What makes Eric Berry a better prospect than Earl Thomas

[DJ's left nut]

Originally Posted by DallasChief

For all those here who watched both play- why is Eric Berry the better pick? From a production stand point it looks as if Thomas had 4 times more INTs than Berry last season.

I'm not bashing the pick at all but since I don't follow college football I'm interested.

Physical attributes, leadership ability/intangibles and respective roles in the defense.

Thomas was allowed to play a pure CF and ball-hawk. Berry was asked to do quite a bit more for the Vols. He essentially doubled as a linebacker for the squad in run-support.

Berry has a far better football frame. He's built thicker and he's been far less injury-prone. Thomas is a fairly slight guy for someone that's intended to be a safety in the NFL. I can't see him avoiding missing a handful of games every year with the physical toll that safety takes on the body.

Thomas has had some work ethic worries whereas Berry has one of the best makeups in the draft. And there's the Longhorn factor.