Draft Prospects: Personal Favorites

[Track Guy 64]

Every year we all pull for certain guys to end up on our team. Here are a few of mine this year:

 

Draft Stock: Day 1

Jack Conklin, OL, Michigan St. - Some scouts and fans think he's merely a boring, solid but unspectacular O-line prospect. Others, such as myself, are more excited about his potential. What I like about him in pass protection is that he can anchor really well. He doesn't get pushed back in the pocket easily and he rarely gets beat (at the college level anyways). In the run game, you see he's a guy who can generate movement. He is more athletic than people think. Not an elite athlete but good enough to play tackle in a hybrid zone concept scheme like we are moving to, although probably best on the right side. He also looks like the best suited tackle getting first round buzz that you could plug and play at guard to start his career. Given Pagano's comments on our O-line, maybe that's perfect for our situation. I believe he could start and play well at either right tackle or guard immediately. If he's there at 18 I would be thrilled if Grigson pulls the trigger on this guy.

 

Draft Stock: Day 2

Javon Hargrave, DL, South Carolina St. - What our defense is lacking in my opinion is explosiveness. Javon Hargrave adds just that. A 309 pounder who is just that. The level of competition will be a jump for him and I'd expect him to be basically just a rotational guy as a rookie but he could be a pretty dang good one. I could see picking him in round 2 - although I mocked Henry Anderson to us in round 2 last year and we surprisingly got him in round 3, so maybe the same thing happens here!

 

Draft Stock: Day 3

Justin Simmons, S, Boston College - Clayton Geathers may be our strong safety of the future, but Justin Simmons could be a nice compliment at free safety. He's a rangy, lengthy defensive back that is becoming more of the prototype in today's NFL and he's pretty athletic overall. I could see spending a 4th rounder on him. 

[SolomonThomasFanAccount 2]

RB- ezkiel elliott, booker

wr -Carroo,doctson

te -Henry

S- karl joseph,darian thompson

cb -VH3,WJ3,creveon leblanc 

de - Aziz,Nkimedche

DT Vernon butler ,chris jones ,bullard

C -Ryan kelly ,

G Garnett,whitehair

T Decker,Murphy

ILB -Brothers ,lee,scobby,dion jones

[COLTS449 117]

I'll do my favorites as in guys I like who are in our range in each round. And only with position of need. I'll start with Offense.....

 

Cody Whitehair G

Josh Garnett G

Germain Ifedi G

Nick Martin C

Ryan Kelly C

Christian Westerman C/G

 

Paul Perkins RB

Kenneth Dixon RB

Alex Collins RB

Jonathan Williams RB

CJ Prosise RB

Jordan Howard RB

Keith Marshall RB

Tyler Ervin RB

 

Hunter Henry TE

Austin Hopper TE

Nick Vannett TE

Tyler Higbee TE

 

Noah Spence EDGE

Leonard Floyd EDGE

Shaq Lawson EDGE

Kyler Fackrell EDGE

Matt Judon EDGE

Victor Ochi EDGE

Alex McCalister EDGE

 

Darron Lee ILB

Scooby Wright ILB

Deion Jones ILB

Dom Alexander ILB

Josh Perry ILB

Kentrell Brothers ILB

Terrence Smith ILB

 

Andrew Billings NT

Austin Johnson NT

Kenny Clark NT

Nile Lawrence Staple NT

Javon Hargrave NT

 

Vernon Butler DT

Hassan Ridgeway DT

Chris Jones DT

Robert Nkemdiche DT

Sheldon Rankins DT

Willie Henry DT

Sheldon Day DT

 

William Jackson CB

Mackenzie Alexander CB

Eli Apple CB

Rashard Robinson CB

Kendall Fuller CB

 

Karl Joseph S

Vonn Bell S

KJ Dillon S

Keanu Neal S

Jalen Mills S

Deandre Houston Carson S

Miles Killebrew S

Justin Simmons S

Tyvis Powell S

 

 

 

 

 

[OHColtfan 0]

1st/2nd/3rd

Darron Lee, OLB, Ohio State - want someone on D that will make impact plays, watched every OSU game this year, liked him more as the season went on, like to see him with the horseshoe on

Eli Apple, CB, Ohio State

Ryan Kelley, C, Alabama

William Jackson, CB, Houston

Nick Martin, C/OG, Notre Dame

Kamalei Correa, OLB, Boise State 

Austin Johnson, NG/DE, Penn State 

Landon Turner, G, North Carolina

Kyler Frackrell, OLB, Utah State

Deandre Houston-Carson, S, William & Mary

 

4th - 7th

Hassan Ridgeway, DE, Texas 

Tyler Matakevich, ILB, Temple 

Joe Dahl, OL, Washington State

 Eric Murray, CB, Minnesota

Tyler Ervin, RB, San Jose State

Beau Sandland, TE, Montana State

Maurice Canaday, CB, Virginia

James Cowser, OLB, Southern Utah 

Sterling Bailey, DE, Georgia

Caleb Benenoch, OL, UCLA

 

[Archer 580]

ILB Nick Vigil, Utah St.

ILB Joe Walker, Oregon

CB Eli Apple, Ohio St.

CB William Jackson III, Houston

CB Zack Sanchez, Oklahoma

OG Joseph Thuney, NC St.

C Ryan Kelly, Alabama

C Nick Martin, Notre Dame

WR Michael THhmas, Southern Mississippi

RB Tyler Ervin, San Jose St.

OLB Shaq Lawson, Clemson

 

 

[stitches 7,511]

CBs: William Jackson III

OLB: Myles Jack, Shaq Lawson, Leonard Floyd

DE: DeForest Buckner, Jonathan Bullard, Bronson Kaufusi

NT: Andrew Billings

S: Karl Joseph

C: Ryan Kelly

OG: Christian Westerman

OT: Tayler Decker

WR: Josh Doctson, Keyarris Garrett

RB: Kenneth Dixon, C.J. Prosise, Daniel Lasco

 

 

 

[MPStack 3,234]

Eli Apple

Ryan Kelly

 

[SP_21 92]

Andrew Billings: I've been a big fan since he caught my eye last year. Guys just a freak

 

Eli Apple: Great size,speed,length combination with huge upside. 

 

Su'a Cravens: Fast and surprisingly powerful for his size. Just makes plays

 

Chris Jones

Hassan Ridgeway 

CJ Procise

Keith Marshall

Karl Joseph

[Indy Fan 12]

I've been focusing on defense scouting reports, podcasts, etc. here's my list I excluded top 10 projected guys.

 

CB - Jackson III, Apple, Fuller, Howard, Young, Miller

S - Joseph, Bell, Byard, Houston-Carson

LB - Lee, Smith, Perry, Brothers, Jones, Morrison, Correa, Floyd, Ngakoue, Ochi

DT - Billings, Butler, Clark, Johnson, Rankins

 

G - Whitehair, Ifedi, Tretola

OT - Spriggs, Decker

C - Kelly, Allen

TE - Higbee

 

 

[Moncrief 1]

Mackensie Alexander

Scooby Wright

Karl Joseph

 

I really want Karl Joseph but I doubt we spend a high pick on a safety

[Indy Fan 12]

1 hour ago, Moncrief said:

Mackensie Alexander

Scooby Wright

Karl Joseph

 

I really want Karl Joseph but I doubt we spend a high pick on a safety

Joseph is going to be a monster kind of reminds me of Sanders a bit. I have him in my top 20 of the draft hopefully we snag him in the second round. Wright could be a nice mid round pick if he clears medically and improve in burst. Alexander im not sold on as he the production isn't there compared to others. He didn't get burned on deep routes but gave up too many under routes.

[throwing BBZ 1,132]

Guys i like for us.
Billings J Reed  L Floyd Jaylon Smith M Alexander 

Wm Jackson

 

J Garnett C Westerman Kenny Clark K Correa

 

 

S  KJ Dillon
OL Joe Thuney

RB Daniel Lasco Wendell Smallwood

TE Beau Sandland

 

[2006Coltsbestever 21,128]

I just skimmed through everyone's posts and not 1 person mentioned Ogbah. Still great stuff as you guys listed a ton of potentially great talents but I was surprised not 1 person listed Ogbah.

[SP_21 92]

1 hour ago, 2006Coltsbestever said:

I just skimmed through everyone's posts and not 1 person mentioned Ogbah. Still great stuff as you guys listed a ton of potentially great talents but I was surprised not 1 person listed Ogbah.

I like Ogbah a lot but I think he'll be a much better defensive end than outside linebacker. I would still draft him but not in the first round where I think he'll go. 

[Moncrief 1]

3 hours ago, Indy Fan said:

Joseph is going to be a monster kind of reminds me of Sanders a bit. I have him in my top 20 of the draft hopefully we snag him in the second round. Wright could be a nice mid round pick if he clears medically and improve in burst. Alexander im not sold on as he the production isn't there compared to others. He didn't get burned on deep routes but gave up too many under routes.

 

Joseph reminds me of a Sean Taylor actually, somebody that is just ruthless when it comes to hitting. But he's rangy and can play center field in a cover 1.

 

Alexander when I watched him, I came away with a guy who is sticky in coverage, and would be a good compliment to Davis. I heard some nasty statistic that late in the season he only had about 7% of passes thrown his way. Eli Apple, well I don't watch Ohio State but my friend is a huge fan and said that Apple has bust written all over him so I just take that fwiw. I would put William Jackson as my top CB(that's realistic for is to get) if he hadn't played at Houston.

 

Regardless of the route we go, I really like the defensive prospects in this draft compared to other drafts and I'm mainly an offensive/WR type of guy.

[Indy Fan 12]

2 hours ago, Moncrief said:

 

Joseph reminds me of a Sean Taylor actually, somebody that is just ruthless when it comes to hitting. But he's rangy and can play center field in a cover 1.

 

Alexander when I watched him, I came away with a guy who is sticky in coverage, and would be a good compliment to Davis. I heard some nasty statistic that late in the season he only had about 7% of passes thrown his way. Eli Apple, well I don't watch Ohio State but my friend is a huge fan and said that Apple has bust written all over him so I just take that fwiw. I would put William Jackson as my top CB(that's realistic for is to get) if he hadn't played at Houston.

 

Regardless of the route we go, I really like the defensive prospects in this draft compared to other drafts and I'm mainly an offensive/WR type of guy.

If I exclude Ramsey whom is going to be a stud probably the best player in the draft. My top 5 CB goes like Jackson, Fuller, VG3, Apple, and Howard. I completely agree with you defense this year is outstanding and I hope we get some home runs. If we landed Joseph in the second I think that would be amazing kid is a ball hawk that can smash. Sean Taylor is a good comp a Taylor Lite Version. 

[ColtsBlueFL 4,356]

18 hours ago, Track Guy said:

Every year we all pull for certain guys to end up on our team. Here are a few of mine this year:

 

Draft Stock: Day 1

Jack Conklin, OL, Michigan St. - Some scouts and fans think he's merely a boring, solid but unspectacular O-line prospect. Others, such as myself, are more excited about his potential. What I like about him in pass protection is that he can anchor really well. He doesn't get pushed back in the pocket easily and he rarely gets beat (at the college level anyways). In the run game, you see he's a guy who can generate movement. He is more athletic than people think. Not an elite athlete but good enough to play tackle in a hybrid zone concept scheme like we are moving to, although probably best on the right side. He also looks like the best suited tackle getting first round buzz that you could plug and play at guard to start his career. Given Pagano's comments on our O-line, maybe that's perfect for our situation. I believe he could start and play well at either right tackle or guard immediately. If he's there at 18 I would be thrilled if Grigson pulls the trigger on this guy.

 

Draft Stock: Day 2

Javon Hargrave, DL, South Carolina St. - What our defense is lacking in my opinion is explosiveness. Javon Hargrave adds just that. A 309 pounder who is just that. The level of competition will be a jump for him and I'd expect him to be basically just a rotational guy as a rookie but he could be a pretty dang good one. I could see picking him in round 2 - although I mocked Henry Anderson to us in round 2 last year and we surprisingly got him in round 3, so maybe the same thing happens here!

 

Draft Stock: Day 3

Justin Simmons, S, Boston College - Clayton Geathers may be our strong safety of the future, but Justin Simmons could be a nice compliment at free safety. He's a rangy, lengthy defensive back that is becoming more of the prototype in today's NFL and he's pretty athletic overall. I could see spending a 4th rounder on him. 

 

I tested your claim on Hargrave using Pat Kirwans formula for explosion.  Here is the results and those on the DLine currently on the roster-

 

Explosion Number (Pat Kirwan formula)  >70 is good!

Javon Hargrave Explosion number  = 72.75  **

David Parry                          = 71.5

Henry Anderson                   = 62.25  

Kendall Langford                  = 60.5

Art Jones                        = Incomplete  (needs >10' broad jump and => 30" vertical to reach 70)

T.Y. McGill                            = 62.9

Earl Okine                           = 67.3

Kelcy Quarles                      = 59

 

So you are correct.  According to this formula (alone) only David Parry qualifies as explosive.  Hargrave be the highest rated.  Okine 3rd.

[SP_21 92]

Forget Billings... Eli Apple? Never heard of her... This guy is the real deal, 405 pounds of pure awesomeness. Perfect replacement for Fleener. Laquan McGowan remember the name!

http://collegesports.blog.statesman.com/2015/10/12/baylors-large-laquan-mcgowan-is-heaviest-player-to-score-td-this-season/

[JRnINDY 19]

And these one handed catches.

http://youtu.be/R3MJ02A5JAM

[RealityIsLuck 20]

RB: Booker, Perkins

WR: North, Treadwell, Boyd

OT: Clark, Dekker, Colema, Spriggs

OG: Whitehair

C: Kelly

 

NT: Reed, Billings, Johnson

DE: Robinson, Jones

OLB: Floyd, Spence, Correa, Ward

ILB: Jack, Smith, Lee

CB: Jackson III, Alexander, Apple

S: Neal, Zamort (look him up. Short corner who I see a mix of honey badger and Tim Jennings, he could play safety)

[akcolt 445]

13 hours ago, Moncrief said:

Mackensie Alexander

Scooby Wright

Karl Joseph

 

I really want Karl Joseph but I doubt we spend a high pick on a safety

I think the mock that had him slipping to the 4th is possible. I'd move to the top of the round to get him if that happened. I've heard talk of Russell sliding too I'd grab him switch him to S. 

[Defjamz26 1,902]

-Leonard Floyd

-Andrew Billings

-Ezekiell Elliot

-Jack Conklin

-Nick Martin

-Cody Whitehair

-Evan Boehm

-Karl Joseph

-DeAndre Houston-Carson

-Johnathan Williams

-Chris Jones

-Aldolphus Washington

-Vernon Butler

[GoatBeard 515]

DL-Vernon Butler

DL-Vincent Valentine

DL-Bronson Kaufusi

 

LB-Yannick Ngakoue

LB-Terrance Smith

LB-Darryl Monroe

 

DB-Darian Thompson

DB-Jeremy Cash

DB-William Jackson

 

OL-Jack Conklin

OL-Ryan Kelly

OL-Joshua Garnett

 

TE-Jerell Adams

TE-Thomas Duarte

TE-Billy Freeman

 

RB-Kenyan Drake

RB-Tyler Ervin

RB-Rockhead Johnson

 

WR-Josh Doctson

WR-Chris Moore

WR-Duke Williams 

[COLTS449 117]

On ‎3‎/‎17‎/‎2016 at 8:13 PM, SP_21 said:

Forget Billings... Eli Apple? Never heard of her... This guy is the real deal, 405 pounds of pure awesomeness. Perfect replacement for Fleener. Laquan McGowan remember the name!

http://collegesports.blog.statesman.com/2015/10/12/baylors-large-laquan-mcgowan-is-heaviest-player-to-score-td-this-season/

 

LOL. He probably wont even be signed as an UDFA.

[SP_21 92]

43 minutes ago, COLTS449 said:

 

LOL. He probably wont even be signed as an UDFA.

I was kidding  

[COLTS449 117]

4 minutes ago, SP_21 said:

I was kidding  

 

LOL I know man.

[ColtsBlueFL 4,356]

After hearing his interview on radio, I'm boarding the Jack Conklin rail car anytime it passes by.  And since so many of the favorite front runners have been mentioned, I'm going to name a couple of less known-

 

Tyler Matakevich, ILB Temple

 

and one from OPC-

 

Justin Zimmer, DE Ferris State

[Gavin 5]

On ‎3‎/‎16‎/‎2016 at 7:04 PM, ColtsBlueFL said:

 

I tested your claim on Hargrave using Pat Kirwans formula for explosion.  Here is the results and those on the DLine currently on the roster-

 

Explosion Number (Pat Kirwan formula)  >70 is good!

Javon Hargrave Explosion number  = 72.75  **

David Parry                          = 71.5

Henry Anderson                   = 62.25  

Kendall Langford                  = 60.5

Art Jones                        = Incomplete  (needs >10' broad jump and => 30" vertical to reach 70)

T.Y. McGill                            = 62.9

Earl Okine                           = 67.3

Kelcy Quarles                      = 59

 

So you are correct.  According to this formula (alone) only David Parry qualifies as explosive.  Hargrave be the highest rated.  Okine 3rd.

 

Explosion of what? Off the LOS?

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[NewColtsFan 7,399]

3 hours ago, Gavin said:

 

Explosion of what? Off the LOS?

 

 

 

 

Seriously?    

 

Explosion of body movement.    Of athletic ability.    That translates to explosive movements on the football field.

 

You had trouble figuring this out?

 

[Gavin 5]

18 minutes ago, NewColtsFan said:

 

Seriously?    

 

Explosion of body movement.    Of athletic ability.    That translates to explosive movements on the football field.

 

You had trouble figuring this out?

 

I didn't know if combine numbers were the only metric used or not....Because those numbers can lie when it actually comes time to playing in a game vs Combine numbers. I also don't know what Kirwans formula is. For instance last year Dustin and I disagreed on if Shane Ray is explosive, I said he is (using the eye test) Dustin said he wasn't using a formula(using combine numbers) that converts to one number

 

But yes I know what explosion is

[CR91 5,936]

kendall fuller. I think hes the best CB in the draft

[NewColtsFan 7,399]

2 hours ago, CR91 said:

kendall fuller. I think hes the best CB in the draft

 

You realize he didn't play much this season?

 

Hurt most of the year.......

 

[NorthernColt 132]

Big fan of Karl Joseph. Still don't know why he's ranked so low except for maybe size. If he goes any later then early 3rd he'll be the steal of the draft.

[CR91 5,936]

31 minutes ago, NewColtsFan said:

 

You realize he didn't play much this season?

 

Hurt most of the year.......

 

 

yes I do and we've had this discussion already

[NewColtsFan 7,399]

2 hours ago, CR91 said:

 

yes I do and we've had this discussion already

 

We did?

 

I think you're confusing me with someone else....

 

But either way,  no matter........

 

I was just asking.....

 

[NewColtsFan 7,399]

 

For those who care....

 

Karl Joseph's ranks...

 

ESPN -- 2nd best safety,  38th best player overall

NFL.com -- 2nd best safety, 62nd best player overall

CBSSports.com -- 4th best safety 82nd best player overall.

 

 

[NewColtsFan 7,399]

2 hours ago, NorthernColt said:

Big fan of Karl Joseph. Still don't know why he's ranked so low except for maybe size. If he goes any later then early 3rd he'll be the steal of the draft.

 

See my post just above about Joseph's ranks...

 

He's not ranked so low.    He's actually ranked very high.      Not sure where the low is coming from?

 

But people who judge talent for a living really like him......

 

[CR91 5,936]

7 minutes ago, NewColtsFan said:

 

We did?

 

I think you're confusing me with someone else....

 

But either way,  no matter........

 

I was just asking.....

 

 

watch his sophomore tape. even as a freshman you can see theres something special about him

[NorthernColt 132]

19 hours ago, NewColtsFan said:

 

See my post just above about Joseph's ranks...

 

He's not ranked so low.    He's actually ranked very high.      Not sure where the low is coming from?

 

But people who judge talent for a living really like him......

 

Guess I've just been looking in the wrong places. Most I've seen him have him going in the 3rd round. Some even fourth.

[NewColtsFan 7,399]

2 hours ago, NorthernColt said:

Guess I've just been looking in the wrong places. Most I've seen him have him going in the 3rd round. Some even fourth.

 

The draft has literally exploded in popularity....   great TV ratings, plus lots of hits/clicks on the internet.

 

So everyone and their mother does mocks.....    and some of them just aren't that good.....     I always urge caution....        lots of questionable info out there....

 

But you've got your eye on a really good player!