How much you wanna bet Johnthan Banks goes in the first round next year?

[TheStateUofMS]

That would be the third year in a row for State. I bet he'll be one of the top defensive backs in the draft just like Fletcher is right now at the DT position. Mullen has a proven track record of getting guys into the NFL. The guy knows how to develop guys. If he can somehow manage to get a top 15 class there's no telling how good Mullen could make us. Better than Bama? Not saying that, but we would definitely be competing with them a lot better than we currently are.<div>
</div><div>We signed arguably the best DL class in MSU history last year, so we might be headed in that direction.</div><div>
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[CadaverDawg]

I don't know that I agree with all of that, but I definitely applaud the optimism. Mullen is doing a good job, and I think it even speaks more for Wilson. We need to hang on to that guy at all costs

 

[57stratdawg]

Banks is good, but he's not first round good. His 40 time will kill him (4.5+). Being the top SR DB is great, but the top guys in next years draft will be underclass men. I don't disagree with you, just don't see Banks a first round guy. More like 2-4th.

 

[bonedaddy401]

I've seen a couple places where he has Banks his #1 corner going into next year and gave him a 1st round grade. I realize some underclassmen could be/will be ahead of him but to say there is no way he will be a first round pick is way to definitive a statement.<div>
</div><div>Bet youwouldn'thave thought Fletcher Cox would have been a first round pick this time last year either.</div>

 

[The Greek.sixpack]

Even if he does run a 4.5, his height and arm length more than make up for it. It's not as important for a tall lanky corner to run a 4.3/4.4 because they can cover so much more area than 5"11 corners. So far he's never been in any trouble since arriving on campus, if he continues that it'll only make his stock rise more. Corner is a huge need now with all the passing in the NFL. I'd be surprised if he isn't a 1st rounder next year, there will be 3-4 drafted this Thursday.

 

[Buford T. Justice]

There are tight ends that run like wideouts (Jimmy Graham for example), and 6'-4" wideouts on every team in the league. Teams are often playing 5 and 6 defensive backs on the field at one time. It's a passing league. Banks is good at tackling in the open field, he is tall and long-armed to help against the bigger wideouts, and he has good ball-skills. He's also played corner, safety, and nickle. I think the style of offenses in the league make a guy like Banks a hot commodity. I think he's got a shot at first round.

 

[shotgunDawg]

One of the big myths of college football is that by coming back to school you are somehow more talented the following year. Banks is a very good corner, and will play in the NFL, but coming back for his senior year doesn't mean that his 40 time is going to get faster and he is going to get that much more talented as a corner. His draft stock will go up on instinct, knowledge, leadership, and NFL teams having a better idea of how good he is, not by becoming more talented. Banks ability level will only allow him to be so quick and fast, and coming back to school can do nothing to change that. Due to that, I expect that some faster and slightly more athletically gifted corners will come along this year and make him a second or third round pick.

 

[trumaroon]

I think we underestimate how athletic Banks is. His combination of size and athleticism is extremely rare. Seeing him catch the short pass and burst up field for about 10-15 yards during the spring game was impressive.

 

[Bobby Ricigliano]

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[mstatefan88]

I think Banks ends up 1st round in next years draft. He's long, athletic, and if you will remember he totally shut down Alshon Jeffrey until we put Broomfield on him and he gave up that TD. Banks will be legit this year and will solidify himself as a 1st round pick.

Gabe Jackson has a real possibility to go in 2014 if he stays that long. He was 2nd team AP All SEC as a sophomore last year and I think over the next year or so will really start to move up on peoples boards.He's a legit LG and I think has the potential to go very high in the draft.

I think we've got a ton of draftable guysthis year on the team. Banks,Slay, Broomfield,Cam Lawrence, Josh Boyd,Tobias if he can stay healthy, Bumphis who could have a good year with Russell, andGabe Jacksonwith another solid year. All of theseguys could get drafted this year. That just amazes me that we have potentially 8 guys on the team this year that areNFL caliber. Far cry fromwhere we werejust 5 years ago.

 

[Johnson85]

One of the big myths of college football is that by coming back to school you are somehow more talented the following year.

I generally don't hear people talking about somebody making a jump between junior and senior year, except maybe for qb's that didn't get playing time until they were juniors.

 

[thf24]

You've got to be a lightning bolt to play in the league at his size, and he doesn't quite have that. Think what he's lacking compared to a player like Percy Harvin. I could see him maybe as a 7th round/undrafted free agent pickup. Who knows if he has a good year like you say though. I'm not sure about Broomfield either, maybe another undrafted pickup. Still, you're right about all the potential.

 

[57stratdawg]

Been guaranteed a decent draft (2nd round or 3rd round) spot this year he would have left.

Banks is good, but he's not Antonio Cromartie. His 40 time will do unrepeatable damage to his draft stock. And give me a break on him covering Jimmy Graham.

 

[esplanade91]

I think he'll be one of the top 3 corners taken in next year's draft. The Patriots and Packers are in love with him and they tend to pick late in the first round, so if you figure 1 and 2 will be taken in the first 15, Banks could round out the end at 25-32. In 2014 I'm not sure about Gabe though. Maybe Autry if he's as advertised and if so doesn't leave after 1 season. The fact we're talking about first round talent and not sounding crazy is a testimony to how great Mullen is though.

 

[Buford T. Justice]

And give me a break on him covering Jimmy Graham.

I can't find where anyone in this thread said anything about Banks covering Jimmy Graham. If you were talking about my post, I mentioned Graham as being the new evolution of offense (not Banks matching up with him). Four and five wideouts, tight ends that can play like wideouts, big wideouts, etc. It means the days of playing four small defensive backs most of the game and then maybe a nickleback on 3rd and 12 are gone. Teams must have a lot of defensive backs that can match up with different types of players. Banks' height and long arms will help him with some of the bigger wideouts, especially in a jump ball situation. Banks is versatile and can tackle in space. I think he's got a shot at first round, and should definitely be gone in the first 3 rounds.

 

[Xenomorph]

He wasn't on many people's radar when he was offered. The staff was really high on him though. And if I remember correctly, he's one of the recruits Rocky told Mullen to go see immediately to calm the waters.

 

[bonedaddy401]

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[BiscuitEater]

In 2014 I'm not sure about Gabe though. Maybe Autry if he's as advertised and if so doesn't leave after 1 season. The fact we're talking about first round talent and not sounding crazy is a testimony to how great Mullen is though.

Agree that Autry and Banks have a 'better' shot at 1st Round than Gabe. OGs just historically tend to get drafted after the skill, CBs, OTs, DTs & DE positions but there are some exceptions.


Does Boyd have a 'shot' at the first round if he stays on the same 'improvement' path?


Biscuit