With the 2014 NFL Draft officially over, it's now time for everybody's second favorite game (behind "How did my team do?") "What Does Next Year Look Like?"
Virginia Tech has 16 Seniors on the roster and another 14 r-Juniors, and from what I can see, 3 Juniors who might be feeling the heat from those behind them and might want to take the jump at their highest point.
The Seniors:
Who should see their name called next...April? May? June? From Bud Lightning(t) Kysheon Jarrett, Detrick Bonner, and Big Lu. From Lefty 2.0...nada
Who might see their name given solid-to-legendary seasons/combines/pro days: Chase Williams (Redskins, anybody?), Willie Byrn, Mark Shuman, Brent Benedict, Caleb Farris, David Wang
Safe to say, no shot: Michael Branthover, Daniel Dyer, Greg Gadell, Laurence Gibson, Mark Leal, Joe St. Germain
The Redshirts:
Should be called: Right now, nobody
Might be called if they declare: Corey Marshall, Dadi Nicolas
Might declare, probably won't get drafted: Demitri Knowles, Ryan Malleck, Darius Redman, Josh Trimble, RVD
Probably won't declare: Michael Brainard, Wade Hansen, Remington Hinshaw, Griffin Hite, Marcus Mapp, Ross Ward
Won't declare if he wins the starting job: Michael Brewer
Juniors:
Might declare, probably won't get drafted: JC Coleman, Desmond Frye, Donovan Riley
Comments
Trey Edmunds, I think, could go should he have a record breaking season ala RMFW. Edmunds can be a decent pass blocker and is a pretty good receiver out of the backfield. If he magically breaks 1500yds I could see him at least testing the waters.
I expect big things from Trey this year but think Williams will get enough carries to where Trey doesn't get that many yards. But, it is realistic to see him possibly playing his way into the draft conversation this season.
1)Trey won't leave even after a 'legendary' season. Look at what Ru has done after his one legendary season at VT.
2)Corey won't declare no matter what. Dadi potentially could with a monster season.
3) I would give Laurence Gibson a better shot than Shuman, Wang or Benedict, simply because the dude is bigger.
4) Maddy could be a 2nd-round pick. Jarrett could go as high as 3rd round with a solid season, but I doubt Bonner gets drafted because of his coverage skills.
Gibson came into spring at 274. The smallest of all of them.
Maybe it's because he and Wang are the only ones I've seen in person and Gibson is a tower compared to Wang.
heh.
heh to this whole post. heheh.
So we've degraded to comparing Wang sizes?
I've only seen Wang once I swear
Guys, guys...we've had a total of two huge Wangs at VT. Anyone would be happy to have just one huge Wang, let alone two. Essentially, we won the big Wang lottery.
Wang.
I don't see Trey having a huge season. Dadi won't declare either even with a monster season. He's a DE in our scheme, but he doesn't have the size at 218 lbs to play that in the league. I could see any of the OL going UDFA but not drafted, certainly not until late day 3.
Given Dadi's speed, I think we should look for him to be a OLB in a 3-4 scheme come draft time. He has the speed and physicality.
Agreed, he has the physical tools to do it. I just don't see a team spending a high draft pick on a guy when they know they'll be switching him to a new position.
No, high draft picks aren't used on those tweeners often, but if he has a strong combine, embraces the role of an OLB, works on his coverage, he could show up between rounds 3 and 5. Still likely that he'd get drafted, even if just at the end. The hardest obstacle in his way is his inexperience. You can get away with playing with reckless abandonment in college, but it won't work in the NFL.
Oh yeah I totally agree he could be in the rounds 3-5 range, but I would think he wouldn't leave early unless he had potential to be in rounds 1 (definitely enter the draft early) or 2 (probably enter the draft early). But round 3 or later sounds like a "get another year under your belt" decision.
Dee Ford was a DE at Auburn and is likely switching to LB in the NFL and was drafted in the first round by the Chiefs.
It also looks like Ford will be sitting behind Tamba Hali for a year learning the new position. Dee Ford also played 2009-2013 at Auburn, so I don't think he entered the draft early.
Yep, he will probably a designated pass rusher this year and then probably start next season.
Yeah but Dee Ford weighs in at 252 lbs while Dadi is still down at 218. He needs to pack on some pounds to lose the tweener tag.
Yeah, obviously Dadi needs to gain a good 20-30 pounds between now and whenever he is ready for the NFL whether that is after next season (unlikely) or after his senior season but if he does Ford is a fair comparison IMO.
At Dadi's weight and speed, he might go from DE at VT to strong safety in the NFL.
Is Safety our defensive equivalent to TE?
I envision him in more of a Devin Hester type role. #Dadi4PuntReturner
Gibson no shot?
I agree. If the others listed have a shot, Gibson definitely needs to be moved up to the has a shot category. Has had a lot more playing time than Shuman and much healthier than Brent Benedict and David Wang.
Though, I also agree with others. Our OL really doesn't have much of a shot to get drafted unless someone absolutely blows up this season and that would still be in the late rounds.
My first thought as well. Not that I give Gibson a high shot at all (too light, not enough "get after ya"), but I'd put him the highest of any of the outbound OL.
Im not expert, but I don't think any of our oline will get drafted next year. Even though they are improving
Jarrett is the only player with NFL size and ability for their respective position. He's the only player that will get drafted...
Unless Dadi plays LB all year, no way he grades above 7th round. Same with Marshall, unless he plays DE and has a monster year, he won't grade well enough to leave early.
That is all.
THE GUYS IN THE BACKGROUND!!!!!!!!!
Two different eras combined, but it's SO FITTING!
...because the U is still not back!
Has anyone informed Heather Dinich of this? If no, maybe they should.