- 31,964
- 1,056
- Joined
- Jul 23, 2007
I have this horrible feeling in my gut that the Rams are gonna take Michael Crabtree.
OFFICIAL 2009 NFL DRAFT (APRIL 25-26) VOL. NFL SALVATION
- Thread in 'Sports & Training' Thread starter Started by heat23,
- Start date
- 4,751
- 10
- Joined
- Oct 30, 2004
I dont see Jenkins slipping alll the way to 25.
- 4,215
- 40
- Joined
- Dec 18, 2001
Percy 27? seriously? He shows up in workouts and has tape for days I do not get it. His route running ability? I know he aint polished but who is morephysically inclined to run good routes then Percy Harvin? Sometimes I just dont know
- 25,137
- 13,173
- Joined
- May 30, 2006
Wasn't it reported Percy failed a drug test? And made like a 7 on the Wonderlic?
- 31,964
- 1,056
- Joined
- Jul 23, 2007
I actually do hope Percy drops to around the 20s. Imagine this dude on an established team, where he can play multiple positions alongside proven players.
If he drops to a good team, His impact on the league his 1st yr will be HUGE.
If he drops to a good team, His impact on the league his 1st yr will be HUGE.
- 43,532
- 8,423
- Joined
- Apr 24, 2005
[h2]Positional Overviews[/h2]
Draft
Posted about 16 hours ago
11 Comments 8 Recommendations E-mail
[h1]Draft's top hybrid DE/OLBs: Popularity of 3-4 front creates demand[/h1][table][tr][td]
[/td] [td]�[/td] [td]By Bucky Brooks��|��NFL.com
Analyst
[/td] [/tr][/table][h3]» More from the draft series: QB | RB | TE | WR | G | C | OT | DL[/h3]
What do DeMarcus Ware, Joey Porter and James Harrison have in common?
Well, besides being among the league leaders in sacks last season, each was a collegiate defensive end who transitioned into an NFL hybrid defensiveend/outside linebacker. And because of the trio's success last season, NFL scouts are obsessively trying to identify the best hybrid players in the 2009draft class.
Hybrids, who are best described as players who possess the pass-rush skills of a defensive end and the cover ability of an outside linebacker, have grown inpopularity in recent years because more teams are using a 3-4 base defense. The Pittsburgh Steelers, New England Patriots and Baltimore Ravens have been 3-4 disciples for years, and their implementation of the schemeallowed them to convert undersized college defensive ends into outside linebackers with tremendous success. Pro Bowlers Willie McGinest, Mike Vrabel and Terrell Suggs are a few of the players who benefitted from playing as a hybrid-type defenderin the NFL.
With 11 teams using some form of a 3-4 base defense, the need for hybrid defensive end/outside linebackers has resulted in more players being placed in thisspecial category.
[h3]Draft series: Hybrid DE/OLBs[/h3]
NFL.com's 10-part series looks at each position in the draft.
Hybrids package
» Video: Mayock's top five
» New breed of hybrids
» Photos: Top prospects
This year's draft class features as many as 10 hybrid-type players projected to come off the board in the first three rounds. Led by Brian Orakpo, Everette Brown, Aaron Maybin and Larry English, at least four hybrids likely will be taken in the first round, and thatdoesn't include the draft's fastest riser, Clay Matthews, who is viewed as a first-round talent by several teams.
Orakpo, who led the University of Texas with 11.5 sacks in 2008, is a phenomenal pass rusher, but he lacks the size to fight 300-pound offensive tackles onan every-down basis. Thus, NFL teams have been evaluating his ability to drop into coverage and change directions as a possible outside linebacker in a 3-4defense.
Brown, Maybin and English also faced similar scrutiny at their pro days. Each spent the majority of his college career with his hand in the ground, butteams want to see if those three players are athletic enough to play from a two-point stance. If they are able to show the ability to function in coverage,they can be better incorporated into exotic zone-blitz schemes.
Although most of the pre-draft speculation has been on the aforementioned quartet, this draft class is stocked with other hybrids who could impact theleague early in their careers. Though Michael Johnson, Connor Barwin and Lawrence Sidbury carry second-round grades, each has the potential to outplay hisdraft status because of his athleticism and big-play potential.
Johnson, who is one of the best athletes available at the position, is a rangy player who flashes dominant ability as a rusher off the edge. His first-stepquickness is exceptional, and he can run down quarterbacks from the backside. Though his effort is inconsistent, Johnson's athleticism is undeniable, andhe has the potential to terrorize opponents off the edge.
Barwin, who played tight end for three seasons at Cincinnati before switching to defensive end during his senior year, led the Big East Conference with 12sacks and displayed impressive pass-rush skills, considering his experience. With an extensive basketball background (he played for the Bearcats' hoopssquad for two seasons as a walk-on), Barwin has the athleticism to excel in coverage as a zone-dropper. That combination of athleticism and pass-rush skillmakes Barwin an ideal hybrid player in zone-blitz schemes and a potential star in the right situation.
While most of the highly rated hybrid prospects played on big college stages, Sidbury toiled in relative anonymity at the University of Richmond. But afterleading the Spiders to a national title in the NCAA Football Championship Series (formerly Division I-AA), Sidbury has shot up draft boards and drawn theinterest of numerous teams looking to add an impact playmaker.
Sudbury, a former track athlete, has explosive initial quickness and flashes a tremendous closing burst. Though he has a tendency to run around blocks attimes, his ability to get to the quarterback is impressive and makes him a highly regarded prospect as an edge rusher.
The renaissance of the 3-4 defense has changed the landscape of the draft because hybrid defensive ends/outside linebackers have become highly desirableprospects. With scores of versatile athletes manning the defensive end position in college, it appears the 2009 draft class will offer more than enough hybridcandidates.
[table][tr][td]Top 10 hybrid defensive ends/outside linebackers[/td] [/tr][tr][th=""]
Rank
[/th] [th=""]
Player
[/th] [th=""]
School
[/th] [th=""]
Height
[/th] [th=""]
Weight
[/th] [th=""]
Projected round
[/th] [/tr][tr][td]
1.
[/td] [td]
Brian Orakpo
[/td] [td]
Texas
[/td] [td]
6-3
[/td] [td]
263
[/td] [td]
1
[/td] [/tr][tr][td]
Analysis: A high-motor pass rusher with outstanding speed and quickness, Orakpo uses an explosive first step and an impressive array of athletic moves to defeat blockers on the edge. During his senior season, he absolutely disrupted opponents' game plans with his phenomenal rush skills. Although Orakpo's stiffness causes some scouts to question his ability to drop into pass coverage as a 3-4 linebacker, his outstanding pass-rush ability far outweighs his negatives and makes him the premier hybrid player on the board.
NFL landing spot: The Kansas City Chiefs (No. 3), Cleveland Browns (No. 5) and Green Bay Packers (No. 9) are 3-4 teams that need a pass rusher of Orakpo's caliber.
� Video: Brian Orakpo
[/td] [/tr][tr][td]
[/td] [/tr][tr][th=""]
Rank
[/th] [th=""]
Player
[/th] [th=""]
School
[/th] [th=""]
Height
[/th] [th=""]
Weight
[/th] [th=""]
Projected round
[/th] [/tr][tr][td]
2.
[/td] [td]
Everette Brown
[/td] [td]
Florida State
[/td] [td]
6-2
[/td] [td]
274
[/td] [td]
1
[/td] [/tr][tr][td]
Analysis: Brown has the speed and quickness to be a disruptive force off the edge. Blessed with an exceptional first step, Brown routinely defeats blockers with upfield rushes. While some scouts have labeled him a "one-trick" pony because of his extensive use of the speed rush, his outstanding production (13.5 sacks and four forced fumbles as a junior in 200
indicates that he is capable of being a difference-maker off the edge. As a designated rusher in a 3-4 or 4-3 defense, Brown should provide plenty of highlights and impact plays off the edge.
NFL landing spot: The Packers would be a great fit at No. 9, but their disappointing history with Florida State defensive ends (Jamal Reynolds, a first-round pick in 2001) might lead them to pass. Therefore, Brown could land with the Buffalo Bills (No. 11), Denver Broncos (No. 12) or Washington ******** (No. 13) to upgrade their respective pass rushes.
� Video: Everette Brown
[/td] [/tr][tr][td]
[/td] [/tr][tr][th=""]
Rank
[/th] [th=""]
Player
[/th] [th=""]
School
[/th] [th=""]
Height
[/th] [th=""]
Weight
[/th] [th=""]
Projected round
[/th] [/tr][tr][td]
3.
[/td] [td]
Aaron Maybin
[/td] [td]
Penn State
[/td] [td]
6-4
[/td] [td]
249
[/td] [td]
1
[/td] [/tr][tr][td]
Analysis: The All-Big Ten Conference selectee is an explosive speed rusher who shows outstanding athleticism and burst. Maybin's ability to close on quarterbacks from the backside is remarkable and a major reason why the third-year sophomore had 12 sacks in 2008. Though Maybin lacks the bulk to hold the point against the run, he is a productive "run-and-chase" player who flashes disruptive skills from the backside. Maybin isn't a polished prospect at this point, but his burgeoning potential as a pass rusher makes him an intriguing prospect as a situational edge player.
NFL landing spot: The 49ers will strongly consider Maybin at No. 10, but his game is so similar to Manny Lawson's that they might elect to pass. If that scenario plays out, Maybin could fall to the Bills (No. 11), Broncos (No. 12), ********
(No. 13) or Tampa Bay Buccaneers (No. 19).
� Video: Aaron Maybin
[/td] [/tr][tr][td]
[/td] [/tr][tr][th=""]
Rank
[/th] [th=""]
Player
[/th] [th=""]
School
[/th] [th=""]
Height
[/th] [th=""]
Weight
[/th] [th=""]
Projected round
[/th] [/tr][tr][td]
4.
[/td] [td]
Larry English
[/td] [td]
Northern Illinois
[/td] [td]
6-2
[/td] [td]
274
[/td] [td]
1-2
[/td] [/tr][tr][td]
Analysis: As a disruptive edge rusher with a high motor and exceptional burst, English routinely defeats blockers with his explosive first step. He pursues quarterbacks with unrelenting ferocity and amassed 30 sacks in his four-year college career. Although his detractors would downgrade his ability as a run defender, English has shown promise when matched with tight ends on play-side runs, and he has the potential to develop into an effective run stuffer. English shouldn't have a problem finding a home as a designated pass rusher in a 3-4 defense this fall.
NFL landing spot: The New England Patriots need a pass-rushing threat opposite Adalius Thomas in their 3-4 defense, and English's penchant for battering quarterbacks makes him a worthy candidate at No. 23. The Miami Dolphins (No. 25) also could scoop him up as an eventual successor to Joey Porter.
� Video: Larry English
[/td] [/tr][tr][td]
[/td] [/tr][tr][th=""]
Rank
[/th] [th=""]
Player
[/th] [th=""]
School
[/th] [th=""]
Height
[/th] [th=""]
Weight
[/th] [th=""]
Projected round
[/th] [/tr][tr][td]
5.
[/td] [td]
Clay Matthews
[/td] [td]
USC
[/td] [td]
6-3
[/td] [td]
240
[/td] [td]
1-2
[/td] [/tr][tr][td]
Analysis: As a former walk-on with an outstanding motor and work ethic, Matthews is a self-made player who overwhelms opponents with his relentless passion. Though he isn't a skilled or polished pass rusher, Matthews racks up sacks because of his refusal to quit on plays. While some scouts have suggested that Matthews is possibly a "one-year wonder" based on his production during his lone season as a starter at USC, his strong performances at his workouts has even his strongest detractors projecting him to be one of the hottest prospects in the draft.
NFL landing spot: Bill Belichick coached Matthews' father (also named Clay Matthews) in Cleveland and could pick the son as Mike Vrabel's replacement. If the Patriots pass at No. 23, Matthews could fall to the Cleveland Browns (No. 36) in the second round.
� Video: Clay Matthews
[/td] [/tr][tr][td]
[/td] [/tr][tr][th=""]
Rank
[/th] [th=""]
Player
[/th] [th=""]
School
[/th] [th=""]
Height
[/th] [th=""]
Weight
[/th] [th=""]
Projected round
[/th] [/tr][tr][td]
6.
[/td] [td]
Michael Johnson
[/td] [td]
Georgia Tech
[/td] [td]
6-7
[/td] [td]
266
[/td] [td]
2
[/td] [/tr][tr][td]
Analysis: Johnson possesses all of the physical tools to be the best pass rusher in the 2009 draft class, but his inconsistent motor prevents him from posting production that matches his athletic potential. Although he finished his college career with 19 sacks, including nine as a senior, Johnson has been labeled by some as an underachiever. However, his dazzling performances at the combine and his pro day has some teams envisioning the enigmatic talent developing into a dominant pass rusher as a pro, and Johnson might sneak his way into the bottom of the first round.
NFL landing spot: If Johnson climbs into the first round, the Tennessee Titans could be possible takers at No. 30. With the team's starting defensive ends (Jevon Kearse and Kyle Vanden Bosch) on the backside of their careers, Johnson could serve as an apprentice for one year before replacing one of them.
� Video: Michael Johnson
[/td] [/tr][tr][td]
[/td] [/tr][tr][th=""]
Rank
[/th] [th=""]
Player
[/th] [th=""]
School
[/th] [th=""]
Height
[/th] [th=""]
Weight
[/th] [th=""]
Projected round
[/th] [/tr][tr][td]
7.
[/td] [td]
Connor Barwin
[/td] [td]
Cincinnati
[/td] [td]
6-4
[/td] [td]
256
[/td] [td]
2
[/td] [/tr][tr][td]
Analysis: The versatile two-way performer played tight end for three seasons, then excelled at defensive end after converting to the position in the spring before his senior year. Barwin possesses exceptional movement skills and shows natural pass-rush ability off the edge. Though he has only spent one season at the position, Barwin's technique and hand skills are impressive, considering his lack of experience. With more time at the position, most scouts believe Barwin can develop into a legitimate pass rusher in the NFL.
NFL landing spot: The ultra-athletic Barwin will be an enticing prospect for teams that use a 3-4 defense and need a legitimate pass rusher in the second round.
� Video: Connor Barwin
[/td] [/tr][tr][td]
[/td] [/tr][tr][th=""]
Rank
[/th] [th=""]
Player
[/th] [th=""]
School
[/th] [th=""]
Height
[/th] [th=""]
Weight
[/th] [th=""]
Projected round
[/th] [/tr][tr][td]
8.
[/td] [td]
Lawrence Sidbury
[/td] [td]
Richmond
[/td] [td]
6-3
[/td] [td]
266
[/td] [td]
2-3
[/td] [/tr][tr][td]
Analysis: An explosive athlete with an exceptional first step and burst, Sidbury dominated the NCAA Football Championship Series (formerly Division I-AA) as a senior, racking up 11.5 sacks and repeatedly harassing quarterbacks off the edge with an assortment of speed rushes. While Sidbury's lack of bulk renders him ineffective as a power player at times, his ability to turn speed into power allows him to compensate for his size deficiency. Though it will take some time for Sidbury to transition into a 3-4 edge rusher in the NFL, his potential and upside makes him one of the draft's biggest sleepers.
NFL landing spot: Sidbury is a highly coveted prospect who is flying up draft boards because of his superior athleticism. Teams such as the Browns, Dolphins and Baltimore Ravens could be possible suitors in the second round.
� Video: Lawrence Sidbury
[/td] [/tr][tr][td]
[/td] [/tr][tr][th=""]
Rank
[/th] [th=""]
Player
[/th] [th=""]
School
[/th] [th=""]
Height
[/th] [th=""]
Weight
[/th] [th=""]
Projected round
[/th] [/tr][tr][td]
9.
[/td] [td]
Cody Brown
[/td] [td]
Connecticut
[/td] [td]
6-2
[/td] [td]
244
[/td] [td]
3
[/td] [/tr][tr][td]
Analysis: The All-Big East Conference selectee is projected to move to outside linebacker after a stellar career at defensive end in college. A long, rangy athlete with surprising athleticism, Brown excels at crashing off the edges. Though he lacks the bulk to play a power game, he does a good job of using his length to defeat blockers with an array of combative hand movements. Brown possesses the athleticism to be an effective in coverage and could develop into a multi-purpose threat as an edge player. With good upside and potential, Brown figures to be a coveted player on draft day.
NFL landing spot: Brown's athleticism is so enticing that teams will seriously consider taking him off the board at the beginning of the draft's second day.
� Video: Cody Brown
[/td] [/tr][tr][td]
[/td] [/tr][tr][th=""]
Rank
[/th] [th=""]
Player
[/th] [th=""]
School
[/th] [th=""]
Height
[/th] [th=""]
Weight
[/th] [th=""]
Projected round
[/th] [/tr][tr][td]
10.
[/td] [td]
David Veikune
[/td] [td]
Hawaii
[/td] [td]
6-3
[/td] [td]
257
[/td] [td]
3
[/td] [/tr][tr][td]
Analysis: The energetic pass rusher has an explosive first step and good closing quickness. Although he isn't a fluid athlete, Veikune relied on a blue-collar approach to register nine sacks during his senior season. While some scouts question whether he is explosive enough to become a double-digit sack artist in the NFL, Veikune's unrelenting passion to get to the quarterback makes him a credible threat off the edge. Veikune needs time to develop into a functional dropper in coverage, but his motor and toughness will make him a desirable 3-4 edge player.
NFL landing spot: There's always a roster spot for a high-motor player with pass-rush skills. Though Veikune's pro position is debatable, he will come off the board in Round 3 as a potential rotational player.
� Video: David Veikune
[/td] [/tr][/table]
Draft
Posted about 16 hours ago
11 Comments 8 Recommendations E-mail
[h1]Draft's top hybrid DE/OLBs: Popularity of 3-4 front creates demand[/h1][table][tr][td]
Analyst
[/td] [/tr][/table][h3]» More from the draft series: QB | RB | TE | WR | G | C | OT | DL[/h3]
What do DeMarcus Ware, Joey Porter and James Harrison have in common?
Well, besides being among the league leaders in sacks last season, each was a collegiate defensive end who transitioned into an NFL hybrid defensiveend/outside linebacker. And because of the trio's success last season, NFL scouts are obsessively trying to identify the best hybrid players in the 2009draft class.
Hybrids, who are best described as players who possess the pass-rush skills of a defensive end and the cover ability of an outside linebacker, have grown inpopularity in recent years because more teams are using a 3-4 base defense. The Pittsburgh Steelers, New England Patriots and Baltimore Ravens have been 3-4 disciples for years, and their implementation of the schemeallowed them to convert undersized college defensive ends into outside linebackers with tremendous success. Pro Bowlers Willie McGinest, Mike Vrabel and Terrell Suggs are a few of the players who benefitted from playing as a hybrid-type defenderin the NFL.
With 11 teams using some form of a 3-4 base defense, the need for hybrid defensive end/outside linebackers has resulted in more players being placed in thisspecial category.
[h3]Draft series: Hybrid DE/OLBs[/h3]
NFL.com's 10-part series looks at each position in the draft. Hybrids package
» Video: Mayock's top five
» New breed of hybrids
» Photos: Top prospects
This year's draft class features as many as 10 hybrid-type players projected to come off the board in the first three rounds. Led by Brian Orakpo, Everette Brown, Aaron Maybin and Larry English, at least four hybrids likely will be taken in the first round, and thatdoesn't include the draft's fastest riser, Clay Matthews, who is viewed as a first-round talent by several teams.
Orakpo, who led the University of Texas with 11.5 sacks in 2008, is a phenomenal pass rusher, but he lacks the size to fight 300-pound offensive tackles onan every-down basis. Thus, NFL teams have been evaluating his ability to drop into coverage and change directions as a possible outside linebacker in a 3-4defense.
Brown, Maybin and English also faced similar scrutiny at their pro days. Each spent the majority of his college career with his hand in the ground, butteams want to see if those three players are athletic enough to play from a two-point stance. If they are able to show the ability to function in coverage,they can be better incorporated into exotic zone-blitz schemes.
Although most of the pre-draft speculation has been on the aforementioned quartet, this draft class is stocked with other hybrids who could impact theleague early in their careers. Though Michael Johnson, Connor Barwin and Lawrence Sidbury carry second-round grades, each has the potential to outplay hisdraft status because of his athleticism and big-play potential.
Johnson, who is one of the best athletes available at the position, is a rangy player who flashes dominant ability as a rusher off the edge. His first-stepquickness is exceptional, and he can run down quarterbacks from the backside. Though his effort is inconsistent, Johnson's athleticism is undeniable, andhe has the potential to terrorize opponents off the edge.
Barwin, who played tight end for three seasons at Cincinnati before switching to defensive end during his senior year, led the Big East Conference with 12sacks and displayed impressive pass-rush skills, considering his experience. With an extensive basketball background (he played for the Bearcats' hoopssquad for two seasons as a walk-on), Barwin has the athleticism to excel in coverage as a zone-dropper. That combination of athleticism and pass-rush skillmakes Barwin an ideal hybrid player in zone-blitz schemes and a potential star in the right situation.
While most of the highly rated hybrid prospects played on big college stages, Sidbury toiled in relative anonymity at the University of Richmond. But afterleading the Spiders to a national title in the NCAA Football Championship Series (formerly Division I-AA), Sidbury has shot up draft boards and drawn theinterest of numerous teams looking to add an impact playmaker.
Sudbury, a former track athlete, has explosive initial quickness and flashes a tremendous closing burst. Though he has a tendency to run around blocks attimes, his ability to get to the quarterback is impressive and makes him a highly regarded prospect as an edge rusher.
The renaissance of the 3-4 defense has changed the landscape of the draft because hybrid defensive ends/outside linebackers have become highly desirableprospects. With scores of versatile athletes manning the defensive end position in college, it appears the 2009 draft class will offer more than enough hybridcandidates.
[table][tr][td]Top 10 hybrid defensive ends/outside linebackers[/td] [/tr][tr][th=""]
Rank
[/th] [th=""]
Player
[/th] [th=""]
School
[/th] [th=""]
Height
[/th] [th=""]
Weight
[/th] [th=""]
Projected round
[/th] [/tr][tr][td]
1.
[/td] [td]
Brian Orakpo
[/td] [td]
Texas
[/td] [td]
6-3
[/td] [td]
263
[/td] [td]
1
[/td] [/tr][tr][td]
Analysis: A high-motor pass rusher with outstanding speed and quickness, Orakpo uses an explosive first step and an impressive array of athletic moves to defeat blockers on the edge. During his senior season, he absolutely disrupted opponents' game plans with his phenomenal rush skills. Although Orakpo's stiffness causes some scouts to question his ability to drop into pass coverage as a 3-4 linebacker, his outstanding pass-rush ability far outweighs his negatives and makes him the premier hybrid player on the board.
NFL landing spot: The Kansas City Chiefs (No. 3), Cleveland Browns (No. 5) and Green Bay Packers (No. 9) are 3-4 teams that need a pass rusher of Orakpo's caliber.
� Video: Brian Orakpo
[/td] [/tr][tr][td]
[/td] [/tr][tr][th=""]
Rank
[/th] [th=""]
Player
[/th] [th=""]
School
[/th] [th=""]
Height
[/th] [th=""]
Weight
[/th] [th=""]
Projected round
[/th] [/tr][tr][td]
2.
[/td] [td]
Everette Brown
[/td] [td]
Florida State
[/td] [td]
6-2
[/td] [td]
274
[/td] [td]
1
[/td] [/tr][tr][td]
Analysis: Brown has the speed and quickness to be a disruptive force off the edge. Blessed with an exceptional first step, Brown routinely defeats blockers with upfield rushes. While some scouts have labeled him a "one-trick" pony because of his extensive use of the speed rush, his outstanding production (13.5 sacks and four forced fumbles as a junior in 200
indicates that he is capable of being a difference-maker off the edge. As a designated rusher in a 3-4 or 4-3 defense, Brown should provide plenty of highlights and impact plays off the edge. NFL landing spot: The Packers would be a great fit at No. 9, but their disappointing history with Florida State defensive ends (Jamal Reynolds, a first-round pick in 2001) might lead them to pass. Therefore, Brown could land with the Buffalo Bills (No. 11), Denver Broncos (No. 12) or Washington ******** (No. 13) to upgrade their respective pass rushes.
� Video: Everette Brown
[/td] [/tr][tr][td]
[/td] [/tr][tr][th=""]
Rank
[/th] [th=""]
Player
[/th] [th=""]
School
[/th] [th=""]
Height
[/th] [th=""]
Weight
[/th] [th=""]
Projected round
[/th] [/tr][tr][td]
3.
[/td] [td]
Aaron Maybin
[/td] [td]
Penn State
[/td] [td]
6-4
[/td] [td]
249
[/td] [td]
1
[/td] [/tr][tr][td]
Analysis: The All-Big Ten Conference selectee is an explosive speed rusher who shows outstanding athleticism and burst. Maybin's ability to close on quarterbacks from the backside is remarkable and a major reason why the third-year sophomore had 12 sacks in 2008. Though Maybin lacks the bulk to hold the point against the run, he is a productive "run-and-chase" player who flashes disruptive skills from the backside. Maybin isn't a polished prospect at this point, but his burgeoning potential as a pass rusher makes him an intriguing prospect as a situational edge player.
NFL landing spot: The 49ers will strongly consider Maybin at No. 10, but his game is so similar to Manny Lawson's that they might elect to pass. If that scenario plays out, Maybin could fall to the Bills (No. 11), Broncos (No. 12), ********
(No. 13) or Tampa Bay Buccaneers (No. 19).
� Video: Aaron Maybin
[/td] [/tr][tr][td]
[/td] [/tr][tr][th=""]
Rank
[/th] [th=""]
Player
[/th] [th=""]
School
[/th] [th=""]
Height
[/th] [th=""]
Weight
[/th] [th=""]
Projected round
[/th] [/tr][tr][td]
4.
[/td] [td]
Larry English
[/td] [td]
Northern Illinois
[/td] [td]
6-2
[/td] [td]
274
[/td] [td]
1-2
[/td] [/tr][tr][td]
Analysis: As a disruptive edge rusher with a high motor and exceptional burst, English routinely defeats blockers with his explosive first step. He pursues quarterbacks with unrelenting ferocity and amassed 30 sacks in his four-year college career. Although his detractors would downgrade his ability as a run defender, English has shown promise when matched with tight ends on play-side runs, and he has the potential to develop into an effective run stuffer. English shouldn't have a problem finding a home as a designated pass rusher in a 3-4 defense this fall.
NFL landing spot: The New England Patriots need a pass-rushing threat opposite Adalius Thomas in their 3-4 defense, and English's penchant for battering quarterbacks makes him a worthy candidate at No. 23. The Miami Dolphins (No. 25) also could scoop him up as an eventual successor to Joey Porter.
� Video: Larry English
[/td] [/tr][tr][td]
[/td] [/tr][tr][th=""]
Rank
[/th] [th=""]
Player
[/th] [th=""]
School
[/th] [th=""]
Height
[/th] [th=""]
Weight
[/th] [th=""]
Projected round
[/th] [/tr][tr][td]
5.
[/td] [td]
Clay Matthews
[/td] [td]
USC
[/td] [td]
6-3
[/td] [td]
240
[/td] [td]
1-2
[/td] [/tr][tr][td]
Analysis: As a former walk-on with an outstanding motor and work ethic, Matthews is a self-made player who overwhelms opponents with his relentless passion. Though he isn't a skilled or polished pass rusher, Matthews racks up sacks because of his refusal to quit on plays. While some scouts have suggested that Matthews is possibly a "one-year wonder" based on his production during his lone season as a starter at USC, his strong performances at his workouts has even his strongest detractors projecting him to be one of the hottest prospects in the draft.
NFL landing spot: Bill Belichick coached Matthews' father (also named Clay Matthews) in Cleveland and could pick the son as Mike Vrabel's replacement. If the Patriots pass at No. 23, Matthews could fall to the Cleveland Browns (No. 36) in the second round.
� Video: Clay Matthews
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6.
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Michael Johnson
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Georgia Tech
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6-7
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266
[/td] [td]
2
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Analysis: Johnson possesses all of the physical tools to be the best pass rusher in the 2009 draft class, but his inconsistent motor prevents him from posting production that matches his athletic potential. Although he finished his college career with 19 sacks, including nine as a senior, Johnson has been labeled by some as an underachiever. However, his dazzling performances at the combine and his pro day has some teams envisioning the enigmatic talent developing into a dominant pass rusher as a pro, and Johnson might sneak his way into the bottom of the first round.
NFL landing spot: If Johnson climbs into the first round, the Tennessee Titans could be possible takers at No. 30. With the team's starting defensive ends (Jevon Kearse and Kyle Vanden Bosch) on the backside of their careers, Johnson could serve as an apprentice for one year before replacing one of them.
� Video: Michael Johnson
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7.
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Connor Barwin
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Cincinnati
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6-4
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256
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2
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Analysis: The versatile two-way performer played tight end for three seasons, then excelled at defensive end after converting to the position in the spring before his senior year. Barwin possesses exceptional movement skills and shows natural pass-rush ability off the edge. Though he has only spent one season at the position, Barwin's technique and hand skills are impressive, considering his lack of experience. With more time at the position, most scouts believe Barwin can develop into a legitimate pass rusher in the NFL.
NFL landing spot: The ultra-athletic Barwin will be an enticing prospect for teams that use a 3-4 defense and need a legitimate pass rusher in the second round.
� Video: Connor Barwin
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8.
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Lawrence Sidbury
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Richmond
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6-3
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266
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2-3
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Analysis: An explosive athlete with an exceptional first step and burst, Sidbury dominated the NCAA Football Championship Series (formerly Division I-AA) as a senior, racking up 11.5 sacks and repeatedly harassing quarterbacks off the edge with an assortment of speed rushes. While Sidbury's lack of bulk renders him ineffective as a power player at times, his ability to turn speed into power allows him to compensate for his size deficiency. Though it will take some time for Sidbury to transition into a 3-4 edge rusher in the NFL, his potential and upside makes him one of the draft's biggest sleepers.
NFL landing spot: Sidbury is a highly coveted prospect who is flying up draft boards because of his superior athleticism. Teams such as the Browns, Dolphins and Baltimore Ravens could be possible suitors in the second round.
� Video: Lawrence Sidbury
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9.
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Cody Brown
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Connecticut
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6-2
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244
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3
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Analysis: The All-Big East Conference selectee is projected to move to outside linebacker after a stellar career at defensive end in college. A long, rangy athlete with surprising athleticism, Brown excels at crashing off the edges. Though he lacks the bulk to play a power game, he does a good job of using his length to defeat blockers with an array of combative hand movements. Brown possesses the athleticism to be an effective in coverage and could develop into a multi-purpose threat as an edge player. With good upside and potential, Brown figures to be a coveted player on draft day.
NFL landing spot: Brown's athleticism is so enticing that teams will seriously consider taking him off the board at the beginning of the draft's second day.
� Video: Cody Brown
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10.
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David Veikune
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Hawaii
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6-3
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257
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3
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Analysis: The energetic pass rusher has an explosive first step and good closing quickness. Although he isn't a fluid athlete, Veikune relied on a blue-collar approach to register nine sacks during his senior season. While some scouts question whether he is explosive enough to become a double-digit sack artist in the NFL, Veikune's unrelenting passion to get to the quarterback makes him a credible threat off the edge. Veikune needs time to develop into a functional dropper in coverage, but his motor and toughness will make him a desirable 3-4 edge player.
NFL landing spot: There's always a roster spot for a high-motor player with pass-rush skills. Though Veikune's pro position is debatable, he will come off the board in Round 3 as a potential rotational player.
� Video: David Veikune
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Cody Brown.
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Originally Posted by Nowitness41Dirk
Wasn't it reported Percy failed a drug test? And made like a 7 on the Wonderlic?
On another note...Orakpo is stiff as hell who ever doesnt have him rushing 90% of the time is wasting a pick.
- 43,532
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- Apr 24, 2005
[h2]Boldin could be traded before draft[/h2]
Comment Email Print By John Clayton
ESPN.com
Archive
Arizona Cardinals wide receiver Anquan Boldin may get his wish to be traded. Coach Ken Whisenhunt said Wednesday the team is willing to listen to offers.
Boldin
Boldin has asked to be traded since last season after teammate Larry Fitzgerald received a four-year, $40 million contract. Boldin has two years remaining on the six-year, $33.99 million deal he signed in 2005. Though the team wants to give him an extension, the Cardinals aren't expected to give him a Fitzgerald-type deal.
Whisenhunt, speaking to Arizona reporters Wednesday, opened the door for the team to receive trade offers.
NFL.com Video
Check out the top highlights of Cardinals WR Anquan Boldin from 2008.
"Before the draft, you know there is going to be talk about Anquan and his situation and a trade," Whisenhunt said. "Since not a whole lot has changed with his contractual situation, we know that will come back. It would be foolish from out standpoint not to listen to those opportunities and see what actually exists. But I want to make the points -- our goal is to re-sign him to a long-term deal. That hasn't changed."
Boldin continues to bring up the idea of a trade. With contract talks at a standstill, the Cardinals can listen to offers before the draft. The Eagles and Giants might be at the top of the list.
Boldin is considered a No. 1 wide receiver so it could cost a No. 1 and No. 3 draft choice to acquire him.
The biggest gamble in the 2009 draft
Cold, Hard Football Facts for April 10, 2009
By Kerry J. Byrne
Cold, Hard Football Facts Sunshine State publicist
Every pick in the NFL draft is a high-priced gamble.
At the end of the day, we really have no idea how a player's going to perform in the NFL, no matter how high that player sits in Mel Kiper's notoriously inaccurate mock draft. He could be the No. 2 overall pick and proverbial can't-miss-kid that does (Tony Mandarich or Ryan Leaf). Or he could be the No. 199 pick of an afterthought who turns into bona fide first-ballot Hall of Famer (Bart Starr or Tom Brady)
But some gambles are greater than others. And there's one gamble in the 2009 draft that should cause more sweaty palms than any other when teams get ready to roll the dice this month: Florida junior Percy Harvin, who opted out of his final year with the defending national champs to enter the NFL draft.
He's a spectacular talent and may be the best athlete and best football player in the draft this year. But the orange-and-blue uniform that he played in last year has turned up a lot of snake eyes on the craps table of the NFL draft.
Harvin is listed as a wide receiver. But he was really used at Florida as a dual-threat ball-carrier and pass-catcher, in the classic mold of a Bobby Mitchell or Lenny Moore from the days when the NFL valued diversification over specialization.
Harvin was second on the team in rushing (behind the unbelievably talented quarterback Tim Tebow), with 659 yards and 10 TDs on just 70 carries - a spectacular 9.4 yards per attempt. He also led Florida in receptions (40) and was second in receiving yards (644), adding seven more TDs through the air.
He was even used at the quarterback position, taking shotgun snaps from center in the spread formation that Florida has largely popularized (though he did not attempt any passes).
Paired with Tebow, Harvin gave the national champion Gators a virtually unstoppable offensive combo. Even in their one loss to Ole Miss last year, Florida put 30 points on the board.
Bottom line: Harvin is an incredible talent and, even though just a junior, is a likely first-round draft pick.
His talent is unquestioned. But we've seen this story before out of Florida. And this story, as you'll see below, makes Harvin the highest-stakes gamble in the draft this year.
Florida football has been around since 1904. But it really exploded onto the national scene with the arrival of head coach Steve Spurrier in 1990, who gave the program its signature high-flying brand of offensive football. Florida's reputation as an offensive powerhouse has only grown over the past four seasons under Urban Meyer, a period during which the Gators have won two national titles and turned Tebow into one of the great folk heroes in college football history.
The spectacular offensive production during the Spurrier-Meyer years (and even the Ron Zook years in between) have made Florida receivers among the most coveted commodities in the NFL draft over the past 18 years. Harvin is the latest in a long, long line.
In fact, since the first draft that included Spurrier's Gator in 1991, NFL teams have snapped up 16 Florida receivers. (To put that into perspective, USC, known for its bevy of spectacular running backs through the years, has had 16 ball carriers taken in the NFL draft since 1975.)
This list of Florida wideouts includes three first rounders and 12 players selected in the first three rounds.
But here's the problem with Florida wide receivers: almost every single one of those 16 draft picks has failed to live up to expectations. Many have failed miserably.
Here are the career numbers for the 16 Florida wide receivers selected by NFL teams in the Spurrier-Zook-Meyer drafts (1991 to present).
The only player among the 16 who's clearly lived up to or exceeded expectations has been Darrell Jackson, a third-round pick by Seattle in 2000 who played sparingly last year with the Broncos. He's hauled in passes worth 7,132 passes and 51 TDs - the highest marks by any Florida receiver in the NFL since Wes Chandler (a first-round pick in 197
Ike Hilliard certainly had a respectable career. His 546 catches put him among the Top 80 in all of NFL history. And at 33 years old and still fairly productive last year with Tampa, the free agent should be able to contribute somewhere over the next couple of years. But he's scored just 35 TDs in a 12-year career and has never reached a Pro Bowl.
The Giants certainly had much higher hopes for Hilliard when they made him the 7th overall pick in the 1997 draft.
In fact, Hilliard and his Gators teammate Reidel Anthony stand as the poster children for the futility of Florida wideouts in the NFL.
The spectacular college receivers led the 1996 Gators to the school's first national title and were largely responsible for the fact that Florida quarterback Danny Wuerffel won the Heisman Trophy that season.
The 1996 Gators were virtually unstoppable on offense, averaging 46.6 PPG, led by the explosive Anthony and Hilliard. They combined for 119 catches, 2,193 yards and 28 TDs that season.
The NFL was so smitten by these two Florida receivers that both were snapped up within the first 16 picks of the 1997 draft.
To say they crashed and burned in the NFL would overstate the case. But there's no doubt that they both failed to live up to the expectations they had forged for themselves as leaders of arguably college football's most spectacular offense of the 1990s.
Those 1996 Gators were so talented that two of their back-up receivers were also high draft picks: Jacquez Green was taken in the second round of the 1998 draft. Travis McGriff was grabbed in the third round of the 1999 draft. Neither made much of a dent in the NFL, as the chart above indicates.
More recent drafts have been just as bad. New England grabbed athletically gifted Florida wide receiver Chad Jackson in the second round of the 2006 draft, the most recent in a growing list of bad picks by the Patriots. You need only four letters to describe Jackson's career: B-U-S-T.
Florida receiver Andre Caldwell was grabbed in the third round of last year's draft by the Bengals. He showed signs of life late in the season after recovering from a nagging foot injury. He may yet to prove to be a big-time NFL receiver. But his inauspicious start is typical of Florida wide receivers. Andre's older brother Reche, meanwhile, was a second-round pick in the 2002 draft. He scored just 11 TDs in a six-year career with three different teams.
Florida has prodced big-time NFL players at other positions over the past two decades, mostly only defense (Jevon Kearse, Alex Brown, Lito Sheppard).
But the long, long list of busts and underachievers out of the same school at the same position reeks of a systemic problem. To put it another way: Florida receivers are simply not as good as they seem when they're burning up SEC defenses. Florida receivers are consistently paired with top college quarterbacks, for example. They also play on teams filled by blue-chip performers at virtually every other position year after year. This cozy situations certainly help their production.
But perhaps the dual-threat Harvin is better than all of them. Maybe he turns into what teams expected when they devoted high picks to Ike Hilliard, Reidel Anthony or Travis Taylor.
We don't know what will happen when a team decides to roll the dice on Harvin later this month. But we do know this: Florida wideouts in the NFL are one of the biggest gambles in sports.
FWIW I think Percy will be a stud in the L as long as he keeps his nose clean and is used properly.
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[h2]Sanchez into latest mock top five[/h2][h3]Wide receivers, defensive linemen also moving latest first-round projection[/h3]
http://insider.espn.go.com/insider/index
By Todd McShay
Scouts Inc.
Archive
Player evaluations are complete and draft boards are set around the NFL as we enter the homestretch before the NFL draft, but the chatter is buildingsurrounding possible trades, mostly concerning where QB Mark Sanchez will land.
NFL.com Video
An inside look at quarterback Mark Sanchez from USC.
Things can change on a moment's notice at this point in the process, and only hours after my original projectionappeared I was told by reliable sources that Seattle will pull the trigger on Sanchez at No. 4 overall. That will send ripples all the way down to the New YorkJets at No. 17.
The Jets seemed a good bet to trade up to No. 8 in order to take Sanchez but the price for getting him just got much steeper, and New York is likely headedback to the drawing board.
Taking all that into account, here is Scouts Inc.'s updated first-round projection:
[h2]1. Detroit Lions (Record: 0-16): Matthew Stafford, QB,Georgia[/h2]Top three needs: QB, LOT, DE
Stafford is the very clear choice for Detroit. Among the three players the Lions have said they are negotiating with, Stafford is at the top, Jason Smith wouldbe the next choice if negotiations with Stafford break down, and Curry is a long shot. The Lions definitely want a deal in place with the top pick before thedraft, and they definitely hope it's with Stafford.[h2]2. St. Louis Rams (2-14): Jason Smith, OT,Baylor[/h2]Top three needs: OT, WR, MLB
Smith has the athleticism and tenacity of a premiere starting left tackle, which is priority No. 1 for St. Louis after it parted ways with Orlando Pace duringthe offseason. If Smith is on the board, it's hard to imagine the Rams going in any other direction.[h2]3. Kansas City Chiefs (2-14): Aaron Curry, LB, WakeForest[/h2]Top three needs: Rush LB, DT, 3-4 DL
Here's where it starts to get interesting. This pick is suddenly much more valuable given the fact that Sanchez is projected to come off the board at No.4, but it remains to be seen whether any team will pay the huge price it would take to get ahead of Seattle. Curry is without question the best availableplayer, but does he fit what the Chiefs are looking to do defensively as they move to a 3-4 look? I think Curry is just as valuable inside in a 3-4 as he isoutside in a 4-3, but the one thing they don't get for certain is an impact pass-rusher off the edge. I think Kansas City goes with Curry, but if they goin a different direction it will likely be OT Eugene Monroe.[h2]4. Seattle Seahawks (4-12): Mark Sanchez, QB,USC[/h2]Top three needs: OLB, OT, S
The Seahawks are clearly looking for the heir apparent to current starter Matt Hasselbeck, who has dealt with nagging injuries recently but likely has two orthree more years in him. There are also questions about stud LT Walter Jones, who is coming off a serious knee injury, but selecting Sanchez will allow Seattleto eventually hand the reins from one franchise quarterback to another.[h2]5. Cleveland Browns (4-12): Michael Crabtree, WR, TexasTech[/h2]Top three needs: OLB, WR, CB
With rumors of the Browns trading Braylon Edwards to the Giants picking up steam, it's looking more and more like they will use this pick on the premierplaymaking wideout in this draft. I'm not a huge fan of spending a top-five pick on a wide receiver, but Crabtree certainly appears to be the real deal. Ifthe trade doesn't go through or they decide to go in a different direction, look for the Browns to target an edge rusher like Brian Orakpo.[h2]6. Cincinnati Bengals (4-11-1): Eugene Monroe, OT,Virginia[/h2]Top three needs: OT, C, RB
Monroe is the best pure pass-blocker in the draft and he makes sense for a team that has had trouble staying healthy up front and has invested significantmoney in QB Carson Palmer.[h2]7. Oakland Raiders (5-11): Andre Smith, OT,Alabama[/h2]Top three needs: OT, WR, DT
There's a lot of talk about Smith falling because of the debacle he made of the pre-draft process, but when all is said and done, he's one of top threeoffensive tackles and there are too many teams in the top 10 searching for his kind of talent for him to fall very far.[h2]8. Jacksonville Jaguars (5-11): Jeremy Maclin, WR,Missouri[/h2]Top three needs: WR, CB, DT
The Jaguars had hoped to shop this pick to teams coveting Sanchez but that plan appears to be shot. However, in this scenario they are now able to fill theirbiggest need with one of the fastest, most explosive players in the draft. Maclin is a bit raw as a receiver but his speed is impessive and he can alsocontribute in the return game.[h2]9. Green Bay Packers (6-10): B.J. Raji, DT, BostonCollege[/h2]Top three needs: 3-4 OLB, 3-4 DL, OT
Raji is the best player on the board at this point and would provide the Packers with a stout nose tackle in their new 3-4 defense. He has the size andstrength to anchor against double-teams in the running game and the burst and quickness to collapse the pocket and get to the quarterback as a pass-rusher.[h2]10. San Francisco 49ers (7-9): Brian Orakpo, DE/OLB,Texas[/h2]Top three needs: ROT, QB, S
Orakpo makes sense in this scenario because of his ability to provide pressure off the edge. I'm not convinced Orakpo is an ideal fit as a 3-4 OLB becausehe's a little stiff in his coverage drops, but he does have experience in that role and the 49ers could likely tailor a role for Orakpo that makes gettingafter the quarterback his primary goal.[h2]11. Buffalo Bills (7-9): Aaron Maybin, DE, PennState[/h2]Top three needs: Rush DE, C/G, TE
The Bills' biggest need could be getting some help on the interior offensive line, but they are obviously not drafting a center or guard here. That'swhy I think they'll take advantage of the strong class of perimeter pass-rushers and take Maybin, who I believe is the best hybrid DE/OLB in the '09class. He needs time to develop bulk and strength, but nobody has a quicker first step getting after the QB.[h2]12. Denver Broncos (8-
: Tyson Jackson, DE,LSU[/h2]Top three needs: QB, NT, 3-4 DE
The interesting thing with Denver is that on paper, the Broncos need a quarterback. But even if Sanchez were to fall to the Broncos here I don't expectthem to pull the trigger. This pick is all about the D-line for the Broncos. If Raji somehow slips, they'll cash in and grab him. If not, Denver will takethe best five-technique DE (interior DE in a 3-4) in this year's class.[h2]13. Washington ******** (8-
: Robert Ayers, DE,Tennessee[/h2]Top three needs: DE, ROT, strong side LB
There are three angles with the ******** and this pick. One, if Sanchez falls, they take him. Two, they could mortgage their future and send draft picks tomove up to take Sanchez. I'm not convinced they'll do it, but it certainly wouldn't be against Dan Snyder's style. Third, assuming Sanchez isgone, they go either with an offensive tackle or a defensive end. In this case, Ayers is the best value on the board among those two positions, and hiscombination of power and quickness would give the ******** versatility at the position opposite Andre Carter.[h2]14. New Orleans Saints (8-
: Chris "Beanie" Wells, RB,Ohio State[/h2]Top three needs: OLB, FS, RB
Defense is where New Orleans needs the most upgrades, but there's a lot of buzz about the Saints taking Wells, whose downhill, powerful running style wouldbe an ideal complement to the more versatile and explosive Reggie Bush.[h2]15. Houston Texans (8-
: Brian Cushing, OLB,USC[/h2]Top three needs: SS, NT, rush DE
There's a high-percentage chance that Houston could trade back. This could be where a team like Philadelphia moves up for an offensive tackle. However, ifthe Texans get stuck here, there's no one available to address their top needs -- strong safety and nose tackle -- and Cushing is the best fit becauseHouston would give DeMeco Ryans a partner in crime against the run at the strongside linebacker.[h2]16. San Diego Chargers (8-
: Malcolm Jenkins, CB, OhioState[/h2]Top three needs: ROT, RG, SS
This is a luxury pick for the Chargers, and they certainly can use another playmaking presence in the secondary. Jenkins could serve a versatile role as asubpackage corner and ball-hawking safety next to Eric Weddle. He doesn't fit San Diego's top need of a right tackle, but Jenkins is a far betterprospect than any tackle left on the board. For the complete first-round projection, including what the Broncos do with thefirst-round pick they received from the Bears and what the Jets might do if they are unable to trade up, become an Insider today.
[h2]17. New York Jets (9-7): Darrius Heyward-Bey, WR, Maryland[/h2]Top three needs: QB, WR, TE
I would love to see the Jets package picks and move up for Sanchez. It would be the right move for the organization, but if the price will be very steep if NewYork moves into the top three. If they are stuck here the Jets would be smart to pass on QB Josh Freeman as well and go with a much-needed playmaker in thepassing game. Heyward-Bey still has some developing to do, but he was the fastest player at the combine and can certainly stretch the field immediately.[h2]18. Denver Broncos (from 9-7 CHI) (8-
:Everette Brown, DE, FloridaState[/h2]Top three needs: QB, NT, 3-4 DE
The Broncos will look to continue to upgrade their defensive front seven with this pick, and Brown could help fill out the rotation of perimeter pass-rushers.The wild card here could be a running back. If Beanie Wells starts to fall, the Broncos could look to take advantage and snag the Ohio State RB becausehe's a perfect fit for Denver's zone-blocking scheme.[h2]19. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (9-7): Peria Jerry, DT,Mississippi[/h2]Top three needs: QB, DT, OLB
We still can't rule out Freeman here, but with so many other needs, it just doesn't make a whole lot of sense to reach for Freeman after signing ByronLeftwich to be the starter. Here's the interesting part -- Jerry is worth the pick from a pure value standpoint, but Tampa Bay is also trying to get biggerand stronger along the defensive front and Jerry might not be exactly what the Bucs are looking for now. Jerry fits the old system in Tampa Bay a little bitbetter than the new system, but he's far and away the best DT on the board. Another possibility here, if the Bucs pass on Jerry, could be OLB ClayMatthews.[h2]20. Detroit Lions (from 9-7 DAL) (0-16):Michael Oher, OT,Mississippi[/h2]Top three needs: QB, LOT, DE
Detroit hopes it took care of its long-standing need for a QB with Stafford with its first pick. Now the Lions need to protect him. Oher has the physicaltools, if developed properly, to emerge as a very good starting left tackle. Detroit could then move Jeff Backus to guard and really beef up its offensive linewith this pick.[h2]21. Philadelphia Eagles (9-6-1): Knowshon Moreno, RB,Georgia[/h2]Top three needs: OT, WR, RB
The Eagles can go three directions with these two picks: Offensive tackle seems to be priority No. 1, followed by running back and tight end. Thing is, Morenois just such a better value that he could make them skip over OT here. Moreno's versatility makes him a good fit in Philly as the short-term complement toBrian Westbrook and long-term replacement for him.[h2]22. Minnesota Vikings (10-6): Percy Harvin, WR,Florida[/h2]Top three needs: QB, ROT, C
The Vikings would have to consider Freeman, but I'm just not sure he provides the upgrade they are looking for as a team that has a chance to win now.Freeman is at least two years away from playing at a good NFL starting QB level. I think the Vikings' philosophy is to take best available player on theboard; at this point, the juice is worth the squeeze with Harvin, who could be a dynamic presence on offense and in the return game.[h2]23. New England Patriots (11-5): Clay Matthews, OLB,USC[/h2]Top three needs: OLB, strongside ILB, CB
If Jenkins falls, don't be surprised to see the Patriots take advantage of that and select him. His versatility fits perfectly in New England. But ifhe's not there, Matthews has Patriots written all over him. Matthews' best football is still ahead of him, he has great NFL bloodlines, he can playmultiple roles on defense, and he will be a special-teams demon from day one.[h2]24. Atlanta Falcons (11-5): Brandon Pettigrew, TE, OklahomaState[/h2]Top three needs: DT/NT, OLB, S
Atlanta really wants to target defense with this draft, but there isn't a player close to Pettigrew's value at this point. Assuming the Falconsdon't bring in a veteran between now and the draft, they have to go with the only first-round TE in this year's class if he's available.[h2]25. Miami Dolphins (11-5): Kenny Britt, WR,Rutgers[/h2]Top three needs: CB, WR, NT
It will be interesting to see if Bill Parcells drafts an offensive skill player, which traditionally has not been his style. There is no arguing Miami'sneed for a wideout opposite Ted Ginn Jr., and Britt is climbing up a lot of draft boards with his combination of size, strong hands and better-than-expectedtop-end speed.[h2]26. Baltimore Ravens (11-5): Rey Maualuga, ILB,USC[/h2]Top three needs: WR, CB, ILB
Pettigrew and Britt would be perfect fits in Baltimore, but with them gone in this scenario, Maualuga becomes a great fallback plan. His lack of discipline isconcerning, but what better way to start his NFL career than to play alongside Ray Lewis, who could help hone Maualuga's recognition skills and maximizehis elite physical tools.[h2]27. Indianapolis Colts (12-4): Evander Hood, DT,Missouri[/h2]Top three needs: DT, WR, OLB
The Colts are most likely to use this pick on a defensive tackle or wide receiver. WR Hakeem Nicks is worth the pick, but he might not have the type of speedthat Indy looks for in its pass-catchers. If that's the case, Hood may be a bit of a reach for some teams, but his one-gap skills and quick first step makehim more valuable for the Colts.[h2]28. Philadelphia Eagles (from 12-4 CAR)(9-6-1): Eben Britton, OT,Arizona[/h2]Top three needs: OT, WR, RB
After locking in Moreno at No. 21, the Eagles can use this pick to take the best available offensive tackle. Britton has the size and good feet to fit well inAndy Reed's system.[h2]29. New York Giants (12-4): Hakeem Nicks, WR, NorthCarolina[/h2]Top three needs: WR, strongside LB, OT
There's a lot of speculation about Braylon Edwards being traded to the Giants, which would cost New York this pick. But there hasn't been a deal yet,and if the Giants hold on to this pick and don't bring in a veteran, Nicks is a no-brainer. He's big, has exceptional hand-eye coordination and isready to contribute for Eli Manning right now.[h2]30. Tennessee Titans (13-3): Vontae Davis, CB,Illinois[/h2]Top three needs: WR, DT, MLB
Tennessee's biggest need is at wide receiver, but that's been the Titans' biggest need for the last half-dozen years and they haven't used afirst-round pick on a receiver yet, so why start now? Davis is a top-15 talent who, due to questionable work habits and some inconsistency, could fall this farand become a steal for the Titans.[h2]31. Arizona Cardinals (9-7): Donald Brown, RB,Connecticut[/h2]Top three needs: RB, OLB, LOT
Brown lacks exceptional breakaway speed, but he's instinctive, tough and versatile enough to contribute on all three downs in the NFL right now. Arizonadoesn't have to take a RB here, but it would be wise to take advantage of Brown being there, especially with an aging Edgerrin James and a still-unprovenTim Hightower as the only two backs on the roster.[h2]32. Pittsburgh Steelers (12-4): Max Unger, C,Oregon[/h2]Top three needs: OT, CB, 3-4 DE
Cornerback could be a possibility here, and Alphonso Smith, despite his lack of ideal size and top-end speed, has the playmaking skills and toughness to fitwell in Pittsburgh. But this is the time for the Steelers to develop young talent along the offensive line, and Unger's size, strength and versatility arebetter-suited for what Pittsburgh looks for in an offensive lineman and give him a slight edge over Alex Mack and Eric Wood.
[h4]Todd McShay's Top 15 Still Available[/h4] [table][tr][th=""]Player[/th] [th=""]Position[/th] [th=""]School[/th] [/tr][tr][td]1. Larry English[/td] [td]DE[/td] [td]Northern Illinois[/td] [/tr][tr][td]2. Alphonso Smith[/td] [td]CB[/td] [td]Wake Forest[/td] [/tr][tr][td]3. Louis Delmas[/td] [td]S[/td] [td]Western Michigan[/td] [/tr][tr][td]4. James Laurinaitis[/td] [td]ILB[/td] [td]Ohio State[/td] [/tr][tr][td]5. Darius Butler[/td] [td]CB[/td] [td]Connecticut[/td] [/tr][tr][td]6. Paul Kruger[/td] [td]OLB[/td] [td]Utah[/td] [/tr][tr][td]7. LeSean McCoy[/td] [td]RB[/td] [td]Pittsburgh[/td] [/tr][tr][td]8. .J. Moore[/td] [td]CB[/td] [td]Vanderbilt[/td] [/tr][tr][td]9. Alex Mack[/td] [td]C[/td] [td]California[/td] [/tr][tr][td]10.Clint Sintim[/td] [td]OLB[/td] [td]Virginia[/td] [/tr][tr][td]11. Eric Wood[/td] [td]C[/td] [td]Louisville[/td] [/tr][tr][td]12. Rashad Johnson[/td] [td]S[/td] [td]Alabama[/td] [/tr][tr][td]13. Cornelius Ingram[/td] [td]TE[/td] [td]Florida[/td] [/tr][tr][td]14. Josh Freeman[/td] [td]QB[/td] [td]Kansas State[/td] [/tr][tr][td]15. Connor Barwin[/td] [td]DE[/td] [td]Cincinnati[/td] [/tr][/table]
http://insider.espn.go.com/insider/index
By Todd McShay Scouts Inc.
Archive
Player evaluations are complete and draft boards are set around the NFL as we enter the homestretch before the NFL draft, but the chatter is buildingsurrounding possible trades, mostly concerning where QB Mark Sanchez will land.
NFL.com Video
An inside look at quarterback Mark Sanchez from USC.
Things can change on a moment's notice at this point in the process, and only hours after my original projectionappeared I was told by reliable sources that Seattle will pull the trigger on Sanchez at No. 4 overall. That will send ripples all the way down to the New YorkJets at No. 17.
The Jets seemed a good bet to trade up to No. 8 in order to take Sanchez but the price for getting him just got much steeper, and New York is likely headedback to the drawing board.
Taking all that into account, here is Scouts Inc.'s updated first-round projection:
[h2]1. Detroit Lions (Record: 0-16): Matthew Stafford, QB,Georgia[/h2]Top three needs: QB, LOT, DE
Stafford is the very clear choice for Detroit. Among the three players the Lions have said they are negotiating with, Stafford is at the top, Jason Smith wouldbe the next choice if negotiations with Stafford break down, and Curry is a long shot. The Lions definitely want a deal in place with the top pick before thedraft, and they definitely hope it's with Stafford.[h2]2. St. Louis Rams (2-14): Jason Smith, OT,Baylor[/h2]Top three needs: OT, WR, MLB
Smith has the athleticism and tenacity of a premiere starting left tackle, which is priority No. 1 for St. Louis after it parted ways with Orlando Pace duringthe offseason. If Smith is on the board, it's hard to imagine the Rams going in any other direction.[h2]3. Kansas City Chiefs (2-14): Aaron Curry, LB, WakeForest[/h2]Top three needs: Rush LB, DT, 3-4 DL
Here's where it starts to get interesting. This pick is suddenly much more valuable given the fact that Sanchez is projected to come off the board at No.4, but it remains to be seen whether any team will pay the huge price it would take to get ahead of Seattle. Curry is without question the best availableplayer, but does he fit what the Chiefs are looking to do defensively as they move to a 3-4 look? I think Curry is just as valuable inside in a 3-4 as he isoutside in a 4-3, but the one thing they don't get for certain is an impact pass-rusher off the edge. I think Kansas City goes with Curry, but if they goin a different direction it will likely be OT Eugene Monroe.[h2]4. Seattle Seahawks (4-12): Mark Sanchez, QB,USC[/h2]Top three needs: OLB, OT, S
The Seahawks are clearly looking for the heir apparent to current starter Matt Hasselbeck, who has dealt with nagging injuries recently but likely has two orthree more years in him. There are also questions about stud LT Walter Jones, who is coming off a serious knee injury, but selecting Sanchez will allow Seattleto eventually hand the reins from one franchise quarterback to another.[h2]5. Cleveland Browns (4-12): Michael Crabtree, WR, TexasTech[/h2]Top three needs: OLB, WR, CB
With rumors of the Browns trading Braylon Edwards to the Giants picking up steam, it's looking more and more like they will use this pick on the premierplaymaking wideout in this draft. I'm not a huge fan of spending a top-five pick on a wide receiver, but Crabtree certainly appears to be the real deal. Ifthe trade doesn't go through or they decide to go in a different direction, look for the Browns to target an edge rusher like Brian Orakpo.[h2]6. Cincinnati Bengals (4-11-1): Eugene Monroe, OT,Virginia[/h2]Top three needs: OT, C, RB
Monroe is the best pure pass-blocker in the draft and he makes sense for a team that has had trouble staying healthy up front and has invested significantmoney in QB Carson Palmer.[h2]7. Oakland Raiders (5-11): Andre Smith, OT,Alabama[/h2]Top three needs: OT, WR, DT
There's a lot of talk about Smith falling because of the debacle he made of the pre-draft process, but when all is said and done, he's one of top threeoffensive tackles and there are too many teams in the top 10 searching for his kind of talent for him to fall very far.[h2]8. Jacksonville Jaguars (5-11): Jeremy Maclin, WR,Missouri[/h2]Top three needs: WR, CB, DT
The Jaguars had hoped to shop this pick to teams coveting Sanchez but that plan appears to be shot. However, in this scenario they are now able to fill theirbiggest need with one of the fastest, most explosive players in the draft. Maclin is a bit raw as a receiver but his speed is impessive and he can alsocontribute in the return game.[h2]9. Green Bay Packers (6-10): B.J. Raji, DT, BostonCollege[/h2]Top three needs: 3-4 OLB, 3-4 DL, OT
Raji is the best player on the board at this point and would provide the Packers with a stout nose tackle in their new 3-4 defense. He has the size andstrength to anchor against double-teams in the running game and the burst and quickness to collapse the pocket and get to the quarterback as a pass-rusher.[h2]10. San Francisco 49ers (7-9): Brian Orakpo, DE/OLB,Texas[/h2]Top three needs: ROT, QB, S
Orakpo makes sense in this scenario because of his ability to provide pressure off the edge. I'm not convinced Orakpo is an ideal fit as a 3-4 OLB becausehe's a little stiff in his coverage drops, but he does have experience in that role and the 49ers could likely tailor a role for Orakpo that makes gettingafter the quarterback his primary goal.[h2]11. Buffalo Bills (7-9): Aaron Maybin, DE, PennState[/h2]Top three needs: Rush DE, C/G, TE
The Bills' biggest need could be getting some help on the interior offensive line, but they are obviously not drafting a center or guard here. That'swhy I think they'll take advantage of the strong class of perimeter pass-rushers and take Maybin, who I believe is the best hybrid DE/OLB in the '09class. He needs time to develop bulk and strength, but nobody has a quicker first step getting after the QB.[h2]12. Denver Broncos (8-
The interesting thing with Denver is that on paper, the Broncos need a quarterback. But even if Sanchez were to fall to the Broncos here I don't expectthem to pull the trigger. This pick is all about the D-line for the Broncos. If Raji somehow slips, they'll cash in and grab him. If not, Denver will takethe best five-technique DE (interior DE in a 3-4) in this year's class.[h2]13. Washington ******** (8-
There are three angles with the ******** and this pick. One, if Sanchez falls, they take him. Two, they could mortgage their future and send draft picks tomove up to take Sanchez. I'm not convinced they'll do it, but it certainly wouldn't be against Dan Snyder's style. Third, assuming Sanchez isgone, they go either with an offensive tackle or a defensive end. In this case, Ayers is the best value on the board among those two positions, and hiscombination of power and quickness would give the ******** versatility at the position opposite Andre Carter.[h2]14. New Orleans Saints (8-
Defense is where New Orleans needs the most upgrades, but there's a lot of buzz about the Saints taking Wells, whose downhill, powerful running style wouldbe an ideal complement to the more versatile and explosive Reggie Bush.[h2]15. Houston Texans (8-
There's a high-percentage chance that Houston could trade back. This could be where a team like Philadelphia moves up for an offensive tackle. However, ifthe Texans get stuck here, there's no one available to address their top needs -- strong safety and nose tackle -- and Cushing is the best fit becauseHouston would give DeMeco Ryans a partner in crime against the run at the strongside linebacker.[h2]16. San Diego Chargers (8-
This is a luxury pick for the Chargers, and they certainly can use another playmaking presence in the secondary. Jenkins could serve a versatile role as asubpackage corner and ball-hawking safety next to Eric Weddle. He doesn't fit San Diego's top need of a right tackle, but Jenkins is a far betterprospect than any tackle left on the board. For the complete first-round projection, including what the Broncos do with thefirst-round pick they received from the Bears and what the Jets might do if they are unable to trade up, become an Insider today.
I would love to see the Jets package picks and move up for Sanchez. It would be the right move for the organization, but if the price will be very steep if NewYork moves into the top three. If they are stuck here the Jets would be smart to pass on QB Josh Freeman as well and go with a much-needed playmaker in thepassing game. Heyward-Bey still has some developing to do, but he was the fastest player at the combine and can certainly stretch the field immediately.[h2]18. Denver Broncos (from 9-7 CHI) (8-
The Broncos will look to continue to upgrade their defensive front seven with this pick, and Brown could help fill out the rotation of perimeter pass-rushers.The wild card here could be a running back. If Beanie Wells starts to fall, the Broncos could look to take advantage and snag the Ohio State RB becausehe's a perfect fit for Denver's zone-blocking scheme.[h2]19. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (9-7): Peria Jerry, DT,Mississippi[/h2]Top three needs: QB, DT, OLB
We still can't rule out Freeman here, but with so many other needs, it just doesn't make a whole lot of sense to reach for Freeman after signing ByronLeftwich to be the starter. Here's the interesting part -- Jerry is worth the pick from a pure value standpoint, but Tampa Bay is also trying to get biggerand stronger along the defensive front and Jerry might not be exactly what the Bucs are looking for now. Jerry fits the old system in Tampa Bay a little bitbetter than the new system, but he's far and away the best DT on the board. Another possibility here, if the Bucs pass on Jerry, could be OLB ClayMatthews.[h2]20. Detroit Lions (from 9-7 DAL) (0-16):Michael Oher, OT,Mississippi[/h2]Top three needs: QB, LOT, DE
Detroit hopes it took care of its long-standing need for a QB with Stafford with its first pick. Now the Lions need to protect him. Oher has the physicaltools, if developed properly, to emerge as a very good starting left tackle. Detroit could then move Jeff Backus to guard and really beef up its offensive linewith this pick.[h2]21. Philadelphia Eagles (9-6-1): Knowshon Moreno, RB,Georgia[/h2]Top three needs: OT, WR, RB
The Eagles can go three directions with these two picks: Offensive tackle seems to be priority No. 1, followed by running back and tight end. Thing is, Morenois just such a better value that he could make them skip over OT here. Moreno's versatility makes him a good fit in Philly as the short-term complement toBrian Westbrook and long-term replacement for him.[h2]22. Minnesota Vikings (10-6): Percy Harvin, WR,Florida[/h2]Top three needs: QB, ROT, C
The Vikings would have to consider Freeman, but I'm just not sure he provides the upgrade they are looking for as a team that has a chance to win now.Freeman is at least two years away from playing at a good NFL starting QB level. I think the Vikings' philosophy is to take best available player on theboard; at this point, the juice is worth the squeeze with Harvin, who could be a dynamic presence on offense and in the return game.[h2]23. New England Patriots (11-5): Clay Matthews, OLB,USC[/h2]Top three needs: OLB, strongside ILB, CB
If Jenkins falls, don't be surprised to see the Patriots take advantage of that and select him. His versatility fits perfectly in New England. But ifhe's not there, Matthews has Patriots written all over him. Matthews' best football is still ahead of him, he has great NFL bloodlines, he can playmultiple roles on defense, and he will be a special-teams demon from day one.[h2]24. Atlanta Falcons (11-5): Brandon Pettigrew, TE, OklahomaState[/h2]Top three needs: DT/NT, OLB, S
Atlanta really wants to target defense with this draft, but there isn't a player close to Pettigrew's value at this point. Assuming the Falconsdon't bring in a veteran between now and the draft, they have to go with the only first-round TE in this year's class if he's available.[h2]25. Miami Dolphins (11-5): Kenny Britt, WR,Rutgers[/h2]Top three needs: CB, WR, NT
It will be interesting to see if Bill Parcells drafts an offensive skill player, which traditionally has not been his style. There is no arguing Miami'sneed for a wideout opposite Ted Ginn Jr., and Britt is climbing up a lot of draft boards with his combination of size, strong hands and better-than-expectedtop-end speed.[h2]26. Baltimore Ravens (11-5): Rey Maualuga, ILB,USC[/h2]Top three needs: WR, CB, ILB
Pettigrew and Britt would be perfect fits in Baltimore, but with them gone in this scenario, Maualuga becomes a great fallback plan. His lack of discipline isconcerning, but what better way to start his NFL career than to play alongside Ray Lewis, who could help hone Maualuga's recognition skills and maximizehis elite physical tools.[h2]27. Indianapolis Colts (12-4): Evander Hood, DT,Missouri[/h2]Top three needs: DT, WR, OLB
The Colts are most likely to use this pick on a defensive tackle or wide receiver. WR Hakeem Nicks is worth the pick, but he might not have the type of speedthat Indy looks for in its pass-catchers. If that's the case, Hood may be a bit of a reach for some teams, but his one-gap skills and quick first step makehim more valuable for the Colts.[h2]28. Philadelphia Eagles (from 12-4 CAR)(9-6-1): Eben Britton, OT,Arizona[/h2]Top three needs: OT, WR, RB
After locking in Moreno at No. 21, the Eagles can use this pick to take the best available offensive tackle. Britton has the size and good feet to fit well inAndy Reed's system.[h2]29. New York Giants (12-4): Hakeem Nicks, WR, NorthCarolina[/h2]Top three needs: WR, strongside LB, OT
There's a lot of speculation about Braylon Edwards being traded to the Giants, which would cost New York this pick. But there hasn't been a deal yet,and if the Giants hold on to this pick and don't bring in a veteran, Nicks is a no-brainer. He's big, has exceptional hand-eye coordination and isready to contribute for Eli Manning right now.[h2]30. Tennessee Titans (13-3): Vontae Davis, CB,Illinois[/h2]Top three needs: WR, DT, MLB
Tennessee's biggest need is at wide receiver, but that's been the Titans' biggest need for the last half-dozen years and they haven't used afirst-round pick on a receiver yet, so why start now? Davis is a top-15 talent who, due to questionable work habits and some inconsistency, could fall this farand become a steal for the Titans.[h2]31. Arizona Cardinals (9-7): Donald Brown, RB,Connecticut[/h2]Top three needs: RB, OLB, LOT
Brown lacks exceptional breakaway speed, but he's instinctive, tough and versatile enough to contribute on all three downs in the NFL right now. Arizonadoesn't have to take a RB here, but it would be wise to take advantage of Brown being there, especially with an aging Edgerrin James and a still-unprovenTim Hightower as the only two backs on the roster.[h2]32. Pittsburgh Steelers (12-4): Max Unger, C,Oregon[/h2]Top three needs: OT, CB, 3-4 DE
Cornerback could be a possibility here, and Alphonso Smith, despite his lack of ideal size and top-end speed, has the playmaking skills and toughness to fitwell in Pittsburgh. But this is the time for the Steelers to develop young talent along the offensive line, and Unger's size, strength and versatility arebetter-suited for what Pittsburgh looks for in an offensive lineman and give him a slight edge over Alex Mack and Eric Wood.
[h4]Todd McShay's Top 15 Still Available[/h4] [table][tr][th=""]Player[/th] [th=""]Position[/th] [th=""]School[/th] [/tr][tr][td]1. Larry English[/td] [td]DE[/td] [td]Northern Illinois[/td] [/tr][tr][td]2. Alphonso Smith[/td] [td]CB[/td] [td]Wake Forest[/td] [/tr][tr][td]3. Louis Delmas[/td] [td]S[/td] [td]Western Michigan[/td] [/tr][tr][td]4. James Laurinaitis[/td] [td]ILB[/td] [td]Ohio State[/td] [/tr][tr][td]5. Darius Butler[/td] [td]CB[/td] [td]Connecticut[/td] [/tr][tr][td]6. Paul Kruger[/td] [td]OLB[/td] [td]Utah[/td] [/tr][tr][td]7. LeSean McCoy[/td] [td]RB[/td] [td]Pittsburgh[/td] [/tr][tr][td]8. .J. Moore[/td] [td]CB[/td] [td]Vanderbilt[/td] [/tr][tr][td]9. Alex Mack[/td] [td]C[/td] [td]California[/td] [/tr][tr][td]10.Clint Sintim[/td] [td]OLB[/td] [td]Virginia[/td] [/tr][tr][td]11. Eric Wood[/td] [td]C[/td] [td]Louisville[/td] [/tr][tr][td]12. Rashad Johnson[/td] [td]S[/td] [td]Alabama[/td] [/tr][tr][td]13. Cornelius Ingram[/td] [td]TE[/td] [td]Florida[/td] [/tr][tr][td]14. Josh Freeman[/td] [td]QB[/td] [td]Kansas State[/td] [/tr][tr][td]15. Connor Barwin[/td] [td]DE[/td] [td]Cincinnati[/td] [/tr][/table]
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the eagles are buggin Rashad
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Sorry if posted but here are the 2009 Wonderlic Scores(not complete but what has been leaked). I know many believe these scores do not mean much when it comesto on field performance. After all Dan Marino scored a 16 and Alex Smith scored 41, but still interesting nonetheless.
Quarterbacks
Matt Stafford: 38
Mark Sanchez: 28
Josh Freeman: 27
Wide Receivers
Jeremy Maclin: 25
Michael Crabtree: 15
Darrius Heyward-Bey: 14
Percy Harvin: 12
Hakeem Nicks: 11
Offensive Tackles
Eben Britton: 31
Eugene Monroe: 24
Jason Smith: 23
Michael Oher: 19
Andre Smith: 17
Linebackers
Clay Matthews: 27
Brian Cushing: 23
Rey Maualuga: 15
Defensive Backs
Kevin Barnes: 41
Louis Delmas: 12
Quarterbacks
Matt Stafford: 38
Mark Sanchez: 28
Josh Freeman: 27
Wide Receivers
Jeremy Maclin: 25
Michael Crabtree: 15
Darrius Heyward-Bey: 14
Percy Harvin: 12
Hakeem Nicks: 11
Offensive Tackles
Eben Britton: 31
Eugene Monroe: 24
Jason Smith: 23
Michael Oher: 19
Andre Smith: 17
Linebackers
Clay Matthews: 27
Brian Cushing: 23
Rey Maualuga: 15
Defensive Backs
Kevin Barnes: 41
Louis Delmas: 12
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Source: Bills receive threedraft picks for Peters
April 17, 2009 1:37 PM
Posted by ESPN.com's Tim Graham
The Buffalo Bills didn't want to part with Pro Bowl left tackle Jason Peters, but they became convinced over the past 48 hours they couldn't make him happy and decided to send him to the Philadelphia Eagles.
[table][tr][td] [/td] [td]
[/td] [/tr][tr][td] [/td] [td]Paul Jasienski/Getty Images[/td] [/tr][tr][td] [/td] [td]The Buffalo Bills will get three draft picks in exchange for Jason Peters.[/td] [/tr][/table]
An NFL source informs me the Bills have agreed to accept the Eagles' second first-round draft pick, 28th overall, and a fourth-round pick in this year's draft and a conditional pick in next year's draft in exchange for Peters.
The trade was agreed upon late Thursday night. It's not expected to be officially announced Friday. The Eagles have asked Peters to come to Philadelphia to talk about a new contract. The New York Giants also made a play to acquire Peters.
Parameters for the conditional choice aren't yet known and still could be getting hammered out.
The Bills were forced to deal Peters because they were certain he would stage another lengthy holdout. He boycotted all offseason and preseason workouts last year. There was a legitimate fear he would sit out this year until Week 10 and then report so as to not miss an accrued NFL season of experience.
The Bills and Peters' agent, Eugene Parker, exchanged multiple contract proposals since the end of last season but haven't been on the same page.
Peters has two more years left on a contract he signed in 2006. He would have been paid an average of about $4 million, well below market value for an elite left tackle. The Miami Dolphins signed last year's No. 1 draft choice, Jake Long, to a five-year deal worth $57.5 million and $30 million in guarantees. The Carolina Panthers in February kept All-Pro tackle Jordan Gross from hitting the open market with a six-year contract worth nearly $60 million.
The NFL source said he expected the Eagles to give Peters a contract that will make the undrafted Arkansas tight end quite happy.
April 17, 2009 1:37 PM
Posted by ESPN.com's Tim Graham
The Buffalo Bills didn't want to part with Pro Bowl left tackle Jason Peters, but they became convinced over the past 48 hours they couldn't make him happy and decided to send him to the Philadelphia Eagles.
[table][tr][td] [/td] [td]
An NFL source informs me the Bills have agreed to accept the Eagles' second first-round draft pick, 28th overall, and a fourth-round pick in this year's draft and a conditional pick in next year's draft in exchange for Peters.
The trade was agreed upon late Thursday night. It's not expected to be officially announced Friday. The Eagles have asked Peters to come to Philadelphia to talk about a new contract. The New York Giants also made a play to acquire Peters.
Parameters for the conditional choice aren't yet known and still could be getting hammered out.
The Bills were forced to deal Peters because they were certain he would stage another lengthy holdout. He boycotted all offseason and preseason workouts last year. There was a legitimate fear he would sit out this year until Week 10 and then report so as to not miss an accrued NFL season of experience.
The Bills and Peters' agent, Eugene Parker, exchanged multiple contract proposals since the end of last season but haven't been on the same page.
Peters has two more years left on a contract he signed in 2006. He would have been paid an average of about $4 million, well below market value for an elite left tackle. The Miami Dolphins signed last year's No. 1 draft choice, Jake Long, to a five-year deal worth $57.5 million and $30 million in guarantees. The Carolina Panthers in February kept All-Pro tackle Jordan Gross from hitting the open market with a six-year contract worth nearly $60 million.
The NFL source said he expected the Eagles to give Peters a contract that will make the undrafted Arkansas tight end quite happy.
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Originally Posted by dreClark
[h2]Boldin could be traded before draft[/h2]
Comment Email Print By John Clayton
ESPN.com
Archive
Arizona Cardinals wide receiver Anquan Boldin may get his wish to be traded. Coach Ken Whisenhunt said Wednesday the team is willing to listen to offers.
Boldin
Boldin has asked to be traded since last season after teammate Larry Fitzgerald received a four-year, $40 million contract. Boldin has two years remaining on the six-year, $33.99 million deal he signed in 2005. Though the team wants to give him an extension, the Cardinals aren't expected to give him a Fitzgerald-type deal.
Whisenhunt, speaking to Arizona reporters Wednesday, opened the door for the team to receive trade offers.
NFL.com Video
Check out the top highlights of Cardinals WR Anquan Boldin from 2008.
"Before the draft, you know there is going to be talk about Anquan and his situation and a trade," Whisenhunt said. "Since not a whole lot has changed with his contractual situation, we know that will come back. It would be foolish from out standpoint not to listen to those opportunities and see what actually exists. But I want to make the points -- our goal is to re-sign him to a long-term deal. That hasn't changed."
Boldin continues to bring up the idea of a trade. With contract talks at a standstill, the Cardinals can listen to offers before the draft. The Eagles and Giants might be at the top of the list.
Boldin is considered a No. 1 wide receiver so it could cost a No. 1 and No. 3 draft choice to acquire him.
The biggest gamble in the 2009 draft
Cold, Hard Football Facts for April 10, 2009
By Kerry J. Byrne
Cold, Hard Football Facts Sunshine State publicist
Every pick in the NFL draft is a high-priced gamble.
At the end of the day, we really have no idea how a player's going to perform in the NFL, no matter how high that player sits in Mel Kiper's notoriously inaccurate mock draft. He could be the No. 2 overall pick and proverbial can't-miss-kid that does (Tony Mandarich or Ryan Leaf). Or he could be the No. 199 pick of an afterthought who turns into bona fide first-ballot Hall of Famer (Bart Starr or Tom Brady)
But some gambles are greater than others. And there's one gamble in the 2009 draft that should cause more sweaty palms than any other when teams get ready to roll the dice this month: Florida junior Percy Harvin, who opted out of his final year with the defending national champs to enter the NFL draft.
He's a spectacular talent and may be the best athlete and best football player in the draft this year. But the orange-and-blue uniform that he played in last year has turned up a lot of snake eyes on the craps table of the NFL draft.
Harvin is listed as a wide receiver. But he was really used at Florida as a dual-threat ball-carrier and pass-catcher, in the classic mold of a Bobby Mitchell or Lenny Moore from the days when the NFL valued diversification over specialization.
Harvin was second on the team in rushing (behind the unbelievably talented quarterback Tim Tebow), with 659 yards and 10 TDs on just 70 carries - a spectacular 9.4 yards per attempt. He also led Florida in receptions (40) and was second in receiving yards (644), adding seven more TDs through the air.
He was even used at the quarterback position, taking shotgun snaps from center in the spread formation that Florida has largely popularized (though he did not attempt any passes).
Paired with Tebow, Harvin gave the national champion Gators a virtually unstoppable offensive combo. Even in their one loss to Ole Miss last year, Florida put 30 points on the board.
Bottom line: Harvin is an incredible talent and, even though just a junior, is a likely first-round draft pick.
His talent is unquestioned. But we've seen this story before out of Florida. And this story, as you'll see below, makes Harvin the highest-stakes gamble in the draft this year.
Florida football has been around since 1904. But it really exploded onto the national scene with the arrival of head coach Steve Spurrier in 1990, who gave the program its signature high-flying brand of offensive football. Florida's reputation as an offensive powerhouse has only grown over the past four seasons under Urban Meyer, a period during which the Gators have won two national titles and turned Tebow into one of the great folk heroes in college football history.
The spectacular offensive production during the Spurrier-Meyer years (and even the Ron Zook years in between) have made Florida receivers among the most coveted commodities in the NFL draft over the past 18 years. Harvin is the latest in a long, long line.
In fact, since the first draft that included Spurrier's Gator in 1991, NFL teams have snapped up 16 Florida receivers. (To put that into perspective, USC, known for its bevy of spectacular running backs through the years, has had 16 ball carriers taken in the NFL draft since 1975.)
This list of Florida wideouts includes three first rounders and 12 players selected in the first three rounds.
But here's the problem with Florida wide receivers: almost every single one of those 16 draft picks has failed to live up to expectations. Many have failed miserably.
Here are the career numbers for the 16 Florida wide receivers selected by NFL teams in the Spurrier-Zook-Meyer drafts (1991 to present).
The only player among the 16 who's clearly lived up to or exceeded expectations has been Darrell Jackson, a third-round pick by Seattle in 2000 who played sparingly last year with the Broncos. He's hauled in passes worth 7,132 passes and 51 TDs - the highest marks by any Florida receiver in the NFL since Wes Chandler (a first-round pick in 197
Ike Hilliard certainly had a respectable career. His 546 catches put him among the Top 80 in all of NFL history. And at 33 years old and still fairly productive last year with Tampa, the free agent should be able to contribute somewhere over the next couple of years. But he's scored just 35 TDs in a 12-year career and has never reached a Pro Bowl.
The Giants certainly had much higher hopes for Hilliard when they made him the 7th overall pick in the 1997 draft.
In fact, Hilliard and his Gators teammate Reidel Anthony stand as the poster children for the futility of Florida wideouts in the NFL.
The spectacular college receivers led the 1996 Gators to the school's first national title and were largely responsible for the fact that Florida quarterback Danny Wuerffel won the Heisman Trophy that season.
The 1996 Gators were virtually unstoppable on offense, averaging 46.6 PPG, led by the explosive Anthony and Hilliard. They combined for 119 catches, 2,193 yards and 28 TDs that season.
The NFL was so smitten by these two Florida receivers that both were snapped up within the first 16 picks of the 1997 draft.
To say they crashed and burned in the NFL would overstate the case. But there's no doubt that they both failed to live up to the expectations they had forged for themselves as leaders of arguably college football's most spectacular offense of the 1990s.
Those 1996 Gators were so talented that two of their back-up receivers were also high draft picks: Jacquez Green was taken in the second round of the 1998 draft. Travis McGriff was grabbed in the third round of the 1999 draft. Neither made much of a dent in the NFL, as the chart above indicates.
More recent drafts have been just as bad. New England grabbed athletically gifted Florida wide receiver Chad Jackson in the second round of the 2006 draft, the most recent in a growing list of bad picks by the Patriots. You need only four letters to describe Jackson's career: B-U-S-T.
Florida receiver Andre Caldwell was grabbed in the third round of last year's draft by the Bengals. He showed signs of life late in the season after recovering from a nagging foot injury. He may yet to prove to be a big-time NFL receiver. But his inauspicious start is typical of Florida wide receivers. Andre's older brother Reche, meanwhile, was a second-round pick in the 2002 draft. He scored just 11 TDs in a six-year career with three different teams.
Florida has prodced big-time NFL players at other positions over the past two decades, mostly only defense (Jevon Kearse, Alex Brown, Lito Sheppard).
But the long, long list of busts and underachievers out of the same school at the same position reeks of a systemic problem. To put it another way: Florida receivers are simply not as good as they seem when they're burning up SEC defenses. Florida receivers are consistently paired with top college quarterbacks, for example. They also play on teams filled by blue-chip performers at virtually every other position year after year. This cozy situations certainly help their production.
But perhaps the dual-threat Harvin is better than all of them. Maybe he turns into what teams expected when they devoted high picks to Ike Hilliard, Reidel Anthony or Travis Taylor.
We don't know what will happen when a team decides to roll the dice on Harvin later this month. But we do know this: Florida wideouts in the NFL are one of the biggest gambles in sports.
FWIW I think Percy will be a stud in the L as long as he keeps his nose clean and is used properly.
But at the same time you hoping he blows his knee out
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[h2]Georgia teammates underrated[/h2][h3]RB Moreno, WR Massaquoi undervalued while a big-name wideout is overrated[/h3]
http://insider.espn.go.com/insider/index
By Todd McShay
Scouts Inc.
Archive
After talking to teams and assessing where prospects might come off the board, and then comparing those findings to Scouts Inc.'s rankings, here's alook at the three most undervalued and overvalued prospects in the draft right now, followed by five potential Day 2 sleepers:
[h4]Most underrated[/h4]1. Georgia RB Knowshon Moreno
The vast majority of scouts we talk to feel Moreno is a more complete back and a much safer pick than Chris Wells, yet all the running backbuzz is centered around Wells and how high he will be drafted. It's thought he might go as high as No. 14 overall to the New Orleans Saints, and that teams might overlook questions aboutWells' attitude and work ethic because of his natural talent. Meanwhile, Moreno ranks 13th on Scouts Inc.'s overall draft board -- eight spots ahead ofWells -- but is projected to come off the board somewhere around No. 20. Any team that picks him in that area would be getting tremendous value and the bestback in this draft.
[+] Enlarge
Matthew Mitchell/WireImage.comLarry English's skill set will make him a value pick somewhere late in the first round or beyond.
2. Northern Illinois OLB LarryEnglish
English ranks behind other OLB/DE hybrids like Aaron Maybin, BrianOrakpo and EveretteBrown, and rightly so. Where he's getting shortchanged, however, is in the ranking of the second tier. English is mentioned alongside Michael Johnson, Paul Kruger, Lawrence Sidbury and Cody Brown, but English separateshimself from that group with his toughness, competitiveness and short-area burst. He looks like a late first-rounder at this point and could even slip outaltogether, and any team that gets him at No. 25 or later will be getting tremendous bang for the buck.
3. Georgia WR MohamedMassaquoi
Massaquoi improved as much over the course of his college career as any prospect in this draft, and he answered questions about his speed when he ran the40-yard dash in the 4.4-second range at Georgia's pro day. And while he looks like a long strider because he is long-limbed, Massaquoi is an underratedroute-runner with the ability to get into and out of his breaks fluidly. He also has great intangibles and an excellent work ethic and looks every bit like asecond-round pick. It won't surprise us if five years from now Massaquoi is one of the two or three most productive receivers from this class.
[h4]Most overrated[/h4]1. Kansas State QB Josh Freeman
It's easy to fall in love with Freeman's physical tools -- size (6-foot-5¾, 248 pounds), rifle arm and deceptive mobility -- but he is not the next BenRoethlisberger or Joe Flacco. Those players came out of college with great instincts, which Freeman is lacking. Too many times on film we see him picking upcoverages late or staring down his primary target and not going through his progressions. Some of his weaknesses can be coached up, but there is no guaranteehe has the mental capacity and natural recognition skills to develop into a solid starter in the NFL. We would have no problem taking a chance on him in thesecond round, but if a team like the Tampa Bay Buccaneers (No. 19)or Minnesota Vikings (No. 22) takes him in the first round, itwould be a huge reach. Teams must be wary of making a desperation move simply because there is a huge drop-off in quarterback talent after Freeman.
2. Maryland WR DarriusHeyward-Bey
There is a lot to like about Heyward-Bey from a physical standpoint. He was the fastest player at the combine, but talent evaluators are being blinded by it,sometimes ignoring his raw routes and questions about his hands. He could come off the board as early as No. 17 to the New York Jets, but in our opinion he fits much better in the final five toseven picks of the first round. Any earlier and he risks joining the likes of former first-round receivers who were overrated because of their straight-linespeed, such as Robert Meachem.
3. Ohio State WR BrianRobiskie
Like everyone else, we are impressed by Robiskie's route-running, instincts, attention to detail and passion for the game. However, after watching him onfilm, no one can convince me he will be a difference-maker in the NFL. He looks to be a serviceable No. 2 at best and does not provide anything in the returngame. The fact that people are talking about him as a fringe first-round prospect is mind-boggling because there is no way we draft him on the first day.
[h4]Day 2 diamonds in the rough[/h4]Michigan State QB Brian Hoyer
After doing a full film evaluation, we ranked Hoyer as the top senior quarterback in this year's draft, assuming Pat White is viewed as a future widereceiver. Hoyer's marginal supporting cast and the fact that Michigan State was a run-heavy team overshadowed what we believe to be excellent timing,accuracy and recognition skills. We've seen many late-round quarterbacks become successful NFL starters in recent years and Hoyer could be the next to jointhat group.
Rice TE JamesCasey
Casey played three years of minor league baseball before returning to football, so he is a little older, and he will never be a great in-line blocker. However,his versatility and natural athleticism make him an intriguing option early on Day 2 for a team looking to add a difference-making receiver at H-back.
Virginia RB CedricPeerman
Peerman's sensational showing at the combine is just one of the reasons we are high on him. There are some durability questions, but when he's healthy,we believe Peerman has the mental makeup and physical tools to develop into a versatile contributor in the NFL. We would have no problem taking him as early asthe third round.
Maryland CB KevinBarnes
Barnes is probably the most underrated pure cover corner in this draft. He didn't have his best season as a senior, thanks in part to a shoulder injury,but his combination of size (6-¼, 187 pounds), athleticism and ball skills make him a great sleeper candidate in the third- or fourth-round range.
Troy DB SherrodMartin
Versatility is what makes Martin so attractive in our opinion. He played both corner and safety in college, and we think his best fit in the NFL is at freesafety. People around Troy will tell you he is the best player to come out of the program since Demarcus Ware, and that includes 2008 first-round CB LeodisMcKelvin. Martin should still be on the board when the fourth round arrives and would be a tremendous value there.
Todd McShay is the director of college football scouting for Scouts Inc. He has been evaluating prospects for the NFL draft since 1998.
http://insider.espn.go.com/insider/index
By Todd McShay Scouts Inc.
Archive
After talking to teams and assessing where prospects might come off the board, and then comparing those findings to Scouts Inc.'s rankings, here's alook at the three most undervalued and overvalued prospects in the draft right now, followed by five potential Day 2 sleepers:
[h4]Most underrated[/h4]1. Georgia RB Knowshon Moreno
The vast majority of scouts we talk to feel Moreno is a more complete back and a much safer pick than Chris Wells, yet all the running backbuzz is centered around Wells and how high he will be drafted. It's thought he might go as high as No. 14 overall to the New Orleans Saints, and that teams might overlook questions aboutWells' attitude and work ethic because of his natural talent. Meanwhile, Moreno ranks 13th on Scouts Inc.'s overall draft board -- eight spots ahead ofWells -- but is projected to come off the board somewhere around No. 20. Any team that picks him in that area would be getting tremendous value and the bestback in this draft.
[+] Enlarge
Matthew Mitchell/WireImage.comLarry English's skill set will make him a value pick somewhere late in the first round or beyond.
2. Northern Illinois OLB LarryEnglish
English ranks behind other OLB/DE hybrids like Aaron Maybin, BrianOrakpo and EveretteBrown, and rightly so. Where he's getting shortchanged, however, is in the ranking of the second tier. English is mentioned alongside Michael Johnson, Paul Kruger, Lawrence Sidbury and Cody Brown, but English separateshimself from that group with his toughness, competitiveness and short-area burst. He looks like a late first-rounder at this point and could even slip outaltogether, and any team that gets him at No. 25 or later will be getting tremendous bang for the buck.
3. Georgia WR MohamedMassaquoi
Massaquoi improved as much over the course of his college career as any prospect in this draft, and he answered questions about his speed when he ran the40-yard dash in the 4.4-second range at Georgia's pro day. And while he looks like a long strider because he is long-limbed, Massaquoi is an underratedroute-runner with the ability to get into and out of his breaks fluidly. He also has great intangibles and an excellent work ethic and looks every bit like asecond-round pick. It won't surprise us if five years from now Massaquoi is one of the two or three most productive receivers from this class.
[h4]Most overrated[/h4]1. Kansas State QB Josh Freeman
It's easy to fall in love with Freeman's physical tools -- size (6-foot-5¾, 248 pounds), rifle arm and deceptive mobility -- but he is not the next BenRoethlisberger or Joe Flacco. Those players came out of college with great instincts, which Freeman is lacking. Too many times on film we see him picking upcoverages late or staring down his primary target and not going through his progressions. Some of his weaknesses can be coached up, but there is no guaranteehe has the mental capacity and natural recognition skills to develop into a solid starter in the NFL. We would have no problem taking a chance on him in thesecond round, but if a team like the Tampa Bay Buccaneers (No. 19)or Minnesota Vikings (No. 22) takes him in the first round, itwould be a huge reach. Teams must be wary of making a desperation move simply because there is a huge drop-off in quarterback talent after Freeman.
2. Maryland WR DarriusHeyward-Bey
There is a lot to like about Heyward-Bey from a physical standpoint. He was the fastest player at the combine, but talent evaluators are being blinded by it,sometimes ignoring his raw routes and questions about his hands. He could come off the board as early as No. 17 to the New York Jets, but in our opinion he fits much better in the final five toseven picks of the first round. Any earlier and he risks joining the likes of former first-round receivers who were overrated because of their straight-linespeed, such as Robert Meachem.
3. Ohio State WR BrianRobiskie
Like everyone else, we are impressed by Robiskie's route-running, instincts, attention to detail and passion for the game. However, after watching him onfilm, no one can convince me he will be a difference-maker in the NFL. He looks to be a serviceable No. 2 at best and does not provide anything in the returngame. The fact that people are talking about him as a fringe first-round prospect is mind-boggling because there is no way we draft him on the first day.
[h4]Day 2 diamonds in the rough[/h4]Michigan State QB Brian Hoyer
After doing a full film evaluation, we ranked Hoyer as the top senior quarterback in this year's draft, assuming Pat White is viewed as a future widereceiver. Hoyer's marginal supporting cast and the fact that Michigan State was a run-heavy team overshadowed what we believe to be excellent timing,accuracy and recognition skills. We've seen many late-round quarterbacks become successful NFL starters in recent years and Hoyer could be the next to jointhat group.
Rice TE JamesCasey
Casey played three years of minor league baseball before returning to football, so he is a little older, and he will never be a great in-line blocker. However,his versatility and natural athleticism make him an intriguing option early on Day 2 for a team looking to add a difference-making receiver at H-back.
Virginia RB CedricPeerman
Peerman's sensational showing at the combine is just one of the reasons we are high on him. There are some durability questions, but when he's healthy,we believe Peerman has the mental makeup and physical tools to develop into a versatile contributor in the NFL. We would have no problem taking him as early asthe third round.
Maryland CB KevinBarnes
Barnes is probably the most underrated pure cover corner in this draft. He didn't have his best season as a senior, thanks in part to a shoulder injury,but his combination of size (6-¼, 187 pounds), athleticism and ball skills make him a great sleeper candidate in the third- or fourth-round range.
Troy DB SherrodMartin
Versatility is what makes Martin so attractive in our opinion. He played both corner and safety in college, and we think his best fit in the NFL is at freesafety. People around Troy will tell you he is the best player to come out of the program since Demarcus Ware, and that includes 2008 first-round CB LeodisMcKelvin. Martin should still be on the board when the fourth round arrives and would be a tremendous value there.
Todd McShay is the director of college football scouting for Scouts Inc. He has been evaluating prospects for the NFL draft since 1998.
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4PM start?
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Naw, I wouldn't seriously wish injury upon a player no matter how much I hate their team. And besides, I $%#! w/ Percy
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Great...so McShay is a NoSho fan? BUST.
I would expect him to think Massaquoi is something special, though. I'll feel bad for a team if they take him before Round 4.
I'll also be upset if the Falcons take an offensive player in Round 1.
I would expect him to think Massaquoi is something special, though. I'll feel bad for a team if they take him before Round 4.
I'll also be upset if the Falcons take an offensive player in Round 1.
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[h1]Page 2: Mock Draft for the Ages (Part 1) [/h1]
By Thomas Neumann
Page 2
NFL Mock Draft For The Ages
So many different spins have been put on the NFL draft. Who were the biggest busts? Who were the most memorable steals? What were the greatest drafts by team? What was the best draft class? Which positions pay the most dividends? Etc.
In short, it's difficult to break new ground in discussion of the draft, which has mushroomed into one of the biggest preoccupations of the entire sports calendar for fans. Nevertheless, we reach deep into our imaginations to come up with a fresh, delightfully preposterous spin:
What if we could hop in a time machine and bring back all the best prospects in history for this year's draft? Of course, professional accomplishments don't count. This exercise is based strictly on the scouting reports at the conclusion of college careers. Our big board is an amalgam of only the most ballyhooed prospects. With a few exceptions, these are players who were drafted in the top five overall. Players such as Joe Montana and Tom Brady, who were seen as too physically limited by many evaluators, need not apply.
So suspend your disbelief, and let's get this party started … based on this year's draft order and team needs.
1. Lions: John Elway, QB, Stanford
Team needs: quarterback, offensive line
In hopes of landing Detroit's first franchise quarterback since Bobby Layne more than 50 years ago, the Lions reach for arguably the best college prospect ever with the opening selection. Elway boasts a truly extraordinary combination of arm strength, accuracy and mobility. The 6-foot-3, 215-pounder passed for 9,349 yards and 77 touchdowns, completing 62.1 percent of his attempts. Too bad he didn't play on special teams. Wait … this just in: Elway's representatives are saying the Stanford star, who played two seasons of college baseball, refuses to play for Detroit and demands his rights be traded. Meantime, he reportedly is negotiating a 10-year deal with the New York Yankees and is willing to pursue a baseball career if the Lions don't comply. Stay tuned.
NFC North blogger Kevin Seifert: Luckily, Detroit grabbed the Stanford quarterback before the Colts had a chance. Surely, Elway will have no problem playing for a Lions team that just missed winning (all) 16 games last season.
2. Rams: Orlando Pace, OT, Ohio State
Team needs: offensive tackle, linebacker, wide receiver
In need of a left tackle to replace recently released Orlando Pace, the Rams select … Orlando Pace, the 6-foot-7, 334-pound Ohio State standout who popularized the term "pancake" in the football lexicon. Pace won the Outland Trophy as a junior and is the only two-time winner of the Vince Lombardi Award. He didn't allow a sack in his final two seasons with the Buckeyes, and he was a unanimous All-America selection both years. Said Ohio State strength and conditioning coach Dave Kennedy: "I've never seen anyone like Orlando. The way he runs the 40, especially for a man his size. Let me put it this way: He could fit in well with the tight ends. … He's agile enough to be a defensive lineman." Indeed. Pace has been timed at 4.85 in the 40-yard dash, same as the Heisman winner from his final college season, Danny Wuerffel.
NFC West blogger Mike Sando: The Rams wanted a physical presence for their offensive line. Although Tony Mandarich appealed to unnamed members within the organization, general manager Billy Devaney ultimately couldn't resist Pace's stunning athleticism.
3. Chiefs: Bubba Smith, DE, Michigan State
Team needs: defensive line, offensive tackle
At 6-foot-8, 280 pounds, Smith fills a significant need and provides an intimidating complement to Glenn Dorsey. Smith was routinely double- and triple-teamed by opponents in college, and he anchored a Spartans defense that ranked No. 1 nationally against the run in 1965. Most impressive is that he's the only guy we know of who grabbed the whole backfield, then threw guys out until he found the one with the ball. Further, Smith's presence as an authority figure can't hurt in the locker room.
AFC West blogger Bill Williamson: This pick is a brilliant start to the Scott Pioli era in Kansas City. The Chiefs were the most faceless, least intimidating defense in the NFL last season. Bubba changes that in a hurry.
4. Seahawks: O.J. Simpson, RB, USC
Team needs: offensive tackle, cornerback, running back
Simpson boasts an extremely rare combination of power, agility and speed, even if he doesn't have 307 cubic inches of standard V-8 engine. After scoring 54 touchdowns in two seasons at City College of San Francisco, he rushed for 3,187 yards and scored 34 touchdowns in two seasons at USC. "He's not only a wonderful football player, but he's a wonderful young man," said former USC president Norman Topping. Ultimately, Seattle opts to select Simpson instead of entertaining overtures from the Broncos to trade the pick.
NFC West blogger Mike Sando: General manager Tim Ruskell has built his reputation in Seattle by drawing a hard line against high-risk prospects who have demonstrated a pattern of nefarious off-field behavior. The 21-year-old Simpson checks out favorably on all fronts after his former USC teammate and Bay Area prep rival, Mike Holmgren, offers a glowing recommendation.
5. Browns: Lee Roy Selmon, DL, Oklahoma
Team needs: defensive end, linebacker, defensive back
Cleveland identifies arguably the most promising defensive line prospect ever. In addition to the skills that garnered him the Outland Trophy and Vince Lombardi Award in 1975, Selmon is an academic All-American with tremendous leadership qualities. He was considered such a sure thing coming out of college that the Steelers supposedly were willing to trade all 21 of their 1976 draft picks for his rights. The only question is what the Browns should serve at Selmon's introductory news conference.
AFC North blogger James Walker: The Browns made the first surprise pick of the draft in taking Selmon. Cleveland primarily needed linebacker help for its 3-4 defense. Many draft experts felt hybrid defender Lawrence Taylor would be a better fit to help the Browns' atrocious pass rush, but time will tell.
6. Bengals: Tony Mandarich, OT, Michigan State
Team needs: defensive end, offensive tackle, linebacker
Many pundits consider Mandarich to be the most promising offensive lineman ever produced by the collegiate ranks. His massive build, Herculean strength and ability to pound opponents into submission make him an appealing choice for a team with a relatively stationary quarterback. He was named to the All-Madden team while still at Michigan State. Skeptics insist Mandarich's abilities -- the 6-foot-5, 305-pounder benches nearly 550 pounds and runs a 4.65 in the 40-yard dash -- are enhanced by steroids. Still, he never failed a drug test in college. Come on, does this look like someone who isn't doing it naturally?
AFC North blogger James Walker: The Bengals, who traditionally do not scout well, have emphatically deemed offensive tackle Mandarich a "can't-miss prospect." Cincinnati franchise quarterback Carson Palmer has had two season-ending injuries (knee, elbow) the past four seasons and desperately needs Mandarich to prolong his career. The Bengals are banking on it.
7. Raiders: Bo Jackson, RB, Auburn
Team needs: wide receiver, offensive tackle, center
Oakland already has multitalented tailback Darren McFadden in the fold, but general partner Al Davis apparently is smitten with the idea of teaming Jackson and McFadden in the same backfield. Jackson's athletic versatility is second to none. He's a two-time Alabama prep decathlon champion who also starred in baseball at Auburn. We also should mention that 6-foot-1, 227-pound Jackson ran a 4.12 40-yard dash at the scouting combine. Seriously. Jackson rushed for 4,303 yards and 43 touchdowns at Auburn, averaging 6.6 yards per carry. He also receives high marks from scouts for vision, instincts and cutting ability. Said former Cowboys executive Gil Brandt: "He will be an immediate star in this league."
AFC West blogger Bill Williamson: Jackson will find a crowded backfield in Oakland. The Raiders don't know what to do with the running backs they already have. But Bo is a perfect Raiders back.
8. Jaguars: Calvin Johnson, WR, Georgia Tech
Team needs: cornerback, wide receiver, defensive tackle
The Jaguars get arguably the most physically gifted wide receiver in college history by reaching for Georgia Tech's career leader in receiving yards and touchdown receptions. Check out these measurables: 4.35 seconds in the 40, 42½-inch vertical leap and an 11-foot, 7-inch standing broad jump. This pick should give Jacksonville the elusive star receiver the team has sought by using first-round picks on R. Jay Soward, Reggie Williams and Matt Jones since 2000. Johnson admitted in pre-draft interviews with teams that he has smoked marijuana, but he passed drug screening at the NFL combine.
AFC South blogger Paul Kuharsky: Jacksonville believes it will end a long, bad stretch of receiver selections with big, athletic Johnson, who is viewed as a can't-miss talent coming out of Georgia Tech, where he averaged 16.4 yards a catch and scored 28 touchdowns in three seasons. The biggest other temptation was cornerback Charles Woodson.
9. Packers: Lawrence Taylor, DE/LB, North Carolina
Team needs: defensive end, linebacker, offensive tackle
Taylor is the prototype for a speed-rushing outside linebacker, a 6-foot-3, 242-pound package of quickness, power, footwork and aggression. Taylor had 16 sacks in 12 games as a senior and runs the 40 in 4.6 seconds.
A sampling of observations on Taylor:
''As good as any I've seen. He may even have an 'S' emblazoned on his chest.''
-- Mike Hickey, former director of player personnel for the Jets
"As a freshman playing on special teams, he'd jump a good six or seven feet in the air to block a punt, then land on the back of his neck."
-- former Tar Heels assistant coach Bobby Cale
"Taylor is a horse, a real horse. He's big and strong and fast and he goes all out on every play. How can you ask for more?" -- longtime NFL general manager Bobby Beathard
Taylor could command a steep salary, however, and agent Mike Trope describes the Hamilton Tiger-Cats, who hold Taylor's CFL rights, as a "viable alternative" to the NFL. Stay tuned.
NFC North blogger Kevin Seifert: Can you think of a better playmaker for a 3-4 defense? Green Bay might not offer the night life of, say, New York. But it sure beats a night spent "Dancing With the Stars."
10. 49ers: Troy Aikman, QB, UCLA
Team needs: offensive tackle, wide receiver, quarterback
Aikman possesses a strong arm, intelligence, ability to throw effectively on the run, confidence under pressure and sub-4.7 speed. The knock on him is that he started only two seasons in college, and that was in a Bruins offense that didn't necessarily develop his NFL skill set. "Aikman played [only] two [seasons], and in an offense that wasn't pro-style," said ESPN draft analyst Mel Kiper Jr. "But he's got all the physical tools, and he's a bright kid. In time, he'll be able to master the position, but it's going to take him a while." Aikman threw for 5,298 yards with 41 touchdown passes against 17 interceptions at UCLA. He completed 64.8 percent of his passes and led the Bruins to a 20-4 record. He might not want to wear his political leanings on his sleeve in San Francisco, however.
NFC West blogger Mike Sando: Coach Mike Singletary, eager to fill the Ted linebacker spot next to Patrick Willis, made a strong case for drafting himself. In the end, team president Jed York and general manager Scot McCloughan made a stronger case for selecting the most complete college passer in recent memory.
11. Bills: Bruce Smith, DL, Virginia Tech
Team needs: defensive end, offensive line, linebacker
Smith offers a tremendous combination of speed, strength and dexterity. He played up and down the defensive line at Virginia Tech to confuse opponents, and he projects as a dominant defensive end. He set a Virginia Tech record with 22 sacks as a junior and was the Outland Trophy winner as a senior. Smith ended his collegiate career with 46 sacks. Buffalo's selection of Smith likely will mean bad things for AFC East foes as he applies pressure from the edge.
AFC East blogger Tim Graham: The Bills hoped to land one of the defensive end Smiths and came away with Bruce Smith, who left Virginia Tech with 71 tackles for losses. Either Bruce or Bubba Smith would have filled a glaring need for a team that has struggled to mount any semblance of a pass rush in recent years.
12. Broncos: Herschel Walker, RB, Georgia
Team needs: defensive end, linebacker
It seems as if the Broncos, who used seven tailbacks in 2008 because of injuries, can never have enough backfield depth. So although they need help on defense, it's difficult to pass on Walker, who rushed for 5,259 yards and scored 52 touchdowns in just three seasons at Georgia. He was a consensus All-America selection each season, won a national championship as a freshman in 1980, and was a two-time All-American in track and field. Walker maintains an unorthodox training regimen, preferring a daily regimen of thousands of push-ups, sit-ups, pull-ups and dips to lifting weights. He also makes a great first impression.
AFC West blogger Bill Williamson: The Broncos have missed that special tailback since Terrell Davis was injured nearly a decade ago. Walker, another Georgia product, will be the next great tailback in Denver.
13. ********: Aundray Bruce, LB, Auburn
Team needs: offensive tackle, defensive end, linebacker
Washington can't resist the size and quickness of the 6-foot-6, 245-pounder, who runs a 4.6-second 40-yard dash. While at Auburn, Bruce showed the ability to take over games but sometimes lacked the motivation NFL teams usually expect from a franchise cornerstone. "We never knew which Aundray would show up," Auburn teammate Kurt Crain told Sports Illustrated. "That's his one drawback. I often had to tell him during games, 'C'mon, we need you.'" Nevertheless, the ******** seem convinced a taskmaster such as Jim Zorn can light a fire under Bruce.
NFC East blogger Matt Mosley: Owner Dan Snyder and exec Vinny Cerrato offered all four of their picks to trade up for Tony Mandarich, but the Bengals want to build around the Michigan State phenom. The ******** are settling for Bruce because they envision him doubling as a tight end by his fourth year.
14. Saints: Charles Woodson, CB, Michigan
Team needs: defensive back, linebacker, defensive tackle
The selection of Woodson, a 6-foot-1, 200-pounder with 4.43 speed, will bolster a vulnerable defensive backfield and could create a dangerous special teams tandem with Reggie Bush. Woodson provides blanket coverage and seems to make his biggest impact in significant games. He recorded eight interceptions and scored four touchdowns (one rushing, two receiving, one punt return) as a junior. Woodson was a starter for all but two games of his three seasons at Michigan and has the ability to make plays others would look silly attempting.
NFC South blogger Pat Yasinskas: The Saints spent the free-agency period quietly overhauling their defense. Now, they have a marquee name to top it off. Woodson is a defensive player with a Heisman Trophy. New coordinator Gregg Williams can build around him. Heck, with Woodson's return skills, Bush could be sent packing.
15. Texans: Earl Campbell, RB, Texas
Team needs: safety, defensive tackle, running back
Running back isn't an urgent need for the Texans, but how can they pass on a homegrown human wrecking ball who commands total attention from opposing defenses? Campbell doesn't possess blinding speed -- he runs a 4.6 in the 40 -- but his 5-foot-11, 244-pound build and 36-inch thighs allow him to plow over opponents. He will provide a bullish counterpart to the elusive Steve Slaton. Campbell rushed for 4,443 yards and 40 touchdowns at Texas. Said Oklahoma coach Barry Switzer: "Earl Campbell is the greatest player that ever suited up. He's the greatest football player I've ever seen. Billy Sims is human. Campbell isn't."
AFC South blogger Paul Kuharsky: Despite all their defensive needs, this amounts to a no-brainer -- a Texas Longhorn transforming into a Houston Texan. With Campbell's power and Slaton's speed, Houston could have an all-time backfield. It wasn't hard to pass on Dan Wilkinson, Russell Maryland and Buck Buchanan. There was no safety on the big board to consider, and the linebacker talent will be good enough later.
16. Chargers: Jim Thorpe, RB/DB, Carlisle
Team needs: offensive line, safety, running back
Chargers general manager A.J. Smith has a knack for drafting gifted athletes other teams have passed on, such as Shawne Merriman and Antonio Cromartie. Thorpe will fortify San Diego's defensive backfield and provide depth at tailback alongside LaDainian Tomlinson and Darren Sproles. He also can kick and punt if needed. Thorpe possesses arguably the most inherent talent of any player in this draft. He famously won Olympic gold medals in the decathlon and pentathlon, then followed up those feats by scoring 25 touchdowns his final season at Carlisle. How did the 6-foot-2, 195-pounder slip this far? Other clubs believe agent Drew Rosenhaus when he says his client is willing to play baseball full time if the NFL doesn't present a rich enough offer.
AFC West blogger Bill Williamson: A perfect eventual replacement for Tomlinson: Jim Thorpe, All-American. The Chargers' Super Bowl window is far from closed with this addition.
17. Jets: Michael Vick, QB, Virginia Tech
Team needs: quarterback, wide receiver, defensive end
No doubt this is a risky pick, considering Peyton Manning and Terry Bradshaw are still on the board. On one hand, Vick offers a tantalizing combination of athleticism -- a 4.33 time in the 40 and a 40½-inch vertical leap -- and upside. It's not unreasonable to project him as the greatest running quarterback in NFL history. However, his inexperience is a significant question mark. He played only two seasons after redshirting his first year at Virginia Tech, and the 6-foot, 214-pound lefty completed only 56.3 of his passes. "I think if he was 6-3 or 6-4, people would be saying he's the next John Elway," former NFL general manager Randy Mueller told the New Orleans Times-Picayune. "He has great poise in the pocket, especially when things break down. There's no panic." Regardless, once the Jets saw this workout footage, their minds were made up.
AFC East blogger Tim Graham: Everybody wondered who would take the chance on the wildly talented Virginia Tech star. Now the Jets have to figure out what to do with him. With classic pocket passers such as Bradshaw and Manning available, the Jets went with a scrambler who will make offensive coordinator Brian Schottenheimer scrap his playbook.
18. Broncos: John Matuszak, DE, Tampa
Team needs: defensive end, linebacker
Some pundits question Matuszak's character, but his 6-foot-9, 280-pound frame is more than enough to make many talent evaluators overlook the red flags. He was kicked off the team at Missouri after beating up a serviceman at a fraternity party as a sophomore. Later, he punched a Tampa teammate during a pickup basketball game, crushing his cheekbone and eye socket. He also was arrested for possession of marijuana while at Tampa. Under coach Earle Bruce, Matuszak and quarterback Freddie Solomon led Tampa to its best season, 10-2 with a Tangerine Bowl victory, in 1972. The Broncos might be wise to keep him out of LoDo, however, where he might be tempted to party like a rock Starr.
AFC West blogger Bill Williamson: Where's the party? Apparently, it's in Denver. The Broncos parlay the Jay Cutler trade into getting Matuszak. One of the great all-time gridiron party animals now is in charge of reinventing the "Orange Crush" defense.
19. Buccaneers: Peyton Manning, QB, Tennessee
Team needs: quarterback, defensive line, wide receiver
Manning has the pedigree and intelligence to virtually guarantee he can succeed in the NFL. Yet some scouts openly wonder whether he's much closer to his ceiling than some of the other quarterbacks available. Nevertheless, there's much to be said for his level of maturity. He's an academic All-American who graduated with a 3.61 GPA. Manning's arm strength has been nitpicked by some, but that criticism is unfounded. While the 6-foot-5, 235-pounder will never be called elusive, his 4.9 speed should be enough to keep him out of trouble. Manning might be considered a safe pick by some, but at least you know he will never embarrass the franchise.
NFC South blogger Pat Yasinskas: In his first season, coach Raheem Morris has the chance to get the franchise quarterback Jon Gruden never could. Manning sure has the résumé coming out of Tennessee. But you have to worry about why he fell all the way to No. 19. Maybe the Bucs got a sleeper, or maybe he's destined to badly misfire … until he puts on another uniform -- like Steve Young, Vinny Testaverde and Trent Dilfer.
20. Lions: Charles Rogers, WR, Michigan State
Team needs: offensive line
Offensive line is the listed need, but Detroit has a bit of a history of deviating from conventional wisdom. This pick was acquired from Dallas in the Roy Williams trade, so why not consider reaching for a wideout to replace him -- especially a Michigan native. While he's closer to 6-foot-2 than the 6-4 he was listed at in college, the 205-pound Rogers has enough speed -- 4.4 in the 40 -- to make plays. However, concentration and work ethic aren't strong points. He passed Kirk Gibson as Michigan State's career leader in touchdown catches in 2002, finishing with 27. The previous season, Rogers shared Spartans MVP honors with the timekeeper.
NFC North blogger Kevin Seifert: The Lions go for the sure thing. Yes, they need an offensive lineman, but the big guys are so hard to project. Detroit is where receivers go to flourish.
21. Eagles: Red Grange, RB, Illinois
Team needs: offensive tackle, running back, wide receiver
The "Galloping Ghost" is undersized at 5-foot-11, 175 pounds, but his gridiron instincts are unmistakable. His speed and agility are apparent on film, and he has the ability to turn broken plays into big gains. He also punted for the Illini. Grange's stock began to soar in a legendary performance against Michigan as a junior. After returning the opening kickoff 95 yards for a touchdown, he scored on rushes of 67, 56 and 44 yards in the first quarter, personally equaling the number of touchdowns the Wolverines had allowed the two previous seasons. He finished with 212 rushing yards on 21 carries and added a passing touchdown and a fourth rushing touchdown. Grange rushed for 31 touchdowns and threw for six more in 20 career games for the Illini.
NFC East blogger Matt Mosley: Grange pops off the screen with his cutback ability and vision, but the grainy footage is often misleading, despite the Ted Turner colorization process. Unbelievable numbers, but concussion concerns due to leather helmet.
22. Vikings: Terry Bradshaw, QB, Louisiana Tech
Team needs: quarterback, offensive line, wide receiver
Bradshaw is a hard-nosed, 6-foot-3, 215-pounder, and scouts rave about his arm strength, mobility, poise and competitive mindset. He has faced scrutiny for not playing against elite opposition, but his stock soared after his MVP performance in the Senior Bowl. Bradshaw led NCAA Division II with 2,890 yards of total offense as a junior in 1968. He threw 42 touchdown passes at Louisiana Tech despite not becoming a full-time starter until his junior season. Bradshaw's Southern upbringing and respectful demeanor seem to greatly reduce the possibility of his taking unnecessary risks off the field.
NFC North blogger Kevin Seifert: Finally, the Vikings address their pressing need for a backup to rising star Tarvaris Jackson. Bradshaw isn't fancy and doesn't project as a starter, but he should prove to be a competent short-term replacement should Jackson suffer an injury.
23. Patriots: Bronko Nagurski, DT/OT/RB, Minnesota
Team needs: linebacker, defensive back, offensive tackle
Extremely tough and versatile, Nagurski is a prototypical Bill Belichick player. He played tackle on both sides of the ball and fullback in college, but the 6-foot-2, 226-pounder projects as a linebacker in the NFL. Nagurski's offensive skill also bodes well for him as an eligible-receiver replacement for the traded Mike Vrabel in goal-line situations. A throwback such as Nagurski probably serves as his own agent, too, which could bode well for the Pats in contract negotiations. How valuable was Nagurski as a college player? He led Minnesota to a Big Ten title … although he never won the Bronko Nagurski Trophy, awarded annually to the nation's top defensive player.
AFC East blogger Tim Graham: The Patriots made a head-scratcher of a move by drafting Nagurski, a versatile athlete who excelled as an offensive tackle at Minnesota but might project best as a fullback. The Patriots could use him at linebacker, but they passed on %$@# Butkus. If they wanted an offensive tackle, they could've taken Anthony Muñoz.
24. Falcons: Ed "Too Tall" Jones, DE, Tennessee State
Team needs: defensive tackle, linebacker, offensive tackle
Jones doesn't strictly fit the Falcons' need for a defensive tackle, but how do you pass up the opportunity to select a 6-foot-9 pass-rusher with an 88-inch wingspan? Perhaps Jamaal Anderson could move inside, or Jones could play tackle. Either way, you don't leave this guy on the board. Although Jones played at a small college and is somewhat underweight for a man his size, his upside is downright tantalizing to scouts. Jones anchored the defense of the 1973 black college national champions, and his voice commands respect in the locker room. Take a listen.
NFC South blogger Pat Yasinskas: Atlanta coach Mike Smith was stunned when Jones fell to No. 24, saying, "He was the No. 1 player on our board." This one's a gift for the Falcons, who drafted quarterback Matt Ryan in 2008. But you have to wonder whether Jones, who played against some suspect competition with Tennessee State, will be able to immediately work his way into the lineup ahead of Anderson.
25. Dolphins: Chuck Bednarik, LB/C, Penn
Team needs: wide receiver, cornerback, linebacker
"Concrete Charlie" perfectly fits the mold of a Bill Parcells player. He's older and more mature than most draft-eligible players, having already served in the Air Force. After flying 30 wartime combat missions, we suspect he will be able to handle the pressures of pro football. At 6-foot-3, 230 pounds, Bednarik is a durable and devastating tackler. Penn went 24-7-1 in his four seasons there and was ranked as high as No. 7 in the nation during his junior year. However, the Dolphins' strength and conditioning coach might want to have a word or two with Bednarik when he arrives in Miami.
AFC East blogger Tim Graham: Dolphins football operations boss Parcells has been googly-eyed since he noticed the two-way roughneck might fall to him with the 25th pick. Bednarik is a decorated World War II aerial gunner with a Penn education. The Dolphins needed a center to anchor their line and a hard-hitting inside linebacker. With one pick, they filled both needs.
26. Ravens: %$@# Butkus, LB, Illinois
Team needs: wide receiver, cornerback, linebacker
Can you imagine Butkus playing alongside Ray Lewis and Terrell Suggs? "%$@# was so strong and agile and possessed great quickness," said Pete Elliott, who coached Butkus at Illinois. "His biggest attributes, however, were his instincts and his desire. … He is the finest football player I have ever coached." Butkus made 374 tackles in 26 career college games and was a two-time consensus pick as a first-team All-American. In his junior season, he made 145 tackles and forced 10 fumbles as the Illini (8-1-1) captured the Big Ten title and won the Rose Bowl. Butkus also played center at Illinois. To be on the safe side, the Ravens might want to insist on contract language to keep Butkus from playing water polo.
AFC North blogger James Walker: The Ravens have bigger needs (wide receiver), but grabbing a tremendous value pick in linebacker Butkus was too good to pass up. With the loss of Bart Scott in free agency, Butkus should fit in extremely well next to future Hall of Famer Ray Lewis, who will teach the rookie how to play the position in hopes that Butkus carries on the strong linebacker tradition in Baltimore.
27. Colts: Barry Sanders, RB, Oklahoma State
Team needs: defensive tackle, wide receiver, running back
Sanders boasts the sort of eye-popping measurables scouts crave: 4.39 seconds in the 40-yard dash, 41½-inch vertical leap and 10 feet, 11 inches in the standing broad jump. As a junior, he rushed for a Division I-A record 2,628 yards, produced 3,249 all-purpose yards and scored 39 touchdowns. The downside is Sanders' slight build (5-foot-8, 195 pounds) and relative inexperience (he started only as a junior after backing up Thurman Thomas for two seasons). However, good luck getting a square hit on him. Sanders is one of the most elusive and agile tailbacks ever to grace the ranks of college football.
AFC South blogger Paul Kuharsky: Their needs at wide receiver, linebacker and defensive tackle might have been bigger, but the only real temptation at any of those spots was Irving Fryar. Sanders is a major upgrade over Joseph Addai and helps the Colts balance their offense. Sanders won't be dangerous only on handoffs. He can also be a quality target on short stuff.
28. Bills: Anthony Muñoz, OT, USC
Team needs: offensive line, linebacker
The Bills received this pick in the Jason Peters trade and immediately move to replace the two-time Pro Bowl left tackle. In spite of injury concerns about Muñoz, Buffalo takes the 6-foot-6, 292-pounder who runs a 5.0 in the 40. He's as fundamentally sound as any offensive line prospect ever, but he has undergone three major surgeries in four years to repair torn ligaments in both knees -- raising major questions about his durability. He played just one injury-free season at USC, as a sophomore, and just one game in its entirety his senior year. Still, his quickness, strength and technique are so impressive many scouts are calling Muñoz a can't-miss prospect. "He's potentially the most outstanding offensive lineman I ever saw anywhere," said former USC coach John Robinson. Agent Mike Trope, who also represents Lawrence Taylor, has threatened to steer Munñoz to a pitching career in baseball if contract negotiations aren't to their liking.
AFC East blogger Tim Graham: A few years ago, the Bills drafted Willis McGahee 23rd overall even though he was coming off reconstructive knee surgery. They made another risky pick this year, passing up Alabama quarterback Joe Namath to select Munñoz.
29. Giants: Don Hutson, WR, Alabama
Team needs: wide receiver, linebacker
After cutting ties with troubled wideout Plaxico Burress, the Giants waste no time in reaching for another No. 1 receiver. Hutson is a 6-foot-1, 185-pounder with a legendary work ethic. He has above-average speed and perhaps the best hands of any receiving prospect. He's also elusive, with a gift for shifting speeds. Although his 40 time is unavailable, the former track star has been clocked at 9.8 seconds over 100 yards -- and isn't that a more indicative football distance, anyway? Hutson arrived at Alabama on a partial baseball scholarship and went out for the football team as a walk-on. Two All-America selections later, the "Alabama Antelope" capped his collegiate career by catching two long touchdown passes in a Rose Bowl victory over Stanford, as the Crimson Tide finished the 1934 season 10-0. Hutson has experience in the business world and might opt to represent himself in contract negotiations. He operated a campus dry-cleaning service with Alabama teammate Paul "Bear" Bryant.
NFC East blogger Matt Mosley: With Burress in the rearview mirror, the Giants go with the best receiver on the board. General manager Jerry Reese praised Hutson for the way he complemented the Crimson Tide's other wideout, Bryant.
30. Titans: Steve Emtman, DT, Washington
Team needs: wide receiver, quarterback, defensive tackle
Tennessee tabs a 6-foot-4, 290-pound weightlifting disciple who was the defensive cornerstone of Washington's 1991 national championship team. Behind Emtman, a physical, intense run-stuffer, the Huskies allowed a mere 9.2 points and 67.1 rushing yards per game that season. Although not an outstanding pass-rusher, he is a dominant inside presence with an exemplary work ethic who occupies multiple blockers and frees up teammates to make plays. Emtman was a consensus first-team All-America selection and captured the Outland Trophy and the Lombardi Award as a junior.
AFC South blogger Paul Kuharsky: Emtman, who left college a year early, anchored a tremendous defense at Washington. The Titans believe they can play him inside or out and get excellent pass-rushing and run-stuffing. But Tennessee's line is still a very good unit despite losing Albert Haynesworth. The Titans would have been better served drafting their quarterback of the future (Carson Palmer) or a big-play wide receiver (Irving Fryar).
31. Cardinals: Eric Dickerson, RB, SMU
Team needs: running back, linebacker, offensive line
Dickerson is a hybrid in the best sense of the word. At 6-foot-3, 218 pounds, scouts like that he has the strength of a fullback. Yet he boasts halfback speed -- 4.45 in the 40. He's a refined runner with an upright style and an uncanny ability to shed tacklers. Dickerson ran roughshod over Southwest Conference opponents for SMU, whichoutbid Texas A&M for his services successfully recruited him with the promise of excellent academic opportunities. He broke Earl Campbell's SWC career rushing mark with 4,450 yards in just three seasons and while sharing carries with Pony Express backfield mate Craig James. We just hope Dickerson complies with NFL uniform guidelines. Get the checkbook ready Cardinals, Dickerson has already turned down an offer of more than $1 million from the USFL.
NFC West blogger Mike Sando: Anquan Boldin was still on the board, but team president Michael Bidwill and general manager Rod Graves sense they'll have an easier time negotiating with Dickerson's agent, Leigh Steinberg, than with Boldin's man, Drew Rosenhaus. A chance to arm Kurt Warner with a potential Hall of Fame running back proves irresistible.
32. Steelers: Ron Yary, OT, USC
Team needs: offensive tackle, defensive end, cornerback
Obviously, there's no need to start from scratch in the wake of a Super Bowl championship. Nevertheless, the Steelers did allow Ben Roethlisberger to be sacked nine times in a loss to the Eagles last season. Considering the investment Pittsburgh has made in its quarterback, adding a franchise tackle makes perfect sense. As a sophomore, Yary was the Pac-8 defensive lineman of the year. Moving to offensive tackle as a junior, he received consensus All-America honors. The 6-foot-6, 245-pounder was a unanimous All-America selection and Outland Trophy winner as a senior, opening lanes for O.J. Simpson.
AFC North blogger James Walker: The defending champions got lucky with this pick. The Steelers were able to fill their biggest need and take the best player on their board in Yary. Pittsburgh already announced Yary will be roommates in training camp with fellow USC alum Troy Polamalu, who will share college stories and teach Yary the "Steeler way."
By Thomas Neumann
Page 2
NFL Mock Draft For The Ages
So many different spins have been put on the NFL draft. Who were the biggest busts? Who were the most memorable steals? What were the greatest drafts by team? What was the best draft class? Which positions pay the most dividends? Etc.
In short, it's difficult to break new ground in discussion of the draft, which has mushroomed into one of the biggest preoccupations of the entire sports calendar for fans. Nevertheless, we reach deep into our imaginations to come up with a fresh, delightfully preposterous spin:
What if we could hop in a time machine and bring back all the best prospects in history for this year's draft? Of course, professional accomplishments don't count. This exercise is based strictly on the scouting reports at the conclusion of college careers. Our big board is an amalgam of only the most ballyhooed prospects. With a few exceptions, these are players who were drafted in the top five overall. Players such as Joe Montana and Tom Brady, who were seen as too physically limited by many evaluators, need not apply.
So suspend your disbelief, and let's get this party started … based on this year's draft order and team needs.
1. Lions: John Elway, QB, Stanford
Team needs: quarterback, offensive line
In hopes of landing Detroit's first franchise quarterback since Bobby Layne more than 50 years ago, the Lions reach for arguably the best college prospect ever with the opening selection. Elway boasts a truly extraordinary combination of arm strength, accuracy and mobility. The 6-foot-3, 215-pounder passed for 9,349 yards and 77 touchdowns, completing 62.1 percent of his attempts. Too bad he didn't play on special teams. Wait … this just in: Elway's representatives are saying the Stanford star, who played two seasons of college baseball, refuses to play for Detroit and demands his rights be traded. Meantime, he reportedly is negotiating a 10-year deal with the New York Yankees and is willing to pursue a baseball career if the Lions don't comply. Stay tuned.
NFC North blogger Kevin Seifert: Luckily, Detroit grabbed the Stanford quarterback before the Colts had a chance. Surely, Elway will have no problem playing for a Lions team that just missed winning (all) 16 games last season.
2. Rams: Orlando Pace, OT, Ohio State
Team needs: offensive tackle, linebacker, wide receiver
In need of a left tackle to replace recently released Orlando Pace, the Rams select … Orlando Pace, the 6-foot-7, 334-pound Ohio State standout who popularized the term "pancake" in the football lexicon. Pace won the Outland Trophy as a junior and is the only two-time winner of the Vince Lombardi Award. He didn't allow a sack in his final two seasons with the Buckeyes, and he was a unanimous All-America selection both years. Said Ohio State strength and conditioning coach Dave Kennedy: "I've never seen anyone like Orlando. The way he runs the 40, especially for a man his size. Let me put it this way: He could fit in well with the tight ends. … He's agile enough to be a defensive lineman." Indeed. Pace has been timed at 4.85 in the 40-yard dash, same as the Heisman winner from his final college season, Danny Wuerffel.
NFC West blogger Mike Sando: The Rams wanted a physical presence for their offensive line. Although Tony Mandarich appealed to unnamed members within the organization, general manager Billy Devaney ultimately couldn't resist Pace's stunning athleticism.
3. Chiefs: Bubba Smith, DE, Michigan State
Team needs: defensive line, offensive tackle
At 6-foot-8, 280 pounds, Smith fills a significant need and provides an intimidating complement to Glenn Dorsey. Smith was routinely double- and triple-teamed by opponents in college, and he anchored a Spartans defense that ranked No. 1 nationally against the run in 1965. Most impressive is that he's the only guy we know of who grabbed the whole backfield, then threw guys out until he found the one with the ball. Further, Smith's presence as an authority figure can't hurt in the locker room.
AFC West blogger Bill Williamson: This pick is a brilliant start to the Scott Pioli era in Kansas City. The Chiefs were the most faceless, least intimidating defense in the NFL last season. Bubba changes that in a hurry.
4. Seahawks: O.J. Simpson, RB, USC
Team needs: offensive tackle, cornerback, running back
Simpson boasts an extremely rare combination of power, agility and speed, even if he doesn't have 307 cubic inches of standard V-8 engine. After scoring 54 touchdowns in two seasons at City College of San Francisco, he rushed for 3,187 yards and scored 34 touchdowns in two seasons at USC. "He's not only a wonderful football player, but he's a wonderful young man," said former USC president Norman Topping. Ultimately, Seattle opts to select Simpson instead of entertaining overtures from the Broncos to trade the pick.
NFC West blogger Mike Sando: General manager Tim Ruskell has built his reputation in Seattle by drawing a hard line against high-risk prospects who have demonstrated a pattern of nefarious off-field behavior. The 21-year-old Simpson checks out favorably on all fronts after his former USC teammate and Bay Area prep rival, Mike Holmgren, offers a glowing recommendation.
5. Browns: Lee Roy Selmon, DL, Oklahoma
Team needs: defensive end, linebacker, defensive back
Cleveland identifies arguably the most promising defensive line prospect ever. In addition to the skills that garnered him the Outland Trophy and Vince Lombardi Award in 1975, Selmon is an academic All-American with tremendous leadership qualities. He was considered such a sure thing coming out of college that the Steelers supposedly were willing to trade all 21 of their 1976 draft picks for his rights. The only question is what the Browns should serve at Selmon's introductory news conference.
AFC North blogger James Walker: The Browns made the first surprise pick of the draft in taking Selmon. Cleveland primarily needed linebacker help for its 3-4 defense. Many draft experts felt hybrid defender Lawrence Taylor would be a better fit to help the Browns' atrocious pass rush, but time will tell.
6. Bengals: Tony Mandarich, OT, Michigan State
Team needs: defensive end, offensive tackle, linebacker
Many pundits consider Mandarich to be the most promising offensive lineman ever produced by the collegiate ranks. His massive build, Herculean strength and ability to pound opponents into submission make him an appealing choice for a team with a relatively stationary quarterback. He was named to the All-Madden team while still at Michigan State. Skeptics insist Mandarich's abilities -- the 6-foot-5, 305-pounder benches nearly 550 pounds and runs a 4.65 in the 40-yard dash -- are enhanced by steroids. Still, he never failed a drug test in college. Come on, does this look like someone who isn't doing it naturally?
AFC North blogger James Walker: The Bengals, who traditionally do not scout well, have emphatically deemed offensive tackle Mandarich a "can't-miss prospect." Cincinnati franchise quarterback Carson Palmer has had two season-ending injuries (knee, elbow) the past four seasons and desperately needs Mandarich to prolong his career. The Bengals are banking on it.
7. Raiders: Bo Jackson, RB, Auburn
Team needs: wide receiver, offensive tackle, center
Oakland already has multitalented tailback Darren McFadden in the fold, but general partner Al Davis apparently is smitten with the idea of teaming Jackson and McFadden in the same backfield. Jackson's athletic versatility is second to none. He's a two-time Alabama prep decathlon champion who also starred in baseball at Auburn. We also should mention that 6-foot-1, 227-pound Jackson ran a 4.12 40-yard dash at the scouting combine. Seriously. Jackson rushed for 4,303 yards and 43 touchdowns at Auburn, averaging 6.6 yards per carry. He also receives high marks from scouts for vision, instincts and cutting ability. Said former Cowboys executive Gil Brandt: "He will be an immediate star in this league."
AFC West blogger Bill Williamson: Jackson will find a crowded backfield in Oakland. The Raiders don't know what to do with the running backs they already have. But Bo is a perfect Raiders back.
8. Jaguars: Calvin Johnson, WR, Georgia Tech
Team needs: cornerback, wide receiver, defensive tackle
The Jaguars get arguably the most physically gifted wide receiver in college history by reaching for Georgia Tech's career leader in receiving yards and touchdown receptions. Check out these measurables: 4.35 seconds in the 40, 42½-inch vertical leap and an 11-foot, 7-inch standing broad jump. This pick should give Jacksonville the elusive star receiver the team has sought by using first-round picks on R. Jay Soward, Reggie Williams and Matt Jones since 2000. Johnson admitted in pre-draft interviews with teams that he has smoked marijuana, but he passed drug screening at the NFL combine.
AFC South blogger Paul Kuharsky: Jacksonville believes it will end a long, bad stretch of receiver selections with big, athletic Johnson, who is viewed as a can't-miss talent coming out of Georgia Tech, where he averaged 16.4 yards a catch and scored 28 touchdowns in three seasons. The biggest other temptation was cornerback Charles Woodson.
9. Packers: Lawrence Taylor, DE/LB, North Carolina
Team needs: defensive end, linebacker, offensive tackle
Taylor is the prototype for a speed-rushing outside linebacker, a 6-foot-3, 242-pound package of quickness, power, footwork and aggression. Taylor had 16 sacks in 12 games as a senior and runs the 40 in 4.6 seconds.
A sampling of observations on Taylor:
''As good as any I've seen. He may even have an 'S' emblazoned on his chest.''
-- Mike Hickey, former director of player personnel for the Jets
"As a freshman playing on special teams, he'd jump a good six or seven feet in the air to block a punt, then land on the back of his neck."
-- former Tar Heels assistant coach Bobby Cale
"Taylor is a horse, a real horse. He's big and strong and fast and he goes all out on every play. How can you ask for more?" -- longtime NFL general manager Bobby Beathard
Taylor could command a steep salary, however, and agent Mike Trope describes the Hamilton Tiger-Cats, who hold Taylor's CFL rights, as a "viable alternative" to the NFL. Stay tuned.
NFC North blogger Kevin Seifert: Can you think of a better playmaker for a 3-4 defense? Green Bay might not offer the night life of, say, New York. But it sure beats a night spent "Dancing With the Stars."
10. 49ers: Troy Aikman, QB, UCLA
Team needs: offensive tackle, wide receiver, quarterback
Aikman possesses a strong arm, intelligence, ability to throw effectively on the run, confidence under pressure and sub-4.7 speed. The knock on him is that he started only two seasons in college, and that was in a Bruins offense that didn't necessarily develop his NFL skill set. "Aikman played [only] two [seasons], and in an offense that wasn't pro-style," said ESPN draft analyst Mel Kiper Jr. "But he's got all the physical tools, and he's a bright kid. In time, he'll be able to master the position, but it's going to take him a while." Aikman threw for 5,298 yards with 41 touchdown passes against 17 interceptions at UCLA. He completed 64.8 percent of his passes and led the Bruins to a 20-4 record. He might not want to wear his political leanings on his sleeve in San Francisco, however.
NFC West blogger Mike Sando: Coach Mike Singletary, eager to fill the Ted linebacker spot next to Patrick Willis, made a strong case for drafting himself. In the end, team president Jed York and general manager Scot McCloughan made a stronger case for selecting the most complete college passer in recent memory.
11. Bills: Bruce Smith, DL, Virginia Tech
Team needs: defensive end, offensive line, linebacker
Smith offers a tremendous combination of speed, strength and dexterity. He played up and down the defensive line at Virginia Tech to confuse opponents, and he projects as a dominant defensive end. He set a Virginia Tech record with 22 sacks as a junior and was the Outland Trophy winner as a senior. Smith ended his collegiate career with 46 sacks. Buffalo's selection of Smith likely will mean bad things for AFC East foes as he applies pressure from the edge.
AFC East blogger Tim Graham: The Bills hoped to land one of the defensive end Smiths and came away with Bruce Smith, who left Virginia Tech with 71 tackles for losses. Either Bruce or Bubba Smith would have filled a glaring need for a team that has struggled to mount any semblance of a pass rush in recent years.
12. Broncos: Herschel Walker, RB, Georgia
Team needs: defensive end, linebacker
It seems as if the Broncos, who used seven tailbacks in 2008 because of injuries, can never have enough backfield depth. So although they need help on defense, it's difficult to pass on Walker, who rushed for 5,259 yards and scored 52 touchdowns in just three seasons at Georgia. He was a consensus All-America selection each season, won a national championship as a freshman in 1980, and was a two-time All-American in track and field. Walker maintains an unorthodox training regimen, preferring a daily regimen of thousands of push-ups, sit-ups, pull-ups and dips to lifting weights. He also makes a great first impression.
AFC West blogger Bill Williamson: The Broncos have missed that special tailback since Terrell Davis was injured nearly a decade ago. Walker, another Georgia product, will be the next great tailback in Denver.
13. ********: Aundray Bruce, LB, Auburn
Team needs: offensive tackle, defensive end, linebacker
Washington can't resist the size and quickness of the 6-foot-6, 245-pounder, who runs a 4.6-second 40-yard dash. While at Auburn, Bruce showed the ability to take over games but sometimes lacked the motivation NFL teams usually expect from a franchise cornerstone. "We never knew which Aundray would show up," Auburn teammate Kurt Crain told Sports Illustrated. "That's his one drawback. I often had to tell him during games, 'C'mon, we need you.'" Nevertheless, the ******** seem convinced a taskmaster such as Jim Zorn can light a fire under Bruce.
NFC East blogger Matt Mosley: Owner Dan Snyder and exec Vinny Cerrato offered all four of their picks to trade up for Tony Mandarich, but the Bengals want to build around the Michigan State phenom. The ******** are settling for Bruce because they envision him doubling as a tight end by his fourth year.
14. Saints: Charles Woodson, CB, Michigan
Team needs: defensive back, linebacker, defensive tackle
The selection of Woodson, a 6-foot-1, 200-pounder with 4.43 speed, will bolster a vulnerable defensive backfield and could create a dangerous special teams tandem with Reggie Bush. Woodson provides blanket coverage and seems to make his biggest impact in significant games. He recorded eight interceptions and scored four touchdowns (one rushing, two receiving, one punt return) as a junior. Woodson was a starter for all but two games of his three seasons at Michigan and has the ability to make plays others would look silly attempting.
NFC South blogger Pat Yasinskas: The Saints spent the free-agency period quietly overhauling their defense. Now, they have a marquee name to top it off. Woodson is a defensive player with a Heisman Trophy. New coordinator Gregg Williams can build around him. Heck, with Woodson's return skills, Bush could be sent packing.
15. Texans: Earl Campbell, RB, Texas
Team needs: safety, defensive tackle, running back
Running back isn't an urgent need for the Texans, but how can they pass on a homegrown human wrecking ball who commands total attention from opposing defenses? Campbell doesn't possess blinding speed -- he runs a 4.6 in the 40 -- but his 5-foot-11, 244-pound build and 36-inch thighs allow him to plow over opponents. He will provide a bullish counterpart to the elusive Steve Slaton. Campbell rushed for 4,443 yards and 40 touchdowns at Texas. Said Oklahoma coach Barry Switzer: "Earl Campbell is the greatest player that ever suited up. He's the greatest football player I've ever seen. Billy Sims is human. Campbell isn't."
AFC South blogger Paul Kuharsky: Despite all their defensive needs, this amounts to a no-brainer -- a Texas Longhorn transforming into a Houston Texan. With Campbell's power and Slaton's speed, Houston could have an all-time backfield. It wasn't hard to pass on Dan Wilkinson, Russell Maryland and Buck Buchanan. There was no safety on the big board to consider, and the linebacker talent will be good enough later.
16. Chargers: Jim Thorpe, RB/DB, Carlisle
Team needs: offensive line, safety, running back
Chargers general manager A.J. Smith has a knack for drafting gifted athletes other teams have passed on, such as Shawne Merriman and Antonio Cromartie. Thorpe will fortify San Diego's defensive backfield and provide depth at tailback alongside LaDainian Tomlinson and Darren Sproles. He also can kick and punt if needed. Thorpe possesses arguably the most inherent talent of any player in this draft. He famously won Olympic gold medals in the decathlon and pentathlon, then followed up those feats by scoring 25 touchdowns his final season at Carlisle. How did the 6-foot-2, 195-pounder slip this far? Other clubs believe agent Drew Rosenhaus when he says his client is willing to play baseball full time if the NFL doesn't present a rich enough offer.
AFC West blogger Bill Williamson: A perfect eventual replacement for Tomlinson: Jim Thorpe, All-American. The Chargers' Super Bowl window is far from closed with this addition.
17. Jets: Michael Vick, QB, Virginia Tech
Team needs: quarterback, wide receiver, defensive end
No doubt this is a risky pick, considering Peyton Manning and Terry Bradshaw are still on the board. On one hand, Vick offers a tantalizing combination of athleticism -- a 4.33 time in the 40 and a 40½-inch vertical leap -- and upside. It's not unreasonable to project him as the greatest running quarterback in NFL history. However, his inexperience is a significant question mark. He played only two seasons after redshirting his first year at Virginia Tech, and the 6-foot, 214-pound lefty completed only 56.3 of his passes. "I think if he was 6-3 or 6-4, people would be saying he's the next John Elway," former NFL general manager Randy Mueller told the New Orleans Times-Picayune. "He has great poise in the pocket, especially when things break down. There's no panic." Regardless, once the Jets saw this workout footage, their minds were made up.
AFC East blogger Tim Graham: Everybody wondered who would take the chance on the wildly talented Virginia Tech star. Now the Jets have to figure out what to do with him. With classic pocket passers such as Bradshaw and Manning available, the Jets went with a scrambler who will make offensive coordinator Brian Schottenheimer scrap his playbook.
18. Broncos: John Matuszak, DE, Tampa
Team needs: defensive end, linebacker
Some pundits question Matuszak's character, but his 6-foot-9, 280-pound frame is more than enough to make many talent evaluators overlook the red flags. He was kicked off the team at Missouri after beating up a serviceman at a fraternity party as a sophomore. Later, he punched a Tampa teammate during a pickup basketball game, crushing his cheekbone and eye socket. He also was arrested for possession of marijuana while at Tampa. Under coach Earle Bruce, Matuszak and quarterback Freddie Solomon led Tampa to its best season, 10-2 with a Tangerine Bowl victory, in 1972. The Broncos might be wise to keep him out of LoDo, however, where he might be tempted to party like a rock Starr.
AFC West blogger Bill Williamson: Where's the party? Apparently, it's in Denver. The Broncos parlay the Jay Cutler trade into getting Matuszak. One of the great all-time gridiron party animals now is in charge of reinventing the "Orange Crush" defense.
19. Buccaneers: Peyton Manning, QB, Tennessee
Team needs: quarterback, defensive line, wide receiver
Manning has the pedigree and intelligence to virtually guarantee he can succeed in the NFL. Yet some scouts openly wonder whether he's much closer to his ceiling than some of the other quarterbacks available. Nevertheless, there's much to be said for his level of maturity. He's an academic All-American who graduated with a 3.61 GPA. Manning's arm strength has been nitpicked by some, but that criticism is unfounded. While the 6-foot-5, 235-pounder will never be called elusive, his 4.9 speed should be enough to keep him out of trouble. Manning might be considered a safe pick by some, but at least you know he will never embarrass the franchise.
NFC South blogger Pat Yasinskas: In his first season, coach Raheem Morris has the chance to get the franchise quarterback Jon Gruden never could. Manning sure has the résumé coming out of Tennessee. But you have to worry about why he fell all the way to No. 19. Maybe the Bucs got a sleeper, or maybe he's destined to badly misfire … until he puts on another uniform -- like Steve Young, Vinny Testaverde and Trent Dilfer.
20. Lions: Charles Rogers, WR, Michigan State
Team needs: offensive line
Offensive line is the listed need, but Detroit has a bit of a history of deviating from conventional wisdom. This pick was acquired from Dallas in the Roy Williams trade, so why not consider reaching for a wideout to replace him -- especially a Michigan native. While he's closer to 6-foot-2 than the 6-4 he was listed at in college, the 205-pound Rogers has enough speed -- 4.4 in the 40 -- to make plays. However, concentration and work ethic aren't strong points. He passed Kirk Gibson as Michigan State's career leader in touchdown catches in 2002, finishing with 27. The previous season, Rogers shared Spartans MVP honors with the timekeeper.
NFC North blogger Kevin Seifert: The Lions go for the sure thing. Yes, they need an offensive lineman, but the big guys are so hard to project. Detroit is where receivers go to flourish.
21. Eagles: Red Grange, RB, Illinois
Team needs: offensive tackle, running back, wide receiver
The "Galloping Ghost" is undersized at 5-foot-11, 175 pounds, but his gridiron instincts are unmistakable. His speed and agility are apparent on film, and he has the ability to turn broken plays into big gains. He also punted for the Illini. Grange's stock began to soar in a legendary performance against Michigan as a junior. After returning the opening kickoff 95 yards for a touchdown, he scored on rushes of 67, 56 and 44 yards in the first quarter, personally equaling the number of touchdowns the Wolverines had allowed the two previous seasons. He finished with 212 rushing yards on 21 carries and added a passing touchdown and a fourth rushing touchdown. Grange rushed for 31 touchdowns and threw for six more in 20 career games for the Illini.
NFC East blogger Matt Mosley: Grange pops off the screen with his cutback ability and vision, but the grainy footage is often misleading, despite the Ted Turner colorization process. Unbelievable numbers, but concussion concerns due to leather helmet.
22. Vikings: Terry Bradshaw, QB, Louisiana Tech
Team needs: quarterback, offensive line, wide receiver
Bradshaw is a hard-nosed, 6-foot-3, 215-pounder, and scouts rave about his arm strength, mobility, poise and competitive mindset. He has faced scrutiny for not playing against elite opposition, but his stock soared after his MVP performance in the Senior Bowl. Bradshaw led NCAA Division II with 2,890 yards of total offense as a junior in 1968. He threw 42 touchdown passes at Louisiana Tech despite not becoming a full-time starter until his junior season. Bradshaw's Southern upbringing and respectful demeanor seem to greatly reduce the possibility of his taking unnecessary risks off the field.
NFC North blogger Kevin Seifert: Finally, the Vikings address their pressing need for a backup to rising star Tarvaris Jackson. Bradshaw isn't fancy and doesn't project as a starter, but he should prove to be a competent short-term replacement should Jackson suffer an injury.
23. Patriots: Bronko Nagurski, DT/OT/RB, Minnesota
Team needs: linebacker, defensive back, offensive tackle
Extremely tough and versatile, Nagurski is a prototypical Bill Belichick player. He played tackle on both sides of the ball and fullback in college, but the 6-foot-2, 226-pounder projects as a linebacker in the NFL. Nagurski's offensive skill also bodes well for him as an eligible-receiver replacement for the traded Mike Vrabel in goal-line situations. A throwback such as Nagurski probably serves as his own agent, too, which could bode well for the Pats in contract negotiations. How valuable was Nagurski as a college player? He led Minnesota to a Big Ten title … although he never won the Bronko Nagurski Trophy, awarded annually to the nation's top defensive player.
AFC East blogger Tim Graham: The Patriots made a head-scratcher of a move by drafting Nagurski, a versatile athlete who excelled as an offensive tackle at Minnesota but might project best as a fullback. The Patriots could use him at linebacker, but they passed on %$@# Butkus. If they wanted an offensive tackle, they could've taken Anthony Muñoz.
24. Falcons: Ed "Too Tall" Jones, DE, Tennessee State
Team needs: defensive tackle, linebacker, offensive tackle
Jones doesn't strictly fit the Falcons' need for a defensive tackle, but how do you pass up the opportunity to select a 6-foot-9 pass-rusher with an 88-inch wingspan? Perhaps Jamaal Anderson could move inside, or Jones could play tackle. Either way, you don't leave this guy on the board. Although Jones played at a small college and is somewhat underweight for a man his size, his upside is downright tantalizing to scouts. Jones anchored the defense of the 1973 black college national champions, and his voice commands respect in the locker room. Take a listen.
NFC South blogger Pat Yasinskas: Atlanta coach Mike Smith was stunned when Jones fell to No. 24, saying, "He was the No. 1 player on our board." This one's a gift for the Falcons, who drafted quarterback Matt Ryan in 2008. But you have to wonder whether Jones, who played against some suspect competition with Tennessee State, will be able to immediately work his way into the lineup ahead of Anderson.
25. Dolphins: Chuck Bednarik, LB/C, Penn
Team needs: wide receiver, cornerback, linebacker
"Concrete Charlie" perfectly fits the mold of a Bill Parcells player. He's older and more mature than most draft-eligible players, having already served in the Air Force. After flying 30 wartime combat missions, we suspect he will be able to handle the pressures of pro football. At 6-foot-3, 230 pounds, Bednarik is a durable and devastating tackler. Penn went 24-7-1 in his four seasons there and was ranked as high as No. 7 in the nation during his junior year. However, the Dolphins' strength and conditioning coach might want to have a word or two with Bednarik when he arrives in Miami.
AFC East blogger Tim Graham: Dolphins football operations boss Parcells has been googly-eyed since he noticed the two-way roughneck might fall to him with the 25th pick. Bednarik is a decorated World War II aerial gunner with a Penn education. The Dolphins needed a center to anchor their line and a hard-hitting inside linebacker. With one pick, they filled both needs.
26. Ravens: %$@# Butkus, LB, Illinois
Team needs: wide receiver, cornerback, linebacker
Can you imagine Butkus playing alongside Ray Lewis and Terrell Suggs? "%$@# was so strong and agile and possessed great quickness," said Pete Elliott, who coached Butkus at Illinois. "His biggest attributes, however, were his instincts and his desire. … He is the finest football player I have ever coached." Butkus made 374 tackles in 26 career college games and was a two-time consensus pick as a first-team All-American. In his junior season, he made 145 tackles and forced 10 fumbles as the Illini (8-1-1) captured the Big Ten title and won the Rose Bowl. Butkus also played center at Illinois. To be on the safe side, the Ravens might want to insist on contract language to keep Butkus from playing water polo.
AFC North blogger James Walker: The Ravens have bigger needs (wide receiver), but grabbing a tremendous value pick in linebacker Butkus was too good to pass up. With the loss of Bart Scott in free agency, Butkus should fit in extremely well next to future Hall of Famer Ray Lewis, who will teach the rookie how to play the position in hopes that Butkus carries on the strong linebacker tradition in Baltimore.
27. Colts: Barry Sanders, RB, Oklahoma State
Team needs: defensive tackle, wide receiver, running back
Sanders boasts the sort of eye-popping measurables scouts crave: 4.39 seconds in the 40-yard dash, 41½-inch vertical leap and 10 feet, 11 inches in the standing broad jump. As a junior, he rushed for a Division I-A record 2,628 yards, produced 3,249 all-purpose yards and scored 39 touchdowns. The downside is Sanders' slight build (5-foot-8, 195 pounds) and relative inexperience (he started only as a junior after backing up Thurman Thomas for two seasons). However, good luck getting a square hit on him. Sanders is one of the most elusive and agile tailbacks ever to grace the ranks of college football.
AFC South blogger Paul Kuharsky: Their needs at wide receiver, linebacker and defensive tackle might have been bigger, but the only real temptation at any of those spots was Irving Fryar. Sanders is a major upgrade over Joseph Addai and helps the Colts balance their offense. Sanders won't be dangerous only on handoffs. He can also be a quality target on short stuff.
28. Bills: Anthony Muñoz, OT, USC
Team needs: offensive line, linebacker
The Bills received this pick in the Jason Peters trade and immediately move to replace the two-time Pro Bowl left tackle. In spite of injury concerns about Muñoz, Buffalo takes the 6-foot-6, 292-pounder who runs a 5.0 in the 40. He's as fundamentally sound as any offensive line prospect ever, but he has undergone three major surgeries in four years to repair torn ligaments in both knees -- raising major questions about his durability. He played just one injury-free season at USC, as a sophomore, and just one game in its entirety his senior year. Still, his quickness, strength and technique are so impressive many scouts are calling Muñoz a can't-miss prospect. "He's potentially the most outstanding offensive lineman I ever saw anywhere," said former USC coach John Robinson. Agent Mike Trope, who also represents Lawrence Taylor, has threatened to steer Munñoz to a pitching career in baseball if contract negotiations aren't to their liking.
AFC East blogger Tim Graham: A few years ago, the Bills drafted Willis McGahee 23rd overall even though he was coming off reconstructive knee surgery. They made another risky pick this year, passing up Alabama quarterback Joe Namath to select Munñoz.
29. Giants: Don Hutson, WR, Alabama
Team needs: wide receiver, linebacker
After cutting ties with troubled wideout Plaxico Burress, the Giants waste no time in reaching for another No. 1 receiver. Hutson is a 6-foot-1, 185-pounder with a legendary work ethic. He has above-average speed and perhaps the best hands of any receiving prospect. He's also elusive, with a gift for shifting speeds. Although his 40 time is unavailable, the former track star has been clocked at 9.8 seconds over 100 yards -- and isn't that a more indicative football distance, anyway? Hutson arrived at Alabama on a partial baseball scholarship and went out for the football team as a walk-on. Two All-America selections later, the "Alabama Antelope" capped his collegiate career by catching two long touchdown passes in a Rose Bowl victory over Stanford, as the Crimson Tide finished the 1934 season 10-0. Hutson has experience in the business world and might opt to represent himself in contract negotiations. He operated a campus dry-cleaning service with Alabama teammate Paul "Bear" Bryant.
NFC East blogger Matt Mosley: With Burress in the rearview mirror, the Giants go with the best receiver on the board. General manager Jerry Reese praised Hutson for the way he complemented the Crimson Tide's other wideout, Bryant.
30. Titans: Steve Emtman, DT, Washington
Team needs: wide receiver, quarterback, defensive tackle
Tennessee tabs a 6-foot-4, 290-pound weightlifting disciple who was the defensive cornerstone of Washington's 1991 national championship team. Behind Emtman, a physical, intense run-stuffer, the Huskies allowed a mere 9.2 points and 67.1 rushing yards per game that season. Although not an outstanding pass-rusher, he is a dominant inside presence with an exemplary work ethic who occupies multiple blockers and frees up teammates to make plays. Emtman was a consensus first-team All-America selection and captured the Outland Trophy and the Lombardi Award as a junior.
AFC South blogger Paul Kuharsky: Emtman, who left college a year early, anchored a tremendous defense at Washington. The Titans believe they can play him inside or out and get excellent pass-rushing and run-stuffing. But Tennessee's line is still a very good unit despite losing Albert Haynesworth. The Titans would have been better served drafting their quarterback of the future (Carson Palmer) or a big-play wide receiver (Irving Fryar).
31. Cardinals: Eric Dickerson, RB, SMU
Team needs: running back, linebacker, offensive line
Dickerson is a hybrid in the best sense of the word. At 6-foot-3, 218 pounds, scouts like that he has the strength of a fullback. Yet he boasts halfback speed -- 4.45 in the 40. He's a refined runner with an upright style and an uncanny ability to shed tacklers. Dickerson ran roughshod over Southwest Conference opponents for SMU, which
NFC West blogger Mike Sando: Anquan Boldin was still on the board, but team president Michael Bidwill and general manager Rod Graves sense they'll have an easier time negotiating with Dickerson's agent, Leigh Steinberg, than with Boldin's man, Drew Rosenhaus. A chance to arm Kurt Warner with a potential Hall of Fame running back proves irresistible.
32. Steelers: Ron Yary, OT, USC
Team needs: offensive tackle, defensive end, cornerback
Obviously, there's no need to start from scratch in the wake of a Super Bowl championship. Nevertheless, the Steelers did allow Ben Roethlisberger to be sacked nine times in a loss to the Eagles last season. Considering the investment Pittsburgh has made in its quarterback, adding a franchise tackle makes perfect sense. As a sophomore, Yary was the Pac-8 defensive lineman of the year. Moving to offensive tackle as a junior, he received consensus All-America honors. The 6-foot-6, 245-pounder was a unanimous All-America selection and Outland Trophy winner as a senior, opening lanes for O.J. Simpson.
AFC North blogger James Walker: The defending champions got lucky with this pick. The Steelers were able to fill their biggest need and take the best player on their board in Yary. Pittsburgh already announced Yary will be roommates in training camp with fellow USC alum Troy Polamalu, who will share college stories and teach Yary the "Steeler way."
DeadsetAce
Supporter
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yeah seriouslyOriginally Posted by Kiddin Like Jason
4PM start?
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Originally Posted by Kiddin Like Jason
4PM start?
they trying to get it closer and closer to the prime time slot
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LSU WR Demetrius Byrd in critical condition from a Car wreck.
WOW
Hope he's okay.
I'll get a link up when I find one.
aint someone on NT his cousin (or claims to be)
WOW
Hope he's okay.
I'll get a link up when I find one.
aint someone on NT his cousin (or claims to be)
- 25,470
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- Joined
- Sep 1, 2004
Originally Posted by CP1708
Clayton sayin over the weekend that Snyder was in love with Sanchez...........
Skins boutta trade them picks again.
poor sanchez if he goes to the deadskins
synder is so +@@+#** bum