Boom or Bust Prospects

[PMSTRIKER]

Who do you think will be those prospects that are high risk high reward players that could ultimately be a perrinial pro-bowler or become a huge bust...

Also put down if you think the Texans will take a look at this player in the upcoming draft...

A few prospects I have down right now are:

Terrance Cody-DT(Alabama)
This guy is just a huge monster of a player, but DT is one of the toughest positions to adjust to in the NFL. Most prospects depend on their size and strength to overpower weak and inferior college opponents. He has had very few sacks as well, so he is only one-dimensional. Also, Cody has had a weight problem. He is listed at 350+ which will limit his playing time due to poor conditioning. if somebody can light a fire under this guy, watch out!! He has a Kris Jenkins type of body and will be a dominant player with the right coaching and proper work ethic.
(Texans may take a look depending on if Bush wants a NT to groom and stop the run...imo we have locked down the run and need to focus on the pass)

CJ Spiller-RB/KR/PR(Clemson)
Simply electrifying. Would be absolutely perfect for a 2 back system and is a threat to take it to the house every play. Many fault his body type and the fact that he won't be able to take a beating in the NFL. Two examples of this type of player would be Percy Harvin and Reggie Bush. So far, Harvin has been dependable for a clutch reception or a big special teams play. On the other hand, Bush was overhyped by his potential and measurables and hasn't lived up to it. The difference is their mindset and vision. Harvin is a tough nut that takes a beating, gets injured, but still continues to go down the middle. Bush goes down the middle, but after being roughed up and breaking his nail decides to bounce to the outside. He then becomes predictable and defenses can key in on him. Spillers speed is extraordinary, but does he have the mindset to succeed???
(IMO this type of gamebreaking talent will be too much to pass up for a playoff team, but unfortunately we already have our lightning in slaton and moats and we aren't exactly a playoff team. The texans cannot spend a first on tis type of prospect when we can find a bruiser later. So common sense says Spiller will not be a Texan next year, but one can hope

[Texian]

Here is my take on Cody and Spiller and you should note that many will disagree.

Cody - Played two years in HS and went Miss Gulf Coast Community College. Joined Alabama in 2008 season and was good and in 2009 he has been very good. I think his two FG blocks against Tenn (that was very impressive) will get him drafted between #11-#20. Some 3-4 team will be desperate for a NT who can occupy 2 blockers. Cody is 6030 and 365 lbs. In 22 games he has 31 Tackles 12 TFL and .5 sack. Not great but respectable. I would not draft him in the first rd and I don't think the Texans will either. I think Cody in the NFL will be similar to the same success as Amobi Okoye (expected more). For the record I didn't think of Okoye as a #1 pick. I do think Cody will be better than Raji and that Raji could be a disappointment.

For me to take a DT in the FIRST ROUND there have to be several prerequisites. The DT has to be a national super star in high school. By that I mean All State, Parade All American, play in the US Army All American game, be a Top 50 recruit by rival.com, scout.com or Tom Lemming. He is a man among boys. Then when the DT gets to college he should start his true freshman year and continue to out produce the competition, make all freshman teams and eventually All American while dominating the competition. There are two DTs that meet those qualifications this year that I think are acceptable for a 1st RD grade and therefore the only two DTs I would take as 1st RD draft picks are:

Ndamukong Suh (Note all the accolades):
http://www.huskers.com/ViewArticle.dbml?DB_OEM_ID=100&ATCLID=107657

and

Gerald McCoy (didn't start as a freshman but has all the other credentials)
http://www.soonersports.com/sports/m-footbl/mtt/mccoy_gerald00.html

Marvin Austin is a DT who also has all the high school accolades but has not been a man among boys in college therefore I wouldn't draft him in RD1.

Raji was only a 3 star recruit coming out of high school (vs 5 star) and was very good in college. Green Bay was desperate for NT to make the switch to 3-4 and they had no one for the position. Which is what I think will happen to Cody. Early talk is Raji has disappointed so far but it is still early.

Spiller to follow

[Texian]

Spiller

Spiller looks to be a copy of Steve Slaton. Spiller is compared to Felix Jones. Spiller definitely has all the accolades and awards coming out of high school. He just hasn't seemed to live up to them in college. Some compare him to Chris Johnson. Unless Spiller runs a sub 4.3 I don't see it. One of the first things you notice is Spiller is not real consistent and in 4 years at Clemson Spiller hasn't rushed for 1000 yds in any year. For me, a RB has to be in the mold of Adrian Peterson or I don't see a 1st RD grade. Someone will be looking for a scat back or the next Chris Johnson and take a chance on Spiller late in the first round but it wouldn't be me. I doubt the Texans will be interested at all in a copy of Slaton.

In fact C. J. is ranked 46th in rushing: (not good for a day 1 draft pick)
http://www.ncaa.com/sports/m-footbl/stats/ncaa-m-footbl-fbs-ind-rushing.html

As for the Texans, with each week it becomes more evident that what they need is a BIGGER back, especially for short yardage and red zone. I really like Ryan Mathews (some good video on youtube) in the 2nd RD and Ben Tate in the 3rd or 4th RD.

[foozball]

I wouldnt say Spiller is boom/bust, but he definitely needs to be used properly. He only has 150 rushing attempts, so his rushing total doesn't really matter.

He's similar to Reggie Bush in that he is a weapon. Not a fulltime starter, but a weapon that is a threat on any given play that he's used. He can run, catch, and return. He'll probably go in the late 1st to a team that can afford taking him as a luxury pick.

[steelbtexan]

Cody will be a good 2 down DT in the mold of Gilbert Brown.

I'm not sure that's worth a first rd pick.

If Smithiak are picking 25th or lower I would consider Cody.

[Wolf6151]

I think that if Cody is drafted in the upper half of the 1st round then he'll be considered a bust relative to his draft position. I think he'll be functional in the NFL but not outstanding. Cody succeeds in college because of his size where he outweighs college O-linemen by 40-80 lbs.. That won't be the case in the NFL where O-linemen are much bigger, stronger, more experienced, and meaner. Plus he's very one dimensional, he's got a good bull rush, but he's not quick enough to run a stunt around the center or have a spin move. He won't be easily pushing aside O-linemen in the pros. I think he's strictly a 3-4 NT. I'd personally rate him in the 2nd round.

[playa465]

I think that if Cody is drafted in the upper half of the 1st round then he'll be considered a bust relative to his draft position. I think he'll be functional in the NFL but not outstanding. Cody succeeds in college because of his size where he outweighs college O-linemen by 40-80 lbs.. That won't be the case in the NFL where O-linemen are much bigger, stronger, more experienced, and meaner. Plus he's very one dimensional, he's got a good bull rush, but he's not quick enough to run a stunt around the center or have a spin move. He won't be easily pushing aside O-linemen in the pros. I think he's strictly a 3-4 NT. I'd personally rate him in the 2nd round.

I too think he is a 3-4 NT, however I don't want us to have a NT stunting. Leave that to the UT and and LDE. We just need a NT who demands double teams and still gets the push/clogs on runs and passes. I could care less about the stats as long as they are effective