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eddie mac
02-21-2007, 03:15 PM
1. Calvin Johnson*, WR, Georgia Tech (6-4, 225) | previous: Same
He's not only a tremendous athlete, but he's a hard worker and very team oriented. Based on the needs of the Raiders and Lions, Johnson might not be the No. 1 overall pick, but he won't fall out of the top five.


2. Joe Thomas, OT, Wisconsin (6-6½, 313) | previous: Same
Huge, quick and athletic with a long wingspan.


3. Adrian Peterson*, RB, Oklahoma (6-1½, 218) | previous: Same
The most talented running back in the draft with an excellent burst to the outside for his size. The concern with Peterson is his durability.


4. JaMarcus Russell*, QB, LSU (6-6, 260) | previous: 5
Big, strong signal caller with a powerful arm, and his decision-making improved significantly in 2006.


5. Jamaal Anderson*, DE, Arkansas (6-5, 270) | previous: 6
A gifted athlete who is coming off an exceptional 2006 season. Anderson is a complete player, equally solid against the run and as a pass rusher.


6. LaRon Landry, DB, LSU (6-1½, 205) | previous: 11
Four-year starter who has proven to be Mr. Reliable throughout his career.


7. Amobi Okoye, DT, Louisville (6-1½, 298) | previous: 9
A four-year veteran, and he is only 19 years old. Okoye is quick and explosive and goes all-out on every play. He is not only good at eating up space but also gets good penetration into the backfield.


8. Gaines Adams, DE, Clemson (6-4½, 260) | previous: 10
Flashes dominating ability with his athleticism and quickness. Adams led the Tigers with 10½ sacks and 15½ tackles for loss.


9. Brady Quinn, QB, Notre Dame (6-3½, 225) | previous: 4
Poised, smart and at his best in pressure situations. Quinn did throw two interceptions in the Sugar Bowl after throwing just one INT in his previous eight games.


10. Ted Ginn Jr.*, WR, Ohio State (5-11, 175) | previous: 8
Takes a backseat to no one in the speed department, brings a big-play dimension to the wide receiver position and also the return game.


11. Lawrence Timmons*, LB, Florida St. (6-2¼, 233) | previous: 19
Moves right to the top of a very subpar linebacking group, particularly from the senior class. Timmons' production and consistency from game to game are what jumps out at you.


12. Levi Brown, OT, Penn St. (6-4½, 325) | previous: Same
Steady and reliable at protecting the quarterback's blind side.


13. Charles Johnson*, DE, Georgia (6-2, 280) | previous: Same
Not only gifted from a pure talent standpoint, but he also has the work ethic to match. Johnson is active, alert and extremely productive.


14. Dwayne Jarrett*, WR, USC (6-4, 210) | previous: Same
Has the size and natural receiving skills to create mismatches against smaller cornerbacks. Jarrett also has better quickness out of his break than people give him credit for.


15. Adam Carriker, DE, Nebraska (6-6, 298) | previous: Same
You don't see many defensive ends carrying 300 pounds who can move as well as Carriker.


16. Dwayne Bowe, WR, LSU (6-2, 217) | previous: 18
Big and productive, Bowe runs excellent routes and has the toughness to catch the ball in traffic.


17. Reggie Nelson*, S, Florida (5-11½ 198) | previous: 16
Outstanding player who can hit like a safety and excel in coverage like a cornerback. That unique combination makes him a highly regarded prospect.


18. Craig Davis, LSU, WR, LSU (6-1¼, 200) | previous: Unranked
Possesses outstanding speed (4.35 40-yard dash) to go along with his size. Davis was steady and reliable for most of his career, then took his game to a new level late in the season.


19. Leon Hall, CB, Michigan (5-11, 193) | previous: 17
Tough customer who also shows very good anticipation and awareness in coverage.


20. Alan Branch*, DT, Michigan (6-5½, 328) | previous: 7
Huge and athletic, Branch is a true space eater along the interior. Once his technique improves, watch out!


21. Sidney Rice*, WR, South Carolina (6-3, 200) | previous: Same
An angular wide-out with a nice burst out of his break and above-average hands. The key for Rice will be how well he runs at the combine workouts.


22. Aaron Ross, CB, Texas (6-0½, 196) | previous: Same
An instinctive tackler who has excellent ball skills. Ross led the Longhorns in 2006 with six interceptions and broke up 19 passes. He also finished third on the team in tackles with 80.


23. Marshawn Lynch*, RB, California (5-11, 224) | previous: 25
Complete big back, right on the heels of Adrian Peterson when it comes to who will be the top RB in the draft.


24. Arron Sears, OL, Tennessee (6-4, 320) | previous: Unranked
He played both guard and tackle in college and will give a team some versatility along the offensive line.


25. Robert Meachem*, WR, Tennessee (6-2½, 210) | previous: 20
Came through with a number of highlight-film plays in 2006. If he runs well at the combine, Meachem could elevate his status in the weeks leading up to the draft.

Drek
02-21-2007, 03:30 PM
Pretty random and drastic drop to Alan Branch no?

And while Craig Davis is an interesting project I don't think he rates close to a top 25 overall player.

ayjackson
02-21-2007, 03:31 PM
Alan Branch at #20! Settle, Maniacs. Settle.

Billy Clyde Puckett
02-21-2007, 03:39 PM
Mel is just stirring the pot. He will begin the advertising of his book soon.

BlitzingDog
02-21-2007, 03:44 PM
Nice to see Davis moving up. I dunno about top 25, but he is a guy who is very underrated.

Rascal
02-21-2007, 03:47 PM
Wow Branch dropped, and Patrick Willis completely out while Timmons jumps to 11.

eddie mac
02-21-2007, 03:54 PM
Wow Branch dropped, and Patrick Willis completely out while Timmons jumps to 11.

Kiper has never rated Willis any higher than a late 1st rd pick. Look at his evaluation after the Senior Bowl.

49 LB Patrick Willis 6-1 240 Ole Miss
All over the field. Works through traffic. Tackling machine. (Round 2)

Mr. Trout
02-21-2007, 03:58 PM
Honestly Denver could use either of the Texas Boys in the secondary. Ross or Griffin would not dissapoint.

That One Guy
02-21-2007, 04:18 PM
If Branch and Lynch fall to 21, that'd be a true win/win situation.

Rohirrim
02-21-2007, 04:33 PM
Just judging by the outcome of the national championship game, is the Big Ten overrated? And if that's true, are the players from the Big Ten too high up on the boards?

Mediator12
02-21-2007, 04:47 PM
Just judging by the outcome of the national championship game, is the Big Ten overrated? And if that's true, are the players from the Big Ten too high up on the boards?

NO.

Players have to be evaluated individually. OSU may have not been very good versus Florida, but it does not take away from the quality players they have.

Rohirrim
02-21-2007, 04:57 PM
NO.

Players have to be evaluated individually. OSU may have not been very good versus Florida, but it does not take away from the quality players they have.

Yeah, but if you are going to rate them, don't you have to take in the level of competition they faced? Shouldn't a player from the SEC with equal production, skill set, and measurables be higher up the board than a similar player from the Big Ten? I don't have an axe to grind on this. I'm just wondering out loud.

watermock
02-21-2007, 09:21 PM
Big Hair throws red herrings out every year....moving his board around when noone has even been to the combine yet? Pleeze.

Mediator12
02-21-2007, 09:29 PM
Yeah, but if you are going to rate them, don't you have to take in the level of competition they faced? Shouldn't a player from the SEC with equal production, skill set, and measurables be higher up the board than a similar player from the Big Ten? I don't have an axe to grind on this. I'm just wondering out loud.

The problem is that there are so many variables that need to go into an assessment that there is never really a situation where they are exactly the same even though it could happen in theory. The experience, progression, injury, and consistency factors alone seperate almost every prospect that has the same measurables even from year to year.

Surely, the SEC has been producing some fabulous athletes and players for a long time and the Big Ten is no where near it was in its peak years. But level of competition is more a variable outside the large schools than conferences because these guys have to fight off their own teammates to get playing time. The Premier programs recruit guys who are ready to play every year and take an underperforming upper classman's job if they can. That inside competition is just as valuable or better than playing Vanderbilt or Ole Miss in the SEC. They practice against and with superior talent and have to fight to keep their jobs. It is one of the reasons elite teams used to stay elite before FA and Salary Cap and College Powerhouses are harder to crumble than NFL programs.

youcandoit1687
02-21-2007, 09:36 PM
BRANCH!!!!!!!!!!!!!


also, I see no way that Craig Davis is #25 lol. I love the guy but no. 4 LSU in the top 25 is pretty sweet though.

youcandoit1687
02-21-2007, 09:36 PM
LL is finally getting his praise too. Landry Or Branch and my draft is made.