MJS - 2005 Draft Preview

[Tae Bo]

I don't have a link because I got it off Factiva

Sports

2005 DRAFT PREVIEW

BOB MCGINN

3,505 words

27 February 2005

The Milwaukee Journal Sentinel

Final

07

English

Copyright © 2005 Bell & Howell Information and Learning Company. All rights reserved.

Indianapolis Based on interviews with executives in personnel from several NFL teams, it is possible to narrow down somewhat the pool of players who might be considered by the Green Bay Packers regardless of position if they exercise their current 24th pick in the first round of the draft April 23-24.

Prospects are divided into three categories: As Good As Gone (8) barring negative developments, these players have no chance of lasting until the 24th pick; Probably Gone (9) players who have no better than a 50-50 chance of remaining on the board by the 24th pick; and The Next Level (40) players who figure to be taken next.

Here is an early look at the players who appear to fit into those categories:

AS GOOD AS GONE (8)

Braylon Edwards, WR, Michigan: 6 feet 3 inches, 212 pounds. Returned to school and played much better as a senior. "He might be the best player in the whole nation," one scout said. "He's a big guy. He can jump and take the ball away from people."

Alex Smith, QB, Utah: 6-4, 217.Graduated in two years and was working on his master's degree in economics when he decided to declare a year early after coach Urban Meyer departed. "He's big and he's a runner," one scout said. Nation's second-leading passer in '04 with 67.5% completion mark, 32 touchdowns and four interceptions.

Aaron Rodgers, QB, California: 6-2, 223. Another junior. "He's a heady guy," one scout said. "They do a marvelous job of coaching quarterbacks there. I don't think he's as good as any of the top quarterbacks coming out last year." Coached by Jeff Tedford, whose list of prodigies includes Akili Smith and Kyle Boller. "He is not as good as everybody thinks he is," another scout said.

Cedric Benson, RB, Texas: 5-11, 223. Long-time Titans scout C.O. Brocato said in September: "He's a better prospect than Ricky Williams was. He's faster." Rushed for 1,834 yards (5.6 average) and 19 touchdowns as a senior. "Prolific runner all the way from high school," another scout said. "Durable. But everybody says his idol is Ricky Williams." Given that Williams was an admitted drug user and quit football in '04, that isn't considered a good thing. "He'll go high if his character is all right," a third scout said.

Ronnie Brown, RB, Auburn: 6-0, 233. Together with Carnell Williams, should give Auburn the first pair of first-round running backs since Florida's John L. Williams and Neal Anderson in 1986. "He's a big, soft-handed offensive coordinator's dream because he's a mismatch guy," one scout said. "His only drawback is he's more power than explosive." Carried 153 times for 913 yards (6.0 average) and eight touchdowns in '04.

Carnell "Cadillac" Williams, RB, Auburn: 5-11, 213. "He's undersized but he's got great explosion and great heart," one scout said. "He can also return punts." Built along the lines of Clinton Portis and has terrific speed. As a senior, carried 239 times for 1,165 yards (4.9) and 12 touchdowns.

Derrick Johnson, ILB, Texas: 6-2 1/2 , 231. Three-year starter who made '04 his finest season after moving from the middle to the weak side. "You want him to be able to run to the ball because he's going to catch just about anybody in the country," one scout said. "He's faster than Nick Barnett."

Adam "Pacman" Jones, CB, West Virginia: 5-9, 185. Speedy cover man who came out a year early. "He'll go in the middle of the first round," one scout said. "Very good player. He can run. Good return guy, too. The issue on him is height." Averaged 14.7 yards on punt returns in '04.

PROBABLY GONE (9)

Troy Williamson, WR, South Carolina: 6-1 1/2, 200. Declared a year early. "Two-time state of South Carolina sprint champ," one scout said. "He's got great speed. He's like (Donte') Stallworth. His production wasn't that great this year but he did not play with very good quarterbacks." Had 43 receptions for a 19.4-yard average and seven touchdowns.

Mike Williams, WR, Southern California: 6-5, 228. Back for another shot at the draft after being rebuffed by the courts a year ago. "He's a tease," one scout said. "Can't run. He's more 4.6. And I don't think his hips are wide enough to be a tight end. Not playing a year definitely hurts him." Tried to rejoin the Trojans after catching 176 passes and 30 touchdowns in 2002-'03 but the NCAA turned him away.

Heath Miller, TE, Virginia: 6-5, 256. Not as athletic as Tony Gonzalez or Jeremy Shockey but an all-around player. "Very good," one scout said. "He might be a little more consistent blocker than Alex Smith. That's the difference." Junior. Showed more receiving skill in '03, when Matt Schaub was his quarterback, than in '04. "But this year he played with a lot of chronic groin strains," another scout said.

Alex Smith, TE, Stanford: 6-3 1/2, 257. Clearly the best senior tight end. "Smooth, polished guy," one scout said. "Good hands. Needs to get a little stronger." His father, Edwin, played four seasons for Denver in the mid-1970s. "There's some inconsistency there," another scout said.

Alex Barron, T, Florida State: 6-7, 323. Finesse-type left tackle. "He's big, he's athletic, he can pass block," one scout said. "I just don't think he plays with the ability that the Good Lord gave him all the time." Several scouts questioned his ability to handle an NFL system.

Marcus Spears, DE, Louisiana State: 6-3 1/2, 302. Three-year starter with very long arms and excellent athletic ability. "He's a big, strong guy with balance," one scout said. "He is not a guy that's a flasher. He plays hard. Productive for what they ask him to do." Probably fits best as an end in a 3-4. Plays left end in a 4-3 but also can work inside.

Erasmus James, DE, Wisconsin: 6-4, 272. Came out of nowhere and had sensational senior season. "He will be a hell of a player," one scout said. "He's fierce. He'll be a top-10 pick. He's really got natural instincts. Everybody loves this guy." Had eight sacks in '04 after sitting out all '03 with a hip injury. "I just don't like him as a person," another scout said. "I think he's soft."

Antrel Rolle, CB, Miami: 6-0, 205. Has excellent size and cover skills. "Really good," one scout said. "He's one of the bigger kids. He can play bump-and-run and play off. He's a physical guy." The son of the police chief in Homestead, Fla., Rolle was suspended but reinstated shortly thereafter in '03 after being arrested for disorderly conduct and resisting an officer without violence.

Thomas Davis, S, Georgia: 6-0, 230. "He's a missile," one scout said. "It's not always guided but it's coming." Thick, hard-nosed, box-type safety. Not as good as Sean Taylor from last year but still a top-15 pick.

THE NEXT LEVEL (40)

Mark Clayton, WR, Oklahoma: 5-10, 193. Polished intermediate receiver who lacks a long burst. "To me, he's a slot guy," one scout said. "He's not as good as Johnnie Morton. He's put together. He looks good and everything. He runs OK." Shifty, precise route runner with impeccable character. Fine kick returner.

Reggie Brown, WR, Georgia: 6-1, 194. Had 53 catches for a 16.2 average and six touchdowns as a senior. Still drops too many. "Good Senior Bowl," one scout said. "Very fast but doesn't like traffic. He doesn't like defenders around him. Doesn't like his back to the ball."

Roddy White, WR, Alabama-Birmingham: 6-1, 207. Led Division I-A in average per catch at 20.5 and had 14 touchdowns. "He's got the best down-the-field ball skills of any receiver in the draft," one scout said. On the raw side but has shown steady improvement.

Mark Bradley, WR, Oklahoma: 6-1, 201. A converted quarterback from Arkansas-Pine Bluff. Suffered a torn ACL and transferred to Oklahoma as a walk-on. Sooners coach Bob Stoops called Bradley the best athlete on the team but didn't give him a scholarship until last August. "He's not as smart as Clayton but physically gifted he's better than Clayton," one scout said.

Terrence Murphy, WR, Texas A&M: 6-0 1/2, 194. Has run 40 yards in the mid-4.4s but had a down senior season with 56 catches for a 12.9 average and three touchdowns. "He didn't do it this year the way he was supposed to," one scout said.

Steve Savoy, WR, Utah: 5-11, 187. Was the Utes' second-leading receiver in '04 with 67 catches for a 14.3 average and 11 touchdowns before coming out a year early. "He's got great speed," one scout said. "What helps him is the design of the offense. He's in Murphy's and Clayton's area. Second-round type."

Marcus Johnson, G-T, Mississippi: 6-6, 313. Four-year starter at right guard but also had a few starts at right tackle. "Love him," one scout said. "He got a chance to be first round." Agent is former Green Bay guard Rich Moran.

Chris Spencer, C, Mississippi: 6-3 1/2, 310. One of only two junior offensive linemen to declare and easily the No. 1 center in the draft. "He's big, about 320, and has some ability," one scout said. "He could go late one. He's below (Jeff) Faine but he's not that far behind."

Jammal Brown, T, Oklahoma: 6-5 1/2, 316. Played right tackle in college but probably could play the left side. "Nasty," one scout said. "He's a tough SOB. His thing will be smarts." Added another scout: "Good kid but struggles academically and with reps. Plays with some hesitation."

Khalif Barnes, T, Washington: 6-5, 305. Has left tackle-type size and ability. "His stock rose at the Senior Bowl but during the season he was extremely inconsistent," one scout said. Suffered a broken wrist in mid-October and sat out.

Charlie Frye, QB, Akron: 6-4, 225. Another in a string of Mid- American Conference pro passers that includes Chad Pennington, Byron Leftwich and Ben Roethlisberger. "I'd take (J.P.) Losman over Frye because Losman has that extra (running) dimension," one scout said. "Who is a more heady guy right now? Probably Frye." Set all kinds of records but played better as a junior when his supporting cast was a lot better. "He was basically the whole team and got the hell beat out of him," another scout said. "Doesn't have a lot of movement. Strong arm." Scored 20 on the 50-question Wonderlic intelligence test. "He's going to be a project," a third scout said.

Jason Campbell, QB, Auburn: 6-4, 228. Made dramatic improvement as a senior in a West Coast style of offense, completing 69.6% and finishing third in Division I-A in passer rating. "Best way to describe him is he's a poor man's Aaron Brooks," one scout said. "He's not as gifted athletically as Aaron Brooks but he has that elongation in his delivery."

Kyle Orton, QB, Purdue: 6-4, 233. Played extremely well until his Oct. 16 fumble lost the Wisconsin game. Saddled with a hip flexor injury down the stretch and struggled. Intelligent player who operated a passer-friendly spread offense. Scouts disagree on his arm strength.

Adrian McPherson, QB, ex-Florida State: 6-3 1/2, 216. Tossed out of Florida State in November 2002 because of a gambling charge as well as passing bad checks. In two seasons, he had 14 touchdown passes and only one interception. Tried and failed to resurrect career at Tennessee State, so played Arena Football in '04 for Indiana Firebirds. "He admitted to a lot of stuff in Mobile (at the Senior Bowl) but he still gambled on college football, which is (expletive)," one scout said.

Andrew Walter, QB, Arizona State: 6-6, 233. Possesses ideal stature and a powerful arm. "Inconsistent with his decision- making," one scout said. "He almost tries to press and make plays." Pac-10's all-time passing leader who can be arrogant. Suffered a dislocated shoulder in '04 that still concerns teams.

T.A. McLendon, RB, North Carolina State: 5-11, 235. Came out a year early after rushing 167 times for 770 yards (4.6) and six touchdowns in '04. "As talented a back as there is in the draft," one scout said. "What gets him is he doesn't like to train or play unless he's 100% healthy."

Vernand Morency, RB, Oklahoma State: 5-10, 212. Another junior who declared after carrying 258 times for 1,474 yards (5.7) and 12 touchdowns in '04. "His feet are quicker than you realize," one scout said. "He's top of the second round." Played three seasons of minor-league baseball and is 24 years old.

Ciatrick Fason, RB, Florida: 5-11 1/2, 210. Also came out a year early after carrying 222 times for 1,267 yards (5.7) and 10 touchdowns in '04.

Marion Barber, RB, Minnesota: 5-11 1/2, 221. Son of Marion Barber, the Gophers' all-time rushing leader when he finished in 1980 and an NFL running back for eight seasons. He and Laurence Maroney became the first teammates in Division I-A history to each rush for 1,000 yards in successive seasons. Several scouts said Maroney, who remained in school, was the better prospect. Barber declared a year early. "He lacks speed," one scout said.

Shawn Cody, DT, Southern California: 6-3 1/2, 293. Can play both end and tackle but had more production inside. "Gifted athlete," one scout said. "No downside but needs to make more plays. Great kid." Best in a one-gap scheme. Gives phenomenal effort.

Demarcus Ware, DE-OLB, Troy: 6-3 1/2, 247. Registered 28 sacks in four seasons as a vastly undersized end but projects to outside linebacker for teams playing the 3-4 defense. "This guy is Leonard Little," one scout said. "He'd be perfect for a Pittsburgh-type defense." Another scout compared him to Jason Taylor. "He's a better player than Kabeer (Gbaja-Biamila)," another scout said.

Shawne Merriman, DE-OLB, Maryland: 6-4, 272. Came out a year early after an 8 1/2-sack final season. "He played linebacker this year but they put him down in sub packages," one scout said. "He has played end in the past. Guys have him going in the top-20. Not me. Uh-uh."

Chris Canty, DE, Virginia: 6-7 1/2, 286. Suffered a major knee injury in late September and then an eye injury recently when a workout partner hit him with a beer bottle in Phoenix. "Just wrong place at the wrong time," one scout said. "He's a two-down power end and a three-technique on pass rush. He'd be top-20 without the knee and the eye." So talented that he still might go in the first round.

Travis Johnson, DT, Florida State: 6-4, 290. "More mobile than Corey Simon," one scout said. "He beats you with quickness." Explosive, penetrating one-gap player from a school where defensive linemen often fail in the pros. "He never started until this year," another scout said. "He definitely has first-round talent but I absolutely would not draft him there."

David Pollack, DE, Georgia: 6-2, 265. Had 36 1/2 sacks as one of the most decorated players in school history. "He's just a (expletive) player," one scout said. "That's what they said about Hugh Douglas, that he was short. There's some guys that are just football players." A classic overachiever with a big heart.

Dan Cody, DE, Oklahoma: 6-3 1/2, 255. "I'm not a big fan of his although he'll play," one scout said. "He's a lot like Grant Wistrom only a step down." Tenacious competitor who was compared by another scout to Cincinnati's Justin Smith. Has been diagnosed with clinical depression, which forced him to leave the team during the '01 season.

Matt Roth, DE, Iowa: 6-3, 279. Enrolled as a 240-pound linebacker. "He's a left end and a good football player," one scout said. "Way better than (Aaron) Kampman. He's got leverage." A self- made player with no quit. "Stiff," another scout said.

Mike Patterson, DT, Southern California: 5-11 1/2, 290. "Outstanding production," one scout said. "Height is the only problem." Able to compensate because he has long arms (33 3/4) and maintains leverage. "Hell of a football player," another scout said. "Nobody has engulfed him yet. His feet touch the ground. Isn't that what's important?"

Justin Tuck, DE, Notre Dame: 6-4, 265. Departed a year early with school-record 24 1/2 sacks, including a record 13 1/2 in '03. "Great effort guy," one scout said. Retorted another: "I see the toughness. I don't see the production."

Odell Thurman, ILB, Georgia: 5-11 1/2, 230. In announcing his decision to leave a year early, Thurman said he was responsible for his five brothers because both his parents are dead. Has one child of his own and another on the way. "He's a weak-side backer and he's better than Barnett," one scout said. "Makes more plays. More instinctive. He's all over the place. Just watch the Wisconsin game."

Darryl Blackstock, OLB, Virginia: 6-4, 230. Another junior. "As a freshman he was ACC player of the year," one scout said. "Ten, 11 sacks. He's more disciplined now than he was as a freshman. He will work out well and get overdrafted. He's big and runs well." More of a pass rusher than cover linebacker.

Kevin Burnett, OLB, Tennessee: 6-3, 235. Joined the Volunteers as a safety but outgrew the position. "He had a knee injury two years ago and you still have to check it," one scout said. "He's strong enough to play strong' but he runs well so you want to free him up so he can run to the ball. He has good range." Didn't play as well as a senior.

Crowder Channing, ILB, Florida: 6-2 1/2, 245. Third-year sophomore who declared early. "Tough guy," one scout said. Instinctive player.

Justin Miller, CB, Clemson: 5-11, 200. Declared a year early after leading Division I-A in kickoff-return average (33.1) besides averaging 13.0 on punts. "Good return ability and got some size," one scout said. "But let's just see how fast he is. He could be a first-round guy. If he runs 4.6, no."

Carlos Rogers, CB, Auburn: 6-0, 195. Four-year starter who bounced back in '04 from a disappointing junior season. "Played pretty well this year," one scout said.

Marlin Jackson, S-CB, Michigan: 6-0, 200. Best season was 2002 at cornerback. Moved to safety in '03 and back to cornerback in '04. "I don't think he has corner niftiness," one scout said.

Fabian Washington, CB, Nebraska: 5-10, 180. Third-year junior, started all three seasons and finished career with 11 interceptions and 38 passes defended.

Corey Webster, CB, Louisiana State: 5-11, 197. High school quarterback who spent first two years under coach Nick Saban as a wide receiver. Played better on the corner in '03 than '04. "But he played hurt most of the year," one scout said. "Big guy."

Brodney Pool, S, Oklahoma: 6-2 1/2, 205. A superb athlete who came out a year early. "He does a good job in their zone scheme but I don't think he has great speed," one scout said.

Brandon Browner, CB, Oregon State: 6-3, 200. Intercepted six passes as a redshirt freshman in '03 but was penalized 17 times for holding or pass interference during a 2004 season in which he didn't intercept a pass. "He'll have to learn how not to hold that's all he does," one scout said.

[Tae Bo]

Originally posted by Tae Bo

Erasmus James, DE, Wisconsin: 6-4, 272. Came out of nowhere and had sensational senior season. "He will be a hell of a player," one scout said. "He's fierce. He'll be a top-10 pick. He's really got natural instincts. Everybody loves this guy." Had eight sacks in '04 after sitting out all '03 with a hip injury. "I just don't like him as a person," another scout said. "I think he's soft."

This seemed to me like a pretty strange thing to say.

[Tae Bo]

Originally posted by Tae Bo

Alex Smith, QB, Utah: 6-4, 217.Graduated in two years and was working on his master's degree in economics when he decided to declare a year early after coach Urban Meyer departed. "He's big and he's a runner," one scout said. Nation's second-leading passer in '04 with 67.5% completion mark, 32 touchdowns and four interceptions.

Sounds like an impressive kid. 8:1 TD/INT ratio suggests smarts translate to field.

[Tae Bo]

man, I just finished reading this thing and these scouts don't hold back, pretty good info

[cphil006]

Erasmus James did not impress me in the Bowl Game against Georgia.

[Dexter's Better]

Shawne Merriman, DE-OLB, Maryland: 6-4, 272. Came out a year early after an 8 1/2-sack final season. "He played linebacker this year but they put him down in sub packages," one scout said. "He has played end in the past. Guys have him going in the top-20. Not me. Uh-uh."

I still say he will be lucky to be selected in prior to round 3.