Here is my latest projection
based on what Ive been Hearing at the NFL
Combine. Here are the notable players that have
changed place on my board either in a good way
or bad way at the combine.
THE GOOD
Jay Cutler QB Vanderbilt
Showed like a stud. Great arm and accuracy. Made
all the throws. Ran a nice 40 for his size at
sub 4.8. Also was the only QB to bench and did a
very respectable 23 reps.
Former Projection: 7-16
New Projection: 3-9
Chad Jackson WR Florida
He ran much better than expected for someone who
put up possession receiver numbers at Florida.
At 6-1, 215 he ran a 4.35 forty time. He also
showed the ability to make all the catches.
Former Projection: 25-50
New Projection: 15-25
Vernon Davis TE Maryland
He might be the sickest athlete of all-time for
the tight end position coming into the draft. At
6-4 and over 260 pounds he ran a 4.39 forty
folks. Thats right a 4.39 forty. ILL.
Former Projection: 11-25
New Projection: 6-15
Broderick Bunkley DT Florida State
He solidified a solid 1st round status with good
performance at combine. Broderick ran sub 5.0
forties at 6-3 and 310 pounds.
Former Projection: 25-50
New Projections: 20-32
Tye Hill CB Clemson
Tye posted a nice forty time in the low 4.3s to
solidify his status as a mid to late first round
pick.
Former Projection: 25-50
New Projection: 20-32
Manny Lawson LB/DE N.C. State
Manny is a sick hybrid athlete. He would be
IDEAL in a 3-4 system as an outside linebacker.
At 6-5, 245 pounds he ran two forties in the mid
4.4s. He jumped up the draft board
significantly.
Former Projection: 2nd Round
New Projection: 16-32
Eric Winston OT Miami
After battling injuries his senior season a
strong combine has launched him into the late
first round area. Posted a forty time under 5.0.
Former Projection: 2nd Round
New Projection: 20-32
THE BAD
Vince Young QB - Texas
There have always been concerns about his
ability to pick up an NFL offense. You can not
deny the talent, but after an embarrassing
reported score of 6 on the wonderlic (although
it's been reportedly that he later re-took the
test and scored a 16), and a strong performance
by Jay Cutler, Young could see his status fall.
However, my feeling is by the time the draft
rolls around, Young will be back up to his
former status.
Former Projection: 1-3
New Projection: 3-9
Chad Greenway LB Iowa
After posting a mid 4.7 forty he may be sliding
down the first round, only because this is such
a strong draft class. Hell have to get that
time down below 4.7 in his pro day, which is
very possible. Many believe hes slipped below
the Carpenters and Lawsons of the draft.
Former Projection: 11-20
New Projection: 15-32
Haloti Ngata DT Oregon
Ngata came in looking slightly overweight. He
did run a respectable 5.15 forty for his size
but he didnt do anything to help himself in the
eyes of NFL GMs.
Former Projection: 6-11
New Projection: 8-20
1. Houston Texans Reggie Bush RB USC
Unless they trade off this spot the pick is
going to be Bush.
OTHER POSSIBILITIES: Vince Young, Matt Leinart,
TRADE DOWN
2. New Orleans Saints Matt Leinart QB USC
It looks more and more likely that Leinart is
going to be the pick here. Especially with the
growing concerns over VYs ability to grasp onto
complex NFL offenses.
OTHER POSSIBILITIES: Vince Young, Jay Cutler,
TRADE DOWN
3. Tennessee Titans Jay Cutler QB
Vanderbilt
Shocker? A bit, but Cutlers combine and Senior
Bowl results warrant the position. A 4.7 40 time
while benching 25 reps on the bench show just
the kind of athlete Cutler is. This combined
with the home town pressure to keep Cutler, a
fan favorite, at home could be too enticing for
the Titans to pass up.
OTHER POSSIBILITIES: Vince Young, Matt Leinart,
TRADE DOWN
4. New York Jets DBrickshaw Ferguson OT
Virginia
Could the Jets really pass up VY if hes here?
Thats hard to say. It depends just how
confident they are in the ability of Chad
Pennington to get the job done. Cutler going #3
will send teams into a frenzy positioning
themselves to get up to draft Young. This pick
could very likely be traded as well. However
with 2 or 3 guys with clear cut top 5 talent
left in most years, these picks could be sat on.
OTHER POSSIBILITIES: Vince Young, Jay Cutler,
TRADE DOWN
5. Green Bay Packers A.J. Hawk LB Ohio
State
The Packers defensive woes could take a long
step to being taken care of right here. A strong
defensive end like Mario Williams is a
possibility but Hawk will stop the bleeding more
quickly.
OTHER POSSIBILITIES: Mario Williams, DBrickshaw
Ferguson, TRADE
TRADE Lions swap 1st round pick with 49ers and
send them an additional 3rd round pick.
6. Detroit Lions* Vince Young QB Texas
Very hard to anticipate the Lions or any other
team being able to resist the temptation to pull
the trigger here and move up on Young before
Oakland or someone else beats them to him. Is
the Wonderlic test that important? Maybe not,
but scoring in the 6-16 range is a BIG red flag.
Sixth or seventh is the latest possibly position
I see Young falling to.
OTHER POSSIBILITIES 49ers: Michael Huff, A.J.
Hawk, Mario Williams
7. Oakland Raiders Mario Williams DE N.C.
State
At over 290 pounds at a defense end he ran under
a 4.7 forty time at the combine. That is simply
sick. He only enhanced his top 5 talent stock at
the combine. The Raiders could really use a
player like this.
OTHER POSSIBILITIES: Vince Young, Jay Cutler,
TRADE UP
8. Buffalo Bills Vernon Davis TE Maryland
He could be the hugest freak athlete in TE
history. At 6-4 and over 260 pounds he ran a sub
4.4 forty at the combine. How can that be
ignored? Ngata seems to be the popular pick
here. But with an inconsistent offense which
ranked 29th in the league its hard to argue the
pick of Davis, who could really stabilize this
offense for whomever they insert at QB.
OTHER POSSIBILITIES: Jay Cutler, Haloti Ngata,
Michael Huff
9. San Francisco 49ers* Michael Huff DB
Texas
The consensus pick here is revolving around
defense. Either OLB or DB. They have holes at
both safety and corner which is why Huff makes
sense here. He has the talent to play either
position at the NFL level.
OTHER POSSIBILITIES Lions: Chad Greenway, Vernon
Davis, Michael Huff
10. Arizona Cardinals DeAngelo Williams RB
Memphis
Despite taking Arrington last year the Cardinals
are in the market for a feature back. Averaging
3.0 yards a carry last year is inexcusable. They
need to do something here. Other possibilities
would be White or Maroney.
OTHER POSSIBILITIES: Michael Huff, Chad
Greenway, Lendale White
11. St. Louis Rams Haloti Ngata DT Oregon
Defense continues to haunt the Rams. They could
go practically anywhere on the defensive side of
the ball at this point. Ngata is the top
defensive player on their board so they go in
his direction.
OTHER POSSIBILITIES: Michael Huff, Chad
Greenway, Jimmy Williams
12. Cleveland Browns Chad Greenway LB Iowa
Linebacker, defensive line, and offensive line
are the big 3 needs for the Browns. Greenway is
an above average athlete and could even play in
the middle. If Vernon Davis is available here
they could go in that direction as well.
OTHER POSSIBILITIES: Winston Justice, Vernon
Davis, Tambi Hall
13. Baltimore Ravens Jimmy Williams DB
Virginia Tech
Sanders is retiring and the Ravens were burned
over and over again. RB is also a strong
possibility depending on what happens with Jamal
Lewis. Lets not forget Ray Lewis as well, this
is a wait and see scenario.
OTHER POSSIBILITIES: Chad Greenway, Lendale
White, DeAngelo Williams
14. Philadelphia Eagles Santonio Holmes WR
Ohio State
I really cant see the Eagles passing on the
only immediate #1 receiving option in this
draft. Its a weak year and they likely wont be
able to get a playmaker in round 2. Owens has
some big shoes to fill. Lets hope Santonio
doesnt fill the big mouth role as well.
OTHER POSSIBILITIES: Winston Justice, Chad
Greenway, Chad Jackson
15. Atlanta Falcons Winston Justice OT USC
Michael Vick continues to get beat up inside the
pocket. Offensive line is their biggest need
heading into the offseason. This is a great spot
for Justice to be taken value wise.
OTHER POSSIBILITIES: Tambi Hall, Jimmy Williams,
Santonio Holmes
16. Miami Dolphins DeMarco Ryans LB
Alabama
Once the strength of the great Miami defenses of
the last 10 years this group is aging badly and
in need of some new blood. Quarterback is their
number one concern but they would have to give
up a lot to get up in position to draft one.
Theyll likely go after a QB on day 1.
OTHER POSSIBILITIES: Winston Justice, Jimmy
Williams, TRADE UP
17. Minnesota Vikings Laurence Maroney RB
Minnesota
Would be tough to resist Maroney here and bring
him in as a fan favorite. That being said White
would be the better choice for any other team in
the league more than likely. It could go either
way.
OTHER POSSIBILITIES: Winston Justice, Jimmy
Williams, Tambi Hall
18. Dallas Cowboys Marcus McNeil OT Auburn
Offensive line is the biggest need for the
Cowboys. Receiver is also another big need as
both wideouts are aging. If Santonio is here
they will take him. Chad Jackson also would be a
strong possibility.
OTHER POSSIBILITIES: Winston Justice, Santonio
Holmes, Chad Jackson
19. San Diego Chargers Chad Jackson WR
Florida
He really improved his stock at the combine
showing way better than expected speed. This
would give the Chargers and almost unstoppable
offense. Offensive line and linebacker are also
possibilities.
OTHER POSSIBILITIES: Santonio Holmes, Marcus
McNeil, DeMarco Ryans
20. Kansas City Chiefs Ashton Youboty CB
Ohio State
Corner seems to be the consensus pick for them.
They also could add weapons at linebacker and
wide receiver. Youboty is a solid pick here and
should see the field right away.
OTHER POSSIBILITIES: Chad Jackson, DeMarco Ryans,
Tye Hill
21. New England Patriots LenDale White RB
USC
Corey Dillon has maybe 1-2 good years left tops.
White here would be a ridiculous pick for the
Patriots once again. Very tough for them to pass
on him here although a corner remains a strong
option.
OTHER POSSIBILITIES: Ashton Youboty, Laurence
Maroney, Tye Hill
22. Denver Broncos Broderick Bunkley DT
Florida State
Broderick enhanced his draft status back into
the first round at the combine. Denver could go
in multiple directions here. Including WR or TE.
Chad Jackson would likely be the pick if he were
available here.
OTHER POSSIBILITIES: Chad Jackson, Leonard Pope,
Marcus McNeil
23. Tampa Bay Buccaneers Tambi Hall DE
Penn State
This is a need position for Tampa Bay and Hall
is clearly the best player on the board. He
would be an excellent selection here. They could
try going after a wide receiver again to try and
bring Simms along in his progression. Other
needs besides defensive and offensive line.
OTHER POSSIBILITIES: Chad Jackson, Mathias
Kiwanuka, Marcus McNeil
24. Cincinnati Bengals Ko Simpson S South
Carolina
The Bengals had a great year in the secondary in
all but one position. This team doesnt have a
lot of glaring holes and could go in a number of
directions here, including defensive tackle or
tight end.
OTHER POSSIBILITIES: Broderick Bunkley, Leonard
Pope, Mathias Kiwanuka
25. New York Giants Ernie Sims LB Florida
State
By far the biggest hole on this team. Sims
should step in and start immediately. Corner
would be a strong pick here as well as Youboty
and Hill remain possibilities. Offensive line
seems to always be a need for the Giants as
well.
OTHER POSSIBILITIES: Bobby Carpenter, Tye Hill,
Ashton Youboty
26. Chicago Bears Tye Hill CB Clemson
Hill would fill an immediate need at corner. He
is the last CB on the board with true 1st round
potential. Tight end remains a strong option and
it would be very hard to pass on Pope here.
OTHER POSSIBILITIES: Leonard Pope, Ko Simpson,
Ernie Sims
27. Carolina Panthers Leonard Pope TE
Georgia
Delhomme could really use a secondary target
besides Smith. Pope would be that guy in the
Carolina offense. Running back is also a need
here and if one of the big 3 fall here Carolina
will snatch them up.
OTHER POSSIBILITIES: Sinorce Moss, Broderick
Bunkley, Laurence Maroney
28. Jacksonville Jaguars Bobby Carpenter LB
Ohio State
They can fill their biggest need here with a
player who should likely be mentioned higher in
this draft if it werent due to injury.
Carpenter will step in right away and fill a
huge void. The Jags have many other needs.
OTHER POSSIBILITIES: Ernie Sims, Leonard Pope,
Mathias Kiwanuka
29. Denver Broncos Sinorce Moss WR Miami
Rod Smith somehow keeps it going but it wont
last forever. Plummer needs another option. Moss
is a poor mans Santana, his brother. What he
lacks in size he makes up for with speed.
OTHER POSSIBILITIES: Eric Winston, Leonard Pope,
Manny Lawson
30. Indianapolis Colts Eric Winston OT
Miami
The Colts always worry about protecting Manning.
The possibility of losing Wayne or James could
drastically change this pick.
OTHER POSSIBILITIES: Sinorce Moss, Ernie Sims,
Bobby Carpenter
31. Seattle Seahawks Mathias Kiwanuka DE
Boston College
Seattle could have used a pass rusher in the
super bowl. Kiwanuka is a solid first round
player and a very good get here. Could go after
a safety or a receiver here also.
OTHER POSSIBILITIES: Sinorce Moss, Manny Lawson,
Ko Simpson
32. Pittsburgh Steelers Manny Lawson DE/LB
N.C State
He ran a 4.45 at nearly 250 pounds at the
combine. Couldnt think of a better pick here
for the Steelers 3-4 defense. Lawson could be
hot commodity come draft day with many teams now
running the 3-4. Receiver could also be a need.
OTHER POSSIBILITIES: Sinorce Moss, Bobby
Carpenter, Ko Simpson
