Monday, April 22, 2013

Baltimore Area Local 2013 NFL Draft Prospects


Baltimore Area Local NFL Draft Prospects
By Taber Small



1. Tavon Austin, WR/Ret., West Virgina (Dunbar HS): Austin is the most dynamic and explosive player in the draft. Has a very rare combination of speed, quickness, balance and elusiveness. NFL scouts love is big play making ability which has made him the number one slot receiver on just about every teams draft board. Austin is a smart player that has great awareness and instincts on the field that makes him a special talent. Provides great value in the return game and is a threat every time he touches the ball. He's not known to be a good or effective blocker in the run game. Teams are also still concerned about his size which may keep him out of the top 10 or 15 picks. But he's a top 10 pick in my opinion and will be a productive player for whatever team that drafts him.


2. Corey Fuller, WR Virginia Tech (Woodlawn HS): Fuller put himself on the NFL scouts radar after a productive senior year. He is a burner and really improved his overall game this past year. Still learning the nuances of the WR position and must improve his route running. Posses good size, speed, athleticism. Scouts like his potential to be a good number 3 or 4 receiver in the NFL. Look for him to be drafted between the middle to late rounds.


3. Alec Lemon, WR Syracuse (Crofton HS): Lemon is a productive player that will bring good value as a possession receiver at the NFL Level. Was a consistent performer for Syracuse showing good hands and route running ability. Will need to improve his strength and blocking at the NFL level. Would be rated higher in the eyes of scouts if he was a littler faster. Lemon will be a late round selection that could be a good surprise pickup for a team because he is a technically sound player.


4. Brandon Copeland, DE/LB Penn (Gilman HS): Copeland is a rising prospect that has become a better known commodity among scouts after an impressive pro day. Versatile defender who is a decent run stuffer and also shows ability to get pressure on the quarterback. Plays with good instincts, strength and explosion. He is projected and evaluated by NFL teams as a OLB candidate in a 3-4 defense. This makes scouts wonder if he can successfully make the transition as he doesn't have much experience rushing from a two point stance or dropping back in coverage. Also wasn't a dominate pass rusher in college and will need to learn how to consistently shed blocks. Overall, Copeland is a good instinctive player that posses the skills to make the transition and has put himself in position for late round to priority free agent consideration. Priority Free-Agent prospect.

5. Jordan Dangerfield, SS Towson: Dangerfield is an athletic and explosive safety that was one of the top and productive players in FCS. The Hofstra transfer turned himself into a NFL prospect with his play over the last two years as the leader of the Towson secondary. A physical hitting safety that plays well in the box and is a solid tackler. Need to improve his instincts and skills in pass coverage. Also doesn't have ideal size for the position. Dangerfield projects as a reserve safety and will need to make an impact on special teams to make a roster. Priority Free-Agent prospect.

6. Matt Brown RB, Temple: Brown is a very shifty and elusive ball carrier. Speedy back that runs hard and breaks a lot of tackles for a back his size. Really came on as a return specialist as a senior. His small stature limits his value as a change of pace back for the next level.  His best and only chance to make a NFL team will be as a returner. Second Tier Free Agent prospect.

7. Chris Burnette, Old Dominion DT (Gilman HS): Burnette is a decent run stuffer that knows how to use his strength and quickness to his advantage. Plays with good leverage and gets consistent penetration in the backfield. He is considered undersize for both 4-3 and 3-4 teams. Not an effective pass rusher. Will have to gain weight and hopefully land with the right team that can utilize his skills. Second Tier Free Agent prospect.

8. Terrance Garvin, SS/LB West Virginia (Loyola HS): Garvin is a tweener prospect that is better suited to play WLB for a 4-3 team. Played the SS/LB hybrid position for West Virginia 3-3-5 defense and was productive player at times. Plays faster than his forty time and is a sound tackler. Not fast enough to be a SS and needs to gain weight to be a LB in the NFL. Will need to make a roster on special teams and develop as a LB. Second Tier Free Agent prospect.

9. Frank Beltre, DE/LB, Towson: Beltre is an explosive player with a quick first step. A physical and undersized DE that will have to make the transition to LB. Doesn't have experience playing standing up and will have to become comfortable moving in space while dropping into coverage. Will get a look as a free agent and could impress enough to get a shot in training camp. Second Tier Free Agent prospect.

10. Grant Enders, QB Towson (Old Mill HS): Enders is a mobile and solid QB that was a great leader for the Towson football program. Has the ability to scramble to extend the play and throw on the run. Can make all the intermediate throws. Was inconsistent with this reads at times and lacked accuracy on the deep ball. Doesn't have the strongest arm and need to learn how to set his feet on all his throws. Has the intangibles that you like in a QB but needs more development in many aspects of his game to be a NFL QB. Second Tier Free Agent prospect.


11. Gerrard Sheppard WR Towson (McDonough HS): Sheppard is a Uconn transfer that possess good size, speed and soft hands for the next level. Athletic receiver that knows how to use his body against  defenders. Didn't get many pass catching opportunities in college and is one of the main reasons why his stats aren't that productive. Not very quick or elusive and also doesn't show a great knack for finding open spots in the defense. Impressed NFL scouts at his recent pro day which earned him a spot as a free-agent after the draft.  Second Tier Free Agent prospect.

I want to wish all these guys good luck with this weekends draft and also their NFL journey.