Draft Prospects

[DKphin]

56. Eric Reid FS LSU 6'2" 212

After beginning his senior season as the potential marquee safety prospect of the 2013 NFL Draft, Louisiana State University's Eric Reid has slipped in most draft rankings and looks to be a possible second round pick. This 6'2", 212-pounder is at his best playing a center field role where he can drop into a zone and diagnose the play in front of him. He has an adequate ability to break on the ball and displays an excellent awareness. While lacking some straight line speed, Reid has a great feel for where the play will be and putting himself in a position to make plays.
In run support, he is average at best. He can wrap in open space but does not shine or excel in open-field situations. Reid over-pursues and struggles staying on assignment when running sideline-to-sideline. He will need to show an improved willingness to mix it up against ball-carriers.
In coverage, Reid plays better in zone coverage. He should be able to keep up with most athletic tight ends in man coverage, but lacks top-end speed and could be in trouble against shiftier receivers if asked to cover the slot. His long arms allow him to swipe after the ball in the air and make the occasional interception.
Reid currently projects as a second-rounder in the 2013 NFL Draft.

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[DKphin]

57. Zac Dysert Miami QB (OH) 6'3" 228

Positives:


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+Excellent decision maker
+Very tough
+Excellent football IQ
+Good throw power
+Extremely accurate
+Plays well despite what might be the worst supporting cast in the NCAA
+Comfortable with second and third reads
+Not fast, but a smart scrambler
Negatives:
-Unspectacular numbers against weak competition
-Will take a sack
-Can be careless when trying to throw passes away
-Mediocre flexibility
-Not a lot of escapability in the pocket
-Sometimes throws a wobbly spiral, and some passes tend to sail
-Not Tebow like by any means, but his release is kind of slow


Miami (OH) quarterback Zac Dysert is the most underrated quarterback I have ever seen. This may sound absolutely ridiculous, but I am close to saying that he is the best quarterback of this draft class. I definitely like him more than
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(that article was written before the season started, and, needless to say, he hasn’t done anything this season to sway me), he’s about tied with Tyler Wilson, but he is just behind Geno Smith at the moment. But man is he a good player.

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[DKphin]

58. Eddie Lacy RB Alabama 5'10" 220

Lacy is rated as NFLDraftScout.com's No. 1 running back and No. 43 prospect overall. He will compete with Giovani Bernard and a few others to be the first running back off the board, likely in the second-round range. Although overshadowed at times this season by true freshman T.J. Yeldon, Lacy was strong down the stretch, with a career-high 181 rushing yards against Georgia in the SEC Championship Game followed by 140 rushing yards in the BCS title game, earning Offensive Player of the Game honors. He finished the 2012 season with 1,322 rushing yards on 204 carries (6.5 average) and 17 touchdowns, earning First Team All-SEC honors. At 220 pounds, Lacy has the power to run over defenders but also shows the fluid feet to sidestep defenders and accelerate downfield. He runs tough and determined with an angry attitude to finish each carry and gain yardage. While not quite as highly regarded as his predecessors, Mark Ingram and Trent Richardson, Lacy projects as a starting running back in the NFL, similar to a more agile Michael Bush-type.

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[DKphin]

59. Robert Woods WR USC 6'1" 190

Southern Cal wide receiver Robert Woods is a speedy, explosive athlete that can separate from defenders and make big plays downfield.
Woods' best attribute is his playmaking ability. He has very good speed and can get behind defenders. Despite his average height, he is very quick in tight spaces and can turn a short pass into a long gain with his sudden change of direction skills. When route running, he blows past corners off the line and is average with getting in and out of his breaks. Quick feet and has that "next gear" when given a straight line. Still has room to improve as a route runner.
Catches the ball well away from his body in most cases, but does battle with drops from time to time. Due to his lack of size, Woods usually relies on trying to get to the ball using quickness rather than strength. He can track a deep pass and flashes elite jumping ability.
Not very good in run support and shows a better willingness to block. Shows more attitude with the ball in his hands, so there is tenacity in him to learn how to take on defenders in sealing the edge. Woods is a first round prospect and could compete with others to be the first receiver off the board in the 2013 NFL Draft.

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[DKphin]

60. Ezekiel Ansah DE BYU 6'5" 270

40-yard-dash: 4.62 seconds
Positives

• Is extremely quick burst off of the line.
• Is extremely powerful as well.
• Versatile, can line up anywhere on the line.
• High-end motor... never stops moving, pursuing the ball.

Negatives

• Inexperienced... has only been playing football for a brief period.
• Pad level is inconsistent.
• Hand placement is likely sufficient, but not ideal.
• He is primarily a pass rusher at this point, although his run support has gotten much better, very quickly.

Ansah is one of the most exciting prospects in college football, and one of the quickest rising. He will likely be one of the top defensive players off the board because of his versatility, freak athleticism, and high ceiling. He's very raw, having only started playing football two years ago after moving to the United States from Ghana. However, he's an exceptionally quick learner, becoming one of the most dangerous linemen in the NCAA in only a short period. He is, to put it mildly, a freak athlete, and extraordinarily versatile. He's lined up all across the defensive line and can do it all.
Player Comparison
When I look at Ansah, I see Jason Pierre-Paul. Both were freak athletes that were extremely raw, both being new to the game of football. However, both are quick learners, have exceptional burst, strength, and versatility. Put in the wrong system, Ansah will be a bust.
Round Projection
First Round.

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[DKphin]

61. Mychal Rivera TE Tennessee 6'3" 240

Unlike all the other tight ends on this list, Rivera is under-sized and somewhat of a “tweener” between tight end, h-back and fullback. Despite his lack of bulk/weight, Rivera flashes the ability to be a dominant down/side blocker who can drive defensive end down the line. However, the trouble is that when Rivera does not block with good leverage and attack defender, he can be "stoned" at the point of attack. Effective getting through the line, when he keeps his knees bent Rivera can be a good blocker on the second level. His upright running style makes him look slower running routes and running after the catch, but the reality is that he has the quickness and speed to consistently get separation against man coverage and to make plays running after the catch. Overall, Rivera is not a big name prospect, but NFL scouts are very intrigued by his versatility and ability to contribute catching passes from a variety of alignments.

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[Fin Thirteen]

DKPhin,

thx as always for the phenomenal work you put into these threads.

People keep talking about SDSU TE Gavin Escobar. What I can find on him is very limited and I have no Aztecs games recorded. Have you dug up anything on him of use, particularly video?

keep it up, fella.

[DKphin]

62. Gavin Escobar TE SDSU 6'5" 255

San Diego State tight end Gavin Escobar will not return for his senior season. The junior tight end and Mackey Award semi-finalist finished his final season in an Aztec uniform as SDSU’s leading receiver, with 42 receptions for 543 yards and six touchdowns. For his career, the 6-5, 255-pounder totaled 122 catches for 1,646 yards and 17 touchdowns. In the official NFL evaluation report that Escobar got lat week, Long said Escobar was projected to go as high as the third round of the draft.
2012 ALL-MOUNTAIN WEST FIRST-TEAM (COACHES & MEDIA): TE Gavin Escobar, Jr., San Diego State, has been selected First Team All-Mountain West Conference (Coaches & Media selection) for the 2012 college football season. Escobar made his second straight all-MW first team after being named to the second team as a freshman in 2010. A semifinalist for the Mackey Award (given out annually to the nation's top tight end), Escobar leads SDSU in receptions (41), receiving yards (519) and receiving touchdowns (6). Among the tight ends in the nation, Escobar is tied for fifth in touchdowns, tied for 11th in receptions and 14th in receiving yards.

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PROS:

Escobar possesses prototypical length and has good muscle tone. Has large hands. Escobar is a good athlete, showing good agility and leaping ability. Runs good, not great. Breaks arm tackles and shows he can run through defenders who are not in proper position. Displays good body control and balance, makes a lot of tough catches. Uses his body well to screen defenders and make plays on the ball. Creates mis-match problems with his length when isolated on a corner and with his athleticism when matched with a linebacker. Understands how to settle and find the open spot in zone coverage. Not afraid to catch the ball in traffic. Shows good escape moves and head fakes when getting off of linebackers. In the run game, plays with a good base, good pad level and consistently has good footwork when blocking. Does a good job shooting his hands and attaching to defenders.
CONS:
Needs to add bulk to his frame. Does not have great speed. Does not show the explosiveness you like to see off the line. Needs to develop total body strength. Must sharpen route running, routes are often loose and unsettle. Not very physical at the point of attack, often tries to position block or settle for a stale-mate. When on the backside of run needs to work on hand and head placement to cut off defenders.
NOTES:

Gavin Escobar possesses enough intangibles, measurables and skill to be a very good Tight End in the NFL. Escobar’s ability to create mis-matches and be an effective blocker will help his draft stock. Since Escobar is a Junior, he will not be allowed to take place in the Senior Bowl or Shrine Game, so the Combine and his pro day will be very important. The upside I see from Escobar is though the roof and I think there will be NFL teams that love the potential the he holds.

Could not find anything on him from 2012, but here is a 2011 Highlight vid:

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[DKphin]

63. Dallas Thomas OT Tennessee 6'5" 310

Tennessee offensive tackle prospect Dallas Thomas is a quick, efficient blocker with serious upside as a left tackle in a zone-blocking scheme. Thomas is very flexible and bends well in order to establish leverage and maintain position. A really high ceiling pass blocker who is lean enough to move well in open space, yet has the frame to bulk up a little if necessary. Great get-up off the line and he'll need that due to a lack of strength in his lower body. Must learn to stay low and drive from his butt and up to his core then through his hands. Tends to lean when he gets tired and needs to bring more consistent effort.
A very smart blocker. Doesn't get out of position and plays his assignment. Communicates very well with his left guard. Good feet and adequate footwork. Not a drive run blocker. Better when he can move to a spot in order to build forward momentum. Locates well at the second level. Shows better footwork as a run blocker with active feet.
Thomas is going to be a real steal in the second half of the first round of the 2013 NFL Draft.

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[DKphin]

64. Hugh Thornton OG Illinois 6'4" 310

-Lined up as weak-side guard majority of the day, playing both LG and RG.
-Has a violent initial punch, really stunned the DL.
-Chips DL and then bulldozes LB ten yards down the field.
-Turns DL at the line, very physical.
-Locks out in pass protection, no chance for DL.
-Mirrors DL easily, not affected by spin move and other counters.
-Pulls outside, takes LB out of the play.
-Used in motion in the backfield.Overview: Physical lineman that looks like he enjoys hitting people. Moved well and showed versatility playing both sides of the line and moving in the backfield and on pulls. Certainly a draftable prospect.

*No meaningful tape available

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