Reilly
02-02-2005, 05:10 AM
Updated: Jan. 31, 2005
Prospects state their case
By Todd McShay
Scouts, Inc.
After a week of scouting practices and Saturday's game at the 2005 Senior Bowl, there is naturally a good deal of movement taking place on our NFL draft board. The following is a look at the participating players whose stock is on the rise compared to those whose stock is on the decline:
On the rise
Charlie Frye, QB, Akron
Senior Bowl MVP got off to a slow start during the practice week but settled in by Wednesday. Lacks elite arm strength but is a "gamer." Looks better in game situations than individual drills.
Reggie Brown, WR, Georgia
Knock in the past was inconsistency catching the football but the athletic receiver caught everything in sight last week. He can now solidify a spot in the second round with a solid showing at the combine.
Matt Jones, WR, Arkansas
Showed foresight making the move from QB to WR. Size and athleticism create mismatches versus smaller DBs. His hands were much more consistent than expected, especially considering his limited experience.
Marcus Johnson, OL, Ole Miss
Versatile OT/OG prospect stood out as one of the most physically dominating offensive linemen at the Senior Bowl. Also showed enough athleticism to consider him in the second round.
Mike Patterson, DT, USC
Lack of ideal size might keep him out of the first round but the one-gap penetrating DT showed great quickness, power and instincts.
Marcus Spears, DE, LSU
Versatile DE/DT may have solidified spot in first round with his play last week. Lacks elite speed as an edge rusher but is athletic for a 295-pound defensive lineman prospect.
Demarcus Ware, OLB/DE, Troy
Rush linebacker showed great burst and instincts as a pass rusher. Also was more athletic dropping into coverage than expected. Best fit in the NFL would be as a 3-4 OLB. A second-round prospect as it stands right now.
Bryant McFadden, DC, Florida State
Lack of elite speed will keep him out of the first round but he did everything possible to help his draft value at the Senior Bowl. Showed good athleticism, fluidity and instincts in coverage. Also a lot more physical than expected.
Dustin Colquitt, PT, Tennessee
Put on an absolute show during Wednesday's practice. Was punting the ball 70 yards with the wind and 55 yards into it. Should have solidified a spot on Day 1.
Darren Sproles, RB, Kansas State
Diminutive back proved to be one of the most explosive and versatile athletes at the Senior Bowl. A Dave Meggett-type role awaits Sproles in the NFL.
Vincent Jackson, WR, Northern Colorado
Had four drops on Tuesday but a solid week of practice otherwise. Still needs to run well at the combine and will need time to develop in the NFL, but DI-AA prospect proved he can play with the "big boys."
Mark Clayton, WR, Oklahoma
Stood out as the best wide receiver and one of the best three players overall at the 2005 Senior Bowl. A polished, quick, athletic and instinctive receiver with exceptional hands. Should be a mid-to-late first-round selection.
Michael Roos, OT, Eastern Washington
A developmental prospect who will need time to improve his upper-body strength and technique in the NFL. However, his frame and athleticism make Roos extremely intriguing as a late-Day 1 selection.
Matt Roth, DE, Iowa
A high-motor player with even more athleticism than anticipated. Stood out as the best player in the trenches on both rosters. Should be a mid-to-late first-round pick.
Darrent Williams, DC, Oklahoma State
Alerts regarding his character, size and durability will hurt him on draft day, but Williams could not have played better during the week of practice. Was one of the smoothest cover corners during drills and flashed excellent playmaking skills when the ball was in the air.
On the decline
Dan Orlovsky, QB, Connecticut
The flu kept him from playing in Saturday's game but it's his lack of arm strength and consistency that could keep him from making it in the NFL. Disappointing week could knock him out of the first day of the upcoming draft.
Brock Berlin, QB, Miami-FL
A late addition because of the shoulder injury to Arizona State QB Andrew Walter. Berlin wasn't on the same plane as the rest of the quarterbacks at the Senior Bowl. His lack of size and arm strength were glaring; it wouldn't be surprising if he went undrafted.
Alex Smith, TE, Stanford
Had a big-time catch during Saturday's game but was very "ordinary" during the week of practice. Still enough skills to warrant a second-round pick but doesn't have the explosiveness to draft any higher.
Dan Buenning, OG, Wisconsin
Big and strong but his poor feet and overall lack of athletic ability were glaring during one-on-one drills.
Jonathan Clinkscale, OC, Wisconsin
Clinkscale isn't as big or strong as teammate Buenning and he was exposed even more versus athletic interior linemen throughout the week. If Buenning is an early-Day 2 prospect, then Clinkscale is nothing more than a late-round pick.
Ronald Bartell Jr., DC, Howard
The height/weight/speed prospect from DI-AA level fell flat on his face. After three days of getting exposed for poor instincts and stiff hips in coverage, Bartell Jr. was moved to safety.
Jamaal Brimmer, DS, UNLV
A hard hitter with some upside as an "in-the-box" safety and cover guy on special teams in the NFL. However, he's not as big as expected and really got uncovered during man-to-man cover drills.
Alphonso Hodge, DC, Miami-OH
A cornerback-safety 'tweener with good size. He didn't show the instincts, smooth hips or playmaking skills of an NFL cornerback during the week of practice and he gave up a touchdown to WR Jones on a corner route in man-coverage.
Cole Farden, PT, Oklahoma State
The least impressive of the four kicking prospects at this year's Senior Bowl. His lack of leg strength both on punts and kickoffs were embarrassing at times. Would classify him as nothing more than a free-agent prospect.
Craphonso Thorpe, WR, Florida State
Continued downward spiral with an uninspiring Senior Bowl performance. Still doesn't have his speed and explosiveness back. Was an absolute non-factor in Saturday's game.
Robert McCune, ILB, Louisville
One of the most impressive looking players at the weigh-in and he's expected to be a "workout warrior" during the upcoming NFL Scouting Combine. However, his late reads and stiff hips were a real turnoff during the practices and in the game.
Vincent Fuller, DS, Virginia Tech
Undersized safety was run over by RB Kay-Jay Harris during "team" drills on Tuesday. His range in coverage wasn't as good as expected and if he doesn't get bigger and stronger he's never going to make it at the next level.
Corey Webster, DC, LSU
Still isn't the same aggressive, physical and confident cover corner who he was in 2002 and 2003. Injuries as a senior have clearly affected his psyche. Unimpressive outing at the Senior Bowl should also play a role in him slipping out of the first round on draft day.
Prospects state their case
By Todd McShay
Scouts, Inc.
After a week of scouting practices and Saturday's game at the 2005 Senior Bowl, there is naturally a good deal of movement taking place on our NFL draft board. The following is a look at the participating players whose stock is on the rise compared to those whose stock is on the decline:
On the rise
Charlie Frye, QB, Akron
Senior Bowl MVP got off to a slow start during the practice week but settled in by Wednesday. Lacks elite arm strength but is a "gamer." Looks better in game situations than individual drills.
Reggie Brown, WR, Georgia
Knock in the past was inconsistency catching the football but the athletic receiver caught everything in sight last week. He can now solidify a spot in the second round with a solid showing at the combine.
Matt Jones, WR, Arkansas
Showed foresight making the move from QB to WR. Size and athleticism create mismatches versus smaller DBs. His hands were much more consistent than expected, especially considering his limited experience.
Marcus Johnson, OL, Ole Miss
Versatile OT/OG prospect stood out as one of the most physically dominating offensive linemen at the Senior Bowl. Also showed enough athleticism to consider him in the second round.
Mike Patterson, DT, USC
Lack of ideal size might keep him out of the first round but the one-gap penetrating DT showed great quickness, power and instincts.
Marcus Spears, DE, LSU
Versatile DE/DT may have solidified spot in first round with his play last week. Lacks elite speed as an edge rusher but is athletic for a 295-pound defensive lineman prospect.
Demarcus Ware, OLB/DE, Troy
Rush linebacker showed great burst and instincts as a pass rusher. Also was more athletic dropping into coverage than expected. Best fit in the NFL would be as a 3-4 OLB. A second-round prospect as it stands right now.
Bryant McFadden, DC, Florida State
Lack of elite speed will keep him out of the first round but he did everything possible to help his draft value at the Senior Bowl. Showed good athleticism, fluidity and instincts in coverage. Also a lot more physical than expected.
Dustin Colquitt, PT, Tennessee
Put on an absolute show during Wednesday's practice. Was punting the ball 70 yards with the wind and 55 yards into it. Should have solidified a spot on Day 1.
Darren Sproles, RB, Kansas State
Diminutive back proved to be one of the most explosive and versatile athletes at the Senior Bowl. A Dave Meggett-type role awaits Sproles in the NFL.
Vincent Jackson, WR, Northern Colorado
Had four drops on Tuesday but a solid week of practice otherwise. Still needs to run well at the combine and will need time to develop in the NFL, but DI-AA prospect proved he can play with the "big boys."
Mark Clayton, WR, Oklahoma
Stood out as the best wide receiver and one of the best three players overall at the 2005 Senior Bowl. A polished, quick, athletic and instinctive receiver with exceptional hands. Should be a mid-to-late first-round selection.
Michael Roos, OT, Eastern Washington
A developmental prospect who will need time to improve his upper-body strength and technique in the NFL. However, his frame and athleticism make Roos extremely intriguing as a late-Day 1 selection.
Matt Roth, DE, Iowa
A high-motor player with even more athleticism than anticipated. Stood out as the best player in the trenches on both rosters. Should be a mid-to-late first-round pick.
Darrent Williams, DC, Oklahoma State
Alerts regarding his character, size and durability will hurt him on draft day, but Williams could not have played better during the week of practice. Was one of the smoothest cover corners during drills and flashed excellent playmaking skills when the ball was in the air.
On the decline
Dan Orlovsky, QB, Connecticut
The flu kept him from playing in Saturday's game but it's his lack of arm strength and consistency that could keep him from making it in the NFL. Disappointing week could knock him out of the first day of the upcoming draft.
Brock Berlin, QB, Miami-FL
A late addition because of the shoulder injury to Arizona State QB Andrew Walter. Berlin wasn't on the same plane as the rest of the quarterbacks at the Senior Bowl. His lack of size and arm strength were glaring; it wouldn't be surprising if he went undrafted.
Alex Smith, TE, Stanford
Had a big-time catch during Saturday's game but was very "ordinary" during the week of practice. Still enough skills to warrant a second-round pick but doesn't have the explosiveness to draft any higher.
Dan Buenning, OG, Wisconsin
Big and strong but his poor feet and overall lack of athletic ability were glaring during one-on-one drills.
Jonathan Clinkscale, OC, Wisconsin
Clinkscale isn't as big or strong as teammate Buenning and he was exposed even more versus athletic interior linemen throughout the week. If Buenning is an early-Day 2 prospect, then Clinkscale is nothing more than a late-round pick.
Ronald Bartell Jr., DC, Howard
The height/weight/speed prospect from DI-AA level fell flat on his face. After three days of getting exposed for poor instincts and stiff hips in coverage, Bartell Jr. was moved to safety.
Jamaal Brimmer, DS, UNLV
A hard hitter with some upside as an "in-the-box" safety and cover guy on special teams in the NFL. However, he's not as big as expected and really got uncovered during man-to-man cover drills.
Alphonso Hodge, DC, Miami-OH
A cornerback-safety 'tweener with good size. He didn't show the instincts, smooth hips or playmaking skills of an NFL cornerback during the week of practice and he gave up a touchdown to WR Jones on a corner route in man-coverage.
Cole Farden, PT, Oklahoma State
The least impressive of the four kicking prospects at this year's Senior Bowl. His lack of leg strength both on punts and kickoffs were embarrassing at times. Would classify him as nothing more than a free-agent prospect.
Craphonso Thorpe, WR, Florida State
Continued downward spiral with an uninspiring Senior Bowl performance. Still doesn't have his speed and explosiveness back. Was an absolute non-factor in Saturday's game.
Robert McCune, ILB, Louisville
One of the most impressive looking players at the weigh-in and he's expected to be a "workout warrior" during the upcoming NFL Scouting Combine. However, his late reads and stiff hips were a real turnoff during the practices and in the game.
Vincent Fuller, DS, Virginia Tech
Undersized safety was run over by RB Kay-Jay Harris during "team" drills on Tuesday. His range in coverage wasn't as good as expected and if he doesn't get bigger and stronger he's never going to make it at the next level.
Corey Webster, DC, LSU
Still isn't the same aggressive, physical and confident cover corner who he was in 2002 and 2003. Injuries as a senior have clearly affected his psyche. Unimpressive outing at the Senior Bowl should also play a role in him slipping out of the first round on draft day.