Thursday NFL Draft watch notes

by Dan Kadar on Dec 30, 2010 11:34 AM EST in 2011 NFL Draft

Note: I'm not touching on the Armed Forces Bowl (noon, ESPN) between Army and SMU. There are few players worth watching and I'm running short on time today. More here.

Pinstripe Bowl - Kansas State vs. Syracuse - 3:20 p.m. (ESPN)

The star NFL Draft attraction in this game is a pair of late-round running backs in Kansas State's Daniel Thomas and Syracuse's Delone Carter. Thomas is a solid downhill runner who has some shiftiness and marginal deep speed. He's not a receiving threat, but has the strength to break tackles. Carter, who has battled injuries his whole career, is a good all-around back with a little better speed and a lot better receiving skills. Because of that, Carter may find up being the better pro in the long run. Thomas, though, could make a more immediate impact on a roster as a No. 2 back.

Another Syracuse player to watch is undersized linebacker Doug Hogue. The senior has good athleticism and moves around the field well. He led Syracuse this season in tackles for loss (9.5) and interceptions (2).

More from: SB Nation | Bring On The Cats | Troy Nunes…

Music City Bowl - Tennessee vs. North Carolina - 6:40 p.m. (ESPN)

I've talked plenty this season about the North Carolina players in this game. You should know them by now – Deunta Williams (FS), Quan Sturdivant (MLB) and Quinton Coples (DE/DT). So the onus is being put on you. If you watch this game, report back on what you think of each.

Tennessee has two excellent pass catchers in this game, in tight end Luke Stocker and wide receiver Denarius Moore. Stocker is an all-around tight end that can block and catch. What he lacks in athleticism and mobility, he makes up for in reliability and toughness. With so many receiving-only tight ends out there, Stocker could go earlier than you think in the draft simply to fill a need. Moore is having an excellent senior season with 43 receptions for 912 yards and nine touchdowns. He's sneaky fast and an excellent late-round vertical threat.

More from: SB Nation | Carolina March | Rocky Top Talk

Holiday Bowl - Washington vs. Nebraska - 10 p.m. (ESPN)

Here we ago again for Washington's Jake Locker. Will tonight's game be draft stock redemption or a repeat of his Sept. 18 performance against Nebraska? In that game, Locker went a woeful 4-20 for 71 yards a touchdown and two interceptions. That's when people starting questioning Locker as a top pick prospect and it hasn't stopped. While he can't wipe away all doubters tonight, it will help having a positive performance.

If Locker has a bad game again, that could mean junior defensive tackle Jared Crick is having a good for Nebraska. If he does, don't be surprised if Crick announces early next week that he's entering the NFL Draft.

Huskers outside linebacker Lavonte David could do the same but probably shouldn't. In his first season at Nebraska following junior college, David has shown he's one of the most athletic linebackers in the country. His frame is still developing, though, and he might not be physically ready for the NFL.

If you haven't watched Washington's defense much this season, you're missing out on linebacker Mason Foster. He had a ridiculous 151 tackles this season because he can work sideline-to-sideline and takes excellent pursuit angles. He's a solid second-round pick.

More from: SB Nation | UW Dawg Pound | Corn Nation

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Comments

Aldrick Robinson

I think SMU WR Aldrick Robinson is someone worth keeping an eye on. He is undersized but is a burner.

by Fivus Viener on Dec 30, 2010 11:56 AM EST reply actions

I agree, reminds me of current Steelers WR Manny Sanders, who is becoming a big part of our offense after being our 3rd round pick in 10.

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by Josh Roberts (ESGB) on Dec 30, 2010 3:00 PM EST up reply actions

Zach Line from SMU is a good RB propect next year

Given white RBs are back in vogue.

by RjTheMetalhead on Dec 30, 2010 12:31 PM EST reply actions

You talked about some underclassmen,

but how about the Nebraska seniors? What could Prince, Helu, Allen, Gomes, Hagg, and Paul (who will apparently be playing) do for their stock tonight?

Omaha's Christmas List:

Anthony Tolliver to get healthy and resume doing this (see picture).

The Suns to go on a tear with their new parts.

A healthy Green Bay Packers team for a deep playoff run.

Gregory Echenique to become the love-child of Charles Barkley and Dikembe Mutombo.

Bubba Starling to say "Screw baseball" and head to Lincoln to take Taylor Martinez's job.

by Omaha Sun on Dec 30, 2010 3:49 PM EST reply actions

Foster

Rushes the passer pretty well also. I think he could play OLB for a 3-4 team.

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by Bestjagfan on Dec 30, 2010 4:54 PM EST reply actions

For me, Locker’s game tonight is a huge discriminator for the Locker/Gabbert situation, and the Bills. If Locker plays well, it indicates that he learned from that first game, and might indicated that the first game was the result of a college mismatch, which won’t happen to that degree in the NFL.

A USC-type performance by Locker is what he truly needs at this point to re-legitimize himself to a lot of teams, though as you know, I haven’t jumped ship on him.

Starting the official Buffalo "Draft Owen Marecic in 2011" campaign.

I had a dream the night after the first round. Buffalo traded for Tim Tebow. Josh McDaniels is gone; does the new coach like Tebow as much? It could happen.

by Der Jaeger on Dec 30, 2010 9:44 PM EST reply actions

Deunta Williams

It looked like he suffered a pretty signifigant leg injury during last night’s game. This should have a negative effect on his draft status. He won’t be able to compete in the Senior Bowl, the combine or the UNC Pro Day in all likelihood.