*Early* - 2007 NFL Draft Prdictions

[woodbuck27]

Re: Jeff Samardzija

Jeff Samardzija was just drafted in the 5th round by the Cubs in this year's baseball draft. We'll see if he decides football or baseball. Apparently his stuff is pretty good as a pitcher.

Jeff Samardzija's contract with the Cubs is for five years, $7.25 million.

Samardzija will report to Rookie-level Boise later this month and play wide receiver for Notre Dame this fall. He'll only get all of the cash if he decides to give up football and concentrate on baseball next year. As a potential first-round pick in the NFL draft, he may lean towards the gridiron.

#83 Jeff Samardzija WR Height: 6'5" Weight: 216 Year: Sr

Last year for Notre Dame, All- American WR Samardzija made 78 receptions for 1279 yards (a 16.33 avg.) and 15 TD's.

[Patler]

Re: Jeff Samardzija

Jeff Samardzija was just drafted in the 5th round by the Cubs in this year's baseball draft. We'll see if he decides football or baseball. Apparently his stuff is pretty good as a pitcher.

Jeff Samardzija's contract with the Cubs is for five years, $7.25 million.

Samardzija will report to Rookie-level Boise later this month and play wide receiver for Notre Dame this fall. He'll only get all of the cash if he decides to give up football and concentrate on baseball next year. As a potential first-round pick in the NFL draft, he may lean towards the gridiron.

#83 Jeff Samardzija WR Height: 6'5" Weight: 216 Year: Sr

Last year for Notre Dame, All- American WR Samardzija made 78 receptions for 1279 yards (a 16.33 avg.) and 15 TD's.

Smardzija said in an article in one of the Chicago newspapers that he would like to try and play both football and baseball, and his preference would be to be drafted by the Bears so both pro teams would be in the same city.

The two seasons overlap so much, until he is established as a true super star in one sport or the other, I can't see why either team would go for it.

He was asked which sport was his favorite. He replied,"Which ever one is in season!"

[woodbuck27]

"I'd like the Packers to get Todd Blythe from ISU to play in the WCO. He is a big, fast td machine. I'd put him on par with Sammy and he could be had later in the first day. " packiowa


9th ranked WR on this thread, Todd Blythe, Iowa State*

Todd Blythe Class: RS Junior Hometown: Indianola, Iowa
High School: Indianola Height / Weight: 6-5 / 210 Position: WR
Birthdate: 03/31/1985 Experience:2L

Blythe at ISU: Awards and Honors ... First team all-Big 12 (2005 Coaches, Kansas City Star; 2004, espn.com, Dallas Morning News) ... second team all-Big 12 (2005 AP, Kansas City Star, Dallas Morning News) (2004, Coaches, AP) ... second team freshman All-America (2004, The Sporting News) ... ISU's Durwood "Dury" Moss award (most outstanding newcomer) ... 2005 ... Big 12 coaches voted him first-team all-conference ... first in the Big 12 and second nationally, averaging 19.61 yards per catch among receivers with at least four receptions per game ... his 83.3 receiving yards per game ranked second in the Big 12 in 2005 ... school record-holder with 18 TD receptions in just 24 games ... his 1,833 career receiving yards ranks fourth in ISU history ...

2004 ... An extremely physical, talented wide receiver who had a breakout freshman campaign and became one of the best scoring threats in the Big 12 Conference ... set school record with nine touchdown receptions ... led the team in receiving yards, average per catch and touchdowns en route to setting a number of school freshman and all-time single-season records ... led the team with 73 receiving yards on six catches in the spring game ...

2003 ... Redshirted initial collegiate season ... offensive scout team MVP three times.

High School Experience: Made 150 catches for 2,222 yards and 25 touchdowns in three years ... also made 13 career interceptions from his defensive back position ... named Class 4A Player of the Year by the Iowa Coaches Association ... elite all-state, first-team Class 4A all-state, elite all-conference and first-team all-conference at wide receiver as a senior ... first-team all-county on offense and defense and all-county player of the year as a senior and junior ... first-team Class 4A all-state and elite all-conference pick at defensive back as a junior ... first-team all-conference at receiver as a junior ... second-team all-conference at receiver as a sophomore ... also participated in basketball and track ... averaged 11.7 ppg, 8.4 rpg and 3.0 bpg during his senior season ... honorable mention all-conference as a junior while leading the Central Division of the CIML in rebounding ... member of Indianola's 2001 Class 4A championship basketball team ... four-time participant at the Drake Relays and the Iowa Boys' State Track Meet ... academic all-conference in football, basketball and track ... coached by Dave Summy ... National Honor Society member ... teammate of Cyclone Tyler Mark.

Personal: Born March 31, 1985, in Ames, Iowa ... son of Jim and Cinda Blythe ... father, Jim, was a catcher on Northern Iowa's baseball team and also played in the San Francisco Giants organization ... majoring in exercise and sport science ... last name is pronounced BLITHE.

[woodbuck27]

GM Junior Key

GM Jr. Grading Scale/Key

The GM Jr. Grading system uses alphabetical and numerical grades for each player.

The letter grade defines the type of player in terms of his physcial abilities and limitations.

The numerical grade defines how successful they believe a player will be in the NFL.

As you read each report, you will see either a "V," "E" or "*" next to the numbers for height, weight and speed. "V" stands for verified, "E" stands for estimated and "*" is to indicate that player's 40-yard dash time has been adjusted to what it would be if it had been run on grass.

You will also see some letters listed after a player's numerical grade and they stand for (when there is another position listed, it means GM Jr. believes the player may end up playting that position):

INJ Player is recovering from an injury and will need to get healthy before he can play up to his physical ability.

ST Player will be a good special teams player in the NFL.

PR Player will be a good punt returner in the NFL.

KOR – Player will be a good kickoff returner in the NFL.

RET Player will be a good punt and kickoff returner in the NFL.

GM Jr system requires that players be very productive with good athletic ability to achieve a first-round grade. The grading scale has set 6.0 as a minimum grade for a future NFL starter. However, for running backs, safeties and receivers, the grade for a future starter is 5.9.

The GM Jr. system automatically lowers the grades of players at those three positions that do not achieve first-round grades. The reason for this is due to the fact that, historically, these positions can generally be filled with quality players later in the Draft.


GM Jr.'s Alphabetical Grading Scale

Letter Description Round

A Rare athletic ability and production in college..
Has minimum height, weight & speed grades of 8.0.
Examples John Elway and Eric Dickerson 1st

B Rare athletic ability, but limited production in college due to system.
Has minimum height, weight & sepeed grades of 8.0.
Example Irving Fryar 1st

C Rare athletic ability and production in college.
Height/Weight Grade is lower than 8.0, but higher than 6.0.
Examples Barry Sanders (Height) & Terry Glenn (Weight) 1st

D Outstanding athletic ability and production in college.
Meets minimum height, weight & speed requirements for the position.
Examples Tony Boselli & Fred Taylor 1st

E Very good athletic ability, but inconsistent production in college.
Meets minimum height, weight & speed requirements for the position.
Examples Darnell Alford & Jacoby Shephard 3rd - 7th

F Limited overall athletic ability, but outstanding production and ability to make plays.
Meets minimum height & weight requirements, but lacks top playing speed.
Examples Tom Brady & Chad Clifton 2nd - 7th

G Very good athletic ability and college production.
Doesn’t meet minimum height requirements, but meets weight and speed requirements.
Examples Sam Mills & Antoine Winfield 1st - 7th

H Player converting to a position that he did not play in college.
Meets minimum height, weight & speed requirements of new position.
Examples Drew Bennett & Tedy Bruschi 3rd - 7th

I Good athletic ability and college production Middle Class of the NFL.
Meets minimum height, weight & speed requirements of their position.
Examples Anthony Becht & Julian Peterson 1st - 7th

J Very good athletic ability and college production.
Doesn't meet minimum weight requirements, but meets height and speed requirements.
Examples John Elway & Eric Dickerson 2nd - 7th

M or L Very good athletic ability, but inconsistent production in college.
Meets minimum height, weight & speed requirements for the position.
Player lacks good football instincts or doesn't seem to learn football very well 3rd - 7th

Z Good athletic ability and college production Middle Class of the NFL. Meets minimum height, weight & speed requirements of their position.
Has definite character question marks which limit draft status to 7th Round only 7th or FA


GM Jr.'s Numerical Grading Scale

Number Description Round

7.0 - 7.9 Pro Bowl Player A true difference maker 1st

6.5 - 6.9 Highly productive starting player 1st

6.4 Very good starting player 1st/2nd

6.3 Very good starting player 2nd

6.1 - 6.2 Good starting player 3rd

6.0 Very productive backup now/will develop into starter 3rd

5.9 Very good backup & very good special teams player 4th

5.8 Quality backup & good special teams player 5th

5.7 Backup player/special teams player & project players 6th

5.6 Backup player/special teams player & project players 6th/7th

5.5 Backup player/special teams player & project players 7th/Priority Free Agent

5.0 - 5.4 Players with one or more limitations Backup/special teams type Free Agent

1.0 - 4.9 Not recommended as draftable or signable as a free agent Not Recommended


GM Jr.'s Skill-Specific Numerical Grading Scale

Number Description
9.0 Rare Quality Few players achieve this level in anything, but size
8.5 Great Few players achieve this level in anything, but size
8.0 Exceptional
7.5 Excellent
7.0 Outstanding
6.5 Very Good
6.0 Good/Solid
5.5 Very Inconsistent Has ability to be good
5.0 Adequate Can improve in time
4.0 - 4.9 Marginal
3.0 - 3.9 Poor
1.0 Not good enough for NFL consideration


Glossary & Abbreviations

*
Signifies that the 40-yard time next to it has been verified and adjusted to what the time would be if it had been run on a grass surface. This enables all 40 times with a star to be looked at as if they were run on the same surface.

Arm Over Move
When a defensive lineman brings one arm over the top of an offensive lineman head and uses his other hand to push the offensive lineman out of the play.

Average Game for a QB
GM Jr. adjusts all of a quarterback numbers to a game with 30 passes, so a quarterback in a pass-oriented offense does not get a higher grade for big plays just because he throws three times as many passes.

Backside Pursuit
This is when a defensive player chases a play down from behind – It is also just called “Pursuit at times.

Balls to the Wall
This means a player gives an outstanding effort on every snap and never stops hustling. He tends to make a lot of extra plays because of his hustle.

Beat the Blitz
GM Jr. assigns each quarterback a grade every time a defense blitzes in each game they grade and then gets an average grade for beating the blitz after grading all of his games.

Big Errors
The number of fumbles, interceptions, passes that should have been intercepted and plays that GM Jr. deem as mental errors that a quarterback commits in an average game.

Big Plays
The number of touchdowns thrown, touchdowns run for, touchdowns that are dropped, plays that end in gains over 20 yards and plays that GM Jr. deems as very important in a game.

Blind Side
The backside of the quarterback where he can not see the pass rusher for a right-handed quarterback, it is the Right Defensive End and for a left-handed quarterback, it is the Left Defensive End.

Block in Space
Ability to block in the open field an example is when a guard leads an outside run and has to make a block outside in the open field.

Body Catcher
When a receiver allows the ball to come into his body when he catches the ball it is a bad habit because it leads to dropped passes.

Break & Close
The ability of a defensive player to plant his foot that is farthest from the play. As soon as he reads the play, he drives off the planted leg and runs to the ball.

Broad Jump
Broad jump measurement taken at the Combine.

Bull Rush
When a pass rusher tries to run straight at the offensive linemen and just uses his natural strength to drive/push the offensive linemen back into the quarterback.

Buy a 2nd Chance
Ability of a quarterback to feel the rush, avoid a potential sack, get out of the pocket and either attempt a pass or run for good yardage.

C.O.D.
Ability to change directions Change of Direction

Catch Blocker
When an offensive lineman does not get his hands on the defensive linemen quickly and allows the defensive linemen to initiate contact.

Click & Close
Term used to describe when a defensive back is back-pedaling, sees the pass being thrown in front of him, plants on his back foot and breaks quickly on the ball.

Closing Ability
The ability of a defensive player to finish off a play when he is near the ball how fast does he get to the ball carrier when he is near him.

Conversion Percentage
The ability of a quarterback to convert third downs, fourth downs and what GM Jr. deems are important downs.

Co-op Block
When two linemen work together to block a defensive lineman and then one of the two linemen steps thru the defensive line and blocks a linebacker in the open field.

Cross Over & Chase
When an offensive lineman stops his foot shuffle in pass protection, turns his shoulder and steps across his outside foot with his inside foot it happens when he is beaten off the ball by the pass rusher.

Cut Back Ability
The ability of a running back to see a hole on the backside of a play and have the quickness to get through that hole once he sees it.

Cut Blocks
When a blocker bends down and drives into the defensive players knees/thighs to take his legs out from under him and keep the defender from being able to make the tackle.

Cut High
A term used to describe a player who has very long legs usually players who have very long legs can not change directions quickly and do not tackle well in the open field.

DC
Defensive Cornerback

DE
Defensive End

Dinged
Slang for a minor injury that most NFL players have the toughness to play through.

DNL
Did Not Lift (used primarily when a player did not attempt the 225-pound bench press at the Combine).

DNW
Did Not Workout (used primarily when a player did not attempt to workout at the Combine).

Double Move
When a receiver uses two moves in one route example, instead of a normal route, he will run an out and up which fakes the and then takes off up the field.

Down/Side Block
When an offensive lineman drives down the line of scrimmage and blocks the defensive lineman (that is lined up inside of him) from the side and tries to drive him down the line of scrimmage.

Drive Block
When an offensive lineman gets off the ball quickly, keeps his knees bent and delivers a hard hit to the defensive lineman.

DS or S
Safety

DT
Defensive Tackle

E
Estimated signifies that the number it is next to is estimated and not an exact measurement.

Elusiveness
Ability of a running back to make tacklers miss in the open field usually elusive players have very quick feet and change directions well.

FB
Fullback

Featured Running Back
The main ball carrier for an offense that is counted on to carry the ball at least 20 times per game.

Fill the Hole
When a linebacker runs from his position forward into the hole that he offense opened. He usually has to take on the lead blocker in the hole when he gets into the hole. How quickly a linebacker steps up into the hole is a good indicator of his ability to read-and-react to the play.

Fire Off the Ball
When an offensive lineman gets off the ball quickly and delivers a good initial hit to the defensive linemen.

Flatten the Corner
Ability of a pass rusher to lower his inside shoulder, bend his knees and go around the edge quickly with an offensive lineman leaning down on him.

43 Defense
A defense where four defensive linemen line up on the line of scrimmage and three linebackers line up on the second level of the defense. This is the most common defensive alignment in the NFL.

Head Up
When one player is lined up directly in front of another player usually it relates to offensive and defensive linemen.

Hips/Turning Ability
How sooth a cornerback can turn and run with a receiver when he is lined up right up on the receiver and has to turn his body around and stay with the receiver a player needs to have good hip flexibility to do this well.

IB
Inside Linebacker

Initial Quicks
How quickly a player gets moving as soon as the ball is snapped this is very important for offensive and defensive linemen.

Kickout Block
When the blocker (it can be offensive linemen, tight ends or fullbacks) blocks the outside linebacker whose job is to hold his ground and force the play back inside. The blocker must knock the linebacker farther outside so that the ball carrier can get the edge without having to go wider.

Long Strider
A player with long legs who takes long steps when he runs. Players with long legs are often said to be“cut high and do not change directions well.

M/M Off
When a cornerback lines up between five to 12 yards away from the line of scrimmage, but is playing man-to-man coverage this is the hardest of all coverages.

Mini-Pulls
This describes a quick pull by an offensive linemen right next to him, not a full-fledged pull to lead outside sweeps and tosses.

NA
Used primarily to describe an event at the Combine that a prospect is not asked to attempt (usually certain positions do not have to attempt certain things at the Combine).

NAC
Not at Combine

NT
Nose Tackle

Nickel Back
The fifth defensive back that comes in and replaces a linebacker in an obvious passing situation.

OB
Outside Linebacker

OC
Center

OG
Guard

OH
Tailback

OT
Offensive Tackle

Pancake Block
A run block where the offensive lineman keeps his feet under him, follows his block and finishes aggressively by driving the defensive lineman off his feet and onto his back.

Peel Coverage
When a defensive player is rushing the quarterback from the outside, but he has a responsibility to cover the running back if he goes out for a pass instead of staying in the pocket to help pass block. The pass rusher will literally off of his rush to the quarterback and cover the running back.

Point of Attack (POA)
The collision spot where a defensive player and the offensive player who is trying to block him meet. It is also the collision spot where a defender and ball carrier meet.

Positional Block
The type of run block where the offensive lineman does not really fire off the ball instead, he gets off the ball quickly and tries to get in a position to “wall off the defensive players from the run.

Power Rush
When a pass rusher tries to run straight at the offensive linemen and just uses his hands to push the offensive linemen around at the snap.

Pulling
When an offensive lineman gets out of his stance and out of his in-line position and runs ahead of the ball carrier to lead block on outside runs.

Punch
How an offensive lineman uses his hands to deliver a hard blow to the defensive linemen with his hands to slow his pass rush.

Pursuit
When a defensive player chases a play down from behind it is also called Backside Pursuit at times.

Q.A.B.
Quarterback

Quick Set/Pass Pro
When an offensive lineman gets into his pass protection position right on the line of scrimmage and tries to stop the defensive linemen right on the line.

Quicks
Short for quickness

Reach Block
The hardest block for an offensive lineman to make it requires a lineman to use his quickness to get around and make the block on the defensive lineman who is lined up on the offensive lineman's shoulder to the side where the run is going a very hard block to make well.

Read & React
The ability of a defensive player to recognize and diagnose the offensive play and get started to the ball quickly.

Release vs. Jam
How a receiver releases off the line of scrimmage when a cornerback is lined up right in front of him on the line of scrimmage trying to push the wide receiver around.

Rush Linebacker
The linebacker in the 34 defense who rushes the passer predominately. This is the position that Kevin Greene, Joey Porter and Steve Foley usually play/played in the NFL.

Second Level
The area behind the defensive line where the linebackers are one has to usually get to the second level to block the linebacker.

Shed
The ability of a defensive player to use his hands to take on a blocker and get free from the block.

Shuffle & Slide
Ability of an offensive lineman to move his feet well side-to-side in pass protection without crossing his feet.

Side/Down Block
When an offensive lineman drives down the line of scrimmage and blocks the defensive lineman that is lined up inside of him from the side and tries to drive him down the line of scrimmage.

Speed/Edge Rusher
A pass rusher who relies on pure speed to beat the offensive tackle around the corner. Most pure speed/edge rushers are under-sized defensive ends who lack the bulk/strength to get pressure on the quarterback if they use an interior pass-rush move.

Straight Line Player
A player who has very good acceleration and speed, and can chase plays down when he does not have to avoid blocks or adjust while running. He usually lacks agility and can not change direction very well.

Swim Move
When a defensive lineman brings one arm over the top of an offensive lineman's head and uses his other hand to pus the offensive lineman out of the play.

TE
Tight End

The Corner
The edge that the offensive tackle tries to protect from the pass rusher.

34 Defense
This defense has only three defensive linemen and four linebackers. It is not used as much as the 43 Defense. It is also more of a blitzing and attacking style defense than the 43 Defense.

Tight Hipped
The inability of a cornerback to turn and run with a receiver in tight coverage it means he has stiff hips and can not turn well.

Tight M/M
This is when a cornerback lines up right in the receiver's face and tries to stay right in the receiver's hip pocket.

Trap Block
When an offensive lineman (usually a guard) gets out of his stance at the snap, steps to the side and behind the lineman next to him and blocks the defensive player from the side. The man he blocks was left unblocked by the offensive linemen who were lined up over him.

V
Means the number it is next to has been verified.

Vert. Jump
Vertical Jump measurement taken at the Combine.

WO
Wide Receiver

Wrap Up Tackler
How well a defensive player bends his knees and tackles in the open field.

Zone Coverage
When defensive players drop into assigned areas in coverage and are responsible for anyone in their area they have to read the quarterback and break on the ball to make a play.

[woodbuck27]

pbmax supplied this resource on another thread and I've decided to locate it here as well.

I'll warn you. It's a good long read but loaded with valuable info. for all of you who want to grow as draft Guru's.

http://www.footballoutsiders.com/2006/04/24/ramblings/nfl-draft/3828/

[superfan]

Bump.

This thread is from last June, but there is so much interesting info here that it deserves revisiting.

My comments are based on the first post in this thread and a limited sampling of draft sites I've visited, mostly nfldraftcountdown.com.

Notable stock rising and falling compared to last spring --

QB JaMarcus Russell -- Rising -- from 42nd overall and #4 QB to a possible #1 pick
RB Michael Bush -- Falling -- projects to drop from mid first to mid second because of his season ending injury
ILB H.B. Blades -- Falling -- from the last pick in the 1st round to a later day one pick (at least on boards I've seen) after what appears to have been a productive and injury free year
DE Jamaal Anderson -- Rising -- Wasn't even on the radar last spring, but is now viewed as a top 10 pick
LB Paul Posluszny -- Falling -- From a top 10 pick to late first or early second round. Has the intangibles and production, but lacks athleticism.
QB Drew Stanton -- Falling -- The disaster that was Michigan St. last year hurt Stanton's draft stock, dropping from early to mid first round to mid to late second round
DT Marcus Thomas -- Falling -- Potentially a mid first round choice, he was suspended for 3 games for failing a drug test and kicked off the team entirely after failing his second drug test. Now appears to be a high risk high reward late day one pick
DT Amobi Okoye -- Rising -- Came out of nowhere and now projects to be taken in the top half of the first round

[HarveyWallbangers]

They projected us to pick #6 and the Vikings to pick #17. Instead, we pick #16 and the Vikings pick #7.

[Jerry Tagge]

They were right about one thing: Jeff Samardzija went to Chicago.

What they were wrong about was that he didn't go to the Bears, he went to the Cubs.

[Rastak]

They projected us to pick #6 and the Vikings to pick #17. Instead, we pick #16 and the Vikings pick #7.

Yea yea, I saw the irony in that too......

[superfan]

I'll be keeping an eye on the nfldraftcountdown.com site over the next few months. They were pretty accurate with their final mock last year.

They had the top 6 picks correctly in order, Vikings taking Greenway in the 1st round, Packers taking Jennings in the 2nd round. I also seem to remember seeing that they had the Packers taking Spitz, too, but was unable to find that on the site.

They missed badly on some picks, too, but that's to be expected. So did Kiper.

[Charles Woodson]

Bump.

This thread is from last June, but there is so much interesting info here that it deserves revisiting.

My comments are based on the first post in this thread and a limited sampling of draft sites I've visited, mostly nfldraftcountdown.com.

Notable stock rising and falling compared to last spring --

QB JaMarcus Russell -- Rising -- from 42nd overall and #4 QB to a possible #1 pick
RB Michael Bush -- Falling -- projects to drop from mid first to mid second because of his season ending injury
ILB H.B. Blades -- Falling -- from the last pick in the 1st round to a later day one pick (at least on boards I've seen) after what appears to have been a productive and injury free year
DE Jamaal Anderson -- Rising -- Wasn't even on the radar last spring, but is now viewed as a top 10 pick
LB Paul Posluszny -- Falling -- From a top 10 pick to late first or early second round. Has the intangibles and production, but lacks athleticism.
QB Drew Stanton -- Falling -- The disaster that was Michigan St. last year hurt Stanton's draft stock, dropping from early to mid first round to mid to late second round
DT Marcus Thomas -- Falling -- Potentially a mid first round choice, he was suspended for 3 games for failing a drug test and kicked off the team entirely after failing his second drug test. Now appears to be a high risk high reward late day one pick
DT Amobi Okoye -- Rising -- Came out of nowhere and now projects to be taken in the top half of the first round

also Bowe's stock is rising...

[BooHoo]

Henne to Green Bay in 2008.