SHANE CARDEN/QB/EAST CAROLINA #5 6’2/220 CARDEN is the “sleeper” in the 2015 QB DRAFT group in my opinion. He runs the show for a mid-level program and does it quite well. He came out like gang busters against VA TECH, then leveled off as the coaches got a bit predictable and TECH’s Defense got after him. But after TECH tied up the game late it was CARDEN who pretty much ran the whole show engineering the winning TD drive. He has an above average arm and decent mobility in the pocket. He’s a step too slow to be a real running threat. He can put touch on the ball, and I really like his quick release. He makes mistakes in his reads too often and forces the ball into coverage. Accuracy can be an issue in streaks. His final game stats are good, but his completion percentage was way too low. He went 23/47-427 yards and 3 TD passes, 0 INT. Some of his issues came from working against a defense which was athletically superior to most of his offensive mates, especially the OL. I say he’s a great candidate as a 3rd Round PIck next May going to a team with a QB guru on the coaching staff, and a vet QB starter in his early to mid 30’s. Given a couple of years to be nurtured by NFL coaching his talent could translate into an NFL starting job in 2-3 years. Overall, he is the real deal, who has room for improvement in a more sophisticated system.
DAVID COBB/RB/MINNESOTA #27 5’11/225This was a tough game to grade COBB on since the team speed of TCU was so much better than Minnesota that the Offense was stymied all day long. But in that tough setting COBB showed enough to make me think he’s a late draftable prospect. He is quicker than fast, but made some very nice cuts to and through the hole, when there was one to find. He also showed nice hands and movement with the ball after the catch. They did seem to use him less when they were counting on the RB to block I pass pro, but that’s not for lack of effort on his part. My most important note on the day was that he looked shifty and quick for his weight. If presented with a decent hole to run through he looks like a back who will bounce and cut his way to 5-15 yards with some regularity. In essence he will get what’s blocked. I’d rate him as a solid NFL candidate for a 3-man RB rotation for teams like WASHINGTON and the CHARGERS. He’s going to have some big number days in the Big 10 schedule. A decent Day 3 Draft candidate.
SEAN HICKEY/OT/SYRACUSE #60 6’5/295It is almost too easy, and certainly dangerous, to get carried away comparing players to guys from their school who played the same position, but in some cases it is too obvious to avoid. HICKEY looks and plays for all the world like JUSTIN PUGH, who preceded him at The CUSE at the same LT slot. He’s a trim athletic tackle who uses his hands/arms well to control his opponents, and moves his feet like a jumbo ballerina. He’s not overpowering in the running game, but he uses his length and athleticism to move defenders in the direction he wants, to direct them away from the running hole. You might not want to run at his side in a goal line situation when the jumbo DL is on the field. Don’t dismiss this performance because it was against a MAC team in Central Michigan. The DL for the Chippewas is deep and has some quality players this year. I’m not convinced he’s a first rounder, but just like PUGH, certain teams in the League may grade him very highly and take him late on Day One of the DRAFT. Any precision passing offense would be a good fit for him.
CHUCKY HUNTER/DT/TCU #96 6’1/300The good news is that this guy is clearly a team leader and well respected by his teammates. He works hard and never gives up on a play. But it was also pretty clear to my eyes that he’s just another guy when it comes to having NFL potential. He’s a space eater of sorts, but does not make very many plays. He lacks the quickness to shoot gaps and gets caught up in the wash much of the time. It looks as if his arms are fairly short, which is another strike against him. He’s going to be part of a DL rotation at best, and near the bottom of a 53-man roster. Having said all that he did force a fumble and actually dropped into shallow pass coverage effectively a couple of times. I doubt he’ll rank as draftable on my ist at season’s end, but I would certainly consider bringing him into an NFL Training Camp if my team played a base 4-3 scheme.
A.J. JOHNSON/ILB/TENNESSEE #45 6’2/245JOHNSON has been a star for the VOLS since his freshman season. He was 1st Team SEC last season and came back for his senior season. That may have been a wise decision since he has had several disciplinary situations while in Knoxville. But to his credit he keeps earning his way back onto the roster and is the leader of a very young defensive unit this season. He had 324 career tackles coming into this season. He’s a smart player with elite level athleticism. He looked out of place at times against Oklahoma, but it appeared to me some of that was a result of trying too hard to be in he right place for the tackle on every play. He’s a solid tackler and can cover TE/RB over the middle of the field. I think he’s best suited to play on the inside in a 3-4 scheme. Leading an overmatched team against OKlahoma must have left him exhausted at the end of the day. But he acquitted himself well overall. ILB aren’t usually First Rounders, but JOHNSON looks to me like he has a chance come May. But he may have some ‘splainin’ to do in team interviews about his off-field issues as a VOL come COMBINE time.
CHRISION ROSE/DE/EAST CAROLINA #93 6’4/300I had no inkling about ROSE as a prospect before watching the game with VA TECH on Saturday. But clearly, he’s a big bodied DE designed to play n a 3-4 NFL scheme. He can move around a bit and knows how to set the edge against the run. He also did a nice job generating some push and getting his long arms up into the sight and throwing lanes of TECH QB/BREWER. Like most 3-4 DE he does not have pass rush quicks or moves. He could stand to work on his hand usage to control and move blockers. He quite often slid inside to play head-up over the OC in a 2-man DL alignment on long yardage downs. That reminded a great deal of how the PACKERS have slipped into a 2-man DL formation on passing downs during the CAPERS era in Green Bay. In fact he reminds me a bit of former ECU Pirate CJ WILSON who was drafted late by Green Bay and currently is in his 5th year in the NFL with the RAIDERS. ROSE pursues the ball well on half of the field. He also keeps his head up and uses his eyes and legs to pursue the ball. GIven his size and skill set he could find himself in late round draft consideration if he plays more games in the manner he did against VA TECH.
THOMAS TEAL/DT/N.C. STATE #69 6’1/305I’m really surprised that TEAL gets so little luv and attention for his play along the Wolfpack DL. His game is very similar to that of GENO ATKINS when he was at GEORGIA. TEAL has excellent quickness for his size and generates good pressure up the middle. He used a very quick and very effective inside spin move to collapse the passing packet on multiple occasions against USF. He is functionally strong, while at the same time showing good pressure and pursuit speed. Though he only recorded 40 tackles last season, they included 3 sacks, 8 TFL and 4 QB hurries. He looks to be primed for even more impressive numbers this year. He is not even on the initial SENIOR BOWL prospect watch list right now, which I find surprising. People could be sleeping on this guy, who might have a very bright pro future. I expect him to be highly visible during the ACC Conference schedule. To my eyes he has Top 100 prospect potential written all over him.
LETERRIUS WALTON/DT/CENTRAL MICHIGAN #58 6’5/323Those of you who follow Pigskin Paul realize that I am a sucker for prospects who fit the “Big Ugly” classification. Take a look at WALTON’s size and you know why I am featuring him. He’s playing DT, not the nose, on a deep DL rotation at CMU this season. He shows flashes of disruptive ability at times, but overall looks a bit stiff. He does not use his long arms well at all keeping blockers off his body. He spent way too much time content to lock up and dance with the Syracuse OC & OG. He needs to be taught to deliver a shock blow and push them aside with his long arms. He keeps his feet well and can run a bit. I think he would benefit from being left out on the field longer to get more reps. He also has an annoying habit of ducking his head and looking at the ground while trying to push through blockers. This of course makes him lose track of the ball entirely at times. If anything the word for WALTON is potential with a capital P. THis is one player I would luv to see working out at the SHRINE venue come January.
JULIAN WILSON/CB/OKLAHOMA #2 6’2/200Despite the crack down by NFL officiating crews on DB who manhandle receivers, full sized CB who can handle man-cover responsibilities are still all the craze around the League. WILSON has been a standout performer early this season for the Sooners. He played the Nickel spot last season, but now has a full-time CB job and is handling it very well. His deflection INT, which he returned for 90+ yard TD against Tennessee, was a clear indicator of his talent and NFL potential. He’s the most exciting senior pro prospect CB I have seen this early season. He’s fearless in man-cover, which makes sense given his athleticism. He looks like a guy who could blow up the COMBINE with his speed numbers come the post-season. And by the way he has been a fearless, aggressive tackler. He clearly is aware of his ability and is supremely confident in his ability. Playing for a top ranked team will only help push up his ranking. Mark me down as projecting him to have serious 1st Round potential for next May.
