OnTheRocks Posted April 27, 2006 Share Posted April 27, 2006 How injuries may effect some players draft positions: Medical results could affect some players By Nolan Nawrocki April 25, 2006 Doctors are like scouts. Every one has a different opinion. Most teams have completed their medical meetings with team doctors, and the word from several teams with which we spoke was that the meeting was fairly clean. Some teams assign letter grades to a player’s condition, with “A” being excellent and “D” being a medical reject. Others use a 1-4 grading scale, with “1” being a newborn baby and “4” a medical reject, or vice versa, with “1” being the worst medical grade. Following are medical grades based on what we have heard from teams regarding players with medical concerns. We're using a scale in which “1” is a clean bill of health, which very few players have. Most players generally have grades ranging from 2 to 3. Tennessee DB Jason Allen (3.5) — Several teams have said his hip condition could be degenerative and will require more healing time despite an impressive Combine performance. He's off at least three teams’ boards entirely because of injury, but some teams have cleared him. Notre Dame TE Anthony Fasano (3) — Was initially thought to have a rod fused in his back, but the Combine re-check revealed that it was just a plate and screws. Has not missed any practice time in two years, but some doctors have said it is bound to be an issue and could not recommend drafting him any earlier than Round Three. USC QB Matt Leinart (3) — Was cleared by a number of doctors, but his left shoulder was weaker in testing, and several teams have raised the issue as a concern. Auburn OT Marcus McNeill (3.5) — Has a back condition that did not force him to miss any time but raised some concerns. However, it is a knee injury that has several teams more troubled. He has been cleared by enough teams not to have his draft position affected considerably. California OT Ryan O’Callaghan (3) — Multiple shoulder injuries were mentioned by one team as a reason for concern. Florida State LB Ernie Sims (3) — Suffered five concussions at Florida State but was cleared medically by more than six teams we spoke to, one of which said everyone cleared him after a CT scan revealed no brain damage. Penn State CB Alan Zemaitis (4) — Structurally unsound in multiple places with shoulder and joint issues that have knocked him off at least three teams’ boards. Walker could be dealt on Draft Day Miami, Philadelphia and Denver are among three teams in need of a receiver and believed to be closely eyeing that position in the first round of this year’s draft. Team sources say none has yet been willing to meet the Packers' demands for dealing disgruntled WR Javon Walker — said to be first-round compensation — but do not be surprised if a trade goes down on Draft Day. The Eagles are said to be the most likely to pull the trigger on such a deal. Several teams eying offensive linemen Don’t be surprised if more movement occurs late in the first round than early on. A number of teams with multiple third- and fourth-round picks have been making inquiries about moving into the back end of the first round, with offensive linemen said to be the primary target. Among those players who could spur trades and are believed to be late first-round targets are Miami (Fla.) OT Eric Winston, Ohio State C Nick Mangold and Oklahoma OG Davin Joseph. Teams that have multiple middle-round picks include Houston, Buffalo, Oakland, Minnesota, San Francisco and the New York Jets —although the latter two already have two first-round slots. Players on the rise Following is a list of players who are rising, based on feedback we've received from teams (listed in alphabetical order with draft projection in parentheses): Ohio State LB Bobby Carpenter (top 20 picks) Hofstra OG Willie Colon (4) Oregon QB Kellen Clemens (3) Cal Poly DE-LB Chris Gocong (3) Western Michigan WR-RS Greg Jennings (early 2) Weber State OT Paul McQuistan (4) Florida State WR-RS Willie Reid (3) Players on the slide South Carolina CB Johnathan Joseph (late 1) — Angered a lot of scouts at his pro day by going to eat with Ko Simpson while his teammates worked out, and then made scouts wait as the two of them warmed up. Was benched for two games as a junior. LSU DT Claude Wroten (3) — Stock has been on downward spiral since January arrest for possession of marijuana (charges were later dismissed). Some teams feel he wasn't forthright about drug allegations. Could fall out of the first day despite great talent because he is so immature and has not convinced several NFL teams he can be trusted. Interest in the comments on McNeill and California OT Ryan O’Callaghan Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OnTheRocks Posted April 27, 2006 Author Share Posted April 27, 2006 another "Insider Circle" article from PFW on defensive linemen: 3-4 is a crowd By Jeff Reynolds April 21, 2006 The proliferation of the “34” defense has affected how scouts are preparing for the 2006 draft. One team in a division with multiple rivals who operate variations of a 3-4 alignment this season said the middle of the first round is prime territory for finding the right fit for that defense. He senses a willingness of teams to deal to ensure they get a player they’ve targeted. Pittsburgh is most often associated with the defense because of the team’s history using the 3-4 front. The Patriots, Jets, Cowboys, 49ers, Browns, Dolphins, Chargers and Raiders also used the 3-4 consistently last season. The Giants, Redskins, Ravens and Rams are among the others who intend to use the three-man front as a base defense at times this fall. That will not only create more competition in the first round, but we’re told to expect the slim pickings of pure 3-4 personnel to drive up the value of certain players who will go earlier than they might have in years past. “Just the way the (order) fell, there’s no chance a (Shawne) Merriman or Marcus Spears get past (pick No.) 10 or 12 in this draft,” said one AFC South scout. “The 3-4 teams seek a more specific breed of athlete than a conventional 4-3 might look at. There’s less room to fudge the difference between an ideal 3-4 linebacker and a 4-3 OLB.” The following is an alphabetical list of players coveted by the aforementioned 3-4 teams. Some could be drafted higher than expected because of their projected value within the defense: DL Brodrick Bunkley Bunkley has the ideal DT build but is capable of playing almost anywhere on the defensive line in a 3-4 defense. He’s strong and has quick-twitch explosiveness (4.16-second short shuttle). Bunkley could easily be a top-10 pick and can two-gap, split double-teams and hold up as a “zero” over the center. PFW projection: Early first round (picks 7-13) Best position fit: Defensive tackle Most likely destination: Lions LB Bobby Carpenter Despite concerns about Carpenter not being the best teammate, his workout was nearly as impressive as more coveted Buckeyes LB A.J. Hawk’s. At the Ohio State pro day, he displayed a 34 1/2-inch vertical, 10-foot-4 broad jump, ran a 4.62 40-yard dash and a 4.30 short shuttle. Carpenter is fully healed from the broken right leg he suffered last year and could easily slide into the back end of the first round. Carpenter can rush the passer — he played right defensive end in the Buckeyes’ nickel package — and fits in either a 4-3 or 3-4 with the ability to play inside or outside. PFW projection: Late first round (picks 21-32) Best position fit: Inside linebacker Most likely destination: Giants NT Orien Harris Harris was a nose tackle who played on a shade at Miami (Fla.) and has the versatility to play in either front. He has some size. There are teams who won’t consider Harris because he doesn’t always show the desired fire or a football demeanor. PFW projection: Second round Best position fit: Nose tackle Most likely destination: Bills LB A.J. Hawk Hawk is a very good athlete who can run, cover and hit. He’d be fine inside or outside in most defenses. He possesses great character and leadership traits. Hawk ran 4.59 in the 40 and can handle responsibility as a rookie. Played point guard on a successful high school basketball team. The only real issue scouts voiced on Hawk was his lack of great height (6-foot-1), but that is not a complaint of every team. Hawk is very good to outstanding in almost all other areas. PFW projection: Early first round (picks 2-6) Best position fit: Inside linebacker Most likely destination: Packers DE Julian Jenkins At Stanford, Jenkins played as a five-technique in the 3-4 but was more productive as a 4-3 left end, when he can split to a seven- or nine-technique. More strength than speed at 280 pounds. He’s not coveted by 4-3 defensive teams. PFW projection: Third or fourth round Best position fit: 3-4 defensive end Most likely destination: Jets OLB-DE Manny Lawson He’s almost 6-6 and 240 pounds and runs the 40 in under 4.46. He can make an impact as a rush linebacker, but he lacks the bulk and strength to fight off blocks and make consistent plays against the run. While extremely explosive and a workout warrior, teams do wonder if Lawson can be effective when his speed is neutralized. PFW projection: Top 20 Best position fit: Drop linebacker Most likely destination: Cowboys NT Haloti Ngata The best pure nose tackle in the draft, Ngata is a 340-pounder who’ll need to be poked, prodded and pushed by his coaches and teammates at the next level. But if he finds the right program, he could be a major asset. Scouts have said 3-4 nose tackle is one of the most difficult to adequately fill. Ngata isn’t all power, either. He can penetrate with a first step that is above average for his size and would be outstanding occupying blocks as a two-gap tackle in a 4-3, keeping his linebackers free to roam. PFW projection: Early first round (picks 7-12) Best position fit: Nose tackle Most likely destination: Browns LB DeMeco Ryans Ryans played all three LB positions at Alabama. He’s field-fast but has 4.65 stopwatch speed and weighed less than 240 pounds at the Combine. Ryans is a fringe first-round pick because of his instincts and work ethic. A coachable workaholic and the kind of player teams like the Patriots and Steelers flock to. PFW projection: Late first round (picks 22-32) Best position fit: Outside linebacker Most likely destination: Jaguars NT Gabe Watson The space-eater from Michigan was considered an underachiever throughout most of his college career. He was able to acquit himself to a degree at Senior Bowl practices. The interior plugger is said to be a step below Oregon NT Haloti Ngata in terms of Draft Day value, but he has the ability to flourish in the NFL. He’s very strong and can dominate when the light is on. PFW projection: Second round Best position fit: Nose tackle Most likely destination: Ravens DE-OLB Kamerion Wimbley Ideally suited for the rush LB spot in a 3-4 defense, Wimbley could be another DeMarcus Ware or play right end in a 4-3. He has a burst and showed in workouts the athleticism and flexibility to work at linebacker. Some teams do wonder if Wimbley could be the next Jamal Reynolds and will be scared off by the history of Florida State defensive linemen falling short in the NFL. PFW projection: Mid-first round (picks 12-21) Best position fit: Rush linebacker Most likely destination: Patriots DT Rod Wright Long and lean at nearly 6-6, 300, Wright looks the part and can play as a five-technique or a three-technique, but he played the nose at Texas. Some say he plays smaller than he measures but believe Wright can get by on quickness and impressive straight-line speed. Beating double-teams as a down lineman in the 3-4 must be taught. PFW projection: Second to fourth rounds Best position fit: Three-technique DT … if he keeps his weight at 300 pounds Most likely destination: Steelers DE Mario Williams The second coming of Julius Peppers to some, Williams might be a more explosive Richard Seymour if he lands with a 3-4 team. He’s young but can play either end or tackle and be a star immediately. His workout numbers are equal to or better than Peppers’ in most areas. Bigger but not as stout or naturally strong as Michael Strahan but could play left or right end in a 4-3. Has unique ability for his size and is expected to be a star. PFW projection: Early first round (picks 1-2) Best position fit: Left defensive end Most likely destination: Saints Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts