Monthly Archives: December 2011

5′ 11″ 212 • Running Back • Miami(FL)

Comparison: Felix Jones/Clinton Portis

Grade: 8.5 ¦ About the Grade

Pros:

• Great blend of size and speed
• Will run well in between tackles and takes on defenders
• Will outrun defenders on the edge
• Will not go down on first contact and does a great job on keeping his feet moving on point of contact
• Only a RS Sophomore, so wear and tear is not a concern at this point
• Does a good job allowing his blockers to get in position
• Dangerous in space
• Gets to his top speed in a hurry
• One-cut north to south runner with good agility

Cons:

• Can be to patient at times and will dance behind the LOS
• Not utilized as a receiver much in college
• No concern with fumbling, but he doesn’t carry the ball with the proper points of pressure
• Hard to tackle, but not necessarily a true power runner

MockDraft101′s Opinion:

• Miller is an intriguing prospect. Has some homrun threat that scouts will love, but will probably need a whole season to realize his true potential, given the fact he is still fairly young. Reminds me of Dallas Cowboys Felix Jones, although Miller has yet to be used in the passing game, but his traits warrant that he should be a RB with the ability to catch the ball.

5′ 11″ 224 • Running Back • Alabama

Comparison: Steven Jackson

Grade: 9.4 ¦ About the Grade

Pros:

• One of the toughest runners in recent drafts
• Runs low and doesn’t shy away from contact
• Has great balance
• Terrific vision; sees holes well as they develop
• Posses breakaway speed for his size
• Maintains his acceleration throughout the run; Keeps his legs moving
• Will not go down on first contact and hard to bring down by one defender in open space
• Not many carries in his college career which could lead to a longer shelf life in the NFL
• Better overall RB than former Heisman winner and teammate Mark Ingram
• 3 down back
• Not a liability in pass protection

Cons:

• Minor injury concern with knee issues that came up in college

MockDraft101′s Opinion:

• It’s hard to find anything negative about Trent Richardson. There are no glaring weaknesses in his game and is the most complete back to come out since Adrian Peterson.  Richardson brings the entire skill set to the table and has Pro-Bowl written all over him.

6′ 2″ 218 • Quarterback • Baylor

Comparison: Michael Vick

Grade: 9.4 ¦ About the Grade

Pros:

• World class athlete
• Dangerous on the run
• Cannon for arm
• Improved accuracy over his time at Baylor
• Throws an excellent deep ball; Doesn’t lose accuracy deep and can throw it on a rope
• Does a good job at reading defense pre-snap and while the play is developing
• Great leader and extremely high character
• Wont get rattled and doesn’t lose focus
• Great vision, especially for a dual-threat QB
• Does not have a typical throwing motion, but there is no wasted movement in his quick delivery

Cons:

• Would like to see him add more zip on some balls in the middle of the field
• Has been known to sail the ball at times
• Will need to be coached up on his 5 and 7 step drops under Center
• Footwork in the pocket needs coaching, must learn to climb the pocket and step into more throws
• Size and bulk are less than ideal

MockDraft101′s Opinion

• The 2011 Heisman winner is a legitimate Run/Pass threat who compares favorably to Michael Vick in the terms of athleticism, but is a more accurate passer and possese a higher football IQ than Vick.  Griffin has a rare blend of traits that you don’t see very often. High character guy who will week in and week out be one of the best and most competitive players on the field.

Comparison: Mark Sanchez

Grade: 9.1 ¦ About the Grade

Pros:

• High football IQ
• Quick release
• Strong arm, can go downfield with ease.
• Puts solid zip on the ball, and does a good job on adding touch to get over LB’s and under Safeties.
• Elite accuracy in the short to intermediate range.
• Above average accuracy on deep balls
• Stands tall in the pocket
• Does a good job making pre-snap reads

Cons:

• Has good accuracy deep, but will sometimes just launch the ball and fails to place it where it needs to be
• At times will lock onto his primary WR
• Inconsistent at looking off defenders.
• Does get rattled at times

MockDraft101′s Opinion:

• Barkley is a franchise QB who compares to former Trojan QB Mark Sanchez. However, Barkley shows higher IQ and more consistency with his accuracy. Will be a Top 10 pick and a welcome addition to any struggling franchise in need of a QB.

6′ 4″ 235 • Quarterback • Stanford

Comparison: Ben Roethlisberger/Peyton Manning

Grade: 9.9 ¦ About the Grade

Pros:

• Extremely high Football IQ
• Can make every NFL throw with ease
• Strong arm
• Adds zip when needs to and puts the proper air the ball when called for
• Elite accuracy; Leads his receivers
• Feels pressure and adjust to it quickly and properly
• Great pocket Awareness
• Physical runner
• Smart when forced to tuck and run
• Great Leader and teammate

Cons:

• Some question his desire for football after turning down shot at #1 overall in 2011 draft
• Above average, but not Elite mechanics
• At times will hold on to  the ball too long

MockDraft101′s Opinion:

• A rare prospect who only comes once a decade. No obvious weakness, and whatever team drafts him will be in good hands for 10-15 years. Luck has the big arm, instincts and escapability of Roethlisberger, and the intelligence and skill set of a Peyton Manning.