2014 Combine Notes and Observations

bizarro · Post #1 » by **bizarro** » Sat Feb 22, 2014 11:22 pm

Overall: http://www.cbssports.com/nfl/draft/nfl-draft-scout/24453014/nfl-combine-5-takeaways-from-saturday

TE's:http://www.cbssports.com/nfl/draft/nfl-draft-scout/24452983/nfl-combine-gilmore-impresses-amaro-struggles-in-te-positional-drills

I think any thoughts of Fiederowicz and the GB Iowa connection are overly-stated and premature. He is chiseled, yes, and he passes the eye-test but he isn't going to be a stretch TE and he's certainly no Gronk. At this stage he's more inline and 10 yds. and in kind of guy. He struggled catching the ball on the out and ups.Perhaps, that means he nice red zone player but I don't really see him going before the 4th round. He's nowhere near as fluid as other prospects. Arthur Lynch, from Georgia, doesn't pass the eye test like Fiederowicz, but he caught nearly everything thrown his way if not everything. I think at this time, his calling is blocking and the short passing game. It will be interesting to see how his draft status plays out.

Considering Ebron and Jenkins were out, a few players really stood out to me in the open-field pass-catching domain:

A.C. Leonard: Clearly the most athletic of the bunch. Fast. Fluid. Good hands.
Colt Lyerla: Nice size. Decent speed. Good hands. Fluid.
Trey Burton: More of an H-Back TE. Very good hips. Athletic. Good hands. Former QB. He'll get a chance in the right system due to his smarts and athleticism.

Anyhow, I just thought I'd get a thread dedicated to the combine. Anyone else have any thoughts and observations?

Wizardofwisc · Post #2 » by **Wizardofwisc** » Sun Feb 23, 2014 1:50 am

Watching the OTs run today was super impressive. For such big men the could truly move quite well. I am not sure the Packers have anybody on the offensive line that can move like that. I am not sure what TT thinks about adding an OT but after watching them work out today I would not be upset if one of our top picks went to the offensive line.

bizarro · Post #3 » by **bizarro** » Sun Feb 23, 2014 3:28 am

Wizardofwisc wrote:Watching the OTs run today was super impressive. For such big men the could truly move quite well. I am not sure the Packers have anybody on the offensive line that can move like that. I am not sure what TT thinks about adding an OT but after watching them work out today I would not be upset if one of our top picks went to the offensive line.

Pauline, the scout/talent evaluator who reports w/ Vic @ Packers.com had the Packers scheduled to take an OL from Stanford. Either way, this draft is supposed to have a lot of depth on the OL. I'm sure TT and co. will target one or two OL. None of our guys returning from injuries are sure things - Bulaga; Sherrod; and Tretter. You never know what can happen w/ recoveries.

Wizardofwisc · Post #4 » by **Wizardofwisc** » Sun Feb 23, 2014 4:07 am

bizarro wrote:
Wizardofwisc wrote:Watching the OTs run today was super impressive. For such big men the could truly move quite well. I am not sure the Packers have anybody on the offensive line that can move like that. I am not sure what TT thinks about adding an OT but after watching them work out today I would not be upset if one of our top picks went to the offensive line.

Pauline, the scout/talent evaluator who reports w/ Vic @ Packers.com had the Packers scheduled to take an OL from Stanford. Either way, this draft is supposed to have a lot of depth on the OL. I'm sure TT and co. will target one or two OL. None of our guys returning from injuries are sure things - Bulaga; Sherrod; and Tretter. You never know what can happen w/ recoveries.

Agreed, I came away very impressed with what I saw today. After what I saw today, Pauline might be right.

Post #5 » by **ReasonablySober** » Sun Feb 23, 2014 8:45 pm

Jerick McKinnon is blowing up the place.

jakecronus8 · Post #6 » by **jakecronus8** » Sun Feb 23, 2014 9:28 pm

I've learned to ignore the combine. As long as your guys have the game tape, and fit in the range, they'll be fine. Fiedo was/is underrated to me not because he's a great athlete, but because Iowa is brutal and underutilized him. I think he could be a pro bowler.

AJ Hawk was maybe the most physically gifted MLB ever tested at the combine. Put the pads on and he has cement shoes.

emunney · Post #7 » by **emunney** » Sun Feb 23, 2014 9:28 pm

Dri Archer.

Kerb Hohl · Post #8 » by **Kerb Hohl** » Mon Feb 24, 2014 12:47 am

Remember watching some highlights of Archer a few years ago. Impressive speed. Nearly 24 MPH...

Frank Nova · Post #9 » by **Frank Nova** » Mon Feb 24, 2014 1:55 am

emunney wrote:Dri Archer.

That kid can fly.

Frank Nova · Post #10 » by **Frank Nova** » Mon Feb 24, 2014 1:58 am

Kerb Hohl wrote:Remember watching some highlights of Archer a few years ago. Impressive speed. Nearly 24 MPH...

He had a monster junior year and was injured a lot as a senior. He rushed for like 500yds in 10gms. I see him as a potential McCluster with actual break away speed or a potential Garrett Wolfe who just couldn't stick in the NFL as a midget RB.

Post #11 » by **ReasonablySober** » Mon Feb 24, 2014 6:25 pm

Mayock loves Borland. Compared him to Kuechly.

emunney · Post #12 » by **emunney** » Mon Feb 24, 2014 6:27 pm

I bet every team is asking Logan Thomas if he's down with playing TE.

emunney · Post #13 » by **emunney** » Mon Feb 24, 2014 6:32 pm

Borland 4.83

10 yd split 1.62, not bad.

bizarro · Post #14 » by **bizarro** » Mon Feb 24, 2014 8:34 pm

emunney wrote:Borland 4.83

10 yd split 1.62, not bad.

He ran a second 40 a bit faster. He looked really really sharp in the drills. He has such a fantastic change of direction. His backpedal to sprint changeover is also top of the line.

Van Noy and Zumwalt looked decent, but the LB that really stood out for me today - a guy in our range in rd. 2-3 - is Jordan Tripp. Really like his versatility and smoothness. Very athletic as well.

The DL's that stood out:

Aaron Donald - WOW. Just an athletic guy who can flat out bring it. Production and Athleticism. I'd love to pair him with Daniels. Would absolutely love it.

Caraun Reid - Big dude. Bubble Butt. Decent athleticism. Could be a good grab 3-4 rd.

Other athletes of interest:

Chrisitian Jones ILB
Telvin Smith OLB
Boseko Lokombo OLB
Avery Williamson ILB
Timmy Jernigan DT

I'm really not as intrigued with this crop of DE's. To me this is a DT-heavy draft w/ a lot of solid LB prospects for our 3-4 hybrid system.
RaShede Hageman DT
Kelcy Quarles DT

Post #15 » by **ReasonablySober** » Mon Feb 24, 2014 9:53 pm

I really thought Borland would test better athletically. Unless he's hurt and he does significantly better at his pro day, it's hard for me to see him going higher than the 3rd round.

wichmae · Post #16 » by **wichmae** » Mon Feb 24, 2014 10:46 pm

I would take Borland in the 2nd no problem.

Post #17 » by **ReasonablySober** » Mon Feb 24, 2014 11:36 pm

wichmae wrote:I would take Borland in the 2nd no problem.

So would I.

RiotPunch · Post #18 » by **RiotPunch** » Tue Feb 25, 2014 12:25 am

I am of the opinion that you can find great ILB's later in the draft, but with that said, I would love to see Borland in G&G. We all know he is going to be a very good pro.

El Duderino · Post #19 » by **El Duderino** » Tue Feb 25, 2014 4:24 am

ReasonablySober wrote:I really thought Borland would test better athletically. Unless he's hurt and he does significantly better at his pro day, it's hard for me to see him going higher than the 3rd round.

I'll bet he goes second round. Boreland's the type of player that i think multiple GM's will fall in love with even though his height and other measurables aren't typical for a pick in the second round.

His production was just so good in everything from simple tackle totals, turnovers created, and big plays in general. Another factor which i think will help make him a near second round lock is how skilled of a pass rusher Boreland is for an ILB. Most 3-4 defenses love to blitz their inside linebackers and he has a knack/skill for pass rushing that most ILB's lack. In my opinion it's arguably the most underrated skill he offers. Just look how often Capers blitzes his inside backers and Boreland would instantly be the best blitzer inside on the team.

El Duderino · Post #20 » by **El Duderino** » Tue Feb 25, 2014 4:35 am

RiotPunch wrote:I am of the opinion that you can find great ILB's later in the draft

That can be said for a lot of positions though. Just look at the Packers or other teams around the league, you'll see good to great players on every roster taken after say the second round. Hell, Seattle has the best stable of corners an secondary overall in the league and none were high picks except Thomas. On the flip side their very good ILB Wager was a high 2nd round pick.

In fact, Ted has spent pretty much only late round picks on the ILB since drafting Hawk and the position has been mostly devoid of any playmakers. All that matters is hitting on picks and finding playmakers, regardless of position.