Super Values in the NFL Draft 2

nflDraft

Here are some more super values in the draft. The secret to any draft is how well the team does in the 3-7th rounds. Here are some more guys I think will be outstanding players picked lower in the draft.

Jamar Wall CB Texas Tech 5-10 204

Overall:

Walls has a rep for being inconsistent but has shown talent. The one question is his speed. Every time I have watched him, he has played well. He played very well in the East West game with 3 passes defended.

Strengths:

He has outstanding ball skills. Part of that comes from practicing against the TTk run and shoot. He has quick hands that can strip the ball away from the WR. Despite his size he can cover larger receivers and despite his speed he seldom takes a wrong step. He looks like he spends a lot of time in the film room because he seems to anticipate patterns well. Catch up speed is not as critical if you don’t ever get too badly beaten. He has the ability to breakdown and make a tackle and hits better than most CBs.

Weaknesses:

He can get over-aggressive and get called for a penalty more often than you would like. He also doesn’t attack the run like he should. That can be taught.

Bottom Line:

Walls will be a 5th round pick that just will be very hard to cut. He will be a good nickle back and may develop into a starter with more commitment to stopping the run.

 

Rahim Alem DE LSU 6-3 251

Overall:

Alem is one of the DE to OB prospects. He has decent speed and a solid motor. He will get some looks in part because he played well in the East West game.

Strengths:

His specialty is rushing the QB. He has multiple moves and a good punch. He is a knee bender that will get around an OT and take a sharp cut to the ball. He has an above average motor and seems to be causing trouble in the opponent’s backfield on every play. He has a quick first step.

In general he holds the point of attack fairly well but needs to contain the run to his outside a little better.

Weaknesses:

He plays the run on the way to the QB. That can make him miss some RBs. He will also over run plays to his side and lose contain.

Bottom Line:

Alem will be a special team star and will make a team. He should be gone by the middle of the 5th round but could work his way into the 4th.

 

James Ruffin DE Northern Iowa 6-3 266

Overall:

Ruffin started out as non-draftable. A good performance in the all-star games proved he could play with the top players from the big schools. Teams are starting to notice him.

Strengths:

Ruffin is a candidate for a 4-3 DE pass rush specialist but is not a good prospect for a OB conversion. He anchors the run to his side well but his main talent is rushing the passer. He finishes his pass rush and gets the sack. He has a good motor and will create enough pressure on the O line to get held to prevent him from the sack. He uses his arms well and causes the passer to move or throw the ball away. He can use leverage to get under the OT and get to the QB.

Weaknesses:

He is a pass rush specialist. In the later rounds, the good teams are looking for a player that can do one thing very well. That fits Ruffin perfectly. He is not a candidate for the OB because he lacks the speed and fluid hips to cover receivers. He also is going to have some trouble getting to the 280 range with his weight. He struggles to hold the point of attack against a run right at him. He also does not have as quick a first step as you would want.

His technique needs work. He is really green but has shown enough to be of interest to teams.

Bottom Line:

Ruffin may have worked his way into the 7th round or maybe even the 6th. If he is used right, he can be a nice addition to a team. He will give you everything he has. The only question is does he have enough pass rush to make a roster.

 

Doug Worthington DT Ohio State 6-5 292

Overall:

Despite playing a Ohio State, Worthington was not highly rated prior to the 09 season. Most scouts think of him as a plunger. But he can do more than that.

Strengths:

Worthington anchors against the run well. He uses his hands and strength well and is aggressive against the run. He has a decent first step and good moves to get around the O lineman to penetrate into the backfield. He attacks the run and is an above average tackler.

He is a better pass rusher than people expect. He gets leverage and can push a G or T back to the QB with a bull rush. He breaks down and if he doesn’t get the sack, he can cause it by getting doubled or pushing the QB into the arms of another defender.

He is capable of being a NT but is more valuable as a 3-4 DE. He tends to play his best in big games.

Weaknesses:

Like a lot of big players, he does not have a constant motor. He will take plays off. He is also not very athletic. He tends to play down to lesser competition. He tends to be a waist bender not a leg bender and runs a 4.96.

Bottom Line:

He is a rotational player that can make some plays in both the pass and the run. I believe in football or basketball, you never have enough good big guys. If the coaching staff can keep him focused and his motor going, he can help a team. He should be drafted late or be a priority free agent.

 

O’Brien Schofield OLB Wisconsin 6-2 221

Overall:

Schofield played DE at Wisconsin but is a OB conversion prospect. He played in the EW game at OB for the first time and was outstanding. He blew out a knee at the Senior Bowl practices. At the end of the season he was considered a 4th or 5th round prospect. But from his performance at OB in the EW Game, he had moved up into the 3rd round.

Strengths:

He proved by his play at the new position that he could pick up the D of the all star game quickly and had the athleticism to successfully make the change in positions. He showed he could cover the TE or RB out of the backfield effectively. He showed good hands by picking a pass off and returning it. He was able to cover in the short zone effectively.

He has always been solid against the run. He has the quickness and instincts to get outside the run and force it back into his help. He is an effective tackler. He is a high motor guy that is willing to do whatever is necessary. He also will contribute on special teams.

He is a good blitzer with a sense of timing to avoid blockers on a delayed blitz.

Weaknesses:

He did struggle to hold the point of attack against big O lines due to his size. Because of the timing of the injury, he will not be able to contribute in 2010. He also has no 40 time. He was projected to run a 4.63. If he does that well when he comes back he can be an effective OB.

Bottom Line:

Because of the injury he will likely not be drafted. However, he should be signed and put on IR for 2010. He will be like a free early 3rd round pick in 2011 IF there is football then.

That’s what I think. Tell me what you think.

Next Wednesday at Noon on Cleveland Sports Radio we will have a live mock draft. Be sure to join us.

Bill Smith is a former coach of several semi-pro teams, has officiated both football and basketball, done color on radio for college football and basketball and has scouted talent. He is a senior writer for
and edits https://fryingpansports.com. He is a regular contributor on Cleveland Sports Radio http://www.sportstalkcleveland.com/ Monday afternoons at 1 Eastern. He has also published several novels on

and edits .

Technorati Tags: NFL,NFL Draft,2010 NFL Draft,Value Picks,Jamar Wall,Texas Tech,Rahim Alem,LSU,James Ruffin,Northern Iowa,Doug Worthington,Ohio State,O’Brien Schofield,Wisconsin
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