2005 NFL Draft Guide....

[TRR]

I just made my own draft guide by using KFFL's top 10 players at every position. If anybody wants it, let me know. I'm not sure if I can add it as an attachment or what? Anyway, let me know and I will try to get it to you.

It's 12 pages long, and again, is full property of www.kffl.com

[CosmicPal]

That would be sweet, but couldn't you just copy and paste the top ten players from each position one position at a time in this thread?

[TRR]

I'll give it a shot....

[TRR]

(Property of www.kffl.com)
Quarterbacks
1. Aaron Rodgers, California (6011, 216, 4.75) - If you like Rodgers, you point to his lightning release, his work against Southern Cal last season and combination of arm strength and accuracy. If you don't like him, you point to the fact that he's just a shade over 6-1, looked terrible in the Bears' bowl game, and could be just the latest one-year wonder to roll off the Jeff Tedford assembly line (note: the Akili Smith model has been discontinued and the Kyle Boller model may be due for a recall). We at ITL adhere to the former school of thought, and believe his combination of athleticism, ability to see the field and field presence will make him a future top-flight pro.
2. Charlie Frye, Akron (6033, 227, 4.8) - Like Rodgers, Frye isn't especially fleet of foot and isn't know for his scrambling ability. Unlike Rodgers, he has a good, but not great, arm and has pro height. Frye is a slightly developmental pick, but has great tools. In his favor is that he (a) chose to go to the Senior Bowl and (b) had a good week once he was there. He may not be the second quarterback picked, but he could be the second-best (or even best) pro.
3. Alex Smith, Utah (6033, 233, 4.75) - Here is the draft's dark horse. Some scouts have fallen in love with the highly productive Ute, while others see the offense he ran in college as especially suited to his talents and not especially suited to the pro game. In the end, Smith may not have enough of the big-time skills to be an elite quarterback - he has mobility, but not exciting mobility. Smith has a good arm but not a great one; and he didn't make a lot of mistakes but didn't make a lot of memorable plays this season.
4. Jason Campbell, Auburn (6042, 221, 4.69) - Probably no quarterback outside of Smith did more to help himself this season as Campbell did. The Tiger ran the team's West Coast offense to a "T," mixing in the run when the throw wasn't there and the throw when the run was expected. He has just a bit of a hitch in his delivery, but nothing that should knock him past the end of the second round of the draft.
5. Derek Anderson, Oregon St. (6060, 239, 5.0) - Watch Anderson in 2003 and he almost looked undraftable. Watch him this season in OSU's bowl win over Notre Dame, and he almost looked like a No. 1 overall. While Anderson is a big, thick guy who will be able to hold up to the punishment meted out by a leaky left tackle, he's not especially light-footed and is pretty much welded to the pocket. Not that that's a bad thing, necessarily, but the Beaver needs to get some of the streakiness out of his system and be a little more consistent. At any rate, he's a very interesting prospect.
6. Dan Orlovsky, Connecticut (6044, 229, 4.89) - Some questions surfaced about Orlovsky's health at the Senior Bowl; he came up consistently short on passes that required zip, and at one point a Giants scout wondered aloud if he was hiding a shoulder injury. As it is, he's not the most mobile guy (he isn't especially accurate throwing on the rollout) and didn't come up especially big this season for U Conn, which was expecting to ride him into serious Big East title contention this year. He may be more of a backup on the next level.
7. Andrew Walter, Arizona St. (6054, 232, 4.9) - If you go to Las Vegas and find yourself sitting alongside Walter at the Blackjack table or roulette wheel, get moving because this is one of the least lucky guys in this year's draft. He was poised to make a move to the top of a somewhat muddied quarterback class until he tore up his shoulder in the season finale against hated rival Arizona. He probably won't go on the first day due to his injury, which required surgery and bumped him from the Senior Bowl, but a patient team with an established No. 1 guy could get a bargain.
8. Ryan Fitzpatrick, Harvard (6022, 221, 4.9) - Here's a guy who's accelerated his draft status considerably since the end of his senior season. He opened many scouts' eyes during Shrine week, and kept the momentum going during preparations for the Hula Bowl. He has a good head about him, a solid, quick release, plus arm strength and better-than-average mobility.
9. Kyle Orton, Purdue (6036, 217, 5.1) - The only guy whose star has fallen farther than Orton's since October is John Kerry. Orton looked like a top-five pick until the Boilermakers hit the meat of their Big-Ten schedule and Orton started to pick up bumps and bruises that affected his play. He looked great in the East-West Shrine Game, but consider that he had his favorite receiver and was running his college offense with Joe Tiller at the helm of the East squad. He has issues with mobility (he's strictly a drop-back passer), and he has very small hands, which seemed to plague him in Mobile.

10. David Greene, Georgia (6030, 224, 4.85) - Here's the guy Joe Theismann will be endorsing on draft day, pounding the desk and claiming that Greene "just wins." But Greene is more than Jay Barker or Gino Torretta; he's a legitimate player who may not win the NFL draft's beauty pageant with his laser arm, magic feet or chiseled body, but he makes good decisions, has been a proven winner, and seems to have "it." Along with that, he's got a plus delivery and is solid across the board.
Running Backs
1. RB Carnell Williams, Auburn
Williams is a top-notch athlete with the quick feet, a great burst through the hole and playing speed to hit home runs. He is an aggressive runner who consistently keeps his feet moving. Cadillac is able to take hard hits, he breaks tackles and gains yards after contact. An added bonus is that Williams is a very dangerous punt returner. He will be able to start and make an impact as a rookie. However, Williams is more slight framed that I like and looks more like a third-down back than a feature back. He consistently missed time with injuries his first two years at Auburn, so his durability in the NFL is a question mark.
2. RB Cedric Benson, Texas
Benson is a big, strong and physical runner who consistently runs aggressively between the tackles. He takes hard hits, keeps his feet moving, breaks tackles and gains a ton of yardage after contact. He has surprisingly agility and can stop and start quick enough to make tacklers miss/over-run. He has the durability that is so hard to find in feature back. The only real knock is that he lacks the explosive burst and top end playing speed to shoot through holes and run away from defenses.
3. RB Ronnie Brown, Auburn
Brown is the other half to Auburn's Dynamic Duo. He has excellent natural size and strength for a feature back - he can punish tacklers and run them over to gain extra yards. He has very good hands and can adjust to make tough catches out of the backfield. Brown has very good agility and balance to make quick jump cuts and has quickness through the hole. However, he does not play up to his natural size/strength consistently and does not show the explosiveness of a 4.40 player. Additionally, he has never been a full-time feature back, so he hasn't proven he can handle be the feature back over an entire season.
4. RB Frank Gore, Miami (Fla.)
Gore is a tremendous young man who has battled through two very painful injuries to have a productive senior season. He has the frame/size and strength running with the ball to consistently take hard hits, keep feet and gains yards after contact. I believe that when the 2005 season gets here, Gore will have nearly the playing speed he did before his injuries and will have the ability to be a game breaker. He is a highly competitive runner with the instincts and vision to find the backside hole with the burst to make it through the hole. Obviously, the biggest concern is whether he will ever get back to where he was prior to hurting his knees. On film in 2004 he still was not playing as well as did prior to the injuries.


5. RB Ryan Moats, Louisiana Tech
Moats is the first of many shorter running backs in this year's draft who have all the physical tools. He is an explosive runner with the burst and playing speed to consistently hit holes fast and make big runs. He is very well built for a short running back and consistently shows the strength and balance to take hard hits and gains yards after contact - He runs through arm/grab tackles easily. He is definitely shorter than ideal and this definitely makes durability a question mark and will greatly hinder him in pass pro. He reminds me a lot of Kansas City Chiefs RB Priest Holmes and if he gets the chance to play in that type of offense he could be special.
6. RB Marion Barber, Minnesota
Barber is a junior who came out early for the draft and has the tools to be a good NFL runner. He has deceptively quick feet to make the sharp jump-cut and can burst through backside holes. Once he gets through the hole and gets to top speed he can outrun angles and make big plays. He looks thin framed on the hoof, but he has the play strength and balance to run through arm tackles and doesn't get knocked off his feet easily. He consistently displays toughness and competitiveness on every touch and fights for extra yards until he is on the ground.
7. RB Ciatrick Fason, Florida State
Fason is another underclassmen who came out early for the draft. He is a very well built running back who runs aggressively with the ball, will lower a shoulder and doesn't hesitate to deliver a big blow to the tackler. He runs with good body lean and consistently has shown the ability to drag tacklers for extra yards; Fason does not quit churning his legs until he is on the ground. However, while he is quicker than you expect, he lacks the explosiveness and playing speed to be a big play, long touchdown runner. He is more of a grind it out big back who is more successful as a power back than as a big play back.
8. RB Anthony Davis, Wisconsin
Davis has been a tremendously productive runner who plays a lot bigger than his listed size. He is a tough and highly competitive runner who can keep his feet moving while he takes hits, but he lacks the size and power to consistently break tackles. He has tremendous foot quickness to make the very sharp cuts. He can not only make the sharp jump-cut, but has the quickness to make the vital cut in the hole. Despite toughness and competitiveness, he has consistently been injured at Wisconsin. Davis may have trouble staying healthy in the NFL as a featured back.
9. RB Darren Sproles, Kansas State
Sproles is one of the most enjoyable running backs I have ever graded because his quick feet and burst are remarkable. He has been super productive at Kansas State carrying their offense on his back for three years. While he lacks the size and play strength, his agility, balance, quickness and make-you-miss ability makes you think of Barry Sanders when you watch him run. He has very good hands and is a dangerous runner out in the open field after the catch. The trouble is that at under 5-6 he would be the shortest running back to ever be successful in the NFL, so the odds are stacked against him. I believe he will turn out to be a dangerous third-down back and return man who can make some big plays, but will get exposed at times when teams force him to stay in the pocket and pass block.
10. RB Vernand Morency, Oklahoma State
Morency is a thickly built short runner with surprising playing strength to break tackles and gain yards after contact when he runs aggressively. He has the quick feet and agility to shake tacklers and can make tacklers miss to make big plays. His vision and instincts help him find the hole and his quickness lets him get through those holes fast. The trouble is that he does not run/play with a consistent sense of urgency/aggressiveness which keeps him from playing up to his natural talent level on a consistent basis.



Fullbacks
1. FB Manuel White, UCLA
White is a very talented athlete who is being looked at as both a fullback and halfback. He has the strength and power to knock defenders backwards on lead blocks when he bends his knees and blocks aggressively. For a big fullback he has the athletic ability to adjust while blocking out in space. He has the natural vision and instincts of halfback which help him to consistently find the hole and can follow his blockers very well. His flexibility and strength help him to bend knees and pass block with leverage to stand up blitzers consistently. Overall, Manuel has the talent to be a good all around starting fullback who can make an impact as a lead blocker, ball carrier and receiver out of the backfield.
2. FB Matthew Tant, Vanderbilt
Tant is a junior who came out early for the draft and is the best of the pure fullbacks available in the draft. He is a very good athlete with the ability to bend knees and lead block with leverage - The trouble is that he does not do it consistently. He has a tendency to lead block up high, does not keep his feet moving after contact, falls off and doesn't finish his man off consistently. He has very quick feet, can acceleration to full speed in a flash and has the playing speed to make big plays - He can shoot through holes and run away from the defense. He is a pure fullback with all the tools to be very good all around, but he needs to become much more consistent blocking with leverage and staying after and finishing his block consistently.
3. FB Keith Joseph, Texas A&M
Joseph is the largest of the top fullbacks and has the size to be a dominant lead blocker at the point of attack. Despite not always using good lead blocking technique, he has the strength to knock defenders backwards and eliminates them from the play when he attacks. He has very good natural strength to not only get movement on lead blocks, but can also drag tacklers for extra yards as a short yardage runner. He is not quick footed enough to consistently adjust well out in space and is not a big play guy when he has the ball in his hands. More than anything, Joseph has the natural size, strength and competitiveness to be a solid lead blocking fullback. He can also be a strong inside runner who consistently can gain the important short yards.
4. FB Jeremy Thomas, Georgia
Thomas is a very tough and highly competitive player who is clearly shorter than ideal, but he consistently finds a way to eliminate his man. He does a good job of bending knees and lead blocking with leverage, but he lacks the bulk/power to knock man backwards - He basically just gets into defender, keeps his feet moving and rides man out of the play through effort and hustle. He is not a threat carrying the ball and isn't going to make big plays after taking the handoff. He does however have good hands and catches the ball well out of the backfield and can be a good dump-off/safety valve receiver. Overall, Thomas is the type of fullback who usually gets overlooked because of his lack of size, but he can be a solid starter in the NFL.
5. FB Will Matthews, Texas
Matthews is the closest to the classic lead blocking fullback of this year's top fullbacks. He is a very aggressive lead blocker who consistently attacks the defender, delivers a very hard initial blow and can drive his man completely out of the play. He has the size and play strength to knock middle linebackers out of the hole consistently. However, he is not a threat carrying or catching the ball. Overall, Will has the lead blocking ability to be a good starting fullback for a team that only asks their fullback to lead block and does not ask him to catch or carry the ball.
Wide Receivers
1. WR Braylon Edwards, Michigan (6025, 209, 4.45) - Edwards is the Cadillac of the wideout class this year. More than just production, he delivers the goods for the tape measure and the stopwatch. He's the kind of finished player who should have a short learning curve and fits in virtually any scheme.

2. WR Troy Williamson, South Carolina (6020, 211, 4.38) - Here's the guy that's really going to rise up the charts on "Top-100" lists in the coming weeks. You may not have heard of him yet, but that has a lot to do with the fact he had QBs Dondrial Pinkins and Syvelle Newton throwing to him last year. Williamson is the Charles Rogers of this year's draft class, hopefully without the porcelain collarbone.
3. Mike Williams, Southern Cal (6044, 228, 4.55) - The buzz on Williams is still heavy in the wake of his unfortunate decision to come out early for last year's draft. However, of all the players in this year's draft class at his position, Williams could be the one who slides farthest, and it all depends on his 40 time. There are those who believe he won't be able to get under 4.60, which would be damaging to his draft position. Failure, in turn, to get below 4.65 would be absolutely disastrous. Hey Mike, on your mark...
4. Mark Clayton, Oklahoma (5100, 185, 4.45) - You have now reached the "safe" pick among the top receivers in this year's draft class. While lacking the "wow" factor associated with the rest of those in the top-10, Clayton was a big-time playmaker on the college level. But will he get better, or is he a player who has already reached his peak? And his physical numbers aren't eye-popping, either.
5. Fred Gibson, Georgia (6040, 193, 4.50) - Gibson is long and lean and doesn't seem to have grown into his body completely yet, a la Hawaii's Ashley Lelie entering the 2002 draft. He looked really good at the Senior Bowl, however, and could really vault up the charts if he runs well in Indianapolis at the end of the month or in Athens this March.
6. Terrence Murphy, Texas A&M (6002, 189, 4.44) - Murphy couldn't have separated himself from the pack by playing in the Senior Bowl; it's unknown whether Murphy had an injury or just ‘all-star flu.' At any rate, he's a burner with big-play ability and a record of success; he may be able to get under the 4.44 40 we have him listed with.
7. Reggie Brown, Georgia (6012, 197, 4.50) - Brown may be flying a little under the radar right now as writers swoon over the lesser-known players such as Williamson and Vincent Jackson (see below), but four productive years at Georgia still counts for something. Brown will go somewhere in the first 50-60 picks and make lots of plays in his career, and though they may not be of the Randy Moss (speed) or Lynn Swann (acrobatics) variety, all touchdowns count for six.
8. Vincent Jackson, Northern Colorado (6046, 236, 4.55) - Right now, Jackson is every draft nut's favorite diamond in the rough, the Joe Horn of the 2005 draft. He finished strong at the Senior Bowl after a down Tuesday, has obvious physical strength and is smoother or more fluid than you might expect; he didn't look especially fleet of foot though. His workout in Indy should determine if he's a horn of plenty or just a false alarm in terms of his draft status.
9. Courtney Roby, Indiana (6002, 184, 4.39) - At a position that demands speed, Roby has it all over everyone else in our top-10, and while there were some questions about whether he actually stood 6-feet tall, he came in just two-eighths of an inch above it at the Senior Bowl. That means all systems go for Roby, who didn't shoot out the lights in Mobile but didn't hurt himself, either.
10. Mark Bradley, Oklahoma (6012, 196, 4.55) - Bradley is the boom-or-bust guy of the top-10. Thirty-three catches on the Division I-A level over two years and zero games with more than four catches in his career with the Sooners don't exactly dispel all doubts. He has the tools, however, and scouts like to talk about things like "his best football is ahead of him" and "he could really be coached up" when a kid has his kind of size-speed combination.
Tight Ends
1. Heath Miller, Virginia (6046, 265, 4.80) - The moment Miller entered the draft, he became the top tight end in 2005. Miller is a complete package who can make plays in the running game as well as the passing game. A top talent and lock first-half-of-the-first-rounder.
2. Alex Smith, Stanford (6040, 255, 4.75) - Here's the player who got hurt most by Miller's decision to come out early. Though faster than Miller, he needs to run well this week to keep his status high, as he's not the blocker Miller is.
3. Kevin Everett, Miami (Fla.) (6040, 250, 4.75) - Everett is an athlete, and is comfortable in space. However, the former fullback is, at this point, probably more effective as a blocker and a little off the pace with respect to his polish as a receiver. He has unlimited upside, and probably had his development hindered a bit (he's a former junior college product) by the presence of TE Kellen Winslow Jr.
4. Jerome Collins, Notre Dame (6035, 247, 4.53) - Here's the wildcard entry in the tight end class. Collins spent most of his time on defense playing linebacker with the Fighting Irish but has the perfect skill set to play on the other side of the ball. He's unpolished but may be a gem, nonetheless.
5. Steve Fleming, Arizona (6060, 263, 4.90) - Fleming comes in a jumbo package and gets around the field well, but didn't make a lot of big plays on the collegiate level. He seemed to help himself in all-star play but is probably a second-day proposition.
Offensive Lineman (OT, OG, Center)
1) ) OT Alex Barron is the premier offensive tackle in the 2005 NFL Draft. He has the rare combination of size, strength and athletic ability to pass block explosive speed rushers and to drive strong defensive linemen off the ball on run blocks. When he uses his hands aggressively, he can jolt the defensive end and stops him in his tracks. However, he does not always play with a sense of urgency and is not as effective when he does not.
2) OT Jamaal Brown is the right tackle from Oklahoma, who is clearly the best of all the senior Oklahoma offensive linemen. He is a good athlete with the playing strength and competitiveness to consistently eliminate his man. He is a smart and efficient tackle who plays to the limits of his ability and does not get beat himself. Brown does not have the great feet to explosive inside pass rush moves and his aggressiveness gets him in trouble at times on down/side blocks - He gets overly aggressive, leans, over-extends and falls off blocks.
3) OT Khalif Barnes from Washington is a tremendously gifted athlete with all the physical tools to be a top NFL offensive tackle, but he does not play aggressively or use good technique on every snap which limits his production. He is the most physically gifted of all the offensive linemen in the 2005 draft class and can be dominant at times, but he does not play with leverage or a wide base consistently which lets lesser athletes beat him too often. Additionally, he has to prove the wrist injury that caused him to miss the second half of his senior season is healed.
4) OT Nick Kaczur, who played left tackle at Toledo, is another top-notch athlete whose versatility will let him play any of the five offensive line positions in the NFL. He has the feet and agility to slide out and cut-off explosive edge rushers and can adjust and block well in space. However, he is not a big offensive tackle at 6-4, and Kaczur has short arms which limits his playing strength - He will struggle strength wise in the NFL until he add bulk and improves playing strength.
5) OT Trai Essex from Northwestern is a premier athlete with all the physical tools to be a first-round pick and a Pro Bowl left tackle in the NFL. However, he does not play aggressively, use good technique of stay after blocks until the whistle, and all of these cause him to get beat by lesser athletes. When he plays with a sense of urgency he can physically dominate the defensive end on run and pass blocks. Essex has the natural strength to torque defensive end to the ground.
1. Logan Mankins, OG, Fresno St. (6041, 307, 5.14)
Mankins is the kind of player who doesn't blow you away with his workout numbers: he had a below-average 21 reps and a mediocre 5.14 40 at 307 pounds in the RCA Dome. But, the guy is a player. A left tackle at Fresno State, he'd be a top-10 player at the position if he were to go that route, based solely on his knowledge of the position, his tenacity and his quickness. As a guard, he is a slam dunk.
2. Chris Kemoeatu, OG, Utah (6034, 344, 5.37)
Kemoeatu has gone from somewhere in the top 5-7 at his position to a firm top-three offensive guard on most boards. He ran as fast as some players 20 pounds lighter in Indianapolis, and while no one is fitting him for a tutu (not that we'd want to see that), he moved well enough in Indianapolis at the combine to be considered semi-athletic for a 344-pounder.


3. Dan Buenning, OG, Wisconsin (6037, 320, 5.33)
Buenning ran well but didn't blow it up in Indianapolis, and was likewise good but not great in workouts. He's more of a straight-line proposition and would be best in a power offense akin to the one used by the Badgers. In the right system, Buenning can be a real force, as he is an excellent blocker at the point of attack and gets down the line well on the trap.
4. Chris Myers, OG, Miami (Fla.) (6045, 300, 5.05)
The thing you have to like about Myers is that he's played up and down the line with the Hurricanes; pretty much where there was a big injury, Myers got plugged in. He's also a very good student and a high-character guy and has excellent athleticism at a position where that's not always the case. Myers would be a good fit equally in a West Coast offense or a pure power offense.
5. Elton Brown, OG, Virginia (6047, 329, 5.31)
At the end of the season, Brown was probably the best guard on the board; he's an aggressive, mean player who gets after his man and finishes his blocks. Though he's a jumbo player, he has very good mobility. However, an arthritic ligament in his knee found at the Senior Bowl has left him in limbo and contributed to his decision not to work out in Indianapolis.
1) C Chris Spencer, Mississippi
Spencer is a very good athlete with the very quick feet and playing speed that is hard to find in an interior offensive linemen. He has the initial quickness and playing speed to get through to the second level in a flash and he can pull and lead block on outside runs. Spencer is a very inconsistent player who does not play with good technique consistently which causes him to struggle to play up to his natural ability. He has a tendency to stop feet at or before making initial contact and has to lean and reach to maintain/make contact, over-extending himself too often. Spencer is most likely going to be drafted in the second round.
2) C Nick Kaczur, Toledo
Kaczur is a very good athlete with the quick feet, agility, balance and flexibility that is hard to find in a 300-pound offensive lineman. He can slide and adjust well side to side to handle quick side to side pass rush moves. He can chip the defensive tackle and gets through to the second level to block the linebacker easily. Kaczur is not a consistently aggressive blocker, which limits his effectiveness. In pass protection, he does not punch the defensive end and allows the position to get into his chest. He can be jolted and knocked backwards by bull rushers. After playing offensive tackle at Toledo, I believe Kaczur has the talent to be a top-notch NFL center. He is probably going to be drafted in the third round.
3) C Jason Brown, North Carolina
Brown has the natural size and strength to be a strong point-of-attack player. He has the playing strength to torque and turn defensive tackles out of the play once he gets a hold of man. He can get through to the second level quickly and can pull and lead outside runs. Brown is a straight line athlete and lacks the agility to adjust quickly side to side. He has a tendency to play straight-legged when he gets to the second level, struggling to adjust and block well in space. Brown is probably going to be drafted in the fifth or sixth round and should develop in a solid, work-man-like starter.
4) C Blake Lingruen, Wake Forest
Lingruen is a tough and competitive center who consistently finds a way to get his man blocked. He has very quick feet which help him to get off the ball and set to block very fast; he can get through the line of scrimmage to block on the second level well. Lingruen is an under-sized center who lacks the power to get movement on straight ahead run blocks and can be driven backwards by explosive bull rushers. He has a tendency to block up high and can be stood up while stacked at the point-of-attack on in-line run blocks. Lingruen is likely going to be a late draft pick and be a backup early in his career, but he should develop into a starting center in a season or two.
5) C Dylan Gandy, Texas Tech
Gandy is a smart center who consistently gets the most out of his ability. He is highly competitive and does a very god job of keeping his feet under him, following up and maintain his block. He does a good job of pass blocking in a small area. Gandy is a limited athlete in terms of foot quickness and playing speed. He is only adequate getting off the ball and into blocks quickly which hinders his ability to make the reach block consistently while pass blocking explosive gap-shooting defensive tackles. Gandy is going to be a late-round pick, who should develop into a very good backup center or as a spot starter.
Defensive Lineman (DE, DT)
1. Marcus Spears, LSU (6040, 298, 5.03) - Due to his size and the fact he can move similarly to much smaller men, Spears has moved to the head of the class among defensive ends. He should be the first defensive end off the board. He also benefits from the trend toward the 3-4 (or a mixture of the 4-3 and 3-4) in the NFL; Spears fits well into either scheme.
2. Erasmus James, Wisconsin (6041, 261, 4.77) - Some have downgraded James because he didn't have electric 40 times, but forget about the stopwatch in this case. He's extremely athletic and moves well; but for a somewhat troubling injury history, he might have surpassed Spears as the top guy at his position (notwithstanding the 40 pounds he gives up to the Tiger).
3. David Pollack, Georgia (6022, 260, 4.70) - It's the time of year when what a player does in shorts and tennis shoes seems more important than what did in pads and cleats. It's true, Pollack is not a lights-out athlete, but he can still be a big-time player in the DE Grant Wistrom fashion. He just lacks the star-making upside of Spears and James.
4. Justin Tuck, Notre Dame (6044, 266, 4.80) - Tuck is right on the end-of-first/top-of-second bubble. He's an elite pass rusher who may need a little more sand in the bucket to be able to stop the run. Like several others at this position, he didn't shoot out the lights at his pro day, but don't put too much into that.
5. Shaun Cody, Southern California (6040, 292, 4.95) - Cody is an interesting prospect because he figures either at end or inside at tackle. For this reason, it's possible he could zoom past Pollack and Tuck on draft day. He's not a great pure athlete, but a very strong Senior Bowl helped put Cody on the fast track.
6. DeMarcus Ware, Troy State (6035, 233, 4.60) - Here's the boom-or-bust pick at defensive end. Despite the fact others with his dimensions (Cincinnati's Trent Cole and Andre Frazier, Marshall's Johnathan Goddard) have worked out extensively in space, Ware did most of his time at the Senior Bowl and in workouts with his hand on the ground, just as he did at Troy. It's very rare that an NFL defensive end comes in below 235 in the modern game, and Ware is, at best, untested when he's not at the line of scrimmage. Some have him as a first-rounder, but questions linger.
7. Matt Roth, Iowa (6033, 262, 4.79) - Roth is another one who's a football player, not a workout guy. He has done well in January and February, but where he really shines is on tape. Right now, he's a late-first or early-second prospect but will really shine on the field, not on the stage at the Jacob K. Javits Center - this year's host of the NFL draft.
8. Dan Cody, Oklahoma (6035, 260, 4.75) - Cody is rock-solid as a player but off-the-field issues are hurting his status. If teams can get past any character concerns, they will get a bona fide playmaker from a big-time program.
9. Eric Moore, Florida St. (6041, 255, 4.80) - Moore was hampered by injuries this season, but bounced back with a strong workout in March and is on the move upward. He had a second or third rounder entering this season but looks like a solid second-rounder at this point.
10. Bill Swancutt, Oregon St. (6040, 264, 4.90) - Swancutt has fallen out of favor with some teams because he's not a great upside player, and he might already be as good as he's going to be. But while he's not a speedy guy, he does move well in the open field and pursues well. He may have fallen out of the second, but he deserves to go no later than th1)


1) Travis Johnson, Florida State, 6-4, 304, 4.95
Johnson is a very good athlete with the explosiveness off the ball and pass rush skills to consistently get pressure on the quarterback. He has very quick and active hands - he can jolt the offensive guard backwards or can beat him with a quick swim/arm-over move. Johnson is a first-year starter who is still learning to consistently play up to his ability. At times he will get too high at point of attack, and when he does he is a non-factor and can be controlled by the offensive line. He does not use his hands well to shed consistently. Despite inconsistent production, Johnson is going to be selected in the late first round or top of the second round.
2) Jonathan Babineaux, Iowa, 6-2, 285, 5.00
Babineaux is a very strong defensive tackle who can hold ground versus one-on-one run blocks, versus double teams and can drive offensive linemen backwards as a bull rusher. He uses his hands well to jolt offensive linemen, lock them out and shed at the point of attack consistently. He gets pressure on quarterbacks through effort and shooting gaps properly to get backfield penetration. Babineaux doesn't protect his legs from low blocks. Despite being slightly undersized, he is likely going to be a second-round selection.
3) Marcus Spears, LSU, 6-4, 295, 5.10
Spears is a very good athlete with the foot quickness and agility to defeat one-on-one pass blocks. He has long, strong arms and can be an effective pass rusher because of his variety of pass rush moves. Spears played mostly at defensive end in the games I graded, so he is going to have to adjust to playing defensive tackle, which means he has to play with knees bent and leverage much more consistently. He needs to become more consistent getting off the ball. Spears is going to be either a late first-round pick or a second rounder.
4) Luis Castillo, Northwestern 6-3, 305, 4.95
Castillo is a tough, highly competitive defensive tackle who plays with the all-out effort and hustle. He has the very quick feet to get off the ball fast, on top of the offensive guard quickly and can jolt him backwards into the pocket on a bull rush. His quick feet enable him to beat reach blocks. Castillo doesn't consistently play up to his athleticism and natural strength. He is usually a beat late off the snap, which limits his ability to shoot gaps, get on top of blockers quickly and to get backfield penetration. He has all the positive character traits and intangibles that I want in a defensive tackle. Despite his recent steroid admission, Castillo is a stand-up guy. This is why Castillo will be drafted in the second round.
5) Anttaj Hawthorne, Wisconsin 6-3, 320, 5.35
Hawthorne is a very talented natural athlete with the natural explosiveness to burst off the ball and drive the offensive line back in to the backfield. When he is playing aggressively, he can jolt and control the offensive lineman blocking him, drive him backwards to disrupt plays in the backfield. He has the playing speed to chase down plays in pursuit. Hawthorne's biggest weakness is his inability to play aggressively and competitively on every snap - he tends to play up high and lets the offensive lineman get a hold of him and control him. He does not use his hands well versus blockers - he lets them get into his chest, tie him up and does not keep low/cut blocks from getting into his legs.
Linebackers (ILB, OLB)
1. Odell Thurman, Georgia (6001, 233, 4.56): Inside linebackers don't usually go in the middle of the first round, but then again linebackers don't usually come with running back skills. Thurman was unimpressive at the combine but rebounded in Athens, Ga. at his pro day, restoring himself to first-round status. Though a little on the short side, he runs like a "Will" and has the toughness of a "Mike" linebacker.
2. Lance Mitchell, Oklahoma (6021, 247, 4.87): Mitchell was once considered a first-round talent, but had a lackluster senior season, followed by an iffy Senior Bowl and two mediocre workouts (at the combine and in Norman, Okla.). Mitchell's talents are suited for the read-and-react scheme of the Sooners but may not be right for every system in the NFL, and he may slide as far as the third round.

3. Albert Fincher, Connecticut (6013, 238, 4.72): Fincher is a no-frills guy who doesn't have a lot of upside but is right at home between the tackles, taking on all comers. Fincher will play physically and not give an inch, but he's not going to be able to recover from his mistakes the way some of the quicker, more athletic players at his position can. He may slide a bit.
4. Lofa Tatupu, Southern Cal (5111, 238, 4.85): Tatupu packed on an extra 10-12 pounds for the combine and March workouts to show scouts he could hold up to the pounding of play inside, and it took away a bit of his explosiveness. While at Southern Cal he moved around as well as Thurman and made big plays regularly, but there are questions as to whether he can do the same thing with the added girth.
5. Marcus Lawrence, South Carolina (6021, 243, 4.68): A workout warrior, Lawrence was average at the Senior Bowl but came in three inches taller and about 20 pounds heavier than expected at the combine and still dropped his expected 40 time a smidge. The Gamecock isn't an elite prospect in this draft, but he's definitely a player on the way up who may sneak into the third round.
1) Shawne Merriman, Maryland, 6-4, 270, 4.65
Merriman is a very good athlete with the quick feet and pass rush ability to make an impact rushing the quarterback off the edge. He has the flexibility to play with bent knees and leverage and it combines with a strong hand punch to let him jolt blockers backwards consistently. He is a smart and instinctive player who consistently reads and reacts fast to the play. Merriman is inconsistent shedding and getting free from blocks - his inconsistency leads to him not making some plays he is capable of. He does not consistently explode off the ball as edge pass rusher. Merriman is going to be drafted in the first round and whether he plays defensive or outside linebacker will be determined by which team takes him. I believe his best position will actually be as a rush-linebacker in a 3-4 defense.
2) Derrick Johnson, Texas, 6-3, 240, 4.75
Johnson is a very good athlete with the quick feet, agility, balance, playing speed and explosiveness closing on the ball of top linebackers. He has the natural hip snap and explosiveness to be a hard hitter. He has the play speed to cover tight ends in man-to-man coverage and can break up passes. Johnson does not consistently produce to the level of his athletic ability. He does not play aggressively or with a sense of urgency on every snap; when he doesn’t play aggressively he can be driven out of the play by blockers. Despite not being a consistently physical player at the point of attack, Johnson’s physical ability to run to the ball and make plays will make him a high first-round draft pick.
3) Ryan Claridge, UNLV, 6-2, 255, 4.75
Claridge is a very good athlete with the foot quickness, agility, balance and playing speed to run down ball carriers all over the field. He is a smart and instinctive linebacker who reads the quarterback quickly in zone coverage, breaks and closes on the ball fast and has shown the ability to make the hard hit right after the catch or break up the pass with his front arm. Claridge does not use his hands consistently to keep blockers off him - he gets slowed down a lot by low/cut blocks and can’t get free from blockers if they can get a hold of him. He does not move through traffic well and needs a clear path to chase plays down in pursuit. Claridge is probably going to be drafted in the third or fourth round.
4) Rian Wallace, Temple, 6-2, 240, 4.70
When Wallace plays aggressively he can be very affective, disrupting inside runs in the backfield and making tackles. He recognizes the pass quickly, breaks on the ball promptly and has the hands to make tough interceptions. Wallace looks like a thin linebacker and struggles at the point of attack and can't shed blocks consistently. He loses focus at times and it leads to lunging and over-extending on tackles and missing more tackles than he should. Wallace isn't a big name, but he should be selected in the third or fourth round.



5) Matt McCoy, San Diego State, 6-0, 235, 4.60
McCoy reads and reacts quickly to the play consistently and has an explosive burst to finish plays. He drops off the ball and into zone coverage smoothly, reads the quarterback quickly and closes fast on the receiver to make hard hits right after the catch. McCoy is tight in the hips, and it causes him trouble breaking down, as well as tackling well out in space - he over-runs too many tackles. He is shorter than ideal and lacks the bulk/size to hold ground at point of attack versus blockers. Once a blocker gets a hold of him he struggles to shed and get free quickly. Despite not being invited to the combine, McCoy is going to be drafted in the third round.
Cornerbacks
1. Antrel Rolle, Miami (Fla.) (6001, 201, 4.55)
Choosing the top cornerback this year is more a question of whether you like pie or cake better, or Fords more than Chevys. Big cornerbacks are being devalued this year the way smallish corners were dropped in years past, but the pick here is Rolle. He made magic all over the field for the Hurricanes and doesn't give up a lot in the 40 department.
2. Adam Jones, West Virginia (5094, 187, 4.45)
Part of the reason we've moved him from the No. 1 slot is the fact that, though fast, he's not a blazing, sub-4.4 guy. If you're not getting a big boost in speed, why go for the guy who's going to get muscled in the end zone? "Pac-Man's" character concerns (attitude is good for a corner, but enough is enough) counter his return ability.
3. Marlin Jackson, Michigan (6005, 198, 4.62)
Jackson may fit better as a safety on the next level, but he's definitely no slouch in the cover game. Our hearts go out to Jackson, as he would most likely have been No. 1 at his position if he had come out last season.
4. Carlos Rogers, Auburn (6003, 196, 4.44)
Rogers doesn't rate as No. 1 at his position, but is probably worthy of the mantle "most complete" at his position, which is a lot like winning Miss Congeniality. He, as much as any other corner in this year's class, offers the best mix of size, speed as well as run support and coverage ability. He could be the third corner off the board.
5. Justin Miller, Clemson (5096, 201, 4.49)
Miller is basically "Pac-Man" without the flashy nickname or the attitude. He's another guy who excels in the return game, though some have him pegged as a safety.
6. Darrent Williams, Oklahoma St. (5081, 188, 4.34)
Williams is probably the cornerback who did the most to enhance his stock since the end of last season. He followed up a sterling Senior Bowl in which he might have been the best player on the field with a fabulous 40 at the combine. Teams that miss out on Jones can be satisfied they got Williams.
7. Stanley Wilson, Stanford (5116, 185, 4.40)
Wilson is a burner who came on last season and really brought the heat as a good football player. He's added some weight so he won't get pushed around despite a rather narrow frame. He may have been the best athlete on a defense stacked with studs at The Farm.
8. Bryant McFadden, Florida St. (5116, 193, 4.55)
No one's talking about McFadden, but bet the house no NFL team has forgotten about him. He's going to be an excellent value somewhere in the second round. He is very knowledgeable at his position, very mature, ready to step right in.
9. Alphonso Hodge, Miami (Ohio) (5094, 191, 4.45)
Hodge is another guy who doesn't get the accolades and maybe isn't the biggest guy; plus, he comes from the MAC. But so what if you can play and Hodge can play. He'll start out as a nickel back but won't be a non-starter for long.
10. Corey Webster, LSU (6001, 199, 4.57)
Webster excelled on the college level in LSU's scheme, but will those skills translate to the next level? It's an open question. He's probably not got the kind of hips and explosiveness to be a real cover corner on the next level; like others on this list, he might eventually find his home at safety.
Safeties
1) Josh Bullocks, Nebraska, 6-0, 210, 4.45
Bullocks is a tough and physical safety who comes up aggressively in run support, can chase down ball carriers outside and has an explosive closing burst to the ball to make hard and physical tackles. He has excellent instincts. Bullocks does not have the hips to come down and cover a slot receiver consistently in man-to-man coverage. He loses his focus at times, which leads to him lunging and missing some tackles out in space in time. Josh is not the big name at safety, but he will be the best of all of this year's safety prospects and will be drafted in the late first or second round.
2) Thomas Davis, Georgia, 6-1, 230, 4.75
Davis is a top level athlete with the quick feet, smooth hips and playing speed to cover tight ends or running backs easily. He does a very good job of reading passes in front of him, plants, drives and closes on the ball fast and makes hard hits right after the catch. Thomas' biggest weakness is his inconsistent reads of deep passes - he often steps forward and is late reacting to the throw. He does not consistently get outside to help the cornerback with deep over-the-top coverage. Despite concerns about his play in deep coverage, Davis is going to be a first-round draft pick.
3) Vincent Fuller, Virginia Tech, 6-1, 190, 4.50
Fuller is a very good athlete with all the physical tools that you could ask for. He has the smooth and fluid hips to turn and run without losing a step and has the play speed to stay with receivers deep. He has good instincts and can close quickly on passes in front of him. He is somewhat of a "tweener" between cornerback and safety - he lacks the size, strength and tackling ability that I want in a safety, but isn't as fluid in hips as I want a corner to be and needs a lot of work in backpedal. I like him more than many people, but he will be drafted in the third round because of his athleticism and NFL versatility.
4) Nick Collins, Bethune-Cookman, 5-11, 205, 4.60
Collins is a very good athlete with the quick feet, playing speed and explosive closing burst to make plays all over the field versus the run. He can bend his knees, snap hips and make hard, physical hits in run support. He is very smooth and fluid moving in space when he is deep downfield in coverage. Collins is not a consistent tackler - he has a bad habit of leaving his feet behind and dives/lunges too often and misses tackles which is the worst thing a safety can do. He does not always come up quickly in run support - at times he pauses a beat before breaking up field.

[TRR]

Just copy and paste into Microsoft Word. It should be pretty easy to seperate from there.

[Kyle401]

And our 1st pick of the draft is.... Manuel White, UCLA!