Gil Brandt's Hot 100

[Roy P]

He doesn't rank the top 100, but puts them in tiers of 10 players.

Looking at #15 for us, we'd be in his second tier of players to look at.

http://www.nfl.com/draft/story?id=09...s&confirm=true

Hopefully, one of these guys (or 5 of them) would be available when our 1st round pick is being selected.
Robert Ayers, Everette Brown, Brian Cushing, Malcolm Jenkins, Peria Jerry, Aaron Maybin, Michael Oher, BJ Raji, Mark Sanchez, Beannie Wells.

At pick #46, we are now in the 5th tier.

http://www.nfl.com/draft/story?id=09...s&confirm=true

Here is who he has in that slot....
Connor Barwin, Darius Butler, Patrick Chung, Louis Delmas, Jarron Gilbert, Cornelius Ingram, Phil Loadholt, Hakeem Nicks, DJ Moore, Clint Sintim.

At #77, tier 8 has the following...
Cody Brown, Gerald Cadogan, Juaquin Iglesias, Ricky-Jean Francois, Alex Magee, Stephen McGee, Richard Quinn, Kraig Urbik, Chip Vaughn, Donald Washington.

I suppose I would draft Everette Brown as my pass-rushing specialist who may eventually make Antonio Smith a 3-Tech. Then Connor would simply be my SAM LB. Finally, Vaughn makes the Secondary more intimidating.

[Blitzwood]

Originally Posted by Roy P

He doesn't rank the top 100, but puts them in tiers of 10 players.

Looking at #15 for us, we'd be in his second tier of players to look at.

http://www.nfl.com/draft/story?id=09...s&confirm=true

Hopefully, one of these guys (or 5 of them) would be available when our 1st round pick is being selected.
Robert Ayers, Everette Brown, Brian Cushing, Malcolm Jenkins, Peria Jerry, Aaron Maybin, Michael Oher, BJ Raji, Mark Sanchez, Beannie Wells.


I suppose I would draft Everette Brown as my pass-rushing specialist who may eventually make Antonio Smith a 3-Tech. Then Connor would simply be my SAM LB. Finally, Vaughn makes the Secondary more intimidating.

I think with guys like Raji, Jenkins, Cushings, Jerry, and Wells available, E. Brown would be the last guy I would draft from that list at 15. Those are all more pressing needs that could start versus an undersized situational DE from FSU.

[Roy P]

Originally Posted by Blitzwood

I think with guys like Raji, Jenkins, Cushings, Jerry, and Wells available, E. Brown would be the last guy I would draft from that list at 15. Those are all more pressing needs that could start versus an undersized situational DE from FSU.

That's the beautiful thing about the draft, some folks like Vanilla and others like Rocky Road. You have a problem with Everette because he's from FSU? When I take a look at Raji I see a guy who isn't serious about football, maybe he's lazy. Jenkins is a poor fit because we don't run a Cover-2 scheme and he's too slow to play man coverage. Cushing is too slow for the WILL and not enough of an impact player at the SAM. Wells is entirely too soft to be counted on to play injured and doesn't run like a back his size. Jerry is a good player, and if I could trade Travis Johnson, I'd draft him to rotate with Okoye and Cody. The fact that we could bring in Brown at #15 to play RDE without having to trade up in the draft makes me giddy.

[Nconroe]

I like the idea of ranking guys value by groups of 10 rather than round of 32. and that second group of 10 looks reasonable if we don't get a trade down.

[idymoe]

Groups of 10 are better than groups of 32. Groups of 5 would be even better. Because we are in the middle of the second group of 10, I wouldn't expect to see Brown, Oher, Raji or Sanchez when our pick rolls around. It could happen, but not likely. I think there is even less of a chance that Barwin is there at 46.

[mussop]

Originally Posted by Roy P

When I take a look at Raji I see a guy who isn't serious about football, maybe he's lazy.

Then you need to do some more research. You couldnt be more wrong.

[Roy P]

Originally Posted by mussop

Then you need to do some more research. You couldnt be more wrong.

http://www.profootballdraftnetwork.c...ileid=5&id=279

Raji is not a tremendous self-starter. He wants to do well, but needs to be pushed to take his game to another level. He sometimes does not realize the intensity you have to train with to reach your full potential.

http://www.cbssports.com/nfl/draft/players/1243129

He does show good field smarts, but the coaching staff felt he just did not want to apply himself in the classroom and he paid for it by sitting out a season.

Raji has finally bought into the program. He comes from a supportive family (both parents are pastors), but his academic problems and lack of work ethic in the past will raise a few red flags. He was suspended for part of a game in 2006 (vs. Clemson) for fighting vs. Central Michigan. The previous coaching staff felt that he was the laziest player on the team, but a year away from the game gave him renewed motivation. Still, you have to wonder if it was to impress the NFL teams or that he finally realized he needs to step it up on and off the field.

The staff felt that it needed to motivate him constantly in practices, politely calling him a "game" player.

Raji will never be called a hard worker in the weight room or practices. He is the type that needs to be pushed to get the best effort out of him, as he is not a self-starter.

http://thehuddlereport.com/ppSD/prot...es/BJ.Raji.htm

First big problem for BJ is that he tends to play to the level of his competition. He flashes, but the truth is, he doesn't work very hard on the field unless he decides to. I think he is smart, but I also think he is lazy. He is a boom or bust player.

I think after he matures, he might become a hell of a DT in the NFL. The problem is when will he mature and change his work ethic and have pride in his play?


Granted, this is what other evaluators are seeing. I can tell you from watching the Senior bowl practices that Raji came out strong one day, then took a day off. After Mayock (a BC alum) called him out on his poor showing, he came back the next day and put on a performance. Then during the game, Raji looked pretty average. I know that the kid has the talent in him. However, with the academic issues, the weight fluctuations, and the inconsistent effort that I and others have seen, I will stand by my comment. If Raji weren't lazy, he'd be the pick for the Lions at #1 overall and other teams might be inclined to trade up in order to get him.

[Blitzwood]

Originally Posted by Roy P

That's the beautiful thing about the draft, some folks like Vanilla and others like Rocky Road. You have a problem with Everette because he's from FSU? When I take a look at Raji I see a guy who isn't serious about football, maybe he's lazy. Jenkins is a poor fit because we don't run a Cover-2 scheme and he's too slow to play man coverage. Cushing is too slow for the WILL and not enough of an impact player at the SAM. Wells is entirely too soft to be counted on to play injured and doesn't run like a back his size. Jerry is a good player, and if I could trade Travis Johnson, I'd draft him to rotate with Okoye and Cody. The fact that we could bring in Brown at #15 to play RDE without having to trade up in the draft makes me giddy.

I have to disagree with you again on this one.

1. I wouldn't select E. Brown at 15 because we already have Mario at RDE, who had 12 sacks last year, and we just signed Antonio Smith, who just happened to have helped his team get to the game we call the superbowl, to a long and lucrative contract opposite him. So while the thought of Everett at 15 makes you "giddy", I feel it would be as useful as a third testicle.
Him being from FSU is incidental.



2. Unless you know first hand what Bush is going to run next year, I remember watching games last year where Smith ran a cover 2....Not to take anything away from Jenkins, who would automatically upgrade ANY position in the secondary on the Texans.
If you're sick of D.R. falling anytime there is a ball thrown in his direction or Reeves never turning his head to possibly make a play on the ball, you won't mind this pick.

http://www.cbssports.com/nfl/draft/players/563623

Lockdown corner. … Very physical at the line, has a strong punch to knock receivers off their route. … Attacks ballcarriers behind the line, making secure tackles. … Also willing to assist in tackles downfield or inside. … Effective playing off receivers as he can flip open his hips and accelerate, close quickly on the ball in front of him or change direction to mirror receivers. … Stays with even the fastest receivers down the sideline. … Plays free safety on occasion and has all of the tools to succeed there in the NFL. … Excellent hands for the interception, and he has the vertical to high-point the ball and strength to fight for it. … Can make plays with the ball in his hands.


3. To call Raji lazy after witnessing last year what our DT's did is beyond logic. Okoye amassed a whopping:
24 TKL 1 SK 1 FF

and T.Johnson amass another whopping:
28 TKL 1 SK 1 FF

And those were stats for 16 games, not 13.



4. To say Cush is not enough of an impact player at SAM is comical. He was the SAM for the most dominant defense in the nation last year,

from http://www.cbssports.com/nfl/draft/players/559359

Physical prototype with a combination of excellent size and overall athleticism for the position. Versatile. Signed with USC as a potential strong safety candidate, but has played defensive end, strong-side linebacker and even middle linebacker. Physical and intense. Big hitter who looks to intimidate opponents with his physicality in every phase of the game. Attacks blocks aggressively and flashes not only explosiveness but ferocity as a tackler. Good straight-line speed. Good flexibility to turn and run with tight ends and backs in coverage. Reads the quarterback well and can break on the ball. Productive pass rusher who is equally effective as an end and blitzing linebacker. Immediate standout performer who started for USC as a freshman.

If anything is a concern about drafting him at 15, it's his durability, which makes me think you might have got him initially confused with Beanie Wells, which also brings me to my last point.



5. Beanie Wells was one of the most durable and powerful runners in college the last three years. He generated 3382 yards in three seasons at OSU, He had more than 1200 all purpose yards last season, and more than 1600 in 2007.

http://www.cbssports.com/nfl/draft/players/1117597

Regarded by many as the most powerful tailback in college football, that title came with a hefty price for Wells during his three years at Ohio State. Even though he suffered from a rash of injuries - a left ankle sprain, a right wrist sprain and a thumb fracture in 2007; a right foot sprain, turf toe, a hamstring strain and a concussion in 2008 - he only missed three games while compiling enough rushing yardage to rank fourth on the school career record list.

http://www.draftcountdown.com/scouti...hris-Wells.php

from Scott Wright:

For all the talk about his durability concerns he has never suffered a major injury and actually only missed a grand total of three games in college, all in 2008...Has shown the ability to play through pain but will always be susceptible to getting nicked up due to his physical, aggressive running style. Has the talent to be one of the best running backs in the entire league as long as he can stay healthy.

If you want to nit pick about his duability, go ahead, but don't call him "entirely too soft to be counted on to play injured and doesn't run like a back his size" unless you have some unreasonable expectations.

[Roy P]

Originally Posted by Blitzwood

I have to disagree with you again on this one.

1. I wouldn't select E. Brown at 15 because we already have Mario at RDE, who had 12 sacks last year, and we just signed Antonio Smith, who just happened to have helped his team get to the game we call the superbowl, to a long and lucrative contract opposite him.

2. Unless you know first hand what Bush is going to run next year, I remember watching games last year where Smith ran a cover 2....

… Stays with even the fastest receivers down the sideline. … Plays free safety on occasion and has all of the tools to succeed there in the NFL. … Excellent hands for the interception, and he has the vertical to high-point the ball and strength to fight for it. … Can make plays with the ball in his hands.


3. To call Raji lazy after witnessing last year what our DT's did is beyond logic.

4. To say Cush is not enough of an impact player at SAM is comical. He was the SAM for the most dominant defense in the nation last year,


5. Beanie Wells was one of the most durable and powerful runners in college the last three years.

If you want to nit pick about his duability, go ahead, but don't call him "entirely too soft to be counted on to play injured and doesn't run like a back his size" unless you have some unreasonable expectations.

You can disagree with me all you want. That's fine. The cool thing about this board is that we can exchange ideas.

1. I realize that we gave Antonio Smith a nice contract this offeseason. In my estimation, that was because he provided insurance just in case we could not draft a legitimate pass-rusher at #15. I seriously doubt that Everette Brown will be available, even though there are now some mocks that have him sliding. So, in that case, getting AS was a good idea because of what he can do on 1st and 2nd down, and he has the ability to slide inside on third down.

Now, in this what I would call, an improbable scenario, where Everette is still on the board, the Texans would be handed a gift. Just because we didn't expect it, doesn't mean that we couldn't adjust to it. My expectation would be that Brown could be a rotational guy as a rookie who eventually would move Smith inside for good. While we gave Smith a lucrative contract, don't believe that we just signed Julius Peppers or Terrell Suggs to play opposite of Mario. If we could break Duane Brown into the lineup slowly, then we could do the same with EB. His impact would obviously be on passing downs as a rookie, which is the most important down in the NFL.

2. I don't know what Bush is going to run. However, it is my inferring from his statements, that he's going to want to blitz more often. Therefore, he'll be less likely to run Cover-2 shells. Considering the type of players currently on the roster, I'm not sure that he's going to make that big of a change in what the Secondary does. If he want's to turn the Defense into a Tampa-2 type deal, then yeah, Jenkins makes sense.

3. Taking a look at our DTs production from last season makes me ill. I've made comparisons to the Eagles' and Giants' DTs and our stats were pathetic. Does that translate into TJ and Okoye being lazy? I'm not quite sure that I'm going to make that assumption. Personally, I believe that they were not being utilized properly (something I hope Kollar will fix) and that was the main reason for their ineptness. Trust me, I'd like to bring in a couple of DT with this draft just in case. Perhaps if Raji is still on the board, we'll select him and I'll hope he is the best he can be. It just seems like if things turn out like TJ, I won't be surprised.

4. As for Cushing being a dominant SAM for USC, I'll agree with you. I'm just trying to think of an impactful SAM for a 4-3 defense in the NFL. Can you name somebody that makes defensive coordinators lose sleep? Since I can't imagine a SAM already in the NFL worth a 1st round pick, I have a hard time projecting that Cushing will be the only one.

5. I suppose I do have high expectations for a 1st round back.

[papabear]

[QUOTE=Blitzwood;10273]I have to disagree with you again on this one.

1. I wouldn't select E. Brown at 15 because we already have Mario at RDE, who had 12 sacks last year, and we just signed Antonio Smith, who just happened to have helped his team get to the game we call the superbowl, to a long and lucrative contract opposite him. So while the thought of Everett at 15 makes you "giddy", I feel it would be as useful as a third testicle.
Him being from FSU is incidental

i don't think the Texans are likely to draft a rush end in the first. they want mario at RDE, and while they will likely move him around on third and long i don,t think they want to use the 15th pick on a situational player...unless one they really like falls.

2. Unless you know first hand what Bush is going to run next year, I remember watching games last year where Smith ran a cover 2....Not to take anything away from Jenkins, who would automatically upgrade ANY position in the secondary on the Texans.
If you're sick of D.R. falling anytime there is a ball thrown in his direction or Reeves never turning his head to possibly make a play on the ball, you won't mind this pick.

every team will run a cover 2 coverage at times, but that's different than running a cover 2 (tampa 2) as the basis for your entire scheme. I think jenkins would be best suited to that tampa 2 style. Even though our front seven has some characteristics of a tampa 2 team I haven't seen or heard anything to think we are moving that way. I do think Jenkins could play corner in the NFL, but his value is less to a team that wants to run a lot of man coverage. we don't know what our defense is going to run so that's one will just have to see what they do when they get on the field.

3. To call Raji lazy after witnessing last year what our DT's did is beyond logic. Okoye amassed a whopping:
24 TKL 1 SK 1 FF

and T.Johnson amass another whopping:
28 TKL 1 SK 1 FF

And those were stats for 16 games, not 13.

I have no idea if Raji is lazy or not so I'm not going to comment on that, but what okoye and johnson did last year has absolutely nothing to do with what kind of player Raji will be. If you think we need a DT that's fine, but I hope the front office doesn't build their scouting report based on what completely different players did at their position in the NFL. Besides, stats for DT's are only slightly less worthless than wins for a pitcher. DT's just aren't going to rack up huge stats...and that's not even getting into the fact that we were asking two guys who were better suited to play a penetrating style to play a 2-gap read and react style. Johnson played with a pretty high motor last year if you asked me even if his production didn't show it...the effort was there.

4. To say Cush is not enough of an impact player at SAM is comical. He was the SAM for the most dominant defense in the nation last year,

I have no problem drafting Cush, but I understand Roy's point. SAM is a position in the NFL that is pretty much designed to be a support player. SAM's are usually 2 down players in todays NFL. Again, i would be happy with Cush, but I see where he's not ideal.

5. Beanie Wells was one of the most durable and powerful runners in college the last three years. He generated 3382 yards in three seasons at OSU, He had more than 1200 all purpose yards last season, and more than 1600 in 2007.

i worry about taking any RB with an injury history with that much heavy use this early in the draft...it's not anything against Wells. I just don't see spending that much money on somebody who does have an injury history when he will just be there to take a little bit of a load off of Slaton.
.

[HPF Bob]

Stephen McGee is in the Top 100??? On who's planet?

[painekiller]

Originally Posted by HPF Bob

Stephen McGee is in the Top 100??? On who's planet?

He's considered the top senior QB in this draft. He can run and he looked good in all the offseason drills this off season. And he has a head start in a pro style offense. I could see someone using a 3rd on him.

[nunusguy]

Originally Posted by painekiller

He's considered the top senior QB in this draft.

Better than Bomar ?

[painekiller]

Originally Posted by nunusguy

Better than Bomar ?

Yes he has moved past Bomar on most lists.

[HPF Bob]

He couldn't even keep his job at A&M. *That's* worth a third in the NFL?

[dalemurphy]

Originally Posted by HPF Bob

He couldn't even keep his job at A&M. *That's* worth a third in the NFL?

Brady couldn't keep his job in Michigan either...

more appropriately, though, Brady couldn't keep his job in NE last year...

McGee had a bum shoulder last year and that's why he lost his job.

[Bigtinylittle]

Originally Posted by dalemurphy

Brady couldn't keep his job in Michigan either...

more appropriately, though, Brady couldn't keep his job in NE last year...

McGee had a bum shoulder last year and that's why he lost his job.

When I saw Eli Manning in college I thought he would never be a starting NFL QB. He had the arm strength and decent accuracy, but his grasp of the finer points of the game didn't impress me at all.

McGee reminds me a bit of Manning. Still too raw, but if he works hard to polish his game like Eli did, he could end up being a decent NFL QB. Third round sounds way too high to me, though.

[HPF Bob]

Originally Posted by dalemurphy

Brady couldn't keep his job in Michigan either...

Brady never had the job at Michigan. He was a career back up. And what round was Brady drafted? Hint: Not the third.

more appropriately, though, Brady couldn't keep his job in NE last year...

Because of a torn knee ligament. Not comparable.

McGee had a bum shoulder last year and that's why he lost his job.

The hotshot freshman they had made plays McGee couldn't. The only game McGee saw considerable time was the Texas game because he had a history of confounding the Longhorns with his legs, not so much his arm.

He'll be a late second-day pick if he's drafted at all.

[Roy P]

Originally Posted by HPF Bob

Brady never had the job at Michigan. He was a career back up. And what round was Brady drafted? Hint: Not the third.


He'll be a late second-day pick if he's drafted at all.

Yeah, no way Brady was worth a 3rd.

McGee will be a late 4th or early 5th round pick this season. Why? Because there are no QBs in this draft and everybody needs one to groom. He looks like he has potential, and that's what will get him drafted. Take a look at Dan Orlovsky.