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NEWS AND INFORMATION ON THE NFL DRAFT |
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NEWS AND INFORMATION ON THE NFL DRAFT |
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2012 DRAFT PREVIEW: MLBsOverview: At least on paper,
this year could be one of the best in a while for MLBs. And what's on
paper is a cadre of outstanding junior mike backers including Vontaze
Burfict of Arizona State, Luke Kuechly of Boston College, Notre Dame's
Manti Te'O, Shane Skov of Stanford and Dont'a Hightower of Alabama,
each of whom gets plenty of first-round mention whenever they are
discussed in terms of the draft. First things first, though, and of
course, more than one will have to leave school early and turn pro this
winter for the conversation to continue and at least Te'O and Skov play
at programs in which players tend to stay in school until their
eligibility is up. As well, as talented as this group is collectively -
they combined for 560 tackles in 2010 including a remarkable 183 by
Kuechly - there are also major questions. Burfict, for example, has an
elite size-speed combination and hits a ton, but is undisciplined both
on and off the field. Meanwhile, Kuechly has brought the concept of
tackling-machine to a new level, but actually isn't all that big or
fast for an NFL MLB. For his part, Te'O, another big hitter with
excellent, is something of a cult figure among Irish faithful,
but isn't all that instinctive or agile. Same story for the Tide's
Hightower who more than one scout who rates as potentially the most
over-rated prospect in the entire draft. Indeed, it won't be a shock
when all is said and done that Hightower ends up being graded as a 3-4
OLB. In fact, many scouts consider Hightower's Alabama teammate
Courtney Upshaw to be a better MLB prospect, however, the latter will
also likely get a first look as a pass-rushing OLB.
However, even if all 5 juniors opt to stay in school, or fall flat on their collective faces prior to the draft, MLB likely will still be a relatively deep position for 2012 as there appears to be an inordinate number of solid senior MLBs out there including under-rated James-Michael Johnson of Nevada, Emmanual Acho of Texas, Korey Williams of Southern Miss, Chris Galippo of USC, Arkansas' Jerry Franklin, Chris Marve of Vanderbilt, and Carmen Messina of New Mexico. And the list goes on. Indeed, there is some real depth at the position. There are also a couple of potential sleepers in Noah Keller of Ohio, who had 155 tackles in 2009, but missed most of last season with a foot injury, and Barquell Rivers of Virginia Tech who had 96 tackles two years ago, but played in only one game because of a ruptured quadriceps tendon. Top 20 MLB Prospects
If you have comments or suggestions, e-mail the Editor, Great Blue North Draft Report. The GBN can also be reached by phone at (613) 692-1088 or regular mail at 320 Shadehill Crescent, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada, K2J 0L6. Great Blue North Draft Report Privacy Policy. The GREAT BLUE NORTH DRAFT REPORT is a division of SQUITERLAND ENTERPRISES, Ottawa, Ontario,Canada |
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