Jetstream Green
Kool Aid with a touch of vodka
Just thought I would put down some player ratings from past drafts for what it's worth:
11) David Macklin, Penn State
5-9 197 4.50
4th or 5th round
NFL comparison: Tyronne Drakeford, Saints
Joe Paterno said Macklin is best natural cover corner he's ever coached, but many NFL scouts can't overlook size and speed limitations. Despite size, plays physically and gets excellent position. Tremendous cover skills. Natural in movement and does great job reading and reacting. Makes lot of plays on instincts. Has fluid hips and is quick in and out of backpedal. May have trouble matching up vs. bigger receivers. Projects more as nickel corner with slot-coverage duties. Does not show great recovery speed, but ability to read routes and stay with receivers in deep third is impressive. Notable: As freshman high school basketball player, once guarded Allen Iverson and held him to 13 points. OVERALL GRADE: 22.5
Same year...
18) David Barrett, Arkansas
5-10 190 4.60
6th or 7th round
NFL comparison: Brian Kelly, Buccaneers
Competitive and does not give up lot of big plays, but speed and fluidity are less than impressive. Has some trouble in backpedal and does not do good job keeping cushion on his man in deep third. Has impressive intangibles, especially instincts and awareness. Does good job playing ball and uses body to get great position. Doesn't waste motion and footwork is technically sound, but potential to grow is simply not there.
Notable: Interception return for touchdown on Tennessee's second offensive play ignited Arkansas to 28-24 win over Vols in '99.
OVERALL GRADE: 18.0
1999...
9) Jacoby Rhinehart, Southern Methodist
5-11 188 4.52
3rd or 4th round
NFL Comparison: Darrien Gordon
Rhinehart is a versatile player who has lined up at wide receiver and been used on kickoff returns in addition to playing cornerback. He is a good athlete who moves well and is very smooth in his backpedal. He can turn and run without missing a step. He may lack the deep speed to cover premier wide receivers, but he has the skills to get the job done against an inside receiver. He is adequate against the run and at least an adequate tackler. At the least, he should be a fine nickel back.
2001
18) Michael Stone, Memphis
5-11 188 4.46
6th round
NFL Comparison: Dre' Bly, Rams
Strengths: Excellent physical specimen who runs like a track star and jumps through the roof. Playing skills have improved dramatically over past two seasons. He's now at point where he can compete with some of the NFL's top receivers. Has explosive speed/quickness and the extra gear that is so critical in the open field.
Weaknesses: As much as he's improved in coverage, still has long way to go. Rough around the edges. Has only decent footwork, and his technique and backpedal need refining. A project. Notable: Walked on at Memphis in 1998 and played in nine games.
Bottom line: His natural skills can't be taught and he's proved to be coachable. May take a year or two to develop but could emerge as the steal of this class if put in the right situation.
Final grade: 2.7
Renaldo Hill was ranked 25 that year but was not covered.
Michigan State 5-10 5/8 175 4.58
2003
17) Jason Goss, TCU
5-9 3/4 186 4.63
NFL Comparison: Ray Mickens, Jets
Strengths: Shows great instincts and recognition skills. Is a fluid athlete. Shows good burst out of his backpedal. Is smooth when turning. Has a good feel for zone coverage. Is confident and aggressive in man coverage. Gets a good jump on balls in front of him. Finds the ball in the air. Has strong upper body. Shows great ball skills.
Weaknesses: Durability is a concern; had a major knee injury in 2000. Lacks great size and speed. May never hold up one-on-one on the outside in the NFL. Doesn't show catch-up speed to make up for mistakes. Isn't very physical in coverage. Is an inconsistent open-field tackler. Is subpar in run support. Is undersized.
Bottom line: Goss plays much bigger than his size and runs much faster than his 40 time. He was his usual aggressive, explosive self as a senior after fully recovering from knee surgery. He also has some upside as a punt returner.
Final Grade: 4.9
11) David Macklin, Penn State
5-9 197 4.50
4th or 5th round
NFL comparison: Tyronne Drakeford, Saints
Joe Paterno said Macklin is best natural cover corner he's ever coached, but many NFL scouts can't overlook size and speed limitations. Despite size, plays physically and gets excellent position. Tremendous cover skills. Natural in movement and does great job reading and reacting. Makes lot of plays on instincts. Has fluid hips and is quick in and out of backpedal. May have trouble matching up vs. bigger receivers. Projects more as nickel corner with slot-coverage duties. Does not show great recovery speed, but ability to read routes and stay with receivers in deep third is impressive. Notable: As freshman high school basketball player, once guarded Allen Iverson and held him to 13 points. OVERALL GRADE: 22.5
Same year...
18) David Barrett, Arkansas
5-10 190 4.60
6th or 7th round
NFL comparison: Brian Kelly, Buccaneers
Competitive and does not give up lot of big plays, but speed and fluidity are less than impressive. Has some trouble in backpedal and does not do good job keeping cushion on his man in deep third. Has impressive intangibles, especially instincts and awareness. Does good job playing ball and uses body to get great position. Doesn't waste motion and footwork is technically sound, but potential to grow is simply not there.
Notable: Interception return for touchdown on Tennessee's second offensive play ignited Arkansas to 28-24 win over Vols in '99.
OVERALL GRADE: 18.0
1999...
9) Jacoby Rhinehart, Southern Methodist
5-11 188 4.52
3rd or 4th round
NFL Comparison: Darrien Gordon
Rhinehart is a versatile player who has lined up at wide receiver and been used on kickoff returns in addition to playing cornerback. He is a good athlete who moves well and is very smooth in his backpedal. He can turn and run without missing a step. He may lack the deep speed to cover premier wide receivers, but he has the skills to get the job done against an inside receiver. He is adequate against the run and at least an adequate tackler. At the least, he should be a fine nickel back.
2001
18) Michael Stone, Memphis
5-11 188 4.46
6th round
NFL Comparison: Dre' Bly, Rams
Strengths: Excellent physical specimen who runs like a track star and jumps through the roof. Playing skills have improved dramatically over past two seasons. He's now at point where he can compete with some of the NFL's top receivers. Has explosive speed/quickness and the extra gear that is so critical in the open field.
Weaknesses: As much as he's improved in coverage, still has long way to go. Rough around the edges. Has only decent footwork, and his technique and backpedal need refining. A project. Notable: Walked on at Memphis in 1998 and played in nine games.
Bottom line: His natural skills can't be taught and he's proved to be coachable. May take a year or two to develop but could emerge as the steal of this class if put in the right situation.
Final grade: 2.7
Renaldo Hill was ranked 25 that year but was not covered.
Michigan State 5-10 5/8 175 4.58
2003
17) Jason Goss, TCU
5-9 3/4 186 4.63
NFL Comparison: Ray Mickens, Jets
Strengths: Shows great instincts and recognition skills. Is a fluid athlete. Shows good burst out of his backpedal. Is smooth when turning. Has a good feel for zone coverage. Is confident and aggressive in man coverage. Gets a good jump on balls in front of him. Finds the ball in the air. Has strong upper body. Shows great ball skills.
Weaknesses: Durability is a concern; had a major knee injury in 2000. Lacks great size and speed. May never hold up one-on-one on the outside in the NFL. Doesn't show catch-up speed to make up for mistakes. Isn't very physical in coverage. Is an inconsistent open-field tackler. Is subpar in run support. Is undersized.
Bottom line: Goss plays much bigger than his size and runs much faster than his 40 time. He was his usual aggressive, explosive self as a senior after fully recovering from knee surgery. He also has some upside as a punt returner.
Final Grade: 4.9
