Today I will focus on the offensive players in the 2007 NFL Draft. Check back in a few days and I will break down the defensive players.
Wide Receiver:
I will start with the wide receiver position, which is probably the strongest position in the 2007 NFL Draft. With Jeff Samardzija deciding to play baseball, Dwayne Jarrett’s poor 40 time and Ted Ginns injury, it is not quite as strong as once thought, but it is still potent, probably six, but as many as seven getting drafted in the first round! Calvin Johnson, Robert Meachem, Dwayne Bowe, Ted Ginn, Dwayne Jarrett, Anthony Gonzalez and maybe even Sidney Rice. There is also nice talent peppered all the way through the draft, with some talented second tier prospects like: Aundrae Allison, Craig Davis, Jason Hill, Paul Williams, Dominique Zeigler, small school talent Jacoby Jones and speed burner Yamon Figurs.
Running Backs:
This is a poor position. The only sure things are Adrian Peterson and Marshawn Lynch, and Peterson has been extremely injury prone throughout his career. The wild card is Louisville RB Michael Bush. He would have been a first round pick, but broke his leg early in 2006. He has had a difficult recovery from that, he hasn’t even been close to being able to run yet, and just recently had a second rod put in his leg. I still think he is a talent, but I wouldn’t expect to get much help from him in his rookie year. None of the other backs really get your attention, Kenny Irons is a shifty workhorse with talent, and Tony Hunt is a thick legged bruiser. I have seen a lot of 2007 Mock Drafts with JR Antonio Pittman from Ohio State being drafted in the second round, but I don’t see that kind of talent. He is fast but not very elusive. Garrett Wolfe will slip into the later rounds because he is only 5’ 7”, but height aside, he gets the job done with real speed and Barry Sanders moves. Another back that will slip into the later rounds is Ramonce Taylor, he is very talented, but has serious character issues.
Quarterbacks:
A very weak position this year. We all know about JaMarcus Russell and Brady Quinn, but Drew Stanton and Trent Edwards could be second round gems. Kevin Kolb from Houston is an interesting second tier prospect, and I like Jeff Rowe from Nevada, and Matt Moore from Oregon State in the later rounds. The NFL Team that drafts Heisman Trophy winner Troy Smith will be hugely disappointed. The 2008 NFL Draft, next year should be quarterback heavy with Brian Brohm, Chad Henne, Matt Ryan and Colt Brennan in the mix.
Tight Ends:
This is a deep class, but doesn’t have any off the charts talent, yes Greg Olsen has off the charts 4.49 speed, but he won’t provide much run blocking. At one point Zach Miller from Arizona State looked like a first round talent, but he proved to be very slow of foot by running a 4.86 and a 4.91 second forty at the NFL Scouting Combine. There are three small school prospects that will provide great value anywhere after round two: Ben Patrick, Kevin Boss and Michael Allan. Anyone one of those kids has the potential to develop into an NFL Star.
Offensive Guards:
This guard class is deep and talented. Ben Grubbs from Auburn and Justin Blalock present first round caliber talent, but at least one or both will likely slip into round two. There is also a great group of second tier guards like: Josh Beekman, Aaron Sears, Andy Alleman, Dan Santucci and Manny Ramirez, who should all be off the boards by the end of day one. The small school star here is Allen Barbre from tiny Missouri Southern State, he is listed as a tackle and was the fastest offensive lineman at the combine, but at 6’ 4” 300 pounds he might be moved inside to guard. The other player that I like is Mansfield Wrotto from Georgia Tech. This kid is raw, a converted defensive lineman, and then an offensive tackle. I think at 6’ 3” 310, he will settle in at guard. He plays with a mean streak and has a neck the size of a tree trunk.
Offensive Tackle:
This group is a little weak except at the top. There is nothing weak about Joe Thomas and he will be selected within the first five picks. Levi Brown is clearly the next best, he will be gone by the end of the first round, but after him it gets a little fuzzy. I know Joe Staley has been getting a ton of press for his size and speed, but I don’t think the converted tight end will end up in the first round, probably early second. Tony Ugoh is an athletic prospect, but I still see him moving inside to guard, he should be a second rounder, and Boston College's James Martin is not far behind Ugoh. Marshal Yanda from Iowa deserves mentioning, but like Ugoh, looks like a future NFL guard. Adam Koets from Oregon State will be an excellent second tier tackle, he has great feet and decent size at 6’ 5” 300 lbs.
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