Quarterback: Jeff Rowe, NevadaHe's got all the physical tools and is fairly accurate. His small-school background and the fact that he hasn't stood out in big games have held his stock back. However he was most accurate on the 25-to-30 range and wasn't a dump off passer. He was actually a fade-route specialist who made his career out of tossing perfect passes to the outside shoulder on those routes. What this says to me is that he knows what to do downfield, and under the right teacher, in a background role for a few years can learn the short routes and become a Bulger-esque game manager who can make all the throws that are asked of him.Running back: Gary Russell, MinnesotaGave Laurence Maroney a good back-and-forth on their competition for the feature back role in Minnesota back in 2005. Then Maroney turned pro to avoid being unseated by the more physically talented Russell while his stock was high, reminiscent of Clinton Portis turning pro because he felt too much heat from Willis McGahee in Miami. Unfortunately for Russell he failed out of his scholarship and was unable to play last season. Russell appears to have turned a new leaf, saying "I'm mostly frustrated and disappointed with myself because I could have avoided this problem. I messed up."Tight End: Ben Patrick, DelawareHis game draw comparisons to Dallas' star TE Jason Witten. He is limited as a deep threat as he's not 6'7 nor can he run a 4.5 40. However he is an imposing blocker who can seal off defensive ends and linebackers. He does a great job of gaining leverage and overpowering defenders to cap the end of the line and break a big-time outside run. But his game doesn't end at blocking. He has very good, if not great, hands in traffic and is a short-pass specialist who isn't afraid to get hit. He will make a good target at 10-12 yards deep and in the red zone, as well as helping break big runs.Wide Receiver: Jordan Kent, OregonA high school track champion who just happens to be 6'4". Runs a legit 4.46 40 (Scout timed, not coach timed). He was awarded Academic All American honors in the 2003 season while playing basketball and track prior to being plucked to play football by Mike Billoti in 2005. He was a top defensive rebounder for the Ducks, and showed that on the football field fighting for every contested pass that came his way. His downside is that he's just straight raw. He isn't a great route runner yet, but is an intelligent hard worker who has great body control and legit deep-threat speed.Offensive Tackle: Brandon Frye, Virginia TechComing out of High School, Brandon Frye was considered the top DE prospect in South Carolina and top 25 at his position nationwide (14 sacks and 27 QB hurries helped his cause). But he found it difficult to see the field for his first couple years as a Hokie. When his junior year rolled around he tried out for the Right tackle position and took on the reserve role, seeing the field often with his dominating run blocking skills. His Senior season he earned the Starting Left Tackle role but was hampered by an ankle injury all season. He is a workout warrior with a 4.77 40 and a 485 pound bench press, he could develop into a dominating RT.Offensive Guard: Tim Duckworth, AuburnHow could a team not want the man who helped pave the way for Ronnie Brown and Carnell Williams? He is a classic Road Grader who shocks defenders with his initial punch and then takes pleasure in driving them into the ground until the whistle blows. His issues "catching" a pass rush is what holds him back from being a 3rd or even 2nd round pick. He has trouble defending rather than attacking as a lineman, and is at his best when he's allowed to move forward. He has all the physical skills, though, and with proper instruction can learn to pass block and become a very solid starter.Offensive Center: Doug Datish, Ohio StateAn amazing guy both on and off the field. He took a back seat to the even better Nick Mangold, but finally got the opportunity to start this past season. He could have used 1 more year of eligibility in order to prove that the 2006 season was not a fluke, but as of now is only an early day 2 prospect. Like Mangold, he is not a powerful offensive lineman, but is a technician who knows how to use his hands and body position in order to get the better of defenders who are physically stronger than he is. He has quick feet and a good head on his shoulders, and might be able to start sooner than most think.Defensive End: Xzavie Jackson, MissouriXzavie is a traditional bull-rushing defensive end who will take his man and pin him in and keep driving until he gets to the QB (6 Sacks, 3 PD's, and 6 QBH's in 2006). He's not overly athletic, but is extremely strong and was productive in college by simply out working the other man. Some may want to move him inside to be a defensive tackle, but his true calling is at Defensive End. He is a good pass rusher, but an even better run defender, knowing how to drive his man to disrupt a rushing play, as well as getting into the backfield to make the stop (11 TFL in 2006).Defensive Tackle: Keith Jackson, ArkansasHe won't get you sacks. He won't stop the run behind the line of scrimmage. He's not athletic. What will he do? He will control both Center-Guard gaps all game long. Jackson will never be the Pro Bowl caliber NT that every 3-4 team covets, but very few get the pleasure of attaining. But he will be a valuable plug in that can, and will, control the A-Gaps with his dominating strength and low center of gravity. He stands at a mere 6 feet and yet weighs close to 300 pounds of mostly muscle. He can lock on to a center and insure no one runs up the middle on his team all game long.Outside Linebacker: Nate Harris, LouisvilleAn incredibly gifted athlete who has a nose for where the ball is headed, and can see plays develop. He's not overly physical, so he would do best in a system that emphasizes speed, agility, and play recognition over strength and the ability to overpower defenders. So a play like Indianapolis, Philadelphia, or Kansas City would suit him best. Harris was Louisville's big play linebacker in 2006, registering 12 TFL, 7 Sacks, and 3 Forced Fumbles. Harris has the physical tools to develop into one of the best OLB's of this year's draft class, should the right team pick him up.Inside Linebacker: Desmond Bishop, CaliforniaBishop is not overly gifted in the speed area, but he is a hard hitting linebacker who knows how to watch a play develop. He is good at man-covering Tight Ends in the short range, and proved it with 3 Interceptions last year. Bishop has no issues with taking on, and discarding of blockers in his way of making a play. He's an ideal inside playmaker for a 3-4 defense that needs the big, tough, defenders to fill the gaps against the run. He's a leader in the locker room as well, and was named Cal's defensive team captain in his Senior season.Cornerback: Travarous Bain, HamptonEvery year there are one or two athletes that you simply can't believe weren't part of a major program. One of those this year is Hampton's Travarous Bain. The surprising thing about Bain is, that he was part of a major program but transferred OUT of Miami. Not surprisingly he was twice (in two years) First Team All-MEAC selection, and a shutdown corner in the conference. He is excellent in man-to-man coverage and shows at least decent awareness in zone coverage. He answered some questions about his small school background with a strong showing at the Senior Bowl.Free Safety: John Wendling, WyomingWendling is the classic "does everything well, but does nothing great" defensive prospect. Physically he has all the tools, running a 4.4 40 and a lean muscular frame (6'1" 220 pounds). He is good in zone coverage and understands that as the last line of defense in the zone that he just can't get beat deep, he is good in man coverage, and he is a good tackler (leading his team with 78 tackles. He was an Academic All American who was recruited out of High School by Harvard, Princeton, and Stanford. There is little downside to Wendling, except that he does nothing great.Strong Safety: Sabby Piscitelli, Oregon StatePiscitelli has to be one of the most underrated prospects in recent history at his position. He has great physical measurable with a 4.5 40, 6'3" height, and 225 pound frame. He draws scout comparisons to "An Adam Archuleta with soft hands" as he is a hard hitter who knows how to keep a play in front of him. He's even better than Archuleta, though, in the pass defense game and showed his skills in 2006 with 27 Passes Defended and 14 Interceptions in 36 games starting. He is consistently good on the field and was the unquestioned leader in the Beaver's locker room in 2006.
Sounds like something he wrote himself. I think I'd go John Beck from BYU instead of Jeff Rowe at QB Someone like David Ball who would be a Steal in Day 2, Mike Walker from UCF (Who Supposibly ran a 4.28 the other day, and while I don't believe that for a Second, I think he will run faster then everyone expects) or a guy like Ryan Moore who had all the potential to be a Day 1 pick, but didn't produce enough on the field for it. I like their upside more.At Tight End I'll have to give some love to Clark Harris from Rutgers. He might not be the fastest or the strongest, but he knows how to use his body and create separation and he catches everything. Alot of similar qualities to that of LJ Smith who went to the same school. Chase Johnson at Tackle has always intrigued me, slow as hell, but the guy is 6'8" and 325. That's alot of beef. Also seemes to be a potentialy good fit as a Run Blocking Right Tackle at the next level. D-Line, Antonio Johnson. His stock is on the rise so I'm not sure if he'd still qualify as a Day 2 pick, but looked pretty good at the Senior Bowl he talked to the Patriots at the Senior Bowl and they implied they were interested in him at all 3 Defensive Line positions. Good pickup for a 3-4 team. Cornerback, You picked a pretty good one, but I like John Talley from Duke too. While Duke has been a terrible football team in recent years, Talley has been the one shining star. The past 2 seasons hes intercepted 12 passes and the guy can just play IMO.
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (AdropOFvenom @ Feb 18 2007, 10:16 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'>D-Line, Antonio Johnson. His stock is on the rise so I'm not sure if he'd still qualify as a Day 2 pick, but looked pretty good at the Senior Bowl he talked to the Patriots at the Senior Bowl and they implied they were interested in him at all 3 Defensive Line positions. Good pickup for a 3-4 team.</div>His stock has risen to the fringe day 1 and it's going up quickly so I doubt he'll be a day two prospect.
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Jon_Vilma @ Feb 18 2007, 10:47 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (AdropOFvenom @ Feb 18 2007, 10:16 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'>D-Line, Antonio Johnson. His stock is on the rise so I'm not sure if he'd still qualify as a Day 2 pick, but looked pretty good at the Senior Bowl he talked to the Patriots at the Senior Bowl and they implied they were interested in him at all 3 Defensive Line positions. Good pickup for a 3-4 team.</div>His stock has risen to the fringe day 1 and it's going up quickly so I doubt he'll be a day two prospect.</div>Being on the Fringe still makes him 'potential Day 2' though.
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (AdropOFvenom @ Feb 18 2007, 11:11 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Jon_Vilma @ Feb 18 2007, 10:47 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (AdropOFvenom @ Feb 18 2007, 10:16 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'>D-Line, Antonio Johnson. His stock is on the rise so I'm not sure if he'd still qualify as a Day 2 pick, but looked pretty good at the Senior Bowl he talked to the Patriots at the Senior Bowl and they implied they were interested in him at all 3 Defensive Line positions. Good pickup for a 3-4 team.</div>His stock has risen to the fringe day 1 and it's going up quickly so I doubt he'll be a day two prospect.</div>Being on the Fringe still makes him 'potential Day 2' though. </div>I just tried to avoid the fringe guys, only making an acception for Piscitelli because he's so much better than his current stock.
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (AdropOFvenom @ Feb 18 2007, 10:16 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'>Sounds like something he wrote himself. I think I'd go John Beck from BYU instead of Jeff Rowe at QB Someone like David Ball who would be a Steal in Day 2, Mike Walker from UCF (Who Supposibly ran a 4.28 the other day, and while I don't believe that for a Second, I think he will run faster then everyone expects) or a guy like Ryan Moore who had all the potential to be a Day 1 pick, but didn't produce enough on the field for it. I like their upside more.At Tight End I'll have to give some love to Clark Harris from Rutgers. He might not be the fastest or the strongest, but he knows how to use his body and create separation and he catches everything. Alot of similar qualities to that of LJ Smith who went to the same school. Chase Johnson at Tackle has always intrigued me, slow as hell, but the guy is 6'8" and 325. That's alot of beef. Also seemes to be a potentialy good fit as a Run Blocking Right Tackle at the next level. D-Line, Antonio Johnson. His stock is on the rise so I'm not sure if he'd still qualify as a Day 2 pick, but looked pretty good at the Senior Bowl he talked to the Patriots at the Senior Bowl and they implied they were interested in him at all 3 Defensive Line positions. Good pickup for a 3-4 team. Cornerback, You picked a pretty good one, but I like John Talley from Duke too. While Duke has been a terrible football team in recent years, Talley has been the one shining star. The past 2 seasons hes intercepted 12 passes and the guy can just play IMO.</div>I was just going to say Dave Ball from UNH. I watched every game of him live, living only 1-2 hours away. He's not the fastest guy in the world but has some of the best hands in the entire draft, better then Dwayne Bowe in that department. Decent route runner, he will be a good possesion WR in this league if he gets a shot.
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Chaintime @ Feb 18 2007, 06:20 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'>I was just going to say Dave Ball from UNH. I watched every game of him live, living only 1-2 hours away. He's not the fastest guy in the world but has some of the best hands in the entire draft, better then Dwayne Bowe in that department. Decent route runner, he will be a good possesion WR in this league if he gets a shot.</div>Ball can contribute, but he'll never be more than a 3rd down possesion guy.
