Cavanaugh's List Of 1st Round NFL Draft Considerations
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The tape has spoken. We are by no means done studying these players as we get geared up for the NFL draft - we being Bryan Broaddus @BryanBroaddus, Kevin Turner @ktfuntweets and myself.
However we did start our film work at the top of everyone's positional ranking lists. You can see the CBS Sports one here.
Last night we started a conversation where we tried to piece together who is and/or isn't a player we would give a first round grade too. There a couple of player's that may or may not be included on each individual list, but here's mine:
NFL Draft 2015 players with a 1st round grade via Jeffrey Scout:
QB
Jameis Winston - FSU
Marcus Mariota - Oregon
RB
Todd Gurley - Georgia
WR
Amari Cooper - Alabama
Kevin White – West Virginia
Dorial Green-Beckham - Missouri
Davante Parker - Louisville
OT
TJ Clemmings - Pitt
OG
La'el Collins - LSU
Brandon Scherff – Iowa
C
Cameron Erving - FSU
DE
Shane Ray - Missouri
Bud Dupree – Kentucky (DE/OLB)
Randy Gregory (want someone else to take him) - Nebraska – (OLB really)
Owamagbe Odighizuwa - UCLA (1-2)
DT
Leonard Williams – USC
Danny Shelton - Washington
Carl Davis - Iowa
LB
Dante Fowler Jr. - Florida
Vic Beasley (want someone else to take him) - Clemson
CB
Kevin Johnson – Wake Forest
Trae Waynes - Michigan State
Marcus Peters - Washington
Arik Armstead (DE Oregon) doesn't make the list simply because my work is Cowboys-centric and I think he's a 3-4 DE, and the Cowboys play a 4-3 defense.
Explanation for the guys I added the (want someone else to take him) tag. People are really high on Randy Gregory and I understand why. People see traits (length, quickness, athleticism, natural movement skills) that can translate to an impact rusher, but to me that doesn't overcome the concerns on tape about getting blocked repeatedly by single blockers. Tight ends a lot of the time. Also those tools he has didn't translate to the number of impact plays (sacks/tackles for loss) that a lot of other guys in this class did produce.
Vic Beasley - His combine numbers were off the charts in terms of strength and speed. He is a guy that does have the production in terms of sacks to go with the measureables. But I have concerns about his awareness, functional strength to play the run, and ability to get rid of blockers.
So I know these guys are graded very highly by a lot of people, and there's a chance they can be very successful in the league, but I want someone else to make that pick, not the Cowboys.
*I did leave Owamagbe Odighizuwa there with a 1-2 on him which is just me being indecisive for the moment. I'll rewatch some and commit to one of those two numbers before the draft. Just let me struggle for a second please.
You can find me on Twitter @JC1053. I'm happy to take any questions you have about this list, the draft, sasquatch, etc.
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