Category: NFL Draft (Page 92 of 102)

The offensive linemen and tight ends worked out Saturday in Indianapolis. Here is a brief overview:

The Real McCoy: Wisconsin OT Joe Thomas looked outstanding on Saturday. He has everything a team looks for in a prospect and if the draft were tomorrow, I’d bet my savings that he doesn’t slip past Detroit at #2. USC center Ryan Kalil was impressive too, showing great movement throughout drills and intelligence in interviews…I’ve been hearing that Miami TE Greg Olson is the most overrated prospect in the draft. Are you freaking kidding me? Olson ran in the high 4.4’s, caught everything in site and looks every bit a first-rounder. After watching him Saturday, the Bears would be crazy to pass on him if he’s still available at #31 (assuming of course they don’t fill that need in free agency).

Stock Dropping: Surprisingly, scouts are dumping on Penn State OT Levi Brown after he ran an unofficial 5.39 40, suggesting he might even drop out of the top 15. To me, that’s a load of crap, especially after what a productive senior season he had at PSU and how good he looked at the Senior Bowl. He’s fluid in his movement, doesn’t get pushed around much and can play either left or right tackle…Some scouts have Arizona State TE Zach Miller rated ahead of Miami’s Greg Olson, but he wasn’t sharp Saturday. He looked sloppy running selective drills and made the cardinal sin of dropping a pass in one exercise.

Sleeper Watch: Texas Tech OG Manuel Ramirez is an absolute monster. He’s 6-foot-4, 335lbs. and did 40 reps in the bench press Saturday. This guy plays with a mean streak, is incredibly powerful and is strong at the point of attack. The potential problem is that his learning curve might be higher than some linemen, because Texas Tech doesn’t run a pro-style offense…Western Oregon TE Kevin Boss made a couple of nice catches Saturday, adjusting his weight well and running great routes. He’s a little lean, but he’s tall (6-foot-7) and has great hands.

Buyer Beware: Scouts have raved about Arkansas OT Tony Ugoh being a “sleeper”, but he didn’t look good to me in the Senior Bowl and he pulled up lame after running a good 40-yard dash (4.99). He gutted out the rest of the combine on a bad hamstring, which was noble, but he doesn’t look very aggressive and seems to just be going through the motions…Iowa TE Scott Chandler is an interesting prospect. He is 6-foot-7, has excellent hands and runs fluid even for being so tall. The problem is he is an ex-wide receiver and often blocks like one, which isn’t good for a tight end. He’s worth a look in later rounds for teams lacking a red zone threat, but some may overvalue him.

With the NFL Combine lasting from February 22nd through the 28th, now is the best time for football banter. Due to things getting in the way – i.e. work, school, and/or annoying friends who might not be into football – one might miss a chance to check out the combine.

Don’t worry; we’ve got you covered.

We’ll keep you informed on what’s happening at the combine, what scouts are saying as well as prospect and team rumors. Got a question about what player your favorite team is looking at or how a certain prospect is faring at the combine? Post it, and we’ll get you up to speed. Want to share your opinion on which way your team will go in the draft? Well, what are you waiting for? Post away!

Bullz-Eye.com has posted its first look at April’s NFL Draft with a mock of the first round. You can post questions and opinions leading up to the draft right here at The Scores Report, and don’t forget to check out BE’s NFL Draft Resource Center. There you’ll find links to more mock drafts, prospect profiles and web guides to news and rumors.

Below is a taste of BE’s first mock draft. To view the entire first round, click here.

1. Oakland Raiders: JaMarcus Russell, QB, LSU
This is the sexy pick that Al Davis loves. Russell is a physical marvel, standing 6-6 and 260 pounds. The issue with Russell is his limited experience. He probably won’t start right away because his learning curve will be extremely high and his decision-making is still raw. Plus, Oakland’s line is abysmal, so putting a rookie behind center without seasoning is a death wish. Don’t be shocked if the Raiders look at Georgia Tech wideout Calvin Johnson, depending on what they do with Randy Moss and Jerry Porter in the offseason.

2. Detroit Lions: Joe Thomas, OT, Wisconsin
Many think the Lions will go with Brady Quinn, but there are several reasons why they won’t. Detroit has many holes and, believe it or not, quarterback isn’t one of them right now. Secondly, offensive “guru” Mike Martz is an egomaniac who loves to take nobodies and fit them into his system. Plus, rumor has it that Martz is quite fond of current starter Jon Kitna. Lastly, Matt Millen seems so humbled by the Joey Harrington gaff that he’s opting to listen more to his coaching staff. Thomas fills an immediate need on the Lions’ line and can start right away.

3/4. Cleveland Browns: Adrian Peterson, RB, Oklahoma
With Brady Quinn still on the board, the Browns may take a look at their quarterback situation. However, head coach Romeo Crennel’s job is on the line and he needs to win now. Peterson is the big back Cleveland covets and he could make an immediate impact. Hopefully new O-coordinator Rob Chudzinski will know how to use Peterson in ways Maurice Carthon could never imagine.

The Green Bay Packers drafted the kind of mind that every team envies when it’s their turn on the clock. Although, he’ll miss about six practices while finishing classes at Ohio State, AJ Hawk impressed at his first taste of mini camp.

Hawk went through a series of drills, got acquainted with his new teammates and said hello to the fans. But afterwards, is where he made the biggest contribution to his teammates, fans and the organization that drafted him.

The 6-foot-1, 246-pound Hawk was the last player in the locker room early Friday evening.

“I enjoy working out after practice,” he said. “A couple of linebackers wanted to watch the practice film and we needed to. I definitely needed to watch my mistakes so I don’t make the same (ones today).”

Hawk said he had no plans to unwind Friday night.

“We’re putting some more defense in (today),” he said. “All the rookies have to get in their playbook and make sure we know what’s going on.”

Armed with that kind of an attitude and dedication, the Packers have found a cornerstone on a defense that found itself in uncharted territory last season: on the other side of winning. Hawk will bring his speed and intensity to every game. He also will bring a sense of toughness and is a sound tackler across the board.

If Hawk shows the kind of work ethic throughout the season that he has shown thus far so early into his career, Green Bay will have an icon at linebacker for years to come.