K-town
01-30-2007, 02:37 PM
Senior Bowl week breaks, makes some NFL prospects
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By Todd McShay
Scouts Inc.
MOBILE, Ala. -- One of the many attractions of the Senior Bowl each year is that it gives NFL prospects an opportunity to showcase their skills for future employers. From the weigh-in session to daily practices to nightly interviews to Saturday's game, players competing in the Senior Bowl have been given the ultimate weeklong forum to impress.
Prior to this week, I designated 10 players with the most at stake. The following is a review of each of their performances and a projection of where they will be drafted:
Dallas Baker, WR, Florida
Stock Report, Projection: Falling, Day 2
Baker's stock likely dropped a bit this week. While he made some impressive leaping grabs, the usually sure-handed Gator dropped a few passes he should have hauled in. Baker doesn't consistently display the necessary burst to separate at the next level. Even more disturbing, he doesn't show much strength or toughness when it comes to getting off press coverage.
Kareem Brown, DT, Miami
Stock Report, Projection: Steady, early Day 2
As expected, Brown was dominant in spurts, but also failed to play with a consistent motor throughout the week of practice. He displays the size and athleticism to make an impact as a disruptive interior player in the NFL, but he's a risky first-day pick who needs polishing and motivation to reach full potential.
Lorenzo Booker, RB, Florida State
Stock Report, Projection: Rising, Round 3 or 4
Booker caught the ball well and made some nice moves in space as a receiver, runner and return specialist throughout the week of practice. Although his marginal size is likely to prevent him from becoming a full-time starter in the NFL, Booker proved he's worth a first-day pick because of his versatility as a potential scatback and return specialist.
Rhema McKnight, WR, Notre Dame
Stock Report, Projection: Falling, early Day 2
McKnight is explosive, and he ran crisp short-to-intermediate routes. He also flashed the ability to make the spectacular catch downfield, but his inconsistent hands remain a concern and he didn't always look comfortable going over the middle.
Marcus McCauley, DB, Fresno State
Stock Report, Projection: Falling, Round 2
McCauley is supremely talented but he is also raw and needs more time to work on his technique. Although he appeared to make strides in certain areas, including his ability to read routes, McCauley failed to live up to his hype as a potential first-round pick.
Quentin Moses, DE, Georgia
Stock Report, Projection: Steady, late Round 1
Moses is very athletic and he closes well as a pass rusher. Unfortunately, his lack of size and strength are difficult to ignore. When it's all said and done, Moses might fit best as a 3-4 outside linebacker, as he doesn't appear to be stout enough versus the run to play a traditional end position in a 4-3 scheme.
Joe Staley, OT, Central Michigan
Stock Report, Projection: Rising, Round 2
Staley had some tough times in the one-on-one pass-rush drills, but he improved as the week progressed. More than anything, his confidence seemed to grow from one practice to the next. Staley is very agile and displays the potential of a future starting left tackle in the NFL. The team that drafts him may need to "redshirt" him to give him the necessary time to improve his strength and polish his technique.
Eric Weddle, DS, Utah
Stock Report, Projection: Rising, Round 3
Weddle was one of the big winners from this year's Senior Bowl. His versatility has always been valued by NFL teams, but Weddle was able to prove himself as a defensive back during the week of practice. He is a tough, aggressive and instinctive prospect with better agility and speed than anticipated. After watching him match up versus top talent in pass-coverage drills, I believe Weddle can develop into a starting safety in the NFL and would have no problem recommending him as a first-day pick.
Garrett Wolfe, RB, Northern Illinois
Stock Report, Projection: Falling, Day 2
Wolfe caught the ball well and showed some promise returning punts on Monday. However, the diminutive back pulled his hamstring late in that practice, forcing him to shut it down for the rest of the week. Unfortunately, this was a big opportunity missed for Wolfe.
Lamarr Woodley, DE, Michigan
Stock Report, Projection: Falling, Round 2
Woodley displayed good closing burst and better-than-expected power early in the week, but a hamstring injury suffered during Wednesday's practice sidelined him from that point on.
In addition to those predetermined players, here are the five prospects I feel benefited the most, followed by the five prospects who failed to capitalize on the opportunity:
Benefited Most
Dwayne Bowe, WR, LSU
Rain-soaked conditions and poor quarterback play contributed to Bowe's quiet afternoon during Saturday's game, but his performance during the week of practice left a lasting impression on NFL brass. The 6-foot-2, 222-pound receiver wasted little time establishing himself as not only the top wideout, but also the premier offensive skill player on both rosters. If he runs well enough at next month's scouting combine, Bowe could challenge Sidney Rice (South Carolina) and Robert Meachem (Tennessee) as the fourth wide receiver taken -- in the middle of the first round -- after Calvin Johnson (Georgia Tech), Ted Ginn Jr. (Ohio State) and Dwayne Jarrett (USC).
Adam Carriker, DE, Nebraska
Carriker used his outstanding combination of size, quickness, power and technique to overwhelm offensive linemen throughout the week of practice and in Saturday's game. At nearly 6-foot-6, 292 pounds, Carriker can play defensive end in a 3-4 or 4-3 defensive scheme. With so many teams now using hybrid versions of both systems, his versatility is especially appealing. Don't be surprised if Carriker is one of the top 20 picks of the upcoming draft.
Tony Hunt, RB, Penn State
At 6-foot-2 and 239 pounds, Hunt impressed me with his ability to run away from defenders and his versatility as a receiver. He was the most consistent performer throughout the week of practice and also earned MVP honors in Saturday's game. In a comparatively weak class of running backs, Hunt has a chance to come off the draft board as early as the second round.
Ray McDonald, DE, Florida
McDonald failed to make a significant impact in Saturday's game, but his play on the practice field was enough to raise his stock. The 6-foot-3, 283-pounder played defensive end and tackle at the collegiate level, and he's capable of contributing at both positions in the NFL. McDonald displays the size, toughness, quickness and athletic ability to spend time at strongside defensive end on early downs, and then move inside as a pass rusher on third downs. A history of knee injuries will likely keep him out of the first round, but McDonald should prove to be a steal in the second round for a team willing to take a chance on him.
Amobi Okoye, DT, Louisville
Okoye raised more than a few eyebrows when he weighed in at a slim 287 pounds. Apparently the 19-year-old native Nigerian knew what he was doing shedding some weight prior to his trip to Mobile. Okoye's explosive first step proved to be a nightmare for offensive linemen on the North team during practice drills, as well as the South offensive linemen in Saturday's game. The youngster recorded two sacks in the Senior Bowl and he consistently disrupted running plays in the backfield. After watching him, I have no doubt Okoye will be taken in the top 20 overall picks of the upcoming draft.
Failed to Capitalize
Kenneth Darby, RB, Alabama
Darby needed a big week at the Senior Bowl to help overshadow a disappointing senior season. While he caught the ball well during unit drills, Darby failed to display an extra burst as a runner and was only decent when asked to block in pass protection. Furthermore, the squatty back (5-foot-10, 211 pounds) fumbled once and dropped a pass he should have caught during the game. Expect Darby to slip to the second day.
Martrez Milner, TE, Georgia
Milner is a classic tease for NFL scouts and coaches. He looks the part physically and will flash the ability to make some big plays as a seam-stretching receiver. Unfortunately, Milner is a marginal blocker, flaky route runner and inconsistent pass catcher. He consistently got overpowered during pass-blocking drills, and he dropped numerous passes throughout the week of practice. Even when he made a big catch during the Senior Bowl game, Milner proceeded to fumble the ball out of bounds. That type of maddening inconsistency is the reason Milner will experience a drastic slide into the second day of draft weekend.
Tyler Palko, QB, Pittsburgh
Palko improved as the week of practice progressed and he moved the North offense with relative ease during its blowout victory Saturday. However, it didn't take long for Palko's physical limitations to be exposed during passing drills. The 6-foot-1, 215-pound southpaw is undersized, lacks ideal arm strength and struggles to make accurate, timely throws on deep-out routes and in the vertical passing game. Palko's value is late in the draft for a team that employs a West Coast scheme and can live with his inability to drive the ball down the field.
Paul Posluszny, OLB, Penn State
The Senior Bowl format is not ideally suited for a player like Posluszny, whose instincts and toughness are far more impressive than his NFL measurables. Penn State's all-time career tackles leader is still one of the top linebacker prospects in the 2007 class. but after watching his athletic limitations throughout an entire week of practice, it won't be surprising to see Posluszny slip to the second round.
Tony Ugoh, OT, Arkansas
Ugoh was a fast-rising prospect coming off a strong 2006 season, but a week in Mobile exposed some of his weaknesses and may cost him a spot in the first round. The 6-foot-5, 301-pound tackle displays a good combination of size and natural agility. However, his technique needs polishing and he seems to lack a mean streak as a run blocker. In addition to his inconsistency during practices, Ugoh was one of several South offensive linemen who looked overwhelmed by Okoye, Carriker and the rest of the North's defensive linemen during Saturday's game.
Todd McShay is the director of college football scouting for Scouts Inc. He has been evaluating prospects for the NFL draft since 1998.
First, my apologies if someone else has already posted this.
Second, hope the Carriker mentioned isn't related to that incredible stiff we drafted in 1984 (Alphonso Carriker?).
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
By Todd McShay
Scouts Inc.
MOBILE, Ala. -- One of the many attractions of the Senior Bowl each year is that it gives NFL prospects an opportunity to showcase their skills for future employers. From the weigh-in session to daily practices to nightly interviews to Saturday's game, players competing in the Senior Bowl have been given the ultimate weeklong forum to impress.
Prior to this week, I designated 10 players with the most at stake. The following is a review of each of their performances and a projection of where they will be drafted:
Dallas Baker, WR, Florida
Stock Report, Projection: Falling, Day 2
Baker's stock likely dropped a bit this week. While he made some impressive leaping grabs, the usually sure-handed Gator dropped a few passes he should have hauled in. Baker doesn't consistently display the necessary burst to separate at the next level. Even more disturbing, he doesn't show much strength or toughness when it comes to getting off press coverage.
Kareem Brown, DT, Miami
Stock Report, Projection: Steady, early Day 2
As expected, Brown was dominant in spurts, but also failed to play with a consistent motor throughout the week of practice. He displays the size and athleticism to make an impact as a disruptive interior player in the NFL, but he's a risky first-day pick who needs polishing and motivation to reach full potential.
Lorenzo Booker, RB, Florida State
Stock Report, Projection: Rising, Round 3 or 4
Booker caught the ball well and made some nice moves in space as a receiver, runner and return specialist throughout the week of practice. Although his marginal size is likely to prevent him from becoming a full-time starter in the NFL, Booker proved he's worth a first-day pick because of his versatility as a potential scatback and return specialist.
Rhema McKnight, WR, Notre Dame
Stock Report, Projection: Falling, early Day 2
McKnight is explosive, and he ran crisp short-to-intermediate routes. He also flashed the ability to make the spectacular catch downfield, but his inconsistent hands remain a concern and he didn't always look comfortable going over the middle.
Marcus McCauley, DB, Fresno State
Stock Report, Projection: Falling, Round 2
McCauley is supremely talented but he is also raw and needs more time to work on his technique. Although he appeared to make strides in certain areas, including his ability to read routes, McCauley failed to live up to his hype as a potential first-round pick.
Quentin Moses, DE, Georgia
Stock Report, Projection: Steady, late Round 1
Moses is very athletic and he closes well as a pass rusher. Unfortunately, his lack of size and strength are difficult to ignore. When it's all said and done, Moses might fit best as a 3-4 outside linebacker, as he doesn't appear to be stout enough versus the run to play a traditional end position in a 4-3 scheme.
Joe Staley, OT, Central Michigan
Stock Report, Projection: Rising, Round 2
Staley had some tough times in the one-on-one pass-rush drills, but he improved as the week progressed. More than anything, his confidence seemed to grow from one practice to the next. Staley is very agile and displays the potential of a future starting left tackle in the NFL. The team that drafts him may need to "redshirt" him to give him the necessary time to improve his strength and polish his technique.
Eric Weddle, DS, Utah
Stock Report, Projection: Rising, Round 3
Weddle was one of the big winners from this year's Senior Bowl. His versatility has always been valued by NFL teams, but Weddle was able to prove himself as a defensive back during the week of practice. He is a tough, aggressive and instinctive prospect with better agility and speed than anticipated. After watching him match up versus top talent in pass-coverage drills, I believe Weddle can develop into a starting safety in the NFL and would have no problem recommending him as a first-day pick.
Garrett Wolfe, RB, Northern Illinois
Stock Report, Projection: Falling, Day 2
Wolfe caught the ball well and showed some promise returning punts on Monday. However, the diminutive back pulled his hamstring late in that practice, forcing him to shut it down for the rest of the week. Unfortunately, this was a big opportunity missed for Wolfe.
Lamarr Woodley, DE, Michigan
Stock Report, Projection: Falling, Round 2
Woodley displayed good closing burst and better-than-expected power early in the week, but a hamstring injury suffered during Wednesday's practice sidelined him from that point on.
In addition to those predetermined players, here are the five prospects I feel benefited the most, followed by the five prospects who failed to capitalize on the opportunity:
Benefited Most
Dwayne Bowe, WR, LSU
Rain-soaked conditions and poor quarterback play contributed to Bowe's quiet afternoon during Saturday's game, but his performance during the week of practice left a lasting impression on NFL brass. The 6-foot-2, 222-pound receiver wasted little time establishing himself as not only the top wideout, but also the premier offensive skill player on both rosters. If he runs well enough at next month's scouting combine, Bowe could challenge Sidney Rice (South Carolina) and Robert Meachem (Tennessee) as the fourth wide receiver taken -- in the middle of the first round -- after Calvin Johnson (Georgia Tech), Ted Ginn Jr. (Ohio State) and Dwayne Jarrett (USC).
Adam Carriker, DE, Nebraska
Carriker used his outstanding combination of size, quickness, power and technique to overwhelm offensive linemen throughout the week of practice and in Saturday's game. At nearly 6-foot-6, 292 pounds, Carriker can play defensive end in a 3-4 or 4-3 defensive scheme. With so many teams now using hybrid versions of both systems, his versatility is especially appealing. Don't be surprised if Carriker is one of the top 20 picks of the upcoming draft.
Tony Hunt, RB, Penn State
At 6-foot-2 and 239 pounds, Hunt impressed me with his ability to run away from defenders and his versatility as a receiver. He was the most consistent performer throughout the week of practice and also earned MVP honors in Saturday's game. In a comparatively weak class of running backs, Hunt has a chance to come off the draft board as early as the second round.
Ray McDonald, DE, Florida
McDonald failed to make a significant impact in Saturday's game, but his play on the practice field was enough to raise his stock. The 6-foot-3, 283-pounder played defensive end and tackle at the collegiate level, and he's capable of contributing at both positions in the NFL. McDonald displays the size, toughness, quickness and athletic ability to spend time at strongside defensive end on early downs, and then move inside as a pass rusher on third downs. A history of knee injuries will likely keep him out of the first round, but McDonald should prove to be a steal in the second round for a team willing to take a chance on him.
Amobi Okoye, DT, Louisville
Okoye raised more than a few eyebrows when he weighed in at a slim 287 pounds. Apparently the 19-year-old native Nigerian knew what he was doing shedding some weight prior to his trip to Mobile. Okoye's explosive first step proved to be a nightmare for offensive linemen on the North team during practice drills, as well as the South offensive linemen in Saturday's game. The youngster recorded two sacks in the Senior Bowl and he consistently disrupted running plays in the backfield. After watching him, I have no doubt Okoye will be taken in the top 20 overall picks of the upcoming draft.
Failed to Capitalize
Kenneth Darby, RB, Alabama
Darby needed a big week at the Senior Bowl to help overshadow a disappointing senior season. While he caught the ball well during unit drills, Darby failed to display an extra burst as a runner and was only decent when asked to block in pass protection. Furthermore, the squatty back (5-foot-10, 211 pounds) fumbled once and dropped a pass he should have caught during the game. Expect Darby to slip to the second day.
Martrez Milner, TE, Georgia
Milner is a classic tease for NFL scouts and coaches. He looks the part physically and will flash the ability to make some big plays as a seam-stretching receiver. Unfortunately, Milner is a marginal blocker, flaky route runner and inconsistent pass catcher. He consistently got overpowered during pass-blocking drills, and he dropped numerous passes throughout the week of practice. Even when he made a big catch during the Senior Bowl game, Milner proceeded to fumble the ball out of bounds. That type of maddening inconsistency is the reason Milner will experience a drastic slide into the second day of draft weekend.
Tyler Palko, QB, Pittsburgh
Palko improved as the week of practice progressed and he moved the North offense with relative ease during its blowout victory Saturday. However, it didn't take long for Palko's physical limitations to be exposed during passing drills. The 6-foot-1, 215-pound southpaw is undersized, lacks ideal arm strength and struggles to make accurate, timely throws on deep-out routes and in the vertical passing game. Palko's value is late in the draft for a team that employs a West Coast scheme and can live with his inability to drive the ball down the field.
Paul Posluszny, OLB, Penn State
The Senior Bowl format is not ideally suited for a player like Posluszny, whose instincts and toughness are far more impressive than his NFL measurables. Penn State's all-time career tackles leader is still one of the top linebacker prospects in the 2007 class. but after watching his athletic limitations throughout an entire week of practice, it won't be surprising to see Posluszny slip to the second round.
Tony Ugoh, OT, Arkansas
Ugoh was a fast-rising prospect coming off a strong 2006 season, but a week in Mobile exposed some of his weaknesses and may cost him a spot in the first round. The 6-foot-5, 301-pound tackle displays a good combination of size and natural agility. However, his technique needs polishing and he seems to lack a mean streak as a run blocker. In addition to his inconsistency during practices, Ugoh was one of several South offensive linemen who looked overwhelmed by Okoye, Carriker and the rest of the North's defensive linemen during Saturday's game.
Todd McShay is the director of college football scouting for Scouts Inc. He has been evaluating prospects for the NFL draft since 1998.
First, my apologies if someone else has already posted this.
Second, hope the Carriker mentioned isn't related to that incredible stiff we drafted in 1984 (Alphonso Carriker?).