will slip through the cracks. I'm shocked that nobody drafted Chris Whaley. His game footage is as good as guys rated as 2nd rounders this year.

On the flip side, guys like Tank Carradine went in the 2nd round and Brandon Thomas went in the 3rd round. Both of those were only about 1/2 round lower than thought they would go if healthy.

 

[xwalker]

Sounds like we are pretty much in agreement on these guys. Jarrett... obviously, I'd like to get him in the 3rd but IMO, he won't last that long. If Marinelli likes him that much and wants to add him to his defense, it will likely have to be in the second, IMO. I hope I'm wrong about that though.

Grady Jarrett and Ken Bishop look like the same player with the difference being that Jarrett went to a bigger school with better coaching.

 

[AsthmaField]

Grady Jarrett and Ken Bishop look like the same player with the difference being that Jarrett went to a bigger school with better coaching.

I see the similarities although I think Jarrett gets in the backfield more than Bishop. Just better movement skills, IMO.

I think Bishop could be a good 1 tech in this scheme but I see higher upside with Jarrett and some ability to play the 3 in some situations.

 

[xwalker]

I see the similarities although I think Jarrett gets in the backfield more than Bishop. Just better movement skills, IMO.

I think Bishop could be a good 1 tech in this scheme but I see higher upside with Jarrett and some ability to play the 3 in some situations.

Bishop is really quick. They Cowboys gave him some snaps at the 3tech spot.

 

[Gaede]

You and me both. He would be a very solid SDE in Marinelli's scheme, IMO, and will add another great effort and locker room player to the squad. Marinelli would love his work ethic and attitude.

Agreed. Always end up taking him in my fan speak mocks

 

[AsthmaField]

Bishop is really quick. They Cowboys gave him some snaps at the 3tech spot.

Yeah, I like Bishop a lot. I just think Jarrett has a chance to be better. I do see what you're saying though.

We shall see.

 

[Rogerthat12]

Grady would be a great addition, Brugler calls him the poor man's Donald in this years draft.

 

[Awakened]

I actually taught Dezmin Lewis at UCA (one of the players featured in the linked article). I think that's the first NFL prospect I've ever personally known. Well, actually, I know Micheal Dyer as well, but not sure how much of a prospect he is. Lewis is a humble guy with a quiet confidence about him. I hope he makes it - maybe we could take a shot at him if he's still around in the 7th.

 

[bodi]

T.J. Yeldon, RB, Alabama

The skinny: I'm hearing more and more buzz about Yeldon of late, which is interesting considering he's not a newcomer to the national scene having played a prominent role for Alabama. The thing is, Yeldon has often been left out of discussions about the top running backs in the draft. I think the team that lands him in the middle rounds will be very happy with the value he provides, though. He's a talented rusher with good receiving ability. Yeldon is productive, and I was on hand last month for his pro day, where he ran very well.