Lurker64
04-19-2011, 02:39 PM
In our mock second draft ( http://packerrats.com/showthread.php?21986-2011-PackerRats-community-mock-second-draft ) we decided that rather than a free for all poll, we would try a bracket. Since there are three rounds to go through, we have to move quickly. As such polling for Round 1 close two days from the time of posting. If you're wondering why someone isn't in our bracket, it's probably because someone already picked him, or he got edged out of the top eight.
Let's meet the prospects (All Scouting reports are shamelessly cribbed from Wes Bunting at the excellent National Football Post).
Leonard Hankerson, WR, Miami
6'1 1/2", 209 lbs
http://www.bleed-green.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2011/02/Leonard_Hankerson.jpg
Possesses good size for the position and really seems to be strapped together well. Exhibits long arms and strong, powerful hands in which he uses to pluck just about every football thrown his way. Displays impressive hand/eye coordination when asked to go up and get the ball and looks natural attacking the throw at its highest point. Consistently is able to contort his body and come down with some really tough grabs on all levels of the field while maintaining the concentration to keep his feet in bounds.
Now, possesses average initial explosiveness off the snap and is a bit of a strider. But, has the ability to build speed as he goes and can be tough to cover the further down the field he gets. Knows how to use his big frame to shield defenders from the throw and adjust to the football. However, doesn't exhibit the ability to consistently generate much separation as a route runner vs. man coverage. Does a nice job changing gears, but isn't real explosive in and out of his breaks and has a tendency to start to drift into his routes and gets a bit leggy when trying to change directions. Is more graceful than explosive/sudden at this stage and needs to do a better job setting up defenders, lacks a real understanding/savvy to his game and the route tree. Nevertheless, displays some shiftiness and power to his game with the ball in his hands. Looks natural making a man miss, putting his foot in the ground and accelerating up the field. Displays a dramatic improvement in his ability to slip press and quickly get into his routes as a receiver. Is physical and smooth when asked to work himself free and lose defenders off the line.
Impression: I love his frame, hand/eye coordination and ability to pluck the football. Isn't ever going to generate a ton of separation for himself in the NFL, but could mature into a capable possession-type guy because of his ability to attack the throw.
Kyle Rudolph TE, Notre Dame
6'6 1/8", 259 lbs
http://archive.chicagobreakingsports.com/kylerudolph.jpg
He possesses great overall size for the position, as he looks like an undersized offensive tackle the way his frame is strapped together. And much like an undersized offensive tackle, he's a long-armed kid with natural flexibility in his lower half and can really sit into a three-point stance and fire off the football. Now, he does look a bit uncomfortable at times in pass protection, as he has a tendency to overextend and lose his balance into blocks. He does an impressive job getting off the line quickly as a run blocker, extending his long arms under the chest plate of defenders and sealing at the point of attack. He's the kind of athlete who not only can get his feet around and reach the block inside, but is also very effective on perimeter runs when asked to set the edge (see vs. Southern Cal DE Everson Griffen).
In the pass game he does a nice job working his inside jab step in order to get a clean release off the line, and because of his balance and flexibility he wastes very little motion firing out of his stance and getting into his routes. He does a nice job selling his routes in the pass game, setting up defenders and using his big frame and suddenness to consistently separate vs. man. He's nearly impossible to stop when defenders try to get physical with him because his hands are simply too strong, as he can disengage and separate at the blink of an eye. Plus, he's a better straight-line athlete than his frame would indicate. While he will start to lumber at times trying to run away from a defender in the open field — like any 265-pound receiver — he does have the gear to at least threaten linebackers down the seam. He plays with a mean streak once he gets his hands on the ball and has the power and balance to break a tackle and create after the catch. He's a natural plucker who locates the football quickly out of his breaks and looks natural adjusting to the throw. However, he still needs to learn to do a better job vs. zone coverage at this stage, as he has a tendency at times to drift toward defenders instead of working toward or sitting down in space.
Missed the second half of the season with a hamstring injury and surgery back in October in order to repair it.
Impression: Possesses the size to win as an "on-the-line Y" at the next level in both the run and pass game, and he is a guy who I could see coming in and making an immediate impact from day one and starting in the NFL for a long time.
Let's meet the prospects (All Scouting reports are shamelessly cribbed from Wes Bunting at the excellent National Football Post).
Leonard Hankerson, WR, Miami
6'1 1/2", 209 lbs
http://www.bleed-green.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2011/02/Leonard_Hankerson.jpg
Possesses good size for the position and really seems to be strapped together well. Exhibits long arms and strong, powerful hands in which he uses to pluck just about every football thrown his way. Displays impressive hand/eye coordination when asked to go up and get the ball and looks natural attacking the throw at its highest point. Consistently is able to contort his body and come down with some really tough grabs on all levels of the field while maintaining the concentration to keep his feet in bounds.
Now, possesses average initial explosiveness off the snap and is a bit of a strider. But, has the ability to build speed as he goes and can be tough to cover the further down the field he gets. Knows how to use his big frame to shield defenders from the throw and adjust to the football. However, doesn't exhibit the ability to consistently generate much separation as a route runner vs. man coverage. Does a nice job changing gears, but isn't real explosive in and out of his breaks and has a tendency to start to drift into his routes and gets a bit leggy when trying to change directions. Is more graceful than explosive/sudden at this stage and needs to do a better job setting up defenders, lacks a real understanding/savvy to his game and the route tree. Nevertheless, displays some shiftiness and power to his game with the ball in his hands. Looks natural making a man miss, putting his foot in the ground and accelerating up the field. Displays a dramatic improvement in his ability to slip press and quickly get into his routes as a receiver. Is physical and smooth when asked to work himself free and lose defenders off the line.
Impression: I love his frame, hand/eye coordination and ability to pluck the football. Isn't ever going to generate a ton of separation for himself in the NFL, but could mature into a capable possession-type guy because of his ability to attack the throw.
Kyle Rudolph TE, Notre Dame
6'6 1/8", 259 lbs
http://archive.chicagobreakingsports.com/kylerudolph.jpg
He possesses great overall size for the position, as he looks like an undersized offensive tackle the way his frame is strapped together. And much like an undersized offensive tackle, he's a long-armed kid with natural flexibility in his lower half and can really sit into a three-point stance and fire off the football. Now, he does look a bit uncomfortable at times in pass protection, as he has a tendency to overextend and lose his balance into blocks. He does an impressive job getting off the line quickly as a run blocker, extending his long arms under the chest plate of defenders and sealing at the point of attack. He's the kind of athlete who not only can get his feet around and reach the block inside, but is also very effective on perimeter runs when asked to set the edge (see vs. Southern Cal DE Everson Griffen).
In the pass game he does a nice job working his inside jab step in order to get a clean release off the line, and because of his balance and flexibility he wastes very little motion firing out of his stance and getting into his routes. He does a nice job selling his routes in the pass game, setting up defenders and using his big frame and suddenness to consistently separate vs. man. He's nearly impossible to stop when defenders try to get physical with him because his hands are simply too strong, as he can disengage and separate at the blink of an eye. Plus, he's a better straight-line athlete than his frame would indicate. While he will start to lumber at times trying to run away from a defender in the open field — like any 265-pound receiver — he does have the gear to at least threaten linebackers down the seam. He plays with a mean streak once he gets his hands on the ball and has the power and balance to break a tackle and create after the catch. He's a natural plucker who locates the football quickly out of his breaks and looks natural adjusting to the throw. However, he still needs to learn to do a better job vs. zone coverage at this stage, as he has a tendency at times to drift toward defenders instead of working toward or sitting down in space.
Missed the second half of the season with a hamstring injury and surgery back in October in order to repair it.
Impression: Possesses the size to win as an "on-the-line Y" at the next level in both the run and pass game, and he is a guy who I could see coming in and making an immediate impact from day one and starting in the NFL for a long time.