Sept. 8, 2010
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This is a list of players who have seen a change in their 2011 NFL Draft stock.
2011 NFL Draft Stock Week 1: Up
Christian Ponder, QB, Florida State Ponder was very sharp against Samford in Week 1, and you can view all my scouting notes on his game here. Ponder went 12-of-14 for 167 yards (11.9 YPA) with four touchdowns and one interception due to a tipped pass. I love his athleticism and how smooth he looks under center, reminding me a lot of former USC quarterback Mark Sanchez. It will be interesting to see what Ponder looks like when he faces a legitimate defense, but he looked like the real deal on film.
Dwayne Harris, WR, East Carolina Harris racked up 121 yards on seven receptions and made two touchdown grabs as well. Harris has solid size with very good lateral quickness and very reliable hands. He’s a mid-round receiver to keep your eye on this year. He won’t “WOW” you with his triangle numbers, but he’s a tough receiver who can fill a role at the next level.
Ryan Kerrigan, DE, Purdue Kerrigan likely won’t get drafted in the first round because he doesn’t have the great athleticism or burst you look for, but he has plenty of good qualities as a football player that makes him a potential second-round pick. Against Notre Dame, he showed up to play notching seven tackles, 2.5 TFL, one sack and a forced fumble. Kerrigan is a high-motor defensive end who uses his hands well and gets physical on the line of scrimmage. Then again, if Brandon Graham can get drafted at No. 13 overall without elite athleticism and short arms, then I could be wrong and Kerrigan might be a better pro prospect than I am anticipating.
Kris O’Dowd, C, USC I understand why O’Dowd could end up getting drafted in the mid rounds due to his bad durability history, but he’s an extremely talented pro prospect whom I was really high on entering the 2010 season at No. 26 on my Big Board (at full health). O’Dowd is an extremely strong player inside and simply moved the Hawaii defensive tackles at will. He is smooth in getting to the second level and executes solid technique. With all of the “30” fronts in the NFL now, you need a center who can get a push in the run game. If O’Dowd can stay healthy, then maybe NFL front offices will view him more positively as a prospect. As far as his game against Hawaii was concerned, he was dominant.
Adrian Clayborn, DE, Iowa Clayborn had limited opportunities because Eastern Illinois avoided him at all cost. However, Clayborn is clearly poised to have another monster season. He was clearly in great shape in this game and flashed the elite motor that runs non-stop that we all know and love. He’s a well-rounded defensive end prospect who will likely go in the top 10 picks, and I’m here to say I made a mistake in underrating his talent level. He’s better than what I previously thought and I have to adjust and move him up my board.
Daniel Thomas, RB, Kansas State I had my reservations about Thomas as a running back prospect because I just haven’t seen a lot of athleticism and I hate his upright running style. However, I have heard from a good source that I trust in terms of an eye for talent that Thomas looked vastly improved against UCLA in terms of his running instincts, athleticism, power, etc. Thomas racked up 234 rushing yards on 28 carries and reaching the end zone twice. Some players just get better in the offseason and we don’t anticipate it. Thomas might be that guy in a terrible running back class.
Terrelle Pryor, QB, Ohio State Last year, I hated Terrelle Pryor and wasn’t buying the hype. He had no instincts as a passer, his fundamentals were very raw, and he simply looked liked a 6-5 athlete taking snaps under center and in shotgun. This offseason, Pryor clearly put in the work to become a quarterback and it shows. His footwork is light years ahead of where it was a season ago. It’s not even close. He is far more comfortable and poised in the pocket and this will only help his accuracy. I still think he needs his senior year in college to polish up his accuracy and passing instincts (for example, knowing when a bullet throw is needed and when to put touch on the football), but Pryor has shown a lot of improvement in the technical aspects of playing the quarterback position, and I guarantee you will see a more consistent passer in 2010. Repeating the stats here aren’t important – you can’t read in a box score what I see watching game tape.
2011 NFL Draft Stock Week 1: Down
Greg Romeus, DE, Pittsburgh I love the effort Romeus gives in terms of his ability to play the run, but he leaves a bit to be desired in the pass rushing department and he simply will never be regarded as a double-digit sack guy in the NFL. Romeus wasn’t invisible against Utah – he made a lot of plays and he was active – but when it came time to rush the quarterback he just didn’t get the job done. He seems to lack a pass rush repertoire and he might lack the flexibility it takes to dip the shoulder and run the arc. Maybe he’s just not confident in his talents as a pass rusher. I don’t know what it is, but Romeus didn’t play like the top 10 pick I thought he was, and I’m now starting to see him as someone who will get drafted in the 20-40 range as opposed to the top 10.
Jason Pinkston, T, Pittsburgh The first time I saw Selvish Capers play last year for West Virginia I was convinced he was simply too raw to play tackle in the NFL. He ended up getting drafted in the seventh round and he was recently waived by the Redskins. Pinkston has no technique and is simply too raw to play tackle in the NFL. He is only 6-4 and while he is a good straight-line athlete and a tenacious run blocker, he has no knee bend and has very inconsistent footwork. Pinkston looks like a mid-round guard prospect at best for the 2011 NFL Draft.
Nigel Bradham, OLB, Florida State I expected a lot more out of Bradham against Samford than what he showed on tape. Bradham simply didn’t show up and looked unfocused and unprepared for the game. I love his physical tools, but Bradham was invisible and didn’t make enough plays. I hope he bounces back in the coming weeks.
Nate Potter, OL, Boise State Potter was slated to play left guard this season, but an injury forced him to return to the left tackle position he played in 2009 against Virginia Tech Monday night. Potter couldn’t keep anybody in front of him because he simply lacked the agility and athleticism. He didn’t get much of a knee bend and I don’t like his physical build either (not enough sand in the pants). Potter didn’t look like he start at tackle in the NFL against Virginia Tech, who has just an above average defensive line – nothing special. The scouts have to be disappointed, and I know the Draftniks were witnessing last night’s performance.
2011 NFL Draft Stock Week 1: Stable
Mike Pouncey, G/C, Florida Pouncey struggled with his snaps against Miami of Ohio, but keep in mind he is transitioning to center from right guard in 2009 and his best position at the next level is probably guard. His brother, Maurkice, a first-round pick of the Steelers a year ago is simply a better fit at center. I think Mike Pouncey is more comfortable in the 3-point stance and using his size, strength and athleticism to dominate without having to worry about snapping the football. At any rate, if he struggles at center this season, Florida will move him and it just means he is a guard-only at the next level. I’m not worried at all about Pouncey even if he is just a guard. If he makes a smooth transition to center this season then he just has added versatility at the next level, which only helps his value.
Stephen Paea, DT, Oregon State Let’s channel the great Dennis Green, “Stephen Paea IS WHO I THOUGHT HE WAS!” Paea is a good football player, but he isn’t the first-round pick he has been hyped up as. I didn’t see the athleticism against TCU on tape although he has very good strength and can get off blocks. I’m not sold he can play 3-technique in the NFL and I think he will have to pack on some more bulk in order to play the 3-4 nose tackle position. He looks like a 1-technique only who can absorb double teams. I love Paea’s high level of effort for every single play, but he clearly has a limited upside. He’ll get drafted in the second or third round, but don’t buy the hype that he is a first-round pick. He had a good game against TCU, but this isn’t ESPN’s College Football Live – I have to tell it like it is.
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