Five Small-School Sensations To Watch

[michael89156]

2012 NFL Draft: Five Small-School Sensations To Watch
 

March 24, 2012 2:05 pm
 




1) CB Janoris Jenkins, North Alabama
     Following his three years as a starter for Florida, Jenkins transferred to North Alabama after multiple run-ins with both the law and his coaches.  Even though the competition was not comparable, Jenkins kept himself in the top three or four as his position.  He is a natural cover corner with good instincts and exceptional quick-twitch ability.  He uses his athleticism and explosion to consistently blanket receivers and possesses elite closing speed.  If teams are convinced his off-the-field troubles are behind him, he could go in the middle of the first round.
 
2) OG Amini Silatolu, Midwestern State
     After playing left tackle in college, Silatolu will kick inside to guard at the next level.  He is a big, athletic lineman with exceptional footwork.  He exhibits good quickness coming off the ball in the run game and above average mobility when asked to pull.  He is able to speedily get up the field and locate his blocks.  While he is not as polished in pass protection, he does showcase the ability to slide and hold up after the snap.  It will take some time for Silatolu to adjust to the stiffer competition in the NFL, but his potential should land him in the top half of the second round.
 
3) CB Trumaine Johnson, Montana
     At 6’2, 204 pounds, Johnson is one of the bigger corners in the Draft.  Teams will fall in love with his size and athletic ability.  With the likes of Andre Johnson, Larry Fitzgerald and Calvin Johnson patrolling the outside, the value of tall, athletic corners has greatly increased.  He possesses the frame and the long arms to successfully re-route receivers at the line of scrimmage.  He is great in run support and a sound tackler.  Because he plays a premium position and has such coveted measurables, Johnson will not last the second round.

4) WR Brian Quick, Appalachian State
     Quick’s size and speed combination make him a very tempting prospect dripping with potential.  In addition to being an intimidating athlete at 6’4, 220 pounds, Quick showed that he has the necessary speed at the Combine with a 4.55 second 40-time.  His long arms and reliable hands create an enormous catching radius, providing the quarterback with a slightly larger margin for error.  He uses his frame and girth to effectively box out defenders when challenged for a ball in the air.  With some time and and good coaching, Quick could develop into an effective receiver at the next level.  Look for him to come off the board late in the second round.
 
5) DE Vinny Curry, Marshall
      He was very productive in college, using his hands to disengage offensive linemen and exceptional closing speed to develop into a potential impact pass-rushing specialist.  He is adept at setting up offensive tackles and shifting his body weight to throw them off balance as he turns the corner.  When asked, he holds his ground and sets the edge defending the run.  For teams looking for good pass rushing value in the second round, Curry will provide just that.



 http://www.footballnation.com/content/2012-nfl-draft-five-small-school-sensations-to-watch/14081/

[Skull and Bones]

Demario Davis Ark St. should have been included.

http://m.nfl.com/combine/profile/2533008/demario-davis/

[Skull and Bones]

[JDouble]

I'm a big fan of Vinny Curry. Not for the Bucs, but just in general.

[The Anti-Java]

I would like to see the Bucs snag Jenkins in the second.  Good value.

[nick777777]

I just became a big fan of demario davis

[Skull and Bones]

yeah he seems like that fiery type of leader he need.

[JDouble]

Demario Davis is yet another reason it sucks we don't have a 4th round pick.

[Skull and Bones]

the NFL.com link gives him a 5th round value.  I kind of assumed he would go before then but who knows.

[JDouble]

CBS has him 12th, NFP has him as the 10th, and ESPN has him 8th best OLB. Reminds me of Marcus Benard....anyone know if Benard signed with anyone or is he still a free agent?

[The Anti-Java]

CBS has him 12th, NFP has him as the 10th, and ESPN has him 8th best OLB. Reminds me of Marcus Benard....anyone know if Benard signed with anyone or is he still a free agent?

Browns won’t tender Marcus Benard

 Posted by Mike Florio on February 25, 2012, 11:47 AM EDT
 

During the 2011 season, the Browns opted to pay linebacker Marcus Benard after a motorcycle accident ended his season.  They don’t plan to pay him in 2012.
 
More specifically, they don’t plan to make the potential restricted free agent a tender offer.
 
A league source tells PFT that the Browns have informed Benard that he won’t receive one of the various possible RFA tenders, which means he’ll be free to leave as of March 13 at 4:00 p.m. ET.
 
That doesn’t mean the Browns will give Benard the boot; indeed, coach Pat Shurmur said last year that the undrafted free agent out of Jackson State has a future with the team.  If so, it’ll happen because the Browns choose to offer him a free-agent contract — and because Benard chooses to accept it.

[UMiamiBucFan]

Dear goodness that boy can hit.