FOX: Ten players to watch for Sunday

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Ten players to watch for Sunday

After roughly 12 hours, 99 picks, and more than enough cutaway shots to a dejected Brady Quinn for a lifetime, the first day of the 2007 NFL Draft has officially come to an end. Had your fill? Of course not. We're only just getting started. Here are 10 names to watch for on Sunday, Day 2 of the draft:

1. Troy Smith, QB, Ohio State: Where does last year's Heisman Trophy winner end up? Passed over on Day 1, the man who brought Ohio State back to the BCS Title Game is the biggest name left on the board. With Cleveland, Miami, Philadelphia, and Detroit all scooping up quarterbacks in the first three rounds, that leaves only a handful of teams with needs at quarterback. The knock on Smith is his height. Whoever drafts him gets one of college football's most accomplished quarterbacks...with one of the bigger chips in the history of "chips" on his shoulder. And every last inch of his six foot frame.

4. Antwan Barnes, LB, FIU: There was more to FIU this season than a senseless brawl with Miami. There was also Antwan Barnes. A 6-foot-1, 240-pound linebacker with 4.45 40-speed, Barnes was an All-Sun Belt first team performer in '06. Over his four-year career, he played at defensive end and both linebacker spots. Intriguing prospect, to be certain. With the first wave of linebackers mostly gone, Barnes should be looked at in the fourth or fifth rounds on Sunday.

5. Dan Santucci, OL, Notre Dame: Ryan Harris is the more decorated offensive lineman out of Notre Dame in this year's draft, and was taken with the 70th pick by Denver. But Santucci's not chopped liver. At 6-foot-4 and 300 pounds, he started at left guard for the Fighting Irish in '05 and '06. A stellar student athlete — Santucci's GPA was up in the high 3.8's. Think that's irrelevant? Tell that to an offensive coordinator whose lineman can't get a snap count right. Look for a team to pick him up in the fourth or fifth round on Sunday.

6. DeAndre Jackson, CB, Iowa State: Jackson was on pace to become a potential first round pick in this year's draft before tearing his ACL and ripping up his knee at the end of last season. Iowa State's top cornerback, as well as a dynamic kick return guy, Jackson is a very intriguing prospect. Does a team take a risk on his knee healing? Is he good enough to be a top flight corner, even with a fully healed knee? We'll see where he goes Sunday. Or, if he even goes at all.

9. Marcus Thomas, DT, Florida: Dismissed from the team for marijuana-related issues in '06, Thomas has first round talent. With the new emphasis on off-the-field behavior, however, Thomas has been more or less written off by several teams. But, if an organization believes in second chances and can put Thomas' past behind them, they could very well scoop up a solid NFL player. Few doubt Thomas' skill. But is he worth the risk? We'll see where he ends up going on Sunday.

10. Rufus Alexander, LB, Oklahoma: The 2006 Big 12 Defensive Player of the Year, Alexander's an undersized linebacker who doesn't have exceptional speed or size. But he's a tackle machine, and one of those guys who just always seems to be involved in the play. Too big to be a safety, too small to be drafted as a middle linebacker, he's the classic "tweener."

Some other names to look for:

# Michael Coe, CB, Alabama State

# Courtney Brown, CB, Cal-Poly

# Jordan Palmer, QB, UTEP

# Michael Johnson, S, Arizona

# Doug Datish, C, Ohio State

# Steve Breaston, WR, Michigan

# Kevin Boss, TE, Western Oregon

# Travarous Bain, CB, Hampton

# Martrez Milner, TE, Georgia

# Cory Anderson, FB, Tennessee

# DeShawn Wynn, RB, Florida

# Jackie Battle, RB, Houston

# Zak DeOssie, LB, Brown

# Rory Johnson, LB, Ole Miss

# Dallas Sartz, LB, USC

# Jayson Swain, WR, Tennessee

[Weganator]

I want Thomas soooo badly.... i think he would be an amazing addition to our team w/ many of our veterans being able to turn this guy around and make him into a better person off the field too...

[Riverwolf]

some of these guys look like they may have real potential and a couplecould fall to us. Maybe that will qwell some of the bad mouthing from the nay sayers...nah but wishful thinking.

[Riverwolf]

I want Thomas soooo badly.... i think he would be an amazing addition to our team w/ many of our veterans being able to turn this guy around and make him into a better person off the field too...

exactly my thoughts and who knows he could be that diamond in the rough:dallasuck

[panel]

Don't be surprised if the skins use a second day pick on a QB.

[Jaron]

I would love for us to take Thomas. A D-lineman with first ROUND potential in the second day. The upside here is huge, and if he doesn't get his **** together, oh well. Nobody is going to blast us for a risky 4th or 5th round pick not panning out.

[Manasseh]

Although it's doubtful, I would love for Blades to fall to us. Let him groom for two years behind Fletcher. Alexander is another LB I wouldn't mind picking up either.

What about DE's? Any sleepers out there?

[Thinking Skins]

I have a feeling that whoever we draft with these late picks, the Redskins fans are going to develop a mancrush on and overhype them, until they are cut at which point we'll say that they were the worse players in the history of the league.

[Ambrus]

What about DE's? Any sleepers out there?

http://www.nfl.com/draft/profiles/2007/moore_jay

Jay moore 6 - 5 DE Nebraska

OVERVIEW

Often overshadowed by All-American Adam Carriker at the other defensive end position for the Huskers, Moore is called a high-energy type by the coaching staff whose ability to neutralize the outside running game was a big reason for the team's success in 2006.

The "open" defensive end position that Moore played allowed him to freelance quite a bit, and his change-of-direction agility saw him make more than half of his career tackles out of his own territory. The defense's "bend, but don't break" approach and Moore's range along the perimeter helped keep the opponents from finding the end zone often, as the Huskers ranked second in the Big 12 Conference and 24th nationally, allowing only 18.29 points per game in 2006.

Moore played fullback and defensive end at Elkhorn High School, but his senior season was cut short by a knee injury. Still, he was regarded as one of the top recruits in the state of Nebraska. A member of the Omaha World-Herald's Super Six team, Moore carried 92 times for 822 yards (8.9 average) and scored 16 touchdowns in five games before suffering an anterior cruciate ligament tear that required surgery, wiping out the rest of his 2001 season.

Moore rushed for 1,742 yards and 31 touchdowns (8.8 avg.) in 2000, earning second-team All-Super-State honors from the Lincoln Journal Star, while he was the LJS Class B (second largest) Offensive Player of the Year and the Omaha World-Herald honorary Class B offensive captain. He also earned honorable mention all-state honors in basketball from the World-Herald in 2001, but did not play as a senior.

He attended the Big Red Football School and committed to the Huskers before his senior year. Moore spent the 2002 season on the sidelines, as he continued to fully recover from his prep school injury. He competed on the scout team as a defensive end in 2003, but never got on the field with the varsity.

In 2004, Moore was named the team's Most Improved Player and received Academic All-Big 12 honors. He appeared in 11 games, starting the Pittsburgh, Kansas and Texas Tech games at right defensive end for an injured Carriker (ankle), and then earned one more start at left end against Baylor when Carriker returned to the lineup. He collected 21 tackles (11 solos) with three sacks, seven stops for losses and eight pressures. He also recovered two fumbles, caused another and deflected a pair of passes.

The coaching staff turned the "open" (left) defensive end position over to Moore in 2005, as he started all 12 games. He garnered All-Big 12 Conference honorable mention as he tied for second on the team with 14 stops behind the line of scrimmage. He added three sacks to go along with 37 tackles (19 solos) and also tallied nine pressures. Moore had three pass break-ups, an interception and caused three fumbles while recovering another for a 17-yard return.

As a senior, the league's coaches awarded him with All-Big 12 Conference second-team honors. He started all year at "open" end, coming up with 45 tackles (23 solos). He led the team with 17 stops for losses and finished second with six sacks. He also totaled five pressures and three pass break-ups.

In 37 games at Nebraska, Moore started 30 times. He delivered 103 tackles (53 solos) with 12 sacks for minus-84 yards and 38 stops for losses totaling 145 yards. He had 22 quarterback pressures and eight pass deflections. He returned one of his three fumble recoveries 17 yards and one interception six yards while also causing four fumbles.

ANALYSIS

Positives: Has a well built frame with long arms, good bubble, solid upper body muscle tone and tapered thighs and calves … High-energy type who plays until the whistle and has a good work ethic, putting in extra hours in the training and film rooms … Emotional sparkplug for the team who has great range and outstanding quickness for a player his size, and those assets could see him utilized as a Mike Vrabel type (Patriots) as an outside linebacker … Determined edge rusher with rare speed for this position, showing the fluid and flexible moves sliding down the line or when dropping back in pass coverage … Plays at a low pad level and has good play recognition skills, as he is rarely fooled by misdirection or play action … Grant Wistrom-type (Seattle) with the sudden surge to consistently split double coverage, using his hands effectively to disengage … Does a good job knifing into the backfield, displaying a strong hand punch and proper technique dipping his shoulder inside … Cuts through traffic to chase ball carriers down in the backfield and looks fluid redirecting to give chase and make plays working down the line of scrimmage … Snaps his hips sharply and extends his arms to wrap and jolt the opponent in run force, keeping his pads down to hit and wrap securely … His burst off the line is evident by his urgency slipping off blocks to close and collapse the pocket … His hands and upper body strength help him gain leverage, but he is more effective on the move than when working in-line … Has the nimble feet and takes good angles to keep containment vs. the outside run and his loose hips let him get back to the cutback lanes … Might be better suited for a 3-4 scheme, as he has the quickness to drop back as an outside linebacker and the strength to stack and control the perimeter blockers … Another reason for a potential move to linebacker is the way he uses his speed to mirror the tight end running down the seams … Not really much of a bull rusher, but will not hesitate to stick his hat into the pile … Showed marked improvement delivering the up field shoulder in attempts to flatten and get to the quarterback.

Negatives: Has problems when moving in-line, as he does not have the bulk to keep leverage when combating double teams (will short-arm at times, leaving him exposed to the cut block) … Can hold his ground on the edge, but will get too tall at times trying to bull rush and this allows blockers to stand him up at the line of scrimmage … Needs to quickly find the clean lane in backside pursuit, as he might have good speed, but fails to show suddenness in his backside pursuit to close in a hurry (tends to take a wide loop to the pocket) … High-energy type, but will get a little reckless at times and over-pursue … Has a strong hand punch, but is better chasing down the ball rather than engaging the blockers, as he needs to show better rip and swim moves to avoid or he can get walled off.

Compares To: Chris Kelsay, Buffalo Bills … Moore is sort of the Ed McMahon to Adam Carriker's Johnny Carson … He lets others get the recognition, and while he might lack the physically imposing body that Carriker has, he compensates with a high motor and outstanding range … Yes, he's a bit of an overachiever and can get out of control when pursuing a quarterback, but if given a clean path to the ball, he will do whatever it takes to make the play … He is the type who won't be your best lineman, but he will create a spark up front … For teams using a 3-4 alignment, Moore's speed and ability to drop back in pass coverage might make him a more inviting target than to those that play with just a base defense.

INJURY REPORT

2001: Missed the final five games of his high school senior year after undergoing knee surgery in October to repair a torn anterior cruciate ligament.

AGILITY TESTS

Campus: 4.74 in the 40-yard dash … 415-pound bench press … 545-pound squat … 355-pound power clean … 34-inch vertical jump … 33¼-inch arm length … 9 5/8-inch hands.

HIGH SCHOOL

Attended Elkhorn (Neb.) High School, playing football for head coach Mark Wortman … Played fullback and defensive end, but his senior season was cut short by a knee injury … Still, he was regarded as one of the top recruits in the state of Nebraska … Member of the Omaha World-Herald's Super Six team, Moore carried 92 times for 822 yards (8.9 avg.) and scored 16 touchdowns in five games before suffering an anterior cruciate ligament tear that required surgery, wiping out the rest of his 2001 season … Rushed for 1,742 yards and 31 touchdowns (8.8 avg.) in 2000, earning second-team All-Super-State honors from the Lincoln Journal Star, while he was the LJS Class B (second largest) Offensive Player of the Year and the Omaha World-Herald honorary Class B offensive captain … Also earned honorable mention all-state honors in basketball from the World-Herald in 2001, but did not play as a senior.

PERSONAL

Secondary education major, earning 2004 Academic All-Big 12 Conference and 2005-06 Big 12 Commissioner's Academic Honor Roll recognition … Son of Marion and Jim Moore … Born Aug. 16, 1983 … Resides in Elkhorn, Neb.

[Ingtar]

http://www.nfl.com/draft/profiles/2007/moore_jay

Jay moore 6 - 5 DE Nebraska

I like Jay Moore too.

What about Greg Peterson, 6'5" 286lbs North Carolina Central

Positives: Has a thick, muscular upper-body frame with a tight midsection and adequate muscle tone in his legs … His pass-rush technique needs refinement, but he gets most of his success there with great effort and a quick burst off the snap … Has that sudden burst off the snap to surprise a lethargic offensive lineman and shows good balance knifing his way down the line … Very active with his hands to execute counter moves and get under the blocker's jersey to slip off his man and make plays in pursuit … Struggles some in the classroom, but does a fine job of taking plays from the chalkboard to the playing field … Very intense in his forward thrust off the ball early in games, but needs to maintain that pad level as he tends to get tall in his stance when he tires later on … Has a good feel for blocking pressure and has the vision to see schemes unfold in front of him, making quick decisions on how to react … Will get washed out by double teams, especially when trying to shoot the inside gaps, but is most effective when attacking the pocket by coming off the edge … Combative using his hands to disengage and has the knee bend to sidestep low blocks … Has the frame to add more bulk without it affecting his overall quickness … Decent wrap-up tackler, but is more effective when he uses his long arms to engulf and drag down the ball carrier … Has the burst to bend around the edge and needs to have a free lane on the outside to be more effective in pressuring the pocket.

Negatives: Excellent edge rusher, but his weight room strength fails to translate to the field when trying to work in-line … Poor three-tech pass rusher, as he fails to split double teams and gets cut often working through trash … Needs to improve his overall stamina, as he will disappear for long stretches later in games … Best when moving forward rather than waiting for the action to come to him at the line as he doesn't do well in attempts to hold his ground at the point of attack … Must be conscious that he gets his best success when he sinks his hips and lowers his weight (does not do this consistently) … When aligned at defensive tackle, he struggles to get a good squeeze on the pocket, as he spends too much time trying to shed against combo blocks.

Compares To: JARED ALLEN-Kansas City … Allen was an impressive looking athlete who had raw pass-rushing techniques coming out of college, but quickly matured with patient coaching at the next level. Many scouts see the same traits in Peterson. He is a classic edge rusher who plays multiple positions, but struggles to avoid low blocks and split double teams as a defensive tackle. Playing him at end will get the best out of his raw talent. He might not develop as quickly as Allen, as he does have stamina issues later in games, but its second-day draft investment.

[Sonny Joe Hog]

Here are some second day guys I like who might fit in with our team:

1. Mansfield Wrotto, Georgia Tech, could play OG or DT (played both in college). Excellent size, long arms. To me, he stood out when I saw him play.

2. John Talley, CB, Duke. 5-10, 180. I love this guy. He is a real playmaker. Could be a nickel or dime guy for us.

3. Scott Chandler, TE, Iowa. 6-6, 270. This guy is big and tough and he can catch the ball. Saw him play on T.V. and liked what I saw.

Guys mentioned above that I also like:

1. Fred Bennett, CB, SC. 6-1, 190. He can really cover.

2. Mike Otto, T, Purdue. 6-5, 308. Very underrated pass protector IMHO.

3. Josh Beekman, G, BC. Supposedly lacks this or that, but he has stood out every time I've seen him play.

[bobzmuda]

I wouldn't mind Barnes as a replacement for Chris Clemons' old rush-LB role. If you want pass-rush, I would not be opposed to trading a 2008 pick for this kid.

Also, Courtney Taylor, WR, is still on the board. He'll eventually be a really solid possession WR that could eventually replace Lloyd. As an additional plus, he already has a good working relationship with Jason Campbell.

[dachozenone]

I want Thomas soooo badly.... i think he would be an amazing addition to our team w/ many of our veterans being able to turn this guy around and make him into a better person off the field too...

Not happening Gibbs has said they value character guys...I would not mind to see it happen but not getting my hopes up.

[LT Smash]

Don't be surprised if the skins use a second day pick on a QB.

i would LOVE to have troy smith as a backup.

[AngloSackSon]

Though it has only occurred two years in a row, I have noticed a trend emerge from our FO. It seems like the 'Skins alternate late round emphasis between OL and DL. IF, this continues we should expect at least two project Olinemen taken today. This would certainly make sense given Mark Wilson and Jim Molinaro are both gone now. Throw in the need at the guard position, and as someone said third QB spot, and I wouldn't be surprised to see DL ignored altogether...

[culpeperskinsfan]

I want Thomas soooo badly.... i think he would be an amazing addition to our team w/ many of our veterans being able to turn this guy around and make him into a better person off the field too...

I had hoped he would somehow slip to us, but Denver just took him in the 4th round.

[Aston]

I had hoped he would somehow slip to us, but Denver just took him in the 4th round.

Yeah but Walter Thomas is still there ....

[Skinsinparadise]

Gibbs has said LB is key today. And the WP said recently that they like Rufus Alexander -- one of my draft magazines has him as the 2nd rated OLB

If by luck he's still there that's who am guessing they pick