We have so much riding on our smaller college draft picks

[csx]

I'm not attempting to make a point of any kind, just an observation.

One and two on the all time receiving list.

[rayzor]

most scouts had him ranked highly. most draftniks had him ranked highly as well, some even had him listed as first round talent (some even mocking him in the first) and it was thought that the only thing holding him back in where he would go in the draft was the fact that he was coming from a div. 2 school. no one was really holding that against him, though. they all saw what the panthers did...a big strong and quick guy who dominated everyone who stood in front of him and who had what it took to make it at the top level despite where he went to school.

just a few comments about him...

Positives:

Plays with aggression. Very heavy-handed with power in his punch. Has a nasty on-field playing temperament and seeks to bury defenders in the run game. Has a strong base, plays with power and relishes finishing blocks. Climbs defenders and can run the field and pick off multiple defenders. Likes to play and it shows — outstanding on-field energy and tempo. Street-tough and does not back down from a challenge. Good athlete — carries his weight well. Outstanding Combine positional drill performance and movement skill in agility drills. Has a 311⁄2-inch vertical jump.

Negatives:

Shows some small-school rawness in his play and can improve kick slide and hand use. Footwork is undisciplined. Will fall off blocks overaggressively attacking. Character will have to be evaluated closely. Academics have been an issue throughout career and some mental lapses show in his play — is not always quick to sort out the blitz or anticipate where pressure is coming.

Summary:

Tough, physical, nasty small-college left tackle who projects to guard in the pros. Stands out on the field and dominates lesser competition, but did not play in any all-star games to prove himself and has some off-field issues and intelligence concerns that could push down his draft status. Grades out like a first-round talent and should be able to step into a starting lineup readily on the inside and develop into a Pro Bowl-caliber performer with simple assignments. Scouts have compared him to New Orleans Saints** Pro Bowl OG Jahri Evans, but he is much more athletic pulling and playing in space and tape will draw instant man-crushes from good evaluators. Can win with power or quickness and fit any type of blocking scheme.

http://www.profootba...ni-silatolu-57/

Mayock's take: "That is a good football player, my beast from Midwestern State. He's tough, nasty, a finisher. He's a little bit raw. He's a gifted player, but he's raw. But I'm telling you right now that he's a starting guard with Pro Bowl potential. This is a good move by Carolina."

Positives -- Played left tackle in college, but skill set and size translates to guard in the NFL... Average size for guard at the next level and has some solid athleticism for his size... Has quick, nimble feet to position and square himself to defenders... Slides very well to mirror defenders... Quick first step

to get out and pull... Has ferocious hands and a violent punch that knocks opponents to the ground... Consistently puts defenders on their backs, completely takes opponents out of the play by driving them back in the run game... Has very good upper body strength to control and steer defenders... Plays with very good leverage and can anchor against bull rushes... Has the ability to sustain blocks for long periods of time... Mobile athlete that quickly gets to second level and delivers hits on linebackers, very agile in space... Active and hustles on screens and pulls... Remarkable ability to get downfield and be in position to block for a running back... Nasty player who doesn't let up and always finishes his blocks.

Negatives -- Overextends and gets off balance trying to pancake defenders at times... Hasn't had much experience playing guard, possible slight adjustment firing off from a three point stance from the interior... Footwork is not consistent, got away playing with questionable techniques at the Division II level but that won't work in the NFL... Has some trouble picking up blitzes and stunts... Sometimes struggles in pass protection with quicker players... Had signed with Nevada but did not qualify academically for the 2009 season... Lack of competition playing for Division II Midwestern State.

Read more at Sideline Scouting: http://www.sidelines.../#ixzz208Xah5HD

Strengths:

• Terrific height and bulk with a thick, sturdy build

• Outstanding natural strength and super powerful

• Athletic with great quickness, agility and balance

• Nimble feet to slide laterally and mirror defenders

• Gets a fantastic push in the run game and finishes

• Violent hands and delivers quite an initial punch

• Tough and plays the game with a nasty demeanor

• Comfortable in space to pull and get to second level

• Good stamina and plays with extremely high motor

• Room to improve and has not maxed out potential

Weaknesses:

• Raw technician (footwork, hand use, leverage, etc.)

• Doesn't have the preferred arm length (32-inches)

• Questionable instincts, awareness and football IQ

• Struggled in classroom so intelligence is an issue

• Didn't consistently face a high level of competition

.

.

.

A small school stud who will require a bit of development and might take some time to pick up a playbook but has the talent to be a high level starter in the NFL.

NFL Player Comparison: Ben Grubbs

http://www.draftcoun...ni-Silatolu.php

point is, he was recognized as a special talent by most. the fact that some high quality players recently have been taken from div.2 schools (albeit not drafted as early usually) made it more acceptable for teams and scouts to rank him so highly and for the panthers to draft him so early.

i think there is an amount of fear among NFL teams about drafting guys from small schools early, but i believe we'll be seeing more taken early in the future as they start seeing more and more successful players coming from those ranks. i'm not saying that many will be drafted early, just more than we have seen. teams just have to get over biases against small school players and trust their scouts/talent evaluators. they also have to be willing to actually do work and check out players from those small schools rather than take the easy way and just send them to a few schools.

being from a large div. 1 school is no more a guarantee of success than coming from a small/div. 2 school means inferior talent.

[Panthro]

There are also 1000's of players from D1 schools that were not up to snuff. Good players are good players no matter where they come from. Two of the best WRs right now came from D2 schools.

4 of the Top 40 pass catchers in 2011 came from D2. I'm good with saying 90% of the contributors in the NFl are D1

[Snake]

4 of the Top 40 pass catchers in 2011 came from D2. I'm good with saying 90% of the contributors in the NFl are D1

Also a ton of franchise players came from D2. I agree most avg players in the NFL came from D1 but if the do come from D2 and make it they seem to make it big.

[La Pantera]

If Decastro didn't fall, there was a rumor that Amini would've been drafted by the Steelers in the 1st.

[Guest Bwood]

If Decastro didn't fall, there was a rumor that Amani would've been drafted by the Steelers in the 1st.

San Fran was pissed too. They didn't think anyone else did their homework on Amini, and that they would be able to trade back in the second to land him.

[La Pantera]

San Fran was pissed too. They didn't think anyone else did their homework on Amini, and that they would be able to trade back in the second to land him.

Yeah, he was on a lot of teams want list. Was pissed about an OG in the 2nd, but got over it quickly.

[Gallagher]

Yeah, he was on a lot of teams want list. Was pissed about an OG in the 2nd, but got over it quickly.

Still not sure if I'm over that pick. If Norman doesn't pan out, our DB situation looks pretty bleak. I think if our pass D is anywhere close to where it was last year then history will show that we messed up in this last draft, waiting until the 5th to address our secondary.

[rayzor]

Still not sure if I'm over that pick. If Norman doesn't pan out, our DB situation looks pretty bleak. I think if our pass D is anywhere close to where it was last year then history will show that we messed up in this last draft, waiting until the 5th to address our secondary.

regardless of how well the secondary or pass rush is or isn't after this draft, if silatolu is playing anywhere near a pro-bowl/all-pro level (not just after his first year, mind you) then it was absolutely the right pick and it will be seen as a success, esp. if keuchly is as good as expected.

[La Pantera]

regardless of how well the secondary or pass rush is or isn't after this draft, if silatolu is playing anywhere near a pro-bowl/all-pro level (not just after his first year, mind you) then it was absolutely the right pick and it will be seen as a success, esp. if keuchly is as good as expected.

That and there's no guarantee, that if we picked up a DB at that spot,they'd turn into anything special. IIRC there weren't a lot ot top tier CBs left at our 2nd selection.

[panthers55]

Amini was a good and necessary pick to replace Wharton and build for the future. We want an aggressive offense and getting nasty O-linemen is how you do it.

[rayzor]

Amini was a good and necessary pick to replace Wharton and build for the future. We want an aggressive offense and getting nasty O-linemen is how you do it.

as much as i wanted to argue against it and not want to admit it, the Oline was absolutely something that needed help and is something that in the next couple years we will have to spend a lot of effort working on. silatolu filled a need, a primary one with wharton getting released, and was the BPA for one of several immediate needs.

it wasn't sexy, but it was smart. one area was going to be lacking no matter what direction we went. they'd have to take later round gambles on any of a few key positions. OG was as good as any to upgrade.

[jarhead]

as much as i wanted to argue against it and not want to admit it, the Oline was absolutely something that needed help and is something that in the next couple years we will have to spend a lot of effort working on. silatolu filled a need, a primary one with wharton getting released, and was the BPA for one of several immediate needs.

it wasn't sexy, but it was smart. one area was going to be lacking no matter what direction we went. they'd have to take later round gambles on any of a few key positions. OG was as good as any to upgrade.

I agree....we have arguably 4 of the best rbs(Cam and Tolbert included) at their position in the NFL...it only makes sense to have the ol to support them.