Draft IQ

Thoughts on the East-West Shrine Game

2012-01-23T21:03:00.002-06:00

The 87th East-West Shrine Game is in the book. Some thoughts from Saturday's game..
Offense
QB B.J. Coleman, Tennessee-Chattanooga: Coleman looked the part of an NFL QB, but that wasn't always the case in college. Completed less than 60% of his passes in his career, but was extremely accurate and comfortable running a pro offense in thisgame.
RB Lennon Creer, Lousiana Tech: The game's MVP ran for 80 yards on 15 carries with a TD, and hit the hole with a good explosiveness.
WR Devon Wylie, Freson State: Short and quick in the Wes Welker mold with good value in the return game.
WR Thomas Mayo, California-Pennsylvania: Here's a guy not on our radar until this game, which is why college all-star games are so great. Caught 3 balls for 41 yards in limited action, but more importantly looks like a physically strong WR that could present some mismatches at the pro level.
QB Chandler Harnish, Northern Illinois: The MAC MVP has tremendous athletic ability but it might not translate to the pro game. Look for a team like the Patriots or Saints to roll the dice on Harnish in the late rounds to see if they can develop the natural ability.

Defense
CB Josh Norman, Coastal Carolina: Reportedly had a great week of practice and looked like he belonged with the big boys during the game. Physical corner with good speed - could end up as a mid-round steal.
LB Josh Kaddu, Oregon - Seemed to always be around the ball during the game - something you want out of your LB's - and made a great special teams stick.
DE Julian Miller, West Virginia: Might be moved to OLB in a 3-4, but reaked havoc as a defensive end in the Shrine game.

Up Next: East-West Shrine Game

2012-01-15T12:24:00.002-06:00

The NFL playoffs are in full swing, but don't forget about the first college all-star game of the season coming up next Saturday, Jan. 21, at 4 p.m. on NFL Network. Brad Childress and Bobby Ross have been named as the coaches. Click here to view the rosters. If you're interested in being ready for rounds 4-7 in the NFL Draft, you don't want to miss the 2012 East-West Shrine Game!

2012 Top 5 and Initial Thoughts

2012-01-14T08:55:00.004-06:00

The preliminary top five positional ranks are now up on the right side of the blog! It's a good year for defense, a down year for running backs (after a great 2011), and there's quality depth on both sides of the line. Look for alot of action at the top of round one this year, as teams tussle for Baylor QB Robert Griffin III and Oklahoma State WR Justin Blackmon. Stay tuned for more updates as we get closer to "Christmas in April!"

The 2011 Draft Guide is Here!

2011-04-25T21:48:00.005-05:00

The 2011 NFL Draft Guide is finally here and available for download at Scribd - click here!

2011 NFL Draft Preview Magazine

Thoughts on the Senior Bowl

2011-02-01T10:51:00.005-06:00

The 2011 Senior Bowl is in the books! Here are a few thoughts after the week of practice and Saturday's game:

Colin Kaepernick, QB, Nevada: Previously considered "Cam Newton Lite" - Kaepernick's week of practice may have bumped up his stock to late 1st or early 2nd round. He showed good accuracy during practice and seemed comfortable operating in a pro-style offense. As of right now, Draft IQ has Kaepernick rated higher than Newton. Both have tremendous physical ability, but Kaepernick seems to have the intangibles you want without the off-field questions.

Bilal Powell, RB, Louisville: Powell showed tremendous burst and good vision during the week of practice and the game itself, rushing for 51 yards on 5 carries. He's an under-the-radar back that could move up draft boards in a hurry with a good 40 time at the combine.

Kendric Burney, CB, North Carolina: Burney missed the 2010 season due to suspension, but didn't miss a beat during the Senior Bowl week. A solid week of practice and a strong game performance has Burney back on the radar for scouts.

Colin McCarthy, LB, Miami (FL): McCarthy doesn't have great size or speed, but his football IQ and intangibles are off the chart, and he seemed to be around the ball every play during the game. He'll certainly get drafted in the middle rounds and could eventually turn into a starter.

Greg Salas, WR, Hawaii: Salas only caught 1 ball during the game, but had a consistent week of practice, and if there's anything coaches love in their WR's, it is consistency.

Danny Watkins, G, Baylor: Watkins is a 27 year old who has only been playing football for 4 years after playing hockey in Canada. Interesting personality described as "the nicest guy off the field and the nastiest on it," Watkins proved he can play with the best of them at the Senior Bowl and despite his advanced age for a rookie, he should have a productive career in the NFL.

Vincent Brown, WR, SDSU: After putting on a show in the Poinsettia Bowl vs. Navy, Brown also shined during the week of practice. Unlike Salas, Brown had a decent game, catching 4 passes for 43 yards. His stock is definitely on the rise.

Ricky Stanzi, QB, Iowa: Stanzi outplayed all the QB's during the game - but that isn't saying much in a weak QB class. Stanzi showed some moxy which could go a long way this year.

Ryan Kerrigan, DE, Purdue: Kerrigan's stock is skyrocketing thanks to a great week of practice and game where he had 5 total tackles, 3 for losses, and a sack. Originally a late 1st round prospect, Kerrigan is probably looking at the 10-20 range now, making himself quite a bit of money.

Jake Locker, QB, Washington: Last year's would-be top QB probably saw his stock drop after a so-so week of practice. He struggled with accuracy all week, which is the big knock on Locker. He is the prototype NFL QB when it comes to size and speed , but when you can't put the ball in the right spot, what good is that?

Phil Taylor, DT, Baylor: Taylor is "down" to the 337 lbs. and flashed surprising agility during the entire week. Could we have the next B.J. Raji on our hands? If he can keep the weight off heading into the combine, his stock should continue to rise.

For all the Senior Bowl statistics, visit the Senior Bowl official website.

The Early Top Five!

2011-01-30T13:19:00.004-06:00

Draft IQ is pleased to kick off the 2011 NFL scouting season with an early projection of our top 5 player rankings. Check out the list for each position on the right side of the screen. We're reviewing tape of the Senior Bowl and East-West Shrine Game, with thoughts on both soon to come. Happy holidays everyone, NFL draft season is upon us!

The Guide is Here!!

2010-04-21T16:07:00.000-05:00

2010 NFL Draft Preview Magazine

Gimme Five!

2010-03-04T22:08:00.010-06:00

The NFL Scouting Combine is finished, and that means our initial position rankings are up! The top five players at each position are posted on the right side of your screen. A few surprises, even for us, after finishing our player reviews: West Virginia QB Jarrett Brown is our 3rd rated player at the position, ahead of Colt McCoy. We rank our players based on their chance of long-term NFL success, not how we think they'll do their rookie year. Brown is the complete package at QB and should make a solid - if not special - starter someday. As much as we hated to do it, Oregon's LeGarrette Blount is our 4th rated RB. Backs with size, speed and vision are very rare and Blount has the perfect combination of all three. And the big Alabama DT Terrence Cody showed up at the combines 15 pounds lighter (a nimble 356 lbs) than the Senior Bowl, showing he's serious about staying in shape, and that warranted a top 5 ranking in our book. The ratings are a bit fluid as we continue watching tape of the hundreds of pro prospects, but usually the end result is pretty close to what's there now.

Best Name, Best Story

2010-03-01T21:02:00.008-06:00

Iowa LB Pat Angerer wins two of our awards during the 2010 NFL Scouting Combine. The first is for having the best name for a linebacker: Angerer. The name is extremely appropriate for this 6'0" 235 lb. inside backer who lifted the 225 lb. bench press bar 26 times. The second award is for best combine story and comes via Charles Davis of the NFL Network. Davis asked Angerer how he prepares for night games, and Angerer responded, "I drink coffee and call a bunch of ex-girlfriends." Wow. We see Angerer as a second round pick with a first round attitude - a gamer you want to have inside your locker room. Here's to you Pat Angerer...and all your ex-girlfriends.

Weatherspoon is a Sure Bet

2010-02-28T18:52:00.006-06:00

Missouri LB Sean Weatherspoon put the 225 lb. bar up 34 times today at the NFL Scouting Combine. He's a versatile defender who can play in a 4-3 or 3-4 defense. Weatherspoon was also one of the dominating players on the North squad at the 2010 Senior Bowl and answered some questions about his coverage skills by shadowing speedy RB Dexter McCluster and picking off a pass in the game. He may not be the first LB taken off the board in the draft, but he may end up being the best. Weatherspoon's combination of size, speed, instincts and motor should suit him well in the NFL for the next decade. He should be a mid-round pick in the first round and could have a Brian Cushing-like impact, starting and becoming a playmaker in his first season in the NFL. A team looking for the final piece of the puzzle or an aging team looking for a playmaker could benefit early from Weatherspoon's talent and positive attitude. He won't get all the headlines going into the draft, but he's as much of a sure thing as any other player heading to the NFL this year.

Your #1 Overall Draft Pick

2010-02-26T10:04:00.004-06:00

Football logic would dictate the St. Louis Rams take defensive tackle Ndamukong Suh with the first overall pick in the 2010 NFL Draft. They have invested quite a bit in the defensive line the past few years with first rounders DT Adam Carriker and DE Chris Long, and adding Suh to the mix should aid in the development of all three men. However...St. Louis is also in desperate need of a quarterback and a "face of the franchise." Rumors continue to swirl about a trade for Michael Vick, but seriously, would any team looking for a new "face" want it to be Vick? Enter Oklahoma QB Sam Bradford. The Rams have been in constant contact with Bradford's agent regarding the rehab of his injured shoulder. Bradford weighed in at the scouting combine at 236 lbs, 13 pounds heavier than his playing weight of 223. This is in response to critics saying he needs to bulk up his 6'4" frame. If Bradford has a solid pro day on March 25, we're going on an early limb to say Bradford will indeed be the Rams new "face of the franchise."

Bulger tips Rams Hand?

2010-02-16T17:35:00.004-06:00

There are reports that St. Louis Rams starting QB Marc Bulger cleaned out his locker when he left for the offseason, leading us to believe he doesn't plan on being back with the franchise next season. What does this mean for the draft? With the first overall pick, the Rams can have their choice of QB's Sam Bradford, Jimmy Clausen or Colt McCoy for a little more per season than what Bulger is due in 2010 (8.5 million). With no salary cap for next season, the Rams don't have to make a move before the draft with Bulger, but Bulger's recent housecleaning certainly helps to paint a clearer picture as we move towards "Christmas in April."

Time to Make Things Right!

2010-01-27T14:28:00.006-06:00

Every year I really fall in love with a few players, and inevitably my favorite team fails to draft them. I continue to follow my favorite college players throughout their pro careers, but there's nothing like hearing the commish announce your favorite team drafting one of your favorite prospects. Last year I got lucky when USC LB Rey Maualuga fell to the Cincinnati Bengals in round 2, but the Bengals are notoriously poor drafters so it doesn't happen often. ALAS - it is a new year, and time to erase the mistakes of past drafts! One guy I loved coming out of Utah last year was CB/S Sean Smith - he was big at 6'3" with coverage skills and wasn't afraid to tackle...the perfect combo DB. This year, that guy exists again - in Virginia's Chris Cook. He's 6'2" with decent speed and good coverage skills. He may even go in the same round - latter part of round 2 - as Smith did in 2009. I'll give you some more prospects who compare favorably to recent NFL draft selections as we approach the draft - but now I ask you - is there a current NFL player that you'd like to see a clone of on your favorite team? Leave a message and I'll give you the rundown on what prospect in this year's draft class may compare...and please don't state the obvious guys like Peyton Manning or Adrian Peterson - those guys only come along once a decade.

Brand New Year!

2009-12-19T02:25:00.004-06:00

The Bowl Season is upon us, which means draft prep moves into overdrive! Stick with Draft IQ as we take you from the end of the college football season to the NFL draft...with all the news and updates along the way!

The Guide is Here!

2009-04-23T14:27:00.004-05:00

We'll call this year's guide the "Thesis Edition" as it finally goes to print a mere two days before "Christmas in April" as I complete my Master's degree. I thought at least my mock would be a little more accurate, right? Wrong. Less than an hour after going to print, the Falcons trade for TE Tony Gonzalez, all but nullifying my mock selection of Oklahoma St. TE Brandon Pettigrew. Such is life! Enjoy the 2009 NFL Draft Preview - available for download below or linked in the right navigation tool!

2009 NFL Preview Magazine 2009 NFL Preview Magazine tcy09 Draft IQ presents the 2009 NFL Preview Magazine!

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The (Real) Draft Enigma

2009-03-28T20:04:00.003-05:00

If you haven't already bought into the NFL Network's hard sell on Pat White, which we hope you haven't, then allow us to introduce you to the real enigma of the 2009 quarterback class: Rhett Bomar. Bomar began his college career at Oklahoma before running into trouble by violating NCAA rules. He transferred to Sam Houston State, where he continued to flash his strong arm and moxie you want to see in a pro prospect. Pro teams have to ask if Bomar has NFL skills based on the lower level of talent faced at SHS, and if he's learned his lesson from the Oklahoma fiasco. While we see Pat White as a slash-type player, Bomar could be the real deal at the QB position.

Gimme Five!

2009-02-26T23:15:00.007-06:00

We love the NFL Scouting Combine for two reasons: It's a great chance to see guys you don't see alot of during the regular season (I'm talking about you Lawrence Sidbury of Richmond), and it also helps you make up your mind when rating extremely similar players. Case in point - Brian Orakpo really separated himself from those pesky "tweeners" at DE that project as OLB's in the pros - including Penn State's Aaron Maybin and FSU's Everette Brown. Now that the combine is finished, we've completed our intial ratings and posted our top five at each position on the right side of your screen. Feel free to chime in on any discrepancies and injustices. We're game to argue, er, state our case. The ratings are a bit fluid as we continue watching tape of the hundreds of pro prospects, but usually the end result is pretty close to what's there now.

See Spot Run

2009-02-22T20:15:00.006-06:00

The offensive players have run the 40 yard dash at the NFL scouting combine, and Maryland WR Darrius Heyward-Bey gets the early nod as fastest available player with a 4.30 time. There were a few unofficial sub-4.3 times, but according to the NFL's official measurments, 4.3 was the fastest. An interesting note - one of the knocks on Heyward-Bey wsa his ability to separate. For now that 4.30 time should put some naysayers to rest. By the way - we here at Draft IQ think 40 times are completely overrated. Players don't run them in pads for one - and the list of top NFL guys with poor 40 times is a long one. Anquan Boldin ran in the 4.7 range. Brandon Marshall a 4.6. Jerry Rice - also in the 4.7's. It is entertaining to see five NFL Network analysts break down 40 yard dashes for hours on end. Welcome to the combine!

Senior Bowl Thoughts

2009-01-25T10:17:00.004-06:00

The 2009 Senior Bowl is in the books. Despite the final score (South 35, North 18) it was a game where the defenses really shined. For the North, Ohio State LB Marcus Freeman proved his worth with 8 total tackles and broke up a pass. Scrappy Pitt LB Scott McKillop also looked good with 7 total tackles, 1 for a loss. On the South defense, West Virginia CB Ellis Lankster had 5 total tackles, 1 for a loss, and an interception. There were a few offensive performance to take note of. Oregon RB Jeremiah Johnson looked electric with the ball in his hands, with 22 yards rushing, 26 receiving and a TD catch. Liberty RB Rashad Jennings led the South team with 41 yards rushing at 4.6 yards a clip. North Carolina State RB Andre Brown caught my attention with 72 total yards (31 rush, 41 receiving). On the QB front, Texas Tech QB Graham Harrell imploded, stumbling on his first snap from center and never recovering. Watching tape from the Texas Tech-Texas game and the Senior Bowl, you would never guess Harrell was the same QB. He finished 4-13 for 40 yards and an interception - while another sure INT was dropped by Wake Forest CB Alphonso Smith.

Despite all the hooplah surround the game, the week of practice is really what scouts are looking at. Some scouts don't even stick around for the game, so take these peformances for what you will. West Virginia QB and fringe prospect Pat White was named the game's MVP if that tells you anything. Then again, last year Tulane RB and super-rookie for the Bears, Matt Forte was the 2008 MVP. Can you name the 2007 MVP? Penn State RB Tony Hunt. He's toiled away in the NFL so far, so you see how the MVP can be hit or miss.

Most Valuable Overhype?

2009-01-25T10:06:00.004-06:00

West Virgina QB Pat White was an unlikely 2009 Senior Bowl MVP...or was he? For a guy who may not even be a pro prospect at any postition, much less quarterback, the NFL Network gave White an awful lot of face time during the week of practice leading up to the game. After the second drive of Saturday's game, a South team TD drive led by White, NFL Network was there immediately after for a sideline interview with White. Later, another sideline report featured an interview with South coach Jack Del Rio, who was asked about White and his performance. I'm not trying to bash on the Senior Bowl MVP (although as a QB he completed less than 50% of his passes for the game), but with more than a few potential first-round picks in the game, and even more "day one" picks, the attention given to White before, during and after the game seemed to be a bit much.

Unfinished Business

2009-01-13T20:32:00.003-06:00

USC phenom prospect, safety Taylor Mays, has announced he will return for his senior season at Southern Cal. Mays stands 6'3" and runs under a 4.3 40-yard dash...and oh, yea, he can lay the wood. In the Rose Bowl Mays was taking out two guys at a time. His decision comes as a surprise at a time when a record number of underclassmen are entering the draft, likely due to a potential rookie salary cap included in the next collective bargaining agreement. Crabtree, Maclin, Wells - they're all in. But Mays says he still has work to do as a player and student athlete at USC.

Why Listen To Us?

2009-01-10T20:15:00.008-06:00

"Who led the 2007 Arkansas backfield in receptions? Not McFadden or Jones; it was Hillis. Good runner and receiver who could help open up an offense." - 2008 Draft IQ info on Peyton Hillis

If the fact that we eat, breathe and sleep the NFL draft isn't good enough for you, here's some food for thought:

If you read our Draft Guide, you know that Peyton Hillis, our top rated FB, had more receptions in 2007 than his Razorback teammates Darren McFadden and Felix Jones. He ended up putting together a great string of games as Denver's starting RB late in the season before landing on injured reserve.

We told you about guys like QB Josh Johnson (drafted by Tampa Bay), WR Jerome Simpson (drafted by Cincinnati), KR Kevin Robinson (drafted by K.C.) and QB Kevin O'Connell (drafted by New England) - all guys from smaller programs who caught our attention as well as the attention of pro scouts.

Jerod Mayo was our #2 LB, rated ahead of Keith Rivers, who was taken one pick before Mayo. Mayo ended up as the undisputed defensive rookie of the year.

A talented but raw coverted safety from Iowa, Charles Godfrey, was in our crosshairs. Godfrey ended up starting at safety for the NFC South Champions, the Carolina Panthers.

So stick around in 2009...you just might learn something new every day (or at least every time we post).

Beginning The Year With A WTF Moment

2009-01-10T19:45:00.003-06:00

The 2008 college football season is offically over, which means it's time to gear up for the 2009 NFL draft! Todd McShay began the new year by giving us his top five QB's, speculating that Tim Tebow would enter the draft. That list had Tebow listed at #5, and Texas Tech QB Graham Harrell at #....wait, he wasn't on the list! Tim Tebow is a heck of an athlete, but I felt Harrell got robbed by not even receiving consideration for the Heisman Trophy. Now Todd McShay goes and lists a guy who at this point doesn't even project as an NFL quarterback ahead of Harrell on his list of top QB's. Come on, McShay, you're better than that. In fact, I'm now ashamed that we share the same opinion of who the top QB is (here's a hint...he has an afro and plays for Oklahoma).

Now What?

2008-04-28T15:40:00.002-05:00

On to 2009! The draft counter has been restarted...only 361 days to go until the 2009 NFL Draft! It could be the year of the LB, led by Ohio State "animal" James Laurinaitis.

One More Round!

2008-04-26T23:08:00.005-05:00

After trades involving 14 first round picks, Day 1 of the 2008 NFL Draft is in the books! There were some big surprises - the Jags trading up from 26 to 8 in the 1st round to grab DE Derrick Harvey, only to follow that up with DE Quentin Groves in round 2 - Rashard Mendenhall sliding down to the Steelers at the bottom of the 1st round - the Bengals picking WR Jerome Simpson over Limas Sweed, Malcolm Kelly and DeSean Jackson - are just a few that come to mind. As we predicted, it appeared teams had the prospects rated all over the board, and there were more than a few jaw dropping moments. One thing that is clear this year is teams aren't afraid to "reach" for the player they want. LB Jordon Dizon to Detroit in round 2 is proof of that. The fans at Radio City Music Hall could be heard yelling "one more round!" at the end of the day...and we echo those thoughts. The new 10-minute time limit in the first round moved things along nicely, but 2 rounds just aren't enough to quench our Day 1 thirst. Next year, move the start up a couple hours and bring back the 3rd round.

Enjoy day 2! Lots more presents to open!

Merry Christmas!

2008-04-26T09:21:00.003-05:00

Christmas morning is finally here! Now we just have to bug our parents to let us open up our presents...but unfortunatley they want to relax and drink coffee and eggnog until 3pm ET. Just a few hours to go...but things are already happening. While Santa was flying from NFL town to NFL town, the Cowboys, according to Foxsports.com, were busy trading LB Akin Ayodele and TE Anthony Fasano to Miami for a fourth round pick, which signals to us that there's some under-the-table dealing happening between Bill Parcells and his former team. That's quite a steal on the Dolphins part if you ask us. Regardless, more deals could occure before the draft starts, so stay alert!

They Hold the Key

2008-04-24T19:54:00.003-05:00

The Rams and Falcons now hold the key to the top half of the draft. If he's available, the Falcons are expected to grab Glenn Dorsey. But if Dorsey if the Falcons pick, that means the Rams went with Gholston or Long. Which leaves Matt Ryan available for K.C. or Baltimore. If the Rams go Dorsey, the Falcons could easily go Ryan, which makes things interesting for the Raiders, who would have to choose between Howie's son, Chris Long, the freak of nature Vernon Gholston, or the enigma that is Darren McFadden. With Ryan off the board, what do the Ravens do? Will they improve an aging secondary or will they steal Sedrick Ellis away from the Bengals? There are tons of scenarios and they all depend on what the Rams and Falcons do at 2 and 3.

With the 2nd Pick...

2008-04-24T08:06:00.002-05:00

It sounds like the Rams officials are close to a consensus on Glenn Dorsey as the second pick in the 2008 NFL Draft. You can throw Chris Long and Vernon Gholston into the mix of prospects being considered, but as we inch closer to Saturday, it sounds like Dorsey should be the pick. A few teams are still showing interest in moving up, but it would take a lot to pry the #2 pick from the Rams.

Here we go!

2008-04-22T22:22:00.003-05:00

Our mock draft was half right for the Minnesota Vikings pick...we had them selecting a pass rush specialist, and they have...in the form of the Kansas City Chiefs' Jared Allen. The Chiefs traded Allen, who led the NFL last season in sacks with 15.5, to Minnesota for the Vikings' 1st round pick (17th overall) and two 3rd rounders. While they could have snagged Derrick Harvey or Calais Campbell at 17, the Vikings get an every down proven DE who can get to the passer, something that has eluded them in the last few years. This is a costly, but safe play on their end. The Saints are still rumored to be looking to move up. If the Chiefs move down five spots and take the Saints #10 pick, they could pick up an additional 2nd round and probably more. Watch out for the Chiefs on draft day!

Jake Long #1 Overall

2008-04-22T13:39:00.004-05:00

The Miami Dolphins made Jake Long the #1 overall pick 4 days before the card is due at the podium by agreeing to a 5-year, 57.5 million dollar contract with the big offensive tackle. He's as safe a pick as any at the top spot of this year's draft, and answers the draft guide's question of who will go #1 overall. The St. Louis Rams are now on the clock...

The More I See...

2008-04-22T08:48:00.002-05:00

The best thing about the week leading up to the draft is the saturation of coverage on television. ESPN Classic has "draft week," airing games from the 2007 season. Yesterday was Maryland vs. Virginia. The more I see of Maryland LB Erin Henderson, the more I grow to love him. It wasn't his play that caught my attention in this game (although he racked up 133 tackles, 11 for loss as a junior) but his leadership skills. I've seen most of the prospects on the field, but in this late stage of evaluation I'm looking for the intangibles that make good players great. Henderson is not the elite athlete and has struggled with injuries, but he's a leader respected by his teammates, and it shows on the field.

The Ultimate Bust Lands on his Feet

2008-04-20T19:21:00.004-05:00

Perhaps the biggest draft bust of all-time, Ryan Leaf, seems to have found peace in life as quaterbacks coach for Division II West Texas A&M. It's hard to fathom that Leaf was rated right up there with Peyton Manning coming out of college...just another one of the great storylines the NFL draft offers each year. You can read all about Leaf's new career here.

It's Almost Here!

2008-04-20T00:32:00.007-05:00

The unofficial kickoff to the 2008 NFL season is almost here, and we've got you covered with the 2008 NFL Draft Guide! We've recently been featured in the Quincy Herald-Whig, and more on our love of the draft will be documented this week on WGEM News. We'll also be talking draft on WGEM's AM 1440 Sportscenter morning radio show this Thursday from 7:10 to 7:45 a.m. Thanks to all our friends in the local media who share in our excitement of the upcoming NFL draft. We hope everyone has a merry Christmas in April! If you have trouble viewing the pdf file below, you can download the guide by clicking here!

When Production Doesn't Measure Up

2008-04-20T00:13:00.008-05:00

There's two sides to every story. First, you have to ask, who wouldn't want a WR who stands nearly 6'3" with speed in the 4.4's and played in the Big Ten? Side two asks, who would want to draft a wideout with only 53 career receptions and only 5 TD's? Welcome to the world of Wisconsin's Paul Hubbard. Hubbard is a track star who has every infamous measurable you want in a football player except one - the statistics to back up his size and speed. The bottom line with Paul Hubbard is the same with most fringe prospects: If you have the right coaches with the talent and patience to teach the guy, you'll eventually have a decent pro on your hand. On the flipside, if your team doesn't have a history of coaching up day 2 WR prospects, don't get too excited if you hear Hubbard's name on April 27. He has all the tools to be successful, but will need the right situation for everything to come together.

The Scrappers we Love

2008-04-19T16:19:00.003-05:00

Every year we fall in love with the late round scrappers who may not have the most physical talent in the world, but would be first round talent if teams picked by heart. Don't tell these guys they don't have what it takes to make it in the NFL.

Jordon Dizon, LB, Colorado: Dizon is small by NFL standards at a shade under 6' and 230 lbs. Just ask opposing RB's slammed to the ground by Dizon how small he is. They'll probably give you a different story. The four-year starter is a sure tackler who should be a staple on special teams and may play his way into a lineup.

Jamie Silva, S, Boston College: Silva lacks the top end speed to be a star in the NFL, but he makes up for it with natural football instincts. His senior year stats - 125 tackles and 8 interceptions - speak for themselves.

Kevin Robinson, WR, Utah State: Robinson owns the NCAA All-Purpose Yards per Play record, averaging 16.2 yards every time he touches the ball. A tough wide receiver who didn't put up amazing stats (55 receptions in 2007) but led the nation in returns. His future in the NFL probably lies there - as a return specialist and maybe a #3 receiver.

Corey Lynch, S, Appalachian State: Lynch has the speed that Silva lacks, but not the big game experience. Lynch does everything you want as a football player and leader, and draws comparison to another Lynch - all-pro safety John Lynch.

Breaking the Laws...and the Century Mark

2008-04-19T14:42:00.006-05:00

It's not every day a defensive tackle records 112 tackles. It's even more rare for a DT to do it on an awful 3-9 team. Notre Dame's Trevor Laws finished with 8 tackles for loss and 4 sacks in addtion to the 112 tackles in 2007. Oh yea, he blocked 3 kicks, too. When compiling the final DT ratings, it was with a heavy heart that we put Laws at #3 behind Ellis and Dorsey. The three could easily be rated 1a. 1b. and 1c. While Ellis and Dorsey grab all the headlines, Laws will go somewhere in the late 1st to mid-2nd round and give some lucky team a stud DT for years to come.

Minute Rice

2008-04-19T09:21:00.004-05:00

If you're a fan of Rutgers RB Ray Rice, but don't think your team will spend an early pick to grab him, keep an eye on Georgia RB Thomas Brown. Brown stands 5'8" and 205 lbs. and can run inside or bounce outside for a big gain. Brown may have fresher legs than Rice after never carrying the ball more than 200 times in a season. He averaged at least 5 yards a carry in three of his four seasons. Brown tore his ACL in 2006, but proved he was back from the injury last year, rushing for 779 yards and 10 TD's. He can also return kicks. Brown is flying under the radar a bit - no height joke intended - because he lost his job to super-freshman Knowshon Moreno this season.

Twenty-Three

2008-04-18T15:55:00.006-05:00

Why do we have Rashard Mendenhall rated higher than Darren McFadden? Well, McFadden's 23 fumbles in 3 years is one reason. Granted, our math is a little fuzzy, but even we know that equals out to around 8 fumbles per season...and those are 11 game collegitate seasons, not the 16 game pro seasons. Can he be coached up? Sure, Tom Coughlin was finally able to teach Tiki Barber how to hang on to the ball - but ran him out of town at the same time. There are lots of question marks surrounding McFadden, but there's no question that he needs to learn how to hang on to the ball.

Think Philip Rivers with Wheels

2008-04-18T13:09:00.008-05:00

San Diego's Josh Johnson isn't the only mobile QB in Southern California this year. In fact, he's not the only mobile QB in the city of San Diego. San Diego State's Kevin O'Connell is a good QB who played on some very bad teams. The Aztecs have certainly fallen from grace after giving us Darnay Scott and Marshall Faulk in the mid-90's. Watching O'Connell play reminds us alot of Philip Rivers, but with added mobility. In addition to throwing for more than 3,063 yards and 15 TD's as a senior, he also rushed for 408 yards and scored 11 TD's on the ground. For his career he rushed for 1,312 yards and 19 TD's. Not bad for a 6'5" 225 lb. quarterback.

Kiper's Man Crush

2008-04-18T08:52:00.000-05:00

Mel Kiper appeared on ESPN Radio's Mike & MIke in the Morning today and claimed he would get out of the draft business if Matt Ryan fell past #8. Really, Mel, do you promise? I'm a big B.C. fan and like Ryan, but come on...he's not the second coming of Peyton Manning, even if his film room habits equal that of Manning. We'll take a bet that 1. Ryan slips past 8, and 2. Kiper is on ESPN next year with an even more of an Eddie Munster looking haircut.

Just who is Josh Johnson?

2008-04-17T14:23:00.003-05:00

His career stats will blow your mind. With 9,699 yards passing, 113 TD's to only 15 INT's, he is the NCAA's all-time passing efficiency leader. He's smooth as silk on the field, evoking images of Randall Cunningham in his prime. And you've probably never seen him play. Josh Johnson proved he could play with the big boys during the East-West Shrine game, where he was named offensive MVP. He's big at 6'3", 215 lbs. Yea, he's for real.

Rams Trading Down?

2008-04-17T12:30:00.002-05:00

Reports have the Saints interested in trading up into the top 5, no doubt to secure one of the two big DT's in Sedrick Ellis and Glen Dorsey. It appears Atlanta may have their hearts set on Dorsey, because they are now inquiring about moving up one slot to #2. Either way, the Rams come out winners. Stay tuned...

The Guide!

2008-04-17T11:58:00.007-05:00

Welcome to Draft IQ! The drama of the 2008 NFL Draft unfolds right here! Below is the annual 2008 NFL Draft Preview. Enjoy! If you have trouble viewing the pdf here, you can always download it by clicking here!