Draft Insiders - 2005 Draft

[Mark VI]

I did a cut/paste, due to outdated drivel beyond the main text. Some more good reading for the draft.

 

Rising and Falling Pro Prospects - NFL Draft ‘05

 

4/12

 

Rising Prospects

 

1. Matt Jones - QB/WR - Arkansas

 

Big athletic college QB made a smooth transition to the receiver role during the postseason at both the Senior Bowl and NFL Combine. He displayed great hands in Mobile and put up freakesh numbers at the NFL Combine that has elevated him to the first day and possibly the top 50 selections. His rare combination of size/speed and instincts may allow him to have a short learning curve at a new position. He could also fill an H-back role with some development.

 

2. Ronnie Brown - RB - Auburn

 

Fast athletic tailback had an impressive senior season and NFL Combine that has moved him into the early first round and a probable top ten choice. He has the ability to be a complete NFL feature back with fine hands and the talent to run both inside and outside. He has the fine running skills, combining power and speed to earn a starting feature back role early in his career and possibly as a rookie. He has not been overused as a runner and his best football may be ahead of him.

 

3. * Troy Williamson - WR - South Carolina

Fast young receiver has completed a fine postseason especially at the NFL Combine where he ran a 4.32 forty time and a sub 7.0 three cone drill. He has the best deep speed in this fine class and has all the skills to develop into a major playmaker as a pro. He needs some refinement in his route running and defensive recognition, but with some experience he could be the class of this draft group when the light goes off when he fully adjusts to NFL defenses.

 

 

4. Vincent Jackson - WR - Northern Colorado

 

Huge athletic wideout is the highest rated small college player this year. He has imposing physical talent that will warrant a first day selection. His size may allow him to H-back, in addition to his regular wideout position. He has good speed, hands and agility and has produced against top competition. He completed a great college career with an impressive NFL Combine that may push him into the mid first day area. His rare size creates major problems especially in the red zone where he has impact ability.

 

5. Khalif Barnes - OT - Washington

Agile senior tackle continues a strong postseason with a nice effort at the NFL Combine after a solid week at the Senior Bowl in January. He is a fine athlete with very good footwork, balance and the wingspan to be a fine pass protector on the left side. He has bulked up to over 300 lbs. without losing any quickness. He has the athletic package that scouts seek in a left tackle prospect and he could hear his name at the end of the first round and the #2 tackle chosen this April.

 

6. * Chris Spencer - OC - Mississippi

Athletic junior pivotman has the talent and level of development to challenge for a starting job early in his NFL career. He has quick feet and the footspeed to get to the second level and block linebackers. He has the size to handle big defensive tackles in single assignments and is moving up the charts quickly. He figures in the late 2nd or early 3rd round at this point.

 

 

7. * Shawne Merriman - DE/LB - Maryland

 

Quick athletic defensive end/linebacker has moved up the charts as fast as any prospect in this year’s class. He has bulked up to 270 lbs. and runs very well for a defender at that size. He has played both up and down as a collegian and with many clubs converting to the 3-4 defensive scheme this year, he could be the hottest defensive commodity the first round. He has the speed to get upfield consistently as a pass rusher and clubs like the Cowboys, Chargers and Texans are vying for a shot to add him to their defensive unit.

 

8. Luis Castillo - DT - Northwestern

 

Mobile tough physical defensive tackle is moving up draft charts quickly after a great performance at the NFL Combine. He came on strong over his final season displaying the explosiveness in the middle to wreck havoc on blocking schemes. He is a tough, mobile wide body with fine initial quickness that combines excellent functional strength and sound technique. He has the package to become a fine NFL starter and a force in the middle and uniquely suited for either pro scheme.

 

9. Demarcus Ware - LB - Troy St.

 

Fast edge pass rusher is a talented hybrid end/linebacker who has improved at each step over recent seasons, including an impressive postseason. He shows the combination of speed, range, quickness and tackling skills to play early down as a weakside end or a backer in a 3-4 set. After a fine effort at the Senior Bowl and NFL Combine '05, his stock has elevated as fast as any defensive player and into a top 40 ranking and a possible late first round selection.

 

10. * Fabian Washington - CB - Nebraska

 

Fast athletic junior cover man has the package to develop into a fine NFL cornerback. He has rare speed and quickness with the toughness and tackling ability to support the run. He has the size, speed, agility and ball instincts to become a top cover man, capable of matching up with the big playmaking receivers that dominate the pro game currently. He has the makings of a fine shutdown pro cornerback with some development and is one of the fastest rising prospects off a great effort at the combine that could move him into the late first round.

 

11. Domonique Foxworth - CB - Maryland

 

Quick agile senior corner had a huge late workout that has him flying up the charts. He has adequate size with fine speed, quickness and agility to match up with big receivers and should be one of the surprise first day picks this April. He has well developed cover skills that should earn him playing time as a nickel corner as a rookie and within a short time a fulltime starting NFL corner.

 

12. * Josh Bullocks - FS - Nebraska

Athletic junior safety is one of the best ball hawks in recent years after a fine short career in the Big 12. He has fine instincts with the athleticism and speed to get to the ball and make plays. He shows excellent range and the closing speed to be an every down defender early in his pro career His fine ’04 season will warrant him a mid first day selection and possibly a 2nd round selection.

 

 

 

Falling Prospects

 

1. * Maurice Clarett - RB - Ohio St.

 

Powerful young tailback has been involved in endless litigation the past two years over underclassmen gaining entrance into the NFL. He has failed to stay focused on football the past two offseasons and failed to impress at either the NFL Combine or an individual workout. His private workout was an improvement but he still ran a poor 4.7 time that leaves him only a marginal draft selection at this point. He carries a make it grade as a pro feature back, but must answer a lot of questions about durability, maturity and level of development and has to be considered a risky late day selection. He is not a top 200 prospect on our board.

 

2. * Frank Gore - RB - Miami

 

Tough junior tailback was slow to recover from a second major knee injury. He failed to impress this offseason at the Miami workout after failing to workout at the NFL Combine. He ran poorly at the Miami workout that leaves his draft status suspect, in addition to his long history of injuries. The marginal speed and injury history probably pushes him to the late second day of the draft. He has the package, though to become an NFL feature back but probably needs some additional time rehabbing his knee. He could be one of the real bargains of the entire draft if he gains rehab time as a #3 back. His intangibles of toughness and determination are among the best in this class after returning to the field after two major injuries.

 

3. David Greene - QB - Georgia

 

Savvy senior passer had a fine career in the SEC leading the Bulldogs to annual top 10 rankings. He is an accurate passer in the shorter zones and makes sound decisions that have enabled him to succeed at the collegiate level. His lack of arm strength to make even the out throws may limit him to strictly a backup role and maybe never more than a #3 passer. He probably goes late on the 2nd day off an average postseason.

 

4. Craphonso Thorpe - WR - Florida St.

 

Talented senior receiver never made is completely back from a late season broken leg sustained during his junior year. He shows fine hands and athleticism after a nice career in the ACC, but lacked the explosiveness in his breaks and the separation speed to get deep with any consistency after his injury. His average times this offseason has pushed him into the second tier of receivers after being considered a potential first round selection just prior to the leg injury. He has the makeup of a fine pro receiver, but he must make further progress in his recovery to show the speed necessary to get open in the NFL.

 

5. JR Russell - WR - Louisville

 

Big physical senior receiver had a productive college career, but failed to impress during the key postseason events. He ran average speed numbers that will push him to the second day of the draft. He is a tough athlete with some run after the catch ability, but will have to step up and prove he can separate at the next level and show more maturity to compete for a starting NFL position.

 

6. Rob Petitti - OT - Pittsburgh

 

Big mobile left tackle struggled with injuries during the postseason that hindered his performance especially at the Senior Bowl. He put on excessive weight with the foot injury that brought him over 360 lbs. and affected his footwork especially in pass protection. He is progressing in his rehab currently and is in the 340 lb range, but his draft stock has fallen significantly after a poor postseason. He was a sure fire top 50 selection during his final season, but is currently only a marginal top 100 selection.

 

7. Elton Brown - OG - Virginia

 

Mobile senior guard was inactive during the postseason by his own choice. He has an exaggerated sense of his value and talent and lost a golden opportunity to impress pro scouts at the Senior Bowl and NFL Combine. He failed to step up when facing top competition as a senior and is not a top 50 prospect who most likely is selected in the 3rd round this April. He has the package to become a top flight pro, but he needs to improve his technique especially as a drive blocker. His overall attitude has been questioned with some poor decisions.

 

8. Vince Carter - OC - Oklahoma

 

Mobile smallish pivotman has been a fine performer for the Sooners over recent seasons, showing sound technique and smarts to get the most out of his marginal athleticism. He is smaller than ideal and lacks top athleticism that will push him to the late rounds of the draft. Despite impressive press clippings, he carries only a marginal pro grade and is not a top 200 prospect on our board.

 

9. Lorenzo Alexander - DT - Cal

 

Quick smallish tackle had a productive college career that ranked him among the top prospects at the position. He has come up short though vs top competition where his marginal size was exploited. He failed to impress athletically in his recent NFL Combine and will not warrant better than a second day selection in April.

 

10. * Brandon Browner- CB/FS - Oregon St.

 

Massive junior cornerback was considered a possible first round selection when he declared in January for the NFL Draft ’05. He had a poor NFL Combine from a speed standpoint where he ran a subpar 4.65 time, agility drills and a slow 10 yard sprint. He is not a quick twitch player and his ability to make the transition in coverage is very suspect vs NFL caliber receivers. He has the size and athleticism to move to free safety where he carries a starting grade, but he must go through a learning curve at a new position. He probably goes on the first day of the draft, but is not in the top 50 prospects in a very deep cornerback class.

[Sound_n_Fury]

4. Craphonso Thorpe - WR - Florida St.

 

Talented senior receiver never made is completely back from a late season broken leg sustained during his junior year. He shows fine hands and athleticism after a nice career in the ACC, but lacked the explosiveness in his breaks and the separation speed to get deep with any consistency after his injury. His average times this offseason has pushed him into the second tier of receivers after being considered a potential first round selection just prior to the leg injury. He has the makeup of a fine pro receiver, but he must make further progress in his recovery to show the speed necessary to get open in the NFL.

302538[/snapback]

 

Dang, now there's a name that has a lot of endorsement possibilities!

 

I hope this guy makes a roster this year, just so I can have the pleasure of hearing his name once in a while.

[Alaska Darin]

Dang, now there's a name that has a lot of endorsement possibilities!

 

I hope this guy makes a roster this year, just so I can have the pleasure of hearing his name once in a while.

302643[/snapback]

His parents should be shot repeatedly. Remarkable. I'm sure it's not pronounced how it's spelled - not that THAT matters in the least.

[NY Nole]

It's pronounced CRA - FONZO (nickname was Cro)..just in case anyone else was curious. I'm a big FSU fan -- it was a pleasure to watch him before his injury -- he would have been a big time prospect. Never played at the same level after his leg injury. Would love to see him back to form cause he could jump a mile to catch the ball -- but I'm not so sure he will ever be back.

 

Go Bills ...and Noles!

[stuckincincy]

It's pronounced CRA - FONZO (nickname was Cro)..just in case anyone else was curious. I'm a big FSU fan -- it was a pleasure to watch him before his injury -- he would have been a big time prospect. Never played at the same level after his leg injury. Would love to see him back to form cause he could jump a mile to catch the ball -- but I'm not so sure he will ever be back.

 

Go Bills ...and Noles!

302713[/snapback]

 

 

Where's Chris Rix parking these days?

[BRH]

3. David Greene - QB - Georgia

 

Savvy senior passer had a fine career in the SEC leading the Bulldogs to annual top 10 rankings. He is an accurate passer in the shorter zones and makes sound decisions that have enabled him to succeed at the collegiate level. His lack of arm strength to make even the out throws may limit him to strictly a backup role and maybe never more than a #3 passer. He probably goes late on the 2nd day off an average postseason.

302538[/snapback]

Wasn't David Greene the quarterback in School Ties? One of the best movie-ending exchanges of all time, IMO.

 

Charlie Dillon [Matt Damon]: You know, I'm still gonna get into Harvard. And in 10 years no one will remember that any of this happened. But you'll still be a goddamn Jew.

 

David Greene [brendan Fraser]: And you'll still be a prick.

[Sound_n_Fury]

It's pronounced CRA - FONZO

302713[/snapback]

 

Yep. I'm sure all the home team fans will pronounce it that way when his team's playing on the road.

[Kevbeau]

His parents should be shot repeatedly.  Remarkable.  I'm sure it's not pronounced how it's spelled - not that THAT matters in the least.

302696[/snapback]

 

Should have named him "Sue." (Nod to the Man in Black) Still wouldn't have been as bad as Craphonso. You know this kid put up with a ton of stojan (no pun intended) as a kid. You can pronounce it any way you want...it still spells crap. Reminds me of the SNL skit with Martin Short as Mr. Asswipe (it's PRONOUNCED ass-sweep-eh!!!!)

[Kelly the Dog]

I wanna know the names Mr. and Mrs. Thorpe turned down!

[Astrobot]

There are a number of players here we have mentioned over the past weeks, both as falling stock players (Elton Brown, Rob Petitti, Brandon Browner) and rising stock players who now may not fall to our pick at #55 (44 is another story): Castillo, Spencer, Ware.

 

One bright spot is that Matt Jones is rated as Top 50 selection material. One more motivator for TD to get us into that range.

[stuckincincy]

One bright spot is that Matt Jones is rated as Top 50 selection material. One more motivator for TD to get us into that range.

302961[/snapback]

 

 

So he's a LT, CB and C these days?

[LabattBlue]

So he's a LT, CB and C these days?

302970[/snapback]

Not to be mixed up with the multi-positional Jason Peters who has been mentioned here as a DT, LT, TE, goal line FB and numerous other positions. His athleticism is unmatched around the NFL.

[Astrobot]

I think TD would be enamoured with Matt Jones as he was with Jason Peters.

The difference is Wonderlic.

We can't give Jason too much to do.

[LabattBlue]

I think TD would be enamoured with Matt Jones as he was with Jason Peters.

The difference is Wonderlic.

We can't give Jason too much to do.

302983[/snapback]

The other BIG difference would be using a 2nd round pick on Jones versus picking up "Mr. Athleticism" as an UDFA.

[/dev/null]

4. Craphonso Thorpe - WR - Florida St.

302538[/snapback]

 

i wonder if he's any relation to TSW poster, CrapThrowingMonkey?

[Simon]

We can't give Jason too much to do

 

If you're talking about conjugating verbs or figuring out how many apples and oranges little Susie left on the train to Chicago, then yeah, maybe Jason needs to take it easy.

But we're talking about football which has nothing to do with any of that standardized testing nonsense.

I bet Coy Wire scored well on his Windolic; and Peters already looks like a smarter player than him.

Cya

[TigerJ]

Dang, now there's a name that has a lot of endorsement possibilities!

 

I hope this guy makes a roster this year, just so I can have the pleasure of hearing his name once in a while.

302643[/snapback]

 

 

Should we call him "Crap Thorpe" for short?

[Happy Days Lois & Clark]

I hope the Bills will draft Vincent Jackson

 

 

 

4. Vincent Jackson - WR - Northern Colorado

 

Huge athletic wideout is the highest rated small college player this year. He has imposing physical talent that will warrant a first day selection. His size may allow him to H-back, in addition to his regular wideout position. He has good speed, hands and agility and has produced against top competition. He completed a great college career with an impressive NFL Combine that may push him into the mid first day area. His rare size creates major problems especially in the red zone where he has impact ability.

 

 

Combine Invite? yes

Height: 6046

Weight: 241

40 Yrd Dash: 4.46

20 Yrd Dash: 2.63

10 Yrd Dash: 1.57

Wonderlic: 33

225 Lb. Bench Reps:

Vertical Jump: 39

Broad Jump:

20 Yrd Shuttle:

3-Cone Drill:

 

Dates: 03/23/2005

Height: 6046

Weight: 241

40 Yrd Dash:

20 Yrd Dash:

10 Yrd Dash:

225 Lb. Bench Reps: 23

Vertical Jump:

Broad Jump: 10'9"

20 Yrd Shuttle: 4.00

3-Cone Drill: