Time For Some NFL Draft!

A late christmas gift is in order, time for some NFL Draft talk! We've tagged five-players to watch out for in the coming months and five players who we hope fall to our favorite teams!

Let's Get After It . . .

Da'Rick Rogers, WR Tennessee Tech Why not start off with a gamble? That's what Da'Rick Rogers is. He's got a ton of talent and before getting dismissed from Knoxville, he'd already recorded at least one season of 1,000+ yards and over 60 receptions. Why was he not a member of the Tennessee Volunteer football team in 2012? Off-the-field issues, specifically a failed drug test.

So, Rogers has maturity issues, who doesn't? After transferring to Tennessee Tech, Rogers completed another quality season, just 110 yards shy of 1,000 and 10-touchdowns. Rogers is a super physical receiver who can go up and make plays at the balls highest point, but not only that, he puts straight fear into defensive backs with his ability to get seperation and make big plays. Rogers is the type of player who gets passed on in the early rounds based on scouts perception of him as a person, despite how terrific he can be. If teams such as Seattle, Miami, and Houston are looking for a wide receiver to instantly improve their passing game and stretch the field, Rogers might just be the guy they can get for cheap. We're all in with Da'Rick Rogers while the rest of the NFL might have their eyes focused on other wide receivers who didn't get booted off the Volunteer football team.

Teams Targeting; Miami Dolphins, Seattle Seahawks, Houston Texans

Barrett Jones, OL Alabama The Alabama offensive lineman is about as versatile as a 'big-ugly' can get. A four-year starter in Tuscaloosa, Jones has started in all three-positions on the offensive line. His first two as a guard, his third-season as an award-winning tackle (Outland Trophy - Nation's Top Tackle), and this past season as an award-winning center (Rimington Trophy - Nation's Top Center), what's next, quarterback? His

blocking ability and amazing head of hair isn't all we have to be impressed by, in 2012 Barrett Jones took home The Campbell Trophy as well, given to the college football player who bests displays excellence in not only football, but academics and community service, the first Crimson Tide player to ever receive this honor. Over his career, Jones has blocked for a Heisman Trophy winner in Mark Ingram, a Doak Walker winner in Trent Richardson, and been a major part in two National Championship teams. He has become a 'three-page' resume guy, and at the next level will most likely play center, a position in the NFL that requires intelligence first amongst other key attributes. Unlike some other top offensive lineman selected in recent years, Jones isn't brute strength and unfinished talent, he's a technician on the offensive line who has fantastic footwork and hands.

Teams Targeting; Philadelphia Eagles, Arizona Cardinals

Johnthan Banks, DB Mississippi State Following in the footsteps of other dominating SEC defensive backs of recent years, Eric Berry, Patrick Peterson, and Morris Claiborne, Johnthan Banks became the fourth consecutive defensive back from the SEC to win the Jim Thorpe Award, given to the nations best defensive back, and rightfully so. Throughout four seasons in Starkville, Banks has become the best cover corner in college football. He may not come with as much hype as Claiborne & Peterson but then again, that hype is reserved for the 'Bayou Bengals.

Don't let the Associated Press fool you, Alabama's DeMarcus Milliner and Oregon State's Jordan Poyer have no business being on the AP's 1st Team All-American list, not when Johnthan Banks is left on the second team, that's for sure. Banks is an outstanding defensive player in both the pass and run game. He can cover receivers of all sizes at 6'2", and has an extraordinary nose for finding the football all over the field. His staggering numbers as a junior in 2011 took a hit this past season, but like most senior defensive backs in the SEC, the Bulldogs opponents knew to stay away from the dangerous Banks. Playing through injury the second half of the season held Johnthan Banks back, and possibly could be the reason why he was held off the AP All American 1st-team, but for our money, Banks is 'the guy' that should garner draft day anticipation like Claiborne did this past year from Dallas. We go back to Banks' freshman season when he and the Bulldogs gave the #1 Florida Gators, headed by All-World college football mega-star Tim Tebow, a mighty scare. Banks recorded two pick-6's and the Gators were lucky to leave Davis-Wade with a win.

Teams Targeting; Tennessee Titans, Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Alec Olgetree, LB Georgia Despite spending a significant time in 2011 laid up with a broken foot, Ogletree was still a monster on the Georgia defense over the last three seasons. The 6'3" Ogltree is a converted defensive back with a ton of that SEC speed to go sideline-to-sideline. After watching film on Ogltree, it became extremely clear why he was able to make plays like he did during the

SEC Championship game against a tough Alabama team, he's incredibly patient and skilled. Olgetree had an exceptional campagin in 2012 while being in the shadow of the AP SEC Defensive Player of the Year, teammate Jarvis Jones. Converted into a linebacker, he still uses his defensive back instinct allow him to read a quarterback and sit on pass routes over the middle, even dropping back in coverage. Ogletree has played outstanding on several big stages, whether it was the previously mentioned SEC Championship or his performance in last seasons Outback Bowl against Michigan State. Ogletree could help really improve several teams at inside linebacker at the next level.

Teams Targeting; New York Giants, Cleveland Browns

Joseph Randle, RB Oklahoma State Have you watched The Pokes play at all over the last two seasons? We have. Believe me, after watching two games in Stillwater, you will have asked the guy next to you at least three or four times who

#1 was. The answer you'll get every time, "You must be talking about Joe Randle." Not only does Randle have explosive 'Big 12' speed, speed good enough to turn a 15-yard gain into pay dirt, but Joe Randle is also our favorite blocking running back; see his performance vs. Texas back in September. Randle is also terrific out of the backfield in the passing game, giving him that second elite skill to be successful in the NFL. In eight of his twelve games during his junior season at Oklahoma State, Randle ripped off more than 100+ yards en route to his second straight 1,000-yard season. We'd love to see Randle involved in a time-share situation in a place like Cincinnati with some quality young talent around him like A.J. Green and Andy Dalton.


Teams Targeting; Detriot Lions, Cincinnati Bengals, Atlanta Falcons

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