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2012 NFL Draft: Five underclassmen who shouldn't go pro

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Every year the NFL Draft is filled with underclassmen who ultimately make up the best talent in the draft. Conversely, some of the underclassmen who go pro do so unwisely. This year is no different. Here are five underclassmen who could be on the fringe of entering the draft and maybe shouldn't.

Landry Jones, QB, Oklahoma

More than any other player in the nation, Jones needs more time to develop. The Oklahoma offense will always be something of a hindrance to Jones due to its scheme, but the issue is Jones' tentativeness in the pocket. As we're seeing this season with Blaine Gabbert on the Jaguars, if quarterbacks can't step up into the pocket and deliver the ball, they're going to struggle. Jones has been surpassed by Matt Barkley and Robert Griffin III, but could rebuild his stock next season.

Joseph Fauria, TE, UCLA

The situation at UCLA is tumultuous. There is no head coach and the Bruins' quarterback play has been shaky for years. Fauria should also receive a favorable grade from the draft advisory committee. He's more physically gifted than just about every other tight end in the nation at 6-foot-7 and 252 pounds. If NFL teams are looking for the next Rob Gronkowski, it might be Fauria. So why not go pro? Fauria is still developing and has had only one good season. He had a solid year, but still only finished with 34 receptions for 445 yards and 6 touchdowns.

Star-divide



Devin Taylor, DE, South Carolina

Taylor, a lanky and athletic end, was expected to breakout season. Instead, it was teammate Melvin Ingram who did so. Taylor finished the season with only 6.5 tackles for loss and 5 sacks. But next season, Ingram will be gone. Taylor also won't have to worry about double teams with freshman star Jadeveon Clowney opposite him. If Taylor came out this year, it's hard to see him getting picked in the first two rounds. If he comes back and plays like he's expected to, he could become a first rounder.

Donte Paige-Moss, DE, North Carolina

How good was Paige-Moss last season? So good he was considered a top 10 player coming into the year following a sophomore year where he had 10.5 sacks. But Paige-Moss struggled to get on the field this season on a talent-rich defensive line. Now he's a barely mentioned prospect and desperately needs to resurrect his possible pro career.

Jayron Hosley, CB, Virginia Tech

In 2010, Hosley had 9 interceptions and 17 total pass deflections. This season, his production dipped to 3 interceptions and 11 total pass deflections. That wasn't just a case of teams not throwing at Hosley. He just wasn't making as many plays as he did last season and got burned on several occasions. For a player with average size (5-foot-10, 171 pounds), Hosley can't give up big plays. This year he did too often and if he goes pro, he may not be a top 75 pick.

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I agree Jones should stay, still shaking my head with Gabbert

Coming out of a spread offense with pedestrian numbers is unheard of for a top prospect. All the other prospecrts coming out of offenses like Mizzou’s have numbers like 3,500-4,000+ pass yards and 25-35 TDs. Gabbert had 3,100 and 16 TDs (and 9 INTs). Ummm, ok. Jones atleast has really nice passing stats, showing he can at the least drop back and fire the ball around like Cutler, or maybe even Rivers.

Montee Ball for Heisman.
Tajh Boyd and Dre' Ellington are the future.

by BlackPack-fan on Dec 7, 2011 1:48 PM EST reply actions  

Paige-Moss should stay

He got beat out of his postion by Kareem Martin (Sophmore from Roanoke Rapids NC). So if he’s not good enough to start in college he wont be good enough to start in the NFL

by rscott94 on Dec 7, 2011 2:28 PM EST reply actions  

Your right, but I think there's something else behind it

Paige-Moss had 10.5 sacks the season before, and Martin only has 4 sacks and 4 TFLs this season. I think it has to have to do with something else, maybe if Moss got in the “doghouse” for doing one or two really stupid things or something.

Montee Ball for Heisman.
Tajh Boyd and Dre' Ellington are the future.

by BlackPack-fan on Dec 7, 2011 3:29 PM EST up reply actions  

From what I heard

He got out played from his position… But like you said he could’ve done something very stupid… who knows?

by rscott94 on Dec 7, 2011 4:02 PM EST up reply actions  

I like Fauria

dude balls. Hopefully he stays in Cali and goes to SF

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by manraj7 on Dec 7, 2011 2:47 PM EST reply actions  

Gotta agree re: Hosley

Never seemed to regain his chops after the hammy injury.

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Robert Hunter

by Buck Melanoma on Dec 7, 2011 3:49 PM EST reply actions  

Fauria only gave me a decent year for fantasy

He could give me a great one next year

STAY

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by ICEICETHATGUY13 on Dec 7, 2011 4:46 PM EST reply actions  

Taylor and Landry Should Go Pro

Taylor will have the opportunity to impress this offseason with the combine etc… There is no guarantee that going back to school will increase his draft stock. Jake Locker went back and his stock plummeted. Luckily the Titans saw potential despite his down season. I cannot see where another season will help Landry. If he is “skittish” in the pocket; how will that be resolved by returning to Oklahoma.? If he has the chance to go pro he should take it. Put him in a role like Alex Smith and he could very well surprise.

by ValdezY on Dec 7, 2011 5:14 PM EST reply actions  

You Don't Seem to Watch Landry

Jones much. I’ve been reluctantly watching him for three seaons, and I’ve learned this about him during that time: He folds under pressure, tends to overthrow his receivers even on good days, accuracy goes way down when he is forced to scramble, and he seems absolutely scared to death to take a hit. The most problematic shortcoming he has is he lacks leadership abilities on the field. He does have excellent days mind you … usually against lesser competition … but even then there are a handful of plays where the viewer is left wondering WTF did he just do??

by FortySeven on Dec 8, 2011 5:37 PM EST up reply actions  

I Live In Big 12 Country

I have watched Oklahoma Football since the days of Billy Sims and Lee Roy Selmon. Landry Jones is a pocket passer with a lot of ability and a lot of negatives. He would be served well in a power run scheme. That offensive system causes less pressure on the QB with defenders keying on the run. This is a starting place for Landry.

by ValdezY on Dec 10, 2011 11:16 PM EST up reply actions  

I don't know...

someone with a bad QB situation could go for him round 1. He may be better off as a long term QB with another college year but that’s a lot of money to pass up if he gets a round 1 grade

Who would win in a fight between... a grilled cheese sandwhich or a taco?
Well, I think the grilled cheese sandwich - in a fair fight. But if it was prison rules, I'd put my money on the taco.
Wow, that's pretty racist but correct.

by DBroncs1414 on Dec 7, 2011 8:10 PM EST reply actions  

talking about Jones

btw

Who would win in a fight between... a grilled cheese sandwhich or a taco?
Well, I think the grilled cheese sandwich - in a fair fight. But if it was prison rules, I'd put my money on the taco.
Wow, that's pretty racist but correct.

by DBroncs1414 on Dec 7, 2011 8:10 PM EST up reply actions  

Really? I assumed you were talking about Fauria.

Huh.

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by Omaha Sun on Dec 7, 2011 8:42 PM EST up reply actions  

Just based on what I’ve seen, Fauria isn’t as explosive or powerful as Rob Gronkowski is. He has similar size but that’s about it IMO. Gronk is a monster.

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by d-jackfan10 on Dec 8, 2011 2:22 AM EST reply actions  


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