OPINIONS DESIRED: Draft stock for Winston and Pope

[Suffering_Bills]

Hey. A couple of my personal favorite prospects in the upcoming NFL funbowl are LT Eric Winston from Miami, and TE Leonard Pope from Georgia. Both have their detractors, but I think there are few, if any, that completely dismiss their talent or potential to be solid players, at least, at the next level. Winston is considered a possible medical risk because of a prior ACL tear, and Pope needs to show he could be an effective blocker in the Pros, and that he's a viable, relable target. Their stock fluctuates a LOT, depending on whom you ask, and it is because of this that I'd like to get some sort of general rating of their stock from folks who follow the draft... -good readers, all of you:-) Here's my take on them:
WINSTON: Before his injury, Winston was generally conceded to be a likely top-10 pick, if not even higher. Plays the most important OL position, left tackle, and did so at a high level at one of the premier programs in the country. Has ideal tools as far as quickness and agility go, and proved it at the combine, running a sub-5.00 40, at almost 6'7", and around 310 lbs. Needs to get a little bigger and stronger, I think, but easily has the frame to do so. At his best, I see him as a SOLID starting tackle, with perhaps Pro-Bowl potential. Better pass-blocker at this stage than a run-blocker, but at LT, that's no biggy. I see him going as early, trades not considered, to either Dallas or San Diego at #18 or #19, and no lower than the first 3 picks of the 2nd round, with either Houston, New Orleans, or the Jets picking him up.
POPE: One of my personal favorite players in this draft, the key word with Pope is POTENTIAL. He has a body design, at a shade under 6'8", nearly 260 pounds, to be an almost uncoverable red-zone target. Has good speed for a TE (low 4.6's), especially for a man of his dimensions. Doesn't strike me as the most natural receiver, yet, but I think he's still growing into the role. His combination of height, leaping ability, and long arms would seem to make him a near-unstoppable receiving option, in certain circumstances. Pope's biggest question appears to be his blocking ability. At his current weight, I think he'll struggle, so I'd like to see him up to around 275-280. I think he would be a great pick for Chicago, Carolina, or Jacksonville, at #'s 26, 27, and 28, respectively. Denver or Arizona in the 2nd round are likely, as well, or perhaps even Detroit. I couldn't see him falling any lower than to, say, Minnesota at #48, where he'd be a world-class steal.
_________________
Why have a signature? I don't need to be famous.................................................

[GridironCentral]

I agree with that assessment. I've got EW going to SD at #19 and LP going to JAX at #28.

I had an exclusive interview with Leonard Pope last week, and I'll have the transcript posted here as soon as I get it typed up. I think you would enjoy it...
_________________
LE#16

"Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one gets the prize? Run in such a way as to get the prize." - 1 Corinthians 9:24

[Suffering_Bills]

[goblue42]

I like both players alot too. I really like WInston and my dream Lions draft is huff at #9 at Wintson at 40. I think Winston will go at the tailend of round one or the very top of #2. The same for Pope. They both have tremendous upside and good work ethic. The Broncos may be a good home for Pope.
_________________
Lions to the Superbowl before I die!!!!

[Suffering_Bills]

[goblue42]