2007 Senior Bowl Invitees

The list is still not finalized and therefore still unofficial, but the blog http://nfldraftexperts.blogspot.com has the list posted. Of note, according to sources, Fresno State's Kyle Young will not be getting an invitation to play in the 2007 Senior Bowl. Young was dismissed from the team for skipping class and missed the last 3rd of the season. At one point Young was considered the top rated center in the nation, and he still might be, we will have to see how this effects the NFL Draft boards, but it can't help.

NFL Draft Site's Mock NFL Draft (Updated 12 March 07)

2007 NFL Mock Draft

1. Oakland: Calvin Johnson, WR, Georgia Tech
Al Davis suprises everybody, but it shouldn't be much of a suprise because he is the best player in this 2007 NFL Draft. QB Andrew Walter showed flashes last year and the Raiders want to give him a full year to see if he is the man. Randy Moss's days are numbered anyway, if they can't trade him, then 2007 will be his last year.

2. Detroit: JaMarcus Russell, QB, LSU
The Lions signed OT George Foster and RB Tatum Bell in free agency, so the obvious pick would be quarterback. Russell is an incredible prospect and will finnaly give the Lions a young franchise quarterback.

3. Cleveland: Joe Thomas, OT, Wisconsin
The Browns signed RB Jamaal Lewis in free agency so they don't need a running back at this pick. The can get a good running back in round two. QB Derek Anderson and Charlie Frye will battle it out for the starting QB slot, and at least one of those guys could emerge as the QB of the future. Meanwhile, Joe Thomas will be protecting their blind side.

4. Tampa Bay: Gaines Adams, DE, Clemson
The Bucs have a lot of NFL Draft needs, but signing QB Jeff Garcia in free agency means they probably won't take Brady Quinn. They would have loved to have WR Calvin Johnson, but I think he will be long gone by the time the Bucs pick. Adams give the Bucs an elite pass rusher.

5. Arizona: Leon Hall, CB, Michigan
Hall is by far the top corner in this 2007 NFL Draft. Already battle tested in the Big Ten, Hall put on quite a show at the 2007 NFL Combine when he ran a 4.39 second 40 yard dash. Hall also had the fastest 3-cone drill at the entire combine with an incredible time of 6.50 seconds.

6. Washington: Alan Branch, DT, Michigan
The Skins need some young beef on their defensive line. Branch is a talented 320 pound run plugger, and he fills a need. DE Jamaal Anderson from Arkansas is also a possibility here.

7. Minnesota: Brady Quinn, QB, Notre Dame
The Vikings are desperate for a QB and might even trade up to get Quinn or Russell. They lost Brad Johnson to Dallas in free agency and Tarvaris Jackson doesn't look like he is talented enough to play QB in the NFL to me.

8. Houston: Marshawn Lynch, RB, California
Yes they got running back Ahman Green in free agency, but he is not looked at as a long term answer. I know this might suprise some of you that Lynch gets drafted ahead of Adrian Peterson, but Lynch has better hands and has been more durable. Didn't Edgerin James get drafted ahead of Ricky Williams for that same reason?

9. Miami: Robert Meachem, WR, Tennessee
The Dolphins should have one heck of a defense with addition of Joey Porter. They do need a talented go-to wideout, and Meachem could be very special. Meachem is a big, tall, fast, young (under-classmen) receiver that has as much upside as any player in this draft. At the Combine Meachem measured in at 6' 2" 214 pounds and ran his 40 in 4.43 seconds, assuring him of a lofty 1st round NFL Draft grade

10. Atlanta: Laron Landry, FS, LSU
The Atlanta defensive secondary is one of their weakest positions and they get lucky with Laron landry. He is an excellent value here and is good enough to play free or strong safety. Landry is a very physically mature, well coached, experienced, battle hardened prospect.

11. San Fransico: Jamaal Anderson, DE, Arkansas
Anderson is a great value here and is a terror rushing the passer off the edge. Only a junior, the 6' 4" 265 pound Anderson has been very productive on the field, he accumulated 19.5 tackles for a loss and 13.5 sacks last year.

12. Buffalo: Adrian Peterson, RB, Oklahoma
The Bills lost Willis McGahee, and the shocking slip of Adrian Peterson makes this an obvious pick. If Peterson stays healthy, he might bring back images of O.J. Simpson back to Buffalo.

13. St. Louis: Patrick Willis, ILB, Mississippi
The Rams have been trying to improve their defense for years. Willis will definitely improve any defense, he is good enough to be the defensive rookie of the year in 2007, a sideline to sideline tackling machine. This is a great pick for the Rams. Their receiving corps is getting kind of old also, so Bowe, Ginn or Garrett could also be a possibility. Willis had a great performance at the 2007 NFL Scouting Combine, he ran his 40 in 4.49 seconds, had a 39" vertical jump and a 9' 11" broad jump.

14. Carolina: Dwayne Bowe, WR, LSU
Bowe had a great season, a strong Senior Bowl, but only an average Combine, he measured in at 6' 2" 222 pounds and ran a 4.52 second 40 yard dash. Bowe is a big, tall, physical receiver that will give Jake Delhomme an excellent target for years to come. Bowe would be a nice compliment to Steve Smith.

15. Pittsburgh: Jarvis Moss, DE, Florida
The Steelers could use a linebacker, So Timmons or Posluszny are strong possibilities. Moss is a talented junior, and at 6' 5" 250 pounds could play end or linebacker.

16. Green Bay: Chris Houston, CB, Arkansas
This might suprise some of you, since Houston is only a junior, he wasn't as highly rated as some of the seniors, but at the 2007 NFL Combine he displayed top notch man on man cover skills and then went on to run a blazing 4.34 second 40 yard dash.

17. Jacksonville: Reggie Nelson, S, Florida
Nelson is a talented junior safety that is excellent playing centerfield in the defensive secondary. He looks fast on the field and knows how to get the ball. Fundementaly sound he will be a good fit in Jacksonville, a solid replacement for deon Grant who they lost in free agency. Didn't have a great 40 time at the combine, but reportedly ran around 4.40 during his pro day.

18. Cincinnati: Amobi Okoye, DT, Louisville
Okoye is one of my favorite player in this draft. The lightening quick Okoye is a good fit for their speedy defense. Okoye is only 19 years old and has as much upside as anyone in this draft. He reminds me of the Bears' Pro Bowl defensive tackle Tommy Harris.

19. Tennessee: Ted Ginn Jr, WR, Ohio State
With Devin Hester's success in the NFL as a return man, the Titans will be licking their lips to get Ginn. Believe it or not, Ginn might even better than Hester, and unlike Hester, can actually play another position besides returner. Ginn isn't real experienced as a wideout, but gets better every year and in time could be special. WR Dwayne Jarret might be an option here also. A great weapon for Vince Young.

20. NY Giants: Lawrence Timmons, LB, Florida State
The Giants lost half their linebacker corps, so this is a huge need. This is a nice pick if you are a Giants fan, Timmons is a young, talented 6' 2" 230 pound junior that hits like a ton of bricks. He took over for Ernie Sims and the Seminoles didn't miss a beat, he recorded 18 tackles for loss and 5 sacks.

21. Denver: Michael Griffin, SS, Texas
Another good value, Griffin is a very experienced defensive back that has been playing in the national spotlight for three years. He could play strong or free safety and John Lynch isn't getting any younger. Yes they lost CB Darrent Williams, but they were deep there already with talented CB Domonique Foxworth on the roster.

22. Dallas: DeMarcus (Tank) Tyler, NT, NC State
Dallas wants to stick with the 3-4 defense under Coach Wade Phillips, but they don't have the nose guards for it. Jason Ferguson is the only nose on the roster and he is getting old. Tyler is big and quick enough to be a star in the NFL. If either Safeties Michael griffin or Reggie Nelson were still available at this spot, Dallas wouldn't hesitate to grab either one however.

23. Kansas City: Eric Wright, CB, UNLV
A late run on speedy corners lets Wright fall down to the Chiefs. They need a defensive tackle but there isn't one available at this spot. Wright is a supreme athlete, with decent size at 5' 10" 192 pounds, but his speed is breathtaking, he ran a 4.33 second 40 yard dash at the 2007 NFL Combine.

24. New England: Eric Weddle, S, Utah
A blue collar pick here, Weddle was hugely productive on the football field and opened up some eyes at the NFL Combine, he measured in at 5' 11" 203 pounds and ran a 4.52 40 yard dash, but his 3-cone time of 6.78 seconds was fantastic.

25. NY Jets: Adam Carriker, DE, Nebraska
A 6' 5" 292 pound defensive end that can really run. He reminds me a lot of DE Patrick Kerney, whom the Falcons just lost to the Seahawks. Defensive Ends Shaun Ellis and Oelhoffen are getting old and could use some help.

26. Philadelphia: Charles Johnson, DE Georgia
Quentin Moses was supposed to be the top defensive end out of Georgia, but he struggled this year, where as his team mate, junior Charles Johnson excelled. Johnson has nice size at 6' 2" 280 pounds and can seamlessly drop back into coverage when needed. Johnson is a hustler, recording 19 tackles for loss, 9.5 sacks and knocking down an incredible 10 passes.

27. New Orleans: Marcus McCauley, CB, Fresno State
This is a definate need pick and McCauley is a super talented corner. Scouts were down on him after a mediocre senior season, but at the 2007 NFL Combine he displayed NFL caliber athleticism and speed. He ran a 4.36 second 40 yard dash which was one of the fastest times.

28. New England: Darrelle Revis, CB, Pittsburgh
Revis chose not to run at the Combine, but he is expected to work out just fine at his schools pro day. The Pats have been major players in free agency and have seemingly filled most of their holes. Ellis Hobbs has been battling injuries so Revis could be successful teamed up with Ansante Samuel.

29. Baltimore: Ryan Kalil, C, USC
Willis McGahee is the new running back in baltimore and he gets better interior blocking with Kalil, who has been moving up the draft boards after an excellent Senior Bowl and combine. He is a little light at barely 299 pounds, and will have to bulk up a little to be successful in the NFL, but he plays with a mean streak and uses great leverage and angles. He can also play guard and is extremely mobile, he can get out and neutralize the middle linebacker on running plays.

30. San Diego: Dwayne Jarrett, WR, USC
This is the steal of the draft so far, Jarrett is a 6' 4" 210 pound touchdown machine. I think Jarrett is a better talent than Keyshawn Johnson, who was the top pick in the 1996 NFL Draft. The Chiefs really need a left tackle but there aren't any left on the draft boards worthy of this lofty draft spot.


31. Chicago: Levi Brown, OT, Penn State
Levi Brown had a great Senior Bowl, but only an average Combine, he is a huge, talented left tackle and has pro bowl potential. The Bears could go corner here, or they could draft Michigan State's QB Drew Stanton if they aren't sure about Rex Grossman.

32. Indianapolis: Brian Leonard, RB/FB/, Rutgers
This might suprise a lot of you, but if you stop and think it really makes sense. The Colts lost Dominic Roads to free agency and Joseph Addai isn't big enough to carry the full load. Leonard would be the perfect fit in the Colts offense. He can run the ball with his 4.50 speed, block like a fullback at 6' 1" 230 pounds, split out wide as an H-back and catch the ball on screens and flair passes. he is so versitle Payton manning would have fun using him.

Spotlight on DE Anthony Spencer

DE Anthony Spencer, 6-3 261, Purdue

Purdue football team's Most Valuable Player for the 2006 season, Spencer has been invited to the Senior Bowl and should get a long look by NFL scouts. Spencer will try out as and End and as an Outside Linebacker in the Senior Bowl practices. Spencer leads the nation with 26.5 tackles for loss, while his average of 2.04 per game ranks third. He ranks second in the Big Ten and 15th nationally with an average of 0.81 sacks per game. Spencer leads the Big Ten with five forced fumbles, and his average of 0.38 per game ranks fifth nationally. He is 15th in the Big Ten with an average of 6.6 tackles per game - the most by a defensive lineman. With his 26.5 tackles for loss, Spencer ranks second on the Purdue season list and fifth on the Big Ten season list. The school record is 28.0 by Jeff Zgonina in 1992, the conference mark is 31.0 by Tom Burke of Wisconsin in 1998 and the NCAA standard is 32.0 by Jason Babin of Western Michigan in 2003. Spencer is seventh on the school season sacks list with 10.5. He ranks fifth on the school career sacks list with 21.0 and seventh with 44.0 tackles for loss. Spencer has 11 forced fumbles for his career, one short of the school record held by James Looney (1977-80).

Spencer is a very versatile prospect, quick off the ball and a terror as a pass rusher. A fast rising prospect, with a good Senior Bowl and NFL combine, he could easily slide into the first round of the 2007 NFL Draft.

Small School NFL Prospect Blog

Breaking news, Small school NFL prospects will now have it's very own blog. If you are interested in small school NFL Prospects check out this blog. It will be updated throughout the year:
http://nfl-prospects.blogspot.com/

The Cowboys lay an egg on Christmas

With Tony Romo's new (rumored) girlfriend, country music and American Idle star Carrie Underwood looking on, the Dallas Cowboys and Tony Romo did not appear to handle their new found stardom very well. In fact the Cowboys laid an egg on Christmas day.

Probably the most demoralizing thing is how poorly the Dallas defense has been playing. A defense chocked full of high draft picks and talented players just can't seem to make a play. Without Greg Ellis they can't rush the passer, the linebackers look slow, safeties are poor in coverage and the corners give up way to much cushion, they play scared knowing that the safeties might not "have their back". The Cowboys gave up 426 total yards against an average Eagle team.

The other problem is their inabilty to run the ball, if you look closely you will see the problem lies at the offensive guard position. Marco Rivera and Kyle Kosier are undersized at both barely 300 pounds and they get very little push in the running game. It is a position that absolutely must be upgraded in the off season for the Cowboys to have a chance. Holy cow the leading rusher for the Cowboys was Tony Romo with 42 yards. Until they get their guards to run-block they won't win a playoff game.

OK now the good news, with the NFC so inferior to the AFC, the mediocre Cowboys are already in the playoffs. With an Eagle loss and a Cowboy win the Boys can still win the NFC East. The Eagles play a dangerous Atlanta team and the Boys play a struggling 2-13 Detroit team at home. Unfortunately the Cowboys seem to get very little home field advantage, in fact, subtract the Colts game and it seems they play better on the road.

Now back to Tony Romo, was he distracted from his sudden rise to Hollywood icon stardom or did he just suffer from a lack of running game? It is hard to say, but he had his worst game of his young career, his throws were off all day. He finished a miserable 14-29 with 142 yards and 2 INTs. with a 45.5 QB rating. He gets a little to cute sometimes, he needs to plant his feet when he throws. He tries to just flip the ball when he doesn't have to, ala Brett Farve.

My last comment is for Jerry Jones, "Please take those butt ugly blue jerseys with the white helmets and throw them in the trash, they look like cheap crap. Please Bring back the silver helmets Jerry".

Running Backs for the 2008 NFL Draft

It's not every day that I talk about sophomore running backs leading up to the 2007 NFL Draft, but there are two players that should make quite an impact on the 2008 NFL Draft, Both players should be top ten picks in the 2008 NFL Draft, so if your team needs a running back, be patient, help is on the way.

1. Darren McFadden, Arkansas:
Right now I would draft McFadden over Oklahoma's heralded running back Adrian Peterson, he has better hands and is more durable. McFadden has been nothing short of spectacular the last two years with the Razorbacks, as a freshman he re-wrote the record books by rushing for 1,113 yards and 11 TDs and this year as a soph he finished second in the Heisman voting and rushed for 1,620 yards and 14 Tds with a 5.9 yards per carry average. Big and fast with great hands, in high school he ran the 100 meters in 10.8 seconds. He looks to be an NFL franchise running back, a durable workhorse. Darren is very shifty and strong, he rarely goes down upon frst contact. He has the size (6-2 215) and strength to pass protect and can catch the ball very well, not only out of the back field, but he can line up as a wide out and create mismatches against slower linebackers.

2. Steve Slaton, West Virginia:
This guy is just amazing, another freshman super star, last year (as a freshman) he was named Big East Rookie of the year, playing in 10 games he rushed for 1,128 and recorded 17 TDs. I watched him play quite a bit this year (2006) as a sophomore, and it could be argued that he was the most dangerous player in the country. He was the work horse in a run-first West Virginia team, oppossing teams new the Mountaneers were going to run on almost every play but they still couldn't stop Slaton. He finished 2006 (rushing) with 245 carries for 1,733 yards and16 TDs. Look at his yards per carry average of 7.1! But what really amazed me was his ability as a reciever, against Pitt alone he caught 6 passes for 130 yards and 2 TD. He will be a prototype player in the NFL similar to how the Saints are using Reggie Bush. He has blazing speed and can cut on a dime, not real big at 5-10 198 pounds and his legs look a little thin, but remember he is only a sophomore.

My Top 100 for the 2007 NFL Draft

2007 NFL Draft

1. WR Calvin Johnson, Georgia Tech
2. QB JaMarcus Russell, LSU
3. OT Joe Thomas, Wisconsin
4. DT Alan Branch, Michigan
5. DE Jamaal Anderson, Arkansas
6. WR Dwayne Jarrett, USC
7. DE Gaines Adams, Clemson
8. RB Marshawn Lynch, California
9. OT Levi Brown, Penn State
10. CB Leon Hall, Michigan
12. RB Adrian Peterson, Oklahoma
12. S LaRon Landry, Louisiana State
13. DT Amobi Okoye, Louisville
14. S Michael Griffin, Texas
15. S Reggie Nelson, Florida
16. DE Adam Carriker, Nebraska
17. LB Patrick Willis, Mississippi
18. WR Ted Ginn Jr, Ohio State
19. QB Brady Quinn, Notre Dame
20. DE Jarvis Moss, Florida
21. WR Sidney Rice, South Carolina
22. CB Darrelle Revis, Pitt
23. WR Robert Meachum, Tennessee
24. WR Dwayne Bowe, Louisiana State
25. DE Anthony Spencer, Purdue
26. DE Charles Johnson, Georgia
27. OLB Lawence Timmons, Florida State
28. S/CB Brandon Merriweather, Miami (Fl)
29. TE Ben Olson, Miami (Fl)
30. DT DeMarcus Tyler, North Carolina State
31. QB Drew Stanton, Michigan State
32. LB Paul Posluszny, Penn State
33. C Ryan Kalil, USC
34. OT Tony Ugoh, Arkansas
35. RB Michael Bush, Louisville
36. CB Chris Houston, Arkansas
37. OG Josh Beekman, Boston College
38. CB Tanard Jackson, Syracuse
39. ILB David Harris, Michigan
40. DB Aaron Ross, Texas
41. FB Brian Leonard, Rutgers
42. TE Zach Miller, Arizona
43. CB Daymeion Hughes, California
44. DT Kareem Brown, Miami
45. CB Marcus McCauley, Fresno State
46. OG Justin Blalock, Texas
47. DT Justin Harrell, Tennessee
48. TE Ben Patrick, Delaware
49. OG Ben Grubbs, Auburn
50. OT Marshal Yanda, Iowa
51. OLB Quincy Black, New Mexico
52. OT Joe Staley, Central Michigan
53. TE Scott Chandler, Iowa
54. WR Craig Davis, LSU
55. LB Rufus Alexander, Oklahoma
56. RB Kenny Irons, Auburn
57. G Aaron Sears, Tennessee
58. DE Tim Crowder, Texas
59. DT Brandon Mebane, California
60. LB Buster Davis, Florida State
61. LB Earl Everett, Florida
62. DT Quinn Pitcock, Ohio State
63. G Andy Alleman, Akron
64. DE Jay Moore, Nebraska
65. CB Fred Bennett, South Carolina
66. S Eric Weddle, Utah
67. DE Quentin Moses, Georgia
68. WR Anthony Gonzalez, Ohio State
69. DE Ikaika Alama-Francis, Hawaii
70. WR Paul Williams, Fresno State
71. RB Tony Hunt, Penn State
72. TE Joe Newton, Oregon State
73. LB Stewart Bradley, Nebraska
74. OT Ryan Harris, Notre Dame
75. WR Johnny Lee Higgins, UTEP
76. LB Michael Okwo, Stanford
77. CB Eric Wright, UNLV
78. DT Turk McBride, Tennessee
79. TE Matt Spaeth, Minnesota
80. DT David Patterson, Ohio State
81. DE Victor Abiamiri, Notre Dame
82. C/G Samson Satele
83. DE LaMarr Woodley, Michigan
84. WR Aundrae Allison, East Carolina
85. DE Ray McDonald, Florida
86. WR Jason Hill, Washington State
87. WR Chansi Stuckey, Clemson
88. C Kyle Young, Fresno State
89. DE Mkristo Bruce, Washington State
90. DT Ryan McBean, Oklahoma State
91. LB Juwan Simpson, Alabama
92. CB C. J. Wilson, Baylor
93. LB Brandon Siler, Florida
94. K Justin Medlock, UCLA
95. S Josh Gattis, Wake Forest
96. WR David Ball, New Hampshire
97. G Kurt Quarterman, Liousville
98. OT Chase Johnson, Wyoming
99. DE Dan Bazuin, Central Michigan
100. WR Dominique Zeigler, Baylor

The NFL Draft

Welcome to my new NFL Draft Blog. I will update this site throughout the year with player (Prospect) profiles, Mock Drafts, player rankings, teams needs and more. I will cover the major bowl games, All-star games and NFL combine. I will also provide live draft coverage and after the draft provide team report cards. I am a huge Dallas Cowboy fan also, so check back often and feel free to join in the debate.