WolverineFanatic6

February 25th, 2013 at 11:11 PM ^

I think Denard's is a lock to get drafted at this point. The upside he possesses as a WR and return man is too big to pass up. He obviously lacks technique, but once he starts grasping it he will certainly improve vastly at everything. My biggest concern was the way he caught the football. I think his lack of proper technique in this regard has more to do with the Ulnar Nerve injury and not inability. All in all I think he helped himself and solidified at least being drafted and given a shot to make a team.

Joined: 10/29/2012

MGoPoints: 857

Gobgoblue

February 25th, 2013 at 11:22 PM ^

so I'll read this.

To be realistic (which I got negged to death for earlier), I think Denard goes somewhere between rounds 3-5.  Rounds 1 and 2 usually are for elite talent at their trained positions, or a position of need.  
 

Unless you're my Detroit Lions, then like, whatever you're feelin', man.  

Joined: 07/07/2012

MGoPoints: 21043

Ali G Bomaye

February 26th, 2013 at 12:27 PM ^

There have been plenty of college QBs drafted in the second round to play other positions - Armanti Edwards, Pat White, Bert Emanuel, etc.  And Matt Jones was drafted in the first round.  Denard may not have experience as a WR, but assuming his elbow will heal completely, he's an athlete on a level that few can touch.  If I were a NFL team without glaring needs elsewhere, I'd draft him in the second round as a multipurpose playmaker and use him like Percy Harvin.

Joined: 07/08/2008

MGoPoints: 17668

Magnus

February 26th, 2013 at 3:48 PM ^

Tommy Frazier, Andrew Luck, Robert Griffin III, and Tom Brady all play/played the same position, and it's called quarterback.  It doesn't really matter what they planned to do with him from the quarterback position - he lined up behind center, threw passes, ran the ball, and never caught a pass.

Joined: 07/17/2008

MGoPoints: 166007

Wolfman

February 27th, 2013 at 7:01 AM ^

passes, especially over the shoulder types while at UM. Yes, he also proved he was a magnificent return man. And Desmond, although he won the Heisman, proved he couldn't catch a pass at the NFL level. However, both retired from the NFL- maybe premature on Stevie- as very wealthy individuals who offered a tremendous amount to their teams, including a Super Bowl MVP.

Joined: 07/23/2008

MGoPoints: 8259

A4chris2

February 25th, 2013 at 11:37 PM ^

I still think he should be a change of pace back. He pretty much been a RB these last 4 years, and looked great there at the outback bowl. Yes he's always banged up, but he's never had any bad injury. He could handle 10 carries a game. I can see him be used like J. Rodgers in Atlanta. He has been such a great runner in college. If it ain't broke, don't try to fix it.

Joined: 01/09/2013

MGoPoints: 55

Gobgoblue

February 25th, 2013 at 11:50 PM ^

I think at the slot he can excel because of his speed and pick up 5+yards consistently.  Moreover, he's proven he can take big hits and bounce back up, so as long as his hands improve, I think he can do very well.

RB is obvious (to me): he has an incredibly quick burst and cutting ability.  If, hypothetically, a team is 2nd and 8, and they want to run Denard up the gut for a 1st down or short yardage 3rd, does anyone think he can't get that?

I thought he showed great prowess at RB against SC.  

Joined: 07/07/2012

MGoPoints: 21043

DCAlum

February 26th, 2013 at 9:38 AM ^

But that was clearly kind of a fluke. It was like hitting your funnybone, except a couple degrees of magnitude worse (so about funnybone equivalent for a normal person who isn't running into 300-pound people at 10mph on a day-to-day basis). I wouldn't call myself injury-prone if I hit my funnybone on my desk once and it bugged me for the rest of the day.

Joined: 01/30/2012

MGoPoints: 3428

bronxblue

February 26th, 2013 at 2:24 AM ^

Like others have mentioned, he'll go in the middle rounds - 3rd or 4th - and get some spot duty on returns and WR in special packages.  Heck, he might even play Wildcat a couple of downs for the right team.  Wish him the best.

Joined: 11/22/2008

MGoPoints: 171780

JohnnyV123

February 26th, 2013 at 3:02 AM ^

On the "likely to see him fall in the draft" side-Nerve damage, hardly any time played at wide receiver in college which means lack of route running practice, fundamentals lacking, not sure if he can catch with a guy covering him, and of course very little game film to look at for scouting.

On the"likely to rise in the draft" side-Explosive playmaker in college, showed significant improvement catching the ball at the combine, very fast, completely willing to learn the receiver position and move there from quarterback, and an excellent attitude.

People so often forget the importance of being a professional and a hardworker in the eyes of NFL coaches. How do you not love Denard when you see him and talk to him? I expect to see him drafted in the middle to late third round especially by a team that has their fourth pick by then. The fourth pick is usually where teams will start be willing to gamble on a luxury option who has a lot of upside but some big questions. His upside is too big to wait for the fifth or sixth round for him.

Joined: 04/08/2011

MGoPoints: 1007

mschol17

February 26th, 2013 at 8:09 AM ^

The interesting question to me is Tavon Austin vs. Denard. Similar hybrid position, but Austin has more experience at it. Denard has 25 lbs on him, so he's probably more durable.

Joined: 10/08/2009

MGoPoints: 2233

Profwoot

February 26th, 2013 at 9:26 AM ^

The number of games Denard couldn't finish due to injury has to be over a dozen (8 in 2010 alone). Regardless of his extra weight, I doubt any NFL scout will consider his durability a positive.

I still think some team will take a shot at him earlier than some expect. I'll say either late 2nd or late 3rd.

Joined: 10/12/2010

MGoPoints: 153