Bob McGinn rating NFL draft prospects

[DaCityKats]

Bob McGinn is the packers beat writer and he does this every year. he gets comments on the top players at each position from scouts, GMs, and different talent evaluators. His stuff is a great read if you want more info on some guys and what some scouts are saying. the good thing fiz has done with the huddle was put me onto this guy.

the WR/ TE we have been interested in.

1. TAVON AUSTIN, West Virginia (5-8 ½, 173, 4.30, 1) - Most exciting player in the draft. "He's a 'Holy (expletive)' player," one scout said. "I don't like little guys, but I love that guy. He can do the same stuff that (Randall) Cobb did in the slot. And he's never missed a game." Moved to RB against Oklahoma on Nov. 17 and rushed for 344 yards in a 50-49 defeat. "You throw that game on, you think you're looking at Reggie Bush," another scout said. "More exciting. I think he's the best player in the draft. Very soft-spoken but he's football-minded. Well-built. It's not like he's some miniature guy." Finished with 288 receptions for 3,413 yards (11.9 average) and 29 touchdowns. Also rushed for 1,031 (9.5) and six TDs. Native of Baltimore. "He is (better than Cobb)," a third scout said. "He'll carry the ball, run reverses, play in the slot and try to match against a slow corner on the outside. You're trying to give him the ability to make one or two really big plays a game. Whether he can hold up is the $64,000 question."

2. CORDARRELLE PATTERSON, Tennessee (6-2, 217, 4.34, 1) - Junior-college transfer from Rock Hill, S.C. "Really competitive, really athletic, really raw," one scout said. "When he catches the ball he never gives up on a run. He might drive people crazy because he will back up, he will run laterally, he will do whatever. I thought he caught it well." Played just one season of major-college football before declaring a year early. Caught 46 passes for 778 yards (16.9) and five TDs. "No, heavens no," exclaimed another scout when asked if Patterson was as good as Dez Bryant. "I don't know that he's not as athletic as Dez, but Dez is freakish strength-wise. He could be really good but he's not very smart." Should be a threat returning kickoffs while learning how to play on offense. "He's the best returner I've seen since Devin Hester," a third scout said. "He's got a background that's a little bit scary but, boy, is he explosive."

3. KEENAN ALLEN, California (6-2, 210, 4.55, 1-2) - Third-year junior from Greensboro, N.C. "Not as dynamic as Hakeem Nicks but he's a good player," one scout said. "He's big, catches the ball and is smart. Not a big-play threat by any stretch, which is what Hakeem gives you." Golden Bears' all-time reception leader with 205. Gained 2,570 yards (12.5) and scored 17 TDs. "Very smooth for a big man," another scout said. "Good hands. Good athlete." Suffered a posterior cruciate knee ligament injury in November and, in a workout April 9, ran 40 yards in just 4.71. "Complete player," a third scout said. "His half-brother (Zach Maynard) was the quarterback and he sucked. Just an awful player. It probably cost him six or seven touchdowns and 30 more receptions. He compares to Michael Floyd from a year ago."

5. DeANDRE HOPKINS, Clemson (6-1, 212, 4.54, 2) - Third-year junior rewrote the Tigers' record book. "Real natural receiver," one scout said. "Great ball skills. Natural route runner. Competes in a crowd. Got size, got quickness. He makes himself easy to throw to. He can make plays with the ball. Not the best tester in the world." Finished with 206 catches for 3,020 yards (14.7) and 27 TDs. "Possession guy all the way," another scout said. "But he's got damn good hands, he's big and he's a great kid." Concentrated on basketball in high school, even playing seven games for Clemson in 2010-'11 season. From Central, S.C. "I'm not entirely sold on his hands," a third scout said. "Pretty good route runner. Not a speed burner. Not special."

6. JUSTIN HUNTER, Tennessee (6-4, 198, 4.40, 2) - Third-year junior. "Probably the most physically gifted of any of the receivers," one scout said. "You go back and look at sophomore film, he's special. Long arms. Lean body. Ripped up. He's really got good hands, too, but didn't show it as well this year." Blew out an ACL in Game 3 of 2011 and wasn't as good in '12. "From a skill set, he's probably the No. 1 (WR)," another scout said. "He just drops the ball a little bit too much. At the end of the day, Hunter could be the best receiver in that class if he can put it all together." Finished with 106 catches for 1,812 yards (17.1) and 18 TDs. "He short-arms balls in traffic at times," a third scout said. "Straight-line speed. Long strider. I question his strength and aggressiveness as a receiver and blocker. He appears to have deep speed but he wasn't explosive." Out of Virginia Beach, Va. Exceptional vertical jump (40 ½ inches) and broad jump (11-6).

8. QUINTON PATTON, Louisiana Tech (6-0, 202, 4.49, 2-3) - Ex-junior college player with whopping production in two seasons for Bulldogs. "Real good player," one scout said. "He's tough, competitive, productive and knows how to play." Two-year numbers were 183 receptions for 2,594 yards (14.2) and 24 TDs. "There's a lot more to him than just being a spread receiver that caught 100-plus passes," another scout said. "He's got the balance and the run-after-catch ability. Good strength. And he's competitive." Carries himself with a swagger. Out of La Vergne, Tenn.

9. STEDMAN BAILEY, West Virginia (5-10, 196, 4.53, 3) - Played in the shadows of Austin and surprised some scouts by declaring as a fourth-year junior. "He's a very smooth, fluid guy," one scout said. "Good sure-handed receiver. I thought he would run better and elevate himself into at least a top second-round pick. Good kid." Finished with 210 receptions for 3,218 yards (15.3) and 41 TDs. Long arms (32 ¾) and large hands (9 7/8). "He's a little stiff and not a real tough guy and not true speed," another scout said. "But he's not a bad player." From Miami.

11. MARKUS WHEATON, Oregon State (5-11, 187, 4.43, 3) - Set the Beavers' school record with 227 catches. "He has a chance to be a really solid No. 2," said Phil Savage, the Senior Bowl executive director and former personnel man for Cleveland and Baltimore. "He's got the innate body quickness and good hands, and there's not a drop-off from his 40 time to his play speed." Finished with 2,994 yards (13.2) and 16 TDs. "Good pattern runner," another scout said. "Good after the catch." From Chandler, Ariz.

3. GAVIN ESCOBAR, San Diego State (6-6, 250, 4.80, 2) - Fourth-year junior plays faster than he timed, according to several personnel people. "He ran better at pro day than at the combine, but it doesn't matter," one scout said. "He can really catch. He's what people are doing now. But he doesn't block at all." Three-year starter with 122 catches for 1,646 yards (13.5) and 17 TDs. Bench-pressed 225 pounds just 12 times, far below Ertz's 24 and Eifert's 22. "He's not a blocker. They don't even use him as a blocker there," another scout said. "They've got two other guys they use. As a pass catcher, he's not a nifty, athletic guy. Kind of a big target who runs on a straight line down the field." Scored 28 on the Wonderlic. Out of Rancho Santa Margarita, Calif. "Appears to be a taller Aaron Hernandez," a third scout said. "I had him in 4.84, but he sure plays faster than that."

http://www.jsonline....-203525881.html

[DaCityKats]

OL

3. LANE JOHNSON, Oklahoma (6-6, 310, 4.74, 1) - Quarterback and free safety as a prep in Groveton, Texas, then quarterbacked for a year at a junior college. At Oklahoma, he played TE and DE in 2010 before starting at RT in '11 and LT in '12. "Built like a basketball player," one scout said. "He's got narrow hips, and those are the guys I usually don't like. But he has power. I don't know where he gets it from. I'm just amazed at what the guy is." Led O-linemen in the vertical jump (34) and broad jump (9-10), put up 28 reps on the bench press and had the second fastest 40. "He's one of the best testing tackles in recent history," said another scout. "He said his goal is to become the best tackle in this draft after they draft us." Long arms (35 ¼) and 28 on the Wonderlic. "I think he's a fraud," a third scout said. "He can't run block. I don't think he plays strong. I don't think he moves guys."

4. D.J. FLUKER, Alabama (6-4 ½, 334, 5.31, 1) - Fourth-year junior and three-year starter at RT. "Road-grading right tackle all the way, but somebody could try him at guard," one scout said. "He'll come off the ball and knock you out. Every once in a while he gets in trouble with his (pass) set. If he doesn't get any width and depth, he doesn't have the feet to get wide. I liked (Bryan) Bulaga a lot, but this guy is the same thing except he's stronger and as competitive. Maybe not as smart." Several scouts expressed major reservations about Fluker's study and work habits. "Great kid, but you don't want him doing your taxes," said one. Attended three high schools (spent senior year in Foley, Ala.) after his family was forced from New Orleans by Hurricane Katrina. Effervescent personality. Emotional leader of national champion Crimson Tide. "He's an Aaron Gibson type," a third scout said. "He's got real long arms (36 ¾). At the point, he gets on you. Fluker won't pull. He's similar to (the Vikings' Phil) Loadholt. He'll have some problems with speed rushers. I like his demeanor, but I worry about his quickness."

6. TERRON ARMSTEAD, Arkansas-Pine Bluff (6-4 ½, 306, 4.71, 2) - Highly successful track athlete in the shot put and three-year starter at LT. "He all-star-gamed and combined his way onto the radar," said Savage. "Little bit of a tweener. When he was inside he wasn't real, real physical in being able to anchor down. Outside, he's fringe height and arm length (34) for a tackle." Blew out the combine in the vertical jump (34 ½), bench press (31 reps) and 40, bringing back memories of Raider bust Bruce Campbell. "It's all based on the workout," one scout said. "Terron Armstead played at Arkansas-Pine Bluff, for God's sakes. You just cannot take that guy high. There's no way." Wonderlic of 27. Played most of his senior year with a damaged shoulder. From Cahokia, Ill. "There's less of a chance of a bust with him than the Watson kid," another scout said. "Athletically, he's as good as anybody at that position. He's in great shape, and he's serious about football. He played well in the East-West and looked good in the Senior Bowl." One team has major reservations about his back.

9. BRENNAN WILLIAMS, North Carolina (6-5 ½, 314, 5.32, 3-4) - Three-year starter at RT. "Probably a good enough athlete to play left tackle," one scout said. "Really good on his feet. He tore up his shoulder at the end of the year, but if his shoulder's back he may go second round. Been around the game his whole life." Father, Brent, played DE for three teams from 1985-'95 and registered 45 ½ sacks. Described by scouts as "quirky," "kind of an oddball" and "real bright but real eccentric." Scored 35 on the Wonderlic. "He's not a football guy, OK?" one scout said. "He's not. I don't think he cares about football, and he uses the injury history as an excuse. This kid is destined for mediocrity." From West Roxbury, Mass.

6. LARRY WARFORD, Kentucky (6-3, 329, 5.59, 2-3) - Three-year starter at RG. "He's a road grader," one scout said. "Great, big, massive guy. He blocked the big guy (John Jenkins) from Georgia to death. A three-technique is not going to knock him back. His problem is once he gets in space. He doesn't have a lot of lateral quickness." Will become the Wildcats' first O-lineman drafted since G Todd Perry and T Chuck Bradley in 1993. "He does not test well, but he can anchor the pocket," another scout said. "He's got the bulk and the girth to get his hands on people, sit his weight down and control people in the pass rush. Little bit sloppy as a run blocker. Played on a real bad team. He's a potential starter early." From Richmond, Ky. "His feet are so slow," a third scout said. "That bugs me."

4. JEFF BACA, UCLA (6-3 ½, 299, 5.02, 3-4) - A four-year regular with 19 starts at LT, 13 at LG and 12 at RT. "But he probably is a center," one scout said. "He's more of a finesse-position-steer-you guy." Plenty smart enough (Wonderlic of 34) to run the show inside. "Quick out of his stance," said another scout. "Best in a zone-blocking scheme. Good second-level blocker." From Mission Viejo, Calif. "He's not very strong," a third scout said. "He's not very athletic. Try-hard guy. Can play a couple positions, and those type of guys usually end up hanging around."

http://www.jsonline.com/sports/draft19g-rt9i5uh-203726121.html

[carolina-chuck]

Nice write ups

[C47]

No this can't be right, he has Robert Woods as the fourth best WR, something must be off here!!!

/sarcasm

[DaCityKats]

No this can't be right, he has Robert Woods as the fourth best WR, something must be off here!!!

/sarcasm

i wished we would have worked him out.

[C47]

i wished we would have worked him out.

Yea same, he's going to be a very solid receiver in the league with his skillset. I think he's heading to Houston or New England at the end of the first. New England could be an amazing fit for the kid....

[Gabeking]

Is there an archive of these? Would love to see what was said in the past about keek, cam, silatolu, etc.

[DaCityKats]

DL

1. ZIGGY ANSAH, Brigham Young (6-5, 272, 4.63, 1) - Will turn 24 in May. Born and raised in Ghana, he made two unsuccessful attempts to walk on to the BYU basketball team and joined the track team (200 meters in 21.89 seconds). Went out for football in 2010, making merely 10 tackles in first two seasons. Started the final nine games of '12 and had 4½ sacks. "This guy is a really interesting case," Atlanta GM Thomas Dimitroff said. "The combination of size, athleticism, natural skills to get up field and turn the corner is off the charts." Finished with 72 tackles (13 for loss) and the 4½ sacks. "I think he has the most upside of anyone in the draft," said Phil Savage, the executive director of the Senior Bowl, where Ansah had a great game. "He's a little more sturdy than (Jason) Pierre-Paul was coming out because he's had some experience playing inside. I don't see him as a 3-4 outside backer as some people might project. He's a 4-3 end that you just line up and let him go." For now, he might be a better pass rusher inside. "He plays hard - that's his saving grace," one scout said. "You also see things that aren't instinctive. If he manages to get past the adjustment period and just learns the game, he's got a chance to be a decent player. But if the game is too fast for him he could be a little lost soul out there." Long arms (35 1/8 inches).

2. DATONE JONES, UCLA (6-4, 277, 4.80, 1-2) - Might be a 3-4 DE, a 4-3 DE or a 4-3 three-technique. "He's a strong, powerful, athletic guy," one scout said. "Not a top-flight edge rusher. Pretty productive. He's not always consistent, but he's got a lot of upside." Four-year starter with 148 tackles (36½ for loss) and 13½ sacks. "Better inside pass rusher than outside pass rusher," another scout said. "Still needs to use his hands better." From Compton, Calif. Well-built with fairly short arms (32¾). "He's a boom or bust guy," a third scout said. "Really talented, makes like a great play and then you won't see him for a couple quarters. Quick off the ball, good club move, good pad level. But he danced too much and wasn't a consistent shedder. He'd get tied up with guys, and that bothered me a lot. More avoid than take-on. More of an athlete than a power guy."

1. SHARRIF FLOYD, Florida (6-2½, 298, 4.91, 1) - Third-year junior. "He's quick, agile and plays with good leverage," Dimitroff said. "He's a combination of almost all you're looking for at the position. He's an aggressive, disruptive, play-making tackle." Injured a knee in high school but was injury free during three seasons in Gainesville. "I saw the short arms (31¾) where he couldn't keep people off," one scout said. "Maybe that's not as important as it is on the offensive line. If he doesn't win with quickness, which is exceptional, it's hard for him to counter and get off blocks. But he'll probably win with quickness. I think you're safe with Floyd." Played 37 games (25 starts), finishing with 115 tackles (26 for loss) and 4½ sacks. "No, there's none of that," another scout said when asked if Floyd was similar to Warren Sapp. "He just was more gifted than Floyd. Floyd is a good effort player. He's got shorter arms than (Sheldon) Richardson, and I think it shows. He gets kind of Velcro'd on blockers too much." Compared by several scouts to Steelers DE Ziggy Hood. "Those idiots on TV made Floyd," a third scout said. "He's not that good. He's not better than Ziggy Hood. Floyd's not a real bulky guy but he can run." From Philadelphia.

2. STAR LOTULELEI, Utah (6-2½, 314, 5.41, 1) - "As a junior I didn't think he played hard," one scout said. "This year he played hard. They say he really matured this year. He's married, has (two) kids. All of a sudden the light came on. I just thought he was a dominant player. He can control the point. He can rush the passer. He can do anything he wants to. He's a lot like Haloti Ngata but not as big." Former junior-college player with 107 tackles (22½ for loss) and seven sacks in 38 games (28 starts). "Really talented but it's like once every five plays," another scout said. "Which is just like Ngata was coming out. He's athletic like that and he could be powerful." Three teams said he was off their board because it was discovered at the combine that the left ventricle of his heart was operating at 44% efficiency. Subsequent medical reports said his heart was normal. Bench-pressed 38 times, one more than Ngata at the 2006 combine. Utes' best DT since Luther Elliss in the early 1990s. South Jordan, Utah, is home.

3. SHELDON RICHARDSON, Missouri (6-2½, 295, 4.94, 1) - Long arms (34½), top athletic ability and 30 reps on the bench press. "It's close between him and Floyd," one scout said. "Both are very quick, and that's the nice thing. You'll get an inside pass rusher, which is hard to get. Richardson didn't go to class but I never saw that in his play. He found the ball and knew where blocks were coming from." Failed to qualify at Mizzou and spent two years in junior college. His Wonderlic score of 9 was a tick worse than Floyd's 11. "Really talented and very disruptive," another scout said. "Just doesn't make enough plays. Little bit of a wise (expletive)." From St. Louis, where he also participated in basketball, baseball and track as a prep. Started 13 of 24 games, finishing with 116 tackles (18½ for loss) and six sacks. "He has a chance (for greatness) but he's got some boom and bust in him, too," a third scout said. "Just a little immature. Not sure how hard his work ethic is."

4. JOHNATHAN HANKINS, Ohio State (6-3, 320, 5.28, 1-2) - Third-year junior known as "Big Hank" in Columbus. "Very, very good nose tackle," one scout said. "He is not a three-technique. Got a little of a fleshy body. Coach's dream. He does everything that they ask. He can shrink running lanes with human bodies. He's got that kind of base, power and strength. He's not even within a gunshot of being a pass rusher. If somebody needed an almost prototypical nose tackle, a Pat Williams type, this is what you would have." Started 25 of 38 games, finishing with 138 tackles (16½ for loss) and five sacks. "He's inconsistent," another scout said. "Against Nebraska, it was, 'Get out of here.' Against Cal, I could see why people liked him. He's a short-area two-gapper, limited athletically compared to Richardson and Floyd." From Dearborn Heights, Mich. Played at 340 in 2010. "Big, ol' lazy guy," a third scout said. "He doesn't stay square. He turns his shoulders to blockers. I've never seen anything like it from a guy that big. He makes most of his plays down the line and chasing instead of at the point. Belly. Big waist. He just plays lazy."

5. SYLVESTER WILLIAMS, North Carolina (6-2½, 311, 5.01, 1-2) - Grew up in a tough section of St. Louis, then played his one and only year of high school ball in Jefferson City, Mo. Worked for a year before sustaining his career in junior college. Started all 25 games at weak-side DT for Tar Heels. "The most solid D-lineman that has no chance of busting, solid as a rock, is Sylvester Williams," one scout said. Goes by "Sly." Registered 96 tackles (20½ for loss) and 8½ sacks. "I wouldn't take him in the first round," another scout said. "He is a pretty solid player. I got him in the third (round). He might be a nose. He can be (stout). He was probably 330 last year but lost a bunch of weight because they changed schemes." Led D-tackles in Wonderlic score (25) and hand size (10¾). "I just don't think he's very good," a third scout said. "I'm shocked at all this (attention) he's getting. Absolutely shocked. He's non-instinctive. Just doesn't make any plays. Doesn't play strong. Hopefully, he will go ahead of us. His off-the-field is great. They love him. Works hard. Worked out good. All that."

6. KAWANN SHORT, Purdue (6-3, 303, 5.09, 1-2) - Excellent basketball player, helping East Chicago to the Indiana 4A state title. "So I was looking for really a fast-twitch guy," one scout said. "He was more of a pillar. I was disappointed. I thought he was more of a nose than a three-technique. He's a very strong point-of-attack player. He tends to play high but has a lot of natural strength. With his history you'd expect more as a pass rusher and to be more athletic." Four-year starter with 186 tackles (49 for loss) and 19½ sacks. "He's better than Jerel Worthy," another scout said. "I really don't know what his problem is. You watch one game and he stinks, then another game he was good and you really got to like him." Long arms (34¾) and good strength. "He could do whatever he wants to do," said a third scout. "He's a three-down guy who can play nose or three-technique."

7. JOHN JENKINS, Georgia (6-3½, 343, 5.23, 2) - Former junior-college player spent two years in Athens, starting as a senior. Said he played 2012 at 370 pounds. "Big sluggo," one scout said. "This guy is huge. He can be 400 pounds if he doesn't watch it, but he has been watching himself. He'll float around for a long time because he's too big and works hard enough. Jovial. Fun kid. He's not a lazy guy. Just not explosive. He'll be able to push the pocket and he'll be a run stopper. That's it." Finished with 78 tackles (eight for loss) and four sacks. "That guard from Kentucky (Larry Warford) beat the hell out of him, and Kentucky was awful," another scout said. "I've never seen him do anything. Too much of a waist-bender." Another scout said Alabama RT D.J. Fluker soundly outplayed him in the SEC championship game. "When he got crushed by Fluker I started to worry," a third scout said. "He got his (expletive) kicked. He's got to keep his weight down. That's everything for him. I don't know if he loves football." From Meriden, Conn.

8. JESSE WILLIAMS, Alabama (6-3½, 325, 4.94, 2) - Grew up in Brisbane, Australia, first put on pads at 15 and played two years in junior college before starting all 26 games for the Crimson Tide in 2011-'12. "He's a power-packed rare combination of 325 pounds and 4.9 in the 40," one scout said. "Very limited background in football. He can probably fit either scheme. It will take a little time before he's trusted to play in a game." Has made more than his share of mental mistakes. Finished with 61 tackles (6½ for loss) and 1½ sacks. "He's one of the safest guys," another scout said. "Because he's big, he's tough, he's got strong hands, he runs pretty well. He is stiff." Short arms (32) and fairly small hands (9 3/8). "He's got really good weight-room strength that doesn't translate to the field," a third scout said. "He's kind of in there battling. He's just not ready for prime time yet. He's a skinny lower-body guy. I think he's way overhyped."

9. BRANDON WILLIAMS, Missouri Southern (6-1, 332, 5.36, 2-3) - Division II national defensive player of the year in 2012 after posting 8½ sacks and five forced fumbles. "He was a bull," Tennessee scout Johnny Meads said. "Strong as an ox. He had 38 on the bench. He's a Missouri kid who wasn't highly recruited. Very athletic for his size. Solid kid." Started 29 of 41 games, amassing 182 tackles (49½ for loss) and 25 sacks. "Big, impressive-looking kid," another scout said. "Just a project right now. He's not a fat guy now. Just a thick, strong guy. He had a problem with a bulging disc and a pinched nerve." From Kirkwood, Mo.

10. MONTORI HUGHES, Tennessee-Martin (6-4, 338, 5.14, 2-3) - Played off the bench in 2009-'10 at Tennessee before being dismissed from school following several suspensions. "Tennessee is pretty lenient, too," one veteran scout said. "If they kick a guy out of Tennessee, then he's screwed up a few times." Surfaced at Martin in 2012, started 11 games and had one sack. "Great big guy," another scout said. "The pass rush is there but it doesn't come out. He has talent. He ran decently. It's there. Montori could bust because of other things, not ability." From Murfreesboro, Tenn. "He had always been a fat and out of shape guy and they just got tired of it," a third scout said. "He showed very well in the all-star games and showed very well at the combine. Went to pro day and he had already gained about 13 pounds. You could see the laziness start to slip back in. He's one of those, tries to act normal for about four or five months and then he struggles. I think he's a coach-killer."

http://www.jsonline.com/sports/top-defensive-linemen-in-nfl-draft-rt9i5la-204028711.html

[DaCityKats]

Is there an archive of these? Would love to see what was said in the past about keek, cam, silatolu, etc.

pretty sure it is, here is Cam's

Fourth-year junior. Backed up The Golden Calf of Bristol for two years at Florida. Reportedly was to be expelled for cheating and transferred to Blinn (Texas) Junior College, which he led to national title in 2009. In 2010, posted an NFL-passer rating of 124.9, helping Tigers to national title. "He's maybe the best blend of talent to come into the league since Steve McNair, but he is nowhere near the quarterback that Steve McNair was," Colts vice chairman Bill Polian said. "Of course, Steve played four years, too. The problem is, Newton is a single-wing tailback. He's Ronnie Knox (UCLA, 1955), the last one. In running style, he's Marcus Allen. He doesn't have quite the make-you-miss that Marcus had, but he's a lot faster than Marcus once he gets going. The bottom line is, he's not played a lot of football at a sophisticated level and, therefore, isn't used to reading defenses. They didn't ask him to do that, to their credit. They used him for what he can do." In leading Auburn to its first crown since '57, he averaged 10.2 yards per pass and rushed for 1,473 yards and 20 TDs. "He wins, he leads, he raises the level of everybody around him," one scout said. "From what I have heard, I think people are just trying to kill the kid instead of looking. The kid loves football. He loves to compete. Those are things that will carry him." Attended Pacman Jones' high school (Westlake) outside Atlanta. "There is no translation from the offense he has been in the last two years to the NFL," another scout said. "The whole key to the NFL is going from one receiver to another. I just don't know if he's a good enough passer from the pocket to do it on a consistent basis." Scored 21 on the 50-question Wonderlic intelligence test, lowest among the top nine QBs. "He might be as good an athlete as I've ever seen for the position," Houston scouting director Dale Strahm said. "But it's the little things that are so critical at that position." Added another scout: "He's a con guy. He's got more arm talent than (Tim) The Golden Calf of Bristol or Vince Young, but I don't like his character."

http://www.jsonline.com/packerinsider/120328199.html

Amini's

A defensive lineman in Tracy, Calif., Silatolu spent two years making the transition to O-line at a junior college before surfacing at Division II Midwestern State in 2010. "He's a tremendous athlete," Miami GM Jeff Ireland said. "He dominates that level of play. He's got power. He's got agility. Stays on his feet very well. His play certainly transitions to the NFL." Often compared to all-time Cowboys G Larry Allen. "Larry Allen just mauled people," one scout said. "This guy can hit you and knock you down. He's probably a little more athletic than Allen. He's every bit as good as the guard (Mike Iupati) who went to the 49ers. He's not a rocket scientist but he learns. He's just a little scary in the first round." Played LT, where he seemed to look bored at times. "He's got a chance of being a Pro Bowl player and also a chance of never factoring," another scout said. "I've always been of the philosophy that you better not completely whiff. He has Pro Bowl ability. He doesn't have Pro Bowl stability, or at least he hasn't had it. The between the ears is the concern. And he's making a position switch and a level jump.

http://www.jsonline.com/sports/packers/draftcaps20-vn4vq5d-148210085.html

Luke's

Finished with 532 tackles (36½ for loss) in three seasons, the second-highest total since the NCAA began recording tackles as an official statistic in 2000. "He's very, very solid and very, very safe," said Don Gregory, Carolina's director of college scouting. "You know what you're getting." Probably could play anywhere in any scheme. "Tremendous football player," San Diego GM A.J. Smith said. "He's a tackling machine." Finished with 2½ sacks and 15 "big" plays (interceptions, forced fumbles and recovered fumbles). Often compared to Paul Posluszny. "He's almost leaving before the ball is snapped to the place the ball is going because he's such a great film-study guy," one scout said. "I think he's a better athlete than people give him credit for. He will overcome whatever limitations he might have because of his intelligence." Led all LBs in the 50-question Wonderlic intelligence test with 34. Third-year junior played at Cincinnati St. Xavier High. "If you consider (James) Laurinaitis great and (Sean) Lee great and Posluszny great, then, yeah, he'll be great," another scout said. "I love the way the kid plays but he's not a dynamic player. He's better than A.J. Hawk now, but not that A.J. Hawk that was at Ohio State."

http://www.jsonline.com/sports/packers/148802775.html

[Gabeking]

pretty sure it is, here is Cam's

http://www.jsonline.com/packerinsider/120328199.html

Amini's

http://www.jsonline.com/sports/packers/draftcaps20-vn4vq5d-148210085.html

Luke's

http://www.jsonline.com/sports/packers/148802775.html

Wow thanks, appreciate it! (And I still love the cam criticisms to this day, lmao polian can suck a fat one)

[Ken]

Good stuff. Always nice to hear what scouts say/think.

[firstdayfan]

It's really interesting how different scouts view different players. I guess that explains why there are so many busts. One guy said he wouldn't take Sly until the 3rd round while another said he was the safest DT in the draft. Thats a pretty wide range of disparity.

[Kurb]

Ole Tommy D in Atlanta does love to get his name out there in articles doesn't he?

[Kurb]

Those DT remarks make me nervous.