Brandt Releases Hot 100, Brockers No. 14

[Midswat]

Posted by jellis at 4/9/2012 10:10 AM CDT on dallascowboys.com

The IBM supercomputer is heating up. Former Cowboys player personnel chief Gil Brandt, now with NFL.com, has released the latest Hot 100 list, his personal ranking of the draft's best prospects.

The rankings are not intended to suggest what slot players might fall to, but considering the sources Brandt has developed in almost 60 years around the league, his list is probably a nice mash-up of how teams view this year's talent, top to bottom.

Of course the Cowboys own the No. 14 overall pick. A couple of the players Brandt has ranked ahead of that selection could still be on the board when they come on the clock, including defensive end Quinton Coples (No. 4) running back Trent Richardson (No. 5), linebacker Luke Kuechly (No. 9), cornerback Dre Kirkpatrick (No. 11) and wide receiver Michael Floyd (No. 12).

As for the 14th best player in the draft, per Brandt, it's LSU defensive lineman Michael Brockers, who has been seen as a possibility for the Cowboys in some mock drafts.

"Brockers has a big frame with very good upper-body strength, although he has not played a lot of football," Brandt writes. "He's about a year away from reaching his full potential as a defensive lineman. This is a very big man."

If this read of the top talent is correct, the Cowboys will have plenty of attractive options available.

David DeCastro, Courtney Upshaw, Dontari Poe, Janoris Jenkins, Mark Barron and Fletcher Cox all rank between 15 and 20 on Brandt's list.

http://www.nfl.com/draft/story/0900...nt-as-pro-days-wrap-up?module=HP11_hot_topics

 

[Midswat]

14. Michael Brockers, DT, LSU (21)
Brockers has a big frame with very good upper-body strength, although he has not played a lot of football. He's about a year away from reaching his full potential as a defensive lineman. This is a very big man.

15. David DeCastro, OG, Stanford (14)
DeCastro is the prototypical lineman at 6-5 and 316 pounds. He did 34 reps on the bench press. He can pull, lead and is also good in pass protection. DeCastro's similar to Steve Hutchinson, who has made more Pro Bowls than anyone else in his 2001 draft class.

16. Courtney Upshaw, DE/OLB, Alabama (17)
Upshaw ran a 4.74 at 279 pounds. I think his best position is defensive end, and I don't think he has enough ability to play linebacker in the NFL.

17. Dontari Poe, DT, Memphis (13)
Prior to the combine, he was 51st on this list. He's a big boy, but did 44 bench reps and ran under 5.0 in the 40. He played better at the end of last season. He doesn't seem to play hard on every down, but that might be because he doesn't have that good of recognition. This is a take-a-chance player -- he could be great or he could end up like Albert Haynesworth.

19. Mark Barron, S, Alabama (26)
Barron had a really good pro day. He's very smart and gets people lined up in place on defense. He ran a 4.54, but wasn't completely healthy. He has excellent ball skills and will tackle.

20. Fletcher Cox, DT, Mississippi State (25)
I probably should rate him higher (and might do so when I file my final Hot 100 during draft week). He's a good inside player and goes hard every down. He'll be a very steady NFL player.

21. Cordy Glenn, OL, Georgia (23)
Glenn is a very versatile player who can play three positions if needed: tackle, guard or center. Plus, Georgia players seem to perform better in the NFL than what they show in Athens.

 

[Theebs]

I heard russ linde from the sporting news on nfl radio this morning and he said poe is going to be a bust and from talking to scouts and directors he should be a 3rd round player.

also said that nick perry is climbing faster than anyone else among teams.

 

[superpunk]

17. Dontari Poe, DT, Memphis (13)
Prior to the combine, he was 51st on this list. He's a big boy, but did 44 bench reps and ran under 5.0 in the 40. He played better at the end of last season. He doesn't seem to play hard on every down, but that might be because he doesn't have that good of recognition. This is a take-a-chance player -- he could be great or he could end up like Albert Haynesworth.

DPOY?