It is that time of year again. The time to project college athletes at the pro level. No professional league seems to enjoy the process quite as much as the NFL. Each year prospects are rated by professional teams and subsequently drafted according to the evaluations. Many teams will see a prospect differently. Some will covet size and strength on the offensive line, while others will covet smaller quicker lineman who excel in zone blocking schemes. Some teams will look for the big possession receiver that resembles a linebacker and other teams will draft the small speedy receiver that resembles a smurf. So, before the combine begins and people rave about a workout in shorts I want to assess the likely success of this years prospects.

 

Studs

 

1. Chad Greenway OLB Iowa 6-2 242 4.5

 

This year is a very strong class for linebackers. Many experts see AJ Hawk of Ohio State as the best linebacker prospect. I think Chad Greenway is being overlooked. I have seen both play and believe both will be great linebackers at the pro level. However, I give Greenway the slight edge because he had less defensive talent surrounding him in his senior season. True, Greenway had Abdul Hodge a projected first day pick, but other than that who did he have supporting him on defense? By comparison Hawk had Bobby Carpenter, Anthony Schlegel, Mike Kudla, Donte Whitner, Nate Salley, and Ashton Youboty. In addition to this, Greenway has more height and range in his pass coverage. Both players are outstanding college players but Greenway projects better at the pro level.

 

2. Deangelo Williams RB Memphis 5-8 215 4.4

 

This one really puzzles me. Many people doubt the ability of Williams and see his size as a concern. He's 5-8 big deal. So were Barry Sanders and Emmitt Smith. Williams is strong as an ox and has quickness and speed. Look for this guy to make an immediate impact. Lets just hope he goes later in the first round to a team with an established offensive line. That way he will really put up some numbers.

 

3. Broderick Bunkley DT 6-3 300 5.0

 

This guy has one helluva first step. He comes off the ball with his pad level low and is extremely quick off the snap. He can be practically unblockable at times. Bunkley is able to control the line of scrimmage on virtually every play. He can play the run and pass rush with equal effectiveness. He has the ability to be an every down defensive tackle in the NFL. Bunkley is projected to go in the late first round and could potentially be a steal for a team needing a solid defensive tackle.

 

4. Dominique Byrd TE USC 6-2 255 4.8

 

Some scouts really like Byrd and some don't project him as more than a backup tight end. I like Byrd and think he will be a solid starter in the NFL. He makes the catch on a consistent basis and is an effective blocker. Reminds you of a quicker version of Jermaine Wiggins. He doesn't fit the prototypical build of an NFL tight end with a lack of height. He, however more than makes up for the lack of height with physical play and the ability to run after the catch. Byrd fits really well in an offense that utlizes an H back as a tight end.

 

5. Bobby Carpenter OLB Ohio State 6-3 245 4.6

 

A late season injury has allowed Carpenter to fly under the radar. Most pro personnel hope this continues to be the case. Carpenter had an outstanding senior season and showed a great improvement. In rushing the passer Carpenter showed an ability to disrupt the rythm of opposing offenses. For anyone who questions Carpenter's speed and relentless pursuit they should take a look at the regular season opener against Texas. Watch the pursuit of Carpenter on Vince Young. Carpenter ran down Young and sacked him on a play and his persistent hits led to Young temporarily leaving the game. My guess is that a team in later first round will not let Carpenter escape into the second round. He has more size than teammate Hawk with comparable speed. Plus Carpenter has the NFL pedigree in his father being an NFL player. Carpenter is a lock to be a stud at the pro level.

 

6. Jason Avant WR Michigan 6-0 215 4.6

 

OK so Avant isn't a burner. Avant is a possession receiver and will make a great number two receiver for a team. He is strong, has the ability to defeat the jam in press coverage and has reliable hands. Avant had a very productive senior season. He was the bright spot on an underachieving Michigan team that finished 7-5. Avant caught 82 passes for 1,007 yards despite being a constant source of double coverage. He is extremely strong after the catch and has great balance in staying up after contact. Avant is also a great blocking receiver which is often overlooked. I am not suggesting that Avant will be a 100 catch receiver. He will however be a consistent and reliable target.

 

7. Anthony Schlegel ILB Ohio State 6-1 245 4.9

 

Another player who is overlooked. Schlegel doesn't do anything great, but he tackles well and is stout against the run. He projects better in a 3-4 scheme where he has less coverage and is not expected to make plays sideline to sideline. Schlegel will likely have to play special teams to find a roster spot. Schlegel reminds me very much of former linebackers John Holicek and Stephen Boyd. He is projected between the fifth and sixth rounds of the draft. My guess is that Schlegel may go as late as the seventh round. I still feel he will be hidden gem in the 2006 NFL Draft.

 

8. Vernon Davis Maryland 6-2 245 4.5

 

I will go ahead and say that this will be the best player to come out of the 2006 NFL Draft. Davis has a rare combination of strength and speed. He runs like a receiver and can be used split out as a receiver and in formations at tight end. Davis also blocks very well and plays with a physical style. He has no weaknesses in his game. His best football is ahead of him. Davis is coming out early and still has not reached his full potential. Look for Davis to be even more productive than Heath Miller of the Pittsburgh Steelers.

 

Busts

 

1. Jeremy Trueblood OT Boston College 6-7 315

 

Massive offensive tackle with great strength. So whats missing here? Trueblood has no quickness whatsoever. He is slow and not able to pass protect because he is consistently beaten off the ball by defensive ends. He also shows poor technique and isn't able to get low to block defenders. Trueblood got whipped at the Senior Bowl practices. He is simply too slow to play tackle and doesn't have the quickness or technique to be an effective guard. Very similar to former Boston College tackle Marco Columbo, who was a first round pick by the Chicago Bears. In case you haven't followed Columbo he is a backup for the Dallas Cowboys. Trueblood will likely be a backup at best at the pro level.

 

2. Devin Hester CB Miami 5-9 180 4.4

 

I list him as a cornerback because thats the position he was listed at while at Miami. He got beaten out last year for the starting spot. Despite his great quickness and speed he is not able to even start at the college level. Hester is however a great kick and punt returner. He will be great at returning kicks but that is not worthy of being a pick on the first day of the draft. I would take Hester no earlier than the fifth round because he hasn't proven he can do anymore than return kicks. He may very well turn into an all-pro returner but this doesn't deserve a second round projection that some analysts have given him over his eye popping returns.

 

3. Alan Zemaitis CB 6-1 215 4.5

 

Just aren't too many great cornerbacks in this draft. People seem to be reaching with Zemaitis, with most experts having him go in the early second round. He lacks the functional quickness and speed to be able to cover pro receivers. Zemaitis played on a great defense at Penn State so his weaknesses weren't easily exposed. A play that was a microcosm of Zemaitis's coverage ability occurred against Michigan. With one second left on the clock he was easily beaten by freshman Mario Manningham for the winning score. Manningham came off the line and Zemaitis couldn't get a jam or stay with him and Manningham caught the post pattern for the winning score. Zemaitis may be able to convert to safety, but I don't see him having the ability to start at cornerback in the NFL.

 

4. Greg Eslinger C Minnesota 6-2 285 5.1

 

The media fell in love with Eslinger. He is rather small and not that strong either. If he had great strength he would be able to make up for his lack of size. He is limited in his ability as a center and would only be able to play at a adequate level in a zone blocking scheme. Eslinger's stock will likely fall but most personnel still see him going in the third round. I wouldn't take Eslinger any higher than the sixth round. With some work he may be able to become a starter but appears to be a backup at the pro level.

 

5. Pat Massey DT Michigan 6-8 280 4.9

 

Massey just is not able to hold up well at the point of attack. He plays extremely high and is very slow off the snap. Massey is projected as a late round pick likely in the seventh round. He may be utilized best as a project at offensive tackle on a practice squad. With his play in college and skills he has absolutely no future in the NFL as a defensive tackle.

 

6. Laurence Maroney RB Minnesota 5-11 205 4.4

 

Maroney is likely a first round pick. I just dont see much in him other than a great speed. His backup Gary Russell seemed to break better runs when running the same plays last season. Maroney had his big games against inferior competition and never put up big numbers against most of his Big Ten opponents. He ran for over 1,400 yards with 10 touchdowns this past season. By comparison his backup Russell had over 1,100 yards and 18 touchdowns with nearly 100 less carries. My prediction for the future is that Russell will end up being a better NFL back than Maroney.

 

7. Leon Washington RB Florida State 6-0 202 4.5

 

Very similar to former Florida State running back Travis Minor. Nothing exceptional about Washington. Has some speed but has not produced. The truth is in the numbers. Washington had 97carries for 429 yards.Many people will point out that he did not have the greatest offensive line. That may be true. Still he hasnt showed the ability to be a pro back. Yet many draft pundits project him as a third round pick. I would not even draft Washington. Great backs can be found in later rounds and Washington would not be a valid first day pick. At best he will be a special teams player and third team running back. Hardly worth even a fifth round pick.

 

8. Matt Leinart QB USC 6-4 215 4.9

 

Some people really aren't going to like this. How can I say Leinart will be a bust? I will tell you why. Leinart doesnt have the accuracy to succeed in the NFL. Never more was this more evident then against UCLA. In the UCLA game he consistently sailed passes and underthrew his receivers. Leinart never really had to carry his team. When things went wrong he gave the ball to Lendale White and Reggie Bush. When the running game produced results, Leinart only had to drop back and throw off the play action pass schemes.It also didn't hurt that he had Steve Smith, Dwayne Jarrett and Dominique Byrd to throw to every play. It has also been overlooked that Leinart has had elbow surgery in the past. This injury may reoccur at the pro level.

 

Just my projections. Email me if you have a point about my projections. CHarris382003@yahoo.com. On my last column I wanted to make a correction. Ohio State did have 14 players selected in a recent draft and that was the record for number of players selected from a school.