...it's probably time to start looking at those prospects for the draft

[scpanther22]

Is anyone really counting on Corvey Irvin and Louis Leonard? Leonard didnt last two games but he might be a good fit here; still wouldnt put all my eggs in that basket. Maybe there's a reason he's been on practice squads in the past. We had NO depth at DT, yet Irvin still couldnt manage to make the active roster--if he turns out to be a player, i still expect it to be as a 3rd down guy and Lewis' replacement. Maake has a major injury for a man his size.

We're still in need of a tackle who can command double teams and dominate his man from the inside especially if we dont have a premier guy at DE. I dont think we have that with Irvin, Tyler, or Leonard. They all seem to be the "other" starting DT to me. If we're able to get an early DT, Allen Bailey, Arthur Jones or Brian Price would be ideal.

Lefevour owns, too.

Yes people are counting on both of them.Louis leonard when he started played good.Corvey Irvin in a perfect world would replace Lewis in a year or two..at the least give us some pass rush at the 3tech

[Rononoa3000]

How is suh realistic

Trade Peppers to the Raiders for their first. We all know they would do it too.

[CRA]

Trade Peppers to the Raiders for their first. We all know they would do it too.

you can't trade Peppers to just any team......if Carolina could have traded him to any team that would have taken him then he would have been gone already.

[jramsey4]

I already made a thread about these but I will post them here as I don't think many saw them.

Draft Countdown (Dec Edition)

With our struggles I have not had much to look forward to on Sunday's. So I find myself more and more watching on Saturdays. Not because I follow a particular team (although I have finally been able to watch a full season of Clemson without them pissing me off) but because I am looking towards our future. Here are a few guys I have either noticed or have read about, that we could get (having no 1st). I'm only profiling positions of need.

OFFENSE

QB

John Skelton - Fordham

As of yet my favorite QB candidate in this draft. I know that might come as a shock consider most of you couldn't tell me what state Fordham is located in, let alone who Skelton is. I will enlighten you. He is a 6'5” 258 lbs QB who's arm was compared to a Howitzer by one scout. He comes from a run first high school in Texas. Overshadowed by the Snead's and Bradford's he was passed over for scholarships by the big schools. But he dropped off a tape of his gamefilm with the coach of Fordham and within 15 mins he was hooked. And so am I this guy has it all Height, he can see over almost any line. Arm Strength, is up there with Flacco's, he throws a good deep ball. Athleticism, his forty time is supposedly in the high 4.7s low 4.8s and looks faster on the field also is a load to try and bring down. Has good pocket awareness, couple of weeks ago he threw a TD standing in his own endzone (99 yards) under pressure. He is a good leader who has a good head on his solders, maybe too good as his only major flaw is he sometimes over thinks. He needs to learn when not to force it as he has admitted himself this was an issue earlier in his career. I just love his upside and he most likely could be had in the 3rd-4th so tremendous value.

Sean Canfield - Oregon State

Here's a guy that is very intriguing (and why no one mentions him is beyond me). He stands in at 6'4” 215 lbs. He has solid arm strength, plays in a pro style offense, and is accurate (he's completed 70% of his passes this year), he threw 21 td and 6 ints this year as well. The major knock (and its a big one) is he is injury proned. He is a 3 year starter and only has 23 starts. That is why in a loaded draft he might make into the middle of day 2 where the risk is worth it IMO.

WR

Riley Cooper- Florida

Do what? Yeah I like this kid. He has prototypical size, 6'3” 215lbs. He's fast, runs the 40 in the 4.4 range. Has good hands, he makes some clutch catches but also I have seen him drop a few as well. And my favorite part is a great blocker and doesn't complain about that role. Urban Meyer said he was the best blocking receiver he had ever had. Who knows how good he can be as he has been a footnote to the likes of Harvin and Murphy and all the playmakers that have been through Florida (not to mention if he had a QB with a more catchable ball). I think he has always been a good blocker but the last two years he has progressed very well to a well rounded pocession (with a hint of speed) reciever. As far as projection, I have heard anywhere from 4th to UDFA. I would love to get him in the 4th, where I see him going.

OL

Tony Washington - OT - Abilene Christian

.We need depth on both lines like crazy but I don't see the need to spend anything above a 6th on OL depth. Unless of course Tony Washington falls. Tony goes to little know Abilene Christian so he does not get the TV time of the big time programs, but he is a legitimate left tackle. There aren’t many tackles at any school that possess the type of size and athleticism combo that Washington has. He has a left tackle frame at 6'7 305lbs, and is very light on his feet, two things that can't be taught. He is a project though, coming from lower competition, it might take a year or two for him to adjust to the speed of the NFL. His footwork can be inconsistent, which leads him to look a bit stiff at times. He has only been playing the game of Football five years. So there is a lot of catching up to do on fundamentals and experience. The physical tools are there though, and Washington is the type of player that could really rise in the post season. He is as early as 2nd which is to early for us (especially for a Project). I included him just in case he falls due to any number of reasons, most likely an influx of junior talent.

Thomas Austin- OG/C - Clemson

Three year starter on an Oline that paved the way for one of colleges best running games. Has the athleticism to play in space and the strength to play in the middle. He brings good versatility (which is big plus in you late round choices) that he can succeed at either G's or center position. Maybe even RT in a pinch because he has good size as well, 6'4” 310. I have watched him play since he got to Clemson and I really like this guy he is projected to go in the 5-6 round range and would provide instant depth to our oline.

DEFENSE

DE

Austin Lane – Murray State

He's has prototypical size at 6'6” 258. His athleticism is remarkable. He has 11 sacks,19.5 TFL, 1 int 21 yard return, and 3 forced fumbles this year. Here's a review from the Bleacher Report, which compares him to a hybrid of Mathias Kiwanuka, Justin Tuck and Osi Umeniyora:

"Lane has the lateral agility, balance and foot speed that Kiwanuka possesses, showing excellent pass coverage skills that could see some team line him up at strong-side linebacker on occasion. He has the long frame with deceptive power and that keen sense for the flow of the ball that Tuck features in his game. He also demonstrates that explosive first step, hand usage and urgency getting to the quarterback that Umenyiora has utilized in ranking with the elite sack artists in the league."

That's a pretty good blend. Can't add much to that pretty much sums up why I like him. This is a must for us if he is available to us in the 3rd. (we should have two Compensatory 3rds). Projected - 3rd Round.

DT

Brian Price – UCLA

He is a Junior so this is all assuming he declares early. He is absolutely one of the best UT's in college football. He is 6'2” and 295lbs and is a force in the middle. His production speaks for themselves 22.5 TFL's. That's twice what top 10 picks Glenn Dorsey and Sedrick Ellis had as seniors and Price is a Junior (Price also has notched 7 sacks) . UCLA defense (especially the dline) is not the most talented outside of Price. He usually is double or triple teamed but he still finds a way to get consistent pressure. He is a leader and a hard worker. Is extremely strong and shows amazing quickness for a guy his size. This might be a pipe dream as if he comes out he could easily go top 15 but I would trade pep straight up for this guy. That's how much I like him. He might end up going late enough in the 1st to allow us to sneak up and get him. Whoever the GM is needs to make this move to give us a D that has the potential to be top 5 with consistent interior penetration.

Torrell Troup - UCF

Stands in at 6'3” and is 315lbs of muscle. Is big and good at clogging the hole and good at absorbing blockers, must have qualities for 1 technique. But he also is good at collapsing the pocket. He has been a major reason UCF ranked 4th nationally in rushing defense at 2.58 YPC avg (wow). His blocker-eating ability has allowed his team to finish 5th in sacks with 37. His blocker-eating ability has allowed others to make big plays all season long He also has had 80 tackles and 4 sacks the last two years. We still could use some depth at the 1 technique. I see Tyler as a better 3 technique and I don't think either Lewis or Kemo should be back next year, there both to expensive. Troup is most likely going to go in the 4th - 5th range and I think he has starting potential and immediate depth.

OLB

A.J. Edds – Iowa

Yes I think we are in need of a better strong-side LB. I think Edd's fits the bill. He has great Size, 6'4 250, and great speed, high 4.4 or 4.5. And what makes him my candidate is he is one of the best coverage Lbs eligible. He has 4 ints and 4 pass defended this season, along with 72 tackles. Edds just seems to get better each week in Iowa’s defense. Is very good at play recognition. Edds is a very sound tackler that squares up on his man and makes sure that the ball carrier doesn’t gain big yardage after the catch. He is projected to go any where from the late 2nd to 4th round. In the 4th is where he has the best value for us.

SS

Aaron Webster - Cincinnati

Good size at 6'2" 211 lb. Webster had to pick up the slack for a team that lost 3 DBs to the NFL (Smith, Underwood and Mickens) and he has done that (has 3 ints).. Webster has the range to play center field but he can also come up and stop opposing teams in the run game considering he is top 5 on the team in tackles (43). A hard hitter he is an excellent backup SS/special teamer and he could easily make into late 2nd day or go undrafted. I think Harris is still good but it isn't like his irreplaceable I think Webster has more talent in coverage and brings the same kind of presence in the run game Harris brings. Looked like a straight up beast in the Big East Championship. Harris has not been getting those FF recently that made him so valuable. I haven't given up on him but it couldn't hurt to bring in some depth.

[SOJA]

jramsey4 i might have to drink your kool-aid and take a look at this Skelton guy, btw I don't see why people think we need another free safety... Martin and Godfrey are fine...We Need Another corner!!!!! We need a legit in your face consistent corner: Gamble and Marshall are way to spotty and aren't that legit. Keep Munnerlyn and Wilson (I think he has potential to develop) as nickelbacks, obviously Gamble just got a big contract, dont resign Marshall and get a number one corner!!! If we lose Pep our d-line is going be hurting for another playmaker

[jramsey4]

jramsey4 i might have to drink your kool-aid and take a look at this Skelton guy, btw I don't see why people think we need another free safety... Martin and Godfrey are fine...We Need Another corner!!!!! We need a legit in your face consistent corner: Gamble and Marshall are way to spotty and aren't that legit. Keep Munnerlyn and Wilson (I think he has potential to develop) as nickelbacks, obviously Gamble just got a big contract, dont resign Marshall and get a number one corner!!! If we lose Pep our d-line is going be hurting for another playmaker

Websters a SS. I think we need depth we clearly saw that when Harris is out our D sucks. When hes in we improve drastically. I think Webster brings that kinda ability and he can be had late 2nd day.

[Rononoa3000]

you can't trade Peppers to just any team......if Carolina could have traded him to any team that would have taken him then he would have been gone already.

Well then trade them Goodson or Godfrey. The Raiders will give anything for a guy speed. (Bey over Crabtree WTF)

[jramsey4]

Well then trade them Goodson or Godfrey. The Raiders will give anything for a guy speed. (Bey over Crabtree WTF)

Al Davis is an idiot and the Raiders are giving new meaning to "Black Hole", where talent equals light.

[OneBadassCat]

Yes people are counting on both of them.Louis leonard when he started played good.Corvey Irvin in a perfect world would replace Lewis in a year or two..at the least give us some pass rush at the 3tech

I agree I'm hoping for Irvin to replace Lewis. Leonard was doing a great job before he was hurt he needs to stay. Corey Williams could also be a possible option in the offseason. If we lost Peppers we don't really have the trading power to try and trade up to replace him in the draft. And it would be dumb to try and trade good guys we have for picks. I think the best option would be extending Charles Johnson, making him a starter. Continue the development of E. Brown and maybe take a chance on some guys around the league like Jarvis Moss and Vernon Gholston. People that are low risk high reward prospects. Both of them were projected 4-3 DEs that didn't pan out in the 3-4.