Six Pack: NFL Draft Edition

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I love the NFL Draft. I love the spectacle of it all; from the inevitable opening jeers of Commissioner Goodell to the inevitable cheers...or jeers...or whatever you call Jets fans' annual reactions (I could seriously watch this clip 1,000 times). The league used to have it perfectly set up, cordoning off an entire weekend. Then, a few years ago, ego entered the picture. Goodell & Co. realized that after years of printing money and dominating the airwaves, they had the ability to drag out the process over three days and cash in even more. Rather than dominate consecutive weekend afternoons, the league decided to go head-to-head with the Thursday evening sitcom juggernaut and Friday evening reruns of NCIS. Loved ones suddenly were forced to play the inevitable game of chicken with their spouses: convince them that you could DVR "The Big Bang Theory" in favor of viewing the Draft live, or ultimately being banished to the secondary television in the household. (Kudos to those of you that have a significant other that is an equally-rabid NFL fan.)

I could do without all of the mock drafts and the 11.5 revisions that are published leading up to the real thing. As we're all aware—including the mockers, themselves—the draft isn't conducted in a vacuum. Trades annually wreak havoc, sometimes throwing the early rounds into a chaotic flurry of moves that result in consensus second rounders getting picked in the mid-20's. The mocks are helpful to the fans leading up to the Draft because most of them know little about the non-marquee college football players that they are about to fawn over for the next 4 months. Sure, everyone knows who Johnny Football is, but that guy you hear clamoring for Brandin Cooks on local radio only knows about his 4.3 speed because Mel Kiper and Todd McShay won't leave us the hell alone. Nonetheless, I'm sure I'm not the only one who reads a pundit's mock drafts and gets all bent out of shape because I feel like they are undervaluing Kyle Fuller. He's a Fuller, forchristsake!

Drafts where we have a number of beloved Hokies looking to hear their names called early are easily my favorite. I enjoy the NFL and I follow the Jets and Eagles, but I hardly get fired up about off-season roster moves compared to my high excitement over the Hokies preseason max testing and weigh-in results. I'm excited to sit in front of the TV (Site TBD...still need to barter with my wife) and root for Kyle, Logan, Antone, James, Derrick, Jack, Andrew, Lanford J.R., D.J., Tariq and Cody. Obviously I'm hoping one or multiple end up in Philly so that I can watch them every week, but what's important is that one NFL team recognizes their talent, hard work, and the abilities that they have developed during their time in Blacksburg. Heres to hoping that by the end of the weekend, all of these great guys are given a shot to fulfill their dreams. I enjoyed the hell out of their time in orange and maroon, and I'm looking forward to see what each of them do at the next level.

Let's take a look at where some of the Hokie prospects are currently projected to fall over the next few days.

1. Kyle Fuller

A consensus first round pick, Kyle has shot up draft boards since the season wrapped up and is considered by some pundits to be the top cornerback available. Mike Mayock has been spouting such effusive praise for Kyle recently that I wouldn't be surprised if they were dating. Charles Davis mentioned Tuesday on local radio that he felt Fuller was the most complete corner in the draft. His versatility, tackling ability, speed/quickness, and anticipation are traits that set him apart. As one media member said recently, "Football is in his DNA" (no shit). His top competition is Justin Gilbert (Oklahoma State), 2013 Thorpe Award Winner Darqueze Dennard (MSU) and Jason Verrett (TCU). Most media members seem to feel that Kyle won't fall past pick No. 24 (Cincinnati), with Charles Davis predicting him to go to Tennessee at No. 11. If things play out as forecast, Kyle would be the first Hokie DB to go in the first round since DeAngelo Hall (8th, overall) in 2004.

2. Logan Thomas

Whereas Kyle is a consensus first round stone cold lock, Logan is the consensus "upside" guy at the quarterback position. We all know the story on Logan far too well: Freakish size and athleticism, showed flashes of promise during a successful sophomore year, only to regress to uneven play plagued by a subpar supporting cast. Frankly, I'm just happy this draft will be over with so we can stop hearing about our program's old warts. What Logan needs more than anything else is to end up in a system that has: (A) a coaching staff willing and able to mold him into the QB we think he is capable of becoming, and (B) has talented people around him that can lift the burden from his shoulders early in his career (1-2 years down the line). This comes as news to none of you. We all believe in LT3, and now we will keep our collective fingers crossed that the right NFL team believes in him too. Most draftniks currently have Logan slotted somewhere between Rounds 3-5, but many (including Mel Kiper and his helmet hair) wouldn't be surprised if a team took a flier on his potential in round 2.

3. Antone Exum

Ex is the big question mark amongst the draftable Hokies.

Is he a CB or a Safety? Everyone seems to agree that his versatility is his strongest trait, and in a league that just saw the Seattle Seahawks and their freakishly athletic secondary lift the Lombardi Trophy, Tone's skillset makes him a viable target.

Does he have the recovery speed and quickness to turn and run with NFL receivers? The knock on Tone leading up to the draft has been his coverage technique. His experience at safety certainly helps his cause for teams looking to play more zone and/or press coverage, but I've read a number of commentaries that question his ability to play off-man and stay with speedy wideouts.

Has he recovered fully from knee surgery, and why did he opt out of playing in multiple games last season? It may be more of a media-hyped issue, but I have come across at least one draft profile that discusses Tone's decision to sit out multiple games last year despite being cleared by the team doctors and Dr. James Andrews. While everyone seems aware of Tone's confidence, some (and I'm not sure exactly who) appear to question his toughness and team commitment.

I may be in the minority, but I believe that Antone would be best served going to a team as a safety. He does a great job jamming receivers in press coverage and showed great progress during his junior year in terms of off-man and recovery adjustments, but I always felt more comfortable when he was in the box and getting his nose dirty instead of turning and running. Maybe its a bit of stretch comparison, but I could see Tone thriving in an Ed Reed-type role (maybe LaRon Landry is a more realistic comp); physical play in the box, but has the ball skills to make plays downfield. I think he would be a great fit in Philly (*ducks*), as the signing of Malcolm Jenkins this offseason indicated the Eagles' preference to utilize more versatile defensive backs who can play multiple positions. Similar to Kyle Fuller, I think Ex is a great candidate to fill that need; if not in Philly, then somewhere similar that can utilize his insane physical abilities. Tone is currently being viewed as a 3rd-5th round Selection.

4. James Gayle

James is suffering from the dreaded "tweener" tag - explosive edge rusher with ideal size and speed, but limited in coverage and below average against the run. Some seem to think he lacks the requisite IQ to breakdown the game on the fly, but most seem to agree that he is a phenomenal read-and-react player. I have to admit, I can't recall seeing James ever turn his hips and run with someone, so his abilities as an OLB in a 3-4 are a total unknown to me. We have seen him close well on the outside, and he was relentless at times in pursuit of helpless QB's and RB's.

His size and athleticism will get him drafted, but what happens next is likely up to the system he enters and his ability to develop. Maybe he is a situational pass rusher early on, but most pundits seem to agree that he is unlikely a long term fit as a DE in a 4-3 defense. I have seen James projected to go as high as the 3rd round and as low as the 7th, so it ought to be a stressful weekend in the Gayle household.

5. Derrick Hopkins

Skip Hopkins may not get drafted, but he will surely be a high priority free agent. His lack of ideal height (5-11) is hurting him, and a big knock seems to be his tendency to play short armed against bigger interior lineman. Regardless, no one is questioning his high motor and ability to create an insane amount of leverage. After the GT game—during which all three television broadcasters were gushing over his ability to disrupt the line of scrimmage—I was convinced he had finally broken through and shown a national audience what he was capable of. Sadly, it seems as though the draft process has reduced those performances and scouts are focusing on whether or not they feel like there is any upward projection. The answer seems to be "minimal," though I'd take the hard nosed, energetic gamer in the trenches any day.

6. Jack Tyler

Jack, like Skip, looks destined to be a priority free agent, and in all honesty, it might be better for him. Jack was an uber productive, tackling machine that always showed up to play. He may not have the speed and change-of-direction of a guy like Luke Kuechly, but he embodies the blue-collar, lunch pail approach to the game. Unfortunately, NFL teams tend to adopt the "Drago" approach: Teams want the guy who can break the smaller underdog RIGHT NOW, because its a win-now league and most coaches don't have the patience to see through the development of the blue-collar linebacker. News flash: Blue-collar always wins! U-S-A! U-S-A!

Is there a place for guys like Jack in today's NFL? I tend to think so, but then again, I think pie is superior to cake and therefore half the population thinks I'm an idiot. Maybe Jack doesn't become an every down starter at middle linebacker, but I would not be surprised if he was a capable back-up and special teams player for a number of years.

What's On Tap?

The NFL is as American as Apple Pie (Note: Not Apple Cake), and therefore, in honor of the NFL Draft my suggestion is to indulge in some American favorites: Bud Heavy, Miller Genuine Draft, or Coors Golden. You might be surprised at how much it actually tastes like beer. You might stop ordering the "Lite" variety at the bar. You might grow a few more hairs on your chest, unless if you are a female in which case please ignore this statement as it is ridiculously unscientific.

My dad and our neighbor used to keep a cooler of Bud Heavy nearby when they would do "man things", like construct a set of stairs (straight and sturdy as far as I could tell) or repair a faulty carburetor (car purred beautifully afterwards). How many carpenters do you know that drink Stella Artois while they rip 2x4's? Exactly. 'Murica.

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Comments

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VT Class of '12 (MSE), MVBone, Go Hokies!

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No, I *don't* want to go to the SEC. Why do you ask?

We don't love dem Hoos.

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"Nope, launch him into the sun and fart on him on the way up"
-gobble gobble chumps

"11-0, bro"
-Hunter Carpenter (probably)

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True Hokies STICK IT IN!!!

STICK IT IN Army of Virginia Tech

Fosterball

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"Our job as coaches is to influence young people's lives for the better in terms of fundamental skills, work ethic, and doing the right thing. Every now and again, a player actually has that effect on the coaching staff." Justin Fuente on Sam Rogers