Scouting the 2013 draft

Thanks for that link jonesy.
I'll be checking it out.


Does anyone have an opinion on the Ohio St. O-line Left side?
I noticed they moved Jack Mewhort from OG to LT.
I think he is out of position a bit - maybe like a Brandyn Dombrowski?
I liked him and Andrew Norwell both at OG last year.

I know these guys are probably not coming out until the 2014 draft but I
thought they played well last year as Sophs.

Neither of those guys have shown up on my radar at all.  I'll see if I can find a time to get a look at them. 

Johnthan Banks, CB, Mississippi State

I really like this kid.  He's got incredible ball instincts, good size, and consistent statistical production.  I think he could be exactly the guy we need to bolster our defensive backfield.  There are some knocks about his flat-out speed, but I personally think they're overblown.  Learning a little more discipline, he could be a good shut-down corner.   Our secondary is probably our weakest area, in terms of talent, right now.  I'd be all for addressing it in the first round.   

Our secondary is probably our weakest area, in terms of talent, right now.  I'd be all for addressing it in the first round.

Either there, or the OL are my thoughts too, E.

Let me ask you this...do you think AJ might kick the tires on former LSU CB, Tyrann Mathieu? He's in a drug rehab right now. I understand it's for weed, which when compared to other substances isn't such a big deal...at least to me. The reality is...and I consider myself an expert in this field...that both alcohol and tobacco are far more dangerous to both your health...and in the case of alcohol...other people's health too. That being said...if it was only pot...do you think AJ might kick his tires? I wonder, because he's a 1st round talent that will likely drop at least to the 2nd round as it now stands...perhaps further.

Either there, or the OL are my thoughts too, E.

I can't disagree with that.  Keep in mind, though, that the team went ahead and invested in Johnnie Troutman with 2013 in mind.  One guy I'm really starting to notice is Oday Aboushi from Virginia, who I think could be the Clary upgrade we've been waiting for.  Current consensus suggests he'd be available in the 2nd round.  While he's playing on the left side now, he's proven to a beast on the right, and he's an excellent run-blocker and pass-blocker.  Here's a game from last year, shortly after moving to the left.  Some of his footwork is still a little off in the film, but I think you will see the strength and agility I'm seeing.  [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HwiAK3KSVhk]
 

do you think AJ might kick the tires on former LSU CB, Tyrann Mathieu?

I think it's a distinct possibility.  He'll give him a good look.   In his particular case, I think the self-glorifying attitude and the fact that he has benefitted from outstanding players around him will be more of a concern than the marijuana-smoking.  I understand that pot is not considered as serious these days as it used to be.  It's hard for me to "get with the times" in this particular area.  I'm trying, but it really is a tough nut for me to crack.  I worry about the implications on a guy's work ethic.  Going for treatment is a sign of maturity...he could have played at a non-FBS school this season.  The route he chose to take could indicate he'd rather use his redshirt and come back next year to prove he is truly 1st-round material.  If he decides to test the draft waters, I think we could both agree that the substance issue by itself probably wouldn't deter AJ completely.  If he came out for the draft, and was still available in round 3 or so, the risk/reward ratio would seem balanced enough to warrant serious consideration there.  He's one case where a good sit-down conversation will affect his draft status more than any other factor, I think. 
 

In that film, by the way, he's #72.

Just wanted to stop in quick and remind those of you interested, and who also receive this game, that Texas A&M plays LSU this weekend.

Why watch this game?

Because you may be watching the next No. 1 draft pick by the Chargers play each other head to head.

A&M features two of the highest rated OTs entering the draft in Luke Joeckel and Jake Matthews.

Countering these two bona fide OTs, LSU will have DEs Sam Montgomery and Barkevious Mingo.

It'll be very interesting how the coaches try to put their men in position to win these battles that, on paper, could prove to be finacially important down the road when they're drafted, and what makes it really interesting is the differences in style each player brings to the table.

Have fun if you watch it...nyy

Another head-to-head matchup between highly rated players you might be able to catch this weekend.

Alabama's top CB, Dee Milner gets two very talented Tennessee WRs in Justin Hunter and Cordattelle Patterson. A Milner/Hunter matchup will be exciting to watch, but Patterson is very good himself.

 

Looks like the Honey Badger just lost even more millions...and perhaps may not even be drafted now.

From CBS's Mike Freeman...

Tyrann Mathieu has always been a divisive figure to NFL scouts. Some think his blend of athleticism and hard hitting could translate into the pros. Others think he's a vastly overrated player who doesn't possess the true quickness to keep up with the speedy NFL wideouts.

In August, a scout told me that Mathieu's off-the-field troubles cost the player millions of dollars, as he went from a high-round pick to a third or fourth rounder.

Well, on Thursday, the Honey Badger [allegedly was caught with his paw in the cannabis jar]. The arrest comes after reports that he failed multiple drug tests while at LSU.

NFL scouts contacted Thursday night fully expect Mathieu to enter the draft but the question is: where will he get drafted? Or would he even now get drafted?

The same scout who projected Mathieu in the third or fourth round range now wonder if he'll go in the sixth or seventh round. Or get drafted at all.

"It's not out of realm of possibility he doesn't" get drafted, said the scout.

The reason, according to this scout, and a few other NFL personnel people I spoke to on Thursday? It's one thing when a player allegedly gets in repeated trouble. As one scout put it, arrests for college players are commonplace. Drug issues are commonplace.

The concern developing with Mathieu is that he may be entering the NFL with addiction issues. Remember, he had entered a drug and alcohol treatment center this summer in Houston. The fact he was arrested for pot possession isn't a great sign he's taking his drug issues seriously.

There is possibly even a greater concern among NFL scouts. All Mathieu had to do was stay out of trouble and the NFL would have seen that as a positive sign. Mathieu knew the league was watching and he still ended up in this jam. To the NFL, that's a sign of a lack of control.

The only issue with saying Mathieu won't get drafted is that all it takes is one team to make that leap. One dumb team.

It's not certain Mathieu will enter the draft. Maybe he goes to Canada or another league for a year, demonstrates he can be trusted and stay out of trouble, and then head to the NFL. But I doubt it. Mathieu will test the NFL.

The overall sentiment developing in the NFL about Mathieu is that he can't be trusted. In the NFL, that's worse than a criminal record.

nyyjones: The overall sentiment developing in the NFL about Mathieu is that he can't be trusted.

=============

I was thinking he would go the way of Janoris Jenkins and maybe fall to the 2nd Round.
Plus, with Janoris Jenkins panning out well (so far) I figured that would boost Mathieu's status a bit.

But maybe his problems go a bit deeper.
We'll have to see (I'm sure this soap opera is far from over - unfortunately).

Still, there is always a coach who thinks he can fix a talented yet troubled player.

I think it is clear at this point where the biggest issues lie with the team...

1) Cornerback
2) Offensive Line (Primarily OT and LOG)
3) Halfback (40%...meaning we need a solid 2nd-string HB to share the load)
4) Quarterback (Need to upgrade the back-up and have potential to challenge for the starting job)
5) Nose Tackle
6) Wide Receiver


You may disagree with me about the order, but that's just a result of mistaking injuries for true holes in the line-up. 

So, the question is: Who is out there to fit these needed roles in the draft?          
     

Taylor Lewan vs Jake Matthews

Let's play armchair GM for a seocnd.  OT is a major need.  You have Taylor Lewan (LOT, Michigan) and Jake Matthews (ROT, Texas A&M) available when it's your tiurn to select.  Lewan is a LT, and Matthews an RT. 

Which one do you select?      

Personally E, I'll take Matthews. My reasoning is this. In the NFL, I think he's actually an ORT, not an OLT. However, he could. in a pinch, play much more effectively, IMO, than Lewan as an OLT. Also, Lewan has a mean streak that gets the best of him a tad too much for my liking...although I do like OL with mean streaks. I also think Matthews gets to the second level better than Lewan, and as a pass defender on the right side we'd have a huge improvement over Clary. In fact, I think he needs a bit of work on his run game right at the line, whereas Lewan is probably a bit stronger there right now.

That being said...should the Chargers play themselves out of Joekel, Matthews, or Lewan, then I'm looking pass rusher before anything else. I know a lot of people will say CB, but damn if we don't have better DBs on our team right now than my other team, the Giants. The thing with the Giants is they have a feared pass rush, thus their DBs look much, much better than they actually are. Give the Chargers a stud ROLB, to go with hopefully Ingran at LOLB next year, and I think we're possibly in a similar situation. And that's what I'm actually hoping we do in the 2nd round should we get the OT in the 1st, because I see a lot of good pass rushing 3-4 OLB types in this year's draft. After that I think you go BPA, but I do honestly believe the BPA will be that OLB in the 2nd...or at least equal to any other position that will be available, so that's what I'd do if I were the GM from my very comfortable armchair.

Since the Chargers in all likelyhood will be drafting 5-8 there should be plenty of options available. IMHO the last 2-3 years they have been drafting defense and the O-line is paying the price, as well as Rivers. 

Jerzee

I have to agree with the Cornerback synopsis - Shareece Wright made a great touchdown saving play near the end of the Bengal Game, and I think a few more games and his health under him, he will be "starter" potential.  I am not saying that we have the answer on the team, but with the secondary the way it is, I think I would prefer another premier pass rusher - or someone who can/will serve as the defensive captain. Someone on the field smart enough to make the plays, and inspire the unit to play better with him.   I was hoping Spikes would be that guy..... and I am diappointed.

I am confident that the new General Manager will do a much better job of not only drafting, but also keeping the talent in San Diego.  Because nobody can alienate players and make this team a more unnatractive destination than AJ Smith.

Let me throw another name out there, E. Eric Fisher. I want to see him in the all-star games and combine, but in all honesty, from what I've seen he could end up being the top OT in this class, or as good as anyone else. I honestly would not be surprised if by the time the draft rolls around that he's in the top 15...and I won't discount him jumping into the top 10 either. I just have this "feeling" about him right now.

Fisher is a very solid OT.  No doubt about it.  I worry about his COG a little bit...but that's true of a lot of rookies.  Not a bad use of a pick, if he's there and Lewan & Matthews aren't.

Jake Mathews... hands down.  Already has RT experience.  Great pass blocker to replace Clary and match up with Von Miller in the coming years.  Very powerful run blocker.

The OLB's don't impress me this year.  None of the CB's seem like shut-down types.  Wouldn't mind if the Chargers went LT or ILB in the 2nd round... really like Kevin Minter (LSU ILB).