2014 NFL DRAFT - RISERS and FALLERS, or STUNNERS and BUMMERS - WEEK 12 FOOTBALL
Coach Jim Mora and his UCLA switcheroos did a number on Washington as Mora employed a number of changes that had me reaching for the Bruins depth chart. Many folks can remember when the Chicago Bears used DT Refrigerator Perry as a fullback on short yardage and goal line situations but Mora took that concept to the extreme on Friday night against the Huskies. Linebacker Myles Jack, who has been used as a RB before, was again used at that position and at 6-3 230 could be an honors player at that position and was outstanding at both positions. DE Cassius Marsh was also used as a TE and even caught a pass with his hands in the end zone and looked so natural doing it that TE might be a consideration for him. And another one that even the broadcasters missed was the use of Interior Linebacker Jordan Zumwalt as a blocking Fullback; as well as moving Xavier Su'a-Filo from LG to LOT. Don't forget, Mora is the coach who switched a backup RB named Anthony Barr to OLB where he has become an All-American and top five rated draft choice, so this guy is a big believer in the switcheroo process.
RISERS
1. Xavier Su'a-Filo – OG/OT 6-3 304 Jr. - UCLA
One of Coach Mora's switcheroos was moving Su's-Filo from Left Guard to Left Tackle, but at least Mora kept him on offense. Having already earned All-American and All-Conference honors and being highly rated by the NFL teams, his play at LOT was one of the best blocking performances that I have seen. To make it even better, he was blocking against a very good player with a great motor in Hau'oli Kikaha (who himself got in on the switcheroo process by changing his last name from Jamora). This was quite a battle with Su'a-Filo exhibiting a powerful punch on run blocking and was able to drive Kikaha way off the ball. He also used his hands very well on both run and pass blocking, showed good leg drive and mirrors as well as anyone that I have seen on pass blocking. Kikaha, to his credit, also showed NFL potential as an edge rusher who plays with a ferocious intensity. He did beat Su'a-Filo once around the edge on his pass rush and was able to make some other plays by chasing. He is a Redshirt Junior who has missed the last two years with a knee injury but bears watching. Switching back to Su'a-Filo, at 304 pounds he was blocking against a 6-3 250 pounder so will have to watch further to see if he can handle a 300 pounder as well as he did Kikaha.
2. Leonard Williams - DT 6-5 290 Sophomore - USC
As a true sophomore, Williams is not eligible for the 2014 NFL, however, his play in the USC victory over Stanford was so dominant that it caused me go overboard and proclaim him to be the best DT in the land. He gave OG Kevin Danser (who I wrote up last week as a Riser for his play against Oregon), and OT Cameron Fleming fits as he was an immovable object against the run and applied pressure on his pass rush all game long. He really delivers a blow and gets the offensive lineman off balance and then controls the line of scrimmage. He has missed some time with a shoulder injury and was doubtful for this game, and although listed as a DE, he plays more inside in the Trojans 3/4 defense. He could be a DE or DT once he arrives in the NFL as he has the ability to play either position.
3. Andre Williams - RB 6-0 220 Senior - Boston College
The leading rusher in the country, Williams set ACC and BC rushing records in the win over N.C. State. He had 42 carries for 339 yards, an 8.1 average and 3 TDs. Built like a Mack truck with thighs bigger than his waist, he breaks tackles and just plain runs over people. He can make moves to his right or left without losing speed and continuing his run up field. He has a spin move and usually finishes his runs by falling forward. There are questions regarding his pass receiving as he isn't thrown to often, his pass blocking and fumbling.
4. Carlos Hyde – RB 6-0 242 Senior - Ohio State
Hyde was a man playing amongst boys in the trouncing of Illinois as Hyde had 24 carries for 246 yards and 4 TDs and 2 pass receptions and another TD. He is still my No. 1 rated RB ahead of all the fly boys. His running is a combination of speed, moves and power and he is also a good pass catcher and is known for his blocking on pass protection. NFL teams will have to do their due diligence in checking up on his off the field issue, which resulted in a three game suspension.
FALLERS
1. Braxton Miller - QB 6-2 215 Jr. - Ohio State
While having a great game by rushing for 184 yards, Miller’s passing was just 13 for 29 and 150 yards against a porous Illini defense. A 44.8 completion percentage just doesn't cut it. Earlier this season when he missed a couple of games due to an injury, he reportedly worked on and improved his mechanics. That improvement was evident when he first returned but is missing now.
2. Brett Hundley -QB 6-4 225 Redshirt Soph - UCLA
In the win against Washington, Hundley was both good and bad. He is some athlete for the position and when he gets in rhythm he looks very good. But there are times when he misses a wide open receiver or is off on deep throws, and this has become a pattern for him. The talent is there but he will have to become more consistent to be a highly rated QB.
SLEEPERS
1. Da'Ron Brown - WR 6-0 184 Redshirt Junior - Northern Illinois
Not having done much prior to this season, Brown had 7 catches for 92 yards, a 13.1 average and 1 TD against Iowa earlier this year and then last week had 12 catches for 209 yards, a 17.4 yards per catch and 2 TDs against Ball State in a Mid-American Conference showdown game. He took a WR screen in the flat to the house a la Sammy Watkins, but he also had 2 or 3 drops which will have to be improved upon.
2. Harris Williams - OG 6-4 301 Redshirt Junior - Boston College
Having missed 2012 with a foot injury, Williams worked his way into the starting lineup and is a big part of the success of RB Andre Williams as the country's leading rusher and the whole BC running game. He is an aggressive, physical blocker with good hip roll who can get movement in the run game and has good enough footwork as a pass blocker.
3. Matt Patchan - LOT 6-6 305 Redshirt Senior - Boston College
Patchan may not fit the profile of a sleeper as he was a high school All-American and played with Tim Tebow at Florida, but after suffering through some injuries and getting lost in the shuffle he transferred to B.C. to be with his old line coach and was just named ACC Offensive Lineman of the Week for his play in helping Andre Williams set rushing records. He graded out at 92% with 4 knockdowns and he, along with Harris Williams (above) and the rest of the B.C. O-line, enabled Williams to rush for his 339 yards and 3 TDs.
4. Robert Caldwell - MLB 6-3 250 Sr. - North Carolina State
A JC transfer, Caldwell only played on Special Teams in 2012 but then earned a starting spot in 2013 and leads the Wolfpack in total tackles and tackles for loss. And as contradictory as it may seem to mention him as playing well on defense after praising Andre Williams, Harris Williams and Matt Patchan of B.C. above, such is the case as he really came on with 17 Total Tackles and 3 Tackles for Loss and on one play stopped Andre Williams in his tracks by standing him up.
5. Marcus Martin - Center 6-3 325 Jr. - USC
Martin had 10 starts at LG in 2012 and moved to Center for 2013. He has played well every time that I have seen him and would rate him over many of the top rated Centers. Even though USC did not have many rushing yards in the upset win against Stanford, he more than held his own and got movement on the Stanford NG and was solid on pass blocking.
Notes and Observations of many games while using my remote control in switcheroo fashion.
1. Tajh Boyd - QB - Clemson, rebounded with a strong game against Georgia Tech showing good accuracy and connecting on some deep throws before going down with an injury.
2. Martavis Bryant - WR - Clemson, was ACC receiver of the week with 5 receptions for 176 yards and 1 TD, which was a 76 yarder. Bryant was the recipient of Boyd's passing but also helped Boyd's numbers with his ability to make difficult catches with his body control and ability to track balls over his head while in traffic.
3. Kevin Pierre-Lewis - OLB - Boston College, showed outstanding instincts, range and tackling ability in the N.C. State game. He had two Sacks in the first half by flashing his speed, but since he is only 6-1, 215, I wonder if he could play Strong Safety in the NFL?
4. Greg Robinson - Redshirt Soph LOT from Auburn, has been getting attention lately which is well deserved. He looked very good against Georgia, even though he may have gotten away with a false start and holding foul on that wild last possession. I also thought that Reese Dismukes, Center of Auburn, showed a lot and is very quick off the snap. DE Dee Ford was one of the stars of the game with a Sack and constant pressure but he also had 3 offside penalties.
5. Marqise Lee - WR - USC made some key receptions in the upset win against Stanford and showed why he has been so highly rated. I still have Sammy Watkins as my No. 1 rated WR but I haven't dropped Lee down as far as some others have. He was the Biletnikoff Award winner last year but injuries and the early season turmoil at USC have resulted in an under achieving performance so far this year.
6. Levi Norwood - WR 6-1 190 Redshirt Junior - Baylor, already known as a top Kick Returner, got more playing time as a WR due to the injury to Tevin Reese and he took advantage of his opportunity by making some good receptions.
7. Aaron Murray - QB - Georgia, having put to rest the "not being able to win the big one" tag earlier this year, could not be blamed for the wild loss to Auburn. He brought his team back from a huge deficit in the 4th quarter and certainly showed enough to have some NFL teams consider him as a potential starter. Could he challenge for a starting job at Houston, Minnesota, Jacksonville, Oakland, Cleveland or even Kansas City? He may be able to throw the ball downfield better than Alex Smith can. It would seem that he could challenge for a backup spot at Green Bay, the New York Jets, Tampa Bay, San Francisco who has Colt McCoy, St. Louis who has Kellen Clemons, Arizona and other places so look for him to be on an NFL roster next year in some capacity.
