Murphy's ratings by position

[Billy Clyde Puckett]

QB's today

http://sports.yahoo.com/nfl/news?slug=jm-quarterbacks021507&prov=yhoo&type=lgns

Rating the quarterbacks

By John Murphy, Yahoo! Sports
February 15, 2007

This year's quarterbacks in the NFL draft have little in common, as each possesses different traits that attract the attention of scouts. It is a top-heavy group with a pair of prospects battling to be taken among the top 10 picks and three to five players fighting to be selected by the end of the draft's first day.


The evaluation of a quarterback starts with watching or looking for consistency in a number of areas: setup, footwork, throwing motion, accuracy and then competitiveness and intangibles.

A quick release is an ideal trait in today's NFL game, since teams are rushing the passer with much more frequency, but the one characteristic that cannot be pinpointed in game film or a scouting report is the potential to be the future leader of a franchise.

Quarterback is the primary position on the football field that gets people promoted or fired. However, the more position coaches or offensive coordinators a quarterback goes through, the longer it actually will take for him to develop.

It's a delicate process of finding not only the best player but also the most ideal fit for a team, as some players simply do not fit into a franchise's balance or chemistry.

Overall, this is a good but not great group with JaMarcus Russell and Brady Quinn leading the way. That next tier could either be full of potential starters down the road or just role-player types that have had solid college careers but will lack a certain element to become productive NFL passers.

TOP QUARTERBACKS

1. JaMarcus Russell, LSU. He became the headliner of this QB class thanks to his fine performances down the stretch of his junior campaign, finishing the season with 28 touchdown passes and just eight interceptions. He also raised his completion percentage to 67.8 percent while making a large number of big plays.

Russell has the keen ability to keep his eyes focused downfield, in the pocket and out on the move, and he throws the ball fluidly and with terrific velocity on all his passes. Most quarterbacks his size (6-foot-6, 260 pounds) have more of a windup, but he has a quick release and his ball soars down the field on vertical routes. He is able to shrug off pass rushers and would-be tacklers, but he's not a scrambler by any means. He will hold the ball too long at times and has taken a few big hits that have led to injuries (separated left shoulder, right wrist).

Russell can be raw at times and go back to being more of a thrower than technically sound passer, and when that happens, he is open to sacks, turnovers and poor reads. Still, such instances seemed to occur with far less regularity this past season, giving most teams the belief that he can take over an offense similar to the way Vince Young did with the Titans.

Russell, who has big hands, should be an impressive all-around athlete at the NFL scouting combine since he has shed a few pounds while working out with a QB coach on positional drills. He will not last past the first three picks of the draft.

2. Brady Quinn, Notre Dame. If there is such a thing as overexposure when it comes to a prospect, then Quinn is suffering from it right now. The preseason favorite to win the Heisman Trophy is now being deemed by some evaluators as a mid-first round pick. That clearly will not occur, but the story makes for good headlines.

He has a quick release, enough arm strength to make all the throws and very good poise in the pocket. His two-year run under the guidance of Charlie Weis will also work well in his favor. Quinn is a very good athlete for the position and will pass the eye test as well as anyone at the combine.

His lack of success against top-rated teams or defenses has raised some concern, but he also proved his smarts and toughness throughout his career. He will force some throws at times rather than taking a sack or waiting for the next down, but he also stands tall and sets up quickly, getting the ball out with good authority. Still, some of his downfield throws seemed to wobble a little more than desired.

Should Quinn slide even past the first few picks, a team will trade up for his services as he brings toughness, intangibles and a winning attitude.

3. Trent Edwards, Stanford. He's an interesting prospect to evaluate because you can go so many ways with his grade. His injury history has some teams concerned; others see a big, potentially physical pocket passer that could develop into a solid starting quarterback in the next few years.

A former highly touted prep prospect that suffered through injuries, inconsistent line play and average weapons during his college career, Edwards has gone through a strenuous rehabilitation and workout regiment to get his foot back to full strength after playing just seven games this past season. He has also taken the time to increase his conditioning while adding weight-room strength (he's currently hitting mid-20s in 225-pound repetitions on the bench press).

Edwards has a strong arm, very good accuracy from the pocket and the ability to progress through his reads if given the proper protection. He throws a very catchable ball, too. His game breaks down some when he is forced to move or roll out, he does not always get his feet set and he fails to keep his eyes focused downfield, which has led to turnovers. A little fumble prone earlier in his career, Edwards must learn to get the ball out quicker or throw the ball away rather than taking so many sacks.

He has an ideal body type at 225 to 230 pounds, and he's a very bright kid who will absorb playbooks quickly and can still improve his pre-snap reads. His final draft status will be based on his ability to complete a full workout for scouts and prove his injuries are behind him.

Teams with an aging veteran or the hope of developing a pocket passer over the next two to three years should take a hard look at Edwards. He has all the tools to start in the league and you will not have to spend a first-round pick to select him.

4. Kevin Kolb, Houston. The biggest question surrounding him is whether he is just another system quarterback or a future NFL starter. The system QB label has become an issue because his college team's terminology and play calling were based around concepts and ideas that won't translate to success at the next level.

He took the majority of his snaps from the shotgun, so his footwork needs some refinement, but he has quick feet and gets to his spots in fine order. He also has good size and shows more elusiveness than pure athleticism when he has to pull the ball down and run.

Kolb has not been responsible for reading the entire field, so how quickly teams feel he can become adept at going through his progressions will be the deciding factor on how high he is ranked on draft boards. He has a good enough arm to make all the throws, even on the move, but the ball does not jump out of his hand. He will also carry the ball low at times, causing him to have a bit of a windup.

Teams would like to see him come to the combine with better development in his physique, which lacked definition at the Senior Bowl. He had a smaller lower frame than desired for the position, too. But I like his accuracy on the short-to-intermediate routes, and he puts good touch on his fade routes. He will stand tall in the pocket and step into his throws most of the time.

Kolb helped turn the Cougars around during his four-year career, so he brings some good intangibles to the table. Recently married, he's the type of well-committed kid that will take the pro game seriously. He offers a solid second-round option for a team that could not trade up for Russell or Quinn.

5. Drew Stanton, Michigan State. A sporadic past two years has caused scouts to have various opinions on the future of a quarterback that possesses very good natural ability and ideal toughness for the position. This past season, Stanton started out strong once again, faltered some in the middle and then became more of a cautious passer than outgoing gunslinger.

He has the ability to roll out of the pocket and make all the throws, but he got hesitant at times, not trusting his arm and decision-making skills and reverting to bad habits that led to turnovers and some close, hard-fought losses. He also took some serious beatings in games, which caused him to fight through a number of nicks and bruises. To his credit, he remained on the field most of the time.

Stanton is a good athlete that should run in the 4.7 range in the 40, and that speed helps him escape the pocket and keep the play live. He has good arm strength on deep routes, but he holds the ball too long and puts too much air under the ball, floating some throws up for grabs. His mistakes seem to come in bunches as he had a few Jake Plummer-type games during his career, but his accuracy is fine as long as he steps into his throws. He can get antsy feet when pressure gets in his face. Most of the time, though, he is able to find a check-down route or escape thanks to his foot speed.

The second group of QBs in this year's draft has a varied skill level, but Stanton's upside supersedes the others. That should help get him selected between Rounds 2 and 3.

[Rohirrim]

Is Russell just a Leftwich clone? Will he be able to stay on the field?

[Drek]

Is Russell just a Leftwich clone? Will he be able to stay on the field?
Reminds me of Culpepper or McNabb more, but doesn't have the baby paws that I think cause many of Culpepper's fumbles. We'll have to see which way he develops mentally, successful like McNabb, using his mobility to make plays that compliment his passing, or Culpepper, a guy who needs a system and weapons that hold his hand and make him successful.

[youcandoit1687]

Russell had a wrist injury and separated shoulder in '05 but had no problems in '06. I'm not sure if anyone can stay healthy behind the Raiders offense and no part of the Raiders offense stays on the field for more than 5 plays at a time.

[Inkana7]

Russell had a wrist injury and separated shoulder in '05 but had no problems in '06. I'm not sure if anyone can stay healthy behind the Raiders offense and no part of the Raiders offense stays on the field for more than 5 plays at a time.
That's good, because most of the time the Raiders offense is on the field for only 3 plays.

ZING!

[Billy Clyde Puckett]

Running Backs

http://sports.yahoo.com/nfl/news;_ylt=AvlIb9drSjZ61zlrzAsico1DubYF?slug=jm-runningbacks021707&prov=yhoo&type=lgns

At this time a year ago, we were arguing over whether one USC running back would go No, 1 overall and another would go in the top 10. Two months later, Reggie Bush fell to No. 2 and LenDale White dropped completely out of the first round.

Selecting running backs high has become a secondary need on most teams' lists, especially since so many teams have been able to locate a back that fits their system in the later rounds or with undrafted free agents.

However, this year the number of teams looking for fresh legs in their backfield outweighs the number of top-rated prospects available. The Cleveland Browns, Houston Texans, Green Bay Packers, New York Jets, New York Giants, Baltimore Ravens and even the Detroit Lions are in the market for a running back on Day 1 of the draft.

The main targets of their desire have an interesting blend of size, speed, pass-catching skills and versatility. The top tier, like the quarterback position, comprises just two players, but there is a solid nucleus of 10 or so prospects that can fit into the first three rounds based on the blocking scheme/ground attack preferred by teams still in need of a back past the first round.

There are also a number of mid-round type backs that should have very productive workouts at the scouting combine or pro days to help drive up their value. These include Eldra Buckley (Tennessee-Chattanooga), Alonzo Coleman (Hampton), Jackie Battle (Houston) and D.D. Terry (Sam Houston State).

TOP RUNNING BACKS

1. Adrian Peterson, Oklahoma. He's one of the most explosive running backs to enter the draft in recent years, but there is concern about his long-range durability. He has a rare blend of size, speed and power, and he did a much better job of setting up his runs this past season, showing a little more patience following his blocks and then bursting through the hole.

Peterson reads and adjusts to opposing defensive units as he is such a threat to take it to the outside and cut up the field. He's a burner in terms of straight-line speed and is flexible enough to cut back or make defenders miss in the open field. He's also the type of back that can wear down opponents: Over 70 percent of his yards in college came after initial contact.

An average receiver out of the backfield, Peterson lacks natural hands and needs to work on running better routes. He does a solid job of picking up blitzes but will drop his head on some cut blocks and get engulfed by some bigger defenders.

His injury history, including both shoulders and some ankle issues, has some teams concerned about his long-term durability. They feel that he will be great for four to five years and then break down. He has a history of fumbling, too, usually after contact or when he is fighting for extra yards.

Peterson's running style has been compared to Eddie George or Deuce McAllister, but he is likely a step faster in terms of that extra gear or burst in the open field. If he can learn to stay a little lower through the pile and avoid some big hits, he'll be able to avoid far fewer injuries. Still, his talent level is just too much to pass up as he could be a 1,500-plus yards rusher in the NFL.

2. Marshawn Lynch, California. He's an excellent fit for any team looking for an every-down back that can also contribute as a receiver, both out of the backfield or if motioned to the slot.

He runs with great vision and quickness while showing the power to finish off runs, and he shows the keen ability to cut and maintain his current level of speed and then further accelerate in a few strides. He's well-built with the size to be a workhorse back.

Lynch has showed natural hands as a receiver and is a smooth route runner out of the backfield. He does a good job of picking up the blitz but can be overwhelmed at times by bull rushers. He's a great effort player even though he is so naturally gifted, and he's known to be a great teammate and leader by others on the Cal offense.

In his career, Lynch has had a few fumbles, which mainly come because he does not always switch the ball to protect it in the open field. He also mishandled a few on toss or pitch plays, but that comes from looking up field rather than securing the ball first.

Teams that are looking for a dual-threat back may favor Lynch over Peterson, but either way, he is a top-half-of-the-first-round talent that should not last past the Packers if he's still available at No. 16.

3. Tony Hunt, Penn State. This is the best "big" back in the draft in terms of size, power and ability to carry the load (25 to 30 carries per game) on a consistent basis at the next level. He may lack ideal straight-line speed – he'll likely run in the mid-4.5s – but he gets better throughout the game and can pound a defense for four quarters. He had 10 runs of more than 20 yards and a large number of carries that produced 10-plus yards.

Hunt's upright style leads to some big hits and a few forced fumbles, but he is not known or thought of as a fumbler overall, although his hand size (9 inches) is just average. He showed good hands out of the backfield and is tough to bring down, but at times, he gets too high as a runner and can be stopped at or behind the line of scrimmage, which is something that Brandon Jacobs of the Giants was able to overcome between his first and second years in the league.

Hunt's ability to force the pile forward comes from his strong lower body and the fact that he runs hard and with determination. He's not a flashy runner, but by the end of the game, he often ended up with over 100 yards or turned in enough plays to make him the difference maker in most of Penn State's wins the past two seasons.

Hunt needs to lower his pad level on short-yardage carries, and he gets too high and fails to pull away when surrounded at the point of attack. He will try to bounce a few plays outside rather than bull his way to the yards available in front of him. He has the ability to carry 235 to 240 pounds with ease, and his work ethic is desirable for the position, as he will not shy away from playing special teams or even returning kicks.

4. Brian Leonard, Rutgers. This is one of the best pure football players in this year's draft – one that is versatile enough to play either running back or fullback at the next level.

Leonard bulked up for his senior campaign in order to serve as the lead blocker for Ray Rice, but what impressed both scouts, coaches and teammates alike was that, unlike most potential pro athletes, he put his team and its needs ahead of his own after having gained over 3,900 yards of total offense in his first three seasons with the Scarlet Knights.

He has some of the draft's best hands out of the backfield, having totaled 207 career receptions. He was able to bruise his way to yardage in the second half of games, but he also has quick feet to the hole and can bounce a few carries outside for big gains. A good cutback-style runner, Leonard uses very good vision, balance and power to consistently gain yardage. That said, he needs to make better use of his size once he gets into the open field. He has been susceptible to being tackled around the ankles or when defenders grab at his legs.

Leonard proved to be a viable and productive member of the backfield from the fullback position. A very good cut blocker, he can stand his ground firmly when picking up the blitz. He will dip his head at times and lead in without having the full balance of his body weight underneath him, but his effort is never waning.

Leonard's workout numbers will surprise. He has spent the offseason getting his weight back down to the mid-220-pound range while focusing on his explosiveness, speed and quickness in the 40-yard dash and drills. It should not be surprising to see him run in the 4.5 range at the combine.

5. Antonio Pittman, Ohio State. Of the top-ranked running backs, he is on the smaller side, which shows you where today's game is headed when 5-foot-11 and nearly 200 pounds can be thought of as being under-sized.

With the ability to both grind out tough yards between the tackles and effortlessly scoot past defenders when bouncing the play outside, Pittman makes you notice him right away. While he has made a number of big plays, both as a runner and receiver, his overall football smarts and how hard he plays the game jumps out at you the more you watch his game film. He is as tough as any player, college or pro, in terms of ball security, having turned the ball over just once in each of the past two years despite 250-plus touches in each of those campaigns.

Pittman will bang it up the middle and take the yards available to him, and he'll show deceptive speed when he is able to break free in the open field. He has stayed away from major collisions at the point of attack and can be more of a finesse runner than just bull his way when confronted with tight situations.

Used purely as a safety valve with the Buckeyes, Pittman needs work on his route running. He could probably bulk up to 205 to 210 pounds, too. Highly durable at the college level, he did have a serious turf toe problem back in his high school days.

There will be a team that really admires his talents and could draft him higher than expected.

[Billy Clyde Puckett]

Fullbacks

http://sports.yahoo.com/nfl/news;_ylt=AoxFdrtspDTbMMALva7PgMhDubYF?slug=jm-fullbacks021807&prov=yhoo&type=lgns

The fullback position has been overlooked by many, including a handful of NFL teams (Dallas Cowboys, New England Patriots and Indianapolis Colts) who have preferred using more of a two-tight end set over the traditional fullback in the backfield.

This trend has led to fullbacks dropping in the draft, as witnessed by the fact that the highest-chosen prospect at this position the past two years has not come until pick No. 158 overall in the fifth round (Justin Green in 2005) and pick No. 163 in the fifth round (David Kirtman in 2006).

A handful of prospects are worthy of mid-to-late round consideration once again, but the majority of them have more ball skills than pure lead blocking ability; there are even a few conversions from tight end to fullback in the mix.

1. Le'Ron McClain, Alabama. The Crimson Tide's team captain is as hard-nosed as they come. While he lacks ideal athleticism or speed, he is a terrific lead blocker. He's more of a throwback – a role player that is ideal if you are running a power run game. He also has showed better-than-advertised hands as a receiver out of the backfield.

McClain runs too upright and stiff to become much of a short-yardage back, although he lost yardage just once in 37 career carries. He's more of a thumper when he stays low and fires out, but he can get re-directed when trying to pick up the blitz and at times fails to recognize or pick up defenders when they run stunts, which may have something to do with his use of contacts to correct his vision. He would work best if he shed some weight to the 250-pound range.

His work ethic and production increased during his senior campaign, which is a good sign, and he performed very well at the Senior Bowl. He's more of a 4.9 range guy in the 40, so his workouts won't excite. At times, he has been thought of as a high-reps guy that takes a little longer to produce ideal results from the classroom to the field. Overall, he is the best lead blocker in this group but is unlikely to come off the board before the fourth or fifth round.

2. Gijon Robinson, Missouri Western. Talented small school athlete that is converting from tight end to fullback/H-back due in part to his size limitations. He stands just over 6-foot and weighs 268 pounds, but he shows very good strength, power and leverage as a blocker and ideal hands as a receiver. He's more athletic than his size or 40 times would indicate.

Robinson is more effective coming out of the backfield or motioned to an H-back position as he lacks the height to become a true threat from the normal tight end position. He runs smooth routes, catches the ball with his hands and then shows both balance and power as a runner after the catch.

He lined up in the backfield for the first time at the Texas vs. the Nation game and showed very good awareness and lead blocking skills during the practice week. He follows through on his blocks, does a good job of sustaining his initial punch and fielded most blitzes with ease. His versatility is sure to catch the eye of several teams, especially those who were fans of Garrett Mills a year ago.

3. Jason Snelling, Virginia. He's a two-way threat who played at a high level as both a running back and fullback in the ACC. His development from lead blocker and special teams ace to feature back did not come overnight, but the all-out-hustle and determination never went unnoticed.

He took the reins to his new job seriously and at times acted as his own lead blocker. Running with a great forward lean, he surprised some opponents with eye-opening straight-line speed. Snelling carries his pads very well and also showed good patience as a runner. He works to stay low and fire through the hole, especially in short-yardage situations.

He's carried upwards of 235 pounds in the past but looks great in his new slimmed-down frame. His versatility can be used in a variety of ways as a backup running back, fullback in a West Coast style attack or even as a one-back.

His prowess on special teams will excite playoff-caliber teams looking to add a rookie that can contribute from Day 1. He is the perfect complementary type of player for teams like Pittsburgh, Seattle or Miami. If he runs in the mid-to-late 4.5s rather than the expected 4.6 range, it could bolster his final draft grade towards the first day.

4. Roshon Vercher, Fresno State. Possesses the perfect build for becoming a feared lead blocker in the NFL. He brings power, grit and determination to both the playing field and locker room. His absence due to injuries the past two years hurt the Bulldogs: They were winless in games he missed due to a high ankle sprain.

Vercher takes the proper angles on all his blocks and then sustains or finishes off his opponent the majority of the time. He's a better athlete than advertised – he scored a few short, goal-line touchdowns when offered the chance to carry the ball – and his blocking led the way for three different running backs to gain over 1,000 yards in each of the four seasons he played. He loves the contact and work ethic that comes with this position, having spent the past few offseasons working out and breaking down game film with All-Pro fullback Lorenzo Neal.

His ranking is based on his ability to contribute at the next level. He may go overlooked in the draft, but he undoubtedly has the ability to make someone's roster and develop into a starting-caliber fullback in the NFL.

5. Derek Schouman, Boise State. This former tight end was invited to the combine to show teams he can make the transition to fullback/H-back. He's unconventional in many ways. He's an above-average athlete with 4.6 speed and impressive hands as a receiver. Despite lacking ideal size to play up on the line of scrimmage, he is a firm, willing blocker with better strength than you initially expect from a player that's 6-2 and 235 pounds.

Schouman has a great attitude and plays with that same intensity on the field. He has been working hard since the Broncos' Fiesta Bowl win over Oklahoma to improve his skills, specifically running routes from the backfield and getting used to turning his head around quicker to be an outlet receiver. He has the mentality to make the conversion to the backfield. He worked through a few issues with his hamstring, but overall, he is a solid mid-to-late round choice for a team that employs a West Coast style offense.

[SoCalBronco]

Thanks for the positional updates, Big Guy. :)

[Kaylore]

Yes. It's easier than constantly checking to see if they are updated. It will be nice when he gets to the other positions our team cares about.

[footstepsfrom#27]

This is an area we could upgrade late in the draft. We haven't had a punishing lead blocker since Howard Griffith was here. We keep using smaller hubrid type backs to play the FB spot when what we really need is a sledge hammer with hands.

[Billy Clyde Puckett]

http://sports.yahoo.com/nfl/news?slug=jm-widereceivers022007&prov=yhoo&type=lgns

Wide Receivers

The wide receiver position comes back with a vengeance, as the top of this year's crop is made up of mostly underclassmen. As many as six receivers have potential first-round grades, including the possible No. 1 overall pick – Georgia Tech's Calvin Johnson.

For the most part, the top five possess good size with all but Ohio State's Ted Ginn Jr. measuring at least 6-foot-2, but it could be interesting to see how teams favor this group. There is a solid foundation of prospects that could go anywhere between late in the first round all the way down to the third or fourth rounds.

Last season, the NFL Rookie of the Week honors went to a wide receiver on seven different occasions with seventh-round pick Marques Colston and undrafted free agent Hank Baskett accounting for four of those awards. Therefore, expect an early run on receivers.

However, a straying away from the position will allow several high-profile names to still be on the board come the second day of the draft.

WIDE RECEIVER SLEEPERS
Yamon Figurs, Kansas State
Onrea Jones, Hampton
Julius McClellan, North Carolina Central

TOP WIDE RECEIVERS

1. Calvin Johnson, Georgia Tech. Potentially the best pound-for-pound athlete in the draft as he stands 6-foot-4 and 235 pounds and has been timed in the 4.3-second range in the 40. He also has a vertical leap between 42 and 45 inches and a broad jump of 11 feet.

Johnson matches that athleticism with playmaker ability on the field and a quiet unassuming presence off of it. In fact, for a player of his talent level, there has not been a prospect with less of an ego or more of a workmanlike attitude to enter the draft in years. He acts and wants to be treated like he's just one of the guys, but he brings such a wealth of ability to the field that it would not be surprising to see him taken No. 1 overall.

He is very flexible and has a fluid stride that allows him to separate from defenders, although he needs to do a better job of locating the ball when it is in the air, especially when going to out-jump opposing defenders. He has great moves in the open field as he can take a short screen or slant route and deliver big yardage after the catch.

Without putting too much blame on his former quarterback (Reggie Ball), the accuracy and pocket presence of Georgia Tech's quarterback play was inconsistent throughout Johnson's college career. One aspect he could improve upon is breaking off his routes and coming back to the ball. Still, he shows adept footwork to keep or get himself inbounds along the sideline or in the end zone. He's a good all-around talent as he looks for players downfield to block and was able to cut-block defenders with the best of them in college.

One of the hardest workers at his pre-combine training with coach Tom Shaw in Orlando, Fla., Johnson has continued to work on using his long arms to get off the jam. He does not allow defenders to get into his body or use their hands to knock him off routes. The combination of his pure physical tools, high character and willingness to be a quiet, consummate leader should earn him high marks across the board. A 40 time in the 4.3-second range at the NFL combine or his pro day would further confirm that Johnson could be the No. 1 overall pick.

2. Ted Ginn Jr., Ohio State. The elevation of this versatile performer to a potential spot among the top 10 picks comes from the fact he possesses speed – and more speed. He is likely the fastest player in the draft in terms of straight-line 40-yard dash speed, and he also has the rare athleticism to change direction on a dime without losing any speed. Even rarer is his ability to gear right back up to full speed with a few steps.

Ginn has started to grow as a receiver, although he is still a bit thin-framed and has too many drops. His fast reflexes and hand/eye coordination have made him the most feared return man in college football since he joined the Buckeyes three years ago. His open-field moves are eye-opening as he is able to see a seam in a defense and accelerate through it.

Ginn needs to learn to get free or create space for himself in the middle of the field. He will also drop a few balls when he is too active in trying to make a play. He must work to become more flexible as he can round off his routes at times, and he also needs to increase his bulk/strength in order to defeat press coverage in the pros.

Right now, he brings the dimension of speed, versatility and game-breaking return skills, but he is not a finished product at receiver. He has also speculated on several occasions that at some point in his pro career he would like to play cornerback, the position he prefers to play. Should he run 4.3 or better, he could go as high as No. 7 to the Minnesota Vikings or No. 10 to the Atlanta Falcons. If not, he will not slip too far past the top 10 based on his upside.

3. Dwayne Bowe, LSU. Corrective Lasik eye surgery in the offseason helped him produce his best year to date and gave scouts reason to believe that he can become a No. 1, go-to receiver. He was a first-down machine in the SEC, with over 75 percent of his career catches moving the chains for the Tigers. He also showed the ability to constantly break initial defenders' attempts at bringing him down.

Bowe primarily lined up at the flanker (Z) receiver spot in order to take advantage of his size. Most defenders were unable to get up and jam or press him since he could use his long arms and strong hands to disengage and quickly get into his routes. The eye surgery helped him see the ball quicker and catch the majority of passes with his hands outstretched from his body. He will still juggle or secure a few balls against his body, though.

He breaks most of his tackles with power as opposed to making defenders miss with speed. He should time very well for being 6-3 and 217 pounds, but it takes him time to build up to full speed. He is better on intermediate or post routes as opposed to corner or go patterns, and he has ideal size and leaping ability on fade routes. However, he has struggled at times to adjust to the ball, with it falling incomplete or just out of his reach.

Bowe passed the eye test with flying colors at the Senior Bowl. Solid workouts should put him in position to be taken somewhere around the mid-way point of the first round.

4. Robert Meachem, Tennessee. This youngster came on this past season thanks to a move from "X" to flanker, where he became the Volunteers' new go-to receiver. He used a combination of size, speed and slippery moves to elevate himself to the upper echelon of receivers.

He catches the ball with his hands and has terrific balance and agility in the open field, where he'll accelerate without losing any of his top-end speed. He had a few drops when trying to adjust to the ball, but he has good leaping skills and sticks his landings along the sideline.

Meachem became a red-zone threat last season, as he knew how to get open quickly or use his long arms to break free along the back line of the end zone. The tall, rangy prospect increased his strength at the line of scrimmage; he is harder to jam and is working to get better against press coverage. He runs pretty crisp routes and isn't a long strider considering his size. He's also a willing blocker and was recognized by teammates as being well-liked and mature.

He is similar in some ways to former Volunteers great Carl Pickens, who was taken in the second round of the 1992 draft and went on to have four 1,000-yard campaigns during a nine-year career that included a pair of Pro Bowl appearances. Meachem could be an in-state favorite for the Tennessee Titans at pick No. 19.

5. Dwayne Jarrett, USC. A tremendous playmaker at the collegiate level, Jarrett is now being questioned about his ability to keep up that big-play style at the next level. Some have him rated as high as the draft's No. 2 receiver. Others are not impressed by his potential impact in the pros and feel he will slide greatly on draft day.

Jarrett's issues revolve around his lack of ideal straight-line speed, questionable work habits and unwillingness to be coached. However, there is no doubting his production, size and keen ability to grab the ball at its highest point. He does well along the sidelines, looking to create space or coming back to the ball, and he has made smaller defenders pay on a consistent basis, but many of those jump ball or fade routes will not be so easy to achieve against NFL defenders.

Where he slacks off is when he is not the primary target. While his straight-line speed is average for his size and position, the failure to be overly flexible and to cut in and out on his routes is probably a more pressing issue.

Jarrett banged up his left shoulder last season but came back and was productive in the Trojans' Rose Bowl win over Michigan. Coming out early was likely a sound judgment call as the issue over his lack of speed would not have gone away even with another highly productive college campaign.

He needs to be paired with the right type of scheme and position coach in order to get the most out of him. He seems to have a little bit of Antonio Bryant in his game in that he can become frustrated and sound off. However, Jarrett is such an interesting prospect because he has produced and consistently made big plays in college. Still, other factors could cause him to slide toward the latter part of the first round.

[Rohirrim]

Damn! I still want Brian Leonard in the O&B. This kid is going to be a force.

[Billy Clyde Puckett]

OTs

http://sports.yahoo.com/nfl/news?slug=jm-offensivetackles022307&prov=yhoo&type=lgns

Finding a franchise offensive tackle is near the top of the list for every NFL team, right after locating a starting quarterback, pass rusher and cover cornerback.

But in recent years, the top players selected early in the first round have failed to deliver. Jordan Gross, Robert Gallery and even Alex Barron have had their ups and downs. Still, nine tackle prospects were chosen in the first three rounds of last year's draft.

Adjusting to the speed of the game, complicated blocking schemes and the pressure of playing an "A" game week in and week out over a 16-game schedule makes the tackle spot one of the hardest to judge.

The mental aspect of the game and the player's learning curve is as important at this position as anywhere on the field. A missed block can lead to a turnover, or worse, a major injury to a starting quarterback or running back.

This year's crop features three possible first-round prospects. Expect to see a second run at the position mid-to-late third round.

OFFENSIVE TACKLE SLEEPERS
Allen Barbre, Missouri Southern
Jacob Bender, Nicholls State
Daniel Parrish, Florida A&M

TOP OFFENSIVE TACKLES

1. Joe Thomas, Wisconsin. Many expected this All-American to declare early for the draft last year. Those plans were scuttled after he suffered a right knee injury in the Badgers' bowl game. Fully recovered, he is expected to be a top-five pick, maybe even going in the first three selections.

A strong blocker at the point of attack, Thomas uses his hands to create a violent punch off the snap. His footwork and athleticism allow him to adjust and handle pass rushers off the edge.

He does not have really long arms (32½ inches) for his size (6-foot-8, 305 pounds), but his track-and-field background help him lock on and sustain his blocks.

His makeup and skill level make him very attractive for a team picking in the top five. The Detroit Lions and Arizona Cardinals seem likely destinations. The Cleveland Browns could be a dark horse.

2. Levi Brown, Penn State. A well-respected and decorated Big Ten lineman, Brown is seen by many as a first-round talent. Detractors see a bit of an underachiever.

When on his game, he is a force as a drive blocker and can handle outside pass rushers. But he takes off too many plays, sometimes gets high in his stance and suffers lapses in concentration (seven penalties the past two seasons).

The 6-5 Brown has good feet to get out and block downfield but needs to watch his weight (324 pounds) and conditioning. He missed a pair of games after suffering a torn meniscus in his left knee, the same knee that he sprained two years earlier, and was out of shape for several more weeks after his return. He can overextend and get sloppy with his technique when he starts to wear down.

He has the skill level to become similar to young All-Pro tackle Jamaal Brown. He's likely to go in the 20-to-32 range of the first round, but he could get over-drafted (top 10) by a team that feels they can get the most out of his ability.

3. Tony Ugoh, Arkansas. The All-American came into his own as a senior, playing 14 games and allowing just one sack.

Ugoh, who also competed in track until this past season, has bulked up and toughened up over the past year (6-6, 301 pounds). His footwork has improved, but he will get too shallow off the snap at times when facing quicker edge rushers.

He has long arms and his initial punch improved once he learned to keep his hands up and use them quicker off the snap. That said, he needs to increase his lower body strength.

Ugoh could be a bit of a risky pick, but a strong showing at the combine could make him a possible mid-to-late first-round selection.

4. Joe Staley, Central Michigan. The most athletically gifted blocker available, Staley could run in the 4.70 range at or above 300 pounds, do 30 reps of 225 pounds and jump 32 to 33 inches vertically.

He has the ability to get good depth off the snap to combat edge rushers, but he also shows the balance and footwork to stay in front of most bull rushers.

Staley (6-5, 300 pounds) is still learning to play as a full-sized lineman, but his maturity should also come with increased upper-body strength.

He has the makeup and skill level to develop into an above-average talent at left tackle, which should help him get drafted higher than expected.

5. Ryan Harris, Notre Dame. He's another prospect with the natural size (6-5, 292) and athleticism you desire, but he does not always seem to always put it to complete use.

Harris makes pretty good use of his hands and can create the type of jolt you look for. But he fails to sustain his blocks long enough. He can be pushed around by bull rushers and takes too long to re-adjust if beaten off the snap.

Harris needs to bulk up and increase his lower body strength. He struggled against smaller, quicker pass rushers.

It would be hard to see him going before the third round.

[Kaylore]

No Kalil? Everyone loves Kalil and this guy doesn't even mention him?

It's also strange that he was so thorough and critical on the offensive linemen and then he was so vague and dreamy eyed on players like Ted Ginn Jr.

[-Slap-]

No Kalil? Everyone loves Kalil and this guy doesn't even mention him?

Maybe he remembers Kalil from last year's draft when he was named Greg Eslinger.

[Billy Clyde Puckett]

No Kalil? Everyone loves Kalil and this guy doesn't even mention him?

It's also strange that he was so thorough and critical on the offensive linemen and then he was so vague and dreamy eyed on players like Ted Ginn Jr.

This is just OTs - Kalil is a Center

Broncs probably won't take one of these guys but there are a bunch of nice developmental types that will go late in the draft. I'd be surprised if the Broncs don't pick one in round 6 or 7 to stash on the PS.

[Kaylore]

This is just OTs - Kalil is a Center

:hitself: Oh yeah. Duh! :dummy:

[Kaylore]

Maybe he remembers Kalil from last year's draft when he was named Greg Eslinger.

Do you really think so? That would be interesting. Eslinger had the physique of a tight end when I saw him up close. His arms especially were pretty small. There were also reports of him getting blown off the ball quite frequently and getting pushed around. Kalil's reviews don't read the same way but early in the process Eslinger's didn't either.

[-Slap-]

Kalil is my pick for the guy most likely to be drafted four or five rounds later than he's projected.

[Billy Clyde Puckett]

Centers

http://sports.yahoo.com/nfl/news?slug=jm-centers022307&prov=yhoo&type=lgns

The 2006 NFL draft featured an early run on centers. Four were taken among the first 75 picks, including Nick Mangold who went to the New York Jets at No. 29 overall.

The next pure center was not picked until the sixth round (No. 198), meaning more than four rounds worth of players were taken between the fourth and fifth prospects at this position.

Many teams believe center is more about scheme, intangibles and desired skill level. Thus, the overall rankings vary from team to team as much as any position in the draft.

It would not be surprising to see just three or four center prospects taken on the first day of the draft. But there are six to eight others who could become steady backups if not eventual starters in the league.

CENTER SLEEPERS
Brent Pousson, McNeese State
Christian Gaddis, Villanova
Steve Vallos, Wake Forest

TOP CENTERS

1. Ryan Kalil, USC. The leader of the Trojans' prolific offensive line will be considered undersized in certain blocking schemes. But he has proven to be a great technician and student of the game.

Kalil (6-foot-3 and 285 pounds) struggles at times when faced with a man over him, but he will find a hole in the defender's game and exploit it on more plays than he is beaten. He has quick feet and gets out of his stance and into proper position off the snap.

His competitive nature and high football IQ make him one of the better all-around center prospects in several years. His father played in both the NFL and USFL.

Several teams in need of a future starting center are likely to grade him as an early second-round choice.

2. Josh Beekman, Boston College. A compact-bodied blocker (6-1, 321), Beekman earned high marks from teammates and opposing prospects for playing hard.

Although undersized to play guard, he has an ideal frame for the middle and can handle bigger, bull rushers thanks to his large upper body and strong hands.

Beekman plays with good balance and a strong base at the point of attack, but he struggles to maintain his blocks down field. He could work on his overall conditioning as a few less pounds might make him more agile/flexible.

This is a player who will bring good intangibles to the team that selects him.

3. Samson Satele, Hawaii. Another transplanted offensive guard who might find greater success inside thanks to his body type, smarts and intangibles.

Satele (6-3, 311) creates very good power with his initial punch and is able to sustain his blocks and keep his feet moving upon contact. He has good recognition of the defense and can make the line calls.

He's a player who should be able to contribute earlier than most and could be slotted at center or left guard.

4. Scott Stephenson, Iowa State. Stephenson began his career as a defensive line recruit at Minnesota before transferring and becoming an All-Big 12 performer at center in Ames.

He is a hard worker with ideal agility and toughness who started every game the past two years despite surgeries on both shoulders.

Stephenson (6-4, 305) needs to increase his lower body strength.

His shoulders might concern some teams, but he should still be a solid mid-round choice and could develop along the lines of Jeff Saturday.

5. Dustin Fry, Clemson. Fry was a primary factor behind the Tigers' punishing ground attack.

He has a very strong upper body and wide base, and he likes to roughhouse in the middle. His footwork and agility are average.

Fry (6-3, 320) has a wealth of experience in the shotgun formation and delivers the ball with great velocity and accuracy.

Expect him to open some eyes with his weight-room strength. He could come up with as many as 40 reps of 225 pounds.

Fry should be a solid mid-round selection for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Cleveland Browns or Jacksonville Jaguars.

[Billy Clyde Puckett]

Defensive tackles

http://sports.yahoo.com/nfl/news?slug=jm-defensivetackles022607&prov=yhoo&type=lgns

Rating the defensive tackles
Rating the defensive tackles

By John Murphy, Yahoo! Sports
February 26, 2007





As always, teams could have the choice of two types of defensive tackles to mend the interior of their front line. The quicker and sometimes undersized prospects can attack the line of scrimmage and create havoc while a handful of oversized space eaters can fill up the middle and allow others to make the play. The job description of the latter group does not sound exciting, but two such players (Haloti Ngata and Gabe Watson) came off the board before the end of the fourth round of last year's NFL draft.

The larger space eaters are wanted by teams playing either a 3-4 that are hopeful of finding the next inside plug along the lines of Casey Hampton or Jamal Williams or in a 4-3 scheme that is hopeful of locating a prospect similar to Ted Washington or Sam Adams.

A total of five interior defenders were taken within the first three rounds of last year's draft, while the majority of the players selected at this position came off the board between rounds 4-6.

This year's talented group of prospects includes three potential first-rounders, including two that could be taken in the Top 10. Overall, the position is also deeper than last year's draft and productive roles players will still be available through the mid-to-late rounds. One name to keep an eye on is Walter Thomas, the former NW Mississippi JC/Oklahoma State product that opened eyes at the Texas vs. the Nation game thanks to his size (6-foot-3, 370 pounds) and impressive quickness off the ball.

DT SLEEPERS
Walter Thomas, NW Mississippi JC/Oklahoma State
Trey Lewis, Washburn (Kansas)
Mike DeVito, Maine


TOP DEFENSIVE TACKLES
1. Amobi Okoye, Louisville. A 19-year old prodigy that has opened the eyes of evaluators with his great combination of size (6-foot-2, 302 pounds), speed, power and maturity for someone who could just as easily be entering college as he is headed to the NFL. He did very well at the Senior Bowl practices and no one questioned seems to have any fears about him adjusting to the off-field lifestyle of the NFL.

He comes out of the blocks full speed on most downs, showing ideal quickness, power and the upside to become a feared interior defender at the next level. He has long arms (33½") for a player with his average height and his intelligence and attacking style make him an ideal fit for many roles, but Cover-2 type squads paid closer attention to him than others during Senior Bowl week.

Okoye usually makes very good use of his hands, stays low and fires off the snap with aggression. However, he will over-pursue and can also get tall when called upon to blitz if stationed head up with a larger defender. He still needs to develop more of a variety of pass rush moves. Louisville used him as a nose guard when it went to a modified version of the 3-4, but most evaluators think he lacks a big enough physique to handle the pounding of that spot in the NFL.

Okoye's age, ability and upside will allow him the chance to penetrate the Top-10 picks of the draft, but his long-range potential is what puts him ahead of Branch in my book.

2. Alan Branch, Michigan. A big-bodied defender, Branch is being viewed by several 3-4 teams as possibly converting to defensive end like Ty Warren has done in New England, while others see him being slotted over the center similar to players like Sam Adams or Ted Washington.

Branch has rare strength for a player that can run right at or around 5.00 in the 40 at nearly 330 pounds. He is better at controlling the line of scrimmage and allowing others to make the actual play. He takes up two gaps and can face and defeat double teams, but more importantly can sustain his ground and drive past blockers thanks to his size and power.

Branch shows a short-area burst to the ball carrier and is strong enough to drag him down although he is not a great form tackler. He will need to develop some better pass rush moves in order to become more of a presence against the pass. Right now he is purely a bull rusher, but does not always play with technique and balance when rushing the passer. However, Branch does have long arms and can bat down a few balls or block the vision of the quarterback.

There is no doubt that a player with his type of size and skill level will go early in the first round and depending on how free agency plays out, he could very well be taken as high as the Top 5.

3. DeMarcus Tyler, N.C. State. He was able to get out from underneath the shadow of a defensive unit that featured three first-round picks (Mario Williams, John McCargo and converted outside linebacker Manny Lawson) just a year ago.

Tyler is very active off the snap and prefers to attack rather than sitting back and reading the blocker. He made much better use of his hands this past season, so that along with his impressive lower-body strength helped make him one of the most aggressive run stuffers in the nation. He is able to locate the ball as fast as any interior lineman on the board and more importantly gets into the opposing blocker off the snap more times than he allows them to make the first move on him.

His play level soared over the final year and a half of college football as his production nearly doubled during that period of time. His ability to help collapse the pocket and do so from any number of defensive alignments should bolster his final grade towards that of being a mid-to-late first round pick.

4. Marcus Thomas, Florida. Yes, off-field issues cost him the chance to complete his senior campaign, but he has the talent to wreak havoc for an opposing offense when he is on the field.

A player that will really gets after it when he keeps his pads low and fires off the snap, Thomas shows decent pass rush moves for an interior defender. He has a quick first step and uses his hands well to get off initial blocks. However, he needs to make better account of himself against cut blocks; too easily taken off his feet for such an athletic player.

He can get a bit high off the ball at times and provides an ideal target for blockers. He fits best in a two-gap scheme, but may need to bulk up some in order to handle the pounding of the NFL game. Thomas has first-round ability and started to revive his character during the Texas vs. the Nation practices as he spoke openly with scouts and agreed to play a week after the same evaluators had seen the other top-rated interior defenders at the Senior Bowl.

5. Ryan McBean, Oklahoma State. He passes the eye-test with rave reviews and even cut out some of the extra bulk and body fat leading up to the Senior Bowl. He has a long upper body frame that if he desires could easily carry 290-plus pounds. In spite of being tall and lean, he is not stiff and very athletic both off the snap and in pursuit.

McBean is still learning both technique wise and overall in the way that he goes about his business as the two-year stint at junior college kept him from having a set schedule for training, eating habits and fundamental skills. He flashed an impressive blend of quickness, power and raw skill level in 1-on-1 drills during the Senior Bowl practices. He can come off high at times and gives away too much of his body to blockers, but uses his long arms and athleticism to work back into the play and hardly ever stayed blocked this past season.

Many evaluators believe that he can become a force at DE in a 3-4 as well as provide very good push up the middle or on the outside if selected by a 4-3 squad. The teams that like him are really excited about his upside, but other franchises feel that he will be a perennial tease

[Billy Clyde Puckett]

Defensive Ends

http://sports.yahoo.com/nfl/news?slug=jm-defensiveends022607&prov=yhoo&type=lgns

Rating the defensive ends
Rating the defensive ends

By John Murphy, Yahoo! Sports
February 26, 2007





Pass rushers are at a premium in the NFL evidenced by the fact that Mario Williams went into last year's combine as a potential Top-10 pick yet eventually became the top overall selection.

Three defensive ends came off the board in the first 20 choices last year, while eight were taken on the first day. Today's game has altered how teams look at this position as 4-3 teams are still in search of full-sized ends to play on the strong side and edge rushers to provide pressure on the opposite end. Meanwhile, 3-4 schemed franchises are looking to convert undersized pass rushers into outside linebackers or standup rushers.

As a result of the demand and versatility, this year's first round could feature as many as eight total defensive ends being taken within the top 32 selections.

The top names that are most likely to follow our current Top-5 rated prospects include Purdue DE/OLB Anthony Spencer, Nebraska DE/OLB Jay Moore and Hawaii's Ikaika Alama-Francis or Notre Dame's Victor Abiamiri.

DE SLEEPERS
Brian Robison, Texas
Gregory Peterson, North Carolina Central
Jeffrey Nweke, Fort Valley State

TOP DEFENSIVE ENDS

1. Jamaal Anderson, Arkansas. Offers great size (6-foot-5½, 302 pounds), natural strength and pass-rush ability thanks to a quick first step, long arms and combination of moves that wreaked havoc on SEC opponents.

Moved to left end after playing on the right side earlier in his career, Anderson has the ability to defeat blockers as a bull rusher, but will get high off the snap and can be ridden out of the play sometimes. He needs to do a better job of using his hands to get off the block, but his improved instincts and reaction off the snap helped increase his production and value this past season. He tends to lack suddenness off the ball, which keeps him from being able to provide more pressure when he shades to the outside of the tackle's shoulder, yet his long arms allow him to evade blockers that fail to sustain initial contact.

He did very well when used on stunts or twists, coming underneath several times to invade the pocket, and works to get better while displaying the ability to be effective in a variety or roles. He can dominate the line of scrimmage and is very agile for his size. He makes an equal number of plays behind the line of scrimmage or when chasing down the play from the backside and flashes a true nasty streak. However, at times, it seems like he needs to take that first punch or get pan-caked in order to bring it out of him.

Some evaluators say he can develop into a Richard Seymour-type pro, while others suggest he has the potential to be a double-digit sack dominant force along the lines of Michael Strahan. Above-average workout numbers could result in him becoming a Top-5 choice come April.

2. Gaines Adams, Clemson. The premier outside pass rusher available in this year's draft, Adams is able to create instant havoc as an attacking up-field defender and at times last season showed signs of becoming more of an all-around player. He uses his long arms (34½”) to escape initial blocks and sets up most linemen with a variety moves when they back into a deeper stance.

Adams gets engulfed at times on sweeps or pitches to his side because he lacks lower body weight. However, he makes plays down the line in pursuit and is athletic enough to create turnovers by either tipping the ball at the line of scrimmage or stripping them from the ball carrier while attempting to make the tackle. He plays his best when he displays a nasty streak, but will lean too much on his athleticism at times and fails to finish the play.

It is likely that several 3-4 scheme teams will ask to work him out at OLB, but I would not feel comfortable moving him off the line of scrimmage as it would make him more of read-and-react defender and strip him of the first step and burst he currently shows off the snap. His pass rush skills will be hard to overlook on draft day, especially since there is a lack of ideal depth to this class at the position. In fact, his college head coach once compared his skill level to that of former premier NFL pass rusher Derrick Thomas.

3. Adam Carriker, Nebraska. High-rising talent that opted to return for his senior campaign and after a slow start during the season, it has paid dividends. His combination of size (nearly 6-foot-6, 285-290 pounds) and strength made him an even more valued prospect coming away from the Senior Bowl practices as teams now feel that he can line up in a variety of roles, including 4-3 RDE, 3-4 DE and inside at the under-tackle position.

Carriker dominates the line of scrimmage with his upper body strength and capacity to collapse the pocket as a bull rusher. He works best when lined up over or inside an opposing blocker as he lacks the sudden quickness to be consistently effective as an edge rusher. He plays with great intensity, is very smart on the field, holds contain and is rarely put out of position. He can be a little stiff at times, but is able to anchor his side of the line on most downs and creates separation from blockers by using his long arms.

He will be a very good long-term addition to a locker room because he brings maturity and a team-oriented sense about him. His ability to play throughout the line and his impressive wins in 1-on-1 battles in Mobile, Ala., have pushed him up towards the top-half of the first round. He is clearly the top-rated defensive end for a 3-4 scheme team or ones that would like to install a version of that into their defensive philosophy.

4. Charles Johnson, Georgia. He is a little shorter than ideal, but has long arms (33”) that help him more than compensate for the fact that he is not 6-3 or 6-4. He plays with great strength and leverage at the point of attack, and is able to locate the ball/play quickly. He gets up field, but knows when to hold his ground on contain and has the motor to make plays in pursuit.

Johnson struggles at times to get off blocks if his initial move does not work, so he needs to work harder at the point of attack and stop being so much of an arm tackler. He stays low and fires off the ball, but does best when shaded on the outside or even inside shoulder as he lacks the bulk and power to disengage off bigger opponents when lined head-up.

He's a much better fit for a 4-3 scheme team as he lacks the size and lower body strength to consistently handle the alignment of a 3-4 DE and figures to be a 12th-20th pick of the first round.

5. Jarvis Moss, Florida. Young, talented pass rusher with rare tools, but also still a work-in-progress in terms of being an all-around defender. Moss has fought back from the brink of being out of football because of an extended battle to cure a staph infection, but it may still have some lingering effects in terms of keeping his weight up throughout a full 16-game schedule.

Moss works best when he is lined up outside and used purely as an edge rusher as he can be engulfed at the point of attack. He struggles on run plays to his side, but could get better by using his arms and helping to extend the play out for himself or others to make the tackle. He gets too tall off the line at times, giving away his body, and lacks the frame to ever carry much more than 260 pounds.

Teams that utilize the 3-4 look at him as a conversion to OLB, but he is likely to get drafted higher than this rating because he will entice a team with his athleticism and upside as a pass rusher

[Billy Clyde Puckett]

Looks like I missed the Guards

http://sports.yahoo.com/nfl/news;_ylt=Ao1gKQSbg2S4FV_8LM77agpDubYF?slug=jm-offensiveguards022307&prov=yhoo&type=lgns

Rating the offensive guards
Rating the offensive guards

By John Murphy, Yahoo! Sports
February 23, 2007





Offensive guards generally don't go high in the draft. Last year, just one guard was taken in each of the first three rounds. The bulk of prospects were selected in rounds five through seven.

Since 1998, when Mo Collins (No. 23) and Alan Faneca (26) were both taken within the first 32 picks, one or fewer guards have been selected in the first round.

Between 1999 and 2006, Lewis Kelly, Kynan Forney, Rick DeMulling, Scott Wells, William Whitticker and Mark Setterstrom, all of whom were drafted in the seventh round, were able to become starting guards in their first pro season.

This year, there are a handful of prospects who could surface as late first-round to early day-one selections. Expect 10 to 12 players to come off the board between the fourth and six rounds.

OFFENSIVE GUARD SLEEPERS
Robert Turner, New Mexico
Patrick Murray, Truman State (Mo.)
Nevin McCaskill, Hampton

TOP OFFENSIVE GUARDS

1. Justin Blalock, Texas. This two-time All-American was once thought to be a sure-fire, first-round prospect. But he was not a great finisher as a senior, and his body type (6-foot-4, 329 pounds) is geared more to him playing inside.

He has a broad upper body with thick legs, which give him the ability to drive defenders off the ball as a run blocker but prohibit him from dealing with faster edge rushers if stationed out at right tackle.

Blalock needs to trim back to the 320-to-325 pound range, tighten up around the middle and keep himself from getting top heavy. He has better footwork at the lower weight and, in the right system, could be put back out at right tackle.

Some worry that he lacks ideal arm size (33 inches) to stave off defenders at tackle. Still, he has as a chance to be taken toward the end of the first round if not early second. Upcoming workouts will be key.

2. Ben Grubbs, Auburn. This hard-working, All-SEC lineman has gone from a 250-pound defensive lineman to a dominating, 6-3, 318-pound blocker.

Grubbs has quick feet and is good at locating second-level defenders to block. He has long arms and big, quick hands, and it's a major plus for him to play left guard since he is left-handed.

Several teams are looking for a fresh face at left guard (Baltimore Ravens, Chicago Bears, Tennessee Titans, St. Louis Rams and possibly Cincinnati Bengals), so one of them could very well make a late first-round deal in order to grab Grubbs.

3. Tala Esera, Hawaii. One of the most physically gifted and versatile blockers available.

Esera was a left tackle, but his body type and lack of ideal height (6-4, 295) for the position have most believing that he will move inside. He gets under his man and creates good explosion with his initial punch.

Mature and family-oriented off the field, he is married with two children.

His workout numbers – 5.10 range in the 40, 28 to 32 reps of 225 pounds and fluid movement in all the agility drills – should impress.

4. Mansfield Wrotto, Georgia Tech. A converted defensive lineman who played tackle as a senior, Wrotto earned All-ACC honors.

He lacks ideal height (6-3) but has a strong upper body and solid lower base, which fit in perfectly with a move to guard. He moves well at 310 now and will get better with improved experience and technique.

Wrotto impressed position coaches and scouts with his interviews during the Senior Bowl. If he learns to keep his hands higher and make better use of his upper body strength, he can become a solid pro starter, especially for a team that might not come off the board until the third round.

5. Arron Sears, Tennessee, The three-year starter ended his college career as one of the Vols' most decorated linemen, getting most of his starts at left tackle.

He lacks ideal quickness and athleticism to start at left tackle, but he plays with the desired technique, smarts and stability to hold down an interior line spot.

Sears (6-4, 320) can dominate the line of scrimmage thanks to his good upper body strength and good use of his hands. He could get stronger in the lower body and needs to be conscious of his weight.

He will be rated higher on some boards because of his experience, but lower on others because he will be viewed as an average athlete in many categories.

[Billy Clyde Puckett]

Inside Linebackers

http://sports.yahoo.com/nfl/news;_ylt=AlztrFiA.DhwErlQAfpi7Z5DubYF?slug=jm-ilbrankings022807&prov=yhoo&type=lgns

The inside linebacker spot usually has been overlooked in recent seasons, mainly because the top prospects have lacked ideal athleticism or big-play potential. This year's crop does not fall into that category.

Like some of the other positions previously reviewed, there are a variety of player types when it comes to evaluating inside linebackers. A Cover 2 scheme is in need of a player who has very good foot speed and agility as he will be called upon to drop back into coverage. These players also may lack ideal bulk in terms of their playing weight, but it rarely is a cause of concern for their defensive coordinators.

The next are the throwback, two-down run stuffers who can be stiff in the hips but who use their size and strength at the point of attack and normally fit in either a base 4-3 or even some 3-4 schemes.

However, the most coveted guy is an every-down player. Those defenders are few and far between these days, but a player possessing smarts, great instincts, strong intangibles and high character can be as productive – if not more – than someone deemed to have more talent at this position.

The depth of this class will allow teams to find very useful role players in the fourth through sixth rounds, including a handful of prospects who possess the ability to become starters down the line.

ILB SLEEPERS
Zach Diles, Kansas State
Terrel White, Bowling Green
Cameron Siskowic, Illinois State/Washington State


THE TOP FIVE

1. Patrick Willis, Mississippi: One of the most prolific tacklers in recent memory during his time in the SEC, Willis played through an assortment of injuries as a junior before opting to return to school rather than jumping to the NFL.

Willis, a great leader on the field, has made all the calls for his defensive unit. He gets good depth on his drops, but lacks ideal lateral quickness and has a tendency to takes a few false steps to the ball after the snap. However, he does have good instincts and takes proper angles to the receiver, creating more than a few pass breakups by nailing an opposing receiver as the ball arrives.

Willis plays faster than his originally reported 40 times and really gets after the run. However, he needs to make better use of his hands to avoid cut blocks. He's a terrific defender who brings an emotional presence to the field and showed much better range than anticipated during the Senior Bowl week practices.

The Saints and 49ers seemed to keep a closer eye on him during his time in Mobile, but teams like Buffalo, New England and even Dallas could surface as bidders for his services. Do not be surprised if he is overdrafted as it is hard to find full-sized inside linebackers like this who actually play at a consistently high level.

2. David Harris, Michigan: A solid if not spectacular all-around prospect who steadily improved his grade throughout his senior campaign, Harris is the type of player who grows on you the more that you watch his game films. He has a few limitations in pass coverage – better in zone than man-to-man – but has terrific natural instincts and is especially adept at diagnosing the play quickly, making the proper pre-snap read and then keeping the defenders around him in the right place.

Harris does not get out of position on misdirection plays, but sometimes lacks the foot speed to make the tackle on plays run to the wide side of the field. He brings intangibles to the position and will be a good character player for the locker room.

There are several teams in need of a pure inside linebacker, which is where Harris fits best for the next level. He can be productive playing the middle in a base 4-3 system or even inside linebacker in a 3-4 scheme; his only weakness would come if asked to stick most running backs or tight ends in man coverage on third downs. He could be removed in certain third-down situations early in his career, but he has the type of work ethic and dedication to improve as a pass defender over time.

Depending on how the inside linebacker market plays out in free agency, I expect Harris will make a hard charge up into the early portion of the second round.

3. Justin Durant, Hampton: A very athletic linebacker who is able to attack the line of scrimmage and drop comfortably into coverage as a pass defender, Durant will be an ideal inside linebacker prospect for a Cover 2 scheme team.

He looks fluid in all of his movements as he rarely takes false steps and figures to be a steady open-field tackler, although he can get overpowered at the point of attack if a lead blocker is allowed to seek him out without being touched. Durant locates the ball quickly and plays with good balance.

Some teams feel he is a little smaller than ideal to man the middle as he will need to be protected by his defensive tackles or face lead blockers who could clear him out of the way. Maybe that factors into why he has bulked up some since the East-West Shrine game as he intends to weigh-in at 230-235 pounds during all his pre-draft workouts.

Durant lacks that small-school mentality as he has a solid football IQ and comes across confident in his game with the willingness to absorb new coaching. He could sneak into the second round but figures to be a solid third-round pick with the chance to start early in his career.

4. Quincy Black, New Mexico: A versatile defender who showed up big in his team's best games and was recognized by current and former teammates as having ideal leadership and intangibles.

He is very good at locating the ball and tends to be around the pile when a big play is created. He's a good two-way defender that needs to translate some of his weight-room strength onto the field, especially at the point of attack as he can get turned around or pushed to the side if hit by an unblocked fullback or tight end. He needs to make better use of his hands to get off blocks or when trying to maintain his balance.

Black has the ability to play both inside or outside at the next level, but his play and production from the inside linebacker spot at the East-West Shrine game really helped him gain momentum heading into the combine. He's a strong character kid who has some upside and could become a very productive Cover 2 scheme middle linebacker thanks to his speed and cover skills. He could break into the first day of the draft thanks to his athleticism and versatility.

5. Jonathan Abbate, Wake Forest: A tremendously productive middle linebacker who starred on one of this year's most surprisingly successful defensive units, Abbate is a compact, well-built defender with ideal instincts on the football field and unbelievable character.

Abbate needs to make better use of his hands to get off blocks. He also has shorter arms than you would like as it can allow ball carriers to get past him at the line of scrimmage. However, his compact build lets him see the play, and he rarely is caught out of position. He will have to continue taking proper angles to the ball in order to make up for his lack of ideal straight-line speed.

Every year there are players like this who will see their stock drop because they lack ideal measurements – he ran a 4.90 at the combine – but don't let the numbers fool you. The best thing this kid does is play football, and that can't be judged or timed in a workout. He might slide on draft day, but this would be one of the kids I would go to bat for 24/7 if I were an area scout. The bottom line is this kid's effort, tenacity and willingness to pay the price will result in him being great on special teams and one day a 100-plus tackle guy. Remember how productive Ronald McKinnon was over a four- to five-year period of time in Arizona?

[Billy Clyde Puckett]

Outside linebackers

http://sports.yahoo.com/nfl/news;_ylt=At8b4RvPmdqKXsagC0Xp90lDubYF?slug=jm-olblinebackers030207&prov=yhoo&type=lgns

Rating the outside linebackers

By John Murphy, Yahoo! Sports
March 2, 2007




Outside linebackers play a variety of roles in today's games, so NFL teams will have their draft boards graded based on the defensive scheme they are currently employing.

Most 3-4 scheme teams are looking for a "hybrid" guy that has the pass rush skills of a defensive end, but can also drop back in coverage. The better the athlete, the more versatile they can be for this position.

Granted, the strong-side linebacker must still face off with the tight end, maintain his ground and hold contain to his side. He must also be more athletic than in past years, since he could be asked to drop back in coverage or blitz in certain scenarios. The weak-side linebacker in today's game is more of a strong safety type in terms of size and speed as he must be quick enough to play in space and strong enough to make tackles in the open field. This is a playmaker position for most 4-3 based teams.

This year's draft features a variety of each, although the prospects that perform best in the speed/agility drills lack ideal weight-room strength and a number of other college playmakers ran pedestrian 40-yard dash times at the combine.

OLB SLEEPERS
Antwan Barnes, Florida International
Tim Shaw, Penn State
Johnny Baldwin, Alabama A&M

THE TOP FIVE

1. Lawrence Timmons, Florida State: A superb athlete that is still learning how to use some of the proper technique for the position, Timmons covers a lot of ground and makes big plays from sideline-to-sideline.

His athleticism and straight-line speed – sub-4.5 40-yard dash – will jump out at you on several game films though he tends to run around blockers at times. His long arms allow him to get out in space and provide ample coverage when pitted against running backs and tight ends.

Timmons strikes hard at the point of attack, is a good but not great form tackler and will test better than 90 percent of the available prospects on the defensive side of the ball since his agility and vertical results will challenge those of most defensive backs.

Though he was rarely used in blitz packages in college, Timmons possesses the necessary skills to become a game-changing pass rusher if taught proper technique and allowed to utilize his straight-line speed. He is well-built and can disengage thanks to his footwork, balance and long arms.

The likelihood is great that he will leap up the draft board into a possible top-20 selection following all of his pre-draft workouts.

2. Jon Beason, Miami (Fla.)
An all-out hustler, Beason used an ideal combination of speed, smarts and natural instincts to become one of the best defensive playmakers in the ACC.

A firm tackler at the point of attack, Beason is able to diagnose the play quickly and weave his way through blockers to penetrate the line of scrimmage. He can be engulfed by the pile at times because he lacks great bulk to sustain his ground when faced with some lead blockers. He can also be a little too aggressive at times, leaving backs or tight ends open.

He can carry between 230 and 235 pounds without losing a step and brings great character and intangibles to the field. Not only can he have an impact on a defense with his level of play, but he'll make others play harder if not better.

While he may not be the second-coming of Jonathan Vilma, he is just a notch below that with the ability to play either inside or outside based on the scheme employed by the team that selects him.

Beason will be seen by some teams as a premier prospect for their defensive alignment, while others believe he lacks the pure size to be taken before the latter part of the first round.

3. Paul Posluszny, Penn State: Late in his junior year, he was deemed a potential Top-10 pick in the draft. However, the partial ligament tears in his right knee, suffered in the Orange Bowl against Florida State last year, forced him to return for his senior season.

He got off to a slow start, but seemed to play with a lot more confidence once he removed the bulky brace. Posluszny plays with the type of dedication, emotion and willpower that will never let him slow down. He seemed anxious at times to make or create big plays, but once he settled down and let his natural instincts take over, he was back to making plays on a regular basis.

He is firm at the point of attack, although he can be a bit stiff when dropping back into coverage. He also gets caught up in trash because he lacks the lateral movement skills to avoid lead blockers at times. However, he's not afraid to fight through the trash and what he lacks in pure, straight-line speed he makes up for with a high football IQ and willingness to sell out to make the play.

If he goes towards the bottom of the first round, it means a playoff-caliber team will be adding a player with great intangibles.

4. Stewart Bradley, Nebraska: A full-sized (6-foot-3, 245 pounds) linebacker compared to the others ranked among the Top 5 here, Bradley has very good upper-body strength and improved footwork in the agility drills.

Bradley has a tendency to get high off the snap, exposing himself as a pass rusher. He's a little stiff in his back pedal, but generally can cover ground and play with good natural instincts. He works hard to keep himself alive and in the play. He doesn't have an overwhelming presence on game film, but by game's end, he will have his fair share of tackles.

He can be used more at the next level as a blitzer and probably have good success. He has good intangibles and should stand out on special teams early.

A team could turn its attention to Bradley – the next best strong-side linebacker on the board – if it's unable to get into the range to select Lawrence Timmons. There could also be several 3-4 based teams that view him as a solid prospect for a position inside thanks to his size and smarts.

Sam Olajubutu, Arkansas: An undersized defender that used every bit of his athleticism, instincts and emotional output to produce All-SEC results during his college career, Olajubutu moves very well in space. He fights through blocks and shows very good lateral movement skills. He's a very aggressive, fierce competitor that is not willing to stay blocked.

Olajubutu is highly instinctive, quick to diagnosis the play and is rarely out of position when faced with misdirection plays. He has very good run-and-chase skills, the speed to make plays in pursuit and shows the timing to be productive when asked to blitz.

The most obvious question about him will be whether he can withstand the pounding that would go along with being a three-down linebacker at the NFL level, but his lack of height should not get confused with him being a small guy. He has a compact build, very strong legs and creates quite an impact as an open-field tackler. He gets good depth on his drops in pass coverage and is athletic enough to cover most backs or tight ends. His intangibles help set him apart from most others at this position. He also turned some heads with the results of his workout at the combine, running in the 4.6 range in the 40.

The bottom line is that teams are out to draft the best football players available and in spite of being under 5-foot-9, he is good enough to earn a starting job down the line.

[Billy Clyde Puckett]

http://sports.yahoo.com/nfl/news?slug=jm-cornerbacks030807&prov=yhoo&type=lgns

Corners

Cover cornerbacks are clearly among the most coveted athletes in the NFL. They allow defenses to increase their number and variety of blitzes. Plus, the more you can count on your two starting corners to shut down the outside, the odds increase that you can roll up one of your safeties to help stuff the run on first down.

Defensive schemes that call mainly for man-to-man coverage tend to feature corners with great straight-line speed, fluid hips and the ability to turn and run with receivers off the line of scrimmage.

Meanwhile, teams that utilize zone or Cover 2 schemes don't mind a corner that may not time in the 4.4 range as long as they have good instincts, ball skills and get proper depth in order to cover their responsibility on the field. Michigan's Leon Hall fits into that category as do current NFL veterans Ronde Barber, Ty Law and Nick Harper.

Bottom line: While three or four cornerbacks could be taken within the top 20 picks of the NFL draft, overall depth at the position is what has really impressed scouts. As many as 15-18 corners could be taken on the first day if there is a second run on the position at some point of the third round.

CB SLEEPERS
Rashad Barksdale, Albany (NY)
Usama Young, Kent State
David Jones, Wingate (NC)

THE TOP FIVE

1. Chris Houston, Arkansas. He might not have been a household name to fans before the NFL scouting combine, but SEC offensive coordinators noticed his standout play against top-rated receivers such as Dwayne Bowe and Robert Meachem last season.

Houston, with decent size at 5-foot-10¼, 188 pounds, runs well, shows keen awareness against the pass, and displays a fair amount of aggressiveness with his willingness to support the run. His eye-opening workout at the combine includes 4.32-4.37 times in the 40-yard dash, a 36-inch vertical, 4.08 short shuttle, 6.90 3-cone and an amazing 27 bench reps of 225 pounds.

Houston has very good ball skills, accelerates with receivers while the ball is in the air and is able to latch on the hip of a receiver and then reach his hands up to deflect or impair a receiver's vision. However, he still needs some work on his back pedal as he can get too tall and will allow inside release too easy at times and then try to use his speed to come back over the top and jump the route.

Some teams might be scared off by a prospect, especially an underclassmen, who comes on so strong and so fast in the postseason. There's a fear based on history as they have seen others over-draft players who then fail to play up to their workout results. However, this will not be the case with Houston, who combines both rare physical tools with the natural instincts and mental makeup to star at this position.

2. Leon Hall, Michigan. While he disproved the notion that he lacks the true straight-line speed to hang with most of the top-rated receivers in this draft, the best scenario for him is getting selected by a team that uses more zone than man coverage.

Hall, also used as the team's primary punt returner, is very good at attacking shorter routes, but he can get a little tall in his back pedal and get beaten by double moves. His 37.5” vertical and impressive short shuttle times indicate to teams while he was beaten deep a few times during the season, especially against USC, he may be more fluid than previously thought.

He will be a solid pro because of his work ethic, instincts and ability to read/see the ball early and make plays. He's smart and aggressive, is adept at creating turnovers, is willing to come up in run support, and is a steady open-field tackler. However, you cannot leave him alone in man coverage all day without having a big play or two occur.

His better-than-expected 40-times (4.44/4.48) at the combine likely will keep him among the top 12-15 picks. His maturity and experience of being a four-year starter in the Big Ten could help him challenge for a starting spot very early in his career.

3. Aaron Ross, Texas. His eye-opening senior campaign has driven up his stock more than expected thanks to his aggressiveness and terrific natural ball instincts.

Ross' ideal height (6-1), long arms and ability to stick on the hip of most receivers gives him the blend of talent to come off the board very early in the draft. His ability to make good reads and judgment when the ball is in the air should continue to grow since he spent the early portion of his career sitting behind guys such as Michael Huff, Nathan Vasher and Cedric Griffin.

He has an extra burst of closing speed on shorter routes and when coming up in run support. Even better, he is a willing and physical tackler in the open field – a lost art for most man cover guys. He was a little stiff in some of the agility and positional drills, but still posted very good times.


Ross, doubling as one of the team's primary return men, will provide instant help on special teams and could challenge for playing time right away because he plays mistake-free football. He's also a very coachable kid. Over time, he will develop into a solid NFL starter equal to that of the aforementioned Longhorns players.

4. Darrelle Revis, Pittsburgh. He's a good-sized defender (6-0, 200) with excellent speed, long arms, good ball skills, good instincts and the added bonus of possessing top-notch return skills.

Revis gets a very good break on the ball, can create breakups and has the hands to cause turnovers. For a bigger corner, he is decent in transition, but can get a bit tall in his back pedal and takes a few choppy steps at times. When he fails to use ideal technique, he draws penalties or gets beat inside to the spot. He shows good strength, is capable of playing bump-and-run and also knows how to time his leaps.

His added dimension of being an elite punt returner should also contribute to his final grade. A quick decision-maker, he uses his instincts, size and aggressiveness to contribute in run support.

5. Marcus McCauley, Fresno State. An All-American as a junior, McCauley was a bona fide candidate to challenge for top-10 draft spot this year. However, he regressed in many, most notably his aggressiveness.

He has long arms, big hands and moves better than most smaller defenders – 4.12 short shuttle and 6.68 3-cone to go along with 4.38 40-time and 36” vertical.

As a junior, he would jump up and jam receivers at the line, bully them some down the field and either cause the quarterback to throw to the other side of the field or go up and challenge for the ball or break up the play. Last season, he played with far less emotion and at times looked like he was just going through the motions or trying not to get injured. His back pedal and technique are still raw too often, he gambles too much, gets too tall or even gets caught flat-footed and then tries to use his burst to the ball. He struggled with double moves and tried to be more of a hitter than wrap up tackler this past season.

The positives are that these are all correctable flaws, but the fact that he is a world-class athlete at just under 6-1, 205 will not escape position coaches or West Coast area scouts on draft day. He was still inconsistent at the Senior Bowl practices, but lit it up at the combine and even looked better in the drills portion of the workout. If there is a run on corners in the mid-to-late portion of the first round, he could very well still be chosen between picks 20-32.

[Billy Clyde Puckett]

http://sports.yahoo.com/nfl/news?slug=jm-safeties031307&prov=yhoo&type=lgns

Safeties


Rating the safeties

By John Murphy, Yahoo! Sports
March 13, 2007




The safety position had often been overlooked in recent NFL drafts aside from the occasional high selection of playmakers like Roy Williams and Sean Taylor. However, last year brought the position back to the limelight with Michael Huff (Oakland Raiders) and Donte' Whitner (Buffalo Bills) selected in the top 10.

Today's game has changed the way evaluators look at this position. Bigger safeties from the past such as David Fulcher or Darren Woodson would likely get moved to outside linebacker in many schemes. Prospects need to have the physical strength to play the run, but the wheels to provide either one-on-one coverage on slot receivers or the swiftness to get to their spots in zone coverage.

If a defense plays man coverage on outside receivers, the free safety will be freed up to play more of a center field position. Subsequently, he must have the instincts to read the quarterback or routes being run and then the foot speed to jump on the right route. If not, he'll be caught out of position on vertical routes.

This year's draft will provide teams an array of potential playmakers at safety. Three prospects are projected to go in the first round while five or six more defenders could come off the board before the middle of the third round.

SAFETY SLEEPERS
Craig Dahl, North Dakota State
Daren Stone, Maine
Stacey Thomas, Texas Southern


THE TOP FIVE

1. LaRon Landry, LSU: A top-notch two-way defender who brings a lot of confidence, experience and the ability to play at a high level against the run and pass, Landry allowed the Tigers' front seven to blitz from a variety of packages and situations.

He is a solid open-field tackler with true playmaking ability, but will sometimes attempt the big hit rather than wrapping up. He is a very flexible defender with the hips to turn and run with most tight ends or slot receivers and is also very adept at blitzing from the slot.

Landry's stock rose as he showed off rare physical tools at the NFL scouting combine. He ran 4.35 in the 40-yard dash though some watches had him as fast as 4.29. He then showed very good balls skills, while impressing everyone with his smarts, competitiveness and attitude during interviews.

Landry's impressive all-around workout numbers likely have vaulted him into top-10 consideration with teams like the Houston Texans, Atlanta Falcons and Carolina Panthers being potential destinations.

2. Reggie Nelson, Florida: While possessing the abilities of a Cover 2 cornerback, most evaluators feel Nelson – who thinks of himself as a fearsome hitter in the mold of John Lynch – will be most successful as a free safety.

Nelson's combination of speed, instincts, range and study skills make him so dangerous. He's not afraid to come up and cover a wide receiver, but is just as fast to go hit a runner in the mouth. He takes proper angles to the ball, keeps his eyes focused on the quarterback and then shows an extra burst of speed to the ball. He also has the hands to force turnovers and then the vision and speed to make opposing offenses pay for their mistakes.

His pro day workout – which featured times in the 4.33 range in the 40; 4.09 short shuttle; and 6.68 3-cone – impressed evaluators. However, the thing that most jumps out about him is that he carries himself with both maturity and a great deal of youthful energy. He's dedicated to being successful and keeping to the path that his mother, who died last fall, set for him.

His attitude, playmaking skills and potential to make an immediate impact on a defensive unit as a rookie will make him this year's version of Donte' Whitner, who rose into the top 10 after his combine and pro day workouts.

3. Brandon Meriweather, Miami (Fla.): His image was tainted as a result of his involvement in the brawl against Florida International, but he has convinced teams that he's closer to being a top-rated safety than over-hyped troublemaker.

Thanks to his all-around skill level, he has the ability to be evaluated outside at cornerback, but most scouts see him as an over-the-top safety who can also come up to cover the slot receiver one-on-one. He plays with the same flair as several former top-rated Hurricanes' defenders, showing both the ability to attack the ball carrier and being in proper position in pass coverage.

Meriweather hits with good authority, but can get caught flat-footed at times against the run. However, he rarely takes false steps against misdirection or play-action plays. He has a great natural feel for the game, gets to proper depth when asked to play deep coverage and also has the savvy feel to his game that lets him break up passes at the last moment.

He is not a workout warrior like Landry or Nelson, but running in the 4.5 range with a 35.5-inch vertical made enough of a statement when combined with his impressive game films. Has the chance to be taken in the mid-to-late portions of the first round.

4. Michael Griffin, Texas: A versatile defender who has shown the ability to make plays in-the-box and in pass coverage, Griffin is also a special teams standout with eight career blocked kicks.

Griffin is a well-built defender with good upper-body strength who can come up and wreak havoc on opposing backfields. However, he does not always wrap up when making the tackle; is guilty of taking a few false steps at times; can misjudge the play at the line of scrimmage; and get caught out of position on passing downs. He flashed better-than-advertised speed in the 40 (4.45) at the combine, but he needs to react to pass plays faster. He can also be more of a hit-and-run type defender at times where he can jump or flash into the play, but get taken out or be a step slow to the ball.

He provided good leadership and intangibles to the Longhorns as a senior, which has helped drive up his stock. Overall, his speed can be a little deceiving as it is more straight line, but he showed better flexibility and hips during his combine workouts. If there is an early run on safeties, he could find a spot late in the first round. If not, he will likely come off the board within the top 40-45 picks.

5. Eric Weddle, Utah: A playmaker at both safety and cornerback, he was also used on the offensive side of the ball and on special teams.

He plays the game with great intensity and excellent natural instincts; always seems to be around the ball; and has a knack for breaking up passes at the last minute. He garnered attention when, lined up at cornerback, he shut down Georgia Tech wide receiver Calvin Johnson in Utah's Emerald Bowl win in 2005.

He's very intelligent, can read the quarterback's eyes and then react without getting caught on his heels. He allows a few catches in front of him, but is strong enough to wrap players up in the open field. His workout numbers (4.45/4.48 40, 4.10 short shuttle, 6.76 3-cone and 33.5” vertical) suggest that he has the athletic ability to stick most receivers. However, he is a little tight in the hips and would fare better in a zone coverage scheme if asked to play cornerback. He had a few bad plays during one-on-one coverage at the Senior Bowl, but his size and competitiveness are matched only by his football IQ/on-field instincts.

He could do very well if put in the middle of the field, but might need to get a little stronger in order to make an impact as a tackler. Ultimately though, this is the type of guy who finds a way to make a play during the game to help his team win – a trait that is too rare to pass up and should result in a third-round draft selection.

[Billy Clyde Puckett]

Specialists

http://sports.yahoo.com/nfl/news?slug=jm-specialists031507&prov=yhoo&type=lgns


By John Murphy, Yahoo! Sports
March 16, 2007




This year’s crop of specialists includes a fair amount of talent, though it is unlikely more than one of these prospects will be selected before the fourth round of the NFL draft.

A playoff-caliber team could very well decide to select either kicker Mason Crosby or punter Daniel Sepulveda in the third round to increase their stability on special teams. However, there are between 5-7 punters that could be contenders for starting jobs over the next few seasons.

Meanwhile, the kickers are a little bit harder to gauge since most teams use separate guys to handle field goals and kickoffs. Crosby is capable of becoming a productive and dual-purpose pro on the level of Nate Kaeding or Josh Scobee, but the next tier of kickers is more of the late-round to priority free agent variety.

Special teams has become a more evaluated position as the Senior Bowl invited a pair of deep snappers and the NFL scouting combine had a small group of snappers in town as this year’s events.

Overall, this is a steady group of prospects with a total of 3-4 having the chance to be selected, mostly in Rounds 5-7.

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TOP FIVE KICKERS/PUNTERS

1. Mason Crosby, Colorado: The combination of great confidence and a booming leg have helped make Crosby one of the premier kickers in the country. He's capable of nailing clutch kicks at the end of games, but also rebounds quickly from any prior misses.

Crosby has played in all types of weather conditions and can double as a kickoff specialist – he gets ideal depth and hang time on his kickoffs. He will rush his approach sometimes on longer attempts, which can result in shanks or blocks on some kicks. He missed a career-worst nine field goal attempts this season.

Crosby, a decent all-around athlete with good size (6-foot-2, 210 pounds), has the ability to consistently convert kicks of 45-plus yards. That quality gives him a chance to push for a late first-day selection, though it's more likely he will be taken with one of the top-10 picks of the fourth round. Teams like the New York Giants, Cleveland Browns and Dallas Cowboys could all take long looks at acquiring his services.

2. Daniel Sepulveda, Baylor: One look at this kid in uniform and he could be easily mistaken for a linebacker, which makes sense considering he was one before converting to punter. More impressive than the size (6-3, 227) is the booming leg. He's no stranger to punts of 60-plus yards and 5-plus seconds hang time.

Sepulveda is very technically sound, but he will have a few times that he over-extends or takes too long to get the ball off. As a result, the punts either fall short or go out of bounds.

A very determined athlete that works hard at his craft, rebounded quickly from surgery on his right (non-kicking) knee and returned to have his third straight All-American campaign; a school record. The Texas native would look great in a Houston Texans uniform, as he has the opportunity to become a Shane Lechler-type performer at the next level.

3. Justin Medlock, UCLA: Saved his best season for last – converting 28-of-32 field goal attempts, including a long of 51 yards, and all of his extra points. Medlock has a very strong leg and gets good leg whip behind the ball to drive it on long attempts, while also showing consistency on the depth and hang times of his kickoffs. He has had a few off-field issues that remain on his player profile, but most teams seemed to review that with him in-depth at the East-West Shrine Game.

His workouts were very impressive as he consistently banged through his longer field goal attempts and also drove the ball inside the goal-line on most kickoffs. He is not one to lose confidence, but he can frustrate a special teams coach because he appears to have a chip on his shoulder at times. However, that stems from his high confidence level.

He has the ability to be taken in the later rounds for a team that would develop him over the next few years, though he'll initially be used for kickoffs. He's a solid choice for playoff contenders like the New Orleans Saints or even a team like the Washington Redskins, who have run through veteran kickers at a rapid pace the past few seasons.

4. Adam Podlesh, Maryland: A better all-around athlete than most of his counterparts, Podlesh has been timed in the 4.55 range in the 40.


Podlesh is adept at getting his team out of trouble and creating ideal field position for his defensive unit. However, he is much better at kicking for distance and hang time than he is for making coffin corner or directional kicks. Too often his kicks will sail out of bounds or drop in for a touch back, but those are areas that a position coach can work on with him to improve.

His athleticism allows him to handle poor or low snaps, and serve as an option for fake or gadget plays since he's capable of running or throwing the ball. He has the ability to replicate the performance of Brad Maynard, who has averaged over 42 yards per punt during an 11-year career. However, Podlesh's biggest challenge will be learning to improve his directional skills after being a booming-type punter coming out of college.

5. Nick Folk, Arizona: The Pac-10’s secret weapon on special teams, Folk handled all of the kicking duties for the Wildcats. However, his numbers will have to improve in the NFL as he converted only 64 percent of his kicks in his college career.

Folk showed very good leg strength on his punts and kickoffs, and has worked on his directional kicks in the postseason. He was very consistent at the combine, a place where kickers traditionally struggle. He also displayed good strength for his size (6-2, 206) and position, posting 14 bench reps of 225 pounds at his pro day.

He has the pure leg strength to hammer through 50-yard field goals, but has to work on his steps and keep the same routine on all of his attempts as his accuracy/consistency will be the biggest key to NFL success.

Folk will likely concentrate on being a kicker/kickoff specialist at the pro level, but can pitch in or be an emergency fill-in at punter. However, it's not out of the question for a team with a veteran kicker to bring him in as their punter and long field-goal guy.

SPECIAL TEAMERS

Aaron King, UTEP: An athletic snapper who has the ability to chase down the play post snap, King possesses enough size (6-1, 235) and upper-body strength to handle the man lined up over him. He was very consistent in his two postseason opportunities, recording a tackle in both the East-West Shrine Game and Texas vs. the Nation All-Star Challenge.


King came up through the system as a fullback/linebacker prior to getting the full-time position of snapper for the Miners, but he shows very good velocity, accuracy and then busts it down field to be part of the play post-snap. He is similar to Mike Schneck, who has played nine years in the NFL with the Pittsburgh Steelers and Buffalo Bills.

Jared Retkofsky, TCU: At nearly 6-5, 262, he's a good fit for a team looking for a larger body to handle snaps and deal with a double team up the middle.

Retkofsky is able to get the ball back there in a hurry with great velocity and ideal accuracy. His size helps him bolster the middle of his line's field goal or punt blocking scheme. He can get a little high post snap, so he will not always be involved in the post-snap activities. It is really a matter of style or preference, but either way, he should challenge a veteran during training camp.