I disagree about Ford, I'm not that high on him. You are right in that first round picks should be able to step right in and play (especially top 20) but Ford does not represent that player. Ford will come into the league as a passing down only, speed rush specialist, and I'd really prefer not to pick a player who won't play 3 downs for the first year or two. Ford has a crazy high motor and an even crazier burst off the line, but the dude can't play the run to save his life. He can't hold the point of attack at all, and he's actually so bad vs the run that NFL teams can and will audible out of pass plays to run plays and run it straight at him. You really shouldn't draft a player 18 overall who is such a liability in one aspect of his game.
His issues in the running game have nothing to do with getting blown off the line, he has the strength to hold the edge he just struggles diagnosing the running lanes and doesn't shed blocks well, these issues are coachable. He is much more polished then Mingo and Jordan and MUCH stronger he is the prototype at 3-4 OLB.
I like Ford and his motor and I think there would be a point where he would be BPA for the Jets, but I don't think that is the 18th overall pick. And yeah he has more explosive power than say Vernon Gholston but he does get blown of the line, and how can you be a football player in the SEC and have so much difficulty in diagnosing the running lanes? I think there are real concerns to his game, and he is not deserving of the 18th overall. I'm not saying I don't want him on the team, but I'd be pretty confused if he was our first rounder.
Problem is he missed games as a sophmore and junior due to injuries so that really hampered some of his development. He has tremendous upper body strength though combined with blinding quickness off the snap, these are things you can't coach. His motor is 150%, you can't coach effort either and he brings that. My only concerns with Ford are durability, not sure if he is going to have lingering back issues or not and also he is very susceptible to the draw play so he needs to recognize plays a little better.
HaHa is terribly overrated. Alabama effect. I liked Bucannon better but I'll tale Pryor all day, especially glad we didn't take CDix
FWIW the NFL "early" draft grades puts Calvin Pryor in a tie for 9th best grade. There were 5 players drafted before him with lower grades and he had the highest grade remaining for picks 18-32. His grade of 6.3 is tied with Justin Gilbert (8), Taylor Lewan (11), Aaron Donald (13), and Ryan Shazier (15). In comparison HHCD had a grade of 5.9. The highest grade (7.5) went to Clowney. The lowest grade (5.3) went to Dominique Easley (suck it Patsies). http://www.nfl.com/draft/2014/tracker/by-round Grade Title 9.00-10 Once-in-lifetime player 8.00-8.99 Perennial All-Pro 7.50-7.99 Future All-Pro 7.00-7.49 Pro Bowl-caliber player 6.50-6.99 Chance to become Pro Bowl-caliber player 6.00-6.49 Should become instant starter 5.50-5.99 Chance to become NFL starter
Off topic but was Ward a stretch in 1st round dude is only 190 lbs that seems really small for a saftey
I saw him projected late 1st/early 2nd quite a bit. Not necessarily a good pick but it certainly wasn't out of the question that he goes there.
