1st Round Streak: Who Steps up in 2018?

Our interior defensive linemen are not premier players. They are savored here mostly because they look awesome compared to a decade's worth of predecessors, and because the offseason is cherished territory for Happy Adjusters. We're right on Alabama and Ohio State's heels, unless you pay attention to where their guys are being drafted. I got a big kick out of the thread here counting 7th round picks as not much different than guys in the green room two nights earlier. Coin flip.

There were countless highlight plays shown during the draft of opposing offenses facing the Canes. Norton and Kendrick looked ordinary every time. Contrast to when Alabama's defense was on screen. Even when a play succeeded it did so despite somebody caving in the offensive line. Alabama swarms in waves and they get drafted early in waves.

We have a great attacking style again. Still lots of band aids required. Once the caliber of player (hopefully) matches the aggression, the adjusters can take a rest and we'll have multiple defenders selected on days one and two. Big defenders. These little guys are mostly cute. That's what restricted Ohio State lately. They've had defensive backs galore and some linebackers but a comparative decline up front. Not to mention an awful quarterback in Little Game Barrett.

Chad Thomas has the best chance to extend the tiny streak. Everything tends to drift back to the beginning. I don't see it happening but you can't completely discount a guy who was rated so highly at one point. Edge guys are valued so highly that even a player like Charles Harris made it into the first round despite flunking the edge metrics via pedestrian jump numbers and shuttle numbers at the combine. He did improve sharply at his pro day but that's typical.

If our recruiting class remains in the top handful, and then it happens again and again, we can start legitimately forecasting first round guys in a few years. Simpletons scoff at recruiting rankings just like simpletons scoff at preseason ratings. Outliers are dummy gold while margin for error tags along with all those 4 and 5 star guys.

I want maybe one guy per decade who is a True Cane. Otherwise find the freaks. My grandmother has been dead for nearly 40 years but she could draft Njoku.

fvckin gas bag

the biggest bloviator on this site
 

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If Dean has a really solid statistical year he has 1st round written all over him. 6'1" 185lbs frame and 4.3 speed. NFL teams will be druelling over him.
 
McIntosh and/or Norton.

We will see on Chad, but DL stock is not as volatile as QB. His traits should put his floor in the mid-rounds assuming he's healthy.

It's not like he has motor or character issues. Caleb Brantley had a bad year and broke a girl's jaw and he still got drafted in the 6th.
 
I'll break it down to current draft potential to best case scenario if players maximize potential on eligible players

Wr:
B. Berrios 5-9 (185)
Currently un drafted but great athlete quick fast but if work on route running more and gets into end zone more than year can get drafted because will light up the combine can jump almost 40 inch vert and 4.5 or maybe mid 4.4 40 yard dash guy so I would say best case 5th or 6th round on potential.


This is a pretty interesting take. I don't think anyone thinks he'll get drafted, but if Berrios ends up getting a combine invite then he will put up elite numbers. His 40inch vert and 3.81 20 yard shuttle are elite - the latter would tie the NFL combine record. putting up those numbers even at a pro day should get him a camp look
 
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Yea the combine invites then testing well will boost alot of our guys

Sent from my SM-G900T using Tapatalk
 
I think it's gotta be Herndon. Kid looked good enough in practices for the coaches to name him the starter over Njoku for a few games at the beginning of last season. I think he really breaks out.
 
Herndon is going to blow up. He is an amazing Athlete who with a good to great QB will have a huge year. He's also incredible athletic and should do really well at the combine.
 
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Mark Walton. He will get tons of carries this year with our QB situation and have really big numbers again.

I don't think Marks a first rounder even if he does have a good year! Seems like most running backs that go in the first rounds are "freaks" of nature. IMO he'll go in the 2-4 round.
 
One way to find a valid perspective is to turn things around: Let's say in 3 or 4 years Alabama has 9 guys drafted but only one in the first two days and most of them very late, instead of 7 within the top 55 like this year.

Are Alabama fans at that stage going to be relaxed and say it's no wonder they're still competing for national championships every year, or will Saban be feeling some heat and Tide fans saying it's no wonder they've slipped so far?
 
Our interior defensive linemen are not premier players. They are savored here mostly because they look awesome compared to a decade's worth of predecessors, and because the offseason is cherished territory for Happy Adjusters. We're right on Alabama and Ohio State's heels, unless you pay attention to where their guys are being drafted. I got a big kick out of the thread here counting 7th round picks as not much different than guys in the green room two nights earlier. Coin flip.

There were countless highlight plays shown during the draft of opposing offenses facing the Canes. Norton and Kendrick looked ordinary every time. Contrast to when Alabama's defense was on screen. Even when a play succeeded it did so despite somebody caving in the offensive line. Alabama swarms in waves and they get drafted early in waves.

We have a great attacking style again. Still lots of band aids required. Once the caliber of player (hopefully) matches the aggression, the adjusters can take a rest and we'll have multiple defenders selected on days one and two. Big defenders. These little guys are mostly cute. That's what restricted Ohio State lately. They've had defensive backs galore and some linebackers but a comparative decline up front. Not to mention an awful quarterback in Little Game Barrett.

Chad Thomas has the best chance to extend the tiny streak. Everything tends to drift back to the beginning. I don't see it happening but you can't completely discount a guy who was rated so highly at one point. Edge guys are valued so highly that even a player like Charles Harris made it into the first round despite flunking the edge metrics via pedestrian jump numbers and shuttle numbers at the combine. He did improve sharply at his pro day but that's typical.

If our recruiting class remains in the top handful, and then it happens again and again, we can start legitimately forecasting first round guys in a few years. Simpletons scoff at recruiting rankings just like simpletons scoff at preseason ratings. Outliers are dummy gold while margin for error tags along with all those 4 and 5 star guys.

I want maybe one guy per decade who is a True Cane. Otherwise find the freaks. My grandmother has been dead for nearly 40 years but she could draft Njoku.

In somewhat new to the boards....don't recall seeing many of your posts..however..if they're any like this one above..glad I missed them!! Those highlights you speak of were prolly from our past cooches..who thought prevent defense was a college football scheme!! I would encourage you to watch this year as our defense continues to impress,.. Penetrate the LOS,.. And inflict bodily damage on opposing QB's and RB's. This isn't Fold'ems fat n lazy def schemes any more! And our def line has proven they're a coachable, and hungry group of athletes. Thanx for ****in me off on my Sunday...enjoyed talking to ya!!
 
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In somewhat new to the boards....don't recall seeing many of your posts..however..if they're any like this one above..glad I missed them!! Those highlights you speak of were prolly from our past cooches..who thought prevent defense was a college football scheme!! I would encourage you to watch this year as our defense continues to impress,.. Penetrate the LOS,.. And inflict bodily damage on opposing QB's and RB's. This isn't Fold'ems fat n lazy def schemes any more! And our def line has proven they're a coachable, and hungry group of athletes. Thanx for ****in me off on my Sunday...enjoyed talking to ya!!

You've got good instincts kid
 
Chad will have to get off his *** and start playing like the 5 star stud that everybody hoped he would be coming in...he had a decent season last year...but to me has just not been the dominate DE a lot of us thought...not hating on him...I just hope he goes out this year and starts kicking *** and taking names. Now he has better coaching...we will see....hope the best for him.
 
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I don't think Norton will end up in the 1st round.

The best chance out of this current group is Chad Thomas.
 
My breakdown

RB:
M. Walton 5-10 (210)
Verdict: 1st-2nd
Why: Other then the size which be the only thing holding him back from being a first round pick Walton is a complete back. productive, can catch the ball very well, can pass block really well, and can outside or in between the tackles. I expect him to be in the 4.5 range guy in his 40.

WR:
B. Berrios 5-9 (185)
Verdict: 7th-UDFA
Why: Berrios is Short and shifty, but not the fast. He is basically a poor man's Ryan Switzer. He has not been very impactful or productive as a PR or WR. He is a slot WR in the never so expecting him to go 1st round is foolish.

TE:
C. Herndon 6-4 (245)
Verdict: 3rd-4th
Why: Solid hands, blocker, and speed to boot but does not have that freakish ability like Njoku. Not a seam threat at this moment but with a good season he could be a 3rd or 4th rounder.

OL:
K. McDermott 6-4 (310)
Verdict: 7th-UDFA
Why: If he plays like he did the last 5 games I can see him go even in the 6th round.. but as if right now just not a versatile guy that would bring depth to your team. Can only play tackle which isn't a problem if your a top draft pick but in the 5th-7th round team are looking for versatile OL for depth. Athleticism is that of a guard but isn't strong enough to play guard. Need to get much strong.

T. Darling 6-4 (315)
Verdict: UDFA
Why: everything I said about KC but opposite. Strong but slow. Need to find his appropriate weight and body fat to have a balance of strength and speed.

DL.

R. Macintosh 6-4 (290)
Verdict: 1st-4th
Why: Depends on the season he has. Also depends for him against the field. He has to make more plays.. He is always in position to make the play just by a hair. If he can

K. Norton 6-3 (310)
Verdict: 1st-2nd
Why: EASILY a first round pick if he has a good season. 6'3 300+ pounds that can move very well for his size? scout will drool if he has a good season.. period. He is already in a 4-3 scheme.. scout will probably see him as a 3-4 NT.. Just need to be more conditioned so he is on the field for more plays.

G. Willis 6-4 (290)
Verdict: 7th-UDFA
Why: Medical and Character issue will probably be why he doesn't get drafted higher if at all. Missed a lot of games due to injury. Suspended a game at Miami.. kicked out off the Florida football team.

C. Thomas 6-5 (270)
Verdict: 5th-7th
Why: As we stand RIGHT NOW. He not is as impactful or imposing as his frame would suggest. If he can have a breakout season (like 6-7 sacks) and show up against good competition he has a chance to go a little higher. If he post an first team All ACC type year then he could go first round based on production and frame alone.

DB

D. Delaney 6-1 (190)
Verdict: 1st-5th
Why: Right now he is ranked as a top 10-15 CB on some draft expert sites.. Right now it a huge question mark with this guy. If he plays well he could go as high as 1st round but if he is average or even a bit disappointing he could go as slow as 5th. With a step up in competition A LOT is going to be taking into account from scouts playing a P5 schedule.
 
McIntosh and/or Norton.

We will see on Chad, but DL stock is not as volatile as QB. His traits should put his floor in the mid-rounds assuming he's healthy.

It's not like he has motor or character issues. Caleb Brantley had a bad year and broke a girl's jaw and he still got drafted in the 6th.

Dmoney do we have chance to keep one or both of these guys for their senior year?
 
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