Late Round Gems

If we're talking about guys that can be 3rd down/returners, Noel Devine of W. Virginia is a good one. He's lightning quick. A poor man's sproles, but probably just as fast. Size & durability will be his issues.

Just read the Kiper ESPN insider article about guys who shouldn't be coming out. Noel Devine is on the list (but he says he's on the fence about him). Here's some of it:

"Thaddeus Gibson (http://sports.espn.go.com/ncf/player/profile?playerId=188306), DE, Ohio State Buckeyes (http://sports.espn.go.com/ncf/clubhouse?teamId=194): An interesting guy. I see Gibson as more of a stand-up outside linebacker in a 3-4 defense, and there are a lot of them in this draft class. He had his hand on the ground a lot, so it'll be an adjustment, but his size (6-foot-2, 240) fits. Another guy that I think could use another year, but I still see him as a player with second-round potential in April.

Dominique Franks (http://sports.espn.go.com/ncf/player/profile?playerId=188941), DB, Oklahoma Sooners (http://sports.espn.go.com/ncf/clubhouse?teamId=201): He didn't have an outstanding year. I thought he showed outstanding ball skills as a sophomore, which he still has, but another player (like Snead) that had too many highs and lows in 2009. He has return ability and should work out well, but he needs to improve in areas besides his ball skills. I have him with a second- to third-round grade right now if his workouts go well.

Jason Worilds (http://sports.espn.go.com/ncf/player/profile?playerId=236806), DE, Virginia Tech Hokies (http://sports.espn.go.com/ncf/clubhouse?teamId=259): Another player I thought was better as a sophomore. He had eight sacks in 2008 and dropped to just four this year. The issue this year: He appeared very blockable, which is not what you want to see out of a defensive end. Pluses are that he's one of the strongest pound-for-pound players in the draft and will test well. Has solid natural instincts as well. I see him in the third or fourth, but a good senior year could have really helped.

Noel Devine (http://sports.espn.go.com/ncf/player/profile?playerId=238902), RB, West Virginia Mountaineers (http://sports.espn.go.com/ncf/clubhouse?teamId=277): As of this writing, Devine is still on the fence. I think he should go, because he has proved to be durable despite his small size (5-8, 176) and I think because we have such a good feel for what he is, another year won't help his stock as much as it'll expose him to risk. He just doesn't help himself by coming back in my mind (graduation-versus-football earning power discussions aside). He has great change of pace and incredible cutback skills, and his pure speed is an attention-getter. You don't catch him from behind. As a third back and potential return man, he could be dangerous. I have him as a potential third-rounder in April.

Joe McKnight (http://sports.espn.go.com/ncf/player/profile?playerId=236598), RB, USC: He's explosive and really gifted; he has been since he was in high school. This year he went from being a great pure runner to showing he can attack the hole and showing some burst through the hole. There was a physical component to his game he put forth this year that had been lacking before. His issue will be durability/health concerns. Running backs are going to drop this year, I think, because most teams are pretty loaded up. There's a surplus right now. I see McKnight as a potential second-rounder; you just hope for him that his fluid speed transfers well in testing.

Bryan Bulaga (http://sports.espn.go.com/ncf/player/profile?playerId=236525), OL, Iowa Hawkeyes (http://sports.espn.go.com/ncf/clubhouse?teamId=2294): He had a great game in the Orange Bowl against Georgia Tech, so he's leaving on a high note. He could land in the first round; he's very talented. He has good feet and moves well, but his best asset is his leverage. You really have to mix it up to beat him, because he always has leverage. He had a few rough spots, but he's a junior and his talent will overcome those lapses on tape."

Usually these guys are the ones who fall to the later rounds. His main point (which i didn't feel like posting) was about Jevan Snead. He said he needed to stay an extra year to improve his draft stock. Could be a good sleeper in the late rounds...

Heres my guy:

Ryan Perrilloux

Ryan Perrilloux, , NFL Draft - CBSSports.com - NFLDraftScout.com (http://www.cbssports.com/nfl/draft/players/1637688)

Just read the Kiper ESPN insider article about guys who shouldn't be coming out. Noel Devine is on the list (but he says he's on the fence about him). Here's some of it:

"Thaddeus Gibson (http://sports.espn.go.com/ncf/player/profile?playerId=188306), DE, Ohio State Buckeyes (http://sports.espn.go.com/ncf/clubhouse?teamId=194): An interesting guy. I see Gibson as more of a stand-up outside linebacker in a 3-4 defense, and there are a lot of them in this draft class. He had his hand on the ground a lot, so it'll be an adjustment, but his size (6-foot-2, 240) fits. Another guy that I think could use another year, but I still see him as a player with second-round potential in April.

Dominique Franks (http://sports.espn.go.com/ncf/player/profile?playerId=188941), DB, Oklahoma Sooners (http://sports.espn.go.com/ncf/clubhouse?teamId=201): He didn't have an outstanding year. I thought he showed outstanding ball skills as a sophomore, which he still has, but another player (like Snead) that had too many highs and lows in 2009. He has return ability and should work out well, but he needs to improve in areas besides his ball skills. I have him with a second- to third-round grade right now if his workouts go well.

Jason Worilds (http://sports.espn.go.com/ncf/player/profile?playerId=236806), DE, Virginia Tech Hokies (http://sports.espn.go.com/ncf/clubhouse?teamId=259): Another player I thought was better as a sophomore. He had eight sacks in 2008 and dropped to just four this year. The issue this year: He appeared very blockable, which is not what you want to see out of a defensive end. Pluses are that he's one of the strongest pound-for-pound players in the draft and will test well. Has solid natural instincts as well. I see him in the third or fourth, but a good senior year could have really helped.

Noel Devine (http://sports.espn.go.com/ncf/player/profile?playerId=238902), RB, West Virginia Mountaineers (http://sports.espn.go.com/ncf/clubhouse?teamId=277): As of this writing, Devine is still on the fence. I think he should go, because he has proved to be durable despite his small size (5-8, 176) and I think because we have such a good feel for what he is, another year won't help his stock as much as it'll expose him to risk. He just doesn't help himself by coming back in my mind (graduation-versus-football earning power discussions aside). He has great change of pace and incredible cutback skills, and his pure speed is an attention-getter. You don't catch him from behind. As a third back and potential return man, he could be dangerous. I have him as a potential third-rounder in April.

Joe McKnight (http://sports.espn.go.com/ncf/player/profile?playerId=236598), RB, USC: He's explosive and really gifted; he has been since he was in high school. This year he went from being a great pure runner to showing he can attack the hole and showing some burst through the hole. There was a physical component to his game he put forth this year that had been lacking before. His issue will be durability/health concerns. Running backs are going to drop this year, I think, because most teams are pretty loaded up. There's a surplus right now. I see McKnight as a potential second-rounder; you just hope for him that his fluid speed transfers well in testing.

Bryan Bulaga (http://sports.espn.go.com/ncf/player/profile?playerId=236525), OL, Iowa Hawkeyes (http://sports.espn.go.com/ncf/clubhouse?teamId=2294): He had a great game in the Orange Bowl against Georgia Tech, so he's leaving on a high note. He could land in the first round; he's very talented. He has good feet and moves well, but his best asset is his leverage. You really have to mix it up to beat him, because he always has leverage. He had a few rough spots, but he's a junior and his talent will overcome those lapses on tape."

Usually these guys are the ones who fall to the later rounds. His main point (which i didn't feel like posting) was about Jevan Snead. He said he needed to stay an extra year to improve his draft stock. Could be a good sleeper in the late rounds...

Thanks a lot for posting this! Actually, he says Devine is on the fence, meaning Devine isn't sure whether to come out. Kiper clearly says that Devine might as well come out because he can't prove much more by staying.

I forgot about my boy Worild's. I think he's making a mistake by coming out, but it really depends on who drafts him & whether he plays DE or OLB. HE's too small to be a hands down DE, but could gain weight. I would love to see him available in the 5th or later & the Skins draft him to play SAM.

Heres my guy:

Ryan Perrilloux

Ryan Perrilloux, , NFL Draft - CBSSports.com - NFLDraftScout.com (http://www.cbssports.com/nfl/draft/players/1637688)

Great talent, but he's been a bit of a head case. Skips practice, comes late to meetings, etc.

i agree that worilds is making a mistake by coming out now. and if we draft him to play sam its just going to be like having orakpo there, out of position. hes a 4-3 defensive end or a 3-4 olb, not a 4-3 olb, imo.

Just read the Kiper ESPN insider article about guys who shouldn't be coming out. Noel Devine is on the list (but he says he's on the fence about him). Here's some of it:

Noel Devine (http://sports.espn.go.com/ncf/player/profile?playerId=238902), RB, West Virginia Mountaineers (http://sports.espn.go.com/ncf/clubhouse?teamId=277): As of this writing, Devine is still on the fence. I think he should go, because he has proved to be durable despite his small size (5-8, 176) and I think because we have such a good feel for what he is, another year won't help his stock as much as it'll expose him to risk. He just doesn't help himself by coming back in my mind (graduation-versus-football earning power discussions aside). He has great change of pace and incredible cutback skills, and his pure speed is an attention-getter. You don't catch him from behind. As a third back and potential return man, he could be dangerous. I have him as a potential third-rounder in April.



as a wvu fan i would love to see noel come back, i honestly don't know where he stands, i don't think he knows either. i'm surprised he is listed as a 3rd i thought he would be a 4th or 5th for sure because of his size.

i agree that worilds is making a mistake by coming out now. and if we draft him to play sam its just going to be like having orakpo there, out of position. hes a 4-3 defensive end or a 3-4 olb, not a 4-3 olb, imo.

he's been a pass rusher & would probably prefer to play de, but they did drop him in coverage a bit & he seemed to fare well. Moves laterally pretty well.

I'll at least agree that as a 4-3 OLB he's somewhat of a project. Would take him at least a year to catch on & get some pt, if he made the team.

Great talent, but he's been a bit of a head case. Skips practice, comes late to meetings, etc.


Yeah, but if it wasnt for his problems he would prob. be a first day pick.

I dont think hes a thug, just a bad attitude type guy (which in my book is even worse). I would hope a guy like him humbles up a bit when he gets kicked off his team and potentially looses out on millions by becoming a late round "gem". I could see him turning into a Willie Beamen….

Here's mine. Obviously we need to see their Combine numbers and Senior Bowl / E-W Shrine performances to get a better look. All are projected in the 4th or later rounds:

QB - I'll hop on the Skelton express. Also Max Hall from BYU.

RB - Joique Bell, 6' 1", 223. 4.53 (low 4.43) 40 time, Wayne St.
Will be in the NFL Combine and Senior Bowl.
Wayne St. RB Joique Bell named Division II player of the year - ESPN (http://sports.espn.go.com/ncf/news/story?id=4735984)

RB - Deji Karim, 5' 9", 205. 4.46 (low 4.37) 40 time, Southern Ill.
Will be in the TX vs. Nation Challenge 2/6/2010
SOUTHERN ILLINOIS' DEJI KARIM HAS NFL SCOUTS RUSHING TO CAMPUS | Bleacher Report (http://bleacherreport.com/articles/287821-southern-illinois-deji-karim-has-nfl-scouts-rushing-to-campus)

C - Eric Olsen, 6' 4", 305. 5.26 (low 5.12), Notre Dame
Will be in Senior Bowl. 1 sack in 450 Pass Att, 50 NCAA starts.
Projected 5th rd

C- Jim Cordle, 6' 4", 298. 5.12, Ohio State
Can play all OL positions. Projected 7th-FA

G - Mitch Petrus, 6' 3", 315. 5.09 (low 4.96). Arkansas
1st Team All SEC (coaches). Projected 4th rd.

G - Thomas Austin, 6' 3", 310. 5.16. Clemson
All ACC 2nd Team (media). Projected 7th-FA

G - Marshall Newhouse, 6' 3" 320. 5.06 (low 4.96). TCU
Will be in the NFL Combine and East-West Shrine game.
All Mountain West 1st Team. All-American selection. Projected FA

T - Jared Veldheer, 6' 8" 321. 4.89 (low 4.82). Hillsdale
Little All-American First Team. Projected 4-5 rd.

T- Ed Wang, 6' 5" 309. 4.95 (low 4.89). Virginia Tech
All ACC 2nd Team. Projected 5th rd.

RT - Drew Davis, 6' 7" 305. 5.20 (low 5.09). Alabama
Projected 7th Rd.

LT - Jeff Linkenbach, 6' 6" 312. 5.18 (low 5.07). Cincy.
All Big East 2nd Team. Projected FA.

not much FS help to get excited about, but if Kam Chancellor slips into the 5th or later he'd be a good value. Watching him play live reminded me of ST, although he doesn't cover ground the way ST could.

OLB - Perry Riley, 6' 1" 245. 4.64 (low 4.53). LSU
Projected 5th rd.

OLB (will be a converted DE) - Arthur Moats, 6' 250. 4.58. JMU
Projected 6-7th rd.
Arthur Moats Captures 2009 Buck Buchanan Award -- CHATTANOOGA, Tenn., Dec. 18 /PRNewswire/ -- (http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/arthur-moats-captures-2009-buck-buchanan-award-79609172.html)

CB - Stephan Virgil, 5' 11" 190. 4.49 (low 4.37). Virginia Tech
Projected 4-5 rd.

CB - AJ Wallace, 6' 195. 4.43 (low 4.34). Penn State
Projected 6-7 rd.