Villain The Foe Posted April 28, 2014 Share Posted April 28, 2014 My favorite QB in this draft class. If he's on the board in the 4th the Jets need to seriously consider drafting this kid. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Villain The Foe Posted April 28, 2014 Author Share Posted April 28, 2014 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Villain The Foe Posted April 28, 2014 Author Share Posted April 28, 2014 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Villain The Foe Posted April 28, 2014 Author Share Posted April 28, 2014 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Villain The Foe Posted April 28, 2014 Author Share Posted April 28, 2014 Jim Harbaugh: San Jose State's David Fales is top-5 QB in draft class By John Breech | CBSSports.com April 26, 2014 11:33 am ET Is David Fales one of the top-five quarterbacks in the draft? Jim Harbaugh says yes. (USATSI) More NFL offseason: Mock Drafts | Prospect Rankings | Pro days | Top free agents In three seasons as an NFL head coach, Jim Harbaugh has proven at least one thing: He knows a good Mountain West quarterback when he sees one. Take former Utah quarterback Alex Smith for example. When Harbaugh arrived in San Francisco in 2011, Smith had already been with the 49ers for five pretty unsuccessful seasons. Before Harbaugh's arrival, Smith went 19-31 in 50 starts. Instead of dumping Smith right away though, Harbaugh kept him around for two seasons and the former No. 1 overall pick went 19-5-1 in 25 starts under Harbaugh. And just in case you're wondering, during Smith's college years, Utah was in the Mountain West. In 2011, the 49ers coach plucked former Nevada quarterback Colin Kaepernick out of the second round of the NFL Draft. This year, Harbaugh thinks there's another Mountain West quarterback who could do some damage in the NFL: Former San Jose State quarterback David Fales. "I'm a big fan," Harbaugh said of Fales, via the San Jose Mercury News. "My personal quarterback evaluation of this class has David in the top five." Harbaugh didn't list his top-five, but he did list the reasons why he likes Fales. "I think he sees the field. I think he throws the ball downfield," Harbaugh said. "A lot of quarterbacks are doing what they're taught in their systems. He's a guy that is an example of a quarterback who throws to the outside lanes. He throws the ball in the seams and gets it downfield and sees the field well. He's got a real savviness about the position." In CBSSports.com's latest draft rankings, Fales is currently listed as the 10th best quarterback available. One of the knocks on Fales is his arm strength, but Harbaugh didn't see that while watching him at the 49ers' local Pro Day on Friday. "You see a very compact throwing motion, more compact than I saw during his career," Harbaugh said. "But he was still throwing the ball 50-55 yards downfield, throwing the deep comebacks, the outside lanes like he threw in college. Easily, accurately and on a line. We talked a little after the workout. I don't see any deficiencies that way." Fales is currently projected to go in the fifth or sixth round of the draft, but if other coaches are seeing what Harbaugh's seeing, the former San Jose State quarterback might end up shooting up a few rounds in May. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Villain The Foe Posted April 28, 2014 Author Share Posted April 28, 2014 Draft: David Fales Is Not A Top 5 QB April 27, 2014 12:59 pm EDT by Jack Delaney Getty Images Jim Harbaugh stated that he believes former San Jose State University signal caller David Fales is a top five quarterback in this years’ draft, but coach Harbaugh may need reevaluate his comments. If you haven’t heard of Fales, don’t feel bad. Playing for a smaller school has kept him under the radar, but he has compiled impressive stats over the past two seasons that could have several NFL teams interested in his talents in the later rounds of the draft. In 2012, Fales compiled 4,193 passing yards, 33 touchdown passes, and had nine interceptions. His final stats for San Jose in 2013 look almost identical to his 2012 campaign, with 4,189 passing yards, 33 touchdowns and 13 interceptions. The top four quarterbacks in the 2014 NFL Draft are widely debated, but Blake Bortles, Johnny Manziel, Derek Carr and Teddy Bridgewater are all considered to be on the list in various orders. While each of the above mentioned quarterbacks are filled with question marks, it is even more difficult to figure out who the fifth quarterback off of the board will be. The best candidates to fill out this final spot are Tajh Boyd, Zach Mettenberger, A.J. McCarron, Jimmy Garoppolo, Aaron Murray and Fales. If a team wants a dual-threat quarterback, Boyd is by far the best option. With 400 rushing yards and 10 rushing touchdowns in 2013, he could bring an explosiveness to many offenses that are in desperate need of a playmaker. His height and decision making abilities have held him back from being higher up on the board, but he could be drafted as early as the second round if there is a run on quarterbacks. Looking from a touchdown perspective alone, Garoppolo is easily the winner of this category. With 53 touchdowns and only nine interceptions in 2013, Garoppolo has been praised for his quick delivery. While those stats are very impressive, his competition level, however, has been heavily scrutinized. Facing teams such as Jacksonville State and Tennessee Tech will not make you ready to play the Seattle Seahawks or San Francisco 49ers, and Garoppolo could have a difficult transition into the NFL. Two other major categories that coaches evaluate are strength of competition and player growth. Mettenberger, McCarron and Murray have all faced some of the most NFL-ready defensive players in the powerhouse SEC conference. Aside from Garoppolo, Mettenberger showed the most growth under offensive coordinator Cam Cameron, and he has the ability to get even better with the right system. A player who shows he can listen and execute on what he has learned is a prized position for any head coach in the NFL. With competition levels, touchdown totals, growth and the ability to be a dual-threat player, Fales falls short in all of these categories compared to other quarterbacks in his draft class. Coach Harbaugh may see something he likes in Fales, but he has several other options who could be a better fit for the 49ers. Read more at http://www.rantsports.com/nfl/2014/04/27/2014-nfl-draft-david-fales-is-not-a-top-5-qb/?KKy8iATuxFcl8W0q.99 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Villain The Foe Posted April 28, 2014 Author Share Posted April 28, 2014 2014 NFL Draft: David Fales Being Overlooked April 18, 2014 10:39 pm EDT by Chris Ross Cary Edmondson-USA TODAY Sports As the 2014 NFL Draft has drawn closer and closer, the top quarterbacks in this year’s class have been picked apart and over-analyzed to the point that some feel as though there isn’t a QB worthy of being taken in the first 10 picks. However, there are still quite a few late-round prosepts who haven’t gotten nearly the same amount of publicity, despite putting up great numbers in college. David Fales, out of San Jose State, is one of those players, and, unlike the players at the top of the draft, Fales has been overlooked throughout the entire draft process. Despite the lack of recognition, Fales remains a solid NFL prospect. From a mechanical standpoint, Fales is on point, and his strengths mesh nicely with today’s NFL game. With solid accuracy, excellent timing and underrated arm strength, it’s easy to see what makes Fales a desirable prospect. Throw in above-average mobility, and Fales becomes even more intriguing. That said, Fales, like every prospect, has his weaknesses, the most glaring of which is his tendency to force passes. Fales also sometimes finds himself throwing off-balance, which can sometimes lead to errant throws and a lack of velocity. With that said, however, Fales’ strengths still greatly outweigh these correctable weaknesses. Overall, while he is probably not on the same level as someone like Teddy Bridgewater, David Fales is still a nice prospect at the next level. He probably won’t ever be a star, but Fales has the potential to become an effective NFL starter. Read more at http://www.rantsports.com/nfl/2014/04/18/2014-nfl-draft-david-fales-being-overlooked/?J0iZZAOC2spY1XmG.99 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Villain The Foe Posted April 28, 2014 Author Share Posted April 28, 2014 Highly Accurate Fales Making Predraft Visit Fales (Cary Edmondson - USA Today Sports) By Bill Huber packwriter2002@yahoo.com Posted Apr 13, 2014 Share on twitterShare on facebook|More Sharing ServicesMore David Fales, the standout quarterback from San Jose State, will be in Green Bay on Sunday and Monday. Fales led the nation in completion percentage as a junior and is coming off of back-to-back 4,000-yard seasons. The Green Bay Packers are bringing in prolific San Jose State quarterback David Fales for a pre-draft visit that will span Sunday and Monday, Packer Report has learned. Packers coach Mike McCarthy has stated he’d like to have four quarterbacks on the offseason roster and Fales would be a good fit in Day 3 of the draft because of his uncommon accuracy. As a junior, he led the nation with 72.5 percent accuracy. As a senior, he completed “only” 64.1 percent. “I think accuracy is one of my strengths,” Fales told Packer Report at the Scouting Combine. “I’m always trying to improve that, along with my pocket presence and anticipation. Accuracy is huge. ... (It’s about) getting your feet right, getting your feet set, having good footwork, consistent footwork and tying it into everything that you’re doing with your progressions. It starts with your feet.” After transferring from Nevada, where he was a poor fit for its blossoming pistol and read-option scheme, to Monterey Peninsula College, Fales (6-2, 212) emerged as one of the best passers in college football during his two-year stint at San Jose State. In 2012, he ranked sixth in the nation in passing (4,193 yards), third in passing efficiency (170.76 rating), seventh in yards passing per game (322.54) and 14th in total offense (311.85 ypg). As a senior, Fales finished fifth with 4,189 passing yards, seventh with an average of 26.0 pass completions per game, ninth with 33 touchdown tosses and fifth with an average of 349.08 yards passing per game. Fales and Fresno State’s Derek Carr — a projected first-round pick — were the only FBS quarterbacks to top 4,000 passing yards in 2012 and 2013. During the Senior Bowl, Fales completed 6-of-7 passes for 104 yards and a touchdown. At his pro day, he completed 52-of-53 passes. During an Elite 11 high school quarterback camp last summer, he beat fellow instructors Johnny Manziel of Texas A&M, Teddy Bridgewater of Louisville and Tajh Boyd of Clemson in an accuracy contest. And at the Quicken Loans All-Star Challenge after his senior season, Fales beat Boyd and Virginia Tech’s Logan Thomas in another accuracy contest. In our “Fourth QB Possibilities” series, Fales’ accuracy, footwork and ability to scan the field were noted as strengths. Each team is allotted 30 pre-draft visits and the Packers take them seriously. Last year, the Packers drafted Nate Palmer, Kevin Dorsey and Charles Johnson and signed, among others, quarterback Matt Brown, running back Michael Hill, center Patrick Lewis, linebacker Andy Mulumba and guard Lane Taylor. In January, they signed fullback Ina Liaina, who also had a pre-draft visit with the Packers last year. North Dakota State quarterback Brock Jensen is working out for the Packers on campus on Tuesday and making a pre-draft visit on Thursday. Jensen is a native of Waupaca, Wis. He went 47-5 for his career with three consecutive FCS championships. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Villain The Foe Posted April 28, 2014 Author Share Posted April 28, 2014 2014 NFL Draft: Fales, Crowell, Gillmore top 'Diamonds in Rough' By Rob Rang | The Sports Xchange/CBSSports.com April 27, 2014 4:22 pm ET San Jose State QB David Fales could prove to be a spectacular Day 3 bargain. (USATSI) More NFL offseason: Mock Drafts | Prospect Rankings | Pro days | Top free agents Whether in the first round or via sifting through the undrafted free agent pool, the ability to find "Diamonds in the Rough" is one way good NFL scouting departments are separated from great ones. These players haven't generated the pre-draft attention their abilities warrant. It can be because they lack ideal traits, durability or played against lower-level competition, or something else. Prospects under this heading the past 13 years include QB Russell Wilson, WR T.Y. Hilton, TEJulius Thomas, OT Jared Veldheer, DE Aaron Kampman, MLB Lofa Tatupu and CB Christopher Owens. One player is featured per position with five others to keep in mind. At least one player per position was not invited to the 2014 Combine. (Denoted with an asterisk *) Quarterbacks (Player, school, height, weight, 40 time) David Fales, San Jose State, 6-2, 212, 4.99: Fales lacks the size and velocity to excite scouts but he stands out in three areas that I value at the quarterback position -- awareness, accuracy and competitiveness. These traits make him a gamer who steps up when the lights shine brightest. Fales demonstrated this ability in a high-profile showdown with Fresno State and potential first-round quarterback Derek Carr, during the all-important Wednesday practice at the Senior Bowl and in a sterling pro day workout. He won't come off the board until Day 3, but if correctly drafted into a timing-based, short to intermediate attack, he'll prove at least a capable backup, in the mold of Jon Kitna and Shaun Hill, and quite possibly much more. Five more QBs to consider: 1: Garrett Gilbert, SMU, 6-3, 223, 4.73 2: Casey Pachall, TCU, 6-4, 216, 4.98* 3: Connor Shaw, South Carolina, 6-0, 206, n/a 4: Brett Smith, Wyoming, 6-2, 206, 4.83* 5: Dustin Vaughan, West Texas A&M, 6-5, 235, 4.95 Running backs Isaiah Crowell, Alabama State, 5-11, 224, 4.57: Characterizing Crowell as a "Diamond" is deceiving because the former five-star recruit won the SEC Offensive Rookie of the Year in 2011 with the Georgia Bulldogs. Repeated off-field mistakes caused Mark Richt to yank his scholarship. Rather than sit out a season, he transferred to FCS Alabama State. While Crowell's maturity certainly is a question mark, his talent is not. He shows impressive first-step acceleration to throw off pursuit angles of would-be tacklers and flashes power to go along with his well-built frame. Teams were willing to look past off-field indiscretions of gifted backs like Christine Michael (Seahawks), Bryce Brown (Eagles) and LeGarrette Blount(Titans) in recent years and I wouldn't be surprised at all to see some club get rewarded by gambling on Crowell late, as well. Five more RBs to consider: 1: Alfred Blue, LSU, 6-2, 223, 4.63 2: Storm Johnson, Central Florida, 6-0, 209, 4.60 3: Henry Josey, Missouri, 5-8, 194, 4.43 4: Rajion Neal, Tennessee, 5-11, 220, 4.58* 5: Jerome Smith, Syracuse, 5-11, 220, 4.84 Tight ends Crockett Gillmore, Colorado State, 6-6, 260, 4.89: Underclassmen have dominated the buzz surrounding this tight end class, but Gillmore is one of a handful of intriguing senior prospects who could surprise after a Day 3 selection. Gillmore's blend of size and physicality earned him starts on both sides of the ball for the Rams, splitting his career between tight end and defensive end. Despite the limited time on offense, Gillmore is a surprisingly reliable pass-catcher due to his big, soft mitts (10 3/8"), good hand-eye coordination and leaping ability. He is not a nifty athlete who is going to take the top off the defense down the seam but his high school days as a wrestler and basketball player are evident in his willingness to mix it up and box out to gain position in congestion. Five more TEs to consider: 1: Alex Bayer, Bowling Green, 6-4, 257, 4.78* 2: Marcel Jensen, Fresno State, 6-6, 259, 4.85 3: A.C. Leonard, Tennessee State, 6-2, 252, 4.50 4: Jacob Pederson, Wisconsin, 6-4, 238, 4.89 5: Larry Webster, Bloomsburg, 6-6, 252, 4.58 Wide receivers Austin Franklin, New Mexico State, 5-11, 189, 4.56: In a draft class as deep and talented at receiver as this one, wideouts who don't test exceptionally well are overlooked. I expect that to be the case with Franklin -- though he shows the first-step acceleration on the field to counter his relatively pedestrian 40-yard dash time. The Aggies knew what they had with Frankin, featuring him at receiver, kick and punt returner and even as an option quarterback in an abbreviated 2013 season (lost four games because of academic suspension). Franklin lacks the bulk to play outside but displays the toughness, vision and agility to handle slot duties. He's a natural playmaker who could surprise, just as Hilton has with the Colts. Five more WRs to consider: 1: John Brown, Pittsburgh State, 5-10, 179, 4.34 2: Isaiah Burse, Fresno State, 5-10, 188, 4.58 3: Jeff Janis, Saginaw Valley State, 6-3, 219, 4.42 4: Chandler Jones, San Jose State, 5-09, 183, 4.36* 5: Kevin Smith, Washington, 6-0, 208, 4.54* Offensive line Billy Turner, North Dakota State, 6-5, 315, 5.16: Dominating at the blind-side tackle position for the three-time defending FCS national champion Bison, Turner is used to winning. He took that confidence to the Senior Bowl and proved that he wasn't just a product of weak competition, turning heads while splitting duty at tackle and guard. Boasting an intriguing combination of length (including 34-inch arms), athleticism and aggression, Turner is a future NFL starter whose upside is likely to earn him a spot within the first 100 picks. Five more OL to consider: 1: Dakota Dozier, Furman, 6-4, 313, 5.42 2: Laurent Duvernay-Tardif, McGill (Canada), 6-5, 298, 4.98* 3: John Fullington, Washington State, 6-5, 300, 5.44* 4: Charles Leno, Boise State, 6-4, 303, 5.28 5: Matt Patchan, Boston College, 6-6, 302, 4.97 Defenseive line Khyri Thornton, Southern Mississippi, 6-3, 304, 5.03: Perhaps the most underrated element of the 2014 draft class is defensive-tackle depth. It is easy for scouts to get excited about unique athletes like RaShede Hageman, Louis Nix and Stephon Tuitt, but too often their motors are stuck on idle. Thornton, on the other hand, is powerful at the point of attack and just as passionate in pursuit. He doesn't possess great quickness or technique, but his strength and effort stood out at the East-West Shrine Game practices, catching the attention of scouts from 3-4 and 4-3 teams. Five more DL to consider: 1: Kasim Edebali, Boston College, 6-2, 253, 4.79 2: Justin Ellis, Louisiana Tech, 6-2, 334, 5.27 3: Ben Gardner, Stanford, 6-4, 262, 5.05* 4: Zack Kerr, Delaware, 6-1, 326, 5.08 5: Caraun Reid, Princeton, 6-2, 302, 4.91 Linebacker Brock Coyle, Montana, 6-1, 235, 4.62*: The hard-hitting Coyle personifies the nationally underrated prospects among this year's "Diamonds" in the Rough. Despite leading the Grizzlies in tackles the past two seasons and earning Defensive MVP honors in 2013, Coyle was not recognized as a First Team All-Big Sky player -- though teammates and linebackers Jordan Tripp and John Kanongata'a were. Impressive performances at the NFLPA Collegiate Bowl and during his pro day workout, however, have the well-built middle linebacker's stock on the rise. While the Grizzlies aren't nationally recognized as a consistent producer of pro talent, when Coyle and Tripp (and potentially offensive lineman Danny Kistler, Jr.) are selected, it will mark the third time since 2010 in which multiple players from Montana were drafted into the NFL. Five more LBs to consider: 1: Khairi Fortt, Cal, 6-2, 242, 4.70 2: Anthony Hitchens, Iowa, 6-0, 240, 4.74 3: Howard Jones, Shepherd, 6-3, 245, 4.60 4: Tyler Starr, South Dakota, 6-4, 250, 4.95 5: Jordan Tripp, Montana, 6-3, 234, 4.67 Cornerback Nevin Lawson, Utah State, 5-10, 190, 4.48: While tall corners are all the rage in the NFL right now, coverage ability never goes out of style. That fact has the athletic and extremely competitive Lawson as a dark horse candidate to break into the first 125 picks. The Florida native earned a starting role job as a freshman and never looked back, finishing his career with 39 consecutive starts and playing well at the East-West Shrine Game and the Senior Bowl. He's willing in run support and experienced playing on the perimeter and at nickel, giving him an advantage over many collegiate corners unaccustomed to playing near blockers. Five more CBs to consider: 1: Walt Aikens, Liberty, 6-1, 203, 4.50* 2: Pierre Desir, Lindenwood, 6-1, 198, 4.59 3: Kendall James, Maine, 5-11, 180, 4.44* 4: B.J. Lowery, Iowa, 5-10, 193, 4.58* 5:Robert Nelson, Arizona State, 5-10, 175, 4.46* Safety Nat Berhe, San Diego State, 5-10, 193, 4.71: Like many of the hidden gems on this list, Berhe (pronounced Burr-HEY) lacks the measureables preferred for the NFL. He's certainly smaller and slower than scouts would like for playing safety in today's NFL. Tape review, however, shows Berhe to play bigger and faster on the field than he looks because of his impressive recognition, aggression and burst to close. He wasn't asked to play much special teams with the Aztecs because of his value to the defense, but he plays with the temperament necessary to carve out a niche in the NFL initially this role and could surprise if given a shot in the deep patrol. Five more safeties to consider: 1: Jonathan Dowling, Western Kentucky, 6-3, 190, 4.52 2: Marqueston Huff, Wyoming, 5-11, 196, 4.49 3: Brian Jackson, Oregon, 5-10, 199, 4.62* 4: Dezmen Southward, 6-0, 211, 4.40 5: Brock Vereen, Minnesota, 6-0, 199, 4.47 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Villain The Foe Posted April 28, 2014 Author Share Posted April 28, 2014 David Fales: David Fales projects as 7th-rounder/UDFA David Fales - QB - CLG - Apr. 18 - 4:21 pm et NFL.com's Gil Brandt projects San Jose State QB David Fales as a seventh-round pick to priority undrafted free agent.The draftnik community was projecting Fales as a possible 2014 first-rounder as recently as last offseason, but he is an undersized (6-foot-1 3/4, 210) prospect without a strong arm and figures to max out as an NFL backup. We do admire Fales' quick release and ability to stand tall in the pocket amid pressure, but he is ultimately a limited talent with sub-par athleticism. Apr. 18 - 4:21 pm et Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Villain The Foe Posted April 28, 2014 Author Share Posted April 28, 2014 NFL Draft Profile: San Jose State QB David Fales CSN STAFF David Fales (QB), San Jose State 6'2" | 212 lbs. 2013 stats: 312-487 (64.1%), 4,189 yards, 33 TD, 18 INT, 153.3 rating Projection: 5th/6th Round What the scouts are saying: "Well built (works hard in the weight room). Sets up cleanly and with balance. Nice play fake. Compact, three-quarters release with clean, quick arm action." (Nolan Nawrocki, NFL.com) "Good (not great) arm strength who understands touch, knowing when to add juice to his throws and when to take some off. Poised in the pocket with a fearless attitude and accurate sense of what's going on around him. Gutsy and not afraid to take chances." (Dane Brugler, CBSSports.com) "In the NFL, Fales best fit would be in a West Coast offense where he can operate in a short passing attack. Fales is much better at throwing the short slants, crosses and dig routes that are the core of the West Coast offense. In a vertical, pro-style attack, he would be a bad fit." (WalterFootball.com) Fit for the Bears: The Bears arguably had the best 1-2 quarterbacking punch in the NFL last year with Jay Cutler and Josh McCown, but Cutler battled multiple injuries last year and McCown moved on to Tampa Bay. If there's a time to take a quarterback in the NFL Draft, it's this year considering how deep the QB class is. Fales would be a long-term project if he lands on the Bears roster this season, but that's exactly what they need. A young quarterback with a strong arm and high upside near the 5th-6th round range. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Villain The Foe Posted April 28, 2014 Author Share Posted April 28, 2014 FILTERING THE NOISE 5 NO COMMENTS Bradley Roby, Anthony Barr, David Fales and Chris Davis are all expected to make an impact in the draft, according to some NFL personnel. (USA TODAY Sports) By Russ Lande We're less than two weeks away from the 2014 NFL draft. Soon, all the misinformation meant to deceive other teams will be behind us, and we can focus on each team's actual selections. Until then, the rumors will continue to fly -- and while I'm not immune to being fed misleading information, I try to find out what NFL personnel are discussing in draft meetings rather than attempting to find out which players will be selected by which teams. Below are just a few things I've heard over the past few weeks. When the subject of quarterbacks comes up, it seems that the only names mentioned are Teddy Bridgewater, Johnny Manziel, Derek Carr, Blake Bortles, AJ McCarron, Aaron Murray, Zach Mettenberger and now Tom Savage. But another player that a number of NFL personnel have mentioned to me recently is San Jose State's David Fales. After an up-and-down performance at the Senior Bowl, many in the media wrote off Fales -- but many teams believe he has the traits to be a quality starter in the NFL. There is little doubt that Fales's arm strength is a major concern, but on film, I saw a good enough arm to make all the NFL throws -- and NFL personnel confirmed that. During my time working in the NFL, I was repeatedly told that intangibles often separate quarterbacks who succeed from those who fail -- and Fales is a star in that area. He has natural leadership skills; he possesses the intelligence to make excellent decisions at the line of scrimmage and while in the pocket; and he'll stand strong in the pocket and take the hard hit to complete a pass. I am not mentioning all these things to convince you that Fales will be a high draft pick, but the people I spoke with told me they expect him to be a third- or fourth-round pick who has many of the traits to become a starter in the NFL. There have been a ton of articles about potential "sleepers" in the draft -- I wrote one recently -- but I haven't seen anyone write about Auburn cornerback Chris Davis. NFL people have been talking him up over the past few weeks. Often written off as just a returner, Davis impressed with a great week in Mobile -- both in practice and the game -- and has continued climbing draft boards since. Although he lacks the plus size to make NFL teams drool, at 5'10" he is more than tall enough. Combined with his muscular build, athleticism, explosiveness and physical playing style, he plays like a future starting cornerback. In today's NFL, where big receivers are the norm, Davis's ability to play strong and re-route much bigger receivers will help him greatly, as will his consistently ability to go over or through receivers to break up passes. His combination of skills gives him the versatility to be productive as both an outside and slot cornerback at the next level. When you factor in his return ability, don't be shocked if Davis is drafted much higher -- in the second or third round -- than more well-known cornerbacks. RELATED ARTICLES MOCK DRAFT, MACH ONE Sure, everyone thinks Houston will open the NFL draft by taking a quarterback, but which one? And if a QB goes No.… More» SLEEPER HITS With the NFL draft less than a month away, a few surprising names have found their way onto the radar as possible… More» DRAFT DISH: SEARCHING FOR TRUTH The extended NFL draft season has led to more time for rumors and speculation about falling and rising draft… More» Every year in draft meetings, there are players that cause big debates. Often, those debates are between the scouting department and coaches as they have different priorities when they evaluate players. Scouting departments usually place a higher priority on competitiveness, consistent production, technique and fundamentals; many coaches look at athletic ability and are willing to overlook many deficiencies because they believe they can "coach them up." From what I'm hearing, two likely first-round picks -- UCLA's Anthony Barr and Ohio State's Bradley Roby -- have been highly debated in many draft meetings. No one is arguing that Barr should not be a first-round pick; rather, the debate centers around whether he warrants being a top 10 or 15 selection. He is a rare athlete with the explosiveness off the ball and speed to get the corner and pressure the quarterback. Combined with his outstanding character and intangibles, coaches seem comfortable with him being an unpolished player who doesn't show great competitiveness against the run. While Roby is most certainly going to be a first-round pick, numerous scouts have told me that they would not select him that high. After a spectacular 2012 season, Roby was one of the best cornerbacks in the country entering the 2013 season. But when he was suspended for the season opener, he readily admitted during his media session at the Combine that he didn't prepare well leading up to the season because of the suspension. As a result, he didn't play well early in the season. His performance against Wisconsin is especially concerning, because while Jared Abberderis is regarded as a good prospect, he is slight-framed and was able to physically dominate Roby, catching one pass after another. Then Roby didn't play in Ohio State's Bowl game due to a reported injury, which cast further doubt on his competitiveness since it was a chance to go head-to-head with Clemson's Sammy Watkins. NFL personnel have also told me that his intangibles are a major concern -- as evidenced by his arrest on April 20 -- and they would not want to use a first-round pick on him. But despite these concerns, I've been told that many coaches feel comfortable that they can get Roby to return to his 2012 form because he's a smart young man and one of the best athletes in the draft. I have little doubt that Roby will be selected in the first round because of his physical talent. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Larz Posted April 28, 2014 Share Posted April 28, 2014 tl;dr just kidding If you like him, I like him Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Villain The Foe Posted April 29, 2014 Author Share Posted April 29, 2014 tl;dr just kidding If you like him, I like him When you get time check out a few of his game clips. Fales is very impressive. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SenorGato Posted April 29, 2014 Share Posted April 29, 2014 He sounds like pre-surgery Pennington. Not the worst thing for a young QB. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Villain The Foe Posted April 29, 2014 Author Share Posted April 29, 2014 He sounds like pre-surgery Pennington. Not the worst thing for a young QB. Its very funny you say that. His qualities are very Chad Pennington-like, just with a stronger arm. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ozzieny Posted May 1, 2014 Share Posted May 1, 2014 Its very funny you say that. His qualities are very Chad Pennington-like, just with a stronger arm. Pennington sucks. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Greenseed4 Posted May 1, 2014 Share Posted May 1, 2014 Um yeah, I've liked him for like forever. And Crockett Gillmore, and Isaiah Crowell. just sayin Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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