2014 NFL Draft -- too early for a thread?

[smokymountainrain]

Fools gold, IMO. Within 5 years he'll have blown his knee at least once and may not even be in the league anymore. He's an electrifying player, but I don't think his style translates to what the NFL is right now. He will be no different than RG3.

I love how RG3 has become the poster child for failed mobile QBs. I'm not talking to or about you specificially, because I hear it all over sports radio and TV as well. RG3 has been the league for two seasons. The first season he played like an all-pro until he was injured. The second season, he never was really healthy and he struggled. But again, he's played two seasons. Let's give him a few more before we label him a failure or before we say his style doesn't translate.

[Surfah]

Fools gold, IMO. Within 5 years he'll have blown his knee at least once and may not even be in the league anymore. He's an electrifying player, but I don't think his style translates to what the NFL is right now. He will be no different than RG3.

Manziel is a better pocket passer than RG3, Kap, Wilson, etc. He can make plays from the pocket and use his legs to extend plays.

Manziel could be a bust, but his potential is far greater than anyone else. I think the Texans are dumb if they don't take him.

[wapiti]

Fools gold, IMO. Within 5 years he'll have blown his knee at least once and may not even be in the league anymore. He's an electrifying player, but I don't think his style translates to what the NFL is right now. He will be no different than RG3.

How can you say he is more RG3 than Russell Wilson?

[Surfah]

I love how RG3 has become the poster child for failed mobile QBs. I'm not talking to or about you specificially, because I hear it all over sports radio and TV as well. RG3 has been the league for two seasons. The first season he played like an all-pro until he was injured. The second season, he never was really healthy and he struggled. But again, he's played two seasons. Let's give him a few more before we label him a failure or before we say his style doesn't translate.

I tend to agree. And I think that RG3 could be a very good QB. However, he seems to need the run to set up the rest of his game more than other mobile QBs in the league.

[pellegrino]

How can you say he is more RG3 than Russell Wilson?

I think that he takes a lot more risks than Wilson and he exposes himself too much. Plus, I'm not convinced he's mature enough to really succeed as a professional. He does a lot of bonehead things.

I'm taking a stand, going on the record. I could be completely wrong about him, and I hope for his sake (and the NFL's) that I am, because damn, he's fun to watch.

[pellegrino]

Manziel is a better pocket passer than RG3, Kap, Wilson, etc. He can make plays from the pocket and use his legs to extend plays.

Manziel could be a bust, but his potential is far greater than anyone else. I think the Texans are dumb if they don't take him.

The Texans are dumb anyways, so nothing new here.

[Sizzle]

I love how RG3 has become the poster child for failed mobile QBs. I'm not talking to or about you specificially, because I hear it all over sports radio and TV as well. RG3 has been the league for two seasons. The first season he played like an all-pro until he was injured. The second season, he never was really healthy and he struggled. But again, he's played two seasons. Let's give him a few more before we label him a failure or before we say his style doesn't translate.

This. Plus, RG3 had knee issues at Baylor before he made it to the NFL. Injury concerns were the #1 issue with RG3 out of college. Here was the Scouts Inc. eval:

This is one of the biggest areas of concern with Griffin as a top-tier prospect. Lacks ideal size and takes a lot of hits due to running frequency. Suffered a season ending torn ACL in his right knee during the third game of the 2009 season against Northwestern State. Missed the second half of the Texas Tech in 2011 with what appeared to be concussion like symptoms.

RG3 also had elite level speed for a QB, run the 40 in 4.41. Manziel clocked at 4.68 officially. I think the comparison to Russell Wilson is much more adept, with the exception that Wilson was more consistent/conservative and Manziel is more dynamic. Here is what Scouts said about Russell Wilson prior to the draft:

WHAT HE BRINGS
Of course there are concerns about his height and how it's going to affect his ability to scan the field, but if he's 4 inches taller, he's probably a top-10 pick. He's a great leader, he makes sound decisions, he's accurate and he has more than enough arm strength to make it in the NFL.

I honestly don't know about Manziel. Two weeks ago, I felt like if you were in the top 10 and needed a QB, you HAD to take the guy. He hasn't done anything to make me change my opinion, but I'd be nervous. Can you trust him off the field? Can you trust him to stay healthy? I'm not a huge believer in avoiding a guy because he might get hurt UNLESS he's had previous injuries. Manziel hasn't. I think top 5 I'd pass, but outside of that, swing for the fences. He instantly makes your team watchable, energizes a fan base and has more franchise QB potential than anyone else in the draft probably.

[smokymountainrain]

Manziel scored a 32 on the Wonderlic. Just sayin'.

[Sizzle]

Kiper has a few BYU players ranked in the top 10 at their position group. KVN is the obvious, but nice to see Danny getting some love:

Safeties

1. *Ha Ha Clinton-Dix, Alabama
2. *Calvin Pryor, Louisville
3. Jimmie Ward, No. Illinois
4. Terrence Brooks, Florida St.
5. Deone Bucannon, Washington St.
6. Ahmad Dixon, Baylor
7. Maurice Alexander, Utah St.
8. *Ed Reynolds, Stanford
9. Antone Exum, Virginia Tech
10. Daniel Sorensen, BYU

The biggest mover from the last ranking is Reynolds, who I had just off the list previously. I took more time on his tape, particularly from his junior season, and I see an instinctive player who can close quickly and takes good routes to the ball. Clinton-Dix slides back ahead of Pryor at No. 1, with his coverage skills the difference.

Outside linebackers

1. Khalil Mack, Buffalo
2. Anthony Barr, UCLA
3. *Ryan Shazier, Ohio St.
4. Kyle Van Noy, BYU
5. Dee Ford, Auburn
6. Jeremiah Attaochu, Georgia Tech
7. Trent Murphy, Stanford
8. Telvin Smith, Florida St.
9. Jordan Tripp, Montana
10. Howard Jones, Shepherd

This is another list that blends traits. While Mack is a versatile player, he's obviously highly valued as a pass-rusher. Barr is going to be drafted for his pass-rushing skills. Shazier, on the other hand, is more of a 4-3 OLB, a playmaker who can attack gaps and chase down plays from the weak side. Van Noy moves up one spot, and Jones is added to the list for the first time.

[MarkGrace]

Just saw KVN made his debut on Kiper's big board. He's at 27 (I think) and Kiper had some really positive comments about him. Said he started rewatching tapes of players and couldn't believe some of the stuff he missed on Van Noy.

[cougjunkie]

Just saw KVN made his debut on Kiper's big board. He's at 27 (I think) and Kiper had some really positive comments about him. Said he started rewatching tapes of players and couldn't believe some of the stuff he missed on Van Noy.

KVN was on 1280 this morning and he said NFL scouts don't start watching tape until really late (After the combine, usually sometime in March) and he was hearing 2nd-3rd round through the combine. Now that they have started watching tape he said he thinks he will go 1st day.

[DrumNFeather]

KVN was on 1280 this morning and he said NFL scouts don't start watching tape until really late (After the combine, usually sometime in March) and he was hearing 2nd-3rd round through the combine. Now that they have started watching tape he said he thinks he will go 1st day.

Some of the local reporters around here have the skins being pretty high on him. Of course, no first round pick so he'd either have to fall to 34, which is possible.

[cougjunkie]

Some of the local reporters around here have the skins being pretty high on him. Of course, no first round pick so he'd either have to fall to 34, which is possible.

He has had private workouts with Atlanta, San Diego, Miami, New England, Cincinnati, Washington and Philly that I know of so far.

Atlanta 6, 37, 68
San Diego 25, 57
Miami 19, 50
Cincy 24,55
New England 29,62
Washington 34,
Philly 22, 54

Atlanta is not taking him at 6 and I don't see him still being around in the 60s. I think if any of these playoff teams from a year ago want him they will need to use a first rounder. Otherwise he will end up with someone like Washington or Atlantas 2nd round pick.

[Sizzle]

The one good thing about Aldon Smith being a knucklehead is that SF may need an OLB. I'd love KVN in the Bay. Can you imagine a line backing group with KVN, Willis, Bowman and Aldon Smith/Ahmad Brooks?

[MarkGrace]

KVN has talked really highly of San Diego and apparently reports in SD said the Chargers absolutely loved him in interviews. We're finally going to get to see that dream LBer duo of KVN and Manti Teo!