Prospects

[Deputy Nutz]

In later rounds, where drafts are won and lost, keep an eye on Julian Jenkins. He is a defensive end out of Stanford. His measurables are 6-4, 275 pounds, and he ran a 5.00 forty.

He isn't a fabulous athlete, but he is just a good football player that is not afraid to take on blockers and hold the point of attack. He has the strength and ability to bull rush, but you really aren't going to find the quick burst up field needed in a speed rusher. He uses his hands well to defeat blockers and to push the offensive tackle back into the pocket. He is a smart football player, especially in technique, but he will have mental laspes in tackling at times, isn't extrememly aggressive towards ball carriers.

If a team is looking for a an End that has a sparkling attitude, and can play stout against the run, as well as the pass with good instincts, he might be one that slips through the cracks and will be a draft day sleeper.

[billy_oliver880]

In later rounds, where drafts are won and lost, keep an eye on Julian Jenkins. He is a defensive end out of Stanford. His measurables are 6-4, 275 pounds, and he ran a 5.00 forty.

He isn't a fabulous athlete, but he is just a good football player that is not afraid to take on blockers and hold the point of attack. He has the strength and ability to bull rush, but you really aren't going to find the quick burst up field needed in a speed rusher. He uses his hands well to defeat blockers and to push the offensive tackle back into the pocket. He is a smart football player, especially in technique, but he will have mental laspes in tackling at times, isn't extrememly aggressive towards ball carriers.

If a team is looking for a an End that has a sparkling attitude, and can play stout against the run, as well as the pass with good instincts, he might be one that slips through the cracks and will be a draft day sleeper.

So they are saying that this guy is the type that will work his butt off play in and play out? I say lets get him.

[Deputy Nutz]

I think we all can be in agreement that if the Packers had more guys like Aaron Kampman this team would be alot better. A player that might draw comparison to Kampman is Mike Kudla out of Ohio St. 6-2 260 pounds that is packed full of muscle Kudla is shooting up some draft boards, and slipping on others. Kudla prides himself on superior conditioning and strength, but also has the ability to get to the passer 9.5 times during his senior year.

Kudla will be able to stick in the NFL due to his all out, warrior type mentality. His athletic ability is only average, but makes up for it with a superior work ethic. He will be the type of kid that will burn the midnight oil breaking down game film.

Unfortunately for Kudla is that he is still only 6-2 260 pounds, he has added as much weight as possible at this stage and might not get any bigger. Bigger offensive tackles can get their hands on him and drive him off the ball if his instincts fail him. He will also allow blockers to get into his legs and cut block him, which will make for a short career if he doesn't learn to protect himself.

Kudla needs to improve his pass rushing moves and better his technique at turing the corner on offensive linemen.

The bottom line on Kudla is that he has the spirit and work ethic to stick in the NFL, but he needs to better his skills and technique to conquer his lack of height and weight if he wants to be a starter.

[Deputy Nutz]

We all like steals in the draft and this one might be the best of 2006 for a team that has a good defensive back coach and time to build a player. Cornerback Gerrick McPherson out of Maryland has all the speed you need for a corner and is one of the faster players in the 2006 draft with his 4.40 speed.

McPherson will stick his nose in the pile, and isn't afraid of going after a reciever or breaking up a pass. He has the quick and explosive speed to close in a hurry on passes in front of him. He has the speed to turn his hips and run step for step with any reciever.

McPherson will flash the ability to be a good corner, but it is just a flash at this point. His technique is well flawed and his skill set is still very raw. when he turns his back to run with recievers his instincts are lost. He doesn't feel or sense the ball coming. Stated above, he has the athletic ability to run with any reciever, but just doesn't have the skills to stop the catch.

McPherson could easily have the same problems that Ahmad Carroll has, and his instincts might never get any better, but his athletic ability is worth a second day flyer on.

[Deputy Nutz]

One more cornerback/returner to keep an eye on during draft day is Charles Gordon from Kansas. Gordon who decided to come out after his junior year, ran an unbelievable slow forty at 4.68, but scouts agree that he plays faster than his miserable forty time would indicate.

Gordon who was a freshman all-american in 2003 as a wide reciever, was then moved to corner as a sophomore and then in 2005 he played mostly wide receiver for the J-hawks. He was an all-american as a returner. Gordon has the god given ability, but he has been moved around so many times in his college career that he hasn't solidified any technique whats so ever. Gordon will provide little in terms of defensive help but my contribute as a return specialist until he can develop as a corner. His footwork can be very spotty at times and his back pedal is too upright at this point.

The bottom line with Gordon is that he is willing to do whatever is asked of him, he will come up and tackle, and he his dangerous in the open field when the ball is in his hands, which are very good. Here is a football player who hasn't had the opportunity to learn a position.

I would expect a team to use a 6th round pick on Charles Gordon.

[Deputy Nutz]

I don't know if you can call him a sleeper anymore, but the Journal had a nice write up about Chris Chester from Oklahoma who could either play Guard or Center in the NFL. I think they had him a little to high predicting that he would go in the second round.

Chester's real claim to fame is that he was a tight end up until last year, where he switched to offensive guard for the 2005 season. Chester has looked good on film and had a lot of scouts writing his name down even prior to the combine where he happened to run a 4,88 forty weighing 300 pounds.

The truth is, Chester is still a work in progress, and he is athletic enough to play guard at a superior level but he needs to get stronger, and bigger. His technique will need to get better if he would fit into a zone system.

If a team is looking for a starting center or guard in 2006, he is most likely not your selection, but if you want a project that could develop into a pro-bowl guard in 4 or 5 years, he most certainly is worth the time and effort.

[Deputy Nutz]

If the Packers are looking for a big pass catching reciever, then they should try and take a closer look in say the third or fourth round at Hank Baskett from New Mexico.

Basket who weighs over 220 pounds and stands close to 6-3, is one of the more underrated reciever prospects in this year's draft, mostly because he doesn't have elite speed.

Basket could easily be a teams third wide out and possesion reciever in 2006. He has the ability to get in and out of breaks and get seperation in the short and intermidiate routes. He is a good route runner, and has solid hands. His size makes him a threat in the red zone, and gives him the ability to gain yards after the catch. His size makes him a viable blocker.

Baskett just doesn't possess the speed to beat a corner deep, or the leaping ability to take balls out of the air at their highest point. Baskett also doesn't play as agressive as his size would indicate. He needs to learn how to use his body, and hopefully he will become a tad bit more aggressive at the next level.

[Deputy Nutz]

One of the more athletic defensive tackles that could be had later in the draft, maybe even as low as the 5th round but I wouldn't be suprised if some team takes the 6-3 305 pound Titus Adams Dt, from Nebraska.

Adams is extremely athletic and can make plays from sideline to sideline when he wants to. The biggest knock on Adams is that he turns it on and off when he wants to. He does not keep himself in tip top shape, and his play is inconsistent because of it. He will dominate the first couple of series and then tire out and be nonexistent for long stretches.

If Adams is on his game he is almost unblockable at times, and can be one of the best run stuffers in this draft, and it is that ability that teams will drool over GMs will be itching to pull the trigger on this run stuffer, but most will wait. The team that selects him will have a high boom bust rate, but could be the steal of the draft if he could produce on par with his athletic ability.

Adams can use a bull rush early in games and get some results in colapsing the pocket around the quarterback. Adams relies mostly on his athletic ability to get after the QB. Adams would be more productive if he learned and relied on technique rather than just his athletism.

[Partial]

Nuts, thats awesome. Keep it coming.

[Joemailman]

Rob Smith
Height: 6-2 5/8 | Weight: 311 | 40-Time: 5.31

Official Bio

Strengths:
An outstanding technician with great footwork...Hails from a good program...Good weight room strength and it translates to the field...Finishes his blocks and really plays with a nasty demeanor...Smart and a hard worker with good intangibles.

Weaknesses:
Does not have the size and bulk that you'd prefer...Does not get much of a push...Isn't very stout at the point...Has some durability concerns...Below average speed, quickness and athleticism...Only started two years at the college level.

Notes:
Underclassmen who came out early because his position coach moved on...Was a top recruit coming out of high school...The Vols have a strong recent history of producing pro offensive linemen and that in and of itself will get him a look late.




This could be one of those late round steals the Packers are noted for.

[Deputy Nutz]

Who wants another Nick Collins? Ok, that might be a stretch for this small school sleeper, but seems to be a fad in the NFL draft in taking small school defensive backs, and having them turn out to be solid contributors if not starters in their rookie contracts. Well here is another one for you, Antoine Bethea from Howard University. This small school safety has been timed in the low 4.4s in the forty and as low as 4.39. Bethea is about 5-11 and 190 pounds.

Bethea is a pure athlete playing in the defensive backfield, that has the ability and knack for coming up in run support and smacking the running back in the face. When Bethea trusts his instincts he can wreak havoc all over the field playing the run and the pass from sideline to sideline. He has the speed and hips to play in man to man coverage, and when his head is right he can play the deep pass extremely well for a small school player.

Bethea is a great athlete, but he might not have the elite size at safety and that is going to hurt him as much as anything come draft day. If Bethea can keep his weight at our around 200 pound plus, then he will have a legitimate shot at starting in the NFL. But if reports are true that he was playing in 2005 at 175 pounds, then he is going to have problems even making a roster. Like all smaller school kids, Bethea needs to refine his technique and not rely so much on his athletic ability. Bethea needs to improve his skills both in the passing game, and controlling his aggressive nature when making tackles. At times he is simply to out of control and will miss tackles.

The bottom line is that some team will fall in love with Bethea and take him early on the second day. Bethea has a chance to be a starter in this league if he is able to gain and keep weight on. His ability to control a game at his safety spot will be hard to ignore come early Sunday.

[Deputy Nutz]

I must really be in love with the Ohio St defense, because he is another 2nd day prospect that played for the Buckeyes. Nate Salley brings to the table almost a complete resume for a safety in the NFL. Salley is big at 6-3 and 215 pounds, but his size does have a draw back, he doesn't have the speed of the new look safeties in the NFL.

Salley may not have the speed but he is a smart football player with quick feet. Salley may not be able to run with NFL caliber WRs, but he can run step for step with tight ends, and he has the ability to come up and stick a running back in the flat.

Salley may have to come off the field in a teams nickle and dime package. He just doesn't have the speed to run with recievers, and he might never be able to get over the top in zone coverage on a consistent basis. Salley is a run support safety and would do well to play with a team that still brings and 8th man in the box. Salley likes the big hit, and that does lead to missed tackles. Salley needs to keep his focus and make reads instead of just guessing. Salley would benefit from spending more time in the film room.

Salley was a defensive leader for the Buckeyes which is saying something when you look at who else was on that team. Salley has had a remarkable college career, and can be a steal in later rounds of this draft.

[MJZiggy]

Anybody know anything about DE Brent Hawkins out of Ill State? TT just had an interview with him.

[Deputy Nutz]

Brent Hawkins, 6-2, 242 pounds

Still very raw and way to small to play defensive end in the NFL. He will most likely need to switch positions to succeed in the NFL. Otherwise he was a great edge rusher in college and logged 27.5 tackles for a loss and 16 sacks in 2005. Late round selection, most likely he is a free agent type, but his numbers can't be ignored. Transfer from Purdue where he was an academic all big ten player in 2002 as a true freshman

[Deputy Nutz]

For teams that need a blocker that brings a little bit more finesse and quickness, guard Issac Sowells from Indiana might fit that bill. Listed at 6-3 and 330 pounds, Sowell played on the outside in college at left tackle but will most likely end up moving to guard due to his lack of skill in space.

Sowells is a good athlete with quick feet. He has the ability to get into a defensive tackle, and then work up to the next level. He can also pull and work up to the next level. He has natural strength to hold at the point of attack, and hold up to the inside bull rush from defensive tackles. He has good insticts and awarness during pass protection, which helps adjusting to shifts and stunts from the defensive line.

Sowell is a good athlete but does have trouble adjusting his blocks in the open field. His technique will suffer at times and it hinders his overall play. He needs to keep his feet under him and moving during blocks. He needs to bend more at the knees instead of at the waist.

If Sowells can work at fine tuning his techique and remaining consistent, he might be considered a future starter for some team. Sowells is going to stick in the NFL mostly because of his versatility at playing either tackle or guard. At the very least he will be a valuable backup for several years.