DE PROSPECTS of 2008 Draft

[woodbuck27]

DE PROSPECTS of 2008 Draft

http://www.nfldraftcountdown.com/rankings/de.html

# Name College Height Weight 40-Time

1. Chris Long Virginia 6-3 272 4.75

2. Vernon Gholston Ohio St. 6-3 266 4.67

3. Derrick Harvey Florida 6-45/8 271 4.83

4. Phillip Merling Clemson 6-41/4 276 4.85

The above by mid round one.


5. Calais Campbell Miami (FL) 6-73/4 290 5.04 (end of round one - top of round two)

6. Quentin Groves Auburn 6-3 259 4.57 (Round Two)

7. Lawrence Jackson USC 6-41/4 271 4.76

8. Jason Jones Eastern Michigan 6-51/4 273 4.74

9. Jeremy Thompson Wake Forest 6-43/8 264 4.75

10. Chris Ellis Virginia Tech 6-41/4 263 4.71

11. Darrell Robertson Georgia Tech 6-37/8 255 4.75

12. Brian Johnston Gardner-Webb 6-51/8 274 4.66

13. Kendall Langford Hampton 6-51/2 287 4.89

14. Kenny Iwebema Iowa 6-4 274 4.98

15. Wallace Gilberry Alabama 6-21/4 268 4.93

16. Louis Holmes Arizona 6-35/8 263 4.84

17. Chris Harrington Texas A&M 6-43/8 264 4.81

18. Tommy Blake T.C.U. 6-23/4 272 4.80

19. Titus Brown Mississippi St. 6-21/2 246 4.92

20. Chase Ortiz T.C.U. 6-2 249 4.88

21. Johnny Dingle West Virginia 6-13/8 265 5.00

22. Bryan Mattison Iowa 6-27/8 290 4.99

23. Marcus Dixon Hampton 6-4 292 5.27

24. Jeremy Geathers UNLV 6-21/8 256 4.91

25. Adamm Oliver Georgia Tech 6-33/4 268 4.85

26. Kroy Biermann Montana 6-27/8 246 4.82

27. Eric Foster Rutgers 6-15/8 277 4.95

28. Rob Jackson Kansas St. 6-33/8 257 4.78

29. Rudolph Hardie Howard 6-23/8 270 4.80

30. Kurt Hout Ferris St. 6-11/4 280 4.89

31. Joe Clermond Pittsburgh 6-17/8 249 5.09

32. Dorian Smith Oregon St. 6-11/2 264 5.01

33. Antonio Reynolds Tennessee 6-33/4 266 4.83

PACKERS FOREVER!

[red]

to me Gholston might end up being the biggest bust of the draft

a tweener. too small to be a dominate all around DE, and too big to be a OLB

his stock also shot up more then anyone else because of the combine. could be just a workout warrior

it also seems to me that DE's are starting to beef back up a little more

the year we drafted hawk, tere was mario williams at a nice size, but almost all the other quality DE's we all small and fast

now it seems like the beef is coming back, guys that are more then just speed pass rushers

[woodbuck27]

to me Gholston might end up being the biggest bust of the draft

a tweener. too small to be a dominate all around DE, and too big to be a OLB

his stock also shot up more then anyone else because of the combine. could be just a workout warrior

it also seems to me that DE's are starting to beef back up a little more

the year we drafted hawk, tere was mario williams at a nice size, but almost all the other quality DE's we all small and fast

now it seems like the beef is coming back, guys that are more then just speed pass rushers

Red:

How about a couple of " White Guy's that can't jump" on the ends with this fella?

Slated to go as the 12th pick at the DE position :

http://www.nfldraftcountdown.com/sub/mockdraft2.html

Brian Johnston

Height: 6-51/8 | Weight: 274 | 40-Time: 4.66

Official Bio

Strengths:

Good size and bulk with the frame to get bigger...A much better athlete than he is given credit for....Good timed speed and is very quick....Relentless with a non-stop motor...A good bull rusher...Uses his hands well...Shows some power...Productive.

Weaknesses: Note: Are not good! (woodbuck27)

Did not play against top competition...Is not as explosive as his workout numbers might lead you to believe..Not real stout at the point of attack...Repertoire of pass rush moves is limited....Needs to get stronger....Short arms...Raw technique-wise.

Notes:

Began his college career as an outside linebacker in 2004 and moved to defensive end in 2005...Two-time Division I-AA All-American...Recorded two sacks in the Hula Bowl...Underrated small school prospect with terrific physical tools and production.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Career Statistics

Year GP TKL TFL SACK
2004 9 58 5.0 2.0
2005 13 59 12.5 5.0
2006 11 77 14.0 8.0
2007 10 67 20.5 6.0
Totals 43 261 52.0 21.0

PACKERS FOREVER!

[texaspackerbacker]

WHY would we draft a DE when we have Kampman, Jenkins, KGB, Montgomery, Hunter, maybe even Popinga all quality players, all to fill two positions?

[RashanGary]

Because only one of those guys is really good.

[Farley Face]

WHY would we draft a DE when we have Kampman, Jenkins, KGB, Montgomery, Hunter, maybe even Popinga all quality players, all to fill two positions?

Don't fret. I project us taking him with one of our fourth rounders in my Packer mock, which if history is any indicator, makes it a virtual lock he never wears a G on his helmet.

[Joemailman]

I'm sure TT would love to find someone to replace KGB because of his salary. Not that easy to find guys like that though.

[HarveyWallbangers]

to me Gholston might end up being the biggest bust of the draft

a tweener. too small to be a dominate all around DE, and too big to be a OLB

You could be right here.

his stock also shot up more then anyone else because of the combine. could be just a workout warrior

He's not just a workout warrior though. As a Buckeye fan, this guy was tremendously productive. That's what made him a consensus 1st round pick. Scouts liked the production. When they saw that he also was athletic, that shot him further up the charts. While I can't predict he'll be a star, I don't think you are looking at Jamal Reynolds (Gholston is bigger) or Mike Mamula (truly a workout warrior).

[Farley Face]

WHY would we draft a DE when we have Kampman, Jenkins, KGB, Montgomery, Hunter, maybe even Popinga all quality players, all to fill two positions?

Don't fret. I project us taking him with one of our fourth rounders in my Packer mock, which if history is any indicator, makes it a virtual lock he never wears a G on his helmet.

For the record, I was referring to Johnston, not Gholston...

[Deputy Nutz]

WHY would we draft a DE when we have Kampman, Jenkins, KGB, Montgomery, Hunter, maybe even Popinga all quality players, all to fill two positions?

Montgomery and Hunter will be on the chopping block, Montgomery especially, since Hunter is good on special teams. I also think that Jenkins didn't perform up to expectations. he might be used more as a defensive tackle again than as a defensive end if they feel they can get a player at a value spot in the draft.

I didn't think that the Packers would be in the neighborhood for a defensive tackle last year, but low and behold first round Justin Harrell.

It has appeared that Thompson wants to keep his defensive line strong.

[KYPack]

Lot's of teams want to follow the Giants model.

A deep rotation on the DL.

NE was sucking canal water at the end of the SB. NY kept running those fresh studs in there and the whipped NE OL could do little to slow 'em down.

If we were to add another stud DE or DT, our line would be close to what the Giants put on the field.

That's another way to help our DB's. Keep the pressure off 'em & let 'em make plays.

[Deputy Nutz]

You simply cannot have enough good corner backs and defensive linemen.

[The Leaper]

WHY would we draft a DE when we have Kampman, Jenkins, KGB, Montgomery, Hunter, maybe even Popinga all quality players, all to fill two positions?

Kampman = quality DE starter...has at least 3 more good years
KGB = aging but capable situational rusher, likely gone in 2009
Jenkins = only plays DE on run downs
Montgomery = career backup
Hunter/Poppinga = LBs who only have value as DEs as situational rushers...and will never be great in that regard

I fully expect us to grab 3 DEs on draft weekend between the draft and undrafted pickups afterward.

[The Leaper]

I also think that Jenkins didn't perform up to expectations. he might be used more as a defensive tackle again than as a defensive end if they feel they can get a player at a value spot in the draft.

I would agree with that logic. With the 4 other solid DTs plus Jenkins, I doubt DT will be a primary focus during draft weekend. We are well stocked there.

DE is another thing altogether. Kampy and KGB wore down in 2007 because there were no other strong options to rush the passer from the DE spot. We need to upgrade our pass rush from the edge and find another capable all-purpose DE.

[The Leaper]

to me Gholston might end up being the biggest bust of the draft

Possible...he's certainly a boom-or-bust type pick in the first few picks of a draft.

However, I like his chances if he gets in a system that seeks to take advantage of his athletic gifts. He's a system player IMO...he will need the right system and mixture around him to be a star.