2008 NFL Draft (Projections/Mock Drafts/Evaluations/Draft)

[jwinslow]

Strong rebuttal, bill. GB has Franks as well for depth.

In a surprise move, I think Mario Manningham goes even higher than where he's projected. He's going to have a great pro-day/combine. I know some aren't so high on him, but GM's will see gamebreaking potential.

Well he'd finally have the motivation to give full effort. I think scouts will still see a speed WR with toughness, focus, route, & off-field issues. And unlike most burners, he is not a standout return man.

[billmac91]

Originally Posted by jwinslow

Strong rebuttal, bill. GB has Franks as well for depth.Well he'd finally have the motivation to give full effort. I think scouts will still see a speed WR with toughness, focus, route, & off-field issues. And unlike most burners, he is not a standout return man.

I'm not convinced Desean Jackson is a better receiver than Mario. Desean has the "return-man" quality to him though. Still, when scouts go back and break down Mario's game-tape, they're going to see a receiver who absolutely cannot be covered if the QB has time. His cuts are ridiculous. The only knock on him will be concentration and off-field issues, but I don't see any way he slides into the second round. I think he's going to be a guy who's stock will continually rise from now until draft day, unless he does something really, really dumb.

[3074326]

Some pretty interesting picks in that mock draft.. definitely not the best I've seen. Woodson in the top 10? No way. The Ravens need a line to protect whomever is taking the snaps. Troy Smith deserves a shot, and I'm not saying this because I'm a Buckeye fan. I don't see a QB in this draft (especially Woodson, Boller has more mobility) doing anything more than Troy.

I still don't get the hype with Talib.

Being a Niner fan, I'd like to see them take a playmaker. I'd like to see them get a big receiver like Hardy (or Manningham, although he's not as massive as Hardy), but I wouldn't have a problem with them going after a multi-purpose guy like Desean Jackson.

[DaytonBuck]

No way Jake Long falls to 10

[SparkyOSU]

This draft from CFN is prior to 'Senior Bowl Week'.

Yes Ryan, Brohm, Woodson should all be dropped. Also from what I am reading from the scouts is Delawares quarterback is now the project #3 QB - Brohm, Ryan, Joe Flacco,Woodson, Henne.

[RB07OSU]

I'm not impressed with the top-notch QB talent this year...last year was the year to get a top-flight QB imo, outside of Matt Ryan (whom I'm very impressed with). I want to see the Bengals trade down with St. Louis and get Glen Dorsey if the Dolphins don't take them. It would be so worth it in my opinion...the Bengals need help in the interior DL so desperately and Dorsey fits the bill. He could help in run support and also help the pass rush...not only does he get to the QB, but I think Geathers and Smith would get a pass rush if our DT's didn't suck so bad. I would trade our entire D for Dorsey. I think the Dolphins take McFadden or Ryan (do the Dolphins have any young QB's?). If the Bengals don't get Dorsey, I would definetly be happy with any of Gholston, Long, Harvey, or Ellis. Shoot, I would even like Rivers at OLB if we trade down.

[jimotis4heisman]

Originally Posted by sandgk

Another player enters the NFL Draft.

Tony Temple Mizzou RB was hopeful that the NCAA would grant a medical redshirt based on his season ending injury in 2004.

He learned today that was not going to happen.

Temple joins a reasonably deep field of running backs in the 2008 Draft.

dont know what the kid did in the classroom, if he was "progressing" towards a degree thats a joke. my guess is he was barely floating in the classroom. if he didnt get it cuz he played in one game thats a joke...

[Boggzie]

Originally Posted by jimotis4heisman

dont know what the kid did in the classroom, if he was "progressing" towards a degree thats a joke. my guess is he was barely floating in the classroom. if he didnt get it cuz he played in one game thats a joke...

Exactly, if he was making good efforts at obtaining a degree they probably would have granted it.

[NastyDogg72]

Messing around over on scout and came across a thread that lead me to this.

Ikegwuonu blows out knee

Green Bay - Jack Ikegwuonu, the former University of Wisconsin cornerback, blew out his knee Tuesday in a training exercise and won't play football in 2008.

Ikegwuonu suffered tears of both his anterior cruciate and medial collateral ligaments as well as damage to his kneecap, according to a source close to the situation, and will need reconstructive knee surgery.

He was working out at Perfect Competition, a training facility in Davie, Fla., when the incident occurred.

Ikegwuonu, who earlier in the month decided to leave UW a year early, was pulling a sled designed to improve his speed when the injury occurred. He exploded out of a start, planted his leg and the knee buckled.

The injury will all but eliminate Ikegwuonu's chances of being selected April 26-27 in the National Football League draft. It's possible a team might take him in a late round and bring along for 2009.

"He's screwed now," an executive in personnel for an NFL team said. "He wasn't going to be that high of a pick, anyway. Fourth round.

"I blame the agent for talking the kid into coming out. Stupid. Because he wasn't a first-day player."

Ikegwuonu signed with agent Drew Rosenhaus on Jan. 5 and declared for the draft before the Jan. 15 deadline. Players had until Jan. 19 to change their minds and regain their collegiate eligibility.

At Wisconsin, Ikegwuonu intercepted six passes in three seasons. He made the All-Big Ten team as a junior in 2007.

Ikegwuonu was regarded by some scouts as a solid prospect on the basis of size and speed but was downgraded because of his performance this season.

"You've got to play, too," the scout said.

Really too bad.

Scout.com: Wisconsin Forums List

[3074326]

Wow, terrible news.. hopefully someone takes a chance on him.

[Buckeyedynasty]

Wow that is terrible for the young man. Hate to hear about stuff like this.

[jwinslow]

THE source for draft breakdowns/updates: Draft Daddy

Some tidbits of interest to this fanbase

N.F.L. Draft Prospects and college stars Video Clips via You Tube .

ESPN analyst really likes powerful Illinois tailback Reshard Mendenhall.

SI.com: 20 Players to Watch at the all-important N.F.L. Combine.

About.com: Top 10 Draft Busts.

-And my feeling on Connor after watching him is that he's a little bit more physical version of Posluszny. He's an aggressive kid that can diagnose and find the ball.
-(King) "But I have to say, at this point, my question to you, right now, is, 'Why did this kid come out?'"

Official list of offensive and defensive prospects Invited to the N.F.L. Scouting Combine

With no pick in the first round, Cleveland could be targeting Defensive Line Help in round two.

The struggling Cincinnati Benglas are looking to beef up their offensive and defensive lines.

Draft Daddy's updated lists of the best available Free Agents: Offense -- Defense

FRANK COYLE'S NFL DRAFT POSITION RANKINGS: (Rivals)
QB | RB | WR | TE | FB | OT | OG | C | DE | DT | ILB | OLB | CB | S

Former Ohio State tackle Kirk Barton might be moved to guard in the N.F.L.

Humorous but factual breakdown of the Forty-Yard Dash.

A pair of Ohio Bobcats -- Kalvin McRae and Taj Henley -- hope to impress scouts with their speed as the process moves forward.

NFLDraftScout.com's updated rankings: Top 64 Junior Prospects. NFLDraftScout.com's updated rankings: Top 64 Senior Prospects

Former Michigan State basketball player Antonio Smith hopes to go from hoops to football at age 32.

[jwinslow]

DraftDaddy

Ed Thompson of Scout.com (Free) Live Combine Blog

Louisville quarterback Brian Brohm got a good work over Thursday, which is no surprise considering his injury history. His right ACL repair checked out and his left Labrum looked fully healed and should not bother him at the next level.
Oregon quarterback Dennis Dixon and Wisconsin cornerback Jack Ikegwuonu both suffered devastating knee injuries, with the later injuring his MCL and ACL while training in Florida. Ikegwuonu's long speed was a big concern pre-injury, so if he makes it in this league it will be as a strong safety, even though he has no experience there....all signs point to Dixon making a clean and full recovery.
Ole Miss tailback BenJarvus Green has caught the eye of New Orleans, Chicago and Philadelphia. The young man has one of the best bodies in Indy.

The Pittsburgh Steelers, who need help on the offensive line, really like several prospects. The Steelers were impressed with U.S.C. guard Chilo Rachal, who never wanted to leave U.S.C. but had to because his parents suffer from Diabetes and need medical coverage. Pitt loves his character and work ethic.
Also, Western Michigan guard/tackle James Blair is getting a lot of attention from Pittsburgh. He's a bowling ball right tackle that projects as a guard. The reason they like him is his brute strength, especially against the best monster defensive tackles.

Indiana cornerback Tracey Porter had many thinking of Adrian Petersen last year with all the attention that was given to his left clavicle. He broke it in 2004 and after he broke it he got the knack of shying away from tackling. But the clavical looks solid and this should not be a huge problem in the immediate future.

[jwinslow]

Rivals Live Blog

Breaking News! WR Troy Williamson is on the trade block

According to Minnesota Vikings head coach Brad Childress former 1st round pick wide receiver Troy Williamson is still currently a member of the team, but that he and his agent have been informed that they can seek a trade partner for his services.

Williamson and the Vikings have not been on the same page for some time now and they both feel a new setting might be best for both sides.

Childress did not say what the Vikings were seeking in return, but it is expected to be a lower or possible conditional draft choice.

According to Carlos Holmes of Dayton Daily News the teams in the forefront for acquiring Williamson are Kansas City, Washington, Denver and Cleveland.

Williamson's agent was not immediately available as he was attending the NFLPA meeting today.

In NFL news, new Washington Redskins coach Jim Zorn declared that Jason Campbell was his starting quarterback, even though Todd Collins played well after replacing an injured Campbell late last season.

"I don't want Jason Campbell to think, 'Oh my gosh, if I make one mistake, I'm going to be pulled,' " Zorn said. "That's not the way to go into minicamp, and it's not the way to go into this football season. He's going to play 16 games. He's going to lead us into the playoffs as far as I'm concerned. And that's that."

Illinois running back Rashard Mendenhall said he plans to do all the drills this week. He said he expects to run the 40-yard dash in the sub-4.5 territory.

Arkansas wide receiver Marcus Monk came to the defense of teammate Darren McFadden, who was criticized by two anonymous NFL head coaches in this Yahoo! Sports report that can be read here.

"He's a great person, a great teammate," Monk said. "We made mistakes and he knows what's on the line and talking to him being up here he knows it. He just needs to stay focused.

"Everyone has their opinion. Things that happened in the past aren’t the way you want them to be but like I said we make mistakes but he’s learned from them. Just from talking to him, I can tell he’s learned from them ... He works hard every day. He comes to work out every day and works hard. He plays 100 percent every game."

McFadden is the No. 1 running back on Frank Coyle's list at draftinsiders.com. He's projected as the sixth pick in the latest mock draft. Monk said he squatted 415 pounds last week and that he plans to compete in all the drills this week.

Oklahoma wide receiver Malcolm Kelly won't perform any of the drills at the combine because of a quadriceps injury he suffered in the Fiesta Bowl. He instead will wait until Oklahoma's Pro Day.

"I had a quad issue during the bowl game," said Kelly, who measured in at 6-foot-3 5/8. "Coming off that, I wasn't treating it right. We were thinking it was one thing when it really was another. I'm treating it the right way now, but I'll be full speed at the Pro Day. I was thinking it was a thigh bruise, but it was a quad strain."

Michigan quarterback Chad Henne has indicated he plans to participate in all the workouts at the combine.

"I think at this point I don't need to play it safe," Henne said. "They haven't seen a lot of me this year playing-wise healthy. I'm going to do everything I can right now to show I'm healthy and get to the position I was at the end of my junior year."

Hawaii quarterback Colt Brennan has apparently answered the weight questions that lingered at the Senior Bowl in Mobile. On Friday, Brennan said his weight is up to 207 pounds, from the 185 it was at in Mobile. Brennan said his weight was so low at the Senior Bowl because he got sick with the flu.

Brennan also said he will not run a 40 in Indianapolis because the hip injury he suffered in the Georgia game prevented him from properly training. Brennan will run his 40 at Hawaii's pro day, which is scheduled to take place in Los Angles at the Home Depot Center on April 1.

Hawaii senior quarterback Colt Brennan will perform the passing part of his workout here at the NFL Combine, but has opted to skip the rest of the workout as he feels that he is currently at about 85% following the minor hip injury he suffered at the Senior Bowl.

He also weighed in today at 207 pounds, which is 22 pounds heavier than he was at the Senior Bowl just a month ago.

Fagg will do everything this week except lift weights. He plans to do that at Florida State's Pro Day. He said his size coupled with his speed should set him apart. Fagg measured in at 6-foot-1 1/2 and 211 pounds.

So much for the 6'3" listing in college.

[Thump]

Am I the only one that thinks Vernon Gholston in the top 10 is a bit of a stretch?