2013 Ask Jeff Risdon a Question

[Icness]

The guys to watch are Mills and Fragel, 3rd/4th round guys with legit upside. Mills is NFL ready, Fragel will struggle early but has potential to be very good. Mills is one nasty hombre, plays with great intensity, physicality, but light on his feet and and has good hands. Fragel is a man mountain still learning how to play the position. His progress from the Cal game to the end of the season was nothing short of awesome.

I'm a Quessenberry fan, solid player, nothing real special but he does everything well enough. More than held his own against Alex Okafor and Margus Hunt in pass rush drills. Just not a real pile mover or anchor against bulls.

[hermes]

hey jeff,

does bringing in jennings change the vikings draft plans (specifically in the first round) at all? do they still need to grab a top wr from this draft class or will they look towards defense (lb, db or dt) now that they have jennings?

[Icness]

hey jeff,

does bringing in jennings change the vikings draft plans (specifically in the first round) at all? do they still need to grab a top wr from this draft class or will they look towards defense (lb, db or dt) now that they have jennings?

They still desperately need a slot guy and they'll go after one sooner than later. Tavon Austin won't fall that far but he would be great. Marquise Goodwin, Ace Sanders, Tavarres King, Ryan Swope, all middle round options.

LB and DT are still high priorities in that order. But Rick Speilman will not force a fit. A guard is on the shopping list too, the depth there is a self-diagnosed problem.

[penquin11]

Any news on Star's heart? How did he do at his pro-day? What are the Panthers plans? Do you see them taking a CB or G within the draft and if so who?

[DSand]

I've become enamored with Tavon Austin. The closer we get to the draft I think the hype on this guy is gonna keep growing. Do you see him slipping into the top ten come draft day? Maybe the Jets at 9, or do you see any teams trading up for him? Thanks.

[Icness]

Any news on Star's heart? How did he do at his pro-day? What are the Panthers plans? Do you see them taking a CB or G within the draft and if so who?

Adam Schefter ‏@AdamSchefter 3h
Good day for Star. RT @schadjoe: Utah DL Star Lotulelei Pro Day standout: Bench of 38. 30 vertical. 3 cone of 7.76 and shuttle of 4.65.

Impressive numbers for a guy his size. That's a faster shuttle than Sharrif Floyd and that's the only "speed" metric you ever need to worry about for DTs.

Not much has leaked about his heart, still unsure how teams really view it. I suspect that teams that talk about it are trying to either create a market or gauge the market and that nobody really knows at this point.

Panthers are certainly looking at CB in the 1st but also DT. Cyprien not OOTQ at 14 either, I know they like him a lot. Doubt they go OL early, something they will get into later. Keep an eye on Brian Winters from Kent St.

[Icness]

I've become enamored with Tavon Austin. The closer we get to the draft I think the hype on this guy is gonna keep growing. Do you see him slipping into the top ten come draft day? Maybe the Jets at 9, or do you see any teams trading up for him? Thanks.

Tavon will be gone no later than the #12 spot. Could go as high as 4th, and Philly would love nothing more than to dump Desean Jackson on someone else if they can get a suitable replacement. Absolutely he is in play for the Jets at 9, more so than Patterson. Still think they take a pass rusher like Mingo there though.

[NO-KG-AI]

God I hope Star drops to 15. I know. Just let me dream.

[Icness]

God I hope Star drops to 15. I know. Just let me dream.

Saints are in a good spot. Could get Star, could get Sheldon Richardson. Either would be great, Star better for a 3-4 though. 2nd round Johnathan Hankins would be nice consolation prize.

1st round if they want a corner, Xavier Rhodes or Desmond Trufant (too high for both IMO). Could get Vaccaro or Cyprien at safety (too high for Vaccaro, a little stretch for Cyprien IMO). If they're duly motivated they could get Cordarrelle Patterson there too, and from what I've heard that's not OOTQ.

[kdawg32086]

So if 15 is too high for Vaccaro, are the odds of him going to the Cowboys extremely high?

[Icness]

So if 15 is too high for Vaccaro, are the odds of him going to the Cowboys extremely high?

That's my opinion that it's too high; I strongly suspect he's gone between 12 and 18. If he is on the board he is Dallas' pick, you can tattoo that on stud's left hand.

[gswhoops]

With Jarvis Jones (by all accounts) face-planting his pro day, how much further will he fall?

[NO-KG-AI]

I don't think we'll go corner. They're trying desperately to grab big press corners via FA. I won't doubt you on Patterson, you called the Meachem pick before it was in, I'm pretty sure it was the first time it was ever spoken publicly. :bow:

A front 7 player makes the most sense. I'm a BPA guy though, if a great OL prospect is there, or a quality DB, I won't be mad if they pull the trigger (even a receiver). I only really get pissed when we take non dynamic RBs while using a 1st and 2nd, or if we were to take a "gritty" LB like T'eO or something.

Far and away our biggest need is the ability to get pressure. I think Gallette, Akiem Hicks, Cam Jordan and Martez will really break out in the 3-4. We still need plenty more.

[NeedsMoreCheese]

So if 15 is too high for Vaccaro, are the odds of him going to the Cowboys extremely high?

That's my opinion that it's too high; I strongly suspect he's gone between 12 and 18. If he is on the board he is Dallas' pick, you can tattoo that on stud's left hand.

[Roger Murdock]

I wouldn't touch Tavon Austin in the first two rounds. Theres no precedent for a player of his size ever getting drafted high. Most people his size go undrafted. YAC is the hardest thing to translate the NFL. Hes not going to run circles around defenders in the worst defensive conference and hes not going to be playing with the best quarterback in an air raid offense anymore either. Even the small guys he gets compared to are 2-3 inches taller, 10-25% heavier, struggled their first few years in the league, and wouldn't be worth a top 10 pick anyways.

I can't help but think if the same exact prospect went to somewhere like North Texas he would be a boarderline 7th rounder.

[penquin11]

Tavon looks like Percy Harvin, except faster.

[Icness]

Tavon looks like Percy Harvin, except faster.

Percy would probably nip him in a 100-yard dash, but Tavon is quicker. Probably the quickest player I've ever seen. My frame of reference is Eric Metcalf and his slalom sashay through the Bengals D and I think Tavon stops and starts a little quicker than that.

The big worry is durability because he's chicken boned and small.

[Icness]

With Jarvis Jones (by all accounts) face-planting his pro day, how much further will he fall?

I think all the people who hyped him up as an elite athlete look silly because it's clearly evident from games that he was not. He's very fast within one or two steps, that's it. A 30.5" vertical and 4.94 40 for an OLB that weighs in the low 240s? I don't care about college production, that is not close to the minimum athletic metrics that (most) NFL teams have for the position.

It's fascinating to me that the same people who still champion Jones even after this, and there are some, are the exact same people who rip Damontre Moore for being unathletic. Moore weighs 15 pounds more than Jones and ran the exact same 40 time, did one less bench rep, and was better in the short shuttle, vertical, and broad jumps. And Moore is a 3-4 OLB, Jones a 4-3 SLB, which means Jones' role requires more explosive athleticism and long speed to succeed.

I suspect someone will take Jones in the 20s. They will regret it. At least Aaron Maybin was fast.

[Worm Guts]

I wouldn't touch Tavon Austin in the first two rounds. Theres no precedent for a player of his size ever getting drafted high. Most people his size go undrafted. YAC is the hardest thing to translate the NFL. Hes not going to run circles around defenders in the worst defensive conference and hes not going to be playing with the best quarterback in an air raid offense anymore either. Even the small guys he gets compared to are 2-3 inches taller, 10-25% heavier, struggled their first few years in the league, and wouldn't be worth a top 10 pick anyways.

I can't help but think if the same exact prospect went to somewhere like North Texas he would be a boarderline 7th rounder.

I think elite explosiveness is one of the easier things to identify and it usually translates. Austin has explosive speed and quickness, his size is worrisome but I think he's definitely worthy of a first round pick.

[Icness]

I don't think we'll go corner. They're trying desperately to grab big press corners via FA. I won't doubt you on Patterson, you called the Meachem pick before it was in, I'm pretty sure it was the first time it was ever spoken publicly. :bow:

A front 7 player makes the most sense. I'm a BPA guy though, if a great OL prospect is there, or a quality DB, I won't be mad if they pull the trigger (even a receiver). I only really get pissed when we take non dynamic RBs while using a 1st and 2nd, or if we were to take a "gritty" LB like T'eO or something.

Far and away our biggest need is the ability to get pressure. I think Gallette, Akiem Hicks, Cam Jordan and Martez will really break out in the 3-4. We still need plenty more.

I would strongly consider OL if I were Mickey Loomis, esp. Warmack if he's there. I'd look at Damontre Moore too. It's too high for him but I think he'd be a great fit.