[Herzig]

Here's a couple on my wish list(in no particular order). We seem to have needs at OL, DT, DE, WR the most...


Rodrique Wright DT 6'5 315 Texas
By: Robert Davis Rodrique Wright came to Texas with huge expectations and early on, he lived up to the hype. He was named the Big 12's Freshman Defensive Player of the Year after tallying 65 tackles, 13 for loss, and 4.5 sacks. He had an even better year as a sophomore, finishing with 80 tackles, 12 for loss, and 7.5 sacks. His numbers fell off as a junior, as he battled a nagging ankle injury all year. He ended the season with just 36 tackles and one sack.
Wright has all the physical attributes you want in a defensive tackle. He is big, strong, quick, and athletic. He has the ability to penetrate the line and disrupt the running game, and the closing speed to get to the quarterback. He is great at slipping through the line and getting into the backfield.
With all the physical talent in the world, you would think Wright would dominate, but he does not. He just has not lived up to what his physical ability suggests he should. He lacks the intensity to be a true difference maker. Despite his size and strength, he can be pushed around in the running game.
The sky is the limit in regards to Wright's potential. He just seems to lack the attitude to want to dominate out there. If a coach can light a fire under his rear, he could be a big time playmaker on the interior line. He displayed signs of domination early on, but has not showed them his last two seasons at Texas. Someone will fall in love with his natural talent, but he is going to need to play with someone who will inspire him to play with a nasty streak in order for him to reach his potential.


Derek Hagan WR 6’2 202 Arizona St.
By: Robert Davis Despite not being heavily recruited, Derek Hagan made an immediate impact as a freshman in 2002. He hauled in 32 passes for 405 yards on the year. That set him up for a breakout sophomore year where he finished with 66 catches for 1,076 yards and 9 touchdowns. He bettered all of those numbers as a junior when he had 83 receptions for 1,248 yards, and 10 touchdowns. Prior to his senior season, he was named to the Playboy All-American team, and was voted a Co-Captain for Arizona St.
Hagan is a very good all around talent at wide receiver. He has good size, good speed, and isn’t afraid to take a hit. If you need it done, Hagan will do it. He can take an underneath pass and make it into a big play, go over the middle and take a hit, or go downfield and haul in the vertical throws. His hands have also become consistent over the past year, and he doesn’t drop the easy ones anymore. His work ethic is second to none, and is a great player to have in the locker room.
While he is good across the board, Hagan does not excel in any one area. He does not have great size, speed, or athleticism. Some might say that that may hinder him as a playmaker at the next level, so it’s something that has to be taken into consideration.
Even though he may not be the most physically gifted player, Hagan is a football player. He comes to play, and he steps his game up when needed. He may never dominate a game like a Randy Moss can, but he is a guy you can go to battle with. There are no true standout receivers in this draft, and Hagan has a chance to go as high as any receiver in this draft. Workouts will dictate exactly where he goes. If he can reel off some good 40 times, he’s going to hear his name called in the Top 20.

Marcus McNeill OT 6’9 338 Auburn
By: Robert Davis Marcus McNeill has been a mainstay on the Auburn line since his true freshman season. He was a Freshman All-American selection in 2002. After an All SEC season last year, he thought about leaving for the NFL but decided to stay, and it paid off. McNeill was named to everyone’s All-American lists for his on field success.
McNeill is absolutely massive. He has a huge frame; he’s tall, has a long wingspan, and weighs almost 340 pounds. He uses that size on the field and absolutely dominates in the running game. He can lock on to a defender and drive him straight into the ground. McNeill is not all power though. He is a very good natural athlete and shows the ability to keep his quarterback off the ground.
While his size gives him a lot of advantages, it is a negative at times. Since he is so tall, he sometimes gets too upright out of his stance, which allows defenders to neutralize his size and strength advantage. He needs to play with the same intensity on a snap to snap basis. McNeill may have some back issues that need to be looked at.
There isn’t a better right tackle prospect in this draft. His ability to dominate at the point makes him a perfect fit on the ride side of any line. But, he also has the natural athleticism to play on the left side. If he can stay low off the snap, he has the ability to dominate as a pass blocker as well. With all his natural talent, McNeill has a chance to go very high come draft day. He should hear his name called in the Top 20 at some point, though some concerns about his back may cause him to slide come draft day if teams are scared off.




Manny Lawson DE 6’6 245 North Carolina St.
By: Robert Davis Manny Lawson is one of the truly elite athletes in college football. Not only has he found time to play both end and linebacker, he’s also a track standout having competed in the long jump and hurdles during his time at NC St. As a linebacker in 2002, Lawson had 35 tackles, with one of them coming for loss. As a part time starter in 2003, he improved on all his numbers. He totaled 53 tackles, seven for loss, with three sacks. Lawson made the switch to DE in 2004, and became a full time starter for the first time in his career. On the year, he finished with 50 tackles, 12 for loss, and seven sacks.
Lawson is an absolute freak of an athlete. He has excellent agility, closing speed, and jumping ability. Pound for pound, he may also be the strongest player in the draft. There is not a single physical trait he lacks. On the football field, he is an emerging talent. He did not make too many plays early on, but once he moved to defensive end, he started to show his pass rushing ability. His upside is tremendous, and he could be a standout pass rusher at the next level. Lawson is also a standout special teamer.
With all his athletic gifts, he is prone to relying on them too often. A major part of that is due to his inexperience on the defensive line. As an end, he lacks the bulk to be a player against the run. Lawson carries the tweener tag, but that has not been a negative lately. Still, he may only fit for certain teams.
Manny Lawson has tremendous upside. As a pass rusher, he has as much pure talent as anyone in the draft. He is listed here as a defensive end, but he has the ability to play OLB in a 3-4 defense. Lawson is a guy that should rise up the charts as the draft approaches because of his awesome physical ability. He will really tear up the combines and individual workouts. Do not be surprised to see him crack the first round, but the second is the safe bet.

Jesse Mahelona DT 6’2 297 Tennessee
By: Robert Davis Jesse Mahelona left Hawaii to play JuCo ball at Orange Coast College in California, and immediately made a name for himself. Despite playing only two games as a sophomore because of a broken ankle, he had every major program after him, and Tennessee won out for his services. As a junior in 2004, Mahelona made a major impact on the Vols interior line. He had 42 tackles with 18.5 of them for loss, and 5 sacks. Prior to this season, he was named to the Playboy All-American list. Mahelona is the ideal 4-3 defensive tackle. He has a great burst off the line, and displays the ability to consistently penetrate the line. For a 300lber, he also shows great closing speed and the ability to chase down plays from behind. What makes Mahelona special is that he combines that penetration ability with great natural strength and the ability to hold his ground at the point of attack. While he is best suited for the 4-3, he could play in a 3-4 alignment on the edge. Other than lacking ideal height for a defensive tackle, there isn’t a whole lot to knock in Mahelona’s game. He doesn’t have a great deal of experience, as he only played one season at JuCo before transferring to Tennessee. There are a few defensive tackles near the top of the draft that could crack the Top 15. Mahelona has as good a shot as anyone to achieve that. For a team that wants someone to disrupt plays from the inside, Mahelona is the best tackle for them. But with a few other tackles that have better natural size, and they may be placed higher on some teams boards.