Official 2007 Live Draft Thread

[Scott Campbell]

The disparity in these guys draft grades is pretty funny.

Yea, what is a 20 or a 30? A guy who never player before?

That 4.24 in the 40 Raider guy was in the 20's. I'd have given him a 50 point bonus just for his track time.

[Fritz]

Hmmm...Allen Barbre. Isn't he from Seville, Mississippi?

That Vikes trade...man, was Pat Bowlen doing shots with Mike Shanahan when they decided to trade away a third next year for a damn fifth now?

[Rastak]

Hmmm...Allen Barbre. Isn't he from Seville, Mississippi?

That Vikes trade...man, was Pat Bowlen doing shots with Mike Shanahan when they decided to trade away a third next year for a damn fifth now?

It was #22 in the fourth but yea, pretty crazy.

[Rastak]

Browns finally pick again.....


Brandon McDonald
CB | (5'10", 181, 4.58) | MEMPHIS

Scouts Grade: 31

Flags: (B: BULK/SIZE) Lacks size/bulk for position Selected by: Cleveland Browns
Round: 5
Pick (Overall): 3(140)


Strengths: Shows adequate knee bend in backpedal and closes well when coming forward. Shows good awareness and can jump routes. Started collegiate career at receiver and rarely drops interceptions when gets hands on ball. Is a strong leaper and flashes the ability to catch the ball at its highest point. Wraps up upon contact and is an adequate open field tackler. Reads blocks well when returning punts, blocked a field goal attempt during senior season and can contribute on special teams.

Weaknesses: Doesn't have great bulk and can get pushed around by bigger receivers. Hasn't shown great upper body strength, doesn't play with enough of a mean streak and should have problems slowing receivers down at the line of scrimmage. Takes too long to open hips when forced to turn and run downfield and lacks the second gear to recover once most receivers get a step on him. Doesn't do a great job of getting head turned around, lacks ideal body control and has problems locating balls thrown over outside shoulder. Appears to play pass before run on every snap and isn't a great run defender at this point.

Overall: McDonald began his career at Jones County Community College where in 2003 he saw action as a wide receiver. In 2004 he switched to cornerback and finished with 25 total tackles, eight interceptions, and led the team in punt returns, earning honorable mention All-American honors. McDonald enrolled at Memphis in the spring of 2005 where he battled two knee injuries, limiting him in practice. In the fall he appeared in all 12 games at cornerback, with 11 starts, and recorded 49 total tackles, 3.5 tackles for loss, 11 passes defended, three interceptions, and one blocked PAT. McDonald started all 12 games in 2006, seeing action at cornerback, free safety, and strong safety, and finished with 84 total tackles, two tackles for loss, four interceptions, one forced fumble, and one blocked field goal, earning second team All-Conference-USA honors (media). While at Memphis he also returned 46 punts for 305 yards (6.6 average).
McDonald has enough ball skills and quickness to develop into an effective No. 4 for a team that doesn't ask him to hold up in man coverage too much. However, his upside is limited by his lack of top-end speed and size.



* Player biographies are provided by Scouts Inc.

[Scott Campbell]

Hmmm...Allen Barbre. Isn't he from Seville, Mississippi?

That Vikes trade...man, was Pat Bowlen doing shots with Mike Shanahan when they decided to trade away a third next year for a damn fifth now?

That has to be the single most boneheaded move of this draft. If they were that in love with the guy, why didn't they just take him earlier. And they surely could have moved up for much, much less.

[Rastak]

Bucs....



Greg Peterson
DT | (6'4", 272, 4.9) | NORTH CAROLINA CENTRAL

Scouts Grade: 20 Selected by: Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Round: 5
Pick (Overall): 4(141)

[Rastak]

Cards get a solid return guy....


Steve Breaston
WR | (6'0", 193, 4.46) | MICHIGAN

Scouts Grade: 52 Selected by: Arizona Cardinals
Round: 5
Pick (Overall): 5(142)


Strengths: A homerun threat with the ball in his hands -- as a receiver, return man and on reverses. He shows great vision as a runner and sees creases opening up quickly. Shows very good initial burst and top-end speed. He displays the necessary second-gear to run away from defenders in the open field. Possesses outstanding body control and balance, showing the ability to stop-and-start without losing much in transition. He is elusive in space and will consistently make the first defender miss. He is one of the premier return specialists in this year's class.

Weaknesses: Has had some durability issues in the past. Lingering shoulder injury affected his play in 2005. He lacks ideal bulk and strength. Is lean and gets pushed around as a route runner at times. Will have some trouble getting off the line of scrimmage versus bigger, more physical defensive backs in the NFL. He does not make a lot of plays as a receiver in traffic. Is more dangerous after the catch than he is as a vertical route runner. He is an unpolished receiver who must improve the crispness of his routes. He disappears from games and seems to lack natural instincts and recognition skills as a receiver. He will lose focus and drop "catchable" passes occasionally. He lacks ideal strength as a run blocker and occasionally will fail to sustain even when in position and locked on.

Overall: Breaston was redshirted in 2002. In 2003, he played in all of Michigan's games making one start against Indiana (9/27) and caught 38 passes for 444 yards (11.7 average) and three touchdowns. Breaston also returned 45 punts for 619 yards (13.8 average) and scored two touchdowns. Breaston played in 11 games in 2004, missing the Indiana game with a finger injury, and finished the year with 34 receptions for 291 yards (8.6 average) and three touchdowns. He added 28 kickoff returns for 689 yards (24.6 average) and 24 punt returns for 292 yards (12.2 average) and one touchdown. Breaston played in all 11 games in 2005, (seven starts) caught 26 passes for 291 yard (11.2 average) and two touchdowns. He also finished with 23 kickoff returns for 646 yards (28.1 average) and one touchdown, as well as 29 punt returns for 365 yards (12.3 average). For his career, Breaston has carried the ball 32 times for 242 yards (7.6 average) and two touchdowns. He finished the 2006 season playing in all 13 games, catching 58 passes for 670 yards (11.6 average) and two touchdowns. He also added 29 punt returns for 332 yards (11.4 average) and a touchdown to go along with 21 kickoff returns for 467 yards (22.2 average).
Breaston finished strong as a senior but he lacks the physical tools to ever emerge as a difference-maker in the NFL. At best, Breaston will become a No. 4 receiver and a solid punt return specialist at the next level. In our opinion, Breaston is worth selecting no earlier than the fourth round of the 2007 draft.



* Player biographies are provided by Scouts Inc.

[RashanGary]

The Patriots better win it this year and they better hope all of those old guys stay relatively healthy.

2 injuries to their over 30 playmaker core and you're looking at a team that blew it's wad for nothing.

That said, they have a good chance. They just better hope they hit it this year.

[BallHawk]

Damnit, Le'Ron McClain is off the board. He will be the best FB out of this class.

Oh well, Ben Patrick and Michael Allan are still there.

[Rastak]

Skins,,,,,,



Dallas Sartz
OLB | (6'4", 235, 4.71) | USC

Scouts Grade: 39

Flags: (D: DURABILITY) Player that can't stay healthy(O: OVERACHIEVER) Player that lacks AA and skills Selected by: Washington Redskins
Round: 5
Pick (Overall): 6(143)


Stat Overview
No Stats Available
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Strengths: Possesses good size and the frame to add even more bulk as a "SAM" linebacker in the NFL. Reads keys well, has adequate initial quickness and can make plays behind the line of scrimmage. Plays with a good motor and always seems to be around the ball at the end of the play. Plays with a mean streak and flashes the ability to deliver the big hit. Times blitzes well, takes the shortest path to the passer and flashes the ability to power through blockers in the middle. Has long arms and generally gets hands up when isn't going to get to the quarterback. He pays attention to details and displays good football intelligence. Covered kicks at the collegiate level, blocked a punt during sophomore season and should make an impact on special teams.

Weaknesses: Plays too high, hasn't shown great lower body strength and gets driven back at times. Doesn't always take sound angles to the ball and gets caught out of position at times. Takes too long to open hips when forced to turn and run downfield and isn't fast enough to run with most backs. Depth in drops is inconsistent and doesn't show great awareness in zone coverage. Uses hands too much in coverage and could draw some flags if doesn't improve technique. Lacks ideal ball skills and isn't a playmaker. Fails to breakdown in space too much and is an inconsistent open field tackler. Missed most of the 2005 season with a dislocated shoulder and durability is somewhat of a concern.

Overall: Sartz saw action as a backup SLB linebacker and on special teams in 12 of 13 games as a true freshman in 2002, finishing with 8 total tackles and one interception. In 2003, he played at both SLB and safety, appearing in all 13 games and starting the final six at linebacker. He recorded 60 total tackles, six tackles for loss, two sacks, and a blocked punt. Sartz appeared in all 13 games in 2004 at SLB linebacker and registered 48 total tackles, 3.5 tackles for loss, 1.5 sacks, and one interception, earning an All-Pac 10 honorable mention. The 2005 season ended for him after dislocating his shoulder against Arkansas (9/17) and receiving a medical redshirt. Sartz returned in 2006 and started all 13 games, making 70 total tackles, 9.5 tackles for loss, seven sacks, one forced fumble, and two fumble recoveries, garnering his second All-Pac 10 honorable mention selection.
Sartz may not be strong enough to consistently match up at "SAM" linebacker in the NFL and he's not fast or athletic enough to play in space. However, he is a tough overachiever-type with good size. Sartz is tough against the run, he can get to the quarterback and he should be a quality special teams' contributor in the NFL. He projects as a late-round pick or a rookie free agent.



* Player biographies are provided by Scouts Inc.

[Rastak]

Texans


Brandon Harrison
S | (6'1", 227, 4.6) | STANFORD

Scouts Grade: 46

Flags: (S: SPEED) Player lacks ideal speed at position Selected by: Houston Texans
Round: 5
Pick (Overall): 7(144)


Strengths: Plays with a mean streak, times hits well and flashes the ability to punish receivers over the middle. Catches the ball fairly well, is aggressive and flashes big-play ability. Times jumps fairly well and is tall enough to win most jump balls. Takes sound pursuit angles and works to the whistle. Flashes the ability to shed blocks and is big enough to line up in the box. Squares up to the ball carrier, wraps up upon contact and is a sound open field tackler. Times blitz fairly well, takes the shortest path to the quarterback and flashes the ability to run over blockers in the backfield. Blocked a kick in 2004 and can contribute on special teams.

Weaknesses: Plays the ball better than the man, is vulnerable to double moves and lacks the second gear to recover once caught out of position. Doesn't explode out of cuts, appears stiff when forced to turn and run and is more effective playing off the line. Though has experience lining up at corner, lacks the burst to play there at the NFL so versatility is somewhat overrated. Doesn't explode into hits, doesn't always wrap up upon contact and isn't a powerful open field tackler.

Overall: Harrison appeared in 10 of 11 contests as a true freshman in 2003 making six total tackles and breaking up one pass. In 2004, he started all 11 games at strong safety registering 45 total tackles, 2.5 tackles for loss, two sacks, two fumble recoveries, one interception, one pass breakup, and one blocked punt. Harrison again started all 11 games in 2005 and collected 67 total tackles, two tackles for loss, three interceptions, and four pass breakups. In 2006, he played in all 12 games with 11 starts coming at safety and cornerback (played off the bench against San Jose State because of an injury), finishing the year with 68 total tackles, 2.5 tackles for loss, one interception, five pass breakups, and one fumble recovery earning an honorable mention All-Pac 10 selection.
Harrison lacks ideal cover skills and range but he has good speed and athletic ability for his size. He never settled in at one position in college, but his experience playing safety, outside linebacker and cornerback gives him some versatility value. Harrison is a hard worker and he plays the game with a mean streak, which should at least allow him to contribute on special teams while he attempts to find a niche on defense. That's why we think Harrison is worth the risk in the middle of Day 2.



* Player biographies are provided by Scouts Inc.

[Brando19]

I hope we pick Ben Patrick. Why is he still on the board?!?

[BallHawk]

Rufus Alexander is still on the board. He's an intriguing option at LB.

[packers11]

The Patriots better win it this year and they better hope all of those old guys stay relatively healthy.

2 injuries to their over 30 playmaker core and you're looking at a team that blew it's wad for nothing.

That said, they have a good chance. They just better hope they hit it this year.

Its a Superbowl or bust year for them...

[BallHawk]

Minny on the clock....