Scott Piolli's Top 10 Underclassmen

[Deberg_1990]

According to Peter King...






I asked former Chiefs GM Scott *****, who was in the midst of finalizing the club's preliminary draft board when fired early this month, to examine the record 73 underclass players who declared for the draft and pick the top 10, in his mind. His view of the junior board:

First of all, Jan. 28 is a dangerous time to commit to "top players" in any category, particularly underclassmen. There is still a lot of work to do before we know who and what these players are. Sometimes players look better with less information. NFL rules don't allow teams to officially scout underclassmen during fall campus visits, and scouts can't comment publicly on them either. When scouts go into school visits in the fall, they are not allowed to ask questions about underclassmen when speaking with coaches, trainers and any other support staff. Obviously, scouts and team officials with relationships with coaches or other school officials might glean some information regarding the players prematurely, but the understanding is clear on campuses: We're there to scout the fourth-year players, not anyone younger.

So you might ask, "Well, how do you have an idea about how the underclassmen will be rated so soon after they've declared?" I'll give you an example. I went to Tallahassee this year to scout Florida State prospects. Four other Chiefs' scouts were on campus as well during the year. We all watched tape, and we watched practice. When it comes to defensive end Bjoern Werner, for instance, we obviously saw him stand out on tape and in person. So it's not difficult to understand why he's so highly regarded by NFL teams: Watching Florida State, Werner's production jumps out at you.

This draft may have a record number of underclassmen, but it may not be the quality that people are expecting. How I see the top 10 juniors now, keeping in mind the fact-finding on them will be ongoing for the next three months before the draft:

1. Luke Joeckel, T, Texas A&M. Strong candidate for the first overall pick. Three-year starter at left tackle in the Big 12 and never red-shirted. A true height-weight-speed prospect who plays with good athleticism and body control. Will play early while he develops better hip and core strength. Good teammate too.

2. Dee Milliner, CB, Alabama. One of the youngest players in the draft (20), but a very experienced corner from the best-coached DB group in the country. Milliner has the flexibility, intelligence and experience to play outside corner and also line up in the slot. Should contribute on special teams early in his career.

3. Sharrif Floyd, DT, Florida. Also 20, Floyd is a strong, athletic defensive lineman who, at 6-foot-3 and 303 pounds, has position and scheme versatility. Good competitor and tough player against the run and pass. Not great sack numbers, but consistently disruptive in the pass rush, and the type of player who makes those around him better by making the offense concentrate so much on stopping him.

4. Bjoern Werner, DE, Florida State. Born in Germany, Werner learned football while at a Connecticut prep school as an exchange student. Played just two prep years before signing with Florida Stats. Two-year starter at left end in FSU's base and sub packages who shows surprising natural instincts, good hand strength and athletic ability. Pretty impressive to see he had 13 sacks in the ACC in the 2012 season.

5. Johnathan Hankins, DT, Ohio State. At 6-3 and 335, he still has the athleticism to line up at multiple positions on the line -- not just at the nose. Active and instinctive, and showed improvement from 2011. Very good player versus the run that needs to continue to improve his every-down consistency.

6. Eddie Lacy, RB, Alabama. Low-mileage rusher (355 carries in three seasons with the Tide) who played behind two outstanding backs early in his career (Mark Ingram, Trent Richardson). Averaged 6.8 yards per rush in his college career behind an offensive line better than some NFL lines. Good receiving skills, and a willing blocker. He should be an every-down back in the NFL.

7. Jarvis Jones, OLB, Georgia. Began his college career at USC in 2009 and transferred closer to home after suffering a neck injury his true freshman year. Highly instinctive and productive college player, but at 6-3 and 241, could be a tough positional fit. Dominated certain games (Florida), disappeared in others (Alabama).

8. Keenan Allen, WR, Cal. Originally committed to Alabama out of HS, but decided to join his QB brother Zach to play together at Cal. Allen is a big (6-3, 210), savvy and highly competitive WR who has played the slot and outside. Lacks top speed, but is very natural and quick. In a WR class that appears to lack elite players, he may be the best.

9. Alec Ogletree, MLB, Georgia. Tremendously talented athlete at 6-3 and 232, and should be an every-down NFL inside 'backer or middle 'backer. Has the skill and ability to contribute immediately all defenses as well as special teams. Jumps off the tape and could have the most upside of any underclassman in the draft. But some off-the-field issues will need to be studied before giving him a final grade.

10. Gavin Escobar, TE, San Diego State. Three-year starter who was hampered this season by a knee injury that he played through. Good height-weight-speed prospect at 6-6 and 255 who right now is more receiver than blocker. I'm high on his ability to produce as an offensive tight end right now in the more wide-open NFL offenses. He's what we call an "F-type'' tight end, a receiver who can play off the line probably more productively than as a blocker right now.

***** will be doing some work for NBC Sports Network at the Super Bowl



Read More: http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/nfl...#ixzz2JHNrynsK

[B14ckmon]

He was SPECIFICALLY asked about underclassmen. Blame the guy asking the question.

[DJ's left nut]

Originally Posted by KC Tattoo

Why do people think Andy Reid would bring in Alex Smith? Andy Reid is looking for a QB that can pass on first second and third downs not relying on the run game to win games. Alex Smith is a game manager QB, Andy Reid is looking for a game winner QB. He wants the QB to throw a LOT and the running game is an extention of the pass. There is nothing in Alex Smith game to suggest Andy Reid wanting to bring him here. It would be ****ing bull shit if he did.

Yes and no.

Alex Smith is a very accurate and fairly mobile QB. No, he's not a downfield bomber, but if you're working sideline routes, he's an extremely smart, efficient, accurate passer.

Smith is a very very good fit for a true WCO. Reid runs a more vertical version of it, so he'd probably want someone with a little more downfield arm than Smith if he had his druthers.

That said, if he doesn't like the tape on any of the QBs and with no better options available in FA, Smith could be a guy that Reid likes and he'd simply have to tailor his offense to fit Smith's skill-set. Hell, he'll probably have to tailor it anyway, he doesn't have a true deep-threat on the roster.

I actually think Reid could like Smith and I think Smith could do well here.

[htismaqe]

Originally Posted by ChiefMojo

We will be running the WCO, it isn't a bomb it down the field type of offense. Get the ball to your WR's and RB's in space and let them make the YAC. Smith is actually a good fit for the WCO and we would only have him as the starter until the drafted QB is ready.

Actually, yes it is.

Reid's offenses rank in the top 5 for 20+ attempts nearly every year.

[htismaqe]

Originally Posted by notorious

Is anyone surprised his top 5 contains 3 D linemen and a LT?


Thank God that cancer is gone.

It contains a RUNNING BACK.

Running backs are NEVER worth a top 10 pick. NEVER.

[B14ckmon]

Originally Posted by htismaqe

It contains a RUNNING BACK.

Running backs are NEVER worth a top 10 pick. NEVER.

Unless you are Cleveland.

[htismaqe]

Originally Posted by ChiefMojo

Btw guys there is probably a strong possibility Joeckel is at the top for Dorsey also.

Based on what?

[htismaqe]

Originally Posted by B14ckmon

Unless you are Cleveland.

There's a reason that they're in the conversation with the Chiefs as the worst team of the last 2 decades.

[htismaqe]

Originally Posted by KCChiefsFan88

Fat Scott has started his comeback tour in full force.

He is scheduled to be on Dan Patrick's radio show tomorrow which means he is probably making the media rounds during Super Bowl week.

Hopefully someone in the media will ask him about what went down in KC (namely the Arrowhead Anxiety article he has refused to comment on).

I would imagine if Scott left under mutual agreement, he's not allowed to talk about his time with the Chiefs in much detail, if at all.

[B14ckmon]

Originally Posted by htismaqe

There's a reason that they're in the conversation with the Chiefs as the worst team of the last 2 decades.

Not disagreeing, just making a point.

[htismaqe]

Originally Posted by ChiefMojo

Historically both Dorsey (GB) and Reid love addressing the lines early.

No, they don't.

Defensive line, yes.

Offensive line, absolutely not.

[htismaqe]

Originally Posted by Chiefshrink

Reality hurts for some here you are correct

It doesn't hurt because it isn't ACCURATE.

[htismaqe]

Originally Posted by B14ckmon

Not disagreeing, just making a point.

Same here.

[ChiefMojo]

What do most suppose draft boards have Joeckel going? Who is to say Dorsey is any different than them or *****?

[Guru]

Make no mistake, that was *****'s list regardless of underclassman status.

[mcaj22]

Scooter was totally going to reach for a DE/DT again lol