Quote:Tony Pauline of Sports Illustrated was on 1010XL this afternoon talking draft. He is well known draft expert with lots of NFL and scout connections. I thought I would share some of his comments.


CLOWNEY.........

His #1 top draft prospect. Believes he will be the top defensive prospect since Bruce Smith. He's flexible in that you can rush him outside or inside the tackles taking advantages of a weakness. Game disrupter. Doesn't think there will be any motivational issues for him in the pros. He saw his teammate, Marcus Latimore, go down with devastating injuries and it affected him and factored into his play. He was playing and protecting himself. There's life after college. Still college teams were seriously game planning against him with double teams, triple teams, holding him, tripping him, whatever it took. Only negative was that he didn't come into the season in really good shape.


BRIDGEWATER........

very good player, comes from a pro style offense, experience calling his own plays, should have an easy transition into the pros, tough player, a gamer but has durability issues due to his size. Should excel at the combine especially at the chalkboard sessions. His #2 quarterback on the board.


BORTLES............

Wasn't impressed at first until he saw the films. Big, nimble, has an excellent game, makes the right choices, sees the field well, good presnap reads, handles pressure well, strong, tough guy, smart, proto-typical size, can do it all on his own. His #1 QB prospect.


MANZIEL............

Boom or bust. Had a terrific 2nd season, a real gamer, tough, exciting player, durability questions, not sure how he translates to the NFL where linebackers are faster and the secondary is quicker. Rated top of 2nd round but will probably go top 12. His 3rd rated QB.


METTENBERGER.............

Can make all the throws, pocket passer, would have excelled at the combine, was going to be drafted in the bottom third of the 1st round, now he's looking 2nd round.


MCCARRON................

Not going to going to the senior bowl is going to hurt him. He had everything to gain by playing. Likes him but doesn't love him. Game manager. 2nd or 3rd round. Good for a team needing a QB when his QB isn't there in the first round.


MURRAY......

Will fall to the last day of the draft. Probably won't be a starter. Good guy to have on the sidelines. Good back up. He's a gamer though.


HUNDLEY...........

Huge wild card, could go in the middle of round one to the end of round two depending on how he interviews and works out. Scouts are telling him to go back for another year but he wants to come out now.


FALES...............

Solid college QB, game manager, not great arm or size, mid to late round guy.


BARR............,

His big board #5. Very athletic, still developing, can be an every down guy, can be used as a strong side linebacker in a 4-3 system or an OLB in a 3-4 system, effective pass rusher, but can drop back in coverage against TEs likeGronkowski or Jimmy Graham.


QUESTION POSED TO HIM...........

If you were on the clock and you could pick any player for Jacksonville, who would it be?


A very tough decision between Bortles and Clowney. Would pick Bortles. Fills a need, would fit the Jags offense, good player now but with great potential. If Clowney is picked then would think Derek Carr or McCarron would be a good choice in a later round.


OTHER COMMENTS...........


Top receivers are Watson, Lee and Evans but lots of #2 receivers falling to the 2nd and 3rd rounds. Offensive tackles may be better and deeper than last year. Also a strong OLB class.