2014 NFL Draft Thread

[NOLA]

http://www.nfl.com/news/story/0ap2000000325312/article/johnny-manziel-the-next-tony-romo-matching-prospects-pros

 

Interesting player comps. Mack to Matthews is interesting but I think Mack brings a more diverse skill set to the table.

 

The Manziel = Romo comparison seems way off to me. I don't think of those two as anything like each other.

 

Really? I actually think that's a pretty good comparison for Manziel.

 

Yeah. The big difference that sticks out to me is the running ability. I felt like Garcia was a better comparison - which he touched on, but discarded.

Jeff Garcia was more accurate and less mobile. I think Romo is a pretty good comparison, for better or worse. I still think his game in the pros will be like Doug Flutie. Yes, Manziel is bigger, but so is everyone on defense too.

[Guest]

http://www.nfl.com/news/story/0ap2000000325312/article/johnny-manziel-the-next-tony-romo-matching-prospects-pros

 

Interesting player comps. Mack to Matthews is interesting but I think Mack brings a more diverse skill set to the table.

 

I think Barr is more likely to be a Clay Matthews type of player.

 

Yep, both have far less diverse skill sets than Mack. I do think Barr is more athletic and better in coverage than Matthews.

 

There are whispers that Barr could drop on draft day. Biggest issue seems to be 1-trick pony (like Matthews was coming out, but improved) and the possibility that he doesn't completely dominate all drills at the combine. What are your thoughts on drafting him at 14?

 

I've thought he'd be a guy I'd throw away my draft board for and find a place to fit in the defense. But now not so sure. Interested to get your thoughts as a UCLA guy.

 

I've seen that a bit. I think his coverage ability is pretty underrated (check out the Stanford games in 2012, he did great against Ertz). He is limited in pass rush moves right now but I'm really surprised people think he won't do well in the combine - he's definitely going to do well in all the athletic tests.

[Tracer Bullet]

http://www.nfl.com/news/story/0ap2000000325312/article/johnny-manziel-the-next-tony-romo-matching-prospects-pros

 

Interesting player comps. Mack to Matthews is interesting but I think Mack brings a more diverse skill set to the table.

 

The Manziel = Romo comparison seems way off to me. I don't think of those two as anything like each other.

 

Really? I actually think that's a pretty good comparison for Manziel.

 

Yeah. The big difference that sticks out to me is the running ability. I felt like Garcia was a better comparison - which he touched on, but discarded.

 

I've always thought McNabb when he was drafted is a good comparsion to Manziel. McNabb was 223 at the Combine IIRC.

 

McNabb was a beast all the way back to HS though. Maziel is elusive, but I don't recall a ton of times he's used his size and strength to break tackles or run over DBs. Garcia seems like a good comp.

[Old Style]

Johnny initiated contact and ran over a couple of defenders in his two years when the yardage was needed for a first down but that didn't happen very often. He was all about avoiding the contact (smartly) if possible.

[rawaction]

Yeah, Flutie is the one I always come back to when looking for a comp for Manziel. I think he can successful unlike Flutie because of the nature's of today's passing offenses. But Jeff Garcia isn't bad either. Garcia was always underrated with his mobility.

 

I think Garcia and Manziel are guys that are probably better when the play isn't a traditional, drop back and throw on 3-5 steps. But when they have to step up or move around in the pocket. Romo is better in those situations too, but he can move the ball in a traditional way also. The inch and a half he has over Manziel is a big deal.

[Old Style]

The name old people always bring up when comparing NFL players to Manziel is Fran Tarkenton but I've only seen a little film on him so I can't speak to the accuracy there.

[Derwood]

The name old people always bring up when comparing NFL players to Manziel is Fran Tarkenton but I've only seen a little film on him so I can't speak to the accuracy there.

 

He was fantastic on "That's Incredible!"

[imb]

Manziel is going to be right handed steve young.

[Tracer Bullet]

Manziel is going to be right handed steve young.

 

If you're saying he's going to get concussed 100 times, then a-ok.

[Guest]

Fran Tarkington was a boss.

[NOLA]

Fran Tarkington was a boss.

Fran Tarkenton was a boss...

 

 

 

back in a time when someone my size could have played linebacker.

[jersey cubs fan]

http://www.sportsonearth.com/article/67711888/sports-on-earth-nfl-mock-draft-houston-texans-teddy-bridgewater

 

sportsonearth 3-way mock

 

14

Chicago Bears

Mike

Aaron Donald

Pittsburgh DT After allowing 2,583 rushing yards and 22 rushing touchdowns, the Bears need a dose of toughness and intensity in the middle of the defensive line. Some talent won't hurt, either. Donald has all three. He lacks size for a traditional run stuffer, but girth is easier to come by in later rounds. Donald's mix of power, pass rush ability and intensity is much harder to find.

 

Dan

Louis Nix

Notre Dame DT Some think Timmy Jernigan would be a better scheme fit, but Nix is versatile enough to play in any scheme.

 

Russ

Ra'Shede Hageman Minnesota DT Franchise defensive tackle Henry Melton, who is recovering from surgery to repair a torn left ACL, is a free agent, so the Bears need to address their defensive line struggles. Hageman has the size/length combination that is hard to find in such an athletic defensive lineman. He has the quickness to penetrate gaps and disrupt plays behind the line of scrimmage and the strength to jolt and drive blockers upright and backward. Even if Melton returns,Hageman is worth selecting here, as the combination of Melton and Hageman would give the Bears a dominating interior defensive line.

[rawaction]

Those 4 DTs are the common names that come up. Donald and Jernigan are guys that look like only 3-techniques due to size. Nix could play either scheme, but looks like a NT in either scheme and not much of a pass rusher. Hageman looks like he could play several positions in either 3-4 or 4-3, but he's also very raw, the rawest of the group.

 

Basically, if the Bears are thinking DT in the 1st, all 4 will likely be on the board at 14. I'd try to trade down and pick up an extra pick. I'm leaning Nix or Hageman at this poiint, but it would be sweet to get one of them in the early 20s and get an extra pick.

 

If staying at 14, I'd prefer Kony Ealy if he's there...and probably stay at 14 if he's on the board. Trading down also opens up the potential S (Pryor, Dix) pick also. Don't know that I'd pick a CB with such a deep class.

[NOLA]

Johnny Manziel won't be throwing at aTm's pro day nor at the scouting combine. Probably smart, but you can't hide that arm forever.

http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2014/02/15/agent-confirms-manziel-wont-throw-at-combine-or-aggies-pro-day/

 

EDIT: Hey, my 1000th post. It only took me 11 years.

[Guest]

Clowney and Robinson sure look like the top two guys in this draft. What freaks.

[OleMissCub]

Johnny Manziel won't be throwing at aTm's pro day nor at the scouting combine. Probably smart, but you can't hide that arm forever.

http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2014/02/15/agent-confirms-manziel-wont-throw-at-combine-or-aggies-pro-day/

 

EDIT: Hey, my 1000th post. It only took me 11 years.

 

His arm always looked great to me.

[shnsajax]

Manziel is going to be right handed steve young.

 

He's not going to Law School.

[Guest]

Johnny Manziel won't be throwing at aTm's pro day nor at the scouting combine. Probably smart, but you can't hide that arm forever.

http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2014/02/15/agent-confirms-manziel-wont-throw-at-combine-or-aggies-pro-day/

 

EDIT: Hey, my 1000th post. It only took me 11 years.

 

His arm always looked great to me.

 

His arm got better this past season but he definitely doesn't have the type of arm you like to see with a top 10 pick.

[NOLA]

Johnny Manziel won't be throwing at aTm's pro day nor at the scouting combine. Probably smart, but you can't hide that arm forever.

http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2014/02/15/agent-confirms-manziel-wont-throw-at-combine-or-aggies-pro-day/

 

EDIT: Hey, my 1000th post. It only took me 11 years.

 

His arm always looked great to me.

 

His arm got better this past season but he definitely doesn't have the type of arm you like to see with a top 10 pick.

Exactly. He's not terrible at football or anything, it's just that some team (ahem, Cleveland) is going to pick him as their franchise savior and he's not capable of that.

[Soul]

Those 4 DTs are the common names that come up. Donald and Jernigan are guys that look like only 3-techniques due to size. Nix could play either scheme, but looks like a NT in either scheme and not much of a pass rusher. Hageman looks like he could play several positions in either 3-4 or 4-3, but he's also very raw, the rawest of the group.

 

Basically, if the Bears are thinking DT in the 1st, all 4 will likely be on the board at 14. I'd try to trade down and pick up an extra pick. I'm leaning Nix or Hageman at this poiint, but it would be sweet to get one of them in the early 20s and get an extra pick.

 

If staying at 14, I'd prefer Kony Ealy if he's there...and probably stay at 14 if he's on the board. Trading down also opens up the potential S (Pryor, Dix) pick also. Don't know that I'd pick a CB with such a deep class.

 

I'm starting to like the idea of trading down more, although it would all depend on the details.

 

I wonder if several teams will want to do the same, given the apparent depth of this draft class. That might make it harder.

[shnsajax]

Clowney runs a 4.47. 6th best amonst RB's.

[Guest]

Clowney runs a 4.47. 6th best amonst RB's.

 

Forget the 40, the 10-yard split is even more insane (and more valuable for a DE). 1.58!?

[Formerly Snayke]

Great news about Clowney. Hopefully some team is going to lose their mind to trade up to No. 2 for him or Manziel.

[Ryne Ween]

I am hoping that team is the Bears.

[rawaction]

Clowney runs a 4.47. 6th best amonst RB's.

 

Forget the 40, the 10-yard split is even more insane (and more valuable for a DE). 1.58!?

 

Clowney probably wouldn't get embarassed in press coverage vs. Sammy Watkins.