Mock 2016 Drafts: 3 B1G QBs going in top 10

Submitted by GoBlueDenver on
Let's attack premature speculation with an enthusiasm unknown to mankind.

http://btn.com/2015/05/03/where-big-ten-stars-land-on-way-too-early-201…

No B1G QB has been drafted in the 1st round since Kerry Collins in 95 (I was quite surprised to read this).

This article has Cardale Jones, Hackenburg, and Cook all going in the top 10, and a bevy of other OSU and MSU players in the 1st round as well.

Who on our roster has the best chance to go in the top 3 rounds next year? Butt? A Harbaugh'ed Ruddock?

Mr. Yost

May 3rd, 2015 at 1:07 PM ^

We could have a number of late round picks though.

You could have one of the RBs if we had a breakout runner - especially Isaac or Green because of physical tools.

Kalis or Glasgow if they get their shit together and whoop up on people.

A healthy Taco has NFL tools if he put a full season together...any of the LBs and Countess are about it.

But you're asking these guys who, to this point, haven't shown NFL ability to all of a sudden have All-American type years.

 

Danwillhor

May 3rd, 2015 at 9:16 PM ^

I know a great staff can change a guy's stock in one year but I think Butt always was our best bet at a 1-3rd rounder next year. Rudock checking to him, better coaching & system could really solidify him in that group. I don't see Jones as a top 10 pick, btw. He's a long ball artist. That's it. Cannon arm but it's the system. Guys are always wide open with that run game churning. Cook could go in the 1st. I think Hack is the only QB that could possibly go top-10 when he leaves. He's pretty prototype in size/tools but he needs to bounce back from last year. If not, he'd go in the 2nd-3rd based on talent alone. If he settles in & just makes smart decisions the NFL will want him for what they'd know he could do in a true pro system. O'Brien might even try to go Kelly & trade for him. If BoB stayed at PSU he'd be the top NFL QB prospect in the country right now & likely by a long shot.

Zone Left

May 3rd, 2015 at 1:06 PM ^

Cardale Jones may have a fall from grace this year. He's not very accurate and not very fast. Sure, he's a tank, but so are all the NFL defenders.

If Braxton Miller and JT Barrett are healthy, Jones is probably the third best quarterback on that roster.

Magnus

May 3rd, 2015 at 1:19 PM ^

No, he didn't look terrible in the College Football Playoff, but that's not really the point because it wasn't against NFL defenders. Aside from that, I don't really see Cardale Jones being a quality NFL quarterback because (I know, I know) he seems like a system guy. It's roughly the same reason that Tim Tebow hasn't been able to lock down an NFL job.

Muttley

May 3rd, 2015 at 1:45 PM ^

flyer this year on Cardale (had he come out), given that he led the Bucks to the title in impressive performances, and (if I've got my likelihoods correct) 5th round picks are a ~coin toss to make the team anyway.

But after being criticized as a little too optimistic, I thought more about my analysis,  How key were those ~3rd-and-7 pickups that Cardale converted by trucking the defender time and time again?

Absolutely huge at the college level.  At best, it won't translate as well at the NFL level, and if it does, Cardale won't stay healthy giving NFL defenders free shots at his body, even given Jones' size.

But a Top 10 pick?  Now that's quite a leap.  Maybe made by the blogger to generate clicks more than to be accurate.

cincygoblue

May 3rd, 2015 at 3:59 PM ^

Well if he's having a fall from grace this year it won't be against NFL defenders either. He rode the bench for how many years before he came in and played well? Yes people will have tape on him now and will figure out how to give him trouble; but it sounds more like people here are just hoping he won't be as good.




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Magnus

May 3rd, 2015 at 5:21 PM ^

Urban Meyer's quarterbacks have not done a great deal in the NFL. Alex Smith was pretty much a bust until Jim Harbaugh got his hands on him. Tim Tebow had one mediocre season where he led the Broncos to the playoffs, and that's been the peak of his career. I wouldn't be surprised if NFL general managers/coaches look at Cardale Jones and decide to go elsewhere to solve their quarterback woes.

cincygoblue

May 3rd, 2015 at 5:54 PM ^

I agree Urban and most of the SEC for that matter never have QB's that translate to the NFL. However, the original post I made my comment to was talking about this coming season for Cardale at OSU. I don't think anyone can't point to any concrete evidence that he won't be able to play as well as he did last year...unless he doesn't win the job.




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bacon1431

May 3rd, 2015 at 1:23 PM ^

Gonna have to point me out to where he said Jones was horrible. Just said he'd have a fall from grace. Jones was not very accurate and had three turnovers in the CFP IIRC. Still looked very good. But he'll have to really tighten up his accuracy if he wants to be in a top 10 pick.

bronxblue

May 3rd, 2015 at 5:27 PM ^

I've had issues with people calling him athletic.  He's a big guy with some wheels, but that isn't going to work against NFL teams and, frankly, might not work against college teams that can get some game tape on him.  He looked fine in those championship games, but he completed about 59% of his passes (and barely 50% against Alabama) at about 8.4 ypa, and that was with an elite deep threat who is now in the NFL.  He'll be good, but there's a reason none of Meyer's QBs have really worked out in the NFL without massive tinkering  (Alex Smith needed Harbaugh to fix him in SF).  He might work in college this year, but moderately-accurate guys with big arms aren't THAT hard to come by.

Space Coyote

May 3rd, 2015 at 1:24 PM ^

I think it's his physical tools. Hack has still shown he has elite physical tools. Unfortunately for him, he's been wildly inconsistent with the mental part of the game (partially because of an awful OL, one that may have actually been worse than the '13 UM OL).

I don't he'll be drafted in the first round, because I think scouts will start looking at his film and realizing he's a project. But he's a project that certainly has the gifts in terms of arm talent to succeed at the next level.

alum96

May 3rd, 2015 at 4:05 PM ^

Put Hack behind MSU's OL (which has been excellent in pass protect for 2 years) and put Cook behind PSU's OL (which in 2014 was 2013 UMish) and the evaluations will be different.  Cook has the luxury of playing 6-7 games a year when he doesn't suffer a grass stain on his jersey.  Hack was getting grass stains on the 1st snap of most games.

I am expecting a guy like Cody Kessler or Jared Goff  (if he declares a year early) to push to get into the top 1-2 QB positioning next year.  Goff is 6-4, Kessler's size might hurt him since he is 6'1.

Space Coyote

May 3rd, 2015 at 1:22 PM ^

Cook has elements of his game that need to get better (needs to do better getting to his second movement key, needs to get more comfortable throwing over the middle of the field), but he has the physical tools and plays in a system NFL scouts will like. If he left this past year he probably would have bene the third QB taken, so yeah, he could potentially be a top 10 draft pick next year.

Space Coyote

May 3rd, 2015 at 1:48 PM ^

I wouldn't predict anyone to necessarily be a top 10 pick outside of Bosa though. The fact of the matter is that these early mock drafts are always headlined by skill position players and players that got conference awards the previous year. But like early recruiting rankings, there are always guys that jump ahead by the time the draft comes around.

WolvinLA2

May 3rd, 2015 at 2:26 PM ^

I agree on the first two rounds.  But you have to look like a real franchise QB to be drafted in the top 10, and I highly doubt Cook will look like that a year from now.  He will look like a solid NFL QB, guy who could be a starter but will likely be a good back up. Kinda like what Henne looked like coming out of college.  

Space Coyote

May 3rd, 2015 at 1:46 PM ^

Unfortunately for Michigan, someone is going to really need to break out just to get drafted next year. I'm guessing it happens, because it's basically always happened in the past and you just need one, but getting a guy to go in the first three rounds will be tough. It's not helped by the fact that a lot of the talent isn't yet to their senior year (in which case they would be drafted in later rounds).

Possibilities:

Countess - Needs to recapture some of what he had in 2013 and prove he can be a versatile player for Michigan this year (which won't be easy for him, as he's likely behind both Lewis and Peppers in terms of how Michigan will use versatility). Best bet is for him to be a NB at the next level, as he doesn't have the measurables to move to safety  in the NFL and probably doesn't have the straight line speed or size to fit in a bunch of systems.

Clark - Would really need a breakout season. Clark has good size and has been consistent for Michigan, and that should at least lead to a UDFA pick up for him. But he needs to show he can make plays back there if teams will pick him up in the draft. Has the size, but I'd be concerned a bit about his combine holding him back a bit.

Mario - Really needs a breakout season. He's one that I think could get it, at least to the point of turning himself into a draftable player. The system will allow him to show off versatility and the lack of depth at his position should see him get a lot of snaps. Solid last year against the run and solid rushing the passer, if he can take a jump, he's a guy that could turn himself into a late round pick.

Kerridge - If the Lions will pick up the Rutgers FB, then Kerridge should be able to get drafted (though the Rutgers guy is more of an H-back type, but he isn't as good of a FB as Kerridge)

Bolden - Bolden easily has the measurables. He has great short burst, sideline-to-sideline speed, and NFL size, but he needs to get better reading and reacting and just being consistent. At worst, he should be able to find a home as an OLB in the NFL and special teams player (OLB may help mitigate some of the read and react issues). Certainly Bolden flashes great plays. If he can step up and be consistent this year, he's a good candidate (and his numbers the past few years will help him too).

Morgan - I know a lot on this site like Morgan more than Bolden, but Morgan is going to struggle to get drafted. He's a lot like former Michigan LB Kenny Demens in that regard (still sticking around with the Cardinals). Morgan is just limited athletically. He gets the job done consistently at the college level, he does a lot of nice things, the question is if the skillset translates well enough to the NFL level. That'll be a bit difficult for him, but if he can go crazy his final season, he has a shot.

G. Glasgow - What really helps Glasgow is his versatility along the OL. Teams like that with late round pick ups, and Glasgow is a guy that could play RT, OG, and C potentially at the NFL level. He has good size and build for an interior player, and he should be good in terms of strength aspects at the combine. But does he have good enough feet? What about some of his legal troubles? Can he be consistent enough? Those are the questions surrounding him that will make it difficult.

Ross is a guy stuck as a tweener, instinct of an ILB, size of an OLB; good, not great athleticism;I really like him as a college player, but he'll have to shine to get drafted. Butt would really have to make a splash to go next year. Butt is a plus player in a lot of ways for college, but the fact that he'd only have one great year (assuming he went off in '15) combined with the fact that he isn't a great athlete (which is what NFL scouts are looking for out of a TE now) leave him in more of the traditional TE mold; so he'd have to step up both parts of his game to make leaving early a smart move. The OL (Kalis, et al) would really have to step up because as a collective group, they probably hold their own stock down a bit; only one good year, assuming they would shine in the first year under Harbaugh (that's going pretty far), may not be the best move for them to leave, as they could really up their stock by coming back another year. I think DL is much the same, lots of guys that could turn into draftable players, but outside probably Taco and maybe Wormley, I'm not sure any of them would stand out enough as athletic freaks to make it a smart move to go into the NFL based on one solid year.

There are certainly guys that I think could and will get drafted. But another small SR class and a couple underclassmen really needing to quit flashing and be consistent products on the field before that happens.

WolvinLA2

May 3rd, 2015 at 2:12 PM ^

If someone like Furman gets drafted after one year of seeing the field, Bolden and/or Morgan will get drafted.  Both guys have NFL size and have a lot more production that Furman had.  I don't see Ojemudia getting drafted without a break out senior year, but I bet Countess gets picked up in the later rounds.  

Is there a reason you included Jeremy Clark? He'll be a redshirt Jr this fall, so he's be an early entry which I seriously don't see.

Space Coyote

May 3rd, 2015 at 2:18 PM ^

My mistake on that. For some reason I always get the two names mixed up, despite the fact that they don't play much alike.

As far as Furman: Furman played in a system that basically highlighted all of his skills and mitigated his severe weaknesses. Furman is a great athlete, but one poster (that got downvoted for it) rightfully said he had bad hips. Furman played essentially what is a nickel OLB spot at Ok St, where you can line up outside the box, read through the EMOL, and attack or sit. He didn't have to move laterally, he didn't really have to break down in space, he just got to show off his athletic ability as a straight line player. In that way, he's worth a 7th round flier because at worst, like he showed at Michigan, he can be a very effective special teams player. A nice part for him, is in his time at Michigan, he got a lot of work in pro-style punt units (despite the units poor performance, it gives him a leg up on many other players trying to latch on as a special teams player).

WolvinLA2

May 3rd, 2015 at 2:17 PM ^

Did you mean Jarrod Wilson instead of Clark?  I think he has a shot to get picked up if his senior year is a step above his junior year.  

Also, I'd say Pipkins and RJS have shots at being drafted as well.  Neither have played a whole lot, but both have great measurables and have a shot at contributing more this year.  But if Pipkins can't a) stay healthy and b) beat out Glasgow or Mone for PT, he's a long shot.  

WolvinLA2

May 3rd, 2015 at 2:24 PM ^

Yeah, I agree he's a long shot, I just included him because he's in that category of guys who have what it takes to get to that point this year.  If he puts together a full heatlhy season at the level we know he can play, he'll get drafted.  He just hasn't done that yet.  

If he's not healthy this year, I agree on the redshirt idea. But even then, Glasgow and Mone will still be around the year after.  

alum96

May 3rd, 2015 at 4:13 PM ^

I dont see anyone but Butt - Countess is undersized and doesn even have great quickness to stay with smaller guys - would be a worry with NFL slot WRs as a nickel.  Certainly not super physical - NFL WRs will eat him up.  Ross is a tweener who was having trouble getting on the field last year. His physical frame seems maxxed out which NFL teams don't like. 

Bolden is the guy who I could see 4th-5th rounder.

Wilson is another guy I could see very late in the draft if he continues be solid.  Not super athletic either though. 

It's a team overall lacking in upperclassmen talent in terms of NFL.  You can see why there is a talent gap between us and OSU/MSU.  Almost all our high end hope is underclassmen and then an upperclassmen here or there like Butt and Henry and Lewis. 

MJ14

May 3rd, 2015 at 2:42 PM ^

Cardale won't even go in the first round. Cook will go somewhere between 15-30 more likely in the 20s. Hack will likely go somewhere between twenty and the second round. I don't see any of them being a top ten pick. Hack is really the only one with the talent and his team will hurt him this year.