Wednesday, April 9, 2008

Of the top 5, I see only one can't miss

The NFL Draft. A loss of life force for some, but a red letter day for football geeks like me. These are the top 5 prospects in this year's draft, and in my opinion, only one is a sure thing. Here they are:

1. Chris Long - DE - UVA - At 6-4 and 284 lbs, he can play outside or inside, in the 4-3 0r as a backside (right) end in a 3-4. His best position would be at LE in a 4-3. The kid is put together like a bodybuilder, and is a real down in down out competitor.
2. Darren McFadden - RB - Ark. - Corner turning speed, great hands, an absolute game breaker. However, when I look at him, I see leg injuries plaguing him throughout his career. Building a running game around him is very risky, as NFL defenders are nasty bastards.
3. Jake Long - OT - Mich.- Prototype size (6-7, 320), a three year starter, and playing in the Big 10, you know he can run block. The problem is he is being hyped as a left tackle, when he'd be much better on the right. Right tackles, however ,don't go in the top 5. I worry about his ability to deal with speed rushers. OSU's Vernon Gholston (the best speed rusher in this year's draft) and former Purdue DE (and current Dallas Cowboy) Charles Spencer gave him some trouble when he matched up with them.
4. Glenn Dorsey - DT - LSU - A great workout guy, willing to play with pain, I just wonder if a guy that misses time in college will suddenly be durable in the pros. He compares favorably to LaRoi Glover, I just wonder if he'll be able to hold up in the pros injury wise. Talent is not his problem.
5. Matt Ryan - QB - BC - "Matty Ice", as his teammates call him is another in a long line of Pennsylvania QBs, which is a good thing. Good leader, had good workouts on his pro days, but his rise can be traced to the fall of more highly regarded prospects like UL's Brian Brohm, UH's Colt Brennan and TU's Erik Ainge. Even though he was all ACC as a junior, it was a terrible year for QB's in 2006, as Miami, FSU, VTech, and UVA all had QB issues. In other words, he is kind of the "default" guy if you will, in a below average QB draft. He can get it done, but he's not a star in my eyes.

Obviously, I think Chris Long is the only sure thing in this draft, but y'know what? Emmitt Smith was too slow, and Tom Brady couldn't even beat out Drew Henson at Michigan. I have a feeling that there will be some good players to be had even in this draft.

4 comments:

Anonymous said...

Yer right 'bout lack of QB's in this draft...It kinda makesya long for the days of the Gary Hogebooms and Sonny Sixkillers..donnit?

El Padrino said...

what did Brohnm do wrong?
puzzling these scouts....

I like Ghoulston and this draft lacks WR's...

Los said...

This draft, probably more than others, will produce some "value" picks later on in the draft ... this is actually good for the Eagles, since they bank on "value" picks in every draft ... usually with average-at-best results.

Crassius Maximus said...

S - Sixkiller could play a lil'

ATL>>>NYM - His main WR Mario Urrutia was hurt a lot, and the super soph slum hit the running game...That and his team had a down year

los- the Eagles do great in the middle and later rounds, they are among the best at that, it's the early rounds where they puzzle me.