Late Round Gems

[freddyg12]

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.

[Rajmahal33]

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, DE, Ohio State Buckeyes: 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, DB, Oklahoma Sooners: 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, DE, Virginia Tech Hokies: 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, RB, West Virginia Mountaineers: 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, 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, OL, Iowa Hawkeyes: 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...

[mlmpetert]

Heres my guy:

Ryan Perrilloux

Ryan Perrilloux, , NFL Draft - CBSSports.com - NFLDraftScout.com

[SmootSmack]

Originally Posted by mlmpetert

Heres my guy:

Ryan Perrilloux

Ryan Perrilloux, , NFL Draft - CBSSports.com - NFLDraftScout.com

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

[mlmpetert]

Originally Posted by SmootSmack

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….

[freddyg12]

Originally Posted by Rajmahal33

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, DE, Ohio State Buckeyes: 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, DB, Oklahoma Sooners: 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, DE, Virginia Tech Hokies: 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, RB, West Virginia Mountaineers: 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, 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, OL, Iowa Hawkeyes: 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.

[mlmdub130]

Originally Posted by Rajmahal33

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, RB, West Virginia Mountaineers: 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.

[redsk1]

Originally Posted by Rajmahal33

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, DE, Ohio State Buckeyes: 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, DB, Oklahoma Sooners: 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, DE, Virginia Tech Hokies: 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, RB, West Virginia Mountaineers: 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, 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, OL, Iowa Hawkeyes: 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...

I would be excited if we could get Noel Devine in the late rounds. I'm not so sure he won't be picked before the 3rd though and we don't have a 3rd. We need a guy that can break some, a gamechanger.

[CultBrennan59]

Originally Posted by redsk1

I would be excited if we could get Noel Devine in the late rounds. I'm not so sure he won't be picked before the 3rd though and we don't have a 3rd. We need a guy that can break some, a gamechanger.

I wouldn't mind getting Noel too. To bad that won't be until next aprils draft...
Devine intervention: West Va. duo returning | CollegeFootballTalk.com


(He's staying)

[Big C]

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.

[freddyg12]

Originally Posted by Big C

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.

[tootergray34]

dude cultbrennan...half those dudes you listed are 2-3 round talents...not sure that is considered late draft gem

[CultBrennan59]

Originally Posted by tootergray34

dude cultbrennan...half those dudes you listed are 2-3 round talents...not sure that is considered late draft gem

Some are listed as 3rd rounders according to ESPN, but I think by the time combine and senior bowl, pro day, and private workouts go by they may fall like most guys do on draft day.

[tootergray34]

ryan perrilloux is a dipshit, and brian baluga is a 1st rounder for sure..what are you guys smoking thinking these guys are going to go in the later rounds of the draft.

ryan perrilloux is a WR at best in the NFL...even there he would be god awful.

definition of a late round gem would be somebody like andre roberts from the citadel...look him up. that's what defines a gem...not a decent player that is a projected 2 or 3rd round pick.

[freddyg12]

No one talks about Lewis, the qb from Duke, but this guy played against teams that usually overmatched his & he put up numbers. Has a great arm & athleticism. I look for him to rise on draft boards during the combine. Right now he looks like a late rounder.

Thaddeus Lewis, , NFL Draft - CBSSports.com - NFLDraftScout.com