Detroit Lions 2014 NFL Draft Prospects: January 1 Bowl Game Viewing Guide
The Detroit Lions 2014 NFL Draft Watch List gives you college football players to watch who could be on the Lions’ radar next spring.
The college bowl season highpoints on New Year’s Day with six bowl games:
Gator Bowl: Georgia vs. Nebraska – Noon (EST) – ESPN 2
Heart of Dallas Bowl: North Texas vs. UNLV – Noon (EST) – ESPNU
Capital One Bowl: South Carolina vs. Wisconsin – 1:00 p.m. (EST) – ABC
Outback Bowl: Iowa vs. LSU – 1:00 p.m. (EST) – ESPN
Rose Bowl: Michigan State vs. Stanford – 5:00 p.m. (EST) – ESPN
Fiesta Bowl: Baylor vs. UCF – 8:30 p.m. (EST) – ESPN
We’ve previously highlighted these prospects who are playing today: Arthur Lynch (#88) – TE from Georgia; Curtis Loston (#6) – S, Odell Beckham Jr. (#3) – WR and Jarvis Landry (#80) – WR from LSU; Jared Abbrederis (#4) – WR and Chris Borland (#44) – OLB from Wisconsin; Darqueze Dennard (#31) – CB, Isaiah Lewis (#9) – S, and Denicos Allen (#28) from Michigan State; Shayne Skov (#11) – OLB and Trent Murphy (#93) – OLB/DE from Stanford and Antwan Goodley (#5) – WR, Levi Norwood (#42) – WR and Ahmad Dixon (#6) – S from Baylor.
Here are two additional prospects to watch for in today’s bowl games:
C.J. Fiedorowicz (#86), TE – Iowa
With 26 receptions for 253 yards, Fiedorowicz didn’t post huge numbers in 2013. However, the senior tight end proved to be a reliable red zone target with six touchdowns. Fiedorowicz lacks the explosiveness top prospects Jace Amaro and Eric Ebron have to create separation on deep routes. Still, he showcases the ability to find open pockets vs. zone coverage, box out and make the catch to move the chains. Possessing excellent size (6-7, 265 lbs.), Fiedorowicz is a solid blocker with the ability to step and seal in the run game and hold up in pass protection as well. If the Lions choose not to re-sign Pettigrew, it’s likely they’ll look for a more explosive pass catching threat at the tight end, but he would make for a solid number two at the position. His 40 time at the combine will go a long way toward determining his draft stock, but at this point I expect him to be a late day two or early day three selection.
Lamin Barrow (#18), OLB – LSU
Barrow had a breakout year as a junior with 104 total tackles, seven and a half tackles for loss and five passes broken up. 2013 proved to be a bit of a down year for Barrow, with 86 tackles and four and a half tackles for loss. Though he lacks elite athleticism and size (6-2, 232 lbs.), Barrow’s instincts put him in position to make plays. He keys and diagnoses quickly to consistently get a jump on the play and though he’s not particularly explosive, has enough speed to make plays along the perimeter. On passing downs, Barrow’s lack of suddenness may expose him in man coverage, but he has enough fluidity to hold up in zone. A high motor player, Barrow is a low risk day three selection with the versatility to back up all three linebacker positions and contribute on special teams.