tophergillock
Pro-Bowler
Offline
I have watched a lot of game film on the projected first round draft picks, as many of you have. Not only do I believe that game film is the true tell all, but I also believe combine stats are somewhat overrated. With that being said I have a few guys that stood out to me as well as a few guys who I'd stay away from.
Also I should mention that I believe there is no such thing as reaching in the draft. If you feel like a guy is your guy and he is not projected to be picked for another 10 to 15 picks get him anyway. This does not work all the time (Jonathan Sullivan) but since no draft prospect is a guarantee get the guy you like.
Guys that didn't stand out to me:
Ziggy Ansah - He has potential, but he doesn't penetrate effectively enough. He relies on getting around the edge too often and also has serious stamina issues.
Barkevious Mingo - The kid has speed, but it takes more than that too become a dominant pass rusher in the nfl. He doesn't shed blocks well at all, and too often takes himself out of the play by over pursuing. Every time I look at game film (even Mingo's highlights) 2 or 3 other LSU Defensive guys stand out more than Mingo.
Alex Okafor - He just seems to get lost even on man blocks. His ceiling is low in my opinion. He is mainly a 4-3 guy anyway so the saints won't look his way.
On the fence about :
Datone Jones - While I do think he is somewhat NFL ready I think his ceiling is low. The things he does well now he can continue to do in the nfl (has good bend around the edge, and chases ball carries well) but I notice he disappears when facing elite tackles.
Jarvis Jones - If what I said about game film being a tell all is completely true then Jones should be a no brainer must have guy. I am worried about work ethic and the spinal injury here. If the scouting staff is 100% sure that Jones can overcome the spinal condition and bust he butt to be great, draft him, if not don't.
Margus Hunt - He has a lot of question marks but he does a few things really well. ATTACKS!!! I would like to see him wrap up when tackle but this kids power is unreal. He has good flexibility for a big guy. I think he bends around the edge better than some of the scouting reports I have read. He could be a guy who SP might use on Offense too in a goalline situation. Kinda like Vrabel with the pats. Could be interesting.
Guys that stood out:
Alec Ogletree - I did not like the off the field issues and injury history of Ogletree and so at first I did not even watch much film on him. However, he came back from injury well and I believe our staff can keep a player grounded and focused. Since then I have watched a lot of film on this kid and liked what I saw. He penetrates in the back field well, and follows the ball amazingly. He doesn't get caught by fakes and plays and attacks the ball carrier whoever that may be. I think what I like most is his cover ability. I saw some amazing coverage on TE's and RB's out of the backfield. (Which would help in this division). He would be able to play almost any LB position.
Tavon Austin - I have been all about drafting this guy for a while now. I know we need D but to have playmakers like Sproles, Graham, and Colston and Morgan and Austin stretching the field. WOW. He can also come across the middle and cause havoc their. We would have a dynamic RB in Sproles, and a dynamic WR in Austin. Good Luck defending that speed.
Arthur Brown - If we decide to go ILB this kid is a must. Probably the most instinctive guy in the draft. Slightly undersized but if my memory serves me right, the saints had a pretty good slightly undersized ILB in guy by the name of Sam Mills. Brown could be that type of guy in this Defense. He could be a guy who grows into a leader type role. The best thing about Brown is his tackling ability. He has great technique and wraps up players well. We need this trait more than any other on our Defense right now.
Let me know what you guys think. Go Saints!!!!!
Also I should mention that I believe there is no such thing as reaching in the draft. If you feel like a guy is your guy and he is not projected to be picked for another 10 to 15 picks get him anyway. This does not work all the time (Jonathan Sullivan) but since no draft prospect is a guarantee get the guy you like.
Guys that didn't stand out to me:
Ziggy Ansah - He has potential, but he doesn't penetrate effectively enough. He relies on getting around the edge too often and also has serious stamina issues.
Barkevious Mingo - The kid has speed, but it takes more than that too become a dominant pass rusher in the nfl. He doesn't shed blocks well at all, and too often takes himself out of the play by over pursuing. Every time I look at game film (even Mingo's highlights) 2 or 3 other LSU Defensive guys stand out more than Mingo.
Alex Okafor - He just seems to get lost even on man blocks. His ceiling is low in my opinion. He is mainly a 4-3 guy anyway so the saints won't look his way.
On the fence about :
Datone Jones - While I do think he is somewhat NFL ready I think his ceiling is low. The things he does well now he can continue to do in the nfl (has good bend around the edge, and chases ball carries well) but I notice he disappears when facing elite tackles.
Jarvis Jones - If what I said about game film being a tell all is completely true then Jones should be a no brainer must have guy. I am worried about work ethic and the spinal injury here. If the scouting staff is 100% sure that Jones can overcome the spinal condition and bust he butt to be great, draft him, if not don't.
Margus Hunt - He has a lot of question marks but he does a few things really well. ATTACKS!!! I would like to see him wrap up when tackle but this kids power is unreal. He has good flexibility for a big guy. I think he bends around the edge better than some of the scouting reports I have read. He could be a guy who SP might use on Offense too in a goalline situation. Kinda like Vrabel with the pats. Could be interesting.
Guys that stood out:
Alec Ogletree - I did not like the off the field issues and injury history of Ogletree and so at first I did not even watch much film on him. However, he came back from injury well and I believe our staff can keep a player grounded and focused. Since then I have watched a lot of film on this kid and liked what I saw. He penetrates in the back field well, and follows the ball amazingly. He doesn't get caught by fakes and plays and attacks the ball carrier whoever that may be. I think what I like most is his cover ability. I saw some amazing coverage on TE's and RB's out of the backfield. (Which would help in this division). He would be able to play almost any LB position.
Tavon Austin - I have been all about drafting this guy for a while now. I know we need D but to have playmakers like Sproles, Graham, and Colston and Morgan and Austin stretching the field. WOW. He can also come across the middle and cause havoc their. We would have a dynamic RB in Sproles, and a dynamic WR in Austin. Good Luck defending that speed.
Arthur Brown - If we decide to go ILB this kid is a must. Probably the most instinctive guy in the draft. Slightly undersized but if my memory serves me right, the saints had a pretty good slightly undersized ILB in guy by the name of Sam Mills. Brown could be that type of guy in this Defense. He could be a guy who grows into a leader type role. The best thing about Brown is his tackling ability. He has great technique and wraps up players well. We need this trait more than any other on our Defense right now.
Let me know what you guys think. Go Saints!!!!!