[DRAFT] Risers and Fallers (1 Viewer)

[Chaos Commish]

We had a thread like this last year that was periodically updated through April as different sources broke out their risers and fallers. It made for pretty good reading as the disparity of opinions can get pronounced. I don't think there is a definitive source for this type of information, but Rang, who I disagreed with more than usual last year (to the point of not bothering to subscribe anymore), is still a great starting point.

Special to CBS Sportsline

Risers

1. Nebraska outside linebacker Stewart Bradley might have been the most pleasant surprise of the Senior Bowl.

2. California cornerback Daymeion Hughes makes the list despite missing the final three practices and the Senior Bowl itself. Hughes evoked memories of shut-down corners of past Senior Bowl weeks with his performance in man-to-man coverage the first two days of practice.

3. While Auburn cornerback David Irons wasn't quite as dominant as Hughes, his steady, spectacular play lasted throughout the week of practices and the game.

4. Nebraska defensive Adam Carriker entered Senior Bowl week ranked higher than any other player on this list of Risers.

5. California defensive tackle Brandon Mebane had been invited to the Senior Bowl, according to most scouts, due to consecutive first-team Pac-10 honors more than real NFL potential. There may not have been a player in the Senior Bowl who made himself more money than Mebane.



Fallers

1. Georgia defensive end Quentin Moses entered his senior season as the highest ranked senior prospect in the land by one of the scouting services used by NFL teams. There was speculation that the 6-5, 249-pound Moses would prosper in the Senior Bowl environment, where offenses weren't able to key their protection schemes to limit him. Instead, Moses appeared one-dimensional.

2. Ohio State defensive tackle Quinn Pitcock was exposed throughout the Senior Bowl practices as the blue collar, run-stuffing defensive tackle he is.

3. North Carolina State's Tank Tyler is another defensive tackle who struggled to live up to expectations at the Senior Bowl.

4. Fresno State cornerback Marcus McCauley is as gifted as any cornerback who was at the Senior Bowl. Once the scrimmages began, however, McCauley struggled to cover anyone.

5. When in the open field, Florida State running back Lorenzo Booker is one of the more electric runners in this draft and appears capable of making an immediate impact at the NFL level. At 5-10, 188 pounds, he seems most likely to help as a change-of-pace back. However, how he can be utilized remains anyone's guess as he lacks toughness and consistently dropped passes out of the backfield.

Much of Rang's commentary has been deleted to shorten the post, so give the link a read for more.

 

[FTRWRTR]

Do you agree with him this year? Personally, I don't put a lot of stock into what they say over at cbssportsline.com. I find theer stuff more entertaining than informative, I feel the same about Peter King at cnn/si.com

 

[Chaos Commish]

Do you agree with him this year? Personally, I don't put a lot of stock into what they say over at cbssportsline.com. I find theer stuff more entertaining than informative, I feel the same about Peter King at cnn/si.com

Rang runs NFL Draft Scout. It's a pretty solid subscription service for draft information. Every now and then this time of year some of the premium content will appear at CBS, Fox and Yahoo. So this isn't from a typical sportsline contributor. I dropped the subscription to NFL Draft Scout because Scout.com does the same thing but there's just a ton more content along with pretty much the same stuff. I felt like it was redundant having both. Anyway, I agree with all of his risers. Hughes has some weaknesses, but in a poor group of corners he was being ranked too low. I don't know what to make of Booker. Rang seems to think he hurt his stock by being 188 pounds. Most observers seem to think he had a great week and looked like the top back there. I didn't see enough to make a call, but I no longer trust Rang as much as I once did. He says Booker isn't tough and consistently dropped passes. Others have reported a near opposite. I also heard good things about Pitcock who he has falling.McCauley, yeah, he is falling, but I think he was unfairly hyped to begin with.I have no idea on Tyler.Moses week is generally getting a negative review. Some think being singled out to move to OLB is a bad thing as in he can't cut it at DE. Others think it's positive because that should be his NFL position in a 3-4 set. I think his situation will clear up at the Combine. Good feet in the LB drills and he could find his value shooting up. A little awkward and he becomes a DE project.

 

[Bri]

Moses week is generally getting a negative review. Some think being singled out to move to OLB is a bad thing as in he can't cut it at DE. Others think it's positive because that should be his NFL position in a 3-4 set. I think his situation will clear up at the Combine. Good feet in the LB drills and he could find his value shooting up. A little awkward and he becomes a DE project.

I think the negative in that is that not many teams play 3-4

 

[Andy Dufresne]

Sounds like Rang got Booker mixed up with Irons in regards to pass catching.

 

[Tenacious D]

I don't know what to make of Booker.

He seems destined to be as frustrating as a pro as he was in college. He is not Warrick Dunn. I could see a Napoleon Kaufmanesque career.I completely agree on Moses. He could turn it all around easily at the combine. If I had to bet on an outcome, the Pats or Steelers get him as what ends up a second round steal.

 

[Chaos Commish]

Moses week is generally getting a negative review. Some think being singled out to move to OLB is a bad thing as in he can't cut it at DE. Others think it's positive because that should be his NFL position in a 3-4 set. I think his situation will clear up at the Combine. Good feet in the LB drills and he could find his value shooting up. A little awkward and he becomes a DE project.

I think the negative in that is that not many teams play 3-4

I hear ya, but the teams that do, with the exception of SD, are all pretty needy for that big time pass rusher off the edge. Moses is that. He is very explosive to the QB. And those teams are all picking a little later, one of them, your Pats, has two first round picks about where Moses could be going if he makes the first round. Cleveland could nab him very early in the 2nd and I doubt he gets past SF and Pittsburgh, but their first rounders seem too early with what we're currently hearing.Fwiw, I like Moses way more than the prevailing opinions. I know nothing about him mentally, but when he turns it on, he's as good as any pass rusher in this draft, and he has all kinds of athleticism. He only focused on football because the basketball program had problems. He has ball skills and quick feet and all kinds of athleticism he doesn't show as 4-3 DE. He really could be a steal. He could be soft.

 

[Chaos Commish]

I don't know what to make of Booker.

He seems destined to be as frustrating as a pro as he was in college. He is not Warrick Dunn. I could see a Napoleon Kaufmanesque career.

Booker will answer the call of God just when his career starts taking off?

 

[Cannon Fodder]

I plan on taking a chance on Booker in my dynasty rookie draft. Even if I have to reach for him I think I will. I like the possabilities of what this kid could become.

 

[aardball44]

Here's a link to Scott Wright's list at NFL Draft Countdown of players whose stock moved up during Senior Bowl week.

1. Dwayne Bowe, WR, L.S.U.

Put on a show and will go ahead of some more highly-touted underclassmen.

2. Amobi Okoye, DT, Louisville

19-year-old with huge potential made a terrific impression on and off the field.

3. Adam Carriker, DE, Nebraska

Versatile prospect had an outstanding week and looked good inside at tackle.

4. Ryan Kalil, C, USC

Doesn't have great size but is an excellent technician and maybe a 1st rounder.

5. David Irons, CB, Auburn

Man cover guy who may have helped himself more than anyone else this week.

6. Victor Abiamiri, DE, Notre Dame

Was really impressive at the weigh-in and he looked quick and athletic all week.

7. Ben Grubbs, OG, Auburn

Had a nice week and may have passed Justin Blalock as the top guard prospect.

8. Levi Brown, OT, Penn St.

Worked hard, got better with every practice and he may now be a Top 15 pick.

9. Brandon Meriweather, S, Miami (FL)

Seemingly all over the field this week and made a number of eye-catching plays.

10. James Marten, OT, Boston College

Tough, nasty player who doesn't have the physical tools but gets the job done.

11. Tony Hunt, RB, Penn St.

Was pretty solid, albeit not special, in practice but then stood out in the game.

12. Stewart Bradley, OLB, Nebraska

Has excellent size and may have emerged as the top SAM linebacker prospect.

13. Ryan McBean, DT, Oklahoma St.

Raw but teams really like this guy and he might be a perfect fit at end in a 3-4.

14. Scott Chandler, TE, Iowa

In a real weak crop of senior tight ends this guy just may be the best out there.

15. Aaron Rouse, S, Virginia Tech

Rare physical specimen who struggled early but was really able to bounce back.

16. Le'Ron McClain, FB, Alabama

Short yardage guy and pass catcher who cemented himself as the #2 fullback.

17. Brandon Myles, WR, West Virginia

Didn't get a lot of chances in college but was one of the best wideouts in Mobile.

18. Eric Weddle, S, Utah

Versatile gamer and playmaker that coaches love and is always around the ball.

19. Aaron Ross, CB, Texas

After a strong senior season he continued his ascent up draft boards this week.

20. Aundrae Allison, WR, East Carolina

Had a very solid week and capped it all off with a touchdown catch in the game.

21. Ben Patrick, TE, Delaware

The Duke transfer had no problem fitting in after being added to the roster late.

22. Tanard Jackson, CB, Syracuse

Was very consistent all week and may now be the top zone cover guy available.

23. Antonio Johnson, DT, Mississippi St.

An athletic big guy who was getting a lot of attention from teams that run a 3-4.

24. Mason Crosby, K, Colorado

Was able to convert from beyond 50 yards and he certainly lived up to the hype.

25. Thomas Clayton, RB, Kansas St.

Late injury replacement who came in and was instantly one of the best in town.