NFL Draft Prospect Watch: LSU at Alabama Highlight the Action

There are not a ton of games that pit top 25 teams against each other week, but one of the most anticipated games of every season occurs tonight on CBS when #1 ranked Alabama hosts the LSU Tigers. Let's take a look at that game, and when you're done reading here you can check out Dan Kadar formerly of Mockingthedraft.com and now SBnation.nfl-mock-draft top 100 player big board

Alabama Crimson Tide

I have discussed Alabama before, but the three big prospects you're watching in this game could help fill potential needs for the New York Giants in tackle Cyrus Kouandijo, linebacker C.J. Mosley and safety Hasean Clinton Dix. The more the Giants win the more C.J. Mosley makes sense for the Giants. If you're picking in the top 5 you might not be looking at drafting an outside linebacker (unless you switch for a 34 defense), but if the Giants win a few more games they are probably picking in the 10-12 range and Mosley would represent good value here. Mosley is plus in pass coverage, and run support. Just a very good player.  Kouandijo is a possibility, especially if the Giants explore moving Justin Pugh inside to center. Safety Hasean Clinton-Dix is currently Kadar's #8 overall player.

LSU Tigers

The Tigers lack a premiere player this year of the ilk of Barkevious Mingo or Michael Brockers two recent top 16 picks, but they don't lack for depth and talent on defense. Up along the defensive line is Anthony Johnson who could eventually end up in the top 16, but is more of a fringe 1st round pick at the moment. He's 6-2 295 pounds and is quick and athletic.

The Tigers have a potential day two prospect in safety Craig Loston and two potential day two wide receiver targets in Odell Beckham Jr. and Jarvis Landry. Despite Tigers not traditionally putting up huge numbers, but have found at least success in the NFL (think Dwayne Bowe, Brandon LaFell, Josh Reed, Michael Clayton and Rueben Randle). They might not have all been huge stars, but solid contributors to their teams.

The other game we'll focus on today is the Mississippi State Bulldogs traveling to take on Texas A & M Aggies.

The reason i'm highlighting the Bulldogs is interior offensive linemen Gabe Jackson. The Giants have serious problems in the interior of their offensive line and Gabe Jackson is a 6'4 340 pound monster who can move well laterally and has quick feet. Jackson, if the Giants are picking in the top 10 could be a perfect target at the top of round two for the Gmen. Running back LaDarius Perkins is a scat back type who could possibly help fill the void that could be left if David Wilson's injury turns out to be career threatening.

The Aggies have three widely talked about prospects in tackle Jake Matthews, the offensive tackle who is often looked as a top 5 prospect. People like Matthews more than Joeckel last year and he hasn't disappointed this year. Quarterback Johnny Manziel is not for the Giants, but will be probably the most polarizing draft prospect when he declares. Wide receiver Mike Evans has emerged as a top flight playmaker and could challenge USC Trojan Marqise Lee and Clemson wide receiver Sammy Watkins to be the first wide receiver selected in the 2014 nfl draft. Offensive linemen Cedric Ogbuhei could enter first round discussion (if he hasn't already) and give the Aggies four potential first round picks.