2015 Senior Bowl

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DR RAM

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Johnson is a weird one for me. Amazing receiving HB but his film as a runner was very unimpressive for me...and then in the Senior Bowl, it was completely the opposite. Didn't look at all like the runner on I saw on his college film. He looked great. So now I'm not really sure.

I liked the guy as a 4th/5th rounder before solely for his receiving skills but if Johnson is the guy that ran at the Senior Bowl, I'd bump him up two rounds because he looked awfully good...only criticism is that he isn't a violent runner for a guy that's 6'2" 230.
Kind of what they said about Demarco Murray.
 

jrry32

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Kind of what they said about Demarco Murray.

That's not really what I recall. Murray was a violent runner. It was a criticism for Le'Veon Bell...but he was a more violent runner than Johnson.

I'm not saying it's a bad thing. Only something worth noting.
 

DR RAM

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That's not really what I recall. Murray was a violent runner. It was a criticism for Le'Veon Bell...but he was a more violent runner than Johnson.

I'm not saying it's a bad thing. Only something worth noting.
Man. I loved Le'Veon, thought he'd be really good. I remember, now I say remember, cuz my memory sucks, but Murray was explosive, and very fast, but I don't remember people saying he was powerful, and physical. Could be wrong, i remember him catching a lot of passes, and his production fell off a bit, when Sam went down, but that was a very talented team. I liked Murray quite a bit, coming out. I wanted the Rams to draft him in the 2nd round that year.
 

jrry32

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Man. I loved Le'Veon, thought he'd be really good. I remember, now I say remember, cuz my memory sucks, but Murray was explosive, and very fast, but I don't remember people saying he was powerful, and physical. Could be wrong, i remember him catching a lot of passes, and his production fell off a bit, when Sam went down, but that was a very talented team. I liked Murray quite a bit, coming out.

I liked both too. From what I recall with Murray, the big issue with him was staying healthy. Johnson is an interesting one, though. Because the guy at the Senior Bowl looked decisive with good vision and had some great moves to make people miss. The guy I saw on film wasn't doing much of anything to create extra yardage and wasn't doing much when there wasn't a huge seam.

I'll have to go back and rewatch.
 

DR RAM

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I liked both too. From what I recall with Murray, the big issue with him was staying healthy. Johnson is an interesting one, though. Because the guy at the Senior Bowl looked decisive with good vision and had some great moves to make people miss. The guy I saw on film wasn't doing much of anything to create extra yardage and wasn't doing much when there wasn't a huge seam.

I'll have to go back and rewatch.
He even looked good at the practices. He has great size. He wasn't on my radar, at all. I want to see more of him too. He really flashed for me.
 

DR RAM

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@jrry32 Here are a few quotes that I dug up from the past.

I've never seen someone who reminds me more of Herschel Walker. I don't know if that is good or bad, because he didn't quite produce like him. Well, his last year was barely comparable.

He looks like a clone when I look at your highlight tape....weird, except Hersh ran in the 4.3's and Bell in the 4.6's. I don't know if that translates, but he appears to be a fast riser.

I kind of value both of our 1st round positions as the same in this draft. I've never seen a draft with so many questions at the top. Honestly, I could flop the #16 and #22. I would be just as happy with Sio Moore, or Greene, or Brown, in the 2nd, but I think that Tree has the size that Fisher covets at OLB. With no trade down, if I controlled the pick, I would have a hard time passing on Patterson or Austin. I would LOVE to trade down, there are SO many good players in the second round range--clearly the strength of this draft to me.

There are a number of players that I have fallen in love with in this draft, but I didn't mock all of them. Here's a few: Eric Fisher, Lane Johnson, Ziggy Ansah, Xavier Rhodes, Cordarrelle Patterson, Tavon Austin, Dion Jordan, Kiki Mingo, Datone Jones, Jonathan Cooper, Larry Warford, Alec Ogletree, Damontre Moore (in a couple years), Matt Elam, Jonathan Cyprien, Phillip Thomas, Shamarko Thomas, Robert Woods, Nuke Hopkins, Kyle Long, Kawann Short, Markus Wheaton, Arthur Brown, Khaseem Greene, Quintin Patton, Star Lotulelei, Zack Ertz, Johnathan Franklin, Sio Moore, Justin Hunter, Brian Schwenke, Vance McDonald, David Bakhtiari, Dez Trufant, Margus Hunt (the Eastern Block), Sylvester Williams, Jordan Hill, J.C. Tretter, Earl Watford, Oday Aboushi, Kenny Stills, and Le'Veon Bell.

I'm sure there's a few I missed, and there are definitely good players that I didn't mention, but it was mostly because I didn't evaluate everyone, or I didn't think they were a fit for the Rams, or I ran out of time, LOL. A few guys, I just didn't get a good feeling about them for whatever reason.


I'd like to mirror the kind comments about this forum, and about the quality of members here. There have been some GREAT mocks laid out in this forum, and I'd be happy with a number of them.

I remember that you were very high on Bell.

Here's my mock that year.

DR RAM's Mock Draft - updated April 15th, 2013


This is my final mock. I based it on needs, reality, the Rams draft strategies that I have surmised, and included a lot of players that the Rams have shown recent interest in. I've shown many alternate picks to include possible scenarios based on player availability. This is who I think the Rams will pick:


16 - Alec Ogletree, OLB Georgia. He'd probably go even higher, but he was suspended 4 games last season for failing a drug test. Very fast and instinctual. He racked up 111 tackles, with 11.5 for loss, and registered 3 sacks. Very smooth fluid athlete who was a former safety, has excellent ball skills. Plug him in and play him. Would solidify our linebacking corp big time. No more messing around trying to sign vets that are cast-offs, or can't play anymore, this is the guy. I know he has some trouble getting off of blocks, but that is a coaching issue. Every time I watched tape of a Georgia player on defense, Ogletree flashed and stole the show. One thing that I like in particular, is that Ogletree swarms to the football. If he's here, he's the pick.
Alternate pick: Tavon Austin, WR/ST West Virginia. Tavon Austin would fill a need after the loss of Danny Amendola, and he's a better version of Amendola. Austin is more than a slot receiver, he's a weapon who can take it to the house on any play. Tavon will also greatly enhance the Rams special teams, which will equate to a couple more wins this season, and that is why he is taken in this slot. Fisher and Snead are not afraid to project a rare talent like Austin despite his physical size. He has doubters, but nobody can say that he is not a playmaker. Rams need playmakers to be able to compete in the division.

22 - Matt Elam, FS/SS Florida.This is the first time that I've mocked Matt Elam, but he is my favorite safety in this draft. Ed Reed is his favorite player and to me the comparison is valid. Elam has range, speed, he's tough as nails, and he has great numbers. In two years he has 6 INT's and 18 PD's. Elam also has a bit of an advantage and insight of having a brother already in the NFL, Kansas City safety, Abram Elam.
Alternate pick: Jonathan Cyprien, SS/FS Florida International. He is very close to Elam, in my opinion. Cyprien is a tough kid from a smaller school who showed well against good competition at the Senior Bowl. He is a strong safety, but appears to have the athleticism--4.6 40 yd dash, and ball skills--4 INT's his senior year, to be able to play both positions. Excellent tackler in congested areas. Built like a truck and has leadership qualities.
Alternate pick: D.J. Fluker, OT/OG Alabama.[/b] A perfect right tackle prospect. I don't think he projects very well to the left tackle, and that's why he'd be available here. He's a better run blocker than a pass protector. A massive specimen that loves football. The Rams are also considering him highly as a guard prospect. If Fluker goes here, my alternate picks kick into gear the next round.

46 - Kyle Long, OT/OG Oregon. Might sound like a homer pick, but Kyle, the biggest and most athletic of the Long clan, can really play. He's kind of a rare player because he looks very lean, but he's pure muscle with massive legs. Doesn't have a lot of football experience, because he was throwing 98 mph flames as a left handed pitcher. Coach Boudreau is drooling over being able to coach this prospect. Kyle offers a lot of versatility in being capable of playing guard or tackle. I think he can start at either position after minimal coaching. He's powerful, quick, and can easily get to the next level. He has a chance to be special.
Alternate pick: Terron Armstead. OT/OG Arkansas-Pine Bluff. Another raw player with tremendous upside. You'll remember this player because of his jaw dropping 40 time at the combine, which set a new record for an offensive lineman. I watched tape of him playing during the season, and thought he was one of the rawest players that I've ever seen in terms of basic fundamentals, but post-season via the all-star games, the coaching he received, and by the time the combine rolled around, he looked like a completely different player. He showed enough improvement, and has enough upside to warrant a pick here.
Alternate pick: Phillip Thomas, FS Fresno St. Thomas is the best ball hawking turnover machine in this draft, and his numbers prove it: 2012 - 66 solo tackles; 12 tackles for loss; 84 total tackles; 4 sacks; 8 interceptions, of which 3 were returned for touchdowns; and 4 forced fumbles. I think his non-contact football injury in 2011, and his football division may have lowered his stock.
Alternate pick: Sio Moore, OLB Connecticut. If we don't pick Alec Ogletree then this is my contingency plan. Sio Moore is a very good football player. You can line him up wherever you want and he will make a play for you. He may be a little small to play at the SAM, but he could be a situational player at that position. He is very adept at rushing the passer, which would be a bonus in blitzing situations. He shined at the East West Shrine game, and then was invited to the Senior Bowl, where he showed well for himself. Sio is one of my favorite players in this draft. I think he has the heart and will to be special. If he was a little bigger, he would be a top 20 player.

78 - Quinton Patton, WR Louisiana Tech, or Robert Woods, or Da'Rick Rodgers, or Stedman Bailey, or Kenny Stills, or Terrance Williams, or Aaron Dobson, or Tavarres King. There is no doubt in my mind that the Rams are targeting a WR here at this spot, or in the next round. They are checking out all the potential receivers that may be here when their card comes up. I don't know who will be here, and who won't, but a couple of these guys will for sure, and they are all fits. Some, not all, of these guys, and you can include Wheaton and Hunter, would be considered in the second round if we pick Fluker in the first round.

113 - Blidi Wreh-Wilson, CB Connecticut. The Rams will pick a corner in this draft, and this is where they will pick him. Blidi has good size and decent speed, but struggles in man occasionally. Teams will have to determine if his getting beat deep is a temporary side effect of his knee injury. He bettered his 40 time at his pro day to a 4.39. The Rams are interested in him, but he reminds me of Justin King.
Alternate pick: B.W. Webb, CB William and Mary. I like this player better. I just love the way he competes and moves on the field. He'd be my pick here.

149 - Marcus Lattimore, RB South Carolina. Great character kid from a strong family. Easily could be considered the best RB prospect in this class minus the gruesome knee injuries. Why the 5th round? Because he will not be able to play this year, and this is the earliest that the Rams would be willing to sit on high risk, later, but high reward player. Rams have met with him.
Alternate pick: Michael Ford, RB LSU. Entered the draft early, but this former Parade All-American player has a lot of ability, and is very fast and explosive. He has experience as a kick returner, and in part, that is why I consider him here. He needs to work on a few things, but this could be a high reward player.

184 - Earl Watford, OG James Madison. 3 year starter. Helped his team average over 220 rushing yards per game. My impressions at the Senior Bowl and the NFL Combine were that he was a powerful Guard that exhibited very good feet, played with good balance, and was very quick compared to others in his group. I think this player has a very high upside and would be a steal here.

222 - Micah Hyde, CB/FS Iowa. Has played both and excelled at free safety and corner. He had 14 PD,s 78 tackles, and two FF in 2012. He was voted Iowa's MVP, and was First Team All-Big Ten. I have a hard time figuring why he is being rated this low by most services. I see him as a third to fourth round prospect, so I'd consider him a huge steal at this spot.

This could easily be Tavon Austin, Jonathan Cyprien, and Sio Moore as our first three picks.
 
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jrry32

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He even looked good at the practices. He has great size. He wasn't on my radar, at all. I want to see more of him too. He really flashed for me.

Yea, that's the surprising thing. He was on my radar because he put up something like 200+ receiving yards against Iowa. I watched that game and a few others. His receiving ability is undeniable. Guy would be one of the best receiving HBs in the NFL. But I just didn't see much as a runner.

But then against the best competition, he looked great. So yea, I'm going to take another look.
 

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Senior Bowl Review: Offense
Tuesday, January 27, 2015

I cannot give you a percentage of how much an all star event factors into my process. It is a one man show over here in terms of evaluation. I will breakdown each position below and rank participating performers accordingly. Please note, this is not strictly based on how these prospects did this week, instead it is based on their complete evaluation up to this point.


For comparison, here is how I ranked the attendees prior to this week. Also, I was able to watch coaching practice tape for every 1 on 1 OL/DL drill and some CB/WR drills this week, which allowed me to focus on specific prospects in these important matchups.


Here are the entries from Tuesday and Wednesday.


Be sure to check out my top-25 Senior Bowlers exiting the event in the Defensive review, coming soon.


I want to call attention to the importance of context when evaluating an all star event. The topic was a point of discussion on the latest episode of my podcast.


Quarterbacks


1. Blake Sims, Alabama - Let me start by saying this does not mean Sims is a finished product or that I would select him before the third day. However, I do consider Sims the No. 3 QB in this class. For now. I guess? Sims displays functional mobility in the pocket while keeping his eyes up to go along with an arm to threaten multiple levels of the field. He has very inconsistent placement, however, as Sims makes some ridiculous window throws along the sideline but the shows poor accuracy to be intercepted within the same series. It was odd, this week Sims looked worse against air and when throwing to 1 on 1s than when in 7 on 7s and team drills.


2. Garrett Grayson, Colorado State - Grayson was allowed to display proficiency in a variety of formations and personnel while at CSU. Jim McElwain asked Grayson to throw in four WR sets and then work under center with an overloaded line on the next snap. I do not know Grayson, but he plays like an intelligent passer. Still, his ceiling is likely a No. 2 who will only start out of necessity.


3. The rest? I’d place Sean Mannion and Bryce Petty on equal footing here. Shane Carden and Bryan Bennett are not draftable.


Running Backs


1. David Cobb, Minnesota - Cobb entered the week as my top back and stays there. Running backs have a difficult time shining during all star event practices, since many plays are blown dead on first contact. Cobb shines at creating yards on his own after breaking contact and is comfortable in space for a bigger back. I would not say he is a “good” pass protector at this time, but the foundation is there. Cobb is a fringe top five RB for me.


2. Ameer Abdullah, Nebraska - Most of the negatives this week regarding Abdullah focused on his poor performance in pass protection drills. Context is needed. There might be one, maybe two, good pass protectors in each class. So why do we count it as a negative against a prospect? I understand pointing out a player does not win there, but instead of critiquing so many, we should heap extra praise on those who can pass protect or at least have a foundation to work with.


3. David Johnson, Northern Iowa - I know Johnson had a great game performance, exhibiting patience and vision along the sideline to read blocks. I am much more sold on his receiving and in space ability than instincts behind coupled with fluidity behind the line of scrimmage. Yes, I know his run in the actual game counters that. That same cut he made was successful on this occurrence, but I am not sold it will more than it won’t. We project position switches more often than they actually happen, however, I could see Johnson thriving as an H-back or passing down specialist.


4. Tyler Varga, Yale - Speaking of specialists, I wouldn’t be surprised if the Titans draft Varga on the third day. No info, just a hunch with how much they used him at running back. I’m not saying Varga is a real running threat. He’s more of a utility player who could help on passing downs and stick on the field with tempo. He will undoubtedly make a roster because of his multi-tool skills. The question is if he can stick long term without winning in one specific area.


5. Cameron Artis-Payne, Auburn - I know some will disagree, but CAP is a fifth-round to UDFA to me. Now I didn’t give enough credit to Tre Mason last year. CAP is not Mason, however.

Here are the entries from Tuesday and Wednesday.

I want to call attention to the importance of context when evaluating an all star event. The topic was a point of discussion on the latest episode of my podcast.


Wide Receivers


1. Jamison Crowder, Duke - There is so much of John Brown’s game when I watch Crowder. Smalls who play big are real, and multiple attended the 2015 Senior Bowl. Crowder is the best of the bunch. He wins in the “small” game, winning with burst, separation and yards after catch ability. However, he flashes leaving his feet and winning in contested situations. A late second- to third-round selection makes sense for the Blue Devil.


2. Tony Lippett, Michigan State - The Senior Bowl is not the type of place Lippett shines, despite my previous conclusion that it would be. Lippett is a fluid mover who creates space with route and can win with slivers of separation on contested catches. He also offers a 6’2.5” frame with nearly 33” arms. No flash, lots of substance here.


3. Devin Smith, Ohio State - I still think Smith is a role player, but he can dominate in the vertical or downfield game. Can he, and will he be asked, to be more than that is the question. Winning at multiple levels is not a strength right now, and I’m of the opinion prospects do not improve as often as it is discussed.


4. Justin Hardy, ECU - It was surprising to see Hardy play more on the outside than in the slot during Senior Bowl week. The easy projection is inside and Hardy saw a lot of time there at ECU. Long arms and hands match his game.


5. Tyler Lockett, Kansas State - Lockett caught everything this week. He did not catch everything this year, especially against Auburn. He is another small who plays big, even potentially on the outside in two receiver sets.


6. Phillip Dorsett, Miami - Dorsett had a great week, but let's not go crazy projecting him in the top two rounds. He’s another that has exceptional quickness, long speed and separation skills.


7. Sammie Coates, Auburn - Coates eats up yards in a hurry once up to top speed. I will never question his athleticism, but he is a true “don’t count it twice” case (more on the when the NFL Combine rolls around). Coates put together possibly the 10 best downfield catches. He also looked completely out of his element on 10 others. That is not good for a receiver who focuses on one level of the field. Not only is Coates unreliable when catching the football once it gets to his hands, it also not having the proper timing to elevate or body control to out-position the opponent. A lot of work is needed.


8. Dezmin Lewis, Central Arkansas - Moving from Coates, to Lewis, it is easy to see the impact of good timing, body control and ball vision. Lewis also boasts a 6’3.5” frame. Don’t look for burning athleticism. Look for someone who can create space when separation was not there before the catch point. This is one of the great parts of player evaluation, comparing prospects at the same position from Auburn and Central Arkansas.


9. Antwan Goodley, Baylor - Honestly, I need to go back and look at Goodley. He was better without the ball in his hands than I expected.


10. Rannell Hall, UCF - Hall, along with Lewis, likely made the most acrobatic catches of the week. It is obvious he can track and time catches better than most.




Tight Ends


1. Ben Koyack, Notre Dame - Walford had a great week, but I’ll stick with Koyack as the top tight end at the event. Koyack has “won” in both a move tight end role and when inline and produces at a consistent performance from each.


2. Clive Walford, Miami - Walford dominated the slot and seam this week in 7 on 7s and team activities. I like Walford quite a bit, especially in the third-round range. He’ll have a great argument for being the second prospect at his position off the board.


3. Nick Boyle, Delaware

4. Casey Pierce, Kent State

5. C.J. Uzomah, Auburn


Offensive Tackles


1. La’El Collins, LSU - La’El is a first-round left tackle. I know some think he is better suited at guard, and I know some do not think he is a first-round talent. Collins has amazing functional strength and moves well for a power blocker. Might he give you two or three poor snaps a game? Yes, but the a bit of luck factors into degree of impact those have. You have to look at Collins’ whole body of work, and I was and still am extremely impressed.


2. T.J. Clemmings, Pittsburgh - There is an obvious difference between Clemmings’ ability to handle lateral moves compared to Collins. The former has a much more difficult time. Not only is it about footwork, but the key is a stiff inside armbar to prevent that inside line. Clemmings has to understand patience and distance. Again, the functional strength is there, which has been missing from many recent early OTs taken.



3. T Ty Sambrailo, Colorado State - Those who watched Sambrailo prior to this week expected his performance. He will satisfy evaluators who are looking for positioning blockers, and potentially in the early parts of the second-round. He will absolutely get jolted on first contact by rushers with power and has not consistently displayed the ability to anchor.


4. Rob Havenstein, Wisconsin - After watching Havenstein from the endzone angle, it is clear his first punch and landing points are far too wide. This allows pass rushers to convert speed to power, instantly putting Havenstein at a disadvantage on first contact. He has strength, but this is a difficult hill to consistently overcome.


5. Donovan Smith, Penn State - There’s so much ability here, it just isn’t consistently packaged to produce a good result. Teams that abide by strength and big frames could target Smith at the end of the second day.


Interior Offensive Linemen


1. Tre Jackson, FSU - Jackson was extremely patient in his set, winning with positioning and strength to anchor. He was more than competent reaching blocks in gaps away from him. Winning against quickness and power is critical for an interior blocker.



2. Shaq Mason, Georgia Tech - This is a big projection since Mason likely took more pass protection reps than he did during his entire GaTech career. The early returns were not great, including Mason struggling on to his block like a water skier hanging on to the handle despite falling down. Mason improved during practice, although it did not show in the game. He is already a mauling run blocker. Some teams could view Mason as a C.


3. Arie Kouandjio, Alabama - Arie is a better prospect than Cyrus, specifically with fluidity and not overextending. The strength and length are there, and Arie is actually proficient at getting to the second level.


4. Laken Tomlinson, Duke - I know many will rate Tomlinson higher on the list. I like him quite a bit, and each interior OL is pretty close in ranking. That is more important than the actual number. Tomlinson was among the best at consistently anchoring. It might not be on first contact, but he would slow and stop his opponents’ momentum at a high rate in 1 on 1s.


5. Ali Marpet, Hobart - I was able to watch Marpet’s college tape the day before leaving for Mobile. I was impressed, but did not expect him to perform as well as he did. The left tackle converted to guard fairly seamlessly.

http://www.rotoworld.com/articles/cfb/51877/351/senior-bowl-review-offense?pg=2
 

jrry32

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Quarterbacks


1. Blake Sims, Alabama - Let me start by saying this does not mean Sims is a finished product or that I would select him before the third day. However, I do consider Sims the No. 3 QB in this class. For now. I guess? Sims displays functional mobility in the pocket while keeping his eyes up to go along with an arm to threaten multiple levels of the field. He has very inconsistent placement, however, as Sims makes some ridiculous window throws along the sideline but the shows poor accuracy to be intercepted within the same series. It was odd, this week Sims looked worse against air and when throwing to 1 on 1s than when in 7 on 7s and team drills.

A tad disappointed in this, Norris.(well, more than a tad)
 

dieterbrock

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A tad disappointed in this, Norris.(well, more than a tad)
Because you only find 2 qb draft able? Lol
Who's your #3 at this point.
And yes I have to admit that Petty was disappointing....
 

jrry32

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Because you only find 2 qb draft able? Lol
Who's your #3 at this point.
And yes I have to admit that Petty was disappointing....

If Sims is the #3 QB? Yep.

Who's my #3? I don't know. Petty or Hundley. But if I can get more film on Heinicke, he might earn that spot. Or not.

Hundley probably. I'm not high on either but both should be able to be solid backups in the league.