Official 2007 Live Draft Thread

[J-Rok]

What's the word on picking the kicker. Bad move?

[Lurker64]

We're up next. What on earth does TT do?

[J-Rok]

I think I'd be happy with both of Mr. Kiper's "Best Available".

[GoPackGo]

We're up next. What on earth does TT do?

darius walker, patrick, or troy smith

[Rastak]

Giants



Kevin Boss
TE | (6'6", 252, 4.78) | WESTERN OREGON

Scouts Grade: 59 Selected by: New York Giants
Round: 5
Pick (Overall): 16(153)
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Strengths: Uses wide frame to shield defenders from the ball and has the strong hands to make the tough catch in traffic. Catches ball away from frame and is a reliable target over the middle. Played basketball in college, times jumps well and flashes the ability to catch the ball at its highest point. Possesses excellent body control, tracks the ball well and can adjust to passes thrown outside frame. Flashes the ability to change directions quickly and has the potential to develop into a smooth route runner. Plays with a good motor and flashes the ability to sustain blocks once in position.

Weaknesses: Doesn't show a second gear when tracking the ball downfield and isn't going to stretch many defenses. Runs hard and can pick up yards after contact but isn't going to make many defenders miss, lacks breakaway speed and isn't much of a homerun threat after the catch. Doesn't deliver a violent initial punch and isn't going to knock many defenders back. Lacks ideal lower body strength and isn't much of a drive blocker at this point. Is coming off a season-ending shoulder injury and durability is a concern. Played at a small school and there are concerns about ability to make jump to the NFL.

Overall: Boss was redshirted in 2002. In 2003 he started six games, missing four with mononucleosis, and finished with nine catches for 60 yards (6.7 yard average) and one touchdown. Boss earned first team All-Great Northwest honors in 2004 after starting all 10 games and catching 39 passes for 506 yards (13.0 average) and five touchdowns. He started all 11 games in 2005 and caught 53 balls for 621 yards (11.7 average) and eight touchdowns, earning his second straight first team All-Great Northwest selection. Boss started six games in 2006 before a shoulder injury ended his season. He finished with 33 catches for 403 yards (12.2 average) and five touchdowns. Boss also played three seasons of basketball for the Wolves.
Boss is a small-school prospect who has the size, hands and athletic ability to develop into a quality backup. However, his lack of ideal speed limits his upside and he has to improve as a blocker. Boss projects as a mid-to-late round pick.



* Player biographies are provided by Scouts Inc.

[J-Rok]

Woah, Darius Walker is still available?

[pacfan]

What's the word on picking the kicker. Bad move?

only if they have an injury history

[Rastak]

Rams



Cliff Ryan
DT | (6'2", 310, 5.07) | MICHIGAN STATE

Scouts Grade: 31 Selected by: St. Louis Rams
Round: 5
Pick (Overall): 17(154)
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Strengths: While he doesn't have elite size, he gets under blocker's pads and flashes the ability to clog up the middle. Though occasionally guesses and gets caught out of position at times, reads keys well and can beat blockers to the point of attack. Flashes the ability to locate the ball carrier quickly, takes adequate angles to the ball and generally does a nice job of pursuing down the line of scrimmage. Drives legs once in position, has adequate lower body strength and flashes the ability to collapse the pocket. Shows adequate lateral mobility and runs line stunts well. Plays with a good motor and can contribute on special teams.

Weaknesses: Lacks elite initial quickness and isn't going to make many plays in the backfield. Though plays with a good motor lacks ideal range, doesn't slip blocks in space well and isn't a sideline-to-sideline player. Isn't a great leaper and isn't going to get his hands on a lot of balls when doesn't get to the quarterback. Lacks elite bulk for an interior run stuffer and doesn't have the frame to comfortably add more weight. Slowed by a calf contusion during senior season and granted medical red-shirt during 2002 season so durability is somewhat of a concern.

Overall: Ryan appeared in two games as a true freshman in 2002 making two total tackles but then received a medical redshirt. In 2003, he saw action in all 13 contests (one start; Minnesota) registering 16 total tackles, two tackles for loss, and one sack. Ryan again played in every game (12) during the 2004 season making 11 starts and recorded 41 total tackles, eight tackles for loss, 2.5 sacks, and one forced fumble. In 2005, he started all 11 games and finished the year with 34 total tackles, four tackles for loss, three sacks, one fumble recovery, and one forced fumble. Ryan started all 12 contests in 2006 amassing 25 total tackles, six tackles for loss, and four sacks. Over the course of his career, Ryan has played both stud defensive end and defensive tackle.
Ryan isn't an explosive playmaker and he lacks elite size. However, if he continues to add bulk and improve his technique he will have some value as a situational stuffer who can help keep the top two defensive tackles fresh. He projects as a late-round pick or a rookie free agent.



* Player biographies are provided by Scouts Inc.

[green_bowl_packer]

From PFT's draft blog:

Readers are comparing Ted Thompson to Crazy Joe Davola. In appearance. And strategic skills.

[Rastak]

Panthers....

Dante Rosario
TE | (6'3", 244, 4.78) | OREGON

Scouts Grade: 51

Flags: (B: BULK/SIZE) Lacks size/bulk for position
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Strengths: Possesses good athletic ability, shows good burst coming out of cuts and has the potential to develop into a crisp short-to-intermediate route-runner. Shows good focus while the ball is in the air, has good body control and rarely drops passes that should catch. Is tall enough to compete for jump balls and can use frame to shield defenders from the ball so is capable of developing into a productive red zone target. Takes adequate angles to blocks, plays under control in space and can adjust to the moving target at the second level. Shows good balance and flashes the ability to sustain blocks once in position. Has experience lining up at fullback and is versatile. Recruited to play linebacker, can cover kicks and should make an early impact on special teams.

Weaknesses: Lacks ideal size for an in-line blocker and will need to sign with a team that utilizes H-Backs to be truly effective. Doesn't have the lower body strength to drive defenders off the ball and isn't big enough to engulf them at the point of attack. Doesn't show a second gear when tracking the ball downfield and isn't going to stretch defenses or go the distance when gets a seam.

Overall: Rosario began his career at fullback where as a true freshman in 2003 he carried 17 times for 55 yards (3.2 average), ran for one touchdown, and also caught 12 passes for 131 yards (10.9 average) and two receiving touchdowns. In 2004, he again lined up at fullback, carrying 10 times for 29 yards with one touchdown, and making 25 receptions for 278 yards (11.1 average) and six touchdowns. Rosario was switched to a tight end / H-Back role in 2005, when he played in all 12 games and caught 15 passes for 168 yards (11.2 average), and one touchdown. In 2006, he played in all 13 games, making 11 starts, and caught 42 passes for 426 yards (10.1 average) and one touchdown while earning All-PAC-10 honorable mention accolades.
Rosario isn't big enough to hold his own as an in-line blocker and his lack of speed limits his potential but he has the athletic ability and hands to develop into a quality NFL reserve. His versatility as an H-back that can fill in at tight end and fullback, while also contributing on special teams, gives Rosario value in the late rounds.



* Player biographies are provided by Scouts Inc.

[Tarlam!]

Bets please: My bet is a LB

[Rastak]

Steelers



Cameron Stephenson
OG | (6'3", 306, 5.4) | RUTGERS

Scouts Grade: 48 Selected by: Pittsburgh Steelers
Round: 5
Pick (Overall): 19(156)
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Strengths: Works hard and flashes the ability to sustain blocks once in positions. Moves down the line well, active and flashes the ability to reach defenders lined up outside frame. Plays under control in space and can get into position at the second level. Has adequate range, is big enough to engulf linebackers in the open field and does an adequate job of leading the way on screen passes. Gets adequate knee bend in pass set, has adequate size and flashes the ability to hold ground against bull rushers.

Weaknesses: Isn't explosive, doesn't deliver a violent initial punch and isn't going to knock many defenders back. Plays too high, hasn't shown great lower body strength and should have problems driving two-gap defensive tackles off the ball. Lacks elite size and isn't going to wear many defensive tackles down over the course of a game. Former defensive tackle that has just two year's experience lining up on offense so takes false steps and doesn't always get into sound position. Loses balance too much when pass blocking, footwork is inconsistent and has problems sliding with defenders in pass protection. Took a medical red-shirt in 2003, slowed by an ankle injury in 2004 and durability is a concern.

Overall: Stephenson originally attended Harbor College in 2002 where he earned All-State honors after starting at defensive tackle as a true freshman. He received a medical redshirt in 2003 after suffering a season-ending injury on the first play of the year. Stephenson transferred to Rutgers prior to the 2004 season and then played in seven of 11 games (one start; Temple) as an offensive lineman. In 2005, he played in all 12 contests as a defensive lineman, recording 10 total tackles, two tackles for loss, one sack, and one fumble recovery. Stephenson then moved back to the offensive line in the spring of 2006 and started all 13 games at right guard in the fall.
Stephenson is a developmental prospect who is raw and needs to get stronger at the point of attack, but there's a lot to like about his blend of size and athletic ability. He projects as a late-round pick.



* Player biographies are provided by Scouts Inc.

[Scott Campbell]

Doesn't the packers have over 17 mill in cap room... How are they going to spend it now??? I thought for sure they were saving some for Moss...

We had $21 million before the Barnett signing. Barnett cost $7.225 million against the cap this year, which drops it to $14 million. Also, subtract $6 million for rookies, and there's $8 million under the cap. Maybe sign a couple of player after cuts, emergency injury FA's or extend a contract or two at the end of the season

Did Hawk end up getting a bunch of this years money that nobody here was aware of ahead of time?

[green_bowl_packer]

Clowney?

[RashanGary]

I'll guess OG.