2013 Draft Prospects to keep an eye on

[RoeKG]

I don't know enough but the Honey Badger to really break down what I think he can do in the NFL, but he does seem a tad small to be a #1 CB, and that doesn't seem like a guy you spend a 1st on unless it's a late one. But all he would have to do is put on 10 pounds and run a 4.3 and he'll look like a 1st rounder physically.

That said, I could never tell he was that light from watching him in college so far. He's intriguing; do you risk that he can't handle the NFL or take the gamble on his knack for making the play? I can see both sides.

If Rhodes and Amerson are as good as people are acting, they'll be top 10 picks. Hopefully we won't be sniffing that spot again for quite a few years.
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[tml_gogo]

Well, if Freeman bombs again, Barkley should be on the radar since the pick will be high.
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El Ramster

[bucstopshere]

if honeybadger doesnt play on LSU, NO ONE, including myself know a lick about this kid. He was exposed in the NC game by Kenny Bell...who you ask? EXACTLY...

he's short and gambles ALOT because he has the help of a top defense and one of the better safeties in the nation behind him


my man crush is Amerson. Liked him better then Claiborne, and really want the kid.
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Eggy on the sig | GSM on the swap

[bucsEST96]

[BBando]

Right now no one looks ELITE next year. There are some great players but none are elite yet. Best player next year I think will be Barkevious Mingo or Sam Montgomery. They are both studs on the defensive side. No electric offensive prospects. Robert Woods reminds me of Justin Blackmon. No knock on Blackmon but he was not a great prospect like A.J Green.
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[epicMustache]

I don't know how much of him you guys actually watched this year, but Barkley took it to another level. He's seriously cut back on his turnovers and looks like a much different QB than in 2009 and 2010.

Either way, I'm hoping we aren't near high enough on the draft list to actually get him, because he's going top 3, if not already a lock for #1 (barring a Jake Locker-esque slide).
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[REDandPEWTER]

[indifference]

To be quite frank none of these players are "prospects to keep an eye on". Pretty sure everybody knows these guys. I'll give this a shot in late July.

[PolarBucc06]

Mel Kiper released his first 2013 Big Board today, so I figured I would give everyone that may not have ESPN Insider an idea of where he has our potential targets listed.

I realize we may believe some of these guys will go before our pick, but I am going to list every prospect of any potential need with a paraphrased version of their description anyways. * denotes underclassman.

#3 Barkevious Mingo * - DE LSU 6-5 242
Upside is off the charts with Mingo. He started playing the game late, but has quickly proved to be more than just an athlete. He has exceptional length and scouts will salivate at the chance to develop him in the league.

#5 Sam Montgomery * - DE LSU 6-4 245
Nearly a clone physically to his counterpart. Not quite as long as Mingo, but still a very gifted pass rusher and very underrated against the run. Like Mingo, he has a lot of upside and will go early in the draft based on his potential.

#6 DJ Fluker * - OT Alabama 6-6 335
Fluker is a talented and athletic tackle that has room to grow. He is not quite as polished as many would like him to be, but he has quick feet and outstanding strength.

#8 David Amerson * - CB NC State 6-3 189
Incredible size and speed combination to match up with any receiver. Highly productive with NCAA leading 13 INTs. May need to polish coverage skills, but ball skills are unmatched.

#9 Star Lotulelei - DT Utah 6-4 325
Explodes up the middle and will cause constant double teams with exceptional upper body strength. Highly disruptive in the run game and will clog up the middle of the line.

#10 Monti Te'o - LB ND 6-2 255
Big, strong defender that made great strides in 2011. Can take on blockers and read plays well. Would have been 2nd MLB taken in this years draft.

#11 Johnathan Hankins * - DT tOSU 6-3 335
Explosive first step. Big enough to be a NT, but athletic and agile enough to be a 3 gap penetrator. A better version on Brian Price if you will.

#12 Taylor Lewan * - OT Mich 6-8 302
Gets the Jake Long comparisons, and understandably so. Excellent length and athleticism. Will fit perfectly on the blind side of any o-line.

#14 Johnny Adams - CB MSU 5-11 178
Is a big light in the frame, but height will translate to the league. A sound and instinctive zone corner that needs work on man to man game, but has great ball skills.

#15 Kawann Short - DT Purdue 6-3 312
An athletic 4-3 DT that can control the line of scrimmage, but is very inconsistent. Is not overly explosive, but can shed blocks consistently.

#16 Luke Joeckel * - OT T A&M 6-6 310
A pass protection specialist that is not overly athletic, but is a technician that is not rattled by speed or counter moves.

#17 William Gholston * - DE MSU 6-7 274
A late bloomer that has really grown into his frame. Has the prototypical 4-3 DE body with great length. Has excellent pass rush moves and may be looking to have a huge year.

#20 Xavier Rhodes * - CB FSU 6-2 209
Not the greatest production you would like, but was rarely thrown at all season long. Rhodes is a very solid prospect with excellent size and speed to handle any receiver on any route.

#22 Johnathan Banks - CB MissSt. 6-2 185
A very good man corner, but gets knocked for not being as physical as many would like. May shoot up draft boards if he becomes more complete and adds some physicality and strength.

#24 Ricky Wagner - OT Wisc 6-6 320
Good combination of size and quickness, but needs development as a run blocker.

#25 Tyler Eifert * - TE ND 6-6 251
A receiving TE that fits the mold of the way the position is moving these days. Catches the ball with ease, and can split out wide to create mismatches.


As you can see, there are a lot of underclassmen and many may choose to stick around another year in school. But, there are a lot prospects that we may be able to target. Also, we can never fully count on these prospects to even stick any where near the top 25 as we all know there will be plenty of shuffling throughout the year.

On a side note, here is a list of other prospects that didn't make the cut but will surely be on our radar in the early rounds of the draft.

Joseph Fauria - TE UCLA
Oday Aboushi - OT Virginia
TJ McDonald - S USC
John Simon - DT/DE tOSU
Michael Buchanan - DE Illinois
Alex Okafor- DE Texas
Kevin Reddick - LB UNC
Levine Toilolo- TE Stanford
Bennie Logan - DT LSU
Tony Jefferson - S Oklahoma
Eric Reid - S LSU
Jackson Jeffcoat - DE Texas
Tyrann Mathieu - CB LSU

[REDandPEWTER]

DT and CB I think are immediate needs that will need to be addressed next year. While I like McCoy and think he should stay healthy, a compliment DT could do the rest of the line benefits. Price and Okoye seem more of role/rotational guys.

Someone like Loteleluie, DT Utah, would complete our DLINE.

MLB could be a need, but it depends on how FOster does in year 2. I think he'll do fine, but I'm still concerned about our DT play. Not just McCoy. He needs a guy next to him to help take on blocks.

[RoeKG]

[DaRealdeal]

Chris Borland is a guy to watch. If Foster struggles again at MLB, Borland would be perfect for this defense. He is one of those guys that when you watch him you really get the sense that he was born to play LB.
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[PolarBucc06]

[XSsoCX]

A big hell no to the Honey Badger, he is far to small to cover top NFL wideouts. Can you imagine him up against Calvin Johnson? That guy is 6'5 and he's barely 5'9, he will get torn up in the league.
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[RoeKG]