NFL's Future

After much deliberation, Luke Kuechly decides to take his talents to the pros

Friday was a fast and furious day of NFL Draft declarations.  It looks to be wrapping up with two players that could be tops at their respective positions.

Clemson tight end Dwayne Allen has elected to forgo his senior season and enter the 2012 NFL Draft.  Allen is an All-American tight end that racked up 50 catches for 598 yards and 8 TD’s in 2011.  At 6’4″ 255 pounds, Allen is a solid all around tight end that should be a matchup nightmare in the NFL.  This tight end class isn’t loaded with talent but Allen is a nice headliner for the class.  Allen should come off the board in the latter stages of round one or round two at the latest.

The 2012 linebacker class would have taken a major hit had Luke Kuechly decided to stay at Boston College.  Friday night we found out that Kuechly would be entering the 2012 NFL Draft after much speculation and deliberation.  Kuechly is the NCAA career tackles leader and broke his own single-season record for tackles in 2011.  The All-American figures to be taken within the top 20 picks of April’s draft and could be a perfect fit in Philadelphia, who is in desperate need of a leader at the ILB position.

It’s been another busy day on the declaration front for the prospects of the 2012 NFL Draft.  Here’s a summary of today’s goings-on in the draft world:

Wisconsin center Peter Konz has decided to declare for the 2012 NFL Draft following according to the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel.  The All-American center is expected to be a first round pick and the first center off the board.  Konz could also move to guard in the NFL which gives him some added versatility.

Boston College linebacker Luke Kuechly has decided to enter the 2012 NFL Draft after much deliberation.  Kuechly is the NCAA All-Time leading tackler as he finished his three-year career at BC with 516 tackles.  Kuechly figures to be a mid first-round selection in April’s draft.

Virginia Tech running back David Wilson has also decided to declare for the 2012 NFL Draft and forgo his last season.  The ACC Player of the Year racked up 1,709 rushing yards in his first full season as the VT feature back.  Wilson has electrifying speed and is a threat to take it for six with each touch.  He should be a second round pick but may find his way into the first round come April.

Another running back declared himself eligible for the 2012 NFL Draft today in Temple’s Bernard Pierce.  Pierce is a three-time All-MAC performer that accounted for a school record 27 rushing TD’s in 2011.  Pierce will fight Wilson, Lamar Miller, and Chris Polk for a spot in the second round of April’s draft.

Sources are reporting that LaMichael James, the Oregon running back, will enter his name into the 2012 NFL Draft as well.  Notre Dame tight end Tyler Eifert has decided to stay at ND for his senior season.

Brock Osweiler

Arizona St

Ht. 6-8 Wt. 245 

Arm Strength:  Osweiler may have the strongest arm in this draft.  He can make every throw necessary with enough zip to be considered an elite arm in the NFL.  The ASU system really didn’t spotlight Osweiler’s arm talent as he threw a ton of bubble screens and underneath throws.  In the NFL he could be dangerous in an offense predicated on downfield passing.  His release was an issue early in his career but he has worked on making it shorter and more compact which gives him the ability to get the ball out quicker.

Accuracy:  He is a generally accurate passer but he has a tendency to rush throws causing his accuracy to plummet.  He throws accurately deep and does a solid job throwing into windows in zone coverage.  His feet are usually the culprit of an errant throw. Read the rest of this entry » «Brock Osweiler Scouting Report»

Ryan Tannehill

Texas A&M

Ht. 6-4 Wt. 222 

Arm Strength:  Tannehill has the arm strength to stretch the defense.  He can fit the ball into tight windows.  He won’t blow scouts away with his arm but has enough to be considered  above-average.

Accuracy:  Tannehill has actively worked on his accuracy.  He still makes too many mistakes with the ball but that will come with his development in reading defenses.  Tannehill is accurate on the move which makes him a danger because of the possibility to pull the ball down and make plays.

Athleticism:   Before taking over at QB for Jerrod Johnson at A&M he played wide receiver.  He has the ability to scramble and throw on the run.  His athleticism is very similar to that of 2011 2^nd rounder, Colin Kaepernick.

Intangibles:  Tannehill is the clear leader of the A&M team but still is learning the position.  He makes some bad reads which allows for interceptions and will have to cut those down in the NFL.  Tannehill has the football acumen and an added advantage of playing for Mike Sherman.  He has only a year and a half of experience under center but has shown the ability to develop in a short period of time.  His upside is through the roof once he can focus on being a quarterback as a profession. Read the rest of this entry » «Ryan Tannehill Scouting Report»

Robert Griffin III

Baylor

Ht. 6-2 Wt. 220

Arm Strength:  Griffin has a live arm that is capable of making every NFL throw.  He throws on the run as well as any quarterback in the draft.  He is capable of throwing into tight windows with accuracy.

Accuracy:  His accuracy has been remarkably better as the seasons went on at Baylor.  Griffin has a compact delivery that allows him to get the ball out of hand quickly.  His stride is shorter than in the past and has clearly put in a ton of work in this area.  He excels at throwing receivers open.  His accuracy may be the most improved part of an ever improving game with Griffin III. Read the rest of this entry » «Robert Griffin III Scouting Report»

Andrew Luck

Stanford

Ht. 6-4 Wt. 235

Arm Strength:  Has a strong arm and is capable of making every throw needed with ease.  He has good zip on his passes to the sidelines and a good stride into his throws.  Gets more than enough zip on the ball while on the move.  He won’t be confused with Jay Cutler but has similar arm strength to Peyton Manning.

Accuracy:  Has superior accuracy on short and intermediate throws.  Flashes the ability to be an accurate deep passer in the NFL.  Leads his receivers and is capable of threading the needle when necessary.  His mechanics are flawless and will be emulated by future quarterbacks.  His ability to throw the ball to spots will make his receivers in the NFL game that much more dangerous.  He’s an ideal West Coast quarterback that allows his receivers to run after the catch.

Athleticism:  Luck won’t be confused with Michael Vick but has surprising athleticism.  He has the quickness, agility, and speed to avoid the rush and steps up into open areas with ease.  Luck could be compared to Aaron Rodgers in terms of running ability and is a threat to take off if he doesn’t see an open receiver.

Intangibles:  Luck is a standout in the leadership department.  He is tough and highly competitive, capable of motivating others by his play.  Off the field, Luck is a scholar who will have no problem mastering an NFL playbook.  Luck came out of a pro-style offense at Stanford and should be capable of making that transition quickly.

Bottom Line:  Luck is the best quarterback prospect to come out since Peyton Manning and possibly John Elway.  He has all the qualities to be a future Pro Bowler and possible Hall of Famer.  He is the surefire first pick in the draft that will make the team that drafts him very happy for the next 15 years.

Draft Projection:  Luck will be the first overall pick and barring an Eli Manning we will see him in a Colts uniform in 2012.

Landry Jones staying another season at OU. But did he make the right call?

Landry Jones was considered a can’t miss prospect before the start of the 2011 season.  From there it went downhill for the junior QB.

We learned tonight that Jones will stay at Oklahoma for his senior season and forgo entering the 2012 NFL Draft.  On the surface this would appear a wise move for Jones given his struggles in 2011.  After a season that saw Jones throw 15 INT’s and look skiddish in the pocket many would argue that Jones made the right call by staying at OU.  Looking deeper, Jones will be entering the 2013 QB class which appears to be much deeper than the 2012 class.  After Andrew Luck and Robert Griffin III the next best option is Ryan Tannehill of Texas A&M.  Jones could have been the 3rd or at worst the 4th best quarterback in this class.  The 2013 class will be headlined by Matt Barkley.  In addition to Barkley he will be competing against the likes of Tyler Wilson, Aaron Murray, Tyler Bray, Brock Osweiler, Geno Smith, and Logan Thomas to name a few.   Read the rest of this entry » «Landry Jones will stay at OU for senior season»

Worthy enters the 2012 NFL Draft

Jerel Worthy in full Matt Barkley style held a press conference today to announce that he will be entering the 2012 NFL Draft.

Worthy’s work ethic and conditioning have come under major scrutiny during the 2011 season but a weak defensive tackle class should keep Worthy in the late first, early second area of the 2012 NFL Draft.

Worthy finished his junior season with 30 tackles, 3.5 sacks, and 10.5 TFL which earned him Big Ten first team honors.  Worthy finished his three-year Spartan career with 11.5 sacks and 27.5 TFL.

Florida State learned today that they will retain the services of defensive end Brandon Jenkins for his senior season.  According to Warchant.com, Jenkins has decided to remain at FSU and forgo the 2012 NFL Draft.

Jenkins is coming off an up and down junior campaign that saw him rack up 8 sacks and 12 TFL.  He started the season on a slow pace but it picked up as it wore on.  Jenkins broke out during his sophomore season when he racked up 13.5 sacks to go along with 56 tackles.  Barring a solid senior season Jenkins should position himself to be a first round 3-4 OLB in the 2013 NFL Draft.

Will Jeffery crack the top 15 after a down 2011 season?

ESPN’s Joe Schad is reporting that South Carolina WR Alshon Jeffery will enter the 2012 NFL Draft following a year full of ups and downs.

Alshon Jeffery’s struggles through the 2011 were well documented as he saw a significant drop in production in 2011.  Jeffery’s sophomore season was his breakout season with 88 receptions for 1,517 yards and 9 TD’s.  His junior season was filled with turmoil before it began.  Jeffery came into spring camp noticeably out of shape which became evident in the beginning of the season.  Jeffery labored in the beginning of 2011 and looked to run out gas midway through the season.  South Carolina’s offense was delivered several blows throughout 2011 including losing star RB Marcus Lattimore to injury and starting quarterback Stephen Garcia was dismissed from the team following a failed substance test.

Jeffery put up a strong contest in the Capital One Bowl against Alfonzo Dennard.  He grabbed 4 passes for 148 yards and a TD before being ejected from the game for an altercation with Dennard.

Jeffery was considered a top 10 prospect going into the 2011 season but has suffered a hit to his draft stock with his spotty performance and conditioning in 2011.  Jeffery lacks elite breakaway speed and struggled to get much separation this season.  He is a physical receiver that could be a major threat in the redzone.  Jeffery is still most likely to be taken in the first round and may go in the top 15 picks because of his upside.

Jeffery’s teammate at South Carolina Stephon Gilmore has decided to follow Jeffery in the 2012 NFL Draft.  Gilmore is a junior cornerback that has a rare blend of size and speed.  At 6’1″ 195 pounds Gilmore is a physical corner that was highly productive at South Carolina.  Gilmore accounted for 8 INT’s in three seasons and is one of the more physical tacklers at the CB position in the NCAA.

Gilmore figures to be a solid second rounder that could slide into the first round due to the upside he offers from a physical standpoint.