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Alabama OL Barrett Jones

Green Bay Packers NFL Draft prospect profile: OL Barrett Jones

Player Info:

Barrett Jones

6’4”

306 lbs.

Hometown: Germantown, TN

STATS

NFL Combine:

Missed due to lisfranc injury

News and Notes:

Missed NFL Combine due to foot injury, and his draft stock has been impacted.  Won the Rimington Award last season as the nation’s top center. Played all over the offensive line at Alabama under Nick Saban. Won All-SEC Honors at right guard in 2010, and in 2011 moved to blind-side tackle position and was named the SEC’s top offensive lineman and was a consensus All-American.

First Crimson Tide member to win the William V. Campbell Trophy as the nation’s best “scholar-athlete.”

What they’re saying about him:

NFL.com: “Possesses NFL size for an interior player. Solid pass protector whether playing inside or outside, plays with a wide base, mirrors and anchors effectively by keeping his feet moving and extends his arms to stay engaged. Good hip extension in the run game. Very good football and general intelligence. Great awareness of late blitzers and twist stunts, and he gives excellent effort to reach free rushers so his quarterback stays upright.  Read more... (731 words + 1 image, estimated 2:55 mins reading time)

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2013 NFL Draft

Every draft season, I put together a last minute pre-draft post with some predictions and things I’ve heard. In both 2011 and 2012, there were a few gold nuggets in there that came to be;  Derrick Sherrod, Randall Cobb, Casey Hayward, BJ Coleman, trade predictions, etc.

Rather than make you wait until just before the draft, this year I’m going to whet your appetite with some early scuttlebutt.  I’m not going to give you any details at this moment, that will be forthcoming closer to the draft.

Here are some names you should keep in mind:

Eddie Lacy
Le’Veon Bell
Stedman Bailey
Arthur Brown
John Simon
AJ Klein
JJ Wilcox

There are still three weeks to go before the draft. Much can and will change between now and then as teams like the Packers do their final homework on guys they’ve identified as “players of interest.”  But for now, study up on the players above…

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Jersey Al Bracco is the founder and editor of AllGreenBayPackers.com, and the co-founder of Packers Talk Radio Network. He can be heard as one of the Co-Hosts on Cheesehead Radio and is the Green Bay Packers Draft Analyst for Drafttek.com.

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Sammy Brown OLB Houston

Green Bay Packers draft prospect profile: Sammy Brown

Player information:

Sammy Brown, Houston
6’2″, 243 lbs
2011: 93 tackles, 30 TFL, 13.5 sacks
2010: 76 tackles, 19.5 TFL, 7.5 sacks, 2 FF

NFL Combine: (not invited)

Houston Pro Day:

4.64 40-yard dash
7.13 3-cone drill
4.47 20yd shuttle
10’3″ long jump
33 7/8″ arms
9.5″ hands
37″ vertical jump
20 bench press reps

News & Notes:

A JUCO transfer, Brown  led the nation in Tackles for Loss in 2011. He was named 3rd team AP All-American and 1st team All C-USA. One of the few pure 3-4 OLB’s in the draft.

What they’re saying about him:

Wes Bunting (National Football Post): Might be a little on the short side, but looks bigger because of his longer set of arms. Possesses solid girth through his frame and carries his weight well. Plays As an outside backer in Houston’s 34 front and does a nice job as a pass rusher. … A highly productive pass rusher who has come a long way since being a JUCO transfer. Has a feel for getting after the passer, exhibits a good burst and closing speed around the edge and is an intriguing 34-type prospect.

Pro Football Weekly: Fluid-moving, agile athlete capable of bending the edge. Lack of instincts and passive playing temperament could limit chances.
Video:

Video Analysis:  Read more... (365 words + 3 images, estimated 1:28 mins reading time)

• Has a lot to learn, but flashes top-level athleticism.

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Andre Branch, DE/OLB Clemson

Green Bay Packers draft prospect profile: Andre Branch

Player information:

Andre Branch, Clemson
6’4″, 259 lbs
2-sport star in HS as a football tight end/outside linebacker and a basketball power forward.

NFL Combine:

4.70 40-yard dash
4.25 20-yard shuttle
7.19 3-cone drill
10.0′ long jump
32.5″ vertical jump
19 bench press reps
34″ arms
9″ hands

News & Notes:

Branch led the Tigers in sacks (10.5) and tackles for loss (17) in 2011. Played primarily right DE at Clemson, but has the athleticism and measurables to handle the conversion to 3-4OLB.

What they’re saying about him:

Wes Bunting (National Football Post): At 6-4, 259, Branch has the athleticism to stand up. He can bend, turn and burst to get to the passer. He is similar to Whitney Mercilus, except not quite as dynamic. However, instincts could hold him back at OLB, according to one front office man.

Frank Cooney (CBS Sports): Branch is a raw, flashy, long-armed player with great closing speed but still has a long ways to go if he wants to excel in the NFL… Possesses a legitimate blend of explosive speed and power which could result in much improved play with greater technique. Can beat lethargic offensive tackles off the snap with his burst. Good upper body power to stack and shed, as well. Some untapped potential in this area.  Read more... (412 words + 3 images, estimated 1:39 mins reading time)

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Kendall Reyes, DL, Connecticut

Green Bay Packers draft prospect profile: Kendall Reyes

Player information:

Kendall Reyes, Connecticut – UCONN
6’4″, 299 lbs
3-sport Captain in H.S. (football, basketball, track)

NFL Combine:

4.95 40-yard dash
4.53 20-yard shuttle
7.43 3-cone drill
9.42′ long jump
34.5″ vertical jump
36 bench press reps
33.25″ arms
9.5″ hands

News & Notes:

Reyes played in every game and started 42 over four years at UCONN, earning a starting job towards the end of his freshman season. A two-time All-Big East selection, Reyes played mostly DT for the Huskies. Did not accumulate a lot of sacks (11.5) playing inside, but was stout against the run and did consistantly provide inside pressure on the QB. As one would expect, with his height, long arms and vertical jump, he knocked down 10 passes for the Huskies.

What they’re saying about him:

Wes Bunting (National Football Post): Needs to win with his first step as a pass rusher at this stage. Exhibits the burst to threaten gaps and/or cross the face of a blocker and make his way into the backfield. Is a gifted athlete who can stunt inside and exhibits good closing range in space. Gets upright into contact off the ball at times. However, he has the skill set, to rush the passer… Displays some natural talent and did a better job at Senior Bowl playing with a lower pad level. If he can continue to play lower should be able to fight for a starting role in both a 34 or 43 scheme as a three or five technique.  Read more... (532 words + 3 images, estimated 2:08 mins reading time)

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Antonio Allen, SS, South Carolina

Green Bay Packers draft prospect profile: Antonio Allen

Player information:

Antonio Allen, S South Carolina
6’1″, 210 lbs
Played the “spur” position for the Gamecocks, a hybrid SS/LB role. Can you say “Return of Big Oakie?”

NFL Combine:

4.67 40-yard dash
4.25 20-yard shuttle
7.02 3-cone drill
9.83′ long jump
34″ vertical jump
17 bench press reps

News & Notes:

Allen started of 2011 with a bang, recording 16 tackles in South Carolina’s opening game. Allen was named second team ALL-SEC for the 2011 season, finishing with 88 tackles , 3 interceptions, 4 forced fumbles, 3 fumble recoveries, 9.5 tackles for loss and one sack. Played on every special teams unit except field goals.

What they’re saying about him:

Wes Bunting (National Football Post): A tall, top heavy safety prospect… Plays a lot inside the box and when he sees the football showcases an average initial burst, drops his pad level, wraps and creates an explosive pop into contact…   Doesn’t consistently take proper angles toward the ball carrier and lacks the initial closing gear to make up for it. Plays like a 4.6 guy and doesn’t routinely make a ton of plays in pursuit. Struggles to breakdown as well into contact and has a tendency to outrun the football.  Read more... (471 words + 3 images, estimated 1:53 mins reading time)

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Louisiana-Layfayette CB Dwight Bentley

Green Bay Packers draft prospect profile: Dwight Bentley

Player information:

• Dwight Bentley, CB, Louisiana-Layfayette
• 5-foot-10, 182 lbs
• Four-year starter that competes despite being undersized. Looked good in Senior Bowl at at the combine.

NFL Combine:

• 4.43 40-yard dash
• 4.50 20-yard shuttle
• 6.99 3-cone drill
• 9.05′ long jump
• 31.5″ vertical jump
• 13 bench press reps

News & Notes:

Struggles in man coverage. … Lack of size hurts him in run support. … Picked off three passes and returned two for touchdowns his senior year. … Good at making plays on the ball. … lack of size raises questions about durability. … Some project him as a third-rounder, others say he’s a late-round pick for teams looking to stockpile CBs. … Had a chance to guard Oklahoma State’s Justin Blackmon in 2010, but rarely lined up against him even though Blackmon torched a teammate for over 200 yards.

What they’re saying about him:  Read more... (373 words + 1 image, estimated 1:30 mins reading time)

• Matt Bowen (National Football Post): ”An active player that is around the football — and he wants to challenge receivers. Quick with his hands on the initial punch in a press-position and will drive on inside breaking routes with clean cuts from his backpedal. Might not have ideal size outside the numbers.”
• ProFootballWeekly.com: ”Undersized, confident, fluid, finesse corner who consistently held receivers in check and showed well at the Senior Bowl, solidifying his standing. Most comfortable angled to the QB and seeking to pounce, and can play zone or off-man.”

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