NFL Draft Scouting – Games I’m Watching Today

A year ago, I wrote a lot more about what I was going on with NFL Draft prospects, and players that the Seahawks could be interested in. This year I just haven’t had a chance to write up anything, but don’t worry, I’m still putting in my work trying to get ready for next April.

This is actually a big week for draft scouting, so I thought I’d share what games I’m going to be watching and what players I’ll be taking a look at.

12:00 pm – Arkansas @ Auburn, ESPN2

The appeal of this game is mostly QB Tyler Wilson of Arkansas. He was my top player in the preseason, but he’s slipped because of injuries and because he hasn’t been as sharp as I expected. I need to take a closer look, and see if he’s improved any, and if he really is one of the top players in this draft, or if perhaps I over valued him when watching last year’s tape.

Other than Wilson, Arkansas doesn’t have any other high round picks to watch, but they have a good solid group of middle round talent, including WR Cobi Hamilton, RB Knile Davis, OG Alvin Bailey, TE Chris Gragg, and OLB Alonzo Highsmith.

Auburn is having a down year, but still has some NFL talent worth watching, including DE Corey Lemonier, OG John Sullen, and TE Philip Lutzenkirchen. Lemonier is going to be especially interesting more me, as he looks like he could be a mid round Leo passrusher.

3:30 pm – #17 Oklahoma @ Texas Tech, ABC

I’m watching this game because I haven’t scouted Oklahoma QB Landry Jones this year. He started out 2011 as someone I expected to be a 1st round pick a year ago, but showed horrible decision making skills, and then reports came out that he had a poor work ethic. All of that caused him to drop like rock on draft boards all over the country, so he decided to stay in school another year. Its time to see if he’s learned anything in the last year, and if he can show he can be the player that people once thought he could be.

Besides Jones, Oklahoma has a bunch of NFL caliber player that are worth watching, including WR Kenny Stills, OT Lane Johnson, FS Tony Jefferson, FB Trey Millard, and CB Demontre Hurst. Texas Tech has a few fringe prospects, but isn’t likely to have a player drafted before the 7th round.

7:00 pm – #8 West Virginia @ #11 Texas, Fox

This is easily the game of the day as for a scouting goes for me. The Headliner is WVU QB Geno Smith, who is currently the #1 player on my board. The problem with him so far is that he hasn’t faced a defense with a lot of NFL talent, but that changes today. If he can look solid, poised, and maintain his mechanics when under pressure, then he’ll almost certainly be the first overall pick when April rolls around.

WR Tavon Austin is the only other player on Oklahoma that will be drafted.  For Texas DE Jackson Jeffcoat, DE Alex Okafor, SS Kenny Vaccaro, CB Carrington Byndom all profile as early round picks who fit the Seahawk’s defensive system.

10:00 pm – #25 UCLA @ Cal, Pac 12 Network

This game doesn’t have any high level prospects, but there are some mid round players I was to have a look at TE UCLA’s Joseph Fauria, RB Johnathan Franklin, and DE Datone Jones are all players that are interesting and might fit in pretty well in Seattle next year. For Cal, CB Mark Anthony is the big physical player the Seahawks like at the position, so I’ll be watching him as well.