A look at underclassmen who could still declare for NFL Draft
Thus far, 36 underclassmen have declared for the 2010 NFL Draft. Last year, 53 juniors and redshirt sophomores declared with 15 being taken in the first round.
So it stands to reason that several more names will enter the draft fray before the Jan. 15 declaration deadline. Players who do declare have a 72-hour window to withdraw their name, as long as they didn't sign with an agent.
Here's a quick overview on some, not all, of the biggest names who haven't made their NFL Draft decisions.
Player: Rob Gronkowski | TE | Arizona
Situation: Gronkowski is rehabbing in Florida following back surgery. He expects to hear back from the NFL Draft advisory committee on Monday about his draft projection. Gronkowski's father, Gordon, said nine NFL teams said his son would be a first-round pick and nine said he'd be a second-round pick.
Solution: If he receives a first- or second-round grade, come out. However, Gronkowski shouldn't expect to be taken in the first round. His injury is a big red flag and his playing shape is probably lackluster. So whether or not he'd be able to conduct a private workout is unknown.
Player: Carlos Dunlap | DE | Florida
Situation: The polarizing defensive end had an up and down year. Many consider that it was more down than up. Dunlap's father, Carlos Dunlap Sr., says his son should go pro.
Solution: Dunlap shouldn't go pro but probably will. His size and athleticism should make him a first-round pick. But if he returns, bulks up some, and consistently plays harder, he could again be considered a top 10 pick.
Player: Greg Jones | MLB | Michigan State
Situation: Doesn't it seem like Jones has been in college forever? Regardless, the junior is still debating on going pro. Jones most recently said on Jan. 3 that he's 50-50.
Solution: Go pro. Jones is ready for the NFL. He's a highly productive player who could possibly start immediately. That said, don't expect his name to be called in the first round.
Player: Amari Spievey | CB | Iowa
Situation: Spievey recently said he was 50-50 about coming out. He's seen one teammate (Bryan Bulaga) enter the draft and be projected as a first rounder. He's seen another (Adrian Clayborn) return even following a great bowl game.
Solution: Spievey may have only had two interceptions this season, but he's a playmaker. He shown that he's good athlete with good size at 6-foot and 190 pounds. In a moderately weak cornerback class, Spievey should come out. If he does, he could go in the latter half of the first 60 picks.
Player: Noel Devine | RB | West Virginia
Situation: As of Jan. 3, Devine was not sure whether or not he'd turn pro. If he does, totaling 168 rushing yards and a touchdown in the Gator Bowl didn't hurt.
Situation: At best, Devine would be the fourth or fifth running back drafted this year. He has great speed and is elusive, but his size will always be an issue. However, he should come out. Even by coming back, Devine probably won't improve his draft position and only risk injury.
Player: DeMarco Murray | RB | Oklahoma
Situation: Over the last month, Murray has gone back and forth about entering the draft. He had an up and down year and was injured for part of it.
Solution: Murray should return. He could improve his draft stock by staying healthy and showing he's an excellent all-around running back.
Player: Case Keenum | QB | Houston
Situation: The stat-sheet-stuffing Keenum dodged draft discussion in December. However, he didn't completely shoot down the chances of going pro.
Solution: Following a bad showing in the Armed Forces Bowl where he threw six interceptions, Keenum should return. He was at best a third rounder before that game, and his draft stock only plummeted.
Harvey Unga | RB | Brigham Young
Situation: Unga is still waiting to hear back from the advisory committee. He had a solid year with 1,087 yards and 11 touchdowns.
Solution: Unga is a good power back and not much else. He projects as a fourth- or fifth-round player, so it might not hurt him to return.
Maurkice and Mike Pouncey | C, G | Florida
Situation: The Pouncey twins remain undecided as of Thursday. Many consider Maurkice, a center, a top 75 player. Mike, a guard, isn't rated as high.
Solution: Maurkice should go and be one of the first interior linemen drafted. Mike should return to school and prove he can handle the inside on his own.
Stephen Paea | DT | Oregon State
Situation: Paea is in a somewhat unique situation. He's been at Oregon State for four years and spent a year at prep school before enrolling.
Solution: Named the Pac-10's top defensive lineman this year, Paea should turn pro. His draft stock is limited because of his size (6-foot-1, 285 pounds) and likely won't go up.
Note: You're not seeing Georgia Tech players Derrick Morgan (DE), Jonathan Dwyer (RB) or Morgan Burnett (S) because they have been very quiet following the Orange Bowl.
Same thing with any undeclared players from Alabama or Texas. Other players are not listed because there has been no news on them recently.
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Spievey is really physical, not much happens in his zone
and a great STer. I really hope he comes back, but if not he’ll be on my wish list for the Colts.
Luck is probability taken personally, clutch is probability attributed to individuals.
by shake n bake on Jan 9, 2010 2:30 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
Maybe Dunlap could drop to the Cowboys at 32
2009 BTB Fantasy Champ... Deal with it
by quincyyyyy on Jan 9, 2010 4:28 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
I thought there were 32 teams in the league now?
And Dunlap probably is a 1st rounder..so slim chance.
N8 !
by FreeBradshaw on Jan 9, 2010 4:43 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Yeah the Cwboys chances arent looking so good right now.
For every woman masturbating right now, there is a guy masturbating while imagining that woman masturbate.
2009 NY Phin PhansFantasy League Champion
2009 Best Regular Season Record in NYPPL.
by Patssuck456 on Jan 9, 2010 8:44 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Greg Jones should go pro
I could see him having a good combine and his stock shooting up to a late first early second.
by The Irishman on Jan 9, 2010 10:56 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
I don't think Jones should go
If he can pick up another 5-10 pounds this offseason and have some what the season he had last year, he could move into the first round. Oh and work on his coverage.
by macjack09 on Jan 10, 2010 12:21 AM EST reply actions 0 recs
No guarentee he moves up to round 1 next year
Next year he would compete with Quan Sturdivant, Josh Bynes, Casey Matthews, Martez Wilson, Obi Ezeh, Brian Rolle, and Kelvin Sheppard. Some underclassmen include Chris Gallipo, Barquelle Rivers, Brandon Maye and Arthur Brown. That’s if a team feels he’s a MLB.
If a team think he can play OLB then you got Bruce Carter, Michael Morgan, Mark Herzlich, Malcolm Smith, Colin McCarthy,Ross Hosman and underclassmen of Travis Lewis (if he doesn’t come out this year), Akeem Ayers, Nigel Bradham, Sean Spence, Darius Fleming, Jerry Franklin.
He should go. A injury can hurt your stock (Bradford,Gresham, Lindley) or just a bad year, once upon a time George Selvie was a lock for the top 15, now who knows where he gets drafted.
Bears suck, Cubs suck, Bulls suck, Illini suck, who would have thought the Blackhawks would be my best shot at a title.
by tj.hendricks on Jan 10, 2010 1:41 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs
I agree
That an injury could hurt your stock, but I don’t see his stock getting any worse even with injury (unless its an ACL, but he has shown to be very durable). He is a 2-4 round guy. He may have to compete with them but if he can just continue to have the seasons he has been having I don’t believe he would have too much to compete with. First team All American, Pre-Season and post-season Big 10 Defensive Player of the Year. He’s got the accolades to beat out all of those guys (depending on how Herzlich responds and the success of the Tar Heel team from the returning starters).
The guys you named that were hurt there stock on injury were all guys who were guaranteed first rounders. Jones was never a guaranteed first rounder so the only thing he can really do is help his stock. If he can improve his coverage and pick up some bulk, he could go into the 2010 season as the top linebacker. If he goes back he is already the guaranteed front runner for the Butkus Award. That’s why I think he should stay.
by macjack09 on Jan 10, 2010 3:35 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Look at Brandon Spikes though, staying can hurt your stock it gives people more time to find your flaws.
Bears suck, Cubs suck, Bulls suck, Illini suck, who would have thought the Blackhawks would be my best shot at a title.
by tj.hendricks on Jan 10, 2010 2:59 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
But Brandon Spikes was already a guaranteed first rounder last year
The players you keep naming were projected first rounders who were exposed. Jones can’t do anything to hurt his stock because scouts already know his flaws. Hell I know his flaws.
When you are a guaranteed first rounder then hell no, don’t come back. Get your money while you have value. Jones has a better chance of helping his stock rather than hurting it. He is not a first rounder right now. At best he is a low second rounder. His flaws are he is bad in coverage and he is small. He has shown he can easily pick up weight, he is great against the run, and is a sure tackler, and an effective blitzer. But I he really won’t be asked to blitz as much in the NFL so that could hurt him if doesn’t work on coverage.
by macjack09 on Jan 10, 2010 4:58 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
He can still be exposed. You can always hurt your stock whether you’re a first rounder or not.
Bears suck, Cubs suck, Bulls suck, Illini suck, who would have thought the Blackhawks would be my best shot at a title.
by tj.hendricks on Jan 10, 2010 5:47 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
We, he, and everyone under the sun knows how he gets exposed—the passing game. So why not take a year to come back and perfect that anyway? If injury is the only excuse someone can come up with then they don’t need to play football because you can get hurt anytime. On or off the field or even in practice. He can hurt his stock, but just as much he can help his stock. Matter a fact, he can probably help his stock more than hurt it.
by macjack09 on Jan 10, 2010 7:13 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
But what if scouts like others next year more than him?
This year I (i don’t matter but still) have him as the #3 MLB behind McClain and Spikes.
Next year I would have him 4th or5th behind Quan Sturdivant, Chris Gallipo, Josh Bynes, and a toss up between Jones and Barquell Rivers.
What if McClain pulls a Brandon Spikes and returns for his senior year then that pushes him down more.
There are always just as good, if not better players the next year.
McShay, Todd McShay you hear me boy? It's me TJ and I'm coming for your damn job boy! Oh be scared, be very scared McShay.
by tj.hendricks on Jan 11, 2010 3:06 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Im anxiously waiting to see what the Pouncey brothers will decide to do.
Bleeding Orange & Blue in The Netherlands
by BroncosNL on Jan 10, 2010 4:11 AM EST reply actions 0 recs
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