Chiefnj2
09-03-2009, 09:01 AM
THE SCOUT'S NOTEBOOK
PREVIEWING THE 2010 DRAFT
by Colin Lindsay, Editor and Publisher, Great Blue North
September 3, 2009
Are you ready for some football!!! … The 2009 college football season kicks off in earnest later tonight in what could possibly be a truly fascinating year on the field. Of course, the start of the college season also begins the unofficial countdown to the 2010 draft, which is now just 232 days away! And while there is still much sorting out to be done between now and April, at least on paper the upcoming draft looks like it could be a good one, although not necessarily a great year.
One key to just how strong the 2010 draft will ultimately turn out to be, though, is which juniors and other underclassmen opt to turn pro this winter. For example, in our very preliminary ranking of the top 100 prospects for the 2010 draft, 4 out of the top 5 and 7 of the top 10 prospects are juniors. Indeed, half the players rated in the first 32 players are underclassmen. Of course, much can, and will change over the curse of the next 7 months plus, however, here’s a quick overview of the likely strengths and weaknesses of the upcoming draft.
Certainly the top storyline in college football this fall will be the expected year-long dual among star QBs Tim Tebow of Florida, Colt McCoy of Texas and Oklahoma junior Sam Bradford for player of the year honors. And while all three are outstanding talents, there is a wide divergence in their draft prospects. Bradford, for example, who was widely expected to be the first player taken at the 2009 draft before he opted to return to school for another year of seasoning, probably should be plying his trade with Detroit this fall. Meanwhile, McCoy looks to be a solid mid-first round prospect this coming April. Tebow, though, represents something of a major challenge for pro scouts. Tebow will likely go down as one of the greatest college players of all time, but still has yet to convince NFL personnel people that he has the accuracy and mechanics to play the position at the next level. Indeed, Ole Miss junior Jevan Snead currently probably ranks ahead of Tebow as a prospect for the 2010 draft. There is a major drop-off, though, after the top 3-4 QB prospects this year, although there are a number of interesting second-tier types at the position including Zac Robinson of Oklahoma State, athletic Dan LeFevour of Central Michigan, and Tim Hiller of Western Michigan among others.
While the QBs will grab most of the headlines, the real strength of the 2010 draft likely will be along the defensive line. Indeed, the top individual position could be DT. Nebraska 300-pounder Ndamukong Suh and Oklahoma junior Gerald McCoy, for example, both have top 5 potential, while there are a number of later first round prospects at the position including 365-pound Terrence ‘Mount’ Cody, Arthur Jones of Syracuse and UCLA junior Brian Price, both of whom are especially quick and athletic, and Vince Oghobaase of Duke. There is also good depth at DT with several solid later first-day types that don’t get the same hype but will still be good value on draft day including quick Geno Atkins of Georgia, Jared Odrick of Penn State, Boo Robinson of Wake Forest, DeMarcus Granger of Oklahoma, Boo Smith of Louisiana Tech, Dan Williams of Tennessee and Jay Ross of East Carolina, while Baylor junior Phil Taylor, a 355-pound transfer from Penn State who didn‘t play last fall could also be one of the best of the bunch once he gets back on the field.
Meanwhile, there are a ton of college DEs who can get after the passer including tweener types like George Selvie of South Florida, Sergio Kindle of Texas, Greg Hardy of Ole Miss, Michigan’s Brandon Graham, Jerry Hughes of TCU, and Brandon Lang of Troy, along with emerging juniors Greg Romeus of Pitt, Everson Griffin of USC and Jason Worilds of Virginia Tech. The top DE this year, though, could ultimately be freakish 6-5, 290-pound Florida junior Carlos Dunlap who could get some serious consideration as the #1 player selected this year.
Its also not a bad year to be in the market for an offensive tackle as Russell Okung of Oklahoma State, Oklahoma‘s Trent Williams, Ciron Black of LSU, as well as juniors Brian Bulaga and Anthony Davis of Rutgers each has first-round potential. There are questions about the overall athleticism of seniors Okung, Williams, and Black who may be downgraded as more RT prospects. Meanwhile, there is some good depth at the position including later first day prospects Charles Brown of USC, Sam Young of Notre Dame, and Adam Ulatoski of Texas, while 315-pound Zane Beadles of Utah is something of a sleeper.
Unfortunately, there isn’t anywhere nearly as much talent this year at either C or OG, although Alabama OG Mike Johnson and Clemson C/G Thomas Austin at least have top 60 potential. Teams looking to add some size at OG, though, should be able to find something in the mid-rounds. Meanwhile, the top interior offensive line prospect could be USC junior C Kris O’Dowd, although he’s currently out with a knee injury.
The 2010 draft will also be relatively strong at safety, a position that has tended to get short shrift at the draft in recent years. At safety, for example, both Taylor Mays of USC and Tennessee junior Eric Berry are considered top 5-10 talents, while junior Reshad Jones of Georgia may not be all that far behind. And there should be plenty of depth at safety early at the 2010 draft in players such as Darrell Stuckey of Kansas, Nate Allen of South Florida and Kam Chancellor of Virginia Tech, as well as Georgia Tech junior Morgan Burnett.
On the other hand, it could be something of a down year at CB, although the entry of juniors like Joe Haden of Florida and Virginia’s Ras-I Dowling would upgrade things and provide at least a couple of potential mid-first round candidates at the position. Meanwhile, there are a number of seniors who should get at least top 60 consideration including Trevard Lindley of Kentucky, Syd’Quan Thompson of California, Kyle Wilson of Boise State, Brandon Ghee of Wake Forest and Alabama‘s Javier Arenas, who is also one of the top kick returners in college football.
It likely will also be an average year at both RB and WR, positions that will be especially dependent on juniors at the top of the board at the 2010 draft. Georgia Tech junior Jonathan Dwyer, for example, is the top RB prospect this year, but stilllikely won’t be rated much higher than the middle of the opening round, while fellow juniors Evan Royster of Penn State and USC‘s Joe McKnight could get some late first round consideration. There should be some pretty good depth at RB this year with speed guys like C.J. Spiller of Clemson, Cal‘s Jahvid Best and Da‘rel Scott of Maryland, bruisers like LeGarette Blount of Oregon Stateand Toby Gerhart of Stanford, as well as productive all-around chain movers such as Charles Scott of LSU, Stafon Johnson of USC and Chris Brown of Oklahoma.
The leading prospects at WR are also juniors including Arrelious Benn of Illinois, a legitimate top 10 prospect, along with Dez Bryant of Oklahoma State, a potential mid-first rounder, and smooth Damian Williams, who could sneak into the late first round. Meanwhile, LSU’s Brandon LaFell is the top senior prospect at the position, but he may lack the pure foot speed to be more than a second round candidate. Other potential top 60 receivers include Mardy Gilyard of Cincinnati, Jordan Shipley of Texas, Minnesota’s Eric Decker, along with talented juniors Dezmon Briscoe of Kansas and Mike Williams of Syracuse.
The one offensive skill position that could be rated as above average n 2010 could be the TEs. Oklahoma’s Jermaine Gresham, for example, should be one of the better prospects at the position in a while, while juniors Rob Gronokowski of Arizona and Aaron Hernandez of Florida may not be all that far behind. And there should be good depth at the position this year including veterans Dennis Pita of BYU, Ed Dickson of Oregon, Garrett Graham of Wisconsin, and Anthony McCoy of USC.
Figure that both the inside and outside LB positions will have average crops this year. At MLB, for example, Brandon Spikes of Florida has the kind of athleticism that kept Rey Maualuga and James Laurinaitis out of the first round of the 2009 draft, however, he’s the only likely mike backer to go in this year’s opening round with the exception perhaps of Alabama junior Rolando McClain who has exceptional size and decent agility. Micah Johnson of Kentucky also has excellent size for a mike backer as well as decent speed and agility. And there are a number of other solid tackling machine MLB types who maybe lack exceptional measurables, but have great instincts and motors including Joe Pawelek of Baylor, underrated Boris Lee of Troy and the appropriately named Pat Angerer of Iowa.
On the outside, Sean Witherspoon of Missouri, a potential mid-first rounder, is the top all-around prospect at the position, although he could get a push from either or both Michigan State junior Greg Jones and Sean Lee of Penn State, who is back after missing the 2008 season with a torn ACL. Meanwhile, South Carolina DE Eric Norwood could attract some early interest as a 3-4 rush LB with a big upside, while athletic Stevenson Sylvester of Utah could be an emerging sleeper. Pro scouts will also earn their keep grading juniors Rennie Curran of Georgia and Navorro Bowman of Penn State. Both are impact defenders, but Curran is undersized at barely 5-11, 220, while Bowman has had an array of off-field troubles.
See you in April!!!
PREVIEWING THE 2010 DRAFT
by Colin Lindsay, Editor and Publisher, Great Blue North
September 3, 2009
Are you ready for some football!!! … The 2009 college football season kicks off in earnest later tonight in what could possibly be a truly fascinating year on the field. Of course, the start of the college season also begins the unofficial countdown to the 2010 draft, which is now just 232 days away! And while there is still much sorting out to be done between now and April, at least on paper the upcoming draft looks like it could be a good one, although not necessarily a great year.
One key to just how strong the 2010 draft will ultimately turn out to be, though, is which juniors and other underclassmen opt to turn pro this winter. For example, in our very preliminary ranking of the top 100 prospects for the 2010 draft, 4 out of the top 5 and 7 of the top 10 prospects are juniors. Indeed, half the players rated in the first 32 players are underclassmen. Of course, much can, and will change over the curse of the next 7 months plus, however, here’s a quick overview of the likely strengths and weaknesses of the upcoming draft.
Certainly the top storyline in college football this fall will be the expected year-long dual among star QBs Tim Tebow of Florida, Colt McCoy of Texas and Oklahoma junior Sam Bradford for player of the year honors. And while all three are outstanding talents, there is a wide divergence in their draft prospects. Bradford, for example, who was widely expected to be the first player taken at the 2009 draft before he opted to return to school for another year of seasoning, probably should be plying his trade with Detroit this fall. Meanwhile, McCoy looks to be a solid mid-first round prospect this coming April. Tebow, though, represents something of a major challenge for pro scouts. Tebow will likely go down as one of the greatest college players of all time, but still has yet to convince NFL personnel people that he has the accuracy and mechanics to play the position at the next level. Indeed, Ole Miss junior Jevan Snead currently probably ranks ahead of Tebow as a prospect for the 2010 draft. There is a major drop-off, though, after the top 3-4 QB prospects this year, although there are a number of interesting second-tier types at the position including Zac Robinson of Oklahoma State, athletic Dan LeFevour of Central Michigan, and Tim Hiller of Western Michigan among others.
While the QBs will grab most of the headlines, the real strength of the 2010 draft likely will be along the defensive line. Indeed, the top individual position could be DT. Nebraska 300-pounder Ndamukong Suh and Oklahoma junior Gerald McCoy, for example, both have top 5 potential, while there are a number of later first round prospects at the position including 365-pound Terrence ‘Mount’ Cody, Arthur Jones of Syracuse and UCLA junior Brian Price, both of whom are especially quick and athletic, and Vince Oghobaase of Duke. There is also good depth at DT with several solid later first-day types that don’t get the same hype but will still be good value on draft day including quick Geno Atkins of Georgia, Jared Odrick of Penn State, Boo Robinson of Wake Forest, DeMarcus Granger of Oklahoma, Boo Smith of Louisiana Tech, Dan Williams of Tennessee and Jay Ross of East Carolina, while Baylor junior Phil Taylor, a 355-pound transfer from Penn State who didn‘t play last fall could also be one of the best of the bunch once he gets back on the field.
Meanwhile, there are a ton of college DEs who can get after the passer including tweener types like George Selvie of South Florida, Sergio Kindle of Texas, Greg Hardy of Ole Miss, Michigan’s Brandon Graham, Jerry Hughes of TCU, and Brandon Lang of Troy, along with emerging juniors Greg Romeus of Pitt, Everson Griffin of USC and Jason Worilds of Virginia Tech. The top DE this year, though, could ultimately be freakish 6-5, 290-pound Florida junior Carlos Dunlap who could get some serious consideration as the #1 player selected this year.
Its also not a bad year to be in the market for an offensive tackle as Russell Okung of Oklahoma State, Oklahoma‘s Trent Williams, Ciron Black of LSU, as well as juniors Brian Bulaga and Anthony Davis of Rutgers each has first-round potential. There are questions about the overall athleticism of seniors Okung, Williams, and Black who may be downgraded as more RT prospects. Meanwhile, there is some good depth at the position including later first day prospects Charles Brown of USC, Sam Young of Notre Dame, and Adam Ulatoski of Texas, while 315-pound Zane Beadles of Utah is something of a sleeper.
Unfortunately, there isn’t anywhere nearly as much talent this year at either C or OG, although Alabama OG Mike Johnson and Clemson C/G Thomas Austin at least have top 60 potential. Teams looking to add some size at OG, though, should be able to find something in the mid-rounds. Meanwhile, the top interior offensive line prospect could be USC junior C Kris O’Dowd, although he’s currently out with a knee injury.
The 2010 draft will also be relatively strong at safety, a position that has tended to get short shrift at the draft in recent years. At safety, for example, both Taylor Mays of USC and Tennessee junior Eric Berry are considered top 5-10 talents, while junior Reshad Jones of Georgia may not be all that far behind. And there should be plenty of depth at safety early at the 2010 draft in players such as Darrell Stuckey of Kansas, Nate Allen of South Florida and Kam Chancellor of Virginia Tech, as well as Georgia Tech junior Morgan Burnett.
On the other hand, it could be something of a down year at CB, although the entry of juniors like Joe Haden of Florida and Virginia’s Ras-I Dowling would upgrade things and provide at least a couple of potential mid-first round candidates at the position. Meanwhile, there are a number of seniors who should get at least top 60 consideration including Trevard Lindley of Kentucky, Syd’Quan Thompson of California, Kyle Wilson of Boise State, Brandon Ghee of Wake Forest and Alabama‘s Javier Arenas, who is also one of the top kick returners in college football.
It likely will also be an average year at both RB and WR, positions that will be especially dependent on juniors at the top of the board at the 2010 draft. Georgia Tech junior Jonathan Dwyer, for example, is the top RB prospect this year, but stilllikely won’t be rated much higher than the middle of the opening round, while fellow juniors Evan Royster of Penn State and USC‘s Joe McKnight could get some late first round consideration. There should be some pretty good depth at RB this year with speed guys like C.J. Spiller of Clemson, Cal‘s Jahvid Best and Da‘rel Scott of Maryland, bruisers like LeGarette Blount of Oregon Stateand Toby Gerhart of Stanford, as well as productive all-around chain movers such as Charles Scott of LSU, Stafon Johnson of USC and Chris Brown of Oklahoma.
The leading prospects at WR are also juniors including Arrelious Benn of Illinois, a legitimate top 10 prospect, along with Dez Bryant of Oklahoma State, a potential mid-first rounder, and smooth Damian Williams, who could sneak into the late first round. Meanwhile, LSU’s Brandon LaFell is the top senior prospect at the position, but he may lack the pure foot speed to be more than a second round candidate. Other potential top 60 receivers include Mardy Gilyard of Cincinnati, Jordan Shipley of Texas, Minnesota’s Eric Decker, along with talented juniors Dezmon Briscoe of Kansas and Mike Williams of Syracuse.
The one offensive skill position that could be rated as above average n 2010 could be the TEs. Oklahoma’s Jermaine Gresham, for example, should be one of the better prospects at the position in a while, while juniors Rob Gronokowski of Arizona and Aaron Hernandez of Florida may not be all that far behind. And there should be good depth at the position this year including veterans Dennis Pita of BYU, Ed Dickson of Oregon, Garrett Graham of Wisconsin, and Anthony McCoy of USC.
Figure that both the inside and outside LB positions will have average crops this year. At MLB, for example, Brandon Spikes of Florida has the kind of athleticism that kept Rey Maualuga and James Laurinaitis out of the first round of the 2009 draft, however, he’s the only likely mike backer to go in this year’s opening round with the exception perhaps of Alabama junior Rolando McClain who has exceptional size and decent agility. Micah Johnson of Kentucky also has excellent size for a mike backer as well as decent speed and agility. And there are a number of other solid tackling machine MLB types who maybe lack exceptional measurables, but have great instincts and motors including Joe Pawelek of Baylor, underrated Boris Lee of Troy and the appropriately named Pat Angerer of Iowa.
On the outside, Sean Witherspoon of Missouri, a potential mid-first rounder, is the top all-around prospect at the position, although he could get a push from either or both Michigan State junior Greg Jones and Sean Lee of Penn State, who is back after missing the 2008 season with a torn ACL. Meanwhile, South Carolina DE Eric Norwood could attract some early interest as a 3-4 rush LB with a big upside, while athletic Stevenson Sylvester of Utah could be an emerging sleeper. Pro scouts will also earn their keep grading juniors Rennie Curran of Georgia and Navorro Bowman of Penn State. Both are impact defenders, but Curran is undersized at barely 5-11, 220, while Bowman has had an array of off-field troubles.
See you in April!!!