Saturday Six: College Football Questions with MTD Dan Kadar
Each and every week I’ll have a back and forth with Mockingthedraft’s Dan Kadar about the upcoming 2012 N.F.L. draft. Earlier this week we discussed’ “Suck for Luck”, Lamar Miller, Robert Griffin, Zach Brown, Landry Jones, and Riley Reiff.
1) Is it possible that any team that drafted a QB in the first round last year (or the Rams) would take Andrew Luck if they were picking first overall? Only the Titans seem to be competing for anything this year so it’s possible any of them might be picking first at this moment. And, if not, what kind of ransom do you think they’d be able to hold that pick for?
It’s a little too early to know that for sure, especially considering Christian Ponder hasn’t played for the Minnesota Vikings. It will be interesting to see what the Vikings do after their bye week. Donovan McNabb is struggling, so they might to see what they have in Ponder. Obviously the Panthers will probably be content with Cam Newton. It’s hard to say about the Jaguars and Blaine Gabbert, but I lean toward them not being in the running for another quarterback.
2) Lamar Miller is really emerging as a potential first round pick with his excellent play this season. Do you think there are ever advantages to running backs returning for more school? They don’t have long shelf lifes in the N.F.L..
Running back is probably the one position where it’s easier to jump to the NFL early. The learning curve is so much smaller there than at other positions. You also have to consider the length of rookie contracts now. If Miller comes out this year, he’ll finish his first contract by the time he’s 25 or so. A lot of these other guys have to wait until they’re 27 and hope they can score a big-money second contract. That’s also all besides the fact that the running back class is looking thin at premier talent, which Miller is.
3) How high do you think Robert Griffin could end up being drafted this year…is he a better prospect than Jake Locker?
I like the Locker/Griffin comparison because it’s just so obvious to compare Griffin to Michael Vick. If Griffin continues to play as he has this season, it’s hard to see him getting out of the teens. He’s just such a great athlete and clearly developing as a pure passer. Griffin is slightly better than Locker, strictly from a passing standpoint. Griffin throws a better, more catchable ball. Locker is a little more physical on the move.
4) Looking at your top 100 players, you have Zach Brown all the way up to #5, what do you see out of him that makes him a better prospect than the likes of Justin Blackmon, Matt Barkley, and other favorites like Alshon Jeffrey. Can he play 34 OLB?
I’ve watched three North Carolina games this season, and Brown popped off the screen in each one. He’s just a great playmaker with rare agility and speed for the position. The only concern I had with him last season was his size. He put on a fair amount of strength after last season and his play is really reflective of that. He’s shedding blockers easier and tackling better. He doesn’t have Von Miller’s first step, but it’s close. Having Brown so high is to say nothing negatively of those behind him. Brown has just been extremely impressive this season.
5) Right now the player that’s getting too much love in the first round that doesn’t belong there is?
I like Riley Reiff of Iowa just as well, but not in the top 10 as some think. He’s not enough of an athlete to play the left side in the NFL. I think he’ll be a first-round player, but probably go in the 12-25 area. I saw one mock (no names) that had him first overall and it was shocking. Andrew Datko, unfortunately, probably shouldn’t be considered a first-round prospect anymore because of injuries.
6). Who’s a Junior likely to declare who could use another year in College Football?
Landry Jones. While I like Jones a lot more than just about every draft analyst, his pocket poise issues will get him in a lot of trouble at the next level. He really needs to feel and adjust to pressure much better than he has.
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