Official 2008 NFL Draft thread Day 2

[pbmax]

Nick Hayden went to Carolina.

[Rastak]

Panthers and Hayden:


Strengths: Possesses good height and adequate bulk with room on his frame to get bigger. Displays good overall strength and does a solid job of anchoring at the point of attack. Uses long arms to keep separation from blockers. Active and is a high-motor player whose hands and feet are always moving. Relentless, won't give up and always seems to be around the ball at the end of plays. Does an effective job of tying up blockers in a gap-control scheme, is disciplined and technically sound. Shows some power moves to collapse the pocket as a bull rusher when working one-on-one. Extremely durable and has been reliable throughout his career. Blocked an extra point attempt in 2006 can contribute on special teams.

Weaknesses: Not a great athlete. Shows adequate straight-line quickness but he's not an explosive penetrator and does not change directions very well. He needs to do a better job of locating the ball and disengaging from blocks once locked on. Still could add some bulk to his frame, especially if he's playing a two-gap and/or gap-control scheme in the NFL. Lacks first-step quickness and closing burst to be a legitimate factor as an inside pass rusher in the NFL.

Overall: In his first three seasons at Wisconsin (2004-'06), Hayden appeared in 31 games and registered 84 tackles (13 for losses), 5.5 sacks and four pass breakups. As a senior in 2007, he started all 13 games and had 48 tackles (8.5 for losses), 4.5 sacks, two pass breakups and a blocked kick. Hayden also had six career fumble recoveries and closed out his Badgers career having made 39 consecutive starts. Hayden is a durable, experienced player with adequate size and quickness. He gives solid effort and he's the type of prospect that will find ways to make a roster as a wave DT in the NFL. However, while he is a solid all-around player, Hayden does not have any special qualities physically so he projects as a sixth round pick.

[Rastak]

Chiefs take WR Robinson:

Strengths: Has adequate top-end speed and tracks the ball fairly well. Though inconsistent in this area, athletic and can look smooth getting in and out of breaks. Tough and isn't afraid to go over the middle. Snatches the ball out of the air and rarely drops passes should catch. Stays focused, has the body control to adjust to passes thrown outside frame and flashes the ability to make spectacular catches. Though lacks elite elusiveness changes speeds well, uses head as well as shoulder fakes and can make defenders miss when gets into space. Reads blocks well, reaches top-speed quickly and is a dangerous return man that can make an immediate impact on special teams.

Weaknesses: Is undersized and can get pushed around by bigger corners. Too mechanical at this point, doesn't always run crisp short-to-intermediate routes and is going to have a harder time separating from man coverage at the NFL level. Isn't tall enough to regularly compete for jump balls, lacks the wide frame to shield defenders and isn't much of a red zone option at this point. Has adequate but not great top-end speed and is going to have a harder time running by NFL corners. Doesn't take sound angles to blocking assignments and frequently fails to get into position. Hand placement is inconsistent at best, doesn't play with enough of a mean streak and rarely sustains blocks.

Overall: Robinson didn't just play as a freshman; he started at wide receiver and was named the MVP of the Aggies' offense and special teams. In his first three seasons (2004-'06), he played in 34 games (21 starts) and compiled 123 receptions for 1,845 yards (15.0 average) and 16 touchdowns. In 12 games (11 starts) as a senior, he had 55 receptions for 640 yards (11.6 average) for five touchdowns and ranked eight in the nation in all-purpose yards per game (193.1). For his career, Robinson had 35 rushing attempts for 165 yards and a score; 78 punt returns for 1,104 yards and four touchdowns; and 110 kickoff returns for 2,725 yards and four TDs. Robinson doesn't have prototypical size or top-end speed but he appears faster than his 40-time would indicate because he tracks the ball fairly well and he's a north-south runner. His big-play ability as a return man coupled with his potential as a receiver should make him a sixth or seventh round pick.

[Rastak]

Broncos take LB Larsen:

Strengths: Locates the ball carrier quickly, has good initial quickness and can disrupt running plays in the backfield. Takes adequate pursuit angles, works from the snap until the whistle and always seems to be around the ball at the end of the play. Gets adequate depth and reads the quarterback's eyes when asked to drop into zone coverage. Excellent instincts and rarely bites on play action. Vocal, gets players lined up in the right position and is a leader on the field. Has experience lining up on the outside and is somewhat versatile. Experienced at covering punts flies around the field regardless of the situation and has the potential to develop into a valuable special teams' contributor.

Weaknesses: Absorbs the blow rather than delivering it, lacks elite size and can get engulfed by interior offensive linemen. Plays too upright, lacks ideal lower body strength and is going to have problems holding ground in short-yardage situations. Doesn't deliver explosive punch and takes too long to shed blocks. Creates running lanes by avoiding blockers rather than stacking them up, can overrun plays and occasionally gets caught out of position as a run defender. Hits too high, doesn't always square up to the ball carrier and is an inconsistent open field tackler. While jumps underneath routes at times, can be overaggressive and lacks the second gear to recover once out of position. Lacks elite closing speed and is going to have problems turning the corner if asked to rush off the edge. Opens hips fairly well but isn't fast enough to run with most NFL backs and is going to have problems holding up on an island in man coverage. Spent two years Mormon mission and will be a 24 year old rookie. Injured knee during spring of 2005, underwent knee surgery in April of that year, missed the first two games of the 2005 season and durability is somewhat of a concern.

Overall: In his first three seasons at Arizona (2002, 2005-'06), Larsen appeared in 32 games (25 starts) and compiled 181 tackles (16.5 for losses), five sacks, seven pass breakups, two forced fumbles and an interception. As a senior in 2007, he started all 12 games and racked up 131 tackles (15.5 for losses), four sacks, three forced fumbles, five pass breakups and an interception. He had a knack for getting his hands on the ball, turning in eight career fumble recoveries. Larsen spent 2003 and 2004 on a Mormon mission in Chile. He returned to the team the following spring and almost immediately suffered damage to the ACL in his right knee. He had surgery in March and missed the first three games of the '06 season. Bottom line: Larsen has got to improve his ability to get under blockers' pads and add some lower body strength because he struggles when teams run at him. His inconsistent open field tackling is also concerning but there's a lot to like about his ability to locate the ball and then fly to it whether it's on defense or special teams so he projects as an early second day pick.

[Rastak]

HAHA - I just saw some clown call Tarvaris Jackson TJumps......( A little joke on his stupid jump pass last year).....I thought it was kinda funny.

[Rastak]

Eagles take OG Gibson:


trengths: Shows a good first step off the line of scrimmage and flashes the ability to get into position quickly. Has adequate initial quickness and shows the ability to climb up to the second level. Once in position, does a nice job of sustaining and finishing blocks. Is able to get out of stance and pull around edge. Gets set quickly, uses hands well and delivers a strong punch in pass protection. Recognizes stunts and blitzes quickly and is rarely caught out of position. Plays with a mean streak and is physical.

Weaknesses: Plays too high, lacks elite lower body strength and isn't going to consistently drive defensive tackles of the ball. Does not take proper angles to blocks and has some problems adjusting to moving targets in space. Lacks overall balance and is seen on the ground a lot. Is an overaggressive pass blocker, lacks ideal lateral mobility and is vulnerable to double moves. Doesn't do a great job of sinking hips, lacks elite size and can get driven back by bull rushers. Though lined up at tackle at Cal, isn't explosive or athletic enough to hold his own there at the NFL level. Underwent off-season shoulder surgery in 2007, missed the Armed Forced Bowl with an injury and durability is a concern.

Overall: Gibson enrolled and played at Solano CC in his first two years out of high school (2004-'05), where he earned All-America honors. He transferred to Cal in 2006, playing in all 13 games (nine starts) that season. As a senior in 2007, he started the first 12 games at left tackle for the Golden Bears, but he missed the finale because of an injury. Gibson will have to move from tackle to guard to make it at the NFL level and while there is a lot to like about his blend of size and quickness on the inside, he still has to answer questions about his power. As a result, he projects as a late round pick or rookie free agent.

[Rastak]

Cards take DE Harrington:


Strengths: Keeps head up, show adequate lateral mobility scraping down the line of scrimmage and does an adequate job of stringing plays out. Takes adequate pursuit angles and works from the snap until the whistle on every play. Uses hands to protect lower body and fights over cut blocks. Takes the shortest path to the quarterback and is a relentless pass rusher. Has adequate not great upper body strength and flashes an effective rip move. While he underwent off-season rotator cuff surgery in 2006, hasn't missed a game because of an injury and tough player that can deal with pain. Has adequate size and is tall enough to bulk up.

Weaknesses: Doesn't sink hips enough and can get engulfed. Lacks ideal lower body strength and can't hold ground working against double teams. Lacks ideal awareness, has some problems locating the ball and gets caught out of position at times. Plays with a narrow base, leans into blockers rather than rolling hips and loses balance at times. While never stops working and can shed blocks, doesn't show an explosive punch and can take too long to disengage. Doesn't do a great job of anticipating the snap and lacks ideal explosiveness. Isn't fast enough to turn the corner and has below-average closing speed. Isn't strong enough to collapse the pocket and doesn't do a great job of setting tackles up to the outside before redirecting inside. All too often fails to get hands up when isn't going to get to the quarterback and should be more disruptive.

Overall: Harrington arrived at Texas A&M in 2003 and redshirted the year. He appeared in all 12 games as a reserve in 2004, recording 14 tackles (three for losses) and two sacks. He cracked the lineup as a sophomore and played every game (missing only one start) over his last three seasons (2005-'07). In that span, he compiled 142 tackles (26.5 for losses), 13.5 sacks, five forced fumbles, five pass breakups and a blocked kick. Harrington's uncle, Dave Elmendorf, was a three-sport All-America selection at Texas A&M and an All-Pro with the Los Angeles Rams. Harrington is a straight-line pass rusher with adequate-at-best closing speed and not enough power to consistently collapse the pocket at this point. In addition, he has to work on staying lower to the ground as a run defender. However, there's enough to like about Harrington's frame, motor and toughness to take him in the fifth round.

[MadtownPacker]

HAHA - I just saw some clown call Tarvaris Jackson TJumps......( A little joke on his stupid jump pass last year).....I thought it was kinda funny.

I rather they start calling him T-Choke.

[Rastak]

Vikings on Deck......

Again.....Sullivan or Barton?

[Rastak]

HAHA - I just saw some clown call Tarvaris Jackson TJumps......( A little joke on his stupid jump pass last year).....I thought it was kinda funny.

I rather they start calling him T-Choke.

83 QB rating the last half of the year......it can only go up Mad......!

[Rastak]

Wow, Skins take Brennen QB:

trengths: A gunslinger with an aggressive mentality. Accurate, puts good touch on passes and leads receivers on slant routes. Flashes the ability to throw into tight spaces on routes coming over the middle (in-route, posts, etc). Throws a tight spiral, steps into throws and knows how to lead his receivers. Is quick and mobile. Buys a lot of second chances with his feet. Also is capable of tucking the ball and running for first downs when opportunity presents itself. Has good ball skills and fields errant shotgun snaps well. Confident and aggressive. Wants the ball in his hands late in games. Is tough and will play through pain. Has adequate lower body strength and is a tough runner for his size.

Weaknesses: Height is only decent and bulk is marginal. Must get bigger/stronger in order to hold up in the NFL. Lacks ideal arm strength. Gets a lot of RPM's on throws but ball lacks zip on deep outs. He struggles to drive the ball down the field and many of his vertical throws will sail. Makes some poor decisions in the face of pressure and can throw the ball up for grabs. Plays in a spread scheme that simplifies reads. System has never translated well to the NFL; needs to adjust to taking snaps from under center, reading coverage while dropping and fitting the ball into tighter spots in the NFL. Doesn't secure the ball when pressure closes in on him and he can put it on the ground. Also comes with red flags regarding character (see History).

Overall: Brennan spent a red-shirt season at Colorado in 2003 but was kicked off the team after a sexual misconduct charge was brought against him (and eventually dropped). He enrolled at Saddleback Community College (Calif.) in 2004, completing 68.3 percent of his passes for 281.3 yards per game, 23 touchdowns and just four interceptions in nine games. He transferred to Hawaii in 2005 and went on to set an NCAA Division I-A record in career total offense per game (387.89). In three seasons at Hawaii (2005-'07), Brennan made 35 starts (in 38 games) and completed 1,115 of 1,584 pass attempts (70.4 percent) for 14,193 yards, 131 touchdowns and 42 interceptions. He also had 267 carries for 547 yards (2.1 average) and 15 touchdowns. Injuries hampered him as a senior, but he still ranked second in the nation in passing yards per game (361.9) and fifth in passer efficiency (159.8). In 12 games (11 starts), Brennan completed 359 of 510 attempts for 4,343 yards, 38 TDs and 17 interceptions. Despite an ankle injury, he also ran for eight TDs. Brennan is not as athletic or nearly as polished as Jeff Garcia. But like Garcia, he is very slightly built and has to really load up to throw the deep ball. Also like Garcia, Brennan is light on his feet and is very accurate. There's a lot to like about his confident, gun-slinging mentality. However, there also are a lot of red flags to consider when evaluating his risk-reward level, including marginal size, below-average arm strength, off-the-field history and spread system that has not translated well to the NFL in past years. Brennan isn't for every system at the next level and his ability to cut heavy winds or bad weather should be a concern, especially for teams like Baltimore and Chicago. A warm weather team operating a West Coast offensive system could consider Brennan in the middle rounds, but we wouldn't risk anything higher than a fourth round pick.

[Rastak]

Hey, I called one! Ummm, sort of..... Hey ND, give me the inside scoop....


Vikes take Sullivan, C Notre Dame:


Strengths: Looks thicker and plays bigger on film than measurables indicate. Flashes a strong punch, gets adequate hand placement and rarely loses a battle once locked on. Plays with adequate leverage when run blocking and has the lower body strength to drive defenders off the ball. While there is some concern about ability to control emotion on the field, plays with a mean streak and works from snap until whistle. Rarely takes false steps, shows adequate initial burst off the ball and generally gets into position quickly. Gets into pass set quickly and extends arms once in position. Though tends to bend at the waist rather than the knees, plays with a wide base and can generally hold ground against bull rushers. Gets adequate zip on shotgun snaps and rarely makes the quarterback adjust to the ball.

Weaknesses: Lacks ideal mobility. Gets caught flat footed in space and struggles to adjust to moving targets. Frequently lunges when tries to go low and gets lazy by using too many cut blocks. On the ground too much. Takes too long to redirect in pass protection and is vulnerable to double moves. Though keeps head up, shows good awareness and can recognize line stunts as well as blitzes, over commits to original assignment at times and struggles to recover once caught out of position.

Overall: Sullivan didn't play in his first year at Notre Dame (2003). He became a starter in 2004 and didn't miss a game until the end of his senior year. He finished his career having played in 43 of a possible 45 games (41 starts), missing only the final two games of last season because of a knee injury. Sullivan doesn't have prototypical athletic ability for an NFL center and he gets caught lunging/diving at defenders too frequently in space. However, he does have the initial burst, power and tenacity to make up for that flaw. Despite a disappointing senior season at Notre Dame we still consider Sullivan as one of the top three center prospects in the 2008 class. He projects to be a mid-round pick.

[woodbuck27]

http://www.packers.com/draft/2008/

@ 4-135 OG Josh Sitton Central Florida 6'3" - 324 lbs.

Three year starter on the o-line for Central Florida. Helped pave the way for Kelvin Smith to rush for 4,864 yards from 2005-07, including an NCAA best 2,567 yards and 29 touchdowns in 2007. (compensatory selection)

Versatile OL Sitton Could Enter Mix At G

** TT's movement in this Draft today:

5-137 To Minnesota Vikings for Nos. 150 & 209. Originally from St. Louis Rams with No. 217 for No. 128.

@ 5-150 OT Breno Giacomini Louisville 6'7" - 303 lbs.

All-Big East Conference second-team choice by The NFL Draft Report. Recorded 78 knockdowns and ten touchdown-resulting blocks while starting all twelve games at right tackle. (from Minnesota Vikings with No. 209 for No. 137)

** 5-162 To NY Jets with No. 113 for No. 102.

6-194 To NY Giants in 2007 trade for RB Ryan Grant.

** 7-209 (from Minnesota Vikings with No. 150 for No. 137)

** 7-217 (from St. Louis Rams with No. 137 for No. 128)

7-237

GO TT GO!

[Rastak]

Steelers take LB Humpal:


Strengths: Instinctive, reads keys and locates the ball carrier quickly. Has added substantial bulk to frame and is tall enough to continue to get bigger. Plays with good leverage, can hold ground at the point of contact and can set the edge. Keeps head up and slides off blockers to make tackles when ball carrier comes into area. Rarely takes false steps, takes excellent pursuit angles and shows better range as a run defender than timed speed indicates. Gets though traffic quickly and is relentless in pursuit. Breaks down, wraps up upon contact and is a reliable open field tackler that flashes the ability to deliver the big hit. Quicker than fast, gets good inside lean, times blitzes well and flashes the ability to get to the quarterback rushing off the edge. Gets good depth and shows good awareness when asked to drop into zone coverage.

Weaknesses: Lacks ideal top-end speed, takes too long to open hips and going to have problems to turning and running with tight ends. Isn't explosive coming out of cuts, appears stiff in space and is going to have problems matching up with backs underneath. Possesses limited ball skills and isn't a playmaker in coverage. Has adequate upper body strength but isn't violent with hands and takes too long to shed blocks. Sustained a season-ending back injury in 2004 and missed one game with an injury in 2006 so durability is a concern.

Overall: Humpal arrived at Iowa in 2003 and redshirted the year. In his first three seasons (2004-'06), he appeared in 24 games (12 starts, all in '06) and compiled 74 tackles (six for losses), three interceptions and five pass breakups. As a senior in 2007, he started all 12 games and had 123 tackles (5.5 for losses), one sack, two forced fumbles, three interceptions and two pass breakups. Humpal suffered a season-ending back injury in '04 that cost him 10 games. He also missed a game in '06 because of an injury. Humpal is an instinctive and tough run defender who can find the football quickly and make the tackle. The problem is he is fairly one-dimensional at this point and he may never develop serviceable man-to-man cover skills.

[HarveyWallbangers]

I love this pick! Finley is a beast. He has a great youtube video. Search his name at www.youtube.com

I had read he timed poorly, but he doesn't look slow in his video. He looks good. I'm on the bandwagon. Doesn't look like he'll be much of a blocker.