2012 Ask Jeff Risdon a Question

[Icness]

what are the draft prospects in regards to a couple georgia guys in jarvis jones and aaron murray?

im curious if anyone thinks murray can be anything at the next level? he's not built huge (listed at 205) but his arm seems more than capable, maybe it's just wishful thinking, what are your thoughts on him?

Honestly I haven't looked much at Murray in terms of NFL potential. Give me a year on him. Really haven't broken down Jones much either but every time I watch Georgia he is filling the hole and attacking the ball. I know people are watching him and like him. He's just a soph, right?

[Icness]

Thoughts on this years safety class?

Not anywhere close to two years ago, probably a little better than last year. Not much in the way of impact players but I do see several guys that I think can become solid starters. Mark Barron, Markelle Martin, Harrison Smith, the dude from MSU. A couple of guys are more undersized linebackers than safeties but could slide into a hyrbid role, Tony Dye and Kenny Tate. I think we're going to see Barron in the 20-30 range, Martin and Smith in the 2nd, and then a run of guys in the 3rd and 4th rounds.

[studcrackers]

jones is a redshirt sophmore, i assumed he was drafte elligible since he was a transfer from usc. he did come out w/this a couple days ago (who knows if he'll stick with it)

http://blogs.ajc.com/uga-sports-blog/20 ... ports_blog

[Celtics_Champs]

The only reason I continue to listen (well besides tonight when they're actually on TV!) to Boston College football is because of Luke Kuechly. So a couple questions on him if you don't mind.

A. If he breaks the all time tackle record this year will he come out as a Junior? I always thought he'd stay 4 years, but it's looking like he could break the tackle record if he averages what he's been averaging per game. Plus, who would want to come back to a down BC program, geez as I type this Rettig just fumbled again. And what's your thoughts on how he can do as a pro?

[Icness]

Most people expect Kuechly to come out. I talked to a NE (Northeast, not New England, their people never talk to anyone) scout a couple weeks ago and he thinks Kuechly is gone for sure.

With where that program where it is I would expect him to leave. Tough to sell a guy on coming back to a team that might win 4 games next year instead of being drafted in the 25-50 range and making millions in the NFL.

I think he is a solid starting ILB for a 3-4 defense in the NFL that will get a lot of tackles but not many big plays. He's not as big a hitter as David Harris but that is his closest stylistic and physical comparison. Harris had the same basic rep on him coming out of Michigan--very good in the middle of the field, never misses a tackle, butlacks the range to get sideline to sideline.

[JaxMagic]

Going into next year, the Jags could definitely use some playmakers on the offensive side. What are your thoughts on Lamar Miller, TY Hilton, and Chris Rainey and where do you think those players are most likely to go in the draft? Thanks!

I'm actually watching FIU/Troy right now, checking out Hilton, Massaquoi, and a couple others. I love Hilton's explosion. He gets from stop to top speed in three steps, real impressive. He has crisp footwork but he does downshift to make breaks as a wideout. He also doesn't really have a lot of shiftiness other than just being faster than everyone else. Doesn't strike me as a great leaper or catcher of the ball, only average on both counts. Where I think he shines is in the slot and coming out of the backfield, using him the way the Browns use Josh Cribbs to get him the ball in space. He's not as tough as Cribbs though.

I like Miller quite a bit, more and more every time I see Miami. He's got great vision and a real feel for how to set up his blockers. He has some Jahvid Best to him, minus the concussions. He's bigger than I thought he was too.

I'm not a Rainey fan. Aside from the fact he's tiny, he has earned his rep as a difficlut guy to coach. I do know one scout that thinks he is Darren Sproles II, but Sproles has a better sturdiness to him when he runs. Rainey goes down on first contact way too readily. He's a return specialist and novelty back.

Back to the Troy/FIU game, Jonathan Massaquoi was freaking dominant. I rated him earlier from seeing a couple other games and this only raises my opinion of him. Dude is going to be tough to block in the NFL.

Very informative, as always. Thanks!

[Roger Murdock]

You see him in a 3-4? I've thought he was a classic 4-3 MLB when I've watched him. Seems a little like DQ Jackson, who struggled in a 3-4 taking on blockers but is having the best year of his career making plays in a 4-3. Or Vilma even.

[lpsevier]

Thoughts on Jonas Gray? Is he playing his way into getting drafted?

He looks very fast for his size this year.

[Icness]

Thoughts on Jonas Gray? Is he playing his way into getting drafted?

He looks very fast for his size this year.

Gray is amidst a cluster of about 30 RBs that are in the mix to go in the 6th round thru being camp invitees. His size does give him a leg up. I like him better than Wood, FWIW. Brian Kelly skill position guys haven't fared too well in the NFL though and that works against him.

[Roger Murdock]

I just wanted to say I really enjoy your rankings because you don't play it safe like everyone else. You rank em like you see em as opposed to where you think they'll be drafted, which is way more interesting in my opinion.

[Icness]

You see him in a 3-4? I've thought he was a classic 4-3 MLB when I've watched him. Seems a little like DQ Jackson, who struggled in a 3-4 taking on blockers but is having the best year of his career making plays in a 4-3. Or Vilma even.

I need to see him up close to see how big he really is. My sense is that he's about the same size as Laurinaitis at about 6'3" and 248 pounds. If he's under about 245 then I def. agree he belongs in a 4-3. He's listed at 238 but he sure looks bulkier than that to me. He is better at shedding and flowing that DQwell, and I think you know how much I like and respect D'Qwell Jackson--he's the most underrated player in the league.

*Shudders remembering Vilma in the Jets' 3-4*

And thanks. Draft ratings and mock drafts are two very different animals and it is hard to keep them distinct.

[Smooth32]

What do you think the Browns do in regards to their QB position?

Do they mortgage the farm for Luck? Or do they hope Barkely/Jones fall to them or trade a smaller package for them? Or get Tannehill/RG3 with their 2nd pick?

I can't see how they'll go into next year with McCoy as their QB.

[Icness]

What do you think the Browns do in regards to their QB position?

Do they mortgage the farm for Luck? Or do they hope Barkely/Jones fall to them or trade a smaller package for them? Or get Tannehill/RG3 with their 2nd pick?

I can't see how they'll go into next year with McCoy as their QB.

I agree completely with your last sentence.

They had a scout at Baylor/Mizzou. Same scout has been at both TAMU games I've been to this year and I know he's done a lot of research on Tannehill. They've had a scout at at least 5 USC games.

It would be very out of character for Holmgren to trade up and get Luck. I think they will pick in the 5-8 range (they're not winning any more than 2 remaining games) and that is right where Barkley/Jones/Tannehill are going to go. My best guess is they would stand pat and take whichever one they want most, or trade back a few spots if they can't get the one they want and try to build up more talent around whomever will be the QB.

Mock draft coming later today but it's obviously too early to be anything but wild guesses.

[Jaruff]

I know you have Melvin Ingram high on your list but where do you see him at the next level? I know he's a thick guy right now but I think he was 50-60 pounds lighter when SC recruited him as a RB/LB/ATH. LB, DE, or possibly DT where he has played some?

[Roger Murdock]

I would be absolutely shocked if we passed on Barkley. If we pass on Barkley its because we are either drafting #1 and take Luck or aren't drafting high enough to take him.

Based on everything I know about our front office, HC, Barkley as a prospect, and where we have sent our scouts I would be mind blown if we don't take him if given a chance.

[Icness]

I know you have Melvin Ingram high on your list but where do you see him at the next level? I know he's a thick guy right now but I think he was 50-60 pounds lighter when SC recruited him as a RB/LB/ATH. LB, DE, or possibly DT where he has played some?

I think he will be a rush LB in the NFL but also play some end, a la Brian Orakpo. He isn't always the quickest off the snap but his second and third steps he is a bolt of hostility.

Supposedly he is a great tight end, they use him in practice. Never hurts to have added value!

[PhilipNelsonFan]

Thoughts on the three Stanford TEs (Coby Fleener, Zach Ertz, Levine Toilolo)?

[PhilipNelsonFan]

One more question: Based on the new rookie wage scale implemented for this year, do you believe that general managers and personnel directors will value players at certain positions more because they don't have to fork over, say, $10 million guaranteed? If so, who might get drafted higher as a result?

[Icness]

Thoughts on the three Stanford TEs (Coby Fleener, Zach Ertz, Levine Toilolo)?

Fleener is the best of the lot, most versatile. His blocking has improved. Has some Tony Scheffler to him, maybe a little tougher. I think like Scheffler he's a late 2nd round pick that will be a matchup advantage at times and be invisible in other games.

Ertz strikes me as a #2 TE in a West Coast-style system. I haven't spent a lot of time really checking him out though. Unsure if he's coming out but isn't he overaged for a RS Soph?

Toilolo has good long-term development potential. It sounds like he is out for the rest of the year so I would expect him to come back to school. He's the most physical of the three and I love his big hands. I know a west coast scout that is pretty high on him.

[Icness]

One more question: Based on the new rookie wage scale implemented for this year, do you believe that general managers and personnel directors will value players at certain positions more because they don't have to fork over, say, $10 million guaranteed? If so, who might get drafted higher as a result?

That is a very good question. I think it led to Ponder, Locker, and Dalton all going earlier than expected last year. Projecting that forward, I think the second tier QBs probably bubble up. I think it makes it a little easier to roll the dice on a talented guy with character issues, like Janoris Jenkins or Tydreke Powell.

Jenkins is probably the best answer to your question. He is a legit top 10 talent but he refused to declare last year because he didn't want to stop smoking pot every day--I got that straight from an agent who was trying to sign him. He's also had some issues with failing to respect authority, both coaching and law enforcement. Allegedly he has shown much greater maturity at North Alabama, but Florence AL is not exactly a hopping town.