Bretsky
04-01-2007, 10:08 AM
Others weren't as successful. The most noteworthy "faller" of the week had little to do with a Pro Day performance. Louisville's Michael Bush was forced to undergo a second surgery on his broken right leg, ending any chance that he'll be able to work out before the draft. Bush, a junior, has never been timed by NFL scouts.
This week's Risers & Fallers:
Risers & Fallers
1. Patrick Willis, ILB, Mississippi: Willis was considered far and away the draft's top linebacker after earning not only the Butkus Award but the SEC's Defensive Player of the Year honors in 2006. Willis strengthened his position at the Combine, running a 4.51-second 40-yard dash and posting a staggering 39-inch vertical, each the best among the inside linebackers. Willis was confident he could improve on his workout numbers and may have established himself as among the draft's truly elite defensive prospects with a eye-popping 4.37 40 after weighing in at 241 pounds at the Mississippi Pro Day on March 20.
2. Michael Griffin, SS, Texas: Only twice in the past 20 drafts have three safeties been selected in the first round. With LSU's LaRon Landry and Florida's Reggie Nelson considered locks and Miami's Brandon Meriweather a strong possibility, himself, the odds appear to be against another safety moving into the elite 32. However, Griffin didn't let a little history slow him down at Texas' March 21 Pro Day. In fact, in running a 4.40 40 and posting a 39-inch vertical and 10'7" broad jump, very little seemed to slow down Griffin.
3. Justin Harrell, DT, Tennessee: Scouts knew Harrell could play -- he started 25 of 35 games for Tennessee over his career, proving to be a standout for much of that time. After tearing his left bicep against Air Force in early September, Harrell gutted through one more game against rival and eventual national champion Florida before undergoing season-ending surgery. Despite Harrell's 6-5, 305-pound frame and past success, the NFL -- the ultimate show-me league -- wanted to see Harrell prove his health before teams were willing to cement their ranking of him among this year's class of defensive tackles. At his March 22 Pro Day, Harrell proved his health with a very solid 31 reps of 225 pounds.
4. Trent Edwards, QB, Stanford: Scouts have long pointed to Edwards as a potential winner in the race to be the third quarterback selected in the 2007 draft. Though some of his career numbers are less than inspiring (36 touchdowns/33 interceptions, 56 percent completions) Edwards' toughness and strong, accurate arm has made him a favorite among many teams looking to draft a quarterback outside of the first round. Much was expected out of Edwards in 2006, but a broken foot limited him to only seven games and prevented him from competing in the Senior Bowl. At his March 20 Pro Day, Edwards was healthy and showed off his ability as a passer. Despite rainy conditions, Edwards completed 57 of 60 passes -- and did so in front of a scouting contingent that included six quarterback coaches and offensive coordinators Mike Martz (Detroit) and Rick Neuheisel (Baltimore).
5. Jackie Battle, RB, Houston: Players not invited to the Combine who post eye-popping results are always potential big winners in the Pro Day lottery. Battle, a 6-2, 235 pound running back, posted the kind of workout March 23rd that players dream of. Scouts came to Houston's Pro Day more to watch quarterback Kevin Kolb than anyone else, but were treated to a shocking performance. Battle not only ran fast (4.42, 4.43), his explosiveness, as indicated in the vertical jump (41") and broad jump (10'11") was off the charts, as well. Battle shared the backfield duties throughout his career and was more known for his ability as a short yardage runner (31 career TDs) than a blazer, but his performance here will have scouts re-checking their notes.
1. Michael Bush, RB, Louisville: After rushing for 1,143 yards and a school-record 23 touchdowns as a sophomore, the expectations were certainly high for Bush entering 2006. His season started even better than anyone could have hoped. In little more than a half against state-rival Kentucky, Bush had already rushed for 128 yards and three touchdowns. Unfortunately, he then broke his right leg and underwent season-ending surgery. Rather than apply for a medical hardship and return to Louisville for another season, Bush, likely under the assumption he'd heal in time to work out for scouts, elected to declare early for the draft. Medical testing at the Combine turned up concerns with Bush's leg. He has since undergone a second surgery on the leg, with a new rod being inserted. Bush is expected to be out at least another couple of months, meaning he won't be able to work out for scouts before the draft. Being a junior, scouts have never timed Bush. This piece of information is considered critical to most teams and could easily bump the talented back into the mid to late stages of the draft's second day.
2. Scott Chandler, TE, Iowa: Similar to the race to be the third quarterback selected, there is also considerable debate as to who might be the third tight end taken off the board. Many teams have Chandler ranked as the third best at the position behind Miami, Fla's Greg Olsen and Arizona State's Zach Miller. At 6-7, 270 pounds and possessing soft hands and good route-running ability, it is easy to see why. However, Chandler's disappointing 4.87 and 4.90 40 times at his March 19 Pro Day will not win him points with scouts. Chandler, who moved to tight end after signing with Iowa as a wide receiver, certainly didn't run like a former wideout.
3. Quentin Moses, DE/OLB, Georgia: The tumble continues. Entering the 2006 season, Moses was listed by some scouting services as the elite prospect in the entire draft. After a largely forgettable senior campaign, however, Moses began to drop. His stock wasn't helped by a poor showing at the Senior Bowl and a rather pedestrian effort at the Combine. Moses, who was once viewed as capable of being a standout at either linebacker or defensive end, is now appearing to be every bit the classic 'tweener. He measured in at 257 pounds at his March 20 Pro Day, light for defensive end and likely too heavy for most as a linebacker. His 40 times were also a concern, as the 4.75 and 4.77 times turned in left scouts wondering just what Moses' role might be at the next level.
4. Tony Hunt, RB, Penn State: Hunt is one of the draft's top interior runners, but after electing not to run at the Combine and then posting times varying from 4.65 to 4.75 at his March 22 Pro Day, Hunt is being labeled as too slow to be successful in some NFL offenses. He still remains a favorite of several teams, as his powerful running is in stark contrast to a draft full of smaller, quicker runners. But his recent 40 times confirm his lack of breakaway speed, limiting his upside in the minds of many NFL scouts.
5. Jon Abbate, ILB, Wake Forest: Anyone who has seen Abbate play knows that his production has little to do with running 40 yards in a straight line. That said, the 40 is among the industry's standards for grading prospects, and more than a few eyebrows were raised when the undersized linebacker ran an abysmally slow 5.0 at the Combine. Eager to prove he could run faster, Abbate may have lost his last chance to better his time when he pulled his hamstring in his first attempt at Wake Forest's March 19 Pro Day. Abbate may simply run out of time to heal enough to run again, meaning that the 5.0 at the Combine is the only verified time scouts have for the three-time ACC honoree.
Rob Rang is a Senior Analyst for NFLDraftSco
This week's Risers & Fallers:
Risers & Fallers
1. Patrick Willis, ILB, Mississippi: Willis was considered far and away the draft's top linebacker after earning not only the Butkus Award but the SEC's Defensive Player of the Year honors in 2006. Willis strengthened his position at the Combine, running a 4.51-second 40-yard dash and posting a staggering 39-inch vertical, each the best among the inside linebackers. Willis was confident he could improve on his workout numbers and may have established himself as among the draft's truly elite defensive prospects with a eye-popping 4.37 40 after weighing in at 241 pounds at the Mississippi Pro Day on March 20.
2. Michael Griffin, SS, Texas: Only twice in the past 20 drafts have three safeties been selected in the first round. With LSU's LaRon Landry and Florida's Reggie Nelson considered locks and Miami's Brandon Meriweather a strong possibility, himself, the odds appear to be against another safety moving into the elite 32. However, Griffin didn't let a little history slow him down at Texas' March 21 Pro Day. In fact, in running a 4.40 40 and posting a 39-inch vertical and 10'7" broad jump, very little seemed to slow down Griffin.
3. Justin Harrell, DT, Tennessee: Scouts knew Harrell could play -- he started 25 of 35 games for Tennessee over his career, proving to be a standout for much of that time. After tearing his left bicep against Air Force in early September, Harrell gutted through one more game against rival and eventual national champion Florida before undergoing season-ending surgery. Despite Harrell's 6-5, 305-pound frame and past success, the NFL -- the ultimate show-me league -- wanted to see Harrell prove his health before teams were willing to cement their ranking of him among this year's class of defensive tackles. At his March 22 Pro Day, Harrell proved his health with a very solid 31 reps of 225 pounds.
4. Trent Edwards, QB, Stanford: Scouts have long pointed to Edwards as a potential winner in the race to be the third quarterback selected in the 2007 draft. Though some of his career numbers are less than inspiring (36 touchdowns/33 interceptions, 56 percent completions) Edwards' toughness and strong, accurate arm has made him a favorite among many teams looking to draft a quarterback outside of the first round. Much was expected out of Edwards in 2006, but a broken foot limited him to only seven games and prevented him from competing in the Senior Bowl. At his March 20 Pro Day, Edwards was healthy and showed off his ability as a passer. Despite rainy conditions, Edwards completed 57 of 60 passes -- and did so in front of a scouting contingent that included six quarterback coaches and offensive coordinators Mike Martz (Detroit) and Rick Neuheisel (Baltimore).
5. Jackie Battle, RB, Houston: Players not invited to the Combine who post eye-popping results are always potential big winners in the Pro Day lottery. Battle, a 6-2, 235 pound running back, posted the kind of workout March 23rd that players dream of. Scouts came to Houston's Pro Day more to watch quarterback Kevin Kolb than anyone else, but were treated to a shocking performance. Battle not only ran fast (4.42, 4.43), his explosiveness, as indicated in the vertical jump (41") and broad jump (10'11") was off the charts, as well. Battle shared the backfield duties throughout his career and was more known for his ability as a short yardage runner (31 career TDs) than a blazer, but his performance here will have scouts re-checking their notes.
1. Michael Bush, RB, Louisville: After rushing for 1,143 yards and a school-record 23 touchdowns as a sophomore, the expectations were certainly high for Bush entering 2006. His season started even better than anyone could have hoped. In little more than a half against state-rival Kentucky, Bush had already rushed for 128 yards and three touchdowns. Unfortunately, he then broke his right leg and underwent season-ending surgery. Rather than apply for a medical hardship and return to Louisville for another season, Bush, likely under the assumption he'd heal in time to work out for scouts, elected to declare early for the draft. Medical testing at the Combine turned up concerns with Bush's leg. He has since undergone a second surgery on the leg, with a new rod being inserted. Bush is expected to be out at least another couple of months, meaning he won't be able to work out for scouts before the draft. Being a junior, scouts have never timed Bush. This piece of information is considered critical to most teams and could easily bump the talented back into the mid to late stages of the draft's second day.
2. Scott Chandler, TE, Iowa: Similar to the race to be the third quarterback selected, there is also considerable debate as to who might be the third tight end taken off the board. Many teams have Chandler ranked as the third best at the position behind Miami, Fla's Greg Olsen and Arizona State's Zach Miller. At 6-7, 270 pounds and possessing soft hands and good route-running ability, it is easy to see why. However, Chandler's disappointing 4.87 and 4.90 40 times at his March 19 Pro Day will not win him points with scouts. Chandler, who moved to tight end after signing with Iowa as a wide receiver, certainly didn't run like a former wideout.
3. Quentin Moses, DE/OLB, Georgia: The tumble continues. Entering the 2006 season, Moses was listed by some scouting services as the elite prospect in the entire draft. After a largely forgettable senior campaign, however, Moses began to drop. His stock wasn't helped by a poor showing at the Senior Bowl and a rather pedestrian effort at the Combine. Moses, who was once viewed as capable of being a standout at either linebacker or defensive end, is now appearing to be every bit the classic 'tweener. He measured in at 257 pounds at his March 20 Pro Day, light for defensive end and likely too heavy for most as a linebacker. His 40 times were also a concern, as the 4.75 and 4.77 times turned in left scouts wondering just what Moses' role might be at the next level.
4. Tony Hunt, RB, Penn State: Hunt is one of the draft's top interior runners, but after electing not to run at the Combine and then posting times varying from 4.65 to 4.75 at his March 22 Pro Day, Hunt is being labeled as too slow to be successful in some NFL offenses. He still remains a favorite of several teams, as his powerful running is in stark contrast to a draft full of smaller, quicker runners. But his recent 40 times confirm his lack of breakaway speed, limiting his upside in the minds of many NFL scouts.
5. Jon Abbate, ILB, Wake Forest: Anyone who has seen Abbate play knows that his production has little to do with running 40 yards in a straight line. That said, the 40 is among the industry's standards for grading prospects, and more than a few eyebrows were raised when the undersized linebacker ran an abysmally slow 5.0 at the Combine. Eager to prove he could run faster, Abbate may have lost his last chance to better his time when he pulled his hamstring in his first attempt at Wake Forest's March 19 Pro Day. Abbate may simply run out of time to heal enough to run again, meaning that the 5.0 at the Combine is the only verified time scouts have for the three-time ACC honoree.
Rob Rang is a Senior Analyst for NFLDraftSco