Rocky Mtn News 100

[BombsOverBaghdad]

This list - particularly the order (rankings) is very different from anything else that I have seen.

RMN link (http://http://www.rockymountainnews.com/drmn/broncos/article/0,1299,DRMN_17_3705305,00.html)


THE TOP 100
By Jeff Legwold, Rocky Mountain News
April 16, 2005

The Rocky Mountain News has watched the video, crunched the numbers and surveyed scouts and personnel executives throughout the league during the past six months to determine the top 100 prospects available in the NFL draft April 23-24. This is not a mock draft. The players are ranked without regard to position or team needs in the selection order. The players on this list are top candidates to go in the first three rounds, when 101 selections will be made.

1. Alex Smith • Quarterback

Utah | 6-4 | 212

Tough and savvy. Might be the best bad-weather player behind center in this draft. Passed for 47 touchdowns, only seven interceptions in past two seasons.

2. Thomas Davis • Safety

Georgia | 6-0 3/4 | 227

It's highly unlikely a safety would be the No. 1 pick of any draft, but some teams have Davis at the top of the board. Not the total package of Sean Taylor last year but a missile with the ball carrier in sight.

3. Ronnie Brown • Running back

Auburn | 5-11 1/2 | 231

Big, agile and durable enough to be the coveted every- down back. He ran a 4.48-second 40-yard dash, so he's at the head of a deep class at the position.

4. Aaron Rodgers • Quarterback

California | 6-2 | 223

Polished enough he might end up being the first pick of the draft. He knows where to throw - so much so, he had two streaks of at least 98 pass attempts without an interception.

5. Carnell Williams • Running back

Auburn | 5-10 7/8 | 217

Shifty, elusive in the hole. Set school record for points scored and career touchdowns - moving aside Bo Jackson in the record book.

6. Braylon Edwards • Wide receiver

Michigan | 6-2 7/8 | 210

First receiver in Big Ten Conference history to record three career 1,000-yard seasons. Only criticism is he doesn't do as much as hoped after the catch.

7. Antrel Rolle • Cornerback

Miami (Fla.) | 6-0 1/8 | 201

What's not to like? Can play bump and run, is comfortable keeping the play in front of him in a zone and just might be the surest tackler at the position on the board.

8. Troy Williamson • Wide receiver

South Carolina | 6-1 3/8 | 197

Entering the draft as a junior. Explosive player who was somewhat hidden in Gamecocks offense. Never caught more than 43 passes in a season.

9. Cedric Benson • Running back

Texas | 5-10 3/8 | 225

When he didn't run at the combine, he gave Brown and Williams an opportunity to run by him on the draft boards. Still, he's a proven runner who lugged the rock in 49 career games.

10. Derrick Johnson • Linebacker

Texas | 6-3 1/4 | 242

Consistent 4.5 speed in the 40-yard dash and a big-time finisher who forced a fumble every 14.4 tackles in '04. Set NCAA record with nine forced fumbles last season.

Player Pos School Ht Wt The lowdown

11. Erasmus James DE Wisconsin 6-4 1/8 266 Big Ten Defensive Player of the Year in 2004, with eight sacks.

12. Carlos Rogers CB Auburn 6-03/8 196 Thorpe Award winner in '04. Good in the jam and gets out of his backpedal easily.

13. Adam Jones CB West Virginia 5-91/2 187 Came out as a junior. Uncanny ball skills and an impact returner as well.

14. Mark Clayton WR Oklahoma 5-103/8 193 A little undersized, but he's the deal. Smart, savvy and athletic enough to make any play.

15. Shawne Merriman DE Maryland 6-43/8 272 Relentless, explosive player. Never quits on a play and punishes people when he gets there.

16. David Pollack DE Georgia 6-21/8 265 Three-time All American - the school's first since Herschel Walker. He was recruited as a fullback.

17. Demarcus Ware DE/LB Troy State 6-4 251 Powerful and quick. Probably an outside linebacker for a 3-4 team. Finished career with 291/2 sacks.

18. Shaun Cody DE Southern California 6-4 293 Had knee surgery in '02. Some worry he might get pushed off ball, but showed good strength in workouts.

19. Jammal Brown T Oklahoma 6-5 7/8 316 Outland Trophy winner plays nasty. Best right tackle prospect on the board.

20. Matt Jones QB/WR Arkansas 6-6 1/4 242 Will play wherever he wants. His 4.38 40 at the combine was the fastest ever for a quarterback.

21. Alex Barron T Florida State 6-7 1/2 320 Injury history (knee, shoulder) is concern, but too good an athlete to sit long before he hears his name called.

22. Marcus Spears DE/DT Louisiana State 6-4 307 Some teams see him as a power end, but others see him as a tackle. Injured knee in February.

23. Travis Johnson DT Florida State 6-3 5/8 305 Few players raised their stock in '04 as much as he did. Full-time starter for only one year.

24. Luis Castillo NT Northwestern 6-3 3/8 303 Ran 4.79 40 at the combine to push his way into the first round.

25. Matt Roth DE Iowa 6-3 3/4 278 Fierce player who can be difficult to rein in at times. Thirty-two sacks during past three seasons.

26. Mike Williams WR Southern California 6-4 5/8 229 Just turned 21. Always has struggled with his weight and probably will end up as a tight end down the road.

27. Fabian Washington CB Nebraska 5-10 1/2 188 Eye-popping athlete. Started 35 games in three years, and nobody has run faster for scouts this year.

28. Roddy White WR Ala.-Birmingham 6-1 1/4 207 Still a little raw in his routes but averaged more than 20 yards a catch in consecutive seasons.

29. Khalif Barnes T Washington 6-5 3/4 305 Started career as defensive tackle. Coming off broken right wrist in '04.

30. Brodney Pool S Oklahoma 6-1 207 One of the best in a shallow safety class. Ran the show in a complicated defense.

31. Marcus Johnson T Mississippi 6-6 1/2 321 Started 48 games at Ole Miss, 45 at right guard. Most teams see him as a long-term right tackle, though.

32. Heath Miller TE Virginia 6-5 256 Came out as a junior. First ACC player to win Mackey Award as nation's best TE. Started career as a QB.

[BombsOverBaghdad]

33. Justin Miller CB Clemson 5-9 3/4 201 Physical DB who is one of the best returners in draft. Returned two kickoffs for TDs in same game in '03.

34. Ronald Bartell Jr. CB Howard 6-1 1/4 211 Could sneak into first round. One of the biggest corners on the board and one of the fastest (4.37 40).

35. Jason Campbell QB Auburn 6-4 3/4 230 Fast riser who helped his cause after season was over. Completed 64.6 percent of passes in career.

36. Jonathan Babineaux DT Iowa 6-2 1/8 286 Former fullback had monster '04 with 11 sacks. Has broken his right leg twice.

37. Mark Bradley WR Oklahoma 6-1 3/8 201 Can multitask. In career for Sooners had touchdowns receiving, rushing, passing and on kickoff returns.

38. Reggie Brown WR Georgia 6-1 5/8 196 Tore anterior cruciate ligament in '02 but has rebounded. Fluid player who finds the open spaces.

39. Terrence Murphy WR Texas A&M 6-0 7/8 202 Strong, athletic as well as a quality returner. But did go without a touchdown catch in '03.

40. Barrett Ruud LB Nebraska 6-2 1/2 241 Three-year starter who shattered Huskers tackle record by more than 100.

41. Craphonso Thorpe WR Florida State 6-0 7/8 188 Broke right leg late in '03 season and was spotty catching the ball at times in '04.

42. Justin Tuck DE Notre Dame 6-5 268 Explosive off the snap with big reach. Set Irish single-season record for sacks with 13 1/2 in '03.

43. Chris Spencer C Mississippi 6-2 7/8 309 Former power-lifting champion is the best center on the board.

44. Adam Snyder G Oregon 6-5 3/8 316 Played tackle for Ducks but looking at a move inside in NFL. Durable player who played in 45 games.

45. Jeremy Parquet T Southern Miss 6-6 3/4 323 Three-year starter at right tackle. Needs more strength, but hard to knock off-balance.

46. Vernand Morency RB Oklahoma State 5-9 5/8 212 Former Rockies farmhand just turned 25. Quick feet and knows how to get through traffic.

47. David Greene QB Georgia 6-3 1/2 226 Set Division I record with 42 career wins - breaking Peyton Manning's record.

48. Rob Petitti T Pittsburgh 6-5 7/8 347 Started 49 games at left tackle for Panthers. Weight concerns some - he was 361 pounds at Senior Bowl.

49. Dave Baas C Michigan 6-4 1/2 319 Moved to center from guard for nine games in '04, and that's where the NFL wants him to stay.

50. Vincent Jackson WR Northern Colorado 6-43/4 241 Some see him as a tight end, but he wants to play receiver, and his 4.46 40 at the combine helped his cause.

51. Michael Muñoz T Tennessee 6-5 1/2 306 No question about talent - played both tackle spots for Vols - but has a long list of injuries.

52. Stanley Wilson CB Stanford 5-11 3/4 185 Better athlete than player right now who needs attention to his footwork. Ran for track team.

53. Nick Kaczur G Toledo 6-4 1/2 319 Four-time all-conference player for the Rockets. Native of Canada who will be 26 in July.

54. Channing Crowder LB Florida 6-2 1/4 252 Played two years at Florida. Gifted player with off-the-field baggage - arrested twice and suspended twice.

55. Marlin Jackson CB Michigan 6-0 5/8 198 Played safety and corner. Opponents' quarterbacks avoided him on 88 percent of pass attempts in '04.

56. Alex Smith TE Stanford 6-4 1/8 258 Smooth and polished. Needs a little more strength. Father, Edwin, is a former Broncos defensive end.

57. Elton Brown G Virginia 6-4 7/8 329 Moves well and a good enough athlete that Cavaliers sometimes used him in the goal-line defense.

58. Kevin Burnett LB Tennessee 6-2 7/8 239 Tore left ACL in '02. Got most of his speed back. Started career as a safety for Vols.

59. Charlie Frye QB Akron 6-3 7/8 225 MVP of the Senior Bowl. Tough guy who has played through injuries to set more than 50 school records.

60. Ciatrick Fason RB Florida 6-0 3/4 207 Came out as a junior. Not flashy but played in 38 consecutive games and led SEC in rushing in '04.

61. Adam Terry T Syracuse 6-8 330 One of the biggest players in the draft. A three-year starter at left tackle.

62. Marion Barber III RB Minnesota 5-11 3/8 221 Came out as a junior. Quality athlete who originally was recruited as a defensive back.

63. Bill Swancutt DE Oregon State 6-4 270 Pac-10's co-Defensive Player of the Year in '04. Holds school record with 37 career sacks and had 111/2 twice.

64. Atiyyah Ellison DT Missouri 6-4 1/4 305 Agile player who spent time at defensive tackle and end for the Tigers.

65. Chris Colmer T North Carolina St. 6-5 1/4 310 Gifted, powerful player with an extensive injury history - shoulder, wrist and ankle.

66. Kevin Everett TE Miami (Fla.) 6-4 5/8 241 Had shoulder surgery in January. Hurricanes' second-leading receiver in '04.

67. Bryant McFadden CB Florida State 5-11 3/4 193 Aggressive to the ball and rarely gives up scoring plays - two things NFL coaches like.

68. Vincent Fuller S/CB Virginia Tech 6-1 1/8 189 Played two seasons at safety and two seasons at cornerback for the Hokies.

69. Ray Willis T Florida State 6-5 5/8 327 Intense and powerful drive blocker. Will have to adjust after playing in two-point stance in Seminoles offense.

70. Odell Thurman LB Georgia 6-0 1/8 233 Talented player, but coach Mark Richt got so frustrated with his behavior he sent him to military school.

71. George Gause DE South Carolina 6-4 7/8 275 Soft-spoken player who needs more consistency, but played his best against the SEC heavyweights.

72. Alphonso Hodge CB Miami (Ohio) 5-10 3/4 203 So rarely challenged. he finished career without an interception, though he always covered best receivers.

73. Chris Kemoeatu G Utah 6-3 1/2 344 Power player who needs work in his pass sets. Can be a hothead - was tossed out of two games in '03.

74. Michael Roos T E. Washington 6-6 5/8 320 A three-time All American in Division I-AA. Started 35 consecutive games at left tackle.

75. J.J. Arrington RB California 5-8 7/8 225 Led Division I in rushing yards (2,018) and yards a carry (7.0) in '04. A polished receiver, too.

76. Dan Cody DE Oklahoma 6-5 1/2 254 A former tight end. Missed '02 season after being treated for clinical depression.

77. Junius Coston C N. Carolina A&T 6-33/8 310 Good movement skills. A versatile player who lined up at all five offensive line spots in college career.

78. Jovan Haye DE Vanderbilt 6-2 284 Raised eyebrows when he came out as a junior, but wowed scouts with a 4.74 40 at combine.

79. David Stewart T Mississippi State 6-6 1/2 314 Started 35 games in a row to close his career.

[BombsOverBaghdad]

80. Logan Mankins G Fresno State 6-4 1/8 307 Feisty player who plays with an edge. Tore right ACL in '03.

81. Anthony Alabi T Texas Christian 6-5 1/8 310 Strong, durable player, but footwork is spotty at times. Made 35 starts at left tackle.

82. Evan Mathis G Alabama 6-5 1/4 304 Off-the-charts workouts, but a medical concern because of stress fractures in both shins in his career.

83. Trent Cole DE Cincinnati 6-2 1/4 236 Undersized, but knows how to get to the passer. Played some defensive tackle for the Bearcats.

84. Domonique Foxworth CB Maryland 5-11 1/8 184 Fluid in coverage and does his work in film room. Started past 40 games.

85. Brandon Jacobs RB Southern Illinois 6-4 1/4 267 Some think he might be too tall, but has nimble feet. Averaged 6.6 yards a carry in '04.

86. Nick Collins CB Bethune Cookman 5-11 1/8 206 Some think he projects later, but he might have run himself into the first day - a 4.36 40 at the combine.

87. Jonathan Welsh LB Wisconsin 6-3 1/4 244 Another player trying to find a position, but athletically worthy of a first-day pick.

88. Eric Green CB Virginia Tech 5-11 3/8 198 Better player than athlete. Tore his left ACL in '02. Will be a quality special-teams player.

89. Courtney Roby WR Indiana 6-0 1/8 189 Set virtually every receiving record at the school despite having played with four quarterbacks.

90. Michael Boley LB Southern Miss 6-2 3/4 236 Conference USA Defensive Player of the Year in '04 with 125 tackles and nine sacks.

91. Dante Ridgeway WR Ball State 5-11 1/8 212 Caught 105 passes in '04 despite drawing all the attention - team's next prolific receiver caught 21.

92. Darryl Blackstock DE Virginia 6-2 5/8 247 Came out as a junior after being a three-year starter. Had 27 career sacks.

93. Kelvin Hayden CB Illinois 5-10 3/8 197 Fast riser since season's end. Had 71 tackles and four interceptions for a three-win team.

94. Matt McCoy LB San Diego State 5-11 3/4 234 Came out as a junior. The highest-rated player not invited to the combine.

95. Anttaj Hawthorne DT Wisconsin 6-3 3/8 321 Disruptive player who gets up the field. Has 31 1/2 tackles for loss during past two seasons.

96. Roscoe Parrish WR Miami (Fla.) 5-9 3/4 168 Many will say he is too small, but he's an impact player who also can be a dynamic returner.

97. Mike Patterson DT Southern California 5-11 5/8 292 Productive player. Recorded 41 tackles for loss during past three years for two-time national champions.

98. Stanford Routt CB Houston 6- 3/8 193 One of the best workouts at the combine, with a 4.26 40-yard dash.

99. Dustin Fox CB/S Ohio State 5-10 7/8 191 Played safety and cornerback. Worked with cornerbacks at combine; has a 431/2-inch vertical jump.

100. Brandon Jones WR Oklahoma 6-1 3/8 210 Caught only 80 career passes in high-powered Sooners offense, but scouts love his speed.

[BombsOverBaghdad]

97. Mike Patterson -- #97?? I would be thrilled for the Broncos to grab him in the 3rd

[watermock]

2. Thomas Davis • Safety

Georgia | 6-0 3/4 | 227

It's highly unlikely a safety would be the No. 1 pick of any draft, but some teams have Davis at the top of the board. Not the total package of Sean Taylor last year but a missile with the ball carrier in sight.

I can hear GonzoLays rolling around in his grave. I don't know who paid off this fool, but taking a Safety #2 is so ludicrous he should be shot behind the barn. There are at least 4 corners that will go before Davis. He says himself that the guy is no Sean Taylor, yet alone an Ed Reed, yet he has him picked at #2?

Kiper has Williams as the top pick in the draft, and this clown has him at #26 behind Matt Roth who is a second rounder?

Where in the hell do they drag these people out of one week before the draft?

The funniest thing is that he doesn't even call it a mock draft. The time to pick the top 100 was three months ago.

It's 6 days before the draft and this guy cooks up a top 100. That should of been done months ago, and was.

I'm starting to miss the Shyster, Mariotti and Woody at this point. It's gotten rediculous.

[bloodsunday]

Kiper has Williams as the top pick in the draft, and this clown has him at #26 behind Matt Roth who is a second rounder?

Where in the hell do they drag these people out of one week before the draft?

The funniest thing is that he doesn't even call it a mock draft. The time to pick the top 100 was three months ago.

This looks like its 3 months old. The "buzz" just doesn't support this list. Of course, buzz is about agents, mock drafts, gms, etc... so it might not be reliable. I have a feeling this draft could be crazier (trades, suprise picks) than most in recent history. Particularly, the Miami and Cleveland picks could send the first round spiraling out of control. I have a feeling Cleveland won't take a QB and could take either Edwards or D Johnson. If Miami doesn't take a QB or trades the pick to Tampa, look out.

I'm starting to miss the Shyster, Mariotti and Woody at this point. It's gotten rediculous.
No kidding. Shefter gave us the CP for Bailey trade and these guys are giving us the Top 100 and Mr Irrelevant one week before the draft? I'd like to hear some "buzz" about what the Broncos might do -- I guarantee Shefter would have that.

[Play2win]

29. Khalif Barnes T Washington 6-5 3/4 305 Started career as defensive tackle. Coming off broken right wrist in '04.


Sound familar?!? :wiggle: