BACH
Superbowl, Homeboy!
Underclassmen face tough decisions
By Todd McShay
Scouts Inc.
Archive
Underclassmen have until Jan. 15, 2006, to file their paperwork with the league office in order to qualify for entry in the 2006 NFL draft. The following is a list of the top underclassmen prospects, broken down into three categories: those that are already gone, those that should stay and those that should go.
ALREADY GONE
Ray Edwards, DE, Purdue -- second round
Possesses a massive frame, long arms and room to grow. Naturally athletic DE with above-average speed. Shows explosive pass-rushing potential, but is still very raw. Needs to improve technique and lower body strength. Had a better season as a sophomore (2004) than he did as a junior (2005).
Bernard Pollard, S, Purdue -- second or third round
A big safety with good versatility. Is aggressive versus the run and shows good instincts in coverage. Lack of ideal top-end speed and explosive power will keep him out of the first round.
Demetris Summers, RB, South Carolina -- late round or free agent
Disciplinary issues led to his dismissal from the South Carolina team. A tough runner with good initial quickness, power and vision, but lacks elite speed and is unpolished. Might be worth the late-round risk.
SMART TO COME OUT
Reggie Bush, RB, USC -- top two overall
Athletes like Bush do not come along very often. In nearly 10 years of scouting the NFL draft I have never given a higher grade to a prospect. The team that winds up with the No. 1 overall pick in 2006 should have no hesitation selecting Bush -- regardless of its needs.
Mario Williams, DE, NC State -- top 10 overall
Prototypical-looking DE with more upside than any senior defensive lineman. Still has room to improve in terms of his technique and leverage, but shows very good athleticism and speed for his size. A playmaker versus the run and pass. Came on strong during second half of his junior year -- finishing regular season with 13 sacks.
Haloti Ngata, DT, Oregon -- middle first round
Massive two-gap DT/NT prospect. A Casey Hampton (Steelers) type; would fit perfectly as a 3-4 NT in the NFL. Production does not tell the story, as biggest asset is ability to clog the middle and protect his linebackers versus the run. Torn ACL in left knee (2003) could cause him to slip within the first round.
Vernon Davis, TE, Maryland -- middle first Round
Best pure athlete playing the tight end position in college football right now -- and that's including UCLA's Marcedes Lewis. Davis lacks prototypical size and is nothing more than a "wall-off" blocker, but his speed, agility, upper body strength and hand-eye coordination make him a potentially dangerous pass-catching TE/H-Back in the NFL.
Santonio Holmes, WR, Ohio State -- middle to late first round
Shares a lot of similarities with Lee Evans (first-round pick of the Bills in 2004): adequate size, elite speed and outstanding hand-eye coordination. Holmes lacks ideal size, but is explosive and consistent enough to eventually develop into a No. 1 starting WR in the NFL. With few top WR prospects in the 2006 class, Holmes will compete with Arizona State's Derek Hagan as the top receiver to come off the board.
Others:
Laurence Maroney, RB, Minnesota
Steve Smith, WR, USC
Jason Hill, WR, Washington State
Leonard Pope, TE, Georgia
Winston Justice, OT USC
Justin Blalock, OT, Texas
Patrick Willis, ILB, Mississippi
Richard Marshall, CB, Fresno State
Darnell Bing, S, USC
LaRon Landry, S LSU
SHOULD STAY IN SCHOOL
Vince Young, QB, Texas -- top 15 overall
Made significant strides as a passer from sophomore to junior year, but still needs work. Arm strength and accuracy are adequate, but not great. Still needs to improve quickness of his release. Exceptional athletic ability is what intrigues NFL brass most. Would likely come off the 2006 board between picks No. 5 and 15, but could compete with Brady Quinn for the No. 1 overall pick in 2007 should he return.
Brady Quinn, QB, Notre Dame -- top 15 overall
Made massive strides under first-year head coach Charlie Weis. Shows good arm strength, accuracy, touch and timing, as well as decent mobility. Another full season under Weis would be best for Quinn, and he seems to agree.
Ahmad Brooks, LB, Virginia -- first round
Was once considered a potential top-five pick, but is very much an enigma after an injury-riddled junior season. Coaches and trainers have been frustrated with his marginal work ethic and dedication to the program. Brooks needs to return to school in 2006, work himself back into playing shape and mend some of those strained relationships in order to regain high first-round status for the 2007 draft.
Ernie Sims, LB, Florida State-- late first or second round
Sims seems to be leaning toward returning to Tallahassee for his senior season and I would strongly suggest the same. He is a nasty defender with very good range and toughness, but he did not play to his potential in 2005 and needs to improve his technique, pursuit angles, bulk and strength. He would be a perfect fit as a WLB for a team like the Colts or the Bears, but needs more time. This year's LB class is as strong as it has been in the last five years, so he would have less competition in the 2007 draft.
Ashton Youboty, CB, Ohio State -- second round
Might be tempting to leave early because the senior cornerback class is below average, but Youboty is not ready. He has good height, athletic ability and speed, but his recognition skills and technique need developing. A strong senior season could land him in the top half of the first round in 2007.
Others:
Drew Stanton, QB, Michigan State
Omar Jacobs, QB, Bowling Green
LenDale White, RB, USC
Michael Bush, RB, Louisville
Brian Calhoun, RB, Wisconsin
Chad Jackson, WR, Florida
Greg Lee, WR, Pittsburgh
Anthony Fasano, TE, Notre Dame
Joe Thomas, OT, Wisconsin
Quentin Moses, DE, Georgia
Baraka Atkins, DT, Miami-FL
Paul Posluszny, OLB, Penn State
H.B. Blades, OLB, Pittsburgh
Charles Gordon, CB/WR/RS, Kansas
Dee Webb, CB, Florida
Devin Hester, S/CB, Miami-FL
Fred Bennett, S South Carolina
Donte Whitner, S, Ohio State
Ko Simpson, S, South Carolina
PROJECTED ORDER
If the draft were to be held today, the following would be the selection order for the top half of the first round:
* -- indicates tie
1. Houston Texans (1-12)
2. San Francisco 49ers (2-11)
3. New York Jets (3-10)
4. New Orleans Saints (3-10)
5. Green Bay Packers (3-10)
6. *Tennessee Titans (4-9)
6. *Buffalo Bills (4-9)
8. *Cleveland Browns (4-9)
8. *Arizona Cardinals (4-9)
10. Detroit Lions (4-9)
11. Baltimore Ravens (4-9)
12. Oakland Raiders (4-9)
13. St. Louis Rams (5-8)
14. Philadelphia Eagles 5-8)
15. Miami Dolphins (6-7)
16. Denver Broncos -- from Washington Redskins (7-6)
Scouts Inc.'s Top 32
RANK NAME POS CLASS SCHOOL PREV
1. Reggie Bush RB JR USC 1
2. Matt Leinart QB SR USC 2
3. D'Brickashaw Ferguson OT SR Virginia 3
4. A.J. Hawk OLB SR Ohio State 4
5. Mario Williams DE JR N.C. State 5
6. Jimmy Williams DC SR Virginia Tech 6
7. Vince Young QB JR Texas NR
8. Demeco Ryans OLB SR Alabama 12
9. Mathias Kiwanuka DE SR Boston College 7
10. Chad Greenway OLB SR Iowa 15
11. DeAngelo Williams RB SR Memphis 9
12. Tamba Hali DE SR Penn State 8
13. Michael Huff DB SR Texas 14
14. Jay Cutler QB SR Vanderbilt 32
15. Haloti Ngata DT JR Oregon 13
16. Vernon Davis TE JR Maryland 11
17. Orien Harris DT SR Miami-FL 20
18. Santonio Holmes WR JR Ohio State 10
19. Laurence Maroney RB JR Minnesota 19
20. Marcedes Lewis TE SR UCLA 18
21. Thomas Howard OLB SR UTEP 25
22. Gaines Adams DE JR Clemson 28
23. Derek Hagan WR SR Arizona State 23
24. Paul Posluszny OLB JR Penn State 16
25. Claude Wroten DT SR LSU 22
26. LenDale White RB JR USC NR
27. Sinorice Moss WR SR Miami-FL NR
28. Elvis Dumervil DE SR Louisville 21
29. Kelly Jennings DC SR Miami-FL 31
30. Eric Winston OT SR Miami-FL 24
31. Rodrique Wright DT SR Texas 29
32. A.J. Nicholson OLB SR Florida State 27
By Todd McShay
Scouts Inc.
Archive
Underclassmen have until Jan. 15, 2006, to file their paperwork with the league office in order to qualify for entry in the 2006 NFL draft. The following is a list of the top underclassmen prospects, broken down into three categories: those that are already gone, those that should stay and those that should go.
ALREADY GONE
Ray Edwards, DE, Purdue -- second round
Possesses a massive frame, long arms and room to grow. Naturally athletic DE with above-average speed. Shows explosive pass-rushing potential, but is still very raw. Needs to improve technique and lower body strength. Had a better season as a sophomore (2004) than he did as a junior (2005).
Bernard Pollard, S, Purdue -- second or third round
A big safety with good versatility. Is aggressive versus the run and shows good instincts in coverage. Lack of ideal top-end speed and explosive power will keep him out of the first round.
Demetris Summers, RB, South Carolina -- late round or free agent
Disciplinary issues led to his dismissal from the South Carolina team. A tough runner with good initial quickness, power and vision, but lacks elite speed and is unpolished. Might be worth the late-round risk.
SMART TO COME OUT
Reggie Bush, RB, USC -- top two overall
Athletes like Bush do not come along very often. In nearly 10 years of scouting the NFL draft I have never given a higher grade to a prospect. The team that winds up with the No. 1 overall pick in 2006 should have no hesitation selecting Bush -- regardless of its needs.
Mario Williams, DE, NC State -- top 10 overall
Prototypical-looking DE with more upside than any senior defensive lineman. Still has room to improve in terms of his technique and leverage, but shows very good athleticism and speed for his size. A playmaker versus the run and pass. Came on strong during second half of his junior year -- finishing regular season with 13 sacks.
Haloti Ngata, DT, Oregon -- middle first round
Massive two-gap DT/NT prospect. A Casey Hampton (Steelers) type; would fit perfectly as a 3-4 NT in the NFL. Production does not tell the story, as biggest asset is ability to clog the middle and protect his linebackers versus the run. Torn ACL in left knee (2003) could cause him to slip within the first round.
Vernon Davis, TE, Maryland -- middle first Round
Best pure athlete playing the tight end position in college football right now -- and that's including UCLA's Marcedes Lewis. Davis lacks prototypical size and is nothing more than a "wall-off" blocker, but his speed, agility, upper body strength and hand-eye coordination make him a potentially dangerous pass-catching TE/H-Back in the NFL.
Santonio Holmes, WR, Ohio State -- middle to late first round
Shares a lot of similarities with Lee Evans (first-round pick of the Bills in 2004): adequate size, elite speed and outstanding hand-eye coordination. Holmes lacks ideal size, but is explosive and consistent enough to eventually develop into a No. 1 starting WR in the NFL. With few top WR prospects in the 2006 class, Holmes will compete with Arizona State's Derek Hagan as the top receiver to come off the board.
Others:
Laurence Maroney, RB, Minnesota
Steve Smith, WR, USC
Jason Hill, WR, Washington State
Leonard Pope, TE, Georgia
Winston Justice, OT USC
Justin Blalock, OT, Texas
Patrick Willis, ILB, Mississippi
Richard Marshall, CB, Fresno State
Darnell Bing, S, USC
LaRon Landry, S LSU
SHOULD STAY IN SCHOOL
Vince Young, QB, Texas -- top 15 overall
Made significant strides as a passer from sophomore to junior year, but still needs work. Arm strength and accuracy are adequate, but not great. Still needs to improve quickness of his release. Exceptional athletic ability is what intrigues NFL brass most. Would likely come off the 2006 board between picks No. 5 and 15, but could compete with Brady Quinn for the No. 1 overall pick in 2007 should he return.
Brady Quinn, QB, Notre Dame -- top 15 overall
Made massive strides under first-year head coach Charlie Weis. Shows good arm strength, accuracy, touch and timing, as well as decent mobility. Another full season under Weis would be best for Quinn, and he seems to agree.
Ahmad Brooks, LB, Virginia -- first round
Was once considered a potential top-five pick, but is very much an enigma after an injury-riddled junior season. Coaches and trainers have been frustrated with his marginal work ethic and dedication to the program. Brooks needs to return to school in 2006, work himself back into playing shape and mend some of those strained relationships in order to regain high first-round status for the 2007 draft.
Ernie Sims, LB, Florida State-- late first or second round
Sims seems to be leaning toward returning to Tallahassee for his senior season and I would strongly suggest the same. He is a nasty defender with very good range and toughness, but he did not play to his potential in 2005 and needs to improve his technique, pursuit angles, bulk and strength. He would be a perfect fit as a WLB for a team like the Colts or the Bears, but needs more time. This year's LB class is as strong as it has been in the last five years, so he would have less competition in the 2007 draft.
Ashton Youboty, CB, Ohio State -- second round
Might be tempting to leave early because the senior cornerback class is below average, but Youboty is not ready. He has good height, athletic ability and speed, but his recognition skills and technique need developing. A strong senior season could land him in the top half of the first round in 2007.
Others:
Drew Stanton, QB, Michigan State
Omar Jacobs, QB, Bowling Green
LenDale White, RB, USC
Michael Bush, RB, Louisville
Brian Calhoun, RB, Wisconsin
Chad Jackson, WR, Florida
Greg Lee, WR, Pittsburgh
Anthony Fasano, TE, Notre Dame
Joe Thomas, OT, Wisconsin
Quentin Moses, DE, Georgia
Baraka Atkins, DT, Miami-FL
Paul Posluszny, OLB, Penn State
H.B. Blades, OLB, Pittsburgh
Charles Gordon, CB/WR/RS, Kansas
Dee Webb, CB, Florida
Devin Hester, S/CB, Miami-FL
Fred Bennett, S South Carolina
Donte Whitner, S, Ohio State
Ko Simpson, S, South Carolina
PROJECTED ORDER
If the draft were to be held today, the following would be the selection order for the top half of the first round:
* -- indicates tie
1. Houston Texans (1-12)
2. San Francisco 49ers (2-11)
3. New York Jets (3-10)
4. New Orleans Saints (3-10)
5. Green Bay Packers (3-10)
6. *Tennessee Titans (4-9)
6. *Buffalo Bills (4-9)
8. *Cleveland Browns (4-9)
8. *Arizona Cardinals (4-9)
10. Detroit Lions (4-9)
11. Baltimore Ravens (4-9)
12. Oakland Raiders (4-9)
13. St. Louis Rams (5-8)
14. Philadelphia Eagles 5-8)
15. Miami Dolphins (6-7)
16. Denver Broncos -- from Washington Redskins (7-6)
Scouts Inc.'s Top 32
RANK NAME POS CLASS SCHOOL PREV
1. Reggie Bush RB JR USC 1
2. Matt Leinart QB SR USC 2
3. D'Brickashaw Ferguson OT SR Virginia 3
4. A.J. Hawk OLB SR Ohio State 4
5. Mario Williams DE JR N.C. State 5
6. Jimmy Williams DC SR Virginia Tech 6
7. Vince Young QB JR Texas NR
8. Demeco Ryans OLB SR Alabama 12
9. Mathias Kiwanuka DE SR Boston College 7
10. Chad Greenway OLB SR Iowa 15
11. DeAngelo Williams RB SR Memphis 9
12. Tamba Hali DE SR Penn State 8
13. Michael Huff DB SR Texas 14
14. Jay Cutler QB SR Vanderbilt 32
15. Haloti Ngata DT JR Oregon 13
16. Vernon Davis TE JR Maryland 11
17. Orien Harris DT SR Miami-FL 20
18. Santonio Holmes WR JR Ohio State 10
19. Laurence Maroney RB JR Minnesota 19
20. Marcedes Lewis TE SR UCLA 18
21. Thomas Howard OLB SR UTEP 25
22. Gaines Adams DE JR Clemson 28
23. Derek Hagan WR SR Arizona State 23
24. Paul Posluszny OLB JR Penn State 16
25. Claude Wroten DT SR LSU 22
26. LenDale White RB JR USC NR
27. Sinorice Moss WR SR Miami-FL NR
28. Elvis Dumervil DE SR Louisville 21
29. Kelly Jennings DC SR Miami-FL 31
30. Eric Winston OT SR Miami-FL 24
31. Rodrique Wright DT SR Texas 29
32. A.J. Nicholson OLB SR Florida State 27
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