this was from wrap edition of ear to the ground dynasty IDP column... though just from in-depth profile section and year end...LinebackersA.J. Hawk, WLB, Ohio State (6'1" 238) - High First Round (Top 5-10) +'s... Probably the best defensive player in the country, and certainly the top graded LB prospect (Lombardi Award winner for nation's top LB/DL). Appears to be the total package, with size, strength and speed (clocked a 4.4 at the Buckeyes pro day timing)... his best attributes, however, may be his instincts, intensity and intangibles. Rarely out of position, great sense of angles, doesn't stay blocked long and is a fundamentally, technically sound tackler in the open field. Complete game includes coverage skills. High character-type with nonstop motor who is humble and will be very coachable and a respected teammate, which should smooth his transition. Very durable (hasn't missed a game since his freshman year in high school). -'s... Not many... can be overly aggressive, causing him to at times overrun plays and compromise the defense... but this is a correctable flaw. Forecast... Will be the first LB taken in many IDP rookie drafts... almost regardless of where he goes, should be the favorite for 2006 DROY... has the athleticism and versatility to play inside or outside, but WLB could be his most natural position at the next level... where he might best leverage his sideline-to-sideline playmaking skills, phenomenal pursuit ability and rare closing speed relatively unencumbered by traffic... may not be as good an athlete as LaVar Arrington, but could be a better football player... better natural tools than Keith Brooking. Chad Greenway, OLB/ILB, Iowa (6'4" 244) - Mid-Late First Round +'s... Likely the #2 graded LB... freakish measurables (has been clocked as low as 4.4 and jumped as high as 40"+ in the vertical jump) might be the best for a frontline LB prospect in over half a decade... in terms of measurables and athleticism (if not as tangibly translated into identifiable production), Brian Urlacher could be a comp player. -'s... Took a step backwards in 2005 and didn't meet the high expectations of scouts based on a prior stellar body of work with Iowa... may have been compensating for a lack of some of the surrounding talent he previously enjoyed... may not have elite instincts, run/pass recognition or ability to get off blocks... takes false steps and fails to wrap up at times. Forecast... Similar to Hawk in that he has the multifaceted game and array of skills to line up inside or outside, but probably fits best at WLB at the next level... unlike Hawk, he may not be as pro-ready or make as big an impact his rookie season... could be more of a work in progress and a boom or bust risk than advertised... due to his monster athleticism he has an extremely high ceiling... if he hits, the payoff could be huge... or the former Hawkeye could roll snake eyes! Demeco Ryans, OLB, Alabama (6'2" 232) - Late First Round/Second Round +s... Off-the-charts intangibles who impresses off the field (Academic All-American) as much as on (All-American)... smart player who does a great job reading his keys, diagnosing and in run/pass recognition... while not a burner, has above average short area burst and ability to close on the ball carrier. -'s... If he clocks a rumored 4.7, this would almost certainly bump him from round one, and maybe even out of the second round... a day one lock, though. Forecast... Has the kind of attitude, temperament and work ethic to overcome a lack of eye-popping, best-in-class measurables, and if he lands in the right system and scheme, could even become a star... for instance, Lofa Tatupu probably doesn't run much better than a 4.7, but other qualities more than compensate for supposedly deficient measurables. Thomas Howard, SLB, UTEP (6'3" 240) - Late First Round/Second Round +'s... Best measurables among the LB prospects (saying a lot, given that Greenway is in his draft class)... former walk-on DB... late bloomer who blew up into a physical specimen with explosive speed. -'s... May be a better athlete than a football player... there have been physical specimens in the past that were workout warriors but nonetheless ended up being wash outs in the NFL. Forecast... One of the biggest question marks in the class due to uncertainty over pedigree, level of competition and instincts... could be a boom or bust type pick... has flashed coverage and pass rush ability, which could destine him for the strong side (the least desirable LB position from an IDP standpoint) in a 4-3, or possibly OLB in a 3-4... might surge up the draft board in the wake of the combine, personal workout circuit and Senior Bowl if his computer numbers are legit and as good as advertised... some physical traits and measurables are reminiscent of Chaun Thompson... if he ends up being a comp player, he has been a project who is just beginning to hit his stride after a few years in the league. D'Qwell Jackson, MLB, Maryland (6'1" 225) - Second Round +'s... Easily the top graded MLB/ILB prospect in the nation... telepathic instincts, innate sense of angles, exceptional ability to disengage from blocks, sort through the trash, find and get to the ball carrier... along with Hawk, probably the two surest tacklers at the position. -'s... Not a burner... concerns about whether his size makes him ill-suited and a bad fit to play MLB in the NFL could be misguided (he is within 5 lbs of being the same size as Jonathan Vilma, Odell Thurman & Lofa Tatupu... all emergent stars and the three best MLBs in the past two draft classes). Forecast... His physical traits and skill set reminded scout's scout Mel Kiper of Vilma... though that comparison could founder on the fact that Jackson is not in the same class in terms of speed and explosiveness... still, a poor man's Vilma could be better than 80-90% of other LBs. Ahmad Brooks, ILB/OLB, Virginia (6'4" 240) - Mid-Late First Round +'s... Measurables and pedigree are comparable to D.J. Williams, who was a top 2 LB in the 2004 draft class... at times in his collegiate career he has been deployed as a kick returner (also in Brian Urlacher's resume), which is an indication of the type of athleticism he possesses. -'s... Like Greenway in that scouts aren't sure what to do with him after he seemingly regressed this season (admittedly injury plagued)... there may be some red flags associated with character and off-field concerns, so definitely read to the end of the brochure if considering him... sometimes where there is smoke there is fire. Forecast... A junior who possibly could have been a top 10 pick in 2005, has not declared for the 2006 draft yet, and given a very bumpy and uneven season, could easily opt to return for his senior season and hope to elevate his stock for 2007... maybe the biggest enigma in the class at any position... has Pro Bowl potential but does he have the passion for the game and desire to prepare like a pro and work at refining his game that the great ones have? Has the physical traits and diversity of ability and skills to play either ILB or OLB in virtually any scheme... but with his freakish blend of size, power, speed and agility, could be a monster on the inside. Honorable Mention... Keep an eye on star Florida WLB Ernie Sims, who is a beast and had to be held out of practice on occasion to prevent him from hurting his own teammates. Has the determination, intensity and toughness to be a first or second rounder and start for quite a few NFL teams.
, i tend to be collating from multiple scout sources... in many cases i haven't gotten to see some of these players... it later helps, the closer we get to draft... to add in the other strands of info... combine... pro day workouts... senior bowl (if they are seniors & not underclassmen... even if brooks turns pro, he will have to be evaluated in other ways)...
So is this guy as instinctive as Tatupa? If so, I'm a bit surprised no mentioning of it in his bio.
