2013 Ask Jeff Risdon a Question

[CJ_18]

Being a Redskin fan I hate the cowboys.. but I've seen them a little bit this year and one thing that has jumped out at me is how huge of a stud LB Sean Lee is. Is it just me or is he flying under everybody's radar? or is he recognized as one of the best young defensive players in the league?

He obviously excels in coverage, solid against the run, doesn't really pass rush alot plus hes playing MLB in a 3-4 so thats not what he does. But he is just a natural out there.

[Icness]

Lee is definitely recognized as a rising star. It took awhile but the public perception is finally catching up to his great play.

He's an ideal MLB for a Kiffin defense, rangy and smart.

[penquin11]

Ok, time to ask this question again:

What RB's standout to you this year?

Of the Panthers needs (OL- though patched by Wharton of all players, WR- dear god I think this is largely why Cam struggles, CB - meh not a huge problem) which do you think we address in the first round?

[Icness]

Ok, time to ask this question again:

What RB's standout to you this year?

Of the Panthers needs (OL- though patched by Wharton of all players, WR- dear god I think this is largely why Cam struggles, CB - meh not a huge problem) which do you think we address in the first round?

My RB ratings right now:
1. Lache Seastrunk
2. Melvin Gordon
3. Bishop Sankey
4. James Wilder Jr.
5. Carlos Hyde
6. Marion Grice
7. Charles Sims
8. Tim Flanders
9. KaDeem Carey
10. Damien Williams

I do not consider DeAnthony Thomas a running back.

If I'm Gettleman I'm looking OT, nickel CB, slot WR, and a reserve DE in the first few rounds. Silatolu and Kugbila should be fine at G once healthy. I'm taking a developmental QB late too.

[Da Schwab]

How much of Michigan State's defense is legitimate NFL talent? They've been absolutely incredible this season and have been pretty great on a national scale for a couple years now.

Is that more a testament to the staff or the kids on the team?

[Icness]

How much of Michigan State's defense is legitimate NFL talent? They've been absolutely incredible this season and have been pretty great on a national scale for a couple years now.

Is that more a testament to the staff or the kids on the team?

Dennard is going to start right away for a press man team, 2nd round pick. I like him a lot. Has some Charles Tillman to him.

Bullogh has a chance to start as a 3-4 ILB, will be a 4th-5th round pick unless he tests better than expected. Dude is a football player, period.

Denicos Allen is a UDFA prospect, system player with some good athletic talent but he's undersized. I bet he plays in the AFL.

Isaiah Lewis keeps improving. He'll get drafted. Smallish but smart and a real thumper.

Calhoun is going to be a 1st round pick in time. Pass rushers that are 6'4", 255 and run 4.58 when they're 18 don't come around very often.

So they do have talent. Depth too. But it's brilliantly schemed and the players have excellent chemistry. Their coaches rave about how well they all play together and get along. Underrated factor in CFB.

[ATL Boy]

Jeff,

If the Falcons get a top 3 pick and Clowney falls to us, is it a foregone conclusion that we'll take him or will we take another passer such as Anthony Barr, or an O-Lineman such as Jake Matthews.

[Icness]

I would take Clowney no hesitation. Plan B would be Barr. Y'all can live with a one dimensional player for a couple of years until Barr learns to do more than kill QBs

[mnWI]

Jeff, interested in your take on Dion Bailey. I had the chance to attend the USC vs Stanford game, and he was subbed off the field in the base defense, and used only in the slot in nickel/dime situations. He seems like he'd be physical enough to stay on the field for all snaps. Very impressed by his ball skills too, and he has a knack for big plays, but does he have the vision and instincts on the back end to play FS in the NFL?

Also, Marquis Lee is ballsy. Could barely walk but limped onto the field for a needed 4th down catch.

[Da Schwab]

Ic, who are some non-BCS (MAC, CUSA, MWC, etc.) school guys should we be looking for down the stretch and going into the all-star/senior bowl games?

In the same frame of mind, what kind of looks will Jordan Lynch get on the pro level? Do you think he could be an NFL QB, or should he allow a team move him around?

[Icness]

Jeff, interested in your take on Dion Bailey. I had the chance to attend the USC vs Stanford game, and he was subbed off the field in the base defense, and used only in the slot in nickel/dime situations. He seems like he'd be physical enough to stay on the field for all snaps. Very impressed by his ball skills too, and he has a knack for big plays, but does he have the vision and instincts on the back end to play FS in the NFL?

Also, Marquis Lee is ballsy. Could barely walk but limped onto the field for a needed 4th down catch.

Bailey is a better prospect than TJ McDonald was a year ago in the same spot. Converted LB, still plays LB in the nickel package. He's had a shoulder (I think, might be an elbow) and they rotate him out. It sounds like he's coming out for the draft, looks like a 3rd-4th rounder. I do like his ball skills, made a sweet INT against Hawaii. Haven't spent a lot of time on him yet.

I like Lee a lot. He's going to make a very good #2 WR in the NFL but he will not cut it as a #1 and I fear the team that drafts him in the 25-50 range will want him to be one. He could wind up being in a situation like Keenan Allen last year, the knee injury causes his stock to plummet and he winds up being a great early 3rd day value. I would love him opposite Calvin Johnson, though I would love Brandin Cooks even more.

[Icness]

Ic, who are some non-BCS (MAC, CUSA, MWC, etc.) school guys should we be looking for down the stretch and going into the all-star/senior bowl games?

In the same frame of mind, what kind of looks will Jordan Lynch get on the pro level? Do you think he could be an NFL QB, or should he allow a team move him around?

Khalil Mack, LB, Buffalo is obvious. He's a legit top 10 pick. Could be a top 5 pick. Would be a top 5 pick if he played at a BCS school. Would be first non-QB taken if he went to a powerhouse, over Clowney, he's that good.

Buffalo also has WR Alex Neutz and RB Branden Oliver. Both could wind up in the Shrine Game. Neutz doesn't do a lot for me but Oliver is a sturdy inside/out runner with power and some wiggle. Has some Zac Stacy to his game.

Kent St. has Roosevelt Nix, who plays nose tackle there but will be a 3-4 ILB in the NFL. He's barely 5'11" and plays nose at 270 but nobody can move him. I know some people there, they tell me he can easily drop to 250 and play ILB.

NIU safety Jimmie Ward will be in the Senior Bowl. Playmaking ballhawk, not the most agile guy. Looks like a 4th-5th rounder, could bubble up if he tests well.

Akron RB Juwan Chisholm has another year, impressive guy. IMO the most talented RB Michigan has faced htis year, stats don't come close to showing his ability.

I have not seen him yet but a lot of folks really like Eastern Illinois QB Jimmy Garopollo. He'll be at Shrine Week.

I love Tim Flanders, RB, SHSU. Legit middle-round talent, compares to Gio Bernard.

Lindenwood CB Pierre Desir is a physical beast, hard to judge his level of competition though. From what I've seen he's rawer than expected. Project but a better one than Chris Greenwood was.

Arkansas St. DT Ryan Carrethers will be at Shrine Week most likely. Nose tackle who plays with a lot of energy, could be a 3rd rounder. Better than Stephen Paea, same type of player.

My friend James Christensen (NEPatriotsDraft) likes UMass TE Rob Branchflower a lot. I have only seen him once, can't say much.

And one guy who could really explode on the scene is North Dakota State OT Billy Turner. I've not seen him this year, but he kicked complete a$$ last year. Two people independent of one another told me he's a better prospect than Terron Armstead was a year ago and will test better too. That means 2nd round.

[NeedsMoreCheese]

Any idea how many QBS may be coming out? Is Jimmy Garoppolo gonna shoot up boards at all? And do you know his age because despite all the articles i can't seem to find it, all i find is hes a Senior.

[LoboGuerrero]

What positions do you see as highest priority for the Lions in this draft, and do you have any idea who they like at this point?

I see a few posts up you mentioned a WR to put next to Calvin, do you think they'll target one early? Seems apparent the front office sees it as a need, they've tried for a couple years now and haven't had much luck. Young had some issues off the field, Burleson's injury problems (and age), and Broyles getting injured.

They've been pretty bad in pass coverage this year too, is CB a priority for them?

Maybe an OLB opposite Levy? OL?

[Icness]

Any idea how many QBS may be coming out? Is Jimmy Garoppolo gonna shoot up boards at all? And do you know his age because despite all the articles i can't seem to find it, all i find is hes a Senior.

I don't remember where I saw it but I recall reading that Garoppolo will be 23 at draft time.

I would bet good money right now that Mariota stays at Oregon. Lots of folks close to that program believe he's returning and he really likes school.

Hundley is a wild card. He really needs to stay but scouts I know expect him to declare. He's a long-term project but could be a very good one in time. He's better than E.J. Manuel at the same point, but keep in mind Manuel was at that point 3 years ago and E.J. is one of the smartest guys. Haven't heard that about Hundley.

Johnny Manziel will declare, obviously. His improvement as an overall QB in 2013 is very impressive.

Blake Bortles of UCF is going to graduate so he could come out. I would encourage him to do so.

I've heard rumblings about Brett Smith of Wyoming, but he really needs to go back and add some meat to his bones. Dude is built like Shaun Livingston.

[Icness]

What positions do you see as highest priority for the Lions in this draft, and do you have any idea who they like at this point?

I see a few posts up you mentioned a WR to put next to Calvin, do you think they'll target one early? Seems apparent the front office sees it as a need, they've tried for a couple years now and haven't had much luck. Young had some issues off the field, Burleson's injury problems (and age), and Broyles getting injured.

They've been pretty bad in pass coverage this year too, is CB a priority for them?

Maybe an OLB opposite Levy? OL?

I believe they are going WR, DT, and C in this draft, and beyond that is up in the air. Raiola is in his last year and they need a young replacement. Dylan Gandy can fill in for a year but he's best served as an interior reserve. I liked Rodney Austin until I saw him get bowled over in the preseason.

I know they are looking at bolstering the depth behind Suh & Fairley. Mosley is a stopgap, Fluellen is less than that. Might not be their first couple of picks but 3rd-5th round I expect. That's where centers come off too and this is a very deep center class.

I can see them taking two wideouts, one expected to play right away and the other a late-round developmental guy to compete with Corey Fuller from the '13 draft. One name to watch is Davante Adams from Fresno State; the regional scout for the Lions has seen him in person twice, and there are connections between the Lions staff and coaches at that program.

I can definitely see another OLB but I know the coaches really do like Ashlee Palmer. Because the base defense is nickel, it's not a huge need. I could see them going after a pass rushing LB with some spatial skills to take Tulloch off the field in passing situations, a guy like Shazier or Jonathan Brown from Illinois.

[Da Schwab]

Can you expound on Bortles a little bit? I've watched quite a bit of him the last two years, but I just don't see what makes him more attractive at the pro level than Derek Carr or even Zach Mettenberger.

[NeedsMoreCheese]

Any idea how many QBS may be coming out? Is Jimmy Garoppolo gonna shoot up boards at all? And do you know his age because despite all the articles i can't seem to find it, all i find is hes a Senior.

I don't remember where I saw it but I recall reading that Garoppolo will be 23 at draft time.

I would bet good money right now that Mariota stays at Oregon. Lots of folks close to that program believe he's returning and he really likes school.

Hundley is a wild card. He really needs to stay but scouts I know expect him to declare. He's a long-term project but could be a very good one in time. He's better than E.J. Manuel at the same point, but keep in mind Manuel was at that point 3 years ago and E.J. is one of the smartest guys. Haven't heard that about Hundley.

Johnny Manziel will declare, obviously. His improvement as an overall QB in 2013 is very impressive.

Blake Bortles of UCF is going to graduate so he could come out. I would encourage him to do so.

I've heard rumblings about Brett Smith of Wyoming, but he really needs to go back and add some meat to his bones. Dude is built like Shaun Livingston.

Thanks for the info.

[LoboGuerrero]

What positions do you see as highest priority for the Lions in this draft, and do you have any idea who they like at this point?

I see a few posts up you mentioned a WR to put next to Calvin, do you think they'll target one early? Seems apparent the front office sees it as a need, they've tried for a couple years now and haven't had much luck. Young had some issues off the field, Burleson's injury problems (and age), and Broyles getting injured.

They've been pretty bad in pass coverage this year too, is CB a priority for them?

Maybe an OLB opposite Levy? OL?

I believe they are going WR, DT, and C in this draft, and beyond that is up in the air. Raiola is in his last year and they need a young replacement. Dylan Gandy can fill in for a year but he's best served as an interior reserve. I liked Rodney Austin until I saw him get bowled over in the preseason.

I know they are looking at bolstering the depth behind Suh & Fairley. Mosley is a stopgap, Fluellen is less than that. Might not be their first couple of picks but 3rd-5th round I expect. That's where centers come off too and this is a very deep center class.

I can see them taking two wideouts, one expected to play right away and the other a late-round developmental guy to compete with Corey Fuller from the '13 draft. One name to watch is Davante Adams from Fresno State; the regional scout for the Lions has seen him in person twice, and there are connections between the Lions staff and coaches at that program.

I can definitely see another OLB but I know the coaches really do like Ashlee Palmer. Because the base defense is nickel, it's not a huge need. I could see them going after a pass rushing LB with some spatial skills to take Tulloch off the field in passing situations, a guy like Shazier or Jonathan Brown from Illinois.

Thanks for the insight. What are your thoughts on Davante Adams? Haven't watched much of Fresno State this year.

[Harry Palmer]

Would Winston be the clear number one in this draft? Or do the legal questions torpedo his value?