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Derrick Locke, Randall Cobb jumping out on film
Todd McShay
Scouts Inc.
Derrick Locke makes up for a lack of size with impressive versatility and effort.
I've spent a lot of time recently watching film with my colleagues Steve Muench and Kevin Weidl, and we've come away very impressed with Kentucky WR/RS Randall Cobb and RB Derrick Locke.
Locke is undersized (5-foot-8, 181 pounds) and often gets lumped in with a handful of smaller backs in the mid-round area because he didn't get much national exposure with the Wildcats. However, he does just about everything well and gets the most out of his physical tools, and in our rankings he is ahead of backs such as Jacquizz Rodgers, Noel Devine, Dion Lewis and Shane Vereen.
Locke can get lost at times in the passing game because of his size, but he is a savvy route-runner and one of the smoothest, most natural pass-catchers in the running back class. He will be overpowered at times as a pass-blocker but gives every ounce of effort in that area.
Most impressive, though, is Locke's efficiency as a runner. He runs low, shows great change-of-direction skills and does not waste many steps. He is patient attacking the line of scrimmage, sets up blocks well and has a keen eye for backside cutback lanes. Throw in his ability to quickly slip in and out of small creases and his willingness to lower his shoulder into defenders, and we put a third-round grade on Locke.
As for Cobb, the biggest question is where he will fit in the NFL. Much like 2010 second-round pick Dexter McCluster, Cobb is an undersized player who simply makes plays wherever he lines up and is the kind of guy a coaching staff will find a way to utilize.
Cobb has the quickness and silky-smooth athleticism to be a big-play threat after the catch as a receiver or as a ball carrier out of the backfield and in the return game. What stands out most, though, is his NFL-level route-running skills. Cobb uses subtle head bobs and shoulder moves, and his crisp cuts tell us he is ready to immediately compete with NFL defensive backs as a slot receiver. All of that makes him an early-second-round prospect.
And I'd be remiss if I didn't mention the extreme competitiveness and impressive football character Cobb and Locke display, which contribute to their rising stock. Kentucky's defense was just okay in 2010 and the quarterback and offensive line were average at best, but the Wildcats hung around in a lot of games because of these two players. Locke could be seen lowering his shoulder while Cobb continued to make tough catches over the middle no matter the situation or score, and scouts notice that.
--
Wide receiver class getting deeper
Cobb's emergence has added to what is becoming a very deep wide receiver class.
Georgia's A.J. Green and Alabama's Julio Jones are elite first-round talents and clearly the top two receivers on the board, but Cobb leads a second tier that could see as many as eight other wideouts off the board before the second round is over.
Maryland's Torrey Smith ranks just behind Cobb, thanks to impressive speed, explosiveness, impeccable character and intangibles, and Tandon Doss of Indiana is the most underrated receiver in the class, thanks to his size, body control and hands.
Just behind Doss is Miami's Leonard Hankerson, who is flying up draft boards after showing improved routes, hands and ball skills at the Senior Bowl. And while Pittsburgh's Jonathan Baldwin has first-round physical tools, major questions about work ethic and football character have dropped him to the middle of the second.
Titus Young (Boise State) and Jerrel Jernigan (Troy) are undersized but quick slot types who could also help in the return game, and the intriguing case of North Carolina's Greg Little rounds out the top 10 at the position.
Little was suspended for all of 2010 after dealings with an agent but he came into the season with a high-second-round grade, thanks to physical tools just a notch below those Baldwin has. Little has obviously fallen somewhat, but that a team could get a player with his potential in the late-second or early-third round as the 10th receiver off the board speaks to the rapidly improving depth of the class.
--
Steve Muench's Stock Report
Up: Notre Dame DT Ian Williams -- Williams isn't going to jump up a lot of boards following his Senior Bowl showing. He just doesn't have the initial burst or athletic ability to stand out in what is shaping up as a deep defensive tackle class. Still, he helped himself by showing the NFL brass in attendance that he has the low center of gravity, lower-body strength and resolve to anchor against double teams. His ability to keep blockers off linebackers could make him a steal for a base 4-3 defense looking for help at nose tackle in the mid-to-late round area.
Down: West Virginia RB Noel Devine -- Devine weighed in at 160 pounds at the Senior Bowl and his weight isn't the only concern about his game. His vision and power/balance between the tackles aren't great, either. He looked hesitant running inside and took some hits as a result, and while he caught the ball well and looked quick enough to develop into an effective change-of-pace back Devine's size hurt him at receiver, too. He's just 5-foot-7, and quarterbacks had a hard time finding him from within the pocket. Finally, Devine had problems staying healthy during the college season and he has to interview well to quiet concerns about his character. At this point, it's unlikely he comes off the board until at least the fourth round.
Kevin Weidl's Stock Report
Up: West Virginia LB J.T Thomas -- He's coming off a good week of practice at the Texas vs. Nation All-Star Game, where Thomas showed natural instincts, easy lateral movement and good athleticism and range. He finds the ball quickly and is a solid open-field tackler and can contribute on third down with his ability to cover underneath zones and match up with backs and tight ends in man coverage. He lacks ideal size and can get engulfed at the point of attack at times, but Thomas looks like a good fit at weakside linebacker in a 4-3 scheme, where he could be protected and allowed to run to the ball. Overall, Thomas has moved himself from a fringe pick to a mid-round possibility.
Down: Arizona DE Ricky Elmore -- His production in 2010 was impressive (13 tackles for loss, 11 sacks), but a lot of that was because of the attention fellow DE Brooks Reed received on the other side. Elmore plays with a great motor and chases the ball relentlessly but simply lacks the physical tools to be an impact NFL player. He is undersized and struggles to anchor. He does not show quick-twitch athleticism off the line and is a limited athlete who would struggle to transition to outside linebacker in a 3-4 scheme. At this point, Elmore is no better than a late-round prospect.
--
Scouts Inc. Observations
Muench -- The Chicago Bears have a first-round pick for the first time since 2008 and are looking to add a player who can help them get over the hump and into the Super Bowl. However, finding market value in their areas of greatest need might not be easy. The Bears would like to get one of the top four offensive tackles on the board or top-ranked center Mike Pouncey, but all five will likely be gone when Chicago comes on the clock at No. 29. There likely won't be a defensive tackle available who's worthy of that pick, either. That leaves wide receiver, where Maryland's Torrey Smith is an intriguing possibility. We have an early-second-round grade on Smith at this point, and he's a little raw as a route-runner but he has the blazing speed to run down QB Jay Cutler's deep ball and help open up the rest of the offense. Smith is expected to run a very fast 40-yard dash at the NFL combine, and assuming he does Chicago could make sense as a landing spot.
Weidl -- Colorado CB Jimmy Smith is shooting up the board and is now our No. 10 overall prospect, thanks to his size (6-2, 203), fluid hips and physical presence in press-man coverage. Patrick Peterson of LSU is our No. 3 prospect ,with his rare combination of size, athleticism and big-play ability, and Nebraska's Prince Amukamara is No. 8, thanks to instincts, awareness and anticipation. The rest of the class suddenly seems somewhat underwhelming. Florida junior CB Janoris Jenkins was a top-10 prospect at one time but chose to return to school, and Brandon Harris (Miami) and Aaron Williams (Texas) have a lot of potential but also have weaknesses that could very well drop them out of the first round. The wild card in the group is Virginia's Ras-I Dowling, whose 2009 film showed first-round talent but who missed much of 2010 with hamstring and ankle injuries. Dowling has good size and speed and he plays the ball well, so it will be interesting to see if he makes some headway as he gets back to 100 percent.
--
Scouts Inc.'s Top 32
Our updated rankings of the top 32 overall prospects have seen a lot of shuffling in recent weeks. Eight of the top-10 spots now belong to defensive players, including a fast-rising cornerback who is one of three rising players with the last name Smith.
Scouts Inc.'s Top 32 Prospects
(Player Position School Height Weight Grade)
1. Da'Quan Bowers* DE Clemson 6-4 280 97
2. Nick Fairley DT Auburn 6-4½ 288 97
3. Patrick Peterson* CB LSU 6-1 211 97
4. A.J. Green* WR Georgia 6-4 208 97
5. Von Miller OLB Texas A&M 6-3 238 97
6. Blaine Gabbert* QB Missouri 6-5 240 96
7. Marcell Dareus* DT Alabama 6-2⅝ 303 96
8. Prince Amukamara CB Nebraska 6-0 203 96
9. Robert Quinn* DE North Carolina 6-4⅝ 254 95
10. Jimmy Smith CB Colorado 6-2 203 95
11. Corey Liuget* DT Illinois 6-3 300 94
12. Nate Solder OT Colorado 6-8 300 94
13. Julio Jones* WR Alabama 6-4 211 94
14. Tyron Smith* OT USC 6-5 291 93
15. Adrian Clayborn DE Iowa 6-3 285 93
16. Aldon Smith* DE Missouri 6-5 260 92
17. Gabe Carimi OT Wisconsin 6-6¾ 318 92
18. Cameron Jordan DE California 6-4 280 92
19. Akeem Ayers* OLB UCLA 6-3¾ 249 92
20. Mark Ingram* RB Alabama 5-10 215 92
21. Mike Pouncey C Florida 6-5 309 91
22. Muhammad Wilkerson* DE Temple 6-5 305 91
23. J.J. Watt* DE Wisconsin 6-5½ 279 90
24. Ryan Kerrigan DE Purdue 6-4 259 90
25. Anthony Castonzo OT Boston College 6-7 295 90
26. Jake Locker QB Washington 6-2½ 229 90
27. Justin Houston* OLB Georgia 6-3 254 90
28. Cam Newton* QB Auburn 6-5½ 248 89
29. Randall Cobb WR Kentucky 5-11 192 89
30. Cameron Heyward DE Ohio State 6-5 278 89
31. Rahim Moore* S UCLA 6-1 196 88
32. Phil Taylor DT Baylor 6-3 351 88
* denotes draft-eligible underclassmen
Todd McShay
Scouts Inc.
Derrick Locke makes up for a lack of size with impressive versatility and effort.
I've spent a lot of time recently watching film with my colleagues Steve Muench and Kevin Weidl, and we've come away very impressed with Kentucky WR/RS Randall Cobb and RB Derrick Locke.
Locke is undersized (5-foot-8, 181 pounds) and often gets lumped in with a handful of smaller backs in the mid-round area because he didn't get much national exposure with the Wildcats. However, he does just about everything well and gets the most out of his physical tools, and in our rankings he is ahead of backs such as Jacquizz Rodgers, Noel Devine, Dion Lewis and Shane Vereen.
Locke can get lost at times in the passing game because of his size, but he is a savvy route-runner and one of the smoothest, most natural pass-catchers in the running back class. He will be overpowered at times as a pass-blocker but gives every ounce of effort in that area.
Most impressive, though, is Locke's efficiency as a runner. He runs low, shows great change-of-direction skills and does not waste many steps. He is patient attacking the line of scrimmage, sets up blocks well and has a keen eye for backside cutback lanes. Throw in his ability to quickly slip in and out of small creases and his willingness to lower his shoulder into defenders, and we put a third-round grade on Locke.
As for Cobb, the biggest question is where he will fit in the NFL. Much like 2010 second-round pick Dexter McCluster, Cobb is an undersized player who simply makes plays wherever he lines up and is the kind of guy a coaching staff will find a way to utilize.
Cobb has the quickness and silky-smooth athleticism to be a big-play threat after the catch as a receiver or as a ball carrier out of the backfield and in the return game. What stands out most, though, is his NFL-level route-running skills. Cobb uses subtle head bobs and shoulder moves, and his crisp cuts tell us he is ready to immediately compete with NFL defensive backs as a slot receiver. All of that makes him an early-second-round prospect.
And I'd be remiss if I didn't mention the extreme competitiveness and impressive football character Cobb and Locke display, which contribute to their rising stock. Kentucky's defense was just okay in 2010 and the quarterback and offensive line were average at best, but the Wildcats hung around in a lot of games because of these two players. Locke could be seen lowering his shoulder while Cobb continued to make tough catches over the middle no matter the situation or score, and scouts notice that.
--
Wide receiver class getting deeper
Cobb's emergence has added to what is becoming a very deep wide receiver class.
Georgia's A.J. Green and Alabama's Julio Jones are elite first-round talents and clearly the top two receivers on the board, but Cobb leads a second tier that could see as many as eight other wideouts off the board before the second round is over.
Maryland's Torrey Smith ranks just behind Cobb, thanks to impressive speed, explosiveness, impeccable character and intangibles, and Tandon Doss of Indiana is the most underrated receiver in the class, thanks to his size, body control and hands.
Just behind Doss is Miami's Leonard Hankerson, who is flying up draft boards after showing improved routes, hands and ball skills at the Senior Bowl. And while Pittsburgh's Jonathan Baldwin has first-round physical tools, major questions about work ethic and football character have dropped him to the middle of the second.
Titus Young (Boise State) and Jerrel Jernigan (Troy) are undersized but quick slot types who could also help in the return game, and the intriguing case of North Carolina's Greg Little rounds out the top 10 at the position.
Little was suspended for all of 2010 after dealings with an agent but he came into the season with a high-second-round grade, thanks to physical tools just a notch below those Baldwin has. Little has obviously fallen somewhat, but that a team could get a player with his potential in the late-second or early-third round as the 10th receiver off the board speaks to the rapidly improving depth of the class.
--
Steve Muench's Stock Report
Up: Notre Dame DT Ian Williams -- Williams isn't going to jump up a lot of boards following his Senior Bowl showing. He just doesn't have the initial burst or athletic ability to stand out in what is shaping up as a deep defensive tackle class. Still, he helped himself by showing the NFL brass in attendance that he has the low center of gravity, lower-body strength and resolve to anchor against double teams. His ability to keep blockers off linebackers could make him a steal for a base 4-3 defense looking for help at nose tackle in the mid-to-late round area.
Down: West Virginia RB Noel Devine -- Devine weighed in at 160 pounds at the Senior Bowl and his weight isn't the only concern about his game. His vision and power/balance between the tackles aren't great, either. He looked hesitant running inside and took some hits as a result, and while he caught the ball well and looked quick enough to develop into an effective change-of-pace back Devine's size hurt him at receiver, too. He's just 5-foot-7, and quarterbacks had a hard time finding him from within the pocket. Finally, Devine had problems staying healthy during the college season and he has to interview well to quiet concerns about his character. At this point, it's unlikely he comes off the board until at least the fourth round.
Kevin Weidl's Stock Report
Up: West Virginia LB J.T Thomas -- He's coming off a good week of practice at the Texas vs. Nation All-Star Game, where Thomas showed natural instincts, easy lateral movement and good athleticism and range. He finds the ball quickly and is a solid open-field tackler and can contribute on third down with his ability to cover underneath zones and match up with backs and tight ends in man coverage. He lacks ideal size and can get engulfed at the point of attack at times, but Thomas looks like a good fit at weakside linebacker in a 4-3 scheme, where he could be protected and allowed to run to the ball. Overall, Thomas has moved himself from a fringe pick to a mid-round possibility.
Down: Arizona DE Ricky Elmore -- His production in 2010 was impressive (13 tackles for loss, 11 sacks), but a lot of that was because of the attention fellow DE Brooks Reed received on the other side. Elmore plays with a great motor and chases the ball relentlessly but simply lacks the physical tools to be an impact NFL player. He is undersized and struggles to anchor. He does not show quick-twitch athleticism off the line and is a limited athlete who would struggle to transition to outside linebacker in a 3-4 scheme. At this point, Elmore is no better than a late-round prospect.
--
Scouts Inc. Observations
Muench -- The Chicago Bears have a first-round pick for the first time since 2008 and are looking to add a player who can help them get over the hump and into the Super Bowl. However, finding market value in their areas of greatest need might not be easy. The Bears would like to get one of the top four offensive tackles on the board or top-ranked center Mike Pouncey, but all five will likely be gone when Chicago comes on the clock at No. 29. There likely won't be a defensive tackle available who's worthy of that pick, either. That leaves wide receiver, where Maryland's Torrey Smith is an intriguing possibility. We have an early-second-round grade on Smith at this point, and he's a little raw as a route-runner but he has the blazing speed to run down QB Jay Cutler's deep ball and help open up the rest of the offense. Smith is expected to run a very fast 40-yard dash at the NFL combine, and assuming he does Chicago could make sense as a landing spot.
Weidl -- Colorado CB Jimmy Smith is shooting up the board and is now our No. 10 overall prospect, thanks to his size (6-2, 203), fluid hips and physical presence in press-man coverage. Patrick Peterson of LSU is our No. 3 prospect ,with his rare combination of size, athleticism and big-play ability, and Nebraska's Prince Amukamara is No. 8, thanks to instincts, awareness and anticipation. The rest of the class suddenly seems somewhat underwhelming. Florida junior CB Janoris Jenkins was a top-10 prospect at one time but chose to return to school, and Brandon Harris (Miami) and Aaron Williams (Texas) have a lot of potential but also have weaknesses that could very well drop them out of the first round. The wild card in the group is Virginia's Ras-I Dowling, whose 2009 film showed first-round talent but who missed much of 2010 with hamstring and ankle injuries. Dowling has good size and speed and he plays the ball well, so it will be interesting to see if he makes some headway as he gets back to 100 percent.
--
Scouts Inc.'s Top 32
Our updated rankings of the top 32 overall prospects have seen a lot of shuffling in recent weeks. Eight of the top-10 spots now belong to defensive players, including a fast-rising cornerback who is one of three rising players with the last name Smith.
Scouts Inc.'s Top 32 Prospects
(Player Position School Height Weight Grade)
1. Da'Quan Bowers* DE Clemson 6-4 280 97
2. Nick Fairley DT Auburn 6-4½ 288 97
3. Patrick Peterson* CB LSU 6-1 211 97
4. A.J. Green* WR Georgia 6-4 208 97
5. Von Miller OLB Texas A&M 6-3 238 97
6. Blaine Gabbert* QB Missouri 6-5 240 96
7. Marcell Dareus* DT Alabama 6-2⅝ 303 96
8. Prince Amukamara CB Nebraska 6-0 203 96
9. Robert Quinn* DE North Carolina 6-4⅝ 254 95
10. Jimmy Smith CB Colorado 6-2 203 95
11. Corey Liuget* DT Illinois 6-3 300 94
12. Nate Solder OT Colorado 6-8 300 94
13. Julio Jones* WR Alabama 6-4 211 94
14. Tyron Smith* OT USC 6-5 291 93
15. Adrian Clayborn DE Iowa 6-3 285 93
16. Aldon Smith* DE Missouri 6-5 260 92
17. Gabe Carimi OT Wisconsin 6-6¾ 318 92
18. Cameron Jordan DE California 6-4 280 92
19. Akeem Ayers* OLB UCLA 6-3¾ 249 92
20. Mark Ingram* RB Alabama 5-10 215 92
21. Mike Pouncey C Florida 6-5 309 91
22. Muhammad Wilkerson* DE Temple 6-5 305 91
23. J.J. Watt* DE Wisconsin 6-5½ 279 90
24. Ryan Kerrigan DE Purdue 6-4 259 90
25. Anthony Castonzo OT Boston College 6-7 295 90
26. Jake Locker QB Washington 6-2½ 229 90
27. Justin Houston* OLB Georgia 6-3 254 90
28. Cam Newton* QB Auburn 6-5½ 248 89
29. Randall Cobb WR Kentucky 5-11 192 89
30. Cameron Heyward DE Ohio State 6-5 278 89
31. Rahim Moore* S UCLA 6-1 196 88
32. Phil Taylor DT Baylor 6-3 351 88
* denotes draft-eligible underclassmen
