DraftAce Blog

DraftAce Top 25: Week 6

2009-10-04T12:21:00.002-04:00

Not too many changes this week, but the one big mover was Miami. After last week's loss to Virginia Tech I thought Miami was a fluke. Their win over Florida State no longer looks impressive and the Georgia Tech victory doesn't mean all that much. Defeated Oklahoma was impressive however. Clearly this isn't the same Sooners team that we were expecting to see in the preseason, but they still have a dominant defense and a balanced offense and are still a legitimate top 20 team. With an easy remaining schedule, the Hurricanes could potentially run the table (but realistically they'll probably lose to Virginia and derail all the talk that The U is back).

Oregon also climbs back into the top 10 this week. At this point in the season you have to start forgiving early season losses, especially road losses. A road loss to a ranked opponent on opening weekend doesn't mean that much at this point and Oregon is cruising along right now.

I've also finally moved LSU into the top 25. I'm still not sold on the Tigers as a national title contender, but their defense was dominant against Georgia. We'll find out next week against Florida just how good the Tigers really are.

I couldn't believe last week that Auburn wasn't ranked in the polls. No, they aren't a threat to win the SEC, but their offense is much improved and their defense is at least adequate. Oh, and they're undefeated. How can you rank similar teams such as Ole Miss ahead of Auburn despite bad losses?

Sneaking into the top 25 this week is Wisconsin. Now, I don't really like the Badgers, but you have to give credit where credit is due. They haven't beaten anyone of note, but they are undefeated and John Clay has emerged as one of the most powerful running backs in the nation. If they pull off an upset over Ohio State next weekend they'll shoot up the rankings.

Early Quarterback Rankings

2009-10-02T22:22:00.006-04:00

1. Sam Bradford, Oklahoma
Despite the shoulder injury, this is a no-brainer. Bradford was simply unstoppable in 2008, having arguably the greatest statistical season for a quarterback in college football history. Stats don't mean everything, but Bradford is the real deal. He has prototypical size and a great arm but more importantly, he has the accuracy. Size and arm strength is all you need to be a 1st-round pick (see: Russell, JaMarcus) but when you combine that will elite accuracy you get a future star. There's still plenty of time for things to change, but Bradford could be the most highly touted quarterback prospect since the two can't-miss prospects of '98 (Manning and Leaf).
NFL Comparison: Tom Brady

2. Jimmy Clausen, Notre Dame
No player has increased his stock more this season than Clausen. He's easily having the best season of any quarterback in the country and has made major strides since his sophomore campaign. Last year Clausen showed he had an arm, but he looked like a guy who was just chucking it down field and letting his receivers make plays. This year he's more disciplined. He's competing 65 percent of his passes (up from 60 pct in '08) and has thrown just one interception (17 in '08). If both he and Bradford leave school early there will definitely be a split opinion as to who should be the first quarterback off the board.
NFL Comparison: Phillip Rivers

3. Colt McCoy, Texas
There is a huge dropoff from Clausen and Bradford to McCoy. He's a solid prospect, but I do not view him as a 1st-round lock. He doesn't have great size, he doesn't have a great arm and he doesn't have the football smarts to make up for it. Despite being a 4th-year starter, McCoy has really struggled to be patient at times this year. He's made far too many bad mistakes and he simply hasn't shown the improved that you'd expect from a 4th-year starter with as much experience as McCoy. So far, his stock is falling but there are certainly enough big games left on the schedule for McCoy to make up for some early season mistakes and close his career on a high note.
NFL Comparison: Trent Edwards

4. Jevan Snead, Ole Miss
Entering this year some expected Snead to challenge Bradford for the top spot but he's done the exact opposite. Snead looked great last year behind a dominant offensive line anchored by Michael Oher. This year, behind a shaky line, he's struggled to regain that form. He's looked like a deer in headlights at times and has suffered from happy feet in the pocket. Its early though, and I'm going to give him time to get comfortable behind his new line before dropping him too far in the rankings.
NFL Comparison: Jake Delhomme (not the 2009 version)

5. Tony Pike, Cincinnati
Pike, a virtual unknown entering the 2008 season, has become a popular late-1st-round pick projection. He has the prototypical size to play in the NFL, and decent athleticism to go with it. I'd actually like to see Pike use his athleticism less and stay in the pocket more. He can make plays out of the pocket at the college level, but that won't be the case in the NFL. He needs to work on his patience and his ability to stand in there as the pocket collapses around him.
NFL Comparison: Derek Anderson

Best of the rest:
6. Tim Tebow, Florida - a work in progress, but has the size and athleticism to develop into a starter
7. Tim Hiller, W. Michigan - Great size, but prone to making bad decisions
8. Dan LeFevour, C. Michigan - A great athlete, but too careless with the football
9. Jarrett Brown, West Virginia - Having a breakout senior year
10. Zac Robinson, Oklahoma State - Has some skill, but doesn't play in an pro-style offense

DraftAce Top 25 - Week 5

2009-09-27T14:42:00.002-04:00

And I thought last weeks rankings were hard to figure out...

Florida and Alabama hang on to the top two rankings, with Texas right behind them at number three. I don't forsee any changes in this order until one of them loses a game.

I placed Virginia Tech at No. 4 because they are clearly the cream of the crop in the ACC and have only lost to Alabama on a neutral field. This may be the best Hokies team in a number of years and they just might be able to run the table in the ACC.

I moved Oklahoma back into the top five this week. Sam Bradford could return for this weekend's game against Miami, and will almost certainly be ready to face Texas. If the Sooners keep winning, that loss to BYU will easily be chalked up to a fluke due to Bradford's injury.

Cincinnati has climbed up to No. 6 this week and I don't see them falling out of the top 10 for the rest of the season. The Bearcats should be favored in every game from here on out, and its hard to imagine them losing more than one game (if that). Unfortunately, even with an undefeated season they won't have enough quality wins to challenge for the national title.

A number of teams (USC, Ohio State, Oklahoma State, Georgia, etc) benefited from all the losses in the top 10 this week. They didnt' really do anything to move up, but took care of business against weaker opponents.

Houston did improve its resume, however, with a comeback victory against Texas Tech. With two wins against the Big 12, Houston has a legitimate case to crash the BCS party if they win out. And after beating Texas Tech and Oklahoma State its hard to imagine that teams like UTEP and Tulane will give them any trouble. Their toughest remaining game will be against Southern Miss.

The rest of the top 25 is a jumbled mess. Iowa, unranked a week ago, climbs up to No. 13. Its a shocking rise, but they're 4-0 and have a win at Penn State. They have to be the favorite to finished 2nd to Ohio State in the Big Ten after this weekend.

I have Boise State at No. 15, despite their No. 5 ranking in the AP Poll. Anyone who thinks Boise State is a top-five team is certifiably insane. This team simply isn't that good. Their defense is atrocious and the offense isn't what it has been in year's past. They're living off reputation and one decent win against Oregon. They'll probably go undefeated and get slaughtered by a team like Virginia Tech or Oklahoma in a BCS bowl. I'm all for non-BCS teams getting some love, but Boise State is, at best, the third best team from a non-BCS conference (behind TCU and Houston).

Test You Draft Knowledge

2009-09-26T00:23:00.005-04:00

Thanks to the folks at Sporcle.com you can now create your own quizzes, so naturally I am taking full advantage of the new feature and creating some NFL Draft quizzes. Up first, two quizzes on the top two college programs of the decade.

Can you name every USC quarterback selected in the draft since 1967?

How about naming every player drafted since Jim Tressel took over at Ohio State?

Week 4 Key Matchups

2009-09-25T22:23:00.003-04:00

Jonathan Dwyer RB Georgia Tech - vs North Carolina
Dwyer has been huge disappointment this season, rushing for just 169 yards through three games. Heck, he's just the the third leading rusher on his own team! North Carolina has a much improved defense led by Marvin Austin, which could pose a problem for Georgia Tech's offense. Dwyer entered the season as the top running back on my board, but he's falling fast and Jahvid Best is quickly gaining on him. This is a statement game for Dwyer, and his stock could shift significantly one way or the other depending on his performance.

Marvin Austin DT and Bruce Carter LB North Carolina - vs Georgia Tech
The Tar Heels two star juniors will be tested against Georgia Tech's rushing attack. Both are potential first-round picks when the enter the draft and could boost their stock with a solid performance against Georgia Tech. Paul Johnson's unique offensive approach will test these defenders more so than in any other game this season. Austin's lateral mobility will be tested in this game, as Georgia Tech rarely runs up the middle. His performance could be key in showing teams that he could make the transition to defensive end in a 3-4 system, which requires more athleticism than playing tackle in the 4-3. Carter's athleticism will also be tested, as will his ability to shed blockers and keep moving forward to make a play.

George Selvie DE South Florida - vs Florida State
South Florida doesn't have many opportunities to play in the national spotlight this season, but this is one of them. Christian Ponder is one of the more mobile quarterbacks on USF's schedule, which will test Selvie's ability to get into the pocket and make plays. FSU doesn't have the strongest offense line, which could allow for him to make some plays if he can catch Ponder.

C.J. Spiller RB Clemson - vs TCU
TCU could be the toughest defense Spiller faces this season, and likely the most physical. Spiller isn't exactly a north and south runner, which is the type of runner that can wear down TCU's defense. If TCU is able to contain Spiller, it could be a long day for Clemson. However, if Spiller puts on an impressive performance he'll open some eyes and improve his stock.

Juice Williams QB Illinois - vs Ohio State
Williams has had some of his best games Ohio State, including an upset of the No. 1 Buckeyes in 2007. He hasn't gotten off to a great start, but could get his season back on track with a win over Ohio State. The Buckeyes have one of the top defensive lines in the game which will consistently put pressure on Williams. His ability to make plays while under pressure will decide the game, and have an impact on his draft stock.

Trevard Lindley CB Kentucky - vs Florida
Arguably the best cornerback in the SEC faces his toughest test of the season against the Gators. Lindley has been an impact player this year, but Kentucky hasn't faced an offense like Florida's. While he's been successful in big games in the past, this year could be different. Kentucky's defense isn't what it was the past few years with the loss of guys like Jeremy Jarmon. Lindley will be left on an island more than he's used to. It will give him a chance to prove he can be an elite cover corner at the next level.

DraftAce Top 25 - Week 4

2009-09-20T12:42:00.003-04:00

The only things I've learned from the first three weeks of college football is that we don't know anything yet. So far this season nothing has gone as expected, and it has completely shaken up the polls. As a result, I tried to toss aside all my preseason expectations (well, most of them at least) and rank the teams based on what they have done this season.

Florida maintains the number one slot, but Alabama is knocking on the door. There was no reason for the Gators to struggle against Tennessee this weekend and their weak offensive performance makes me think that the Gators likely won't run the table this year.

Alabama moves up to number two, followed by Penn State, mainly because Texas has been less than impressive this year. The Longhorns have some issues to work out on offense. Colt McCoy has not looked like a Heisman contender and unless he steps up his game, Texas will continue to fall.

Shooting all the way to No. 5 is Miami. I'm not entirely on the Hurricanes bandwagon, but they do have the most impressive pair of wins this season against Florida State and Georgia Tech. We'll find out in the next two weeks if Miami is for real as they face Virginia Tech and Oklahoma.

Cincinnati also climbs into the top 10 this week. No team has exceeded expectations like the Bearcats this year. With a win at Oregon State under their belts, an undefeated season is certainly a realistic goal in Cincy. The Bearcats have a very favorable schedule; their toughest remaining game is likely at Pittsburgh in the season finale. They should run away with the Big East and return to the BCS, this time as a legitimate top 10 team.

Oklahoma's position at No. 9 may be controversial considering how BYU was slaughtered by Florida State on Saturday. However, I have to overlook the loss to BYU to an extent due to Bradfords injury. If Bradford returns at full health, that loss can be forgiven. If he doesn't, then the loss will need to be taken more seriously.

TCU now takes over the top spot among teams from non-BCS conferences. I am not at all impressed by Boise State, and think they are overrated in the polls. The Broncos have absolutely no defense, which certainly isn't the case with TCU. I am going to treat Boise State as I did Hawaii in 2007. If the run the table, they should be considered for a BCS bid, but I am probably going to keep them in the 12-18 range as long as they keep winning. Should they lose, however, they'll fall out of the rankings for good. TCU on the other hand is a more legitimate threat to make the BCS. They have a solid defense, and balanced offense and play a tougher schedule than the Broncos. TCU will get a moderate test this weekend against Clemson.

I moved Houston up to No. 16 this weekend despite their bye week. Basically I'm admitting my error last week in leaving them at No. 24 after a win over Oklahoma State. Like Boise State, however, even if Houston keeps winning they'll struggle to climb much higher than they already are.

LSU remains one of the teams that I feel much differently about than most of the voters in the polls. I have been unimpressed by their offense in wins over Washington, Vanderbilt and LA-Lafayette. We won't know if LSU is for real until Oct. 3 at Georgia.

Auburn joins the top 25 this week after its win over West Virginia. The Tigers may have one of the top rushing attacks in the game and their defense is much improved. Gene Chizik could complete a remarkable turnaround for the Tigers in his first year with the program.

Week 3 Key Matchups

2009-09-18T19:12:00.002-04:00

Dominique Franks CB Oklahoma - vs Tulsa
Tulsa isn't going to challenge Oklahoma, but the Golden Hurricane will still put up some points. G.J. Kinne has picked up right where David Johnson left off in 2008 and is throwing the ball all over the field. That means Dominique Franks and the Sooners' secondary is sure to be tested early and often.

Ndamakong Sue DT Nebraska - vs Virginia Tech
Playing in the Big 12, Sue has plenty of opportunities to show off his pass rushing skills, but no one in the Big 12 can run the ball like the Hokies. Against Virginia Tech, Sue may be relied on in a different role than he's used to. Virginia Tech is more of a pro-style offense than most teams in the Big 12, and NFL teams will certainly take notice if he's able to step up and stuff the Hokie's running game.

Patrick Robinson CB Florida State - vs BYU
Robinson is an early favorite to be one of the first cornerbacks selected in April's draft. Miami offered a nice test on opening weekend, but BYU could be the Seminoles toughest opponent this season. Robinson's performance could be key to Florida State pulling off an upset.

Brandon Spikes ILB Florida - vs Tennessee
Florida just might hang 70 on Tennessee, but that doesn't mean the Vols' offense can't put up some points of their own. The Vols passing game has struggled, but they have a nice stable of running backs which could keep this came closer than some expect if they're able to establish the run early and control the clock. Brandon Spikes will be the key to stopping Tennessee's rushing attack

Week 2 Review

2009-09-13T22:10:00.001-04:00

Game of the Week: Michigan 38, Notre Dame 34
The highest scoring game in the history of the Michigan-Notre Dame rivalry was far more exciting that one could have hoped. Unlike in the previous few years, both teams appear to be ready to compete. The new-found success of these programs lies with starts with their quarterbacks. Both Jimmy Clausen and Tate Forcier were brilliant. In defeat, Clausen may have actually been the player of the game. Forcier was equally impressive, making plays with both his legs and his arm. The most fascinating part of the game though was the final seconds. Replays show that Notre Dame should have been awarded an extra second which ticked off after the kickoff and likely an additional second which ticked off on the final play - giving them one last shot at the end zone.

Player of the Week: Case Keenum QB Houston
Houston's upset of Oklahoma State could very well end up as the biggest shocker of the season. Keenum routinely puts up gaudy numbers, but not against top-5 opponents. Keenum threw for 366 yards and 3 touchdowns on Saturday and added another touchdown on the ground. The Cowboys aren't exactly known for their defense, but this was the same team that shutdown Georgia the previous week. Keenum and the Cougars just might be a legitimate top-25 team.

Upset of the Week: Houston 45, Oklahoma State 35
As I mentioned, this could end up being the upset of the year. A C-USA team has no business competing with a top-5 squad from the Big 12. Its hard to tell what to make of Oklahoma State now. Perhaps they simply thought too much of themselves after seeing the cover of Sports Illustrated last week and overlooked Houston. Or, maybe they're just not that good. We'll find out in a few weeks when the Big 12 schedule starts up.

Random Thoughts:
While watching the Ohio State-USC game I realized that I could very well be watching the 2010 and 2011 National Champs at work. By the time their college careers are over, both Terrelle Pryor and Matt Barkley could end up with national titles. For the short term, however, don't be shocked to see two two on the field in January playing in the Rose Bowl.

I've been skeptical of Clausen since his freshman year, but he is finally living up to his hype. He's getter more patient in the pocket and reading defenses better than ever and he would likely be a first-round pick should he leave school after his junior year.

I can't wait to see Georgia Tech face Miami on Thursday night. After watching Florida State nearly lose to Jacksonville State, I can't help but wonder of the Miami-FSU game was nothing more than two very mediocre teams going at it. Georgia Tech has a high-powered offense that could put on a show if Miami's defense doesn't step up.

Whats wrong with the Big 12? Oklahoma already lost to BYU. Oklahoma State lost to Houston. Missouri barely slid past Bowling Green. And Texas struggled with Wyoming. Could Nebraska be the best team in the conference? I highly doubt it, but they been the most impressive team thus far.

While watching the Stanford-Wake Forest game I couldn't help but think how much Toby Gerhart reminds me of Touchdown Tommy Vardell. Yet, somehow I doubt any team will be crazy enough to select to select Touchdown Toby 9th overall.

DraftAce Top 25 - Week 3

2009-09-13T10:59:00.003-04:00

Two weeks of football are under our belts and the top 25 is starting to take shape. There's still plenty of movement this week though, as we try to sort out who's for real and who's simply taking advantage of weak early-season opponents.

Florida remains at the top of my rankings, but there's a new team at No. 2. Really, no one deserves the No. 2 slot this week, as all the challengers struggled. Texas was losing to Wyoming late in the 2nd quarter, USC's offense was completely inept against Ohio State, and Alabama took far too long to put away FIU. The nod goes to Texas however, as I believe they are the next-most balanced team behind Florida. Alabama and USC have great defenses, but neither has the offensive firepower to compete with Florida and Texas.

Like USC, Georgia Tech also fell a spot despite winning. I have serious questions about the Yellow Jackets after Thursday's win over Clemson. If you take away a few big plays early in the game, Clemson would have won easily. I still like Georgia Tech, but their defense may not be as good as I originally thought.

Ohio State, despite a loss, didn't move in this week's rankings. I don't like dropping teams when they lose games that they should lose. OSU entered the game ranked lower than USC for a reason - because we all expected them to lose. So why should they fall further after they meet expectations? Additionally, Ohio State kept it much closer than I anticipated, solidifying its place just outside the top 10.

The biggest mover this week is Cincinnati. No, not because they beat up on Southeast Missouri, but because no one ahead of them showed up on Saturday. Cincinnati's offense appears to be for real and they have emerged as the clear favorite in the Big East.

Once again, I have LSU ranked 21st while the polls will likely have them in the top 10. As I asked last week, what have they done to deserve a top 10 ranking? In close wins against Washington and Vanderbilt, the Tigers have barely looked like a top 25 team, much less a top 10 squad.

Two new teams appear in the rankings this week: Michigan and Houston. I'm not completely sold on Houston, but a win over a top-5 team on the road needs to be rewarded. As for Michigan, they may actually be back. They're not ready to compete for a Big Ten title yet, but an 8-4 season could be a realistic goal at this point.

Week 2 Key Matchups

2009-09-11T23:08:00.002-04:00

Not a lot of intriguing matchups on Saturday, but there are a few players who could improve their draft stock this weekend.

Mike Williams WR Syracuse - vs Penn State
Williams has the size and speed to be a first-day selection this upcoming April. He's going to be Greg Paulus' favorite target (and really, his only reliable target) so he should put up some big numbers this season. Williams has caught a TD pass in 10 straight games, but that streak could be tested on Saturday. Penn State has a formidable defensive secondary which will challenge Williams.

Brandon Lang DE Troy - vs Florida
Playing at Troy, you don't get many options to perform on the big stage. While Florida should cruise to an easy victory over the Trojans, Lang will be looking to get in a few hits on Tebow. He's a tremendous athlete with impressive size who needs to have a big game against Florida to help earn a spot in April's 1st round.

Charles Brown OT USC - vs Ohio State
USC's offensive line shouldn't have many issues with Ohio State's defense, but Brown could be one who gets challenged. When matched up with Buckeyes' DE Cameron Heyward he'll be overmatched in terms of size, which could limit his ability as a run blocker. Brown could have a lot to gain or lose depending on he fairs on Saturday.

Taylor Mays S USC - vs Ohio State
The player tested most on Saturday by Terrelle Pryor's running ability could be Taylor Mays. Mays won't be the primary guy assigned to stop Pryor on the run, but his decision making ability - when to help out against the run, when to stay back in coverage - could be a key to this game. Pryor's athleticism confuses defensive backs on a weekly basis; Mays needs to be focused at all times to avoid falling into that trap.

Anderson Russell S Ohio State - vs USC
Russell has reportedly lost his starting job, which would be devastating to his draft stock. However, he's experienced and will still see playing time and could earn it back with a strong showing. Facing a freshman quarterback can be an easy way to earn back some confidence, and Russell will be a guy to keep an eye on. He'll be playing with a chip on his shoulder and could be an unlikely key factor against the Trojans.

Notable Injuries:
Rob Gronkowski TE Arizona - may be with a back injury
Sam Bradford QB Oklahoma - out 2-4 weeks with sprained shoulder
Harvey Unga RB BYU - may be out with hamstring injury
Arrelious Benn WR Illinois - missed part of last week's game with ankle injury
Bryan Bulaga OT Iowa - hospitalized with illness; will miss this week's game
Brandon Minor RB Michigan - questionable with an ankle injury
Navarro Bowman LB Penn State - out with a groin injury

NFL DRAFT BUZZ WEEK 1

2009-09-10T15:08:00.007-04:00

Keep up with my weekly NFL Draft Buzz from each week of the College Football Season. Here, you will find critical information on the draft stocks of legitimate NFL prospects. -Mike Band

Florida State cornerback Patrick Robinson (Sr.) will likely be a first round pick and one of the first corners off the board in April. He's very athletic, he will run in the 4.3's at the combine and he has developed a great football mind under longtime defensive coordinator, Mickey Andrews. Since Andrews took over the defense in 1984, his defenses have produced 18 first round picks and nine top 10 selections. In Monday’s game vs. Miami, Robinson and the FSU secondary allowed Jacory Harris (So.) and company to generate 386 passing yards. In Robinson’s defense, his receiver was targeted only five times. When Miami came out in multiple receiver threats, Robinson was asked to play man coverage on an island. However, of the five pass attempts in Robinson’s direction, two were caught for gains of over 15 yards, and another was flagged for a costly pass interference call. Robinson also missed an important open field tackle on 3^rd and long during a 4^th quarter drive that led to a Miami touchdown. His presence in run support was lackluster, recording only one solo and two assisted tackles. Robinson will need to make a better contribution if he wants to remain one of the top cornerback prospects in the country. For now, he remains a surefire first round pick, but based on what I saw in live action, I would be reluctant to use a top 10 pick on him. Time will tell.

Miami middle linebacker Darryl Sharpton (Sr.) heads into the season with a 4^th round projection from the guys at nfldraftscout.com. Unfortunately, he remains the 3^rd most talented linebacker on the team and becomes the odd man out in nickel packages. One thing I’ve learned: NFL teams will not use a draft selection on a two-down linebacker, especially when the player is only 235 lbs. He will likely go undrafted.

Oklahoma State cornerback Perrish Cox (Sr.) looks to be the only prospect from OSU who could hear his name called in the first day of the draft. Since 1986, no OSU defender has been drafted within the first 2 rounds that wasn’t a cornerback, with the exception of Kevin Williams (9th overall in 2003). Cox demonstrated the tools needed for the next level with his performance against 13^th ranked Georgia. Cox was all over the field last Saturday, both in pass coverage and in run support. He possesses great size at 6’0, 195 lbs, shows great closing speed in coverage, and still manages to be the #1 kick return option for the Cowboys of OSU. Cox translates very well at the next level and has the potential to hear his name called in round one. NOTE: Cox was recently arrested for driving without a license. He will not receive a punishment from the University; however, don’t expect NFL teams to let this go during formal interviews. Since Goodell took over the reigns as NFL commissioner, very few teams will reach on someone with a police or character history.

The last time a Syracuse defender was selected in round one of the NFL Draft; 2002 when Dwight Freeney was taken 11^th overall. Defensive tackle Arthur Jones (Sr.) will likely follow in Freeney’s footsteps and become a top 20 selection next April. Since his sophomore season, Jones has cemented himself as a playmaking tackle who excels both against the run and as a pass rusher. He has the size and technique that will lead to success at the next level. Jones was stellar against Minnesota last Saturday, recording five tackles and one for a loss. He fits best in a 43 defense, though NFL teams will not rule out the possibility of using him as a 34 defensive end, similar to Evander Hood of last year.

Surprisingly, Jones was not the only NFL prospect on the field last weekend. Wide receiver Mike Williams (Sr.) was terrific in his first game back after being academically ineligible for the 2008 season. The 6’2, 204 lbs. receiver showed excellent body control, strength and route running abilities which led to seven catches for 94 yards and one touchdown. He did, however, drop two catchable balls which he let into his body. Williams was matched against Minnesota’s Traye Simmons (Sr.), and played well against a potential April draft pick. Williams has the talent of a 1^st round pick, but will likely end up in the early 2^nd round.

Running back Delone Carter (Jr.) also looked good against Minnesota. His 90 yards on 23 carries allowed Syracuse to manage the game early on which led to a Syracuse halftime lead. Carter was extremely nifty and virtually “slippery” displaying the elusiveness and vision NFL scouts crave. This is Carter’s first year as a starter, which means he has little wear and tear on his body thus far. He’s a guy you must keep your eye on for 2011.

Although quarterback Greg Paulus (Sr.) played great in his Syracuse debut, he will not be considered a draftable player by NFL scouts. Paulus hasn’t played football since his high school sophomore season.

Alabama defensive tackle Terrence Cody (Sr.) was less than adequate last Saturday night vs. Virginia Tech on Saturday night. Cody was double teamed early on and taken out of action all together. His double teams did help generate a pass rush from other spots along the line, which is something of positive note, yet Cody wasn’t on the field for most of the 4^th quarter, especially in definitive passing situations. If Cody wants to play at the next level, he must show that he can play on all three downs as well as through four full quarters. Otherwise, the 1^st round projection that some have said could be very wrong next April.

FRESHMAN WATCH: Highly touted FSU cornerback Greg Reid has already cemented himself as the starting nickel back as a true freshman. He intercepted a pass as well as recording three solo tackles in his new role. Look for him to get more playing time as the season wears on… NC State cornerback Rashard Smith looked very good in his college debut. Smith was not a high prize recruit from last winter, yet the 5’11, 175 corner and return man recorded four tackles and one sack against South Carolina. Smith holds down the nickel role on a defense that held South Carolina to just seven points. Unfortunately, NC State couldn’t put together more than three… This will be Florida middle linebacker Brandon Spikes’ (Sr.) final season in blue and orange, but it looks like the Gators have found his future replacement in this year’s recruiting class. True freshman linebacker Jon Bostic has the body, speed and instincts to become a Gator great. Although it came against Charleston Southern, Bostic still showed why he was one of the top rated linebackers in the country last season.

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Check out my #1 rated mock draft from the 2009 NFL Draft here:

http://draftace.com/mikeband/2009finalmockdraft.htm

2009 NFL Predictions

2009-09-09T21:38:00.003-04:00

AFC East
Patriots - 12-4
Dolphins - 9-7
Bills - 7-9
Jets - 7-9

With Tom Brady returning, the Patriots will once again dominate the AFC East. Miami could keep things interesting, but I don't see anyone else from the East sneaking into the playoffs. The Bills and Jets should be competitive, but both have question marks at quarterback that will hold them back.

AFC North
Steelers - 11-5
Ravens - 10-6
Bengals - 6-10
Browns - 5-11

I expect the North to be a hotly contested battle between the Steelers and Ravens. The Steelers have the best defense in the game, but I have serious doubts about their offense. The offensive line has too many holes and Willie Parker isn't the same player he was two or three years ago. The Ravens are just the opposite - the offensive is on the upswing (finally) but the defensive is starting to lose its swagger. Its the same old story with the Bengals and Browns; both should be satisfied with a 6-win season.

AFC South
Colts - 11-5
Texans - 9-7
Titans - 9-7
Jaguars - 7-9

The AFC South could be one of the most entertaining division races this years - expect lots of offense and not much defense. The Colts are still the class of the division, but the Texans, Titans and Jaguars will all compete for a playoff slot. In the end, I think the Texans defense is finally good enough to earn them their first playoff berth.

AFC West
Chargers - 13-3
Broncos - 6-10
Chiefs - 4-12
Raiders - 4-12

The AFC West will likely feature some of the worst football in the league this year. The Chargers will benefit from playing in a miserable division and should come away with the No. 1 seed in the AFC as a result. The Broncos offense will likely still win them some games, but the defense is still a mess. The Chiefs and Raiders, meanwhile, will battle it out for for the No. 1 pick in the 2010 Draft.

NFC East
Giants - 13-3
Cowboys - 10-6
Eagles - 10-6
Redskins - 7-9

The NFC East should provide us with another entertaining year of football, but in the end I see the Giants running away with it. They may have the most balanced team in the game and should be the favorite in the NFC. The Cowboys and Eagles are a step behind the Giants, but I think both will find themselves in the playoffs. The Redskins will be competitive, but they just don't have the offensive firepower to hang with the rest of the East.

NFC North
Bears - 10-6
Vikings - 9-7
Packers - 8-8
Lions - 3-13

The NFC North will be an interesting three-team race. The Bears, Vikings and Packers all have a realistic shot and all three should finish within a game or two. I like the Bears to take a huge step forward this year due to the acquisition of Jay Cutler. He'll take their offense to the next level. Brett Favre's return will provide plenty of great storylines throughout the year but he just isn't effective enough to take the to the playoffs. The Packers' offense will be fun to watch again, but I just don't see how they improved from last year. They'll finish right around .500 again.

NFC South
Falcons - 11-5
Saints - 9-7
Panthers - 7-9
Buccaneers - 3-13

The Falcons are here to stay. Matt Ryan and Michael Turner will struggle to meet lofty expectations, but overall I think the team is for real. The Saints have the best offense in the game, but the defense has far too many holes to make a playoff run. The Panthers are sitting in the calm before the storm right now. They're on the verge of a full rebuilding process, which could come sooner rather than later if Jake Delhomme can't stay healthy. And the Bucs are already in rebuilding mode; its going to be long year in Tampa.

AFC West
Cardinals - 10-6
Seahawks - 8-8
Rams - 6-10
49ers - 6-10

The Cardinals were no fluke in 2008. They're back for more and if Kurt Warner stays healthy they'll be a legitimate title contender once again. The Seahawks should bounce back, but Matt Hasselbeck isn't getting any younger and they don't have a running game. The Rams should show signs of improvement, but there are still some serious question marks on both sides of the ball. Same goes for the 49ers, who desperately need a reliable quarterback.

AFC Championship Game: Chargers over Steelers
NFC Championship Game: Giants over Bears
Super Bowl: Giants over Chargers

MVP: Phillip Rivers, Chargers
Offensive Player of the Year: Drew Brees, Saints
Defensive Player of the Year: DeMarcus Ware, Cowboys
Offensive Rookie of the Year: Knowshon Moreno, Broncos
Defensive Rookie of the Year: James Laurinaitis, Rams
Coach of the Year: Lovie Smith, Bears

DraftAce Top 25 - Week 2

2009-09-09T00:14:00.003-04:00

Just one week into the season and we already have some major movement in the rankings.

The biggest mover of the week is BYU, which knocked off Oklahoma on Saturday. Heading into the weekend I would have said that a BYU victory would have put them in the top five, but Bradford's injury takes away from the win to an extent. Don't think BYU lucked into that win though; even with Bradford in the game, BYU was right in that game.

Among teams that won on the field, Ohio State was the biggest loser in my rankings. The Buckeyes stumbled to a win over Navy. However, it should be noted that Jim Tressel has a history of holding back the week before big games (see: game vs Ohio in 2008). We'll get a better feel for the Buckeyes this weekend against USC.

Oklahoma falls to No. 10, perhaps not as far others dropped them. The reason is Bradford's injury. Its just one loss, and if he returns healthy before their matchup with Texas, the Sooners could easily run the table.

The biggest different between my rankings the polls is LSU. I simply don't understand what makes LSU a top 10 team. I fully expect them to improve upon last year's disappointing season, but they are not a title contender and last weekend proved it. Washington - the same Washington that went 0-12 last year - put up a serious fight on Saturday and easily could have won that game. The Tigers are worthy of a spot in the top 25, but I can't see them losing any fewer than 3 games.

The three new faces in the crowd this week are Miami, Cincinnati and Missouri. All three looked impressive in big wins over the weekend. Miami may have finally found its quarterback in Jacory Harris. Cincinnati appears ready to run away with the Big East. And Blaine Gabbert has already made Missouri fans forget about Chase Daniel.

Week 1 Review

2009-09-06T17:44:00.005-04:00

Game of the Week: BYU 14, Oklahoma 13
This was a great game, but also disappointing. You never want to see a player like Sam Bradford go down, especially this early in the season. Before opening night was complete our three-man Heisman race was whittled down to two, and Florida and Texas emerged as the obvious front runners to play for the national title. That said, you can't take away from what BYU accomplished. Even with Bradford in the game, BYU held it close. The Cougars have a stiff defense that should allow them to run the table. Their toughest games (Florida State, Utah and TCU) are all at home, and no one else on the schedule looks like a serious threat. Be prepared for BYU to crash the BCS party this January.

Player of the Week: Blaine Gabbert QB Missouri
Replacing Chase Daniel is no easy task, but in one week Blaine Gabbert has already made Missouri fans forget about their former star quarterback. The sophomore quarterback threw for 319 yards and 3 touchdowns in Missouri's upset victory over rival Illinois.

Upset of the Week: William & Mary 26, Virginia 14
I didn't expect much from Virginia this year, but I never imagined they could lose to William & Mary. Al Groh is firmly on the hot seat, and likely won't be back in 2010 - if he even makes it through the season.

Random Thoughts:
The ACC has some issues. Virginia and Duke lost FCS opponents. Wake Forest lost at home to Baylor. Maryland was slaughtered by California. And Virginia Tech lost to Alabama. Remember when the ACC was supposed to become the new power conference? Sure does seem like a long time ago.

The Big Ten isn't doing much better. Ohio State got a scare from Navy. Minnesota squeaked past Syracuse. Wisconsin struggled with Northern Illinois. And Illinois was upset by Missouri. Granted, the conference went 10-1 on Saturday, but it wasn't pretty.

It was a rough week for top draft prospects - Sam Bradford, Greg Hardy, Arrelious Benn and C.J. Spiller all left their games with injuries. Its frustrating to watch so many top players suffer injuries, especially early in the season. Only time will tell if these injuries impact their draft stock. It appears as though all four will return this season, meaning each will have the time prove they are fully recovered well before April's draft.

LeGarrette Blount Suspended for Season

2009-09-04T20:49:00.003-04:00

Oregon has suspended LeGarrette Blount for the remainder of the season for his actions after the Boise State game.

In the short term, this destroys Oregon's chances at a Pac-10 title. Freshman LaMichael James will take over at running back, but he won't be nearly as effective as Blount. He's a smaller back which will change the style and approach of Oregon's running game for the remainder of the season.

In the long term, this destroys Blount's draft stock. With a good season he had a legitimate shot to climb as high as the 2nd round. He is a similar athlete to former Florida State running back Greg Jones, who's been a reliable fullback/short yardage back for the Jaguars since being drafted in 2004.

After his suspension, Blount has little chance of getting drafted earlier than the 7th round. He's clearly got talent, but it will be difficult to draft a player with his type of off-field issues given the emphasis Roger Goodell has placed on character.

DraftAce Top 25 - Preseason

2009-09-04T20:26:00.005-04:00

So here's a look at the preseason top 25.

No. 1 is a no-brainer. The national champ returns nearly everyone of significance and is poised for a run at its third title in four years. The top four is rounded out by Oklahoma, USC and Texas. This group could easily be interchangeable, but the nod goes to Oklahoma at No. 2 due to last year's success.

The only team in my top ten that may come as a surprise is Georgia Tech. I believe they have the running game and the defense to cruise through the weak ACC. They're not a title contender, but certainly have a shot at the BCS.

North Carolina is another team I feel is underrated in most polls. Bruce Davis has established himself as a truly elite coach and if they get anything resembling consistent quarterback play, they'll be in the hunt for the ACC title.

Sorting out the non-BCS schools is difficult. BYU probably has the worst chance of going undefeated, but I think they're clearly the best of the group. They'll lose to Oklahoma by four touchdowns, but could run the table after that. Boise State may have the best shot to win out, but I'm not buying into their hype. The Broncos are a legitimate top 25 teams, but should not crack the top ten even if they go undefeated.

The wild card to the whole season could be Notre Dame. The Irish will be favored in every game except against USC. They probably aren't deserving of the BCS, but their schedule just may allow for it to happen.

Its sure to be another wild season. Strap on your seatbelts and get ready.

Draft Grades: Bears

2009-05-05T22:40:00.005-04:00

Considering they didn't pick until the 2nd day, the Bears put together an impressive draft.

Jarron Gilbert has a ton of upside, and he landed in a perfect situation in Chicago. He's raw and isn't ready to to start right away. With the Bears, he can be used as part of the rotation while he grows into a more prominent role.

Juaquin Iglesias doesn't have much upside, but he had good value in the 3rd round. The Bears needed a bigger receiver like Iglesias, and he should compete with Rashied Davis and Earl Bennett for a starting job.

Henry Melton was a reach. He's inexperienced, having made the switch from running back during his collegiate career. He's a decent athelte, however, and could develop into a decent pass rusher.

D.J. Moore was vastly overrated early in the draft process, but by draft day I think he was actaully underrated. He doesn't have great size, but he's a playmaker and should have come off the board earlier than then 4th round. He should be a solid nickelback at worst.

Johnn Knox isn't a great fit in Chicago. He has impressive speed, but he's very raw. Frankly, he isn't much more than a poor man's Devin Hester and I don't see room for him in Chicago.

Marcus Freeman was a steal in the 5th round. The Bears needed depth at linebacker, which Freeman will give them immediately, and I believe he has the potential to develop into a starter. He was one of the better late-round picks this year.

Al Afalava was a decent selection in the 6th round. He'll add to the depth in their secondary and should be able to contribute on special teams.

Lance Louis isn't much more than a backup. He has little upside and may not even make the team.

Derek Kinder will also struggle to make the roster. He's good route runner with reliable hands but he doesn't have the size or speed to make a major impact.

Overall, the Bears did all you ask of them with no first-day picks. The could easily wind with two or three starters from this draft class which is an impressive feat considering they skipped the first two rounds.

Grade: B+

Draft Grades: Lions

2009-05-05T20:31:00.002-04:00

The selection of Matthew Stafford came as no surprise, but I still don't like the pick. I gave Stafford a 1st-round grade, but not a grade worthy of the number-one overall selection. On top of that, the Lions have far too many other holes to fill to be targeting a quarterback early in the draft. On a team this bad Stafford is going to have to play early. He'll be a sacrificial lamb behind their patchwork line with little chance of success. In a different situation Stafford could develop into a solid quarterback, but I don't see it happening in Detroit.

I love Brandon Pettigrew, but the Lions had no business selecting a tight end in the 1st round. There isn't a less significant position on the football field. Passing on linemen such as Michael Oher was a terrible decision.

Again, I like Louis Delmas a lot, but tight ends and safties aren't going to help Detroit turn things around. A team as bad as the Lions needs to build from the lines on out - exactly the opposite of what they're doing.

DeAndre Levy was a reach in the 3rd round, and again, I'm shocked they passed over some quality offensive linemen.

Derrick Williams was a decent 3rd-round selection. Stafford is going to need some receivers, and Williams could help stretch the field. He'll compete for playing time opposite Calvin Johnson.

I like the selection of Sammie Lee Hill. He's a project, but he's a massive body to plug holes on the Lions defensive line. Given the Lions lack of depth at the position he could end up starting. They'll try to groom him into the next Shaun Rogers.

Aaron Brown was a great 6th-round selection. He'll compete for playing time behind Kevin Smith. They could have used more of a goal line back, but anyone will be an upgrade over what they had last year.

The Lions finally landed an offensive lineman in the 7th round. Unfortunately though, Lydon Murtha is a project and won't offer much immediate help.

Zack Follett and Dan Gronkowski are mediocre picks in the 7th round. Neither has much upside and they'll struggle to make the roster.

Overall, this was a very disappointing draft for the Lions. Those that like Stafford will see it differently but I don't think this was the kind of the draft the Lions needed to get back on track. The Lions desperately needed to upgrade their offensive line and they got absolutely no help at that position. Its going to be another long season in Detroit in 2009.

Grade: C-

Draft Grades: Steelers

2009-05-04T21:57:00.005-04:00

This was another solid, but unspectacular draft for the Steelers. They addressed some needs and added depth but didn't land any immediate impact players.

I was slightly surprised by the selection of Evander Hood. He adds some youth to their aging defensive line, but it wasn't an immediate need and it was a slight reach. A player such as James Laurinaitis would have served a similar purposed at linebacker, but had much better value than Hood.

I love the selection of Kraig Urbik. He's a hard-nosed offensive lineman that fits nicely in Pittsburgh. He could definitely develop into a starter, possibly even pushing Darnell Stapleton for his job this year.

Mike Wallace was another excellent selection. I was slightly surprised to see him come off the board in the 3rd round, but he has a ton of upside. He has the potential to develop into a starter.

Keenan Lewis was another solid pick that will add to their depth at cornerback. They could have used more of an impact player earlier in the draft at cornerback, but depth was a need.

Joe Burnett was a reach and he doesn't offer anything that Keenan Lewis can't. This was an unnecessary pick and there were better players available.

I like the selection of Frank Summers. He'll never be an every-down player, but he has the potential to be an above average short-yardage back, which the Steelers needed.

Ra'Shon Harris could add to the depth at defensive end, but I'm not sure he'll be able to crack the active roster this season. He may needed year on the practice squad unless the Steelers run into some injury issues.

A.Q. Shipley is a competitor, but he doesn't have the build to hold up in the NFL. He was certainly worth a 7th-round pick, however, because every so often a player like Shipley finds a way to overachieve.

I don't see how David Johnson fits into the Steelers plan. He's a similar player to Sean McHugh who they just re-signed this offseason. I'd be somewhat surprised to see him on the active roster this season.

This was a decent draft for the Steelers, but they didn't add any impact players at their positions of need. The needed to upgrade their offensive line, but only added Urbik who likely isn't ready to start right away. The also could have used some depth at linebacker, which they completely ignored. I like their first three picks, but none of them fill a serious immediate need and none figure to make an instant impact. This was an adequate draft, but the impact won't be felt until a few years down the road.

Grade: B-

Draft Grades: Browns

2009-05-04T21:10:00.004-04:00

This was a very bizarre draft for the Browns. And it makes me question if George Kokinis and Eric Mangini have any clue what they're doing.

Trading down in the 1st round was a nice thought, but they got absolutely fleeced by the Jets. To move up more than 10 spots in the 1st round requires giving up two 1st round picks (this year's and next year's). Yet the Jets managed keep their 2010 1st rounder by throwing in a few players that Mangini clearly has overrated because of his familiarity with them. Abram Elam and Kenyon Coleman may be able to start, but that isn't to impressive considering the lack of talent on the Browns defense. The other two trades the Browns made to move down were insignificant, as they only picked up late round picks. The Browns were clearly desperate to move down, and were willing to take any offer that came their way.

Alex Mack was a decent selection, but it doesn't fill a need. Hank Fraley has been an above average starter for the past two years and arguably their best offensive lineman aside from Joe Thomas. If the Browns were going to target an offensive lineman with this selection, a right tackle such as Michael Oher would have been a much better fit.

Brian Robiskie was an excellent 2nd round pick. Assuming they keep Braylon Edwards, Robiskie will be a nice compliment and should be able to fill the role that Joe Jurevicius did in 2007. The selection of an Ohio State player also appeases the fans - something that the new management team in Cleveland hasn't done much of since taking over.

Had the Browns not selected Robiskie, Massaquoi would have been a decent mid 2nd-round pick. But I cannont understand why the Browns felt they needed to spend their first three picks on the offensive side of the football.

The Browns finally added a defensive player with the 52nd pick, but they reached for David Veikune. He'll likely make the transition from defensive end to outside linebacker and could compete with David Bowens for a starting job. However, he's very raw, so the Browns shouldn't be counting on him in 2009.

Kaluka Maiava was a decent 4th round pick. He'll add some depth at inside linebacker and play special teams.

Don Carey and Coye Francies will add depth at cornerback and, because of the lack of talent in the Browns secondary, compete for a starting job. Francies is the better of the two, and could end up being a steal in the 6th round.

James Davis had great value in the 7th round. He could give the Browns a respectable trio of running backs along with Jamal Lewis and Jerome Harrison.

Overall this was a disappointing draft for the Browns. They added a few decent players, but they failed to address their needs and made a terrible trade which cost them a chance to add an impact player on defense.

Grade: C

Draft Grades: Bengals

2009-05-03T21:22:00.003-04:00

If nothing else, give the Bengals credit for taking risks... lots of them.

Andre Smith has a ton of potential, but no 1st-round pick has as many red flags as Smith. His work ethic is a serious concern and he very well could fold once he receives his first NFL contract. Its a risky pick and one that would only by made by a coach on the hot seat such as Marvin Lewis.

Rey Maualuga is also a risky pick. Many believe that he is only a two-down player, which led to his fall out of the 1st round. Like Smith, however, its a pick that could have a ton of upside.

The Bengals took a leap of faith with their first two picks, so why should the third be any different. Michael Johnson is the most athletic defensive lineman in this draft class, but he was only a full-time starter for one year and failed to live up to expectations as a senior. That said, he's probably worth the risk in the 3rd round.

Chase Coffman is a great fit in Cincinnati. He could be the receiving threat at tight end they've been looking for. He should see significant playing time from day one.

Jonathan Luigs is another solid pick. The Bengals have a serious hole at center and Luigs will be give the opportunity to step in from day one.

Kevin Huber was the top punter in this year's draft class and should be the Bengals starter. Punters are hard to judge though, and I think the 5th round is almost always too early to select a special teams player.

Morgan Trent will add some depth to the Bengals weak secondary, but he doesn't have much upside. He struggled as a senior at Michigan and I don't see him making an impact in Cincinnati.

Bernard Scott is a shot in the dark. He's a decent small school running back that will be given a chance to make the team as the third string running back.

Fui Vakapuna will compete with Daniel Coats and Jeremi Johnson for playing time at fullback. Fullback isn't a strong point on the team, so he's worth a shot.

Clinton McDonald doesn't have much upside, but he'll some depth the Bengals depleted defensive line. He won't be a starter, but could work into the rotation.

The Bengals needed a receiver in this draft, but I'm not sure why they waited until their last pick. Freddie Brown will struggle to make the roster and even if he does, he won't fill the hole left by the departure of T.J. Houshmandzadeh.

The Bengals landed some very talented players in this draft, including three potential 6 potential starters (including Kevin Huber). However, each of their first three picks come with some baggage. If all three live up to potential, this will be an elite draft. However, this is the Bengals, and they don't exactly have a good track record developing young talent.

Grade: B

Draft Grades: Ravens

2009-05-03T20:22:00.006-04:00

The Ravens didn't have a serious need at offensive tackle, but Michael Oher was simply too good to pass up in the late 1st round. He's capable of playing left tackle, but Jared Gaither appears to have that position locked down. As a result, Oher's position will likely be on the right side once Willie Anderson is out of the picture.

I thought Paul Kruger was a reach in the 2nd round, but I can see why the Ravens feel as though he's a good fit in their system. He's a fairly good athlete and should be able to move to outside linebacker in their 3-4 defense. He'll be used primarily in passing situations to get to the quarterback and could eventually take over a starting role down the road.

Lardarius Webb is a tremendous natural athlete but he's had an up-and-down career. The Ravens definitely need to replace Chris McAlister and if Webb pans out, he could be able to fill that role.

Jason Phillips is a perfect fit in Baltimore. He's a tough, physical inside linebacker that will be groomed as Ray Lewis' potential replacement.

Davon Drew is a good athlete and should be used on occasion in passing situations. He likely will never be a starter, but he could contribute since the Ravens haven't gotten much from Todd Heap as a receiver in recent years.

Cedric Peerman was a decent late-round pick. He could contribute as a kick returner and should win the third-string running back position.

This was a very solid draft for the Ravens. Michael Oher should team with Jared Gaither to anchor the Ravens offensive line for years to come. Kruger, Webb and Phillips are also capable of developing into starters. When its all said and done, the Ravens should have at least 2 starters and a few contributors from this class, which by all accounts is a succussful draft.

Grade: A-

Draft Grades: Giants

2009-05-03T19:48:00.005-04:00

I'm rarely a fan of taking a wide receiver in the 1st round, but its hard to find another hole on the Giants roster so I can't argue with the selection of Nicks. Receivers are never a sure thing, but Nicks is close. He catches everything thrown his way, which should be enough to at least make him an adequate starter despite his lack of speed.

Clint Sintim was a steal in the 2nd round. He'll compete for playing time at the strong-side linebacker position and I wouldn't be shocked if he won the starting job of Danny Clark at some point this season.

William Beatty didn't fill a need, but he was arguably the best available player in the late 2nd round. He has the ability to play left tackle and could take the starting job fro David Diehl down the road.

Ramses Barden is one of my favorite prospects in this year's draft class. He was nothing short of dominant at Cal Poly and I think he can be a serious red zone threat for the Giants from day one. He may be too slow to be a true number one receiver, but he'll find ways to make an impact.

Travis Beckum was a risky pick, but if he stays healthy he's a perfect fit in New York. He's essentially an over-sized receiver, and will be a nice compliment to Kevin Boss who is more of a blocker.

Andre Brown doesn't fill a need, but was the best available player. He'll compete with Danny Ware for the 3rd-string running back position and I expect him to win the job.

I don't think Rhett Bomar has much upside, but the Giants didn't have any holes to fill and felt as though he was worth the risk. It was probably a smart move, because it comes at no costs with a potentially high reward.

Neither DeAndre Wright nor Stoney Woodson has much upside. The Giants top three cornerbacks are locked in (Corey Webster, Aaron Ross, Terrell Thomas) so they'll compete with others for the 4th and 5th spots on the roster.

This was a great draft for the Giants. Nicks, Barden and Beckum are all capable of contributing right away and will be used in situations to best fit their skill set. Those three, as well as Beatty, have the potential to develop into starters.

Grade: A

Draft Grades: Eagles

2009-05-03T18:34:00.006-04:00

I was shocked when the Eagles selected Jeremy Maclin for a couple of reasons. First, he's too similar to DeSean Jackson. Maclin is a little bigger than Jackson, but just as soft. He also isn't going to make a significant impact while McNabb is still in Philly. The Eagles have a closing window of opportunity to win a Super Bowl and selecting a receiver in the 1st round isn't going to help much. There were other players available that would have made a more immediate impact.

LeSean McCoy was an excellent 2nd-round selection. I think there's a significant difference between him and the three 1st-round running backs, but he can still get the job done. He's an excellent receiver and will be able to take some of the load off Brian Westbrook's shoulders.

Cornelius Ingram was a steal in the 5th round. He's a major injury risk, but he has a tremendous upside. If healthy, he could start for them as early as this year.

Macho Harris is a little overrated because of his collegiate success but he had good value in the 5th round. He isn't a future starter, but he'll add to their depth and should contribute on special teams.

I love the selection of Brandon Gibson. He doesn't have elite speed but he has great hands and is an excellent route runner. He may actually be able to contribute more right away than Maclin.

Paul Fanaika is an unimpressive lineman with little upside. However, the Eagles do need depth at guard and there wasn't much else available in the 7th round.

Moise Fokuo will compete for the backup job at strong-side linebacker. He doesn't have much upside but could be an adequate backup.

Overall the Eagles had a decent draft, but they didn't get much in term of immediate impact players. McCoy and Ingram should see playing time right away and Maclin will contribute on special teams, but its possible that none of them crack the starting lineup. The impact of this draft class won't be felt until a few years down the road, which was a curious decision by the Eagles who hope to compete for a Championship in 2009.

Grade: B

Draft Grades: Cowboys

2009-05-02T22:30:00.003-04:00

The Cowboys didn't enter the draft with hopes of adding much in terms of immediate impact players, but they got absolutely nothing.

I like Jason Williams a lot, but he's a project. He's athletic enough to play inside or outside linebacker and will likely see time on special teams.

Robert Brewster was a major reach in the 3rd round. He played tackle at Ball State but may be better suited for guard in the NFL. He won't see much playing time right away, but could work his way into the rotation in a year or two.

Stephen McGee was a curious selection. I don't think he has much upside as a quarterback. He could be used as a running back/quarterback in the wildcat formation.

Victor Butler played defensive end in college but will make the switch to linebacker in the Cowboys 3-4 system. He won't be a starter in this league, but could be a decent backup behind DeMarcus Ware.

Brandon Williams was an excellent pass rusher at Texas Tech but I don't see him as a 3-4 linebacker. He's also too small to play defensive end in the system, which makes him a bit of a 'tweener in Dallas.

DeAngelo Smith is an adequate cornerback who excels in zone coverage. However, I didn't think he was even the best cornerback on his own team. Ironically, I would have selected Smith's teammate Mike Mickens first, who the Cowboys grabbed in the 7th round.

Mike Hamlin was a great 5th round selection. He'll could compete with Gerald Sensabaugh for playing time at free safety.

The selection of David Buehler was confusing. Nick Folk has been one of the league's best kickers since entering the league in 2007. Buehler will have a very hard time making the roster.

Stephen Hodge will compete for a spot at inside linebacker, but there isn't much room for him there. He'll struggle to make the active roster.

John Phillips is an excellent blocking tight end. He'll never be a starter, but he could make the roster as the 3rd tight end behind Jason Witten and Martellus Bennett.

Manny Johnson was a great 7th-round pick. He has little upside but he's a hard worker and an excellent special teams player. He'll compete for the 4th or 5th receiver position.

The Cowboys didn't have many needs, so this draft wasn't a complete letdown. However, they could have done much better. They added a few decent pieces to be puzzle, but only Jason Williams even has the potential to develop into a starter. This was one of the worst drafts of the year and one of the worst for the Cowboys in a quite awhile.

Grade: C-

Draft Grades: Redskins

2009-05-02T22:01:00.003-04:00

The Redskins made a splash in the 1st round with Brian Orakpo. He's going to make an instant impact improving their anemic pass rush.

With just one pick in the 2nd through 4th rounds the Redskins didn't have many opportunities to add much else. Kevin Barnes was a reach in the 3rd round. He has speed, but that's about it. I don't see him being anything more than a nickelback. Cornerback wasn't a need and there were plenty of other potential impact players on the board.

Cody Glenn won't add much to the Redskins already crew of linebackers. He's undersized and should be much more than a special teams guy.

Robert Henson is a very similar player to Cody Glenn. They'll both compete for playing time as backups, but have little chance to make a significant impact.

Eddie Williams was a reach. He'll likely be moved to fullback because he's undersized and there isn't room for him at tight end.

Marko Mitchell has impressive size and speed and is a decent developmental prospect. Unfortunately there isn't much room for him in Washington. He'll have a hard time making the active roster.

The Redskins hit a home run in the 1st round with Orakpo. He was one of the top players on their draft board and a perfect fit for their defensive scheme. Beyond Orakpo, however, the 'Skins didn't get much. They got a few players that will contribute as backups, but no one that has much upside.

Grade: B-

Draft Grades: Jaguars

2009-05-01T22:27:00.004-04:00

The Jaguars hit the jackpot in the 1st round with Eugene Monroe. He's one of the surest things in this year's draft class and should start from day one at right tackle before eventually replacing Tra Thomas on the left side.

Eben Britton had excellent value in the 2nd round. There isn't any room for him in the lineup right away, which is actually a good thing because I don't think he's ready to start. He'll be ready to play right tackle in a year or two when Tra Thomas calls it quits.

Terrance Knighton was a major reach. He has a ton of upside but he's a boom-or-bust prospect. They needed more of an instant impact player on the defensive line and I don't think Knighton's ready to be that guy.

As if Knighton wasn't enough of a reach, they made the second biggest reach of the draft on Derek Cox (nothing could top the Raiders selection of Michael Mitchell). Cox has limited upside and I don't see how he fits into the Jaguars plan.

Mike Thomas and Jarett Dillard were both nice selections in the 4th and 5th round. Both will compete for playing time as the slot receiver and both offer a different set of tools. Thomas has the ability to stretch the field, while Dillard is more of a possession receiver.

Zach Miller is a good athlete but he played quarterback in college so he'll need time to learn a new position. Let's hope this experiment works out better than the selection of Matt Jones.

Rashad Jennings was a steal in the 7th round. I thought he could come off the board as early as the 3rd round. At worst he'll be a short-yardage back, but I could see him getting a decent amount of carries behind Maurice Jones-Drew this year.

Tiquan Underwood also had goof value in the 7th round. They clearly didn't need another receiver, but the Jaguars have been so terrible at drafting them in recent years that they probably figured: 'if we draft enough of them, one of them is bound to pan out.' It's actually not a bad theory.

This draft was filled with ups and downs for the Jaguars. The selection of Monroe was a great pick. However, Cox was one of the biggest reaches of the draft. They got a few impact players, but the picks of Cox and Knighton drag down the overall grade.

Grade: B+

Draft Grades: Titans

2009-05-01T21:57:00.004-04:00

I am almost always against drafting a wide receiver in the 1st round, and the Titans situation is no exception. The Titans have a very small window of opportunity with Kerry Collins as their quarterback and Kenny Britt is unlikely to make an instant impact. It almost always takes receivers two full years before they live up to expectations. The Anquan Boldin's of the world only come along every so often. Britt could end being an elite receiver, but odds are it won't be with Kerry Collins as his quarterback. There were other players available that could have make a more immediate need in Tennessee.

Sen'Derrick Marks was a decent late 2nd-round selection. The Titans clearly needed someone to at least attempt to fill the very large shoes left behind by Albert Haynesworth. Marks won't live up to the standard set by Haynesworth, but he could win the starting job.

Jared Cood was a steal in the 3rd round. His blocking ability is well below average, which hurts his abilty to be an every down player. However, with Bo Scaife already on the roster, the Titans only need Cook to be a situational player. He'll give them exactly what they're looking for.

Ryan Mouton was one of the bigger reaches of the draft. He easily could have gone undrafted. Cornerback was a need, but there were plenty of others on the board that would have been a better fit.

Gerald McRath is very raw, but has a ton of upside. He's the best athlete in this year's crop of linebackers and was a tackle machine at Southern Miss. He'll be a standout on special teams right away and could develop into a Pro Bowl caliber linebacker. Then again, he could completely flame out in a year or two. He's a boom-or-bust prospect.

Javon Ringer was a safe 5th-round selection. He makes Chris Henry expendable and someone is likely to want to overpay for the former 2nd-round pick.

Jason McCourty has experience at safety and cornerback and that type of versatility always increases a player's value in the late rounds. He's likely to make the team and should be an adequate backup and special teams player.

Dominique Edison is a good developmental prospect. He has impressive size and speed and could develop into a quality receiver. He won't make an impact immediately however.

Ryan Durand and Nick Schommer were both selections purely based on adding depth. With as many picks as the Titans had, and as few holes to fill, its unlikely that either player spends much time on the active roster.

Overall this was a decent draft for the Titans, but they failed to add the type of immediate impact player that could put them over the top in 2009. A cornerback, defensive tackle or inside linebacker would all have been smart 1st-round picks. As I said, Britt could develop into an elite receiver, but the Titans are within reach of a Championship and a rookie receiver is unlikely to play a significant role in that.

Grade: B

Draft Grades: Texans

2009-05-01T21:06:00.005-04:00

The Texans got their wish in the 1st round with Brian Cushing. He certainly fills a need, but I still don't like the pick. I think Cushing is overrated and won't be a great every-down player in the NFL. His athleticism isn't anything special and he's little more than a pass-rush specialist. He'll start from day one at strong-side linebacker, but I think the Texans will be disappointed with the selection in the long run. His former teammate Clay Matthews would have been the better pick.

Connor Barwin will likely begin his career at defensive end but I wouldn't be shocked to see him moved to linebacker some day. He's a tremendous athlete, but he lacks the strength to stay on the field at defensive end. He'll likely step in for Antonio Smith in passing situations.

Antoine Caldwell was a great third round selection. I wouldn't be shocked to see him win the starting job from Chris Myers.

Glover Quin was a reach in the 4th round. They certainly needed a cornerback, but I don't see how he solves the problem. He's a nickelback at best and likely will offer very little in 2009.

I'm not quite sure what to make of their selection of two tight ends. I don't understand how a team could have graded Anthony Hill higher than James Casey. I also don't know why they felt it was necessary to take two tight ends. They've already talked about moving Casey to fullback. He isn't an ideal fit there, but he's a playmaker and anyway they can get him on the field would be a wise decision. Hill will be the odd man out, I don't see him making an impact in Houston.

Brice McCain is a phenomenal athlete with elite speed. He's a candidate to play special teams, but I don't see him making an impact at cornerback.

Troy Nolan can be an adequate backup safety and special teams contributor. He was a safe 7th round selection, but doesn't offer any upside.

This was a confusing draft for the Texans. They got a few players that can make an impact, but not necessary players that were right for their system. Cushing will start right away and Barwin will fit into the defensive line rotation. However, they also appeared to enter day two without any real plan. It raises some questions about the ability of their front office. For a team on the brink of playoff contention this was somewhat of a disappointing draft.

Grade: B-

Draft Grades: Colts

2009-05-01T20:28:00.006-04:00

The Colts may have answered some questions about their confidence with Joseph Addai's ability to stay healthy with their first selection. While Addai is clearly still the feature back in Indy, Brown should get his fair share of touches and will be ready to take over should Addai miss some time as he did in 2008.

The Colts reached for Fili Moala, but there wasn't much left on the board at defensive tackle. Moala fills a serious need and could be forced into action as a rookie. I think he's a little overrated, but he should be an adequate starter.

Jerraud Powers was another reach, and doesn't really fill a need. The Colts need an impact cornerback, but Powers is best suited to play nickelback in the NFL. He'll get lost in the mix with T.J. Rushing, Tim Jennings and Dante Hughes.

I like Austin Collie a lot and think he's a perfect fit in Indy. He'll be given the opportunity to step in as the slot receiver, a roll he's well suited for.

Terrance Taylor had good value in the 4th round and will be given the opportunity to win a starting role. Don't be surprised if the Colts are starting two rookies on the defensive line at some point this season (Taylor and Moala).

The selection of Curtis Painter was decent risk to take in the 6th round. He has the physical tools to play in the NFL, but needs to work on his decision making ability before he's ready to see the field. There isn't a quarterback in the game that I would rather have a prospect learn behind than Peyton Manning, and that could allow Painter to exceed expectations down the line. He should be an adequate backup at worst.

Pat McAfee was a decent late-round selection. He should be able to replace the departed Hunter Smith as the starting punter. He'll likely handle kickoff duties as well.

Jaimie Thomas was a good 7th-round selection. He can play guard or tackle which adds to his value and should allow him to make the team.

Overall the Colts did a nice job addressing their needs. Moala should start from day one and Donald Brown will play a vital role in the offense. Terrance Taylor and Austin Collie also figure to see significant playing time. They have the potential to get a lot of production from this draft class right away.

Grade: B+

Draft Grades: Falcons

2009-04-30T22:49:00.005-04:00

This was an adequate draft for the Falcons, but was missing a few key components.

Peria Jerry can be an instant player on their defense. He'll start from day one and could be the best player on their defensive line if he lives up to expectations.

I think William Moore is among the most overrated players in this year's draft class. He's a physical specimen but he lacks the instincts necessary to play at a high level. The Falcons will likely allow him to compete for a starting job at strong safety, but I don't envision him winning it over Erik Coleman.

Christopher Owens was a slight reach in the 3rd round. Cornerback is certainly a need, but there were players at other positions that would have been a better fit in Atlanta.

I like Lawrence Sidbury a lot. He's a tremendous athlete and could be groomed as John Abraham's replacement. He has a similar build as Abraham and comparable athleticism.

William Middleton was a reach. He's very raw, hasn't faced top competition and on top of that he didn't really fill a need since Christopher Owens had already been selected.

Garrett Reynolds isn't starter material, but he had good value in the 5th round. He'll compete for a backup job and I like his chances of winning a roster spot.

Spencer Adkins is another player that will add to the depth but has very little upside. Linebacker was a serious need for the Falcons entering the draft, but not inside linebacker where Adkins is likely to play.

I like the selection of Vance Walker in the 7th round. He's an active lineman and should be a nice backup behind Peria Jerry.

The Falcons had some nice picks in this draft and I think Jerry could be a star in this league. However, they desperately needed to add someone at outside linebacker and they came up empty. They're set to open the season with converted safety Coy Wire starting at weak-side linebacker which is a sobering thought for Falcons fans. Any number of players in the 2nd or 3rd round could have been added to fill that hole.

Grade: C+

Draft Grades: Panthers

2009-04-30T22:18:00.004-04:00

Despite not having a 1st-round selection, the Panthers made the most of this year's draft.

Everette Brown fell down the draft boards throughout the offseason but he was an excellent value in the 2nd round. His stock fell because, although he's a tremendous athlete, he's a bit of a one-dimensional player. He's an elite pass rusher, but undersized and may lack the ability to be a three-down lineman.

I felt as though Sherrod Martin was a little overrated. The Panthers will likely move him to safety, but that's risky to spend a 2nd-round pick on a small-school player that needs to switch positions at the next level.

Corvey Irvin was a definite reach. He didn't even enter his senior year as a starter, but was pushed into duty when Jeff Owens went down with an injury. He impressed this year, but I wouldn't risk a 3rd round pick a college backup.

Mike Goodson is a decent developmental prospect. There isn't room for him in the Panthers backfield right now, but sooner or later they'll have to part ways with either DeAngelo Williams or Jonathan Stewart at which point he could step in.

Tony Fiammetta was the consensus top fullback in this year's draft class. Brad Hoover has held the job for nearly a decade now, but he's 32 years old. Fiammetta could take over the starting duties as soon as this year.

I said all along that Duke Robinson was overrated, and apparently NFL teams aggreed. He fell to the 5th round where he belonged. That said, he had good value where the Panthers took him and he could be an adequate backup with the potential to develop into a starter down the road.

I like Captain Munnerlyn a lot. He's undersized, but an excellent athlete. He won't make an instant impact, but I like his chance to stick around and potentially develop into an adequate contributor as a 3rd or 4th option at cornerback.

Overall the Panthers did an excellent job with the picks given to them. This won't be a draft that we look back on as a draft that retooled the franchise, but its was a solid draft to add some depth at positions of need. They did a nice job balancing against filling needs and taking good values.

Grade: B+

Draft Grades: Bucs

2009-04-30T19:27:00.005-04:00

Question their strategy all you want, but you have to give the Bucs credit for targeting their man and moving up to get him.

I'm not entirely sold on Josh Freeman and I don't think he was worth a mid-1st-round pick. However, it sure is nice to finally see a young face in the mix at quarterback in Tampa. He needs at least a year to sit and learn, but he definitely has Daunte Culpepper-like potential.

I think they reached for Roy Miller, but some had him rated as high as a late 2nd-round value. He certainly fills a need though. Chris Hovan and Ryan Sims are adequate starters, but nothing special. Even if Roy Miller only adds to the depth, he'll serve his purpose.

I like Kyle Moore a lot and I think he's a perfect fit in Tampa. They needed a bigger defensive end to work into the rotation behind Gaines Adams and Stylez G. White.

Xavier Fulton is a decent 5th-round pick. He has some upside and is athletic enough to play left tackle. The Bucs offensive line needed more than just Fulton, but they filled other needs earlier in the draft so I can't penalize them waiting to address the line until the 5th round.

E.J. Biggers was a reach even in the 7th round. I was surprised to hear his name called at all. He wasn't even the best cornerback on his own team (Londen Fryar).

Sammie Stroughter was a decent 7th round selection. He's been dominant at times in college but there remains questions about his mental healthy after missing most of the 2008 season with depression. He's certainly worth the risk though and it would be a great story to see him catch on with the Bucs and make an impact. I'm certainly rooting for him.

Overall, the Bucs had a decent draft but a lot is riding on the shoulders of Josh Freeman. They took a big risk and Raheem Morris essentially bet his job on him. If he pans out, this draft will be the begining of another great run for the Bucs.

Grade: B

Draft Grades: Saints

2009-04-29T22:59:00.004-04:00

The Saints didn't have much to work with this year, but they came away a few players that can help right away.

Malcolm Jenkins is a perfect fit in New Orleans. The Saints have needed a cornerback for years, but have failed to address that need through the draft. The free agent signings of guys such as Randall Gay and Jason David simply haven't lived up to expectations. Jenkins finally gives the Saints hope of having a true shutdown cornerback.

Chip Vaughn had excellent value in the 4th round. Roman Harper has done an adequate job as the starter at strong safety, but they're not sold on him as the long-term option. Vaughn adds to their depth and gives them someone to push Harper for playing time.

Vaughn's teammate Stanley Arnoux doesn't offer much except some depth. I felt as though he was a reach in the 4th round. He had a productive career at Wake Forest, but he's undersized and not a great fit for the Saints scheme.

I don't like it when teams take kickers and punters before the 7th round. Most drafted special teams players fail to work out and some quality players can still be found in the 5th round. Morstead was one of the better punters in this draft class, but not substantially better than what would have been available in free agency. He should win the starting job, but it was still a reach.

Overall the Saints did an adequate job addressing needs. Despite having just four picks, they managed to get one immediate starter (Jenkins) and potentially two others (Morstead and Vaughn). However, they failed to land a running back to share the load with Reggie Bush, despite trying to trade back into the 1st round for Chris Wells.

Grade: B-

Draft Grades: Raiders

2009-04-28T17:39:00.006-04:00

I don't even know where to start with the Raiders. In terms of initial reactions, this was by far the worst draft I've seen in the six years I've been running DraftAce.com.

Darrius Heyward-Bey is a very talented receiver. Unfortunately that talent only comes out in workouts. He rarely makes plays on the field that live up to his physical ability. His apologists are quick to point out the inconsistent play of his quarterbacks at Maryland, but we've seen plenty of receivers in recent years find success in spite of their quarterback's play (Calvin Johnson, Hakeem Nicks to name a few). Heyward-Bey had a chance to develop into a good receiver had he landed in the right system, but being selected by the Raiders could end his career before it even starts. Through no fault of his own, he has been put in a position to fail.

While Heyward-Bey was a reach, at least most felt he was a worthy of a late 1st-round selection. Michael Mitchell, however, was the biggest reach I have ever seen in the draft. Teams reach for players all the time, but never before have I seen a player drafted in the 2nd round that shouldn't have heard his name called at all. Mitchell is a decent athlete, but I don't see him as an impact player in the NFL. He may play for the Raiders right away, but only because safety is a serious question mark for them right now.

Matt Shaughnessy was a reach in the 3rd round. I think he could be a decent player, but defensive end is arguably one of their strengths. With so many needs, I can't justify reaching for another position in the 3rd round. There were still quality players on the board that could have helped in areas of need.

Louis Murphy is a decent 4th round selection. He has speed (of course you probably already knew that since the Raiders drafted him) and he's a decent route runner. He'll be a good 3rd or 4th option at receiver.

Slade Norris played both defensive end and outside linebacker in college but is undersized and will move to linebacker in the NFL. He's very raw and will offer very little immediate help. He's a decent pass rusher, but that's about all he brings to the table at this point in time.

I like Stryker Sulak but he's very similar to Slade Norris. He's a little bigger and could probably play defensive line, but he's a one-dimensional pass rusher.

Brandon Myers will struggle to make the roster. Tight end isn't a need and he doesn't offer much that the Raiders don't already have.

No one had a worse draft than the Raiders. In fact, no one came even close. I've never seen a team make so many horrendous reaches in one draft. The Raiders failed to land a single player that will make an impact in 2009. We can expect to see them drafting in the top 10 again next year.

Grade: F

Draft Grades: Chiefs

2009-04-28T17:00:00.004-04:00

Bill Belichick disciples have struggled without him, and early indications are that Scott Pioli is next. This draft displayed the typical arrogance that occasionally has gotten the Patriots in trouble over the years by reaching for players that they felt fit their system. Occasionally the strategy works, it frequently does in the 1st round. However, Pioli had the same problem identifying late-round talent that he did in New England.

The Chiefs reached for Tyson Jackson. No matter what becomes of him in the NFL, there's no denying that fact. He would have been available later in the first round. The Chiefs should have traded down, even if it meant essentially giving away the 3rd pick as the Browns did with the 5th selection. He's a good fit for their system, but 3-4 defensive ends simply aren't the worth the 3rd overall selection and the money that he will receive as a result.

Alex Magee was a great catch in the 3rd round. He's a good athlete and should play defensive end in their 3-4 system. The addition of Magee likely means the end of the road in Kansas City for either Glenn Dorsey or Turk McBride (Dorsey isn't a good fit in the 3-4 defense).

I feel as though they reached for Donald Washington, but there were some that felt he could have come off the board as early as the 3rd round. He certainly has some potential, but should have stayed in school for his senior year.

They also reached for Colin Brown. He has impressive size, but is very raw and doesn't have a clear position in the NFL. He's too slow to get a good fit at tackle, but may be too tall to play guard.

The Chiefs needed a receiver, so I understand the selection of Quinten Lawrence. However, he's a developmental prospect and doesn't figure to make an impact in 2009. They should have gone the safer route and targeted a more NFL-ready receiver.

Javarris Williams is another developmental prospect that wasn't worth the risk by a team needing as much immediate help as the Chiefs. There isn't much room for him at running back, which could mean they're planning on trying him out at fullback. It could work out in the long run, but he doesn't add any immediate help.

Jake O'Connell is an excellent athlete, but he wasn't very productive at Miami OH. He could provide some depth, but he's a third-string tight end at best.

Mr. Irrelevant Ryan Succop will be given the chance to win the stating job from Connor Barth. I thought there were better kickers available, but he's certainly capable of playing the NFL.

Overall the Chiefs got very little help for the immediate future. Jackson and Magee are capable of starting, but its concerning that the Chiefs spent both of their top picks on the same position despite having so many other needs. They have a few developmental prospects which could make this a solid draft class down the road, but this is a win-now league. The Chiefs took too many risks and only addressed one position of need early in the draft.

Grade: C-

Draft Grades: Broncos

2009-04-28T13:02:00.005-04:00

The Broncos are a team without direction right now. First they sign three free agent running backs (J.J. Arrington, LaMont Jordan and Correll Buckhalter) and then they spend their 1st-round pick on Knowshon Moreno. He may develop into a quality starter, but it doesn't excuse the money wasted on the other three running backs.

Robert Ayers was a decent selection with their second 1st-round pick. However, it doesn't come without risk. He was a non-factor at Tennessee until his senior year and may not be best suited to play defensive end in Denver's 3-4 system.

The Broncos further compounded their problems by giving up next year's 1st-round pick to move up for Alphonso Smith. I do like Smith, but they gave up far to much acquire him. He should be an adequate starter, but wasn't worth the likely top-15 pick which Denver gave up.

Darcel McBath was a reach but it does add some much-needed depth to their secondary. He's a good athlete that could play strong or free safety at the next level. He could backup Brian Dawkins or compete with Reynaldo Hill for the starting job at free safety.

Richard Quinn was one of the biggest reaches of the draft. I wasn't surprised to see him off the board that high, but its a reach to take a blocking tight end in the 2nd round. He's a situational player, not the type of impact player that you need to land in the 1st and 2nd round.

I like the selection of David Bruton in the 4th round. I actually gave him a higher grade than Darcel McBath. He's a tremendous athlete, who's stock suffered at Notre Dame because he wasn't surrounded with enough talent. I believe he'll develop into a starter in a few years.

Seth Olsen was a reach in the 4th round. He has no upside and I don't see him as anything more than a backup.

Kenny McKinley was an excellent selection in the 5th round. He was one of the most productive receivers in South Carolina history despite suffering through multiple quarterback changes over the past few years. He could develop into a starter for the Broncos.

Tom Brandstater is a nice developmental prospect. He clearly looks the part of an NFL quarterback but he was very inconsistent at Fresno State. He may never amount to anything, but he's worth keeping around for a few years to see if he blossoms under the tutoledge of an NFL coaching staff.

7th-round pick Blake Schlueter will provide some depth, but nothing more. It isn't an exciting pick, but he should at least live up to expectations as a 7th-rounder.

The Broncos got some quality players in this draft. Moreno and Ayers should start from day one and Smith will certainly be in the competition for playing time. They also landed a few nice developmental prospect in David Bruton, Kenny McKinley and Tom Brandstater. I would be willing to give them a higher grade if they hadn't sacrificed next year's 1st-round pick for Smith.

Grade: B

Draft Grades: Chargers

2009-04-28T11:37:00.003-04:00

The Chargers had very few needs entering this year's draft, allowing them to simply target the best available players. That philosophy was made clear in the 1st round with the selection of Larry English, who will move to outside linebacker in their 3-4 system. Its a curious move, considering that Shawne Merriman and Shaun Phillips are the starting jobs locked down. It makes me wonder if they're comfortable with Merriman's healthy. This could be an insurance policy after seeing how their defense suffered without him last season.

I love the selection of Louis Vasquez. He had good value in the 3rd round and he's the type big, physical offensive lineman that the Chargers like. He could compete with Kynan Forney for a starting job.

They reached for Vaughn Martin, but he's a rare athlete that could play end or tackle in the 3-4. That type of versatility added to his value.

Gartrell Johnson is a perfect fit for the Chargers. He'll be the short-yardage back behind Tomlinson and Spriles.

Brandon Hughes had great value in the 5th round. I felt as though he could have come off the board as high as the 3rd round. He'll add some nice depth to the Chargers secondary. Kevin Ellison will do the same. He should be able to win the backup strong safety job behind Clinton Hart.

Demetrius Byrd is somewhat of a longshot to make the team. The Chargers are already very deep at receiver and Byrd's recent car accident makes it unlikely that he'll be healthy enough and ready to win a job this summer. He may stick around on the practice squad, but nothing more.

The Chargers did a decent job identifying the best available player with each pick and sticking to guys that fit their system. The one minor need they have, however, went unaddressed. They could have used an inside linebacker fairly early in the draft to compete with Matt Wilhem and Kevin Burnett for the starting job opposite Stephen Cooper. Aside from that oversight, it was a very solid draft.

Grade: B

Draft Grades: Rams

2009-04-28T00:07:00.006-04:00

The Rams did a poor job disguising their interest in Jason Smith, but once the Lions settled on Matthew Stafford there really wasn't any reason to cover it up. Smith likely isn't going earn a visit the Pro Bowl like recent top picks Joe Thomas and Jake Long, but he could be every bit as dominant down the road. He was the only prospect in this class that had the potential to live up the lofty expectations set by Orlando Pace for the past decade.

As much as I love the selection of Jason Smith, I think Laurinaitis could be every bit as good. I understand why he fell (lack of measurables and workout numbers) but you can't overlook how effective he is on the field. He's an on-field coach and will be the leader of the Rams defense in 2009.

I'm not very high on Bradley Fletcher. He has the size and athleticism to be a dominant player, but he struggled to make an impact in college and was only a one-year starter at Iowa. Additionally, he was arrested on drunk driving charges in 2007.

I like Dorell Scott. He could have been a first day pick if not for a disappointing senior year. Given that everone at Clemson had a disappointing 2008 season, I'm willing to assume that season was the exception, not the norm. He could be a steal and at worst, a nice addition to their defensive line rotation.

Brooks Foster is a decent 5th-round pick. He'll never be a standout receiver, but he could be a decent 3rd or 4th option. He has good size and speed but was inconsistent throughout college.

The Keith Null selection came out of nowhere. He put up some impressive numbers at West Texas A&M (where he was coached by Ryan Leaf) but I don't see him playing in the NFL. There were plenty of other options at quarterback I liked more than Null. I wouldn't be surprised if he failed to make the 53-man roster.

Chris Ogbonnaya was a surprising pick. I don't see him fitting into the Rams plans. He's a running back/fullback 'tweener, a lot like Brian Leonard. He'll struggle to sneak ahead of Antonio Pittman as the Rams third running back and likely won't beat out Mike Karney for the fullback job.

For the most part I like what the Rams did. They landed two immediate starters with their first two picks. And two others that should see playing time (Fletcher and Scott). However, they failed to land an impact receiver and a cornerback to push Tye Hill for playing time. Additionally, their late-round picks don't figure to make an impact, even has backups.

Grade: B

Draft Grades: Seahawks

2009-04-27T23:31:00.005-04:00

You have to love the Seahawks 1st-round pick. Aaron Curry is going to be a star in this league, especially now that he's landed in Seattle playing behind a talented defensive line and next to Pro Bowler Lofa Tatupu. He's going to be the preseason favorite for Defensive Rookie of the Year.

Max Unger was a great 2nd-round selection. He has experiece at nearly every offensive line position, although he's best suited to play center or right tackle in the pros. Since Chris Spencer has the center position locked down, he'll likely be moved to tackle and compete with Sean Locklear for the starting job on the right side. There's no rush to move him into the starting lineup, however.

I'm not a fan of the selection of Deon Butler. He has speed, but thats about it. The best-case scenario for him is to be a 3rd receiver.

They reached for Mike Teel, even in the 6th round. A player like Teel simply isn't worth drafting. He had plenty of experience against top competition and failed to develop into an adequate starter. He closed out his senior year with some impressive numbers, but he is a poor decision maker. That's not something that changes drastically without getting playing time, and we know he isn't going to get much behind Hasselbeck.

Teel's teamate Courtney Greene had good value in the 6th round. Both of Seattle's starting safeties, Deon Butler and Brian Russell, are over the age of 30, so some youth was needed.

I love the selection of Nick Reed. He's a hard worker that is sure to make an impact on special teams. He may be moved to linebacker and it probably nothing more than a backup, but he's the type of player that every team needs because of his work ethic and willingness to do anything asked of him.

Cameron Morrah could be a steal in the 7th round. He's a good athlete that was just starting to show signs of developing into a quality receiver last year. He left school early and could have climbed as high as the 3rd round had he stuck around for his senior year.

Overall the Seahawks had a very solid draft. They got one instant impact player (Curry) and another future starter in Unger. Their second day picks don't project as starters, but they should add some quality depth. They were able to address every position of need, which is key to a successful draft.

Grade: B+

Draft Grades: 49ers

2009-04-27T20:05:00.008-04:00

This was a very disappointing draft for the 49ers, who got very little help for the immediate future. The issues started with the 10th pick when the selected Michael Crabtree. Its hard to argue with the value that Crabtree had at that point, but I don't see how he fits into the 49ers plans. There are serious concerns about Crabtree's ability to keep his mouth shut and just play football. His former quarterback Graham Harrell had this to say about Crabtree's 'diva' attitude: "He thinks he should get the ball on every snap... He's not going to be mad if he doesn't get the ball - as long as we're having success." So what happens when Shaun Hill/Alex Smith/Damon Huard fails to get him enough touches during a 49ers loss this year (which is bound to happen multiple times in 2009)?

Glen Coffee was picked right around where I expected to hear his name called, but the 49ers had far more pressing needs than a backup running back. Linebacker, cornerback and offensive line were all areas of concerns that the Niners could have address here.

Scott McKillop had great value in the 5th round. He's the type of football player that Mike Singletary is going to love to coach. He'll be a backup behind Patrick Willis and Takeo Spikes for now, but could certainly win a starting job once Spikes calls it quits.

I don't like the Nate Davis selection at all. Davis needed to go somewhere where he could learn behind a veteran quarterback, and I don't mean a journeyman backup like Shaun Hill or Damon Huard. I have very little hope for him in this league now that he's landed in San Francisco.

Bear Pascoe was a solid but unspectacular pickup. He's an excellent blocker and more of the type of tight end that Singletar wants (as opposed to the more atheletic/less physical Vernon Davis).

Curtis Taylor is an exception athlete but he failed to establish himself at LSU. He's inconsistent and still has a lot to learn about the position.

Jean-Francois is an adequate 7th round pick. He'll provide some depth and work his way into the defensive line rotation.

Ultimately this was a very dissappointing draft for the 49ers. Crabtree is the only guy that they can count on to develop into a starter, but even he comes with some risks. The 49ers did nothing to improve their team for the immediate future and they should expect to be drafting in the top 10 against in 2010.

Grade: D

Draft Grades: Cardinals

2009-04-27T18:17:00.006-04:00

The Cardinals must have felt like they won the lottery when Chris Wells fell to them with the 31st pick. I had Wells rated as the clear-cut top rated running back, worthy of a top 10 selection. His injury concerns led to him falling down the board, but so long as he stays healthy the Cardinals got themselves a steal.

Cody Brown was a reach. He undersized for a defensive end would have been better suited as an outside linebacker in 3-4 defense. I don't see becoming an impact player in Arizona.

I like the selection of Rashad Johnson. He'll have a hard time seeing the field behind Adrian Wilson and Antrel Rolle, but he had great value in the 3rd round and he'll be an excellent special teams player.

Greg Toler is a developmental prospect. He has some upside, but the 4th round was a bit of a reach. He likely won't be more than a nickelback, and could just as easily be out of the league in a year or two.

Herman Johnson was a great 5th-round selection. He's raw, but his size is impressive and he could develop into an adequate starter. He's exactly the type of over-sized lineman that the Cardinals love. They may even consider moving him to tackle.

Will Davis, the second defensive end they selected, was also a reach. I gave him an undrafted free agent grade because he lacks the strength to play at the next level. He's a good athlete, but really doesn't have the overall size and strength to hold up against more physical offensive linemen.

Stephens-Howling was a major reach. He should have gone undrafted and barely received an interest in free agency. He could be an adequate special teams player, but he's undersized and won't contribute much in any other capacity.

Trevor Canfield was a steal in the 7th round. I gave him a 3rd-round grade and could see him developing into a starter.

Overall this was somewhat of a disappointing draft for the Cardinals. Their biggest need was a running back which they addressed in the 1st round with the best player at the position in the draft. However, they failed to land any impact players on defense and completely ignored their need for a pass-catching tight end.

Grade: C+

Will Braylon End Up in New York?

2009-04-23T23:41:00.003-04:00

Much has been made of the fact that Braylon Edwards still isn't a New York Giant, but we shouldn't be shocked by this.

The Browns can't afford to trade Edwards until they have a suitable replacement lined up. If they trade him before the draft, they run the risk of missing out on a quality receiver with their (presumably) two 1st-round picks. However, if they wait until draft day, they can select a receiver 5th overall (Crabtree) and then trade Edwards. Or, they could select someone else with the 5th pick and then wait until the Giants are on the clock. If they are satisfied with who is available (Hakeem Nicks or Kenny Britt, prehaps) they can pull the trigger at that point.

In short, don't believe that the Edwards-to-New York deal is dead just because it hasn't happened yet. Any rumors that the deal is dead could simply be one side posturing in an effort to get the other to lower/raise the offer.

Impact of Tony Gonzalez to Atlanta

2009-04-23T23:33:00.002-04:00

The Falcons acquisition of Tony Gonzalez is a significant move in the grand scheme of things, but the only impact it will have on this weekend is by shaking up a few mock drafts.

Many draftniks had the Falcons selecting Brandon Pettigrew in the 1st round, but in reality that was never a realistic option. The Falcons knew they needed a tight end, but they wanted one that could make a serious impact as a receiver - hence the acquisition of Gonzalez. While at Boston College, Matt Ryan's favorite target was tight end Ryan Purvis. Yet, in Atlanta in 2008 he Falcons simply didn't have anyone capable of making an impact in the passing game. Ben Hartsock is an above average blocking tight end, but offers little as a receiver.

Pettigrew is an adequate receiver, but his impact at the next level will be as a blocker. Had the Gonzalez trade not worked out the Falcons likely would have targeted a player such as Jared Cook or Shawn Nelson in the 2nd or 3rd round.

Crabtree Falling?

2009-04-22T20:59:00.003-04:00

The Cleveland Browns recently hosted Michael Crabtree for a visit and reportedly so turned off by his "diva attitude" that they removed him from their draft board.

Now this could be viewed as a smoke screen, but what do the Browns really have to gain by saying this? Would the Seahawks really decide to pass on Crabtree simply because the Browns call him a diva? Somehow I doubt it.

This rumor appears to be the real deal, especially when you consider who is involved. Eric Mangini's no-nonsense approach to the game has already resulted in Kellen Winslow being traded and Braylon Edwards appears to be next. Additionally, the Browns immediately scheduled visits with Kenny Britt, Mohamed Massaquoi and Hakeem Nicks after their visit with Crabtree concluded.

And it isn't exactly a secret that Crabtree is considered a diva by many. If you caught him going through the car wash at ESPN today you know what I mean. He closed out his visit on the 6pm SportsCenter talking about how the hardest part of his offsaeson has been deciding which suit to wear on draft day.

While the Browns may be looking elsewhere on draft day, don't think that Crabtree will fall far. Its tough to see him slipping past the 49ers.

Photos From the Night of Donte Whitner's Arrest

2009-04-22T00:25:00.007-04:00

Donte Whitner's arrest is old news, but we've gotten our hands on some entertaining photos which appear to be from that night (apparently it was Ted Ginn Jr's birthday bash).

Before we get to the pictures, I just wanted to throw my two cents in on Whitner and share an article. Whiter has been an upstanding citizen throughout his time in college and in the NFL. Yes, he probably used poor judgment on the night that he was arrested, but lets not throw him into the category of delinquent football players with Pacman Jones, Chris Henry, etc. By all accounts this was an isolated incident where Whitner exhibited poor judgement. But no one got hurt, no one was put in any danger. Simply poor judgment by a 20-something year old having a good time with friends. For more thoughts on the subject check out this article .

Now for the fun stuff...

For the sake of Ohio State fans, please us this was the result of losing a Fiesta Bowl bet Donte (this photo apparently is not from the night of the arrest)...

The birthday boy appears to be enjoying himself...
And taking a page from Mo Clarett's book and "getting his goose on"

Beanie Wells Refutes Report of Injured Foot

2009-04-21T23:47:00.002-04:00

Sports Illustrated has reported that Chris Wells has a sesamoid bone in his foot, essentially meaning he's prone to foot injuries.

Today Wells' agent Adam Heller fired back, saying that the reports are erroneous and that Wells has been cleared by Dr. James Andrews.

Believe what you want, but remember that at this of year rumors are spread like wildfire in an effort to drag down a player's stock or hype someone up. Also keep in mind that SI hasn't exactly been squeaky clean in its NFL Draft reports this offseason. They jumped the gun on reporting B.J. Raji's positive test at the combine, which they have since apologized for.

Notre Dame Draft Steals

2009-04-21T13:15:00.003-04:00

Notre Dame won't have anyone drafted in the 1st round this year, and probably not the 2nd round either. Which means if anyone from Notre Dame's 2009 draft class produces in the NFL they'll have a chance to join this list of the best draft steals from Notre Dame put together by unhd.com

Number one on the list? You guessed it: Joe Montana.

The only real threat to join the list this year is safety David Bruton. He's a tall, well built free safety with excellent athleticism. He didn't really stand out at Notre Dame because the Irish's front seven was so poor the past two years that their secondary was just apart. Once he's surrounded with some talent, however, I think he could develop into a quality starter at the next level. He should come off the board in the 3rd or 4th round.

Draft Class: Running Backs

2009-04-21T12:45:00.004-04:00

Yesterday I went through my list of the top 10 quarterback prospects. Today its time for the running backs.

Chris Wells tops my draft board, and it's an easy decision. No other play in the draft has his combination of size, speed and athleticism. He has the same potential as recent top-10 picks Adrian Peterson and Darren McFadden, but injury concerns will likely cause teams to pass over him early in round one.

Donald Brown, who has steadily risen up the draft board, is number two on my board. It was a tough decision to move him ahead of Knowshon Moreno, but in the end I would be more comfortable making Brown a feature back in my offense. He's every bit as athletic as Moreno and I love his work ethic. He's a coaches dream, which could easily cause some team to fall in love with him and select him higher than expected.

Moreno is the third running back on the board, receiving a late 1st-round grade. I rate him slightly lower than Brown only because of Brown's exceptional work ethic and attitude. That isn't to say that Moreno has character concerns by any means, its simply a reflection of Brown's willingness to go above and beyond what is expected of him. Moreno is an elite athlete, but I have questions about his toughness. He isn't the type that can run between the tackles, meaning he needs to be paired with another bigger, stronger running back to be truly effective.

LeSean McCoy ranks 4th on my board, receiving an early 2nd-round grade. I like McCoy, but I'm concerned about his running style. A bit reckless and I wonder how he'll hold up at the next level. His instincts aren't great and he doesn't always hit holes as they open up. I would have liked to see him stay in school for at least another year to work on that. He's worth a second round pick, but I don't think he'll be a Matt Forte-like prospect that steps in and makes an immediate impact.

Andre Brown ranks 5th and receives a 3rd-round grade. Brown has risen up the board this offseason, to the point where I feel he is now overrated. He has an NFL body but there are serious injury concerns. I don't see him as the type that can carry the load at the next level. However, if paired with a more athletic outside runner (a Knowshon Moreno, for example) he could be a nice complimentary back.

Also receiving a 3rd-round grade is Shonn Greene. This past season for the Hawkeyes Greene played like a 1st rounder. He's a power runner that builds up a head of steam and is tough to bring down. However, I have concerns about the fact that he only played one year at the D-I level and is already 24. The fact that we haven't really seen a full body of work from him gives me hesitation and I would prefer to wait until the 3rd-round to select him where I would be satisfied if all he turns out to be is an adquate backup.

I gave Rashad Jennings a 3rd-round grade for similar reasons as Greene. Coming from an FCS program, we haven't seen what Jennings can do against top competition. We know he has the size to take his game to the next level, but will he still be a force when going up against bigger defenders. Ultimately I think the answer is no, but I would be willing to take a chance on him in the late 3rd-round.

Jeremiah Johnson intrigues me. He's undersized but he was nothing but productive when on the field in 2008. Durability is an issue, but I would be willing to take a chance in the late 3rd-round. He could be a nice backup at the next level.

Gartrell Johnson receives a 4th-round grade, but I think he's one of the top sleepers in this draft class. He's an absolute beast with the football in his hands. He's a powerful downhill runner and actually has more speed on the field that you'd expect from his forty time. He probably isn't going to be a starter in the NFL, but he'll find a place a short-yardage back and could be the type of touchdown vulture that makes a big impact in fantasy leagues.

Rounding out my top 10 is Javon Ringer. Early in the 2008 season Ringer was taking full advantage of his first year as the full-time starter and looked like a potential 1st-round pick. However, he came down to earth when matched up against legitimate collegiate defenses such as Penn State and Ohio State and his stock took a nose dive. Ringer can be productive, but he simply doesn't have the build to be a starter at the next level. He likes to run between the tackles, but his frame simply won't hold up with that type of pounding in the NFL.

So there you go... my top 10 running backs fo 2009.

Jaguars Sign Torry Holt

2009-04-20T21:19:00.002-04:00

The Jaguars have agreed to a 2-year contract with former Rams receiver Torry Holt. The addition of Holt further leads me to believe that Mark Sanchez and Jeremy Maclin are unlikely options for the Jaguars.

Why? Because the additions of Holt and Tra Thomas are clearly moves to make them competitive in the near future. Rookie quarterbacks and receivers very rarely have a significant impact on a playoff team, so selecting Sanchez or Maclin would be a step in the wrong direction.

So who are realistic options? Well if either Eugene Monroe or Jason Smith were to fall, they would be the obvious choices. Either one could start at right tackle over Tony Pashos immediately. Michael Oher is also a very real possibility given his ability to step in and start right away on the offensive line. B.J. Raji is also an option, and could be the most likely option. Aaron Curry is another player that could start right away, but odds are he'll be off the board.

Max Unger Kills Squirrels

2009-04-20T20:30:00.005-04:00

Former Oregon offensive lineman Max Unger is a baaaaad man. The type of bad man you'd want on your offensive line if you own a late 1st-round/early 2nd-round pick. The type of bad man that can go out into the wilderness shirtless and bring home a trophy kill...

Draft Class: Quarterbacks

2009-04-20T18:26:00.005-04:00

We're 5 days away from the draft. I've locked in my draft grades as of about an hour ago, so lets review the draft class at each position. We'll start with the most important position: quarterback.

I give two quarterbacks 1st-round grades this year. That's two more than last year (yeah, I know, I missed the boat on Matt Ryan). Its the first time I've handed out two 1st-round grades to quarterbacks from the same class since 2006 (Matt Leinart, Vince Young, Jay Cutler).

The cream of the crop is Mark Sanchez. He has the size, the arm, the attitude and the work ethic. He's everything you look for in a franchise quarterback. The downside to selecting him is that he needs to sit for at least a year. He only spent one year as a full-time starter at USC and doesn't have the game experience necessary to jump right into an NFL starting lineup.

I also, somewhat begrudgingly, gave Stafford a 1st-round grade. I like everything I see from Stafford in workouts. He has the arm, he has the accuracy. He can even move around a little. What I don't like about him is his lack of production at Georgia. He was surrounded by talent but never took his game to an elite level. In fact, you could argue that he even backtracked from his sophomore to junior. The reason for this could be his lack of work ethic. Not every quarterback needs to be Peyton Manning-like workaholic, but Stafford work ethic is headed down a Matt Leinart/Vince Young path. That said, there's only a handful of players in the NFL with his physical ability and he would be worth the risk in the late 1st round. If I were the Lions, however, I'd stay away.

Josh Freeman comes in at number three on my draft board. He's the most physically gifted quarterback on the board, but was less than productive at Kansas State. He's very, very raw but could be a special quarterback if he's paired with a good quarterbacks coach and given a chance to sit and learn for at least a year, maybe two. I probably wouldn't take a chance on him in the 1st round unless I were a team with few other needs and a veteran quarterback that may not be around in two to three years (similar to what the Eagles did when drafting Kevin Kolb in 2007).

Graham Harrell comes in a distant 4th on my list. I gave him a late 3rd-round grade, but even that is assuming he lands in the right system. His accuracy on short throws and his experience in Texas Tech's system makes him an ideal candidate to run a west coast offense, or some similar version. He could be a nice pickup for a team such as the Panthers that are looking for someone to groom under Jake Delhomme.

Tom Brandstater comes in 5th on the list, but this is where we start to see a drop off from the players that could be starters, to the long shots/career backups. Brandstater has the build of an NFL quarterback but he struggled to develop into an elite college player despite playing against lesser competition in the WAC. You can't overlook his NFL-measurables, which puts him in the mix to get drafted, but he has limited upside.

I gave Pat White a mid-4th round grade. He's one of the toughest prospects to grade and I really wasn't sure where to rank him. He has absolutely zero chance of every being a starting quarterback in this league. The only reason he gets a 4th-round grade is because of his playmaking ability. Someone will draft him and use him a few times per game in the wildcat formation, lining him up at receiver, running back and quarterback and he'll make a few big plays every year. He isn't even close to an every-down player, however, which is why I wouldn't waste anything more than a 4th-round pick on him.

I also gave Hunter Cantwell a 4th-round grade. He's a very similar prospect to Tom Brandstater, but has significantly less experience. As Brian Brohm's backup for three years he saw little action before taking over as a senior. Great things were expected of him in 2008, but it was a miserable season for the Cardinals. He has some upside, given that he's hardly played, but he didn't show much as a senior.

John Parker Wilson also gets a 4th round grade, but for different reasons than Cantwell and Brandstater. Wilson has no upside and won't be a consistent starting quarterback in the NFL. However, he shows the steady game-manager type of attitude that makes him an ideal candidate to be a backup quarterback at the next level. These types of players don't get nearly enough credit, since their work is rarely seen on the field, but every team needs a guy on the bench that they can rely on in a pinch.

Rhett Bomar is my 9th-ranked quarterback and gets a 5th round grade. He definitely has some upside given that he was once an elite prospect while at Oklahoma. He has a bionic arm and can throw the ball all over the field, but his accuracy is a concern. He should have dominated the compition at Sam Houston State, but he was fairly inconsistent. His passing yards were impressive, but his low completition percentage raises some question marks.

Rounding out the top 10 is Nate Davis. In early November I made the poor decision of placing Davis in the 1st-round of my mock draft. However, that was before he fumbled (littlerally) his way out of contention for a top draft pick in Ball State's final two games of the season. There are serious concerns about his ability to hang onto the football and his ability to handle an NFL playbook. He has NFL size, but is a boom-or-bust prospect. It will either all click for him in the next year or two, or he'll be out of the game before he turns 26.

So there you have it, my top 10 quarterbacks for 2009.

Eli Manning Wants a Receiver

2009-04-20T16:27:00.002-04:00

Eli Manning wants a wide receiver.

In an interview with the NJ Star Ledger he said "they know we have some good receivers here, some young guys who can play football for us, but that we might need a No. 1 receiver. So I think that's what they're going to look for right now and I'm sure something will happen either during the draft or before the draft or right near it to help us out."

There's no need for Eli to worry. The Giants will find a way to get him a top receiver. The Braylon Edwards trade is still a realistic option and could very well happen on draft day. The Giants have also invited Kenny Britt and Percy Harvin in for visits (although Harvin canceled).

Titans Interested in Robert Ayers?

2009-04-20T12:49:00.002-04:00

Gary Estwick of the Tennessean does some wishful thinking about the Titans landing Robert Ayers.

For one, Ayers doesn't really fit what the Titans are looking for in this year's draft. Defensive end is a slight need but they need a pass rusher, not a run stuffer like Ayers.

Oh, and then there's this small problem with him not being available with the 30th pick. But other than that, great idea!

Demetrius Byrd Injured in Car Accident

2009-04-20T12:32:00.002-04:00

Former LSU wide receiver Demetrius Byrd was reportedly in a car accident on Sunday . Byrd is in the intensive care unit but is listed as being in stable condition.

Byrd is a potential late-round prospect. Its unfortunate, but depending on the injuries suffered in this accident, he could fall out of the draft all together.

We wish Byrd a speedy recovery and we'll keep you posted as we hear more information.

Brian Cushing is a Meathead

2009-04-19T22:13:00.002-04:00

"If you watched (USC LB Brian) Cushing at his pro day, he opened up the wrong way twice in drills. He did the same thing once at the Combine. He’s a meathead."

Those were the words from an unnamed front office source according to Pro Football Weekly. It's only one team's view, but it certainly isn't a good sign for Cushing. Whatever one team thinks, there's likely at least a few others that share the sentiment.

Cushing received in invite to New York City for the draft, and he's looking like the favorite to be the last man standing waiting to hear his name called. The earliest realistic landing place for him is New Orleans (14th overall) but the Saints reportedly have their eye on two Buckeyes (Malcolm Jenkins and Chris Wells). Houston is also an option, but they are showing signs of preferring Cushing's teammate Clay Matthews. San Diego has been a rumored destination, but it doesn't make too much sense considering they are more in need of an inside linebacker. If he slides past those three teams he could fall all the way to Patriots or Falcons (23rd and 24th, respectively).

Orakpo Confident He Can Play Linebacker

2009-04-19T22:06:00.003-04:00

Mary Kay Cabot wrote a nice piece on Brian Orakpo today. The focus of the piece was his ability to play linebacker in the Browns' 3-4 defense. In the article, Orakpo brings up a very good point: he's already played linebacker in a 3-4 defense. While Texas runs a base 4-3 defense, Will Muschamp has thrown in a few 3-4 packages in which Orakpo played the role of an outside linebacker. It isn't a ton of experience, but he's clearly shown the ability to play back off the line of scrimage.

Orakpo would be an idea fit for the Browns, and is likely the most realistic option for them if they want to target the defensive side of the ball.

Also mentioned in the article is the fact that Orakpo has met with the Browns twice this offseason. Linebackers coach Matt Eberflus took a trip to Texas to put Orakpo through some drills. The Browns then invited him to Cleveland for a full visit in early April.

Steelers Eyeing Eric Wood?

2009-04-19T21:16:00.004-04:00

The Steelers offensive line is in serious need of some help, and yet they've done nothing about it this offseason. That could change on draft day. Pro Football Weekly recently ran this quote from someone's front office personnel: "The Steelers have figured out Justin Hartwig is not the answer. He’s just a guy. He needs to be upgraded. I think they’ll look hard at a center in the first (round)."

Another source had this to say about Eric Wood: "If you want a physical center, (Louisville’s) Eric Wood is your guy. Flip a coin between Wood or (California's Alex) Mack, but we like Wood better. He could be the first center drafted. (Oregon’s) Max Unger is more versatile, but he won’t match up as well against power."

Put the two quotes together and it leads me to believe that Wood is the Steelers' guy. Their offensive line is built from guys that can be physical and dominant in the trenches. Wood has the ability to play center or guard and the Steelers have worked him out at both positions. He should be available with the 32nd pick and would be a safe choice for Pittsburgh.

Draft Visit Tracker: Mark Sanchez

2009-04-18T22:01:00.004-04:00

Its been a busy offseason for Mark Sanchez . He's been all over the mock drafts, from 1st overall to 19th overall and everywhere in between.

As far as the real world goes, Sanchez has been checked out by the Broncos, Browns, Redskins, Jaguars, 49ers, Lions, Rams and Seahawks. It would appear that all of those are realistic landing spots for the USC quarterback, but we can rule out a few of them:

He's not going to Detroit (Stafford is all but locked in there).

He's probably not going to Jacksonville or San Francisco (they don't have the tools to trade up far enough to land him.

Despite this report, he's probably not going to Cleveland (Mangini would need the secret service to escort him around Cleveland if he added ANOTHER quarterback to the mix).

That leaves the Rams, Redskins, Broncos and Seahawks. So here's a look at what each team is likely thinking about Sanchez:

The Rams need a new franchise quarterback, but it doesn't have to come from this draft. It doesn't sound as though they were wowed by Sanchez in his workout meaning they're likely to pass.
The Redskins would love Sanchez and Daniel Snyder is just crazy enough to order his front office to fork over enough draft picks to move up to select him. It's a long shot, but you can't rule it out.
The Broncos would like Sanchez and have more than enough ammunition to move up to select him. They won't be selecting him 12th overall, but if they package their draft picks they could move into the top five.
The Seahawks reportedly love Sanchez and are prepared to select him with the 4th pick in the draft. Only the Rams and Chiefs stand in their way.

In my latest mock draft I have Sanchez going to the Seahawks and I will likely leave it that way in my final mock draft on Friday. The only way he doesn't land in Seattle is if the Redskins or Broncos move ahead of the Seahawks on draft day.

Drug Tests to Be Revealed Early This Weak

2009-04-18T21:28:00.003-04:00

According to PFT the official list of players who tested positive for illegal substances will be released to all 32 teams early this week. While the list is never officially released to the public, its safe to say we'll find out the names on that list shortly after the teams.

The names we're all looking for are clearly Brian Cushing and Clay Matthews, the two USC linebackers that (according to a site which will remain nameless beacuse we don't want to drive any more undeserving traffic their way) tested positive for steroids. Give the fact that Cushing was invited to New York for the draft, I'm betting those two names will be absent from the report.

It will likely be an uneventful list this year. Expect nothing more than a few guys that tested positive for marijuana, which tends to have very little impact on player's draft stocks.

Bills, Eagles Agree on Jason Peters Trade

2009-04-17T18:40:00.002-04:00

In a trade that has been in the works for the past week, the Bills have agreed to send Jason Peters to the Eagles in exchange for three draft picks.

The Bills were left with almost no choice in the matter, but this trade is devastating to their hopes of making a serious playoff run in the near future. Peters, a two-time Pro Bowler, was developing into a truly elite left tackle. And remember, having played tight end in college, he's still perfecting the left tackle positions which he has been playing for just five seasons.

From the Eagles point of view, however, this trade is a steal. They give up a 1st-round pick (28th overall), 4th-round pick (121st overall) and an undisclosed pick in 2010. Its a decent sum, but the fact that they still hold a 1st-round pick this year eases the loss considerably. The Eagles had hoped to land an offensive tackle with one of those picks, which they accomplished. The 21st pick can now be spent on either Brandon Pettigrew or a running back (Knowshon Moreno?).

So where do the Bills go from here? The left side of their line is in shambles. Demetrius Bell (2008 7th-round selection) is their top internal candidate at left tackle. Kirk Chambers is slotted in at left guard for now, filling the hole left by the release of Derrick Dockery.

With one of their two 1st-round picks the Bills must address the offensive line. The most logical selection is to take Michael Oher 11th overall (or Andre Smith if he's available). Defensive end is still a need, put can easily be filled with the 28th pick. Guys like Connor Barwin and Michael Johnson will be realistic options in the late 1st round.

Breaking Down the Browns Trade Rumors

2009-04-16T23:06:00.004-04:00

The team controlling the shape of the 1st round right now is the Cleveland Browns. Already owning the 5th overall selection, the Browns could land two more picks by draft day.

The first rumor, which has been widely reported for the past two weeks, is that they will send Braylon Edwards to the Giants for some combination of a 1st-round pick, 3rd-round pick and Steve Smith or Dominick Hixon. This would be a controversial move for the Browns, who have a legitimate playoff caliber-offense when everyone is healthy. Shipping Edwards off to New York would make either David Patten or Josh Cribbs the top receiver on the depth chart (at least until they select Crabtree 5th overall, that is). If the Giants are able to land Anquan Boldin, however, the Browns have to pass on Crabtree and select either a linebacker (Aaron Curry, Brian Orakpo, Aaron Maybin) or tackle (Eugene Monroe or Jason Smith - whoever falls).

The other rumor is sure to make even more waves around the league if it comes to fruition. The 49ers are reportedly interested in Brady Quinn and could offer the Browns the 10th overall pick. Its tough to say who the Browns would target with this selection. A linebacker is certainly an option, but not if they select one 5th overall. This could be where they address the offensive line with Andre Smith or Michael Oher. Or they could go with the best available defensive player (B.J. Raji? Malcolm Jenkins?)

Its all speculation at this point, as you simply can't trust any rumors you hear this time of year, but its safe to assume the Browns are at least discussing these trade options which could shake up the 1st round.

Draft Visit Tracker: Andre Brown

2009-04-16T22:19:00.003-04:00

One of the hottest prospects in recent weeks has been N.C. State's Andre Brown. Despite a disappointing career with the Wolfpack, he's impressed teams in his workouts and now looks like a 2nd-round lock.

He's a big back (6'0", 224) and has the ability to be a workhorse at the next level. Its rare to find a guy with his size and athleticism, which is why so many teams are showing an interest despite his very mediocre collegiate numbers.

At least 12 teams have reportedly met with Brown, so here's the list:

Ravens, Titans, 49ers, Cardinals, Chargers, Texans, Jaguars, Bengals, Panthers, Dolphins, Patriots and Chiefs.

I currently have Brown going to the Cleveland with the 50th pick in the draft. He would the ideal running back for the Browns to groom behind Jamal Lewis for the next year before he takes over the starting job.

Draft Visit Tracker: Rey Maualuga

2009-04-15T17:52:00.003-04:00

Aside from Andre Smith, no one's draft stock is harder to judge than Rey Maualuga's. He has as much upside as anyone in the draft, but he is the perfect example of a boom-or-bust prospect.

Maualuga's potential future employers range from the Browns (5th overall pick) to the Falcons (24th overall). In addition to the Falcons and Browns, Maualuga has visited with the Redskins, Dolphins, Chargers, Rams, Titans, Saints, 49ers and Chiefs.

A few teams on that list are hard to imagine him with (Titans, Chiefs, Rams), but all the others are realistic possibilities.

In my latest mock draft I have him going to Washington with the 13 selection. The Redskins are in need of a pass rusher, but Brian Orakpo and Everette Brown are likely to be off the board already. Assuming Mark Sanchez isn't available, the 'Skins will turn their attention to the best available linebacker. Brian Cushing and Maualuga would appear to be the best options.

Draft Visit Tracker: Kenny Britt

2009-04-15T17:36:00.002-04:00

Kenny Britt has steadily risen up the draft boards this offseason and he appears to have locked up a place in the 1st round. Britt has visited with the Jets, Giants, Vikings and Titans this offseason - all of which are potential landing places for him in the 1st round.

In my latest mock draft I have Britt going to the Vikings with the 23rd pick. The Vikings top need is a right tackle, but if neither Andre Smith nor Michael Oher falls to them they may decide Britt has more value than Eben Britton or Max Unger.

Browns Interested in Michael Crabtree?

2009-04-15T14:19:00.003-04:00

In Eric Mangini's latest attempt to drag the Browns' franchise to the ground, it appears as though he's showing a strong interest in Michael Crabtree . Rumors have been flying around the past two weeks that Braylon Edwards will end up in Giants uniform by the time the draft is over, thus opening up a hole for Crabtree to fill.

There's no denying Crabtree's ability, but the decision to bring him to Cleveland is questionable. Why replace a Pro Bowl-caliber receiver with an unproven rookie?

The decision to draft Crabtree further brings into question Mangini's ability to identify talent on the defensive side of the football. The Browns clearly have one of the league's worst defenses, yet Mangini has done nothing to improve that side of the football. The most significant moves made on that side of the ball have been the additions of David Bowens and Eric Barton - both of which are clear downgrades from the recently departed Andra Davis and Willie McGinest. Logic would say the Browns need to draft a defensive player, perhps Brian Orakpo, Everette Brown or Aaron Maybin.

Further reason to pass on Crabtree is the lack of success by first-year receivers. Rookies typically have very little impact in the NFL, but receivers take longer to develop than any other position. Parting ways with Edwards and bringing in Crabtree would set the Browns offense back another three years - the time it generally takes a receiver to reach his full potential.

It would be a poor decision to draft Crabtree. He may develop into a Pro Bowl-caliber receiver, but he's unlikely to help the Browns in the near future. This is a win-now league, and selecting a receiver in he top 10 is not a move that facilitates that goal.

Nate Davis and Other Mediocre Quarterbacks Visit Jets

2009-04-09T00:11:00.004-04:00

We've had a Nate Davis sighting!

Just when it looked like Davis was going to completely fall through the cracks he appeared at the Jets workout facility on Wednesday according to a report on the Jets website. Also attending the workout were Rhett Bomar and Mike Teel .

Davis also has a scheduled workout with the 49ers.

Its looking like Davis is this year's Andre' Woodson. He's gone from a viable 2nd-round pick to a late round prospect at best. And all that since December. Davis' free-fall should land him somewhere in the 5th to 7th round range. He'll be brought along as a developmental prospect, which is probably for the best as his technique definitely needs some work.

Dolphins Looking at Defensive Backs

2009-04-08T13:58:00.003-04:00

The Dolphins have plenty of needs on defense, and we know how much Bill Parcells loves to draft on that side of the ball. Among the players that either already have or will visit the Dolphins are Vontae Davis, Darius Butler, Don Carey, Louis Delmas, Brandon Hughes and Sean Smith.

Its clear that the Dolphins are doing their homework on the cornerbacks and safeties this year's draft class. However, it still remains to be seen where they will target that position on draft day. Vontae Davis and Darius Butler are options in the first round. If they pass on those two, I would expect to see them select one in the second round. Sean Smith and Louis Delmas could be on the board when the Dolphins are on the clock, along with other options such as Coye Francies and Alphonso Smith.

In my latest mock draft I have the 'Phins passing on a cornerback with their first three picks. History tells us that Parcells is more likely to target the defensive front seven and the offensive line in the 1st round. As for the second round, its all about value. There is more depth at receiver and offensive line this year, which are both areas of need for the Dolphins. Corners such as Don Carey and Brandon Hughes will still be viable options in the 3rd round or later.

Visit Tracker: Darius Butler

2009-04-07T23:52:00.004-04:00

Connecticut cornerback Darius Butler has been busy this spring, visiting at least 10 teams. According to various reports, Butler either already has or will visit with the Bills, Jets, Titans, Vikings, Saints, Rams, Broncos, Browns, Dolphins and Falcons.

Its clear that Butler is generating interest from teams and he will almost certainly come off the board in the early 2nd round. While undersized, he's been a playmaker throughout his career playing both corner and receiver as a senior. He's an ideal fit at the nickleback position and could see immediate playing with any of the teams which he has visited.

In my latest mock draft I have Butler going to the Texas in the 2nd round. Jacques Reeves appears to have the best shot at starting opposite Dunta Robinson with Antwaun Molden and Fred Bennett as the backups. Molden, entering his second year, has some upside but Reeves and Bennett offer little to look forward to. Butler would be able to compete for immediate playing time, and likely see time on special teams as well.

Josh Freeman Visits 49ers

2009-04-07T18:24:00.002-04:00

The 49ers will host former Kansas State quarterback Josh Freeman on Thursday and Friday according to the Sacramento Bee .

Now don't worry Niners fans, your team won't select Josh Freeman 10th overall. However, don't be shocked if they trade back a few slots and grab him later in the 1st round.

This is a case of team simply preparing for all scenarios. The 49ers appear to be in an excellent position to select either a wide receiver (Michael Crabtree) or an outside linebacker (Everette Brown, Aaron Maybin). However, they have to be prepared in the event a team like the Broncos offers up a trade they can't refuse. Should the 49ers end up picking 18th overall, for example, then Josh Freeman would become a viable option.

Visit Tracker: Jeremy Maclin

2009-04-07T16:02:00.005-04:00

Ed Thompson of Scout.com is reporting that Jeremy Maclin has or will visit the Browns, Bengals, Lions, Jets, Rams and Raiders (his current destination in my latest mock draft ).

There aren't any real surprises on that list, except perhaps the Lions. However, if Maclin were to fall to No. 20 I don't think anyone would fault Detroit for selecting a wide receiver. The Jeremy Maclin-Calvin Johnson combo could be special.

There is one notable team missing from that list, however: the Jacksonville Jaguars. I have been harping on this all offseason, perhaps too much, but I am convinced that the Jaguars have no interest in taking yet another receiver in the 1st round. After watching Reggie Williams and Matt Jones flame-out, there simply isn't a desire to dip back into that well.

At this point, its looking like Oakland is the most likely destination for Maclin. Al Davis loves speed, and we know Maclin's got it. Don't count out the Bengals, however. Two of their top intersts, Andre Smith and B.J. Raji may have too mcuh baggage to bring into Cincinnati, thus making Maclin the safe choice.

Report: Cushing, Matthews Test Positive for Steroids

2009-04-03T22:49:00.003-04:00

According to NFLDraftBible.com, Clay Matthews and Brian Cushing tested positive for steroids at the combine and will be on a list distributed to teams in the near future of players that tested positive for various drugs while in Indianapolis. In addition to Matthews and Cushing, the website reports that Vontae Davis, B.J. Raji, Jose Martinez and Percy Harvin tested positive for marajuana.

The agents of Matthews, Cushing and Davis have all denied the reports. In addition, the NFL released a statement noting that the list of names that tested positive has not yet been released. However, the league did not dispute the claims. While the fact that the league responded indicates that the report was likely false, it isn't exactly an ironclad statement of innocence for those players. The players who did test positive in Indianapolis have all been notified of their positive test, and a prudent agent would have contact teams to prepare them for the release of the list. Reason being, the more time teams have to do their homework on the players in question, the more likely they are forgive and forget and proceed with their original grade on the player. Both NFLDraftBible.com and SI.com, which first reported the Raji positive test on Thursday, cited team sources which could have received the information from agents.

For the time being, take this report with a grain of salt. No credible sources have been able to confirm the report on Matthews and Cushing and it certainly could be a hoax. With that said, keep an eye out for more information in the next few days. The official information will be released eventually and all this drama will be put to bed.

Cutler To The Bears

2009-04-02T17:56:00.005-04:00

According to Jay Glazer of Fox Sports Jay Cutler is now a Chicago Bear.

The Bears reportedly sent their 2009 and 2010 1st-round picks along with a 2009 3rd-round pick and Kyle Orton for Cutler and a 2009 5th-round pick.

Considering the fact that bringing back Cutler simply wasn't an option, this is a great trade for both sides. The Bears FINALLY get a quarterback, perhaps the first reliable signal caller they've had since Jim McMahon. The Broncos get what they wanted, two 1st-round picks, plus a stop-gap quarterback in Kyle Orton.

The Broncos draft strategy likely doesn't change drastically. Defensive line and linebacker are still priorities and could very well be selected with both of their 2009 1st-round picks. There is, however, a chance that they select Mark Sanchez. Orton will almost certainly be the starter in 2009, but Sanchez could watch and learn for a year before taking over.

With the addition of Cutler, the Bears become the favorite in the NFC North. They still have a solid defense, one of the best young running backs and an above average offensive line. They need to find away to land a decent receiver between now and the start of the season, but regardless, they should run away with the division in 2009.

Myth Busters: Why Andre Smith Won't Be A Top 10 Pick?

2009-03-30T20:31:00.003-04:00

For full disclosure, I didn't give Andre Smith a top 10 grade even before the combine. Offseason mishaps aside, I believe he lacks the quickness and general athleticism to play the left tackle position. He could be a very good right tackle or guard, but the money rewarded to top 10 picks is well above the pay grade for those positions.

However, even if you believe he can play left tackle and was deserving of a top 10 pick, his postseason workouts and shenanigans at the combine should have convinced you otherwise. In the end, Smith will fall out of the top 10 and possibly all the way into the late first round.

Here's why...

1) The supply outweighs the demand. Jason Smith and Eugene Monroe have already solidified their place in the top 10 and Michael Oher isn't far behind. Any team that is desperate for a tackle - perhaps the Bengals, Raiders or 49ers - should be able to get their hands one of those three players if they want. A simple trade up or a reach for Oher would get the job done. There is no need to take a major risk on a boom-or-bust prospect like Smith.

2) The character red flags are all over the place. He isn't the next Pacman Jones, but there is definitely reason to question his commitment to the game. When asked why he chose to play left tackle, he said it was because he learned it was the most well-paid position in the NFL. Smith has lacked the motivation to get in shape this offseason during the most important time of his life. Do you really believe he'll suddenly find motivation after he signs a multi-million dollar contract?

3) A combination of the first two: the teams that could make him a top 10 pick should know better than to take the risk. As I mentioned, the three teams most likely to make him a top 10 pick are the Bengals (can't take on another "character concern" for obvious reasons), the Raiders (want to avoid the next Robert Gallery) and 49ers (have experienced far too many 1st-round busts in recent years: Woods, Smith, Davis).

The earliest Smith will come off the board is No. 13 to Washington, but even that is no guarantee. His next best options are No. 16 to San Diego, No. 20 to Detroit (if they pass on Jason Smith) and No. 21 to Philadelphia.

Myth Busters: Why the Jaguars won't draft a receiver

2009-03-29T18:42:00.005-04:00

Many mock drafts are popping up with Jeremy Maclin or Michael Crabtree landing in Jacksonville. Its a logical fit, but its not going to happen.

Here's why...

The Jaguars are building to win now. The addition of Tra Thomas and the attempts to land Tory Holt clearly demonstrate that. Its a commonly accepted belief, supported by numerous examples, that receivers don't reach their full potential until their 3rd year in the league. Jack Del Rio and the Jaguars aren't willing to wait for Crabtree or Maclin to develop. Additionally, top 10 picks are rewarded with a large sum of money, and it simply isn't a prudent financial move to tie up that much money in a player that may not have an impact until the contract is halfway over.

Another reason is the Jaguars' terrible luck with receivers in the first round. Reggie Williams and Matt Jones have been busts and the Jags don't want to get burned again. Projecting the success of receivers is a very inexact science, something that Jacksonville knows all too well.

In the end, the Jaguars will have too many other viable options to justify taking a receiver in the 1st round. B.J. Raji and Malcolm Jenkins are more relalistic and far safety options for the Jaguars.

Bengals Want A Running Back

2009-03-29T18:07:00.003-04:00

The Bengals are showing a clear interest in running backs this offseason, and could be targeting one with their second-round pick. The Bengals have either met with, or will be meeting with, Chris Wells, Donald Brown, Rashad Jennings and LeSean McCoy.

While the Bengals are clearly doing their homework, Donald Brown appears to be the favorite and the mostly likely be available and worthy of their 2nd-round selection. The Bengals have reportedly mentioned him as a player they have been impressed with and will strongly consider selecting him 38th overall selection.

Brown's stock is rising, however, as he has/will meet with the Chargers, Eagles and Jets as well. Its possible that he could come off the board in the late first round.

Patriots Targeting Safeties

2009-03-28T22:20:00.004-04:00

You can tell a lot about a team's draft strategy by tracking the players it invites for visits. And in the case of the Patriots, they couldn't make it more obvious.

The Pats either already have, or will soon, host William Moore, Louis Delmas and Patrick Chung. All three are viable options for the Patriots with one of their three 2nd round picks.

Safety isn't a major concern in New England, but it isn't a strength either. 2007 1st-round pick Brandon Merriweather is a little undersized to play strong safety, and James Sanders isn't exactly an elite free safety. While the Patriots could certainly get by with those two, an upgrade would be welcomed at either position. Chung and Moore may be the best options because of their ability to play either strong or free safety. Delmas is rated by some as the top safety in the draft class, but he's a little on the skinny side and will be limited to playing free safety in the pros.

Pro Days: Northern Illinois

2009-03-28T22:14:00.003-04:00

Larry English, still a fringe first round prospect, had his chance to prove his worth on Saturday. Among the notables in attendance were Panthers GM Marty Hurney and director of college scouting Don Gregory. The Panthers are definitely in the market for a defensive end and may consider trading up for English if they liked what they saw.

English did his positional drills as a defensive end, but also did some drills dropping back into coverage. Its still tough to say whether or not he's a first rounder. He could come off the board as early as 18th to the Bears, or he could fall into the second round.

Pro Days: Ohio State

2009-03-13T21:06:00.003-04:00

As always, Ohio State's pro day was must-see as four potential first round prospects took the field, along with a slew of others.

Perhaps the most anticipated drill of the day was Beanie Wells' forty-yard dash, and he did not disappoint. Wells, who ran a surprisingly low 4.59 at the combine, was clocked between 4.34 and 4.46 on Friday. While pro day times should always be taken with a grain of salt because of the benefits of running on the home turf, Wells' improvement was even greater than expected. His performance should solidify his place at the top of most team's draft boards at his position.

Unlike Wells, Malcolm Jenkins failed to improve upon his forty time. After posting a disappointing 4.55 in Indianapolis, Jenkins' stock fell considerably. He went from a sure top 10 pick, to hoping to come off the board in the top 15. Jenkins ran between a 4.46 and 4.53 on Friday - not nearly fast enough to improve he stock. He looks like a solid bet to still be on the board for either New Orleans or Houston, both if which could use his services in their secondary.

Other notes from Columbus:

Brian Robiskie ran a 4.46 in the forty, but scouts aren't too concerned with his speed. It shouldn't impact his stock and he remains a potential late first-round pick.

James Laurinaitis ran a 4.67. Nothing too impressive, but still an improvement over his time at the combine. I still think Laurinaitis is a top 10 talent, but his lack of speed will likely cause him to fall to the end of the first round.

Pro Days: Oregon

2009-03-12T21:49:00.003-04:00

Oregon's pro day was held on Wednesday in front of representatives from 22 teams.

The top performer was unquestionably DE/LB Nick Reed. Oregon's leading sack artist the past two seasons posted an impressive 4.71 in the forty and did 24 reps on the bench. Reed is undersized for a defensive end and doesn't have enough experience at linebacker. However, he's a workout warrior that could climb up the draft boards and catch on somewhere as a pass rush specialist.

Patrick Chung chose to sit on most of numbers from the combine. He did, however, do positional drills and was reportedly impressive. He remains a potential 2nd or 3rd round prospect.

Running back Jeremiah Johnson slightly improved his forty time, climbing from 4.62 at the combine to 4.56. He clearly doesn't have elite speed, but I still like his potential in the pros. He's shifty, but has enough size to run between the tackles.

Pat White's Pro Day

2009-03-12T21:30:00.004-04:00

Eight players worked out at West Virginia's pro day but everyone was there to watch Pat White.

With 25 teams in attendance, White only worked out at quarterback; a curious decision for a guy that has very little chance of making it as a starting quarterback in the NFL.

While someone may take a chance on him as early as the 3rd round, it would have been smart to at least leave his options open and do some drills at receiver. Never under estimate the power that a few good workouts can have on a draft stock. Remember Matt Jones? A mediocre prospect at quarterback, Jones worked out as a receiver and climbed into the 1st round. White could be leaving a lot of money on the table by declining to try his hand at receiver, despite knowing full well that he may end up there in the long run anyway.

Andre Smith's Pro Day

2009-03-12T00:31:00.002-04:00

Alabama has a number of top prospects, but all eyes were on offensive tackle Andre Smith. After showing up at the combine overweight and unprepared, and then leaving early, Smith had a lot to prove. Overall, it was a mediocre performance.

His workout numbers weren't very impressive (5.33 forty, 19 reps on the bench). However, he reportedly looked very good in positional drills. It was probably enough to save his place in the mid-first round, but the questions about his ability to play left tackle remain unanswered.

I personally do not think he's a left tackle, and therefor is not worthy of a top 10 pick. He reminds me of Shawn Andrews, a very reliable guard with the potential to play right tackle.

Brandon Pettigrew Postpones Pro Day

2009-03-12T00:16:00.004-04:00

Brandon Pettigrew was scheduled to work out on Wednesday, but he postponed his workout because of a pulled hamstring.

Pettigrew's workout is one of the more important ones this offseason. He's clearly the top player at his position, but he also doesn't fit the mold of recent first round tight end selections. He's an elite blocker, with only decent receiving skills.

Despite being the consensus top tight end, its tough to justify taking a blocking tight end in the first round. He'll need to hope he impresses the right team in hopes of sneaking into the late first round.

The Eagles and Falcons would appear to be likely destinations if he does find a place within the first 32 picks.

Pro Days: Oklahoma

2009-03-10T22:29:00.003-04:00

Oklahoma held its pro day on Tuesday. A number of potential first-day selections worked out including OT Phil Loadholt and OG Duke Robinson.

Loadholt, who weighed in at 6'7", 332 lbs, was reportedly impressive in his drills. The knock against Loadholt has been his lack of quickness which may limit him to right tackle in the pros. He didn't improve his stock considerably but he likely proved his worth as a 3rd round prospect.

Nic Harris didn't have nearly as much success. He ran only a 4.84 in the forty, which essentially eliminates any chance of him playing safety in the NFL. He does have a chance of playing linebacker, but his forty time doesn't even put him among the average players at that position. At this point its possible that Harris doesn't even hear his named called at all.

Duke Robinson also worked out and struggled as well. He has the size and strength to excel at guard, but his quickness is questionable. He could fall to the third round.

Overall, it was a dissapointing day for Oklahoma. Despite their success as a team in 2008 its possible that no Sooners are selected on the first day of the draft.

Among the notables in attendance was Vikings head coach Brad Childress, pressuably focusing on the offensive linemen and potentially Juaquin Iglesias. Offensive line coaches for the Bills, Lions and Dolphins were also in attendance.

Pro Days: Utah

2009-03-10T22:16:00.002-04:00

Paul Kruger and Sean Smith were on display at Utah's pro day on Monday. Among the notable on lookers was Panthers GM Marty Hurney.

Both players were impressive, most notably in the forty. Smith was clocked in the 4.4 range and Kruger in the 4.8 range. Both players are 2nd round prospects and solidified their position with their workouts.

The presence of Hurney likely means the Panthers are strongly considering a defensive end in the first or second round. While Hurkey was in Utah, John Fox was across the country scouting Michael Johnson at Georgia Tech. The Panthers strong interest in defensive linemen could mean they're willing to give in to Julius Peppers' request to be traded.

Pro Days: Georgia Tech

2009-03-10T22:03:00.003-04:00

Michael Johnson impressed scouts, general managers and head coaches at Georgia Tech's pro day on Monday. He was clocked anywhere from 4.49 to 4.59 in the forty and was impressive in his drills.

With two head coaches in attendance (Mike Smith and John Fox) its possible that Johnson impressed enough people to climb into the first round. Both the Falcons and Panthers are potentially in the market for a first round defensive end, but its hard to imagine anyone handing a few million dollars to a completely unproven talent like Johnson. With that said, this is the NFL Draft and strange things are bound to happen.

Pro Days: Missouri

2009-03-06T13:37:00.003-05:00

Missouri's first pro day was held on Thursday, but none of their top offensive prospects worked out. William Moore did, however, and was impressive.

Moore weighed in at 220 and wowed scouts by running in the 4.4 range. Some reports even have him clocked at 4.39.

His performance placed him solidly in the 2nd round range, with a chance to climb into the late 1st.

Moore had dinner with the Saints the other day. The Saints are in need of a free safety, and despite his size, Moore athleticism makes him an ideal candidate. Moore also stated that the Dolphins have shown a serious interest.

Pro Days: Troy

2009-03-06T13:29:00.002-05:00

Sherrod Martin was reportedly very impressive at his Pro Day on Thursday. His forty times and vertical leap remained consistent with the numbers he posted at the combine, but his positional drills caught the eye of scouts.

NFL.com's Gil Brandt reports that 15 teams were in attendance, including the defensive backs coaches of the Ravens and Dolphins.

Thursday's Pro Day Preview

2009-03-05T14:08:00.002-05:00

With the lack of participation at Missouri's pro day, the schools to watch today will be Syracuse, Troy and UNLV.

Syracuse fullback Tony Fiammetta is arguably the top prospect at his position and could earn a spot as high as the 4th round if he impresses today. Syracuse running back Curtis Brinkley also has a chance to improve draft stock this afternoon. Scouts will be hoping to see Brinkley run in the low 4.4 range.

UNLV running back Frank Summers has a lot riding on his workout. A 4.5 forty or better means he'll get a look at running back. If it falls into the 4.6 range, he'll be moved to fullback.

Troy's top prospect is once again a cornerback, Sherrod Martin. While Martin isn't the next Leodis McKelvin, he's hoping to run in the 4.3 range and potentially climb as high as the 4th round. He ran a 4.48 at the combine, but times always mysteriously drop on their home turf. He could also look to improve upon an already solid 36 inch vertical leap.

Daniel, Coffman Postpone Workouts

2009-03-05T11:54:00.004-05:00

Suddenly Missouri's pro day isn't so interesting. Originally Jeremy Maclin, Chase Daniel and Chase Coffman all planned on working out today at the Tigers pro day. Maclin backed out about a week ago, after he decided he needed more time for his knee to heal after suffering a minor injury at the combine. Without his top receiver running, Chase Daniel wisely opted out as well. And without his quarterback throwing, Chase Coffman followed suit.

All three are expected to workout on March 19.

Pro Days: Wisconsin

2009-03-04T23:15:00.003-05:00

Wisconsin held its pro day on Wednesday with 11 players working out.

RB P.J. Hill weighed in at 218 pounds, down 4 since the combine. Hill, who was listed at as much as 244 during college, has rapidly dropped weight in an effort to become quick enough for the NFL. He's still a 6th or 7th round prospect, the effort he's put in to get into shape is definitely impressing teams.

TE Travis Beckum, who is still recovering from a broken leg, worked out and ran a fairly impressive 4.59. The athleticism he showed was encouraging and definitely helped his stock. The injury concern was threatening his chances of being drafted at all at one point, but he showed enough today to solidify his place in the 4th-7th round range.

Two of the Badgers top prospects, linebackers Jonathan Casillas and DeAndre Levy, sat out with injuries. They are expected to work out on April 2nd.

Pro Days: Texas A&M

2009-03-04T23:13:00.003-05:00

The Aggies held their pro day on Wednesday, with Stephen McGee at the center of attention. While McGee wasn't even Texas A&M's starting quarterback this past season, he's arguably the Aggies most intriguing pro prospect.

Nearly every team had personnel in attendance including Jaguars quarterbacks coach David Shula.

McGee was reportedly impressive and his stocks continues to improve. He likely isn't starter material, but teams could view him as a Pat White-type prospect that could be useful in the wild cat formation.

Running back Mike Goodson also worked out and ran in the 4.4 range. His stock remains steady in the 3rd to 5th round range.

Pro Days: Baylor

2009-03-04T22:40:00.005-05:00

According to Gil Brandt of NFL.com 15 teams showed up for Baylor's pro day on Tuesday, including three offensive line coaches (Cincinnati, Seattle and Jacksonville) which put Smith through drills.

Obviously the Bengals, Seahawks and Jaguars are potential suitors for Smith. The only top candidate to land Smith, the Rams, will hold a private workout with him on March 12.

Jason Smith To Do Limited Workouts at Pro Day

2009-03-02T22:17:00.005-05:00

Baylor's pro day is tomorrow (Tuesday, March 3) and its likely to get a little more attention than usual. The Lions, Rams, Chiefs, Seahawks, Bengals, Raiders and Jaguars should all be in attendance if they're doing their homework properly.

Smith has stated that he will not run or lift, but he is willing to do positional workouts for the teams.

This is an important day for Smith despite the fact that he's already solidified his place as a top ten pick. The difference in money between No. 2 and No. 8 overall is significant, and he's a very realistic option for the Rams and possibly even the Lions.

No Crabtree for the Seahawks

2009-03-02T21:26:00.004-05:00

The Seahawks have signed T.J. Houshmandzadeh, essentially eliminating any chance of them selecting Michael Crabtree with the 4th overall selection.

Despite Crabtree's name popping up next to the Seahawks in many mock drafts I've remained steady in my prediction that they will not target a receiver in the draft.

The Seahawks are a well-run organization and understand the importance of building through the draft. Selecting a wide receiver in the top ten is a desperation move that rarely leads to immediate success. Teams that draft a wide receiver that high are like a little kid getting distracted by a shiny object on the ground. They can't keep their hands off because, for the short term, it will keep them entertained. But in the long run, the interest doesn't last.

Even the best receivers selected in the top ten (Calvin Johnson, Braylon Edwards, Larry Fitzgerald) don't lead their teams to immediate success. Without a franchise quarterback and a solid offensive line there is nothing a receiver can do.

The Seahawks are not the type of team that falls into that trap. Now the Raiders... that's another story.

QB Rankings Updated

2009-02-28T23:08:00.004-05:00

I just made some major changes to the quarterback rankings. You may not notice them at first glance, as the actual rankings didn't change, but I lowered my grade on Matthew Stafford to the 2nd round - only slightly ahead of Josh Freeman.

Upon a superficial glance at Stafford's film its easy to see that he has the tools to play in the NFL. He clearly has the size and arm strength - two things that you can't teach. However, when comparing his sophomore and junior seasons I see very little improvement. As a third year starter Stafford should have taken significant steps towards becoming an NFL-ready quarterback, and he failed to do so.

The area where he is especially lacking is accuracy. I'm willing to cut a guy like Josh Freeman some slack for mediocre stats because of the lack of talent around him, but Stafford has no excuse. His career completion percentage was just 57.1 - well below average for an aspiring top pick in the draft.

A player like Stafford needs time to sit and watch, and plenty of time spent studying film and learning behind a capable starter. His success could very well depend on where he lands. If selected 1st overall he has no hope. Quarterbacks drafted into expansion franchises (and lets be honest, that's essentially what the Lions are) have an exceptionally low success rate. He will be thrown to the wolves and devoured just like players drafted into similar situations - Tim Couch, David Carr, Joey Harrington to name a few.

Chiefs Trade for Cassel, Vrabel

2009-02-28T21:01:00.002-05:00

The Chiefs made the biggest splash of offseason thus far by landing Matt Cassel and Mike Vrabel from the Patriots for just a second round pick (34th overall). It would seem as though Vrabel is just a throw-in, considering that the Pats were looking for a 2nd-round pick for Cassel originally. But if he's really only throw-in material at this point in his career, wouldn't Scott Pioli be aware of this?

There were originally reports supporting the Patriots basically giving away Vrabel due to the fact that there was no market for Cassel. But if recent reports that the Broncos were interested are true, then what's the Pats excuse?

My guess: the Pats are ready to start a new era on defense and Vrabel's starting job was in jeopardy. Belichick was willing to part with him and figured why not do both Vrabel and Pioli a favor by sending him to KC where he can still be an impact player and help the Chiefs transition into a 3-4 defense.

Jeremy Maclin Postpones Workout

2009-02-28T11:25:00.001-05:00

Due to a knee injury that Jeremy Maclin suffered at the combine he will not work out on March 5 as originally planned. Instead he will postpone his workout until March 19.

The knee injury isn't serious, but a lot is riding on his workout so he's making the wise decision to take the time to recover. Scouts were disappointed to see him fail to run in the 4.3 range at Indy, so he'll be expected to reach that level running on his home turf at Missouri.

Even if he doesn't improve his 40 time Maclin is still a potential top 20 selection, but a 4.3 forty would ease the concerns of teams like the Raiders and Jaguars who could make him a top 10 pick.

Pro Days: Florida Atlantic

2009-02-28T00:19:00.003-05:00

Perhaps the most intriguing pro day on Friday was FAU's (didn't think you'd ever hear that on the same day as Miami's did you?)

Linebacker Frantz Joseph (one of the top prospects not invited to the combine) finally had a chance to workout in front of scouts. According to Ted Hutton at the Sun Sentinel 16 teams were in attendance. Joseph's numbers were actually a little disappointing. He only ran in the 4.8 range and put up 19 reps on the bench reps; not poor numbers, but nothing to improve his stock either. He remains steady as a potential 5th or 6th round selection.

Running back Charles Pierre impressed scouts with 26 reps on the bench press. He's a oddly shaped running back, standing at just 5'9 but lacking the speed you'd expect from a smaller back. A hamstring injury limited what he was able to do in drills, but he impressed enough with his strength and adequate speed (4.59 in the forty) that he'll likely find his way into a training camp this spring.

Pro Days: Miami FL

2009-02-28T00:19:00.001-05:00

The Miami pro day didn't quite have the same feel as in recent years given the unusual lack of talent working out. The Hurricane's top prospect, CB Bruce Johnson, worked out and performed as expected. He ran in the mid-4.4 range and solidified his place as a 5-7 round prospect.

A number of other Hurricanes worked out including linebackers Spencer Adkins and Romeo Davis, but Johnson is the only Hurricane with a better than 50 percent chance of hearing his name called.