Thoughts on Jadeveon Clowney and the NFL Scouting Combine

I guess it’s true. Ignorance does breed contempt. That can be the only explanation for all of the ridiculous hate and other nonsense being directed at Jadeveon Clowney this morning.

The Pros and Cons of the Atlanta Falcons Drafting Jadeveon Clowney

Jadeveon Clowney can become an elite, impact player in the NFL. Jadeveon Clowney could also become the next Tony Mandarich (in terms of draft expectations/reality…at least we don’t think Clowney can play offensive tackle).

The trick for the Atlanta Falcons to figure out is, which end of the spectrum is closer to the truth?

Clowney the next big thing, or Clowney the next big bust?

On the positive side, there is evidence (just ask Michigan’s Vincent Smith: see below) that Clowney is a freak of nature, and can be as dominant a player on the defensive line as anyone has seen in a long time. When he’s on, he’s unstoppable.

THAT is the Clowney the Falcons want to believe they could be getting should they choose to trade up in the 2014 NFL Draft and snag him.

Scott Carasik, editor of DraftFalcons.com and featured Falcons columnist at Bleacher Report is one of the believers in Clowney, and thinks Atlanta can’t miss by picking him.

“He’s the best prospect in this draft by far. He’s a great pass rusher. ” Carasik told me. “His worst case scenario is John Abraham, his best case scenario is the best DE to have ever played the game.”

When I asked Carasik about the concerns that are often eluded to about Clowney’s lack of effort, he said “The thoughts about his work ethic are unfounded. He’s no gym rat like Marcus Lattimore was, but he’s not Albert Haynesworth either. “

That brings us to the perception of indifference that has some teams shying away from Clowney, and some fans concerned about their team taking him with a high draft pick.

Some chalk up Clowney’s drop in production this past season to nagging injuries, while others say he was laying low and trying to stay healthy and to protect his draft positioning. The publicly aired rifts (or minor verbal skirmishes) between he and South Carolina head coach Steve Spurrier did nothing to alleviate any of those concerns either.

NFL Network’s Mike Mayock, one of the premier draft analysts in the business, thinks the concerns about Clowney’s work ethic are legitimate, saying he would probably take Buffalo outside linebacker Khalil Mack ahead of Clowney.

There’s also the question of what Atlanta would have to give up in order to even be able to draft Clowney. Right now, Atlanta holds the 6th overall pick in the draft…clearly further down than Clowney would likely fall. Is it worth another handful of draft picks (like the Julio Jones draft day trade) to take a player who may or may not be what is hoped for?

Let’s not forget, even Clowney says he wants the Falcons to pick him. If you are drafted by a team on your wish list, doesn’t that make you want to work even harder for them?

In my estimation, it’s a risk worth taking. Much less risky than looking at an offensive lineman or defensive tackle with such a high pick. Carasik’s characterization of the worst case scenario being a John Abraham-type player is on the money. How many Falcons fans wished Abe had still been on the team–even in his reduced role for his age–last season.

Clowney has the ability to be the best player in the NFL…even in his rookie season. He can completely change the face of a team’s defense, and how opposing offenses must scheme their games. Even if his numbers don’t end up becoming record-breaking, the fact that he has to be planned for and can take an offense out of their normal game plan is a huge plus.

The Falcons rolled the dice with Julio Jones a few years ago, and while it crippled them in the following two draft classes, he has been everything that Thomas Dimitroff and Mike Smith hoped for when they drafted him.

Clowney could be even better.

Or worse.

But what will happen to Atlanta’s defense if they don’t draft Clowney? Not much. Not much at all. And that clearly has not been good enough to get this team where they want to be.

Michael Collins is an Atlanta sports humorist, columnist, radio host and owner of Georgia Sports Craze. He is a member of the FWAA and eats peanut butter straight from the jar. Follow on Twitter @GaSportsCraze on Facebook here or on Google here

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