Hot/Cold Prospects

From FootballsFuture.com

HOT Prospects
Chase Daniel, QB, Missouri – The only thing preventing him from being a definite first rounder is his height. Listed at 6’0, he may very well be a couple hairs under that. I’m not sure how to weigh his shortcomings at this point and thus he’s very high on my list of quarterbacks, a second rounder perhaps. He can throw all of the NFL balls and excels at underneath routes. His numbers have been nothing short of astonishing. More importantly, his mechanics are sound, his balls are on target, and are rarely thrown in the direction of a defender.

John Parker Wilson, QB, Alabama – He looks more poised than ever. Showing a vast improvement, he’ll be shooting up draft boards from here on out. If I’ve learned something while watching football, having “it” is typically better than having everything else. He has a good arm and quick release and has also cut back on the mistakes. Though far from a franchise quarterback, he may turn into a mid-round sleeper come draft day.

Donald Brown, RB, Connecticut – After five weeks, Donald Brown leads the nation in rushing with a shade over 900 yards. At 5’10, 208, he doesn’t have the best speed or size, but it’s is vision and patience that have him running for daylight. He’s a tough and physical runner, one that would exceed in the zone-blocking system.

Charles Scott, RB, LSU – Scott has emerged from the LSU backfield as their go-to guy. He’s a very balanced running back and should be a good 2nd prospect this year. He has a great combination of size and control. One thing he does lack is a great top end speed. However, his burst is adequate enough to take on a strong supporting role at the next level.

Jeremy Maclin, WR, Missouri – Maclin relies heavily on his speed and agility for his production, so will this translate to the NFL? Recently, we’ve seen a trend of big play threats making a name in the NFL. Coordinators have become more creative in using the likes of Steve Smith, Devin Hester, and DeSean Jackson. Not to say that Maclin will enter the company of the aforementioned, but he’ll certainly be a game changer on Sundays. To join their company, he’ll need to improve his route running.

Jermaine Gresham, TE, Oklahoma – Gresham is an excellent athlete with an NFL body. He’s sure-handed and an easy target for quarterbacks, resulting in 256 yards and 4 touchdowns on 14 receptions this season thus far. He sits atop my tight end prospects with his incredible potential as a playmaker. He runs solid routes and natural hands and instincts as a wide receiver.

Andre Smith, OT, Alabama – Smith has absolutely dominated his competition. Trimmed down to a slim 330 pounds, he looks incredibly quick on his feet. He hits the second level fluently and is a good bet to play in any system. In pass protection, he kicks out well and has good footwork to handle any defensive end. He has the ability to dominate every snap and play perfect games on the left side. The primary concern with Smith is his height. Listed, at 6’4, will his arms be long enough to warrant a top 8 draft pick? Will he be able to play left tackle or will he be forced to shift to the right side or kicked inside? These questions will leave some a little weary of his value, but he will be playing Sundays for a long time.

Jason Smith, OT, Baylor – Smith is a great pass blocker and a good natural athlete. So far, he’s looked remarkable this season. He has the knee bend, strength, and explosiveness at the point of attack to be a stalwart on the left side. At this point, he’s definitely better in pass protection than as a run blocker, but tackles are coveted on draft day, thus moving his draft selection into the second round early in the season.

Terrence Cody, DT, Alabama – The 6’5, 365 pound mammoth has been dominating the trenches for the Crimson Tide, helping the team to the third best run defense in the game, allowing opposing teams to pound out a meager 54 yards a game. He’s a huge space eater that commands double teams, but also has a good first step and nimbleness moving up and down the line for his size. Ideally, I’d like to see him play in the low 340 range and improve his conditioning to keep him fresh late into the game. He also needs to improve his technique to become a first or second rounder that he has potential to become.

Brian Orakpo, DE, Texas – Orakpo has the speed and explosiveness to be considered Texas’s best defender. His 6 sacks, 9 QB hurries, and 2 forced fumbles do nothing to deter that either. Closing fast in pursuit, Orakpo is known for making plays all over the field. He may be hindered by his long injury history and may be limited as a situation pass rusher. He has the talents to warrant a first round selection, but will he be able to show enough this season to make his dream come true?

Aaron Curry, OLB, Wake Forest – Curry has amazing closing speed and quickness. Emerging as the nation’s best pure linebacker, he should be a surefire first rounder. In addition, he has great abilities as a blitzer and pretty solid dropping into coverage. He’s versatile and has the ability to play in either the 4-3 or the 3-4 schemes. Very few linebackers can claim to have that skill set coming out of college.

Sean Weatherspoon, OLB, Missouri – Weatherspoon is the best weak side linebacker prospect. He looks great in space and moves fluidly from sideline to sideline. He’s a playmaker and seems to always be around the ball. He looks great in coverage breaking well and reading routes in zone. Though he’s not as good in run support, he’s one of the better linebacker prospects this year and has solidified his stock early in the year.

Vontae Davis, CB, Illinois – Davis is this year’s top cover man. He’s physical coming off blocks and making tackles on running backs outside. However, he’ll make his money because he’s incredible in coverage. Fluid and technically strong, Davis offers plenty of versatility to every team. Not only is he a good punt returner, but he looks comfortable in zone and man coverage. Though a corner with great upside, he still makes too many mental mistakes to be considered flawless.

Trevard Lindley, CB, Kentucky – Junior corner Lindley just doesn’t have the hype right now and it puzzles me a bit. His lean frame is an obvious cause for concern, but he plays off man coverage about as good as anyone in the nation. He has instincts that simply cannot be taught and does a good job breaking up passes. Even looking strong in run support, Lindley will be a force to be reckoned with if he can add some weight and reroute receivers at the line of scrimmage.

 

COLD Prospects
Hunter Cantwell, QB, Louisville ? Cantwell was praised a little too early. The transition from Brian Brohm hasn?t been flawless. Cantwell?s numbers are pedestrian and he has a few noticeable blemishes in his game. He has a long windup and release. His tendency to stare down receivers has led to a couple interceptions. He does have a live arm and is pretty accurate for the most part and as a result has good upside, but hasn?t excelled thus far.

Mike Teel, QB, Rutgers ? I?ve been very disappointed in Teel this year. His offensive line hasn?t been great, but there?s no excuse for throwing 6 interceptions opposed to 1 touchdown in 4 games. He has the tools to play in the NFL, including some of the prettiest deep balls I?ve seen in college. Too bad he can?t mentally put it all together. I?d still take him very late in the draft as a developmental project, but he?s not transforming into the mid-rounder I once believed he could be.

Arian Foster, RB, Tennessee ? Foster has been under the spotlight this season, competing to be the top senior back taken, but he has disappointed. His fumble against UCLA was crucial and his 37 yards on 14 carries against Florida was far from impressive. He does have the toughness and power running to wear a defense down. His measureables are good, but he lacks the suddenness and wiggle to be a great back in the pros.

Marlon Lucky, RB, Nebraska ? At 6?0, 215, Marlon Lucky looked like an intriguing prospect. A year ago, he went over 1000 yards on the ground and had and 700 on 75 receptions. This year Lucky has fallen significantly, only on pace to eclipse the 500 yard mark. Nebraska is stacked with talent in the backfield and Lucky?s numbers should continue on pace. He can run, block, and catch, but not having enough tape in his senior season could hurt his stock come draft day.

Travis Beckum, TE, Wisconsin ? Beckum?s been banged up this entire season and a return to full health doesn?t appear to be forthcoming. He was already limited as a big, slower wide receiver labeled a tight end, so this won?t help his case. There are far better complete tight ends in the draft that will leapfrog ahead of him on draft day unless he light up the Combine unexpectedly.

Demetrius Byrd, WR, LSU ? Byrd is a very talented receiver with quickness coming off the line of scrimmage and ability to fight off physical defenders to get open. His body control and route running are very good, but he hasn?t been able to get the numbers this season. Matt Flynn?s absence has been noted, but if his numbers continue to suffer, his draft status will surely follow the same trend.

Alex Boone, OT, Ohio State ? Boone has the frame and talent to be a first rounder, but has yet to play up to his potential. Most notably against USC, he look confused on the field and didn?t look like a capable starter, let alone an NFL draft pick. He looked sluggish overall and wasn?t technically sound. With several offensive tackles climbing the board, Boone is freefalling pretty fast.

Andrew Gardner, OT, Georgia Tech ? He looked like an interesting mid-round prospect prior to the season. Watching him play against Georgia Tech was like a train wreck. He was beaten with speed routinely and that just won?t cut it in the NFL. He doesn?t seem to have the athleticism to handle the next level.

Fili Moala, DT, USC ? Most preseason rankings have had Moala in the top 10 or top 15. He hasn?t looked like that kind of player. He hasn?t absorbed blockers well and hasn?t shed many either. He just looks like another body in the middle. I don?t see domination in any sense of the word. He was easily washed out again this previous week against Oregon State. Sen?Derrick Marks, Arthur Jones, Myron Pryor, and Terrence Cody have all looked more impressive early in the season.

Al Woods, DT, LSU ? Al Woods has the name and the talent. He isn?t a full time starter on the defensive line because there is simply too much talent outplaying him right now. He?s not a bad prospect, but will almost definitely return for his senior season where he can showcase his limitless abilities.

Rey Maualuga, ILB, USC ? The ferocity and passion just doesn?t appear to be in his game. Quite frankly, he looks a little soft. He doesn?t shed tacklers too well and is washed out of plays far too easily. His combination of size and speed are certainly enticing, but his play on the field doesn?t warrant anything beyond a second round selection. However, his measureables and better than expected skills in coverage should secure him a spot in the first round, though perhaps a little lower than you may expect.

James Laurinaitis, ILB, Ohio State ? Laurinaitis simply does not play the run well either. He?s washed out of plays too often and isn?t aggressive enough attacking the line of scrimmage. His best fit will be on the weak side, though I?m not sure if he?s the prospect AJ Hawk was coming out. He has great speed and a knack for making plays against the pass so his skills will be coveted, but he?s another linebacker that?s been getting by on hype and numbers it appears.

Courtney Greene, S, Rutgers ? Greene should have come out as a junior. I?ve always felt he was a little overrated because he doesn?t make many big plays. This year, he?s been caught out of position several times in the pass game. He?s a good athlete, but needs to become a better playmaker or more consistent in coverage to be a day one selection.

Taylor Mays, S, USC ? Mays isn?t nearly the playmaker or hard hitter that the hype machines are making him out to be. There have been several instances where I?ve seen him in prime position to lay the wood but he decides to settle for bringing down the receiver by the ankles. He doesn?t swarm to the ball or break on it very well. However, Mays? primary responsibilities lie in protecting from the deep ball and he does it quite well. He has good position and takes good angles to where the ball and receiver will meet up. Mays is a solid safety, but not nearly a Sean Taylor, or even LaRon Landry.

 

Mays is a very good player but if u are on USC your gonna get over hyped its to bad cause he should make a really good pro cause it seems like he can cover very well i wouldnt mind having him, but right now our biggest need is RB.