Interview with Joe Everett of Rookiedraft.com

1. Do you think any teams will pull off a Julio Jones type trade and move up in the draft? Could it be the Niners after their FA signings?
Well, the obvious answer here is that the Redskins already made the "Julio Jones" deal but I wouldn't put it past a team like the Dolphins to move up in the draft to ensure they can get their hands on quarterback Ryan Tannehill. He's a very intriguing player in the Top-10 because the Dolphins will have great interest, as will the Kansas City Chiefs. As far as a team giving up five draft picks that include two first rounders and a second rounder, I just don't see it happening on draft day.

2. Which team’s playoffs hopes for this year are the most dependent on a good draft?
The San Diego Chargers. After losing Vincent Jackson in free agency and watching their once great offensive line deteriorate over the past two years, they are on the verge of missing the playoffs again in a division they used to dominate. The Denver Broncos made a power move to control the AFC West with their acquisition of Peyton Manning and while the Chargers may have added Robert Meachem, their lack of a true number one receiver is a huge area of concern. They need to add a pass rushing presence, a potential number one wide receiver and additional help along the offensive line or it may be the end of the road for Norv Turner in San Diego.

3. How do you evaluate tweener 3-4 OLB/4-3 DE prospects? What traits do you look for in a player to judge which system would fit them best?
While there are a lot of similar qualities and skill sets that both the standup pass rushing OLB in a 3-4 and a hand in the dirt base end in a 4-3 possess, a few finer points separate the players and make them better fits for a given scheme. 4-3 Defensive End: This player should possess the ability to stack and shed, disengaging from blockers to make plays in both the pass and the run. More often than not, a 4-3 defensive end will be asked to do a lot more in run support and will more than likely always wind up in a three or four point stance. The 4-3 end also has a thicker base and trunk as far as their frame is concerned, usually giving the player a better chance to maintain the point of attack against the run. 3-4 Outside Linebacker: This player is a classic hybrid that should possess knowledge of a number of different positions to go along with the athletic ability and skill set to carry out the great many tasks that will be asked of him. While some 3-4 OLBs might be pass rushing specialists, most have a number of responsibilities on the field dependent on the scheme and coordinator. The stand up pass rusher has to be a more fluid athlete with the ability to not only turn his hips and drop back into coverage but also possess enough core strength to stack up against the run and bull rush opposing tackles.

4. Do you think Trent Richardson will be the next Adrian Peterson, or will the knee injuries he has had limit him?
While these two are different players, Richardson has similar explosion and tackle breaking ability but I don't think he possesses the straight line speed that Peterson had coming out of Oklahoma. Regardless of that he can have a very similar impact on his NFL team because of his terrific athleticism, great vision and phenomenal strength. Trent Richardson's most recent knee surgery was a minor scope and his only other knee injury during his Alabama career was a sprain in 2010 that caused him to miss two games. The most significant injury of his career was a foot injury that caused him to miss his entire sophomore season but outside of that, he's got a fairly clean bill of health and Richardson should be considered less of a health concern than Peterson was when he entered the draft.

5. Would you draft Ryan Tannehill with a first round pick or do you think he is over rated?
I would definitely draft Tannehill with a first round pick but I would not take him in the Top-10 where he's most likely going to fall on Day One of the NFL Draft. The QB position is consistently pushed up to the top of the draft each and every year with this year an almost certainty to be no different, as both the Cleveland Browns and the Miami Dolphins have picks within the first eight selections. Tannehill has a ton of upside and presence as a potential signal caller with his athleticism and ability to make a number of different throws but he might be a year away from being ready to take charge under center. There's certainly a lot to work with in Tannehill but it will take exactly that, a lot of work to polish this former wideout into a franchise passer. I'd rather take a player that will need a year in the 20-40 range, as opposed to the Top-10 picks.

6. Do you think any of the "combine warriors" i.e. Dontari Poe and Stephen Hill, will have a highly successful career?
There's always a chance with every player and with many, it will rely heavily on exactly what team they land and exactly what kind of coaching they'll be getting. I'm sure you could picture drastically different outcomes for Stephen Hill if he got drafted by the Patriots as opposed to the Jets but in Hill's case, I think he's very dependent on where he ends up because he is a "Workout Warrior" that has limitations as a route runner. There is a ton of potential with Hill's athleticism so his upside remains high but there are no guarantees for Hill being a great pro. In Dontari Poe's case, I could see him winding up in the right situation and taking advantage of his great physical tools in an even front where his strength, pass rushing ability and versatility would be welcomed.

7. Cleveland have said they're willing to trade down but probably no further than the 8th pick, I think the Rams, Jaguars and Dolphins could all be interested in making the deal. Which team do you think will make the deal?
Well, my last Mock Draft has the Dolphins trading up with the Browns to acquire Ryan Tannehill and remaining in the Top-10 is the most likely scenario is exactly where the Browns could have value fall directly in their lap with guys like Michael Brockers, Fletcher Cox and Quinton Coples all potentially looming there. The history of Tom Heckert/Mike Holmgren wheeling and dealing during the draft is too much to ignore so trading down would not surprise me but trading outside of the Top-10 certainly would.

8. How much does Brandon Weeden's age truly affect his draft prospects?
The fact that Brandon Weeden will be a 28 year old rookie is the reason that I foresee him ultimately being drafted in the second round. Brandon Weeden might have a chance to fit into the Top-10 this year if he were the same player, from the same system but happened to be only 22 years old. Each pick on an NFL team's board is a basic investment or stock that they hope will flourish while under their possession and the fact that he'll be 32 by the time he's up for his second contract is a huge knock on the potential return on their investment.

9. Is Kellen Moore worth a late round pick? Who is best placed to give him a shot either via the draft or as a UDFA?
Moore was such a successful passer at the collegiate level but his physical limitations could potentially keep him from being drafted at all. I think a team should take a chance on him in the last round because he does have backup potential in the right system. A team that has a franchise passer in place that is more of a cerebral player Moore could learn from initially would make the most sense like the Saints or Rams.

10. Which late round sleepers do you have your eye on?
WR Dale Moss, South Dakota State - Moss only played one year of college football after starring for the South Dakota State basketball team, leading them shot blocks as well as rebounds. Moss has jaw dropping athleticism w/ a 41.5-inch vertical leap, a 10'10" broad jump and a 6.32 three-cone drill that would have been tops at the NFL combine. Moss has terrific ball skills and has an imposing frame, checking in at 6'3⅜" 220 pounds at his pro day. While some teams will pass on him due to his lack of experience and game tape, Moss has playmaker written all over him due to his explosiveness out of his stance, his ability to out-jump defenders and his natural boxing out skills that should allow him to be a difference maker in an NFL offense.

OL Joe Long, Wayne State - There's a lot to work with here in Long who is in fact the younger brother of Dolphins' Left Tackle Jake Long. Long is the 2011 Gene Upshaw Division II Lineman of the Year after another year of blowing open holes for a 1,000 yard rusher. Long has been getting it done since back in 2009 when he helped clear lanes for Harlon Hill Trophy Winner Joique Bell. Long set the school record for consecutive and career starts with 49 and helped WSU rush for 9,808 yards in those 49 contests. While Joe Long may not be a starting level left tackle at the pro level, he certainly has a ton of potential and at worst he can kick inside and be a power man run blocking force at guard. He will definitely get looks in the later rounds.

DE Adrian Hamilton, Prairie View A&M - Adrian Hamilton originally signed with Oklahoma State but withdrew their scholarship before his freshman season, which forced him to walk-on at Texas Tech. After Tech could not offer him a scholarship and he could not afford tuition, he decided to attend community college and save some money while keeping his eligibility. Hamilton finally landed at Prairie View and turned into a defensive force once finally on the field full-time. Adrian Hamilton won the 2011 SWAC Defensive Player of the Year after racking up 20.5 sacks this last season and has really put himself on the map for teams running a 3-4 defense looking for that relentless high motor pass-rusher.


11. What do you think of Cliff Harris? Do you see him living up to anything close to the potential he showed a couple of years ago?
I have him rated as an undraftable prospect at this point after his terrible junior season, his off-field incidents, his lackluster combine and the rumors that his interviews at the combine were horrific. On the field, he showed some real promise in 2010 but his poor decisions off the field and lackluster performance on it in 2011 should cause him to be a 7th round selection at best.

12. Do you think that LaMichael James has the ability to become a Darren Sproles-type back?
I think the real question is which NFL team is going to give him that opportunity and exactly what kind of role he can live up to when he gets there. Will he a Darren Sproles-type, capable of blowing up games on special teams and in the passing games, or is Dexter McCluster? Only time will tell there but one thing is for certain, James does have top end speed and possesses the necessary vision to make defenders miss in the open field as well as the running instincts to be productive on the ground and after the catch. James needs to land on a pass happy team looking for a situational back but he doesn't have the background of kick/punt returning that Sproles had coming out. All in all, there is a ton of potential for James in the right backfield but I don't think he's a Darren Sproles type of player because there are only so few Saints-type offenses in the league.

13. Who do you think the Patriots should take in the draft? And who would help make them the favorites for the SuperBowl?
The combination of Tom Brady and Bill Belichick should make the Patriots the favorite to win the Super Bowl every year but as far as the needs in New England, the safety position and the cornerback spot are the most glaring weaknesses. They could also use more help on the defensive line on the edges and at wide receiver opposite Wes Welker. Ultimately, fixing the holes on defense would be the most logical selection and if Safety Mark Barron is still on the board the Patriots may well sprint towards the podium with their card. Barron is hands down the best safety in this class and even though he is recovering from double hernia surgery, his potential to be an elite center-fielder in the mold of an Ed Reed would be ideal for the Patriots troublesome secondary.

14. What do you make of Russell Wilson? I think he's much better than people give him credit for and people care about his height too much, he played behind a Wisconsin O-line after all, do you think he can make it in the NFL?
I think Wilson has a great shot at being a very serviceable backup in the league. He has great intangibles, terrific athleticism and his arm strength is more than adequate. He can make plays that some other quarterbacks simply cannot make with his mobility and ability to throw on the run but his leadership qualities are another very appealing aspect of Russell that leads me to believe a team will take a shot on him in the mid-rounds regardless of his lack of height or size.

15. Whose draft stock is being hurt the most by off the field issues and where could they be taken without the problems?
Janoris Jenkins is hands down the best cornerback prospect in this year's draft class and could have been the first cornerback selected were it not for two arrest for marijuana possession in January and later in April of 2011 that resulted in his dismissal from the Florida Gators program. The worst part for Jenkins is that was not his only arrest, as he was locked up for fighting and resisting arrest outside of a Gainesville, FL bar. Police were forced to use a taser on Jenkins after fighting escalated. Jenkins was forced to transfer to Northern Alabama to take advantage of his last remaining year of eligibility and has been in damage control mode ever since. Jenkins might not be able to get back into the first but I am of the opinion that his natural skills and ability should garner at least a third round pick at worst. Without the issues, Jenkins would have been a lock for the Top-15 picks.

16. A lot of people see DeQuan Menzie as being a player who would be better playing in a different position in the NFL to where he played in College, are there any other prospects you think would benefit from a change of position?
Menzie is definitely a player that will need to switch back to safety with his lack of suddenness and straight line speed. He is a heady player that comes from a great defense so there's a very good likely hood of success with the change over. Another player that has a similar situation and could be a major difference maker on defense is Neiko Thorpe. Thorpe was switched from corner over to safety this last season and is a selfless team-player that took to the change extremely well. He is an athletic specimen at 6'1¼" 198 pounds with legit 4.40 speed and a 38-inch vertical leap. Thorpe has a lot of potential as a center fielder that can help a team out at free safety.

17. What is your opinion of Chris Owusu and his draft potential? Will his injury history prevent him being drafted? Where would he go with no injury problems?
Chris Owusu possesses rare timed speed and terrific measurable with some great results at the NFL Combine, like his 4.36 forty and a 40.5-inch vertical leap but the tests in Indianapolis that will matter the most will be medical variety when Owusu is concerned. He has sustained multiple knee injuries dating back to his senior season of high school and he also has sustained several concussions during his Stanford career that resulted in almost an entire season of games combined. He does have a lot of upside but the injury concerns are the reason he'll last until the fourth or even fifth round and where it not for the concussion/knee issues, he could have been a second day pick.

18. Do you think there are any realistic TE products in this year's class?
2011 is another weak crop of tight ends but I happen to think you have four future starters at the next level....
Dwayne Allen, Clemson - Allen is more of a complete end that isn't a dominant blocker but has the potential to be a great blocker and has a lot of suddenness out of his stance in running plays and in the passing game running routes. He has a great work ethic and has an excellent reputation among his teammates as a leader and playmaker. Allen has the ball skills, size and all-around game to be an immediate contributor on a team's offense in year one.

Coby Fleener, Stanford - Fleener is a joke type player that will present a mismatch on the field because of his combination of size and range. He has a lot of explosion and the ball skills of a wide receiver so a linebacker or safety will have a lot on their hands because Fleener is such a difficult cover.

Ladarius Green, Louisiana-Lafayette - Green has great size and height, resembling more of a power forward on the football field. He showed off great coordination, ball skills and ability to separate from defenders at the Senior Bowl practices. His long arms and ability to high point passes will make him a dangerous weapon at the next level. Although Green is not a strong blocker and will need to develop in that area, he possess the size and strength to be a functional blocker in time.

Orson Charles, Georgia - Charles is an athletic tight end in the mold of a Dustin Keller and he could have been one of the first tight ends selected this year but his recent DUI will all but rule that out. Charles remains a very intriguing prospect because of his size and strength, benched 225pounds 35 times at the combine. Charles is an all-around tight end that has been a vocal-leader on his college team and should be doing the same for an NFL team soon.

Thank you to Joe for taking his time to answer our questions.

great job

Thanks for that. Some good answers (and some questions from me!).

The email format definitely seems superior to twitter

crazy_dave23 wrote:The email format definitely seems superior to twitter

I know I prefer it too but I also prefer a Q&A with an NFL player through twitter than no Q&A.

Interesting he sees Ladarius Green as a realistic TE prospect, haven't really heard his name with Allen, Charles and Fleener before so I will have to find some tape on him.

Not sure I agree with him on the San Diego Chargers depending on how Manning works out for Denver I think they will be needing another draft. Think they could use some help in the backfield as they've lost Sproles last year and Tolbert this year, they don't really have a number one receiver though Royal may help takeaway their special team woes, but then a couple of good additions to the o-line could help their receivers and running backs, and they need a pass rushing linebacker.

I have heard of Green. But he is out of UL-Lafayette which is why I haven't actually seen anything on him either.

http://v2journal.com/interview-with-joe-everett-of-rookiedraft.html

it looks all pretty!

Adam D wrote:http://v2journal.com/interview-with-joe-everett-of-rookiedraft.html

it looks all pretty!

Looks great Adam, just one thing, the link at the bottom of the article goes to a different thread, not this one

edit* 1st page only

will fix it on next update. Thanks for pointing out