30 Janoris Jenkins CB - Harbaugh has created a strong players locker room, so I think Jenkins won't self-destruct. He will make an impact as a rookie, covering slot receivers as the #3 CB. Should create more coverage sacks. As you know, without all the character concerns, Jenkins is a top 15 pick.
61 Markelle Martin FS - Perhaps the best athletic FS in this years draft class, with good coverage skills. Falls because of injury. Need to groom a FS if Goldson isn't resigned or we get an injury. National Football Post has him as the top FS in this draft. (This is a need selection too.)
92 Juron Criner WR - There are lots of big, tall receivers in this year's draft, many of which are faster than Criner. Here is what Pat Kirwan said:
This week I had an old secondary player/coach watch many of the wide receivers in the 2012 draft class. I knew he would like Oklahoma State's Justin Blackmon and Notre Dame's Michael Floyd, but who else would jump out at the old pro? As my old boss, the late Dick Steinberg would say "pay attention to the scout that has a different opinion than all the rest of the evaluators. Maybe we should restudy the guy and try and see what he sees." What if I told you there is a wide receiver that at 6'3", 225 lbs. and could jump 39 inches vertically, which in basketball terms means his elbows are above the rim. He has bigger hands than Justin Blackmon, and even though he has 209 receptions and 32 touchdowns in his career, he is thought of as a fourth- or fifth-round pick because of a 40 time. The former scout/coach came to me for discussion with the following report: The wide receiver has good hands, good open field skills, quick feet, plays hard, gets open, competes for the ball and is more than a willing blocker. He is a good fit as a 'Z' in a west coast system. I had my old scout also evaluate Justin Blackmon and Michael Floyd during the same session and he was still high on the mystery man. The receiver's name is Juron Criner from Arizona, and his draft status ranges from the 10th-best receiver to not even in the top 20 according to some draft analysts. Some describe him as a guy with subpar straight line speed, relies too heavily on his size down field and inconsistent hands. Go back and look at the report on Marques Colston of the Saints from 2006 and it's similar. That report was wrong and damaged Colston enough. - Pat Kirwan, CBS Sports
125 Devon Wylie WR - Balkebaugh want competition at all positions. Wylie will compete with Kyle Williams for the slot, will compete with Ted Ginn for KR/PR duties(Wylie has better hands), and with his blistering, 4.39 40 speed, will be a gunner on special teams. Basically, he is as fast as Ginn, more agile, and has better hands. Wylie is on Rob Rang's team of players who don't have the best measurables, in Wylie's case size, but have great film.
165 Josh LeRibeus OG - Has started all 12 games at left guard … Blocks for the running back who leads the league in rushing and an offense that ranks third in the league in passing offense … Team has scored 308 points (seventh best all-time at SMU) and racked up 4,752 yards of total offense (fourth at SMU). Gil Brandt ranks him 97th on his Hot 100, so MadDog's and OTC's predictions of where he will fall make him a real value here.
199 Tauren Poole RB - If OTC and MadDog are correct, very good value in the 6th round for the 11th randed runner by the National Football Post:
A strong, well-put together back with a thicker lower half and good overall muscle tone through the thighs. Possesses a good first step when asked to press the line of scrimmage. Gets north/south quickly and deciphers info well inside. Displays an above-average feel between the tackles and does a nice job setting up blocks and accelerating toward daylight. At times makes some poor decisions as a runner, typically in space, but for the most part is pretty dependable.
Is a one-cut back who is a bit tight in the hips when he gets up to full speed, more of a weaver when asked to run in space. However, inside he keeps his feet under him, can stick his foot in the ground and explode quickly up field. Does a good job finishing runs and lowing his pad level in short yardage /goal line situations. But inside, he runs a bit upright. Doesn't run with great forward lean when pressing the hole and at times gets knocked off balance and goes down far too easy. Nevertheless, runs hard and has the type of straight-line speed at the second level to outpace angles and create yards by the chunk. Doesn't have a ton of wiggle to his game, is better off running toward space in the open field. But in tight area displays enough short area quickness and power to side step a defender and break a tackle.
I came away impressed with his ability on 3rd downs as well. Is an intelligent blocker, recognizes blitz pick-up quickly, is patient into blocks and displays natural anchor strength. Also, demonstrates a good feel in the pass game, has some savvy as a route runner, locates the ball quickly and will pluck/create in the short passing game when matched up on linebackers.
Impression: A thick, strong back who runs hard and displays natural one-cut ability. Runs a bit high and isn't overly fluid making defenders miss. But can break tackles, play on third down and looks like a solid contributing NFL back.
237 - Janzen Jackson FS - Another talented DB with character problems. In the seventh round, why not take a flyer on him?
Can't wait to see who BaalkeBaugh actually pick!
