Breaking Down NU's Future NFL Draft Prospects...

[omahapanda]

http://www.huskerlocker.com/blogs/view/bid/3095/i/nfl_draft_breaking_down_nus_future_prospects/o/0

[Husker_x]

The 2010 NFL Draft has been signed, sealed and delivered, and three Huskers - Ndamukong Suh (Detroit Lions), Phillip Dillard (New York Giants) and Larry Asante (Cleveland Browns) - were plucked within the seven rounds. Matt O’Hanlon and Barry Turner signed free agent contracts with Carolina and Chicago and it appears Chris Brooks will try out with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Menelik Holt will get his shot at making the Kansas City Chiefs roster.

 

Looking back on our prediction from last year, we foresaw neither Dillard nor Asante as being drafted. But, at the time, Dillard was buried on the depth chart, so it made sense, and Asante, well, we’re still not convinced he’ll stick in the NFL. We had Jacob Hickman getting drafted, but Hickman chose to quit football.

 

So now we look ahead to 2011 - which could be a bonanza for NU - and take a small peek at 2012 - presuming NFL owners and players have reached an agreement in time for the 2012 Draft. We suspect they’ll strike a deal, despite gloomy predictions to the contrary, next year.

 

2011

 

Defensive end Pierre Allen: Now healthy, Allen could show again the pass-rushing skills he flashed in 2008. Because the NFL wants guys who crash the pocket - not merely collapse it - Allen will have to display the ability to get around the corner on a tackle. The Big 12 has its share of good ones.

 

Cornerback Prince Amukamara: Has the size, range and speed to be a first-rounder; now he’ll simply need to put that kind of senior season on tape. It’s hard not to love his 6-foot-1 frame. NFL teams took a run on corners in the 2010 Draft, so the pickings might be slimmer in 2011.

 

Cornerback Eric Hagg: More of a hybrid than a true cover corner, Hagg could be useful as an NFL specialist if he’s not too exposed in coverage. Solid in run support, an athletic blitzer - Hagg is the type of guy who could captivate one or two teams, and turn off ten others. He’ll get the call, but it’s a crapshoot as to when.

 

Guard Ricky Henry: Suited for a power running team. Good, compact body, strong as an ox, plays beyond the whistle. Could be a late-round bargain.

 

Running back Roy Helu: A home-run hitting talent often slowed by injuries, Helu has to show durability in his senior season to crack into the top three rounds. His pass blocking is a liability, but his hands aren’t bad. Helu has a knack for big runs. Those are rare in the NFL. Good running backs are a dime a dozen in the NFL; Helu will have to fight for a draft slot after an inconsistent 2009.

 

Kicker Alex Henery: NFL teams rarely draft kickers, but Henery, because of his sheer range - which extends to 60 yards - and relative accuracy, will get the call.

 

Safety Dejon Gomes: He’s played his way into the draft picture, that’s for sure. Gomes has strong ball skills, OK recovery speed and isn’t afraid to tackle. He may not be a perfect fit as a corner, but some team will recognize his skills as a playmaker.

 

Tackle D.J. Jones: Free agent type - if that - because of inconsistency. Seems to have put himself in position for a big senior season, however.

 

Kicker Adi Kunalic: No word on whether he’ll redshirt in 2010 or not, but, either next year or in 2011, he’s a free-agent prospect.

 

Quarterback Zac Lee: The UFL is a better bet. Lee’s elbow surgery will not be overlooked. Expect him to be coaching or making six figures selling real estate in five years.

 

Tight end Mike McNeill: His stock has dropped; once teams focused on taking him out of the game, McNeill was unable to create space in traffic. Good athlete, above-average hands, so-so blocker. Probably not fast enough to play slot receiver in the NFL. Comparing him to Dallas Clark, is, well, generous to McNeill.

 

Receiver Niles Paul: From a longshot to an intriguing prospect. Has straight-line speed, size, adjusts well to the ball, and will block the hell out of anyone. He needs to catch the ball consistently and hold on to it. As a returner, Paul is inconsistent but dangerous. Third or fourth round for now, but that stock could go up. You know he’ll run a respectable 40 time.

 

Tackle Mike Smith: Too many injuries and no true position.

 

Safety Rickey Thenarse: Free agent type who can make a team as a specialist. Wouldn’t you want him on your kickoff coverage squad?

 

Safety Anthony West: Free agent type for now. Needs to be more aggressive.

 

Left guard Keith Williams: More injury issues to contend with, but if he puts a healthy season in the books, he can be a third-day selection. Guards rarely get the call in the first or second round, and Williams has a checkered injury history.

 

 

2012:

 

Defensive tackle Jared Crick: More explosive pass rusher than Suh, if not the athlete. Lunch-pail mentality makes him a perfect fit for most defensive coordinator. Could declare in 2011, but he seems like a lifetime Husker to us. In 2012, mid-first round.

 

Linebacker Lavonte David: Talk to us in a year.

 

Cornerback Alfonzo Dennard: Great leaper, good instincts, often stifling in coverage. Good tackler. Gets fooled some by good quarterbacks. He’s on the radar, even at his diminutive height.

 

Tackle Yoshi Hardrick: Talk to us in a year.

 

Tackle Marcel Jones: Too early to tell. He could be another Lydon Murtha - or something much more. Needs to get stronger.

 

Receiver Brandon Kinnie: Talk to us in year.

 

Defensive tackle Terrence Moore: Talk to us in a year.

 

LINK

 

In the future try to post the story with the link. Not a big deal, but it makes it more convenient for the board.

[knapplc]

In the future try to post the story with the link. Not a big deal, but it makes it more convenient for the board.

 

omahapanda is trying to drive traffic to his site.

[Enhance]

So, it appears that Amukamara has the best chance of getting drafted for next year. And, he has the best chance of going in the first round if he continues to progress like last he did through last year.

 

I read an article yesterday that had Helu as somewhere between the 10th-15th best back returning for this year, but his problem has and will probably continue to be injuries. I don't see him being drafted next year unless he goes for 1,200 yards, gets better at running between the tackles, and goes through the season relatively healthy. Running backs will obviously get banged up, but the best runnings backs fight through the pain and still produce. Helu just needs to get more consistent in that area, and he also needs to find ways to reach the end zone rather than just running for +125 yards but not finding the end zone.

[Husker Richard]

No chance Anthony West gets drafted/signed as a free agent. He's been buried on the depth chart and hasn't shown anyone anything in terms of NFL-caliber ability.

[UGAHusker]

I find it interesting that H has moved ahead of G in alphabetical order!

[Husker_x]

So, it appears that Amukamara has the best chance of getting drafted for next year. And, he has the best chance of going in the first round if he continues to progress like last he did through last year.

 

I read an article yesterday that had Helu as somewhere between the 10th-15th best back returning for this year, but his problem has and will probably continue to be injuries. I don't see him being drafted next year unless he goes for 1,200 yards, gets better at running between the tackles, and goes through the season relatively healthy. Running backs will obviously get banged up, but the best runnings backs fight through the pain and still produce. Helu just needs to get more consistent in that area, and he also needs to find ways to reach the end zone rather than just running for +125 yards but not finding the end zone.

 

To put it in coachspeak, Helu needs to put himself on film, and he needs to do it for an entire year. It's not his fault that he gets banged up, but unless he proves himself to be an every down back or close to an every down back this season, he's not an every down back and won't be drafted like one. If I'm a GM I'm not going to slap a million dollars down for a kid who spends more time in a tub than on the field. Again, not Helu's fault, and I hope the improved depth at RB this year will help him achieve greater success.

[typ3kal]

Is it too early to start talking about Rex?

[GMoose]

Is it too early to start talking about Rex?

He won't be draft eligible for 2 years, so yes, it is in fact too early