The Maxwell Football Club presents a two part series analyzing the 2010 NFL Draft
Part one will provide a capsule of 20 of the most intriguing prospects available to be selected on April 22-24. Part two will feature on-site interviews with selected players from the NFL Draft at Radio City Music Hall in New York City.
Part 1: 20 names to think about during the draft:
1. Ndamukong Suh - DT - Nebraska: "As you go through the postseason all-star games, the combine and individual workouts, player ratings are constantly changing," ESPN draft analyst Mel Kiper wrote. "Where I do not envision this taking place is at the top of my draft board, where Suh is as productive a DT prospect as I can remember in my 32 years in the business." Yet, the 2009 Bednarik Award winner may not be the first pick in the draft because the league puts more of a premium on quarterbacks and left tackles than it does defensive lineman. Regardless, Suh will make some team very happy with his non-stop motor and 'country strong' power. At 6-4 and just over 300 pounds, Suh would seem to provide most value to a 4-3 defense that can put him at one of two tackle spots.
2. Eric Berry - S - Tennessee: "This guy has got better cover skills, better hips and fluidity [than Ed Reed]," said one NFC general manager. Ed Reed is a six-time Pro-Bowler, the 2004 AP NFL Defensive Player of the Year and one of the best safeties ever to play to the game of football so you have a good idea of what the NFL thinks of Berry. He adds a different dimension as a safety because of his unique coverage skills and clearly has some value as a nickel corner. However, Berry is a little shorter than some scouts would like and could face immense pressure coming into the league. For example, if he is selected by the Kansas City Chiefs at pick number five (and the team is reportedly very interested in him), he will earn approximately $26 to $28 million in guaranteed money; far more than any safety in history.
3. Dez Bryant - WR - Oklahoma State: Despite an NCAA imposed suspension last season and questions from critics about his work ethic, Bryant is the prototype of what the NFL wants in a big receiver. He is 6-2, 225 pounds and with hands that are almost bigger than catcher's mitts he hauls in passes thrown at seemingly impossible angles.
4. Derrick Morgan - DE - Georgia Tech: The Coatesville, Pennsylvania native is considered to be hands down the best pure defensive end product in the draft. However, roughly half of the teams in the NFL run a 3-4 defensive alignment and prefer their ends to be in the 6-5, 300 plus pound category and serve as run stuffers. Morgan is a 6-4, 272 pound pass rusher so he will either have to go to a 4-3 team or try to convert to a 3-4 outside linebacker (which is not an easy task).
5. Bruce Campbell - OT - Maryland: At 6-7, 310 pounds and with rare athleticism (a 4.83 40-yard dash) Campbell is probably a first round lock. Yet, he only started 17 games at Maryland and has battled nagging injuries throughout his career. He might define the over used term 'boom or bust'.
6. Brandon Graham - DE/LB - Michigan: A true hybrid player, he either has to be a 4-3 end or a 3-4 OLB. At 6-1 and with short arms he is not the physical prototype but then again neither are 'undersized' NFL stars Dwight Freeney or Lamarr Woodley. Graham led the nation in tackles for a loss (26) and dominated the Senior Bowl as the game's MVP (two sacks and a forced fumble). His non-stop motor and agility will draw the attention of many teams in the middle of the first round.
7. Colt McCoy - QB - Texas: McCoy, the 2009 Maxwell Award winner has won an NCAA record 45 games during his NCAA career and shows outstanding intangibles as a leader. Some question whether he has the frame to survive in the NFL, but the truth is that he reminds people of Drew Brees with his toughness and leadership abilities. McCoy's stock seems to be on the rise and it wouldn't be a surprise to see him ascend into the first round.
8. Tim Tebow - QB - Florida: The 2007 and 2008 Maxwell Award winner has all the leadership skills, intangibles, and college achievements you would want in a great football player. However, his elongated delivery of the football has some scouts worried about NFL defensive backs breaking too easily on his passes and wondering if he is the next Danny Wuerffell, Gino Toretta, or Jason White (great college quarterbacks whose skill sets did not translate in the pros).
9. Dexter McCluster - RB - Mississippi: One of the most dynamic players in the draft, McCluster reminds scouts of a smaller Percy Harvin. Surprisingly durable at 5-8 and 165 pounds, the all-purpose back will still need to find a team willing to use a high pick on a specialist.
10. Ryan Mathews - RB - Fresno State: Other than lacking breakaway speed, Matthews is seen as perhaps the most complete running back in the country. He runs through tacklers, has receiving ability and is considered a good blocker. Mathews averaged 6.6 yards per carry this past season. He has missed time during his three year college career because of various minor injuries and this bears watching due to his heavy workload (276 carries in 2009). Turning pro after his junior year has a lot to do with Mathews' mother. Specifically, the running back has a desire to pay back a single parent who worked multiple jobs, slept in a car to get by, and even adopted one of his high school classmates who had been abandoned by his own family.
11. Rob Gronkowsi - TE - Arizona: 'Gronk' has good hands, runs good pass routes and at 6-6, 265 pounds is one of the few tightends in this draft who can block as well as catch the ball. The problem is that he is coming off major back surgery and concerns over nerve damage.
12. Joique Bell - RB - Wayne State: Small Division II school or not, Bell has put up consecutive 2,000 yard seasons and he has an NFL body. His tendency to keep his legs moving might be his ticket to making a large leap in competition.
13. Brandon Spikes - LB - Florida: There was a time where Spikes was seen as a sure-fire first round pick. After clocking no better than a five second forty-yard dash, his draft stock has been free-falling. But Spikes sheds blockers quickly and tackles well. Some NFL team that doesn't ask him to run sideline to sideline will likely be pleased with his play as an inside run stuffer and his abundant leadership qualities.
14. Eric Decker - Minnesota - WR: Decker had a Lisfranc foot injury and surgery that ended his 2009 season early and he may not be running routes any time soon. However, he is 6-3, 215 pounds and is not afraid to catch the ball in traffic. He also has baseball prospects (selected in the 27th round by the Minnesota Twins in 2009) and it will be interesting to see which sport he ultimately pursues.
15. Akwasi Owusu-Ansah - CB - Indiana (Pa.): Another small school product who will get a long look because aggressive press coverage corners with great size (6-0, 205) are at a premium. One added bonus is that Owusu-Ansah can contribute immediately as a returner.
16. John Skelton - QB - Fordham: If you haven't heard of Skelton know this: NFL teams have been monitoring him for quite awhile. He throws with velocity and accuracy. He is 6-5 and 240 pounds yet is not immobile in the pocket. He has some similarities to current Baltimore Ravens quarterback Joe Flacco.
17. Ted Larsen - C - NC State: Larsen has only played the position for two years, but his background as a defensive tackle makes him more aware of defenders moves. He still occasionally struggles snapping the ball and will need a patient team to work with him.
18. Marshall Newhouse - G - TCU: Another player who will deal with a position switch, Newhouse started at left tackle for three years, but his future in the league is probably at guard where his ability to make initial contact with a defender and his ability to anchor against an interior pass rush will gain teams' interest. The 6-3, 326 pounder is the nephew of former Dallas Cowboy fullback Robert Newhouse.
19. Dennis Landolt - OT - Penn State: A 2004 Mini-max award winner from Holy Cross High School, Landolt carved out a fine career with the Nittany Lions despite some inconsistency with other positions on the offensive line. He might be one of the 20 best offensive tackles in the draft and will likely benefit a team looking for a durable and rugged player on the right side of their offensive line.
20. Adrian Tracy - LB - William & Mary: At 6-3, 245 pounds, Tracy had to play end for the Tribe, but he fits perfectly as an outside linebacker in the pros. He is a proven pass-rusher (10 sacks in 2009) and has the speed to chase plays down from the backside. Raw developmentally, he probably will have to make his initial mark on special teams.
