Pro Day Workout Warriors

Here is a more indepth look at a few of the prospects for the 2007 NFL Draft that have really helped themselves during Pro Day workouts.

1. Safety Reggie Nelson didn’t have a great combine run where he ran a 4.56 second forty yard dash. At Florida’s Pro Day Nelson ran the 40 once in a time of 4.35 seconds. He had a 35-inch vertical jump, a 10-foot-6 broad jump, ran 4.15 in the short shuttle and 6.70 in the three-cone drill. Nelson looked very quick and fluid in the drills and has secured himself a first round pick in the 2007 NFL draft.

2. CB Darelle Revis didn’t run at the 2007 NFL Combine and with the blazing speed of quite a few of the other corners, his draft stock was starting to slide. Well at Pittsburgh’s Pro Day Revis put a halt to all the talk of a slide when he ran the 40 yard dash in 4.38 seconds.

3. OT Joe Staley had an excellent Pro Day at Central Michigan where he measured in at 6' 5.7” and 304 pounds, he ran a 4.79 40, 7.17 3-cone, 4.30 short shuttle, 9.04 broad jump, and recorded a 32" vertical jump. All 32 NFL teams were in attendance along with 11 offensive Line coaches.

4. TE Zach Miller does not have great straight line speed; at the 2007 NFL Combine he ran a poor 4.86 second forty yard dash. He did stop the bleeding slightly when he improved his numbers at Arizona State’s Pro Day, he measured in at 6’ 4.3” and 256 pounds, he ran 40's in the 4.74 range, 10 yard dash was 1.64, and 20 yard dash was 2.68. His short shuttle was 4.49 and did 16 reps on the bench.

5. SS Sabby Piscitelli’s draft stock has been rising and rising, and now it is rising even further. He has done everything possible in the post season to prove he is an elite athlete. During the 2007 NFL Combine he ran a 4.52 second 40 yard dash, which is good in itself, but his 10 yard split time of 1.50 seconds was tops for all the defensive backs, corners and safeties alike. Impressive to say the least for a 6’ 2” 224 pound prospect. He continued to marvel scouts at Oregon State’s Pro Day where he ran 40's ranging from 4.37 to 4.44. He also did 21 bench reps and also did position drills.

6. WR Brad Ekwerekwu looks like a possible late round 2007 NFL Draft sleeper prospect, at Missouri’s pro day he measured in at 6’ 3.5” 209 pounds and ran a 4.40 second forty yard dash, also recorded a 37 1/2 vertical, 3.88 short shuttle, 60 yard shuttle 10.85, 10'6" broad jump. His 6.62 second 3-cone time was spectacular. Ekwerekwu didn’t have great numbers, but he is a silky-smooth, long-striding wideout with excellent size, speed and good hands. He is a 3-year starter and a steady performer. The senior wideout was the team captain and the most experienced WR on the squad with 34 career starts. He needed just 5 catches and 44 yards to reach 100 catches and 1,000 yards for his career.

7. CB C.J. Wilson was a highly rated cornerback that didn’t run very well at the 2007 NFL Combine, his official time of 4.64 seconds was devastating to his draft stock. However, he greatly improved his 40 time at Baylor’s Pro day, he measured in at 6' 1” 195 pounds and ran a 4.48 second forty.

8. CB Courtney Brown (6’ 1” 200 lbs) from small school Cal-Poly put up some very respectable numbers at the San Jose’s Pro Day. He ran the 40 in 4.32, had a vertical of 41.5, broad jump--10' 11", short shuttle--4.06, 3 cone--7.12 and did 15 reps on the bench.

9. TE Kevin Boss, Western Oregon
He was impressive at the 2007 NFL Scouting Combine, where he looked outstanding catching the ball and running routes. At the combine he had the quickest 3-cone time from all the tight ends in attendance. He was the only tight end to run his 3-cone drill in under 7.00 seconds, when he recorded two times of 6.99 and 6.96 seconds. Keep in mind he is not a “smallish” tight end, he measures in at 6’ 6” 253 pounds. Boss also wowed scouts from 12 NFL Teams at Western Oregon’s Pro day on March 16th 2007. He measured in at 6’ 6” 253 pounds and ran two 40 yard dashes of 4.71 and 4.72 seconds. He also had a 35.5” vertical jump and a 10 foot long broad jump.

All Over-Rated Team for the 2007 NFL Draft

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LB Jon Beason, Miami

After careful evaluation of on-the-field performance, NFL Scouting Combine and Pro Day performance I have came up with my first annual All-Over rated team for the NFL Draft.

1. LB Jon Beason from Miami has been talked about as a high draft pick since he decided to turn pro. I have even seen him in the first round of some 2007 NFL Mock Draft’s. It’s not going to happen, he is a player that looks slow on film and at the 2007 NFL Combine he confirmed that. He measured in at 6’ 2” 237 pounds and ran two poor 40s of 4.74 and 4.81 seconds. And then at Miami’s Pro day he cited a injured hamstring and refused to try and improve his time. Also I think he is over-rated partly due to the recent success of Jonathan Vilma, some people think if they are a linebacker from Miami they have to be good.

2. LB Earl Everett from Florida is another player that looks slow on film. He is an excellent tackler, but his pursuit speed is very poor. At the 2007 NFL Combine he ran a very slow 4.88 second 40 yard dash and then at Florida’s Pro Day he did improve his 40 a little by running twice, one at 4.82 seconds, and the other at 4.73 seconds, but his three-cone time of 7.39 seconds was extremely slow for a 238 pound linebacker.

3. RB Tyrone Moss from Miami never lived up to the hype on the field, went to the NFL Scouting Combine, weighed in at a plump 5’ 9” 231 pounds and ran a slow 4.81 second 40. At Miami’s Pro Day he got his weight down to 227 pounds and did improve his 40 yard dash time to 4.65 seconds , but he isn’t big or fast enough to draw much interest in the 2007 NFL Draft.

4. LB Brandon Siler from Florida is another junior that came out early and probably shouldn’t have. Siler is strong at the point of attack, but his quickness and speed will be an extreme liability in the NFL. At the 2007 NFL Combine he measured in at 6’ 1” 241 pounds and ran two mediocre 40s of 4.69 and 4.74 seconds. At Florida’s Pro day he ran one of the slowest 3-cone times I have ever seen for a linebacker, an agonizingly slow 7.70 seconds.

5. LB Lamaar Woodley form Michigan has seen his draft stock plummet almost as much as California’s Daymeion Hughes. After a very poor showing at the Senior Bowl, he decided to skip the NFL Scouting Combine altogether.

6. Speaking of CB Daymeion Hughes, his foot speed was seriously brought into question at the NFL Combine, he couldn’t keep up in the positional drills, and then ran a painfully slow 4.74 second 40 yard dash. He also had a very poor 3-cone time of 7.28 seconds. He did improve his time a little at his Pro Day with a pair of 4.56 and a 4.58 second 40s, but the damage has already been done. He went from a possible 1st round draft pick in the 2007 NFL Draft to possibly a 4th or 5th rounder.

7. WR Reggie Ball from Georgia Tech was trying to do a position switch from quarterback to receiver. It’s not likely to happen after he ran a very slow 4.85 second 40 yard dash at the 2007 NFL Combine.

8. RB Gary Russell was out of football this year after playing for Minnesota in 2005. He must know someone, because he somehow still got a combine invite; he definitely shouldn’t have though. He showed up over weight at 5’ 10” 229 pounds and ran one terrible 4.87 second 40 yard dash, and then he refused to run any more drills stating “leg fatigue”.

9. TE Joe Newton from Oregon State did not look fast and quick at all. At the 2007 NFL Combine he ran a poor 4.97 second 40 yard dash, and his 3-cone time of 7.35 seconds was the 2nd slowest time of all the tight ends.

10. DE Victor Abiamiri from Notre Dame doesn’t look like NFL material to me. I watched him struggle at the Senior Bowl and then at the 2007 NFL Combine his times were among the slowest of all the defensive ends. He measured in at 6’ 4” 267 pounds, then ran two mediocre 40 yard dashes at 4.85 and 4.89 seconds, and then claimed an injury and refused to work out any more.

Fantasy Football Prospects in the 2007 NFL Draft

Just as NFL Teams are preparing for the 2007 NFL Draft, the prudent fantasy football players are already preparing for their fantasy drafts. This year’s rookie class will have some excellent NFL prospects that should draw interest from fantasy football players, especially if they play in a keeper league, that allows them to keep the same players from year to year. Here is a look at some future NFL rookies that could score some serious points in the next few years.

1. WR Calvin Johnson, Georgia Tech:
Fantasy Football lists usually start with quarterbacks and running backs, but a player with Johnson’s talent doesn’t come around very often. He will be a bigger, stronger and faster version of Randy Moss without the character problems. Johnson will start from day one, and be his team’s go-to receiver the moment he steps on the field. Too big and strong for a cornerback to cover, and way to fast for a safety, he will be an awesome target around the goal line at 6’ 5” tall, and will also be a deep threat with 4.38 speed.

2. RB Adrian Peterson, Oklahoma:
Peterson has similar all world talent as Calvin Johnson, the only question is his durability, he has missed significant time in his college career with injuries. Peterson has the size at 6’ 1” 217 pounds, and the speed (4.40) to be scoring threat from anywhere on the field. Like Calvin Johnson, he will drafted very early in the 2007 NFL Draft, and will immediately be his teams franchise back.

3. QB JaMarcus Russell, LSU
Probably drafted 1st over-all in the 2007 NFL Draft by the Oakland Raiders, Russell will probably start from day one and could have immediate success. He sees the field well standing at 6’ 6” 265 pounds and has a cannon for an arm, he will throw a lot of beautiful deep balls. Maybe not as a rookie, but should be an elite fantasy prospect for years to come.

4. RB Marshawn Lynch, California
Lynch might just be the best fantasy value in this draft, because he will probably be available in the middle (fantasy) rounds, but like the prospects mentioned above, Lynch will be drafted in the first round of the 2007 NFL Draft and will be his teams featured, franchise back. Lynch measures in at 5’ 11” 214 pounds and runs a 4.46 second forty yard dash. The advantage he has over Adrian Peterson is he is such a great receiver coming out of the backfield he will rarely come off the field.

5. RB/FB Brian Leonard, Rutgers
I really like Leonard’s fantasy potential, most fantasy owners will over look this player, but Leonard should be an excellent scoring machine. He has the size to be a power back near the end zone, the hands to catch the ball in a lot of screens, and the speed to score at will. He was used at Rutgers almost exclusively as a fullback, but still managed to score 13 touchdowns in the last three years.

6. WR Robert Meachem, Tennessee
Another very under-rated prospect, only a junior as he enters the 2007 NFL Draft but he is seemingly getting better by leaps and bounds. Meachem will be a star in the NFL if he stays healthy, and should be an early first round draft pick. He could even be the second receiver off the board after all-world Calvin Johnson. Meachem has butter soft hands, runs great routes and has excellent size at 6’ 2” 214 pounds, did I mention he also runs a legitimate 4.43 second 40 yard dash.

6. RB Kenny Irons, Auburn
The talent level drops a little at this point, Irons will not be a first round draft pick, but he could be drafted early in the second round by an already good NFL team. Irons will probably not be his teams featured back as a rookie, but he will definitely see significant playing time and he has the talent to be productive in the NFL.

Early Winners in NFL Free Agency

Here are some early winners in free agency. Moves that are starting to shake up the 2007 NFL Draft.

The San Francisco 49ers took a big step by signing the top corner on the market, Nate Clements. They also improved their defense by signing nose tackle Aubrayo Franklin, linebacker Tully Banta-Cain and safety Michael Lewis. WR Ashley Lelie has tons of potential but hasn’t played up to it yet, similar in that regards to Antonio Bryant. Cornerback was a position that I was expecting the 49ers to address in the 2007 NFL Draft.

New England Patriots: Someone must have spiked the Patriots cool-aid, or maybe they understand that the window for success only stays open so long. They have been uncharacteristically aggressive in free agency this year. Signing Linebacker Adalius Thomas to a huge contract, he is talented and should make an already solid defense one of the best in the league. RB Sammy Morris and tight end Kyle Brady are solid veterans and give them depth. The head scratching move though was trading two draft picks (their second- and seventh-round picks) to Miami for 5-foot-8 Wes Welker. They drafted speedy WR Chad Jackson with an early pick last year, and with two first round draft picks this year, and a quality receiver class, getting one via the 2007 NFL Draft would have been more economical and better long term.

Miami Dolphins: The Dolphins made an early splash when they grabbed Pro-Bowl linebacker Joey Porter. With Jason Taylor, Zach Thomas and Joey Porter they should have a spectacular front seven. The Dolphins should be significantly improved from a personnel standpoint. They have acquired three additional draft choices -- in the second, sixth and seventh rounds -- in trades. The fins could still draft a corner back, but offense looks like the place they will focus on in the 2007 NFL Draft, probably a top receiver in the 1st or 2nd round.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers: The Bucs apparently answered their short term QB problems by adding QB Jeff Garcia. They signed aging Kevin Carter to play defensive end, and veteran left tackle Luke Petitgout to compete at offensive tackle. Gruden must be feeling the “win now” pressure to sign so many old timers. The Bucs are just hoping WR Calvin Johnson falls down to the in the 2007 NFL Draft, if Johnson is gone then the Bucs will try desperately to trade down.

Denver Broncos: The Broncos seem to go through a lot of running backs, but Travis Henry adds some experience and durability. The also added under- achieving tight end Daniel Graham, who, when paired along with speedy Tony Scheffler should give the Broncos a pair of talented tight ends. Reportedly Dre' Bly isn't happy about his trade to Denver, but if he stays he can help ease the pain of losing Darrent Williams.

The Dallas Cowboys haven’t been real active in free agency yet, but picking up Leonard Davis was huge, and I don’t mean because he is 6’ 6” 366 pounds. He fills a need at guard which is the Cowboys biggest area of need. Davis played left tackle at the University of Texas, but after being taken with the second overall pick by Arizona in 2001, he was moved to right guard. The next season, he was at right tackle. He played left tackle for Arizona the last three seasons. Dallas is expected to re-sign starting right tackle Marc Colombo. But if it doesn't, Davis could land there. He could also become the right guard, where Marco Rivera is currently the starter. Rivera underwent back surgery for the second time in three seasons and his status for 2007 is uncertain. Dallas could release Rivera or he might retire.

2007 NFL Mock Draft Updated

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Chris Houston, Arkansas

I have updated my post combine 2007 NFL Mock Draft: 2007 Mock Draft Link

Some 2007 NFL Scouting Combine All-Stars are starting to sneak into various Mock NFL Drafts. Chris Houston from Arkansas is an elite bump and run corner, only a junior but he ran a sizzling 4.34 second 40 yard dash. Eric Wright from UNLV looked excellent in the defensive back drills and then burned up the track running a 4.33 second 40 yard dash. The other prospect that should hear his name called early in the 2007 NFL Draft is John Wendling from Wyoming. He is a specimen at 6' 1" 222 pounds and he ran a 4.49 second 40 yard dash. LB Quincy Black of New Mexico is also a specimen and might be sneaking into the early rounds of the 2007 NFL Draft. Black measured in at 6' 1" 240 pounds and ran a nice 4.48 second 40 yard dash. He (Black) was also a stand out in almost every other category, he had a broad jump of 10' 4", a vertical jump of 41.5" and a real quick 6.86 second 3-cone drill time. Speaking of specimens, LB Antwan Barnes from Florida International, has caused a lot of NFL Scouts to go back and review tape of his on the field performance. Barnes weighed in at 6' 240 pounds, completed 31 repetitions with 225 pounds, and then ran a 4.46 second 40 yard dash.

A Safety for the 2007 NFL Draft

Sabby Piscitelli, Safety, 6’ 2” 224 lbs. Oregon State

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Today I want to highlight an extremely under-rated prospect for the 2007 NFL Draft. Sabby Piscitelli might have a weird name, but he has emerged as an elite Pro Prospect. Safety LaRon Landry from LSU seems to be getting all the publicity recently, but I think Piscitelli actually had a better over all NFL Combine performance. While playing at Oregon State he has shown to be one of the best safety prospects in the nation, this past season he recorded 75 tackles, 3 tackles for a loss, 1 sack, 11 pass breakups and 5 interceptions. He has been a very durable player, playing in 47 consecutive games and has made 34 straight starts. Over his illustrious career, he has recorded 15 interceptions, 188 tackles and 28 pass breakups. Selected to the Pac-10's All-Conference first team last year, Piscitelli has also played corner back so he is good in pass coverage as well as being a huge, hard hitting tackler.

If you watched the 2007 NFL Combine on the NFL Network, then you had to notice Piscitelli. He is a physical marvel, 6’ 2” 224 pounds and not an ounce of fat on him. His 40 yard dash time of 4.46 seconds was spectacular for a man his size. Even though he appears muscle bound, he is very flexible and can start and stop on a dime. He clocked a time of 11.42 seconds in the 60 yard shuttle and his 3-cone time of 6.84 seconds was 2nd only to Eric Weddle’s time of 6.78 seconds. His time of 3.90 seconds in the 20 yard shuttle was the top time from all defensive backs at the combine, even beating out all the much smaller cornerbacks. With that combination of size and speed he will definitely hear his name called on the first day of the 2007 NFL Draft.

The safeties in general were outstanding to say the least, this NFL Draft is very strong at the safety position this year.

Some other top performing safeties at the 2007 NFL Combine:

1. Eric Weddle, 5’ 11” 203 lbs. Utah (4.52 forty)
2. Michael Griffin, 5’ 11” 203 lbs. Texas (4.45 forty)
3. John Wendling, 6’ 1” 222 lbs. Wyoming (4.49 forty)
4. Darren Stone, 6’ 3.2” 218 lbs. Main (4.58 forty)
5. LaRon Landry, 6’ 213 lbs. LSU (4.34 forty)

*For complete NFL scouting Combine coverage visit the dog at NFL DRAFT DOG.com