Woods' Top 27 Post NFL Combine - Version 1.0

[Woods]

My top 27 players post-combine are below.

A couple of observations:
1. I have 16 defensive players and only 11 offensive players.

2. The first 27 players are significantly impacted by the quality and quantity of defensive lineman and offensive lineman.

Let's get started.

Offense
QB: S Bradford, J Clausen - 2 players
RB: CJ Spiller - 1
TE: None - 0
WR: D Bryant, G Tate - 2
OG: M Iupati - 1
OT: R Okung, B Bulaga, B Campbell, T Williams, A Davis - 5


Defense
ILB: R McClain - 1
OLB: S Weatherspoon - 1
Safties: E Berry, E Thomas - 2
CB: J Haden, K Wilson - 2
DT: Suh, McCoy, B Price, D Williams, J Odrick - 5
DE: C Dunlap, D Morgan, J Pierre-Paul, B Graham, J Hughes - 5

Guys who just fell out include S Kindle (as a 34 OLB), M Pouncey, T Mays, and C Brown at OT.

While it is debatable whether J Hughes should be in the top 27, I think as a 34 OLB that he is one of the top two prospects available, along with B Graham. Given that nearly half of the teams in the NFL are now playing some version of the 34, I would bet that Hughes will go higher than many think.

As for B Campbell at OT, I'm personally not a big fan, but I still think he will be drafted in the first 27 picks (Raiders possibly).

The other OT who makes me nervous is A Davis. He has all the potential in the world, but there are some real questions regarding commitment, etc. Still, I think he goes top 27 as of today.

Comments?

 

[VACowboy]

I think you're pretty close. Which one is #27?

 

[Woods]

I think you're pretty close. Which one is #27?

I think the Cowboys actually have a realistic shot at Iupati, and I think they will take him if he's available at 27. He would be Kosier replacement in 2011 (if not earlier).

I know a lot of people are saying he won't make it past Pittsburgh. But I think Pitts will look to the defense first, esp that secondary. also, i see iupati as primarily an OG - at least for the first couple of years in the nfl. i don't think Pitts will draft him that early as an OG.

I think guys like S Weatherspoon will be gone, along with Odrick. I don't think that Price necessarily fits our system.

As for OTs, I think the top guys will also be gone by 27.

The top 2 safties will also be gone, imo.

As for CB, I think Haden will definitely be gone, though we may have a legitimate shot at Wilson.

Between Wilson and Iupati, I think the Cowboys will take the OL.

Frankly, I'd be happy with either player.

What do you think?

 

[Woods]

VACowboy,

I'll also add that if they draft Wilson, it gives the Cowboys multiple alternatives.

1. Move A Ball full-time to FS, or
2. Possibly move Newman to FS (perhaps not right away, but later on in the season), or
3. Use Wilson or Scandrick in the "Star" role

and of course, you have your punt returner as well - or at least someone who could potentially excel in that role.

I think he would be an interesting pick if we go that way.

 

[VACowboy]

I think it's possible Iupati will be there. He's just not my choice at #27. John Jerry is the guy I want to see with the star on his helmet.

I think the first four selections will go something like this:

1) Mike Iupati
2) Dexter McCluster
3) Akwasi Owusu-Ansah / AJ Jefferson
4) Tony Washington / Marshall Newhouse

My choice would be:

1) Kyle Wilson
2) McCluster
3) John Jerry
4) Washington

 

[TheCount]

Good list, wondering what Mays did to drop off your list that he didn't do before the combine though.

 

[Woods]

Good list, wondering what Mays did to drop off your list that he didn't do before the combine though.

Tell you the truth, I even thought that pre-Combine that Mays was going to go top 27 based on reputation, physical attributes, etc.

Of course, at the Combine Mays' did very well as expected in terms of running straight ahead, etc.

That said, when he did his drills, his backpedal for example as a Safety wasn't fluid. He didn't look as natural.

I just think that Mays would do better as an in the box type Safety. Or maybe as an OLB in a 43 or an ILB in a 34.

Unfortunately for Mays, this is a pretty deep draft class overall. And as it has been pointed out, the in the box type Safeties are not as prevalent - esp as we are turning more into a passing league.

I think if used correctly, (i.e., as an in the box Safety) Mays could do well.

I just don't think that based on that attribute, or changing position to a LB, that he's going top 27 anymore.

 

[Woods]

I think it's possible Iupati will be there. He's just not my choice at #27. John Jerry is the guy I want to see with the star on his helmet.

I think the first four selections will go something like this:

1) Mike Iupati
2) Dexter McCluster
3) Akwasi Owusu-Ansah / AJ Jefferson
4) Tony Washington / Marshall Newhouse

My choice would be:

1) Kyle Wilson
2) McCluster
3) John Jerry
4) Washington

I think J Jerry is slowly but surely moving up the draft boards. I've seen him as high as the bottom of the 2nd round on some value type boards/mock drafts.

I think a month ago he was perceived as a 4th rounder by many. He seems to elevated his status/is elevating his status to a solid 3rd rounder - possibly going end of the 2nd to relatively early in the 3rd.

I agree that McCluster is another guy who would interest the Cowboys.

I like Washington as well. Very nice development prospect at OT.

And I'd be very happy with Newhouse in the 4th as well.

 

[Chocolate Lab]

I think Gresham will go in the top 27. I also bet Haden runs a better 40 at his pro day and someone takes him.

Plus you can put Mays in there as long as Al Davis is in the top 27.

Anthony Davis I bet doesn't go this early with as bad as he worked out and reports of laziness.

I bet Pouncey goes earlier than people think.

As many 34 teams as there are now, someone will likely take a OLB in there. Maybe Kindle.

In most years you'd have someone taking a developmental QB in the 20s, but I don't know about this year. Maybe not.

Some one or two teams above us will reach for the freaky athlete type and push someone down, too. We should get a good player without a doubt.

 

[Woods]

I think Gresham will go in the top 27. I also bet Haden runs a better 40 at his pro day and someone takes him.

Plus you can put Mays in there as long as Al Davis is in the top 27.

Anthony Davis I bet doesn't go this early with as bad as he worked out and reports of laziness.

I bet Pouncey goes earlier than people think.

As many 34 teams as there are now, someone will likely take a OLB in there. Maybe Kindle.

In most years you'd have someone taking a developmental QB in the 20s, but I don't know about this year. Maybe not.

Some one or two teams above us will reach for the freaky athlete type and push someone down, too. We should get a good player without a doubt.

CL,

I have Haden going in the top 27.

I think Pouncey will probably go in the top 35 picks or so and Kindle as well.

As for Mays, I have B Campbell taking his spot with the Raiders.

As for Gresham, I know that Cinn could use a TE for example. Probably the Pats as well. But I think Gresham's injury history and not so good blocking skills will cause him to drop out of the top 27. That was a tough decision in my Version 1.0 concerning him.

 

[Chocolate Lab]

Oops, sorry, you sure do.

And I meant to say good job.

It's going to be fun watching the surprises in front of us. Almost every year, the good teams, right where we are this year, get what seems like a gift pushed down to them.

 

[Woods]

Oops, sorry, you sure do.

And I meant to say good job.

It's going to be fun watching the surprises in front of us. Almost every year, the good teams, right where we are this year, get what seems like a gift pushed down to them.

I have no doubt we are going to get a very good player at 27.

The problem may be if it's not an OL or Safety, for example, and the Cowboys can't trade down.

I don't have a problem taking a top ranked CB, LB or DL - though a lot of posters on this board may go nuts. :laugh2:

 

[TheCount]

I have no doubt we are going to get a very good player at 27.

The problem may be if it's not an OL or Safety, for example, and the Cowboys can't trade down.

I don't have a problem taking a top ranked CB, LB or DL - though a lot of posters on this board may go nuts. :laugh2:

I don't think any of those would drive people nuts. You wanna see people go nuts? Let the Cowboys draft a tight end 27th overall.

 

[Woods]

I don't think any of those would drive people nuts. You wanna see people go nuts? Let the Cowboys draft a tight end 27th overall.

yhea, that might lead me to a lot of alcohol immediately thereafter.

 

[jobberone]

Nice job and interesting list. Where do you have Thomas going?

 

[dogberry]

I know Jerry said we are looking at everything but QB, but will he break with tradition and take a OL in the first round?

Thanks, Kent

 

[jobberone]

This draft screams OT.

 

[MichaelWinicki]

Very nice analysis Woods!

Well done.

 

[Woods]

Nice job and interesting list. Where do you have Thomas going?

IMO, well before our pick at 27.

Most likely around top 20-22 area.

The problem is that the "safest" Secondary guys are considered to be Berry, Thomas (esp as he showed up at the Combine at over 200 lbs and still moved well), and Haden (even though he ran a slow 40).

If there were another 1-2 top tier secondary guys (though I really like Wilson), I think Thomas would have a better chance to slip.

There just seems to be a lack of consensus top tier prospects at CB and Safety this year.

I hope I'm wrong though and Thomas slips . . . .

 

[Woods]

I know Jerry said we are looking at everything but QB, but will he break with tradition and take a OL in the first round?

Thanks, Kent

I think JJ would like to go Offense this year. And I think he'd like to go Offense early.

But playing the odds, there is a better chance a top defensive player slips to 27. Right now I only have 11 top tier offensive players, while I have 16 defensive players.

That said, with respect to Iupati, I don't think everyone sees him as an OT prospect and an OG prospect. The consensus seems to be that as an OG, Iupati has Pro Bowl potential. As an OT, Iupati could be a very good RT - but in time. Definitely not right away. Even then, many are spilt as Iupati as a top RT prospect down the line.

Because of that, I think Iupati has a chance of slipping to the Cowboys at 27 - teams put more of a premium on OTs than OGs.

If Iupati is at 27, I think JJ will end up taking him as things stand today.

Of course, I'm also assuming that guys like E Thomas are already gone . . . .