Originally posted by Ed B
I don't think that's a very comprehensive list.
There are <b>always</b> guys you never expect who have huge years and end up going top 10 (who had ever heard of Dewayne Robertson before 2002?) but my prediction for the top 5 picks in the draft based on what I've seen are:
1. Eli manning. He has it all.
2. Willie Smith. If he puts up double-digits sacks, at his size and speed he is definitely top 10.
3. Greg Jones, RB, FSU. How could he not be on that list? He's better than Clarett in some ways. If healthy, he's tops.
4. Maurice Clarett. Just needs to have one more year like last year and the doubts will go away.
5. Andrew Walter. Maybe better than Manning.
Roy Williams has been real up-and-down in college.....also hurt a lot.....so he would have to have a monster year to go top 5.
He did mention Walter. I think with Jones it's the knee injury. I'm not a huge Jones fan he seems to have this weird habit of turning his back on tacklers, I assume to protect the ball but I think it prevents him from powering through tackles like a kid that big and strong should. Clarett just has that "natural feel" for where the hole is or will be, guys that big typically can't slip through holes like he does, he does have to stay healthy though.
Smith was on the list as well.
The thing with Roy Williams is, look at his production in college, look at Andre Johnson and ask, if Johnson goes 3rd how can Williams not go top 5? He's taller, nearly as fast, a more natural WR, I gotta believe he'll go top 5. I think Wilfork will too assuming he comes out.
Clarett will be interesting ESPN started that controversy last year about him challenging the draft rule, he never intended to but he will be 20 and NOT draft eligible, if he has another monster year coming off an NC as a frosh you gotta wonder if he'll challenge the rule and apply for the draft?
As you said there's always going to be guys like Robertson who come from nowhere to make a big name for themselves. And there's always guys who go in highly rated and don't stay there.
I expect for example Gerald Riggs JR at Tennessee to have a great year this year.
The list exaggerates some, he's got Williams, Vasher, Marcus Tubbs, Derrick Johnson and Cedric Benson from Texas all in the first round if they come out. Williams yes, Vasher probable depends on how tall he turns out to really be. Tubbs is just not that good, he's a very good college player but he's injured a lot and he's simply not good enough to be a 1st round DT in my opinion. I love Derrick Johnson but he's a 220 pound LB I think the NFL will question that, great talent but not sure he'll be a first rounder. Benson is a very good college RB but lacks first round speed I see him as a 3 or 4th round RB.
