I'd Love to See Nelson's Wonderlic

http://www.profootballweekly.com/PFW/NFLDraft/Draft+Extras/2007/wwhi041907.htm

Young Florida defenders should have stayed in school

By Nolan Nawrocki
April 19, 2007


Every year, there are talented players who surprisingly slide out of the first round or see their stock slip considerably, either because of team needs or questions surrounding the player.

We identified some who we thought could slip in last week’s mock draft, including Dwayne Jarrett, Marshawn Lynch and Jarvis Moss.

The way we hear it, another player in line for a potential free fall is Florida FS Reggie Nelson.

“He’s a very talented player,” one evaluator said. “I think he’s made nearly 20 visits (to NFL teams) now. Rarely do you see a player take so many trips. It tells you a couple things. One, there are questions about his intelligence. Teams want to put him on the board and see if he understands it. Two, a lot of teams think they will have a chance to draft him and everyone might get at least one pass at him. The last player I remember who took so many visits was Shawntae Spencer, who did not go to the Combine.”

Today, Nelson reportedly is meeting with the Jets, who hold the 25th pick. Nelson, however, will struggle to handle a defensive system like the Jets’, which asks defenders to learn a new game plan every week, and he will not be drafted by a team that uses a complex scheme. Given that teams expect their free safety to make coverage calls and line up the defense, there is a good chance that Nelson will not only be the fourth safety drafted, behind LaRon Landry, Michael Griffin and Brandon Meriweather, but that he will fall to the second round.

Intelligence issues in large part pushed Ko Simpson to the fourth round a year ago. It did not stop him from starting all but one game as a rookie in the Bills’ relatively simple scheme. It should be noted that Brian Dawkins, still one of the top safeties in the game today, entered the league with some similar questions. Nelson will likely have to go to team such as the Eagles, Bears or Colts that does not ask him to do a lot but play the deep middle. He is naturally instinctive, but if he is not brought along slowly and is asked to do too much, he could struggle. As a result, his value is diminishing in the eyes of evaluators.

With Nelson and fellow Gator Moss both positioned to potentially slip in the draft, underclassmen should take note. Team success does not necessarily equate to individual success. Two other Florida juniors who declared early for the draft — LB Brandon Siler and CB Ryan Smith — likely will not be drafted on the first day.

Said one team, "I would not draft Siler. He is stiff, stiff, stiff. It's almost embarrassing how good he thinks he is and how far off from reality he is. I felt bad for him that he left school. He does not have any idea."

Although Siler worked out well at the Combine and has size, production and a vocal on-field presence, he has a bad body, plays too straight-legged and straight-linish, and his inflated opinion of himself has turned off NFL coaches. Many scouts graded him as a late-round talent, as they also did with his teammate Smith.

As a result, do not be surprised if Florida underclassmen are taught a lesson like USC juniors were a year ago. Of the five juniors who declared early for the draft, including Reggie Bush, Winston Justice, LenDale White, Darnell Bing and Fred Matua, only Bush fit into the first round. The lesson to be learned is that players most often would benefit from returning to school.

 

Draft a smart safety....what a concept!!

 

I told y'all Siler was rated too high. People were putting him ahead of our 45, and some people were eager about getting him in 2. Big mistake.

Nelson's still a player. But the mind concern is still cycling through the league, right or wrong - and we run a complex scheme.

 

I took it a couple weeks ago for a job interview and got a 35. Problem with my test was they gave it to me and started the clock prior to allowing me to read the instructions. The instruction clearly state that you are suppose to read them before the clock is started. I wasted 1 of my 10 minutes reading the instructions. I pointed that out to the owner of the company and asked him if he had read the instruction prior to administering the test with me. He said no.

I figure the wasted minuted cost me atleast 4 questions. I didn't miss one of the questions I answered. I answered 1-35. The test is not as easy as people think.

 

The test is not as easy as people think.



plus, you're kind of stoopid

 

That's the thing. I thought the article did a good job of saying Nelson will probably do fine if he's in a scheme that emphasizes instincts. And who knows, he may do fine in a complex one too. I get the impression these concerns go beyond just his math skills on the Wonderlic. Teams have probably watched his assignments at Fla.

I've read some places not to be surprised if Griffin goes mid 1st. Maybe we'll be the team.

 

Griffin isn't going to go top 15, but I could deal with Griffin here lower. Griffin goes, nelson drops, people start to get spooked, Nelson could keep dropping and then Weddle's gone before our 2.

Merriwether has the character thing, but he'd fit. Griffin's good enough to be in zone, and I think he could lead.

 

Maybe Nelson drops all the way to our second round pick? How would that be if we got Willis or Olsen in round one and Nelson in round two?

Not likely I know but.....

 

Deon Grant

 

Maybe this isn't the wisest way to look at it, but the way I see it, safeties have to be smart. If he's not smart, I'd pass on him altogether -- regardless of how far he falls. Saving two rounds' worth of salary means nothing if he can't play to the level we need.