5 most risky picks

[romo4prez415]

1. Harvin
The first player mentioned by all five executives, Harvin is the clear-cut favorite in this year’s draft class to find trouble after receiving a giant payday. He was very competitive at Florida, even battling through a broken bone in his foot that was publicly referred to as a sprained ankle, helping the Gators win two national championships the past three years. The mention of character concerns about Harvin drew outrage from ardent supporters of Gator Nation after PFW’s 2009 Draft Guide was released. Nonetheless, one executive said Harvin would have to slip to the fourth round for him to consider rolling the dice on Harvin's character. Two others said they would not entertain the idea of drafting him at any price. Coachability, a posse of hangers-on, his lack of respect for authority and drug usage made Harvin a unanimous selection to become a repeated problem in the pros.

2. Crabtree

Crabtree may not have a laundry list of arrests, but his ego is abnormally large to the point where he repeatedly demeaned training staff, his work ethic has been described as “marginal at best,” and his intelligence and ability to handle success remain major question marks. One thorough evaluator compared Crabtree’s mental makeup to that of former LSU and Buccaneers 2004 15th overall pick Michael Clayton, who made a big splash in the NFL as a rookie before going on to average 31 catches, 378 yards and a half-TD catch each of the past four years as he lost focus, bought into the hype and stopped working at his craft the way young receivers must do to be great. Crabtree's competitiveness noticeably stands out on tape, and he did play through injury last season. However, when the Red Raiders were getting whipped by better competition (Oklahoma and Mississippi) during the final two games of the season, Crabtree did not finish either game. After he gets a taste of success in the pros, evaluators are not confident he will be able to handle the trappings of the pro game.

3. Maualuaga
4. Vonte Davis
5. B.J. Raji

http://www.profootballweekly.com/PFW/NFLDraft/Draft+Extras/2009/wwhi040909.htm

Hate the fact that they throw Nicks and other players as potential problem childs without any sort of reasons. Everything I've read from Butch Davis is that he absolutely loves Nicks and compares the way he approached the game to former Cowboy great Michael Irvin.

Very interesting stuff regarding Crabtree. My cousin goes to TTU and has been telling me for months that his ego is through the roof but so are most pro athletes but it seems like his ego is diva like. I wouldn't touch he or Harvin even though I feel both are terrific players with the ability to be #1 WR's. I'm glad to finally see Kenny Britt not being unfairly labeled as a headache player because of Todd McShay. With all that said Britt remains my top WR.

[BeerBaron]

"One executive said he had positioned Maualuga just far enough down in the first round so that he would not be considered with the team’s first pick, hoping he would be gone by the time the second pick came around."

You know what, if your going to do that, just take him off your damn board. There are certain guys I'd never draft no matter how far they fell....

[vidae]

"One executive said he had positioned Maualuga just far enough down in the first round so that he would not be considered with the team’s first pick, hoping he would be gone by the time the second pick came around."

You know what, if your going to do that, just take him off your damn board. There are certain guys I'd never draft no matter how far they fell....

I have to agree. If you don't want to draft him, don't do it. Take him off your board if you're already hoping he doesn't slide to you. That is kind of stupid.

[superman]

1. Harvin


2. Crabtree



3. Maualuaga
4. Vonte Davis
5. B.J. Raji

http://www.profootballweekly.com/PFW/NFLDraft/Draft+Extras/2009/wwhi040909.htm

Hate the fact that they throw Nicks and other players as potential problem childs without any sort of reasons. Everything I've read from Butch Davis is that he absolutely loves Nicks and compares the way he approached the game to former Cowboy great Michael Irvin.

Very interesting stuff regarding Crabtree. My cousin goes to TTU and has been telling me for months that his ego is through the roof but so are most pro athletes but it seems like his ego is diva like. I wouldn't touch he or Harvin even though I feel both are terrific players with the ability to be #1 WR's. I'm glad to finally see Kenny Britt not being unfairly labeled as a headache player because of Todd McShay. With all that said Britt remains my top WR.

prob bc of nicks proday shape

[ThePudge]

prob bc of nicks proday shape

That and he has an attitude that rubs some the wrong way. Not at all a red flag, but he has been noted a player who has the attitude that he thinks he's a bit better than he is. Still, to me, that's not a negative. Nolan Nawrocki will typically throw the character red flag if a player misses curfew in a high school state playoff game.

[superman]

i still can't figure out how he gained that much even without working out

like has there been an explanation yet?

[BeerBaron]

That and he has an attitude that rubs some the wrong way. Not at all a red flag, but he has been noted a player who has the attitude that he thinks he's a bit better than he is. Still, to me, that's not a negative. Nolan Nawrocki will typically throw the character red flag if a player misses curfew in a high school state playoff game.

Hey Pudge...you do know your sig says 2008 NFL draft right? It's been bugging me....

i still can't figure out how he gained that much even without working out

like has there been an explanation yet?

It wasn't that he wasn't working out.....it was because he wasn't working out but didn't adjust his diet accordingly. He was probably still eating the mad calories needed when your trying to pack on muscle but wasn't doing anything to burn them...

[superman]

i'd red flag for not realizing that

[ThePudge]

Hey Pudge...you do know your sig says 2008 NFL draft right? It's been bugging me....

haha I know, I've been trying to play it off. The sig wasn't made by me, and I'm not all too picky. It's a nice looking sig so I decided to never get a new one. May be requesting one in the thread in the coming weeks.

[Halsey]

NFL teams may be more sensitive to WR's with character questions than ever. Trouble shouldn't be associatted with a position, but it's hard not to notice how many WR's have gotten into trouble this offseason.

[Monomach]

It wasn't that he wasn't working out.....it was because he wasn't working out but didn't adjust his diet accordingly. He was probably still eating the mad calories needed when your trying to pack on muscle but wasn't doing anything to burn them...

Yes, this. A lot of guys trying to pack on the weight right before the draft are eating 6000 calories or more each day. Keep doing that while you're sidelined by a bad hammy or whatever and you're going to get pudgy quick.

[BeerBaron]

Yes, this. A lot of guys trying to pack on the weight right before the draft are eating 6000 calories or more each day. Keep doing that while you're sidelined by a bad hammy or whatever and you're going to get pudgy quick.

Hence the 15-20 pound weight gain. Was probably pretty easy to lose though once he did go back to working out....it just raises a red flag with me because he wasn't smart enough to adjust his diet to not working out.

[Thumper]

Wait, why is B.J. Raji on your list of risky picks?

[Halsey]

Wait, why is B.J. Raji on your list of risky picks?

Seriously. What's the risk in investing millions for a fat guy with a history that includes testing positive for marijuana, being declared academically ineligible for a year, and being ejected from a game for throwing a punch. Besides, DT's rarely ever bust.

[JF4]

Terrible list. Where are guys like Aaron Maybin, Everette Brown, Heyward-Bay, and maybe Freeman too.

[Yatta!]

Personally I think Maybin and Michael Johnson need to be on that list, probably above Maualuga and Raji.

[Thumper]

Seriously. What's the risk in investing millions for a fat guy with a history that includes testing positive for marijuana, being declared academically ineligible for a year, and being ejected from a game for throwing a punch. Besides, DT's rarely ever bust.

Jeez you mean kids in college don't lose focus and smoke? Wow, that is news to me. Oh and DT isn't exactly a spot where you use your intelligence a whole lot. Weed didn't affect Warren Sapp much. Didn't seem to matter in Aqib Talib's case either because he still went round 1. College kids smoking weed, who would'a thunk it? Not risky.

A fat guy? Plenty of teams have invested a pick in a fat guy before. Why would that change? Look at all the tackles taken in round 1 before like Casey Hampton, Vince Wilfork, Haloti Ngata, Marcus Tubbs, Jimmy Kennedy, John Henderson, Albert Haynesworth, Gerard Warren and Ryan Pickett. Being 315+ pounds didn't stop them (Only one is less than 320). Look at guys who had weight issues like Shawn Andrews he went round one. Being 'fat' is bad but it really doesn't matter all that much at DT if you're 'fat'. Not risky.

Punching a guy? Highly doubt that matters. I would want my DT to play with a mean streak. After all a DT who stomped on someone's face just got signed to a 100 million dollar contract so it must not matter that much. Not risky.

Raji is far from risky. He is a big strong NT with the quickness of a UT. IMO he is a pretty safe guy because he has loads of talent and whatever team gets him will be lucky, because guys with Raji's talent don't just grow on trees.

[RaiderNation]

How is Andre Smith not on that list

[Somse]

How is Andre Smith not on that list

Has he ever been anything less than dominate on the field? He's been the best offensive tackle in his class since high school.

Still a lock for the top 10 and it would not surprise me at all if he was the best lineman from this draft.

[nepg]

Ya, Andre Smith was great v. Utah...

He's not a lock for the Top 10 by any stretch.
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[BaLLiN]

Has he ever been anything less than dominate on the field? He's been the best offensive tackle in his class since high school.

Still a lock for the top 10 and it would not surprise me at all if he was the best lineman from this draft.

your wrong, talent-wise your right, but he does not have it mentally and the mental part is half the game. He doesnt seem like he cares due to his little fiasco at the NFLSC, he is not a lock for the top 10 for that reason.

[Iamcanadian]

I think anybody who gets picked in the top 5 this draft year will be a candidate to bust except Curry. None of them carries any kind of talent level that assures teams they don't have to worry.

Stafford, not nearly the prospect that Ryan was, not even close and is a high risk pick.

Jason Smith - is totally raw as a run blocker since he didn't have to learn to do it at Baylor and is no better than the 3rd ranked pass protector in the draft and he is physically maxed out and won't be able to get any bigger. So why will he go so high, because teams like his work ethic and he has a real mean streak and is tough as nails. In a normal draft year, he never sees the top 5.

Monroe, Smooth pass blocker and would likely be drafted ahead of Smith but has questionable knees according to Casserly.

Crabtree has a huge question mark about his speed which won't be answered prior to the draft and is recovering from surgery.

Curry, a top 5 athlete but is best suited to be a SLB in a 4-3 and SLBers aren't impact players at the next level and again in a normal draft year, he wouldn't see the top 5. However, he is unlikely to bust.

The 6-10 group isn't much better, in fact we could see a lot of busts in round 1 this year, that is how bad this draft year is.

[superman]

your wrong, talent-wise your right, but he does not have it mentally and the mental part is half the game. He doesnt seem like he cares due to his little fiasco at the NFLSC, he is not a lock for the top 10 for that reason.

uh oh that roscoe guy will be in here soon

[wicket]

I think anybody who gets picked in the top 5 this draft year will be a candidate to bust except Curry. None of them carries any kind of talent level that assures teams they don't have to worry.

Stafford, not nearly the prospect that Ryan was, not even close and is a high risk pick.
this is just wrong. He has a way better arm than ryan has. played behind a worse offensive line than ryan in a better conference and still put up good numbers. besides that he has some of the best mechanics in any draft ever.

Jason Smith - is totally raw as a run blocker since he didn't have to learn to do it at Baylor and is no better than the 3rd ranked pass protector in the draft and he is physically maxed out and won't be able to get any bigger. So why will he go so high, because teams like his work ethic and he has a real mean streak and is tough as nails. In a normal draft year, he never sees the top 5.
he is a top 5 pick, he is supposed to be almost maxed out. He has all the pass blocking skills you could ask for and the only reason he might not be the best is because this year OT grouping is sick.

Monroe, Smooth pass blocker and would likely be drafted ahead of Smith but has questionable knees according to Casserly.
remember branden albert. this guy made sure he played guard in college. He is THAT GOOD

Crabtree has a huge question mark about his speed which won't be answered prior to the draft and is recovering from surgery.
Ever seen him play, he is quick enough to make plenty of plays. straight line speed is overrated

Curry, a top 5 athlete but is best suited to be a SLB in a 4-3 and SLBers aren't impact players at the next level and again in a normal draft year, he wouldn't see the top 5. However, he is unlikely to bust.

The 6-10 group isn't much better, in fact we could see a lot of busts in round 1 this year, that is how bad this draft year is.

I'm not saying it is a special draft but every year people are whining about that it is a weak draft the last few months before the draft and it gets old. surely like every draft class this class has its holes.
- no premier cornerback talent
- no high profile senior qb's
- little quality on DT
- mediocre ends

But so did last years class
- only 1 legit first round qb and he wasnt even worth a top 5 pick
- little to no interior line quality
- lack of quality linebackers
- no premier wide receivers

when you get enough exposure everybody has their flaws. that doesnt make them bad prospects, that just means there is something to be factored into the equation

[nepg]

2008 had a lot of QBs who had high potential as starters. This draft has 2 of those (Stafford & Sanchez), 1 project (Freeman), and one possible (Bomar).

Stafford is not anywhere near Matt Ryan as a prospect. Ryan might have been the most ready-to-start QB in the history of the draft. The kid was pure gold mentally, had prototypical size, moved well in and out of the pocket, had great feet, great mechanics, had a ton of experience, and an upper-level NFL arm. His only knocks were a result of the receiving targets he was given in college.
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[FlyingElvis]

Articles like this one seem so subjective. Why bother? Lost of guys can make the list depending on how you define it, but really there are only a few guys each year that are truly risky. See Moss, Randy, and he still went in the first.

It's such a joke b/c talent gets picked. Teams only seem to pass on the guys that are clearly complete tools, but even then it's usually only a 1/2 round slide.
your wrong, talent-wise your right, but he does not have it mentally and the mental part is half the game. He doesnt seem like he cares due to his little fiasco at the NFLSC, he is not a lock for the top 10 for that reason.

"90 percent of the game is half mental."

[romo4prez415]

The Stafford lovefest is getting pretty ridiculous if people actually believe he's a better prospect than Matt Ryan. He has a bigger arm than Ryan and thats it. I agree with canadian that i'm not sold on Smith. IMO the best player in this draft is Curry followed by Monroe.

[farfromforgotten]

2008 had a lot of QBs who had high potential as starters. This draft has 2 of those (Stafford & Sanchez), 1 project (Freeman), and one possible (Bomar).

Stafford is not anywhere near Matt Ryan as a prospect. Ryan might have been the most ready-to-start QB in the history of the draft. The kid was pure gold mentally, had prototypical size, moved well in and out of the pocket, had great feet, great mechanics, had a ton of experience, and an upper-level NFL arm. His only knocks were a result of the receiving targets he was given in college.

This stuff about Ryan is ridiculous. Wow. Doesnt take long for people to jump on the bandwagon.

"most ready-to-start QB in the history of the draft" - Really? How come it didnt seem that way with very many "experts" this time last year? I dont remember ever hearing something like that. In fact, I remember hearing a lot of the same talk we are hearing about Stafford at the top of the draft this year. Hmm... could it be that it is just a team that needs a QB willing to take a chance on the top prospect every year and hoping for the best? Probably so.

I'm a bigger fan of Staffords than I was of Ryans at this point last year. To say that Stafford is in no way close to Ryan in terms of potential is absolutely ridiculous, IMO.

"2008 had a lot of QBs who had high potential as starters."

You'll have to remind me who this "lot" was again, unless I was examining a different draft class - I dont remember "a lot" of QBs who I thought would have starting potential from last years draft.

[farfromforgotten]

The Stafford lovefest is getting pretty ridiculous if people actually believe he's a better prospect than Matt Ryan. He has a bigger arm than Ryan and thats it. I agree with canadian that i'm not sold on Smith. IMO the best player in this draft is Curry followed by Monroe.

The Ryan lovefest is getting pretty ridiculous if people actually believe he was that much better of a prospect than what Matthew Stafford is.

[wicket]

The Ryan lovefest is getting pretty ridiculous if people actually believe he was that much better of a prospect than what Matthew Stafford is.

I agree with this. As prospect the comparison between Ryan and Stafford isnt even that close. It is great that Ryan worked out and he played sick for a rookie but he was by no means a really special prospect for the first qb taken in a draft. Stafford on the other hand has the special arm, good athleticism for his size and all the right sorts of experience (playing time, good conference, playing behind bad OLine, Pro Style offense and pressure on him).
Ryan had a way bigger history of bad decision-making, less impressive competition and a quite good offensive line. He also is way less athletic, has a adequate arm but nothing special and didnt show great pocket presence in college. Not saying he was a bad prospect but people are just talking after the facts here. It kinda feels like saying that tom brady was a great prospect. He just wasnt, he worked out and that is great but from a pure prospect standpoint he was nothing special coming into the draft.
(and no i do by no means try to subtily imply that Ryan will be the player brady is, it was just a comparison of situation in the form of a hyperbole)

exits soapbox

[Halsey]

People can play revisionist history with QB prospects all they want. Stafford's going to be the #1 pick in the Draft and in no realistic scenario will he fall far if he isn't. Debating Stafford vs Ryan means a whole lot of nothing at this point. Most of the same people nitpicking Stafford were probably calling Ryan and Flacco reaches after least year's Draft.

[Monomach]

Terrible list. Where are guys like Aaron Maybin, Everette Brown, Heyward-Bay, and maybe Freeman too.

The list is all potential high-round character busts. Otherwise, I'm sure some of those guys you named would be on it.

In fact, the first thought I had after reading it was "where's Freeman?" I had to look again to catch it.

I admit that I have no idea what character issue Brandon Tate had.

[gpngc]

but his ego is abnormally large

I wonder why?

Maybe because his talent is abnormal and his production is abnormally large.

[Babylon]

2008 had a lot of QBs who had high potential as starters. This draft has 2 of those (Stafford & Sanchez), 1 project (Freeman), and one possible (Bomar).

Stafford is not anywhere near Matt Ryan as a prospect. Ryan might have been the most ready-to-start QB in the history of the draft. The kid was pure gold mentally, had prototypical size, moved well in and out of the pocket, had great feet, great mechanics, had a ton of experience, and an upper-level NFL arm. His only knocks were a result of the receiving targets he was given in college.

You pretty much described Matt Stafford, only with a stronger arm and a better offensive line at BC. Thanks for making my point before i had to.

[romo4prez415]

You pretty much described Matt Stafford, only with a stronger arm and a better offensive line at BC. Thanks for making my point before i had to.

So are you saying Stafford will be a better pro than Matt Ryan?

[BandwagonPunditry]

"2008 had a lot of QBs who had high potential as starters."

You'll have to remind me who this "lot" was again, unless I was examining a different draft class - I dont remember "a lot" of QBs who I thought would have starting potential from last years draft.

Too right...

[Babylon]

So are you saying Stafford will be a better pro than Matt Ryan?

We'll measure that in Superbowls down the road. Trying to compare Ryan before last years draft to Stafford before this years.

[TACKLE]

They list is dumb. I don't understand why everybody is so scared of Harvin. If I'm a coach/GM I want a guy who is a bit cocky and believes in himself as long as he willing to back it up with hard work. I understand that this "risky pick list" is based more on off-field issues than on field but there are some guys who have much bigger questions on the field.

[Job]

To everyone wondering why some players like Raji are on the list and not guys like Andre Smith : Read the damn link. The title of the thread happens to be incredibly misleading. PFW polled five high-level league executives, asking them to rank five players with suspect track records — (listed alphabetically) Texas Tech WR Michael Crabtree, Illinois CB Vontae Davis, Florida WR Percy Harvin, USC ILB Rey Maualuga and Boston College DT B.J. Raji — in the order in which character is most likely to be a negative factor in the pros. All participants were granted anonymity in exchange for honesty.

No point in saying this is a terrible list for not including X player, or because Raji is the "5th most risky pick".

[Thumper]

sorry we're not as smart as you are...

[Job]

I could do that, of course, if I had started this thread...

[phlysac]

It's always important to read the article quoted. It tends to always bring more clarity. Then it's obvious that the article is about 5 players with character concerns whom were ranked alphabetically.