Comparing Today's Prospects to Past Ones

by DBroncs1414 on Apr 6, 2011 3:07 PM EDT

I couldn't fully explain what this post was in the title, but I'll do my best here. I want to look at prospects of today and compare them to others from a draft standpoint, meaning either they'll be reached for or will fall due to circumstances out of their control. If you still don't get it just read on and I think you'll begin to understand.

JJ Watt/Tyson Jackson: In the 09 draft, people knew who Jackson was and thought he was a good fit for the 3-4. However, many experts and mockers were taken aback when Jackson was selected 3rd overall. I think we could see something similar with Watt. I like the kid, but I don't see him as top 10. At the same time, I think a top 10 team could pull a Chiefs move here and do the same. For me, I'm think possibly the Bills at 3. If they don't like the top QBs, they can't trade down, and Dareus is gone, I can see them go for a guy like Watt. He fits the prototypical 3-4 end spot like Jackson did in 09, and with such a high demand for them we could see a reach similar to Jackson's.

AJ Green/Michael Crabtree: Like Crabtree in 09, many see Green as easily a top 3 prospect, possibly the best. However, WR's typically do not get drafted high no matter how talented they are. I realize Crabtree dropped because of his foot injury, but I could see a scenario where the Bengals and Browns pass him and he falls to the 10 spot for Washington.

Phil Taylor/Dan Williams: I think Taylor is a better prospect, but ike Williams the mock world fell in love with him being one of the few top talents for the NT spot. I at one point had Dan williams at 11 to the Broncos, but he fell all the way to 27(?). The highest I've seen Taylor go is to KC at 21, but I wouldn't be at all surpised if he falls to the Jets or Steelers, possilby farther. Mockers tend to fall in love with NT's more then teams do.

Muhammed Wilkerson/Tyson Alualu: We all know the Alualu story, I can see it happening to Wilkerson. Although the mock world is recognizing that he could rise really high, I can see him going higher then has been mocked. A lot of teams love the guy, especially 3-4 teams. If Watt and Jordan come off the board relatively early, I could see Wilkerson possibly being a top 15 selection.

Brandon Harris/Alphonso Smith: Although Harris is a little bigger then Smith, I think Harris could fall out of the first due to his barely 5'10 size. The NFL is advancing towards bigger CB's, and that could hurt Harris' draft stock. I recently had Harris as low as Houston in the 2nd. I think both are very talented, but there's more to talent when it comes to drafting (and I'm not a fan of this, just saying).

Jon Baldwin/Demaryious Thomas: Baldwin isn't as raw as Thomas, nor is he as athletic, but I could see the draft unfold similarly for Baldwin as it did for Thomas. I don't think he'll be the first WR to go like Thomas, but I think a team in the 20's may fall in love with the size/speed ratio. I'm thinking a team like the Chiefs could take him.

Akeem Ayers/Rey Malaluga: I don't think Ayers will be drafted as low, but like Malaluga, I could see teams turned off by the lack of speed. This is more of a stretch then previous comparisons, but I could see Ayers drop like a stone as Malaluga did. I'm thinking he could fall to the Eagles or possibly as far as the Jets.

These are all I could think of for now. Please, let me know what you think of the comparisons or if you have your own I'd love to hear them. If I think of anymore I will try and add them onto this

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Comments

Aldon Smith/Jason Pierre-Paul

both didn’t play too much college ball and were relatively new to the game. Both had ridiculous upside and were scheme versatile. Both were on the bust-o-meter.

Both rely on athleticism for their production, rather than actual pass rushing technique. Both are similar size at 6-5ish 260lbs.

"I may be drunk, miss, but in the morning, I will be sober and you will still be ugly."
-Winston Churchill

by BigBlueIntervention on Apr 6, 2011 4:00 PM EDT reply actions

I was thinking the same

although Smith did have a double digit sack season before coming out. I will agree he is still raw, but I chose not to include it because I don’t believe Smith is as raw as JPP was

If you reply to a comment/post/fanshot of mine, I will more likely then not respond to it, unless you come off like a d-bag.

by DBroncs1414 on Apr 6, 2011 6:19 PM EDT up reply actions

Your comparisons are pretty accurate.

I think Vernon Gholston/Justin Houston is a risk, but pretty possible. Also, how about Rahim Moore/Nate Allen?

by JetKing55 on Apr 6, 2011 4:25 PM EDT reply actions

From a draft standpoint

I don’t think Houston will be drafted anywhere near as high as Gholston. I could see a Moore/Allen one though, most solely cover S’s land at the top of the 2nd

If you reply to a comment/post/fanshot of mine, I will more likely then not respond to it, unless you come off like a d-bag.

by DBroncs1414 on Apr 6, 2011 6:21 PM EDT up reply actions

Ya I just meant that Houston and Gholston both take plays off, and are work in progress players.

by JetKing55 on Apr 6, 2011 7:11 PM EDT up reply actions

Wilkerson/Alualu

Do you mean they’re alike b/c where he will be drafted or playing style? Because Wilkerson and Alualu are 2 completely different players.

Can't stand the truth?

by Aristotle45 on Apr 6, 2011 4:31 PM EDT reply actions

I expected some confusion

I meant mainly on how the draft would unfold for them. I think Wilkerson will go much higher then anyone thinks on draft day, like Alualu

If you reply to a comment/post/fanshot of mine, I will more likely then not respond to it, unless you come off like a d-bag.

by DBroncs1414 on Apr 6, 2011 6:19 PM EDT up reply actions

ok got you

Can't stand the truth?

by Aristotle45 on Apr 6, 2011 8:24 PM EDT up reply actions

How high to you predict Wilkerson will go?

Make no mistake, Tyson Alualu was on plenty of scout’s radars last spring. What really helped his stock and put him on the map for the fans was his performance during Senior Bowl week and the game itself. With all that being said, I was hoping that the Vikes would draft him in the second round and I was totally shocked to hear his name taken at #10 overall.

Wilkerson being an underclassman had no such opportunity to shine at the Senior Bowl. But his size, motor and versatility make him an interesting prospect. And while I don’t think Wilkerson will be a top 10 pick like Alualu, I would not be surprised to see him go anywhere in the second half of the 1st round.

"I am patient with stupidity but not with those who are proud of it."

by NMVike on Apr 7, 2011 2:15 PM EDT up reply actions

how high *do you predict

"I am patient with stupidity but not with those who are proud of it."

by NMVike on Apr 7, 2011 2:15 PM EDT up reply actions

I said it in my post

If you reply to a comment/post/fanshot of mine, I will more likely then not respond to it, unless you come off like a d-bag.

by DBroncs1414 on Apr 7, 2011 3:24 PM EDT up reply actions

I read top 15

But surely you don’t expect him to go as high as #3 or even #5 do you? I guess I was wondering if you had a more specific spot in mind. There are a few teams such as my Vikings that could be interested in a DLineman. Could you see Wilkerson going #12? Earlier?

"I am patient with stupidity but not with those who are proud of it."

by NMVike on Apr 7, 2011 3:35 PM EDT up reply actions