Q: Thank god for Bentley! Was a bit worried our streak wouldn’t continue this year in the draft. Could be even scarier next year, though, right? Who is our best shot with such a young team?
A: My money, so to speak, was on Dave Steinmetz being Purdue’s only draft pick, figuring that’d happen in the seventh round to the Dolphins. Not that Bentley didn’t have a great senior season — because when he played, he did — but didn’t think he’d get picked so high because of lack of speed. Will be interesting to see how he fits. (I’m still surprised Gelen Robinson hasn’t landed anywhere. I know he had some limitations in terms of not-ideal height, position questions, but, man, he’s incredibly strong and was dominant at points last season. And, as far as I know, there aren’t character issues there.)
But, on to your question: Who’s next? That’s a tough one. We all agree Markus Bailey is the best player on that team and, right now, would be the best possibility to be drafted. But that’d mean he’d have to leave after his junior season. I haven’t discussed that with him to this point — he’s been so ridiculously focused on being the absolute most-complete player he could be to help Purdue win, while playing multiple positions. I’m also not sure where he is in terms of on-track graduation. I’d suspect he’ll be wrapped up next May (if not December, he’s that kind of kid), so maybe that’d matter to him.
Just looking at the seniors, though, I honestly think Joe Schopper could be the best candidate. Presuming punters get drafted. They do, right? I mean, maybe only one or two of them, but I think Schopper could be a Ray Guy Award candidate, and if he can pull that off, he’d certainly seem to be the best option at that position. Really intelligent guy, too, who’d be a great worker in the NFL. Obviously, that’s a really tough position to stick with a team because most only carry one punter, but, still, Schopper could be the guy.
In terms of more traditional choices, I think Kirk Barron and Cole Herdman are probably more training camp-invite guys, only because I think Barron probably is too small to play center in the NFL, even though he’s crazy strong. If Kugler couldn’t make it, Barron probably won’t make it from a physical makeup standpoint. Herdman, to me, is a Jack Doyle-type of NFL guy, someone who can split wide and consistently catch balls but isn’t the most athletic-type of receiving tight end but also could stick his hand down and block or be more of an H-back-type role. I’m not sure what Herdman’s measurables would be, but he could be an interesting prospect, especially if he develops into a better blocker this season.
Running back Markell Jones probably isn’t explosive enough to play in the NFL, but he certainly is a versatile back who is great as a receiver and has more physicality than he’s probably given credit for. He’d have to have a phenomenal senior year, though, to get any kind of draft-type looks.
Maybe the most intriguing prospect would be Isaac Zico. If he can have a Mahoungou-like senior season (even better, a more consistent one), he could be a really interesting choice. He’s a freak athletically, has the speed, the size and the hops, but just would really need to show a huge uptick in knowledge and maturity in his last season to crack the draft, IMO. But he could do it.
What do you guys think? Especially minus Bailey?
(And, also, email or DM me on here if you have any more mailbag Qs. Was going to end it last week, but this one made sense to push it into this week.)
A: My money, so to speak, was on Dave Steinmetz being Purdue’s only draft pick, figuring that’d happen in the seventh round to the Dolphins. Not that Bentley didn’t have a great senior season — because when he played, he did — but didn’t think he’d get picked so high because of lack of speed. Will be interesting to see how he fits. (I’m still surprised Gelen Robinson hasn’t landed anywhere. I know he had some limitations in terms of not-ideal height, position questions, but, man, he’s incredibly strong and was dominant at points last season. And, as far as I know, there aren’t character issues there.)
But, on to your question: Who’s next? That’s a tough one. We all agree Markus Bailey is the best player on that team and, right now, would be the best possibility to be drafted. But that’d mean he’d have to leave after his junior season. I haven’t discussed that with him to this point — he’s been so ridiculously focused on being the absolute most-complete player he could be to help Purdue win, while playing multiple positions. I’m also not sure where he is in terms of on-track graduation. I’d suspect he’ll be wrapped up next May (if not December, he’s that kind of kid), so maybe that’d matter to him.
Just looking at the seniors, though, I honestly think Joe Schopper could be the best candidate. Presuming punters get drafted. They do, right? I mean, maybe only one or two of them, but I think Schopper could be a Ray Guy Award candidate, and if he can pull that off, he’d certainly seem to be the best option at that position. Really intelligent guy, too, who’d be a great worker in the NFL. Obviously, that’s a really tough position to stick with a team because most only carry one punter, but, still, Schopper could be the guy.
In terms of more traditional choices, I think Kirk Barron and Cole Herdman are probably more training camp-invite guys, only because I think Barron probably is too small to play center in the NFL, even though he’s crazy strong. If Kugler couldn’t make it, Barron probably won’t make it from a physical makeup standpoint. Herdman, to me, is a Jack Doyle-type of NFL guy, someone who can split wide and consistently catch balls but isn’t the most athletic-type of receiving tight end but also could stick his hand down and block or be more of an H-back-type role. I’m not sure what Herdman’s measurables would be, but he could be an interesting prospect, especially if he develops into a better blocker this season.
Running back Markell Jones probably isn’t explosive enough to play in the NFL, but he certainly is a versatile back who is great as a receiver and has more physicality than he’s probably given credit for. He’d have to have a phenomenal senior year, though, to get any kind of draft-type looks.
Maybe the most intriguing prospect would be Isaac Zico. If he can have a Mahoungou-like senior season (even better, a more consistent one), he could be a really interesting choice. He’s a freak athletically, has the speed, the size and the hops, but just would really need to show a huge uptick in knowledge and maturity in his last season to crack the draft, IMO. But he could do it.
What do you guys think? Especially minus Bailey?
(And, also, email or DM me on here if you have any more mailbag Qs. Was going to end it last week, but this one made sense to push it into this week.)
