j_crazy wrote:
Things I don't like:
1. Clausen - too high. top ten probably, but in no way is he top 5 talent.
2. Haden - too low. I'd put him at 3. Physically the most gifted CB in 3-4 drafts.
3. A. Davis - too high. I'd put him below T. Williams, and probably out of the top 15. I know he has the big frame, but he didn't exactly shine in the BE where there are almost no pass rushers.
4. Bradford - way too high. I think live workouts in a training camp setting would kill his stock, he doesn't make good decisions with the ball.
5. Dunlap - too low. He may get drafted where he's ranked, but this guy is a stud and should be a top 10 player.
6. Benn - too high. the combine will work this out, because he's going to struggle catching balls just like he did at Illinois.
7. Gresham - too high. has had injury issues before the one that ended his college career. teams notice things like that, top 20 talent otherwise.
8. Weatherspoon - too low. depending on how he performs in Indy, he'll be much higher. I think he's as good McClain mentally, but not as physically gifted.
9. Golden Tate - too high. he very well may have a good career, but it will be as a #2 or a slot WR, he can't separate from DB's good enough to warrant a top 50 ranking.
10. Brandon Lafell - too low. IMO he's the 2nd best WR in this class.
these are my top 10 gripes.
Haden is VERY talented, but if you're putting him at 3 then you're either saying he's better overall than Suh, G. McCoy or Eric Berry, and that's simply false. All three of those players are guys that should be perennial Pro-Bowlers. Haden is going to be up there as well, but he's slightly on a lower tier compared to those guys. I could understand putting him over Okung, Williams, or Davis, some of the nice OT's, but also not over McClain. I think the highest I would ever have Haden is 6.
My reasoning for having Davis higher than Williams is because Davis is more of a true LT. Williams is a franchise tackle in the NFL.... on the right side. Williams did help his stock by playing center in the bowl game, however.
Bradford and Clausen are the two most talented QB's, and they will go higher than they probably should. But Bradford is very talented and would fit into a WCO very well.
I like Dunlap. But I struggle with wondering how effect he will be in the NFL. He gets pushed around too often, and is weak. He reminds me of Calais Campbell, however, who has developed well in his 2nd season being in a 34, despite being told that he would be terrible in the 34. It's about work ethic, and that's what I question about Dunlap.
Regis Benn is one of my favorite WR's and I think he's underrated if anything. He's probably going to fall to mid-2nd round, in favor of LaFell and Williams, but he's still very talented. A very talented WR who excels in running crisp routes and down field blocking, as well as making plays for the balls and being a physical WR. It didn't help him that he didn't have the best QB throwing the football to him.
If you think Gresham is too high, then you should also think Gronkowski is too high. Both of them have big time injury problems, but are both top 20 talents.
Weatherspoon is this low because he's such a big unknown. He played for a Mizzou defense that was very disappointing at times, but he was a defensive leader, and he's versatile enough that I think he could play inside or outside in a 34, if he needed to. I love him, and think he could easily go higher, but I don't think he will get drafted where I think he deserves to.
LaFell's problem is that he doesn't have great speed, and the NFL nowadays covets speed (hence why Gilyard is so high). I love LaFell and think he's one of the best overall WR's in this draft, but I don't think teams are going to draft him that high because it's too hard to tell if he'll be a reliable #1.
As for Tate, I love his ability to go up and get the ball, which is one aspect of a players game that is so important in the NFL. Despite his lack of height, he does a great job at going up and getting the ball at it's highest points, and running solid routes. His speed is an issue, but he's a great red zone target despite his size.