Rich Gosselin's Combine Review (1 Viewer)

[Bob Magaw]

curry currently #1... if DET takes jason smith, & monroe has knee issues which may surface, i think the rams take him... could the lions entertain thoughts of taking curry? if so, i think rams take smith (or monroe if medical staff vets him)...

http://www.dallasnews.com/sharedcontent/dw...10.39e1468.html

NFL scouting combine review – Top 10

11:51 PM CST on Saturday, February 28, 2009

Rick Gosselin ranks the top 10 players on the draft board coming out of the scouting combine:

1. Aaron Curry

OLB, Wake Forest

The safest pick in the draft. The Butkus Award winner has the size, speed and versatility that the NFL loves. He can play any linebacker spot in a 3-4 or 4-3 scheme. Rush the passer, cover receivers, stuff the run – Curry does it all. Scouts consider him a cut above 2008 NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year Jared Mayo.

2. Michael Crabtree

WR, Texas Tech

If Crabtree runs in the low 4.4s at his pro day March 26, he'll probably return to the top of the draft board. But the stress fracture in his foot that turned up on his X-rays at the combine has given the NFL cause for concern. If healthy, he's a dynamic playmaker.

3. Matthew Stafford

QB, Georgia

Franchise quarterbacks always get the benefit of the doubt on draft day – and Stafford has the size and arm to join the Matt Ryans, Ben Roethlisbergers and Jay Cutlers near the top of NFL draft boards. He's skipping his senior season but started 32 college games.

4. Jason Smith

OT, Baylor

For the second consecutive year, there could be six offensive left tackles in the first round. It's just a matter of sorting them out: Jason Smith, Eugene Monroe, Andre Smith, Michael Oher, Phil Loadholt and Eben Britton. Jason Smith has the best combination of measurables and ability.

5. B.J. Raji

DT, Boston College

The NFL's top-shelf offensive and defensive linemen don't find their way into free agency, and the mediocre ones who are available are too expensive. So you have to draft them, which drives up the value of the big bodies. Raji is the best interior pass rusher in this draft.

6. Jeremy Maclin

WR, Missouri

Maclin was a Biletnikoff finalist for his play as a wide receiver in 2008, but his NFL value skyrockets with his kick return ability. He returned three career punts and two career kickoffs for touchdowns, and he led the NCAA in all-purpose yardage last season.

7. Eugene Monroe

OT, Virginia

The Kansas City Chiefs drafted Branden Albert in the first round in 2008 and started him at left tackle. But Albert didn't start at left tackle at Virginia because Monroe was a better pass protector there. Now it's Monroe's turn to be a high draft pick.

8. Peria Jerry

DT, Mississippi

Like Raji, Jerry is a dynamic interior pass rusher. He had seven sacks last season and led the Southeastern Conference in tackles for losses with 18, so he spends a lot of time in the opposition's backfield. Defensive coaches like that trait.

9. Mark Sanchez

QB, Southern California

If you can get past the fact Sanchez threw only 313 career passes, you'll like what you see in his quarterbacking skills. Matt Cassel threw only 33 college passes at the same school, and it didn't slow down his pro career.

10. Malcolm Jenkins

CB, Ohio State

The NFL covets size and physicality at the corner to match up with the jumbo jets on the flank, such as Larry Fitzgerald and Randy Moss. Jenkins has that size (6-0, 205). He also could play safety.

 

[Andy Dufresne]

Interesting that he sees Loadholt as a possible first rounder.

 

[Irish]

When has Curry demonstrated that he can rush the passer? I think teams will be disappointed if they draft him top 5 and play him at OLB thinking he is a difference making pass rusher.

 

[ROCKET]

Maybe it's just me but I don't see this years blue chippers being anything special. Sanchez and Stafford? I don't see them even sniffing the first round in previous drafts where you had Rivers, Eli, Cutler etc. coming out. Jenkins as the best cb or even safety for that matter, please. And the OT's don't seem to be anywhere near the prospects of Jake Long or Joe Thomas. Curry may be the exception but how would he grade out vs. other top lb/de prospects in the last few drafts? And the skill position players? Crabtree may be the only exception but none stand out to me. I know inevtiably there will be some studs to come out of the first round or two but to me this whole class is a crapshoot aside from maybe 2-3 players.

 

[Bob Magaw]

Maybe it's just me but I don't see this years blue chippers being anything special. Sanchez and Stafford? I don't see them even sniffing the first round in previous drafts where you had Rivers, Eli, Cutler etc. coming out. Jenkins as the best cb or even safety for that matter, please. And the OT's don't seem to be anywhere near the prospects of Jake Long or Joe Thomas. Curry may be the exception but how would he grade out vs. other top lb/de prospects in the last few drafts? And the skill position players? Crabtree may be the only exception but none stand out to me. I know inevtiably there will be some studs to come out of the first round or two but to me this whole class is a crapshoot aside from maybe 2-3 players.

some scouts are quite high on maclin, but i agree that this could be a disappointing QB class...as to curry, i've heard some observers say he could be THAT good, a once in a decade talent on the field... adding to his aura is that i also heard reports that his interviews at the combine, coupled with his presence & charisma, were as good as some scouts have seen in a long time... not sure he is #1 good, but he sounds like a special player, &, just as importantly (when, lets face it, you are sort of betting the farm on these guys)... person... he is starting to sound like the most bullet proof prospect at the top...of course, if you need a LT more than a LB, like the lions & rams might, it doesn't mean he will go #1...most mocks have him going to KC at #3...but if DET goes jason smith, rams get monroe (assuming his knee checks out, which may not be a given), KC could surprise & grab crabtree to pair with the newly acquired cassell... if they keep LJ, that would be a MEAN set of skill position players with the emerging star WR dwayne bowe... crabtree & bowe have nice size, toughness & physicality, & would also comprise a nasty set of bookend downfield blocking WRs in the run game...

 

[brednbuddah]

1. Aaron Curry

OLB, Wake Forest

The safest pick in the draft. The Butkus Award winner has the size, speed and versatility that the NFL loves. He can play any linebacker spot in a 3-4 or 4-3 scheme. Rush the passer, cover receivers, stuff the run – Curry does it all. Scouts consider him a cut above 2008 NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year Jared Mayo.

Wouldn't it be logical that Curry should be a cut above considering he's a top 5 overall draft pick versus last year's number 10 overall draft pick.

2. Michael Crabtree

WR, Texas Tech

If Crabtree runs in the low 4.4s at his pro day March 26, he'll probably return to the top of the draft board. But the stress fracture in his foot that turned up on his X-rays at the combine has given the NFL cause for concern. If healthy, he's a dynamic playmaker.

Will certainly slip now due to opting for surgery. link

9. Mark Sanchez

QB, Southern California

If you can get past the fact Sanchez threw only 313 career passes, you'll like what you see in his quarterbacking skills. Matt Cassel threw only 33 college passes at the same school, and it didn't slow down his pro career.

with Cassel now in KC, the Jets will have a hard time passing on Sanchez because he'll be there at #17.Surprised not to see Orakpo in the top 10...

 

[Ramblin Wreck]

Wouldn't it be logical that Curry should be a cut above considering he's a top 5 overall draft pick versus last year's number 10 overall draft pick.

Not necessarily. Mayo could have been undervalued and a better player than the 10th overall pick. If last years draft was a lot deeper than this year (and it was) then the 10th last year could be more valuable than the 5th this year.

 

[Jiggyonthehut]

Interesting that he sees Loadholt as a possible first rounder.

With all due respect to Rich, he's just not first round material.

 

[fatkid]

Interesting he sees jerry as a top ten pick

 

[Jiggyonthehut]

Interesting he sees jerry as a top ten pick

but don't count this kid out. For all the flash that Raji has, this kid led the SEC in TFL, and went against some real hogs in the middle. best thing, IIRC, is that he was pretty consistant, the counter to the mercurial greg hardy.

 

[sho nuff]

Interesting he sees jerry as a top ten pick

but don't count this kid out. For all the flash that Raji has, this kid led the SEC in TFL, and went against some real hogs in the middle. best thing, IIRC, is that he was pretty consistant, the counter to the mercurial greg hardy.

The more I see Raji going before #9...I start reading about Jerry and hope if the Pack does move down that he is on their radar. Just don't see him as top 10 just yet. Does not seem like the right value and would just love to see the bashing Thompson would take if he went there with #9.

 

[DA RAIDERS]

 

[encaitar]

Interesting he sees jerry as a top ten pick

but don't count this kid out. For all the flash that Raji has, this kid led the SEC in TFL, and went against some real hogs in the middle. best thing, IIRC, is that he was pretty consistant, the counter to the mercurial greg hardy.

The more I see Raji going before #9...I start reading about Jerry and hope if the Pack does move down that he is on their radar. Just don't see him as top 10 just yet. Does not seem like the right value and would just love to see the bashing Thompson would take if he went there with #9.

I don't think Jerry looks as good when considering him for a 3-4, than if you were considering him for a 4-3. He's not big enough to play nose and I don't know if he'd have the speed to play end in a 3-4. Maybe he does have that speed, but I don't think he's a surefire pick to succeed in a 3-4.

 

[FUBAR]

2. Michael Crabtree

WR, Texas Tech

If Crabtree runs in the low 4.4s at his pro day March 26, he'll probably return to the top of the draft board. But the stress fracture in his foot that turned up on his X-rays at the combine has given the NFL cause for concern. If healthy, he's a dynamic playmaker.

Will certainly slip now due to opting for surgery. link

It'll be interesting to see how much this affects his stock, both in NFL and FF. I wouldn't be the least bit surprised to see the big 3 RBs go ahead of him in most leagues now, maybe Brown too.

 

[Andy Dufresne]

2. Michael Crabtree

WR, Texas Tech

If Crabtree runs in the low 4.4s at his pro day March 26, he'll probably return to the top of the draft board. But the stress fracture in his foot that turned up on his X-rays at the combine has given the NFL cause for concern. If healthy, he's a dynamic playmaker.

Will certainly slip now due to opting for surgery. link

It'll be interesting to see how much this affects his stock, both in NFL and FF. I wouldn't be the least bit surprised to see the big 3 RBs go ahead of him in most leagues now, maybe Brown too.

You mean in fantasy drafts, not the real draft, right? I don't see any way that 3 RBs go ahead of him in the NFL draft. But stranger things have happened, I guess.

 

[Bob Magaw]

2. Michael Crabtree

WR, Texas Tech

If Crabtree runs in the low 4.4s at his pro day March 26, he'll probably return to the top of the draft board. But the stress fracture in his foot that turned up on his X-rays at the combine has given the NFL cause for concern. If healthy, he's a dynamic playmaker.

Will certainly slip now due to opting for surgery. link

It'll be interesting to see how much this affects his stock, both in NFL and FF. I wouldn't be the least bit surprised to see the big 3 RBs go ahead of him in most leagues now, maybe Brown too.

You mean in fantasy drafts, not the real draft, right? I don't see any way that 3 RBs go ahead of him in the NFL draft. But stranger things have happened, I guess.

yeah, pretty sure he meant the former, andy (from the use of plural with leagues)...& just for the record, i agree 100% with you... it would be shocking if ONE RB goes before crabtree in the actual NFL draft, which speaks both to what a great prospect crabtree is (assuming foot injury not too bad) & that this isn't an especially strong RB class (doubtful anybody goes as high as mcfadden & stewart last year & peterson the year before)...

personally, i think crabtree's fantasy slot (in DYNASTY drafts) will be driven primarily by where he is drafted in the actual NFL draft... if he still goes to SEA at 4th overall or somewhere near the top 5 (raiders just after?), i could definitely see him being a top 3 overall pick (or higher in some), especially in PPR scoring systems...

like bloom said, most scouts already have plenty of game film to go on... running a 4.4 was probably a dubious prospect anyways (likely in 4.5 range)... even if he is a 4.5-4.6 guy in track shorts in the artificial, straightline, 40 yard dash conditions, he has demonstrable functional, field, playing speed, so it probably won't knock him back in the real NFL draft too much... & his fantasy status should be in turn linked strongly to that...

 

[TwinTurbo]

I wonder if there are any NFL GM's that have Maclin rated higher than Crabtree?

 

[Ramblin Wreck]

I wonder if there are any NFL GM's that have Maclin rated higher than Crabtree?

No idea but Maclin strikes me as an Al Davis type player.

 

[jurb26]

I wonder if there are any NFL GM's that have Maclin rated higher than Crabtree?

I'd imagine a few do. I'm more interested in know if any have DHB rated higher than Crabtree.

 

[Andy Dufresne]

I wonder if there are any NFL GM's that have Maclin rated higher than Crabtree?

I would think so. Similar scenario as last year where the Rams had Avery at the head of the class.Depends on what each team needs.

 

[Ramblin Wreck]

I wonder if there are any NFL GM's that have Maclin rated higher than Crabtree?

I would think so. Similar scenario as last year where the Rams had Avery at the head of the class.Depends on what each team needs.

Maclin may be rated ahead of Crabtree on someone's board but at the same time, there wasn't a Crabtree in last years class either. Some of the other candidates for top receiver last year were Devin Thomas or Malcolm Kelly. Neither were the prospect Crabtree is.

 

[Andy Dufresne]

I wonder if there are any NFL GM's that have Maclin rated higher than Crabtree?

I would think so. Similar scenario as last year where the Rams had Avery at the head of the class.Depends on what each team needs.

Maclin may be rated ahead of Crabtree on someone's board but at the same time, there wasn't a Crabtree in last years class either. Some of the other candidates for top receiver last year were Devin Thomas or Malcolm Kelly. Neither were the prospect Crabtree is.

No. That's true.But going by relative worth, the gap between Crabtree and Maclin is about the same as it was between Avery and Thomas/Kelly.The WR's as a whole are much better than last year's prospects.