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Draft Dish: Nevada's Kaepernick makes his case as ace QB
-Russ Lande
Nevada QB Colin Kaepernick worked out well this week. In addition to throwing well, he also showed the elite physical tools that tend to excite NFL teams.
Although Cam Newton's rare physical talent has teams willing to overlook the fact he played in a run-option offense at Auburn, Kaepernick is still dealing with questions about having played against a lower level of competition in the WAC while playing in the Wolf Pack's "pistol" offense.
Colin Kaepernick is still dealing with questions about having played against a lower level of competition in the WAC. (AP Photo)He has provided enough answers from the Senior Bowl through his pro day where some team likely will take him early in the second round. Few — if any — quarterbacks in this class have Kaepernick's combination of elite natural skills and great intangibles.
There is plenty of buzz about one of the teams drafting in the top 15 trading up to take one of the top quarterbacks in this class, but for many teams coveting such a passer, they have been more diligent in breaking down film of the potential best prospects from the Class of '12.
They are simply taking that group — including Stanford's Andrew Luck, USC's Matt Barkley and Arizona's Nick Foles — and seeing how it compares to Newton, Kaepernick and others. This isn't either new or surprising, but it means some teams aren't sold on any of this year's quarterbacks and most are always looking at the big picture in the future to help them make smarter decisions about the present.
— Aldon Smith. Some prospects are tougher to evaluate than others, and one player causing such confusion is Missouri's Smith. When Smith first declared for the draft, insiders considered him more as a 3-4 outside linebacker because at 6-4 1/2 and 258 pounds, he lacked the size and strength to play 4-3 defensive end. On film, it looked like he had the versatility to play either position.
Upon further review of his individual Combine and pro day workouts, however, team officials have noticed the effects of the fractured leg he suffered early in the 2010 season, especially in limiting his athleticism. He now looks more the part of a hand-in-the-ground end.
— Jacquizz Rodgers. Most NFL teams tend to shy away from running backs who stand shorter than 5-8, despite the recent success of players such as Maurice Jones-Drew and Darren Sproles. After a dazzling athletic display at Oregon State's pro day, however, Rodgers has many convinced he can overcome his lack of ideal height (5-6 3/8) to be very successful in the NFL. On film, Rodgers stood out as a dynamo who consistently carried the Beavers' offense, and back on campus, he showed elite quickness, flashy change of direction and the explosive burst needed to shoot through holes. He is also very muscular and well built. The height concern with Rodgers seems nonexistent in the fact he's now expected to be drafted before the end of Round 2.
— Taiwan Jones. Another running back making noise from the Pacific Northwest is Eastern Washington's Jones. The more scouts that have had a chance to break down film of Jones, the more who have been impressed, especially for someone who was moved to cornerback in college before returning to the offensive backfield two years ago. Jones has the quick feet, agility and balance to make very sharp cuts. He easily gets into open field with the burst to shoot through holes. Once he quickly accelerates to full speed, he can run away from a defense. The only concern that likely will keep him from being drafted before the third round is his skinny frame (only 195 pounds at 5-11 5/8). If he can bulk up and get a bit stronger, he has the physical tools to become an NFL feature back.
For more than 300 player scouting reports from Russ Lande and his team of former NFL scouts plus a weekly updated Mock Draft and Super 99 player rankings, go to warroom.sportingnews.com.
Read more: http://aol.sportingnews.com/nfl/fee...ernick-makes-his-case-as-ace-qb#ixzz1HeN4SFgC
-Russ Lande
Nevada QB Colin Kaepernick worked out well this week. In addition to throwing well, he also showed the elite physical tools that tend to excite NFL teams.
Although Cam Newton's rare physical talent has teams willing to overlook the fact he played in a run-option offense at Auburn, Kaepernick is still dealing with questions about having played against a lower level of competition in the WAC while playing in the Wolf Pack's "pistol" offense.
Colin Kaepernick is still dealing with questions about having played against a lower level of competition in the WAC. (AP Photo)He has provided enough answers from the Senior Bowl through his pro day where some team likely will take him early in the second round. Few — if any — quarterbacks in this class have Kaepernick's combination of elite natural skills and great intangibles.
There is plenty of buzz about one of the teams drafting in the top 15 trading up to take one of the top quarterbacks in this class, but for many teams coveting such a passer, they have been more diligent in breaking down film of the potential best prospects from the Class of '12.
They are simply taking that group — including Stanford's Andrew Luck, USC's Matt Barkley and Arizona's Nick Foles — and seeing how it compares to Newton, Kaepernick and others. This isn't either new or surprising, but it means some teams aren't sold on any of this year's quarterbacks and most are always looking at the big picture in the future to help them make smarter decisions about the present.
— Aldon Smith. Some prospects are tougher to evaluate than others, and one player causing such confusion is Missouri's Smith. When Smith first declared for the draft, insiders considered him more as a 3-4 outside linebacker because at 6-4 1/2 and 258 pounds, he lacked the size and strength to play 4-3 defensive end. On film, it looked like he had the versatility to play either position.
Upon further review of his individual Combine and pro day workouts, however, team officials have noticed the effects of the fractured leg he suffered early in the 2010 season, especially in limiting his athleticism. He now looks more the part of a hand-in-the-ground end.
— Jacquizz Rodgers. Most NFL teams tend to shy away from running backs who stand shorter than 5-8, despite the recent success of players such as Maurice Jones-Drew and Darren Sproles. After a dazzling athletic display at Oregon State's pro day, however, Rodgers has many convinced he can overcome his lack of ideal height (5-6 3/8) to be very successful in the NFL. On film, Rodgers stood out as a dynamo who consistently carried the Beavers' offense, and back on campus, he showed elite quickness, flashy change of direction and the explosive burst needed to shoot through holes. He is also very muscular and well built. The height concern with Rodgers seems nonexistent in the fact he's now expected to be drafted before the end of Round 2.
— Taiwan Jones. Another running back making noise from the Pacific Northwest is Eastern Washington's Jones. The more scouts that have had a chance to break down film of Jones, the more who have been impressed, especially for someone who was moved to cornerback in college before returning to the offensive backfield two years ago. Jones has the quick feet, agility and balance to make very sharp cuts. He easily gets into open field with the burst to shoot through holes. Once he quickly accelerates to full speed, he can run away from a defense. The only concern that likely will keep him from being drafted before the third round is his skinny frame (only 195 pounds at 5-11 5/8). If he can bulk up and get a bit stronger, he has the physical tools to become an NFL feature back.
For more than 300 player scouting reports from Russ Lande and his team of former NFL scouts plus a weekly updated Mock Draft and Super 99 player rankings, go to warroom.sportingnews.com.
Read more: http://aol.sportingnews.com/nfl/fee...ernick-makes-his-case-as-ace-qb#ixzz1HeN4SFgC
