Arizona (from Oakland)
Alan Branch, DT Michigan
– His workouts didn’t exactly cause any jaws to drop as he
dropped after originally being considered a top five overall
pick. He has the size to clog up the middle for ten years able
to blow into the backfield when he absolutely has to and has the
type of drive to always keep working to get better as long as he
keeps his weight in check. He doesn’t get enough credit for
occupying two blockers at a time; he’s not going to fill up the
stat sheet.
2
34
Buffalo (from Detroit)
Paul Posluszny, LB Penn State
– Ultra-productive, if slightly overrated as a college player,
he’s a straight up football player who’ll make the defense his
in a big hurry. He’s always around the ball and always making
plays, even though he can get pushed around a little bit when a
big lineman gets a hat on him. He’ll have to work on being
better in pass coverage, but that’ll come. He’ll be a ten-year
rock.
3
35
Tampa Bay
Arron Sears, OT/OG Tennessee
– Considered a sure-thing with huge size and tremendous blocking
ability, he turned off several teams with his attitude during
interviews. As a run blocker, he should turn into a killer with
the bulk to push around NFL defensive linemen with regularity.
While considered by some as a tackle at the pro level, he
projects to become a Pro Bowl caliber guard.
4
36
Philadelphia
(from Dallas through Cleveland)
Kevin Kolb, QB Houston
– A four-year starter for Houston, he became tremendously
effective and good at ball security cutting down on his
interceptions. The type of quarterback who potentially becomes a
top starter after a few years as a number two, he could be a
star in the right system and should be fantastic with time to
work and learn at a pro level. He’ll be a long-time NFL starter.
5
37
San Diego (from
Chicago through Washington through New
York Jets) Eric
Weddle, S/CB Utah
– One of the most productive all-around players in Mountain West
history, he was an All-America corner, a playmaking safety when
moved over, and late last year, the team’s top running option.
Clutch in every phase of the game, he makes big plays and can be
used in a variety of ways. He’s not strong enough or physical
enough to be a top safety, but he’ll find a role somewhere in
the secondary.
6
38
Oakland (from Arizona) Zach
Miller, TE Arizona State
– He’s not Todd Heap, but he’s a good receiver with better
athleticism than his slow 40-time shows. A far better blocker
than he’s gotten credit for, he’s great at getting down the
field and springing big plays. While he won’t be a top-end
target, he’ll fight for the ball and make the tough catches when
needed.
7
39
Atlanta (from
Houston)
Justin Blalock, OG Texas
– An ultra-productive, dependable, high-character talent, all
that’s missing is a mean streak to bury blockers. While he’s 6-4
and 331 pounds, he doesn’t come across as huge because of his
thick base. He can play tackle if needed, but he doesn’t have
the athleticism to do it full time. He’s an NFL guard.
8
40
Miami
John Beck, QB BYU – A
little small with a decent, accurate arm, he’s the type of
quarterback who hangs around on a roster since no one will want
to get rid of him. He’ll be the perfect backup quarterback
who’ll look great in practices, but does he have the raw skills
to be an NFL star? Many scouts started falling in love with him
just before the draft, and while he’s a poised, tough passer, he
doesn’t have the talent of Drew Stanton or Trent Edwards.
9
41
Atlanta (from
Minnesota)
Chris Houston, CB Arkansas
– One of the strongest, most physical corners in the draft, he’s
a workout warrior (in a good way) with tremendous speed and
linebacker-like lifting ability. He’ll need some overall work on
his technique and coverage skills and has to become a savvier
all-around defender, but he’s got the tools to be a good one, or
at least close to as good as he thinks he is.
10
42
Indianapolis
(from San Francisco)
Tony Ugoh, OT Arkansas
– He was about to become the hot prospect when he got hurt
during the combines and wasn’t able to finish. He’s great on the
move and a top run blocker who showed off great athleticism in
workouts. While he needs to work on his technique and has to get
a big stronger, but he’ll become a great pro in time.
11
43
Detroit (from Buffalo)
Drew Stanton, QB Michigan State
– At one point last off-season, he was considered by some to
possibly be a top five pick with the size, decent arm strength,
and mobility to make him the total package. He might be a bit
shellshocked after years of problems at MSU, and he has to prove
to be more consistent both mentally and physically. If allowed
time to develop, he could be a great value here. A possible
steal.
12
44
Minnesota
(from Atlanta)
Sidney Rice, WR South Carolina
– Bad, bad move coming out early. He would’ve generated a first
round type of buzz had he come back to the loaded Gamecocks and
proved he could be a mature, consistent playmaker. While he’s
big and is able to come up with highlight reel grabs in the red
zone, he mostly dominated the weak and the sad last season (five
touchdown catches against Florida Atlantic) although he had a
nice day against Arkansas. He needs a lot of work, a lot of
work, to become a polished NFL route runner; don’t expect
him to be open.
13
45
Carolina
Dwayne Jarrett, WR USC
– The time, the time, the time. Forgetting that he dominated
throughout his college career, forgetting he caught everything
thrown his way, forgetting he made acrobatic catch after
acrobatic catch, all that matters to the scouts was his
turtle-slow 40 time. He’s not Mike Williams; he can play and
will be productive from day one.
14
46
Pittsburgh
LaMarr Woodley, DE/LB Michigan
– He got way too much credit for a few huge games early on last
season, but was non-existent when the lights went on against
Ohio State and USC to close out the year. He’ll isn’t all that
big for an end and doesn’t have nearly enough speed or
athleticism to be a regular linebacker, but he has a good motor
and will work his way into the starting lineup. He’s the
definition of a tweener who doesn’t quite fit in anywhere.
15
47
N.J. Jets
(from Green Bay)
David Harris, LB Michigan
– If you can be an underrated, unnoticed playmaker at Michigan,
Harris was it. He went from being just a good tackler to a great
all-around defender able to be a disruptive force in the
backfield. He’s not going to do much in pass coverage but he’s
fast, a great competitor, and possibly, the best Wolverine taken
in the draft. Terrific value.
16
48
Jacksonville
Justin Durant, LB Hampton
– Athletic enough to play on the outside and tough enough to
handle himself on the inside, he’s an undersized tweener of a
linebacker who’ll have to find a spot on special teams early and
hope he can eventually fit the system. One of the faster
linebackers in the draft.
17
49
Cincinnati
Kenny Irons, RB Auburn
– A disappointment as a senior having problems staying healthy,
he’s a quick back who’ll be great in stretches as long as he’s
healthy. A gamer who’s tough, patient through the hole, and has
good acceleration, he plays bigger than his 5-10, 195-pound
frame. While not an elite NFL back, he’ll be a nice starter as
long as he’s a part of a rotation.
18
50
Tennessee
Chris Henry, RB Arizona
– An afterthought when he chose to go pro early after starting
just four games at Arizona, he turned into the hottest player at
the combine showing off blazing 4.4 speed in a 230-pound frame.
With little tread on the tires, he’s fresh and should be a top
starter if he gets the chance. However, he hasn’t proven he can
do it for a full season and while he’s a swing-for-the-fences
pick, he’s still a risk despite his tremendous workout numbers.
Think a lower rent, better value Ronnie Brown type.
19
51
N.Y. Giants
Steve Smith, WR USC
– While not a blazer and not all that big, he was tremendously
productive whenever he got the chance to be a number one
receiver. He’s going to be pushed around by stronger defensive
backs and he’s going to have problems making the deep play, but
he’s going to be a great underneath target. He’ll be a terrific
number two.
20
52
St. Louis
Brian Leonard, RB Rutgers
– Let’s end this now. He’s a fullback. Period. After slimming
down, getting faster, and looking the part of a big tailback for
workouts and the combine, he showed he be a ball-carrier if need
be. He’ll make his money as a do-it-all type, but he’s a jack of
all trades, master of none. He’s not a particularly devastating
blocker, but he’s good enough to be strong in pass protection.
He’s a decent runner, a nice receiver, and the type of football
player every coach would love to have.
21
53
Cleveland
(from Dallas)
Eric Wright, CB UNLV
– He started off his career at USC where he won a national
title, and then became one of the top corners in the Mountain
West. With blazing speed and tremendous athleticism, he has the
tools to become a solid one-on-one coverman, but he isn’t a
strong 5-11, 190, isn’t going to tackle anyone, and has major
off-the-field character concerns. He’s a riskier player than his
measureables would suggest.
22
54
Kansas City
Turk McBride, DT Tennessee
– A great competitor who’ll give everything he has and more, and
he’s still developing. He might have just scratched the surface
as far as what he can become. While he’s a hard worker, he’s not
exactly the strongest run stuffer and is more of a big end
playing tackle. He’ll have to create a role and an identity for
himself.
23
55
Seattle
Josh Wilson, CB Maryland
– Fast, fast, fast. While he’s not big and isn’t going to be a
top tackler, he’s smart, is always around the ball, and is great
when the ball’s in the air. He’ll stay with any speed receiver,
but he’ll get shoved around by the bigger, savvier ones. He
could become a fantastic kick returner right out of the box.
24
56
Denver
Tim Crowder, DE Texas
– He’s a good, productive lineman who’ll be a solid starter for
a long time, but he’s not a pass rusher. Without the raw
athleticism to consistently get into the backfield, he has to
establish himself right away as a rock against the run. His work
ethic, and size, will help him get by.
25
57
Philadelphia
Victor Abiamiri, DE Notre Dame
– A limited pass rusher, he’ll be better as an all-around
defender making more of an impact against the run. While he has
all the tools to become special, the light never quite clicked
on at Notre Dame, where he was good, but not special. He has to
find one thing he can do extremely well.
26
58
Detroit (from
New Orleans)
Ikaika Alama-Francis, DE Hawaii
– A fantastic athlete who could be something special if given
time to develop. He has good size, good enough speed, and is a
pure pass rusher. Now he needs to learn how to become a polished
regular and not just an NFL specialist. He has the size to be
better against the run.
27
59
Carolina
(from N.Y. Jets)
Ryan Kalil, C USC
– By far the best center prospect in the draft, he’s quick,
smart, and plays with a non-stop motor. There’s a bit of a
ceiling on how good he can become at only 6-2 and around 290
pounds, and he’s not going to blow anyone off the ball, but he’s
a straight up football player who’ll be a terrific quarterback
up front.
28
60
Miami (from
New England)
Samson Satele, C/G Hawaii
– A limited all-around blocker, he did a good enough job in pass
protection but has yet to prove he can be consistent as a run
blocker. He’s experienced, nasty and versatile able to play
center or guard, but he’s not big enough to be anywhere
full-time but in the middle.
29
61
Detroit (from Baltimore)
Gerald Alexander, S Boise State
– A former corner, he’s still learning how to be a regular
safety still playing like a corner playing safety. He’s not fast
enough or physical enough to be any sort of an impact player and
he needs to become a better tackler.
30
62
Chicago (from San Diego)
Dan Bazuin, DE Central Michigan
– Always working. Always working. He’s a pure pass rusher
who makes up for his lack of all-around athleticism by going
full-tile all the time. He’s not a top-shelf, number one type of
pass rusher who’ll scare offensive coordinators, but he’ll clean
up plenty of messes when offenses are paying attention to
everyone else.
31
63
Green Bay
(from N.Y. Jets through Chicago) Brandon
Jackson, RB Nebraska
– He should’ve stayed in school another year to develop a little
more. Not a speedster, he’s not necessarily a third down back,
he’s not a feature-back who can carry a running attack and he’s
not a number one. He’ll have to find a niche right away or be
part of a rotation. He’s not Ahman Green.
32
64
Tampa Bay
(from Indianapolis)
Sabby Piscitelli, S Oregon State
– A big-time producer who didn’t just make plays, but was also
clutch. Fantastic combine numbers running faster than he looked
(he was too stiff and didn’t move effortlessly), but he cranked
out a 4.4 40 at 220 pounds. He’ll need to be coached up to play
far up to his size and strength and be a bigger hitter.
