CJ Spiller, RB, Clemson

By Kyle Rota

Name: CJ Spiller
School: Clemson
Position: HB
Height: 5107 V
Weight: 196 V
40: 4.37 V

Athleticism: I wasn’t as impressed with Spiller’s athleticism as I would like to be, though it is still very good. He flashes superior athleticism, but too often he looks like he is running at 90% speed, which is very good but nowhere close to elite. He has better stop/start than change of direction and he does have elite speed when he sees a lot of space ahead of him. There are different ways to grade this (potential/actual), but I feel best grading it based on what I expect to see in the NFL. 7.0

Run Inside: Spiller is not a very good inside runner, and in the NFL he will need to improve in order to be effective. He has fantastic stop/start, allowing him to make some plays inside when defenses overpursue, but he is below average in every other way. He doesn’t have great vision inside, runs a little upright and without great balance, and lacks size. He’ll need to improve on those skills to earn a higher grade, but they are all things he could improve upon. 5.5

Run Outside: Spiller’s deficiencies running inside are countered with his effectiveness running outside. When he sees green ahead of him, he can get to his top gear pretty quickly and that top gear is very fast. He sets up his blockers better on the outside, he’s much shiftier outside, and he runs faster outside. 7.0

Run vision: 6.0 He has good vision outside the tackles, but he misses holes when running inside.

Tackle Breaking: 5.5 He’s not very big and doesn’t break many tackles when running inside. He is very shifty outside the tackles, though. Most runs are inside the tackles, so his grade here is weighted that way.

Receiving: 7.0 Looked very good as a receiver, showing the ability to run a limited selection of routes and make difficult catches.

Run After Catch: 6.5 When he gets to the outside, he is very shifty and he uses his athleticism well. Doesn’t have the power to break tackles, but has everything else.

Blocking: 6.0 This is a little harsh and I could certainly understand a higher grade. Spiller did not have any problems with blitzers, but against down linesmen he couldn’t overcome a lack of size. A good protector who can be left on the field without worrying his coach, but he doesn’t have the potential to be great here unless he unexpectedly adds a lot of weight.

Power: 6.0 While Spiller lacks the size to overpower tacklers, he has a very muscular build and does a decent job falling forward.

Elusiveness: 6.5 This grade is comprehensive, which hurts Spiller. He is not very shifty inside the tackles, but exceptionally shifty outside the tackles.

Effort: 6.5 I love his effort as a blocker, his willingness to do everything his team asks (return man, runner, and receiver). He conserves his energy, particularly as a runner, which means I can’t give him a 7.0 here.

Fumbles/Errors: 6.0 He had the ball stripped twice in the five games I did on Spiller, which is pretty high, but it doesn’t seem like a consistent problem. Threw two HB passes, one into triple coverage and the other to a wide open target for a TD.

Character: 6.5 According to everyone, Spiller is a great guy who is involved in the community. Plays through pain and has some leadership qualities. No problems here, should be a hard working guy who avoids the police blotter.

Overall: (This one will be long, even by my standards) Normally, by the 4th game I do on a RB I’m getting bored, because they have stopped showing me anything new. That was not the case with Spiller, who has so many games that seemed to conflict with eachother. The last game I did, the bowl game against Kentucky, showed a much more athletic Spiller than the other games. He also seemed to be a much better inside runner against Wake Forest and Florida State than in the other games. Etc. There could be any number of reasons for this discrepancy, but I feel the most likely is a combination of injury and adjustment to a starter’s role (conserving more energy, except in the bowl game where he could give everything he had without worrying about next week).

The problem is, that doesn’t sound good when projecting Spiller to the NFL. I think that Spiller should abandon his duties as a return man, not because such a role is unimportant but because those collisions tend to be more violent and all that running will sap his energy. He also doesn’t offer much as an inside runner. Ideally, Spiller is a back who catches maybe 5 passes a game, plays on 3rd down almost regardless of the playcall, and gets most of his carries on outside plays (with some inside runs to keep defenses honest). In that role, Spiller could be a very useful player. Of course, then we have to talk about injuries. I don’t include an individual “injuries” grade because I am not qualified to distinguish between a 6.0 and a 6.5 here, but I do consider it for the final grade. Spiller, when he is knicked up, becomes a much less effective athlete (particularly speed/elusiveness, and he loses his normal toughness). You draft Spiller because of his athleticism, so losing that is a huge problem. That will have to be considered by teams, since Spiller has had a history of minor injuries.

My belief (which is a general guideline open to exceptions, not binding rule) is that you only take a running back in the first round if he can run all the plays well, block effectively, and threaten as a receiver. Spiller’s struggles running inside mean that I wouldn’t take him before the beginning of the second round, and really I only saw one game (Kentucky) where I was wowed by what I saw from Spiller. Maybe he was hurt, maybe he was conserving energy – that’ll be the case in the NFL too, though, and should be considered by teams before deciding where they would take Spiller.

Computed Grade: 6.46

Final Grade: 6.4

USC and Texas pro-day review

By Rob Staton
Today the Texas and USC pro-days took place. Pete Carroll was in Texas as part of his road trip - probably no surprise either, he knows more than anyone about the SoCal prospects. The big story was, of course, Colt McCoy throwing for onlookers. He took part in drills at the combine but didn't throw. Gil Brandt from NFL.com was present at the event:

"McCoy might not have the strong arm that Oklahoma QB Sam Bradford displayed earlier in the week, but that shouldn’t detract from a fine performance in front of scouts from 30 NFL teams.

"Of the 58 passes that McCoy threw at Texas’ pro day Wednesday, none hit the ground. McCoy connected on every pass to his four receivers — Texas’ Jordan Shipley, ex-Longhorns WR Brian Carter, Bengals WR Quan Cosby and former Rams WR Nate Jones — none of whom dropped a single pass.

"McCoy kept all of his workout numbers from last month’s NFL Scouting Combine, and he didn’t do any individual drills. However, the consensus was that he had really good feet and moved around well while throwing the ball." - Gil Brandt, NFL.com

As with Sam Bradford earlier in the week, there was never any real danger that McCoy wouldn't impress. These pro-days are designed to make a quarterback look good. It doesn't surprise me that McCoy moved around well whilst throwing the ball - he's an athletic guy throwing a football in shorts. When I watched tape of Texas in 2008 and 2009, I never once felt confident that McCoy was a NFL caliber passer. His game consisted mainly of short dinky passes for 5-6 yards and QB draws. His decision making was at times frankly awful - and almost costly in the fortunate win over Nebraska.

I also really question the Longhorns schedule in 2009 which was beyond vanilla. When McCoy had to face a good team - like Oklahoma or Nebraska - he was atrocious. He didn't survive long enough in the BCS game to judge him against Alabama.

He won't be able to run QB draws anymore in the NFL. Teams will comfortably deal with his one read and 5-6 yard pass to a favorite target. He can't beat you deep with his arm. The very best case scenario is that McCoy can become the next Kyle Orton. Even then, I'm not entirely confident he'll ever be a starting QB in the NFL. It may be harsh, but I wouldn't draft McCoy in the area where some people are reporting he'll fall. I think 4th or 5th round be a fair grade.

There was also injury news with safety Earl Thomas reportedly pulling his hamstring running a 4.37 forty. Similar news in SoCal too - Charles Brown ran a forty yard dash having passed up the chance to do so at the combine. He pulled his hamstring running, which could be a worrying sign. I'm not sure how persistent hamstring injuries are to offensive lineman - but to runners they can become chronic and regular. We'll have to wait and see if this affects Brown's stock on April 22nd. Personally, I think he's good enough to warrant consideration with Seattle 14th overall pick.

Everson Griffen might be worth keeping an eye on too. He ran a 4.60 forty today which is lightning quick for a 273lbs defensive end. The Seahawks need a pass rush and Griffen will be familiar with the system Pete Carroll will look to implement on defense. He's a dark horse pick who hasn't been touted in many places. I only remember Mel Kiper predicting this in one of his mocks.

Taylor Mays stood on his superb 40 yard dash from the combine. No surprises there. Stafon Johnson ran a respectable 4.59 considering he's still very much in the midst of his comeback. He'll find a team for training camp.

POTD: Jahvid Best, RB, Cal

By Kip Earlywine

Height: 5'10"
Weight: 199
40 time: 4.35



Positives:

• Alexander-esque vision
• Makes great decisions and has terrific instincts
• Good initial burst and reaches full speed very quickly
• Light on his feet and makes great cuts with minimal effort
• Makes defenders miss, often without slowing much
• Very fast top speed, definitely a home run hitter
• Scary good at improvisation
• Decent inside rusher
• Good hands, good routes... a well above average receiver
• Very athletic
• Great ball security (has never had a lost fumble)
• Might be the best pure rusher for ZBS in the draft

Negatives:

• Alexander-esque as a blocker (taken off the field on obvious passing downs)
• Small size
• Not a physical runner who breaks tackles
• Was injured a decent amount despite small workloads
• Two concussions
• Definitely a rotational RB, no workhorse potential

My thoughts:

When I evaluate a RB to see how they fit for Gibbs, the first thing I look at is burst, then vision, then cut-making ability, roughly in that order. Jahvid Best is in my opinion, the best RB in the 2010 draft in all 3 of those areas.

Best doesn't reach 2nd gear as explosively as Joe McKnight and is pretty comparable to CJ Spiller, but its how quickly he reaches 3rd gear that sets him apart. CJ Spiller has a rare "4th gear" that Best does not possess, but Best's 3rd gear is still good enough to go the distance in the pros, and he reaches it faster than anyone. Sometimes, he accelerates so quickly that it feels like he skips going to 2nd gear altogether.

Best's footwork is exceptional. He can stop and go at full speed with 1 plant like few backs can. He combines this precision with great athleticism. Best does not break a lot of tackles, but he'd be a champion in flag football. Just laying a finger on him can be pretty challenging on some plays, especially when Best improvises. Normally I'm happy if a back is decisive and makes 1 good cut. Best does that, and he also uses his fast cut-making recovery to his advantage at the 2nd level.

Best gets where he wants to go very quickly, which makes his great vision and decision making just that much more amazing. Its when Best is allowed to improvise on busted plays that he becomes extremely dangerous. At 4:10 up above, you can see him turn a barren sweep left into a weaving 93 yard TD run. Later on, at the 5 minute mark, he turns an outright busted play into about a 60 yard gain.

Best is also a very good receiver. He has good concentration, soft hands, and isn't just a dump-off/screen RB, he can actually run routes down field like Reggie Bush does. Head to head with CJ, I'd probably give Spiller a slight edge here, but its surprisingly close.

Best is also a fearless runner who isn't afraid to start outside and go back inside. Despite his size, he's a decent inside rusher. This makes him a better fit for Gibbs than Spiller, who has an annoying habit of bouncing almost every run outside, even runs up the middle.

Best's biggest weakness is his poor pass blocking, which is made worse by his small stature. Typically you think of a rotational RB with Best's receiving skills as a "3rd down back," but his pass blocking will probably keep him off the field on 3rd and long. Although as long as our RBs stay healthy, this won't be too big an issue as Justin Forsett is already a very good 3rd down back.

Concussions are very serious and are starting to get the proper attention they deserve in both the college ranks and the NFL. Best has had not one but two concussions. Normally I take multiple concussions very seriously, but Best's case requires a little context. The worst of his two concussions was a freak accident on a TD leap which resulted in a horrible blow to the back of the head. RB's don't take very many hits to the back of the head, so its a very low risk of recurrence compared to a typical frontal concussion.

Is this still serious and will it effect his stock? Yes. This combined with his rotational back status and other injuries almost guarantees he'll be a 2nd round pick. That's a shame (for him), because Best has the talent of a high 1st rounder. He reminds me a little of Clinton Portis, who was also a great college talent that fell into the mid 2nd round.

If Seattle still owned the #40 pick, I wouldn't hesitate to select Best. I think he'll be an absolute steal for someone in the early to mid 2nd round. If he falls further into the 2nd than people expect, I wouldn't mind one bit if Seattle moved up to get him.

Expect him to be drafted in... Round 2

Must see TV: "On the Beat" at NFL Network

By Kip Earlywine
NFL network is putting together its very own mock draft, in this case, asking beat writers for each team to make the pick they believe makes the most sense. So far they've covered the first 8 teams. Each video is well produced and exciting to watch. The top 4 picks went predictably, but KC pulled a minor surprise at #5 (I always thought he made a ton of sense for KC). Overall, its a top 5 projection I'm sure Rob would appreciate very much.

Steve Raible covers the Seahawks selection, and given the way the top 5 picks went, I think he makes the right choice at #6. I've always liked Raible for his enthusiasm and surprising talent on the radio, but I respect him also for usually knowing the team as well as anybody that covers the Seahawks. And for those who just skip to the Seahawks- both Suh and McCoy were gone before #6.

Thankfully, NFL.com posts these videos on their website. Due to the flash player they use, I can't embed the video- so I'll provide the links instead.

With the 1st pick in the NFL draft, the St. Louis Rams select...

With the 2nd pick in the NFL draft, the Detroit Lions select...

With the 3rd pick in the NFL draft, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers select...

With the 4th pick in the NFL draft, the Washington Redskins select...

With the 5th pick in the NFL draft, the Kansas City Chiefs select...

With the 6th pick in the NFL draft, the Seattle Seahawks select...

With the 7th pick in the NFL draft, the Cleveland Browns select...

With the 8th pick in the NFL draft, the Oakland Raiders select...

Dez Bryant works out - UPDATED

By Rob Staton
Oklahoma State wide out Dez Bryant finally worked out for scouts today. After missing most of the 2009 season through suspension and then failing to work out at the combine - many teams were interested to see how Bryant performed. Amongst the observers - Pete Carroll and John Schneider. Carroll admitted via twitter he's in the midst of a 'road trip' - including watching Bryant today, Sam Bradford yesterday and even managing to squeeze in a game of bowling with Russell Okung. But how did Bryant perform?

It's being reported in some places that he forgot his cleats for the work out. I'm not going to over react to that because even on the most important day of your life - we're all liable to leave something at home or make a basic error. However, teams who were already suspicious about Bryant's organisation and punctuation might see this is as just another thing to roll their eyes at.

He ran three forty yard dashes with an average of 4.55 seconds. It's not a great time, but it's not a disaster. I never expected to see Bryant blow anyone away with his forty run. Neither Bryant nor Michael Crabtree for me were relying on a forty time to boost their stock. Anything faster would've been a pleasant surprise. What it doesn't do is immediately push Bryant back into legitimate top ten consideration. It doesn't drop him much either.

He performed shirtless, perhaps to show that he hasn't spent his time off on the couch. Bryant weighed in at 224lbs which is about 12lbs more than his normal playing weight - but he's added bulk not flab or bad weight.

In my latest mock draft, I had Bryant going #19 to the Atlanta Falcons. In all honesty, it wouldn't surprise me if he went much earlier. The talent is there. I much prefer Crabtree last year, but a lot of people prefer Bryant. It's not so much that Bryant is a 'diva' or comes with any lingering baggage - I just think he's a little immature and needs a strong role model amongst his coaches and teammates. He'll need to show he's willing to put the work in to match the pay packet. Some teams will be put off, but there will come a point when a franchise sees Bryant is still on the board and feels they have to roll the dice.

Atlanta would be a good choice in that they have a very good coaching staff and a particularly mature, level headed franchise quarterback. They have a very good mentor on the roster in Tony Gonzalez. They are a team that aren't too far away from being successful. That is why I think they might be an appealing match. However, these teams aren't obliged to feel that highly about Bryant - which is why he could fall a lot further than #19. His stock right now is amongst the most difficult to judge.

Mike Mayock from the NFL Network discusses Bryant's pro-day and admits he'll have to go back and watch extra tape to get a feel for his stock.

Mayock also speaks to Bryant after the work out. The OSU wide out was pleased with his vertical jump, but feels he can run a lot faster than his forty suggests.

Prospects attending the draft

By Rob Staton

One of the consolation prizes for a bad season and picking early in the draft is getting to see your latest signing in New York holding aloft a Seahawks jersey. Last year, Aaron Curry and family had the pleasure of wearing a nuclear lime green cap as he was introduced as Seattle's first round draft pick. This year the color code is a little more orthodox. With two picks in the top fourteen, there's a chance two draft picks will be on stage holding a Seahawks jersey on April 22nd. So who's been invited to the event?

Ndamukong Suh (DT, Nebraska) and Gerald McCoy (DT, Oklahoma) will definitely be there and this has been confirmed. Sam Bradford (QB, Oklahoma) will almost certainly be in New York as the likely #1 overall pick, but he's still 'mulling over' whether to attend. He will do. Derrick Morgan, (DE, Georgia Tech), Dan Williams (DT, Tennessee) and Jared Odrick (DT/DE, Penn State) will also be there to present a strong defensive line presence. Russell Okung (OT, Oklahoma State) and Trent Williams (OT, Oklahoma) are the two offensive tackles to confirm attendance. Eric Berry (S, Tennessee) will be there and an invitation has been sent out to Joe Haden (CB, Florida) but it's unclear whether he'll be in New York. Jimmy Clausen, Tim Tebow and Colt McCoy have received invites but may not attend.

The latest prospect to receive an invitation and confirm attendance is C.J. Spiller (RB, Clemson). I've been mocking Spiller and Derrick Morgan to the Seahawks over the last few weeks. It used to be the top 5-6 prospects attended the draft, but with the event stretching over a few days and with a prime time audience - the number of attendees is increasing considerably. The chances are if Seattle keep the #6 and the #14 pick, we'll be seeing two Seahawks jersey's on the stage in round one. Of course - the tension will be killed when the cameras go into the green room to show said prospects on the phone to Pete Carroll. It's a pet hate, but I wish they'd keep the cameras out until the pick has been called.

POTD: Myron Lewis, CB/FS, Vanderbilt

By Kip Earlywine

Height: 6'2"
Weight: 205 lbs.
40 time: 4.52

No video again this time. In fact, there aren't even that many scouting reports out yet on Lewis, but here are a few I've found: The Football Fan Spot's report, and FFtoolbox's report. The latter of which compared Lewis to a smaller, slightly slower Sean Smith (and probably with shorter arms). The article mentions that Smith had a solid rookie season for Miami last year. Which is cool to hear. I was a big fan of Smith's in last year's draft, and I've talked to a lot of Hawks fans that liked him back then too.

Just from looking at the numbers, Lewis seems like a pretty impressive mid-round option. He has great size for a corner, and had very good production in college. He's also been highly durable and was a 4 year starter. He even had 5 sacks in 2008, so he can rush the QB if asked to (its not as silly as it sounds, for example, Josh Wilson has been a terrific pass rusher for us).

The only real knock on Lewis is his 4.52 speed (although he's alleged to have run a 4.42 in the past), which will probably turn off man coverage teams and makes Lewis a somewhat unlikely starter for a good defense. Like Jerome Murphy, a switch to free safety could be in his NFL future. Rob Rang mentions at his blog that he believes Lewis is an NFL safety, and believes he'll be a pretty good one. I'd still like to see Lewis given a chance at corner if Seattle drafts him. Lewis could perhaps be a quality backup CB, and if given stellar safety help, would certainly be worth a shot as a #2 CB in zone cover.

Expect him to be drafted in... Rounds 3-5

Bradford impressive - but what did you expect?

By Rob Staton
Sam Bradford kicked off a big week of individual work outs by wowing onlookers at his pro-day. Seahawks head coach Pete Carroll was present and left this message via twitter: "Just leaving OU... Sam Bradford had a great workout at his pro day... He lit it up!" Gil Brandt from NFL.com was also blown away by Bradford's performance:

"Sam Bradford’s workout in front of representatives for all 32 NFL teams at Oklahoma’s pro day almost left me speechless. And that’s saying something.

"Bradford threw 63 passes (13 during a stationary period and 50 scripted throws) during the workout and, in my estimation, didn’t have one that was uncatchable. He moved around well, including throwing on the run out of the pocket, and went through the entire route tree. The scripted workout included three-, five- and seven-step drops, shotgun, and play-action plays, plus sprints and rollouts to both sides.

"It really was a treat to watch, and I think everyone here was in awe of Bradford’s performance. In fact, he put on the best quarterback workout by a draft prospect that I’ve seen since I watched a private workout Troy Aikman put on for us with the Cowboys in California.

"If Bradford is feeling the effects of his shoulder injury or is experiencing any weakness, there were no indications of that. He threw with velocity during the entire workout."
- Gil Brandt, NFL.com

It now appears to be a near certainty that St. Louis will draft Bradford with the first overall pick. It's been a consensus choice for some weeks now, but people still wanted to see Bradford fully recovered from shoulder surgery and throwing for scouts. He's out there, making throws - and he'll be the #1 pick.

Even so - this is no big surprise. Oklahoma's pro-day is no different to any other - a collection of scripted throws in a comfortable environment. No pass rush, no pads and receivers you're familiar with. I'm not sure there's a first round prospect out there who would struggle in those circumstances. The performance part of today is no great shake. The fact Bradford appears healthy and has maintained eye catching physical statistics (6'5", 236lbs) is the key.

Big week for big name prospects

By Rob Staton
This is an important week in the context of the NFL Draft. Today, Sam Bradford will work out for the first time. A good performance likely confirms he'll be taken first overall by the St. Louis Rams. The nature of these pro-days is to best show the prospect in a comfortable environment. It would surprise me if Bradford doesn't perform to a high standard. Still - it'll be interesting to see how he gets on.

On Tuesday, Oklahoma State wide out Dez Bryant will work out. He missed the combine through injury and skipped the Cowboys pro-day. Having not participated in game action for some months and not worked out for scouts, there's some concern Bryant is out of shape. Throw in the character concerns and some have started to predict a heavy fall on draft day. If Bryant runs in the 4.4's - that will soon be forgotten. However, if he runs a bad time (4.6's) and looks sluggish - paired with the off the field issues - he may drop like a stone.

Also on Tuesday - Anthony Davis will hold a private work out. He didn't perform at the Rutgers pro-day, which apparently angered some scouts. For me, Davis remains the most likely to go off the board first from the 2010 tackle class. Pass protection rules the day and Davis is superior to Okung, Williams, Bulaga et al in that aspect. He's young (only 20 years old) and needs to mature, whilst questions remain about his work ethic (and rightly so). However, when all is said and done I expect Davis to remain a top ten pick the same way that Andre Smith maintained his position amongst the top picks last year.

Texas quarterback Colt McCoy will throw for scouts on Wednesday. He took part in most drills at the combine. He's been nursing a minor injury since the BCS Championship. I don't expect McCoy to impress too many people when he throws - the tape has shown a lack of arm strength or accuracy throwing deep. I'm not sure what he can do throwing on Wednesday to significantly improve his stock. However, a lot of these suggestions he'll go in the late first round or early second will be put to bed if he performs badly. I just don't see a NFL starting caliber QB in McCoy, despite his superb college career.

The USC pro-day will also take place on Wednesday, with a number of big names likely to participate. It could be another opportunity for offensive lineman Charles Brown to impress, not to mention the likes of Everson Griffen, Taylor Mays, Damian Williams, Joe McKnight and Stafon Johnson.

POTD: Jerome Murphy, CB/FS, USF

By Kip Earlywine

Height: 6'0"
Weight: 192 lbs.
40 time: 4.52



Positives:

• Fearless and tough. Doesn't shy from contact and makes big hits for a CB
• Good effort, doesn't quit plays
• Seems adequate in most areas, no glaring weaknesses
• Good special teams contributor
• Is around the ball a lot and has a knack for being at the right place at the right time
• Durable
• Experienced

Negatives:

• Relatively thin frame and (I've read) he can struggle against big WRs
• Awkward in open field run support
• Dive tackler who gets a lot of tackles by the skin of his teeth
• Doesn't really excel or stand out as a CB, and plays a bit more like a safety
• Speed is just ok, he probably won't excel at special teams as much in the pros

My thoughts:

The video I linked isn't the greatest, but it seems like every other video on Murphy (and there's surprisingly quite a few) is dedicated to his special teams play. When 75% of your youtube tribute videos are dedicated special teams, that almost strikes me as a backhanded compliment. Especially since he's good at special teams but not amazing and with 4.52 speed and a corners body, he doesn't figure to impact special teams too much at the next level.

Murphy is not a bad player. I really respect his effort level and willingness to sacrifice himself in the run game. Even at pro speed, I think he'll be a decent special teamer, although probably just ok as a return man. But as a corner, I just couldn't shake the feeling that Murphy looks like a "preseason hero" to me (think Nick Reed). I do think he has a future in the NFL, but its likely as a backup DB and special teams player.

The player he reminds me of the most is Jordan Babineaux. Like Babs, Murphy is 6'0", and plays a bit more like a safety (very aggressive style) than a corner (who tend to be more finesse). Babs outweighs Murphy by 14 lbs, but Murphy easily has the frame to add that kind of weight. Babs is not a good corner, but he is an adequate free safety, and similarly, I could see a switch to FS in Murphy's future. Like Babs, Murphy is often involved in big plays for his Southern Florida squad and seems to come up big when it matters. I don't know if this is a skill, but I have to at least commend both players for their effort level and never quitting on plays. And last, Babs is not a terrible tackler, but he sometimes can be awkward in the open field running game (remember Frank Gore's two huge runs last year?). I see a similar awkwardness watching Murphy stammer as he reads and anticipates an approaching running back.

I think most Seahawks fans are happy with Babineaux's career. So should we be happy if the team drafts Murphy?

Maybe not. After all, he's just like Babs, and despite the fact that it feels like Babs has been here an eternity, he's only 27 and has stayed healthy. We don't really need another Babineax- we need a starting caliber corner, or at least a free safety good enough to scare Babs for his job. Murphy is not likely either of those things. If he's still there in round 6, I'd personally consider him worth taking for special teams and depth, but he'll be gone long before then. Of course, it wouldn't shock me if Seattle considered him earlier than that.

Murphy is currently scheduled to meet with 8 NFL teams for private workouts. Three NFC West teams, including Seattle, are among them. He might be a player to keep an eye on.

Expect him to be drafted in... Rounds 2-4

Game planning the Seahawks is easy, right?

By Rob Staton

Just for a second imagine you're a NFL defensive coordinator. Your next game is against the Seattle Seahawks and you're sitting down with the rest of the staff to think up a gameplan. You look at the roster and see T.J. Houshmandzadeh as the main threat at receiver, there's a couple of running backs in Julius Jones and Justin Forsett and there's Matt Hasselbeck starting at quarterback.

What do you make of that? Personally, I'd do what most teams did in 2009. Stick a guy to shadow Houshmandzadeh and make a heavy commitment to attack the offensive line. You're not really concerned you'll get beat deep because the quarterback hasn't got the big arm or the receivers to hurt you. You can stack up against the run knowing there isn't much chance Jones or Forsett will find the edge, hit top gear and break off the huge run. You're prepared to gamble a little having extra pass rushers off the edge knowing that this is a team that won't make you pay.

This puts a lot of pressure on the offensive line. The left tackle will sometimes have multiple guys to keep away from the quarterback. The interior will struggle creating the holes for the running game.

The point of this exercise is to determine what the Seahawks can do to stop this happening in future. Without doubt one of Seattle's greatest needs is to improve the offensive line. It's lost key starters since Super Bowl XL, a number of injury problems have hampered the replacements and a switch of philosophy to a zone blocking scheme might have complicated matters. Drafting a left tackle early in 2010 is considered a prime need and locking up the position long term would be beneficial to the Seahawks going forward.

However - you put Jason Smith, Eugene Monroe, Michael Oher or Andre Smith at left tackle on the 2009 Seahawks. Does anything change? They're still blocking two guys off the edge. They're still being attacked with a heavy blitz or having to take on eight in the box. A rookie drafted this year will face the same issues unless the Seahawks can demand greater respect from the opposition. They need to draw attention away from the line and force greater coverage in the passing game. There needs to be more balance and creativity to keep teams guessing. There needs to be more speed, power - execution.

As a case example, if the Seahawks acquired Brandon Marshall and C.J. Spiller - a defense now has to consider double coverage on Marshall, which ultimately creates more space for Houshmandzadeh. This will restrict a team being able to blitz too much - knowing there'll be more room in the secondary. That takes pressure away from the offensive line.

Adding a guy who can hit the edge and break off big runs, hit the home run from the running back position and offer pure speed and pass catching will stop teams being able to stack up through the middle and spread their coverage. Rather than Seattle not being able to move forward until they draft a left tackle, I actually think any offensive lineman will struggle until the Seahawks add playmakers.

Aside from finding a pass rush, all of Seattle's biggest needs are on offense. But it's a double edged sword and drafting an offensive lineman is only part of the solution. Playmakers will also need to be a priority. Relying on later round picks at the skill positions hasn't been good enough for Seattle in recent years. I think that could change, possibly starting on April 22nd.

Tim Tebow discussion

Jon McKinney's Pro-Day

By Rob Staton
In January I received an email from Jon McKinney, a prospect from Wingate University hoping to hear his name called during this year's NFL draft. He sent me a great video (posted below) showing off some highlights and he's since kept in touch. Jon's pro-day takes place on Monday at Newberry College (2100 COLLEGE STREET, NEWBERRY, SC 29108). He also conducted this interview with Scott Carasik from West Sports Report. All the best for Monday Jon - I'll be keeping an eye on how things go.

POTD: Chris Cook, CB/S, Virginia

By Kip Earlywine

Height: 6'2"
Weight: 212 lbs.
40 time: 4.46

Sadly, this picture of Chris Cook is pretty much the full extent of what I could find on him without getting actual game tape. So like the Ghee POTD, I'm going to link some scouting reports done by other sites:

GangGreenNation (Jets blog)
FFtoolbox

Matt McGuire at Walter Football hinted (probably as humor) that Cook might interest Al Davis. The inference being that Cook is a better athlete than football player. The scouting reports seem to back that assertion up. Cook is definitely a physical specimen. Its not very often you see a DB that can physically play all 3 defensive back positions (CB, FS, and SS). Seattle needs an immediate starter at strong safety, which probably makes Cook a little less likely, especially considering his injury history. But could he be a "buy low" option if he somehow slips into the 4th round? Perhaps. I doubt he makes it out of round 3, but he might be a guy to keep an eye on.

Expect him to be drafted in... Rounds 2-3

Suh for the Seahawks?

By Rob Staton
I wouldn't get too excited by the title because the chances of Ndamukong Suh returning to the North West (he's originally from Oregon) are limited to none. I am 100% sure that the worst case scenario for Suh will be going third overall to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers - and that's only if Detroit prefer Gerald McCoy.

However...

Bucky Brooks from the NFL Network publishes his latest mock draft today and he sends Suh to the Seahawks. It won't happen. You're probably bored of me saying Russell Okung won't go second overall, but I am completely convinced that will not happen. For arguments sake, let's say this does happen and the Buccs do take Gerald McCoy third overall. Ndamukong Suh's best position might actually be as a five technique in the 3-4 system. He has all the qualities you want for that roke and it might actually suit him more than lining up as a three technique in the 4-3. I think it'd be a major stretch to watch the two 3-4 teams (Kansas City and now Washington) passing on Suh - regardless of needs elsewhere.

Let me quote Mike Mayock for you on this subject:

"The fact that you (Charles Davis) and Bucky both have Okung going #2 to Detroit tells me it's got no shot at happening (said only half jokingly). I'll tell you now Bucky, if Suh gets to #6 I'll come out and coach your Notre Dame high school defensive backs at 6am because that aint happening. Here's the deal: at #2 I don't see Detroit passing on value. Suh is way too good to pass on at that point. There's no way at #4 or #5 Washington or Kansas City pass him up. He can't get to #6." - Mike Mayock

I completely agree with Mayock. There's no chance Ndamukong Suh gets to #6. It's almost just as impossible for McCoy to last until #6. In my opinion, the Seahawks probably won't be drafting one of those two stud defensive tackles and will have to look elsewhere. A nice thought, but an unlikely eventuality.

Mel Kiper and Todd McShay talk draft

POTD: Donovan Warren, CB, Michigan

By Kip Earlywine

Height: 6'0"
Weight: 193
40 time: 4.59



Positives:

• Fluid Hips
• Very quick reaction speed
• Good explosion or short area quickness
• Love his footwork, natural looking runner
• Soft hands
• Very good, aggressive tackler
• Nice subtlety, knows how to tiptoe on the line with penalties
• Productive 2009 season
• Very high effort player
• Poorly coached, may have hidden potential
• Durable: 36 starts in 3 years.
• No character concerns

Negatives:

• Slow 40 time, may possibly have to switch to free safety
• Can be burned by very fast WR, will need good safety help
• Occasionally makes ugly mistakes
• Sometimes concedes the completion by going for the tackle
• Doesn't compete for jump balls as much as you'd like
• Sometimes iffy man cover skills, from what I saw

My thoughts:

It was only January when Warren was considered the #2 or #3 CB in the draft, and a mid to late 1st round pick. Then Warren ran a 4.59 forty at the combine, and suddenly, he's fallen off the face of the planet. He's now considered a probable mid-round pick. Its amazing how much a bad 40 time can kill your stock sometimes if you are a cornerback. This plays to Seattle's advantage in a couple ways. First, it allows them to potentially address a big need (big CB) a little later in the draft by taking Warren in the mid-rounds, and if Warren ultimately proves too slow and must convert to free safety, the Seahawks need depth at free safety anyway.

Warren fits the Schneider criteria for a CB. He's 6 feet tall, and though he doesn't look physically imposing, he plays very aggressively and is incredible in run support. Warren is well rounded but if I had to say he's especially good in one area- its limiting YAC. It seems like there are 3 types of DBs, those who go for the ball, those who go for the big hit, and those that simply concede the reception and go for a sound tackle that eliminates yards after the catch. Warren fits very nicely into that 3rd category. Which might seem annoying, but then again, the same trait was evident in Marcus Trufant.

Watching Warren's highlights, you have to seriously wonder how a player like this could ever reach the 3rd round, much less the 4th or 5th. He reminds me a little of a poor man's Malcolm Jenkins. Jenkins was a "do everything" type with no real weaknesses, but ran an unimpressive 4.55 at his combine last year. Jenkins was saved from a potential draft free fall in the middle 1st by the Saints. Jenkins went on to have a pretty nice rookie season including some nice games in the postseason. As a cornerback.

Walterfootball has a pretty glowing scouting report of Warren, comparing him to Dunta Robinson. Robinson is a very talented, but flawed CB who is a pretty good example of the types of CB's our FO will look for.

Warren has made a very good first impression for me, and if he's still there in the 4th round, I'd consider him a bargain.

Expect him to be drafted in... Rounds 3-5

POTD: Brandon Ghee, CB, Wake Forest

By Kip Earlywine

Height: 6'0"
Weight: 192 lbs.
40 time: 4.37

Unfortunately, there isn't really any good video for me to link on Ghee, which is surprising since only a month ago, he was considered a borderline 1st round pick. What I can offer are a couple of brief highlights. Here's one that shows how physical Ghee can be, as he lights up CJ Spiller. Here's another, which shows a very athletic interception. I did see enough glimpses of Ghee to be initially impressed by him, but not enough to draw any conclusions or share any insight.

So instead, I'll recommend this scouting report by Matt McGuire on Ghee. McGuire's awareness of the Seahawks needs and Carroll/Schneiders particular preferences are scary accurate. It wouldn't shock me if he was a closet Seahawks fan. I've always been a fan of his scouting reports. I personally trust what he has to say. Ghee figures to be drafted right around our #60 pick.

Because this isn't a real POTD, I'll probably include another one later tonight when I get some time.

Edit: Here are some additional scouting reports left in the comments by Nano and Clanterman.

CBS
MockingTheDraft

I thought it was particularly interesting that MockingTheDraft liked Ghee's instincts much better in zone than in man. Sounds like a potentially great fit for Seattle.

"Player of The Day" series update

By Kip Earlywine
We are now about a month away from the 2010 NFL draft. In that draft, 255 amateur players will be drafted by NFL teams. To this point, I've covered a mere 26 of them. Optimistically, I can hope to maybe cover 20 more before draft day, that works out to about 5 per week. So be sure to keep checking out the site, as I'll be cranking out player previews until we reach the finish line!

Because I can only cover so many players, I'm going to focus mainly on prospects that figure to be taken between picks #14 and #127 (4th rounder from Philly). In particular, I'm going to be looking at zone oriented offensive linemen, corners who are at least six feet tall, CB/FS hybrids, strong safeties, and wide receivers, because I think those positions have the strongest chance of being considered by Seattle in rounds 2-4 (RB will be strongly considered too- but I've already covered several RBs).

Nothing is set in stone, but here are some of the players I am more likely to cover. Prospects with easily obtained footage are more likely to be chosen:

Cornerbacks (six foot plus):

Brandon Ghee
Donovan Warren (CB/FS)
Chris Cook (CB/FS)
Jerome Murphy (CB/FS)
Myron Lewis (CB/FS)

Strong Safeties:

Chad Jones
Reshad Jones
Larry Asante
Myron Rolle
Harry Coleman
Barry Church
Lucien Antoine (requested, but unlikely)

Non-1st round tackle prospects:

Jason Fox
Roger Saffold
Tony Washington
Selvish Capers
Ed Wang

Interior linemen:

Jon Asamoah
Zane Beadles
Mike Johnson (a whopping 6'6", but perhaps worth a look)
Sergio Render
Shawn Lauvao
J.D. Walton (center/guard)
Jeff Byers (center/guard)
Eric Olsen (center/guard)
Maurkice Pouncey (center/guard)

Wide Receiver:

Carlton Mitchell
Demaryius Thomas
Riley Cooper
Marcus Easley
Jordan Shipley

Running Backs:

Joe McKnight (by request)

QB (somewhat unlikely I'll cover these):

Sam Bradford (extra unlikely)
Jimmy Clausen (unlikely)
Tim Tebow (more likely)
Sean Canfield (by request)

Special teams players (very unlikely I'll cover these):

Javier Arenas
Akwasi Owusu-Ansah
Jacoby Ford (requested, but unlikely)

***
As far as real scouting reports go, we have Kyle Rota already busting them out, but I decided I will do some real scouting reports, AFTER the draft. If I can finagle 4 game tapes (or torrents) per player, I'll give a detailed breakdown of each future Seahawk, as time allows, after the draft.

Pat Kirwan: Gerald McCoy falling?

By Rob Staton

One of the more established writer's I'm following closely is NFL.com's Pat Kirwan. It's well advertised that Kirwan is close to Pete Carroll. This doesn't mean Kirwan will necessarily publish Seattle's draft plans, but it does mean he is more qualified than most to suggest what could happen. In his latest mock draft published this week - he had the Seahawks taking C.J. Spiller (RB, Clemson) and Derrick Morgan (DE, Georgia Tech) in round one. I've been mocking the same double pick for the last fortnight.

But it's not just Kirwan's ties to Carroll that makes for an interesting read - he's also incredibly close to a lot of sources in and around the league. His most recent article discusses some of the moves that could happen in the upcoming draft.

"Is Oklahoma defensive tackle Gerald McCoy going to drop in the draft? According to one personnel director, who said 'Watch and see McCoy fall out of the top three and maybe all the way down to No. 6 in Seattle.'" - Pat Kirwan

I assume the link here is that Russell Okung goes second overall to Detroit and Ndamukong Suh ends up in Tampa Bay, dropping McCoy down to #6. However - that point isn't stated. I remain completely unconvinced that Detroit will go in any other direction than Suh or McCoy. It will be mind blowing to me if that happens, because I think the Lions firmly believe in Jeff Backus (who gets a raw deal for not being an expensive, high draft pick). Despite recent moves in free agency, defense is still Detroit's major problem. They ranked dead last in the league last year. I expect Ndamukong Suh to be wearing a Lions cap on April 22nd.

Would the Buccs pass on McCoy? They have a big need at defensive tackle, so I think it's unlikely. But here's one scenario to throw out there for discussion - let's say the Redskins are high on Jimmy Clausen after all. Does a team move up to #3 to get ahead of Washington? That for me is the most likely scenario to see McCoy fall - with Tampa Bay moving down the board. If they don't rank McCoy as highly as Kirwan's source is alluding to, the Oklahoma prospect could find a home in Seattle. It's still a huge stretch to see that happen though, in my opinion.

Updated two-round mock draft: 24th March

By Rob Staton
There's under a month to go until the NFL draft and many questions are still to be answered. When I watched the tape of Jimmy Clausen, I wasn't completely convinced a team would spend a top ten pick to make him the future of their franchise. At the same time, I appreciated his background in a pro-style offense and the importance of the position he's played. In my mocks, I've shown Clausen going in the top ten (including to Seattle) and I've had him sinking down the board.

The Seahawks at #6 and Cleveland at #7 have both added quarterbacks outside of the draft. Is it a sign that Clausen won't be around by the time they select, or a sign that they have no interest in taking the Notre Dame quarterback? Are the Redskins really interested in bringing him to Washington? Today I'll look at a scenario I haven't yet reviewed.


Round One



#1 St. Louis: Sam Bradford (QB, Oklahoma)
The Rams have decided that they need to find a franchise quarterback. Bradford will be the choice. I'm not convinced by the McNabb trade talk.




#2 Detroit: Ndamukong Suh (DT, Nebraska)
I still see Okung placed here and I still don't buy it. I'll hold my hands up if I'm wrong, but for me it'll be mind blowing should it happen.




#3 Tampa Bay: Gerald McCoy (DT, Oklahoma)
The Buccs will settle for McCoy if Suh's off the board. This fills a huge need in Tampa Bay.




#4 Washington: Anthony Davis (OT, Rutgers)
People are low on Davis right now, but he has the most upside and he's already the best pure pass protector in this class. I think Shanahan will like this guy.




#5 Kansas City: Rolando McClain (LB, Alabama)
Nobody thought Tyson Jackson would go third overall this time last year. Kansas City will do what it takes to build a great 3-4 defense.




#6 Seattle: C.J. Spiller (RB, Clemson)
Is it expensive? Sure. Do people like it? A lot don't. You can get Spiller twenty touches a game and he'll get you points in return. Don't bet against this pick - it could happen even if you're not seeing it suggested in a lot of places.




#7 Cleveland: Eric Berry (S, Tennessee)
The Browns could go in a number of directions but they'll consider taking Berry to add a much needed presence in the secondary. I still think Berry could slide out of the top ten.




#8 Oakland: Trent Williams (OT, Oklahoma)
I'll be honest, when I watched this guy in 2009 I wasn't impressed. But he ran a 4.8 forty yard dash and suddenly people talk about him in a much more positive way. Sounds like an Oakland pick to me.




#9 Buffalo: Bryan Bulaga (OT, Iowa)
Bulaga will interest teams as a left tackle despite his short arms. Chan Gailey has experimented with the spread as an offensive coordinator, so Clausen's pro-style ability won't necessarily turn his head. I just can't see a Gailey-Clausen match.




#10 Jacksonville: Earl Thomas (S, Texas)
Thomas is another who itrigues me a lot. Some talk this week that he might not be as high on some boards as expected. Is it just talk to force a fall? The Jaguars will probably look to move down if possible.




#11 Denver: Sergio Kindle (OLB, Texas)
The Broncos have rebuilt their defensive line in free agency. They might look to add
an outside presence in the draft with Sergio Kindle - who is stout against the run.




#12 Miami: Dan Williams (DT, Tennessee)
The Dolphins re-signed Jason Ferguson, but he's suspended for the first half of the season. He's also getting up in years, so adding Williams to play the valuable nose tackle makes sense




#13 San Francisco: Jimmy Clausen (QB, Notre Dame)
The 49ers are not convinced with Alex Smith. They want to be, but they aren't. If Clausen falls here they'll really consider adding him. Having an extra pick at #17 and being able to fill another need will make this more realistic.




#14 Seattle: Derrick Morgan (DE, Georgia Tech)
There are a lot of options for Seattle here. They could move down the board or make a trade for Brandon Marshall. If they stay put - Morgan makes a ton of sense as the most polished defensive end in this class.




#15 New York Giants: Joe Haden (CB, Florida)
Haden repaired his stock with a well run forty at the Florida pro-day in difficult weather conditions.




#16 Tennessee: Jason Pierre-Paul (DE, USF)
Pierre-Paul is raw but he has unlimited upside and teams will look at him as someone they can coach into greatness. His lack of experience might keep him out of the top ten, but he owns top ten talent.




#17 San Francisco: Taylor Mays (S, USC)
Mike Singletary loves guys like Taylor Mays. The Niners have a need in the secondary, particularly at the strong safety position.




#18 Pittsburgh: Kyle Wilson (CB, Boise State)
The Steelers could tap into the depth at cornerback by taking the second best prospect after Joe Haden leaves the board.




#19 Atlanta: Dez Bryant (WR, Oklahoma State)
Receiver isn't a need for Atlanta, but the Falcons will have to consider him as BPA if he falls this far. Another great target for Matt Ryan.




#20 Houston: Kareem Jackson (CB, Alabama)
With a run on cornerbacks under way, the Texans will be cautious of filling the hole left by Dunta Robinson's departure.




#21 Cincinnati: Brian Price (DT, UCLA)
The Bengals do have needs on the defensive line and Price would offer a disruptive interior presence.




#22 New England: Jared Odrick (DT, Penn State)
The Patriots are in the process of major changes on their defensive line. Drafting the versatile Odrick gives New England some options long term.




#23 Green Bay: Russell Okung (OT, Oklahoma State)
Kyle Rota's scouting report on Okung is an absolute must read and highlights some of the reasons why Okung might not be a top ten lock. He performed well at the combine before his injury, but if any of the tackle class is facing an unexpected fall - I think it could be Okung.




#24 Philadelphia: Mike Iupati (OG, Idaho)
The Eagles could still target a defensive end like Everson Griffen or Carlos Dunlap despite trading for Darryl Tapp. However, Iupati could be a surprise contender to land in Philly.




#25 Baltimore: Devin McCourty (CB, Rutgers)
The Ravens would find some value in the under rated McCourty, who put on a show at the combine.




#26 Arizona: Charles Brown (OT, USC)
Brown could go higher than this, he really helped his stock by hitting 300lbs at the combine. The Cardinals could consider taking a tackle in round one.




#27 Dallas: Demaryius Thomas (WR, Georgia Tech)
Jerry Jones could target a big target at receiver. He's traditionally avoided drafting offensive lineman in round one and he likes a flashy pick.




#28 San Diego: Brandon Graham (OLB, Michigan)
Graham is a great pass rusher, but his lack of size could put off teams - as we saw with Everette Brown last year.




#29 New York Jets: Everson Griffen (DE, USC)
The Jets need to add to their pass rush and Griffen will interest some teams as a 3-4 outside rusher.




#30 Minnesota: Patrick Robinson (CB, Florida State)
Opinion differs so much on Robinson. He owns top 15 qualities, but watch the tape and you see so many mistakes. Playing behind a very good defensive line should help.




#31 Indianapolis: Maurkice Pouncey (C, Florida)
The Colts like their lineman to fit their scheme, they don't mind smaller guys. That's good news for Pouncey, who arrived at the combine smaller than advertised. He could play some guard from day one and eventually move to center.




#32 New Orleans: Sean Weatherspoon (LB, Missouri)
I was never blown away watching tape of Weatherspoon from 2009. He should warrant consideration here though and offers an instant impact as a rookie.


Round Two



#33 St. Louis: Jermaine Gresham (TE, Oklahoma)
Getting Sam Bradford a safety net - especially one he's worked with in college - makes sense. Injuries are the only reason Gresham is still available here.




#34 Detroit: Carlos Dunlap (DE, Florida)
The potential reward taking Dunlap here counters the risk that comes with his inconsistent effort.




#35 Tampa Bay: Arrelious Benn (WR, Illinois)
The Buccs need to add some weapons for Josh Freeman.




#36 Kansas City: Golden Tate (WR, Notre Dame)
Tate impressed everyone with his speed at the combine and his production was superb in 2009. However, I still think he'll do well to find a home in round one.




#37 Washington: Roger Saffold (OT, Indiana)
Saffold's stock is rising sufficiently after a good combine and Washington must find a left tackle.




#38 Cleveland: Eric Decker (WR, Minnesota)
Browns GM Tom Heckert personally watched Decker on a number of occasions last year. The Browns need to add another receiver.




#39 Oakland: Chris Cook (CB, Virginia)
Al Davis loves to draft defensive backs and he loves to draft guys who run fast forty times. A perfect match.




#40 San Diego: Dominique Franks (CB, Oklahoma)
The Chargers' deal to move up with Seattle could see a corner back targetted early in round two.




#41 Buffalo: Tim Tebow (QB, Florida)
Chan Gailey experimented with the spread using Tyler Thigpen in Kansas City. If Jacksonville don't find a way to take him, Buffalo appears to be an alternative but I honestly think there's a chance Tebow goes earlier than this.




#42 Tampa Bay: Brandon Ghee (CB, Wake Forest)
The Buccs have a lot of needs. Ghee could go this early after running well at the combine.




#43 Miami: Ricky Sapp (OLB, Clemson)
Bill Parcells likes to draft linebackers and Sapp would be a steal here.




#44 New England: Rob Gronkowski (TE, Arizona)
The Patriots go through tight ends like they're going out of fashion, so they might invest one of these picks on a guy like Gronkowski. Back issues could force him way down the board.




#45 Denver: Brandon LaFell (WR, LSU)
LaFell has disappointed at the combine and during the 2009 season, but he has the potential to have a Dwayne Bowe type rookie season.




#46 New York Giants: Jahvid Best (RB, California)
Concussions push Best down the board, but this would be a great fit as part of a three-pronged rushing attack.




#47 New England: Jerry Hughes (OLB, TCU)
Hughes could go earlier than this - he'll be valuable as a pure pass rusher.




#48 Carolina: Aaron Hernandez (TE, Florida)
Not Carolina's greatest need, but a solid pass catching safety net for whoever starts at quarterback.




#49 San Francisco: Damian Williams (WR, USC)
The 49ers might look to add another weapon to go alongside Crabtree, especially if they do draft Clausen in round one.




#50 Kansas City: Cam Thomas (DT, North Carolina)
The Chiefs complete their 3-4 rebuild with a nose tackle.




#51 Houston: Ryan Mathews (RB, Fresno State)
I'm not as high on Mathews as some, but Houston appears ready to draft a new running back.




#52 Pittsburgh: Alex Carrington (DE, Arkansas State)
The Steelers add to their defensive line having drafted a cornerback in round one.




#53 New England: Ben Tate (RB, Auburn)
The Patriots always find ways to add talent and Tate could sneak into round two.




#54 Cincinnati: Bruce Campbell (OT, Maryland)
Very athletic, but the tape doesn't show a dominant force.




#55 Philadelphia: Daryl Washington (OLB, TCU)
A rising name who would fill a need for Philly.




#56 Green Bay: Amari Spievey (CB, Iowa)
The Packers could use corner help, although I think Joe McKnight is a sleeper to go here.




#57 Baltimore: Anthony McCoy (TE, USC)
McCoy flashed first round ability during the 2009 season, but injury and academic issues restricted production.




#58 Arizona: Torell Troup (DT, UCF)
The Cardinals might invest a pick at the all important nose tackle position.




#59 Dallas: Chad Jones (S, LSU)
Great size and athleticism at the safety position - something Jerry Jones likes to see.




#60 Seattle: Lamarr Houston (DT, Texas)
The Seahawks might have considered Houston at #40. A lack of 4-3 teams in need of an interior presence could mean he's still around twenty picks later - and this is great value.




#61 New York Jets: Linval Joseph (DT, East Carolina)
One to watch - Joseph is a potential nose tackle who ran a 5.09 and benched 39 reps - whilst weighing 328lbs. Strong and fast guys who play this position go early.




#62 Minnesota: Joe McKnight (RB, USC)
This makes sense in terms of a good replacement for Chester Taylor.




#63 Indianapolis: Geno Atkins (DT, Georgia)
The Colts like smaller, faster lineman on both sides of the ball. Atkins ran well at the combine and weighed in under 300lbs.




#64 New Orleans: Morgan Burnett (S, Georgia Tech)
It's unclear what the future holds for Darren Sharper, but if New Orleans move on they'll have a lot of options here. Reshad Jones and Major Wright could be alternatives.